Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Quantity Change Pattern of Environment-Friendly Products in the Sharing Economy

In the practice of various Internet-based sharing economies, environmental issues of shared products become more prominent and urgent. By analysing the relationship among government, enterprises, and consumers, this paper develops a system dynamics model based on the evolutionary game theory to explore the quantity change pattern of environment-friendly products in a sharing industry. A discrete dynamic system simulation of the quantity change process takes shared bikes in Beijing as a case study. The simulation results are consistent with the analysis of evolutionary game theory. The results show that government subsidies to both enterprises and consumers can lead to higher quantities of environment-friendly shared products, while consumer subsidy is better than enterprise subsidy. In addition, governments and enterprises need to ensure moderate investments to improve consumer experience and environmental awareness.
The Losses in the Rice Harvest Process: A Review

We review existing studies on rice harvest loss from the aspects of estimation methods, magnitudes, causes, effects, and interventions. The harvest losses examined occurred from the field reaping to storage processes, including threshing, winnowing, and field transportation. We find that existing studies on rice harvest losses have focused on quantitative losses in Asia and Africa. Lack of knowledge, inadequate harvesting techniques, poor infrastructure, and inefficient harvest management practices are considered critical contributors to the losses. The magnitudes and causes of rice harvest losses are now better understood than interventions, which have simply been presented but lack an assessment of the effects and a cost–benefit analysis. Interestingly, reduction in harvest losses may threaten some farmers’ profits, such as rural women who make their living from post-production manual operations. Considering the current status of the literature, future researchers should examine how to balance social and individual welfare since farmers are key stakeholders in intervention implementation. A good understanding of the existing researches can help clarify future efforts for loss reduction, thereby reducing the burden of increasing agricultural production and promoting sustainable development of resources and the environment.
The protective effect of quercetin against hepatotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in male rats

Quercetin is one of the major flavonoids finding in many fruits and vegetables. Quercetin has many health promoting advantages such as improvement of allergic, arthritis disorder, and reduction of cancer and cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to examine hepatoprotective effects of quercetin on doxorubicin induced toxicity in animal model. Thirty male Wistar rats (200-230 g) were randomly divided in to 5 groups including: Quercetin group was orally treated with 20 mg/kg of quercetin for 14 days. Doxorubicin group was treated with 25 mg/kg of doxorubicin i.p. for 3 days. DoxorubicinQuercetin group (DQ) was orally pretreated of 20 mg/kg quercetin for 14 days with hepatotoxicity induced by i.p. injection of 25 mg/kg doxorubicin (12th, 13th and 14th days). The control and vehicle group were orally received saline (1 mL/kg), and DMSO (1 mL/kg) respectively. Sample of their livers were used to determine the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), GPX, catalase, and histological analysis. The numerical data were evaluated by ANOVA, followed by the Tukey tests. The results show that doxorubicin could produce hepatotoxicity in rat. Also, increased liver enzymatic (ALT, AST, ALP), MPO, MDA (p<0.001), followed infiltration of inflammatory cell, and necrosis of hepatocytes also Pretreatment with quercetin reduces MPO activity (p=0.0034), MDA (p=0.0335) and the elevated liver ALT (0.009), ALP (p=0.0023) and AST activity (0.0074) in rats in DQ group. This study suggests that quercetin have a protective effect on the liver tissue against toxicity induced by doxorubicin. Conflicts of Interest: Declared None Funding: None
In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Organic Extracts of Aloe barbadensis against Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Wound Specimens

Objectives: In order to investigate alternate therapeutic option, this study was carried out to assess the in vitro antibacterial activity of gel extract of Aloe barbadensis against multiple antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from wound specimens. Methods: A total of 180 different wound specimens collected in a hospital, were subjected to isolate and identify P. aeruginosa by cultural methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method to screen multidrug resistant isolates. A. barbadensis extracts were prepared using aqueous and organic solvents and their in vitro inhibitory action was evaluated by agar well diffusion methods. Results: Out of total, 38 (21.1%) of the wound specimens showed the occurrence of P. aeruginosa, among which 15 (39%) isolates were multi-drug resistant. Organic extracts of various concentrations (0.2 - 0.8 v/v %) inhibited 66.7% of MDR and all non-MDR (n = 23) P. aeruginosa with zone of inhibition ranging from 9.5 ±1.0 to 21.3 ± 2.2 mm but not by aqueous extract. A positive Pearson’s correlation (r=0.983) was found between antibacterial effect and concentrations of the extracts. The antibacterial activity of organic extracts was statistically associated with antibiotic resistance profile of the organism (p<0.05). Conclusion: Organic extracts of A. barbadensis revealed variable in vitro inhibitory action against both MDR and non-MDR P. aeruginosa isolated from wound specimens. Although further confirmation is needed, aloe gel extract may be applied as an alternate treatment option.
A study of possible extra-framework cation ordering in Pbca leucite structures with stoichiometry RbCsX2+Si5O12 (X = Mg, Ni, Cd)

Leucites are silicate framework structures with some of the silicon framework cations partially replaced by divalent or trivalent cations. A monovalent extraframework alkali metal cation is also incorporated to balance the charges. We have previously reported Pbca leucite structures with the stoichiometries Cs2X2+Si5O12 (X = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) and Rb2X2+Si5O12 (X = Mg, Mn, Ni, Cd). These orthorhombic leucite structures have all the silicon and non-silicon framework cations completely ordered onto separate crystallographic sites. This structure has five distinct Si sites and 1 X site; there are also two distinct sites for the extra-framework Cs or Rb. We have recently synthesised leucite analogues with two different extra-framework cations, these have the stoichiometry RbCsX2+Si5O12 (X = Mg, Ni, Cd). The initial Rietveld refinements assumed 50% Cs and 50% Rb on each of the two extra-framework cation sites. The refined structures for X = Ni and Cd have (within error limits) complete extra-framework cation site disorder. However, for X = Mg there is partial ordering of the extra-framework cation sites, the site occupancies are:- Cs1 0.37(3), Rb1 0.63(3), Cs2 0.63(3), Rb2 0.37(3).
Secondary clarifier analysis using data from the Clarifier Research Technical Committee protocol

Hydrodynamic modeling of clarifiers, as described in the authors' paper (Vitasovic et at., 1997), has reached a level of sophistication and accuracy such that the results are indispensable in clarifier design and evaluation. Researchers have long been interested in developing clarifier modeling techniques and using the results to improve clarifier design and performance. The purpose of this Discussion is to further the understanding of clarifier model limitations and to compare the impacts of surface overflow rate and solids loading rate on secondary clarifier effluent suspended solids concentration. An important aspect for understanding the authors' results (and secondary clarifier models in general) is the coupling of the aeration tank and secondary clarifier. In the authors' analysis, they simplified the modeling by assuming a constant influent solids concentration. This assumption means that the aeration tank functions as an inexhaustible source of suspended solids, which is physically unrealistic. Some of the authors' earlier efforts (for example, Stenstrom, 1976) coupled the aeration tank and the secondary clarifier, albeit with less sophisticated clarifier models. These coupled-model results partially demonstrated the movement of solids between the aeration tank and secondary clarifier. This movement can change the loading condition, as defined by a state-point analysis, from overloaded to critically loaded. A qualitative description serves to illustrate this coupling. If a secondary clarifier is overloaded with respect to influent solids (that is, influent solids flux is greater than the limiting flux), solids must accumulate in the clarifier; the mass flow of solids into the clarifier is greater than the mass flow out of the clarifier. The solids will accumulate in the sludge blanket, which will rise until the clarifier ceases to be overloaded or until solids are lost in the effluent. The overloading may end because of changes in either the influent or return activated sludge (RAS) flow rates or changes in the sludge settling characteristics, or because of the reduction of suspended solids concentration in the aeration tank. An understanding of the dynamics of the interaction between an aeration tank and an overloaded secondary clarifier is necessary to understand process failures. In all cases of an overloaded clarifier, the aeration tank solids concentration must decrease with time. This response is easy to understand if one considers a mass balance on the aeration tank: the mass flow of solids into the aeration tank (that is, the RAS flow) is less than the mass flow out of the tank (mixed liquor flow) because the overloaded clarifier cannot thicken and recycle solids at a rate
Age-age correlations and prediction of early selection age for diameter growth in a 35-years old Pinus brutia Ten. Genetic experiment

Aim of study: Forest geneticists developed various methods to predict an early selection age for forest tree species in order to shorten the breeding cycles. This study aims to estimate age-age correlations among diameter growth of trees at different ages and predict early selection age for Pinus brutia Ten. Area of study: P. brutia populations in the study were sampled from the most productive distribution range of the species, which is an important forest tree in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. To understand genetic variation and determine early selection age for the species, a common garden experiment was established in two test sites near Antalya city, Turkey, in 1979. Materials and methods: Wood increment cores at breast height were collected at age 30 years, and diameters (dbh) were measured for the ages 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, and 27 years on the cores. Diameters at ground level (dgl) and dbh were also measured on live trees at age 35. Variance components, age-age correlations, heritability and selection efficiency were estimated for the diameters. Main results: Age-age genetic correlations for diameters were high (mostly > 0.90). Genetic correlations between dgl (at age 35) and dbh (at all measurement ages) ranged from 0.84 to 0.99. Regressions of genetic correlation on natural log of age ratio (LAR) of juvenile age to older age were significant (P < 0.0001). Selection efficiencies estimated by employing the prediction equation indica ted that for rotation age 40, the optimum selection age would be between 3 to 5 years, and for rotation age 100 it would be between 5 to 9 years. Research highlights: The results of this study provide information that can be used to find early selection ages in P. brutia . On relatively poor test sites most trees may not attain enough height growth to have measurable dbh trait. In such cases, dgl and/or tree height traits (both of which are highly correlated with dbh traits of all ages) can be measured and used instead of dbh trait for evaluations.
Mechanisms of Resistance to Silver Nanoparticles in Endodontic Bacteria: A Literature Review

In recent years, the use and research in nanomaterials have increased considerably. In dentistry, nanomaterials have been investigated in all their specialties like dental prosthesis, implantology, dental operative, periodontics, and endodontics. The nanomaterials are investigated in the areas of dentistry due to their application in the improvement of the physical and chemical properties of conventional materials, as well as the use of the antimicrobial activity of nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles. Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been studied for their use as an endodontic irrigator due to their high antimicrobial activity. But little is known about the possible mechanisms of the adaptation to AgNPs by endodontic bacteria. These mechanisms may be intrinsic (such as efflux pumps, downregulation of porins, and chromosomal resistance genes) or extrinsic (such as point and adaptive mutations and plasmids with resistance genes) adaptation systems. In addition to this, it has been reported that coselection or coregulation of metal resistance mechanisms, as in the case of nanoparticles, is accompanied by increased resistance to various antibiotics. For these reasons, the objective of this article is to do a review of the literature on the possible mechanisms used by endodontic bacteria to generate resistance to silver nanoparticles and the possible side effects of these mechanisms.
Three functional foods from Garcinia mangostana L. using low-alpha-mangostin aqueous extract of the pericarp: product development, bioactive compound extractions and analyses, and sensory evaluation

Background: As a result of the expansion of aging society worldwide, the trend in consuming healthy foods as well as functional foods for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases is increasing. Currently, functional foods are commercially available in the market in many forms. However, their health benefits and stabilities are not routinely confirmed. Mangosteen pericarp has been well-known for its high content of xanthones which exhibited various biological activities. However, aqueous extract of mangosteen pericarp which contained low amount of alpha-mangostin is abundant in polymeric flavonoids such as epicatechin. Methods: In this study, we focused on the development of three functional foods containing low-alpha-mangostin aqueous extract of mangosteen pericarp, Homemade chocolate, Crunchy cornflakes, and Chrysanthemum and Chamomile flower tea, using processes avoiding the degradation of bioactive compounds. The bioactive compounds contained in the finished products was extracted and analyzed. Results: The three functional foods obtained the mean liking scores between 7 (“like moderately”) and 8 (“like very much”) in all major attributes and overall preference in sensory evaluation using 9-point Hedonic scale method. Epicatechin, the major compound of aqueous extract of mangosteen pericarp, was used as the biomarker in the TLC and HPLC analyses of developed functional foods. The result showed that the % retention of epicatechin in three functional foods was in the range of 55.85-84.46. Similarly, due to the complexity of the food matrix, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of functional foods extracts were lower than anticipated. Adjustment of the extraction of the active compounds was discussed. Conclusion: The information obtained from this study suggested the potential uses of the aqueous extract from mangosteen pericarp in several applications as functional ingredient.
Towards a satellite formaldehyde – in situ hybrid estimate for organic aerosol abundance

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) is one of the main components of the global particulate burden and intimately links natural and anthropogenic emissions with air quality and climate. It is challenging to accurately represent OA in global models. Direct quantification of global OA abundance is not possible with current remote sensing technology; however, it may be possible to exploit correlations of OA with remotely observable quantities to infer OA spatiotemporal distributions. In particular, formaldehyde (HCHO) and OA share common sources via both primary emissions and secondary production from oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here, we examine OA–HCHO correlations using data from summertime airborne campaigns investigating biogenic (NASA SEAC4RS and DC3), biomass burning (NASA SEAC4RS), and anthropogenic conditions (NOAA CalNex and NASA KORUS-AQ). In situ OA correlates well with HCHO (r=0.59–0.97), and the slope and intercept of this relationship depend on the chemical regime. For biogenic and anthropogenic regions, the OA–HCHO slopes are higher in low NOx conditions, because HCHO yields are lower and aerosol yields are likely higher. The OA–HCHO slope of wildfires is over 9 times higher than that for biogenic and anthropogenic sources. The OA–HCHO slope is higher for highly polluted anthropogenic sources (e.g., KORUS-AQ) than less polluted (e.g., CalNex) anthropogenic sources. Near-surface OAs over the continental US are estimated by combining the observed in situ relationships with HCHO column retrievals from NASA's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). HCHO vertical profiles used in OA estimates are from climatology a priori profiles in the OMI HCHO retrieval or output of specific period from a newer version of GEOS-Chem. Our OA estimates compare well with US EPA IMPROVE data obtained over summer months (e.g., slope =0.60–0.62, r=0.56 for August 2013), with correlation performance comparable to intensively validated GEOS-Chem (e.g., slope =0.57, r=0.56) with IMPROVE OA and superior to the satellite-derived total aerosol extinction (r=0.41) with IMPROVE OA. This indicates that OA estimates are not very sensitive to these HCHO vertical profiles and that a priori profiles from OMI HCHO retrieval have a similar performance to that of the newer model version in estimating OA. Improving the detection limit of satellite HCHO and expanding in situ airborne HCHO and OA coverage in future missions will improve the quality and spatiotemporal coverage of our OA estimates, potentially enabling constraints on global OA distribution.
A paradigm of extreme rainfall pluvial floods in complex urban areas: the flood event of 15 July 2020 in Palermo (Italy)

Abstract. In the last few years, some regions of the Mediterranean area have witnessed a progressive increase in extreme events, such as urban and flash floods, as a response to the increasingly frequent and severe extreme rainfall events, which are often exacerbated by the ever-growing urbanization. In such a context, the urban drainage systems may not be sufficient to convey the rainwater, thus increasing the risk deriving from the occurrence of such events. This study focuses on a particularly intense urban flood that occurred in Palermo (Italy) on 15 July 2020; it represents a typical pluvial flood due to extreme rainfall on a complex urban area that many cities have experienced in recent years, especially in the Mediterranean region. A conceptual hydrological model and a 2D hydraulic model, particularly suitable for simulations in a very complex urban context, have been used to simulate the event. Results have been qualitatively validated by means of crowdsourced information and satellite images. The experience of Palermo, which has highlighted the urgent need for a shift in the way stormwater in urban settlements is managed, can be assumed to be a paradigm for modeling pluvial floods in complex urban areas under extreme rainfall conditions. Although the approaches and the related policies cannot be identical for all cities, the modeling framework used here to assess the impacts of the event under study and some conclusive remarks could be easily transferred to other, different urban contexts.
Lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Mucor Circinelloides UCP/WFCC 0001 applied in the removal of crude oil and engine oil from soil

Biosurfactants are molecules synthesized by a wide variety of microorganisms They are characterized by the ability to reduce surface tension and act in the dispersion, solubilization, mobilization, removal and viscosity of petroleum and its derivatives. The aim of this study was to produce biosurfactant using the filamentous fungus M. circinelloides in cultivation with previously established conditions to evaluate its properties, characterize the chemical structure and investigate the application of the biomolecule in the hydrocarbon recovery. Biosurfactant yield was 6.0 g L -1 . The surface tension was reduced to 26 mN m -1 with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 1.5%. The biosurfactant exhibited stability to surface tension under adverse environmental conditions. M. circinelloides surfactant is similar to chemical surfactants for presenting Oil displacement area of 50 cm2 in water-in-oil dispersion, as well as reduce the oil viscosity from 843.6 to 14.7 cP. Physical-chemical analyzes showed that the biosurfactant produced is a lipopeptide. The cationic character was identified by performing the zeta potential. The biosurfactant demonstrated no toxicity and recovered 95.9% of motor oil adsorbed on a clay soil sample, presenting considerable potential for use in bioremediation processes, especially in the petroleum industry.
Polarons, Bipolarons, And Absorption Spectroscopy of PEDOT

Electronic structure and optical absorption spectra of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for different oxidation levels were studied using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. It is shown, that the DFT-based predictions for the polaronic and bipolaronic states and the nature of corresponding optical transitions are qualitatively different from the widely used traditional picture based on semi-empirical pre-DFT approaches that still dominate the current literature. On the basis of the results of our calculations, the experimental Vis/NIR absorbance spectroscopy and the electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy are re-examined, and a new interpretation of the measured spectra and the spin signal, which is qualitatively different from the traditional interpretation, is provided. The findings and conclusions concerning the nature of polaronic and bipolaronic states, band structure and absorption spectra presented for PEDOT, are generic for a wide class of conducting polymers (such.