Electro-optically induced absorption in α-Si:H/α-SiCN waveguiding multistacks

Electro optical absorption in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) - amorphous silicon carbonitride (α-SiCxNγ) multilayers have been studied in two different planar multistacks waveguides. The waveguides were realized by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), a technology compatible with the standard microelectronic processes. Light absorption is induced at λ = 1.55 μm through the application of an electric field which induces free carrier accumulation across the multiple insulator/ semiconductor device structure. The experimental performances have been compared to those obtained through calculations using combined two-dimensional (2-D) optical and electrical simulations. © 2008 Optical Society of America

The underrated gut microbiota helminths, bacteriophages, fungi, and archaea

The microbiota inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, providing essential capacities to the host. The microbiota is a crucial factor in intestinal health and regulates intestinal physiology. However, microbiota disturbances, named dysbiosis, can disrupt intestinal homeostasis, leading to the development of diseases. Classically, the microbiota has been referred to as bacteria, though other organisms form this complex group, including viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes such as fungi and protozoa. This review aims to clarify the role of helminths, bacteriophages, fungi, and archaea in intestinal homeostasis and diseases, their interaction with bacteria, and their use as therapeutic targets in intestinal maladies

Diet, microbiota, and the mucus layer: The guardians of our health

The intestinal tract is an ecosystem in which the resident microbiota lives in symbiosis with its host. This symbiotic relationship is key to maintaining overall health, with dietary habits of the host representing one of the main external factors shaping the microbiome-host relationship. Diets high in fiber and low in fat and sugars, as opposed to Western and high-fat diets, have been shown to have a beneficial effect on intestinal health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, improve mucus barrier function and immune tolerance, while inhibiting pro-inflammatory responses and their downstream effects. On the contrary, diets low in fiber and high in fat and sugars have been associated with alterations in microbiota composition/functionality and the subsequent development of chronic diseases such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic disease. In this review, we provided an updated overview of the current understanding of the connection between diet, microbiota, and health, with a special focus on the role of Western and high-fat diets in shaping intestinal homeostasis by modulating the gut microbiota

Long-term effect on adenoid dimensions and craniocervical angulation after maxillary expansion with fixed or functional appliances

Maxillary expansion is a common orthodontic procedure that could have a positive effect also on airway patency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasopharyngeal area and cranio-cervic

Particle size determines the anti-inflammatory effect of wheat bran in a model of fructose over-consumption : implication of the gut microbiota

We investigated the impact of the particle size of wheat bran on gut dysbiosis and inflammation induced by a fructose overload. Mice received drinking water with or without fructose (30%) and a standard diet supplemented with or without 5% of wheat bran fractions characterized by different average particle sizes (1690 pm versus 150 um) for 8 weeks. Fructose increased Enterobacteriaceae associated with higher expression of key inflammatory genes in the liver. The two wheat bran fractions differently affected specific gut bacteria known to be involved in the regulation of the gut barrier function and/or inflammatory processes. Moreover, wheat bran with small particle size was the sole fibre that reduced hepatic and systemic inflammatory markers upon high fructose intake. The anti-inflammatory effects of wheat bran may be dependent on their particle size and could be related to the changes in caecal Enterobacteriaceae

Potential use of wheat bran products in the management of metabolic disorders : implication of the gut microbiota

Obesity and related metabolic disorders as well as cancer cachexia share a common feature: a link with an alteration in the composition and or/function of the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis. Several studies in rodents and humans have described the important role exerted by nutrition in the evolution of pathologies associated with the dysbiosis. Dietary fibers are considered as prebiotics when they shape the intestinal microbial composition to counterbalance dysbiosis and promote health benefits. The work of this thesis reveals the interest of new nutritional strategies based on wheat bran supplementation rich in dietary fibers and characterized by different particle size. Our results highlight the divergent effects of the wheat bran fractions on intestinal dysbiosis and metabolic disorders associated with dietary imbalance. A change in particle size is not always associated with health benefits, as demonstrated by our results in the context of obesity. Certain modulations of the microbiota could participate in the biological effects obtained using wheat bran particles; however, other properties (bioactive substance availability, changes in digestion and transit...) may also be involved in explaining their biological effects. These results must be confirmed in appropriate intervention studies in humans, knowing that the consumption of cereals and derived products is an important source of complex carbohydrates and dietary fibers.(BIFA - Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques) -- UCL, 201

Cloud Computing: From Containerization to Infrastructure Provisioning

L'elaborato tratta argomenti relativi al cloud computing, in particolare delle tecniche di containerizzazione, orchestrazione e gestione dell'infrastruttura. Sono presentati e confrontati diversi strumenti per risolvere questi tipi di problemi. Lo studio e la scelta di un determinato strumento è stata fatta tenendo conto di esigenze reali di Kopjra, azienda in cui è stato svolto il tirocinio curricolare