Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by Fe3+ doped TiO2 supported on natural zeolite using response surface methodology

The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was investigated with TiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles supported on natural zeolite. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, XRF, FT-IR, EDX, FE-SEM, and BET analyses. The results of XRD, FT-IR, and EDX confirmed the successful loading of Fe3+ doped TiO2 nanoparticles on natural zeolite. Further, the FE-SEM results confirmed the deposition of TiO2/Fe2O3 on the zeolite, with the approximate particle size being 52.3 nm. According to the XRF results, the synthesized nanoparticles had Fe3+/TiO2 molar ratios of 0.06 in the synthesized photocatalyst. Based on BET analysis, the surface area of TiO2/Fe3+/natural zeolite was about 112.69 m2/g. The effects of operational factors such as pH (6-10), dye concentration (25-75 mg/L) and H2O2 concentration (10-40 mg/L) were considered and optimized via response surface methodology utilizing Box-Behnken design. The optimization results indicated that the maximum percentage of degradation was achieved at a dye concentration of 25 mg/L, initial pH of 10, and H2O2 concentration of 40 mg/L with a 90 min irradiation time and a 1 g/l photocatalyst concentration. The dye degradation efficiency reached 92% under this optimum condition.
Subjective performance evaluation and managerial work outcomes

Organisations design performance evaluation systems to obtain desired work outcomes. This study analyses how subjective performance evaluation (SPE), a specific type of performance evaluation, is related to managerial work outcomes—turnover intention, organisational identification, and performance. To this end, we consider two possible mechanisms: feedback quality and trust in the supervisor. Moreover, we also consider whether adding objective performance measures to SPE alters these relationships. Based on questionnaire responses from 751 top executives and middle managers in small and medium enterprises, we find that SPE is negatively related to feedback quality, but this effect is mitigated when SPE is used jointly with objective performance measures. SPE is not directly related to trust in the supervisor when feedback quality is also considered in the analysis because the two mechanisms are inter-related—we find a positive relationship between feedback quality and trust in the supervisor. Both mechanisms are negatively related to turnover intention, but only trust in the supervisor is positively related to organisational identification. Finally, both turnover intention and organisational identification are positively related to performance. Our findings suggest that companies using SPE can improve work outcomes by adding objective performance measures to their performance evaluation system.
Nanoscale tungsten nitride/nitrogen-doped carbon as an efficient non-noble metal catalyst for hydrogen and oxygen recombination at room temperature in nickel–iron batteries

A nanoscale tungsten nitride/nitrogen-doped carbon (WN/NC) catalyst was synthesized through a facile route, and it exhibited efficient catalytic performance for hydrogen and oxygen recombination at room temperature with an average catalytic velocity of 140 μmol h−1 gcat−1 and long catalytic life of 954 660 s without decay in the catalytic performance. With the WN/NC catalyst, a nickel–iron battery could be sealed and maintenance-free, and it also exhibited low cost; thus, the nickel–iron battery can be used for large-scale energy storage systems in rural/remote areas.
Experimental and theoretical evaluation of some synthesized imidazolidine derivatives as novel corrosion inhibitors for X60 steel in 1 M HCl solution

Abstract Three imidazolidine derivatives, namely, 1, 4–diazaspiro [4, 5] decane (DSD), 6–methyl–1, 4–diazaspiro [4, 5] decane (MDSD) and 2–methyl–2–phenethyl imidazolidine (MPI) have been synthesized and investigated herein as novel corrosion inhibitors for API 5L X60 steel alloy in 1 M HCl solution using electrochemical techniques (OCP, EIS, LPR and PDP) complemented with quantum chemical calculations. At room temperature under naturally aerated conditions, the imidazolidine derivatives do not alter the corrosion mechanism of the steel alloy but greatly enhance the resistance to the acid corrosion by strongly lowering the capacitance of charge at the steel–solution interface. This results in increase resistance to charge transfer leading to decrease in both anodic and cathodic half-reactions. The imidazolidine derivatives functioned as mixed–type inhibitors during the electrochemical acid corrosion of the steel. MPI with an alkylphenyl substituent exhibited the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency and the attachment of a methyl group to the cyclohexyl substituent of DSD provided improved efficiency than MDSD. Quantum chemical descriptors such as the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (, the energy of the lowest occupied molecular orbital (, the energy gap , dipole moment (, electronegativity , global hardness , softness , fraction of electrons transferred , and electrophilicity index have been calculated and discussed. With inhibition efficiency reaching 80%, the imidazolidine molecules prove to be promising inhibitors for the acid corrosion of steel in 1 M HCl solution.
Effect of the Surface Morphology of Zinc Oxide Particles on their Radiation Stability

The effect of protons exposure on the diffuse reflectance spectra of the zinc oxide with different shape particles has been investigated. Particles were micro-, nanocrystals, star and flower shape particles. The synthesis of the particles was carried out by the hydrothermal method using zinc acetate chemicals. The surface morphology, surface area and crystal structure of the particles have been investigated. Evaluating the changes in spectral reflectance it was found that the radiation stability of the micro particles is higher than the radiation stability of the other nanostructured particles. The high stability of the micro particles optical properties is due to the effect of low accumulation of radiation-induced defects.
RESPONSE OF POT MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis L.) TO DIFFERENT APPLICATION METHODS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF SEAWEED EXTRACT

This research study was carried out in the open field during the two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The aim of this investigation was to study the response of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) to different application methods and concentrations of seaweed extracts applied as a commercial compound. Seven treatments were initiated, i.e. three concentrations of seaweed extracts (500, 1000, 1500) were used either as foliar spray or as soil drench in addition to the control treatment (tap water). Results indicated that foliar spray with 1500 ppm of seaweed extract increased significantly plant height, number of flowers per plant and vase life in the two tested seasons. However, foliar spray with the lowest concentration of seaweed extract (500 ppm) resulted in significant increments in flower stalk length, flower diameter and carbohydrates content. Moreover, the same concentration showed significant increases in total carotenoids, nitrogen, and phosphorus percentage when used as soil drench in the two tested seasons.
Vertically Standing MnO2 Nanowalls Grown on AgCNT-Modified Carbon Fibers for High-Performance Supercapacitors

Large-scale ultrathin γ-MnO2 nanosheets form a continuous wall-like enclosed network directly grown onto the surface of carbon cloth (CC) fibers. In a simple green electrochemical deposition process, the CCs were pretreated under acid condition and subsequently attached by carbon nanotubes with silver nanoparticles (AgCNTs), forming a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical heterostructure of MnO2-decorated AgCNT CC fibers (MnO2-AgCNT-CC). The structure, phase purity, and morphology of the samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical techniques. The MnO2-AgCNT-CC composite had high specific capacitance (up to 325 F/g at 1 A/g) and long cycle-life stability. These outstanding electrochemical characteristics were attributed to the unique 3D porous MnO2 nanowalls and AgCNT composites, increasing ion-accessible surf.
HO2 reaction kinetics in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet determined by cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Hydroperoxyl ( HO 2 ) is detected in the effluent of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (PJ) by cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy. Laser radiation at 1506.4 nm is used to determine HO 2 concentrations directly in the plasma effluent at atmospheric pressure as well as indirectly after sampling through a pinhole and expanding to 5.33 kPa . To unravel the HO 2 reaction kinetics, the argon feed gas is humidified and the PJ is equipped with a gas curtain device that controls the surrounding atmosphere. Varying the curtain gas composition from pure nitrogen to pure oxygen leads to a five to six-fold increase in HO 2 concentrations towards higher oxygen concentrations. A reaction kinetics model considering near-field and far-field reactions describes the reaction pathways that determine the hydroperoxyl concentration and is in good agreement with the measurements at both low and atmospheric pressure.
Effects of Jamming Attacks on Wireless Networked Control Systems Under Disturbance

Jamming attacks on wireless networked control systems are investigated for the scenarios where the system dynamics face exogenous disturbance. In particular, the control input packets are assumed to be transmitted from a controller to a remotely located linear plant over an insecure wireless communication channel that is subject to jamming attacks. The time-varying likelihood of transmission failures on this channel depends on the power of the jamming interference signal emitted by an attacker. We show that jamming attacks can prevent stability when the system faces disturbance, even if the attacked system without disturbance is stable. We also show that stability under jamming and disturbance can be achieved if the average jamming interference power is restricted in a certain way that we characterize in this article. We illustrate our results on an example networked control system with a fading wireless channel, where the outage probability is affected by jamming attacks.
PREPARATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOSCALE POROUS CARBON ELECTRODE MATERIALS BASED ON RICE PLANT SOOT

Supercapacitors are a kind of novel energy storage devices with long cycle stability and high power density. Electrode materials selection is one of the key factors that affect the properties of supercapacitors. Biomass-derived electrode materials – being low cost, renewable and environmentally friendly – are therefore attracting researchers’ attention. In this work, we adopted a simple process of carbonization and activation with rice plant soot, a common biomass material, as carbon source, and finally obtained the nanoscale porous carbon electrode (NPCE) materials. Then, the electrochemical properties of the as-prepared NPCE materials were tested in 6 M KOH, and the results indicated that the specific capacitance could reach 216 Fg−1. Therefore, this low-cost, highly efficient technique is a significant milepost towards environmentally sustainable and commercially feasible fabrication of carbon electrode materials from biomass sources.
Preparation of a molecularly imprinted polymer based chemiluminescence sensor for the determination of amantadine and rimantadine in meat

The residues of amantadine and rimantadine in foods of animal origin are dangerous to consumers. This study used adamantane as the dummy template for the first time to synthesize a molecularly imprinted polymer capable of simultaneously recognizing amantadine and rimantadine. This polymer was used as the recognition reagent to prepare a chemiluminescence sensor on the conventional 96-well microtiter plate for the determination of the two drugs in chicken and pork samples. The results showed that one test could be finished within 20 min, and the sensor could be reused 6 times. Due to the 4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenol enhanced luminol–H2O2 signal system, the limit of detection for the two analytes was 1.0 pg mL−1. The recoveries of the two analytes from the standard fortified blank meat samples were in the range of 67.2–93.5%. Therefore, the sensor could be used as a simple, rapid, sensitive, specific and recyclable tool for the routine monitoring of the residues of amantadine and rimantadine in meat.
Extraction and Determination of Amygdaline in Iraqi Plant Seeds Using the Combined Simple Extraction Procedure and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract :In this study, amygdaline in Iraqi plant seeds was extracted and isolated from their seeds matrix using reflux procedure and subsequently identified and determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on reversed phase column of LC-18 (150mm x 4.6mm, 5? m )with actonitrile :water ( 50 : 50 ) as mobile phase at flow rate of ( 0.5 mL/min ) and detection at wavelength of 215 nm.The experimental results indicated that the linearity of calibration is in the range of 1.0-30.0 mg L-1amygdaline with the correlation coefficient of 0.9949. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for amygdaline were of 0.88 and 2.93 mg L-1 in standard pure sample. The mean recovery percent is 97.34±0.58 at 95% confidence interval and relative standard deviation in the range of 1.19-2.08 %. The content of amygdaline in plant samples was 4.60± 0.47 g /100 g, and 0.27±0.029 g/100g of apricot and citrullus colocynth respectively.
Evaluation of dentinal tubule occlusion using a desensitizing toothpaste and mouthwash for a period of 60 days: Scanning electron microscopy analysis

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the dentinal tubule occlusion using a desensitizing toothpaste, mouthwash, and their combination for a period of 60 days under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: A total of 120 extracted premolars were collected, cleaned of gross debris, and sectioned labiolingually to obtain 60 mesial and distal surfaces. Smear layer was removed by etching the blocks in 6% citric acid for 2 min and rinsed in distilled water. The specimens were divided into four groups with a control group, mouthwash, toothpaste, and their combination groups brushed twice daily for 60 days. The sections were viewed under SEM to detect the percentage of tubule occlusion. Groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: The toothpaste group showed better tubule occlusion followed by the combination and mouthwash group (P > 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between all the three groups. All the groups showed complete tubule occlusion on the 28th, 45th, and 60th day. Conclusions: The dentin tubule occlusion was in the order: toothpaste group > combination group > mouthwash group. Maximum dentine tubule occlusion was found by the 28th day in all the groups.
Study of Argon Electroluminescence Light Yield using Data from DarkSide-50

Since the secondary scintillation signals of dual phase Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detectors are produced through noble gas electroluminescence, a comprehensive understanding of electroluminescence is essential for the design and simulation of a future detector. In this dissertation, I determine a fundamental property, the field dependence of light yield, of argon electroluminescence, using data from DarkSide-50 (DS-50), a detector designed for direct detection of dark matter. The analysis requires a good understanding of the detector geometry in the secondary scintillation region of DS-50. However, deformations of the detector components are implied by the data, and they cannot be directly measured. I thus determine the field dependence under two hypotheses for the deformations. The results obtained by applying the different hypotheses have systematic differences, but are close to each other and agree with the results from other studies. The results from this study are applied to predict the secondary scintillation light yield and its stability for different design schemes for DarkSide-20k (DS-20k), the next generation of DarkSide detector.
Utilization of Vegetable Waste Powder in Formulation Some Egyptian Common Foods

The trimming wastes of some vegetables such as external leaves of lettuce, alcapucci, cabbage, cauliflower (stem & leaves) and artichoke (leaves and outside bracts) were utilized to prepare vegetable waste powder (VWP). Gross chemical composition, dietary fiber, mineral content, bioactive components, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity were studied. Also the utilization of this powder in preparing some Egyptian common foods, such as Falafel, Jew ̓s mallow stew (Mulukhiya), lentil soup and Bessara as well as some bakery products such as cake and biscuits (Menain) was studied and evaluated from the organoleptic point of view. The results showed that the VWP contained higher amount of protein, dietary fiber, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and flavonoids. The methanolic extract of powder had antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The results also showed that all the prepared products containing the different percentages of VWP were well accepted by the panelists.
Impact of Protein Corona on the Biological Identity of Nanomedicine: Understanding the Fate of Nanomaterials in the Biological Milieu

Nanoparticles (NPs) in contact with a biological medium are rapidly comprehended by a number of protein molecules resulting in the formation of an NP–protein complex called protein corona (PC). The cell sees the protein-coated NPs as the synthetic identity is masked by protein surfacing. The PC formation ultimately has a substantial impact on various biological processes including drug release, drug targeting, cell recognition, biodistribution, cellular uptake, and therapeutic efficacy. Further, the composition of PC is largely influenced by the physico-chemical properties of NPs viz. the size, shape, surface charge, and surface chemistry in the biological milieu. However, the change in the biological responses of the new substrate depends on the quantity of protein access by the NPs. The PC-layered NPs act as new biological entities and are recognized as different targeting agents for the receptor-mediated ingress of therapeutics in the biological cells. The corona-enveloped NPs have both pros and cons in the biological system. The review provides a brief insight into the impact of biomolecules on nanomaterials carrying cargos and their ultimate fate in the biological milieu.
Coffee Bioactive N-Methylpyridinium Attenuates Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Mediated Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Human Adipocytes

Although coffee consumption has been historically associated with negative health outcomes, recent evidence suggests a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes among regular coffee drinkers. Among the plethora of minor organic compounds assessed as potential mediators of coffee health benefits, trigonelline and its pyrolysis product N-methylpyridinium (NMP) were preliminary shown to promote glucose uptake and exert anti-adipogenic properties. Against this background, we aimed at characterizing the effects of trigonelline and NMP in inflamed and dysfunctional human adipocytes. Human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes were treated with NMP or, for comparison, trigonelline, for 5 h before stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. NMP at concentrations as low as 1 µmol/L reduced the stimulated expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including C-C Motif chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, C-X-C Motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-10, and intercellular adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1, but left the induction of prostaglandin G/H synthase (PTGS)2, interleukin (IL)-1β, and colony stimulating factor (CSF)1 unaffected. Furthermore, NMP restored the downregulated expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ). These effects were functionally associated with downregulation of the adhesion of monocytes to inflamed adipocytes. Under the same conditions, NMP also reversed the TNF-α-mediated suppression of insulin-stimulated Ser473 Akt phosphorylation and attenuated the induction of TNF-α-stimulated lipolysis restoring cell fat content. In an attempt to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms of its action, we show that NMP restores the expression of the master regulator of adipocyte differentiation peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and downregulates activation of the pro-inflammatory mitogen-activated protein jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In conclusion, NMP reduces adipose dysfunction in pro-inflammatory activated adipocytes. These data suggest that bioactive NMP in coffee may improve the inflammatory and dysmetabolic milieu associated with obesity.
Rapid RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Some Antidiabetics; Metformin, Gliclazide and Glimepiride in Tablets.

An isocratic RP-HPLC method has been developed for rapid and simultaneous separation and estimation of three antidiabetics drugs, metformin, gliclazide and glimepiride in tablet dosage forms within 6 minutes. Separation was carried out on a Thermo Scientific® BDS Hypersil C8 column (5µm, 2.50 x 4.60 mm) using a mobile phase of MeOH : 0.025M KH2PO4 adjusted to pH 3.20 using ortho - phosphoric acid (70 : 30, v/v) at ambient temperature. The flow rate was 1 mL/min and UV detection was set at 235 nm. The retention time of metformin, gliclazide and glimepiride was noted to be 3.06, 4.33 and 6.00 minutes respectively, indicating a very short analysis time rather than other reported methods. Also, limits of detection were reported to be 0.05, 1.21 and 0.11 µg/mL for metformin, gliclazide and glimepiride, respectively, showing a high degree of the method sensitivity. The method was then validated according to ICH guidelines where it was found to be accurate, reproducible and robust. Finally, the method was compared statistically with reference methods indicating that there is no significant difference between them in respect of precision and accuracy.
Application of Optimal Control to Inversion of Self-Potential Data: Theory and Synthetic Examples

Last decades, there has been an increased interest in the use of the self-potential (SP) method in hydrogeophysics. In response to this strong interest, we develop a novel approach to the inversion of SP data. Mathematically, the SP inverse problem is the source identification problem for the Poisson equation. Our approach substantially differs from the standard regularization approach, which explicitly includes the forward-problem operator into the cost functional. We formulated the inverse problem is as an optimal control (OC) problem and then translate it into a variational system. The system is approximated in suitable finite-element (FE) spaces giving rise to an algebraic problem with the saddle point structure. In contrast to the standard approach, which leads to a dense linear system, our method results in a system with a sparse block matrix. It can be efficiently solved by either direct sparse solvers or preconditioned iterative solvers. In this article, we present the formulation of the problem and its FE approximation. We discuss the iterative solution and preconditioning strategies. Our software implementation is based on an industrial FE package. We also present a numerical experiment with node-based linear FEs on tetrahedral grids. Our results suggest that the proposed approach may serve as a rapid and reliable tool for large-scale SP inverse problems. Moreover, the same technique can easily be extended to a wide range of geophysical linear inverse problems, such as inversions of magnetic and gravity data.