Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the kinetics of protein folding and the ensemble of conformations in non-native states of proteins by liquid NMR spectroscopy

For a complete description of protein folding dynamics and the structure of the folded state, of unfolded and of non-native states of proteins and the kinetics of protein folding from the unfolded state to the folded state have to be determined. The focus of this PhD thesis was the development of novel NMR methodologies to study protein folding using NMR spectroscopy. This has been achieved by studying three model proteins ubiquitin, cx-lactalbumin and lysozyme in their folded and especially in their unfolded states. The proteins were chosen, because oc-lactalbumin and lysozyme are two proteins with nearly identical fold but different function and ubiquitin is a very stable protein without disulfide bonds. Methodologies A new NMR pulse sequence for the determination of 1J(Ni,Cai) and 2J(Ni,C.(i-l)) coupling constants in proteins was developped. The method is based on J-modulated HSQCs and can be applied to folded as well as unfolded proteins. The new coupling constants report on backbone and v angles. Residual structure and long-range interactions in unfolded proteins can be detected by a new combination of site directed non-conservative mutagenesis and NMR analysis. Identification of long-range interactions is a) based on the analysis and interpretation of R2 relaxation rates, for which models have been derived and b) based on NMR diffusion data which directly correlate to the compactness of a given protein. A method to study laser triggered kinetics of protein folding by time-resolved photoCIDNP NMR was developed. Two lasers were coupled into an NMR spectrometer: one for initiation of folding by releasing ions from photo-labile chelators with dead times as low as 200ms, and one for induction of photo-CINDP NMR. The method can not only be applied to ion induced kinetics of protein folding, but is generally applicable to kinetics of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNA that involve photo-protected cofactors as could be shown in our laboratory. Investigations on ubiquitin The newly developed NMR method for the determination of 1J(Ni,Cmi) and 2 J(Ni,Ca(i l)) coupling constants was applied to folded ubiquitin. Analysis revealed the dependence of the coupling constants on the backbone conformation, predominantly on y, making the pulse sequence and the parameterization developed here a valuable new tool for the determination of the backbone conformation in folded as well as in unfolded proteins.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF THE COOKING RATE OF DRY LEGUMES

It is well known that high temperatures reduce the cooking time of dry beans and peas. However, little quantitative information on the temperature dependence of the cooking time can be found in the literature. The temperature dependence of the cooking rate was obtained by cooking samples of dry legumes for various times at 98, 116, and 127°C and measuring the maximum force on a Kramer TP-1 shear press with a CS-1 cell containing 100g samples. The time-temperature combinations which gave the same texture were plotted to obtain z-values for softening of the beans. The following z-values for softening due to cooking were found: Black beans: 19°C; brown beans: 18°C; soybeans: 16°C; and Alaska dried peas: 16°C. The results reported can be used for more adequate design of cooking processes of beans with special regards to energy savings since beans are frequently cooked for 5 hr at 100°C.
Proceeding-Kuala Lumpur International Business, Economics and Law Conference 7, Vol. 1. August 15 – 16, 2015. Hotel Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) makes the annual reports of companies more credible and transparent. However, many companies in different countries still failed to comply with the IAS 36Assets Impairment. This paper investigates the factors that may affect companies’ compliance with the FRS 136 Assets Impairment among the Malaysian listed companies. Based on a review of the prior literature, this paper proposes a conceptual framework to investigate the relationship between company characteristics (company size, goodwill intensity, company leverage and company profit) and the level of goodwill disclosure compliance with the FRS 136 among Malaysian listed companies. Evidence from previous studies suggested that the company’s characteristics namely company size, goodwill intensity, profitability, company and company leverage positively impact the companies’ compliance with the FRS 136. It is argued that the characteristics of a company are considered as important variables to explain the difference in company disclosure.
Terdentate NNN Donor Ligands Derived from 2,6-Diacetylpyridine

Abstract The Schiff base condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with aniline, p-methoxyaniline and benzylamine gives high yields of 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis (arylimines). Complexation of 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis (anil) with nickel (II) and zinc (II) to form five- and six-coordinate complexes of the types MCl2·L and [ML2] (C104)2 illustrates the versatility of these new terdentate NNN donor ligands.
Do Time Series Analyses Provide Consensus About the Relationship between Education and Economic Growth?

This paper examines the causal relationship between education and economic growth by investigating and comparing the time-series literature, and making a short empirical analysis for Turkey about this issue. The aim of examining this topic is that the role of human capital is very significant for economic growth and it can be said that the most important factor for human capital is education. In other words, the accumulation of human capital may be seen as a major force of generating economic growth because it not only increases productivity but also has some positive externalities which society can benefit from. The study also touches on different levels of education and education investments (or expenditures) while investigating the causality between education and economic growth. On the other side, the results in the literature about the causal relationship between education and economic growth are not uniform. Also in empirical part, this study finds different results compared to other studies related with Turkey. Moreover, in the literature the results vary even for the same country. For these reasons, this work recommends panel data analysis that uses the qualitative side (cognitive skills) of education in order to examine the causal relationship between education and economic growth because with this way, we can handle the problem of lack of data, especially for developing countries, as the number of countries in the sample increases. However, the important thing here is to create a sample with analogous countries.
Water-Deficit Stress and Soil Type Effects on Spring Onion Growth

ABSTRACT Soil type and management practices can affect Allium growth and quality. This study investigated the effects of water-deficit stress and soil type on tissue water content, plant growth and dry-matter production of spring onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. White Lisbon. Seedlings were grown in a glasshouse in pots containing clay (Alluvial Gley) or sandy loam (Brown Earth). Irrigation treatments were watering to near field capacity (−0.01 MPa), or re-watering to near field capacity when the available soil moisture level was depleted to either ≤ 50% (−0.80 MPa) or ≤ 25% (−1.19 MPa). Watering to field capacity significantly (P < 0.05) increased relative water content and water potential of leaf tissue. Periodic water-deficit stress increased leaf number, but reduced leaf length. At −0.01 MPa, plant fresh weight and dry-matter content were increased, especially for plants grown on clay as compared with the −0.80 or −1.19 MPa treatments. Irrigation to near field capacity improved growth and dry-matter production. A greater proportion of colloids, and greater water storage capacity of the clay soil, compared to the sandy loam, caused an increase in plant growth and dry-matter. Attainment of functional equilibrium maintained a balance between shoots and roots fresh weight ratio, irrespective of irrigation treatment and soil type. In conclusion, deficit irrigation especially on the sandy loam caused physiological stress that reduced spring onion growth and dry-matter yield compared to regular irrigation. The good water retention capacity of the clay soil compensated for deficit irrigation compared to the sandy loam.
DETERMINANT OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL DISCLOSURE

Intellectual capital disclosure is a way to report the nature of the intangible value that is owned by the company. Intellectual capital disclosure is valuable information for stakeholders. The purpose of the research to get empirical evidence about the effect of firm size, ownership concentration, leverage, profitability, types of auditors, level of intellectual capital and listing age on intellectual capital disclosure. This research used 76 listed manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange, and data were selected by purposive sampling method, during 2011 until 2014. Data were analyzed using multiple regression method. The results of the research show that firm size, profitability and level of intellectual capital had significant and positive influence on intellectual capital disclosure. The results of the research also show that ownership concentration, leverage and listing age had significant and negative influence on intellectual capital disclosure. While types of auditor had no influence on intellectual capital disclosure. Company pay attention to intellectual capital disclosure. Investor attention to non-financial performance as intellectual capital disclosure to see the sustainability of the company.
Energy recovery from winery wastewater using a dual chamber microbial fuel cell

BACKGROUND Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can treat agro-industrial wastewater, but only a few studies have reported the treatment of winery waste and much work is needed in order to develop this interesting application of MFC technology, in particular in evaluating how the unfavorable COD/N and COD/P ratios may affect the MFC performance. In this work, a dual chamber MFC was used to treat real effluents from wine processing factories. RESULTS The MFC was not efficient in terms of COD removal, even when nutrients concentration was increased and daily removals which oscillated around 1000 mg L-1 d-1 were observed during the complete experimental period, with COD removals around 17%. Increases in the phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations positively influenced the production of electricity. By increasing the concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen, Coulombic efficiency was increased from 2% to almost 15%, and maximum power density from 105 to 465 mW m-2. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate that electricity can be produced efficiently and that the unbalanced nutrients/COD ratio is a major challenge in the treatment of winery wastewater, in spite of the very high organic load contained in this type of wastewater. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of colloids found in various groundwater environments in central and southern Nevada

Colloid concentration and composition were determined and compared for 23 groundwater samples collected in central and southern Nevada. Mean colloid concentration in the 1.0 to 0.03 {mu}m range is 0.9 mg/l. Composition consists of silica (cristobalite, fused silica, or amorphous silica) and possibly small amounts of clay or zeolite. Calcite and organic material were also identified, but may be sampling artifacts or contaminants. Concentrations of colloidal-sized particles are similar for the following sample groups: (1) carbonate and volcanic; (2) well and spring; and (3) Nevada Test Site (NTS) and off-NTS sites. Trends were not observed between water chemistry and either colloid concentration or composition. Absorption studies performed in the laboratory indicate that cesium-137, cobalt-60, and europium-152 adsorb to colloids collected from the NTS. Comparisons of colloid and rock distribution coefficient (K{sub d}s) suggest that europium will preferentially absorb to these colloids compared to tuffaceous rocks of the NTS.
Activity of Zymomonas mobilis on ethanol products made of cashew nut apple (Anacardium occidentale) with different sources of nitrogen

Mustofa A, Suranto. 2009. Activity of Zymomonas mobilis on ethanol production made of cashew nut apple (Anacardiumoccidentale) with different sources of nitrogen. Nusantara Bioscience 1: 105-109. This research is aimed at identifying Zymomonasmobilis in producing ethanol through batch fermentation process (in 24, 48 and 72 hours) using cashewnut apple extract (red, green andyellow variety) and urea, ammonium sulphate, extract of green peanut sprout and extract koro (Mucuna pruriens) as sources of nitrogen.The research showed that green cashewnut extract with ammonium sulphate in 24 hours of fermentation produced ethanol in optimumresult. This treatment had pH of 5.87, 7.64 g/100 mL of sugar (with 48.44% of consumption), 8.0x107 amount of bacterium (AŽÂ¼ = 0.154)and production of ethanol equal to 33.02 g/L (Ye = 90.19%).
Privatisation Processes and Firm Performance: A conceptual Process Model

In the early stage of the privatisation a considerable debate has been generated about the ownership of the firms. In recent years, however, researchers have moved beyond the ownership debate to the more complex discussions of pre-privatisation institutional reforms. This paper reviewed the theoretical and empirical studies in narrative forms and developed descriptive conceptual model for the process of privatisation. It can generally be conceptualised into four stages. One stage occurs before the actual privatisation process started: the feasibility studies. The actual privatisation process contains three stages: preparation, valuation, and a sale stage.
Personal Experiences in the Labor Market and Household Credit Behavior∗

Do personal negative experiences in the labor market shape individuals’ willingness to take credit? In this paper, we explore the relationship between credit and labor market. Benefiting from individually matched microdata of the Brazilian credit register and labor force activity, we uncover evidence of how being fired in an unexpected recession impacts the credit behavior of individuals. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, we find evidence that being fired in the 2008-2009 recession negatively impacts both the probability of taking credit and the volume of credit. Although these effects seem to be fading over time, they remain active until 2013.
A DOUBLE-HURDLE MODEL OF ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF CREDIT AMONG YAM FARMERS IN IMO STATE , NIGERIA

This study determined decision variables that influence access to credit and extent of utilization of accessed credit in yam production in Imo State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire from proportionately and randomly selected 183 yam farmers in the study area. Data on socioeconomic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation frequency distribution and percentages. An independent double – hurdle model was used to realize the factors that influence access to credit and extent of utilization of accessed credit in yam production on the assumption that access to credit and extent of its utilization by yam farmers were two independent decisions influenced by different factors.Empirical estimates of the first hurdle show that household size, farm size, farming experience, value of output, extension contact, distance from home to bank, availability of credit, collateral and annual farm income are statistical decision variables that influenced the probability of access to credit by yam farmers in Imo State. Estimates of the second hurdle show that the decision to utilize proportion of accessed credit in yam production by the farmers in the study area was influenced by age, household size, level of education, farm size, value of output, extension contact, cooperative membership, distance from home to bank, credit availability, collateral and annual farm income.To improve the utilization of accessed credit in yam production, the banks should disburse approved credit to the farmers early enough during the planting season to prevent credit diversion. There is need for extension agents to enlighten farmers regularly on importance of credit and how to obtain credit so as to increase the probability of access to credit among the farmers in Imo State.
Physico-Chemical Properties of Raphia Fruit (Raphia hookeri) Pulp from Cameroon

Raphia palm is a monocotyledonous plant belonging to the family Palmaceae. It has a trunk covered with attractive unusual coils, usually reproduces through seeds and grows up to 10 m tall and 60 cm in trunk diameter (Hutchinson et al., 1993). From scientific reports and investigations, it has been shown that the origin of Raphia palms is traceable to West Africa, particularly along swampy and semi swampy area of tropical and equatorial rain forest or derived savannas (Moore, 1973; Ndon, 2003). Physico-Chemical Properties of Raphia Fruit (Raphia hookeri) Pulp from Cameroon Vianny Rubenne Ngatchoua Noubangue/ Eric Serge Ngangoum*/ Fabrice Tonfack Djikeng / Hermine Doungue Tsafack / Hilaire Macaire Womeni
Phenophase-Dependent Growth Responses to Foliar Injury in Vitis labruscana Bailey var. Niagara during Vineyard Establishment

In comparison to mature vines, the lack of fruit and lower carbohydrate reserves in vines during establishment create a situation in which the lowest source to sink ratios occur early in the season during rapid vegetative growth. This study compared responses of young Vitis labruscana Bailey var. Niagara vines to injury applied early in the season (bloom) and/or late in the season (veraison). Different sets of plants were injured with hole punchers to imitate foliar injury by leaf-skeletonizing beetles either during bloom, during veraison, or during both phenophases in 2000 and 2001, using a 2 x 2 factorial design. In 2000, vines were injured during bloom by removing 30% of the total leaf area of each fully expanded leaf and during veraison by removing 30% of the subsequently expanded leaves on 1.5 m of each shoot. During 2001, injury during bloom and veraison consisted of removing 20% of the total leaf area of all fully expanded leaves, thereby removing the same percentage of the source available each time. Injury applied during bloom in 2000 significantly reduced pruning weights, total shoot length, and cane diameters the following season, while veraison injury did not. Vines injured during bloom in 2001 had lower numbers of nodes and mature nodes, lower pruning weights, and lower total cluster weight the following season compared to the uninjured vines, while vines injured solely during veraison showed no significant response to injury. In both years, vines injured during both bloom and veraison had the greatest reduction in vegetative growth. Results indicate that during the establishment phase vines are more tolerant of injury during veraison than during bloom and that foliar injury early in the season can significantly reduce a vine9s ability to tolerate subsequent foliar injury.
Structure and thermal stability of polysaccharide fractions extracted from the ultrasonic irradiated and cold alkali pretreated bamboo

Polysaccharide fractions were extracted from partially delignified bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis) culms pretreated with ultrasonic irradiation for varied times and cold sodium hydroxide/urea solution, and their structure and thermal stability were comparatively characterized. In this case, ball-milled bamboo culms were treated with ultrasonic irradiation for varied times (0, 5, 15, and 25 min), dissolved with 7% sodium hydroxide/12% urea solution at −12°C, and then extracted with ethanol and dioxane to obtain partially delignified solid fractions. Subsequently, the solid fractions were subjected to be extracted with dimethyl sulfoxide followed by precipitation in ethanol and yielded the polysaccharide fractions. Sugar analysis indicated that the total sugar content increased from 60.63% in the polysaccharide fraction prepared without ultrasonic irradiation to 81.26% in the polysaccharide fraction prepared with an ultrasonic irradiation time of 25 min. Glucose (∼ 50–55%) was the major sugar component, and xylose (∼ 41–44%) was the second major sugar in polysaccharide fractions in all cases. Spectroscopy (FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HSQC) analysis suggested that the polysaccharide fractions were mainly composed of (14)-linked α-D-glucan from amylose and (14)-linked β-D-xylan attached with minor amounts of branched sugars from hemicelluloses. In addition, thermal analysis showed that the main degradation stage of the polysaccharide fractions occurred between 210 and 320°C. Compared to the polysaccharide fraction prepared without ultrasonic irradiation, the polysaccharide fraction prepared with ultrasonic irradiation had a slightly lower thermal stability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR BANDS

The problem of the diffuse interstellar bands is considered from a spectroscopic viewpoint. A partial decomposition of the astrophysical spectrum based on the grouping of some of the bands into families is discussed with particular reference to ‘diffuse bands’ observed in emission from the Red Rectangle nebula. The level of consistency between currently available laboratory spectroscopic data for chlorin (and related molecules) and part of the astrophysical spectrum is assessed. Some speculative comments on extended red emission from nebulae are presented.
Towards the Utilization of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Leaves as a Rich Source of Antioxidants

Three varieties of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) leaves (DPL) namely: Sagaie, Khalas, and Nabtat Alsaif were examined for their antioxidant activities. DPL extracts showed a total phenolic content ranged between 1498.14 ± 100.52 - 4374.76 ± 657.64 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100g dry weight (DW) and a total flavonoid ranged between 134.70 ± 16.24 - 224.62 ± 22.35 mg quercetin (QE)/100g (DW). The IC50s for scavenging ABTS radical were ranged between 71.87 ± 14.37- 217.87 ± 27. 40µg Trolox equivalent, whereas that required for scavenging DPPH were ranged between 197.86 ± 17.60-693.32 ± 25.44 µg ascorbic acid equivalent. DPL extracts potentially scavenged hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, IC50s values were ranged between 208.04 ± 12.76-719.63 ± 24.38 and 825.92 ± 19.40 -1193.20 ± 28. 74µg GAE respectively. DPL extracts showed a good activity against ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) ranged between 7.69 ± 0.47- 22.13 ± 1.36 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent/100g. DPL extracts showed a considerable antioxidant activity, therefore, DPL could be effectively used as natural source of antioxidant in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Conformations of Silica-Poly(ethylene-propylene) Nanocomposites

By the use of small angle neutron scattering, the chain conformation in a polymer nanocomposite was studied as a function of the nanoparticle fraction for two different molecular weights. A repulsive system was realized in mixing poly(ethylene−propylene) and hydrophobically modified silica. All nanocomposite SANS data exhibit a pronounced scattering peak at intermediate momentum transfers, which is closely connected with the particle structure. Even under contrast matching conditions, the hydrophobic surface layer of the nanoparticles was found to contribute significantly to the scattering signal. In particular, in the short chain matrix the peak origin is exclusively related to direct particle scattering. In the long chain matrix, an additional peak contribution is present. Possible origins include void correlation scattering or polymer correlation scattering. We show unambiguously that the conformation of short chains with a molecular weight of 3000 g/mol is not visibly disturbed by the presence of the .