Using stator discharge current for the parameter estimation of a single-phase axial flux induction motor

AbstractBecause Axial Flux Induction Motors (AFIMs) have many advantages over radial flux (conventional) ones, they are increasingly used in industrial applications. So, their performance prediction is an important issue. On the other hand, parameter estimation is an inseparable part of performance prediction. In this paper, a new method, based on the discharge current of stator windings, is presented. In the proposed method, theoretical and practical discharge currents are compared to calculate coefficients, time constants and parameters. Then, calculated parameters are employed in the d-q model of the AFIM. Finally, 3-D finite element analysis and experimental tests are used to verify the proposed method

The effect of posture in premature infants on the arterial oxygen saturation, fraction of inspired oxygen and abdominal distension

Background: Putting infants in a posture that reduces oxygen requirement and the complications of the continuous positive airway pressure method is very important. This study aimed at examining the effect of the posture on the arterial oxygen saturation, fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) and abdominal distension in premature infants with the respiratory distress syndrome under nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 41 premature infants were selected by the simple random sampling and one-group before-after design. The amounts of arterial oxygen saturation, FIO2 and abdominal distension in supine and prone positions were recorded in a data-collection form. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean FIO2 and between the mean abdominal circumference in the prone and supine positions (P=0.022, P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the mean of arterial oxygen saturation between the two positions (P=0.749). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the neonates’ abdominal distension and FIO2 decreased in the prone position. Thus, this supportive, free of charge and effective method can be recommended for these neonates

Identification of novel bacterial species capable of degrading dalapon using 16S rRNA sequencing

2,2-dichloropropionic acid (2,2DCP) is used as herbicide in agricultural industry and it is one of the halogenated organic compounds distributed widely in the world causing contamination. In this study, a bacterial strain isolated from contaminated soil where halogenated pesticides applied in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and it was named “JHA1”. Bacterium JHA1 was able to utilize 2,2 dichloropropionate 2,2-DCP or (Dalapon) as a source of carbon and energy. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, the isolate showed 87% identity to Terrabacter terrae strain PPLB. The identity score was lower than 98% so that it was suggested to be new organisms that worth for further investigations if it will be proven that this is novel. Therefore, current isolate was designated as Terrabacter terrae JHA1. The isolate grew in the minimal media containing 10 mM, 15 mM, 20 mM and 25 mM of 2,2- DCP as the sole energy and carbon source and the best growth rate was in 20 mM as the optimum concentration of 2,2-DCP while bacterial growth was inhibited in medium with 30 mM 2,2-DCP

The Effectiveness of Religious-Spiritual Psychotherapy on the Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world that leads to a decreased quality of life. Since one of the supportive measures is the use of spiritual teachings, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of religious care on the quality of life of women with breast cancer. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2017 among women with breast cancer who referred to Qom health centers at least two months after their diagnosis. Seventy subjects were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, 6 sessions of religious – spiritual psychotherapy were held with the focus of communication with God, other people, self and environment. The quality of life of the subjects was evaluated before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and two months after that using The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) with mean score of 0 – 100. FINDINGS: The results showed a significant difference between the dimensions of quality of life in the control and intervention groups: total health and quality of life (57.61±9.42) vs. (60±19.51) (p=0.002), physical health (46.22±19.53) vs. (61.35±13.36) (p=0.016), mental health (57.85±24.16) vs. (67.55±13.24) (p=0.005), social health (54.88±24.44) vs. (62.79±18.35) (p<0.001), and environmental health (62.05±3.55) vs. (67.33±33.43) (p=0.048), indicating that the results were stable over time. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that religious–spiritual psychotherapy increases the quality of life of women with breast cancer

Isolation of Taxol-producing endophytes fungi from Iranian yew (Taxus baccata L.)

زمینه و هدف: تاکسول یکی از مهمترین داروهای ضد سرطان و منبع اولیه تهیه آن گیاه سرخدار است و با توجه به محدود بودن تعداد این درختان جایگزینی روش های دیگر تولید به جای استخراج از پوست گیاه امری ضروری به نظر می رسد. با توجه به اینکه تاکنون تحقیقات گسترده و جامعی بر روی قارچ های تولید کننده تاکسول در داخل کشور انجام نشده، لذا این مطالعه با هدف بررسی روی فلور طبیعی ایران به منظور جداسازی قارچ های اندوفایت و بررسی تولید تاکسول در این قارچ ها انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی - تحلیلی نمونه های ساقه گیاهان سرخدار مناطق جنگلی شمال کشور به منظور جداسازی قارچ های اندوفایت جمـــع آوری شد. پس از استریل کردن سطحی نمونه های گیاهی، نمونه های مورد نظر بر روی محیط Potato dextrose agar کشت داده شدند. پس از گذشت چند روز قارچ های رشد یافته جداسازی شده و برای اطمینان از خلوص هر کلنی، عمل ایزوله کردن قارچ های حاصل 3 بار تکرار شد. بررسی حضور تاکسول در قارچ های اندوفایت جدا شده، بوسیله تکنیک کروماتوگرافی مایع با عملکرد بالا (HPLC) و با استفاده از ستون کروماسیل C18 انجام پذیرفت. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون آماری دانکن تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: تعداد 80 ایزوله قارچ اندوفایت از سرخدار بومی ایران جداسازی شد. بررسی های انجام شده تولید تاکسول را در 5 ایزوله جدا شده نشان داد در میان قارچ های تولید کننده تاکسول، ایزوله TbPm4 با بیشترین میزان تولید، قادر به تولید متوسط L/gµ 74/21 تاکسول بود. نتیجه گیری: جداسازی 80 ایزوله قارچ اندوفایت در این پروژه از سرخدار بومی ایران و قابلیت تولید تاکسول در 5 ایزوله جدا شده نشان داد که این ایزوله ها پتانسیل قابل قبولی جهت تولید تاکسول را دارا می باشند.

Efficiency of a natural wetland for effluent polishing of a septic tank

Wetlands now days apply as a polishing system for the classical wastewater treatment, in addition of different usages. Usually wetland systems are inexpensive methods vs. expensive high technology treatment systems. Objective of this study is an evaluation of natural wetland treatment in polishing of a septic effluent. Research duration works extended for 10 months on a natural wetland system in Pardis of Mazandaran University of medical sciences and eastern north of health faculty. Wastewater quality index such as pH, EC, BOD, COD, TSS, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Ammonia and Temperature performed on the samples of influent and effluent of the system. The study showed the system works as a buffering system for flow and pH. Results indicated that average of BOD5 and TSS efficiency were 67.70and 83%, respectively. Efficiency of COD was 65.26 and 80 % for a Low and moderate strength influent respectively. Average of phosphorus, NH3 and Nitrate in effluent were 0.032 mg/L, 7.18 and 0.036 mg/L, respectively. Efficiency of ammonia and Phosphorus were slightly increased in best condition. Based on this study result, natural wetland can be success in BOD, COD, and TSS removal of the classical septic tank, but for nitrogen and Phosphorus removal do not have considerable effects

Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program on Sleep Quality in the Elderlies with Heart Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances, a common compliance of the elders with heart failure (HF) that can reduce quality of life. Because simple and low-cost interventions, such as exercise, help to improve sleep, therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercises on the quality of sleep in elderly patients with heart failure. METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 60 males with type 2 and 3 heart failure were selected by available sampling method and were randomly entered to test and control groups. Pitzberg’s sleep quality questionnaire was used to collect data. Aerobic and resistance exercises were performed three times a week for three months. Before and after the intervention, the questionnaires were completed and the sleep quality of the two groups was compared. FINDINGS: The aerobic and resistance exercise had promoted scores of sleep duration (0.23±0.77), sleep efficiency (0.73±1.01), mental sleep quality (0.6±0.93), and daytime function (0.06±1.14)(p<0.05). But the exercise Program doesn’t effect on sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and use of sleep medications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that aerobic and resistance exercises help improve the daily performance of elderly patients with heart failure by improving sleep quality and some of the indices of sleepiness

Exact Histogram Specification Optimized for Structural Similarity

An exact histogram specification (EHS) method modifies its input image to have a specified histogram. Applications of EHS include image (contrast) enhancement (e.g., by histogram equalization) and histogram watermarking. Performing EHS on an image, however, reduces its visual quality. Starting from the output of a generic EHS method, we maximize the structural similarity index (SSIM) between the original image (before EHS) and the result of EHS iteratively. Essential in this process is the computationally simple and accurate formula we derive for SSIM gradient. As it is based on gradient ascent, the proposed EHS always converges. Experimental results confirm that while obtaining the histogram exactly as specified, the proposed method invariably outperforms the existing methods in terms of visual quality of the result. The computational complexity of the proposed method is shown to be of the same order as that of the existing methods. Index terms: histogram modification, histogram equalization, optimization for perceptual visual quality, structural similarity gradient ascent, histogram watermarking, contrast enhancement

Design optimization of ocean renewable energy converter using a combined Bi-level metaheuristic approach

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in renewable energies in view of the fact that fossil fuels are the leading cause of catastrophic environmental consequences. Ocean wave energy is a renewable energy source that is particularly prevalent in coastal areas. Since many countries have tremendous potential to extract this type of energy, a number of researchers have sought to determine certain effective factors on wave converters’ performance, with a primary emphasis on ambient factors. In this study, we used metaheuristic optimization methods to investigate the effects of geometric factors on the performance of an Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC), in addition to the effects of hydrodynamic parameters. To do so, we used CATIA software to model different geometries which were then inserted into a numerical model developed in Flow3D software. A Ribed-surface design of the converter's flap is also introduced in this study to maximize wave-converter interaction. Besides, a Bi-level Hill Climbing Multi-Verse Optimization (HCMVO) method was also developed for this application. The results showed that the converter performs better with greater wave heights, flap freeboard heights, and shorter wave periods. Additionally, the added ribs led to more wave-converter interaction and better performance, while the distance between the flap and flume bed negatively impacted the performance. Finally, tracking the changes in the five-dimensional objective function revealed the optimum value for each parameter in all scenarios. This is achieved by the newly developed optimization algorithm, which is much faster than other existing cutting-edge metaheuristic approaches

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of synbiotic administration on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among gestational diabetic (GDM) women. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out among 60 subjects with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. Patients were randomly assigned to consume either one synbiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), L. casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 � 10 9  CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin (HPX) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (� 1.9 ± 4.2 vs. +1.1 ± 3.5 mg/L, P = 0.004), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (� 0.1 ± 0.6 vs. + 0.3 ± 0.7 μmol/L, P = 0.02), and significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+ 70.1 ± 130.9 vs. � 19.7 ± 124.6 mmol/L, P = 0.009) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (+ 28.7 ± 61.5 vs. � 14.9 ± 85.3 μmol/L, P = 0.02). Supplementation with synbiotic had a significant decrease in cesarean section rate (16.7 vs. 40.0, P = 0.04), lower incidence of hyperbilirubinemic newborns (3.3 vs. 30.0, P = 0.006), and newborns� hospitalization (3.3 vs. 30.0, P = 0.006) compared with the placebo. Synbiotic supplementation did not affect plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels and other pregnancy outcomes. Overall, synbiotic supplementation among GDM women for 6 weeks had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma TAC, GSH, and MDA; cesarean section; incidence of newborn�s hyperbilirubinemia; and newborns� hospitalization but did not affect plasma NO levels and other pregnancy outcomes. http://www.irct.ir: www.irct.ir: IRCT201704205623N108. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC