Optimization of Signal Timing of Intersections by Internal Metering of Queue Time Ratio of Vehicles in Network Scale

Optimization of signal timing in urban network is usually done by minimizing the delay times or queue lengths. Sincethe effect of each intersection on the whole network is not considered in the mentioned methods, traffic congestion may occur in network links. Therefore, this paper has aimed to provide a timing optimization algorithm for traffic signals using internal timing policy based on balancing queue time ratio of vehicles in network links. In the proposed algorithm, the difference between the real queue time ratio and the optimum one for each link of intersection was minimized. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm on traffic performance, the proposed algorithm was applied in a hypothetical network. By comparing the simulating software outputs, before and after implementing the algorithm, it was concluded that the queue time ratio algorithm has improved the traffic parameters by increasing the flow as well as reducing the delay time and density of the network

Evaluation of evapotranspiration coefficient and daily crop reference evapotranspiration in a semi-arid region based on field water balance and FAO method

Precise estimation of daily crop reference evapotranspiration and crop coefficients (K c) is required for determining crop water use in order to practice proper irrigation management. Crop coefficients, which have been presented for most crops by FAO based on four crop stages (initial, development, middle, and late) are affected by many factors including soil moisture, growing degree days (GDD) and leaf area index (LAI). Therefore, the above-mentioned factors have to be considered in estimating these values. The purpose of this study was evolution of crop coefficients for sugar beet crop based on field water balance and FAO method through measuring soil moisture variation, and evaluating reference ET by FAO-penman-monteith equation in a semi-arid region. Crop coefficient curves and various mathematical relationships were developed for growth period to estimate the crop coefficient for this crop. The K c values during the growing season was 0.59, 1.19 and 0.85 for initial, mid and end stage respectively. The K c ini that was estimated with field water balance method was greater than FAO method but K c mid, K c end were lesser than FAO method over the growth season

Optimization of Reactive Blue 21 removal by Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron using response surface methodology

AbstractSince Reactive Blue 21 (RB21) is one of the dye compounds which is harmful to human life, a simple and sensitive method to remove this pollutant from wastewater is using Nano Zero-Valent Iron (NZVI) catalyst. In this paper, a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was employed for response surface modeling to optimize experimental conditions of the RB21 removal from aqueous solution. The significance and adequacy of the model were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Four independent variables—including catalyst amount (0.1–0.9g), pH (3.5–9.5), removal time (30–150s) and dye concentration (10–50mg/L)—were transformed to coded values and consequently second order quadratic model was built to predict the responses. The result showed that under optimized experimental conditions the removal of RB21 was over 95%

Effect of Calcium-D Supplementation on Glucose Control of Patients with Gestational Diabetes

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by intolerance to carbohydrates and metabolic diseases. Gestational diabetes has many maternal and fetal complications that need to be carefully controlled. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of calcium-D supplementation on glucose control of patients with gestational diabetes. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 84 pregnant women with GDM. Some inclusion criteria included a positive one-step test during the 24th-28th week of pregnancy and definitive diagnosis of GDM and some exclusion criteria including patients with a previous history of diabetes who required insulin therapy during the intervention. The intervention group were given  routine treatment and calcium supplements plus vitamin D and the control group were given routine treatment only. Fasting blood glucose was measured monthly in both groups until the end of pregnancy. All analyses were performed using SPSS software version 16 and related tests like mean± SD, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Of the 84 patients examined, the mean age was 29.4±5.2 years old and there were no significant differences between the two groups (Pvalue= 0.189). The mean BMI of all patients was 25.31±2.72 kg/m2 and there was no significant difference between the two groups (Pvalue= 0.312). The mean of the FBS level at the end of the study in the case group was 91.5±12.9 mg/dl and in the control group it was 98.9±15.8 mg/dl, which was significantly lower in the case group (p=0.014). GDM variables were significantly associated with a positive history of diabetes mellitus (Pvalue<0.033), previous history of GDM (Pvalue<0.013) and FBS (Pvalue<0.001) and there was no significant relationship with other variables. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that calcium-D supplementation has a significant effect on glucose control in patients with GDM and its use is recommended in these patients.  Keywords: Gestational diabetes, Calcium, Vitamin D, Glucose

The Effect of Calcium-D Supplementation on Glucose Control of Patients with Gestational Diabetes

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by intolerance to carbohydrates and metabolic diseases. Gestational diabetes has many maternal and fetal complications that need to be carefully controlled. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of calcium-D supplementation on glucose control of patients with gestational diabetes. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 84 pregnant women with GDM. Some inclusion criteria included a positive one-step test during the 24th-28th week of pregnancy and definitive diagnosis of GDM and some exclusion criteria including patients with a previous history of diabetes who required insulin therapy during the intervention. The intervention group were given  routine treatment and calcium supplements plus vitamin D and the control group were given routine treatment only. Fasting blood glucose was measured monthly in both groups until the end of pregnancy. All analyses were performed using SPSS software version 16 and related tests like mean± SD, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Of the 84 patients examined, the mean age was 29.4±5.2 years old and there were no significant differences between the two groups (Pvalue= 0.189). The mean BMI of all patients was 25.31±2.72 kg/m2 and there was no significant difference between the two groups (Pvalue= 0.312). The mean of the FBS level at the end of the study in the case group was 91.5±12.9 mg/dl and in the control group it was 98.9±15.8 mg/dl, which was significantly lower in the case group (p=0.014). GDM variables were significantly associated with a positive history of diabetes mellitus (Pvalue<0.033), previous history of GDM (Pvalue<0.013) and FBS (Pvalue<0.001) and there was no significant relationship with other variables. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that calcium-D supplementation has a significant effect on glucose control in patients with GDM and its use is recommended in these patients.  Keywords: Gestational diabetes, Calcium, Vitamin D, Glucose

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Electroconductive Melt Electrowritten Patches Matching the Mechanical Anisotropy of Human Myocardium

Cardiac patches represent a promising strategy for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). Here, an electroconductive cardiac patch that conforms to the mechanics of human myocardium is fabricated. By melt electrospinning writing (MEW), it is possible to fabricate an auxetic patch that can overcome the limited range of elasticity seen in conventional square patch designs. The auxetic patches can accommodate the strains and stresses exhibited by the human myocardium during diastole and systole. It is shown that the geometry of the auxetic patches can be fine?tuned to reflect anisotropic mechanical properties. The anisotropic ratio of effective stiffness (E1/E2) of the auxetic patches agrees with the directionally?dependent mechanics of the heart. Furthermore, in situ polymerization of doped?polypyrrole (PPy) on the auxetic patches confers electroconductive properties close to those reported of human myocardium. This approach demonstrates the potential use of a rational design of PPy?coated patches for their use as cardiac patches

Analyzing the Impact of Large Dams on Seismicity Patterns around Their Locations

Dam construction is one of the most popular solutions for managing water resources. In recent years, changes in patterns of regional seismicity associated with large impoundment dams have raised concerns among environmentalists. In this study, five large dams located in Iran were studied from this perspective. The Gutenberg-Richter, linear regression and T-test were used to examine the seismic changes in the radius of 100 km of each of the dams during a twenty-five-year period before and after the construction of the dams. The results revealed that the seismicity level and relative density of large and small earthquakes in three of these dams have increased after dam construction. A significant difference between the magnitude of earthquakes, as well as the number of earthquakes before and after the construction of dams in the region, was recognized. However, the results of the T-test statistical analysis indicated that the mean depth of the earthquakes and their distance from the dams before and after construction have not changed significantly. Overall, these results indicated that the construction of large impoundment dams has been associated with some changes in patterns of regional seismicity. The findings would guide researchers to further investigate the type of impacts that dam construction may have on seismicity patterns