Using a genetic algorithm owing to high nonlinearity of constraints, this paper first works on the optimal design of two-span continuous singly reinforced concrete beams. Given conditions are the span, dead and live loads, compressive strength of concrete and yield strength of steel; design variables are the width and effective depth of the continuous beam and steel ratios for positive and nega...

The aims of the present study were to determine whether the estimations of the frontal area of the combined cyclist-bicycle (APCB) obtained with the Heil's non-logarithmic prediction equations (NPE) in the stem position (SP), brake hoods position (BHP) and drops position (DP) are comparable to the measured APCB with the computerized planimetry (CP) method, and to analyse with the CP method and ...

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is the main bioactive ingredient of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The object of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of GA on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced oxidative injury leading to apoptosis in cultured primary rat hepatocytes. Throughout the study silymarin was used as positive control. Molecular mechanisms involved in apoptotic pathways induc...

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) erythrocytes treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) showed decreasing levels of reduced glutathione, increased lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, and ultimately underwent haemolysis. The addition of the marine luciferin coelenterazine (CLZn) markedly delayed the onset of the haemolytic process induced by t-BHP as well as lipid peroxidation and glut...

A water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) mycelia (MAK) has been shown to exert a potent chemopreventive effect. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary MAK supplementation on the development of lung tumors initiated by N-nitrosobis (2-hydroxypropyl) amine (BHP) in male Slc:Wistar rats. A total of 77 animals, 6 weeks of age, were...

We analyze the famous Wolf’s sunspot numbers. The time series shows a mean period with duration of 133 months. We observed that the mean period consists of two equal sized phases, descendent and ascendent, that can be well fitted by two ortogonal lines. The sunspot numbers standard deviation period is well fitted by a sine function. We discovered that the distribution of the sunspot number fluc...

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is the principal source of reducing power in numerous processes of physiological importance. We examined the influence of oxidative stress on the relative amounts of NADPH in human red blood cells (RBCs). To determine the homeostasis of the NADPH existing in the reduced form following oxidation, we developed an improved method for meas...

Automation of oral reading assessment and of feedback in a reading tutor is a very challenging task. This paper describes our research aiming at developing such automated systems. First topic is the recording and annotation of CHOREC, the Flemish database of children’s oral reading we develop in order to characterize oral reading processes statistically. Next, we propose a classification of bot...