scholarly journals Color variability and relationship with basic density and extractive content of Calycophyllum spruceanum wood

FLORESTA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Bezerra da Silva ◽  
Jaily Kerller Batista de Andrade ◽  
Marina Donária Chaves Arantes ◽  
João Gabriel Missia da Silva ◽  
Victor Fassina Brocco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basic Density ◽  
Radial Position ◽  
Extractive Content ◽  
Technical Standards ◽  
Wood Color ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
End Use ◽  
Cutting Height

There are reports relating color to extractives, however there is a lack of information about the effect of other characteristics on the colorimetry of wood. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal and radial variability of color and its relationship with the basic density and extractive contents of Calycophyllum spruceanum wood from a six-year-old plantation located in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. The determination and assessment of the wood color were carried out by the Commission Internationale de L’Éclairage - CIE-L*a*b* system. The basic density and extractive contents were determined according to current technical standards. The species wood color was classified as yellowish olive. The highest and lowest lightness (L*) were longitudinally observed in the base (cutting height) and diameter at breast height (DBH), taken at 1.30 m from the ground. In relation to radial position, the lightness (L*) was lower in peripheral regions of the trunk. Higher concentrations of redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) and saturation (C) occurred along the DBH and the external radial position. In evaluating age, the extractive contents were not correlated to the wood color, while the basic density was correlated with a*, b*, C and h* colorimetric parameters. The colorimetric characterization of this specie contributes to its proper identification and a more homogeneous classification of lumber, and can be used from the log break-down (sawing) to its end use, adding commercial value to the wood.

scholarly journals Energy End-Use Categorization and Performance Indicators for Energy Management in the Engineering Industry

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayas Kanchiralla ◽  
Noor Jalo ◽  
Simon Johnsson ◽  
Patrik Thollander ◽  
Maria Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Manufacturing Operations ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Hierarchical Levels ◽  
End Use ◽  
And Performance

Energy efficiency (EE) improvement is one of the most crucial elements in the decarbonization of industry. EE potential within industries largely remains untapped due to the lack of information regarding potential EE measures (EEM), knowledge regarding energy use, and due to the existence of some inconsistencies in the evaluation of energy use. Classification of energy end-using processes would increase the understanding of energy use, which in turn would increase the detection and deployment of EEMs. The study presents a novel taxonomy with hierarchical levels for energy end-use in manufacturing operations for the engineering industry, analyzes processes in terms of energy end-use (EEU) and CO2 emissions, and scrutinizes energy performance indicators (EnPIs), as well as proposing potential new EnPIs that are suitable for the engineering industry. Even though the study has been conducted with a focus on the Swedish engineering industry, the study may be generalizable to the engineering industry beyond Sweden.

scholarly journals Morphological and Ultrastructural Characterization of Hemocytes in an Insect Model, the Hematophagous Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Natalia R. Moyetta ◽  
Fabián O. Ramos ◽  
Jimena Leyria ◽  
Lilián E. Canavoso ◽  
Leonardo L. Fruttero
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Ultrastructural Characterization ◽  
Current Classification ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
First Time ◽  
Controversial Aspect

Hemocytes, the cells present in the hemolymph of insects and other invertebrates, perform several physiological functions, including innate immunity. The current classification of hemocyte types is based mostly on morphological features; however, divergences have emerged among specialists in triatomines, the insect vectors of Chagas’ disease (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Here, we have combined technical approaches in order to characterize the hemocytes from fifth instar nymphs of the triatomine Dipetalogaster maxima. Moreover, in this work we describe, for the first time, the ultrastructural features of D. maxima hemocytes. Using phase contrast microscopy of fresh preparations, five hemocyte populations were identified and further characterized by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. The plasmatocytes and the granulocytes were the most abundant cell types, although prohemocytes, adipohemocytes and oenocytes were also found. This work sheds light on a controversial aspect of triatomine cell biology and physiology setting the basis for future in-depth studies directed to address hemocyte classification using non-microscopy-based markers.

scholarly journals Semi-automated regional classification of the style of activity of slow rock-slope deformations using PS InSAR and SqueeSAR velocity data

Landslides ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Crippa ◽  
Elena Valbuzzi ◽  
Paolo Frattini ◽  
Giovanni B. Crosta ◽  
Margherita C. Spreafico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rock Slope ◽  
Progressive Failure ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Displacement Rate ◽  
Machine Learning Classification ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Alpine Environments

AbstractLarge slow rock-slope deformations, including deep-seated gravitational slope deformations and large landslides, are widespread in alpine environments. They develop over thousands of years by progressive failure, resulting in slow movements that impact infrastructures and can eventually evolve into catastrophic rockslides. A robust characterization of their style of activity is thus required in a risk management perspective. We combine an original inventory of slow rock-slope deformations with different PS-InSAR and SqueeSAR datasets to develop a novel, semi-automated approach to characterize and classify 208 slow rock-slope deformations in Lombardia (Italian Central Alps) based on their displacement rate, kinematics, heterogeneity and morphometric expression. Through a peak analysis of displacement rate distributions, we characterize the segmentation of mapped landslides and highlight the occurrence of nested sectors with differential activity and displacement rates. Combining 2D decomposition of InSAR velocity vectors and machine learning classification, we develop an automatic approach to characterize the kinematics of each landslide. Then, we sequentially combine principal component and K-medoids cluster analyses to identify groups of slow rock-slope deformations with consistent styles of activity. Our methodology is readily applicable to different landslide datasets and provides an objective and cost-effective support to land planning and the prioritization of local-scale studies aimed at granting safety and infrastructure integrity.

scholarly journals The Underlying Order Induced by Orthogonality and the Quantum Speed Limit

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-388
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Sevilla ◽  
Andrea Valdés-Hernández ◽  
Alan J. Barrios
Keyword(s):  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Energy Distribution ◽  
Finite Time ◽  
Complete Characterization ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Orthogonality Condition ◽  
Speed Limit ◽  
Physical Quantities

We perform a comprehensive analysis of the set of parameters {ri} that provide the energy distribution of pure qutrits that evolve towards a distinguishable state at a finite time τ, when evolving under an arbitrary and time-independent Hamiltonian. The orthogonality condition is exactly solved, revealing a non-trivial interrelation between τ and the energy spectrum and allowing the classification of {ri} into families organized in a 2-simplex, δ2. Furthermore, the states determined by {ri} are likewise analyzed according to their quantum-speed limit. Namely, we construct a map that distinguishes those ris in δ2 correspondent to states whose orthogonality time is limited by the Mandelstam–Tamm bound from those restricted by the Margolus–Levitin one. Our results offer a complete characterization of the physical quantities that become relevant in both the preparation and study of the dynamics of three-level states evolving towards orthogonality.

scholarly journals Molecular Classification and Tumor Microenvironment Characterization of Gallbladder Cancer by Comprehensive Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 733
Author(s):  
Nobutaka Ebata ◽  
Masashi Fujita ◽  
Shota Sasagawa ◽  
Kazuhiro Maejima ◽  
Yuki Okawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Gallbladder Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Molecular Classification ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Elevated Expression ◽  
Fresh Frozen ◽  
Therapeutic Decision Making

Gallbladder cancer (GBC), a rare but lethal disease, is often diagnosed at advanced stages. So far, molecular characterization of GBC is insufficient, and a comprehensive molecular portrait is warranted to uncover new targets and classify GBC. We performed a transcriptome analysis of both coding and non-coding RNAs from 36 GBC fresh-frozen samples. The results were integrated with those of comprehensive mutation profiling based on whole-genome or exome sequencing. The clustering analysis of RNA-seq data facilitated the classification of GBCs into two subclasses, characterized by high or low expression levels of TME (tumor microenvironment) genes. A correlation was observed between gene expression and pathological immunostaining. TME-rich tumors showed significantly poor prognosis and higher recurrence rate than TME-poor tumors. TME-rich tumors showed overexpression of genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation or immune suppression, which was validated by immunostaining. One non-coding RNA, miR125B1, exhibited elevated expression in stroma-rich tumors, and miR125B1 knockout in GBC cell lines decreased its invasion ability and altered the EMT pathway. Mutation profiles revealed TP53 (47%) as the most commonly mutated gene, followed by ELF3 (13%) and ARID1A (11%). Mutations of ARID1A, ERBB3, and the genes related to the TGF-β signaling pathway were enriched in TME-rich tumors. This comprehensive analysis demonstrated that TME, EMT, and TGF-β pathway alterations are the main drivers of GBC and provides a new classification of GBCs that may be useful for therapeutic decision-making.

scholarly journals NIMG-53. GLUTAMATE/GABA RATIO ON MRS IS ELEVATED IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER GRADE GLIOMAS AND SEIZURES

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii159-ii160
Author(s):  
Roberta Rudà ◽  
Riccardo Pascuzzo ◽  
Francesca Mo ◽  
Alessia Pellerino ◽  
Peter B Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Location ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Baseline Evaluation ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
Grade Iii

Abstract BACKGROUND There is lack of information on the role of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the development of seizures in patients with lower grade gliomas. Increase of glutamate and downregulation of GABA have been suggested in preclinical models and human surgical samples to be associated with brain tumor-related epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We prospectively investigated with the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) the differences in the ratio of metabolites (glutamate/GABA, glutamate/creatine and GABA/creatine) in the peritumoral areas between patients with or without seizures in a series of lower grade gliomas. Tumors were classified according to WHO Classification of 2016 as follows:11 grade II IDH mutated and 1p/19q codeleted; 3 grade III IDH mutated and 1p/19q codeleted; 6 grade II IDH mutated and 1p/19q intact; 1 grade III IDH mutated and 1p/19q intact; 1 grade II IDH wild-type. Patients received surgery alone or followed by temozolomide chemotherapy according to the presence of risk factors. RESULTS At baseline evaluation, maximum glutamate/GABA values were significantly higher (p=0.023) in the peritumoral area of patients with seizures (1.008 ± 0.368) with respect to those without seizures (0.691 ± 0.170). No other metabolites ratio showed significant differences between the two groups. Similar results were obtained when analyzing the metabolites ratio in the examinations during the follow-up. In the cohort of patients with seizures (n.14) variations of metabolite ratios were not associated with tumor location, 1p/19q codeletion, use of AEDs, concomitant chemotherapy or seizure characteristics (type, duration, frequency). CONCLUSIONS The study is ongoing with the aim of analyzing further the correlations between ratio of metabolites and status of the tumor (stable vs progressive).

scholarly journals In vitro cytotoxicity of Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. extract fractions

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sospeter N. Njeru ◽  
Jackson M. Muema
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Root Extract ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract Objectives We and others have shown that Aspilia pluriseta is associated with various biological activities. However, there is a lack of information on its cytotoxicity. This has created an information gap about the safety of A. pluriseta extracts. As an extension to our recent publication on the antimicrobial activity and the phytochemical characterization of A. pluriseta root extracts, here we report on cytotoxicity of tested solvent fractions. We evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of these root extract fractions on Vero cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results We show that all solvent extract fractions (except methanolic solvent fractions) had cytotoxic concentration values that killed 50% of the Vero cells (CC50) greater than 20 µg/mL and selectivity index (SI) greater than 1.0. Taken together, we demonstrate that, A. pluriseta extract fractions’ earlier reported bioactivities are within the acceptable cytotoxicity and selective index limits. This finding scientifically validates the potential use of A. pluriseta in the discovery of safe therapeutics agents.

scholarly journals Practical classification of triple-negative breast cancer: intratumoral heterogeneity, mechanisms of drug resistance, and novel therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Marra ◽  
Dario Trapani ◽  
Giulia Viale ◽  
Carmen Criscitiello ◽  
Giuseppe Curigliano
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring ◽  
Anticancer Treatment ◽  
Immune Contexture

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is not a unique disease, encompassing multiple entities with marked histopathological, transcriptomic and genomic heterogeneity. Despite several efforts, transcriptomic and genomic classifications have remained merely theoretic and most of the patients are being treated with chemotherapy. Driver alterations in potentially targetable genes, including PIK3CA and AKT, have been identified across TNBC subtypes, prompting the implementation of biomarker-driven therapeutic approaches. However, biomarker-based treatments as well as immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy have provided contrasting and limited results so far. Accordingly, a better characterization of the genomic and immune contexture underpinning TNBC, as well as the translation of the lessons learnt in the metastatic disease to the early setting would improve patients’ outcomes. The application of multi-omics technologies, biocomputational algorithms, assays for minimal residual disease monitoring and novel clinical trial designs are strongly warranted to pave the way toward personalized anticancer treatment for patients with TNBC.

PENYUSUNAN BUKU PANDUAN PRAKTIK WISATA YANG BERTANGGUNG JAWAB DALAM PENDAKIAN GUNUNG

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Jussac Maulana Masjhoer ◽  
Dwi Wibowo ◽  
Bijak Qoulan Sadida ◽  
Inosensius Tito Ogista
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Mountain Climbing ◽  
Tourist Behavior ◽  
The Public ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Responsible Tourism

The lack of information related to the best practices in responsible tourism is one of the causes to tourist behavior problems. This study aims to determine the behavior of tourists in hiking, the adoption of responsible tourism practices, and to compile a responsible tourism practices guidebook. The research method used is survey research by spreading the questionnaire. Based on Likert analysis, at the pre-ascending stage, the classification of attitudes indicated by the respondents for cost and transportation is quite agreeable, while for equipment, guide, and simaksi is agreed. The ascent stage, the indicator when going up the mountain is quite agree, camping is not agree, the cook is agree, and when down the mountain is strongly agree. The post-ascent stage shows quite agreeable attitude. The public test of the guidebook, for the aspect of size and language of submission shows an agreeable attitude, while for the design, thickness, and content of the book shows an agreeable attitude. The conclusion is that (1) Still found the behavior of tourists in mountain climbing that is not environmentally friendly, (2) The responsible tourism practices of mountaineering that includes pre-ascending, ascent, and post-ascent, not well implemented by tourists, and (3) The responsible tourism practices guidebook still lack both technical and substance. Keywords: responsible tourism, mountain hiking, guidebook, tourist behavior

Characterization of Electroencephalographic Findings at an Electrodiagnostic Unit of a Tertiary Hospital, North-central Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
E U Iwuozo ◽  
J O Enyikwola ◽  
I O Obekpa ◽  
O O Ijachi ◽  
A A Godwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Seizure Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North Central ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Diagnosis And Classification ◽  
Age Range

Electroencephalography (EEG) remains an important investigative tool in supporting the diagnosis and classification of various seizure types. We sought to examine and characterize the EEG findings from all patients referred for the procedure. This cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out at an EEG unit in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria from May 2016 to December 2020. Relevant patients' information were extracted and analysed using SPSS version 21. A total of 484 patients were seen over the study period with age range of 1-87 years and median age of 23 years. They comprised of 254 (52.5%) male and 230 (47.5%) female. The psychiatrist and the Physicians/Neurologist referred most of them for EEG, 201 (41.5%) and 124 (25.6%) respectively. The most reported indication for EEG was clinical suspicion of seizure disorder 291 (60.1%), whilst some did not have a clear indication 111 (22.9%). About 417 (86.2%) of our patients had abnormal EEG finding out of which 414 (99.3%) were diagnostic of seizure disorder made up of generalized seizure in 255 (61.6%) and focal seizure in 159 (38.4%). About 237 (48.9%) of them were already on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at referral of which 190 (80.2%0 were taking carbamazepine. This study showed a high prevalence of abnormal EEG with most of them diagnostic of seizure disorder especially generalized seizure. They were mostly of younger age group with about half of them already on AEDs at referral, majority of who were sent by the Psychiatrist.

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