Enhanced Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Using Reptile Search Algorithm for Relating Swelling Potentiality Using Index Geotechnical Properties: A Case Study at El Sherouk City, Egypt

The swelling potentiality is a vital property of fine-grained soils strictly related to the index properties and chemical composition. The integration of machine learning techniques and geotechnical parameters provided a new integrative approach for predicting the free swelling index (FSI) and the swelling pressure (SP). In this paper, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) using named Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA) is presented to predict the swelling potentiality for fine-grained soils in the foundation bed at El Sherouk city, Egypt. The developed predictive model, named RSA-ANFIS, used as input measured 108 natural fine-grained soil samples of index geotechnical parameters and chemical composition as input data and the measured data of the free swelling index and the swelling pressure as output data. To justify the performance of the developed model, a comparative study was carried out, and the results show that the developed RSA-ANFIS has a high performance over the competitive methods in terms of coefficient of determination, root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). This new integrative approach is considered at the highly developed stage to predict and improve the analysis of multi-parameter soil behavior and could be applied in other objective variable datasets.

A Study on the Hard Coal Grindability Dependence on Selected Parameters

A very important aspect of proper preparation of the coal mixture for the coking process is its appropriate grinding. One of the parameters describing the energy input required for grinding is the Hardgrove index. This research was undertaken to determine the dependence of the Hardgrove grindability index on selected physicochemical properties of coal. The Hardgrove grindability index was determined using the available methods described in the standards, and the dependence on selected parameters was examined. A clear positive correlation with calorific value and smaller (also positive) correlations with moisture content and free swelling index was obtained. A slight negative correlation was also obtained with sulfur content.

Hydraulic conductivity variation in compacted bentonite-fly ash mixes under constant volume and free swelling flow conditions

Compacted bentonite-sand (B-S) and bentonite-fly ash (B-FA) are established combinations for the construction of landfill liners. This study determined the upper and lower bounds of equilibrium hydraulic conductivity (keq) of amended bentonite under extended duration of flow. The keq for constant volume flow condition differed from free swelling condition by more than two orders of magnitude due to the difference in geomaterial interaction, microstructural changes, and mineralization. Considering constant volume and free swelling condition, B-FA mix with class F and class C fulfilled the hydraulic conductivity criterion up to 70 % and 30 % amendment, respectively. The higher keq observed for the B mixed with class C FA was attributed to the formation of porous calcium aluminium silicate hydrate gel and ettringite needle type minerals. The time taken to achieve equilibrium was inversely related to keq by a power relationship. The data from this study were used to propose empirical relationships for estimating keq (long-term) based on k obtained at 48 hours (short-term), plasticity and geomaterial type. The study reveals that FA can be used as an alternate for S as amendment material and keq based on free swelling condition should be used for designing the liner.

Mechanical stimuli and matrix properties modulate cancer spheroid growth in three-dimensional gelatin culture

Most patients who succumb to cancer have metastases to bone that contribute to their death. Cancer cells that metastasize to bone are regularly subjected to mechanical stimuli that may affect their proliferation, growth and protein expression. Understanding why some cancer cells thrive in this environment could provide insight into new approaches to prevent or treat metastasis to bone. We used 4T1 cells as a model of breast cancer cells, and implanted them in gelatin hydrogels with moduli of 1 or 2.7 kPa to mimic the properties of bone marrow. The constructs were subjected to either perfusion of media through the hydrogel or combined perfusion and cyclic mechanical compression for 1 h d −1 for 4 d. Controls were cultured in free-swelling conditions. The cells formed spheroids during the 4 d of culture, with larger spheroids in the statically cultured constructs than in perfusion or compressed constructs. In stiffer gelatin, smaller spheroids formed in compressed constructs than perfusion alone, while compression had no effect compared to perfusion in the softer gelatin. Immunostaining indicated that the spheroids expressed osteopontin, parathyroid hormone-related protein and fibronectin, which are all hallmarks of bone metastasis. The proliferative marker Ki67 was present in all spheroids on day 4. In the 1 kPa gelatin, Ki67 staining intensity was greater in the statically cultured, free-swelling constructs than in bioreactor culture, regardless of dynamic compression. By contrast, proliferation was higher in the compressed gelatins compared to perfusion alone in the 2.7 kPa constructs, although the spheroids were smaller, on average. This suggests the stiffer gelatin may restrict spheroid growth at the same time that it enhances mechanobiological signalling during compression. Taken together, 4T1 breast cancer cells are mechanically sensitive, and mechanical stimuli can alter their proliferation and protein expression within soft materials with mechanical properties similar to bone marrow. As such, both in vivo and in vitro models of cancer metastasis should consider the role of the mechanical environment in the bone.

Inhibition of hypertrophy and improving chondrocyte differentiation by MMP-13 inhibitor small molecule encapsulated in alginate-chondroitin sulfate-platelet lysate hydrogel

Background Mesenchymal stem cells are a promising cell source for chondrogenic differentiation and have been widely used in several preclinical and clinical studies. However, they are prone to an unwanted differentiation process towards hypertrophy that limits their therapeutic efficacy. Matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13) is a well-known factor regulated during this undesirable event. MMP-13 is a collagen degrading enzyme, which is also highly expressed in the hypertrophic zone of the growth plate and in OA cartilage. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of MMP-13 inhibition on MSC hypertrophy. Methods In this study, 5-bromoindole-2-carboxylic acid (BICA) was used as an inhibitory agent for MMP-13 expression. After identifying its optimal concentration, BICA was mixed into a hydrogel and the release rate was studied. To prepare the ideal hydrogel, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and platelet lysate (PL) were mixed with sodium alginate (Alg) at concentrations selected based on synergistic mechanical and rheometric properties. Then, four hydrogels were prepared by combining alginate (1.5%w/v) and/or CS (1%w/v) and/or PL (20%v/v). The chondrogenic potential and progression to hypertrophy of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (hBM-MSC)-loaded hydrogels were investigated under free swelling and mechanical loading conditions, in the presence and absence of BICA. Results Viability of hBM-MSCs seeded in the four hydrogels was similar. qRT-PCR revealed that BICA could successfully inhibit MMP-13 expression, which led to an inhibition of Coll X and induction of Coll-II, in both free swelling and loading conditions. The GAG deposition was higher in the group combining BICA and mechanical stimulation. Conclusions It is concluded that BICA inhibition of MMP-13 reduces MSC hypertrophy during chondrogenesis. Graphical abstract