Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depth profiling of micrometer‐order area by mesa‐structure fabrication

Fabricating mesa structures with photolithography in samples for analysis is a promising method for microarea analysis in SIMS depth profiling because undesired ions originating from the surroundings of the analysis area are eliminated. We investigated the depth profiles of B implants in Si by varying the primary ion energy, beam size, mesa size, raster area and gate area ratio. When a 50 µm × 50 µm mesa was rastered over a 60 µm × 60 µm area with a 15‐keV Cs+ beam, a dynamic range for B of 3 × 105 and a detection limit of 3.2 × 1015 atoms/cm3 were obtained. As for a smaller mesa of 9 µm × 9 µm, the depth profiles of BSi− taken over a 30 µm × 30 µm raster area with a 5 keV beam were quite comparable to those over 13 × 13 and 11 µm × 11 µm raster areas with a 15 keV beam. The major advantages of using a mesa fabrication method are minimization of the raster area and maximization of the gate area ratio without deterioration of profile quality, which is quite favorable for microarea analysis. A very small mesa of 4 µm × 4 µm was also successfully analyzed, and a dynamic range of 4 × 103 was obtained. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fine-scale variability in methanol uptake and oxidation: from the microlayer to 1000 m

Abstract. The aim of this research was to make the first depth profiles of the microbial assimilation of methanol carbon and its oxidation to carbon dioxide and use as an energy source from the microlayer to 1000 m. Some of the highest reported methanol oxidation rate constants of 0.5–0.6 d−1 were occasionally found in the microlayer and immediately underlying waters (10 cm depth), albeit these samples also showed the greatest heterogeneity compared to other depths down to 1000 m. Methanol uptake into the particulate phase was exceptionally low in microlayer samples, suggesting that any methanol utilised by microbes in this environment is for energy generation. The sea surface microlayer and 10 cm depth also showed a higher proportion of bacteria with a low DNA content, and bacterial leucine uptake rates in surface microlayer samples were either less than or the same as those in the underlying 10 cm layer. The average methanol oxidation and particulate rates were however statistically the same throughout the depths sampled, although the latter were highly variable in the near-surface 0.25–2 m compared to deeper depths. The statistically significant relationship demonstrated between uptake of methanol into particles and bacterial leucine incorporation suggests that many heterotrophic bacteria could be using methanol carbon for cellular growth. On average, methanol bacterial growth efficiency (BGEm) in the top 25 m of the water column is 6% and decreases with depth. Although, for microlayer and 10 cm-depth samples, BGEm is less than the near-surface 25–217 cm, possibly reflecting increased environmental UV stress resulting in increased maintenance costs, i.e. energy required for survival. We conclude that microbial methanol uptake rates, i.e. loss from seawater, are highly variable, particularly close to the seawater surface, which could significantly impact upon seawater concentrations and hence the air–sea flux.
Biomedical Applications of a Novel Class of High-Affinity Peptides.

ConspectusMost therapeutic peptides available on the market today are naturally occurring hormones or protein fragments that were serendipitously discovered to possess therapeutic effects. However, the limited repertoire of available natural resources presents difficulties for the development of new peptide drug candidates. Traditional peptides possess several shortcomings that must be addressed for biomedical applications, including relatively low affinity or specificity toward biological targets compared to antibody- and protein scaffold-based affinity molecules, poor in vivo stability owing to rapid enzymatic degradation, and rapid clearance from circulation owing to their small size. Going forward, it will be increasingly important for scientists to develop novel classes of high-affinity and -specificity peptides against desired targets that mitigate these limitations while remaining compatible with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Recently, several highly constrained, artificial cyclic peptides have emerged as platforms capable of generating high-affinity peptide binders against various disease-associated protein targets by combining with phage or mRNA display method, some of which have entered clinical trials. In contrast, although linear peptides are relatively easy to synthesize cost-effectively and modify site-specifically at either N- or C-termini compared to cyclic peptides, there have been few linear peptide-based platforms that can provide high-affinity and -specificity peptide binders.In this Account, we describe the creation and development of a novel class of high-affinity peptides, termed "aptide"-from the Latin word "aptus" meaning "to fit" and "peptide"-and summarize their biomedical applications. In the first part, we consider the design and creation of aptides, with a focus on their unique structural features and binding mode, and address screening and identification of target protein-specific aptides. We also discuss advantages of the aptide platform over ordinary linear peptides lacking preorganized structures in terms of the affinity and specificity of identified peptide binders against target molecules. In the second part, we describe the potential biomedical applications of various target-specific aptides, ranging from imaging and therapy to theranostics, according to the types of aptides and diseases. We show that certain aptides can not only bind to a target protein but also inhibit its biological function, thereby showing potential as therapeutics per se. Further, aptides specific for cancer-associated protein antigens can be used as escort molecules or targeting ligands for delivery of chemotherapeutics, cytokine proteins, and nanomedicines, such as liposomes and magnetic particles, to tumors, thereby substantially improving therapeutic effects. Finally, we present a strategy capable of overcoming the critical issue of short blood circulation time associated with most peptides by constructing a hybrid system between an aptide and a hapten cotinine-specific antibody.
Polydispersity Influence upon Magnetic Properties of Aggregated Ferrofluids

Summary In the present paper we compare the static magnetic properties of a bidisperse ferrofluid obtained via computer simulations with the predictions of the theoretical chain model. At weak fields, the computer simulations showed a strong dependence of the magnetization on the concentration of large particles. When the latter is small the magnetization behavior is close to the one given by the modified mean field approach, but at higher concentrations of large particles the initial susceptibility increases significantly. This increase cannot be described in terms of the modified mean field model for the homogeneous system. A new theoretical approach for the description of the static magnetic properties of a bidisperse ferrofluid was developed. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the results of a recent computer simulation study.
Emulsion polymerization pathway for preparation of organically soluble polyaniline sulfate

In this work, aniline was polymerized directly to polyaniline sulfate salt without using protic acid. Polyaniline sulfate salt was prepared by an emulsion polymerization pathway using surfactants such as anionic surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate), cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) and non-ionic surfactant (polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether). Anionic/cationic surfactants yield polyaniline sulfate salt in organic phase and non-ionic surfactant yields polyaniline sulfate in powder form. The dopant, i.e. sulfate ion, in polyaniline sulfate salt was generated from ammonium persulfate which was used to oxidize aniline. Ammonium persulfate acts both as an oxidizing agent and as a doping agent in the polymerization process of aniline to polyaniline sulfate salt. The spectral and electrical properties of the polyaniline salt synthesized by the emulsion polymerization pathway are compared with those of the polyaniline salt prepared by an aqueous polymerization pathway using sulfuric acid as protic acid.
Biodegradable Mulch Film Made of Starch‐Coated Paper and Its Effectiveness on Temperature and Moisture Content of Soil

Abstract A biodegradable mulch paper (BMP) was made from pea starch and brown kraft paper. Brown kraft paper (KP) was brushed with pregelatinized starch solution on one side evenly at 0.095 kg starch solution per square meter and dried at room temperature for 48–72 h. The BMP, uncoated KP, and commercial plastic weed barrier (WB) had similar thicknesses, from 0.15 to 0.22 mm. However, the tensile strength (TS) of KP was much higher than BMP and WB, whereas the tensile strengths of BMP and WB were similar. The KP had the highest values in elastic modulus (EM), indicating brittleness and rigidity. The WB had the lowest elastic modulus value. Water vapor permeability (WVP) of BMP was lower than that of KP, resulting in 4.57 and 10.28 g mm kPa−1h−1m−2, respectively. Both the BMP and KP could keep the soil more humid than the WB did. Soil temperature under BMP and KP was lower than those of WB and bare soil. The field experiment results also showed that BMP and KP prevented the growth of weeds.
Structural and Superconducting Property Variations with Nominal Mg Non‐Stoichiometry in MgxB2 and Its Enhancement of Upper Critical Field

By applying a combination of characterisation tools, changes in structural and superconducting properties with nominal Mg non‐stoichiometry in MgxB2 are found. The non‐stoichiometry produces enhanced in‐field critical current densities (Jc's) and upper critical field / irreversibility field (Hc2/Hirr(T)) values. Upper critical fields of ∼ 21 T (4.2 K) were obtained in nominal Mg‐deficient samples compared to ∼ 17 T (4.2 K) for near‐stoichiometric samples.
Blanching Leafy Vegetables with Electromagnetic Energy

Application of radio frequency, microwave, microwave-steam and infrared energy for blanching of leafy vegetables (endive and spinach) was studied and compared with conventional hot water and steam blanching. The quality of vegetables both frozen and sterilized was evaluated by instrumental and sensory analysis. Effects of blanching methods were most pronounced in frozen products. No quality differences occurred for infrared and radio frequency treatments. However, microwave energy alone or in combination with steam in the blanching process improved vitamin C retention, gave higher Instron force values and better sensory characteristics.
Volatile constituents of five Baccharis Species from Northeastern Argentina

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Baccharis gaudichaudiana, B. microcephala, B. penningtonii, B. phyteumoides and B. spicata collected from different locations in Argentina were analyzed. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed using a GC/FID/MS system with a special configuration. Essential oil yields ranged from 0.1 to 0.2% (m/v of dry material). Different chemical patterns were observed in the essential oils composition of the species studied: spathulenol and β-pinene were the main constituents in B.gaudichaudiana, whereas caryophyllene oxide and spathulenol were the major constituents in B. microcephala and B. spicata. In this latter species, β-pinene has also been found in high amounts. Germacrene D was the major compound in B. penningtonii. Finally, β-selinene and phytol acetate E were the main components in B. phyteumoides.
Synthesis of gradient copolysiloxanes by simultaneous copolymerization of cyclotrisiloxanes and mechanism for kinetics inverse between anionic and cationic ring‐opening polymerization

Trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane–phenylmethylsiloxane gradient copolysiloxanes were synthesized by anionic and cationic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of 1,3,5-tris(trifluoropropylmethyl)cyclotrisiloxane ( D3F) and phenylmethylcyclotrisiloxane ( D3Ph). The analysis of reactivity ratios revealed that the reactivity of D3F toward anionic ROP was higher than that of D3Ph; however, D3F exhibited lower reactivity compared with D3Ph during the cationic ROP. AB and BAB type gradient copolymers were obtained because of a difference in the reactivity of the monomers. The microstructure of copolymers was characterized by 29Si NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, the mechanism for kinetics inverse of copolymerization was proposed based on the results of the optimized molecular configuration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015
Optical properties of P and Al doped silicene: a first principles study

Here we study the optical properties of two dimensional pure, as well as doped, buckled silicene nanosheets using density functional theory in the long wavelength limit. Optical properties were studied by varying the concentration of substituted aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P) and aluminium–phosphorus (Al–P) atoms in silicene nanosheets. It has been observed that unlike graphene, no new electron energy loss spectra (EELS) peak occurs irrespective of doping type for parallel polarization. However, for perpendicular polarization two new, small yet significant, EELS peaks emerge for P doping. The origin of these new EELS peaks may be explained through the buckling effect of stable silicene. In addition, the calculations have revealed that the maximum values of the absorption coefficient of the doped system are higher than the pristine one. The study on reflectivity modulation with doping concentration has indicated the emergence of some strong peaks having the robust characteristic of a doped reflective surface for both polarizations of the electromagnetic field. Moreover, for all doped systems, the reflectivity modulation is restricted to low energy ( 8 eV) for parallel and perpendicular polarization respectively. Although no significant changes are noticed in the maximum values of optical conductivity with doping concentration in perpendicular polarization, a sudden jump appears for the Al–P codoped system at an 18.75% doping concentration. All these theoretical observations are expected to shed light on fabricating opto-electronic devices using silicene as the block material.
INFLUENCE OF APPLIED MINERALOGY IN DEVELOPING AN OPTIMAL HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESSING ROUTE FOR COMPLEX SULPHIDE ORES

The selection of an optimum technical and economic processing and extraction route for minerals and metals requires complete knowledge of the ore, especially its chemical and mineralogical compositions, relative amounts, and grain size distribution. Thus, to obtain optimum results during base metals recovery from complex sulphide ore, processing must start from a sound and complete mineralogical study. This work therefore investigates the influence of applied mineralogy in the selection of the optimal route for processing and extracting base metals from complex sulphides, by studying the size, mineralogy, and elemental distribution of Ishiagu bulk complex sulphide ore. Bulk complex sulphide ore from Ishiagu, in Eboyin State, in the southeastern part of Nigeria, was sequentially crushed in a jaw crusher and a cone crusher, and ground in a rod mill. The results obtained during laboratory sieve analysis were used to evaluate its size distribution. Identification of mineral phases distributed within the sizes was determined by microscopy, using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersed x-ray analyzer to produce backscattered images. The elemental distribution was determined by the optical emission spectrometry using x-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. Results obtained showed variations in elemental and mineralogical composition within the different sizes. The concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron reduce as particle size decreases, while silicon, sulphur, and lead contents increase. The overall results obtained were used as a basis for predicting parameters for which optimal hydrometallurgical recovery of the constituent's metals could be achieved.
Reconciliation of excess 14 C-constrained global CO 2 piston velocity estimates

Oceanic excess radiocarbon data is widely used as a constraint for air–sea gas exchange. However, recent estimates of the global mean piston velocity 〈 k 〉 from Naegler et al., Krakauer et al., Sweeney et al. and Muller et al. differ substantially despite the fact that they all are based on excess radiocarbon data from the GLODAP data base. Here I show that these estimates of 〈 k 〉 can be reconciled if first, the changing oceanic radiocarbon inventory due to net uptake of CO 2 is taken into account; second, if realistic reconstructions of sea surface Δ 14 C are used and third, if 〈 k 〉 is consistently reported with or without normalization to a Schmidt number of 660. These corrections applied, unnormalized estimates of 〈 k 〉 from these studies range between 15.1 and 18.2 cm h -1 . However, none of these estimates can be regarded as the only correct value for 〈 k 〉. I thus propose to use the ‘average’ of the corrected values of 〈 k 〉 presented here (16.5 ± 3.2 cm h -1 ) as the best available estimate of the global mean unnormalized piston velocity 〈 k 〉, resulting in a gross ocean-to-atmosphere CO 2 flux of 76 ± 15 PgC yr -1 for the mid-1990s. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2008. 00408.x
Original Article QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PARACETAMOL AND CAFFEINE FROM FORMULATED TABLETS BY REVERSED PHASE-HPLC SEPARATION TECHNIQUE

This RP-HPLC method has been described for the determination binary formulated tablets of paracetamol and caffeine. However, none have been cross validated using formulated products. The present study depicts an accurate, stable, rapid, simple, precise and reducible reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) separation method. The present isocratic method was carried out on C18-column with mobile phase methanol and water in the ratio of 40:60 (by volume) at the flow rate 1.0 mL/minute. The detection was carried out at λmax=243 nm. The retention time of paracetamol and caffeine were 3.03 and 4.23 minutes, respectively. Under the optimal condition, the linearity were found for paracetamol R 2 =0.999 and for caffeine R 2 =0.994. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for paracetamol were computed 0.04 and 0.12 µg/mL and for caffeine 0.05 and 0.15 µg/mL, respectively. The recoveries of paracetamol and caffeine were in the range of 99.62-99.45 % and 104.48-100.56 %. The proposed method was successfully validated to determine paracetamol and caffeine from its formulated tablets. © 2013 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved
Stability and Reusability of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Plates

Abstract Due to the concern of stripping immobilized enzymes and antibodies from microtiter plates by the washing process, enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been traditionally run on single-use, disposable units. This paper discusses the concept of stabilized, reusable ELISA plates. Antibody immobilized microtiter plates with three different modified polystyrene immobilizing surfaces were stored in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline/1% BSA/0.1% Thimerosal (DBT) and DBT with 3% sucrose (DBTS) for one month at 4°C. After treatment with the chaotrope and storage in buffer, the plates can be reused up to 4 times with 90% or greater antigenic capacity remaining. High and low binding microtiter plates were studied for reusability with anti-rabbit IgG (aRIgG) as a primary antibody. In each case, the procedure allowed repeated use of the same antibody immobilized plates for ELISA without re-immobilizing the antibody or loss of antigenicity. Immobilized ELISA plates were stable for one month if stored.
Measurement applications based on pyroelectric properties of ferroelectric polymers

Ferroelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride and vinylidene fluoride-based copolymers can be used in place of single crystals and ceramics in many devices. In addition, their availability as large-surface-area, low-cost, thin, flexible sheets creates many new possibilities. A review is presented of some of the applications of pyroelectric polymers in measurement devices. >
COMBINED EFFECTS OF ENZYME DOSAGE AND REACTION TIME ON PAPAYA JUICE EXTRACTION WITH THE AID OF PECTIC ENZYMES – A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Pectic enzymes are widely used in the food industry for fruit juice extraction as well as in the clarification of cloudy juices. Our laboratory has been using pectic enzymes produced from a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 52712) in different applications including fruit juice extraction. The enzyme was produced in the laboratory by culturing the yeast in papaya juice supplemented with 1% pectin for 6 days. Known amounts of enzyme preparation (0–40 mg protein) were added to a measured weight of papaya mash for varying reaction periods (30–90 min) and the amount of free-run juice obtained in each treatment compared with a control sample. Treatment of 200 g of papaya mash with different dosages of the pectic enzyme extract resulted in rapid increases in flow rate of free-run juice. Mash treated with 32 mg of total protein extract with a 30-min reaction time was the optimum for a maximum rate of juice flow (25 mL/min) when initial rates were measured. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the red- and yellow-fleshed varieties of the papaya used. When juice flow was monitored over 6 min, the treated samples gave a flow rate that was more than twice those of the untreated samples. This biotechnological approach could be adopted to enhance papaya-juice production by local fruit juice processors when parameters for scale-up processes are established.
Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences Quantitative estimation of isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic Acid) in bulk and formulation by UV - visible spectrophotometry

A simple, sensitive and specific UV spectrophotometric method has been proposed for the estimation of Isotretinoin in bulk and soft gelatin capsule for routine analysis. The optimum conditions for analysis were established and validated in conformance with ICH guidelines. It was observed, the absorbance maximum (λmax) for Isotretinoin was 344 nm in methanol and the linearity was in the range of 1-8 μg/ml with coefficient of correlation as 0.9994. The lower limit of detection and the limit of quantification were found to be 0.2519 and 0. 7634μg/ml respectively.
Identification of Cool and Blue Flames in Compression Ignition

Low-temperature ignition of hydrocarbon fuels is characterized by weak, pale blue light emission. It has been difficult to distinguish the low-temperature flame; cool flames, the first onset of the lowtemperature flames, and blue flame, the second, from the other and final hot flame. The present paper shows how to identify the compression-ignition flames spectroscopically. Cool, blue, or hot flame is identified by the HCO band emission, blue and red colorations. 329.8 nm wave lebngh emission in the HCO Vaidya band is almost the only tool for identifying the blue flame. Visible red spectrum near 600 nm is most effective to perceive the hot-flame appearance. Autoignited hot flames turn yellow or red. The H2O emission at 632.8 nm and soot formation would be plausible cause of red coloration. Carbon formation starts in compression-ignition low-temperature flame just after the cool flame has degenerated.