Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noncovalent DNA decorations of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide toward water-soluble metal–carbon hybrid nanostructures via self-assembly

Non-covalent DNA decorations on the basal planes of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanosheets are realized. The resulting DNA–carbon bioconjugates (DNA–GO or DNA–RGO) bearing multiple thiol groups tagged on DNA strands are then employed to scaffold the two-dimensional self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into metal–carbon hybrid nanostructures (namely AuNP–DNA–GO or AuNP–DNA–RGO) that may find important applications in various aspects. The resulting heteronanostructures incorporating metal nanoparticles obtained by self-assembly are highly stable and water-soluble, and can be easily isolated by gel electrophoresis to guarantee high purity. Thanks to the noncovalent features of this method, either GO or RGO do not suffer from any permanent alterations of their structures and properties. In addition, the nanoparticles still maintain their optical absorbance after being assembled, and the assembly process is highly specific. This self-assembly based method for constructing heterostructured materials is excellent at overcoming any incompatibilities between nanoparticle syntheses and the formation of hybrid structures. As a result, this strategy is easily adaptable to various other materials other than gold nanoparticles and also favors the combinatorial assembly of multiple nanophases on a single nanosheet.
Intramolecular excimer formation in a tripodal polyamine receptor containing three naphthalene fluorophores

A comprehensive investigation on the energetics and dynamics of a new fluorescent sensor constituted by a tripodal polyamine receptor containing three naphthalene fluorophores, compound L, is reported. The influence of external factors such as the solvent, hydrogen ion concentration, and temperature in the photophysics of the sensor is discussed. The temperature dependence of monomer/excimer interconversion of L revealed an average percentage relative sensitivity of 4.5%/°C thus portending its use as a temperature sensor. The activation energy for excimer formation (E1 ) 12 kJ mol -1 ) and dissociation (E-1 ) 57 kJ mol -1 ), entropy change (¢S )- 128 JK -1 mol -1 ), and the binding energy of the excimer (¢H ) 45 kJ mol -1 ) were obtained in water at acidic pH values and ethanol (E1 ) 15 kJ mol -1 , E-1 ) 40 kJ mol -1 , ¢S )- 61 JK -1 mol -1 , and ¢H ) 25 kJ mol -1 ). The dependence of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters on the dielectric constant of the medium and on the degree of protonation of the polyamine chain was interpreted in terms of the excimer destabilization provoked by the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged chains.
Self-Organization Characteristics of Soluble Pentacene on Wettability-Controlled Patterned Substrate for Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Solution-processed self-patterning of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS_PEN) has been achieved by wettability control on a dielectric surface. This is useful for the fabrication of arrayed patterns due to the exactness and simplicity of the patterns. Especially, we systematically studied the dependence of the self-organization behavior of soluble TIPS_PEN on pattern size and solvent evaporation rate using a circular geometry. With fast evaporation rates during solution-casting, the patterned deposits developed a low degree of crystalline microstructure and ringlike morphological (coffee-staining) structures, which were induced when evaporation-driven flow in a solution droplet was dominant. In contrast, long evaporation times produced TIPS_PEN deposits with well-ordered crystalline and dotlike morphological structures resulting from dominant diffusion-driven flow. Solvents with moderate evaporation rates allowed control over the conditions in which the morphological and crystalline struct.
Artificial nourishment of the Vesima Beach (GENOA): Sedimentological and morphological results

In Italy artificial nourishment has been considered as a suitable tool for dealing with the problem of coastal erosion for some years, following successful experimental programmes. In this article, we present some of the results of a case study of a nourishment programme on the beach of Vesima (Genoa). This programme was undertaken to limit the coastal erosion and increase the use of the beach and the littoral near very urbanized areas where there are extensive recreational activities such as sun bathing, swimming, fishing and vacationing. In particular, we studied the evolution of the morphological profiles of the surficial beach and the variations in the sedimentological and morphometric characteristics before and after the nourishment. These profiles represent two different seasonal settings of the beach, during calm (summer) and stormy (winter) weather. The grain size and morphometry of the sediments and the morphological profile of the beach were studied in four seasonal surveys. The elaboration of the data allowed us to correlate the nourishment and the seasonal accumulation of sediments. These studies have been extremely important for our understanding of the movement of sediments and changes in the morphology of the beach due to dynamic nearshore processes and variations to the budget of the littoral sediments. After the nourishment work in March 2000, the width of the dry beach was stable; the estimate of nourishment material (20,000 m3) and of the material left on the dry beach after 2 years (4800 m3) indicates that a remarkable quantity of sediment was taken from the shoreface to form the nearshore zone.
Ion behavior in capacitively-coupled dual-frequency discharges

Particle-in-cell (PIC/MCC) simulations of capacitively-coupled Ar, CF4, and CF4/Ar discharges excited by a single RF source or by two sources of different frequencies are presented. The properties and the formation mechanism of the flux-energy distribution of the ions reaching the electrodes is analyzed in detail. It is demonstrated that at low pressures the ion energy and the ion flux can nearly independently be controlled by properly choosing the excitation frequencies.
The Millimeter‐ and Submillimeter‐Wave Spectrum of trans‐Ethyl Alcohol

The rotational‐torsional spectrum of the trans rotational isomer of ethyl alcohol was investigated in the 65–350 GHz frequency region. A total of 481 ground state transitions over a range of J and Ka values up to 33 and 10, respectively, were measured and assigned. Doublets or triplets arising from the A and E torsional states of the v=0 torsional level of the three‐fold‐symmetric methyl internal rotation have been resolved in 168 of these transitions. Internal rotation theory predicts a significant number of c‐type E‐state transitions normally forbidden, but allowed when the rotational asymmetry operators mix E‐state rotational‐torsional levels. Over 40 of these transitions have been observed. The newly measured transitions, along with the results of many previous measurements, have been analyzed using an IAM internal rotation Hamiltonian and a Watson A‐reduced Hamiltonian to determine the rotational, centrifugal distortion, and torsional constants. The IAM analysis accounts for all of the analyzed trans.
Optogalvanic study of a negative ion plasma in a hollow cathode discharge in oxygen

The properties of a negative ion plasma in a hollow cathode discharge have been investigated in oxygen using optogalvanic and probe methods. In the former method, the laser photodetachment technique is applied, and data which support the existence of negative ions are obtained by using CW and pulsed lasers. Appreciable amounts of negative ions are generated between 40 and 150 Pa and at relatively lower discharge currents. It is found that O- or O3- are more dominant at medium currents while O2- is more dominant at lower currents. At high currents, negative ions disappear. The electron energy distribution is depleted in the low-energy region below 1 eV. At higher energies, the energy distribution is almost Maxwellian with an electron temperature of 2.5-3.0 eV. The electron density ranges from 109 to 1010 cm-3 and the ratio of the negative to positive ion density is 0.2-0.6 depending on the pressure and the current.
Structure and mechanical properties of crosslinked glycidyl azide polymers via click chemistry as potential binder of solid propellant

Depending upon the advantages of high efficiency, insensitivity to humidity and so on, the reaction of azide groups in glycidyl azide polymers (GAP) with alkynyl compounds has been used as a substitute of the urethane curing strategy to develop GAP-based binder for solid propellant. In this work, an alkynyl compound of dimethyl 2,2-di(prop-2-ynyl)malonate (DDPM) reacted with GAP to produce new crosslinked materials under the catalysis of Cu(I)Cl at ambient temperature, and showed great potential as a binder in composite propellant. As the feeding molar ratio of DDPM vs. GAP increased from 1 : 1 to 5 : 1, the crosslinking densities of as-prepared materials gradually increased, together with simultaneous enhancement of Young's modulus and tensile strength. The breaking elongation showed the maximum value of ca. 82% when the feeding molar ratio of DDPM vs. GAP was 3 : 1. In addition, with an increase of the crosslinking densities, the glass transition temperatures of as-prepared materials significantly increased from −43.9°C to −5.1°C while the mechanical loss peaks also gradually broadened and shifted up to high temperature, and even presented two peaks at the feeding molar ratio of DDPM vs. GAP higher than 4 : 1. It indicated that the formation of triazole-based network resulted in structural heterogeneity in the as-prepared materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40636.
Attempt to Establish an Industrial Water Consumption Distribution Model

The need for both global and regional assessment of water consumption has been increasing. This paper aimed to understand industrial water consumption both globally and regionally, and create the 1°*1° global map. From the analysis of data in Japan and China, it was determined that industrial water consumption correlated well with urban area which can obtain from GIS data. Based on this knowledge, industrial water consumption was distributed to the 1°*1° global map, and this calculation was named urban area model.
1/f and random telegraph noise in silicon metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors

We demonstrate that deviations from 1/ f noise behavior found in submicron silicon metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors operating at room temperature are the direct result of the decomposition of the 1/ f spectrum into its constituent Lorentzian components. In the time domain, these devices produce random telegraph signals due to localized and discrete modulations of the channel resistance caused by individual carrier trapping events.
Determination of Collagen Fibers Arrangement in Bone Tissue by Using Transformations of Raman Spectra Maps

The goal of this work was to evaluate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify molecular organization and chemical composition of extracellular matrix such as the collagen fibers arrangement, the level of mineralization, and the carbonate accumulation in mineral phase in spongy bone of the human head of the femur. Changes in composition and structure of the spongy bone tissue were illustrated using maps of polarized Raman spectra. In particular, the purpose of the present study was determination of arrangement of mineralized collagen on surface of trabecula by using transformations of Raman spectra maps. Transformations of Raman spectra maps were needed in order to remove impact of chemical composition on images of Raman spectra map, which display the collagen fibers orientation. These transformations allow to obtain simultaneously the distribution of constituents of bone and arrangement of collagen fibers on tissue surface. A method to indicate the collagen orientations is developed to understand the molecular organization in healthy and unhealthy bone at the microstructural level.
Silver Coated Porous Alumina as a New Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Porous alumina filters were coated by vacuum deposition with silver metal and used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These were studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The substrates exhibit reproducible Raman enhancement for different molecules tested in this study. The mass thickness of the silver was optimized for maximal SERS signal using bipyridine as a model compound. Plasma treatment of the substrates prior to SERS measurements was identified as a crucial factor for a low background and high signal-to-noise Raman spectra. The effect of different plasma treatment conditions on the SERS signal as well as on UV-Vis absorption spectra of the substrates was investigated. After the silver deposition, the porous alumina retained its filtering abilities and could be used for preconcentrating dilute analytes on the substrate surface for SERS measurements. Corresponding tests were performed using benzotriazole and bipyridine solutions. These substrates demonstrate a potential for large-scale applications in different analytical measurements.
Determination of thiamine by cathodic stripping voltammetry

An electrochemical procedure for the determination of thiamine has been developed based on the cathodic electrogeneration of an electroactive product of thiamine (thiol form) on a mercury electrode, followed by cathodic constant potential electrolysis, constant potential oxiadation and linear cathodic voltage-scan voltammetry. A linear calibration graph in the concentration range 1–100 µmol dm–3 of thiamine was observed. The reproducibility of the determination for 1 and 25 µmol dm–3 thiamine solutions, expressed in terms of the relative standard deviation (n= 7), was 8.8 and 6.6%, respectively.
Effect of viscosity ratio, rubber composition, and peroxide/coagent treatment in PP/EPR blends

Effect of Viscosity ratio (ηEPR/ηPP), propylene (C3) content of (ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPR)), and peroxide/coagent treatment on polypropylene (PP)/EPR (80/20 by weight) melt blends were studied in terms of morphological, rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties. As the viscosity ratio increases from approximately 0.8 to 1.2, domain size increased (submicron-1.5 μm), and the degree of supercooling (ΔT) for crystallization increased (37.4–47.8°C) due to the decreased crystallization temperature (Tcc, 122.2–110.8°C). This resulted in larger spherulite size and increased hardness, modulus, and yield strength. With high C3 EPR, total crystallinity (ΔHf) of PP decreased, together with the mechanical properties, except the impact strength. With peroxide/coagent treatment, the spherulite size significantly decreased. The notched Izod impact strength decreased with increasing viscosity ratio, but significantly increased with high C3 EPR and with peroxide/coagent treatments. The results were interpreted in terms of domain size and shape, chemical affinity between PP and EPR, copolymer formation, and main chain scission of PP. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chromium Transformations in Natural Environments: The Role of Biological and Abiological Processes in Chromium(VI) Reduction

Chromium is a redox-dynamic element that has many industrial uses. As a consequence, it is often introduced at elevated levels into the surface environment through human activity. Additionally, ultramafic rocks such as serpentinite are commonly enriched in chromium, and thus can also lead to appreciable levels of this element within soils and waters. In the trivalent state, it poses little hazard to biological activity, but, unfortunately, in the hexavalent state it is very toxic to living matter. One must therefore assess the oxidation state of Cr in a given system and determine the potential for transformation between valence states. The objective of this paper to is review and provide new insight on reduction reactions of Cr(VI) within natural environments. A number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria demonstrate the enzymatic ability to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III); two species can even grow using Cr(VI) as the terminal electron acceptor in respiration. The ability to reduce chromium in itself is not evidence that the process will take place at appreciable levels in natural environments, however. Reduced materials such as ferrous iron or hydrogen sulfide may compete with biological pathways in the reduction of Cr(VI). On the basis of measured reaction rates and derived rate expressions, we demonstrate that biological pathways are not likely to contribute to the reduction of chromate in anaerobic systems. Ferrous iron will dominate the reduction of chromate at pH values greater than ∼ 5.5, whereas hydrogen sulfide will dominate at pH values below this value. In contrast, bacteria may be the principal means by which Cr(VI) is converted to Cr(III) in aerobic environments. Thus, the process by which Cr(VI) is reduced will depend primarily on the aeration status of the system, and secondarily on pH and the concentrations of specific reduced phases.
Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Classical Enterotoxin Genes Among Sudanese Food Handlers

Food handlers who carry enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus could become potential reservoirs of Staphylococcal food poisoning. The study is a cross-sectional one aimed to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and staphylococcal enterotoxins from randomly selected food handlers in Al Jazirah state, Sudan. Culture swabs were collected from the hands and nasals of food handlers (2016-2018). Identification of S. aureus was done on the basis of conventional laboratory tests. All S. aureus isolates were screened for MRSA and staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes by polymerase chain reaction. The S. aureus strains were isolated from 25% of the collected culture swabs of which 42% were confirmed as MRSA. The existence of one or more of enterotoxin genes was confirmed in 34.4% of the isolated S. aureus strains. The combined staphylococcal enterotoxin genes were found in 9.6% of the isolates. The SE genes among MRSA strains (61.5%) were found to be higher than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus strains (14.8%). The most frequent staphylococcal enterotoxin genes were SEA (19.4%) followed by the SEB (8.6%), SEC (4.3%), and SED (2.1%). The carriage rate of MRSA strains demonstrated a higher rate of staphylococcal enterotoxins genes than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. There is an increasing prevalence of MRSA compared with the previous rates and staphylococcal enterotoxin genes among Sudanese food handlers, which is a serious problem for public health.
RNA packaging into extracellular vesicles: An orchestra of RNA‐binding proteins?

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous membranous particles released from the cells through different biogenetic and secretory mechanisms. We now conceive EVs as shuttles mediating cellular communication, carrying a variety of molecules resulting from intracellular homeostatic mechanisms. The RNA is a widely detected cargo and, impressively, a recognized functional intermediate that elects EVs as modulators of cancer cell phenotypes, determinants of disease spreading, cell surrogates in regenerative medicine, and a source for non‐invasive molecular diagnostics. The mechanistic elucidation of the intracellular events responsible for the engagement of RNA into EVs will significantly improve the comprehension and possibly the prediction of EV “quality” in association with cell physiology. Interestingly, the application of multidisciplinary approaches, including biochemical as well as cell‐based and computational strategies, is increasingly revealing an active RNA‐packaging process implicating RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) in the sorting of coding and non‐coding RNAs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view of RBPs recently emerging as part of the EV biology, considering the scenarios where: (i) individual RBPs were detected in EVs along with their RNA substrates, (ii) RBPs were detected in EVs with inferred RNA targets, and (iii) EV‐transcripts were found to harbour sequence motifs mirroring the activity of RBPs. Proteins so far identified are members of the hnRNP family (hnRNPA2B1, hnRNPC1, hnRNPG, hnRNPH1, hnRNPK, and hnRNPQ), as well as YBX1, HuR, AGO2, IGF2BP1, MEX3C, ANXA2, ALIX, NCL, FUS, TDP‐43, MVP, LIN28, SRP9/14, QKI, and TERT. We describe the RBPs based on protein domain features, current knowledge on the association with human diseases, recognition of RNA consensus motifs, and the need to clarify the functional significance in different cellular contexts. We also summarize data on previously identified RBP inhibitor small molecules that could also be introduced in EV research as potential modulators of vesicular RNA sorting.
Retroperitoneal leiomyoma of gynecologic type: a case report and review of the litterature

Abstract Retroperitoneal leiomyomas are rare benign tumors with smooth muscle differentiation, with only ~1001 cases reported in the English literature to date. Because of its scarcity and non-specific presentation, the preoperative diagnosis might be challenging. On histology, these neoplasms share the same macroscopic, morphological and phenotypic features with uterine leiomyoma; thus, they are referred to as leiomyoma of gynecologic type. Herein, we describe a case of a voluminous retroperitoneal leiomyoma in a 51-year-old woman with a history of total hysterectomy to raise awareness about this condition, as its differential diagnosis might be challenging.
Effect of a HIIT protocol on the lower limb muscle power, ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance in a sedentary type 1 diabetes mellitus population: a pilot study

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is commonly associated with premature loss of muscle function, ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance. Those impairments, usually, lead to physical functionality deterioration. High-intensity interval training is an efficient and safety methodology since it prevents hypoglycemia and not requires much time, which are the main barriers for this population to practice exercise and increase physical conditioning. We hypothesized that a 6-week HIIT program performed on a cycle ergometer would increase lower limb muscle power, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance without hypoglycemic situations. Methods A total of 19 diagnosed T1DM subjects were randomly assigned to HIIT group (n = 11; 6-week HIIT protocol) or Control group (n = 8; no treatment). Lower limb strength was evaluated through velocity execution in squat with three different overloads. Weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) was performed to test ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and Y-Balance test (YBT) was the test conducted to analyze dynamic balance performance. Results Velocity in squat improved a 11.3%, 9.4% and 10.1% (p < 0.05) with the 50%, 60% and 70% of their own body mass overload respectively, WBLT performance increased a 10.43% in the right limb and 15.45% in the left limb. YBT showed improvements in all directions (right limb-left limb): Anterior (4.3–6.1%), Posteromedial (1.8–5.2%) and Posterolateral (3.4–4.5%) in HIIT group (p < 0.05), unlike control group that did not experience any significant change in any of the variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion A 6-week HIIT program is safe and effective to improve execution velocity in squat movement, a fundamental skill in daily living activities, as well as ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance to reduce foot ulcers, risk falls and functional impairments. HIIT seems an efficient and safety training methodology not only for overcome T1DM barriers for exercising but also for improving functional capacities in T1DM people.