Prediction of Load in Reverse Extrusion Process of Hollow Parts using Modern Artificial Intelligence Approaches

Extrusion is one of the important processes to manufacture and produce military and industrial components. Designing its tools is usually associated with trial and error and needs great expertise and adequate experience. Reverse extrusion process is known as one of the common processes for production of hollow parts with closed ends. The significant load required in formation of a workpiece is one of the existing constraints for the reverse extrusion process. This issue becomes rather difficult especially for the parts having thin walls since its analysis using finite element softwares is exposed to some limitations. In this regard, application of artificial intelligence for prediction of load in the reverse extrusion process will not only save time and money, but also improve quality features of the product. Based on the existing data and methods suggested for variations of punching force through the reverse extrusion process, the system is trained and then performance of the system is evaluated using the test data in this paper. Efficiency of the proposed method is also assessed via comparison with the results of others.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v4i3.535

Point Mutations on Mitochondrial DNA in Iranian Patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia

ObjectiveMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is considered a candidate modifier factor for neuro-degenerative disorders. The most common type of ataxia is Friedreich's ataxia (FA). The aim of this study was to investigate different parts of mtDNA in 20 Iranian FA patients and 80 age-matched controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated DNA sequencing methods to find any probable point mutations involved in the pathogenesis of FA.Materials and MethodsWe identified 13 nucleotide substitutions including A3505G, T3335C, G3421A, G8251A, A8563G, A8563G, G8584A, T8614C, T8598C, C8684T, A8701G, G8994A and A9024G.ResultsTwelve of 13 nucleotide substitutions had already been reported as polymorphism. One of the nucleotide substitutions (A9024G) had not been reported before. The A9024G nucleotide substitution does not change its amino acid. The controls were also investigated for this polymorphism which was found in two of them (2.5%).ConclusionNone of the mutations found in this study can affect the clinical manifestations of FA. This survey also provides evidence that the mtDNA A9024G allele is a new nonpathogenic polymorphism. We suggest follow-up studies for this polymorphism in different populations.

Application of multiplex PCR with histopathologic features for detection of familial breast cancer in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histologic specimens

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among females in the world. Age and familial history are the major risk factors for the development of this disease in Iran. Mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with a greatly increased risk for development of familial breast cancer. Frequency of BRCA mutations was identified in familial breast cancers (FBC) and non familial breast cancers (NFBC) by molecular genetics, morphological and Immunohistochemical methods. Thirty forth formalin fixed, paraffin embedded breast tissue tumors were analyzed from 16 patients with FBC and 18 patients with NFBC. Three 5382insC mutations detected by multiplex PCR in 16 familial breast cancers. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterona receptor (PR) and TP53. Comparison of ER, PR and TP53 exhibited high difference (P < 0.0001) in familial breast cancers and nonfamilial breast cancers. Our results demonstrated that 5382insC mutation, ER, PR, TP53, mitotic activity, polymorphism, necrosis and tubules can serve as the major risk factors for the development of FBC.Рак молочної залози (РМЗ) є найбільш частим видом злоякісних пухлин у жінок в світі. В Ірані вік та наявність захворювань РМЗ в найближчих родичів є головними факторами ризику розвитку цього захворювання. Мутації гена BRCA1/2 зумовлюють високий ризик розвитку протягом життя РМЗ. Досліджено частоти мутацій ВRCA в осіб з сімейним раком молочної залози (СРМЗ) та несімейним раком молочної залози (НСРМЗ) з Ірану. Для досягнення поставленої цілі використовували молекулярно-генетичні, морфологічні та імуногістохімічні методи. Проаналізовано 34 тканини пухлин, зафіксованих в парафіні, у 16 хворих СРМЖ і 18 хворих НСРМЖ. При дослідженні генів ВRCA1 та ВRCA2 з мультиплексним ПЦР ідентифіковано три мутації (538insC) в 16 хворих СРМЖ. Імуногістохімічним методом визначали рецептор естрогена (ЕР), рецептор прогестерона (РП) і ТР53. Порівняння ЕР, РП і ТР53 в тканинах СРМЖ та НРМЖ показало високі достовірні відмінності (Р < 0.0001). В результаті досліджень виявлено, що мутація 5382insC, ЭР, РП, TP53, мітотична особливість, поліморфізми, некроз і тубули можуть бути використані як головні фактори ризику розвитку СРМЖ.Отмечено, что рак молочной железы (РМЖ) является наиболее частым видом злокачественных опухолей у женщин в мире. В Иране возраст и наличие заболеваний РМЖ у ближайших родственников являются главными факторами риска развития этого заболевания. Мутации гена BRCA1/2 обусловливают высокий риск развития в течение жизни РМЖ. Исследованы частоты мутаций BRCA у лиц с семейным РМЖ (СРМЖ) и несемейным РМЖ (НСРМЖ) из Ирана. Для достижения поставленной цели использованы молекулярно-генетические, морфологические и иммуногистохимические методы. Проанализированы 34 ткани опухолей, зафиксированных в парафине, у 16 больных СРМЖ и 18 больных НСРМЖ. При исследовании генов BRCA1 и BRCA2 с мультиплексным ПЦР идентифицированы три мутации (5382insC) у 16 больных СРМЖ. Иммуногистохимическим методом определены рецепторы эстрогена (ЭР), прогестерона (РП) и ТР53. Сравнение ЭР, РП и ТР53 в тканях СРМЖ и НРМЖ показало высокие достоверные различия. В результате исследований выявлено, что мутация 5382insC, ЭР, РП, ТР53, митотическая особенность, полиморфизмы, некроз и тубулы можно использовать как главные факторы риска развития СРМЖ

Implantació i Millora de l'European Project Semester (EPS) a l'EPSEVG

L'EPSEVG de la UPC va implantar l’European Project Semester (EPS) un programa formatiu innovador que respon a les demandes plantejades per la societat i l’Espai Europeu d’Ensenyament Superior (EEES) durant el curs 2007‐2008. L’EPS permet cobrir la demanda d’estudiants estrangers que volen venir a estudiar a l’escola, demanda, que, a nivell de grau en enginyeria no esta coberta en cap universitat catalana.L’EPS també és una oportunitat per augmentar el compromís de l’EPSEVG vers la sostenibilitat. El programa s’ha ambientalitzat d’acord amb les directrius del Pla UPC Sostenible 2015 essent la sostenibilitat un dels eixos transversals que li dona contingut i que identifica a tots els projectes desenvolupats. A més de la sostenibilitat, el programa inclou altres matèries transversals (com ara, la innovació, la gestió de projectes, l’accessibilitat...). L’EPS utilitza el model d’aprenentatge basat en projectes (Project Based Learning), i hi introdueix dos components nous: la docència en anglès i la interculturalitat dins de l’aula. Les noves tecnologies s’utilitzen tant per dinamitzar el treball dels grups com per facilitar el seu aprenentatge, doncs l’EPS inclou tallers i seminaris en la modalitat semipresencial.Peer Reviewe

Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in Kuwaiti infertile males.

A variety of mtDNA mutations responsible for human diseases have been associated with molecular defects in the OXPHOS system. It has been proposed that mtDNA genetic alterations can also be responsible for sperm dysfunction. To investigate any possible association between infertility and mtDNA haplogroups (hg), the nucleotide sequence of the Hypervariable Segment I (HVS-I) of mtDNA was determined in 99 unrelated Kuwaiti patients with infertility and 64 normal controls with the same ethnicity. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood after having obtained informed consent. The nucleotide sequence of HVS-I (np 16,024-16,383) was directly determined. High-resolution RFLP analysis and control-region sequencing revealed high proportion of haplogroup J and M in normal controls (64% and 20.3%) compared to infertile men (26.2% and 8.1%) respectively. (P= 0.002 for J and 0.03 for M) Therefore, we hypothesize that individuals classified as haplogroup J and M demonstrate a significant decrease in risk of infertility in Kuwaiti population

Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study of Chemical Warfare Victims: Design and Methods

Background: insights into long-term clinical consequences of sulfur mustard have emerged from some investigations but less is known about the basic and molecular mechanisms of these complications. Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study is a comprehensive historical cohort study on Sardasht chemical victims' population which was designed to find out the long-term complications of sulfur mustard exposure and the basic mechanisms underlying clinical manifestations. This paper describes the design and methodology of Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study. Methods: In Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study, 500 individuals including 372 subjects from Sardasht, as the exposed group, and 128 subjects from Rabat, as the unexposed age-matched control group were evaluated. The exposed group was divided into two groups based on the severity of clinical complications at the time of exposure. Different samples including blood, sputum, saliva, tear, urine, and semen were collected for immunologic, hematologic, biochemical, and other laboratory analysis. Data were gathered from medical records, clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and questionnaires for psychological and lifestyle situations. Conclusion: The Important distinctions setting this study apart from the previous ones are discussed. The Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study provides important information on various aspects of long-term consequences of sulfur mustard exposure. This database will provide a better position to suggest guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of delayed complications in the patients exposed to sulfur mustard

Long-term pulmonary complications in sulfur mustard victims of Sardasht, Iran

Sulfur mustard (SM) has widely been used against the military and civilians during the Iraq-Iran war (1980-1988). It mostly affects the respiratory system. A large historical cohort study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary status of non-military victims in Sardasht, Iran, in comparison with a matched control group 20 years after a single massive exposure. The exposed group was divided into two subgroups of hospitalized and non-hospitalized based on the severity of the injuries indicated by hospitalization a few days following exposure. All participants' respiratory symptoms and signs were evaluated by internists. Dyspnea (n = 261; P = 93.2) was the most common symptom. Chronic cough, cough severity, sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea, pattern of dyspnea, severity of dyspnea (P < 0.001 for all), and chest pain (P = 0.003) were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Wheezing was the most common pulmonary finding (11.4). There was also a statistically significant difference in the auscultation of wheezing (P = 0.045) and rhonchi (P = 0.018) between the hospitalized and control groups. Considering objective findings, pulmonary involvement was observed in 24.3 (n = 68, P = 0.007)