Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of foliar-applied glycinebetaine on growth, yield and some key physiological and biochemical attributes of grape (Vitis vinifera L.)

Glycinebetaine (GB) plays an imperative role to mitigate the opposing impact of several environmental stresses in various crops. The objective of this investigation was to scrutinize the response of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) to the foliar application of GB. Diverse levels of GB (0, 10, 20 and 30 mM) were applied three times with fifteen days interval to grape cv. King’s Ruby. All levels of GB improved the physiological, biochemical and growth attributes of the grape. As compared to control treatment, foliar spray of GB applied at 30 mM increased the number of leaves/vine, leaf area and number of newly emerged branches/plant by 20.55%, 12.28% and 48.13%, respectively. The pH of grape juice was decreased by increasing GB levels. However, total soluble solids, total chlorophyll contents, grape yield and photosynthesis rate was recorded maximum with foliar spray of GB applied at 30 mM. The regression model predicted that each increment in GB level enhanced the number of leaves/plant and the number of newly emerged branches/plant by 1.8 and 0.7, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that exogenous application GB applied at 30 mM might be more useful to obtain the optimum growth and quality of grapes.
Determination of the mode of action of the antibacterial peptide ApoEdp

9 Declaration . 10 Copyright statement . 10 Abbreviations . 11 Acknowledgements . 14 Chapter 1: Introduction . 15 1.1. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) . 16 1.1.1. History of antimicrobial peptides . 16 1.1.2. Different sources of antimicrobial peptides . 17 1.1.2.1. Antimicrobial peptides isolated from mammals . 17 1.1.2.2. Plant antimicrobial peptides . 20 1.1.2.3. Antimicrobial peptides found in invertebrates . 21 1.1.2.4. Amphibian antimicrobial peptides . 22 1.1.2.5. Antimicrobial peptides isolated from bacteria . 23 1.1.3. Classification of Antimicrobial peptides . 24 1.1.3.1. α-helical peptides . 24 1.1.3.2. AMPs with loop structures . 24 1.1.3.3. β-sheeted AMPs . 26 1.1.3.4. AMPs containing amino acid biases . 26 1.2. Biological roles of AMPs . 27 1.2.1. Innate mammalian immune modulation . 27 1.2.2. Direct antimicrobial killing . 29 1.2.2.1. Antiviral activity. 29 1.2.2.1.1. Antimicrobial peptides that bind directly to the virion . 29 1.2.2.1.2. Antimicrobial peptides which inhibit viral entry into host cells . 30 1.2.2.1.3. Antimicrobial which prevent cell-cell spread of viruses . 31 1.2.2.1. 4. Antimicrobial peptides that inhibit viral replication . 31 1.2.2.2. Anti-fungal activity . 32 1.2.2.3. Anti-parasitic activity . 34 1.2.2.4. Antibacterial activity . 36 1.2.2.4. 1. The effect of antimicrobial peptides on bacterial cell membranes . 36 1.2.2.4. 2. Intracellularly activity of antibacterial peptides . 38 1.3. Potential therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides . 40 1.3.1. Advantages of antimicrobial peptides over conventional antibiotics . 40 1.3.2. Clinical uses of antimicrobial peptides . 41
Ethanol steam reforming on Ni/CaO catalysts for coproduction of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes

Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol is considered as a promising technology for producing H2 in the modern world. In this study, using a fixed‐bed reactor, steam reforming of ethanol was performed for production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and H2 simultaneously at 600°C on Ni/CaO catalysts. Commercial CaO and a synthetic CaO prepared using sol‐gel were scrutinized for ethanol's catalytic steam reforming. Analysis results of N2 isothermal adsorption indicate that the CaO synthesized by sol‐gel has more pore volume and surface area in comparison with the commercial CaO. When Ni was loaded, the Ni/CaO catalyst shows an encouraging catalytic property for H2 production, and an increase in Ni loading could improve H2 production. The Ni/CaO catalyst with sol‐gel CaO support has presented a higher hydrogen production and better catalytic stability than the catalysts with the commercial CaO support at low Ni loading. The highest hydrogen yield is 76.8% at Ni loading content of 10% for the Ni/sol‐gel CaO catalyst with WHSV of 3.32/h and S/C ratio of 3. The carbon formed after steam reforming primarily consists of filamentous carbons and amorphous carbons, and CNTs are the predominant type of carbon deposition. The deposited extent of carbon on the used Ni/CaO catalyst lessen upon more Ni loading, and the elongated CNTs are desired to be formed at the surface of the Ni/sol‐gel CaO catalyst. Thus, an efficient process and improved economic value is associated with prompt hydrogen production and CNTs from ethanol steam reforming.
Efficient synthesis of novel RGD based peptides and the conjugation of the pyrazine moiety to their N-terminus

Novel RGD based peptides (RGDFAKLF and RGDNGRG) were designed and synthesized and were later coupled to the pyrazine moiety at the N-terminus. The IC50 values from the in vitro study of the target peptides using a cell adhesion assay indicated the essential impact of the existence of the pyrazine moiety. Meanwhile, peptide 4 exhibited the best IC50 value.
Eggshell Powder as An Adsorbent for Removal of Cu (II) and Cd (II) from Aqueous Solution: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

The adsorption of Cu (II) and Cd (II) ions onto eggshell was investigated. The effects of contact time, initial pH of solution, adsorbent dosage, initial metal concentration, agitation speed, and temperature were studied in batch experiments. The maximum adsorption capacities for Cu(II) and Cd(II) were 8.4 and 7.01 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy change, Enthalpy change and Entropy change have been calculated. These thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was thermodynamically spontaneous under natural conditions and the adsorption was endothermic in nature. Experimental data were also tested in terms of adsorption kinetics, the results illustrated that the adsorption process was following pseudo second- order kinetics. In addition Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggests that Cu (II) and Cd (II) interact with metal oxides and -OH functional group present in eggshell powder.
Introductory Chapter: Gas Chromatography - The Most Versatile Analytical Technique

Gas chromatography (GC) is a type of chromatography. According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommendation, gas chromatography is defined as a separation technique in which the mobile phase is a gas. Gas chromatography is always carried out in a column [1]. GC is a separation and detection method for sample mixtures, whose components can be volatilized without thermal decomposition.
Campus Racial Climate, Boundary Work and the Fear and Sexualization of Black Masculinities on a Predominantly White University

This article presents data from a study of Black men and masculinities at a predominantly White university. I argue that the campus racial climate on predominantly White universities are important sites of boundary work where fear and sexualization of Black masculinities are normalized in ways that shape Black men’s social relations on college campuses. In doing so, I will share narrative data of how Black male college students perceive the campus racial climate, with a focus on how they are feared and sexualized in predominantly White spaces. I also analyze the ways in which they managed race, gender, and sexuality within school spaces, and situate their gendered performances within the context of the boundary work of the university. Attention will be given to their agency in how they respond to White fears and sexualization of Black men.
Thermoresponsive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)-g-galactosylated chitosan hydrogel: synthesis, characterization, and controlled release properties

Abstract A dual (thermo- and pH-) responsive hybrid copolymer, poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) grafted galactosylated chitosan (PNVCL-g-GC) was synthesized by EDC/NHS crosslinking. PNVCL-g-GC exhibited a temperature-dependent phase change (LCST) at 32 °C in aqueous solutions. PNVCL-g-GC hydrogel scaffold was fabricated by freeze-drying, and evaluated as a delivery vehicle dependent on environmental pH and temperature. PNVCL-g-GC was characterized using ATR-FTIR, 1H-NMR, DSC, TGA, rheometry, and SEM. The swelling degree increased by the decrease both in temperature and pH. A faster BSA release was observed at 40 °C and at pH 7.2 from the cytocompatible and hemocompatible copolymer. Graphical Abstract
Adsorptive Desulfurization of Gas Oil Over Cu2O/AC, ZnO/AC and NiO/AC Adsorbents

- In the present work, Iraqi gasoil fraction was treated by using three prepared metal-impregnated activated carbon adsorbents for sulfur removal using adsorptive desulfurization method. In the first experimental section, commercial activated carbon was loaded individually with copper, zinc and nickel oxides and reaches the form of Cu 2 O, ZnO and NiO respectively. XRD, BET, surface area and metal content were determined for the three prepared adsorbents. The three prepared metal loaded adsorbents were tested for sulfur removal from Iraqi gasoil fuel via batch mode and continuous mode. In continuous operation, fixed bed adsorber packed individually with the three prepared adsorbents was used and breakthrough curves were generated. The results of the present study indicate that the desulfurization enhanced when metals zinc, copper and nickel were loaded onto activated carbon surface. Sulfur adsorption uptake by the three adsorbents followed the order Cu 2 O > ZnO > NiO (the highest desulfurization percent obtained via continuous mode for Cu 2 O, ZnO and NiO were 69.7%, 67.47% and 60.7% respectively). Moreover, it was exhibited that for batch mode experiments by increasing the adsorbent's concentration enhanced the sulfur removal by a noticeable amount. Whilst for the continuous mode experiments, it dealt mainly with contact time; thereby the maximum desulfurization percentage was obtained at the first 15 minutes.
Dynamic Optimization of Reaction Systems via Exact Parsimonious Input Parameterization

This paper discusses the use of parsimonious input parameterization for the dynamic optimization of reaction systems. This parameterization is able to represent the optimal inputs with only a few parameters. In the context of batch, semibatch, and continuous reactors, the method takes advantage of the concept of extents to allow the analytical computation of adjoint-free optimal control laws. It is shown that this computation can be performed in a systematic way for all types of arcs in the solution, thereby resulting in a finite set of plausible arc sequences. For each arc sequence, the optimal values of the input parameters are computed via numerical optimization. The results are illustrated via simulated examples of reaction systems.
Dynamic Point Cloud Geometry Compression using Cuboid based Commonality Modeling Framework

Point cloud in its uncompressed format require very high data rate for storage and transmission. The video based point cloud compression (V-PCC) technique projects a dynamic point cloud into geometry and texture video sequences. The projected geometry and texture video frames are then encoded using modern video coding standard like HEVC. However, HEVC encoder is unable to exploit the global commonality that exists within a geometry frame and between successive geometry frames to a greater extent. This is because in HEVC, the current frame partitioning starts from a rigid $64 \times 64$ pixels level without considering the structure of the scene need be coded. In this paper, an improved commonality modeling framework is proposed, by leveraging on cuboid-based frame partitioning, to encode point cloud geometry frames. The associated frame-partitioning scheme is based on statistical properties of the current geometry frame and therefore yields a flexible block partitioning structure composed of cuboids. Additionally, the proposed commonality modeling approach is computationally efficient and has a compact representation. Experimental results show that if the V-PCC reference encoder is augmented by the proposed commonality modeling technique, a bit rate savings of 2.71% and 4.25% are achieved for full body and upper body of human point clouds’ geometry sequences respectively.
IR-SSL: Improved Regularization Based Semi-Supervised Learning For Land Cover Classification

Land cover classification has significant contributions in several applications including natural calamities estimation and response, observation of environmental changes, and urban planning to name a few. These types of applications demand the identification of different categories of land cover. Traditional land cover classification is significantly dependent on the availability of huge amount of labeled data. However, labeling satellite data is very time consuming and it often requires expert knowledge. To alleviate the dependency on labeled data, we propose a novel and improved regularization based deep semi-supervised learning (IR-SSL) method for land cover classification. Adaptation of deep semi-supervised learning approach in such a task gains reliability due to its robustness in feature learning. To consolidate the performance of our deep semi-supervised learning method, we combine it with a robust data augmentation technique. We perform experiments on a benchmark dataset. Considering limited labeled samples from the dataset, our method outperforms many state-of-the-art models.
Positional Encoding: Improving Class-Imbalanced Motorcycle Helmet use Classification

Recent advances in the automated detection of motorcycle riders’ helmet use have enabled road safety actors to process large scale video data efficiently and with high accuracy. To distinguish drivers from passengers in helmet use, the most straightforward way is to train a multi-class classifier, where each class corresponds to a specific combination of rider position and individual riders’ helmet use. However, such strategy results in long-tailed data distribution, with critically low class samples for a number of uncommon classes. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to address this limitation. Let n be the maximum number of riders a motorcycle can hold, we encode the helmet use on a motorcycle as a vector with 2n bits, where the first n bits denote if the encoded positions have riders, and the latter n bits denote if the rider in the corresponding position wears a helmet. With the novel helmet use positional encoding, we propose a deep learning model that stands on existing image classification architecture. The model simultaneously trains 2n binary classifiers, which allows more balanced samples for training. This method is simple to implement and requires no hyperparameter tuning. Experimental results demonstrate our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches by 1.9% accuracy.
Protective Effect of Allium sativum and Nigella sativa Against NO-Mediated Alterations in Dimethylhydrazine- Induced Colon Cancer rats.

Plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) and α-tocopherol as well as catalase activities in colon and liver tissues were assessed in 1, 2 dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer rats. Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed the experimental diets supplemented with Allium sativum powder and Nigella sativa seeds (2.5%, 5%) or a mixed dose of both plants (5% of each) for 24 weeks, experimental period. At the fifth week rats were subcutaneously injected with dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) at a dose of 20mg/kg body weight for 20 weeks. Another two groups of rats were fed the basal diet for the same period, the first group designed as negative control group and injected with saline solution while the second group was injected with DMH at the same dose and designed as positive control group. Colon carcinogenesis was accompanied by a significant increase in the level of NO as well as catalase activity and significant decrease in plasma levels of α-tocopherol. Only the 5% Allium sativum powder fed group exhibited a significant decrease in NO level. Administration of Allium sativum powder and the mixed dose caused significant decrease in colonic and hepatic catalase activities and significant increase in α-tocopherol levels. On the other hand, the effects of Nigella sativa seeds on the measured parameters were non significant. These results were confirmed by the histopathological results that showed low incidence of colon tumors in rats fed 5% Allium sativum powder (17%) and the mixed dose (56%) fed groups. It could be concluded that the promising effect of garlic in DMH-induced colon cancer rats may be mediated through modulation of plasma levels of nitric oxide and α-tocopherol as well as tissue catalase activity.
Spillover effects of workplace ostracism on employee family life: The Role of need for affiliation and work-home segmentation preference

the indirect influence of workplace ostracism on family undermining and family satisfaction via work stress. This study has several theoretical and practical implications. Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study demonstrates an increase in negative spillover and a decrease in positive spillover; moreover, this study maps the antecedent variables of family undermining and family satisfaction in the workplace. Furthermore, this study shows that work stress is a key transmission mechanism by which workplace ostracism penetrates the work-family interface and causes a spillover effect, which is a response to the a calling for disclosing “the black box” of the spillover effect of workplace ostracism. Finally, by constructing a moderated mediation model and investigating the influence of workplace ostracism on individuals with a unique need for affiliation and work-home segmentation preference, this study specifies the boundary conditions of the spillover effect for workplace ostracism and contributes valid evidence for the conservation of resources theory. In practice, our study can help service enterprises and their managers to understand the spillover effect of workplace ostracism on the family domain more accurately, and to reduce the negative impact of workplace ostracism by taking effective measures, such as building a harmonious, tolerant, and friendly organizational cultural atmosphere.
FDD LTE MIMO CLOSED-LOOP VS OPEN-LOOP PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IN COMMERCIAL NETWORK

With a growing network traffic Mobile Network Operators (MNO) looking for ways to increase network capacity and improve customer experience. One of the ways is to find the best parameters from the set defined by 3GPP. In the study, closed-loop MIMO was compared to open-loop MIMO on the LTE FDD network. Network performance was evaluated in 3 different scenarios: slow and fast-moving UE under different SINR levels and large scale on 2T2R and 4T4R cells. The result shows gains of using closed-loop and it is recommended to use it commercial LTE networks.
Refugee-background students in New Zealand and the United States: Roots and results of educational policies and practices

Both the United States (US) and New Zealand (NZ) have been resettling refugees since the Second World War. As such, and because of several international treaties signed by both countries, they must concern themselves with the education of resettled refugee students in their nations. In this study, the researchers examine the international agreements and national resettlement policies that shape these nations’ refugee education policies. Second, educational practices for refugee students in the US and NZ using phenomenological qualitative research based on observations, interviews, and focus groups with teachers and refugee students are examined. The researchers conclude that the more systematic methods of resettlement and educational tools available to teachers in NZ through consistent national policies provide better opportunities for success than policies and practices that vary widely from state to state and even within states in the US.
Optimization extraction and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber from pineapple pomace obtained by shear homogenization-assisted extraction

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction conditions for shear homogenization-assisted extraction of soluble dietary fiber from pineapple pomace (s-SDF), and the absorption capacities and antioxidant activities of the obtained s-SDF were also investigated. The optimum extraction conditions consisted of a cutting speed of 9000 rpm, a cutting time of 20 min, a cellulase content of 5.0%, a hydrolysis time of 120 min, a pH value of 4.5, a hydrolysis temperature of 50 °C, and a raw material to water ratio of 1 : 45 g mL−1. Under these conditions, the theoretical and actual extraction yields of s-SDF were 8.80% and 8.76%, respectively. An absorption capacity analysis indicated that s-SDF exhibited higher absorption abilities to sodium cholate, cholesterol and fat. In addition, s-SDF possessed higher antioxidant activities, showing a positive concentration effect relationship for DPPH˙, ABTS+, ·OH and O2−˙. The concentration of 1.0 mg mL−1 scavenged 76.72% DPPH˙, 58.40% ABTS+, 23.47% ·OH and 48.47% O2−˙, respectively, and the reduction power was 0.70. These results indicated that pineapple pomace is a potential source of natural dietary fiber and a potential functional food ingredient.
Informatics and computational methods in physical chemistry: crystal structures, electron impact mass spectra and thermochemistry

This thesis comprises a body of work that investigates the development, assessment, and application of computational methods and processes in chemistry. The work may be broadly separated into two parts: the first exploring a novel and efficient description of molecular shape and properties within molecular crystals, and the second focused on the assessment of state-of-the-art quantum chemical predictions for small molecular geometries, energies and electron impact mass spectra. It is highly desirable to incorporate molecular shape into quantitative studies, especially given the wealth of accurate experimental data available in the Cambridge Structural Database. It is shown that molecular shape – defined as either the Hirshfeld surface or a promolecular density surface – can be accurately described through spherical harmonic transform, and rotation invariant shape descriptors may be used to measure similarity, and thus cluster or group like with like. Further, by coupling surface properties like electrostatic potential with the shape description, we show that molecules with similar interaction propensities can be described in the same manner. Accurate and timely prediction of an Electron Impact Mass Spectrum (EIMS) from a given molecule would prove invaluable in metabolomics, natural products analysis and many other fields where identification of unknown small molecules is labour intensive and time consuming. To this end, the Quantum Chemical Electron Impact Mass Spectrum (QCEIMS) method is examined, and its predicted spectra are compared with an entirely different prediction technique – Competitive Fragmentation Modeling (CFM) – and experiment. Finally, accurate energies and equilibrium geometries may be utilised for predicting a wide variety of electronic and spectroscopic properties of small molecules. Knowledge and understanding of trends associated with increasing basis-set size are of extreme importance if chemical accuracy (i.e. an error bound within approximately 4 kJ mol−1) is sought. Therefore, different basis-set extrapolation techniques for the ab initio method ‘CCSD’ are examined in order to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective method to accelerate basis set convergence. Similarly, the basis-set convergence of molecular geometries optimised with CCSD(T) and the newer explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12 methods are examined in order to establish appropriate standards for high accuracy theoretical calculations.