Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of water quality on cattle performance on pasture

In western Canada, dugouts are the primary source of water for beef cattle during the summer months. Over time, drought conditions and/or direct access by grazing animals have a negative effect on water constituents and overall water quality. A study was conducted to determine the effects of improvements in water quality on cattle performance. The effect of pasture water quality on weight gain of beef cattle was assessed with 44 Hereford yearling steers over 5 years and 40 Angus cow-calf pairs over 3 years. From 1999 to 2003, cattle were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments, which comprised untreated dugout water pumped to a trough, aerated water pumped to a trough, and coagulated and chlorinated water pumped to a trough, all compared with direct access by livestock to the water source. Data were collected on livestock weight gains, water consumption, fecal parasites, environmental conditions, water chemistry, biological constituents, and forage production and quality. Water treatment by aeration or coagulation tended to improve steer weight gains (P < 0.05) over untreated water from a dugout in 3 of 5 years. Daily weight gains tended to be improved slightly by simply pumping water to a trough without treatment. Water aerated and pumped to a trough in early summer tended to produce greater (P < 0.05) weight gains in calves than those drinking directly from the dugout. The effect of treatment on improving cattle weight gains appeared to be related to improved water palatability, which increased water and feed consumption. Water chemistry and biological constituents analysed did not identify significant differences among treatments. These results suggest that improving water quality with aeration and pumping to a trough will improve weight gain 9-10% over a 90-day grazing period in most years.
FORMULATION, EVALUATION AND COMPARISION OF DISSOLUTION PROFILES OF ESLICARBAZEPINE ACETATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLETS USING NATURAL BINDERS AGAINST SYNTHETIC BINDER

Objective: The objective of the present study was to formulate, evaluate and compare the dissolution profiles of Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) immediate release tablets using natural binders like tapioca starch, maize starch and galbanum, against the synthetic binder like Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP). Methods: These natural binders were used as novel excipients which formed weak attractive bonds with the drug by complexation during wet granulation and increased the solubility of ESL. Each of these natural and synthetic binders was used separately in different concentrations to prepare immediate release tablets of ESL. Dissolution profiles of these tablets were compared. Results: The in-vitro drug release of F4 (with galbanum 1%) was highest 98.78%, whereas the least drug release of 61.66% was shown by F12 (with PVP 3%). Conclusion: It was seen that the tablets with natural binders showed better release characteristics in comparison to the tablets with synthetic binder PVP. Formulation with galbanum 1% showed best release profile. Galbanum also has antiepileptic property which can act synergistically with Eslicarbazepine acetate to treat seizures. It was also seen that among the various concentrations of binders used formulations with 1% binder showed better release characteristics when compared to 2% and 3%.
Stimuli-responsive Pd2L4metallosupramolecular cages: towards targeted cisplatin drug delivery

Metallosupramolecular cages are an emerging, but as of yet relativity unexplored, drug delivery vector. Herein we show that discrete dipalladium(II) molecular cages of the formula [Pd2L4](X)4 can be quantatively self-assembled from a simple tripyridyl ligand (2,6-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)pyridine) and [Pd(CH3CN)4](X)2 (X = BF4− or SbF6−). The cages have been fully characterised using 1H, 13C and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HR-ESMS). Additionally, the molecular structure of the [Pd2L4](SbF6)4 cage was confirmed unequivocally using X-ray diffraction. These [Pd2L4](X)4 cages are stimuli-responsive and can be reversibly disassembled/reassembled upon the addition/removal of suitable competing ligands. The central cavities of the [Pd2L4](X)4 cages are lined with four hydrogen bond accepting pyridine units which enable the encapsulation of two cisplatin molecules within the metallosupramolecular architecture through hydrogen bonding interactions between the cage and the amine ligands of the cisplatin guest. The structure of the [Pd2L4⊃(cisplatin)2](BF4)4 host–guest adduct has been confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESMS and X-ray crystallography. Additionally we have demonstrated that the cage–cisplatin host–guest adduct can be quantatively disassembled upon the addition of a competing ligand, releasing the cisplatin guest. This is the first crystallographically characterised example of a discrete metallosupramolecular cage encapsulating an FDA-approved inorganic drug molecule. This host–guest chemistry could open the way to relatively unexplored methods of drug delivery, which circumvent the malicious side effects and drug resistance associated with cisplatin and other anticancer therapeutics.
Redox-responsive catiomer based on PEG-ss-chitosan oligosaccharide-ss-polyethylenimine copolymer for effective gene delivery

The chitosan oligosaccharide-based disulfide-containing polyethylenimine derivative PEG-ss-COS-ss-PEI was synthesized and evaluated as a nonviral gene delivery carrier. The structure of the obtained polymers was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR. PEG-ss-COS-ss-PEI copolymers could effectively condense DNA into small particles with average diameters less than 120 nm and the zeta potential of +15.7 mV at the N/P ratio of 15/1. Additionally, the resultant polyplexes showed excellent colloidal stability against 150 mM NaCl and had a better buffering capacity of ∼44%, which was more than double the buffering capacity of PEI1.8k (∼20%). In the presence of 10 mM glutathione (GSH), however, polyplexes of PEG-ss-COS-ss-PEI were rapidly unpacked, as revealed by significant increase of particle sizes to over 800 nm. In vitro experiments revealed that the PEG-ss-COS-ss-PEI copolymers not only had much lower cytotoxicity, but also displayed high transfection efficiency as compared to the control branch 25 kDa PEI. This study indicates that a reducibly degradable copolymer PEG-ss-COS-ss-PEI composed of low molecular weight PEI, chitosan oligosaccharide and PEG via disulfide-containing linkages can be a promising gene delivery carrier.
Composition and Size Distribution of Residential Wood Smoke Particles

Residential wood combustion emissions are an important source of organic and elemental carbon particulate matter in many urban and suburban areas. This research determined the organic and elemental carbon composition and size distribution of particulate emissions for hot- and cool-burning wood stoves and from conventional fireplaces. Sampling was done from smoke plumes which had been cooled and diluted by ambient air so that the particulate composition measured would be representative of smoke particles as they actually exist in the atmosphere. Organic and elemental carbon were determined by thermo-optical carbon analysis. Corrections were made for vapor organic carbon adsorption on quartz fiber filters during sampling. Particles emitted by hot-burning stoves were black, had a unimodal size distribution, and contained from 20% to 60% carbon (primarily elemental carbon) and high levels of trace elements (11% K, 1% S, 3% Cl). In contrast, particles from cool-burning stoves were tan, had a bimodal size distr.
Antidiabetic effects afforded by Terminalia arjuna in high fat-fed and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

The present study was design to evaluate the beneficial effects of Terminalia arjuna (TA) extract on hyperglycemia, lipid profile, renal damage markers and oxidative stress in the liver and pancreas of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats. T2DM was induced by feeding rats with high-fat diet (HFD; 40%) for two weeks followed by single dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Control and diabetic rats were treated with TA (500 mg/kg) for four weeks. After TA treatment, blood was drawn and rats were then sacrificed, and their liver and pancreas were dissected out for biochemical assays. The level of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) significantly (P < 0.05) increased while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hepatic glycogen decreased in the HFD/STZ group. TA treatment augmented these effects in the HFD/STZ + TA group. The HFD/STZ group showed elevated renal injury markers in serum, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by TA treatment. Moreover, treatment with TA significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), malonaldehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC), and glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) in liver and pancreas of HFD/STZ group. The study suggests that TA is effective in reducing hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress related to the risk of diabetes. Thus, it may have a therapeutic value for the treatment of T2DM.
Study of hydrophilicity and stability of chemically modified PDMS surface using piranha and KOH solution

Successful realization of various BioMEMS devices demands effective surface modification techniques of PDMS elastomer. This paper presents a detailed report on a simple and cost effective approach for surface modification of PDMS films involving wet chemical treatment in two‐step processes: primarily involving piranha solution followed by KOH dip to improve hydrophilicity and stability of PDMS surface. Chemical composition of the solution and surface treatment condition have been varied and optimized to significantly increase the surface energy. The effect of surface modification of the elastomer after wet chemical treatment is analyzed using contact angle measurement and FTIR‐ATR study. PDMS surface treated in piranha solution with H2O2 and H2SO4 in the ratio of 2:3 followed by a dip in KOH solution for 15 min duration each, demonstrated a maximum reduction of contact angle to ∼27° as compared to untreated sample having a contact angle of ∼110°. The removal of hydrophobic methyl group from elastomer surface and subsequent hydrophilization of surface by wet chemical process was confirmed from FTIR‐ATR spectra. This result is also supported by improved adhesion and electrical continuity of deposited aluminum metal film over the modified PDMS surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) latexes using poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐based copolymers as reactive stabilizers

The synthesis by oxidative polymerization of well-defined poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nano-objects in the presence of modified and unmodified poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-based copolymers used as stabilizers in aqueous media is reported. Ammonium persulfate or a mixture of ammonium persulfate with CuCl2 or CuBr2 was used as oxidants. The effects of several parameters such as the molar mass and the concentration of the stabilizer as well as the nature of the oxidants on the size, morphology, and the conductivity of the PEDOT particles have been investigated. The distribution of the reactive moieties along the copolymer stabilizer backbone was shown to be crucial to get well-defined PEDOT nano-objects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3841–3855, 2010
Liquid−Liquid Equilibria for Benzene + Cyclohexane + 1-Methyl-3-methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate or + 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Diethylphosphate

To screen suitable ionic liquids (ILs) for the extraction separation of benzene and cyclohexane, a close-boiling mixture, measurement of the corresponding liquid−liquid equilibria (LLE) data is necessary. Toward this aim, LLE data for ternary systems of ILs + benzene + cyclohexane were measured at atmospheric pressure and (298.2 and 313.2) K, and the experimental data were correlated using the nonelectrolyte NRTL equation. The ILs used in this work are 1-methyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([C1mim][DMP]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([C2mim][DEP]). It was found that the selectivity of [C1mim][DMP] and [C2mim][DEP] for benzene is in the range of (4.4 to 2.9) and (4.3 to 2.5), respectively, and the selectivity is virtually independent of temperature in the temperature and concentration range studied. Considering the high extraction capacity and selectivity for benzene as well negligible solubility in benzene + cyclohexane mixtures, [C2mim][DEP] may be used as a potential extract.
Phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of selected dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) genotypes

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) or commonly known as ‘Sarawak olive’, is one of the potential seasonal fruits that has been given priority for development in Sarawak. In an attempt to make systematic comparisons and to identify the best genotype for further utilisation, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of six different dabai fruit genotypes commonly available in the local markets were determined. Three edible fractions of the dabai fruit, namely the skin, pulp and kernel were also studied. Dabai skin fraction extract was found to exhibit the highest values in all four parameters studied i.e. total phenolic content (18.88 – 26.62 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (15.62 – 46.70 mg QE/g), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (19.90 – 30.15%) and β-carotene bleaching activity (41.75 – 61.55%). Positive correlations were observed in all four parameters studied. A negative correlation was also detected in total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging activities of dabai fruit skin fraction. Keywords: Canarium odontophyllum; genotypes; total phenolic; total flavonoid; antioxidant activities
Hydrogen transport through oxide metal surface under atom and ion irradiation

Both the latest and earlier achieved results on gas exchange processes on metal surfaces (including stainless steel, titanium, zirconium, tungsten with deposited aluminum oxide coating) under hydrogen atom or plasma irradiation with occasional oxygen impurity are presented in the paper. Mechanisms and regularities of these processes are discussed. It is demonstrated that surface oxide layer properties as a diffusion barrier strongly depend on external influence on the surface. In particular, it is revealed that low energy hydrogen ion irradiation could slow down hydrogen desorption from metals. Hydrogen atom or ion irradiation combined with simultaneous oxygen admixture accelerates hydrogen desorption from metals.
Convergence properties of Hartree-Fock SCF molecular calculations

Hartree-Fock equations are viewed as nonlinear algebraic equations that can be solved iteratively. Provided we assume the existence of a solution, valuable properties of convergence may be assessed. The close connection between convergence of the SCF procedure and stability properties of the solution is shown from a nonapproximate standpoint. The convergence features of level-shifting convergence-forcing techniques are analyzed. The connection between this nonlinear algebraic approach and the related gap equation is displayed and the example of the restricted Hartree-Fock hydrogen molecule is discussed.
Liquefaction of lignocellulosics in model solvents: Creosote oil and ethylene glycol

The UDES-S liquefaction process treats concentrated pastes (20% of initially present solids) of finely divided (dp < 0.5 mm) lignocellulosics in organo-solvolytic media by means of thermo-mechanical action in homogenizing valves. The work described in this paper was carried out with Populus Deltoides in a process development unit capable of processing up to 4 kg of dry wood per hour. The model solvents used were creosote oil and ethylene glycol, which represent solvents that could be derived from the process or its products. Liquefaction mechanisms depend upon the solvent-substrate interaction: with creosote oil, pyrolysis mechanisms predominate and lead to integral liquefaction of the wood while with ethylene glycol only fractional liquefaction was possible, apparently as a result of a complex formation between ethylene glycol and cellulose which protects the chain polymeric from being solubilized.
A halogenated coumarin from Ficus krishnae

Petroleum ether-benzene extract of the leaves of Ficus krishnae afforded a novel halogenated 2H-chromen-2-one named 3-chloro-7-methoxy-4-methyl-chromen-2-one. Its structure was established on basis of chemical and physical evidence (IR, 1H NMR, and MS data) as well as on X-ray crystallographic studies.
Use of DPPH⋅|DPPH Redox Couple for Biamperometric Determination of Antioxidant Activity

A novel electrochemical method for selective determination of antioxidant activity based on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl│ 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazin (DPPH· │ DPPH) redox couple and biamperometric technique is proposed. Two identical glassy carbon disc electrodes were mounted in a classic electrochemical cell and the tested working potential difference was between 50 and 200 mV. The DPPH· │ DPPH redox couple exhibited a high degree of reversibility. Selectivity of detector was tested by different antioxidant compounds in ethanol-phosphate buffer solution, pH = 7.40. The results of antioxidant activity of pure antioxidant compounds and of actual samples of beverages, expressed as Trolox equivalents and determined by proposed biamperometric and spectroscopic measurements, were in good correlation (R = 0.9959). The detection limit for Trolox established by the applied biamperometry was 0.05 µ M while the resulting current was linear up to 25 µ M of Trolox. The applied detector accomplished good sensitivity of 20 nA/µ M of Trolox.
Spectroscopic (IR and Raman) Analysis and Gaussian Hybrid Computational Investigation- NMR, UV-Visible, MEP Maps and Kubo Gap on 2,4,6-Nitrophenol

In the present methodical study, FT-IR and FT-Raman of the 2,4,6-Nitrophenol (TNP) called as picric acid are recorded and the observed vibrational frequencies are assigned. The hybrid computational calculations are carried out by HF and DFT (B3LYP and B3PW91) methods with 6-31+G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets and the corresponding results are tabulated. The alternation of structure of nitro phenol due to the subsequent substitutions of NO2 is investigated. The vibrational sequence pattern of the molecule related to the substitutions is analyzed. Moreover, 13C NMR and 1H NMR are calculated by using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method with B3LYP methods and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and their spectra are simulated and the chemical shifts related to TMS are compared. A study on the electronic properties; absorption wavelengths, excitation energy, dipole moment and frontier molecular orbital energies, are performed by HF and DFT methods. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies and the kubo gap analysis show that the occurring of charge transformation within the molecule. Besides frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) was performed. NLO properties related to Polarizability and hyperpolarizability are also discussed. The thermodynamic properties (thermal energy, heat capacity and entropy) of the title compound are calculated in gas phase and are interpreted with different types of phenols.
Research Article: Differential acute sensitivity of wild Rana sylvatica and laboratory Xenopus laevis tadpoles to the herbicide atrazine

Abstract Atrazine is one of the most used herbicides in the United States and has previously been implicated in local amphibian declines. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of atrazine on 2 frog species—the amphibian model species Xenopus laevis and the wood frog Rana sylvatica. Tadpoles just before hindlimb emergence were exposed to either 1 part per billion (ppb) or 25 ppb atrazine in their water. Behavior was observed daily, and at the end of 15 days exposure the tadpoles were weighed, developmentally staged, and measured for head width and tail width. Differences were found among all of these for the X. laevis (p < 0.002), with the difference occurring only for the low dose animals (and not the high dose animals) for weight, stage, and tail width. Head width was significantly different for the X. laevis exposed to both the high and low concentrations of atrazine. No morphological differences were seen in R. sylvatica, but increased mortality and behavioral differences were seen in the R. sylvatica high dose group. These results suggest that: (1) Xenopus laevis may not be an adequate model for all anurans (2) low doses of atrazine have a greater influence than high doses in X. laevis, and (3) Rana sylvatica is more sensitive in lethal but not sublethal endpoints.
Water activity and freezing point depression of aqueous solutions and liquid foods

Water activity (aw) of binary aqueous solutions and liquid foods (skim milk, coffee beverages, peach and tomato juices) at different total solids concentration (by wt). was evaluated, measuring freezing point depression (FPD). The calculated values differed from those obtained by electric hygrometer by less than 0.01 a, units. Water activity was also evaluated in model systems containing ethanol, for which aw determination by conventional electric hygrometer is not possible.
NMR study of the nanomorphology in thin films of polymer blends used in organic PV devices: MDMO‐PPV/PCBM

The disclosure of the nanomorphology of thin films in organic solar cells, prepared from blends of conjugated polymers and PCBM, is of key importance for a better understanding of the occurring photovoltaic (PV) mechanisms. Hereto solid-state NMR relaxometry has been evaluated as a complementary technique to traditional microscopic techniques like atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It is demonstrated that proton wide-line solid-state NMR relaxometry is a useful and innovative tool to study the phase morphology of blends used in semiconducting polymer based PV devices. Attention is focused on the influence of the blend composition and casting conditions on the resulting phase morphology. Two different casting techniques, i.e. spincoating and Doctor Blading, were compared. To demonstrate the applicability of NMR relaxometry in this field, MDMO-PPV/PCBM blends where used, since these are known for their significant phase separation behavior in combination with toluene as solvent. In films prepared from blends in toluene with a PCBM content >70 wt %, a fraction of the PCBM is phase separated into crystalline domains, whereas the remaining part remains homogeneously mixed with the MDMO-PPV.