• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.545-559
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• 2023

Nanoparticle strips (NPS) are widely used as external reinforcers for two-way reinforced concrete slabs. However, the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of these slabs is a very important issue and was evaluated in this study. This study has been done analytically and numerically to optimize the placement of sensors. The properties of slabs and carbon nanotubes as composite sheets were considered isotopic and orthotropic, respectively. The nonlinear Finite Element Method (FEM) approach and suitable optimal placement of sensor approach were developed as a new MATLAB toolbox called DECOMAC by the authors of this paper. The Suitable multi-objective function was considered in optimized processes based on distributed ECOMAC method. Some common concrete slabs in construction with different aspect ratios were considered as case studies. The dimension and distance of nano strips in retrofitting process were selected according to building codes. The results of Optimal Sensor Placement (OSP) by DECOMAC algorithm on un-retrofitted and retrofitted slabs were compared. The statistical analysis according to the Mann-Whitney criteria shows that there is a significant difference between them (mean P-value = 0.61).

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2015

Background: Foodborne disease outbreaks from various food sources are a major health concern worldwide. Current methods for detection of foodborne pathogens are both expensive and time-consuming. Purpose: This review aims to present the current information available on the use of lateral flow test strips to detect pathogens in food products to enhance food safety. Results: Frequent foodborne disease outbreaks from various food sources have increased the need for rapid and easy methods for routine analysis of foodborne pathogens. Present detection methods for foodborne pathogens require expensive instruments, experts, and long time for sample analysis. Lateral flow test strips have drawn attention in recent years because of their ability to detect analytes quickly and easily. This review focuses on the principle of the lateral flow test, the various formats of lateral flow test strips, recognition elements, labeling tags, and reading instruments. In addition, this review also discusses the future prospects for the lateral flow test strips.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2001

Local drug delivery by using biocompatible polymers has been developed in the treatment of periodontitis for many years. In the field of dental therapy, doxycycline is usually a first choice because of its broad-spectrum antibiotic activity. The strip releases antibiotics for a week, and the polymer should be degradable after a week. In this study, we prepared and evaluated the chitosan strips and nanoparticle strips containing doxycycline hydrochloride, and studied their antiacterial activity, dissoultion, and degrability in vitro. The weight of cast strip containing a 5 mg of doxycycline hydrochloride and a 45 mg of chitosan polymer was $57.67{\pm}0.17\;mg$. The release rate of doxycycline hydrochloride from the strip was measured by HPLC. The drug released from chitosan strip and nanoparticle strip was shown to be $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ in first 24 hours. In antibacterial test showed growth inhibitory activity after 24 hrs anaerobic incubation. In vitro degradability showed demolished weight of $93.74{\pm}0.08%$ chitosan strip, $82.48{\pm}1.29%$ chitosan nanoparticle strip, $2.47{\pm}1.99%$ polycarprolactione strip (control). These results showed that, with this doxycycline hydrochloride strip, it is feasible to obtain a sustained release of the drug within the periodontal pocket for seven days which may be improve for local drug delivery system for treatment of periodontal disease.