Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of high food quality, but low food quantity in "Daphnia magna" survival under different water temperature and brownification scenarios

Aufgrund des Klimawandels steigen die Temperaturen und Niederschlage an, wodurch auch die Gewasser beeinflusst werden. Sie fuhren zu einer erhohten Wassertemperatur und verstarktem Nahrstoffeintrag, sowie erhohter Trubung. Durch die steigenden Niederschlagsereignisse wird der allochthone Eintrag in Flussen und Seen erhoht. Dadurch steigen die Nahrstoffkonzentration und die Trubung des Wassers. Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Einfluss von erhohter Temperatur, +3 °C, und einer 3-fach starkeren Wassertrubung auf den Lebenszyklus des Zooplankters Daphnia magna zu untersuchen. Dieses Experiment wurde im Rahmen eines Mesokosmen Projekts durchgefuhrt und dafur jeweils ein Mesokosmus pro Treatment genutzt. Es gab die Treatments Kontrolle (C), Temperatur (T), Trubung (b), und die Kombination von Temperatur und Trubung (Tb). Daphnia magna wurde in Flaschen als Triplikate in die Mesokosmen gegeben und jeden Tag in frisches aufkonzentriertes Wasser des Lunzer Untersee umgesetzt. Dabei wurde die Entwicklung, Anzahl, und Reproduktion der Tiere dokumentiert und die toten Individuen herausgenommen, getrocknet und am Ende das Gewicht durch wiegen bestimmt. Das verbliebene Phytoplankton wurde analysiert, um festzustellen ob die unterschiedlichen Behandlungen Auswirkungen auf die Futterqualitat oder -quantitat hatten. Dafur wurden Lipidanalysen, Chlorophyll a, und Stochiometrie Untersuchungen gemacht. Weiteres wurden die Menge der Bakterien via Flowcytometer bestimmt. Um die Phytoplankton Taxonomie und Mengen zu erfassen, wurden Stichproben unter dem Invertmikroskop bis zur Spezies bestimmt, sowie die jeweilige Anzahl erfasst. Nachdem nach 30 Tagen alle Daphnien aus dem Kontroll-Treatment gestorben waren, wurde das Experiment beendet. Die Daphnien aus dem kombinierten Treatment Tb hatten einen signifikant hoheren Biomassezuwachs als C und b. Auch die Individuen aus T sind starker gewachsen als die in den nicht geheizten Treatments, aber nicht signifikant. Diese Differenz ist auf nicht signifikante Unterschiede in der Futterqualitat und -quantitat zuruckzufuhren. In den temperierten Treatments wuchsen die hochwertigen Cryptophyten besser und wurden auch verstarkt gefressen, somit nahmen die Daphnien mehr Energie auf. In den truberen Treatments waren mehr Bakterien vorhanden, aus den Ergebnissen war aber nicht erkennbar, ob sie gefressen wurden. Diese Arbeit zeigt somit, wie wichtig bei niedrigen, voralpinen Temperaturen die Phytoplankton Qualitat und die Quantitat ist und wie eine Temperaturerhohung im Herbst den Lebenszyklus der Cladocera Daphnia magna beeinflussen kann.
Removal of Reactive Blue 19 Dye Using Fenton From Aqueous Solution

The discharge of wastewater containing reactive dyes into water sources leads to health hazards. Colors can adversely affect the natural environment due largely to some qualities like carcinogenicity, being mutagenic, toxicity, and coloration of water. Environmental degradation can be attributed to the destruction of living organisms and the increased biological oxygen demand (BOD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of Reactive Blue 19 dye using the Fenton process from aqueous solution. This research was an experimental study, in which the effectiveness of Fenton in color removal was investigated. The factors influencing this process were: pH, color concentration, the ratio of Fenton reagent (H2O2/Fe2+), and contact time. Finally, after determining the optimum concentration of color, pH, the ratio of Fenton reagent, and contact time, the residual adsorption rates in the samples were measured using direct photometry by spectrophotometer in a wavelength of 594 nm. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency was obtained under the conditions of pH =3, the color concentration of 2 mg/L, the ratio of Fenton reagent = 1:5, and the contact time equal to 10 minutes. The Fenton process is able to remove the Reactive Blue 19 under different concentrations. This process achieved the best removal efficiency in acidic pH.
In vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene in pumpkin and butternut squash subjected to different cooking methods

β-carotene, a type of provitamin A, is beneficial to our health. However, the compound needs to be released from its food matrix before being utilised by the body. Thus, understanding the bioaccessibility of β-carotene in the food consumed is a crucial step. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various cooking methods on bioaccessibility of β-carotene in pumpkin and butternut squash. In vitro digestion was carried out on raw and cooked (steamed, boiled, and deep-fried) pumpkin and butternut squash. β-carotene was identified using RP-HPLC. Generally, butternut squash (4.99±0.02mg/100g) had higher β-carotene content than pumpkin (4.34±0.04mg/100g). Thermal processing resulted in lower β-carotene content in pumpkin samples; however, it increased the β-carotene content in butternut squash samples. In term of bioaccessibility, thermal processes increased the percentage of bioaccessible β-carotene in both pumpkin and butternut squash samples. Raw pumpkin had 10.56±0.44% of bioaccessible β-carotene while raw butternut squash had only 1.65±0.04%. Bioaccessibility of β-carotene in deep-fried pumpkin and butternut squash were significantly higher than their raw sample with 68.86±0.86% (p<0.001) and 22.32±2.12% (p<0.05) of bioaccessible β-carotene respectively. The deep-frying method was found to enhance the bioaccessibility of β-carotene significantly in both of these samples but not boiling and steaming methods.
Off‐site impacts of soil erosion and runoff: Why connectivity is more important than erosion rates

Off‐site impacts of soil erosion are of greater social and economic concern in Western Europe than on‐site impacts. They fall into two related categories: muddy flooding of properties and ecological impacts on watercourses because of excessive sedimentation and associated pollutants. Critical to these impacts is the connectedness of the runoff and sediment system between agricultural fields and the river system. We argue that well‐connected systems causing off‐site damage are not necessarily related to areas of high erosion rates; emphasis should therefore be on the way in which connections occur. In temperate, arable systems, important elements of connectivity are anthropogenic in origin: roads, tracks, sunken lanes, field drains, ditches, culverts and permeable field boundaries. Mapping these features allows us to understand how they affect runoff and modify its impacts, to design appropriate mitigation measures and to better validate model predictions. Published maps (digital and paper) do not, by themselves, give sufficient information. Field mapping and observation, aided by remote sensing, are also necessary.
Study on the effect of roasting temperature on antioxidant activity of early-roasted Java coffee powder (Arabica and Robusta)

The current consumer trend on seeking more health benefits of coffee consumption, mainly due to polyphenols content has led to the increasing popularity of green coffee beans extract or green coffee products. These products include green (raw-unprocessed) coffee powder, which is directly brewed and/or consumed. There is a safety concern in relation to consumption of raw-unprocessed coffee. Meanwhile, high temperature roasting may have influence on the functional properties of coffee, particularly its polyphenols. The objective of this research is to study the effect of roasting temperature at the early roasting stage (95°C, 125°C, and 165°C) on the antioxidant activity of two coffee species, i.e. Java Arabica and Java Robusta. The non-roasted coffees were evaluated for comparison. The IC50 and total phenol were analysed in triplicates. The results showed that Arabica and Robusta coffee powders were significantly differ on the antioxidant activity, where Robusta showed the highest activity as compared to Arabica. The application of heating on coffee beans during roasting tends to decrease antioxidant activity. However, there was a fluctuation where antioxidant activity of coffee reached a peak at early roasting temperature of 95°C.
Current status, opportunities, and challenges in fuel cell catalytic application of aerogels

Aerogel is known as one of today's 10 advanced structures that have earned a special place in industry or research based on its very high porosity, high active surface area, and low density. There are various methods that can be used to produce it as well as make it easily produced in bulk as subtopics in this paper in Section 2.0. At present, aerogels are widely used in catalytic applications, energy storage, photocatalysts, membrane separation, and fuel cells. Aerogel application in fuel cell has been discussed in Section 3.0 which include carbon‐based aerogel, graphene‐based aerogel, other aerogel based, and non‐noble catalyst with aerogel. This article is a reference for researchers to identify the advantages and opportunities available to lower costs and improve the performance of fuel cell systems that rely heavily on cost‐rich catalysts such as platinum. Opportunities and challenges in developing aerogel structures in the future are also explained in Section 5.0 in this paper.
Characterization of biochar from pyrolysis of corn residues in a semi-continuous carbonizer

Thailand is a major agro-industrial country with many economic crops including corn. In northern part of the country, harvesting of corn grain generates massive amounts of agricultural waste, including corn cobs, peels, leaves and stalks. Open burning of biomass is a common practice as a low-cost, low-effort means in disposing of crop residues and controlling weeds in the field. It releases large quantities of particulate and gaseous pollutants to the atmosphere. The practice has significantly negative impact on the environment and human health. These corn residues can be utilized for renewable energy. A promising alternative to burning is carbonization. Carbonization or slow pyrolysis is a thermochemical conversion of solid organic materials at elevated temperature in the absence of air or oxygen. Through thermal decomposition processes, a solid product called biochar as well as gaseous and liquid byproducts are generated. The objectives of this work were to demonstrate a practical production of biochar from corn cobs in a modern semi-continuous carbonizer, and to evaluate its performance in terms of reaction temperatures attained, overall processing time, biochar yields and properties. Experiments were carried out in a retort typed, cylindrical drum mounted horizontally. Its dimension was 1.5 m long with inside diameter of 1.05 m. The carbonizer was externally heated by combustion of solid biomass and pyrolysis gas in a grated furnace. It was also equipped with slowly rotating paddle. For each test, about 90-120 kg of corn cobs was fed into the reactor. Temperatures at various locations inside the carbonization chamber were recorded and used as representative for pyrolysis temperature. The end of operation for a certain condition was determined by checking that combustible gas was no longer released and the pyrolysis flame was no longer sustained. The reactor was then unloaded and the resulting biochar was left to cool down to room temperature in a closed container. Subsequently, the solid char products were collected, weighed and sent for analysis. Large amount of corn cobs was successfully converted to good quality biochar in a semi-continuous carbonization reactor system. The system was shown to operate well. Biochar yields of 23 – 33 % were obtained, with the heating value as high as 24 MJ/kg. The process took around 2.5 h at maximum loading. The study showed that valuable solid products can be obtained from corn cobs via slow pyrolysis process.
Metal(loid) uptake of Sonchus oleraceus grown around Cheshmeh-Konan copper deposit, NW Iran

Heavy metal(loid) contamination in the environment of mining areas has become an important problem. Cheshemeh-Konan is one of the main copper deposits in NW Iran that is currently abandoned. In the present work, the intensity of some metal(loid) pollutions in the soil of the mining area was assessed using three reliable indices. In addition, the potential of Sonchus oleraceus L. , as the dominant plant grown in the area, in the uptake of some metal(loid)s from the soil was evaluated. The plant and soil samples were collected from the mining area and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results obtained revealed that the soil of the studied mining area was considerably contaminated by As (CF = 3.1), Cr (CF = 3.8), and Ni (CF = 4.07). It was confirmed that S. oleraceus had a good ability to accumulate Cd (0.74 mg/kg), Mo (0.67 mg/kg), Sr (285.80 mg/kg), Sn (161.10 mg/kg), and Sc (30.35 mg/kg) when mean concentrations of these metals in the soil were 0.14, 0.12, 161.05, 1.94, and 17.9 mg/kg, respectively. The plant biological absorption coefficient for these 5 elements was more than 1. The correlations between the Mo and Sr contents in the soil and plant were significantly positive. According to the results obtained, the present work provides some geochemical findings about the substrate, and leads to the increasing information about the relationship between the element concentrations in the plants and different soils.
Cubosomes with surface cross-linked chitosan exhibit sustained release and bioavailability enhancement for vinpocetine

The present study aims to develop cubosomes with surface cross-linked chitosan for sustained drug delivery and enhanced oral bioavailability of vinpocetine (VPT). GMO based liquid cubosomes with VPT loading were prepared by the high pressure homogenization method. In order to enhance the anti-digestion effect, chitosan was cross-linked on cubosomes by the Schiff reaction, followed by solidification via spray drying. The obtained spray-dried cubosomes (chito-cubosomes) are spherical microspheres with nano-sized holes on the surface. After reconstitution, the particle size and zeta potential of chito-cubosomes were determined to be ∼250 nm and +35.9 mV, respectively. In comparison to unmodified liquid cubosomes, chito-cubosomes exhibited a significant anti-digestion effect with a typical sustained release profile. In comparison to a VPT suspension, liquid cubosomes showed a 2.5-fold higher Cmax and 3.0-fold higher AUC0–∞, while chito-cubosomes further enhanced bioavailability (5.0-fold) with prolonged MRT (2.2-fold) and delayed Tmax (2.8-fold). The results suggested that chito-cubosomes could be a promising drug carrier for enhancing oral absorption with sustained release behavior.
Isolation and Identification of procyanidins in Aronia Melanocarpa Using NMR, LC-IT-TOF/MS/MS and MALDI-TOF MS

Aronia melanocarpa berries procyanidins (Amps) were divided in three fractions: ethyl acetate phase extract of Amps (E-Amps), aqueous phase extract of Amps (W-Amps), and methanol phase extract of Amps (M-Amps). Flavan-3-ol monomers and oligomeric procyanidins were isolated from E-Amps using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and reversed-phase preparative HPLC. H and C NMR analyses indicated five flavan-3-ol monomers and oligomeric procyanidins: (+)catechin, (‒)epicatechin, procyanidin B2 [EC-(4β→8)-EC], procyanidin B1 [EC-(4β→8)-C], and procyanidin C1 [EC-(4β→8)-EC-(4β→8)-EC]. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis demonstrated that the structure units of polymeric Amps, which were linked by B-type bonds, contained only catechin and epicatechin. In addition, the degree of polymerization was from pentamer to twenty-two polymer. Five flavan-3-ol monomers and oligomeric procyanidins had strong antioxidant activities. The DPPH and ABTS free-radical scavenging capacities followed the order: flavan-3-ol monomers > dimeric procyanidins > trimeric procyanidins > ascorbic acid. However, FRAP values increased with a degree of polymerization.
Potential of Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Scaffold for Ex Vivo Expansion of Cord Blood-Derived CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Background: An efficient and practical ex vivo expansion of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells as an alternative source of HSC transplantation is crucial in understanding the potential of HSC transplantation in treating or supportive therapy in a variety of hematologic and non-hematologic disorders. The aim of this study was an ex vivo expansion of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells in a novel threedimensional polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffold coated with collagen. Methods: After 10-day cultured of cord blood CD34+ cells in 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional culture system, the evaluation was performed by qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and clonogenicity. Results: 3-Dimensional Polycaprolactone nano-scaffold coated with collagen provided higher total nucleated cells (50-fold vs. 38-fold) and CD34+ cells (20-fold vs. 2.6-fold) (p < 0.05) and compared to 2-Dimensional cell culture and before expansion had higher expression of homing and self-renewal genes and for VLA-4, hTERT and BMI-1 genes were statically significant (p = 0.0001). The expression of myeloid markers in 3-Dimensional scaffold was significantly higher than the 2-Dimensional culture system (p < 0.05). The total colony in 2-Dimensional culture was lower than 3-Dimensional culture medium (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the synergistic effect between the three-dimensionality of the scaffold and collagen as an extracellular matrix protein, and the potential of this 3-Dimensional Polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffold coated with collagen for ex vivo expansion of HSCs.
Long-term total OH reactivity measurements in a boreal forest

Abstract. Total hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity measurements were conducted at the second Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II), a boreal forest site located in Hyytiälä, Finland, from April to July 2016. The measured values were compared with OH reactivity calculated from a combination of data from the routine trace gas measurements (station mast) as well as online and offline analysis with a gas chromatographer coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC–MS) and offline liquid chromatography. Up to 104 compounds, mostly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxidized VOCs, but also inorganic compounds, were included in the analysis, even though the data availability for each compound varied with time. The monthly averaged experimental total OH reactivity was found to be higher in April and May (ca. 20 s−1) than in June and July (7.6 and 15.4 s−1, respectively). The measured values varied much more in spring with high reactivity peaks in late afternoon, with values higher than in the summer, in particular when the soil was thawing. Total OH reactivity values generally followed the pattern of mixing ratios due to change of the boundary layer height. The missing reactivity fraction (defined as the difference between measured and calculated OH reactivity) was found to be high. Several reasons that can explain the missing reactivity are discussed in detail such as (1) missing measurements due to technical issues, (2) not measuring oxidation compounds of detected biogenic VOCs, and (3) missing important reactive compounds or classes of compounds with the available measurements. In order to test the second hypothesis, a one-dimensional chemical transport model (SOSAA) has been used to estimate the amount of unmeasured oxidation products and their expected contribution to the reactivity for three different short periods in April, May, and July. However, only a small fraction (<4.5 %) of the missing reactivity can be explained by modelled secondary compounds (mostly oxidized VOCs). These findings indicate that compounds measured but not included in the model as well as unmeasured primary emissions contribute the missing reactivity. In the future, non-hydrocarbon compounds from sources other than vegetation (e.g. soil) should be included in OH reactivity studies.
Sources and processes that control the submicron organic aerosol composition in an urban Mediterranean environment (Athens): a high temporal-resolution chemical composition measurement study

Abstract. Submicron aerosol chemical composition was studied during a year-long period (26 July 2016–31 July 2017) and two wintertime intensive campaigns (18 December 2013–21 February 2014 and 23 December 2015–17 February 2016), at a central site in Athens, Greece, using an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). Concurrent measurements included a particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS-IC), a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an AE-33 Aethalometer, and ion chromatography analysis on 24 or 12 h filter samples. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal variability of the main submicron aerosol constituents and decipher the sources of organic aerosol (OA). Organics were found to contribute almost half of the submicron mass, with 30 min resolution concentrations during wintertime reaching up to 200 µg m−3. During winter (all three campaigns combined), primary sources contributed about 33 % of the organic fraction, and comprised biomass burning (10 %), fossil fuel combustion (13 %), and cooking (10 %), while the remaining 67 % was attributed to secondary aerosol. The semi-volatile component of the oxidized organic aerosol (SV-OOA; 22 %) was found to be clearly linked to combustion sources, in particular biomass burning; part of the very oxidized, low-volatility component (LV-OOA; 44 %) could also be attributed to the oxidation of emissions from these primary combustion sources. These results, based on the combined contribution of biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) and SV-OOA, indicate the importance of increased biomass burning in the urban environment of Athens as a result of the economic recession. During summer, when concentrations of fine aerosols are considerably lower, more than 80 % of the organic fraction is attributed to secondary aerosol (SV-OOA 31 % and LV-OOA 53 %). In contrast to winter, SV-OOA appears to result from a well-mixed type of aerosol that is linked to fast photochemical processes and the oxidation of primary traffic and biogenic emissions. Finally, LV-OOA presents a more regional character in summer, owing to the oxidation of OA over the period of a few days.
Titanium-Dioxide-Based Visible-Light-Sensitive Photocatalysis: Mechanistic Insight and Applications

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most practical and prevalent photo-functional materials. Many researchers have endeavored to design several types of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. In particular, TiO2-based photocatalysts operating under visible light should be urgently designed and developed, in order to take advantage of the unlimited solar light available. Herein, we review recent advances of TiO2-based visible-light-sensitive photocatalysts, classified by the origins of charge separation photo-induced in (1) bulk impurity (N-doping), (2) hetero-junction of metal (Au NPs), and (3) interfacial surface complexes (ISC) and their related photocatalysts. These photocatalysts have demonstrated useful applications, such as photocatalytic mineralization of toxic agents in the polluted atmosphere and water, photocatalytic organic synthesis, and artificial photosynthesis. We wish to provide comprehension and enlightenment of modification strategies and mechanistic insight, and to inspire future work.