Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imidazolium functionalized cobalt tris(bipyridyl) complex redox shuttles for high efficiency ionic liquid electrolyte dye-sensitized solar cells

CoII/III redox couples and their derivatives have been extensively studied and applied as redox mediators for high efficiency organic solvent DSSCs. However, CoII/III complex redox mediator-based ionic liquid electrolyte DSSCs have not been studied so far due to the poor solubility of most CoII/III complexes in ionic liquid electrolytes. Herein, an imidazolium functionalized cobalt tris(bipyridyl) complex redox mediator ([Co((MeIm-Bpy)PF6)3]2+/3+) (((MeIm-Bpy)PF6)3 = 3,3′-(2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-diyl-bis(methylene))bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)hexafluorohosphate) with high redox potential and good solubility in ionic liquid electrolyte has been synthesized and applied in ionic liquid electrolyte DSSCs. Using the dye N719 as the photosensitizer, overall power conversion efficiencies of 7.37% and 8.29% are achieved in binary ionic liquid-based electrolyte under 1.5 solar spectrum illumination at 100 and 50 mW cm−2, respectively. Both values are considerably higher than those of the I−/I3− redox couple-based ionic liquid electrolyte.
Surface science with nanosized particles in a carrier gas

The dynamics of nanoparticles in a carrier gas are governed by the physical and chemical nature of the surface. The total surface area can be divided into an “active” and a “passive” part. The active surface is the surface on which transfer of momentum, energy, and mass from the gas to the particle takes place. The experiments show that the active surface may be determined in physically very different in situ experiments such as measuring the mobility b, the diffusion constant D, or the mass transfer coefficient K of the particle. The concept of the active surface manifests itself in scaling laws Kb=const, KD=const, and Yb=const, found valid over a large range of particle shapes and sizes. Y is the yield of low energy photoelectrons from the particles upon irradiating the carrier gas with light of energy below the ionization energy of the carrier gas molecules but above the photoelectric threshold of the particles. While K, D and b are independent of the chemical nature of the particles as far as we know .
Analyzing and Presenting pH Data

Abstract Both the practical effects and theoritical basis of error in pH data analysis and presentation were examined. Since the "pH" transformation has been applied for convenience and not for statistical reason, added care must be exercised in analyzing these data. Calculating a mean of observed pH's introduced a significant and predictable bias as compared to −log (mean [H + ]), henceforth designated mH. Rumen pH data from Holstein steers fed a high concentrate diet twice daily showed that a relative error of from . 35 to 2.22%, with an average of 1.25%, resulted when the former method was used. Wide ranges in observed pH or low pH greatly increased the possible relative error. Statistical analyses of pH data should use the untransformed variable, i.e., hydrogen ion concentration. Mean hydrogen ion concentration, the variable in which researchers are interested, still can be transformed for convenience and reported as mH together with the asymmetric confidence intervals that result from transformation.
Covalent immobilization of penicillin G acylase onto chemically activated surface of poly(vinyl chloride) membranes for 6-penicillic acid production from penicillin hydrolysis process I. Optimization of surface modification and its characterization

The covalent immobilization of penicillin G acylase (PGA) onto the surface of NH2–poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membranes was studied. PGA was chosen because it plays a relevant role in the pharmaceutical industry, catalyzing the production of an important intermediate for the industrial production of semisynthetic penicillin and cephalosporine. Because PVC has no functional groups in its structure, in this work, we focused on the functionalization of PVC with primary amine functional groups for the covalent immobilization of PGA. This goal was achieved through an aminoalkylation process of the surface of the PVC membranes with ethylene diamine followed by activation with glutaraldehyde to finally immobilize the enzyme. Different factors affecting the modification and activation processes were studied, and their impacts on the catalytic activity of the immobilized PGA were followed. The functionalized membranes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy to verify the modification process. In addition, the changes resulting from the modification in physical characteristics, such as surface roughness, water uptake, and mechanical properties, were monitored. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
EFEITO DE ESCARIFICAÇÃO E DA EROSIVIDADE DE CHUVAS SOBRE ALGUMAS VARIÁVEIS DE VALORES DE EROSÃO HÍDRICA EM SISTEMAS DE MANEJO DE UM NITOSSOLO HÁPLICO

O preparo do solo altera as suas condicoes fisicas de superficie e subsuperficie e, consequentemente, influencia os valores de propriedades que se relacionam com a erosao hidrica. O trabalho, realizado entre junho de 2005 e marco de 2006 em um Nitossolo Haplico aluminico tipico, objetivou estudar o efeito de uma escarificacao e da erosividade de chuvas sobre algumas variaveis relacionadas a erosao hidrica do solo nos sistemas de manejo: (a) preparo convencional sem cultivo do solo (SCE); (b) preparo convencional (PCE); (c) semeadura direta em solo nunca preparado e com residuos queimados (SQE); e (d) semeadura direta tradicional (STE). Nos tratamentos PCE, SQE e STE, cultivaram-se aveia-preta, soja, ervilhaca-comum, milho, feijao preto, nabo forrageiro, em rotacao durante cinco anos e meio. Apos a escarificacao, aplicaram-se cinco testes de chuva simulada, com 64 mm h-1 e duracao de 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 min cada um. Entre os testes 2 e 3 de chuva simulada, ocorreram 57 mm de chuva natural; entre os testes 3 e 4, 21 mm; e entre os testes 4 e 5, 30 mm. Determinaram-se o teor de agua no solo antes das chuvas, a rugosidade superficial do solo, o tempo de empocamento e de inicio da enxurrada, a infiltracao de agua no solo, o escoamento superficial, a concentracao de sedimentos na enxurrada e a perda total de solo. O teor de agua do solo praticamente nao variou nos tratamentos e nos testes de chuva. A rugosidade superficial foi influenciada pelo manejo anterior do solo, tendo sido menor no SCE do que nos demais tratamentos, sem diferenca entre estes. Ao final dos testes de chuva, a rugosidade superficial era menor do que antes do seu inicio em todos os tratamentos, com excecao do SCE. Esse comportamento da rugosidade influenciou o empocamento da agua da chuva na superficie do solo e, principalmente, o inicio da enxurrada, refletindo-se tambem na infiltracao de agua no solo e no volume de enxurrada. O tratamento STE foi o mais eficaz na reducao do volume de enxurrada, na concentracao de sedimentos na enxurrada e na perda total de solo. O modelo exponencial do tipo y = a e-bx ajustou-se a taxa de perda de solo e a erosividade das chuvas no tratamento SCE, enquanto em PCE, SQE e STE foi o modelo linear do tipo y = a + bx que se ajustou aos referidos dados.
Use of Manganese Oxide-Coated Sand for the Adsorption of Uranium(VI) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using a Column Mode

Continuous fixed-bed studies were undertaken to evaluate the performance of manganese oxide-coated sand (MOCS) as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) ions from aqueous solution under the effect of various process parameters such as the bed depth, the flow rate, the presence of salt and the initial U(VI) ion concentration. The U(VI) ion uptake by MOCS increased with initial U(VI) ion concentration and bed height, but decreased as the flow rate increased. A shorter breakthrough time was observed in the presence of salt. The experimental data obtained from the breakthrough curves were analyzed using the Thomas model. The BDST model was also applied to predict the service times for other flow rates and initial concentrations. The results showed that the Thomas model was suitable for the description of the whole breakthrough curve, while the data were in good agreement with the BDST model. The columns were regenerated by eluting the bound U(VI) ions with 0.5 mol/ℓ HNO3 solution after the adsorption studies. MOCS could be re-used to adsorb U(VI) ions at a comparable capacity. Compared to virgin sand, the removal of U(VI) ions from MOCS proceeded more readily.
Convert graphene sheets to boron nitride and boron nitride–carbon sheets via a carbon-substitution reaction

Here we discuss our synthesis of highly crystalline pure boron nitride (BN) and BN–carbon (BN–C) sheets by using graphene sheets as templates via a carbon-substitution reaction. Typically, these sheets are several micrometers wide and have a few layers. The composition ratios of BN–C sheets can be controlled by the post-treatment (remove carbon by oxidation) temperature. We also observed pure BN and BN–C nanoribbons. We characterized the BN–C sheets via Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The results reveal that BN–C sheets with an armchair C–BN chain, and embedded C2 or C6 units in BN-dominated regions energetically are the most favorable.
PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 dynamics during focal adhesions assembly and disassembly in a cancer cell line

Focal adhesions (FAs) are large assemblies of proteins that mediate intracellular signals between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The turnover of FA proteins plays a critical regulatory role in cancer cell migration. Plasma membrane lipids locally generated or broken down by different inositide kinases and phosphatase enzymes to activate and recruit proteins to specific regions in the plasma membrane. Presently, little attention has been given to the use of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) fluorescent biosensors in order to determine the spatiotemporal organisation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 within and around or during assembly and disassembly of FAs. In this study, specific biosensors were used to detect PtdIns(4,5)P2, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, and FAs proteins conjugated to RFP/GFP in order to monitor changes of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels within FAs. We demonstrated that the localisation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 were moderately correlated with that of FA proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate that local levels of PtdIns(4,5)P2 increased within FA assembly and declined within FA disassembly. However, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels remained constant within FAs assembly and disassembly. In conclusion, this study shows that PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 localised in FAs may be regulated differently during FA assembly and disassembly.
Multifunctional Binding Sites on Nitrogen-Doped Carboxylated Porous Carbon for Highly Efficient Adsorption of Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cr(VI) Ions

Heavy metal ions represent one of the most toxic and environmentally harmful pollutants of water sources. This work reports the development of a novel chelating nitrogen-doped carboxylated porous carbon (ND-CPC) adsorbent for the effective removal of the heavy metal ions Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cr(VI) from contaminated and polluted water sources. The ND-CPC adsorbent is designed to combine four different types of nitrogen functional groups (graphitic, pyrrolic, pyridinic, and pyridine oxide) with the carboxylic acid functional groups within a high surface area of 1135 ± 20 m2/g of the porous carbon structure. The ND-CPC adsorbent shows exceptionally high adsorption affinity for Pb(II) with a capacity of 721 ± 14 mg/g in addition to high uptake values of 257 ± 5 and 104 ± 2 mg/g for Hg(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The high adsorption capacity is also coupled with fast kinetics where the equilibrium time required for the 100% removal of Pb(II) from 50 ppb and 10 ppm concentrations is 30 s and 60 min, respectively. Even with the very high concentration of 700 ppm, 74% uptake of Pb(II) is achieved within 90 min. Removal efficiencies of 100% of Pb(II), 96% of Hg(II), 91% of Cu(II), 82% of Zn(II), 25% of Cd(II), and 13% of Ni(II) are achieved from a solution containing 10 ppm concentrations of these ions, thus demonstrating excellent selectivity for Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) ions. Regeneration of the ND-CPC adsorbent shows excellent desorption efficiencies of 99 and 95% for Pb(II) and Cr(VI) ions, respectively. Because of the fast adsorption kinetics, high removal capacity and excellent regeneration, stability, and reusability, the ND-CPC is proposed as a highly efficient remediation adsorbent for the solid-phase removal of Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cr(VI) from contaminated water.
Expression of soluble, active, fluorescently tagged hephaestin in COS and CHO cell lines

Hephaestin (Hp) is a trans-membrane protein, which plays a critical role in intestinal iron absorption. Hp was originally identified as the gene responsible for the phenotype of sex-linked anaemia in the sla mouse. The mutation in the sla protein causes accumulation of dietary iron in duodenal cells, causing severe microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Although mucosal uptake of dietary iron is normal, export from the duodenum is inhibited. Hp is homologous to ceruloplasmin (Cp), a member of the family of multi copper ferroxidases (MCFs) and possesses ferroxidase activity that facilitates iron release from the duodenum and load onto the serum iron transport protein transferrin. In the present study, attempts were made to produce biologically active recombinant mouse hephaestin as a secretory form tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP), Hpsec-GFP. Plasmid expressing Hpsec-GFP was constructed and transfected into COS and CHO cells. The GFP aided the monitoring expression in real time to select the best conditions to maximise expression and provided a tag for purifying and analysing Hpsec-GFP. The protein had detectable oxidase activity as shown by in-gel and solution-based assays. The methods described here can provide the basis for further work to probe the interaction of hephaestin with other proteins using complementary fluorescent tags on target proteins that would facilitate the fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements, for example with transferrin or colocalisation studies, and help to discover more about hephaestin works at the molecular level.
Modified Total Intrinsic Rehabilitation Procedure for Ulnar Palsy

Abstract Tendon transfer for ulnar palsy has been an area of interest for many a stalwart in hand surgery, especially in southeast Asian countries, mainly because of the prevalence of Hansen’s disease in these countries. Although the procedures look standardized, there are still many lacunae. Here in this article, we discuss about a surgical technique by which all the motor disabilities evolving due to ulnar nerve paralysis are addressed with three sets of tendon transfers performed in a single stage for: (1) key pinch restoration, (2) claw correction and adduction of fingers, and (3) claw correction and abduction of fingers.
Pyridine-Containing Macrocycles via Cobalt-Mediated [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloadditions of α,ω-Bisalkynes

We have been investigating the formation of macrocycles from α,ω-diynes in Co(I)-mediated cocyclotrimerization reactions. In these metal-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions, long-chain α,ωdiynes were reacted with nitriles, cyanamides, or isocyanates in the presence of CpCo(CO)2 (Cp = cyclopentadienide) to yield pyridine-containing macrocycles, in the form of meta- and parapyridinophanes (e.g., 5m/5p, 35m/35p, 41m/41p). The regioselectivity of these reactions was influenced by the length and type of linker unit between the alkyne groups, as well as by stereoelectronic factors. We developed an improved reaction protocol for these Co(I)-promoted [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions that offers a convenient, flexible synthetic approach to macrocyclic pyridine-containing compounds. For example, diyne 6 reacted with p-tolunitrile in 1,4-dioxane to give 7p and 7m (7:1 ratio) in 87% yield, at ca. 100 °C in 24 h, without photo-irradiation or syringe-pump addition. With this improved protocol, we were able to co-cyclotrimerize longchain α,ω-diynes with alkynes in certain cases to effect a macrocyclic variant of the Vollhardt reaction (e.g., 6 + Pr-C≡C-Pr → 56p). We used our improved [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition method to synthesize some macrocyclic bis-indolemaleimides as potential protein kinase inhibitors. Thus, we prepared “multiheterophanes” 63p, 63m, and 64p and determined that they are potent, selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β).
Myoelectric untethered robotic glove enhances hand function and performance on daily living tasks after stroke

Introduction Wearable robots controlled using electromyography could motivate greater use of the affected upper extremity after stroke and enable bimanual activities of daily living to be completed independently. Methods We have developed a myoelectric untethered robotic glove (My-HERO) that provides five-finger extension and grip assistance. Results The myoelectric controller detected the grip and release intents of the 9 participants after stroke with 84.7% accuracy. While using My-HERO, all 9 participants performed better on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Hand (8.4 point increase, scale out of 14, p < 0.01) and the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (8.2 point increase, scale out of 91, p < 0.01). Established criteria for clinically meaningful important differences were surpassed for both the hand function and daily living task assessments. The majority of participants provided satisfaction and usability questionnaire scores above 70%. Seven participants desired to use My-HERO in the clinic and at home during their therapy and daily routines. Conclusions People with hand impairment after stroke value that myoelectric untethered robotic gloves enhance their motion and bimanual task performance and motivate them to use their muscles during engaging activities of daily living. They desire to use these gloves daily to enable greater independence and investigate the effects on neuromuscular recovery.
Identification of nuclear export signal in KLLN suggests potential role in proteasomal degradation in cancer cells

Germline and somatic promoter hypermethylation of KLLN has been found in diverse heritable and sporadic cancers, respectively. KLLN has many identified tumor suppressor functions, and when first reported, was thought to be exclusively nuclear. Here, we report on KLLN localization in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and the identification of a putative nuclear export signal (NES) sequence. KLLN overexpression in colon and breast cancer cells showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic presence. Inhibition of the CRM1 export pathway increased nuclear sequestration of KLLN, confirming the prediction of an NES sequence. Point mutations introduced in the predicted NES sequence decreased the strength of the NES and increased the nuclear sequestration of KLLN. Contrary to expectations, the transcription regulation and cellular proliferation functions of KLLN were unaffected by increased KLLN nuclear sequestration. Instead, increased nuclear KLLN correlated with increased nuclear sequestration of TRIM25 and decreased inhibitory phosphorylation of MDM2. Computational analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset showed positive correlation among KLLN, TRIM25 and MDM2 expression; pathway analysis of the common genes downstream of these three genes revealed protein degradation as one of the top canonical pathways. Together, our observations suggest that CRM1 pathway-based nuclear export of KLLN may impact proteasomal degradation.
Identification of Organic Matter Dispersions Based on Light Scattering Matrices Focusing on Soil Organic Matter Management

The origin of organic matter, its spread, scattering, and functioning are influenced by the physical structure of liquid or dispersed media of organic matter. Refractive indices of fodder yeast grown on paraffin oil (paprin) and natural gas (gaprin) as well as Lycoperdon spore and organelles were measured by laser phase microscopy. The scattering matrices of aqueous suspensions of paprin, gaprin, and Lycoperdon spores were measured using a laser polarimeter with the scattering angle ranging from 20 to 150°. The experimentally measured scattering matrices have been approximated by the weighted sum of theoretically calculated scattering matrices using the T-matrix code developed by Mishchenko. Most of the particle radii in the filtered fraction of paprin and gaprin were within the range of about 0.05–0.12 μm. Particle radii of the Lycoperdon spore suspension were within the range of 0.4–2.4 μm, which corresponded to both whole spores and their separate organelles. A possibility of identifying a suspension by its scattering matrices was shown for a small difference in the real parts of the refractive index in the example of paprin and gaprin. The measurements of the light scattering matrix showed that for a small size parameter of about 1, the identification of paprin and gaprin can be based only on a difference in the particle shape. Refractive index difference is manifested for the size parameter values higher than 3. An example of a suspension consisting of micron-sized spores and their submicron organelles shows high sensitivity of the scattering matrix to the composition of the dispersed material. The presented data and models help to extrapolate the results of the light scattering matrix study to a vast spectrum of media of organic matter origin and functioning. This study focused on the Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) transcendental methodology to manage soil as an arena of biodegradation and organic synthesis. A BGT*-based robotic system for intra-soil pulse continuous–discrete water and matter supply directly into the dispersed–aggregated physical structure of the soil media was developed. The system enables transformation of soil into a stable highly productive organic chemical bioreactor for better controlled nanoparticle biomolecular interactions and adsorption by biological and mineral media. The scattering matrix measurement unit is supposed to be used in the robotic system as a diagnostic tool for the dispersion composition of soil organic components.