Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a pharmaceutical batch freeze dryer: resource consumption, hotspots, and factors for potential improvement

Abstract Whilst freeze drying is known for its high energy requirements, few studies have been conducted assessing the efficiency of freeze dryers, especially related to pharmaceuticals. A quantitative analysis is conducted on a batch freeze dryer used for biopharmaceuticals, aiming to calculate the process efficiency and to identify the components causing the highest resource consumption as well as factors for potential improvement. Exergy and energy analysis were performed combining experimental and modeled data. The process showed a task efficiency (exergy efficiency) lower than 1%. This value is influenced by the low Coefficient of Performance of the refrigeration cycle as well as the large mass of steel in the device which is heated up and cooled down throughout the process.
Role of the disulfide bond on the structure and activity of μ-conotoxin PIIIA in the inhibition of NaV1.4

μ-Conotoxin PIIIA, a peptide toxin isolated from Conus purpurascens, blocks the skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.4 with significant potency. PIIIA has three disulfide bonds, which contribute largely to its highly constrained and stable structure. In this study, a combination of experimental studies and computational modeling were performed to assess the effects of deletion of the disulfide bonds on the structure and activity of PIIIA. The final results indicate that the three disulfide bonds of PIIIA are required to produce the effective inhibition of NaV1.4, and the removal of any one of the disulfide bonds significantly reduces its binding affinity owing to secondary structure variation, among which the Cys11–Cys22 is the most important for sustaining the structure and activity of PIIIA.
Transfection of Cultured Eukaryotic Cells Using Cationic Lipid Reagents

The development of high‐efficiency methods for the introduction of functional genetic material into eukaryotic cells using cationic lipids has accelerated biological research in the studies of gene expression, control of cell growth, and cell lineage. Transfection mediated by cationic lipids is commonly used in industrial protein production as well as in some clinical gene therapy protocols. Replacing our previous unit on this topic, this new version describes how to perform transfection of adherent and suspension cells, insect cells, and RNA transfection using the cationic lipid system.
Investigating the Effect of NO on the Capture of CO2 Using Superbase Ionic Liquids for Flue Gas Applications

The effect of acidic gases present in flue gas, specifically NO, on the capture of CO2 by the superbase ionic liquid, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium benzimidazolide ([P66614][Benzim]), is reported. An online mass spectrometry technique was utilized to study the CO2 uptake of the ionic liquid during multiple absorption and desorption cycles of a gas feed containing NO and CO2 at realistic flue gas concentrations, and it was found that while NO alone could bind irreversibly, the CO2 capacity of the IL was largely unaffected by the presence of NO in a cofeed of the gases. In situ attenuated total reflection infrared was employed to probe the competitive absorption of CO2 and NO by [P66614][Benzim], in which carbamate and NONOate species were observed to cobind to different sites of the benzimidazolide anion. These effects were further characterized by analyzing changes in physical properties (viscosity and nitrogen content) and other spectroscopic changes (1H NMR, 13C NMR and XPS). Density functional theory c.
3D Printing of Mechanically Stable Calcium‐Free Alginate‐Based Scaffolds with Tunable Surface Charge to Enable Cell Adhesion and Facile Biofunctionalization

For the 3D printing of bioscaffolds, the importance of a suitable bioink cannot be overemphasized. With excellent printability and biocompatibility, alginate (Alg) is one of the most used bioinks. However, its bioinert nature and insufficient mechanical stability, due to only crosslinking via cation interactions, hinder the practical application of Alg‐based bioinks in the individualized therapy of tissue defects. To overcome these drawbacks, for the first time, an ε‐polylysine (ε‐PL)‐modified Alg‐based bioink (Alg/ε‐PL) is produced. The introduction of ε‐PL improves the printability of the Alg‐based bioink due to increasing electrostatic interactions, which enhances the self‐supporting stability of the as‐printed scaffolds. The presence of the functional crosslinking –COOH and –NH2 groups in Alg and ε‐PL under mild conditions further enhances the mechanical stability of the scaffolds, far exceeding that of Alg/Ca2+ scaffolds. The surface charge of the prepared scaffolds is finely tuned by the feed ratio of Alg to ε‐PL and postimmobilization of different quantities of additional ε‐PL, with a view to enhancing cell adhesion and further biofunctionalization. The results indicate that chondroitin sulfate, an extracellular matrix component, and vascular endothelial growth factor can be successfully applied to biofunctionalize the scaffolds via electrostatic adsorption for enhanced biological activity.
Effect of salinity on some physiological and biochemical responses in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus

In this study, some physiological and biochemical responses of Synechococcus elongatus to salt stress were investigated. The cyanobactrium was grown in BG-11 medium under different concentrations of NaCl (0, 0.5, 1 M). The results indicated that the growth of S. elongatus was significantly inhibited under salt stress on days 5, 9 and 12. Protein content increased in S. elongatus on day 12 in presence of salt. Salinity induced proline accumulation at 1 M NaCl on day 12 and caused a significant enhance in hydrogen peroxide content on day 5. Catalase (CAT) activity continuously increased on day 5. An increasing trend in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was indicated on days 5 and 9. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity gradually induced with increasing NaCl concentrations on day 5. Salt stress decreased chlorophyll content compared to that of control in three stages of growth, and carotenoid content declined on days 9 and 12. The contents of phycobiliprotein (PBP), phycoerythrin (PE) and phycocyanin (PC) enhanced significantly under different NaCl concentrations on days 5 and 9. These results show that S. elongatus has limited adaptative potential to salinity, and the optimum medium for its culture should not bear NaCl even at a moderate level, if production of carotenoids is aimed.
Phytochemical study and anti-inflammatory effect of Psychotria stenocalyx (Rubiaceae) -

In this study, an in vivo anti-inflammatory assay was conducted on Psychotria stenocalyx ethanol extract of leaves, evaluating this effect on cell migration and exudate formation in a murine carrageenan-induced model of pleurisy. The extract showed the optimum dose, at 400 mg/kg, inhibiting cellular and vascular parameters: total leucocytes due to polymorphonuclear migration and exudate formation (p < 0.01). A phytochemical study was conducted using the hyphenated techniques HPLC-DAD-SPE/NMR and HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF-HRMS, in which seven monoterpene indole alkaloids were identified: lyaloside 1, (E)-O-(6′)-cinnamoyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-lyaloside 2, strictosamide 3, pauridianthoside 4, vallesiachotamine lactone 5, E-vallesiachotamine 6 and Z-vallesiachotamine 7, in the alkaloid fraction, obtained by an acid-base extraction on P. stenocalyx crude extract. This is the first study developed with this species.
The Involvement of Pigment-Protein Fraction from Microalga Nannochloropsis oculata in Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 with Nervous Necrosis Viral Infection on Grouper

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) on grouper infected by Nervous Necrosis Viral (NNV) with involvement of pigment-protein fraction (PPF) from Nannocloropsis oculata (N.oculata). Fish treatments were divided into three group, which are control, fish with PPF from N.oculata, and fish with PPF and NNV. After treatment for 23 d, fish were sacrificed, and their brain was harvested for protein analysis using SDS-Page. Fish blood was collected to examine the expression of HSP70 by hemagglutination and western blot analysis. The results showed that the expression of HSP70 was observed after treatment with PPF in NNV infected brain tissue and blood cell proved by SDS-Page and Western blot analysis. Thus, PPF is responsible for the expression of HSP70 in infected tissues, indicating that PPF appears to have a function as an inhibitor of proliferation of NNV.
INFLUENCE OF LASER BORIDING ON THE FRICTION AND WEAR OF SLIDING COUPLES WITH BEARING ALLOYS

The present study discusses the influence of laser borided surface layer on the parameters of sliding couples lubricated by engine oil. The borided layer was created by laser remelting of a surface layer of steel samples coated with amorphous boron. The study of friction, wear, and lubrication was conducted on the pairs made of steel AISI 5045 and SAE-783 and SAE-48 bearing alloys which were lubricated with 15W/40 engine oil. The research showed important differences in the friction coefficient and temperature in the tested couple with laser borided surface layer. In the couples containing the counterparts with SAE-783 bearing alloy, the tested parameter of friction was higher than in the couple composed of counterparts with SAE-48 bearing alloy. The counterparts with SAE-48 showed more intensive wear in contact with the laser borided surface layer than the counterpart with SAE 783. The process of friction at the contact area of the sliding couple with laser borided surface layer leads to the destruction of the lubricating properties of 15W/40 engine oil and reduces its resistance to scuffing and seizure.
COMBINATION OF GLICLAZIDE DRUG AND LUPIN SEEDS POWDER ALLEVIATE HYPERGLYCEMIA ON INDUCED-DIABETIC RATS RECEIVING HIGH-FAT HIGH FRUCTOSE/SUCROSE DIET

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases in the world. Hyperglycemia and lipoprotein abnormalities are the characteristic clinical finding of DM. The most common legume food used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes is lupin seeds powder. The aim of current research is to analyze the therapeutic effects of the combination of both hypoglycemic drug (Gliclazide) and lupin seeds powder on some biochemical parameters (serum blood glucose, serum insulin, glyclated hemoglobin and total lipid profile) and also on mRNA expression level of Glucokinase, Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), Insulin and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor - Gamma (PPAR-γ) genes using relative quantitative PCR. In this study, thirty zucker male rats were divided into two groups: normal control group (six rats) and the other group expose to induce type2 DM by high-fat high fructose/sucrose diet. The diabetic groups were sub classified into 4groups (6 rats in each group), one group diabetic control and the rest was treated with Gliclazide (10mg/kg),combination of Gliclazide(10mg/kg) and lupin seeds powder (1gm/kg) and lupin seeds powder (1gm/kg) only. Combination between Gliclazide (10mg/kg) and lupin seeds powder (1gm/kg) daily for 4 weeks resulted in significant decrease in blood glucose level, glyclated hemoglobin and dyslipidemia ( p <0.05), also results in significant increase ( P <0.05) in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c) (90.66±3.8), insulin level(4.9±0.058). Also the combination of Gliclazide (10mg/kg) and lupin seeds powder (1gm/kg) tends to return biochemical parameters, lipid profile (triacylglycerol 77±3.05, total cholesterol 132±2) and the transcription of mRNA metabolic genes to normal levels ( Glucokinase 1.4±0.1, insulin 1.48±0.25, PEPCK 0.49±0.25, PPAR-γ 3.1±0.2 ) more than the treatment with Gliclazide drug only, in type 2 diabetic rats. It is concluded that, the combination of Gliclazide hypoglycemic drug and lupin seeds powder has the most hypoglycemic effect when compared to other groups. Key words: type2 diabetes mellitus; high-fat high fructose/sucrose diet; gliclazide; lupin seeds; total cholesterol
Mechanisms of activity-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter switching in the developing and mature nervous system

Author(s): Meng, Da | Advisor(s): Spitzer, Nicholas C. | Abstract: We are intrigued by how electrical and intracellular calcium activity of neurons can regulate neurotransmitter switching, a newly recognized form neuroplasticity, during development and in the mature nervous system.In the developing Xenopus spinal cord, newly born neurons exhibit characteristic spontaneous calcium activity during a critical period that leads to the specification of distinct neurotransmitter phenotypes, such as glutamate and GABA. Altering electrical and calcium activity of these spinal neurons in vitro and in vivo causes homeostatic re-specification of neurotransmitters. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism by which neuronal activity regulates transmitter re-specification. We demonstrated that neuronal activity acts non-cell-autonomously through the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to regulate a glutamate/GABA selector transcription factor tlx3 through activation of a TrkB/MAPK signaling pathway.We then investigated the role of neuronal activity in transmitter switching in the adult mammalian brain. In the adult rat following long-day photoperiod exposure, the number of dopaminergic neurons decreases while the number of somatostatin neurons increases in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PaVN), causing anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Here we demonstrated that long-day photoperiod exposure increases neuronal activity of PaVN dopaminergic neurons prior to transmitter switch. Blocking activity of PaVN dopaminergic neurons abolishes their transmitter switch in response to long-day photoperiod exposure, suggesting an activity-dependent cell-population-autonomous mechanism.
Time Sensitive Control of Air Combat Operations.

Abstract : The objective of this project is to create new ways of using Temporal Logic to support Dynamic Replanning of Air Tasking Plans. The formal axiomatic system for temporal logic that accommodates both points and intervals, Point-Interval Temporal Logic (PITL), has been implemented in the algorithm called TEMPER-2 (TEMPoral programmER). TEMPER 2 considers quantitative measures of time, namely time stamps and interval lengths. A new software architecture was developed to accommodate the new algorithm. CAESAR II/COA, a software system that transforms automatically influence nets into executable colored Petri nets, has been developed and tested. This integrated model of intelligence and planning tools is capable of generating effects-based courses of action. In addition, the use of occurrence graphs (reachability trees) permits the analysis and evaluation of alternative time phased sequences of actions. An approach for integrating command and control models with communications models has been developed. The objective is the development of an effective method for estimating the connection delays between tasks so that the performance of a C3 system which performs multiple tasks in a real-time distributed computer environment can be predicted. The approach taken is that of two state machines communicating with each other where each machine and their interactions are modeled using colored Petri nets.
Equilibrium, kinetic, diffusion and thermodynamic applications for dye adsorption with pine cone

ABSTRACT In the present study, the adsorption of methylene blue onto pine cone was investigated. Adsorbent was characterized by XRD and SEM. The adsorption data follow the Langmuir isotherm model. Maximum adsorption capacity was calculated 125 mg.g−1 . It was determined that the pseudo-second-order model was the best choice among all the available kinetic models to describe the adsorption behaviour. Ea was found to be 19.57 kJ mol−1. This confirms the fact that the adsorption was a physical process. The negative free energy values indicate the feasibility of the adsorption process and its spontaneous nature.
Investigation of Synergistic, Additive and Antagonist Effect of Antimicrobial Combinations Used for Brucella spp., with E-test Combination Method

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world, and it is particularly endemic in Mediterranean countries, Arabian Peninsula, India, Africa and South America (1). It generally manifests an acute febrile disease, but in some cases, it can show a chronic progression with life-threatening complications. According to World Health Organization (WHO), Brucella melitensis is responsible for the majority of the human cases, and 500,000 new patients are reported every year around the world (2).
Composites polyvinyl alcohol filled with nanocellulose from oil palm waste by formic acid hydrolysis

Composites polyvinyl alcohol filled with nanocellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and oil palm fronds (OPF) have investigated. Nanocellulose prepared by formic acid 50 wt%. Functional groups and degree of crystalline of nanocellulose were analyzed by FTIR and XRD. The degree of crystalline nanocellulose presented at 2θ at intensity of 22.26 and 21.86 for OPEFB and OPF. Amorphous part of nanocellulose at intensity of 14.68 and 15.86 for OPEFB and OPF. Functional group of nanocellulose give the same pattern for OPEFB and OPF. Nanocellulose reinforce in polyvinyl alcohol as many as 1, 5, 10 and 20% and as a comparison with polyvinyl alcohol without filler. Eight of composite films and one of vinyl alcohol film have studied mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break, and also functional groups. The tensile strength of OPF 5% and 10% increased than polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Tensile strength OPEFB 10% slightly increase from polyvinyl alcohol. The elongation of composites both OPEFB and OPF decreased with increased of nanocellulose loading.
A robust automated technique for operational calibration of ceilometers using the integrated backscatter from totally attenuating liquid clouds

Abstract. A simple and robust method for calibrating ceilometers has been tested in an operational environment, demonstrating that the calibrations are stable to better than ±5 % over a period of a year. The method relies on using the integrated backscatter (B) from liquid clouds that totally extinguish the ceilometer signal; B is inversely proportional to the lidar ratio (S) of the backscatter to the extinction for cloud droplets. The calibration technique involves scaling the observed backscatter so that B matches the predicted value for S of 18.8±0.8 sr for cloud droplets, at ceilometer wavelengths. For accurate calibration, care must be taken to only use profiles where the range correction is implemented and to exclude any profiles having targets with different values of S, such as drizzle drops and aerosol particles, profiles that do not totally extinguish the ceilometer signal, profiles with low cloud bases that saturate the receiver, and any profiles for which the window transmission or the lidar pulse energy falls below 90 %. A range-dependent multiple-scattering correction that depends on the ceilometer optics should also be applied to the profile. For ceilometers operating at around 910 nm wavelength, a simple correction for water vapour attenuation is applied to the signal using the vapour profiles from a forecast analysis. For a generic ceilometer in the UK the 90 d running mean of the calibration coefficient over a period of 20 months is constant to within 3 % with no detectable annual cycle, thus confirming the validity of the humidity and multiple-scattering correction. For Gibraltar, where cloud cover is less prevalent than in the UK, the 90 d running mean calibration coefficient was constant to within 4 %. The more sensitive ceilometer model operating at 1064 nm is unaffected by water vapour attenuation but is more prone to saturation in liquid clouds; such profiles can be recognised and rejected and, despite the more restricted sample of cloud profiles, a robust calibration is readily achieved. In the UK, the running mean 90 d calibration coefficients varied by about 4 % over a period of 1 year. The consistency of profiles observed by nine pairs of co-located ceilometers in the UK Met Office network operating at around 910 and 1064 nm provided independent validation of the calibration technique. In all cases, if quantitative and reliable backscatter observations are to be obtained it is essential to keep the window clean. This may be a challenge in dusty locations. EUMETNET is currently networking 700 European ceilometers so they can provide ceilometer profiles in near real time to European weather forecast centres and has adopted the cloud calibration technique described in this paper for ceilometers with a wavelength of around 910 nm.
Phase separation of a nematic liquid crystal in the self-assembly of lysozyme in a drying aqueous solution drop

This paper discusses the unique patterns evolved through phase separation of a bulk liquid crystal (LC) from the self-assembly of lysozyme induced by evaporation of de-ionized water only. Each domain shows a central dark region surrounded by bright regions (randomly oriented LC droplets). The birefringence intensity reveals three regimes (a slow increase, rapid rise, then saturation) not seen without LC droplets. The textural study exhibits a simple exponential behavior that changes as a function of LC concentration. Furthermore, in the presence of LC, the crack patterns are found to be different near the drop edge than those in the central region.
Structural and functional studies for the disassembly of hemidesmosomes regulated by calcium-calmodulin

The plectin-integrin β4 complex plays a pivotal role to maintain the mechanical stability of hemidesmosomes in keratinocytes. The binding of calcium-calmodulin (CaM) to plectin isoform 1a contributes to the disruption of the interaction between plectin and integrin β4 together with the phosphorylation on several sites of integrin β4, which results in the disassembly of hemidesmosomes during keratinocyte differentiation and migration. During my PhD thesis, I characterized the interaction between CaM and the actin binding domain of plectin 1a (P1aABD) by ITC and cross-linking assays, and revealed the preferable binding of the N-lobe of CaM (CaMNL) to the N-terminal tail of plectin 1a. I determined the crystal structure of the P1aABD in complex with the N-lobe of CaM to 1.8A resolution and the entire complex construction was completed by SAXS modeling. The structural analyses show that the disordered N-terminal tail of plectin 1a alters the conformation to α-helix dependent upon the binding of CaM, which is varied into the hydrophobic cleft of (CaMNL). To shed light on the detailed mechanism of the disassembly of the P1aABD/integrin β4 complex in hemidesmosomes modulated by the binding of calcium-calmodulin to plectin, I also solved the crystal structure of the P1aABD/integrin β4 complex. The dissociation mechanism of the P1aABD/integrin β4 driven by CaM was simulated by displacement ITC experiments and the superposition of two structures. The results suggest that CaM binding causes a steric clash against integrin β4 and promotes the disruption of the plectin-integrin β4 complex. My PhD studies provide the first structural insight into the hemidesmosome disassembly modulated by calcium-calmodulin.