A Cyclic Pursuit Framework for Networked Mobile Agents Based on Vector Field Approach

This paper proposes a pursuit formation control scheme for a network of double-integrator mobile agents based on a vector field approach. In a leaderless architecture, each agent pursues another one via a cyclic topology to achieve a regular polygon formation. On the other hand, the agents are exposed to a rotational vector field such that they rotate around the vector field centroid, while they keep the regular polygon formation. The main problem of existing approaches in the literature for cyclic pursuit of double-integrator multiagent systems is that under those approaches, the swarm angular velocity and centroid are not controllable based on missions and agents capabilities. However, by employing the proposed vector field approach in this paper, while keeping a regular polygon formation, the swarm angular velocity and centroid can be determined arbitrary. The obtained results can be extended to achieve elliptical formations with cyclic pursuit as well. Simulation results for a team of eight mobile agents verify the accuracy of the proposed control scheme

What is the best laboratory method for diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus in genital infections?

  Genital infection caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common health problems, worldwide. Several methods such as cell culture, serological and molecular methods have been used to detect this virus. Currently, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real time-PCR) technique is widely used due to its high sensitivity and specificity. Besides, Real time-PCR can be employed in the follow-up of therapeutic effects in HSV-infected person who is being treated with antiretroviral drugs. We conducted a review on traditional and current diagnostic methods with a focus on their limitations in the diagnosis of HSV infection

Pregnancy outcomes in women with adenomyosis, undergoing artificial endometrial preparation with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist pretreatment in frozen embryo transfer cycles: An RCT

Background: Selecting a suitable and preferable method for endometrial preparation in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles for women with adenomyosis is still challenging in infertility treatment. Objective: To compare 2 artificial endometrial preparation regimens with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pretreatment in women with adenomyosis undergoing FET cycles. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 140 adenomyosis cases who underwent FET cycles at Arash Women’s hospital, Tehran, Iran from May 2020 to March 2021. Participants were randomly allocated into hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and HRT+GnRHa pretreatment groups (n = 70/each). Endometrial preparation with 2-6 mg daily estradiol was started in the HRT+GnRHa group, taking after down-regulation with the GnRHa. Within the HRT group, the same dose of estradiol was commenced within the early follicular stage. The main (chemical and clinical pregnancy rates) and auxiliary results (twin pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates) were compared between groups. Results: The demographic characteristics and severity of adenomyosis, endometrial thickness, and pattern at starting progesterone administration were similar in the 2 groups, and triple-line endometrium was found to be the dominant pattern in both groups (p = 0.65). No significant differences were observed in chemical, clinical, and twin pregnancy rates as well as miscarriage and live birth rates between groups (p = 0.71, p = 0.81, p = 0.11, and p = 0.84, respectively). However, the total estrogen dose and duration of estrogen consumption were significantly higher in the pretreatment group (p = 0.001, and p = 0.003). Conclusion: These results indicated that the hormonal endometrial preparation with estrogen and progestin for FET cycles is as efficacious as a protocol involving preceding pituitary suppression with a GnRHa. Further large randomized clinical studies are required to confirm these findings. Key words: Adenomyosis, Embryo transfer, Hormone replacement therapy, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

New metal organic framework (MOF) nanoparticle for gas separation by matrix membranes

{[Dy(BTC)(H2O)]•DMF}n metal organic framework nanoparticles was synthezed through solvthermal method. The product was characterized by XRD, TG, BET, and SEM techniques. SEM images showed that the synthesized sample has semi-cubic particles with average size of 70 nm in length.For improve the gas separation performance,the MOF nano particles were dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for preparation of mixed matrix membrane (MMM) on support of polyethersulphone (PES). The performance of obtained MMM in separation of NO, N2 and O2 gas were investigated, and the effect of MOF nanoparticles (5, 10, and 15% wt)and feed pressure (100-250 kPa) on permeability and selectivity were studied. It was found that the membrane performance is evaluated by addition of MOF nano particles in membrane (polymeric matrix), and the feed pressure have not important effect on separation. The performance (NO/N2 and NO/O2 selectivity) increased as the loading of MOF particles (up to 15% wt) being dispersed within the polymer matrices

Hydrogen Peroxide Preconditioning Promotes Protective Effects of Umbilical Cord Vein Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis

Purpose Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disorder with few available treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy (MSCT), an innovative approach, has high therapeutic potential when used to treat IPF. According to recent data, preconditioning of MSCs can improve their therapeutic effects. Our research focuses on investigating the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of H2O2-preconditioned MSCs (p-MSCs) on mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Methods Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were induced with PF by intratracheal (IT) instillation of bleomycin (4 U/kg). Human umbilical cord vein-derived MSCs (hUCV-MSCs) were isolated and exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (15 pM for 24 h) of H2O2 in vitro. One week following the injection of bleomycin, MSCs or p-MSCs were injected (IT) into the experimental PF. The survival rate and weight of mice were recorded, and 14 days after MSCs injection, all mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue was removed from these mice to examine the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathological changes (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson\u27s trichrome) and expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results Compared to the PF+MSC group, p-MSCs transplantation results in significantly decreased connective tissue () and collagen deposition. Additionally, it is determined that lung tissue in the PF+pMSC group has increased alveolar space () and diminished expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA. Conclusion The results demonstrate that MSCT using p-MSCs decreases inflammatory and fibrotic factors in bleomycin-induced PF, while also able to increase the therapeutic potency of MSCT in IPF

The landscape of exosomal non-coding RNAs in breast cancer drug resistance, focusing on underlying molecular mechanisms

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Like many other cancers, BC therapy is challenging and sometimes frustrating. In spite of the various therapeutic modalities applied to treat the cancer, drug resistance, also known as, chemoresistance, is very common in almost all BCs. Undesirably, a breast tumor might be resistant to different curative approaches (e.g., chemo- and immunotherapy) at the same period of time. Exosomes, as double membrane-bound extracellular vesicles 1) secreted from different cell species, can considerably transfer cell products and components through the bloodstream. In this context, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are a chief group of exosomal constituents with amazing abilities to regulate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of BC, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, migration, and particularly drug resistance. Thereby, exosomal ncRNAs can be considered potential mediators of BC progression and drug resistance. Moreover, as the corresponding exosomal ncRNAs circulate in the bloodstream and are found in different body fluids, they can serve as foremost prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers. The current study aims to comprehensively review the most recent findings on BC-related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways affected by exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, with a focus on drug resistance. Also, the potential of the same exosomal ncRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of BC will be discussed in detail

A Hybrid Decision-Making Model for Selecting Container Seaport in the Persian Gulf

Ports have always played a vital role in international transportation. Port selection decision is a process that requires consideration of many important and relevant criteria. The selection of the influential decision-making criteria is also a significant and vital issue which demands cautious thoughts. The main objective of this paper is to weigh the most dominant decision-making criteria by Technique for Order Preference to Similarity by Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and select an optimised container seaport in the Persian Gulf by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) according to decisive port selection factors. This paper presents an extensive review of port selection decision-making attributes in different past studies. Finally, by using TOPSIS and AHP, the findings of this research suggest that the working time, stevedoring rate, safety, port entrance, sufficient draft, capacity of port facilities, operating cost, number of berths, ship chandelling, and international policies are critical factors for selecting container seaport in the Persian Gulf

Pore geometry in gas shale reservoirs

Assessing shale formations is a major challenge in the oil and gas industry. The complexities are mainly due to the ultra-low permeability, the presence of a high percentage of clay, and the heterogeneity of the formation. Knowledge and understanding of rock properties, including pore geometry, permeability, and fluid distribution are essential for determining shale’s hydrocarbon storage and recovery. This chapter discusses the microstructural characterization of gas shale samples through mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nitrogen adsorption (N2). High resolution focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) image analysis is used to further support the experimental pore structure interpretations at sub-micron level. The chapter focuses on three key areas: (i) comparisons of pore size distribution (PSD); (ii) recognizing the relationship between pore geometry and permeability; (iii) effects of clay occurrence on fluid transport properties. MICP and N2 are destructive techniques used as pore size distribution (PSD) measurements. MICP is capable of characterizing the PSD in the range of meso-pores (5 nm 50 nm: intra- and inter-clays) to macro-pores (pore diameter > 50nm: inter-grains and discontinuities) while N2 can be applied to pores less than 2 nm. NMR is a non-destructive technique that is performed under room conditions. It supposes that the sample is fully or partially water saturated.In contrast with MICP PSD, that provides only "connected" pore throats as tube shapes and no pore body sensu-stricto, NMR PSD provides full experimental characterization of pore geometry, the size of the pore body behind the throats and the isolated pores. The pore body to pore throat ratio is a characteristic that controls fluid flow. The connectivity in the pore system can be represented by the pore body to pore throat size ratio: the lower the ratio, the lower the connectivity; hence the lower will be the permeability/fluid flow. The results demonstrated a complex geometry of the pore network from clay-rich rocks. The siliceous and organic rich gas shales studied are marked by a strong component of clay minerals, mostly made of Kaolinite and illite/smectite (I/S) mixed layers. Three types of shales can be classified according to their clay content: (i) low I/S but high Kaolinite; (ii) high I/S but low Kaolinite; and (iii) high I/S and high Kaolinite. It is understood that I/S acts as a fluid trapping mineral by increasing the pore geometry complexity (surface to volume ratio increase) but generates low porosity made up of micro-porosity. Kaolinite acts as fluid storage by clogging pores and helps to keep high porosity made up of relatively larger pores. The combination of MICP, N2 and NMR forms an ideal approach to overcome each of their individual limits in terms of pore size resolution and the external influences (dehydration/hydration state or sample preparation)

Ultra-Low-Power Voice Activity Detection System Using Level-Crossing Sampling

This paper presents an ultra-low-power voice activity detection (VAD) system to discriminate speech from non-speech parts of audio signals. The proposed VAD system uses level-crossing sampling for voice activity detection. The useless samples in the non-speech parts of the signal are eliminated due to the activity-dependent nature of this sampling scheme. A 40 ms moving window with a 30 ms overlap is exploited as a feature extraction block, within which the output samples of the level-crossing analog-to-digital converter (LC-ADC) are counted as the feature. The only variable used to distinguish speech and non-speech segments in the audio input signal is the number of LC-ADC output samples within a time window. The proposed system achieves an average of 91.02% speech hit rate and 82.64% non-speech hit rate over 12 noise types at −5, 0, 5, and 10 dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) over the TIMIT database. The proposed system including LC-ADC, feature extraction, and classification circuits was designed in 0.18 µm CMOS technology. Post-layout simulation results show a power consumption of 394.6 nW with a silicon area of 0.044 mm2, which makes it suitable as an always-on device in an automatic speech recognition system