Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of β-proteobacterial ammonia oxidizer populations in surface layers of a submerged paddy soil microcosm

Abstract The structure of the β-proteobacterial autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) communities in a microcosm of submerged paddy soil was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified using AOB-selective primers. Shift in the community composition was observed 4 weeks after submergence. The communities from the surface layers (0–1, 2–3 mm) of the soil microcosm were different from those of the subsurface layers (6–9, > 15 mm) and DGGE bands specific to each layer were detected. The majority of the retrieved sequences were Nitrosospira-like, whereas no Nitrosomonas-like sequences were obtained. The 16S rDNA primer set also amplified sequences that were not related to the known Nitrosospira-Nitrosomonas group, although they showed a close relationship with other groups of β-proteobacteria. The results suggest that Nitrosospira-like populations are dominant AOB populations in the submerged paddy soil, and that the oxic layer of submerged paddy soil harbours the specific AOB.
Impact of Substituents on the Isatin Ring on the Reaction Between Isatins with Ortho-Phenylenediamine

Abstract The reaction of different substituted isatins with ortho-phenylenediamine in acetic acid has been investigated. While electron-donor substituents on isatin shift the reaction toward classical 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline ring closure, electron-withdrawing groups enhance the formation of 3-(2′-amino-5′-substituted)-quinoxaline-2(1H)-ones. The structures of all synthesized compounds were assigned by using infrared, mass, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 13C-1H HSQC, and 13C-1H heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) spectroscopic data.
Extraction modeling, kinetics, and thermodynamics of solvent extraction of Irvingia gabonensis kernel oil, for possible industrial application

The effects of the temperature, time, and particle size, in addition to the kinetics and thermodynamics parameters, of Irvingia gabonensis kernel oil (IGKO) yield were investigated. The highest oil yield of 68.80% (by weight) was obtained at 55°C, 150 minutes, and 0.5 mm. The evaluated physicochemical properties of IGKO indicated that viscosity, acidity, dielectric strength, flash, and pour points were 19.37 mm2 s−1, 5.18 mg KOH g−1, 25.83 kV, 285°C, and 17°C, respectively, suggesting its feasibility as transformer fluid upon further treatments. Between the pseudo‐second order and hyperbolic kinetic models studied, the former best describes the experimental data. ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG values of IGKO extraction at 0.5 mm and 328 K were, 251.81 kJ mol−1, 1.08 kJ mol−1, and −105.49 kJ mol−1, respectively, indicating the endothermic, irreversible, and spontaneous nature of the process. The kinetic model equations that describe the process were successfully developed for both models based on the process parameters.
Synthesis of highly branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s using the 'strathclyde methodology' in aqueous emulsion

High-conversion copolymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in aqueous emulsion have been carried out using sodium dodecyl sulfate as the emulsifier and potassium persulfate as the conventional free radical initiator. Various thiols have been investigated in order to inhibit cross-linking and hence favor the formation of branched products. Hexanethiol (HT) and benzylthiol (BT) have been found to be particularly effective. Use of appropriate levels of BT allow mole feed ratios of MMA/DVB up to 100/20 to be employed in producing highly branched products without cross-linking. Typically DVB/BT mole ratios of ≤1 ensure that cross-linking is avoided. Perhaps most remarkably of all no organic solvent is required in producing these branched products, whereas analogous polymerization feed compositions under bulk or aqueous suspension polymerization conditions lead inevitably to cross-linked products irrespective of the level of chain transfer agent used. The molar mass and branching ar.
A Comparative Survey of Convex Combination of Adaptive Filters

Over the last twenty years, combination of adaptive filters has emerged to provide a potential solution in the development of advanced applications, such as channel equalization, active noise control, acoustic echo cancelation, adaptive beamforming, among others. Several authors have demonstrated that the combination of two filters with complementary capabilities improves the overall filter performance in comparison when a single filter is used. Commonly, these combinations employ a fast filter and slow filter to guarantee fast convergence speed and low steady-state mean square error (MSE), respectively, at the cost of increasing their computational complexity. However, those combinations have not been well analysed and compared. Currently, this aspect is crucial since most of the current convex combination of adaptive filters could be implemented in advanced embedded digital devices to be used in real-time signal processing applications. In this work, we evaluate the convex combination of adaptive filters, mainly including those based on least mean square (LMS) algorithm, the affine projection (AP) algorithm and the recursive least mean square (RLS) algorithm. We carry out an extensive performance evaluation to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Specifically, we simulate them in fixed point, which makes feasible the rapid development of advanced prototypes. This aspect could be potentially valuable to the signal processing engineering communities.
Imperatives for predicting preferential and diffuse flow in the unsaturated zone: 2. Disparate formulation

Water flow in the unsaturated zone occurs in two principal modes. Preferential flow proceeds through a small portion of the total volume of soil or rock, is fast and sometimes high in flux, and typically occurs infrequently for brief intervals. Diffuse flow proceeds through essentially the whole medium, progresses slowly, and goes on all the time. As explained in the companion commentary (Nimmo, 2020a), both modes must be adequately addressed in quantitative prediction of water movement in the unsaturated zone. Whereas diffuse unsaturated flow has a well-established, widelyaccepted theory based on surface-tension/viscous-flow (STVF) principles (Miller & Miller, 1956), preferential flow does not. This lack poses essential challenges, the foremost of which are (1) to confront current problems with the best available approaches and (2) to develop a tractable theory that represents what actually occurs during preferential flow. Processes of preferential flow are commonly grouped into three classes (Nimmo, 2020b):
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Shiraz, Iran

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a critical world concern, with healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of infection. Thus, a sufficient level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) must be ensured. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the KAP toward COVID-19 among HCWs in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a large sample of HCWs dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple hospitals affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The survey featured four sections: demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice. An expert panel validated the questionnaire, and its reliability was ensured through a pilot study on 20 HCWs (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.9). Results: We found that 72.8% of HCWs had sufficient knowledge, 66.65% indicated correct attitudes, and 67.72% described good practices. However, 24.23% thought adequate protective equipment or facilities are unavailable. The knowledge scores were lowest on prevention and diagnosis, though symptoms were well-recognized. The male gender was correlated with more correct attitudes. Among nurses, 2 - 5 years of work experience was associated with better practice, with a master’s degree being related to more positive attitudes. Conclusions: The KAP of HCWs toward COVID-19 are acceptable in Shiraz, but further education and training is beneficial, especially on disinfectants and prevention; reassurance regarding protective equipment is also vital.
Pathophysiological Basis for Nutraceutical Supplementation in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review

There is evidence demonstrating that heart failure (HF) occurs in 1–2% of the global population and is often accompanied by comorbidities which contribute to increasing the prevalence of the disease, the rate of hospitalization and the mortality. Although recent advances in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have led to a significant improvement in clinical outcomes in patients affected by HF, residual unmet needs remain, mostly related to the occurrence of poorly defined strategies in the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. Nutritional support in patients developing HF and nutraceutical supplementation have recently been shown to possibly contribute to protection of the failing myocardium, although their place in the treatment of HF requires further assessment, in order to find better therapeutic solutions. In this context, the Optimal Nutraceutical Supplementation in Heart Failure (ONUS-HF) working group aimed to assess the optimal nutraceutical approach to HF in the early phases of the disease, in order to counteract selected pathways that are imbalanced in the failing myocardium. In particular, we reviewed several of the most relevant pathophysiological and molecular changes occurring during the early stages of myocardial dysfunction. These include mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum stress, insufficient nitric oxide (NO) release, impaired cardiac stem cell mobilization and an imbalanced regulation of metalloproteinases. Moreover, we reviewed the potential of the nutraceutical supplementation of several natural products, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a grape seed extract, Olea Europea L. -related antioxidants, a sodium–glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibitor-rich apple extract and a bergamot polyphenolic fraction, in addition to their support in cardiomyocyte protection, in HF. Such an approach should contribute to optimising the use of nutraceuticals in HF, and the effect needs to be confirmed by means of more targeted clinical trials exploring the efficacy and safety of these compounds.
Structure refinement of the iron–aluminium phase with the approximate composition Fe2Al5

Diiron pentaaluminide, Fe 2 Al 5 , M r =268.8, orthorhombic, Cmcm (No. 63), a=7.6559(8), b=6.4154(6), c=4.2184 (4) A, V=207. 19 (6) A 3 , Z=2, D x =4.23 (2), D m =4.20 (1) Mg m -3 , Mo Kα radiation, μ=8.2 mm -1 , F(000)=249.6, T=293 K, R=0.0229, wR=0.0270 for 137 unique reflections. The refined structure differs from the approximate structure proposed previously by an additional partially occupied atomic position
Gas exchange, growth, and production of mini-watermelon under saline water irrigation and phosphate fertilization

In the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil, due to the occurrence of excess salts, both in the water and soil, plants are constantly exposed to various conditions of abiotic stress. Thus, it is extremely important to identify methods capable of minimizing the effects of salt stress on plants as a way to ensure the expansion of irrigated areas. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the gas exchange, growth, and production of mini-watermelon irrigated with saline waters and fertilized with phosphorus. The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions in Pombal, PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water—ECw (0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, and 4.3 dS m-1), four phosphorus doses— PD (60, 80, 100, and 120% of the recommendation), and with three replicates. Watermelon plants cv. Sugar Baby were sensitive to water salinity greater than 0.3 dS m-1, with more pronounced inhibition of gas exchange, growth, and production. Reduction in the CO2 assimilation rate of watermelon plants cv. Sugar Baby was associated with factors of stomatal and non-stomatal origin. Phosphorous doses corresponding to 73 and 88% of the recommended values promoted an increase in the intercellular CO2 concentration and stem diameter of mini-watermelon plants. P2O5 doses ranging from 60 to 120% of the recommendation did not mitigate the effects of salt stress on the cultivation of watermelon cv. Sugar Baby.
Feature detection and description for image matching: from hand-crafted design to deep learning

ABSTRACT In feature based image matching, distinctive features in images are detected and represented by feature descriptors. Matching is then carried out by assessing the similarity of the descriptors of potentially conjugate points. In this paper, we first shortly discuss the general framework. Then, we review feature detection as well as the determination of affine shape and orientation of local features, before analyzing feature description in more detail. In the feature description review, the general framework of local feature description is presented first. Then, the review discusses the evolution from hand-crafted feature descriptors, e.g. SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform), to machine learning and deep learning based descriptors. The machine learning models, the training loss and the respective training data of learning-based algorithms are looked at in more detail; subsequently the various advantages and challenges of the different approaches are discussed. Finally, we present and assess some current research directions before concluding the paper.
Controllable Pt/ZnO Porous Nanocages with Improved Photocatalytic Activity

Composite Pt/ZnO porous nanocages with ultrathin porous ZnO shell layers and ultrafine embedded Pt nanoparticles were facilely fabricated by ultrasonic irradiation-assisted two-step etching of Zn/ZnO core/shell nanoparticle colloids. The Pt cluster size can be well adjusted by the applied ultrasonic power. These Pt/ZnO nanocages exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance and can be further improved by the control of the embedded noble metal nanoparticles, which can be attributed to the abundant nanoscale Schottky contacts in the Pt−ZnO metal−semiconductor interfaces as well as to the large specific surface area due to the unique porous structure. The selective etching route used here could be of considerable universality for fabrication of a series of noble metal/oxide porous nanostructures as photocatalysts, such as the (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd)/(ZnO, TiO2) system.
Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Variations in Nondiabetics With Nutritional Anemia

Objectives: Diabetes is prevalent in the Indian population, to the extent that the diabetes burden matches that of nutritional anemia. We aimed to determine the effects of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations in individuals without diabetes. Material and methods: The study comprises 100 patients with iron deficiency anemia, 100 with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, and 100 healthy volunteers as a control group. Each of the first two groups was subdivided into two groups depending on the severity of anemia based on Hb levels. We treated with iron replenishment in the iron deficiency group and B12 replenishment in the B12 deficiency group for three months. We noted HbA1c levels before and after the therapy. Data were entered into the SPSS package. For comparing pre and post-therapy levels, we used the Paired 't' test. Results: The mean HbA1c before treatment were 6.1% ± 0.23% and 5.5% ± 0.24%, and the values after treatment were 5.1% ± 0.14% and 4.6% ± 0.2% in severe iron deficiency anemia subgroup and mild to moderate subgroup, respectively. The mean HbA1c in the iron-deficiency anemia control group was 5.2% ± 0.2%. The mean HbA1c levels before treatment were 5.9% ± 0.3% and 5.6% ± 0.19%, and after treatment were 5.0% ± 0.15% and 4.9% ± 0.16% in severe and mild to moderate B12 deficiency anemia, respectively. The mean HbA1c in the vitamin B12 deficiency anemia control group was 5.1% ± 0.2%. Conclusion: HbA1c in both types of anemia subjects showed a significant decrease with appropriate therapy. Physicians should consider rechecking patient haemoglobin values and correcting a patient's anemia before determining the patient's glycemic status using HbA1c to avoid misinterpretation of their diabetes status.
Redox Properties of Structural Fe in Ferruginous Smectite. A Discussion of the Standard Potential and its Environmental Implications

The aim of this study was to compare the redox properties of oxides and smectite structural Fe (FeStr). Structural Fe in smectite often accounts for about half of the Fe pool in soils and sediments, and is naturally reduced by indigenous bacteria. This reaction is, however, seldom taken into account in environmental studies. The equation for the oxidation-reduction of FeStr and its application to the calculation of the standard electrode potential of FeStr, E0, are discussed on the basis of literature review. The resulting redox properties were used in a new analysis of previously reported field monitoring data. This agreed well with experimental observations that remained unexplained, and showed that if equilibrium conditions prevail, the FeStr pool in soils will reduce prior to the Fe in oxides. The FeStr pool is, therefore, likely to play a major role in controlling the bio-geochemistry of temporarily water-logged soils, and this reaction should be taken into account in further studies.
Ketoprofen Spray-dried Microspheres Based on Eudragit® RS and RL: Study of the Manufacturing Parameters

The preparation of ketoprofen spray-dried microspheres can be affected by the long drug recrystallization time. Polymer type and drug–polymer ratio as well as manufacturing parameters affect the preparation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the possibility to obtain ketoprofen spray-dried microspheres using the Eudragit® RS and RL; the influence of the spray-drying parameters on morphology, dimension, and physical stability of microspheres was studied. Ketoprofen microspheres based on Eudragit® blend can be prepared by spray-drying and the nebulization parameters do not influence significantly particle properties; nevertheless, they can be affected by drying and storage methods. No effect of the container material is found.
Reduced Reaction Mechanisms for Ammonia Oxidation in Premixed Laminar Flames

Abstract Reduced reaction mechanisms are essential for the inclusion of direct kinetic effects into turbulent flame computations for practical problems. In the present paper reduced seven step, five step and four step reaction mechanisms for ammonia oxidation have been developed by the study ofpremixed laminar flames. A systematic reduction technique using steady state assumptions for intermediaries and radicals has been used to obtain the reduced schemes from a comprehensive detailed kinetic mechanism. Special emphasis has been given to the formation and destruction of NO and N2O The reduced mechanisms have been tested by comparing calculations performed with the reduced mechanisms and the detailed starting mechanism. Results for an extensive set of flat laminar premixed H2/O2 flames doped with ammonia or ammonia and nitric oxide diluted with argon and NH3/O2 flames are presented. The reduced mechanisms generally provide excellent agreement with the temperature, major species and nitric-oxide profiles fo.
Evolution of Land Use in Two Drainage Basins in an Urban Area of Brasília-DF/Brazil

The city of Brasilia, Brazil, is internationally known for its modern architecture based on the urbanism project of Lucio Costa, which contemplated the urban center. Nowadays, despite partial planning and being one of the most famous urban landscapes in the world, the city presents frequent and challenging problems, among which we can highlight the countless cases of floods in various sectors of the urban area. This research had the objective to analyze the processes of use and occupation of the land in two drainage basins of first-order located in different urban nuclei full of paradoxes. Two drainage basins were selected, one located in Asa Norte, that is, inserted in the original planning of Lucio Costa, and another located in a region of recent urban expansion called aguas Claras. For both basins, the analysis of land use was carried out in two distinct periods, 1964 and 2019. The results indicate that the city advanced exponentially over the original vegetation areas, with changes above 500% of the replacement of savannah by urban area. It should also be noted that the mere architectural planning of the city did not take into account the essential characteristics of the territory, since basic elements, such as topography and relief, that provide extremely relevant subsidies for drainage systems, were relegated.
Question framing effects and the processing of the moral–conventional distinction

ABSTRACT Prominent theories in moral psychology maintain that a core aspect of moral competence is the ability to distinguish moral norms, which derive from universal principles of justice and fairness, from conventional norms, which are contingent on a specific group consensus. The present study investigated the psychological bases of the moral-conventional distinction by manipulating the framing of the test question, the authority’s license, and the historical context. Participants evaluated moral and conventional transgressions by answering an ‘okay for you’ test question (i.e., judging according to their opinion) or an ‘okay in context’ test question (i.e., judging by imagining being a contemporary of the story protagonist). In evaluating moral transgressions that happened in a distant context or with the authority’s license, most of the participants condemned the violations when responding to the ‘okay for you’ test question, but did not do so when responding to the ‘okay in context’ test question. A similar effect of the question framing was found also on scenarios presenting conventional violations suggesting that subtle changes in the framing of the test question can influence people’s evaluations of both moral and conventional prototypical transgressions. We propose that these effects indicate the presence of moral and conventional construals of social actions that are highly flexible and context-sensitive.
Photoactivated Processes in Condensed Phase studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Licht-getriebene Prozesse in kondensierter Phase im Detail zu verstehen ist ein Hauptziel der Bio- und Nanowissenschaften. Die molekulare Dynamik der zu Grunde liegenden Mechanismen lauft typischerweise auf der sub-Pikosekunden Zeitskala ab. Derart ultra-schnelle Atombewegungen sind experimentell nur sehr schwer zu erfassen. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, an Hand von Molekulardynamik (MD) Simulationen die molekularen Mechanismen von drei verschiedenden photochemischen Prozessen in kondensierter Phase aufzuklaren, den Photoschalt-Mechanismus des Fluoroproteins asFP595, die Deaktivierung eines angeregten Cytosin-Guanin DNA Basenpaares, und die optische Kontraktion eines photoschaltbaren Polyazobenzol Peptides. Unsere Simulationen liefern detaillierte strukturelle und dynamische Informationen uber diese Prozesse mit einer Auflosung, die jenseits der experinmentell erreichbaren Genauigkeit liegt. Die Anwendung von ab initio QM/MM MD Simulationen im lichtangeregten Zustand zusammen mit einem diabatischen surface hopping Algorithmus (asFP595 und DNA) und force-probe MD (Polyazobenzol Peptide) ermoglichte es nicht nur, experimentelle Ergebnisse quantitativ zu erklaren (Quantenausbeuten, Lebenszeiten des angeregten Zustandes, Kraft-Auslenkungs Kurven), sondern auch Vorhersagen zu treffen, die experimentell uberprufbar sind und zum Teil auch schon uberpruft wurden. Das Verstandinis des molekularen Mechanismus ist ein Schlusselschritt auf dem Weg zum rationellen Design photoschaltbarer Systeme, wie in dieser Arbeit beispielhaft fur ein Polyazobenzol Peptid demonstriert.