Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen sulfide oxidation by naphthoquinone complexes. The Hiperion process

Removal of hydrogen sulfide from gas streams has historically been achieved using a variety of oxidizing agents, including various quinone/metal combinations and iron chelates. Because of its high redox potential, naphthoquinone can be the basis of a highly efficient catalyst system which lends itself to commercial application in an uncomplicated equipment configuration. Both the Hiperion process and its predecessor, the Takahax process (used widely in Japan), make use of naphthoquinone complexes to effectively oxidize hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The basic chemistry of the process involves oxidation of hydrogen sulfide by a catalyst containing a naphthoquinone/metal complex and re-oxidation of the catalyst by air.
Dynamics of Spinodal Decomposition in a Ternary Gelling System

The phase diagram and phase transitions of the ternary system of gelatin, water and poly(ethylene glycol) oligomers were studied as a function of the weight fraction of gelatin and the weight fraction and molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) oligomers. It was found that both phase separation and the sol-gel transition occur in this ternary system. The relative position of the phase separation line and the sol-gel transition line depends on the weight fraction and the molecular weight of the poly(ethylene glycol) oligomer that coexists in the solution. All aspects of the phase diagram are sensitive to the molecular weight of the poly(ethylene glycol) oligomer. Since the phase separation line crosses the sol-gel transition line in the phase space that is created by the temperature and the weight fraction of gelatin, the phase space is typically divided into four regions, where each region corresponds to a definite phase. The transitions between mutual phases were studied using the light-scattering technique.
Growth and yield of amaranths ( Amaranthus spp . ) as influenced by seed rate and variety in Sokoto , Nigeria

Amaranth belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, the genus Amaranthus includes 50-60 species, cultivated for green leaf and grains and a few wild species (Rai and Yadav, 2005). Amaranth is one of the oldest food crops in the world; evidence of its cultivation dates back to as far as 6700 BC (RSA, 2010). Amaranth is considered one of the most commonly produced and consumed indigenous vegetables on the African continent (Grubben and Denton, 2004). According to Olorode (1984), Amaranthus cruentus L. is a leafy vegetable commonly cultivated in Nigeria and other West African countries. Aphane et al. (2003) reported that foods of animal origin which are known to be the major source of vitamins and proteins are very expensive for poor households. Wehmeyer and Rose (1983) observed that fruits and vegetables could alternatively play a major role in alleviating problems associated with malnutrition due to their ability to supply proteins, vitamins, calories and othernutrients needed in a balanced diet. Laker (2007) observed that of more than 100 different indigenous leafy vegetable species in Africa, Amaranth is the most widely consumed. According to Olorode (1984), Amaranthus cruentus L. is a leafy vegetable commonly cultivated in Nigeria and other West African countries. Amaranth, a C4 plant, is one of a few dicots in which the first product of photosynthesis is a four carbon compound. Kaul et al. (1996) observed that increased efficiency of amaranth to use CO2 under a wide range of both temperature and moisture stress environments could be as a result of its anatomical features and C4 metabolism and this contributes to the plant's wide geographic adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. African indigenous vegetables play significant role in the food security of the under-privileged in both urban and rural settings (Schippers, 1997). Many communities use vegetables as source of energy and micro nutrients in their diets (Gravetti and Ogle, 2000). Vegetables are usually picked fresh, used as greens in salads or blanched, steamed, boiled, fried in oil, and mixed with meat, fish, cucurbit seeds, groundnut or palm oil. Cooked ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
MALASSEZIA PACHYDERMATIS − ETIOLOGY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS IN CANINE EXTERNAL OTITIS - THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

In 2007, 48 swab samples obtained from dogs with otitis externa were investigated by means of parallel cultivation on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar, supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. Thirty four plasmocoagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. , 12 M. pachydermatis, 7 Streptococcus spp. , 4 Escherichia coli, 4 Proteus mirabilis, and 3 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated. Association between: M. pachydermatis and Staphylococcus spp. (in 9 samples), M. pachydermatis and Streptococcus spp. (2 samples) and M. pachydermatis and Escherichia coli, (in one sample) were determined. There were not coinfections of M. pachydermatis with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Proteus mirabilis. Three therapeutic protocols were tested. The best clinical effect was achieved in the combined local application of an antibacterial and an antifungal drug.
Fungi isolated from Niedźwiedzia Cave in Kletno (Lower Silesia, Poland)

Niedźwiedzia Cave is the most beautiful cave in Poland, discovered in a block of Cambrian marbles. It is the most important part of the reserve established in 1977. The cave is located within the Klodzko Valley, in Śnieznik Mt. Massif, in Kleśnica Stream Valley and was discovered in 1966 while working in a quarry. The study aimed at first mycological evaluation of the air and the rocks in Niedźwiedzia Cave. Nine species of filamentous fungi and a yeast species were isolated from the air sampled in the cave, whereas from the rocks - nine species of filamentous fungi and two species of yeasts were collected. Rhizopus stolonifer was the species most frequently isolated from the air and from the rocks, while the least isolated from the air was Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Among the species found in the rock, the least frequently collected were Fusarium oxysporum and the yeast Rhodotorula rubra.
An Examination of Learners ’ Noticing and Processing of Complex Spanish Grammar in Authentic Input Texts

This study examined five instructional techniques for teaching complex grammar online and their effect on learners’ ability to notice and process the Spanish subjunctive when it appeared in authentic input post experimental exposure. All participants were online learners of Spanish in their second semester of language study. Computerized visual input enhancement (VIE), operationalized as word animation, was used to increase the visual salience of the targeted grammatical form for web-based delivery. Four experimental groups – processing instruction with visual input enhancement (+PI +VIE), processing instruction without visual input enhancement (+PI –VIE), structured input with visual input enhancement (+SI + VIE), and structured input without visual input enhancement (+SI -VIE) – were compared with a group that received traditional instruction (+TI). The results indicated that the +PI +VIE group outperformed the +TI group and the two SI groups (+SI +VIE and +SI -VIE) on an awareness measure and both PI groups (+PI +VIE and +PI -VIE) outperformed the +SI -VIE group on an input processing measure.
Epiphyton Algae on Aquatic Macrophyte (Water Hyacinth) in a Tropical Lagoon and Their Possible Use as Indicator

The epiphyton on aquatic macrophyte “Water hyacinth” and their possible use as indicator of environmental change in Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria were undertaken for six months (December, 2012- May, 2013), to know the health status of the environment and also identify pollution tolerant individual in the area. A total of 4710 individuals of 39 species belonging to 4 divisions were identified. A total of 4070 individuals (86.42%) represents Bacillariophyta division while 205 (4.35%), 255 (5.41%) and 180 (3.82%) individuals represent Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Euglenophyta respectively. Dissolved oxygen values range from 7.6mg/L to 2.8mg/L throughout the study period. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) varied between 7.0mg/L and 16.0mg/L. Transparency was highest (≤48.5cm) in dry months and lowest (≤28.0cm). Epiphyton biomass were higher in the dry months. The pennate diatoms dominated the whole algal community. The following ideal species were recorded and could be used as biomonitoring of organic contamination in the lagoon, these include; Gomphonema parvulum, Synedra acus, Surirella ovata and Pinnularia major, Pondorina morum, Trachelomonas hispida, Phacus longicuda and Euglena sp.
Evaluation of Trypanocidal Activity of Bidens pilosa and Physalis peruviana Against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

Trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease that causes death and morbidity to man, and also severely limits livestock productivity in endemic areas. It is caused by different species of trypanosomes that occur in Africa, South America and Asia. Although chemotherapy is the main method of trypanosomiasis control, the few drugs in the market are faced with challenges of drug resistance, high toxicity and very costly. There is also no likelihood of a vaccine to control new outbreaks and there are no new drugs in the market. Herbal medicines are increasingly being used as an alternative solution to the control of trypanosomiasis in endemic areas. These are cost effective and economic friendly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trypanocidal activity of Bidens Pilosa and Physalis peruviana using in-vitro and in-vivo protocols. The in-vitro trials are carried out using 96 well plates where the trypanocidal activities of the plant extracts were evaluated by calculating the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Toxicity of the herbal extract was determined by monitoring survival, weight change, lethargy and difficulty in breathing. Parasitemia development after extract administration was used as parameters to test the test compound for trypanocidal activity. In vitro results revealed that bidens pilosa had the highest activity with an MIC of 125µg/ml after 48 hours of incubation against Trypanosoma brucei rhodensiense isolated from a patient in busia (KETRI 3684). Toxicity results showed that a dosage level of above 1000mg/kg body weight (highest toxicity trial dose used) of bidens pilosa caused clinical signs such as difficulty in breathing, lethargy, raised hair, loss of weight and death within five days. In-vivo results revealed that Bidens pilosa had some trypanocidal effect but did not perform better than the standard drugs. It is recommend that repeat therapy could be done to clear the parasites completely. Combined therapy of bidens pilosa and physalis peruviana was recommended to see if results can create a rationale for combination therapy in elimination of the parasites. This study has showed that Bidens pilosa and Physalis peruviana have trypanocidal potential.
Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Mandy Hemphill BS, Southern Methodist University, 1996 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health Walden University February 2017 Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals aged 50 years and older and is estimated to affect as many as 11 million individuals in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between vitamin D and AMD disease progression. The life course epidemiology framework model was used to explore how vitamin D level as a risk factor may have an association to AMD disease through time. Data in the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were collected on vitamin D levelsAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals aged 50 years and older and is estimated to affect as many as 11 million individuals in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between vitamin D and AMD disease progression. The life course epidemiology framework model was used to explore how vitamin D level as a risk factor may have an association to AMD disease through time. Data in the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were collected on vitamin D levels and identified stages of AMD level based on graded fundus eye exams from an available sample size of 5,604 participants. A quantitative cross-sectional study approach was used to address this gap in knowledge. A bivariate analysis was used to examine each independent variable (age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and diabetes) to the dependent variable AMD from the 2005–2008 NHANES dataset. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with AMD including each independent variable found to be significant. The findings from this study failed to suggest an association between vitamin D levels to AMD, with or without the covariates included in the model. There was not an association found between vitamin D level and presence of AMD. An association was found between age, smoking, and race to presence of AMD in each of the bivariate models. The findings from this study could be used for positive social change by encouraging medical and public health agencies to target screening programs at high-risk age, smoking, and race groups. There remains to be conflicting data in the literature. This study adds to the body of literature suggesting that higher levels of vitamin D are not necessarily beneficial as they pertains to AMD. Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Mandy Hemphill BS, Southern Methodist University, 1996 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health Walden University February 2017
Investigation of antioxidant enzyme polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: Antioxidant system enzyme activity and polymorphism were investigated in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is increasingly prevalent both in the world and our country. Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to determine lipid peroxidation, while Catalase (CAT), Paraoxonase (PON) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were measured to determine antioxidant activity. For molecular analysis, leukocytes were separated and DNA was isolated from cell nuclei and the targeted genes were amplified by using PCR. Targeted base changes were detected by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results: Evaluating CAT polymorphism, there was 35 (35%) TT, 52 (52%) TC and 13 (13%) CC genotypes in the control group, as 38 (38%) TT, 40 (40%) TC and 22 (22%) CC genotypes in the patient. In SOD, there were 32 (32%) TT, 49 (49%) TC, 19 (19%) CC genotypes in the control group, as 34 (34%) TT, 50 (50%) TC and 16 (16%) CC genotypes in the patient. In PON55, there were 50 (50%) LL, 38 (38%) LM, 12 (12%) MM genotypes in the control group, as 39 (39%) LL, 49 (49%) LM and 12 (12%) MM genotypes in the patient. In PON192, there were 77 (77%) QQ, 21 (21%) QR, 2 (2%) RR genotypes in the control group, as 66 (66%) QQ, 29 (49%) QR, 5 (5%) RR genotypes in the patient. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution for CAT, SOD, PON55 and PON192 polymorphisms between groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, COPD patients were found to have a deficiency in the antioxidant defense system. This will lead to the development of oxidative stress in patients and the complications of COPD. There was no polymorphic difference between the control group and South African patients living in Adiyaman in COPD whose genetic characteristics were not fully explained.
Effect of acute salinity changes on hemolymph osmolality and clearance rate of the non-native mussel, Perna viridis, and the native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in Southwest Florida

The green mussel Perna viridis is a recent invader to Southwest Florida and, though it is currently found only in high salinity areas, concerns abound that it may threaten native oysters. The objective of this study was to compare the responses of P. viridis and the native eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, to acute salinity changes by measuring hemolymph osmolality and clearance rate of algal cells over time. The osmolality of hemolymph in vivo and surrounding water were assessed regularly over a one-week period at seven test salinities ranging from 5 to 35. While oysters reached osmotic equilibrium at all salinities within 144 hours, hemolymph of green mussels remained hyperosmotic at salinities ≤ 10. Clearance rates of algae by P. viridis and C. virginica held in static tanks at four salinities (10, 15, 25, and 35) were measured, employing flow cytometry. At salinities of 25 and 35, green mussel clearance rates were approximately double those of oysters. Unlike native oysters, green mussel clearance rates decreased by an order of magnitude at salinities of 10 and 15. Further, at salinities of 10 and 15, P. viridis tended to close their valves. In a specific test of this behavior, 100% of mussels remained open at salinities of 25 and 35. At salinities of 10 and 15, mussels increasingly closed their valves over time, and within 120 hours of exposure all were either closed or dead. The chief concern about P. viridis is that it might compete with native bivalves for food and space. However, our results suggest that this recent invader may be salinity-limited, providing C. virginica with a refuge from competition in estuaries that experience acute periods of low salinity.
A CFD Analysis Of A Solar Air Heater Having Triangular Rib Roughness On The Absorber Plate

This paper presents the study of heat transfer in a rectangular duct of a solar air heater having triangular rib roughness on the absorber plate by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The effect of Reynolds number on Nusselt number was investigated. The computations based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm have been conducted for the air flow in terms of Reynolds numbers ranging from 3000-18000. A commercial finite volume package ANSYS FLUENT 12.1 is used to analyze and visualize the nature of the flow across the duct of a solar air heater. CFD simulation results were found to be in good agreement with experimental results and with the standard theoretical approach es. It has been found that t he Nusselt number increases with increase in Reynolds number.
Comparing Predictive Accuracy in Small Samples Using Fixed-Smoothing Asymptotics

We consider fixed‐smoothing asymptotics for the Diebold and Mariano (Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, 1995, 13(3), 253–263) test of predictive accuracy. We show that this approach delivers predictive accuracy tests that are correctly sized even when only a small number of out‐of‐sample observations is available. We apply the fixed‐smoothing asymptotics to the Diebold and Mariano test to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) and of the European Central Bank Survey of Professional Forecasters (ECB SPF) against a simple random walk. Our results show that the predictive abilities of the SPF and of the ECB SPF were partially spurious.
Perceived Barriers to End-of-Life Care Discussions in Cancer Patients from the Perspective of Ambulatory Oncology Nurses

With the advancing age of the population, the increasing incidence of cancer, and all of the advances in cancer therapy, comes the ability to prolong life in cancer patients well beyond what was possible even ten years ago. Along with the progress of advanced surgical and radiation techniques, there is now an ever-expanding array of chemotherapy, biotherapy, and immunotherapy being used on patients in all age groups and in all stages of cancer. These advances have thrilled researchers and physicians, as they now have a multitude of options to offer cancer patients, perhaps even as late as third or fourth line therapy. If traditional chemotherapy fails, it is very likely that a new novel agent will be offered to the patient, regardless of age and performance status. Cancer patients often have an unwavering amount of hope and faith in their physician, and these treatments, while promising and encouraging, add to the growing problem of delaying end-of-life care discussions in patients, often until they are exhausted of all hope and quality of life. The Institute of Medicine has made dying well from cancer a top priority and states that those with palliative needs deserve access to expert-level care and those who meet the criteria of a six month or less prognosis should be offered hospice. Ambulatory oncology nurses are in a unique position to add to the discussion of barriers to end-of-life care discussions in cancer patients and, for this reason a qualitative research study was
A multisite analysis of temporal random errors in soil CO2 efflux

An important component of the terrestrial carbon balance is the efflux of CO2 from soils to the atmosphere, which is strongly influenced by changes in soil moisture and temperature. Continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux are available around the world, and there is a need to develop and improve analyses to better quantify the precision of the measurements. We focused on random errors in measurements, which are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes such as fluctuating environmental conditions. We used the CO2 gradient flux method with two different algorithms to study the temporal variation of soil CO2 efflux and associated random errors at four different ecosystems with wide ranges in mean annual temperature, soil moisture, and soil CO2 efflux. Our results show that random errors were better explained by a double‐exponential distribution, had a mean value close to zero, were nonheteroscedastic, and were independent of soil moisture conditions. Random errors increased with the magnitude of soil CO2 efflux and scale isometrically (scaling exponent ≈ 1) within and across all sites, with a single relation common to all data. This isometric scaling is unaffected by ecosystem type, soil moisture conditions, and soil CO2 efflux range (maximum and minimum values within an ecosystem). These results suggest larger uncertainty under extreme events that increase soil CO2 efflux rates. The accumulated annual uncertainty due to random errors varied between ±0.38 and ±2.39%. These results provide insights on the scalability of the sensitivity of soil CO2 efflux to changing weather conditions across ecosystems.