Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VEGF Detection via Simplified FLISA Using a 3D Microfluidic Disk Platform

Fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (FLISA) is a commonly used, quantitative technique for detecting biochemical changes based on antigen–antibody binding reactions using a well-plate platform. As the manufacturing technology of microfluidic system evolves, FLISA can be implemented onto microfluidic disk platforms which allows the detection of trace biochemical reactions with high resolutions. Herein, we propose a novel microfluidic system comprising a disk with a three-dimensional incubation chamber, which can reduce the amount of the reagents to 1/10 and the required time for the entire process to less than an hour. The incubation process achieves an antigen–antibody binding reaction as well as the binding of fluorogenic substrates to target proteins. The FLISA protocol in the 3D incubation chamber necessitates performing the antibody-conjugated microbeads’ movement during each step in order to ensure sufficient binding reactions. Vascular endothelial growth factor as concentration with ng mL−1 is detected sequentially using a benchtop process employing this 3D microfluidic disk. The 3D microfluidic disk works without requiring manual intervention or additional procedures for liquid control. During the incubation process, microbead movement is controlled by centrifugal force from the rotating disk and the sedimentation by gravitational force at the tilted floor of the chamber.
Construction of a chaotic map-based authentication protocol for online telemedicine services

Upgraded network technology yields a new interface ”telecare medicine information systems” in short TMIS, between patient and server. But, it can be observed that these services generally insecure as the information being transmitted over a public channel. Chaotic map plays highly important role in designing an authentication protocol, and a good candidate to ensure the efﬁciency. Although few of the protocols needs low computation cost, but they cannot establish an anonymous communication. Keeping these facts in mind, one needs to construct a chaotic map based authentication scheme for a TMIS. Moreover, we have done performance analysis of related schemes to show the advantage of our work.
Separation of Niobium and Tantalum using a Chelating Ion Exchange Resin with N-Benzoyl Phenyl Hydroxyl Amine as Functional Group

Niobium is separated from Ta and V by elution with 0.5 M HF in a column of chelating resin containing N-benzoyl-N-phenyl-hydroxylamine (NBPHA) as a function group. Niobium and tantalum can also be separated using their differential distribution coefficient and elution behavior, monitored by radiometric and also be spectrophotometric methods. 15 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Direct heat loss to combustion chamber walls in a direct-injection diesel engine: Evaluation of direct heat loss to piston and cylinder head

Abstract The purpose of this study is to clarify the state of the heat loss in a direct-injection diesel engine. Originally developed thin-film thermocouples (TFTs) are embedded into the combustion chamber walls for accurate measurement of instantaneous surface temperature from which instantaneous heat flux is evaluated through the heat conduction equation. Measured points are arrayed on the cavity bottom, the cavity side wall, the piston top, and the cylinder head. The TFTs are designed and fabricated so that disturbance of the temperature field is minimized when they are embedded into the combustion chamber walls. As a result, it is observed that the behaviour of instantaneous temperature and heat flux depends on the radius of the measured point. Measured points located radially inwards seem to be influenced by the combustion flame considerably more than those located outwards because the flame is presumed to stay in and around the cavity which occupies a region around the central axis of the piston. On the other hand, the heat loss ratio, namely the ratio of lost heat to the heat supplied by the fuel, is larger than in a gasoline engine.
Synthesis and properties of sulfonated polyimides from homologous sulfonated diamines bearing bis(aminophenoxyphenyl)sulfone

Three homologous sulfonated diamines bearing a bis(aminophenoxyphenyl)sulfone structure, namely, bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone-3,3′-disulfonic acid (pBAPPS-3DS), bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone-2,2′-disulfonic acid (pBAPPS-2DS), and bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)-2-(3-sulfobenzoyl)phenyl]sulfone (pBAPPS-2DSB), were synthesized. A series of sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were synthesized from 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, these sulfonated diamines, and nonsulfonated diamines, and their properties were investigated in comparison with those reported for the SPIs from another homologous diamine or bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone-3,3′-disulfonic acid (mBAPPS-3DS). These SPIs were soluble in common aprotic solvents and showed reasonably high proton conductivity, except for pBAPPS-2DS-based SPIs, the conductivity of which was slightly lower because of the lower water uptake. The water stability of these SPIs considerably depended on the structure of the sulfonated diamines and was in the order of pBAPPS-2DSB ≈ pBAPPS-2DS > pBAPPS-3DS ≫ mBAPPS-3DS. Their water stability was much lower than that of the SPIs from 4,4′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl-3,3′-disulfonic acid. The reason was discussed on the basis of the basicity of the sulfonated diamine and the solubility property of the SPIs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2797–2811, 2007
Comparison of simple perturbation-theory estimates for the liquid–solid and the liquid–vapor interfacial free energies of Lennard-Jones systems

The most naive perturbation method to estimate interfacial free energies is based on the assumption that the interface between coexisting phases is infinitely sharp. Although this approximation does not yield particularly accurate estimates for the liquid–vapor surface tension, we find that it works surprisingly well for the interface between a dense liquid and a solid. As an illustration we estimate the liquid–solid interfacial free energy of a Lennard-Jones system with truncated and shifted interactions and compare the results with numerical data that have been reported in the literature. We find that the agreement between theory and simulation is excellent. In contrast, if we apply the same procedure to estimate the variation of the liquid–vapor surface tension, for different variants of the Lennard-Jones potential (truncated/shifted/force-shifted), we find that the agreement with the available simulation data is, at best, fair. The present method makes it possible to obtain quick and easy estimate of the effect on the surface free energy of different potential-truncation schemes used in computer simulations.
Electrochemical Quantification of Mercury in Solutions Using Boron-doped Diamond Electrodes: Electrode Regeneration and Role of Gold and Impurities

Abstract For determining Hg in solutions in the ppb to ppt range using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrochemistry, the role of an added gold solution for enhanced sensitivity is investigated. Using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), peaks due to Cu and Ag as impurities from gold are identified. With the proper choice of the potential for deposition, effects of the impurities are minimized and an electrode regeneration procedure is devised and tested, resulting in reproducible slopes of the calibration curves in successive runs. The location and shift of the DPASV peak potentials with concentration are explained with the use of the Nernst equation.
’ Reply to Referee # 2 ( Dr . Nadav Peleg ) “ Suitability of 17 rainfall and temperature gridded datasets for largescale hydrological modelling in West Africa ” by Dembélé

Review (hess-2020-68) In their paper, Dembélé et al. explore the suitability of combining time series of rainfall and temperature from different climate products as inputs into a hydrological model. The manuscript is well structured and written, methods are robust and results are presented adequately. The research question of the possibility of combining gridded climate variables from different sources to simulate various hydrological components is relevant and timely, and I believe will be of interest for the readers of HESS. Nevertheless, I have a few comments and suggestions for the authors to consider before I can recommend the paper for publication.
On the application of virtual Gibbs ensembles to the direct simulation of fluid–fluid and solid–fluid phase coexistence

Virtual Gibbs ensembles (VGEs), a class of pseudo-ensemble Monte Carlo methods, are specialized in this work to simulate phase equilibrium for systems for which conventional direct methods (such as two-box Gibbs ensembles and one-box interfacial ensembles) are inadequate. It is shown that by removing the mass/volume balance constraints of conventional Gibbs ensembles, the resulting VGEs can be used to effectively simulate systems wherein (a) the number of molecules or the composition of one of the phases is to be kept constant and (b) the initial choices for the volume and number of molecules would preclude direct methods to convergence to a stable two-phase state. Applications of VGEs are presented for the simulation of vapor–liquid, vapor–solid, and liquid–solid equilibrium in single component systems and multicomponent sorption equilibria of gases in polymer melts. VGE simulations of solid–fluid coexistence entail the combination of elements of both interfacial ensembles and Gibbs ensembles.
Study of Paper Transverse Shrinkage During Thermal Drying

The z-direction shrinkage of laboratory papers made of bleached softwood kraft pulp subjected to drying was studied. The results showed that shrinkage was dependent on the beating level of the pulp and independent of wet pressing in the range explored. The low-basis-weight sheets had greater specific volumes than the higher-basis-weight ones due to the greater relative importance of the superficial layers compared to the bulk, but their transverse shrinkage was smaller. Empirical correlations were proposed to model the thickness results as a function of moisture content for their interest in computational simulation of drying including shrinkage.
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Using Brookite Nanoparticle TiO2 Films as Electrodes

Mesoporous brookite-based TiO2 films, consisting of a certain amount of anatase, with thickness of about 2 and 5 μm were prepared by dip coating and screen printing techniques, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on both of these mesoporous brookite films using as electrodes, showed that the conversion efficiency of 2.6% and 4.1%, respectively.
Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric Determination of Creatinine in Human Urine

The ability to measure creatinine with good accuracy is essential as its urinary concentration is used to quantify other analytes in urinalysis. In this study, an assay for the determination of creatinine in human urine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography provided retention of creatinine well away from the early eluting impurities that can reduce sensitivity by suppression of the mass spectrometry signal. Ion suppression effects were further eliminated by using a co-eluting, stable-isotope labeled creatinine as the internal standard. The resultant limit of detection was 1.5 picomoles, requiring a sample size of less than 10 µL of urine. The use of tandem mass spectrometry with a stable isotope labeled internal standard provided high specificity, accuracy, and precision for this assay resulting a recovery of 93.9% and a repeatability standard deviation of 3.78%.
Physical Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Alkanolamines via Nitrous Oxide Analogy

In the petrochemical and natural gas industry, the removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from process gas streams is commonly achieved by reacting these impurities with aqueous alkanolamines. Van Krevelen coefficients for protonated monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), the carbamates of MEA and DEA, and the bicarbonate ion have been determined experimentally from measurements of the solubility of N[sub 2]O at 25 C and atmospheric pressure in aqueous solutions of these ions. Measured values different significantly from values recommended by others in the absence of experimental data. By analogy with N[sub 2]O, the solubility of carbon dioxide in the same solutions can be estimated.
Comparison of the Antioxidant Properties of Commonly Consumed Commercial Teas

The antioxidant properties of various commonly consumed commercial teas were screened and compared to check what the consumers get in commercial tea bags in the range of consume preparation conditions. It includes flavored black teas and green teas, as well as some fruit teas. Electron transfer-based assays, such as phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu method and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), were applied. Higher antioxidant activity values were obtained for green and black tea infusions in comparison to fruit teas. The correlation between FC total phenolic and CUPRAC assay for all studied teas was significant (R2 = 0.871). The antioxidant power of tea infusions were also measured using cyclic voltammetry. The observed anodic waves were broadened in comparison with voltammograms of single flavonoids due to the response of several antioxidants with different oxidation potentials. The values of Trolox equivalents obtained by electrochemical approach were lower than in the CUPRAC assay; however, the increased order of the antioxidant capacity of tea infusions was the same.
Evaluating Analytical Procedures for Quantifying Ammonium in Leaf Tissue

The effects of different methods of sample preparation, extraction, and storage on the recovery of the combined pool of ammonia plus ammonium (NH3+ NH4 + ) from 'Washington' navel orange leaves previously incubated in solutions of increasing NH4Cl concentrations were assessed. Procedures and instruments for quantifying NH 3 + NH4 + were tested for their sensitivity, reproducibility, and freedom from interference by amino acids. Reliable recoveries of NH 3 + NH4 + , free from amino acid interference, were obtained with oven-dried (60C) leaves ground to pass through a 40-mesh screen, extracted by homogenization in 10% TCA or by shaking in 2% acetic acid, and then filtered and analyzed on the basis of differences in electrical conductance between the sample and the reference cell. Methods measuring NH 3 + NH4 + in KCl extracts by reaction with salicylate-nitroprusside in the presence of hypochlorite were compromised by significant color formation due to amino acids. Using fresh or freeze-dried leaf samples resulted in lower recoveries than use of oven-dried samples. Storage at -20C of fresh or oven-dried leaf samples in 10% TCA before or after homogenization and filtration did not alter NH3 + NH 4 + levels, whereas storage of these samples at 4C increased NH 3+ NH 4 + levels. Concentrations of the combined pool of ammonia plus ammo- nium (NH3 + NH4 + ) in plant tissues are determined with increasing frequency by researchers and commercial laboratories. Total ni- trogen content of plant tissue is routinely used as the basis for nitrogen fertilization recommendations, analysis of the nutritional quality of forage crops, and in research. The standard method for measuring total nitrogen is that of Kjeldahl (Bremner, 1965), which is based on quantitation of ammonium in an acid-digested sample or its distillate. Development of ammoniacal and urea fertilizers for soil and foliar nitrogen fertilization of crops has increased the demand for analysis of NH 3 + NH 4 + in plant tissue samples. Brown and Zhang (1993) assessed ammonium accumu- lation in leaves as a diagnostic measure of optimal nitrogen fertilization of nectarines and almonds. In addition, an increasing number of reports in the literature document that NH3 + NH4 +
The Ecology of English and Chinese in the English Language Policies and Practices of a Chinese University.

There has been a widespread concern in China about language education that while much emphasis has been put on English and English education, Chinese language and culture seem to have been neglected. Debates have arisen over what role English should play in China’s education, as well as how the role of English is related to Chinese language and culture. Taking ecological language planning and policy as its conceptual orientation and following an embedded single-case study design, this study explores the role of English and its relationship with Chinese in the English language policies and practices of a Chinese university. Data drawn upon mainly include documents, in-depth interviews, and observational field notes. In addition, questionnaires were administered to document circulating beliefs among teachers and students at this higher education institution. Analysis indicates that English is most valued by its utilitarian value, in particular, the competitive advantage it brings to different stakeholders. Analysis also highlights the dynamic relationship between English and Chinese in the language ecology of this university.
Preparation and evaluation of modified composition for lyophilized kits of [Cu(MIBI)4]BF4 for [99mTc] technetium labeling

The [Cu(MIBI)4]BF4 complex was synthesized and different formulations for lyophilized kits that could be cost-effectively used with different routines in nuclear medicine laboratories were investigated. In one preparation the kit components were kept similar to the Cardiolite® , except that the SnCl2.2H2O concentration was increased to 0.150 mg. In a second formulation, component concentrations were reduced to 1/5 of the original value and the SnCl2.2H2O concentration was adjusted to 0.04 mg. These products were labeled with maximum activities of 55.5 GBq and 8.14 GBq, respectively, and have shown an average radiochemical purity of 95 %. Biodistribution of the products was assessed by dissection in mice and in rabbits, and did not show any statistical difference when compared to Cardiolite®. In the synthesis of [Cu(MIBI)4]BF4 a new procedure was introduced for the synthesis of N-(2-methyl-propenyl)-formamide, with the use of microwave radiation as heat source. This modification reduced the reaction time to 25 seconds, while maintaining a yield of 68%.
Electromagnetic analysis of periodic structures with arbitrary shape using a coupled volume-surface integral equation method

A coupled volume-surface fundamental condition technique is introduced for breaking down subjectively formed intermittent structure of blended dielectric and leading articles. Free space occasional Green's capacity is utilized in the plan of both essential conditions. In the strategy for minutes answer for the indispensable conditions, the objective is discretized utilizing three-sided patches for leading surfaces and tetrahedral cells for dielectric volume. Ewald's strategy is utilized to quicken the assembly of figuring every component in the impedance network. Mathematical outcomes are introduced to show the precision and proficiency of the strategy.
A study of compressibility effects on structure of homogeneous sheared turbulence

A study of compressibility effects on structure and evolution of a sheared homogeneous turbulent flow is carried out using rapid distortion theory (RDT). The focus of this paper consists in validating RDT code by considering the direct numerical simulation (DNS) and RDT results of Simone [Simone, Coleman and Cambon, Fluid Mech. 330 , 307 (1997)]. We will use this theory to clarify the physics of the compressible turbulent flows. An analysis of the behavior of different terms appearing in the turbulent kinetic energy and the Reynolds stress equations permit to well identify compressibility effects which allow us to analyze performance of the compressible model of Fujiwara and Arakawa concerning the pressure-dilatation correlation. The evaluation of this model stays in the field of RDT validity.
Synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl glycosides for the detection of α- and β-D-galactopyranosaminidases

Reaction at room temperature of either 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-α- or -β-D-galactopyranosyl chloride with a twofold excess of 4-methylumbelliferone and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate in dichloromethane containing an equimolar amount of.sym-collidine yielded 4-methylumbelliferyl tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside in 33% yield. The β anomer was formed in 20 and 10% yields, respectively. Reduction of the azido group, acetylation followed by de-O-acetylation, provided the desired 4-methylumbelliferyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- and -β-D-galactopyranosides (N-acetyl-α- and -β-D-galactopyranosaminides). The α-glycoside proved to be an effective substrate for the highly sensitive fluorimetric detection of N-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosaminidase activity in human tissues and was used to examine the deficiency of this activity, which is the enzymatic defect in Schindler disease. Keywords: synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-α- and -β-D-galactopyranosaminides, N-acetyl-α-D-galactosaminida.
Excitation Transfer in Aggregated and Linearly Confined Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) Chains †

We simulate the nonradiative excitation energy transfer in an ensemble of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) chains the configurations of which were calculated using a random growth algorithm. The polymers are viewed as a series of phenyl−vinyl oligomers of various lengths, separated from one another through conformational defects. Initially excited chromophores, corresponding to short segments of PPV oligomers in the polymer, transfer excitations nonradiatively to longer oligomers of lower electronic energy with transfer rates as described by Forster theory. Transfer occurs in a short period of time (<50 ps) and within a small local area (∼52 A) around the initially excited chromophore. We find in our simulations that the majority of the excitation gets trapped in local minima corresponding to medium length oligomers (with six to eight phenyl rings) and does not eventually find the global energy minimum. Excitation transfer dynamics are presented for PPV chains inserted into mesoporous silica matrixes, whi.
Board of directors’ composition and financing choices

Building on the pecking order theory of Myers and Majluf, (1984) and Myers (1984), the present study empirically analyses the association between the board of directors’ composition and firm financing policies. Particularly, the fraction of independent directors on the board, the fraction of female directors, the board size, and whether the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is also the chairman of the board are analysed. It is conjectured that a more independent and efficient board leads to a shift of financing choices from retained earnings to short term debt, from short term debt to long term debt and from long term debt to external equity financing. The results obtained strongly support this hypothesis. Policy implications are then derived.
Kinetics of Androstendione‐Radioactive Immunocomplex Substitution Reaction

Abstract A kinetic model is put forward for the study of the antigen‐antibody reactions involved in the coated tube radioimmunoassay (RIA) of androstendione. Twenty experiments were conducted to determine the influence of initial concentrations, ionic strength, viscosity, and temperature on the substitution reaction of 125I‐androstendione (M) by unlabelled androstendione (Q) in the immunocomplex PM (P = anti‐androstendione antibody). The results obtained are in line with the proposed model. The concentration of radioactive immunocomplex is directly proportional to the initial concentration of labelled androstendione and independent of the concentration of unlabelled androstendione, ionic strength, and viscosity. The reaction is not diffusion‐controlled.