Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectroelectrochemical photoluminescence spectroscopy and imaging of reactive surface defects in titanium dioxide nanoparticles

by Riley Elliot Rex, Ph.D. Washington State University May 2016 Chair: Jeanne L. McHale Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have shown promise as a low-cost and effective material for a wide range of applications including batteries, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. To optimize TiO2 nanoparticles in these applications, it is necessary to understand the nature of surface defect states which influence device efficiencies by their role in electron transport and surface reactivity. In this work, the solvent-dependent energies and spatial locations of surface defect states of TiO2 nanoparticles are investigated using spectroelectrochemical photoluminescence (SEPL) and single-particle photoluminescence spectroscopy and imaging. In the SEPL work, anatase nanoparticles, anatase nanosheets, and rutile nanowires are examined in aqueous and nonaqueous environments. Trap state photoluminescence of nanocrystalline TiO2 in
Scavenging for Survival and its Health Implications. The nexus between Unemployment and Ill-health

According to a popular adage, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. With unemployment on the constant increase in South Africa, people are becoming more relentless in seeking means to earn a living. Waste picking has become, for example, an option for individuals in responding to the economic challenge in order to provide for themselves and families. By odd, the researchers refer to foraging in bins for items that have been discarded by others, which may be sold for cash. Although this practice offers an opportunity for self-employment, there is also a concern that those who deal in waste may be exposing themselves and perhaps their families to social stigma and health problems. This article looks at both the challenges of waste picking (more specifically health) and the desperate state of unemployment in South Africa. In doing that, we aim to address three central questions: (1) why are people waste picking? (2) Is waste picking a sustainable venture? and (3) what are the challenges in waste picking? To obtain deeper insights into the themes captured in the aforementioned research questions; face to face interviews were conducted with participants. Empirically, four central factors push participants into waste picking ventures: unemployment, retrenchment, unemployability, and the need for augmented income. Also, we found that although waste pickers continue the practice to sustain themselves and their families, waste picking does not sufficiently offer sustainable income, improved livelihoods nor reduced dependency on public social and health systems. There is a need to enhance the capacity of the South African public health system to adequately cater for those who regularly need its services and as this study has shown, the continuous practice of waste picking is synonymous with ill health and pressure on public health systems. We flag directions for future research.
Calciobetafite (new mineral of the pyrochlore group) and related minerals from Campi Flegrei, Italy; crystal structures of polymignyte and zirkelite; comparison with pyrochlore and zirconolite

The three minerals are polymorphs of the compound: (Ca,Na, REE, Th.) 2 VIII Zr 2 VII (Ti,Nb,.) 3 VI (Fe,Ti) (super V,IV) O 14 . The crystal structures of polymignyte, zirkelite and zirconolite may be derived from that of pyrochlore. Chains, formed by distorted (Ca,REE.) cubes alternating with (Ti,Nb.) octahedra in pyrochlore, are replaced in the remaining minerals by either chains of Zr polyhedra with seven vertices or chains in which (Ti,Nb.) octahedra alternate with distorted (Fe,Ti.) tetrahedra or trigonal bipyramids. The different arrangement of these chains gives rise to the different symmetries of the three phases. --Modified journal abstract.
Pyrolyse du n-butylcyclohexane à haute pression (100 bar) : application à la stabilité thermique des naphtènes dans les fluides pétroliers HP/HT

L’objectif de cette these est de mieux comprendre les reactions de craquage thermique des naphtenes (hydrocarbures satures cycliques) se deroulant dans les reservoirs petroliers. Les naphtenes, representant une famille importante de composes dans les huiles « Haute Pression/Haute Temperature » des gisements profonds, ont fait l’objet de tres peu d’etudes dans ces conditions. La pyrolyse du n-butylcyclohexane a ete etudiee a haute pression (100 bar) dans des reacteurs fermes en tubes en or, entre 300°C et 425°C. Le n butylcyclohexane produit majoritairement des n-alcanes (C1 a C4), d’autres naphtenes et des composes aromatiques. Un modele cinetique complexe a ete developpe (833 reactions essentiellement radicalaires) ; il rend bien compte de nos resultats experimentaux jusque 60% de conversion. L’extrapolation du modele dans les conditions geologiques (temperature initiale de 160°C, gradient thermique de 2°C/MA et temps de reaction en millions d’annees), montre que ce compose commence a se decomposer vers 180°C et que son temps de demi-vie correspond a 200-210°C. D’autres systemes reactionnels impliquant des naphtenes, ont ete egalement etudies a 400°C et 100 bar. L’etude de la pyrolyse de la n-butyldecaline montre que cette molecule bicylique possede une reactivite similaire a celle du n-butylcyclohexane. L’etude a 400°C du melange binaire n-octane/n-butylcyclohexane ne met pas en evidence d’effet cinetique significatif du n-butylcyclohexane sur la decomposition thermique du n-octane, mais l’extrapolation du modele aux conditions geologiques montre que les naphtenes inhibent la decomposition des n-alcanes a basse temperature (200°C) et a haute pression (100 bar)
Influence of Organic and Conventional Farming on Grain Yield and Protein Composition of Chickpea Genotypes

Chickpea is a key crop in sustainable cropping systems and for its nutritional value. Studies on agronomic and genetic influences on chickpea protein composition are missing. In order to obtain a deep insight into the genetic response of chickpeas to management in relation to agronomic and quality traits, a two-year field trial was carried out with eight chickpea genotypes under an organic and conventional cropping system. Protein composition was assessed by SDS-PAGE in relation to the main fractions (vicilin, convicilin, legumin, lectin, 2s-albumin). Crop response was highly influenced by year and presumably also by management, with a −50% decrease in grain yield under organic farming, mainly due to a reduction in seed number per m2. No effect of crop management was observed on protein content, despite significant differences in terms of protein composition. The ratio between the major globulins, 7s vicilin and 11s legumin, showed a negative relationship with grain yield and was found to be higher under organic farming. Among genotypes, black-seed Nero Senise was characterized by the highest productivity and water-holding capacity, associated with low lectin content. These findings highlight the importance of the choice of chickpea genotypes for cultivation under organic farming in relation to both agronomic performance and technological and health quality.
Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA) and Vitamin E on Fatty Acid Profile of Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio Ovaries

The current study aimed to clarify the fatty acids profile in the breeding stock ovaries of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fed on two food additives. The study was carried out in the Shrimp Hatchery which belonging to the Basrah Agricultural Directorate. Three treatment groups were used, the first treatment (T1) represented as control without any food additives, the second treatment (T2) supplemented with 5 g/kg omega-3 fatty acids, and the third treatment (T3) to which vitamin E was added at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. Fishes were randomly distributed in three replicates for each treatment with six of common carp brood stock per replicate. Nine cages were used which placed in earthen pond. Feeding trail lasted from 29 Oct 2018 to 14 Mar 2019. After feeding fish for 82 days, the oil was extracted from gonads by two methods, the first one by Soxhlet apparatus and the second by Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) method. The fatty acid profiles were analyzed using gas chromatograph by GC/MS (Gas Chromatography Mass spectrometry). Results showed that the content of fatty acids in the ovaries of treated fishes in T1, the presence of saturated and unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, were monounsaturated fatty acid (C19H36:1) scored the highest percentage (52.55%). Fishes in T2 recorded the presence of saturated and unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were omega-12 (C18H34:12) recorded the highest percentage (50.02%), while T3 fishes showed the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids from the group of omega-6 fatty acids and the unsaturated fatty acid omega-9 (C18H34:9) record the highest percentage (63.24%). In conclusion this study suggested that the content of fatty acids in fish ovaries reflects the composition of fatty acids in the diet.
ENCAPSULATION OF IN VITRO PROLIFERATED BUDS OF OLIVE

Encapsulation in nutrient-enriched alginate capsules of buds excised from in vitro proliferated shoots can be considered an important contribution to micropropagation, for germplasm preservation and/or for the synthetic seed technology. Four experiments were carried out to evaluate the aptitude of nodal and apical buds of olive ( Olea europea L., cv. Moraiolo) toward encapsulation in sodium alginate and to study the effect of some root induction treatments and of growth regulators in the capsule or in the sowing medium. In all cases, after 45 days from sowing in agar medium, the encapsulated apical buds showed higher viability and regrowth ability (sprouting rate, shoot length and basal callus formation) than the nodal ones. Moreover, the encapsulated buds can be conveniently stored at 4°C, but not for longer than 45 days; a different behaviour between apical and nodal microcuttings was monitored also after storage. Root induction treatments before encapsulation of the buds resulted in low percentages of plantlet regeneration, which was, in any case, obtained only from apical microcuttings. Modifying the indol-butyric acid concentration in the rooting induction phase and/or the composition of the nutrient-enriched capsule and/or the sowing medium usually increased plantlet regeneration rates up to a maximum of 30%.
Screening phytochimique d'une endémique ibéro-marocaine, Thymelaea lythroides

Thymelaea lythroides Barr. et Murb. (Thymeleacees) est tres repandue dans la foret de Mamora au Maroc, d'ou son nom, la Passerine de Mamora. Sa large utilisation en medecine traditionnelle nous a incite a realiser un screening phytochimique, d'autant qu'a notre connaissance, l'espece n'a jamais ete etudiee chimiquement. Les principales classes de metabolites secondaires, a savoir anthraquinones, terpenoides, saponines, alcaloides, coumarines, flavonoides et tanins ont ete recherchees dans les differents organes de la plante : racines, ecorce, feuilles, fleurs et fruits.
Metal-doped carbons from polyurea-crosslinked alginate aerogel beads

Polyurea-crosslinked alginate (X-M-alginate; M: Co, Ni, Cu) aerogels, prepared from the corresponding M-alginate wet-gels and the aromatic triisocyanate Desmodur RE, are precursors for metal- and nitrogen-doped carbon (X-M-C) aerogels.
Ambidextrous leadership: opening and closing leader behaviours to facilitate idea generation, idea promotion and idea realization

ABSTRACT The generation of ideas and the subsequent promotion and implementation of these ideas are important for organizational performance. Unfortunately, however, ideas do not always turn into innovations. Based on the ambidexterity theory of leadership for innovation, we argue that both employee idea generation and the relationship between idea generation on the one hand and idea promotion and idea realization on the other, could benefit from leaders who display both opening (fostering exploration) and closing behaviours (fostering exploitation). Results based on dyadic data (N = 201 dyads) partly supported our hypotheses, showing that opening leader behaviours were positively related to idea generation and subsequently to idea promotion and idea realization, and that closing leader behaviours strengthened the relationship between idea generation and idea realization (but not the relationship between idea generation and idea promotion). We discuss how our research contributes to knowledge about ambidextrous leadership and the relationship between idea generation and innovation.
Non-teratoid ocular medulloepithelioma in an adult horse

This is a case of medulloepithelioma in a 14-year-old mixed breed gelding horse, presenting a large abnormal mass of tissue involving the entire extension of the right eye. Ophthalmic examination showed deformation and swelling of the eye. The animal showed signs of pain on palpation of the organ, but the specific examination of the systems did not reveal any other changes. Due to the extension of the apparently neoplastic mass and the discomfort experienced by the animal, transpalpebral enucleation procedure was decided. The excised tissue was sent for histopathological analysis, wherein a neoplastic proliferation of neuroectodermal cells was noted. The neoplasm was poorly delimited, unencapsulated, infiltrative, sustained by moderate fibrovascular stroma, and formed cords and rosettes with cells arranged in palisades around the luminal structures (Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes), suggestive of medulloepithelioma. The immunohistochemical profile was also performed, confirming the diagnosis. The neoplastic cells were immunolabeled to vimentin, S100 protein (S100), and specific neuro enolase (NSE), but not for pan cytokeratin (AE1AE3), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and cytokeratin 8/18 (CK8/18). Five months postoperatively, the animal was healthy, without any relapse or evidence of metastasis.
Fractional integration analysis of precipitation dynamics: empirical insights from Nigeria

Abstract This paper deals with the time series analysis of precipitation patterns in Africa’s most populated nation using recently developed flexible modelling techniques to study the monthly precipitation data of some major economically viable and highly populated regions in Nigeria. The results indicate that there is a significant trend for Lagos rainfall data, implying that precipitations have systematically increased over time in this city. Additionally, the seasonal component is more prominent in the cases of Kano and Kaunda than for Ibadan and Lagos. The findings of this study have relevant policy implications for forecasting, agricultural planning, relating precipitation variability in Nigeria with standard climate drivers, as well as for disaster or risk reduction in the context of climate change, global warming and migration in the post-pandemic era.
HPLC determination of phenolic compounds in different solvent extracts of mulberry leaves and antioxidant capacity of extracts

ABSTRACT The antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of mulberry leave extracts obtained by aqueous mixture of acetone, ethanol and methanol were determined. Both alkaline hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis were used to extract bound phenolics. HPLC was used to determine the profile of the extracted phenolics. Three experimental assays, namely, Fe3+ reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ABTS- and DPPH-radical scavenging activity, were employed to characterize their antioxidant activity. This indicates that acetone was the most effective solvent for extracting free phenolics from mulberry leaves, and the acetone extract exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. In addition, alkaline hydrolysis was found to be the most efficient method for extracting bound phenolics and produced an extract with better antioxidant properties compared to acid hydrolysis.
"Because Dads Change Diapers Too": Negotiating Gendered Parenting Discourses on Reddit Parenting Forums

Digital media can reflect and reify normative expectations in the non-digital world. Parents are increasingly engaging with online media to seek information and support. Online parenting forums therefore act as key windows into current perceptions surrounding parenthood and child rearing. My study aims to investigate differences in parenting expectations between mothers and fathers on online parenting forums. I conducted a cyber ethnography of two Reddit subforums, Mommit and Daddit, to investigate how parents negotiate gendered parenting discourses on these two parenting subforums. Using a grounded theory approach, I extract key themes surrounding mothering and fathering expectations relating to (1) parental responsibilities, (2) women and men’s self-identity as parents, and (3) mothers’ and fathers’ relationships with their partners. My discourse analysis reveals that both Mommit and Daddit work to deconstruct certain normative pressures surrounding motherhood and fatherhood, but simultaneously reaffirm traditional gendered parenting expectations. These forums act as an avenue for users to deconstruct expectations that frustrate users: Daddit users contest the expectation that fathers are not apt child carers, and Mommit users contest the expectation that women are exclusively, and naturally skilled, child carers. However, at the same time, users cannot fully escape normative pressures, and indeed these forums reinforce a gendered primary-secondary divide between mothers and fathers in caretaking responsibilities and practices.
Size Effect of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on Pesticide Loading, Release, and Delivery in Cucumber Plants

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are widely used as pesticide carriers to enhance their effective utilization, since it can promote the solubility and absorption of pesticides by plants. For plants, the particle size of pesticides influences their absorption and efficacy. Herein, is our research work of the size effect of MSN on the loading, release, and delivery behavior of pyraoxystrobin (Pyr) in cucumber plants. The well-ordered Pyr-loaded carbon quantum dots-MSN (Pyr@M) with sizes of 15, 100, and 200 nm were prepared. A comparative study among different particle sizes of Pyr@M was carried out on the aspects of control release performance, loading content, uptake, and transportation performance in cucumber plants. It was found that the loading content increased as the particle size increased. The nanoparticles as carriers increased the solubility of insoluble Pyr, but the nanoparticle size had no clear difference impact on the release rate. The efficiency of the cellular uptake strongly depended on the particle size. The smaller the MSN size, the easier it was to be absorbed and transmitted by cucumber plants. Compared to the free Pyr, the upward transportation rate of Pyr from Pyr@M in plant increased by 3.5 times. These findings provide new theoretical basis to design the MSN pesticide delivery system.
Global attractor for a suspension bridge problem with a nonlinear delay term in the internal feedback

In the present paper, we consider a suspension bridge problem with a nonlinear delay term in the internal feedback. Namely, we investigate the following equation: \begin{document}$ \begin{equation*} u_{tt}+ \Delta^2 u + \delta_1 g_1 (u_t (x,y,t))+ \delta_2 g_2 (u_t (x,y, t-\tau))+ h(u(x,y,t)) = f(x,y), \end{equation*} $\end{document} together with some suitable initial data and boundary conditions. We prove the global existence of solutions by means of the energy method combined with the Faedo-Galerkin procedure under a certain relation between the weight of the delay term in the feedback and the weight of the nonlinear frictional damping term without delay. Moreover, we establish the existence of a global attractor for the above-mentioned system by proving the existence of an absorbing set and the asymptotic smoothness of the semigroup \begin{document}$ S(t) $\end{document} .
Efficacy and Safety of Mirodenafil Oro-Dispersible Film in Korean Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multicenter, Phase IV Study

Purpose To investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oro-dispersible film (ODF) formulation of mirodenafil 50 mg and 100 mg for the treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) in Korea. Materials and Methods A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 129 subjects was performed. Subjects were randomized to either placebo or mirodenafil ODF 50 mg or 100 mg to be taken in an “on demand” manner for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF)-5 questionnaire. The secondary efficacy variables comprised Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3 (SEP2 and SEP3), the Global Assessment Question (GAQ), and the Life Satisfaction Checklist (LSC). Results IIEF-5 was significantly increased in all groups after treatment. However, compared to the placebo group, only the mirodenafil ODF 100 mg group showed a significant difference. SEP2 and SEP3 were increased in both mirodenafil groups; however, the increase was not statistically significant for SEP2. In terms of GAQ and LSC, the mirodenafil ODF groups showed significant increases compared with the baseline. Most treatment-associated adverse events were mild and resolved spontaneously. Conclusions Mirodenafil ODF is an effective and well-tolerated agent for the treatment of patients with ED in Korea.
The effect of residence time and temperature on product yields during the pyrolysis of coconut husks

This study explains the effect of residence time and temperature on product yield obtained from Coconut husks’ pyrolysis. The husk of the coconut was prepared in the required sizes for the experiment. The experiment was carried out on eighteen different coconut husks at different temperature ranges and varying residence time. The coconut husk pyrolysis was confirmed to give three product yields: char (solid), tar (liquid), and the gaseous fuel, while a polynomial regression model was developed using the Response surface methodology (RSM) to create a polynomial regression model. The effect of pyrolysis temperature level change and its product yield duration was investigated using Full Factorial Design (FFD). Generally, during the pyrolysis process, it can be observed that temperature and reaction time have a strong outcome on the product yields. When the pyrolysis temperature increases at constant residence time, the biogas production increases, and vice versa.
Experimental Study on Charcoal Production from Woody Biomass

In the present work, effects of process conditions on char and fixed carbon yields from four woody biomasses were studied. The influence of the particle size, sample mass, and pressure on experimental values of char and fixed carbon yields from spruce stem wood, spruce forest residue, birch stem wood, and birch forest residue were examined in three thermogravimetric analyzers (TGAs) (two atmospheric and one pressurized) and a flash carbonizer. The obtained experimental fixed carbon yields were then compared to theoretical values calculated using the elemental composition of the studied woody biomasses. It was found that carbonization of small samples of small particles in atmospheric TGAs in an open crucible/pan offered the lowest fixed carbon yield. The yields were improved when following standard proximate analysis procedures employing closed crucibles. Further enhancement of the fixed carbon yields were obtained in the atmospheric TGAs using a crucible covered by a lid that restricts release of volatil.