Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An attempt to use measurements of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence to estimate chlorophyll a concentration in the Baltic Sea

The possibility of using natural fluorescence -- sun-induced chlorophyll a fluorescence (SICF) in remote sensing and/or contact investigations of chlorophyll a concentration (Ca) has often been discussed in recent years. The relationship between chlorophyll a concentration (Ca) and chlorophyll a fluorescence at 683 nm seems to evident and suggests a method of obtaining the Ca concentration on the basis of SICF intensity. Unfortunately this relationship is not as direct as we would like because SICF depends on numerous physiological properties of phytoplankton like fluorescence quantum yield and light absorption capacity which depend on an environmental factors. The influence of these parameters on SICF is shown in this paper and the relationships are presented. Using these we made attempt to achieve the direct functional dependence between the natural fluorescence (obtained from the upward reflectance coefficient spectrum measured at 665, 683 and 710 nm) and the chlorophyll a concentration. The analysis carried out in this study shows that the possibility determining Ca concentrations is limited to great optical depths in the sea ((tau) greater than 3). However using SICF for estimation Ca in the surface layer is probably impossible.
Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated soil using composted market waste

Release of crude oil and its products into the environment has resulted in many problems that are of global concern. The objective of this study was to determine effect of Composted Market Waste (CMW) on the degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crude oil-contaminated soil. Pot experiment was carried out with 1 kg of soil in 7 litres perforated container contaminated with 10 % w/ w crude oil, followed by amendment with CMW at 0, 350 and 450 g. The soil was analysed for PAH after 21 days using GC-FID. Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Phenanthrene, Benzo (g,h,i) perylene, Indeno (1,2,3-cd) perylene, Pyrene and Benzo (b) fluoranthene were present in the crude oil-contaminated soil. Concentrations of PAHs at the end of the experiment were 188.40, 38.45 and 32.73 ppm in control, 350 and 450 g respectively. Composted market waste enhanced degradation of PAHs in crude oil- contaminated soil. Keywords: PAH, Degradation, Crude oil, Compost
Rheological properties of Deurex – modified WMA binder containing SBS

ABSTRACT Recently, warm mixture asphalt (WMA) technologies drawn much attention for their benefits to environment and workability. Deurex is novel type of warm mixture asphalt additive, which is extracted from sugar cane. The objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the effect of Deurex on SBS modified asphalt. The Deurex was blended into SBS modified asphalt at the dosages of 2%, 3% and 4%. Physical properties tests including penetration, soft point and ductility, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests were carried out. The test results showed that the increase in Deurex additive could significantly reduce the viscosity of SBS modified asphalt, which indicates that the Deurex can serve as an effective type of warm mixture asphalt additive. In addition, the results showed that the addition of Deurex can enhance the high temperature properties while lower the low temperature performance of SBS modified asphalt. However, as long as the Deurex dosage is not higher than 3%, the low temperature grade of WMA binder keep the same as the control binder.
COMMAND RESTRUCTURING AND PERFORMANCE AMONG POLICE OFFICERS IN LAMU COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: Several studies on police reforms have established that there is ineffectiveness in terms of performance among police officers. Ineffectiveness in police performance has been a major problem among many policing organizations the world over. This study sought to establish the effects of the command restructuring on the performance of police officers. Methodology: A descriptive research design was adopted. Qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis were used. Findings: The study established that command structure has a positive and significant relationship with the performance of police officers. This was supported by a correlation value of . 317, p<. 01. The results imply that a single unit change in the command structure results in . 317 increases in the performance of police officers. Conclusions and Recommendation: The study concluded that despite the reorganization of the National Police Service command structure ineffectiveness in performance by police officers still exist. It, therefore, recommended amendment of the existing laws to allow further restructuring of National Police Service command structure. Key words: Command Restructuring, Performance, Police Officers
Influence of ball milling duration of quarry dust on the properties of nickel-quarry dust composite coating

The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of various ball milling duration on the surface morphology, hardness and wear properties of nickel- quarry dust (Ni-QD) composite coating on aluminium alloy 6061 (AA6061) substrate. Ni-QD composite coatings were deposited on zincated AA6061 substrate by using electrodeposition technique. The quarry dust particles were prepared by ball milling process at 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Later, the quarry dust particles were added to nickel citrate bath at 50 g/l for electrodeposition of Ni-QD composite coating. The electrodeposition process was carried out for 1 hour at 40º C, under the current density of 3 A/dm2. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were carried out in order to investigate the influence of ball milling duration on the prepared quarry dust as well as the produced composite coating. In addition, microhardness and wear testing of Ni-QD composite coatings were also performed in this study. The microhardness values of the nickel composite coatings using ball milled quarry dust are higher than using crushed quarry dust. The microhardness values for all nickel composite coatings produced from crushed and ball milled quarry dust increases from 190.6 to 282.2. The increase in microhardness values is due to the high density of quarry dust in the electrolyte. The damage of the wear scar was improved, as the ball milling duration increases from 0 to 20 hours.
Impact of carbon impurities on the confinement of high-ion-temperature discharges in the Large Helical Device

Effects of carbon impurities on the thermal confinement properties were discussed for carbon-pellet-injected high-Ti discharges in the Large Helical Device (LHD). To clarify their role, the amounts of carbon impurities introduced into plasmas were scanned by varying the number of injections in a discharge or the size of the pellet, and the changes of thermal confinement properties with these variations were examined. In all cases, strong correlations between the densities of carbon impurities and the thermal diffusivities of plasmas were found. Thermal diffusivities were small when the carbon densities were greater than a certain value, e.g. ∼1.5 × 1017 m3 at r/a ≈ 0.72, and the thermal diffusivity degraded drastically below this density. This indicates the existence of a threshold density of carbon impurity for an improved confinement in plasmas. Combined with the formation of the impurity hole, the variation of confinement property with carbon density can explain the degradation of ion temperature in high-Ti discharges with carbon pellet injection in the LHD.
Modification of Acetyl Acetone with Methyl Acrylate

Acetyl acetone was modified by a KF/alumina mediated Michael addition reaction under solventless condition with methyl acrylate. Methyl acrylate formed single and double addition with the acetyl acetone. The optimal temperature for this reaction was 393 K. The modified I²-diketones were confirmed using GC-FID and GC-MS. The products could be tested as metal chelating agents and in related applications.
On some aspects of crystallization process energetics, logistic new phase nucleation kinetics, crystal size distribution and Ostwald ripening

Nucleation, nucleus number densities, and the respective supersaturation dependence, crystal growth and Ostwald ripening are reconsidered from the energetics perspective. Supersaturation-dependent critical nucleus sizes are calculated accordingly. It is argued that the logistic time-dependent nucleation resembles one period of a harmonic oscillation. The general conclusion is that a crystallizing system adapts to the distorting influence of the supersaturation imposed, and during crystal nucleation and growth, the system gradually consumes this supersaturation to reach a new equilibrium state at the end of Ostwald ripening (completely exhausted supersaturation). This is an indication that the system responds to the change in its energetic status according to the well known Le Châtelier–Braun principle. The extent to which the nucleation process affects the crystal size distribution (CSD) is also discussed. Slightly altered by the crystal growth, the CSD also preserves some trace of the nucleation stage shape during Ostwald ripening.
Anti-diabetic effects of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] fruits in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The development of affordable treatment options for diabetes mellitus is critical to reversing the rising prevalence of the disease. Therefore, the usefulness of the whole fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus, a popularly consumed plant food, in treating diabetes and its comorbid conditions was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Twenty diabetic rats were assigned to four groups of five rats each. They were treated with 0, 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg bw of the ground fruits, respectively. After 14 days of treatment, the blood glucose concentration (BGC) of the test rats decreased by 44%, 67% and 78% in the 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg bw groups, respectively, compared to the negative control group. At high concentrations, the fruits reversed the dyslipidemia that is associated with diabetes mellitus. For instance, in the 5000 mg/kg bw group, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were 27% and 39%, respectively, lower; while high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was 21% higher, than the control group. At 2500 mg/kg bw or above, the fruits significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced the concentrations of serum alanine and aspartate amino transferases and alkaline phosphatase, relative to the control group. All the biochemical data are corroborated by histological findings of the pancreas and livers of the studied rats. The whole fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus possess noteworthy antidiabetic properties and significantly reversed diabetes induced dyslipidemia and liver damage in rats.
Understanding membrane fouling: a review of over a decade of research

Since the first membrane applications at the end of the 1980s, the water treatment engineering community has been able to develop reliable low pressure membrane systems that are capable of producing high quality drinking water at a competitive price, making membrane technology an attractive solution to both upgrade existing plants and design new ones. A competitive price means low capital and operating cost, which are inversely proportional to membrane hydraulic performance (permeate flux). Porous membranes lose their hydraulic performance as materials accumulate on their surfaces and/or within their pores, a process called membrane fouling. Although a significant effort has been devoted to elucidating the fouling mechanisms of polymeric membranes by natural organic matter (NOM), no single model has yet been accepted. In fact, most of the existing literature is contradictory, showing that membrane fouling is far from being fully understood. This article reviews over a decade of Ondeo's experience on characterizing and preventing fouling of polymeric membranes by natural organic matter and inorganic compounds. The review focuses on the role of NOM size and hydrophobicity, of membrane chemistry, and of solution pretreatment (coagulation and/or adsorption). In addition, the efficacy of some currently used strategies to minimize membrane fouling is also discussed.
Contaminants and salinity removal of olive mill wastewater using zeolite nanoparticles

ABSTRACT Successive columns of gravel, fine sand, and mixture of acidified cotton and zeolite clinoptilolite nanoparticles (ZNP) were found efficient in olive mill waste water (OMW) treatment and desalination. The treatment decreased OMW’s salinity from 10.9 to 1.6 dSm−1 due to K+ removal. Furthermore, most total phenol contents were removed. The adsorption of K+ (aqueous solution) onto normal zeolite particles (NSP) and ZNP indicated that the pseudo-second order kinetic model is best model for K+ adsorption. Langmuir model was best fit model for K+ adsorption equilibrium. K+ maximum adsorption capacities were 7.2 and 16.5 mgg−1 for NSP and ZNP, respectively.
Availability and use of therapeutic interchange policies in managing antimicrobial shortages among South African public sector hospitals

Background: Therapeutic interchange policies in hospitals are useful in dealing with antimicrobial shortages and minimising resistance rates. However, the extent of antimicrobial shortages and availability of therapeutic interchange policies is unknown among public sector hospitals in South Africa. Objective This study aimed to ascertain the extent of antimicrobial shortages among public sector hospitals, the presence of current therapeutic interchange policies and the role of pharmacists in the process. Setting Public sector hospitals in South Africa. Methods: A quantitative and descriptive study was conducted with a target population of 403 public sector hospitals. Data were collected from hospital pharmacists using an electronic questionnaire, administered via SurveyMonkeyTM. Main outcome measure Prevalence of public sector hospitals with antimicrobial shortages over the past six months and the prevalence of hospitals with therapeutic interchange policies. Results: The response rate was 33.5%. Most (83.3%) hospitals had experienced shortages in the previous six months. Antimicrobials commonly reported as out of stock included cloxacillin (54.3%), benzathine benzylpenicillin (54.2%), erythromycin (39.6%) and ceftriaxone (38.0%). Reasons for shortages included pharmaceutical companies with supply constraints (85.3%) and an inefficient supply system. Only 42.4% had therapeutic interchange policies, and 88.9% contacted the prescriber when there was a need for substitution. Conclusions: Antimicrobial shortages are prevalent in South African public sector hospitals with penicillins and cephalosporins being the most affected. Therapeutic interchange policies are not available at most hospitals. Effective strategies are required to improve communication between pharmacists and prescribers to ensure safe, appropriate and therapeutically equivalent alternatives are available.
TLS AND SHORT-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC DATA FUSION FOR BUILDINGS 3D MODELING

The adoption of 3D survey techniques is essential to promote efficient and timely information acquisition on constructed buildings. This article addresses terrestrial LiDAR (TLS) and close-range photogrammetric data fusion for the 3D modeling of a building in Level of Detail (LoD) 3. The selected building presents challenging elements for modeling, such as extended curved slabs, external glass walls, recessed facades and diverse roof pitches. It is located on the campus of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) in Curitiba, Brazil. The accuracy of the data integration was obtained through the analysis of deviations between the clouds of primary points. The accuracy of the point cloud model was verified by comparing its dimensions with the real dimensions of the building, obtained by means of a handheld laser distance meter (EDM). The results demonstrate that there was a correspondence between the EDM measures and the model, with a satisfactory statistical agreement between the estimated and reference values and a general maximum absolute error of 4.5 cm. The article focuses on the accuracy of point cloud models for the cadastral updating of buildings, providing information for decision making in projects documentation and interventions.
Levantamento da fauna flebotomínica e ocorrência de cães sororreagentes para Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana no Município de Seropédica, Estado do Rio de Janeiro

A Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) e uma doenca infecciosa nao contagiosa causada por protozoarios do genero Leishmania que acomete a pele e mucosa, sendo primariamente uma infeccao zoonotica. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar o levantamento da fauna flebotominica em areas com ocorrencia de casos humanos de LTA. Para coleta dos flebotomos foram realizadas capturas mensais sistematicas utilizando o capturador de Castro, no horario das 18 as 22h, durante 12 meses. Os dipteros foram colocados em frascos contendo alcool 70% e transportados para o laboratorio de Vetores do Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas da Escola Nacional de Saude Publica Sergio Arouca, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, RJ, onde foram clarificados e identificados. Para sorologia dos caes, amostras de sangue foram coletadas por venopuncao em animais residentes nos domicilios acometidos e de caes vizinhos. Apos centrifugacao e separacao do soro, as amostras foram conservadas a -20oC, ate o momento da realizacao dos ensaios sorologicos no laboratorio de Imudiagnostico da ENSP, da FIOCRUZ. Empregaram-se os seguintes metodos: Reacao de Imunofluorescencia Indireta (RIFI) e o enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Foram capturados 2390 exemplares de flebotomineos entre os meses de outubro de 2004 a setembro de 2005, pertencentes a quatro especies. A especie predominante foi a Lutzomyia intermedia com 97,1% do total coletado, seguida pela L. whitmani 1,6% , L.migonei 1,21% e L.oswaldoi 0,09 %. Da sorologia de 35 caes: 60% (21) animais foram considerados nao reativos; 22,9% reativos somente para ELISA; 2,9% somente RIFI e 14,2% (5) dos caes reativos para as duas tecnicas, conclusivamente positivos. Nao houve evidencias de associacao entre sorologia (RIFI+/ELISA+ e outros resultados) com a propriedade do animal (paciente ou vizinho), segundo o teste exato de Fisher. Aparentemente a transmissao da LTA no municipio de Seropedica esteja sendo veiculada pela L. intermedia. A presenca de caes reativos sem a existencia de lesao sugestiva pode contribir para novos focos da LTA, funcionando como um animal em potencial para manutencao da protozoose.
A Regulatory Loop between β-Catenin and Extra-cellular Matrix Components during the Proliferative Phase of Cutaneous Wound Healing

β-Catenin is an important modulator of the cutaneous wound phenotype, where it is activated in dermal fibroblasts during the proliferative stage of repair. Despite its importance as a mediator of the healing process, the factors that regulate β-catenin during wound repair are not well understood, nor are the identities of its target genes. One possibility is the involvement of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as both a target and a regulator of β-Catenin activity. I investigated the existence of a regulatory loop between β-Catenin and the ECM in dermal fibroblasts during cutaneous wound repair. Fibroblasts cultured on various ECM components showed increased levels of β-Catenin activation, and this was found to occur through an integrin mediated, glycogen synthase kinase 3β dependent pathway. In vivo, wounds from mice that lack the EDAfibronectin variant exhibited decreased β-Catenin signaling, fewer dermal fibroblasts, and decreased wound strength. These properties were rescued by genetic or pharmacologic activation of β-Catenin, using an EDA-fibronectin deficient mouse model that also expresses a conditionally stabilized form of β-Catenin, or the drug, Lithium Chloride. This suggests both, that ECM components regulate β-Catenin activity in dermal fibroblasts during healing, and that β-Catenin is an important modulator of cell behaviour and the resulting properties of the wound.
Thermal Carbon Analysis Enabling Comprehensive Characterization of Lignin and Its Degradation Products

We have developed a novel thermal carbon analysis (TCA) method that provides both carbon mass balance and thermal fractionation profiles. Though not providing chemical structural information, this method enables a comprehensive characterization of both lignin and its degradation products, potential renewable and sustainable feedstocks. TCA is essential as a complement to a qualitative chemical speciation by thermal desorption–pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD–Py–GC–MS). Mono- and diaromatic oxygenated compounds were used as model compounds to optimize the method. The influence of various parameters such as solvents, amounts of sample loaded, and temperature ramp configuration, were investigated. A multistep temperature program with TD and pyrolytic temperatures with and without oxygen was employed for analysis of untreated lignin, where up to 55 wt % evolved in the presence of oxygen only, this fraction being unaccounted for by currently used methods. The TCA results were supported by the.
Computational Study of Organometallic Interactions with Models of DNA/RNA and Proteins Using Tools of Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Mechanics.

Methods of computational chemistry represent an important tool in development of novel materials or drugs. In this thesis, they are used for investigation of Pt anticancer drugs. Interaction of five hydrated Pt(II) complexes with guanine as a small model of DNA is studied at the DFT level. Several Pt(IV) complexes exhibit less side effects and overcome some resistances of cisplatin, nevertheless they must be reduced to their Pt(II) analogues to obtain anticancer activity due to their high kinetic inertness. Therefore, reduction potentials for eleven Pt(IV) complexes are determined using DFT and post-Hartree-Fock methods. The kinetics of reduction play more important role. Thus, we study reaction mechanisms for reduction of tetraplatin by deoxyguanosine monophosphate and satraplatin by ascorbic acid. In both mechanisms the kinetic model for side reactions is employed since reducing agents occur in different protonation states. From the perspective of interaction of metals with thymine, proton transfer is of great importance. It is shown that the presence of hydrated metal cations Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , Hg 2+ leads to a significant decrease of activation barriers for the N3↔O3 proton transfer. The QM/MM umbrella sampling MD method is employed in a study of binding of the hydrated mercury cation to the N3 position in order to see dynamic effects. The obtained results are compared with DFT calculations. The bonding and Lennard-Jones parameters consistent with General Amber Force Field for all the first row transition metal, Ru, Rh, Pt, and Hg cations are also estimated.