KBS for Diagnosing Pineapple Diseases

Abstract: Background: The pineapple (A nanas comosus) is a tropical plant with an edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, also called pineapples, and the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family. Pineapples may be cultivated from a crown cutting of the fruit, possibly flowering in five to ten months and fruiting in the following six months.[5][6] Pineapples do not ripen significantly after harvest. In 2016, Costa Rica, Brazil, and the Philippines accounted for nearly one-third of the world's production of pineapples.[8] Pineapple damage is not taken quickly, it can lead to damage in the Pineapple. Objectives: The main goal of this expert system is to get the appropriate diagnosis of disease and the correct treatment. Methods: In this paper the design of the proposed Expert System which was produced to help Fruits Agricultural Specialist in diagnosing many of the Pineapple diseases such as : Phytophthora heart (top) rot, Base (butt) rot or Fruit let core rot (green eye, Pineapple Sprain, Turf Toe, Pineapple disease , Plantar Fasciitis, Warts, Bunion, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Heel Spur, Athlete's Pineapple , The proposed expert system presents an overview about Pineapple diseases are given, the cause of diseases are outlined and the treatment of disease whenever possible is given out. CLIPS Expert System language was used for designing and implementing the proposed expert system. Results: The proposed Pineapple diseases diagnosis expert system was evaluated by Agricultural students and they were satisfied with its performance. Conclusions: The Proposed expert system is very useful for Fruits Agricultural Specialist, patients with Pineapple problem and newly graduated Agricultural Specialist

The Independence of CXCR4’s Pathways, Gαi and β-Arrestin2, and Their Modulation by AMD3100 and TC14012

CXCR4, a chemokine receptor involved in metastasis and homing of hematopoietic stem cells, signals through two major pathways: Gαi and β-arrestin2. β-arrestin2 terminates G-protein signaling and targets the receptor to endocytosis. This project proposed to study the effect of a previously described set of CXCR4 mutants on both these signaling pathways, as well as their localization. These mutants were assayed by different Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) systems. Using these systems, we confirmed that N119S is a constitutively active mutant (CAM), spontaneously activating Gαi. As well, we found that R134A is a constitutively inactive mutant (CIM), devoided of G-protein signaling, but spontaneously recruiting β-arrestin2. In addition, we studied the dependency of β-arrestin2 recruitment on the Gαi activity. By targeting R134A and N119S with pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of the Gαi activation, we showed efficient blocking of the Gαi pathway, while maintaining the constitutive recruitment of β-arrestin2. This demonstrated that for CXCR4, β-arrestin2 recruitment is independent of the Gαi pathway. Finally, two synthetic ligands of CXCR4, AMD3100 and TC14012 were tested for their ability to recruit β-arrestin2. AMD3100 is a clinically approved drug used for stem cell transplantation, with considerable side effects. We found it to be an antagonist on both Gαi and β-arrestin2 recruitment. On the other hand, TC14012 was found to be an inverse agonist on Gαi and an antagonist on β-arrestin2 recruitment. Based on this finding, it would be preferable to use of TC14012 as it will further reduce any basal Gαi activity, without affecting β-arrestin2 recruitment. These results support the development of TC14012 for stem cell mobilization trials.CXCR4 est un récepteur de chimiokines impliqué dans les métastases et la mobilisation des cellules souches hématopoïétiques. Il signale par deux voies: Gαi et β-arrestin2. La β-arrestine2 termine la signalisation des protéines G et cible le récepteur vers l'endocytose. Un des objectifs du projet était d’étudier l’effet de certaines mutations de CXCR4 sur la signalisation et la localisation du récepteur. À l’aide de la technique BRET, nous avons confirmé que le mutant N119S est constitutivement actif sur la voie de signalisation Gαi. De plus, nous avons constaté que le mutant R134A était dépourvu de signalisation par les protéines G, mais qu’il recrutait constitutivement la β-arrestine2. Nous souhaitions également étudier la dépendance du recrutement de la β-arrestine2 sur l’activité de Gαi. En utilisant la toxine de la coqueluche, un inhibiteur de la voie Gαi, le recrutement constitutif de la β-arrestine2 à R134A et N119S était maintenu. Ces résultats démontrent que, pour le récepteur CXCR4, le recrutement de la β-arrestine2 est indépendant de l’activation de Gαi. Finalement, nous avons investigué la capacité de recrutement de la β-arrestine2 induite par deux ligands synthétiques de CXCR4, soit AMD3100 et TC14012. À noter, AMD3100 est un médicament déjà approuvé pour la transplantation des cellules souches. Par contre, il démontre des effets secondaires considérables. D’un côté, nous avons constaté qu’AMD3100 était un antagoniste sur les deux voies de signalisation, soit Gαi et β-arrestine2. De l’autre côté, TC14012 a démontré l’effet d’agoniste inverse sur la voie Gαi, mais d’antagoniste sur la voie β-arrestine2. À la lumière de ces résultats, TC14012 pourrait être plus approprié dans des cas cliniques puisqu’il réduirait toute activité basale de Gαi sans affecter le recrutement de la β-arrestine2. Enfin, ces résultats suggèrent que le ligand TC14012 pourrait être utilisé dans des essais cliniques visant la mobilisation des cellules souches

Development and Applications of Self-learning Simulation in Finite Element Analysis

Numerical analysis such as the finite element analysis (FEA) have been widely used to solve many engineering problems. Constitutive modelling is an important component of any numerical analysis and is used to describe the material behaviour. The accuracy and reliability of numerical analysis is greatly reliant on the constitutive model that is integrated in the finite element code. In recent years, data mining techniques such as artificial neural network (ANN), genetic programming (GP) and evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR) have been employed as alternative approach to the conventional constitutive modelling. In particular, EPR offers great advantages over other data mining techniques. However, these techniques require a large database to learn and extract the material behaviour. On the other hand, the link between laboratory or field tests and numerical analysis is still weak and more investigation is needed to improve the way that they matched each other. Training a data mining technique within the self-learning simulation framework is currently considered as one of the solutions that can be utilised to accurately represent the actual material behaviour. In this thesis an EPR based machine learning technique is utilised in the heart of the self-learning framework with an automation process which is coded in MATLAB environment. The methodology is applied to simulate different material behaviour in a number of structural and geotechnical applications. Two training strategies are used to train the EPR in the developed framework, total stress-strain and incremental stress-strain strategies. The results show that integrating EPR based models in the framework allows to learn the material response during the self-learning process and provide accurate predictions to the actual behaviour. Moreover, for the first time, the behaviour of a complex material, frozen soil, is modelled based on the EPR approach. The results of the EPR model predictions are compared with the actual data and it is shown that the proposed model can capture and reproduce the behaviour of the frozen soil with a very high accuracy. The developed EPR based self-learning methodology presents a unified approach to material modelling that can also help the user to gain a deeper insight into the behaviour of the materials. The methodology is generic and can be extended to modelling different engineering materials

シーア派イスラームとデモクラシーの研究 : イデオローグの政治姿勢と1979年イラン革命

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(学術)Doctor of Philosophydoctora

The Portuguese Online Lighthouse MBT-P: Feasibility and Caregivers´ Perceived Processes of Change

Parental mentalizing is the caregivers' ability to actively try to understand their child´s intentional mental states underpinning behaviour. Failures in parental mentalizing can lead to risk of intergenerational abuse and neglect, which is related to psychopathology. A growing need for online parenting interventions, due to the increase in parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes evident the need to adapt the Lighthouse MBT-P program to its Portuguese online version. In this context, the intervention was adapted, and a network of senior national therapists were trained and supervised during the facilitation of the program. The candidate was involved in all steps of the adaptation, training, assisted to one group intervention and all supervision meetings. Moreover, he prepared the research protocol and gave logistic support during the data collection process. This article presents the study of two online groups, and pursues two major aims. First, to assess the feasibility of the online version of the Portuguese Lighthouse MBT-P 12-week, as well as the feasibility of the research protocol. Second, to explore what, when and how perceived therapy related change processes occur. The sample was composed of 14 caregivers of a sub-clinical population, who answered Helpful Aspects of Therapy and PSYCHLOPS session-by-session measures, and Client Change Interview at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and discussed with the scientific supervisor in iterative cycles. The results suggested the program´s efficacy in promoting parental reflective function, parental sensitivity, emotional regulation and parental self-efficacy. The online 12-sessions Lighthouse program is feasible, with high therapeutic compliance. However, the session-by-session data collection using the above measures is difficult, and the data collection procedure needs future adjustments.Parental mentalizing is the caregivers' ability to actively try to understand their child´s intentional mental states underpinning behaviour. Failures in parental mentalizing can lead to risk of intergenerational abuse and neglect, which is related to psychopathology. A growing need for online parenting interventions, due to the increase in parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes evident the need to adapt the Lighthouse MBT-P program to its Portuguese online version. In this context, the intervention was adapted, and a network of senior national therapists were trained and supervised during the facilitation of the program. The candidate was involved in all steps of the adaptation, training, assisted to one group intervention and all supervision meetings. Moreover, he prepared the research protocol and gave logistic support during the data collection process. This article presents the study of two online groups, and pursues two major aims. First, to assess the feasibility of the online version of the Portuguese Lighthouse MBT-P 12-week, as well as the feasibility of the research protocol. Second, to explore what, when and how perceived therapy related change processes occur. The sample was composed of 14 caregivers of a sub-clinical population, who answered Helpful Aspects of Therapy and PSYCHLOPS session-by-session measures, and Client Change Interview at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and discussed with the scientific supervisor in iterative cycles. The results suggested the program´s efficacy in promoting parental reflective function, parental sensitivity, emotional regulation and parental self-efficacy. The online 12-sessions Lighthouse program is feasible, with high therapeutic compliance. However, the session-by-session data collection using the above measures is difficult, and the data collection procedure needs future adjustments

Variations in surgical treatment of cervical facet dislocations

Journal ArticleObjective. To explore surgeon preference in the choice of surgical approach in the treatment of traumatic cervical facet dislocations. Summary of Background Data. The choice of surgical approach in the treatment of traumatic cervical dislocations is highly variable and maybe influenced by a variety of factors. The purpose of this study was to examine inter-rater reliability in choice of surgical approach. Methods. Twenty-five members of the Spine Trauma Study Group evaluated 10 cases of traumatic cervical dislocations. Evaluation of the case as a unilateral or bilateral injury and surgeon interpretation of the presence of a disc herniation as well as preferred surgical approach were assessed. Results. Only slight agreement was observed among surgeons in the choice of surgical approach (Kappa < 0.1). This improved slightly when patients were assumed to have a complete spinal cord injury (Kappa - 0.15). Surgeons used more anterior approaches either alone or as the first stage in a combined approach when a disc herniation was present regardless of neurologic status of the patient. When a patient was neurologically intact, an anterior approach was more common than a posterior approach even when a disc herniation was not present. Combined approaches were preferred for the treatment of bilateral facet dislocations. Conclusion. The poor agreement on the treatment of these injuries likely reflects a combination of factors including surgeon training and experience. Treatment decisions are likely to be affected by the neurologic status of the patient, interpretation of a disc herniation, and the classification of the injury as a unilateral or bilateral injury

Characterization of Gas Permeation in Polymeric Membrane

Polymers have been widely used in various industries in recent decades. One of the functions of polymers is to be employed as barriers against gas permeation. In this research, characterization of permeation in polymeric materials used in the oil and gas industry as a barrier is investigated. A permeation experimental setup is designed based on the constant volume/variable pressure procedure in order to characterize the permeability properties of polymeric membranes. The designed test set-up is capable of performing permeation experiments at high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. The permeation behavior of different types of fluoropolymer elastomers (Viton) materials is investigated at pressures up to 1200 Psi and temperatures up to 105˚C. The effect of temperature and pressure on gas permeation is studied using the experimental setup. The parameters governing the change in the permeability behavior of polymers is discussed for different pressure/temperature conditions. The experimental results obtained from testing at different pressure and temperature conditions are employed to develop a prediction model. The prediction model can act as a useful tool in order to estimate gas permeation in conditions that no experimental data exists. An Arrhenius relationship is used to model gas permeation as a function of absolute temperature. The model developed is successful in predicting permeation for a wide range of temperature at different pressures. The prediction model is verified by comparing the results of the permeation coefficient obtained at different pressures. Investigation to find proper methods for improvement of the barrier properties of the material employed in the oil and gas fields is also presented. Two types of surface coatings are examined to reduce gas permeation in the polymeric membranes, a silicone elastomeric coating, and a high-temperature resistant paint. The investigation of the silicone elastomeric coating is expanded by adding Nanoparticles to the coating mixture. In the end, an operation technique used in the oil and gas industry by field operators is examined. In this method, the membranes are soaked in hydraulic oil for 24 hours and then are employed as barriers. The permeation behaviors of all the three methods are discussed in this work. The observations made in the research showed a significant increase in gas permeation by increasing temperature. While the observed effect of increasing pressure was insignificant. The developed mathematical model was successful; it can be used in permeation prediction for temperature and pressure conditions with no experimental data. Finding a proper method for coating the material in order to reduce gas permeation can prevent the extra cost of replacing packaging materials. The silicone elastomeric coating was effective in reduction of gas permeation. Adding particles to the silicone coating resulted in better improvement of barrier properties. While paint coating had an insignificant effect on barrier enhancement. The examination of field technique showed no improvement in reduction of the gas permeation. However, it was capable of stalling permeation proces