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Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella serovars are considered a significant threat to veterinary and public health. Developing new antimicrobial compounds that can treat the infection caused by these notorious pathogens is a big challenge. Bacteriophages can be adsorbed on and inhibit the growth of bacteria, providing optimal and promising alternatives to chemical antimicrobial compounds against foodborne pathogens due to their abundance in nature and high host specificity. The objective of the current study was to isolate and characterize new phages from poultry farms and sewage and to evaluate their efficacy against S. Enteritidis isolates. The study reports three lytic phages designated as ϕSET1, ϕSET2, and ϕSET3 isolated from poultry carcasses and sewage samples in Qalubiya governorate Egypt. The effectiveness of phages was evaluated against multidrug-resistant S. Enteritidis strains. Electron microscopy showed that these phages belong to the Siphoviridae family. Phages were tested against 13 bacterial strains to determine their host range. They could infect four S. Enteritidis and one S. Typhimurium; however, they did not infect other tested bacterial species, indicating their narrow infectivity. The bacteriophage's single-step growth curves revealed a latent period of 20 min for ϕSET1 and 30 min for ϕSET2 and ϕSET3. The isolated Salmonella phages prevented the growth of S. Enteritidis for up to 18 hrs. The findings revealed that Salmonella phages could be used as alternative natural antibacterial compounds to combat infection with MDR S. Enteritidis in the poultry industry and represent a step forward to using large panels of phages for eliminating Salmonella from the food chain.

Introduction: To study the angiographic disease severity of the infarct vessel after thrombolysis in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and their 90 days outcome. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained cardiology database at Shifa International Hospital from February 2011 to August 2011. A total of 57 patients who underwent thrombolysis for acute ST elevated Myocardial Infarction and subsequent coronary angiographies within 24 hours of hospitalization were studied. Angiographic disease severity in the infarct vessel was quantified as mild (70%) and 1 patient had moderate (50-70%) angiographic disease of the infarct vessel. Left anterior descending artery was the infarct vessel in 32 (56%) cases and right coronary artery in 20 (35%). Total 15 (26%) patients had double vessel and 11 (19%) had triple vessel coronary artery disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in all patients using bare metal stents or drug eluting stents. At three month follow-up, only one patient had recurrent myocardial infarction due to stent thrombosis. Conclusions: The overwhelming majority of patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction have angiographic evidence of severe underlying disease in the infarct vessel despite clinically successful hrombolysis. Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; coronary angiography; myocardial infarction; thrombolysis.

Machine learning has demonstrated effectiveness in optimizing complex physical structures. In this study, the authors employ a machine learning approach to inversely design non-Hermitian layered optical systems with gain and loss modulation, showing that the trained network can reveal the relation between asymmetric transmission and reflection spectra.

This study investigated the treatment of dairy wastewater using the electrocoagulation method with iron filings as electrodes. The study dealt with real samples collected from local factory for dairy products in Baghdad. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize five experimental variables at six levels for each variable, for estimating chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. These variables were the distance between electrodes, detention time, dosage of NaCl as electrolyte, initial COD concentration, and current density. RSM was investigated the direct and complex interaction effects between parameters to estimate the optimum values. The respective optimum value was 1 cm for the distance between electrodes, (60 – 120) min for detention time, 250 mg NaCl/L added, C0/6 = 5,775 mg COD/L as initial COD concentration, and 7.884 - 8.077 mA/cm2 as current provided. At the optimum parameter values, the optimum COD removal efficiency was 73.4%. Meanwhile, the study also performed removal efficiency for nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) due to their effects on the aquatic life and systems. The optimum removal efficiency for phosphorus and nitrogen was 98.0% and 80.3%, respectively. Due to its effects on the environment and to comply with local legislations, treating these wastewaters using eco-friendly processes was highly recommended taking in consideration the economic feasibility, flexibility and easiness to operate. In addition, the study proved that the high surface area for iron filings played a crucial role in removing process.

A generative deep learning approach for shape recognition of an arbitrary object from its acoustic scattering properties is proposed and demonstrated. The strategy exploits deep neural networks to learn the mapping between the latent space of a 2D acoustic object and the far‐field scattering amplitudes. A neural network is designed as an adversarial autoencoder and trained via unsupervised learning to determine the latent space of the acoustic object. Important structural features of the object are embedded in lower‐dimensional latent space which supports the modeling of a shape generator and accelerates the learning in the inverse design process. The proposed inverse design uses the variational inference approach with encoder‐ and decoder‐like architecture where the decoder is composed of two pretrained neural networks: the generator and the forward model. The data‐driven framework finds an accurate solution to the ill‐posed inverse scattering problem, where nonunique solution space is overcome by the multifrequency phaseless far‐field patterns. This inverse method is a powerful design tool that doesn't require complex analytical calculation and opens up new avenues for practical realization, automatic recognition of arbitrary‐shaped submarines or large fish, and other underwater applications.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the transient heat transfer parameters of constant heat flux source subjected to water flowing in the downward direction in closed channel are conducted. The power increase transient is ensured by step change increase in the heat source power. The theoretical investigation involved a mathematical modeling for axially symmetric, simultaneously developing laminar water flow in a vertical annulus. The mathematical model is based on one dimensional downward flow. The boundary conditions of the studied case are based on adiabatic outer wall, while the inner wall is subjected to a constant heat flux. The heat & mass balance equation derived for specified element of bulk water within the annulus and solved by using Laplace method to determine the variation of bulk water temperature. The experimental investigation included a set of experiments carried out to investigate the temperature variation along the heat source for power increase transient of (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of its nominal value during and after reaching the steady state condition. Estimation of the boiling safety factor is predicted and compared with the theoretical values. Reliable agreement between experimental and theoretical approaches is reached. The later showed that the elapsed time required for the clad surface temperature to reach its steady state values after each transient is less than that related to bulk water temperature. New correlation for prediction of critical heat flux, CHF based on inlet water temperature and water mass flux are investigated and compared with CHF correlations obtained from previous researches. Specific recommendations concerned with preventive measured required to eliminate the effect of boiling crisis are concluded based on theoretical and experimental results related to transients setting times obtained from each case study.

Metal corrosion is a destructive process for many industrial operations, including oil well acidizing and acid pickling. Therefore, numerous efforts made by many researchers to control the steel corrosion. In the present work, A (E)-4-(((4-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl) phenyl) amino) methyl)-2-methoxyphenol (MOPM) has been synthesized and characterized as a new corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. FTIR and 1HNMR were used in the diagnosis of MOPM, while electrochemical polarization technique was employed to test the performance of inhibitor at various temperatures and inhibitor concentrations. Electrochemical studies showed that MOPM acts as a mixed-type inhibitor with a maximum inhibition efficiency of 93.2% at 30 °C and 0.5 M MOPM. Furthermore, the presence of MOPM increased the polarization resistance and depressed the corrosive action. The inhibitory action of MOPM over mild-steel surface was according to Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The calculated free energy of adsorption was −20.663 kJ.mol−1 that suggested the spontaneous physical adsorption mode. Value of activation energy was higher in the presence of MOPM, which indicated the formation of protective layer on the metal surface. Quantum chemical calculations that carried out to the chemical structure of MOPM provides a reasonable support to the experimental results.

A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model for single-walled carbon nanotubes with armchair and zigzag shapes is proposed in this paper (SWCNTs). Nodes are positioned at the locations of carbon atoms to design the FE models. And three-dimensional elastic beam components are used to model the bonds between them. The effect of the diameter length/diameter ratio on the diameter length/diameter ratio, cross sectional aspect ratio and number of elements on the Young’s modulus of SWCNTs has been considered herein. From the conducted experiments it can be observed that, the larger tube diameter can lead to higher Young’s modulus for carbon nanotubes. Such that, maximum elastic modulus for the armchair and the zigzag models has be obtained to be 1.0285TPa and 1.0396TPa when the diameters for the armchair and the zigzag models were 2.034nm and 1.957nm respectively. Increasing the length/diameter ratio has led the Young’s modulus to be increased for armchair and zigzag models such that its values can reach 1.0451TPa and 1.0191TPa respectively. The cross sectional aspect ratio of SWCNTs showed an inversely proportional effect on the elastic modulus in this work. As a result of rising the cross sectional aspect ratio to be2, the Young's modulus for armchair and zigzag models has decreased to 0.7991TPa and 0.8873TPa, accordingly. The change in geometry has been observed to be a defect and it is in general can decrease the modulus of elasticity. The number of elements in the armchair model considered as prominent factor that increases the young’s modulus to be 1.0280TPa when the number of element is 10836. In zigzag model, the number of element has no effect on the elastic modulus since the number of nodes that exposed to the applied load is fixed in this case. The findings showed that the proposed FE model may be useful for studying carbon nanotube mechanical action in the future.

Land subsidence is a threat that occurs worldwide as a result of the withdrawal of fluid and also underground mining. The subsidence is mainly due to excessive groundwater withdrawal from certain types of rocks, such as fine-grained sediments. Mitigating the effects of land subsidence generally requires careful observations of the temporal change in groundwater level and ideally modeling of groundwater flow and subsidence. In Turkey, land subsidence is a crucial issue in the Konya Closed Basin. When simulating the effect of long-term groundwater withdrawal on the spatial variation of subsidence rates, various coupled numerical groundwater-flow and subsidence models have been used. Also, GPS, InSAR and ENVISAT SAR images have been used for verification of the models' parameters. In the work reported here, a novel numerical solution based on consolidation theory was developed in MATLAB to predict the land subsidence of the Konya Closed Basin. In order to adjust the model to the local conditions, historical data from the study area for the years 2011–2014 were used. The presented solution allowed for subsidence model development which can support the prediction of the ground movement for the Konya Closed Basin in Turkey.

Abstract Allium cepa L. is a commonly consumed vegetable that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and contains nutrients and antioxidants in ample amounts. In spite of the valuable food applications of onion bulb, its peel and outer fleshy layers are generally regarded as waste and exploration of their nutritional and therapeutic potential is still in progress with a very slow progression rate. The present study was designed with the purpose of doing a comparative analysis of the antioxidant potential of two parts of Allium cepa, i.g., bulb (edible part) and outer fleshy layers and dry peels (inedible part). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of the onion bulb and peel extracts on rat intestinal α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase of porcine was also evaluated. The antioxidant potential of onion peel and bulb extracts were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 2,2’-azino-bis- 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, H2O2 radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ chelating activity. Total flavonoids and phenolic content of ethanolic extract of onion peel were significantly greater as compared to that of onion bulb. Ethanolic extract of onion peel also presented better antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity as compared to the ethanolic extract of bulb, while the aqueous extract of bulb presented weakest antioxidative potential. Onion peel extract’s α-glucosidase inhibition potential was also correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. The current findings presented onion peel as a possible source of antioxidative agents and phenolic compounds that might be beneficial against development of various common chronic diseases that might have an association with oxidative stress. Besides, outer dry layers and fleshy peels of onion exhibited higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities, compared to the inner bulb. The information obtained by the present study can be useful in promoting the use of vegetable parts other than the edible mesocarp for several future food applications, rather than these being wasted.

The (brittle) behavior of concrete, although used in many fields, impedes its use in some applications that require (flexible) behavior, wherefore several types of fibers were utilized among them polypropylene fiber (PPF), that enhances pre-crack tensile strength, toughness, ductility performance, impact resistance, flexural strength resistance, and failure mode. This paper submits a comprehensive review of previous studies that discussed the properties and performance of utilizing PPF in normal and high strength concrete, recycled aggregate concrete and hybrid fiber concrete.

Mycotoxicosis refers to the deleterious pathological effects of different types of toxins produced by some worldwide distributing fungi. Mycotoxins, as secondary metabolites are affecting different organs and systems both in animals and human beings. Zearalenone (ZEA), the well-known estrogenic mycotoxins, is an immunotoxic agent. This macrocyclic beta-resorcyclic acid lactone is mycotoxin procreated as a secondary metabolic byproduct by several types of Fusarium, encompassing Fusarium roseum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, and different other types. Attributing to its potent estrogenic activity, ZEA has been incriminated as one of the major causes of female reproductive disorders. Thus, the purpose of the present review article is to appraise the pathophysiological consequences and subsequent explore the progress in the research field of zearalenone immunotoxicities.

Ceftriaxone sodium were one of the widely antibacterial drugs used. Azo dye derivatization of diazonium salt that formed via the reaction between ceftriaxone with hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite was developed for the on-research drug analysis then coupling with each one 2,5-dimethylphenol (2,5-DMP) and 4-tertbutylphenol (4-TBP) respectively in the alkaline media. The developed diazonium coupling methods include an optimization study. The results show a limit of detection and limit of quantification 0.482, 0.284 µg/mL, and 1.607, 0.945 µg/mL using 2,5-DMP and 4-TBP reagents respectively. Moreover, the recovery % obtained was 100.89%, and 103.37% at linear concentration range 3.0 – 50, and 10 – 30 µg/mL, with molar absorptivity of 4.377×103, 7.446×103 L. mol-1. cm-1 using 2,5-DMP and 4-TBP reagents respectively. An acceptable accuracy represented by the relative standard deviation (RSD%) was achieved of a 0.46 and 0.37 for 2,5-DMP and 4-TBP respectively. The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of ceftriaxone sodium in pure and in pharmaceuticals.

Elderly individuals have the highest burden of disease from influenza infection but also the lowest immune response to influenza vaccination. A better understanding of the host response to influenza vaccination in the elderly is therefore urgently needed. We conducted a biphasic prospective, population-based study from Dec. 2014 to May 2015 (pilot study) and Sept. 2015 to May 2016 (main study). Individuals 65–80 y of age were randomly selected from the residents' registration office in Hannover, Germany, for the pilot (n = 34) and main study (n = 200). The pilot study tested recruitment for study arms featuring 2, 4, or 5 visits/blood draws. The 5-visit (day 0, 1/3, 7, 21, 70 with respect to vaccination) study arm was selected for the main study. Both studies featured vaccination with Fluad™ (Novartis, Italy), a detailed medical history, a physical exam, recording of adverse events, completion of a questionnaire on common infections and an end-of-study questionnaire, and blood samples. Response rates in the pilot and main studies were 3.7% and 4.0%, respectively. Willingness to participate did not differ among the study arms (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.44). In both studies, there were no losses to follow-up. Compliance with study visits, blood sampling and completion of the questionnaires was very high (100%, >97%, 100%, respectively), as were participants' acceptance of and satisfaction with both phases of the study. The low response rates indicate the need for optimized recruitment strategies if the study population is to be representative of the general population. Nonetheless, the complex prospective study design proved to be highly feasible.

Abstract Background Participation in epidemiological studies has strongly declined in recent years. We examined the reasons for (non)participation in population-based health studies among participants and nonparticipants of a prospective study on influenza vaccination among the elderly. Methods Males and females between 65 and 80 years of age (N = 5582) were randomly selected from the residents’ registration office in Hannover, Germany, and were invited to participate in a study featuring vaccination with a seasonal adjuvanted influenza vaccine (Fluad™, Novartis) including five follow-up visits (day 0, 1/3, 7, 21, 70 with respect to vaccination). A 24-item nonresponder questionnaire, including 10 items on reasons for participating in a hypothetical health study, was mailed to 1500 randomly selected nonparticipants. The same 10 items were included in the end-of-study questionnaire administered to the participants in the vaccination study (n = 200). Logistic regression analysis with backward elimination was used to identify the reasons most strongly associated with nonparticipation. Results Five hundred thirty-one (35%) nonparticipants and 200 participants (100%) returned the respective questionnaires. Nonparticipation was associated with a lower interest in obtaining personal health information (OR = 3.32) and a preference for less invasive (OR = 3.01) and less time-demanding (OR = 2.19) studies. Responses to other items, e.g. regarding altruistic motives, monetary compensation, general interest of the study, or study approval through ethics committee and data security authority, did not differ between participants and nonparticipants. Conclusions Participation rates in health studies among elderly individuals could potentially be improved by reducing interventions and time demand, for instance by implementing methods of self-sampling and remote data collection. Trial registration No. 1100359 (ClinicalTrials.gov, date of registration: 09.02.2015).

The research aims to study the corrosion of aluminum alloy(6061) in 0.6 mol. dm-3 NaCl solution in base medium was examined with out and with Gallic acid as environmentally – friendly corrosion inhibitor at temperature range (298-313)K. The inhibitive action of gallic acid on corrosion of aluminum alloy(6061) in KOH solution was examined through electrochemical polarization method using potentiostatic technique and surface analysis by optical microscopy, Polarization measurements indicate that the examined compound act as a mixed type inhibitor. Results appeared that the inhibition occurs through adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the metal surface and it was obeyed Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some thermodynamic parameters activation energy were calculated to elaborate the mechanism of inhibition. The surface characteristic of the inhibited and uninhibited metal samples were examined by optical microscopy.

Many models were introduced to estimate the roundabout entry capacity from 1980s until now. In the United States, transportation agencies adopted three different models from 1994 until 2010. The Austroads, the UK, and the HCM 2010 methods. In this paper, these three methods were used to analyze the field traffic data of Al-Quds roundabout, located near Baqubah City, simultaneously by utilizing a system dynamics model. The collected data included turning movements, circulating flows, and field calculated entry capacities whenever possible during the observation period which lasted for 14 consecutive hours. A comparison is then conducted on the resulting entry capacities and their variation over time. The results showed that the calculated capacity according to Austroads method is the highest at all times while the UK method was always a little lower and the HCM 2010 method was always the least on all entries. The UK method capacity estimates were the closest to the field measured capacities for they returned the least RMSE on all entries. Field capacities showed some tendency towards the Austroads results in the north and south bound entries which carry about 66% of the total traffic. While, field capacities showed more proximity towards the HCM capacity results in the east and the west bound entries which carry 34% of the total traffic.

Transcription factors achieve specificity by establishing intricate interaction networks that will change depending on the cell context. Capturing these interactions in live condition is however a challenging issue that requires sensitive and non-invasive methods. We present a set of fly lines, called ‘multicolor BiFC library’, which covers most of the Drosophila transcription factors for performing Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC). The multicolor BiFC library can be used to probe two different binary interactions simultaneously and is compatible for large-scale interaction screens. The library can also be coupled with established Drosophila genetic resources to analyze interactions in the developmentally relevant expression domain of each protein partner. We provide proof of principle experiments of these various applications, using Hox proteins in the live Drosophila embryo as a case study. Overall this novel collection of ready-to-use fly lines constitutes an unprecedented genetic toolbox for the identification and analysis of protein-protein interactions in vivo.