Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient and selective alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol to alkyl levulinates catalyzed by double SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids

The production of alkyl levulinates from furfuryl alcohol (FAL) in alcohol media was investigated at moderate temperature in the presence of Bronsted acidic ionic liquids. The reaction was examined and optimized under batch conditions, where it was found that furfuryl alcohol was rapidly and almost quantitatively converted into intermediate products including 2-alkoxymethylfuran and 4,5,5-trialkoxypentan-2-one, and high alkyl levulinates yield of 95% can be achieved after reaching a steady state in 2 h. An advantage of this catalyst system is that undesired dialkyl ether (DEE) formed by a side reaction of the dehydration of alcohol is negligible. The Hammett method was used to determine the acidities of these ionic liquids, which indicated that the acidity and the molecular structure have strong effects on the catalytic activity of ionic liquids. Based on the experimental results, a possible mechanism for the alcoholysis of FAL is proposed.
Impact of immobilized β-Glucosidase treatment on sugarcane juice

β-Glucosidase (BGL) from Bacillus subtilis was immobilized in polyacrylamide gel. Increasing the concentration of either acrylamide or bisacrylamide the yield of entrapped BGL was increased. The immobilized BGL showed 14.02% retention activity after storage for 25 days at 30oC. However, after three times repeatedly use of immobilized enzyme exhibited retention of 8.5% residual activity. Change in physicochemical properties such as viscosity, density and reducing sugar was identified while sugarcane juice treated with free and immobilized BGL. A remarkable decrease in viscosity of the treated sugarcane juice was observed. Though, an increase in reducing sugar was affirmed in free BGL and immobilized BGL. The absorption spectrum of sugarcane juice was also recovered raised by delivering the phenolic. These bioactive phenolic compounds could be retrieved after passing by a suitable adsorbent like charcoal and used as dietary supplements or other medicinal purposes.
Bacillus cereus bacteria in foodstuffs may cause gastrointestinal diseases-Updated BfR Opinion No. 048/2020 of 30 October 2020

Bacillus (B.) cereus is the name-giving representative of the B. cereus group, which currently includes 17 recognised, closely related species that can only be distinguished from each with great difficulty. Consequently, in food inspections mostly only the so called presumptive B. cereus is detected, which means: a bacterium from the B. cereus group. The current opinion provides information about health risks from bacteria of the B. cereus group in foods and names preventative measures, mainly in order to create a basis for assessing foodstuffs by food control authorities in Germany.
The Role of The Flipped Classroom to Enhance User Experience in Cells and Molecules Course Junior-Leveled Students At The American University Of Science and Technology–Achraiyeh Campus

– Flipped classroom was performed on 133 students in “Cells and Molecules” course on junior leveled students at the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) – Achrafiyeh Campus. This study is one of the pioneering quantitative studies assessing the impact of flipping classroom on students in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to test if the flipped classroom was to challenge, motivate, engage students in their learning process, and use class time in a more effective way. The data collected in the pre and post questionnaires was the basis for evaluating students’ reaction towards their traditional class verses the newly introduced flipped module. The results of the study are encouraging; comprehension, enthusiasm reflected through participation and collaboration and class time effectiveness for both instructor and student. The impact of the flipping on students’ performance was evaluated through a post exam in which their average increased by 13 points, and students were able to elaborate their answers. The outcomes of this study are encouraging and pave the road for future researchers on education on the Lebanese educational system.
Long pathlength differential optical absorption spectroscopy (D O A S) measurements of gaseous HONO, NO2 and HCNO in the California South Coast Air Basin

A differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS) system was operated at Long Beach, CA during the 1987 SCAQS Fall episodes to measure atmospheric concentrations of nitrous acid (HONO), as well as ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (HCHO). The rapid scanning (-3000 spectra per min) spectrometer was interfaced to a 25 m basepath open, multiple reflection system operated routinely at a total optical path of 800 m. During several of the Fall episodes at Long Beach, levels of gaseous HONO were the highest (>15 ppb) reported to date by the DOAS technique. Although approximately half, to all, of the measured nighttime HONO concentrations could be accounted for by proposed heterogeneous formation pathways involving NO2, HONO concentrations correlated well with primary pollutants such as CO and NO, suggesting that elevated nighttime HONO concentrations in the western end of the Los Angeles basin may be influenced by emissions of HONO from combustion sources. This has significant implications for models which assume HONO arises only from secondary formation, rather than a combination of direct emissions and atmospheric reactions. Estimates of hydroxyl (OH) radical production show that photolysis of HONO shortly after sunrise on these episode days produces a large pulse of OH radicals at a time of the day when OH production from photolysis of O3 and HCHO is low. In terms of integrated OH radical production, HONO is of comparable importance to HCHO and much more important than O3 during these Fall periods.
Local Euphemism Increases Communication Gap in Reproductive Health Education

This qualitative study, utilizing a grounded theory method covered in-depth interviews with five pregnant students, who were identified through a convenience purposeful sampling, in Eastern Samar St ate University – Salcedo Campus, during the 1st semeste r of School Year 2014-2015, was conducted in order to understand the recurrence of unintended pregnancy a mong adolescent and young adult. It examined the involve ment of language to the phenomenon and how it could contrib ute to the prevention of unintended pregnancy among adoles cents and reproductive health intervention programs. Results of the study identified four thematic areas : Euphemism, Misconceptions, Hearsay, and Inferences, which influence adolescents of Eastern Samar, Philippines , construct meanings on how their reproductive health educators (parents, guardians, teachers, and health care providers) discuss terminologies regarding reproduc tive health to them. This study recommends revisiting intervention programs and reexamining how reproductive health educators a re empowered incommunicating adolescents about reprodu ctive health.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire-Revised (CVQ-R) and Calling and Vocation Questionnaire-10 Item (CVQ-10)

The notion of calling toward career or life roles is salient for many, and as research on calling progresses, cohesive theories are solidifying. However, measurement challenges from lack of consensus on calling definition, and specifically perceived source of calling, pose a barrier. One of the most common definitions defines calling as being prosocial in nature, involving purposeful work, and arising from an external, transcendent summons. However, research suggests this definition may not adequately capture the experience of calling for people who instead or additionally perceive their calling as arising from an internal source. Consequently, I revised one of the most commonly used measures of calling, the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ) to serve two purposes: (a) to add an internal summons dimension to the overall scale and (b) to create a short-version of the scale that would be suitable for research. My revisions included the creation of eight items assessing internal summons for the original CVQ and 10 items for a short form (CVQ-10). Items were administered to undergraduate students (N = 496) over age 18. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate a series of hypothesized models. Fit for the revised CVQ (including internal summons items) was inadequate ( [429, N = 252] = 1026.058, p < .001, CFI = .810, RMSEA = .074). This was likely due in part to poorer baseline model fit for the original CVQ (with no additional items) within this sample compared to the CVQ’s validation study. Inadequate model fit was also observed across subsequent models. Additionally, inadequate fit was observed for the CVQ-10 ( [34, N = 252) = 498.560, p < . 001, CFI = . 642, RMSEA = . 209). Results suggest that further investigation is warranted regarding a potential internal summons dimension of calling. The unique context (e.g., Christian, liberal arts)
Cadmium accumulation in Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore (Compositae) in heavy-metal polluted soils and Cd-added conditions in hydroponic and pot cultures

Abstract We have identified Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore (Compositae) as a cadmium (Cd)-accumulator plant in a heavy-metal polluted environment. In soil polluted with Cd, 5.7–17.5 mg kg−1 Cd, concentrations in the above-ground plant tissues were measured as 14.6–78.6 mg kg−1 with transfer factors in the above-ground plant tissues (concentration in above-ground tissues/soil concentration) of 1.5–6.0. No other toxic heavy metals or plant micronutrients were found to have accumulated into the above-ground plant tissues. In a hydroponic culture with 1 µmol L−1 Cd added to Hoagland's nutrient solution, Cd concentration in the above-ground plant tissues was 121.0 mg kg−1, with a transfer factor of more than 1000. In a pot culture carried out for 9 weeks in a greenhouse, the highest Cd concentration in the above-ground plant tissues, 121.2 mg kg−1, was found in a treatment with 5 mg kg−1 Cd, whereas the highest Cd content in an above-ground plant tissue, 106.1 µg, was found in a treatment with 2 mg kg−1 Cd. These results clearly showed that C. crepidioides is a Cd accumulator. In all samples, the Cd concentration in the above-ground plant tissues was higher than that in the roots. The results obtained in the present study show that this plant has a strong potential for use in phytoremediation in farm fields contaminated with Cd.
Spray deposition and characterization of undoped and In‐doped tin disulphide thin films

Undoped and Indium doped tin disulphide (SnS2) thin films had been deposited onto glass substrates at Ts = 300 °C using spray pyrolysis technique under atmospheric pressure with stannous chloride, indium chloride and thiourea as precursors. The structural, optical and electrical properties of the deposited films were characterized. The XRD pattern revealed that the undoped and doped films had preferred orientation along (002) plane with hexagonal structure. FESEM micrographs had shown that morphologies of the films changed with indium doping. Optical constant such as refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), real and imaginary parts of dielectric constants were evaluated from transmittance and reflectance spectra in UV‐Visible spectroscopy. The optical absorption data were used to determine the band gap energy and it was found to be 2.75 eV for undoped and 2.50 eV for indium doped films respectively. The room temperature dark resistivity was found to be 4.545 × 103 Ω‐cm and 5.406 × 103 Ω‐cm for undoped and In‐doped films respectively.
Soluble Phenanthrenyl‐Imidazole‐Presenting Regioregular Poly(3‐octylthiophene) Copolymers Having Tunable Bandgaps for Solar Cell Applications

We have used Grignard metathesis polymerization to successfully synthesize a series of regioregular polythiophene copolymers that contain electron‐withdrawing and conjugated phenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties as side chains. The introduction of the phenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties onto the side chains of the regioregular polythiophenes increased their conjugation lengths and thermal stabilities and altered their bandgap structures. The bandgap energies, determined from the onset of optical absorption, could be tuned from 1.89 eV to 1.77 eV by controlling the number of phenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties in the copolymers. Moreover, the observed quenching in the photoluminescence of these copolymers increases with the number of phenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties in the copolymers, owing to the fast deactivation of the excited state by the electron‐transfer reaction. Both the lowered bandgap and fast charge transfer contribute to the much higher external quantum efficiency of the poly(3‐octylthiophene)‐side‐chain‐tethered phenanthrenyl‐imidazole than that of pure poly(3‐octylthiophene), leading to much higher short circuit current density. In particular, the short circuit current densities of the device containing the copolymer having 80 mol % phenanthrenyl‐imidazole, P82, improved to 14.2 mA cm–2 from 8.7 mA cm–2 for the device of pure poly(3‐octylthiophene), P00, an increase of 62 %. In addition, the maximum power conversion efficiency improves to 2.80 % for P82 from 1.22 % for P00 (pure P3OT). Therefore, these results indicate that our polymers are promising polymer photovoltaic materials.
Effects of Tobacco Waste and Farmyard Manure on Soil Properties and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata)

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of composted tobacco waste (CTW) with farmyard manure (FYM) on soil physical and chemical properties and yield of lettuce. This research was performed in the experimental fields of the Agriculture Faculty's research farm at Ege University in Menemen, Izmir, Turkey in 2005 and 2006. Tobacco wastes gathered from the cigarette industry were composted and applied to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) with manure. Mineral fertilizers or pesticides were not applied in the experiment. The treatments were (1) control, (2) 12.5 t ha–1 FYM + 37.5 t ha–1 CTW, (3) 25 t ha–1 FYM + 25 t ha–1 CTW, (4) 50 t ha–1 FYM, (5) 50 t ha–1 CTW, and (6) 37.5 t ha–1 FYM + 12.5 t ha–1 CTW. During the experiment, soil samples were taken three times in two different periods (I, 7 September 2005; II, 11 November 2005; and III, 14 April 2006). The effects of CTW and FYM on soil physical and chemical properties and the yield were investigated. All application rates increased bulk density, field capacity, available water content, and structure stability index of soil when compared with the control. In addition, similar effects were also determined for chemical properties of soil (pH, lime content, organic matter, total soluble salt, and cation exchange capacity). Increasing rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium provided a rise in the yield. Maximum lettuce yield was 102.7 t ha–1 at the plots where 50 t ha–1 CTW was applied. The results show that CTW can be used as an effective soil conditioner.
Optical coherence tomography from viewpoint of information efficiency

Abstract Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel method for producing three-dimensional images of weakly scattered objects, in particular, biological tissue. OCT is based on interferometry with broadband (low-coherence) light. There are two principal approaches to the realizations of OCT: time-domain OCT (TDOCT), based on scanning low-coherence interferometry; and frequency-domain OCT (FDOCT), based on spectral interferometry. The important factors characterizing OCT are the measurement speed and the quality of the images obtained. The aim of the present work is to unite these contradictory factors in terms describing the information efficiency of OCT. By analogy with Shannon's capacity of communication channels, the information capacity of measurement process is proposed. This term identifies the greatest possible amount of information produced in a unit time during the measurement process. Information capacities are determined for TDOCT and FDOCT. It is shown that the information capacity of FDOCT can be greater than that of TDOCT by a factor equal to the number of resolvable elements in a single in-depth scan of the sample investigated. Parameters characterizing the speed and image quality of TDOCT and FDOCT are also introduced and compared.
Anxiety toward Math: A Descriptive Analysis by Sociodemographic Variable

The following analysis provides evidence from the comparative levels of anxiety towards mathematics of the variables from the categories presented by the AMARS and sociodemographic variables as well. A sample of 381 economics students in Mexico answered the survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics (x , Sd.) was carried out and to identify if there are significant differences of means in the sociodemographic variables, the ANOVA analysis was carried out. Although in general the anxiety towards mathematics presented in Mexican economics students is “very little”, in the dimension of mathematical evaluation the results of the descriptive analysis show that economics students from the south of Mexico have more anxiety than students from other regions. Regarding gender, women feel more anxiety than men towards mathematics evaluation. Likewise, students from public institutions show greater anxiety towards mathematics in the evaluation processes than those belonging to private. Finally, ANOVA test showed that the variable Region showed values less than 0.05 in two of three dimensions (ANXTASK and ANXCOUR). The ANXEVAL dimension showed values < 0.05 in the variable Gender as the ANXEVAL and ANXCOUR showed values < 0.05 in the variable University, this because there is a difference in means.
Concentrations and Profiles of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Some Commercial Brands of Tea-, Coffee-, and Cocoa-Based Food Drinks in Nigeria

Concentrations and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in some popular commercial brands of tea-, coffee-, and cocoa-based food drinks in Nigeria by gas chromatograph-flame ionization after hexane/dichloromethane extraction and clean up. The concentrations of the ∑16 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in these products ranged from 5.2–913.1, 38.7–593.1, and 38.0–1406.4 μg kg−1 for tea-, coffee-, and cocoa-based food drinks, respectively. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profiles indicate the dominance of three and four rings PAHs in these food items. The concentrations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) eight carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from nd–218.9, nd–102.9, and nd–1248.5 μg kg−1 for tea-, coffee-, and cocoa-based food drinks, respectively.
Swearing at work and permissive leadership culture

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of expletives and swearing in the workplace. It proposes to challenge leadership style and to suggest ideas for management best practice. Design/methodology/approach – Case studies and qualitative analysis were applied, methods that fit well for this sensitive topic. Findings – This paper identifies the relevance, and even the importance, of using non-conventional and sometimes uncivil language in the workplace. Research limitations/implications – Sample size and representativeness present limitations. Practical implications – There is a need for leaders to apply, under certain circumstances, a permissive leadership culture. This paper advises leaders on how it may lead to positive consequences. Originality/value – The paper is an original contribution to an area where research is scarce. A certain originality element stems from the fact that, focusing on swearing language, the paper found it necessary to use swear words (avoiding usage of the explicit form); bearing in mind the purpose of the paper, the paper hopes that this will not cause offence to the readership of the journal.
Effects of chain pull-out on adhesion of elastomers

A thin layer of polystyrene-polyisoprene diblock copolymer was placed at the interface between a polystyrene-coated substrate and a lens-shaped block of cross-linked polyisoprene. The interface toughness was found to vary with the crack growth rate and the areal density of copolymer present at the interface. At high crack growth rates (0.05 mm/h) the toughness was increased by about a factor of 10 by the presence of 0.1 chain/nm 2 at the interface. At lower rates the toughness varied linearly with crack velocity and showed a threshold toughness, as the velocity tended to zero, that increased with the areal density of copolymer
Calorimetric enthalpies for palladium - hydrogen (deuterium) systems at H(D) contents up to about [H]([D])/[Pd] = 0.86

The enthalpies for the reaction of gaseous hydrogen and deuterium with palladium have been measured as a function of [H]/[Pd] and [D]/[Pd] atomic ratios up to 0.865 and 0.85, respectively, in the temperature range 298 - 194.5 K using a differential-heat-flow low-temperature calorimeter; pressure - concentration isotherms have been measured simultaneously. The calorimetric two-phase enthalpies for the Pd - H and Pd - D systems at 298 K are and , and the corresponding entropies determined from the calorimetric enthalpies and the absorption plateau pressures are and . These - and -values are in agreement with the previously reported values and also with values determined in the literature from van't Hoff plots of the plateau pressures. The calorimetrically determined enthalpies for solution in the -phase regions of both systems become less exothermic in an almost linear fashion with increasing H(D) content, independently of temperature. At the same H(D) content, the -values for the Pd - H system are slightly more exothermic than the -values for the Pd - D system. Enthalpies of almost the same magnitude are obtained from the desorption data. The corresponding entropies, for solution in the -phase region of both systems have a tendency to decrease gradually with increase in H(D) content independently of temperature; however, there is no marked difference between the magnitudes of the -values of the two systems. The dependences of the calorimetric enthalpies for hydrogen (deuterium) solution on H and D contents in the ranges and can be expressed by the temperature-independent relations , and . The variations in -values with H(D) content are in agreement with that calculated from van't Hoff plots of the previously reported relative chemical potentials of hydrogen and deuterium at low temperatures. The present calorimetric data determined by gas-phase measurements do not offer support for the generation of any `excess heat' up to [D]/[Pd] = 0.85, beyond that which is expected from the chemical reaction because the values determined calorimetrically are almost the same as those derived from van't Hoff plots.
Isolation, characterization and screening of folate-producing bacteria from traditional fermented food (dadih)

Folate represents an important B vitamin participating in one-carbon transfer reaction required in many metabolic pathways, especially purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis which indicates the importance of folate in human metabolism. Fermented milk products using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are good sources of such vitamins. In order to find suitable strains capable producing high folate, isolation, and characterization of LAB from traditional fermented milk (dadih) were carried out. The isolated bacteria were characterized biochemically, phenotypically, genetically and were screened for their ability to produce folate during fermentation in skim milk. Phenotypic characterization was performed using API 50 CHL; genotypic characterization was conducted based on the sequence of 16S rRNA genes, while the determination of folate level was done using Vita fast folate kit. From this study, 17 isolates from dadih were obtained and based on phenotypic and genotypic, 16 of them were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. Folate production of the 17 selected isolates was between 12.43 ± 3.13 to 27.84 ± 5.80 μg/L, and the folate production of Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 as the control was 29.27 ± 3.91 μg/L.