Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An overview of the recent synthesis and functionalization methods of saponite clay

The use of clay minerals has ancient origin and nowadays natural clays are extensively employed for a large number of applications, including in building, packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceutics and foundries. The major advantages of the use of natural clays are associated with their large availability and low price. However, when clays have a natural origin, extensive purification steps are required to remove inorganic and organic contaminants. In addition, depending on the genesis process and on the provenance site, the chemical composition of natural materials can be extremely variable. This variability represents a strong limitation for their application, especially when surface properties have to be strictly controlled. These reasons have stimulated scientists to develop synthetic materials whose structure and properties mimic those of natural layered materials. Synthetic saponite clays have largely been investigated in this scenario and, through designed synthesis procedures, it was possible to obtain solids with controlled chemical compositions, tuneable layer dimensions and enhanced physico-chemical features. The purpose of this concise review is to give an overview of the physico-chemical properties of saponite clays and of the strategies that in recent years have been adopted for their preparation and functionalization. In this respect, a number of papers are related to the modification of saponites by substitution of cations in the interlayer space by organic surfactants, ions or hybrid compounds, thus extending their application. Moreover, a few examples concerning the insertion of specific ions (i.e. transition metal species) in the tetrahedral sheets of the clay through one-pot methods have also been reported recently. These materials, prepared through less time consuming methods, are characterized by the presence of well-defined metal sites that can be effectively exploited for several applications, such as heterogeneous catalysis. In this overview, after a summary on the most common intercalation compounds based on saponite clays, attention was focused on the one-pot methods for the production of functional saponite clays.
The Effect of Tamarind Seed Gum on the Qualities of Gluten-Free Cakes

The effect of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% cold-water soluble tamarind seed gum on batter density, viscosity, and volume of gluten-free layer cakes made with rice flour was evaluated herein. It was observed that the addition of 0.4% tamarind seed gum gave better cake batter volume and was similar to cakes made with wheat flour. Texture profile analysis, color, proximate composition, water activity, total phenolics content, shelf life, and a sensory evaluation of a gluten-free cake with 0.4% tamarind seed gum were compared to a cake made with wheat flour and rice flour. Gluten-free cakes made with 0.4% tamarind seed gum had higher dietary fiber, sensory scores (appearance, texture, and overall acceptability), and longer shelf life than that of the control. Incorporation of 0.4% tamarind seed gum is recommended for gluten-free baked products as it results in more desirable sensory scores and a longer shelf life.
A text mining analysis of the climate change literature in industrial ecology

The literature on climate change research has evolved tremendously since the 1990s. The goal of this study is to use text mining to review the climate change literature and study the evolution of the main trends over time. Specific keywords from articles published in the special issue “ Industrial Ecology for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience” in the Journal of Industrial Ecology are first selected. Details of over 35,000 publications containing these keywords are downloaded from the Web of Science from 1990 to 2018. The number of publications and co‐occurrence of keywords are analyzed. Moreover, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)—a probabilistic approach that can retrieve topics from large and unstructured text documents—is applied on the abstracts to uncover the main topics (consisting of new terms) that naturally emerge from them. The evolution in time of the importance of some emerging topics is then analyzed on the basis of their relative frequency. Overall, a rapid growth in climate change publications is observed. Terms such as “climate change adaptation” appear on the rise, whereas other terms are declining such as “pollution. ” Moreover, several terms tend to co‐occur frequently, such as “climate change adaptation” and “resilience. ” The database collected and the LiTCoF (Literature Topic Co‐occurrence and Frequency) Python‐based tool developed for this study are also made openly accessible. This article met the requirements for a gold – gold JIE data openness badge described http://jie.click/badges.
Examining Supply Chain for Seafood Industries Using Structural Path Analysis

The present study investigates the supply chain for seafood industries in Korea. Unlike previous studies, which analyze the supply chain from input users’ perspective only, the present study examines the supply chain from both input users’ (backward linkage) and input suppliers’ (forward linkage) perspectives. In doing so, this study utilizes structural path analyses (SPAs) to scrutinize the specific paths along which the effects of a shock to a seafood industry are transmitted in both backward and forward directions. This study executes these two types of SPAs (backward linkage and forward linkage SPAs) for three seafood industries in Korea that include wild fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing, thus depicting a more detailed and complete picture of the mechanisms through which the influences of the seafood industries spill over to the rest of the economy. One important finding is that our SPAs are able to identify a number of seemingly unlikely non-seafood industries that play a critical role in transmitting the effects of a shock to a seafood industry.
Evaluation of waste human hair as graphene oxide and examination of some characteristics properties

In this study, graphene oxide was synthesized from activated carbon obtained from waste hair for the first time using Modified Hummers method. the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis results of synthesized graphene oxide were examined. In SEM images, graphene oxide structures were observed as very thin layers. In addition, the characteristic peaks of graphene oxide were observed in FT-IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In the XRD spectra, reflections of the graphene oxide were seen in plane (001) at 2θ=13.66. It was determined that this structure was hexagonal crystal structure. The distance d (6.39A) between the planes and the weave parameters were determined to be 12.80 A. The transformation process for actived carbon production from human hair waste was patented by Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (Turkish Patent Institute Application Number: (2017/10764).
Study the Toxicity of Three Benzothiazole Compounds Formulated as 10 % Suspension Concentrate against Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd)

Three compounds of benzothiazole were synthetized as active ingredient and prepared as 10 % suspensions concentrate (SC). They were evaluated against the second and fourth instar larvae of the cotton leafworm S. littoralis (Boisd.), under laboratory conditions. LC50 values showed that formulation (1) gave the highest toxic effect against 2nd and 4th instar larvae after 48 hrs from treatment and gave the best effect as antifeedant followed by formulation (3) and formulation (2). Semi field experiment was done to evaluate the initial and latent effects of the formulated compounds compared with commercial insecticide chlorpyrifos 48% EC (Dursban), the results showed that formulation (1) gave 100 % prevention of adult emergency due to the high initial and latent effects and lowest pupation percentage as the same as chlorpyrifos followed by formulation (3) and formulation (2) with the 2nd and the 4th instar larvae. Whereas Formulation (1) at 1 % is already as the same of recommended insecticide chlorpyrifos, therefore it could be recommended to use the new formulations as alternative of hazard conventional insecticides in controlling cotton leafworm in different crops after conducting the other necessary open field experiments.
A game-theoretic method for resilient control design in industrial multi-agent CPSs with Markovian and coupled dynamics

Multi-agent cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are ubiquitous in various modern critical infrastructures, especially in industrial automation control involved in the petrochemical, metallurgy, textile, and pharmaceutical, which are vulnerable for their hierarchically and horizontally interconnected architecture. In this paper, we investigate a resilient control design problem for industrial multi-agent CPSs of centralised information structure, with Markovian and physically coupled dynamics from a game-theoretic perspective. First, we investigate a worst-case design problem and solve for worst-case disturbance strategy and optimal disturbance attenuation level parameter through an equivalent two-person zero-sum differential game in both finite- and infinite-horizon. Second, we study a corresponding N-person worst-case nonzero-sum differential game and derive state-feedback Nash equilibrium solution of robustness property as resilient control strategy for each agent. The experimental case study is given to demonstrate that using resilient control strategy, each agent could maintain its physical plant operationally normal under cyber attack, malicious disturbance input and physical state interdependency.
Gauging the Effects of Stock Liquidity on Earnings Management: Evidence from the SEC Tick Size Pilot Test

We study the relationship between stock market liquidity and earnings management. Using a sample of U.S. public firms over the time period from 1993 to 2012, we find that firms with more liquid stocks have lower level of both real and accrual-based earnings management. The result is robust to the use of various measures of liquidity. We address the endogeneity problem by using instrumental variable approach and two sources of exogenous shocks to stock liquidity, i.e. stock split and Decimalization. These methods provide evidence of a causal effect of liquidity on earnings management. We further find that liquidity curbs earnings management by mitigating the information asymmetry between managers and shareholder and facilitating governance by large institutional investors.
EFFECT OF FENOFIBRATE ADJUVANT THERAPY ON ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN EGYPTIAN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: Endothelial dysfunction is afflicted to the maturation of arteriosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) vascular complications. This study designed to evaluate the impact of fenofibrate adjuvant therapy on endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in patients with T2DM. Methods: Seventy-five subjects were recruited from the Internal Medicine Department of Tanta University Hospital. The participants were classified into three groups: Group 1 (control group), 25 healthy subjects; Group 2, 25 T2DM patients received glimepiride/metformin (2:500 mg/day); and Group 3, 25 T2DM patients received glimepiride/metformin (2:500 mg/day)+fenofibrate (300 mg/day). Patients were assessed before and 3 months after intervention for the determination of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glycemic picture (hemoglobin A1C % and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistant), lipid panel, Castelli’s risk index (CRI-I and CRI-II), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA] and Syndecan-1 (SDC-1)]. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The addition of fenofibrate to oral hypoglycemic drugs (Group 3) provoked a significant decrease in all measured parameters when compared with Group 2. As compared to the control group, Group 3 showed no significant difference in most measured parameters after 3 months of therapy. For T2DM patients of Group 3, both ADMA and SDC-1 showed a significant positive correlation with all measured parameters except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which exhibited significant negative correlation after 3 months of therapy (p<0.05). Conclusion: The addition of fenofibrate adjuvant therapy to oral hypoglycemic drugs improved the vascular endothelial dysfunction, CRI-I, CRI-II, glycemic picture, lipid panel, ACR, and blood pressure and reduced the BMI in patients with T2DM.
DFT/TDDFT approach: an incredible success story in prediction of organic materials properties for photovoltaic application

In the quest to improve the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), the distinction of the critical factors limiting their power conversion efficiency (PCE) with a view to rationalizing the relationship between the structures of the active layers, their morphology, and the electronic processes taking place at their interface is required. In this review, we give an overview of the role of computational approaches based on density functional theory (DFT) in describing and predicting the structure of OSC active materials at molecular level and characterizing their various properties. We first discuss the key success of DFT calculations in establishing and understanding the relationship between the structure and the optoelectronics properties of some organic compounds. A second section deals with the power of DFT calculations in the molecular design of potential donor materials for photovoltaic applications which is beneficial for chemists to have an estimate of the photophysical properties of the target before carrying out a multistep synthesis.
Optical diagnosis of typhoid infection in human blood sera using Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Raman spectroscopy has the ability to provide highly specific disease diagnostic results based on intrinsic molecular signatures in biological samples. We recorded variation in spectral range (540–1830 cm−1) for 60 Salmonella typhi-infected and 60 healthy sera samples at 785 nm. Analysis reveals characteristic peaks at 630, 1099, 1144, 1343, 1692, 1711, and 1746 cm−1. Moreover, statistical analysis using principal component analysis successfully separated healthy and diseased samples. Our results provide an initial indication of possibility to use these typhoid specific serum markers for the optical diagnosis of typhoid.
Basis for the Use of AMIC Technique - Microfractures Associated with Collagen Membrane

Injuries below 2 cm2 tend to be treated with microfractures [1-3]. Injuries larger than 2 cm2 are more difficult to decide. Microfractures in these injuries tends to have a temporary effect, with results deterioration after two years of surgery [3,4]. Osteochondral autologous transplantation (OATs) could be used, but with the limitation of size and aggression of the donor area [3]. Other options would be fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or autologous matrix-assisted chondrogenesis (AMIC) [3].
Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo: a review

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo is a herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae, subfamily Lamioideae. Approximately, 127 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from L. rotata, including iridoids, flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, polysaccharides, and organic acids. These chemical constituents have extensive pharmacological properties, which include anti-nociceptive, haemostatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cardio-protective activities. Documentation of its historical use in traditional medicine and contemporary phytochemical and pharmacological research indicate that L. rotata has significant potential in therapeutic and health care applications. Both whole extracts and individual chemical components isolated from this plant exhibit a wide range of biological activities that warrant further investigation. These investigations can be assisted by careful review of existing traditional knowledge from diverse cultural backgrounds. A new search for chemical and biological markers and reinforced protection of the germplasm resources of L. rotata are also important to ensure targeted and sustainable use of this medicinal resource. The aim of this review was to provide comprehensive information on the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, ethnopharmacology, chemical and pharmacological properties, toxicity profile, and conservation status of L. rotata, to improve understanding of its mechanisms of action so that novel therapeutic agents may be developed from this plant.
Post-hurricane shifts in the morphology of island lizards

Hurricanes are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity as a result of climate change, but the impacts of these disturbances on the evolutionary trajectories of the species they affect are not yet well understood. In this project, we investigated population-level changes in morphology in the lizard Anolis carolinensis after Hurricane Irma in 2017. We found that anole populations were morphologically distinct after the hurricane, exhibiting significantly longer forelimbs and hindlimbs compared with pre-hurricane measurements. These morphological changes were consistent across two replicate islands and between males and females. The observed morphological shifts were potentially driven by positive selection from Hurricane Irma on clinging capacity. In this opportunistic study, we documented post-hurricane changes in the morphology of island lizards and suggest the potential for increasingly frequent and intense hurricanes to play an important role in natural selection and anole evolution.
Macro Monetary Policy and Micro Corporate Behavior

The process of monetary policy transmission can be understood as a “macro policy stimulus-microeconomic response-macro output” process, that is, from the process of macro monetary policy control affecting macro output, micro Economies (businesses, households, individuals, etc.) have played a decisive role in responding to monetary policy changes. As early as 1963, scholar Tobin pointed out that corporate asset allocation is a direct reflection of corporate behavior, so it is also of great significance to explore the role of corporate financial asset allocation in the impact of monetary policy on corporate performance. This article reviews the impact of monetary policy on corporate investment and financing behavior, and reviews past research to show the impact of monetary policy on corporate financial behavior.
A Novel Load Scheduling Mechanism Using Artificial Neural Network Based Customer Profiles in Smart Grid

In most demand response (DR) based residential load management systems, shifting a considerable amount of load in low price intervals reduces end user cost, however, it may create rebound peaks and user dissatisfaction. To overcome these problems, this work presents a novel approach to optimizing load demand and storage management in response to dynamic pricing using machine learning and optimization algorithms. Unlike traditional load scheduling mechanisms, the proposed algorithm is based on finding suggested low tariff area using artificial neural network (ANN). Where the historical load demand individualized power consumption profiles of all users and real time pricing (RTP) signal are used as input parameters for a forecasting module for training and validating the network. In a response, the ANN module provides a suggested low tariff area to all users such that the electricity tariff below the low tariff area is market based. While the users are charged high prices on the basis of a proposed load based pricing policy (LBPP) if they violate low tariff area, which is based on RTP and inclining block rate (IBR). However, we first developed the mathematical models of load, pricing and energy storage systems (ESS), which are an integral part of the optimization problem. Then, based on suggested low tariff area, the problem is formulated as a linear programming (LP) optimization problem and is solved by using both deterministic and heuristic algorithms. The proposed mechanism is validated via extensive simulations and results show the effectiveness in terms of minimizing the electricity bill as well as intercepting the creation of minimal-price peaks. Therefore, the proposed energy management scheme is beneficial to both end user and utility company.
Synergistic Effect of Acoustic and Vacuum Drying to Antioxidant Attributes of Cordyceps militaris

Acoustic drying allows the utilization of lower temperatures than conventional methodology in the drying process. Vacuum drying is one of the most energy demanding processes. Water evaporation also takes place at lower temperatures under vacuum and hence the product processing temperature can be significantly lower, offering higher product quality. Cordyceps militaris is a well-known entamophagus fungus with wonderful health benefits such as adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, neuroprotective, nootropic, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer and hepatoprotective role by its phytochemical constituents. This study focused on the synergistic effects of acoustic and vacuum drying on antioxidant properties of Cordyceps militaris. We noticed that acoustic drying at power 800 W in frequency 40kHz combined with vacuum drying at pressure -0.8 bar were suitable for dehydration of this valuable material. From this approach, a combination of acoustic and vacuum drying created a synergistic effect consuming less energy than single drying method because it can be performed at low temperature while maintaining the product quality and wholesomeness. Moisture content is partly removed by acoustic drying and further dehydration in a vacuum dryer to reduce moisture to a stable level.
Robust stabilisation for a class of stochastic T–S fuzzy descriptor systems via dynamic sliding‐mode control

In this study, the authors research the problem of robust stabilisation for a class of stochastic Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy descriptor systems via dynamic sliding mode control technique. In the majority of stochastic T–S fuzzy sliding-mode control approaches, two restrictive assumptions are required, one is every subsystem's input matrix is identical, the other is the product of the sliding-mode gain and the stochastic perturbation matrix must be zero. In order to eliminate two restrictive assumptions, we put forward a dynamic sliding-mode control technique for a class of stochastic T–S fuzzy descriptor systems. A criterion is established according to linear matrix inequalities, it guarantees that the stochastic T–S fuzzy descriptor systems with the mismatched uncertainty and disturbance are stochastically admissible and strictly robust dissipative. Moreover, a dynamic sliding-mode controller ensures the reachability of the system trajectories to the predefined sliding surface in finite time. In the end, the technique is applied to an inverted pendulum model to demonstrate the merit and effectiveness of the proposed methods.