Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the use of cross-linked PVA nanoparticles for gene and drug delivery

Due to the safety concerns surrounding viral vectors, non-viral alternatives are desirable for fulfilling the aim of gene therapy. In this project gel mobility shift assays demonstrated how cross-linked PVA nanoparticles successfully form complexes with plasmid DNA and are of a size and charge that should, theoretically, permit endocytosis by eukaryotic cells. However, during in vitro transfection studies no reporter (GFP) gene expression was noted. The collective evidence from electroporation, fluorescent-DNAtagging, Lipofectin or calcium phosphate chimeric and chloroquine experiments suggest that a lack of cell uptake is responsible. Nevertheless, the same cross-linked PVA nanoparticles have been shown to exhibit much promise in the field of drug delivery during in vitro experiments, even when used to target the same cell types as those used during transfection studies. Nanagel, a cross-linked PVA nanoparticle containing budesonide, achieved higher levels of drug delivery than a commercially available form of the same drug (Pulmicort) after 1 or 24 hours drug exposure. Furthermore, by measuring superoxide production during a stimulated respiratory burst, the budesonide delivered to cells appears fully functional and significantly more effective than Pulmicort® in preventing the formation
Effectiveness of Zinc and Gypsum Application Against Cadmium Toxicity and Accumulation in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

ABSTRACT Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential and toxic element because it inhibits the growth and development of plants and is dangerous for end consumer. It enters in the human food chain through food crops. Application of plant nutrients such as zinc (Zn) and gypsum is a viable and cheap strategy to minimize its accumulation in edible plant portions. Therefore, this investigation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Zn and gypsum against Cd accumulation in wheat. The results showed that Cd toxicity considerably decreased the plant growth, physiological activities, and yield attributes and increased the Cd accumulation in root, shoot, and grain, while application of Zn and gypsum remarkably increased the growth and yield and decreased the Cd accumulation in plant parts in Cd-contaminated soil. The results also depicted that application of Zn showed better results as compared to gypsum. In conclusion, we can say that application of Zn and gypsum remarkably ameliorated the Cd toxicity and decreased its accumulation in wheat, grown in Cd-contaminated soil.
The progress of novel binder as a non‐ignorable part to improve the performance of Si‐based anodes for Li‐ion batteries

In this review, we highlight recent achievements of polymer binders used for Si‐based anodes in Li‐ion batteries. We classify the polymer binders, depending on their polymer structures and the function on performances of Si‐based anodes, into 3 types: cellulose‐type, conductive‐type and self‐healing‐type binders. The relationship between polymer structures and enhanced electrochemical performances of Si‐based anodes is discussed in details. We investigate how the binders make an extraordinary improvement on the specific capacity, cycling stability and rate performances of Si‐based anodes. The reasons of the noticeable effect on Si‐based anodes especially the controlling of swelling during cycling are also researched. In a word, the main aim of this review is to analyze recent research achievements and propose perspectives of polymer binders used for Si‐based anodes in promising Li‐ion batteries.
Effects of soil texture and rates of K input on potassium balance in tropical soil

The efficiency of potassium (K) fertilizer use is important in sustainable agriculture and is affected by losses related to soil texture. However, there is no information on how much K is lost by leaching in tropical soil. The effects of rates of fertilizer‐K application on K dynamics and budget in a soil–plant system at depths up to 1 m were studied in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2012; soil types were a sandy clay loam (250 g clay kg−1) and a clay soil (670 g clay kg−1) under no‐till management. The soils were fertilized annually with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg K ha−1. Annual applications of 50–75 kg K ha−1 to the sandy clay loam soil and 25–50 kg K ha−1 to the clay soil were sufficient to achieve a large grain yield and maintain soil exchangeable K in the soil profile. An annual application of up to 150 kg K ha−1 to clay soil does not result in a large amount of leaching below 1‐m depth. Non‐exchangeable K plays an important role in tropical cropping systems. The increase in rates of fertilizer‐K application intensifies losses by leaching below 1 m in sandy clay loam soil, which represents 16–52% of the K added as fertilizer. Therefore, because of the considerable leaching potential, splitting the applications of K is an important management strategy to minimize losses and improve the efficiency of K use in tropical soil with small clay contents.
MPPT for Photovoltaic System Using Nonlinear Controller

Photovoltaic (PV) system generates energy that varies with the variation in environmental conditions such as temperature and solar radiation. To cope up with the ever increasing demand of energy, the PV system must operate at maximum power point (MPP), which changes with load as well as weather conditions. This paper proposes a nonlinear backstepping controller to harvest maximum power from a PV array using DC-DC buck converter. A regression plane is formulated after collecting the data of the PV array from its characteristic curves to provide the reference voltage to track MPP. Asymptotic stability of the system is proved using Lyapunov stability criteria. The simulation results validate the rapid tracking and efficient performance of the controller. For further validation of the results, it also provides a comparison of the proposed controller with conventional perturb and observe (P&O) and fuzzy logic-based controller (FLBC) under abrupt changes in environmental conditions.
PROTEIN CARBONYL, OXIDATIVE STRESS, ANEMIA, TOTAL FREE AMINO ACIDS AND SHEEP HAEMONCHOSIS RELATIONSHIP

The present study estimated oxidant/antioxidant status in blood of sheep naturally infested with Haemonchus contortus. Blood samples from infected and healthy (control) sheep were used to determine hematological, some antioxidants and biochemical parameters. The sheep showed microcytic hypochromic anemia. Haemonchosis in sheep resulted in a significant stimulation in MDA & PC. By contrast, a significant inhibition of the antioxidants activity of both SOD and GSH coupled with a significant inhibition of both ceruloplasmin (CP), Total Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) in infected sheep. In turn, a significant stimulation in CAT activity and in TFAA in infected sheep compared to control values was detected. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the increasing level of PC with the stimulating levels of MDA (r=0.47, R 2 =0.22, P=0.02), CAT activity (r=0.60, R 2 =0.37, P=0.001), TFAA in plasma (r=0.46, R 2 =0.21, P=0.03) and EP (r=0.43, R 2 =0.19, P=0.04). By contrast, stimulated level of PC was inversely correlated with diminished values of SOD (r=-0.55, R 2 =0.31, P=0.03), Hb (r=-0.43, R 2 =0.19, P=0.04) and PCV% (r=-0.65, R 2 =0.42, P=0.003). Haemonchosis was accompanied by disturbances in protein synthesis and a general oxidative damage.
A K2Fe4O7 superionic conductor for all-solid-state potassium metal batteries

A new 3D open-framework potassium ferrite, K2Fe4O7 (1), has been successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The framework of 1 consists of both FeO6 octahedral and FeO4 tetrahedral units with shared vertices and edges where there are 6- and 3-ring channels parallel to the trigonal a- and c-axes, enabling many highly mobile potassium ions to move quickly through the channels. The K+ ion conductivity of the polycrystalline sample was 5.0 × 10−2 S cm−1 at room temperature. Interestingly, conductivities along the a-axis direction in single crystal K2Fe4O7 reached 3.5 × 102 S cm−1 at 25 °C and 5.0 × 102 S cm−1 at 500 °C with an activation energy of 0.08 eV. The conductor possessed a wide voltage stability up to 5 V vs. K/K+. Using the K2Fe4O7 electrolyte, we demonstrate an all-solid-state potassium metal battery employing a Prussian blue cathode with a high charge/discharge rate of 250C (charge/discharge in 14 s, 1C = 87 mA h g−1).
pH Variations and Chemometric Assessment of Borehole Water in Orji, Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

Inhabitants of Orji are still pending on borehole water for drinking water without any treatment. The storage of this water in household containers for a long time as well as the handling might lead to a quality deteriorated and become unsuitable for human consumption. The study therefore evaluated the effect of long storage on pH values as well as determined the total concentrations of Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb and Fe in 10 borehole water samples from Orji. The pH was determined using Jenway 3510 pH meter while Perkins Elmer Analyst Atomic Absorption Spectrophometer was used for heavy metals determination after acid digestion. The results obtained were compared to National Agency for Food Drugs and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) standard and were chemometrically assessed. The mean concentrations of the studied metals were below standard. pH continually increased with storage but did not exceed the standard range of (6.3/6.5-8.5) set by SON/NAFDAC over 12 weeks. Chemometric assessment such as linear regression analysis revealed positive association between pH values and metal concentration. The association were in the order of significant pH/Fe (0.202)>pH/Cd (0.169)>pH/Ni (0.161)>pH/Pb (0.123) respectively. Spearman’s correlation revealed similar source(s) of contamination of the studied metals except for Fe. Coefficient of Variation (CV) showed low variability (<20). Contamination Factor (CF) showed low contamination (<1), except for Cadmium which showed moderate to considerable contamination. Pollution Load Index (PLI) showed no pollution (<1) while mean WQI revealed “poor quality water” with WQI of 100.5 based on the studied metals. Therefore, precaution should be taken when consuming stored borehole water from Orji.
Education Equality and Economic Growth in Indonesia

Last decade, Indonesia's economic growth experienced a downward trend. The study examines the role of investment, equality in education, poverty, income inequality, and regime to economic growth in Indonesia. We used time-series data between 1970-2017. It was obtained from BPS and World Bank (Indodapur) publications. The model used is the Weighted Least Square Regression (WLS). The results showed the factors that contributed significantly to increasing Indonesia's economic growth were education equality, poverty, and income inequality. While investment/capital, economic transparency, and the regime did not significantly contribute to increasing economic growth. Expanding access to education for high school or equivalent is important by the Government, including the development of school infrastructure in remote areas and teacher distribution. The Government should maintain the poverty trend that continues to decline. The future study dynamic models look at the long-term relationships related to education equality, distribution of income, and poverty on economic growth.
Experimental study of proton acceleration with ultra-high intensity, high contrast laser beam

La production de faisceaux energetiques d'ions/protons avec des impulsions laser a intensites relativistes (I>10^{18}W/cm^2) a recu, au cours des dernieres annees, un interet croissant parmi les scientifiques travaillant dans les domaines de l'optique, de la physique des plasmas et des accelerateurs. Une fraction des electrons est chauffee a haute temperature lors de l'interaction entre une impulsion laser femtoseconde et un plasma surdense. Les ions et les protons sont extraits et acceleres par la separation de charge qui est produite pendant l'expansion du plasma. Les resultats presentes dans ce manuscrit decrivent la realisation d'experiences d'acceleration d'ions avec un systeme laser a haute puissance et a haut contraste (XPW). Deux experiences preparatoires sont realisees, afin d'etudier l'interaction entre le piedestal d'une impulsion laser et une cible. L'expansion d'un plasma cree par laser a intensite moyenne est mesuree par interferometrie; l'evolution de la longueur de son gradient de densite est deduite par les cartes de densite electronique, mesurees a differents instants. La variation de la reflectivite absolue d'une cible mince d'aluminium est mise en correlation avec la temperature electronique afin de controler le debouche du choc produit par le laser. La correlation entre les deux experiences est finalement utilisee pour definir le conditions optimales pour l'acceleration des protons. Des experiences d'acceleration de protons avec un laser a haut contraste, la construction et la validation d'un spectrometre (Galette a Micro-canaux et Parabole Thomson), ainsi que des autres details sur le montage sont presentes. Les resultats ainsi obtenus montrent que l'amelioration du contraste permet d'utiliser des cibles plus minces et de produire des conditions d'interaction plus stables et controlables. Des faisceaux des protons ayant energie cinetique superieure a 4MeV sont produits, avec une stabilite tir a tir meilleure de 4% rms. L'acceleration des protons avec deux impulsions laser confirme que l'absorption d'energie laser est augmentee dans le cas des cibles pre-chauffees par une impulsion laser avec les bons parametres.
Fault Friction During Simulated Seismic Slip Pulses

Theoretical studies predict that during earthquake rupture faults slide at non‐constant slip velocity, however it is not clear which source time functions are compatible with the high velocity rheology of earthquake faults. Here we present results from high velocity friction experiments with non‐constant velocity history, employing a well‐known seismic source solution compatible with earthquake source kinematics. The evolution of friction in experiments shows a strong dependence on the applied slip history, and parameters relevant to the energetics of faulting scale with the impulsiveness of the applied slip function. When comparing constitutive models of strength against our experimental results we demonstrate that the evolution of fault strength is directly controlled by the temperature evolution on and off the fault. Flash heating predicts weakening behavior at short timescales, but at larger timescales strength is better predicted by a viscous creep rheology. We use a steady‐state slip pulse to test the compatibility of our strength measurements at imposed slip rate history with the stress predicted from elastodynamic equilibrium. Whilst some compatibility is observed, the strength evolution indicates that slip acceleration and deceleration might be more rapid than that imposed in our experiments.
Polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity in pulp and peel of apricot fruits of various varieties and maturity stages at harvest

Polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacities of peel and pulp tissues of six apricot varieties were determined. Variations in polyphenol and antioxidant capacity based on variety (early‐maturing varieties and late‐maturing varieties) and harvest maturity (green mature and full mature) were assessed. The results of principal component analysis revealed that (+)‐catechin made the most important contributions to the antioxidant capacities of the pulp. As the (+)‐catechin content in ‘Dajie’ apricot decreased by 36.8% from green mature to full mature, the antioxidant capacities determined by ABTS free radical scavenging assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay decreased by 50.0%, 45.2% and 45.8%, respectively. Levels of phenolic compounds in the apricot peels were approximately 2–4 times higher than those of the pulps. Quercetin‐3‐rutinoside may be substantially responsible for the antioxidant capacities of the peels. The late‐maturing varieties tended to have higher levels of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant capacities than the early‐maturing varieties. The antioxidant capacities in green mature apricots were much higher than those of full mature apricots.
Improvement of seawater salt quality by hydro-extraction and re-crystallization methods

Indonesia is one of the salt producing countries that use sea water as a source of raw materials, the quality of salt produced is influenced by the quality of sea water. The resulting average salt quality contains 85-90% NaCl. The Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for human salt’s consumption sodium chloride content is 94.7 % (dry base) and for industrial salt 98,5 %. In this study developed the re-crystallization without chemical and hydro-extraction method. The objective of this research to choose the best methods based on efficiency. The results showed that re-crystallization method can produce salt with NaCl content 99,21%, while hydro-extraction method content 99,34 % NaCl. The salt produced through both methods can be used as a consumption and industrial salt, Hydro-extraction method is more efficient than re-crystallization method because re-crystallization method requires heat energy.
Investigasi Struktur dan Energi Band Gap Partikel Nano Tio2 Hasil Sintesis Menggunakan Metode Sol-Gel

TiO 2 is a semiconductor material that widely applied in various fields due to its superiority both in terms of physical and chemical properties. In this study, the TiO 2 nanoparticles was synthesized using sol-gel method. The synthesis of TiO 2 nanoparticles was started by reacted TiCl 3 with aquades and titrated with ammonium hydroxide and then followed by calcination process at 600 0 C for 1.5 hours. The structural characteristics were investigated using XRD. The fungsional groups of the TiO 2 nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR. The optical properties of the TiO 2 nanoparticles were determined using UV-Vis spectrometer. The morphology of the sample was characterized using SEM. The results show that the TiO 2 has structure as anatase phase. The data analysis using the Scherrer’s equation show that the particle crystallite size of is about of 9.77 nm. The energy band gap value of the TiO 2 is 3.28 eV. Based on the SEM image, the agglomeration of the sample was formed with the average diameter of particle size of TiO 2 is about 92 nm. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.17977/um024v3i12018p008
Effect of smoking on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) concentrations in catfish and tilapia muscles

The effects of smoking on proximate composition, energy values and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in raw and smoked samples of catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) and tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ). Crude protein was higher in the tilapia sample for both raw and smoked samples. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the lipid contents of raw and smoked samples of both species. Mean naphthalene concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of other PAHs analyzed in raw and smoked samples of both species. Mean benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) concentrations and total mean PAH concentrations (ΣmPAH) exceeded the EU limits in raw muscle samples. All the PAHs analyzed were detected in the smoked samples. Mean BaP concentrations and total mean PAH exceeded the EU maximum limits (2.0 and 10 μg/kg) in the muscle of smoked fish and fishery products. Total mean concentration of the four indicators of PAH contamination gave the values of 0.018 and 0.050; 0.014 and 0.012 mg/kg for raw and smoked samples of catfish and tilapia respectively. It could be inferred that the smoking process generally increased the mean total PAH levels in the fish samples and there is urgent need for relevant authorities to take appropriate action due to the public health implications of PAH contamination. Keywords : catfish, tilapia, smoking, hydrocarbons, gas chromatography
Comparison of Temporal Profiles among Sucrose, Sucralose, and Acesulfame Potassium after Swallowing Sweetened Coffee Beverages and Sweetened Water Solutions

Non-nutritive sweeteners have been used as substitutes for nutritive sweeteners with the goal of preventing obesity and dental caries. The main factor responsible for the difference in taste between beverages containing a nutritive sweetener and those containing a non-nutritive sweetener is the temporal profile of sensory attributes. In this study, untrained panelists performed a time–intensity evaluation of sweetness, using one coffee beverage containing a nutritive sweetener (sucrose) and two coffee beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners (sucralose or acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K)). They evaluated continuously perceived intensity of sweetness for 150 s after swallowing each coffee beverage. We did not detect a significant difference in temporal profiles among the three coffee beverages. To investigate why the temporal profiles of the three coffee beverages followed similar traces, all untrained participants who had participated in the coffee beverage session also performed a time–intensity evaluation of sweetness using three water solutions (sucrose-sweetened, sucralose-sweetened, and acesulfame K–sweetened deionized water). We observed a significant difference in temporal profiles among the three water solutions. These results indicate that differences in the temporal profiles of coffee beverages might be masked by factors other than the sweetness of the sweetener.
Exploration of the association between contact history, socio-cultural factors and acute deliberate self-poisoning in North Central province of Sri Lanka: a case-control study

Background Knowledge of someone else's suicidal behaviour significantly increased the risk of similar acts. Though Sri Lanka has implemented a national policy and an action plan to prevent suicides and attempted suicides, in 1997, the number of deliberate self-harm (DSH) incidents is increasing. We conducted a case-control study to identify the precipitants and to assess the possible impact of a contact history for acute deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) in view of identifying possible interventions. Materials and Methods We interviewed two hundred DSP patients, admitted to the medical wards of Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura (THA), during June - August 2004. Patients were randomly selected from a block of two consecutively admitted consenting DSP patients and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed. Age and sex-matched patients, who had no history of attempted suicide, admitted to medical wards of THA were interviewed as controls. Results Majority of DSP occurred among adolescents and young adults. Conflicts within the family and simple conflicts with someone else were the triggers for the majority (n=123, 61.5%, 95% CI 58.1-64.9%) of DSP. Our study showed that DSP was common among people who had not completed primary education (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.5-7.9, p Conclusions DSP behaviour in rural Sri Lanka seems to be a learned response of vulnerable adolescents and young adults to deal with stressful situations. An in-depth exploration of this finding is needed in order to use it as a key factor in the identification of risk groups for DSP prevention.