Restricted crossing U-turn traffic control by interval Type-2 fuzzy logic

The paper presents a novel approach to RCUT control, based on the interval Type-2 fuzzy system (IT2FS). RCUT design, among other various alternative intersections, proposes dislocation of left and through movements from the main intersection for an increase in safety and efficient traffic conditions. This concept assumes the rise of two new U-turn intersections downstream from the main intersection that can be controlled by traffic lights. RCUT design is justified when U-turn traffic demands, along with demands from and to minor streets, are significantly lower than arterial street ones. The semi-actuated traffic control seems the most appropriate control mode that should be applied at the RCUT. Evaluation of semi-actuated traffic control based on IT2FS is compared with other traffic control modes. The results show that semi-actuated traffic control, based on IT2FS, can generate statistically better results than other well-known controls

Controlling the Difficulty of Combinatorial Optimization Problems for Fair Proof-of-Useful-Work-Based Blockchain Consensus Protocol

The wide range of Blockchain (BC) applications and BC’s ubiquity come from the fact that BC, as a collection of records linked to each other, is strongly resistant to alteration, protected using cryptography, and maintained autonomously. All these benefits come with a cost, which in BC is expressed by a very high use of energy needed to execute consensus protocols. Traditionally, consensus protocols based on Proof-of-Work (PoW) ensure fairness, but are not very useful. The paradigm proposed in the recent literature, known as Proof-of-Useful-Work (PoUW), assumes the completion of additional useful work for the same amount of resources (energy) used. However, the majority of the proposed PoUW approaches do not adequately consider fairness in balancing and controlling the difficulty of the work miners need to perform. A minority of the studies that do address fairness in miners’ work utilize PoW as a tool to ensure it. Therefore, a general framework to provide a structure for understanding the difficulty of useful work and how it can be used to fine-tune the complexity of miners’ effort in PoUW-based consensus protocols is proposed in this paper. The main characteristic of the proposed framework is that controlling the difficulty and fairness of miners’ work in PoUW-based consensus protocols is achieved exclusively through the useful work. The modules of the framework are discussed, and many research challenges and opportunities are articulated. The benefits of the proposed approach are illustrated taking as an example two optimization algorithms for a variant of the scheduling problem. In addition, the steps that should be taken to make this general framework applicable to any PoUW-based consensus protocols are identified

Pyrazolone-type compounds (part II): in vitro and in silico evaluation of antioxidant potential; structure-activity relationship

The pyrazolone class comprises a variety of hybrid compounds displaying diverse biological actions. Although studied for decades, these compounds are still of interest due to their facile chemical transformations. In our previous work, we presented the synthetic route of functionalised pyrazolone derivatives. The presence of pyrazolone structural motif in many drugs, such as edaravone, prompted us to investigate the antioxidant features of the selected compounds. In this paper, we provide an extensive in vitro and in silico description of the antioxidant properties of selected pyrazolone analogues. The obtained in vitro results revealed their great antiradical potency against the DPPH radical (IC50 values in the 2.6-7.8 μM range), where the best results were obtained for analogues bearing a catechol moiety. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to assess their antioxidant capacity from the thermodynamic aspect. Here, good agreement with in vitro results was achieved. DFT was employed for the prediction of the most preferable radical scavenging pathway, also. In polar solvents, the SPLET mechanism is a favourable scavenging route, whereas in nonpolar solvents the HAT is slightly predominant. Furthermore, antioxidant mechanisms were studied in the presence of relevant reactive oxygen species. The obtained values of the reaction enthalpies with the selected radicals revealed that HAT is slightly prevailing in polar solvents, while the SPLET mechanism is dominant in nonpolar solvents. Regarding the well-known antioxidant features of the drug edaravone, these findings represent valuable data for this pyrazolone class and could be used as the basis for further investigations

Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy in patients with non‑small cell lung cancer and associations with EGFR polymorphisms: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

Rash and diarrhea are common side effects of tyro‑ sine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy administered to patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The polymorphisms of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene may be a potential predictor of these side effects. The aim of the present meta‑analysis was to examine the association of EGFR poly‑ morphisms and TKI‑associated toxicities. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a search of the databases identified 4,918 results, among which 6 clinical trials were obtained with 1,318 patients with NSCLC. A total of 9 EGFR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with TKI toxicity were identified including, rs11568315, rs712829, rs712830, rs2227983, rs2075102, rs2293347, rs11977388, rs4947492 and rs884225. The data associated with skin toxicity from rs11568315, rs712829 and rs712830 were analyzed in the present meta‑analysis. Data from rs11568315 were also analyzed in relation to diarrhea. Among all the examined SNPs, statistically significant results were obtained under the dominant genetic model for CA repeats in rs11568315 (SS vs. SL+LL) with skin toxicity. The long CA repeat (SL+LL) carriers were more likely to experience skin toxicity associated with TKIs (P=0.005). By contrast, there was no significant result for diarrhea (P=0.661) under dominant genetic model for CA repeats

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Salvia verticillata and Filipendula ulmaria Extracts: Optimization of Synthesis, Biological Activities, and Catalytic Properties

The study’s objective was to obtain silver nanoparticles (SVAgNP and FUAgNP) using aqueous extracts of Salvia verticillata and Filipendula ulmaria. The optimal conditions for nanoparticle synthesis were determined and obtained; nanoparticles were then characterized using UV-Vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). SVAgNP and FUAgNP possessed a crystalline structure with 48.42% and 60.41% silver weight, respectively. The highest percentage of nanoparticles in the solution had a diameter between 40 and 70 nm. In DPPH˙ and ABTS˙+ methods, FUAgNP (IC50 15.82 and 59.85 µg/mL, respectively) demonstrated a higher antioxidant capacity than SVAgNP (IC50 73.47 and 79.49 µg/mL, respectively). Obtained nanoparticles also showed pronounced antibacterial activity (MIC ˂ 39.1 µg/mL for most of the tested bacteria), as well as high biocompatibility with the human fibroblast cell line MRC-5 and significant cytotoxicity on some cancer cell lines, especially on the human colon cancer HCT-116 cells (IC50 31.50 and 66.51 µg/mL for SVAgNP and FUAgNP, respectively). The nanoparticles demonstrated high catalytic effectiveness in degrading Congo red dye with NaBH4. The results showed a rapid and low-cost methodology for the synthesis of AgNPs using S. verticillata and F. ulmaria with promising biological potential

Evaluation and ranking of failures in manufacturing process by combining best-worst method and VIKOR under type-2 fuzzy environment

One of the important and persistent problems that engineers face in the automotive industry is the reliability of production equipment. This research promotes a new fuzzy multicriteria model for determining the priority of failures in an exact manner. In this way, the decision makers can determine the management activities whose application should result in enhanced manufacturing process reliability, promptly. The analysis of failures is based on Failure mode and effects analysis that is extended with added risk factors, which represents the incremental improvement compared to the current literature sources. The relative importance of risk factors and their values are presented by pre-defined linguistic expressions modelled by the interval type-2 fuzzy numbers. The assessment of risk factors' relative importance is set as a fuzzy group decision-making problem. The weights vector is determined by using the extended Best-Worst Method. The rank of failures is obtained by employing the modified VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija i kompromisno Resenje (Eng. Multi-criteria optimization and compromise solution) which reflects the scientific contribution of the research, and simultaneously, the second incremental improvement of the proposed model compared to the existing state of the art. These incremental improvements are: (i) The fuzzy algebra rules have been used for determining the group utility value and (ii) and individual regret value is determined by comparing the two interval type-2 fuzzy numbers. The model testing and verification are performed on real data in an automotive supply chain

Cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of acetone and aqueous Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra extracts on colorectal cancer cells

Introduction: The cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of two extracts of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra plants individually and in combination with mitomycin C (MMC), were evaluated. Methods: Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Cytotoxicity of the treatments was investigated using MTT assay, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry in SW-480 colon cancer cells and human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Results: A. vulgaris extracts were richer sources of total flavonoids and phenolic acids, than A. alba. Acetone extract of A. vulgaris exhibited a weak cytotoxic activity in SW-480 cells, while a remarkable effect was detected after cells exposure to A. alba extract (IC50 value was 240.12 ± 25.49 for A. vulgaris vs. 3.89 ± 1.47 µg/mL for A. alba). Both aqueous extracts did not affect SW-480 cells viability. In MMC combination treatment, A. alba acetone extract exhibited significant activity in SW-480 cells (IC50 values were 4.94 ± 1.93 µg/mL for 24 h and <1 µg/mL for 72 h). Both extracts of A. vulgaris and aqueous extract of A. alba showed cytotoxic activity only after long-term exposure (IC50 < 1). The cytotoxic activity in PBLS cells was not detected. The tested extracts concentrations (10 and 100 µg/mL) induced apoptosis in SW-480 cells. Higher levels of apoptotic cells were detected in combined treatments of extracts with MMC compared to individual extract treatments. Conclusion: Investigated Artemisia species could be used as a potential source of anticancer agents for colon cancer therapy

Case 310: Posterior Epidural Migration of a Lumbar Disk Herniation

HISTORY: A 49-year-old man presented with right foot drop, bilateral cruralgia mainly on the left side, and genital and perianal hypoesthesia, which started suddenly 12 days before. After onset of symptoms, the patient also experienced an accidental fall at home, resulting in a left fibular fracture, which was treated with reduction and with seven-hole plate Synthes Locking Compression Plate at the orthopedic clinic. The neurologic examination showed paresthesias on the posterior aspect of both thighs and crural regions that was worse on the left side, hypoesthesia in the L5 root region on the right side, and right foot drop. There was no urinary retention or fecal incontinence. The patient denied past surgery, back trauma, heavy manual labor, hypermobility, or any other remarkable medical history. The patient was afebrile. Laboratory results on the 1st day of hospitalization showed increased C-reactive protein level (0.62 mg/dL; reference range, 0.0-0.5 mg/dL), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60 mm/h; reference range, 0-20 mm/h), and increased aspartate transaminase (38 U/L [0.63 μkat/L]; reference range, 0-31 U/L [0-0.52 μkat/L]), alanine transaminase (70 U/L [1.17 μkat/L]; reference range, 0-31 U/L [0-0.52 μkat/L]), and high lymphocyte (4.55 × 103/mL; reference range, [1.0-3.0] ×103/mL), and neutrophil (8.79 × 103/mL; reference range, [2.0-7.0] × 103/mL) levels. Absence of coagulopathy was demonstrated by normal coagulation values (international normalized ratio, 1.19; reference value, 0.80-1.25; activated partial thromboplastin time ratio, 0.88 second; reference range, 0.79-1.27 seconds). Electroneurography showed marked hypoevocable F response in the right tibia. Electromyography indicated severe reduction of muscle recruitment pertaining to right L4, L5, and S1 nerve territory and, to a lesser extent, of muscles pertaining to L3 territory bilaterally in the absence of spontaneous denervation. Unenhanced CT and contrast-enhanced MRI of the lumbosacral spine were performed

Fibrocartilaginous embolism: a rare cause leading to spinal cord infarction?

Purpose: Fibrocartilaginous nucleus pulposus components herniation and embolism rarely causes acute ischaemic events involving the spinal cord. Few reports have suggested this as a mechanism leading to anterior spinal artery syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the topography and pattern of this rare myelopathy by MRI. Methods: A retrospective observational case series of patients, admitted to our Institute between 2008 and 2021, with a diagnosis of fibrocartilaginous embolism based on typical clinical and radiological features. Results: Five patients were identified (2 men and 3 women; range 13–38 years). No one had pre-existing vascular risk factors. All referred potential precipitating event in the 24 h prior to symptom onset. MRI findings showed increased signal intensity of the spinal cord on T2-weighted images in all cases and degenerative disc changes opposite to it in four of them. The outcome was poor: three showed only partial sensitivity and motor improvement (mRs 4, 3, and 2, respectively); one completely recovered except for isolated hand paresis (mRs 1); and one remained severely neurologically affected (mRs 5). Conclusions: Fibrocartilaginous embolism must be a differential diagnosis in case of otherwise unexplained spinal cord infarction in adult and paediatric low risk population. Neuroradiological findings such as abnormal spinal cord signal intensity and degenerative disc changes can aid in early diagnosis of this rare myelopathy. The prevalent myelopathy location was thoracic. All signal alterations were detected in the anterior region of the spinal cord in the territories of the anterior spinal artery

Influence of Al2O3 Nanoparticles Addition in ZA-27 Alloy-Based Nanocomposites and Soft Computing Prediction

Three different and very small amounts of alumina (0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 wt. %) in two sizes (approx. 25 and 100 nm) were used to enhance the wear characteristics of ZA-27 alloy-based nanocomposites. Production was realised through mechanical alloying in pre-processing and compocasting processes. Wear tests were under lubricated sliding conditions on a block-on-disc tribometer, at two sliding speeds (0.25 and 1 m/s), two normal loads (40 and 100 N) and a sliding distance of 1000 m. Experimental results were analysed by applying the response surface methodology (RSM) and a suitable mathematical model for the wear rate of tested nanocomposites was developed. Appropriate wear maps were constructed and the wear mechanism is discussed in this paper. The accuracy of the prediction was evaluated with the use of an artificial neural network (ANN). The architecture of the used ANN was 4-5-1 and the obtained overall regression coefficient was 0.98729. The comparison of the predicting methods showed that ANN is more efficient in predicting wear