Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of elevated As on leaf breakdown in an Appalachian headwater stream

Abstract A headwater stream adjacent to an abandoned As mine was investigated to determine the influence of As on stream biota and organic matter processing using an upstream (reference reach) and downstream (mine-influenced reach) comparative approach. Field assessments of stream chemistry, macroinvertebrate abundance and composition, and leaf breakdown were coupled with laboratory experiments addressing As influences on leaf biofilm respiration. Streamwater As concentrations varied from below detection limit (2.5μg/L) in the upstream reach to >12,000 μg/L. Concentrations were low in the reference reach, increased immediately adjacent to tailing piles, and climbed significantly with distance along the mine-influenced reach. Compared to the reference reach, macroinvertebrate density (7869 vs 154 individuals/m2), shredder abundance (3340 vs 22 individuals/m2), and species richness (11.9 vs 0.8 species/sample) were significantly lower in the mine-influenced reach. For both white oak and red maple leaf packs, breakdown rates in the reference reach (k = 0.0048 and 0.009/d, respectively) were significantly greater than in the mine-influenced reach immediately downstream of waste piles (k = 0.0019 and 0.003/d) and further downstream (k = 0.0014 and 0.005/d). In one experiment, laboratory assays showed that short-term exposure to elevated As concentrations did not alter leaf biofilm respiration rates. In a 2nd experiment addressing chronic exposure, respiration rates for extant leaf biofilms in the reference reach (0.37 ± 0.01 μg O2 mg ash-free-dry-mass [AFDM]−1 h−1) were significantly greater than in the mine-influenced reach (0.29 ± 0.01 μg O2 mg AFDM−1 h−1), but rates in both reaches were typical of forested headwater streams not exposed to elevated As concentrations. Together, these data suggest that elevated As concentrations in the stream have led to altered organic matter processing not by reducing microbial activity but primarily by decreasing invertebrate densities, limiting shredder abundance, and decreasing litter breakdown rates.
Iminokohlenstoff-Dianionen der C4-Reihe mit Cyaniminofunktionen

Geeignet aktivierte Quadratsaurederivate lassen sich mit dem Anion des Cyanamids zu neuen Iminokohlenstoff-Dianionen der C4-Reihe 8 – 11 umsetzen, in denen die Sauerstoffunktionen des Quadratats sukzessive durch ein, zwei, drei oder vier Cyaniminogruppen ersetzt sind. Daneben wird die Darstellung gemischt substituierter Iminokohlenstoff-Monoanionen wie 12, 13, 25 und 26 beschrieben. Spektroskopische Daten werden diskutiert, 13C-NMR-Daten mit denen anderer Pseudooxokohlenstoffe der C3- und C4-Serie verglichen. Die Konstitution des ersten isolierbaren C4-Iminokohlenstoffs 11′ wird durch eine Rontgenstrukturanalyse belegt, die bestatigt, das 11′ analog dem Quadratat und den anderen Pseudooxokohlenstoffen der C4-Reihe ein delokalisiertes Bindungssystem besitzt. Iminocarbon Dianions of the C4-Series with Cyanoimino Groups Suitable activated squaric acid derivatives react with the anion of cyanamide to yield novel iminocarbon dianions of the C4-series 8 – 11, in which the oxygens of the squarate dianion are successively replaced by one, two, three, or four cyanoimino groups. Besides the synthesis of mixed substituted iminocaron monoanions such as 12, 13, 25, and 26 is described. Spectroscopic data are discussed, 13C NMR data are compared with those of other pseudooxocarbons of the C3- and C4-series. The structure of the first isolable C4-iminocarbon 11′ is proved by X-ray diffraction, which confirmed 11′ to be a delocalized bond system just like the squarate dianion or the other pseudooxocarbons of the C4-series.
Anxiolytic and antidepressant‐like effects of Ferulago angulata essential oil in the scopolamine rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Ferulago angulata subsp. carduchorum (Apiaceae) is a shrub indigenous to western Iran, Turkey and Iraq. In traditional medicine, F. angulata is recommended for treating digestive pains, haemorrhoids, snake bites, ulcers and as a sedative. The present study analysed the possible anxiolytic, antidepressant and antioxidant properties of F. angulata essential oil in a scopolamine-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of F. angulata essential oil were studied using in vivo (elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the amygdala was assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. The scopolamine-treated rats exhibited the following: a decrease in the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within the elevated plus-maze test and a decrease of swimming time and an increase of immobility time in the forced swimming test. Inhalation of F. angulata essential oil significantly exhibited anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and also antioxidant potential. Furthermore, in silico studies carried out by employing molecular docking experiments pointed to the existence of strong interactions of monoterpenes from F. angulata essential oil with anxiolytic and antidepressant effects with GABAA receptor. Our results suggest that the F. angulata essential oil inhalation ameliorates scopolamine-induced anxiety and depression by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat amygdala. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic and equilibrium studies on the batch removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by using natural magnetic sand

In this study, removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution using natural magnetic sand was investigated. The natural magnetic sand was characterized using an X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer, electron scanning microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm models. The results revealed that natural magnetic sand composed mainly Fe and O atoms, which overlaps with Fe2O3 structure, having a low surface area. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH, initial methylene blue concentration, contact time, and natural magnetic sand dosage. Ninety-nine percent of the methylene blue was removed from aqueous solution (250 mL) containing 50 mg/L of methylene blue at original pH of 6.5 using 40 g natural magnetic sand and 240 min mixing time. Pseudo-second-order was found to be the best defining kinetic model for the methylene blue adsorption onto natural magnetic sand. Monolayer methylene blue adsorption capacity of natural magnetic sand was found to be 1.01 mg/g using Langmuir isotherm which is best fitted with the equilibrium data. Adsorbed methylene blue onto natural magnetic sand was quantitatively desorbed using ethanol and 0.1 M HNO3 solution. This study showed that natural magnetic sand can be used as a natural, environmentally friendly, easy-to-access, and cheap adsorbent for methylene blue removal from aqueous solution.
Consequences of manganese compounds: a review

Manufacturing of manganese (Mn) compounds, their industrial applications as well as mining overburden, has generated a potential environmental pollutant. Occupational exposure to elevated levels of Mn occurs during mining, welding, smelting and other industrial anthropogenic sources. Chronic and acute exposure of this metal pollutant leads to adverse consequences and is clinically categorized by various symptoms of neurotoxicity including cognitive, psychiatric symptoms, Parkinson's disease, extra pyramidal signs, manganism, dystonia, and motor system dysfunction. The aim of this review is to summarize the possible mechanism underlying Mn compounds-mediated neurotoxicity leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Our review endeavours to examine recent advances in research on Mn-related environmental pollution, Mn-induced poisoning, molecular mechanisms underlying Mn-induced neurotoxicity with case studies as well as current approaches employed for treatment and prevention of Mn exposure.
Surfactants and antisurfactants on group‐III‐nitride surfaces

We have studied the effect of various dopants/impurities on structure and stability of group-III-nitride surfaces employing first-principles density-functional theory. For the example of H, Si, and In it is discussed whether and under what conditions impurities can affect the growth morphology and may act as surfactant or antisurfactant. Based on these results surface structures and growth conditions have been identified which allow to overcome intrinsic (thermodynamic) materials properties and limitations. Examples which will be discussed concern the enhancement of the doping efficiency, the formation of novel (tailor-made) alloys, and the self-organized growth of nano-structures. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Selective colorimetric sensing of toxic metal cations by green synthesized silver nanoparticles over a wide pH range

Selective colorimetric sensing of potentially health and environmentally hazardous heavy metal ions in aqueous solution was demonstrated using green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from plant extracts, by taking advantage of metal coordinating organic functional groups present in the extracts. AgNPs synthesized using fresh neem leaf extracts (NF-AgNPs) selectively detected Hg2+ whereas sun-dried neem leaf extract based AgNPs (ND-AgNPs) were observed to selectively sense Hg2+ and Pb2+ at micromolar concentrations. Neem bark extract based AgNPs exhibited selective colorimetric sensing of Hg2+ and Zn2+. Similarly, AgNPs synthesized from mango leaf (fresh, MF-AgNPs; sun-dried, MD-AgNPs) and green tea extracts (GT-AgNPs) showed selective colorimetric sensing of Hg2+ and Pb2+ ions. AgNPs obtained using pepper seed extracts exhibited Hg2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ selective colorimetric sensor properties. Importantly these green synthesized AgNPs selectively detected the presence of hazardous metal ions in aqueous solutions across a wide range of pH values (2.0–11), which is a highly desirable attribute from the perspective of different sources of water pollution. The selective colorimetric sensing of Hg2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions by green synthesized AgNPs over a wide pH range demonstrates the multi-functional utility of plant extracts in green nanotechnology and environmental sensor applications.
Propriedades cristalográficas de caulinitas de solos do ambiente tabuleiros costeiros, Amazônia e Recôncavo Baiano

Soil properties and characteristics are related to the quantity and type of minerals in the clay fraction. The objective of this research was to characterize the clay fraction and study the crystallographic characteristics of kaolinites in red and yellow soils, in support of further research on the relationships of this mineral with the characteristics and properties of the dominant soils in coastal tablelands. The following evaluations were performed: determination of the coarse clay/fine clay ratio; mineralogical analyses (qualitative and quantitative) by DRX and by the Rietveld method; spectrum characterization by ERD to determine the hematite/goethite ratio; estimation of crystallographic properties (size and microtension) by DRX and mathematical models; the specific surface by BET-N2; fractal dimension; structural disorder degree by several indexes and analyses by electronic transmission microscopy. Results allow the following conclusions: (a) clay mineral quantification by the Rietveld method revealed the prevalence of kaolinites in all soils under study; (b) the Rietveld analysis of the DRX spectra suggests the coexistence of triclinic and monoclinic kaolinites; (c) the kaolinites < 0.2 µm in all soils were similar in terms of specific BET-N2 surfaces, mean size of the in-plan crystallite (001), structural disorder degree and fractal dimension, whereas the morphology, which was correlated with the parent material, was different.
The distribution of octahedral cations in the 2:1 layers of dioctahedral smectites studied by oblique-texture electron diffraction

Abstract Olique-texture electron diffraction examination of K-saturated dioctahedral smectites after 70–100 wetting-drying cycles allows the determination of cation distribution between trans and cis octahedra of the 2:1 layers. Studies of smectites with different compositions has revealed a wide variety of occupancies of the available octahedral sites.
Students’ perception and learning on case based teaching in anatomy and physiology: An e-learning approach

Introduction: Case based teaching (CBT) has been accepted as an effective interactive learning strategy. Digital portals allow the students to learn the content at their own pace, explore various resources and finally enable them to discuss within group and build team work approach, which is a prime focus in the health care professional field. The aim of this study was to assess the perception and learning outcome of first year medical students towards CBT using e-learning approach. Method: This is a non-randomized, interventional study on first year undergraduate medical students from 2017-18 batch (43) and 2018-19 batch (41) of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University. They were divided into a group of 8-10 members, who attended six sessions of case-based teaching via Google group. Learning outcome was analyzed by comparing the students who participated in the sessions and those who did not. Feedback survey questionnaire was analyzed by Mann Whitney ranking test and focus group discussion by thematic analysis for qualitative analysis manually. Result: A p value <0.01 was considered statistically significant for post-test by e-learning tool for CBT. Participants agreed that CBT is a good way to conceptualize applied aspect of basic science, enhance critical thinking, and explore varied resources. Thus, they confirmed that team building approach and leadership qualities for managing the group contributed to better understanding of the course and would be useful to them in near future. Conclusion: Usage of Google group technology for CBT allowed medical students to explore clinical application of basic sciences course from the first year of the program, going beyond the classroom, thus developing self-directed learning and team building approach.
Mathematical model for intermittent microwave convective drying of food materials

ABSTRACT Intermittent microwave convective drying (IMCD) is an advanced technology that improves both energy efficiency and food quality in drying. Modeling of IMCD is essential to understand the physics of this advanced drying process and to optimize the microwave power level and intermittency during drying. However, there is still a lack of modeling studies dedicated to IMCD. In this study, a mathematical model for IMCD was developed and validated with experimental data. The model showed that the interior temperature of the material was higher than the surface in IMCD, and that the temperatures fluctuated and redistributed due to the intermittency of the microwave power. This redistribution of temperature could significantly contribute to the improvement of product quality during IMCD. Limitations when using Lambert’s law for microwave heat generation were identified and discussed.
Serum and Synovial Fluid Nitrite Levels in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Stężenia azotynów w surowicach i płynach stawowych pacjentów chorych na reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów i osteoartrozę

Objective. To assess serum and synovial fluid nitrite in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Material and Methods. Thirty−two patients with active RA, 30 with non−active RA, 22 with OA, and 20 healthy volunteers were entered into this study. Concentrations of nitrite in serum and synovial fluid were determined by a commercial kit. C−reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels were determined as markers of sys− temic activity of disease in the RA and OA groups. Results. Serum nitrite levels were higher in the patients with active RA than in the non−active RA and OA groups (p < 0.05). In addition, serum nitrite levels were higher in all three disease groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). Synovial fluid nitrite levels were higher in the RA than in the OA group (p < 0.05). Nitrite levels in synovial fluid were higher than in the serum of the analyzed groups. There were no significant correlations between nitrite levels and CRP or ESR. Conclusion. The findings suggest that nitrite production is enhanced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compa− red with osteoarthritis. In addition, serum nitrite levels are enhanced in patients with joint diseases, both inflam− matory and non−inflammatory, compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, synovial fluid nitrite level is higher than in serum, which may suggest local NO synthesis in the synovium (Adv Clin Exp Med 2008, 17, 4, 395–398).
Reply to Referee # 1 ( Dr Dongkyun Kim )

The use of Poisson-cluster processes to model rainfall time series at a range of scales now has a history of more than 30 years. Among them, the Randomised (also called modified) Bartlett-Lewis model (RBL1) is particularly popular, while a refinement of this model was proposed recently (RBL2) (Kaczmarska et al., 2014). Fitting such models essentially relies upon minimising the difference between theoretical statistics of the rainfall signal and their observed estimates. The first are obtained using closed form analytical expressions for statistics of order 1 to 3 of the rainfall depths, as well as useful approximations 5 of the wet-dry structure properties. The second are standard estimates of these statistics for each month of the data. This paper discusses two issues that are important for optimal model fitting of the RBL1 and RBL2. The first is that, when revisiting the derivation of the analytical expressions for the rainfall depth moments, it appears that the space of possible parameters is wider than has been assumed in the past papers. The second is that care must be exerted in the way monthly statistics are estimated from the data. The impact of these two issues upon both models, in particular upon the estimation of extreme rainfall depths 10 at hourly and sub-hourly timescales is examined using 69 years of 5-min and 105 years of 10-min rainfall data from Bochum (Germany) and Uccle (Belgium), respectively. Copyright statement. TEXT
The Use of Sodium Chlorite in Post-Oxidation of TEMPO-Oxidized Pulp: Effect on Pulp Characteristics and Nanocellulose Yield

Abstract Presence of aldehydes on cellulose nanofibers (alternatively called nanocellulose) produced from TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyle)-oxidized pulp could interfere with the grafting of selected compounds on the carboxyls group of the oxidized pulp or of the nanofibers produced from such pulps. A simple protocol, called post-oxidation, utilizing sodium chlorite under acidic conditions has been developed for TEMPO-oxidized native cellulose to oxidize the aldehydes to carboxyls. The chemical nature, degree of polymerization, nanocellulose yield, and brightness stability of the post-oxidized pulp was characterized and compared with those of pulps prepared by the post-oxidation methods published in the literature. A sodium chlorite charge of 10% was sufficient for the oxidation of the TEMPO-oxidized pulp, which had a residual aldehydes content of ∼100 mmol/kg. We had observed an increase in degree of polymerization, nanocellulose yield, and brightness stability due to post-oxidation. It was found that aldehyde groups contributed significantly to the brightness reversion and yellowing of the TEMPO-oxidized pulp.
Graph Conditional Variational Models: Too Complex for Multiagent Trajectories?

Recent advances in modeling multiagent trajectories combine graph architectures such as graph neural networks (GNNs) with conditional variational models (CVMs) such as variational RNNs (VRNNs). Originally, CVMs have been proposed to facilitate learning with multi-modal and structured data and thus seem to perfectly match the requirements of multi-modal multiagent trajectories with their structured output spaces. Empirical results of VRNNs on trajectory data support this assumption. In this paper, we revisit experiments and proposed architectures with additional rigour, ablation runs and baselines. In contrast to common belief, we show that prior results with CVMs on trajectory data might be misleading. Given a neural network with a graph architecture and/or structured output function, variational autoencoding does not seem to contribute statistically signiﬁcantly to empirical performance. Instead, we show that well-known emission functions do contribute, while coming with less complexity, engineering and computation time.
Effect of Blending, Additives and Storage Conditions on the Quality of Watermelon Nectar

The impact of blending of nectar with coconut water, fortification with ascorbic acid and tocopherol and subsequent storage at low temperature (4-5°C) and room temperature (15-33°C) on the quality of nectar was evaluated. In most of the treatments, total soluble solids and reducing sugar content of the nectars increased during storage, whereas the total titratable acidity and lycopene content decreased. Blending and addition of tocopherol did not show improved effect on quality. Low temperature storage recorded better stability.
A Review of the Properties and Applications of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)

Advances in the use of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) have opened up a wide range of applications in the field of nanotechnology. The knowledge of the properties of PMMA has contributed a lot to the recent boosts in the synthesis, modification, and applications of the polymer. However, there is a need to condense these developments in the form of an article for better understanding and easy access. This review highlights the fundamental physical properties of PMMA, coupled with experimental evidence of its essential chemistry, such as solubility, hydrolysis, grafting, combustion reactions, reactions with amines, and thermal decomposition. The recent developments in the applications of PMMA in biomedical, optical, solar, sensors, battery electrolytes, nanotechnology, viscosity, pneumatic actuation, molecular separations, and polymer conductivity were also revealed.
DETERMINATION OF THE DRY MATTER CONTENT OF CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) TUBERS USING SPECIFIC GRAVITY METHOD

The determination of the dry matter content of cassava tubers using oven dry method is a major constraint in tropical developing countries where the source of electricity is unreliable. In this study a prediction equation was developed as an alternative approach to dry matter determination with the oven dry method. The study was conducted for two years with eleven cassava accessions (using 13 and 15 month old tubers). In the first year, the specific gravity and the dry matter content (oven dry method) of the same tubers were used to derive the prediction equation that can be used for easy and faster estimation of the dry matter content of cassava tubers. The specific gravity and dry matter content based on the oven dry method ranged from 1.0966-1.1469 and 31.45-40.74%, respectively. There was a perfect correlation (R 2 = 0.9979) between specific gravity and oven dry matter content of cassava tuber. The middle portion of the cassava tubers gave the true representation of the dry matter content. The prediction equation developed was Y = - 175.46 + 188.61 X where: X = specific gravity and Y = percentage dry matter content. The dry matter content based on the prediction equation for the various accessions was found to be between 31.88-41.53% with a mean of 38.39%. The chi-square test conducted at probability level of 0.05 shows that there was no significant difference between percentage dry matters estimated using the oven dry method and the prediction equation. Hence, the prediction equation could be used to estimate the percentage dry matter content of cassava tuber if the specific gravity is known.