Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aberrations in confocal fluorescence microscopy induced by mismatches in refractive index

The effect of refractive‐index mismatch, as encountered in the observation of biological specimens, on the image acquisition process in confocal fluorescence microscopy is investigated theoretically. The analysis takes the vectorial properties of light into account and is valid for high numerical apertures. Quantitative predictions on the decrease of resolution, intensity drop and shift of focus are given for practical situations. When observing with a numerical aperture of 1·3 (oil immersion) and an excitation wavelength of 514 nm the centre of the focus shifts 1·7 μm per 10 μm of axial displacement in an aqueous medium, thus yielding an image that is scaled by a factor of 1·2 in the axial direction. Furthermore, it can be expected that for a fluorescent plane 20 μm deep inside an aqueous medium the peak intensity is 40% less than for a plane which is 10 μm deep. In addition, the axial resolution is decreased by a factor of 1·4. The theory was experimentally verified for test samples with different refractive indices.
TEM-specimen preparation of cell/mineral interfaces by Focused Ion Beam milling

Abstract Picocyanobacteria were found to play an important role in calcite precipitation in oligotrophic lakes. In this study, investigations on the interface between cyanobacteria and attached biogenic calcite crystals have been performed to gain further insights into the mechanisms of nucleation of these precipitates. Ultramicrotomy, the conventional preparation technique of thin sections for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations, often fails when working on heterogeneous samples containing soft organic material and hard minerals. Thus, in this study the thin sections were prepared using Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling. This approach is usually applied in material sciences but until recently was not very common in environmental research. Different analytical TEM methods like Electron Spectroscopic Imaging (ESI) and Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry (EELS) were used to test the suitability of FIB-milling for the preparation of organic/inorganic interface specimens. With this approach we were able to analyze both organic and the inorganic phases of the same sample. Elemental maps of the samples were also calculated. By analyzing the structure of the C K-absorption edge, the different bonding forms of the organic carbon cell and the inorganic carbon of the crystal could be clearly distinguished
Catalytic Conversion of Oil Palm Fronds to Levulinic Acid in Ionic Liquid

Conversion of oil palm fronds (OPF) to levulinic acid (LA) over Fe/HY zeolite catalyst in BMIM[Br] ionic liquid has been investigated in this study. The optimization of OPF conversion reported 24.7% levulinic acid yield at 153 °C, 5.9 h, 0.96 g and 1.1 g of reaction temperature, reaction time, OPF loading and catalyst loading, respectively. The results indicated that BMIM[Br] could disrupt the covalent linkages in the OPF structures and dissolved the hollocellulose. This allowed the hollocellulose chains, accessible to the chemical transformation, to react and produce LA in presence of the Fe/HY catalyst. This study demonstrated that the combination of Fe/HY catalyst and BMIM[Br] has the potential to be applied for biomass conversion to LA under adequate process conditions.
Membrane fouling of hybrid submerged membrane bioreactor (hMBR) in treating municipal wastewater

AbstractA hybrid submerged membrane bioreactor (hMBR) with porous polyvinylchloride carriers was used to treat the municipal wastewater, and a parallel MBR (pMBR) without the porous polyvinylchloride carriers was run as a contrast. The results of the chemical oxygen demand and nitrogen removal demonstrated that the hMBR process was more efficient than pMBR. Membrane fouling was analyzed by variations of trans-membrane pressure. It is believed that the carriers served to scrub the membrane and adsorb extracellular polymeric substance of the biofilm, therefore, extending the operation time of the hMBR membrane fouling. The analysis of molecular-based methods showed that the two MBRs had the same kinds of gene express forms, but the pMBR had more total bacteria than the hMBR to form biofilm on the membrane, which suggested that more serious membrane fouling in the pMBR than in the hMBR.
Catalyst for the degradation of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and its by-product N-nitrosodimethylamine in propellant wastewater

A three-component metal catalyst was prepared and used in the process of catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) for the degradation of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) in propellant wastewater with H2O2. It was structurally characterized using scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and its catalytic activity was evaluated using indexes such as the efficiency of UDMH degradation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and the concentrations of ammonia (NH3–N), formaldehyde (HCHO), total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Besides, the reaction system was monitored using UV-Vis full wavelength scanning spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). As a result, it was observed that the degradation mechanism involved ˙OH attacking the amino group and homocoupling in UDMH with the simultaneous transformation of the active component CuII/I. Based on investigation of the reaction factors (H2O2 dosage, temperature, catalyst dosage, pH and initial concentration of UDMH) focusing on the removal of NDMA, the optimal conditions for CWPO with a three-component metal catalyst were determined. The high treatable concentration of UDMH (500 mg L−1), rapid rate and good reusability with a high efficiency of UDMH degradation and COD removal (99.9% in 10 min and 94.6% in 30 min, respectively) and the low concentration of NDMA are merits of the present catalyst.
Preparation and evaluation of the effect of particle size on the properties of chitosan-montmorillonite nanoparticles loaded with isoniazid

In this report, efforts have been made to develop isoniazid loaded chitosan-montmorillonite nanoparticles by ionic gelation of chitosan with pentasodium tripolyphosphate. The nanoparticles have been characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. The effect of surfactant and particle size on chitosan nanoparticles have been assessed with regard to swelling, encapsulation efficiency and release of isoniazid in different mediums. Swelling experiments provide important information on drug diffusion properties, which indicates that the chitosan nanoparticles are highly sensitive to the pH environment. The drug release mechanism has been studied during different time periods using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity has been assessed by MTT assay analysis. Mucoadhesion properties have been appraised by an in vitro wash off test and an ex vivo mucoadhesion test. The results imply that chitosan-montmorillonite nanoparticles can be exploited as potential drug carriers for controlled-release applications.
Cp2TiCl-Catalyzed Epoxide Radical Ring Opening:  A New Initiating Methodology for Graft Copolymer Synthesis

The first example of the use of epoxides in radical grafting copolymerizations was exemplified by the grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA), and poly(styrene) (PSt) from poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) and from copolymers of GMA with MMA and St as well as by the iterative synthesis of mixed arm graft copolymers such as (PGMA-g-PMMA)-g-PSt and ((PGMA-g-PMMA)-g-PSt)-g-PBMA with a wide range of molecular weights and compositions. The grafting was demonstrated by a combination of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) investigations. The polymerization is initiated by the Cp2TiCl-catalyzed radical ring opening of the epoxide group of GMA and is optionally controlled by CuBr2/bipyridyl. This methodology does not require any epoxide protection/deprotection steps and provides the typical advantages of radical polymerizations and convenient access to complex macromolecular architectures.
The Reversible Hydration of Carbonyl Compounds in Aqueous Solution Part II: The Kinetics of the Keto/Gem‐diol Transition

The kinetics of hydration of 17 different carbonyl compounds have been studied in acidic solution. The reactions have been found to be acid-catalysed. For the aliphatic aldehydes propanal to hexanal the rate constants are k0 = (3.5 ± 1) · 10−3 s−1 and kH = (450 ± 30) dm3 mol−1 s−1 and for α-keto acids they are in the ranges k0 = (0.13 to 0.40) s−1 and kH = (1 to 6) dm3 mol−1 s−1. For halogenated acetones the rate constants depend strongly on the substituents. The large negative value for the reaction entropy ΔS0 = −70 J mol−1 K−1 indicates that three water molecules are involved in the hydration process.
Rheological and Shearing Conditions for the Preparation of Monodisperse Emulsions

Monodisperse emulsions can be obtained by shearing a crude polydisperse one. The aim of this paper is to discover the required conditions for droplet fragmentation and resulting monodispersity, independently of the chemical nature of the system. We particularly examine (i) the role of the initial emulsion viscoelasticity and (ii) the nature of the applied shear. Taking into account these features, we show a large variety of monodisperse materials that are easily producible in reasonable quantity.
C ORRELATION OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION WITH INSULIN RESISTANCE IN OBESE WOMEN

Thyroid dysfunction will be associated with insulin resistance in obese women were common. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of fifty female subjects with age group of 30-60 years, a whose body mass index was above 30 kg/m were studied for 16 months between July 2013 to November 2014 who were attending general medicine OPD in Siddartha Medical College, Tumkur were studied. Subjects with known disease or disorder of endocrine systems or who were receiving medications like, thyroid hormones preparations, Lithium, Amiodarone or corticosteroids were excluded. Blood samples were assed for T3, T4, TSH, FBS, Fasting Insulin and HOMA IR was calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 31.4±7.32 years. Among these subjects TSH analysis revealed that 26% were having subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). We found that 46% (remaining) of these SH subjects are having insulin resistance while 24% of patients with normal thyroid function are having insulin resistance as estimated by HOMA IR. P-value=0.6 and the odds ratio is 0.667, with a 95% confidence interval extending from 0.19 to 2.09. The observed difference in insulin resistance was not statistically between the subjects with SH and normal obese subjects. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance co exists with thyroid-hypo function in 46% of obese patients it is necessary to do routinely thyroid profile and insulin resistance in all the patients.
Molecular structures and normal vibrations of trifluoromethane sulfonate (CF3SO3-) and its lithium ion pairs and aggregates

The molecular structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared absorption intensities, internal force constants, and electronic charges of the trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) anion, its lithium ion pairs, and several aggregates have been studied using the ab initio self-consistent field Hartree-Fock method with 3-21+G * , 6-31+G augmented with polarization functions (d type orbitals) on the sulfur atom, and 6-31+G * basis sets. The calculated frequency shifts of the υ s (SO 3 ), υ s (CF 3 ), δ s ,(CF 3 ), and υ(CS) modes and the splitting widths of the υ as (SO 3 ) modes in lithium triflate ion pairs and aggregates are compared with those observed in IR and Raman spectra of lithium triflate dissolved in some polar, aprotic solvents
Dipole oscillator strength properties and dispersion energies for acetylene and benzene

Dipole oscillator strength distributions (DOSDs), which are globally reliable, have been constructed for the acetylene and benzene molecules, through the use of quantum mechanical constraint techniques and experimental dipole oscillator strength and molar refractivity data. A recommended isotropic DOSD for each molecule is used to evaluate a wide variety of dipole oscillator stength sums, logarithmic dipole sums, and mean excitation energies, for C2H2 and C6H6. Also obtained are reliable results for the isotropic dipole-dipole dispersion energy coefficients C 6, for the interaction of acetylene and benzene with themselves and with forty-one other species, and for the triple-dipole dispersion energy coefficients C 9, for (C2H2)3 and (C6H6)3. Psuedo-DOSDs for acetylene and benzene are presented which greatly facilitate the evaluation of C 6's and C 9's for a variety of interactions.
A Hybrid Fe3 O 4 ­ MnO2 Capacitor in Mild Aqueous Electrolyte

A hybrid electrochemical capacitor using MnO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 as active material for the positive and the negative electrode, respectively, has been designed. The electrodes have been individually tested in a mild aqueous electrolyte (0.1 M K 2 SO 4 ) to define the adequate balance of active material in the capacitor as well as the working voltage of a capacitor based on these two electrodes. The specific capacitances of MnO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 were 150 ′ 10 and 75 ′ 8 F/g, respectively whereas the specific capacitance of the Fe 3 O 4 /MnO 2 capacitor was equal to about 20 F/g of active material. The hybrid electrochemical capacitor has been cycled between 0 and 1.8 V for over 5000 constant current charge/discharge cycles. A real energy density of 7 Wh/kg was reproducibly measured with a real power density up to 820 W/kg.
High-pressure X-ray diffraction studies on organic crystals

The high-pressure X-ray diffraction technique, commonly applied for inorganic crystals, is discussed in a view of its application for laboratory studies on molecular crystals of organic compounds – particularly when the weak X-ray scattering of such specimens causes experimental difficulties. To minimize the background-to-signal ratio, relatively big crystal samples (ca. 0.005 A3) were used and the mechanical properties of the gasket material were applied to obtain the optimum experimental conditions for pressure generation and lowering the background of reflections. The mechanical properties of tungsten, Inconel, and hardened steel gaskets are different and these properties can be helpful in planning high-pressure measurements with large high-pressure chamber to contain a big crystal sample. Several characteristic features of organic crystals – like their strong compressibility (depending on the nature of intermolecular interactions) and pressure-dependence of thermal vibrations of atoms – can have a direct impact on the conditions of high-pressure experiments. The properties of molecular crystals of organic compounds have been discussed on the basis of several high-pressure structural studies, mainly on simple cyclic β-diketoalkanes (enol forms). It has been attempted to assess the feasibility of investigating the details of molecular structure at high pressures by X-ray laboratory studies. A systematic pressure-induced change in the length of double C O bonds is observed in this group of compounds, which can be correlated with the compression of the H-bonds involving the carbonyl groups.
Implementasi Multi-Objective Optimization On The Basis Of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) Untuk Menentukan Kualitas Buah Mangga Terbaik

Mango fruit is the most popular fruits by the people of Indonesia. With several different types of varieties, it becomes an attractive choice for the public to eat. But in fact, it is difficult to determine what kind of mango is superior, certainly judging from the quality of the fruit produced. The number of criteria that affect the quality of good fruit, would be a problem to be solved by using decision support system. Application of good methods in decision support systems greatly affects effective outcomes in determining the quality of mangoes. Many methods are currently developing, including ELECTRE, MOORA, VIKOR, and PROMETHEE. The method has advantages and disadvantages in the processing in accordance with the weight of the criteria specified. In this research the researcher use the method of MOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis), Multi-Objective Optimization Method on the Basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) is chosen because it can determine the weight value for each attribute, then proceed with the ranking process which will select the best alternative from a number of alternatives.
Comparisons of soil test phosphorus by Olsen, Bray P1, Mehlich I and Mehlich III methods

Abstract A study was undertaken to evaluate the agreement among different university laboratories performing the Olsen, Bray P1, and Mehlich I tests for P on a diverse group of noncalcareous agricultural soils and to develop relationships among the Olsen, Bray P1, Mehlich I, and Mehlich III soil tests. For each test, the results from the individual laboratories were highly correlated (r2 ≥ 0.90) and in almost all instances the slopes of the equations describing the relationships among laboratories approached one, The results indicate that the Olsen, Bray P1 and Mehlich I soil tests may be performed with a high degree of precision when standard soil test procedures are followed. Of the three most commonly performed tests in the U.S. (Olsen, Bray P1, and Mehlich I), the Olsen and Mehlich I tests were the most highly correlated (r2 = 0.87) although the Mehlich I test removed approximately one and one half times more P than did the Olsen test. Bray P1 and Olsen and Mehlich I P were less highly correlated (r2 .
ORIGINAL ARTICLE Enzymatic assays for creatinine: Time for action

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the basis of serum creatinine concentration measurements using equations is critical to ongoing global public health efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease. There is now ongoing activity to promote world-wide standardization of methods to measure creatinine concentrations, together with the introduction of a revised eGFR equation appropriate for use with standardized creatinine methods. Standardization of calibration, i.e. implementation of calibration traceable to higher-order reference measurement procedures and reference materials, does not, however, correct for analytical interferences of field methods (non-specificity bias). To account for the sensitivity of alkaline picrate-based methods to non-creatinine chromogens, some manufacturers have adjusted the calibration to minimize the pseudo-creatinine contribution of plasma proteins, thereby producing results more closely aligned with the reference method (isotope dilution-mass spectrometry), but this strategy makes the assumption that the non-creatinine chromogen interference is constant among samples, which is an oversimplification. Thus, analytical non-specificity for substances found in individual patient samples affects the accuracy of eGFR computed from serum creatinine concentrations for any alkaline picrate method, including the so-called ‘‘compensated’’ Jaffe methods. Using assays that are more specific for serum creatinine, such as those based on enzymatic reactions, may provide more reliable eGFR values. Supporting the choice of more specific assays by clinical laboratories is one of the main tasks of our profession in achieving the ultimate clinical goal, which is to routinely report an accurate eGFR in all pertinent clinical situations.
Facile and surfactant-free synthesis of Pd nanoparticles by the extract of the fruits of Piper longum and their catalytic performance for the Sonogashira coupling reaction in water under ligand- and copper-free conditions

This work reports a facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) by the extract of the fruits of Piper longum without any stabilizer or surfactant. The Pd NPs were found to be effective catalysts for the ligand-, amine- and copper-free Sonogashira coupling reaction under aerobic conditions. The Pd NPs were characterized with UV-vis, FT-IR and TEM methods. This method has the advantages of high yields, simple methodology, and elimination of ligands, copper, organic solvents and homogeneous catalysts and easy work up. Water is used as the only solvent for the coupling reaction. More importantly, the catalyst was recovered and recycled by a simple decantation of the reaction solution and used for five consecutive trials without significant loss of its reactivity.
Chemical composition and evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark

O oleo essencial obtido a partir das cascas do caule de Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) foi analisado por CG e CG-EM. 83 compostos foram identificados, sendo borneol (14,7%), acetato de bornila (5,2%), 1-isopropil-7-metil-4-metileno-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexaidro2H-naftalen-4a-ol (14,7%), sesquicineol (10,5%) e epoxido de γ-gurjuneno (5,4%) os principais componentes. Para o oleo essencial bruto, foi determinada em 3,21 mg mL -1 a EC 50 no ensaio de atividade antioxidante frente ao radical livre DPPH. A fracao do oleo essencial bruto que apresentou atividade antioxidante foi purificada por CCD sobre silica gel. Analises de CG e CG-EM revelaram que α-bisabolol (38,3%), α-eudesmol (9,3%) e guaiol (8,2%) sao os principais componentes da fracao antioxidante. A EC 50 medida no teste frente ao DPPH foi de 1,05 mg mL -1 para a fracao bioativa. Foi determinada a atividade antimicrobiana do oleo essencial bruto frente a sete bacterias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas e tres fungos. Os valores de CIM medidos variaram de 1,25 a 10,00 mg mL -1 . The essential oil obtained from the stem bark of Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) was analysed by GC and GC-MS. 83 compounds were identified and borneol (14.7%), bornyl acetate (5.2%), 1-isopropyl-7-methyl-4-methylene-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-4a-ol (14.7%), sesquicineole (10.5%) and γ-gurjunene epoxide (5.4%) were the main components. The EC 50 value of the crude essential oil in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay was 3.21 mg mL -1 . The fraction of the crude essential oil that presented antioxidant activity was purified by prepTLC on silica gel. GC and GC-MS analysis revealed that α-bisabolol (38.3%), α-eudesmol (9.3%) and guaiol (8.2%) were the main components of the antioxidant fraction. The EC 50 value measured for the bioactive oil fraction in the DPPH assay was 1.05 mg mL -1 . The antimicrobial activity of
Real‐time reliability test for a CPV module based on a power degradation model

Models based on degradation are powerful and useful tools to evaluate the reliability of those devices in which failure happens because of degradation in the performance parameters. This paper presents a procedure for assessing the reliability of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules operating outdoors in real‐time conditions. With this model, the main reliability functions are predicted. This model has been applied to a real case with a module composed of GaAs single‐junction solar cells and total internal reflection (TIR) optics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.