99,305 research outputs found
fuzzy logic control for dialysis application
No full textThis chapter introduces the fuzzy control approach for a dialysis session.
Due to the complexity of the human system, the classical control methods,
like PID, can fail to reach the target, mainly for what it concerns the
stabilization of the system, which can induce sudden and undesired hypotensive
collapses. To this purpose, a heuristic strategy based on expert
rules, as fuzzy logic control, can help to reach the desired performances,
reducing undesired collateral effects and increasing the potentiality of the
dialysis session
Spatial analysis of Leishmania donovani exposure in humans and domestic animals in a recent kala azar focus in Nepal.
No full textVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health problem in the Indian subcontinent where the Leishmania donovani transmission cycle is described as anthroponotic. However, the role of animals (in particular domestic animals) in the persistence and expansion of VL is still a matter of debate. We combined Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) results in humans and domestic animals with Geographic Information System technology (i.e. extraction maps and scan statistic) to evaluate the exposure to L. donovani on these 2 populations in a recent VL focus in Nepal. A Poisson regression model was used to assess the risk of infection in humans associated with, among other factors, the proportion of DAT-positive animals in the proximities of the household. The serological results showed that both humans and domestic animals were exposed to L. donovani. DAT-positive animals and humans were spatially clustered. The presence of serologically positive goats (IRR=9.71), past VL cases (IRR=2.62) and the proximity to a forest island dividing the study area (IRR=3.67) increased the risk of being DAT-positive in humans. Even if they are not a reservoir, domestic animals, and specially goats, may play a role in the distribution of L. donovani, in particular in this new VL focus
Comparative study of kala-azar vector control measures in eastern Nepal.
No full textThis study was conducted to explore the most effective vector control tool among indoor residual spraying (IRS), long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and ecological vector management (EVM) as a part of the regional visceral leishmaniasis elimination initiative. Alpha-cypermethrin as IRS, PermaNet as LLINs and plastering the inner walls of houses with lime as EVM were the interventions. One baseline and three follow-up entomological surveys were carried out in all arms using CDC miniature light traps (LT) and mouth aspirators. Comparisons were made between intervention arms and control arms with pre-intervention and post-intervention vector densities. Light traps were found more efficient in the collection of Phlebotomus argentipes in comparison with aspiration. Vector densities were significantly low in both IRS arm (p=0.009 in LT and p<0.001 in aspirator collections) and LLIN arm (p=0.019 in LT and p=0.023 in aspirator collections) in comparison with control arm. However, in EVM arm, there was no significant difference in P. argentipes sand fly density in comparison with control arm (p=0.785) in LT collections in follow-up surveys. Hence, IRS was found most effective control measure to decrease vector density. LLINs were also found effective and can be considered as a promising alternative vector control tool in VL elimination initiative
Muhtâru'l-Enbâ Fi'l-Hurûf ve'z-Zurûf ve Ba'zi'l-Esmâ (Edatlar Kitabı)
No full textDifficult and Complicated Cases in Refractive Surgery
No full textThis richly illustrated book is intended as a gold standard for the refractive surgeon. It complements the authors’ successful previous book, Management of Complications in Refractive Surgery, by providing detailed practical information on the management of specific cases. Worldwide leaders in the field document a wide range of challenging cases drawn from their own clinical practice. These cases relate to the planning of refractive laser treatment; intra operative complications when using LASIK (Microkeratome and Femtosecond) and various surface treatments, including PRK, PTK and EpiLASIK; early and late postoperative complications with these treatments and a range of other complications that may arise during or after refractive surgery. This book will be an indispensable aid for the refractive surgeon and will assist in decision making when the surgeon is confronted by a difficult case
Natural infection of Phlebotomus argentipes with Leishmania and other trypanosomatids in a visceral leishmaniasis endemic region of Nepal.
No full textMonitoring Leishmania infection in sand flies is important for understanding the eco-epidemiology of kala-azar and assessing the impact of the recently launched kala-azar control programme in the Indian subcontinent. We applied a PCR technique that targets rRNA genes to estimate the natural incidence of Leishmania infection in sand flies sampled in six villages of the Terai region of Nepal. Amplifications were made on 135 pools of sand flies and confirmed by sequencing. Seven pools were found to be PCR positive: in five of them we identified the rDNA signature found in Leishmania spp., whereas two other pools revealed a sequence compatible with other trypanosomatids. Different methodologies were applied to evaluate the infection rate from pools of unequal size and estimated the infection rate to range from 0.468% to 0.578% for the Leishmania group and from 0.185% to 0.279% for the non-Leishmania group. Our results highlight the diversity of flagellate infections likely to be encountered in Phlebotomus argentipes populations. Our methodology allows clear discrimination of Leishmania from other trypanosomatids and should be applied on larger insect samples or in longitudinal studies
Social Media measurement a supporto delle strategie di marketing e commerciali nel settore sport: il caso Arezzo Calcio
No full textL’efficace gestione e la valorizzazione delle attività svolte dalle aziende sui Social Media richiede un’adeguata impostazione strategica, nonché la costante e ponderata misurazione delle
performance conseguite, da effettuarsi non solamente sulla base di metriche specifiche (like, share, commenti, fan, follower, views,
retweet, favorite, condivisioni e così via), bensì anche di metriche di business (ROI in primis).
Il lavoro, presentando l’esperienza in corso nella società Arezzo Calcio, fornisce un quadro utile che può essere utilizzato in azienda a supporto della definizione ed esecuzione della strategia inerente la
presenza sugli spazi sociali della Rete. Un obiettivo implicito è anche quello di convincere i manager aziendali che l’effetto dei Social
Media sul business può essere tangibile ed oggetto di valutazione
A MOLECULAR AND IMMUNOLOGICAL SIGNATURE OF CD4 + T CELLS IN POST KALA-AZAR DERMAL LEISHMANIASIS
No full textIntro
Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), which is a late cutaneous manifestation of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), represents an important but largely neglected reservoir of infection and considered as an important source for transmission of the disease. In efforts to eliminate VL, we also need to understand how parasites and immune system interact to reconcile, how disease is controlled and immunity develops in PKDL patients. CD4+ T cells play crucial roles in coordinating immune responses caused by intracellular protozoan parasites such as Leishmania donovani. In this study, we examined transcriptional signature of CD4+ T cells that could distinguish PKDL patients from endemic controls and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients.
Methods
Blood samples were collected from clinically confirmed PKDL and VL patients as well as healthy endemic control (HEC) individuals to isolate PBMCs and enrich CD4+ T cells. RNA was isolated, libraries were prepared and RNA- sequencing was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
Findings
We observed a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) unique to PKDL including CD68, IL-13RA, Galectin-2 (LGALS2), Death Receptor- 6/TNFRSF21 (which activates JNK and NF-κβ pathway), CCR1 as well as CXCR1 and CXCR2. NLRP-3 inflammasome as well as skin homing markers CCR4, CCR8 and CCR10 were also differentially up regulated in PKDL While notable downregulated DEGs in CD4+ T cells from PKDL compared to VL patients were LAG3 and IL-10, both with important functional roles in VL. Most importantly, NLRP-3 inflammasome and transcription factors EGR-1/2 distinguished the nodular PKDL from macular PKDL.
Conclusion
In summary, CD4+ T cells from PKDL patients have unique gene signatures which differs them from VL patients and HEC. Our results also showed that canonical NLRP3 inflammasome function is not confined to innate immune cells but is operative in adaptive CD4+T cells.No Full Tex
Effect of untreated bed nets on blood-fed Phlebotomus argentipes in kala-azar endemic foci in Nepal and India.
No full textObservational studies in the Indian subcontinent have shown that untreated nets may be protective against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In this study, we evaluated the effect of untreated nets on the blood feeding rates of Phlebotomus argentipes as well as the human blood index (HBI) in VL endemic villages in India and Nepal. The study had a 'before and after intervention' design in 58 households in six clusters. The use of untreated nets reduced the blood feeding rate by 85% (95% CI 76.5-91.1%) and the HBI by 42.2% (95% CI 11.1-62.5%). These results provide circumstantial evidence that untreated nets may provide some degree of personal protection against sand fly bites
An MINLP Solution Method for a Water Network Problem
No full textWe propose a solution method for a water-network optimization problem using a nonconvex continuous NLP relaxation and an MINLP search. We report successful computational experience using available MINLP software on problems from the literature and on difficult real-world instances
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