Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Bioadsorbent Chitosan from Shrimp Shell Waste to Mercury Absorption Efficiency

This study aims to develop chitosan bioadsorben from shrimp shell waste that is applied to water samples in unlicensed mining activities in the Bone River of Gorontalo Province. The properties of chitosan were characterized, such as the determination of water content, ash content, solubility test and determination of acetylation degree by using FTIR. Prior to the application of chitosan products into samples in unlicensed mines locations, a qualitative metal mercury test was conducted on the samples using specific reagents for mercury metals, namely HCl, KI, NaOH, and NH3. The result showed that chitosan deacetylation degree was 73.88%, characterization test fulfilled chitosan standard requirement that was ash content 0.4%, water content 6.48% and soluble in acetic acid. Chitosan products from shrimp shell waste can be used as an environmentally friendly bioadsorbent that can reduce the level of mercury metal in the unlicensed mining activities in the Bone River of Gorontalo Province by 54.90%.
Solar light triggered photocatalytic performance of WO3 nanostructures; waste water treatment

In this work, WO3 nanostructures have been synthesized through simple chemical co-precipitation method under optimized synthesis conditions. The prepared sample was characterized through XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM, EDS, XPS, and DRS for structural, vibrational, Raman, morphological, elemental, compositional, and optical properties respectively. The detailed structural investigation has revealed the highly crystalline, single phase monoclinic structure of WO3 as demonstrated by XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy results. The morphological analysis have clearly depicted nanostructures like morphology of prepared WO3 sample with average size of 10 nm. EDS and XPS results indicated the high elemental and chemical compositional purity of the synthesized nanostructures. DRS results have shown that the optical band gap energy of WO3 nanostructures lies in the visible region. The WO3 nanostructures have shown significantly high photocatalytic activity and completely degraded Methylene Blue (MB) dye in short time of 40 min under sunlight illumination.
ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. RESIN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOQATRA ISLAND IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Dracaena Cinnabari balfis a species plant in Abalfurn 1984e de la p pharmaciegavaceae family. It is a tree endemic to the Island of Socotra,Yemen. It was used as a dye and medicine in Socotra and the Mediterranean basin. Some researches demonstrated both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic of its resin of Dracaena Cochinchinensis, a traditional Chinese tree. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the ethanolic extract of dracanea cinnabari balfresin (DCBR), endemic in Socotra Island, in Alloxan induced diabetes, and evaluation of possible antihyperlipidemic activity of the same extract in high-cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in male albino rats. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats with intraperitoneal injection a single dose of Alloxan (150 mg/kg). Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by administration of 1% cholesterol in diet and 0.5 % Hydrogen Peroxide in drinking water for 14 days. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured at 1st day, 7th day and 14th day. Pancreas histopathology was done at the end. Estimation of serum lipid profile and liver histopathology was done at the end of 14 day. The results were expressed as mean ± SD and differences among the groups of animals were compared using one-way ANOVA. Administration of ethanolic extract of resin of two doses (100mg and 300mg\kg) in alloxan induce diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in FBG levels with a recovery in destruction of pancreas cell compared with untreated group . Also the same doses of extract showed significant decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and alkaline phospatase in comparing with untreated groups. From the results of present study we can conclude the ethanolic extract of Dracaena Cinnabari Balf. have a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in experimental animals , these activity are time and dose dependent.
Insights Into Predicting Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation From Anthropogenic Volatile Organic Compounds: Impact of Molecular Structure and NOx Concentration

Author(s): Li, Lijie | Advisor(s): Cocker, David R | Abstract: Understanding secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation is of critical importance to public health and global climate. SOA formation from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is influenced by NO, precursor molecular structure, oxidation conditions and other factors. This dissertation explores the impact of NO effect and molecular structure for two categories of VOCs at urban atmosphere relevant conditions by utilizing the state of art 90 m3 UCR/CE-CERT chamber facilities. Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the dominant anthropogenic SOA precursor in urban areas. The impact of instantaneous NOx source is demonstrated by data mining of m-xylene photooxidation experiments, developing of new reaction scenario and SAPRC model prediction. The relationship of SOA growth rate to NO2/NO ratio, instantaneous HC/NO, absolute NO concentration, peroxy radical reaction branching ratio and hydroxyl radical concentration are illustrated. It is found that NO at sub-ppb level enhances ·OH formation by increasing HO2· and RO2· and therefore promotes SOA formation. Further, innovative SOA composition analysis methods normalizing aerosol yield and chemical composition on an aromatic ring basis are developed and utilized to explore aerosol formation from oxidation of 17 aromatic hydrocarbons. The yield normalization process demonstrates that the aromatic ring is a more significant driver of aerosol formation than alkyl substitute structure. More important, four oxygens per aromatic ring are observed in SOA chemical composition, regardless of the alkyl substitutes attached to the ring. The investigation on SOA formation from aromatic hydrocarbons provides new perspective on the complicated aromatic oxidation mechanisms. Glycol ethers, from consumer products, are newly identified as SOA precursors in this dissertation. The impact of molecular structure on SOA formation from glycol ethers and relative ethers is investigated. The presence and location of –OH are found to be an important structure in ether precursor to SOA formation. Products with cyclic structure are observed in both gas and particle phase during the oxidation of ethers containing –OH. Further, intermolecular cyclization pathway is considered to determine SOA formation during ether oxidation, especially under atmospherically relevant NOx conditions.
The Origin of Radio Emission in Black Hole X-ray Binaries

We studied the relation of accretion-jet power and disk luminosity, especially the jet efficiencies and disk radiative efficiencies for different accretion disks as well as black hole (BH) spin, in order to explore the origin of radio emission in black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs). We found that jet efficiency increases more rapidly (efficient) than the nearly constant disk radiative efficiency for thin disk component in high accretion regime, which could account for the steep track (μ>1) in the observed radio and X-ray luminosity relations (LR∝LXμ), but the thin disk component may not be able to explain the standard track (μ≈0.6) in the BHXBs. For hot accretion flows (HAF), the resulting jet efficiency changes along with the large range of accretions from quiescent state to nearly Eddington state, which could account for the standard track in the BHXBs. The BH spin-jet is discussed for the magnetic arrested disk (MAD) state; in this state, the spin-jet power might contribute to a linear correlation between jet power and mass accretion rate for a given source. More accurate observations are required to test the results.
Highly efficient and stable organic solar cell modules processed by blade coating with 5.6% module efficiency and active area of 216 cm2

In this study, an efficient and stable large‐area blade‐coated organic solar cell (OSC) module with an active area of 216 cm2 (16 elementary cells connected in series) is demonstrated by combining appropriate thermal annealing treatment with the use of 4,4′‐(((methyl(4‐sulphonatobutyl)ammonio)bis(propane‐3,1‐diyl))bis(dimethyl‐ammoniumdiyl))bis‐(butane‐1‐sulfonate) (MSAPBS) as the cathode interfacial layer. For the opaque device using poly[4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐)‐2‐carboxylate‐2‐6‐diyl)] (PBDTTT‐EFT (PTB7‐Th)):[6,6]‐phenyl C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend film as the active layer, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.6% is achieved under AM 1.5G solar light illumination. Very encouragingly, our strategy can be applicable for semitransparent OSCs, and a remarkable PCE up to 4.5% is observed. To the best of our knowledge, the PCE of 5.6% for opaque device and 4.5% for semitransparent device represent the highest PCE ever reported for OSCs with the active area exceeding 100 cm2. The devices also show an impressive stability under outdoor environment, where the efficiency decay is less than 30% for 60 days. Our findings can pave the way toward the development of organic solar cell modules with high performance and long‐term stability.
FLII and MLL1 Cooperatively Regulate Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Transcription in ARPE-19 Cells

Aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs), a class of ligand-dependent nuclear receptors that regulate cellular responses by inducing the expression of various target genes in response to external signals, are implicated in maintaining retinal tissue homeostasis. Previous studies have shown that the regulation of AHR-induced gene expression requires transcriptional co-regulators. However, it is not yet clear how chromatin remodelers, histone methyltransferases and coactivators interact during AHR-mediated gene expression in human retinal cells. In this study, we reveal that the histone methyltransferase MLL1 and the coactivator FLII are involved in AHR-mediated gene expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) significantly increased the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and AHRR in ARPE-19 cells, whereas FLII or MLL1 depletion significantly reduced the expression of these genes induced by TCDD. Mechanistically, FLII binds to AHR in a ligand-dependent manner in ARPE-19 cells. In particular, the binding of FLII to MLL1 occurs through the GelB domain of FLII. In addition, MLL1 binds to AHR in a ligand-independent manner. FLII is involved in the recruitment of the BRG1 chromatin remodeler and MLL1 histone methyltransferase to the AHR-regulated CYP1A1 gene region in ARPE-19 cells and consequently, plays an important role in RNA polymerase II binding and transcriptional activity by modulating chromatin accessibility. Our results identify the functions and mechanisms of action of FLII and MLL1 in AHR-induced gene expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Analysing the Stock Market as an Economic Lever, Using a Qualitative and a Quantitative Model

The article aims to provide a perspective on economic growth by relying on the influence and use of the stock market as an economic lever. Two methods will be used: a quantitative one, determined by a multiple linear regression model, and a qualitative one that encumbers a sustainable vector model for generating economic growth. The data panel covers 36 states, for a period of 21 years. The paper manages to identify the main control functions that the stock exchange has over the macroeconomic context, through the quantitative and qualitative method, and to highlight the most important positive and negative attributes of using qualitative methods, in contrast to quantitative ones. The results show a predominant probabilistic characteristic of quantitative methods, in contrast to the flexibility and complexity of the qualitative method, which has been used. Additionally, the quantitative method offers a strictly cartesian perspective for determining future scenarios, while the sustainable vector model, based on a fractalized vision of reality, manages to capture a plurality of perspectives, as well as the interrelationships between the determining parameters, thus being a complex system of simple equations, as opposed to the quantitative method which is defined as a simple system of complex equations.
Antioxidant Potential, Antinutrients, Mineral Composition and FTIR Spectra of Legumes Fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus

SUMMARY Research background Legumes are superior sources of macro- and micronutrients which can be further enhanced by fermentation. This can assist in addressing the food security concerns. The present study aims to determine the effect of fermentation by Rhizopus oligosporus on nutritional and antinutritional composition of some commonly consumed legumes. Experimental approach Chickpea (kabuli and desi), pigeon pea and soybean were fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus (at 34 °C for 52 h), dried at 45 °C for 16-18 h and milled. Antioxidant potential, phenolic composition, antinutrients, mineral composition and FTIR spectra of fermented and unfermented flour samples were evaluated. Results and conclusions Fermentation significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant properties (radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ferric reducing antioxidant power and metal chelation) of kabuli and desi chickpeas, and soybean. Although fermented pigeon pea exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, the effect of fermentation on such properties was either minimal or insignificant. Additionally, quantification of specific phenolics using HPLC showed higher mass fractions of certain compounds such as chlorogenic, p-hydroxybenzoic, gallic and vanillic acids in fermented legumes. Mass fraction of phytic acid in all the fermented legumes was reduced (p<0.05), while trypsin inhibition increased (p<0.05). In kabuli and desi chickpeas, and pigeon pea, saponin mass fraction increased (p<0.05) while it decreased in soybean. Tannin mass fraction increased (p<0.05) in desi chickpea, pigeon pea and soybean and decreased (p<0.05) in kabuli chickpea. Furthermore, fermentation enhanced the content and estimated bioavailability of minerals. FTIR spectrum of fermented and unfermented legumes showed the presence of several functional groups and modifications in the molecular structure after fermentation. Novelty and scientific contribution To our knowledge, this is the first study where legume (kabuli and desi chickpeas, pigeon pea and soybean) fermentation by Rhizopus oligosporus has been assessed for nutritional and antinutritional profile and FTIR spectra. We concluded that the treatment resulted in an optimal balance of nutrients and antinutrients. The process proved to be a potential tool for tackling the concerns of nutritional security, and thus can be proposed for the development of novel legume-based functional foods.
Synergistic Improvement in Coating with UV Aging Resistance and Anti-Corrosion via La-Doped CeO2 Powders

Benefitting from a suitable band gap, ceria is an excellent material for UV shielding. By solid solution doping and specific micromorphology, its band gap can be effectively controlled. In this paper, ceria doped with lanthanum via oxalate precipitation is combined with a high-temperature roasting process. The properties of the prepared samples are characterized by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Raman, XRD, FESEM and XPS. The absorption threshold of materials is clearly red-shifted in the ultraviolet band, which originates from the electron-phonon generation. To further reveal the mechanism, the density function theory calculation (DFT) is implemented to study the influence of lanthanum concentrations on ceria’s band gap. It is demonstrated that the band gap can even be narrowed to 2.97 eV by optimizing the sintering temperature and lanthanum-doped concentration. To investigate its improved anti-aging properties under ultraviolet rays, different amounts of 5% lanthanum-doped ceria is mixed with an Al-based coating and then coated on the Q235 steel. Combined with an ultraviolet light irradiation experiment and electrochemical test technology, the corrosion resistance of the modified coatings is evaluated. The coating with 20% La-doped ceria provides the best corrosion resistance performance.
OPTIMIZATION PROTOCOL FOR IN VITRO ROOTING OF DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

A successful tissue culture regime for date palm is determined by the ability of producing healthy in vitro plantlets capable of surviving for acclimatization stage which normally requires a period of incubation in the laboratory. An improved protocol involving paclobutrazol (PBZ) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been developed to achieve rooting improvement. Plantlets of date palm cv. Samani, derived from direct somatic embryogenesis, were investigated in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, Plantlets were cultured on 1/2 MS solid medium containing 0.1 mg/l NAA+ 0.1 mg/l BA + 0.5 g/l activated charcoal as a basal nutrient medium supplemented with PBZ at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/l combined with sucrose at 30, 40 and 50 g/l. In the second experiment, explants were cultured on 1/2 MS medium+40 g/l sucrose+0.1 mg/l NAA+ 0.5 g/l activated charcoal supplemented with PEG at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/l. All cultures were incubated under a 16h photoperiod of 4000 lux light intensity at a temperature of 27± 2 °C. The data revealed that, medium contained 4 mg/l PBZ combined with 40 or 50 g/l sucrose increased the thickness of plantlets, also accelerated the root formation and elongation and promoted secondary roots. Addition of PEG at 6 or 8 g/l to the culture medium enhanced plantlets survival during acclimatization stage. Histological study showed that PEG at high concentrations increased the wax deposition on epidermal layer than control plants.
Cloning, Expression, Purification, and Oligomeric Characterization of the AopB-C-terminus Domain in T3SS Major Translocator Protein of Aeromonas hydrophila

Type three secretion system (T3SS) is found exclusively in gram-negative pathogens such as Yersinia spp. , Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. , Shigella spp. , Pseudomonas spp. , Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Aeromonas hydrophila. The translocon pore of T3SS comprises major and minor translocator proteins that assemble to provide passage of effectors through the host cell membrane. Major translocator protein AopB from Aeromonas hydrophila plays an important role in translocon pore formation. Despite tremendous efforts, structural information regarding the C-terminus domain of major translocator AopB remains elusive. In this study, the DNA fragment encoding for the C-terminus domain of the AopB major translocator from Aeromonas hydrophila AH-1 was cloned in to pET-M expression vector and expressed in BL21 (DE3) host cells. The recombinant AopB-C-terminus domain was successfully purified using immobilized nickel affinity chromatography as a soluble form. Crosslinking analysis among AopB-C-terminus molecules in solution showed that this domain exists as a mixture of tetramer, trimer, dimer and monomer forms. The three-dimensional structure model of AopB-C-terminus oligomerization was built by SWISS-MODEL and PyMol. The oligomeric model of AopB-C-terminus can be used for structural studies of the AopB-C-terminus domain which can contribute to the elucidation of the structure of the type III secretion system.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Tendon and Ligament Repair—A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies

Tendon and ligament injury poses an increasingly large burden to society. This systematic review explores whether mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) can facilitate tendon/ligament repair in vivo. On 26 May 2021, a systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, to identify all studies that utilised MSC-EVs for tendon/ligament healing. Studies administering EVs isolated from human or animal-derived MSCs into in vivo models of tendon/ligament injury were included. In vitro, ex vivo, and in silico studies were excluded, and studies without a control group were excluded. Out of 383 studies identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Data on isolation, the characterisation of MSCs and EVs, and the in vivo findings in in vivo models were extracted. All included studies reported better tendon/ligament repair following MSC-EV treatment, but not all found improvements in every parameter measured. Biomechanics, an important index for tendon/ligament repair, was reported by only eight studies, from which evidence linking biomechanical alterations to functional improvement was weak. Nevertheless, the studies in this review showcased the safety and efficacy of MSC-EV therapy for tendon/ligament healing, by attenuating the initial inflammatory response and accelerating tendon matrix regeneration, providing a basis for potential clinical use in tendon/ligament repair.
Analysis and Evaluation of Nutritional Intake and Nutrition Quotient of Korean Athletes with Disabilities in the Tokyo Paralympic Games

This study analyzed and evaluated the nutritional intake and nutrition quotient for adults (NQ-A) among 21 disabled national athletes preparing for the Tokyo Paralympic competition. A 24-h recall nutrition survey was conducted on the second day of training and one day of the weekend (holidays) to analyze daily nutritional intake. Dietary information was analyzed using the NQ-A questionnaire, which comprises 21 items. The athletes were divided into three groups based on the NQ-A score (High, Middle, Low). A comparative analysis of dietary intake of disabled athletes with the recommended dietary intake amount (RDA) was performed. The intake of carbohydrates (166.9%), proteins (112.3%), vitamin E (112.0%), thiamine (124.6%), riboflavin (100.2%), vitamin B6 (110.6%), vitamin B12 (120.7%), sodium (216.6%), phosphorus (118.3%), iron (146.5%), iodine (143.2%), and selenium (114.2%) was higher than the Korean-recommended amount. In particular, as the results of comparing dietary intake between the three groups showed, the low NQ-A score group had significantly lower intake compared to the %RDA for vitamin E (67.1%), C (26.3%), and Potassium (42.8%). However, with most nutrients, nutritional intake deficiency was not shown to be a problem.
Protein PEGylation for the design of biobetters: from reaction to purification processes

The covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to therapeutical proteins is an important route to develop biobetters for biomedical, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. PEG conjugation can shield antigenic epitopes of the protein, reduce degradation by proteolytic enzymes, enhance long-term stability and maintain or even improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics characteristics of the protein drug. Nonetheless, correct information in terms of the PEGylation process from reaction to downstream processing is of paramount importance for the industrial application and processing scale-up. In this review we present and discuss the main steps in protein PEGylation, namely: PEGylation reaction, separation of the products and final characterization of structure and activity of the resulting species. These steps are not trivial tasks, reason why bioprocessing operations based on PEGylated proteins relies on the use of analytical tools according to the specific pharmaceutical conjugate that is being developed. Therefore, the appropriate selection of the technical and analytical methods may ensure success in implementing a feasible industrial process.