Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Structure-Property Relationships of Linear and Crosslinked Poly(ethylene Oxide) Polymer Membranes for Gas Separations

by Gregory K. Kline The development of polymeric materials suitable for gas separation membrane applications is discussed in this dissertation. Compared to conventional gas separation systems, such as absorption, gas separation membrane systems are inherently smaller in size and easier to operate, and potentially, more economically viable. Membranes with high permeability (for a high gas throughput) and adequate selectivity (ability to separate a given gas from a mixture) are desired. However, due to the natural properties of polymeric materials, generally, membranes with high permeabilities unfortunately operate with low selectivities and vice versa. To combat this natural trade-off, to produce materials with both high permeabilities and sufficiently high selectivities, the chemical and physical properties of polymeric materials must be strategically designed. The majority of this work explores strategies for incorporating rubbery poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) into gas separation membranes. PEO is a promising material for CO2 related-separations due to its high solubility selectively for CO2 and its high
Chicken feather hydrolysate as alternative peptone source for microbial cultivation

Background: Commercially available conventional growth media for the culture of microbes are expensive, hence the need for alternative cheaper sources. Livestock waste, in the form of feather and blood, are of value in biotechnology because of their high protein content. Hence the primary aim of this study was to produce a cheaper peptone alternative from chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH) and blood meal (BM). Methods: The growth of selected bacteria and fungi was monitored in different media prepared from varied concentrations of peptone, CFPH and BM in order to determine the combination that produced maximum growth. Five different media, namely 100% peptone (control), 100% BM, 40% peptone + 60% CFPH, 40% BM + 60% CFPH and 20% peptone + 20% BM + 60% CFPH were prepared and used for the study. The different media were inoculated with 1 ml of each test organism ( Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida carpophila, Candida tropicalis and Pichia kundriavzevii) and their growth monitored for 10 h. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus grew best in the 100% peptone, Klebsiella pneumoniae grew best in 100 BM. The fungi species were observed to grow best in 100% peptone. The 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination (CFPH obtained with precipitate of trichloroacetic acid (TCA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO 3) gave the best growth of E. coli. The 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination (CFPH obtained with precipitate of TCA) also gave the best growth of C. tropicalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions: Overall, the 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination showed the most potential as an alternative to peptone, especially for E. coli.
Determining the In Vitro Efficiency of Handwashes

: Hand washing, is the act of cleaning hands for the purpose of removing soil, dirt, and microorganisms. Though washing hands can be done with bar soap and water but now in this fashionista world, liquid handwash has taken the lead with the advantage, its each drop is free from exposure to organism which are chances with bar soap from people repeatedly washing hands with same soap. The concentration and time required for the handwash to clean hands matters the most. The type and nature of active molecule present in handwashes decide their efficiency for cleaning hands. Among the compared handwashes in the present study, though all exhibited antimicrobial activity, medicated handwash depicted bactericidal activity in less time as compared to ayurvedic and fragrant handwashes. This study provides practical information that medicated handwashes do have an upper hand but organisms are now slowly developing tolerance against the active molecule present in these handwashes. were plates. The plates were incubated at 37 C for24 hrs and results were noted.
Chemically-Modified Activated Carbon with L-Arginine for Selective Solid Phase Extraction and Preconcentration of Metal Ions

In this study, a new sorbent of chemically-modified activated carbon with L-arginine (AC-Arg) has been produced as solid-phase extraction, to trace Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions in real samples, including soil and water samples, by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). Once the surface coverage value is determined, the surface modification has been investigated and assessed, while having employed both elemental analysis as well as Attenuated Total Reflection InfraRed (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. The separation/preconcentration factors of the analyte, including the effect of pH, shaking time, sample volume, elution condition, and interfering ions have been studied. Following the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommendations, the detection limits (3σ) of these methods are 2.4 and 1.6 ng/mL, using AC-Arg for Zn(II) and Cd(II) respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) under optimum conditions is less than 1% (n=6).
Solid state synthesis of MgAl2O4 nanomaterials and solar light-induced photocatalytic removal of Malachite Green

Spinel MgAl2O4 nanopowders were synthesized by one-step solid state reactions using Al(NO3)3.9H2O and MgSO4 raw materials at stoichiometric 1 : 2, Mg : Al molar ratio at a constant reaction temperature of 1000 oC for 8 h (S1), 10 h (S2) and 24 h (S3). The synthesized materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. Structural analyses were performed by FullProf program making use of profile matching with constant scale factors. The results showed that the patterns had a cubic MgAl2O4 structure similar to the space group . Through textural analysis BJH (Barrette Joiner Halenda) and BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller) methods, the obtained materials were evaluated in terms of average pore size, specific surface area and average pore volume . The morphology of the obtained materials was studied by FESEM images. Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectra showed that the nanostructured MgAl2O4 powders possessed strong light absorption properties in the ultraviolet-visible region. Direct optical band gap energies were calculated as 3.4, 2.9 and 3.1 eV for S1, S2 and S3, respectively. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanomaterials was investigated for the degradation of pollutant Malachite Green (MG) in aqueous solutions under solar light. Optimum conditions (0.2 mL H2O2, 25 mg catalyst and 40 min catalytic reaction time for the removal of 80 mL of 100 ppm MG solution) were modeled and achieved by the design expert software for S1. The degradation yield in the condition was 100 % for S1.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS OF VALDECOXIB

Valdecoxib is a selective COX- II inhibitor with anti – inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. The poor aqueous solubility of the drug leads to variable dissolution rates. In the present study an attempt has been made to prepare fast dissolving tablets of Valdecoxib in the oral cavity with enhanced dissolution rate. The fast dissolving tablets of Valdecoxib was prepared with some carriers (polymers) and super disintegrants such as Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP), Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (SCMC), Crospovidone NF and β – Cyclodextrin. The above mentioned all carriers and superdisintegrants were taken in different proportions of 5, 10, and 15%. All the formulations of the fast dissolving tablets of Valdecoxib were prepared by direct compression technique. The blend was examined for Angle of repose, Bulk density, Compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, drug content uniformity, friability, disintegration time and dissolution rate. An effective pleasant testing formulation released 99.88% drug within 10 minutes. The prepared formulations drug release was found to be comparable with the marketed dispersible tablets. Keywords: Fast dissolving tablets, Super-disintegrants, Valdecoxib, Crosspovidone, Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose.
“Ferrites”: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications

Ferrites synthesis method and characterization techniques are attracting huge attentions of researchers because of their wide scope of uses in numerous areas. The ferrites include high resistivity, saturation magnetization, permeability, coercivity and low power losses. The above-mentioned useful ferrites characteristics make them appropriate for use in different applications. These ferrites are used in biomedical field for cancer cure and MRI. Electronic applications are transformers, transducers, and inductors which are also made using ferrites and also used in making magnetic fluids, sensors, and biosensors. Ferrite is a profoundly helpful material for many electrical and electronic applications. It has applications in pretty much every domestic device like LED bulb, mobile charger, TV, microwave, fridge, PC, printer, etc. This review mainly focus on the synthesis method, characterization techniques, and implementation of FNPs. This Chapter presents various methods used for ferrites preparation with distinctive examples, their advantages as well as limitations in detail. Ferrites properties like structural, optical, electrical and magnetic with their characterization techniques and various applications in the areas of biomedical, electronics, and environment are also discussed.
Neoplastic expression and cellular functions of proteolysis inducing factor/dermcidin

Proteolysis inducing factor (PIF) is a pro-cachectic glycopeptide purified from the urines of mice innoculated with the MAC 16 tumour and from the urines of weight losing patients with pancreatic carcinoma. It arises from the dermcidin gene which produces 2 other peptides, Y-P30, an unglycosylated neuronal survival factor with homology to the PIF peptide core and DCD-1, an antibiotic peptide secreted by eccrine sweat glands which has no homology with PIF. We sought to investigate PIF / dermcidin expression in cell lines and pancreatic carcinoma tissue, the role of proteolysis inducing factor as a growth and survival factor in tumour cells and the influence on these effects of the structural features known to be important to the induction of cachexia by PIF and the functions ofY-P30 and dermcidin. In vitro expression was assessed by PCR, Western blotting, in vitro translation and immunocytochemistry. In vivo expression was assessed using laser capture microdissection, PCR, real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and the analysis ofurine by mass spectrometry. Growth and survival functions were assessed in the HuH7 cell line with immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Cells were treated with a synthetic PIF peptide or stably transfected with PIF / dermcidin expression vectors. Site-directed mutagenesis of these vectors was used to assess glycosylation and the role of different sequences within the polypeptide. Dermcidin was expressed by pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes but not by the HuH7 cell line. In HuH7 cells induced expression promoted cell growth and improved survival following oxidative stress. The YP-30 / PIF core peptide sequence was sufficient to induce cell growth. Survival promotion did not require glycosylation but was prevented by mutagenesis of the asparagine residues of the PIF core peptide. Analysis ofmRNA expression suggested dermcidin was expressed in a low number of pancreatic carcinomas. Non-specific antibody binding prompted the development ofmass spectrometry for detection ofPIF in urine samples of patients with these tumours. This did not reveal PIF but did demonstrate other proteomic changes. We have demonstrated growth and survival functions ofPIF / dermcidin which may be relevant in a range of physiological and pathological processes including cachexia and neoplasia. The PIF core peptide sequence appears to be important for these effects but its glycosylation does not appear to be required. However, differential glycosylation may account for PIF's cachectic affects and the difficulty in its immunological detection. Further investigation using techniques such as mass spectrometry may cast further light on the structure ofPIF and its relationship to disease processes. Neoplastic expression and cellular functions of proteolysis inducing factor / dermcidin
Evolvement Investigation of Combustion Behavior of Corn Based on Cone Calorimeter

ABSTRACT Inflammable characteristic produces an inevitable challenge for the corn storage, which endangers the food demand of human being. We investigated the combustion behavior evolvement of corn under different heat flux, with the aid of cone calorimeter. The reciprocals of square rooted time to ignition presented a linear relation to heat flux (y = 0.0036(q + 11.0833), R2 = 0.8944), similar to other materials. Higher peak values of heat release rate were obtained in heat fluxes of 20 kW/m2 and 25 kW/m2, due to longer heat time and moderate heat flux. Total heat release value was decreased only when heat flux was low to 10 kW/m2 and presented a significant decrease in heat flux of 5 kW/m2 (decreased to 39.0 MJ/m2 from 63.0 MJ/m2). It also found that the ignition temperature for the corn combustion was near 365°C; meanwhile, the surface temperature of corn combustion was higher with higher heat flux. As the XPS analysis presented, the main elements of combustion residue under 35 kW/m2 were C 1s, O 1s, Ca 2p, K 2p, B 1s, and Si 2s. Results from Raman spectra and XRD curves indicated that the graphitization degree of combustion residue was gradually decreased with increase of heat flux.
A Blockchain-Based Distributed Authentication System for Healthcare

The use of digital health records, stricter health laws, and the growing need for health records exchange point towards the need for an efficient security and privacy preserving mechanism. For health insurance management systems, multiple entities exchange health information, which is used for decision making. Since multiple authoritative entities are involved, a secure and efficient information sharing protocol is required as extremely sensitive health information is exchanged among the entities. Hence, this paper aims to put forward a novel a decentralized authentication system based on blockchain known as insurance claim blockchain (ICBChain) system. The proposed system ensures privacy of patients and provides secure information exchange and authentication of entities. An implementation of the proposed system is provided using Ethereum blockchain. The security and performance analysis of the system shows its potential to satisfy healthcare security requirements and its efficiency, respectively.
Theoretical X‐ray spectroscopy of transition metal compounds

X‐ray spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools to access structure and properties of matter in different states of aggregation as it allows to trace atomic and molecular energy levels in course of various physical and chemical processes. X‐ray spectroscopic techniques probe the local electronic structure of a particular atom in its environment, in contrast to ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, where transitions generally occur between delocalized molecular orbitals. Complementary information is provided by using a combination of different absorption, emission, scattering as well as photo‐ and autoionization X‐ray methods. However, interpretation of the complex experimental spectra and verification of experimental hypotheses is a nontrivial task and powerful first principles theoretical approaches that allow for a systematic investigation of a broad class of systems are needed. Focusing on transition metal compounds, L‐edge spectra are of particular relevance as they probe the frontier d‐orbitals involved in metal–ligand bonding. Here, near‐degeneracy effects in combination with spin‐orbit coupling lead to a complicated multiplet energy level structure, which poses a serious challenge to quantum chemical methods. Multiconfigurational self‐consistent field (MCSCF) theory has been shown to be capable of providing a rather detailed understanding of experimental X‐ray spectroscopy. However, it cannot be considered as a “blackbox” tool and its application requires not only a command of formal theoretical aspects, but also a broad knowledge of already existing applications. Both aspects are covered in this overview.
Detecting Human Mood from Physiological Signal and Data Usage

As the days go by, there are technologies that are being introduced everyday, whether it is a tiny music player iPod nano or a robot “Asimo” that runs 6 kilometers per hour. These technologies entertain, facilitate and make the day easier for the human being. It is not arguable anymore that the people need these technologies with the smart systems to lead their regular life smoothly. The smarter the system is; the more people like to use it. One major part of this smartness of the system depends on how well the system can interact with the person or the user. It is not a dream anymore that a system will be able to interact with a human just the way that one human interacts with another. To make that happen, it is obvious that the system must be intelligent enough to understand a human being. For example, if we need a Robot that can have a random conversation with a human, the system must recognize and understand the spoken word to reply the human. And the reply will be based on the current mood and behavior of the human. In this scenario, a human uses his senses to receive the inputs such as voice through the hearing senses, behavior and movement of the body parts, and facial expression through seeing sense from the speaking human. And it is now apparently possible to take such inputs for a system which can be stored as data; later it is possible to analyze the data using various algorithms and also to teach the system through Machine Learning algorithms. We will briefly discuss issues related to the relevance and the possible impact of research in the field of Artificial Intelligence, with special attention to the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Natural Language Processing, Human Computer Interaction, Data Warehouse and Data Mining that is used to identify and analyze data like psychological signals, voice, conversation, geo location, and geo weather, etc. In our research, we have used heart rate that is a successful physiological signal to detect human mood and used smartphone usage data to train the system and detect mood more accurately than other methods.
Thermochromic Lead‐Free Halide Double Perovskites

Lead‐free halide double perovskites with diverse electronic structures and optical responses, as well as superior material stability show great promise for a range of optoelectronic applications. However, their large bandgaps limit their applications in the visible light range such as solar cells. In this work, an efficient temperature‐derived bandgap modulation, that is, an exotic fully reversible thermochromism in both single crystals and thin films of Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskites is demonstrated. Along with the thermochromism, temperature‐dependent changes in the bond lengths of AgBr (RAgBr) and BiBr (RBiBr) are observed. The first‐principle molecular dynamics simulations reveal substantial anharmonic fluctuations of the RAgBr and RBiBr at high temperatures. The synergy of anharmonic fluctuations and associated electron–phonon coupling, and the peculiar spin–orbit coupling effect, is responsible for the thermochromism. In addition, the intrinsic bandgap of Cs2AgBiBr6 shows negligible changes after repeated heating/cooling cycles under ambient conditions, indicating excellent thermal and environmental stability. This work demonstrates a stable thermochromic lead‐free double perovskite that has great potential in the applications of smart windows and temperature sensors. Moreover, the findings on the structure modulation‐induced bandgap narrowing of Cs2AgBiBr6 provide new insights for the further development of optoelectronic devices based on the lead‐free halide double perovskites.
Kinetics, equilibrium, statistical surface modeling and cost analysis of paraquat removal from aqueous solution using carbonated jujube seed

This paper reports the removal of paraquat from an aqueous solution using prepared carbonated jujube seed (JS/HSO-700). JS/HSO-700 was characterized by XPS, TGA, FTIR, N2 physisorption, SEM, and Raman techniques. FTIR revealed the presence of active species on the JS/HSO-700 surface. The removal rate of paraquat was investigated as a function of multiple operational factors such as contact time, adsorbent dose and solution pH. Adsorption mechanism was fully investigated based on FTIR, Raman, and BET analyses before and after adsorption. Response surface methodology modeling using central composite design was performed to statistically optimize the adsorption conditions. The experimental paraquat removal efficiency was found to be 96.7 ± 2.02%, whereas the predicted value of the model was 94.31 ± 4.43%, showing that the predicted model values are in good agreement with the experimental value. Finally, cost analysis was performed to confirm the cost of the adsorbent based on energy consumption and reagent costs.
Comparative Performance Analysis of Techniques for Automatic Drug Review Classification

This study analyses the effectiveness of six text feature selection methods for automatic classification of drug reviews written in English using two different widely-known classifiers namely Support Vector Machines (SVM) and naive Bayes (NB). In the study, a recently published public dataset namely Druglib including drug reviews in English was utilized in the experiments. For evaluation, Micro-F1 and Macro-F1 success measures were used. Also, 3-fold cross-validation is preferred to perform a fair evaluation. The feature selection methods used in the study are Distinguishing Feature Selector (DFS), Information Gain (IG), chi-square (CHI2), Discriminative Features Selection (DFSS), Improved Comprehensive Measurement Feature Selection (ICMFS), and Relative Discrimination Criterion (RDC). However, experiments were performed using two settings in which stemming was applied and not applied. Experiments indicated that ICMFS feature selection method is generally superior to the other feature selection methods according to the overall highest Micro-F1 and Macro-F1 scores achieved on drug reviews. While the highest Micro-F1 score was achieved with the combination of NB classifier and ICMFS feature selection method, the highest Macro-F1 score was achieved with the combination of NB classifier and DFSS feature selection method. The highest Micro-F1 and Macro-F1 scores were achieved for the cases that stemming algorithm was not applied.
Experience moderator effect on the variables that influence intention to use mobile learning

The study has two objectives, first is exploring the variables that affect the intention to use mobile learning and second is investigating the experience moderator effect on the variables that influence intention to use mobile learning in higher education institutions (HEI) in Iraq. Then formulate a model for intention to use mobile learning. A questionnaire has been conducted in this research for collecting the feedback from the participants. The findings confirmed that social influence (SI), performance expectancy (PE), “facilitating conditions” (FCs), effort expectancy (EE) and “satisfaction” (SA) have an important influence on the intention to use mobile learning. But, this study has rejected the “personal innovativeness” (PINN) factor as it was found not important. Furthermore, the study has confirmed that the experience moderator variable has an influence of EE, SI, and PE on the intention to use mobile learning. This study is significant to the field of discipline as it will provide a roadmap for HEI to recognize the factors that affect the intention to use mobile learning.