Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in research on cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes in sediment, soil and biosolid: a review

ABSTRACT Three cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS) were widely used in various processes of production and industrials and frequently added to consumer products. cVMS are continuously released into the environment, causing increasing environmental and human exposing risks. cVMS were investigated in air, water, biogas, soil, sediment, biosolid and organism. Many scholars focused on the occurrence, behaviours, fate and effects of cVMS in environmental matrices all over the world. However, few studies paid attention to the environmental behaviour of cVMS in the solid phase. We assessed their environmental behaviour and fate in soil, biosolid and sediment. High concentrations of cVMS were detected in biosolids. Volatilisation, adsorption and degradation were the major environmental behaviours for cVMS in the solid phase. Although some aquatic organisms showed an appropriate level of bioaccumulation and bioconcentration, there were no obvious evidence of trophic biomagnification in aquatic food webs for octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). In addition, cVMS in the environment have not impacted for natural organisms because the concentrations in soil and sediment have not exceeded the maximum no-observed-effect-concentration threshold. Finally, regarding the major environmental behaviour in soil and sediment, suggestions for further study are proposed.
Toward well-organised ionic discotic liquid crystals via versatile supramolecular approach

ABSTRACT Various ordered structures of crystalline three-dimensional (3D) cubic, 2D columnar or 1D lamellar mesophases have been facilely achieved through host–guest interactions of electrically neutral host tris(18-crown-6)triphenylene and guest potassium sulfonates with alkyl tails of variant number and length. The convenient construction of functionalised ionic complexes and the flexibility of such a supramolecular approach offer a wide variety of possibilities to prepare various ordered functional soft materials, especially those in their 2D ordered columnar liquid crystalline mesophases may serve as promising electron and ion dual-channel transport organic electronic materials. Graphical Abstract
Comparative study between free and immobilized Penicillium chrysogenum mannanase: a local fungal isolate -

A search for fungal isolate with higher mannanase activity indicated that the local isolate Penicillium chrysogenum appeared as the most active one. Penicillium chrysogenum mannanase was eluted as one band near 30 kb by means SDS-PAGE at one step purification. Immobilization of the mannanase by entrapping this enzyme preparation in calcium alginate beads was carried out. The optimum temperature for free and immobilized form unchanged (50 oC). The optimum pH of the free enzyme was 6 while the immobilized form achieved it at pHs range 6-6.5. At 70 o C the immobilized form could retain 41% of its activity after 180 min, while the free enzyme lost 88% of its original activity at the same time. The immobilization process reduced the activating energy from 21.36 kcal mol−1 to 17.79 kcal mol−1. Also, it was prolonged the half-lives and D values remarkably in compared to the free enzyme. Shelf stability study indicated that the immobilized mannanase was stable for a long period at 4 °C retaining 90% of the activity after 60 days. Bioconversion of locust bean gum (LBG) and yeast mannan by partially purified mannanase (PPM) was similar (41%) for free PPM and 23% for the immobilized form. The prebiotic activity of mannooligosaccharides (MOS) are comprising bio-converted samples of LBG and yeast mannan towards the probiotics Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus reuteri. Noteworthy is the highest prebiotic activity (prebiotic index 247) was recorded for MOS (of LBG) towards L. helveticus.
A Review Of The Job Satisfaction Theory For Special Education Perspective

Job satisfaction reflects a positive feeling towards the task performed. Through this value of job satisfaction, an individual will feel confident and enthusiastic in every job undertaken. In the field of education, of course the discussion is focused on the job satisfaction of teachers because the main role in the delivery of knowledge in schools is the teachers. Even in special education specifically, job satisfaction is very important in increasing the accauntibility of special education teachers as well as motivating themselves to continue to dedicate themselves to religion, race and country. The discussion of job satisfaction, has been explained in several theories that can be linked to special education. This study was conducted to examine the previous theories related to teacher job satisfaction which can be referenced by teachers.
HCN Hyperfine Ratio Analysis of Massive Molecular Clumps

Abstract The CHaMP project has identified a uniform sample of 303 massive (20–8000 M⊙), dense (200–30,000 cm−3) molecular clumps in a large sector of the southern Milky Way that includes much of the Carina Arm. These are the kinds of clumps that are likely to be the precursors to IRDCs, large stellar clusters, and massive stars. We report new results of the physical conditions in these clouds based on the J=1 → 0 emission at 3mm from the HCN molecule. Analysis of the HCN emission from these clumps reveals that the physical conditions in the gas (i.e., the excitation temperature, optical depth, and column density) do not follow the molecular line emissivity in a straightforward way. This means that large fractions of the molecular material involved in massive cluster formation, while not completely“dark”, are under-luminous and easily missed in certain studies.
Comparison of Luminescent Properties in Solid-State and Polymer Films of Eu(III) Complexes Containing 2-Acylindandione Ligands

The Europium(III) ternary complexes Eu(BID)3(PHEN) and Eu(MBID)3(PHEN) (BID – 2-benzoyl-1,3-indandione, MBID - 2-(4-methylbenzoyl)-1,3-indandione and PHEN – 1,10-Phenantroline) were synthesized, characterized and incorporated into poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly-N-vinylcarbazole (PVK) matrixes. Emission properties in solid-state and polymer films were investigated through excitation spectra, emission spectra and absolute photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY). Both complexes in their solid-state and films exhibited red-light luminescence with narrow bands corresponding to Eu(III) ion emission. In solid-state complexes were characterized with PLQY of 6% and 10%, in PVK matrixes quantum yield dropped down to 4%, however, in PMMA films exhibited similar luminescence PLQY than in solid-state.
JUPITER to Earth: A statin helps people with normal LDL-C and high hs-CRP, but what does it mean?

The JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) (N Engl J Med 2008; 359:2195–2207) compared rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20 mg daily vs placebo in apparently healthy people who had levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lower than 130 mg/dL but elevated levels (≥ 2 mg/L) of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Rosuvastatin treatment lowered LDL-C levels by 50% and hs-CRP levels by 37%, accompanied by a 44% relative risk reduction in the composite end point of unstable angina, revascularization, and confirmed death from cardiovascular causes. In absolute terms, 95 people had to be treated over 2 years to prevent one event. There was, however, a higher incidence of diabetes in the rosuvastatin group. How low should we go with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and at what cost? What is the role of screening C-reactive protein? The JUPITER study partially answered these questions.
EFFECTS OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN NAKURU TOWN, KENYA

This study sought to establish the effect of strategic alignment of organization culture; structure; talent; and knowledge management systems on the performance of NGOs in Nakuru town in Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and a population of 83 NGOs was targeted. Using Yamane (1969) formula, a sample population of 69 NGOs was applied. Data was collected by use of questionnaire. Piloting of instrument was done in NGOs within Njoro town and an acceptable Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient of 0.822 was computed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the primary data gathered through the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software. The study found that the relationship between strategic alignment of organization culture and performance of NGOs inNakuru town was positive and significant (β=0.120; p 0.05). The relationship between strategic alignment of organization knowledge management systems and performance of NGO was shown to be positive, weak and not significant (β=0.041; p>0.05). The model of the study was found to be significant (R=0.721). The study concluded that strategic alignment of organization structure, culture, talent and knowledge management systems has effect on organizational performance (R2=0.507). It thus recommended that NGOs should be strategically aligned as regards their culture, structure, talent and knowledge management systems so as to have improved performance.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Educational Process in Saudi Arabia: A Technology–Organization–Environment Framework

The lockdown of universities and educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the educational process. Saudi Arabia became a forerunner during COVID-19 by taking initial precautions of curfews and total restrictions. However, these restrictions had a disruptive effect on various sectors, specifically the educational sector. The Ministry of Education strived to cope with the consequences of these changes swiftly by shifting to online education. This paper aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on the educational process through a comparative study of the responses collected from different cases, and the challenges that are faced throughout the educational process. The study conducted a cross-sectional, self-administered online questionnaire during the outbreak and distance learning, which was designed based on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework of students. Most questions used a five-point Likert scale. The responses were randomly collected from 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students who were studying in Saudi Arabian universities, to study the overall performance of education institutions during COVID-19. The collected data were analyzed and compared to the results in the literature. The main factors impacted by this transformation are addressed. These factors are based on research and observations and aim to overcome the encountered limitations and to present their level of impact on distance education. The research framework can be useful for higher educational authorities aiming to overcome the issues highlighted and discussed in this study.
Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites of Selected Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Corrosion Inhibition Studies on Mild Steel in HCl Solution

Nanocomposites of ZnO and some selected polymers, namely, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), and polyacrylonitrile, were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The FTIR and UV–vis spectra confirmed the successful formation of the polymer nanocomposites. TGA results revealed that the synthesized polymer nanocomposites are more thermally stable than the polymers alone. ZnO nanoparticles were about 50–75 nm in size, assumed a rodlike shape, and got embedded in the polymer matrices, as revealed by TEM images. Corrosion inhibition potentials of the synthesized ZnO/polymer nanocomposites were investigated for mild steel in 5% HCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results showed that each ZnO/polymer nanocomposite inhibits mild steel corrosion in 5% HCl solution better than the respective polymer alone. The nanocomposites, according to PDP studies, behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor. The predominant mode of adsorption of the nanocomposites to a mild steel surface was found to be mixed type, and the adsorption process obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Scanning electron microscopy images also revealed the protective attributes of the ZnO/polymer nanocomposites for mild steel in 5% HCl solution.
Application of various observational techniques to the characterization of MX in F82H

ABSTRACT Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels (RAFMs) have been developed for the structural material of fusion reactor blanket. Extensive researches were conducted using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to define the precipitation behavior of MX (M: Metallic elements, X: C and/or N) precipitates such as vanadium and tantalum carbides and/or nitrides, since they strongly affect material properties. However, it is not completely defined yet. TEM can obtain detailed information, but the observable volume is limited and it needs a long time to obtain representative and statistically reliable microstructural information. It is fruitful to complement TEM results applying other characterization techniques together. In this work, we studied the precipitation behavior of MX in the RAFM, F82H, through the application of various techniques with larger observable volumes and compared with TEM past results. We additionally tried to find sub-nanometric MX precipitates that can be hardly observed through TEM. From the result, the TaX (X: C and/or N) phase surely varied depending on the chemical composition of alloy and heat treatment; some TaX precipitates were unstable during tempering, MX precipitates were intergranular, and sub-nanometric MX were not found in the matrix. These obtained results were helpful to define the precipitation behavior of MX in F82H.
Vanadium Supplementation vis-a-vis Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Karan Fries Calves

In order to study the influence of vanadium on growth and nutrient utilization, twenty four Karan fries male calves of 3–6 months of age were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. All the animals were fed rations comprising of concentrate mixture, green fodder and wheat straw to meet their nutrient requirement (ICAR, 2013). However, vanadium was also given to animals in treatment groups T1, T2 and T3 @ 3, 6 and 9 ppm, respectively for a period of 165 days. Vanadium supplementation did not have any significant effect on DM, CP and TDN intake and digestibility of CP, EE, NDF and ADF. Up to level of 9 ppm, no beneficial or adverse effect on the average body weight and daily gain of Karan fries calves was observed. It was concluded that supplementation of vanadium up to a level of 9 ppm did not influence the growth rate and nutrient digestibility in Karan fries male calves.
Nonaqueous solution deacidification treatments to prolong the storage life of acidic books: A review of mechanistic and process aspects

According to published studies, certain nonaqueous solution-based treatments can be highly effective for prolonging the useful lives of bound volumes, within which the paper had been formed under acidic papermaking conditions. Such treatments, which typically use reactive alkoxide-based organometallic compounds dissolved in low-surface-tension liquids, have been shown to decrease the tendency of the paper to become brittle during long storage or during accelerated aging. This article reviews published evidence concerning the underlying mechanisms of such treatments. Evidence suggests that dissolved alkoxides and related carbonated alkoxide-based compounds are able to react directly with acidic species within acidic paper during treatment of books. Such reactions help explain the demonstrated effectiveness of nonaqueous solution-based deacidification treatments.
Towards dense RGB-D visual odometry

We present a system that estimates the motion of a single moving RGB-D camera based on video input. The system operates in real-time with low delay and the motion estimates are used for 3D reconstruction purposes. The front end of the system is an energy-based dense tracker. The tracker minimizes an energy function which aims at finding the best rigid body motion to map one RGB-D image into another one under the assumption of a static scene filmed by the moving camera. Energy is defined as a linear combination of depthmap and RGB information. We then propose a linearization of the energy function which leads to a 6 x 6 normal equation for the twist coordinates representing the rigid body motion. To allow for larger motions, we solve this equation in a coarse-to-fine scheme. By varying the coefficients of the linear combination of the two energy components, we can dynamically shift focus from structure features in the depthmap to texture features in the RGB image. The estimated pose, together with the associated depth frame, is then used as input in a simple 3D reconstruction system which produces a dense model of the observed volume. The pose estimation method has been applied successfully to video recorded with handheld platforms and synthetically generated ones. Quantitative analysis shows that the solution is more robust to large camera motions than commonly adopted RGB-D approaches, allowing to perform visual odometry with a lower number of keyframes.
Analysis of Radiographic Signs to Predict the Risk of Damage to the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Following Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Extraction among Sinhalese Population

Aims: This study aimed to define the panoramic criteria can be used in predicting the direct contact between impacted mandibular third molar (MTM) and the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study carried out at Unit B in National Dental Teaching Hospital, Ward Place, Colombo 07 from July 2019 to February 2020. Methodology: Both orthopantomography (OPG) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 107 impacted MTMs were assessed to record the radiographic signs for each impacted tooth. The angulation and the position of impaction, Rood & Shehab signs including superimposition, mandibular canal (MC) position relative to the MTM roots, proximity of MTM roots to MC, and the changes of cortical plates due to impacted MTM roots were recorded with sex and age. The Chi-square and Fishers’ exact tests were used for comparison. Results: The most common position of impaction was position B, most common impaction angulation was mesial angulation, most common OPG sign was interruption of white line, and most common MC position was lingual position relative to the MTM roots. Position A, and position B, A-vertical impaction type, B-horizontal impaction type, darkening of roots, sign combinations of darkening and superimposition, and darkening and interruption, and lingually located MC relative to the MTM roots were significantly correlated with direct contact between impacted MTM and the MC (P<0.05). The signs of superimposition and narrow root were significantly correlated with lingually positioned MCs (P<0.05). The sign of darkening of roots was significantly correlated with lingual and buccal cortical plates thinning (P<0.05). Conclusion: With superimposition and darkening or darkening and interruption, or B-horizontal type of impaction, there is a risk of IAN damage during the surgical removal of impacted MTM. With A-vertical type of impaction, there was no risk of damage to IAN. The sign combination of superimposition and darkening has a high positive predictive value for predicting contact MTM roots to MC than buccal plate thinning.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Diethyl 1-((4-Methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate

The compound, diethyl 1-((4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate 2, was synthesized in high yield, through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 4-(azidomethyl)-4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole and diethyl but-2-ynedioate in the absence of a solvent. The structure of the synthesized compound was established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C), X-ray crystallography, and MS data. The prepared compound was also tested in vitro for its antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The calculation of MBC/MIC ratio showed that this triazole derivative 2 had a bactericidal effect on the two strains tested.
Reply to “Comments on Radiation-Damage Resistance in Phyllosilicate Minerals from First Principles and Implications for Radiocesium and Strontium Retention in Soils”

In this reply the authors address comments in Wampler (2017) regarding Sassi et al. (2016), the focus of which is on ab initio calculation of threshold displacement energies (TDEs) for atoms in vermiculite, and the relative probabilities for Frenkel-defect formation among atom types arising from radioisotopes of the kind in the contaminated soils at Fukushima. Wampler (2017) offers suggestions attacking the context and importance, from a knowledge base that appears deficient. Specifically, with regards to the concentration of fallout radioactivity in soils, the present authors show that for radiocesium at Fukushima, Wampler’s (2017) homogeneous dilution model fails to stand up against direct experimental measurements, and further provide references showing that the local concentrations of these ions at the sub-micrometer level may be much higher than would be predicted from homogenous assumptions. No cognizance of this readily available data is demonstrated in Wampler (2017). With regards to the more peripheral topic of absolute Frenkel-defect formation probabilities, Wampler (2017) argues against damage accumulation within any individual phyllosilicate grain from self-contained radiocesium an agreeable concept. Based on these data, however, the present authors suggest that the radiation volumes of radiocesiumbearing particles as dispersed in Fukushima soils are likely to be strongly overlapping and thus the question of their mutual interaction persists. The durability of radiocesium-phyllosilicate interactions over the long term, even in fallout scenarios, remains as a research frontier worthy of exploration.
The Processing Nature of the N 400 : Evidence fiom Masked Priming

The N 4 0 0 is an endogenous event-related brain potential (ERP) that is sensitive to semantic processes during language comprehension. The general question we address in this paper is which aspects of the comprehension process are manifest in the N 4 0 0 . The focus is on the sensitivity of the N 4 0 0 to the automatic process of lexical access, or to the controlled process of lexical integration. The former process is the reflex-like and effortless behavior of computing a form representation of the linguistic signal, and of mapping this representation onto corresponding entries in the mental lexicon. The latter process concerns the integration of a spoken or written word into a higher-order meaning representation of the context within which it occurs. ERPs and reaction times (RTs) were acquired to target words preceded by semantically related and unrelated prime words. The semantic relationship between a prime and its target has been shown to modulate the amplitude of the N 4 0 0 to the target. This modulation can arise from lexical access processes, reflecting the automatic spread of activation between words related in meaning in the mental lexicon. Alternatively,