Optimizing transport logistics under uncertainty with simheuristics: concepts, review and trends

Background: Uncertainty conditions have been increasingly considered in optimization problems arising in real-life transportation and logistics activities. Generally, the analysis of complex systems in these non-deterministic environments is approached with simulation techniques. However, simulation is not an optimization tool. Hence, it must be combined with optimization methods when our goal is to: (i) minimize operating costs while guaranteeing a given quality of service; or (ii) maximize system performance using limited resources. When solving NP-hard optimization problems, the use of metaheuristics allows us to deal with large-scale instances in reasonable computation times. By adding a simulation layer to the metaheuristics, the methodology becomes a simheuristic, which allows the optimization element to solve scenarios under uncertainty. Methods: This paper reviews the indexed documents in Elsevier Scopus database of both initial as well as recent applications of simheuristics in the logistics and transportation field. The paper also discusses open research lines in this knowledge area. Results: The simheuristics approaches to solving NP-hard and large-scale combinatorial optimization problems under uncertainty scenarios are discussed, as they frequently appear in real-life applications in logistics and transportation activities. Conclusions: The way in which the different simheuristic components interact puts a special emphasis in the different stages that can contribute to make the approach more efficient from a computational perspective. There are several lines of research that are still open in the field of simheuristics.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Optimizing energy consumption in smart cities’ mobility: electric vehicles, algorithms, and collaborative economy

Mobility and transportation activities in smart cities require an increasing amount of energy. With the frequent energy crises arising worldwide and the need for a more sustainable and environmental friendly economy, optimizing energy consumption in these growing activities becomes a must. This work reviews the latest works in this matter and discusses several challenges that emerge from the aforementioned social and industrial demands. The paper analyzes how collaborative concepts and the increasing use of electric vehicles can contribute to reduce energy consumption practices, as well as intelligent x-heuristic algorithms that can be employed to achieve this fundamental goal. In addition, the paper analyzes computational results from previous works on mobility and transportation in smart cities applying x-heuristics algorithms. Finally, a novel computational experiment, involving a ridesharing example, is carried out to illustrate the benefits that can be obtained by employing these algorithms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Interaction of biochar with hemical, green and biological nitrogen fertilizers on nitrogen use efficiency indices

Chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizers are regarded as one of the environmental contaminants in addition to the necessity for fossil sources for their production. Conversely, it is impossible to neglect the supply of nitrogen needed as one of the essential ingredients for plant function. For organic agriculture, it is crucial to use alternative fertilizer management to reduce the harmful impacts and production costs of chemical fertilizers. In a one-year pot experiment, nitrate (NO− 3 ) leaching and nitrogen efficiency of wheat were examined in relation to biochar (B) mixed with urea (U), legume residues (L), and azocompost (A), which represent chemical, green, and biological sources of Nfertilizers, respectively. Control (no biochar, no fertilizer), U (46 kg ha−1 ), A (5 t ha−1 ), L (5 t ha−1 ), B (10 t ha−1 ), UB, AB, and LB were the experimental treatments. Grain yield of wheat was enhanced by 337% and 312% with UB and UL, respectively. The LB produced the highest grain N yield, with a rise of 8.8 times over the control. L had the highest N-use efficiency, with an increase of 149% over the control. The highest N-harvest index and N-recovery efficiency were obtained by using LB, with values of 91 and 70 %, respectively. Nitrate leaching occurred in the following order: U > Control ≥ A ≥ L > UB > AB ≥ LB > B. Nitrogen is retained for the plant in the extensive specific surface of biochar when N-fertilizers are used in conjunction with them. This not only improves N-efficiency but also minimizes nitrogen loss through leaching. Additionally, the soil can benefit from the addition of leguminous organic fertilizer in a similar way as to urea fertilizer in terms of increasing wheat grain yield, particularly when combined with biochar

The prognostic value of long noncoding RNA MEG3 expression in the survival of cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. lncRNA MEG3 is a tumor suppressor that is down-regulated in several cancers. However, its prognostic value in human malignancies remains controversial. We have therefore undertaken a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between cancer survival and the expression of long non-coding RNA MEG3. A systematic literature search identified 13 potentially eligible investigations comprising 1733 patients in nine different cancer types. In the pooled analysis, a low expression of MEG3 was associated with a low overall survival (OS) in cancer patients with a combined HR of 0.830 [hazard ratio (HR) =0.83; 95% CI: 0.70–0.98; P=0.0.03; random effect model]. However, sub-group analysis according to cancer type revealed that MEG3 expression was not associated with better OS in gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.33 to 1.03, P = 0.06) and breast cancer patients (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.12 to 5.88, P = 0.87). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that only in the pooled analysis, there was a significant relationship between MEG3 expression and cancer survival. Further investigation of other molecular biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis-related pathways is necessary

Comparative Influence of Biochar and Zeolite on Soil Hydrological Indices and Growth Characteristics of Corn (Zea mays L.)

Biochar and zeolite, due to their porous structure, are supposed to be appropriate soil amendments especially in agricultural areas with a lack of water or unsuitable soils with coarse texture. Two soil additions that are intended to assist an increase soil water content (AWC) are biochar and zeolite. With this aim, the effects of biochar and zeolite at two levels of 5 and 10 t ha−1 (known as B5, B10, Z5, and Z10) on soil hydrological properties and consequently corn growth were investigated in this study. The results showed that the application of B5 and B10 significantly improved AWC by 76% and 48% due to increasing soil micro- and meso-pores. The application of Z5 and Z10, associated with an increase of macro-pores in soil, enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) up to 174% and 303% and caused losses. The highest specific surface area and mean weight diameter in soil obtained from B10 had an increase of 171% and 197% over the control. Biochar treatments considerably affected plant growth features and shoot nutrient content, whilst zeolite treatments had an impact that is much less apparent than that of biochar. Observations indicate that biochar greatly boosted nutrient availability and water retention in the soil by raising the share of micro- and mezzo-pores, respectively, and as a result, has benefited plant growth. Increasing the level of biochar application from 5 to 10% would have more positive effects on the water available in the soil and on plant root systems. In contrast, the high rate of application of zeolite particles due to coarseness and adding Na+ ions to the soil caused the dispersion of soil particles, the destruction of soil structure, increasing Ks and water loss and consequently a reduction in plant growth

The association between metformin administration and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies

Introduction: Metformin, a blood sugar-lowering agent, has the potential to be an anti-cancer agent. However, its role in lymphoma remains uncertain. Objectives: This study sought to examine the correlation between the utilization of metformin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma through the application of a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology. Materials and Methods: This investigation was carried out in the form of a methodical examination and meta-analysis in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and the Google Scholar search engine were thoroughly explored without any temporal limitations until September 20, 2023. The data was analyzed utilizing the STATA 14 software, and the level of significance for the tests was established at P<0.05. Results: The results, obtained by combining six observational studies (five cohort studies and one case-control study) with a total sample size of 2 330 787 individuals, showed that the odds ratio (OR) for the association between metformin use and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in all studies was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.07). In cohort studies, the OR was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.11), and in the case-control study, it was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.79, 1.10). None of these relationships were statistically significant. The odds ratio between metformin uses and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.21), and the odds ratio between metformin use and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was 1.06 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.83), both of which were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This investigation’s findings indicated no statistically noteworthy correlation exists between the utilization of metformin and the probability of contracting non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Registration: This study was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. Its protocol was registered on the PROSPERO (CRD42023469100) and Research Registry (UIN: reviewregistry1721) websites

Investigation of the effect of different grading on the mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete

In this study, 11 designs with sand-to-cement ratios of 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, and 7 were used to investigate the impact of increasing the sand-to-cement ratio in reactive powder concrete. Laboratory results indicate a decrease in compressive and bending strength, following an increase in the ratio of sand to cement. Sample S7 with the highest ratio of sand to cement has the lowest bending strength and compressive strength at the ages of 1, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days.In the second process, 1 % polymer resin was added to the sand-to-cement ratio from the first step. By analyzing the results, it was observed that the addition of 1 % of polymer resin causes a decrease of 40.8 % in compressive strength at the age of 1 day. The biggest one-day pressure drop is S6.75 with a drop of 68.1 %. As the samples age, adding 1 % of polymer resin increases the compressive strength at 11 sand-cement ratios, so that the 90-day compressive strength of the S4.75 sample reaches 59.7 MPa. The addition of 1 % polymer resin also increased the bending strength by 9.1 %. After examining the results of the first and second steps of the study, the sand to cement ratios of 5.5, 6, 6.25, 6.5 and 7 were selected as optimal and suitable samples. In the third step of the study, coarse aggregate with percentages of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 was added to the selected samples. The results showed that the addition of coarse aggregate caused a decrease of 41.1 % in the compressive strength of reactive powder concrete at the age of 1 day, compared to the control sample. In the third step, the maximum compressive strength at the ages of 28, 42, 56 and 90 days for sand-cement ratios of 5.5, 6, 6.25, 6.5 and 7 corresponds to the sample containing 50 % of coarse aggregate. The best samples of the third step in flexural strength are those with 50 % gravel, which increases flexural strength with increasing sand-cement ratio. On the other hand, with the addition of coarse aggregate, an increase in flexural strength was observed compared to the control sample of reactive powder concrete. In the fourth step of the study, 1 % of polymer resin was added to the samples of the third step. The results of this step show that, like the third step, the maximum compressive strength of the ages of 28, 42, 56 and 90 days for the sand-cement ratios of 5.5, 6, 6.25, 6.5 and 7 for the sample with 50 % coarse aggregate. In the fourth step, by increasing the ratio of sand to cement, samples with a lower percentage of sand have higher bending strength

Construction of an Expression Plasmid (Vector) Encoding Brucella melitensis Outer Membrane Protein, a Candidate for DNA Vaccine

Background: DNA vaccination with plasmid encoding bacterial, viral, and parasitic immunogens has been shown to be an attractive method to induce efficient immune responses. Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular pathogens for which new and efficient vaccines are needed. Methods: To evaluate the use of a DNA immunization strategy for protection against brucellosis, a plasmid containing the DNA encoding the Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) 31 kDa outer membrane protein, as a potent immunogenic target, was constructed. Results: The constructed plasmid, pcDNA3.1+omp31, was injected intramuscularly into mice and the expression of omp31 RNA was assessed by RT-PCR. The integrity of the pcDNA3.1+omp31 construct was confirmed with restriction analysis and sequencing. Omp31 mRNA expression was verified by RT-PCR. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the pcDNA3.1+omp31 eukaryotic expression vector expresses omp31 mRNA and could be useful as a vaccine candidate

Evaluation of the Association between Family Social Support and Disease-related Concerns of Patients with Heart Failure Hospitalized in Public Hospitals in Birjand, Iran in 2018

Background & Aim: Heart failure is a major growing problem that affects patients, their families, and the social network. The higher the level of social support provided by families, the lower the risk of heart failure progression in individuals. This study aimed to determine the relationship between family social support and disease-related concerns of patients with heart failure. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 150 patients selected by census method. A questionnaire containing information of demographic characteristics, family social support, and disease-related concerns of patients was applied to collect the data. In addition, data analysis was carried out in SPSS version 19 after collecting and coding the data. Results: The mean total score of family social support and disease-related concerns was 228.62±39.34 and 78.32±26.44, respectively. Data analysis showed that all aspects of family social support had a positive and significant relationship with the disease-related concern (P<0.05(. Moreover, the total score of the family social support had a positive and significant correlation with the total score of the disease-related concerns in patients. Conclusion: The results confirmed the role of family support in improvement of mental health of patients. Therefore, it is suggested that a family-centered and cooperative nursing intervention be designed to involve family members in the care process of patients with heart failure