Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiome Responses to Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Cats with Chronic Digestive Issues

Simple Summary The effectiveness and potential impacts of fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) on the intestinal microbial communities of domestic cats have been severely understudied. To date, only two case studies have examined FMT treatment in resolving diarrhea and chronic colitis in two adult cats. Here we provide an analysis of the fecal microbiome responses to an oral capsule FMT course in a group of 46 cats experiencing chronic vomiting, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Changes in the composition of the fecal microbiome were observed for all cats. Fecal microbiome responses were correlated with clinical signs and dry kibble consumption. Furthermore, we compared the fecal microbiomes of FMT recipients to those from their stool donors (N = 10) and from cats in a healthy reference set (N = 113) and discussed findings regarding donor bacterial engraftment in FMT recipients. We also report increases in the fecal microbiome similarity between FMT recipients and healthy cats. Our study attempts to address a large gap in the literature and provides a comprehensive analysis of fecal microbiome changes in a cohort of cats receiving oral FMTs. Abstract There is growing interest in the application of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in small animal medicine, but there are few published studies that have tested their effects in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Here we use 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine fecal microbiome changes in 46 domestic cats with chronic digestive issues that received FMTs using lyophilized stool that was delivered in oral capsules. Fecal samples were collected from FMT recipients before and two weeks after the end of the full course of 50 capsules, as well as from their stool donors (N = 10), and other healthy cats (N = 113). The fecal microbiomes of FMT recipients varied with host clinical signs and dry kibble consumption, and shifts in the relative abundances of Clostridium, Collinsella, Megamonas, Desulfovibrio and Escherichia were observed after FMT. Overall, donors shared 13% of their bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with FMT recipients and the most commonly shared ASVs were classified as Prevotella 9, Peptoclostridium, Bacteroides, and Collinsella. Lastly, the fecal microbiomes of cats with diarrhea became more similar to the microbiomes of age-matched and diet-matched healthy cats compared to cats with constipation. Overall, our results suggest that microbiome responses to FMT may be modulated by the FMT recipient’s initial presenting clinical signs, diet, and their donor’s microbiome.
Functional Properties and Proximate Analysis of Fish Waste Protein Hydrolysate Processed Using Enzymes

A huge production of fish and their processing waste give rise to by-products comprises up to 70% depending on the species, size and processing method. The waste includes visceral parts, head, frames, bones, skin and cut-offs are rich source of protein with high functional properties. It is generally discarded which is a wastage of nutrient source and leading to environmental issues. Therefore, it was aimed to utilized the by-products for maximum recovery of nutrients by enzyme hydrolysis method for the preparation of protein hydrolysate with the used of papain and pepsin for digestion following different hydrolysis conditions. With the hydrolysis of papain enzyme (1 to 6%), the protein content of finfish waste protein hydrolysate ranges from 19.17% ± 0.06 to 73.14% ± 0.08 and that of shellfish waste protein hydrolysate prepared with 5,10 and 15% papain enzyme showed 26.73% ± 0.04 to 40.4% ± 0.5 which is comparatively low. Whereas the highest protein content was observed in 1% pepsin enzyme treated finfish waste protein hydrolysate with 80.55% ± 0.07. Besides, the hydrolysates were composed of 6.91% ± 0.05 to 10.46% ± 0.05 (moisture content), 0.6% ± 0.01 to 2.4% ± 0.01 (ash content) and 0.02% ± 0.005 to 0.09% ± 0.005 (fat content). The hydrolysates were highly soluble ranges from 72.73% ± 0.05 to 93.83% ± 0.1 which indicates development of small size hydrophilic with highly solvated polypeptide particles. A reduced phenomena of foaming capacity and stability were observed in shellfish waste protein hydrolysate in contrast with finfish waste protein hydrolysate. Similar pattern was also resulted in emulsifying stability index. Whereas the emulsifying activity index was in the range of 6.15 ± 0.03 to 9.85 ± 0.07 m2/g. The water holding capacity of finfish and shellfish waste protein hydrolysate ranges from 3.4 to 4.23 gm/gm hydrolysate and 1.53 to 1.63 gm/gm hydrolysate respectively which is resulted by the difference in molecular weight of the peptide. The hydrolysates extracted from different sample with different enzyme and concentration at varying conditions were more or less similar ranges from 3.7 to 4.1 gm/gm protein hydrolysate (oil holding capacity). Hence, high protein content with good functional properties of the protein hydrolysate prepared with the utilization of fish waste is a positive impact on the attempt made to recover nutrient by enzymatic hydrolysis.
Editorial RNA Nanotechnology : Methods for synthesis , conjugation , assembly and application of RNA nanoparticles

Nanotechnology addresses the creation and application of materials at the nanometer scale using either top-down approaches or bottom-up assembly. In particular, the notion of using DNA as a nanomaterial has led to several publications of exciting research. As an alternative to DNA, RNA has recently catapulted into place as a nanotechnology platform due to its diversity in structure and function. RNA can acquire a wide variety of secondary structures and complementary property which rival and surpass that of DNA. RNA nanoparticles can be fabricated with a level of simplicity characteristic of DNA, yet they possess versatile tertiary structure and catalytic functions that can mimic some forms of proteins. RNA is unique in comparison to DNA by virtue of several properties: higher thermodynamic stability; both canonical and noncanonical base pairing ability as well as a variety of single stranded loops suitable for interand intra-molecular interactions; base stacking; and distinct in vivo attributes. Subsequent to the pioneering demonstration that RNA dimer, trimer and hexamer can be fabricated by re-engineering of RNA molecules [1], novel properties of RNA nanoparticles have been explored for treatment and detection of diseases and various other applications. Over the last 5 years, there has been an explosion of publications on RNA nanostructures relating to the rapid emergence of RNA nanotechnology [2]. The construction of RNA nanoparticles (Fig. 1) involves a multistep process [2] beginning with the conception step, whereby the desired properties of the nanoparticles are defined and the global structure of the particle and application are considered. A computational approach is then applied to predict the folding of the building blocks and the consequences of inter-RNA interactions in the assembly of the final RNA quaternary structure. After the monomeric building blocks are generated either by in vitro transcription using RNA polymerase or chemical synthesis, the individual subunits are mixed in stoichiometric ratio to assemble into quaternary architectures by either templated or non-templated methods. The resulting RNA nanoparticles are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), electron microscope (EM), gel electrophoresis or chromatography to ensure proper folding consistent with the desired structural and functional capabilities. After thorough assessment, RNA nanoparticles are used for a variety of applications including the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and the regulation of cellular functions. In this special issue of Methods, leading experts were invited to address these six steps in RNA nanotechnology.
In Vitro Prebiotic Effects and Antibacterial Activity of Five Leguminous Honeys

Honey is a natural remedy for various health conditions. It exhibits a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiome, including lactobacilli, essential for maintaining gut health and regulating the im-mune system. In addition, monofloral honey can show peculiar therapeutic properties. We in-vestigated some legumes honey’s prebiotic properties and potential antimicrobial action against different pathogens. We assessed the prebiotic potentiality of honey by evaluating the antioxidant activity, the growth, and the in vitro adhesion of Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus intact cells. We also tested the honey’s capacity to inhibit or limit the biofilm produced by five pathogenic strains. Finally, we assessed the anti-biofilm activity of the growth medium of probiotics cultured with honey as an energy source. Most probiotics increased their growth or the in vitro adhesion ability to 84.13% and 48.67%, respectively. Overall, alfalfa honey best influenced the probiotic strains’ growth and in vitro adhesion properties. Their radical-scavenging activity arrived at 83.7%. All types of honey increased the antioxidant activity of the probiotic cells, except for the less sensitive L. plantarum. Except for a few cases, we observed a bio-film-inhibitory action of all legumes’ honey, with percentages up to 81.71%. Carob honey was the most effective in inhibiting the biofilm of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus; it retained almost entirely the ability to act against the bio-film of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus also when added to the bacterial growth medium instead of glucose. On the other hand, alfalfa and astragalus honey exhibited greater efficacy in acting against the biofilm of Acinetobacter baumannii. Indigo honey, whose biofilm-inhibitory action was fragile per se, was very effective when we added it to the culture broth of L. casei, whose supernatant exhibited an anti-biofilm activity against all the pathogenic strains tested. Conclusions: the five kinds of honey in different ways can improve some prebiotic properties and have an inhibitory biofilm effect when consumed.
Efficacy of Insecticides against the Invasive Apricot Aphid, Myzus mumecola

Simple Summary The apricot aphid (Myzus mumecola Matsumura) is native to Asia and is currently spreading throughout Europe. As this aphid species causes substantial damage to apricot trees, it is important to assess the effectiveness of available insecticides. In this study, we examined 12 different insecticides according to the maximum field dose. To determine the efficacy of each insecticide, aphids were exposed to treated leaf discs of apricot and mortality rates were evaluated at various doses. Additionally, the impact on the colony development was assessed for selected insecticides. Furthermore, we conducted a field trial for insecticides commonly applied in apricot production. In laboratory trials, acetamiprid, deltamethrin, etofenprox, flupyradifurone, pirimicarb, sulfoxaflor, and tau-fluvalinate insecticides resulted in mortality rates ranging from 95% to 100% at the field dose. In the colony development trials, flonicamid, pyrethrins, and spirotetramat exhibited a strong effect. Furthermore, spinosad and azadirachtin demonstrated the least efficacy in reducing the colony development of surviving nymphs per aphid. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that most of the tested insecticides can be used to effectively control M. mumecola. Abstract The invasive apricot aphid (Myzus mumecola Matsumura) is an important pest of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L.). In the presented study, laboratory bioassays using treated leaf disks of apricot were conducted to test the efficacy of twelve insecticides according to the maximum field dose. Additionally, dose-response curves were established for selected insecticides, and the effects on colony development were evaluated. Furthermore, a field trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of commonly used insecticides in apricot cultivation. The dose-response curves showed LC50 values ranging from 0.08 mg/L for flupyradifurone, 0.15 mg/L for acetamiprid, 0.70 mg/L for etofenprox, 1.89 mg/L for sulfoxaflor, 2.64 mg/L for pirimicarb, 3.97 mg/L for deltamethrin, up to 6.79 mg/L for tau-fluvalinate. These aforementioned insecticides resulted in mortality rates ranging from 95 to 100% at the field dose. Azadirachtin, flonicamid, and pyrethrins showed mortality rates of 27 to 45%. Spirotetramat reduced the colony development and decreased the number of infested shoots by 86%. Spinosad, which is not recommended against aphids, showed minimal impact; reducing the number of exuviae in nymphs in the colony development bioassay. It can be concluded that the majority of the tested insecticides are effective against M. mumecola.
Power Optimization of Cooperative Relay Network With Uncertain Channel Gain in Smart Grid

The packet loss during transmission of load control commands can lead to regulation errors in the smart grid and further increase the cost of utility companies due to the purchase of additional automatic generation control services. This article considers a cooperative communication network consisting of multiple data aggregation units (DAUs) and multiple relays in smart grid, and each relay can forward data for all DAUs. We optimize the transmission power allocation of the relays to reduce the demand-side regulation errors and the cost of utility companies. However, additional cost is incurred due to the rental of relay in commercial networks. In order to minimize the total costs of utility companies, a two-layer game model is proposed and an iterative algorithm is developed. Simulation results show that the cost of utility companies can be reduced under the proposed scheme.
Acceptance Value and Antioxidant Content of Mochi Skin with Substitution of Pumpkin (Cucurbita Moschata) and Addition of Ambon Banana (Musa Paradisiaca Var. Sapientum. L) as a Snack for the Elderly

increase in oxidative stress in the body 4 . Oxidative stress management can be done by consuming food sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants have many types, and one type of antioxidant is a natural antioxidant. Natural antioxidants are easy to find in foodstuffs, especially plants that can form vitamins E, A, and C, flavonoids, tocopherols, beta-carotene, and α - carotene 5 . Food sources of antioxidants are also beneficial in maintaining health, especially helping the
50–110-GHz Continuous GaN MMIC Reflective Phase Shifters

This article presents design, simulation, and measurements of continuous 90° and 180° phase shifters implemented in a 40-nm gallium nitride (GaN)-on-SiC process. The architecture of a single 90° reflective phase shifter uses a Lange coupler and tunable reactive loads at the “thru” and “coupled” ports. The tunable reactance is implemented with diode-connected HEMTs. Measured results show greater than 90° phase shift across 50–110 GHz with less than 10-dB average loss over a control voltage range of −1 to +1 V and a measured 1-dB compression point of 19 dBm at 95 GHz. Cascading two such phase shifters is demonstrated with a 180° phase shifter with increased insertion loss. However, toggling each set of tunable devices independently is shown to improve insertion loss by as much as 15 dB while providing the same phase change. Simulations use foundry nonlinear device models for the depletion-mode HEMTs and agree well with measured data across the 50–110-GHz range.
The effects of superheated steam roasting on proximate analysis, antioxidant activity, and oil quality of black seed (Nigella sativa)

Abstract Nigella sativa, commonly known as the black seed, is a culinary spice therapeutic against many ailments. Common preparation practice of roasting or heating the seeds often deteriorates bioactive compounds, which can be remedied with superheated steam (SHS). With roasting temperatures of 150, 200, and 250°C and roasting times of 10, 15, and 20 min, convection and SHS roasting media were tested, and their effects on proximate analysis, antioxidant assays, and oil quality were evaluated. For proximate content, moisture significantly decreased from 9.08% in unroasted seeds to 4.18%–1.04% in roasted seeds, while fat increased to as high as 44.76% from 32.87% in unroasted seeds. Roasting only slightly increased ash content and had no significant impact on protein and carbohydrate content. SHS roasted black seeds had better DPPH (2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity (RSC) than convection roasted seeds. DPPH RSC decreased with elevated roasting time and temperature, conversely related to total phenolic content, which increased with increased roasting time and temperature. Oil of roasted seeds developed an increasingly intense brown color from an initial light, yellow, unroasted oil with better extraction efficiency in SHS roasting. For oil quality analysis, free fatty acid values were significantly lower in both roasted samples. Peroxide value was initially recorded at 84 in convection and 48 (meq O2/kg of oil) in SHS roasted samples. In contrast, p‐anisidine values were initially recorded at 28.36 in convection roasted samples compared to 23.73 in SHS roasted samples. Based on all quality analyses, SHS showed better potential in black seed quality preservation.
Perspectives on Migrant Children’s Mental Health Needs and Existing Services: A Qualitative Study Among Psychological Service Providers of Chinese Social Organizations

Background China is comprehensively promoting the construction of social psychological service system. Social organizations provide psychosocial care services to migrant children in China and hold important information and perspectives different from educators and parents on children’s mental health. This study aims to analyze mental health service delivery to migrant adolescents for their psychological well-being, to explore how society responds effectively to their psychological needs and to support in better program implementation of mental health services for migrant children. Methods Following qualitative approach semi-structured interviews were conducted with community mental health service providers experienced in working with migrant children. The 15 individual interviews were conducted in Hubei province and Guangdong province, including professionals working with different social organization and social psychological service program in communities. The data were analysed through coding, comparing fragments, constant comparison and recognizing patterns. Results The analysis yielded 3 categories (Stimulate the internal strength, Reconstruct the support systems, Understanding and participate in social activities) and 6 sub-categories (Improve the understanding of “me” and explore excellent qualities, Clearly envision “my” future and clear career planning, Improve the parent-child relationship and understand the family environment, Improve subjective support and actively develop support system, Acquire reasonable cognition and behavior and interact with surrounding ecology, Take greater responsibility and cultivate a sense of ownership). The results found that individual traits, family, communities and multiple factors affect the mental health of migrant children and identified the urgent needs, and ways to improve mental health service in efficiently and economically. Social psychological service providers contribute in strengthening the psychological well-being of the migrant children. Conclusion Social psychological service sectors need to be strengthened to enhance the psychological well-being of the migrant children. The inherent gaps between the service required and service provided needs to be addressed through further studies on mental health needs of the migrant children.
Effect of the Sintering Mechanism on the Crystallization Kinetics of Geopolymer-Based Ceramics

This research aims to study the effects of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics when the geopolymer is sintered at different temperatures: 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C for a 3 h soaking time with a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The geopolymer is made up of kaolin and sodium silicate as the precursor and an alkali activator, respectively. Characterization of the nepheline produced was carried out using XRF to observe the chemical composition of the geopolymer ceramics. The microstructures and the phase characterization were determined by using SEM and XRD, respectively. The SEM micrograph showed the microstructural development of the geopolymer ceramics as well as identifying reacted/unreacted regions, porosity, and cracks. The maximum flexural strength of 78.92 MPa was achieved by geopolymer sintered at 1200 °C while the minimum was at 200 °C; 7.18 MPa. The result indicates that the flexural strength increased alongside the increment in the sintering temperature of the geopolymer ceramics. This result is supported by the data from the SEM micrograph, where at the temperature of 1000 °C, the matrix structure of geopolymer-based ceramics starts to become dense with the appearance of pores.
Automatic population counts for improved wildlife management using aerial photography

For effective conservation management, it is very important to provide accurate estimates of animal populations with certain time intervals. So far many studies are performed visually/manually which requires much time and is prone to errors. Besides, only a limited area can be considered for counting because of the effort required. In order to bring a new solution to this problem, herein we propose a novel approach for counting animals from aerial images by using computer vision techniques. To do so, we apply a probabilistic framework on local features in the image whose spectral reflectance differs from the surrounding region. We use mean shift segmentation and obtain probability density function (pdf) to detect focus of attention regions (FOA). Finally, we benefit from graph theory to detect segments which should represent animals. We test the feasibility of the proposed approach using aerial images of varying quality and angles (including orthogonal time lapse photography) from several different terrestrial ecosystems. Monitored species include birds and mammals. The algorithms successfully detect and count animals and provide a replicable and objective method for estimating animal abundance, however the methodology still requires estimates of error to be incorporated. This approach highlights how technical innovations in remote sensing can provide valuable information for conservation management.