Object-based hyperspectral image classification using a new latent block model based on hidden Markov random fields

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Efficient high-dimensional analyses of hyperspectral datasets and their utilization within classification algorithms is a popular topic in the field of data...     

Synthesis,characterization and magnetic properties of polythiophene/SrFe12-x(ZrZn)0.5xO19 nanocomposite as a microwave absorber

Ferrites are an important group of magnetic materials which are used as absorbers. The incorporation of ferrite and conducting polymer achieves great enhancement in microwave absorption properties. The nanocomposites of hexagonal ferrites embedded by conducting polymers such as polypyrrole, polyaniline and polythiophene (PTH) have been paid much attention. In the present study, strontium hexagonal ferrite doped by Zr and Zn with the final formula of SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 considering x = 0.9 and embedded by PTH was produced to achieve a nanocomposite with the highest microwave absorbing ability. In this study, after synthesis of SrFe₁₂O₁₉(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 and PTH, the nanocomposite was prepared by in situ polymerization. Wrapping the ferrite particles and PTH chains could form nanocomposite properly, and therefore acceptable interactions were observable between SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19ferrite particles and PTH polymer chains in the composites. Assessing the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19, PTH, and PTH/SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 nanocomposite indicated that the PTH characteristic peak shifts slightly and its peak intensity reduces, which may be attribute to the coating of PTH polymer chains onto SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 particles. We revealed also lower magnetic properties in the obtained nanocomposite. The morphological assessment also suggested that PTH could effectively coat the SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 particles. The synergistic effect of SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 particle plus PTH leads to microwave absorption percentage higher than 95% by PTH/SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 nanocomposite. Overall, nanocomposite creating by coupling interaction between SrFe_12-x(ZrZn)_0.5xO19 particles (x = 0.9) and PTH can effectively lead to achieve the highest rate of absorption of electromagnetic waves.     

Manganese Distribution between FeO‐MnO‐SiO2–CaO–MgO‐Al2O3 Slags and Molten Iron

Pretreatment of high manganese hot metal is suggested to produce hot metal suitable for further processing to steel in conventional LD converter and rich manganese slags satisfy the requirements for the production of silicomanganese alloys. Manganese distribution between slag and iron represents the efficiency of manganese oxidation from hot metal. The present study has been done to investigate the effect of temperature, slag basicity and composition of oxidizer mixture on the distribution coefficient of manganese between slag and iron. Ferrous oxide activity was determined in molten synthetic slag mixtures of FeO‐MnO‐SiO₂–CaO–MgO‐Al₂O₃. The investigated slags had chemical compositions similar to either oxidizer mixture or slags expected to result from the treatment of high manganese hot metal. The technique used to measure the ferrous oxide activity in the investigated slag systems was the well established one of gas‐slag‐metal equilibration in which molten slags contained in armco iron crucibles are exposed to a flowing gas mixture with a known oxygen potential until equilibrium has been attained. After equilibration, the final chemical analysis of the slags gave compositions having a particular ferrous oxide activity corresponding to the oxygen potential of the gas mixture. The determined values of ferrous oxide activity were used to calculate the equilibrium distribution of manganese between slag and iron. Higher manganese distribution between slag and iron was found to be obtained by using oxidizer containing high active iron oxide under acidic slag and relatively low temperature of about 1350°C.     

A set theoretical shuffled shepherd optimization algorithm for optimal design of cantilever retaining wall structures

Engineering with Computers - In this paper, a recently developed meta-heuristic algorithm, shuffled shepherd optimization algorithm (SSOA), is employed for optimal design of reinforced concrete...     

Human-Induced Neural and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Combined with a Curcumin Nanoconjugate as a Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

We currently lack effective treatments for the devastating loss of neural function associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we evaluated a combination therapy comprising human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-NSC), human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and a pH-responsive polyacetal–curcumin nanoconjugate (PA-C) that allows the sustained release of curcumin. In vitro analysis demonstrated that PA-C treatment protected iPSC-NSC from oxidative damage in vitro, while MSC co-culture prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in iPSC-NSC. Then, we evaluated the combination of PA-C delivery into the intrathecal space in a rat model of contusive SCI with stem cell transplantation. While we failed to observe significant improvements in locomotor function (BBB scale) in treated animals, histological analysis revealed that PA-C-treated or PA-C and iPSC-NSC + MSC-treated animals displayed significantly smaller scars, while PA-C and iPSC-NSC + MSC treatment induced the preservation of β-III Tubulin-positive axons. iPSC-NSC + MSC transplantation fostered the preservation of motoneurons and myelinated tracts, while PA-C treatment polarized microglia into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Overall, the combination of stem cell transplantation and PA-C treatment confers higher neuroprotective effects compared to individual treatments.     

Effect of Ag‐NPs synthesised by Chamaemelum nobile extract on the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by carrageenan in mice paw

An environmentally friendly and rapid procedure was developed to synthesise silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) by Chamaemelum nobile extract and to evaluate its in vivo anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum of the synthesised Ag‐NPs showed an absorbance peak at 422. The average size of spherical nanoparticles was 24 nm as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy analysis supported the presence of biological active compounds involved in the reduction of Ag ion and X‐ray diffraction confirmed the crystalline structure of the metallic Ag. The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the Ag‐NPs was investigated against carrageenan‐induced paw oedema in mice. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α), interferon gamma and interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β were assessed in this respect. The results demonstrated that anti‐inflammatory activity of the Ag‐NPs might be due to the ability of the nanoparticles to reduce IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Moreover, reduction of antioxidant enzymes along with an increase in MDA level shows that the anti‐inflammatory activity of the synthesised Ag‐NPs by C. nobile is attributed to its ameliorating effect on the oxidative damage.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, particle size, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction, crystal structure, enzymes, molecular biophysics, tumours, biomedical materials, nanomedicineOther keywords: Chamaemelum nobile extract, oxidative stress, mice paw, silver nanoparticles, antiinflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectrum, spherical nanoparticle size, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, biological active compounds, X‐ray diffraction, crystalline structure, carrageenan‐induced paw oedema, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor, interferon gamma, interleukin, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, MDA level, Ag     

Influence of Drying Temperature and Harvesting Season on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Olive (Olea europaea) Leaf Extracts

Interest in plant compounds has increased, given recent evidence regarding their role in human health due to their pleiotropic effects. For example, plant bioactive compounds present in food products, including polyphenols, are associated with preventive effects in various diseases, such as cancer or inflammation. Breast and colorectal cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally. Although appreciable advances have been made in treatments, new therapeutic approaches are still needed. Thus, in this study, up to 28 olive leaf extracts were obtained during different seasons and using different drying temperatures. The influence of these conditions on total polyphenolic content (measured using Folin–Ciocalteu assays), antioxidant activity (using Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assays) and antiproliferative capacity (using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT assays) was tested in breast and colorectal cancer cells. Increased phenolic composition and antioxidant and antiproliferative capacity are noted in the extracts obtained from leaves harvested in autumn, followed by summer, spring and winter. Regarding drying conditions, although there is not a general trend, conditions using the highest temperatures lead to the optimal phenolic content and antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in most cases. These results confirm previously published studies and provide evidence in support of the influence of both harvesting and drying conditions on the biological activity of olive leaf extracts.     

Experimental investigation on the mean drop size and drop size distribution in an L-shaped pulsed sieve-plate column

Vertical pulsed extraction columns cannot be employed in applications with height limitations. On the other hand, the horizontal extraction columns have low throughput, which affects their applicability in industrial applications. Therefore, there is a need to design a new type of extractors for such circumstances. In this paper, an experimental study on drop sizes has been implemented in a novel L-shaped pulsed sieve-plate extraction column in the absence and presence of mass transfer. Moreover, new correlations are developed for prediction of the mean drop size and size distribution using the log-normal probability density function.