Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Motorcycle Braking Performance in Emergency Situation

This study was conducted to assess motorcycle braking performance in simulated emergency situation. Braking distances and G- force values (peak) during the braking test of 6 distinct underbone motorcycles of 100-150cc were measured and compared based on different test conditions namely type of brake system (disc and drum), method of braking operation (front and rear brakes) and test load (rider only and rider with pillion). The results indicate that type of braking system and method of braking operation significantly influenced braking distance and G-force value. However, test load was found insignificant. The shortest braking distance and highest deceleration rate were 12.48 meters and 8.52 m/s2, respectively. The lowest G-force value (peak) was recorded 0.39 throughout the test. It is to be noted that this study is unique on its own due to certain limitations although some of the methods were adopted from the established international braking test standards. Even though this study is considered fundamental, the findings could provide vital information on the braking performance of underbone motorcycles especially to the motorcycle manufacturers and OEMs, as well as to the relevant authorities (driving institutes and Road Transport Department).
Thermal Behavior and Decomposition Mechanism of Ammonium Perchlorate and Ammonium Nitrate in the Presence of Nanometer Triaminoguanidine Nitrate

Nanometer triaminoguanidine nitrate (TAGN) with mean size of 218.7 nm was fabricated, and its structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, IR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. As an energetic accelerator for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and ammonium nitrate (AN), 10% nano TAGN blended with AP and AN, and samples “[90% AP + 10% (nano TAGN)]” and “[90% AN + 10% (nano TAGN)]” were obtained, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were employed to investigate the decomposition kinetics and thermodynamics of the samples. The results indicated that [90% AP + 10% (nano TAGN)] presented a higher activation energy (152.34 kJ mol–1) than pure AP (117.21 kJ mol–1) and [90% AN + 10% (nano TAGN)] possessed a lower activation energy (147.51 kJ mol–1) than pure AN (161.40 kJ mol–1). All activation free energies (ΔG≠) were positive values. This means that activation of the molecules was not a spontaneous process. The decomposition peak temperature of AP decreased from 478.5 °C (for pure AP) to 287.2 °C (for [90% AP + 10% (nano TAGN)]). The decomposition peak of AN also advanced via doping with nano TAGN. Using DSC-IR analysis, the decomposition products of nano TAGN, pure AP, [90% AP + 10% (nano TAGN)], pure AN, and [90% AN + 10% (nano TAGN)] were investigated, and their decomposition mechanisms were proposed. The key factors, i.e., the formation of hydrazine in the decomposition of nano TAGN, were speculated, which substantially promoted the consumption of HNO3, HClO4, and their decomposition products in kinetics. Additionally, the energy performances of AP- and AN-based propellants doping with TAGN were evaluated. It is disclosed that the introduction of TAGN would not result in improvement in the energy performance of propellants, but due to its energetic property and high hydrogen content, proper introduction of TAGN will not reduce the energy performance of propellants in a large degree compared with the introduction of inert catalysts.
Bacterial Communities in Acid Tea Soils Treated for 10 Years with Chemical vs. Integrated Fertilizers

ABSTRACT MiSeq sequencing approach was used to estimate bacterial community structure and diversity in acid tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) soils treated with 10 yr of non-fertilization control (CK), chemical fertilizers only (CF), and the integrated use of chicken manure and legume straw with chemical fertilizers (IF), respectively. We found that the most predominant phyla in acid tea soils are Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria. Moreover, IF resulted in the prevalence of the genera Bradyrhizobium, Haliangium, Nitrospira, Roseiflexus, Ramlibacter, and Flavobacterium, which accounted for 2.02%, 1.56%, 2.33%, 2.22%, 1.07%, and 1.03% of the total bacteria, respectively. Additionally, the relative abundances of the phyla Nitrospirae, Latescibacteria, Fibrobacteres, and Microgenomates were positively correlated with pH, total N (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil moisture (SM) contents. Together, these results suggest that the integrated fertilizer regimes may affect pH, SM, TN, and SOC contents, which in turn influence soil bacterial community structure.
Combination pretreatment of steam explosion and NaOH enhances enzymatic saccharification of corn stove

The presence of lignin sheaths and the crystalline structure of cellulose are two key barriers in the development of corn stover (CS). To remove these two barriers and improve the digestibility of carbohydrates in CS, CS (pretreated by H2O2, H2SO4, NaOH, an enzyme, steam explosion [SE], and SE combined with NaOH [SE-NaOH]) was hydrolyzed. The total reducing sugar yield (Ytrs), accessibility of the enzyme to the substrate (Kobs,0), and gradual loss of the enzyme activity (Ki) were compared by regression analysis of the kinetic model, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The pretreatment dramatically increased the Ytrs and Kobs,0, and remarkably decreased the Ki. The maximum increase in the Ytrs (106.57%) was obtained after the saccharification reaction of the CS pretreated by SE-NaOH. Physicochemical characterizations of the CS pretreated by SE-NaOH showed that the SE-NaOH pretreatment effectively reduced the lignin sheath, decreased cellulose crystallization, and created favorable conditions for enzymatic diffusion and penetration.
Selectivity of pre-and post-emergence herbicides to very-early maturing soybean cultivars

The combination of pre- and post-emergence herbicides may affect their selectivity to soybean plants, especially to short-cycle cultivars. The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of pre- and post-emergence herbicides to very-early maturing soybean cultivars. Two field experiments were conducted, one in Mandaguaçu, Paraná (E1) and other in Rio Verde, Goiás (E2), Brazil, using a 4×7 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of four pre-emergence herbicide managements (S-metolachlor at 1440 g ha-1, diclosulam at 25.2 g ha-1, sulfentrazone at 300 g ha-1, and no herbicide application); and seven post-emergence herbicide managements (lactofen at 120 g ha-1, chlorimuron-ethyl at 12.5 g ha-1, bentazon at 720 g ha-1, lactofen at 120 g ha-1 + chlorimuron-ethyl at 12.5 g ha-1, glyphosate at 900 g a. e. ha-1, two sequential glyphosate applications at 720 g a. e. ha-1 each, and no herbicide application). The early-maturing soybean cultivars evaluated showed sensitivity to the herbicides used. The combined use of pre- and post-emergence herbicides increased the occurrence of injuries in the plants. Diclosulam and sulfentrazone were the least selective pre-emergence herbicides. All herbicide combinations used affected soybean grain yield in E1; lactofen, chlorimuron, and bentazon presented the least selectivity in E2.
NADPH Oxidase Has a Regulatory Role in Acute Allergic Asthma

Objective: For the establishment of inflammation, a constant interplay between different effector cells from circulation, local resident cells, soluble mediators and genetic host factors is required. Molecular mechanisms, initiating and perpetuating inflammation, in particular, the involvement of effector cells in redox reactions for producing O2- (superoxide anion) through the mediation of NADPH oxidase is a critical step. Prior data suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase homologues in non-phagocytic cells play an important role in the regulation of signal transduction, while macrophages use a membrane-associated NADPH oxidase to generate an array of oxidizing intermediates which inactivate MMPs on or near them. Materials, Methods and Treatment: To clarify the role of NADPH oxidase in T cell-initiated, macrophage-associated allergic asthma, we induced allergen dependent inflammation in a gp91phox-/- mouse. Results: Both inflammation and airway hyperreactivity were more extensive than in wildtype mice post-OVA. Although OVA-specific IgE in plasma were comparable in wildtype and knockout mice, enhanced inflammatory cell recruitment from circulation and cytokine release in lung and BALf, accompanied by higher airway resistance as well as Penh in response to methacholine, indicates a regulatory role for NADPH oxidase in development of allergic asthma. While T cell-mediated functions like Th2 cytokine secretion, and proliferation to OVA were up-regulated synchronous with the overall robustness of the asthma phenotype, macrophage up-regulation in functions such as proliferation, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and MCP-1 directed chemotaxis, but downregulation of respiratory burst response indicates a forking in their signaling pathways. gp91phox-/- MMP12 double knockout (DKO) mice show a similar phenotype as the gp91phox-/- showing the non-involvement or synergistic involvement of MMP12 in the response pathway. In mixed lymphocyte reaction using the Increased B7.1 but reduced B7.2 and MHC class II expression indicating alteration of co-stimulatory molecule expression critical for T cell activation on both gp91phox-/- and DKO mice may explain the mechanism by which gp91phox may regulate Th2 pathway in allergic asthma.
Application of HMTL and novel IWQI models in rural groundwater quality assessment: a case study in Nigeria

Abstract Heavy metal toxicity load (HMTL) and novel integrated-weight water quality index (IWQI) were utilized in groundwater quality assessment of the Lower Cretaceous Abakaliki aquifer in Ameka area, Nigeria. Physicochemical analyses followed standard methods. Analysis of the water elemental composition showed high toxicity of elements. Hierarchical clusters showed the spatiotemporal demarcations of groundwater quality. IWQI result indicated that all the analyzed groundwater samples are unsuitable for drinking. Similarly, the HMTL revealed that all the samples are highly laden with toxic elements (As-Pb-Cd-Ni-Co-Cu-Mn-Zn) and further indicated that removing these elements from groundwater would reduce pollution by 97%, 92%, 60%, 89%, 98%, 50%, 98% and 94%, respectively.
Examination of phenotypic plasticity in Hydrocotyle bonariensis in response to two soil types

Abstract. Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of an organism to adjust morphology and/or physiology in response to environmental variation. Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a perennial herb found in both coastal sand dune and inland habitats of coastal Georgia. The soil types of these two habitats differ in both soil characteristics and soil chemistry. The purpose of this study was to explore potential phenotypic plasticity in H. bonariensis in response to two different soil types by comparing leaf and petiole morphology and stomata density and length between individuals grown in soil from a sand dune habitat and soil from an inland coastal habitat. Results showed significantly greater leaf area, petiole fresh weight, petiole thickness, and petiole length in individuals grown in inland soil compared to sand dune soil. Furthermore, the density of stomata on bottom leaf surfaces was significantly greater in plants grown in inland soil, and the length of stomata on the top and bottom leaf surfaces was significantly greater in plants grown in sand dune soil. These results suggest that the differences in soil texture, and subsequent differences in waterholding capacity and nutrient availability, likely led to the observed differences in leaf and petiole morphology, while differences in stomata density and length may represent a phenotypic plastic response in this species to soil type. The ability of H. bonariensis to respond plastically to changes in environmental conditions, such as variations in soil type, likely plays an important role in its ability to successfully thrive in multiple habitats in Georgia.
Firm-Specific Risk and Returns in Canada

A basic tenet of modern portfolio theory has been an assumption that only systematic risk is priced in stock returns. However, Campbell et al. (2001) found that firm-level, idiosyncratic volatilities (IVs) have increased. Since that study there has been a debate on whether this effect really exists, the causal determinants for the long-term IV increase, and the nature of its pricing relationship with stock returns. The first objective of this paper is to examine if IV is priced in the Canadian stock market for individual stocks using inferential sturdiness and after controlling for factors that are believed to affect returns and including firm-specific private information flow (Taylor 2008). The second objective is to examine the relation between contemporaneous returns for individual stocks and lagged IV values, which provides a weak test of the predictive power of idiosyncratic risk. IV has been related to a number of potential factors in the literature, including an increase in publicly traded stocks on the NASDAQ, an increase in institutional ownership and expected earnings growth
Crop Yield Responses to Sulfur Fertilization in Brazilian No-Till Soils: a Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Sulfur (S) fertilization recommendations for grain crops in Brazil were formerly established from studies on crops with a low yield potential grown on soils under conventional tillage (CT). However, the subsequent adoption of no-tillage (NT) altered S dynamics in the soil, making it necessary to carefully evaluate the applicability of these S fertilizer recommendations. In addition, the emergence of modern high-yield-potential genotypes, the successive application of concentrated low-sulfur fertilizers, and reduction in S atmospheric deposition have raised the likelihood [. ]
Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Polymers Blend Based Diclofenac Sodium Microparticles for Sustained Release Drug Delivery

Purpose: The purpose of research was to formulate polymeric blend based Diclofenac sodium microparticles for sustained release drug delivery. Method: The diclofenac sodium microparticles were formulated by emulsification and solvent evaporation method. The diclofenac loaded microparticles were evaluated or characterized for different parameters such as, micrometric properties, particle size, particle shape measurement, encapsulation and loading efficiency, FTIR, dissolution and drug release kinetics studies. Results: Compact white spherical shaped microparticles of Diclofenac sodium microparticles were observed under optical microscope with a size of 169 - 552 µm. All formulation showed good percentage yield (96-100%). There was no effect of either increased or decreased concentration of polymers observed. Concentration of polymers and sustained release behavior of drug was directly proportional. In-vitro drug release study was performed in 0.2M HCl (pH 1.2) for first 2 hours, then followed by 0.2 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) for next 6 hours. The drug release from microparticles was irregular diffusion process. Conclusion: From the study, it was evident that a suitable combination of polymers is necessary to achieve desired effects. Diclofenac Sodium microparticles can be used to reduce adverse effects and increase the patient compliance.
Bioenergetics of Microbial Growth

Introduction A Standard Description of Microbial Growth Stoichiometry Measurement of Growth Stoichiometry Noncalculability of Stoichiometry Ill-Conditioned Calculability of Stoichiometry (Error Propagation) Redundancy of Measurements A Mathematically Complete Analysis of Calculability, Analysis of Redundancy, Error Diagnoses, and Data Reconciliation The Effect of Growth Rate on Growth Stoichiometry Maintenance Energy Concept Measuring Other Maintenance Quantities Complete Growth Stoichiometry as a Function of Growth Rate A Thermodynamically Based Method to Estimate Growth Stoichiometry Maintenance Gibbs Energy Need Gibbs Energy for Growth A Useful Reference System to Simplify Growth Stoichiometric and Energetic Calculations and to Gain Insight The Growth Reference System Balance of Degree of Reduction, Atomic Degrees of Reduction, and the COD Balance Energetics of Redox Couples, Catabolic Redox Reactions, RET, and Energetic Regularities Mathematical Equations to Calculate the Growth Stoichiometry from Known Gibbs Energy Dissipation Deriving the Equations Application of the Mathematical Stoichiometry Relations Kinetics of Microbial Growth from a Thermodynamic Point of View A Basic Kinetic Description of Microbial Growth A Thermodynamic Relation for the Endogeneous/Decay Parameter A Thermodynamic Correlation for Affinity Constant of Electron Donor, Threshold Concentration Nomenclature Acknowledgments Bibliography Keywords: biomass yield; conservation constraints; heat production; maintenance; maximal growth rate; thermodynamics
Incremental Introduction of Organocatalytic Activity into Conformationally Engineered Porphyrins

To study the correlation of macrocycle nonplanarity and catalytic activity of free base porphyrins in detail, a series of six tetraphenylporphyrins with graded degree of β-ethyl substitution (‘H2EtxTPPs’ 1–6; x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) was applied in organocatalyzed reactions. The macrocycles display incrementally increasing nonplanarity due to repulsive periinteractions. This creates an out-of-plane vector and better accessibility of the core amine and imine groups as the number of alkyl substituents increases. Following such a molecular engineering approach, the inner core system could be used to activate small molecules as a result of significant saddle distortion. The potential organocatalyst ‘H2EtxTPPs’ were used in benchmark sulfa-Michael reactions and we found a distinct relationship between nonplanarity and conversion. These observations were attributed to the combined effect of enhanced basicity and increased H-bonding potential that could facilitate bifunctional organocatalysis. Ultimately, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on 1–6 to monitor some electronic properties of the title compounds.
Can we Trust Untargeted Metabolomics: Results of the Metabo-ring Initiative, a Large-scale Multi-instruments Inter-laboratoire Study

The metabo-ring initiative brought together five nuclear magnetic resonance instruments (NMR) and 11 different mass spectrometers with the objective of assessing the reliability of untargeted metabolomics approaches in obtaining comparable metabolomics profiles. This was estimated by measuring the proportion of common spectral information extracted from the different LCMS and NMR platforms. Biological samples obtained from 2 different conditions were analysed by the partners using their own inhouse protocols. Test #1 examined urine samples from adult volunteers either spiked or not spiked with 32 metabolite standards. Test #2 involved a low biological contrast situation comparing the plasma of rats fed a diet either supplemented or not with vitamin D. The spectral information from each instrument was assembled into separate statistical blocks. Correlations between blocks (e.g., instruments) were examined (RV coefficients) along with the structure of the common spectral information (common components and specific weights analysis). In addition, in Test #1, an outlier individual was blindly introduced, and its identification by the various platforms was evaluated. Despite large differences in the number of spectral features produced after post-processing and the heterogeneity of the analytical conditions and the data treatment, the spectral information both within (NMR and LCMS) and across methods (NMR vs. LCMS) was highly convergent (from 64 to 91 % on average). No effect of the LCMS instrumentation (TOF, QTOF, LTQ-Orbitrap) was noted. The outlier individual was best detected and characterised by LCMS instruments. In conclusion, untargeted metabolomics analyses report consistent information within and across instruments of various technologies, even without prior standardisation.
CAN VIRUSES CAUSE LUPUS

Like so many autoimmune diseases, the exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unknown. Evidence points to both genetics and environment playing roles in the onset of the disease, but neither acts independent of the other. Genetics are the easier of the two to study with recent advances in the field making it easier to isolate genes shared by individuals with the disease. However, genetic studies reveal that there is almost certainly an environmental component to the development of SLE. The underlying pathology and existing research on environmental contributors to the development of SLE suggest that viruses could potentially be an environmental factor that leads to the onset of SLE. Research has been done in the past in an attempt to establish a connection between viruses and the onset of SLE; however, these studies have been limited to providing circumstantial evidence due to the limits of existing technologies. A recent technology called VirScan developed by researchers at Harvard holds the potential to overcome the limitations of past research. The purpose of this thesis is to present an experimental approach to use VirScan to determine which viruses leading to the development of lupus.
Determining of The Prejudices of Nursing Students About AIDS Disease

It is very important to determine and eliminate the prejudices of nurse candidates about AIDS disease, which has not been successful in its treatment yet, in the fight against AIDS disease. The aim is the determination of the prejudices of the nursing department students of the faculty of health sciences of a state university about AIDS disease. This investigation was held between 1 - 31 May 2019. Sample; 163 girls (79.5%), 42 boys (20.5%), a total of 205 students. The average age of the participants is 21.00 ± 1.76 (Min18 - Max26). The analysis of the data collected with the questionnaire was carried out in the SPSS - 21 program. Frequency and descriptive statistical analysis techniques were used for descriptive analysis. The relationship between propositions and variables was determined using the Chi-square test. Most of the students stated that they would not refrain from treating a patient with AIDS disease, if a person is tested for HIV (+), there will be no change in his behavior towards the patient and they will take special precautions while providing health care to a patient with AIDS. 39.1% of the students stated that they would volunteer to follow a patient with AIDS. In this investigation; the relationship between participation in the statements and gender, age and class variables was determined (p