Light Spectrum Management Using Colored Nets Aiming to Controlling the Growth and the Flowering of Phalaenopsis spp.

Cicero A. Leite,Robert M. Ito,Gerald T.S. Lee,Raz Ganelevin,Maria A. Fagnani 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Application and validation of the notch master curve in medium and high strength structural steels

Sergio Cicero,Tiberio García,Virginia Madrazo 대한기계학회 2015 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.29 No.10

This paper applies and validates the Notch master curve in two ferritic steels with medium (steel S460M) and high (steel S690Q)strength. The Notch master curve is an engineering tool that allows the fracture resistance of notched ferritic steels operating within theircorresponding ductile-to-brittle transition zone to be estimated. It combines the Master curve and the Theory of critical distances in orderto take into account the temperature and the notch effect respectively, assuming that both effects are independent. The results, derivedfrom 168 fracture tests on notched specimens, demonstrate the capability of the Notch master curve for the prediction of the fractureresistance of medium and high strength ferritic steels operating within their ductile-to-brittle transition zone and containing notches.

Crohn’s disease at radiological imaging: focus on techniques and intestinal tract

( Giuseppe Cicero ),( Silvio Mazziotti ) 대한장연구학회 2021 Intestinal Research Vol.19 No.4

Over recent years, inflammatory bowel diseases have become an issue of increased attention in daily clinical practice, due to both a rising incidence and improved imaging capability in detection. In particular, the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is based on clinical picture, laboratory tests and colonoscopy with biopsy. However, colonoscopic evaluation is limited to the mucosal layer. Thus, imaging modalities play a pivotal role in enriching the clinical picture, delivering information on intestinal and extraint-estinal involvement. All the imaging modalities can be employed in evaluation of Crohn’s disease patients, each of them with specific strengths as well as limitations. In this wide selection, the choice of a proper diagnostic framework can be challenging for the clinician. Therefore, the aim of this work is to offer an overview of the different imaging techniques, with brief technical details and diagnostic potential related to each intestinal tract. (Intest Res 2021;19:365-378)

Hemodynamic Effects of Lactotripeptides from Casein Hydrolysate in Mediterranean Normotensive Subjects and Patients with High-Normal Blood Pressure: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Clinical Trial

Arrigo F.G. Cicero,Martina Rosticci,Stefano Bacchelli,Enrico Strocchi,Camilla Melegari,Elisa Grandi,Claudio Borghi 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.6

Contrasting data partially support a certain antihypertensive efficacy of lactotripeptides derived from enzymatic treatment of casein hydrolysate. We carried out a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical study to investigate the antihypertensive efficacy of a short-term treatment with lactotripeptides in Mediterranean subjects with normal or high-normal blood pressure (BP). We consecutively enrolled 55 untreated subjects (men:women=30:25), 40.3±9.8 years old, with normal or high-normal BP. After 4 weeks of dietary standardization, they were allocated to treatment with a fruit juice containing 3mg of added Ile-Pro-Pro/Val-Pro-Pro lactotripeptides or with placebo for 4 weeks. After a 4-week washout period, they were then assigned to the alternative treatment for a further period of 4 weeks. Overall, no significant difference has been observed in office BP comparing baseline data with those posttreatment. Repeating the analysis by basal BP level, a mild but significant reduction in systolic BP (−1.7±2.3mm Hg; t=3.5, P=.002) has been observed only in subjects with high-normal BP after treatment with lactotripeptides. With regard to 24-hour BP measurement, after lactotripeptide treatment only, the subjects experienced a significant reduction in diurnal diastolic BP (−1.6±5.4mm Hg; P=.042), diurnal mean BP (−2.1±5.9mm Hg; P=.19), and 24-hour (−5.4±14.2mm Hg; P=.011) and diurnal (−7.1±19.2%; P=.014) diastolic BP value measurements relative to normal values. No modification has been observed in relation to plasma renin activity and aldosteronemia. In conclusion, diurnal diastolic BP is significantly reduced by lactrotripeptide supplementation in untreated Mediterranean subjects with normal or high-normal BP. Office systolic BP is reduced only in subjects with high-normal BP.

Testing the Short-Term Efficacy of a Lipid-Lowering Nutraceutical in the Setting of Clinical Practice: A Multicenter Study

Arrigo F.G. Cicero,Giuseppe Derosa,Livia Pisciotta,Carlo Barbagallo 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.11

The main guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention suggest that nutraceuticals could be an efficacious tool to improve lipid pattern. Our aim was to carry out a clinical trial comparing the metabolic effects of a combined nutraceutical containing both red yeast rice and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a phytosterol-based approach in a setting of clinical practice. This was a multicenter open study with parallel control. We consecutively enrolled 107 pharmacologically untreated subjects affected by primary polygenic hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome, assigned to 8-week treatment with a combined treatment with red yeast rice (Dif1Stat®, including 5mg monacolin K) and 610mg PUFAs. A parallel group of 30 subjects with similar characteristics was treated with phytosterols 1600mg/die. In the combined nutraceutical group, compared with the baseline level, we observed a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC; -42.50 ± 18.1mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -37.6 ± 13.6mg/dL), triglycerides (TG; -19.8 ± 25.1mg/dL), and non-HDL-C (-43.1 ± 17.7mg/dL) (all P < .001). In the phytosterol-treated group, compared to the baseline level, we observed a significant decrease in TC (-13.7 ± 4.3mg/dL), LDL-C (-17.6 ± 8.5mg/dL), and non-HDL-C (-14.1 ± 5.6mg/dL) (all P< .001). When comparing the combined nutraceutical effect with that of phytosterols, we observed that the combined nutraceutical intake was associated with a significantly higher decrease in TC, LDL-C, TG, and non-HDL-C (all P < .001). In the short term, a combined nutraceutical containing red yeast rice and PUFAs is well tolerated and efficacious in reducing plasma lipid levels in subjects affected by primary polygenic hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome.

CEO Marketability, Employment Opportunities, and Compensation

Daewoung Choi,David Cicero,Shawn Mobbs 한국경영교육학회 2016 한국경영교육학회 학술발표대회논문집 Vol.2016 No.5

Intergrated Gasification Combined-Cycle Research Development and Demonstration Activities in the U.S

Harvey M. Ness,Daniel C.Cicero,Theodore J McMahon CHOSUN UNIVERSITY 1997 Basic Science and Engineering Vol.1 No.2

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting five integrated gasification combined-cycle(IGCC) advanced power systems for demonstration in the Clean Coal Technology(CCT) development and demonstration(RD & D) program that supports the CCT program, and addresses long-term improvements in support of IGCC technology. This overview briefly describes the CCT projects and the supporting RD & D activities.

Conditions to avoid synchronization effects in lateral vibration of footbridges

Andrade, Alexandre R.,Pimentel, Roberto L.,Silva, Simplicio A. da,Souto, Cicero da R. Techno-Press 2022 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.9 No.2

Lateral vibrations of footbridges may induce synchronization between pedestrians and structure itself, resulting in amplification of such vibrations, a phenomenon identified by lock-in. However, investigations about accelerations and frequencies of the structural movement that are related to the occurrence of synchronization are still incipient. The aim of this paper is to investigate conditions that could lead to avoidance of synchronization among pedestrians themselves and footbridge, expressed in terms of peak acceleration. The focus is on the low acceleration range, employed in some guidelines as a criterion to avoid synchronization. An experimental campaign was carried out, employing a prototype footbridge that was set into oscillatory motion through a pneumatic exciter controlled by a fuzzy system, with controlled frequency and amplitude. Test subjects were then asked to cross the oscillating structure, and accelerations were simultaneously recorded at the structure and at the subject's waist. Pattern and phase differences between these signals were analysed. The results showed that test subjects tended to keep their walking patterns without synchronization induced by the vibration of the structure, for structural peak acceleration values up to 0.18 m/s², when frequencies of oscillation were around 0.8 to 0.9 Hz. On the other hand, for frequencies of oscillation below 0.7 Hz, structural peak accelerations up to 0.30 m/s² did not induce synchronization.

Exendin-4 improves resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in diabetic db/db mice

Hsien Yueh Liu,Chih-Yao Chung,Wen-Chin Yang,Chih-Lung Liang,Chi-Young Wang,Chih-Yu Chang,Cicero Lee-Tian Chang 대한수의학회 2012 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.13 No.3

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing among companion animals. This disease has similar characteristics in both humans and animals. Diabetes is frequently identified as an independent risk factor for infections associated with increased mortality. In the present study, homozygous diabetic (db/db) mice were infected with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and then treated with the anti-diabetic drug exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue. In aged db/db mice, decreased CD11b+ macrophage populations with higher lipid content and lower phagocytic activity were observed. Exendin-4 lowered high lipid levels and enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages from db/db mice infected with L. monocytogenes. Exendin-4 also ameliorated obesity and hyperglycemia, and improved ex vivo bacteria clearance by macrophages in the animals. Liver histology examined during L. monocytogenes infection indicated that abscess formation was much milder in exendin-4-treated db/db mice than in the control animals. Moreover, mechanistic studies demonstrated that expression of ATP binding cassette transporter 1, a sterol transporter, was higher in macrophages isolated from the exendin-4-treated db/db mice. Overall, our results suggest that exendin-4 decreases the risk of infection in diabetic animals by modifying the interaction between intracellular lipids and phagocytic macrophages.

Nutraceuticals as Modulators of Immune Function: A Review of Potential Therapeutic Effects

Alessandro Medoro,Sergio Davinelli,Alessandro Colletti,Valentina Di Micoli,Elisa Grandi,Federica Fogacci,Giovanni Scapagnini,Arrigo F.G. Cicero 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.28 No.2

Dietary supplementation with nutraceuticals can promote optimal immune system activation, modulating different pathways that enhance immune defenses. Therefore, the immunity-boosting effects of nutraceuticals encompass not only immunomodulatory but also antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, with therapeutic effects against diverse pathological conditions. However, the complexity of the pathways that regulate the immune system, numerous mechanisms of action, and heterogeneity of the immunodeficiencies, and subjects treated make their application in the clinical field difficult. Some nutraceuticals appear to safely improve immune system function, particularly by preventing viral and bacterial infections in specific groups, such as children, the elderly, and athletes, as well as in frail patients, such as those affected by autoimmune diseases, chronic diseases, or cancer. Several nutraceuticals, such as vitamins, mineral salts, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, many types of phytocompounds, and probiotic strains, have the most consolidated evidence in humans. In most cases, further large and long-term randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the available preliminary positive data.