Radar HRRP Modeling using Dynamic System for Radar Target Recognition

High resolution range profile (HRRP) is being known as one of the most powerful tools for radar target recognition. The main problem with range profile for radar target recognition is its sensitivity to aspect angle. To overcome this problem, consecutive samples of HRRP were assumed to be identically independently distributed (IID) in small frames of aspect angles in most of the related works. Here, considering the physical circumstances of maneuver of an aerial target, we have proposed dynamic system which models the short dependency between consecutive samples of HRRP in segments of the whole HRRP sequence. Dynamic system (DS) is used to model the sequence of PCA (principal component analysis) coefficients extracted from the sequence of HRRPs. Considering this we have proposed a model called PCA+DS. We have also proposed a segmentation algorithm which segments the HRRP sequence reliably. Akaike information criterion (AIC) used to evaluate the quality of data modeling showed that our PCA+DS model outperforms factor analysis (FA) model. In addition, target recognition results using simulated data showed that our method based on PCA+DS achieves better recognition rates compared to the method based on FA

Heavy metals removal/stabilization from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash: a review and recent trends

Waste treatment using thermal technologies, such as incineration, leads to the production of pollutants and wastes, including fly ash (FA). Fly ash contains heavy metals (HMs) and other contaminants and can potentially pose high risks to the environment and negatively impact health and safety. Consequently, stabilizing fly ash prior to either use or landfilling is crucial. The toxicity of fly ash through heavy metal leaching can be assessed using leaching tests. The leaching rates of heavy metals primarily depend on the surrounding conditions as well as fly ash properties and metal speciation. Physical separation, leaching or extraction, thermal treatment and solidification/chemical stabilization are proposed as suitable approaches for fly ash treatment. Economic considerations, environmental concerns, energy consumption and processing times can define the efficiency and selection of the treatment approach. This review considers the latest findings and compares the advantages and shortcomings of different fly ash treatment methods with the aim of highlighting the recent advances in the field. The review concludes that the simultaneous implementation of various methods can lead to highly efficient heavy metals removal/stabilization while simultaneously taking economic and environmental considerations into account

Incorporation of Recycled Polypropylene and Fly Ash in Polypropylene-Based Composites for Automotive Applications

The principal aim of this study is to investigate the utilization feasibility of waste materials, i.e., recycled Polypropylene (PP), and fly ash in the formulation of auto parts which are commonly designed based on PP. The typical formulation of auto parts consists of PP, elastomer, filler, and compatibilizer. Various recycled PP/virgin PP ratios were considered as the matrix of the composites. It is found that the increasing concentration of recycled PP in the composite leads to a reduction in mechanical properties, particularly ductility and impact strength. However, due to a lower viscosity at the presence of recycled PP, better dispersion of filler particles, observed by SEM analysis, leading to the improvement of tensile strength. Besides, the employment of recycled material lowers the percentage of crystallinity and melting temperature. It is deduced that the deployment of 20/80 to 40/60 ratios of recycled PP/virgin PP in the composites reasonably meets the requirements for auto parts with advantages in the environmental and economic aspects. Compared to the composites filled with talc, the ductility of fly ash-filled composites is higher. The simultaneous utilization of talc and fly ash as a hybrid system brings about higher ductility, but lowers impact strength compared to talc-filled samples. Using recycled PP mixed with fly ash provides advantages in cost reduction and sustainable and environment-friendly production

Radar HRRP Modeling using Dynamic System for Radar Target Recognition

High resolution range profile (HRRP) is being known as one of the most powerful tools for radar target recognition. The main problem with range profile for radar target recognition is its sensitivity to aspect angle. To overcome this problem, consecutive samples of HRRP were assumed to be identically independently distributed (IID) in small frames of aspect angles in most of the related works. Here, considering the physical circumstances of maneuver of an aerial target, we have proposed dynamic system which models the short dependency between consecutive samples of HRRP in segments of the whole HRRP sequence. Dynamic system (DS) is used to model the sequence of PCA (principal component analysis) coefficients extracted from the sequence of HRRPs. Considering this we have proposed a model called PCA+DS. We have also proposed a segmentation algorithm which segments the HRRP sequence reliably. Akaike information criterion (AIC) used to evaluate the quality of data modeling showed that our PCA+DS model outperforms factor analysis (FA) model. In addition, target recognition results using simulated data showed that our method based on PCA+DS achieves better recognition rates compared to the method based on FA

Immunization of mice by the co-administration of codon-optimized HPV16 E7 and lL12 genes against HPV16-associated cervical cancer

Background: Various promising procedures have been used to improve the potency of DNA vaccines for the treatment of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infections. Interleukin-12 (IL12) is a powerful adjuvant that can contribute to T cell-mediated protection against many pathogens, specifically viruses. Considering the important role of T cell-mediated immunity in tumor clearance, the induction of these responses can help control the progression of tumors in animal models. We have demonstrated that the co-administration of codon-optimized E7 (uE7) gene of HPV16 with interleukin-12 is effective in the development of antitumor responses. Objectives: The present study examined the co-administration of codon-optimized HPV16 E7 gene with murine interleukin-12 gene (mIL-12) as a vaccine adjuvant in tumor mice model. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice were studied for tumor progression after injection of recombinant DNA vaccines. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and IFN-γ were measured to evaluate the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Measurements of tumor volume and MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay were used for assessment of therapeutic antitumor effects of the vaccines. Results: Results showed that DNA vaccines, specifically codon-optimized E7/murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12), elicited significant differences in levels of IFN-γ and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) responses compared to control groups. Furthermore, higher antitumor response and lower tumor size in the vaccine group was significantly evident compared to control group. Conclusion: The co-administration of codon-optimized HPV16 E7 gene with IL12 significantly enhances the DNA vaccine potency against HPV16-associated cervical cancer. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

E6-specific detection and typing of human papillomaviruses in oral cavity specimens from Iranian patients

Background: Detection and quantification of human Papillomavirus (HPV) genome in oral carcinoma play an important role in diagnosis, as well as implications for progression of disease. Methods: We evaluated tissues from 50 esopharyngeal cancers collected from different regions of Iran for HPV E6 using the two type-specific primers sets. E6 gene of HPV genotypes was amplified by specific primers. The sensitivity of PCR assay was analyzed and determined using HPV-DNA-containing plasmids. Real-time PCR was utilized to determine the prevalence and HPV viral load in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Results: Eighteen (36) specimens were positive for HPV. Among the 18 positive specimens, 10 showed HPV-18 (55.55), and 8 specimens were positive for HPV-11 (44.44). Of the 18 infected specimens, 6 (33.32) and 12 (66.65) were identified as high-titer and low-titer viral load, respectively. Conclusions: The PCR-based assay, developed in the current study, could be used for HPV detection, quantification, and genotyping in epidemiological and clinical studies. © 2017, Pasteur Institute of Iran. All rights reserved

Hepatitis C virus alternative reading frame protein (ARFP): Production, features, and pathogenesis

Earlier observation suggests that hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded RNA virus which encodes at least 10 viral proteins. F protein is a novel protein which has been discovered recently. These studies suggest three mechanisms for the production of this protein concerning ribosomal frameshift at codon 10, initial translation at codons 26 and 85 or 87. In this study, the association between protein F and chronicity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reviewed. Evidence suggests that humoral immune system can recognize this protein and produce antibodies against it. By detecting antibodies in infected people, investigators found that F protein might have a role in HCV infection causing chronic cirrhosis and HCC as higher prevalence was found in patients with mentioned complications. The increment of CD4+, CD25+, and FoxP3+ T cells, along with CD8+ T cells with low expression of granzyme B, also leads to weaker responses of the immune system which helps the infection to become chronic. Moreover, it contributes to the survival of the virus in the body through affecting the production of interferon. F protein also might play roles in the disease development, resulting in HCC. The existence of F protein affects cellular pathways through upregulating p53, c-myc, cyclin D1, and phosphorylating Rb. This review will summarize these effects on immune system and related mechanisms in cellular pathways. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL

Antiviral therapeutic potential of curcumin: An update

The treatment of viral disease has become a medical challenge because of the increasing incidence and prevalence of human viral pathogens, as well as the lack of viable treatment alternatives, including plant-derived strategies. This review attempts to investigate the trends of research on in vitro antiviral effects of curcumin against different classes of human viral pathogens worldwide. Various electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for published English articles evaluating the anti-viral activity of curcumin. Data were then extracted and analyzed. The forty-three studies (published from 1993 to 2020) that were identified contain data for 24 different viruses. The 50 cytotoxic concentration (CC50), 50 effective/inhibitory concentration (EC50/IC50), and stimulation index (SI) parameters showed that curcumin had antiviral activity against viruses causing diseases in humans. Data presented in this review highlight the potential antiviral applications of curcumin and open new avenues for further experiments on the clinical applications of curcumin and its derivatives. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Evaluation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Regular Rabies Virus Vaccine Strains

Background: This study aimed to evaluate Rabies virus vaccine strains. The obtained results may be helpful for vaccine producers and researchers to compare the strains with wild type and other vaccine strains and select the correct strain to challenge their products.Methods: Fourteen rabies virus vaccine strains were compared with each other. The full genomes of the selected strains were taken from the GenBank and the N, P and G genes were labeled. The major and minor antigenic sites of these sequences were identified and contrasted with each other. The identity matrix was designed for rabies virus full genome, N and G genes. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was drawn based on rabies virus N gene for deep analysis.Results: Although there were no significant differences between antigenic sites in N, P, and G genes, there were noticeable differences for full genome identity matrix and this significant difference can also be observed in N and G identity matrix. In the phylogenetic tree, the Iranian sequences were distant from currently applied vaccine strains.Conclusion: It is necessary to pay attention to the results shown in phylogenetic tree because they warn us about distance between the Iranian sequences and current strains used in applied vaccines. In addition, the obtained results help vaccine producers to choose a correct strain to challenge their product and evaluate their vaccine potency