Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of eugenyl benzoate catalyzed by rhizomucor miehei lipase immobilized on reinforced chitosan-chitin nanowhiskers support

The chemical route to produce esters has several drawbacks associated with the utilization of homogeneous acid catalysts that require high reaction temperatures, hence is energy intensive, not reusable, creates dissolved solids and involves laborious separation processes. Hence, a biotechnological route via enzymatic esterification has been proposed as an alternative way to synthesize the problematic anti-oxidant, eugenyl benzoate. This is because an enzyme-catalyzed synthesis offers favorable advantages such as the use of a more sustainable reaction process with high yields and purity, as well as the biocatalyst reusability. An ecofriendly support was prepared from chitosan-chitin nanowhiskers (CS-CNWs) for covalent immobilization of Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) to be used as the biocatalysts. Analyses on the RML-CS/CNWs using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence microscopy affirmed the successful covalent immobilization of RML onto the surface of CS-CNWs. The resultant RML-CS/CNWs biocatalysts were studied for catalyzing synthesis of eugenyl benzoate for various reaction parameters. One-Variable-at-A-Time (OVAT) study revealed that under optimal experimental conditions of 50 °C at 250 rpm with catalyst loading of 3 mg/mL and 3:1 molar ratio of eugenol to benzoic acid, the maximum yield that reached 62.1% was attained after 5 h as compared to free RML (50.7%). The RML-CS-CNWs also demonstrated good operational stability, whereby the biocatalysts retaining 50% of its initial activity for up to eight successive esterification cycles. The present work also reports a response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) optimization process to synthesize eugenyl benzoate. The effects of four reaction parameters: reaction time, temperature, the substrate molar ratio of eugenol to benzoic acid and enzyme loading were assessed based on OVAT findings. Under optimum conditions, a maximum conversion yield of 66.8% was attained at 50 °C in 5 h using 3.75 mg/mL of the RML-CS-CNWs, and substrate molar ratio (eugenol:benzoic acid) of 3:1. Meanwhile, kinetic assessments revealed the RMLCS/ CNWs catalyzed the reaction via a Ping-pong Bi Bi mechanism with eugenol inhibition, characterized by a Vmax of 3.83 mM min-1 and turnover number (kcat) of 40.39 min-1 under an optimized experimental condition. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the use of the RML-CS-CNWs biocatalysts was promising in affording relatively satisfactory yield of eugenyl benzoate within a reasonably short time. Aside from improving enzymatic operational activity and stability, the immobilization strategy can facilitate rapid and easy removal of the RML-CS-CNWs from the reaction mixture when completed.
A Reactivity Based Emission Inventory for the South Pars and Its Implication for Ozone Pollution Control

The South Pars zone in Iran encompasses the largest gas refineries and petrochemical complexes in the world. In the South Pars zone, elevated concentrations of reactive hydrocarbons co-emitted with nitrogen oxides from industrial facilities lead to substantial ozone production downwind. To understand the role of these emissions on the ozone formation and, to formulate appropriate control strategies in this zone, emissions of precursors of ozone were quantified, and compounds that deserve relatively more attention were determined. To do this, first, a fully- speciated ozone precursors emission inventory was prepared to provide necessary input data for air quality simulation models. Then, the emission inventory was weighted by emitted mass and incremental reactivity scales to determine which compounds deserve relatively more detailed representation in the modeling. Afterward, a photochemical model was applied to determine the ozone sensitivity to its precursors. Finally, source apportionment was done for the most important compounds. Additionally, the reactivity-based inventory was compared with other regions. Results show that nitrogen oxides -sensitive chemistry is dominant in the zone thus the most effective control strategy is the mitigation of the nitrogen oxides emissions. Gas refinery plants have a larger share than petrochemical plants in the nitrogen oxides emission and, the gas turbines are the main sources of nitrogen oxides emission in this region. Emitted volatile organic compounds contain more highly reactive species in comparison with the ambient air composition of typical urban areas and areas with gas production industries. Propylene and ethylene have the most contribution to the ozone formation in comparison with other volatile organic compounds. The major sources of their emissions are the olefin processes and polymer production plants.
Apparent molar properties of glycols in methanol solutions of propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (propylparaben) at T = (293.15 to 308.15) K: an acoustic and volumetric approach

ABSTRACT In the present investigation, densities and sound velocity of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol in the methanol solutions of propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate have been measured at different temperature and p = 0.1 MPa experimental pressure. Apparent molar volume ( ) and apparent molar isentropic compression ( ) have been determined from the experimentally computed density and sound velocity data. The information about limiting apparent molar volume ( ) and limiting apparent isentropic compression ( ) and their respective empirical parameters such as Sv and Sk have been evaluated for each ternary mixture at working temperatures. The values of were computed to enlighten the intermolecular (solute–solvent, solute–solute and solvent–solvent) interactions present in the solution mixture, and ( ) values increase with rise in the temperature for all ternary system of present work. The shows the negative value due to pre-eminence of solute intrinsic effect over solvent intrinsic compressibility.
The Impact of Nutrient and Heavy Metal Concentrations on Waste Dump Soils in Mangrove and Non-mangrove Forest in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study is based on the comparison of nutrient and heavy metal concentrations in soils from waste dump sites in mangrove and non mangrove forest i.e. municipal areas. Nine soil samples were collected randomly at three sites in each location with soil auger, 5 cm below the top soil (n = 18). The soils were placed in polyethylene bags and sent to the laboratory for physicochemical analysis for nutrients: Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Phosphorus (P) and Sulphate (SO4) and heavy metals: Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations. The metals were measured by UV/visible spectrophotometric method using HACH DR 890 colorimeter (wavelength ~ 420 nm). The result indicates that there was no significant difference in heavy metal concentration between mangrove and non mangrove soils (F1, 88 = 0.24, P > 0.05). However, heavy metals were higher in non-mangrove than in mangrove soil. Zinc had the highest overall concentration (37.9±6.7 mg/l) followed by Pb (12.7±3.1 mg/l) and Cu (10.0±1.4 mg/l) in non-mangrove soil, whereas Cd was ten times higher in mangrove (0.4±0.2 mg/l) than in non-mangrove (0.04±0.03 mg/l) soil. The order of heavy metal concentration in mangrove soil is Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd and in non-mangrove soil is Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. In contrast, there was a significant difference in nutrient concentration between mangrove and non-mangrove soils (F1, 88 = 4.39, P Mg>K>SO4>Mn>P and in non-mangrove soil is Ca>Mg>K>Mn>SO4>P. There was a slight a positive correlation between the nutrient and heavy metal concentration (R2 = 0.016, n = 90, P = 0.001). Results show that municipal soil is more polluted with industrial waste than mangrove forest soil as a result of high anthropogenic activities. Thus harmful metals from mangrove and non mangrove soils can enter the food chain and drinking water source leading to adverse health effect.
Development of a novel method for the analysis of acyl carnitine profile using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

Carnitine is a low-molecular-weight compound that has an obligate role in the mitochondrial oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (acyl groups) and energy production. Therefore, acylcarnitines are essential diagnostic markers for complex diseases, fatty acid metabolism disorders, and disorders related to amino acids metabolism. Biochemical screening of the acylcarnitine profile is performed in clinical laboratories using tandem mass spectrometry as the analytical platform. Analysis of acylcarnitine species can become challenging because several species occur in an isomeric form. A selective and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method has been established to analyze an acylcarnitine profile of acylcarnitines with acyl-chain lengths C4-C18. The method includes four isomeric species, two C4 isomers (butyrylcarnitine and isobutyrylcarnitine) and two C5 isomers (2-methylbutyrylcarnitine and isovalerylcarnitine). The analysis was conducted on a Waters Acquity ultra performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in electrospray positive mode. Optimization of separation involved testing various parameters such as mobile phase composition, additives, and effect of ion-pairing reagents. The separation efficiency of the C18 column was compared to amide column to investigate the optimal settings for separation of short-chain polar acylcarnitines. The chromatographic separation was achieved using ACQUITY UPLC HSS C18 (1.8 μm, 2.1 x 100 mm) column. Gradient elution was accomplished with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. High specificity was obtained with MRM operation mode of MS instrumentation. The process of development MRM method involved a series of testing various parameters such as cone voltage, collision energy and flow rate of the collision gas to achieve the optimal set of conditions. Fragmentation of all acylcarnitines provides a characteristic fragment ion of m/z 85. The limit of detection of the acylcarnitine esters including the isomeric species was 10 pg/ml when measured with the optimized MRM method.
Molecular identification of methane oxidizing bacteria from paddy soils and detection methane monooxygenase gene

Methane uptake and production could take place in paddy soil. Methane oxidizing bacteria are the group of bacteria that play role in the methane uptake cycle and known as methanotroph. Methanotroph possess methane monooxygenase that could oxidize methane and short chain haloalkane. Methanotroph in paddy soils play role in controlling methane emission. Identification conducted in order to identify methanotroph from paddy soils. In this study, 5 methane oxidizing bacteria from paddy soils have been identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and pmoA gene encoding particulate methane monooxygenase sequence. Phylogenetic analysis deduced from 16S rRNA gene and pmoA gene showed that 4 bacteria were identified as Methylophilus leisingeri with sequence similarity 99% and pmoA like type II methanotoph, while 1 bacterium was identified as Methylomonas koyamae with sequence similarity 99% and pmoA like type I methanoroph.
Transition Metals in a Cast‐Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot Studied by Silicon Nitride Gettering

The concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni, and Cu in a cast‐monocrystalline silicon ingot grown for solar cell applications are reported. Wafers taken from along the ingot are coated with silicon nitride films and annealed, causing mobile impurities to be gettered to the films. Secondary ion mass spectrometry is applied to measure the metal content in the silicon nitride films. The bulk concentrations of the gettered metals in samples along the ingot are found to be: Cr (3.3 × 1010–3.3 × 1011 cm−3), Fe (3.2 × 1011–2.5 × 1012 cm−3), Ni (1.5 × 1012–1.3 × 1013 cm−3), and Cu (7.1 × 1011–3.2 × 1013 cm−3). For each metal, the lower limit is measured on the wafer from the middle of the ingot, and the higher limit is measured on wafers from the bottom or the top. The results are compared with similar data recently measured on a high‐performance multicrystalline silicon ingot. The results provide insights into the total bulk concentrations of the metals in cast‐grown ingots.
Experimental study on demisting and water recovery of the cooling tower by strengthening the flow fields and condensing in a novel device

Abstract In order to minimize the water loss in wet cooling tower, it was designed a novel water recovery device which consisted of a gas-liquid separation unit (GLSU) and a condensing unit (CU) in this paper. After being cooled by the condensing unit, water vapor was condensed into liquid droplets and mixed with the original water droplets. Then the liquid droplets were recovered by GLSU, which was composed of a cyclone separator (CS) and a fibrous coalescer (FC). The condensing unit was spiral coil pipes. The bottom coil inserted in the cyclone separator could strengthen the flow fields and avoid the back-mixing and re-entrainment phenomenon. A superhydrophobic coating of glass microfibers surface was prepared by dipping the fibrous coalescer into the mixtures of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles. The results showed that when the temperature of cool water was 10 °C, the maximum water recovery efficiency could reach 87%. While without the cool water, the maximum efficiency was only 35%. After setting the bottom coil, the efficiency was 5% higher than without the coil pipes. With superhydrophobic modification of the fibrous coalescer, the efficiency was 6% higher than that without modification. Graphical Abstract
Sharp Logic Switch Based on Band Modulation

The capability of Z2-FET (Zero Impact Ionization and Zero Subthreshold Slope FET) to operate as a sharp logic switch is demonstrated in advanced FD-SOI (Fully Depleted SOI) technology. The operation mechanism is band-modulation which enables remarkable DC performance in terms of ON/OFF current ratio and sharp switch (~1 mV/decade). Z2-FETs have successfully been used for ESD protection and capacitorless DRAM memory, but the presence of an inherent hysteresis has handicapped so far logic applications. However, this letter shows that fast pulses on the gate result in hysteresis-free switching: the device turns ON and OFF at same gate bias. The sharpness of the switch depends on device parameters, bias and speed of operation. Systematic experiments compare the performance of Z2-FETs with dual or single ground-planes.
University in the Art Museum: A Model for Museum-Faculty Collaboration

The Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art is the art museum of the University of Kansas. Its mission is to educate and enrich the lives of the students at the University of Kansas and the broadest audience possible through the collection, study, and presentation of works of art (Spencer Museumof Art, n.d. a). Because the Museum serves as a resource for the teaching and study of art history, fine arts, and the humanities, its collection is comprehensive in nature and comprises more than 22,000 works of art. It spans the history of European, NorthAmerican, and East Asian art. Areas of strength include medieval art; European and American paintings, sculpture, and prints; photography; Japanese Edoperiod painting and prints; and 20th-century Chinese painting. Seven galleries display selections from the permanent collection, and four additional galleries feature temporary or traveling exhibitions (Spencer Museum of Art, n.d. b).
Stabilizing effect of chitosan-poly vinyl alcohol complex on simvastatin loaded nanoformulation

Biopolymers are attractive new and general means of presenting more stable drug delivery system. This is accomplished by encapsulation of polymers to respective drug molecules which offer formation of bonds between them. In this work, chitosan-coated simvastatin nanoformulation was formulated using a method named solvent evaporation technique, and various stability studies were performed. The steadiness of preparation was evaluated by accelerated stability method and forced degradation method. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was utilized to detect the degradant present in formulation after subjecting it in different stress condition. Simulated annealing process for the prediction of nanoformulation stability was also performed. The accelerated stability study was performed at three altered temperature conditions, (i.e.) accelerated temperature (40 ± 2 °C/75 ± 5% RH), room temperature (25 ± 2 °C/60%) ± 5% RH, and freezing temperature (4°C) and change in drug content, solubility, % cumulative drug release, moisture content and molecular weight were calculated. Standard sample and nanoformulation were exposed to different stress conditions (thermal, base, acid, and light). Finally, the percentage of decomposition was calculated by HPTLC method. All stability studies, along with the simulation method, represented the stability of simvastatin in nanoformulation. Establishment of adequate shelf life also was achieved. This work evidenced the extensive stability offered by chitosan polymers to the prodrug simvastatin. Also, give insight when the problem of poor stability of drug molecules limits its practical applicability.
Development and validation of a data logger for thermal characterization in laying hen facilities

ABSTRACT The environmental monitoring in animal facilities that includes collected data storage in a robust, practical and feasible way is a constant challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable data logger for monitoring the air temperature and air relative humidity of aviaries and to assess the adequacy of the design using commercially available reference standard instruments. The experimental data logger was installed together with a commercial data logger, a mercury thermometer and a calibrated Vaisala HMP110 air relative humidity probe in a meteorological shelter. Linear regression analysis was performed with the collected air temperature and air relative humidity to develop calibration equations. The Nash-Sutcliffe Index and the relative error were calculated to validate the experimental data logger. The air temperature and the air relative humidity calibration equations presented Nash-Sutcliffe of 0.993 and -0.281 for the commercial data logger, and 0.913 and 0.932 for the experimental data. The mean relative error of the air temperature readings was 3 and 1% and for air relative humidity 5 and 20%, for the experimental and commercial logger, respectively. The experimental data logger reliably stored all collected data without error to the micro-SD card. The experimental data logger can be considered low-cost and sufficiently accurate for monitoring air temperature and air relative humidity in aviaries, presenting field performance very close to the commercial data logger for air temperature measurement, and better performance than the commercial data logger for the measurement of air relative humidity.
HIV Risk Among Nursing Students in Rwanda : Self-Efficacy, Knowledge and Attitudes

OF THE DISSERTATION HIV Risk among Nursing Students in Rwanda: Self-efficacy, Knowledge and Attitudes by Jacqueline Wosinski Doctor of Public Health Candidate in Health Promotion and Education Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University, 2008 Susanne Montgomery, Chair Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With a prevalence rate of 3.1% in 2006, Rwanda is one of the hardest hit countries. Nurses are often the leading health professionals in rural communities and at the forefront of the fight against the HIV pandemic. Little has been written on how nurses are prepared to intervene successfully along the continuum of HIV prevention and care. A mixed-methods sequential exploratory approach was used to explore this question. In the first phase, cognitive, socio-psychological, and environmental factors of nursing education in Rwanda in regard to HIV prevention and care were qualitatively explored using grounded theory-guided data collection and analysis. Key informant interviews with nursing students, nursing practice instructors and nurses (N=25) completed by observations elicited three themes affecting nursing students' preparedness: perceived risk in the context of stretched resources, sexual risk prevention education and psycho-social counseling. These themes were linked with lack of emotional and cognitive
Design, Synthesis and Antidiabetic Activity of Novel Sulfamoyl Benzamide Derivatives as Glucokinase Activators

The present work has been planned to design, synthesize and evaluate the antidiabetic potential of a series of sulfamoyl benzamide derivatives as potential glucokinase (GK) activators. A new series of sulfamoyl benzamide derivatives was synthesized starting from 3-nitrobenzoic acid and characterized. In silico docking studies were performed to determine the binding interactions for the best fit conformations in the allosteric site of GK enzyme. Based on the results of in silico studies, the selected molecules were tested for their antidiabetic activity in animal studies (alloxan induced diabetic animal model). Compound 7 exhibited highest antidiabetic activity in animal studies. The results of in vivo antidiabetic activity studies were found to be in parallel to that of docking studies. These newly synthesized sulfamoyl benzamide derivatives thus can be treated as the initial hits for the development of novel, safe, effective and orally bioavailable GK activators as therapeutic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Oncoplastic Surgery for Japanese Patients with Centrally Located Breast Cancer: Partial Resection and Reconstruction Using a Local Skin-Glandular Flap

We report the results of oncoplastic surgery in two Japanese patients with centrally located early breast cancer (CLBC). In both patients, their breasts were ptotic, and their lesions were considered to be suitable for breast conservative surgery. Partial mastectomy resection including the nipple-areola complex (NAC) was performed followed by immediate defect repair using a skin-glandular flap. The technique was easy to perform, and the cosmetic outcome was good.
Identification of The Cell Type Expressing The Glycine Transporter 1 (GLYT1) in The Thalamus

vii Table of Content . vii List of Tables . x List of I llustrations. xi List of Figures . xii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Cell Communication in the Central Nervous System . 1 1.2 Glycine . 2 1.2. 1 Glycine: Biosynthesis and Degradation . 2 1.2. 2 Glycine as a Neurotransmitter . 3 1. 3 Glycinergic Synapse and Transporters . 4 1. 3. 1 Glycine Neurotransmission . 4 Glycinergic Inhibitory Neurotransmission . 5 Glycinergic Excitatory Neurotransmission . 6 1.3. 2 Glycine Transporters . 6 Glycine Transporter 1 (GlyT1) . 9 Glycine Transporter 2 (GlyT2) . 11 1.4 The Forebrain . 12 1.4. 1 The thalamus and the Ventral Posterior Medial Thalamic Nuclei . 12 1.5 Overarching Goals and Aims of the Thesis . 13 Chapter 2: Materials and Methods . 15