Low-Molecular Weight Cow Colostrum Components in Functional Nutrition

Background: The concept of functional nutrition has been actively developed in recent years. LMWCC contains biologically active compounds of natural origin and can be promising components of functional nutrition.Methods: Wistar rats (intact, rats with Cu-induced toxicosis and rats with Cu-induced toxicosis, who received LMWCC per os in different doses of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 1, 2, 3 mg / 100 g of body weight of the animal). The effect of low-molecular weight components of cow colostrum (LMWCC) have been studied on the some physiological and biochemical parameters (body weight, temperature, ability to perform work, activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, triacylglycerides, creatinine, albumin, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lipid hydroperoxides) in experimental animals with Cu -induced toxicosis.Results: It was found that LMWCC in small doses (0.05-0.1 mg / 100 g of weight) restored the growth rate, body temperature and partially working capacity in the test "swimming with a load" of animals with Cu-induced toxicosis. Restoration of physiological parameters in animals with Cu-induced toxemia correlated with activation of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase and a decrease in serum hydroperoxides in blood serum.It was suggested that LMWCC can be promising components of functional nutrition for various toxicoses.Conclusions: LMWCC has antioxidant properties in relatively small doses (0.05-0.1 mg / 100 g of weight). Restoration of the physiological characteristics of animals with Cu-induced toxicosis correlates with the elimination of oxidative stress. Large doses of 1 mg / 100 g of body weight and more manifest pro-oxidant properties

EEG Signal Analysis for Effective Classification of Brain States

EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a non-stationary signal that has been well established to be used for studying various states of the brain, in general, and several disorders, in particular. This work presents efficient signal processing and classification of the EEG signal. The digital filters used during decomposition of the input EEG signal have transfer functions which are simple and easily realizable on digital signal processors (DSP) and embedded systems. The features selected in this study; energy, entropy and variance; are among the most efficient and informative to analyze the EEG signal strength and distribution for detecting brain disorders such as seizure. Training and testing of the extracted features are performed using linear kernel (Support Vector Machine) SVM and thresholding in DSP algorithms and hardware, respectively. The experimental results for the digital signal processing algorithms show a high classification accuracy of 95% in the occurrence of seizure in epileptic patients. The techniques in this work are also under investigation for classifying other brain states/disorders such as sleep stages, sleep apnea and multiple sclerosis

Karakteristik Fisik Dan Mekanik Tanah Residual Balikpapan Utara Akibat Pengaruh Variasi Kadar Air

Kota Balikpapan terletak di dekat garis khaturistiwa yang beriklim tropis mengakibatkan peristiwa alam berupa pembasahan pada musim pen­ghujan dan pengeringan saat musim kemarau yang berlangsung sepanjang tahun. Proses pembasahan dan pengeringan akan mempengaruhi sifat fisik dan mekanik dari tanah, karena perubahan kadar air dapat mengakibatkan perubahan volume tanah. Sampel pengujian tanah residual di ambil dari 3 lereng tanah residual yaitu ITK Balikpapan, PLTU Kariangau Balikpapan, dan PJI Balikpapan Utara; dengan menitikberatkan pengaruh variasi kadar air (pembasahan dan pengeringan) terhadap sifat fisik dan sifat mekanik tanah, pada tanah yang diambil pada kedalaman -0.5 m sampai dengan -1.5 m. Pengujian sifat fisik meliputi berat jenis tanah (γt), berat jenis kering tanah (γd), kadar air (wc), derajat kejenuhan (Sr), porositas (n), angka pori (e), Spesific Gravity (Gs) dan batas Atterberg (LL, PL, PI). Pengujian sifat mekanik yaitu kohesi (c) dan sudut geser dalam (φ). Proses pembasahan dilakukan dengan cara menambahkan kadar air dari kondisi awal (wi) sampai kondisi kadar air jenuh (wsat), variasi penambahan kadar air sebesar 25%, 50%, 75%, dan 100% dari selisih kondisi kadar air. Sedangkan proses pengeringan dilakukan dengan cara mengurangi kada­­­r air­ dari kondisi awal (wi) sampai kondisi kadar air kering (wdry), variasi pengurangan kadar air sebesar 25%, 50%, 75%, dan 100% dari selisih kadar air. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan terjadinya variasi perubahan sifat fisik dan mekanik yang cukup besar selama proses pembasahan dan pengeringan. Pada kedalaman 0,5 m tanah residual ITK, saat pembasahan mengalami penurunan kohesi 30,24%, dan angka pori naik sebesar 42,25%; tanah residual PLTU mengalami penurunan kohesi tanah 15,29%, dan angka pori naik sebesar 35,38%; tanah residual PJI mengalami penurunan kohesi tanah 31,59%, dan angka pori naik sebesar 31,79%. Selama proses pengeringan dari kondisi inisial kekondisi pengeringan 100 %, tanah residual ITK mengalami peningkatan kohesi tanah 34,09%, dan angka pori turun sebesar 55,30%; tanah residual PLTU mengalami peningkatan kohesi tanah 26,01%, dan angka pori turun sebesar 53,40%; dan tanah residual PJI mengalami penigkatan kohesi tanah 29,14%, dan angka pori turun sebesar 53,87%

An approach to address probabilistic assumptions on the availability of safety systems for deterministic safety analysis

[EN] There is an attempt nowadays to provide a more comprehensive and realistic safety assessment of design and operation of Nuclear Power Plants. In this context, innovative approaches are being proposed for safety assessment of nuclear power plants design including both design basis conditions and design extension conditions. An area of research aims at developing methods for combining insights from probabilistic and deterministic safety analyses in Option 4, also called realistic approach, from the International Atomic Energy Agency specific safety guide. The development of Option 4 or realistic approach involves the adoption of best estimate computer codes, best estimate assumptions on systems availability and best estimate of initial and boundary conditions for the safety analysis. This paper focusses on providing the fundamentals and practical implementation of an approach to integrate PSA-based probabilistic models and data, which incorporate best estimate assumptions on the availability of safety systems, into Option 4. It is presented a practical approach to identify relevant, i.e. most probable, configurations of safety systems and to assess the associated occurrence probability of each configuration using PSA models and data of a NPP, which is based on the use of a Pure Monte Carlo method. An example of application is provided to demonstrate how this approach performs. The case study focusses on an accident scenario corresponding to the initiating event Loss Of Feed Water (LOFW) for a typical three-loops Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) NPP.Authors are grateful to the Spanish CSN (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear) for the financial support of this research (Research Project SIN/4078/2013/640; MASA Project).Martorell Alsina, SS.; Martorell-Aygues, P.; Martón Lluch, I.; Sánchez Galdón, AI.; Carlos Alberola, S. (2017). An approach to address probabilistic assumptions on the availability of safety systems for deterministic safety analysis. Reliability Engineering & System Safety. 160:136-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2016.12.009S13615016

Phytochemical Screening and Proximate Analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca Kernel

Study on the evaluation of nutritional quality as well phytochemical screening of poorly utilized plant products is of immense importance. This research work was aimed at screening the phytochemicals as well as proximate analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel using standard methods. Phytochemical screening of the kernel reveal the presence of Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Reducing sugars, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins and Volatile oils with the absence of Anthraquinones and Phenolic compounds. Quantification of the phytochemicals content shows a high content of Saponins, Flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides, Alkaloids and Tannins. Proximate analysis of the kernel shows high Lipid and Protein content with very low carbohydrates and crude fiber, ash and moisture content. Keywords: phytochemicals, proximate, Balanites aegyptiaca, and Kerne

Maximal Violation of Bell Inequalities using Continuous Variables Measurements

We propose a whole family of physical states that yield a violation of the Bell CHSH inequality arbitrarily close to its maximum value, when using quadrature phase homodyne detection. This result is based on a new binning process called root binning, that is used to transform the continuous variables measurements into binary results needed for the tests of quantum mechanics versus local realistic theories. A physical process in order to produce such states is also suggested. The use of high-efficiency spacelike separated homodyne detections with these states and this binning process would result in a conclusive loophole-free test of quantum mechanics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, to appear in PRA in a slightly different versio

Molecular diagnosis of urinary Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis, a communicable disease with significant morbidity and mortality. It is still among the top killers of infectious diseases; Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. Objective of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Xpert MTB/Rif assay was used to analyze the urine samples. Results: The results of this study shows that, out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water was used as negative control. The results showed that, 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables and charts. Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of urinary tuberculosis in the study area, with prevalence of 2.8%. The pattern of tuberculosis was susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, there is need to introduce a routine screening of urinary tuberculosis among patients presenting sign and symptoms of urinary tract infection using Gene Xpert. This will be achieved through the engagement and enlightenment of the clinicians, strengthening the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and accessible to the patients who need them. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Prevalence and Gene Xpert

Instability and Fluctuations of Flux Lines with Point Impurities in a Parallel Current

A parallel current can destabilize a single flux line (FL), or an array of FLs. We consider the effects of pinning by point impurities on this instability. The presence of impurities destroys the long-range order of a flux lattice, leading to the so called Bragg glass (BrG) phase. We first show that the long-range topological order of the BrG is also destroyed by a parallel current. Nonetheless, some degree of short-range order should remain, whose destruction by thermal and impurity fluctuations, as well as the current, is studied here. To this end, we employ a cage model for a single FL in the presence of impurities and current, and study it analytically (by replica variational methods), and numerically (using a transfer matrix technique). The results are in good agreement, and in conjunction with a Lindemann criterion, provide the boundary in the magnetic field--temperature plane for destruction of short-range order. In all cases, we find that the addition of impurities or current (singly or in combination) leads to further increase in equilibrium FL fluctuations. Thus pinning to point impurities does not stabilize FLs in a parallel current $j_z$, although the onset of this instability is much delayed due to large potential barriers that diverge as $j_z^{-\mu}$.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

The Isgur-Wise function in a relativistic model for qQˉq\bar Q system

We use the Dirac equation with a ``(asymptotically free) Coulomb + (Lorentz scalar) linear '' potential to estimate the light quark wavefunction for $q\bar Q$ mesons in the limit $m_Q\to \infty$. We use these wavefunctions to calculate the Isgur-Wise function $\xi (v.v^\prime )$ for orbital and radial ground states in the phenomenologically interesting range $1\leq v.v^ \prime \leq 4$. We find a simple expression for the zero-recoil slope, $\xi^ \prime (1) =-1/2- \epsilon^2 /3$, where $\epsilon$ is the energy eigenvalue of the light quark, which can be identified with the $\bar\Lambda$ parameter of the Heavy Quark Effective Theory. This result implies an upper bound of $-1/2$ for the slope $\xi^\prime (1)$. Also, because for a very light quark $q (q=u, d)$ the size $\sqrt {}$ of the meson is determined mainly by the ``confining'' term in the potential $(\gamma_\circ \sigma r)$, the shape of $\xi_{u,d}(v.v^\prime )$ is seen to be mostly sensitive to the dimensionless ratio $\bar \Lambda_{u,d}^2/\sigma$. We present results for the ranges of parameters $150 MeV <\bar \Lambda_{u,d} <600 MeV$ $(\bar\Lambda_s \approx \bar\Lambda_{u,d}+100 MeV)$, $0.14 {GeV}^2 \leq \sigma \leq 0.25 {GeV}^2$ and light quark masses $m_u, m_d \approx 0, m_s=175 MeV$ and compare to existing experimental data and other theoretical estimates. Fits to the data give: ${\bar\Lambda_{u,d}}^2/\sigma =4.8\pm 1.7$, $-\xi^\prime_{u,d}(1)=2.4\pm 0.7$ and $\vert V_{cb} \vert \sqrt {\frac {\tau_B}{1.48 ps}}=0.050\pm 0.008$ [ARGUS '93]; ${\bar\Lambda_{u,d}}^2/\sigma = 3.4\pm 1.8$, $-\xi^\prime_{u,d}(1)=1.8\pm 0.7$ and $\vert V_{cb} \vert \sqrt { \frac {\tau_B}{1.48 ps}}=0.043\pm 0.008$ [CLEO '93]; ${\bar\Lambda_{u,d}}^2/Comment: 22 pages, Latex, 4 figures (not included) available by fax or via email upon reques

Does high-dose metformin cause lactic acidosis in type 2 diabetic patients after CABG surgery? A double blind randomized clinical trial

Metformin is a dimethyl biguanide oral anti-hyperglycemic agent. Lactic acidosis due to metformin is a fatal metabolic condition that limits its use in patients in poor clinical condition, consequently reducing the number of patients who benefit from this medication. In a double blind randomized clinical trial, we investigated 200 type 2 diabetic patients after coronary artery bypass surgery in the open heart ICU of the Mazandaran Heart Center, and randomly assigned them to equal intervention and control groups. The intervention group received regular insulin infusion along with 2 metformin 500 mg tablets every twelve hours, while the control group received only intravenous insulin with 2 placebo tablets every twelve hours. Lactate level, pH, base excess, blood glucose and serum creatinine were measured over five 12 h periods, with data averaged for each period. The primary outcome in this study was high lactate levels. Comparison between the 2 groups was made by independent Student’s t-test. To compare changes in multiple measures in each group and analysis of group interaction, a repeated measurement ANOVA test was used