Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metoprolol tartrate-ethylcellulose tabletted microparticles: formulation and in vitro evaluation

SUMMARY. This study introduced a novel phase separation technique for the microencapsulation of metoprolol tartrate as a model. Non-solvent addition coacervation technique was employed for the loading of drug into ethylcellulose, a hydrophobic plastic polymer. Dichloromethane (DCM) and paraffin oil were employed as solvent and non-solvent, respectively. Microparticle batches abbreviated as M1, M2 and M3 were formulated by embedding 1 g of drug into 1 g, 2 g and 3 g of polymer, respectively followed by direct compression into tabletted microparticulate batches named a T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The drug and polymer remained intact in encapsulated form as confirmed by FTIR, XRD and DSC. However, a slight change in drug nature from crystalline to amorphous behavior and an endothermic peak for metoprolol tartrate at 130 oC was observed in drug and microparticle thermograms. Slightly aggregated spherical free flowing microparticles in a size range of 64 ? m-103 ? m were obtained. The entrapment efficiency ranged from 77% to 89%. The straight line obtained from a plot between square root of time (Hrs) versus percent drug release (%) and regression co-efficient (R2) confirmed that best fit model to all dissolution profiles was Higuchi’s model. The modes of drug release from microparticles and tabletted microparticles were Quasi-Fickian diffusion and anomalous diffusion, respectively. T3 was selected as an optimum formulation as its dissolution profile resembled (f2 = 76.25) Mepressor® (Novartis Pharma-Pakistan). The accelerated stability study, regarding dissolution behavior and drug contents, at 40oC/75% RH proved T3 stable in 40 oC/75% RH for six months. Non-solvent addition coacervation technique involving comparatively safe solvents such as dichloromethane and paraffin oil as solvent and non-solvent, respectively is a good techniques for the encapsulation of Biopharmaceutics Classification System class I drugs such as metoprolol tartrate.
Adsorption isotherms of hog plum (Spondias mombin L.) pulp powder obtained by spray dryer

Food sorption isotherms are highly important to predict drying time and storage conditions of a product. Current assay evaluates the behavior of adsorption isotherms of hog plum powder obtained by spray-dryer, through mathematical models. GAB, BET, Henderson and Oswin models were adjusted to the experimental data at 25, 30, 35 and 40oC. The BET model best adjusted to the atomized hog plum for all temperatures tested, with an error ranging between 8.45 and 11.17%. The coefficient of determination (R 2 ) had rates higher than 0.9900 for all the adjusted models. The behavior of hog plum powder adsorption isotherms was classified as Type III.
Novel Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalyst Based on Mn−Cd−S for Efficient H2 Evolution†

The hydrothermally synthesized Mn1−xCdxS with a high Mn content (x ∼ 0.1) showed the high photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution from a 0.1 M Na2S−0.5 M Na2SO3 solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm).
An Advanced Lithium‐Sulfur Battery

A lithium‐sulfur battery employing a high performances mesoporous hard carbon spherules‐sulfur cathode and a stable, highly conducting electrolyte is reported. The results demonstrate that the battery cycles with very high capacity, i.e., of the order of 750 mAh g−1 with excellent retention during cycling. In addition, by exploiting the high conductivity of our selected electrolyte, the battery performs very well also at low temperature, i.e., delivering a capacity of 500 mAh g−1(S) at 0 °C for over 170 charge‐discharge cycles. We believe that these results may substantially contribute to the progress of the lithium‐sulfur battery technology.
Comparison study of metal nanoparticles grown on polarity‐patterned ferroelectrics by scanning probe microscopy

We report the surface distribution of metal (Ag, Au) nanoparticles (NPs) grown on polarity‐patterned ferroelectrics by photochemical reaction. Single crystalline periodically polarity‐patterned LiNbO3 (PPLN) was used as a ferroelectric substrate. The NPs were grown by the ultraviolet light exposure of the PPLN in the aqueous solutions including metals. Dimension and surface distribution of the NPs were measured, and the polarity of the patterned regions was identified by scanning probe microscopy. For both of Ag and Au, the NPs formed on +z polarity regions are larger and denser than those on –z polarity regions. In particular, the largest Ag‐NPs were grown along the polarity boundary regions of the PPLN, whereas Au‐NPs were not specifically grown on the boundary regions. Also, the size and density of the NPs increased with longer ultraviolet exposure time. We will discuss the difference of the surface distribution of the NPs depending on the polarity of ferroelectrics in terms of variation of the surface band structures and the electric field distribution induced by polarity bound charges, surface dipole formation, and defects. This study suggests the possibility of controlling the size and position of metal NPs on the surfaces by polarity patterning of the ferroelectrics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners

Pour la premiere fois, cet article montre la synchronisation des niveaux de stress a long terme entre deux especes differentes. En analysant le niveau de cortisol chez 58 chiens (25 border collies et 33 berger des shetlands) et leurs humaines (que des fiemmes dans cette etude), les chercheurs suedois ont montre que les chiens dont l'humaine presentait un niveau de stress chronique important avaient eux-memes un taux de cortisol eleve. Et ce independamment de leur caractere (evalue par questionnaire), (.)
Stability diffrences among tomato genotypes for fruit quality parameters

The experiment was conducted during Kharif and Rabi 2000-2001 over eight environments to study the stability of eleven genotypes of tomato for quality parameters. Mean squares for G x E and G x E (linear) were significant for fruit volume, flesh thickness, number of locules and total soluble solids. The genotypes NS-815, Arka Meghali, Rashmi, Shivaji and F1-124 were found stable with high mean values for fruit volume. The genotypes S-72, NS-815, F1-124, Shivaji and Arka Ashish were found stable with high mean values for flesh thickness, while Arka Vikas, Pusa Ruby and Shivaji were found stable with high mean values for number of locules. The genotype Arka Ashish was identified as stable variety for total soluble solids.
Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Storm Water runoff in Tijuana, Mexico

Eight sites were sampled during seven rain events to quantify and identify the sources ofpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban runoff in the city of Tijuana, Mexico. The total Σ16 PAHsconcentration rangedfrom 1113 to 4866 μg/Lin the sampled sites and thetotal suspended solid concentrations ranged from 7725 to 4413 μg/L. The high concentrations of total suspended solids were probably the result of the erosion of bare soil areas in the basin area of the sampling sites. The PAH concentration in urban runoff from industrial sites was not as high as expected in comparison to residential sites. The potential sources of PAH were identified using the diagnostic ratios between PAHs and PCA analysis. Vehicular exhaust emissions (diesel and gasoline) and used crankcase oil were the main contributors to PAHs in urban storm water runoff. Charcoal combustion, diesel oil andlubricant oil were also identified as contributors to PAHs.
Tragverhalten von Stahlfaserbeton

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden zunaechst experimentelle Untersuchungen an Stahlfaserbeton mit einem Fasergehalt von 0; 0,6 und 1,2 Volumen Prozent Stahlfasern (Wirex 0,6/40 und Dramix 0,8/60) unter zentrischer Druck-, Zug- und exzentrischer Druck- sowie Biegezugbeanspruchung durchgefuehrt. Die Anisotropie von Stahlfaserbeton und die Festigkeits- und Verformungseigenschaften als Folge der Faserorientierung und der Herstellungsrichtung waren der Hauptgegenstand der experimentellen Untersuchungen. Auf der Grundlage einer wirklichkeitsnahen Verbundspannungs-Schlupfbeziehung fuer eine in die Matrix eingebettete Stahlfaser wurden Zugspannungs-Rissoeffnungsbeziehungen von Stahlfaserbeton in Abhaengigkeit von Fasergehalt und Faserorientierung berechnet, die dann in einer vereinfachten trilinearen Form zur Voraussage der abmessungsabhaengigen Biegezugfestigkeit und Bruchenergie von Biegebalken aus Stahlfaserbeton angesetzt wurden. Schliesslich wurde ein Bemessungsverfahren fuer Stahlfaserbeton unter Beruecksichtigung des Dauerstandverhaltens entwickelt. Dazu wurden Druckspannungs-Dehnungsbeziehungen fuer die Biegedruckzone von Stahlfaserbeton unter Dauerstandbelastung naeherungsweise aus den entsprechenden Verhalten von unbewehrtem Beton und aus den in statischen Druckversuchen erzielten Druckspannungs-Dehnungsbeziehungen von Stahlfaserbeton bei sehr langsamen Dehngeschwindigkeiten abgeleitet und dann mit einer Parabel-Rechteck-Funktion in Anlehnung an DIN 1045 angenaehert. Fuer das Dauerstandverhalten in der Biegezugzone wurde eine trilineare Zugspannungs-Rissoeffnungsbeziehung von Stahlfaserbeton mit dem Abminderungsfaktor 0,85 angesetzt. Darauf aufbauend wurden m-n-Interaktionsdiagramme fuer die Bemessung von Stahlfaserbeton in Abhaengigkeit von Fasergehalt und Faserorientierung beziehungweise Bauteildicke berechnet. (A) Titel in Englisch: The load carrying capacity of steel fibre concrete.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF PARAFFIN-BASED FUELS FOR HYBRID ROCKET ENGINE APPLICATIONS

This paper describes a combined analysis performed in pure waxes and paraffin-based mixtures that can be used as solid fuels in hybrid rocket engines. Density easurements of pure waxes were performed using a dilatometer. An experimental facility was set up and, after preliminary measurements and calibration, a repeatable procedure was implemented. The implemented istrumentation setup allowed the measure of density in softening and melting intervals. Mechanical uniaxial tensile tests were performed according to Standard ISO 527-1 on pure macro paraffin and microcrystalline wax and on these waxes doped with stearic acid and graphite; elastic modulus, elongation and maximum stress were calculated. Data indicate that ductile rupture is achievable even on pure tested macro paraffin. Moreover, microcrystalline wax was mixed with a synthetic wax characterized by a higher nominal melting temperature in order to improve the softening point up to higher temperatures without compromising regression rate values. Thermal, rheological, viscosimetric, and ballistic experiments were performed on this new fuel formulation. This new formulation is promising for propulsion applications in wide temperature ranges.
Thermodynamic driving forces in protein regulation studied by molecular dynamics simulations

It is becoming increasingly clear that the old view of proteins exisiting in equilibrium between discrete conformational states is not always helpful. Experimental results from a wide range of disciplines, in particular from NMR experiments, indicate that proteins need to be viewed as complex statistical ensembles. From a thermodynamic point of view, the major question of protein science is whether and how a protein's functional properties are related to the distribution of states within this ensemble, and how a change in environmental conditions, e.g., protein or ligand binding/unbinding, or external force, aff ect this distribution and alter function. Within this framework, the present thesis aims at characterizing by means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulation (MD) the dynamic and functional response of two di fferent classes of proteins to changed external parameters; titin kinase's response to external force, and the allosteric response to ligand binding of the two allosterically regulated proteins calmodulin and pyruvate kinase. The investigations of this thesis yielded insights into protein regulation on the atomic scale. Complemented with experimental results, such as force extension curves, calorimetric measurements and crystallographic studies, our simulations signicantly contributed to the understanding of protein function in terms of underlying protein dynamics. Furthermore, to quantify (changes of) protein dynamics, and of complex macromolecules in general, we developed and applied a new non-parametric method for the estimation of congurational entropies of proteins.
Single-crystal structure refinement of diaspore at 50 GPa

Abstract The crystal structure of diaspore, AlO(OH), has been investigated by in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction at ~50 GPa using the diamond-anvil cell technique. Diaspore is found to retain its structure up to 51.5 GPa at room temperature, which is more than 30 GPa above the transition pressure to δ-AlO(OH) found in quenched high-temperature experiments and derived from density functional theory calculations. The compression is anisotropic and largest for the a axis. This can be explained by the fact that the structural response to pressure is mainly due to the shortening of the hydrogen bond, which is oriented nearly parallel to the a axis. The hydrogen bond becomes significantly more symmetric with pressure up to 50 GPa.
Polymeric Nanoreactors for Hydrophilic Reagents Synthesized by Interfacial Polycondensation on Miniemulsion Droplets

We describe a versatile method to obtain functional hollow nanoreactors with a hydrophilic liquid core. The synthesis of hollow polyurea, polythiourea, and polyurethane nanocapsules was performed by interfacial polycondensation or cross-linking reactions in inverse miniemulsion. The miniemulsions were built upon emulsification of a solution of amines or alcohols in a polar solvent with cyclohexane as the nonpolar continuous phase. The addition of suitable hydrophobic diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate monomers to the continuous phase allows the polycondensation or the cross-linking reactions to occur at the interface of the droplets. The wall thickness of the capsules can be directly tuned by the quantity of the reactants. The nature of the monomers and the continuous phase are the critical factors for the formation of the hollow capsules, which is explained by the interfacial properties of the system. The resulting polymer nanocapsules could be subsequently dispersed in water. The capsules were found to be.
Implementing Total Quality Management on Construction Sites

Quality systems entail having the organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes and resources for implementing quality management such that there is a guiding framework to ensure that every time a process is performed the same information, method, skills and controls are used and practiced in a consistent manner. Total Quality Management (TQM) has been defined as a comprehensive systematic, integrated, consistent, organization-wide effort dedicated to customer satisfaction through continuous improvement. With its primary focus being the involvement of everyone, TQM has the potential to improve business results, greater customer orientation and satisfaction, worker involvement and fulfilment, teamworking and better management of workers within companies. Its ability to adapt to new ideas, tools and methods suggest that it can be applied albeit in an altered form to construction field operations involving workers at levels traditionally regarded as below middle management. However, the construction industry has been slow to embrace the concept of TQM. Construction firms have been continually struggling with its implementation. Historically construction has been an industry reluctant to implement change. Consequently it has remained behind where it should be on the implementation of TQM. Generally the principles of TQM are not applied beyond management levels within general contractors. There are few contractors that have fully implemented TQM at every level within their field organization, and even fewer at the field level of their subcontractors and suppliers. This paper reports on a study conducted in the United States to identify those factors that hinder the implementation of TQM principles in the actual field operations of a construction jobsite. These inhibitive factors were identified through a literature review and a survey of a sample of contractors.
Nitrate versus Oxygen Utilization Rates in Wastewater and Activated Sludge Systems

Respiration rates for nitrate and oxygen are compared. Raw wastewaters vary much in these rates and the same holds for activated sludge systems. The denitrifying activity may range from 0-80 per cent of the oxygen activity. It is important to take these variations into consideration, when modelling complex activated sludge processes. Of similar importance are the amounts of active biomass in raw wastewater, as these amounts can exceed those produced in the activated sludge plant itself, and thus significantly can influence the overall composition of the active biomass.
Photodegradation of Pesticides. Photolysis Rates and Half-Life of Pirimicarb and Its Metabolites in Reactions in Water and in Solid Phase

The photodegradation of Pirimicarb under three different artificial lights and sunlight was studied in water solutions (buffers pH 5, 6, and 7) and in solid phase. Five photocompounds were formed in solution and two in solid phase. Pirimicarb undergoes fast degradation under all conditions. In buffer solutions it first gave three compounds with a kinetic parallel process. These compounds were assigned the structures of 2-[(methylformyl)amino]-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate (II), 2-(methylamino)-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate (III), and 2-(dimethylamino)-5,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxypyrimidine (V). V and II were stable to further photolysis (the latter with t1/2 = 849 h) whereas III undergoes further degradation to 2-amino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate (IV), and to 2-(formylamino)-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate (IX). Both compounds were photodegraded to undetectable species, and IX shows a very high t1/2 (48 h). A different behavior was found in solid phase.
Composição centesimal e propriedades funcionais tecnológicas da farinha da casca do maracujá

A maior incidencia de doencas cronicodegenerativas deve-se, em grande parte, a reducao do consumo das fi bras na dieta. Estes nutrientes apresentam efeitos fi siologicos importantes e uma alternativa para aumentar o seu consumo pela populacao e a utilizacao de residuos industriais, como cascas e talos de frutas e vegetais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a composicao centesimal da farinha da casca do maracuja, assim como seu teor de fi bras totais e suas propriedades funcionais tecnologicas, e a partir destes dados avaliar a possibilidade de sua utilizacao como fonte de fibras no enriquecimento nutricional de produtos. A analise da farinha da casca do maracuja indicou um alto teor de fi bra alimentar (66,37 ± 0,71g/100g) e as analises das propriedades funcionais tecnologicas apontaram uma alta capacidade de retencao, absorcao e adsorcao de agua. Assim, conclui-se que a farinha da casca do maracuja tem potencial para ser incluida na dieta como uma fonte de fi bras, podendo ser utilizada no enriquecimento de produtos como paes, biscoitos e barras de cereais, melhorando suas qualidades nutricionais e tecnologicas, alem de ser uma alternativa para reduzir o desperdicio de subprodutos da industria alimenticia.
Prediction of fibre components in oat hulls by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The fibre fractions of oat (Avena sativa L.) hulls, i.e. neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), were evaluated, using a specifically developed near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) equation model, in a set of cultivars grown in various locations across Italy. The results indicated that the NIRS technique can accurately predict the fibre composition of oat hulls. Statistical analysis of variance underlined the strong impact of cultivar on the accumulation of fibre components, whereas location generally played a minor role. The largest variability among cultivars was observed in ADL content, whereas the range of variation in NDF and ADF contents appeared to be reduced. The description of the chemical characteristics of oat hulls could be helpful in determining the most suitable end-use for specific cultivars. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of Viscoelastic Properties of Wheat Kernels Using Compression Load Method

ABSTRACT The method to measure hardness and other viscoelastic properties of intact wheat kernels is presented. Wheat with 9.3% moisture showed high elastic behavior compared with wheat tempered at 22.5% moisture that showed a plastic behavior. Load-deformation curves showed that bread wheat behaves as a more plastic material than durum wheat, which is a more elastic material. Yield point of all the wheat samples was ≈18.5 N, independent of wheat type and moisture content. The height of the wheat kernel increased linearly, and the compression area increased exponentially, with increasing moisture content. The modulus of elasticity of wheat ranged from 99.2 MPa for 22.5% moisture content to 394.8 MPa for 9.3% moisture content. Young's modulus range for soft wheat such as Salamanca, Saturno, and Cortazar cultivars was 232.2–308.5 MPa, as compared with Rayon bread wheat at 321.5 MPa and the Altar, Sofia, and Rafi cultivars of durum wheat that had elastic moduli of 438.7–485.8 MPa. The compression force and f.
Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Combined Sludges from a Bnr Wastewater Treatment Plant

The fate of phosphorus contained in waste activated sludges from a biological nutrient removal plant was investigated in pilot-scale, co-digestion studies at a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. In these studies, co-digestion of primary fermenter and waste activated sludges resulted in a significant release of the biologically-bound sludge phosphorus. As much as 80% of phosphate removed during treatment was released to the supernatant during anaerobic digestion. Phosphate release was found to be independent of digester hydraulic retention time at the values tested (20 vs. 10 day). Co-digestion also impacted other aspects of digester operation, including volatile solids reduction and total gas and methane production. Jar tests, conducted to evaluate the efficiency of various chemical treatment methods for removing phosphate from digester supernatants, revealed that lime, alum and ferric chloride all proved equally effective. Overall, ferric chloride at a dosage of 2 g l−1 was found to be the most effec.