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This study aims to estimate morning rush hour on-road emissions in Rasht, the largest city in northern central Iran. The International Vehicle Estimator was found to be more accurate than the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator in predicting on-road emissions in Iran. The real world driving cycle was developed for urban and extra-urban areas, individually. The resuts revealed that the average driving velocity for urban and extra-urban cycles are 20.08 and 29.47 km/h, respectively. CO, VOC, NOx, and SOx have the emission rates of 3850, 330, 290, and 21 kg/h, respectively in 2019. Passenger cars and taxis have the largest share of CO, SOx, and VOC emissions. NOx emission rate in terms of g/(km.vehicle) for bus, truck, minibus, and passenger car is 10.14, 9.41, 6.35, and 0.56, respectively. This is due to the nature of diesel engines, as well as the longer lifespan of diesel vehicles (over 10 years) in Rasht. Per capita emission in Rasht is considerable in comparison with other developing areas worldwide, that is attributed to the improper public and active transportation modes and lack of environmental security perception. Investigating emission control strategies in 2030 horizon revealed that enhancing I/M programs was the most effective scenario, with a 28% reduction. Additionally, using Euro-4 fuel, increasing gasoline prices by 100%, greening public transportation and truck traffic ban in the city center would significantly reduce total emissions about 19%, 16%, 6.5% and 1%, respectively. However, extra-urban road expansion by 33% would lead to an 8% increase in emissions on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile sources from administrative service commutes significantly contribute to air pollutant emissions in metropolises, underscoring the need for travel demand management (TDM) and referral reduction strategies. A software-oriented approach is crucial in metropolises like Karaj due to the high commuting volume. Evaluating pollutant emissions across scenarios offers insights for effective air pollution reduction strategies. Scenarios aim to assess air pollution management, considering software and hardware aspects. Data collection involved field interviews and questionnaires for individuals commuting to administrative offices. These challenges and considerations informed the classification of the studied vehicle fleet based on system types, production years, emission standards, fuel types, and vehicle classes. We designed scenarios to minimize standard pollutants by reducing in-person visits to administrative offices and replacing the fleet with hybrid and natural gas vehicles. Results were compared with the baseline scenario, computing emissions using the International Vehicle Emission Model (IVE). The comparative analysis highlighted that substantial pollutant reduction comes from combined commuting reduction and a decrease in referral numbers. TDM emerged as the most cost-effective strategy, executed with principled planning. In conclusion, this study's scenario exploration provides insights for policymakers and urban planners. Adopting a software-oriented approach to mitigate air pollutant emissions through commute reduction and strategic TDM can significantly enhance air quality and curb traffic-related pollution in cities like Karaj. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given an exogenous treatment d and covariates x, an ordinary least-squares (OLS) estimator is often applied with a noncontinuous outcome y to find the effect of d, despite the fact that the OLS linear model is invalid. Also, when d is endogenous with an instrument z, an instrumental-variables estimator (IVE) is often applied, again despite the invalid linear model. Furthermore, the treatment effect is likely to be heterogeneous, say, µ 1(x), not a constant as assumed in most linear models. Given these problems, the question is then what kind of effect the OLS and IVE actually estimate. Under some restrictive conditions such as a "saturated model", the estimated effect is known to be a weighted average, say, E { ω (x) µ 1(x)}, but in general, OLS and the IVE applied to linear models with a noncontinuous outcome or heterogeneous effect fail to yield a weighted average of heterogeneous treatment effects. Recently, however, it has been found that E { ω (x) µ 1(x)} can be estimated by OLS and the IVE without those restrictive conditions if the "propensity-score residual" d − E (d| x) or the "instrument-score residual" z−E (z| x) is used. In this article, we review this recent development and provide a command for OLS and the IVE with the propensity- and instrument-score residuals, which are applicable to any outcome and any heterogeneous effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the substantial contribution of mobile sources in commuting to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in megacities and underscores strategies for carbon footprint emission reduction. Field interviews and questionnaires facilitate data collection, enabling the classification of the studied vehicle fleet based on various parameters. The scenarios aim to minimize GHGs from the commute, utilizing the International Vehicle Emission (IVE) model to establish a primary carbon footprint emission inventory for commuting in Karaj. The base scenario reveals that commuting in Karaj produces 1579423 grams of CO2e, with CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions at 1389039 grams, 43.74 grams, and 6385.38 grams, respectively. Three carbon footprint reduction scenarios, involving removing diesel vehicles, adopting natural gas-fueled vehicles, and replacing Euro 4 and 5 with older vehicles, demonstrate that the removal of diesel vehicles (S1) and adopting natural gas-fueled vehicles, and replacing Euro 4 and 5 with older vehicles (S3) are the most effective strategies, achieving a 99% efficiency rate in reducing CO2e. This study highlights the substantial impact of curbing carbon emissions from GHGs. S1 and S3 show significant reductions in carbon footprint emissions, emphasizing the crucial role of strategic planning and greenhouse gas minimization in controlling emissions from commuting. These findings underscore the critical importance of reducing carbon footprints and commuting to effectively mitigate GHGs in congested urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The clinical manifestations of occipital encephalocele are usually rare, reaching a probability of 1 case per 10,000 pregnancies or 1 live birth with OE per 5,000 to 10,000 pregnancies and whose causes may be related to environmental, congenital factors. or nutritional. Objective: to report the case of a pregnancy at 12.6 weeks of gestation in which a fetus with EO was detected with no chance of surviving conditions external to the uterus. Materials and Methods: an EO case is described in which a presumptive diagnosis was made with 2D and 3D ultrasound demonstrating incompatibility with extrauterine life and received medical treatment for IVE and subsequent obstetric curettage with medical and psychological supervision until the patient progressed satisfactorily. Conclusion: the case described above is an example of EO with incompatibility with the extrauterine environment whose management (IVE) culminates in favorable conditions for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed traffic conditions, i.e., the presence of different vehicle classes in a toll lane, causes congestion, leading to extra delay and emissions. The determination of the emission levels in the field is tedious process and thus there is need to look over it. Further, the dynamic toll pricing schemes are well established in developed countries to mitigate the congestion, but its application in developing countries is not observed so far. Hence, an attempt is made in the present study to establish the dynamic toll rates based on emission at toll plazas operating under mixed traffic conditions. The sensitivity analysis is carried out by changing the traffic composition and the approach volume in simulation. After that, the traffic composition and approach volume-based emission estimation equations are developed that can be used to predict the emissions easily in the field. The methodology finally moves towards the development of emission-based toll rates (EBTR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: The study aims to select the optimal model to estimate the emissions from vehicles with compressed natural gas (CNG) powertrain systems in Tehran to identify, evaluate and plan for controlling emissions through CNG vehicles, and determining the pollution level of passenger cars produced by the Iranian automotive industries and compare it with pollution standards. Material and methods: In this study, locally-produced CNG vehicles' information was used to estimate the pollutants emitted from domestic CNG vehicles using IVE and COPERT modeling software. Finally, the modeling outputs were compared with the results of the ISQI emission test. Result and discussion: Results showed that contrary to the initial assumption, supposing IVE software was suitable for advancing the research objectives, the performance of IVE software was not reliable for CNG vehicles, and the outputs of COPERT software were much closer to the values measured in the ISQI emission test. The COPERT estimated values were more accurate by 65 and 78 percent for carbon monoxide and NOX, respectively, but 13% worse for carbon dioxide. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the COPERT model is more accurate than IVE for modeling CNG vehicles' emissions, especially for CO and NOX. According to the findings, it is necessary to reconsider the superiority and application of IVE software for determining the emission inventory and estimating the air pollutants emitted from the CNG fleet in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La sanción de la ley de interrupción voluntaria del embarazo impactó en el Código Penal Argentino produciendo cambios de significativa trascendencia. Desde la corrección del momento de inicio de la protección jurídico penal de la vida, hasta la virtual no punibilidad de la muerte del feto cuando es practicada o consentida por la persona gestante, pasando por la derogación del aborto profesional y la incorporación de la dilación, obstaculización o negativa del funcionario público o personal de salud en practicar un aborto, la nueva ley toma posición clara en el conflicto entre la vida del feto y la autonomía de la persona gestante en favor de la libertad de decisión de ella.

The truck driving cycle was developed in Thailand using actual speed-time profile from trucks in suburban area. Driving data were separated into micro trips and the representative driving cycle was selected by matching micro trips statistics and target statistics. The Performance Value (PV) was considered for selecting the representative driving cycle. This selected driving cycle was then used as input data for estimating emission factors of 4 air pollutants and 3 greenhouse gases by the International Vehicle Emission (IVE) model. Results were then compared with emission factors developed using the European Transient Cycle (ETC). Additionally, a comparison was made between emission factors calculated in this study and direct measurements of emissions from truck driven on chassis dynamometer under the European driving cycle. Comparison results revealed that CO, NOx and CO2 emission factor were about 2.05, 2.24 and 1.78 times lower than those obtained from direct measurements. PM emission factor was about 0.89 times higher than measured data. This study confirms the need to considered actual fleets and characteristics of vehicular sources when calculating their emission rates for further use in development of emission inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction The development of urbanization has had many negative outcomes in different societies. Population growth and the increase in the transportation are the consequences of urban growth which has resulted into problems. Vehicles are responsible for 90% of air pollution in Iran and it is essential to use authentic models of traffic emissions in accordance with the current conditions to predict this and future emissions. Iran has a lot of different air pollution dispersion parameters compared with the developed countries. Method In this paper air pollution emission parameters in signalized intersections have been modelled and results have been compared to measured concentrations of air pollution in intersections. For this purpose the use of IVE (International Vehicle Emission) model that is common air pollution modelling and besides, Sensitivity Analysis has been performed to show modeling accuracy in comparison with current emissions. Result By modeling and measurement results, it’s easily understood in warm seasons emission concentration is more than cold seasons. Minimum and maximum rate of Carbon-monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen-oxides (NOX) has been evaluated. Conclusion IVE model has shown a bit difference amount of pollutions by comparison with field measurement emission. It could be said it is appropriate for model vehicle emission in Iran.

One of the poor indicators of the development and health status of a country is high maternal mortality. The world has seen that one pregnant woman in every two minutes dies because of complication with serious or longlasting consequences. During pregnancy, pregnant women tend to reduce physical activity due to increased sensitivity factors. It will lead to decrease the elasticity of muscles and joints. The way to improve the elasticity is doing exercise during pregnancy. But, there are still many pregnant women who are less interested in doing exercise during pregnancy, due to high loaded in working day and dense schedule of daily activities in her career or as a housewife. Some women assume that by attending pregnancy exercise course in hospitals or health care centers is time-consuming and too formal because they have to follow the prenatal personal trainer schedule. The technology that allows helping pregnant women in exercise during pregnancy is virtual reality. In this study, the development of virtual reality application for exercise during pregnancy adapted from the methodology to determine when to use virtual reality in education and training combined with the Immersive Virtual Environment (IVE) questionnaire. The average results of overall components in the IVE questionnaire is 4.26 of 5-point scales that indicates the virtual reality application for exercise during pregnancy is feasible to use by pregnant woman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los objetivos específicos consisten en analizar el derecho constitucionala la IVE a partir de la noción de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos,estudiar el alcance del derecho a la IVE en Colombia con base a lassubreglas jurisprudenciales establecidas por la Corte Constitucional,identificar los escenarios y las personas (naturales o jurídicas) a las quese les pueda atribuir responsabilidad por la dilación en la práctica de laIVE y las consecuencias jurídicas que se derivan de dicharesponsabilidad y proponer recomendaciones en materia de atención desolicitudes tendentes a interrumpir un embarazo con el fin de evitar lasdilaciones injustificadas por parte de las entidades prestadoras de losservicios de salud para garantizar el derecho de las mujeres a la IVE.Se trata de una investigación exploratoria y descriptiva por cuanto, loprimero, se efectúa sobre un tema que no ha sido estudiado por nuestralegislación, por lo que sus resultados constituyen una visión aproximadade dicho tema, es decir, un nivel superficial de conocimiento. Y losegundo, por cuanto se describe una necesidad en la sociedad de elaborarlegislación sobre el tipo de responsabilidad que debe recaer en las EPS oIPS por demorar la práctica de la intervención voluntaria del embarazo.Se concluyó que las demoras en la autorización e inclusive, en larealización del procedimiento, pueden causar daño psicológico en lasmujeres que toman la decisión de interrumpir su embarazo y que lalegislación colombiana no ha tocado el tema de la responsabilidad detipo administrativo que debe recaer sobre el personal médico llamado apracticar la IVE o la misma entidad prestadora del servicio de salud. Enese sentido, es indispensable establecer pautas para crear un régimen desanciones para quienes coloquen barreras administrativas que impidanel acceso a este servicio a las mujeres que por una buena razón se ven enla necesidad de suspender su embarazo.

The truck driving cycle was developed in Thailand using actual speed-time profile from trucks in suburban area. Driving data were separated into micro trips and the representative driving cycle was selected by matching micro trips statistics and target statistics. The Performance Value (PV) was considered for selecting the representative driving cycle. This selected driving cycle was then used as input data for estimating emission factors of 4 air pollutants and 3 greenhouse gases by the International Vehicle Emission (IVE) model. Results were then compared with emission factors developed using the European Transient Cycle (ETC). Additionally, a comparison was made between emission factors calculated in this study and direct measurements of emissions from truck driven on chassis dynamometer under the European driving cycle. Comparison results revealed that CO, NOx and CO2 emission factor were about 2.05, 2.24 and 1.78 times lower than those obtained from direct measurements. PM emission factor was about 0.89 times higher than measured data. This study confirms the need to considered actual fleets and characteristics of vehicular sources when calculating their emission rates for further use in development of emission inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The development of urbanization has had many negative outcomes in different societies. Population growth and the increase in the transportation are the consequences of urban growth which has resulted into problems. Vehicles are responsible for 90% of air pollution in Iran and it is essential to use authentic models of traffic emissions in accordance with the current conditions to predict this and future emissions. Iran has a lot of different air pollution dispersion parameters compared with the developed countries. Method: In this paper air pollution emission parameters in signalized intersections have been modelled and results have been compared to measured concentrations of air pollution in intersections. For this purpose the use of IVE (International Vehicle Emission) model that is common air pollution modelling and besides, Sensitivity Analysis has been performed to show modeling accuracy in comparison with current emissions. Result: By modeling and measurement results, it's easily understood in warm seasons emission concentration is more than cold seasons. Minimum and maximum rate of Carbon-monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen-oxides (NO) has been evaluated. Conclusion: IVE model has shown a bit difference amount of pollutions by comparison with field measurement emission. It could be said it is appropriate for model vehicle emission in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El presente trabajo busca identificar los aportes reales de la Ley SEP -Ley subvención escolar preferencial- en los puntajes del Sistema Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad de la Educación (SIMCE), en la matrícula y en el índice de vulnerabilidad (IVE) de los establecimientos educacionales urbanos de la comuna de Punta Arenas que comenzaron a regirse bajo esta ley durante el año 2008, extendiéndose por un plazo de siete años hasta el 2015. Para ello se utilizarán datos recopilados de las base de datos del Ministerio de Educación. Dentro de este contexto se pretende abordar las siguientes variables: SIMCE, matrícula e índice de vulnerabilidad (IVE). En función de lo anterior se pudo esclarecer los nexos entre las variables y como han evolucionado con la implementación de la ley SEP. Dentro de los resultados obtenidos se puede destacar que el IVE sigue siendo un fuerte predictor del rendimiento académico, por ende la Ley SEP no ha podido mejorar los resultados de los puntajes de la prueba SIMCE y menos revertir la baja de la matrículas, durante su implementación. Lo cual nos indica que la ley SEP no ha tenido la repercusión esperada. ABSTRACT The aim of this work is to identify the real contributions that the SEP law -preferential school grant -has had in the SIMCE, the enrollment and the vulnerability index of schools in Punta Arenas. This law started to work in 2008 extending for a period of seven yearsuntil the year 2015. For this purpose, data and information collected from the Ministery of Education fourth grade students will be used. In this context the aim is to tackle the following variables: SIMCE, enrollment and vulnerability index (IVE). On this basis, we were able to clarify the links between these variables and the way they have developed implementing the SEP law. According to the obtained results we can emphasize that the Vulnerability indexes of schools influences the academic results. Besides, the SEP law has not been able to revert the decline in the enrollment and to improve the SIMCE test scores throughout its implementation. All this indicates that the SEP law did not have the expected impact.

Esse estudo teve como objetivo relatar o uso do Implante Visível de Elastômero Fluorescente (IVE) e sua eficiência na marcação de lagartos Phyllopezus pollicaris em uma área de caatinga no Nordeste do Brasil. A marcação dos indivíduos foi realizada durante os meses de abril á setembro de 2012. Quarenta indivíduos foram marcados na região dorsal com as cores fluorescentes: vermelho, amarelo, verde e laranja. Vinte lagartos foram recapturados e apresentaram uma boa retenção do elastômero. Apenas dois espécimes apresentam suas marcações um pouco fragmentadas. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a utilização de IVE para marcação e recaptura de lagartos foi eficiente devido à alta taxa de retenção nos indivíduos recapturados e baixa taxa de fragmentação das marcações.

The Thai's policy in improving of fuel quality to the changing of emissions and concentrations of air pollutants in Bangkok is evaluated in this study. Benzene content in gasoline had been decreased from 3.5% (EURO II standard) to less than 1.0% (EURO IV standard) since the year 2012. The IVE (International Vehicle Emission) model was applied to develop emission factor of benzene taking into consideration actual fleets and characteristics of vehicles in Bangkok. These vehicles consisted of passenger car, motorcycle, van and pick up, taxi, bus and truck. Then, emission inventory of benzene emitted from mobile sources was calculated. It was found that about 83% of total emissions of benzene were contributed from motorcycle (43%) and passenger car (40%). Emission amounts were reduced from 1.32 × 10³ ton/year to 0.57 × 10³ ton/year as resulted from changing of fuel quality from EURO II to EURO IV standard. AERMOD dispersion model was used to simulate ambient ground level concentration of benzene prior and after implementing this policy. Results revealed significantly reduction of benzene concentrations in Bangkok's environment. Spatial distribution of benzene pollution map illustrated that areas having annual concentration higher than 1.7 g/m3 (the Thai's air quality standard for benzene) were still only found in traffic-congested zone of the central business district in the metropolitan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicular population in developing countries is expected to proliferate in the coming decade, centred on Tier II and Tier III cities rather than large metropolis. WLTP is being introduced as a global instrument for emission regulation to reduce gap between standard test procedures and actual road conditions. This work aims at quantifying and discernment of the gap between WLTC and real-world conditions in an urban city in a developing country on the basis of driving cycle parameters and simulated emissions for gasoline fuelled light passenger cars. Real world driving patterns were recorded on different routes and varying traffic conditions using car-chasing technique integrated with GPS monitoring and speed sensors. Real-world driving patterns and ambient conditions were used to simulate emissions using International Vehicle Emissions model for average rate (g/km) and Comprehensive Modal Emissions Model for instantaneous emission (g/s) analysis. Cycle parameters were mathematically calculated to compare WLTC and road trips. The analyses revealed a large gap between WLTC and road conditions. CO emissions were predicted to be 155% higher than WLTC and HC and NOx emissions were estimated to be 63% and 64% higher respectively. These gaps were correlated to different driving cycle parameters. It was observed that road driving occurs at lower average speeds with higher frequency and magnitudes of accelerations. The positive kinetic energy required by road cycles, was 100% higher than WLTC and the Relative Positive Acceleration (RPA) demanded by road cycles, was found to be 60% higher in real-world driving patterns and thereby contribute to higher emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil presents itself as the largest producer of beans in the current scenario. Favorable conditions such as climate and soil fertility, improved cultivars and better quality seeds have made the country one of the powers in the production of grain. Although physiological and physical potential of most cultivars which entered the market are knowh, studies of the behavior of new materials are necessary. This study aimed to analyze the physical and physiological characteristics of seeds bean cultivars BRS Esplendor, Jalo Precoce BRS, BRS Pitanga and BRS Radiante. Germination tests, electrical conductivity, moisture and weight of 100 seeds were take in the laboratory of seed analysis at Goiano Federal Institute - Campus Ceres. The Emergency Speed Index (ESI) was determined in a greenhouse. We analyzed the percentage of normal, hard, abnormal and dead seeds through the germination test. The ESI and electrical conductivity did not differ (P> 0.05) among the analyzed cultivars, seed weight did not influence the ESI. The weight and moisture of the seeds not interfere in the physiological performance of the cultivars. The cultivars BRS Esplendor and BRS Jalo Precoce show higher percentage of germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This article introduces a model to estimate emissions produced by work and study commuting at an institutional level, along with an application case at Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia. Objective. Develop a methodology based on the simplified emissions estimation model (SEEM), which uses the emission factors developed in Bogotá and that are available on the international model of the International Vehicle Emissions (IVE) database. The primary information was collected by the use of surveys developed by the institutional community. Those surveys included questions about the characteristics of the vehicles used by students, professors and administration staff for their commuting from and to the institution. Results. With the results obtained thanks to the implementation of the methodology developed, it was concluded that the institution contributes with less than 0,025 % of the total emissions in the Aburrá Valley. Several scenarios are proposed to control the atmosphere pollution produced by commuting from and to the institution, by means of rationalizing the use of private cars, thus obtaining up to 29 % in reductions of the criteria pollutants: MP, CO, VOC, SO2 and NOx. Conclusions. The methodology is easy to apply and it is also easy to transfer it to other institutions or companies with different sizes and traffic flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic emission factors of air toxic compounds, emitted from vehicles in Bangkok, Thailand, are developed using the IVE model. The model takes into account the actual fleet and characteristics of vehicles in the study area. It is found that the calculated emission factors are greatly influenced by vehicle emission control policy. Approximately 2000 tons of benzene emission per year is reduced by the changing of fuel quality from Euro 2 to Euro 4 standards. As for mitigation measures, introduction of gasohol and natural gas as alternative fuels, as well as encouraging the utilization of public transportation systems, are analyzed. The outcomes reveal that a combined scenario using 100% gasohol plus decreasing vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) by 20% is the most effective in reduction of benzene emission. In addition, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde emissions are greatly decreased by the combined scenario of using compressed natural gas (CNG) plus decreasing VKT by 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This worldwide web-based survey compared the clinical practice for luteal-phase supplementation (LPS) in stimulated WE cycles to the current evidence-based Literature. Eighty-four treatment centres in 35 countries, representing a total of 51,155 IVF cycles/year, responded. Vaginal progesterone alone was used for LPS in 64% of cycles and in another 16% of cycles in combination with either i.m. (15%) or oral progesterone (1%). As a single agent, i.m. progesterone was used in 13% of cycles, oral progesterone in another 2% and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was still used in 5% of cycles. Progesterone was administered until 10-12 weeks' gestation in 67% of cycles and in 22% and 12% it was discontinued when fetal heart pulsations are recognized or until βHCG was positive, respectively. In conclusion, in almost two-thirds of the assisted cycles represented in this survey, vaginal administration of progesterone is preferred for LPS. Nevertheless, despite the available literature on the disadvantages of oral progesterone, i.m. progesterone and HCG for LPS, these agents are still used routinely by many practitioners. Furthermore, although there is no firm evidence to support the continuation of LPS until 10-12 weeks' gestation, this practice is used in the majority of IVF cycles worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates how air pollution in Istanbul for the years 2015 and 2030 will be impacted upon by decreasing automobile usage through the Marmaray Project, which is a new transport system to pass through Europe to the Asian continent. To investigate the effect of the project, the existing transportation situation in Istanbul was determined, and then an emission calculation was performed for the city regarding the cases of "with" and "without" the Marmaray Project for 2015 and 2030. The emission factors and calculations were performed for three types of pollutants, criteria pollutants (CO, VOC, VOC-evaporated, NOX, SOX, PM), toxic pollutants (1,3-butadienc, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, NH3, benzene) and greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), by applying the International Vehicle Emission modeling technique. The obtained results were evaluated according to pollutant types, road type and driving modes. According to the modeling results, the rate of decrease in emissions will be 12.4% in 2015 and 11.6% in 2030, for all types of pollutants. Because of the increasing usage of gasoline engines, criteria pollutants will be higher, especially in the start mode. The most important factor for toxic pollutants was fuel type, and the decreasing emissions of toxic pollutants will be created by decreasing automobile usage. The development of vehicle technology will cause a decrease in the emissions of greenhouse gases. When the existing situation was compared with 2015 and 2030, it was clearly seen that the emission rate of the "without the Marmaray Project" situation had a much faster increase than that of "with the Marmaray Project". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Evidence suggests that users of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) have behavioural and cognitive deficits and show increased impulsivity. Impulse control impairments have been shown to be common to a number of addictive behaviours and may constitute a risk factor for drug abuse and dependence. The aim of this study was to investigate brain activation during response inhibition and performance monitoring in current recreational drug users who predominantly used ecstasy. Twenty drug users (ten female) and twenty healthy controls were scanned during performance of a response-inhibition GO/NOGO task using functional magnetic resonance imaging. No performance deficits were evident. However, the drug user group revealed elevated frontal and parietal BOLD response during successful inhibitions, and temporal, frontal, and cingulate hyperactivity during commission errors. In addition, the users showed reduced deactivation in the default-mode network during task performance. Whether contributing to or arising from drug use, these results reveal dysregulation in brain regions subserving cognitive control and default-mode processes in current recreational drug users mirroring effects previously observed for “harder” drugs of abuse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]