The Effect of Cannabinoids and Terpenes on the Activation of HMC3 Microglial Cells

Life expectancies of people living with HIV have significantly lengthened due to the availability of antiretroviral therapies. Despite their ability to increase survival, these treatments do not “cure” HIV, nor do the stop the onset of neurological symptoms associated with infection, termed neuroHIV. NeuroHIV describes a myriad of neurological impairments including mood disorders (depression and anxiety), cognitive impairment, neuropathic pain, and motor disinhibition that reduce quality of life for people living with HIV. Mechanistically, the neurological impairments may involve actions of neurotoxic proteins directly produced by the virus. One of these proteins that has been well-characterized is the HIV trans activator of transcription (Tat). Tat exerts neurotoxic effects via activation of microglia, the first line of immune defense of the central nervous system, to induce a pro-inflammatory state in the brain. Cannabis is more often smoked by HIV-positive individuals than the general population to reduce neuroinflammation. Cannabinoids or cannabis terpenes can attenuate HIV-induced neuroinflammation, this study was carried out to elucidate the potential anti-inflammatory constituents of cannabis for their efficacy on Tat-mediated activation of human microglia cell lines. Herein, we exposed human microglia to Tat in the presence of a variety of compounds found in cannabis. Toxicity of the cannabis compounds themselves were also assessed. Several active compounds were then tested in a concentration-response curve to determine efficacy and potency. Two compounds, namely, β- caryophyllene and CBN reduced microglial activation in a concentration- dependent manner such that 1000 nM of β-caryophyllene and CBN significantly reduced activation compared to all other concentrations. In regards to CBN acid, 100nM significantly reduced activation compared to 1000nM. As such, the anti-inflammatory effects of β- caryophyllene, CBN, and CBN acid were observed at 1000 nM and 100 nM. Further studies are needed to be carried out on cannabis and its individual cannabinoids for better understanding of their potential anti-inflammatory effects that the cannabis constituents can exert over HIV or HIV proteins and their mechanisms of actions

Simulation of labor evacuation: The case of housing construction projects

AbstractConstruction sites occupy of the labors who are engaged in many different activities that can expose them to dangerous conditions. During emergencies and extreme events of natural or manmade origin in construction sites, saving labors lives is the primary objective. Therefore, the contractors are required to establish effective emergency plans which have to be improved to aid for rapid egress from construction sites. To support emergency evacuation planning, it is critical to estimate labor evacuation times during project execution. This paper presents a framework that utilizes building information modeling (BIM) and computer simulation to plan the evacuation of labors in construction sites during project execution and to visualize evacuation times of labors at emergency conditions at any time from project duration. The proposed framework utilizes MassMotion software as the simulation platform that enables predicting the labor evacuation times under various conditions. In addition, the evacuation time calculated from computer simulation is used to develop and evaluate the plan. A case study is worked out to demonstrate a simulation of emergency evacuation from a housing building during its construction to demonstrate the use of the proposed framework. Finally, the paper presents the simulation results of labors evacuation in the housing building construction sites

Using 3D laser scanning to analyze heritage structures: the case study of Egyptian Palace

Preservation of heritage buildings should be carried out to get a better understanding of the behavior of their structures and keep them in a good condition. As such, corrective diagnosis of heritage buildings health conditions would help to identify potential risks and take remedy actions. This paper presents a framework for heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) application in Egyptian Heritage buildings. The framework is capable of utilizing processed point clouds using 3D laser scanning to create different purpose BIM models at the different levels of development to simulate the structural performances under different types of actions. The paper illustrates an extensive structural analysis for Tosson palace in Cairo – Egypt to assess its health state to assure its sustainability for future use

Fuzzy Monte Carlo simulation optimization for selecting materials in green buildings

Global interest in sustainable and green building design has been increasing in the last few decades. This interest is strengthened by the fact that sustainable measures help in reducing negative social and environmental impacts of buildings. For that, this paper aims to develop a mixed integer optimization model that aids architects/designers and owner representatives during design stage in selecting building materials taking into consideration costs and risks that are involved in the selection process. The model is developed as a simulation optimization tool based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new construction. The developed model allows deterministic and probabilistic cost analysis of various design alternatives. In addition, it identifies the least possible cost to gain the LEED credits and the risks associated with materials’ quantities and materials’ unit prices. To illustrate the use of the proposed tool, a case study of an office building project constructed in Egypt is presented. An integrated Fuzzy Monte Carlo Simulation (FMCS) analysis is performed to account for the associated risks of using new materials in the considered case study. The proposed model is capable to capture the cost uncertainty of building materials and to identify the cost and sustainability performance of various building materials by relating the LEED rating system for new construction

Optimizing earthmoving operations using computer simulation

This thesis presents a new methodology for optimizing earthmoving operations using computer simulation and genetic algorithms. It provides an optimization tool geared towards selection of near-optimum fleet configurations. The optimization used in the selection of fleets accounts for availability of equipment and aims at minimizing the total project cost or duration. The simulation process, in the proposed methodology, utilizes discrete event simulation (DEVS) and object oriented modeling. Different features of object orientation are employed including classes, dynamic data structure and polymorphism. The three-phase simulation approach, rather than process interaction, was employed to control the dynamics of the simulation process and track involved activities. This simulation approach is considered most appropriate for object oriented simulation (OOS). The optimization process uses a developed genetic algorithm to search for a near-optimum fleet configuration that reduces project total cost. The algorithm considers a set of qualitative and quantitative variables that influence the production of earthmoving operations. Qualitative variables represent the models of equipment used in each fleet scenario, whereas, quantitative variables represent the number of equipment involved in each scenario. The proposed methodology accounts for: (1) uncertainties associated with earthmoving operations; (2) optimization of project duration or its total cost, considering equipment availability; and (3) realistic estimates of haulers' travel time. It also makes full use of object oriented features and is implemented in a prototype software system named SimEarth . The system consists of five main components: (1) EarthMoving Simulation Program ( EMSP ); (2) Equipment Cost Application ( ECA ); (3) Equipment Database Application ( EDA ); (4) EarthMoving Genetic Algorithm ( EM_GA ), and (5) Output Reporting Module ( ORM ). Beside these main components, SimEarth is supported by: (a) Hauler's Travel Time Application ( HTTA ), and (b) EarthMoving Markup Application ( EMMA ). All system components are implemented in Microsoft ( MS ) environment except the dynamic sub-module of ORM component, which is implemented utilizing " Proof Animation " software. Five numerical examples were analyzed in order to validate and demonstrate the essential features of the system's components. A comprehensive case study of an actual project was analyzed in order to test the performance of the developed system (including the dynamic interaction among its components) and to illustrate the practical features of the developed methodology. The project involves the construction of a large rockfill dam, located in the northern part of the province of Quebec

Predicting telecommunication tower costs using fuzzy subtractive clustering

This paper presents a fuzzy subtractive modelling technique to predict the weight of telecommunication towers which is used to estimate their respective costs. This is implemented through the utilization of data from previously installed telecommunication towers considering four input parameters: a) tower height; b) allowed tilt or deflection; c) antenna subjected area loading; and d) wind load. Telecommunication towers are classified according to designated code (TIA-222-F and TIA-222-G standards) and structures type (Self-Supporting Tower (SST) and Roof Top (RT)). As such, four fuzzy subtractive models are developed to represent the four classes. To build the fuzzy models, 90% of data are utilized and fed to Matlab software as training data. The remaining 10% of the data are utilized to test model performance. Sugeno-Type first order is used to optimize model performance in predicting tower weights. Errors are estimated using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for both training and testing data sets. Sensitivity analysis is carried to validate the model and observe the effect of clusters’ radius on models performance

14-Bromo-12-chloro-2,16-dioxapentacyclohenicosa-3(8),10,12,14-tetraene-7,20-dione

In the title compound, C19H16BrClO4, both the fused xanthene rings and one of the cyclohexane rings adopt envelope conformations, while the other cyclohexane ring is in a chair conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming infinite chains running along [10-1] incorporating R22(16) ring motifs. In addition, C-H...[pi] interactions and weak [pi]-[pi] stacking interactions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.768 (3) Å] help to consolidate the packing

3-Benzyl-8-meth­oxy-2-sulfanyl­idene-1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro­quinazolin-4-one

The tetra­hydro­quinazole fused-ring system of the title compound, C16H14N2O2S, is roughly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.039 Å); the phenyl ring of the benzyl substituent is aligned at 78.1 (1)° with respect to the mean plane of the fused-ring system. In the crystal, two mol­ecules are linked by a pair of N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds about a center of inversion, generating a dimer