Ageing-induced changes of reduced and oxidized glutathione in fragments of maize seedlings

A trial with four maize inbred lines with the ability to have different durations of seed germination in the course of the accelerated ageing (AA) treatment was set up. Changes of the content of total, reduced and oxidized glutathione (expressed as monomers) were observed in the seeds and seedlings before and after the treatment. For the first time, changes of glutathione in whole seedlings, as well as in the rest of the seed, were analyzed. It was noticed that maize in breds with a smaller decrease of the total glutathione but with an increase of the oxidized form had the ability of prolonged germination. In the control seed- lings, the amount of total glutathione was lower than in the treated ones. Maize seeds which lost germination faster had greater losses of total glutathione with an increased content of the oxidized form in seedlings. The ability of prolonged germination together with the possibility of glutathione synthesis in seedlings are genotypic traits.

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Study of effect of propranolol, atenolol and celiprolol on exercise induced changes in heart rate, blood pressure and peak expiratory flow rate in healthy human volunteers

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20191582 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 950

Author(s):

Sumit P. Patel ◽

Rima B. Shah

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Beta Blockers ◽

Sympathetic Stimulation ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Cardiovascular Parameters ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Set Up ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Induced Changes

Background: Beta blockers are known to cause attenuation of sympathetic stimulation mediated increase in cardiovascular parameters. Very few studies are available in Indian set-up comparing these changes between different beta blockers available in market. The objective of the study was to compare efficacy and safety of propranolol, atenolol and celiprolol on heart rare, blood pressure and airway resistance, both at rest and during exercise.Methods: A prospective interventional study was carried out involving 72 healthy volunteers in the clinical pharmacology laboratory. Participants were divided in three groups of 24 each and given single oral doses of propranolol 40 mg, Atenolol 50 mg and celiprolol 40 mg was given to the participants. Exercise given in the form of step ladder test and hand grip dynamometer and effect on the different parameters like HR, SBP, DBP and PEFR were recorded before and immediately after exercise and compared.Results: All the three drugs were effective in attenuating the exercise induced cardiovascular parameters (p <0.05). Drug A cause change in HR, SBP, DBP and PEFR significantly (p <0.05). Change in SBP was more significant with drug B while significant difference was found in HR, SBP and DBP before and after exercise in drug C in both SL and HGD tests. No significant difference was found between the drug groups (p >0.05). No adverse effects were reported in the study participants.Conclusions: All the three drugs are effective in attenuating cardiovascular changes after sympathetic stimulation like exercise and there was no significant difference among them.

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Evaluation of Freezing Methods by Low Temperature X-Ray Diffraction

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100079176 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 330-333

Author(s):

T. Gulik-Krzywicki ◽

M.J. Costello

Keyword(s):

Biological Materials ◽

Molecular Organization ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Glass Capillary ◽

X Ray ◽

Rate Dependent ◽

Before And After ◽

Freeze Etching ◽

Diffraction Patterns ◽

Set Up

Freeze-etching electron microscopy is currently one of the best methods for studying molecular organization of biological materials. Its application, however, is still limited by our imprecise knowledge about the perturbations of the original organization which may occur during quenching and fracturing of the samples and during the replication of fractured surfaces. Although it is well known that the preservation of the molecular organization of biological materials is critically dependent on the rate of freezing of the samples, little information is presently available concerning the nature and the extent of freezing-rate dependent perturbations of the original organizations. In order to obtain this information, we have developed a method based on the comparison of x-ray diffraction patterns of samples before and after freezing, prior to fracturing and replication.Our experimental set-up is shown in Fig. 1. The sample to be quenched is placed on its holder which is then mounted on a small metal holder (O) fixed on a glass capillary (p), whose position is controlled by a micromanipulator.

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Methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in dogs: effects of lung volume and O3 exposure

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1988.65.6.2679 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 65 (6) ◽

pp. 2679-2686 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

S. T. Kariya ◽

S. A. Shore ◽

W. A. Skornik ◽

K. Anderson ◽

R. H. Ingram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Volume ◽

Maximal Response ◽

Maximal Effect ◽

Response Curves ◽

Lung Volumes ◽

Before And After ◽

Residual Capacity ◽

Induced Changes ◽

Conducting Airways ◽

Concentration Response Curve

The maximal effect induced by methacholine (MCh) aerosols on pulmonary resistance (RL), and the effects of altering lung volume and O3 exposure on these induced changes in RL, was studied in five anesthetized and paralyzed dogs. RL was measured at functional residual capacity (FRC), and lung volumes above and below FRC, after exposure to MCh aerosols generated from solutions of 0.1-300 mg MCh/ml. The relative site of response was examined by magnifying parenchymal [RL with large tidal volume (VT) at fast frequency (RLLS)] or airway effects [RL with small VT at fast frequency (RLSF)]. Measurements were performed on dogs before and after 2 h of exposure to 3 ppm O3. MCh concentration-response curves for both RLLS and RLSF were sigmoid shaped. Alterations in mean lung volume did not alter RLLS; however, RLSF was larger below FRC than at higher lung volumes. Although O3 exposure resulted in small leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve for RLLS, the airway dominated index of RL (RLSF) was not altered by O3 exposure, nor was the maximal response using either index of RL. These data suggest O3 exposure does not affect MCh responses in conducting airways; rather, it affects responses of peripheral contractile elements to MCh, without changing their maximal response.

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Research on pull-type multi-AGV system dynamic path optimization based on time window

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering ◽

10.1177/0954407020982716 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095440702098271

Author(s):

Hongying Shan ◽

Chuang Wang ◽

Cungang Zou ◽

Mengyao Qin

Keyword(s):

Path Planning ◽

Time Window ◽

Planning Problem ◽

Dijkstra Algorithm ◽

Before And After ◽

Common Planning ◽

Planning Algorithm ◽

Dynamic Path ◽

Set Up ◽

Path Planning Algorithm

This paper is a study of the dynamic path planning problem of the pull-type multiple Automated Guided Vehicle (multi-AGV) complex system. First, based on research status at home and abroad, the conflict types, common planning algorithms, and task scheduling methods of different AGV complex systems are compared and analyzed. After comparing the different algorithms, the Dijkstra algorithm was selected as the path planning algorithm. Secondly, a mathematical model is set up for the shortest path of the total driving path, and a general algorithm for multi-AGV collision-free path planning based on a time window is proposed. After a thorough study of the shortcomings of traditional single-car planning and conflict resolution algorithms, a time window improvement algorithm for the planning path and the solution of the path conflict covariance is established. Experiments on VC++ software showed that the improved algorithm reduces the time of path planning and improves the punctual delivery rate of tasks. Finally, the algorithm is applied to material distribution in the OSIS workshop of a C enterprise company. It can be determined that the method is feasible in the actual production and has a certain application value by the improvement of the data before and after the comparison.

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Wear and Friction Characteristics of 65Mn Steel for Spike-Tooth Harrow

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings11030319 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 319

Author(s):

Zhiguo Lu ◽

Chuanyu Du ◽

Qingcai Chen ◽

Tianying Niu ◽

Na Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Friction And Wear ◽

Working Environment ◽

Manganese Steel ◽

Wear Loss ◽

Variable Parameters ◽

Wear Characteristics ◽

Before And After ◽

Set Up ◽

Worn Surface ◽

Friction And Wear Characteristics

The friction and wear characteristics of spike-tooth material (65Mn steel) of Spike-Tooth Harrow in a two-stage peanut harvester were studied in this paper. The friction and wear tests of pin and disc on 65 manganese steel were carried out on the tribometer, then the wear loss and the friction coefficient were studied. The wear loss of the pin was acquired by calculating the mass of the pin before and after the experiment using an electronic balance. According to the actual working environment of peanut spring-finger, four variable parameters are set up: load, speed, soil moisture and soil type. The friction and wear characteristics of pins were studied under different loads, speeds and different soil environments. After wearing, the worn surface of the material was observed by scanning microscope and the wear mechanism was studied. The experimental results show that the wear of the pin increases with the increase of load and decreases with the increase of rotational speed in the same rotation number. Especially in the case of the sandy soil with 20% in moisture, a maximum wear loss of the pin is achieved.

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Innovative passive reinforcements for the gradual stabilization of a landslide according with the observational method

Landslides ◽

10.1007/s10346-021-01638-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lorenzo Brezzi ◽

Alberto Bisson ◽

Davide Pasa ◽

Simonetta Cola

Keyword(s):

Monitoring System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Fe Model ◽

Site Conditions ◽

Observational Method ◽

Rainy Period ◽

Sustainable Solutions ◽

Before And After ◽

Set Up

AbstractA large number of landslides occur in North-Eastern Italy during every rainy period due to the particular hydrogeological conditions of this area. Even if there are no casualties, the economic losses are often significant, and municipalities frequently do not have sufficient financial resources to repair the damage and stabilize all the unstable slopes. In this regard, the research for more economically sustainable solutions is a crucial challenge. Floating composite anchors are an innovative and low-cost technique set up for slope stabilization: it consists in the use of passive sub-horizontal reinforcements, obtained by coupling a traditional self-drilling bar with some tendons cemented inside it. This work concerns the application of this technique according to the observational method described within the Italian and European technical codes and mainly recommended for the design of geotechnical works, especially when performed in highly uncertain site conditions. The observational method prescribes designing an intervention and, at the same time, using a monitoring system in order to correct and adapt the project during realization of the works on the basis of new data acquired while on site. The case study is the landslide of Cischele, a medium landslide which occurred in 2010 after an exceptional heavy rainy period. In 2015, some floating composite anchors were installed to slow down the movement, even if, due to a limited budget, they were not enough to ensure the complete stabilization of the slope. Thanks to a monitoring system installed in the meantime, it is now possible to have a comparison between the site conditions before and after the intervention. This allows the evaluation of benefits achieved with the reinforcements and, at the same time, the assessment of additional improvements. Two stabilization scenarios are studied through an FE model: the first includes the stabilization system built in 2015, while the second evaluates a new solution proposed to further increase the slope stability.

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The Effect of Dual Language Activation on L2-Induced Changes in L1 Speech within a Code-Switched Paradigm

Languages ◽

10.3390/languages6030114 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 114

Author(s):

Ulrich Reubold ◽

Sanne Ditewig ◽

Robert Mayr ◽

Ineke Mennen

Keyword(s):

Dual Language ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Predictor Variable ◽

Predictor Variables ◽

Acoustic Measures ◽

Before And After ◽

Language Activation ◽

Dual Activation ◽

Induced Changes

The present study sought to examine the effect of dual language activation on L1 speech in late English–Austrian German sequential bilinguals, and to identify relevant predictor variables. To this end, we compared the English speech patterns of adult migrants to Austria in a code-switched and monolingual condition alongside those of monolingual native speakers in England in a monolingual condition. In the code-switched materials, German words containing target segments known to trigger cross-linguistic interaction in the two languages (i.e., [v–w], [ʃt(ʁ)-st(ɹ)] and [l-ɫ]) were inserted into an English frame; monolingual materials comprised English words with the same segments. To examine whether the position of the German item affects L1 speech, the segments occurred either before the switch (“He wants a Wienerschnitzel”) or after (“I like Würstel with mustard”). Critical acoustic measures of these segments revealed no differences between the groups in the monolingual condition, but significant L2-induced shifts in the bilinguals’ L1 speech production in the code-switched condition for some sounds. These were found to occur both before and after a code-switch, and exhibited a fair amount of individual variation. Only the amount of L2 use was found to be a significant predictor variable for shift size in code-switched compared with monolingual utterances, and only for [w]. These results have important implications for the role of dual activation in the speech of late sequential bilinguals.

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Reducing Culture Reporting Errors in the Microbiology Laboratory

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqz125.009 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S131-S132

Author(s):

Kathryn Hogan ◽

Beena Umar ◽

Mohamed Alhamar ◽

Kathleen Callahan ◽

Linoj Samuel

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Error Rate ◽

Reporting System ◽

Error Rates ◽

Tracking Errors ◽

Corrective Measures ◽

Safety Awareness ◽

Before And After ◽

Set Up ◽

System Errors

Abstract Objectives There are few papers that characterize types of errors in microbiology laboratories and scant research demonstrating the effects of interventions on microbiology lab errors. This study aims to categorize types of culture reporting errors found in microbiology labs and to document the error rates before and after interventions designed to reduce errors and improve overall laboratory quality. Methods To improve documentation of error incidence, a self-reporting system was changed to an automatic reporting system. Errors were categorized into five types Gram stain (misinterpretations), identification (incorrect analysis), set up labeling (incorrect patient labels), procedures (not followed), and miscellaneous. Error rates were tracked according to technologist, and technologists were given real-time feedback by a manager. Error rates were also monitored in the daily quality meeting and frequently detected errors were discussed at staff meetings. Technologists attended a year-end review with a manager to improve their performance. To maintain these changes, policies were developed to monitor technologist error rate and to define corrective measures. If a certain number of errors per month was reached, technologists were required to undergo retraining by a manager. If a technologist failed to correct any error according to protocol, they were also potentially subject to corrective measures. Results In 2013, we recorded 0.5 errors per 1,000 tests. By 2018, we recorded only 0.1 errors per 1,000 tests, an 80% decrease. The yearly culture volume from 2013 to 2018 increased by 32%, while the yearly error rate went from 0.05% per year to 0.01% per year, a statistically significant decrease (P = .0007). Conclusion This study supports the effectiveness of the changes implemented to decrease errors in culture reporting. By tracking errors in real time and using a standardized process that involved timely follow-up, technologists were educated on error prevention. This practice increased safety awareness in our micro lab.

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Frey's syndrome: treatment with botulinum toxin

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215100138769 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 111 (9) ◽

pp. 839-844 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

A. Bjerkhoel ◽

O. Trobbe

Keyword(s):

Botulinum Toxin ◽

Botulinum Toxin A ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Frey’S Syndrome ◽

Need For Treatment ◽

Gustatory Sweating ◽

Parotid Surgery ◽

Frey's Syndrome ◽

Before And After ◽

Set Up

AbstractFrey's syndrome, i.e. gustatory sweating on the cheek, is a fairly common embarrassment after parotid gland surgery. New surgical techniques have been proposed to avoid this complication, but are not widely in use. Hence, there is need for treatment of Frey's syndrome. All surgical and topical treatments have drawbacks. This study was set up in order to evaluate a recently described treatment. One hundred and two patients were interviewed after parotidectomy. Thirty-one of them had noticed gustatory sweating and 15 patients underwent Minor's starch iodine test before, and after, treatment with intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox®, Allergan Inc., USA). Thirteen of the patients did not experience any gustatory sweating at follow-up (one to 13 months). Minor's starch test showed total disappearance of gustatory sweating in 12 of the 15 treated patients. The only side effect was a discreet, transitory affection of the orbicularis oris muscle in one patient. As this treatment is minimally invasive it could be an attractive treatment for Frey's syndrome if the effect is maintained. Complaints of local hypoaesthesia and pain were also common after parotid surgery.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Time Change in Cognitive Function in Volunteers in Tehran

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v9n2p119 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 119 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marjan Erfani ◽

Hedayat Sahraei ◽

Zahra Bahari ◽

Gholam Hossein Meftahi ◽

Boshra Hatef ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Reduction Reaction ◽

Plasma Cortisol Level ◽

Mental Fatigue ◽

Time Change ◽

General Mental Health ◽

Before And After ◽

Time Changes

BACKGROUND: Time change (which can lead to sleep duration decrements) can lead to brain dysfunction if repeated. In the present study, cognitive functions of the volunteers were evaluated before and after the time changes in Tehran.METHODS: Eleven, voluntary healthy persons (21±2 year old) were evaluated for their cognitive functions including sustain attention, reaction time, and mental fatigue twenty-one days before the time changes and thirty-eight days after time change using PASAT software. In addition, plasma cortisol level was measured before and after the time changes.RESULTS: After the time changes salivary cortisol concentration increase, but general mental health was decreased. Sustain attention was shortened after time change which was significantly different compared with before the time changes. Reaction time was increased after the time changes in comparison with the before the time changes, but was not statistically significant. In addition, mental fatigue was increased after the time changes.CONCLUSION: It seems that time change may reduce brain cognitive functions which are manifested by general mental health, sustain attention reduction, reaction time as well as mental fatigue.

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