Mathematical Modeling of the Neuronal Processes in Sugar Addiction

It has already been demonstrated that the body responds to enhanced intake of sugar and is conducive to a natural form of addiction. There are substantial neurochemical changes in the brain (especially dopamine and acetylcholine systems) similar to other addictive drugs. A mathematical model comprised by a system of delayed leaky integrate-and-re equations is established to simulate the effects of sugar on a reward-circuitry. Simulations with Neuron suggest agreement with the neurobiological hypotheses of hyperactivity of neural systems due to binge sugar intake

Realistic urban traffic simulation as vehicular Ad-hoc network (VANET) via Veins framework

These days wireless communication has impacted our daily lives. The developments achieved in this field have made our lives amazingly simpler, easier, convenient and comfortable. One of these developments has occurred in Car to Car Communication (C2CC). Communication between cars often referred to vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) has many advantages such as: reducing cars accidents, minimizing the traffic jam, reducing fuel consumption and emissions and etc. For a closer look on C2CC studies the necessity of simulation is obvious. Network simulators can simulate the Ad-hoc network but they cannot simulate the huge traffic of cities. In order to solve this problem, in this paper we study the Veins framework which is used to run a Traffic (SUMO) and a Network (OMNET++) simulator in parallel and we simulate the realistic traffics of the city of Cologne, Germany, as an ad-hoc network

Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle to Vehicle and Infrastructure Communication in Realistic Large Scale Urban Area

During the last decades, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) has progressed at a rapid rate, which aim to improve transportation activities in terms of safety and efficiency. Car to Car or Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications and Car/Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (I2V or V2I) communications are important components of the ITS architecture. Communication between cars is often referred to Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANET) and it has many advantages such as: reducing cars accidents, minimizing the traffic jam, reducing fuel consumption and emissions and etc. VANET architectures have been standardized in the IEEE-802.11p specification. For a closer look on V2V and V2I studies, the necessity of simulations is obvious. Network simulators can simulate the ad-hoc network but they cannot simulate the huge traffic of cities. In order to solve this problem, this thesis studies the Veins framework which is used to run a traffic (SUMO) and a network (OMNET++) simulator in parallel and simulates the realistic traffics of the city of Cologne, Germany, as an ad-hoc network. Several different simulations and performance analyses have been done to investigate the ability of different VANET applications. In the simulations, cars move in the real map of the city of Cologne and communicate with each other and also with RoadSideUnits with using IEEE 802.11p standard. Then, Probability of Beacons Delivery (PBD) in different area of a real city are calculated and also are compared with the analytical model. This study is the first research performed on calculating PBD of IEEE 802.11p in realistic large urban area. Then, the thesis focuses on modelling and analysis of the applications of the V2I in real city. In these sections, two different simulations of application of the VANET are done by developing the Veins framework and also by developing two new programs written in Python which are connected to SUMO and control the real traffic simulation. One program simulates a real city with intelligent traffic lights for decreasing response time of emergency vehicles by using V2I. The results show that using V2I communication based on 802.11p between emergency cars and traffic lights can decrease the response time of emergency cars up to 70%. Another program, simulates dynamic route planning in real traffic simulation which is used V2I and V2V communication. The result of this simulation show the capability of V2V and V2I to decrease the traveling time, fuel consumptions and emissions of the cars in the city

Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle to Vehicle and Infrastructure Communication in Realistic Large Scale Urban Area

During the last decades, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) has progressed at a rapid rate, which aim to improve transportation activities in terms of safety and efficiency. Car to Car or Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications and Car/Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (I2V or V2I) communications are important components of the ITS architecture. Communication between cars is often referred to Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANET) and it has many advantages such as: reducing cars accidents, minimizing the traffic jam, reducing fuel consumption and emissions and etc. VANET architectures have been standardized in the IEEE-802.11p specification. For a closer look on V2V and V2I studies, the necessity of simulations is obvious. Network simulators can simulate the ad-hoc network but they cannot simulate the huge traffic of cities. In order to solve this problem, this thesis studies the Veins framework which is used to run a traffic (SUMO) and a network (OMNET++) simulator in parallel and simulates the realistic traffics of the city of Cologne, Germany, as an ad-hoc network. Several different simulations and performance analyses have been done to investigate the ability of different VANET applications. In the simulations, cars move in the real map of the city of Cologne and communicate with each other and also with RoadSideUnits with using IEEE 802.11p standard. Then, Probability of Beacons Delivery (PBD) in different area of a real city are calculated and also are compared with the analytical model. This study is the first research performed on calculating PBD of IEEE 802.11p in realistic large urban area. Then, the thesis focuses on modelling and analysis of the applications of the V2I in real city. In these sections, two different simulations of application of the VANET are done by developing the Veins framework and also by developing two new programs written in Python which are connected to SUMO and control the real traffic simulation. One program simulates a real city with intelligent traffic lights for decreasing response time of emergency vehicles by using V2I. The results show that using V2I communication based on 802.11p between emergency cars and traffic lights can decrease the response time of emergency cars up to 70%. Another program, simulates dynamic route planning in real traffic simulation which is used V2I and V2V communication. The result of this simulation show the capability of V2V and V2I to decrease the traveling time, fuel consumptions and emissions of the cars in the city

Numerical simulation of scour and flow field around single pier using SSIIM

Estimation of scour depth and understanding the flow field around pier would help to design with safer factor. In this study, we used the numerical model SSIIM as a CFD model to simulate flow and scour pattern simultaneously around single pier. The model was verified using laboratory data including the results reported for single pier. In this model, we considered the  as a turbulence model to solve the 3D Navier-Stokes flow equations and used their outputs as inputs of sediment transition equations. Comparison between scour calculations of SSIIM model and experimental terms showed that the model has appropriate deviation value for estimating the maximum scour depth around single pier. Numerical and graphics discussions of scour pattern and flow field have been done in various simulation time for pier. Graphical results showed that the down flow at front of pier and upward flow at the rear of pier. In addition, the maximum down flow was simulated with high accuracy in compare with experimental results

How does geographical branding improve the efficiency of the apple supply chain?

Brands are among the most valuable assets of agricultural businesses. Geographical branding can play a fundamental role in national and international markets by creating a competitive identity. On the other hand, orchard owners in a certain geographical region can understand the status of a product’s supply chain. Nonetheless, few studies have focused on how branding can influence the status of a product’s supply chain. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the effect of geographical branding on improving the apple supply chain. The research is an applied study in terms of the goal, conducted by the survey methodology. Data were collected by distributing 360 questionnaires among apple orchard owners in Damavand County sampled by simple randomization. Cochran’s formula estimated the sample size. The research instrument was a research-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. According to the results, special brand value, brand loyalty, brand image, brand attitude, brand experience, brand purchasing intention, and brand identity were the components found to improve the efficiency of the Apple supply chain significantly

Alterations in Circulating Adhesion Molecules in Acute Myocardial Infarction before and after Thrombolysis with Streptokinase

Introduction: The role of adhesion molecules in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis is inevitable. It is not clear yet whether these molecules increase or decrease in level after thrombolytic therapy. This study was designed to compare concentrations of soluble forms of adhesion molecules in patients with acute myocardial infarction before and after reperfusion by thrombolysis with streptokinase (SK). Methods: In this study, in 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were admitted in our Emergency Department undergoing thrombolysis with SK, plasma concentrations of six adhesion molecules [soluble L-selectin, P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)] were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), before and 3 hours after intervention. Results: While soluble E-selectin and PECAM-1 concentrations did not differ within the 3 hours after interventions (P> 0.05), the level of P-selectin, L-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 were significantly reduced after thrombolysis with SK (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Adhesion molecules which mediate the interactions in leukocyte endothelium vary in levels after reperfusion with SK. It was shown that 4 out of 6 adhesion molecules significantly reduced after thrombolysis with SK

The evolving landscape of sea-level rise science from 1990 to 2021

As sea-level rise (SLR) accelerates due to climate change, its multidisciplinary field of science has similarly expanded, from 41 articles published in 1990 to 1475 articles published in 2021, and nearly 15,000 articles published in the Web of Science over this 32-year period. Here, big-data bibliometric techniques are adopted to systematically analyse this large literature set. Four main research clusters (themes) emerge: (I) geological dimensions and sea-level indicators, (II) impacts, risks, and adaptation, (III) physical components of sea-level change, and (IV) coastal ecosystems and habitats, with 16 associated sub-themes. This analysis provides insights into the evolution of research agendas, the challenges and opportunities for future assessments (e.g. next IPCC reports), and growing focus on adaptation. For example, the relative importance of sub-themes evolves consistently with a relative decline in pure science analysis towards solution-focused topics associated with SLR risks such as high-end rises, declining ecosystem services, flood hazards, and coastal erosion/squeeze

Parameter Space and Potential for Biomarker Development in 25 Years of fMRI Drug Cue Reactivity: A Systematic Review.

IMPORTANCE: In the last 25 years, functional magnetic resonance imaging drug cue reactivity (FDCR) studies have characterized some core aspects in the neurobiology of drug addiction. However, no FDCR-derived biomarkers have been approved for treatment development or clinical adoption. Traversing this translational gap requires a systematic assessment of the FDCR literature evidence, its heterogeneity, and an evaluation of possible clinical uses of FDCR-derived biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the state of the field of FDCR, assess their potential for biomarker development, and outline a clear process for biomarker qualification to guide future research and validation efforts. EVIDENCE REVIEW: The PubMed and Medline databases were searched for every original FDCR investigation published from database inception until December 2022. Collected data covered study design, participant characteristics, FDCR task design, and whether each study provided evidence that might potentially help develop susceptibility, diagnostic, response, prognostic, predictive, or severity biomarkers for 1 or more addictive disorders. FINDINGS: There were 415 FDCR studies published between 1998 and 2022. Most focused on nicotine (122 [29.6%]), alcohol (120 [29.2%]), or cocaine (46 [11.1%]), and most used visual cues (354 [85.3%]). Together, these studies recruited 19 311 participants, including 13 812 individuals with past or current substance use disorders. Most studies could potentially support biomarker development, including diagnostic (143 [32.7%]), treatment response (141 [32.3%]), severity (84 [19.2%]), prognostic (30 [6.9%]), predictive (25 [5.7%]), monitoring (12 [2.7%]), and susceptibility (2 [0.5%]) biomarkers. A total of 155 interventional studies used FDCR, mostly to investigate pharmacological (67 [43.2%]) or cognitive/behavioral (51 [32.9%]) interventions; 141 studies used FDCR as a response measure, of which 125 (88.7%) reported significant interventional FDCR alterations; and 25 studies used FDCR as an intervention outcome predictor, with 24 (96%) finding significant associations between FDCR markers and treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Based on this systematic review and the proposed biomarker development framework, there is a pathway for the development and regulatory qualification of FDCR-based biomarkers of addiction and recovery. Further validation could support the use of FDCR-derived measures, potentially accelerating treatment development and improving diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive clinical judgments

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin