Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic imprinted surface enhanced Raman scattering (MI-SERS) based ultrasensitive detection of ciprofloxacin from a mixed sample

A new method for fast extraction and ultra-sensitive detection of ciprofloxacin based on magnetic imprinted surface-enhanced Raman scattering (MI-SERS) has been developed in this paper. This method is a combination of three techniques, which are a magnetic separation technique, a molecular imprinting technique and a surface-enhanced Raman scattering technique. We designed and fabricated core–shell structured magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) which can be applied to specifically recognise ciprofloxacin and extract it from a mixed system. The whole extraction and clean-up procedures are assisted by a magnetic field, which makes it much easier than traditional centrifugal separation. In addition to this, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was applied as the detection tool, which makes the detection limit for ciprofloxacin by this method as low as 10−9 mol L−1. Furthermore, we integrated these core–shelled magnetic-MIPs on a magnet chip and detected ciprofloxacin from fetal bovine serum. The whole detection process can be finished within ten minutes and the limit of detection by this chip can reach 10−7 mol L−1.
Chemical control of 3T stacking order in a Li-poor biotite mica

Abstract The microstructural features of a biotite (Mg-rich annite) crystal from dacite rocks of Džep, Serbia, were studied by X-ray diffraction topography (XRDT) and high-resolution and analytical transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM and ATEM, respectively). The average chemical composition, obtained by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data, is (K0.87Na0.05Ca0.01)Σ=0.93(Fe2+1.36Mg1.25Ti0.22Al0.14Mn0.03Li0.01)Σ=3.01(Si2.84Al)Σ=4.00O10[(OH)1.53O0. 35F0.10Cl0. 02]Σ=2.00. Inhomogeneous regions from either different polytypes or twins were mapped by XRDT, and these images were used to guide sampling for TEM analysis. Three stacking arrangements, each belonging to subfamily-A of mica polytypes, were identified by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns and HRTEM images: (1) dominant semi-random 1Mr-n(120°), including an occasional repetition of long-period inhomogeneous stacking sequences belonging to the 3T structural series; (2) highly faulted 2M1, sometimes with short-range-ordered long-period inhomogeneous sequences based on the 2M1 structural series; and (3) perfectly ordered 3T stacking repeating over long distances (several micrometers). ATEM data revealed that the microchemical composition of 3T differs from that of the host matrix. The 3T is enriched in interlayer cations (K and Na), and depleted in Si and octahedral cations. No evidence of Li was detected. Compositional control on the stability of 3T stacking is suggested.
Colloidal metal films as a substrate for surface-enhanced spectroscopy

Colloidal films of gold and silver were prepared on glass or quartz slides. The slides were derivatized with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane and subsequently reacted with aqueous metal colloids for variable time periods. The formation of the sulfur-metal bond provides a stable colloidal film on the surface. Because of the electrostatic interaction between individual particles, a semiregular structure is produced, as can be seen from electron micrographs. The unique property of the colloidal film is that they possess the optical properties of colloidal metals and the convenience of solid substrates. The effect of the dielectric constant of solvents on the optical frequencies, as well as the specific interaction of the solvent molecules with the metal on the plasmon resonances, was examined in detail. The colloidal films exhibit strong enhancement of Raman scattering and fluorescence emission from molecules adsorbed on the surface. Enhancement of fluorescence was observed for fluorescein-labeled molecules spaced 0-200 A away from the surface. These substrates can be used in a number of analytical applications, such as surface-enhanced spectroscopies as well as for fundamental studies of plasmon resonances in small metal particles. 40 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
THE DIETARY IMPACT OF CLOVE AND CINNAMON POWDERS AND OIL SUPPLEMENTATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE, ILEUM MORPHOLOGY, AND INTESTINE BACTERIAL POPULATION OF QUAILS

The present study was aimed at assessing the impacts of dietary cinnamon or clove powders and oils on productive performance, morphology, and intestine bacterial population of quails. For this purpose, 420 quail chicks aged one day were randomly assigned into 7 treatments. Each treatment consisted of 15 females and 5 males and included 3 replicates. The chicks were reared for a period of 12 weeks. According to the results, compared to the powder treatments, the oil treatments led to significantly higher improvement in the quails’ body weight, sexual maturity age, egg production (H.D%), feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) (g feed / g egg), FCR (g feed /egg) and egg weight (g), bacterial population of Lactobacillus, and ileum morphology (villus, crypt depth, goblet cell numbers) of small intestine. Moreover, supplementations of cinnamon and clove oils resulted in a decrease in E. coli, enterococcus, and fungi. Cinnamon and clove essential oils were better than their powders in terms of improving the studied characteristics of the quails.
Drop Breakup in Liquid-Liquid Dispersions at an Orifice Plate Observed in a Large-Scale Model

Fine emulsions, i.e., a dispersion of fine liquid droplets in another liquid, can be obtained by forced flow of a coarse predispersion through small orifices. Direct observations of droplets at the original scale is nearly impossible. A promising solution is a large scale-up, considering the most important scale factors. The experiments presented in this paper were conducted on a model 250 times the original size, while maintaining strong hydromechanical similarity. The breakup of single oil droplets in water was documented with a highspeed camera.
Resin development for electron microscopy and an analysis of embedding at low temperature *

We have tested a wide range of acrylate and methacrylate resin formulations and have concluded that embedding resins can be developed which are usable within a broad range of environmental conditions. To demonstrate this versatility, we have designed two highly‐cross‐linked resins, one polar and the other nonpolar, that are usable to temperatures from 243 to 223 K. Both of these resins formulations, which are now commercially available, show that systematic experiments can be easily done to study the effects of environmental parameters, such as water content, temperature, or resin polarity, on biological material during embedding. Using these resins and aldehyde‐fixed protein crystals, it can be shown that low temperature minimizes the loss of molecular structure to an extent that is not often obtainable with conventional methods of dehydration and embedding. Embedded crystals of aspartate aminotransferase still retained molecular order to 0·6 nm. Embedded crystals of catalase show X‐ray diffraction maxima out to 0·8 nm. When sectioned, catalase revealed stain‐limited electron and optical diffraction patterns to 2·5 nm. Nevertheless, our work clearly demonstrates that low temperature embedding procedures are superior and that versatile, general purpose resins can be designed to take advantage of this fact.
Separation and preconcentration of cobalt and nickel with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-1-propanethiol loaded on silica gel

Abstract A high surface area silica has been modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)-1-propanethiol groups. The silica retains its surface area after the treatment. The characteristics of this modified silica and its application to the preconcentration separation of cobalt and nickel prior to determination by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) are described. Both batch and column methods were studied. The experimental parameters such as the effect of pH of the sample and eluent, flow rate of eluent, the column and the amount of silica on sorption and elution has been investigated.
The Structure and Stability of Atomic Liquids: From Clusters to Bulk

Insights into the structure of simple liquids are presented from analysis of the effect of the range of interatomic forces on the multidimensional potential energy surfaces of bulk material and clusters. An understanding at the microscopic level is provided of how the liquid phase is destabilized in systems with very short-range interparticle forces. For small clusters bound by long-range interatomic forces, the lowest energy minimum has an amorphous structure typical of the liquidlike state. This suggests an explanation for the transition from electronic to geometric magic numbers (structures of special stability) observed in the mass spectra of sodium clusters.
Potential of a green alga Botryococcus braunii for simultaneous water purification and biofuel production under open-air condition.

For developing a multipurpose Botryococcus braunii utilization system, in which water purification and biofuel production will be achieved simultaneously, the growth behavior of B. braunii under a simulated open-air condition was clarified, where Microcystis aeruginosa was assumed to coexist. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the typical algae in eutrophic water. The monoculture experiments revealed that the growth rate of a B. braunii strain was lower than that of a microcystin-producing M. aeruginosa strain under various phosphate concentrations. Meanwhile, the phosphate uptake rate of B. braunii was higher than that of M. aeruginosa. In the batch monoculture experiments, the promising hydrocarbon production of B. braunii was observed within a wide range of initial phosphate concentrations (11 to 216 mg-PO43-/L). In the two-algal species mixed culture experiments, the growth characteristics were different with the coexisting species. When a non-microcystin-producing M. aeruginosa strain was cultured with B. braunii, the domination of M. aeruginosa within the experimental period was observed especially in the cases where the initial biomasses of M. aeruginosa were high compared to those of B. braunii. On the other hand, when microcystin-producing M. aeruginosa was cultured with B. braunii, the abundant microcystin production was observed without domination of M. aeruginosa. These results suggested the importance of the effective utilization of the high phosphate uptake ability of B. braunii, and the control of the initial biomass ratio of algae for the realization of B. braunii system under the open-air condition.
QUANTIFICATION OF ZABOFLOXACIN IN RAT PLASMA USING HPLC-UV DETECTOR AND ITS APPLICATION TO A PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY

This paper presents a simple, rapid, and sensitive method of investigating the pharmacokinetics of zabofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic agent used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens. The method presented involves the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (UV) detection without an internal standard. Zabofloxacin was separated using an isocratic elution on a Capcell Pak C18 column using an acetonitrile–methanol–phosphate buffer (1 g of KH2PO4 and 1 g of heptane sulfonic acid sodium salt in 720 mL of purified water) and a 1 M tetrabutylammonium dihydrogenphosphate solution (18.5:8.5:72:1, by volume) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min with UV detection at 275 nm. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) and the upper limit of quantification (ULOQ) were 100 ng/mL and 20000 ng/mL, respectively, with acceptable linearity in the range from 100 to 20000 ng/mL (R > 0.999). The intra- and inter-day accuracy (RE) ranged from −8.2% to 1.8% and the intra- and inter-day precision (CV) ranged from 3.8% to 10.6% for zabofloxacin. In addition, stock solution stability, recovery, freeze–thaw effects, and short-term and long-term stability met the acceptance criteria. Following oral administration of zabofloxacin to rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg, the concentration of zabofloxacin was readily quantifiable in plasma samples up to 8 hr post-dose. This suggests that a validated assay can be used to study the pharmacokinetics of zabofloxacin in rats.
Chemical characterization and stability of the Bombacopsis glabra nut oil.

The aim of this study was to characterize the Bombacopis glabra nut oil (Malvaceae-Bombacoideae) by the determination of its lipid content and fatty acid composition with emphasis on the cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA). The lipids were obtained by five different extraction conditions:(raw almonds: maceration with ethyl ether (I-MA) and n-hexane (II-MA), both at room temperature, and Soxhlet extraction with hexane for 6 (III-MA) and 12 h (IV-MA) and toasted almond: maceration with hexane at room temperature (V-MA)). Additionally, the oxidation stability of oil by the Rancimat test and the boiling point by thermal analysis (technical TG / DTG) were evaluated. The oil content ranged from 34.99 (I-MA) to 47.36% (IV-MA); oxidation stability was 4.18 h and the boiling point was 373.37 ℃. It should be noted that results about thermal and oxidative stability are been reported for the first time with respect to Bombacopis glabra nut oil. The major oil constituents were palmitic acid (56.06%) and esterculico (24.83%). The high percentage of CPFA oil, determined by NMR 1 H (26.2 to 30.9%) and GC-FID (26.5%), reinforce that the kernels of this species are not suitable for human consumption.
Refrigerant Selection – Global Environment, Thermodynamics, Safety and Efficiency†

Introduction In the early decades of refrigeration development, refrigerants, out of known and available chemicals, were identified and used. No special fluids were made and used. Cycles and systems were progressively developed to make closed systems. The main objective was to produce cooling. Safety (toxicity and flammability) and efficiency were not parameters. In China, before the first millennium, ice was harvested and stored. Hebrews, Greeks and Romans placed large amounts of snow into storage pits and insulated it with wood and straw. Evaporative cooling, dating back to 3000 BC, was used by Egyptians in earthenware jars to produce cold water. Later, aqueous salt mixtures were used to produce temperatures as low as −20°C. William Cullen, in 1748, was also the first to demonstrate the production of cold by evaporation of ethyl ether. William Cullen, in 1755, used water as the first refrigerant in a closed refrigeration system. Oliver Evans proposed ethyl ether, in a closed cycle to produce ice from water. Jakob Perkins built the first vapour compression refrigeration system by using sulphuric (ethyl) ether from India rubber as the refrigerant. An American physician, John Gorrie was granted the first US patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. James Harrison (Australian) built early commercial refrigerating machines for ice making in breweries by using 29 T H IN V E N T A A C . K . M U R T H Y
Guanidine and Amidine Organocatalysts for Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4. 0]dec-5-ene (TBD), N-methyl-TBD (MTBD), and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4. 0]undec-7-ene (DBU) are effective organocatalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters such as lactide (LA), δ-valerolactone (VL), and e-caprolactone (CL). TBD is shown to polymerize LA, VL, and CL in a fast and controlled manner, whereas MTBD and DBU polymerized LA and addition of a thiourea cocatalyst led to the ROP of VL and CL being achieved. Each of the catalysts produced polymers displaying high end group fidelity, good correlation between theoretical and observed molecular weight, and linear relationships between conversion and molecular weight. The enhanced activity of TBD relative to MTBD and DBU is attributed to its bifunctionality, enabling the simultaneous activation of both the cyclic ester monomer and the alcohol group of the initiator/propagating species. Temperature-dependent NMR studies generated individual association constants for MTBD with benzyl alcohol and thiourea with VL.
Proton spin–lattice relaxation in nematic microdroplets

The frequency and temperature dependences of the proton spin–lattice relaxation rate have been studied in nematic droplets embedded in a solid polymer matrix. The comparison of these data to those for bulk nematic and pure polymer samples shows that cross‐relaxation between liquid crystal and polymer protons dominates the liquid crystal relaxation in the MHz frequency region, while at low frequencies the translationally induced molecular rotation becomes important. The cross‐relaxation rate is found to be ≈103 s−1 giving an order of magnitude estimate 10−4–10−3 s for the time for which a liquid crystal molecule is bonded to the surface.
Ecoulements pulsés de fluides inélastiques en conduite tronconique ou déformable

L'objet du present travail consiste a mettre en evidence, dans un ecoulement non permanent, certains effets caracteristiques dus au comportement inelastique du fluide, a la geometrie tronconique ou a la deformabilite de la conduite. Les determinations de repartition de pression et de profils de vitesses sont faites a l'aide de quatre methodes : une methode de perturbation, une methode analytique, une methode numerique aux differences finies et une methode experimentale mettant en œuvre la velocimetrie a laser. Les resultats obtenus peuvent permettre une meilleure connaissance de certains aspects d'ecoulements sanguins.
Responsive Hybrid Polymeric/Metallic Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications

The aims of the current study were to synthesize new responsive polymeric microgels with embedded silver nanoparticles and then to employ these particles as catalyst for reduction reactions. To these ends, stimuli-responsive microgels from PNIPAAm and the chitosan derivative were firstly synthesized by free radical precipitation polymerization. Then, silver nanoparticles were synthesized inside these microgel networks by in situ reduction of AgNO3. These microgels were temperature/pH sensitive with a phase transition temperature of 32‐358C in water at pH ¼3 and 8, respectively. The catalytic activity of the Ag nanoparticles for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol can be tuned through the swelling or collapse of the responsive microgel network hosting the active nanoparticles.
Quality Control of Honey Using Infrared Spectroscopy: A Review

Abstract Honey is a carbohydrate-rich syrup and viscous fluid produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of flowers that, by definition, does not include any other substances. Honey is produced primarily from floral nectars, and fructose and glucose are the major components. Overall, the chemical composition of honey varies depending on plant source, season, production methods, and storage conditions. Analytical methods applied to honey generally deal with different topics such as determination of botanical or geographical origin, quality control according to the current standards, and detection of adulteration or residues. Traditional chemical composition analysis and physical properties assessment are routinely performed in commercial trading of honey using time-consuming analytical methods that require considerable sample preparation and analytical skills. Spectroscopic techniques in the infrared (IR) wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum have been used in the food industry to monitor and evaluate the composition of foods and are becoming one of the most attractive and commonly used methods of analysis. This review discusses the use, with advantages and limitations, of IR spectroscopy technologies to evaluate and monitor the composition of honey.
Modeling of the Size Distribution Resulting from Dissolution of Spherical Solid Particles in Turbulent Flow

The process of dissolution of solid particles in turbulent flow regime is of importance in many industrial applications. A new size distribution takes place due to dissolving during the motion of a solid–liquid suspended system in a stirred vessel. An analytical relationship was derived to represent the concentration profile in diffusion boundary layer between solid and liquid. An expression was obtained between mass transfer flow from spherical particle area and particle size changing with time during dissolution of solids. A mathematical model was developed for calculating particle size distribution varying with time during dissolution of spherical solid particles. The Focker–Planck equation was used to construct the distribution function varying with particle size. Model parameters were estimated by the Genetic Algorithm, the validity of the model was confirmed with experimental data.
High-Pressure Rare Earth Disilicates REE2Si2O7(REE=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd): Type K

Abstract A new structure type (K) is reported for the disilicates of Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd made at high pressure. Crystals of type K were synthesized at 10 GPa, 1600–1700°C in an MA6/8 superpress and used for single-crystal X-ray structure study by Kappa CCD diffractometry at room temperature. Crystal data are: monoclinic, space group P 2 1 / n , Z =4; Nd 2 Si 2 O 7 − a =6.6658(2), b =6.7234(3), c =12.3975(6) A, β =102.147(3)°, V =543.2 A 3 , R =0.029, and D x =5.584 g/cm 3 ; Sm 2 Si 2 O 7 − a =6.6039(3), b =6.6849(3), c =12.3069(5) A, β =102.489(3)°, V =530.4 A 3 , R =0.038, and D x =5.871 g/cm 3 ; Eu 2 Si 2 O 7 − a =6.5777(3), b =6.6652(4), c =12.2668(8) A, β =102.671(4)°, V =524.7 A 3 , R =0.030, and D x =5.976 g/cm 3 ; Gd 2 Si 2 O 7 − a =6.5558(4), b =6.6469(4), c =12.2394(6) A, β =102.844(3)°, V =520.0 A 3 , R =0.026, and D x =6.166 g/cm 3 . The type K structure is built from a diorthosilicate group [Si 2 O 7 ] interconnected by REE 3+ cations in eightfold coordination with oxygen. The bridging oxygen (Si–O–Si) bond angle of the diorthosilicate group of rare earth disilicates stable at 1 bar (types A to G) is related to spatial accommodation of the REE 3+ cation and ranges from 130 to 135° in the light rare earth disilicates (types A, F, G) to 180° in Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 (type C). Volume reduction in the high-pressure type K structure is achieved largely by closure of the Si–O–Si bond angle to 122.7–124.4°, through rigid body rotation of the two SiO 4 tetrahedra. This also permits a marginal increase in the average coordination of the REE 3+ cation.
Adsorption equilibrium of xylene isomers and p-diethylbenzene on a prehydrated BaX zeolite

The present work deals with the study of adsorption equilibria of xylenes and p-diethylbenzene on a prehydrated BaX zeolite at 175 and 130 °C. The adsorption isotherms of single components recorded by a thermogravimetric method show that the adsorption affinity of the zeolite and the adsorbate/adsorbent interaction energy at low loading are about the same for the three aromatics and that, at 175 °C, the adsorption capacities are the same for the three components. The adsorption of binary and ternary mixtures in the liquid phase has been performed by a chromatographic method. The results show that the selectivity depends on the composition of the liquid phase and on the temperature. Moreover, for the two mixtures p-xylene/m-xylene and p-diethylbenzene/m-xylene, the effect of temperature appears only on the preferentially adsorbed component, p-xylene and p-diethylbenzene, respectively. Tentative interpretations in terms of adsorption sites are proposed. Last, the Langmuir−Freundlich model describes the vari.