APPRAISAL OF TAKAGI–SUGENO TYPE NEURO-FUZZY NETWORK SYSTEM WITH A MODIFIED DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION METHOD TO PREDICT NONLINEAR WHEEL DYNAMICS CAUSED BY ROAD IRREGULARITIES

Wheel dynamics play a substantial role in traversing and controlling the vehicle, braking, ride comfort, steering, and maneuvering. The transient wheel dynamics are difficult to be ascertained in tire–obstacle contact condition. To this end, a single-wheel testing rig was utilized in a soil bin facility for provision of a controlled experimental medium. Differently manufactured obstacles (triangular and Gaussian shaped geometries) were employed at different obstacle heights, wheel loads, tire slippages and forward speeds to measure the forces induced at vertical and horizontal directions at tire–obstacle contact interface. A new Takagi–Sugeno type neuro-fuzzy network system with a modified Differential Evolution (DE) method was used to model wheel dynamics caused by road irregularities. DE is a robust optimization technique for complex and stochastic algorithms with ever expanding applications in real-world problems. It was revealed that the new proposed model can be served as a functional alternative to classical modeling tools for the prediction of nonlinear wheel dynamics

Effects of hydropriming on seed germination and seedling growth in sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

The germination of Salvia officinalis L. (sage) seeds is a problem of great concern that may be overcome by employing seed priming techniques. Seed priming is an efficient technique for improvement of seed vigor, increasing germination and seedling growth. Little information has been reported on seedling development of sage subsequent to seed priming. The influence of hydropriming treatments on seed parameters of S. officinalis L. was investigated. Seeds of sage were treated by hydropriming at three temperatures 10, 20, 30°C for 0, 12, 24 and 48 h. The hydropriming clearly improved the final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT) and synchronized the germination of seeds at each three temperature. All the seed treatments resulted in germination enhancement except hydroprimed seeds for 48 h at temperature 30°С. However, hydropriming (12 h at 30°С) was most effective in improving seed germination that FGP was increased by 25.5% as compared to that of non-primed seeds.Key words: Germination, hydropriming, Salvia officinalis L., seed priming

Leprosy in a patient infected with HIV.

A 60-year-old Nigerian man, who had lived in Europe for 30 years but had returned home frequently, presented with right frontalis muscle weakness and right ulnar nerve palsy, without skin lesions. Neurophysiology showed a generalised neuropathy with demyelinating features. Blood tests were positive for HIV, with a normal CD4 count. There was nerve thickening both clinically and on MRI. Nerve biopsy showed chronic endoneuritis and perineuritis (indicating leprosy) without visible mycobacteria. His neuropathy continued to deteriorate (lepra reaction) before starting treatment with WHO multidrug therapy, highly active antiretroviral therapy and corticosteroids. There are 10 new cases of leprosy diagnosed annually in the UK. Coinfection with HIV is rare but paradoxically does not usually adversely affect the outcome of leprosy or change treatment. However, permanent nerve damage in leprosy is common despite optimal therapy. Leprosy should be considered in patients from endemic areas who present with mononeuritis multiplex

Defective Presynaptic Choline Transport Underlies Hereditary Motor Neuropathy

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized synapse with a complex molecular architecture that provides for reliable transmission between the nerve terminal and muscle fiber. Using linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing of DNA samples from subjects with distal hereditary motor neuropathy type VII, we identified a mutation in SLC5A7, which encodes the presynaptic choline transporter (CHT), a critical determinant of synaptic acetylcholine synthesis and release at the NMJ. This dominantly segregating SLC5A7 mutation truncates the encoded product just beyond the final transmembrane domain, eliminating cytosolic-C-terminus sequences known to regulate surface transporter trafficking. Choline-transport assays in both transfected cells and monocytes from affected individuals revealed significant reductions in hemicholinium-3-sensitive choline uptake, a finding consistent with a dominant-negative mode of action. The discovery of CHT dysfunction underlying motor neuropathy identifies a biological basis for this group of conditions and widens the spectrum of disorders that derive from impaired NMJ transmission. Our findings compel consideration of mutations in SLC5A7 or its functional partners in relation to unexplained motor neuronopathies

Blood Glucose Measurement by Glucometer in Comparison with Standard Method in Diagnosis of Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is considered as a serious risk factor in neonates. In the majority of cases, it occurs with no clinical symptoms. Accordingly, early diagnosis is extremely imperative, which can also lead to less morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of screening blood glucose using glucometer (known as a quick and cost-effective diagnostic test) in comparison with laboratory method. A total of 219 neonates at risk of hypoglycemia were included in this study. Blood glucose was measured by glucometer and laboratory. In addition glucose level of capillary blood was measured by glucometer at the same time. Sensitivity and specificity of capillary blood glucose measurement by glucometer were 83.5%, 97.5% respectively (ppv=80%), (npv=98%). Capillary blood glucose measured by glucometer has an acceptable sensitivity and specificity in measurement of neonatal blood glucose. Therefore measurement by glucometer is recommended as a proper diagnostic test

Median nerve injury: an underrecognised complication of brachial artery cardiac catheterisation?

This is an uncommon, but probably underrecognised complication. Those performing cardiac catheterisation via the right brachial artery should be aware of the potential risks of damage to the median nerve. They should evaluate hand function after the procedure and take prompt action if median nerve dysfunction is noted. Damage to the median nerve results in appreciable long term disability, which may have medicolegal relevance

Late Tortonian - Piacenzian multi-proxy record of Asian southwest monsoon intensification: Evidence from Coastal Makran, SE Iran

This study presents a long-term, multi-proxy reconstruction of Asian southwest monsoon during the Tortonian to Piacenzian based on a 4.78 Ma record from Coastal Makran, NW Gulf of Oman in SE Iran. Integration of humidity proxies (clay minerals, Th/K, volume magnetic susceptibility and grain size analysis), marine redox- sensitive (Th/U), total organic matter (TOM), carbonate content, 87Sr/86Sr, and spectral-gamma ray conducted here provide valuable information that fill the existing gap in marine palaeoclimate records during the studied period within the region. The results show that a strong winter monsoon condition associated with relatively low precipitation and subsequently low physical and chemical weathering dominated the region during the late Tortonian- late Messinian (7.65 to 5.83 Ma). A few episodes of intense physical and chemical weathering related to high precipitation, however, is observed during this period (6.23 and 6.01 Ma) consistent with increased organic matter input from continental reservoirs to the Oceans. In addition, latest Messinian (5.82 to 5.33 Ma) to Zanclean- Piacenzian (5.33 to 2.87 Ma) is indicated with a strong summer monsoon accompanied with a relatively wetter condition and higher physical and chemical weathering that resulted in the high detrital input into the basin. This higher weathering period is associated with the highest rate of Himalayan uplifting that caused the enhanced precipitation. Using Wavelet analysis of spectral gamma-ray, revealed notable periodicities at 750 Ka and 1.7 Ma with signiďŹ cant periodicities centered around 5.75 to 6.03 Ma over the latest Messinian- Zanclean. Comparison with palaeoclimate archives from other sites, points to a teleconnection with respect to precipitation, weathering and productivity especially during Messinian- Zanclean transition.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author