Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterocyclic Amines and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cooked Meat Products: A Review

Abstract This review was carried to assess the occurrence and nature of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cooked meat products. HCAs are a group of mutagenic compounds detected in cooked meats, especially well-done meats. HCAs are formed as a result of reactions between amino acids and creatine at high temperatures of cooking. HCAs of importance are 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), IQ, and MeIQ. On the other hand, PAHs in cooked meat products are formed as a result of pyrolysis of fat which form intermediate products at high temperatures of cooking. Several studies have been carried on PAHs especially in cooked foods in the last few decades as a result of the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of some members, especially benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benz[a]anthracene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene which are probably carcinogenic in humans, while benzo[b]-fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,e]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]pyrene, dibenz[a,i]pyrene, dibenz[a,l]pyrene, 5-methylchrysene, and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene are possibly carcinogenic in humans. According to European Union, the maximum levels for benzo[a]pyrene and other PAHs in processed foods were laid down in Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 where maximum levels for certain contaminants in different foodstuffs were set. A maximum level for the sum of the four probable human carcinogenic PAHs namely benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene was included in Regulation (EU) No. 835/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006. Several organizations have evaluated occurrence and toxicity of PAHs in different foods, beverages, and water, like the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR), the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This could be seen in various legislations established on HCAs and PAHs in foods from different countries all over the world. These regulatory standards, rules and guidelines are set by the regulatory agencies to protect people from the risks of taken excess HCAs and PAHs and possible health effects.
Optimization of Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE) of Anthocyanins from Black Glutinous Rice and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Properties

In the present study, the green technological approach Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE) was employed for the extraction of anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and their antioxidant activities from black glutinous rice. The effects of ethanol concentration, amplitude and time were investigated using Box – Behnken design and extraction conditions were optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal ethanol concentration, extraction time and amplitude were 70%, 5 min and 65% respectively. The maximum anthocyanin content, TPC and antioxidant activity were found as 50.33 mg cyn-3-glucosidase/gram fresh weight ml, 136.17 mg GAE/g, 80.14% for DPPH and 239.94mg AAE/g. Statistically, only concentration of ethanol indicated significant effect on the extraction. The ethanol concentration of 55% gave high yield of anthocyanins, TPC and antioxidant activities. In the case of amplitude and time, there was no significant difference compared to ethanol concentration. This study to a certain extent revealed important bioactive properties of black glutinous rice. i.e, the high antioxidant activity, presence of anthocyanins and TPC. 
Improved Photovoltaic Efficiency and Amplified Photocurrent Generation in Mesoporous n = 1 Two-Dimensional Lead–Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells

We utilized two organic dications containing, respectively, a pyridinium and an imidazolium core to construct new n = 1 (where n refers to the number of contiguous two-dimensional (2D) inorganic layers, i.e., not separated by organic cations) 2D lead–iodide perovskites 1 and 2. The former material exhibits a (100)- and the latter a very rare 3 × 3 (110)-structural type. Compared with primary ammonium functionality, their constituent ring-centered positive charges have lower charge density. As a result, [PbI6]4– interoctahedral distortions of the inorganic lattice in 1 and 2 are reduced (Pb–I–Pb bond angles are as high as 166° and 174°, respectively). This results in bathochromically shifted optical features. In addition, the compact nature of the dications produces extremely short lead–iodide sheet separations, with respective iodide–iodide (I···I) distances as small as 4.149 and 4.278 A. These are among the shortest separations of adjacent lead–iodide layers ever reported for such materials. When crystal.
Developing a New Sensing Technology for Double-Stranded DNA Detection Utilizing Engineered Zinc Finger Proteins and Nanomaterials

A specific double-stranded DNA sensing system is of great interest for diagnostic and other biomedical applications. Zinc finger domains, which recognize double-stranded DNA, can be engineered to form custom DNA-binding proteins for recognition of specific DNA sequences. As a proof of concept, a sequence-enabled reassembly of TEM-1 β- lactamase system (SEER-LAC) was previously demonstrated to develop zinc finger protein (ZFP) arrays for the detection of a double-stranded bacterial DNA sequence. Here, we implemented the SEER-LAC system to demonstrate the direct detection of pathogenspecific DNA sequences present in E. coli O157:H7 on the lab-on-a chip. ZFPs customdesigned to detect shiga toxin in E. coli O157:H7 were immobilized on the cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) chip, which can function as a non-PCR based molecular diagnostic. Pathogen-specific double-stranded DNA was directly detected by engineered ZFPs immobilized on the COC chip, providing a detection limit of 10 fmole of target DNA in colorimetric assay. Therefore, in this study, we demonstrated a great potential of ZFP arrays on the COC chip for further development of a simple and novel lab-on-a chip technology for detection of pathogens. Antibiotic resistance is a serious, and rapidly growing global threat. Here, we designed a novel screening method to detect antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in bacteria using a graphene oxide-based biosensor utilizing engineered ZFPs. Two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) sheet possesses unique electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. The quenching ability of GO can create novel methods for detection of biomolecules. Our approach utilizes quenching of fluorescence signal by GO in the absence of target ARGs, but restoring the signal in the presence of target ARGs. Quantum dot (QD)- labeled ZFP can bind to GO via stacking interactions of aromatic and hydrophobic residues in conjunction with hydrogen bonding interaction between hydroxyl or carboxyl groups of GO and hydroxyl or amine groups of the protein. Due to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between QD and GO when they are in close proximity, fluorescence signal of QD-labeled ZFP is expected to be quenched. In the presence of target DNA, the bound DNA-protein complex is released from GO, restoring the fluorescence signal.
Cryo‐Immunogold Electron Microscopy

This unit describes subcellular localization of proteins/antigens using high‐resolution cryo‐immunogold electron microscopy, which allows study of topological biochemistry at the ultrastructural level. This is the most sensitive procedure for immunodetection of antigens on ultrathin sections prepared from chemically fixed cells or tissues, since aldehyde fixation is the only denaturation step. The omission of harsh organic solvents (such as those used for plastic embedding) ensures better preservation of protein antigenicity. Support protocols describe how to embed fixed material in gelatin, cryosection, and mount the sections on Formvar‐coated grids.
Theoretical Investigation of CO2 Activation and Chemical Conversion on Catalytic Nanoparticles

Growing fossil fuel consumption to meet energy demands has led to elevated levels of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere, which could have a significant impact on the environment. Novel methods for CO2 utilization by catalytic conversion to useful chemicals and fuels are of marked interest for the mitigation of the greenhouse gas footprint. We used electronic structure calculations to assess the conversion of CO2 by metal nanocatalysts. Our work was focused on Cu based, M-doped (M= Ni and Zr) heterogenous nanoparticles and their adsorption and activation of CO2. The strong adsorption and activation of CO2 we observed was attributed to nanoparticle charge transfer to CO2. Due to the oxophilic nature of Zr, the interaction of CO2 with oxidized Cu-Zr was also assessed. We determined that oxidized Zr sites on Cu-Zr can still adsorb and activate CO2 which indicated that Cu-Zr nanoparticles are promising materials for CO2 conversion to industrially relevant products. As an alternative to traditional heterogeneous catalysts, we used computational methods to investigate ligand-protected Au nanoclusters as electrocatalysts for the conversion of CO2 to CO. We found that CO2 electroreduction over fully ligand-protected nanoclusters was not feasible because of unfavorable energies required to stabilize CO2 reduction intermediates. However, we determined that it is thermodynamically feasible to remove ligands from the nanoclusters at experimentally applied potentials. The generated surface sites on the partially ligand-removed nanoclusters were shown to be active for CO2 reduction as they significantly stabilized reduction intermediates. The generated sites were also active for H2 evolution, which agrees with experimental observations that these two processes compete. Interestingly, we found that a specific mode of ligand removal results in a catalyst that was both active and selective for CO2 reduction. In this work, we used computational tools to provide insights into the effects of nanoparticle morphology and composition on the electronic properties of the nanoparticle. Using these insights, we developed active and selective catalysts for CO2 conversion. Our investigations into nanoparticle properties and metal-adsorbate interactions, rationalized experimental observations and could serve as design guidelines for developing catalysts for valuable fuels and chemicals production from CO2.
Superior Electronic and Dielectric Properties of Corrugated Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Over Graphene Oxide Papers

This work establishes that the frequency and temperature-dependent electronic and dielectric properties of electrochemically reduced graphene (ERGO) are higher than graphene oxide (GO) papers by 2 orders of magnitude. There is stronger polarization as a result of increased concentration of reduced clusters and thinning of graphene sheets in ERGO papers, first ever electrochemically reduced paper from GO. In GO, there is a greater dependence on frequency due to a higher percentage of interlayer O–H bonds. Dielectric permittivity increases with decreasing frequency due to stronger polarization and reduced conduction losses. At very high frequencies, greater conduction losses are responsible for lower values of dielectric permittivity of ERGO papers compared to GO papers. The “U” or “W” profile (σ vs T curves) of temperature dependent conductivity was due to thermally activated transport, residence time and ionic scattering of charge carriers. The recovery of conducting and dielectric properties at higher temperatures were due to the transition from graphene–ion–cloud to a graphene–air dielectric multi-nano-capacitor system. The latter had more sp2–carbon cluster concentration and increased electrical percolation supportive of band-like or variable range electron transport. Higher activation energies along ln σT vs T−1/2 plot are associated with delocalization of charge carriers from their potential wells, thermally activated carrier transport and frequency of the electronic field. <br>
Biological activities of Sorbus aucuparia L. leaves extract

Biological activities of Sorbus aucuparia L. leaves extract was tested in our study. Antineurodegenerative activity was evaluated by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitory activity assays while antioxidant activity was by tested using four different assays. In all antioxidant test we noticed concentration dependent activity of tested extract and the highest applied concentration of 500 μg/ml was the most active. Extract applied in concentration of 200 μg/ml showed higher percent of inhibition in DPPH test compared to both applied concentrations of standard substances BHA and BHT (50 and 100 μg/ml). In ABTS test, activity of extract applied in 500 μg/ml was comparable or higher then BHA and BHT/Vitamin C, respectively. Moreover, all concentrations of tested extract were significantly more active in s -carotene test than vitamin C. The lowest concentration of extract (100 μg/ml) was the most active in TYR assay reaching 42.57 % of the inhibition while in AChE assay there was not statistically significant differences among all applied concentrations.
STUDI PENGELOLAAN SAMPAH PLASTIK DI PANTAI KUTA SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKAR MINYAK

Sampah plastik merupakan salah satu indikator pencemar pantai, terlebih pada musim tertentu sampah plastik di lautan akan singgah ke tepi pantai sehingga mengganggu fungsi pantai sebagai tempat rekreasi. Permasalahan sampah ini juga menjadi masalah bagi sebagian pantai di Bali termsuk Pantai Kuta. Sebagai salah satu ikon wisata Bali sudah seharusnya Pantai kuta terbebas dari sampah plastik, sehingga pengolahan sampah plastik dirasa perlu untuk diusahakan. Adapun alternatif penanganan sampah plastik yang saat ini banyak diteliti dan dikembangkan adalah mengubah sampah plastik menjadi bahan bakar. Mengubah sampah plastik menjadi bahan bakar minyak dapat dilakukan dengan proses cracking. Ada tiga macam proses yaitu hydro cracking, thermal cracking dan catalytic cracking. Bahan bakar dihasilkan dari cracking sampah plastik tergantung pada jenis plastik, proses retak yang digunakan, katalis jenis, suhu pyrolisis dan suhu kondensor. Bahan bakar dari sampah plastik ini diharapkan dapat mensubstitusi bahan bakar solar. Selain diubah menjadi bahan bakar, plastik juga dapat diolah menjadi bahan pembuat karbon aktif
Operators for Similarity Search: Semantics, Techniques and Usage Scenarios

This book provides a comprehensive tutorial on similarity operators. The authors systematically survey the set of similarity operators, primarily focusing on their semantics, while also touching upon mechanisms for processing them effectively. The book starts off by providing introductory material on similarity search systems, highlighting the central role of similarity operators in such systems. This is followed by a systematic categorized overview of the variety of similarity operators that have been proposed in literature over the last two decades, including advanced operators such as RkNN, Reverse k-Ranks, Skyline k-Groups and K-N-Match. Since indexing is a core technology in the practical implementation of similarity operators, various indexing mechanisms are summarized. Finally, current research challenges are outlined, so as to enable interested readers to identify potential directions for future investigations. In summary, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the field of similarity search operators, allowing readers to understand the area of similarity operators as it stands today, and in addition providing them with the background needed to understand recent novel approaches.
Shallow and Undoped Germanium Quantum Wells: A Playground for Spin and Hybrid Quantum Technology

Buried‐channel semiconductor heterostructures are an archetype material platform for the fabrication of gated semiconductor quantum devices. Sharp confinement potential is obtained by positioning the channel near the surface; however, nearby surface states degrade the electrical properties of the starting material. Here, a 2D hole gas of high mobility (5 × 105 cm2 V−1 s−1) is demonstrated in a very shallow strained germanium (Ge) channel, which is located only 22 nm below the surface. The top‐gate of a dopant‐less field effect transistor controls the channel carrier density confined in an undoped Ge/SiGe heterostructure with reduced background contamination, sharp interfaces, and high uniformity. The high mobility leads to mean free paths ≈ 6 µm, setting new benchmarks for holes in shallow field effect transistors. The high mobility, along with a percolation density of 1.2 × 1011cm−2, light effective mass (0.09me), and high effective g‐factor (up to 9.2) highlight the potential of undoped Ge/SiGe as a low‐disorder material platform for hybrid quantum technologies.
Foliar nitrogen dynamics of an invasive legume compared to native non-legumes in fynbos riparian zones varying in water availability

The legume Acacia mearnsii invades South Africa’s fynbos riparian zones and may alter the nitrogen (N) dynamics and supply in these areas that typically support few native N fixers. Nitrogen uptake by A. mearnsii may also be influenced by water availability, potentially affecting riparian-specific performance and impact estimations. We expected to find functional differences between the invasive legume and the two co-occurring but non-leguminous native species Brabejum stellatifolium and Metrosideros angustifolia. We also wanted to examine whether in-situ water availability affected N source or uptake inthe invasive species. We found A. mearnsii was indeed functioning differently from non-N-fixing native species, and had considerably higher foliar %N. Interestingly, 15N abundance and uptake were associated with site hydrology, meaning water availability should be scrutinised when assuming N-fixing in A. mearnsii using δ15N. Nonetheless, higher water availability to A. mearnsii in fynbos riparian ecosystems did increase foliar N uptake. This has implications for prioritizing clearing of sites with increased nutrient deposition, such as dense stands in relatively moist riparian zones.
Investigating Ocean Deoxygenation During the PETM Through the Cr Isotopic Signature of Foraminifera

Over the past several decades, oxygen minimum zones have rapidly expanded due to rising temperatures raising concerns about the impacts of future climate change. One way to better understand the drivers behind this expansion is to evaluate the links between climate and seawater deoxygenation in the past especially in times of geologically abrupt climate change such as the Palaeocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a well‐characterized period of rapid warming ~56 Ma. We have developed and applied the novel redox proxies of foraminiferal Cr isotopes (δ53Cr) and Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce*) to assess changes in paleoredox conditions arising from changes in oxygen availability. Both δ53Cr and Cr concentrations decrease notably over the PETM at intermediate to upper abyssal water depths, indicative of widespread reductions in dissolved oxygen concentrations. An apparent correlation between the sizes of δ53Cr and benthic δ18O excursions during the PETM suggests temperature is one of the main controlling factors of deoxygenation in the open ocean. Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1210 in the Pacific and 1263 in the Southeast Atlantic suggest that deoxygenation is associated with warming and circulation changes, as supported by Ce/Ce* data. Our geochemical data are supported by simulations from an intermediate complexity climate model (cGENIE), which show that during the PETM anoxia was mostly restricted to the Tethys Sea, while hypoxia was more widespread as a result of increasing atmospheric CO2 (from 1 to 6 times preindustrial values).
The effect of combined TPF and intensity modulated radiotherapy after TPF induction chemotherapy on locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF) regimen followed by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS A total of 150 patients with locally advanced NPC [American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 2009 stage IIIa-IVb] received 2 or 3 cycles of a TPF regimen as induction chemotherapy. A group of 67 participants (TPF group) continued to receive TPF chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the remaining 83 participants (P group) received cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy. RESULTS A median follow-up of 35 months (4-66 months) showed that there was no significant difference between P group and TPF group in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The incidence rate of myelosuppression at 3-4 degrees was 16.9% and 34.3% in the P group and TPF group (P=0.029), respectively, and the oral mucosa reaction at 3-4 degrees was 18.1% and 37.3% in the P group and TPF group, respectively (P=0.007). The 3-4-degree skin reaction in the P group and TPF group was 15.7% and 29.9% (P=0.030), respectively. The rate of liver function injury in the P group was significantly lower than that in TPF group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the concurrent TPF regimen and IMRT showed no significant improvement in OS and PFS in patients with advanced NPC, but exhibited more severe hematologic toxicity, oral mucosal responses, skin reactions, and liver functional impairment.
Molecular structure, vibrational spectroscopic and chemical reactivity of nematogenic p-n-alkylbenzoic acids: A comparative computational analysis

Abstract Molecular structure and vibrational spectroscopic studies of higher homologous series nematogenic p-n-alkylbenzoic acids (nBAC) that have 6 (6BAC) and 7 (7BAC) carbon atoms in the alkyl chain have been investigated using the Density Functional Becke3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) level with the basis set 6-31++G (d.p) and Hartree Fock (HF) with the same basis set. The observed vibrational spectra has been resolved and assigned in detail for comparision with both the molecules. These results indicate that DFT and HF values are slightly different at both the levels. A comparision of chemical reactivity such as HOMO (EH), LUMO (EL) energies, energy gap (Eg), ionization energy (I), electron affinity (A), electro negativity (χ), chemical hardness (η), electronic chemical potential (μ), electrophilicity index (ω), and softness (S) has been made. It has been observed that the decrement has occurred in the energy band gap value of isolated molecule with increment in alkyl chain length. This provides valuable information regarding enhancing the stability of liquid crystal materials by maintaining the conductivity.
Dia- and Rok-dependent enrichment of capping proteins in a cortical region

ABSTRACT Rho signaling with its major targets the formin Dia, Rho kinase (Rok) and non-muscle myosin II (MyoII, encoded by zip in flies) control turnover, amount and contractility of actomyosin. Much less investigated has been a potential function for the distribution of F-actin plus and minus ends. In syncytial Drosophila embryos, Rho1 signaling is high between actin caps, i.e. the cortical intercap region. Capping protein binds to free plus ends of F-actin to prevent elongation of the filament. Capping protein has served as a marker to visualize the distribution of F-actin plus ends in cells and in vitro. In the present study, we probed the distribution of plus ends with capping protein in syncytial Drosophila embryos. We found that capping proteins are specifically enriched in the intercap region similar to Dia and MyoII but distinct from overall F-actin. The intercap enrichment of Capping protein was impaired in dia mutants and embryos, in which Rok and MyoII activation was inhibited. Our observations reveal that Dia and Rok-MyoII control Capping protein enrichment and support a model that Dia and Rok-MyoII control the organization of cortical actin cytoskeleton downstream of Rho1 signaling. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.