Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Serum C-peptide Level on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Type 2 Diabetic Women.

Objective: Recent studies suggested that c-peptide had biological activity on bone metabolism. We aimed to evaluate the impact of c-peptide level on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women. Methods: Thirty-five insulin naïve type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women were included in our prospective cohort study. Fasting and random c-peptide, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, insulin, alkaline phosphatase level (ALP) levels and BMD were evaluated. Results: The mean age of patients was 61.8±8.56 years. The mean fasting c-peptide, random c-peptide and insulin levels were 3.0±1.24, 7.7±3.7 and 13.9±11.2 µIU/ml, respectively. The mean femoral neck (FN-BMD) and total lumbar spine bone mineral density (L-BMD) were 0.787±0.127 and 0.919±0.122 g/cm2, respectively. C-peptide level was associated with total hip BMD (p<0.05) but this relation disappeared after regression analysis adjusted for confounders. A negative correlation between PTH level and FN-BMD was found (p=0.01). Total hip BMD and L-BMD were negatively correlated with age (p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively). A positive association between DPP4 inhibitor treatment and total hip BMD was observed (p=0.03). Conclusions: We observed a positive association between total hip BMD and serum c-peptide level. However, this relationship disappeared in multiple linear regression analysis. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of c-peptide level on the risk of osteoporosis in T2DM.
N-doped porous carbon derived from bamboo fiber as a high-performance adsorbent for methylene blue

N-doped porous carbon materials derived from bamboo fibers (NBFCs) were synthesized through a simple simultaneous activation and carbonization method. The effects of the adsorbent dosage, absorption temperature, pH of the solution, initial concentration, and contact time on the absorption of methylene blue were investigated. The equilibrium, kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics of the adsorption process were also analyzed. The results showed that NBFC-800 had a good adsorption capacity of 816.0 mg/g and a high removal efficiency of 93.3% during the optimum absorption process with an adsorbent dosage of 0.8 g/L, adsorption temperature of 25 °C, initial concentration of 700 mg/L, and a solution pH of 9.0. The adsorption process included instantaneous adsorption or external surface adsorption, intraparticle diffusion, and an equilibrium process. Methylene blue adsorption of NBFC-800 agreed with the pseudo second-order model and belonged to the Langmuir isotherm model. The results will be useful for the development of high-performance NBFCs to efficiently remove methylene blue from wastewater.
Cassiterite deposition triggered by fluid mixing: Evidence from in-situ δ 18 O-δ 11 B analysis of tourmaline from the San Rafael tin deposit, Peru

We present a combined study of oxygen and boron isotopes (δ18O and δ11B) measured in situ in tourmaline from the giant San Rafael tin deposit (Central Andean Tin Belt, Southeast Peru) to trace fluid processes during the magmatic-hydrothermal transition leading to tin mineralization. The results show that magmatic and pre-ore hydrothermal tourmaline has similar δ18O-δ11B values, which are consistent with crystallization in a continuously evolving magmatichydrothermal closed system. In contrast, syn-ore hydrothermal tourmaline has δ18O-δ11B values defining a linear array interpreted as the result of mixing with external fluids, thus indicating an opening of the hydrothermal system during the ore stage. Quantitative fluid modeling shows that a Rayleigh fractionation process in a closed system reproduces closely the δ18O- δ11B compositions of magmatic and pre-ore tourmaline, whereas mixing of a hot and saline (500°C, 45 wt% NaCl eq) tin-rich magmatic fluid with a heated meteoric fluid (250°C, 0 wt% NaCl eq) explains the observed δ18O-δ11B compositions for syn-ore tourmaline.
Evaluating the discriminatory power of a dissolution assay for rosuvastatin calcium capsules: Solid-state properties and dissolution media

*Correspondence: M. L. Ângelo. Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas. Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Prédio D, Sala 307, 37130-001 Alfenas MG, Brazil. E-mail: marialfenas@yahoo.com. br Evaluating the discriminatory power of a dissolution assay for rosuvastatin calcium capsules: Solid-state properties and dissolution media
Bacterial Resistance via Multidrug Efflux Pumps A Computational Study

Multidrug resistance against antibiotics is a common problem of treating bacterial infections. Bacteria are able to employ different resistance mechanisms to regulate the concentration of antibiotics in the cell, or disable them by degradation or target modification. One of the major contributors are efflux pumps, that reduce the periplasmic concentration of antibiotics and other toxic compounds by pumping them out into the extracellular space. This thesis comprises several computational approaches to investigate the functions of the individual proteins of Escherichia coli’s major efflux pump AcrAB-TolC. In the first part, the opening of the periplasmic tip of TolC, an outermembrane channel, was investigated by mutating specific residues in this region as it was shown in X-ray crystal structures. Upon docking to one of several possible innermembrane transporters, TolC is supposed to open iris-likely. In the present simulations, this opening was accomplished to a similar extent as in experiments. Interestingly, the cations in the system significantly influenced the outcome of the simulations. In the second part, the dynamics of AcrB’s pumping process have been investigated by mimicking conformational changes which have been proposed by X-ray crystallographers. The outcome has been described by using a drug molecule as an unbiased measure. This drug was previously found in the binding pocket of a cocrystallized structure. During this investigation, the binding pocket has been found to shrink peristaltically, which forced the drug to leave the binding pocket. In the binding pocket and along the channel toward the exit gate, strongly interacting amino acids have been pointed out as well. In a subsequent work, the influence of its environment has been examined. Especially the interaction with the surrounding water and amino acids revealed several essential features of the extrusion by AcrB. One interesting aspect was the stream of water which slightly assisted the extrusion of the drug and also shielded the electrostatic interaction of the protein and the substrate. This disfavored a strong binding of the drug to the amino acids of the exit channel. Furthermore, the interand intramonomeric interactions have been examined and crucial conformational changes of the transition along the cycle have been highlighted. The effect of one particular mutation on the extrusion has been investigated in an additional work. The information presented in this thesis enhances the atomistic and functional understanding of E. coli’s major efflux pump. By combining these data with experimental results, the mechanism of extrusion can be interpreted more clearly, which might also improve the chances to develop new antibiotics and inhibitors with a higher efficacy in the future.
Preparation and application of microcapsule containing sodium potassium tartrate for self-healing of cement

ABSTRACT The cement sheath may crack during oil and gas production. Due to the microcrack areas are difficult to locate and reach, the repair of microcrack can be achieved by self-healing materials. Potassium sodium tartrate has a self-healing function, but when directly added to Portland cement, it is easy to cause serious retardation. Therefore, the microencapsulation of potassium sodium tartrate as a self-healing agent in urea-formaldehyde resin microcapsules is proposed. The particle size will significantly affect the particle gradation between microcapsules and cement，so this study aimed to produce microcapsules by optimization of various agitation rates. The microcapsules were synthesized by in-situ polymerization method and characterized by the yield rate, FTIR, particle size analysis, TG and SEM. In addition, the self-healing effect of microcapsules in oil well cement was evaluated. The microcapsules prepared by optimizing the agitation rate provide good uniformity of the cement slurry system, acceptable mechanical properties and excellent particle grading between the cement. The fracture permeability of optimizing microcapsule indicated that the microcapsule has excellent healing performance when the crack width was smaller than 86 μm.
The Effect Of Substitution Oyster Mushroom On Chemical Composition And Quality Attributes Of Meatballs.

This work was carried out to study the effects of substitution fried oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) by beef meat at levels (10, 20, 30 and 40%) and the effect of frying on chemical composition, physical, microbiological contamination and organoleptic properties of meatballs. The results showed that moisture, ash and carbohydrate contents of the raw meatballs were increased, but protein, fat contents and pH value were decreased by increasing levels of fried mushroom. As a result of frying, moisture was decreased, but protein, fat, ash and carbohydrate contents were increased compared to those of raw meatballs. The result showed that the physical properties as tenderness, plasticity and Feder values were increased, but, water holding capacity values were decreased by increasing levels of fried mushroom, on the other hand all properties were decreased as affected by frying compared to raw samples. In addition, the Feder value of raw or fried meatballs were less than 4, this means that these products had good quality. The total microbial count of raw meatballs was decreased by increasing levels of fried mushroom. Also, total microbial count of meatballs was decreased as affected by frying. Furthermore, both raw or fried meatballs were free of sporo-performing bacteria, Coliform group and Salmonella spp. Similarly, all the formulations of meatballs can be used for the preparation of acceptable organoleptic attributes. Also, the meatball containing 10% fried mushroom was the best sample compared to other samples.
Changes of Anthocyanins in Black Rice Flours Prepared by Cooking and Pregelatinization

Black rice is considered healthier than white rice as it contains anthocyanins which have been claimed to have multiple health benefits. The wide application of black rice is limited due to the limiting properties of native rice flour. The Thai black rice cultivar, Niew Dam (ND; glutinous type) and Hom Nil (HN; non-glutinous type), were pregelatinized through conventional cooking (C) followed by drum-drying (D). The effects of the heat treatments on physical and chemical properties, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity were determined. Rice flour with no heat treatment (native: N) showed lower hydration values compared to those of cooked and drum dried samples. Total anthocyanin contents (TAC) of ND-N, ND-C, and ND-D (4,099, 452, and 358 mg/100 g dw, respectively) were significantly higher than those of HN-N, HN-C, HN-D (305, 95, and 23 mg/100 g dw, respectively). After cooking and drum-drying processes, the retention percentage of TAC in ND-D and HN-D were 9 % and 8%, respectively. Specific anthocyanin compounds, namely cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside, were significantly decreased in both rice cultivars after cooking and the drum-drying processes. The LC-ESI-QTOF was able to identify cyanidin-3-sambubioside for the first time CMU J. Nat. Sci. (2019) Vol. 18(4) 535 in black rice. Compared to untreated grains, the antioxidant activity of the drum dried samples was decreased by approximately 20% indicating reasonable preservation of the antioxidant benefits. The improvement of physical properties and the remaining anthocyanin content of the pre-gelatinized black rice flour indicates that it has a potential application as an ingredient in healthier food products.
Feature Extraction Techniques of Ultrasound Kidney Images: A study of Performance

A comparative study was performed to analyze and discuss the performance of three feature extraction techniques in the classification of ultrasound kidney images. An automated computer-aided system was designed to analyze and classify ultrasonic kidney images into five main classes: Cyst, Failure, Stone, Tumor and Normal. Texture, Fourier transform and wavelet packet analysis feature extraction techniques were utilized to extract three sets of features from the ultrasound kidney images. Principal component analysis was performed on Fourier and wavelet packet analysis results for optimal feature selection. A neural network classifier was developed using the selected features in the training and testing phases. Comparing the results, it was possible to obtain a correct classification rate of 98.6% using wavelet-packet decomposition technique combined with PCA. It is concluded that the features derived from the wavelet-packet decomposition with PCA outperformed those derived from texture and Fourier transform.
Homogeneous phase synthesis of chitosan silica hybrid materials in ionic liquid medium and adsorption of Fe(III) from aqueous solutions

Abstract Two chitosan silica hybrid materials were prepared by a two-step process in 78–84% yields using the homogeneous phase reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with chitosan dissolved in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid (∼10% w/w), which was followed by NH4OH catalyzed hydrolysis of triethoxysilyl groups and then sol-gel process. These new hybrid materials were shown to adsorb up to about 95% of Fe3+ from 5 × 10−4 M aqueous solution at room temperature in 24 h. Graphical Abstract
Effects of Urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate Application on Acidification of three Burundi representative Soils

An 8-week incubation study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions to evaluate the potential acidifying effect of urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) on three Burundi representative soils, namely two acidic high altitude soils (Nyabisindu and Kajondi) and a saline sodic soil from the Imbo plain (Gihanga). Urea was applied at equivalent rates of 40 and 80 kg ha -1 , while Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) was applied at 100 and 200 kg ha -1 . At the completion of the study, the acidifying effect of urea and DAP increased with the increasing original soil pH values. In comparison with the unfertilised control treatments, soil pH decreased by 0.18 to 0.217 pH units in Nyabisindu soil (pH = 5.07), whereas in Kajondi soil (pH = 5.2) and Gihanga (pH = 7.40), it decreased by 0.073 to 0.286 and 0.367 to 0.470 pH units, respectively. Furthermore, results hilighted that each soil-applied kg of N as urea and each soil-applied kg of N as DAP requires 3.6 kg and 5.4 kg of CaCO3 to neutralize their respective residual acidity. The study revealed a helpful approach of using CaCO3 as a rational N fertilizers management that the agriculture extension services and farmers can undertake in order to reduce soil acidity, improve soil fertility and increase crop production in Burundi and beyond under similar soil conditions.
Spectral Characterization of Copper and Iron Sulfide Combustion: A Multivariate Data Analysis Approach for Mineral Identification on the Blend

The pyrometallurgical processes for primary copper production have only off-line and time-demanding analytical techniques to characterize the in and out streams of the smelting and converting steps. Since these processes are highly exothermic, relevant process information could potentially be obtained from the visible and near-infrared radiation emitted to the environment. In this work, we apply spectral sensing and multivariate data analysis methodologies to identify and classify copper and iron sulfide minerals present in the blend from spectra measured during their combustion in a laboratory drop-tube setup, in which chemical reactions that take place in flash smelting furnaces can be reproduced. Controlled combustion experiments were conducted with two industrial concentrates and with high-grade mineral species as well, with a focus on pyrite and chalcopyrite. Exploratory analysis by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied on the spectral data depicted high correlation features among species with similar elemental compositions. Classification algorithms were tested on the spectral data, and a classification accuracy of 95.3% with a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm with a Gaussian kernel was achieved. The results obtained by the described procedures are shown to be very promising as a first step in the development of a predictive and analytical tool in search of fitting the current need for real-time control of pyrometallurgical processes.
Brain Endothelial Cell Bioenergetics via Extracellular Flux Analysis

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is an important functional component in the central nervous system (CNS). The NVU consists of multiple cell types (endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, others) working together as a restrictive blood‐tissue interface and functions to maintain homeostasis within nervous tissue in the CNS. A dysfunctional NVU is associated with many disease states, including Alzheimer's Disease, strokes, and tumors. The endothelial cell is an important barrier‐forming cell of the NVU because of its direct contact with the blood, its intercellular tight junctions, biotransforming enzymes, and asymmetric distribution of active and carrier‐mediated transporters. These properties are important for maintaining the neuro‐microenvironment and require an abundant supply of energy (ATP). Although energy metabolism has been studied in various tissues and cells, little is known about the energy producing pathways of brain endothelial cells. Therefore, using extracellular flux analysis, we characterized the bioenergetics of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) in vitro. BMECs are primarily glycolytic and D‐glucose, pyruvate, and glutamine are preferred metabolic substrates. Inhibitors of monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1), mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, and glycolysis significantly alter ATP production, cellular respiration, and/or glycolytic rates. These findings contribute to our understanding of endothelial cell metabolic plasticity in normal and diseased brain as well as active angiogenesis during development or tumorigenesis. Understanding endothelial cell bioenergetics will be useful for future studies regarding development of therapies, that target endothelial cell energetics, for neurological disorders.
Biofilm formation with microtiter plate 96 and pslA detection of P.aeruginosa isolates from clinical samples in Iran

Background: Microorganisms attach to various surfaces and they have manufactured biofilms by production polysaccharides like PSL in P.aeruginosa. synthesis of this kind of polysaccharide has done by PSL gene cluster. The aim of this study is consideration biofilm formation which is one of the major cause antibiotic resistance Methods: In this study, 100 P. aeruginosa were isolated with bacteriological and biochemical methods and pslA gene detection with PCR in all of the P. aeruginosa isolated from patients Then biofilm formation checked with microtiter plate method and it showed with SEM. Finally, expression of main attachment gene pslA in 6 strains could make moderate and strong biofilm were investigated by real-time PCR assay.Results:In this study, 100 P. aeruginosa were isolated that these strains showed High rates of MDR. The presence pslA gene in all of the pseudomonas isolated from patients was proven. Microtiter plate method showed 24 (24%) strains could make biofilm Among 100 strains that showed with SEM. The pslA expression in strains which making moderate and strong biofilms are more than other strains Conclusions: Hence, for bacterial biofilm treatment is recommended: Before antibiotics are prescribed, biofilm formation by bacteria should be investigated.
Uranium Toxicity to the Freshwater Plant Lemna minor in an Environmentally Relevant Metal Mixture: Selection and Validation of Potential Uranium-Biomarker Genes

Historical uranium (U) mining operations resulted in the contamination of large areas, including surface waters. The effects of U on the freshwater plant Lemna minor have been investigated, although they were mainly studied on individual and cellular level. Sequencing of the L. minor genome and transcriptome gives possibilities to study the effects on molecular level. The aim of this study is to select and validate potential Ubiomarker genes that can possibly predict the effects of U exposure on population level as well as on ecosystem level. Since organisms growing in contaminated waters are not only exposed to U, but also to multiple co-contaminants, it is necessary to find biomarkers that react specifically to U and not to the co-contaminants. L. minor plants were exposed to 0, 2 or 10 μM U in combination with an environmentally relevant metal mixture consisting of Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb. Plants were exposed during 1, 4 or 7 days. Expression levels of 10 primers for potential U-biomarkers genes were tested using real-time qPCR. A comet assay on L. minor was optimized as a second potential biomarker for DNA damage. The earlier discovered primer 33 could be validated as biomarker for U exposure. In addition, based on gene expression analysis two new U-biomarkers were selected within this project, i.e. primer 48 and primer 52, since their related genes reacted specifically to U already after 4 days of exposure and to the lowest tested U concentration (2 μM). However, further investigations and validation is necessary.
Solvent Effect on Structure, Morphology and Catalytic Activity on Ammonium Perchlorate of Nano-MgWO4

For exploring the interesting solvent effect on structure and morphology, a variety of MgWO4 nanoparticles were prepared by a one-pot solvothermal method with different proportional solvents of water and ethylene glycol. The results showed that monoclinic wolframite crystalline structure of MgWO4 was successfully synthesized, corresponding to two standard cards of MgWO4 (JCPDS No. 27-0789) and MgWO4 (JCPDS No. 19-0776), respectively. The morphology of MgWO4 nanoparticles presents eight different shapes and orderly transforms from one shape to another with increasing water content in mixed EG-water solvents, and a possible mechanism was proposed. The catalytic activities of these MgWO4 nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) were compared using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method, and found to present good change rule with particle size.
Power and delay domain parameters of channel measurements at 2.53 GHz in an urban macro cell scenario

Realistic channel data have shown to be a mandatory pre-request for performance studies of recent mobile system designs beyond 3G, in particular when considering novel multi-antenna techniques. Channel models conceived in IST-WINNER, COST273 or standardisation bodies are based on real-field measurement data. This paper presents analysis results of so called large-scale parameters derived from an extensive multiuser and multi-base station MIMO measurement campaign in an urban macro cell scenario. The focus is on the parameters of the delay and power domains, their distribution as well as auto and crosscorrelations. Parameters from WINNER II channel model could be verified, furthermore missing gaps among them could be closed. A third contribution shows strong variations of the parameters depending on the base station position. Parts of the considered measurement data are free accessible and can be used for free research.