Does Exercise Deprivation Increase the Tendency Towards Morphine Dependence in Rats?

Background: Exercise deprivation has been concluded to have some negative effects on psychological well-being. This study was conducted to find out whether exercise deprivation may lead to morphine dependence in rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 162 ± 9 g were housed in clear plastic cages in groups of two under standard laboratory conditions. The study had two phases. In phase I, the animals were randomly divided into exercised (E) and unexercised (UE) groups (n = 20 each) and treadmill running was performed based on a standard protocol for three weeks. At the end of the training period, plasma β-endorphin levels were determined in four rats from each group. In phase II, the animals were provided with two bottles, one containing tap water and the other 25 mg/l morphine sulfate in tap water for a total of 12 weeks. At the end of this phase naloxone was injected intraperitoneally to precipitate morphine withdrawal Findings: There was no significant difference between UE and E groups in morphine consumption (mg/kg/wk) [group: F(1,14) = 0.2, P = 0.690; time: F(11,154) =18.72, P < 0.001; interaction: F(11,154) = 1.27 , P = 0.245]. No statistically significant difference between the two groups of animals was seen regarding withdrawal signs. Conclusion: The study showed that discontinuation of exercise does not increase the tendency of morphine dependence in rats. Keywords: Exercise dependence, Substance dependence, Oral morphine self-administration, Rat

DESIGNING A PID CONTROLLER TO CONTROL A FUEL CELL VOLTAGE USING THE IMPERIALIST COMPETITIVE ALGORITHM

In this article, an optimized PID controller for a fuel cell is introduced. It should be noted that we did not compute the PID controller’s coefficients based on trial-and-error method; instead, imperialist competitive algorithms have been considered. At first, the problem will be formulated as an optimization problem and solved by the mentioned algorithm, and optimized results will be obtained for PID coefficients. Then one of the important kinds of fuel cells, called proton exchange membrane fuel cell, is introduced. In order to control the voltage of this fuel cell during the changes in the charges, an optimal controller is introduced, based on the imperialist competitive algorithm. In order to apply this algorithm, the problem is written as an optimization problem which includes objectives and constraints. To achieve the most desirable controller, this algorithm is used for problem solving. Simulations confirm the better performance of proposed PID controller

Development and characterization of medium and high internal phase novel multiple Pickering emulsions stabilized by hordein nanoparticles

Medium and high internal phase W1/O/W2 multiple Pickering emulsions (MPEs) were fabricated by physically-modified hordein nanoparticles. A triphasic system was developed at dispersed phase volume fraction (Φ) of 0.5 with an overrun value of ∼40%. No overrun was detected in high internal phase MPEs (Φ 0.8). Optical and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the formation of MPEs. Monomodal droplet size distribution with a mean diameter of 32.90 and 21.48 μm was observed for MPEs at Φ 0.5 and Φ 0.8, respectively. Static multiple light scattering confirmed that creaming was the main mechanism behind the instability of MPEs. Both MPEs revealed pseudo-plastic behavior and predominant storage modulus (G′) over the applied frequency range. The encapsulation efficiency of vitamin B12 in MPEs was 98.3% and remained relatively constant during 28 d. These results suggested the excellent potential of hordein nanoparticles as appropriate candidate for designing multi-structural colloidal systems using plant proteins

Does Exercise Deprivation Increase the Tendency Towards Morphine Dependence in Rats?

Abstract Exercise deprivation has been concluded to have some negative effects on psychological well-being. This study was conducted to find out whether exercise deprivation may lead to morphine dependence in rats. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 162 ± 9 g were housed in clear plastic cages in groups of two under standard laboratory conditions. The study had two phases. In phase I, the animals were randomly divided into exercised (E) and unexercised (UE) groups (n = 20 each) and treadmill running was performed based on a standard protocol for three weeks. At the end of the training period, plasma β-endorphin levels were determined in four rats from each group. In phase II, the animals were provided with two bottles, one containing tap water and the other 25 mg/l morphine sulfate in tap water for a total of 12 weeks. At the end of this phase naloxone was injected intraperitoneally to precipitate morphine withdrawal. There was no significant difference between UE and E groups in morphine consumption (mg/kg/wk) [group: F(1,14) = 0.2, P = 0.690; time: F(11,154) =18.72, P < 0.001; interaction: F(11,154) = 1.27 , P = 0.245]. No statistically significant difference between the two groups of animals was seen regarding withdrawal signs. The study showed that discontinuation of exercise does not increase the tendency of morphine dependence in rats

Multi-criteria/comparative analysis and multi-objective optimization of a hybrid solar/geothermal source system integrated with a carnot battery

Among the different electrical energy storage technologies, the Carnot batteries are promising options with low specific cost that do not suffer from geographical limitations and power-capacity coupling. In addition to power balancing, this approach can also be unique for multi-vector energy management. A comprehensive evaluation (thermodynamic design and exergoenvironmental and exergoeconomic evaluations), comparison, and multi-objective optimization of four Carnot battery configurations based on solar-electric energy and a geothermal source is presented. Geothermal energy can simultaneously improve the thermodynamic and environmental performances of the Carnot battery. The main structure of all configurations is based on electrical energy obtained from PV and captured thermal energy from a geothermal source. The four Brayton, heat pump, flash, and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) units are periodically integrated. The outcomes point out that the discharging process is based on an ORC unit and a flash-heat pump cycle (F-HPC)-based charging process makes more optimal heat-to-power efficiency. Moreover, the Carnot battery based on the regenerative-Brayton cycle (R-BC) unit has a higher investment cost rate compared to the ORC unit (in the discharging process). When integrating the geothermal, the third configuration (R-HPC/R-BC) experiences the greatest improvement (5.3-fold) due to the increase in thermal energy received from the geothermal source

The influence of emulsion parameters on physical stability and rheological properties of Pickering emulsions stabilized by hordein nanoparticles

In this study, the effect of pH (3–8), ionic strength (I, 0.01–1 M), protein particle concentration (C, 0.5%–2%), and dispersed phase volume fraction (Φ, 0.25–0.8) on the efficacy of hordein-based colloidal nanoparticles in the stabilization of Pickering structures was investigated. Colloidal particles were synthesized via anti-solvent method. Depending on pH and I, the average size and zeta-potential of hordein particles ranged from 425 to around 4000 nm, and +27.5 to −15.63 mV, respectively. The intense aggregation of particles at pH close to isoelectric point and also at high I led to poor formation and stability of Pickering emulsions. The overrun value was influenced by various emulsion parameters. At pH 3, triphasic (with the overrun value of 75%) and high internal phase (HIP) emulsions with an average droplet size of 15.6–86.7 μm were formed at Φ 0.25 and 0.8, respectively. At Φ 0.5 and 0.8, an elastic gel-like behavior (i.e., storage modulus (G′) > loss modulus (G″)) was observed over the applied frequency range. At Φ 0.25, a predominant viscous character (G">G′) was observed at low frequencies; while, at higher frequencies, G′ exceeded G″ due to the foam collapse. The morphology was studied by optical microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Monitoring the physical stability using static multiple light scattering (MLS) revealed three destabilization profiles of foam-like, emulsion-foam and gel-like structures. The results of this study might help in designing triphasic Pickering systems (using plant-based proteins) and developing solid-like structured vegetable oils from the gel-like HIP emulsions

A fuel gas waste heat recovery-based multigeneration plant integrated with a LNG cold energy process, a water desalination unit, and a CO2 separation process

Development of the multigeneration plants based on the simultaneous production of water and energy can solve many of the current problems of these two major fields. In addition, the integration of fossil power plants with waste heat recovery processes in order to prevent the release of pollutants in the environment can simultaneously cover the environmental and thermodynamic improvements. Besides, the addition of a carbon dioxide (CO2) capturing cycles with such plants is a key issue towards a sustainable environment. Accordingly, a novel waste heat recovery-based multigeneration plant integrated with a carbon dioxide separation/liquefaction cycle is proposed and investigated under multi-variable assessments (energy/exergy, financial, and environmental). The offered multigeneration system is able to generate various beneficial outputs (electricity, liquefied CO2 (L-CO2), natural gas (NG), and freshwater). In the offered system, the liquified natural gas (LNG) cold energy is used to carry out condensation processes, which is a relatively new idea. Based on the results, the outputs rates of net power, NG, L-CO2, and water were determined to be approximately 42.72 MW and 18.01E+03, 612 and 3.56E+03 kmol/h, respectively. Moreover, the multigeneration plant was efficient about 32.08% and 87.72%, respectively, in terms of energy and exergy. Economic estimates indicated that the unit product costs of electricity and liquefied carbon dioxide production, respectively, were around 0.0466 USD per kWh and 0.0728 USD per kg-CO2. Finally, the total released CO2 was about 0.034 kg per kWh. According to a comprehensive comparison, the offered multigeneration plant can provide superior environmental, thermodynamic, and economic performances compared to similar plants. Moreover, there was no need to purchase electricity from the grid

Effects of Allium cepa and Its Constituents on Respiratory and Allergic Disorders : A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence

The health benefits of Allium cepa (A. cepa) have been proclaimed for centuries. Various pharmacological and therapeutic effects on respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders are shown by A. cepa and its constituents. Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, alk(en)yl cysteine sulfoxides including S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide and S-propyl cysteine sulfoxide, cycloalliin, thiosulfinates, and sulfides are the main compounds of the plant. A. cepa displays broad-spectrum pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic effects. Our objective in this review is to present the effects of A. cepa and its constituents on respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders. Different online databases were searched to find articles related to the effect of A. cepa extracts and its constituents on respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders until the end of December 2020 using keywords such as onion, A. cepa, constituents of A. cepa, therapeutic effects and pharmacological effects, and respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders. Extracts and constituents of A. cepa showed tracheal smooth muscle relaxant effects, indicating possible bronchodilator activities or relieving effects on obstructive respiratory diseases. In experimental animal models of different respiratory diseases, the preventive effect of various extracts and constituents of A. cepa was induced by their antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. The preventive effects of the plant and its components on lung disorders induced by exposure to noxious agents as well as lung cancer, lung infection, and allergic and immunologic disorders were also indicated in the experimental and clinical studies. Therefore, this review may be considered a scientific basis for development of therapies using this plant, to improve respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders