USE OF AN INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION DEVICE USED IN PNEUMATIC MACHINES FOR WEEDING PLANT SOWING

The topic addressed is a computer-aided design (CAD) method combined with computer-aided engineering (CAE) used in the analysis of choosing the optimal constructive variant of the distribution device used in pneumatic machines for weeding plant sowing. The CAD configurations, realized by the 3D parametric modeling using the SolidWorks program, were subjected to structural analysis (von Mises equivalent stress distribution, relative displacement field distribution and safety factor). Based on the resulting data, the mass/resistance coefficient for the 3 analyzed configurations were determined. The comparison of these indicators led to the choice of the optimal constructive variant, namely the most efficient one

RESEARCHES ON THE INFLUENCE OF RISKS IN INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS’ PROCESSES WHEN IMPLEMENTING QUALITY-RISK INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The concept of the integrated quality-risk management system can be defined as a set of methodologies, associated processes that invariably use human resources, material and financial resources, equipments and knowledge, in order to meet the objectives aimed at satisfying all interested parties.In the conditions of fulfilling the integrated management system, it will bring many economic and financial benefits in order to reduce the consumption of resources and increase the profit. If implemented correctly, the quality-risk integrated management system will include all business competencies in a systematic environment that will deliver on the mission of the organization, contribute to increasing benefits, optimize resource consumption, and reduce costs to maintain multiple integrated management systems

Metformin plus PIAF combination chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives: Metformin, the most used oral antidiabetic drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetus mellitus, has proved encouraging results when used in the treatment of various types of cancer such as triple-negative breast cancer. Despite compelling evidence of a role of metformin as an anticancer drug, the mechanisms by which metformin exerts its oncostatic actions are not fully understood yet. Therefore, we tried to bring new insights by analyzing the anti-neoplastic effect of metformin for hepatocellular carcinoma-derived stem-like cells treated with conventional combination chemotherapy. Methods: Cancer stem-like cells previusly isolated from a hepatocellular carcinoma biopsy were treated with metformin, PIAF chemotherapy regimen and the combination of these two protocols. Measurements of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, fluorescein diacetate and proliferation rates were determined, apart from the autophagy assay and apoptosis determination by chip flow cytometry. Results: Metformin alone and especially metformin in association with PIAF increases oxidative stress within the cells by increasing the levels of lipid peroxids as well as decreasing the levels of reduced glutathione. The MTT cell proliferation assay showed decreased prolife­ration rates for the arm treated with metformin and with the combination of drugs in comparison with the control arm, proving high correlation with the oxidative stress results. The autophagy assay and determination of apoptosis by chip flow cytometry confirmed the results obtained in the previous assays. Conclusion: Metformin could be used in chemotherapy treatments to induce reactive oxygen species and increase the cytostatics effects within the tumor cell. Still, further experiments must be carried out on murine models before we can move on and use this drugs in the adjuvant setting for unresectable primary liver cancer

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRO-OSMOSIS ON DECREASING THE FORCES AND THE ENERGY NEEDED FOR TILLING THE SOIL

Electro-osmosis principle consists in the application of a direct current voltage for an anode-cathode system introduced into soil. The effect of this system consists of the mobilization of water particles from the soil and their transport, in a very short time, from the anode to cathode. The soil water transported from the anode to cathode, on the tool-soil contact surface, in consequence, will produce a lubrication of the active surface and thereby a considerable reduction of the friction forces and implicitly of the energy necessary to move the tool through the soil

THE DISEASES AND PESTS CONTROL IN THE FARMING CULTURES, USING BIOPRODUCTS

The making of a performant agriculture is influenced among other things by the applicative working technologies, the phyto-sanitary protection having an important role within these technologies.The current research and studies concerning the methods and equipments of applying of phyto-sanitary treatments, are enrolled in the new trends for applying a long lasting agriculture; the phyto-sanitary protection represents one of the main sources of the environment poluation resources.In the first part of the work is presented a syntesis of the aspects concerning the impact of the phytosanitary treatments used in agriculture upon environment, the methods used these days for diseases and pests control and the future  trends  with referrence to the technologies and products used in  the agricultural ecological practice and at the end are presented products already used or being at the begining using phase

Definitions and methodology for the grayscale and radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound and coronary angiographic analyses

Objectives: In a prospective study of the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis using angiography and grayscale and radio

Dissecting dual roles of MyoD during lineage conversion to mature myocytes and myogenic stem cells

The generation of myotubes from fibroblasts upon forced MyoD expression is a classic example of transcription factor-induced reprogramming. We recently discovered that additional modulation of signaling pathways with small molecules facilitates reprogramming to more primitive induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs). Here, we dissected the transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics of mouse fibroblasts undergoing reprogramming to either myotubes or iMPCs using a MyoD-inducible transgenic model. Induction of MyoD in fibroblasts combined with small molecules generated Pax7+ iMPCs with high similarity to primary muscle stem cells. Analysis of intermediate stages of iMPC induction revealed that extinction of the fibroblast program preceded induction of the stem cell program. Moreover, key stem cell genes gained chromatin accessibility prior to their transcriptional activation, and these regions exhibited a marked loss of DNA methylation dependent on the Tet enzymes. In contrast, myotube generation was associated with few methylation changes, incomplete and unstable reprogramming, and an insensitivity to Tet depletion. Finally, we showed that MyoD's ability to bind to unique bHLH targets was crucial for generating iMPCs but dispensable for generating myotubes. Collectively, our analyses elucidate the role of MyoD in myogenic reprogramming and derive general principles by which transcription factors and signaling pathways cooperate to rewire cell identity