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We train our method on the SPHERE Calorie Dataset, for which we show an average area under the ROC curve of 76.3% and an assignment accuracy of 77.4%. In addition, we propose a novel triplet loss for which we demonstrate improving performances and convergence speed.Various berries demonstrate antioxidant activity, and this effect is expected to prevent chronic diseases. We examined whether a diet containing blueberry powder could prevent the development of bladder dysfunction secondary to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Eighteen 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups Sham (sham operated + normal diet), N-BOO (BOO operated + normal diet) and B-BOO (BOO operated + blueberry diet). Four weeks after BOO surgery, the N-BOO group developed bladder dysfunction with detrusor overactivity. Devimistat The B-BOO group showed significantly improved micturition volume and micturition interval. The urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as oxidative stress markers. In the N-BOO group, 8-OHdG increased 1.6-fold and MDA increased 1.3-fold at 4 weeks after surgery, whereas the increase in 8-OHdG was significantly reduced by 1.1-fold, despite a similar increase in MDA, in the B-BOO group. Bladder remodeling was confirmed due to bladder hypertrophy, fibrosis and increased connexin43 expression in the N-BOO group, but these histological changes were reduced in the B-BOO group. The intake of blueberries prevented the development of bladder dysfunction secondary to BOO. This effect seems to be related to antioxidation and the inhibition of bladder remodeling.There is little research on how product matrix and processing affect phenolic compounds in sweetened dried cranberries over time. The objective of this research was to assess polyphenol content and stability in sweetened dried cranberries between product matrix types. This research assessed five commercially available sweetened dried cranberry matrices (1) sliced apple juice infused, (2) whole apple juice infused, (3) sliced sucrose infused, (4) whole sucrose infused, and (5) sliced soluble corn fiber, glycerin, sucrose, and sucralose infused (three replicates/treatment). Proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins (HPLC), total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu), water activity, moisture content, color, and texture were evaluated over 12 months at 21 °C. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (p less then 0.05). Results demonstrate that sweetened dried cranberry polyphenols are unstable regardless of product matrix. More research is needed to determine optimal processing parameters for sweetened dried cranberries to maintain polyphenol stability as healthier food options for consumers.As the richest component in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) can reduce the colonization of harmful microbiota in vivo, thus lowering the risk of infection; however, the mechanism for this is still unclear. In this study, a model of Escherichia coli O157 infection in healthy adult mice was established to explore the effect of 2′-FL intervention on E. coli O157 colonization and its protective effects on mice. The results showed that 2′-FL intake reduced E. coli O157 colonization in mice intestine by more than 90% (p less then 0.001), and it also reduced intestinal inflammation, increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, and enhanced intestinal barrier function. These beneficial effects were attributed to the increased expression of mucins such as MUC2 (increased by more than 20%, p less then 0.001), and inhibition of E. coli O157 cell adhesion (about 30% reduction, p less then 0.001), and were associated with the modulation of gut microbiota composition. 2′-FL significantly increased the abundance of Akkermansia, a potential probiotic, which may represent the fundamental means by which 2′-FL enhances the expression of mucin and reduces the colonization of harmful bacteria. The current study may support the use of 2′-FL in the prevention of foodborne pathogen infections in human.This paper investigates the utilization of commercial masterbatches of graphene nanoplatelets to improve the properties of neat polymer and wood fiber composites manufactured by conventional processing methods. The effect of aspect ratio of the graphene platelets (represented by the different number of layers in the nanoplatelet) on the properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is discussed. The composites were characterized for their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact) and physical characteristics (morphology, crystallization, and thermal stability). The effect of the addition of nanoplatelets on the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the reinforced polymer with different contents of reinforcement was also investigated. In general, the mechanical performance of the polymer was enhanced at the presence of either of the reinforcements (graphene or wood fiber). The improvement in mechanical properties of the nanocomposite was notable considering that no compatibilizer was used in the manufacturing. The use of a masterbatch can promote utilization of nano-modified polymer composites on an industrial scale without modification of the currently employed processing methods and facilities.Neuroinflammation is a crucial process associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Several pieces of evidence suggest an active role of lipid mediators, especially epoxy-fatty acids (EpFAs), in the genesis and control of neuroinflammation; 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET) is one of the most commonly studied EpFAs, with anti-inflammatory properties. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is implicated in the hydrolysis of 14,15-EET to its corresponding diol, which lacks anti-inflammatory properties. Preventing EET degradation thus increases its concentration in the brain through sEH inhibition, which represents a novel pharmacological approach to foster the reduction of neuroinflammation and by end neurodegeneration. Recently, it has been shown that sEH levels increase in brains of PD patients. Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of the hydrolase domain of the enzyme or the use of sEH knockout mice reduced the deleterious effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration. This paper overviews the knowledge of sEH and EETs in PD and the importance of blocking its hydrolytic activity, degrading EETs in PD physiopathology. We focus on imperative neuroinflammation participation in the neurodegenerative process in PD and the putative therapeutic role for sEH inhibitors. In this review, we also describe highlights in the general knowledge of the role of sEH in the central nervous system (CNS) and its participation in neurodegeneration. We conclude that sEH is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for PD and other neurodegenerative diseases with chronic inflammation process, providing new insights into the crucial role of sEH in PD pathophysiology as well as a singular opportunity for drug development.Silver nanoparticles have applications in plasmonics, medicine, catalysis and electronics. We report a simple, cost-effective, facile and reproducible technique to synthesise silver nanoparticles via plasma-induced non-equilibrium liquid chemistry with the absence of a chemical reducing agent. Silver nanoparticles with tuneable sizes from 5.4 to 17.8 nm are synthesised and characterised using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and other analytic techniques. A mechanism for silver nanoparticle formation is also proposed. The antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles was investigated with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The inhibition of both bacteria types was observed. This is a promising alternative method for the instant synthesis of silver nanoparticles, instead of the conventional chemical reduction route, for numerous applications.In this paper, hybrid laser-MAG (metal active gas) welding of twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and dual-phase (DP) steels with austenitic stainless steel (AISI316) was simulated by means of the finite element method. A thermo-mechanical model, which uses a 3D heat sources, was developed using the software Simufact Welding. The calculated dimensions, shape and distortion of the weld were compared with the experimental results, thence the model was validated. The metallurgical transformations for the DP steel were evaluated using the continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram and the calculated cooling rate. The numerical model predicted accurately the shape of the molten pool, the thermal cycles as well as the geometrical distortion of the butt weld. Therefore, the numerical model showed a good reliability and its potential for further development.The crystal and supramolecular structure of the bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied at different stages of cellobiohydrolase hydrolysis using various physical and microscopic methods. Enzymatic hydrolysis significantly affected the crystal and supramolecular structure of native BC, in which the 3D polymer network consisted of nanoribbons with a thickness T ≈ 8 nm and a width W ≈ 50 nm, and with a developed specific surface SBET ≈ 260 m2·g-1. Biodegradation for 24 h led to a ten percent decrease in the mean crystal size Dhkl of BC, to two-fold increase in the sizes of nanoribbons, and in the specific surface area SBET up to ≈ 100 m2·g-1. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopy images showed BC microstructure “loosening”after enzymatic treatment, as well as the formation and accumulation of submicron particles in the cells of the 3D polymer network. Experiments in vitro and in vivo did not reveal cytotoxic effect by the enzyme addition to BC dressings and showed a generally positive influence on the treatment of extensive III-degree burns, significantly accelerating wound healing in rats. Thus, in our opinion, the results obtained can serve as a basis for further development of effective biodegradable dressings for wound healing.Over the years, Jamaica has experienced sporadic cases of dengue fever. Even though the island is vulnerable to dengue, there is paucity in the spatio-temporal analysis of the disease using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools. Further, access to time series dengue data at the community level is a major challenge on the island. This study therefore applies the Water-Associated Disease Index (WADI) framework to analyze vulnerability to dengue in Jamaica based on past, current and future climate change conditions using three scenarios (1) WorldClim rainfall and temperature dataset from 1970 to 2000; (2) Climate Hazard Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) rainfall and land surface temperature (LST) as proxy for air temperature from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the period 2002 to 2016, and (3) maximum temperature and rainfall under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 climate change scenario for 2030 downscaled at 25 km based on the Regional Climate Model, RegCM4.3.5. Although vulnerability to dengue varies spatially and temporally, a higher vulnerability was depicted in urban areas in comparison to rural areas. The results also demonstrate the possibility for expansion in the geographical range of dengue in higher altitudes under climate change conditions based on scenario 3. This study provides an insight into the use of data with different temporal and spatial resolution in the analysis of dengue vulnerability.