Effects of artificial neural network speed-based inputs on heavy-duty vehicle emissions prediction

The PM split study was performed in Southern California on thirty-four heavy-duty diesel vehicles using the West Virginia University Transportable Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Testing Laboratories to gather emissions data of these vehicles. The data obtained from six vehicles in the 1985--2001 model year and 33,000--80,000 lb weight range exercised through three different cycles were selected in this thesis. To predict the instantaneous levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO), an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used. Axle speed, torque, their rates of change over different time periods and two other variables as a function of axle speed were defined as the inputs for the neural network. Also, each emissions species was considered individually as the output of the ANN. The ANN was trained on the Highway cycle and applied to the City/Suburban Heavy Vehicle Route (CSHVR) and Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) with four different sets of inputs to predict the emissions for these vehicles. The research showed an excellent emissions prediction for the neural networks that were trained with only eight inputs (speed, torque, their first and second derivatives, and two variables of Diff. and Spd related to the speed pattern over the last 150 seconds). The Diff variable provided a measure of the variability of speed over the last 150 seconds of operation. This variable was able to create a moving speed-dependant window, which was used as an input for the neural networks. The results showed an average accuracy of 0.97 percent for CO2, 0.89 percent for NOx, 0.70 for CO and 0.48 percent for HC over the course of the CSHVR, Highway and UDDS

The effect of diet training on variations in blood pressure, weight, and some biochemical factors in hemodialysis patients: a clinical trial

زمینه و هدف: تغذیه درست در میان بیماران همودیالیزی از مهم ترین عوامل افزایش طول عمر و کاهش بستری شدن در بیمارستان می باشد و گفته می شود مداخلات آموزشی در این خصوص بسیار تأثیر گذار است. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تأثیر آموزش رژیم غذایی بر برخی فاکتورهای اثرگذار در بیماران همودیالیزی مراجعه کننده به بخش همودیالیز بیمارستان هاجر (س) شهرکرد انجام شد. روش بررسی: این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی در سال 1390 بر روی 100 نفر از بیماران همودیالیزی که به روش نمونه گیری مبتنی بر هدف انتخاب شده بودند انجام شد. برای بیماران مداخله آموزشی شامل آموزش رژیم غذائی مشتمل بر آموزش چهره به چهره همراه با ارائه جزوه آموزشی در دو جلسه طی یک ماه اجرا گردید. تغییرات وزن، فشار خون، کراتینین و اوره خون بیماران قبل از آموزش، دو هفته بعد ویک ماه بعد از آموزش اندازه گیری و اثر آموزش رژیم غذائی بر فاکتورهای ارزیابی شده قبل و بعد از مداخله مقایسه شد. یافته ها: میانگین سنی بیماران مورد مطالعه 14/15±20/56 سال در محدوده 80-13 سال بود. میانگین وزن بیماران یک ماه بعد از مداخله آموزشی (54/14±66/64 کیلوگرم) نسبت به قبل از مداخله (10/15±50/66 کیلوگرم) کاهش معنی داری نشان داد (002/0=P). میانگین فشار خون سیستولیک و دیاستولیک بیماران قبل از مداخله به ترتیب 12/18±44/152 و 64/7±16/88 میلی متر جیوه و یک ماه بعد از مداخله 08/13±70/128 و 5/7 ±02/79 بود؛ که این کاهش معنی دار گزارش شد (001/0=P). تغییرات میزان کراتینین و اوره خون بیماران، هر دو طی مطالعه کاهش یافت اما تنها میزان کاهش اوره خون معنی دار بود (001/0=P). نتیجه گیری: آموزش رعایت رژیم غذایی مناسب در این مطالعه توانست موجب کاهش وزن بیماران، بهبود سطح فشار خون و تعدیل فاکتورهای بیوشیمیایی خون شود؛ لذا اجرا و تداوم برنامه‌های آموزشی در این خصوص توسط مراقبین بهداشتی ضروری و حائز اهمیت می باشد

Characterization of Microscale Particles Using a Microfluidic Flow Cytometer Equipped With a Multi-Plex Photon Counter

ABSTRACT We have shown the design and fabrication of a microfluidic flow cytometer. The microfluidic flow cytometer has been used to characterize microspheres of different sizes. The device is consisted of a microchannel, electronics, and integrated optics. The microchannel has three inlets. Two inlets are used to introduce sheath flows and one middle inlet is assigned as sample inlet. The sample flow is hydrodynamically focused at the center of the microchannel by two side streams (sheath flows). Also arrays of four chevron grooves compress the sample flow from the top and bottom of the microchannel. The core flow contains microspheres at a certain concentration. Detection of the microspheres at the interrogation region of the channel is performed by integrated optics and electronics. The scattered light emitted from the microspheres is collected by a multi-plex photo diode (MPPC). The results are recorded using data acquisition (DAQ) unit. The MPPCs employed in the setup is the new generation of photon counter devices with an excellent detection limit, a compact size, and capability of recording data at high gain compared to previous generation of photodetectors such as photomultipliers or avalanche photon diodes. The flow cytometer was sensitive enough to collect data from 3 µm microspheres using such mentioned sensitive photon counting unit. We have also used COMSOL Multiphysics software to investigate velocity and pressure distribution as well as concentration distribution along the microchannel. The average voltage collected by MPPC was 1.9 V for 10.2 µm and 1.6 V for 3.2 µm microsphere

Synthesis of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped NaMnF3 nanocubes with single-band red upconversion luminescence

We have developed a facile low-temperature synthetic method for the preparation of NaMnF3 nanocubes with Er3+ and Yb3+ ions homogeneously incorporated in the host lattice. The effects of the reaction temperature, and the volume ratio between ethanol and DI water on the morphology of NaMnF3 nanocubes are systematically investigated. The NaMnF3 nanocubes can be produced in the low temperature range (25–80 °C), and the higher reaction temperature (80 °C) is favorable for the formation of a smooth surface. The formation of NaMnF3 nanocubes strongly depends on the ethanol solvent. The morphology and single-phase of the obtained samples could be well maintained by controlling the doping concentration (Yb3+ ≤ 20 mol%). Single-band red upconversion emission can be generated in Er3+/Yb3+ codoped NaMnF3 nanocubes due to the energy transfer between host Mn2+ and dopant Er3+ ions. It is revealed that our NaMnF3:Er3+/Yb3+ nanocubes irradiate the brightest red luminescence at the dopant concentrations of Er3+ (2 mol%) and Yb3+ (15 mol%), which is stronger than that of the hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphor

Polycaprolactone Microfibrous Scaffolds to Navigate Neural Stem Cells

Fibrous scaffolds have shown promise in tissue engineering due to their ability to improve cell alignment and migration. In this paper, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers are fabricated in different sizes using a microfluidic platform. By using this approach, we demonstrated considerable flexibility in ability to control the size of the fibers. It was shown that the average diameter of the fibers was obtained in the range of 2.6–36.5 μm by selecting the PCL solution flow rate from 1 to 5 μL min–1 and the sheath flow rate from 20 to 400 μL min–1 in the microfluidic channel. The microfibers were used to create 3D microenvironments in order to investigate growth and differentiation of adult hippocampal stem/progenitor cells (AHPCs) in vitro. The results indicated that the 3D topography of the PCL substrates, along with chemical (extracellular matrix) guidance cues supported the adhesion, survival, and differentiation of the AHPCs. Additionally, it was found that the cell deviation angle for 44–66% of cells on different types of fibers was less than 10°. This reveals the functionality of PCL fibrous scaffolds for cell alignment important in applications such as reconnecting serious nerve injuries and guiding the direction of axon growth as well as regenerating blood vessels, tendons, and muscle tissue

Associated Factors of In-hospital Outcomes in Emergency Department's Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Even though the basic principles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are simple, the patients' outcome remains inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the CPR outcomes and associated factors in the emergency department. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who underwent in-hospital CPR following a cardiac arrest in the emergency department for one year. The patient's baseline characteristics and CPR outcomes were recorded from patients' profiles, and the association of patient-related and CPR-related variables with the outcomes was assessed. Results: 220 patients with a mean age of 71.5 ± 16.9 (range: 20-100) years were included (60.5% male). 193 cases of cardiac arrests had occurred in the hospital. Presenting cardiac rhythm in 198 cases (90.0 %) was asystole (not requiring defibrillation). The mean duration of conducted CPR was 43.2 ± 15.6 (5-120) minutes. Only 7 patients (3.2%) achieved the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and were discharged from the hospital, with one suffering from neurological impairment due to CPR. There was a significant association between age (p = 0.047), consciousness status at admission (p = 0.003), presenting cardiac rhythm at CPR initiation (p = 0.0001), and establishment of ROSC under 45 minutes (p = 0.043) with patients' outcomes. Presenting cardiac rhythm at CPR initiation (p = 0.001), ROSC under 45 minutes (p = 0.012), and consciousness status at admission (p = 0.027) were independent predictive factors of survival. The area under the ROC curve for presenting cardiac rhythm and ROSC under 45 minutes was 0.817 (95% CI: 0.617-1.000) and 0.805 (95% CI: 0.606-1.000), respectively. Conclusion: Based on the present study's findings, the survival rate of patients after CPR in ED was 3.2%. Presenting cardiac rhythm, ROSC under 45 minutes, and consciousness status at admission was among the independent predictors of mortality

The Aflatoxin M1 level and Antibiotic Residues in raw milk supplied across the city of Bojnurd in 2016

Background: Milk is considered as one of the most complete foods, consumption of raw milk contained with aflatoxin M1 and antibiotics has raised consumer concerns. The aim of this study was to determine the level of aflatoxin and antibiotic residues in raw milk in Bojnurd, Khorasan province, Iran. Methods: In this study, 40 samples of raw milk from their distribution centers in the city of Bojnourd, were taken randomly in summer and fall of 2016. Samples were evaluated for aflatoxin and antibiotic residues by ELISA method and Coupons kit respectively. Descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations were used to summarize the data. Data was analyzed with SPSS 19. Results: According to the results, no residues of antibiotics were found in raw milk and the aflatoxin concentrations were between 5.1 and 65 ng per ml and the levels were lower than the Iran standards in all samples. Conclusion: According to the results, antibiotics residues and aflatoxin M1 levels in raw milk of Bojnoord city are within the acceptable level. However, it is recommended to evaluate these parameters in all seasons