Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FIRST REPORT OF ENTEROCYTOZOON BIENEUSI FROM AN AFRICAN LION (PANTHERA LEO) IN A ZOO IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Abstract: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common species of microsporidia that infects humans and animals worldwide. However, no information is available on E. bieneusi infection among zoo animals in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Here, we investigated the prevalence of E. bieneusi among animals kept in zoos and the zoonotic potential of the E. bieneusi identified. E. bieneusi was detected only in one African lion (Panthera leo) with diarrhea, using PCR and sequencing analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rRNA gene. A phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS gene showed that the lion isolate was classified into a novel genotype KPL belonging to Group 2. The KPL genotype identified in this study differed from genotype I in 6 nucleotides and from genotype I-like in 3 nucleotides, respectively, indicating that Group 2 has the capacity to infect a wide range of hosts. This is the first report of the presence of E. bieneusi in an African lion housed in a zoo in the ROK. Further investigation is necessary to study E. bieneusi infection among zoo animals in various regions and to determine the transmission route, in order to control E. bieneusi infection.
Fabrication of Silicon Sensors Based on Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes

Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes are a recently-developed class of silicon sensors. Characterized by an internal moderate gain that enhances the signal amplitude and if built on thin silicon substrates of a few tens of microns, they feature fast signals and exhibit excellent timing performance. Thanks to their fast timing they are planned to be exploited in timing detectors in High-Energy Physics experiments, for example for the upgrades of the ATLAS and CMS detectors at the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) at CERN. However, to achieve a spatially uniform multiplication a large pixel pitch is needed, preventing a fine spatial resolution. To overcome this limitation, the AC-coupled LGAD approach was introduced. In this type of device, metal electrodes are placed over an insulator at a fine pitch, and signals are capacitively induced on these electrodes. The fabrication technology is similar for the two LGAD families, although a fine tuning of a few process parameters needs to be carefully studied. Other R&D efforts towards detectors that can simultaneously provide good time and spatial resolution, based on the LGAD concept, are under way. These efforts aim also to mitigate the loss of performance at high irradiation fluences due to the acceptor removal within the gain layer. In this paper we describe the main points in the fabrication of LGADs and AC-LGADs in a clean-room. We also discuss novel efforts carried on related topics.
The effect of lateral methyl substitution on the mesophase behaviour of aryl 4-alkoxyphenylazo benzoates

In order to investigate the effect of lateral methyl substitution on the mesophase behaviour of the previously investigated laterally neat 4-substituted phenyl 4ʹ-(4ʺ-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (Ina–e), five homologous series of 4-substituted phenyl 4ʹ-(3ʺ-methyl-4ʺ-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIna–e) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed between the electron-donating CH3O and CH3 groups, and the electron-withdrawing Br and CN groups, in addition to the unsubstituted analogue. Two other isomeric series (IIIna–e) were also prepared in which the methyl group is laterally attached, this time, to position 2 of the same ring, aiming to investigate the effect of the different orientation of the methyl groups on the mesophase behaviour of the produced isomers. The results were discussed in terms of steric, mesomeric, and polarisability effects.
Increase in the antioxidant content in biscuits by infusions or Prosopis chilensis pod flour

Abstract Nowadays there is an increasing demand for healthy biscuits. The reduction in sugar and fat level, as well as the addition of bioactive compounds, is positively associated with a healthy diet. In the present work, low-fat and low-sugar biscuits were prepared with infusions (mate, coffee, and tea) or with Prosopis chilensis pod flour (PPF). Biscuits were made with maize starch and wheat flour (gluten formulations) or with gluten-free ingredients (gluten-free). The colour, texture, and the antioxidant capacity were evaluated in dough and biscuits. Among the formulations prepared with infusions, the mate dough showed the lowest firmness (1.1 N (gluten)-24.3 N (gluten-free)). However, no significant differences were found in the fracture stress of the final products (P > 0.05). Mate gluten biscuits and PPF gluten-free biscuits showed the highest fracture strain (16.2 and 9.4%, respectively) and the lowest Young’s modulus (7.3 and 13.3 MPa, respectively) in their groups. The highest antioxidant activity was found in biscuits with mate (8.7 µmol FeSO4/g (gluten)-4.3 µmol FeSO4/g (gluten-free)). These values were three times higher than the ones found in the control biscuits (2.9 µmol FeSO4/g (gluten)-3.9 µmol FeSO4/g (gluten-free)). The present results showed that the antioxidant content in biscuits could be successfully increased with infusion addition.
Supplementation of probiotics in water beneficial growth performance, carcass traits, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens

Abstract This study aims to investigate the effects of commercial probiotic supplementation in water on the performance parameters, carcass traits, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of broiler chicks. In the experiment, 120 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (60 male and 60 female) were randomly allocated into four groups (G) – G1: basal diet and G2, G3, and G4: basal diet with 1% Lactobacillus casei, 1% L. acidophilus, and 1% Bifidobacterium in the water, lasting 42 days. The experimental results revealed that probiotic additives produced positive impacts on body weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily weight gain for female chicks, whereas these probiotics significantly reduced ADFI and the feed conversion ratio of male chicks (P < 0.05). Probiotics efficiently improved eviscerated yield and breast yield while reducing the abdominal fat (P < 0.05) for the male broiler chicks. A marked increase was observed in the weight of the spleen, bursa of Fabricius, and thymus in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Besides, probiotics produced a significant effect on the concentrations of immune-related proteins (P < 0.05) and markedly increased the concentrations of antioxidase and digestive enzymes when compared with the control (P < 0.05). The addition of probiotics dramatically reduced the total counts of Escherichia coli and Salmonella and increased the quantity of Lactobacilli (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrated an increase in growth performance, carcass traits, immune function, gut microbial population, and antioxidant capacity by supplementing 1% probiotics (L. casei, L. acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium) in the water for broilers.
Decoding Tableaux Vivants: the Metareferential Potential of Painterly References in Cinema

Abstract The article focuses on the intermedial relationship between cinema and painting, viewed as a self-referential process, and tries to determine various ways in which this type of signifying process can be used to “encode” various messages (within the work itself), or become an integral part of this (meta)communicative operation. Starting from a broad definition of intermedial references and continuing with a brief recontextualized detour through Gérard Genette’s taxonomy of transtextual instances, the author narrows down a specific technique that exemplifies this type of “codifying” procedure, namely the tableau vivant. In accordance with Werner Wolf’s proposed terminology, he attempts to determine the metareferential potential of this extra-compositional self-referential technique. The case studies focus on films by Peter Greenaway and Lars von Trier.
Phase separation in GeO–GeO2 glasses

A series of transparent homogeneous amorphous solids between GeO2 and GeO has been prepared by rapid quenching of liquids and by vapour deposition. Density and refractive index increase smoothly with increasing Ge/O ratio and provide a useful index of composition. Glasses in the range GeO–GeO1.85 undergo a rapid exothermic transformation when heated above 400°C accompanied by a pronounced blackening, an increase in refractive index, and slight decrease in density. Electron microscopy and diffraction results indicate that the transformation involves the precipitation on a 50–100 A scale of an amorphous tetrahedrally coordinated Ge-rich phase. The interconnected microstructure so produced is suggestive of spinodal decomposition. A transitional region near GeO1.9 is characterized by sluggish phase separation kinetics and a dispersed particle morphology suggestive of a nucleation and growth precipitation mechanism. Glasses in the range GeO1.9–GeO2 show no evidence for phase separation.
Adsorption performance of heavy metal ions between EAF steel slag and common mineral adsorbents

AbstractHeavy metal pollution in water has been a serious environmental problem in recent years. Selecting favorable heavy metal adsorption materials for wastewater treatment is very important. Two kinds of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slags, clinoptilolite, ceramsite, and expanded vermiculite, which were investigated in this study to select favorable heavy metal adsorption materials, could adsorb three kinds of heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+). The isotherm adsorption, as well as the effects of adsorption time and dosage on the heavy metal ion removal capability of these adsorption materials, was analyzed in this research. Results showed that the capability of the EAF steel slags to adsorb Cu2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ was evidently higher than those of clinoptilolite, ceramsite, and expanded vermiculite. The dosages of the EAF steel slags required to remove the same quantity of the three heavy metal ions were the least among the aforementioned adsorbents. The EAF steel slags have wide application pros.
The Prevalence Of Specific Gene Polymorphisms Related To Thrombophilia In Egyptian Women With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Background: Despite the enhanced progress in identifying a number of leading causes to fetal miscarriage, still some women suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) for unknown cause. A hidden genetic influence of coexisting hereditary thrombophilia was assumed to have a role. Aim: The aim was to investigate the association between unexplained RPL and thrombophilic gene variants of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) (rs4646994) and β -fibrinogen (rs1800790) genes. Settings and Design: The present case–control study was conducted on unexplained RPL in eighty women and eighty matched controls with no history of previous pregnancy loss. Materials and Methods: Analysis of extracted DNA was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Statistical Analysis: The frequency of genotypes and alleles was compared between groups using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Risk assessment was made by odds ratio (OR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Women with RPL group had higher frequency of DD than controls (47.5%, 31.25%, respectively, P = 0.086). D allele frequency was 0.67 and 0.54 in the control (P = 0.022). D allele carriers were at higher risk of RPL than the control as OR was 1.694 at 95% CI from 1.08 to 2.67. There was no association between the rs1800790 variant of β -fibrinogen gene and RPL. Conclusion: Females who are carriers for D allele of ACE I/D gene polymorphism are more liable to suffer from RPL. Screening for hereditary thrombophilia in females who are planning to conceive and have a history of RPL of unidentified cause is of great value to provide proper management and genetic counseling to high-risk couples.
Arterial stiffness: A brief review

Apart from the result of multiple diseases as well as aging, arterial stiffness (AS) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD have high CVD prevalence, and an extraordinarily high risk for CVD might be related to nontraditional risk factors, including AS. The mechanism of AS development could be attributed to oxidative stress, inflammation, uremic milieu (e.g., uremic toxins), vascular calcification, and cumulative effects of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on arteries such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension. There were a variety of non-invasive techniques to measure AS. One of these techniques is carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, which is the reference measurement of AS and is related to long-term CVD outcomes. AS progression has corresponding medical treatments with modest beneficial results. This review briefly discusses the risk factors, measurements, and treatments associated with AS.
Effects of power resistance training program with elastic bands on body composition, muscle strength and physical function in older women

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a power-strength resistance program with elastic bands on body composition, physical function, and muscle strength in older women. For such purpose, a randomized controlled trial with a pre-post-intervention design was conducted. Thus, 58 healthy, physically independent, sedentary women, aged 65-85 years, were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 28) or control group (n = 30). Measurements of body composition (total mass, total fat mass, total skeletal-muscle mass, and body fat percentage), isokinetic muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors (at 60o/second and 180o/second), and physical performance (flexibility, agility/dynamic balance, and mobility) were taken pre-intervention and after 20 weeks of a power-strength protocol (light loads at maximum speed) with elastic bands consisting of 42 sessions (including familiarization) of between 80 and 90 minutes, with six exercises per session. The intensity was controlled with the OMNI-RES scale of perceived exertion. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA) was carried out. All parameters of physical function, isokinetic strength, and body composition significantly improved (p < .05) in the intervention group, except the muscle mass and the knee flexion strength at 60o/sec, on which no statistical difference was observed (p > .05). All the variables got worsened or did not change in the control group. A resistance program with elastic bands using light loads and performing at maximum speed can reverse the deterioration in body composition, muscle strength, and physical function, and offer significant physical benefits in sedentary older women.
Potato is one of the vegetables rich in vitamin C and is also an interesting source of dietary fiber (7% of peeled potato, up

Improve lipid metabolism and absorption of calcium and magnesium in cholesterol-fed rat were studied. To accomplish this aim potato peel and wheat bran breads were investigated. Thus 4 groups of 8 rats each were used. The first group was fed on basal diet (control). The other groups fed on basal diet +1 % cholesterol. Potato peel bread (PP-bread) ( 10 % of diet ) was added in 3 group, while wheat bran bread (WB-bread) ( 10 % of diet ) was used in 4 group. An increase of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) was observed in content in the feces of rats that consumed either of the two different kind of bread. Potato peel bread diet increased the acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations compared to wheat fiber group. Consequently, both absolute apparent Ca absorptions (mg/d) and relative (%)were affected by both treatments, and those were greater (51 ± 2.4 and 71.5 ±1.68 ) by PP-bread diet than that of WB-bread diet ( 45 ±2.1 and 62 ±3.8 ). Relative apparent Mg absorptions were higher after ingestion of PP-bread diet as compared to those that fed on WB-bread diet. The plasma lipoprotein shows a reduction of LDL (-66.6% and -61.1) in rats fed on PP-bread and WB-bread diets, respectively compared to hypercholesterolemic group. The presence of potato and wheat fiber in the diet increased HDL level (10.8 % and 7.8 %, respectively) compared to hypercholesterolemic group. Triglyceride and LDL concentrations were significantly lower in rats fed with potato fiber-enriched diet as compared to those that fed on wheat fiber diet (68.4 ± 4.51 % vs. 74.4 ± 6.41 % and 36.7 % ±4.52 vs. 42.8 % ±10.36, respectively ).
Interval optimization‐based scheduling of interlinked power, gas, heat, and hydrogen systems

The combined heat and power (CHP) plant is one of the emerging technologies of gas-ﬁred units, which plays an important role in reducing environmental pollutants and delivering high energy efﬁciency. Moreover, the hydrogen energy storage (HES) system with extra power storage from wind turbine via power to hydrogen technology allows the injection of stored energy into the power grid by reverse hydrogen to power services, offsetting in this way the uncertainty of wind power. Consequently, simultaneous usage of CHP and HES units not only makes the maximum use of wind power distribution but also increases ﬂexibility and reduces the operating costs of the entire network. Therefore, this paper proposes an interval optimization technique for managing the uncertainty of wind power generation in the integrated electricity and natural gas (NG) networks considering CHP–HES. More-over, to enhance the ﬂexibility of the NG network, a linearized Taylor series-based model is proposed for modelling linepack of gas pipelines in the proposed scheduling framework that is formulated mixed-integer linear programming and solved using the Cplex solver. The obtained results indicate that the simultaneous use of CHP–HES in the day-ahead scheduling reduces the operating cost and increases the ﬂexibility of the whole network.
Detection of dying cells using lectin‐conjugated fluorescent and luminescent nanoparticles

Constantly increasing sector of industry of biomedical diagnostics requires photosensitive and stable nanomaterials which can be specifically bio‐labeled for targeting selected cells in the body. Here we describe two types of novel nanomaterials conjugated with specific proteins recognized by dying (apoptotic and necrotic) cells. They are luminescent GaN:Eu3+‐doped nanoparticles with wide green emission and very narrow red emission and fluorescent green‐emitting fluorescein‐containing polystyrene nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were conjugated with carbohydrate recognizing proteins – the lectins – that are targeting specific cell surface glycoproteins which were recently shown to be novel markers of dying cells (Bilyy et al., 2003, Bilyy et al., 2007). Both luminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles possessed high brightness and low level of photobleaching and efficiently interacted with dying cells, thus discriminating them from the intact ones.
An optically pumped hydrogen iodide cascade laser operating in mid-infrared region

In recent years, several activities have been toward optically pumped molecular gas lasers as mid-infrared coherent sources. These have been also motivated by the search of suitable laser media for Hollow-core Optical Fiber Gas Laser (HOFGLAS) and the novel beam combiner. To continue these challenge paths, an optically pumped Hydrogen Iodide (HI) laser is explored by using a comprehensive laser model. HI transitions in the communication band (1.5 μm) are attractive due to a potential mean to be excited by commercial available laser systems. Furthermore, its emission coverage in 5 micron region can be useful for many applications, for example, free-space communication and laser spectroscopy. In the laser model, 30 rotational states in each of the 8 vibrational states of HI are taken into account to allow molecular energy transfer processes such as rotational relaxation and vibrational relaxation. A HI laser under pulsed excitation on a second overtone transition with lasing cascade is possible. The complete lasing cascade originates from the terminal pumped state (vibrational state, V = 3) to the vibrational state, V = 2, from the vibrational state, V = 2 to the vibrational state, V = 1 and finally from the vibrational state, V = 1 to the vibrational ground state. For the full lasing cascade, the laser efficiencies can be approached to 70%. In addition, the lasing behavior of the gas pressure related to the molecular relaxation rates and pressure broadening effects is also investigated. Owing to exceptional frequency tuning properties, the laser output can be manipulated to desired frequencies.
Direct sonication system suitable for medium‐scale sonochemical reactors

A radially vibrating horn is studied as a possible system for scaling up sonochemical reactors. The anisotropic behavior of this horn was demonstrated, as were strong correlations among the acoustic field, the acoustic streaming, and the sonochemical reactivity. A comparison with the classic laboratory horn exhibits the benefits of the larger emitting surface of the radially vibrating horn for homogeneous reactions, but not for polymer degradation reactions or for heterogeneous liquid-liquid reactions. The experimental techniques used proved to be very useful in characterizing the sonochemical reactors.
Observation of lubrication conditions using an ultrasonic technique

Evaluation of lubrication conditions for a real frictional surface, such as a steel bearing, becomes an important issue for safe operation of a machine. In this paper, an application of ultrasonic technique is attempted for a purpose of evaluating the lubrication conditions. Ultrasonic waves emitted towards a hydrodynamic lubrication interface are reflected multiple times in oil film, and an echo height of reflected waves from the boundary is dependent on film thickness. The results of this study indicated that the ultrasonic technique is able to measure film thickness of approximately 50 nm in the case of a standstill surface having extremely small surface roughness. Furthermore, a potential for estimating the oil film thickness between a piston ring and cylinder is also indicated. In addition, in the case of a ball bearing, quantitative measurement of a size of dent, which forms the origin of flaking, is important for an evaluation of lubrication conditions. This becomes possible with an observation of a change in the echo height reflected from a boundary surface between a housing and an outer ring of the ball bearing. In this study, quantitative measurement of an indentation having 0.32 mm width on a raceway surface of an inner ring was achieved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concentration characteristics of a two stage solar concentrator: Effect of primary mirror surface errors

The concentration characteristics of a two-stage linear solar concentrator employing a perfectly tracked parabolic trough as the primary and a seasonally adjusted compound parabolic concentrator as the secondary stage with a flat horizontal absorber are studied. The Monte Carlo ray trace technique is used for this purpose. The effect of randomly distributed primary mirror surface errors on the concentration characteristics of the two stage concentrator is also investigated.