Modern industrial processes and cyber–physical systems (CPS) are prone to anomalies both due to cyber and physical perturbations. Cyber disturbances or attacks being more hazardous may give birth to ...a series of multiple coordinated faults. In order to detect and isolate such faults, this paper proposes a novel distributed fault detection and isolation scheme for second-order networked systems. The system is assumed to be working in a cyber–physical environment where it is likely to face multiple simultaneous faults. Each node has access to measurements of states of its neighboring nodes. A distributed fault detection and isolation filter (DFDIF) is designed such that fault detection and fault isolation can be obtained in a single step. Using the proposed filter, each node can detect and isolate multiple simultaneous faults in its neighboring nodes. The detection and isolation of faults with a single filter at each node reduces the overall computational burden of distributed fault detection and isolation (DFDI) scheme. The proposed framework is tested for power network and robotic formations. Finally, a comparison with existing techniques is provided to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
•A novel fault detection and isolation scheme is proposed with lesser computational burden.•Detection and isolation of coordinated multiple simultaneous falts is achieved•Uniform allocation of computational resources is assured
In this paper, the dependence of XLPE electrical breakdown on carrier mobility controlled by both electric field and temperature is evaluated by simulations and experiments. The molecular chain ...displacement model incorporating the thermoelectric effect of carrier mobility is examined to elucidate the experimental results. Trapping and de-trapping characteristics of space charge and mobility dynamics are modeled using hopping and Poole-Frenkel mechanisms. The experimental outcomes reveal that the DC electrical breakdown reduces with corresponding increment in temperature and thickness. Trapping parameters are estimated from experiments for simulations. The DC breakdown strength from experiments represents an inverse power relation with both the insulation thickness and temperature. The simulation results of molecular chain model with hopping mobility express more permanence with experimental results in comparison with Poole-Frenkel mobility.
The CRYO Versus RF Trial
Introduction
Catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF using the Cryoballoon (CRYO) has yielded similar success rates to conventional wide encirclement using radiofrequency catheter ...ablation (RFCA), but randomized data are lacking. Pilot data suggested a high success rate with a combined approach (COMBINED) using wide encirclement with RFCA followed by 2 CRYO applications to each vein. We compared these 3 strategies in a randomized controlled trial.
Methods and Results
Patients undergoing first time paroxysmal AF ablation were randomized to RFCA, CRYO, or COMBINED. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months with 7 days of ambulatory ECG monitoring. Success was defined as freedom from arrhythmia without antiarrhythmic drugs after a single procedure. A total of 237 patients were randomized. Success at 1 year was achieved in 47% in the RFCA group, 67% in the CRYO group, and 76% in the COMBINED group (P < 0.001 for RFCA vs. CRYO, P<0.001 for RFCA vs. COMBINED, and P = 0.220 for CRYO vs. COMBINED). Procedure time was 211 (IQR 174–256) minutes for RFCA compared to 167 (136–202) minutes for CRYO and 278 (243–327) minutes for COMBINED (P < 0.001 for RFCA vs. COMBINED, RFCA vs. CRYO, and CRYO vs. COMBINED groups).
Conclusions
Pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal AF is faster with CRYO and results in a higher single procedure success rate than conventional point by point RFCA. The COMBINED approach was not superior to CRYO alone.
This paper presents Systematic Theory Mapping (STM), a comprehensive and systematic method, as the first step toward defining and dealing with complex and wicked problems. Social systems exhibit a ...messy, multifaceted, and multi-level composite of problems characterized by causal complexities and non-linear interactions of numerous contributing variables. Exploring such a wicked composite of problems for causal explanations and theory building through reductionist empiricism is unrealistic, expensive, and futile. Systems thinking is required to understand the configurations driving wicked problems and navigate their causal complexities. We construed brand externalities as a wicked problem and provided an illustrative example for STM. A systematic narrative review is used to amalgamate diverse stakeholder perspectives and capture the structures and processes that generate brand externalities. System dynamics, employing a causal loop diagram, is used to organize the findings and develop a causal theory of brand externalities. The proposed method can help scholars, managers, and policymakers better define complex managerial and social problems and identify the likely consequences of their actions.
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide in terms of mortality, and susceptibility is attributed to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. ...Lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) has a crucial role in communicating the lymphocytes with stromal cells and provoking cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells. There are no reports on the contribution of the
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
gene polymorphism to HCC susceptibility. The main aim of this study is to investigate the association of
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
variant with the HCC risk in the Egyptian population.
Methods
This case-control study included 317 participants (111 HCC patients, and 206 healthy controls). The
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
polymorphism was assessed by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) technique.
Results
The frequencies of the dominant and recessive models (CA + AA; AA) of the
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
variant were statistically significant among HCC patients in comparison to controls (
p
= 0.01;
p
= 0.007; respectively). The A-allele of
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
variant was statistically significant in HCC patients in comparison to controls (
p
˂ 0.001).
Conclusion
The
LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981)
polymorphism was independently associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in the Egyptian population.
The impacts of autonomous vehicles (AV) are widely anticipated to be socially, economically, and ethically significant. A reliable assessment of the harms and benefits of their large-scale deployment ...requires a multi-disciplinary approach. To that end, we employed Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to make such an assessment. We obtained opinions from 19 disciplinary experts to assess the significance of 13 potential harms and eight potential benefits that might arise under four deployments schemes. Specifically, we considered: (1) the status quo, i.e., no AVs are deployed; (2) unfettered assimilation, i.e., no regulatory control would be exercised and commercial entities would "push" the development and deployment; (3) regulated introduction, i.e., regulatory control would be applied and either private individuals or commercial fleet operators could own the AVs; and (4) fleets only, i.e., regulatory control would be applied and only commercial fleet operators could own the AVs. Our results suggest that two of these scenarios, (3) and (4), namely regulated privately-owned introduction or fleet ownership or autonomous vehicles would be less likely to cause harm than either the status quo or the unfettered options.
Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of ...animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.
A one year feeding trial was conducted on carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Mrigal (Cirhinus mrigala) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) to find out appropriate level of fishmeal in diet and their effects on ...growth, survival and biomass in intensive polyculture. Three different inclusions of fishmeal were used in experimental diets (25%, 35% and 45%). Highest average daily growth was observed by 25% fish meal diet (2.18g, 2.19g and 2.34g for catla, rohu and mrigal respectively), whereas 35% fish meal based diet was next by showing 1.63g average daily growth for catla, 1.73g for rohu and 1.67g for mrigal. Mean values of monthly weight again and average daily growth showed significant differences among treatments. Growth was found to be higher in C. mrigala in case of 25% and 45% and L. rohita in case of 35% fish meal. Minimum FCR was obtained by 25% FM based diets as 3.53±0.41 followed by 45% (3.82±0.33) and 35% (4.05±0.45). The findings of this research trial determine the optimum dietary level of fishmeal and its effectiveness as an important ingredient in diets of Indian major carps. It is proved that a feed by the combination of animal and plant protein is much preferable by carps as compare to a feed with higher concentration of fish meal.
•P2O5-Gd2O3/GdF3-BaO-ZnO were synthesized by traditional melt quenching method.•The JO-parameter trend for both the glasses is Ω2> Ω4> Ω6.•The FWHM (full-width-half maximum) of ZBaOEr and ZBaFEr is ...51 nm and 45 nm•Bandwidth-quality where evaluated that are 249 and 274 for ZBaOEr and ZBaFEr.•The CIE color coordinates for various concentrations fall emit yellowish-green light.
We develop two Er3+-ions-doped Phosphate glass systems, 69 P2O5-10Gd2O3-10BaO-10ZnO-1Er2O3 and 69 P2O5-10GdF3-10BaO-10ZnO-1Er2O3, labeled as ZBaFEr and ZBaOEr, respectively, by the melt-quenching technique and study systematically their physical, optical, and luminescence properties such as densities, refractive indexes, ultraviolet-visible near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) absorption, photoluminescence spectra in Vis-NIR region, CIE coordinates and lifetime. The absorption spectra revealed the Er3+ peaks at 378, 405, 451, 489, 522, 652, 803, 978, and 1537 nm, attributed to the transition from 4I15/2 level to 4G11/2, 2G9/2, 4F5/2, 4F7/2, 2H11/2, 4F9/2, 4I9/2, 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 levels, respectively. We find that at 380-nm excitation, the emission peak at 1543 nm in the near-infra-red (NIR) region has a higher intensity for ZBaFEr than for the ZBaOEr. Furthermore, we employ the Judd-Ofelt (JO) and McCumber theory to study the stimulated emission cross-section for 4I13/2→4 I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ion. We find the bandwidth-quality FWHM x σemi(λ) to be 249 and 274 for ZBaOEr and ZBaFEr, respectively. The NIR-emission for both glasses covers the S-, C- and L-band of low-less-communication-window. The present results suggest that these glasses can be potentially used in optical amplifiers and tunable lasers.
Degradable low-fouling hydrogels are ideal vehicles for drug and cell delivery. For each application, hydrogel degradation rate must be re-optimized for maximum therapeutic benefit. We developed a ...method to rapidly and predictably tune degradation rates of low-fouling poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) (P(EG)
x
MA) hydrogels by modifying two interdependent variables: (1) base-catalysed crosslink degradation kinetics, dependent on crosslinker electronics (electron withdrawing groups (EWGs)); and, (2) polymer hydration, dependent on the molecular weight (
M
W
) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) pendant groups. By controlling PEG
M
W
and EWG strength, P(EG)
x
MA hydrogels were tuned to degrade over 6 to 52 d. A 6-member P(EG)
x
MA copolymer library yielded slow and fast degrading low-fouling hydrogels suitable for short- and long-term delivery applications. The degradation mechanism was also applied to RGD-functionalized poly(carboxybetaine methacrylamide) (PCBMAA) hydrogels to achieve slow (∼50 d) and fast (∼13 d) degrading low-fouling, bioactive hydrogels.
To tune degradation rates of low-fouling hydrogels, a 6-member P(EG)
x
MA copolymer library with different electronics and hydration levels was developed.
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