Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Stemregenin1 and SB431542 Small Molecules on Ex Vivo Expansion of Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells on Biocompatible Polyethersulfone Nanofiber Scaffolds

Cord blood Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with several advantages including low chance of viral contamination and low rate of Graft versus host disease (GVHD) are appropriate candidate for vast medical applications such as transplantation. The main obstacle of cord blood HSCs is the low number cells. To improve ex-vivo expansion of umbilical cord HSCs we introduced a new culture system. Isolated HSCs were seeded in Three-dimensional(3D) on Polyethersulfone(PES) scaffolds and Two-dimensional(2D) culture conditions and treated with SB431542 and Stemregenin1(SR1) small molecules. On the fifth and tenth days the expanded cells in different groups were investigated for expression of specific markers by flow cytometry, expression of some stemness genes by qRT-PCR and colony formation by methocult medium. SR1 molecule significantly increased expansion of CD34+ cells while SB431542 induced more CD34+/38+ cells. Also SB431542 treated cells showed higher colony formation capacity. SR1 increased the expression of c-Myc, HOXB4 and SALL4 while SB431542 seemed to inhibit HOXB4 expression and increase SALL4.Together all, this study introduced a new ex vivo culture setting for further medical application of HSCs. Our data showed simultaneous use of these two small molecules can provide appropriate outcome for HSCs transplantation includes both of engraftment and repopulation.
Effect of Ethanol Extract of Cucurbita pepo Leaves on the Lipid Profile of Wistar Albino Rats

Aim: The role of nutrition in lipid metabolism continues to generate a lot of research interest, especially as dyslipidaemia is implicated in a host of diseases. The work investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Curcubita pepo leaves on the lipid profile of Wister rats. Methodology: A total of 18 rats divided into three groups of 6 rats each were employed in the investigation. The first group (baseline) was sacrificed after purchase; second group (control) was fed rat chow, and the third group (test) was fed a composite feed containing rat chow and 10% extract of C. pepo leaves. Results: The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and VLDL) of the rats was assayed after 18 days of feeding and the result showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between the test group and control for the lipids assayed. However, there was a marked increase in the HDL level of the test group (0.500±0.057 mmol/L) compared to the control (0.268±0.043 mmol/L), it was nonetheless statistically non-significant (P=0.068). The HDL increasing effect observed may stem from the rich phytochemistry of the leaves, as preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the leaves to contain saponin, tannin, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides. Conclusion: We conclude that the leaves of C. pepo may play a medicinal role in maintaining lipid homeostasis.
PdI2-Based Catalysis for Carbonylation Reactions: A Personal Account

In this account, we review our efforts in the field of carbonylation reactions promoted by palladium iodide-based catalysts, which have proven to be particularly efficient in diverse kinds of carbonylation processes (oxidative carbonylations as well as additive and substitutive carbonylations). Particularly in the case of oxidative carbonylations, more emphasis has been given to the most recent results and applications.
Experimental Investigations Into the Role of Dietary Protein on the Control of Energy Intake and Body Mass in Humans

Evidence is needed to inform dietary strategies to promote a healthy weight and reduce cardiovascular risk. Dietary protein (P) may influence both energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE). To determine the relationships between appetite control, body mass regulation and protein from different animal and vegetable sources, healthy lean subjects were studied in tightly controlled experiments. In a 5-way crossover study, 28 subjects aged 19-68 years consumed 2.5 MJ high-protein preload meals (33% energy from protein (P), 34% fat (F), 33% carbohydrate (C)) rich in meat, dairy, nuts and legumes, soy, or control (15%P, 34%F, 51%C), followed by test meals 180 min later. Appetite control mechanisms before, during and for 5 hours after eating, were assessed from analysis of serial blood samples and other physiological measurements. Mean EI was lower after soy (4.1±0.4 MJ) than control (4.6±0.4 MJ), meat (4.7±0.4 MJ), dairy (4.6±0.4 MJ) or nuts/legumes (5.0±0.5 MJ) preloads. Gastric emptying was slower and hunger decreased after soy, and after nuts/legumes, satiation increased and hunger reduced. Blood glucose and insulin excursions were significantly lower after the nuts/legumes and soy meals. Similar parameters, plus urinary nitrogen, EI and EE were measured in 10 adults during 3 five-day residential experiments. On days 1-3, they ate ad libitum diets providing 10%, 15%, or 25% protein, 30% fat and the remainder as carbohydrate. EI was fixed at maintenance requirements on day 4 and EE was measured by calorimeter. EI was lower during the 25%P (8.1±1.0 MJ/d) than the 15%P diet (8.7±1.0 MJ/d) with higher fullness scores, flatter glucose curves and higher pancreatic polypeptide concentration. EE was similar but fat oxidation was higher on the 25%P diet. Higher dietary protein promotes energy balance, through decreased energy intake and increased fat oxidation, improves metabolic risk factors, and may be useful to prevent weight gain and related metabolic diseases.
Can L-carnitine prevent Cadmium-Induced Damage of the Developing Hippocampus?

Background: Cadmium is used in everyday life aspects. Hippocampus plays important role in the memory process and could be affected by cadmium exposure. L-carnitine is antioxidant, its role in neuroprotection is still not known. Aim of work: To assess effects of pre- and postnatal cadmium exposures on structure of principle cells (pyramidal and granular) of hippocampus in albino rats, and the potential role of L-carnitine. Material and methods: Pregnant female albino rats were used and divided into two major groups: I- Pregnancy and II- Lactation, each was further equally subdivided into 4 subgroups: Group Ia- Control. Group Ib- received cadmium from pregnancy day (PD)10 until delivery. Group Ic- received L-carnitine from PD7 until delivery. Group Id- received both L-carnitine from PD7 + cadmium from PD10 until delivery. Group IIa- Control. Group IIb- received cadmium from day 0-21. Group IIc- received L-carnitine from day 0-21. Group IId- received both L-carnitine+cadmium from day 0-21. Cadmium chloride was given orally by gastric lavage 4 mg/kg bodyweight/day. L-carnitine dose was given as 200 mg/kg/day orally by gastric lavage. The hippocampal specimens were collected from twelve male offspring of both age subgroups (newborn and 21 day old; 96 rats total) and were processed for light, electron microscopy and morphometry. Results: In cadmium received rats principle cells showed degenerative changes as pyknosis, cytoplasmic vacuoles, damaged mitochondria, indentation of nuclear membrane, and the morphometric data showed highly significant reduction in principle cells number and decreased principle cell layer thickness as compared to control. In cadmium+L-carnitine received rats the principle cells showed a very few swollen cells with little vacuoles, mildly dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the morphometric results were improved approaching those of the control. Conclusion: cadmium damaged principle cells of dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA1 fields of the rat hippocampus. L-carnitine reduced the cadmium-induced neuronal damage.
Determination of Te, As, Bi, Sb and Se (TABS) in Geological Reference Materials and GeoPT Proficiency Test Materials by Hydride Generation‐Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (HG‐AFS)

The study of Te, As, Bi, Sb and Se (TABS) has increased over the past years due to their use in the development of low‐carbon energy technologies. However, there is a scarcity of mass fraction values of TABS in geological reference materials. This underlines the difficulty in undertaking routine determinations of these elements. The mass fractions of TABS were determined in geological reference materials using hydride generation‐atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG‐AFS), calibrated with standard solutions. Comparisons with literature values were used to validate the method. Samples from the GeoPT proficiency test were also analysed. For most elements, there are no assigned or even provisional values for many of the GeoPT and reference materials because of the wide range of results reported. For mass fractions above the quantification limit of the method, our results are in good agreement with the median of GeoPT results. Thus, we propose GeoPT median values as informational values for these elements. In contrast, at mass fractions < 0.5 µg g−1 median values of Se from GeoPT are systematically higher than our results. Our Se results are in agreement with the reference materials down to 0.02 µg g−1, which suggest that many of the results for Se reported in GeoPT testing are too high.
Changes in brain activity after weight loss

The importance of the regulatory role of the brain in directing glucose homeostasis, energy homeostasis, eating behaviour, weight control and obesity is increasingly recognized. Brain activity in (sub)cortical neuronal networks involved in homeostatic control and hedonic responses is generally increased in persons with obesity. Currently, it is not known if these functional changes can be affected by dieting. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether prolonged fasting and/or weight loss influences neuronal brain activity in obese persons.
Development of an Escherichia coli Biofilm Model on Transwell

self limiting diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in children and others as susceptible groups of individuals. E. coli O157:H7 has been reported to form biofilm on stainless steel and various kinds of surfaces and Michiels, 2005]. Like most bacterial biofilms, E. coli biofilm pro-duces exopolysaccharides which can provide a physical barrier to protect the cells against environmental stress [Ryu and Beuchat, 2005]. Because important these mi-Development , Escherichia coli biofilm, reported to be produced in the human intestine causing a significant health risk, was successfully grown on transwell ® . This biofilm layer was identified by crystal violet staining and prepared for the in vitro E. coli biofilm system which can be used to screen for inhibitors. The biofilm formation did not show a change in transepithelial electrical resistance values. Furthermore, rhodamine 123 staining showed that the dye did not pass through the membrane once biofilm was formed.
Heterogenous catalysts based on Fe-pillared clays for catalytic aquathermolysis processes of heavy oil

Aquathermolysis process is one of the key technologies of reducing the viscosity and exploitation of huge deposits of heavy crude oil. That process combines thermal and catalytical effects in the presence of water. There are a lot of types of catalysts used in aquathermolysis process, such as water and oil soluble, heterogeneous catalysts and minerals. One of the type of heterogeneous catalysts are pillared clays that used in catalytic, sorption and separation processes. Pillared clays (PILC) are the class of two-dimensional micro-mesoporous materials that have a high specific surface area, constant porosity, developed texture and active compaunds in the structure, i.e. combine both the carrier and the catalyst. In this study the physico-chemical properties of Fe-pillared clays and its application in the “reconnaissance” heavy oil catalytic aquathermolysis experiments of has been investigated.
AMOBILISASI BIJI DURIAN (Durio zibethinus) DALAM Ca-ALGINAT SEBAGAI BIOSORBEN ZAT WARNA METILEN BIRU

Telah dilakukan penyerapan zat warna metilen biru menggunakan biji durian teramobilisasi Ca-alginat. Dalam penelitian ini serbuk biji durian di amobilisasi dengan Ca-alginat dengan teknik penjebakan (entrapment). Biosorben yang diperoleh dikarakterisasi dengan intrumen XRF, FTIR dan SEM. Biosorben biji durian teramobilisasi Ca-alginat digunakan untuk penyerapan metilen biru dengan mempelajari pengaruh parameter adsorbsi seperti pH, waktu kontak, massa dan konsentrasi metilen biru. Dari hasil penyerapan diperoleh pH optimal yaitu pada pH 3, waktu kontak optimum 30 menit, massa biosorben 0,5 g dan konsentrasi zat warna optimal 3 ppm. Larutan HNO3 digunakan untuk regenerasi biosorben dan penyerapan metilen biru dapat dilakukan untuk 3 kali ulangan.
Natural Scene Text Detection Based on Multi-Channel FASText

In view of the complexity of background and the variety of text in natural scene images, a multi-channel FASText based text detection method for natural scene images is proposed. To detect more texts as much as possible, the character candidates are extracted by proposed multi-channel FASText algorithm from the R, G and B component image respectively. Then, texture features of the character candidates are extracted to train a random forest character classifier and the noncharacters are eliminated. At last, the character regions are merged into text regions according to the color distance feature and geometric adjacency feature. The proposed approach on ICDAR 2013 dataset achieves 76.76%, 80.17%, and 78.43% in recall rate, precision rate and f-score respectively. Compared to other state-of-the-art methods, both the recall rate and f-score are improved. Experimental result shows that the proposed method is effective to natural scene text detection. Keywords—multi-channel; FASText; natural scene; text detection
Altitude profiles of CCN characteristics across the Indo-Gangetic Plain prior to the onset of the Indian summer monsoon

Abstract. Concurrent measurements of the altitude profiles of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration, as a function of supersaturation (ranging from 0.2 % to 1.0 %), and aerosol optical properties (scattering and absorption coefficients) were carried out aboard an instrumented aircraft across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) covering coastal, urban and arid environments, just prior to the onset of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) of 2016, under the aegis of the SWAAMI - RAWEX campaign. In general, the CCN concentration has been highest in the Central IGP, decreasing spatially from east to west above the planetary boundary layer (PBL), which is ~ 1.5 km for the IGP during pre-monsoon. Despite of this, the CCN activation efficiency at 0.4 % supersaturation has been, interestingly, the highest over the eastern IGP (~ 72 %), followed by the west (~ 61 %), and has been the least over the central IGP (~ 24 %) within the PBL. In general, higher activation efficiency is noticed above the PBL than below it. The Central IGP showed remarkably low CCN activation efficiency at all the heights, which appears to be associated with high black carbon (BC) mass concentration there, indicating the role of anthropogenic sources in suppressing the CCN efficiency. First ever CCN measurements over the western IGP, encompassing "The Great Indian desert", show high CCN efficiency, ~ 61 % at 0.4 % supersaturation, indicating hygroscopic nature of the dust. The vertical structure of CCN properties is found to be airmass-dependent; with higher activation efficiency even over the central IGP during the prevalence of marine airmass. Precipitation episodes seem to reduce the CCN activation efficiency below cloud level. An empirical relation has emerged between the CCN concentration and the scattering aerosol index (AI), which would facilitate prediction of CCN from aerosol optical properties.
Effect of Bleaching on the Physico-chemical Properties of Two Selected Vegetable Oils Using Locally Sourced Materials as Adsorbent

The quality and stability of palm kernel oil (PKO) and cottonseed oil (CTSO) as affected by bleaching using modified oyster shell powder (OSP) and periwinkle shell powder (PSP) were evaluated by analysing their physicochemical properties. The two adsorbents potential was improved on by modification using 5 M HCl and H2SO4. The determinations of the parameters were carried out by titration, while the refractive index was determined using a refractometer. The results indicate that the saponification values (SV) of PKO and CTSO increase after bleaching. However, the result further shows that the peroxide values (PV) of bleached PKO using OSP and PSP modified with 5 M HCl decreased (17.49±0.01 and 20.04±0.08 respectively) and also the iodine values decreased (3.15±0.13 and 3.41±0.02 respectively). The same decrease in PV and IV values is observed in PKO bleached using 5 M H2SO4. The values of PV for OSP and PSP are 4.99±0.005 and 12.77±0.77 respectively while the IV values for OSP and PSP are1.85±0.01 and 12.53±0.09 respectively. Also, 5 M HCl and H2SO4 modified OSP and PSP reduced the IV content in CTSO. (5 M HCl OSP and PSP are; 3.15±0.13 and 3.41±0.02 respectively while 5 M H2SO4 OSP and PSP values are; 3.33±0.04 and 3.13±0.06 respectively). The study revealed that the bleaching through the use of OSP and PSP influenced the components and properties of the PKO and CTSO, improved on their qualities and therefore, the adsorbents can serve as alternatives to the costly adsorbents available in the markets.
Recycling of Date Pits Into a Green Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metals: A Fractional Factorial Design-Based Approach

Date pits (DPs) have been recycled into a low-cost adsorbent for removing of selected heavy metals (HMs) from artificially contaminated aqueous solutions. Adsorption of targeted HMs, both by raw date pits (RDP) and burnt date pits (BDP) was tested. Results showed that BDP is more efficient as an adsorbent and mostly adsorbing Cu(II). A novel approach; fractional factorial design (2k−p – FrFD) was used to build the experimental pattern of this study. The effects of four factors on the maximum percentage (%) of removal (Y) were considered; pH, adsorbent dose (AD), heavy metal concentration (HMC), and contact time (CT). Statistically significant variables were detected using Pareto chart of standardized effects, normal and half-normal plots together with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence intervals (CI). Optimizing (maximizing) the percentage (%) removal of Cu(II) by BDP, was performed using optimization plots. Results showed that the factors: pH and adsorbent dose (AD) affect the response positively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of both adsorbents while fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to get an idea on the functional groups on the surface and hence the adsorption mechanism. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the prepared adsorbents before and after adsorption of Cu(II). Equilibrium studies show that the adsorption behavior differs according to the equilibrium concentration. In general, it follows Langmuir isotherm up to 155 ppm, then Freundlich isotherm. Free energy of adsorption (ΔGad) is −28.07 kJ/mole, when equilibrium concentration is below 155 ppm, so the adsorption process is spontaneous, while (ΔGad) equals +17.89 kJ/mole above 155 ppm, implying that the process is non-spontaneous. Furthermore, the adsorption process is a mixture of physisorption and chemisorption processes, which could be endothermic or exothermic reactions. The adsorption kinetics were described using a second order model.
Phytoremediation in Removing Selected Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions

Bioaccumulation of Ulothrix zonate was compared for cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc removal at various concentrations and contact time. The results of the present investigation showed that the lowest amount of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn was adsorbed when the initial heavy metal concentration was 10 ppm whereas Cd showed highest concentration at 20 ppm and Cu exhibited greatest removal at 30 ppm. The metals Ni and Zn exhibited highest removal at 40 ppm. The value of Freundlich model constant (1/n) for different metals ranged from 0.334 to 0.721 and the values of Langmuir separation factor values (RL) varied between 0.111 and 0.722 which indicated favorable bio-sorption by the biomass of the algae. The order of metals uptake was found to be Ni>Zn>Cu>Cd. The finding of the study showed that U. zonate has much potential as a biosorbent for the sorption of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn and indicated that the metal uptake was concentration-independent for Cd and Zn whereas for Cu and Ni an increase in initial metal concentration resulted in higher metal uptake. This present study leads the way for the future studies on the use of algae as a cheap bio-adsorbent for heavy metals removal in Iraq which is suffering from huge inland waste water.
Reduced Efficiency Roll‐Off and Improved Stability of Mixed 2D/3D Perovskite Light Emitting Diodes by Balancing Charge Injection

Perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have reached external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) over 21%. Their EQE, however, drops at increasing current densities (J) and their lifetime is still limited to just a few hours. The mechanisms leading to EQE roll‐off and device instability require thorough investigation. Here, improvement in EQE, EQE roll‐off, and lifetime of PeLEDs is demonstrated by tuning the balance of electron/hole transport into a mixed 2D/3D perovskite emissive layer. The mixed 2D/3D perovskite layer induces exciton confinement and beneficially influences the electron/hole distribution inside the perovskite layer. By tuning the electron injection to match the hole injection in such active layer, a nearly flat EQE for J = 0.1–200 mA cm−2, a reduced EQE roll‐off until J = 250 mA cm−2, and a half‐lifetime of ≈47 h at J = 10 mA cm−2 is reached. A model is also proposed to explain these improvements that account for the spatial electron/hole distributions.
Retraction Notice: An Empirical Study on Ecological Efficiency
and Influencing Factors of Industrial Enterprises
in Fujian Province, China

Statistical data related to industrial enterprises from 2011 to 2016 in Fujian Province of China show that the ecological efficiency of industrial enterprises has some temporal and spatial distribution characteristics. In general, ecological efficiency was increasing year by year with great differences within the regions, and the difference increase with time. The efficiency in the eastern region was higher than that in other areas. Based on considering spatial weights and combing the spatial econometric model, this paper studied the influencing factors of ecological efficiency of industrial enterprises, and draws conclusions that population density, per-capita GDP, the proportion of industrial output value and the comprehensive utilization rate of industrial solid waste have a significant positive impact on the ecological efficiency of industrial enterprises. In addition, the ratio of value of import and export goods to GDP and the ratio of expenditure on R&D to general public expenditures have a significant negative impact on the ecological efficiency of industrial enterprises, then put forward some relevant countermeasures and suggestions.