Constraints on scalar-tensor theories from observations

We study the dynamical description of scalar-tensor gravity by performing the best-fit analysis for two cases of exponential and power-law form of the potential and scalar field function coupled to the curvature. The models are then tested against observational data. The results show that in both scenarios the Universe undergoes an acceleration expansion period and the geometrical equivalent of dark energy is associated with a time-dependent equation of state.Comment: 16 pages, 32 figure

Determining Induction Conditions for Expression of Truncated Diphtheria Toxin and Pseudomonas Exotoxin A in E. coli BL21

Background: Targeted cancer therapies have played a great role in the treatment of malignant tumors, in the recent years. Among these therapies, targeted toxin therapies such as immunotoxins, has improved the patient’s survival rate by minimizing the adverse effect on normal tissues, whereas delivering a high dose of tumoricidal agent for eradicating the cancer tissue. Immunological proteins such as antibodies are conjugated to plant toxins or bacterial toxins such as Diphtheria toxin (DT) and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) . In this case optimizing and expressing Diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas exotoxin A which their binding domains are eliminated play a crucial role in producing the desired immunotoxins.Materials and Methods: We expressed the truncated DT and PE toxin in a genetically modified E.coli strain BL21 (DE3). For this reason we eliminated the binding domain sequences of these toxins and expressed these proteins in an expression vector pET28a with the kanamycin resistant gene for selection. The optimization of Diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas exotoxin A expression was due to different IPTG concentration, induction and sonication time. Results: We observed that the optimal protein expression of the Diphtheria toxin was gained in 4 hours of 0.4 mM IPTG concentration at 25˚C on the other hand the optimization of Pseudomonas exotoxin A protein occurred in 4 hours of 0.5 mM IPTG concentration at 25 ˚C.Conclusion: Our study also showed lower IPTG concentrations could result in higher protein expression. By optimizing this procedure, we facilitate the protein production which could lead to acceleration of the drug development

Event-Based Analysis of Power Distribution System Using Synchrophasor Data

High-resolution distribution-level phasor measurement units (D-PMUs), a.k.a, micro-PMU (µPMU), have recently been deployed in the power distribution grids in California and elsewhere. They frequently measure and report voltage and current phasors. Although synchrophasor sensors entail an unprecedented level of visibility over the power grid, working with extremely large data sets that they generate is still a challenge. Besides, it is cost-prohibitive to deploy a large number of synchrophasor sensors on a single distribution feeder. In this thesis, we focus on the analysis of the event signatures that exist in synchrophasor measurements to overcome the challenges for optimal usage of synchrophasor data.The informative parts of synchrophasor data are associated with the changes occurring in the electricity grid during its operation. These changes in the system states are called "events". Thus far, relatively few research efforts have been made towards understanding and utilizing of the events in distribution synchrophasors which carry information about the distribution feeder, its equipment, and various loads. Our goal in this thesis is to develop new methodologies to unmask innovative use-cases and applications which use only a few and locationally scarce D-PMU measurements that capture frequent and locationally abundant events occurring in distribution network. In this regard, we introduce the differential phasor representation of an event and propose an analytical framework to make use of differential phasors. A new class of fundamental methodologies is developed that involves constructing the equivalent circuit for the power distribution network in the differential mode which is generated based on the compensation theorem in circuit theory. Subsequently, we propose several practical applications: localizing events and identifying the root-cause of the events, developing event-based tracking state estimation for the purpose of real-time monitoring, identifying line segments and estimating line parameters, and detecting and locating high impedance faults. Furthermore, several applications are developed based on the synchrophasor data obtained from normal operation of the distribution system, including, estimating line switches status and identifying distribution system topology, and developing a linear state estimation involving synchrophasor data along with conventional power distribution system measurements

Development of a New Indirect ELISA Method for Detection of Anti-Tuberculosis Antibodies in Human Serum

Background: Tuberculosis is a crucial health problem. Establishing a rapid, reliable and still inexpensive diagnostic method for tuberculosis seems to be substantial in developing countries where TB has very high incidence rate . Methods:  An Indirect  Enzyme-linked  immunosorbent  Assay (ELISA)  was established to detect serum antibodies against Mycobacterium  tuberculosis. Three kinds of antigens were used to prepare the solid phase for antibody as- say including: purified protein derivative (PPD), M. tuberculosis Bacilli, and Mycobacterium  bovis Bacillus  Calmette  Guerin  (BCG).  Sera  of two main following groups were investigated in this study: sera samples from smear- positive, culturepositive and Tuberculin Skin Test-positive TB patients and sera samples from smear-negative, culture negative and TST-negative healthy individuals. Results: Among the antigens used, BCG produced higher sensitivity and specificity in the assay. With PPD as the solid phase, higher sensitivity but low er specificity was observed in comparison with BCG. Both, low response and noise (non-specific binding) were observed with TB bacilli as the solid phase in the assay. Conclusion: Using BCG solid phase system in this method resulted in higher sensitivity in comparison to single antigen solid phase systems. In addition, we were able to circumvent  the problem of non-specific  bindings in more popular multi-antigenic solid systems such as PPD. By using this new indi- rect ELISA, a rapid, reliable and still inexpensive diagnosis of tuberculosis might be possible. Although, further investigations  are required to confirm our result

Synthesis Research on the Effectiveness of E-Learning in Medical Sciences Education and Its Design and Implementation Requirements

Introduction: The use of e-learning methods has brought about a great revolution in the field of medical sciences education. In this regard, analytical assessment of the literature can be effective in understanding the effectiveness of e-learning system and its design and implementation requirements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a synthesis research on the effectiveness of e-learning in medical sciences education and explore its design and implementation requirements. Methods: This research employed a qualitative synthesis approach. Data were collected by searching through library sources, dissertations and papers in databases of ERIC, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Magiran and Irandoc. Databases were searched using the keywords effectiveness, e-learning, distance education, virtual medical education, blended learning and e-learning requirements both separately and in combination. A total of 178 research studies (Persian and English), published from 2007 to 2016, were identified, of which 78 were selected for analysis. Results: Findings showed that e-learning has been effective in different fields of medical sciences for both fully electronic courses and blended learning courses. In addition, pedagogical, organizational and technical requirements should be identified and applied for effective design and implementation of the e-learning system. Conclusion: Successful and effective implementation of the e-learning system requires adequate infrastructures, preparedness at the levels of knowledge, skill and attitude among students and professors as well as appropriate designing of educational programs based on meticulous needs assessments in the target population