Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary cinnamaldehyde with carvacrol or thymol improves the egg quality and intestinal health independent of gut microbiota in post-peak laying hens

Essential oils have been proven to exert multiple effects on growth performance, production quality, and health status in poultry nutrition, which is dependent on the component and/or dose of essential oils. Diets with the optimal combination of essential oils might be able to improve the performance traits and welfare of laying hens. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary essential oils, which are composed of cinnamaldehyde with carvacrol or thymol, on performance, egg quality, and intestinal health in post-peak laying hens. A total of 384, 50-week-old Hy-line brown laying hens were randomly divided into three groups with 8 replicates of 16 birds each: (1) a basal diet (Ctrl), (2) a basal diet with 100 mg/kg of essential oils consisting of 4.5% cinnamaldehyde with 13.5% carvacrol (CAR+CIN), and (3) a basal diet containing 100 mg/kg of essential oils composed of 4.5% cinnamaldehyde with 13.5% thymol (THY+CIN). The CAR+CIN diet increased the feed consumption from 52 to 55 weeks more than the Ctrl and the THY+CIN diet. Compared with the Ctrl group, the addition of essential oils decreased the dirty egg rate (P = 0.07) in the whole trial period. Regarding egg quality, the birds that received the CAR+CIN and THY+CIN diets increased the eggshell strength (P = 0.099) or Haugh unit (HU, p = 0.03) at 54 weeks, respectively. Supplementation of both CAR+CIN and THY+CIN diets significantly increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum through increasing villus height and decreasing crypt depth as well as upregulated the mRNA abundances of duodenal occluding and cadherin (P < 0.05). However, the treatment with dietary essential oils did not notably change the proportion of cecal microbiota and bacterial diversity. This study suggested that dietary supplementation of cinnamaldehyde with carvacrol or thymol, the active components of essential oils, could promote egg quality in post-peak laying hens, which might be associated with improved intestinal development and barrier.
Algebraic and analytic aspects of operator algebras

An algebraic prelude Continuity of automorphisms and derivations $C^*$-algebra axiomatics and basic results Derivations of $C^*$-algebras Homogeneous $C^*$-algebras CCR-algebras $W^*$ and $AW^*$-algebras Miscellany Mappings preserving invertible elements Nonassociativity Bibliography.
Community food projects, social innovation, and the past

Community food projects (CFPs) have diverse purposes relating to correcting market failures, community cohesion and not-for-profit operation. These are well served by social innovations relative to technical and/or economic ones. Whilst innovation is invariably associated with ‘new’ ideas, innovation theory accommodates learning from the past, acknowledging its relative neglect. This paper explores the extent to which the purposes and innovative actions of CFPs are informed by past practice. The significanc e of a ‘re - turn’ in food is assessed, where policies for regenerative agriculture, relocalisation and food resilience all draw on ‘the way we used to do things’. The flexibility of social innovation, too, has meant recourse to past practice in emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical evidence from three research projects which benchmark historical food practice against contemporary actions of CFPs, identifies both explicit reference to historical practice to inform current behaviour, as well as the mimicking of past practice. Close examination of historical food innovations to inform current practice allows choices to be made in adopting or adapting such innovations or identifying what to avoid.
Value Co-creation: Suppliers’ Perspective of Essential Information Systems Capabilities

We focus on the digital solution supplier’s perspective to analyse which information systems (IS) capabilities are essential for business-to-business (B2B) value co-creation. To gain a deeper understanding of the issue, a qualitative multi-case study was used. The results show that the focus of digital solutions in business has changed and shifted from the technical functions of solutions to the need for supplier and customer to work towards a common goal. The study proposes that, in advanced digital solutions, all parts of the solution development process require co-creation, either direct or indirect. In particular, forming IS–business partnerships, one of the spanning capabilities which integrates with internal organizational processes shows great potential in value co-creation. Originality builds on the understanding of which IS capabilities are essential when advanced digital solution suppliers offer services to their customers in the B2B context. This outcome contributes to the IS capabilities literature by showing the shift in focus from technically oriented capabilities to relationship-oriented capabilities in value co-creation.
Exosomal Plasma Gelsolin Is an Immunosuppressive Mediator in the Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment and a Determinant of Chemoresistance

Ovarian Cancer (OVCA) is the most fatal gynecologic cancer and has a 5-year survival rate less than 45%. This is mainly due to late diagnosis and drug resistance. Overexpression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) is key contributing factor to OVCA chemoresistance and immunosuppression. Gelsolin (GSN) is a multifunctional protein that regulates the activity of actin filaments by cleavage, capping, and nucleation. Generally, it plays an important role in cytoskeletal remodeling. GSN has three isoforms: cytosolic GSN, plasma GSN (pGSN), and gelsolin-3. Exosomes containing pGSN are released and contribute to the progression of OVCA. This review describes how pGSN overexpression inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and triggers positive feedback loops of pGSN expression. It also describes the mechanisms by which exosomal pGSN promotes apoptosis and dysfunction in tumor-killing immune cells. A discussion on the potential of pGSN as a prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic marker is also presented herein.
Differences in the Pro/Antioxidative Status and Cellular Stress Response in Elderly Women after 6 Weeks of Exercise Training Supported by 1000 mg of Vitamin C Supplementation

Vitamin C supplementation and exercise influence pro/antioxidative status and the cellular stress response. We tested the effects of exercise training for 6 weeks, supported by 1000 mg of vitamin C supplementation in elderly women. Thirty-six women were divided into two groups: a control group (CON) (n = 18, age 69.4 ± 6.4 years, 70.4 ±10.4 kg body mass) and a supplemented group (SUPP) (n = 18, aged 67.7 ± 5.6 years, body mass 71.46 ± 5.39 kg). Blood samples were taken twice (at baseline and 24 h after the whole period of training), in order to determine vitamin C concentration, the total oxidative status/capacity (TOS/TOC), total antioxidant status/capacity (TAS/TAC), and gene expression associated with cellular stress response: encoding heat shock factor (HSF1), heat shock protein 70 (HSPA1A), heat shock protein 27 (HSPB1), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We observed a significant increase in TOS/TOC, TAS/TAC, and prooxidant/antioxidant balance in the SUPP group. There was a significant decrease in HSPA1A in the CON group and a different tendency in the expression of HSF1 and TNF-α between groups. In conclusion, vitamin C supplementation enhanced the pro-oxidation in elderly women with a normal plasma vitamin C concentration and influenced minor changes in training adaptation gene expression.
DUST EXTINCTION AND METALLICITIES OF STAR-FORMING Lyα EMITTING GALAXIES AT LOW REDSHIFT

We present the results of an optical spectroscopic study of 12 GALEX-discovered star-forming Lyα emitting galaxies (LAEs) at z ∼ 0.3. We measure the emission-line fluxes from these galaxies by fitting their observed spectra to stellar population models in order to correct for underlying stellar absorption. We revisit earlier stellar population model fitting results, finding that excluding now-known active galactic nuclei lowers the typical stellar population age and stellar mass of this sample to ∼300 Myr and ∼4 × 109 ☉, respectively. We calculate their dust extinction using the Balmer decrement, and find a typical visual attenuation of AV ∼ 0.3 mag, similar to that seen in some high-redshift LAEs. Comparing the ratios of Lyα/Hα and the Lyα equivalent widths to the measured dust extinction, we find that the interstellar media (ISMs) in these objects appear to be neither enhancing nor seriously attenuating the Lyα equivalent widths, as would be the case in a quasi-clumpy ISM. Lastly, we perform a detailed analysis of the gas-phase metallicities of these galaxies, and we find that most galaxies in our sample have Z ≲ 0.4 Z☉. We find that at a fixed stellar mass, these low-redshift LAE analogs are offset by ∼0.3–0.6 dex lower metallicity from the general galaxy population at similar redshifts based on the local mass–metallicity relationship. This implies that galaxies with Lyα in emission may be systematically more metal-poor than star-forming galaxies at the same stellar mass and redshift, similar to preliminary results at z ∼ 2.
Application of Immobilized Yeasts for Improved Production of Sparkling Wines

Verdejo sparkling wines from two consecutive vintages were elaborated following the “champenoise” method. The second fermentation was developed with the same free or immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae bayanus yeast strain, carrying out four batch replicates each year. The sparkling wines were analyzed after 9 months of aging, showing no significant differences among the two typologies in the enological parameters (pH, total acidity, volatile acidity, reducing sugars, and alcoholic strength), the effervescence, or the spectrophotometric measurements. The free amino nitrogen content was significantly higher in the sparkling wines obtained from immobilized yeasts, nevertheless, the levels of neutral polysaccharides and total proteins were lower. No significant differences in the volatile composition were found, except for only two volatile compounds (isobutyric acid and benzyl alcohol); however, these two substances were present at levels below their respective olfactory thresholds. The sensory analysis by consumers showed identical preferences for both types of sparkling wines, except for the color acceptability. The descriptive analysis by a tasting panel revealed that sensorial differences between both sparkling wines were only found for the smell of dough. Therefore, the use of immobilized yeasts for the second fermentation of sparkling wines can reduce and simplify some enological practices such as the procedure of riddling and disgorging, with no impact on the so-mentioned quality parameters.
Simulation study of the effect of electrode embedded with magnesia-carbon material on the breakdown process in micro-gap and electric field in arc

The breakdown plays an important role in the process of arc striking, which can form an early conductive channel between electrode and molten pool. In this paper, a two-dimensional transient micro-gap breakdown model of argon gas under atmospheric pressure and a two-dimensional calculation model of electric field in arc were established, and the effect of the electrode embedded with magnesia-carbon material on the breakdown process and electric field in arc are studied. It is found that the breakdown process between the electrode and the molten pool develops in the form of positive streamer, whether using ordinary electrode or electrode embedded with magnesia-carbon material. The electrode embedded with magnesia-carbon material can accelerate the development of head of electron avalanche in the process of breakdown in micro-gap, increase the electron density of head of electron avalanche and shorten the time consumed in the process of breakdown. Under the external voltage in AC arc, the maximum value of electric field strength changes periodically, the region of the maximum value and maximum value increases with the increase of the radius of the magnesia-carbon material, resulting in serious distortion in the distribution of electric field, which can effectively reduce the breakdown voltage threshold.
USING CLOSE WHITE DWARF + M DWARF STELLAR PAIRS TO CONSTRAIN THE FLARE RATES IN CLOSE STELLAR BINARIES

We present a study of the statistical flare rates of M dwarfs (dMs) with close white dwarf (WD) companions (WD+dM; typical separations <1 au). Our previous analysis demonstrated that dMs with close WD companions are more magnetically active than their field counterparts. One likely implication of having a close binary companion is increased stellar rotation through disk-disruption, tidal effects, and/or angular momentum exchange; increased stellar rotation has long been associated with an increase in stellar activity. Previous studies show a strong correlation between dMs that are magnetically active (showing Hα in emission) and the frequency of stellar flare rates. We examine the difference between the flare rates observed in close WD+dM binary systems and field dMs. Our sample consists of a subset of 181 close WD+dM pairs from Morgan et al. observed in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82, where we obtain multi-epoch observations in the Sloan ugriz-bands. We find an increase in the overall flaring fraction in the close WD+dM pairs (0.09 ± 0.03%) compared to the field dMs (0.0108 ± 0.0007%) and a lower flaring fraction for active WD+dMs (0.05 ± 0.03%) compared to active dMs (0.28 ± 0.05%). We discuss how our results constrain both the single and binary dM flare rates. Our results also constrain dM multiplicity, our knowledge of the Galactic transient background, and may be important for the habitability of attending planets around dMs with close companions.
Polarization Observations of AGN Jets: Past and Future

The magnetic field is believed to play a critical role in the bulk acceleration and propagation of jets produced in active galactic nuclei (AGN). Polarization observations of AGN jets provide valuable information about their magnetic fields. As a result of radiative transfer, jet structure, and stratification, among other factors, it is not always straightforward to determine the magnetic field structures from observed polarization. We review these effects and their impact on polarization emission at a variety of wavelengths, including radio, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths in this paper. It is also possible to study the magnetic field in the launching and acceleration regions of AGN jets by using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), which occurs on a small physical scale. Due to the weak polarization of the jets in these regions, probing the magnetic field is generally difficult. However, recent VLBI observations have detected significant polarization and Faraday rotation in some nearby sources. We present the results of these observations as well as prospects for future observations. Additionally, we briefly discuss recently developed polarization calibration and imaging techniques for VLBI data, which enable more in-depth analysis of the magnetic field structure around supermassive black holes and in AGN jets.
X-RAY CONSTRAINTS ON THE Lyα ESCAPE FRACTION

We have co-added the X-ray flux of all known Lyα emitters (LAEs) in the 4 Ms Chandra Deep Field South (CDF-S) region, achieving the tightest upper limits yet on the X-ray to Lyα ratio. We use the X-ray data to place sensitive upper limits on the average unobscured star formation rate (SFRX) in these galaxies. A very small fraction of Lyα galaxies in the field are individually detected in the X-rays, implying a low fraction of active galactic nucleus activity. After excluding the few X-ray-detected LAEs, we stack the undetected LAEs located in the 4 Ms CDF-S data and 250 ks Extended CDF-S (ECDF-S) data, and compute a 1σ upper limit on SFRX < 1.6, 14, 28, 28, 140, 440, 880 M☉ yr−1 for LAEs located at z ∼ 0.3 and z = 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.5, 5.7, and 6.5, respectively. The upper limit of SFRX in LAEs can be then compared to SFRLyα derived from Lyα line and thus can constrain on the Lyα escape fraction (fEscLyα). The fEscLyα from X-ray at z ∼ 0.3 is substantially larger than that from UV or Hα. Three X-ray-detected LAE galaxies at z ∼ 0.3 show fEscLyα ∼ 3%–22%, and the average Lyα escape fraction from stacking the X-ray-undetected LAEs show fEscLyα > 28% at 3σ significance level at the same redshift. We derive a lower limit on fEscLyα > 14% (84% confidence level, 1σ lower limit) for LAEs at redshift z ∼ 2.1 and z ∼ 3.1–3.2. At z > 4, the current LAE samples are not of sufficient size to constrain SFRX well. By averaging all the LAEs at z > 2, the X-ray non-detection constrains fEscLyα > 17% (84% confidence level, 1σ lower limit), and rejects fEscLyα < 5.7% at the 99.87% confidence level from 2.1 < z < 6.5.
Predicting Student Attrition in Higher Education through the Determinants of Learning Progress: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Higher education policies are designed to facilitate students’ learning progression and academic success. Following Tinto’s integration theory and Bean’s attrition model, this study proposes a research model to investigate whether students prone to attrition can be pre-emptively identified through self-evaluating academic factors contributing to their learning progress. Theoretically, the learning progress is identified with student success, represented by factors amenable to intervention including the interaction with peers and instructors, teaching effectiveness, exam scores, absenteeism, students’ effort, and academic course-related variables. An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of 530 undergraduate students revealed that the indicators of learning progress in such students were channeled into two constructs. The results indicated that the teacher effectiveness and learning materials contributed most to the learning progress. Structural equation modelling revealed that the learning progress variables have a significant impact on students’ attrition status. A multi-group analysis confirmed the academic semesters to be a moderator in the mediating effects of the students’ grade point average (GPA). This model functions as a framework to design a student-oriented learning system promoting students’ learning experience and academic success.
Pure Phase Decoherence in a Ring Geometry

We study the dynamics of pure phase decoherence for a particle hopping around an N-site ring, coupled both to a spin bath and to an Aharonov-Bohm flux which threads the ring. Analytic results are found for the dynamics of the influence functional and of the reduced density matrix of the particle, both for initial single wave-packet states, and for states split initially into two separate wave packets moving at different velocities. We also give results for the dynamics of the current as a function of time.
When is stacking confusing? The impact of confusion on stacking in deep H I galaxy surveys

We present an analytic model to predict the HI mass contributed by confused sources to a stacked spectrum in a generic HI survey. Based on the ALFALFA (Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA) correlation function, this model is in agreement with the estimates of confusion present in stacked Parkes telescope data, and was used to predict how confusion will limit stacking in the deepest Square Kilometre Array precursor HI surveys. Stacking with LADUMA (Looking At the Distant Universe with MeerKAT) and DINGO UDEEP (Deep Investigation of Neutral Gas Origins - Ultra Deep) data will only be mildly impacted by confusion if their target synthesized beam size of 10 arcsec can be achieved. Any beam size significantly above this will result in stacks that contain a mass in confused sources that is comparable to (or greater than) that which is detectable via stacking, at all redshifts. CHILES (COSMOS HI Large Extragalactic Survey) 5 arcsec resolution is more than adequate to prevent confusion influencing stacking of its data, throughout its bandpass range. FAST (Five hundred metre Aperture Spherical Telescope) will be the most impeded by confusion, with HI surveys likely becoming heavily confused much beyond z = 0.1. The largest uncertainties in our model are the redshift evolution of the HI density of the Universe and the HI correlation function. However, we argue that the two idealized cases we adopt should bracket the true evolution, and the qualitative conclusions are unchanged regardless of the model choice. The profile shape of the signal due to confusion (in the absence of any detection) was also modelled, revealing that it can take the form of a double Gaussian with a narrow and wide component.
Numerical experiments in homogeneous turbulence

The direct simulation methods developed by Orszag and Patternson (1972) for isotropic turbulence were extended to homogeneous turbulence in an incompressible fluid subjected to uniform deformation or rotation. The results of simulations for irrotational strain (plane and axisymmetric), shear, rotation, and relaxation toward isotropy following axisymmetric strain are compared with linear theory and experimental data. Emphasis is placed on the shear flow because of its importance and because of the availability of accurate and detailed experimental data. The computed results are used to assess the accuracy of two popular models used in the closure of the Reynolds-stress equations. Data from a variety of the computed fields and the details of the numerical methods used in the simulation are also presented.
Oral energy supplementation improves nutritional status in hemodialysis patients with protein–energy wasting: A pilot study

Background: Protein–energy wasting (PEW) is highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients, which is associated with poor quality of life, complications, and an increased risk of mortality. A prospective study in HD patients with 2 months of oral energy supplements (OESs) was performed. Methods: A total of 37 HD patients with PEW were finally enrolled in this prospective study and were randomized into the OES group (n = 19), which received oral energy supplementation (300 kcal) and dietary recommendations, while patients in the non-OES group (n = 18) received only dietary recommendations. The study duration was 2 months. The nutritional status of the patients was evaluated by laboratory indexes, body composition parameters, and the modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) and malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS). Quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Results: After 2 months of therapy, a significant increase in serum albumin [39.6 (37.6–45.8) vs. 43.4 (39.1–46.7) g/L; p = 0.018], hemoglobin (101.0 ± 13.6 g/L vs. 111.8 ± 11.7 g/L; p = 0.042), and dietary energy intake (29.17 ± 3.22 kcal/kg/day vs. 33.60 ± 2.72 kcal/kg/day, p < 0.001) was observed in the comparisons of baseline in the OES group. Moreover, the OES group demonstrated significant amelioration in MQSGA [9 (8–13) vs. 8 (7–12), p < 0.001] and MIS [5 (3–10) vs. 3 (2–8), p < 0.001], physical functioning (p < 0.001), and mental health (p = 0.046) subsections of SF-36 compared with the baseline. No electrolyte disorders or dyslipidemia were observed in the OES group. Conclusion: OES in HD patients with PEW can significantly ameliorate energy supply, nutritional status, anemia, and quality of life.