Abstract: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) has
been reported to develop after a hymenoptera sting, but its
pathogenesis is not known in detail. Myelin basic protein (MBP)-
specific T cells have been detected in the blood of patients with
ADEM, and a proportion of these patients develop multiple sclerosis
(MS). In an attempt to understand the mechanisms underlying
ADEM, molecular mimicry between hymenoptera venom peptides
and the human immunodominant MBP peptide was scrutinized,
based on the sequence and structural similarities, whether it was the
root of the disease. The results suggest that the three wasp venom
peptides have low sequence homology with the human
immunodominant MBP residues 85-99. Structural similarity analysis
among the three venom peptides and the MS-related HLA-DR2b
(DRA, DRB1*1501)-associated immunodominant MHC
binding/TCR contact residues 88-93, VVHFFK showed that
hyaluronidase residues 7-12, phospholipase A1 residues 98-103, and
antigen 5 residues 109-114 showed a high degree of similarity
83.3%, 100%, and 83.3% respectively. In conclusion, some wasp
venom peptides, particularly phospholipase A1, may potentially act
as the molecular motifs of the human 3HLA-DR2b-associated
immunodominant MBP88-93, and possibly present a mechanism for
induction of wasp sting-associated ADEM.
Abstract: This paper presents the theoretical background and
the real implementation of an automated computer system to
introduce machine vision in flower, fruit and vegetable processing
for recollection, cutting, packaging, classification, or fumigation
tasks. The considerations and implementation issues presented in this
work can be applied to a wide range of varieties of flowers, fruits and
vegetables, although some of them are especially relevant due to the
great amount of units that are manipulated and processed each year
over the world. The computer vision algorithms developed in this
work are shown in detail, and can be easily extended to other
applications. A special attention is given to the electromagnetic
compatibility in order to avoid noisy images. Furthermore, real
experimentation has been carried out in order to validate the
developed application. In particular, the tests show that the method
has good robustness and high success percentage in the object
characterization.
Abstract: It has been shown that pH 7,3 and 37 0C are the optimal condition for the growth of E. coli “ASAP". The cells grow well on Glucose, Lactose, D-Mannitol, D-Sorbitol, (+)-Xylose, L- (+)-Arabinose and Dulcitol. No growth has been observed on Sucrose, Inositol, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan. The strain is sensitive to a range of antibiotics. The present study has demonstrated that E. coli “ASAP" inhibit the growth of S. enterica ATCC #700931 in vitro. The studies on conjugating activity has revealed no conjugant of E. coli “ASAP" with plasmid strains E. coli G35#59 and S. enterica ATCC #700931. On the other hand, the conjugants with low frequencies were obtained from E. coli “ASAP" with E. coli G35#61, and E. coli “ASAP" with randomly chosen isolate from healthy human gut microflora: E. coli E6. The results of present study have demonstrated improvements in gut microflora condition of patients with different diseases after the administration of “ASAP"
Abstract: In this paper, a Web-based e-Training platform that is dedicated to multimodal breast imaging is presented. The assets of this platform are summarised in (i) the efficient representation of the curriculum flow that will permit efficient training; (ii) efficient tagging of multimodal content appropriate for the completion of realistic cases and (iii) ubiquitous accessibility and platform independence via a web-based approach.
Abstract: In this paper, based on the work in [1], we further give
a general model for acquiring knowledge, which first focuses on the
research of how and when things involved in problems are made
then describes the goals, the energy and the time to give an optimum
model to decide how many related things are supposed to be involved
in. Finally, we acquire knowledge from this model in which there are
the attributes, actions and connections of the things involved at the
time when they are born and the time in their life. This model not
only improves AI theories, but also surely brings the effectiveness
and accuracy for AI system because systems are given more
knowledge when reasoning or computing is used to bring about
results.
Abstract: Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions impose major
threat to global warming potential (GWP). Unfortunately
manufacturing sector is one of the major sources that contribute
towards the rapid increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. In
manufacturing sector electric power consumption is the major driver
that influences CO2 emission. Titanium alloys are widely utilized in
aerospace, automotive and petrochemical sectors because of their
high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Titanium
alloys are termed as difficult to cut materials because of their poor
machinability rating. The present study analyzes energy consumption
during cutting with reference to material removal rate (MRR).
Surface roughness was also measured in order to optimize energy
consumption.
Abstract: Nowadays, obtaining traditional statistics and reports
is not adequate for the needs of organizational managers. The
managers need to analyze and to transform the raw data into
knowledge in the world filled with information. Therefore in this
regard various processes have been developed. In the meantime the
artificial intelligence-based processes are used and the new topics
such as business intelligence and knowledge discovery have
emerged. In the current paper it is sought to study the business
intelligence and its applications in the organizations.
Abstract: This study offers a new simple method for assessing
an axial part-through crack in a pipe wall. The method utilizes simple
approximate expressions for determining the fracture parameters K,
J, and employs these parameters to determine critical dimensions of a
crack on the basis of equality between the J-integral and the J-based
fracture toughness of the pipe steel. The crack tip constraint is taken
into account by the so-called plastic constraint factor C, by which the
uniaxial yield stress in the J-integral equation is multiplied. The
results of the prediction of the fracture condition are verified by burst
tests on test pipes.
Abstract: Usually, the solid-fuel flow of an iron ore sinter plant
consists of different types of the solid-fuels, which differ from each
other. Information about the composition of the solid-fuel flow
usually comes every 8-24 hours. It can be clearly seen that this
information cannot be used to control the sintering process in real
time. Due to this, we propose an expert system which uses indirect
measurements from the process in order to obtain the composition of
the solid-fuel flow by solving an optimization task. Then this
information can be used to control the sintering process. The
proposed technique can be successfully used to improve sinter
quality and reduce the amount of solid-fuel used by the process.
Abstract: Transport and logistics are the lifeblood of societies.
There is a strong correlation between overall growth in economic
activity and growth of transport. The movement of people and goods
has the potential for creating wealth and prosperity, therefore the
state of transportation infrastructure and especially the condition of
road networks is often a governmental priority. The design, building
and maintenance of national roads constitute a substantial share of
government budgets. Taking into account the magnitude and
importance of these investments, the expedience, efficiency and
sustainability of these projects are of great public interest. This paper
provides an overview of supply chain management principles applied
to road construction. In addition, road construction performance
measurement systems and ICT solutions are discussed. Road
construction in Estonia is analyzed. The authors propose the
development of a national performance measurement system for road
construction.
Abstract: Requirements that should be met when determining the regimes of circuits with variable elements are formulated. The interpretation of the variations in the regimes, based on projective geometry, enables adequate expressions for determining and comparing the regimes to be derived. It is proposed to use as the parameters of a generalized equivalent generator of an active two-pole with changeable resistor such load current and voltage which provide the current through this resistor equal to zero.
Abstract: The logistical requirements placed on industrial manufacturing companies are steadily increasing. In order to meet those requirements, a consistent and efficient concept is necessary for production control. Set up properly, production control offers considerable potential with respect to achieving the logistical targets. As experience with the many production control methods already in existence and their compatibility is, however, often inadequate, this article describes a systematic approach to the configuration of production control based on the Lödding model. This model enables production control to be set up individually to suit a company and the requirements. It therefore permits today-s demands regarding logistical performance to be met.
Abstract: The agriculture lignocellulosic by-products are receiving increased attention, namely in the search for filter materials that retain contaminants from water. These by-products, specifically almond and hazelnut shells are abundant in Portugal once almond and hazelnuts production is a local important activity. Hazelnut and almond shells have as main constituents lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses, water soluble extractives and tannins. Along the adsorption of heavy metals from contaminated waters, water soluble compounds can leach from shells and have a negative impact in the environment. Usually, the chemical characterization of treated water by itself may not show environmental impact caused by the discharges when parameters obey to legal quality standards for water. Only biological systems can detect the toxic effects of the water constituents. Therefore, the evaluation of toxicity by biological tests is very important when deciding the suitability for safe water discharge or for irrigation applications.
The main purpose of the present work was to assess the potential impacts of waters after been treated for heavy metal removal by hazelnut and almond shells adsorption systems, with short term acute toxicity tests.
To conduct the study, water at pH 6 with 25 mg.L-1 of lead, was treated with 10 g of shell per litre of wastewater, for 24 hours. This procedure was followed for each bark. Afterwards the water was collected for toxicological assays; namely bacterial resistance, seed germination, Lemna minor L. test and plant grow. The effect in isolated bacteria strains was determined by disc diffusion method and the germination index of seed was evaluated using lettuce, with temperature and humidity germination control for 7 days. For aquatic higher organism, Lemnas were used with 4 days contact time with shell solutions, in controlled light and temperature. For terrestrial higher plants, biomass production was evaluated after 14 days of tomato germination had occurred in soil, with controlled humidity, light and temperature.
Toxicity tests of water treated with shells revealed in some extent effects in the tested organisms, with the test assays showing a close behaviour as the control, leading to the conclusion that its further utilization may not be considered to create a serious risk to the environment.
Abstract: This paper presents strategies for dynamically creating, managing and removing mesh cells during computations in the context of the Material Point Method (MPM). The dynamic meshing approach has been developed to help address problems involving motion of a finite size body in unbounded domains in which the extent of material travel and deformation is unknown a priori, such as in the case of landslides and debris flows. The key idea is to efficiently instantiate and search only cells that contain material points, thereby avoiding unneeded storage and computation. Mechanisms for doing this efficiently are presented, and example problems are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of dynamic mesh management relative to alternative approaches.
Abstract: Pressures for urban redevelopment are intensifying in
all large cities. A new logic for urban development is required –
green urbanism – that provides a spatial framework for directing
population and investment inwards to brownfields and greyfields
precincts, rather than outwards to the greenfields. This represents
both a major opportunity and a major challenge for city planners in
pluralist liberal democracies. However, plans for more compact
forms of urban redevelopment are stalling in the face of community
resistance. A new paradigm and spatial planning platform is required
that will support timely multi-level and multi-actor stakeholder
engagement, resulting in the emergence of consensus plans for
precinct-level urban regeneration capable of more rapid
implementation. Using Melbourne, Australia as a case study, this
paper addresses two of the urban intervention challenges – where and
how – via the application of a 21st century planning tool ENVISION
created for this purpose.
Abstract: The paper presents a method for multivariate time
series forecasting using Independent Component Analysis (ICA), as a preprocessing tool. The idea of this approach is to do the forecasting in the space of independent components (sources), and then to transform back the results to the original time series
space. The forecasting can be done separately and with a different
method for each component, depending on its time structure. The
paper gives also a review of the main algorithms for independent component analysis in the case of instantaneous mixture models, using second and high-order statistics. The method has been applied in simulation to an artificial multivariate time series
with five components, generated from three sources and a mixing matrix, randomly generated.
Abstract: MRAM technology provides a combination of fast
access time, non-volatility, data retention and endurance. While a
growing interest is given to two-terminal Magnetic Tunnel Junctions
(MTJ) based on Spin-Transfer Torque (STT) switching as the
potential candidate for a universal memory, its reliability is
dramatically decreased because of the common writing/reading path.
Three-terminal MTJ based on Spin-Orbit Torque (SOT) approach
revitalizes the hope of an ideal MRAM. It can overcome the
reliability barrier encountered in current two-terminal MTJs by
separating the reading and the writing path. In this paper, we study
two possible writing schemes for the SOT-MTJ device based on
recently fabricated samples. While the first is based on precessional
switching, the second requires the presence of permanent magnetic
field. Based on an accurate Verilog-A model, we simulate the two
writing techniques and we highlight advantages and drawbacks of
each one. Using the second technique, pioneering logic circuits based
on the three-terminal architecture of the SOT-MTJ described in this
work are under development with preliminary attractive results.
Abstract: COPD is characterized by loss of elastic fibers from
small airways and alveolar walls, with the decrease in elastin
increasing with disease severity. It is unclear why there is a lack of
repair of elastic fibers. We have examined fibroblasts cultured from
lung tissue from normal and COPD subjects to determine if the
secretory profile explains lack of tissue repair. In this study,
fibroblasts were cultured from lung parenchyma of bronchial
carcinoma patients with varying degrees of COPD; controls
(non-COPD, n=5), mild COPD (GOLD 1, n=5) and moderate-severe
COPD (GOLD 2-3, n=12). Measurements were made of proliferation,
senescence-associated beta-galactosidase-1, mRNA expression of
IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, tropoelastin and versican, and protein levels for
IL-6, IL-8, PGE2, tropoelastin, insoluble elastin, and versican. It was
found that GOLD 2-3 fibroblasts proliferated more slowly (p
Abstract: This study shows palynomorphological description of
pollen grains of Lamium garganicum, species of the family Labiatae.
Fresh material of this plant is taken in Mount Llogara, in Albania. By
comparison made between palinomorphological characteristics of
pollen grains of Lamium garganicum with those of Lamium
maculatum and Lamium purpureum, showed that granules have
similarities in the number of furrows. The pollen grains of Lamium
garganicum were larger in length and width than those of Lamium
maculatum and almost equal with those of Lamium purpureum.
Furrows are longer than those of pollen grains in Lamium maculatum
and shorter than those of Lamium purpureum. The layer of exine of
Lamium garganicum was thinner than that of two others. The
sculpture of exine was fine reticulate, where reticulas were uniform
whereas in Lamium purpureum was verrucate, with small verrucae; in
Lamium maculatum was reticulate.
Abstract: In mechanical and environmental engineering, mixed
convection is a frequently encountered thermal fluid phenomenon
which exists in atmospheric environment, urban canopy flows, ocean
currents, gas turbines, heat exchangers, and computer chip cooling
systems etc... . This paper deals with a numerical investigation of
mixed convection in a vertical heated channel. This flow results from
the mixing of the up-going fluid along walls of the channel with the
one issued from a flat nozzle located in its entry section. The fluiddynamic
and heat-transfer characteristics of vented vertical channels
are investigated for constant heat-flux boundary conditions, a
Rayleigh number equal to 2.57 1010, for two jet Reynolds number
Re=3 103 and 2104 and the aspect ratio in the 8-20 range. The system
of governing equations is solved with a finite volumes method and an
implicit scheme. The obtained results show that the turbulence and
the jet-wall interaction activate the heat transfer, as does the drive of
ambient air by the jet. For low Reynolds number Re=3 103, the
increase of the aspect Ratio enhances the heat transfer of about 3%,
however; for Re=2 104, the heat transfer enhancement is of about
12%. The numerical velocity, pressure and temperature fields are
post-processed to compute the quantities of engineering interest such
as the induced mass flow rate, and average Nusselt number, in terms
of Rayleigh, Reynolds numbers and dimensionless geometric
parameters are presented.