Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Fluid Dynamics, Microstructure and Mucociliary Clearance in the Micro- and Macroscopic Barrier Properties of Pulmonary Mucus

Major issues in both toxicological as well as pharmaceutical research are biological barriers, impeding the invasion of pathogens but also the delivery of beneficial substances into the body. The upper lungs as site of application of such substances exhibit a particularly efficient biological barrier: the mucus blanket and its mucociliary clearance. The fate of particles upon deposition onto the moving mucus barrier is yet unsolved and was central theme of this work. In this context, mucociliary clearance of nanoparticles and its fluid dynamics were investigated. These results were correlated with the analysis of microscopic and macroscopic particle penetration behavior in mucus and mucus structure. Here, the application of complex methods such as cryoscopic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers revealed the mechanisms of particle mobility in mucus. It could be shown that mucociliary clearance is independent on particle properties such as size, shape, charge or surface chemistry. It was demonstrated that this is due to the only poor particle mobility in mucus: The polymer scaffold of mucus is highly rigid which, in combination with the extensive heterogeneity in pore size, impedes particle translocation. In contrast to model gels and due to this rigidity, particles in mucus which are exposed to external force fields cannot deform or rupture the polymer scaffold of mucus. Ein zentrales Thema sowohl in der toxikologischen als auch der pharmazeutischen Forschung sind biologische Barrieren, welche die Aufnahme von Krankheitserregern aber auch Pharmazeutika in den Korper erschweren. Die obere Lunge als Applikationsort solcher Substanzen weist eine besonders effiziente biologische Barriere auf: die Mukus-Schicht mit ihrer mukoziliaren Clearance. Das Schicksal von Partikeln nach deren Deposition auf der bewegten Mukus-Schicht ist noch ungeklart und war zentrales Thema dieser Arbeit. In diesem Kontext wurde die mukoziliare Clearance von Nanopartikeln und deren Fluid Dynamik untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit der Analyse des mikro- und makroskopischen Penetrationsverhaltens von Partikeln in Mukus und dessen Struktur korreliert. Dabei deckte die Anwendung von Kryo-Elektronenmikroskopie, Rasterkraftmikroskopie und der optischen Pinzette die Mechanismen der Partikelmobilitat in Mukus auf. Zusammenfassend konnte gezeigt werden, dass die mukoziliare Clearance unabhangig von Partikelgrose, -form, -ladung, oder -oberflachenchemie ist. Es wurde nachgewiesen, dass dies auf die vernachlassigbare Partikelmobilitat in Mukus zuruckzufuhren ist: Das Polymergerust von Mukus ist hoch rigide, was aufgrund der grosen Heterogenitat der Porengrose die Partikeltranslokation behindert. Im Gegensatz zu den verwendeten Modell-Gelen und aufgrund dieser Rigiditat konnen Partikel, die einem externen Kraftfeld ausgesetzt sind, das Polymergerust von Mukus nicht zerstoren.
Structural and Raman characterization of nanogranular BaTiO3‐NiFe2O4 thin films deposited by laser ablation on Si/Pt substrates

Thin films composed by (BaTiO3)1-x-(NiFe2O4)x with different nickel ferrite concentrations (x) have been deposited by pulsed laser ablation on platinum covered Si(001) substrates. The films structure was studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the NiFe2O4 phase unit cell was expanded along the growth direction of the films, with a lattice parameter that increased with increasing NiFe2O4 concentration. The opposite behavior was observed on the BaTiO3 phase, with an expansion of its unit cell that lowered with increasing x. The presence of the strain in the films induced a redshift of the Raman peaks of NiFe2O4 that decreased with increasing NiFe2O4 concentration. Cation disorder in the nickel ferrite was observed for lower x, where the nanograins are more isolated and subjected to more strain, which was progressively decreased for higher NiFe2O4 content in the films. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Solid state and sub-cooled liquid vapour pressures of substituted dicarboxylic acids using Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry (KEMS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Abstract. Solid state vapour pressures of a selection of atmospherically important substituted dicarboxylic acids have been measured using Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry (KEMS) over a range of 20 K (298–318 K). Enthalpies of fusion and melting points obtained using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to obtain sub-cooled liquid vapour pressures. They have been compared to estimation methods used on the E-AIM website. These methods are shown to poorly represent – OH groups in combination with COOH groups. Partitioning calculations have been performed to illustrate the impact of the different estimation methods on organic aerosol mass compared to the use of experimental data.
Invariances and Diversities in the Evolution of Manufacturing Industries

In this work we explore some basic properties of the size distributions of firms and of their growth processes both at aggregate and disaggregate levels. First, we investigate which properties of firmâ€™s size distributions and growth dynamics are robust under disaggregation. Second, at a disaggregate level, we try to identify those features which are generic and hold across all or most of the considered three digit sectors distinguishing them from sector-specific ones. Concerning firm growth, we mainly focus on the characterization of the distribution of growth rates, studying, again, the possible differences between sectors and between levels of aggregation. Finally, we begin to explore the relations between measures of size distributions and the nature of the underlying growth processes and discuss some admittedly unresolved puzzles.
High Injection Efficiency and Low-Voltage Programming in a Dopant-Segregated Schottky Barrier (DSSB) FinFET SONOS for nor -type Flash Memory

A dopant-segregated Schottky barrier (DSSB) FinFET silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) for nor-type flash memory is successfully demonstrated. Compared with a conventional FinFET SONOS device, the DSSB FinFET SONOS device exhibits high-speed programming at low voltage. The sharp dopant-segregated Schottky contact at the source side can generate hot electrons, and it can be used to provide high injection efficiency at low voltage without any constraint on the choice of the proper gate and drain voltage. The DSSB FinFET SONOS device is therefore a promising candidate for nor-type flash memory with high-speed and low-power programming.
The Kinetics of Thermal Decomposition of Benzene in a Flow System

Benzene in helium carrier gas has been decomposed a t temperatures from 1173 to 1523°K. and at residence times from 20 to 250 msec. , using a tubular flow reactor with a well-defined temperature plateau. The kinetics are complex, demonstrating mixed-order behavior with back reactions and wall effects. In the early stages of reaction, the decomposition kinetics are compatible with a treatment based upon mixed firstand second-order reactions. The first-order contribution appears to be an unusual chain that irivolves the wall in one chain-carrying step, while the secondorder reaction is probably the homogeneous, biiiiolecular formation of biphenyl and hydrogen. exp(-52 kcal./RT) sec. -l while the latter is estimated to be ~ I I = lo'* exp(-40 kcal./RT) cc. /mole sec. Sooting also causes enhancetiierit of the rate.
Relationship between temperature and the seasonal course of photosynthesis in Scots pine at northern timberline and in southern boreal zone

In earlier studies the seasonal dynamics of photosynthetic capacity in northern conifers has been explained as a slow response to the ambient temperature. We tested this concept with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). We analysed the seasonal dynamics of photosynthetic efficiency in Scots pine at the timberline in Finnish Lapland, and in a southern boreal forest in Southern Finland. The relationship between the daily photosynthetic efficiency and leaf temperature history was determined from continuous measurements of shoot CO2 exchange. The shoot CO2 exchange and photosynthetic efficiency showed similar seasonal patterns in the northern and in the southern locations, following daily mean temperature with a delay. The relationship between the temperature history and photosynthetic efficiency appeared to be near sigmoidal both in the northern and in the southern trees. The relationship was also consistent from year-to-year, thus the seasonal course of photosynthetic efficiency can be predicted accurately from the ambient temperature using a sigmoidal relationship. A rapid decrease of photosynthetic efficiency was observed when daytime temperature dropped below zero or frost had occurred in the previous night. The difference in the rate of acclimation of photosynthetic efficiency between the north and the south was small.
4',6'-dichloroflavan (BW683C) : enantiomeric separation by HPLC/DAD and antirhinovirus activity

Racemic 4',6-dichloroflavan (BW683C), a highly effective inhibitor of rhinovirus serotype 1B in vitro, was resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase. The enantiomers were separately collected and circular dichroism curves were obtained, in order to determine the absolute configuration of the two enantiomers. The activity of the isomers was studied on human rhinovirus serotype 1B multiplication in HeLa cell cultures, by means of the plaque reduction assay. Both enantiomers were potent inhibitors of virus replication; by comparing the IC50 values, the S form was 3.5 times more effective than the R form.
Extended dissolution studies of cellulose in imidazolium based ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) have become advantageous solvents for the dissolution and homogeneous processing of cellulose in recent years. However, despite significant efforts, only a few ILs are known for their capability to efficiently dissolve cellulose. In order to overcome this limitation, we screened a wide range of potentially suitable ILs. From our studies, some remarkable results were obtained, for example, an odd–even effect was found for different alkyl side-chain lengths of the imidazolium chlorides which could not be observed for the bromides. Furthermore, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate was found to be best suitable for the dissolution of cellulose; dissolution under microwave irradiation resulted in almost no color change. No degradation of cellulose could be observed. In addition, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate has a low melting point which makes the viscosity of the cellulose solution lower and, thus, easier to handle.
Study the effect of urea molasses multinutrient block on fattening cattle

In order to study the effect of urea molasses multinutrient block (UMMB) on fattening cattle, eighteen adult crossbreed, Limousin cattle were chosen from Ningnan mountainous district Guyuan City on the basis of similar bodyweight. Cattle were divided into two equal groups following a completely randomized design and fed for 90 d ad libitum with UMMB supplemental group and control group. The results showed that weight of the experiment group increased (P<0.05) 280 g per day more than control group. The body height, height at hip cross, height at sacrum, body length, heart girth, circumference of cannon bone, hip width, rump length and hipbone width in experiment group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The number of red blood cells (RBC), the number of white blood cells (WBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), neutrophils (GR), lymphocytes (LY), median cells (MO), platelets (PLT), lymphocyte rate (LY %), mid-value cell ratio (MO %), neutrophil ratio (GR %), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean content of hemoglobin (MCH) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in experiment group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The ceruloplasmin (CP), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the serum of experimental group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The contents of trace elements (Se, Zn, Cu, Co, I, Ca, P) in blood of the experiment group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The contents of trace elements (Se, Zn, Co) in feather of the experiment group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05).
Organic and mineral fertilization and chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil

Melissa officinalis L. , Lamiaceae, is an herb with great growth prospects in the cosmetic industry due to its essential oil. In order to improve its production, it is necessary to study related agricultural practices. This study evaluated the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on the chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil. The assay was conducted at the "Fazenda Experimental do Gloria" of the Federal University of Uberlândia, and essential oil extraction and GC/MS analyses were completed by the Centre for Research and Development on Plant Genetic Resources of the Campinas Agronomic Institute. The assay was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The tested treatments were six types of fertilization (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 kg.m-2 of cattle manure and mineral fertilizing with 60 g.m-2 of NPK 4-14-8 + 4 g.m-2 of boric acid) with four replications. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. The essential oil presented the same compounds for all treatments; however, the relative proportion of some chemical constituents was altered according to the treatment. Neral, geranial, and citronellal were the major constituents.
Comparison of Chemical, Textural and Organoleptic Properties of Pastry Sheets with Two Different Additives

Abstract The effect of additions of Arabic gum and commercially used additive Frosty, commonly used for the bread production which is intended for freezing, on the quality of pastry sheets was determined. Frosty decreased active acidity and conversely increased titration acidity in the wheat flour dough and in final products. Higher addition of Arabic gum prolonged the freshness (= moisture) more than Frosty. Arabic gum had insignificant effect on the titration acidity or pH of the dough or the titration acidity of the final products. Both additions of Arabic gum (15 g kg−1 and 30 g kg−1) and higher addition of Frosty (30 g kg−1) decreased the firmness of the pastry sheets. Fresh samples of pastry sheets with lower addition of the Frosty were better in taste, crispness, porosity and quality than the samples with higher addition of the Arabic gum. However, pastry sheets with Frosty lost moisture faster and therefore became less fresh quicker, in comparison with samples with Arabic gum added.
Evaluation of the oxidative properties of vegetable oils as base stocks for industrial lubricants using spectroscopic and thermogravimetric analyses

This paper presents the study of the oxidative behaviour of vegetable oils using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) techniques. The properties of vegetable oils were determined by their fatty acid (FA) composition. A high content of polyunsaturated FAs, like linoleic and linolenic acids, decreases thermal-oxidative stability. FTIR spectroscopy can be used as a quick method to measure the degree of unsaturation in vegetable oils in a qualitative manner. NMR spectroscopy can be used to quantitatively evaluate the degree of unsaturation in vegetable oils. TGA/DTA techniques were used to evaluate the oxidative properties of vegetable oils. In the present study, TGA/DTA analyses was performed on different vegetable oils under isothermal conditions at 150 °C for 3 hours. TGA/DTA thermograms showed weight changes and thermal activities in terms of exothermic or endothermic heat flows during the oxidative reactions. The oxidative degradation was evaluated in terms of the weight gain by the respective vegetable oils under the test conditions, due to the formation of oxidative polymerization products and the value of exothermic peaks as obtained from the DTA. The comparative study of the oxidative performance of different vegetable oils showed that the higher the degrees of unsaturation, the higher are the weight gains and the exothermic peaks. The evaluation of the effect of a chosen antioxidant showed marked improvement on the oxidative stability of vegetable oils. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self‐Organization

The selective binding of a substrate by a molecular receptor to form a supramolecular species involves molecular recognition which rests on the molecular information stored in the interacting species. The functions of supermolecules cover recognition, as well as catalysis and transport. In combination with polymolecular organization, they open ways towards molecular and supramolecular devices for information processing and signal generation. The development of such devices requires the design of molecular components performing a given function (e.g., photoactive, electroactive, ionoactive, thermoactive, or chemoactive) and suitable for assembly into an organized array. Light-conversion devices and charge-separation centers have been realized with photoactive cryptates formed by receptors containing photosensitive groups. Eleclroactive and ionoactive devices are required for carrying information via electronic and ionic signals. Redox-active polyolefinic chains, like the “caroviologens”, represent molecular wires for electron transfer through membranes. Push-pull polyolefins possess marked nonlinear optical properties. Tubular mesophases, formed by organized stacking of suitable macro-cyclic components, as well as “chundle”-type structures, based on bundles of chains grafted onto a macrocyclic support, represent approaches to ion channels. Lipophilic macrocyclic units form Langmuir-Blodgett films that may display molecular recognition at the air-water interface. Supramolecular chemistry has relied on more or less preorganized molecular receptors for effecting molecular recognition, catalysis, and transport processes. A step beyond preorganization consists in the design of systems undergoing self-organization, that is, systems capable of spontaneously generating a well-defined supramolecular architecture by self-assembling from their components under a given set of conditions. Several approaches to self-assembling systems have been pursued: the formation of helical metal complexes, the double-stranded helicates, which result from the spontaneous organization of two linear polybipyridine ligands into a double helix by binding of specific metal ions; the generation of mesophases and liquid crystalline polymers of supramolecular nature from complementary components, amounting to macroscopic expression of molecular recognition; the molecular-recognition-directed formation of ordered solid-state structures. Endowing photo-, electro-, and ionoactive components with recognition elements opens perspectives towards the design of programmed molecular and supramolecular systems capable of self-assembly into organized and functional supramolecular devices. Such systems may be able to perform highly selective operations of recognition, reaction, transfer, and structure generation for signal and information processing at the molecular and supramolecular levels.
Insulator surface charge accumulation under DC voltage

The phenomena of surface charging are investigated using the capacitive probe method. In order to decrease the charge leakage a new type probe with high resolution is designed. The influence of voltage amplitude, duration, polarity and surrounding humidity on the surface charging are studied. The accumulation competition between positive charges and negative charges is observed. The experimental results show that at different places on the insulator surface the surface charging has different saturation time constants.
OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS VARIABLES FOR THE PREPARATION OF CHITOSAN­ALGINATE NANOPARTICLES

The aim of this study is to prepare and drug loaded nanoparticles of Gemcetabine, an anticancer drug and optimization in terms of chemical properties, drug concentration, polymer concentration, cross‐linking agent and sterring speed. Nanoparticles of Gemcitabine were fabricated using chitosan polymer and pregelated Sodium alginate by Ionotropic pregelation method. Calcium chloride was also included in the formulation for pregelation of sodium alginate. Prepared chitosan and alginate suspension further crosslinked with Gluteraldehyde. Different formulations of nanoparticles were prepared using different concentrations of c hitosan, sterring speed, time of rotation and polymer to drug ratio in the nanoparticles. The average particle size ranged between 230 nm to 627 nm. Drug entrapment ranged between 72.12%‐92.89%. The result indicated that the drug loaded nanoparticles of Gemcetabine showed optimum particle size and maximum drug entrapment with drug polymer ratio 05:75, cross‐linking agents 02 ml, stirring rate 800 rpm and stirring time 90 min.
A kinetic‐based design for thermophilic anaerobic treatment of a high‐strength agroindustrial wastewater

Abstract Data obtained from a pilot plant study on thermophilic anaerobic contact digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) operated at a temperature range of 45–55°C were treated using the Monod kinetics. Process parameters derived from the kinetic model were tested and found to be in substantial agreement with the performance of a commercial‐scale reactor. The model could therefore be used as a basis for the design and operation of thermophilic anaerobic bioreactors in POME treatment.