Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Physical Exercise to Organizational Performance

Maintaining high levels of employee’s performance at work is a major concern among managers. Employees’ characteristics and individual performance contribute to the competitiveness of organisations. The current work environment is highly sedentary, which influences employees’ performance. This quantitative study investigates the moderating effect of physical exercise on the relationships between job satisfaction, motivation, and organisational performance. Data was collected using an online questionnaire and it was analysed using structural equation modelling and moderation analysis. The results show the existing relationships between job satisfaction, intrinsic motivation and performance regarding both dimensions of organisational performance: creativity and dealing with emergencies. Such relationships are moderated by the level of exercise performed by the employees.
Development and validation of liquid chromatography method using the principles of QbD for antimalarials used in Artemisinin based combination therapy

Abstract The present work aims at developing a liquid chromatographic method for the determination of drugs in the artemisinin combination therapy. The method development utilised the principles of QbD (Quality by Design) and design space in order to provide a specific, accurate and precise method. The drugs used in the study were Amodiaquine (AMD), Mefloquine(MFQ),Lumefantrine (LFN), Artesunate (ART) and Artemether (AMR). Separations of the analytes were achieved on a UPLC system using a HSS Cyano column (100 x 2.1) mm, x 1.8 µm and mobile phase consisting of20mM Ammonium formate buffer (pH 6.5) as mobile phase A, 0.04% formic acid and methanol as mobile phase B in gradient elution program. The method development was based on the systematic trials suggested by the software using QbD. The design space of the experimental conditions was proposed to indicate the ruggedness of the analytical method using DoE. The proposed method was successfully applied to various formulations and thus was approved as good analytical method based on its applications. The method was thoroughly validated as per ICH guidelines. The developed method finds its application in bulk drug and formulations with its extension to quality control and also in investigation of counterfeit drugs. Graphical Abstract
Effects of Different Fluoride-containing Toothpastes on In Vitro Enamel Remineralization

Cite this article as: Hatipoğlu Z, Özbay Yavlal G, Kargül B. Effects of Different Fluoride-containing Toothpastes on In Vitro Enamel Remineralization. Bezmialem Science 2019;7(1):12-7. Address for Correspondence: Zerrin HATİPOĞLU, Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, İstanbul, Turkey E-mail: zerrin.abbasoglu@gmail.com ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0077-558
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Root Extracts from Phragmanthera glaucocarpa (Peyr.) Balle

Background: Africa has a rich diversity of plant species, which can be considered important sources of new chemical compounds that can be used in the development of novel therapeutic drugs. Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of extracts obtained from the roots of Phragmanthera glaucocarpa (Peyr.) Balle, a plant used in Angola folk medicine. Methods: The prepared extracts were tested for their antioxidant activity using ABTS (2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (1’,1’-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), and peroxide value methods. Total phenolics were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results: For ABTS, the best EC50 result was obtained with the ethyl acetate fraction (1.06 ± 0.30 mg/mL). For the DPPH method, the methanol extract and aqueous fraction presented the best EC50 results, 0.10 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.10 ± 0.00 mg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest phenolic content (280.42 ± 0.15 mg G.A.E. /g of dry extract). The best result for the peroxide reduction value on the eighth day of sunflower oil oxidation was obtained for the aqueous fraction, with 131.40 ± 1.05 meq O2/g of lipid sample. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate that the roots of the medicinal plant Phragmanthera glaucocarpa (Peyr.) Balle represent a promising source of natural phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity.
Bacteria-Responsive Single and Core–Shell Nanofibrous Membranes Based on Polycaprolactone/Poly(ethylene succinate) for On-Demand Release of Biocides

Traditional antibacterial dressings continuously elute biocides, even if there are no bacteria. This unneeded release can cause cytotoxicity, increase costs, and delay healing. We designed a bacteria-responsive nanofibrous wound dressing, which can be degraded in the presence of bacteria to release antimicrobial agents. A model biocide, benzyl dimethyl tetradecyl ammonium chloride (BTAC), was incorporated into bacteria-degradable polymers [polycaprolactone and poly(ethylene succinate)] in two ways: evenly distributed inside the polymers as single nanofibers and encapsulated in a core surrounded by the same polymers as core–shell nanofibers. Because of bacterial activity (both lipase secretion and acidic pH), degradation of the fibers was facilitated and caused the release of incorporated BTAC. BTAC-loaded single and core−shell nanofibers presented >1 log reduction of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 2 h. Additionally, the core–shell structure provided a more controlled release of BTAC with prolonged antibacterial properties than single nanofibers. The core–shell nanofibers also exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against human fibroblast cells (>80% viable cells after 24 h contact). These nanofibrous mats have the potential to selectively release antibacterial agents to prevent wound infections without delaying wound healing.
Fatigue Tests of Piping Components

This paper presents a compilation of available fatigue-test data on piping components and derives therefrom stress-intensification factors relative to straight pipe. These factors are strictly applicable only to the limited range of sizes for which fatigue tests were made. In view of the importance of proper consideration of stress intensifications in cyclically stressed piping and the lack of theoretical developments which would serve to evaluate their magnitude for all shapes involved, the author has taken it upon himself to suggest empirical correlations by which the application of the available data can be expanded to a wider range of sizes and conditions.
Enhanced thermal conductance at the graphene–water interface based on functionalized alkane chains

Highly efficient thermal transport between graphene and water is crucial in applications such as microscopic heat dissipation, solar steam generation, sea-water desalination, and thermally conductive composites. However, a practical approach for enhancing thermal transport across graphene–water interfaces is lacking. We propose an effective and universal method to improve thermal-transport properties at the interface between multilayer graphene and water by a factor of ∼4 by grafting functionalized groups onto graphene. The most improved interfacial thermal conductance was 121.0 ± 11.4 MW m−2 K−1. This design is compatible with industrial processes. We also undertook molecular-level analyses to unveil the underlying mechanism for heat-transport enhancement. This study could provide new approaches for engineering heat transport across two-dimensional materials and water interfaces.
PREPARATION OF POWDER FROM BROWN SEAWEED (SARGASSUM PLAGYOPHYLLUM) BY FREEZE-DRYING WITH MALTODEXTRIN AS A STABILIZER

Objective: The aim of this study was to prepare powder from liquid extract with maltodextrin dextrose equivalent 10–15 as a stabilizer using a freezedryingmethod to maintain stability during drying process and extend storage time.Methods: Powders were prepared for four formulas: F1 (without maltodextrin), F2 (2.5% maltodextrin), F3 (5% maltodextrin), and F4 (10%maltodextrin). Powder from the four formulas was characterized by its phlorotannin concentration, antioxidant activity, water content, morphology,particle size distribution, pH, and organoleptic activities.Results: F4 was the best formula because it contained the highest phlorotannin concentration (113.06±1.36) or 0.25%, highest percentage ofinhibition concentration50 (IC50) (4.06% at a concentration of 5000 ppm), and lowest water content (5.16%); moreover, in a stability test, F4 exhibiteda more stable phlorotannin concentration and lower water content than F1, with an optimal storage temperature of 4°C.Conclusion: Maltodextrin can improve the stability bioactive compounds during the freeze-drying process and storage time.
Long-term Effects of Biosolids on Soil Quality and Fertility

ABSTRACT Biosolids are an important potential source of plant-available nutrients and also contain valuable quantities of stable organic matter, which can provide long-term benefits to soil structure and fertility. In this study, the long-term impacts of biosolids recycling to agricultural land on soil quality and fertility were assessed using established experimental platforms at four sites in England with contrasting soil types and agroclimatic conditions. At each site, treatment plots that had received 20 annual additions of biosolids (i.e., three types of digested sludge cake) at rates of 2.9 to 3.4 t ha−1 y−1 since 1994 were used in comparison with an untreated control treatment (which had received inorganic fertilizers only) to quantify the effects of biosolids on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in soil organic matter (SOM) of 10% to 17% and in “light fraction” SOM (up to 2.9 mg kg−1 on the biosolids treatment compared with 1.8 mg kg−1 on the untreated control), along with a significant (P < 0.01) increase of up to 10% in available water capacity and numerical increases in water infiltration rate and aggregate stability, were found in plots that received biosolids. These plots also had significant (P < 0.05) increases of up to 20%, 48%, and 30% in soil total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, and total sulfur, respectively. Earthworm numbers and weights were approximately doubled relative to the untreated control (P < 0.05) where low-metal biosolids had been applied. These results indicate that applying biosolids to agricultural land is an important means of replenishing and maintaining SOM levels. Importantly, no adverse effects on crop quality were observed. The results from this study provided valuable evidence toward maintaining a sustainable agricultural landbank for biosolids recycling in the United Kingdom.
Insight into the Acid Sites over Modified NaY Zeolite and Their Adsorption Mechanisms for Thiophene and Benzene

Series of HY sorbents with different amounts and strength of Bronsted and Lewis acidic sites were prepared. Their adsorption performance in thiophene–benzene solution, pure benzene, and pure thiophene were evaluated, and the desulfurization mechanisms were studied. The results show that both thiophene and benzene could be effectively adsorbed through the interaction between Lewis acid sites and the conjugated π bond in these two molecules, and thus thiophene adsorption could be obviously competed by benzene on Lewis acidic sites. By contrast, on Bronsted acidic sites, thiophene can be efficiently adsorbed via H–S bond, which is stronger than the former interaction. Moreover, the middle strong Bronsted acid could cause thiophene oligomerization. Hence, for the desulfurization purpose by NaY zeolite in aromatic free system, its weak and middle strong Lewis acid should be increased, and for that in aromatic existing system, the Bronsted acid site with relative low strength should be promoted.
Controlled electrophoretic deposition of electrochemically exfoliated graphene sheets on Ag nanowires network

Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite has recently attracted a big attention as a simple, fast and scalable method for the preparation of high quality graphene, but there are some drawbacks that hinder its application. Direct deposition is one of the most critical challenges that makes it difficult to deposit uniform, compact and large scale graphene thin films. This work develops a facile electrophoretic deposition route to fabricate exfoliated graphene (EG) film on Ag nanowires (NWs) networks with a controllable film thickness in nanometers scale. EG thin films are deposited with different applied potentials and times from an EG dispersion in N, N-dimethylformamide solvent. Since confirmed by light transmittance results, the increase in deposition time or applied potential lead to an increase in the number of deposited EG layers. The scanning electron microscopy results confirm the uniformity and compactness of EG films deposited on Ag NWs network. Furthermore, transparency and conductivity of Ag NWs films before and after the deposition of EG are investigated. It shows significant improvement in its performance, as a result, it leads to Ag NWs/EG hybrid films exhibiting a sheet resistance of R s = 30 Ω sq−1, and 85% light transmittance, comparable to conventional transparent conductive oxide films.
Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Membranes for Light Olefin/Paraffin Separation

Propylene/propane and ethylene/ethane separations are performed by energy-intensive distillation processes, and membrane separation may provide substantial energy and capital cost savings. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have emerged as promising membrane materials for olefin/paraffin separation due to their tunable pore size and chemistry property, and excellent chemical and thermal stability. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on ZIF membranes for propylene/propane and ethylene/ethane separations. Membrane fabrication methods such as in situ crystallization, seeded growth, counter-diffusion synthesis, interfacial microfluidic processing, vapor-phase and current-driven synthesis are presented. The gas permeation and separation characteristics and membrane stability are also discussed.
Mitigation of PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Degradation with Porous Carbon Supports

Maintaining high performance after extensive use remains a key challenge for low-Pt proton exchange membrane fuel cells for transportation applications. Strategically improving catalyst durability requires better understanding of the relationship between degradation mechanisms and catalyst structure. To investigate the effects of the carbon support morphology, we compare the electrochemical performance and durability of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) using Pt and PtCox catalysts with a range of porous, solid, and intermediate carbon supports (HSC, Vulcan, and acetylene black). We find that electrochemical surface area (ECSA) retention after a catalyst-targeted durability test tends to improve with increasing support porosity. Using electron microscopy, we investigate microstructural changes in the catalysts and reveal the underlying degradation mechanisms in MEA specimens. Pt migration to the membrane and catalyst coarsening, measured microscopically, together were quantitatively consistent with the ECSA loss, indicating that these were the only two significant degradation pathways. Changes in catalyst particle size, morphology, and PtCo core-shell structure indicate that Ostwald ripening is a significant coarsening mechanism for catalysts on all carbons, while particle coalescence is only significant on the more solid carbon supports. Porous carbon supports thus appear to protect against particle coalescence, providing an effective strategy for mitigating catalyst coarsening. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0371904jes]
CAD-basierte Modellierungstechniken zur Generierung von 3D-Stadtmodellen aus Luftbildern

Ausgehend von der Notwendigkeit aktueller 3D-Stadtmodelle für die nachhaltige Stadtplanung und -entwicklung ergibt sich ein Bedarf nach effizienten Methoden zur Erfassung und Fortführung von 3D-Stadtmodellen. Erfassung und Fortführung sind heute in den für die Stadtplanung notwendigen Beschreibungsmaßstäben nur durch Auswertung von Luftbildoder flugzeuggetragenen Laserscannerdaten möglich. Um die Aktualität von Erfassung und Fortführung zu gewährleisten, ist die Automatisierung der Auswerteverfahren nötig. Die für die Automatisierung eingesetzten Methoden und Modelle werden diskutiert. Es zeigt sich, dass der Einsatz von wissensbasierten Techniken für die Umsetzung anspruchsvoller Methoden und Modelle unerlässlich ist. Die Umsetzung der eindrucksvollen Fortschritte in der Forschung in praxisgerechte Lösungen wird durch die Kombination von automatischen Verfahren mit interaktiven Steuerungsund Eingriffsmöglichkeiten aufgezeigt. Der vorliegende Schriftbeitrag gibt eine strukturelle Übersicht und inhaltliche Zusammenfassung des Tutorials.
Effect of Dietary Nitrate on Force Production and Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca 2+ Handling in Rat Fast-Twitch Muscles Following Eccentric Contraction

Impaired excitation-contraction coupling occurs in eccentric contraction (ECC)-induced damaged muscles. It has been suggested that sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is susceptible to damage in the overstretched regions possibly marking the basis of excitation-contraction coupling damage. Recent studies have shown that dietary nitrate supplementation enhances SR function in fast-twitch muscles. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether dietary nitrate supplementation can alleviate a decline in muscle contractile properties and SR function following ECC. To this end, force production, Ca2+ uptake, Ca2+ release, and Ca2+-ATPase activity of the SR were examined in rat fast-twitch muscles immediately following ECC for 200 repetitions. In comparison with contralateral resting muscles, nitrate supplementation for up to 3 days resulted in an obvious decline in force production. However, there were no differences in terms of force production between 6-day nitrate-treated and contralateral muscles. Similar to the observations regarding force production, the SR Ca2+ release rate changed from an obvious decrease following the 0- and 3-day dietary nitrate supplementation to no difference following the 6-day nitrate supplementation. In contrast, ECC decreased the Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake rate, irrespective of the period of dietary nitrate supplementation. Overall, these results indicate that dietary nitrate supplementation can alleviate ECC-related decreases in force production mediated through inhibited reductions in the SR Ca2+ release function.
Electrochemical Myoglobin Biosensor Based on Magnesium Metal-Organic Frameworks and Gold Nanoparticles Composite Modified Electrode

A carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) made with 1-hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate was used as the substrate electrode. The magnesium metal-organic framework (Mg-MOF-74) was casted on CILE surface and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was further assembled on electrode through electrodeposition to construct a nanocomposite interface. Myoglobin (Mb) was further modified on AuNPs/Mg-MOF-74/CILE and Nafion film was used to get the working electrode (Nafion/Mb/AuNPs/Mg-MOF-74/CILE). Morphology of the nanoparticles was recorded by SEM. UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy proved that Mb on the composite film retained its original structure. The Mb on AuNPs/Mg-MOF-74/CILE displayed a pair of redox peaks with the formal peak potential of -0.158 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in 0.1 mol/L pH 2.0 PBS. Mb remained the bioactivity and electrocatalyzed the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and sodium nitrite with relative wide concentration range and low detection limit. The fabricated electrochemical biosensor gave high stability and reproducibility, which extended the application of MOF based composite in electroanalysis.
On-the-go hyperspectral imaging for the in-field estimation of grape berry soluble solids and anthocyanin concentration

Background and Aims Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is used to assess fruit composition mostly indoor under controlled conditions. This work evaluates a HSI technique to measure TSS and anthocyanin concentration in wine grapes non‐destructively, in real time and in the vineyard. Methods and Results Hyperspectral images were acquired under natural illumination with a VIS–NIR hyperspectral camera (400–1000 nm) mounted on an all‐terrain vehicle moving at 5 km/h in a commercial Tempranillo vineyard in La Rioja, Spain. Measurements were taken on four dates during grape ripening in 2017. Grape composition was analysed on the grapes imaged, which was then used to develop spectral models, trained with support vector machines, to predict TSS and anthocyanin concentration. Regression models of TSS had determination coefficients (R2) of 0.91 for a fivefold cross validation [root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.358°Brix] and 0.92 for the prediction of external samples (RMSE of 1.274°Brix). For anthocyanin concentration, R2 of 0.72 for cross validation (RMSE of 0.282 mg/g berry) and 0.83 for prediction (RMSE of 0.211 mg/g berry) was achieved. Spatial–temporal variation maps were developed for the four image acquisition dates during ripening. Conclusions These results suggest that potential for on‐the‐go HSI to automate the assessment of important grape compositional parameters in vineyard is promising. Significance of the Study The on‐the‐go HSI method described in this study could be automated and provide valuable information to improve winery and vineyard decisions and vineyard management.
EFFECT OF LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHT COLOR ON TESTICULAR GROWTH, CIRCULATING TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATION AND SPERM QUALITY IN DANDARAWI ROOSTERS

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposing pre-mature Dandarawi roosters to different light-emitting diode (LED) light colors on testicular development, serum testosterone levels, and sperm motility and velocity. Seventy-five roosters, 16 weeks old, were assigned to 5 experimental groups each with three replicates of five birds per pen. Roosters of each experimental group were subjected to a different light color using Nine-watt red, yellow, green, blue and white LED bulbs from 16 to 36 weeks of age. Twenty-five semen pools were obtained over the last ten weeks (5 pools from each treatment) to evaluate sperm motility and velocity. Blood serum was collected to evaluate testosterone levels and the testicular growth was assessed. The results showed that green light hindered the testicular growth and had adverse effects on almost all studied semen traits (P<0.05). Both green and blue light significantly lowered circulating testosterone levels compared to other experimental groups (P<0.0001). Roosters subjected to red light exhibited significantly higher percentages of total and progressive motile spermatozoa, a greater number of spermatozoa per ml, higher values of curve linear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP) and straight linear velocity (VSL) and finally lower percentages of slow sperm as compared with roosters exposed to green, blue and white light. Roosters exposed to yellow light showed comparable results of testicular growth, serum testosterone concentrations and percentages of total motile, progressive and rapid spermatozoa to those exposed to red light. These results indicate that red and yellow light has better effects on reproduction and sperm quality than white and blue light, and that green light imposes adverse effects on reproduction in Dandarawi roosters.