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The Effect of an Elimination Diet on Early Childhood Growth in Children with Egg and/or Cow's Milk Allergies
No full textObjective: Eliminating egg and/or cow's milk during early childhood may affect the growth of food-allergic children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of elimination diets on anthropometric measurements and diet composition in children allergic to egg and/or cow's milk.
Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements and nutritional data were evaluated in children with cow's milk and/or egg protein allergy during elimination diets. Their daily calorie, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were analyzed based on a 3-day diet log. Z-scores for weight, height, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated. The data were compared with pre-elimination values and with those of healthy controls.
Results: The study included 77 food-allergic children and a control group of 50 healthy children. In the patient group, the median age was 14 months and 57.1% (n=44) were male. Age, gender, and z-scores for weight-for-age and height-for-age were similar between the groups. Comparisons with pre-elimination measurements revealed that 18.2% of children with short stature at the time of diagnosis achieved normal height after elimination diets (p=0.001) and 37.4% of the children had increased height z-score. However, weight-for-age z-score decreased significantly (p<0.01). Although caloric intake was the same in both groups, the patient group consumed relatively less protein and more fat and carbohydrates.
Conclusion: In elimination diets, even if the calorie intake is adequate, eliminating allergenic food items may cause a decrease in weight without causing malnutrition. The height may improve. Growth should be monitored with age-corrected measurements and on an individual basis
Binary geothermal power plant
No full textIn this chapter, information about the binary cycle in geothermal power plants (GPPs) is given. Binary GPPs are thermodynamically closest to a fossil-sourced thermal power plant or nuclear power plant. In the binary GPP, the geothermal fluid works on the principle of transferring its energy to a second fluid (n-pentane, isopentane, isobutane) with a low boiling point temperature without flashing. The geothermal fluid, whose temperature is reduced by heat transfer, is sent underground by reinjection. The cycle of the second fluid takes place as an ORC. The second fluid that takes its heat from the geothermal fluid evaporates. It is passed through the turbine and then sent to the condenser. The second fluid is condensed in the condenser and the cycle is continued with the pump. As a result, it is important to determine and explain the amount, location, and causes of equipment’s energy losses in such complex plants
Multi-Task Learning with Sentiment, Emotion, and Target Detection to Recognize Hate Speech and Offensive Language
No full textThe recognition of hate speech and offensive language (HOF) is commonly formulated as a classification task which asks models to decide if a text contains HOF. This task is challenging because of the large variety of explicit and implicit ways to verbally attack a target person or group. In this paper, we investigate whether HOF detection can profit by taking into account the relationships between HOF and similar concepts: (a) HOF is related to sentiment analysis because hate speech is typically a negative statement and expresses a negative opinion; (b) it is related to emotion analysis, as expressed hate points to the author experiencing (or pretending to experience) anger while the addressees experience (or are intended to experience) fear. (c) Finally, one constituting element of HOF is the (explicit or implicit) mention of a targeted person or group. On this basis, we hypothesize that HOF detection shows improvements when being modeled jointly with these concepts, in a multi-task learning setup. We base our experiments on existing data sets for each of these concepts (sentiment, emotion, target of HOF) and evaluate our models as a participant (as team IMS-SINAI) in the HASOC FIRE 2021 English Subtask 1A: “Subtask 1A: Identifying Hate, offensive and profane content from the post”. Based on model-selection experiments in which we consider multiple available resources and submissions to the shared task, we find that the combination of the CrowdFlower emotion corpus, the SemEval 2016 Sentiment Corpus, and the OffensEval 2019 target detection data leads to an F1 =.7947 in a multi-head multi-task learning model based on BERT, in comparison to .7895 of a plain BERT model. On the HASOC 2019 test data, this result is more substantial with an increase by 2pp in F1 (from 0.78 F1 to 0.8 F1) and a considerable increase in recall. Across both data sets (2019, 2021), the recall is particularly increased for the class of HOF (6pp for the 2019 data and 3pp for the 2021 data), showing that MTL with emotion, sentiment, and target identification is an appropriate approach for early warning systems that might be deployed in social media platforms
Influence of illumination intensity on the electrical properties of Al/NOA65/p-Si/Al heterojunction MPS device
No full textIn this work, we report photodiode behavior on metal polymer semiconductor device with photopolymer interfacial layer for the first time. For this purpose, Al/NOA65/p-Si device was fabricated and the electric and dielectric parameters were investigated under the light and as well as dark. A good rectification ratio (1200 at 2 V) was achieved from the current-voltage (I-V) measurements in the dark. The reverse bias saturation current varied linearly with the illumination level, indicating to the photodiode behavior. The photosensitivity of the device reached 670 at 120 mW/cm(2). According to the frequency and voltage dependency of capacitance (C), conductance (G), and the derived dielectric parameters, the interface states and the surface dipoles at the interfacial layer were effective on the device. Besides, the changes in the mentioned parameters under illumination were associated with the charge carriers created by the light and the decrease in the series resistance
Assessment of in vitro activities and chemical profiling of Senecio hoggariensis growing in Algerian Sahara
No full textThe in vitro antioxidant, anticholinesterase, tyrosinase inhibitory, antibiofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activities of the ethyl acetate extract of Senecio hoggariensis, growing in Algerian Sahara, were studied along with its chemical constituents using HPLC-DAD. The chromatographic analysis unveiled seven phenolic compounds, including p-coumaric acid as a major component. Additionally, the extract showed moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity, compared to known standards. At 200 μg/mL, the extract disclosed equitable acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE) and tyrosinase inhibition rates with respective values of 37.01±1.48%, 18.87±4.18% and 45.99±1.81%. Likewise, the extract exhibited a good antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10239 biofilm production with an inhibition ratio of 59.56±0.40%, at 50µg/mL. The anti-quorum sensing by QS-regulated violacein pigment production inhibition test was determined using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and CV12472. The swarming motility inhibition assay was determined using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. It is evident from the findings that Senecio hoggariensis could be considered potential antioxidant, anti-QS, and antibiofilm compounds. However, the origin of anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities of the ethyl acetate extract could be revealed by further studies on the mechanism of action of active compounds that can be isolated via activity-guided fractionation
Synovial fluid niche promoted differentiation of dental follicle mesenchymal stem cells toward chondrogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis
No full textObjectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the differentiation potential of dental follicle mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the synovial fluid (SF) niche of early-onset or end-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and methods: Between May 2020 and January 2021, six patients (1 male, 5 females; mean age: 57.5 +/- 11.2 years; range, 49 to 65 years) who were diagnosed with RA with the indication of SF aspiration were included in the study. The third passage dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) were cocultured with fresh SF samples of end-stage or early-onset RA patients in micromass culture system for 21 days. SF samples were analyzed for secreted cytokines. Chondrogenic markers (CD49e, CD49f) were analyzed in DFSCs, gene expression analysis was performed for the expressions of Col I, Col II, Aggrecan and Sox-9, and histochemical analysis was performed by staining three-dimensional pellets with anti-collagen II antibody. The neutralization assay was performed with anti-interleukin (IL)-6, anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-g), and anti-IL-1beta(0). Results: The high levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were observed in end-stage RA patients' SF samples compared to the early-onset patients (p<0.05). The CD49e and CD49f expressions in DFSCs were significantly higher in the SF samples of end-stage RA patients (p<0.05). Also, the Col II, Sox-9 and Aggrecan messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions increased in the DFSCs, when cultured with end-stage RA patients' SF samples (p<0.01). Collagen-II expression in histochemical analysis of micromass pellets was higher in the DFSCs cultured with end-stage RA patients' SF samples. The neutralization of IL-6 significantly decreased the CD49e and CD49f expressions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The high levels of IL-6 in SF niche of end-stage RA patients were found to differentiate DFSCs toward chondrogenesis. Based on these findings, DFSCs can be used as a new cell-based treatment in RA patients for the cartilage damage
Paclitaxel Delivery by Cationic Gelatin Nanoparticles
No full textBiodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have gained importance since they improve the therapeutic value of various water insoluble drugs and bioactive molecules by improving bioavailability, solubility and retention time. Nanosized drug delivery systems provide enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic control compared to free drugs. In this study, cationic gelatin nanoparticles were first prepared by the two step desolvation method and then their in vitro Paclitaxel (Ptx) delivery ability was evaluated. Resulting nanoparticles were analyzed for their in vitro cytotoxic effect in two different cell lines. The experimental results showed that spherical gelatin nanoparticles had a zeta potential of approximately +15.5 mV and the average size of the particles was 10.3 +/- 0.42 nm. Ptx release from gelatin nanoparticles exhibited an initial burst release followed by diffusion of the drug in a sustained manner and finally polymer erosion occured up to 38 days. In vitro cell viabilitiy analysis showed that Ptx loaded gelatin nanoparticles inhibited the growth of A549 and HT29 cells more effectively than the free drug. Based on these findings, it can be stated that cationic gelatin nanoparticles may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many cancers
DETERMINATION OF PRESSURE ULCER PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS IN A TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL: POINT PREVALENCE STUDY
No full textAmaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı bir eğitim ve araştırma hastanesindeki basınç yarası nokta prevalansı ve basınç yarası ile ilişkili risk faktörlerini belirlemektir. Yöntem: Kesitsel tipte gerçekleştirilen tek günlük nokta prevalans çalışması, 28 Kasım 2019 tarihinde Türkiye’de bir eğitim ve araştırma hastanesinin yetişkin yoğun bakım üniteleri, dahili ve cerrahi kliniklerinde en az 48 saattir yatarak tedavi gören 369 hasta ile gerçekleştirildi. Verilerin toplanmasında hasta özellikleri formu, Braden Skalası, Glasgow Koma Skalası ile Avrupa Basınç Ülseri Danışma Paneli ve Ulusal Basınç Ülseri Danışma Paneli önerilerinde yer alan yara sınıflaması ve özelliklerinden oluşan yara tanılama formu kullanıldı. Verilerin analizi bağımsız örneklem t testi, ki-kare ve lojistik regresyon analizleri ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Araştırmadaki 369 hastanın 53 (%14.4)’ünde basınç yarası olduğu, hastane kaynaklı basınç yarası prevalansının %8.94 olduğu saptandı. Hastalarda tespit edilen basınç yarasının en sık (%41.5) Evre II olduğu ve en sık (%34) sakrumda olduğu belirlendi. Regresyon analizinde, nörolojik sistem (p=0.019) ve üriner sistem hastalığı olma (p=0.033), aktivitelerde tam (p=0.002) ya da yarım bağımlı olma (p=0.006), parenteral beslenme (p=0.043) ve Braden Skalasına göre yüksek (p=0.001) ve orta riskli (p=0.001) olmanın basınç yarası gelişimi riskini arttırdığı ve bağımsız risk faktörleri olduğu saptandı. Sonuç: Nörolojik ve üriner sistem hastalığı olan, aktivite düzeyi kısıtlı olan, parenteral beslenen, Braden skalası skoruna göre yüksek ve orta riski olan hastalarda basınç yarası dikkatli değerlendirilmeli ve erken dönemde önlemler alınmalıdır.Objective: This study aims to explore the risk factors associated with the point prevalence of pressure ulcer and pressure ulcer at a research and training hospital. Method: This cross-sectional single-day study was conducted at a Turkish research and training hospital on 28 November 2019. Sample of the study comprised 369 patients, who were hospitalized on the day of data collection at the units of intensive care, internal diseases, and surgery for at least 48 hours. We used patient characteristics form, Braden Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale and Wound Diagnosis Form, which was developed in line with the suggestions of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel on pressure ulcer classifications and characteristics. Independent sample t-test, chi-square and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Pressure ulcer developed in 53 (14.4%) participants and the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcer was 8.94%. 41.5% of the pressure ulcers were stage 2 and 34% of them were in sacrum. Regression analysis showed that having neurological system (p=0.019) and urinary system diseases (p=0.033), complete (p=0.002) or partial dependence (p=0.006) for activities, parenteral nutrition (p=0.043) and higher (p=0.001) and moderate scores (p=0.001) obtained from the Braden Scale were independent risk factors, which increased the risk of pressure ulcer development. Conclusion: Pressure ulcers in patients with neurological or urinary system diseases, complete or partial dependence, parenteral nutrition and higher or moderate scored obtained from the Braden Scale should be carefully examined and necessary measures should be taken in early stages
Cyber-Physical Attack Conduction and Detection in Decentralized Power Systems
No full textThe expansion of power systems over large geographical areas renders centralized processing inefficient. Therefore, the distributed operation is increasingly adopted. This work introduces a new type of attack against distributed state estimation of power systems, which operates on inter-area boundary buses. We show that the developed attack can circumvent existing robust state estimators and the convergence-based detection approaches. Afterward, we carefully design a deep learning-based cyber-anomaly detection mechanism to detect such attacks. Simulations conducted on the IEEE 14-bus system reveal that the developed framework can obtain a very high detection accuracy. Moreover, experimental results indicate that the proposed detector surpasses current machine learning-based detection methods
One-Dimensional Experimental Investigation of Polyethylene Microplastic Transport in a Homogeneous Saturated Medium
No full textPlastics are widely used in every part of life. Microplastics (MPs) are classified as emerging contaminants in nature. Yet, microplastic transportation parameters in groundwater are not characterized well. In this study, microplastic transport in saturated homogeneous media was investigated. For this purpose, one-dimensional column tests were performed using the fluorescent and microplastic tracers to figure out the hydrodynamic conditions for the microplastic transport. Large silica, small silica, sand, and coarse gravel were the tested media. The hydrodynamic transport parameters were calculated by inverse solution methodology using the experimental and the analytical solution results. Only the coarse gravel medium with a minimum 1 mm and maximum 20 mm (5 mm of median) pore sizes and kinematic porosity 40.2% were found to be suitable for the transport of the used polyethylene (PE) whose particle size was between 200 and 500 µm. It is not possible to transport PE particles of selected size from fine-grained media. Transportation occurred in coarse-grained media such as coarse gravel. The calculated dispersivity values for the coarse gravel were 2.58 and 3.02 cm by using fluorescent and PE tracers, respectively. The experiments showed that the used PE particles cannot be transported if the mean flow velocity is lower than 2.02 cm/min in the coarse gravel medium. The microplastic accumulation might be an issue for an actual aquifer rather than the transportation of it considering the actual groundwater flow velocity is generally much lower. Copyright © 2022 Okutan, Sağir, Fontaine, Nauleau, Kurtulus, Le Coustumer and Razack