Survey analysis for optimization algorithms applied to electroencephalogram

This paper presents a survey for optimization approaches that analyze and classify Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The automatic analysis of EEG presents a significant challenge due to the high-dimensional data volume. Optimization algorithms seek to achieve better accuracy by selecting practical features and reducing unwanted features. Forty-seven reputable research papers are provided in this work, emphasizing the developed and executed techniques divided into seven groups based on the applied optimization algorithm particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant colony optimization (ACO), artificial bee colony (ABC), grey wolf optimizer (GWO), Bat, Firefly, and other optimizer approaches). The main measures to analyze this paper are accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score assessment. Several datasets have been utilized in the included papers like EEG Bonn University, CHB-MIT, electrocardiography (ECG) dataset, and other datasets. The results have proven that the PSO and GWO algorithms have achieved the highest accuracy rate of around 99% compared with other techniques

Endovenous Laser Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation and Flebogrif versus Conventional Surgery in Treatment of Primary Varicose Vein of the Lower Limb: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of primary varicose vein are thought to minimise postoperative morbidity and reduce work loss compared with the conventional surgical procedure. Objective: To determine, whether endovenous ablation methods (radiofrequency, laser and mechanochemical) have any advantages or disadvantages in comparison with conventional surgery, in the treatment of primary varicose vein. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective randomized study, conducted on forty patients presented at Vascular Outpatient Clinic for management of chronic venous insufficiency. All patients underwent clinical examination and duplex ultrasonography. Ten (10) patients were treated with ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). Ten (10) patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with endovenous laser ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with Flebogrif. Results: Compared with conventional surgery, endovenous ablation methods reduced postoperative discomfort and pain, with a lower complication rate after treatment for avoidance of a groin incision and dissection at the saphenofemoral confluence. Cosmetic demands were also better satisfied. Non-controlled clinical trials have shown that the ablation rate of GSV after EVLA is over 90%. However, risks of EVLA, RFA and Flebogrif remain in terms of recanalization and neoreflux via junctional tributaries. Conclusion: RFA, EVLA, and Flebogrif are minimally invasive procedures. Their potential early benefits, by avoiding groin dissection and GSV stripping, have been confirmed by the findings from this trial. Current evidence based on randomized trials consistently demonstrates significant early benefits after RFA, EVLA and Flebogrif in suitable patients with varicose veins

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELL BASED LIVE SLUDGE FOR VOLTAGE PRODUCTION AND CONGO RED DYE REMOVAL

In this work, Single chamber Microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) are a versatile technology is depending on the interaction mechanisms of bacteria, to produce bioelectricity simultaneously and treat Congo red (CR) dye from aqueous solution at different pH (6.5-8). Electricity generation from the biodegradable organic substrate (sucrose) accompanied by decolorization of azo dye was investigated in the batch test results showed that more than 99% decolorization demonstrated at UV-Visible Spectrophotometer (500 nm) was achieved within 20 days and maximum output voltage (889 mv) had been obtained in an open circuit at a pH value of 7.5. Microbial community analysis showed that species in live sludge and the impact of bacteria grown on removal and voltage

Selecting the Safety and Cost Optimized Geo-Stabilization Technique for Soft Clay Slopes

Slope failure poses a serious threat to the built environment as it is currently one of the fundamental contributors to climate change fears across the world, and this threatens the environmental goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for the year 2050. In this research paper, an optimized geo-stabilization numerical model has been developed with a Plaxis 2D code under safety and cost optimization considerations for a 37 m high slope embankment located on a soft clay watershed with an infinite extension. The site was prepared with four monitoring wells installed at 2.5 m, 7.5 m, 12.5 m, and 21.5 m from the foot of the slope to measure the water level conditions, and samples were collected and tested in the laboratory to determine the hydraulic and shear strength and modulus of the soil. Seven (7) different simulation alternatives were considered in terms of the model solutions to be deployed under dry and wet states, which were slope steep (angle) reduction (Alt-1), dewatering (Alt-2), jet grouting (Alt-3), jet grouting/dewatering (Alt-4), slope reduction/jet grouting (Alt-5), slope reduction/dewatering (Alt-6), and slope reduction/jet grouting/dewatering (Alt-7). The finite element model implementation of the alternatives showed that Alt-2, Alt-3, and Alt-4 had FOS of less than 1.5 and were omitted because their stability considerations did not meet the requirements for the normal operating conditions of a slope and also the short-term and long-term stability conditions according to the literature. Alternatives 1, 5, 6, and 7 with FOS above 1.5 were selected for further optimization considerations. Economic and sustainability factors were selected and considered based on the cost in line with current average market prices, constructability, reliability, and the environmental impact needed to achieve the required earthwork, jet grouting, dewatering, and selected combinations. Finally, the Alt-1 (FOS = 1.505), though not the cheapest, was selected as the optimal choice in terms of reliability, constructability, and environmental impact. However, Alt-6 (FOS = 1.520) and Alt-7 (FOS = 1.508) are the most economical but ranked low in reliability and environmental impact considerations. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-02-015 Full Text: PD

The first molecular detection of Aedes albopictus in Sudan associates with increased outbreaks of Chikungunya and Dengue

As part of our surveys of the invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in four Sudanese states, including North and South Kordofan, Sennar, and White Nile, we collected 166 larvae. Our morphological identification confirmed that 30% of the collected mosquito samples were Anopheles species, namely An. gambiae s.l. and An. stephensi, while the 117 Aedes specimens were Ae. luteocephalus (39%), Ae. aegypti (32%), Ae. vexans (9%), Ae. vittatus (9%), Ae. africanus (6%), Ae. metalicus (3%), and Ae. albopictus (3%). Considering the serious threat of Ae. albopictus emergence for the public health in the area and our limited resources, we prioritized Ae. albopictus samples for further genomic analysis. We extracted the DNA from the three specimens and subsequently sequenced the cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene and confirmed their identity as Aedes albopictus and their potential origin by phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. Aedes albopictus, originating from Southeast Asia, is an invasive key vector of chikungunya and dengue. This is the first report and molecular characterization of Ae. albopictus from Sudan. Our sequences cluster with populations from the Central African Republic and La Reunion. Worryingly, this finding associates with a major increase in chikungunya and dengue outbreaks in rural areas of the study region and might be linked to the mosquito's spread across the region. The emergence of Ae. albopictus in Sudan is of serious public health concern and urges for the improvement of the vector surveillance and control system through the implementation of an integrated molecular xenosurveillance. The threat of major arboviral diseases in the region underlines the need for the institutionalization of the One Health strategy for the prevention and control of future pandemics

Review of materials for adsorption refrigeration technology

Purpose: During the last 20 years, interest in the closed adsorption heat pump and refrigeration systems has increased steadily. In this paper, consideration is given to aspects of adsorption refrigeration in terms of existing materials used in adsorption refrigeration, heat transfer characteristics of materials, and cost of materials and manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a general review of adsorption refrigeration technology. Findings: In recent years several papers have been published in this area and many aspects of the system have been addressed. Much effort has been devoted to enhance materials properties. Originality/value: The paper provides information of value to those involved with heat pump and refrigeration systems technology

The Phylodynamic and spread of the invasive Asian malaria vectors, Anopheles stephensi, in Sudan

Anopheles stephensi is an invasive Asian malaria vector that initially emerged in Africa in 2012 and was reported in Sudan in 2019. We investigated the distribution and population structure of An. stephensi throughout Sudan by using sequencing and molecular tools. We confirmed the presence of An. stephensi in eight border-states, identifying both natural and human-made breeding sites. Our analysis revealed the presence of 20 haplotypes with different distributions per state. This study revealed a countrywide spread of An. stephensi in Sudan, with confirmed presence in borders states with Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Republic of Central Africa, and South Sudan. Detection of An. stephensi at points of entry with these countries, particularly Chad, Libya, and South Sudan, indicates the rapid previously undetected spread of this invasive vector. Our phylogenetic and haplotype analysis suggested local establishment and evolutionary adaptation of the vector to different ecological and environmental conditions in Sudan. Urgent engagement of the global community is essential to control and prevent further spread into Africa

Enhanced gain saturation model of non-linear semiconductor optical amplifiers

This study proposes an enhanced gain saturation model of non-linear semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by incorporating material-dependent gain compression factor. The rate equations are utilised with the extra gain compression term for Indium-Gallium-Arsenide material-based SOA to account for the steep relaxation oscillations behaviour of non-linear SOAs. The proposed gain saturation model is verified with experimental results that showed very good agreements with a mean square error of 0.094