Design of Self-tuning PID Controller Parameters Using Fuzzy Logic Controller for Quad-rotor Helicopter

This paper presents the design of a Fuzzy PID controller (FPID) based on fuzzy logic with a PID structure with many valued logic and reasoning. The self-turning Fuzzy PID control take in an error and the rate of change of error of the altitude and attitude of the quadrotor as the input to the fuzzy controller and use the fuzzy rules to adjust the PID parameter automatically. Simulations have been conducted to observe the differences in controlling the quadrotor in flight using the new FPID controller instead of using PID controller. The effectiveness of the developed FPID is verified using the dSPACE platform whereby the Simulink model of the controller is converted to a real time system to generate the control signals for the control of quad rotor helicopter

Perception of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Worldwide

In this comprehensive review study, we addressed the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting human and animal health worldwide. Data and perspectives were collected from different countries and regions worldwide, including America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The results updated the current situation with ticks and TBD and how it is perceived by society with information bias and gaps. The study reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations to advance in the surveillance, communication and proposed future directions to address these challenges

Functional characterization of α-Gal producing lactic acid bacteria with potential probiotic properties

The possibility of exploiting the human immune response to glycan α-Gal for the control of multiple infectious diseases has been the objective of recent investigations. In this field of research, the strain of Escherichia coli O86:B7 has been at the forefront, but this Gram-negative microorganism presents a safety concern and therefore cannot be considered as a probiotic. To address this challenge, this study explored the identification of novel lactic acid bacteria with a safe history of use, producing α-Gal and having probiotic potential. The lactic acid bacteria were isolated from different traditionally fermented foods (kununn-zaki, kindirmo, and pulque) and were screened for the production of α-Gal and some specific probiotic potential indicators. The results showed that Ten (10) out of forty (40) [25%] of the tested lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produced α-Gal and were identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Levilactobacillus brevis, Agrilactobacillus composti, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Weissella confusa. Four (4) LAB strains with highest levels of α-Gal were further selected for in vivo study using a mouse model (α1,3GT KO mice) to elucidate the immunological response to α-Gal. The level of anti-α-Gal IgG observed were not significant while the level of anti-α-Gal IgM was lower in comparison to the level elicited by E. coli O86:B7. We concluded that the lactic acid bacteria in this study producing α-Gal have potential probiotic capacity and can be further explored in α-Gal-focused research for both the prevention and treatment of various infectious diseases and probiotic development.Research on α-Gal has been partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Spain and EU-FEDER (Grant BIOGAL PID2020-116761 GB-I00). BT was supported by The World Academy of Sciences, Italy (FR number_3240306342) and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (BT/AB/03/04/2002Timothy).Peer reviewe

Electronic, Elastic, and Thermoelectric Properties of Half-Heusler Topological Semi-Metal HfIrAs from First-Principles Calculations

The ab initio method is used to calculate the electronic, elastic, lattice-dynamic, and thermoelectric properties of the semimetal Half-Heusler compound HfIrAs. Density Functional Theory within Generalized Gradient Approximation is used to carry out calculations of lattice parameters, band structure, electronic density of states, phonon band structure, phonon density of states, elastic moduli, specific heat at constant volume, the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, the power factor, and the dimensionless figure of merit. The electronic band structure reveals that the compound is semimetal. The phonon dispersion shows that HfIrAs is dynamically stable. The projected phonon density of states, which shows the contribution of each constituent atom at every frequency level, is also reported. The ratio of bulk modulus to shear modulus is 2.89; i.e., the material is ductile, and it satisfies stability criteria. The thermoelectric properties of this compound at different temperatures of 300 K, 600 K, and 800 K are reported as a function of hole concentration for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The dimensionless figure of merit of HfIrAs is 0.57 at 800 K when the doping concentration is 0.01×1020 cm−3. Therefore, this compound is predicted to be a good thermoelectric material

Functional food for the stimulation of the immune system against malaria

Drug resistance has become a threat to global health, and new interventions are needed to control major infectious diseases. The composition of gut microbiota has been linked to human health and has been associated with severity of malaria. Fermented foods contribute to the community of healthy gut bacteria. Despite the studies connecting gut microbiota to the prevention of malaria transmission and severity, research on developing functional foods for the purpose of manipulating the gut microbiota for malaria control is limited. This review summarizes recent knowledge on the role of the gut microbiota in malaria prevention and treatment. This information should encourage the search for lactic acid bacteria expressing α-Gal and those that exhibit the desired immune stimulating properties for the development of functional food and probiotics for malaria control.Research on α-Gal has been supported by the Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deportes, JCCM, Spain, projects CCM17-PIC-036 (SBPLY/17/180501/000185).Peer reviewe