Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative Effect of Vitamin E on Oxidative Stress Induced by Bisphenol A in Female Albino Rats

Objective: Oxidative stress is induced by bisphenol A (BPA) and affects many organs. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant which prevents the activity of free radicals. This study was aimed to clarify the effect of vitamin E on the oxidative stress induced by chronic administration of BPA. Materials and methods: 30 female albino rats were divided into 3 groups (10/each); group1: control rats, group 2: rats treated with bisphenol A (20 mg/ kg.B.wt) for three months, and group 3: rats treated with bisphenol A (20 mg/kg.B.wt) for three months, then treated with BPA and vitamin E (0.57/100 g B.wt) for other 15 days. Results: BPA induced hormonal disrupt in liver and kidney dysfunctions and hyperlipidemia. Vitamin E ameliorated all these parameters. Conclusion: since we exposed to many harmful disruptions and oxidative stress compounds, we must take vitamin E as a protective agent.
Aminolevulinic acid synthase of Rhodobacter capsulatus

Aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) is the initial enzyme of heme biosynthesis in humans, animals and some bacteria. It catalyzes the condensation of succinyl-CoA and glycine to yield aminolevulinic acid (ALA), Coenzyme A and CO2. To clarify details of its catalytic mechanism thirteen Rhodobacter capsulatus ALAS (ALASRc) variants were generated, purified and kinetically characterized. Variants of ALASRc for trapping the second intermediate in the ALAS reaction mechanism, 2-amino-3-ketoadipate, in cysteine-free ALAS background were generated. By performing single turnover experiments we were able to detect the second quinonoid. With the reaction with O-methylglycine we verified the occurrence of the first quinonoid as a clear indication for the presence of ketoadipate intermediate. Additionally, crystallization and initial X-ray diffraction experiments were carried out. Another focus was on the binding and supply of the succinyl-CoA substrate. Amino acid residues interacting with the carboxylate group of succinyl-CoA were exchanged. The results of stopped-flow kinetic analyses indicated that the residues R21, T83, N85 and I86 play a pivotal role in binding of the succinyl-CoA carboxylate group and contribute to a slow ALA release. Substrate analog studies revealed the strict specificity of wild-type ALASRc for its substrates glycine and succinyl-CoA. Interestingly, acyl-CoA derivatives sustained partial ALAS acitivity indicating a less strong discrimination. The contribution of T365-ALASRc catalysis localized on the dynamic loop region between the amino acids 358-374 of the C-terminal domain was investigated. Mutant enzymes were generated and first results indicate that the conformational change of the ALAS enzyme was due to succinyl-CoA binding. Finally, amino acid residues which were proposed to be responsible for the interaction with the β-subunit of the succinyl-Coenzyme A synthetase (βSCS) were exchanged and stand by for interaction studies. In summing crucial steps of ALAS catalysis, investigated with a combined kinetic and structural biology approach using mutant enzyme variants, were elucidated at the molecular level.
CO-OXIDATION REACTION ACTIVITY OF Pt CLUSTER CATALYSTS ON Ti0.9MO0.1O2 SUPPORT

Platinum-based heterogeneous catalysts are critical to many important commercial chemical processes. However, their efficiency is extremely low on a per metal atom basis, because only the surface active-site atoms are used. Catalysts with clusters of atom dispersions are thus highly desirable to increase atom efficiency, but making them is challenging. Here we report the synthesis of a catalyst that consists of isolated clusters of Pt atoms anchored to the surfaces of Molybdenum-doped titanium oxide nanocrystallites. This cluster-atom catalyst has extremely high atom efficiency and shows excellent stability and activity for CO oxidation. The result showed that the highest activity and stability of catalyst with 0.2 wt. % loading of Pt are observed. These could be due to the partially vacant 5d orbitals of the positively charged, high-valent Pt atoms.
Variation of physical and rheological properties of fly ash slurries with particle size and its effect on hydraulic transportation at high concentrations

ABSTRACT In thermal power plants, fly ash is collected at the bottom of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) hoppers and transported to common sump for further disposal to the ash pond by slurry pipelines. The fly ash from different fields of ESP hoppers vary widely in particle size as well as quantity. Depending on the sequence of evacuation, the overall particle size distribution (PSD) would vary with time which in turn would affect the head requirement in the high concentration slurry disposal (HCSD) system. Fly ash samples from different fields of ESP hoppers of a thermal power plant have been analyzed for their physical properties namely the PSD, specific gravity, settling characteristics, pH of the slurry, etc. and for rheological properties in the concentration range of 60–70% (by weight). The particle size (dwm) of the fly ash samples decreases with the increase in ESP field, whereas the static settled concentration and specific density increase. The pH values of all samples are almost constant and nonreactive in nature. The rheological properties namely yield stress and Bingham viscosity of the fly ash slurries from different fields of ESP hoppers increase with increase in concentration. Further at any given concentration, these parameters exhibit a strong dependence on particle size. Using these properties and treating the distribution of particles across the pipe cross section as homogeneous in the concentration range of 60–70% (by weight), CFD computations are made to evaluate the head requirement in a HCSD pipeline. The head loss increases with increase in concentration for all fields of ESP hoppers. The present study also shows that head requirement varies significantly by mixing different proportion of fly ash from different ESP fields.
Effective suppression of nanotextured black silicon surface recombination channels by aluminum oxide: comparison from sputtered and ALD grown films

Effective surface passivation of nano-textured silicon (NT-Si) using sputtered aluminum oxide (AlO x ) films is demonstrated and compared with the atomic layer deposition (ALD) grown AlO x films. Silver-assisted wet chemical etching is used to obtain sub-wavelength size features of black NT-Si, and then the NT-Si surface is chemically polished to minimize the surface defect states that act as trap centres for charge carriers. The NT-Si surface passivation is characterized by the density of interface trap states (D it) and the fixed charge density (Q f), which also correlate with the surface recombination rate (S eff). For the sputtered AlO x films, the estimated D it and Q f are ∼4 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2 and ∼7 × 1012 cm−2, respectively, yielding the S eff of ∼34 cm s−1. Whereas, for the ALD AlO x films the estimated D it, Q f, and S eff are ∼1.6 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2, ∼7.4 × 1012 cm−2, and ∼20 cm s−1, respectively. The chemical and field-effect passivation are evident for the ALD AlO x films with the reduced S eff. However, the sputtered AlO x films have shown only an indication of field-effect passivation with a small variation in the Q f. Still, the observed larger D it is due to the sputtering damage on the NT-Si surface compared to ALD AlO x films.
Tautiniai aspektai Lietuvos ūkio politikoje 1919-1940 metais

Pratarmė -- Kiekybiniai rodikliai (1923 m. rugsėjo 17 d. visuotinis gyventojų surasymas) -- Bendrieji ūkinės raidos rodikliai -- Statistiniai indeksai (makroekonominiai rodikliai) -- Nominalieji ir realieji makroekonominiai indeksai -- Ūkio statistikos raida -- Makroekonominių rodiklių skaiciavimas Rytų Pabaltijyje 1924–1940 metais -- Nacionalinės pajamos Rytų Pabaltijyje tarpukariu ir Madisono projektas -- Lietuvos ūkio tautinė struktūra ir socialinių skirtumų ūkio struktūroje problema tautiniu aspektu -- Žydai -- Lenkai -- Vokieciai -- Pabaiga -- Mokslinė literatūra -- Ethnic aspects in the national economic policy from 1919 to 1940
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions and inter-urban gravity

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have grown rapidly in recent years and are a major part of foreign direct investment (FDI). However, M&A distribution is highly skewed, with most of the activity concentrated in certain countries and even in certain cities. Only a handful of cities account for most M&As. Unlike many previous studies that have relied on a gravity model approach using the bilateral volume of FDI, this study examines the determinants of cross-border M&As by applying an FDI gravity model to inter-city investment flows in the world. The empirical results, which are based on panel data of M&A flows across 44 major cities in the world from 2010 to 2017, show that besides the basic attributes used in conventional gravity models, such as market size and distance between origin city and destination city, urban-specific attributes such as the agglomeration of the world’s top-ranked firms and the number of foreign residents have a statistically significant explanatory power for inward M&As.
On Finding the Right Sampling Line Height through a Parametric Study of Gas Dispersion in a NVB

The tracer gas method is one of the common ways to evaluate the air exchange rate in a naturally ventilated barn. One crucial condition for the accuracy of the method is that both considered gases (pollutant and tracer) are perfectly mixed at the points where the measurements are done. In the present study, by means of computational fluids dynamics (CFD), the mixing ratio NH3/CO2 is evaluated inside a barn in order to assess under which flow conditions the common height recommendation guidelines for sampling points (sampling line and sampling net) of the tracer gas method are most valuable. Our CFD model considered a barn with a rectangular layout and four animal-occupied zones modeled as a porous medium representing pressure drop and heat entry from lying and standing cows. We studied three inflow angles and six combinations of air inlet wind speed and temperatures gradients covering the three types of convection, i.e., natural, mixed, and forced. Our results showed that few cases corresponded to a nearly perfect gas mixing ratio at the currently common recommendation of at least a 3 m measurement height, while the best height in fact lied between 1.5 m and 2.5 m for most cases.
Adjoint slip inversion under a constrained optimization framework: revisiting the 2006 Guerrero slow slip event

To shed light on the prevalently slow, aseismic slip interaction between tectonic plates, we developed a new static slip inversion strategy, the ELADIN (ELastostatic ADjoint INversion) method, that uses the adjoint elastostatic equations to compute the gradient of the cost function. ELADIN is a 2-step inversion algorithm to efficiently handle plausible slip constraints. First it finds the slip that best explains the data without any constraint, and then refines the solution by imposing the constraints through a Gradient Projection Method. To obtain a self-similar, physically consistent slip distribution that accounts for sparsity and uncertainty in the data, ELADIN reduces the model space by using a von Karman regularization function that controls the wavenumber content of the solution, and weights the observations according to their covariance using the data precision matrix. Since crustal deformation is the result of different concomitant interactions at the plate interface, ELADIN simultaneously determines the regions of the interface subject to both stressing (i.e. coupling) and relaxing slip regimes. For estimating the resolution, we introduce a mobile checkerboard analysis that allows to determine lower-bound fault resolution zones for an expected slip-patch size and a given stations array. We systematically test ELADIN with synthetic inversions along the whole Mexican subduction zone and use it to invert the 2006 Guerrero Slow Slip Event (SSE), which is one of the most studied SSEs in Mexico. Since only 12 GPS stations recorded the event, careful regularization is thus required to achieve reliable solutions. We compared our preferred slip solution with two previously published models and found that our solution retains their most reliable features. In addition, although all three SSE models predict an upward slip penetration invading the seismogenic zone of the Guerrero seismic gap, our resolution analysis indicates that this penetration might not be a reliable feature of the 2006 SSE.
Synthesis of Symmetric Ethers Using Monocationic and Dicationic Acidic Ionic Liquids

A series of monocationic and dicationic -SO3H functionalized Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) are synthesized using different amines int.al., N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, 1-methylimidazole, pyridine and alkylating agents 1,3-propane- and 1,4-butanesultones. The Hammett acidity (H0) and thermal properties by TG-DSC techniques are investigated. These ionic liquids have been applied to catalyze the dehydration reaction of aliphatic long chain alcohols (1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol) at 195 °C. The optimization of reaction conditions and use of dicationic ionic liquids allow to reach rather high yields of symmetric diheptyl ether and dioctyl ether. The reusability of ionic liquids is evaluated using monocationic [PyPS][HSO4], dicationic [TMEDAPS][HSO4] ionic liquids and 1-heptanol.
Conservation of the conformational dynamics and ligand binding within M49 enzyme family

The hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was employed to investigate conformational dynamics and ligand binding within the M49 family (dipeptidyl peptidase III family). Six dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP III) orthologues, human, yeast, three bacterial and one plant (moss) were studied. According to the results, all orthologues seem to be quite compact wherein DPP III from the thermophile Caldithrix abyssi seems to be the most compact. The protected regions are located within the two domains core and the overall flexibility profile consistent with semi-closed conformation as the dominant protein form in solution. Besides conservation of conformational dynamics within the M49 family, we also investigated the ligand, pentapeptide tynorphin, binding. By comparing HDX data obtained for unliganded protein with those obtained for its complex with tynorphin it was found that the ligand binding mode is conserved within the family. Tynorphin binds within inter-domain cleft, close to the lower domain β-core and induces its stabilization in all orthologues. Docking combined with MD simulations revealed details of the protein flexibility as well as of the enzyme–ligand interactions.
Pengambilan Keputusan Strategis Berbasis EFAS / IFAS / SFAS dan AHP

Buku ini memberikan petujuk bagi pengambil keputusan dalam memecahkan persoalan-persoalan strategis, untuk kemudian melilahnya menjadi faktor-faktor yang mendukung dan menghambat sesuai kaidah SWOT Analysis. Melalui pedekatan Extenal Faktors Analysis Summary (AFAS) dan Internal Factors Analysis Summary (IFAS) yang dikombinasikan dnegan teknik Anlytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), keseluruhan faktor eksternal dan internal organisasi dipetakan dalam Analisis Posisi Strategis Organisasi, yang dengan metode Strategic Factors Analysis Summary (SFAS) kemudian diurai ke delam program-rogram kerjja jangka Pendek, Menegah dan Panjjang sesuai strategi utama (grand strategy) yang paling selaras dengan situasi dan kodisi organisasi. Buku ini juga menjelaskan tentang berbagai metode lain dalam pengambilan keputusan yang dapat dijadikan akternatif sesuai kompleksitas permasalahan yang dihadapi pengambilan keputusan.
Análise da Produção Científica sobre Transformative Consumer Research e Transformative Service Research

Abstract Transformative Consumer Research (TCR) has emerged to fill the gaps and overcome fragmentation in the field of consumer research in the well-being domain. This movement gave rise to Transformative Service Research (TSR), which is aimed at identifying and evaluating the well-being effects arising from the services. The objective of this paper was to map the scientific production on TCR and TSR, based on a bibliometric analysis and a content analysis of a sample consisting of 114 studies available in the Scopus, SciELO and SPELL databases. Our study offers a map of the most productive journals and authors, the most impactful studies and an analysis of thematic categories and some network analyses. The results show a slight increase in the interest on the topic, which indicates the need for intensified research in the field, especially focused on areas of study such as economic vulnerability, obesity, alcohol and drug consumption, individuals with physical disabilities, environmental practices, and adoption of sustainable strategies, technology and social services. In the Brazilian context, we identified the need to disseminate the themes in the academic field, that is, postgraduate programs in marketing area, scientific journals and conferences. Finally, our study is considered a call for a change in the perspectives of researchers and journal reviewers in the field of consumer studies.
Atomic emission detector with gas chromatographic separation and cryogenic pre-concentration (CryoTrap–GC–AED) for atmospheric trace gas measurements

Abstract. A gas detection system has been developed, characterized, and deployed for pressurized gas-phase sample analyses and near-real-time online measurements. It consists of a cryogenic pre-concentrator (CryoTrap), a gas chromatograph (GC), and a new high-resolution atomic emission detector (AED III HR). Here the CryoTrap–GC–AED instrumental setup is presented, and the performance for iodine (1635 ± 135 counts I atom−1 pptv−1), sulfur (409 ± 57 counts S atom−1 pptv−1), carbon (636 ± 69 counts C atom−1 pptv−1), bromine (9.1 ± 1.8 counts Br atom−1 pptv−1), and nitrogen (28 ± 2 counts N atom−1 pptv−1) emission lines is reported and discussed. The limits of detection (LODs) are in the low parts per trillion by volume range (0.5–9.7 pptv), and the signal is linear to at least 4 orders of magnitude, which makes it a suitable method for diverse volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements in the atmosphere, even in remote unpolluted regions. The new system was utilized in a field study in a boreal forest at Hyytiälä, Finland, in late summer 2016, which made monoterpene measurements possible among other VOCs. Furthermore, pressurized global whole-air samples, collected on board the Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 IAGOS–CARIBIC aircraft in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere region, were measured with the new setup, providing data for many VOCs, including the long-lived organosulfur compound carbonyl sulfide.
Identifying “Optimal” Electrocatalysts: Impact of Operating Potential and Charge Transfer Model

Understanding the influence of potential on electrochemical surface reaction kinetics remains a challenge in identifying catalytic materials for numerous important reactions including water splitting (OER), hydrogen evolution (HER), and CO2 reduction, among others. Limitations in computational methods, complicated by the unique environment of the electrode–electrolyte interface, have compelled many studies to focus on the thermodynamics of reaction schemes and to generalize inferences about the kinetics of charge transfer. In instances where activation barrier estimates are available, they are typically assumed to follow the empirical Butler–Volmer (BV) model. In this Perspective, we illustrate that the relative magnitudes and potential-dependences of elementary barriers can have a marked effect on the properties of a catalyst deemed “optimal” for a given reaction. We use a simple pseudosteady-state analysis of two sequential surface-mediated charge transfers to assess the degree of rate control of each s.
Design and Synthesis of Efficient Phosphorus Flame Retardant for Polycarbonate

Phosphorus flame retardants have been considered to be ineffective for polycarbonates (PCs). In light of the recognition that the high efficiency of sulfonate salts is due to the base catalyzed decomposition of polycarbonate, a tertiary amine group is incorporated into a 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) derivative which was synthesized from DOPO, paraformaldehyde, and piperazine (DFPZ). DFPZ shows excellent flame retardancy and enables PC to achieve a UL-94 V0 rating at only 3%. In contrast, despite the close similarities in the structures, DPZ with a direct P–N bond synthesized from DOPO and piperazine is much less effective. It requires 10% of DPZ for PC to gain a UL-94 V0 rating. On the basis of the study of diphenyl carbonate/flame retardants and the results of thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, inductively coupled plasma analysis, and morphology of PC/flame retardants, the base catalyzed decomposition of PC that leads to severe dripping is the key .
Transfer of a Single Layer Graphene

Graphene is a truly outstanding 2D material that holds the promise of revolutionizing the world with its many applications. All this expectation requires a high-quality graphene synthetized and transferred at large scale. Unfortunately, such industrial graphene is not currently feasible due the difficulty of the transfer even though its synthesis via chemical vapour deposition is becoming viable. Graphene is synthetized on a metal substrate, rendering graphene transfer an absolute necessity for use in electronic applications. A very recent transfer method, named direct transfer, has been proposed based on the electrochemical delamination that gives some hope in the matter. However, it is a method that still needs optimization by understanding its basis and by studying new target materials. In this sudy, the intercalation of different ions/molecules during the electrochemical delamination is discussed. According to literature, during the electrochemical delamination H2 bubbles produced at the cathode are responsible for delaminating the graphene. This work contradicts it, by saying that it is not the H2 bubbles but rather charged species of the electrolyte. A cathodic and anodic study was made, where solutions with ions that would undergo electrochemical reactions in and outside the electrochemical window (EW) of water were tested. This thesis concluded that only if the cation/anion reaction is outside the EW or that the charged species will not react that the graphene would delaminate. Sodium hydroxide is the standard electrolyte used although it originates sodium contamination in graphene but now, electrolytes such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide and chloride and tetraethylammonium hydroxide can be used instead, avoiding at last sodium contamination in graphene devices. Furthermore, this work also briefly discusses graphene adhesion to the target substrate and suggests, perhaps, hydrogen silesquioxane as target substrate due its capability of being transformed partially in SiO2 after curing and avoiding the doping caused by the previous target substrate used.