Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Transport Characteristics of Refunctionalized Fluoropolymeric Membranes and Their Application in the Design of Biosensors Based upon the Clark-Type Oxygen Probe

Surface refunctionalized fluoropolymer membranes were applied in the design of whole cell and enzyme biosensors based on the Clark-type oxygen sensor. Fluoropolymer membranes (poly(hexafluoropropylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (FEP)) were treated using a recently developed procedure that employs a hydrogen/methanol vapor radio frequency glow discharge plasma to introduce hydroxyl functionality into the polymer backbone in a controlled fashion. Hydroxylated materials were aminated by treatment with (γ-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The surface amine groups served as attachment sites for whole cells and enzymes. Initial work measured the permeability and diffusion coefficients for oxygen in hydroxylated, aminated, and base (nonmodified) FEP membranes. Refunctionalized membranes retained the oxygen permeability and diffusion characteristics of the base fluoropolymer. Subsequent experiments investigated the response of biosensors constructed using aminated FEP as the gas-permeable membrane of a Clark-type oxygen sensor. The respiration of NB2a neuroblastoma cells was recorded following cell attachment to the membrane through natural growth processes. In a quiet solution, the response of the oxygen sensor decreased by ∼40% in the presence of a monolayer of respiring cells. Sensor response slowly returned to baseline after the cells were exposed to millimolar levels of sodium azide. The response of an enzyme electrode, constructed by linking glucose oxydase and albumin to free amine sites of aminated FEP, is also demonstrated. The calibration curve for glucose was linear over a concentration range between 0.1 and 6.5 mM, and the sensor response reached a steady state within about 60 s of exposure to glucose
Solvent, isotope, and magnetic field effects in the geminate recombination of radical ion pairs

The magnetic field dependence of the geminate recombination triplet yield of radical ion pairs generated via photoinduced electron transfer in polar solvents is investigated for the systems pyrene/N,N‐dimethylaniline (Py/DMA), pyrene/3,5‐dimethoxy‐N,N‐dimethylaniline (Py/DMDMA), and the perdeuterated system Py‐d10/DMA‐d11. The magnetic field dependence characterized through its B1/2 value is found to be dependent on the sum of the hyperfine coupling constants in the radical pair in agreement with previous theoretical predictions. A drastic reduction of the B1/2 value is observed with the perdeuterated system. By means of measurements of the radical ion and triplet absorption signals with nanosecond time resolution, the influence of the solvent on the geminate singlet and triplet recombination yields is investigated. Complementary measurements of exciplex lifetimes and quantum yields are carried out in a series of solvents with different polarities in order to determine the rate constants of fluorescence e.
Direct concentration of circulating DNA by using a nanostructured tip

Nucleic acids circulating in body fluids are drawing great attention due to their potential use for disease diagnostics and prognostics. Current detection methods have yet to demonstrate the capability to selectively detect the low abundance nucleic acids. The challenge lies in the separation of circulating DNA from the genomic DNA in normal cells. Here we present an approach employing a nano-structured tip, which directly concentrates nucleic acids to the tip from a sample solution. The high aspect ratio tip is able to collect nucleic acid molecules out of a buffer solution by using dielectrophoretic (DEP) and surface tension force. The DEP force attracts DNA and other biomolecules in the vicinity of a nanotip from the sample solution. Among the attracted molecules, circulating nucleic acids whose dimensions are much smaller than the nanotip diameter are selectively captured to the tip while other bioparticles comparable to or larger than the tip diameter remain in the solution due to surface tension induced force. The concentrated DNA molecules are characterized by SEM, X-ray, and fluorescent microscopy, which demonstrate DNA capturing out of a sample solution having a 1pg/mL DNA concentration. The nanotip-based capturing method will facilitate rapid, but highly sensitive detection of circulating DNA directly from minimally treated- or raw samples.
RGD-based strategies for improving antitumor activity of paclitaxel-loaded liposomes in nude mice xenografted with human ovarian cancer

Tumor-targeting drug delivery systems are being the ideal carrier for systemic administration of antiproliferative drugs. RGD peptide (arginine–glycine–aspartic acid) modified liposomes containing paclitaxel (RGD-SSL-PTX). The arginine-glycine-aspartic acid tripeptide (RGD) modified sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL) containing paclitaxel (PTX) (RGD-SSL-PTX), which could increase targeting to tumor by binding with the integrin receptors overexpressed on tumor cells. The encapsulation efficiency was more than 90% and the mean particle size was of 120 nm with a narrow size distribution. It was indicated that significant cytotoxicity (3.5 times lower IC50) was found in the SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells treated with RGD-SSL-PTX preparation, as well as the intracellular uptake of liposomes (a 6.21-fold increase in fluorescence intensity), when compared to those of non-targeted liposomes (SSL). For in vivo antitumor activity, it was shown in the present study that RGD-SSL-PTX preparation had the strongest tumor growth inhibition among the test formulations (P < 0.05) in BALB/c nude mice xenografted with SKOV-3 solid tumor. Meanwhile, there was no significant change in the body weight of the animals treated with RGD-SSL-PTX for intravenous injection at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg. It was suggested that the RGD-SSL-PTX preparation might have a great advantage over present-day chemotherapy with Taxol® in curing those tumors overexpressing integrin receptors.
Estimating Grassland Biophysical and Biochemical Properties Using Remote Sensing and Modelling

Grasslands comprise about 42% of the world's plant cover and provide critical ecosystem services to the planet. In recent decades, worldwide grasslands have degraded greatly in terms of area and condition, mainly due to human activities and environmental changes. It is therefore critical to investigate grassland heath and adopt corresponding conservation strategies. Remote sensing is an efficient tool for investigating grasslands, owing to its broad spatial coverage and capability of acquiring data repeatedly. Previous studies have utilized remote sensing to investigate various grassland features, such as disturbances (e.g., wildfire, grazing), species composition, and vegetation properties (e.g., leaf area index, chlorophyll). However, limited by the attributes of remote sensing data (e.g., spatial or spectral resolution) or image analysis methods, there are still research gaps in studying grasslands using remote sensing that warrant further exploration. In this research, multi-source remote sensing data with different spatial, temporal, and spectral features were applied to investigate different grassland properties. Specifically, multi-temporal medium-spatial resolution multispectral imagery acquired by satellite was utilized to investigate a wildfire disturbance on a mixed grassland. Multi-temporal ultra-high spatial resolution multispectral imagery acquired by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle was processed to identify species composition and estimate vegetation properties in a tall grassland iii using an empirical method. Lastly, multi-temporal high-spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery acquired by manned helicopter was utilized to estimate vegetation properties of a tall grassland using radiation transfer modelling. Results show that grassland features can be accurately retrieved from the chosen imagery, but one should keep in mind that different imagery types have differences in spectral, spatial, and temporal characteristics, and thus are suitable for different research purposes. These research findings provide insights on selecting appropriate remote sensing data and processing techniques for investigating different grassland features, and further contribute to the understanding of grassland ecosystems and grassland conservation.
Properties of new glucamide surfactants

Properties of new nonionic surfactants are reported. The amphiphiles possess two n-alkyl chains and two glucamide head-groups and have the formula (CnH2n+1)2C[CH2NHCO(CHOH)4CH2OH]2 with n = 5−9 (abbreviated here as di-(Cn-Glu)). For di-(C7-Glu) in the concentration range 0.4−8%, an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) is observed; this is unusual behavior for a nonionic surfactant. Nonetheless these materials behave like classic surfactants with regard to changes in liquid crystal phases, surface tensions, and critical micelle concentrations (cmc's) as a function of chain length n. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data indicate the presence of anisotropic micelles, cylindrical for di-(C5-, 6-, and 7-Glu) but discoidal for di-(C8-Glu). There is apparently little effect of temperature (25−70 °C) on cmc or micelle structures.
Growth of Aligned ZnO Nanorods on Pt Buffer Layer Coated Silicon Substrates Using Metallorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

A high density of aligned ZnO nanorods was grown on Pt buffer layer coated Si substrates. Ultrathin Pt buffer layers were deposited on Si(111). The ZnO nanorods were synthesized by metallorganic chemical vapor deposition using diethylzinc and oxygen. The optimum growth temperature was 450°C to obtain aligned ZnO nanorods. The grown ZnO nanorods had single-crystalline atomic structure and pure compositions without any impurities. The nanorods showed a strong near-band-edge PL emission at 3.27 eV with no significant deep-level emission peaks. The morphology of ZnO nanorods grown on Pt buffer layer was compared with other buffer layers such as atomic layer deposited ZnO and Zr metal buffer film.
Kinetic Behavior of Mn(III) Complexes of Pyrophosphate, EDTA, and Citrate

Aqueous complexes of Mn3+ ion with the ligands pyrophosphate (P2O74-), EDTA (C10H12O8N24-, ethylenediaminotetraacetate4-), or citrate (CIT3-, C6H5O73-) were prepared rapidly in solution by the general reaction: Mn(VII) + 4Mn(II)L + L→ 5Mn(III)L, where L is the ligand (in known excess). Different initial pH values of the complex solutions were obtained by prior addition of required acid, base, or buffer. Disappearance of Mn(III)L complex with time was monitored by light absorbance at appropriate wavelengths. Rates of loss for each Mn(III)L complex are found to depend on pH and the ratio [ligand]T/[Mn]T. Relative chemical time scales for Mn(III)L disappearance at neutral pH and similar ligand-to-metal ratios were manganese(III) pyrophosphate > manganese(III) citrate >> manganese(III) EDTA. The kinetic observations are interpreted as reflecting ligand hydrolysis and disproportionation in the case of pyrophosphate (a nonredox active compound), inner-sphere electron transfer from citrate to Mn3+, and both out.
A SIMPLE FIELD METHOD FOR MEASURING LIGHT QUALITY: SEASONAL CHANGES IN A TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS WOOD *

Abstract— Light was measured at 5 m intervals along a ground level transect through a mixed deciduous woodland in SE England. A simple method was developed to characterise the light environment, using measurements of photon fluence rate in the blue, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and near infrared regions of the spectrum. It was demonstrated that the two parameters, required to describe the state of the photoreceptor phytochrome the photostationary proportion of Pfr and the cycling rate, can be calculated from the quantities of PAR and IR light. These parameters as well as the amount of blue light were followed throughout the year along the woodland transect. The main seasonal changes are the fall and rise in the proportion of light which is PAR (and hence in the proportion of phytochrome as Pfr) associated with the appearance and disappearance of the green leaf canopy.
The structure of hügelite, an arsenate of the phosphuranylite group, and its relationship to dumontite

Abstract The crystal structure of hügelite, Pb2[(UO2)3O2(AsO4)2](H2O)5, monoclinic, space group P21/m, a = 31.066(3) Å, b = 17.303(2) Å, c = 7.043(1) Å, β = 96.492(2)°, V = 3761.6(1) Å3, Z= 8, Dcalc = 5.74 g/cm3, was solved by direct methods using data from a crystal twinned by pseudo-merohedry, and was refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques on the basis of F2 to agreement indices R1 of 3.3% calculated for 5519 unique observed reflections (|Fo| ≥ 4σF), and wR2 of 6.7% for all data. Intensity data were collected at room temperature using Mo-Kα radiation and a CCD-based area detector. Hügelite is a member of the phosphuranylite group and is the arsenate counterpart of dumontite. The sheets of uranyl pentagonal and hexagonal bipyramids and arsenate tetrahedra in hügelite are oriented parallel to (100), and the interlayer contains four symmetrically independent Pb atoms, each of which is coordinated by two oxygen atoms from uranyl ions, two oxygen atoms from arsenate tetrahedra, and three symmetrically distinct H2O groups. The unit-cell volume is four times larger than that previously reported for hügelite, or expected by comparison to dumontite, Pb2[(UO2)3O2(PO4)2](H2O)5; the larger cell probably results from the accommodation of the larger As atoms (relative to P) in the structure, and consequent subtle variations in the coordination geometries of the U and Pb positions.
High-pressure synthesis of novel superhard phases in the B‒C‒N system: recent achievements

Very recent results on high-pressure–high-temperature synthesis of novel superhard phases in the B‒C‒N system (diamond-like BC5, rhombohedral B13N2, nanocrystalline cubic boron nitride, orthorhombic γ-B28, etc.) are briefly reviewed.
Contributions from incumbent police officer’s physical activity and body composition to occupational assessment performance

Introduction Police officers must perform various tasks in unpredictable work environments and potentially volatile situations. This study aimed to determine if cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and physical activity levels could predict performance in a Midwest Police Department’s Physical Readiness Assessment (PRA). Methods Researchers collected data from thirty incumbent police officers (33.9 ± 8.3 years, female = 5). Anthropometric data included height, body mass, body fat percentage (BF%), fat-free mass (FFM), and maximal hand grip strength. The police officers also completed a physical activity rating (PA-R) scale to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (V˙ O2max) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Police officers then conducted their department’s PRA. Stepwise linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between predictor variables and PRA performance. Pearson’s product-moment correlations investigated relationships between anthropometric, physical fitness, and physical activity variables and PRA performance using SPSS (v.28). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results Descriptive data for the sample includes BF%: 27.85 ± 7.57%, FFM: 65.73 ± 10.72 kg, hand grip strength: 55.51 ± 11.07 kg, weekday sedentary time (WST): 328 ± 28.26 min, weekend day sedentary time (WDST): 310 ± 28.92 min, daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA): 29.02 ± 39.41 min, PRA: 273.6 ± 51.4 s and estimated V˙ O2max: 43.26 ± 6.35 mL kg−1 min−1. The stepwise regression analyses indicated that BF% was predictive of PRA time (R2 = 0.32, p < 0.01); estimated V˙O2max predictive of PRA time (R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between BF % and PRA time (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), PA-R and MVPA (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), %BF % and WDST (r = −0.606, p < 0.001), hand grip and FFM (r = 0.602, p < 0.001) and PA-R and PRA time (r = −0.36, p < 0.05). Discussion The results of this exploratory study highlight that higher estimated V˙O2max and lower BF% were the best predictors for faster PRA completion times, accounting for 45% and 32% of the variance, respectively. The findings of this study support the need for wellness and fitness initiatives in law enforcement agencies focused on increasing cardiovascular fitness and physical activity while decreasing BF% to ensure optimal performance in policing and overall health.
Changes in nitrate N content in different soil layers after the application of livestock waste compost pellets in a sweet corn field

Abstract Changes in the nitrate content in different soil layers (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, 30–45 cm, and below 45 cm) were investigated after the application of livestock waste compost pellets in a sweet corn field located at the National Agricultural Center for Kyushu Okinawa Region. Results indicated that livestock waste composts could lead to a high nitrate content in deeper soil layers of the early stage after the application of compost pellets, and increase the risk of nitrate pollution to underground water through leaching in summer in a rainy area. The dairy cattle (DW), swine (SW), and poultry waste (PW) compost pellets released about 31.5, 41.6, and 51.3% of N in about 3 months, respectively. However, N use efficiency by sweet corn was only 20.5, 20.6, and 28.8%, respectively. In order to enhance the N use efficiency by crops and decrease nitrate leaching to deeper soil layers in the Kyushu area, a large amount of application of animal waste compost pellets at one time should be avoided in summer. The PW compost pellets led to the highest dry matter content in sweet corn in this experiment. Chemical fertilizer treatment led to the highest total water-soluble sugar content in sweet corn seed, but there were no significant differences between the treatments.
A Scalable Surface Complexation Modeling Framework for Predicting Arsenate Adsorption on Goethite-Coated Sands

Abstract This article presents a scalable surface complexation modeling framework for predicting arsenate adsorption onto various types of goethite-coated sands (GCS) and goethite. Four types of GCS with their iron content and surface area varying by nearly an order of magnitude were synthesized. Arsenate adsorption onto these four sands was studied by conducting pH edge and adsorption isotherm experiments. A diffuse double layer surface complexation model was calibrated to fit the arsenate adsorption data of one of the sands. A modeling framework was developed to scale the calibrated model to other sands based on their measured surface-site-density values. The modeling framework was validated by using the scaled models to predict adsorption onto the other three sands. The scalability of the model was further tested by using the scaled models to make predictions for several arsenate–goethite adsorption datasets available in the literature. Results show that the scaled models were able to predict the labor.
Synthesis of branched polypropylene with isotactic backbone and atactic side chains by binary iron and zirconium single‐site catalysts

This article reports the use of a binary single-site catalyst system for synthesizing comb-branched polypropylene samples having isotactic polypropylene (iPP) backbones and atactic polypropylene (aPP) side chains from propylene feedstock. This catalyst system consisted of the bisiminepyridine iron catalyst {[2-ArNC(Me)]2C5H3N}FeCl2 [Ar = 2,6-C6H3(Me)2] (1) and the zirconocene catalyst rac-Me2Si(2-MeBenz[e]Ind)2ZrCl2 (2). The former in situ generated 1-propenyl-ended aPP macromonomer, whereas the latter incorporated the macromonomer into the copolymer. The effects of reaction conditions, such as the catalyst addition procedure and the ratio of 1/2 on the branching frequency, were examined. Copolymer samples having a branching density up to 8.6 aPP side chains per 1000 iPP monomer units were obtained. The branched copolymers were characterized by 13C NMR and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1152–1159, 2003
Retrieving physical conditions from interstellar H2 emission lines: a non linear fitting technique

The importance of the formation pumping on the rovibrational level distribution of H2 is revisited. A detailed comparison of different formation mechanisms on dust surfaces and in the gas-phase is carried out, and it is found that dust surface formation dominates the formation pumping. It is shown that formation pumping in a cold gas can mimic the excitation conditions found in hotter regions. The presence of a significant fraction of molecular hydrogen in very high rotational levels observed towards OMC-1 Peak 1 is explained by means of pumping by newly formed H2 molecules and does not require high temperature gas.
Effect of space charge on micro-macro domain transition of PLZT

Space charge distributions of PLZT 8/65/35 were measured by the laser intensity modulation method. The effect of space charge on the micro-macro domain transition is shown. Large differences in the depolarization temperature T/sub d/ measured on heating and cooling are due mainly to the effect of space charge. >
Identification of chemical warfare agents using a portable microchip-based detection device

Analysis of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their degradation products is an important verification component in support of the Chemical Weapons Convention and urgently demanding rapid and reliable analytical methods. A portable microchip electrophoresis (ME) device with contactless conductivity (CCD) detection was developed for the in situ identification of CWA and their degradation products. A 10mM MES/His, 0.4mM CTAB - based separation electrolyte accomplished the analysis of Sarin (GB), Tabun( GA) and Soman (GD) in less than 1 min, which is the fastest screening of nerve agents achieved with portable ME and CCD based detection methods to date. Reproducibility of detection was successfully demonstrated on simultaneous detection of GB (200ppm) and GA (278ppm). Reasonable agreement for the four consecutive runs was achieved with the mean peak time for Sarin of 29.15s, and the standard error of 0.58s or 2%. GD and GA were simultaneously detected with their degradation products methylphosphonic acid (MPA), pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA) and O-Ethyl Phosphorocyanidate (GAHP and GAHP1) respectively. The detection limit for Sarin was around 35ppb. To the best of our knowledge this is the best result achieved in microchip electrophoresis and contactless conductivity based detection to date.
Shift and broadening of saturated absorption resonances due to curvature of the laser wave fronts

Using frequency offset‐locked spectroscopy of methane at 3.39 μm we show that the saturated absorption peaks can be significantly blue or red shifted if the wave fronts of the laser beam are spherical in the gas cell. Good agreement with theoretical prediction is found. We discuss suitable conditions to avoid this geometry‐induced shift in optical frequency standards.
Gelatin‐based photopolymers for bone replacement materials

Gelatin-based monomers were considered as suitable base component for the 3D structuring of potential bone replacement materials by stereolithographic techniques. Different methacrylate-based gelatin derivatives were prepared, whereas a polyethylene glycol modified derivative GP4M turned out to have the highest tolerance toward other monomers. These are essential as they allow the tuning of the photoreactivity and the mechanical properties. Cell culture experiments with osteoblast- and endothelial-like cells confirmed negligible cytotoxicity of these monomers. Finally, we were able to show the possibility of producing arbitrary cellular structures with these gelatin-containing formulations using stereolithography. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009