Free terminal time optimal control of a fractional-order model for the HIV/AIDS epidemic

In this paper, we present a fractional model for the HIV/AIDS epidemic and incorporate into the model control parameters of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), behavioral change and antiretroviral therapy (ART) aimed at controlling the spread of diseases. We prove the local and global asymptotic stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria of the model. We present a general fractional optimal control problem (FOCP) with free terminal time and develop the Adapted Forward-Backward Sweep method for numerical solving of the FOCP. Necessary conditions for a state/control/terminal time triplet to be optimal are obtained. The results show that the use of all controls increases the life expectancy of HIV-treated patients with ART and remarkably increases the number of people undergoing PrEP and changing their sexual habits. Also, when the derivative order [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) limits to 1, the value of optimal terminal time increases while the value of objective functional decreases.

Design and Experimental Research of Variable Formula Fertilization Control System Based on Prescription Diagram

In order to solve the problems such as the inability to automatically mix a variety of solid fertilizers and the unreasonable fertilizer amount, improve fertilizer utilization, and reduce production costs, this study designs a variable formula fertilization control system based on a prescription diagram, including pressure sensor, speed sensor, servo motor, fertilizer discharge actuator, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC controller), vehicle control terminal, etc. Based on pre-loaded soil prescription diagram and combining fertilizer pressure and ground wheel speed detection information, the system obtained a formula fertilization control strategy through calculation to realize the function of fast and automatic formula of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers and precise variable fertilization. The experimental study on the performance of the variable formula fertilization control system showed the following: the measurement error range of the pressure sensor was 0.005~0.03%; the relationship between the motor speed and the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer discharged was calibrated. Three gears were established for the motor speed: low (10 r/min), medium (30 r/min), and high (50 r/min); the measurement accuracy of the speed sensor was above 98%. The test verified that the control accuracy of the variable formula fertilization system reached more than 95%, which met the requirements of fast automatic formula and precise variable fertilization and had good practicability and economy.

Endocannabinoid Modulation of Nucleus Accumbens Microcircuitry and Terminal Dopamine Release

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is located in the ventromedial portion of the striatum and is vital to valence-based predictions and motivated action. The neural architecture of the NAc allows for complex interactions between various cell types that filter incoming and outgoing information. Dopamine (DA) input serves a crucial role in modulating NAc function, but the mechanisms that control terminal DA release and its effect on NAc neurons continues to be elucidated. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has emerged as an important filter of neural circuitry within the NAc that locally shapes terminal DA release through various cell type- and site-specific actions. Here, we will discuss how eCB signaling modulates terminal DA release by shaping the activity patterns of NAc neurons and their afferent inputs. We then discuss recent technological advancements that are capable of dissecting how distinct cell types, their afferent projections, and local neuromodulators influence valence-based actions.

Immunotoxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Insights into Short-Chain PFAS Exposure

Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were recently identified in drinking water sources throughout North Carolina. These include the perfluoroether acids (PFEAs) perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA), perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMOPrA), and perfluoro-4-methoxybutanioc acid (PFMOBA). Little toxicological data exist for these PFEAs. Therefore, the present study described signs of toxicity and immunotoxicity following oral exposure. Adult male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed once/day for 30 days to PFMOAA (0, 0.00025, 0.025, or 2.5 mg/kg), PFMOPrA, or PFMOBA (0, 0.5, 5, or 50 mg/kg). A dose of 7.5 mg/kg of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used as a positive control. Terminal body weights, and absolute liver, spleen, or thymus weights did not differ by dose for any compound; exposure to 50 mg/kg of PFMOBA increased relative liver weights in males. Changes in splenic cellularity were observed in males exposed to PFMOPrA and decreased numbers of B and natural killer (NK) cells were observed in males and females exposed to PFMOBA. Exposure did not alter NK cell cytotoxicity or T cell-dependent antibody responses at doses administered. Our results indicate that these “understudied” PFAS have toxicological potential but require additional investigation across endpoints and species, including humans, to understand health effects via drinking water exposure.

Performance Monitoring of Re-Engineered CRCP Test Sections: Volume 2

Innovative methods in structural design, concrete materials, construction processes, and support layer selection and design were proposed to improve the performance of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). With the aim of making CRCP more economical initially, the proposed ideas were evaluated by constructing two 500 ft. long continuously reinforced concrete beams (CRCB) in Rantoul, IL. The CRCB were also instrumented to monitor responses under environmental loading for various design and material changes such as steel content, internally-cured concrete, active crack control, and macro-fibers. Adopting the initial results of the CRCB sections, three experimental CRCP test sections were also constructed by the Illinois Tollway in 2016 and 2017. These sections evaluated the effects of steel content (0.58% versus 0.80%), base type and interface, internal cure versus conventional concrete, active crack control, terminal joint design, and macro-fiber addition on the crack properties and pavement responses. Details about the design, construction, and performance of the CRCB and CRCP sections are presented in this volume.

DESIGN OF AN INTELLIGENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR A JUJUBE ORCHARD BASED ON IoT

This research aimed to develop an information acquisition and intelligent irrigation decision system based on the agricultural Internet of Things (IoT). The system consists of a field control terminal and a remote client, realizing control, real-time display, alarm, and other functions. The user may apply the upper and lower limit of soil relative water content as the irrigation decision threshold. The system automatically controls irrigation according to the threshold. In the calculation and analysis part of the system, the programming software Keil 5 was used for data collection and monitoring, database comparison, calculation and analysis, irrigation decision, and other functions.

Vertical organic synapse expandable to 3D crossbar array

Recently, three-terminal synaptic devices have attracted considerable attention owing to their nondestructive weight-update behavior, which is attributed to the completely separated terminals for reading and writing. However, the structural limitations of these devices, such as a low array density and complex line design, are predicted to result in low processing speeds and high energy consumption of the entire system. Here, we propose a vertical three-terminal synapse featuring a remote weight update via ion gel, which is also extendable to a crossbar array structure. This synaptic device exhibits excellent synaptic characteristics, which are achieved via precise control of ion penetration onto the vertical channel through the weight-control terminal. Especially, the applicability of the developed vertical organic synapse array to neuromorphic computing is demonstrated using a simple crossbar synapse array. The proposed synaptic device technology is expected to be an important steppingstone to the development of high-performance and high-density neural networks.