Mineral water has been renowned for its health benefits for over two millennia, with historical records indicating its use for rapid recovery and wound healing, especially among soldiers engaged in ...military activities. Over time, baths with mineral water became popular for therapeutic purposes. In the 19th century, analyses revealed that regions with mountains boasted many long-lived individuals and centenarians, with factors such as pure mountain water, fresh air, and quality food potentially contributing to longevity. This publication comprehensively reviews selected natural waters, including mineral and mountain waters. The author conducted extensive studies in Bulgaria from 2012 to 2019 involving 477 long-lived individuals and their brothers and sisters living in mountain and field areas. The investigation assessed their heredity, body weight, health, psychological status, tobacco smoking, physical activity, food, and water consumption. Emphasizing the importance of medical prevention and care, the study sheds light on essential aspects of longevity today. One significant conclusion drawn from this research is the crucial role of balancing certain minerals in both water and food for human health and longevity. These minerals include Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Zinc (Zn2+), and Manganese (Mn2+). Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of water in longevity zones reveals lower calcium ions (Ca2+) levels compared to other regions, ranging from 6 to 20 mg.L-1. Notably, regions like Nova Scotia, Canada, known for supercentenarians for over 110 years, have water with such calcium levels. Similarly, longevity is observed in areas of Greece characterized by Mediterranean cuisine and mountain water. Water's physicochemical composition is significantly influenced by its natural filtration through rocks, which imbues it with beneficial minerals.
•Complete overview of FCA literature describing models for knowledge discovery.•Complete overview of FCA literature describing applications in knowledge discovery.•Structured visualization of ...literature using concept lattices.
This is the second part of a large survey paper in which we analyze recent literature on Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) and some closely related disciplines using FCA. We collected 1072 papers published between 2003 and 2011 mentioning terms related to Formal Concept Analysis in the title, abstract and keywords. We developed a knowledge browsing environment to support our literature analysis process. We use the visualization capabilities of FCA to explore the literature, to discover and conceptually represent the main research topics in the FCA community. In this second part, we zoom in on and give an extensive overview of the papers published between 2003 and 2011 which applied FCA-based methods for knowledge discovery and ontology engineering in various application domains. These domains include software mining, web analytics, medicine, biology and chemistry data.
•Complete overview of FCA literature describing models for knowledge discovery.•Complete overview of FCA literature describing applications in knowledge discovery.•Structured visualization of ...literature using concept lattices.
This is the first part of a large survey paper in which we analyze recent literature on Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) and some closely related disciplines using FCA. We collected 1072 papers published between 2003 and 2011 mentioning terms related to Formal Concept Analysis in the title, abstract and keywords. We developed a knowledge browsing environment to support our literature analysis process. We use the visualization capabilities of FCA to explore the literature, to discover and conceptually represent the main research topics in the FCA community. In this first part, we zoom in on and give an extensive overview of the papers published between 2003 and 2011 on developing FCA-based methods for knowledge processing. We also give an overview of the literature on FCA extensions such as pattern structures, logical concept analysis, relational concept analysis, power context families, fuzzy FCA, rough FCA, temporal and triadic concept analysis and discuss scalability issues.
The human visual analyzer is a high form of evolution. Some jellyfish can distinguish light and dark objects with sensitive cells. Squids, octopuses, and nautiluses from Cephalopods family have eyes ...with which they can see objects. Visual information is processed in the brain. In fishes, the visual analyzer evolved. Fishes living below 100 m depth inhabit a world with blue light. The authors consider the evolution of vision in these fishes due to the lowest absorption of blue and violet colors of electromagnetic waves from the optical spectrum. Subsequently, on land, in humans vision evolved towards the green color. Green is the most prevalent color on the land. In humans, three light-sensitive cones evolved – S, M, and L. S cones are most sensitive to blue, M – to green, and L – to red color in the spectrum. Some humans retain sensitivity of S to genetic changes and disorders. Additive color mixing is a high form of color perception in humans. The additive mixing of different colors achieves a new color in the human visual analyzer. Remarkably, different individuals perceive observed images in varying manners. Mixing neighboring colors on the spectrum gives one, two, or three colors. This process is estimated using graphical modeling. The graphical modeling with two colors allows for the creation of additive colors. One, two, or three additive colors can be obtained. The production of colors results from the light sensitivity of S, M, and L cones. An analysis that physically demonstrates the mixing of green and red colors, resulting in the colors yellow or orange. When blue and red are mixed, the resulting colors are green, yellow, and orange is proposed. The additive mixing of blue and yellow gives green. The subjective nature of visual perception, influenced by the viewer’s heightened sensitivity to one of the colors, becomes evident in the presence of two colors. Notably, when the background is violet, the sensitivity of the blue cones diminishes.
The antimicrobial effect of colloidal nanosilver (AgNPs) at concentrations of 20 and 30 ppm against reference Esherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, ...Candida albicans strains and two clinical isolates (Pseudominas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes) was tested. The classical agar diffusion method, determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the time of antimicrobial action of AgNPs were used. In the studies performed by the agar diffusion method, a very good inhibitory effect of AgNPs 30 ppm and to a much lesser extent of AgNPs 20 ppm, was reported against all studied microorganisms. The studied Gram-negative bacteria showed higher sensitivity to both preparations compared to the Gram-positive microorganisms (P>0.05). The lowest sensitivity was reported for S. aureus and C. albicans, and the highest - for P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes. The lowest MICs of AgNPs 20 ppm were reported for P. aeruginosa and C. perfringens. For them, the MIC50 was 1 μg/mL, and for the rest - 2 μg/mL. Again, C. perfringens showed the highest sensitivity to AgNPs 30 ppm with MIC50 0.5 μg/mL, and the lowest one was that of S. aureus with MIC50 2 μg/mL. For the Gram-positive bacteria MIC values were higher than for Gram-negative ones. AgNPs 20 ppm and AgNPs 30 ppm inactivated all bacterial strains tested at final concentrations of 103 cells/mL and 104 cells/mL within 5 min; only C. albicans persisted longer. The tested microorganisms remained viable for significantly longer time in the presence of AgNPs 20 ppm and AgNPs 30 ppm when in suspensions with a density of 106 cells/mL. These results are promising for the successful use of AgNPs for disinfection, as well as for topical therapy of infections involving these bacterial species.
Gesneriaceae plant family is comprised of resurrection species, namely Boea hygrometrica and Paraboea rufescens, that are native to the Southeast Asia and Haberlea rhodopensis, Ramonda myconi, and ...Ramonda serbica, which are mainly found in the Balkan Peninsula. Haberlea rhodopensis is known to be able to survive extreme and prolonged dehydration. Study was carried out after the dried plant Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. had been hydrated and had reached its fresh state. Two juice samples were collected from the plant blossom: The first sample was prepared with 1% filtered water through a patented EVOdrop device. Then the sample was saturated with hydrogen with EVOdrop booster to a concentration of 1.2 ppm, pH = 7.3, ORP = −390 mV. This first sample was prepared with filtered tap water from Sofia, Bulgaria. The second sample, which was a control one, was developed with tap water from Sofia, Bulgaria, consisting of 1% solutions of Haberlea rhodopensis. A study revealed that during the drying process in H. rhodopensis the number of free water molecules decreases, and water dimers are formed. The aim of our study was to determine the number of water molecules in clusters in 1% solutions of hydrated H. rhodopensis plants. Results were analyzed according to the two types of water used in the experiment. Th EVOdrop device is equipped with an ultranano membrane and rotating jet nozzle to create a vortex water and saturation thanks to a second device EVObooster to obtain hydrogen-rich water. In the current study Hydrogen-rich water is referred to as Hydrogen EVOdrop Water (HEW). Research was conducted using the following methods—spectral methods non-equilibrium energy spectrum (NES) and differential non-equilibrium energy spectrum (DNES), mathematical models, and study of the distribution of water molecules in water clusters. In a licensed Eurotest Laboratory, the research of tap water before and after flowing through the EVOdrop device was proven. Studies have been carried out on the structuring of water molecule clusters after change of hydrogen bond energies. The restructuring comes with rearrangement of water molecules by the energy levels of hydrogen bonds. Local extrema can be observed in the spectrum with largest amount of water molecules. The structural changes were tested using the NES and DNES spectral methods. The conducted research proved that the application of EVOdrop device and EVObooster changes the parameters of water to benefit hydration and health.
The effectiveness of the application of EVOagri technology for purification of water and its use in agriculture in some African countries (Zimbabwe, Burundi, Egypt and Uganda), Nepal (Asia) and in ...Europe (Italy and Bulgaria) was evaluated. The performance of EVOdrop turbine for water filtration was analysed and the physicochemical composition of water was tested. This was determined in compliance with Ordinance No. 9/2001, published in the Official State Gazette, issue 30, and decree No. 178/23.07.2004, Bulgaria, European Union on the quality of water intended for drinking and household purposes. The results showed a significant increase in production yield of the tested Solanum spp. and lettuces in Zimbabwe, as well as of dill, spinach and onions in Egypt. Treatment of high-salt irrigation water in Burundi with EVOagri reduced its toxic effect upon vegetable plants. In Uganda, plants absorbed 23% less water, when filtered with EVOagri technology. In Italy, 21% water conservation was achieved through the usage of EVOagri technology. Stimulation of seed-germination after soaking with EVOagri water was established in Burundi and Nepal. The importance of the type and composition of irrigation water for crop growth was proved by the experiments in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, onion seeds were planted in two separate pots. The first one was watered with tap water and this was taken as the control sample with tap water. The second one was watered with EVOdrop filtered water which was saturated with EVOdrop hydrogen technology (EVOwater). In Bulgaria, under natural conditions, Evodrop water was also tested in beans and the growth result was 11 % better than the control sample.
Researchers working in various domains are focusing on extracting information from data sets by data mining techniques. However, data mining is a complicated task, including multiple complex ...processes, so that it is unfriendly to non-computer researchers. Due to the lack of experience, they cannot design suitable workflows that lead to satisfactory results. This article proposes an ontology-based approach to help users choose appropriate data mining techniques for analyzing domain data. By merging with domain ontology and extracting the corresponding sub-ontology based on the task requirements, an ontology oriented to a specific domain is generated that can be used for algorithm selection. Users can query for suitable algorithms according to the current data characteristics and task requirements step by step. We build a workflow to analyze the Acid-Base State of patients at operative measures based on the proposed approach and obtain appropriate conclusions.
A stimuli-responsive (pH- and thermoresponsive) micelle-forming diblock copolymer, poly(1,2-butadiene)290-block-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)240 (PB-b-PDMAEMA), was used as a polymer ...template for the in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through Ag+ complexation with PDMAEMA blocks, followed by the reduction of the bound Ag+ with sodium borohydride. A successful synthesis of the AgNPs on a PB-b-PDMAEMA micellar template was confirmed by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, wherein the shape and size of the AgNPs were determined. A phase transition of the polymer matrix in the AgNPs/PB-b-PDMAEMA metallopolymer hybrids, which results from a collapse and aggregation of PDMAEMA blocks, was manifested by changes in the transmittance of their aqueous solutions as a function of temperature. A SERS reporting probe, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA), was used to demonstrate a laser-induced enhancement of the SERS signal observed under constant laser irradiation. The local heating of the AgNPs/PB-b-PDMAEMA sample in the laser spot is thought to be responsible for the triggered SERS effect, which is caused by the approaching of AgNPs and the generation of “hot spots” under a thermo-induced collapse and the aggregation of the PDMAEMA blocks of the polymer matrix. The triggered SERS effect depends on the time of a laser exposure and on the concentration of 4-MPBA. Possible mechanisms of the laser-induced heating for the AgNPs/PB-b-PDMAEMA metallopolymer hybrids are discussed.
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