Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Precipitants on Morphologies of Lu_2O_3 Phosphors by Co-precipitation Process

Eu~(3+)-doped Lu_2O_3 phosphor nanopowders were synthesized by co-precipitation process with NH_3·H_2O,NH_4HCO_3 and the mixed solution of NH_3·H_2O and NH_4HCO_3 as the precipitants, respectively.Effects of precipitants on microstructures and properties of obtained Lu_2O_3 phosphor were investigated on study of decomposition behavior of precipitate precursor by means of DTA-TG-MS and FTIR spectra.The morphologies and particle size distributions of obtained Lu_2O_3 phosphors were characterized.It is found that powders from the mixed precipitant method exhibits best microstructural morphology with weak agglomeration state and particle size distribution.After being calcined at 1000℃for 2h,the average crystalline size of Lu_2O_3 reaches 35nm with medium particle size (D_(50)) of 0. 48μm.
Removal of Copper from Phosphoric Acid by Adsorption on Tunisian Bentonite

This experimental study was articulated around the efficiency of the technique of adsorption as a method for the elimination of copper from phosphoric acid by using bentonite as a support. Several parameters such as the effect of the initial concentration of the pollutant, the isotherms and the retention capacity of bentonite, was investigated. The adsorption was modeled by simples’ models of Langmuir, Freundlich. The results obtained have proved that the adsorption of copper follow the Freundlich Model.
Macromolecule Sorption and Diffusion in HEMA/MAA Hydrogels

Transient solute absorption and desorption concentration profiles were measured in a 70 wt % hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)/30 wt % methacrylic acid (MAA) anionic hydrogel using two-photon confocal microscopy. Dilute aqueous solutes included fluorescently labeled dextrans with molecular masses of 4, 10, and 20 kDa, and fluorescently labeled cationic avidin protein. Cross-linking densities with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) varied from 0 to 1 wt % with polymer volume fractions increasing from 0.15 to 0.25. Average gel mesh sizes, determined from zero-frequency oscillatory shear storage moduli, ranged from about 3.6 to 8.4 nm over the cross-link ratios studied. All solutes exhibit Stokes–Einstein hydrodynamic radii obtained from measured free diffusion coefficients, Do, comparable to or larger than the average gel mesh size. In spite of considerable size exclusion, the studied solutes penetrate the gels indicating a range of mesh sizes available for transport. Transient uptake and release concent.
Effect of Nanoclay Hydrophilicity on the Poly(lactic acid)/Clay Nanocomposites Properties

In order to improve poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, different layered silicate nanoclays are added. This work deals with the study of the effect of the type of nanoclays with different hydrophilicity on the preparation procedure and properties of PLA nanocomposites. Six kinds of clays have been loaded in PLA whose hydrophilicity varies in the following order of increased hydrophilicity: modified Dellite 67G (67G) < Cloisite 15A (C15A) < C20A < C93A < C30B < hydrophilic smectite clay (HPS). Resultant nanocomposites have been characterized both with respect to bulk and surface properties by mechanical, rheological, thermal analyses, X-ray diffraction study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas permeability tests, contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Antimicrobial properties have been also tested. Evidenced was the dependence of most properties on the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the clays. The nanocomposites c.
Antioxidant, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and α-amylase inhibitory activities of protein hydrolysates of Leucaena leucocephala seeds

ABSTRACT The Leucaena leucocephala seeds (LLS) cotyledon proteins, globulins, and glutelins were independently hydrolyzed by Alcalase, Trypsin, and α-Chymotrypsin up to 180 min. The degree of hydrolysis (DH), antioxidant, ACE-inhibitory, and α-Amylase inhibition were assessed. The higher DH values were 76.75% and 82.71% for globulin α-Chymotrypsin, and glutelin Alcalase hydrolysates, respectively. The glutelin hydrolyzed with Trypsin showed the higher DPPH• antioxidant activity while the higher ABTS antioxidant activity was for globulin Alcalase hydrolysate after 180 min digestion. The highest ACE-inhibitory activity was 95.44% for globulin-Alcalase hydrolysate at 180 min; while, for the α-Amylase inhibition assay, glutelin-Alcalase showed the highest values at 100 min of reaction. LLS cotyledon protein concentrates and hydrolysates with relatively low mimosine content were obtained after protein extraction. Such findings indicate the possibility of getting bioactive peptides from LLS cotyledon proteins using enzyme digestions and might be utilized for functional foods with physiological enhancer effects.
A Novel Stacked Cell Layout for High-Frequency Power Applications

This letter presents an innovative stacked cell, where the common source device is split in to two smaller devices leading to a more compact and symmetric structure, with almost negligible parasitics associated with the transistor connection. This novel configuration is rigorously compared, for the first time, with the two classical approaches commonly adopted to physically connect the two devices. The three different layouts are fabricated in gallium nitride technology for high-frequency power applications and experimentally compared by means of an extensive measurement campaign performed on several loads and in different bias conditions, ranging from class AB to C. The proposed novel configuration outperforms the other two in all conditions, thanks to the advantages of adopting two smaller devices with reduced parasitics, higher gain, and higher power density. These features are common to different technologies, thus making the novel topology widely applicable for the design of high-frequency stacked cells.
Wavelength-Controlled Etching of Silicon Nanocrystals

A detailed investigation of the photochemical etching of silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) in aqueous hydrofluoric acid (HF) mixtures is described. By increasing the HF concentration and lowering the pH upon addition of hydrochloric acid (HCl), oxide-embedded Si-NCs were rapidly etched, and photoluminescence (PL) from the resulting hydride-terminated Si-NCs tailored from the near-IR to the yellow/green spectral region by irradiating the reaction mixture at the desired PL wavelength. These results are consistent with a hole-driven etching pathway rather than the chemically induced oxidation/etch pathway commonly exploited for Si nanostructures. The relationship among NC size, polydispersity, and PL was investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering. We suggest the defect density of Si-NCs is a crucial parameter for effective size control via photochemical exciton-mediated HF etching. Improved HF etching methods are expected to enable Si-NC applications through the realization of narrow polydispersity and PL b.
A Survey on Diabetic Retinopathy Datasets

Healthcare is a field generally operates with numerous images, where obtaining labels from the image data is a difficult task in many domains. Deep learning has helped with automating tasks like early and automated detection of many diseases, with great accuracy. So acquiring good datasets with properly labeled images is a prime condition in deep learning because quality cannot be compromised when it comes to dealing with cases in healthcare. Diabetic Retinopathy is becoming prevalent in many countries and the disease becomes nearly incurable after it reaches a severe condition and results in serious vision impairment and partial blindness in some cases. The disease can be cured properly if it is diagnosed early, but the analysis of the disease becomes costlier and complex if it gets severe. Computer-aided tools can help us in achieving early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy that helps in cutting down costs as well as curing the patients in a better way. Therefore, using deep learning can be useful in the early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy. So this paper includes a discussion on some good datasets available that could be used for understanding the lesions in the retina responsible for Diabetic Retinopathy and building deep learning models required for accurate analysis and early detection of the disease.
Guarani aquifer system (GAS): geothermal spa balneology assessment

Among the geothermal energy direct-uses categories, bathing and tourism applications (balneotherapy, health, well-being, recreation, and swimming pool) correspond to almost all installed capacity in Brazil; where the best quality resources with the highest thermal power range occur in the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). In a comprehensive international project on the use and protection of this transboundary aquifer, it is recommended to evaluate the potential uses and characteristics of its geothermal resources. Through the hot/mineral springs are developed resorts, water parks, SPAs, bath centers, and wellness destinations, with recognized economic benefits and inducers of sustainability. Thus, this work compiles physicochemical data (temperature, TDS, pH, SO4, HCO3, Cl-, F-, Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2, Si, B-3, Fe, Li+, Mn+2, Zn+2) from 85 hydrothermal wellsprings located in GAS (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), where tourism activities related to balneology are observed. The values obtained are compared with minimum levels of beneficial bioactivities, literature referenced to balneotherapy. The results indicate potential biologically active components (BAC) present in most of the sites, fountains and thermal/mineral waters evaluated here, through baths to experiences of SPA, relaxation, skincare, well-being or thermal medicine, according to the forms and the continuity of the expositions. It is expected to contribute to regional tourism development and marketing, as well as the promotion of related biomedical research.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrokinetic Properties of Polyindene/Colemanite Conducting Composite

The aim of the aqueous electrokinetic experiments in the present study was to assess the relative contribution of the conducting polyindene (PIn) and inorganic colemanite components to the zeta (ζ) potentials of the composite particles, thus providing further insight into their surface composition in the dispersed state and establishing colloidally stable conditions for potential rheological, industrial applications. For this, PIn and a PIn/colemanite composite (containing 5 wt.% colemanite) were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization using FeCl3 as an oxidizing agent. Colemanite, PIn, and PIn/colemanite composite samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, conductivity, dielectric constant, magnetic susceptibility, density, particle-size measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The electrokinetic properties of colemanite and PIn/colemanite composite dispersions were determined by ζ-potential measurements in aqueous medium, taking into account the effects of time, pH, various electrolytes, surfactants, and temperature. The pH was observed to have a greater effect on the ζ potentials of colemanite in water but caused only slight changes in the presence of cationic (NaCl, BaCl2, AlCl3) and anionic (NaCl, Na2SO4) electrolytes. Increased pH values shifted the ζ potentials of PIn/colemanite composite dispersions to more negative values. The most effective surfactant acting on the ζ potentials of colemanite and PIn/colemanite composite dispersions was cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which shifted the ζ potentials to more positive regions. Elevated temperatures caused almost no change to the ζ potentials of either the colemanite or the PIn/colemanite composite dispersions.
A Two-Fold Interpenetrated Coordination Framework with a Rare (3,6)-Connected loh1 Topology: Magnetic Properties and Photocatalytic Behavior

A new manganese(II) coordination polymer, [Mn2(L1)4/3(L2)2]n (1) (L1 = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4″-terpyridine, H2L2 = (4-phenyl)-2,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyridine), has been prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 1 is a 2-fold interpenetrated three-dimensional framework, which to our knowledge represents the first interpenetration example of coordination framework with unique (3,6)-connected loh1 topology. Furthermore, the magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity have been investigated. As a result, complex 1 displays a weak antiferromagnetic interaction among the Mn(II) centers and good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange solution under ultraviolet light irradiation.
Tabu search and simulated annealing for resource-constrained multi-project scheduling to minimize maximal cash flow gap

In reality, a contractor may implement multiple projects simultaneously and in such an environment, how to achieve a positive balance between cash outflow and inflow by scheduling is an important problem for the contractor has to tackle. For this fact, this paper investigates a resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem with the objective of minimizing the contractor's maximal cash flow gap under the constraint of a project deadline and renewable resource. In the paper, we construct a non-linear integer programming optimization model for the studied problem at first. Then, for the NP-hardness of the problem, we design three metaheuristic algorithms to solve the model: tabu search (TS), simulated annealing (SA), and an algorithm comprising both TS and SA (SA-TS). Finally, we conduct a computational experiment on a data set coming from existing literature to evaluate the performance of the developed algorithms and analyze the effects of key parameters on the objective function. Based on the computational results, the following conclusions are drawn: Among the designed algorithms, the SA-TS with an improvement measure is the most promising for solving the problem under study. Some parameters may exert an important effect on the contractor's maximal cash flow gap.
VCom: Secure and Efficient Vehicle-to-Vehicle Message Communication Protocol

Vehicles are especially capable of exchanging pertinent information with nearby vehicles. However, there are multiple challenges like secure data exchange, fast message transmission, dynamic topology, and user data protection while transmitting relevant information between moving vehicles on the road. Therefore, researchers suggested different vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) message communication and verification mechanisms, but they are vulnerable to crucial security attacks. Furthermore, the existing V2V communication schemes relatively require high operational costs for the implementation, taking more time and computational resources for road safety and traffic data exchanges. In this article, we propose a secure and efficient V2V message communication protocol (named as VCom) for vehicle users using a low-cost function (i.e., SHA-256) while preserving user anonymity. The security proof and analysis are discussed for the VCom to confirm its security and user privacy strengths against different security attributes and attacks. The test-bed implementation results show that the VCom is comparatively efficient in the computational cost, communication overhead, storage cost, and energy consumption.
Efficient fully CCA-secure predicate encryptions from pair encodings

Attrapadung (Eurocrypt 2014) proposed a generic framework for fully (adaptively) CPA-secure predicate encryption (PE) based on a new primitive, called pair encodings. Following the CCA conversions of Yamada et al. (PKC 2011, 2012) and Nandi et al. (ePrint Archive: 2015/457, AAECC 2018), one can have CCA-secure PE from CPA-secure PE if the primitive PE has either verifiability or delegation. These traditional approaches degrade the performance of the resultant CCA-secure PE scheme as compared to the primitive CPA-secure PE. As an alternative, we provide a direct fully secure CCA-construction of PE from the pair encoding scheme. This costs an extra computation of group element in encryption, three extra pairing computations and one re-randomization of key in decryption as compared to the CPA-construction of Attrapadung. Recently, Blomer et al. (CT-RSA 2016) proposed a direct CCA-secure construction of predicate encryptions from pair encodings. Although they did not use the aforementioned traditional approaches, a sort of verifiability checking is still involved in the CCA-decryption. The number of pairing computations for this checking is nearly equal to the number of paring computations in CPA-decryption. Therefore, the performance of our direct CCA-secure PE is far better than Blomer et al.
A comparative study of the leadership skills of the millennial male and millennial female managerial leaders in the Indian service sector

The millennial generation forms a considerable percentage of the workforce worldwide. Hence, it is important for organisations to understand the values and perspectives that they bring to work. With millennials already in leadership positions in many organisations worldwide and many of them soon going to assume leadership roles, it is crucial to understand their way of leading people. Millennials were born in a time when more and more women started to join workforce. The present study tries to bring out observable differences in the leadership skills of male and female managerial leaders who belong to the Indian service sector. Practical implications related to gender diversity, inclusion and the glass ceiling that women in leadership roles face have also been discussed.
Synthesis, photophysical properties and anticancer activity of micro-environment sensitive amphiphilic bile acid dendrimers

Porphyrin-cored bile acid dendrimers containing deoxymethyl cholate and methyl cholate units at the periphery, have been synthesized by convergent methodology using a click chemistry approach and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and MALDI-TOF MS data. The absorption–emission behavior of dendrimers and its modulation under the influence of the dendritic environment is also investigated. The therapeutic efficacy of the bile acid dendrimers for the inhibition of the growth of tumor cells (MIA PaCa-2) increases as the dendrimer generation increases.
Serum uromodulin is a novel predictive marker of renal function in the Japanese population

Background Uromodulin, also known as Tamm-Horsfall protein, is the most abundant protein in urine. It has recently been reported that uromodulin exists in a small amount in blood and that its concentration correlates with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, its clinical significance has not been clarified and there are no relevant data for the Japanese population. Method First, we generated anti-human uromodulin mouse monoclonal antibodies and established a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for uromodulin. We then performed an observational clinical study to determine if there was a correlation between serum uromodulin concentration and estimates of kidney function and whether the serum uromodulin value could be a biomarker in clinical nephrology. The clinical study included 308 patients with and without chronic kidney disease and healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of creatinine, cystatin C, and uromodulin were measured and correlations were sought between the eGFR calculated from the creatinine and cystatin C levels and the serum uromodulin concentration. Results There was a good correlation between the serum uromodulin concentration and the eGFR value calculated from the creatinine (r=0.76) and cystatin C (r=0.79) levels. The mean serum uromodulin level in the group with an eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 calculated using cystatin C was significantly higher than that in the group with an eGFR of 80–89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Conclusions The serum uromodulin measurement could be a useful biomarker for identification of patients with early deterioration of kidney function.
An Asymptotic Approach for the Scan Impedance in Infinite Phased Arrays of Dipoles

This work presents an analytic model to derive the scan impedance of planar infinite phased arrays of dipoles at a dielectric interface when only the (0, 0) Floquet mode propagates. The proposed model builds on the boundary conditions met by the fundamental Floquet mode at the interface to provide a novel derivation of the equivalent circuit for the scan impedance. The analysis is also extended to include the effect of a sufficiently thick grounded substrate that does not affect the elements’ current distribution and does not interact with the evanescent fields. Next, formulas for the ratio of intensity radiated toward each half-space for an interfacial array are provided. In a consecutive step, an asymptotic approximation is derived for the current distribution in arrays of arbitrary loaded dipoles, and the reactance of a dipole in the array environment is related to the inductance of a grid of wires. This model constitutes a useful tool to clearly identify the role of the different array variables (dipole dimensions, relative permittivity of the substrate, periodicity, end load, and scan angle in the principal planes) on the scan impedance by simple expressions and equivalent circuits. The model predictions are in good agreement with full-wave simulations and with previously published works.
Self-assembled and pH-responsive polymeric nanomicelles impart effective delivery of paclitaxel to cancer cells

Chemotherapy is an essential component of breast cancer therapy, but it is associated with serious side effects. Herein, a pluronic F68-based pH-responsive, and self-assembled nanomicelle system was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) to breast cancer cells. Two pH-responsive pluronic F68-PTX conjugates i.e. succinoyl-linked conjugate (F68-SA-PTX) and cis-aconityl-linked conjugate (F68-CAA-PTX) were designed to respond the varying pH-environment in tumour tissue. Although both the linkers showed pH-sensitivity, the F68-CAA-PTX exhibited superior pH-sensitivity over the F68-SA-PTX and achieved a more selective release of PTX from the self-assembled nanomicelles. The prepared nanomicelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmittance electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The anticancer activity of prepared nanomicelles and pure PTX were evaluated by 2D cytotoxicity assay against breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and in the real tumour environments i.e. 3D tumor spheroids of MDA-MB-231 cells. The highest cytotoxicity effect of PTX was observed with F68-CAA-PTX nanomicelles followed by F68-SA-PTX and free PTX. Further, the F68-CAA-PTX nanomicelles also induced significant apoptosis with a combination of increase in ROS generation, decrease in the depolarisation of MMP and G2/M cell cycle arrest. These observed results provide a new insight for breast cancer treatment using pluronic nanomicelles.