An Approach To Automating Data Collection For Simulation

In past years many industries have utilized simulation as a means for decision making. That wave has introduced simulation as a powerful optimization and development tool in the manufacturing industry. Input data collection is a significant and complex event in the process of simulation. The simulation professionals have grown to accept it is as a strenuous but necessary task. Due to the nature of this task, data collection problems are numerous and vary depending on the situation. These problems may involve time consumption, lack of data, lack of structure, etc. This study concentrates on the challenges of input data collection for Discrete Event Simulation in the manufacturing industry and focuses particularly on speed, efficiency, data completeness and data accuracy. It has been observed that many companies have recently utilized commercial databases to store production data. This study proposes that the key to faster and more efficient input data collection is to extract data directly from these sources in a flexible and efficient way. An approach is introduced here to creating a custom software tool for a manufacturing setting that allows input data to be collected and formatted quickly and accurately. The methodology for the development of such a custom tool and its implementation, Part Data Collection, are laid out in this research. The Part Data Collection application was developed to assist in the simulation endeavors of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, Florida. It was implemented and tested as an aid in a large simulation project, which included modeling a new factory. This implementation resulted in 93% reduction in labor time associated with data collection and significantly improved data accuracy

Aqueous Extracts of Teucrium polium Possess Remarkable Antioxidant Activity In Vitro

Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae) (RDC 1117) is a medicinal plant whose species have been used for over 2000 years in traditional medicine due to its diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic, antipyretic, antispasmodic and cholagogic properties. The therapeutic benefit of medicinal plants is often attributed to their antioxidant properties. We previously reported that an aqueous extract of the leaves and stems of this plant could inhibit iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate at concentrations that were not toxic to cultured hepatic cells. Others have reported that organic extracts of the aerial components of this plant could inhibit oxidative processes. Against this background, we felt further investigation on the antioxidant action of the extract of T. polium prepared according to traditional Arab medicine was warranted. Accordingly, we assessed (i) its ability to inhibit (a) oxidation of β-carotene, (b) 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropan) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced plasma oxidation and (c) iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates; (ii) to scavenge the superoxide ([Formula: see text]) radical and the hydroxyl radical (OH(•)); (iii) its effects on the enzyme xanthine oxidase activity; (iv) its capacity to bind iron; and (v) its effect on cell glutathione (GSH) homeostasis in cultured Hep G2 cells. We found that the extract (i) inhibited (a) oxidation of β-carotene, (b) AAPH-induced plasma oxidation (c) Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates (IC(50) = 7 ± 2 μg ml(−1)); (ii) scavenged [Formula: see text] (IC(50) = 12 ± 3 μg ml(−1)) and OH(•) (IC(50) = 66 ± 20 μg ml(−1)); (iii) binds iron (IC(50) = 79 ± 17 μg ml(−1)); and (iv) tended to increase intracellular GSH levels resulting in a decrease in the GSSG/GSH ratio. These results demonstrate that the extract prepared from the T. polium possesses antioxidant activity in vitro. Further investigations are needed to verify whether this antioxidant effect occurs in vivo

Fertilization-Induced Changes in Growth Parameters and Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Arab Medicine

In response to increased popularity and greater demand for medicinal plants, a number of conservation groups are recommending that wild medicinal plants be brought into cultivation systems. We collected four medicinal herbs Cichorium pumilum, Eryngium creticum, Pistacia palaestina and Teucrium polium used in traditional Arab medicine for greenhouse cultivation to assess the effects of different fertilization regimes on their growth and antioxidant activity. Wild seedlings were collected and fertilized with either 100% Hoagland solution, 50% Hoagland solution, 20% Hoagland solution or irrigated with tap water. Plant height was measured and the number of green leaves and branches counted weekly. Thereafter, the aboveground parts of plants were harvested for preparing a water-soluble powder extracts of which antioxidant activity was measured by their ability to suppress the oxidation of β-carotene. Of the fertilization regimes, we found either 20 or 50% Hoagland solution produced the most consistent response of the plant growth parameters. All powders prepared from the four wild growing plants inhibited oxidation of β-carotene. Increasing the amount of fertilizer caused a significant concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity of the cultivated T. polium compared with the wild type. In contrast, increasing the amount of fertilizer caused a significant concentration-dependent reduction in the antioxidant activity of powders prepared from the cultivated E. creticum when compared with wild plants. Our results showed that cultivation success should not rely solely on parameters of growth but should incorporate assessment related to indices of therapeutic potential

The conformation and aggregation of proline-rich surfactant-like peptides

The secondary structure of proline-rich surfactant-like peptides is examined for the first time and is found to be influenced by charged end groups in peptides P6K, P6E, and KP6E and an equimolar mixture of P6K and P6E. The peptides exhibit a conformational transition from unordered to polyproline II (PPII) above a critical concentration, detected from circular dichroism (CD) measurements and unexpectedly from fluorescence dye probe measurements. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements provided the Gibbs energies of hydration of P6K and P6E, which correspond essentially to the hydration energies of the terminal charged residues. A detailed analysis of peptide conformation for these peptides was performed using density functional theory calculations, and this was used as a basis for hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics (QM/MM MD) simulations. Quantum mechanics simulations in implicit water show both peptides (and their 1:1 mixture) exhibit PPII conformations. However, hybrid QM/MM MD simulations suggest that some deviations from this conformation are present for P6K and P6E in peptide bonds close to the charged residue, whereas in the 1:1 mixture a PPII structure is observed. Finally, aggregation of the peptides was investigated using replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. These reveal a tendency for the average aggregate size (as measured by the radius of gyration) to increase with increasing temperature, which is especially marked for P6K, although the fraction of the most populated clusters is larger for P6E

Programme-Aimed Financing of Health Care in Ukraine Программно-целевое финансирование здравоохранения в Украине

In the article considered the problems of programme-aimed financing in Ukraine, special attention is paid to the field of health care. Proposed the ways of their solution.В статье рассмотрены проблемы программно-целевого финансирования в Украине, особое внимание уделено здравоохранению. Предложены направления их решения

THE GEOMETRICAL AND POWER PARAMETERS OF ROLLING OF THE CRESCENT-SHAPED ITEMS IN THE CONE ROLLS WITH PARALLEL AXLES

The purpose of the work: the investigation of the rolls peculiarities in the cone rolls with parallel axles of the crescent-shaped items, and the development of the technological parameters of the items different typical dimensions on this base. Developed have been the design methods of: the crescent-shaped items in practically used parameters intervals; the power parameters in rolling in the cone rolls in steady modes with the metal lateral displacement accounted for, and in the process of catching with the machine tension to be considered. The formula for the design of the crescence radius has been offered. The programs for the design of the forces on the rolls and on the giuding wiring in the steady mode, and for the design of forces of pushing in the course of catching have been developed. The original devices intended for the experimental determination of forces on the guiding wiring in the steady mode and the force of pushing-in in catching have been dsigned and manufactured. The crescent-shaped items have been received in the experimental-industrial base of institute. The items with the preset radius of curvature, which have been used for the planet-traveller of the second generation, have ben made. The field of application: the plants, producing the shnecks, consisting from the shaft and a spiral welded to it and made by rollingAvailable from VNTIC / VNTIC - Scientific & Technical Information Centre of RussiaSIGLERURussian Federatio

Financial Potential of Ukraine: Problems and Prospects Финансовый потенциал Украины: проблемы и перспективы

The article presents an analysis of some topical and disputable aspects of the financial potential of Ukraine. Theoretical and practical aspects of the nature of economics and the essence of the financial potential have been studied. The approaches which determine completeness of formation, objective estimation, and effectiveness of using the financial potential have been spotlighted. The constituent elements of the financial potential of Ukraine have been detailed and completed. The prospects of financial reinforcement and development as the base of Ukraine’s economic security have been suggested.В статье проанализированы некоторые современные дискуссионные аспекты финансового потенциала Украины. Рассмотрены теоретико-практические вопросы экономической природы и сущности финансового потенциала. Освещены подходы, которые определят полноту формирования, объективность оценки и эффективность использования финансового потенциала. Расширены и более детализированы составляющие финансового потенциала страны. Предложены перспективы усиления и развития финансовых возможностей и финансового потенциала как основы экономической и финансовой безопасности страны

Income of Population as a Component of Financial Potential of Ukraine Доходы населения как составляющая финансового потенциала Украины

The article analyses resources of the population as a component of the aggregate financial potential of the country. Growth of income of the population has significant importance for strengthening the aggregate financial potential. The article specifies reserves of increase of income. It offers to use synergetic indicators, take into account interrelations between components of the income of the population and synergetic effects of their interrelation in order to increase quality and reliability of analysis, diagnosis and forecasting income of the population along with the standard indicators.<br>В статье проанализированы ресурсы населения как составляющей совокупного финансового потенциала страны. Для укрепления совокупного финансового потенциала большое значение имеет обеспечение роста доходов населения. Определены резервы увеличения доходов. Для повышения качества и надежности анализа, диагностики и прогнозирования доходов населения наряду с общепринятыми предложено использовать синергетические показатели и индикаторы, учитывать взаимосвязи между составляющими доходов населения и синергетические эффекты их взаимодействия