Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Changes in Acute Phase Reaction, Cortisol, and Haematological Parameters in Ewes in the Periparturient Period

Simple Summary The acute phase response (APR), which comprises a series of specific physiological reactions, is a systemic reaction of the organism to disturbances in its homeostasis caused by infection, inflammation, tissue damage, and stress. Even in healthy ewes, during pregnancy and the transition period, corticosteroids are released which cause the physiological acute phase response. Both in humans and animals, the immune system, like many other physiological systems, is dysregulated with age and a process known as immunoaging occurs. Knowledge of APPs, cortisol, and haematological parameters and factors that influence their alteration could be useful for establishing herd health in ewes during the periparturient period. Understanding how these factors interact with the immune system will help in developing disease control and management strategies that will aid in maintaining good health in ewes and lambs, resulting in greater reproduction. Abstract A well-functioning immune system is the basis for protection against infectious and metabolic diseases, and a smooth return to homeostasis. The periparturient period is considered critical because major changes in the endocrine, behavioural, digestive, and immune systems dysregulate immune function, leading to immunosuppression. With age, the immune system could become dysregulated. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare changes in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins, cortisol, and haematological parameters in the peripheral blood of two age-related groups of healthy ewes to get a better understanding of changes around lambing. Two groups of ewes were enrolled in the study: 3-year-old (young; n = 9) and 7-year-old ewes (old; n = 9). All females were synchronised and inseminated. In blood plasma, serum amyloid A (SAA) and cortisol concentrations were measured using ELISA tests, a spectrophotometric method to determine haptoglobin (Hp), and a thrombin clottable estimation to determine the fibrinogen (Fb) concentration. The blood parameters were examined using an automated haematological analyser. In clinically healthy ewes, no significant effect of age was observed in SAA, Hp, Fb and cortisol concentration in most of analysed terms. SAA, Hp, Fb, and cortisol fluctuations typical for the periparturient period were observed. There were no age-associated differences in red or white blood cell parameters.
Innovations in port sector management in the context of global supply chains

As a central component of global logistics systems, maritime port operators now have to perform both sea transport-related services and other related and wider logistical services, and be well inter-linked with other players in the total logistics flow in an efficient and effective manner. Proximity constitutes an important dimension for learning, innovation and the resolution of coordination problems in the ports sector, where competitive advantage often depends upon scale economies and also upon coordinated action, both within existing supply chains and between competing supply chains that share the same port–hinterland spaces and infrastructure.
The ability of diagnostic tests to estimate the remaining life of stator insulation

Stator windings from three generators and one motor were subjected to a wide variety of diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests included insulation resistance, polarization index, capacitance, dissipation factor tip-up, partial discharge magnitude, and discharge inception voltage. The destructive tests included breaking down individual coils with either AC, DC, or impulse voltages. Since the results of the diagnostic tests did not correlate with the breakdown voltages, it is concluded that remaining life cannot be predicted on the basis of diagnostic tests alone. Equations and other relationships recently developed in Japan to predict the remaining life of the stator groundwall insulation systems could not be confirmed. Diagnostic tests are thought to be most useful for indicating the trend in insulation aging in a particular machine. >
High-efficiency low-stress electronic dimming ballast for multiple fluorescent lamps

An electronic dimming ballast with a lead-lag tank operation (LLTO) having the properties of high efficiency and low stress is introduced in this paper. The ballast is configured with a voltage-fed half-bridge series-resonant parallel-loaded inverter (SRPLI) acting as a lamp driver. It is loaded with resonant tanks which are designed and operated to be capacitive and inductive to theoretically achieve both zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero current switching (ZCS) and to eliminate the reactive current circulating through the switches, resulting in low switching and conduction losses. Moreover, the merit of a successive lamp ignition can be attained with the proposed operation scheme so that current stress imposed on the switches can be reduced. With the plasma model of fluorescent lamps, the analysis, operating principle, and dimming control strategy of the electronic ballast are described in detail. On the other hand, the limitations of the proposed scheme are pointed out. Computer simulation results and experimental measurements are used to verify the theoretical prediction and analytical discussion.
Bovine zoonoses in Cameroon's West region: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of herdsmen

Background and Aim: Shepherds are in constant contact with animals, and they are potential hosts for the transmission of zoonoses. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of shepherds in Cameroon's West region regarding zoonotic diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2017, on 218 shepherds. The data were collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The participants were assessed on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices that might expose them to bovine zoonose transmission, and the data were analyzed with R, version 2.13. 0. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the association between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge was explored using the Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 218 herdsmen, (205/218) 94% did not have any education, and (195/218) 89.5% did not know the definition of zoonosis. There was a correlation between the level of education and knowledge of the definition of zoonosis: About (162/218) 74.6% cited tuberculosis as a zoonosis, (62/218) 28.4% said the main modes of transmission were by ingestion of contaminated milk, and (66/218) 30.3% by consumption of contaminated meat. Abortions during the third trimester of gestation, combined with the presence of hygroma, were described by (130/218) 59.6% of the participants as brucellosis symptoms. In terms of practices and attitudes, (187/218) 85.8% and (50.14/218) 23.0% of the participants confirmed that they consumed raw milk and raw meat, respectively. Almost all (214/218) 98.1% interviewees stated that blood consumption is forbidden. In case of suspicion of disease, (204/218) 93.6% maintained that they treated sick animals without a veterinary prescription, and (209/218) 95.9% left the carcasses in the wild. After contact with animals, (181/218) 83.3% washed their hands. Finally, (192/218) 88.3% would like to be informed about zoonoses. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about zoonotic diseases was low; a high percentage of shepherds followed inadequate hygiene practices and expressed concern about zoonoses. As a result, they are at risk of exposure to pathogens. It would be in the interest of public health to develop training programs for shepherds and livestock owners to mitigate zoonotic risks.
Experimental validation of a phaseless, non-redundant plane-polar antenna characterization

Owing to the increasing interest in high frequencies, as the millimeter wave range, wherein accurate phase measurements are increasingly difficult and expensive, phaseless near-field techniques are prime candidates for antenna characterization. In this paper, an experimental validation of a phaseless near-field-far-field (NF -FF) transformation with plane-polar scanning for antenna characterization is presented. A proper representation of problem unknowns and data, using the available information on the antenna under test (AUT) and on the scanning geometry, is adopted in order to improve the reliability and the accuracy of the proposed characterization algorithm. By exploiting the nonredundant sampling representations of electromagnetic fields and by using an oblate spheroid to model the AUT, a remarkable reduction (about 90%) of the required NF samples is achieved. Experimental results on data acquired at the University of Salerno Antenna Characterization Lab are reported to validate experimentally the effectiveness of the proposed characterization technique.
A Programmable MicroFluidic Processor: Integrated and Hybrid Solutions

The Programmable Fluidic Processor (PFP), a device conceived of by researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center, is a reconfigurable and programmable bio-chemical analysis system designed for handheld operation in a variety of applications. Unlike most microfluidic systems which utilize channels to control fluids, the PFP device is a droplet-based system. The device is based on dielectrophoresis; a fluid transport phenomenon that utilizes mismatched polarizability between a droplet and its medium to induce droplet mobility. In the device, sample carrying droplets are polarized by an array of electrodes, individually addressable by subsurface microelectronics. My research focused on the development of a polymer-based microfluidic injection system for injecting these droplets onto the electrode array. The first of two device generations fabricated at LLNL was designed using extensive research and modeling performed by MD Anderson and Coventor. Fabricating the first generation required several iterations and design changes in order to generate an acceptable device for testing. Difficulties in planar fabrication of the fluidic system and a narrow channel design necessitated these changes. The second generation device incorporated modifications of the previous generation and improved on deficiencies discovered during experimentation with the initial device. Extensive modeling of the injection channels and fluid storage chambermore » also aided in redesigning the device's microfluidic system. A micromolding technique with interlocking features enabled precise alignments and dimensional control, critical requirements for device optimization. Fabrication of a final device will be fully integrated with the polymer-based microfluidics bonded directly to the silicon-based microelectronics. The optimized design and process flow developed in the trial generations will readily transfer to this approach. « less
The IP Design for a Customized Mobile SoC

IP, Intellectual Property, modules are essential and important for SoC applications. SoC, System on a Chip, is a system integrated on a single semiconductor chip. It is a research hot-point in embedded systems. In this paper, the IP design for a customized mobile SoC is discussed. The customized mobile SoC integrates a mobile computing control or monitor system into one chip FPGA, Field Programmable Gate Arrays. The SoC is required smaller in size and more efficient in operation.
Water Trees in Cross-Linked Polyethylene Power Cables

Water trees are considered to be one of the main reasons for faults of polyethylene-insulated cables. They are found in service and laboratory. It is confirmed that they are caused by the co-existence of both electric field and water. Their formation would reduce breakdown strengths of cables. Dielectrophoresis is concluded as a possible mechanism for the aggregation of water around the high electric field regions. It may be followed by the formation of water trees. The growth mechanism of water trees is discussed and temporal countermeasures against them are referred to.
5.4.3 Architecting and Innovating

Innovating is essential to sustained industrial growth and profitability. But experience amply demonstrates how difficult innovation is, especially for large companies. The synthesis of valued offerings by aligning customer needs with technology possibilities lies at the heart of innovation. System architects working at the strategic level are ideally positioned, as a consequence of their experience and training, to play a key and even a leadership role in enabling, energizing, and leading this synthesis. The scope of the architecting effort must include the process architecture of the entire value chain as well as the more conventional product architecture to address all potential wellsprings of innovation. This paper outlines an architecture‐centric approach to innovation, based on the concept of the system platform architecture.
Assessment of water resources system in Qena governorate, Upper Egypt under different hydrological and agronomic conditions

This paper assessed the current water resources system and two future scenarios in Qena governorate by developing Water Balance (WB Model) and Water Security Quality-based Index (WSQI). First scenario presented 25% reduction in Nile flow, while second scenario suggested adaptation measures to comply with flow reduction. The measures included leveling 100,000 feddans, serving 70,000 feddans with sprinkler irrigation, and lining 2,977 km of canals. The WB Model estimated water balance components. The WSQI was a new index suitable for Egypt's conditions considering water quality. The water supply from High Aswan Dam (HAD) was predicted by the BlueM model for hydrological simulations of Nasser Lake. The study found that the current water shortage was fulfilled by drainage reuse and shallow groundwater, and the WQSI indicated a low water insecurity. The flow reduction increased water shortage and reuse quantity. As a result, the WSQI indicated high water insecurity. The suggested measures improved agricultural water use efficiency from 51% to 63%, reduced water shortage, and improved water insecurity level from high to medium. This study concluded that adaptation measures can improve the future water system and water security in Qena governorate. The study recommended upscaling WSQI use for the entire country.
Efecto protector órgano selectivo de extractos de Psidium guajava L. contra el daño oxidativo en ratas Wistar obesas.

Antecedentes: Durante la obesidad hay un aumento del estrés oxidativo que resulta en el desarrollo de diferentes enfermedades, por lo que los antioxidantes se pueden utilizar para prevenir el daño oxidativo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de los antioxidantes del extracto de guayaba sobre la reducción del daño oxidativo en diferentes órganos de ratas obesas. Métodos: Se realizaron dos extracciones para obtener el extracto de guayaba (EG), la primera con metanol y la segunda con acetona, ambas fueron mezcladas y se analizó la actividad y el contenido antioxidantes, el EG se concentró y se utilizó en ratas macho Wistar obesas. Tres grupos de 8 animales cada uno se formaron y alimentaron con una dieta normal (Ct), una dieta alta en grasas (grupo AG) y una dieta alta en grasas enriquecido con extracto de fruta de guayaba (AG+EG) durante 4 meses. Resultados: La determinación de ácido fenólico y ácido ascórbico del EG, mostró un alto contenido de antioxidantes (3323.0±23.3 mg de GAE/100g bs y 2508.0±143.8 mg de AAE/100g bs, respectivamente), al igual que actividad antioxidante determinada por ABTS•+ y DPPH• (17500.0±888.1 μmol TE/100g bs y 27804.0±94.0 μmol TE/100g bs, respectivamente). Por otro lado, la dieta alta en grasa produjo un incremento en la peroxidación lipídica en hígado y cerebro (3.40±1.05 y 3.99±1.49 nmol MDA/ml, respectivamente). El enriquecimiento de esta dieta con EG, redujo los niveles del daño a los lípidos tanto en el hígado y como el corazón (1.94±0.67 y 2.16±1.21 nmol MDA/ml, respectivamente). Mientras que el cerebro se mantuvo con altos niveles de peroxidación lipídica. Conclusión: Los resultados muestran que el extracto de guayaba tiene una acción de protección selectiva contra el daño oxidativo y su uso como un efecto potencial para prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedades no transmisibles asociadas con la obesidad.
Antibiotic Self-Medication and Antibiotic Resistance: Multilevel Regression Analysis of Repeat Cross-Sectional Survey Data in Europe

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue with several anthropogenic drivers, including antibiotic consumption. Recent studies have highlighted that the relationship between antibiotic consumption and antibiotic resistance is contextualised by a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, and governance-related drivers of consumption behaviour and contagion that have been underexamined. A potential complication for research and policy is that measures of antibiotic consumption are often reliant on prescribing or sales data which may not easily take into account the dynamics of community consumption that include self-medication; for example, the preservation and use of leftover medication or the obtaining of antibiotics without a prescription. This study uses repeated cross-sectional survey data to fulfil two core aims: firstly, to examine the individual-level and national-contextual determinants of self-medication among antibiotic consumers in European countries, and secondly, to examine the relationship between self-medication behaviour and antibiotic resistance at the national level. This study is particularly novel in its application of a multilevel modelling specification that includes individual-level factors with both time-variant and persistent national characteristics to examine antibiotic consumption behaviours. The key findings of the study are that survey respondents in countries with persistently higher levels of inequality, burdens of out-of-pocket health expenditure, and corruption have an increased probability of self-medicating with antibiotics. The study also highlights that overall levels of antibiotic consumption and antibiotic self-medication do not correlate and are associated heterogeneously with changes in different pathogen/antibiotic pairs. In summary, the study emphasises that antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic resistance, whilst related by biological mechanisms, are also inherently social issues. Attempts to improve antibiotic stewardship and address the challenge of antibiotic resistance should also attend to structural challenges that underlie challenges to antibiotic stewardship in the community, such as the effects of inequality and reduced access to healthcare services.
Multi converter approach to active power filtering using current source converters

Summary form only given, as follows. Active power filtering is performed by detecting the line current and voltage signals, generating a current equal-but-opposite to the distortion current using a power converter and injecting the compensating current into the power line. In such applications, it is desirable to combine high power and high switching frequency while minimizing the losses. This asks for special converter topologies and control techniques. In this paper, a multi-converter active power-line filter, based on current-source converter (CSC) modules, is proposed. The power rating and switching frequency of each CSC module is equal to those required for the filtering job divided by the number of modules. The control system utilizes two linear adaptive neurons (ADALINEs) to process the signals obtained from the line. The first ADALINE (the Current ADALINE) extracts the harmonic components of the distorted line current signal and the second ADALINE (the Voltage ADALINE) estimates the fundamental component of the line voltage signal. The outputs of both ADALINEs are used to construct the modulating signals of the filter modules. The proposed modular active filter offers the following advantage: (1) high efficiency due to low conduction and switching losses; (2) high reliability; and (3) high serviceability. The proposed active power-line filter treats the AC system on a per-phase basis, has fast response and adapts to the load variations. Theoretical expectations are verified by digital simulation using EMTDC simulation package.
Calcareous nannofossils from the middle/upper Miocene succession of Pécs-Danitzpuszta, southern Hungary: cosmopolitan Paratethys and endemic Lake Pannon assemblages

Quantitative analyses on calcareous nannofossils were carried out on 109 middle/late Miocene (Sarmatian/ Pannonian) samples from the section at Pécs-Danitzpuszta sand pit (Hungary). The lower part of the section, which can be assigned to the Sarmatian, contains normal marine low-diversity assemblages dominated by Calcidiscus leptoporus, Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus, Sphenolithus moriformis and Syracosphaera spp. accompanied by didemnid ascidian spicules (Perforocalcinela fusiformis). The middle/late Miocene (Sarmatian/Pannonian) boundary is characterized by the last occurrences of normal marine calcareous nannofossils. The upper part of the section (Pannonian) can be subdivided into intervals characterized by monospecific endemic nannofossils Isolithus spp. and ascidians, respectively. A short interval with common endemic coccoliths belonging to the family Noelaerhabdaceae (Bekelithella echinata, Noelaerhabdus bozinovicae, N. jerkovici, Praenoelaerhabdus banatensis) in the upper part of the profile was also documented. The drastic change in nannofossil assemblages at the Sarmatian/Pannonian boundary is a result of paleoenvironmental stress caused by the isolation of the Central Paratethys from the Eastern Paratethys.
HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF THE B[e] STAR MWC 645

Optical high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the emission-line star MWC645 are presented. The spectrum exhibits strong variable double-peaked Balmer emission lines as well as low-excitation emission lines of FeII, [FeII], and [OI] which are signatures of the B[e] phenomenon, while lines of helium have not been found. In addition to the emission lines, for the first time we identified absorption lines of neutral metals (e.g., LiI 6708 A, CaI 6717 A, and a number of FeI and TiI lines) that indicate the presence of a cool component in the system. The heliocentric radial velocity measured in our best spectrum was found to be −65.1±1.0 kms −1 for the emission lines and −23.2±0.4 kms −1 for the absorption lines. Using a combination of photometric and spectroscopic data as well as the Gaia EDR3 distance (D=6.5±0.9 kpc), we disentangled the component contributions and estimated their temperatures and luminosities (∼15000 K and ∼4000 K, log L/L ? = 3.8±0.2 and 2.8±0.2 for the hot and cool component, respectively).
Analysis of Optical Characteristics of Transparent Electrode ITO Material in FPD Routing Process

ITO transparent film was deposited on glass substrates by RF-magnetron sputtering equipment as electrode, routing material and the photolithography process was studied. The results shown that the ITO based transparent electrode routing needs larger dose energy than that Mo based substrate when the PR processes were all identical. The photo resist cannot be exposed thoroughly where the length/width ratio of gap between routing serried lines lager than 80 as the typical Mo based exposure process. The width of gap reached to 8.7um which was the limit of exposure machine of transparent film after the 2000um-length, 4um-width gap was exposed thoroughly. It should be attention of the routing gap design for electrical characters in transparent flat panel display.