Isoimperatorin alleviates acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of isoimperatorin on histopathological and biochemical changes in acetic acid-induced colitis rats.Methods:Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of acetic acid solution(4%v/v)in rats.Rats were divided into six groups including the sham group,the negative control group,the dexamethasone-treated group,and the groups treated with isoimperatorin(0.1,1,and 10 mg/kg/d by gavage).The treatments were administered for three days and then colonic status was assessed by macroscopic,histopathological,and biochemical analyses.Results:Isoimperatorin significantly alleviated colonic damage in a dose-dependent manner and improved histological changes in rats with acetic acid-induced colitis.It also significantly reduced myeloperoxidase,TNF-α,IL-1β,and malodialdehyde levels.Conclusions:Isoimperatorin alleviates acetic acid-induced colitis in rats and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of colitis.

Optimal PD/PID control of smart base isolated buildings equipped with piezoelectric friction dampers

Long-period pulses in near-field earthquakes lead to large displacements in the base of isolated structures.To dissipate energy in isolated structures using semi-active control,piezoelectric friction dampers（PFD） can be employed.The performance of a PFD is highly dependent on the strategy applied to adjust its contact force.In this paper,the seismic control of a benchmark isolated building equipped with PFD using PD/PID controllers is developed.Using genetic algorithms,these controllers are optimized to create a balance between the performance and robustness of the closed-loop structural system.One advantage of this technique is that the controller forces can easily be estimated.In addition,the structure is equipped with only a single sensor at the base floor to measure the base displacement.Considering seven pairs of earthquakes and nine performance indices,the performance of the closed-loop system is evaluated.Then,the results are compared with those given by two well-known methods：the maximum possive operation of piezoelectric friction dampers and LQG controllers.The simulation results show that the proposed controllers perform better than the others in terms of simultaneous reduction of floor acceleration and maximum displacement of the isolator.Moreover,they are able to reduce the displacement of the isolator systems for different earthquakes without losing the advantages of isolation.

Astrodaucus persicus as a new source of bioinsectisides against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi

Objective: To determine the larvicidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of roots and fruits extracts of Astrodaucus persicus from Apiaceae family against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi(An. stephensi).Methods: Twenty five third instar larvae of An. stephensi were exposed to various concentrations(10–160 g/L) of fractions and were assayed according to World Health Organization protocol. The larval mortality was calculated after 24 h treatment.Results: Among tested fractions, the highest larvicidal efficacy was observed from ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract with 50% and 90% mortality values(LC_(50) and LC_(90)) of34.49 g/L and 108.61 g/L, respectively. Chloroform fraction of fruits extract was the second larvicidal sample with LC_(50) of 45.11 g/L and LC_(90) of 139.36 g/L. Petroleum ether fractions of fruits and roots and methanol fraction of fruits showed moderate toxicity against An. stephensi.Conclusions: Astrodaucus persicus is a potential source of valuable and natural larvicidal compounds against malaria vector, An. stephensi and can be used in mosquitoes control programs as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Microstrip Low-Pass Elliptic Filter Design Based on Implicit Space Mapping Optimization

It is a time-consuming and often iterative procedure to determine design parameters based on fine, accurate but expensive, models. To decrease the number of fine model evaluations, space mapping techniques may be employed. In this approach, it is assumed both fine model and coarse, fast but inaccurate, one are available. First, the coarse model is optimized to obtain design parameters satisfying design objectives. Next, auxiliary parameters are calibrated to match coarse and fine models’ responses. Then, the improved coarse model is re-optimized to obtain new design parameters. The design procedure is stopped when a satisfactory solution is reached. In this paper, an implicit space mapping method is used to design a microstrip low-pass elliptic filter. Simulation results show that only two fine model evaluations are sufficient to get satisfactory results.

Detection, Identification and Tracking of Flying Objects in Three Dimensions Using Multistatic Radars

Multistatic radar systems can be used in many applications such as homeland security, anti-air defense, anti-missile defense, ship’s navigation and traffic control systems. Multistatic radars, which are capable of detecting and tracking flying objects in three-dimension coordinate systems, are simulated in this paper. The location and velocity of flying objects as well as their radar cross sections are computed. The object’s path is also estimated by tracking the object.