Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) for the control of Particulate Matter (PM) emission in wet scrubber system

Air pollution such as particulate matter (PM) emitted from industries result in several thousands of deaths. In recognition of this global threat, a large number of abatement measures have been taken to minimize the emission of this pollutant. Wet scrubber system has been the most widely used control device for PM contaminants. Its operating variables (gas velocity, temperature profile, particle size, liquid droplet’s size, terminal settling velocity of liquid droplets, particle density and liquid to gas ratio) fluctuates randomly, thus resulting in a non-linear dynamic behavior of the system. This non-linearity generally limits the ability of the scrubber to control PM less than 5µm in diameter. Thus, in this study, intelligent control technique based on fuzzy logic controller (FLC) has been developed to solve the non-linearity in the system by selecting appropriate scrubbing liquid droplet size in order to improve system performance to control PM that are less than 5µm in diameter. The developed FLC has two inputs (error and change in error) and a single output. The results shows that within short settling time, the controller was able to effectively reduce the PM that are less than 5µm below the set-point (20µg/m3) which is the maximum allowable emission limit of PM contaminants by world health organization (WHO)

Fuzzy logic based intelligent temperature controller for cassava post-harvest storage system

Significant amount of stored agricultural products are lost as a result of poor and inefficient storage systems in most developing countries, especially in tropical regions of the world. Improvements on the existing storage methods is important to guarantee food security. This study proposes the development of intelligent temperature control technique for fresh cassava roots crop post-harvest storage system using fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The intelligent controller which has two inputs (error in temperature and rate of change in the error) and one output (change in fan speed) was simulated with the developed storage system model for temperature control of fresh cassava roots crop. The results obtained shows that the controller can track appropriately the reference temperature and also gives good stability and robustness towards input disturbances. Faster response to maintain the storage temperature within acceptable limit close to reference point was also achieved successfully

Differential expression of basement membrane collagen-IV alpha l to alpha 6 chains during oral carcinogenes

This study aimed to resolve if basement membrane (BM) collagen alpha chains undergo remodeling during oral. carcinogenesis. Using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, we found that BMs in oral epithelial dysplasias (OED: mild, n=10; moderate, n=10; severe, n=10) and carcinoma in situ (CIS) (n=10) differed from normal mucosa (n=6) and oral epithelial hyperplasia (n=5) in showing: (1) excessive lamina densa-like material ultrastructurally, and (2) stronger immunoexpression for alpha 5(IV) than for alpha 1(IV), alpha 2(IV), and alpha 6(IV) chains-findings that implicate these molecules' role as an adhesive template for the attachment and persistence of basal dysplastic cells. Incipient loss of BM integrity in CIS, where alpha 5(IV)/alpha 6(IV) chains were more frequently absent than alpha 1(IV)/alpha 2(IV) chains, suggests that alpha(IV) network disruption is crucial for progression of dysplastic cells into the extracellular compartment, marking transition into the invasive phase. In carcinomatous BM, the disappearance of alpha(IV) chains was more severe in poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (n=10) than in well-differentiated OSCC (n=10). In all samples examined, alpha 3(IV) and alpha 4(IV) chains were absent. These findings taken together suggest that BM collagen-IV alpha chains undergo remodeling where selective increase and loss of these molecules are probably early and late events, respectively, during progression of oral dysplasia to cancer. This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down

Evolutionary origin of the Scombridae (tunas and mackerels): members of a paleogene adaptive radiation with 14 other pelagic fish families

Uncertainties surrounding the evolutionary origin of the epipelagic fish family Scombridae (tunas and mackerels) are symptomatic of the difficulties in resolving suprafamilial relationships within Percomorpha, a hyperdiverse teleost radiation that contains approximately 17,000 species placed in 13 ill-defined orders and 269 families. Here we find that scombrids share a common ancestry with 14 families based on (i) bioinformatic analyses using partial mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences from all percomorphs deposited in GenBank (10,733 sequences) and (ii) subsequent mitogenomic analysis based on 57 species from those targeted 15 families and 67 outgroup taxa. Morphological heterogeneity among these 15 families is so extraordinary that they have been placed in six different perciform suborders. However, members of the 15 families are either coastal or oceanic pelagic in their ecology with diverse modes of life, suggesting that they represent a previously undetected adaptive radiation in the pelagic realm. Time-calibrated phylogenies imply that scombrids originated from a deep-ocean ancestor and began to radiate after the end-Cretaceous when large predatory epipelagic fishes were selective victims of the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction. We name this clade of open-ocean fishes containing Scombridae "Pelagia" in reference to the common habitat preference that links the 15 families

Loss of DNMT1o Disrupts Imprinted X Chromosome Inactivation and Accentuates Placental Defects in Females

The maintenance of key germline derived DNA methylation patterns during preimplantation development depends on stores of DNA cytosine methyltransferase-1o (DNMT1o) provided by the oocyte. Dnmt1omat-/- mouse embryos born to Dnmt1Δ1o/Δ1o female mice lack DNMT1o protein and have disrupted genomic imprinting and associated phenotypic abnormalities. Here, we describe additional female-specific morphological abnormalities and DNA hypomethylation defects outside imprinted loci, restricted to extraembryonic tissue. Compared to male offspring, the placentae of female offspring of Dnmt1Δ1o/Δ1o mothers displayed a higher incidence of genic and intergenic hypomethylation and more frequent and extreme placental dysmorphology. The majority of the affected loci were concentrated on the X chromosome and associated with aberrant biallelic expression, indicating that imprinted X-inactivation was perturbed. Hypomethylation of a key regulatory region of Xite within the X-inactivation center was present in female blastocysts shortly after the absence of methylation maintenance by DNMT1o at the 8-cell stage. The female preponderance of placental DNA hypomethylation associated with maternal DNMT1o deficiency provides evidence of additional roles beyond the maintenance of genomic imprints for DNA methylation events in the preimplantation embryo, including a role in imprinted X chromosome inactivation. © 2013 McGraw et al

Collagen mRNA levels changes during colorectal cancer carcinogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invasive growth of epithelial cancers is a complex multi-step process which involves dissolution of the basement membrane. Type IV collagen is a major component in most basement membranes. Type VII collagen is related to anchoring fibrils and is found primarily in the basement membrane zone of stratified epithelia. Immunohistochemical studies have previously reported changes in steady-state levels of different α(IV) chains in several epithelial cancer types. In the present study we aimed to quantitatively determine the mRNA levels of <it>type IV collagen (α1/α4/α6) </it>and <it>type VII collagen (α1) </it>during colorectal cancer carcinogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using quantitative RT-PCR, we have determined the mRNA levels for <it>α1(IV), α4(IV), α6(IV), and α1(VII) </it>in colorectal cancer tissue (n = 33), adenomas (n = 29) and in normal tissue from the same individuals. In addition, corresponding tissue was examined from healthy volunteers (n = 20). mRNA levels were normalized to <it>β-actin</it>. Immunohistochemical analysis of the distributions of type IV and type VII collagens were performed on normal and affected tissues from colorectal cancer patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>α1(IV) </it>and <it>α1(VII) </it>mRNA levels were statistically significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissue (p < 0.001) as compared to corresponding tissue from healthy controls. This is an early event as tissue from adenomas also displayed a higher level. There were small changes in the levels of <it>α4(IV)</it>. The level of <it>α6(IV) </it>was 5-fold lower in colorectal cancer tissue as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.01). The localisation of type IV and type VII collagen was visualized by immunohistochemical staining.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that the down-regulation of <it>α6(IV</it>) mRNA coincides with the acquisition of invasive growth properties, whereas <it>α1(IV) </it>and <it>α1(VII) </it>mRNAs were up-regulated already in dysplastic tissue. There are no differences in collagen expression between tissues from healthy individuals and normal tissues from affected individuals.</p

Age- and sex-dependence of muscle quality: Influence of intramuscular non-contractile tissues

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordPurpose Muscle quality is explained by the ratio between muscle size and strength. Conventionally, muscle size is evaluated without considering the composition of contractile and non-contractile tissues in muscle, hence the influence of non-contractile tissues on muscle quality is not fully understood, especially within aging muscle. This study investigated the differences in intramuscular non-contractile tissues between different age and sex groups, and investigated their influence on muscle quality. Methods Eighty-two older and 64 young females and males participated. Muscle cross-sectional area (quadriceps and hamstrings), separating contractile and non-contractile areas, was calculated from the magnetic resonance image of the right mid-thigh. Maximal voluntary isometric knee extension and flexion torque was measured. Torque/muscle area and torque/contractile area were calculated for each age and sex group. Results Non-contractile/muscle area was higher in older than in young individuals in both muscle groups (p females) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that 1) the presence of non-contractile tissues varies by age and muscle groups, 2) the extensive presence of non-contractile tissues can contribute to the underestimation of its muscle quality, and 3) the sex differences in muscle quality are influenced by factors other than muscle composition

Molecular composition of the peri-islet basement membrane in NOD mice: a barrier against destructive insulitis

Aims/hypothesisThis study examined whether the capsule which encases islets of Langerhans in the NOD mouse pancreas represents a specialised extracellular matrix (ECM) or basement membrane that protects islets from autoimmune attack.MethodsImmunofluorescence microscopy using a panel of antibodies to collagens type IV, laminins, nidogens and perlecan was performed to localise matrix components in NOD mouse pancreas before diabetes onset, at onset of diabetes and after clinical diabetes was established (2-8.5 weeks post-onset).ResultsPerlecan, a heparan sulphate proteoglycan that is characteristic of basement membranes and has not previously been investigated in islets, was localised in the peri-islet capsule and surrounding intra-islet capillaries. Other components present in the peri-islet capsule included laminin chains alpha2, beta1 and gamma1, collagen type IV alpha1 and alpha2, and nidogen 1 and 2. Collagen type IV alpha3-alpha6 were not detected. These findings confirm that the peri-islet capsule represents a specialised ECM or conventional basement membrane. The islet basement membrane was destroyed in islets where intra-islet infiltration of leucocytes marked the progression from non-destructive to destructive insulitis. No changes in basement membrane composition were observed before leucocyte infiltration.Conclusions/interpretationThese findings suggest that the islet basement membrane functions as a physical barrier to leucocyte migration into islets and that degradation of the islet basement membrane marks the onset of destructive autoimmune insulitis and diabetes development in NOD mice. The components of the islet basement membrane that we identified predict that specialised degradative enzymes are likely to function in autoimmune islet damage.H. F. Irving-Rodgers, A. F. Ziolkowski, C. R. Parish, Y. Sado, Y. Ninomiya, C. J. Simeonovic, R. J. Rodger

Dicer regulates Xist promoter methylation in ES cells indirectly through transcriptional control of Dnmt3a

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>X chromosome inactivation is the mechanism used in mammals to achieve dosage compensation of X-linked genes in XX females relative to XY males. Chromosome silencing is triggered in <it>cis </it>by expression of the non-coding RNA <it>Xist</it>. As such, correct regulation of the <it>Xist </it>gene promoter is required to establish appropriate X chromosome activity both in males and females. Studies to date have demonstrated co-transcription of an antisense RNA <it>Tsix </it>and low-level sense transcription prior to onset of X inactivation. The balance of sense and antisense RNA is important in determining the probability that a given <it>Xist </it>allele will be expressed, termed the X inactivation choice, when X inactivation commences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we investigate further the mechanism of <it>Xist </it>promoter regulation. We demonstrate that both sense and antisense transcription modulate <it>Xist </it>promoter DNA methylation in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells, suggesting a possible mechanistic basis for influencing X chromosome choice. Given the involvement of sense and antisense RNAs in promoter methylation, we investigate a possible role for the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. We show that the <it>Xist </it>promoter is hypomethylated in ES cells deficient for the essential RNAi enzyme Dicer, but that this effect is probably a secondary consequence of reduced levels of <it>de novo </it>DNA methyltransferases in these cells. Consistent with this we find that Dicer-deficient XY and XX embryos show appropriate <it>Xist </it>expression patterns, indicating that Xist gene regulation has not been perturbed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that <it>Xist </it>promoter methylation prior to the onset of random X chromosome inactivation is influenced by relative levels of sense and antisense transcription but that this probably occurs independent of the RNAi pathway. We discuss the implications for this data in terms of understanding <it>Xist </it>gene regulation and X chromosome choice in random X chromosome inactivation.</p