A new localization method in internet of things by improving beetle antenna search algorithm

Wireless Networks - Localization is regarded as one of the important challenges in the internet of things and Wireless Sensor Networks. The failure to localize sensors properly causes data loss and...     

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 fuzzy decision-making procedure applied to emergency electric power distribution scheduling

In this paper a new fuzzy decision-making procedure is developed. Two levels of weightings, called upper and lower weights, are proposed to calculate the fuzzy weightings of different criteria. The preference table is introduced to calculate the upper and lower weights. Also a new method is developed to determine the expected preference values of different alternatives. These values are used for generating the priority list of alternatives. The procedure is applied for providing an emergency electric power distribution, scheduling time table. The IEEE 14-bus standard system and a 14-bus system with four power plants are considered as case studies. Using fuzzy decision-making procedure, the regions with more priorities are more connected to the distribution net, while the maximum consumption criterion is also reasonably respected.     

Determining the Main Factors in Declining the Urmia Lake Level by Using System Dynamics Modeling

Urmia Lake in Iran is the second largest saline lake in the world. This ecosystem is the home for different species. Due to various socio-economical and ecological criteria, Urmia Lake has important role in the Northwestern part of the country but it has faced many problems in recent years. Because of droughts, overuse of surface water resources and dam constructions, water level has decreased in such a way that one quarter of the lake has changed to saline area in the last 10 years. The purpose of this research is to determine the main factors which reduce the lake’s water level. To this end, a simulation model, based on system dynamics method, is developed for the Urmia Lake basin to estimate the lake’s level. After successful verification of the model, results show that (among the proposed factors) changes in inflows due to the climate change and overuse of surface water resources is the main factor for 65% of the effect, constructing four dams is responsible for 25% of the problem, and less precipitation on lake has 10% effect on decreasing the lake’s level in the recent years. In the future, the model also can be used by managers as a decision support system to find the effects of building new dams or other infrastructures.     

Adaptive Control for State Synchronization of Nonlinear Haptic Telerobotic Systems with Asymmetric Varying Time Delays

In this paper, we introduce a new adaptive controller design scheme for nonlinear telerobotic systems with varying time delays where the delays and their variation rates are unknown. The designed controller has the ability to synchronize the state behaviors of the local and the remote robots. In this paper, asymptotic stability in the presence of varying time delays is of interest. Using the proposed controller, asymptotic stability of the bilateral telerobotic system subject to any bounded yet unknown varying delay with a bounded yet unknown rate of change can be guaranteed. Besides the varying time delay, the proposed adaptive controller has the ability to adapt to the parameter variations in the local and the remote robots’ dynamics. It is shown that position and velocity errors between the local and the remote manipulators converge to the zero asymptotically, thus ensuring teleoperation transparency. Experimental and simulation results with a pair of PHANToM haptic devices and a pair of planar manipulators under varying time delays in the communication channel demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.     

An integrated model for closed-loop supply chain configuration and supplier selection: Multi-objective approach

Reverse logistics consists of all operations related to the reuse of products. External suppliers are one of the important members of reverse logistics and closed loop supply chain (CLSC) networks. However in CLSC network configuration models, suppliers are assessed based on purchasing cost and other factors such as on-time delivery are ignored. In this research, a general closed loop supply chain network is examined that includes manufacturer, disassembly, refurbishing, and disposal sites. Meanwhile, it is managed by the manufacturer. We propose an integrated model which has two phases. In the first phase, a framework for supplier selection criteria in RL is proposed. Besides, a fuzzy method is designed to evaluate suppliers based on qualitative criteria. The output of this stage is the weight of each supplier according to each part. In the second phase, we propose a multi objective mixed-integer linear programming model to determine which suppliers and refurbishing sites should be selected (strategic decisions), and find out the optimal number of parts and products in CLSC network (tactical decisions). The objective functions maximize profit and weights of suppliers, and one of them minimizes defect rates. To our knowledge, this model is the first effort to consider supplier selection, order allocation, and CLSC network configuration, simultaneously. The mathematical programming model is validated through numerical analysis.     

The impact of website content dimension and e-trust on e-marketing effectiveness: The case of Iranian commercial saffron corporations

By considering the problems that commercial saffron companies have faced in international markets, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of website content, including informational and design dimensions, on the effectiveness of e-marketing and e-trust as mediator variables. These aspects are examined with reference to sales and marketing division managers in a sample of 100 commercial saffron corporations in the Khorasan province. The findings support the ideas that website content has an effect on e-marketing and e-trust and that e-trust plays a mediating role in the relationship between e-trust and e-marketing effectiveness.     

Neutronic design investigation of a liquid injection-based second shutdown system for a typical research reactor using MCNPX

Safety systems, built on state-of-the-art technology, are essential for achieving acceptable levels of plant safety to minimize hazards to the reactor and the general public. The second shutdown system(SSS) as an engineered safety feature and a part of the reactor protection system(RPS) is a means for rapidly shutting down a nuclear reactor, keeping it in a subcritical state and serving as a backup to the first shutdown system(FSS). In this research, one SSS with two types of optimum chamber designs is proposed that take into account the main current characteristic features of the Tehran research reactor with improvements over earlier designs. They are based on a liquid neutron absorber injection that is preferably different, diverse, and independent from the FSS based on the rod drop mechanism. The major design characteristics of this SSS with two different chambers were investigated using MCNPX 2.6.0 code. The performed calculations showed that the designed SSS is a reliable shutdown system, assuring an appropriate shutdown margin and injection time, with no significant effects on the effective delayed neutron fraction while causing minimal variations to the core structure. Further, the reasonable financial cost and the prolongation of the operation cycle are additional advantages of this design.     

Controlled release of fluorouracil (5-FU) from chitosan-co-poly(ethylene glycol)/ poly(glycerol sebacate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-coated iron oxide

A blend of polyglycerol sebacate-poly ethylene glygol/chitosan-poly ethylene glycol-coated iron oxide (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles for 5FU delivery was prepared by reverse ultrasonic emulsification method. To enhance polymers’ solubility, PEG was grafted. Chemical characterization was performed through Fourier transformed infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In vitro assay revealed that release profile of 5FU-loaded PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄ is sustained. Moreover, cytotoxicity was analyzed on HT29 cell line at the presence of external magnetic field using the lactate dehydrogenase and Alamar Blue. Results illustrate that (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) is promising to use as a carrier for 5FU anticancer agent with sustained tailored release.