Feed Intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Horro Lambs Fed Natural Pasture Hay Supplemented Graded Level of Vernonia amygdalina Leaves and Sorghum Grain Mixture

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Fast and stable gratings inscription in POFs made of different materials with pulsed 248 nm KrF laser

"© 2018 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited"[EN] This paper presents fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscription with a pulsed 248 nm UV KrF laser in polymer optical fibers (POFs) made of different polymers, namely polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cyclic-olefin polymer and co-polymer, and Polycarbonate. The inscribed gratings and the corresponding inscription parameters are compared with grating inscribed in POFs made of the aforementioned materials but with the hitherto most used laser for inscription, which is a continuous wave 325 nm UV HeCd laser. Results show a reduction of the inscription time of at least 16 times. The maximum time reduction is more than 130 times. In addition, a reflectivity and a bandwidth close to or higher than the ones with the 325 nm laser were obtained. The polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) inscribed with the 248 nm laser setup present high stability with small variations in their central wavelength, bandwidth, and reflectivity after 40 days. (c) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement.Fundacao para Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) (SFRH/BPD/109458/2015, UID/EEA/50008/2013).Marques, C.; Min, R.; Leal-Junior, A.; Antunes, P.; Fasano, A.; Woyessa, G.; Nielsen, K.... (2018). Fast and stable gratings inscription in POFs made of different materials with pulsed 248 nm KrF laser. Optics Express. 26(2):2013-2022. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.002013S20132022262Webb, D. J. (2015). Fibre Bragg grating sensors in polymer optical fibres. Measurement Science and Technology, 26(9), 092004. doi:10.1088/0957-0233/26/9/092004Prado, A. R., Leal-Junior, A. G., Marques, C., Leite, S., de Sena, G. L., Machado, L. C., … Pontes, M. J. (2017). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) recycling for the production of optical fiber sensor systems. Optics Express, 25(24), 30051. doi:10.1364/oe.25.030051Hu, X., Saez-Rodriguez, D., Marques, C., Bang, O., Webb, D. J., Mégret, P., & Caucheteur, C. (2015). Polarization effects in polymer FBGs: study and use for transverse force sensing. Optics Express, 23(4), 4581. doi:10.1364/oe.23.004581Pospori, A., Marques, C. A. F., Bang, O., Webb, D. J., & André, P. (2017). Polymer optical fiber Bragg grating inscription with a single UV laser pulse. Optics Express, 25(8), 9028. doi:10.1364/oe.25.009028Marques, C. A. F., Webb, D. J., & Andre, P. (2017). Polymer optical fiber sensors in human life safety. Optical Fiber Technology, 36, 144-154. doi:10.1016/j.yofte.2017.03.010Fasano, A., Woyessa, G., Janting, J., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2017). Solution-Mediated Annealing of Polymer Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings at Room Temperature. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 29(8), 687-690. doi:10.1109/lpt.2017.2678481Woyessa, G., Pedersen, J. K. M., Fasano, A., Nielsen, K., Markos, C., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2017). Zeonex-PMMA microstructured polymer optical FBGs for simultaneous humidity and temperature sensing. Optics Letters, 42(6), 1161. doi:10.1364/ol.42.001161Fasano, A., Woyessa, G., Stajanca, P., Markos, C., Stefani, A., Nielsen, K., … Bang, O. (2016). Fabrication and characterization of polycarbonate microstructured polymer optical fibers for high-temperature-resistant fiber Bragg grating strain sensors. Optical Materials Express, 6(2), 649. doi:10.1364/ome.6.000649Woyessa, G., Nielsen, K., Stefani, A., Markos, C., & Bang, O. (2016). Temperature insensitive hysteresis free highly sensitive polymer optical fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor. Optics Express, 24(2), 1206. doi:10.1364/oe.24.001206Leal-Junior, A. G., Frizera, A., & José Pontes, M. (2018). Sensitive zone parameters and curvature radius evaluation for polymer optical fiber curvature sensors. Optics & Laser Technology, 100, 272-281. doi:10.1016/j.optlastec.2017.10.006Stefani, A., Andresen, S., Yuan, W., Herholdt-Rasmussen, N., & Bang, O. (2012). High Sensitivity Polymer Optical Fiber-Bragg-Grating-Based Accelerometer. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 24(9), 763-765. doi:10.1109/lpt.2012.2188024Marques, C. A. F., Peng, G.-D., & Webb, D. J. (2015). Highly sensitive liquid level monitoring system utilizing polymer fiber Bragg gratings. Optics Express, 23(5), 6058. doi:10.1364/oe.23.006058Jensen, J. B., Hoiby, P. E., Emiliyanov, G., Bang, O., Pedersen, L. H., & Bjarklev, A. (2005). Selective detection of antibodies in microstructured polymer optical fibers. Optics Express, 13(15), 5883. doi:10.1364/opex.13.005883Emiliyanov, G., Høiby, P., Pedersen, L., & Bang, O. (2013). Selective Serial Multi-Antibody Biosensing with TOPAS Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibers. Sensors, 13(3), 3242-3251. doi:10.3390/s130303242Hassan, H. U., Janting, J., Aasmul, S., & Bang, O. (2016). Polymer Optical Fiber Compound Parabolic Concentrator fiber tip based glucose sensor: in-Vitro Testing. IEEE Sensors Journal, 1-1. doi:10.1109/jsen.2016.2606580Yuan, W., Khan, L., Webb, D. J., Kalli, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Stefani, A., & Bang, O. (2011). Humidity insensitive TOPAS polymer fiber Bragg grating sensor. Optics Express, 19(20), 19731. doi:10.1364/oe.19.019731Johnson, I. P., Yuan, W., Stefani, A., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Khan, L., … Bang, O. (2011). Optical fibre Bragg grating recorded in TOPAS cyclic olefin copolymer. Electronics Letters, 47(4), 271. doi:10.1049/el.2010.7347Markos, C., Stefani, A., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Yuan, W., & Bang, O. (2013). High-T_g TOPAS microstructured polymer optical fiber for fiber Bragg grating strain sensing at 110 degrees. Optics Express, 21(4), 4758. doi:10.1364/oe.21.004758Woyessa, G., Fasano, A., Stefani, A., Markos, C., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2016). Single mode step-index polymer optical fiber for humidity insensitive high temperature fiber Bragg grating sensors. Optics Express, 24(2), 1253. doi:10.1364/oe.24.001253Woyessa, G., Fasano, A., Markos, C., Stefani, A., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2016). Zeonex microstructured polymer optical fiber: fabrication friendly fibers for high temperature and humidity insensitive Bragg grating sensing. Optical Materials Express, 7(1), 286. doi:10.1364/ome.7.000286Stefani, A., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2012). Cleaving of TOPAS and PMMA microstructured polymer optical fibers: Core-shift and statistical quality optimization. Optics Communications, 285(7), 1825-1833. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2011.12.033Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Adam, A. J., Planken, P. C., Bang, O., & Jepsen, P. U. (2009). Bendable, low-loss Topas fibers for the terahertz frequency range. Optics Express, 17(10), 8592. doi:10.1364/oe.17.008592Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Jepsen, P. U., & Bang, O. (2010). Broadband terahertz fiber directional coupler. Optics Letters, 35(17), 2879. doi:10.1364/ol.35.002879Anthony, J., Leonhardt, R., Argyros, A., & Large, M. C. J. (2011). Characterization of a microstructured Zeonex terahertz fiber. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 28(5), 1013. doi:10.1364/josab.28.001013Woyessa, G., Fasano, A., Markos, C., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2017). Low Loss Polycarbonate Polymer Optical Fiber for High Temperature FBG Humidity Sensing. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 29(7), 575-578. doi:10.1109/lpt.2017.2668524Johnson, I. P., Kalli, K., & Webb, D. J. (2010). 827 nm Bragg grating sensor in multimode microstructured polymer optical fibre. Electronics Letters, 46(17), 1217. doi:10.1049/el.2010.1595Stefani, A., Wu Yuan, Markos, C., & Bang, O. (2011). Narrow Bandwidth 850-nm Fiber Bragg Gratings in Few-Mode Polymer Optical Fibers. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 23(10), 660-662. doi:10.1109/lpt.2011.2125786Hu, X., Pun, C.-F. J., Tam, H.-Y., Mégret, P., & Caucheteur, C. (2014). Highly reflective Bragg gratings in slightly etched step-index polymer optical fiber. Optics Express, 22(15), 18807. doi:10.1364/oe.22.018807Hu, X., Pun, C.-F. J., Tam, H.-Y., Mégret, P., & Caucheteur, C. (2014). Tilted Bragg gratings in step-index polymer optical fiber. Optics Letters, 39(24), 6835. doi:10.1364/ol.39.006835Sáez-Rodríguez, D., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., Bang, O., & Webb, D. J. (2013). Highly photosensitive polymethyl methacrylate microstructured polymer optical fiber with doped core. Optics Letters, 38(19), 3769. doi:10.1364/ol.38.003769Hu, X., Woyessa, G., Kinet, D., Janting, J., Nielsen, K., Bang, O., & Caucheteur, C. (2017). BDK-doped core microstructured PMMA optical fiber for effective Bragg grating photo-inscription. Optics Letters, 42(11), 2209. doi:10.1364/ol.42.002209Statkiewicz-Barabach, G., Kowal, D., Mergo, P., & Urbanczyk, W. (2015). Comparison of growth dynamics and temporal stability of Bragg gratings written in polymer fibers of different types. Journal of Optics, 17(8), 085606. doi:10.1088/2040-8978/17/8/085606Marques, C., Pospori, A., Demirci, G., Çetinkaya, O., Gawdzik, B., Antunes, P., … Webb, D. (2017). Fast Bragg Grating Inscription in PMMA Polymer Optical Fibres: Impact of Thermal Pre-Treatment of Preforms. Sensors, 17(4), 891. doi:10.3390/s17040891Bundalo, I.-L., Nielsen, K., Markos, C., & Bang, O. (2014). Bragg grating writing in PMMA microstructured polymer optical fibers in less than 7 minutes. Optics Express, 22(5), 5270. doi:10.1364/oe.22.005270Oliveira, R., Bilro, L., & Nogueira, R. (2015). Bragg gratings in a few mode microstructured polymer optical fiber in less than 30 seconds. Optics Express, 23(8), 10181. doi:10.1364/oe.23.010181Lacraz, A., Polis, M., Theodosiou, A., Koutsides, C., & Kalli, K. (2015). Femtosecond Laser Inscribed Bragg Gratings in Low Loss CYTOP Polymer Optical Fiber. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 27(7), 693-696. doi:10.1109/lpt.2014.2386692Theodosiou, A., Lacraz, A., Stassis, A., Koutsides, C., Komodromos, M., & Kalli, K. (2017). Plane-by-Plane Femtosecond Laser Inscription Method for Single-Peak Bragg Gratings in Multimode CYTOP Polymer Optical Fiber. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 35(24), 5404-5410. doi:10.1109/jlt.2017.2776862Yuan, W., Stefani, A., Bache, M., Jacobsen, T., Rose, B., Herholdt-Rasmussen, N., … Bang, O. (2011). Improved thermal and strain performance of annealed polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings. Optics Communications, 284(1), 176-182. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2010.08.069Bundalo, I.-L., Nielsen, K., Woyessa, G., & Bang, O. (2017). Long-term strain response of polymer optical fiber FBG sensors. Optical Materials Express, 7(3), 967. doi:10.1364/ome.7.00096

An ultra-compact particle size analyser using a CMOS image sensor and machine learning

Light scattering is a fundamental property that can be exploited to create essential devices such as particle analysers. The most common particle size analyser relies on measuring the angle-dependent diffracted light from a sample illuminated by a laser beam. Compared to other non-light-based counterparts, such a laser diffraction scheme offers precision, but it does so at the expense of size, complexity and cost. In this paper, we introduce the concept of a new particle size analyser in a collimated beam configuration using a consumer electronic camera and machine learning. The key novelty is a small form factor angular spatial filter that allows for the collection of light scattered by the particles up to predefined discrete angles. The filter is combined with a light-emitting diode and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor array to acquire angularly resolved scattering images. From these images, a machine learning model predicts the volume median diameter of the particles. To validate the proposed device, glass beads with diameters ranging from 13 to 125 µm were measured in suspension at several concentrations. We were able to correct for multiple scattering effects and predict the particle size with mean absolute percentage errors of 5.09% and 2.5% for the cases without and with concentration as an input parameter, respectively. When only spherical particles were analysed, the former error was significantly reduced (0.72%). Given that it is compact (on the order of ten cm) and built with low-cost consumer electronics, the newly designed particle size analyser has significant potential for use outside a standard laboratory, for example, in online and in-line industrial process monitoring

Prevalence and associated risk factors of malaria among adults in East Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is prevalent in over 75% of the country's area making it the leading public health problems in the country. Information on the prevalence of malaria and its associated factors is vital to focus and improve malaria interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to November 2012 in East Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Adults aged 16 or more years with suspected malaria attending five health centers were eligible for the study. Logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of each independent variable on risk of subsequent diagnosis of malaria. RESULTS: Of 810 suspected adult malaria patients who participated in the study, 204 (25%) had microscopically confirmed malaria parasites. The dominant Plasmodium species were P. vivax (54%) and P. falciparum (45%), with mixed infection of both species in one patient. A positive microscopic result was significantly associated with being in the age group of 16 to 24 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio aOR 6.7; 95% CI: 2.3 to 19.5], 25 to 34 years [aOR 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4 to 12.4], and 35 to 44 years [aOR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.2-11.4] compared to 45 years or older; being treated at Meki health center [aOR 4.1; 95% CI: 2.4 to 7.1], being in Shashemene health center [aOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.5], and living in a rural area compared to an urban area [aOR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.6)]. CONCLUSION: Malaria is an important public health problem among adults in the study area with a predominance of P. vivax and P. falciparum infection. Thus, appropriate health interventions should be implemented to prevent and control the disease

Scoping review on vector-borne diseases in urban areas : transmission dynamics, vectorial capacity and co-infection

BACKGROUND: Transmission dynamics, vectorial capacity, and co-infections have substantial impacts on vector-borne diseases (VBDs) affecting urban and suburban populations. Reviewing key factors can provide insight into priority research areas and offer suggestions for potential interventions. MAIN BODY: Through a scoping review, we identify knowledge gaps on transmission dynamics, vectorial capacity, and co-infections regarding VBDs in urban areas. Peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2000 and 2016 was searched. We screened abstracts and full texts to select studies. Using an extraction grid, we retrieved general data, results, lessons learned and recommendations, future research avenues, and practice implications. We classified studies by VBD and country/continent and identified relevant knowledge gaps. Of 773 articles selected for full-text screening, 50 were included in the review: 23 based on research in the Americas, 15 in Asia, 10 in Africa, and one each in Europe and Australia. The largest body of evidence concerning VBD epidemiology in urban areas concerned dengue and malaria. Other arboviruses covered included chikungunya and West Nile virus, other parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, and bacterial rickettsiosis and plague. Most articles retrieved in our review combined transmission dynamics and vectorial capacity; only two combined transmission dynamics and co-infection. The review identified significant knowledge gaps on the role of asymptomatic individuals, the effects of co-infection and other host factors, and the impacts of climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors on VBD transmission in urban areas. Limitations included the trade-off from narrowing the search strategy (missing out on classical modelling studies), a lack of studies on co-infections, most studies being only descriptive, and few offering concrete public health recommendations. More research is needed on transmission risk in homes and workplaces, given increasingly dynamic and mobile populations. The lack of studies on co-infection hampers monitoring of infections transmitted by the same vector. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening VBD surveillance and control, particularly in asymptomatic cases and mobile populations, as well as using early warning tools to predict increasing transmission, were key strategies identified for public health policy and practice

Effect of early and current Helicobacter pylori infection on the risk of anaemia in 6.5-year-old Ethiopian children

Background: Epidemiological and clinical studies in high income countries have suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may cause anaemia, but evidence is lacking from low income countries.We examined associations between H. pylori infection in early childhood and anaemia at the age of 6.5 years in an Ethiopian birth cohort. Methods: In 2011/12, 856 children (85.1 % of the 1006 original singletons in a population-based birth cohort) were followed up at age six and half. An interviewer-led questionnaire administered to mothers provided information on demographic and lifestyle variables. Haemoglobin level and red cell indices were examined using an automated haematological analyzer (Cell Dyn 1800, Abbott, USA), and stool samples analyzed for H. pylori antigen. The independent effects of H. pylori infection (measured at age 3.5 and 6.5 years) on anaemia, haemoglobin level, and red cell indices (measured at age 6.5 years) were determined using multiple logistic and linear regression. Results: The prevalence of anemia was 34.8 % (257/739), and the mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration was 11.8 (1.1) gm/dl. Current H. pylori infection at age 6.5 years was positively, though not significantly related to prevalence of anaemia (adjusted OR, 95 % CI, 1.15; 0.69, 1.93, p = 0.59). Any H. pylori infection up to age 6.5 years was significantly associated with an increased risk of anaemia at age 6.5 (adjusted OR, 95 % CI, 1.68; 1.22, 2.32, p = 0.01). A significant reduction in haemoglobin concentration and red cell indices was also observed among children who had any H. pylori infection up to age 6.5 (Hb adjusted β = −0.19, 95 % CI, −0.35 to −0.03, p = 0.01; MCV adjusted β = −2.22, 95 % CI, −3.43 to −1.01, p = 0.01; MCH adjusted β = −0.63, 95 % CI, −1.15 to - 0.12, p = 0.01; and MCHC adjusted β = −0.67, 95 % CI, −1.21 to −0.14, p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence from a low income country that any H. pylori infection up to age 6.5 is associated with higher prevalence of anaemia, and reduction of haemoglobin level and red cell indices at age 6.5

Malaria in Africa: Vector Species' Niche Models and Relative Risk Maps

A central theoretical goal of epidemiology is the construction of spatial models of disease prevalence and risk, including maps for the potential spread of infectious disease. We provide three continent-wide maps representing the relative risk of malaria in Africa based on ecological niche models of vector species and risk analysis at a spatial resolution of 1 arc-minute (9 185 275 cells of approximately 4 sq km). Using a maximum entropy method we construct niche models for 10 malaria vector species based on species occurrence records since 1980, 19 climatic variables, altitude, and land cover data (in 14 classes). For seven vectors (Anopheles coustani, A. funestus, A. melas, A. merus, A. moucheti, A. nili, and A. paludis) these are the first published niche models. We predict that Central Africa has poor habitat for both A. arabiensis and A. gambiae, and that A. quadriannulatus and A. arabiensis have restricted habitats in Southern Africa as claimed by field experts in criticism of previous models. The results of the niche models are incorporated into three relative risk models which assume different ecological interactions between vector species. The “additive” model assumes no interaction; the “minimax” model assumes maximum relative risk due to any vector in a cell; and the “competitive exclusion” model assumes the relative risk that arises from the most suitable vector for a cell. All models include variable anthrophilicity of vectors and spatial variation in human population density. Relative risk maps are produced from these models. All models predict that human population density is the critical factor determining malaria risk. Our method of constructing relative risk maps is equally general. We discuss the limits of the relative risk maps reported here, and the additional data that are required for their improvement. The protocol developed here can be used for any other vector-borne disease

Open-label trial on efficacy of artemether/lumefantrine against the uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Metema district, Northwestern Ethiopia

Feven Wudneh,1,2 Ashenafi Assefa,3 Desalegn Nega,3 Hussien Mohammed,3 Hiwot Solomon,4 Tadesse Kebede,2 Adugna Woyessa,3 Yibeltal Assefa,3 Amha Kebede,3 Moges Kassa3 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 2Biomedical Department, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, 3Malaria and Other Parasitological and Entomological Research Team, Bacterial, Parasitic and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, 4Malaria Research Team, Disease Prevention and Control Directorate, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Purpose: Following the increased Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, Ethiopia adopted artemether/lumefantrine (AL) as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum in 2004. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, this study was carried out for regular monitoring of the efficacy of AL in treating the uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Metema district, Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.Patients and methods: This is a one-arm prospective 28-day in vivo therapeutic efficacy study among the uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria patients aged 6 months and older. The study was conducted from October 2014 to January 2015, based on the revised World Health Organization protocol of 2009 for surveillance of antimalarial drug therapeutic efficacy study. Standard six-dose regimen of AL was given twice daily for 3 days, and then the treatment outcomes were assessed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and any other unscheduled day for emergency cases.Results: There were 91 study subjects enrolled in this study, of whom 80 study subjects completed the full follow-up schedules and showed adequate clinical and parasitological responses on day 28, with no major adverse event. Per protocol analysis, the unadjusted cure rate of Coartem® was 98.8% (95% confidence interval: 93.3%–100%) in the study area. Recurrence of one P. falciparum case was detected on day 28, with a late parasitological failure rate of 1.2%. No early treatment failure occurred. Complete parasite and fever clearance was observed on day 3. Gametocyte carriage was 4.4% at enrollment that cleared on day 21. Although the difference is statistically not significant, a slight increase in the level of mean hemoglobin from baseline to day 28 was observed.Conclusion: The study showed high efficacy and tolerability of Coartem® against uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, suggesting the continuation as a first-line drug in the study district. However, regular monitoring of the therapeutic efficacy of the drug, possibly with plasma drug-level measurement, is critical among the mobile border population. Keywords: artemether/lumefantrine, cure rate, parasite clearance, fever clearance, uncomplicated malari

Fourier transform spectrometer based on high-repetition-rate mid-infrared supercontinuum sources for trace gas detection

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