A framework of genetic algorithm-based CNN on multi-access edge computing for automated detection of COVID-19

The Journal of Supercomputing - This paper designs and develops a computational intelligence-based framework using convolutional neural network (CNN) and genetic algorithm (GA) to detect COVID-19...     

Wave propagation in functionally graded nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes based on second-order shear deformation theory

In the present article, as a first endeavor, the wave propagation in functionally graded nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes is investigated on the basis of second-order shear deformation theory. Four different types of functionally graded nanocomposites are presented. An analytical method is used to find the circular frequencies and phase velocities. To show the accuracy of the present methodology, our results for the free vibration are compared with the results of functionally graded plates available in the literature. The influences of different parameters are also investigated on the circular frequencies and phase velocities.     

Hybrid Probabilistic Risk Assessment Using Fuzzy FTA and Fuzzy AHP in a Process Industry

Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention - There are many available techniques which are widely used for failure probability analysis. Fault tree analysis (FTA) is a well-known method to identify...     

Fabrication of biopolymer based nanocomposite wound dressing: evaluation of wound healing properties and wound microbial load

The aim of this study is to introduce natural‐based polymers, chitosan and starch, to design a remedial nanocomposite, comprising of cerium oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles, to investigate their effects in accelerating wound healing and in wound microbial load. Cerium oxide nanoparticles synthesized in starch solution added to the colloidal dispersion of synthesized silver nanoparticles in chitosan to make a three‐component nanomaterial. Mice were anaesthetized and two parallel full‐thickness round wounds were excised under aseptic conditions with the help of sterile dermal biopsy punch. Furthermore, effects of silver‐chitosan and silver‐cerium‐chitosan nanocomposite had evaluated on rate of wound closure and collagen density and on microbial load of wound in full‐thickness model. Results showed that both silver chitosan and silver‐cerium‐chitosan had significant impact on acceleration of wound closure and collagen content and on reduction of wound microbial load in comparison with control group, which was, received no treatments. However, the silver‐cerium‐chitosan nanocomposite is more potent than silver‐chitosan group and control group in wound closure. The wound healing effects of silver‐cerium‐chitosan nanocomposite are due to unique features of its three components and this nanocomposite promises impressive remedies for clinical application.Inspec keywords: wounds, nanocomposites, nanomedicine, nanoparticles, proteins, cerium, silver, polymers, colloids, patient treatmentOther keywords: biopolymer‐based nanocomposite wound dressing, wound healing properties, wound microbial load, natural‐based polymers, chitosan, remedial nanocomposite, cerium oxide nanoparticles, nanoceria, silver nanoparticles, starch solution, three‐component nanomaterial, synthesised silver nanoparticles, ketamine intraperitoneal injection, silver‐cerium‐chitosan nanocomposite, wound closure, collagen density, wound healing effects, wound care, aseptic conditions, sterile dermal biopsy punch, Ag‐Ce     

Effect of microwave sintering on the microstructure and electrical properties of low-voltage ZnO varistors

Coarse-grained ZnO varistors for low-voltage applications were prepared by microwave sintering technique under different soaking times of 5–150?min. For comparison, a low-voltage ZnO varistor was also prepared through a conventional sintering process. Microwave sintering remarkably enhanced the grain growth rate of ZnO varistors. Average grain size of the sample prepared by microwave sintering in 15?min was about 20?µm, which is similar to the grain size of sample prepared conventionally in 150?min time. In addition to grain growth, an increase in microwave sintering time led to precipitation of zinc titanate (Zn₂TiO₄) on the top surface of samples which sintered for long dwell times. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results from different points of the samples declared that precipitation of Zn₂TiO₄ phase is due to the high rate of bismuth evaporation of Bi-rich liquid from top surface and the reaction between remaining titanium ions on the surface with ZnO. The results showed that increasing sintering time from 5 to 150?min increased the grain size from 14 to 33?µm, consequently, the breakdown field decreased from 90 to 27?V/mm, respectively. These changes led to a switch in the varistor application, from low to very low voltage.     

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     

Tracking and Analysis of Pedestrian’s Behavior in Public Places

Crowd management becomes a global concern due to increased population in urban areas. Better management of pedestrians leads to improved use of public places. Behavior of pedestrian’s is a major factor of crowd management in public places. There are multiple applications available in this area but the challenge is open due to complexity of crowd and depends on the environment. In this paper, we have proposed a new method for pedestrian’s behavior detection. Kalman filter has been used to detect pedestrian’s using movement based approach. Next, we have performed occlusion detection and removal using region shrinking method to isolate occluded humans. Human verification is performed on each human silhouette and wavelet analysis and particle gradient motion are extracted for each silhouettes. Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) has been utilized to optimize feature set and then behavior classification has been performed using the Extreme Gradient (XG) Boost classifier. Performance has been evaluated using pedestrian’s data from avenue and UBI-Fight datasets, where both have different environment. The mean achieved accuracies are 91.3% and 85.14% over the Avenue and UBI-Fight datasets, respectively. These results are more accurate as compared to other existing methods.