Creation of virtual worlds from 3D models retrieved from content aware networks based on sketch and image queries

The recent emergence of user generated content requires new content creation tools that will be both easy to learn and easy to use. These new tools should enable the user to construct new high-quality content with minimum effort; it is essential to allow existing multimedia content to be reused as building blocks when creating new content. In this work we present a new tool for automatically constructing virtual worlds with minimum user intervention. Users can create these worlds by drawing a simple sketch, or by using interactively segmented 2D objects from larger images. The system receives as a query the sketch or the segmented image, and uses it to find similar 3D models that are stored in a Content Centric Network. The user selects a suitable model from the retrieved models, and the system uses it to automatically construct a virtual 3D world

Antifungal and antimycotoxigenic properties of chemically characterised essential oil of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.

In the present investigation, the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of Boswellia serrata essential oil were evaluated in vitro and in viable maize. The GC-MS analysis of B. serrata essential oil showed a total of 29 constituents, among which, 3-carene (34.74), β-ocimene (13.78), D-limonene (8.25), β-caryophyllene (6.65) and terpinolene (5.39) recorded the highest percentage. The B. serrata essential oil showed promising antifungal activity against 15 different field and storage fungi with percentage of mycelial inhibition ranged between 15.9�56.3 at 1µL mL�1. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were ranged between 0.039�0.625 µL mL�1 and 2.5�>10.0 µL mL�1, respectively, against the same fungi tested. The production of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 were completely inhibited by B. serrata essential oil at 6 µL mL�1in vitro. The ergosterol content was drastically decreased with the increasing concentration of B. serrata essential oil in vitro. Viable maize model confirmed that aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 contents were significantly inhibited with increasing seedling vigour of maize. The results revealed that B. serrata essential oil could be explored for management of mould and mycotoxin contaminations in food grains and feedstuffs. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

The evaluation of the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) essential oil and its chemical composition

Background: Food born pathogenic bacteria are the most important agents of infections in humans, and food spoilage also results in economic losses in food industry. Objectives: The aim of this study was the evaluation of chemical components, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Artemisia dracunculus essential oil. Materials and Methods: The essential oil of Tarragon was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were evaluated by bleaching of β-carotene and folin ciocalteu methods, respectively. The antibacterial effect of the essential oil was inspected on seven Gram- positive and negative bacteria using the microdilution method. Results: A total of 19 compounds were identified by GC-FID and GC-MS. The main compounds were methyl chavicol (84.83), trans-ocimene (3.86), z-β-ocimene (3.42), limonene (1.79) and α-pinene (0.57). Total phenols were 10.16 ± 0.08 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent. The essential oil showed good antioxidant activity in bleaching of β-carotene method (50 ± 1.63). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) for essential oil ranged between 3.8 to 250 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The essential oil of Tarragon might be replaced by synthetic antioxidant and preservatives in food industry. © 2013, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences; Published by Kowsar Corp

Calculations of widths in the problem of decay by proton emission

We develop a new fully quantum method for determination of widths for nuclear decay by proton emission where multiple internal reflections of wave packet describing tunneling process inside proton--nucleus radial barrier are taken into account. Exact solutions for amplitudes of wave function, penetrability $T$ and reflection $R$ are found for $n$-step barrier (at arbitrary $n$) which approximates the realistic barrier. In contrast to semiclassical approach and two-potential approach, we establish by this method essential dependence of the penetrability on the starting point $R_{\rm form}$ in the internal well where proton starts to move outside (for example, for $^{157}_{73}{\rm Ta}$ the penetrability is changed up to 200 times; accuracy is $|T+R-1| < 1.5 \cdot 10^{-15}$). We impose a new condition: in the beginning of the proton decay the proton starts to move outside from minimum of the well. Such a condition provides minimal calculated half-life and gives stable basis for predictions. However, the half-lives calculated by such an approach turn out to be a little closer to experimental data in comparison with the semiclassical half-lives. Estimated influence of the external barrier region is up to 1.5 times for changed penetrability.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures eps; content is change

Oregano essential oils: Antimicrobial activity and its application to films based on cornstarch and glycerol

This trend has led to research on the development of new biodegradable packaging materials from natural polymers also suggests that several materials may be incorporated into edible films and have influence on the mechanical, protective and sensory properties. The objective of this work was to characterize oregano essential oils and incorporated edible films made with cornstarch and glycerol. The oregano essential oil obtain the raw material used was the variety Italian Oregano or Origanum majorana using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The study included the refractive index, chemical composition, color at day 0 and day 10 and antimicrobial activity of Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia Coli O157:H7. The films were prepared according to the method of casting, cornstarch, glycerol (plasticizer) and water. To assess the effect of the composition on the physical properties of films, the experiment was arranged in a 22 factorial design, with one central point. It analyzed the transfer of water vapor (Method ASTM E96-92) and color. The film which showed the best characteristics was selected; subsequently oregano essential oil was added. The refractive index of the oregano essential oils obtained from the various extractions varied between 1.4875 and 1.4981. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the parameters a* and b* between day 0 and day 10. According to gas chromatography analysis, 52 compounds were identified in oregano essential oil, thymol (31.96%) and carvacrol (0.66%) phenols. The test antimicrobial activity, showed that Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia Coli O157:H7 were extremely sensitive to pure essential oil. The films obtained were transparent, presented homogeneous and compact surfaces. The values of permeability to water vapor were between 1.93 x 10-12 and 9.85 x 10-12 (g/m.s.Pa). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant differences between the different formulation (P<0.05). The incorporation of oregano essential oil at the formulations influenced the permeability presenting more or less resistant to the passage of water vapor. About the color, incorporating essential oil did not affect the appearance and did not show strong antibacterial activity at the concentration at which it was decided to work.Fil: Córsico, Francisco Armando. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Larrosa, Virginia Judit. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López Noviello, Luciano Hernán. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Altamirano, Alfonsina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Naef, Antonella. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Alfaro, Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Garzón, Claudia Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Lound, Liliana Haydee. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; Argentin

Fidelity protocol for the Action Success Knowledge (ASK) trial: A psychosocial intervention administered by speech and language therapists to prevent depression in people with post-stroke aphasia

Introduction: Treatment fidelity is a complex, multifaceted evaluative process which refers to whether a studied intervention was delivered as intended. Monitoring and enhancing fidelity is one recommendation of the TiDIER (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) checklist, as fidelity can inform interpretation and conclusions drawn about treatment effects. Despite the methodological and translational benefits, fidelity strategies have been used inconsistently within health behaviour intervention studies; in particular, within aphasia intervention studies, reporting of fidelity remains relatively rare. This paper describes the development of a fidelity protocol for the Action Success Knowledge (ASK) study, a current cluster randomised trial investigating an early mood intervention for people with aphasia (a language disability caused by stroke). Methods and analysis: A novel fidelity protocol and tool was developed to monitor and enhance fidelity within the two arms (experimental treatment and attention control) of the ASK study. The ASK fidelity protocol was developed based on the National Institutes of Health Behaviour Change Consortium fidelity framework. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee in Queensland, Australia under the National Mutual Acceptance scheme of multicentre human research projects. Specific ethics approval was obtained for those participating sites who were not under the National Mutual Agreement at the time of application. The monitoring and ongoing conduct of the research project is in line with requirements under the National Mutual Acceptance. On completion of the trial, findings from the fidelity reviews will be disseminated via publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number ACTRN12614000979651

Self-assembly of Tween 80 micelles as nanocargos for oregano and trans-cinnamaldehyde plant-derived compounds

The self-assembly of Tween 80 (T80) micelles loaded with plant-based oregano essential oil (OR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) was studied. The effect of different factors, including the surfactant to oil ratio, the presence of sodium chloride, thermal treatment, and dilution on their formation and physicochemical stability was evaluated. The creation of nano-cargos was confirmed by TEM. The self-associated structures had z-average droplet diameters of 92 to 337 nm without any energy input. Whereas addition of 10% (w/v) NaCl prevented the formation of oregano essential oil nano-assemblies of T80, swollen micelles containing TCA were successfully produced. Moreover, the OR or TCA loaded-micelles had only a slight droplet size variation upon thermal treatment. Ultimately, their antibacterial activity analysis against some food pathogens revealed that the encapsulation of OR and TCA within micelles crucially improved their antibacterial activity. These straightforward and cost-effective designed systems can be applicable in different products, including foods and agrochemicals

Acantholippia salsoloides : Phytochemical Composition and Biological Potential of a Thujonic Population

Acantholippia salsoloides (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant widespread in the Andean region. The infusion (leaves and flowers) is widely used as a digestive stimulant as well as for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. A. salsoloides attributes its common name “rica-rica” to the fresh and sweet fragrance of the plant. In this work, 2 different polar extracts and the essential oil of a selected rica-rica population were studied. The phenolic composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector; the essential oil profile was determined by gas-chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection. For all extracts, the antibacterial potential was performed by in vitro assays; the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition were determined in decoction and hydroethanolic extracts. The volatile profile allowed the identification of 26 volatile compounds, β-thujone (84%) being the major one in this rica-rica population. Eighteen phenolic compounds were identified; isoferulic acid (16%-18%) and cynaroside (45%-47%) were the larger ones. In a general way, the hydroethanolic extract was more active against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus (minimum inhibitory concentrations= 0.3- 1.3 mg/mL). Both polar extracts have strong antiradical activities although decoction extract proved to be more active against DPPH· (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] =36 µg/mL) and O2•− (IC50 =28 µg/mL) while hydroethanolic extract shows higher action over α-glucosidase (IC50 =217 µg/mL). The results suggest that A. salsoloides leaves and flowers may be an interesting source of natural antioxidants, antidiabetics, or antimicrobials, and could be used in dietary supplements, medicinal products and pharmaceutical formulations.Fil: Celaya, Liliana Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Viturro, Carmen Ines. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Luís R.. Universidade da Beira Interior; Portuga

Wheat growth and phytoavailability of copper and zinc as affected by soil texture in saline-sodic conditions

Nutrient disorders in saline-sodic soils can adversely affect crop growth. In order to evaluate the growth response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Cu and Zn and the phytoavailability of these essential elements, a pot experiment was conducted in three different textured saline-sodic soils [sandy loam (SL), sandy clay loam (SCL) and clay (C)] having an ECe 8.63, 8.80, 8.98 dS m–1 and SAR 21.66, 23.48, 24.84 (mmol L–1)1/2 respectively. Seven treatments including levels of Cu (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) and levels of Zn (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) were separately applied together with a single control treatment. Dry matter yield (straw + grain) of wheat increased up to 35.2% with Cu and up to 31.2 % with Zn application relative to the control. As soil clay content increased, dry matter yield decreased up to 39.2% in SCL and up to 62.7% in C soil when compared to SL soil. Application of Cu increased the concentration in both wheat straw and grains up to 2.46 and 2.20 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the control. Zinc concentration in wheat straw and grains was also increased up to 29.97 and 29.40 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the controls. Copper application significantly increased Zn concentrations in wheat plants