Enhancing community resilience in arid regions: A smart framework for flash flood risk assessment

This paper presents a novel framework for smart integrated risk management in arid regions. The framework combines flash flood modelling, statistical methods, artificial intelligence (AI), geographic evaluations, risk analysis, and decision-making modules to enhance community resilience. Flash flood is simulated by using Watershed Modelling System (WMS). Statistical methods are also used to trim outlier data from physical systems and climatic data. Furthermore, three AI methods, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Nearest Neighbours Classification (NNC), are used to predict and classify flash flood occurrences. Geographic Information System (GIS) is also utilised to assess potential risks in vulnerable regions, together with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) methods. The decision-making module employs the Classic Delphi technique to classify the appropriate solutions for flood risk control. The methodology is demonstrated by its application to the real case study of the Khosf region in Iran, which suffers from both drought and severe floods simultaneously, exacerbated by recent climate changes. The results show high Coefficient of determination (R2) scores for the three AI methods, with SVM at 0.88, ANN at 0.79, and NNC at 0.89. FMEA results indicate that over 50% of scenarios are at high flood risk, while HAZOP indicates 30% of scenarios with the same risk rate. Additionally, peak flows of over 24 m3/s are considered flood occurrences that can cause financial damage in all scenarios and risk techniques of the case study. Finally, our research findings indicate a practical decision support system that is compatible with sustainable development concepts and can enhance community resilience in arid regions

Pattern of contributing behaviors and their determinants among people living with HIV in Iran: A 30-year nationwide study

Introduction: A major shift in the routes of HIV transmission seams to be taking place in Iran. Our study aimed to investigate the 30-year trend of major HIV related behaviors in Iran. Methods: The national HIV/AIDS registry database (from September 1986 to July 2016 with data on 32,168 people newly diagnosed with HIV) was used to study the 30 years trend and demographic determinants of major HIV related behaviors. Results: The highest rate of drug injection (DI) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) was reported during 1996 to 1999 (p-for trend < 0.001) while the highest rate of sexual activity by minorities or hard to reach groups was during 2004 to 2011 (p-for trend < 0.001). Among males, drug injection was directly associated with being single (ORsingle/married = 1.34), being unemployed (ORunemployed/employed = 1.94) and having lower level of education (OR<highschool/≥highschool = 2.21). Regarding females, drug injection was associated with being housewife (ORhousewife/employed = 1.35) and lower level of education (OR<highschool/≥highschool = 1.85). In females, condomless sexual contact was more common among those younger (OR20−29/<20 = 6.15), and married (ORmarried/single = 7.76). However, among males those being single (ORmarried/single = 0.82), being more educated (OR≥highschool/<highschool = 1.24), and being unemployed (ORunemployed/employed = 1.53) reported more sexual activity by minoritised or hard to reach groups. Discussion: The pattern of major HIV related behaviors among Iranian males and females have been rapidly changing and people living with HIV (PLHIV) are being diagnosed at a younger age. Health education to younger individuals is an essential HIV controlling strategy among Iranian population. Implementation of surveys in hidden and hard-to-reach populations is also recommended. Copyright © 2023 Gheibi, Fararouei, Afrashteh, Akbari, Afsar Kazerooni and Shokoohi

Electrospinning piezoelectric fibers for biocompatible devices

The field of nanotechnology has been gaining great success due to its potential in developing new generations of nanoscale materials with unprecedented properties and enhanced biological responses. This is particularly exciting using nanofibers, as their mechanical and topographic characteristics can approach those found in naturally occurring biological materials. Electrospinning is a key technique to manufacture ultrafine fibers and fiber meshes with multifunctional features, such as piezoelectricity, to be available on a smaller length scale, thus comparable to subcellular scale, which makes their use increasingly appealing for biomedical applications. These include biocompatible fiber-based devices as smart scaffolds, biosensors, energy harvesters, and nanogenerators for the human body. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current studies focused on the fabrication of ultrafine polymeric and ceramic piezoelectric fibers specifically designed for, or with the potential to be translated toward, biomedical applications. It provides an applicative and technical overview of the biocompatible piezoelectric fibers, with actual and potential applications, an understanding of the electrospinning process, and the properties of nanostructured fibrous materials, including the available modeling approaches. Ultimately, this review aims at enabling a future vision on the impact of these nanomaterials as stimuli-responsive devices in the human body

Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide : Implications in diabetes

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are two gasotransmitters that are produced in the human body and have a key role in many of the physiological activities of the various organ systems. Decreased NO bioavailability and deficiency of H2S are involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Restoration of NO levels have favorable metabolic effects in diabetes. The role of H2S in pathophysiology of diabetes is however controversial; H2S production is decreased during development of obesity, diabetes, and its complications, suggesting the potential therapeutic effects of H2S. On the other hand, increased H2S levels disturb the pancreatic β-cell function and decrease insulin secretion. In addition, there appear to be important interactions between NO and H2S at the levels of both biosynthesis and signaling pathways, yet clear an insight into this relationship is lacking. H2S potentiates the effects of NO in the cardiovascular system as well as NO release from its storage pools. Likewise, NO increases the activity and the expression of H2S-generating enzymes. Inhibition of NO production leads to elimination/attenuation of the cardioprotective effects of H2S. Regarding the increasing interest in the therapeutic applications of NO or H2S-releasing molecules in a variety of diseases, particularly in the cardiovascular disorders, much is to be learned about their function in glucose/insulin metabolism, especially in diabetes. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding of the individual and the interactive roles of NO and H2S in carbohydrate metabolism

Wnt network: A brief review of pathways and multifunctional components

The Wnt signaling pathway appears to activate intracellular signaling transduction in embryonic development, cell migration, hematopoiesis, and several diseases. Wnt signaling is basically recognized as a canonical beta-catenindependent signaling pathway. However, in recent years, generally three Wnt-mediated pathways have been investigated, which operate independently of beta-catenin and include calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II and protein kinase C, planar cell polarity, and a third one recruits hetrotrimeric GTP-binding proteins to stimulate phospholipase C and phosphodiesterase. We provide an overview of the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway and then will focus on canonical Wnt signaling components, Wnt ligands, agonists, and antagonist. This review will also discuss beta-catenin, both cytoplasmic and nuclear mechanisms, through signaling transduction, and, as a consequence, we have briefly highlighted potential implications of Wnt/beta-catenin in some cancers

The effects of Vitreous Humor on Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow to Lens Fiber Like Cells

Introduction & Objective: The function and transparency of the lens actually diminishes with aging as a result, external intervention is necessary to amend it. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitreous humor on the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to lens fiber like cells. Materials & Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at Tarbiat Moallem University in 2010. Bone marrow was collected from tibias in NMRI mice and then cultured. Immuno-cytochemistery was done to confirm the mesenchymal stem cells using Oct4 antibody. Subsequently, MSCs were treated with bovine vitreous body for 7 and 21 days. The morphology of the MSCs to the lens fibers were studied using Phase Contrast Microscope. Results: During the primary culture, the cell population was heterogeneous and in the subsequent passages, the number of the spindle-shaped cells increased. Immuno-cytochemistery study confirmed the MSCs. Morphological studies showed that most cells in the experimental group were locally longer and more aligned in parallel compared to control group cells. Moreover, lens fiber like with large nuclei and multiple nucleoli was observed. Furthermore, the concentration of 25% of vitreous body had more induction effect on MSCs in comparison with the 50% concentration. Conclusion: The MSCs derived from mouse bone marrow could differentiate into lens fiber like cells by treating them with vitreous humor