Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo assessment of the potential protective effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota against aflatoxin B1

Interest in the bacterial protective effect against mycotoxins has greatly increased. This effect is mostly strain-dependent and the mechanisms involved are still not well understood. The objectives of this work were (1) to assess the ability of Lactobacillus casei Shirota to bind aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by fluorescent monoclonal antibody staining, (2) to evaluate the AFB1-bacteria interaction by atomic force microscopy, and (3) to determine its effect on intestinal absorption through detection of AFB1-Lys adducts used as biological markers to a 3-week aflatoxin exposure in a murine model. The micrographs obtained in this work showed for the first time a clear visual image of the ability of Lactobacillus casei Shirota to bind AFB1 into the bacterial cell envelope. The images also revealed that aflatoxin binding produces structural changes that modify the bacterial cell surface. AFB1-Lys adducts quantified from blood samples were found to be present at significantly lower levels in animals receiving AFB1 plus bacteria than in those receiving only AFB1. This suggests that the presence of Lactobacillus casei Shirota can decrease aflatoxin absorption at the intestinal level even after a long period of toxin exposure, which consequently circumvents its toxic effects.Abstract(1) Lactobacillus casei Shirota B1 (AFB1) (2) AFB1-(3) 3 AFB1-Lys Lactobacillus casei Shirota AFB1 AFB1-Lys AFB1-Lys Lactobacillus casei ShirotaRésuméL’intérêt porté à l’effet protecteur des bactéries contre les mycotoxines a considérablement augmenté. Cet effet est majoritairement souche-dépendant et les mécanismes impliqués ne sont pas encore bien expliqués. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient (1) d’estimer la capacité de la souche Shirota de Lactobacillus casei de lier l’aflatoxine B1 (AFB1) par marquage à un anticorps monoclonal fluorescent, (2) d’évaluer l’interaction bactérie-AFB1 par microscopie à force atomique, (3) de déterminer ses effets sur l’absorption intestinale par la détection des composés AFB1-Lys utilisés comme marqueurs biologiques après exposition de 3 semaines en modèle de souris. Les micrographies obtenues dans cette étude montraient pour la première fois une représentation visuelle claire de la capacité de Lactobacillus casei Shirota à lier AFB1 au sein de l’enveloppe de la cellule bactérienne. Les images montraient également que la liaison de l’aflatoxine produit des changements structuraux qui modifient la surface de la cellule bactérienne. Les composés AFB1-Lys quantifiés à partir des échantillons sanguins étaient présents à des niveaux significativement plus faibles chez les animaux recevant AFB1 plus bactérie par rapport à ceux recevant seulement AFB1. Ceci suggère que la présence de Lactobacillus casei Shirota peut diminuer l’absorption de l’aflatoxine au niveau intestinal même après une longue période d’exposition à la toxine, ce qui limite considérablement ses effets toxiques.
Single‐Point Calibration with a Non‐linear Detector: Carbohydrate Analysis of Conifer Needles by Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography–Evaporative Light‐Scattering Detection (HIC–ELSD)

Abstract An analytical method employing hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) combined with parallel detectors, provided a quantitative method for the determination of soluble carbohydrates in conifer needle tissues. Evaporative light‐scattering detection (ELSD), in parallel with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS), yielded excellent quantitative and spectral data. Non‐linear detector responses of the ELSD were overcome by performing a simple exponential transformation of the detector response data. The transformation allowed for single‐point calibrations that yielded quantitative results with excellent accuracy and precision. Method recovery and precision were determined from maltose‐fortified conifer tissues. Maltose recovery was 101.7% [relative standard deviation (RSD) = 9.74%] for homogenized Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) needle tissue fortified at 1.01 mg/g and 107.8% (RSD = 2.47%) for tissue fortified at 10.1 mg/g. Maltose recovery from fortified western redcedar (Thuja plicata) tissues (7.60 mg/g) was 93.0% (RSD = 3.0%). The method limit of detection (MLOD) was 0.24 mg/g for maltose in Douglas‐fir. The method was employed for the quantitative analysis of soluble carbohydrates in Douglas‐fir needles, collected from new and previous‐year's growth for 7 weeks after the emergence of new growth (bud break). Needles collected from dormant trees were also analyzed. The concentrations of fructose and glucose were consistently greater in previous‐year's growth vs. new and dormant growth.
DESIGN OF DOUBLE DIPOLE ANTENNA WITH ENHANCED USABLE BANDWIDTH FOR WIDEBAND PHASED ARRAY APPLICATIONS

In this paper,the regular microstrip-fed dipole antenna with simplified balun is modified to improve the usable bandwidth by increasing the stability of the radiation patterns. The presented antenna consists of two parallel dipoles of different lengths to obtain two main resonances. The distance between the two dipoles is adjusted to reduce the return loss between the two main resonances. A wide usable bandwidth of more than 84% is obtained with high radiation pattern stability. The proposed antenna is simple and small in size. The results of a modified two-element array configuration from this antenna show that it is very good candidate for wideband phased array applications.
Large Eddy Simulation of an Ammonia Jet

A compressible jet flow of ammonia was studied through a series of Large Eddy Simulations. Simulations were focused in the zone where the inertial effects are much bigger than the gravitational ones. The ammonia jet is discharged into an air medium and the gases are treated as a two non-reactive ideal gas mixture. Different simulations were performed, going from the use of constant transport properties to the use of kinetic theory of gases relations for calculating them as a function of the resolved variables. The main goal of the present study is to investigate the effect of varying density as well as variable transport properties on the turbulent flow behavior.
Influence of printed circuit board thickness in wave soldering

This paper presents a thermal fluid–structure interaction (FSI) study of printed circuit boards (PCBs) during wave soldering. The influences of PCB thickness on displacement, stress and temperature distribution are the foci of the study. Five PCB thicknesses (i.e., 0.6, 1.0, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.1 mm) are considered. The paper focuses on a simple PCB with a single hole and constructed in a three-dimensional model. The thermal FSI of the PCB is solved by fluid (FLUENT) and structure (ABAQUS) solvers that are connected using the mesh-based parallel code coupling interface method. Molten solder advancement is tracked using volume-of-fluid technique in the thermal fluid analysis. ABAQUS solves PCB displacement, von Mises stress, and temperature distributions when high solder temperature is experienced during wave soldering. The correlations of PCB thickness to displacement, von Mises stress, temperature distribution, and molten solder filling time are studied. Results reveal that an increase in PCB thickness yields a linear correlation to solder filling time. Temperature distribution, von Mises stress, and displacement of PCB exhibit polynomial behavior to PCB thickness. A laboratory-scale two-way wave-soldering machine is also used to measure PCB temperature during wave soldering. The predicted temperature of PCB is substantiated by the experimental results.
SYNTOPY OF A. PALLIPES AND A. ITALICUS: GENETIC AND MORPHOMETRICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Genetic studies on the populations of Austropotamobius pallipes complex from Alessandria province (N-Italy), conducted on the basis of variations recorded in the sequences of mitochondrial DNA in the gene 16S RNA, have allowed to single out an overlapping zone of the distribution areas of the two taxa pallipes and italicus. In the crayfishes from a creek where both species have been ascertained to be present, the authors have applied the same molecular marker in order to investigate the distribution of the two taxa, stressing the syntopy of A. pallipes and A. italicus. Multivariate statistical techniques on 21 morphological parameters have been used in order to single out possible distinctive features of 31 crayfishes collected in this site, and of 225 crayfishes obtained from four sites in neighbouring areas. The results confirm the presence of a high morphological variability, not only at interspecific, but also at intraspecific level, which does not allow to distinguish the two species on the basis of the features measured in the present study.
Colliding Winds in Low-Mass Binary Star Systems: wind interactions and implications for habitable planets

Context. In binary star systems, the winds from the two components impact each other, leading to strong shocks and regions of enhanced density and temperature. Potentially habitable circumbinary planets must continually be exposed to these interactions regions. Aims. We study, for the first time, the interactions between winds from low-mass stars in a binary system, to show the wind conditions seen by potentially habitable circumbinary planets. Methods. We use the advanced 3D numerical hydrodynamic code Nurgush to model the wind interactions of two identical winds from two solar mass stars with circular orbits and a binary separation of 0.5 AU. As input into this model, we use a 1D hydrodynamic simulation of the solar wind, run using the Versatile Advection Code. We derive the locations of stable and habitable orbits in this system to explore what wind conditions potentially habitable planets will be exposed to during their orbits. Results. Our wind interaction simulations result in the formation of two strong shock waves separated by a region of enhanced density and temperature. The wind-wind interaction region has a spiral shape due to Coriolis forces generated by the orbital motions of the two stars. The stable and habitable zone in this system extends from approximately 1.4 AU to 2.4 AU. (TRUNCATED)
CVA, Wrong Way Risk, Hedging and Bermudan Swaption

“Roughly two-thirds of credit counterparty losses were due to credit valuation adjustment losses and only one-third were due to actual defaults” according to the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, highlighting the importance of counterparty credit risk management to the derivatives contracts. Today, managing counterparty credit risk has become an integrated part of many derivative trading desks’ day-to-day activities and the need of accurate pricing, efficient hedging strategies and practical proxies has become critical. As a result, banks have sharpened their CVA pricing and modeling infrastructure and most have a dedicated trading desk dynamically hedging their CVA. However, if pricing techniques have become standard over the past few years, the expected positive exposure (EPE) modeling is usually not taking into account the embedded correlation between the counterparty and underlying market movements. This correlation known as wrong way risk can substantially affect the price and the related hedging strategy and is the main focus of this article.
Minimum Perimeter Developments of the Platonic Solids

A development of a convex polyhedron is a connected plane figure obtained by cutting the surface of the polyhedron and unfolding it. In this paper, we determine the length and configuration of a minimum perimeter development for each of the Platonic solids. We show that such developments are obtained by cutting the surface of the polyhedron along a Steiner minimal tree. We introduce the concept of Steiner isomorphism to develop a search algorithm for determining these Steiner minimal trees. Each of these trees is completely symmetric with respect to rotation around a fixed point.
Variations in the Bedside Methods of Evaluating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. A Challenge for Primary Health Care Physicians in Trinidad a High Prevalence Setting for Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare four measurements used in the diagnosis of DN, (1) symptom scoring, (2) physical examination scoring, (3) Semmes Weinstein monofilament testing, and (4) vibration sensation among patients with T2DM attending primary care facilities in North Trinidad. In addition, the study will demonstrate discrepancies between these four methods as well as estimate the prevalence of DN. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 14 primary care facilities chosen randomly in North Trinidad was conducted. Of the 292 patients that were screened for entry into our study, 276 met the inclusion criteria. Using four standard clinical methods ie Symptom Scoring, Physical Examination, Monofilament testing and Vibration Perception the proportion of patient with neuropathy was measured and compared. Results: The mean age of the sample population was 60.8 SD ± 11.1 with the average duration of T2DM being 10.2 SD ± 8.4 years. Additionally, there were more females than males with a female to male ratio of 2.3:1. The proportion of participants testing positive for neuropathy by Symptom Scoring, Physical Examination, Monofilament testing and Vibration Perception was 82.6%, 54%, 42.4% and 25.4% respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy can be made only after a careful clinical examination with more than 1 test, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. However monofilament testing may in a primary care setting may not be accurate and relevant.
Descriptors’ Specification for Image Representation

There is still no generally accepted principle to map low-level features into high level image semantic interpretation although a lot of effort has lately been put into image interpretation research. In this paper, an abstract image description vector suitable for image analysis is given. Also, a method for continuous low-level features vector quantization is presented so as to define appropriate values for descriptor signature. The similarity among different concepts of the domain is examined and compared by using the measure of similarity which is based on the probabilistic model and the measure of distance. Furthermore, formal explicit description of concepts and their properties as well as hierarchical and spatial relationship among concepts in an outdoor image domain will be presented.
Remote Sensing Data Classification Using Combined Spectral and Spatial Local Linear Embedding (CSSLE)

Feature learning and extraction have been used to reduce the complexity of the representation of remote sensing data. In this paper, a novel remote sensing data feature analysis method is proposed based on the locally linear embedding (LLE) techniques, which is an unsupervised manifold learning algorithm. If the remote sensing data variability is described by a small number of spatial features, we can treat the data as lying on a low dimensional manifold in the high dimensional space of remote sensing data. The proposed method, combined spectral and spatial local linear embedding (CSSLE) makes use the neighbors in both domains. Compared with LLE, CSSLE makes up the shortage that LLE ignores the relationship among the spatial neighboring pixels which is extremely important for remote sensing images. In this paper we provide experiment results from the analysis of remote sensing data using PCA, LLE and CSSLE. Classification results show that proposed method can give higher accuracies than the linear method of PCA and the nonlinear method of LLE.
Different training programs for improving muscular performance in healthy inactive elderly

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a general conditioning (callisthenic exercise) versus a machine based resistance-training protocol or an isokinetic exercise program would be similarly effective in improving knee extension muscular performance in healthy inactive elderly. Fifty two individuals, 26 men and 26 women, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control group (C, n =1 0), the isokinetic strengthening group (ISO, n =1 2), the multi-joint resistance training group (RES, n =1 5) and the calisthenic exercised group (CAL, n =1 5). The training protocol for the ISO included concentric isokinetic extension and flexion of the knee, for the RES included leg extension, leg curls and leg press and for the CAL included aerobic exercise accompanied with music, general calisthenics and activities targeted to reaction time and agility improvement. The isokinetic concentric testing method applied prior to and at the end of the training period to assess peak muscle torque of the right knee extensors. MANOVA repeated measures (2× 4, time by treatment) revealed that at 60 ◦ /s angular velocity there was statistically significant improvement in performance for the RES group in comparison to control group. At 180 ◦ /s angular velocity the results revealed, statistically significant improvement in performance for the RES and ISO group also. In conclusion, in older adults isokinetic exercise and resistance training results in larger increases in strength compared with callisthenic exercise.
Determinants of Direct Foreign Investment and Its Connection to Trade in Bangladesh

The paper examines the relative importance of trade and foreign exchange liberalization, infrastructure availability and economic and political stability in Bangladesh with respect to FDI. The analysis is conducted for total FDI and for FDI in manufacturing. The results show that trade and foreign exchange liberalization, infrastructure availability and sound economic and political conditions increase FDI inflows. Their effects are much higher for FDI in the manufacturing sector than for total FDI. This result is robust to alternative indicators of trade and foreign exchange liberalization, and to change in the specification. The message to Bangladesh’s policy makers is twofold. First, efforts toward trade and foreign exchange liberalization should be initiated or further increased in order to make the region attractive to foreign investors. Second improvements in other aspects of the investment climate are important complements to liberalization and result in additional and sensitive increase of FDI inflows.
Community-based disaster preparedness in The Kimbilio Women´s Shelter and Education Center

Kuusikallio, Visa. Community-based disaster preparedness in the Kimbilio Women ́s Shelter and Education center. 47 p. 3 appendices. Language: English. Helsinki, Fall 2017. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Master ́s Degree in Global Health Care. Violence against women is one of the significant problems in the world. Women and children who are victims of the domestic violence need to have more services that are particularly designed to protect and solve their problems. The Kimbilio Women ́s Shelter and Education center in Morogoro is one of those rare and important service providers in Tanzania. During the women and children residency in the shelter, the core values of the service are the personal safety of the individuals and the disaster preparedness of the shelter at the same time. If the shelter is not safe enough, the recovery of the people and problem-solving cannot be successful. This thesis paper is based on community development work. The main purpose of the thesis is to develop the disaster preparedness plan to Kimbilio centre customers and staff ́s daily use. The objectives are assessing the risk impact of disasters at Kimbilio and provide recommendations to mitigate the risk of all kind of disasters having a significant effect at Kimbilio. The theoretical background used for this thesis was WHO ́s and UN ́s definitions of disaster and theories about safety as a human need and human right. These theories were the frame and background through the entire development process. This fully implemented learning process helps them to build safer environment for Kimbilio customers and workers. The two days' workshop was held on February 2017. It helped the staff to build their disaster preparedness capacity. As the result of the development workshop, it was discovered in Kimbilio that the disaster preparedness level was not appropriate. One of the workshop core findings was the lack of exit doors in the shelter building. In case of fire or terrorist attack that can be destructive. The entire thesis process was planned and co-operated with Kimbilio owners and donators in Tanzania and Finland. The workshop got financial support from Finland. The results of the thesis are recommendations to the Kimbilio staff in aim to build the safer environment and arrange more training for Kimbilio ́ s workers.
IMPACT OF AGRICHEMICAL FACILITY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON RUNOFF WATER QUALITY

Water quality effects of structural and managerial BMPs implemented at an agrichemical mixing and handling facility, located in an agricultural watershed in Virginia, were investigated in this study. The measured water quality parameters include two commonly used pesticides (atrazine and metolachlor), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). BMPs implemented include: pesticide mixing and loading concrete pad with a sump and pump fitting; a variety of runoff diversion structures to divert the rooftop runoff away from the critical areas; structures to contain transport of chemicals to the drainage leaving the facility; and recycling of rinsate by applying it on the agricultural land. Concentration of pesticides and nutrients were measured at the facility outlet as well as the outlet of the main watershed in which the facility was located. Implementation of BMPs resulted in drastic reduction in mean concentrations of the two pesticides in the stream leaving the facility as well as in the main watershed stream. Maximum atrazine concentrations in the drainage leaving the facility reduced from 17,389 g/l during the pre–BMP period (1986–1988) to 1,452 g/l during the post–BMP period (1989–1996). The post–BMP mean concentrations of atrazine and metolachlor at the facility outlet were reduced by 94% (2690 g/l to 166 g/l) and 91% (4579 g/l to 402 g/l), respectively. The corresponding post–BMP reductions in concentration at the main watershed outlet were 52% and 78% for atrazine and metolachlor, respectively. Nonparametric trend tests results indicated statistically significant downward trend and reduced post–BMP concentrations of the two pesticides at the facility as well as the watershed outlets. Impact of BMPs on the nutrient concentrations were not clear due to large nutrient contributions from animal production activities in upland areas of the watershed. Results from this study will provide needed impetus for implementation of BMPs at other agrichemical mixing and handling facilities in Virginia as well as other states to drastically reduce the transport of pesticides and nutrients to surface water bodies.
Social venture strategy from a resource based perspective: an exploratory study assessing Ashoka Fellows

This study identifies trends and patterns of social entrepreneurs using quantitative methods in order to allow direct comparison to those of commercial entrepreneurs. It utilizes the online profiles of the Fellows in the global social venture network, Ashoka, in order to build a database of 70 social entrepreneurs. The resource-based view serves as the theoretical base by which the preliminary results are evaluated. The findings, which indicate that social entrepreneurs demonstrate similar patterns to commercial entrepreneurs, are assessed through a knowledge management lens of analyses. Statistically significant relationships were found between alliances, funding sources, innovation, and ease of replication.