Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifecycle of palladium in Japan: for setting clearance levels of 107Pd

ABSTRACT Research on the recycling of useful elements in spent nuclear fuels of light-water cooling reactors is progressing. Palladium (Pd), a fission product in high-level radioactive waste, is one of the elements that can be recovered and recycled. Even if the Pd recycling system is successfully established, 107Pd contamination will be unavoidable. In this report, we review the lifecycle of Pd (applications, environmental levels, and human exposure) with respect to setting clearance levels for 107Pd. The major applications of Pd in Japan are catalysts for automobile exhausts and chemical industries, followed by dental prostheses and electrical devices. The World Health Organization reported a daily uptake of Pd from drinking water and food of 0.03 and <2 μg person−1, respectively. The uptake of a person with a dental prosthesis containing Pd might reach up to 15 μg day−1. The Pd uptake by the public via inhalation of particulate matter from automobile exhaust catalysts is not as large, even in urban areas, although this industrial application is responsible for the largest portion of Pd released into the environment globally. The data presented here will be useful for setting clearance levels for 107Pd.
Étude techno-économique de la récupération de chaleur dans les effluents gazeux des cuves d'électrolyse d'une aluminerie

The objective of this study is to propose heat recovery strategies in a primary aluminum smelter by considering technical and economic aspects. After analyzing the various heat sources and sinks, it was decided to focus the study on the flue gases exiting the electrolysis cells. Two applications are envisioned and presented in two scientific articles: heating buildings within the aluminum smelter, and heating a greenhouse. In both cases, a dynamic model of heating requirement is proposed, associated to the detailed design of heat exchangers and equipment. Then, an optimization is performed to minimize the implementation capital and operation costs. Last, several case studies are presented in order to analyze the variability of the retained solutions.
Newer approach of using alternatives to (Indium doped) metal electrodes, dyes and electrolytes in dye sensitized solar cell

This work demonstrates the PV study of dye sensitised solar cells by fabricating the (PV) cell using the ITO, FTO and AZO glass substrate. Dyes used for the fabrication were extracted from beetroot and spinach and a cocktail dye by mixing both of the dyes was also prepared. Similarly the three dufferent electrolytes used were iodide-triiodide couple, polyaniline and mixture of polyaniline and iodide couple. Mixed dye and mixed electrolyte has emerged as the highest efficient cell. The electrical characterisation shows that the highest power conversion efficiency of 1.86% was achieved by FTO substrate, followed by efficiency of 1.83% by AZO substrate and efficiency of 1.63% with ITO substrate using mixed dye and mixed electrolyte approach. This justifies that FTO and AZO shows better efficiency and hence proposed to be used as an alternative to indium free system.
Heck Reaction—State of the Art

The Heck reaction is one of the most studied coupling reactions and is recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Thousands of articles, hundreds of reviews and a number of books have been published on this topic. All reviews are written exhaustively describing the various aspects of Heck reaction and refer to the work done hitherto. Looking at the quantum of the monographs published, and the reviews based on them, we found a necessity to summarize all reviews on Heck reaction about catalysts, ligands, suggested mechanisms, conditions, methodologies and the compounds formed via Heck reaction in one review and generate a resource of information. One can find almost all the catalysts used so far for Heck reaction in this review.
Analytical Solutions, Moments, and Their Asymptotic Behaviors for the Time-Space Fractional Cable Equation

Following the fractional cable equation established in the letter [B.I. Henry, T.A.M. Langlands, and S.L. Wearne, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100(2008) 128103], we present the time-space fractional cable equation which describes the anomalous transport of electrodiffusion in nerve cells. The derivation is based on the generalized fractional Ohm's law;and the temporal memory effects and spatial-nonlocality are involved in the time-space fractional model. With the help of integral transform method we derive the analytical solutions expressed by the Green's function; the corresponding fractional moments are calculated; and their asymptotic behaviors are discussed. In addition, the explicit solutions of the considered model with two different external current injections are also presented.
Controlled release pharmaceutical composition milnacipran

A controlled release pharmaceutical compositions comprising Milnacipran or pharmaceutically acceptable salts there-of is provided. The pharmaceutical composition comprises an immediate release core comprising Milnacipran or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and a coating on the immediate release core comprising rate controlling agents.
Efficiency evaluation of zeolite powder, as an adsorbent for the removal of nickel and chromium from aqueous solution: Isotherm and kinetic study

Heavy metals particularly nickel and chromium are recognized as threatening pollutants leaving serious adverse effects on human health and environment due to their toxicity, un-biodegradable properties and high concentration in industrial effluent. The present study aims to evaluate the zeolite powder efficiency, as an adsorbent, in removing nickel and chromium from aqueous solution. After preparing zeolite powder, batch experiments are performed in different times and adsorbent dosages (pH=7, heavy metals concentration=50 mg/L, and stirring/minute= 200rpm). Adsorption isotherm including Langmuir, Freundlich, Pseudo- first order and second-order model, Intra- particle diffusion and Elovich kinetics were applied to correlate the adsorption. Results indicate that nickel absorbs more than chromium and adsorption of both nickel and chromium obeyed the Freundlich model. Correlation coefficients obtained from Freundlich model and pseudo-second order kinetic are R2=0.995, R2=996 and R2=0.999, respectively, which shows that the Freundlich expression and the kinetics of pseudosecond order gave a better fit to the experimental data of zeolite powder. Also, removing Efficiency revealed significant increase after increasing the adsorbent dose and contact time (R2<0.001). According to obtained dimensionless constant separation term (RL) of Langmuir expression, the RL values for the adsorption of both nickel and chromium onto zeolite powder range of 1-0 indicates that the adsorption is a favorable process. Â© 2016, International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. All rights reserved.
The interaction of a manganese-oxidising bacterium as part of a biofilm growing on distribution pipe materials

The deposition of manganese within a biofilm growing on the surface of high-density polyethlene (HDPE) and polyvinychloride (PVC) was studied over a period of four months. The manganese rich water used in the study was inoculated with a manganese oxidising Pseudomonas spp. The level of Mn 2+ in the water was monitored and was found to decrease as the biofilm formation increased. This was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis which showed the detection of manganese was dependent on the presence of a biofilm. After two months a 100% removal of Mn 2+ was observed in all the flasks inoculated by the Pseudomonas spp. and manganese micro-nodules, the formation of which were reported in Murdoch and Smith (1999), were being formed in large clusters across the surfaces of both the HDPE and PVC. The manganese peak area from the EDS spectrum analysis of the micro-nodules was significantly larger than was measured in the biofilm when these micro-nodules were absent. The scanning confocal laser microscope (SCLM) images of three-week samples showed high bacterial activity around areas where manganese micro-nodules were starting to form on the pipe surface.
Pharmacological evaluation of the (beta)-adrenoceptor subtype interactions of trimetoquinol (tmq) and related analogs /

Trimetoquinol belongs to a novel tetrahydroisoquinoline class of compounds, and is a non-selective highly potent agonist of 6 -adrenoceptors. The pharmacological activities of trimetoquinol and analogs were evaluated in rat tissues containing predominantly 6 ,and f^-adrenoceptors, and in homogeneous populations of rat 6 3 -, human 6 -̂ and 6 3 adrenoceptors to determine the chemical specificity for interaction with 6 -adrenoceptor subtypes. The 1-benzyl diiodinated analog of trimetoquinol exhibited selectivity for the rat 6 3 -adrenoceptor. Pharmacological evaluation of a series of trimetoquinol analogs modified at the 1 -carbon and 6 ,7-dihydroxybenzyl ring on homogeneous populations of human 6 -adrenoceptor subtypes revealed that: 1 ) the diiodinated benzyl analogs displayed high affinity for the 6 ,and 6 3 subtypes, and high efficacy for interactions with 6 3 adrenoceptors; 2 ) modifications of the 4 '-position of the benzyl ring gave rise to compounds which exhibited 6 3 adrenoceptor selectivity, and included 3',5'-diiodo-4'-amino and 3',5'-diiodo-4'-H substituents; and 3) bioisosteric replacement of the 6 ,7-dihydroxybenzyl ring of trimetoquinol
The Impact of Peer-to-Peer Lending on Small Business Loans

We investigate the impact of peer-to-peer lending on the small business loans originated by US depository institutions that are subject to the Community Reinvestment Act. We present a model where a borrower can choose between a traditional bank and a crowdlending platform and show that the entry of crowdlending can induce a switching effect as well as a credit expansion effect. Using the staggered entry of LendingClub across states between 2009 and 2017, we find that the platform entry reduced the small business loans originated by banks, in particular, in the low- or moderate-income tracts as well as in the distressed middle-income tracts with a high poverty rate. A conservative estimate suggests that the crowdlending entry may have reduced the aggregate lending volume to small businesses.
Investigation of the Effect of Nanosilica on Rheological, Thermal, Mechanical, Structural, and Piezoelectric Properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanofibers Fabricated Using an Electrospinning Technique

The effects of different nano-SiO2 contents on the rheological properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) solution and mechanical, thermal, structural, and piezoelectric properties of composite nanofibers were investigated. Results showed an increase in fiber diameter (∼125 to 350 nm) and ∼450% increase in tensile strength as the content of nano-SiO2 particles increased. The degree of crystallinity decreased by 19% as the nano-SiO2 content increased by 2% (w/w). Further investigation demonstrated that silica could significantly improve the piezoelectric properties of PVDF nanofibers as the output voltage showed an increase in the presence of silica attributed to change in the crystalline structure of PVDF.
Pinch‐off dynamics and extensional relaxation times of intrinsically semi‐dilute polymer solutions characterized by dripping‐onto‐substrate rheometry

Stream-wise velocity-gradients associated with extensional flows arise in thinning liquid necks spontaneously formed during jetting, printing, coating, spraying, atomization, and microfluidic-based drop formation. In this contribution, we employ Dripping-onto-Substrate (DoS) rheometry protocols to measure the extensional rheology response of intrinsically semi-dilute polymer solutions by visualizing and analyzing capillary-driven thinning of a columnar neck formed between a nozzle and a sessile drop. We show that extensional viscosity that quantifies the resistance to stream-wise velocity gradients is orders of magnitude higher than the shear viscosity. Although shear flows only weakly perturb the chain dimensions, extensional flows can strongly stretch and orient the chains, thus influencing both intra- and inter-chain interactions. We find that the extensional relaxation times for intrinsically semi-dilute PEO solutions in a good solvent for five different molecular weights increase linearly with concentration, exhibiting a stronger concentration dependence than observed for dilute solutions, or anticipated by blob models, developed for relaxation of weakly perturbed chains in a good solvent. The observed distinction between the concentration-dependent relaxation dynamics of intrinsically dilute and semi-dilute solutions arises due the complex influence of stretching, conformational anisotropy, and polymer concentration on excluded volume and hydrodynamic interactions of flexible, highly extensible polymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017
Detection of Vibrational Spectroscopic Biomarkers of the Effect of Gold Nanoparticles on Wheat Seedlings Using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to evaluate the biochemical changes in the leaves of wheat seedlings exposed to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) nondestructively and rapidly using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and laser-induced fluorescence. The 18 nm size gold nanoparticles are synthesized by citrate reduction. For analyzing the effect of gold nanoparticles on wheat seedlings, the treatment of gold nanoparticles was applied to the seedlings through roots and following the spectroscopic measurement of biochemical signatures. The laser-induced fluorescence measurement has been performed to access the effect of gold nanoparticles on the chlorophyll concentration of wheat seedlings. The decrease in the fluorescence intensity and the fluorescence intensity ratio on the treatment of gold nanoparticles indicates increase in the concentration of chlorophyll in the leaves of wheat seedlings. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrarred spectroscopy in combination with principal component analysis has been used to visualize the biochemical changes in the cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, amino acids, proteins, and lipid of the leaves of wheat seedlings by recording infrared spectra in the region from 4000 to 400 cm−1. Principal component analysis applied to the preprocessed infrared data clearly distinguishes the spectral variability between control and gold nanoparticle treated seedlings. The study shows that exposure of gold nanoparticles increases the concentrations of cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin, and lignin in the leaves of wheat seedlings. The increase in these chemicals indicates the modulation of cell walls of the wheat seedlings by the gold nanoparticle treatment. The exposure to gold nanoparticles also enhances the expression of lipid and proteins in the leaves of wheat seedlings.
Does physical activity reinforce adolescents’ body-esteem? A cross-sectional study from Finland

Background Physical activity promotes a positive physical self-image, but less is known about whether the positive effect covers the general self-evaluation of adolescent appearance. The purpose of the study was to explore the association between physical activity and body-esteem in 15-year-old Finnish adolescents, via a country-representative cross-sectional study. Methods The data for the study were drawn from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study from 122 schools, comprising 15-year-old adolescents (N=1956) in Finland in 2014. The main measures were self-reported (i) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and (ii) Body-esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA). The measures also covered other relevant factors for body image, as highlighted in previous studies. A mixed effects linear regression analysis for body-esteem was conducted. The explanatory variables included were (i) MVPA; (ii) weight status, as defined by the international (IOTF) body mass index with cut-offs for thinness, overweight, and obesity; (iii) self-esteem; and (iv) socio-economic status. The covariates in the model were maturation state and ethnic background. Results In both genders, the body-esteem score increased linearly with physical activity. It was highest among adolescents who reported having been engaged in MVPA corresponding to the international recommendation for adolescents’ physical activity. MVPA was a significant determinant for body-esteem in boys, but not in girls. In both genders, lower body-esteem was in part explained by obesity, but general self-esteem was by far the most significant factor determining body-esteem. Conclusions The several positive effects of physical activity provide feasible explanations as to why body-esteem was higher among physically active adolescents than among those who were less physically active. However, physical activity was a significant determinant for body-esteem only in boys. The difference between genders should be taken into consideration in efforts to promote health and physical activity.
Identification, Impacts, and Control of Ragweed Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)

One of the world’s most invasive weeds, this member of the Asteraceae family is a problem in Africa, Australia, India, and is increasingly a problem in Florida. Learn more in this 10-page fact sheet written by Robert H. Stamps, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2011.
The effects on soil aggregation and carbon fixation of different organic amendments for restoring degraded soil in semiarid areas

The addition of organic wastes as a strategy to restore degraded soil in semiarid regions can increase soil aggregation and carbon fixation. These processes can be affected by both the characteristics of the organic amendments and the soil microbial community structure. This study examines the effect of single additions (150 t ha−1) of different organic residues for soil restoration (fresh and composted sewage sludge, vegetal residue and farmyard manure) on aggregation and carbon (C) retention in a semiarid degraded soil. Changes in the distribution of microbial biomass in soil aggregates were also evaluated. Sewage sludge compost was added at rates of 150 and 300 t ha−1 to determine the effect of the amount applied on the distribution processes. Large macroaggregates (2000–8000 μm), small macroaggregates (250–2000 μm), microaggregates (53–250 μm) and the < 53‐μm soil fraction were obtained, and organic carbon (Corg) concentration was determined in these fractions in addition to the total phospholipid‐derived fatty acids (PLFAs). Both the characteristics of the amendments and the amount applied affected soil aggregation and Corg concentration in the aggregate size classes. The manure and the compost added at 300 t ha−1 contributed to the fixation of stable Corg in soil aggregates to a greater extent than the fresh sludge, vegetal residue or compost added at 150 t ha−1. In all soil fractions, the total concentration of PLFAs was larger in restored soil than in the control soil, and increases depended on the aggregate size class and characteristics of the amendment. The largest microbial abundance occurred in both large and small macroaggregates.
Application of TensorFlow to recognition of visualized results of fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations

We have applied Google's TensorFlow deep learning toolkit to recognize the visualized results of the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations. Typical protein structures of alpha-helix and beta-sheet provide some characteristic patterns in the two-dimensional map of inter-fragment interaction energy termed as IFIE-map (Kurisaki et al., Biophys. Chem. 130 (2007) 1). A thousand of IFIE-map images with labels depending on the existences of alpha-helix and beta-sheet were prepared by employing 18 proteins and 3 non-protein systems and were subjected to training by TensorFlow. Finally, TensorFlow was fed with new data to test its ability to recognize the structural patterns. We found that the characteristic structures in test IFIE-map images were judged successfully. Thus the ability of pattern recognition of IFIE-map by TensorFlow was proven.
Search for neutrino radiation from gravitational collapse of stars: expectation and reality

Experimental data, obtained when searching neutrino radiation from gravitational collapse of stars are discussed. The following reactions are used for neutrino detection in experiments: . nu. -tilde/sub e/+p->n+e/sup +/ and . nu. +e/sup -/->. nu. +e/sup -/. Characteristics of four detectors, used during flare of Supernovae star on February, 23, 1987: Baksan underground scintillation telescope, Soviet-Italian liquid scintillation detector LSD, Cherenkov detector K2 (Japan-USA) and Cherenkov detector IMB(USA). Analysis of experiments showed that effects in each of four detectors satisfied or at least didn't disagree with conditions of mentioned reaction detection. Many problems should be solved when interpreting the whole body of results of neutrino detectors: two-stage mechanism of collapse, different angular distributions of K2 and IBM etc. The main problem lies in the fact, that measured enrgy fluxes in neutrino radiation exceed many times the same ones, permissible from the view point of modern astrophysical concepts.
The Activation of Methane on Ru, Rh, and Pd Decorated Carbon Nanotube and Boron Nitride Nanotube: A DFT Study

Methane decomposition catalyzed by an Ru, Rh, or Pd atom supported on a carbon or boron nitride nanotubes was analyzed by means of the density functional theory with the M06-L hybrid functional. The results suggested that the dissociative reaction of methane was a single-step mechanism. Based on the calculated activation energy, the Ru-decorated carbon nanotube showed superior catalytic activity with an activation barrier of 14.5 kcal mol−1, followed by the Rh-decorated carbon nanotube (18.1 kcal mol−1) and the Pd-decorated carbon nanotube (25.6 kcal mol−1). The catalytic performances of metals supported on a boron nitride nanotube were better than those on a carbon nanotube. The total activation barrier for the Ru, Rh, and Pd atoms on boron nitride nanotube was 10.2, 14.0, and 20.5 kcal mol−1, respectively. Dissociative adsorption complexes on the Ru–boron nitride nanotube were the most stable. The anionic state of the supported metal atom was responsible for decreasing the activation energy of methane decomposition. Our finding provides a crucial point for further investigation.
Chitosan/Silk Sericin Blend Microparticles Prepared by Water-in-Oil Emulsification-Diffusion for Controlled Release of Silk Sericin Antioxidant

This study aimed to develop the novel drug delivery carriers to control the release of silk sericin antioxidant. The chitosan/silk sericin blend microparticles were successfully prepared by the water-in-oil emulsification-diffusion method. Influence of silk sericin ratio on characteristics and in vitro silk sericin release behaviors of the blend microparticles was investigated. All the spherical-shaped blend microparticles had an average size of 41 – 48 m and could load the silk sericin in high loading efficiency (69 – 75%). The FTIR and thermogravimetric results indicated the blend microparticles with different silk sericin contents can be prepared by varying the silk sericin feed ratio. The blend microparticles exhibited sustained release profiles of the silk sericin. The in vitro silk sericin release content increased as the silk sericin ratio increased. Antioxidant activities of the blend microparticles assessed by FRAP assay were more than the neat chitosan microparticles and steadily increased with the silk sericin ratio. The results demonstrated that the chitosan/silk sericin blend microparticles prepared by the water-in-oil emulsification-diffusion method should be useful drug delivery carriers for the controlled release silk sericin antioxidant.