Optimal and Objective Placement of Sensors in Water Distribution Systems Using Information Theory

Optimization-based deployment of contamination warning system in water distribution systems has been widely used in the literature, due to their superior performance compared to rule- and opinion-based approaches. However, optimization techniques impose an excessive computational burden, which in turn is compensated for by shrinking the problem’s decision space and/or using faster optimization algorithms with less accuracy. This imposes subjectivity in interpretation of the system and associated risks, and undermines model’s accuracy by not exploring the entire feasible space. We propose a framework that uses information theoretic techniques, including value of information and transinformation entropy, for optimal sensor placement. This can be used either as pre-selection, i.e. pinpointing best potential locations of sensors to be in turn used in optimization framework, or ultimate selection, i.e. single-handedly selecting sensor locations from the feasible space. The proposed framework is then applied to Lamerd water distribution system, in Fars province, Iran, and the results are compared to the suggested potential locations of sensors in previous studies and results of TEVA-SPOT model. The proposed information theoretic scheme enhances the decision space, provides more accurate results, significantly reduces the computational burden, and warrants objective selection of sensor placement

Non-commercial fish species in by-catch composition of shrimp trawl landing from Mahshahr creeks

Non-commercial fish species of shrimp trawls were studied monthly from October 2005 to September 2006 in Mahshahr creeks (Darvish, Doragh, Bihad, Ghazaleh, Ghanam, Zangi and Patil). The trawl nets had a cod-end mesh size of 24mm. Total catch was 6431 individuals weighing 55.5kg, and included 14 species of non-commercial fish species belonging to 14 families. The caught shrimp species were from Penaeidae; comprising only 30% of the total catches (4506 individuals weighting 44kg). Dominant species were Lieognathus hindus (54.8%), Metapenaeus affinis (18.2%) and Parapenaeopsis stylifera (9.8%). Maximum fish abundance was observed in March 2005 (98/3%) and for shrimp in June (66.2%). Bihad creek had the maximum percentage of fish (91.8%) by-catch and shrimp (42.9%) abundance. We conclude that the by-catch percentage of non-commercial fish is higher than shrimps in the study areas. Warm months witnessed the highest abundance of shrimp while January-March was the time period when by-catch was most abundant

Partial immunity in murine by immunization with a toxoplasmic DNA vaccine

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that is causative agent of atoxoplasmosis, a disease which may result in a spectrum of consequences. Previous studies have reported that DNA vaccine can be effective in partial protection against this parasite. In this study, we constructed a single DNA vaccine containing rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1) and evaluated its immune response in Balb/c mice. We used alum as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. After intramuscular injection, we evaluated the immune response using cytokine and antibody assay and mortality rate. The results show that mice immunized by pcROP1 with or without alum produced high Th1 immune response compared with the control groups. This kind of DNA vaccine prolonged survival time. The current study showed that ROP1 DNA vaccine could induce partial protective response against toxoplasmosis.Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, DNA, vaccine, Rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1)

Electromyographic responses of vastus muscles to dynamic postural perturbations in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Background and Aim: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders in the athletes and active individuals. Observation of muscular responses to unexpected perturbations is one of the most common methods to evaluate the neural strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the EMG response of vastus muscles to dynamic postural perturbations in the athletes with PFPS. Material and Method: This study included 10 male athletes with PFPS and 10 healthy male athletes. NPRS scale was used to assess pain. EMG activity of VMO and VL muscles measured during dynamic postural perturbation. The EMG signals were collected using a 16- channel BTS-FREEEMG 300 system, manufactured in Italy. Independent-t test was used for data analysis. Results: RMS values for VMO and VL muscles in PFPS group, were higher than the corresponding values of the control group by 33.59 and 33.35 respectively, in the forward postural perturbation. There was a significant difference in VL muscle RMS values between the two groups (P=0.04). RMS values for VMO and VL muscles in PFPS group were higher than those of the control group by 38 and 49.52 respectively, in the backward postural perturbation and there was a significant difference in VL muscle RMS values between the two groups (P=0.04). Conclusion: The results showed that valtus muscles were more active in response to dynamic postural perturbation in the athletes with PFPS in comparison to the healthy athletes. Patellofemoral pain syndrome and in general joint disorders can lead to dysfunction in the whole sensory-motor system. Therefore, instead of focusing on local symptoms we should examine the whole body in sensory-motor system dysfunction. © 2016, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Endometrial and Menstrual Blood Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Biological Properties and Clinical Application

A highly proliferative mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population was recently discovered in the dynamic, cyclically regenerating human endometrium as clonogenic stromal cells that fulfilled the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) criteria. Specific surface markers enriching for clonogenic endometrial MSC (eMSC), CD140b and CD146 co-expression, and the single marker SUSD2, showed their perivascular identity in the endometrium, including the layer which sheds during menstruation. Indeed, cells with MSC properties have been identified in menstrual fluid and commonly termed menstrual blood stem/stromal cells (MenSC). MenSC are generally retrieved from menstrual fluid as plastic adherent cells, similar to bone marrow MSC (bmMSC). While eMSC and MenSC share several biological features with bmMSC, they also show some differences in immunophenotype, proliferation and differentiation capacities. Here we review the phenotype and functions of eMSC and MenSC, with a focus on recent studies. Similar to other MSC, eMSC and MenSC exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory impacts on key cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. These include macrophages, T cells and NK cells, both in vitro and in small and large animal models. These properties suggest eMSC and MenSC as additional sources of MSC for cell therapies in regenerative medicine as well as immune-mediated disorders and inflammatory diseases. Their easy acquisition via an office-based biopsy or collected from menstrual effluent makes eMSC and MenSC attractive sources of MSC for clinical applications. In preparation for clinical translation, a serum-free culture protocol was established for eMSC which includes a small molecule TGFβ receptor inhibitor that prevents spontaneous differentiation, apoptosis, senescence, maintains the clonogenic SUSD2+ population and enhances their potency, suggesting potential for cell-therapies and regenerative medicine. However, standardization of MenSC isolation protocols and culture conditions are major issues requiring further research to maximize their potential for clinical application. Future research will also address crucial safety aspects of eMSC and MenSC to ensure these protocols produce cell products free from tumorigenicity and toxicity. Although a wealth of data on the biological properties of eMSC and MenSC has recently been published, it will be important to address their mechanism of action in preclinical models of human disease. © Copyright © 2020 Bozorgmehr, Gurung, Darzi, Nikoo, Kazemnejad, Zarnani and Gargett

Immunosuppressive effect of pregnant mouse serum on allostimulatory activity of dendritic cells

In normal pregnancy, the maternal immune system is directed towards tolerance or suppression in order to prevent rejection of the semi-allogenic fetus. Antigen-presenting cells, especially dendritic cells (DCs), are key cells in initiation and regulation of immune responses. The presence of potent immunostimulatory DCs in the decidual tissue of pregnancy has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine how allostimulatory activity of DCs could be affected during pregnancy. DCs were isolated from spleen of pregnant or non-pregnant Balb/c mice and co-cultured with allogenic T lymphocytes prepared from brachial lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice. Some cultures of non-pregnant female DCs were treated by 2.5 serum obtained from pregnant mice at early, middle or late gestational periods, and were used in the same mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) settings. Cell proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation, and cytokine production measured in supernatants of MLR cultures using ELISA. The effect of pregnant mouse serum on expression of DC surface markers was evaluated by flow cytometry. No significant difference was found between stimulatory potential of splenic DCs from pregnant and non-pregnant mice in induction of allogenic T cell proliferative response. Moreover, serum of early or late pregnancy did not have any effect on DC function in comparison with non-pregnant mouse serum, while mid-pregnancy serum significantly inhibited allostimulatory activity of DCs. IFNγ production in co-culture of DCs treated with pregnant mouse serum was significantly lower than that of the control group; however, no significant difference in IL-10 production was observed. Treatment of DCs with pregnant mouse serum did not influence the percentage of cells expressing MHC-II, CD86, CD8α or CD11b. However, a marked reduction of the mean fluorescence intensity of MHC-II was observed. Collectively, our results concerning the diminished capacity of DCs to induce production of Th1 cytokines and allogenic T cell proliferation after treatment with pregnant mouse serum reveal a new way of immunologic tolerance against the semi-allogenic fetus. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Predictors and frequency of conduction disturbances after open-heart surgery

Introduction: The risk of developing conduction disturbances after coronary bypass grafting (CABG) or valvular surgery has been well established in previous studies, leading to permanent pacemaker implantation in about 2 to 3 of patients, and in 10 of patients undergoing repeat cardiac surgery. We sought to determine the incidence, features and predictors of conduction disorders in the immediate post-operative period of patients subjected to open-heart surgery, and the need for permanent pacemaker implantation. Material and Method: We prospectively studied 374 consecutive patients who underwent open-heart surgery in our institution: coronary artery bypass (CABG) (n=128), Mitral valve replacement(MVR) (n=18), aortic valve replacement(AVR) (n=21), MVR and AVR(n=56), repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=51), repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (n=57),CABG and valvular surgery (n=6), others (n=37). Results: Among 374 patients included in our study (mean age 34.46±25.68; 146 males), 192 developed new conduction disorders: symptomatic sinus bradycardia in 8, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response (AF) in 4.5, first-degree atrioventricular block (AVB)in 6.4, second-degree AVB in 0.3 third-degree AVB in 7, new right bundle branch block (RBBB) in 33, and new left bundle branch block (LBBB) in 2.1. In 5.6 patients, a permanent pacemaker was implanted, 47.6 of them underwent valvular surgery. In 44.1 of patients the conduction defects occurred in the first 48 hr. after surgery. In CABG group, 29.7 of patients developed new conduction disturbances; the most common of them was symptomatic sinus bradycardia. After valvular surgery 44.2 of patients developed conduction disturbances, of those the most common was atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response. After VSD and TOF repair, the most common conduction disturbance was new RBBB. Perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 1.9 of patients. The occurrence conduction disturbance was compared with patient age, sex, occurrence of perioperative MI, ejection fraction (EF), postoperative use of �-adernergic receptor blocking agents and digitalis and type of cardiac surgery. By regression analysis there was a correlation between type of surgery and new conduction defects, being significant for CABG and TOF repair. Only the occurrence of perioperative MI was related to PPM implantation. Conclusion: Irreversible AVB requiring a PPM is an uncommon complication after open-heart surgery. Peri-operative MI is a risk factor

Menstrual blood-derived stromal stem cells augment CD4+ T cells proliferation

Background: It is more than sixty years that the concept of the fetal allograft and immunological paradox of pregnancy was proposed and in this context, several regulatory networks and mechanisms have been introduced so far. It is now generally recognized that mesenchymal stem cells exert potent immunoregulatory activity. In this study, for the first time, the potential impact of Menstrual blood Stem Cells (MenSCs), as surrogate for endometrial stem cells, on proliferative capacity of CD4+ T cells was tested. Methods: MenSCs and Bone marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) were isolated and assessed for their immunophenotypic features and multi-lineage differentiation capability. BMSCs and MenSCs with or without IFNγ pre-stimulation were co-cultured with purified anti-CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells and the extent of T cell proliferation at different MenSCs: T cell ratios were investigated by CSFE flow cytometry. IDO activity of both cell types was measured after stimulation with IFNγ by a colorimetric assay. Results: MenSCs exhibited dual mesenchymal and embryonic markers and multi-lineage differentiation capacity. MenSCs significantly increased proliferation of CD4+ cells at ratios 1:2, 1:4 and 1:8. IFNγ pre-treated BMSCs but not MenSCs significantly suppressed CD4+ T cells proliferation. Such proliferation promoting capacity of MenSCs was not correlated with IDO activity as these cells showed the high IDO activity following IFNγ treatment. Conclusion: Although augmentation of T cell proliferation by MenSCs can be a basis for maintenance of endometrial homeostasis to cope with ascending infections, this may not fulfill the requirement for immunological tolerance to a semi-allogeneic fetus. However, more investigation is needed to examine whether or not the immunomodulatory properties of these cells are affected by endometrial microenvironment during pregnancy. © 2018, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved

Masonry compressive strength prediction using artificial neural networks

The masonry is not only included among the oldest building materials, but it is also the most widely used material due to its simple construction and low cost compared to the other modern building materials. Nevertheless, there is not yet a robust quantitative method, available in the literature, which can reliably predict its strength, based on the geometrical and mechanical characteristics of its components. This limitation is due to the highly nonlinear relation between the compressive strength of masonry and the geometrical and mechanical properties of the components of the masonry. In this paper, the application of artificial neural networks for predicting the compressive strength of masonry has been investigated. Specifically, back-propagation neural network models have been used for predicting the compressive strength of masonry prism based on experimental data available in the literature. The comparison of the derived results with the experimental findings demonstrates the ability of artificial neural networks to approximate the compressive strength of masonry walls in a reliable and robust manner.- (undefined