Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced photobioreactor LED illumination system: Scale‐down approach to study microalgal growth kinetics

A newly designed and constructed LED illumination device for commercial cylindrical bioreactors is presented for application in microalgal cultivations and investigation of growth kinetics. An ideally illuminated volume is achieved by focusing the light toward the center of the reactor and thereby compensating the mutual shading of the cells. The relevant biomass concentration for homogeneous illumination depending on reactor radius was determined by light distribution measurements for Chlamydomonas to 0.2 g/L (equal 0.435 optical density at 750 nm). It is shown that cultivation experiments with the newly designed illumination device operated in batch mode can be successfully applied for determination of growth rates and photo conversion efficiencies. The exact knowledge of physiological reactions of specific strain(s) and the estimation of relevant parameters for scale‐up can be used for construction of economic pilot plant photobioreactors. The determination of light‐dependent kinetics of growth and product formation is the first necessary step to achieve this. A wide variety of different parameters can be examined like the effect of different illumination conditions (light intensity, frequency of day/night cycles, flashing light, light color…) and thereby for each single application specific, relevant, and interesting parameters will be examined.
A highly sensitive microfluidics system for multiplexed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection based on Ag nanodot arrays

We report a method for fabricating a highly sensitive, microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip with highly ordered Ag nanodot arrays as the enhancement substrate for the detection of multiplexed low-concentration analytes. The microfluidic SERS chip features a highly-ordered Ag nanodot array on quartz slides fabricated by depositing Ag with an ultrathin anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) film as template and a channel-patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cover on top, allowing a tremendous enhancement of electromagnetic field in the proximity of the chip surface because of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Ag nanodots. Via the utilization of a self-built SERS microspectrometer with an inverted configuration, the multiplexed SERS signals of low concentration adenine and thiram can be readily detected with a detection limit down to 5.0 × 10−7 M. This detection system that we developed is flexible and has potential for real commercialization.
Carbon Nanotubes‐Modified Screen‐Printed Electrodes for Chemical Sensors and Biosensors

Abstract Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been used for modification of working graphite ink electrode of the three‐electrode screen‐printed sensing stripe. Modification has been made by evaporating on the graphite surface a solution of MWCNT in dimethylformamide. The effect of modification on reversibility of the electrode process of the system hexacyanoferrate(II)/(III) has been shown, along with improvement of the sensitivity of detection of pesticide paraoxon with biosensors containing organophosphorus hydrolase immobilized by adsorption on the nanotubes‐modified graphite ink electrode. The catalytic sensing of methanol was also demonstrated with the use of a screen‐printed sensor modified with MWCNT and Co(II) salt present in the measuring solution.
Adsorption of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) on Montmorillonite

The adsorption of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on montmorillonites saturated with calcium (Ca-Mt) and sodium (Na-Mt) as a function of the pH value and PVA concentration in aqueous solution was studied. Owing to the binding effect of the bivalent cation, the adsorption of PVA on Ca-Mt decreases as the pH of the suspension increases, whereas adsorption on Na-Mt is unaffected by the suspension pH. The adsorption maximum of PVA (pH 6) on Ca-Mt was 151.2 mg of PVA g−1 of clay, which is considerably lower than that on Na-Mt (496.2 mg g−1). These adsorption data coincide with the basal spacings obtained for the clays: 1.72 and 2.26 nm for Ca-Mt and Na-Mt, respectively. Sodium permits a greater separation between the clay laminae than calcium, but in both clays the presence of the polymer gives rise to a material in which PVA is intercalated between the laminae and is also adsorbed on the external surface. Adsorption is a slow process and is irreversible in both clays.
Transients of Volume‐Controlled Current and of Recombination Radiation in Anthracene

The transients of volume‐controlled doubly injected currents and of the accompanying recombination radiation were measured on anthracene crystals. By this method, which allows the trap‐free case to be approximated, the carrier recombination rate constant K was determined in a more reliable way than is possible with steady‐state currents. The result, K=(1.05±0.5)×10−6 cm3 sec−1, agrees well with the theoretical value predicted by a model in which the rate is a function of carrier mobility. The recombination fluorescence was found to consist of two components differing by their rise times. The fast component, Ifast, is due to singlet excitons generated directly by carrier recombination. The slow component, Islow, is proof that carrier recombination produces also triplet excitons (which can recombine to give singlets producing fluorescence). The ratio Islow/Ifast=0.65±0.1 indicates that two recombining triplet excitons do not always produce a singlet exciton but may also form an excited triplet exciton. In a.
Complexation of Calix[4]arene With Alkali Metal Cations: Conformational Binding Selectivity and Cation-π Driven Inclusion

Hartree-Fock, second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory, and density functional theory calculations were carried out to analyse the complexation of calix[4]arene with cationic species including H + and the alkali metal cations (Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , and Cs + ). Special emphasis has been placed on conformational binding selectivity, and on the structural characterization of the complexes. Li + and Na + cations are located in the calix[4]arene lower rim. The larger cations (K + , Rb + , and Cs + ) complex preferentially with the calix[4]arene cone conformer, and their endo (inclusive) complexation is driven by cation- ~ interactions, leading in the case of K + to a structure that reflects a preferential interaction with two phenol rings. The endo complexation of Cs + with calix[4]arene is in agreement with X-ray diffraction data.
Department of Economics- FEA/USP

Political debates provide voters with a unique opportunity to learn about which candidates best represent their interests. They are complex campaign events that are followed by intensive media analysis and commentary. Despite growing evidence about their impact on voter behavior, little is known about their interrelated role with subsequent news coverage. This paper investigates the impact of an episode of manipulated TV coverage of a major presidential debate on the 1989 Brazilian presidential election. First, we present evidence from an online experiment that the coverage affects the audience’s evaluation of candidates differently then the actual debate. We then take advantage of a unique natural experiment regarding the geographical distribution of broadcaster-specific TV signal and the timing of election events in order to disentangle the effect of the coverage from the debate itself. By exploring both survey and actual election data, we find that the left-wing candidate lost 1.9−8.6 p.p. in vote share due to unfavorable coverage by the dominant TV network in Brazil. We also provide direct evidence that the mechanism works through a change in voters’ perception of who won the debate. Together, our set of results show how dominant media groups can distort the information generated by presidential debates through its subsequent news coverage, thus hindering the role of debates in informing voters.
Conformation of Human Microtubule Associated Protein-Tau

Tau mainly functions to bind and stabilize microtubules. Tau is classified as a natively unfolded protein and lacks of secondary structural elements. Tau aggregates to insoluble fibers called paired helical filaments in Alzheimer disease. The reaction of certain antibodies with discontinuous epitopes has suggested the possibility that tau shows some global conformations. Also, molecular forces that contribute to the stability of PHFs are not well understood. This present study is aimed to a better understanding of the structure of soluble tau and PHFS. The results are summarized as follow: (i) Soluble tau remained as random coil at various pHs despite charge minimization and at high ionic strength as judged by CD. In contrast, elevated temperature induces beta-structure and alcohol tends to slightly alter the conformation of tau. Overall, these results highlight the low hydrophobic content of tau being the main cause for its unfolded nature. (ii) The global folding of tau was examined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). High FRET within the second and third repeat of the microtubule binding domain indicated a local compaction. The results also showed that the repeat domain of tau comes into close vicinity of the C-terminal tail, but not to the N-terminus. Surprisingly the N- and the C-terminal ends showed FRET. Based on this, tau contains preferred long range interactions between the repeat domain and the C-terminus and between the N- and C-terminus ("paperclip"). The interactions between the domains are obliterated by denaturation in GdnHCl, pointing to fluctuating chain that otherwise is almost as flexible as a denatured protein. This folding agrees well with the reactivities of certain antibodies (Alz50, MC1, Tau66 and SMI34) that detect abnormal tau in early stages of Alzheimers disease, suggesting that a stabilization of the folded state could have pathological consequences. (iii) Tau aggregation in the presence of heparin is more efficient at pH just below its pI that minimizes net charge of tau. Temperature dependence and salt dependence of tau aggregation suggest a strong influence of ionic interactions. Nevertheless, hydrophobic patches appear in tau aggregates as measured by ANS fluorescence. iv) The denaturation of PHFs at mild concentrations of GdnHCl as well as the partial dissolution of PHFs at extreme pHs points to ionic nature of interactions within PHFs. In contrast, PHFs are stable at elevated temperature, at high salt concentrations and in alcohols like isopropanol showing that once PHFs are formed the interactions become stabilized. These observations could form a basis for elucidating the molecular architecture of PHFs.
Synthesis of 5-Bromoisoquinoline and 5-Bromo-8-nitroisoquinoline

Isoquinoline N-Bromosuccinimide 5-Bromoisoquinoline 5-Bromo-8-nitroisoquinoline Keywords: bromoquinolone; bromonitrosoquinoline; waste disposal; pharmacologically active compounds; electrophilic bromination
Potential-Dependent Water Orientation on Pt(111), Pt(100), and Pt(110), As Inferred from Laser-Pulsed Experiments. Electrostatic and Chemical Effects

The laser-induced temperature jump method is used to characterize the net orientation of interfacial water on well-defined platinum surfaces, Pt(111), Pt(100), and Pt(110), as a function of the applied potential. A clear effect of the surface structure on the potential of water reorientation is observed, being 0.37 for Pt(111), 0.33 for Pt(100), and 0.14 V vs RHE for Pt(110) in 0.1 M HClO4 solution. The potential of water reorientation also exhibits a different pH dependency for the three basal planes, shifting 0.060 for Pt(111), 0.030 for Pt(100), and 0.015 V/dec for Pt(110). Comparison with charge density data provides a deeper understanding of these results. A quantitative analysis of the electrostatic and chemical effects governing the potential-dependent reorientation of the interfacial water network is addressed. It is concluded that water on Pt(111) exhibits a small net orientation in the absence of electric field at the interphase. On the other hand, the agreement between the relative position of .
ALTERNATING CURRENT THIN FILM ELECTROLUMINESCENCE IN THE NEAR INFRARED FROM ZINC SULFIDE DOPED WITH RARE EARTHS

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy ALTERNATING CURRENT THIN FILM ELECTROLUMINESCENCE IN THE NEAR INFRARED FROM ZINC SULFIDE DOPED WITH RARE EARTHS By Ajay Kale December 2003 Chair: Dr. Paul H. Holloway Major Department: Materials Science and Engineering Near infrared emission (0.7-1.5 μm) of zinc sulfide (ZnS) doped with erbium (Er) or neodymium (Nd) has been studied in alternating current thin film electroluminescent devices (ACTFELDs). The electroluminescent (EL) thin film phosphors were radio frequency planar magnetron sputter deposited by co-sputtering an undoped ZnS target together with a ZnS: 1.5 mole% ErF3 or ZnS: 1.5 mole% NdF3 target. The ZnS:ErF3 and ZnS:NdF3 thin film phosphors were annealed for one hour in ultra high purity N2 at temperatures ranging from 350-475oC. Annealing at 425oC for 1 hour in nitrogen was the optimal post-deposition treatment for both the ZnS:ErF3, and ZnS:NdF3 thin film phosphors, resulting in EL power densities of 7.5 and 28 μW/cm for the 990nm and the1550nm emission of ZnS:ErF3, respectively. The power densities were 7.5 (750%) and 28 (2800%) times larger than those from the as-deposited films, which exhibited a power density ~1μW/cm at both wavelengths. In the case of ZnS:NdF3, 26 and 15 μW/cm was achieved at 910nm and at 1060nm, which was only 2 (100%) times larger than from as-
Optimum growth condition of single-crystalline undoped ZnS grown by the molecular-beam-epitaxial method using a H2S gas source

Crystal characterization by photoluminescence and x‐ray diffraction has been performed to find out the optimum growth condition of ZnS grown by the gas‐source molecular‐beam‐epitaxial (MBE) method. In this crystal growth, important parameters are the cracking temperature of H2S gas (Tcr), the film thickness (d), both molecular‐beam flux intensities (JZn and JΣS or inlet H2S gas pressure Pin), and substrate temperature (Tsub). A single crystal having a fairly high quality, whose half width of x‐ray diffraction FWHM is about 0.119° (the reference value of the GaAs substrate used is 0.093°), is obtained under the growth conditions Pin=1.4×10−5 Torr (corresponding flux intensity JΣS=7×1015 cm−2 s−1), JZn/JΣS=1, and Tsub=325 °C in the case of Tcr=780 °C and d≂1 μm.
Role of In Vitro System as Continuous Betalain Sources

Plants are sources of many important secondary metabolites including pigments. Betalain, one of plant major pigments is of growing interest for colorant of food and pharmaceutical industries. This natural colorant has been concerned as an alternative for synthetic colorants due to its positive effects on health. Recent reports show that betalains have high anti-oxidative, free radical scavenging activities and potential for anti malaria. In higher plants betalain occurrence is restricted to 13 families of the order Caryophyllales. Their occurence is mutually exclusive to that of the anthocyanins. Although the major pigment group shows wide occurence in different plant tissues, the production is very affected by environmental conditions. Therefore, an in vitro system under controlled conditions is one promising alternative pigments source for all seasons. Plant cells and tissue cultures can be established routinely under sterile conditions from explants, such as plant leaves, stems, and roots for both multiplication and extraction of secondary metabolites including pigments. Some in vitro strategies have been applied to improve betalain production. Strain improvement, methods for the selection of high-producing cell lines, and medium optimizations could enhance secondary metabolite production. In addition, this paper will discuss hairy root cultures for pigment production, precursor addition for betalain improvement, elicitation of in vitro products, and bioreactors scaling up of production.
Silicon-technology based microreactors for high-temperature heterogeneous partial oxidation reactions

In this thesis the results of a study into the feasibility of silicon-technology based microreactors for fast oxidation reactions have been discussed. When designed properly, silicon microreactors are suitable for studying heterogeneous gas phase reactions, such as reaction kinetics of direct catalytic partial oxidation of methane into synthesis gas. This thesis focused on the design and realization of silicon-technology based micro flow reactors that are to be used for research on high-temperature heterogeneous gas phase reactions.
A Novel Technique for Single-stage Reconstruction of Nipple-Areola Complex following Central Lumpectomy

Summary Several oncoplastic techniques have been proposed for subareolar breast cancer, some of which may require contralateral operation for symmetry, or more than one operation for delayed reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). We herein developed a simple and effective oncoplastic approach following central quadrantectomy, aiming to achieve the following: (1) preservation of breast shape and contour for patients who are not accepting of a notably smaller breast or bilateral operation; (2) single procedure with advantages of single anesthetic and the ability to reconstruct a breast that has not yet been affected by radiation; (3) no autologous grafts with disadvantage of an extra donor site; (4) creation of natural neo-NAC with only incision within the region of the areola complex; and (5) maintaining long-term nipple projection. In this technique, the medial and lateral peri-areolar flap was advanced and rotated to restore partial neo-NAC, and to fill the defect after central tumor and NAC resection. The whole neo-NAC margin was created using the “round block” technique. Additionally, the nipple reconstruction was performed at the mitten of the neo-areola area using the C-V nipple flaps with an internal strut of rolled dermal grafts harvested from excised skin during the round block procedures. Lastly, a purse-string suture is placed in the outer skin margin for control of areola diameter and project. Six patients with central tumors of the breast were treated in this easily achieved approach. Patient satisfaction was noted as high, and the cosmetic results were evaluated as good to excellent.
Mechanical and X-RAY Characterisation of the Assisted Two-Way Shape Memory Effect In NiTi

Abstract This study concerns the development of an experimental procedure to characterise the fatigue behaviour of NiTi shape memory alloy subjected to thermal cycling under a constant applied load. This experimental technique combines the measure of macroscopic properties with the X-ray analysis of the alloy structure. The evolution of transformation temperatures, total recoverable strain and hysteresis loops are measured up to 3000 heating and cooling cycles. The X-ray structural analysis performed under the same experimental conditions helps to understand the underlying mechanisms. Cette étude porte sur le développement d'une procédure expérimentale visant à caractériser le comportement en fatigue d'un alliage à mémoire de forme NiTi soumis à des cycles thermiques sous une contrainte appliquée constante. Cette approche expérimentale combine la mesure des propriétés macroscopiques sur un banc d'essai avec l'analyse par rayons X de la structure de l'alliage. L'évolution des températures de transformations de phases, l'effet mémoire et les boucles d'hystérésis sont mesurés jusqu'à 3000 cycles thermiques de chauffage et de refroidissement. L'analyse par rayons X de la structure dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales permet de comprendre les mécanismes en jeu.
Religious Schema within a Muslim Ideological Surround Religious and Psychological Adjustment in Iran

With Religious Schema Scales in the West, Truth of Texts and Teachings correlates negatively with the commitment to interreligious dialogue recorded by Xenosophia. This measure of fundamentalism also predicts problematic religious and psychosocial functioning. The present project examined Religious Schema Scales in university students and Islamic seminarians in the Muslim cultural context of Iran. Truth of Texts and Teachings correlated positively rather than negatively with Xenosophia and predicted religious and psychological adjustment. The adaptive implications of Truth of Texts and Teachings were especially evident in Islamic seminarians. These results supplemented previous Religious Schema data from India and Malaysia in suggesting that fundamentalism may have more positive implications outside the West. Cross-cultural differences in fundamentalism more generally support arguments of an Ideological Surround AQ
Mini-Review: Recent Advances in Aptamer Applications

Aptamers are short (20 to 60 nucleotides) single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that bind with high affinity and specificity to various ligands.1 Aptamers have been referred to as “synthetic antibodies,” but are more versatile and can replace antibodies in some applications.2 Following two seminal reports3, 4 in 1990, published applications of aptamers exceeded 10,000 as of 2019, according to a search of PubMed.5 Refinement of this literature, specifically for cancer, gave 1,936 items for 1999 – 2019 (Figure 1). An exponential increase in numbers is evident, as is the likelihood of ~350 such articles in 2020 alone.
DEPENDENCE OF SHEAR STRENGTH AND COMPRESSIBILITY OF TROPICAL LATERITIC SOILS ON CLAY CONTENT

Laterites are used extensively as construction materials in Nigeria. Particle size distribution of the laterites from the sedimentary basin of Southern Nigeria show that laterites are composed of sands and clays. The dependence of the shear strength and compressibility on their clay content is investigated using field samples of sand and clay mixtures. The results show that the soils cohesion, plasticity index and compressibility index are directly proportional to the clay content, while the friction angle and initial void ratio are inversely proportional to the clay content at the same moisture content. Copyright © IJEATR, all rights reserved.
Process for Recovery and Purification of Isobutane Alkylation Spent Acid

Alkylation of isobutane and butenes was carried out in a semi continuous setup using sulfuric acid as catalyst to produce isooctane. The liquid phase interaction between isobutane and butenes as isobutane alkylation has been investigated at 13°C and 1 MPa in acidic phase. Spent acid waste is produced at the alkylation process and the petroleum processing industry unit that requires sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Spent acid contains sulfuric acid attached to a long chain carbon and other compounds. This compound is corrosive and has a pH below 1.0, so that it cannot be directly discharged into the environment. The remains of water and organic solvents in sulfuric acid not only reduce the purity of acid but also influence the physicochemical properties and even the results of reactions performed in acid. This study aimed to conduct waste treatment of spent acid and to recover sulfuric acid from the spent acid solution because the level of H2SO4 is high at about 85%, then the sulfuric acid can be reused in the alkylation process. It is found that this new method can break the week inter-molecular bond between acid-hydrocarbons and remove quickly the volatile impurity in acid at mild conditions. The effecting factors of the new method in comparison with the traditional one have been investigated. Olefin conversion and octane number of alkylates were determined. The results showed that the proposed method can easily remove the spent acid’s impurities and the lifetime of the catalytic system was extended to 5 time.