Physicochemical studies associated with the electrochemical measurement of the solubility of oxygen in liquid sodium

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Effect of Organic Fertilization and AMF Inoculation on Yield and Floral Quality Parameters of Common Marigold

In Greece common marigold is one of the major medicinal plants widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and the pharmaceutical industry. A field experiment was conducted at Komotini, Greece, to compare the effect of organic and conventional fertilization combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on yield and floral qualitative characteristics of the common marigold during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, three main plots (fertilization treatments, inorganic, organic and untreated) and two sub-plots (addition/non-addition of commercial mycorrhiza of the genus Glomus spp.). Floral fresh and dry weight as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers were recorded. Data analysis confirmed no significant correlation between fresh/dry floral yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers and type of fertilization. The results also demonstrate a tendency of increase of the fresh or dry weight of the flowers when the commercial mycorrhiza is applied but it is not statistically significant

Cloud-based Control of Thermal Based Manufacturing Processes

AbstractWith non-conventional manufacturing processes, being increasingly integrated into manufacturing process chains, controllers and control strategies, remote nowadays, have to take into account a plethora of phenomena and criteria. The current study addresses the challenges, associated with the framework of the thermal oriented processes, having holistic (digital) modelling as a main objective. Herein two different case studies are performed; numerical examples regarding big data impact on manufacturing and simulation-based paradigms of control design taking into account communications. Implementation of the aforementioned takes into account the controller's complexity

Towards circular economy solutions for the management of rice processing residues to bioenergy via gasification

An economic assessment of two circular economy scenarios of fluidized bed gasification-based systems for combined heat and power (CHP) generation, fueled with rice processing wastes, was conducted. In the first scenario, the gasification plant with a capacity of 42,700 t/y of rice husks provides a waste management solution for 5 small rice processing companies, located at the same are, while in the second scenario the gasification unit of 18,300 t/y capacity provides a waste management solution to only one rice processing plant, being a custom-made solution. The first scenario is the most economically viable, with an annual revenue of 168 €/(t*y), very good payout time (POT=1.05) and return in investment (ROI=0.72). The economic assessment was based on experiments performed at a laboratory-scale gasification rig, while the economic analysis was based on the SMARt-CHP technology, developed at Aristotle University, Greece. The experimental proof of concept of rice husks waste gasification was studied at a temperature range 700-900oC, under an under-stoichiometric ratio of O2/N¬¬2 (10/90 v/v), as gasification agent. Producer gas’s LHV maximized at 800oC (10.9 MJ/Nm3), while the char’s BET surface reached a max of 146 m2/g at 900oC. Recommendations were also provided for a potential pretreatment of rice husks in order to minimize de-fluidization problems of the gasification system

Factor structure of teacher ratings of the ODD symptoms in children

This study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the best model for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in children aged 3 to 15 years, as presented in the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers’ ratings of the ODD symptoms of 213 children from general community schools in Australia were obtained. The findings provided most support for a bifactor model based on Stringaris and Goodman’s [1] three-factor model (primary factors for irritable, hurtful, and headstrong). The general factor, but not the group factors in the model, showed high omega hierarchical and explained common variance. Thus, only the general factor in this model can be meaningfully interpreted. Also, the general factor was supported with regard to external validity. Specifically, this factor, but not the group factors, correlated strongly with ADHD inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptom groups, and other measures of behavioural and emotional problems. The taxonomic, diagnostic, practical, and research implications of the findings are discussed. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Vascular Function and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Role of Physical Activity

Inflammation disturbs biochemical pathways involved in homeostasis of the endothelium. Research has established clear links between inflammatory mediators, particularly C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis may be subclinical at early stages, and thus the ability to detect them with non-invasive techniques is crucially important, particularly in populations at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis. This may allow the identification of interventions that may reverse these processes early on. One of the best non-pharmacological interventions that may achieve this is physical activity. This review explores the associations between inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis and discusses the role of exercise in blocking specific pathways in the inflammation, endothelial dysfunction - atherosclerosis network

Rheumatoid Cachexia: causes, significance and possible interventions

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by joint pain and stiffness but also systemic mutli-organ involvement. Several features are due to excessive production of inflammatory cytokines, particularly tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. These are implicated in both local synovial inflammation, which causes joint destruction, but also systemic inflammation, which can cause loss of body cell mass, amongst other phenomena. Body cell mass breakdown in rheumatoid arthritis leads to the classical, but largely ignored, metabolic abnormality known as rheumatoid cachexia. Cachexia is a very strong predictor of adverse functional outcome and death in many disease states. In this review we highlight the mechanisms linked with rheumatoid cachexia and discuss possible interventions that may limit this in patients with rheumatoid arthritis