scholarly journals Using Stock-Flow Diagrams to Visualize Theranostic Approaches to Solid Tumors in Personalized Nanomedicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Cazzagon ◽  
Alessandra Romano ◽  
Francesco Gonella
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Dynamic Feedback ◽  
Diagnosis And Therapy ◽  
Theranostic Agent ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stock Flow

Personalized nanomedicine has rapidly evolved over the past decade to tailor the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases to the individual characteristics of each patient. In oncology, iron oxide nano-biomaterials (NBMs) have become a promising biomedical product in targeted drug delivery as well as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent and magnetic hyperthermia. The combination of diagnosis and therapy in a single nano-enabled product (so-called theranostic agent) in the personalized nanomedicine has been investigated so far mostly in terms of local events, causes-effects, and mutual relationships. However, this approach could fail in capturing the overall complexity of a system, whereas systemic approaches can be used to study the organization of phenomena in terms of dynamic configurations, independent of the nature, type, or spatial and temporal scale of the elements of the system. In medicine, complex descriptions of diseases and their evolution are daily assessed in clinical settings, which can be thus considered as complex systems exhibiting self-organizing and non-linear features, to be investigated through the identification of dynamic feedback-driven behaviors. In this study, a Systems Thinking (ST) approach is proposed to represent the complexity of the theranostic modalities in the context of the personalized nanomedicine through the setting up of a stock-flow diagram. Specifically, the interconnections between the administration of magnetite NBMs for diagnosis and therapy of tumors are fully identified, emphasizing the role of the feedback loops. The presented approach has revealed its suitability for further application in the medical field. In particular, the obtained stock-flow diagram can be adapted for improving the future knowledge of complex systems in personalized nanomedicine as well as in other nanosafety areas.

THE METHODS OF DEVELOPING COMPUTATIONAL THINKING OF STUDENTS WHILE STUDYING THE COURSE "NUMERICAL METHODS" BASED ON BLENDED LEARNING

2019 ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
M. M. Klunnikova
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Diagnostic Model ◽  
Mathematics Students ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Professional Field ◽  
The Individual

The work is devoted to the consideration of improving the quality of teaching students the discipline “Numerical methods” through the development of the cognitive component of computational thinking based on blended learning. The article presents a methodology for the formation of computational thinking of mathematics students, based on the visualization of algorithmic design schemes and the activation of the cognitive independence of students. The characteristic of computational thinking is given, the content and structure of computational thinking are shown. It is argued that a student with such a mind is able to manifest himself in his professional field in the best possible way. The results of the application of the technique are described. To determine the level of development of the cognitive component of computational thinking, a diagnostic model has been developed based on measuring the content, operational and motivational components. It is shown that the proposed method of developing computational thinking of students, taking into account the individual characteristics of students’ thinking, meaningfully based on the theoretical and practical aspects of studying the discipline, increases the effectiveness of learning the course “Numerical methods”. The materials of the article are of practical value for teachers of mathematical disciplines who use information and telecommunication technologies in their professional activities.

MEDIA SOCIALIZATION OF PERSONALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF INMUTATION IN THE MASS MEDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 104-109
Author(s):  
Chernysh O.O.
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Effective Interaction ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Media Culture ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
Media Space ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Individual

The urgency of the researched problem is connected with the growing role of mass media in modern conditions leads to change of values and transformation of identity of the person. The active growth of the role of the media, their influence on the formation and development of personality leads to the concept of “media socialization” and immutation in the media. The aim of the study is to outline the possibilities of the process of media socialization in the context of immutation in the media. The methods of our research are: analysis of pedagogical, psychological, literature, synthesis, comparison, generalization. The article analyzes the views of domestic and foreign scientists on the problem of immutation in the media and the transformation of the information space. In the context of the mass nature of the immutation of society, the concept of “media socialization” becomes relevant, which is the basis for reducing the negative impact of the media on the individual.The author identifies the lack of a thorough study of the concept of “media socialization” in modern scientific thought. Thus, media socialization is associated with the transformation of traditional means of socialization, and is to assimilate and reproduce the social experience of mankind with the help of new media.The article analyzes the essence of the concepts “media space”, “mass media” and “immutation”. The influence of mass media on the formation and development of the modern personality is described in detail.The study concluded that it is necessary to form a media culture of the individual, to establish safe and effective interaction of young people with the modern media system, the formation of media awareness, media literacy and media competence in accordance with age and individual characteristics for successful media socialization. The role of state bodies in solving the problem of media socialization of the individual was also determined. It is determined that the process of formation of media culture in youth should take place at the level of traditional institutions of socialization of the individual.The author sees the prospect of further research in a detailed analysis and study of the potential of educational institutions as an institution and a means of counteracting the mass nature of the immutation of society.Key words: immutation, media socialization, mass media, media space, information.

DECISION-MAKING ON INVESTMENT OF IT-INNOVATION BASED ON FUZZY EXPERT INFORMATION

2018 ◽  
pp. 103-111
Author(s):  
Olga Olegovna Eremenko ◽  
Lyubov Borisovna Aminul ◽  
Elena Vitalievna Chertina
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Investment Management ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Reasoning System ◽  
Managerial Decisions ◽  
The Individual

The subject of the research is the process of making managerial decisions for innovative IT projects investing. The paper focuses on the new approach to decision making on investing innovative IT projects using expert survey in a fuzzy reasoning system. As input information, expert estimates of projects have been aggregated into six indicators having a linguistic description of the individual characteristics of the project type "high", "medium", and "low". The task of decision making investing has been formalized and the term-set of the output variable Des has been defined: to invest 50-75% of the project cost; to invest 20-50% of the project cost; to invest 10-20% of the project cost; to send the project for revision; to turn down investing project. The fuzzy product model of making investment management decisions has been developed; it adequately describes the process of investment management. The expediency of using constructed production model on a practical example is shown.

THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF FORECASTING THE COST OF A SOFTWARE PRODUCT

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlo Rodionov ◽  
◽  
Anna Ploskonos ◽  
Lesya Gavrutenko ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Software Product ◽  
Continue Research ◽  
Cocomo Model ◽  
Factors Of Influence ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Cost

The paper analyzes the factors that affect the amount of effort required to create a mobile application and its cost. It is established that the main factors of influence are the design of the application, its functionality, the type of mobile platform, the availability and level of testing and support, as well as the individual characteristics of the developer. Based on the analysis of information sources, the main methods and approaches to forecasting the cost of software products are identified, which include the COCOMO model, Price-to-win method, expert evaluation, algorithmic methods and the method of analogies. It is proposed to consider the method of analogies as a tool that allows you to make predictions about the cost of resources required for the successful implementation of IT projects based on the experience of similar projects. It is proved that the advantages of this method are the simplicity of its implementation and the clarity of the results obtained, which follows from the practical orientation of this tool. Among the limitations of the method of analogy is the mandatory need for reliable data relating to similar projects, as well as the difficulty of taking into account unspecified indicators. Taking into account the mentioned limitations of the method of analogies and on the basis of the analysis of scientific sources the possible directions of its optimization are determined. Thus, among the ways to improve the effectiveness of this method are those aimed at optimizing the project selection process, the data for which are used as a basis for forecasting. Attempts to improve the method of analogies by including parameters that were previously ignored by this technique seem promising. This in turn can lead to an expansion of the scope of the method of analogies and increase the accuracy of forecasts. As prospects for further research, the need to continue research in the field of optimization of the method of analogies with the subsequent practical verification of theoretical positions on the data of real projects.

Methods for assessing territory pollution by oil or petroleum product spills

2020 ◽  
pp. 140-146
Author(s):  
S. I. Chelombitko ◽  
V. V. Piven
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Radiant Energy ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Oil And Gas Fields ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Destructive Processes ◽  
Gas Fields

During the development of oil and gas fields and transportation of hydrocarbons, the ecology of regions is subject to various negative impacts. The most severe consequences for the environment are caused by accidental spills of oil or petroleum products, which occur due to through damage to pipelines. Polluted territories are subject to mandatory reclamation in accordance with government regulations and industry regulations. However, despite the measures taken by the administrations of the northern regions to increase the rate of reclamation of damaged territories in recent years, there has been a trend of growth of areas contaminated with hydrocarbons.Various remediation technologies that have been tested in warm and temperate climates are not very effective in regions with permafrost. Pollution of the daytime surface with oil or petroleum products leads to an increase in the absorption of the sun's radiant energy, the growth of the seasonal thaw layer and the development of destructive processes for the territory. To achieve a positive effect as a result of rehabilitation measures, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the territory and the extent of its pollution.

Effect of Visual Feedback on the Static and Kinematic Characteristics of Handwriting

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pertsinakis
Keyword(s):  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Software Module ◽  
Medium Education ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Pen Tablet ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Document Examiners

Research on visual feedback has not produced consistent results to show how visual feedback or the lack, thereof, influences individual handwriting characteristics. A two-pronged approach was designed to investigate the degree of this influence. For this purpose, samples of signatures as well as cursive and block text, written with and without visual feedback, were collected from 40 volunteers and imported into a PC via a pen tablet, using an electronic inking pen. The data was analyzed in a handwriting movement analysis software module specially designed for this research that was added to the software MovAlyzeR by Neuroscript LLC. Two forensic document examiners (FDEs) independently analyzed samples from the two groups (samples executed with normal visual feedback versus the group of samples executed without visual feedback). They found no fundamental differences between these two groups. Their analyses also demonstrated that a large number of similarities existed in the general design of the allographs (alternative forms of a letter or other grapheme) and in the pictorial aspects, regardless of the complexity of the samples. In the cursive and block handwriting, four main qualitative characteristics were linked to the absence of visual feedback: change of overall size, non-uniformity of left margins, change of baseline alignment, and inclusion of extra trajectories. The statistical analysis verified the above findings. The comparative analysis also suggests that gender, educational level (above high school) and handedness create an insignificant influence on the individual characteristics of writing produced with and without visual feedback. The only notable exception is the relationship between signature duration and educational level. The volunteers with a medium education level showed a significant increase in duration while signing their names without visual feedback in comparison to those with higher education levels. The combination of the above findings suggests that handwriting is not fundamentally influenced by visual feedback.  Purchase Article - $10

Automated Control of the Microclimate in the Premises of Pig-Breeding Complexes

2020 ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Viktoriya Yu. Ukhanova
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Research Purpose ◽  
Energy Costs ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Cost

In the pig breeding, a large share of the production cost is accounted for by the cost of electricity and heat. Reducing energy costs is one of the important tasks of the industry. It is important to identify and study modern technologies and equipment for pig farming due to the constant increase in electricity tariffs, significant energy costs for creating and maintaining a microclimate. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in an analysis of modern available technologies and equipment for agricultural production, including pig farming, allowing to reduce the cost of production. (Materials and methods) Authors used a method for determining the standard indicators of energy consumption of energy resources in the pig industry, based on the calculation and analytical method. The article presents an analyze of automated microclimate management systems in pig breeding complexes, taking into account the individual characteristics of farms produced by OWEN. (Results and discussion) Automated microclimate management systems can improve the productivity of pig farms; reduce the cost of electrical and thermal energy, reduce the number of diseases of animal from hypothermia, high humidity or temperature in the room, feed consumption; monitor the chemical composition of the air. The article considers three options for creating a microclimate in rooms with animals, taking into account the individual characteristics of enterprises. (Conclusions) The profitability of pig production depend on the level of technical equipment of farms, automation, and the use of energy-saving technologies and equipment. The use of innovations in agricultural production makes it possible to increase labor productivity up to three times, and savings due to reduced feed costs can reach several million rubles a year.

A novel clinical applicable bed-side tool for assessing conditioning pain modulation: proof-of-concept

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-807
Author(s):  
Lars Arendt-Nielsen ◽  
Jesper Bie Larsen ◽  
Stine Rasmussen ◽  
Malene Krogh ◽  
Laura Borg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Finger Nail ◽  
Tonic Stimulus ◽  
Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Descending Pain Modulation ◽  
Finger Pressure

AbstractBackground and aimsIn recent years, focus on assessing descending pain modulation or conditioning pain modulation (CPM) has emerged in patients with chronic pain. This requires reliable and simple to use bed-side tools to be applied in the clinic. The aim of the present pilot study was to develop and provide proof-of-concept of a simple clinically applicable bed-side tool for assessing CPM.MethodsA group of 26 healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed as test stimuli from the lower leg before, during and 5 min after delivering the conditioning tonic painful pressure stimulation. The tonic stimulus was delivered for 2 min by a custom-made spring-loaded finger pressure device applying a fixed pressure (2.2 kg) to the index finger nail. The pain intensity provoked by the tonic stimulus was continuously recorded on a 0–10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe median tonic pain stimulus intensity was 6.7 cm (interquartile range: 4.6–8.4 cm) on the 10 cm VAS. The mean PPT increased significantly (P = 0.034) by 55 ± 126 kPa from 518 ± 173 kPa before to 573 ± 228 kPa during conditioning stimulation. When analyzing the individual CPM responses (increases in PPT), a distribution of positive and negative CPM responders was observed with 69% of the individuals classified as positive CPM responders (increased PPTs = anti-nociceptive) and the rest as negative CPM responders (no or decreased PPTs = Pro-nociceptive). This particular responder distribution explains the large variation in the averaged CPM responses observed in many CPM studies. The strongest positive CPM response was an increase of 418 kPa and the strongest negative CPM response was a decrease of 140 kPa.ConclusionsThe present newly developed conditioning pain stimulator provides a simple, applicable tool for routine CPM assessment in clinical practice. Further, reporting averaged CPM effects should be replaced by categorizing volunteers/patients into anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive CPM groups.ImplicationsThe finger pressure device provided moderate-to-high pain intensities and was useful for inducing conditioning stimuli. Therefore, the finger pressure device could be a useful bed-side method for measuring CPM in clinical settings with limited time available. Future bed-side studies involving patient populations are warranted to determine the usefulness of the method.

scholarly journals Repeated electromagnetic field stimulation lowers amyloid-β peptide levels in primary human mixed brain tissue cultures

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe P. Perez ◽  
Bryan Maloney ◽  
Nipun Chopra ◽  
Jorge J. Morisaki ◽  
Debomoy K. Lahiri
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Field Stimulation ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

AbstractLate Onset Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by extracellular deposition of plaques primarily of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and tangles primarily of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. We present data to suggest a noninvasive strategy to decrease potentially toxic Aβ levels, using repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REMFS) in primary human brain (PHB) cultures. We examined effects of REMFS on Aβ levels (Aβ40 and Aβ42, that are 40 or 42 amino acid residues in length, respectively) in PHB cultures at different frequencies, powers, and specific absorption rates (SAR). PHB cultures at day in vitro 7 (DIV7) treated with 64 MHz, and 1 hour daily for 14 days (DIV 21) had significantly reduced levels of secreted Aβ40 (p = 001) and Aβ42 (p = 0.029) peptides, compared to untreated cultures. PHB cultures (DIV7) treated at 64 MHz, for 1 or 2 hour during 14 days also produced significantly lower Aβ levels. PHB cultures (DIV28) treated with 64 MHz 1 hour/day during 4 or 8 days produced a similar significant reduction in Aβ40 levels. 0.4 W/kg was the minimum SAR required to produce a biological effect. Exposure did not result in cellular toxicity nor significant changes in secreted Aβ precursor protein-α (sAPPα) levels, suggesting the decrease in Aβ did not likely result from redirection toward the α-secretase pathway. EMF frequency and power used in our work is utilized in human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, thus suggesting REMFS can be further developed in clinical settings to modulate Aβ deposition.

scholarly journals A detailed analysis of anatomical plausibility of crossed and uncrossed streamline rendition of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT(T)) in a commercial stereotactic planning system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker A. Coenen ◽  
Bastian E. Sajonz ◽  
Peter C. Reinacher ◽  
Christoph P. Kaller ◽  
Horst Urbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Fiber Structure ◽  
Native Space ◽  
Volume Of Interest ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background An increasing number of neurosurgeons use display of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT) based on diffusion weighted imaging (dMRI) as basis for their routine planning of stimulation or lesioning approaches in stereotactic tremor surgery. An evaluation of the anatomical validity of the display of the DRT with respect to modern stereotactic planning systems and across different tracking environments has not been performed. Methods Distinct dMRI and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of high and low quality from 9 subjects were used. Six subjects had repeated MRI scans and therefore entered the analysis twice. Standardized DICOM structure templates for volume of interest definition were applied in native space for all investigations. For tracking BrainLab Elements (BrainLab, Munich, Germany), two tensor deterministic tracking (FT2), MRtrix IFOD2 (https://www.mrtrix.org), and a global tracking (GT) approach were used to compare the display of the uncrossed (DRTu) and crossed (DRTx) fiber structure after transformation into MNI space. The resulting streamlines were investigated for congruence, reproducibility, anatomical validity, and penetration of anatomical way point structures. Results In general, the DRTu can be depicted with good quality (as judged by waypoints). FT2 (surgical) and GT (neuroscientific) show high congruence. While GT shows partly reproducible results for DRTx, the crossed pathway cannot be reliably reconstructed with the other (iFOD2 and FT2) algorithms. Conclusion Since a direct anatomical comparison is difficult in the individual subjects, we chose a comparison with two research tracking environments as the best possible “ground truth.” FT2 is useful especially because of its manual editing possibilities of cutting erroneous fibers on the single subject level. An uncertainty of 2 mm as mean displacement of DRTu is expectable and should be respected when using this approach for surgical planning. Tractographic renditions of the DRTx on the single subject level seem to be still illusive.

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