Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of nitrogen doping on the thermal conductivity of GeTe thin films

The 3ω method was employed to determine the effect of nitrogen doping (5 at.%) on the thermal conductivity of sputtered thin films of stoichiometric GeTe (a material of interest for phase change memories). It was found that nitrogen doping has a detrimental effect on the thermal conductivity of GeTe in both phases, but less markedly in the amorphous (–25%) than in the crystalline one (–40%). On the opposite, no effect could be detected on the measured thermal boundary resistance between these films and SiO2, within the experimental error. Our results agree with those obtained by molecular dynamic simulation of amorphous GeTe. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
THE FUNCTION OF SIALIC ACID AS A RADICAL SCAVENGER IN EXPERIMENTAL HYPOTHYROIDISM WITH AND WITHOUT HYPERLIPIDEMIA Hiperlipidemili ve hiperlipidemisiz deneysel hipotiroidizmde bir radikal tutucu olarak siyalik asidin etkinliği

ABSTRACT There is close relationship between hypothyroidism and oxidative stress. In hypothyroidism, lipid level, which is a potential target for oxidation, may be depressed by decreased free radical production. Our objective is to investigate the changes in sialic acid (SA) and oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL) levels in hypothyroid subjects with and without hyperlipidemia. Forty Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups equally as follows: 1. Control group, 2. Hypothyroid group, 3. Hyperlipidemic group, and 4. Hyperlipidemic hypothyroid group. Thyroid and lipid parameters, ox-LDL and SA levels were determined in serum samples. Oxidized-LDL and SA were significantly higher in each group compared to the control group. Also hyperlipidemic hypothyroid group has increased lipid parameters, ox-LDL and SA levels compared to both hypothyroid and hyperlipidemic groups. Hypothyroidism accompanied by hyperlipidemia was observed to trigger the free radical oxidation. Changes in metabolic rate and increased lipid levels in serum may cause LDL oxidation, which in turn raises serum SA level. Serum SA level may be a marker of LDL oxidation. OZET Hipotiroidizm ile oksidatif stress birbiriyle yakindan ilgilidir. Hipotiroidizmde, oksidasyonun hedefi halindeki lipitlerin miktarindaki artis metabolizmanin baskilanmasi sebebiyle daha az radikal olusumu beklenebilir. Amacimiz hiperlipidemili ve hiperlipidemisiz hipotiroidili olgularin ve kontrollerin siyalik asit ve oksitlenmis LDL degisimlerini incelemektir. 40 adet Wistar Albino sican esit olarak 4 gruba ayrildi, gruplar: 1. Kontrol grubu, 2. Hipotiroid grubu, 3. Hiperlipidemik grup, 4. Hiperlipidemik hipotiroidi grubu. Alinan serum orneklerinde tiroid ve lipid parametreleri, okside LDL ve siyalik asit duzeylerine bakildi. Kontrol grubuna kiyasla hem hipotiroidi ve hem hiperlipidemi gruplarinda okside LDL ve siyalik asit seviyeleri artmistir. Ayrica, hiperlipidemik hipotiroidi grubunda, diger gruplarla kiyaslandiginda bu parametreler artmistir. Hipotiroidiye eklenmis hiperlipideminin, serbest radikal olusumunu tetikledigi gozlenmistir. Metabolizma hizindaki degisiklik ve oksidasyonun hedefi olan serum lipid seviyelerindeki artis, LDL oksidasyonuna ve dolayisiyla serum siyalik asit seviyesinin artisina neden olabilir. Siyalik asit, LDL oksidasyonu icin bir belirtec olabilir.
NOM FOULING MECHANISM DURING ULTRAFILTRATION

A b s t r a c t The paper presents the results of the study focused on membrane fouling during ultrafiltration water treatment. Natural organic matter (NOM) plays a significant role in the fouling of ultrafiltration membranes. Surface water from Paprocany Lake (Tychy) and Czarna Przemsza River (Bedzin) were used in the experiments. The aim of the study was to get a better understanding of the interactions between the fractional components of NOM (fraction 0.22 µm and in the fraction 0.22 µm oraz przewaza w niej frakcja hydrofilowa. Wyniki filtracji frakcji NOM (frakcja <0.22 µm, HFO, HFI) sugerują, iz obnizenie odczynu filtrowanych strumieni (do pH ok. 2) oraz frakcja hydrofobowa (HFO) mają istotny wplyw na fouling membran ultrafiltracyjnych. Analiza mechanizmu foulingu oparta o model „Hermii” poz wolila stwierdzic, ze blokowanie membran z celulozy podczas godzinnej filtracji (kompletne, standardowe i przejściowe) zachodzi wedlug mechanizmu mieszanego.
Quality and Postharvest Performance of Watermelon Fruit in Response to Grafting on Interspecific Cucurbit Rootstocks

Grafting on disease-resistant rootstocks is a growing practice in watermelon cultivation worldwide. Reports on effects of grafting on watermelon fruit postharvest performance are scarce. The current work examined postharvest performance at 25C of four diploid cultivars grown nongrafted or grafted onto three Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata rootstocks. Despite sucrose accumulation throughout storage at the expense of fructose and glucose, total soluble carbohydrates and soluble solids content declined. Lycopene content peaked 7 days postharvest and intensity of flesh color increased concomitantly; yellowing of flesh was detected at 14 days. Rootstocks reduced soluble solids content only in the second year of experiments by 0.8–1.0°Brix. Rootstocks improved postharvest flesh firmness and lycopene content and enhanced flesh color. Rind was minimally thickened by rootstocks and declined with storage. Grafting diploid cultivars on interspecific rootstocks improved fruit quality and storability. Potential reduction in soluble solids content in response to grafting is limited and not detrimental to fruit quality. Practical Applications Grafting on disease-resistant rootstock has become an imperative for intensive watermelon production since chlorofluorocarbon-based soil fumigants were banned from use. Accordingly, most information on the effects of grafting on watermelon fruit quality derives from rootstock selection studies with emphasis on disease resistance and field performance. However, impaired fruit quality, notably low flesh firmness, constitutes a common problem for the commercial summer crop of field-cultivated watermelon with blame commonly placed on grafting. Moreover, watermelons worldwide are handled postharvest under adverse nonrefrigerated conditions. There remains, however, a paucity of information on the effects of grafting on watermelon postharvest performance. The main objective of this work was to assess the impact of cucurbit hybrid rootstocks, which constitute a major class of disease-resistant commercial rootstocks, on quality and postharvest performance of watermelon. The results could be applicable to improve the quality and postharvest handling of the watermelon fruit.
Distribution of Petroleum and Aromatic Hydrocarbons at a Former Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production Facility

Site characterization and remediation activities were performed at a former crude oil and natural gas production facility prior to redevelopment of the site. Field activities included delineation, excavation and segregation of approximately 1,250,000 m3 of soil impacted by total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and the aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (hereafter, collectively referred to as BTEX). Petroleum hydrocarbon chain length information was used to determine whether remediation was required in impacted areas, because the site-specific cleanup values for TPH compounds, established by the California State Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), were based on hydrocarbon chain length. Site-specific cleanup levels were also established by the RWQCB for BTEX. Subsurface investigation activities performed at the site indicated that the mean percentage of condensate and TPH compounds in the gasoline range was significantly greater at depths ranging from 4.6 to 18 m than in shallower samples. There was no significant difference in the mean concentration of BTEX compounds and mean percentage of diesel range and heavier hydrocarbons with depth. The occurrence of BTEX, diesel range, and heavier hydrocarbons at depth may result from preferential pathways for downward migration of contaminants, including blown out wells, abandoned wellbores, and the presence of faults. Vapor phase diffusion may also be a major transport mechanism controlling movement of BTEX compounds beneath the site.
Sorptive behavior of trace metals on fly ash in aqueous systems

Eleven different fly ashes from coal-fired power plants were subjected to various chemical extractions and washings for determination of their acid-base and heavy metal chemistry. Results suggested that the relative amounts of lime and amorphous iron oxides on the surface define the ultimate acidic or basic character of fly ash in solution. In spite of wide variations in heavy metal content, most metals displayed an association with a specific surface oxide of either iron, manganese, or aluminum. Desorption of metals in aqueous solution followed a predictable pattern of decreasing release with increasing pH. Arsenic was an exception to this at high pH. Mercury behaved anomalously due to the presence of the elemental form. Ranges in reported values are attributed primarily to the variable geochemical matrix in which the heavy metals are found before mining.
Antimicrobial activity of lemongrass and oregano essential oil against standard antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus and field isolates from chronic mastitis cow

The study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of lemongrass and Oregano essential oil against standard antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and field isolates from a chronic mastitic cow. Disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay were used to investigate antibacterial activity of lemongrass and Oregano essential oil while their combined effect with antibiotic were assessed using a microbroth chequerboard technique. For identification of the essential oil component Gas Chromatography Coupled Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis was performed. Disc diffusion assay revealed dose-dependent inhibition zone with lemongrass oil showing consistently larger inhibition zone than oregano oil. Lemongrass essential oils were further evaluated for its antibacterial activity in combination with antibiotic which resulted both synergistic and additive interaction. Lemongrass oil-amoxicillin combination showed synergistic interactions against all tested organism while the combination for lemongrass oil-norfloxacin showed synergistic effect for two field isolates and an additive for the remaining strains. The current study indicated that both lemongrass and oregano essential oils exhibit antibacterial activity, and lemongrass oil in combination with antibiotics could be a potential agent for antibacterial treatments against antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.
Investigation of neutron induced reactions on ^23Na by using Talys1.4

The neutron induced reactions on23 Na are investigated by using the Talys1.4 program. The calculated results for the23Na(n, 2n)22Na reaction are found to agree with the experimental results. The cross sections of the residues of the(n, n),(n, γ),(n, p), and(n, np) channels in the reactions are presented, and at the same time, the neutron induced reactions on22 Ne are also investigated.
Biodegradation of PAHs in Aggregates of a Low Permeability Soil

In the bioremediation of low-permeability soils, pollutant and, especially, the oxygen bioavailability are often the rate limiting steps. In cases when a biopile treatment can represent an applicable technique, pretreatment of the excavated soil is often necessary to attain an adequate air-filled porosity in the soil and to avoid the presence of large soil aggregates. The present work was performed to evaluate the influence of soil aggregate size in the bioremediation of a silt-clay type soil contaminated by PAHs. Microcosms were arranged with spherical soil aggregates of different diameter in near water-saturation conditions. Concentration of two and three aromatic ring PAHs, total biom-ass, and respiration rates were monitored. PAH concentration profiles inside the particles were also obtained. A simple and quick way to estimate the critical dimension of the soil aggregates was developed based on the evaluation of an oxygen penetration depth, that is, the distance from the external surface to the aggregate core beyond which oxygen concentration is practically zero. A very different time course of PAHs consumption was found in the external layer and the inner core of the aggregates as well as in aggregates of different dimensions. The results suggest that only the 3 mm external layer of the sphere is not limited by oxygen diffusion.
Thermal diffusion in (LiCl, RH2O)

By means of an accurate investigation of the hydrodynamical behavior of the studied liquid, we have been able to perform interdiffusion and pure Soret effect measurements in (LiCl, RH2O) with R ranging from 6 to 100 and temperature from −60 to 0 °C. The interdiffusion coefficient corrected by a thermodynamic factor shows a characteristic evolution with concentration, which is a straightforward consequence of the role of the ions in this direct transport phenomenon. The Soret coefficient has revealed itself to be strongly negative, to increase with temperature, and to exhibit a sharp minimum with concentration. By comparison with measurements in other aqueous alkali chlorides, these results have contradicted the existing theory: negative Soret coefficients do not seem to be associated with poorly organized water. Furthermore, the extremum in the medium concentration range is likely to be related to the polarizing influence of the alkali ions on the outer hydration shells.
Use of Acid Whey and Probiotic Strains to Improve Microbiological Quality and Sensory Acceptance of Organic Fermented Sausage

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acid whey as well as probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei LOCK 0900, L. casei LOCK 0908 and L. paracasei LOCK 0919) on the microbiological stability and sensory acceptance. The count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total viable count, Clostridium spp. Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterobacteriaceae and sensory analyses were analyzed after ripening (0) and 180 days of chilling storage (4C) in vacuum packages. The pH and water activity were measured after 0, 90 and 180 days of storage. The results clearly demonstrated that the LAB integrated via the addition of probiotic strains as well as acid whey was well adapted to the new habitat of fermented sausage, reaching a maximum number of 8.51 log cfu/g after 21 days of ripening period. In all sausages, acid whey and probiotics mixture sausages, the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and L. monocytogenes was inhibited throughout the storage period. All sausage batches showed no growth of Clostridium spp. after ripening and during storage period. The study showed that the use of probiotic strains (L. casei LOCK 0900, L. paracasei LOCK 0919, L. casei LOCK 0908) and acid whey can be used effectively to improve microbiological quality without adversely affecting organic sausage quality. Therefore, the use of these treatments could extend shelf life of sausage without having any negative impact on the product. Practical Applications Using acid whey and probiotic strains allowed to obtain safe and microbiologically stable fermented sausages. The use of acid whey and probiotic strains extend shelf life. The organic samples with acid whey and probiotic strains addition have excellent overall quality comparable to control with curing salt.
Channel constituents in cordierite

Chemical, optical and infrared absorption, Mossbauer and X-ray data are reported for eight cordierite samples. Fe^(2+) in the octahedral and channel sites is identified in optical and Mossbauer spectra, which indicate that generally less than 5 percent of the total iron is Fe^(2+) in the channels. The single-crystal Mossbauer data of Duncan and Johnston (1974) are reinterpreted. Two types of H_2O are identified and are found to be oriented in the (100) plane with their H-H directions parallel to [001] (Type I) and [010] (Type II). Type II H_2O is found to correlate to the amount of cations in the channels. Optical spectra provide a measure of the hexagonality of cordierite, but these measurements are not correlated with the distortion index, Δ. The color and pleochroism are suggested to arise from intervalence charge-transfer between octahedral Fe^(2+) and channel Fe^(3+). The strong enhancement of intervalence intensity after dehydration is interpreted in terms of migration of Fe^(2+) from the six-membered tetrahedral rings to the walls of the channel cavities. It is proposed that migration of cations, mainly Na^+, from the rings into the cavities is primarily responsible for changes in the distortion index which accompany dehydration. Values of є (molar absorptivity) for the H_2O absorption bands are determined.
Activity budget, travel distance, sleeping time, height of activity and travel order of wild East Bornean Grey gibbons (Hylobates funereus) in Danum Valley Conservation Area

Activity budget, travel distance, sleeping time and height of activity of two wild East Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates funereus) groups and travel order of one group were investigated during the dry and wet season at the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia. One male showed seasonal change in his behaviors between the dry season (August) and wet season (December). He spent more time engaged in moving, playing and grooming, traveled longer and entered the sleeping tree later in the dry season when fruit was abundant but did the opposite in wet season. On the other hand, another male gibbon whose family had a new-born baby did not show a similar seasonal behavioural change between the dry season (May–June) and wet season (December). Fruit availability and gibbon family composition, especially whether the family had a new-born baby, may have an influence on the activity budget, movement and sleeping time of East Bornean grey gibbons. Early night-tree entry may be influenced by combined factors such as fruit availability, predator avoidance and fruit competition with other animals. The female gibbon’s activities occurred at greater height above the ground compared to that of males in the early morning and the late afternoon. Similar to other gibbons, the female East Bornean grey gibbon led the group more often than the male. In addition, a rare observation was made of infant carrying by the adult male when the infant was 29 months old.
Wavelength-modulated reflectivity spectra of ZnSe and ZnS from 2.5 to 8 eV

Wavelength-modulated reflectivity spectra of ZnSe and ZnS are presented in the energy range from 2.5 to 8 eV. Around the fundamental transition Eo qualitative evidence for the occurrence of excitonic polariton and exciton-phonon quasi-bound complex is given. The structure at higher energies is compared to calculated derivative reflectivity curves of Walter et al. The agreement between theory and experiment is good. Die wellenlangen-modulierte Reflektivitat von ZnSe und ZnS im Energiebereich von 2,5 bis 8 eV wird dargestellt. Im Bereich des fundamentalen Ubergangs E0 wird der Anteil des exzitoni-schen Polaritons und des quasigebundenen Exziton-Phonon-Komplexes an den Spektren quali-tativ diskutiert. Die hoherenergetische Struktur wird mit entsprechenden Berechnungen der theoretischen modulierten Reflektionsspektren von Walter et al. verglichen. Die ubereinstimmung zwischen Theorie und Experiment ist gut.
Cytoskeletal Organization and Rb Tumor Suppressor Gene

Cell cycle progression is dependent on a series of molecular regulation after cells are stimulated by growth factors. Growth factors bind to corresponding surface receptors and relay the signals through protein phosphorylation to trigger gene expression. Phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is to release E2F family of transcription factors for DNA replication. In adherent cells, the actin filament plays an important role for anchorage, locomotion, morphological maintenance, and cell division (1). These mechanical characteristics influence cell cycle progression, and mediate cells responding to extracellular stimulations. The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are responsible for cell cycle transition through different phases. For G1 phase progression, the G1 cyclins associated CDKs can phosphorylate and inactivate Rb. Because the phosphorylation sites of Rb are multiple, they become a family of checkpoint to prevent release of E2F transcription factor under a stress condition, such as DNA damage. In addition, the CDKs activity and Rb phosphorylation are ablated by the family of CDK inhibitors (CKIs), including INK4 and CIP/KIP family proteins (2). The underlying mechanisms by which the intact actin filaments regulated cell cycle progression have been reviewed in literatures, although the pathways are diverse from different research results. However, it appears that Rb activity is commonly affected by destabilizing the actin cytoskeleton. Therefore, it is believed that growth factor stimulated actin cytoskeletal organization can regulate Rb activity for G1 phase progression and DNA replication.
Comparison of the High-Temperature Steam Oxidation Kinetics of Advanced Cladding Materials

Isothermal and transient steam oxidation kinetics of the fuel rod cladding materials Duplex, M5™, E110, and Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) were determined in separate-effect tests at various temperatures between 1073 and 1673K. All materials show parabolic time dependence at all temperatures, at least at the beginning of the oxidation. The temperature dependence of the oxidation rate is Arrhenius-like. All materials investigated show changes in the activation energy of the steam oxidation connected with the tetragonal-monoclinic phase transformation in the oxide. The temperatures of these changes differ between the Zr-Sn (Zry-4, Duplex: 1223 to 1273 K) and the Zr-Nb alloys (M5™, E110: 1273 to 1323 K). At temperatures below this phase transition, parts of the oxide layer can spall after longer oxidation times. It is known as the so-called “breakaway effect. ” This effect occurs in Zry-4 and E110, whereas it was not detected in Duplex and M5™. The breakaway effect results in nearly linear oxidation kinetics. The width of the temperature range and the morphology of the spalled oxide parts differ significantly between Zry-4 and E110. For Zry-4, the breakaway effect was found only at temperatures between 1233 and 1313 K. The spalling of the oxide layer at E110 was detected between 1073 and 1313 K. This wide temperature range also affects the transient steam oxidation behavior. For heating rates below 0.1 K/s, a stronger oxidation was found than expected for parabolic oxidation behavior. The oxide parts spalled from E110 specimens are much finer than the particles after breakaway from Zry-4.
Central Components of Open Business Models. What Makes an Open Business Model Open

The literature review in this paper connects with reviews on business models in general and aims to further increase the level of depth and specificity of the notion of 'open' in open business models (OBM). Our starting point was the idea that an OBM "serves as an organising principle for structuring and coordinating various resources and functional units" that transcend a focal firm's boundaries through "interactive forms of value creation". By juxtaposing general and open business models, our analysis sheds light on new and open ways to (re-)combine individual business model components — such as customer relationships and key resources — and specifies what makes a component open against the backdrop of general business model components. We present five central topics that characterise the literature on OBM.