Tellurite glasses with combination of Er3+/Tm3+/Nd3+ ions and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared by using single-step melt-quenching technology, and the enhanced effect of Ag NPs on the ultra-broadband near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence was studied. Under the 808 nm LD excitation, two ultra-broadband NIR fluorescence of 1300-1600 nm and 1600-2100 nm underwent an obvious enhancement of about 52% compared to the tri-doping tellurite glass free of Ag NPs. The intensified local electric field induced by Ag NPs together with the energy transfer from Ag species to doped ions is responsible for this enhancement. The enhanced ultra-broadband NIR fluorescence of 1300-1600 nm with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 230 nm, originating from the spectral overlapping of 1.34 µm (4F3/2→4I13/2 of Nd3+), 1.47 µm (3H4→3F4 of Tm3+) and 1.53 µm (4I13/2→4I15/2 of Er3+) three bands, is promising in developing new ultra-broadband photonic devices such as fiber amplifiers and tunable lasers.The present work reports the effects of meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4) aggregation on its excited states absorption spectra, triplet states quenching by molecular oxygen and singlet oxygen production. Experimental techniques such as optical absorption, Z-scan with a white light continuum source and the Laser Flash Photolysis were used to fulfil the study. J-aggregates possess reverse saturable absorption in the 505-660 nm spectral range with a peak centered close to 540 nm. These facts together with their fast relaxation time suggest that they can be employed as material for ultrafast optical limiting and switching. Even though aggregation reduces the porphyrin excited-state lifetimes and quantum yields, it does not reduce the probability of the contact between the quencher and the excited aggregate. Aggregation does not change the contribution of energy transfer mechanisms to triplet state quenching by molecular oxygen. The production of singlet oxygen, the intense absorption in the phototherapeutic window and the high efficiency of conversion of light energy into heat, allow consider J-aggregates as a theranostic agent for photomedicine. It is proposed to use J-aggregates for diagnostics by photoacoustic images and in combination with a near-infrared photodynamic/photothermal dual mode therapy, thus improving synergistically the therapeutic response.Human influenza viruses are occasionally detected in the stools of influenza patients. Here, we investigated the molecular and biological characteristics of intestinal influenza viruses and their potential role in virus transmission. Fecal samples were first screened for the presence of influenza viral RNA using RT-qPCR. Positive fecal samples were subjected to cell culture. Isolated viruses were then sequenced using MiSeq platform. Replication kinetics and receptor binding affinity were also evaluated. Influenza RNA was detected in stool samples of 41% (36/87) of influenza A positive patients. Among the 36 stool samples subjected to viral isolation, 5 showed virus growth. Sequence analysis of isolated viruses revealed two distinct mutation patterns in fecal viruses. Set I viruses was able to replicate to higher titers in cell culture despite the limited number of mutations (6 mutations) compared to set II viruses (>10 mutations). Calcium Channel chemical Functional analysis of both sets revealed the ability to replicate efficiently in differentiated human bronchial cells. Receptor binding testing has also demonstrated their ability to bind α 2,3 and α 2,6 sialic acid receptors. The ability of fecal influenza viruses to replicate in intestinal cells and human 3D bronchial cells might suggest their possible contribution in virus transmission.The ability of fecal influenza viruses to replicate in intestinal cells and human 3D bronchial cells might suggest their possible contribution in virus transmission.Bisphenol compounds (BPs) are a group of environmental contaminants with endocrine-disrupting effects both for humans and animals. The present work developed a sensitive analytical method for the detection of multiple BPs in the animal feed based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with post-column ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) infusion. A modified QuEChERS method was incorporated into the extraction and purification processes. The limit of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) for the target BPs were in the ranges of 0.02-0.75 μg kg-1 and 0.04-0.95 μg kg-1, respectively. Average recoveries were ranged between 82.6% and 112%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of BPs in 20 actual feed samples, and the preliminary profiles of BPs in products from local feed factories were obtained. Each sample was simultaneously contaminated with at least 2 to 4 BPs, and bisphenol A (BPA) was the dominant analog of BPs found in animal feed. The present study aimed to measure diving response, CO sensitivity and forced vital capacity in male and female breath-hold divers (BHDs), and to determine their effect on breath-hold diving performance. This study included 8 non-divers (NDs, 4 males and 4 females) and 15 BHDs (7 males and 8 females). For NDs, diving response was measured during breath-holding with facial immersion, whereas for BHDs CO sensitivity was also measured. Compared to NDs, BHDs showed a prominent diving response. In BHDs, no statistically significant sex differences were observed in diving response and CO sensitivity. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between performance and the % forced vital capacity in BHDs. It was suggested that % forced vital capacity contributed more significantly to performance than diving response and CO sensitivity. Furthermore, the higher performance of male divers compared to female divers may be due to the % forced vital capacity rather than the diving response and CO sensitivity.It was suggested that % forced vital capacity contributed more significantly to performance than diving response and CO2 sensitivity. Furthermore, the higher performance of male divers compared to female divers may be due to the % forced vital capacity rather than the diving response and CO2 sensitivity.