Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXTRAÇÃO E DETERMINAÇÃO, POR CLAE, DE BIXINA E NORBIXINA EM COLORÍFICOS

One of the most important factors for food commercialization is the visual impact due to color. Among the natural colors, annatto preparations are the most consumed colorant by Brazilian industries. From the total amount of annatto seeds commercialized in Brazil, 25% is used on the preparation of oily soluble and aqueous soluble extracts, and the remainder is used to manufacture the spice "colorifico", which is totally consumed by the domestic market mainly for home preparation. The aim of the present study was to determine bixin and norbixin amounts in annatto spices found in the market, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For this purpose, C18 column (Spherisorb ODS-2, 150x4.6mm, 3mm) and acetonitrile/acetic acid 2% (65:35) as mobile phase at 1mL/min were employed. The carotenoids were identified by their chromatographic behavior and UV-visible spectra obtained by the diode array detector and quantified by external standardization. Seven different brands of colorifico were analyzed (two to five lots from each brand), totaling 25 samples. The main coloring component found in the different brands was bixin, varying from 154 to 354mg/100g. Norbixin was detected in trace amounts (2 ¾ 9mg/100g). The variation of carotenoid levels among lots of the same brand was small, whereas, among different analyzed brands, the variation was wide.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of mosses (Tortula muralis Hedw., Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) H. Rob., Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., and Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb.) from Turkey

The essential oils of mosses [Tortula muralis Hedw. (Pottiaceae), Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) H. Rob. (Brachytheciaceae), Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. (Hypnaceae), and Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb. (Mniaceae)] were investigated by means of GC-FID/MS techniques. The major components were nonanal (18.3%) and tetradecanol (4.3%) in the oil of T. muralis, nonanal (36.8%) and tricosane (6.5%) in the oil of H. lutescens, nonanal (12.5%) and 2 E -tetradecen-1-ol (6.9%) in the oil of H. cupressiforme, and nonanal (7.8%) and 2 E -tetradecen-1-ol (7.1%) in the oil of P. nutans. The essential oils of T. muralis, H. lutescens, H. cupressiforme ,a ndP. nutans were rich as in non-terpenoid components as aldehydes (26.9%, 50.9%, 15.6%, and 33.4%, respectively) and in terpenoid components as sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (6.7%, 11.0%, 12.7%, and 15.3%, respectively). The amounts and the numbers of terpenoids present in the investigated mosses are generally smaller than those in non-terpenoids. The isolated essential oils of T. muralis, H. lutescens, H. cupressiforme ,a ndP. nutan were tested for antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Escherichia ∗Corresponding author
Nonlinear Phenomena in the Mass Loss of Polyimide Films under Hyperthermal Atomic Oxygen Beam Exposure

Erosion phenomenon of polyimide film under the hyperthermal atomic oxygen beam exposure, which is a simulated low Earth orbit space environment, has been investigated. The polyimide film was spin-coated on a sensor crystal of a quartz crystal microbalance, and the mass of the film was measured under the atomic oxygen beam exposure. The spin-coated polyimide film which was exposed to a 4.7 eV atomic oxygen beam showed a mass gain at the beginning of the reaction and then steady-state mass loss followed. The experimental results of the mass change was analysed by the computational model, and the results showed that the carbon abstraction rate at the oxygen-adsorbed sites was two orders higher than that at the unoxidized polyimide surface. The computational results suggested that a large fraction of the carbon abstraction reaction occurred in the oxygen-adsorbed site through a Langmuir–Hinshelwood reaction mechanism.
Multi-Step Fibrinogen Binding to the Integrin αIIbβ3 Detected Using Force Spectroscopy

Abstract The regulated ability of integrin α IIb β 3 to bind fibrinogen plays a crucial role in platelet aggregation and hemostasis. We have developed a model system based on laser tweezers, enabling us to measure specific rupture forces needed to separate single receptor-ligand complexes. First of all, we performed a thorough and statistically representative analysis of nonspecific protein-protein binding versus specific α IIb β 3-fibrinogen interactions in combination with experimental evidence for single-molecule measurements. The rupture force distribution of purified α IIb β 3 and fibrinogen, covalently attached to underlying surfaces, ranged from ∼20 to 150pN. This distribution could be fit with a sum of an exponential curve for weak to moderate (20–60pN) forces, and a Gaussian curve for strong (>60pN) rupture forces that peaked at 80–90pN. The interactions corresponding to these rupture force regimes differed in their susceptibility to α IIb β 3 antagonists or Mn 2+ , an α IIb β 3 activator. Varying the surface density of fibrinogen changed the total binding probability linearly >3.5-fold but did not affect the shape of the rupture force distribution, indicating that the measurements represent single-molecule binding. The yield strength of α IIb β 3-fibrinogen interactions was independent of the loading rate (160–16,000pN/s), whereas their binding probability markedly correlated with the duration of contact. The aggregate of data provides evidence for complex multi-step binding/unbinding pathways of α IIb β 3 and fibrinogen revealed at the single-molecule level.
Dissolution of Arsenic from Waterlogged and Aerated Soil1

Sharpsburg and Menfro soils containing 320 and 160 . mu.g As/g, respectively, were waterlogged with water or 1 percent dextrose. The Eh reached a minimum of -150 mV after 1 day of incubation and increased to about +300 mV after 12 days for both soils in 1 percent dextrose. The Eh remained constant in the Sharpsburg soil during incubation with water, but gradually decreased in the Menfro soil. In the 1 percent dextrose solution, As increased rapidly in both soils and became constant after 12 days. The As in solution increased more slowly when incubated with water, but also remained constant after 12 days. After freeze-drying and exposing the soil to the atmosphere, Eh increased and As decreased to initial levels. The values of pAl + 3pOH, pAl + pAsO/sub 4/, pFe + 3 pOH, pFe + pAsO/sub 4/, 3pMn + 2 pAsO/sub 4/, 3pCa + 2pAsO/sub 4/, and 3pPb + 2pAsO/sub 4/ were computed. These measurements indicated that the soil solution of the Menfro and Sharpsburg soils contained less As than predicted for Al, Fe, and Ca arsenates, and more As than predicted for Mn and Pb arsenates.
Degradation of pesticides applied to banana farm soil: Comparison of indigenous bacteria and a microbial mat

Indigenous bacteria from St. Vincent (West Indies) banana farm soil, enriched cultures of three isolates, and a microbial mat were tested for their ability to degrade carbofuran, chlordane, paraquat, and prophos. In single‐pesticide application experiments, only 35.0% of the parent carbofuran was recovered after 21 d; paraquat recovery was 40.0%, and chlordane, 91.0%. In a mixture containing each pesticide, 42.0% of the parent carbofuran was recovered, and paraquat and chlordane recoveries were 52.0% and 94.0%, respectively. A microbial mat and the isolates were shown to mineralize [14C]carbofuran. Best results (93.11 μg [14C]carbofuran/kg dry microbial mat) were from a 15‐d dark soil experiment. In field trials, the concentration of carbofuran decreased 82% with microbial mat treatment, and control plot concentrations actually increased 26%, The concentration of prophos decreased significantly after 4 d (0–6 mg/kg) in the plots with a microbial mat, whereas in control plots it increased from 7 to 12 mg/kg at day 0 to 180 mg/kg at day 4. After 60 d prophos was not detected in any microbial mat plot, whereas all but one control plot had it (0–12 mg/kg) in the soil.
Shoreline Bioremediation Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska

Abstract Bioremediation played an important role in the cleanup following the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The initial spill response included washing the beaches and collecting the oil with skimmers, but while this was in progress a joint program between Exxon and the United States Environmental Protection Agency investigated the feasibility of using bioremediation to remove residual oil. Early experiments demonstrated that oil biodegradation on affected shorelines was nutrient-limited, and several fertilizer application strategies were tested to overcome this limitation. Two fertilizers, the liquid oleophilic Inipol EAP22 and the solid slow-release Customblen™, were chosen for wide-scale application. Field monitoring convincingly demonstrated that the fertilizer strategy effectively stimulated oil biodegradation severalfold, with no adverse environmental impacts.
A new approach to fabricate graphene nanosheets in organic medium: combination of reduction and dispersion

The direct dispersion of graphene nanosheets (GNS) in an organic medium, without assistance of dispersing agents, has been considered to be an insurmountable challenge. Herein we report a new approach to the fabrication of GNS by ethylenediamine (EDA) reduction in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). By this method, chemical reduction as well as dispersion of GNS can be carried out in one step. Characterization indicated that the bulk of oxygen-containing functional groups were removed from graphene oxide, and stable DMF colloidal suspensions containing homogeneously dispersed GNS were successfully obtained. Our findings make it possible to prepare graphene-based nanocomposites using a quick and low-cost solution processing technique.
Low‐energy Ar+ ion bombardment‐induced modification of surface atomic bond lengths on InP(100) wafer

We report the first direct measurement of surface interatomic bond distance modifications due to ion bombardment. The experiments were performed using low energy Ar+ ion on a InP(100) surface by photoemission x‐ray absorption fine structure. The structural changes are sputtering time dependent and result in first (P–In) and second (P–P) surface bond distances relaxation approaching the bulk values. It suggests that, prior to bond breaking, the Ar+ ion beam first stretches atomic bond lengths during a precursor stage, with small energy and momentum transfer. This work brings new insights into the knowledge of ion sputtering various micromechanisms which is relevant for surface preparation.
Trace metal pollution in aquatic sediments and some fish species from the Kwilu-Ngongo River, Democratic Republic of Congo (Bas-Congo)

In this study, the concentrations of some metals in sediments and consumable fish from the Kwilu Ngongo River, province of Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, are investigated. The digested muscle tissue, whole fish, and river sediment samples were subjected to trace element analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and by using an automatic mercury analyzer. The highest values of trace metals in fish muscle tissue were found for Cr, Cu, Pb and Hg, with maximum values of 8.6 (Cr), 15.7 (Cu), 6.0 (Pb) and 3.3 (Hg) mg kg−1. These values are higher than maximum tolerable limits recommended by the European Commission Regulation for Food. The highest metal concentrations in sediments were 81 (Cr), 86 (Cu), 21 (Sb), 41 (Pb), and 0.8 (Hg) mg kg−1. Sediment toxicity tests using benthic crustaceans (ostracods) revealed mortality rates of up to 30% after six days of exposure to the sediments near the sugarcane industry outlet pipe discharge. The contamination of the sediments and fishes by the elements and the bio-accumulation of mercury in fish most likely arise from the adjacent agricultural fields where intensive sugarcane cultivation since 1925 has probably contaminated the soils through the long-term use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Graded silicon nitride films: Optics and passivation

The authors describe a method for graded thin-film deposition requiring a single step that exploits the noninstantaneous replacement of reactant gases. They deposit the graded silicon-nitride films by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Channeling Rutherford backscattering measurements of the graded films find the N:Si ratio increases sixfold from the c-Si surface to air interfaces. The refractive index at the crystalline silicon/film interface was 2.96 reducing monotonically to 1.95 at the surface. The graded films achieve improved optics and surface passivation for silicon solar cells with measured surface recombination velocity of 3.9 cm/s.
Voltammetric Determination of Neonicotinoid Pesticides at Disposable Screen‐Printed Sensors Featuring a Sputtered Bismuth Electrode

This work reports the determination of 5 neonicotinoid pesticides (Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Nitenpyram and Dinotefuran) in water samples by cathodic differential pulse (DP) voltammetry at screen-printed disposable sensors featuring a sputtered bismuth thick-film working electrode, a Ag reference electrode and a carbon counter electrode. The performance of the bismuth thick-film electrodes was compared to that of a home-made bismuth thin-film electrode and a bismuth-bulk electrode. The electrodes were further characterized by electrochemical and optical techniques. The effect of the pH of the supporting electrolyte on the DP reduction currents of the 5 pesticides was studied. The limits of quantification (LOQs) in 4 water matrices (distilled water, tap water, mineral water and surface water) were in the range 0.76 to 2.10 mg L−1 but severe matrix effects were observed in the analysis of mineral and, especially, surface water samples. Using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure using Lichrolut EN cartridges and elution with methanol, the matrix effects were substantially reduced and the LOQs were in the range 9 to 17 µg L−1. The recoveries of surface water samples spiked with the 5 target neonicotinoids at two concentration levels (20 and 50 µg L−1) were in the range 89 to 109 % and the % relative standard deviations ranged from 4.3 to 7.2 %.
Fatigue behaviour of industrial polymers – a microbeam small‐angle X‐ray scattering investigation

The results of a microbeam small-angle X-ray scattering investigation performed at ID13/ESRF on the machine fatigue induced by short-term high force bending of an industrial polystyrene sample are presented. A clear indication of craze formation in the deformation zone is seen. For this zone the results suggest a model of cylindrical voids, their radii following a lognormal distribution. Furthermore, the craze's orientation shows a locally varying angular distribution around the axis normal to the force direction.
Study of miscibility of melamine-formaldehyde resin and poly(vinyl acetate) blends for use as adhesives in engineered flooring

The objective of this research was to investigate the miscibility behavior of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) blends for their use as adhesives for bonding fancy veneer and plywood in engineered flooring, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Blends of various compositions of MF resin/PVAc were prepared. To determine and compare the effect of PVAc content, blends with PVAc to MF resin weight ratios of 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100% were prepared. These blends displayed a single cure temperature over the entire range of compositions indicating that this blend system was miscible in the amorphous phase due to the formation of hydrogen bonding between the amine groups of the MF resin and the carbonyl groups of PVAc.
Influence of operating conditions and wastewater-specific parameters on the electrochemical bulk disinfection of biologically treated sewage at boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate an electrochemical process for bulk disinfection of biologically treated sewage. The influence of operating conditions (current density and flow rate) on the electrochemical formation of free chlorine in the sewage was determined. Furthermore, the effect of wastewater-specific parameters on the inactivation of Escherichia coli was studied. The disinfection capacity is primarily influenced by the concentration of electrochemically produced free chlorine. The production rate of free chlorine is independent of the flow rate within the range of 25–125 L h−1. The investigations have also shown that the electrochemical disinfection of E. coli in secondary effluents with BDD electrodes proceeds effectively at an electric charge input of 0.1–0.15 Ah L−1 corresponding to an energy expenditure of 2.0–2.6 kWh m−3. The electrochemically generated concentration of free chlorine (c = 0.4–0.6 mg L−1) is sufficient for an E. coli reduction of four log levels under the fol.
Optical Amplication for Terabit-per-Second Ultra-High Speed Communication Systems

The present thesis is concerned with fiber optical parametric amplification and regeneration for high-speed optical communication systems. Fiber optical parametric amplifiers (FOPAs) have multi-functional applications depending on their implementation in optical systems. Based on a few femtosecond amplification response time and flexible operation spectral range, FOPAs are able to simultaneously operate as amplifiers and all-optical signal processors in high-speed Tbaud networks. In this thesis, we study the performance of FOPAs in detail in the linear and nonlinear (saturated) regimes where they can be utilized as all-optical regenerators. The optical gain and amplitude regeneration properties of FOPAs are investigated for monochromatic waves, short optical pulses and data modulated signals up to 640 Gbit/s. In the fundamental study part of the thesis, an original physical explanation behind an observed asymmetry in gain saturated single-pump FOPAs is presented. The proposed theory is able to explain the origin of gain asymmetries in singlepump FOPAs based on the interplay between third-order dispersion and radiation of dispersive waves in the saturation regime. Furthermore, it predicts the strength of the asymmetric gain in saturated single-pump FOPAs. Pump-to-signal intensity noise transfer has been recognized as one of the major noise sources in FOPAs as it leads to modulation of the signal gain. The conversion of intensity noise from pump to signal is quantified in detail in terms of modulation frequency and saturation effect in order to assess the degradation of the amplified signal. In a very good agreement with the performed experiments, it is shown that the noise transferred to the signal can be effectively suppressed by operating in the saturation regime. The amplification of short few picosecond and subpicosecond optical pulses is explored using the chirped-pulse ampli_cation scheme in FOPAs. The dynamics of the chirped-pulse amplification and pulse distortion are studied for differently chirped few-picosecond pulses in transition between the linear and the nonlinear regime. Amplification of short pulses compatible with Tbaud systems is experimentally carried out for the first time where 400 fs pulses are amplified in a single-pump FOPA. Finally, the first experimental demonstrations of the performance of FOPAs both in long transmission links as well as in high-capacity systems are presented in the last part of this thesis. FOPAs are cascaded as in-line amplifiers using a recirculating loop transmission and error-free transmission of 40 Gbit/s is successfully achieved. On the other hand, error-free parametric amplification for high serial data rates on a single-wavelength channel is demonstrated for an optical time division multiplexed signal at 640 Gbit/s with no power penalty. At last, all-optical phase-preserving amplitude regeneration based on a saturated-FOPA at 640 Gbit/s is demonstrated for phase modulated signals.
Physical properties of the mor layer in a Scots pine stand III. Thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity was measured with thermal probes in undisturbed mor samples subjected to water desorption and sorption. The volumetric water content was determined simultaneously with time domain reflectometry. The thermal conductivity increased from 0.06 to 0.24 W m−1 K−1, when the water content increased from 0.10 to 0.40 m3 m−3. There was little spatial variation in the mor layer. The results were similar to those found in the literature for peat and humus materials. The thermal conductivity of the mor layer could be predicted with the de Vries model with good accuracy if the humus and air particles were assumed to be of lamellae shape and latent heat transport in air-filled pores was neglected. Key words: humus, thermal probe, thermal properties, time domain reflectometry
Xanthate-Mediated Radical Polymerization of N-Vinylpyrrolidone in Fluoroalcohols for Simultaneous Control of Molecular Weight and Tacticity

The simultaneous control of the tacticity and molecular weight of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) during radical polymerization is reported for the first time. For molecular weight control, xanthates of (O-ethylxanthylmethyl)benzene and [1-(O-ethylxanthyl)ethyl]benzene were used as RAFT/MADIX chain transfer agents (CTAs) for the radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP). Both led to a controlled/living radical polymerization, and the latter showed higher chain transfer ability under the optimal conditions; the molecular weight distribution was 1.36 when the molecular weight was up to 26 700. The polymerization was studied between 20 and 120 °C and at various concentrations of CTA. All the polymerizations showed an induction period and rate retardation dependent on both the concentration of CTA and temperature. For tacticity control, the polymerization was carried out in fluoroalcohols via a conventional radical process without CTAs to give syndiotactic polymers. The polymer tacticity was dependent on th.
Prostate cancer diagnosis by detection of uPM3 in urine

Background: The widespread acceptance of serum PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer has been hampered by the low specificity and unnecessary bio psies. Methods: This study was carried out to detect prostate cancers in patients with equivocal PSA values using RT-PCR (Reverse transciptasepolymerase chain rea ction) to detect the uPM3 (urinary protein M3) in post prostatic mas sage urine samples. uPM3 is a mRNA released in pros tate cancer patients due to the presence of the oncogene DD3 al so c lled as PCA3 on chromosome 9. Results: There were a total of 27 cases of prostate carcinoma and 33 cases of PIN (prostate intraepithelial neoplasia) detected in th is study. The sample collection accuracy depending on presence of beta2 microglobulin (housekeping gene) band was 88%. The sensitivity and specificity of uPM3 keeping histopathology as g old standard was 85.18% and 98.78% respectively. Po sitive predictive value was 88.46% and negative predictive value was 98.38% which is much higher than PSA. Ho wever, no significant correlation of uPM3 positivity was foun d with Gleason’s grade, metastatic potential and pa thological stage. Conclusion: Unlike serum PSA, uPM3 was found to be independent of prostate volume thereby having no false positiv es unlike raised PSA because of large benign prostate hyp rtrophy.