Review: the latest advances in biomedical applications of chitosan hydrogel as a powerful natural structure with eye-catching biological properties

Journal of Materials Science - Chitosan is one of the natural cationic polymers with unique properties such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, environmentally friendly that has...     

Transient-state Analytical Solution for Arbitrarily-Located Multiwells in Triangular-Shaped Unconfined Aquifer

Water Resources Management - This work presents an analytical solution for the linearized Boussinesq equation describing the nature of well hydraulics in equilateral triangular-shaped unconfined...     

Preparation of epoxy–clay nanocomposite and investigation on its anti-corrosive behavior in epoxy coating

An epoxy–clay nanocomposite was synthesized using a quaternary ammonium-modified montmorillonite clay and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin, in order to produce anti-corrosive epoxy coating. Anti-corrosive properties of the nanocomposite were investigated using salt spray and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The results showed an improvement in the barrier and anti-corrosive characteristics of epoxy-based nanocomposite coating and a decrease in water uptake in comparison with pure epoxy coating. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the interlayer spacing of clays increased after addition of epoxy resin along with applying shear force and ultrasound sonicator. The best performance of this coating was achieved at 3 and 5 wt.% clay concentration.     

Biosynthesis of SeNPs by Mycobacterium bovis and their enhancing effect on the immune response against HBs antigens: an in vivo study

Conventional hepatitis B vaccine contains alum but is less effective to induce Th1 response. Selenium nanoparticles and Bacillus Calmette–Guerin were reported as immune modulators. In this study, SeNPs were extracted from Mycobacterium bovis and characterised. SeNPs were mixed with HBs‐Ag and administered to the mice to investigate he immune response pattern. With an addition of Se ions at a sub‐inhibitory concentration to the Sauton medium broth after 24 h, SeNPs were extracted from M. bovis and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic forcemicroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, female inbred BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously on the first, 14th, 28th day with 100 and 200 µg doses of that SeNPs supplemented with HBs‐Ag vaccine. Later, the total antibody, isotypes of Immunoglobulin G1, Interlukin 4, and interferon‐γ were measured by enzye‐linked immunosorbent assay. The size of the SeNPs was <150 nm. Level of total antibody and immunoglobulin G2a increased significantly in the group that received 200 µg/ml nano selenium extracted from M. bovis. SeNPs in dose of 200 µg coated with organic materials of M. bovis could induce an influential immune response in relation to the conventional HBs‐Ag vaccine.Inspec keywords: selenium, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, microorganisms, Fourier transform spectra, infrared spectra, light scattering, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray chemical analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis, nanomedicineOther keywords: biosynthesis, selenium nanoparticles, Mycobacterium bovis, enhnced immune response, HBs antigens, Bacillus Calmette‐Guerin, immune modulators, biogenic SeNPs, immune response pattern, Sauton medium broth, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, female inbred BALB/c mice, antibody, IgG1 isotype, IgG2a isotype, IL₄ isotype, interferon‐γ, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, bacterium, time 24 h, time 14 day, time 28 day, Se     

A new set of sufficient conditions based on coupling parameters for synchronization of Hopfield like Chaotic Neural Networks

In this paper, we consider a Hopfield like Chaotic Neural Networks which have both self-coupling and non-invertible activation functions. We show that the interactions between neurons can be used as a means of chaos generation or suppression to neuron’s outputs when more adaptability or stability is required. Furthermore, a new set of sufficient conditions based on coupling weights is proposed so that the synchronization of all neuron’s outputs with each other is guaranteed, when all neuron’s have identical activation functions. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by performing simulations on three illustrative examples.     

Designing customer-oriented catalogs in e-CRM using an effective self-adaptive genetic algorithm

Analysis of customer interactions for electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) can be performed by way of using data mining (DM), optimization methods, or combined approaches. The microeconomic framework for data mining addresses maximizing the overall utility of an enterprise where transaction of a customer is a function of the data available on that customer. In this paper, we investigate an alternative problem formulation for the catalog segmentation problem. Moreover, a self-adaptive genetic algorithm has been developed to solve the problem. It includes clever features to avoid getting trapped in a local optimum. The results of an extensive computational study using real and synthetic data sets show the performance of the algorithm. In comparison with classical catalog segmentation algorithms, the proposed approach achieves better performance in Fitness and CPU-time.     

A multiobjective integrated multiproject scheduling and multiskilled workforce assignment model considering learning effect under uncertainty

Today, organizations try to decline academically expenses using humans and resources in addition to rising managers and operators' satisfaction. Meantime, a very important step in the process of decision is the assignment of human resources, particularly in connection with research and development (R&D) projects in which the system is highly dependent on the capabilities of human resources. In this study, we tried all the assumptions that come true in the real world, considered a model for applied R&D projects to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of projects. Therefore, an integrated multiproject scheduling and multiskill human resource assignment model under uncertainty has developed for R&D projects. Furthermore, it is assumed that the activity processing time is related to human resources assignment that means the learning effect is considered. To demonstrate the proposed model efficiency, the various dimensions instance problem was solved accurately and efficiently in GAMS software, and the results have been reported. In addition, the proposed model is validated through the input parameter sensitivity analysis. The results indicate a suitable performance of the proposed fuzzy mathematical programming model is due to the complexity of the problem.     

Multi carrier energy systems and energy hubs: Comprehensive review,survey and recommendations

In this paper, the multi carrier energy (MCE) systems are reviewed from different point of views including mathematical models, integrated components and technologies, uncertainty management, planning objectives, environmental pollution, resilience, and robustness. The basic of MCE systems is formed by combination of cooling, heating and power (CCHP). The natural gas and electricity are the main inputs to MCE systems and the cooling, heating, and electricity are the common outputs. The regular energy converters in the MCE systems are combined heat and power (CHP), gas boiler, absorption-electrical chillers, power to gas (P2G) and fuel-cell. The generic energy storages are electrical, heating, cooling, hydrogen, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydro systems.     

A new mathematical model for integrating all incidence matrices in multi-dimensional cellular manufacturing system

In the past several years, many studies have been carried out on cellular manufacturing based on a two-dimensional machine–part incidence matrix. Since workers have important role in doing jobs on machines, assignment of workers to cells becomes a crucial factor for fully utilization of cellular manufacturing systems. In this paper, an attempt is made to solve cell formation problem and minimize the number of voids and exceptional elements in a three dimensional (cubic) machine–part–worker incidence matrix. The proposed mathematical model captures the capability of workers in doing different jobs. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, the solution of some test problems is compared with the literature method.     

Trapping of Free Electrons in Multipole System

In this paper, the effective Parameters in the confinement and trapping of fast electrons in plasma source Such as; plasma pressure, wall material of plasma chamber and magnetic mirror rate have been investigated with using Comsol & Geant4 code. The calculations are shown that the Multicusp magnetic field was effective the pressure less than 5?mTor, and the confinement effect becomes stronger with decreasing pressure. It is equivalent to a higher yield of output ions of plasma source. The number of fast electrons trapped in the magnetic field increases with increasing magnetic field intensity and using aluminum for wall material. Optimum conditions of confinement plasma, leading to increased the hot electron density, and ionization efficiency is increased. The results of investigations have demonstrated good correspondence with theoretical calculations, therefore there is the adequacy of the developed approach and the possibility to build more effective source ion on this basis.