Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In-situ regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) using Fenton's reagents

Fenton-dependent recovery of carbon initially saturated with one of several chlorinated aliphatic contaminants was studied in batch and continuous-flow reactors. A specialty carbon, URV-MOD 1 (Calgon) was employed to minimize non-productive H2O2 demand – that which does not yield hydroxyl or superoxide radicals. Enhancement of PCE degradation kinetics by ferric iron addition is limited by iron solubility, even at relatively low pH. Quinone addition increased the pseudo-first-order rate constant for PCE loss temporarily. Only copper addition sustainably enhanced the specific rate of PCE loss. For copper-to-iron molar ratios of 0.25 to 5, the pseudo-firstorder rate constant for PCE transformation was increased by a factor of 3.5. It is apparent that the effect of copper addition on Fenton-dependent reaction rates is complex, and involves a shift in chemical mechanism, as indicated by the differing slopes in the Arrhenius plot (with and without copper). A mathematical model was developed to evaluate the effect of operational parameters ([Fe(III)]T:[H2O2]o ratio and pH) on degradation kinetics and optimize the PCE degradation process in homogeneous reaction mixtures. The model simulated experimental degradation of the organic target in a homogeneous Fenton-reaction system. The model requires further refinement to simulate Fenton’s systems in which ions in solution (such as sulfate and chloride) play significant roles. In continuous-flow reactors, Fenton’s reagents were cycled through spent GAC in columns to degrade one of seven chlorinated compounds tested. The contaminant with the weakest adsorption characteristics, methylene chloride, was 99% lost from the carbon
Gizzard Helminths in the Gadwall (Mareca strepera) Wintering Along the Mid-Texas Coast

abstract: We examined the gizzards of 80 hunter-shot gadwalls (Mareca strepera) collected November–January during the 2008–2009 (n = 46) and 2009–2010 (n = 34) hunting seasons at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area in Brazoria County, Texas, U.S.A. , and the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area in Matagorda County, Texas. Three species of nematodes (Amidostomum acutum, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, and Streptocara crassicauda) were found comprising 237 individuals. Epomidiostomum uncinatum was the most prevalent (55%), followed by A. acutum (53%) and S. crassicauda (1%). Intensity of infection of A. acutum and E. uncinatum averaged 2.8 ± 0.3 (SE) and 2.7 ± 0.3, respectively, and mean abundance averaged 1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.5 ± 0.2, respectively. Differences in prevalence and mean abundance for A. acutum and E. uncinatum were not significant by hunting season, host age, or host sex. Our findings represent new information about gizzard helminth infections in gadwalls wintering along the mid-Texas coast.
Cognitive resonance: When information carry‐over constrains cognitive plasticity

Handling Editor: Frédéric Angelier Abstract 1. When faced with a changing environment, some species appear to adapt quickly, while others seem unable to update the value of environmental cues on which they base their decisions, leading them to display seemingly maladaptive responses. 2. While behavioural and cognitive plasticity are two traits that should predict the ability of species to update the value of environmental cues, we argue that this flexibility may be constrained by ontogeny. While sensitive periods have been shown to exist for establishing an individual’s food, habitat and mate preference, no studies have established the existence of a cognitive sensitive period for predation-related information. 3. In this study, we used wood frogs, Lithobates sylvaticus, to demonstrate the existence of a sensitive period for predation‐related information, with risk information learned as embryos maintained for more than 5 weeks, while the same information learned as tadpoles was unused after just 10 days. Next, we demonstrated that tadpoles that had learned a cue as safe as embryos were unable to update the cue as risky after three fear conditioning attempts, while tadpoles that learned the cue as safe a few days prior did successfully update the cue as risky after three conditionings. 4. We coined the term “cognitive resonance” to describe how information learned early in life can have marked cognitive consequence later in life, affecting not only the duration for which information learned is actively used in decision-making, but how this information can interfere with the acquisition of up‐to‐date information about the environment. 5. Cognitive resonance might be beneficial in stable environments where the change in the value of a cue is relatively small through time, but it can quickly become costly in environments where the identity of potential threats changes quickly, as in the case of introduced species.
Relationship of Bioactive Luteinizing Hormone to Hormonal and Semen Parameters in Stallions1

To investigate the relationship of in vitro biologic activity of LH to hormonal and semen parameters, plasma and semen were collected from three fertile stallions and three subfertile stallions. A mouse interstitial cell testosterone assay was modified to quantify equine biologic LH (BLH) activity. Immunoactive LH (ILH) and testosterone concentrations were determined by routine RIA procedures. For fertile stallions, no significant correlations (p > 0.10) existed between semen and hormone parameters. In contrast, correlations existed between the biologic LH activity to immunoreactive LH ratio (B:I) and the number of progressively motile, morpho logically normal sperm (0.99;p < 0.05), between ILH and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (- 0.99;p < 0.05), and between ILH and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (- 0.99; p = 0.08) obtained from subfertile stallions. These findings are consistent with the concept that only a portion of the LH synthesized and released from the pituitary is biologically active, and suggest that LH isoforms secreted in certain subfertile stallions vary in biologic potency in comparison to isoforms in fertile stallions. Further investigation will be required to determine whether testicular function in subfertile or infertile stallions is modulated by bioactivity of LH, or LH isoform secretion is regulated by testicular function.
A DETAILED INVESTIGATION OF BLUFF BODY STABILIZED FLAMES (POSTPRINT)

Abstract : Reduced Order Models (ROMs) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes are tools used to predict the extinction of flames behind bluff bodies. Accurate prediction of these models and codes is predicated on their validation with experimental data. This paper describes detailed experiments to obtain validation data for bluff body stabilized flames over a wide range of conditions. Included are non-reacting data from CFD and LDV, lean blowout and high speed images for three different flame holders. In our previous paper (Kiel 2006) it was asserted that the large vortices were a major driver of extinction. Those assertions are further supported here. It is concluded that the vortex dynamics and not geometry is the dominant mechanism for bluff body flame extinction. This conclusion is supported by the lean blowout data, by the high speed images and reference data from NACA.
The influence of global, country and firm-level governance on social and environmental reporting: Evidence from developing countries

The study examines the influence of global, country and firm-level governance on social and environmental reporting (SER) in developing countries from the institutional perspective. Using the Bloomberg ESG disclosure, worldwide governance indicators, and other databases for 45 developing countries from 2007–2016, the study examines the influence of global, country and firm-level governance on SER. Results show that all three levels of governance have significant positive influences on SER, with global governance having the strongest influence on SER in developing countries. By interviewing 26 corporate and 23 non-corporate interviewees, the study explores ‘why and how’ the global, country and firm-level governance influence SER in Bangladesh, as a case of developing countries. The findings show that SER in Bangladesh is mainly driven by the coercive pressures from the global market, followed by the normative pressures from the firm-level, and the cultural-cognitive pressures from the country-level. Specifically, SER is primarily aimed at mitigating the coercive pressures from the powerful economic stakeholders, namely international buyers and lenders followed by the normative pressures at the firm-level to be endorsed for SER, thereby branding and expanding the business both at home and abroad. The country governance in Bangladesh is not conducive for SER due to the absence of coercive pressures (there is coercion for political donations, not for SER), normative pressures (lack of national guidelines for SER or CSR), and cultural cognitive pressures (lack of awareness of and interest in SER). The firm-level governance in Bangladesh is mainly superficial, and the inclusion of the so-called independent directors and female directors does not necessarily promote SER. The ‘board independence’ and ‘board gender-diversity’ are ‘in appearance’ rather than ‘in fact’, because of the lack of independent mindset, knowledge and expertise, benefit dependency (co-option), family control, patriarchy, male dominance, and honour culture. Findings indicate that SER is largely symbolic and used as an expedient response to the coercive as well as normative pressures exerted by the international powerful economic stakeholders followed by the normative pressures and expertise of SER at the firm-level for promoting the financial wellbeing of the reporting entities, rather than ensuring accountability, transparency and social justice in developing countries.
A SURVEY OF METACOGNITIVE AWARENESS IN LISTENING STRATEGIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

This study aims to find out what strategies are used by the students in English Education Department batch 2017 of an Islamic private university. In order to accomplish the objective, this study used quantitative research in the form of survey study. The original questionnaire used in this study is from Vandergrift (2006), modified by Movahed (2014)) which consists of 21 statements. Data analysis of this study describes what listening strategies employed by EFL students in English Language Education Department batch 2017 in an Islamic private university. The data were classified into metacognitive awareness in listening strategies theory from Vandergrift (2006): problem solving (X= 4,87), person knowledge (X= 4,70), directed attention (X= 4,37), planning evaluation (X= 4,81), mental translation (X= 4,77). The findings of the study show problem solving strategies is the most frequently used strategies (? ̅? = 4.87) while the lowest strategies are person knowledge strategies (X= 4,70). It indicates that the students make more comparison between their background knowledge and their listening context.
Structural Investigation of Udi LGA of Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria Using High Resolution Bouguer Gravity and Landsat Data

The focus of this study is to investigate the structures peculiar in Udi, Enugu State, Nigeria. This was achieved by delineating the regional from the residual, determining the lateral and sedimentary thicknesses of causative structures with their lateral boundaries and corresponding lineaments. Regional-residual separation was employed on the aerogravity dataset while Georeferencing and creation of new coordinate system was undertaken on the Landsat data. Causative sources with short and long wavelength trending in the NE-SW, NNE-SSW, E-W, WNW-ESE, N-S and NW-SE directions were found to exist within the study area as qualitative analysis was applied on the aerogravity and landsat data. The NE-SW and NW-SE trends are possible oil and gas rich belt within the area. Quantitatively, two depth source models D1 and D2 were identified. D1 depicting depth to deeply seated sources varies from 0.00071 to 0.0044 km with true thickness of 0.01 km. The shallow related sources expressed using D2 lies between 0.0014 to 0.0034 km with true value Original Research Article Nwankwo and Ene; AJR2P, 3(1): 17-32, 2020; Article no.AJR2P. 53620 18 of 0.0005 km. If other conditions like structural features and depth parameters are met, a true sedimentary thickness of 0.01 km shows that the area will encourage mineral and water exploration rather than hydrocarbon exploration.
Mercaptobenzothiazole on gold biosensor systems for: organophosphate and carbamate pesticide compounds

s of Papers Published 1. Vernon S. Somerset, Michael J. Klink, Priscilla G. L. Baker and Emmanuel I. Iwuoha. (2007). Acetylcholinesterase-polyaniline biosensor investigation of organophosphate pesticides in selected organic solvents. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part, B42: 297–304. The behavior of an amperometric organic-phase biosensor consisting of a gold electrode modified first with a mercaptobenzothiazole self-assembled monolayer, followed by electropolymerization of polyaniline in which acetylcholinesterase as enzyme was immobilized, has been developed and evaluated for organophosphorous pesticide detection. The voltammetric results have shown that the formal potential shifts anodically as the Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc thick-film biosensor responded to acetylthiocholine substrate addition under anaerobic conditions in selected organic solvent media containing 2% v/v 0.05 M phosphate buffer, 0.1 M KCl (pH 7.2) solution. Detection limits in the order of 0.147 ppb for diazinon and 0.172 ppb for fenthion in acetone-saline phosphate buffer solution, and 0.180 ppb for diazinon and 0.194 ppb for fenthion in ethanol-saline phosphate buffer solution has been achieved.
The effect of compound kushen injection on cancer cells: Integrated identification of candidate molecular mechanisms

Background Because Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations are often combinations of multiple herbs containing hundreds of compounds, they have been difficult to study. Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) is a complex mixture cancer treatment used in Chinese hospitals for over twenty years. Purpose To demonstrate that a systematic analysis of molecular changes resulting from complex mixtures of bioactives from TCM can identify a core set of differentially expressed (DE) genes and a reproducible set of candidate pathways. Study Design We used a cancer cell culture model to measure the effect of CKI on cell cycle phases, apoptosis and correlate those phenotypes with CKI induced changes in gene expression. Methods We treated cancer cells with CKI in order to generate and analyse high-throughput transcriptome data from two cancer cell lines. We integrated these differential gene expression results with previously reported results. Results CKI induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis and altered the expression of 363 core candidate genes associated with cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA replication/repair and various cancer pathways. Of these, 7 are clinically relevant to cancer diagnosis or therapy and 14 are cell cycle regulators, and most of these 21 candidates are downregulated by CKI. Comparison of our core candidate genes to a database of plant medicinal compounds and their effects on gene expression identified one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many regulatory relationships between compounds in CKI and DE genes. Conclusions By identifying promising candidate pathways and genes associated with CKI based on our transcriptome-based analysis, we have shown this approach is useful for the systematic analysis of molecular changes resulting from complex mixtures of bioactives.
Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude Related to Hypertension and Garlic Supplement in an Urban Population

Garlic has gained popularity worldwide as a non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension but its use in Malaysia is still moderate. This study was undertaken among Malaysian urban population to assess their knowledge, awareness and attitude towards garlic supplement. This study is a cross sectional study and was carried out from February to May 2015. A total of 202 respondents took part in the study with 45% (n=91) taking garlic supplement. The result demonstrated that there was a significant negative correlation with age and knowledge score (r=-0.15, p=0.03). Majority of the respondents were unaware (n=61/202, 69.8%) that garlic has blood pressure lowering properties. Most preferred conventional medicines (n=119/202, 58.9%) over garlic supplement (n=83/202, 41.1%). However, most of the respondents (n=176/202, 87.1%) were interested to know more about the use of garlic for hypertension. There is no significant correlation between knowledge, awareness and attitude of respondents towards garlic supplement.
2.2 Solar System Abundances of the Elements

2.2. 1 Abundances of the Elements in the Solar Nebula 15 2.2. 1.1 Historical Remarks 15 2.2. 1.2 Solar System Abundances of the Elements 16 2.2. 1.2. 1 Is the solar nebula compositionally uniform? 16 2.2. 1.2.2 The composition of the solar photosphere 17 2.2. 1.3 Abundances of Elements in Meteorites 19 2.2. 1.3. 1 Differentiated and undifferentiated meteorites 19 2.2. 1.3. 2 Cosmochemical classification of elements 19 2.2. 1.4 CI Chondrites as the Standard for Solar Abundances 21 2.2. 1.4. 1 Chemical variations among chondritic meteorites 21 2.2. 1.4. 2 CI chondrites 24 2.2. 1.4. 3 The CI chondrite abundance table 25 2.2. 1.5 Solar System Abundances of the Elements 28 2.2. 1.5. 1 Comparison of meteorite and solar abundances 28 2.2. 1.5. 2 Solar system abundances versus mass number 30 2.2. 1.5. 3 Other sources for solar system abundances 30 2.2.2 The Abundances of the Elements in the ISM 31 2.2.2.
Peers and the gender wage gap

This study investigates the importance of peer effects in the Portuguese economy, as well as their impact on the gender wage gap. Peer effects are measured using the average of the co-workers fixed effects. While also accounting for individual heterogeneity and firm and job-title sorting, the results show evidence of positive peer effects on wages (of 4.83% from an increment of one standard deviation in peers’ ”quality”), while 5% of the existent gender wage gap can be justified by differences in peer effects. Allowing for heterogeneity in peers’ spillovers reveals how female workers are more susceptible to spillovers from their female peers in spite of also being more exposed to them due to market segregation.
Influence of different herbicides on weed control, nutrient removal and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was carried out during 2 winter (rabi) seasons of 200809 and 200910 at New Delhi, to evaluate the efficacy of different herbicides on weed population, productivity and nutrients acquisition of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol. ]. Among the herbicidal treatments, ready-mix applications of mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron (24 + 4.8 g/ha) recorded the lowest weed density and NPK removal by weeds. How- ever, this treatment remained statistically at par with mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron (18 + 3.6 g/ha), sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron (20 + 4 g/ha) and clodinafop + metsulfuron (60 + 4 g/ha). Application of sulfosulfuron and metsulfuron (20 + 4 g/ha) recorded the maximum values of plant height (89.81 cm at harvesting), number of tillers/m (93.39 at harvest), dry-matter accumulation, grain yield (5.23 t/ha) and nutrients uptake (142.4 kg N, 18.90 kg P and 117.23 kg K/ha), which was closely followed by weed-free, mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron (24 + 4.8 g/ha), (18 + 3.6 g/ha) and tank-mix clodinafop + metsulfuron (60 + 4 g/ha).
Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers in Breast Cancer

With substantial numbers of breast tumors showing or acquiring treatment resistance, it is of utmost importance to develop new agents for the treatment of the disease, to know their effectiveness against breast cancer and to understand their relationships with other drugs to best assign the right drug to the right patient. To achieve this goal drug screenings on breast cancer cell lines are a promising approach. In this study a large-scale drug screening of 37 compounds was performed on a panel of 42 breast cancer cell lines representing the main breast cancer subtypes. Clustering, correlation and pathway analyses were used for data analysis. We found that compounds with a related mechanism of action had correlated IC50 values and thus grouped together when the cell lines were hierarchically clustered based on IC50 values. In total we found six clusters of drugs of which five consisted of drugs with related mode of action and one cluster with two drugs not previously connected. In total, 25 correlated and four anticorrelated drug sensitivities were revealed of which only one drug, Sirolimus, showed significantly lower IC50 values in the luminal/ERBB2 breast cancer subtype. We found expected interactions but also discovered new relationships between drugs which might have implications for cancer treatment regimens.
Performance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties in relation to sowing dates and row spacing in central Punjab

Two field experiments were conducted at the research farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The soil of the experimental field was low in organic carbon content and slightly alkaline in nature. One experiment was conducted in two dates (Timely and late sown) in main plot and four barley varieties (DWRUB 52, DWRB 101, BH 902 and RD 2849) in sub-plot during 2014-15 and 2015-16. Another experiment was conducted on row spacing (20.0, 22.5 and 25.0 cm) as main plot and three barley varieties (BH 902, BH 946 and RD 2552) in sub-plot during 2015-16 and 2016-17. Timely sown (15th-19th November) barley recorded higher grain yield than late sown (December 15). Varieties DWRUB 52 and DWRB 101 performed better than BH 902 and RD 2849 under different sowing dates. The grain yield recorded in 22.5 cm row spacing was better than 20.0 cm but similar to 25.0 cm row spacing. The variety BH 946 recorded higher grain yield than BH 902 and RD 2552 in different row spacing.
Neutrophil-Derived Myeloperoxidase Facilitates Both the Induction and Elicitation Phases of Contact Hypersensitivity

Background Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin disorder affecting an estimated 15-20% of the general population. The mouse model of ACD is contact hypersensitivity (CHS), which consists of two phases: induction and elicitation. Although neutrophils are required for both CHS disease phases their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Neutrophils release myeloperoxidase (MPO) that through oxidation of biomolecules leads to cellular damage. Objectives This study investigated mechanisms whereby MPO contributes to CHS pathogenesis. Methods CHS was induced in mice using oxazolone (OX) as the initiating hapten applied to the skin. After 7 days, CHS was elicited by application of OX to the ear and disease severity was measured by ear thickness and vascular permeability in the ear. The role of MPO in the two phases of CHS was determined utilizing MPO-deficient mice and a specific MPO inhibitor. Results During the CHS induction phase MPO-deficiency lead to a reduction in IL-1β production in the skin and a subsequent reduction in migratory dendritic cells (DC) and effector T cells in the draining lymph node. During the elicitation phase, inhibition of MPO significantly reduced both ear swelling and vascular permeability. Conclusion MPO plays dual roles in CHS pathogenesis. In the initiation phase MPO promotes IL-1β production in the skin and activation of migratory DC that promote effector T cell priming. In the elicitation phase MPO drives vascular permeability contributing to inflammation. These results indicate that MPO it could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ACD in humans.