Volume 22, Issue 1
ICrAData - Software for InterCriteria Analysis1-10
Nikolay Ikonomov, Peter Vassilev, Olympia Roeva
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.1-10
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Nikolay Ikonomov, Peter Vassilev, Olympia Roeva (2018) ICrAData - Software for InterCriteria Analysis, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 1-10, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.1-10
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA), which is based on the index matrices and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. We demonstrate the application of ICrA using the software ICrAData. ICrAData implements five different algorithms for InterCriteria relations calculation, namely: μ-biased, Unbiased, ν-biased, Balanced and Weighted. The software ICrAData displays results in two panels – matrix and graphical view, and the results can also be exported in various formats: matrices, vectors, and graphics. In the matrix view, the column data can be sorted in ascending or descending order. The graphic view has options for resizing the intuitionistic fuzzy triangle, showing a grid and assigning different colours to the points. Moreover, a selected point in the graphic is outlined in the matrix view, and vice-versa. In the present paper some of the ICrAData software functionalities are illustrated by an example.

Keywords: Intercriteria analysis, ICrAData, Software
Generalized Net Model of Proximal Humeral Fractures Diagnosing11-20
Simeon Ribagin, Bistra Zaharieva, Irina Radeva, Tania Pencheva
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.11-20
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Simeon Ribagin, Bistra Zaharieva, Irina Radeva, Tania Pencheva (2018) Generalized Net Model of Proximal Humeral Fractures Diagnosing, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 11-20, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.11-20
Abstract: Proximal humeral fractures are common injuries and they occur primarily in older patients. They represent 5.7% of diagnosed fractures and are the third most common fracture pattern seen in elderly. Fractures of the proximal humerus usually occur after a high or low energy fall. Due to the variety of factors, which influence the classification, and the diagnosis of these fractures, early detection is the key factor for an appropriate treatment. Accordingly, in this study we present a successful example of Generalized Nets application in traumatology and propose a novel approach to timely detection and diagnosing of proximal humeral fractures.

Keywords: Proximal humeral fractures, Generalized nets, Diagnosing
Statistical Modelling of Extremes with Distributions of Fréchet and Gumbel: Parameter Estimation and Demonstration of Meteorological Applications21-38
Hristo Chervenkov, Krastina Malcheva
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.21-38
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Hristo Chervenkov, Krastina Malcheva (2018) Statistical Modelling of Extremes with Distributions of Fréchet and Gumbel: Parameter Estimation and Demonstration of Meteorological Applications, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 21-38, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.21-38
Abstract: The estimation of the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of data sets of random variables is a fundamental goal in the statistical modelling of extreme natural and technological accidents. Various geophysical events such as drought, floods, avalanches and heavy precipitation are a prerequisite for serious damage and economic losses, and therefore the comprehensive knowledge of their risk of occurrence, repetition periods and return levels is crucial for the planning and elaboration of mitigation strategies. The paper describes step-by-step the derivation of the parameters of the Fréchet and Gumbel CDFs, which form together with the Weibull one the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution family and are widely used for statistical modelling of extreme events. Two methods for estimation of the CDF-parameters are considered: least-square estimation and maximum-likelihood estimation. The developed and freely-available source code, written in FORTRAN 90/95, enhances the practical value of the presented work. The possibilities of the proposed approach for climatological applications are demonstrated by examples with time series of point measurements and gridded data sets.

Keywords: Fréchet and Gumbel distribution, CDF-parameters, Least-square estimation, Maximum-likelihood estimation, Free source code
Biomechanical Analysis of the Waist Movement of Taijiquan Based on Finite Element Method39-48
Lei Zhao, Wenjing Chen
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.39-48
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Lei Zhao, Wenjing Chen (2018) Biomechanical Analysis of the Waist Movement of Taijiquan Based on Finite Element Method, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 39-48, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.39-48
Abstract: Finite element method is a calculation method that can comprehensively and objectively analyze the stress and strain of complex objects. It is mostly used in biomechanics research of human complex structure. In Taijiquan exercise, the waist drives the motion of the body, which adapts to the physical condition of human body. Hence, the waist plays an important role in Taijiquan exercise. This paper applied CT imaging method and CAD modeling to establish a finite element model of the L4-L5 segment to explore the effect of finite element method on the waist, taking two actions of standing with the waist relaxed and pushing hands as examples. It was found that when the movement of Taijiquan pushing hands deepened, the flexion of the waist increased and the muscular strength of the erector spine increased gradually. However, the muscular force of erectors under the same curvature gradually decreased with the increase of the follower force. The cancellous bone pressure was the largest in the standing state, which was about 1.9 MPa. With the increase of the curvatures, the cancellous bone showed a tendency of first decreasing and then increasing. The pressure in the lumbar disc was the lowest of all values in an upright position. With the deepening of pushing hand movements, the waist curvature becomes larger, the pressure inside the lumbar disc also became larger; in the case of the same curvature, the greater the follower forceb, the greater the pressure. Therefore, waist bending angle in Taijiquan exercise has an important impact on the spine strength and lumbar disc pressure.

Keywords: Taijiquan, Waist, Finite element method
Biomechanical Analysis on the Stop-jump Action of Patients with Knee Joint Injury49-56
Long Liu
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.49-56
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Long Liu (2018) Biomechanical Analysis on the Stop-jump Action of Patients with Knee Joint Injury, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 49-56, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.49-56
Abstract: Stop-jump requires many efforts at knee joint. This study aims at analyzing the biomechanical characteristics of stop-jump action of patients with knee joint injury through testing the biomechanical indicators when the subjects doing stop-jump action. Sixty students were selected from Zhengzhou Professional Technical Institute of Electronic and Information, Henan, China and divided into a control group, a unilateral injury group and a bilateral injury group according to the screening results of knee joint injury. The physical quantities such as duration of rising to the air, the rotation angle, flexion and extension angle and adduction and abduction angle of the hip joint and the inclination angle of the pelvis in the experiment of stop-jump action were calculated through motion experiment, imaging analysis method and Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS). It was concluded from the experiment that the pelvis, hip joints and ankle joints suggested compensatory phenomenon and bore more moment produced during motion of human body instead of the injured knee joints. The compensation can offer a great opportunity for the prevention of knee joint injury and damage management.

Keywords: Knee joint injury, Stop-jump, Biomechanics, Basketball
A Complex Semi-automatic Method for Kinetic and Two-dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis for Posture and Movement Investigation57-64
Katerina Kirilova, Plamen Gatev
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.57-64
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Katerina Kirilova, Plamen Gatev (2018) A Complex Semi-automatic Method for Kinetic and Two-dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis for Posture and Movement Investigation, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 57-64, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.57-64
Abstract: Functional reach (FR) – maximal forward reach with both arms while standing, is a well-known dynamic balance test. Different underexplained reaching strategies exist. This study was motivated by the need of an affordable and robust approach for their evaluation. We introduce a complex semi-automatic method for two-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analysis based on video capture with inexpensive camera, free automatic marker tracking software, pedobarographic measurements and problem-oriented algorithms for kinetic and kinematic data evaluation. Subjects performed FR with passive markers on their right side while standing on a Tekscan platform. Kinematic and kinetic data were simultaneously collected. Video trimming by sound was applied for synchronization between video and platform recordings. Automatic object tracking by color (Viana.Net) was applied for kinematic measurements. Center-of-pressure excursions were evaluated by Tekscan software. All data were further processed by problem-oriented algorithms (MatLab). Evaluated measures: FR length, horizontal and vertical marker paths, ankle and hip angles and their corresponding linear or angular velocities while moving forward or backward. During these movements the horizontal displacements of the center-of-gravity marker highly correlated with center-of-pressure anterior-posterior sway. The method allows measuring distances, angles and velocities. It is prospective for concerted kinetic and two-dimensional kinematic analysis of dynamic standing balance.

Keywords: Functional reach, Posture, Motion analysis, Center-of-pressure.
Optimized Structure-based Methodology for Studying PPARγ Partial Agonists65-72
Merilin Al Sharif, Antonia Diukendjieva, Petko Alov, Ivanka Tsakovska, Ilza Pajeva
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.65-72
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Merilin Al Sharif, Antonia Diukendjieva, Petko Alov, Ivanka Tsakovska, Ilza Pajeva (2018) Optimized Structure-based Methodology for Studying PPARγ Partial Agonists, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 65-72, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.65-72
Abstract: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ is a master regulator of the lipid and glucose metabolism, and thus is a valuable drug target. Since its full activation is accompanied by a number of adverse effects, researchers focus on discovery of novel compounds with ligand-receptor interaction patterns of PPARγ partial agonists. Molecular modelling is an appropriate way to achieve this goal. In this study we aimed at optimization of the docking algorithm for structure-based investigation of PPARγ partial agonists. A dataset with structures and activities of PPARγ partial agonists was constructed. A comparative study of different scoring functions’ performance was conducted by redocking the partial agonists’ structures selected from experimentally resolved 3D structures of PPARγ protein-ligand complexes. The docking protocols’ performance regarding pose scoring, reproducibility and interpretability in the context of the collected activity data was estimated. An optimized docking protocol was developed to successfully correlate the docking scores of the studied compounds with their experimentally derived activity values and to provide the best matching degree with their experimental binding modes. Overall, these results could be useful for further molecular modelling studies of novel PPARγ partial agonists by selection of reliable docking poses to predict their binding mode and for ranking them in respect to their agonistic activity using the calculated docking scores.

Keywords: PPARγ, Partial agonists, Docking, Optimization
Relations between photosynthetic performance and polyphenolics productivity of Artemisia alba Turra in in vitro tissue cultures73-82
Nia Petrova, Petya Koleva, Violeta Velikova, Tsonko Tsonev, Tonya Andreeva, Stefka Taneva, Sashka Krumova, Kalina Danova
doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.73-82
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Nia Petrova, Petya Koleva, Violeta Velikova, Tsonko Tsonev, Tonya Andreeva, Stefka Taneva, Sashka Krumova, Kalina Danova (2018) Relations between photosynthetic performance and polyphenolics productivity of Artemisia alba Turra in in vitro tissue cultures, Int J Bioautomation, 22 (1), 73-82, doi: 10.7546/ijba.2018.22.1.73-82
Abstract: Establishing optimal growth conditions for secondary metabolites production in vitro is vital for the biotechnological development of medicinal plants. In the present work we investigate the relations between the supplementation of plant growth regulators (benzyl adenine and indole-3-butyric acid) to in vitro shoot cultures of the medicinal plant Artemisia alba Turra, the productivity of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds and the structural and functional characteristics of the photosynthetic apparatus. We assayed the structural characteristics of isolated thylakoid membranes from the aerial parts by means of circular dichroism spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the photosynthetic performance by pulse amplitude fluorescence modulated imaging. Although a complex relationship between benzyl adenine and indole-3-butyric acid supplementation, the polyphenolic levels and the architecture and functionality of the photosynthetic thylakoid membranes was revealed, a clear correlation was established between the concentration of the produced polyphenolic compounds and the quantum yield of photosystem II. Our data demonstrate that there is an optimal combination of the applied plant growth regulators that triggers efficient photosynthesis and high phenolics production.

Keywords: Photosynthesys, Artemisia alba Turra, Polyphenolic compounds, in vitro shoot cultures

Sponsored by National Science Fund of Bulgaria, Grant No DNP 06-18/2017

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