Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Novel Membranes Made from Blend of Cellulose/Gluten Using Ethylenediamine/Potassium Thiocyanate Solvent System.

Yu, Yang. Novel Membranes Made from Blend of Cellulose/Gluten Using Ethylenediamine/Potassium Thiocyanate Solvent System. (Under the direction of committee chair Dr. Richard Kotek) Current industrial methods for dissolution of cellulose in making regenerated cellulose products are relatively expensive, toxic and dangerous and have environmental problems come with the hazard chemical wastes. To solve these problems, a novel ED/KSCN solvent system was developed, that is cheaper, ecofriendly and highly efficient. These properties of the solvent system were verified in previous studies. The ED/KSCN solvent system was proven to be a suitable solvent for fabricating cellulose (blended with other polymers) membranes. Those membranes were uniform with good mechanical properties. Gluten was used to develop nonporous membranes with cellulose. Composite membranes with good physical and mechanical properties are studied. The improved method of casting membranes provides better membranes than former researchers. Results showed membranes properties are influenced by the ratio of cellulose/gluten. The SEM images show all membranes are uniform and nonporous. The FTIR spectra prove cellulose and gluten are completely dissolved and miscible in the ED/KSCN solvent system. The ED/KSCN can be totally extracted from membranes by methanol. TGA and WAXS reveal the crystallinity of membranes change with different ratio of cellulose/gluten. Tensile properties show the resulting cellulose/gluten blend membranes have good and controllable mechanical properties. The water absorption test indicates that higher gluten concentration render membranes more hydrophobic. Overall, cellulose/gluten blend membranes made in this work are nonporous, uniform, strong, flexible, ecofriendly and renewable. All these properties demonstrate potentials of cellulose/gluten blend membranes for food packaging and medical applications. © Copyright 2016 Yang Yu All Rights Reserved The Novel Membranes Made from Blend of Cellulose/Gluten Using Ethylenediamine/Potassium Thiocyanate Solvent System
Surface-plasmon-based electron acceleration

In this paper, we describe a surface-plasmon-based electron acceleration model, the results of which were supported by our recent experimental observations [S. E. Irvine et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 184801 (2004)]. The model incorporates femtosecond electromagnetic field dynamics and nonlinear electron photoemission characteristics of metallic surfaces. To account for the electromagnetic field structure in space and time, we numerically solve Maxwell's equations in two dimensions. Photoelectron emission is treated quasiclassically in accordance with empirical multiphoton statistics, whereas electron dynamics and energy gain are governed by the Lorentz force. Various aspects of the acceleration mechanism are discussed including surface plasmon coupling and evanescent decay, kinetic energy spectra, angular distributions, angle-resolved energy spectra, and the dependence of maximum energy on the surface electric field.
Partial methane oxidation from electronic structure calculations

Investigating catalytic reactions with computational methods is a powerful approach to understand fundamental aspects of catalytic reactions and find ways to guide catalytic design. Partial methane oxidation is one example of a reaction with intriguing challenges, where a detailed atomistic approach may help to unravel the bottlenecks of this, as of yet, inefficient reaction. Although methane only needs one oxygen atom for conversion to methanol, the direct oxidation is difficult; it is in fact so difficult that at many oil extraction sites, the methane that inevitably accompanies the crude oil is flared into carbon dioxide and water as gas-phase methane is too inconvenient to store and transport. The main challenge with partial oxidation of methane is to selectively control the oxidation and steer it towards methanol and prevent over-oxidation to CO2. There exist natural enzymes that can partially oxidize methane to methanol at ambient pressure and temperature, although very slowly. One inorganic analogue to these naturally occurring enzymes are zeolites, a porous material that can readily be synthesized and that have been shown to convert methane to methanol at ambient conditions with a high selectivity (>90 %). This has been realized for zeolites ion-exchanged with different metals, such as iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper. Although there have been many attempts to determine the active site for the reaction, there is still no consensus. One candidate that has been put forth is a [Cu-O-Cu]2+ motif experimentally characterized in the ZSM-5 zeolite. In this thesis, partial oxidation of methane is investigated, focusing on this dimer motif. By combining density functional theory calculations with microkinetic modelling, the catalytic performance of the dimer motif is investigated with a simple reaction mechanism for copper, but also with the copper atoms exchanged with nickel, cobalt, iron, silver, or gold. From these results, it is clear that this particular dimer site is a relevant candidate only for copper, and can be excluded in the continued search for active sites in nickel, cobalt, and iron ion-exchanged ZSM-5. To further understand how methanol is formed and interacts with Cu-ZSM-5, experimental and calculated infrared frequencies are compared for methanol and other adsorbates. The partial oxidation of methane is also studied for other systems with oxidants other than oxygen. In particular, methane oxidation with H2S to CH3SH and H2 is explored on molybdenum sulfide clusters.
Electrodeposition of Nanostructured ZnO Photoanodes for Their Application in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

In this work it is reported by first time the galvanostatic electrodeposition of nanostructured ZnO films on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates from oxygenated-neutral solution containing Zn(CH3COO)2 and K(CH3COO) at different temperature from 50 to 70°C. Morphological, structural, UV-vis spectra, photoluminescence spectra and photoelectrochemical tests of the electrodeposited ZnO films were measured. The synthesis conditions studied were the parameters temperature and applied current density. SEM results show ZnO films with grains of hexagonal shape, which present different grain size (150-600 nm) as a function of the studied parameters. The optical properties of ZnO films show absorption in the UV-visible region with band gap energy values from 2.92 to 3.15 eV. Through a XRD analysis, we show that the electrodeposition conditions also have an effect in the intensity of (002) polar and (100) no polar planes of electrodeposited ZnO films. Additional results by photoluminescence indicate presence of oxygen vacancies in the electrodeposited ZnO films, which is a factor considered as responsible of enhance electroactivity of ZnO films for oxygen evolution reaction in visible region. Calculations of overall solar to hydrogen efficiency for electrodeposited ZnO films indicate a maximum value of approximately η = 0.65% for ZnO film obtained at j = -1.0 mA cm -2 and 70°C.
METHYLENE BLUE REMOVAL USING A LOWÃ¢ÂÂCOST ACTIVATEDCARBON ADSORBENT FROM MIMUSOPS ELENGI

The present study deals with the removal of Methylene blue from aqueous solution using a low-cost activated carbon prepared from fruits of Mimusops Elengi. Batch adsorption studies were conducted by varying the initial concentration of the adsorbate, adsorbent dosage, contact time and pH. The experimental adsorption data obtained in this study fitted with Lagergren, Intra-particle kinetic equations and as well as Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms.
A Consensus Definition of Misophonia: Using a Delphi Process to Reach Expert Agreement

Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or their associated stimuli that has been characterized using different language and methodologies. The absence of a common understanding or foundational definition of misophonia hinders progress in research to understand the disorder and develop effective treatments for individuals suffering from misophonia. From June 2020 through January 2021, a project was conducted to determine whether a committee of experts with diverse expertise related to misophonia could develop a consensus definition of misophonia. An expert committee used a modified Delphi method to evaluate candidate definitional statements that were identified through a systematic review of the published literature. Over four rounds of iterative voting, revision, and exclusion, the committee made decisions to include, exclude, or revise these statements in the definition based on the currently available scientific and clinical evidence. A definitional statement was included in the final definition only after reaching consensus at 80% or more of the committee agreeing with its premise and phrasing. The results of this rigorous consensus-building process were compiled into a final definition of misophonia that is presented here. This definition will serve as an important step to bring cohesion to the growing field of researchers and clinicians who seek to better understand and support individuals experiencing misophonia.
Single Prime hAd5 Spike (S) + Nucleocapsid (N) Dual Antigen Vaccination of Healthy Volunteers Induces a Ten-Fold Increase in Mean S- and N- T-Cell Responses Equivalent to T-Cell Responses from Patients Previously Infected with SARS-CoV-2

In response to the need for a safe, efficacious vaccine that provides broad immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, we have developed a dual-antigen COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine delivers both the viral spike (S) protein modified to increase cell-surface expression (S-Fusion) and the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein with an Enhanced T-cell Stimulation Domain (N-ETSD) to enhance MHC class I and II presentation and T-cell responses. The vaccine antigens are delivered using a human adenovirus serotype 5 (hAd5) platform with E1, E2b, and E3 regions deleted that has been shown in previous cancer vaccine studies to be effective in the presence of pre-existing hAd5 immunity. Here, we demonstrate the hAd5 S-Fusion + N-ETSD (hAd5 S + N) vaccine antigens when expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) of previously SARS-CoV-2-infected patients elicit Th1 dominant activation of autologous patient T cells, indicating the vaccine antigens have the potential for generating immune responses in patients previously infected or vaccinated. We further demonstrate that participants in our open-label Phase 1b study of the dual-antigen hAd5 S + N vaccine generate Th1 dominant S- and N- specific T cells after a single prime subcutaneous injection and that the magnitude of these responses were comparable to those seen for T cells from previously infected patients. We further present our in silico prediction of T-cell epitope HLA binding for both the first-wave SARS-CoV-2 A strain and the K417N, E484K, and N501Y S as well as the T201I N variants that suggests T-cell responses to the hAd5 S + N vaccine will retain efficacy against these variants. These findings that the dual-antigen hAd5 S + N vaccine elicits SARS-CoV-2-relevant T-cell responses and that such cell-mediated protection is likely to be sustained against emerging variants supports the testing of this vaccine as a universal booster that would enhance and broaden existing immune protection conferred by currently approved S-based vaccines.
Higher Relative Viral Load Excretion Determined by Normalised Threshold Crossing Value in Acute Cases infected with the B.1.1.7 Lineage VOC 202012/01 (Using S gene target failure as a Proxy) When Compared to other Circulating Lineages in Wales

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, global monitoring of the virus using whole genome sequencing has identified mutations occurring across the viral genome. Whilst the majority have little impact on the virus, they are used effectively to monitor the movement of the virus globally and to inform locally on transmission chains. In late 2020, a variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7 - VOC 202012/01) was identified in the UK with a distinct constellation of mutations, including in the spike gene that increased transmissibility. A deletion in spike also affected one of the screening qPCR tests being used in the UK outside of Wales, causing a failure to detect the target. This quickly became a surrogate marker for the variant to allow rapid monitoring of the virus as it seeded into new regions of the UK. A screening study using this assay as a proxy marker, was undertaken to understand the prevalence of the variant in Wales. Secondary analysis of a screening qPCR targeting N and ORF and also included an endogenous control, was also performed to understand viral load excretion in those infected with the variant compared to other circulating lineages. Using a combination of analytical methods based on the Ct values of two gene targets normalised against the endogenous control, there was a difference in the excreted viral load. Those with the variant excreting more virus than those not infected with the variant. Supporting not only increased infectivity but offering a plausible reason why increased transmission was associated with this particular variant. Whilst there are limitations in this study, the method using Ct as a proxy for viral load can be used at the population level to determine differences in viral excretion kinetics associated with different variants.
Emulsion-based systems for fabrication of electrospun nanofibers: food, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Electrospinning is considered a promising technology for fabricating ultrafine fibers via the application of electrostatic repulsive forces. Electrospun nanofibers produced via emulsion electrospinning are widely used as delivery systems to encapsulate bioactive compounds and drugs in food and pharmaceuticals, respectively. Emulsion electrospinning has also gained significant interest for the production of vehicles for sustained and controlled release. There are several parameters affecting the properties of fabricated fibers including the type of emulsion, emulsion composition, electric field strength, conductivity of solution, surface tension, electrode configuration, solution cooling time, dissolution temperature, and solution flow rate; therefore, all these parameters should be precisely controlled to obtain optimum results. Some of the advantages of these fibers are the protection of encapsulated materials from environmental conditions, room temperature processes, release rate control and high loading efficiency. This study presents an overview of the emulsion electrospinning method, its mechanism of action and its applications in both the food and pharmaceutical fields.
A Glucose Biosensor based on Horseradish Peroxidase and Glucose Oxidase Co-entrapped in Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode

In this work, glucose oxidase (GOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co-assembled onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to prepare a novel bi-enzyme electrode. The electrocatalytic performance and electron transfer of GCE/CNTs/GOD-HRP were explored by Cyclic voltammetry (CV). The UV-vis absorption spectroscopy showed that the HRP and GOD formed a protein complex and their structure was well kept. The CVs results also showed that the CNTs enhanced the immobilization of GOD-HRP and facilitated the electron transfer. GOD's biological activity was well kept due to the biocompatible microenvironment provided by the surrounding HRP. The effects of electrolyte pH and scan rate on the catalytic performance of the bienzyme were investigated. The GCE/CNTs/GOD-HRP electrode is used to construct an electrochemical glucose sensor. The sensor showed satisfactory results with a wide linear range from 0.022 to 7.0 mM, a high sensitivity of 5.14 μA mM -1 cm -2 , and a low detection limit of 7 μM. The asprepared sensor also display advantages of good selectivity, high repeatability and reproducibility, and relatively high stability.
Catalytic Decomposition of N2O over Cu–Zn/ZnAl2O4 Catalysts

The catalytic decomposition of N2O was investigated over Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts in the temperature range of 400–650 °C Catalytic samples have been prepared by wet impregnation method. Prepared catalysts were characterized using several techniques like BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 showed higher catalytic performance along with long term stability during N2O decomposition. The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts yielded 100% N2O conversion at 650 °C. The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts are promising for decrease this strong greenhouse gas in the chemical industry.
MgFeSiO4 as a potential cathode material for magnesium batteries: ion diffusion rates and voltage trends

Developing rechargeable magnesium batteries has become an area of growing interest as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries largely due to their potential to offer increased energy density from the divalent charge of the Mg ion. Unlike the lithium silicates for Li-ion batteries, MgFeSiO4 can adopt the olivine structure as observed for LiFePO4. Here we combine advanced modelling techniques based on energy minimization, molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory to explore the Mg-ion conduction, doping and voltage behaviour of MgFeSiO4. The Mg-ion migration activation energy is relatively low for a Mg-based cathode, and MD simulations predict a diffusion coefficient (DMg) of 10−9 cm2 s−1, which suggest favourable electrode kinetics. Partial substitution of Fe by Co or Mn could increase the cell voltage from 2.3 V vs. Mg/Mg2+ to 2.8–3.0 V. The new fundamental insights presented here should stimulate further work on low-cost silicate cathodes for Mg batteries.
The green alga Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides biomass and polysaccharides production determined using cultivation in crossed gradients of temperature and light

The green microalga Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides was identified as promising microorganism for biotechnological production of exopolysaccharides (EPS). In stationary phase the culture suspension solidifies to thick gel, with very high viscosity and high content of EPS which may be interesting for many biotechnological applications. To develop cultivation protocol for maximum biomass/polysaccharide production, the optimum conditions for growth and polysaccharides production were determined in this study using the crossed gradient cultivation method. Temperature and irradiance requirements of Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides were evaluated by statistical analyses for growth rate/biomass, extracellular (EPS) and intracellular (IPS) polysaccharides contents in crossed gradients of temperature (4–45°C) and irradiance (2–18 W/m2, 9.1 – 82.3 μmol/(m2 s)). The maximum relative growth rate was observed at temperatures around 19.2°C and relatively low irradiances in range 2.6–11 W/m2 (11.9–50.3 μmol/(m2 s)). The maximum IPS production was observed at temperatures around 19.2°C and irradiance around 11 W/m2 (50.3 μmol/(m2 s)). The maximum production of EPS was observed at temperatures around 25.7°C and similar irradiances as IPS production. Due to temperature separation of growth and EPS production, development of cultivation protocol based controlled temperature manipulation is possible.
Assessment of the in vitro anti-lipid peroxidative activity of Costus afer stem extract

Objective: Costus afer is a perennial monocot consumed as a remedy for various ailments. The present study investigates the effect of Costus afer stem extract on ferrous/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain, liver and kidney homogenates. The inherent antioxidant and free radical scavenging potentials of the extract were also assessed using various in-vitro models. Methods: Homogenates of isolated tissues were prepared and lipid peroxidation was induced using the ferrous/ascorbate system and subsequently incubated with various concentrations of the extract. The ability of the methanolic extract to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and its ability to reduce ferric ions were investigated. The total antioxidant potential via the phosphomolybdate method was also measured. Results: The results revealed that Costus afer stem extract reduced tissue lipid peroxidation induced by ferrous/ascorbate. The extract also possessed significant antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity via the other in vitro models. In all cases, the effects were concentration-dependent. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Costus afer stem possessed significant antioxidant potential ascribable to important phytochemicals and could protect cells/tissues from reactive oxygen species-induced damage. Thus the plant has high pharmacological and ethnobotanical prospects.
Effect of surface organic modified layered double hydroxide on UV ageing resistance of bitumen

ABSTRACT Layered double hydroxide (LDH) was surface organic modified by γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) and applied to improve UV ageing resistance of bitumen. KH560 has been successfully grafted to the surface of LDH according to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Then, the effect of KH560 surface modified LDH (KH560-LDH) and LDH on physical and rheological properties of bitumen were thoroughly investigated. The results showed that KH560-LDH existed more stably in bitumen and KH560-LDH-modified bitumen possessed better high-temperature performance compared with LDH. After UV ageing, the properties of bitumen became worse obviously. Compared with LDH, KH560-LDH exhibited better improvement on UV ageing resistance of bitumen.
Micromixing enhanced synthesis of HRPIBs catalyzed by EADC/bis(2-chloroethyl)ether complex

In this work, a micromixing module was utilized in the polymerization of isobutylene (IB) initiated by tert-butyl chloride (t-BuCl) and catalyzed by ethylaluminum dichloride (EADC)/bis(2-chloroethyl)ether (CEE) complex for the synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene (HRPIB). Better micromixing performance resulted in HRPIB with narrower molecular weight distribution, where the PDI could be decreased from 3.5 without micromixing module to 2.5 or less. The polymerization rate also increased while the molecular weight and content of exo-olefin end groups of HRPIBs could be adjusted conveniently by the ratio of CEE to EADC and monomer concentration. A dynamic mechanism was proposed to explain the effects of micromixing on the enhanced HRPIB synthesis.