Entomological study of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry

Objective: To investigate the fauna and seasonal activity of different species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry, Southern Iran, as a oil rich district. Sand flies are the vectors of at least three different kinds of disease, the most important of which is leishmaniasis, and it is a major public health problem in Iran with increased annual occurrence of clinical episodes. Methods: A total of 3 497 sand flies of rural regions were collected by sticky traps fixed, and cleared in puris medium and identified morphologically, twice a month from April to March 2008. Results: Predominant species included four of genus Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus alexandri Sinton, 1928, Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, 1910, Phlebotomus bergeroti Parrot and Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot) and one of genus Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia tiberiadis Alder, Theodor & Lourie, 1930). The most prevalent species was Phlebotomus papatasi, presented 56.4% of the identified flies. The others were Phlebotomus sergenti (22.5%), Phlebotomus alexandri (4.5%), Phlebotomus bergeroti (12%) and Sergentomyia tiberiadis (5%) as well. The percentage of females (68%) was more than that of males (32%). The abundance of sand flies represented two peaks of activity; one in early May and the other one in the first half of September in the region. Conclusion: Phlebotomus papatasi is the probable vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the region. Further molecular studies are needed to determine the definite vector of the region

Comparison between Protective Effects of Resveratrol and Atorvastatin against Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Rats

Background: Dyslipidemia puts patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are the most cause of premature deaths worldwide. This study determined protective effects of resveratrol (RVL) and atorvastatin (ATV) in rats fed with a high-fat/high-fructose (HFHF) diet were compared for e treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia.Methods: Thirty-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, including a group fed with a standard diet and three groups fed with a HFHF diet for 12 weeks. In two groups, in addition to HFHF diet, animals received RVL (100 mg/kg) and ATV (10 mg/kg) by gavage. After 12 weeks, levels of body and heart weights, systolic blood pressure(SBP), serum biomarkers of atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the heart tissue were measured.Results: Rats received the HFHF diet showed an elevation (p<0.05) in body and heart weight, SBP, serum total triglycerides (T-TGs), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), low-density lipoprotein CHOL (LDL-C), insulin resistance, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α), and also, elevated MDA content in the heart tissue. The administration of RVL significantly reduced (p<0.05) heart weight, SBP, serum T-TGs levels, insulin resistance, TNF-α, and cardiac MDA in rats received HFHF diet. On the other hand, the administration of ATV significantly decreased (p<0.05) heart-weight, and serum levels of T-TGs, T-CHOL, LDL-C, and TNF-α.Conclusion: RVL at a dose of 10 mg/kg was not a better protective medication against atherogenic dyslipidemia; but it may be applicable as a complementary medication with ATV

Blockchain technology based exchanged information security for demand‐side management of grid‐connected microgrid using model predictive control

Abstract In the present study, the economic model predictive control (EMPC) scheme is presented for the time of use tariff application of photovoltaic and diesel generator backup system, which is connected to the grid‐connected microgrid. Through the use of the closed‐loop control system, the prior open‐loop optimal control is enhanced. Minimizing the grid energy and fuel costs by evaluating the fuel level restrictions in the diesel tank is the main goal of this study. To accommodate the restrictions among controllable variables, this control method fulfils the load requirements. To gain the benefits of feedback and predictions, optimal power scheduling is modelled as a control problem. Furthermore, Blockchain technology is applied to secure interchanged information in the grid to avoid manipulating data by attackers. Specifically, the analysis is divided into two scenarios. The first one takes place in the alternative style when a blackout happens between [7 am and 6 pm] h and the other occurs in a grid energy mode when the network is available over 24 h. Energy performance, cost savings, and daily revenue have all been improved by EMPC. As a result, the daily energy savings are up to 52%, whereas diesel energy does not go over 85%

Entomological study of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry

Objective: To investigate the fauna and seasonal activity of different species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry, Southern Iran, as a oil rich district. Sand flies are the vectors of at least three different kinds of disease, the most important of which is leishmaniasis, and it is a major public health problem in Iran with increased annual occurrence of clinical episodes. Methods: A total of 3 497 sand flies of rural regions were collected by sticky traps fixed, and cleared in puris medium and identified morphologically, twice a month from April to March 2008. Results: Predominant species included four of genus Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus alexandri Sinton, 1928, Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, 1910, Phlebotomus bergeroti Parrot and Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot) and one of genus Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia tiberiadis Alder, Theodor & Lourie, 1930). The most prevalent species was Phlebotomus papatasi, presented 56.4% of the identified flies. The others were Phlebotomus sergenti (22.5%), Phlebotomus alexandri (4.5%), Phlebotomus bergeroti (12%) and Sergentomyia tiberiadis (5%) as well. The percentage of females (68%) was more than that of males (32%). The abundance of sand flies represented two peaks of activity; one in early May and the other one in the first half of September in the region. Conclusion: Phlebotomus papatasi is the probable vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the region. Further molecular studies are needed to determine the definite vector of the region