Identification of Links Between Points By Series of Images

The article presents solution to the problem of objects detection by series of their images without any prior information about outer characteristics (shape, color, etc.). The presented approach is based on detecting connections between separate points of objects. The authors developed an algorithm that uses movements of a fixed number of points measured at discrete instants of time as input data. It was tested using real experimental data. As a result, a matrix of links was obtained, which can be used for identifying separate objects. In future articles, the authors will offer the improvement of the proposed approach for quantifying the nature of connections between different points of a single object. It will help determine the object structure, it’s weak and strong parts, internal defects, etc.     Keywords: series of images, points movements, links between point

Thymosin Beta 4 Prevents Oxidative Stress by Targeting Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Genes in Cardiac Fibroblasts

Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a ubiquitous protein with diverse functions relating to cell proliferation and differentiation that promotes wound healing and modulates inflammatory responses. The effecter molecules targeted by Tβ4 for cardiac protection remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the molecules targeted by Tβ4 that mediate cardio-protection under oxidative stress.Rat neonatal fibroblasts cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in presence and absence of Tβ4 and expression of antioxidant, apoptotic and pro-fibrotic genes was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were estimated by DCF-DA using fluorescent microscopy and fluorimetry. Selected antioxidant and antiapoptotic genes were silenced by siRNA transfections in cardiac fibroblasts and the effect of Tβ4 on H(2)O(2)-induced profibrotic events was evaluated.Pre-treatment with Tβ4 resulted in reduction of the intracellular ROS levels induced by H(2)O(2) in the cardiac fibroblasts. This was associated with an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and reduction of Bax/Bcl(2) ratio. Tβ4 treatment reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic genes [connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), collagen type-1 (Col-I) and collagen type-3 (Col-III)] in the cardiac fibroblasts. Silencing of Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase gene triggered apoptotic cell death in the cardiac fibroblasts, which was prevented by treatment with Tβ4.This is the first report that exhibits the targeted molecules modulated by Tβ4 under oxidative stress utilizing the cardiac fibroblasts. Tβ4 treatment prevented the profibrotic gene expression in the in vitro settings. Our findings indicate that Tβ4 selectively targets and upregulates catalase, Cu/Zn-SOD and Bcl(2), thereby, preventing H(2)O(2)-induced profibrotic changes in the myocardium. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the signaling pathways involved in the cardio-protection afforded by Tβ4

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ГАЛЬМІВНОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ВАГОНА-ХОПЕРА ІЗ СИСТЕМОЮ РОЗДІЛЬНОГО ГАЛЬМУВАННЯ ВІЗКІВ

The results of tests of the hopper brake systems for the pellets having typical system and separate braking per each bogie are presented. It is shown that the brake system with separate braking has several advantages as compared to the typical one. Представлены результаты исследований тормозных систем вагона-хопера для окатышей с типовой системой и с раздельным торможением на каждую тележку. Показано, что тормозная система с раздельным торможением обладает рядом преимуществ по сравнению с типовой системой.Представлено результати випробувань гальмівних систем вагона-хопера для окатишів з типовою системою і з роздільним гальмуванням на кожен візок. Показано, що гальмівна система з роздільним гальмуванням має декілька переваг порівняно з типовою системою

THE STUDY OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS HOPPER SYSTEM WITH SEPARATE BRAKING TRUCKS

The results of tests of the hopper brake systems for the pellets having typical system and separate braking per each bogie are presented. It is shown that the brake system with separate braking has several advantages as compared to the typical one