235 research outputs found
Energy-efficient Reactive and Predictive Connected Cruise Control
In this paper, we propose a framework for the longitudinal control of
connected and automated vehicles traveling in mixed traffic consisting of
connected and non-connected human-driven vehicles. Reactive and predictive
controllers are proposed. Reactive controllers are given by explicit feedback
control laws. In predictive controllers, the control input is optimized in a
receding-horizon fashion, which depends on the predictions of motions of
preceding vehicles. Beyond-line-of-sight information is obtained via
vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and is utilized in the proposed
reactive and predictive controllers. Simulations utilizing real traffic data
are used to show that connectivity can bring significant energy savings.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Transportation Research Part C:
Emerging Technologie
Opinions of an Iranian nursing faculty on barriers to implementing problem-based learning
ABSTRACT We investigated the opinions of all 53 lecturers in the nursing faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about barriers to implementation of problem-based learning (PBL). A 13-item ques--tionnaire was used which included questions on number and preparedness of students and lecturers, educational space and course content. We found that 95% of the respondents believed that the most important barrier was the students' lack of knowledge and skills in group work and active interaction; 94% also believed that the change in their role from lecturer to facilitator would not reduce their motiva--tion but it could be a potential barrier. The majority (98%) indicated that the cost of implementation and maintenance of PBL, too many students and a shortage of lecturers competent in PBL were among the barriers that needed to be considered. L'avis d'une facultĂ© de soins infirmiers iranienne sur les obstacles Ă la mise en oeuvre de l'apprentissage par problĂšmes RĂSUMĂ Nous avons sondĂ© l'opinion de l'ensemble des 53 chargĂ©s d'enseignement de la facultĂ© des soins infirmiers de l'UniversitĂ© des Sciences mĂ©dicales de Tabriz sur les obstacles que rencontre la mise en oeuvre de la mĂ©thode d'apprentissage dite problem-based learning (PBL), ou approche par problĂšmes (APP). Pour ce faire, nous avons utilisĂ© un questionnaire en 13 points visant Ă dĂ©terminer le nombre et l'Ă©tat de prĂ©paration des Ă©tudiants et des chargĂ©s d'enseignement, l'espace pĂ©dagogique et le contenu de l'enseignement. Il nous est apparu que 95 % des personnes interrogĂ©es estiment que l'obstacle primordial rĂ©side dans la carence des connaissances des Ă©tudiants et leurs difficultĂ©s d'adaptation aux mĂ©thodes de travail de groupe et d'interaction active. En outre, 94 % pensent que leur mutation du statut de chargĂ© d'enseignement au rĂŽle d'animateur-formateur ne devrait pas entamer leur motivation, mais qu'elle pourrait Ă©ventuellement ĂȘtre perçue comme un obstacle. La majoritĂ© (98 %) souligne que le coĂ»t de la mise en application de l'APP comme de son maintien, l'effectif trop impor--tant des Ă©tudiants et la pĂ©nurie d'enseignants APP sont autant d'obstacles qu'il convient de ne pas nĂ©gliger
Zinc modulates several transcription-factor regulated pathways in mouse skeletal muscle cells
Zinc is an essential metal ion involved in many biological processes. Studies have shown that zinc can activate several molecules in the insulin signalling pathway and the concomitant uptake of glucose in skeletal muscle cells. However, there is limited information on other potential pathways that zinc can activate in skeletal muscle. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify other zinc-activating pathways in skeletal muscle cells to further delineate the role of this metal ion in cellular processes. Mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells were treated with insulin (10 nM), zinc (20 ”M), and the zinc chelator TPEN (various concentrations) over 60 min. Western blots were performed for the zinc-activation of pAkt, pErk, and pCreb. A Cignal 45-Reporter Array that targets 45 signalling pathways was utilised to test the ability of zinc to activate pathways that have not yet been described. Zinc and insulin activated pAkt over 60 min as expected. Moreover, the treatment of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells with TPEN reduced the ability of zinc to activate pAkt and pErk. Zinc also activated several associated novel transcription factor pathways including Nrf1/Nrf2, ATF6, CREB, EGR1, STAT1, AP-1, PPAR, and TCF/LEF, and pCREB protein over 120 min of zinc treatment. These studies have shown that zincâs activity extends beyond that of insulin signalling and plays a role in modulating novel transcription factor activated pathways. Further studies to determine the exact role of zinc in the activation of transcription factor pathways will provide novel insights into this metal ion actions
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A Novel Mutation in the OFD1 Gene in a Family with Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Type 1: A Case Report.
Oral-facial-digital syndrome as heterogeneous developmental conditions is characterized by abnormalities in the oral cavity, facial features and digits. Furthermore, central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities can also be part of this developmental disorder. At least 13 forms of OFDS based on their pattern of signs and symptoms have been identified so far. Type 1 which is now considered to be a ciliopathy accounts for the majority of cases. It is transmitted in an X-linked dominant pattern and caused by mutations in OFD1 gene, which can result in embryonic male lethality. In this study, we present a family suffering from orofaciodigital syndrome type I who referred to Medical Genetics Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Two female siblings and their mother shared a novel 2-base pair deletion (c.1964-1965delGA) in exon 16 of OFD1 gene. Clinically, the sibling had oral, facial and brain abnormalities, whereas their mother is very mildly affected. She also had history of recurrent miscarriage of male fetus
Reactive direction control for a mobile robot: A locust-like control of escape direction emerges when a bilateral pair of model locust visual neurons are integrated
Locusts possess a bilateral pair of uniquely identifiable visual neurons that respond vigorously to
the image of an approaching object. These neurons are called the lobula giant movement
detectors (LGMDs). The locust LGMDs have been extensively studied and this has lead to the
development of an LGMD model for use as an artificial collision detector in robotic applications.
To date, robots have been equipped with only a single, central artificial LGMD sensor, and this
triggers a non-directional stop or rotation when a potentially colliding object is detected. Clearly,
for a robot to behave autonomously, it must react differently to stimuli approaching from
different directions. In this study, we implement a bilateral pair of LGMD models in Khepera
robots equipped with normal and panoramic cameras. We integrate the responses of these LGMD
models using methodologies inspired by research on escape direction control in cockroaches.
Using ârandomised winner-take-allâ or âsteering wheelâ algorithms for LGMD model integration,
the khepera robots could escape an approaching threat in real time and with a similar
distribution of escape directions as real locusts. We also found that by optimising these
algorithms, we could use them to integrate the left and right DCMD responses of real jumping
locusts offline and reproduce the actual escape directions that the locusts took in a particular
trial. Our results significantly advance the development of an artificial collision detection and
evasion system based on the locust LGMD by allowing it reactive control over robot behaviour.
The success of this approach may also indicate some important areas to be pursued in future
biological research
A computational model of ureteral peristalsis and an investigation into ureteral reflux.
The aim of this study is to create a computational model of the human ureteral system that accurately replicates the peristaltic movement of the ureter for a variety of physiological and pathological functions. The objectives of this research are met using our in-house fluid-structural dynamics code (CgLes-Y code). A realistic peristaltic motion of the ureter is modelled using a novel piecewise linear force model. The urodynamic responses are investigated under two conditions of a healthy and a depressed contraction force. A ureteral pressure during the contraction shows a very good agreement with corresponding clinical data. The results also show a dependency of the wall shear stresses on the contraction velocity and it confirms the presence of a high shear stress at the proximal part of the ureter. Additionally, it is shown that an inefficient lumen contraction can increase the possibility of a continuous reflux during the propagation of peristalsis
AI (r)evolution â where are we heading? Thoughts about the future of music and sound technologies in the era of deep learning
A Survey of Air-to-Ground Propagation Channel Modeling for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly for small UAVs, due to their affordable
prices, ease of availability, and ease of operability. Existing and future
applications of UAVs include remote surveillance and monitoring, relief
operations, package delivery, and communication backhaul infrastructure.
Additionally, UAVs are envisioned as an important component of 5G wireless
technology and beyond. The unique application scenarios for UAVs necessitate
accurate air-to-ground (AG) propagation channel models for designing and
evaluating UAV communication links for control/non-payload as well as payload
data transmissions. These AG propagation models have not been investigated in
detail when compared to terrestrial propagation models. In this paper, a
comprehensive survey is provided on available AG channel measurement campaigns,
large and small scale fading channel models, their limitations, and future
research directions for UAV communication scenarios
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