Infectious diseases caused by bacteria remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Many of the antibiotics developed to combat bacterial infections have been rendered almost impotent due to the rapid evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance. A common and major resistance mechanism, the efflux system, enables bacteria to extrude structurally divers antimicrobials, facilitating survival in toxic environments. This book reviews the most important current research and summarizes the most spectacular discoveries in the field.

This book introduces a variety of intelligence phenomena starting from the birth of the universe, including intelligence in physics, intelligence in chemistry, intelligence in biology, intelligence in humans and intelligence in machines. It uncovers the mystery of intelligence to the world and explores the natural phenomenon of intelligence. If understanding intelligence is regarded as a journey of a thousand miles, then this book is the first step to try. In the process of studying the phenomenon of intelligence and the nature of intelligence, our eyes cannot be limited to human intelligence. Instead, one should put our vision beyond human intelligence, consider different things in the universe, reach a new level, and study and explore the phenomenon of intelligence and the essence of intelligence on a new level. By looking at the various phenomena of intelligence since the birth of the universe, readers can see that intelligence is a natural phenomenon, similar to other natural phenomena (e.g., the rolling of rocks and the melting of snow and ice). These phenomena occur to facilitate the stability of the universe, and the phenomenon of intelligence is no exception. The book is divided into 10 chapters, covering matter, energy and space in the origin of the universe, gravity in physics, the principle of least action, dissipative structures in chemistry, entropy increase, maximum entropy production, the definition of life, the emergence of life, the intelligence in plants, the intelligence in animals, the neocortex structure of the brain, the special thinking of human beings, the theory of the brain, artificial intelligence symbolism, connectionism, behaviorism, artificial general intelligence, metaverse, etc. This book can be used as a reference for students and researchers working in the artificial intelligence areas. It is also positioned as a popular science book interested in intelligent phenomena.

An original, systematic-solution approach to uncertain nonlinear systems control and modeling using fuzzy equations and fuzzy differential equations There are various numerical and analytical approaches to the modeling and control of uncertain nonlinear systems. Fuzzy logic theory is an increasingly popular method used to solve inconvenience problems in nonlinear modeling. Modeling and Control of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems with Fuzzy Equations and Z-Number presents a structured approach to the control and modeling of uncertain nonlinear systems in industry using fuzzy equations and fuzzy differential equations. The first major work to explore methods based on neural networks and Bernstein neural networks, this innovative volume provides a framework for control and modeling of uncertain nonlinear systems with applications to industry. Readers learn how to use fuzzy techniques to solve scientific and engineering problems and understand intelligent control design and applications. The text assembles the results of four years of research on control of uncertain nonlinear systems with dual fuzzy equations, fuzzy modeling for uncertain nonlinear systems with fuzzy equations, the numerical solution of fuzzy equations with Z-numbers, and the numerical solution of fuzzy differential equations with Z-numbers. Using clear and accessible language to explain concepts and principles applicable to real-world scenarios, this book: Presents the modeling and control of uncertain nonlinear systems with fuzzy equations and fuzzy differential equations Includes an overview of uncertain nonlinear systems for non-specialists Teaches readers to use simulation, modeling and verification skills valuable for scientific research and engineering systems development Reinforces comprehension with illustrations, tables, examples, and simulations Modeling and Control of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems with Fuzzy Equations and Z-Number is suitable as a textbook for advanced students, academic and industrial researchers, and practitioners in fields of systems engineering, learning control systems, neural networks, computational intelligence, and fuzzy logic control.

A comprehensive exploration of the control schemes of human-robot interactions In Human-Robot Interaction Control Using Reinforcement Learning, an expert team of authors delivers a concise overview of human-robot interaction control schemes and insightful presentations of novel, model-free and reinforcement learning controllers. The book begins with a brief introduction to state-of-the-art human-robot interaction control and reinforcement learning before moving on to describe the typical environment model. The authors also describe some of the most famous identification techniques for parameter estimation. Human-Robot Interaction Control Using Reinforcement Learning offers rigorous mathematical treatments and demonstrations that facilitate the understanding of control schemes and algorithms. It also describes stability and convergence analysis of human-robot interaction control and reinforcement learning based control. The authors also discuss advanced and cutting-edge topics, like inverse and velocity kinematics solutions, H2 neural control, and likely upcoming developments in the field of robotics. Readers will also enjoy: A thorough introduction to model-based human-robot interaction control Comprehensive explorations of model-free human-robot interaction control and human-in-the-loop control using Euler angles Practical discussions of reinforcement learning for robot position and force control, as well as continuous time reinforcement learning for robot force control In-depth examinations of robot control in worst-case uncertainty using reinforcement learning and the control of redundant robots using multi-agent reinforcement learning Perfect for senior undergraduate and graduate students, academic researchers, and industrial practitioners studying and working in the fields of robotics, learning control systems, neural networks, and computational intelligence, Human-Robot Interaction Control Using Reinforcement Learning is also an indispensable resource for students and professionals studying reinforcement learning.

A detailed and systematic introduction to the distributed cooperative control of multi-agent systems from a theoretical, network perspective * Features detailed analysis and discussions on the distributed cooperative control and dynamics of multi-agent systems * Covers comprehensively first order, second order and higher order systems, swarming and flocking behaviors * Provides a broad theoretical framework for understanding the fundamentals of distributed cooperative control

Provides the latest AISI North American specifications for cold-formed steel design Hailed by professionals around the world as the definitive text on the design of cold-formed steel, this book provides descriptions of the construction and structural behavior of cold-formed steel members and connections from both theoretical and experimental points of view. Updated to reflect the 2016 AISI North American specification and 2015 North American framing standards, this all-new fifth edition offers readers a better understanding of the analysis and design of the thin-walled, cold-formed steel structures that have been widely used in building construction and other areas in recent years. Cold-Formed Steel Design, 5th Edition has been revised and reorganized to incorporate the Direct Strength Method. It discusses the reasons and justification for the various design provisions of the North American specification and framing design standards. It provides chapter coverage of: the types of steels and their most important mechanical properties; the fundamentals of buckling modes; commonly used terms; the design of flexural members, compression members and closed cylindrical tubes, and of beam-columns using ASD, LRFD, and LSD methods; shear diaphragms and shell roof structures; standard corrugated sheets; and more. Updated to the 2016 North American (AISI S100) design specification and 2015 North American (AISI S240) design standard Offers thorough coverage of ASD, LRFD, LSD, and DSM design methods Integrates DSM in the main body of design provisions Features a new section on Power-Actuated Fastener (PAF) Connections Provides new examples and explanations of design provisions Cold-Formed Steel Design, 5th Edition is not only instructive for students, but can serve as a major source of reference for structural engineers, researchers, architects, and construction managers.

Previous studies demonstrated that thiosemicarbazone iron chelator possessed potent and selective anti-cancer activity. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy and tolerability of 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (BpT) iron chelators were examined. The BpT chelators were tested against human lung cancer cells in vitro and tumor xenografts in mice. The toxicity of Bp44mT and its effects on the expression of iron-regulated molecules involved in growth and cell cycle control were investigated. The results shown demonstrate the anti-tumor activity of the orally-active Bp44mT chelator, which was well tolerated in vivo. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of thiosemicarbazones is likely to be mediated, in part, through their redox activity and effects on multiple thiol-containing systems. In terms of signal transduction, iron chelation may influence the MAPK signaling pathways via the thioredoxin-ASK1 signalosome. These results emphasize the importance of redox-activity of thiosemicarbazone chelators. Considering their potent anti-tumor activity, these investigations facilitate the future development of promising thiosemicarbazone iron chelators as anti-cancer agents.

Previous studies demonstrated that HDpT chelators have potent anti-tumour activity. We have now designed and generated two new groups of chelators, HBpT and HNBpT. Comparing the three series of chelators, the HBpT analogues displayed highest anti- proliferative efficacy against SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cells and was greater than other well known chelators (DFO, Triapine and 311). Three analogues of the HBpT series displayed much greater anti-proliferative activity against SK-N-MC cells than normal MRC-5 fibroblasts, indicating their selectivity against tumour cells. Structure-activity relationships examination demonstrated that lipophilicity and redox cycling activity were important factors in generating potent chelators. Redox activity determined by ascorbate oxidation and benzoate hydroxylation assays showed that the HBpT ligands were the most active chelators. Microarray studies using DFO and HDp44mT, demonstrated up- regulation of the gene in cell cycle arrest, while genes in cancer progression were down-regulated. The current studies have identified a novel group of chelators with the greatest activity of all chelators previously prepared in our lab.

Bridges the gap between FDTD theory and the implementation of practical simulation techniques

This is the first publication that guides readers step by step through the implementation of electromagnetic simulation techniques based on FDTD methods. These simulation techniques serve as an essential bridge between FDTD methods and their applications. Moreover, the book helps readers better understand the underlying logic of FDTD methods so that they can design FDTD projects using either commercial electromagnetic software packages or their own codes in order to solve practical engineering problems.

The book begins with two chapters that introduce the basic concepts of the 3-D Cartesian FDTD method, followed by discussions of advanced FDTD methods such as conformal techniques, dispersive media, circuit elements, and near-to-far field transformation. Next, the book:

Presents basic concepts of parallel processing techniques and systems, including parallel FDTD techniques and systems

Explores simulation techniques based on FDTD methods

Illustrates practical simulation techniques using engineering applications

Introduces advanced simulation techniques

Each chapter concludes with references to help readers investigate particular topics in greater depth. Each chapter also includes problem sets that challenge readers to put their new FDTD and simulation skills into practice.

By bridging the gap between FDTD theory and practical simulation techniques, this publication is an invaluable guide for students and engineers who need to solve a wide range of design problems in RF, antenna, and microwave engineering.