An analysis of design reuse benefits

Although the concept of design reuse is accepted as a valid approach to design, little attempt has been made to formalise the elements that constitutes design reuse. The few approaches formalising design reuse, e.g. 'Concept Reuse Approach for Engineering Design Problem Solving', tend to be prescriptive, detailing procedures and functions that have to be carried out in order to reuse designs. Such procedural methods fail to identify the underlying processes and knowledge resources of design reuse and tend to relate to an approach or method of tackling reuse rather than reuse itself. It would seem that the only current model encompassing design reuse is 'The Design Reuse Process Model'. The elements of this reuse process model have been used as a basis upon which to identify and analyse the benefits of design reuse when considering key metrics relating to competitive product development,that is time, cost, quality and performance

Distribution-based bisimulation for labelled Markov processes

In this paper we propose a (sub)distribution-based bisimulation for labelled Markov processes and compare it with earlier definitions of state and event bisimulation, which both only compare states. In contrast to those state-based bisimulations, our distribution bisimulation is weaker, but corresponds more closely to linear properties. We construct a logic and a metric to describe our distribution bisimulation and discuss linearity, continuity and compositional properties.Comment: Accepted by FORMATS 201

The relationship between neuropsychological function and responsiveness to vitamin D supplementation using artificial neural networks

Background: Vitamin D has recently attracted interest for its pleiotropic effects. Vitamin D supplements are a potentially important public health intervention, but the response to supplementation varies between individuals. Aim: We aimed to assess the association between several neuropsychological parameters and the magnitude of response to vitamin D supplementation using an artificial neural network method. Methods: Neuropsychological function was assessed in 619 participants using standard questionnaires. The study participants received vitamin D capsules containing 50,000 IU vitamin D per week over 9 weeks. To assess the relationship between responsiveness to vitamin D supplements and the impact on these neuropsychological parameters, the best-performing artificial neural network algorithms were selected from a combination of different transfer functions in hidden and output layers and variable numbers of hidden layers (between two and 50). The performance of the artificial neural network algorithm was assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis and variables of importance were identified. Results: The artificial neural network algorithm with sigmoid transfer function in both hidden and output layers could predict responsiveness to vitamin D supplementation effectively. The sensitivity and specificity were between 0.60 and 0.70 and 0.66 and 0.70, respectively. Cognitive abilities (42.5), basal vitamin D (21.3), body mass index (9.5), and daytime sleepiness (8) are the most widely used variables to predict changes in serum vitamin D levels. Conclusions: Cognitive abilities status and baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D are important novel modifiers of the enhancement in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D after vitamin D supplementation. © The Author(s) 2020

Low oxygen tension primes aortic endothelial cells to the reparative effect of tissue-protective cytokines

Erythropoietin (EPO) has both erythropoietic and tissue-protective properties. The EPO analogues carbamylated EPO (CEPO) and pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (pHBSP) lack the erythropoietic activity of EPO but retain the tissue-protective properties that are mediated by a heterocomplex of EPO receptor (EPOR) and the β common receptor (βCR). We studied the action of EPO and its analogues in a model of wound healing where a bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) monolayer was scratched and the scratch closure was assessed over 24 h under different oxygen concentrations. We related the effects of EPO and its analogues on repair to their effect on BAECs proliferation and migration (evaluated using a micro-Boyden chamber). EPO, CEPO and pHBSP enhanced scratch closure only at lower oxygen (5%), while their effect at atmospheric oxygen (21%) was not significant. The mRNA expression of EPOR was doubled in 5% compared to 21% oxygen, and this was associated with increased EPOR assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. By contrast βCR mRNA levels were similar in 5% and 21% oxygen. EPO and its analogues increased both BAECs proliferation and migration, suggesting that both may be involved in the reparative process. The priming effect of low oxygen tension on the action of tissue-protective cytokines may be of relevance to vascular disease, including atherogenesis and restenosis

Stability and validity of intact parathyroid hormone levels in different sample types and storage conditions

Background Several pre-analytical factors can affect the measurement of intact Parathyroid Hormone (IPTH). In this study, we have investigated the effects of using different types of tubes, time elapsed before separation, and storage conditions over time on the measured values of IPTH. Method Blood samples from 30 subjects were collected into plain, SST, and EDTA tubes. All serum and plasma were separated immediately (first set) and after 2 hrs delay (second set). The first set of samples were aliquoted and stored at RT (25°C), at fridge (4°C), and freezer (−20°C). IPTH was measured in all the stored aliquots at 2,4, and 8 days after collection using Architect analyzer. Results Paired T test and ANOVA repeated measures showed no significant difference between IPTH levels in all tubes. The second set of serum and plasma were significantly lower (3.8% and 7.4%, p < 0.001, respectively) when compared to samples measured initially. Serum samples stored at RT were significantly lower (by 45%,59%, and 77%) on days 2,4, and 8 when compared to the initial time (p < 0.001 in all cases). Plasma samples stored at RT, were significantly lower on day 8 after collection, by 30.8% (p < 0.001). These differences would be clinically important. Conclusion Plasma IPTH can be stored at RT for up to four days. Both plasma and serum IPTH are not affected by a delay in the separation of up to two h and they can be stored for up to 8 days in a fridge or freezer without any clinically significant changes in their values

Association between the microbiota and women's cancers � Cause or consequences?

Breast, ovarian and uterine cancers are the most common neoplasms among women. Several mechanisms may be involved in oncogenesis and these include environmental and genetic factors. Bacteria may affect the development of some cancers, with bacterial components, their products and metabolites interacting with susceptible tissues. Commensalism and dysbiosis are important potential mechanisms involved in oncogenesis, and an effective strategy for diagnosis and treatment is required. The purpose of this review was to analyze the complex associations between these cancers in women, and the microbiota, specifically bacterial microbes. However, several cancers have an increased prevalence among individuals with HIV and HPV so the relationship between viral infections and malignancies in women is also referred to. We described how different phylum of bacteria, particularly in the gut, mammary tissue and vaginal microbiome may be involved in carcinogenesis; and we discuss the potential pathways involved: (I), that lead to cell proliferation, (II), immune system perturbation, (III), cell metabolic changes (e.g., hormonal factors), and (IV), DNA damage. Studies investigating the differences between the composition of the bacterial microbiota of healthy women compared to that present in various conditions, and the clinical trials are summarized for the few studies that have addressed the microbiota and related conditions, are also reviewed. © 2020 The Author

Functional foods and cardiometabolic diseases: International Task Force for Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases.

Mounting evidence supports the hypothesis that functional foods containing physiologically-active components may be healthful. Longitudinal cohort studies have shown that some food classes and dietary patterns are beneficial in primary prevention, and this has led to the identification of putative functional foods. This field, however, is at its very beginning, and additional research is necessary to substantiate the potential health benefit of foods for which the diet-health relationships are not yet scientifically validated. It appears essential, however, that before health claims are made for particular foods, in vivo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of clinical end-points are necessary to establish clinical efficacy. Since there is need for research work aimed at devising personalized diet based on genetic make-up, it seems more than reasonable the latter be modeled, at present, on the Mediterranean diet, given the large body of evidence of its healthful effects. The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional model whose origins go back to the traditional diet adopted in European countries bordering the Mediterranean sea, namely central and southern Italy, Greece and Spain; these populations have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases than the North American ones, whose diet is characterized by high intake of animal fat. The meeting in Naples and this document both aim to focus on the changes in time in these two different models of dietary habits and their fall out on public health

Inflammatory Disease Processes and Interactions with Nutrition

Inflammation is a stereotypical physiological response to infections and tissue injury; it initiates pathogen killing as well as tissue repair processes and helps to restore homeostasis at infected or damaged sites. Acute inflammatory reactions are usually self-limiting and resolve rapidly, due to the involvement of negative feedback mechanisms. Thus, regulated inflammatory responses are essential to remain healthy and maintain homeostasis. However, inflammatory responses that fail to regulate themselves can become chronic and contribute to the perpetuation and progression of disease. Characteristics typical of chronic inflammatory responses underlying the pathophysiology of several disorders include loss of barrier function, responsiveness to a normally benign stimulus, infiltration of inflammatory cells into compartments where they are not normally found in such high numbers, and overproduction of oxidants, cytokines, chemokines, eicosanoids and matrix metalloproteinases. The levels of these mediators amplify the inflammatory response, are destructive and contribute to the clinical symptoms. Various dietary components including long chain ω-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, plant flavonoids, prebiotics and probiotics have the potential to modulate predisposition to chronic inflammatory conditions and may have a role in their therapy. These components act through a variety of mechanisms including decreasing inflammatory mediator production through effects on cell signaling and gene expression (ω-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, plant flavonoids), reducing the production of damaging oxidants (vitamin E and other antioxidants), and promoting gut barrier function and anti-inflammatory responses (prebiotics and probiotics). However, in general really strong evidence of benefit to human health through anti-inflammatory actions is lacking for most of these dietary components. Thus, further studies addressing efficacy in humans linked to studies providing greater understanding of the mechanisms of action involved are require

The use of whole genome sequencing in the investigation of a nosocomial influenza virus outbreak

Traditional epidemiological investigation of nosocomial transmission of influenza involves the identification of patients who have the same influenza virus type and who have overlapped in time and place. This method may miss-identify transmission where it has not occurred or miss transmission when it has. We applied influenza virus whole genome sequencing (WGS) to an outbreak of influenza A in a haematology/oncology ward and identified two separate introductions; one which resulted in 5 additional infections and 79 bed-days lost. Results from WGS are becoming rapidly available and may supplement traditional infection control procedures in the investigation and management of nosocomial outbreaks

Архетип свобода у контексті французької політичної теорії та історії

Розглянуто сучасні підходи щодо аналізу політичної ментальності. У межах політологічного аналізу окреслено коло проблем, які потребують вирішення з використанням підходів психології. Зроблено висновок про те, що архетип “свобода” становить важливий елемент політичної ментальності французів.Modern approaches of analysis of political mentality are considered. Within the limits of political science analysis outlined circle of problems which need decision with the use of approaches of psychology. A conclusion is done that archetype freedom makes the important element of political mentality of French’s