Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precise control of intracellular drug release and anti-tumor activity of biodegradable micellar drugs via reduction-sensitive shell-shedding

The reduction-sensitive shedding of hydrophilic shells has recently emerged as a simple, effective and general approach to achieve markedly improved intracellular drug release from micelles. Here, the effects of disulfide content on reduction-sensitivity, triggered drug release and the anti-tumor activity of shell-sheddable micelles self-assembled from a mixture of reducible poly(ethylene glycol)–SS–poly(e-caprolactone) (PEG–SS–PCL) and non-reducible poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(e-caprolactone) (PEG–PCL) block copolymers were systematically investigated. Interestingly, in contrast to the rapid aggregation of PEG–SS–PCL micelles, mixed micelles containing 10–90 wt% PEG–PCL displayed little size change in response to 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT). The in vitro release studies showed that under intracellular-mimicking reductive environments, the doxorubicin (DOX) release rate increased with increasing PEG–SS–PCL content in the micelles, in which about 29.4, 42.7, 77.9 and 86.9% DOX was released within 12 h from micelles containing 30, 50, 70 and 90 wt% PEG–SS–PCL, respectively. In contrast, DOX release was limited (<20%) under non-reductive physiological conditions. Notably, flow cytometry displayed clear correlation between cellular DOX levels and PEG–SS–PCL content in DOX-loaded micelles. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observations indicated progressively stronger DOX fluorescence in RAW 264.7 cells following 12 h treatment with DOX-loaded micelles containing increasing PEG–SS–PCL contents. In addition, MTT assays in RAW 264.7 cells showed that the cytotoxicity of DOX-loaded micelles was augmented proportionally to PEG–SS–PCL content, signifying the role of reduction-triggered “active” drug release in cells. These results have shown that the intracellular drug release and therefore anti-tumor activity of micellar drugs can be precisely controlled by the extent of reduction-triggered shedding of hydrophilic shells.
Thermodynamic and transport properties of simple fluids using lattice sums: bulk phases and liquid-vapour interface

Molecular dynamics simulations in the canonical ensemble have been performed to obtain the thermodynamic and transport properties of the Lennard-Jones fluid. The dispersion interactions were calculated using lattice sums. This method makes it possible to simulate the full potential avoiding the inclusion of the long range corrections (LRC) during or at the end of simulations. In the calculation of dynamic properties in bulk phases and thermodynamic quantities of inhomogeneous systems where the interface is physically present, in general the LRC cannot easily be included. By using the lattice sums method, the results are independent of the truncation of the potential. In the liquid-vapour interface simulations it is not necessary to make any pre-judgments about the form of the LRC formula to calculate coexisting properties such as the surface tension. The lattice sums method has been applied to evaluate how well the full interaction can be calculated in the liquid phase and in the liquid-vapour interface. In the liquid phase the pressure, configurational energy, diffusion coefficient and shear viscosity were obtained. The results of the thermodynamic properties are compared with those obtained using the spherically truncated and shifted (STS) potential with the LRC added at the end of simulations, and excellent agreement is found. The transport properties are calculated on different system sizes for a state near the triple point. The diffusion coefficient using the lattice sums method increases with the number of molecules, and the results are higher than those of the STS model truncated at 2. 5σ (STS2.5). The shear viscosity does not show any system size dependence for systems with more than 256 molecules, and the lattice sums results are essentially the same as those for the STS2.5. In the liquid-vapour equilibria the coexisting densities and vapour pressures for the full potential agree well with those obtained using the Gibbs ensemble and the NPT + test particle methods. The surface tension using lattice sums and truncation of forces at 2. 5σ agrees well with STS results using large system sizes and cutoff distances.
RATE CONSTANTS FOR THE GAS-PHASE REACTION OF OZONE WITH UNSATURATED OXYGENATES

The gas-phase reaction of ozone with a series of unsaturated oxygenates and with 1-pentene has been studied at ambient T (287–296 K) and p=1 atm. of air. Reaction rate constants, in units of 10−18 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, are 0.22±0.05 for 2 (5H)-furanone, 1.08±0.20 for methacrolein, 1.74±0.20 for crotonaldehyde, 5.84±0.39 for methylvinyl ketone, 1.05±0.15 for methyl acrylate, 3.20±0.47 for vinyl acetate, 59.0±8.7 for cis-3-hexenyl acetate, 154±30 for ethylvinyl ether, ≥(315±23) for linalool, and 10.9±1.4 for 1-pentene. The results are compared to literature data for the compounds studied and for other unsaturated oxygenates, and are discussed in terms of reactivity toward ozone as a function of the nature, number, and position of the oxygen-containing substituents (SINGLEBOND)CHO, (SINGLEBOND)C(O)R, (SINGLEBOND)C(O)OR, and (SINGLEBOND)OC(O)R. Atmospheric implications are briefly examined. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int. J Chem Kinet: 30: 21–29, 1998.
Variations in the spectral values of specific absorption of phytoplankton

Absorption spectra of laboratory cultures of eight species of phytoplankton were studied. These spectra, normalized per unit of chlorophyll a concentration (specific absorption) show variability in magnitude and spectral form. Specific absorption at 440 nm varied over a factor of three. Spectra of phytoplankton belonging to the same taxonomic group tended to have similar forms. Over 95% of the variability in specific absorption could be explained in terms of changes in cell size, intracellular pigment concentration, and the relative importance of auxiliary pigments. Shape was not an important factor for this sample set. The spectral characteristics of absorption by intact cells of phytoplankton have been the subject of various studies because of their importance in primary production, radiative transfer in seawater, and in passive remote-sensing of phytoplankton. At sufficiently low concentrations, the total absorption coefficient a of a given substance at a given wavelength X can be expressed as a product of a specific absorption coefficient a*c and the concentration of the substance C. That is,
Fly Ash Penetration through Electrostatic Precipitator and Flue Gas Condenser in a 6 MW Biomass Fired Boiler

The effects of an electrostatic precipitator and a flue gas condenser on size resolved fly ash particle concentration and composition were studied in a 6 MW biomass combustion unit, fired with moist forest residue. The boiler was of moving grate type. The fly ash particles were sampled upstream and downstream of the electrostatic precipitator and flue gas condenser, respectively. Fine particle number size distributions were measured using an electric mobility spectrometer (SMPS) and coarse particle number size distributions were measured using a time-of-flight instrument (APS). The mass size distributions were measured using a multi-jet low pressure cascade impactor (DLPI). For chemical analyses of the impactor substrates particle induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE) was used. After the flue gas passed the electrostatic precipitator (ESP), the fly ash particle concentration was reduced by approximately 96% by number and 83% by mass. After the particles passed the flue gas condenser, particle number concentration was only marginally altered, whereas the mass concentration was reduced by half. Both the ESP and the condenser showed, size dependent particle separation efficiency. The main elements (Z > 12) in the fine fly ash fraction were K, S, and Cl, whereas the main elements in the coarse fraction were Ca, K, S, and Cl. After passing the ESP the mass ratio of Ca decreased in the coarse fraction, while the ratios of K, S, and Cl increased, indicating transference of fly ash material from the fine to the coarse particle fraction. There was no significant difference in the elemental composition for any particle size fraction sampled upstream or downstream of the condenser.
Amelioration of subsoil acidity through surface application of organic manures

Subsoil acidity is a serious constraint to crop production, and is difficult to correct by conventional liming practices. Thus, different approaches to ameliorating acid subsoils are needed. A column leaching study was conducted to compare the effects of chicken manure and sewage sludge amendments, each at 20 g kg -1 , with CaSO 4 and CaCO 3 , each at 5.56 cmol (1/2Ca 2+ ) kg -1 , on Al and Ca concentrations in the subsoil of an Ultisol having pH 4.4, 80% Al saturation and 2.78 cmol c kg -1 exchangeable Al. Treatments were incubated moist for 14 d with the top 5 cm soil of 50 cm long soil columns, then leached with 37.8 cm of water in 5 d. The soil columns were then cut into four equal segments for chemical analysis. Results showed that the manures were effective in increasing soil-solution pH and Ca, and decreasing soil-solution Al and percentage of Al saturation in the subsoil, particularly below the 15 cm depth. Soil-solution C, nearly constant through the soil profile, averaged 2.8 mM in the CaSO 4 treatment and 7.6 mM in the chicken manure treatment. A subsequent solution experiment on the competitive complexation of Al and Ca with model organic ligands supported the contention that (i) manurederived organic molecules facilitated the downward movement of Ca as Ca complexes, and (ii) along their downward path, these Ca complexes reacted with Al, releasing Ca that would become plant-available, and forming complexed Al that may be nonphytotoxic.
IR Absorption, Raman Scattering, and IR-Vis Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy as Quantitative Probes of Surface Structure

Abstract:Vibrational spectroscopy is a valuable quantitative tool for the determination of structure at surfaces. Various techniques may be applicable and useful, depending on what is available, the transparency of the substrates, the need for in situ probes, and the degree of interfacial specificity required. We examine and compare signals in infrared absorption, Raman scattering, and vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy to the underlying molecular response. In all of these experiments, varying the beam polarizations enables the orientation of specific chemical functional groups to be determined. However, the sensitivity of each technique is directly connected to the manner in which the molecular response manifests itself in the measured signal. Starting with simple distributions of a single vibrational mode, leading up to multiple vibrational bands in more complex orientation distributions, we compare these three techniques in terms of their sensitivity to features of the molecular orientation distribution. This review is aimed at guiding planned experiments when multiple techniques are available for surface structural analysis.
Dielectric Relaxation in the Electric Double Layer

There are two groups of phenomena that can cause frequency dispersion of capacity and resistivity at a perfectly polarizable interface. The first comprises artifacts which lead to the observation of an apparent frequency dispersion: Of these, penetration of the electrolyte to shielded parts of the electrode and the resulting transmission line phenomena are discussed. The second group comprises processes which lead to an inherent frequency dispersion of the double‐layer impedance: among these are, in particular, the relaxation phenomena of polar double‐layer constituents.Experimental results have been obtained for the interface: Hg (dropping) /6NHCl aq. , in terms of parallel capacity, Cpd1, and resistivity, Rpd1, of the electric double layer as a function of frequency, v. These results are consistent with the occurrence of dielectric relaxation of the water dipoles adsorbed at the interface, and characterized by a certain distribution of relaxation times around τ0≃10−6 sec. The results are not consistent w.
Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils from Curcuma rhizome

Genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) has long been used as a folk medicine. The essential oils of dried rhizomes of C. aromatica Salisb. , C. longa L. and C. sichuanensis X. X. were isolated using simultaneous steam-distillation and solvent-extraction apparatus. In total, twenty-three compounds were identified as essential oils, including ten terpenes, six alcohols, two ketones and five other compounds. The major compounds were curcumol (35.77%) and 1,8-cineole (12.22%) for C. aromatica, ar-turmerone (49.04%), humulene oxide (16.59%) and �-selinene (10.18%) for C. longa, and ar-turmerone (43.52%), �-s elinene (13.36%) and �-cadinene (13.22%) for C. sichuanensis. EC50 values of antioxidant activities of the essential oils were 3.19-19.63 mg/mL and the effectiveness was, in descending order: C. longa > C. sichuanensis > C. aromatica. EC50 values of scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals were 8.29-15.54 mg/mL and the effectiveness was in a descending order: C. aromatica > C. longa > C. sichuanensis.
Silicon nutrition of rice is affected by soil pH, weathering and silicon fertilisation

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element for tropical grasses such as rice (Oryza sativa) and responses to applications of Si are common on highly weathered soils. However, the importance of pH (and hence Si speciation), weathering, and fertilisation on Si uptake is still poorly understood. The responses of rice to Si fertilisation were studied in two variably weathered basalt soils (Red Ferrosol, Grey Vertosol) adjusted at different pH values (5.5–9.5) with three levels of acidulated wollastonite. Soil Si was extracted using deionised water (H2O), 0.01 M CaCl2, or 0.5 M NH4OAc. Significant increases in Si uptake and rice biomass were observed in the Red Ferrosol following fertilisation (p 0.05) except at the highest rate and lowest pH (5.5). Solution Si concentrations were controlled by recipitation/polymerisation reactions in equilibrium with specific soil pH values rather than adsorption processes. Silicon speciation effects (monosilicic acid vs. silicate ions) were unable to be measured due to an induced phosphorus deficiency in both soils at pH values > 8.5. In conclusion, weathered soils are more responsive to Si fertilisation and Si uptake is increased at low pH.
Pelletization of biomass waste with potato pulp content

Abstract This paper presents the results of a research on the influence of potato pulp content in a mixture with oat bran on the power demand of the pelletization process and on the quality of the produced pellets, in the context of use thereof as a heating fuel. The tests of the densification of the pulp and bran mixture were carried out on a work stand whose main element was a P-300 pellet mill with the ‘flat matrix-densification rolls’ system. 24 h after the pellets left the working system, their kinetic durability was established with the use of a Holmen tester. The research results obtained in this way allowed concluding that increasing the potato pulp content in a mixture with oat bran from 15 to 20% caused a reduction of the power demand of the pellet mill. It was also established that as the pulp content in a mixture with oat bran increases from 15 to 25%, the value of the kinetic durability of the pellets determined using Holmen and Pfost methods decreases.
The production of gibberellic acid from shea nut sh ell (Vitellaria paradoxa) using Fusarium moniliforme

The fungus Fusarium moniliforme was used to produce gibberellic acid from the shell of Shea nut (Vitel laria paradoxa). The shea nut shell was dried, sieved to remove the dirt and then blended. The shea nut shel l was pretreated with acid and steam. The powdered shell was then used as substrate in separate shake-flasks wh ich contained mineral salts medium (MSM) and inoculum omoniliforme for gibberellic acid product ion. The media contained the substrate, inoculum size 1.5%, substrate concentration 10% and pH 5.5 for 9 days; the result obtained at day1 was (0.10mg/ml) and at day 9 of th e fermentation, the yield was (0.13mg/ml). In the p roduction of this acid, the substrate concentration was varied f rom 2-12%, with the highest yield at 10% (1.60mg/ml ); the inocula sizes were also varied from 0.5-2.5%, inocu lum size 1.5% produced the highest yield (1.61mg/ml ) and the pH was varied from 4.0-6.0, whereby pH 5.5 produced the highest yield (1.70mg/ml). These fermentation parameters were combined in a single optimization eThe result obtained from the optimizatio n experiment gibberellic acid fermentation was 1.82mg /ml.
Evaluation of Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar): Its Sensitivity and Usefulness in the Post-Mining Chronosequence - Preliminary Research

We took 60 samples in the post-mining chronosequence with different stages of ecological succession (4 sites) in 2005 and 2006. In total, 2,740 specimens of soil microarthropods were extracted and classified according to the Biological Quality of Soil Index (QBS-ar). The number of taxa of microarthropods and QBSar values increased with succession. According to the increasing values of QBS-ar, the soils of the study sites can be ordered along the following sequence: the youngest part of the dump (the two-year-old site) (S I) – the four-year-old site (S II) – the ten-year-old site (S III) – the twenty-year-old site (S IV) (mean QBS-ar = 40; 94; 120; 140, respectively). The QBS-ar index indicated better soil biological quality in woodland sites. The correlation between QBS-ar values and time of chronosequence was presented.
Barley response to the soil reserve of sulphur and ammonium sulphate in short-term experiments under controlled conditions of cultivation

The objective of the paper was to determine an appropriate concentration of available sulphur in soil for the initial growth of plants. Based on previous researches two methods of soil extraction were used to acquire information on the soil reserve: water extraction (H 2 O 1:5, w/v) and extraction in 0.5M ammonium acetate with addition of NH 4 F (KVK-UF soil test). Spring barley was used as a test crop to determine the soil reserve of sulphur and its response to sulphur addition to the soil. A collection of 48 samples of topsoil from agriculturally important localities in the CR was made up for this purpose and the parameters of the nutrient status of the soil were remarkably different. A set of soils was used to establish short-time vegetation experiments in a plant growth chamber according to the scheme: A) control – without sulphur application and B) response variant with application of 30 mg S/kg of soil in the form of (NH) 4 SO 4 ; nitrogen in variant A was adjusted by application of NH 4 Cl. Index of nutrient efficiency (IE = Y/N where Y = yield and N = nutrient concentration in the plant) and boundary lines of the point field were used to evaluate the efficiency of barley nutrition with sulphur. The efficient soil reserve of sulphur for the soil test H 2 O (1:5) when the ICP analytical technique was used was indicated in the range of 8–11 mg S/kg; 6–10 mg S/kg for sulphate detection on a SKALAR analyser. The efficient utilisation of sulphur by barley plants for the KVK-UF soil test was in the range of 7–12 mg S/kg. The conversion of the KVK-UF S-test to the index of soil reserve of sulphur by adding up a variable portion of the CEC value to the value of sulphur determined by the soil test (0.0167CEC + 9.1667) improved the closeness of the relationship between soil and plant.
Quantifying the distribution of ceria nanoparticles in cucumber roots: the influence of labeling

Monitoring the fate of nanoparticles (NPs) in the environment and organisms is always the first step towards better understanding the mechanisms for their toxicity. Fluorescent labeling is one of the most common methods to detect the NPs in samples, however, the attachment of a fluorescent tag to NPs might cause unwanted changes in the distribution and bio-effects of NPs. In the present work, the distribution of ceria nanoparticles (nano-ceria) in cucumber roots after fluorescent labeling, as well as the influence of labeling, was studied. Nano-ceria sized 6.6 nm was labeled by surface coating with diiodofluorescein (DIF), so that the distribution of NPs and the fluorophore could be determined simultaneously by micro-synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (μ-SRXRF) analysis. The two-dimensional mappings of Ce and I in the roots treated with DIF, nano-ceria, and DIF-coated nano-ceria were compared with each other. DIF-coating, though only 25% of the particulate surface was coated, might alter the surface properties of nano-ceria, thereby changing its distribution in cucumber. The co-existence of nano-ceria and DIF greatly enhanced the contact between seeds and DIF, increased the local concentration of DIF on the root surface, and exacerbated the phytotoxicity of DIF. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on how the labeling protocol affects the distribution and bio-effects of both the labeling tag and the NPs. Therefore, a guideline on the applicability of the labeling protocol should be developed to ensure the nanotoxicological data obtained using labeling techniques are precise and reliable.
Numerical Study of Air Compressibility During Horizontal Pneumatic Transport

Using numerical simulations, the effect of the compressibility of air on the flow pattern of particles and pressure drop in the presence of particles during horizontal pneumatic transport operating under negative pressure was examined. The length and inside diameter of the pipeline were 30 m and 40 mm, respectively, and the chosen particles (4 mm in diameter) had densities of ρp = 1000 and 2000 kg/m3. The mean air velocities at pipe the inlet were Uinlet = 19, 22, and 28 m/s, and the range of the mass flow rate ratios of particle to air, μ, was varied up to 2.0. For a given inlet air velocity, the difference in the flow pattern between compressible and incompressible flow calculation is generally small. For ρp = 1000 kg/m3 particles the additional pressure drop in compressible flow increases when μ is above 0.5 and Uinlet is 28 m/s, μ is above 1.3 and Uinlet is 22 m/s, and μ is above 1.5 and Uinlet is 19 m/s. In these cases, the particle flow pattern is homogeneous. For ρp = 2000 kg/m3 particles, the pressure drop increases only when μ is above 1.5 and Uinlet is 28 m/s. The difference is not noticeable when the particle flow pattern is heterogeneous. Also, the difference in the additional pressure drop is much larger during homogeneous flow than heterogeneous flow.
Evaluation of Elemental Contents of Wild Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) Fruit in Ghana

A preliminary study to provide information on the elemental composition of the Irvingia gabonensis which is used for various purposes such as cooking, medicine, soap and as fresh fruit was conducted in Ghana. Elements determined includes Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Chlorine (Cl), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), and Zinc (Zn). Samples from multiple locations in the southern part of Ghana were analyzed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The seed cover (endocarp) presented the highest concentrations of all the elements except Mg and Cu. Toxic and potentially toxic elements including Al and As were detected at average concentrations of 37.78±1.36 and 9.34±0.66. Iron had the hight concentration in all the parts of the fruit analyzed in this study with its highest concentration at 1730±180.83 in the seed coat (endocarp) of the wild mango fruit. The results of this present investigation show that all the parts of the wild mango a rich source of many important elements that have a very positive effect on human health.