Small intestinal mucosal cells in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative microanatomical study

Background: Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and zinc on the mucosal cells of the small intestine in respect to digestive capacity and immunity in pre- and post-weaned piglets.Materials and methods: Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally at 1.25 × 109 CFU/day and zinc at 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning) and, day 30 and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For histomorphology, the tissue samples were processed and stained with Mayer’s haematoxylin and eosin for routine study, combined periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides and Masson-Hamperl argentaffin technique for argentaffin cells. The stained slides were observed under the microscope. The samples were processed as per the standard procedure for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted.Results: The mucosal epithelium of villi and crypts were lined by enterocytes, goblet cells, argentaffin cells, microfold (M-cell) cells, tuft cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The multipotent stem cells were located at the crypt base. The length of the enterocyte microvilli was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the treatment group of piglets. The number of different types of goblet cells and argentaffin cells was more in treated piglets irrespective of segments of intestine and age. The intraepithelial lymphocytes were located in apical, nuclear and basal positions in the lining epithelium of both villus tip and base with their significant increase in the treatment group of piglets. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the frequent occurrence of tuft cells in the lining mucosa of the small intestine in treated piglets.Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc induced the number of different mucosal cells of villi and crypts in the small intestine that might suggest the greater absorptive capacity of nutrients and effective immunity in critical pre and post-weaned piglets

A hybrid soft solar cell based on the mycobacterial porin MspA linked to a sensitizer-viologen diad

A prototype of a nano solar cell containing the mycobacterial channel protein MspA has been successfully designed. MspA, an octameric transmembrane channel protein from Mycobacterium smegmatis, is one of the most stable proteins known to date. Eight Ruthenium(II) aminophenanthroline-viologen maleimide Diads (Ru-Diads) have been successfully bound to the MspA mutant MspAA96C via cysteine-maleimide bonds. MspA is known to form double layers in which it acts as nanoscopic surfactant. The nanostructured layer that is formed by (Ru-Diad)(8)MspA at the TiO2 electrode is photochemically active. The resulting "protein nano solar cell" features an incident photon conversion efficiency of 1% at 400 nm. This can be regarded as a proof-of-principle that stable proteins can be successfully integrated into the design of solar cells

Ускоренные испытания транзисторов большой мощности на длительную наработку при решении задач прогнозирования их надежности методом имитационных воздействий

When evaluating the individual reliability of semiconductor devices by gradual failures for a given operating time, the value of the electrical parameter of a particular instance for this operating time is predicted using the simulation method. To obtain a prediction of an electrical parameter, it is necessary to have a simulation model in the form of a function of the relationship between a given operating time and the level of simulation impact. The simulation model is obtained with the help of preliminary studies (training experiment) of a training sample of semiconductor devices of the type of interest with the volume of approximately 50 ... 100 copies. The application of the model is reduced to the calculation of the level of simulation impact corresponding to a given operating time. The result of measuring the electrical parameter at the calculated level of the imitation impact in a new specimen of the same type that did not take part in the training experiment should be considered as a prediction of this parameter for a given operating time. An integral part of the preliminary research to obtain a simulation model is the testing of semiconductor devices of the training set for a long operating time, which can be tens of thousands of hours, which necessitates planning and conducting accelerated tests. The article substantiates the conditions for conducting accelerated forced tests in relation to high-power bipolar transistors of the KT872A type. The increased temperature and the reverse voltage applied to the collector junction of the transistors are chosen as factors accelerating the tests. The test acceleration coefficient is calculated relative to the operating mode of the transistors. Based on the results of the accelerated tests for the electrical parameter (collector-emitter saturation voltage), a mathematical model was obtained in the form of a dependence of its average value on the operating time. The presence of this model is necessary to determine the function of recalculating the given operating time of transistors to the value of the simulation impact.При оценке индивидуальной надежности полупроводниковых приборов по постепенным отказам для заданной наработки прогнозируют значение электрического параметра конкретного экземпляра для этой наработки, используя метод имитационных воздействий. Для получения прогноза электрического параметра надо иметь имитационную модель в виде функции связи заданной наработки с уровнем имитационного воздействия. Имитационную модель получают с помощью предварительных исследований (обучающего эксперимента) обучающей выборки полупроводниковых приборов интересующего типа объемом примерно 50…100 экземпляров. Применение модели сводится к расчету уровня имитационного воздействия, соответствующего заданной наработке. Результат измерения электрического параметра при рассчитанном уровне имитационного воздействия у нового однотипного экземпляра, не принимавшего участия в обучающем эксперименте, следует считать прогнозом этого параметра для заданной наработки. Составной частью предварительных исследований по получению имитационной модели являются испытания полупроводниковых приборов обучающей выборки на длительную наработку, которая может составлять десятки тысяч часов, что обусловливает необходимость планирования и проведения ускоренных испытаний. В статье обоснованы условия проведения ускоренных форсированных испытаний применительно к биполярным транзисторам большой мощности типа КТ872А. В качестве факторов, ускоряющих испытания, выбраны повышенная температура и обратное напряжение, прикладываемое к коллекторному переходу транзисторов. Рассчитан коэффициент ускорения испытаний относительно рабочего режима работы транзисторов. По результатам ускоренных испытаний для электрического параметра (напряжение насыщения коллектор–эмиттер) получена математическая модель в виде зависимости его среднего значения от наработки. Наличие этой модели необходимо для определения функции пересчета заданной наработки транзисторов на значение имитационного воздействия

Engaging adolescents in changing behaviour (EACH-B): A study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial to improve dietary quality and physical activity

Background Poor diet and lack of physical activity are strongly linked to non-communicable disease risk, but modifying them is challenging. There is increasing recognition that adolescence is an important time to intervene; habits formed during this period tend to last, and physical and psychological changes during adolescence make it an important time to help individuals form healthier habits. Improving adolescents’ health behaviours is important not only for their own health now and in adulthood, but also for the health of any future children. Building on LifeLab—an existing, purpose-built educational facility at the University of Southampton—we have developed a multi-component intervention for secondary school students called Engaging Adolescents in Changing Behaviour (EACH-B) that aims to motivate and support adolescents to eat better and be more physically active. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the EACH-B intervention. The primary outcomes of the intervention are self-reported dietary quality and objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels, both assessed at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. The EACH-B intervention consists of three linked elements: professional development for teachers including training in communication skills to support health behaviour change; the LifeLab educational module comprising in-school teaching of nine science lessons linked to the English National Curriculum and a practical day visit to the LifeLab facility; and a personalised digital intervention that involves social support and game features that promote eating better and being more active. Both the taught module and the LifeLab day are designed with a focus on the science behind the messages about positive health behaviours, such as diet and PA, for the adolescents now, in adulthood and their future offspring, with the aim of promoting personal plans for change. The EACH-B research trial aims to recruit approximately 2300 secondary school students aged 12–13 years from 50 schools (the clusters) from Hampshire and neighbouring counties. Participating schools will be randomised to either the control or intervention arm. The intervention will be run during two academic years, with continual recruitment of schools throughout the school year until the sample size is reached. The schools allocated to the control arm will receive normal schooling but will be offered the intervention after data collection for the trial is complete. An economic model will be developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the EACH-B intervention compared with usual schooling. Discussion Adolescents’ health needs are often ignored and they can be difficult to engage in behaviour change. Building a cheap, sustainable way of engaging them in making healthier choices will benefit their long-term health and that of their future children. Trial registration ISRCTN 74109264. Registered on 30 August 2019. EACH-B is a cluster randomised controlled trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (RP-PG-0216-20004)

Microwave assisted solvent free synthesis of 1,3-diphenylpropenones

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>1,3-Diphenylpropenones (chalcones) are well known for their diverse array of bioactivities. Hydroxyl group substituted chalcones are the main precursor in the synthesis of flavonoids. Till date various methods have been developed for the synthesis of these very interesting molecules. Continuing our efforts for the development of simple, eco-friendly and cost-effective methodologies, we report here a solvent free condensation of aryl ketones and aldehydes using iodine impregnated alumina under microwave activation. This new protocol has been applied to a variety of substituted aryl carbonyls with excellent yield of substituted 1,3-diphenylpropenones.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Differently substituted chalcones were synthesized using iodine impregnated neutral alumina as catalyst in 79-95% yield in less than 2 minutes time under microwave activation without using any solvent. The reaction was studied under different catalytic conditions and it was found that molecular iodine supported over neutral alumina gives the best yield. The otherwise difficult single step condensation of hydroxy substituted aryl carbonyls is an attractive feature of this protocol to obtain polyhydroxychalcones in excellent yields. In order to find out the general applicability of this new endeavor it was successfully applied for the synthesis of 15 different chalcones including highly bioactive prenylated hydroxychalcone xanthohumol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A new, simple and solvent free method was developed for the synthesis of substituted chalcones in environmentally benign way. The mild reaction conditions, easy work-up, clean reaction profiles render this approach as an interesting alternative to the existing methods.</p

Roadmap on Machine learning in electronic structure

AbstractIn recent years, we have been witnessing a paradigm shift in computational materials science. In fact, traditional methods, mostly developed in the second half of the XXth century, are being complemented, extended, and sometimes even completely replaced by faster, simpler, and often more accurate approaches. The new approaches, that we collectively label by machine learning, have their origins in the fields of informatics and artificial intelligence, but are making rapid inroads in all other branches of science. With this in mind, this Roadmap article, consisting of multiple contributions from experts across the field, discusses the use of machine learning in materials science, and share perspectives on current and future challenges in problems as diverse as the prediction of materials properties, the construction of force-fields, the development of exchange correlation functionals for density-functional theory, the solution of the many-body problem, and more. In spite of the already numerous and exciting success stories, we are just at the beginning of a long path that will reshape materials science for the many challenges of the XXIth century

Feasibility studies of time-like proton electromagnetic form factors at PANDA at FAIR

Simulation results for future measurements of electromagnetic proton form factors at \PANDA (FAIR) within the PandaRoot software framework are reported. The statistical precision with which the proton form factors can be determined is estimated. The signal channel $\bar p p \to e^+ e^-$ is studied on the basis of two different but consistent procedures. The suppression of the main background channel, $\textit{i.e.}$ $\bar p p \to \pi^+ \pi^-$, is studied. Furthermore, the background versus signal efficiency, statistical and systematical uncertainties on the extracted proton form factors are evaluated using two different procedures. The results are consistent with those of a previous simulation study using an older, simplified framework. However, a slightly better precision is achieved in the PandaRoot study in a large range of momentum transfer, assuming the nominal beam conditions and detector performance