Inclusion Of Complex Research Articles

Informative design exploration of tower building geometry typology and solar potential using SOM-MLPNN with generalized form-description-based parametric modelling

To synchronize designers early in the design process and help them understand the building forms and performance metrics needed to meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements is crucial for sustainable building designs. While the prevalent design exploration technique, which integrates self-organizing mapping with a Supervised Learning-based Agent Model (SOM-MLPNN), offers insights into design geometry and solar potential, it still has limitations in the range of the design exploration space, the efficiency and accuracy of data approximation, and the uncertainty in dealing with performance metrics related to more complex environmental factors. Using the solar potential of tower buildings as an example, this study proposes a method based on SOM-MLPNN by integrating a Generalized Tower Generator (GTG) and form description, testing its usability for the inclusion of complex surrounding environments, and improving its design exploration breadth as well as the efficiency and accuracy of data approximations. The results demonstrate improved efficiency and accuracy in data approximation across an expansive design space, facilitating visual and interactive exploration of design-performance relationships. The proposed method emphasizes the critical interplay between building geometry and environment-related performance, providing designers with a refined toolkit for discerning the correlation between design and performance, thereby enhancing their design decision-making abilities.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ЭЛЕМЕНТНОГО СОСТАВА МЫШЕЧНОЙ И КОСТНОЙ ТКАНИ БРОЙЛЕРОВ НА ФОНЕ СКАРМЛИВАНИЯ ИМ КОМПЛЕКСНОЙ ОРГАНОМИНЕРАЛЬНОЙ ДОБАВКИ

Due to the prohibition of the use of antibiotics in poultry feeding, its health and optimal level of productivity can be ensured through the use of alternative means, including prebiotics, organic acids and amino acids. Thus, the inclusion of an organo-mineral complex in the diet of broiler chickens can significantly improve their metabolic state, productivity and elemental composition of meat.

Developing customized fuel models for shrub and bracken communities in Galicia (NW Spain)

Geospatial fire behaviour and fire hazard simulators, fire effects models and smoke emission software commonly use standard fuel models in order to simplify data collection and the inclusion of complex fuel scenarios. These fuel models are often mapped using remotely sensed data. However, given the great complexity of fuelbeds, with properties that vary widely in both time and space, the use of these standard fuel models can greatly limit accurate fuel mapping. This affects fuel hazard assessment, fuel reduction treatment plans, fire management decision-making and evaluation of the environmental impact of wildfire. In this study, we developed unique customized fire behaviour fuel models for shrub and bracken communities, by using k-medoids clustering analysis based on both fuel structural characteristics and potential fire behaviour. We used an original database of 722 destructive sample plots in nine different shrub and bracken communities covering the entire distribution area in Galicia (NW Spain), one of the regions in Europe most affected by forest fires. Measurements of cover, height and fuel fractions loads differentiated by size and vegetative state (live or dead) were used to estimate the potential rate of fire spread with five different models including fireline intensity, heat per unit area and the flame length for each sampling site and considering extreme environmental conditions. The optimal number of clusters was established by combining practical knowledge about the shrubland communities under study and their associated fire behaviour, with maximization of the mean value of the silhouette variable and minimization of the within-cluster sum of squares. The structural characteristics of the medoids derived from the analysis were associated with each of the proposed customized fuel models. Finally, a simple dichotomous classification based only on shrub height was developed to enable construction of spatially explicit fuel model maps based on remotely sensed data. Thus, the methodology applied allows generation of a more realistic representation of fuel distribution in the landscape, based on fuel structure measurements of natural regional ecosystems rather than on the use of standard models. We believe that the proposed methodology is generally applicable to communities composed of other shrub and fern species in different biogeographical regions.

Dynamics of lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients who have had COVID-19 when the L-arginine + dihydroquercetin complex is included in the combined antihypertensive pharmacotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate data on the dynamics of lipid metabolism in patients with arterial hypertension stage II who have had COVID-19, when the L-arginine complex + dihydroquercetin. Materials and methods: The article provides data on the dynamics of lipid metabolism in patients with arterial hypertension stage II who have had COVID-19, when the L-arginine complex (500 mg tablets 1 time per day) + dihydroquercetin (25 mg tablets 2 times) is included in combination antihypertensive therapy per day. Results: In patients who received combination antihypertensive therapy, which included statins (group 1), the target triglyceride value (<1.7 mmol/l) was not achieved. The target value for calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<3.7 mmol/L) was also not achieved. More significant changes in lipid metabolism were detected in patients (group 2) who took the L-arginine + dihydroquercetin complex as part of combined antihypertensive therapy, which included statins. Thus, in patients of group 2, total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly (by 20-30%). There was also a significant decrease in this group of patients (by 30%) in the calculated indicator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and its target value was achieved (<3.7 mmol/l), namely 3.13±0.19 mmol/l. Summary: the inclusion of the L-arginine complex (tablets 500 mg 1 time per day) + dihydroquercetin (tablets 25 mg 2 times per day) in the combined AHT + statins in patients with stage II hypertension who have had COVID-19 is more effective than the combination AHT + statins affect OB, which is manifested by an improvement in its key indicators (TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C), as well as the calculated indicator of non-HDL-C.

In silico study, synthesis, and antineoplastic evaluation of thiazole-based sulfonamide derivatives and their silver complexes with expected carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity.

This study aimed to design, synthesize, and evaluate the cytotoxic activity of novel thiazole-sulfanilamide derivatives, specifically compounds M3, M4, and M5, through molecular docking and biological assays. The synthesis utilized essential chemical compounds, including sulfanilamide, chloro-acetyl chloride, thiourea, derivatives of benzaldehyde, and silver nitrate. The docking study was carried out using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software, and cytotoxic activity was predicted by MTT assay. The synthesized compounds demonstrated a reduction in the viability of cancer cells. Compound M5 had an IC50 of 18.53 µg/ml against MCF-7 cells, comparable to the IC50 of cisplatin. Additionally, compounds M3 and M4 had higher S scores than acetazolamide, indicating greater binding affinity to the active pocket of the receptor. Incorporating the thiazole ring in the synthesized compound augmented their flexibility and affinity for binding to the receptor. The inclusion of the metal complex additionally heightened the compounds' capacity to impede cellular growth.

Эффективность воздействия экструдированного зерна амаранта на продуктивность, качество яиц, антиоксидантный статус и липидный профиль холестерина крови и желтка яиц кур-несушек

Purpose. To establish the effect of extruded amaranth grain (Amaranthus hybridus chlorostachys) with the addition of a complex of enzymes on egg productivity, the quality of food eggs, including the presence of cholesterol in the yolk, and the level of antioxidant status of laying hens. Materials and Мethods. When performing the work, both conventional research methods and modern instrumental, zootechnical, biochemical, and chemical methods were used, which were carried out in certified laboratories. The resulting digital material was processed using the Microsoft Excel statistical package, the reliability of the data was checked using the Student's t-test. Results. Amaranth, as a valuable source of nutrients, has the potential to meet the nutritional requirements of poultry. According to the data obtained, feeding amaranth to laying hens, either alone or in combination with a multi-enzyme complex, can lead to the production of food eggs with a low cholesterol content without any negative impact on their quality. In parallel, the antioxidant status and the atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) of birds are improving. In addition, feeding amaranth with enzyme supplements led to an increase in the productivity of laying hens. Conclusion. In general, the results of our study show that feeding amaranth grain favorably affects the health parameters of laying hens by improving antioxidant status, as well as lowering cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, while increasing blood HDL levels. It should be noted that the indicators of productivity and quality of eggs improve when a multi-enzyme complex is included in the diet containing amaranth grains at a dose of 250 g/t of feed. The high content of crude protein in amaranth grain and the presence in it of substances with antioxidant activity make it possible to use it as a feed agent in industrial poultry farming. It is known that egg yolk cholesterol determines the nutritional value of the product. Our studies have proven a positive trend in lowering cholesterol levels: when using 10% extruded amaranth grain in the compound feed – by 6.87%, and with the additional inclusion of an enzyme complex – by 9.86%.

The concentration of kisspeptin, 17β-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol in the first trimester of pregnancy in cows

In clinically healthy Holstein cows (n=25), the dynamics of hormonal metabolism in the first trimester of cow pregnancy was studied. For this purpose, the concentration of kisspeptin, 17β-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol was determined in the blood serum of cows. The animals were regularly monitored with clinical and obstetricgynecological studies. The level of kisspeptin in the first trimester of pregnancy increased almost throughout the entire period under consideration with a decrease in concentration to 194.23±23.61 pg/ml on day 98. The level of estradiol during the first trimester increased from 49.66±9.68 to 76.20±17.84 pg/ml, respectively, which is also explained by the inclusion of the fetoplacental complex in its synthesis and secretion. Progesterone and cortisol levels were on average at the same level. During the experiment, out of 25 animals, embryonic death was recorded in 14 on the 30th day after insemination. As a result, two groups were formed: the 1st group - animals with a normal course of pregnancy and the 2nd group with embryonic death. Analyzing the data of enzyme immunoassay in animals of the 1st group, one can note a decrease in the level of kisspeptin by 11% on the 28th day compared to the 14th day after insemination. At the same time, the concentration of estradiol, on the contrary, increased by 29%. In the second group, on the contrary, the level of kisspeptin and estradiol did not change and, on average, remained almost at the same level. On the 28th day after insemination in the first group, the cortisol concentration was significantly higher compared to the second group - 15.32±3.23 and 9.00±0.89 nmol/l, respectively. Data for kisspeptin and estradiol showed no significant differences. However, it is of interest that in the first group, with an increase in the level of estradiol, a decrease in the level of kisspeptin occurs. In particular, this is consistent with previous studies, according to which such an interaction of these hormones can be regulated by a high concentration of progesterone.

Distillers dried grains with soluble and enzyme inclusion in the diet effects broilers performance, intestinal health, and microbiota composition

This study tested the effect of distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS) inclusion in a broiler diet, with or without supplementation of exogenous enzymes, on the microbiota composition, intestinal health, diet digestibility and performance. A total of 288 one-day-old chickens was assigned to 6 treatments (8 replicate of 6 birds each) according to a completely randomized design with a 3×2 factorial scheme with 3 DDGS levels (0, 7 and 14%) and 2 inclusions of exogenous enzymes (with or without a multicarbohydrase complex+phytase [MCPC]). The results exhibited that DDGS inclusion up to 14% did not impair broilers performance up to 28 d, however, DDGS-fed animals exhibited significant improvement with the MCPC supplementation. No effects of the enzymes in the ileal digestibility were found at 21 d. DDGS inclusion in the diet affected dry matter and gross energy digestibility. Broilers fed diets with MCPC were found to have less intestinal histological alteration thus better gut health. No effect of DDGS, enzyme or interaction of those were observed for intestinal permeability and in the serum inflammatory biomarker (calprotectin) at 7 and 28 d. The increase of DDGS percentage in the diet reduced the diversity of the ileal microbiota but increased the cecal microbiota diversity. The inclusion of DDGS showed positive effects on microbiota composition due to a reduction of Proteobacteria phylum in the ileum at 28d and a reduction in the presence of Enterococcaceae family in the ileum at 14 and 28d. The inclusion of MCPC complex might promote beneficial changes in the ileal and cecal microbiota due reduce of Proteobacteria, Bacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. The supplementation of xylanase, β-glucanase, arabinofuranosidase and phytase to a DDGS diet improves performance and intestinal health allowing the use of these subproduct in the poultry nutrition.

Increasing the physical preliminary of children aged 6–7 in figure skating

The article presents the results of a study of the peculiarities of the use of various methods and means of physical training of young athletes in figure skating. The purpose – of the work is to improve the physical preliminary of children in figure skating. The research used a group of theoretical and empirical methods. Pedagogical observations of 22 training sessions were conducted. Testing was conducted on the basis of the sports club "Ice school" in Lviv, in which 18 figure skaters aged 6–7 years took part. Based on a survey of 14 Ukrainian figure skating specialists, it was established that in the system of integral training of children aged 6–7 years, the most significant are technical (ice – 30.0% and in the hall – 20.0%), physical (24.0%) and choreographic (22.0%) types of training; others – at this stage of sports improvement, do not have a significant impact on the competitive result of beginner figure skaters; classes five times a week lasting up to 45 minutes each will be optimal; all interviewed respondents consider it appropriate to use a special set of auxiliary exercises at this stage of skater training. As a result of intermediate testing, the effectiveness of the proposed method of classes with the inclusion of a special complex of Tabatha exercises in the educational and training process was proven. Timely adjustment of children's physical preliminary, during the duration of this experiment, made it possible to improve the average level of power endurance of figure skaters by 21.8% according to all the studied criteria. The obtained results of the research complement certain provisions of the theory of training of athletes and will contribute to the introduction of new forms and methods of conducting classes with young beginner figure skaters.

Спортивная терминология в научно-популярном тексте (на материале немецкого языка)

The aim of the study is to describe the features of functioning of sports terminology in one of the types of sports discourse realisation, i.e. in German popular science texts using the example of the basic concepts of sports games. The paper demonstrates the features of integration of sports terms into the general educational text intended for a wide range of readers. The scientific novelty of the study lies in carrying out the linguistic analysis of texts with a dual functional orientation: 1) the need to communicate strictly thematic information, 2) the desire to do so in a form that is accessible to a wide range of readers. The results obtained make it possible to come to a conclusion about the distribution and ways of integration of sports terms into the popular science text. Along with sports terms found in a strong position and synonymous terminological units used, the text may contain well-known information that contributes to the natural inclusion of complex sports terminology in the popular science text.

Morphometric characteristics of finishing pigs fed cottonseed meal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of finishing pigs fed cottonseed meal and enzymes. Thirty castrated male pigs with an average weight of 55.47 ± 5.3 kg were used in an experiment in a randomized block design, with 5 treatments and 6 replicates, whose treatments consisted of the following: control diet (0), control diet plus enzymatic complex (0E), diet with 5% (5E); 10% (10E) or 15% (15E) cottonseed meal plus enzymatic complex. The following measurements were taken: body length, thoracic perimeter, waist circumference, rump width, rump height, withers height and weight in the different periods of in vivo measurements. The measurements were performed in four different periods throughout the experiment at 105, 122, 137 and 154 days of age. The inclusion of the enzyme complex and cottonseed meal in the replacement of soybean meal in the diets of pigs in the finishing phase had no effect on the morphometric characteristics (P> 0.05) of body length, thoracic perimeter, abdominal circumference, rump width, rump height, withers height and weight in the different measurement periods.

PSXVI-8 Marine-Derived Ca-Mg Complex Influences Serum Metabolites, Colostrum Nutrient Profile, Lipid and Glucose Metabolism-Associated Genes Expression, and Stress Hormones in Sows Over a Four-Parity Period

Abstract Among different nutrients, the requirement of minerals is small, but impacts sow longevity and reproduction performance. Cross bred gilts (n=72; average body weight 181 kg) in their 1st to 4th subsequent parity was randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments (24 gilts/treatment) to assess the effects of marine derived Ca-Mg complex supplementation on serum mineral contents, hormone concentrations, colostrum nutrient profile, as well as lipid and energy metabolism-associated genes expression in the placental, and umbilical cord tissues. Treatments consisted of CON (corn-soybean meal-wheat-based basal diet with limestone as main Ca source), CM1 (CON-MgO + 0.40% marine derived Ca-Mg complex formulated to have same Ca and Mg spec as basal diet), and CM2 (CON - 0.4% limestone + 0.4% marine derived Ca-Mg complex - MgO). The inclusion of Ca-Mg complex in sow diet increased (P< 0.05) the serum Ca and Mg levels, colostrum Ca, Mg, protein, and IgM contents, and reduced stress hormones after farrowing. However, depletion of Ca and Mg was observed in the 4th parity sows fed CON diet and a reduction in stress hormones were observed in 3rd and 4th parity sows. The relative expression of the SCD gene was downregulated in the umbilical cord of piglets born to CM1 and CM2 sows compared with the CON group during parity 3 (P= 0.007) and parity 4 (P = 0.009). During the parity 4, SLC2A2 (P = 0.003) and FABP4 (P = 0.043) genes expression were upregulated in the umbilical cord of piglets born to CM2 sows and placenta tissue of sows from CM1 group, respectively. The observed positive influence of marine-derived Ca-Mg complex on lipid and glucose metabolism-associated genes expression, serum metabolites, colostrum nutrient, and stress hormones suggests that inclusion of 0.4% Ca-Mg complex in the diet is beneficial for improving sow longevity and performance.

The use of balancing additives in the rations of young small ruminants and cattle

The purpose of the research was to study the feasibility of using different balancing feed additives in the rations of young ruminants and cattle. In order to achieve this purpose, two scientific and farm experiments were conducted on the development and use of balancing additives in the rations of young ruminants and cattle. The first experiment was carried out in the Volgograd region on the herd of sheep of Volgograd breed in the IE FARM Kushkalova A. B., the second was carried out in in the Voronezh region on heifers of Holstein breed on the basis of the Korshevo livestock complex OOO EkoNivaAgro. In the first experiment the sheep of the control group were fed a general economic ration, the animals of the 1st experimental group were input with a mineral balancing feed additive instead of the mineral part of the ration recipe No. 1, the 2nd experimental group with the recipe No. 2 and the 3rd experimental group with the recipe No. 3. In the second experiment heifers from the 14th day of life received premix P-62–1 as part of the compound feed, the young cattle of the experimental group as part of the starter feed were replaced with premix P-62-1 with MegamixNoris. After 6 months, the animals of the control group received premix P-63-1 as part of the ration, and the heifers of experimental group received premix MegamixVitulaOpti. The inclusion of the mineral complex in the ration of sheep of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups contributed to an increase in the digestibility coefficients. Thus, the digestibility of dry matter was higher than that of analogues from the control by 1,03; 0,59 and 0,21 abs.%, organic matter by 1,95; 1,80 and 1,59 abs.%, crude protein by 1,15; 0,97 and 0,84 abs.%, crude fiber by 1,09; 0,62 and 0,23 abs.%. The nitrogen digestibility in them was higher from the taken by 1,12, 0,79 and 0,63 abs.% and from the digested by 1,18, 0,73 and 0,61 abs.%. The young sheep of the experimental groups significantly exceeded the analogues from the control in live weight at the age of 8 months by 1,82–6,93 %. The input of the tested premixes into the ration of heifers allowed to increase the digestibility of dry matter by 1,29 abs.%, organic matter by 2,26 abs.%, crude protein by 2,54 abs.%, crude fat by 4,18 abs.%, crude fiber by 3,15 abs.%, nitrogen-free extractive substances by 4,16 abs.%. Nitrogen assimilation from the intake increased by 2,18 abs.%. At the same time, the live weight of heifers was increased by 10,37 % compared to analogues from the control group.

Enzymatic complex for broilers fed on a diet containing different levels of Distiller Dried Grains with Solubles

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of an enzyme complex (carbohydrases, proteases and phytase) in diets formulated with DDGS inclusion levels (0 to 30%) in parameters of performance, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical profile of broiler chickens from 1 to 42 days old. The inclusion of DDGS impaired the performance characteristics in all phases, but broilers feeding with diets containing up to 8% DDGS improves the percentage carcass. Addition of the enzyme complex improved feed conversion by 3.6% and percentage of breast by 1.6%. At 42 days of age, there was a linear decreasing effect of the addition of DDGS in the diets on the relative weight of PV + gizzard (proventriculum + gizzard). Diets without enzyme addition decreased IDCDM, IDCCP and IDCNDF. Inclusion of DDGS up to 8 % results in maximum percentage carcass. The use of exogenous enzymes improves FCR (feed conversion ratio) in the pre-initial phase.

Uniform International Method to Measure Cervical Length: Are We There Yet?

Introduction: Cervical length is an important predictor of spontaneous preterm birth. So far, the best way to measure cervical length has not been established. We aimed to compare the incidence of short cervical length between three methods of cervical length measurement with and without the inclusion of cervico-isthmic complex (CIC) (six methods in total) and to determine the positive predictive value for spontaneous preterm birth. Material and Methods: We performed a prospective single-center cohort study in women with a singleton pregnancy between August 2014 and December 2018. During the routine fetal anomaly scan (18–22 weeks), women were offered transvaginal ultrasound for cervical length measurement to screen for the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Each cervix was measured in six different ways: single-line, two-line, and tracing method between the internal and external os of the cervix with and without CIC. We evaluated the predictive value of the different measurements for spontaneous delivery before 37 weeks using positive predictive values. Results: Our final study population comprised 1,691 women. The overall rate of preterm birth <37 weeks was 8.0% (4.6% spontaneous, 3.4% iatrogenic preterm birth). The mean gestational age at cervical length measurement was 19+6 weeks. The different measuring techniques resulted in significant different cervical lengths, showing a maximum difference of >8 mm between the techniques (41.04 mm [SD 7.1] with one-line without CIC and 49.18 [SD 9.05] mm with trace with CIC) with an incidence of short cervical length below <25 mm ranging from 0.4% to 1.1% (p = 0.18). The positive predictive values for spontaneous preterm birth <37 weeks ranged from 42.9% to 20.0%. Conclusion: Different measurement methods for cervical length resulted in statistically significant differences in measured cervical length. Depending on the chosen cut-off this translates to different incidences of short cervical length and influences the number of women designated as high risk for preterm birth and receiving treatment. For interpretation and comparability between (inter-) national studies, it is important to adequately report on the employed technique. Future research should focus on determining the optimal measuring technique and a universal method of measurement.

LFT-Based Identification of Lateral Vehicle Dynamics

This paper presents a novel estimation and identification approach for lateral vehicle dynamics. The algorithm leverages on a Linear Fraction Transform (LFT) reformulation of vehicle and tyre models, allowing for a simple and computationally efficient inclusion of complex and nonlinear dynamic models, like, for example, two-wheels, four-wheels or single-track as vehicle model, and Pacejka, brush or Fiala as tyre model. As a result, this technique can be easily adopted in the development of an online identification system, able to run on a standard embedded device, implementing a flexible identification procedure that can handle different driving conditions, up to the limits of handling, different vehicle modelling approaches, and different input measurements. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposal, either in a persistent excitation and in a non-persistent excitation scenario.

Medial and Lateral Combined Ligament Arthroscopic Repair for Multidirectional Ankle Instability: Case Series

Category:Arthroscopy; SportsIntroduction/Purpose:The high prevalence of ankle sprains in the population produces a significant number of patients with lateral instability. Maintenance of this condition may lead to the progressive involvement of medial structures, causing a multidirectional rotational instability.Methods:This is a retrospective study with patients diagnosed with multidirectional instability, submitted to an ankle arthroscopy with medial (arthroscopic tensioning) and lateral repair (arthroscopic Bröstrom) between January 2018 and January 2020. All patients were evaluated for pain and function according to the VAS and the AOFAS Score at a mean of 14.8 months (5-27 months) in follow-up.Results:A total of 30 ankles (29 patients) were included in the study. AOFAS score increase from a 49.7 (CI 5.8) to a 91.9 (CI 2.4) mean (p=0.001) and was followed by significant improvement in the mean VAS (6.83; CI 0.37 to 0.95; CI 0.31). The majority of patients had associated procedures (53.3%) and a low complication rate was found (16.6%).Conclusion:Combined medial and lateral arthroscopic repair might be an effective and safe alternative in the treatment of multidirectional instability. Inclusion of the deltoid ligament complex and the low invasiveness of the arthroscopic technique can improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.

Alginate-amphotericin B nanocomplexes covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose: physico-chemical characterization and in vitro toxicity

Nanocomplexes systems made up natural poylymers have pharmacotechnical advantages such as increase of water solubility and a decrease of drugs toxicity. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug apply as anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal, however it has low water solubility and high toxicity, limiting its therapeutic application. With this in mind, the present study aimed to produce nanocomplexes composed by alginate (Alg), a natural polymer, with AmB covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose (CNC). For this reason, the nanocomplexes were produced utilizing sodium alginate, amphotericin B in a borate buffer (pH 11.0). The CNC was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the bacterial cellulose. To CNC cover the nanocomplexes 1 ml of the nanocomplexes was added into 1 ml of 0.01% CNC suspension. The results showed an ionic adsorption of the CNC into the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes surface. This phenomena was confirmed by an increase in the particle size and PDI decrease. Besides, nanocomplexes samples covered by CNC showed uniformity. The amorphous inclusion of AmB complex into the polysaccharide chain network in both formulations. AmB in the nanocomplexes was in supper-aggregated form and showed good biocompatibility, being significantly less cytotoxic in vitro against kidney cells and significantly less hemolytic compared to the free-drug. The in vitro toxicity results indicated the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes can be considered a non-toxic alternative to improve the AmB therapeutic effect. All process to obtain nanocomplexes and it coat was conduce without organic solvents, can be considered a green process, and allowed to obtain water soluble particles. Furthermore, CNC covering the nanocomplexes brought additional protection to the system can contribut advancement in the pharmaceutical.

Screening for nonstationary analysis

Abstract Adjustments in the designs of water resources systems due to climate change and other nonstationarities are warranted because the benefits of effective adaptation are well recognized. Therefore, the time and resources invested in these analyses are well worth the effort. Before a major investment in an effort is made, however, it is reasonable to determine if the problem is of sufficient complexity or the value of additional information is high enough to warrant the inclusion of complex, sophisticated methods that explicitly include nonstationarity and associated decision-making under deep uncertainty. There exist several planning level conditions such as the lifetime of the project, its criticality, and its reversibility that may indicate detailed analysis is not needed. There are also sequential analysis and screening steps that can be applied to determine the complexity of the methodology needed. Finally, the use of decision analysis can also help determine if additional, detailed analysis, or data collection are necessary. The use of one or several of these methods should be considered as initial steps before undertaking a vulnerability assessment and developing an adaptation strategy for a water resources system.

Inclusion of the Guinea Pig Cytomegalovirus Pentameric Complex in a Live Virus Vaccine Aids Efficacy against Congenital Infection but Is Not Essential for Improving Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes.

The development of a vaccine against congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a major priority. The pentameric complex (PC) of virion envelope proteins gH, gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A is a key vaccine target. To determine the importance of immunity to the homologous PC encoded by guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) in preventing congenital CMV, PC-intact and PC-deficient live-attenuated vaccines were generated and directly compared for immunogenicity and efficacy against vertical transmission in a vertical transmission model. A virulent PC-intact GPCMV (PC/intact) was modified by galK mutagenesis either to abrogate PC expression (PC/null; containing a frame-shift mutation in GP129, homolog of UL128) or to delete genes encoding three MHC Class I homologs and a protein kinase R (PKR) evasin while retaining the PC (3DX/Δ145). Attenuated vaccines were compared to sham immunization in a two-dose preconception subcutaneous inoculation regimen in GPCMV seronegative Hartley guinea pigs. Vaccines induced transient, low-grade viremia in 5/12 PC/intact-, 2/12 PC/null-, and 1/11 3DX/Δ145-vaccinated animals. Upon completion of the two-dose vaccine series, ELISA titers for the PC/intact group (geometic mean titer (GMT) 13,669) were not significantly different from PC/null (GMT 8127) but were significantly higher than for the 3DX/Δ145 group (GMT 6185; p < 0.01). Dams were challenged with salivary gland-adapted GPCMV in the second trimester. All vaccines conferred protection against maternal viremia. Newborn weights were significantly lower in sham-immunized controls (84.5 ± 2.4 g) compared to PC/intact (96 ± 2.3 g), PC/null (97.6 ± 1.9 g), or 3DX/Δ145 (93 ± 1.7) pups (p < 0.01). Pup mortality in sham-immunized controls was 29/40 (73%) and decreased to 1/44 (2.3%), 2/46 (4.3%), or 4/40 (10%) in PC/intact, PC/null, or 3DX/Δ145 groups, respectively (all p < 0.001 compared to control). Congenital GPCMV transmission occurred in 5/44 (11%), 16/46 (35%), or 29/38 (76%) of pups in PC/intact, PC/null, or 3DX/Δ145 groups, versus 36/40 (90%) in controls. For infected pups, viral loads were lower in pups born to vaccinated dams compared to controls. Sequence analysis demonstrated that infected pups in the vaccine groups had salivary gland-adapted GPCMV and not vaccine strain-specific sequences, indicating that congenital transmission was due to the challenge virus and not vaccine virus. We conclude that inclusion of the PC in a live, attenuated preconception vaccine improves immunogenicity and reduces vertical transmission, but PC-null vaccines are equal to PC-intact vaccines in reducing maternal viremia and protecting against GPCMV-related pup mortality.