Product Selection Research Articles

E-FireGuard: Empowering firefighters through innovative E-commerce solutions

For firefighters to remain safe and successful in ever-more-complex and tough firefighting situations, they must have access to state-of-the-art equipment. Nevertheless, obtaining the newest firefighting technology is frequently hampered by conventional procurement techniques. This article introduces “E-FireGuard,” a cutting edge E-commerce platform created to solve these issues and provide firemen with simple access to top- notch gear. Firefighters may easily browse, buy, and evaluate a variety of firefighting goods online with E-FireGuard. Procurement procedures may be expedited because to the platform's user-friendly design, extensive product selection, and safe payment alternatives. Moreover, E-FireGuard facilitates the adoption of cutting-edge technology and best practices by acting as a center for cooperation, information exchange, and innovation among firefighters.

Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid fillers for cheek augmentation using a treatment guide to choose between products.

Patients can have different reasons for seeking cheek augmentation; while some are in need of volume augmentation, others may request projection and lifting. A treatment guide can be useful for treating clinicians in choosing the most suitable product. This 8-week, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cheek augmentation using a treatment guide to choose between study products HACON and HALYF. Female subjects intending to undergo cheek augmentation were treated according to primary need for treatment-HACON for contouring or HALYF for projection. Treatments were performed according to approved labels. Assessments included Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) evaluations, subject satisfaction, subject-perceived age (FACE-Q), naturalness of facial expressions, 3D imaging analysis, and safety assessments. All subjects (n = 60) were assessed as aesthetically improved by the investigators 4 and 8 weeks after last injection. For all subjects, contouring or projection was achieved as planned with natural-looking results. Subject satisfaction was high in both study groups. Volume change of the cheek area was statistically significant from baseline to Week 4 (p < 0.001), in both treatment groups and on both sides of the face. Overall, treatments were well tolerated with mainly mild adverse events related to treatment. The proposed guide for product selection of HACON or HALYF for treatment of the cheek area was useful to achieve the primary treatment goal for both products. Treatments were well tolerated and associated with improved aesthetic appearance of the cheeks as well as high subject satisfaction.

An integrated AHP-TOPSIS approach for bamboo product evaluation and selection in rural communities

This study introduces a decision support model integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to select an economic tree product champion (bamboo) to benefit rural communities. An extensive literature review and expert discussions identified sixteen sub-criteria distributed across five main criteria. The study proposes four categories of bamboo products as alternatives, emphasizing community-level production capacity. The AHP determines priority weights, while TOPSIS prioritizes alternatives conducive to becoming the product champion within a community case study. The findings affirm the efficacy of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) in identifying a champion, with “Value addition potential,” “Domestic market demand,” and “International market (export) demand” identified as pivotal criteria. Bamboo culm-based products for energy-related applications emerged as the chosen product champion in a community case study in Thailand. This study offers practical implications for rural communities and potential investors in economic tree ventures, allowing the customization of decision criteria and alternatives for specific contexts. Socially, the focus on bamboo highlights diverse benefits along the entire supply chain, from upstream to downstream. The research pioneers a decision support model, providing insights into market opportunity analysis and supply chain network design based on the selected product champion.

Computer-aided detection of tuberculosis from chest radiographs in a tuberculosis prevalence survey in South Africa: external validation and modelled impacts of commercially available artificial intelligence software

Computer-aided detection (CAD) can help identify people with active tuberculosis left undetected. However, few studies have compared the performance of commercially available CAD products for screening in high tuberculosis and high HIV settings, and there is poor understanding of threshold selection across products in different populations. We aimed to compare CAD products' performance, with further analyses on subgroup performance and threshold selection. We evaluated 12 CAD products on a case-control sample of participants from a South African tuberculosis prevalence survey. Only those with microbiological test results were eligible. The primary outcome was comparing products' accuracy using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) against microbiological evidence. Threshold analyses were performed based on pre-defined criteria and across all thresholds. We conducted subgroup analyses including age, gender, HIV status, previous tuberculosis history, symptoms presence, and current smoking status. Of the 774 people included, 516 were bacteriologically negative and 258 were bacteriologically positive. Diverse accuracy was noted: Lunit and Nexus had AUCs near 0·9, followed by qXR, JF CXR-2, InferRead, Xvision, and ChestEye (AUCs 0·8-0·9). XrayAME, RADIFY, and TiSepX-TB had AUC under 0·8. Thresholds varied notably across these products and different versions of the same products. Certain products (Lunit, Nexus, JF CXR-2, and qXR) maintained high sensitivity (>90%) across a wide threshold range while reducing the number of individuals requiring confirmatory diagnostic testing. All products generally performed worst in older individuals, people with previous tuberculosis, and people with HIV. Variations in thresholds, sensitivity, and specificity existed across groups and settings. Several previously unevaluated products performed similarly to those evaluated by WHO. Thresholds differed across products and demographic subgroups. The rapid emergence of products and versions necessitates a global strategy to validate new versions and software to support CAD product and threshold selections. Government of Canada.

Heritability and correlations for honey yield, handling ease, brood quantity, and traits related to resilience in a French honeybee population

There is growing interest in selective breeding of the honeybee, resulting in the emergence of new breeding projects, often with an emphasis on improving resilience traits, in particular toward brood diseases. Lately, feed autonomy is also gaining importance. Here, we use data from a small breeding nucleus in France to estimate genetic parameters for common bee breeding traits and a novel trait reflecting honey reserves in the brood chamber. Open-mated queens were produced each year from inseminated dams between 2019 and 2021, and ~330 colonies were phenotyped each following year at three periods during the entire beekeeping season. Genetic parameters were estimated using ReML with an animal model. Narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from low (around 0.15) for calmness and total capped brood surface both measured in early summer, to moderate (0.30 to 0.40) for hygienic behavior in spring, honey yield, and phoretic V. destructor load in early summer. Honey reserves in the brood chamber showed an intermediate heritability throughout the season (around 0.25). Gentleness had a null heritability. Most correlations between phenotypes adjusted for environmental fixed effects were close to zero. Among exceptions, there were honey reserves in the brood chamber in early summer with honey yield (around −0.2) and with the total capped brood surface in early summer (around −0.3). These estimates, although uncertain due to the dataset size, suggest that selection for production and resilience will be effective, even though simultaneous selection for honey yield and feed reserves might be difficult due to a possible genetic antagonism between both traits.

Comparing carbon-saving potential of the pyrolysis of non-recycled municipal plastic waste: Influences of system scales and end products

Pyrolysis of non-recycled municipal plastic waste has the potential to mitigate the plastic waste crisis and to produce transport fuels (diesel or hydrogen), as compared with the conventional methods such as incineration or landfilling that have potential adverse environmental consequences. Transport fuel production from non-recycled municipal plastic waste contributes to the transition to more sustainable waste management. However, little is known about the influences of system scales and end product selection on the carbon footprints of the plastic waste treatment. Here, we applied the approach of life cycle assessment to compare the carbon-saving potential of centralized, large-scale and decentralized, small-scale pyrolysis systems producing diesel and hydrogen in the United Kingdom. It is shown that centralized systems had a lower global warming potential results than decentralized systems despite their greater transportation distances. The global warming potentials of diesel production for centralized and decentralized systems were 801 and 1345 kg CO2-eq. per tonne of non-recycled municipal plastic waste, respectively, whilst hydrogen production had much higher global warming potentials which are 7110 and 7990 kg CO2-eq per tonne of non-recycled municipal plastic waste, respectively. In hydrogen-producing systems, crude carbon nanotubes are also produced, and the purification process of carbon nanotubes requires significant material resource (hydrochloric acid and deionized water) inputs, resulting in high Scope 2 and 3 emissions. Also, it is worth noting that the global warming potential related to the Scope 1 emissions for the diesel-producing systems exceeds 80%, whereas the hydrogen-producing systems yield opposite results. The end use of diesel produced has a greater carbon footprint than the end use of hydrogen. The carbon saving from the displacement of fossil hydrogen was two times higher than that from diesel displacement. Decentralized, small-scale hydrogen production from plastic waste had the highest global warming potential among all as the conversion process of municipal plastic waste to hydrogen and carbon nanotubes for small-scale systems is more energy and resource intensive. Sensitivity analysis showed that various factors, such as feedstock composition and the heating energy consumption in the conversion process, had less influence on the global warming potential of centralized systems as compared to decentralized systems.

Efficacy of Interceptor G2, Royal Guard and PermaNet 3.0 against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Za-Kpota, southern Benin: an experimental hut trial

BackgroundThe widespread use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) has significantly contributed to the reduction in malaria cases and deaths observed across Africa. Unfortunately, this control strategy is threatened by the rapid spread of pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors. Dual-active-ingredient insecticidal nets are now available to mitigate the impact of pyrethroid resistance. To facilitate evidence-based decisions regarding product selection in specific use settings, data are needed on the efficacy of these different nets against local mosquito populations.MethodsTwo experimental hut trials were performed in Za-Kpota, southern Benin in 2021 to evaluate the performance of Interceptor G2 (BASF), Royal Guard (Disease Control Technologies) and PermaNet 3.0 (Vestergaard Frandsen), all dual-active-ingredient bednets, in comparison to untreated or standard pyrethroid-treated bednets, against free-flying wild Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The performance of some of these next-generation nets was compared to the same type of nets that have been in use for up to 2 years. Mosquitoes collected in the huts were followed up after exposure to assess the sublethal effects of treatments on certain life-history traits.ResultsThe predominant species in the study site was Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (An. gambiae s.s.). Both Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. were resistant to pyrethroids (deltamethrin susceptibility was restored by piperonyl butoxide pre-exposure). In the experimental hut trials, the highest blood-feeding inhibition (5.56%) was recorded for the Royal Guard net, relative to the standard PermaNet 2.0 net (44.44% inhibition). The highest 72-h mortality rate (90.11%) was recorded for the Interceptor G2 net compared to the PermaNet 2.0 net (56.04%). After exposure, the risk of death of An. gambiae sensu lato (An. gambiae s.l.) was 6.5-fold higher with the Interceptor G2 net and 4.4-fold higher with the PermaNet 3.0 net compared to the respective untreated net. Lower mosquito mortality was recorded with an aged Interceptor G2 net compared to a new Interceptor G2 net. Oviposition rates were lower in mosquitoes collected from huts containing ITNs compared to those of untreated controls. None of the mosquitoes collected from huts equipped with Royal Guard nets laid any eggs.ConclusionsThe Royal Guard and Interceptor G2 nets showed a potential to significantly improve the control of malaria-transmitting vectors. However, the PermaNet 3.0 net remains effective in pyrethroid-resistant areas.Graphical

Strategic decision making in live streaming e-commerce through tripartite evolutionary game analysis.

This article delves into the current popular phenomenon of live streaming e-commerce, with a specific focus on issues related to product quality and after-sales service. It constructs an evolutionary game model that encompasses three key stakeholders: e-commerce platforms, consumers, and streamers. The study conducts a thorough analysis of the interactions and strategic choices among these entities, investigating the stability of equilibrium strategy combinations within the game system and the influence of various factors on decision-making behaviors. Furthermore, the validity of the analytical conclusion is corroborated through the application of simulation analysis methods. The study finds that for the consumer, strategies such as reducing losses encountered due to quality issues under strict demands, enhancing compensation in these scenarios, and increasing benefits for maintaining stringent requirements during live streaming sessions can motivate them to adopt more stringent strategies. For the streamer, essential factors in promoting the selection of high-quality products include increasing the benefits associated with such choices and reducing the probability of quality issues, or alternatively, decreasing the gains from lower-quality selections and increasing the likelihood of encountering quality problems with these products. For the e-commerce platform, strategically adjusting the profit-sharing ratio to maintain collaborative momentum and influence the enthusiasm of both consumers and streamers is a critical strategy to avert market scenarios akin to prisoner's dilemmas and tragic outcomes. Overall, this research offers profound insights into the complex strategic evolution within the live commerce market, providing valuable guidance for interaction strategies among e-commerce platforms, consumers, and streamers. Its implications for practical decision-making optimization and strategic formulation are of significant importance.

Enterococcus spp. in fish: Analysis of the presence and resistance in samples from Tri-City, Poland.

The growing concern over antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens necessitates comprehensive assessments of its prevalence and associated risks in various food products. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of Enterococcus spp. in samples of fish purchased at various points of sale in the Tricity region. The selection of products (n = 74) was based on their availability and included both fish caught in the Baltic region and products imported from, Vietnam, China, Norway, and European Union (EU) countries. For bacterial isolation, samples were inoculated into selective broth, and the growth of enterococci was assessed based on turbidity. Positive cultures were confirmed by a change in color in bromocresol purple broth and were isolated on Slanetz-Bartley agar. Bacteria were present in all tested samples regardless of the degree of raw material processing as follows: frozen (F)- 55%, fresh/raw (FS)- 70.6%, thawed (DF)- 30%, smoked (S)- 50%, and the packaging methods, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)- 34.4%, unit packaging (UP)- 75%, and sold in bulk (SB)- 76.9%, with an overall frequency of occurrence of 58.1%. The number of bacteria ranged from not detected to 4.28-log cfu/g, with the lowest mean values for thawed fish and those packed in MAP. Tests conducted on 24 strains isolated from samples showed their varied sensitivity to tetracyclines. Single cases of multidrug resistance of the tested strains were also observed. The conducted statistical analysis did not show statistically significant differences in the count of enterococci based on the origin, degree of processing, or packaging (p < 0.05). Moreover, differences in strain sensitivity to ampicillin were observed. Detected cases of resistance, especially to tetracycline, require careful monitoring and action to limit the health risks associated with resistant bacterial strains in food products.

Fiber production repeatability and selection of promising fique (Furcraea spp.) genotypes

AbstractGlobally, natural fibers are important at reducing the using nonrecyclable synthetic fibers; therefore, cultivating fique can help supply the demand for nonplastic packaging in the Colombian and international markets. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria has a working collection of fique located at La Selva‐Rionegro Research Center (Antioquia‐Colombia). This work evaluated the repeatability coefficient of 68 Furcraea accessions harvested from 2019 to 2022. Repeatability coefficients of 0.293 and 0.149 were found for total dry fiber yield and dry fiber percentage, respectively. The yield‐stability selection index was calculated for the evaluated traits, by which 10 promising accessions were selected, representing 14% of the evaluated population. In addition, correlation coefficients were calculated between productive variables and some meteorological variables (accumulated rainfall, average maximum, and minimum temperatures, and accumulated solar radiation. The accumulated rainfall at 101 days showed the highest correlation with values of 0.429 and 0.488 for the total dry fiber production and the percentage of dry fiber, respectively. The average minimum temperature presented positive correlations with the productive performance of fique.

ОПТИМІЗАЦІЯ ВИРОБНИЧИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ ПРОМИСЛОВОГО ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

Optimizing production capacities and finding new ways to reduce labour and capital costs in producing goods requires modern approaches to building production functions, finding their extremes and providing recommendations for production changes. There are several well-known production functions, including Cobb-Douglas, Bertrand, Leontiev, and Weibull. Still, their use requires careful selection for specific production and further search for constituent functions, such as the cost or production functions. To optimize the production process of manufacturing metal products, the task is to choose the production function and find its extremes. After analyzing the given functions, it was found that the optimal function for describing this production is functions based on exponential models, which allow describing non-linear processes and are flexible enough to adapt to different types of production. The work considers ways of optimizing industrial enterprise production processes. It proposes using an approach based on the Weibull equations to estimate labour and capital costs for product production. The search for local extrema of the production function was carried out. Based on the modelling results, recommendations were given regarding the optimal indicators of labour and capital costs. It was determined that the optimal product release plan is the consumption of 0.007 million person-hours and 0.024 million hryvnias. It is also possible to study this function for a minimum and determine at which point, with the ratio of labour and capital costs, there is a minimum production.

Early selection of eucalyptus hybrids tolerant to water deficit, pests, and diseases

The objective of this study was to perform early selection of the best progenies for traits related to tolerance to water deficit, pests, and diseases in Eucalyptus progeny tests. The experimental trials were set up in a randomized block design, with one plant per plot, and 20 replicates across three distinct locations (Buritizeiro/MG, Bocaiúva/MG, and Inhambupe/BA). At 6 months of age, the tested families were evaluated in terms of mean annual increment (MAI) and tolerance to pests and diseases. The analyses were conducted based on the genetic-statistics procedure of mixed models via REML/BLUP. The selection process was based on the estimated genetic values for the families, associating both traits in analyses using selection indices, namely the Multiplicative Selection Index and the Mulamba and Mock Selection Index, which allowed simultaneous selection for productivity (MAI) and tolerance to biotic agents. In Buritizeiro/MG and Bocaiúva/MG, plant tolerance to the psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei) was evaluated, while in Inhambupe/BA, tolerance to eucalyptus rust (Austropuccinia psidii) was assessed. For the trait of tolerance to biotic agents, heritabilities (hg2) were moderate across the three sites, with values of 0.20, 0.26, and 0.24 in Buritizeiro, Bocaiúva, and Inhambupe, respectively. The use of the Multiplicative Index (MI) and Mulamba and Mock Index (MMI) enabled the selection of genetic materials with better performance for both traits simultaneously.

The Evolution of Commercial Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems over the Past Three Decades.

Significance: Since the introduction of the first commercial negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system nearly three decades ago, several key technological innovations have led to the wide adoption of the therapy. This is a review of the history and innovation of commercial NPWT systems for adjunctive management of open wounds. Recent Advances: Technical modifications have broadened NPWT options to include innovative dressing interfaces, tubing configurations, power sources, capability of topical wound solution instillation or irrigation, canister versus canister-free configurations, smart technology, and disposable versus larger reusable therapy units. While these options complicate product selection, they have greatly expanded the potential to manage a wide variety of wounds in patients who previously may not have been candidates for NPWT. Critical Issues: Basic yet mandatory requirements of NPWT include delivering an accurate level of negative pressure to the wound bed, maintaining a seal, removing wound surface exudate through the dressing interface, and patient adherence to prescribed therapy. Meeting these requirements is challenging in the face of variable wound types, wound locations, exudate levels, and exudate viscosity. While there are a growing number of marketed NPWT systems, each may have different characteristics and performance. Evaluating the functionality of each system and relevant accessories is complicated, especially as additional manufacturers enter the market. Understanding the key innovations and specific challenges they are intended to solve may aid health care providers in selecting appropriate NPWT technologies for patients. Future Directions: Evolving technology, including artificial intelligence, will likely play a major role in redefining NPWT safety, simplicity, and reliability.

Analisis Persaingan Pasar Tradisional dan Pasar Modern dalam Prespektif Daya Minat Beli Pengunjung

The development of the trade industry, the competition between the Traditional Market and the Modern Market has become increasingly significant in competing for the buying power of visitors. This study aims to find out the competition that occurs between modern markets and traditional markets based on the perspective of visitors' purchasing power. This research uses a descriptive approach which is an effort to understand social phenomena that occur through in-depth interpretation and analysis. Data collection was carried out through observation and direct interviews. Data analysis is carried out qualitatively consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the analysis show that the differences in characteristics between the two markets are that traditional markets offer unique cultural characteristics and traditional shopping experiences, while Modern Markets offer convenience, a wide variety of products, and modern facilities. Visitors' purchasing power is influenced by consumers' personal preferences, where traditional markets are more attractive to those who value interpersonal relationships and intimate shopping experiences, while modern markets are preferred by consumers who are looking for convenience and a diverse selection of products. The role of branding, marketing, and product innovation has a significant impact on the purchasing power of visitors in both types of markets. Traditional markets tend to rely on seller reputation and interpersonal relationships, while modern markets are more focused on digital marketing strategies and social media influencers

Turning fish canning wastewater into resources: Effluents and operational conditions selection for volatile fatty acids production

The potential of three fish canning wastewaters to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA) was evaluated using a stepwise procedure at laboratory scale. Batch tests (0.5 L), at different food to microorganism ratios (F/M), presented tuna and mussel cooking wastewaters as the highest yield substrates (60 % and 80 %, respectively). F/M ratios tested did not significantly influence the yield or the VFA spectrum. Continuous reactors (5 L) were operated with these two wastewaters at different hydraulic retention times (HRT). The shortest HRT studied (2 d) favoured the yield and the production of longer-chain VFA (butyric and valeric acids) in tuna wastewater. However, for mussel wastewater, the yield decreased 2-fold and the production of short-chain VFA (acetic acid) was favoured. This study offers an overview of the best fish canning wastewater, from a point of view of maximum VFA yield, and its optimal operational conditions for VFA production.

ABCD Classification of Skin Types.

The classification of an individual's skin type is important because it helps dermatologists and aesthetic clinicians select the most effective methods for treating the skin. To select suitable cosmetic products and procedures that help ensure healthy and beautiful skin, clinicians must consider the patient's skin type. An individualized classification of skin types allows the clinician to develop personalized skin care recommendations that consider an individual's genetic and physiological characteristics. In the fields of dermatology and aesthetics, the classification of skin types is the basis for scientific research. Skin type classification systems are additionally important for both dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners because they influence the selection of cosmetic products, procedures, and treatments. The purpose of this paper was to provide a detailed review and evaluation of the relevance, suitability, and benefits of the new ABCD Classification of Skin Types, to compare it with other systems for classifying skin types, and to identify parameters for its improvement.

Estimation of the threshold for heat stress and genetic features for milk yield in Mehsana buffaloes in India

Heat stress is one of the primary environmental factors that harm both the productivity and health of buffaloes. The current study was conducted to estimate the threshold of temperature humidity index (THI)1 and genetic features for milk yield of first-lactation Mehsana buffaloes using an univariate repeatability test-day model. The data included 130,475 first lactation test-day milk yield (FLTDMY) records of 13,887 Mehsana buffaloes and the daily temperature and humidity. The statistical model included herd test day as fixed effects, days-in-milk (DIM) classes, age of the animal, as well as random factors such as the additive genetic effect (AGE) of animal in general conditions (intercept), AGE of the buffaloes subjected to heat stress (slope), permanent environmental effect of animal in general conditions (intercept), permanent environmental effect of animal under heat stress conditions (slope) and random residual effect. It was expected that the general effects and the heat-tolerance effects would be correlated, represented by the present investigation's repeatability models. The variance components of FLTDMY in the present study were computed using the REML method. The threshold for THI was 78. At the THI below the threshold, the heritability estimated for the FLTDMY trait was 0.29, and the additive genetic variance (AGV) for heat stress conditions was 0. At THI of 83, AGV for heat stress conditions was highest for FLTDMY. The genetic correlation of general AGE to heat-tolerant AGE was −0.40. The results indicated that a consistent selection for milk production, avoiding the thermal tolerance, may diminish the thermal tolerance capacity of Mehsana buffaloes.

Nutritional Assessment of Protein and Sodium Contents in Commercial Senior-Friendly Foods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of senior-friendly foods sold in Korea, focusing on protein and sodium. This study examined the nutritional content of 170 products with nutritional labels that were sold in online stores in Korea and categorized the products into 93 staple foods (cooked rice, porridge, and mousse) and 77 side-dish and snack foods (braized·steam·roast products, broth, sauces, and snacks). Then, the adequacy of the nutritional content of these foods, focusing on protein and sodium, was evaluated according to product type. The 93 staple products and 77 side-dish products had average serving sizes of 163.27 g and 127.92 g, prices of $3.25 and $2.72, and energy contents of 295.25 kcal and 141.95 kcal, respectively. For staple foods, the energy content was significantly greater in cooked rice, but the protein content and index of nutrition quality (INQ) were significantly greater in mousse. There were no significant differences in sodium content or contribution to adequate intake (AI) by product type, but the sodium INQ was significantly greater in the mousse and porridge. For side-dish foods and snack products, the protein content, contribution to the recommended intake, and INQ were all significantly greater for the braized·steam·roast products. Sauces and braized·steam·roast products were significantly higher in sodium content and contribution to the AI, while broth was significantly higher in sodium INQ. These findings can be used to guide proper product selection and nutritional management that considers the health characteristics of health-vulnerable and elderly people.

CELIAC DISEASE: NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Вackground. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals and is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine due to exposure to gluten. The interest of researchers in gluten-associated diseases is growing every year. The true prevalence of celiac disease is not sufficiently studied due to the rarity of "classic" cases and the higher frequency of atypical and various clinical manifestations of this disease. Manifestation of celiac disease is possible at any age, the disease is more often diagnosed in adults. All this dictates the need to develop new algorithms for examining patients for timely detection and treatment of сеliacia. Aim: To review updated key consensus documents on the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease. Matherials and methods. The results of scientific research related to celiac disease were searched. The studies that are included were selected based on searches in the online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and others and relate to the basic methods of diagnosis and management of celiac disease. 110 sources were selected for analysis, of which were used that met the search criteria. Results. Based on the analysis of experimental and clinical studies, difficulties were identified in diagnosing celiac disease associated with a greater prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations and a rarity of "classical" cases. Methods of approach to the diagnosis of celiac disease in children and adults have been developed, taking into account invasiveness and accessibility. The basic approach in the treatment of celiac disease is a observed gluten-free diet. Regarding the selection of products, the individual characteristics of each patient are taken into account. Conclusion. To verify the diagnosis, adults and children with suspected celiac disease are recommended to perform esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy of the duodenal mucosa at several points. An alternative method of diagnosis can be a combination of a very high level of antibodies of the imonoglobulin (Ig) A class to tissue transglutaminase (TGAs) and positive antibodies to endomysium (anti EMA) in two blood samples, however, no single analysis is 100% specific for celiac disease, and the diagnostic accuracy varies significantly between different laboratories. The only proven effective treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet. In the absence of a complete clinical and serological response to diet, treatment goals are determined individually for each patient. The development of new treatments for celiac disease continues.

Intervention Methodology for the Rehabilitation of Damaged Reinforced Concrete Structures

The quantity of aging concrete infrastructure deteriorating rapidly is increasing, as are the costs of repairing these structures. The management of interventions on reinforced concrete structures is not always optimal. This is due to the absence of a comprehensive protocol capable of uniformly guiding engineers in their choices regarding the priority and types of work to be carried out on their structures. This lack of decision-making assistance results in interventions that are not always optimal in terms of costs and durability. It is therefore important to establish a diagnostic methodology in order to properly specify the origin of the damage. This will improve the interpretation of defect symptoms and therefore facilitate the subsequent choice of actions and materials required during the intervention on the structure. This study presents a methodology developed with the aim of standardizing, rationalizing, and integrating the different stages required to achieve optimal and quality interventions into a management tool. Three activities are essential in order to systematize the approach to refurbishment or maintenance of concrete structures: the diagnosis of deterioration, the evaluation of the relevance of interventions, and the selection of appropriate methods and products for refurbishment.