A Nikaido Isoda-Based Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Relaxation Method for Finding Nash Equilibrium

Nash Equilibrium (NE) plays a crucial role in game theory. The relaxation method in conjunction with the Nikaido–Isoda (NI) function, namely the NI-based relaxation method, has been widely applied to the determination of NE. Genetic Algorithm (GA) with adaptive penalty is introduced and incorporated in the original NI-based relaxation method. The GA enhances the capability in the optimization step for computing the optimum response function. The optimization of the non-convex and non-concave NI function is made possible by GA. The proposed method thus combines the advantageous feature of the GA in its optimization capability and that of the relaxation method in its implementation simplicity together. The applicability of the method is shown through the illustrative examples, including the generalized Nash Equilibrium problem with nonlinear payoff functions and coupled constraints, the game with multiple strategic variables for individual players, and the non-differentiable payoff functions. All test example results suggest the appropriate crossover and mutation rate to be 0.05 and 0.002 for use in GA. These numbers are closed to the recommended values by DeJong. The proposed method shows its capability of finding correct NEs in all test examples.

Optical fiber mercury biosensor based on immobilized urease and bromothymol blue onto the alginate-chitosan membrane in the flow-system

An optical fiber biosensor has been developed for the detection of mercury ion based on inhibition of urease immobilized onto alginate–chitosan membrane, coupled with bromothymol blue (BTB) in the flow system. To get a good performance of the biosensor toward Hg(II) ion detection, the experimental parameters of the biosensor were optimized. Here, the maximum wavelength was detected at 580 nm, with the optimum response at pH of 6. The calibration curve had a dynamic working range at 10 to 500 μg/L of Hg(II) ion with a detection limit of 12.1 μg/L biosensor has been performed by the addition of 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution, in which five-time cycles have been achieved with the inhibition decrease to 9.94% from the original biosensor response. Applying the biosensor to the real samples showed conformity of results with the reference method, cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). Therefore, this biosensor can be used as a method for routine analysis in the determination of Hg(II) concentration in an aqueous sample.

A Novel and Efficient In Vitro Organogenesis Approach for Ajuga lupulina Maxim

This work was aimed at establishing an effective approach for in vitro propagation of Ajuga lupulina Maxim, a medicinal and ornamental plant mainly found in eastern Xizang, in the western Sichuan region of China. We report an optimum response in the proliferation of axillary shoots from nodal segment explants (10.2 shoots/explant) on MS medium containing 3.0 mg L−1 of 6-benzyladenine (BA). When BA and TDZ individually or in combination with NAA were employed for adventitious shoot regeneration, shoots and embryo-like structures (ELSs) were noted in the callus from leaf explants. The maximum response of 26.4 shoots /explant (81.6%) and 12.0 ELSs/explant were ascertained on MS medium with 4.0 mg L−1 TDZ and 0.1 mg L−1 NAA. The leaf despite browning still demonstrated a high regeneration capacity. TDZ (2.0 mg L−1) and BA (2.0 mg L−1) along with NAA (0.01 mg L−1) were found to perform well for shoot regeneration via callus from shoot tip explants. The best for rooting was MS medium (half-strength) containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA: 1.5 mg L−1) and (NAA: 0.5 mg L−1) with the maximum number of roots (25.8 per shoot) and the highest rooting frequency (81.71%). The survival of the plantlets in the greenhouse was 78.2% indicative of successful acclimatization. This work is the first report of a consistent, definitive, and unique protocol for A. lupulina regeneration, paving the way for the in vitro preservation of such significant genetic resources and also further allied systems based on such callus-based or embryo-based approaches.

Optimization of Vanillin Extraction from Biodegradation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches by Serpula lacrymans

This research aims to determine the combination of the ethyl acetate solvent volume and the extraction time that resulted in the optimum response of vanillin content and vanillin yield from the degradation of lignocellulose components from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). First, OPEFB degraded using Serpula lacrymans to break down lignocellulosic components. The research design used a centralized composite design with two factors, the volume of ethyl acetate solvent (ml) and the extraction time (minutes). The responses of the experiment are vanillin content and vanillin yields. The optimization analysis results showed that the volume of ethyl acetate solvent and extraction time have a quadratic effect on the vanillin content and vanillin yields. The optimal solution was obtained by treatment with ethyl acetate volume 101.1 ml and extraction time 123.5 minutes. The optimal solution prediction results obtained vanillin content 0.014% and vanillin yield 7.302 μg/g with desirability of 92.8%. Validation based on the optimal solution’s prediction brought response vanillin content 0.013% and vanillin yield 6.950 μg/g. The vanillin content and yield validation results differed respectively by 4.081% and 4.826% lower when compared to predictions on the optimal solution. Keywords: ethyl acetate, vanillin content, vanillin yield

Study of the performance parameters of friction stir welded magnesium AZ31B alloy at optimized process parameters

The present study is aimed to analyze the effect of process parameters on the qualities of the Friction Stir Welded AZ31B Mg Alloy. Response Surface Methodology based Grey Relation Analysis technique was used to multi-optimization of the response parameters such as tensile strength (TS), percentage elongation (El), microhardness (MH), and impact strength (IMP). The mathematical models for response parameters were developed by considering tool rotational speed (RS), tool shoulder diameter (SD), and welding speed (WS) as process parameters. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was performed to check the adequacy of the formulated mathematical model and figure out the significant parameters. The results revealed that RS of 950 rpm, WS of 150 mm/min, and SD of 11 mm are the optimal process parameters for optimum response parameters (TS of 157.8700 MPa, IMP of 4.3001 Joule, MH of 84.1335 Hv, and El of 10.0071%). WS is the most significant factor, followed by RS and SD. The grain growth was observed in thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). The fracture analysis indicated that crack had initiated from the bottom of the centerline in the welded zone and propagated towards the advancing side.

Tumor Immune Microenvironment Characterization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Identifies Four Prognostic and Immunotherapeutically Relevant Subclasses

PurposeThe tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, underlying compositions and functions that drive the establishment and maintenance of the TME classifications are less-well understood.MethodsA total of 766 HCC patients from three public cohorts were clustered into four immune-related subclasses based on 13 TME signatures (11 immune-related cells and 2 immune-related pathways) calculated by MCP-counter. After analyzing the landscapes of functional annotation, methylation, somatic mutation, and clinical characteristics, we built a TME-based Support Vector Machine of 365 patients (discovery phase) and 401 patients (validation phase). We applied this SVM model on another two independent cohorts of patients who received sorafenib/pembrolizumab treatment.ResultsAbout 33% of patients displayed an immune desert pattern. The other subclasses were different in abundance of tumor infiltrating cells. The Immunogenic subclass (17%) associated with the best prognosis presented a massive T cell infiltration and an activation of immune checkpoint pathway. The 13 TME signatures showed a good potential to predict the TME classification (average AUC = 88%). Molecular characteristics of immunohistochemistry from Zhejiang cohort supported our SVM classification. The optimum response to pembrolizumab (78%) and sorafenib (81%) was observed in patients belonging to the Immunogenic subclass.ConclusionsThe HCC patients from distinct immune subclass showed significant differences in clinical prognosis and response to personalized treatment. Based on tumor transcriptome data, our workflow can help to predict the clinical outcomes and to find appropriate treatment strategies for HCC patients.

Optical Chemical Sensor Based on 2,2-Furildioxime in Sol-Gel Matrix for Determination of Ni2+ in Water

A new optical chemical sensor was fabricated based on incorporation of 2,2-furildioxime as a sensitive reagent into the nanopore of a transparent glasslike material through the sol-gel method which was suitable for determination of Ni2+ ions in aqueous solutions. The prepared sensors were composed of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), 2,2-furildioxime, methanol, hydrochloric acid and Triton X-100. The sensors were constructed by dip coating onto glass substrates. The optimum response of the sensor toward Ni2+ ions was reached at pH 8.5 and the contact time for the formation of the complex at 10 min. The linear concentration of the calibration curve was in the range of 1–5 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 0.111 mg L−1, and quantification limit of 0.337 mg L−1. In addition, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5% in determination of Ni2+ with ten slide sensor membranes. The developed sensor was tested on Ni2+ determination in real water samples which was confirmed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method.

Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on the performance of growing pullets

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of growing pullets reared at different seasons (dry season and rainy season).240 eight weeks-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 12 weeks (84 days) during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected. Both ascorbic acid and season significantly affected (P<0.05) growth rate with better growth rate reported in the dry season. Body weights at first lay exhibited a linear reduction with increasing concentration of ascorbic acid (P<0.05). Seasonal variation significantly affected (P<0.05) age and egg weight at first lay with higher values obtained in the rainy season. The cost-benefit analysis of supplementary ascorbic acid in the diet of experimental birds revealed that inclusion of the graded levels of ascorbic acid increased the cost of feed in a linear fashion across the dietary treatments. At the growing stage, cost of feed per kg weight gain was found to be lowest in birds fed 0 mg/kg AA. It was evident that at the growing stage, optimum response occurred with supplementation of 300 mg/kg AA.

Self-Healing Biogeopolymers Using Biochar-Immobilized Spores of Pure- and Co-Cultures of Bacteria

A sustainable solution for crack maintenance in geopolymers is necessary if they are to be the future of modern green construction. This study aims to develop self-healing biogeopolymers that could potentially rival bioconcrete. First, a suitable healing agent was selected from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, and Bacillus megaterium by directly adding their spores in the geopolymers and subsequently exposing them to a precipitation medium for 14 days. Scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis revealed the formation of mineral phases for B. subtilis and B. sphaericus. Next, the effect of biochar-immobilization and co-culturing (B. sphaericus and B. thuringiensis) on the healing efficiencies of the geopolymers were tested and optimized by measuring their ultrasonic pulse velocities weekly over a 28-day healing period. The results show that using co-cultured bacteria significantly improved the observed efficiencies, while biochar-immobilization had a weak effect, but yielded an optimum response between 0.3–0.4 g/mL. The maximum crack width sealed was 0.65 mm. Through SEM-EDX and FTIR analyses, the precipitates in the cracks were identified to be mainly CaCO3. With that, there is potential in developing self-healing biogeopolymers using biochar-immobilized spores of bacterial cultures.

An empirical regression model toward optimized ergonomic conditions for monitoring room operators using RSM

Purpose This study aims to provide an ergonomic design of the monitoring room that has resulted in safe, functional and comfortable environment for the operators, which may lead to improve the efficiency. Currently, uses of closed‐circuit televisions to monitor the critical environments are widely applicable. The information is continuously transferred and analyzed through a center called monitoring room. Design/methodology/approach Here, through creating a systematic analysis, a series of experiments was performed initially to evaluate and then optimize the parameters such as illumination, visual angle, operator-screen distance, number of scenes display in a single screen, workstation height, screen dimension and monitoring time that may affect the visual skill of the operators. Taguchi orthogonal array was used to analyze the significance of parameters on operator’s response time to a threat. The five parameters were distinguished as significant. Later response surface methodology was utilized to optimize the parameters. Findings Quadratic empirical model developed for the response time exposes the optimum response time was achievable at illumination of 500 lux, visual angle of 13°, operator-screen distance of 60 cm, three scenes, workstation height of 120 cm, screen dimension of 34” and monitoring time of 15 min. This shortened the response time by 28 per cent. The adequacy of the fitted model was successfully verified using the confirmation test with α = 95 per cent. Originality/value The novelty of this work lies in the application of a systematic statistical analysis, which enables considering the interaction among the noise parameters and controllable one simultaneously. Furthermore, the obtained regression model can widely be used for adjusting the parameters accordingly based on various anthropometric data.