Optimal Response Research Articles

The Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Predict Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has revolutionized heart failure (HF) management, offering benefits in morbidity, mortality, and symptom alleviation. However, optimal response rates are not universally achieved, necessitating enhanced patient-selection strategies. Myocardial scar patterns, quantified by delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR), have been implicated in CRT outcomes. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies assessing CRT responses by performing a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and the Web of Science. Scar burden, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) were evaluated. CRT response rates among ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients were also explored. This meta-analysis incorporated eight studies meeting the eligibility criteria. CRT responders exhibited a significantly lower scar burden (-11.7%; 95% confidence interval, 6.6%-16.8%) compared to non-responders, supporting the predictive value of scar quantification (I 2 = 95.25%; P < .001). Responders demonstrated an increased mean LVEF (from 25.2% to 31.9%), while non-responders showed modest changes (from 23.3% to 24.4%). Responders experienced a decrease in mean LVESV from 158.8 to 132.8 mL, contrasting with a more stable mean LVESV value in non-responders (reduction from 160.9 to 157.6 mL). Responders experienced a reduced mean LVEDV from 219.4 to 196.7 mL, while non-responders showed more minimal changes (from 213.4 to 210.6 mL). Limited data suggested a CRT response rate of 34.7% in ischemic cardiomyopathy; non-ischemic data were insufficient. In conclusion, DE-CMR, assessing the scar burden, emerges as a valuable tool for predicting the CRT response. A lower scar burden correlates with improved responses, supporting the role of DE-CMR in refining patient selection for CRT. This meta-analysis contributes insights into personalized CRT strategies, emphasizing the potential of imaging modalities to enhance therapeutic outcomes in HF patients. Further research is warranted to solidify these findings and refine clinical applications.

Exploring therapeutic responsiveness: a comparative textual analysis across different models.

The purpose of this study is to examine therapeutic responsiveness across three different therapeutic models. The construct of responsiveness consists of two conceptual features: optimal responsiveness, which involves adapting therapist behavior to the unique therapeutic relationship, and appropriate responsiveness, a more refined concept. While aligned with interpersonal principles, the responsiveness construct challenges prevailing statistical methods by emphasizing the therapist's adaptive responses. A comparative analysis of Gestalt, psychodynamic, and systemic therapies revealed unique patterns of responsiveness within each model, ranging from an emphasis on empathy and intuition to the significance of countertransference. Methodologically, a literature review and textual analysis using Atlas.ti allowed for nuanced exploration. The results also revealed a core commonality-"experience"-across these models, positioning responsiveness as an "extra-specific" factor amidst shared conceptual ground. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the nuances of responsiveness, which is central to advancing psychotherapeutic practice in an evolving landscape. An in-depth examination of the construct of responsiveness helps identify therapist characteristics that can be enhanced, enriched, and supported during training and supervision.

Modeling and optimization of adsorption behavior of lactic acid onto zirconium-based metal-organic framework: response surface methodology (RSM)

ABSTRACT Lactic acid is readily generated in bacterial fermentations; however, a significant amount of processing and expenses are required for the purification of lactic acid in the fermentation broth. In this work, the sorption of lactic acid from a simulated broth has been studied by utilizing zirconium-based metal-organic framework (Zr-UiO-66 MOF) that acts as a prominent adsorbent due to its specific geometries and functional groups. The morphological, and structural properties of the prepared MOF are investigated using different characterization techniques such as Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The characterization results demonstrate the accuracy of the synthesis procedure. In order to achieve an efficient lactic acid separation process, it is essential to determine the optimal operational conditions. To address this, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to devise an approach for optimizing five crucial process parameters for achieving the optimal response in lactic acid recovery removal. These parameters include initial LA concentration (ranging from 1 to 36 mg.L−1), pH (3–10), temperature (25 to 55 °C), adsorbent mass (0.25 to 1 g), and contact time (10 to 240 min). The RSM analysis revealed that the quadratic model provided the best fit for the experimental data, with a high coefficient of determination (R2). Three validation trials were carried out to determine the precision of the optimization process, leading to a maximum adsorption efficiency of 97.7% being reached under the optimized conditions (initial concentration = 18.5 mg.L−1, pH = 6.5, adsorbent mass = 0.625 g, contact time = 240 min, and temperature = 40 °C).

Analysis of the Effect of Delay Time and Type of Coolant Media with the Spray Method on the Back Surface of PV Panel

Sunlight can be harnessed as a clean and renewable energy source using solar cells and the photovoltaic process. However, relying on direct sunlight exposure can increase solar cell temperatures and negatively impact performance. This research aims to maintain cell efficiency by exploring the effectiveness of spraying coolant media on the bottom surface of panels through three timed intervals (10, 20, and 30 minutes) using three different media (A, B, and C). Each spray application lasts for 1 minute. Analyzing the test results with Minitab18 software with full factorial design will identify the most effective treatment for maintaining performance. Based on the results of the experimental test, coolant A with a 10-minute delay spraying time has a maximum power of 52.89 Watts, a temperature of 48oC, and an efficiency of 5.69%. Response Optimization using Design of Experiment (DOE) Full Factorial shows an optimal response with coolant A and a 10-minute delay spraying time with the lowest temperature at 49.3oC, maximum output power at 46.87 Watts, and efficiency at 5.61%. Moreover, Tukey Krammer test result provides an information about 10-minute delay spraying time has a better performance to reduce the PV panel temperature compared to 30-minute delay spraying time by 3.94 oC.

Optimal Diagnostic and Treatment Response Threshold of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score: A Single-Center Study of 102 Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

The proposed eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) endoscopic reference score serves to diagnose and evaluate treatment responses in EoE. Nevertheless, the validated reference score thresholds for diagnosis and treatment response in Asian patients are yet to be established. This study aims to establish these thresholds for the first time among Asian patients with EoE. Patients presenting with ≥ 15 eosinophils/high power field and esophageal dysfunction symptoms between August 2007 and November 2021 were included. Age- and sex-matched non-EoE controls were also enrolled. Baseline characteristics, endoscopic reference score features, and scores were compared between patients and controls. Among patients, endoscopic reference score features and scores, along with peak eosinophil counts, were evaluated both before and after treatment. The optimal threshold was determined based on sensitivity, specificity, and the Youden index. Overall, 102 patients were enrolled (74.5% men; mean age, 46.9 years). The mean endoscopic reference score was 2.65 and 0.52 for patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). An endoscopic reference score ≥ 2 was identified as the optimal diagnostic threshold for EoE (sensitivity, 0.79; specificity, 0.86; Youden index, 0.66). Post-treatment data regarding endoscopic findings and histology were available for 30 patients. Regarding histologic response, an endoscopic reference score of ≤ 3 demonstrated the optimal threshold (sensitivity, 0.95; specificity, 0.88; Youden index, 0.83). The optimal diagnostic and treatment response thresholds were determined to be endoscopic reference scores of ≥ 2 and ≤ 3, respectively. Further studies involving a larger patient cohort are necessary to validate these findings.

Treatment patterns for advanced therapies in Canadians with moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort analysis

Abstract Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) show an inadequate response or experience a loss of response to advanced therapies. Guidelines recommend dose optimization and switching among therapies until an optimal treatment response is attained. With several advanced treatments available, we aimed to evaluate the persistence of different therapeutic sequences in IBD. The RECORDED study was a retrospective cohort study of Canadians with moderate-to-severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) who had been exposed to more than 1 advanced therapy between May 2015 and April 2021 for UC, and May 2016 and April 2021 for CD. The primary endpoint was time to permanent discontinuation of the first advanced treatment. Overall, 330 patients had CD and 344 had UC. The most common first-line treatments for CD and UC were adalimumab and infliximab, respectively. The median (95% CI) time to permanent discontinuation of first-line treatment was 12.3 (10.9, 13.6) months in patients with CD and 9.2 (8.2, 10.8) months for those with UC. The most common reason for treatment change across both diseases was lack of efficacy. First-line advanced treatments were optimized in 191 (58.1%) CD patients and 202 (59.1%) UC patients prior to permanent discontinuation. Second-line therapy was typically from a different class compared with the first-line treatment choice. The RECORDED study provides insights into the real-world sequencing and optimization patterns of advanced treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe IBD in Canada. Lack of efficacy was the most cited reason for switching to a different therapy.

5G/GPON: A CONVERGENT ARCHITECTURE FOR WIRELESS AND OPTICAL SENSOR NETWORKS IN BOGOTÁ CITY

This paper presents the design of a convergent optical transport architecture for wireless and photonic sensor networks based on the optical access network deployed in Bogotá city. The proposed architecture is evaluated through the transport of services in subcarrier division multiplexing to enable the seamless transport of different standards such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, SigFox, among others. The proposed design demonstrates high scalability given the distribution of the previously deployed network, enabling the incorporation of both optical sensors based on FBG and wireless sensors in locations with greater historical, economic, cultural and social relevance. The proposal presents an optimal response in terms of bit error rate (BER) and signal power in the multi-coverage zone for various interference parameters such as SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, and Throughput.

Impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on biosynthesis of thymoquinone in cell cultures of Nigella sativa

The rising market interest for Nigella sativa (Black seeds) necessitates the development of cultivation strategies to enhance metabolites production. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have drawn global attention as efficient and bio safe elicitors for in vitro cultures, to enhance secondary metabolites production in medicinal plants. In this study, ZnO-NPs were utilized for establishment of callus and cell cultures in black seeds for the first time. Hypocotyl explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with varying levels of ZnO-NPs, resulted in callus induction and biomass formation. Optimal response in callus growth parameters were observed when explants were grown on MS media supplemented with 60 mg/L ZnO-NPs, resulting in 71.2 % callus induction frequency, 28.2 g/L fresh biomass, 9.7 g/L dry biomass, and 63 % water content. A substantial increase in callus growth was observed when ZnO-NPs were combined with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) at ratio of 45:1.5 mg/L, resulting in 91.2 % callus induction frequency and 42.2 g/L fresh biomass. In cell suspension cultures, ZnO-NPs alone at 45 mg/L produced optimum callus biomass (60.9 g/L). However, in combination with BA, callus biomass did not increase significantly in cell cultures. Maximum accumulation of total phenolic content (TPC: 26.8 mg GAE/g DW; Gallic acid equivalent dry weight) and total flavonoid content (TFC: 19.5 mg QE/g DW; Quercetin equivalent dry weight) was observed in cell cultures treated with higher concentration (70 mg/L) of ZnO-NPs in the 5th week of the growth curve. Moreover, ZnO-NPs incremented substantially the Phenylalanine lyase (PAL), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Peroxidase (POD) enzyme activities in cell cultures. Nonetheless, Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis indicated peak production of thymoquinone (168.5 mg/g FW) in cell cultures treated with 45 mg/L ZnO-NPs alone. This study offers a promising approach for commercial production of Nigella sativa biomass and bioactive metabolites.

Non-Surgical Management of Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia-Related Mediastinitis.

Acute mediastinitis is rarely caused by haematogenous spread of a remote infection. In this respect, since the only medical therapy is usually unsuccessful, treating acute mediastinitis with no source of infection detected is very challenging and management not standardized. In this case report, we describe non-surgical management experience of acute mediastinitis caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. In a 79-year-old man judged not eligible for cardiac surgery, we attempted the infection source control through vacuum-assisted closure therapy, together with antimicrobial therapy. We observed gradual clinical, laboratory and radiologic improvements: reduced swelling and normalization of the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level were associated with reduction in size of a periaortic abscess. We managed a clinical condition with high mortality risk with chronic antimicrobial therapy alone, a strategy that is rarely considered. With this medical strategy we achieved an optimal response to a clinical picture that does not allow any other approach. Mediastinitis is a rare but severe infection with a high mortality rate.Chronic antimicrobial therapy can be an effective strategy in high surgical risk patients.The present case demonstrates good tolerability of lifelong antibiotic therapy.

Hydroxyapatite/Silk Fibroin Composite Scaffold with a Porous Structure and Mechanical Strength Similar to Cancellous Bone by Electric Field-Induced Gel Technology.

Repair and regeneration of bone tissue defects is a multidimensional process that has been highly challenging to date. The artificial bone scaffold materials, which play a core role, still face the conflict that a biofriendly porous structure will reduce the mechanical performance and accelerate degradation. Herein, a multistage porous structured hydroxyapatite (HA)/silk fibroin (SF) composite scaffold (e-HA/SF) was successfully constructed by cleverly utilizing electric field-induced gel technology. The results indicated that the prepared e-HA/SF scaffolds possess biomimetic hierarchical porous structures with a suitable porosity similar to that of cancellous bone. The HA nanocrystals were uniformly encapsulated in the three-dimensional space of the composite scaffold, thus endowing the e-HA/SF composite scaffolds with an enhanced mechanical performance. Notably, the maximum compression stress and Young's modulus of e-HA/SF-2 scaffolds can reach 24.66 ± 0.88 and 28.91 ± 3.19 MPa, respectively, which are equivalent to those of cancellous bone. Such mechanical performance enhancement was previously unattainable through conventional freeze-drying strategies. Moreover, the introduction of bioactive nano-HA can trigger the optimal cell response in both static and dynamic cell culture experiments in vitro. The e-HA/SF composite scaffold developed in this study can better balance the conflict between the porous structure and mechanical and degradation properties of porous scaffolds.

Sleep is altered during menstruation but not inflammatory parameters: Results from polysomnography of EPISONO database.

Menstruation is an inflammatory process that involves changes in women's physiology leading to mental and physical complaints. Sleep is essential for optimal hormonal release, immune response, and wellbeing, becoming an important factor to be evaluated. We compared sleep, inflammatory mediators, fatigue, anxiety and depression symptoms, and quality of life in menstruating and non-menstruating women. We used the polysomnographic data of 232 women from EPISONO 2007, an epidemiological study from São Paulo city, Brazil. Women were distributed into menstruating (N = 61) and non-menstruating groups (N = 171). We applied questionnaires related to sleep quality, sleepiness, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and depression symptoms, and quality of life. The serum levels of interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein were analysed. For statistical analysis the significance level adopted was p < 0.05. Sleep efficiency was statistically lower in menstruating women (81% ± 13) compared with the non-menstruating group (84.2% ± 13.3, p < 0.023). No statistical differences between the two groups were found in respect to the other parameters analysed. Both groups scored for fatigue symptoms, but no statistical significance was observed between the groups. Our findings indicate that menstruation was associated with lower objective sleep efficiency, suggesting that menstruation may be a physiological factor impairing sleep. Further studies evaluating menstrual variables, and each phase of the menstrual cycle, should be undertaken to detect the main factors associated with sleep complaints, fatigue, and objective parameters of sleep.

Quenched disorder-induced chaotic resonance: Optimal stimulus response near the edge of chaos

We study the collective stimulus response in two classical nonlinear dynamical models, the globally coupled bistable oscillators and the excitable FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons, where the coupling strength among the units are randomly distributed with fixed mean and varying variance. We find theoretically and numerically that in both models the ensemble response to a weak periodic stimulus exhibits a bell-shaped amplification manifesting a different type of resonance mechanism, namely, coupling-disorder-induced resonance, as the quenched disorder of coupling increases. Of particular interest is that the optimal collective response emerges near the order-chaos transition point, i.e., at the edge of chaos. As a promising application, we discuss briefly the potential reasonability for exploiting such a type of chaotic resonance to explain the optimal mutual information in the realistic inferior olive. Our results provide explicitly a clue that the disorderly coupled elements may utilize the coupling-disorder-induced chaos to optimize their stimulus response. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Neuronal SLC39A8 deficiency impairs cerebellar development by altering manganese homeostasis.

Solute carrier family 39, member 8 (SLC39A8), is a transmembrane transporter that mediates the cellular uptake of zinc, iron, and manganese (Mn). Human genetic studies document the involvement of SLC39A8 in Mn homeostasis, brain development, and function. However, the role and pathophysiological mechanisms of SLC39A8 in the central nervous system remain elusive. We generated Slc39a8 neuron-specific knockout (Slc39a8-NSKO) mice to study SLC39A8 function in neurons. The Slc39a8-NSKO mice displayed markedly decreased Mn levels in the whole brain and brain regions, especially the cerebellum. Radiotracer studies using 54Mn revealed that Slc39a8-NSKO mice had impaired brain uptake of Mn. Slc39a8-NSKO cerebellums exhibited morphological defects and abnormal dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells. Reduced neurogenesis and increased apoptotic cell death occurred in the cerebellar external granular layer of Slc39a8-NSKO mice. Brain Mn deficiency in Slc39a8-NSKO mice was associated with motor dysfunction. Unbiased RNA-Seq analysis revealed downregulation of key pathways relevant to neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, including cAMP signaling pathway genes. We further demonstrated that Slc39a8 was required for the optimal transcriptional response to the cAMP-mediated signaling pathway. In summary, our study highlighted the essential roles of SLC39A8 in brain Mn uptake and cerebellum development and functions.

Comparative Analysis of the Neutralizing Capacity of Monovalent and Bivalent Formulations of Betuvax-CoV-2, a Subunit Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine, Against Various Strains of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, is characterized by rapid evolution, which poses a significant public health challenge. Effective vaccines that provide robust protection, elicit strong immune responses, exhibit favorable safety profiles, and enable cost-effective large-scale production are crucial. The RBD-Fc-based Betuvax-CoV-2 vaccine has previously demonstrated a favorable safety profile and induced a significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune response in clinical trials. Due to the rapid evolution and emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains, the relevance of bivalent vaccine formulations has increased. Methods: This study compared the neutralizing capacity of monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations against different SARS-CoV-2 strains detected with a SARS-CoV-2 microneutralization assay (MNT). Findings: The monovalent Wuhan-based vaccine generated neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan and Omicron BA.2 variants but not the distinct Omicron BQ.1 strain. Conversely, the monovalent BA.2-based vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies against both Omicron strains but not Wuhan. While the bivalent Wuhan and BA.2-based vaccine was effective against strains containing the same antigens, it was insufficient to neutralize the distinctive BQ.1 strain at a small dosage. Interpretation: These findings suggest that the vaccine composition should closely match the circulating SARS-CoV-2 strain to elicit the optimal neutralizing antibody response and include the appropriate dosage. Moreover, this study did not find additional advantages of using the bivalent form over the monovalent form for the vaccination against a single prevailing SARS-CoV-2 strain.

Mapping and assessment of ecological vulnerability to wildfires in Europe

BackgroundWildfires play a significant and complex role in ecosystems, influencing various aspects of their functioning and structure. These natural disturbances can positively and negatively impact ecosystems, shaping landscapes, nutrient cycles, biodiversity, and ecological processes. This study focuses on assessing and integrating the different factors that affect the ecological vulnerability to wildfires at the European scale. Our methodology follows three steps. Firstly, ecological values based on biological distinctiveness and conservation status were estimated to understand pre-fire conditions better. Secondly, we obtain vegetation’s coping capacity (or resistance) to the impacts of fire, considering the functional traits of plants and fire characteristics through a fire extreme scenario. Finally, post-fire recovery time was calculated by considering the species-specific recovery time, recovery starting time, growth recovery rate, and the environmental constraints affecting the optimal vegetation response. These three variables were combined using a dynamic model that assumed the change of value due to wildfires integrated throughout the recovery time.ResultsOur results indicate that the tundra biome emerges as the most ecologically vulnerable to fire, primarily due to its high ecological values and long recovery time, which outweigh its moderate coping capacity. Following closely, the temperate conifer forests also exhibit high vulnerability driven by their high recovery time, despite moderate ecological and coping capacity values. The boreal forests rank next, with moderate vulnerability due to their long recovery time and moderate coping capacity. The Mediterranean region, although having moderate ecological values and recovery time, shows a notable vulnerability influenced by lower coping capacity. The temperate broadleaf and mixed forests demonstrate relatively lower vulnerability owing to their balanced ecological values, moderate recovery time, and substantial coping capacity. Lastly, the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands are the least vulnerable, benefiting from lower ecological values and the fastest recovery time, alongside moderate coping capacity, which collectively reduce their overall fire vulnerability.Furthermore, we found that coping capacity is the factor that most influenced ecological vulnerability to wildfires.ConclusionsThe study identifies key zones for European or national policies on fire prevention and post-wildfire regeneration. It offers insights into effective forest management and conservation policies, applicable to current conditions. Additionally, the methods can predict future ecological vulnerability to wildfires based on climatic and socio-economic trends.

Can adaptive prey refuge facilitate species coexistence in Bazykin’s prey–predator model?

Bazykin’s prey–predator system with constant and adaptive prey refuge is investigated in this paper. We examine Bazykin’s resource consumer system with exponential growth rate and by employing constant prey refuge we demonstrate that refuge does promote species coexistence. The incorporation of constant prey refuge expands the stability zone for the interior equilibrium. Furthermore, the bifurcation diagram with reference to prey refuge (ur) shows how ur influences the system’s behavior from unstable to periodic stability and then to equilibrium stability. Next, we provide a Bazykin’s model with adaptive prey refuge and develop a fitness function for the prey population using refuge as a strategy and in order to obtain the prey’s optimal response to the environment we determine evolutionary stable strategies (ESS). Our model consists of more than one ESS, thus we employ the best response dynamics for the prey strategy. Our analysis showcases that adaptive refuge used by the prey population promotes the coexistence of prey–predator dynamics. Our theoretical analysis is supported by extensive numerical simulations. Bifurcation diagrams with reference to the two most crucial parameters, namely, δ2 (intra-species competition rate among predators) and τ (the rate at which populations adapt to their environment), are included in the numerical analysis. Species cohabitation along a limit cycle or at an equilibrium is discovered to be dependent on the pace of strategy dynamics and the competition amongst predator species.

Quantitative Assessment of Green Inventory Management in Supply Chains: Simulation-Based Study of Economic and Environmental Outcomes Aligned with ISO 14083 Standard

This research employs numerical simulations and scenario analysis to assess a supply chain model’s economic and environmental performance operating under stochastic market demand, with inventory levels managed by a periodic review (R, s, S) inventory system. The inventory model in this research is designed to determine the minimal inventory levels required to achieve predefined fill rates across various operational constraints. The supply chain’s inventory model simulates optimal responses to normally distributed market demand within 365-day periods characterized by mean and two levels of demand variability through two fill rate levels, two workweek schedules, 15 review periods, and 16 lead times. By conducting an extensive analysis of the 192000 simulation experiments of the supply chain under periodic review (R, s, S) inventory system, complex influences between system variables and economic outcomes of supply chain operation measured by ordering, transportation, holding, penalty, and total costs along with greenhouse gas emissions arising from inventory-related transportation according to the ISO 14083 standard are analyzed. The insights from this research have significant practical implications, providing valuable guidance for supply chain managers, researchers, and freight companies offering guidance for improving economic and environmental performance.

An optimized decentralized peer-to-peer energy trading system for smart grids incorporating uncertain renewable energy sources through fuzzy optimization

The significant issue in today's world is that the power system is undergoing on account of unafforded power generation and distribution. Consequently, improper utilization of renewable energy, as well as its pricing mechanism of electrical energy, is also a vital issue in transmission and distribution systems (TDS). In addition, in the context of upcoming power systems, ensuring energy stability and effective energy management have become paramount. This paper introduces a novel approach to address these challenges by proposing an optimal demand response grid-connected decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading system. This system efficiently manages energy transactions among prosumers, the grid, and renewable energy sources (RES) under uncertain conditions. Fuzzy optimization (FO) is employed to facilitate interconnections between these entities. A fuzzy logic controller with intelligent rules governs the overall strategy and pricing mechanism based on prosumer power deviation (PPD). Inspired by human thinking, these rules prioritize P2P transactions, with surplus energy exported to the main grid (MG) and energy imported from the MG when necessary. Pricing adjusts dynamically with load demand. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the fuzzy rules across various conditions, ensuring proper system operation. The proposed model also proves that the P2P energy trading system has reduced power consumption by balancing the generated power and the load demand. The proposed system is environmentally friendly, emitting no harmful gases.

Assessment of Molecular Response to Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia at Kigali University Teaching Hospital of Kigali

Abstract Introduction/Objective Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm that gives proliferation advantage to the granulocytes, it is one of the commonest chronic hematological malignancies and it is a burden to the world especially Rwanda. Since the introduction of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) especially the first line Imatinib in 2001, the outcomes of CML have been much improved and currently, in developed world, the life expectancy of patients with CML is almost the same as general population. However, it is not the case in developing world especially Rwanda due to limitation on access of all TKIs. The aim of this study is to assess molecular response on Imatinib of patients with CML. Methods/Case Report This was a one arm open label prospective cohort study that recruited 31 patients with CML and on Imatinib for at least three months and followed for 11 months. The clinical features at diagnosis and recruitment were captured from the hospitals filing systems and investigator’s own assessment at the time of recruitment respectively. Information was filled to a well-structured questionnaire. Lab results at the time of diagnosis was obtained from laboratories reporting systems. Samples for full blood count and BCR-ABL1/ABL1 were withdrawn from the patients at the time of diagnosis and they were run at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK). Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 28) and South Texas Art Therapy Association (STATA 15.0). Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Better response according to European LeukemiaNet (ELN) defined as optimal response was found among only 38.7% and resistance to imatinib defined by ELN as Failure and warning was found in 45.2% and 16.1% respectively. The eleven months survival rate was 93.5% in which it is 85.7% among those in treatment failure group. Late presentation showed by presence of very high White Blood Cells above 100x109/L and massive splenomegaly at diagnosis, and poor adherence to Imatinib according to Morsiky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) are associated with poor molecular response to Imatinib. Conclusion CML is a serious disease especially to those who suffer from it; on time diagnosis, access to all available lines of TKIs and better follow up are crucial for patients with CML to access the same life expectancy as general population as it is in developed world.

Comparative exploration on EEG signal filtering using window control methods

Electroencephalography (EEG) is used to monitor brain activity. The brain signals consist of different frequency band signals delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves. The signals are affected by external noise which reduces the quality of the EEG signal due to which it becomes difficult to do further processing of EEG signals like feature extraction or extraction of meaningful features from EEG signal. Therefore, it becomes important to filter the noise from the EEG signal before feature extraction or classification of the EEG signal. The research article presents an overview of different types of windowing filter techniques like Rectangular, Bartlett, Hamming, Hanning, and Kaiser windows applied for finite impulse response (FIR) behavior which is used for EEG signal processing for different brain waves processed in different frequency bands. The comparative analysis is carried out in terms of the response time of brain frequency bands for different windowing filter techniques using the MATLAB 2023 signal processing simulation tool. The novelty of the work lies in estimating minimum latency and appropriate filter selection for various typical EEG waves, since the EEG signals are pre-supposed in the hardware chip design, noise elimination is the first step in high-performance computing applications. The Bartlett window band stop has an optimal response time of 12.666 s for delta waves, a highpass filter with a response time of 16.187 s for theta waves, a bandpass with a response time of 13.122 s for alpha waves, a highpass filter with a response time of 17.866 s for beta waves, and a highpass filter with a response time of 13.797 s for gamma waves. The Barlett window FIR filter is well-suited for EEG applications.