Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystallization, Morphology, and Enzymatic Degradation of Polyhydroxybutyrate/Polycaprolactone (PHB/PCL) Blends

Two types of mixtures were prepared by solution blending: high molecular weight polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and PHB/low molecular weight chemically modified PCLs (mPCL). The morphology, crystallization, and enzymatic degradation of the blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, 1 H NMR, and weight loss measurements. In addition, enzymatic degradation studies were performed by an exposure to Aspergillus flavus. High molecular weight PHB/PCL blends were found to be immiscible in the entire composition range. Phenomena such as PCL fractionated crystallization and a decrease in PHB nucleation density were detected. When PHB was blended with mPCLs, the blends were partially miscible; two phases were formed, but the PHB-rich phase exhibited clear signs of miscibility through a depression of both the T m and the Tg of the PHB component (which was stronger with lower molecular weight mPCL), and an increase in the growth rate of PHB spherulites in the blends as compared to neat PHB or to the PHB component in the PHB/PCL blends. The biodegradation by a exposure to A. flavus showed that the blends are synergistically attacked in comparison to the homopolymers. Two factors may influence the improved degradation rate of the blends: the dispersion of the components and their crystallinity that was reduced in view of the fractionated crystallization and impurities transfer. In the case of the PHB/mPCL blends, the increased miscibility between the components caused a reduction in the degradation rate.
Magneto—Mössbauer Study of Cu0.5Fe2.5O4

Saturation magnetization and Mossbauer measurements at different temperatures from 4.2° to 623°K have been made on samples of composition Cu0.5Fe2. 5O4 sintered at different temperatures between 1210° and 1350°C and quenched to room temperature. The Mossbauer spectra consist of a superposition of two six‐line patterns, which are attributed to iron on B sites and A sites, on the basis of the change in the intensity of the spectra with the substitution of a small amount of Sc in Cu0.5Fe2. 5O4. The relative isomer shifts and hyperfine fields also confirm this assignment. The internal magnetic field at the iron nucleus at 300°K is Hβ = 473±2 kOe and HA = 402±2kOe. The isomer shifts relative to metallic iron and the A and B sites are found to be characteristic of the iron in the trivalent state. The saturation magnetization, Curie temperature, and hyperfine fields are found to be practically independent of the sintering temperature. The ratio of the iron site occupancy factor is determined from the intensity rat.
Kinetics of colour change of bamboo shoot slices during microwave drying

Summary The effect of microwave power on colour change kinetics of bamboo shoot slices was investigated during microwave drying. Colour changes were quantified by tri-stimulus Hunter L (whiteness/darkness), a (redness/greenness), and b (yellowness/blueness) system. These values were also used for calculation of total colour change (ΔE), chroma, hue angle, and browning index (BI). Microwave drying as expected changed colour parameters because of browning. The values of L and b decreased, while values of a and ΔE increased during drying. Mathematical modelling of colour change kinetics indicated that L, b, chroma and BI could be defined using a first-order kinetic model, while a, ΔE and hue angle could be defined using a zero-order kinetic model. Considering together colour deterioration and quality of dried bamboo shoot slices at higher power reveals the need of process standardisation for getting good quality product.
Comportamento da cultura do tomateiro sob diferentes tensões de água no solo em ambiente protegido

A cultura do tomateiro corresponde a uma atividade expressiva no Brasil, bastante exigente em agua e, sob cultivo protegido, a irrigacao deve ser usada para o suprimento hidrico total. O manejo adequado da irrigacao e importante nao apenas por suprir as necessidades hidricas das plantas mas, tambem, por minimizar problemas com doencas e lixiviacao de nutrientes, alem de gastos desnecessarios com agua e energia. Visando definir criterios para o manejo da irrigacao, avaliou-se, atraves deste trabalho, o efeito de diferentes tensoes de agua no solo sobre o comportamento produtivo do tomateiro de crescimento indeterminado, hibrido Raisa N, em ambiente protegido, na regiao de Lavras, MG. O experimento foi instalado em casa de vegetacao com delineamento em blocos casualizados, tendo quatro repeticoes. Os tratamentos foram constituidos de seis niveis de tensoes de agua no solo como indicativos do momento de irrigar. As tensoes preestabelecidas foram 15, 30, 50, 70, 120 e 170 kPa e os resultados permitiram concluir-se que, para a obtencao de maiores produtividades de frutos totais, frutos comerciais e menor incidencia de frutos com podridao apical, as irrigacoes devem ser realizadas quando as tensoes de agua no solo a 0,10 m de profundidade estiverem em torno de 80 kPa. Tambem foi possivel observar que a eficiencia no uso da agua apresentou resposta linear crescente com o aumento da tensao de agua no solo.
Two DSC Glass Transitions in Miscible Blends of Polyisoprene/ Poly(4-tert-butylstyrene)

Conventional and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments have been carried out on miscible blends of polyisoprene (PI) and poly(4-tert-butylstyrene) (P4tBS) over a broad composition range. This system is characterized by an extraordinarily large Tg difference (∼215 K) between the two homopolymers. Two distinct calorimetric glass transitions were observed in blends of intermediate compositions (25%−50% PI) by both conventional and temperature-modulated DSC. Good agreement was found between the component Tg values measured by the two methods. Fitting of the component Tg values to the Lodge−McLeish model gives a ϕself of around 0.63 for PI in this blend and 0.03 for P4tBS. The extracted ϕself for PI is comparable to reported values for PEO in blends with PMMA and is significantly larger than values reported for PI in other blends with smaller homopolymer Tg differences. This observation is consistent with the presence of a nonequilibrium or confinement effect in PI/P4tBS ble.
Daratumumab Plus Carfilzomib: An Optimistic Approach in Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Background: Although with the introduction of novel agents, clinical outcomes have significantly improved in patients of multiple myeloma (MM); however, nearly all relapse, requiring subsequent treatment. Patients who have been heavily treated for relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) have limited options and poor survival outcomes. Carfilzomib plus daratumumab combination have been evaluated in a phase 1b study in patients of RRMM progressing after 1–3 lines of therapies including bortezomib and an immune-modulatory drug. However, data are lacking evaluating the efficacy of this combination in RRMM patients who have progressed or have suboptimal response on either of these drugs (carfilzomib or daratumumab). Methods: Prospective analysis of data of 19 RRMM patients who progressed after multiple lines of therapy (including bortezomib and lenalidomide/pomalidomide) and had suboptimal response/stable/progressive disease after receiving carfilzomib or daratumumab based combination as last therapy. All patients received combination of carfilzomib plus daratumumab along with dexamethasone (DKd) after prior consent. Daratumumab (16 mg/kg IV) was administered weekly (days 1, 8, 15, and 22) during cycles 1 and 2, every 2 weeks (days 1 and 15) during cycles 3–6, and every 4 weeks thereafter. Carfilzomib was administered weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Patients received an initial carfilzomib dose of 20 mg/m2 on day 1,2; 27 mg/m2 on day 8, 9, 15, 16 of cycle 1, which increased to 70 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 15 from cycle 2 onwards if deemed tolerable. Dexamethasone was given as fixed-dose of 40 mg weekly. Results: Eighteen of 19 patients (including 3 high risk cytogenetics) to DKd (CR-4, very good partial response-10, partial response-02). After median follow-up of 16 months, progression-free survival (PFS) was 95%. Median PFS was not reached. Three patients who were transplant eligible received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation and achieved minimal residual disease negativity. The most frequent all grade side effects were hematological, which included neutropenia 30%, anemia 70%, and thrombocytopenia 42%. Most frequent non hematological side effects were nausea 40%, vomiting, cough, respiratory tract infections, asthenia, and loss of appetite. Conclusion: Carfilzomib plus daratumumab based combination in RRMM patients has shown promising results in phase Ib study, where patients with prior exposure to either of these drugs were excluded. Our data show similar or better response of this combination in patients who had progressive disease/stable disease/minimal response to either of carfilzomib or daratumumab. This combination can be a better option in heavily treated RRMM (with prior exposure to either of carfilzomib or daratumumab) producing deeper and durable responses. A larger study may be required to prove this benefit.
Treating acute myeloid leukemia among children with down syndrome

Abstract Background: Down Syndrome (DS) children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have unique differences in clinical features, epidemiologic nature, and biologic patterns of disease compared with AML in children without DS. Aims and Objective: AML in DS children should be considered distinct disorder from AML in Non DS population and treatment needs to be customized for this population. In this retrospective study spanning from 2014 to 2019 we present our experience of managing leukemia in children with DS. Materials and Methods: From 2014 and 2019, 72 children aged below 18 years were managed at our institute with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Out of these 72 children with AML, 7 children were with DS which was confirmed by karyotyping. Majority of these children had M7 while M2 and M4 subtypes were seen in one child each. On conventional karyotyping in addition to trisomy 21 additional cytogenetic abnormalities were seen in 4 patients. Two children had trisomy 8. One child had deletion of 11 chromosomes and one had translocation between 8 and 21 chromosomes. Results: All 7 children were administered intensive chemotherapy with curative intent after informed parental consent. All 7 children achieved complete remission. Four out of 7 children had complications related to severe neutropenia. Conclusion: All patients of DS with AML should be offered chemotherapy with curative intent. Endeavour should be to give less aggressive chemotherapy protocol to bring down treatment related mortality.
Predictors of dental general anesthesia receipt among children attending a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia

Aim: Children are normally treated in a dental chair, despite that some may have their treatment done under dental general anesthesia (DGA). Factors affecting the decision on DGA include the quality and quantity of treatment needed and child's age and cooperation. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of DGA among children with dental caries and to identify the associated factors in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 children with dental caries was conducted. Data were collected from the patients' records including demographic, behavioral, and clinical information, diagnosis using caries indexes (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth/decayed filled teeth [dft]), and number of DGA and its indications. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the predictors of DGA, and significance was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The study included 400 children; 55% of them were below the age of 6 years, with a mean age of 6.4 ± 2.3 years. About one-half of children were males (51.7%) and unhealthy (48.2%). The majority were of negative behavior (70.7%) and noncomplaint to dental appointments (70.3%). More than three-fourth of children (78.5%) experienced one or more DGA. GA use was significantly associated with gender (χ2 = 4.30, P < 0.04), age (t = 12.37, P < 0.0001), health status (χ2 = 16.02, P < 0.0001), dft index (z = 11.44, P < 0.0001), child behavior (χ2 = 48.54, P < 0.0001), age at the first dental visit (t = 11.73, P < 0.0001), number of dental treatment visits (z = 11.14, P < 0.0001) and dental preventive visits (z = 7.21, P < 0.0001) before the index dental visit, and compliance with dental appointments (χ2 = 39.50, P < 0.001). However, after adjusting for confounders, using the logistic regression analysis, DGA use was predicted by unhealthy children (odds ratio [OR] = 27.35, P = 0.002), those with a negative behavior (OR = 18.28, P = 0.003), and those with higher dft index (OR = 1.68, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Noncooperation, general health status, and dental caries level (dft) were the main factors for the decision of DGA. High caries-risk children must be the target for behavioral management to minimize their need for treatment under DGA. Post-DGA appointment to guide the child back to normal dental care is recommended.
An online survey of education, knowledge and attitude toward homosexuality in adults

Background: People across cultures have negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination toward homosexuality for many years. The concept is changing, and recently in India, the Supreme Court has decriminalized homosexuality and recognized it as natural, with people having no control over it. This study aims to find out if there is any change in knowledge and attitude toward homosexuality in the Indian adult population after the landmark judgment. Methods: The study was designed as an online survey using snowball sampling incorporating the questions from Sex Education, Knowledge about homosexuality questionnaire (SEKHQ), Attitudes toward Homosexuality Questionnaire (AHQ) and relevant sociodemographic details and the data were collected using google form for 3 months. Results: Six hundred and forty-three people over the age of 18 years participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 29.12 years. The mean score on SEKHQ was 16.18 ± 4.71, with a median score of 16. The mean score on the “Attitudes toward Homosexuals” questionnaire (AHQ) was 54.04 ± 8.43. On Pearson's correlation test, age of the participants is positively correlated with SEKHQ score (r = 0.014; P = 0.71 at 95% confidence interval and AHQ score (r = 0.151; P ≤ 0.001 at 95% CI) while SEKHQ score is negatively correlated with AHQ score (r = −0.20; P ≤ 0.001 at 95% CI). Conclusion: The participants had better knowledge and positive attitudes towards homosexuality, especially being single, student and from a medical background. The study showed that higher knowledge on SEKHQ scores did not reflect the positive attitudinal change with increasing age. Generation gap exists and explains the open and diverse attitude of the younger generation toward this marginalized population. More large scale studies in the community setting are needed not only to evaluate but also to educate and improve the attitudes of people toward homosexuality.
Chemotherapy for Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Associated Infections Over Two Decades in India: Timeline and Impact on Outcome

Abstract Background: Infection and relapse constitute the two main challenges in the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children. Real-world data in children treated in low-and-middle income countries are sparse as the cost of supportive care is high. Patients and Methods: We present data on children up to 18 years of age undergoing chemotherapy for AML as per UKMRC AML protocol from 2002 to June 2019 and pattern of sepsis. Results: The incidence of culture-positive sepsis was similar pre- and post-2012 (52.6% vs. 72.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common organism. There was a significant increase in carbapenem resistance post 2012 (14% vs. 67%, P = 0.032). Sepsis-related induction mortality has remained at 6.2% despite an increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections over two decades. The overall survival was 53% (n=48), with a plateau in the survival curve after 24 months, relapse being the most common cause of death (69%). Conclusions: Sepsis-related induction mortality can be maintained at less than 10% in children undergoing chemotherapy for AML, despite increasing drug-resistant bacteremia, with adequate supportive care and trained personnel including pediatric intensivists and nurses.
First-principles study of the effect of water on the phase transitions in Mg2SiO4 forsterite

First-principles calculations on the phase transitions in Mg2SiO4 forsterite have been performed using density functional theory and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) implemented in the Vienna Ab-initio Simulation Package code. The effect of water incorporation was simulated by considering Mg2SiO4 crystals of three different structural phases with water contents of 0, 1.65, and 3.3 wt. %. The theoretical K 0 calculated from computed P–V curves reproduces the experimental results well. After an empirical correction to take into account the overestimation of pressure by GGA calculations, the transition pressures in anhydrous Mg2SiO4 crystals are consistent with experimental results. As water content increases, the α–β phase boundary shifts towards lower pressure, while the β–γ phase boundary towards higher pressure. Thus, the existence of water can persistently expand the region of the β phase. Further analyses reveal that the density discontinuities caused by α–β and β–γ phase transitions also vary inversely with water content.
Aggregate breakdown dynamics under rainfall compared with aggregate stability measurements

Aggregate breakdown due to rainfall action causes crusting and interrill erosion. Erodibility is seemingly determined by the capacity of surface aggregates to resist the effects of rainfall. In this paper, we evaluated the relevance of an aggregate stability measurement, which comprises three treatments, in order to characterize aggregate breakdown dynamics. Two cultivated soils were studied: a clay loam slightly sensitive to erosion and a more susceptible silt loam. We compared the size distributions of microaggregates produced by the three aggregate stability treatments with the results from a rainfall simulation. The behaviour of four initial aggregate size classes (< 3 mm, 3–5 mm, 5–10 mm and 10–20 mm) was also compared to study the influence of the initial aggregate size on the nature of resulting aggregates. The mean weight diameter was from 200 to 1400 µm for the silt loam and from 600 to 7000 µm for the clay loam. The two experiments – aggregate stability measurements and aggregate breakdown dynamics under rainfall – yielded similar results. Qualitative analysis showed that for both soils the sizes of fragments produced by breakdown with the aggregate stability tests and under rainfall were similar and seemed to be qualitatively independent of the size of initial aggregates. We first schematized the structural organization of aggregates in cultivated horizons with a simple hierarchical model at two levels: (i) < 250 µm microaggregates and (ii) > 250 µm macroaggregates made by the binding together of microaggregates. We then developed a model of aggregate breakdown dynamics under rainfall which gives, for various rainfall durations, the size distributions of resulting fragments on the basis of aggregate stability measurements. We obtained a correlation coefficient, r, of 0.87 for the silt loam and of 0.91 for the clay loam, showing that the experimental and predicted mass percentages were linearly related for each size fraction.
New Compositional Models for Calculating Viscosity of Crude Oils

Crude oil viscosity is an important physical property that controls and influences the flow of oil through porous media and pipelines. Hence, it is the basis of many reservoir engineering and production system calculations. In the crude oil recovery and processing, viscosity is a significant parameter because a large amount of time and money are spent in experimental measurements of viscosity. This necessitates the development of reliable viscosity models capable of predicting crude oil viscosity and reduces the expensive and cumbersome experimental measurements. Because of the complexities and varied composition of crude oils, empirical models and other predictive tools cannot replace the laboratory measurements, even if the latter is costly. This paper presents new compositional models for estimating crude oil viscosity. The new models use fluid composition, temperature, and pressure to predict the oil viscosity. The models were derived from viscosity measurements of several crudes from the Middle East,.
Effect of Some Bagging Types under Different Conditions of Cold Temperature on Storability of Lime Fruits

2 Abstract: This investigation was carried out on lime fruits (Citrus aurahtifolia Swingle) to study the effect of some bagging types i.e. punnet, perforated and unperforated plates under 5°C and 13°C temperature on some physical and chemical properties, decay percent, weight loss percent and Juice percentage. The best fruit quality specially the reduction in decay percent, weight loss percent, acidity and ascorbic acid in lime fruits were obtained by punnet bagging under 5°C for seven weeks during two successive seasons (2012 and 2013).
Two‐Way Shape Changes of a Shape‐Memory Poly(ester urethane)

Phase-segregated PEU exhibits two-way shape changes under various constant stresses. Most distinct actuation (expansion on cooling and contraction on heating) can be detected between +60 and −20 °C when the maximum stress applied during a thermo-mechanical pretreatment approached the point where deformation-induced crystallization of the PBA soft segment sets in. The driving forces for the strain-related two-way shape changes consist of PBA crystallization and PBA melting-induced entropy elasticity. At low constant stresses (<1.5 MPa), entropy elasticity also contributes to specimen expansion on cooling. The results of multiple- cycling experiments imply that PEU is an appropriate candidate for the fabrication of thermoresponsive actuators working under constant stress conditions.