Review of different strategies for coordinative planning of multi-agent systems

Agent-based systems have been widely examined in the literature for various type of tasks. Within this examination, various strategies and modeling have been employed. Several surveys and reviews have been depicted in the literature regarding agent-based systems. However, minimal efforts have been made in the context of feature extraction and feature selection. This paper aims to review the strategies used for feature extraction and selection agentbased systems. In terms of the nature of agent communications, this paper tackles two types, centralized and decentralized. In terms of the workflow, this paper tackles three types, including coordinative, collaborative and emergent-based systems. Finally, a discussion is presented comparing the strategies and the frequent use of the strategies in the literature. Based on this review, most of feature extraction agent-based systems rely on either coordinating or emergent-based strategies, while feature selection agent-based systems rely on collaborative strategies. However, there are several aspects that we can consider to be classify agent-based strategies. This review develops a classification scheme for systems used for specific tasks, including feature extraction and feature selection

Genetically diagnosis of Mycoplasma isolated from respiratory and conjunctival infections in household dogs

Genetic depiction of Mycoplasma isolates was done by a PCR approach from the upper respiratory tract and conjunctival infections in domestic dogs in Mosul City. This was accomplished by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene, which is specific to the Mycoplasma genus. 100 domestic dogs of various ages, sexes, and breeds participated in the study from 1/2/2022 to 1/1/2023. There were 300 swabs total, including conjunctival, nasal, and oropharyngeal swabs. The swabs were subjected to mycoplasmal culturing in suitable conditions. The growing colonies were examined by light and a dissecting microscope. The DNA of growing colonies was extracted and amplified then migrated in agarose gel to observe the bands. The study's findings revealed the isolation of 58 Mycoplasma isolates, with an overall swab isolation rate of around 58% and a high rate of 68% from nasal swabs, then from oropharyngeal swabs and conjunctival swabs 58 and 45% sequentially. PCR technique showed that 34 isolates from the total of 58 isolates were assured for the 16S rRNA gene and yielded a band at 270bp, these findings are regarded as distinctive for the genus Mycoplasma. DNA Sequencing results of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that twenty-three 67.65% out of thirty-four Mycoplasma isolates were indicated as Mycoplasma cynos strain SM-MY-M23 which was dumped in the GenBank nucleotide sequence database under accession number OQ446513, so current results are considered as the first record of Mycoplasma cynos in dogs in Iraq

Review of local binary pattern operators in image feature extraction

With the substantial expansion of image information, image processing and computer vision have significant roles in several applications, including image classification, image segmentation, pattern recognition, and image retrieval. An important feature that has been applied in many image applications is texture. Texture is the characteristic of a set of pixels that form an image. Therefore, analyzing texture has a significant impact on segmenting an image or detecting important portions of an image. This paper provides a review on LBP and its modifications. The aim of this review is to show the current trends for using, modifying and adapting LBP in the domain of image processing

Molecular study of resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from chronic respiratory disease cases in broilers

Chronic respiratory disease is famous in poultry farming, mainly in broiler farms. The disease is caused by Mycoplasma species in participation with E. coli. Our study was conducted on CRD of broiler chickens to isolate and determine the resistance of Escherichia coli Seventy-four swabs of the internal organs of broilers (severe respiratory signs) were collected from different areas of Mosul from September 2021 to March 2022. MacConkey agar was used with cefotaxime (1 μg/ml) to grow the isolates, and they were incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Colonies were identified according to standard bacteriological methods. The cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates underwent DNA extraction. The polymerase chain reaction of Escherichia coli isolates was used for confirmation. The results of the existing study revealed that 61 samples appeared positive for bacterial isolation from 74 (82.4%). All isolates were resistant to an arsenal of antibiotics when testing their sensitivity to antibiotics, including azithromycin, levofloxacin, gentamycin, chloramphenicol…ext. Molecular detection of resistance genes showed that all isolates contained the CTX-M gene by 100%. In comparison, the TEM gene appeared in 52 isolates (85.25%), and only 9 (14.75%) isolates showed the SHV gene. In conclusion, our results shed light on the serious problem in poultry fields, which showed that Escherichia coli isolates contain genes with high resistance to antibiotics, which are the most widely used in the treatment of bacterial infections in these farms, which means the demand for introducing more novel antibiotics in the cure of poultry health problems

Management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) by combinatorial approach using alpha-1-adrenergic antagonists and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

Currently, the main available treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (ARAs), 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-αRI), anticholinergics, and Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Recent studies support the combined therapy approach using ARAs with 5-αRI for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in BPH patients at risk of clinical progression. We aimed to review BPH management in select group of randomized controlled trials by combination therapy with ARAs and 5-αRIs compared to monotherapy with either drug with respect to the safety and efficacy. A total of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving comparison of combination therapy with monotherapy using ARAs and 5-αRIs were retrieved from PubMed Central and reviewed for international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), post-residual urinary flow rate (PUF), and clinical progression. The results significantly favour the treatment group that received the combination therapy in comparison with the groups receiving monotherapy. However, outcome with regard to prostate volume showed insignificant improvement when the combination therapy is compared with 5- αRIs alone, rather than ARAs. In conclusion, combination therapy using ARAs and 5-αRI is better than monotherapy in the patients of BPH. Fixed dose combination (FDC), a type of combination, is also cost-effective and its sideeffects profile resembles to that of monotherapy

High-efficiency DNA extraction using poly(4,4′-cyclohexylidene bisphenol oxalate)-modified microcrystalline cellulose magnetite composite

In this study, we studied the DNA extraction capability of poly(4,4-cyclohexylidene bisphenol oxalate) following the surface modification and composite formation with that of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The physical characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed for the poly(bisphenol Z oxalate)-MCC-magnetite composite during different stages of its formation. The results confirmed the successful modification of the polymer surface. On testing in the presence of three types of binding buffers, a high value of 72.4% (out of 10,000 ng/μL) efficiency with a total yield of DNA at ng and absorbance ratio of A260/A280 (1.980) was observed for the 2 M GuHCl/EtOH binding buffer. These results were compared against the other two buffers of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and NaCl. The lowest value of DNA extraction efficiency at 8125 ng/μL of 58.845% with absorbance ratios of A260/A280 (1.818) for PBS was also observed. The study has concluded an enhancement in the DNA extraction efficiency when the polymer is in the composite stage along with cellulose and magnetite particles as compared against the bare polymer

Ply-stacking effects on mechanical properties of Kevlar-29/banana woven mats reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

© The Author(s) 2022. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, to view a copy of the license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Development of new hybrid laminated composites of Kevlar-29 (K-29)/banana fiber (Musa acuminata) mats to meet future demand for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has been investigated. The different ply-stacking sequenced Kevlar (K)/natural (N) banana reinforced epoxy polymeric hybrid composite samples were designated as KN1, KN2, KN3, KN4, KN5 and KN6, in addition to NN7 and KK8 for single or non-hybrid FRP (control) composite samples. The ply-stacking effects on mechanical properties of all the laminated composite were investigated. The maximum tensile, flexural, impact and interlaminar shear strengths (ILSS) were obtained with sample KN4, because of the stacking of its Kevlar and natural banana mats, which was K2/N4/K2 of 8 layers and different from other stacking sequences. The percentage improvements on tensile strength of sample KN4 when compared with other hybrid composite samples KN1, KN2, KN3, KN5 and KN6 were 6.3, 4.4, 3.6, 13.1 and 11.3%, respectively. While, same optimum sample KN4 recorded highest flexural strength among hybrid samples with percentage improvements of 122.19, 70.97, 31.03 and 83.68% when compared with other hybrid samples KN2, KN3, KN5 and KN6, respectively. Similar trend of results was obtained for their tensile and flexural moduli. But, both hybrid composite samples KN3 and KN4 recorded higher impact strengths of 3.0 and 2.8 J, respectively, when compared with other hybrid counterparts. The tensile and flexural strengths of sample KN4 were 147.48 and 223.69 MPa, respectively. The tensile properties of various theoretical model were compared with experimental values.Peer reviewe

Effects of fiber loadings and lengths on mechanical properties of Sansevieria Cylindrica fiber reinforced natural rubber biocomposites

© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/In this present investigation, Sansevieria cylindrica fiber was used as a reinforcement in a natural rubber matrix. Various biocomposite samples with different fiber contents (lengths and loadings) were fabricated, using compression molding process and vulcanizing technique by maintaining the temperature around 150 °C. From the results obtained, mechanical properties: tensile strength, modulus elongation at break and tear strength of 10.44 MPa, 2.36 MPa, 627.59% and 34.99 N respectively, were obtained from the optimum composite sample with length and loading of 6 mm and 20 wt% composition, respectively. The maximum hardness was observed at 76.85 Shore A from the composite sample of 6 mm and 40 wt%. The optimum properties can be attributed to the presence of strong interfacial adhesion between the Sansevieria cylindrica fiber and the natural rubber matrix. The mechanisms of failure of the biocomposites at their interfaces were examined and analyzed, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The micrographs obtained from SEM further confirmed that the Sansevieria cylindrica fibers were surrounded with more amount of natural rubber which can exhibit strong interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix. The optimal composites of this work can be used in general, abrasion resistant conveyor belt.Peer reviewe

Nickel nanoparticles-modified electrode for the electrochemical sensory detection of Penicillin G in bovine milk samples

The monitoring of chemical and antibiotic residues like amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and vancomycin in the food originating from the animal and plant sources can prevent the humans from getting exposed to the antibiotic-induced allergic reactions and also decreased immunity towards the microbial population. By taking into consideration the necessity of developing effective and sensitive techniques for milk containing Penicillin G antibiotics in an easy and cost-effective mode, the present work deals with the electrochemical sensor made up of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs). In order to enhance the chemical stability and biocompatibility, the NiNPs were crosslinked with (3 aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and the formed composite was thoroughly characterized using the physical characterization techniques. In addition, the qualitative analysis results confirmed the nanocomposite’s synergetic effect towards the oxidation of Penicillin G. Further, the quantitative analysis towards the use of a nanocomposite electrode due to the changes in pH, scan rate, accumulation time and potential, nanoparticle (NP) amount, etc. was optimized. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of Penicillin G with this composite were detected to be 0.00031 μM and 0.00100 μM, respectively. Overall, from the results, it can be indicated that the fabricated NiNP sensor can find its applications as a potential electrode material for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Penicillin G in liquid samples

Optimization of Cobalt Nanoparticles for Biogas Enhancement from Green Algae Using Response Surface Methodology

Organic matter may be converted to energy through various methods, but the most preferable one is the Anaerobic Digestion (AD), specifically for biogas production. In sustainable bioenergy production, it can undoubtedly be called one of the most widely used methods from the various feedstock. Over the past years, algae waste has become an increasingly acute environmental problem but luckily it can be used as feedstock to produce bioenergy. In order to improve the energy productivity of green algae, this study is focused on the introduction of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NPs) in the AD process. The concentration of Co NPs was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Mesophilic temperature range (25–45 °C), initial pH (5–9) and Co NPs dosage (0.5–2 mg/L) were selected as the independent variables for RSM. The results indicated that at optimized values (Co NPs concentration = 1 mg/L, initial pH = 7, and digestion temperature = 35 °C) produced the highest biogas yield of 298 ml. An experiment was carried out at optimized conditions to explore the effect on biogas production. The results showed that Co NPs had a positive influence on biogas yield. The low concentrations achieved higher biogas production as compared to higher ones. A maximum biogas yield of 678 mL is achieved by Co NPs (1 mg/L). AD performance was further evaluated by the modified Gompertz model. Different kinetic parameters were calculated. The values of the performance indicators confirmed that the mathematical model fitted well with experimental data