Body Parameters Research Articles

Spectral energy distribution profiles from AGN accretion disc in multigap set-up

ABSTRACT Spectral energy distribution (SED) of the broad-band continuum emission from black-hole accretion discs can serve as a tool to measure parameters of the central body and constrain the geometry of the inner accretion flow. We focus on the case of an active galactic nucleus (AGN), with an accretion disc dominating the UV/optical bands. We parametrize the changes in the thermal and power-law components, which can reveal the diminution of the emissivity. To this end we explore the effects of gaps in the accretion disc and the emerging SED that can be caused by the presence of either (i) the inner, optically thin, radiatively inefficient hot flow; (ii) a secondary black hole embedded within the accretion disc; or (iii) a combination of both components. We suggest that the resulting changes in the SED of the underlying continuum can help us understand some departures from the standard-disc scenario. We estimate that the data required for such a project must be sampled in detail over the far-UV to soft X-ray bands during the interval of about a month corresponding to the characteristic variability time-scale of an AGN. Detecting a gap at intermediate radii of a few 100 gravitational radii would require quality photometry with uncertainties up to $\sim 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. The presence of the central cavity in the standard disc can be recovered in UV photometric data with an accuracy of 5 per cent and better. We show the effect of the intrinsic reddening of the source and demonstrate when it can be disentangled.

Land use/land cover change impact on streamflow using Arc-SWAT model, in case of Fetam watershed, Abbay Basin, Ethiopia

Changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC) are currently one of the greatest pressing issues facing the watershed, its hydrological properties of soil, and water management in catchment areas. One of the most important elements impacting streamflow in watersheds is LULC change. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect and future predication of LULC change on streamflow of the Fetam watershed by using Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov in IDRISI software. To analyze the impact of land use/cover change on streamflow, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) calibration and validation model was used. LULC map was developed by using Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov in IDRISI software, and the coverage of LULCs was including parameters of cropland, vegetation, grassland, Built-up area/Urban and water body. The findings of this study showed that the major challenges of land use/cove changes were rapid population increase, farming, and industrial activity. During the study period (2000–2020), most portions of the water body, vegetation, and grassland were changed into cropland and constructed by building. Cropland and construction areas increased by 15% and 46.95%, respectively, whereas water bodies, vegetation, and grassland decreased by 62.7%, 70.02%, and 38.1%, respectively. According to the forecasted results for the period of 2030–2040, cropland and built-up areas are increased, while vegetation, grassland, and water bodies were decreased. The SWAT model's calibration and validation performance was evaluated using the streamflow of the most sensitive parameters. For the years 2000–2004, and 2005–2012, the models were calibrated and validated, and the results showed good agreement between observed and simulated streamflow, with NSE and R2 values of 0.88 and 0.72 and 0.9 and 0.85, respectively. The results of this study indicated that the seasonal streamflow was decreased from 2000 to 2010 and 2010–2020 years during the dry and rainy seasons. In general, the impacts of land use/cover change on streamflow are significant considerations for planning and implementing water resource projects. In order to address the risks, effective land-use planning and climate-resilient water management strategies will be improved.

МОРФОЛОГІЧНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЛИНА (TINCA TINCA L) СУМСЬКОЇ ТА ЧЕРНІГІВСЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТЕЙ

The purpose of the work was to conduct a morphobiological analysis of tench from two reservoirs of the Sumy (2011) and Chernihiv (2012) regions, which, according to certain characteristics, are similar.
 It can be argued that out of 24 signs belonging to the body, 14 signs and 7 signs on the head differ the most. Features that differ the most in terms of body parameters: body length, which is greater in the Sumy tench than in Chernihiv, antianal distance, pectroventral and ventroanal distance, length of the base of the fins – dorsal, pectoral, abdominal and caudal. In turn, tench from the reservoirs of Chernihiv region prevailed over tench from Sumy region according to such indicators as the length of the tail stalk, the height of the dorsal fin and the length of the base of the anal fin, and the length of the head. In relation to the head, the tench from Sumy region prevails over Chernihiv region in terms of: snout length, extraocular distance, forehead width, head height, height of the head near the back of the head, and, conversely, the tench from Chernihiv region prevails over the tench from Sumy region only in terms of eye diameter.
 Tench from the reservoir of the Sumy region has a longer body length, displaced dorsal and anal fins to the tail stem, enlarged pectoral, abdominal and tail fins, which indicates a more mobile lifestyle. The head, although smaller, is more adapted for finding food. The tench from the Chernihiv region has a more elongated tail stem, the height of the dorsal and anal fins, which indicates that it is more settled and moves around the pond seasonally, the head is larger, but the diameter of the eye is also large, which indicates that the tench is on greater depth than the tench from the reservoir of the Sumy region.

Probabilistic finite element analysis of failures in concrete dams with large asperities in the rock–concrete interface

Common analytical assessment methods for concrete dams are unlikely to predict material fracture in the dam body because of the assumption of rigid body behavior and uniform- or linear stress distribution along a predetermined failure surface. Hence, probabilistic non-linear finite element analysis, calibrated from scale model tests, was implemented in this study to investigate the impact of concrete material parameters (modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, compressive strength, fracture energy) on the ultimate capacity of scaled model dams. The investigated dam section has two types of large asperities, located near the downstream and/or upstream end of the rock–concrete interface. These large-scale asperities significantly increased the interface roughness. Post-processing of the numerical simulations showed interlocking between the buttress and the downstream asperity leading to fracture of the buttress with the capacity being determined mainly by the tensile strength of the buttress material. The capacity of a model with an asperity near the upstream side, with lower inclination, was less dependent on the material parameters of the buttress as failure occurred by sliding along the interface, even with inferior material parameters. Results of this study show that material parameters of the concrete in a dam body can govern the load capacity of the dam granted that significant geometrical variations in the rock–concrete interface exists. The material parameters of the dam body and their impact on the capacity with respect to the failure mechanism that developed for some of the studied models are not commonly considered to be decisive for the load capacity. Also, no analytical assessment method for this type of failure exists. This implies that common assessment methods may misjudge the capacity and important parameters for certain failure types that may develop in dams.

Kinetics and Structural Optimization of Cobalt-Oxide Honeycomb Structures Based on Thermochemical Heat Storage

Thermochemical heat storage is an important solar-heat-storage technology with a high temperature and high energy density, which has attracted increasing attention and research in recent years. The mono-metallic redox pair Co3O4/CoO realizes heat storage and exothermic process through a reversible redox reaction. Its basic principle is to store energy by heat absorption through a reduction reaction during high-irradiation hours (high temperature) and then release heat through an exothermic-oxidation reaction during low-irradiation hours (low temperature). This paper presents the design of a cobalt-oxide honeycomb structure, which is extruded from pure Co3O4, a porous media with a high heat-storage density and a high conversion rate. Based on the experimental data, a three-dimensional axisymmetric multi-physics numerical model was developed to simulate the flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, and chemical reaction in the thermochemical heat-storage reactor. Unlike the previous treatment approach of equating chemical reactions with surface reactions, the model in this paper considers the consumption and generation of solids and the diffusion and transfer of oxygen in the porous medium during the reaction process, which brings the simulation results closer to the real values. Finally, the influence of the physical parameters of the honeycomb-structured body on the storage and exothermic process is explored in a wide range. The simulation results show that the physical-parameter settings and structural design of the cobalt-oxide honeycomb structure used in this paper are reasonable, and are conducive to improving its charging/discharging performance.

Flax Harvesting Technologies for Flax Harvesting Machines

The technology of flax harvesting depends on input impacts, including: flax harvester qualitative characteristics; working body parameters; indicators of working conditions; intervening variables reflecting the dynamic properties of the working bodies and the dynamics of the flax flow input. (Research purpose) To establish patterns and the degree of correlation between the qualitative operation indicators (pulling and deseeding quality, flax line stretching); design parameters; machine dynamic properties and harvesting conditions (height and density of flax stem, field surface, thickness and unevenness of flax straw, etc.). (Materials and methods) Based on system analysis, mathematical models of the technological process of flax harvesting were developed. Information models were introduced for examining the main flax harvesters. (Results and discussion) The paper shows that the most typical indicators of the flax harvester working conditions are the flax stem height l(t), centimeters; the seed pod area a(t), centimeters; and field surface roughness z(t), centimeters. It is found that the quality of operation is determined by the deseeding quality, percentages; the flax straw stretching, times; the location of its apical and root parts, centimeters. The estimated indicators are as follows: the pulling height h(t), centimeters, the vibrations of the combine in the longitudinal-vertical plane Q(t), degrees, the location of the apical part of the flax flaw in front of the stripper. (Conclusions) A hydraulic device was developed to adjust the pulling height from 10 to 40 centimeters, depending on the flax stem. An important reserve for increasing the deseeding quality is the change in the width of the deseeding zone of the Vk harvester, centimeters. For this purpose, a mechanism was created for moving the deseeder against the clamping conveyor, depending on the flax stem height l(t), centimeters.

Sex-biased, but not plumage color-based, prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in free-range chickens.

Previous studies found a relationship between blood parasite infection and bird gender, with higher prevalence in males. Some studies also found a relationship between host plumage color and parasitic infection, while others did not. Here, we investigated the blood parasite prevalence in correlation with sex and plumage color in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in China. We analyzed a total of 297 blood samples, out of which 234 chickens tested positive for haemosporidian parasites, with 78.5% parasite prevalence. Out of 139 males, 118 tested positive with 84.8% parasite prevalence while 116 of 158 female samples tested positive (73.4%). Leucocytotozoon was the most frequent genus isolated (193 infected individuals /234 birds), followed by Plasmodium (41 infected individuals/234 birds), with no Haemoproteus parasites being detected. There were no significant differences in the body parameters and chicken color plumages with regards to the infection status. Our study indicated that blood parasite infection was significantly different between male and female chickens, with infection prevalent in males.

MP65-16 AI DRIVEN ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS IN RADICAL CYSTECTOMY PATIENTS: PREDICTORS OF 90-DAY COMPLICATIONS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP65-16 AI DRIVEN ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS IN RADICAL CYSTECTOMY PATIENTS: PREDICTORS OF 90-DAY COMPLICATIONS Anthony Fadel, Vidit Sharma, Matthew K. Tollefson, Daniel J. Blezek, Robert F. Tarrell, Prabin Thapa, Lyndsay D. Viers, Aaron M. Potretzke, Stephen A. Boorjian, Igor Frank, Robert P. Hartman, and Boyd R. Viers Anthony FadelAnthony Fadel More articles by this author , Vidit SharmaVidit Sharma More articles by this author , Matthew K. TollefsonMatthew K. Tollefson More articles by this author , Daniel J. BlezekDaniel J. Blezek More articles by this author , Robert F. TarrellRobert F. Tarrell More articles by this author , Prabin ThapaPrabin Thapa More articles by this author , Lyndsay D. ViersLyndsay D. Viers More articles by this author , Aaron M. PotretzkeAaron M. Potretzke More articles by this author , Stephen A. BoorjianStephen A. Boorjian More articles by this author , Igor FrankIgor Frank More articles by this author , Robert P. HartmanRobert P. Hartman More articles by this author , and Boyd R. ViersBoyd R. Viers More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003323.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia is associated with increased mortality after radical cystectomy (RCx). Traditional imaging techniques used to assess sarcopenia are time consuming and labor intensive. Herein we demonstrate the utility of an AI algorithm with deep learning to analyze CT scans and produce body composition parameters in a time-efficient manner. This allows for outcome prediction and correlation of body measures to post-RCx complications. METHODS: Perioperative CT images for 843 RCx patients from 2009-2017 were collected from our institution. An AI algorithm was developed to extract muscle and adipose tissue parameters from 2D axial images at the L3 level. The following areas were segmented: skeletal muscle (SM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were then calculated. All measures were correlated with post-RCx complications using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There was significant variation in pre-operative body composition (Figure 1). An FMI>208 was associated with significantly more wound complications (40% vs 19%, p<.001) while an FMI>260 was associated with more infectious complications (38% vs 21%, p=.003). After adjusting for patient characteristics, these associations of FMI were maintained on multivariable analysis for more infectious (Odds ratio (OR) 1.004, p=.002) and wound (OR 1.006, p<.001) complications. When examining the components of FMI, SAT was independently associated with more wound complications (OR 1.003, p=.006) whereas VAT was independently associated with increased odds of 90-day infectious complications (OR 1.002, p=.011). Similarly, an SMI<42 was associated with major complications (28% vs 17%, p=.002), and on multivariable analysis higher pre-operative SMI was associated with lower odds of major complications (OR 0.972, p=.008). CONCLUSIONS: An AI algorithm was successfully able to segment body composition areas of adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. Sarcopenia assessment using this AI technology is now clinically feasible. Changes in body parameters corresponded with changes in body indices and were predictive of wound, infectious, and major complications. Source of Funding: None. © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e897 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Anthony Fadel More articles by this author Vidit Sharma More articles by this author Matthew K. Tollefson More articles by this author Daniel J. Blezek More articles by this author Robert F. Tarrell More articles by this author Prabin Thapa More articles by this author Lyndsay D. Viers More articles by this author Aaron M. Potretzke More articles by this author Stephen A. Boorjian More articles by this author Igor Frank More articles by this author Robert P. Hartman More articles by this author Boyd R. Viers More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

ILLUSTRATING A SCALABLE ARCHITECTURE-POWERED DISEASE PREDICTION USING MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES

Healthcare information systems typically collect, store and manage various kinds of data such as illness details, clinical history, essential body parameters, health insurance plans, and other related data towards enabling data processing and analytics to arrive at better decision making with all the clarity and alacrity. To reduce the mortality rate due to heart diseases, it is essential to predict the presence of disease in its budding stage itself. Manual extraction of the useful knowledge from historical data is practically tedious and time-consuming. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are being used to detect and predict something useful out of both historical and current data. Despite the applicability of machine learning algorithms for prediction, the accuracy of prediction is significantly influenced by features used for prediction. Moreover, to meet the needs of evolving data sizes, suitable technologies for data storage also become essential. Based on these two aspects, a comparative analysis has been performed for feature selection using four filter methods, namely, correlation measure, information gain, gain ratio and relief. Further, a scalable architecture using Hadoop framework has been proposed to enable the machine learning algorithms to handle larger datasets while performing prediction task. The impact of the proposed architecture on the performance of machine learning algorithm has been evaluated with benchmark dataset and found to have improved scalability and accuracy.

MP72-13 AI CHARACTERIZATION OF LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION: PREDICTORS OF CHANGE AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP72-13 AI CHARACTERIZATION OF LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION: PREDICTORS OF CHANGE AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY Anthony Fadel, Vidit Sharma, Matthew K. Tollefson, Daniel J. Blezek, Robert F. Tarrell, Prabin Thapa, Lyndsay D. Viers, Aaron M. Potretzke, Stephen A. Boorjian, Igor Frank, Robert P. Hartman, and Boyd R. Viers Anthony FadelAnthony Fadel More articles by this author , Vidit SharmaVidit Sharma More articles by this author , Matthew K. TollefsonMatthew K. Tollefson More articles by this author , Daniel J. BlezekDaniel J. Blezek More articles by this author , Robert F. TarrellRobert F. Tarrell More articles by this author , Prabin ThapaPrabin Thapa More articles by this author , Lyndsay D. ViersLyndsay D. Viers More articles by this author , Aaron M. PotretzkeAaron M. Potretzke More articles by this author , Stephen A. BoorjianStephen A. Boorjian More articles by this author , Igor FrankIgor Frank More articles by this author , Robert P. HartmanRobert P. Hartman More articles by this author , and Boyd R. ViersBoyd R. Viers More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003340.13AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Long term body composition changes after radical cystectomy (RCx) are unknown. Herein, we characterize changes in body composition over one year after RCx and determine predictors of unfavorable change in radiographic nutritional indices. METHODS: CT images for 843 RCx patients from 2009-2017 were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year. Artificial intelligence algorithms extracted two-dimensional axial skeletal muscle and adipose areas at the L3 level. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to determine factors associated with unfavorable body composition change: absolute top tertile change in FMI and SMI. RESULTS: Muscle and fat body parameters decreased from baseline to 3 months but increased from 3 months to 1 year (Figure 1). However, the distributions of changes in SMI and FMI across these timepoints (Figure 2) show that some patients were able to maintain muscle and fat mass after surgery. In the first 3 months, increasing age and higher BMI were associated with greater loss in FMI (odds ratio (OR) < 1, p<.05); while neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with increased gains (OR 1.5, p=.03). After 3 months, robotic surgery was associated with greater gains in FMI (OR 1.8, p=.03). In the first 3 months, on multivariable analysis, men (OR 2.06), increasing BMI (OR 1.08), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 3.98), and any 30-day complications (OR 1.79) were associated with greater loss in SMI from baseline to 3 months (p<.05 for all). After 3 months, older patients had smaller gains in SMI (p<.05), as did patients with bladder cancer recurrences (p<.05). On the contrary, patients with continent diversion were associated with greater gains in SMI (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term changes in body composition after RCx are common, and clinically relevant predictors of unfavorable body composition change were identified indicating a catabolic state. Individualized rehabilitation interventions based on these predictors warrants further study. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1029 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Anthony Fadel More articles by this author Vidit Sharma More articles by this author Matthew K. Tollefson More articles by this author Daniel J. Blezek More articles by this author Robert F. Tarrell More articles by this author Prabin Thapa More articles by this author Lyndsay D. Viers More articles by this author Aaron M. Potretzke More articles by this author Stephen A. Boorjian More articles by this author Igor Frank More articles by this author Robert P. Hartman More articles by this author Boyd R. Viers More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Berberine and health outcomes: An umbrella review.

Berberine is a plant extract widely used in clinical practice. This review aimed to summarize and to grade the available evidence on the association between berberine consumption and health-related outcomes. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of berberine from inception to June 30, 2022. The AMSTAR-2 and GRADE system were used to assess the methodological quality and evidence level of the included meta-analyses. A total of 11 eligible meta-analyses were identified from 235 publications, which were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2022. The results revealed that berberine significantly affects blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, blood lipids, body parameters and composition, inflammatory markers, colorectal adenomas, and Helicobacter pylori infections as compared to controls. Common side effects of berberine consumption include gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea. Berberine is a safe medicinal plant ingredient that improves various clinical outcomes; however, there is a need for improvement of methodological quality in published meta-analyses. Additionally, the clinical effects of berberine need to be confirmed in high-quality RCTs.

Autonomous Spacecraft Rendezvous Using Tube-Based Model Predictive Control: Design and Application

As the concentration of large space debris increases, how rendezvous maneuvers involving these typically non-cooperative, freely tumbling bodies are planned and executed is evolving. The rendezvous must be carefully planned, employing up-to-date in situ data to identify the inertial and motion parameters of the target body, and executed in a manner that accounts for the remaining uncertainty in these parameters. This paper presents an extension of the Tumbling Rendezvous via Autonomous Characterization and Execution (TRACE) pipeline used in the ROAM/TumbleDock Astrobee experiment campaign, which sequences the target state estimation, motion planning, controller design, and maneuver execution tasks while additionally providing logical loop-back avenues to previous tasks, increasing the chances of a successful maneuver. The pipeline’s performance is analyzed in simulation, utilizing target state estimates generated in a previous activity on a dedicated on-ground test bed; online motion planning, based on nonlinear programming and warm-started using a trajectory library generated offline with a novel graphics-processing-unit-based method; and tube-based model predictive control to robustly track the planned trajectory. Tube-based model predictive control is an actively evolving subject, distributed over multiple publications and various research interests. The necessary theory and considerations for practical implementation of the method are consolidated; its use, features, and limitations in the proposed task are demonstrated.

Особливості та перспективи використання рослинного білка в годівлі коропа (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) (огляд)

Purpose. Analysis of the state and prospects of the use of vegetable proteins of various methods of manufacture in carp feeding in view of their functional and technological characteristics as well as in accordance with their impact on fish productive parameters and the functional state of the fish body. Findings. The world resources of animal and vegetable protein were characterized, a comparative analysis of nutrition, digestibility and functional characteristic data of feed components was carried out. The protein needs of carp, the main object of aquaculture in Ukraine, were examined. It is noted that vegetable proteins are widely used in carp feeding, but there are a number of limiting factors for the complete replacement of animal proteins with vegetable ones. In particular, the main such factors are the content of anti-nutrients, low digestibility and unbalanced amino acid composition of feed components of plant origin. Modern approaches to the introduction of plant proteins into the composition of feeds have been analyzed, which allows increasing the efficiency of their use in animal husbandry in general, and in fish farming in particular. The expediency of using plant proteins processed by a technical method, single-cell proteins obtained by fermentation, concentrates produced by the extraction method, hydrolysates obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as whey-purified protein isolates in feed production were characterized. The effect of their use in fish feeding on the physiological and biochemical parameters of the fish body is considered. It is noted that the composition and digestibility of vegetable proteins may differ depending on the source and processing method. A comparison of the economic feasibility of feeding vegetable and animal proteins to different types of fish was made. The expediency and prospects of using vegetable protein in the conditions of aquaculture in Ukraine and in the cultivation of carp are outlined. Practical value. Modern approaches to the use of vegetable protein in fish feeding increase its biological value and availability of nutrients, which allows obtaining additional increases in the weight of fish, reduce production costs and improve the quality characteristics of the grown products. Keywords: vegetable protein feed, animal protein feed, aquaculture, carp, feeding, biological value, digestibility, productivity.

Experimental Studies of the Equipment Operation Efficiency to Clean Snow and Ice Formations from Roads and Sideways

The purpose of the work is to determine parameters of the working body and its operation modes, in which the most effective removal of snow and ice formations from the road surfaces is achieved, with the obligatory observance of the integrity and safety of the pavement and sidewalk surfaces. The article represents the developed design of the mounted shock-rotary working equipment for the destruction of snow-ice formations. Methods for calculating the design parameters of special working bodies of shear and impact action have been developed. The developed model of ice breaking allows increasing the efficiency of the icebreaking machine at the design stage in order to increase its efficiency by regulating and selecting its rational mechanical and geometric characteristics according to the given values of the cam penetration depth, strength, and ice thickness. An analysis of the experimental studies confirmed the adequacy of the model of cleaning the road surface. The relevance of the research and the expected social effect is justified by the possibility of reducing the number of accidents and winter injuries on the roads of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (grant No. AP09258973 «New technology for the production of innovative ice-cleaning road equipment»)

Morphometric Assessment of the Ciliary Body in Patients With Marfan Syndrome and Ectopia Lentis: A Quantitative Study Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

To explore the biometric characteristics of the ciliary body in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). Cross-sectional study. Seventy-two consecutive patients with MFS and EL and 72 nondiseased control subjects were recruited. Ciliary body biometric parameters such as ciliary muscle cross-sectional area at 2000 µm from the scleral spur (CMA2000), ciliary muscle thickness at 1000 µm from the scleral spur (CMT1000), and maximum ciliary body thickness (CBTmax) were measured from multiple directions with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The relationship between ciliary body parameters and other ocular characteristics was also evaluated. Average CMA2000, CMT1000, and CBTmax were 0.692 ± 0.015 mm2, 0.405 ± 0.010 mm, and 0.855 ± 0.023 mm in eyes of patients with MFS, respectively, and were significantly smaller than these values in control subjects (all P < .001). The prevalence of ciliary body thinning was 22.2% in the MFS group vs 0 in the control group (P < .001); eyes with more severe EL had smaller CMA2000 (P=.050), thinner CMT1000 (P=.022), and shorter CBTmax (P=.015). Patients with microspherophakia (MSP) had even smaller CMA2000 (P=.033) and CMT1000 (P=.044) than those without MSP. The most common subluxation direction was in the superonasal quadrant (n=25; 39.7%), which probably correlates with the thinnest CMT1000 in the inferotemporal quadrant (P=.005). Patients with MFS and EL had thinner ciliary muscles, shorter ciliary processes, and a higher prevalence of ciliary body thinning, especially those with MSP. Both the extent and direction of subluxation were associated with ciliary body biometry.</ABSTRACT>.

Modified Signaling of Membrane Formyl Peptide Receptors in NADPH-Oxidase Regulation in Obesity-Resistant Mice.

The signaling of membrane receptors is modified in obesity characterized by low-grade inflammation. The obesity-resistant state of organisms is poorly understood. We analyzed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) initiated though membrane formyl peptide receptors (Fpr1, Fpr2) in bone-marrow granulocytes of obesity-resistant mice (ORM). A chemiluminescence assay was used to assess NADPH-oxidase-related intensity of ROS generation. ORM were chosen from animals that received high-fat diets and had metric body parameters as controls (standard diet). High spontaneous ROS production was observed in ORM cells. The EC50 for responses to bacterial or mitochondrial peptide N-formyl-MLF was higher in ORM with and without inflammation vs. the same control groups, indicating an insignificant role of high-affinity Fpr1. Increased responses to synthetic peptide WKYMVM (Fpr2 agonist) were observed in controls with acute inflammation, but they were similar in other groups. Fpr2 was possibly partially inactivated in ORM owing to the inflammatory state. Weakened Fpr1 and Fpr2 signaling via MAPKs was revealed in ORM using specific inhibitors for p38, ERK1/2, and JNK. P38 signaling via Fpr2 was lower in ORM with inflammation. Thus, a high-fat diet modified FPRs' role and suppressed MAPK signaling in NADPH-oxidase regulation in ORM. This result can be useful to understand the immunological features of obesity resistance.

Effect of Simulated Hypomagnetic Conditions on Some Physiological Paremeters at 8-Hour Exposure. Experement “Arfa–19”

The proposal is a complex experiment that had a design – a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. An effective measurement of the parameters of the human body was examined on 8 apparently healthy subjects during an exposure of 8 hours in altered magnetic conditions. The results of the experiment did not reveal significant risks for the functional state of the human body with a decrease in the multiplicity of about 1000 times.

Flexible Photoelectric Pulse Detection Sensor and Image Processing of Detection Signal

Biomedical sensors can detect all kinds of human life information. The pulse signal is one of the most important physiological parameters of the human body. An ultra-thin and flexible photoelectric pulse detection sensor is built, a pulse detection system based on the sensor circuit is built, and the image processing of the detected pulse signal is carried out. Oleic acid is used to modify the organic semiconductor layer of the phototransistor. Silver nanoparticles (AgNCs) are also infiltrated into organic semiconductor materials to form nanocomposites. The hardware circuit includes signal amplification, baseline correction, 50 Hz notch filter, and band-pass filter. In the experiment, the prepared nanocomposites are analyzed for photoelectric properties. The results show that the transfer curve of the device is bipolar without illumination, and the hole transport characteristics are more obvious than the electron transport characteristics. The hole mobility is 0.06 mm2/V/S, and the electron mobility is 1.34×10−4 cm2/V/S. Hole mobility greater than electron mobility can effectively improve photoconductivity gain. The detection of different working voltages shows that the pulse wave detected by the prepared sensor has obvious P, T, and D waves. The image processing technology is used. After the output pulse signal image passes through the notch and low-pass filters, the pulse signal’s high-frequency interference is suppressed. After envelope filtering, the signal frequency amplitude of the pulse signal decreases (from 400 mV–700 mV to −150 mV~150 mV). Then, the baseline drift is effectively removed.

Development of the design and substantiation of the parameters of the working body for digging the roots of sugar beet

The article proposes an original design of the forked working body of a beet harvester designed to dig up roots from the soil, which reduces the damage to root crops through the use of elastic elements in its design, which are rubber studded tires and the creation of an additional digging force acting on them. As a result of the analysis of the work of the proposed design, it was found that when interacting with the root crop, the elastic elements partially cover its surface, while creating an additional digging force. Analytical dependences are obtained, as well as the design and kinematic parameters of the forked working body are substantiated on the average size of the sugar beet root crop, which makes it possible to substantiate the optimal operating modes of the machine, to determine the dependence of the influence of the root crop size and the translational speed of the root harvester on the rotational speed of the tip of the active fork. The calculations showed that with an increase in the operating speed of the machine in the range from 1.0 to 2.0 m/s, it is necessary to ensure an increase in the angular velocity of the rotors ωr in the range from 24 to 57.4 s−1, which corresponds to a change in their rotation frequency from 230 to 554 min−1, which ensures that root crops are not damaged from interaction with working bodies. Given the versatility of the proposed design of the working body and a wide range of harvested root crops, the number of rows of spikes should be taken equal to 18. With an optimal value of the cylinder radius of 0.036 m, the distance between the rows of spikes is 13 mm. Given the presence of soil and plant residues, the height of the elastic spikes, it is advisable to use equal to 5-7 mm

Basal ganglia lesions may be a risk factor for characteristic features of a glaucomatous optic disc: population-based cohort study in Japan

BackgroundWe conducted a study to investigate the relationship between optic nerve vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR), body and ocular parameters, and brain lesions in middle-aged and above Japanese subjects, because although...