Increased intestinal permeability has been shown to be involved in several diseases associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. In the last decade, ...growing evidence shows the beneficial effects of probiotic-containing food supplementation on these conditions. In this crossover intervention study on 28 asymptomatic overweight adults, we tested the effects of a 3-wk kefir supplementation compared with a 3-wk milk supplementation on serum zonulin levels. The effects on serum glucose, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and adiponectin), anthropometric variables, mood, and appetite were also determined. Kefir supplementation resulted in a greater improvement of serum zonulin levels (F = 6.812, η2 = 0.275), whereas a significant yet similar improvement in lipid profile and serum glucose levels was found in both supplementations. Positive mood was slightly but significantly enhanced with kefir supplementation, and reduced with milk supplementation. The C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and appetite were unaffected. In conclusion, supplementation with both dairy products had health beneficial effects, but only kefir showed an effect on the intestinal barrier dysfunction marker.
Absorption photometers for real time application have been available since the 1980s, but the use of filter-based instruments to derive information on aerosol properties (absorption coefficient and ...black carbon, BC) is still a matter of debate. Several workshops have been conducted to investigate the performance of individual instruments over the intervening years. Two workshops with large sets of aerosol absorption photometers were conducted in 2005 and 2007. The data from these instruments were corrected using existing methods before further analysis. The inter-comparison shows a large variation between the responses to absorbing aerosol particles for different types of instruments. The unit to unit variability between instruments can be up to 30% for Particle Soot Absorption Photometers (PSAPs) and Aethalometers. Multi Angle Absorption Photometers (MAAPs) showed a variability of less than 5%. Reasons for the high variability were identified to be variations in sample flow and spot size. It was observed that different flow rates influence system performance with respect to response to absorption and instrumental noise. Measurements with non absorbing particles showed that the current corrections of a cross sensitivity to particle scattering are not sufficient. Remaining cross sensitivities were found to be a function of the total particle load on the filter. The large variation between the response to absorbing aerosol particles for different types of instruments indicates that current correction functions for absorption photometers are not adequate.
Corrosion properties of aluminized 16Mo3 steel Karpe, B.; Prijatelj, K.; Bizjak, M. ...
Journal of mining and metallurgy. Section B, Metallurgy,
2023, Letnik:
59, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Chromium-molybdenum steel (16Mo3) is widely used in petroleum, gas, automotive, and construction industries due to its good oxidation resistance and mechanical properties at moderately elevated ...temperatures. The aim of the research was to evaluate the corrosion susceptibility of 16Mo3 steel in hot rolled and aluminized states. Aluminization was performed by diffusion pack aluminization process at 900?C/2h and 730?C/4h, respectively. Electrochemical corrosion testing included measuring open circuit potential (EOCP), linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in potassium phosphate buffer (KH2PO4, pH = 7). Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used for surface layer microstructure characterization before and after corrosion tests. It was demonstrated that corrosion resistance of aluminized steel increased substantially. Corrosion properties were related to the structure and properties of intermetallic phase (FeAl, FeAl2 and Fe2Al5) that formed on the surface of 16Mo3 steel.
Localized cold urticaria: an unusual form of cold urticaria Relvas, M.; Silva, J.; Alves, F. ...
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology,
February 2022, 2022-Feb, 2022-02-00, Letnik:
36, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Background
Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common disease, characterized by the recurrent appearance of wheals, angioedema or both for more than 6 weeks. Its underlying biology is not well understood, ...and many patients do not obtain sufficient relief from recommended treatments. Patient registries are rapidly growing as a form of research, because they can provide powerful, data‐driven insights about the epidemiology of diseases, real‐world effectiveness of treatments, rare patient types, safety monitoring, healthcare costs and opportunities for quality improvement of healthcare delivery.
Objectives
The Chronic Urticaria Registry (CURE) has been designed to improve the scientific understanding, clinical treatment and healthcare planning of CU patients. This report describes the rationale, methods and initial implementation of this registry.
Methods
Chronic Urticaria Registry is an ongoing, prospective, international, multicentre, observational, voluntary registry of patients with CU. Participation in CURE is open to any physician treating CU patients, regardless of location, medical specialty or type of practice setting. CURE aims to collect data on all CU patients, with no intentional selection or exclusion criteria. It collects baseline and follow‐up data on the patient's demographics, history, symptoms, trigger and risk factors, therapies and healthcare utilization.
Results
Chronic Urticaria Registry is a landmark achievement of the global urticaria medical community. As of 26 February 2020, 39 centres around the world have joined the registry and 35 have entered baseline data on a total of 2946 patients. Publications of this data will be forthcoming soon.
Conclusions
Chronic Urticaria Registry is eagerly seeking the participation of more physicians and the support of more governmental, charitable and commercial sponsors from around the world. Here, in this paper, we invite other physicians to join this unique project to improve the lives of patients with CU.
The influence of processing, heat-treatment and aging of Cu-(8–9) wt% Al-(7–10) wt% Mn alloy on the kinetics and temperatures of martensitic transformation was investigated by calorimetric ...measurements. Cu-Al-Mn alloy was prepared by continuous casting, melt-spinner and by melting in the electric arc furnace. Alloys were further heat-treated at 900 °C for 30 min and quenched in water, as well as aged at 300 °C for 1 h. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was performed at 3 heating/cooling cycles from −50 to 250 °C. Non-isothermal measurements were determined at five different heating/cooling rates: 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C/min. Activation energy was obtained according to Ozawa and Kissinger kinetic models. Microstructure analysis of investigated systems was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate the most intensive formation of martensitic structure in the as-cast state during continuous casting, where the partially formation of needle-like and V-shape martensite was observed. After solution treatment and quenching as well as aging, completely martensitic phase occurred in continuously cast alloy. XRD analysis detected Cu2AlMn, Cu3Al and Al4Cu9 phases in quenched specimens of continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy and ribbon. The highest impact of the solution treatment and aging on the shifting of the martensitic temperatures was observed for Cu-Al-Mn ribbons, while in continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy heat treatment and aging induced formation of different martensitic crystal structures. Kinetic investigations showed increasing start martensitic temperatures, Ms, and wider temperature interval of martensitic transformation with higher cooling rate. The highest values of activation energy of martensitic transformation was obtained for the continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy.
•Cu-Al-Mn SMA by continuous casting and melt-spinner was successfully produced.•Heat-treatment of Cu-Al-Mn SMA results in formation of intensive martensite.•γ' martensite is formed by melt-spinner, β' by continuous casting (Cu3Al, Cu2AlMn).•Heat-treatment increases Ms of continuously cast SMA, and decreases in ribbon.•Cu-Al-Mn ribbon has the lowest energy of activation of martensitic transformation.
Motivated by the potential for opportunistic behavior in pay decisions, recent SEC and IRS regulations essentially preclude inside directors from serving on a firm’s compensation committee (CC). We ...examine whether greater CC independence promotes shareholder interests and whether the CEO’s presence on the CC leads to opportunistic pay structure. We find little evidence that greater committee independence affects executive pay. Moreover, committees consisting of insiders or the CEO do not award excessive pay or lower overall incentives. For example, we find no evidence that pay decreases or total incentives increase when CEOs come off the CC. Our results suggest that regulations governing committee structure may not reduce levels of pay or achieve efficiencies in incentive contracts.
In this paper, four different grades of fully finished, non-oriented (NO) electrical steels, i.e., M530-50A, M400-50A, M350-50A, and M290-50A, were selected. Their measured magnetic properties were ...the basis for the derived and validated magnetic-loss prediction model. Based on the experimental data and the modified Steinmetz equation, a simplified predictive model valid at temperatures up to 230 °C, in the frequency range 30-2000 Hz, and magnetic flux densities up to 1.0 T, is proposed. The model's prediction coefficients are proposed for the eddy current, hysteresis, and excess loss components. An empirical equation for predicting the magnetic losses, valid up to 1.0 T, highlighting the changes in the magnetic losses with temperature is derived. The equation leads to excellent agreement between the measured and predicted magnetic losses for four grades of NO electrical steel.
We use a large database on ESO exercises to document characteristics of exercise behavior and calibrate a utility-based model for measuring how differences in exercise behavior are manifested in ...option values and incentives. Option values and incentives computed from the model calibrations are compared to those computed from models used to value tradable options. Our analysis provides guidance to both academics and practitioners about how differences in exercise behavior and model choice affect measures of ESO values and incentives, and underscores the importance of gaining a thorough understanding of the underlying economic forces that affect the behavior of ESO holders.
ABSTRACT
Maintaining economic output during the COVID‐19 pandemic results in benefits for firm shareholders but comes at a potential cost to public health. Using store‐level data, we examine how a ...CEO's political leaning impacts this trade‐off. We document that firms with a Republican‐leaning CEO experience a relative increase in store visits compared to firms with a Democratic‐leaning CEO. The increase in store visits is associated with higher sales and positive abnormal stock returns. However, we also document higher COVID‐19 transmission rates and more employee safety complaints in communities where establishments with higher store traffic are managed by a Republican‐leaning CEO.
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