On the equivalence of Mann and Ishikawa iteration methods with errors

We show that for several classes of mappings Mann and Ishikawa iteration procedures with errors in the sense of Xu [14] are equivalent. It is worth to mention here that, our results are the extensions or generalizations of some known recent results about equivalences

Fixed points of Ćirić quasi-contractive operators in normed spaces

We establish a general theorem to approximate fixed points of Ćirić quasi-contractive operators on a normed space through the Mann iteration process with errors in the sense of Xu [10]. Our result generalizes and improves upon, among others, the corresponding results of [1,8]

CAUSALITY AND DYNAMICS OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND OUTPUT: EVIDENCE FROM NON-OECD ASIAN COUNTRIES

This article examines the short-run and long-run causal relationship between energy consumption and output in six non-OECD Asian developing countries. Standard time series econometrics is used for this purpose. Based on cointegration and vector error correction modeling, the empirical result shows a bi-directional causality between energy consumption and income in Malaysia, while a unidirectional causality from output to energy consumption in China and Thailand and energy consumption to output in India and Pakistan. Bangladesh remains as an energy neutral economy confirming the fact that it is one of the lowest energy consuming countries in Asia. Both the generalized variance decompositions and the impulse response functions confirm the direction of causality in these countries. These findings have important policy implications for concerned countries. Countries like China and Thailand may contribute to the fight against global warming directly implementing energy conservation measures whereas India and Pakistan may focus on technological developments and mitigation policies. For Malaysia, a balanced combination of alternative policies seems to be appropriate.Energy Conservation, Cointegration, Error Correction Model, Generalized Variance Decompositions, Generalized Impulse Response Functions

Optimalisasi Smart Relay Zelio Sebagai Kontroler Lampu Dan Pendingin Ruangan

Pada implementasi aplikasi elektronika, pada umumnya lampu dan pendingin ruangan menggunakan saklar manual yang berarti bahwa saklar hanya bisa dioperasikan secara manual. Sehingga konsumsi daya listrik tidak terkendali dengan baik. Aplikasi ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan system yang pernah dibuat sebelumnya dengan menambahkan pengendali lampu ruangan menggunakan sensor photo control yang akan bekerja dengan sinar matahari dan pengendali ruangan menggunakan infrared sensor motion yang akan aktif jika ada pergerakan dalam ruangan dan relay sebagai kendalinya. Dalam system ini juga dirancang menggunakan switching mode power supply (SMPS) supaya supply tegangan untuk system tidak terpengaruh oleh temperature dan dalam memprogram zelio menggunakan perangkat lunak Zelio soft 2. Untuk system pengontrolan menggunakan relay sebagai rangkaian control pengaman. Hal ini dilakukan agar zelio, sensor photo control, sensor PIR, power supply, lampu dan pendingin ruangan tidak terhubung langsung dengan tegangan referensi. Selain sebagai factor safety, control manual dari lampu dan pendingin ruangan tetap dapat digunakan. Dari hasil perancangan yang dibuat system dapat bekerja dengan baik sesuai dengan program yang dibuat. Sensor photo control dan sensor PIR dapat digunakan untuk menyalakan lampu serta mendeteksi pergerakan orang dalam ruangan untuk menyalakan pendingin ruangan

Toward a scalable and consistent manufacturing process for the production of human MSCs

The development of novel, affordable and efficacious therapeutics will be necessary to ensure the continued progression in the standard of global healthcare. With the potential to address previously unmet patient needs as well as tackling the social and economic effects of chronic and age-related conditions, cell therapies will lead the new generation of healthcare products set to improve health and wealth across the globe. However, if many of the small to medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in much of the commercialization efforts are to successfully traverse the ‘Valley of Death’ as they progress through clinical trials, there are a number of challenges that must be overcome. No longer do the challenges remain biological but rather a series of engineering and manufacturing issues must also be considered and addressed

Predicting individual susceptibility to Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS) by Questionnaire

BACKGROUND The introduction of new visual technologies increases the risk of visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). The aim was to evaluate the 6-item Visually Induced Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (VIMSSQ; also known as the VIMSSQ-short) and other predictors for individual susceptibility to VIMS. METHODS Healthy participants (10M+20F), mean age 22.9 (SD 5.0) years, viewed a 360° panoramic city scene projected in the visual equivalent to the situation of rotating about an axis tilted from the vertical. The scene rotated at 0.2Hz (72° s-1), with a ‘wobble’ produced by superimposed 18° tilt on the rotational axis, with a field of view of 83.5°. Exposure was 10 min or until moderate nausea was reported. Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was the index of VIMS. Predictors/correlates were VIMSSQ, Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ), Migraine (scale), Syncope, Social & Work Impact of Dizziness (SWID), Sleep quality/disturbance, Personality (‘Big Five’ TIPI), a prior multisensory Stepping-Vection test, and Vection during exposure. RESULTS The VIMSSQ had good scale reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.84). and correlated significantly with the SSQ (r=0.58). Higher MSSQ, Migraine, Syncope & SWID also correlated significantly with SSQ. Other variables had no significant relationships with SSQ. Regression models showed that the VIMSSQ predicted 34% of the individual variation of VIMS, increasing to 56% as MSSQ, Migraine, Syncope and SWID were incorporated as additional predictors. CONCLUSIONS The VIMSSQ is a useful adjunct to the MSSQ in predicting VIMS. Other predictors included Migraine, Syncope & SWID. No significant relationship was observed between Vection and VIMS

Variational finite element method to study the absorption rate of drug at various compartments through transdermal drug delivery system

Background: The delivery of drugs through dermal layers known as transdermal drug delivery is one of the important contributions in medical practice. It represents an alternative to oral drug delivery and is poised to provide a substitute to hypodermic injections too. The diffusion of drug from the source to the target site is therefore an important issue to address.Aim: This paper is an attempt to establish a mathematical model for the diffusion of drugs through the transdermal drug delivery system. The model identifies the pattern of drug diffusion in human body and its effective absorption rates at various compartments of skin and sub-cutaneous tissues.Methods: The finite element method has been used to obtain the solution of the mass diffusion equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The tissue absorption rate of drug has been taken as the decreasing function of drug concentration from the skin surface towards the target site. The concentration at nodal points has been calculated which in turn determines the drug absorption at various layers.Conclusion: The drug concentration at the nodal points of different dermal layers has been computed and the graphs were plotted between drug concentration and thickness of dermal layers using MATLAB software. It has been observed that due to dense network of connective tissues in dermal and sub-dermal parts, the drug absorption is maximum as compared to cutaneous tissues.Keywords: Transdermal drug delivery; Diffusion equation; Finite element metho

Harnessing Digital Transformation: A Pathway to Achieving the 2030 UNSDGs and Ensuring Sustainable Corporate Performance

This chapter explores the essential intersection of digital transformation and sustainability within the context of contemporary business enterprises. It is based on the urgent need for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, and it underscores the transformative potential of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain in reshaping sustainable business practices. This focuses on the switch from traditional, profit-driven models to models that prioritize people, profits, and the planet. The critical conclusion is the emancipation of stakeholders who have evolved from being passive receivers of CSR activities to become active collaborators in sustainability initiatives enabled by digital advances. In addition to that, the barriers that naturally occur because of the digital divide and ethical hurdles must be collectively resolved. Ultimately, it reverts back to the narrow, yet arduous path that leads to the shared value; cooperation and innovation as a way forward to a sustainable digital future