A Multi-zone Hvac System for a Typical Building for Matlab/simulink Platform

Matlab/Simulink is known in a large number of fields as a powerful and modern simulation tool. In the field of building and HVAC simulation its use is also increasing. However, it is still believed to be a tool for small applications due to its graphical structure and not to fit well for the simulation of multi-zone buildings. This paper presents the development of a new multi-zone building model for Matlab/Simulink platform

Multimodal Limbless Crawling Soft Robot with a Kirigami Skin

Limbless creatures can crawl on flat surfaces by deforming their bodies and interacting with asperities on the ground, offering a biological blueprint for designing efficient limbless robots. Inspired by this natural locomotion, we present a soft robot capable of navigating complex terrains using a combination of rectilinear motion and asymmetric steering gaits. The robot is made of a pair of antagonistic inflatable soft actuators covered with a flexible kirigami skin with asymmetric frictional properties. The robot’s rectilinear locomotion is achieved through cyclic inflation of internal chambers with precise phase shifts, enabling forward progression. Steering is accomplished using an asymmetric gait, allowing for both in-place rotation and wide turns. To validate its mobility in obstacle-rich environments, we tested the robot in an arena with coarse substrates and multiple obstacles. Real-time feedback from onboard proximity sensors, integrated with a human–machine interface, allowed adaptive control to avoid collisions. This study highlights the potential of bioinspired soft robots for applications in confined or unstructured environments, such as search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspections.</p

Removal of dye from synthetic textile wastewater using agricultural wastes and determination of adsorption isotherm

Reactive dyes have been applying extensively in textile industries. The treatment of textile industry waste waters is one of the main concerns of environmental health experts due to having excessive dyes and pollution. The aim of this study was to remove the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye from synthetic textile waste waters using agricultural wastes and determination of adsorption isotherm. In this research, Glycyrrhiza glabra root ash was prepared in laboratory condition and graded by standard sieve. The reactive Black 5 dye removals from textile synthetic wastewater using this adsorbent were tested. The effect of some parameters such as contact time (10–180 min), initial dye concentration (20, 40 and 60 mg/g) adsorbent dosage (0.2–2 g) and pH (2–12) were evaluated. Measurements were performed using an ultra violet-visible spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 597 nm and adsorption isotherm analyses were carried out. The results showed that data follow better the Langmuir adsorption model and the RL = 0.1123 was in the range of 0 to 1. Adsorption efficiency was reduced with increasing initial dye concentration and decreasing the adsorbent dosage. According to the results, the remaining root as an agricultural waste showed proper efficiency economically for the removal of dyes from textile industry wastewate

The short-term effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on the plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and growth parameters in infants with retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: To determine the changes in serum levels of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth parameters in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who received intravitreal injection of the bevacizumab (IVB). Methods: A prospective interventional case series study, including 10 infants with Type 1 ROP was conducted. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum levels of VEGF and IGF-1 were measured before, 1 month and 2 months after treatment with IVB in both eyes. Growth parameters, including weight, length, and head circumference and their Fenton's z-score, were also measured. Results: Serum VEGF levels were suppressed 1 month after IVB (P = 0.007) and then increased between 1 and 2 months (P = 0.064). Z-scores of all growth parameters except weight z-score decreased in the 1st and 2nd months. Conclusion: Serum VEGF levels showed a transient reduction after IVB which lasted at least 2 months. Growth velocity of premature infants may be affected by anti-VEGF therapy and should be followed with particular attention. © 2020 Journal of Current Ophthalmology | Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow

Two different doses of intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of 1.25 mg versus 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with agerelated macular degeneration (A). Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, consecutive patients with active CNV associated with A received 1.25 mg or 2.5 mg IVB. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness and side effects of therapy were evaluated one and three months after intervention. Results: Overall 86 subjects were enrolled and completed the scheduled follow-up. Forty seven and 39 patients received 1.25 and 2.5 mg IVB respectively. The study groups were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics such as age, BCVA and foveal thickness. Mean improvement in BCVA was 0.06±0.3 logMAR in the 1.25 mg group and 0.07±0.34 logMAR in the 2.5 mg group (P=0.9). Mean decrease in foveal thickness was 49±36 μm in the 1.25 mg group and 65±31μm in the 2.5 mg group (P=0.6). Three cases of vitreous reaction and one case of massive subretinal hemorrhage were observed in the 2.5 mg group. Conclusion: Double dose (2.5 mg) IVB does not seem to be more effective than regular dose (1.25 mg) injections for treatment of CNV due to A and may lead to more complications

Rationale and design of the DAPA-MI trial: Dapagliflozin in patients without diabetes mellitus with acute myocardial infarction

Background: Therapies that could further prevent the development of heart failure (HF) and other cardiovascular and metabolic events in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) represent a large and unmet medical need. // Methods: DAPA-MI is a multicenter, parallel-group, registry-based, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in patients without known diabetes or established HF, presenting with MI and impaired left ventricular systolic function or Q-wave MI. The trial evaluated the effect of dapagliflozin 10 mg vs placebo, given once daily in addition to standard of care therapy, on death, hospitalization for HF (HHF), and other cardiometabolic outcomes. The primary objective of the trial was to determine, using the win-ratio method, if dapagliflozin is superior to placebo by comparing the hierarchical composite outcome of death, HHF, nonfatal MI, atrial fibrillation/flutter, new onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, HF symptoms as measured by New York Heart Association Functional Classification at last visit, and body weight decrease ≥5% at last visit. Assuming a true win-ratio of 1.20 between dapagliflozin and placebo, 4,000 patients provide a statistical power of 80% for the test of the primary composite outcome. A registry-based randomized controlled trial framework allowed for recruitment, randomization, blinding, and pragmatic data collection of baseline demographics, medications, and clinical outcomes using existing national clinical registries (in Sweden and the UK) integrated with the trial database. // Conclusions: The trial explores opportunities to improve further the outcome of patients with impaired LV function after MI. The innovative trial design of DAPA-MI, incorporating national clinical registry data, has facilitated efficient patient recruitment as well as outcome ascertainment. // Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04564742