A Fermented Milk Product Containing B. lactis CNCM I-2494 Improves the Tolerance of a Plant-Based Diet in Patients with Disorders of Gut–Brain Interactions

Healthy, plant-based diets, rich in fermentable residues, may induce gas-related symptoms. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the effects of a fermented milk product, containing probiotics, on the tolerance of a healthy diet in patients with disorders of gut–brain interactions (DGBI), complaining of excessive flatulence. In an open design, a 3-day healthy, mostly plant-based diet was administered to patients with DGBI (52 included, 43 completed) before and at the end of 28 days of consumption of a fermented milk product (FMP) containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-2494 and lactic acid bacteria. As compared to a habitual diet, the flatulogenic diet increased the perception of digestive symptoms (flatulence score 7.1 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 1.9; p < 0.05) and the daily number of anal gas evacuations (22.4 ± 12.5 vs. 16.5 ± 10.2; p < 0.0001). FMP consumption reduced the flatulence sensation score (by –1.6 ± 2.2; p < 0.05) and the daily number of anal gas evacuations (by –5.3 ± 8.2; p < 0.0001). FMP consumption did not significantly alter the overall gut microbiota composition, but some changes in the microbiota correlated with the observed clinical improvement. The consumption of a product containing B. lactis CNCM I-2494 improved the tolerance of a healthy diet in patients with DGBI, and this effect may be mediated, in part, by the metabolic activity of the microbiota.

Clinical Trials on COVID-19: What is Being Researched in the United States?

The emergence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019 has brought great challenges to public health worldwide and, to date, there is no specific approved therapeutic protocol. Therefore, this chapter will analyze types of intervention for use in patients with COVID-19 developed by American researchers from records made on the Clinical Trials platform. For the search strategy, keywords “COVID-19” in the “Condition or Disease” section and “United States” in the “Country” section were used. No filters were applied. Data were descriptively analyzed. In total, 1,182 studies were obtained, of which 496 met the eligibility criteria. Sample size ranged from 1 to 10,000 participants. Most studies involved the age group of 18–64 years (48.6%). As for design, randomized type (80.5%), parallel (75.6%), open designs (38.7%) and those with therapeutic purpose (88.3%) were more frequent. Most clinical trials used the two-arm trial (67.3%), researched drugs (64.8%), used placebo (55.2%) and were sponsored by pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies (35.4%). Clinical trials developed by American researchers on COVID-19 involve adult and elderly participants, with predominance of randomized, parallel and open design, for therapeutic purposes and mostly evaluated immunosuppressants or combinations of antivirals/immunosuppressants. The drugs and biological products Remdesivir, Baricitinib in combination with Remdesivir, Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab, REGEN-COV and COVID-19 convalescent plasma were also used, authorized for emergency use.

Communal space patterns in tsunami aid housing for creating public open space after COVID-19 (case study: Gampong Tibang, Banda Aceh, Indonesia)

After the 2004 tsunami disaster, many aid housing developments were carried out, including housing in Gampong Tibang (Tibang Village), Banda Aceh City, with the pattern of building in the initial plot, with low building density. The local community has developed their housing according to their needs. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, requiring everyone to be in their respective homes, causing open space in the housing environment to become important as a village communal space, which has social and health functions for residents. This research emphasizes how people use communal open spaces for various activities, which are adaptive to the COVID-19 health protocol. The study approach uses field research quickly, the data is obtained by observing the type of housing open space that has the public function (communal open space) and the behavior of the community in using the space. The analysis was carried out in an analytical descriptive manner, looking at the pattern of activities associated with the COVID-19 health protocol. The results showed that there were 9 communal spaces spread over 4 types: a) field with a bale (an open design building of wood), which was used by men; b) the space around the kiosk that provides seating on an open terrace for all residents; c) open space around the intersection for children to play dynamically (cycling, running, sitting); d) the terrace of the residents’ house which is more for the passive activities of women. That four types of spaces according to the COVID-19 health protocol are very familiar with a natural atmosphere (enough air circulation and sufficient exposure to sunlight). The conclusion of the study shows that the need for socio-cultural space is still needed by the community during the COVID-19 pandemic which can actually make residents healthy.

THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF WIND CATCHER WITH COOLING PADS USING SSG REYNOLDS STRESS TURBULENCE MODEL.

With increase in energy requirement, the researchers are looking for energy efficient passive ventilation techniques. The current design concept is based on environment sustainability and use of renewable energy sources is preferred over conventional energy sources. The current research investigates the wind catcher design with cooling pads using techniques of Computational Fluid Dynamics. The CAD model of wind catcher is designed using Creo design software and CFD analysis is conducted using ANSYS CFX software. The CFD analysis is directed at different air inlet velocities and SSG Reynolds stress turbulence model under steady state thermal conditions for both side open design and singe side open designs. The cooling pads have successfully reduced temperature up to 1.65 degrees for single side opening and 2.86 degrees for double side opening design. Maximum air flow rate is achieved with higher air inlet velocities for both design types.

Technical Composition and Creation of Interactive Installation Art Works under the Background of Artificial Intelligence

Interactive installation art is a kind of art that uses specific software and computer hardware as a platform, a platform for interaction between humans and machines or different people through computer hardware. It is an interactive art that uses material installations in nature as a medium. Traditional interactive installation art is not safe and convenient, in order to solve the shortcomings of traditional interactive installation art. This article introduces artificial intelligence technology by studying the overview, development, and application of artificial intelligence. The encryption algorithm for artificial intelligence data protection and the BP neural network prediction model under artificial intelligence are also introduced to ensure the safety of interactive installation art works. The part also introduces the creation tools and creation process of interactive installation art works. Finally, in the analysis part, a questionnaire analysis of the World Expo is carried out. The results of this article show that the art of connecting inserts is the most complete and open design era. Advances in science and technology, the development of digital art, and the needs of human life have led to the development of interconnected input technologies. In addition, in the survey of people’s satisfaction with artificial intelligence, we can conclude that 89% of people think that the security of artificial intelligence technology is very high. Yes, 92% of people think that artificial intelligence technology has a fast computing speed, 86% of people think that artificial intelligence technology is low in cost.

Mundo 'hacker' y diseño (II): jaquear es diseñar en abierto

El hacking y el open design (diseñar con protocolos abiertos) tienen mucho en común. Estas dos prácticas están ligadas en el ámbito filosófico y en la praxis. El open design es una tendencia que nace bajo la influencia del movimiento de software libre en la cuna del movimiento hacker. En este caso, el open design aplica los postulados de dicho movimiento a la práctica del diseño industrial.

BRAIN ACTIVITY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS IN CONSTRAINED AND OPEN DESIGN: THE EFFECT OF GENDER ON FREQUENCY BANDS

In this paper, we present results from an experiment using EEG to measure brain activity and explore EEG frequency power associated with gender differences of professional industrial designers while performing two prototypical stages of constrained and open design tasks, problem-solving and design sketching. Results indicate no main effect of gender. However, among other main effects, a consistent main effect of hemisphere for the six frequency bands under analysis was found. In the problem-solving stage, male designers show higher alpha and beta bands in channels of the prefrontal cortices and female designers in the right occipitotemporal cortex and secondary visual cortices. In the design sketching stage, male designers show higher alpha and beta bands in the right prefrontal cortex, and female designers in the right temporal cortex and left prefrontal cortex, where higher theta is also found. Prioritising different cognitive functions seem to play a role in each gender's approach to constrained and open design tasks. Results can be useful to design professionals, students and design educators, and for the development of methodological approaches in design research and education.

Efficiency of Pressurized Rock Traps for Unlined Hydropower Tunnels

Pressurized rock traps are constructed in many hydropower plants to stop sand and gravel from being transported through the turbines. Pressurized rock traps are typically located in the downstream end of unlined headrace tunnels, where the tunnel itself may be one of the sediment sources. This state-of-the-art review presents an overview of research on pressurized rock traps from both publicly available sources and unpublished sources. Limited scientific literature exists on rock traps, and most of the existing literature has previously been unavailable for an international audience. Based on this review, it is concluded that pressurized rock traps should be built with the flow area and sediment deposition volume separated by plates or ribs. Without any separation measures, the sediments risk being re-entrained due to turbulence. This review is separated into three sections: (1) sediment problems and sources of sediments, (2) theory for pressurized rock traps, and (3) design of pressurized rock traps. The recommended design for new pressurized rock traps, including a design flow chart, is provided. Finally, a recommended solution for rebuilding existing pressurized rock traps with an open design into a closed design is also presented.