Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic observation of needle-plane surface-discharge using the electro-optical Pockels effect

Dynamic observation of surface charge distribution is the main advantage of the electro-optical Pockels effect technique over the dust figure technique, the photographic Lichtenberg figure technique, and the static potential probe scanning method. This technique is demonstrated here to observe the surface charge distribution deposited by partial discharge during application of one period of an 8 kV sinusoidal voltage to a needle-dielectric plane electrode system with zero gap spacing. Polarity effect and backdischarge are prominent in ac surface discharges. The observed polarity effect in the charge pattern shows that if the dielectric surface is initially free of surface charge, positive 'streamer' channels burst out intermittently and radially from the needle tip resulting in a spoke-like surface charge distribution, while negative streamers expand almost uniformly in all radial directions resulting in a nearly circular surface charge distribution. This behavior results in quasi-permanent positive surface charges. Residual negative surface charge from prior discharges has a considerable influence on the trajectory of subsequent positive streamer discharges, i.e. causing deviation of positive streamer channels from the radial direction; whereas residual positive surface charge has little influence on the radial development of surface charge from subsequent negative discharges. This measurement technique has a potential for widespread application in investigating the dynamics of surface charging phenomena.
The weighted g-Drazin inverse for operators

Abstract The paper introduces and studies the weighted g-Drazin inverse for bounded linear operators between Banach spaces, extending the concept of the weighted Drazin inverse of Rakočević and Wei (Linear Algebra Appl. 350 (2002), 25–39) and of Cline and Greville (Linear Algebra Appl. 29 (1980), 53–62). We use the Mbekhta decomposition to study the structure of an operator possessing the weighted g-Drazin inverse, give an operator matrix representation for the inverse, and study its continuity. An open problem of Rakočević and Wei is solved.
Development of a visible light active photocatalytic portable water purification unit using ZnO nanorods

A ZnO nanorods based water purification unit was designed which operates with solar energy as the source of activation. The purifier was tested on two model bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with concentration as high as 1010 colony forming units (CFU) per litre, which is about 105 times higher than the bacterial concentration in tap water. Up to 99% (0.99 × 1010 CFU L−1) removal of viable bacterial cells was achieved under sunlight activation.
Clinical validity of the Chinese version of Mattis Dementia Rating Scale in differentiating dementia of Alzheimer's type in Hong Kong

Abstract The present study aimed to examine the clinical validity and applicability of the Chinese version of Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (CDRS) for elderly Chinese individuals. The scale was found to have good reliability with internal consistency ranging from 0.7 to 0.9. Its significant correlation with the Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) suggested satisfactory construct validity of the scale. The discriminant validity of the CDRS in differentiating Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and Normal Control (NC) elderly was also supported by the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Several cut-off points were presented for different clinical or research applications, and formulas to adjust for the age and educational level of the CDRS total score were provided. The Initiation/Perseveration and Memory subscales were suggested to be an abbreviated version of the CDRS for a quick screening. The present results also showed the association between the impairment of the CDRS performance and the progress of the AD. (JINS, 2003, 9, 45–55.)
Dye derived and metal incorporated affinity poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) membranes for use in enzyme immobilization

Microporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) membranes were prepared by UV-initiated photopolymerization of HEMA in the presence of an initiator (a,a'-azobisisobutyronitrile, AIBN). An affinity dye Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was attached covalently and then Fe 3+ ions incorporated. The PHEMA-CB and PHEMA-CB-Fe 3+ membranes derived were used for adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOD). The adsorption capacities of these membranes were determined under conditions of different pH and with different concentrations of the adsorbate in the medium. The adsorption phenomena appeared to follow a typical Langmuir isotherm. The glucose oxidase adsorption capacity of the Fe 3 + incorporated membrane (87 μg cm -2 ) was greater than that of the dye-derived membrane (66 μg cm -2 ). Non-specific adsorption of the glucose oxidase on the PHEMA membranes was negligible. The K m values for both immobilized glucose oxidase PHEMA-CB-GOD (8.3) and PHEMA-CB-Fe 3+ -GOD (7.6) were higher than that of the free enzyme (6.2mM). Optimum reaction pH was 5.5 for the free and 6.0 for both immobilized preparations. The optimum reaction temperature of the adsorbed enzymes was 5°C higher than that of the free enzyme and was significantly broader. After 15 successive uses the retained activity of the adsorbed enzyme was 87%. It was observed that enzymes could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed on the derived PHEMA membranes without significant loss in adsorption capacity or enzymic activity.
Molecularly Imprinted Sensor Layers for the Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water

Molecularly imprinted polyurethanes are presented as sensitive coatings for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water. These sensor layers were combined with fluorescence and mass-sensitive transducers. Imprinting based on van der Waals interactions allows detection of these analytes even without any pronounced functionality. The geometry of the imprint molecule determines the selectivity of the sensor layer. In varying the size of template molecules from anthracene up to 1,12-benzoperylene, selectivity is tuned to a distinct analyte. The enrichment factor of up to approximately 107 renders detection down to the ppt range possible with hardly any matrix effect by humic acids.
High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic compounds in carbon black

High-molecular-weight (> 300 daltons) polycyclic aromatic compounds which were extracted from a carbon black were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using gradient elution. Fractions were collected and analyzed by mass spectrometry and spectrofluorimetry. While only 15 compounds could be positively identified, 38 others were given tentative structural assignments, among which were several large sulfur heterocycles.
Culturing Marine Green Microalgae Dunaliella salina Teod. and Dunaliella tertiolecta Masjuk in Dewalne's Medium for Valuable Feeds Stock

The single cell, marine, halo tolerant carotenogenic species of Dunaliella salina have the ability to accumulate secondary carotenoids, β-carotene as they grow in high salinity and high irradiance. Commercially β-carotene has many applications such as nutritional supplements to chemotherapeutic agent in cancer therapy and antioxidant. Pro vitamin-A is a natural colorant; aqua feed and prevents night blindness, enhances immunity and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Whereas, noncarotenogenic species have the ability of fast growth and lipid production and can be used for biofuel production. In the present study, the carotenogenic Dunaliella salina and non-carotenogenic Dunaliella tertiolecta obtained from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras and were cultured using Dewalne’s medium for a period of 30 days under laboratory conditions. Maximum cell number in Dunaliella salina of 6.83 x10 cells/ml was recorded on 16 day and the maximum amount of total carotenoid was produced as 55 mg/L on 26 day, while the maximum cell number recorded in Dunaliella tertiolecta was 8.48 x10 cells/ml on 20 day and maximum lipid content of 295 mg/L on 30 day.
Magnetic poly ε-caprolactone nanoparticles containing Fe3O4 and gemcitabine enhance anti-tumor effect in pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse model

We prepared magnetic (Fe3O4) poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (mean diameter 164 ± 3 nm) containing an anticancer drug (gemcitabine) using emulsion-diffusion method in order to develop more efficient drug delivery for cancer treatment. Nanoparticles were smooth, well individualized and homogeneous in size. The values of magnetizations for the magnetic PCL nanoparticles were observed around 10.2 emu/g at 2000 Oe magnetic field intensity and showed super-paramagnetic property. In case of the drug, the drug loading contents was 18.6% and entrapment efficiency was 52.2%. The anti-tumor effects caused by these particles were examined using nude mice bearing subcutaneous human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (HPAC) in vivo. We divided that these mice were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups for experimental contrast. The antitumor effect was showed with 15-fold higher dose when compared to free gemcitabine. From the result, the magnetic PCL nanoparticles may provide a therapeutic benefit by delivering drugs efficiently to magnetically targeted tumor tissues, thus achieving safe and successful anti-tumor effects with low toxicity.
Electrochemical Model of Mild Steel Corrosion in a Mixed H2S/CO2 Aqueous Environment in the Absence of Protective Corrosion Product Layers

The present study has been conducted to investigate the electrochemistry of mild steel corrosion in a mixed hydrogen sulfide/carbon dioxide (H2S/CO2) aqueous environment, and develop an electrochemical model to simulate the experimental results. The experiments were designed to determine the effect of H2S on CO2 corrosion for short-term exposures of a few hours before any interference from iron sulfide corrosion product layers happened. Tests were conducted at different H2S concentrations, ranging from 0 to 10% in the gas phase at 1 bar total pressure at pH 4 and pH 5. Mechanisms related to H2S/CO2 corrosion have been examined by using different techniques such as linear polarization resistance (LPR) using the scan rate 0.125 mV/s), potentiodynamic sweeps (scan rate 1 mV/s), and comparison of experimental results with electrochemical model predictions. Results indicate that the presence of H2S could affect both cathodic reactions and the anodic reaction. An electrochemical model was developed for a mixed .
The importance of mentoring and coaching for family businesses

Abstract Mentoring and coaching practices are helping businesses grow by supporting the development of their human capital. Family businesses have a unique atmosphere and distinctive features that make it especially important to discover whether mentoring and coaching affect their performance. We have used a resource-based vision and knowledge-based vision to analyse this relationship using structural equation methodology in a sample of 630 companies. The results show that there is a direct relationship between mentoring and coaching and the performance of family businesses.
Alternative Methods of Solving Biasedness in Chi – Square Contingency Table

Some methods of solving the biasedness in Chi–square Contingency table statistic were considered. Phi Coefficient, Contingency Coefficient and Cramer‘s V tools were employed to solve the biasedness in the use of Chi–square test. Our results show that any of Phi coefficient, Contingency coefficient or Cramer‘s V can be used to describe the association between two variables if the data matrix is 2 x 2. Contingency Coefficient was recommended as a good statistic when the matrix dimension is the same while the Cramer‘s V is most adequate when the data matrix differs.
Effect of Different Sweet Sorghum Storage Conditions on Ethanol Production

Preservation of the sugar has been a major concern in the bioprocessing of sweet sorghum. The present study attempted to establish a simple and feasible storage method for sweet sorghum by testing different storage temperature with/without the additive of nitrogen (N2). The effects of temperature and N2 on the changes of the fermentable sugars during the sweet sorghum storage process were investigated. Three temperatures including Room Temperature (RT), 4°C, 20°C with/without N2 were tested. The fermentable sugar content and the ethanol yield were used to evaluate the storage condition. The ANOVA shows that temperature is the more predominant factor in inhibiting the sucrose degradation compared to N2 for a longer preservation. After 112 days’ storage, 126.75 mg/g DW (Dry Weight) and 121.2 mg/g DW sucrose were obtained in the sweet sorghum which was stored at20 with/without N2, respectively, much higher than those at RT and 4 with/without N2. A similar trend was observed on the variation of glucose and fructose content in the sweet sorghum during the storage. The remarkable increase of glucose and fructose content was observed due to the rapid degradation of sucrose in sweet sorghum within the first two weeks. The ethanol production of 16.54 g/100g DW was achieved in the feedstock stored at -20°C for 112 days, corresponding to 85.4% of that from the fresh feedstock.
Degradation of reactive dyes by photo-Fenton process using Fe3+ immobilized in molecular sieve 4A.

In this work the preparation and characterization of a supported catalyst intended for degradation of reactive dyes by Fenton-like processes is described. The photocatalyst was prepared by immobilization of Fe3+ into the molecular sieve (4A type) surface and characterized by x-ray diffractometry and infrared, Mossbauer and EPR spectroscopy. The solid containing 0.94% (w/w) of ferric ions was used in degradation studies of aqueous reactive-dyes samples with really promissory results. Generally, Vis-assisted photochemical processes leads to almost total decolorization of all tested dyes at reaction times lower than 30 min. It was also observed that the iron-molecular sieve matrix can be reused.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF FLUID SPRAY CURTAINS FOR MITIGATION OF ACCIDENTAL RELEASES

In this article experimental and theoretical investigations on liquid spray curtains are presented, in the context of absorbing and dispersing accidental releases of chlorine in air. A mathematical model of a two-phase jet is developed to evaluate the entrained air rate in connection with the liquid flow rate. The model was successfully compared by means of replicated wind tunnel experimental runs adopting spray nozzles suitable to create a two-blade barrier. The experimental work demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish two regions in the barrier. One region is dominated by the liquid inertia and is comparable to an airplane jet. The other region is dominated by gravitational effects, and its dimensions do not vary appreciably. An analytical solution to the problem is obtained, taking into account the instantaneous and nonreversible chemical reactions, i.e., chlorine absorption in alkaline solutions, in the case of still air. The developed methodology could be applied to more complex situations, allowing the attainment of a more generalized approach for the design of a curtain given the release parameters, the site layout, and vulnerable target specifications.
FORMATION OF COMPACT AMORPHOUS H2O ICE BY CODEPOSITION OF HYDROGEN ATOMS WITH OXYGEN MOLECULES ON GRAIN SURFACES

Formation of H2O molecules through the codeposition of oxygen molecules and hydrogen atoms is examined in situ using IR spectroscopy at 10–40 K under various O2 and H fluxes. It is found that H2O and H2O2 are continuously formed by reaction, even at 40 K. The H2O ice formed is amorphous, but has a compact (not microporous) structure compared to vapor-deposited amorphous H2O ice, because dangling OH bonds are not observed in the IR spectrum. This is consistent with astronomical observations in molecular clouds and theoretical predictions, which suggest that hydrogenation of O2 is one of the potential routes for reproducing these IR spectral characteristics. The composition of the ice formed by codeposition varies with the O2/H ratio and temperature. Although no data are available at present for the H2O/H2O2 ratio of ice in molecular clouds, this study suggests that hydrogenation of O2 has a potential to yield a H2O/H2O2 ratio of 5 or more in molecular clouds.
Hydrodynamic transport coefficients of random dispersions of hard spheres

Accurate values for the hydrodynamic transport properties of random dispersions of hard spheres have been determined by numerical simulation. The many‐body hydrodynamic interactions are calculated from a multipole‐moment expansion of the force density on the surface of the solid particles; the singular lubrication forces are included exactly for pairs of particles near contact. It has been possible to calculate the transport properties of small periodic systems, at all packing fractions, with uncertainties of less than 1%; but for larger systems we are limited computationally to lower order, and therefore less accurate, moment approximations to the induced force density. Nevertheless, since the higher‐order moment contributions are short range they are essentially independent of system size and we can use small system data to correct our results for larger systems. Numerical calculations show that this is a reliable and accurate procedure. The ensemble‐averaged mobility tensors are strongly dependent on s.
ACh‐induced rebound stimulation of L‐type Ca2+ current in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes, mediated by Gβγ‐dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase

1 The effects that muscarinic receptor stimulation have on the cAMP‐dependent regulation of L‐type Ca2+ currents were studied in isolated guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique. 2 The muscarinic agonist ACh inhibited the Ca2+ current stimulated by the β‐adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (Iso), and washout of ACh revealed a stimulatory response that appeared as a transient rebound increase in the amplitude of the Ca2+ current. The ACh‐induced stimulatory effect was not observed in the absence of Iso. 3 ACh‐induced rebound stimulation was also observed in the presence of H2 histamine receptor activation and cholera toxin treatment, which like β‐adrenergic receptor activation enhance adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in a stimulatory G protein (Gs)‐dependent manner. ACh‐induced rebound stimulation was not observed in the presence of forskolin, which enhances AC activity in a Gs‐independent manner. 4 Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment blocked both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of ACh. Intracellular dialysis with QEHA, a peptide that binds free G protein βγ subunits, selectively antagonized the stimulatory effect, leaving an enhanced inhibitory effect. 5 Evidence for the expression of AC4, an isoform of AC that can be stimulated by Gβγ but only in the presence of Gαs, was obtained by Western blot analysis of guinea‐pig ventricular myocyte membrane preparations. 6 These results suggest that muscarinic receptor stimulation facilitates as well as inhibits cAMP‐dependent regulation of the Ca2+ current and that the net response is a balance between these two actions. We suggest that the stimulatory effect is due to a direct activation of AC4 by the βγ subunits of a PTX‐sensitive G protein.
Advanced Oxidation Processes for the Elimination of Drugs Resisting Biological Membrane Treatment

The recalcitrant pharmaceutical compounds carbamazepine, clofibric acid, diazepam, and diclofenac were monitored in municipal wastewater by ESI-LC-MS and -MS-MS in positive and negative mode. Although biological treatment by conventional and membrane bioreactor failed, the advanced oxidation methods using ozone (O3), O3/UV or hydrogen peroxide in combination with UV (H2O2/UV), successfully achieved their complete elimination. Target compounds could be confirmed as permanently present pollutants in Aachen-Soers wastewater in concentrations between 0.006 and 1.9 μg L−1 prior to AOP treatment resulting in a complete elimination.
The impact of negative mood on team performance

ABSTRACT Although organisations often implement team-based structures to improve performance, such restructuring does not automatically ameliorate poor performance. The study in this article explores the relationship between team members' negative mood and team processes (social cohesion, workload sharing, team conflict) to determine if negative mood has a detrimental effect on team performance via team processes. Two hundred and forty one participants completed surveys and were involved in an independently rated performance task that was completed over eight weeks. Negative mood was found to influence team processes and as a consequence, team performance. The results, however, were not uniformly negative. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE IPA

Saterland Frisian (Sfrs. Seeltersk) is the only living remnant of Old East Frisian. It is an endangered language, with an estimated number of 2250 speakers (Stellmacher 1998: 27) and is spoken in the municipality of the Saterland (Sfrs. Seelterlound), which is located in the federal state of Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany. The municipality of the Saterland consists of the four communities Ramsloh (Sfrs. Romelse), Strücklingen (Sfrs. Strukelje), Scharrel (Sfrs. Skäddel), and Sedelsberg (Sfrs. Sedelsbı́erig). Saterland Frisian comprises three local dialects spoken in Ramsloh, in Strücklingen, and in Scharrel and Sedelsberg (Sjölin 1969, Fort 2015); there is no standard variety. The dialect of Ramsloh is the most conservative of the three dialects and has maintained several features of Old East Frisian which are lacking in the dialects of Strücklingen and Scharrel. Most, if not all, native speakers of Saterland Frisian born before the 1970s are trilingual, with a hybrid mixture of Münsterland and Emsland Low German as their second language and Northern Standard German as their third language (Fort 2004). Most younger speakers of Saterland Frisian are bilingual with Northern Standard German as their second language. General descriptions of Saterland Frisian are available from Siebs (1889, 1901), Sjölin (1969), Kramer (1982), and Fort (2015) (for an overview of older contributions see Fort 1980: 16ff.). Comprehensive dictionaries are Kramer (1961) and Fort (2015). The present description is based on the speech of three middle-class trilingual speakers in their 70s and 80s, two female speakers from Ramsloh and Scharrel, and one male speaker from Strücklingen. The description of the vowels is enhanced by acoustical analyses of 13 male middle-class trilingual speakers from Ramsloh aged between 52 and 70 years (see Schoormann, Heeringa & Peters 2017). The recording of the narrative as well as the recordings of the examples in the wordlists and in the running text are taken from the female speaker from Ramsloh. The orthographic conventions used throughout the text are adopted from Fort (2015).