Simulations for designing and interpreting intervention trials in infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND: Interventions in infectious diseases can have both direct effects on individuals who receive the intervention as well as indirect effects in the population. In addition, intervention combinations can have complex interactions at the population level, which are often difficult to adequately assess with standard study designs and analytical methods. DISCUSSION: Herein, we urge the adoption of a new paradigm for the design and interpretation of intervention trials in infectious diseases, particularly with regard to emerging infectious diseases, one that more accurately reflects the dynamics of the transmission process. In an increasingly complex world, simulations can explicitly represent transmission dynamics, which are critical for proper trial design and interpretation. Certain ethical aspects of a trial can also be quantified using simulations. Further, after a trial has been conducted, simulations can be used to explore the possible explanations for the observed effects. CONCLUSION: Much is to be gained through a multidisciplinary approach that builds collaborations among experts in infectious disease dynamics, epidemiology, statistical science, economics, simulation methods, and the conduct of clinical trials

Analysis of Free Amino Acid and Total Protein Content in Pollen of Some Allergenic Taxa

This study reports the free amino acid content of pollen grains obtained from old and fresh samples belonging to Pinus nigra subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder (black pine) (Pinaceae), Juglans regia L. (walnut) (Juglandaceae), Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. (ash) (Oleaceae) and Betula pendula L. (birch) (Betulaceae) obtained with the technique of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS). Pollen samples were obtained from flowers of the above mentioned taxa in different years. Twenty one amino acids were identified. No histidine was found in F. angustifolia collected 8 years ago. Total protein content of P. nigra subsp. nigra var. caramanica pollens (25.75%) was higher than the remaining taxa; F. angustifolia (13.67%), B. pendula (7.73%) and J. regia (7.55%)

Soft computing methods for fatigue life estimation: A review of the current state and future trends

Fatigue causes cracking or breakage in a material due to repeated loads; it causes the material to become unusable. Therefore, knowing the fatigue life of materials is crucial for the implementation of designs, economy and human life. Soft computing methodologies, a subset of artificial intelligence emerging to simulate human intelligence, deal with approximate models and seek solutions to complex real-life problems relying on both computational power of machines and the high accuracy of the algorithms. In this study, soft computing methods adapted for estimating/predicting the fatigue life of engineering structures and materials are investigated. For this purpose, 95 articles published between 1995 and 2020 have been examined in detail. With this review, it is aimed to reveal the efficiency of soft computing methods and contribute to their development. Recommendations have been made to draw attention to these methodologies which are expected to be used in many areas in the future. © 2020 Wiley Publishing Ltd

Analysis of free amino acid and total protein content in pollen of some allergenic taxa

This study reports the free amino acid content of pollen grains obtained from old and fresh samples belonging to Pinus nigra subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder (black pine) (Pinaceae), Juglans regia L. (walnut) (Juglandaceae), Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. (ash) (Oleaceae) and Betula pendula L. (birch) (Betulaceae) obtained with the technique of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS). Pollen samples were obtained from flowers of the above mentioned taxa in different years. Twenty one amino acids were identified. No histidine was found in F. angustifolia collected 8 years ago. Total protein content of P. nigra subsp. nigra var. caramanica pollens (25.75%) was higher than the remaining taxa; F. angustifolia (13.67%), B. pendula (7.73%) and J. regia (7.55%).© Asian Network for Scientific Information

Soft computing methods for fatigue life estimation: A review of the current state and future trends

Fatigue causes cracking or breakage in a material due to repeated loads; it causes the material to become unusable. Therefore, knowing the fatigue life of materials is crucial for the implementation of designs, economy and human life. Soft computing methodologies, a subset of artificial intelligence emerging to simulate human intelligence, deal with approximate models and seek solutions to complex real-life problems relying on both computational power of machines and the high accuracy of the algorithms. In this study, soft computing methods adapted for estimating/predicting the fatigue life of engineering structures and materials are investigated. For this purpose, 95 articles published between 1995 and 2020 have been examined in detail. With this review, it is aimed to reveal the efficiency of soft computing methods and contribute to their development. Recommendations have been made to draw attention to these methodologies which are expected to be used in many areas in the future. © 2020 Wiley Publishing Ltd