bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of chloride-bicarbonate sodium mineral water ‘Karachinskaya’ in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Krivosheev A. B. , Kuimov A. D. , Tuguleva T. A.
Published: November 2019

The aim of the study was to determine for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) the possibilities and effectiveness of the course use of chloride-bicarbonate sodium mineral water (MW) (by the example of MW Karachinskaya). A total of 76 patients (20 women and 56 men) with NAFLD aged 42 to 72 years (mean age 59.4 ± 1.2 years) were examined. MV was taken in 200 ml in 8, 10, 12, 15 and 17 hours (5 times a day, in a volume of 1,000 ml), room temperature (18-20 °C). The course of treatment was 10 days. In the dynamics of treatment, lipid spectrum parameters were evaluated: total cholesterol, triglycerides, high, low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index. The results obtained allow us to draw the following conclusions. 1. In patients with NAFLD observed by us, comorbid pathology is observed at least 3-4 diseases of internal organs are registered at the same time. The most frequently detected pathology of the cardiovascular system and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. 2. The vast majority of patients revealed lipid metabolism disorders. The most significant disorders were characterized by increased levels of total cholesterol. 3. The inclusion of the 10-day drinking course of the chloride-bicarbonate sodium MW Karachinskaya’ contributes to the correction of lipid metabolism. The identified cholesterol-lowering effect of MW Karachinskaya' with mild and moderate hypercholesterolemia allows recommending it for non-pharmacological correction of elevated total cholesterol, which is currently considered as an established risk factor for IHD and arterial hypertension.
Review of modern physiotherapeutic methods in treatment of acne
Authors: Kolodii A. A. , Shatokhina E. A. , Khalilullin R. I.
Published: November 2019

The article presents modern views on the pathogenesis of acne, as well as the analysis of the literature data on physiotherapy methods of treatment. Acne is the most common inflammatory chronic recurrent skin disease caused by changes in pilosebatsionnyh structures. Acne of varying severity affects 80-85 % of people in the age of 12-25 years and 11 % over the age of 25 years. This pathology has a wide range of clinical manifestations: patients have open and closed comedones, as well as inflammatory skin lesions, including papules, pustules and nodes. in modern literature, it is common to distinguish 4 main factors of acne development: pathological vulgar hyperkeratosis, increased secretion of the sebaceous glands, Propionibacterium acne activity, local inflammation. Correction of these four pathogenic factors is the aim of physiotherapeutic methods of acne treatment. Currently, the most popular are the following methods: Photodynamic therapy: this method is aimed to destruct P. Acne and sebaceous glands. The mechanism of action is based on the selective destruction of cells as a result of light - activated chemical reaction in the presence of a substance - photosensitizer. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy is a technique based on the use of a special intense pulsing light. The skin surface is exposed to incoherent pulses of visible light with a wavelength of 500-1 200 nm. it is believed that these impulses penetrate deeply into the follicle and photoactivating the porflrins of the microorganism and causing its death. Microcurrent therapy is a method of impact on the human body with the help of modulated pulse currents of low power (up to 1 mA) with minimum voltage and different frequency used for therapeutic or cosmetic effect. it is believed that the impact of low voltage currents has a positive effect on cell metabolism, increases the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. The procedure, activates fibroblasts, improves microcirculation, normalizes the sebaceous glands and pore reduction. Also in the treatment of acne and post-acne are widely used two types of lasers: ablative type - provides a directed damage to the affected skin, including the epidermis, while laser radiation is approximately equally absorbed by all layers of the skin; non-ablative type - as a result of the radiation by this type of laser, there is a selective removal of pathological structures without damage of the epidermis. Radiation is selectively absorbed by these structures, but not by the epidermis. Reasonable combined administration of systemic and topical drugs in the combination with physiotherapeutic methods, allows to achieve a good clinical effect and improve the quality of life of patients with various forms of acne.
Clinical and epidemiological picture of syphilitic infection at present stage
Authors: Bagirova A. A. , Lomonosov K. M.
Published: November 2019

A statistical analysis of the syphilis incidence in Moscow and regions from 2006 to 2017 was carried out. Despite a decrease in the general syphilis incidence an increase in incidence of such severe forms as late neurosyphilis and cardiovascular syphilis was observed. We analyzed 1,600 archive case histories of inpatients and outpatients of the Sechenov University clinics in Moscow and identified the specific lesions in heart tissues, blood vessels and the nervous system. in literal data a relatively small number of cardiosyphilis cases was described. it can be explained by the fact that earlier only gummas, that are rarely to be located in the heart and difficult to be identified clinically, were considered to be the only specific pathological and anatomical changes for syphilis of the heart.
Modern methods of treating rosacea
Authors: Egorova O. A. , Novikov K. A.
Published: November 2019

Presented current data on the etiology of rosacea, the main aspects of pathogenesis, clinical forms of the disease. Reflects trigger factors leading to rosacea, as well as complicating its course. Modern methods of treatment are described, including the use of new safe preparations of ivermectin and brimonidine, providing a good, lasting effect of clinical manifestations of rosacea. The role of laser technology, actively occupying a leading place in the choice of physiotherapeutic treatment method, is noted. The need for an individual approach in the choice of therapy for each patient with rosacea is emphasized.
Features of use of CO2-laser with involutive skin changes depending on morphotype
Authors: Yusova J. Y. , Baranova E. L.
Published: November 2019

We investigated the effect of combined use of superficial and deep fractional ablation on the different morphotypes of aging of the skin. A study of the condition of the skin in 32 patients, including evaluation of the results with the use of a series of pictures of 3D visualization on the device ANTERA 3D (Ireland), a photographic documentation on the unit FotoFinder (Germany) and scale-questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with the procedure. Patients were divided into three groups according to morphotypes of involutive changes: wrinkled, deformational and mixed. After the procedure, the following dynamics was determined: according to the results of the study, the following trend was determined: with a mixed morphotype, the satisfaction of patients is higher with the correction of wrinkles and skin quality, and with a deformation morphotype, satisfaction is higher with the texture, skin color and work with pigment disorders.
Variability of heart rhythm in patients with viral cirrhosis depending on types of portal blood flow
Authors: Peshkova S. V. , Chistyakova M. V. , Barcan V. S.
Published: November 2019

The paper analyzes the results of examinations of 24 patients with viral cirrhosis of classes B and C according to Child-Pugh criteria. The control group consisted of 16 healthy patients. Patients with viral cirrhosis were divided into 2 groups: 1 group consisted of 14 patients with pseudonormokinetic type of portal blood flow; Group 2-10 patients with hyperkinetic type of portal blood flow with predominant acceleration of the linear velocity in the portal vein. The average age of patients was 35.2 ± 7.4 years. Left ventricular myocardium mass and left ventricular myocardium mass index were determined in all the patients; the diameter and the maximum linear velocity in the main portal vein were measured using an Artida pro Toshiba apparatus, Japan. Heart rate variability was studied at rest and in active orfhostasis using the «Neuro-Soth)program, Ivanovo. it was found that in patients with liver cirrhosis the sympathetic effects of the autonomic nervous system predominated, which coincided with the literature data. It was also shown that in patients with the pseudonormokinetic type of portal blood flow these effects were more pronounced. The relationship between HRV indices and the formation of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with pseudo-normokinetic type of portal blood flow was revealed.
Transesophageal echocardiography during endovascular aortic valve replacement (TAVI)
Authors: Sandrikov V. A. , Abugov S. A. , Fedulova S. V. , Dzeranova A. N. , Kulagina T. Yu. , Van E. Yu. , Nikityuk T. G. , Mardanyan G. V.
Published: November 2019

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular aortic valve replacement (TAVI) according to transesophageal echocardiography. Materials and methods: 29 TAVI operations were performed in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AV) with Lotus Valve system (Boston Scientific, USA) and CoreValve (Medtronic, USA). All patients underwent intraoperative Chpehokg on devices sh50 (Philips, the Netherlands), ACUSON SC2000 (Siemens, Germany) transesophageal sensors X7-2t, Z6Ms, at the following stages of operation: 1 - after intubation of the patient; 2 - the main stage of operation: when placing the conductor in the cavity of the left ventricle, after balloon valvuloplasty, when positioning and implantation of the prosthesis; 3 - the end of the operation. TEE at the beginning and end of the operation was conducted according to the accepted Protocol. Results: all patients had pronounced AV stenosis, peak and average pressure gradients on AV were 90.0±27.0 and 51.5±16.5 mm Hg. respectively. Intraoperative TEE in 3D mode and creating a model of the aortic root, the calculated linear dimensions of the aortic root, which coincided with the data of CT. One patient was diagnosed with worsening of the degree of mitral stenosis to expressed in the formulation of the CoreValve system, and also recorded one episode of severe pericardial effusion after placing the conductor in the cavity of the left ventricle. In all patients, hemodynamic parameters and function of prostheses after surgery were within normal limits, with an average pressure gradient on the AK prosthesis was 5.9±2.8 mm Hg. Conclusion: Tee is a basic method in the assessment of valvular structures of the heart, is of great importance for the timely diagnosis of complications during surgery endovascular aortic valve replacement, and research in 3D and 4D modes can replace the expensive research.
Role of antioxidant therapy in treatment of dorsopathy with vertebral artery syndrome
Authors: Putilina M. V. , Teplova N. V. , Grishin D. V.
Published: November 2019

Fifty patients with cervical dorsopathy with the spinal artery syndrome were studied using clinical scales (neurological deficit, psychoemotional disturbances) and laboratory methods (parameters of oxidant stress). The correlations between the oxidant stress and the dynamics of neurological syndromes and psychoemotional disturbances as well as the efficacy and safety of their treatment with antioxidants were determined.
En plats för samtal mellan profession och forskning
Authors: Stolpe Karin , Höst Gunnar
Published: November 2019

Välkommen till första numret av ATENA Didaktik - en digital, professionsvetenskaplig tidskrift om ämnesdidaktisk forskning inom de naturvetenskapliga ämnena och teknik. Tidskriften vänder sig till lärarprofessionen och forskare, och vår förhoppning är att den ska ge lärare bättre förutsättningar att bygga undervisning på vetenskaplig grund och beprövad erfarenhet.
Los Determinantes de la Carga Fiscal: Caso de las empresas ecuatorianas.
Authors: Serrano Orellana Karen Michel , Chiriboga Ayala María Cristina
Published: November 2019

Estudios previos han demostrado que los factores empresariales como el tamaño de la empresa, el nivel de apalancamiento, las decisiones de inversión, la estructura de propiedad, inciden en la presión fiscal que soportan las empresas. En este estudio, se intenta dar luces de los determinantes de la carga fiscal de las empresas ecuatorianas, para lo cual, se seleccionó una muestra de 27 877 empresas en el periodo 2014-2017. Como proxi de la carga fiscal se tomó a la tasa impositiva efectiva. Dentro de los factores analizados se seleccionaron: el tamaño de la empresa, el nivel de apalancamiento, las decisiones de inversión, la rentabilidad económica y las operaciones en el extranjero. Los resultados muestran que la tasa impositiva efectiva tiene una relación negativa con la variable tamaño, soportando la teoría del poder político, es decir, que las empresas más grandes tienen menor presión que fiscal, así mismo la variable rendimiento económico tiene una relación negativa y significativa con la (TIE), indicando que las empresas con mayor rentabilidad soportan menor carga fiscal. Por otro lado, se evidencia una relación positiva con la variable apalancamiento, lo que significa que las empresas más endeudadas soportan una mayor presión fiscal. Las variables intensidad del capital, intensidad del inventario y operaciones en el exterior no son significativas por lo cual se puede concluir que no son determinantes de la carga fiscal en las empresas ecuatorianas.
Rol del líder del área de recursos humanos y su influencia en la competitividad de las MIPYMES
Authors: Pérez Espinoza María José , Maldonado Córdova Ana Vanessa , Espinoza Carrión Cecibel del Rocío
Published: November 2019

Las MIPYMES representan un motor de generación de empleo y desarrollo para el Ecuador, por tal razón siempre se busca implementar nuevas estrategias y lineamientos que mejoren sus niveles de competitividad, y el área de talento humano es una de las claves para el core business y el crecimiento a mediano y largo plazo por el aporte del personal a las actividades de la organización. El presente trabajo de investigación se centra en identificar cuál es el rol del líder de talento humano, sus características personales y profesionales, los conocimientos que debe poseer, los desafíos a los cuales se enfrenta organizacional y personalmente con su equipo de trabajo. A medida que una persona se va desarrollando, define un estilo de liderazgo particular en función de los objetivos organizacionales, y tendrá que adoptar posturas que le permitan motivar al personal que tiene a su cargo, satisfacer las demandas de los clientes internos para mejorar la satisfacción, alinearse con los propietarios y por último auto-motivarse y desafiarse a conquistar nuevos retos. Finalmente, para poder tener un liderazgo pleno y transformador, es importante que los objetivos, procedimientos y las estrategias de toda la compañía sean comunicados de una manera clara, medible y alcanzable.
Knowledge, Renewal and Flexibility: Exploratory Research in Family Firms
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Marta , López-Férnandez María Concepción , Obeso María
Published: November 2019

This study aims to explore how family firms pursue strategies that promote strategic flexibility and knowledge-management (KM) practices to respond to strategic-renewal goals. Specifically, based on a knowledge-based view of the firm, the following research question is proposed: Are there heterogeneous groups of family firms in terms of knowledge management, strategic flexibility and strategic renewal goals? To answer this question, an exploratory study using a two-step cluster analysis is developed. It reveals natural groupings from a sample of 288 small and medium-sized Spanish family enterprises (SMEs). The results obtained identified three distinctive clusters of family firms, namely proactive family firms, transitional or adaptive family firms, and rigid family firms. After two-step cluster analysis, we also conducted analysis of variance (ANOVA) to confirm that significant differences amongst the three clusters exist. After heterogeneity been confirmed, a further profile of the cluster solution was provided by using CEO and board characteristics, as well as the generational stage of the company. The findings offer some counterbalance for those studies that tend to study family businesses as a homogeneous entity, thus permitting researchers to access more information, providing rich explanations for renewal managerial decision-making purposes in family firm contexts.
Accumulation of Phenylpropanoids in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) under Salt Stress
Authors: Kim Nam Su , Kwon Soon-Jae , Cuong Do Manh , Jeon Jin , Park Jong Seok , Park Sang Un
Published: November 2019

Salinity stress affects plants by reducing the water potential and causing ion imbalance or disturbances in ion homeostasis and toxicity. Salinity stress frequently causes both osmotic and ionic stress in plants, resulting in the increase or decrease of certain secondary metabolites in plants. In this study, the effect of NaCl treatment on the nutritional quality of tartary buckwheat plants was studied by conducting an HPLC analysis of phenylpropanoid and anthocyanin content. It was observed that there was no significant change of color in tartary buckwheat during salt treatment. The accumulation of most phenylpropanoid compounds increased slightly in response to the NaCl concentration. The total phenylpropanoid content in tartary buckwheat was the highest at 100 mM NaCl treatment. Seven-day-old wheat plantlets treated with 100 mM NaCl for 2, 4, 6, and 8 days showed the highest accumulation of total phenylpropanoids at day 8 after treatment, while the content of most phenylpropanoids was higher than that in the control during this period. Although the development of tartary buckwheat slightly decreased with NaCl treatment and the accumulation of anthocyanin compounds did not change in plants with a diffident NaCl concentration and time treatment, the results suggest that the salinity treatment of tartary buckwheat causes antioxidant activity improvement by inducing an accumulation of flavonoid and phenolic compounds. However, since the anthocyanin content did not increase, the antioxidant effect of the treatment is not expected to be significant.
Genetic Diversification and Selection Strategies for Improving Sorghum Grain Yield Under Phosphorous-Deficient Conditions in West Africa
Authors: Diallo Chiaka , Rattunde H. Frederick W. , Gracen Vernon , Touré Aboubacar , Nebié Baloua , Leiser Willmar , Dzidzienyo Daniel K. , Sissoko Ibrahima , Danquah Eric Y. , Diallo Abdoulaye G. , Sidibé Bakary , Sidibé Mamourou , Weltzien Eva
Published: November 2019

Sorghum, a major crop for income generation and food security in West and Central Africa, is predominantly grown in low-input farming systems with serious soil phosphorus (P) deficiencies. This study (a) estimates genetic parameters needed to design selection protocols that optimize genetic gains for yield under low-phosphorus conditions and (b) examines the utility of introgressed backcross nested association mapping (BCNAM) populations for diversifying Malian breeding materials. A total of 1083 BC1F5 progenies derived from an elite hybrid restorer “Lata-3” and 13 diverse donor accessions were evaluated for yield and agronomic traits under contrasting soil P conditions in Mali in 2013. A subset of 298 progenies were further tested under low-P (LP) and high-P (HP) conditions in 2014 and 2015. Significant genetic variation for grain yield was observed under LP and HP conditions. Selection for grain yield under LP conditions was feasible and more efficient than the indirect selection under HP in all three years of testing. Several of the BCNAM populations exhibited yields under LP conditions that were superior to the elite restorer line used as a recurrent parent. The BCNAM approach appears promising for diversifying the male parent pool with introgression of diverse materials using both adapted Malian breed and unadapted landrace material from distant geographic origins as donors.
The Role of Chitosan as a Possible Agent for Enteric Methane Mitigation in Ruminants
Authors: Jiménez-Ocampo Rafael , Valencia-Salazar Sara , Pinzón-Díaz Carmen Elisa , Herrera-Torres Esperanza , Aguilar-Pérez Carlos Fernando , Arango Jacobo , Ku-Vera Juan Carlos
Published: November 2019

Livestock production is a main source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG). The main gases are CH4 with a global warming potential (GWP) 25 times and nitrous oxide (N2O) with a GWP 298 times, that of carbon dioxide (CO2) arising from enteric fermentation or from manure management, respectively. In fact, CH4 is the second most important GHG emitted globally. This current scenario has increased the concerns about global warming and encouraged the development of intensive research on different natural compounds to be used as feed additives in ruminant rations and modify the rumen ecosystem, fermentation pattern, and mitigate enteric CH4. The compounds most studied are the secondary metabolites of plants, which include a vast array of chemical substances like polyphenols and saponins that are present in plant tissues of different species, but the results are not consistent, and the extraction cost has constrained their utilization in practical animal feeding. Other new compounds of interest include polysaccharide biopolymers such as chitosan, mainly obtained as a marine co-product. As with other compounds, the effect of chitosan on the rumen microbial population depends on the source, purity, dose, process of extraction, and storage. In addition, it is important to identify compounds without adverse effects on rumen fermentation. The present review is aimed at providing information about chitosan for dietary manipulation to be considered for future studies to mitigate enteric methane and reduce the environmental impact of GHGs arising from livestock production systems. Chitosan is a promising agent with methane mitigating effects, but further research is required with in vivo models to establish effective daily doses without any detrimental effect to the animal and consider its addition in practical rations as well as the economic cost of methane mitigation.
The Influence of Food Density, Flock Size, and Disturbance on the Functional Response of Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) in Wintering Habitats
Authors: Yu Chao , Zhou Lizhi , Mahtab Nazia , Fan Shaojun , Song Yunwei
Published: November 2019

Perceiving how animals adjust their feeding rate under a variety of environmental conditions and understanding the tradeoffs in their foraging strategies are necessary for conservation. The Holling functional response, which describes the relationship of feeding rate and food density to searching rate and handling time, has been applied to a range of waterbirds, especially with regard to Type II functional responses that describe an increasing feeding rate with food density but at a decelerating rate as the curve approaches the asymptote. However, feeding behavior components (feeding rate, searching rate, and handling time) are influenced by factors besides prey density, such as vigilance and flock size. In this study, we aim to elucidate how Bewick’s swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) adopt flexible foraging strategies and vary their feeding behavior components in response to disturbance, flock size, and food density. We collected focal sampling data on the foraging behavior of swans that foraged rice grains, foxnut seeds, and tubers in paddy field, foxnut pond, and lake habitats, respectively, in Shengjin and Huangpi lakes during winter from 2016 to 2018. The observed feeding rate was not correlated with food density and displayed a positive relationship with searching rate but negative relationships with handling time, flock size, overall vigilance time, and disturbance time. Handling time was negatively correlated with food density and flock size, yet it increased with disturbance, overall vigilance time, and normal vigilance time. Searching rate was negatively correlated with food density, flock size, and disturbance time. Feeding rate was affected by the combined effects of handling time and searching rate, as well as food density and searching rate. The shape of the observed functional response could not be fitted to Holling’s disc equation. However, the disc equation of the predicted feeding rate of wintering swans was found to be driven by food density. This provides insight into how wintering waterbirds adopt appropriate foraging strategies in response to complicated environmental factors, which has implications for wildlife conservation and habitat management.
Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Porcine MAOA Gene Associated with Aggressive Behavior of Weaned Pigs after Group Mixing
Authors: Chen Ruonan , Chu Qingpo , Shen Chunyan , Tong Xian , Gao Siyuan , Liu Xinpeng , Zhou Bo , Schinckel Allan P.
Published: November 2019

Understanding the genetic background underlying the expression of behavioral traits has the potential to fasten the genetic progress for reduced aggressive behavior of pigs. The monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene is known as the “warrior” gene, as it has been previously linked to aggressive behavior in humans and livestock animals. To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms in porcine MAOA gene associated with aggressive behavior of pigs, a total of 500 weaned pigs were selected and mixed in 51 pens. In each pen, two aggressive and two docile pigs (a total of 204 pigs) were selected based on their composite aggressive score (CAS). Ear tissue was sampled to extract genomic DNA. Constructs containing variable lengths of truncated porcine MAOA promoter were used to determine the promoter activity by a dual luciferase reporter system. The core promoter region was located at −679 bp to −400 bp. A total of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MAOA gene were genotyped, of which six SNPs had significant differences (p < 0.05) in allele frequency between the aggressive and docile pigs. Linkage disequilibrium and association analyses showed that the pigs inherited the wild genotypes showed more aggressive behavior (p < 0.05) than pigs with the mutant genotypes of the four linked SNPs, rs321936011, rs331624976, rs346245147, and rs346324437. In addition, pigs of GCAA haplotype were more (p < 0.05) aggressive than the pigs with GCGA or ATGG haplotype. The construct containing the wild genotype GG of rs321936011 had lower (p = 0.031) promoter activity compared to the mutant genotype AA. These results suggest that the four linked SNPs in MAOA gene could be considered as a molecular marker for behavioral trait selection in pigs.
Comparative Studies on the Antioxidant Profiles of Curcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin in Erythrocytes and Broiler Chickens
Authors: Zhang Jingfei , Han Hongli , Shen Mingming , Zhang Lili , Wang Tian
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin in both 2,20-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-treated erythrocytes and broiler chickens. In experiment 1, chicken erythrocytes were employed to determine the antioxidant protection against AAPH treatment. Significant differences in hemolysis, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were observed between the control and curcuminoids-treated groups. In experiment 2, a total of 480 Arbor Acres broilers with the similar body weights were used. All of the birds were fed basal diet and basal diet with 150 mg/kg curcumin or bisdemethoxycurcumin, respectively. The results showed that curcuminoids significantly increased ADG, serum antioxidant capacity, the glutathione redox potential of small intestine, the gene expression of Nrf2, and its related antioxidant enzymes. Besides, curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin increased the antioxidant activities of serum, diet, and excreta while using the 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt and ferric-reducing antioxidant power methods. It was concluded that bisdemethoxycurcumin, acting like curcumin, exerted good free radical scavenging activity in erythrocytes and improved the redox status in broilers, although there were some slight differences in their efficiency of antioxidant activities.
Quantitative Analysis of Bioactive Phenanthrenes in Dioscorea batatas Decne Peel, a Discarded Biomass from Postharvest Processing
Authors: Kim Minyoul , Gu Myeong Ju , Lee Joon-Goo , Chin Jungwook , Bae Jong-Sup , Hahn Dongyup
Published: November 2019

Dioscorea batatas Decne (Chinese yam) has been widely cultivated in East Asia for the purposes of food and medicinal uses for centuries. Along with its high nutritional value, the medicinal value of D. batatas has been extensively investigated in association with phytochemicals such as allantoin, flavonoids, saponins and phenanthrenes. Phenanthrenes are especially considered the standard marker chemicals of the Chinese yam for their potent bioactivity and availability of analysis with conventional high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) methods. In order to investigate how much the contents of phenanthrenes are in the actual food products provided for consumers, D. batatas tuber was peeled and separated into its peel and flesh as in the conventional processing method. A quantitative analysis using the HPLC-UV method revealed that phenanthrenes are concentrically present in the D. batatas peel, while phenanthrenes are present in the flesh under the limit of detection. The difference in the contents of phenanthrenes is estimated to have arisen the considerable difference of antioxidant potential between the peel and the flesh. The results from this study suggest the high value of the discarded biomass of the Chinese yam peel and the necessity for the utilization of the Chinese yam peel.
Parameter Optimization for Composite Structures of Microperforated Panel and Porous Metal for Optimal Sound Absorption Performance
Authors: Duan Haiqin , Shen Xinmin , Yang Fei , Bai Panfeng , Lou Xiaofang , Li Zhizhong
Published: November 2019

The composite structure of a microperforated panel and porous metal is a promising sound absorber for industrial noise reduction, sound absorption performance of which can be improved through parameter optimization. A theoretical model is constructed for the composite structure of a microperforated panel and porous metal based on Maa’s theory and the Johnson–Champoux–Allard model. When the limited total thickness is 30 mm, 50 mm, and 100 mm respectively, dimensional optimization of structural parameters of the proposed composite structure is conducted for the optimal average sound absorption coefficient in the frequency range (2000 Hz, 6000 Hz) through a cuckoo search algorithm. Simulation models of the composite structures with optimal structural parameters are constructed based on the finite element method. Validations of the optimal composite structures are conducted based on the standing wave tube method. Comparative analysis of the theoretical data, simulation data, and experimental data validates feasibility and effectiveness of the parameter optimization. The optimal sandwich structure with an actual total thickness of 36.8 mm can obtain the average sound absorption coefficient of 97.65% in the frequency range (2000 Hz, 6000 Hz), which is favorable to promote practical application of the composite structures in the fields of sound absorption and noise reduction.
A Numerical Model to Estimate the Soil Thermal Conductivity Using Field Experimental Data
Authors: Romio Leugim Corteze , Roberti Débora Regina , Buligon Lidiane , Zimmer Tamires , Degrazia Gervásio Annes
Published: November 2019

Soil thermal conductivity is an important parameter for understanding soil heat transfer. It is difficult to measure in situ with available instruments. This work aims to propose a numerical model to estimate the thermal conductivity from the experimental measurements of soil heat flux and soil temperature. The new numerical model is based on the Fourier Law adding a constant empirical parameter to minimize the uncertainties contained in the data from field experiments. Numerically, the soil thermal conductivity is obtained by experimental linear data fitting by the Least Squares Method (LSM). This method avoids numerical indetermination when the soil temperature gradient or soil heat flux is very close to zero. The new model is tested against the different numerical methodology to estimate the soil heat flux and validated with field experimental data. The results indicate that the proposed model represents the experimental data satisfactorily. In addition, we show the influence of the different methodologies on evaluating the dependence of the thermal conductivity on the soil water content.
Short CFD Simulation Activities in the Context of Fluid-Mechanical Learning in a Multidisciplinary Student Body
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín Manuel , Rodríguez-Gonzálvez Pablo , Sánchez-Patrocinio Alberto , Sánchez Javier Ramón
Published: November 2019

Simulation activities are a useful tool to improve competence in industrial engineering bachelors. Specifically, fluid simulation allows students to acquire important skills to strengthen their theoretical knowledge and improve their future professional career. However, these tools usually require long training times and they are usually not available in the subjects of B.Sc. degrees. In this article, a new methodology based on short lessons is raised and evaluated in the fluid-mechanical subject for students enrolled in three different bachelor degree groups: B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and B.Sc. in Electronic and Automatic Engineering. Statistical results show a good acceptance in terms of usability, learning, motivation, thinking over, satisfaction and scalability. Additionally, a machine-learning based approach was applied to find group peculiarities and differences among them in order to identify the need for further personalization of the learning activity.
Pre-Configured Deep Convolutional Neural Networks with Various Time-Frequency Representations for Biometrics from ECG Signals
Authors: Byeon Yeong-Hyeon , Kwak Keun-Chang
Published: November 2019

We evaluated electrocardiogram (ECG) biometrics using pre-configured models of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with various time-frequency representations. Biometrics technology records a person’s physical or behavioral characteristics in a digital signal via a sensor and analyzes it to identify the person. An ECG signal is obtained by detecting and amplifying a minute electrical signal flowing on the skin using a noninvasive electrode when the heart muscle depolarizes at each heartbeat. In biometrics, the ECG is especially advantageous in security applications because the heart is located within the body and moves while the subject is alive. However, a few body states generate noisy biometrics. The analysis of signals in the frequency domain has a robust effect on the noise. As the ECG is noise-sensitive, various studies have applied time-frequency transformations that are robust to noise, with CNNs achieving a good performance in image classification. Studies have applied time-frequency representations of the 1D ECG signals to 2D CNNs using transforms like MFCC (mel frequency cepstrum coefficient), spectrogram, log spectrogram, mel spectrogram, and scalogram. CNNs have various pre-configured models such as VGGNet, GoogLeNet, ResNet, and DenseNet. Combinations of the time-frequency representations and pre-configured CNN models have not been investigated. In this study, we employed the PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)-ECG and CU (Chosun University)-ECG databases. The MFCC accuracies were 0.45%, 2.60%, 3.90%, and 0.25% higher than the spectrogram, log spectrogram, mel spectrogram, and scalogram accuracies, respectively. The Xception accuracies were 3.91%, 0.84%, and 1.14% higher than the VGGNet-19, ResNet-101, and DenseNet-201 accuracies, respectively.
A Novel Deep Learning Approach for Machinery Prognostics Based on Time Windows
Authors: Yang Hanbo , Zhao Fei , Jiang Gedong , Sun Zheng , Mei Xuesong
Published: November 2019

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is a challenging research task in prognostics and receives extensive attention from academia to industry. This paper proposes a novel deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for RUL prediction. Unlike health indicator-based methods which require the long-term tracking of sensor data from the initial stage, the proposed network aims to utilize data from consecutive time samples at any time interval for RUL prediction. Additionally, a new kernel module for prognostics is designed where the kernels are selected automatically, which can further enhance the feature extraction ability of the network. The effectiveness of the proposed network is validated using the C-MAPSS dataset for aircraft engines provided by NASA. Compared with the state-of-the-art results on the same dataset, the prediction results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed network.
Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Scheduling Optimization in the Context of Industrie 4.0
Authors: Tran Le Vu , Huynh Bao Huy , Akhtar Humza
Published: November 2019

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) is a crucial sector in the remanufacturing industry and scheduling of MRO processes is significantly different from conventional manufacturing processes. In this study, we adopted a swarm intelligent algorithm, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), to solve the scheduling optimization of MRO processes with two business objectives: minimizing the total scheduling time (make-span) and total tardiness of all jobs. The algorithm also has the dynamic scheduling capability which can help the scheduler to cope with the changes in the shop floor which frequently occur in the MRO processes. Results from the developed algorithm have shown its better solution in comparison to commercial scheduling software. The dependency of the algorithm’s performance on tuning parameters has been investigated and an approach to shorten the convergence time of the algorithm is emerging.
Validation of a Discrete Element Method (DEM) Model of the Grinding Media Dynamics within an Attritor Mill Using Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) Measurements
Authors: Daraio Domenico , Villoria Jose , Ingram Andrew , Alexiadis Alessio , Hugh Stitt E. , Marigo Michele
Published: November 2019

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) was used to investigate the grinding media dynamics in a laboratory-scale attritor mill in the absence of powder. The grinding media motion was analysed as a function of the equipment’s typical operating parameters: impeller speed, impeller clearance and bead fill level. It was observed that the impeller speed had the strongest influence on the media motion. An increase of the impeller speed from 300 rpm to 600 rpm led to a change in the bead recirculation patterns with the increasing formation of well segregated upper and lower recirculation loops that fully developed at the maximum speed of 600 rpm. For a constant impeller speed, an increase of the bead loading did not majorly affect the bead velocity as remarked by minor changes on the flow field. For all the impeller clearance values, the occupancy plots revealed an inefficient dead region at the bottom of the attritor where the beads were moving at very low velocity. In this region the beads were tightly packed under their own weight and, furthermore, there was an absence of direct contact with the impeller arms. The depth of this region increased proportionally to the distance between the bottom of the impeller and the vessel base indicating that a minimum value of clearance should be set to optimise the lower recirculation pattern. For two experimental conditions, the data generated by PEPT measurements were utilised to set-up a friction-adjusted discrete element method (DEM) model. Here, the simulation results were qualitatively and quantitatively compared against the PEPT data by assessing the averaged velocity flow fields and the average velocity profiles at different radial locations inside the vessel. Given the intrinsic uncertainty of the PEPT measurements, the DEM model results were in considerably good agreement with the experimental results. The major discrepancy was observed close to the vessel wall where the simulations overpredicted the velocity by about 10%.
A Dynamic, Cost-Aware, Optimized Maintenance Policy for Interactive Exploration of Linked Data
Authors: Akhtar Usman , Sant’Anna Anita , Lee Sungyoung
Published: November 2019

Vast amounts of data, especially in biomedical research, are being published as Linked Data. Being able to analyze these data sets is essential for creating new knowledge and better decision support solutions. Many of the current analytics solutions require continuous access to these data sets. However, accessing Linked Data at query time is prohibitive due to high latency in searching the content and the limited capacity of current tools to connect to these databases. To reduce this overhead cost, modern database systems maintain a cache of previously searched content. The challenge with Linked Data is that databases are constantly evolving and cached content quickly becomes outdated. To overcome this challenge, we propose a Change-Aware Maintenance Policy (CAMP) for updating cached content. We propose a Change Metric that quantifies the evolution of a Linked Dataset and determines when to update cached content. We evaluate our approach on two datasets and show that CAMP can reduce maintenance costs, improve maintenance quality and increase cache hit rates compared to standard approaches.
Pyrraline Formation Modulated by Sodium Chloride and Controlled by Encapsulation with Different Coating Materials in the Maillard Reaction
Authors: Liang Zhili , Chen Xu , Yang Zhao , Lai Yuzhu , Yang Yinling , Lei Chuying , Zeng Ya
Published: November 2019

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are present in heat-processed foods, have been associated with several chronic diseases. Sodium chloride (NaCl) modulates the formation of furfurals and acrylamide in the Maillard reaction; however, the effects of NaCl on AGE formation are inconsistent. In this study, we investigated the effects of NaCl on pyrraline formation using glucose-lysine model systems. NaCl, especially at 0.50%, promoted Maillard browning and pyrraline formation, with a simultaneous increase in the 3-deoxyglucosone concentration. To reduce the rate of pyrraline formation, NaCl coated with different gums and starches were used. The results showed that NaCl encapsulation is an effective approach to mitigate pyrraline and 3-deoxyglucosone formation. The content of NaCl in the microparticles were 284 ± 12, 269 ± 6, 258 ± 8, 247 ± 10, 273 ± 16, and 288 ± 15 mg/g (coated with waxy maize starch, normal maize starch, HYLON VII high amylose maize starch, gelatinized resistant starch, xanthan gum, and gum arabic, respectively). The heat resistance of the coating material was negatively correlated with the pyrraline and 3-deoxyglucosone formation, whereas the solubility of the coating material had the opposite results. Coating the material with gum had little effects on the reduction of pyrraline and 3-deoxyglucosone.
The Potential Involvement of an ATP-Dependent Potassium Channel-Opening Mechanism in the Smooth Muscle Relaxant Properties of Tamarix dioica Roxb.
Authors: Imtiaz Syeda , Aleem Ambreen , Saqib Fatima , Ormenisan Alexe , Elena Neculau Andrea , Anastasiu Costin
Published: November 2019

Background: Tamarix dioica is traditionally used to manage various disorders related to smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. This study was planned to establish a pharmacological basis for the uses of Tamarix dioica in certain medical conditions related to the digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A phytochemical study was performed by preliminary methods, followed by HPLC-DAD and spectrometric methods. In vivo evaluation of a crude hydromethanolic extract of T. dioica (TdCr) was done with a castor-oil-provoked diarrheal model in rats to determine its antidiarrheal effect. Ex vivo experiments were done by using isolated tissues to determine the effects on smooth and cardiac muscles and explore the possible mechanisms. Results: TdCr tested positive for flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and tannins as methanolic solvable constituents in a preliminary study. The maximum quantity of gallic acid equivalent (GAE), phenolic, and quercetin equivalent (QE) flavonoid content found was 146 ± 0.001 μg GAE/mg extract and 36.17 ± 2.35 μg QE/mg extract. Quantification based on HPLC-DAD (reverse phase) exposed the presence of rutin at the highest concentration, followed by catechin, gallic acid, myricetin, kaempferol, and apigenin in TdCr. In vivo experiments showed the significant antidiarrheal effect of TdCr (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) in the diarrheal (castor-oil-provoked) model. Ex vivo experiments revealed spasmolytic, bronchodilatory, and vasorelaxant activities as well as partial cardiac depressant activity, which may be potentiated by a potassium channel opener mechanism, similar to that of cromakalim. The potassium channel (KATP channel)-opening activity was further confirmed by repeating the experiments in glibenclamide-pretreated tissues. Conclusions: In vivo and ex vivo studies of T. dioica provided evidence of the antidiarrheal, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, vasorelaxant, and partial cardiodepressant properties facilitated through the opening of the KATP channel.
Antitumor Reactive T-Cell Responses Are Enhanced In Vivo by DAMP Prothymosin Alpha and Its C-Terminal Decapeptide
Authors: Birmpilis Anastasios I. , Karachaliou Chrysoula-Evangelia , Samara Pinelopi , Ioannou Kyriaki , Selemenakis Platon , Kostopoulos Ioannis V. , Kavrochorianou Nadia , Kalbacher Hubert , Livaniou Evangelia , Haralambous Sylva , Kotsinas Athanasios , Farzaneh Farzin , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Voelter Wolfgang , Dimopoulos Meletios-Athanasios , Bamias Aristotelis , Tsitsilonis Ourania
Published: November 2019

Prothymosin α (proTα) and its C-terminal decapeptide proTα(100–109) were shown to pleiotropically enhance innate and adaptive immune responses. Their activities have been broadly studied in vitro, focusing primarily on the restoration of the deficient immunoreactivity of cancer patients’ leukocytes. Previously, we showed that proTα and proTα(100–109) act as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), ligate Toll-like receptor-4, signal through TRIF- and MyD88-dependent pathways, promote the maturation of dendritic cells and elicit T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune responses in vitro, leading to the optimal priming of tumor antigen-reactive T-cell functions. Herein, we assessed their activity in a preclinical melanoma model. Immunocompetent mice bearing B16.F1 tumors were treated with two cycles of proTα or proTα(100–109) together with a B16.F1-derived peptide vaccine. Coadministration of proTα or proTα(100–109) and the peptide vaccine suppressed melanoma-cell proliferation, as evidenced by reduced tumor-growth rates. Higher melanoma infiltration by CD3+ T cells was observed, whereas ex vivo analysis of mouse total spleen cells verified the in vivo induction of melanoma-reactive cytotoxic responses. Additionally, increased levels of proinflammatory and Th1-type cytokines were detected in mouse serum. We propose that, in the presence of tumor antigens, DAMPs proTα and proTα(100–109) induce Th1-biased immune responses in vivo. Their adjuvant ability to orchestrate antitumor immunoreactivities can eventually be exploited therapeutically in humans.