Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHANGES IN BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF RADISH (Raphanus sativus L.) UNDER COPPER TOXICITY

The effect of copper stress on the biochemical content of Raphanus sativus L. were studied. The plants were grown in pots containing the soil with different concentrations of copper (0, 50, 100, 150,200 and 250 mg kg-1). Five replicates were maintained for each level. Biochemical contents such as total sugar, starch, amino acid, proline and protein) contents were analyzed on 45th day. Biochemical contents such as total sugar, starch, amino acid and protein were increased in low level of copper (50 mg kg-1) and decreased in high level of copper in the soil (100-250 mg kg-1). But the proline content increased in high level of copper in the soil (100-250 mg kg-1) when compared to control and 50 mg kg-1.
Chemical, Physico-Chemical and Sensory Evaluation of Moringa - Plantain Flour

This study investigated the effect of the addition of Moringa leaf powder on the nutrient composition, antinutrient content, functional and pasting properties of the plantain flours, and sensory evaluation of their corresponding stiff dough (“Amala”). The stiff plantain doughs were produced using plantain flour substituted with different levels of Moringa leaf powder, ranging from 0-15 % at the interval of 2.5 %. The proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, crude fiber, and carbohydrate) and antinutrient content (tannin, oxalate, and saponin) were determined according to the methods described by Association of Official Analytical Chemist. The mineral content was analysed using flame photometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed that addition of Moringa leaf powder increased the moisture, fat, ash, crude fiber and protein, contents, but reduced the carbohydrate content of the plantain flours. The inclusion of Moringa caused the reduction in Na, K and P contents and increased the quantities of Ca, Mg, and Fe in the fortified samples. Similarly, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and the least gelation concentration of the supplemented flours increased, and their bulk density, swelling power, and solubility decreased with increase in Moringa substitution. The antinutrient content of the flour also increased (oxalate, 0.54-0.74 %; phytate, 0.60-0.83 %; saponin, 1.549-1.62 %; tannin, 0.43-0.60 %) after compositing. Fortification reduced the pasting (peak, breakdown, final and setback) viscosity and increased the time and temperature of attaining peak viscosity. The Original Research Article Ilelaboye; AFSJ, 6(4): 1-12, 2019; Article no.AFSJ. 45796 2 result of sensory evaluation for the fortified “Amala” revealed that 2.5 % to 5 % Moringa leaf powder supplementation for plantain flour was equally rated, and are sufficient to improve the proximate and mineral composition of plantain flour “Amala” without having a significant negative impact on the sensory properties.
EARLINET evaluation of the CATS L2 aerosol backscatter coefficient product

Abstract. We present the evaluation activity of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) for the quantitative assessment of the Level 2 aerosol backscatter coefficient product derived by the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The study employs correlative CATS and EARLINET backscatter measurements within 50 km distance between the ground station and the ISS overpass and as close in time as possible, typically within 90 min, from February 2015 to September 2016. The results demonstrate the good agreement of CATS Level 2 backscatter coefficient and EARLINET. Three ISS overpasses close to the EARLINET stations of Leipzig-Germany, Évora-Portugal and Dushanbe-Tajikistan are analysed here to demonstrate the performance of CATS lidar system under different conditions. The results show that under cloud-free, relative homogeneous aerosol conditions CATS is in good agreement with EARLINET, independently of daytime/nighttime conditions. CATS low negative biases, partially attributed to the deficiency of lidar systems to detect tenuous aerosol layers of backscatter signal below the minimum detection thresholds, may lead to systematic deviations and slight underestimations of the total Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in climate studies. In addition, CATS misclassification of aerosol layers as clouds, and vice versa, in cases of coexistent and/or adjacent aerosol and cloud features, may lead to non-representative, unrealistic and cloud contaminated aerosol profiles. The distributions of backscatter coefficient biases show the relatively good agreement between the CATS and EARLINET measurements, although on average underestimations are observed, 22.3 % during daytime and 6.1 % during nighttime.
Esporos de bactérias aeróbias são bons indicadores da eficiência do tratamento de água? Um estudo exploratório

RESUMO Apresentam-se e discutem-se neste trabalho os resultados do monitoramento de esporos de bactérias aeróbias em uma estação de tratamento de água de ciclo completo em escala real. Os esporos foram removidos de forma consistente e efetiva ao longo das etapas do tratamento, somando cerca de 3 log em média no ciclo completo. A etapa de clarificação da água (decantação e filtração) foi a principal responsável pela remoção de esporos: 0,65 log na decantação e 1,71 log na filtração, em valores médios. Os esporos mostraram-se resistentes à cloração, mas ainda assim foi alcançada inativação média de 0,8 log. Infere-se que esporos de bactérias aeróbias são bons indicadores da eficiência do tratamento da água em ciclo completo (clarificação e desinfecção por cloração) e exibem potencial de uso como indicadores da remoção/inativação (clarificação e desinfecção por cloração) de cistos de Giardia e de remoção por clarificação de oocistos de Cryptosporidium.
Experimental Investigation of Oxy-coal Combustion in a 15 kWth Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor

Pressurized oxy-coal combustion is considered as a promising carbon capture technology as a result of its potential of high efficiency and low cost in CO2 capture. However, experimental investigations of oxy-coal combustion under pressurized conditions are far less common than those under atmospheric pressure conditions, and hence, further research is needed to elucidate the effects of pressure on oxy-coal combustion in terms of combustion performance, emissions, etc. In this study, a series of oxy-coal combustion experiments were carried out under the pressures from 0.1 to 0.4 MPa on a 15 kWth fluidized bed combustion system. The effects of the combustion pressure and oxygen concentration in the oxidant on the temperature profile, unburnt carbon, combustion efficiency, fly ash composition, and NOx emission were investigated. The experimental results have shown that the CO2 concentration in the oxy-combustion flue gas under different combustion pressures have all exceeded 90%, which is beneficial to the c.
A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SELF APPLIED DENTIFRICE CONTAINING BIOMIN-F, A DENTIFRICE CONTAINING NOVAMIN AND A HERBAL DENTIFRICE CONTAINING POTASSIUM NITRATE AND SPINACH ON DENTINAL HYPERSENSITIVITY-AN IN VITRO RANDOMISED DOUBLE BLIND SEM STUDY

Introduction: Tooth hypersensitivity, or more precisely dentine sensitivity or hypersensitivity is described clinically as an exaggerated response to non-noxious stimuli and satisfies all the criteria to be classified as a true pain syndrome. Aim: To evaluate the occluding effect of three self-applied commercially available dentifrices containing Novamin, dentifrices containing Biomin-F and dentifrices containing potassium nitrate and spinach under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Design: In this study, 10 sound extracted third molars were selected for all three groups and sectioned.Out of all the sections, 30 specimens were taken.The specimens were then divided into three groups with 10 specimens in each group, which were Group 1 - Novamin, Group 2- Biomin-F, Group 3 - Hiora-k (contains spinach and potassium nitrate)respectively. In all three groups, dentifrice were applied to the specimens with the help of a micro brush, left for 2 minutes and then lightly rinsed away with distilled water, they were mounted on SEM stub. Data obtained was analysed using ANOVA test followed by tukey’s post hoc analysis. Results: There was a significant difference observed between the 3 groups for all the variables except for total number of tubules. Conclusion: BIOMIN-F containing dentifrice was found to produce more completely occluded tubules than dentifrice containing Novamin and Hiora-K on initial application. Number of closed tubules was almost similar in the specimens treated with Novamin and Hiora-K. Novamin containing dentifrice was found to produce more number of partially occluded tubules than BIOMIN-F and Hiora-k.
Method for predicting lignocellulose components in jute by transformed FT-NIR spectroscopic data and chemometrics

Abstract In this investigation, a nondestructive technique has been developed for determining chemical composition of jute fiber by chemometric modeling with pretreated FT-NIR spectroscopic data. The chemical composition of jute fibers in wet chemical method were, 58 to 61.80 % α-cellulose, 13.0 to 21.90 % lignin, 9.89 to 16.8 % pentosan and 79.02 to 88.33 % holocellulose. FT-NIR spectral data from range 9000–4000 cm−1 of all jute samples were collected from the instrument. Spectral data of jute samples were pretreated with second order derivatives (SOD), standard normal variate (SNV) techniques and both together were used before calibration. Two chemometric calibration techniques: partial least square regression (PLSR) and artificial neural network (ANN) were assessed for predicting chemical compositions of Jute fibers. Result shows that prediction efficiency ( R 2 {\text{R}^{2}}) of ANN varies from 72–99 % for calibration, validation and test datasets. However, by PLSR, R 2 {\text{R}^{2}} are much higher and consistent than those by earlier one. For α-cellulose, lignin, pentosan and holocellulose R 2 {\text{R}^{2}} values hover around 95–99 %. Thereby, a non-destructive, simple and cost effective novel method is being proposed to determine chemical compositions of jute with pretreated FT-NIR spectral data and chemometric calibration techniques.
Experimental and computational studies on induced thermochromic effect and re-entrant smectic phase in linear double hydrogen-bonded binary liquid crystal mixtures

ABSTRACT Design and synthesis of the hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline (HBLC) mixtures are accomplished from diglycolic acid and 4-n-alkoxybenzoic acid (n = 9–12). Spectroscopic characterization such as UV–Vis, FT-IR, and DSC has supported the presence of molecular geometry of HBLC mixtures. Thermochromic effect is analyzed for the polarizing filter applications. Induced new phases (Smectic X and Smectic Cr) and their first-order transitions are confirmed through DSC along with its corresponding textures using polarizing optical microscope. Furthermore, the induced re-entrant smectic ordering due to the lone pair to π* transition is reported using density functional theory (DFT) studies. Dipole moment studies (DFT) clearly give a strong evidence of the existence of nematic and smectic phases due to the monopole–dipole interaction in the present HBLC mixtures. Band gap of the present HBLCs is 5.175 eV, which is calculated by the HOMO–LUMO analysis and is validated using experimental observations. Liquid crystal parameters such as transition temperature, enthalpy values, stability factor and tilt angles are reported.
Effects of calcination temperature on organic functional groups of TiO2 and the adsorption performance of the TiO2 for methylene blue

ABSTRACT Herein, TiO2 was prepared by the hydrolysis method in critic acid (with both carboxyl and hydroxyl groups) solution firstly. And then, the as-prepared TiO2 was calcined at 50, 150, 250, 350, and 450°C, respectively, in order to investigate the effects of the calcination temperature on the physicochemical property and the adsorption performance of TiO2. The adsorption performance of the prepared TiO2 samples for cationic dye-Methylene Blue (MB) was also studied. The results indicated that high calcination temperature can destroy the organic moieties on the TiO2 samples and further influence the adsorption performance of TiO2 for the removal of cationic dye-MB.
Influence of Concentrations of Methacrylate and Acrylate Monomers on the Properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Materials

Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding different concentrations of 2 hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), ethyl methacrylate (EA) and isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA) monomers on the structural, thermal and mechanical properties of a fiber reinforced heat-polymerized acrylic resin. For each test, 126 acrylic resin specimens were fabricated and divided into 6 groups with 7 specimens each. One group was the control group, the other one is a fiber reinforced group and others were the test groups, which were formed according to the different concentrations of monomers. 6 mm length, and the weight ratio of 3% short glass fibers are added to acrylic powder polymerized by heating. The 2%, 5%, 10%, at 20 % ratios of different comonomers added to a monomer of MMA are composed of copolymer structures. Flexural strength was assessed with a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine. Impact strength testing was conducted using an impact test machine by the Charpy method. The analysis of the connection between acrylic resin and fiber by SEM and structural changes in the acrylic resin was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. Data analyses using analysis of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (α=0.05) significant difference tests showed that adding 2%, 5% HEMA and IBMA monomers significantly increased the flexural and impact strength compared to the control, only fiber and others group (P< 0.05). It is observed that the process of adding low concentration of HEMA and IBMA monomers improved certain mechanical properties of fiber reinforced with polymethylmethacrylate.
Thermodynamic Study of L-alanine in Aqueous Solutions of 1-Hexyl-3-Methylimidazolium Ibuprofenate as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Ionic Liquid (API-IL)

The present work reported density, viscosity, speed of sound, electrical conductivity and refractive index data of L-alanine in the aqueous solutions of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ibuprofenate at T= 298.15 K. Using the measured data, partial molar volume of transfer ( ), partial molar isentropic compressibility of transfer ( ), viscosity B-coefficient of transfer (∆traB), ion association constant (KA) and molar refraction (RD) quantities were calculated. The obtained parameters provide the information about the solvation properties of aqueous solutions of L-alanine in the presence of [HMIm][Ibu]. The positive values of , and ∆traB are indicative of the ion-polar and polar-polar interactions between [HMIm][Ibu] and L-alanine. In addition, decreeing the KA values with addition of L-alanine to the [HMIm][Ibu] solutions suggests that the ion pair formation don’t proceed spontaneously at higher concentration of amino acid.
Fabrication of hierarchical hybrid nanostructured electrodes based on nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes for Li-Ion batteries

Cette these est consacree a la fabrication ascendante (bottom-up) de materiaux nanostructures hybrides hierarchises a base de nanotubes de carbone alignes verticalement (VACNTs) decores par des nanoparticules (NPs). En fonction de leur utilisation comme cathode ou anode, des nanoparticules de soufre (S) ou silicium (Si) ont ete deposees. En raison de leur structure unique et de leurs proprietes electroniques, les VACNTs agissent comme une matrice de support et un excellent collecteur de courant, ameliorant ainsi les voies de transport electroniques et ioniques. La nanostructuration et le contact du S avec un materiau hote conducteur ameliore sa conductivite, tandis que la nanostructuration du Si permet d'accommoder plus facilement les variations de volume pendant les reactions electrochimiques. Dans la premiere partie de la these, nous avons synthetise des VACNTs par une methode de depot chimique en phase vapeur (HF-CVD) directement sur des fines feuilles commerciales d'aluminium et de cuivre sans aucun pretraitement des substrats. Dans la deuxieme partie, nous avons decore les parois laterales des VACNTs avec differents materiaux d'electrode, dont des nanoparticules de S et de Si. Nous avons egalement depose et caracterise des nanoparticules de nickel (Ni) sur les VACNTs en tant que materiaux alternatifs pour l'electrode positive. Aucun additif conducteur ou aucun liant polymere n'a ete ajoute a la composition d'electrode. La decoration des nanotubes de carbone a ete effectuee par deux methodes differentes: methode humide par electrodeposition et methode seche (par depot physique en phase vapeur (PVD) ou par CVD). Les structures hybrides obtenues ont ete testees electrochimiquement separement dans une pile bouton contre une contre-electrode de lithium. A notre connaissance, il s'agit de la premiere etude de l'evaporation du soufre sur les VACNTs et de la structure resultante (appelee ici S@VACNTs). Des essais preliminaires sur les cathodes nanostructurees obtenues (S@VACNTs revetus d'alumine ou de polyaniline) ont montre qu'il est possible d'atteindre une capacite specifique proche de la capacite theorique du soufre. La capacite surfacique de S@VACNTs, avec une masse de S de 0.76 mg cm-2, a un regime C/20 atteint une capacite de 1.15 mAh cm-2 au premier cycle. Pour les anodes nanostructurees au silicium (Si@VACNTs), avec une masse de Si de 4.11 mg cm-2, on montre une excellente capacite surfacique de 12.6 mAh cm-2, valeur la plus elevee pour les anodes a base de silicium nanostructurees obtenues jusqu'a present. Dans la derniere partie de la these, les electrodes nanostructurees fabriquees ont ete assemblees afin de realiser la batterie complete (Li2S/Si) et sa performance electrochimique a ete testee. Les capacites surfaciques obtenues pour les electrodes nanostructurees de S et de Si ouvrent la voie a la realisation d'une LIB a haute densite d'energie, entierement nanostructuree, et demontrent le grand potentiel du concept propose a base d'electrodes nanostructurees hybrides hierarchisees.
Teaching knowledge and teacher competencies: a case study of Turkish preservice English teachers

What is the relationship between preservice teachers’ teaching knowledge and self‐rating of competencies and their practicum experience? The participants of this study are fourth year students in the Department of English Language Education of the Faculty of Education, Mugla University, Turkey. Three data collection instruments were used: the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT), the Teacher Competency Scale, and an open‐ended questionnaire based on the sub‐dimensions of the TKT test. The questionnaire, given to the student teachers at the end of their teaching practicum, aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses preservice English teachers perceived during their real classroom experiences. The results of the TKT and Teacher Competency Scale showed that student teachers acquired means above the average. However, the qualitative data indicate that the scores obtained were not reflected in their actual classroom teaching.
Integrated instrumentation for combined laser-induced breakdown and Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is capable of providing elemental analysis while Raman spectroscopy is powerful for molecular and structural characteristics of crystalline substances. This work proposes an innovative hybridized instrument to simultaneously obtain molecular and elemental information on an analyte. The instrument was designed in a compact form due to the integration of a modularized structure and a single unified control system, which was ultimately restricted to a size of 420 mm × 520 mm × 650 mm, suitable for field applications. An orthogonal optical system was used to focus the laser beams and obtain the spectra and real-time imaging of the tested area. A pulsed laser (1064 nm, 100 mJ, 1–20 Hz) and a continuous-wave laser (532 nm, 22 mW) were applied for LIBS and Raman measurements, respectively. The multichannel original equipment manufactured spectrometer ensures a wide spectral range (185–850 nm for LIBS and 400–4000 cm−1 for Raman) on the basis of its low weight. A central control circuit board was specially developed by integrating the control command and data transmission to achieve centralized control of the components, thereby providing precise timing control and improving the instrument. The enclosed sample chamber had the function of mapping and shielding the fill gas. The developed client software provided a comprehensive operation interface. Ammonium persulfate and carbonate were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the developed hybrid instrument to obtain the element and molecular structural information of analytes.
Production and characterization of bioethanol from Solanum lycopersicum stalk hydrolysates by the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisae

The limited oil reserves, pollution concerns, global warming has led to an increased financial support for sustainable and environmental friendly sources of energy. In the last decades there is an increasing interest in the development of the bioethanol production from lignocellulosic residues, which do not compete directly with food. However, the low efficient conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels hinders its success hence the need to constantly explore new, cheap and readily available raw materials. In this work, the capability of typed strains of Z. mobilis, S. cerevisiae as well as the co culture of Z. mobilis and S. cerevisiae (1:1) to produce ethanol by saccharification and fermentation process from tomato stalk was investigated and compared. The results shows the optimal ethanol yield of 4.00, 6.70 and 10.97% (v/v) was obtained from S. cerevisiae, Z. mobilis and the co culture of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis after 6 days of fermentation. The combination of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis yielded the highest ethanol when compared with the yields obtained when the organisms were used separately since the combination of the bacteria and yeast undergoes EMP and ED pathways which converts sugar into alcohol. The identity of the produced ethanol was confirmed by its density and IR spectrum. The results of this study suggest that agro waste should no longer be discarded but converted to useful products like bioethanol since it contains fermentable sugars.