Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reverse osmosis desalination membrane formed from weak polyelectrolytes by spin assisted layer by layer technique

Thin film bi-polar membranes were prepared by depositing alternate layers of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) by Spin Assisted Layer-by-Layer (SA-LbL) coating technique. These polyionic coatings were deposited on silicon wafer substrates as well as on polysulfone ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The suitability of these coated membranes for use as reverse osmosis seawater desalination membranes was investigated using a single pass-cross flow permeation test cell. Membrane testing showed that with only 35 bi-layers of PAH/PAA on a polysulfone ultra filtration membranes, NaCl rejection of 88% and water permeability of 0.22 l.m-2h-1bar-1 was achieved for feed water with NaCl concentration of 15000 ppm and pressure of 700 psig.
Super-resolution methods for fluorescence microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy is an important tool for biological research. However, the resolution of a standard fluorescence microscope is limited by diffraction, which makes it difficult to observe small details of a specimen’s structure. We have developed two fluorescence microscopy methods that achieve resolution beyond the classical diffraction limit. The first method represents an extension of localisation microscopy. We used nonnegative matrix factorisation (NMF) to model a noisy dataset of highly overlapping fluorophores with intermittent intensities. We can recover images of individual sources from the optimised model, despite their high mutual overlap in the original dataset. This allows us to consider blinking quantum dots as bright and stable fluorophores for localisation microscopy. Moreover, NMF allows recovery of sources each having a unique shape. Such a situation can arise, for example, when the sources are located in different focal planes, and NMF can potentially be used for three dimensional superresolution imaging. We discuss the practical aspects of applying NMF to real datasets, and show super-resolution images of biological samples labelled with quantum dots. It should be noted that this technique can be performed on any wide-field epifluorescence microscope equipped with a camera, which makes this super-resolution method very accessible to a wide scientific community. The second optical microscopy method we discuss in this thesis is a member of the growing family of structured illumination techniques. Our main goal is to apply structured illumination to thick fluorescent samples generating a large out-of-focus background. The out-of-focus fluorescence background degrades the illumination pattern, and the reconstructed images suffer from the influence of noise. We present a combination of structured illumination microscopy and line scanning. This technique reduces the out-of-focus fluorescence background, which improves the quality of the illumination pattern and therefore facilitates reconstruction. We present super-resolution, optically sectioned images of a thick fluorescent sample, revealing details of the specimen’s inner structure. In addition, in this thesis we also discuss a theoretical resolution limit for noisy and pixelated data. We correct a previously published expression for the so-called fundamental resolution measure (FREM) and derive FREM for two fluorophores with intermittent intensity. We show that the intensity intermittency of the sources (observed for quantum dots, for example) can increase the “resolution” defined in terms of FREM.
A novel β-FeOOH/NiO composite material as a potential catalyst for catalytic ozonation degradation of 4-chlorophenol

In this study we report on the organic linker mediated fabrication and catalytic activity of a novel β-FeOOH/NiO composite material for the first time. Four-chlorophenol (4-CP) was used as a target molecule to evaluate the catalytic activity of the composite material in ozonation reactions. Three different β-FeOOH loadings, labelled 2, 5 and 10% β-FeOOH/NiO composites were prepared. The 5% β-FeOOH/NiO composite material showed the highest activity in the composite structure. XRD, FTIR and TEM were used to characterise the composite structure. Evidence of a chemically bonded interface between β-FeOOH and NiO was apparent from the FTIR and TEM results. Adsorption of 4-CP on the catalyst surface was found to be negligible. First order reaction kinetics were used to describe the 4-CP degradation behaviour and the rate constants increased with increasing initial pH of the solution. No detectable amount of both Fe and Ni leaching into the solution was observed at a pH range of 10–2.3. After 20 min of the ozonation reaction, 85% of 4-CP was removed by the heterogeneous system as opposed to 47% by ozonation alone. The developed composite material exhibited good recyclability as the catalytic activity of the material could be recovered by calcination after use. A maximum of 66% of COD was removed just after 50 min of the catalytic ozonation reaction. The enhanced catalytic activity of the composite material was due to higher generation of OH˙ which was supported by photoluminescence (PL) experiments.
An Efficient Synthesis of Tertiaryaminomethylphosphonates,A Versatile Precursor for Synthesis of Glyphosate and α—Aminomethylphosphonates

Reaction of simple dialkyl phosphites with symmetrical 1,3,5-trisubstituted hexahydro- triazines (HHTs) in the presence of benzyl chloride, afforded tertiaryaminomethylphosphonates in excellent yields. Glyphosate, α-aminomethylphosphonates and their derivatives can therefore be synthesized by this procedure conveniently.
Grading textile fastness. Part 4: An inter‐laboratory trial using DigiEye systems†,‡

In Part 1 of this series of papers, a new method for assessing textile fastness using an imaging system based upon a digital camera was introduced. In Parts 2 and 3, all available experimental data were used to develop new fastness formulae for assessing staining and change in colour, respectively. The combination of the digital method and the two formulae markedly outperformed the current ISO formulae. In the present study a further inter-laboratory trial has been conducted under the auspices of TCI/81, Colour Fastness and Colour Measurement Committee. Twelve laboratories and 38 professional assessors took part in this trial. Two Digi-Eye systems were used to measure all the colours. The results provide strong evidence that the newly developed formulae together with the digital imaging method can accurately predict the visual results.
Fonctions des triadines dans le muscle squelettique. Caractérisation de l'isoforme Trisk 32.

La triadine est une famille de proteines du muscle squelettique. Quatre isoformes de la triadine ont ete clonees: Trisk 95, Trisk 51, Trisk 49 et Trisk 32. Ce sont des proteines transmembranaires du reticulum sarcoplasmique (RS). Trisk 95 et Trisk 51 sont localisees dans la triade ou elles sont associees au recepteur de la ryanodine (RyR), un canal calcique. Trisk 49 et Trisk 32 sont localisees dans le RS longitudinal. Il a ete montre que Trisk 95 regule les relâchements de Ca2+ du RyR. L'objectif de ce travail de these a ete d'etudier les fonctions des triadines dans le muscle squelettique grâce a differentes approches et techniques complementaires. Dans un premier temps, Trisk 95 et de Trisk 51 ont ete etudiees par surexpression in vivo dans les muscles de souris. La caracterisation de ces muscles a permis de mettre en evidence l'association du RyR avec la caveoline, une proteine de la membrane plasmique. Dans un second temps, la fonction de Trisk 32 a ete etudiee dans le muscle squelettique. L'etude precise de sa localisation a permis de montrer qu'elle est localisee dans la triade, dans le RS longitudinal, et a proximite des mitochondries. Des experiences de co-immunoprecipitation ont revele qu'elle est associee avec le RyR et avec le recepteur de l'IP3. De par ses partenaires, Trisk 32 semble jouer un role dans la regulation de nombreux mecanismes impliquant le Ca2+. Enfin, le gene de la triadine a ete invalide chez la souris. Cette souris KO triadine presente une faiblesse musculaire et des defauts dans l'ultrastructure de la triade. Ces resultats indiquent qu'en plus de sa fonction de regulation des relâchements de Ca2+ la triadine pourrait avoir un role structural.
Characterization and stability of biosurfactant produced by Bacillus mojavensis A21 and its application in enhancing solubility of hydrocarbon

BACKGROUND The present work aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties of the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus mojavensis A21 and to evaluate its potential use in diesel recovery. RESULTS The strain B. mojavensis A21 was found to be a potent producer of biosurfactant. Compared with SDS and Tween 80, biosurfactant A21 showed high physicochemical properties in terms of the surface activities and high emulsification index. The biosurfactant A21 reduced surface tension to 30 mN m-1. Biosurfactant A21 was also demonstrated to be stable in a wide range of pH, temperature and salinity. Moreover, it was found that it can solubilize diesel more effectively than SDS and Tween 80. It can be considered as an alternative to chemically synthesized surfactants since it shows high solubilization efficiency towards diesel oil (62% at 0.5 g L-1) in comparison with SDS and Tween 80. CONCLUSION Biosurfactant A21, owing its high emulsification capacity and its high tolerance to acidic and alkaline pH values and salinity, shows great potential for use in bioremediation processes to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Phytochemical and clinical studies of the bioactive extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Family Leguminosae

Abstract The aim of this study was the isolation, identification of the bioactive ingredients of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Family Leguminosae, as well as the evaluation of their efficacy and ability to control plaque induced gingivitis in a preliminary clinical study. The dried powdered roots and rhizomes of G. glabra was subjected to successive extraction using organic solvents of increasing polarity. The total polar extract of the roots and rhizomes of G. glabra showed significant inhibition of carrageenan induced swelling of the hind rat paw(P>0.5). Seven phenolic compounds namely liquiriteginin, liquiritin apioside, neoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, isoliquritin apioside, licuraside2-(5-P-coumaryl apiosyl) and isoliquiritin were isolated from the total polar extract utilizing different chromatographic techniques (PC, TLC, CC, HPLC and LC/MS) and identified using spectral analysis ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 2D-NMR and ESI-MS). The effectiveness of the isolated bioactive fractions of G. glabra mouth rinse in the reduction of plaque and gingivitis was studied clinically, after the approval of its safety, and the results were significant.
Metal ion sensing solution containing double crossover DNA

The current study describes metal ion sensing with double crossover DNAs (DX1 and DX2), artificially designed as a platform of doping. The sample for sensing is prepared by a facile annealing method to grow the DXs lattice on a silicon/silicon oxide. Adding and incubating metal ion solution with the sensor substrate into the micro-tube lead the optical property change. Photoluminescence (PL) is employed for detecting the concentration of metal ion in the specimen. We investigated PL emission for sensor application with the divalent copper. In the range from 400 to 650 nm, the PL features of samples provide significantly different peak positions with excitation and emission detection. Metal ions contribute to modify the optical characteristics of DX with structural and functional change, which results from the intercalation of them into hydrogen bonding positioned at the center of double helix. The PL intensity is decreased gradually after doping copper ion in the DX tile on the substrate.
Reduced Electric Linear Dichroism of DNA Fragments in Aqueous Solutions

We calculate the reduced electric linear dichroism at the steady state for DNA fragments in aqueous solutions modeled as flexible broken rod molecules (BRM). The electrical and optical properties of the BRM are characterized by the corresponding tensors and by a charge q with a uniform linear distribution. Each rod has N monomers that are chromophore groups with an average transition probability tensor. The reduced electric linear dichroism of BRM solution is calculated from the anisotropy in the absorption of each molecule, integrating over all the orientations, employing the steady‐state orientational distribution function of the system. We first obtain the analytical solution of the Fokker‐Planck equation for the system by using a perturbation method where the orientational distribution function is expanded in powers of the perturbation parameter until the fourth order. Then we solve the differential equation for each order of perturbation applying the Fourier method for expanding series. Finally, we c.
Application of multivariate statistical approach to identify element sources in parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

The aim of this study was to determine the content of elements in the parsley roots (Petroselinum crispum) of different geographic origin and estimate their possible sources applying chemometric analysis. The concentrations of 13 elements in parsley collected at 12 locations in five districts were examined. Cluster analysis (CA) separated elements into three statistical significant clusters: metalloids, heavy, and essential metals. Principal component analysis (PCA) permitted the reduction of 13 variables to three principal components explaining 82.3% of the total variance. The first component with 48.2% of variance comprises Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, and Co. Some of these metals are essential in low concentrations and their presence in plants is of lithogenic origin. Multivariate statistical analysis approach, such as PCA and CA can be used to assess the level of elements in vegetables. These methods can be used to identify sources of elements in plants too.
Direct Electrodeposition of Highly Dense 50 nm Bi2Te3-ySey Nanowire Arrays

Films and arrays of 200 and 50 nm diameter wires of Bi2Te3-xSex have been electrodeposited in the following general reaction: 2Bi3+ + (3−y)HTeO2+ + (y)H2SeO3 + (9+y)H+ + 18e- → Bi2Te3-ySey + (6+y)H2O. Films produced from an electrolyte of 0.0075 M Bi, 0.0090 M Te, and 0.0010 M Se in 1 M HNO3 at a potential of ∼0 V vs Ag/AgCl are single phase with composition Bi2Te2.6Se0. 4 as determined by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Similar conditions yield arrays of 200 and 50 nm Bi2Te3-ySey wires when deposited into porous alumina templates. The wires are single phase, crystalline, and textured, with up to 85% pore filling.
Dried blood spots (DBS) in doping controls: a complementary matrix for improved in- and out-of-competition sports drug testing strategies

A drop of whole blood dried on filter paper (Dried Blood Spots, DBS) represents an aspiring technique for minimally invasive sample collection in a multitude of analytical disciplines, e.g., therapeutic drug monitoring, preclinical drug development and diagnostic analysis of metabolic disorders in newborns. DBS sampling is characterized by cost-effectiveness, straightforwardness, robustness and facilitated storage and shipment conditions. The present investigation was conducted to highlight the opportunities arising from the implementation of DBS as a complementary matrix in doping control programs. Being frequently abused, three model compounds were chosen to represent the classes of anabolic agents (stanozolol and dehydrochloromethyltestosterone) and stimulants (pseudoephedrine). A quantitative method was developed and validated for the detection of the target analytes from DBS using liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution/high accuracy tandem mass spectrometry. The imprecision of the assay amounted to <8% for intraday and <18% for day-to-day measurements. Highly purified DBS sample extracts exhibited no ion suppression effects due to interfering matrix components and provided limits of detection of 20 pg mL−1 for stanozolol and 0.8 ng mL−1 for DHCMT and pseudoephedrine, respectively, notwithstanding an overall recovery of 26%. Deuterium-labeled internal standards were used to yield reliable quantitative results (accuracy 84–125%). The stability of the analytes was shown for at least 28 days at room temperature. The proof-of-principle for the method presented was substantiated by means of the analysis of authentic specimens obtained from administration studies with stanozolol, DHCMT and pseudoephedrine. The results provided, to the best of our knowledge, unprecedented detection windows for the tested anabolic agents accomplished by DBS sampling to support out-of-competition control efforts for the tested anabolic agents. Furthermore, the unambiguous proof of pharmacologically relevant blood concentrations at given urinary analyte levels is noteworthy for the improvement of in-competition controls, e.g., with regard to stimulant analysis.
Evolutionary computer controlled design of a reluctance motor drive system

This paper demonstrates the benefits of employing computer-automated design methods in design and optimization of electrical machines and drives. The proposed design and optimization software for a reluctance motor and drive has been used to design a complete flux switching motor without human intervention. The capability of accurately predicting dynamic performances of the full system (motor and drive) allows a genetic algorithm to confidently adjust the design within reasonable boundaries while steadily improving the fitness function of the designs. The motor and drive has been constructed and test results have verified the accuracy of the simulation. The motor and drive as designed has delivered superior performance to comparable motors of the same frame size.
Extraction of Technetium From Simulated Hanford Tank Wastes

Aqueous biphasic separation systems are being developed for the treatment of liquid radioactive wastes. These extraction systems are based on the use of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) for the selective extraction and recovery of long-lived radionuclides, such as {sup 129}I, {sup 75}Se, and {sup 99}Tc, from caustic solutions containing high concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and carbonate. Because of the high ionic strengths of supernatant liquids in Hanford underground storage tanks, aqueous biphasic systems can be generated by simply adding aqueous PEG solutions directly to the waste solution. In the process, anionic species like I{sup -} and TcO{sup -}{sub 4} are selectively transferred to the less dense PEG phase. The partition coefficients for a wide range of inorganic cations and anions, such as sodium, potassium, aluminum, nitrate, nitrite, and carbonate, are all less than one. The authors present experimental data on extraction of technetium from several simulated Hanford tank wastes at 25{degrees} and 50{degrees}C.
Rectangular Single‐Crystal Mullite Microtubes

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Adsorption of Radon on Ice Surfaces

The differential molar adsorption enthalpy of radon at zero coverage on the surface of laboratory made ice was determined by the method of low-temperature thermochromatography. Spherical ice particles were prepared as the stationary phase. For the investigation, the short-lived radon isotope 220Rn was used, generated with a 232U-emanation source. Helium served as carrier gas. At a temperature of about 100 K, sharp adsorption peaks of the 220Rn atoms (∼108) were measured. From the measured deposition temperatures the adsorption enthalpy on the surface of the ice spheres was determined as ΔHads = −19.2 ± 1.6 kJ/mol. This value is compared with data from the literature for adsorption enthalpies of radon on different solid surfaces. From the estimated solution enthalpy of radon in water and the formation enthalpy of a hypothetical “Rn chlathrate hydrate”, it follows that Rn is adsorbed on the ice surface as a free atom. The measured adsorption enthalpy indicates that Rn and ice are not isomorphous and that Rn.
Absolute Heteroaggregation Rate Constants by Multiangle Static and Dynamic Light Scattering

The analysis of early-stage heteroaggregation (or heterocoagulation) in binary colloidal systems composed of oppositely charged latex particles of different size in the submicrometer size range with multiangle static and dynamic light scattering is presented. The solution conditions were adjusted to exclude any significant homoaggregation. The apparent rate obtained from static light scattering mostly strongly decreases with increasing scattering angle regardless of the number fractions, while the rate from dynamic light scattering varies in a more complicated manner. The light scattering data could be interpreted quantitatively on the basis ofthe Rayleigh-Gans-Debye approximation. The values of absolute heteroaggregation rate constants were found to be the same within experimental error when evaluated from static or dynamic light scattering, and they were independent of the mixing ratio. The average hydrodynamic radius of the doublet obtained from the dynamic light scattering was in good agreement with theoretical estimates based on an exact hydrodynamic treatment at low Reynolds numbers. A simple formula is proposed to estimate the hydrodynamic radius of the asymmetric particle doublet, and this formula is shown to agree well with experimental data and with theory. The new conclusion from this study is that multiangle dynamic light scattering represents the method of choice for the determination of absolute heteroaggregation rate constants.
Contact angle measurements and contact angle interpretation : 1. Contact angle measurements by axisymmetric drop shape analysis and a goniometer sessile drop technique

Low-rate dynamic contact angles and static advancing contact angles of 13 liquids were measured, respectively, by axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) and a conventional goniometer technique, on two copolymers, poly(propene-alt-N-(n-propyl)maleimide) and poly(propene-alt-N-(n-hexyl)maleimide); both have polar groups. In the case of the former technique for measuring contact angles (at very low velocity of the three-phase contact line), very complex contact angle responses were observed for some solid−liquid systems. In a specific case, slip and stick contact angle behavior occurs where the contact angle increases steadily by as much as 35° at constant three-phase contact radius and subsequently decreases sharply due to a sudden jump in the three-phase contact line. Thus, circumspection is necessary in the decision whether or not the experimental contact angles can be used to interpret surface energetics in conjunction with Young's equation and whether the solid−liquid systems violate the basic assumpti.