Physiology-based pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic (PBPK/TK) models allow us to simulate the concentration of xenobiotica in the plasma and different tissues of an organism. PBPK/TK models are ...therefore routinely used in many fields of life sciences to simulate the physiological concentration of exogenous compounds in plasma and tissues. The application of PBTK models in ecotoxicology, however, is currently hampered by the limited availability of models for focal species. Here, we present a best practice workflow that describes how to build PBTK models for novel species. To this end, we extrapolated eight previously established rabbit models for several drugs to six additional mammalian species (human, beagle, rat, monkey, mouse, and minipig). We used established PBTK models for these species to account for the species-specific physiology. The parameter sensitivity in the resulting 56 PBTK models was systematically assessed to rank the relevance of the parameters on overall model performance. Interestingly, more than 80% of the 609 considered model parameters showed a negligible sensitivity throughout all models. Only approximately 5% of all parameters had a high sensitivity in at least one of the PBTK models. This approach allowed us to rank the relevance of the various parameters on overall model performance. We used this information to formulate a best practice guideline for the efficient development of PBTK models for novel animal species. We believe that the workflow proposed in this study will significantly support the development of PBTK models for new animal species in the future.
Anomaly target detection for hyperspectral imagery (HSI) is one of the most important techniques, and many anomaly detection algorithms have been developed in recent years. One of the key points in ...most anomaly detection algorithms is estimating and suppressing the background information. This letter proposes a background-purification-based (BPB) framework considering the role of background estimation and suppression in anomaly detection. The main idea is the acquisition of accurate background pixel set. To prove the validity of the proposed framework, the BPB Reed-Xiaoli detector (BPB-RXD), the BPB kernel Reed-Xiaoli detector (BPB-KRXD), and the BPB orthogonal subspace projection anomaly detector (BPB-OSPAD) are proposed. Both the BPB algorithms focus on accurate background information estimation to improve the performance of the detectors. The experiments implemented on two data sets demonstrate that both BPB algorithms perform better than other state-of-the-art algorithms, including RXD, KRXD, OSP, blocked adaptive computationally efficient outlier nominators (BACON), probabilistic anomaly detector (PAD), collaborative-representation-based detector (CRD), and CRD combined with principal component analysis (PCAroCRD).
Structural deformation caused by environmental loads (solar irradiation, snow and ice, devices heat dissipation, etc.), could severely deteriorate the performance of high-frequency large-aperture ...active phased array antenna (HLAPAA). The existing sensor placement methods for monitoring the real-time status of HLAPAA have issues with slow convergence rate, limited global search ability, and low optimization accuracy, especially with large HLAPAA with tens thousands of degrees of freedom. In this paper, we propose a novel HLAPAA sensor placement method with an adaptive double population grey wolf optimizer (ADGWO). This method introduces adaptive sentinel wolves into the basic grey wolf optimizer (GWO), improves the population update strategy and thus improves the convergence rate plus the global search ability. First, based on four benchmark functions, the test performance of ADGWO and other popular intelligence algorithms is provided. The comparison shows that the proposed method has excellent convergence speed, higher solution quality, stronger global search ability, and better robustness, making it suitable for optimal sensor placement (OSP) of large structures. Then, the ADGWO is applied to the sensor placement of an X-band HLAPAA. Compared with other OSP methods, the proposed method has advantages in terms of sensor distribution and computational and hardware cost. Finally, verification is carried out using an experimental antenna platform equipped with the optimal fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor configuration. The measurement results show that the reconstructed shape is in good agreement with the real (deformed) shape, and the calculated radiation pattern matches the radiation pattern measured in the anechoic chamber. Therefore, the proposed method and monitoring system based on ADGWO has broad application prospects in condition monitoring of large, lightweight, flexible antenna structures working in harsh environments.
Abstract In the pursuit of greener and sustainable materials for developimg cementitious composites, several agricultural and undustrial wastes are continually explored for use in the process. The ...current study focused on the use of 20%, 25% and 30% Oyster shell powder (OSP) as a partial substitute for Ordinary Portland cement, and 100% Oyster shell aggregate (OSA) and 100% recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) (OPC) as total replacement for fine aggregate in mortar production. The mechanical properties of the mortars such as compressive strength, flexural stremntgh and water abosprion were determined. Also, microscale analysis using SEM-EDX was conducted on selected mortars. The results showed that the control mortar demonstrated the maximum compressive strength, however, OSP is adequate as binder at upto 25% replacement level, producing strength somewhat close to that of the control mortar. Results obviously showed that the replacement amounts of OSP, RCA and OSA greatly influence the hydration process of the mortar matrix, and the overall performance.
Careful selection and location of sensors are of key importance in the construction and implementation of an effective condition monitoring system. There is a continual call for depletion of ...maintenance and operational costs of rotating machine elements. Health monitoring of bearings, which is regarded as a crucial component of rotating machinery, is expected to facilitate in the preclusion of machine breakdown and ensure the machine availability by maintenance actions in time. The effectiveness and reliability of measurement approaches for monitoring the condition of the bearing are influenced by both the signal processing techniques and locations of the sensors selected for fault characteristic extraction. This paper proposes a low cost Non-contact optimal sensor placement (NC-OSP) methodology in order to get information of high quality related to the dynamic features of the machines. Experiments were conducted using different bearing conditions under different operating conditions and sensor placement positions. Mathematical models have been proposed based on the response parameters and input variables experimentation using response surface methodology. Results indicate that the most effective input variable to control the response parameters viz. FFT vibration amplitude of characteristic frequency and RMS value of time domain was the shaft speed followed by load and angle of incidence. The responses proposed by the optimal models have been observed at 8° angle of incidence with maximum load and speed. The optimal outcomes have been validated experimentally which proved that the predicted results were in sync with the actual ones. The proposed work has significant potential in industrial environment with complex systems, where the condition monitoring approach with proper placement of sensors can play an important role.
Due to the Internet of Things (IoT) requirements for a high-density network with low-cost and low-power physical (PHY) layer design, the low-power budget transceiver systems have drawn momentous ...attention lately owing to their superior performance enhancement in both energy efficiency and hardware complexity reduction. As the power budget of the classical transceivers is envisioned by using inefficient linear power amplifiers (PAs) at the transmitter (TX) side and by applying high-resolution analog to digital converters (ADCs) at the receiver (RX) side, the transceiver architectures with low-cost PHY layer design (i.e., nonlinear PA at the TX and one-bit ADC at the RX) are mandated to cope with the vast IoT applications. Therefore, in this paper, we propose the orthogonal shaping pulses minimum shift keying (OSP-MSK) as a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) modulation/demodulation scheme in order to design the low-cost transceiver architectures associated with the IoT devices. The OSP-MSK fulfills a low-power budget by using constant envelope modulation (CEM) techniques at the TX side, and by applying a low-resolution one-bit ADC at the RX side. Furthermore, the OSP-MSK provides a higher spectral efficiency compared to the recently introduced MIMO-CEM with the one-bit ADC. In this context, the orthogonality between the in-phase and quadrature-phase components of the OSP are exploited to increase the number of transmitted bits per symbol (bps) without the need for extra bandwidth. The performance of the proposed scheme is investigated analytically and via Monte Carlo simulations. For the mathematical analysis, we derive closed-form expressions for assessing the average bit error rate (ABER) performance of the OSP-MSK modulation in conjunction with Rayleigh and Nakagami-m fading channels. Moreover, a closed-form expression for evaluating the power spectral density (PSD) of the proposed scheme is obtained as well. The simulation results corroborate the potency of the conducted analysis by revealing a high consistency with the obtained analytical formulas.
•It is an urgent requirement to find environmentally safe uses for waste oyster shells.•It is evaluated methylene blue (MB) removal by OSP in the both bath and column mode.•Carbon nanodots ...(CDs)–entrapped OSP–agarose gel was colorimetrically detected.•OSP–MB showed no or little inhibition of bacterial growth.•Incorporation of unique metal oxides into OSP can be suggested.
In Korea, the huge amounts of abandoned oyster shells have caused problems including their noxious odor and illegal dumping into the sea. It is an urgent requirement, therefore, to find environmentally safe and profitable uses for waste oyster shells. Although organic and inorganic pollutant removal and biodiesel production by oyster shell powder (OSP) have been reporting recently, its utilization for water-treatment purposes still remains highly blooming to be explored. In the present study, we evaluated methylene blue (MB) removal by OSP in the bath mode, which showed a ∼2.0mg/g removal capacity according to the Langmuir equation and pseudo-first-order kinetics. In continuous one-dimensional column tests, two modes, namely OSP-layer deposition on top of and OSP-encapsulated agarose gel packing in the column, were compared in their different MB-removal mechanisms and removal capacities. In the OSP–agarose gel packing, the breakthrough curves were delayed compared with the case of only-OSP-layer deposition, resulting in a significantly enhanced MB-removal capacity. Further, carbon nanodots-entrapped OSP–agarose gel was colorimetrically detected for the existence of Mn2+ or Fe3+ ions. As for the bacterial growth effect with OSP adsorbed with MB (OSP–MB), it showed no or little toxicity. Thus, technically, OSP can have potential with unique metal oxides for degradation of organic matter and for killing of pathogens in future advanced water treatment applications.
causes the severe diarrheal disease cholera. Clinical disease and current oral cholera vaccines generate antibody responses associated with protection. Immunity is thought to be largely mediated by ...lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific antibodies, primarily targeting the O-antigen. However, the properties and protective mechanism of functionally relevant antibodies have not been well defined. We previously reported on the early B cell response to cholera in a cohort of Bangladeshi patients, from which we characterized a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) isolated from acutely induced plasmablasts. All antibodies in that previous study were expressed in an IgG1 backbone irrespective of their original isotype. To clearly determine the impact of affinity, immunoglobulin isotype and subclass on the functional properties of these MAbs, we re-engineered a subset of low- and high-affinity antibodies in different isotype and subclass immunoglobulin backbones and characterized the impact of these changes on binding, vibriocidal, agglutination, and motility inhibition activity. While the high-affinity antibodies bound similarly to O-antigen, irrespective of isotype, the low-affinity antibodies displayed significant avidity differences. Interestingly, despite exhibiting lower binding properties, variants derived from the low-affinity MAbs had comparable agglutination and motility inhibition properties to the potently binding antibodies, suggesting that how the MAb binds to the O-antigen may be critical to function. In addition, not only pentameric IgM and dimeric IgA, but also monomeric IgA, was remarkably more potent than their IgG counterparts at inhibiting motility. Finally, analyzing highly purified F(ab) versions of these antibodies, we show that LPS cross-linking is essential for motility inhibition.
Immunity to the severe diarrheal disease cholera is largely mediated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific antibodies. However, the properties and protective mechanisms of functionally relevant antibodies have not been well defined. Here, we have engineered low and high-affinity LPS-specific antibodies in different immunoglobulin backbones in order to assess the impact of affinity, immunoglobulin isotype, and subclass on binding, vibriocidal, agglutination, and motility inhibition functional properties. Importantly, we found that affinity did not directly dictate functional potency since variants derived from the low-affinity MAbs had comparable agglutination and motility inhibition properties to the potently binding antibodies. This suggests that how the antibody binds sterically may be critical to function. In addition, not only pentameric IgM and dimeric IgA, but also monomeric IgA, was remarkably more potent than their IgG counterparts at inhibiting motility. Finally, analyzing highly purified F(ab) versions of these antibodies, we show that LPS cross-linking is essential for motility inhibition.
Purpose of Review
Recent advancements in minimally invasive approaches for prostate surgery have provided numerous options for surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the ...setting of a large prostate, an open simple prostatectomy was previously considered the gold standard surgical treatment. However, the recently updated American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines on surgical management of BPH now consider both open and minimally invasive approaches to simple prostatectomy viable alternatives for treating large glands, depending on expertise with the techniques. The purpose of our review is to discuss the minimally invasive robot-assisted approach and compare it to the classic open approach to simple prostatectomy.
Recent Findings
Despite longer operative times, the robotic approach is associated with shorter hospital stay and lower morbidity profile. The morbidity of an open approach remains significant. Blood transfusions are 3–4 times as likely compared to a robotic approach and major complications are twice as likely. Consistent with previous literature, our review shows functional outcome improvements like flow rate and symptom score to be comparable between the robotic and open approach. The amount of adenoma resected and PSA decline is also similar among robotic and open cases.
Summary
Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy is a safe and effective procedure for BPH secondary to a large prostate gland. Appropriately, it is no longer deemed “investigational” by the latest AUA guidelines on BPH and recommended as an alternative to the open approach.
We demonstrate polarization-independent parametric amplification of a 2.048-Tbit/s 8-WDM PDM 16-QAM signal and simultaneous wavelength conversion and phase conjugation in a highly nonlinear fiber. ...Two high-power continuous-wave pumps with orthogonal polarizations and counter-phase modulation are used in the fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) to achieve broadband flat gain, polarization independence, and high-quality idler generation. The polarization-independent FOPA is amplitude and phase preserving and has ~10 dB on-off gain for the signal and ~9 dB conversion efficiency for the idler with a 1-dB bandwidth of ~16 nm. Compared to the back-to-back case, the amplified signals and the wavelength-converted conjugates have mean Q 2 penalties of only 0.6 and 0.4 dB, respectively, with variances of Q 2 factors across all the wavelength-division-multiplexed channels of only 0.3 dB. This demonstration shows the great promise of optical signal processing techniques to simultaneously process large-capacity multiple-channel multilevel signals with almost no latency and potentially low power consumption.
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