Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of in vitro reduction of hexavalent chromium by cell-free extract of Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201.

Aims: This study aims at to evaluate the hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] reduction potential of crude cell-free extracts of chromium resistant and reducing bacterium Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201 and determination of optimum conditions for Cr(VI) reduction for possible bioremediation of Cr pollutants. Place and Duration of Study: Chromium reduction studies with Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201, was undertaken in the Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata during 2010-2012. Methodology: Cell-free extract was prepared from freshly grown cell mass of Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201 following the standard procedure. Cell mass suspended in Tris-HCl was sonicated (120 KHz for 30 min), centrifuged (12,000×g at 4oC for 10 min) and the supernatant (S12) was used as the cellfree extract (CFE). Chromate reductase activity of the CFE was assayed colorimetrically using 1, 5-diphenylcarbazide as the complexing reagent. Results: Chromate reductase activity of CFE of Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201 was constitutive in nature and reduced Cr(VI) with decreasing efficiency as the concentration of Cr(VI) was increased. Its Km and Vmax were 263.45 M Cr(VI) and 17.5 U mg protein respectively. Reduction of Cr(VI) was optimal at pH 7 and 32oC but was extremely Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 3(3): 325-338, 2013 326 thermolabile. NADH was the most suitable electron donor, and the chromate reduction was enhanced by Cu(II) and Fe(III), but inhibited by Hg(II). Among the different inhibitors tested, 2, 4-dinitrophenol (DNP) restored nearly 96.4% reductase activity, while carbonyl cyanidem-chloro phenyl hydrazone (CCCP) was most inhibitory to the process. Conclusion: It has been established that the Cr(VI) reduction potential of the cell-free extract of Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201 is promising and could be exploited in the bioremediation of toxic hexavalent chromium.
Recently Naturalized Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha Displays Contrasting Genetic Diversity and Climate Relationships Compared to Native Populations

Paraseriantheslophantha subsp. lophantha (Leguminosae) is native to southwestern Australia, but has become naturalized in eastern Australia and in countries around the world. Previous studies have investigated the introduction sources for P. lophantha subsp. lophantha overseas, but here, we expand on the knowledge of genetic patterns in its native and naturalized range in Australia. Genetic patterns were examined using nine nuclear microsatellite loci and three chloroplast DNA markers. The native populations exhibited phylogeographic patterns, including north-south differentiation, and a genetic signal related to temperature gradients. Naturalized Australian populations displayed lower overall genetic variation and no phylogeographic patterns. Several naturalized populations separated by large distances (350–650 km) shared multi-locus genotypes, supporting the notion of a shared source of germplasm and possible inbreeding due to human-mediated introductions from a limited number of individuals and/or source populations within the native range. We advocate that management strategies are tailored to the distinct conservation aims underpinning conservation in native or naturalized populations. Within the native distribution, management should have a long-term aim to replicate historical evolutionary processes, whereas in naturalized populations, immediate actions may be required to reduce the abundance of P. lophantha subsp. lophantha and minimize its invasive impact on the recipient vegetation.
Influence of Stabilizing Ion Content on the Structure, Photoluminescence and Biological Properties of Zr1–xEuxO2–0.5x Nanoparticles

Quasi-spherical nanoparticles of ZrO2 containing EuO1.5 from 2 to 15 mol. % were synthesized from the chlorides of the corresponding metals under hydrothermal conditions. The structural changes of Zr1–xEuxO2–0.5x (x = 0.02 ÷ 0.15) nanoparticles depending on the content of europium (III) ions were studied using the complementary methods (X-ray diffraction, electron microdiffraction, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy). It was shown that increasing the Eu3+ concentration in the Zr1–xEuxO2–0.5x nanoparticles leads to a transition from the equilibrium monoclinic zirconia phase to metastable tetragonal and cubic polymorphic modifications. In this case, the size of the nanoparticles decreases from 11.5 nm to 9 nm; the specific surface area grows from 80.2 to 111.3 m2/g, and the electrokinetic potential increases monotonously from −8.7 to 16.3 mV. The evolution of the phase composition of Zr1–xEuxO2-0.5x nanoparticles from monoclinic to tetragonal/cubic allomorphs with an increase in the molar fraction of stabilizer ions was correlated with changes in the sublevel structure of 5D0 → 7F2 and 5D0 → 7F4 optical transitions for Eu3+ in the luminescence spectra. Besides, for the nanoparticles obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from chlorides, the quantum efficiency does not exceed 3%. According to the M.T. T. assay, as a result of three-day human fibroblast cultivation in the aqueous dispersion of Zr1–xEuxO2–0.5x (x = 0.02 ÷ 0.15) nanoparticles, the proliferation activity of the cells is maintained, indicating that they do not have cytotoxic properties. Such nanoparticles can be used in organic–inorganic composites for medical applications in order to strengthen the polymer scaffolds and visualize changes in their structure within time.
Dynamic Tension Deformation of Rare-Earth Containing Mg-1.9Mn-0.3Ce Alloy Sheet along the Rolling Direction at Various Temperatures

The tensile properties of rare-earth containing Mg-1.9Mn-0.3Ce alloy sheet along the rolling direction were experimentally investigated within the strain rate and temperature ranges of 0.001–1300 s−1 and 213–488 K. The obtained stress-strain responses of the alloy sheet indicate that both yield strength and strain-hardening rate increase when the strain rate increases, whereas they decrease with increase of temperature. Microscopic examination results show that basal slip, prismatic slip, and {101¯2} tension twinning take place in the tensile plastic deformation, while the occurrence of twinning is not obviously affected by the rate and temperature. Tensile samples tend to fracture in a ductile mode with increasing strain rate and temperature.
Analytical modeling and simulation of a multifunctional segmented lithium ion battery unimorph actuator

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are able to achieve large deformation and high actuation force when using a unimorph configuration and a silicon composite anode. Distribution of charge to different segments allows for shape change with only small parasitic losses due to internal resistance. A unique attribute of LIB actuators are their ability to maintain actuation shape. The actuation mechanism also requires no power to be consumed to maintain the deformed shape. Segmenting the unimorph improves the customizability and allows for spatial variation of the unimorph parameters. Spatially varying the charge and thickness of the unimorph along the length improves the range of motion and complex shapes achievable by this design. Spatially varying the thickness of the unimorph specifically allows for improved blocked force and actuation force per volume. An analytical model is developed to predict several key actuator metrics. Free deflection is found for a variety of example cases. Blocked deflection and blocked force are also found using a novel modified equivalent end moment method. Actuation force is found using a combination of both the free deflection and blocked force equations herein developed. Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is used, including the effects of beam segmentation and curvature shortening. This model and a commercial finite element analysis simulation are compared and experimentally verified.
Investigation of Scale Conversion for Inductive Power Transfer in Series-Series Configuration

Nowadays, inductive wireless power transfer is widely used in various applications over a large power range. However, for high power systems, testing the magnetic coupler implementation often requires too much time, space, and expense for normal laboratory conditions. For such a reason, a miniaturized system is a viable alternative to the actual system for a preliminary test of transfer characteristics and control strategy before constructing the full-scaled system. This paper studies the scale conversion rules required for miniaturized coupler design to ensure the scaled and original systems are as equivalent as possible to each other in terms of transfer characteristics. To verify the proposed theory, a 1:15 scaled magnetic coupler was constructed, and its transfer characteristics were compared with the original system. The proposed scaling rules were tested by experiment, and the results agree well with the theoretical analysis and simulation.
Urban Overheating and Cooling Potential in Australia: An Evidence-Based Review

Cities in Australia are experiencing unprecedented levels of urban overheating, which has caused a significant impact on the country’s socioeconomic environment. This article provides a comprehensive review on urban overheating, its impact on health, energy, economy, and the heat mitigation potential of a series of strategies in Australia. Existing studies show that the average urban heat island (UHI) intensity ranges from 1.0 °C to 13.0 °C. The magnitude of urban overheating phenomenon in Australia is determined by a combination of UHI effects and dualistic atmospheric circulation systems (cool sea breeze and hot desert winds). The strong relation between multiple characteristics contribute to dramatic fluctuations and high spatiotemporal variabilities in urban overheating. In addition, urban overheating contributes to serious impacts on human health, energy costs, thermal comfort, labour productivity, and social behaviour. Evidence suggest that cool materials, green roofs, vertical gardens, urban greenery, and water-based technologies can significantly alleviate the UHI effect, cool the ambient air, and create thermally balanced cities. Urban greenery, especially trees, has a high potential for mitigation. Trees and hedges can reduce the average maximum UHI by 1.0 °C. The average maximum mitigation performance values of green roofs and green walls are 0.2 °C and 0.1 °C, respectively. Reflective roofs and pavements can reduce the average maximum UHI by 0.3 °C. In dry areas, water has a high cooling potential. The average maximum cooling potential using only one technology is 0.4 °C. When two or more technologies are used at the same time, the average maximum UHI drop is 1.5 °C. The mitigation strategies identified in this article can help the governments and other stakeholders manage urban heating in the natural and built environment, and save health, energy, and economic costs.
Making Intensity of Efforts the Same: Commensuration Work in Target-setting Practices

Extant literature on target-setting indicates that responding to achievability-related criticisms towards ex ante targets through repair actions are of significance in restoring fairness and maintaining the legitimacy of performance systems. By drawing on empirical materials on responses to unfairness criticisms raised against target-setting practices in a bank, the study shows that such legitimation work also requires responding to equity-related criticisms. Equity implies that, when situations differ, targets must be differentiated to make the intensity of efforts the same. This study shows that legitimately differentiating targets requires an original and highly complex commensuration work. This work is original because compared to prior commensuration studies it concerns the commensuration of efforts and not of entities. This work is complex because it is difficult to account for all differences during target-setting and because such differentiation can be made mechanically and discretionally, each form of differentiation bringing its own source of illegitimacy. Moreover, it is also complex because it is a distributed work, involving numerous actors with multiple concerns. Such commensuration work then appears to be continuous and dynamic. This complements prior studies in target-setting, which have focussed mainly on dyadic relations between a superior and a subordinate and on single-period adjustments to targets.
Intimate Partner Violence against Women in the EU: A Multilevel Analysis of the Contextual and Individual Impact on Public Perceptions

Abstract Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) poses severe threats to women’s health and rights. This study investigates the role of country context and gender equality in shaping individual perceptions of the severity of IPVAW. Multilevel logistic regression analyses of a Eurobarometer survey on attitudes toward IPVAW from 27 EU states showed that male gender, young age, low education, low self-assessed social position and particularly perceiving IPVAW as uncommon were associated with perceiving IPVAW as less severe. The likelihood of perceiving IPVAW as less severe was higher in countries with low gender equality. Between-country variance accounted for 14% of the variability, while country-level gender equality accounted for 22% of the between-country variance. We conclude that efforts toward strengthening perceptions of IPVAW as a severe issue should focus on awareness-raising and on increasing country-level gender equality.
A viscoelastic analysis of inelastic X-ray scattering spectra from He/Ne mixtures

A generalization of the viscoelastic model to binary systems has been applied to analyze inelastic X-ray scattering spectra from a He0.8Ne0. 2 mixture. Experiments have been carried out at temperature T = 82 K and number density n = 18.5 nm−3. In order to test the reliability of such a generalization, we measured a few representative spectra. The model exhaustively describes the experimental data and provides a determination of the spectral densities of the separate mixture components as well as those of both density and concentration fluctuations. These results can be considered as a first test for further developments.
Revisiting the limits of photon momentum based optical power measurement method, employing the case of multi-reflected laser beam

In this work, we review the viability and precision of the photon-momentum-based optical power measurement method that employs an amplification effect caused by a multi-reflected laser beam trapped in an optical cavity. Measuring the total momentum transfer of the absorbed and re-emitted photons from a highly reflective surface (reflection of the laser beam from an optical mirror) as a force provides the possibility of measuring the optical power with direct traceability to SI units. Trial measurements were performed at two different metrology laboratories: the laboratory for mass/force at the Technical University of Ilmenau, and the clean room laser radiometry laboratory at PTB, with a portable force measurement setup consisting of two electromagnetic force compensation balances. We compared the results of the optical power measurements performed with the force measurement setup, via the photon-momentum-based method, with those performed using a calibrated reference standard detector traceable to PTB’s primary standard for optical power, the cryogenic radiometer. The comparison was carried out for an optical power range between 1 W and 10 W at a wavelength of 532 nm, which corresponds to a force of approximately 2000 nN at the upper limit, yielding approximately 2.3% relative standard uncertainty in the case of 33 reflections. Thus, conflating the high-precision force metrology technique at μN to nN levels with the optical setup required to achieve specular multi-reflection configuration of the laser beam, where a macroscopic optical cavity with ultra-high reflective mirrors (>99.995%) can adjustably be suspended from the force sensors, depending on required geometry of reflections, we show that the uncertainty of the optical power measurements upon further increase of the nominally applied optical power, the number of laser beam reflections, or the reflectivity coefficient of the mirrors can be markedly reduced.
Speeded-Up Robust Features-based image mosaic method for large-scale microscopic hyperspectral pathological imaging

Microscopic hyperspectral imaging technology has been widely used in pathological analysis as it can obtain both spatial and spectral information of samples. However, most hyperspectral imaging systems can only capture images in a single field of view. Therefore, an image mosaic is one of the most important steps in a large-scale microscopic hyperspectral imaging system. This paper proposes a microscopic hyperspectral image (HSI) mosaic method based on Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) and linear synthesis to achieve large-scale HSIs. In contrast to other SURF-based image mosaic methods, the proposed method leverages both image content and coordinate information to improve the accuracy and stability of the image mosaic. In addition, multiple bands of HSIs with different texture information and grayscale are applied in image matching to take full advantage of spatial redundancy. Simultaneously, a blank microscopic HSI screening method is introduced in this paper to pick out a clearer blank image for better preprocessing, i.e. removing interference in the optical path and the interference of dust on slides. Finally, the preprocessed images are synthesized by linear-based synthesis methods due to their simple synthesis structure and better universality. Additionally, a file format, i.e. hyperslide, is defined for large-scale HSIs and can be browsed with HyperViewer software. Experimental results show that the proposed microscopic HSI mosaic method can obtain high-quality large-scale microscopic HSIs of tissue sections.
Linking the Remote Sensing of Geodiversity and Traits Relevant to Biodiversity - Part II: Geomorphology, Terrain and Surfaces

The status, changes, and disturbances in geomorphological regimes can be regarded as controlling and regulating factors for biodiversity. Therefore, monitoring geomorphology at local, regional, and global scales is not only necessary to conserve geodiversity, but also to preserve biodiversity, as well as to improve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Numerous remote sensing (RS) approaches and platforms have been used in the past to enable a cost-effective, increasingly freely available, comprehensive, repetitive, standardized, and objective monitoring of geomorphological characteristics and their traits. This contribution provides a state-of-the-art review for the RS-based monitoring of these characteristics and traits, by presenting examples of aeolian, fluvial, and coastal landforms. Different examples for monitoring geomorphology as a crucial discipline of geodiversity using RS are provided, discussing the implementation of RS technologies such as LiDAR, RADAR, as well as multi-spectral and hyperspectral sensor technologies. Furthermore, data products and RS technologies that could be used in the future for monitoring geomorphology are introduced. The use of spectral traits (ST) and spectral trait variation (STV) approaches with RS enable the status, changes, and disturbances of geomorphic diversity to be monitored. We focus on the requirements for future geomorphology monitoring specifically aimed at overcoming some key limitations of ecological modeling, namely: the implementation and linking of in-situ, close-range, air- and spaceborne RS technologies, geomorphic traits, and data science approaches as crucial components for a better understanding of the geomorphic impacts on complex ecosystems. This paper aims to impart multidimensional geomorphic information obtained by RS for improved utilization in biodiversity monitoring.
A Persistent Depletion of Plasma Ions Within Jupiter's Auroral Polar Caps

Regions poleward of Jupiter's main auroral ovals are largely devoid of 0.01 to 46 keV/q ions. We report ion measurements from the plasma instrument on the Juno spacecraft in polar orbit around Jupiter that characterize the presence or absence of structured ion fluxes poleward of the main ovals. We approximate geometric centers of published north and south Jovian main ovals and develop a probability metric for observation of plasma ions as a function of angular distance from these centers to the magnetic foot points of the observations, in the north and south separately. Using data from Juno's first 26 perijoves, at Jovicentric distances of 1.06 to 12 RJ, this metric shows a systematic decrease within both north and south main ovals, in the probability of observing plasma ions as the chosen centers are approached. This is consistent with previous reports of large electrostatic potential drops above Jupiter's polar caps.
A Fully Discrete SIPG Method for Solving Two Classes of Vortex Dominated Flows

To simulate incompressible Navier–Stokes equation, a temporal splitting scheme in time and high-order symmetric interior penalty Galerkin (SIPG) method in space discretization are employed, while the local Lax-Friedrichs flux is applied in the discretization of the nonlinear term. Under a constraint of the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) condition, two benchmark problems in 2D are simulated by the fully discrete SIPG method. One is a lid-driven cavity flow and the other is a circular cylinder flow. For the former, we compute velocity field, pressure contour and vorticity contour. In the latter, while the von Kármán vortex street appears with Reynolds number 50≤Re≤400, we simulate different dynamical behavior of circular cylinder flows, and numerically estimate the Strouhal numbers comparable to the existing experimental results. The calculations on vortex dominated flows are carried out to investigate the potential application of the SIPG method.
Expired probiotics: what is really in your cabinet?

ABSTRACT The popularity of using probiotics has surged, since they became widely accepted as safe and help improve general health. Inevitably, some of these products are used after expiration when microbial cell viability is below the recommended effective dose. Given that probiotics must be live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts, the aim of this study was to measure viability in expired products and assess how packaging and storage conditions impact efficacy, if at all. Thirty-three expired probiotic products were evaluated, of which 26 were stored in conditions recommended by the manufacturer. The viable microbial cells were enumerated and representative isolates identified by 16S and internally transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing. While the products had a mean past expiration time of 11.32 (1–22) years, 22 still had viable contents, and 5 were within or above the original product cell count claim. Product formulation and the number of species present did not appear to impact the stability of the products. However, overall packaging type, storage conditions and time since expiry were found to affect viability. All products with viable cells had the strain stipulated on the label. Despite some selected probiotic products retaining viability past their expiry date (indicating long-term storage is possible), the total counts were mostly well below that required for efficacious use as recommended by the manufacturer. Consuming expired probiotics may not yield the benefits for which they were designed.