Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mainstream Smoke Chemistry and in Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity of the Reference Cigarettes 3R4F and 2R4F

Abstract A new reference cigarette, the 3R4F, has been developed to replace the depleting supply of the 2R4F cigarette. The present study was designed to compare mainstream smoke chemistry and toxicity of the two reference cigarettes under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) machine smoking conditions, and to further compare mainstream smoke chemistry and toxicological activity of the 3R4F cigarette by two different smoking regimens, i.e., the machine smoking conditions specified by ISO and the Health Canada intensive (HCI) smoking conditions. The in vitro cytotoxicity and mutagenicity was determined in the neutral red uptake assay, the Salmonella reverse mutation assay, and the mouse lymphoma thymidine kinase assay. Additionally, a 90-day nose-only inhalation study in rats was conducted to assess the in vivo toxicity. The comparison of smoke chemistry between the two reference cigarettes found practically the same yields of total particulate matter (TPM), ‘tar’, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and most other smoke constituents. For both cigarettes, the in vitro cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and in vivo toxicity showed the expected smoke-related effects compared to controls without smoke exposure. There were no meaningful differences between the 2R4F and 3R4F regarding these toxicological endpoints. The assessments for the 3R4F cigarette by smoking regimen found as a trivial effect, due to the higher amount of smoke generated per cigarette under HCI conditions, an increased yield of toxicant and higher toxicological activity per cigarette. However, per mg TPM, ‘tar’, or nicotine, the amounts of toxicants and the in vitro toxicity were generally lower under HCI conditions, but the in vivo activity was not different between the two machine smoking conditions. Overall, as the main result, the present study suggests equivalent smoke chemistry and in vitro and in vivo toxicity for the 2R4F and 3R4F reference cigarettes.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND INFRARED SPECTRA OF A LANTHANUM COORDINATION COMPOUND WITH GLYCINE, {[La(Gly)s·2H2O]·(ClO4)3}n

Abstract A lanthanum coordination compound with glycine {[La(Gly)3·2H2O]·(ClO4)3}n (Gly = NH+ 3-CH2-COO−) was synthesized and obtained in the form of single crystals. Its X-ray crystal structure has been determined and the IR spectrum has been studied. Crystallographic data for the compound are Mr = 698.6, triclinic, space group Pi, with a = 10.730(4), b = 12.958(4), c = 8.806(3) A, a = 97. 10(2), β = 113.05(3), γ = 71.52(3)°, V = 1068.55 (0.67) As, Z = 2; D calc = 2.17 cm−3, μ = 25.1 cm−1; T = 298K; λ(MoKα). = 0.71069 A, 2 θmax = 60.0°. Final R = 0.044 for 5554 observed reflect with I > 3σ (I). Glycine molecules coordinate with lanthanum atoms through alternate “two-four carboxylate bridges” to form a one-dimensional chain compound of infinite length. Some of the glycine molecules coordinate to lanthanum atoms as bridging bidentates ligands and the others as bridging-chelating terdentate ligands. The IR spectrum of the compound is compared with that of {[Sm2(Gly)6·4H2O]·(ClO4)6·5H2O}n. Differences in the.
Choice of X‐ray mass attenuation coefficients for PIXE analysis of silicate minerals and rocks

The accuracy of each of three mass attenuation coefficient databases was assessed using particle-induced X-ray emission measurements performed on well-characterized, homogeneous silicate glass and mineral standards. In a fundamental parameters computation, the absolute efficiency constants of the light elements Mg, Al and Si, found within each standard, were determined. These were compared with the efficiency constants deduced from separate particle-induced X-ray emission measurements performed on pure targets of the same three elements. In this comparison, a 7–9% discrepancy was found when using the XCOM database for the computation, but this was reduced to 2–5% when FFAST coefficients were substituted. Further improvement was achieved when a hybrid database was adopted. This ‘Mixed’ database consisted of primarily XCOM coefficients with FFAST values inserted for the light element (Z = 11,…, 14) attenuation of photons having energy less than their K edge and for oxygen in the 1–2 keV range. The average efficiency constant discrepancies were reduced to −0.5–2%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution Behavior of Nb, Ta, and Pa as Homologues of Db in Cation Exchange and Solid-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Extractions by Aliquat 336 from Hydrochloric Acid

Detailed chemical studies on transactinide elements will clarify their characteristic properties caused by strong relativistic effect. In this work, to realize chemical study on transactinide element 105Db, cation exchange, and solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extractions of micro amounts of Nb, Ta (homologues of Db), and Pa (pseudo homologue) by Aliquat 336 were performed employing hydrochloric acid. Clearly different chloride complex formations and distribution reaction kinetics were observed among these elements, and the present results are useful for studying the chemical properties of Db. Based on these results, we propose suitable experimental conditions for Db.
Continuous carbon nanotube composite fibers: properties, potential applications, and problemsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: frontispiece figure. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/jm/b3/b312092a/

Using solution spinning, which involves an intermediate gel-state, we obtained exceptionally strong carbon nanotube fibers that are tougher than either spider silk or any fiber used for mechanical reinforcement. We use these fibers to make 100 micron diameter supercapacitors and electronic textiles. Per weight, the energy needed to break these fibers is about 4× higher than spider dragline silk and 20× higher than steel wire. This article describes this advance, comparisons with the prior art, potential applications, and present barriers for large volume applications.
University assessment Practices at level 1: Exploring student perceptions of fairness, transparency and authenticity

The present study aimed to provide understanding of Level 1 undergraduate students‘ perceptions about three concepts: fairness, transparency and authenticity, in written exams/tests, group projects, and individual assignments. The sample (N=187) comprised students from the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences at The University of Western Australia (four different Schools were represented), who were enrolled in their second semester, 2010. A two-part questionnaire was completed by students for each assessment mode (i.e., written exams and tests, group projects, and individual assignments). Part 1 was a series of scale response items. Students used a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 7 (To a great extent) to rate questions on fairness, transparency, and authenticity. Part 2 of the survey used open-ended qualitative questions that asked students to describe what they (a) liked, (b) disliked, and (c) would change about the assessment. The results confirmed that gender did not influence student ratings of fairness, transparency and authenticity. Exams were perceived to be significantly fairer than individual assignments, and were also perceived to be significantly more transparent when compared to group work and individual assignments. For exams and individual assignments, student perceptions about assessment appeared to be highly dependent upon the final grade they received for the assessment task. Students who obtained high distinctions perceived higher levels of fairness, transparency and authenticity than those who failed. With groupwork, similar results were found for ratings of transparency.
Fate and transport of viruses and colloids in saturated and unsaturated porous media

The fundamental mechanisms involved in fate and transport of colloidal particles (viruses and latex microspheres) in saturated and unsaturated porous media were systematically examined. Two different bacteriophages were used as surrogate for pathogenic viruses to investigate the effects of various water contents and solution chemistries in terms of pH and ionic strength (IS) on virus transport. The experiments were complimented by utilizing a transport model that accounts for virus interaction with the solid-water interfaces (SWI) and air-water interfaces (AWI). It was found that under saturated conditions virus retention enhanced with decreasing the pH and increasing the IS. Under unsaturated conditions, viruses exhibited a high affinity to the AWI only when the pH was lower than 7. In contrast with the saturated experiments that a one-site kinetic model was sufficient to fit the breakthrough curves, a two-site kinetic model was needed to produce a good fit to the breakthrough curves obtained from unsaturated columns. To complement the previous work, packed column and mathematical modeling studies were conducted to explore the influence of water saturation, IS, and grain size on the transport of larger colloids (latex microspheres; 1.1 μm) in porous media. Experiments were carried out under chemically unfavorable conditions for colloid attachment to both SWI and AWI. The breakthrough curve and final deposition profile in each experiment indicated that colloid retention was highly dependent on IS, water content, and sand grain size. Experimental and modeling results suggested that straining – the retention of colloids in low velocity regions of porous media such as grain junctions – was the primary mechanism of colloid retention under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Increasing the solution ionic strength is believed to increase the depth of secondary minimum in the DLVO interaction energy profile and as a result, increase the adhesive force between colloids and the SWI by increasing. These weakly associated colloids can be funneled to small regions of the pore space formed adjacent to grain-grain junctions. For select systems, the IS of the influent was decreased to a low solution IS following the obtaining of the effluent concentration data. In this case, only a small portion of the deposited colloids was recovered in the effluent and the majority was still retained in the sand. These observations suggest that the extent of colloid removal by straining is strongly coupled to solution chemistry. This research established that colloid retention in porous media is a coupled process that strongly depends on solution chemistry, pore structure, and system hydrodynamics. Therefore, modeling colloid transport through porous media will require nontraditional approaches which account for the abovementioned factors.
Chemical evolution in the environment of intermediate mass young stellar objects (IM YSOs): NGC 7129-FIRS 2 and LkHα 234

We have carried out a molecular survey of the Class 0 IM protostar NGC 7129 – FIRS 2 (hereafter FIRS 2) and the Herbig Be star LkHα 234 with the aim of studying the chemical evolution of the envelopes of intermediate-mass (IM) young stellar objects (YSOs). The two objects have similar luminosities (∼500 L ) and are located in the same molecular cloud which minimizes the chemical differences due to different stellar masses or initial cloud conditions. Moreover, since they are located at the same distance, we have the same spatial resolution in both objects. A total of 17 molecular species (including rare isotopes) have been observed in both objects and the structure of their envelopes and outflows has been determined with unprecedent
Salt stress mitigation by seed priming with salicylic acid in two faba bean genotypes differing in salt tolerance.

The differential responses of two faba bean (Vicia faba L.) local Egyptian genotypes to salinity (0 or 140 mM NaCl) and seed priming with 0.2 mM salicylic acid (SA) were studied. Salinity caused no significant changes in dry weight and tissue water content of genotype 115, whereas they were significantly reduced in genotype 125. Genotype 115 exhibited higher accumulation of osmotic solutes, carotenoids and antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, POD, APX & GR) than genotype 125. In contrast, ion leakage and lipid peroxidation were lower in genotype 115 than in genotype 125. Salinity induced high selectivity of K/Na ratio in genotype 115 than genotype 125 and in shoot than in root for both genotypes. Application of SA not only mitigated the inhibitory effect of salt stress in both genotypes, but also in some cases induced a stimulatory effect greater than that estimated in the control plants. The results indicated that both faba bean genotypes can develop different mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress. The beneficial effect of SA could be used for improving their salt tolerance.
Quantifying the relationship between atmospheric transport and the chemical composition of precipitation on Bermuda

In an effort to investigate the influence of different atmospheric flow patterns on thecomposition of precipitation on the island of Bermuda, a cluster analysis of atmospherictrajectories was performed to identify periods of similar transport. The cluster analysistechnique represents a relatively objective alternative to the more subjective method ofclassifying trajectories according to compass sector. Data were stratified into two broadseasons, defined as a warm (April-September) and a cool (October-March) season. Relative tothe cool season, significantly higher per event concentrations of non-seasalt sulfate and nitrateoccurred in the warm season on Bermuda. There was no significant difference in the per eventprecipitation amount between seasons; however, there was significantly higher per eventdeposition of warm season non-seasalt sulfate, and nitrate. Significant differences inprecipitation composition were also identified between flow patterns. It was found that thesource regions which contributed the largest fraction of hydrogen ion deposition and nonseasaltsulfate deposition on Bermuda differed by season. During the cool months, 40% of thedeposition occurred with transport from the west, off the East Coast of the US, implicatinganthropogenic sources. In the warm season, an equally large fraction of deposition wasassociated with flow from the Bahamas region, suggesting an oceanic source of biogenic sulfuras the precursor. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1988. tb00117.x
Scanning probe and optical tweezer investigations of biomolecular interactions.

A complex array of intermolecular forces controls the interactions between and within biological molecules. The desire to empirically explore these fundamental forces has led to the development of several biophysical techniques. Of these, the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the optical tweezers have been employed throughout this thesis to monitor the intermolecular forces involved in biomolecular interactions. The AFM is a well-established force sensing technique capable of measuring biomolecular interactions at a single molecule level. However, its versatility has not been extrapolated to the investigation of a drug-enzyme complex. The energy landscape for the force induced dissociation of the DHFR-methotrexate complex was studied. Revealing an energy barrier to dissociation located ~0.3nm from the bound state. Unfortunately, the AFM has a limited range of accessible loading rates and in order to profile the complete energy landscape alternative force sensing instrumentation should be considered, for example the BFP and optical tweezers. Thus, this thesis outlines the development and construction of an optical trap capable of measuring intermolecular forces between biomolecules at the single molecule level. To demonstrate the force sensing abilities of the optical set up, proof of principle measurements were performed which investigate the interactions between proteins and polymer surfaces subjected to varying degrees of argon plasma treatment. Complementary data was gained from measurements performed independently by the AFM. Changes in polymer resistance to proteins as a response to changes in polymer surface chemistry were detected utilising both AFM and optical tweezers measurements. Finally, the AFM and optical tweezers were employed as ultrasensitive biosensors. Single molecule investigations of the antibody-antigen interaction between the cardiac troponin I marker and its complementary antibody, reveals the impact therapeutic concentrations of heparin have up on the association and dissociation of the complex. In the thesis the AFM and optical tweezers independently provide complementary data towards the understanding of biomolecular interactions.
Experimental investigations of trace element fractionation in iron meteorites. I - Early results

Experimental procedures for measuring trace element partitioning among metal and sulfide and silicate phases are described, and solid metal/liquid metal partition coefficients for minor and trace elements in the Fe-Ni system at 5 to 14% Ni are reported. The bulk compositions desired are homogenized at superliquidus temperature for 15-24 hours, held at a temperature in the solid/liquid two phase region for about 24 hours, and quenched to freeze in the equilibrium compositions. Run products are analyzed by electron microprobe. With the exception of Cr, all preliminary partition coefficients obtained are in the same sense as values derived from iron meteorites. The partition coefficients for Cr in solid metal/liquid metal and metal/troilite systems suggest that IIIAB and main group pallasites equilibrated with 9-22% troilite. A second method which makes it possible to place upper and lower limits on the partition coefficient by holding part of the sample at subliquidus and part at superliquidus temperatures, yielded significantly different results for the two metals tested (Au and Pt) from those obtained by the first method, demonstrating the importance of a close approach to equilibrium before using experimentally-determined partition coefficients to test empirical differentiation models for iron meteorites.
EFFICIENCY OF THE PREDATORY MITE AGISTEMUS EXSERTUS GONZALEZ (ACARI: STIGMAEIDAE) AS BIOAGENT OF EPHESTIA CAUTELLA (WALKER) (LEPIDOPTERA : PYRALIDAE)

The efficiency of Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez was studied on Ephestia cautella (Walker) eggs as the food source in laboratory at two temperatures 25 °C and 30°C. Although a predatory successfully completed its life cycle exclusively on this prey, the rate of predation, life cycle, and oviposition were varied under different temperatures, whereas the predation rate listed 48 egg/individual and 57.71 egg / individuals at 25 °C and 30 °C, respectively, while the life cycle period was durated 16.05 days and 11.93 days, respectively. At the same previous conditions, the oviposition rate was durated 2.28 egg/day and 3.11 egg/day, respectively. Therefore, the predatory mite could play an important role in checking the population of Lepidopteran pest.
Modeling Microwave Drying Kinetics of Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris L.) Leaves Using ANN Methodology and Dried Product Quality

Effects of microwave power output and sample mass on drying behavior, color parameters, rehydration characteristics and some sensory scores of thyme leaves were investigated. Within the range of the microwave power outputs, 180–900 W, and sample amounts, 25–100 g, moisture content of the leaves were reduced to 0.1 ± (0.01) from 4.05 kg water/kg dry base value. Drying times of the leaves were found to be varying between 3.5 and 15.5 min for constant sample amount, and 6.5 and 20.5 min for constant power output. Experimental drying data obtained were successfully modeled using artificial neural networks methodology. Statistical values of the test data were found to be 0.9999, 4.0937 and 0.025 for R-square, MAPE (%) and RMSE, respectively. Some changes were recorded in the quality parameters, and acceptable sensory scores for the dried leaves were observed in all of the experimental conditions (P < 0.05). Practical Applications Drying is a very important preservation method used in the food industry. Microwave drying supplies uniform energy, higher drying rates and gives higher quality of the finished products compared with conventional drying methods. In order to model experimental drying data, many correlations that are available in literature may be used. However, artificial neural network methodology has become increasingly popular recently because of its capability of giving more general and precise results as also presented in this study.
The role of calcium ions in red light-induced swelling of mung bean protoplasts

The process of light signal transduction in photomorphogenesis research is still unknown. Based on the model described by Haupt and Weisenseel, Roux et al. proposed that some phytochrome responses were mediated by calcium ions. This hypothesis has been demonstrated by two well-characterized phytochrome responses, i.e. chloroplast rotation in the alga, Mougeotiat, and red light stimulating spore germenation in the fern, Onoclea.
Sol-gel derived oxides and mixed oxides catalysts with narrow mesoporous distribution

A novel sol-gel process for preparing oxides and mixed oxides sols from precipitation and peptization process is reported in this article. Inorganic salts are used as raw materials in this study. It is found that the amount of acid has great influence on the stability and particle diameter distribution of the precursor sols. Ultrasonic treatment is used to prepare alumina sol at room temperature. The result of 27 Al NMR shows that there exist Al 13 7+ species in the sol. By controlling the sol particles with narrow particle diameter distribution, alumina, titania and silica-alumina (SA) materials with narrow mesoporous distribution are formed by regular packing of sol particles during gelation without using any templates. The results also show that the structure and particle diameter distribution of precursor sol determine the final materials’ texture.
Bromine and Bromamine Disinfection Chemistry

The chemistry of bromine as a water disinfectant is analyzed. A logarithmic pH versus bromine-ammonia mole ratio distribution diagram for bromine and the bromamines is presented for 10 -4 M aqueous bromine solutions. Ultraviolet absorption spectra were used to identify the principal bromamine species initially formed as well as to follow the apparent second and third order decomposition of dibromamine and tribromamine, respectively. In the neutral pH range, tribromamine forms in solutions with mole ratios of ammonia to bromine less than 2:3 while dibromamine occurs at ratios greater than 2:3. A mechanism is proposed which accounts for the rapid rates of decomposition between dibromamine and tribromamine in the breakpoint region. Known variations of sporicidal and virucidal efficiencies as a function of pH, time and ammonia to bromine ratios are correlated with changes in the chemical species in solution.