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Fossil fuels are the primary energy source in most countries of the world, especially since the beginning of the industrial renaissance. Increased consumption of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, which significantly negatively impact the environment and human health. As a result of these disadvantages, the world needs to search for alternative low-carbon energy sources. The article focused on the amount of renewable energy generation in Turkey, Iran and Iraq from the collection of statistical data from 2010-2020. Turkey occupied the clear progress to benefit from renewable energy sources, followed by Iran and Iraq. The percentage of annual growth of power generation based on hydropower in Turkey, Iran and Iraq (71.4%, 28.5% and 0.1%) respectively. About other renewable energy sources, Turkey had the largest share in generating energy from wind and solar energy, with an annual growth rate of (88.03%, 98.22%), respectively. Finally, renewable energy can be considered a promising energy source for future generations when countries determine correct planning policies.

In the real-world, self-driving vehicles are required to achieve steering maneuvers in both uncontrolled and uncertain environments while maintaining high levels of safety and passengers' comfort. Ignoring these requirements would inherently cause a significant degradation in the performance of the control system, and consequently, could lead to life-threatening scenarios. In this paper, we present a robust path following control of a self-driving vehicle under mismatched perturbations due to the effect of parametric uncertainties, vehicle side-slip angle, and road banking. In particular, the proposed control framework includes two parts. The first part ensures that the lateral and the yaw dynamics behave with nominal desired dynamics by canceling undesired dynamics. The second part is composed of two extended high-gain observers to estimate the system state variables and the perturbation terms. Our stability analysis of the closed-loop systems confirms exponential stability properties under the proposed control law. To validate the proposed control system, the controller is implemented experimentally on an autonomous vehicle research platform and tested in different road conditions that include flat, inclined, and banked roads. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the controller, they also illustrate the capability of the controller in achieving comparable performance under inclined and banked roads as compared to flat roads under a range of longitudinal velocities.

Expansion projects being considered at the Aluminium Bahrain smelter operations include a new line 6 and increased amperage on the existing pot lines 4 and 5. A typical bottleneck for increased amperage is related to limitations on gas flow and temperature in the existing gas treatment centres (GTCs). HF emission levels from GTCs are strongly related to pot gas temperature and they increase sharply above 110-115 degrees C. Cooling can be provided by adding dilution air or water injection, but additional scaling, increased HF emissions, reduced filter bag lifetimes and higher costs would be expected. A project is described in which a heat exchanger (HEx) was integrated into the reactor inlet of the GTC filter compartment in line 4 to provide indirect cooling of the gas. The results were compared with a previous installation at Mosjoen, Norway. The viability of the integrated heat exchanger for the amperage expansion project was demonstrated, with stable potgas flow through the GTC, reduced GTC footprint and size, reduced main fan power consumption and possible utilisation of the low-grade waste heat for energy recovery., Expansion projects being considered at the Aluminium Bahrain smelter operations include a new line 6 and increased amperage on the existing pot lines 4 and 5. A typical bottleneck for increased amperage is related to limitations on gas flow and temperature in the existing gas treatment centres (GTCs). HF emission levels from GTCs are strongly related to pot gas temperature and they increase sharply above 110-115 degrees C. Cooling can be provided by adding dilution air or water injection, but additional scaling, increased HF emissions, reduced filter bag lifetimes and higher costs would be expected. A project is described in which a heat exchanger (HEx) was integrated into the reactor inlet of the GTC filter compartment in line 4 to provide indirect cooling of the gas. The results were compared with a previous installation at Mosjoen, Norway. The viability of the integrated heat exchanger for the amperage expansion project was demonstrated, with stable potgas flow through the GTC, reduced GTC footprint and size, reduced main fan power consumption and possible utilisation of the low-grade waste heat for energy recovery.

OBJECTIVE AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling acts as a sensor of nutrients and hormones in the hypothalamus, thereby regulating whole-body energy homeostasis. Deletion of Ampk alpha 2 in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons causes obesity and defective neuronal glucose sensing. LKB1, the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome gene product, and Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase beta (CaMKK beta) are key upstream activators of AMPK. This study aimed to determine their role in POMC neurons upon energy and glucose homeostasis regulation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Mice lacking either Camkk beta or Lkb1 in POMC neurons were generated, and physiological, electrophysiological, and molecular biology studies were performed. RESULTS Deletion of Camkk beta in POMC neurons does not alter energy homeostasis or glucose metabolism. In contrast, female mice lacking Lkb1 in POMC neurons (PomcLkb1KO) display glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, impaired suppression of hepatic glucose production, and altered expression of hepatic metabolic genes. The underlying cellular defect in PomcLkb1KO mice involves a reduction in melanocortin tone caused by decreased alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone secretion. However, Lkb1-deficient POMC neurons showed normal glucose sensing, and body weight was unchanged in PomcLkb1KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that LKB1 in hypothalamic POMC neurons plays a key role in the central regulation of peripheral glucose metabolism but not body-weight control. This phenotype contrasts with that seen in mice lacking AMPK in POMC neurons with defects in body-weight regulation but not glucose homeostasis, which suggests that LKB1 plays additional functions distinct from activating AMPK in POMC neurons. Diabetes 60:735-745, 2011

Experimental infections of Sminthopsis crassicaudata, the fat-tailed dunnart, a carnivorous marsupial widely distributed throughout the arid and semi-arid zones of Australia, show that this species can act as an intermediate host for Neospora caninum. In contrast to existing models that develop relatively few N. caninum tissue cysts, dunnarts offer a new animal model in which active neosporosis is dominated by tissue cyst production. The results provide evidence for a sylvatic life cycle of N. caninum in Australia between marsupials and wild dogs. It establishes the foundation for an investigation of the impact and costs of neosporosis to wildlife. © 2011 King et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The aim of this study was to describe the first development and evaluation of a multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay for the detection and identification of 4 common pathogenic protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia intestinalis, from human clinical samples. A total of 472 fecal samples submitted to the Department of Microbiology at St. Vincent's Hospital were included in the study. The MT-PCR assay was compared to four real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays and microscopy by a traditional modified iron hematoxylin stain. The MT-PCR detected 28 G. intestinalis, 26 D. fragilis, 11 E. histolytica, and 9 Cryptosporidium sp. isolates. Detection and identification of the fecal protozoa by MT-PCR demonstrated 100% correlation with the RT-PCR results, and compared to RT-PCR, MT-PCR exhibited 100% sensitivity and specificity, while traditional microscopy of stained fixed fecal smears exhibited sensitivities and specificities of 56% and 100% for Cryptosporidium spp., 38% and 99% for D. fragilis, 47% and 97% for E. histolytica, and 50% and 100% for G. intestinalis. No cross-reactivity was detected in 100 stool samples containing various other bacterial, viral, and protozoan species. The MT-PCR assay was able to provide rapid, sensitive, and specific simultaneous detection and identification of the four most important diarrhea-causing protozoan parasites that infect humans. This study also highlights the lack of sensitivity demonstrated by microscopy, and thus, molecular methods such as MT-PCR must be considered the diagnostic methods of choice for enteric protozoan parasites. Copyright © 2011, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

The aim of this study was to describe the first development and evaluation of a multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay for the detection and identification of 4 common pathogenic protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba his

The aim of this study was to describe the first development and evaluation of a multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay for the detection and identification of 4 common pathogenic protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba his

Experimental infections of Sminthopsis crassicaudata, the fat-tailed dunnart, a carnivorous marsupial widely distributed throughout the arid and semi-arid zones of Australia, show that this species can act as an intermediate host for Neospora caninum. In contrast to existing models that develop relatively few N. caninum tissue cysts, dunnarts offer a new animal model in which active neosporosis is dominated by tissue cyst production. The results provide evidence for a sylvatic life cycle of N. caninum in Australia between marsupials and wild dogs. It establishes the foundation for an investigation of the impact and costs of neosporosis to wildlife. © 2011 King et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Genetic diversity of Neospora caninum was investigated through a study of repetitive sequences found in the genome of this species. Twenty different loci were studied, and three were identified that varied in repeat content amongst isolates. No relationship was found between the copy number of repetitive sequences present and host type or geographical location from which the isolates were derived. A multiplex PCR assay was developed for multilocus-strain typing using three microsatellites and three minisatellites, based on the polymorphisms found in the repetitive sequences. This study therefore extends knowledge on the repetitive sequences found in the N. caninum genome and the diversity found within the species. It also provides a second generation multiplex assay that can be used to study the biology of N. caninum. In addition, this study included Neospora hughesi (along with other closely related apicomplexans) as controls. The present study shows N. hughesi to be quite distinct from N. caninum in these repetitive sequences, thereby potentially providing a new approach for the differentiation of these two taxa. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neospora caninum is a parasite regarded a major cause of foetal loss in cattle. A key requirement to an understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of N. caninum is knowledge of the biological characteristics of the species and the genetic diversity within it. Due to the broad intermediate host range of the species, worldwide geographical distribution and its capacity for sexual reproduction, significant biological and genetic differences might be expected to exist. N. caninum has now been isolated from a variety of different host species including dogs and cattle. Although isolates of this parasite show only minor differences in ultrastructure, considerable differences have been reported in pathogenicity using mainly mouse models. At the DNA level, marked levels of polymorphism between isolates were detected in mini- and microsatellites found in the genome of N. caninum. Knowledge of what drives the biological differences that have been observed between the various isolates at the molecular level is crucial in aiding our understanding of the epidemiology of this parasite and, in turn, the development of efficacious strategies, such as live vaccines, for controlling its impact. The purpose of this review is to document and discuss for the first time, the nature of the diversity found within the species Neospora caninum. © 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.

Neospora caninum is a parasite regarded a major cause of foetal loss in cattle. A key requirement to an understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of N. caninum is knowledge of the biological characteristics of the species and the genetic diversity within it. Due to the broad intermediate host range of the species, worldwide geographical distribution and its capacity for sexual reproduction, significant biological and genetic differences might be expected to exist. N. caninum has now been isolated from a variety of different host species including dogs and cattle. Although isolates of this parasite show only minor differences in ultrastructure, considerable differences have been reported in pathogenicity using mainly mouse models. At the DNA level, marked levels of polymorphism between isolates were detected in mini- and microsatellites found in the genome of N. caninum. Knowledge of what drives the biological differences that have been observed between the various isolates at the molecular level is crucial in aiding our understanding of the epidemiology of this parasite and, in turn, the development of efficacious strategies, such as live vaccines, for controlling its impact. The purpose of this review is to document and discuss for the first time, the nature of the diversity found within the species Neospora caninum. © 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.

Genetic diversity of Neospora caninum was investigated through a study of repetitive sequences found in the genome of this species. Twenty different loci were studied, and three were identified that varied in repeat content amongst isolates. No relationship was found between the copy number of repetitive sequences present and host type or geographical location from which the isolates were derived. A multiplex PCR assay was developed for multilocus-strain typing using three microsatellites and three minisatellites, based on the polymorphisms found in the repetitive sequences. This study therefore extends knowledge on the repetitive sequences found in the N. caninum genome and the diversity found within the species. It also provides a second generation multiplex assay that can be used to study the biology of N. caninum. In addition, this study included Neospora hughesi (along with other closely related apicomplexans) as controls. The present study shows N. hughesi to be quite distinct from N. caninum in these repetitive sequences, thereby potentially providing a new approach for the differentiation of these two taxa. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

To provide objective data on the potential role of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) in the life cycle of Neospora caninum in Australia, the production of N. caninum oocysts by experimentally infected canids was investigated. Three dingo pups raised in captivity and three domestic dogs were fed tissue from calves infected with an Australian isolate of N. caninum, Nc-Nowra. Oocysts of N. caninum, confirmed by species-specific PCR, were shed in low numbers by one dingo pup at 12-14. days p.i. The remaining animals did not shed oocysts. Furthermore, the blood from two out of three dingoes tested positive for DNA of N. caninum using PCR tests at 14 and 28. days p.i. Oocyst shedding from the intestinal tract of a dingo demonstrates that dingoes are definitive hosts of N. caninum and horizontal transmission of N. caninum from dingoes to farm animals and wildlife may occur in Australia. © 2010 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc.

To provide objective data on the potential role of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) in the life cycle of Neospora caninum in Australia, the production of N. caninum oocysts by experimentally infected canids was investigated. Three dingo pups raised in captivity and three domestic dogs were fed tissue from calves infected with an Australian isolate of N. caninum, Nc-Nowra. Oocysts of N. caninum, confirmed by species-specific PCR, were shed in low numbers by one dingo pup at 12-14. days p.i. The remaining animals did not shed oocysts. Furthermore, the blood from two out of three dingoes tested positive for DNA of N. caninum using PCR tests at 14 and 28. days p.i. Oocyst shedding from the intestinal tract of a dingo demonstrates that dingoes are definitive hosts of N. caninum and horizontal transmission of N. caninum from dingoes to farm animals and wildlife may occur in Australia. © 2010 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc.

As impaired insulin signalling (IIS) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease we crossed mice (Tg2576) over-expressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP), with insulin receptor substrate 2 null (Irs2(-/-)) mice which develop insulin resistance. The resulting Tg2576/Irs2(-/-) animals had increased tau phosphorylation but a paradoxical amelioration of Abeta pathology. An increase of the Abeta binding protein transthyretin suggests that increased clearance of Abeta underlies the reduction in plaques. Increased tau phosphorylation correlated with reduced tau-phosphatase PP2A, despite an inhibition of the tau-kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3. Our findings demonstrate that disruption of IIS in Tg2576 mice has divergent effects on pathological processes-a reduction in aggregated Abeta but an increase in tau phosphorylation. However, as these effects are accompanied by improvement in behavioural deficits, our findings suggest a novel protective effect of disrupting IRS2 signalling in AD which may be a useful therapeutic strategy for this condition., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

As impaired insulin signalling (IIS) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease we crossed mice (Tg2576) over-expressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP), with insulin receptor substrate 2 null (Irs2(-/-)) mice which develop insulin resistance. The resulting Tg2576/Irs2(-/-) animals had increased tau phosphorylation but a paradoxical amelioration of Abeta pathology. An increase of the Abeta binding protein transthyretin suggests that increased clearance of Abeta underlies the reduction in plaques. Increased tau phosphorylation correlated with reduced tau-phosphatase PP2A, despite an inhibition of the tau-kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3. Our findings demonstrate that disruption of IIS in Tg2576 mice has divergent effects on pathological processes-a reduction in aggregated Abeta but an increase in tau phosphorylation. However, as these effects are accompanied by improvement in behavioural deficits, our findings suggest a novel protective effect of disrupting IRS2 signalling in AD which may be a useful therapeutic strategy for this condition., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Infection with Neospora caninum is regarded as a significant cause of abortion in cattle. Despite the economic impact of this infection, relatively little is known about the biology of this parasite. In this study, mini and microsatellite DNAs were detected in the genome of N. caninum and eight loci were identified that each contained repetitive DNA which was polymorphic among different isolates of this parasite. A multiplex PCR assay was developed for the detection of genetic variation within N. caninum based on length polymorphism associated with three different repetitive markers. The utility of the multiplex PCR was demonstrated in that it was able to distinguish amongst strains of N. caninum used as either vaccine or challenge strains in animal vaccination experiments and that it could genotype N. caninum associated with naturally acquired infections of animals. The multiplex PCR is simple, rapid, informative and sensitive and should provide a valuable tool for further studies on the epidemiology of N. caninum in different host species. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Infection with Neospora caninum is regarded as a significant cause of abortion in cattle. Despite the economic impact of this infection, relatively little is known about the biology of this parasite. In this study, mini and microsatellite DNAs were detected in the genome of N. caninum and eight loci were identified that each contained repetitive DNA which was polymorphic among different isolates of this parasite. A multiplex PCR assay was developed for the detection of genetic variation within N. caninum based on length polymorphism associated with three different repetitive markers. The utility of the multiplex PCR was demonstrated in that it was able to distinguish amongst strains of N. caninum used as either vaccine or challenge strains in animal vaccination experiments and that it could genotype N. caninum associated with naturally acquired infections of animals. The multiplex PCR is simple, rapid, informative and sensitive and should provide a valuable tool for further studies on the epidemiology of N. caninum in different host species. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the brain of a young dog for the first time in Australia. The identity of the parasite was confirmed by PCR, Western blotting, electron microscopy and cat bioassay. Genotyping of the isolate (TgDgAu1) was determined by PCR-RFLP markers that showed it to be a Type II strain. Western blotting demonstrated the presence of IgM antibodies to T. gondii suggesting the bitch was probably infected during pregnancy and the T. gondii was transmitted to the pups congenitally. We believe this represents the first description of a natural case of congenital transmission of T. gondii in the dog. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.

Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the brain of a young dog for the first time in Australia. The identity of the parasite was confirmed by PCR, Western blotting, electron microscopy and cat bioassay. Genotyping of the isolate (TgDgAu1) was determined by PCR-RFLP markers that showed it to be a Type II strain. Western blotting demonstrated the presence of IgM antibodies to T. gondii suggesting the bitch was probably infected during pregnancy and the T. gondii was transmitted to the pups congenitally. We believe this represents the first description of a natural case of congenital transmission of T. gondii in the dog. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.

The apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum has been identified as an important cause of disease in the dairy industry because it causes abortion and neonatal mortality in livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats and also causing neuromuscular disorders and death in dogs. Biological diversity within the species N. caninum isolates has not been studied in detail. Limited differences were reported using several genetic approaches such as sequencing of ribosomal DNA. Mini- and microsatellite DNA markers have recently been reported to represent a valuable tool to study genetic diversity within this parasite. This is the topic of this thesis. In the present study, mini- and microsatellite DNA markers were used successfully to genotype different strains of N. caninum which were isolated from bovine and canine hosts and from different geographical regions of the world. Several mini- and microsatellites were identified that detected differences among different isolates of this parasite. A prototype multiplex PCR assay was developed for strain typing of N. caninum based on the length polymorphisms detected amongst three different repetitive markers two- minisatellites and one microsatellite. This method is simple, rapid, highly informative and sensitive for the study of N. caninum diversity. Discrimination amongst isolates can be improved by the incorporation of more loci into a multiplex PCR and so additional DNA markers were sought. The study of genomic DNA resulted in the identification of two additional minisatellites and one microsatellite. A second generation multiplex PCR assay was developed for multilocus strain typing of N. caninum based on length polymorphisms of the six satellites. This multiplex included three microsatellites and three minisatellites. This assay provides a higher degree of resolution and provides a valuable tool to study genetic variation among different isolates of this parasite. Various uses of multiplex PCR were investigated in the study of N.

The apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum has been identified as an important cause of disease in the dairy industry because it causes abortion and neonatal mortality in livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats and also causing neuromuscular disorders and death in dogs. Biological diversity within the species N. caninum isolates has not been studied in detail. Limited differences were reported using several genetic approaches such as sequencing of ribosomal DNA. Mini- and microsatellite DNA markers have recently been reported to represent a valuable tool to study genetic diversity within this parasite. This is the topic of this thesis. In the present study, mini- and microsatellite DNA markers were used successfully to genotype different strains of N. caninum which were isolated from bovine and canine hosts and from different geographical regions of the world. Several mini- and microsatellites were identified that detected differences among different isolates of this parasite. A prototype multiplex PCR assay was developed for strain typing of N. caninum based on the length polymorphisms detected amongst three different repetitive markers two- minisatellites and one microsatellite. This method is simple, rapid, highly informative and sensitive for the study of N. caninum diversity. Discrimination amongst isolates can be improved by the incorporation of more loci into a multiplex PCR and so additional DNA markers were sought. The study of genomic DNA resulted in the identification of two additional minisatellites and one microsatellite. A second generation multiplex PCR assay was developed for multilocus strain typing of N. caninum based on length polymorphisms of the six satellites. This multiplex included three microsatellites and three minisatellites. This assay provides a higher degree of resolution and provides a valuable tool to study genetic variation among different isolates of this parasite. Various uses of multiplex PCR were investigated in the study of N.

The development of a novel nested polymerase chain reaction is described and used for detecting the presence of Neospora caninum and Hammondia heydorni DNA in DNA extracted from feral rodent tissues. A unique strategy was used for design of an assay that could be adapted for detecting DNA from more than one member of Toxoplasmatinae simultaneously with a minimal number of additional steps. The level of sensitivity described for this assay is comparable to real time-PCR and other nested PCR assays. Twenty-eight of 104 feral mice tested positive for N. caninum in at least one tissue (the brain, heart or liver) studied. In this study, eight instances are reported where the brain tested negative to N. caninum while at least one other tissue was positive. This suggests that prior studies, which screened only the brain, describe prevalence levels that are under-represented. None of 54 mouse brains tested positive for H. heydorni DNA. This suggests that mice are rarely infected by H. heydorni although this hypothesis needs to be explored further. Data obtained in the current study suggest that N. caninum is a common parasite of feral rodents which may be important in the epidemiology of the disease. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The development of a novel nested polymerase chain reaction is described and used for detecting the presence of Neospora caninum and Hammondia heydorni DNA in DNA extracted from feral rodent tissues. A unique strategy was used for design of an assay that could be adapted for detecting DNA from more than one member of Toxoplasmatinae simultaneously with a minimal number of additional steps. The level of sensitivity described for this assay is comparable to real time-PCR and other nested PCR assays. Twenty-eight of 104 feral mice tested positive for N. caninum in at least one tissue (the brain, heart or liver) studied. In this study, eight instances are reported where the brain tested negative to N. caninum while at least one other tissue was positive. This suggests that prior studies, which screened only the brain, describe prevalence levels that are under-represented. None of 54 mouse brains tested positive for H. heydorni DNA. This suggests that mice are rarely infected by H. heydorni although this hypothesis needs to be explored further. Data obtained in the current study suggest that N. caninum is a common parasite of feral rodents which may be important in the epidemiology of the disease. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.