Background There is a rationale for adding systemic photoprotective agents to the current photoprotection regimen. Objective This study was designed to objectively evaluate the molecular and ...photobiologic effects of oral administration of Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE). Methods In all, 22 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototype I to III were enrolled. On day 1, subjects were irradiated with visible light, ultraviolet (UV) A1, and UVB (using 308-nm excimer laser). Evaluation was done immediately and 24 hours after irradiation. On days 3 and 4, irradiation and evaluation process was repeated after ingestion of PLE. Results Clinical assessments and colorimetry data showed a decrease in UVB-induced changes in 17 of 22 subjects post-PLE administration; histology findings demonstrated such a decrease in all 22 subjects. Limitations Only 2 doses of PLE were given. Furthermore, subjects with skin phototypes I to III only were studied. Conclusion The results suggest that PLE can potentially be used as an adjunctive agent to lessen the negative photobiologic effects of UVB.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
This article discusses the concept and applications of cognitive dynamic systems (CDS), which are a type of intelligent system inspired by the brain. There are two branches of CDS, one for linear and ...Gaussian environments (LGEs), such as cognitive radio and cognitive radar, and another one for non-Gaussian and nonlinear environments (NGNLEs), such as cyber processing in smart systems. Both branches use the same principle, called the perception action cycle (PAC), to make decisions. The focus of this review is on the applications of CDS, including cognitive radios, cognitive radar, cognitive control, cyber security, self-driving cars, and smart grids for LGEs. For NGNLEs, the article reviews the use of CDS in smart e-healthcare applications and software-defined optical communication systems (SDOCS), such as smart fiber optic links. The results of implementing CDS in these systems are very promising, with improved accuracy, performance, and lower computational costs. For example, CDS implementation in cognitive radars achieved a range estimation error that is as good as 0.47 (m) and a velocity estimation error of 3.30 (m/s), outperforming traditional active radars. Similarly, CDS implementation in smart fiber optic links improved the quality factor by 7 dB and the maximum achievable data rate by 43% compared to those of other mitigation techniques.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In Ghana, about 76% of households are at risk of drinking water polluted with faecal matter, hence, poor sanitation and unsafe water are responsible for 80% of all diseases in the country. Given ...this, some studies have been carried out concerning the factors that determine access and use of improved water among households in Ghana. However, although financial inclusion can make it easy for households to afford and hence, use improved water, it has received very little attention. This study, thus, examines the effect of financial inclusion on the use of improved water among households in Ghana.
The Ghana Living Standards Survey round 7 (GLSS7) is used as the data source while the binary logit regression is employed as the main empirical estimation technique.
The results show that households with financial inclusion (employing an indicator which has not been disaggregated into formal and informal financial inclusion) have a higher likelihood of using improved water sources relative to those without financial inclusion. The results are robust using formal financial inclusion as well as a combined index of financial inclusion.
Enhancing financial inclusion, especially formal financial inclusion can be utilised as a major policy instrument towards increasing access and use of improved water sources among households in Ghana.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The increase in β-lactam-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a severe recurrent problem in the food industry for both producers and consumers. The development of nanotechnology and nanomaterial ...applications has transformed many features in food science. The antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and their mechanism of action on β-lactam-resistant Gram-negative food pathogens, such as
,
,
,
,
, and
, are investigated in the present paper. The study results demonstrate that ZnO NPs possesses broad-spectrum action against these β-lactamase-producing strains. The minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations vary from 0.04 to 0.08 and 0.12 to 0.24 mg/mL, respectively. The ZnO NPs elevate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde in the bacterial cells as membrane lipid peroxidation. It has been confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy image of the treated bacterial cells that ZnO NPs diminish the permeable membrane, denature the intracellular proteins, cause DNA damage, and cause membrane leakage. Based on these findings, the action of ZnO NPs has been attributed to the fact that broad-spectrum antibacterial action against β-lactam-resistant Gram-negative food pathogens is mediated by Zn
ion-induced oxidative stress, actions via lipid peroxidation and membrane damage, subsequently resulting in depletion, leading to β-lactamase enzyme inhibition, intracellular protein inactivation, DNA damage, and eventually cell death. Based on the findings of the present study, ZnO NPs can be recommended as potent broad-spectrum antibacterial agents against β-lactam-resistant Gram-negative pathogenic strains.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are genetic metabolic disorders which result from deficiency of lysosomal enzymes or defects in other lysosomal components. Molecular genetic testing of LSDs is ...required for diagnostic confirmation when lysosomal enzyme assays are not available or not feasible to perform, and for the identification of the disease causing genetic variants. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective, readily customizable and scalable molecular genetic testing strategy for LSDs.
A testing method was designed based on the in-house creation of selective amplicons through long range PCR amplification for targeted capture and enrichment of different LSD genes of interest, followed by next generation sequencing of pooled samples.
In the first phase of the study, standardization and validation of the study protocol were done using 28 samples of affected probands and/or carrier parents (group A) with previously identified variants in seven genes, and in the second phase of the study, 30 samples of enzymatically confirmed or biopsy-proven patients with LSDs and/or their carrier parents who had not undergone any prior mutation analysis (group B) were tested and the sequence variants identified in them through the study method were validated by targeted Sanger sequencing.
This testing approach was found to be reliable, easily customizable and cost-effective for the molecular genetic evaluation of LSDs. The same strategy may be applicable, especially in resource poor settings, for developing cost-effective multigene panel tests for other conditions with genetic heterogeneity.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Due to the industrial development and the growing modernity, the elevator systems have become indispensable in many multi-story buildings. When electrical elevators are employed to transport ...people, riding comfort becomes a very important issue, especially when high-speed elevators are used in high-rise buildings. The elevator systems should provide a good stop accuracy and excellent levels of ride comfort. Passengers experience some problems that affect their comfort such as vibration and jerk that occur when travelling between elevator floors especially when starting and stopping the cabin. To minimize the effects of these problems, the cabin must be driven in such a way as to ensure smooth operation and smooth starting and stopping. Therefore, there is a need to control the voltage and frequency of the electric motor that drives the elevator cabin.
This paper introduces a look at the different types of variable speed drives and how they’re used in electric elevator systems, discussing current systems as well as recent development in the field. Therefore, a variable-speed design that provides smooth movement is needed to include a smooth ride, accurate leveling, and a large number of start and stop operations First, some basic principles in driving systems, such as load curves and driving speed/torque, as well as their relationship to stability, are discussed; reference curve generation; speed curve profiling of the elevator system to achieve smooth transmission. The latest study in this topic reached the implementation of an elevator prototype driven by permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMSLM) loaded by 24kg. The motor was controlled by voltage frequency drive (VFD) programmed with offline S-curve to get a smooth start and smooth stop for the elevator cabin and constant travel speed with the least jerk possible, estimated by 88% compared the that without using the driver.
White matter (WM) disorders with a genetic etiology are classified as leukodystrophies (LDs) and genetic leukoencephalopathies (GLEs). There are very few studies pertaining to the etiologic spectrum ...of these disorders in the Asian Indian population.
This study was conducted over a period of five years from January 2016 to December 2020, in the medical genetics department of a tertiary care hospital in southern India. A total of 107 patients up to age 18 years, with a diagnosis of a genetic WM disorder confirmed by molecular genetic testing and/or metabolic testing, were included in the study and categorized into LD or GLE group as per the classification suggested by the Global Leukodystrophy Initiative consortium in 2015.
Forty-one patients were diagnosed to have LDs, and 66 patients had GLEs. The two most common LDs were metachromatic LD (16 patients) and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (seven patients). In the GLE group, lysosomal storage disorders were the most common (40 patients) followed by mitochondrial disorders (nine patients), with other metabolic disorders and miscellaneous conditions making up the rest. The clinical presentations, neuroimaging findings, and mutation spectrum of the patients in our cohort are discussed.
This is one of the largest cohorts of genetic WM disorders reported till date from the Asian Indian population. The etiologies and clinical presentations identified in our study cohort are similar to those found in other Indian studies as well as in studies based on other populations from different parts of the world.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background & objectives: Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are genetic metabolic disorders which result from deficiency of lysosomal enzymes or defects in other lysosomal components. Molecular ...genetic testing of LSDs is required for diagnostic confirmation when lysosomal enzyme assays are not available or not feasible to perform, and for the identification of the disease causing genetic variants. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective, readily customizable and scalable molecular genetic testing strategy for LSDs.
Methods: A testing method was designed based on the in-house creation of selective amplicons through long range PCR amplification for targeted capture and enrichment of different LSD genes of interest, followed by next generation sequencing of pooled samples.
Results: In the first phase of the study, standardization and validation of the study protocol were done using 28 samples of affected probands and/or carrier parents (group A) with previously identified variants in seven genes, and in the second phase of the study, 30 samples of enzymatically confirmed or biopsy-proven patients with LSDs and/or their carrier parents who had not undergone any prior mutation analysis (group B) were tested and the sequence variants identified in them through the study method were validated by targeted Sanger sequencing.
Interpretation & conclusions: This testing approach was found to be reliable, easily customizable and cost-effective for the molecular genetic evaluation of LSDs. The same strategy may be applicable, especially in resource poor settings, for developing cost-effective multigene panel tests for other conditions with genetic heterogeneity.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Hybrid PID algorithm to control condenser DC fan speed and water mist flow rate to enhance split A/C system performance and increase energy saving over range (35–57) °C.•Energy saving and COP for ...improved A/C system increased by 46.63% and 109.1%, respectively, compared to conventional system at 57 °C ambient temperature.•Program for detecting gas leak, fan stop, and obstacles oppose air flow.•Controller is more compatible, economic, and efficient with hot weathers and electricity-demand.
In this paper, the performance improvement of a split air conditioning system has been experimentally investigated to be efficiently utilized in the hot and dry weathers. To examine these improvements, a hybrid proportional integral differential controller was designed and implemented. This controller depends upon dual Proportional Integral Deferential successive algorithms, starting with air conditioning fan variable speed algorithm and followed by water mist variable flow rate algorithm according to the ambient temperature. These algorithms were integrated with a PIC16F877A microcontroller. Both of the air and water flow rates were controlled via a pulse width modulation technique. The proposed controller provides an additional operating stability for the air conditioning system during the instantaneous variation of weather conditions. The results show that the integration of the proposed control system with the modified air conditioning system leads to increase the energy saving and improve the coefficient of performance over a wide range of ambient temperatures (35–57) °C. It was found that the coefficient of performance for the improved system was increased by around 17.14% and 109.1% at ambient temperature 40 °C and 57 °C, respectively, and the energy saving was increased by about 20.67% and 46.63% at ambient temperatures 45 °C and 57 °C, respectively, compared to the conventional air conditioning system.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
PDF
