Fabrication and Characterizations of Hot-Melt Extruded Nanocomposites Based on Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate and Soluplus

Song Yi Lee(이송이),Su Yeong Nam(남수영),Yo Han Choi(최요한),Min Ju Kim(김민주),Ja Seong Koo(구자성),Byung Jo Chae(채병조),Wie Soo Kang(강위수),Obyedul Kalam Azad3(아자드 오바이둘 칼람),Dong Ha Cho(조동하),Hyun Jong Cho(조현정) 한국약용작물학회 2018 한국약용작물학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2018 No.1

Residual Strength of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams Using an Adaptive Model Based on ANN

Ashhad Imam,Fatai Anifowose,Abul Kalam Azad 한국콘크리트학회 2015 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.9 No.2

Estimation of the residual strength of corroded reinforced concrete beams has been studied from experimental and theoretical perspectives. The former is arduous as it involves casting beams of various sizes, which are then subjected to various degrees of corrosion damage. The latter are static; hence cannot be generalized as new coefficients need to be re-generated for new cases. This calls for dynamic models that are adaptive to new cases and offer efficient generalization capability. Computational intelligence techniques have been applied in Construction Engineering modeling problems. However, these techniques have not been adequately applied to the problem addressed in this paper. This study extends the empirical model proposed by Azad et al. (Mag Concr Res 62(6):405?414, 2010), which considered all the adverse effects of corrosion on steel. We proposed four artificial neural networks (ANN) models to predict the residual flexural strength of corroded RC beams using the same data from Azad et al. (2010). We employed two modes of prediction: through the correction factor (Cf) and through the residual strength (Mres). For each mode, we studied the effect of fixed and random data stratification on the performance of the models. The results of the ANN models were found to be in good agreement with experimental values. When compared with the results of Azad et al. (2010), the ANN model with randomized data stratification gave a Cf-based prediction with up to 49 % improvement in correlation coefficient and 92 % error reduction. This confirms the reliability of ANN over the empirical models.

Qualitative and Quantitative Comparison of Contrast-Enhanced Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery, Magnetization Transfer Spin Echo, and Fat-Saturation T1-Weighted Sequences in Infectious Meningitis

Rajiv Azad,Mohit Tayal,Sheenam Azad,Garima Sharma,Rajendra Kumar Srivastava 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.6

Objective: To compare the contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (CE-FLAIR), the CE T1-weighted (CE-T1W) sequence with fat suppression (FS) and magnetization transfer (MT) for early detection and characterization of infectious meningitis. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients and 10 control subjects were evaluated with the CE-FLAIR and the CE-T1W sequences with FS and MT. Qualitative assessment was done by two observers for presence and grading of abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement. Quantitative assessment included computation of net meningeal enhancement, using single pixel signal intensity software. A newly devised FLAIR based scoring system, based on certain imaging features including ventricular dilatation, ependymal enhancement, infarcts and subdural effusions was used to indicate the etiology. Data were analysed using the Student’s t test, Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the intraclass correlation coefficient, one way analysis of variance, and Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction as the post hoc test. Results: The CE-FLAIR sequence demonstrated a better sensitivity (100%), diagnostic accuracy (95%), and a stronger correlation with the cerebrospinal fluid, total leukocyte count (r = 0.75), protein (r = 0.77), adenosine deaminase (r = 0.81) and blood glucose (r = -0.6) values compared to the CE-T1W sequences. Qualitative grades and quantitative meningeal enhancement on the CE-FLAIR sequence were also significantly greater than those on the other sequences. The FLAIR based scoring system yielded a diagnostic accuracy of 91.6% and a sensitivity of 96%. A strong inverse Pearson’s correlation (r = -0.95) was found between the assigned score and patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale at the time of admission. Conclusion: The CE-FLAIR sequence is better suited for evaluating infectious meningitis and could be included as a part of the routine MR imaging protocol.

A GENERAL MULTIPLE-TIME-SCALE METHOD FOR SOLVING AN n-TH ORDER WEAKLY NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION WITH DAMPING

Azad, M. Abul Kalam,Alam, M. Shamsul,Rahman, M. Saifur,Sarker, Bimolendu Shekhar Korean Mathematical Society 2011 대한수학회논문집 Vol.26 No.4

Based on the multiple-time-scale (MTS) method, a general formula has been presented for solving an n-th, n = 2, 3, ${\ldots}$, order ordinary differential equation with strong linear damping forces. Like the solution of the unified Krylov-Bogoliubov-Mitropolskii (KBM) method or the general Struble's method, the new solution covers the un-damped, under-damped and over-damped cases. The solutions are identical to those obtained by the unified KBM method and the general Struble's method. The technique is a new form of the classical MTS method. The formulation as well as the determination of the solution from the derived formula is very simple. The method is illustrated by several examples. The general MTS solution reduces to its classical form when the real parts of eigen-values of the unperturbed equation vanish.

A Modified Three-parameter Lognormal Distribution For Seismic Demand Assessment Considering Collapse Data

Azad Yazdani,Hessan Salehi,Mohammad Sadegh Shahidzadeh 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.1

Consideration of parameter uncertainty in structural seismic performance has become an important issue in the last decade. A common means of including such uncertainties is through the reliability theory. Seismic reliability assessment is concerned with calculation of probability of exceeding a certain structural limit state against a ground motion intensity measure. However, an important factor which affects the reliability index is the selection of probability distributions for structural demand. Usually a lognormal distribution is assumed by researchers but recent studies show that such simple assumption may result in misleading reliability measures. In this study, a three parameter lognormal distribution is proposed to be used to describe seismic behavior at relatively high intensity measures. This distribution is unique as it considers the missing or collapse data and at the same time incorporates a location parameter to disregard the less likely displacements at high spectral accelerations in Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). It was shown by means of the Shannon’s entropy that uncertainty of calculating the reliability index using the proposed distribution is minimum compared to other available methods and therefore it is recommended to be used for reliability assessment of collapse prevention limit state.

Development and Evaluation of a Multicultural Counseling Competencies (MCC) Training Module for Trainee Counselors

Azad Athahiri Anuar,Rafidah Aga Mohd Jaladin 한국상담학회 2016 Journal of Asia Pacific counseling Vol.6 No.1

The aims of this study were to develop and evaluate a multicultural counseling competencies (MCC) training module for trainee counselors in Malaysia. The module encompassed five sub-modules and 11 activities developed along the concepts and components of the MCC matrix model developed by Sue, Arredondo, and McDavis (1992). The design method used in this study involved an experimental design approach involving pre-test and post-test. The instruments used to determine the MCC of trainee counselors was the Multicultural Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills Surveysign approach involving pre-test and post-test.Asay, and D and ). (2003). The study sample comprised 60 trainee counselors from three local universities. Independent t-tests were conducted to identify the differences in MCC of trainee counselor awareness, knowledge, and skills between the treatment and control groups. In the pre-test, the trainee counselors in the treatment and control group had similar levels of MCC, while the post-test showed an increase in MCC levels of trainee counselors in the treatment group. These findings proved that the MCC training module had an impact on MCC. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Nonlinear Sliding Surfaces; Computing and Existence of Solution

Azad Ghaffari,Mohammad Javad Yazdanpanah 제어로봇시스템학회 2008 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2008 No.10

In this paper, we have concentrated on real systems consisting of structural uncertainties and affected by external disturbances. In this regard, Sliding Mode Control (S.M.C.) is utilized. To decrease energy consumption, arising from chattering phenomenon, a smooth switch has been used in design procedure. Consequently, sliding equation will play a dominant controlling role in its neighborhood. The converging property of sliding motion towards the origin is a challenging issue. In this article we present a new method to prove the stability of the sliding phase which means, state trajectories on the sliding surface move toward the origin. At the beginning, the equivalent control method is reestablished such that makes this purpose accessible. The modification bounds the sliding equation to a converging set. Then to improve main factors of closed loop system, such as, transient behavior, energy consumption and the domain of attraction, the optimal control theory is used to compute the optimized sliding surface in the stabilizing set. Generally, desired surface has nonlinear terms. Finally, we propose an elaborate algorithm for computing optimized nonlinear surfaces. The designed controller is applied to a flexible?ink setup. Simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed approach.

T helper cell subsets and related cytokines in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization before and after seminal plasma exposure

Azad, Marziyeh,Keshtgar, Sara,Jahromi, Bahia Namavar,Kanannejad, Zahra,Gharesi-Fard, Behrouz The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2017 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.44 No.4

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

Protective role of estrogen against excessive erythrocytosis in Monge’s disease

Azad Priti,Villafuerte Francisco C.,Bermudez Daniela,Patel Gargi,Haddad Gabriel G. 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Monge’s disease (chronic mountain sickness (CMS)) is a maladaptive condition caused by chronic (years) exposure to high-altitude hypoxia. One of the defining features of CMS is excessive erythrocytosis with extremely high hematocrit levels. In the Andean population, CMS prevalence is vastly different between males and females, being rare in females. Furthermore, there is a sharp increase in CMS incidence in females after menopause. In this study, we assessed the role of sex hormones (testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen) in CMS and non-CMS cells using a well-characterized in vitro erythroid platform. While we found that there was a mild (nonsignificant) increase in RBC production with testosterone, we observed that estrogen, in physiologic concentrations, reduced sharply CD235a + cells (glycophorin A; a marker of RBC), from 56% in the untreated CMS cells to 10% in the treated CMS cells, in a stage-specific and dose-responsive manner. At the molecular level, we determined that estrogen has a direct effect on GATA1, remarkably decreasing the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of GATA1 ( p < 0.01) and its target genes ( Alas2 , BclxL , and Epor , p < 0.001). These changes result in a significant increase in apoptosis of erythroid cells. We also demonstrate that estrogen regulates erythropoiesis in CMS patients through estrogen beta signaling and that its inhibition can diminish the effects of estrogen by significantly increasing HIF1, VEGF, and GATA1 mRNA levels. Taken altogether, our results indicate that estrogen has a major impact on the regulation of erythropoiesis, particularly under chronic hypoxic conditions, and has the potential to treat blood diseases, such as high altitude severe erythrocytosis.

Bactericidal and wound disinfection efficacy of nanostructured titania

Azad, Abdul-Majeed,Aboelzahab, Asem,Goel, Vijay Techno-Press 2012 Advances in materials research Vol.1 No.4

Infections are caused due to the infiltration of tissue or organ space by infectious bacterial agents, among which Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are clinically most relevant. While current treatment modalities are in general quite effective, several bacterial strains exhibit high resistance to them, leading to complications and additional surgeries, thereby increasing the patient morbidity rates. Titanium dioxide is a celebrated photoactive material and has been utilized extensively in antibacterial functions, making it a leading infection mitigating agent. In view of the property amelioration in materials via nanofication, free-standing titania nanofibers (pure and nominally doped) and nanocoatings (on Ti and Ti6Al4V implants) were fabricated and evaluated to assess their efficacy to mitigate the viability and growth of S. aureus upon brief (30 s) activation by a portable hand-held infrared laser. In order to gauge the effect of exposure and its correlation with the antibacterial activities, both isolated (only titania substrate) and simultaneous (substrate submerged in the bacterial suspension) activations were performed. The bactericidal efficacy of the IR-activated $TiO_2$ nanocoatings was also tested against E. coli biofilms. Toxicity study was conducted to assess any potential harm to the tissue cells in the presence of photoactivated materials. These investigations showed that the photoactivated titania nanofibers caused greater than 97% bacterial necrosis of S. aureus. In the case of titania-coated Ti-implant surrogates, the bactericidal efficacy exceeded 90% in the case of pre-activation and was 100% in the case of simultaneous-activation. In addition to their high bactericidal efficacy against S. aureus, the benignity of titania nanofibers and nanocoatings towards tissue cells during in-vivo exposure was also demonstrated, making them safe for use in implant devices.