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COCKPIT VIEW VEHICLE GAME SIMULATORS FOR MASSIVE PARALLEL ARRAYS PLATFORM BASED ON NEURAL-FUZZY SYSTEMS
No full textABSTRACT This research is an extended investigation of using game simulator to the Massive Actuator Array platform. Two kind of prototypes cockpit view game simulators are designed to be implemented to the platform. The two prototypes are Aircraft and ground All-terrain vehicle game simulator. The aircraft simulator is made by OGRE3D engine and SDL, while the ATV simulator used NVidia PhysX engine. The controller of aircraft simulator is a joystick and/ or keyboard buttons and the controller of ATV simulator are steering wheel and/ or keyboard. The output of this neuro-fuzzy network will be used to control the movement of the actuator Massive Array platform. From the simulation results we concluded that the two game simulators prototypes have been made correctly. In addition, some constraints are also added to the simulator in order to give real environment, such as clouds and wind effects on aircraft as well as the effects of flat road, off road, ice, sand and mud on land vehicles. Regarding the Simulator performances show that both prototypes are suitable to be implemented to the Actuator Massive Array platform
BRAZILIAN ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L J O U R N A L Soy Protein Isolate-Alginate Microspheres for Encapsulation of Enterococcus faecalis HZNU P2
No full textABSTRACT In this work, the mixture of alginate and soy protein isolate used as a wall material was developed to encapsulate Enterococcus faecalis HZNU P2 (E. faecalis HZNU P
CHARACTERIZATION OF STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ANNEALED SAMPLES OF NiS 2 THIN FILMS
No full textSamples of nickel sulphide (NiS 2 ) thin films synthesized in an oven at 55 o C by CBD technique and annealed at temperatures of 100 o C -400 o C have been characterized for their electrical and structural properties involving measurements of resistivity, dielectric constants, sheet resistance, film thickness, and elemental composition. Tools used include Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X'perto PANanalytic Diffractometer , Vander Pauw Four-Point Probe and Dektak 150 Surface Profiler. The results show that NiS 2 thin films have high resistivity that increased with annealing temperature and in response to variation in film thickness. Micrographs of the thin films exhibit increasing amorphosity with annealing temperature. The thin films also possess high dielectric constant and results of the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the presence of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si) and other impurities
Incorporating Allium odorum as a Vegetable Ingredient of Processed Cheeses
No full textABSTRACT Allium odorum of the "Onion" family, a widespread perennial on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was used as a vegetable ingredient for increasing the biological potential of processed cheeses. The dry Allium odorum is characterized by: a high-protein content -(23.00±2.30) g·100g -1 ; a content of biologically active substances including vitamin C -460 mg·100g -1 ; microelements -Zn -8.87 mg·100g ; linoleic (C 18:2 ) -(2.05±0.04) g·100g -1 and linolenic (C 18:3 ) -(0.93±0.03) g·100g -1 in comparison to the control sample of processed cheese. The purpose of the current research is to incorporate dry Allium odorum as a vegetable ingredient for improving the biological potential of processed cheese
The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss
No full textOtfinowski, R., Kenkel, N. C. and Catling, P. M. 2007. The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss. Can. J. Plant Sci. 87: [183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195][196][197][198]. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), a native of central Eurasia, was introduced to Canada as a forage and hay crop around 1888. Early reports of plants escaped from cultivation appear in 1903, and based on the number of collections prior to 1920, smooth brome spread most rapidly in western Canada. It is common along roadsides, forest margins, clearings, shorelines and disturbed areas, but its most detrimental impact is on the diversity of prairies and native grasslands. For example, in Riding Mountain National Park, MB, plant diversity of fescue prairies recently invaded by smooth brome decreased by 70%. Vegetative proliferation through underground rhizomes is key to the invasiveness of smooth brome, but long-range dispersal of seeds is facilitated by animals, wind and the transport of hay. Smooth brome is effectively controlled using selective applications of glyphosate and well-timed clipping. However, restoration of infested areas depends on the composition of native seed banks. Smooth brome remains valuable as a forage and cover crop in every province and territory in Canada
Assessing the vulnerability of cropland to soil water erosion under climate change in Austria Bewertung der Vulnerabilität von Ackerland hinsichtlich Bodenerosion unter veränderten klimatischen Bedingungen in Österreich
Get PDFThe Use of Microdialysis for the Study of Drug Kinetics: Central Nervous System Pharmacokinetics of Diphenhydramine in Fetal, Newborn, and Adult Sheep
Get PDFABSTRACT: The central nervous system (CNS) pharmacokinetics of the H 1 receptor antagonist diphenhydramine (DPHM) were studied in 100-and 120-day-old fetuses, 10-and 30-day-old newborn lambs, and adult sheep using in vivo microdialysis. DPHM was administered i.v. at five infusion rates, with each step lasting 7 h. In all ages, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) concentrations were very similar to each other, which suggests that DPHM between these two compartments is transferred by passive diffusion. In addition, the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios were >3 in all age groups, suggesting the existence of a transport process for DPHM into the brain. Both brain and plasma DPHM concentrations increased in a linear fashion over the dose range studied. However, the ECF/unbound plasma and CSF/unbound plasma DPHM concentration ratios were significantly higher in the fetus and lambs (ϳ5 to 6) than in the adult (ϳ3). The factors f CSF and f ECF , the ratios of DPHM areas under the curves (AUCs) in CSF and ECF to the plasma DPHM AUC, respectively, decreased with age, indicating that DPHM is more efficiently removed from the brain with increasing age. The extent of plasma protein binding of the drug increased with age. This study provides evidence for a transportermediated mechanism for the influx of DPHM into the brain and also for an efflux transporter for the drug, whose activity increases with age. Moreover, the higher brain DPHM levels in the fetus and lamb compared with the adult may explain the greater CNS effects of the drug at these ages. The perinatal period of development is a time of rapid physiological and anatomical changes that can profoundly affect drug disposition. Therefore, caution should be exercised for drug use during pre-and postnatal development due to a poor understanding of age-related changes in drug response and pharmacokinetics In pregnancy, DPHM is used for conditions such as nausea and vomiting, insomnia in the first trimester 1285 humans is not possible. However, the fetal and newborn lamb are useful models for the human fetus and infant because of the similarities in the ontogenesis of both the BBB and behavioral functions in the two species Materials and Methods Animals and Surgical Preparation. All studies were approved by the University of British Columbia Animal Care Committee, and the procedures performed on the sheep conformed to the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care. Fetuses. Time-dated pregnant Dorset Suffolk crossbred ewes (term, ϳ145 days) were operated on between 95 and 105 days for the 100-day-old group (n ϭ 3) and between 115 and 125 days of gestation for the 120-day-old group (n ϭ 7). The mean maternal weight was 81.5 Ϯ 9.3 kg. Food was withheld for ϳ18 h before surgery, but the animals were allowed free access to water. Approximately 30 min before surgery, a 6-mg i.v. dose of atropine (Abbott Laboratories, Montreal, QC, Canada) was administered via the jugular vein to control salivation. Surgery was performed aseptically under isoflurane (1 to 2%) and nitrous oxide (60%) anesthesia (balance O 2 ) after induction with i.v. sodium pentothal (1 g) and intubation of the ewe. Silicone rubber catheters (Dow Corning Corp., Midland, MI) were implanted in a fetal femoral artery and vein, fetal trachea, amniotic cavity, and a maternal femoral artery and vein. In addition, through 1.5-mm holes drilled through the skull, flexible MD probes (CMA/20; CMA, Stockholm, Sweden) were implanted in the lateral ventricle and ipsilateral parietal cortex for collection of CSF and ECF, respectively. The probes were secured in place with tissue glue and dental cement. The MD probe input and output tubing was extended with FEP catheters (CMA) for access outside the animal. The catheters were tunneled underneath the neck skin of the fetus and exited through a small incision on the dorsal neck. All catheters were exteriorized via a small incision on the flank of the ewe; they were stored in a Ziploc bag, protected with tensor bandages around the ewe's abdomen when not in use. All vascular catheters were flushed daily with approximately 2 ml of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution containing 12 U of heparin/ml to maintain catheter patency. The MD probes were flushed with sterile, degassed lactated ringer solution daily to avoid air bubble formation along the tubing. Antibiotics, including trimethoprin sulfate (Trivetrin; Schering Canada Inc., Pointe Claire, QC, Canada) and ampicillin, were administered to the ewe on the day of the surgery and for 3 days postoperatively. After surgery, animals were kept in holding pens with other sheep and were allowed free access to food and water. The ewes were allowed to recover for at least 3 days before experimentation. Postnatal lambs. A total of nine Dorset Suffolk crossbred newborn lambs were used. The lambs were divided into a 10-day-old group (n ϭ 5) and a 30-day-old group (n ϭ 4). Surgery was performed aseptically under isoflurane (1-2%) and nitrous oxide (60%) anesthesia (balance O 2 ) and intubation of the lamb. Silicone rubber catheters (Dow Corning Corp.) were implanted in a carotid artery and a jugular vein. In addition, as described above for the fetus, flexible MD probes (CMA 20) were implanted in the lateral ventricle and ipsilateral parietal cortex for collection of CSF and ECF, respectively. The MD probe input and output catheters were extended with FEP catheters (CMA) and tunneled s.c. and exteriorized via a small incision on the back of the neck for access. Postsurgical treatments were the same as described in the above section. After surgery, animals were kept in holding pens with their mothers and allowed to recover for at least 3 days before experimentation. Adult sheep. Eight nonpregnant Dorset Suffolk crossbred ewes were used. The same preoperative and anesthetic procedures used with the pregnant ewes (see above) were used with the nonpregnant sheep. Polyvinyl or silicone rubber catheters (Dow Corning Corp.) were implanted in both the carotid artery and jugular vein. In addition, flexible MD probes (CMA 20) were implanted in the lateral ventricle and ipsilateral parietal cortex for collection of CSF and ECF, respectively. The MD probe input and output catheters were extended with FEP catheters (CMA) and tunneled s.c. and exteriorized via a small incision on the back of the neck for access. Postsurgical treatments of the ewes were the same as described above for fetuses and lambs. After surgery, animals were kept in holding pens with other sheep and were allowed free access to food and water. The ewes were allowed to recover for at least 3 days before experimentation. Experimental Protocols. The protocol involved a bolus i.v. loading dose of the drug (to hasten the achievement of steady state), followed by i.v. infusion of the drug at five different rates, with each infusion rate lasting 7 h. All DPHM (diphenhydramine hydrochloride; Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO) doses were prepared in 0.9% sodium chloride solution and were sterilized by filtering through a 0.22-m nylon syringe filter (MSI, Westboro, MA) into a capped empty sterile injection vial. For the 100-day-old fetus, the DPHM loading dose was 0.5 mg/kg and the infusion rates were 17, 76.5, 136, 195.5, and 255 g/kg/min. For the 120-day-old fetus, the DPHM loading dose was 0.5 mg/kg and the infusion rates were 13.6, 61.2, 108.8, 156.4, and 204 g/kg/min. For the 10-day lamb, the DPHM loading dose was 0.7 mg/kg and the infusion rates were 5. 25, 19.25, 33.25, 47.25, and 61.25 g/kg/min. For the 30-day lamb, the DPHM loading dose was 0.7 mg/kg and the infusion rates were 6, 22, 38, 54, and 70 g/kg/min. In adult ewes, the DPHM loading dose was 0.15 mg/kg and the infusion rates were 1.5, 5.5, 9.5, 13.5, and 17.5 g/kg/min. The various dosages were determined based on two sources: 1) results obtained from previous pharmacokinetic studies performed in newborn lambs and pregnant and adult sheep During the infusions, arterial blood samples (3 ml, adult; 0.5 ml, fetus and lamb) were collected at Ϫ5, 5, 15, and 30 min and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7.083, 7.25, 7.5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 14.083, 14.25, 14.5, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21.083, 21.25, 21.5, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 28.083, 28.25, 28.5, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 35.083, 35.25, 35.5, 36, 36.5, 38, 40, 43, 46, 49, and 53 h. Samples (0.5 ml) were also collected from the fetus at intervals for assessment of blood gas and metabolic status. Because of the relatively small total blood volume in the fetus [ϳ125-300 ml, All blood samples collected were placed into EDTA-containing Vacutainer tubes (Becton-Dickinson, Rutherford, NJ) and centrifuged at 2000g for 10 min. The plasma supernatant layer was removed and placed into clean borosilicate test tubes with polytetrafluoroethylene-lined caps. MD dialysate samples were collected directly into clean borosilicate test tubes. Plasma and MD samples were stored frozen at Ϫ20°C until the time of analysis. Retrodialysis. Microdialysis sampling began at the onset of the infusion. The microdialysis pump (Harvard Apparatus Inc., Holliston, MA) infusion rate was 2 l/min, and 60-min cumulative samples of CSF and ECF were collected throughout the duration of the experiment. MD probe recovery was determined using the retrodialysis technique Free-fraction drug concentration (C CSF or C ECF ) at the MD sampling site ϭ [DPHM] dialysate /Recovery Rate
