Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of NLRX1 in glutamate uptake and release by astrocytes

Uptake of glutamate from the extracellular space and glutamate release to neurons are two major processes conducted by astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) that protect against glutamate excitotoxicity and strengthen neuronal firing, respectively. During inflammatory conditions in the CNS, astrocytes may lose one or both of these functions, resulting in accumulation of the extracellular glutamate, which eventually leads to excitotoxic neuronal death, which in turn worsens the CNS inflammation. NLRX1 is an innate immune NOD-like receptor that inhibits the major inflammatory pathways. It is localized in the mitochondria and was shown to inhibit cell death, enhance ATP production, and dampen oxidative stress. In the current work, using primary murine astrocyte cultures from WT and Nlrx1-/mice, we demonstrate that NLRX1 potentiates astrocytic glutamate uptake by enhancing mitochondrial functions and the functional activity of glutamate transporters. Also, we report that NLRX1 inhibits glutamate release from astrocytes by repressing Ca2+-mediated glutamate exocytosis. Our study, for the first time, identified NLRX1 as a potential regulator of glutamate homeostasis in the CNS.
Critical roles of Fe2+/Fe3+ in manipulating permanganate reactivity with zero-valent iron towards enhanced arsenite removal

aTianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China, Tel. /Fax: +86-22-2376-6557; emails: liutingyi@tjnu.edu. cn (T. Liu), tiangyingchang@163.com/tianyingchang0412@163.com (T. Chang), wy13502181683@163.com (Y. Wang), 13116156253@163.com (Z. Zhang) bSchool of Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China cInternational Center for Balanced Land Use (ICBLU), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Removal of phenol in coir retting wastewater by membrane bioreactor combined with photo-fenton process using RSM

In this work, coir retting wastewater was treated primarily by membrane bioreactor combined with photo-Fenton process to degrade phenol and other organics. The removal process was carried out in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for 1–15 h with hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 8 h, COD and phenol removal were found to be 99% and 78%, respectively. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to plan and optimize photo-Fenton process. Regression quadratic model relates photo-Fenton process of phenol removal which was developed and completed by analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Probing the Binding of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride to the Human Serum Albumin

UV-visible and Fluorescence spectroscopic methods were employed to study the interaction of human serum albumin (HSA) with Valacyclovir Hydrochloride. Additionally, molecular dynamics and molecular docking simulations were used to visualize and specify the binding site of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride. The Stern-Volmer and van't Hoff equations along with spectroscopic observations, were used to determine the binding and thermodynamic parameters. Overall obtained results revealed the presence of dynamic type of quenching mechanism in binding of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride to HSA, while the interaction was found to be entropy driven at domain III of HSA. Analyzing the protein ligand interactions with LIGPLOT, confirmed the dominance of hydrophobic interactions, while the hydrogen bonding interactions play the minor role.
The impact of secondary ice production on Arctic stratocumulus

Abstract. In situ measurements of Arctic clouds frequently show that ice crystal number concentrations (ICNCs) are much higher than the number of available ice-nucleating particles (INPs), suggesting that secondary ice production (SIP) may be active. Here we use a Lagrangian parcel model (LPM) and a large-eddy simulation (LES) to investigate the impact of three SIP mechanisms (rime splintering, break-up from ice–ice collisions and drop shattering) on a summer Arctic stratocumulus case observed during the Aerosol-Cloud Coupling And Climate Interactions in the Arctic (ACCACIA) campaign. Primary ice alone cannot explain the observed ICNCs, and drop shattering is ineffective in the examined conditions. Only the combination of both rime splintering (RS) and collisional break-up (BR) can explain the observed ICNCs, since both of these mechanisms are weak when activated alone. In contrast to RS, BR is currently not represented in large-scale models; however our results indicate that this may also be a critical ice-multiplication mechanism. In general, low sensitivity of the ICNCs to the assumed INP, to the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) conditions and also to the choice of BR parameterization is found. Finally, we show that a simplified treatment of SIP, using a LPM constrained by a LES and/or observations, provides a realistic yet computationally efficient way to study SIP effects on clouds. This method can eventually serve as a way to parameterize SIP processes in large-scale models.
Transition‐Metal‐Carbide (Mo2C) Multiperiod Gratings for Realization of High‐Sensitivity and Broad‐Spectrum Photodetection

A novel hybrid phototransistor consisting of molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is proposed. By exploiting the interface properties of MoS2 and Mo2C, a highly sensitive and broad‐spectral response photodetector is fabricated. The underlying mechanism of the enhanced performance is the efficient hot carrier injection from Mo2C to MoS2. The strong coupling of MoS2 and Mo2C at the interface provides the significantly low Schottky barrier height (≈70 meV), which gives rise to the significantly efficient hot carrier transfer from Mo2C to MoS2. The grating of metallic Mo2C produces plasmonic resonance, which provides hot carriers to the MoS2 channel. By adjusting the grating period of Mo2C (400–1000 nm), the optimal photoresponse of light can be controlled, from visible to NIR. By integrating various Mo2C multigrating periods (400–1000 nm) with MoS2, a novel photodetector is demonstrated with high responsivity (R > 103 A W−1) and light‐to‐dark current ratio (>102) over a broad spectral range (405–1310 nm). The proposed novel hybrid photodetector, 2D semiconductors with multigrating 2D metallic stripes, exhibits high sensitivity and broad spectral detection of light and can overcome the inherent weakness of conventional 2D photodetectors, paving the way forward for next‐generation photoelectric devices.
Characterization of Human Mucosal‐associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells

Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a subset of unconventional T cells restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I–like molecule MHC‐related protein 1 (MR1). MAIT cells are found throughout the body, especially in human blood and liver. Unlike conventional T cells, which are stimulated by peptide antigens presented by MHC molecules, MAIT cells recognize metabolite antigens derived from an intermediate in the microbial biosynthesis of riboflavin. MAIT cells mediate protective immunity to infections by riboflavin‐producing microbes via the production of cytokines and cytotoxicity. The discovery of stimulating MAIT cell antigens allowed for the development of an analytical tool, the MR1 tetramer, that binds specifically to the MAIT T cell receptor (TCR) and is becoming the gold standard for identification of MAIT cells by flow cytometry. This article describes protocols to characterize the phenotype of human MAIT cells in blood and tissues by flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled human MR1 tetramers alongside antibodies specific for MAIT cell markers. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Surface Induced Phenytoin Polymorph. 1. Full Structure Solution by Combining Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction and Crystal Structure Prediction

Understanding the behavior and properties of molecules assembled in thin layers requires knowledge of their crystalline packing. The drug phenytoin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin) is one of the compounds that can be grown as a surface induced polymorph. By using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, the monoclinic unit cell of the new form II can be determined, but, due to crystal size and the low amount of data, a full solution using conventional structure solving strategies fails. In this work, the full solution has been obtained by combining computational structure generation and experimental results. The comparison between the bulk and the new surface induced phase reveals significant packing differences of the hydrogen-bonding network, which might be the reason for the faster dissolution of form II with respect to form I. The results are very satisfactory, and the method might be adapted for other systems, where, due to the limited amount of experimental data, one must rely on additional approaches to gain access to more detailed information to understand the solid-state behavior.
Expression and purification of Murine IFN-γ protein from cloned E. coli strain containing pRSET A Vector with IFN gamma gene

The cloned E. coli cell containing Murine IFN -γ inserted pRSET A vector system was effectively expressed in this study. The induction of the clones was done using IPTG in E.coli and induces mRNA generation and synthesis protein. It has shown an expression of protein with 18 kda in SDS PAGE and western blotting and their size was determined by GENE RUNNER software. This recombinant protein has a 6x His tag and it has been proved as it has shown a potent anti His property in western blotting. The purification of the protein was further done by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Nitrilo tri acetic acid (NTA) binds more stably with nickel (Ni) with 4 to 6 ligand binding sites in the coordination sphere of Nickel leaving two sites free to interact with the 6X His tag. The total results conclude that the targeted IFN gamma (408bp mouse gene) cloned in pRSET A was effectively expressed in E. coli BL21 strain cells and purified IFN gamma protein effectively as 1mg/ml. The purified IFN gamma protein may be used to diagnose the antiviral activity and antitumor activity. Key words: IFN gamma, pRSET A, E. coli, SDS PAGE, Western Blotting
Temperature dependence of 2V angle in biaxial negative and positive nematic lyotropic phases

ABSTRACT Refractive index measurements and conoscopic images has confirmed the occurrence of biaxial negative () and biaxial positive () nematic phases between the two uniaxial nematic (calamitic and discotic ) phases. These nematic phases are found in a phase diagram line of potassium laurate (KL), decanol (, potassium sulfate and water. Biaxial positive ( nematic phase is also optically characterized between two uniaxial phases in a KL, DeOH, and mixture. Temperature dependence of the angles ( and ) between two optic axes of ( and ) phases is obtained from refractive index data. The transition point ( characterized by an angle peak corresponds to the change in the biaxial configuration of the optical axes and optical signal of the biaxial nematic phase. The micellar configuration of biaxial nematic phases is discussed as a consequence of our experimental data.
Effects of Land Use Changes on Ecosystem Service
Values: A Case Study in Guilin, China

Based on the Landsat 5 TM/Landsat 8 OLI images of Guilin City in 2002, 2012, and 2017, the objectoriented land use classification method and mathematical models (such as transfer matrix and dynamic degree), as well as the Chinese ecosystem service unit area value equivalent factor table, were used to quantifiably analyze the land use status and changes in the value of ecosystem services in Guilin from 2002 to 2017. The results showed that forest land was the main matrix type in the study area. During the study period, forest land and unused land were the types of land that had increased and decreased the most, respectively, while the reduced unused land was mainly transferred to forest land and cultivated land. The changes in unused land and construction land were particularly intense, and the land use changes of Guilin as a whole continued to increase during the study period. The value of ecosystem services in Guilin continued to rise, and the value of ecosystem services on forest land accounts for more than 85% of the entire ecosystem. The value of services such as soil formation and protection, water conservation, and biodiversity conservation were higher within the value of each individual service. In contrast, services such as food production had the lowest value, indicating that the service function of Guilin’s ecosystem was far greater than the productive function.
Studies on solvent systems for enhanced skin permeation of venlafaxine hydrochloride

Venlafaxine hydrochloride (VH) is a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor indicated for treatment of depression disorder. It shows low biological half-life 5±2 h and low oral bioavailability 45±15 % due to extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. Frequent administration of VH is required to maintain steady state plasma concentration of drug. To overcome hepatic first pass metabolism and to cross blood brain barrier for effectively achieving plasma concentration of VH in brain, we envisaged to develop transdermal drug delivery system containing VH loaded polymeric nanoparticles. Effect of solvent systems (SS), penetration enhancers (PE), and VH nanoparticles (VHNPs) on transdermal diffusion of drug were studied. VHNPs were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method using high speed homogenizer followed by probe sonication. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) and tween 80 were used as polymer and surfactant respectively. Mean particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency of optimized VHNPs were found to be 175.4 nm, 0.109, (-) 24 mV and 56 %. respectively. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spherical shape of drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles. SS comprising 50% PG in EtOH shown maximum flux 158.67 ± 2.9 (µg/cm2/h) and lag time was found to be 5.60 ±0.16 h. The PE 5 (%v/v) limonene shown maximum flux 200.47±3.6 (µg/cm2/h) and lag time 3.17±0.11 h. The flux and lag time in case of VHNPs were found to be 192.24±3.20 (µg/cm2/h) and 4.22±0.14 h respectively. Based on flux, clearance and surface area of transdermal patch, a theoretical meaningful plasma level concentration of VH ranging from 12.85 to 128.5 (ng/mL) can be achieved. Keywords: Depression, Venlafaxine hydrochloride, Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), Solvent systems, Penetration enhancers, Nanoparticles (NPs)
Effect of UV-Photofunctionalization on Bioactivity of Titanium to Promote Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Article History Received: Nov 2018 Accepted: Dec 2018 ePublished: Jan 2019 Corresponding author: Tahereh Bitaraf, Assistant professor Dental Implant Research Center, Dental Faculty, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Email: taherehbitaraf@yahoo.com Background and Aim:The present study introduces photofunctionalization as a technique for tackling biological aging and increasing the bioactivity of titanium. This in-vitro study evaluated the effects of ultraviolet (UVC) light treatment of titanium surfaces with different time-related changes on the behavior and function of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Materials and Methods: MSCs were cultured on nine untreated titanium surfaces (four-week-old surfaces; group 1), nine fresh UVC-treated surfaces (immediately after UV treatment; group 2), and nine three-day-old UVC-treated surfaces (group 3). Cellular proliferation and attachment were measured by MTT. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was assessed by total protein extraction, and the enzyme activity was evaluated using a special ALP kit. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey’s test were used to examine the effect of UVC on titanium surfaces. Results: The mean attachment of MSCs to titanium disks in groups 1 to 3 was 0.118±0.003, 0.103±0.007, and 0.155±0.009, respectively. The mean proliferation of MSCs in groups 1 to 3 was 0.229±0.004, 0.189±0.023, and 0.298±0.020, respectively. The proliferation and attachment in group 3 were significantly higher compared to other groups (P<0.05). Speeds of MSCs growth in groups 1 to 3 were 94%, 81%, and 92%, respectively. The ALP activity of MSCs in groups 1 to 3 was 0.153±0.003, 0.187±0.003, and 0.161±0.003, respectively. The ALP activity in group 2 was significantly higher compared to other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: UVC pretreatment of titanium surfaces increases the ALP activity. However, cellular attachment and proliferation were not increased in the present study due to the high probability of laboratory error.
Empirical Studies on Topographical Influences on Crbc/Akbc Terrestrial Television Stations’ Signals in Akpabuyo Local Council Area, Nigeria

Dissemination of information to citizens is a relevant component of governance. Expectedly, viewers tuned to broadcast stations within and outside their localities, expecting their receivers to faithfully reproduce the exact features of the transmitted signal. Akpabuyo is a dense forest zone near the creeks leading to the Atlantic ocean in Cross River State, Nigeria. The location has distinct environmental characteristics that made Akpabuyo Area Council, a challenging location to propagate electromagnetic waves; and therefore recipe for further investigation. Radio frequency analyzer, with 24 channels spectrum, ranging between 46 - 870 MHz (model: RO.VE.R.-“DLM3-T”) was deployed to capture signals from terrestrial television stations (TV). CATV measured signal of TV stations in dB, dBμV and dBmV. Its frequency ranged from 40 - 860 MHz; while varying from channel 1 to channel 69. Measurements taken from Akpabuyo L.G. A. showed the following results: the signal strength received from VHF Channel 11 ranged from 20 dBμV to 49 dBμV. From recorded empirical statistics from the study, 50% of the area received signal from this station above 30 dBμV, while other regions had signals below this value; representing the fringe zone of the frequency. The results obtained from the study relatively showed acceptance with Egli’s model. The study recorded a steady fluctuation between 17 dBμV and 19 dBμV from both propagating stations. However, Channel 27 signal at 519 MHz, had very weak signal coverage in Akpabuyo Local Government Area; with signal strength dropped to as low as 13 dB in many parts of the rural area. The study discovered that the state’s broadcasting stations, both at UHF and VHF channels did not transmit successfully across this densely forest (rural) location. Remedial measures such as installing Repeater stations at different locations as signal booster were recommended.
Uranium biosorption by immobilized active yeast cells entrapped in calcium-alginate-PVA- GO-crosslinked gel beads

Abstract A novel biosorbent, i. e. Saccharomyces cerevisiae entrapped in graphene oxide (GO), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate and cross-linked in CaCl2- boric acid solution, was prepared, characterized and applied for U (VI) biosorption. The performance of U sorption and cations release (Na, K, Ca and Mg ions) was investigated under different contact time, initial uranium concentration and initial pH. Uranium sorption equilibrium basically achieved after 360 min. The kinetic data of U biosorption and Ca release were best described by the pseudo first-order equation. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models could fit the U sorption isotherm data. With increase of initial uranium (3.7 ~ 472.2 μmol/L) and sodium concentration (78.8 ~ 3911.7 μmol/L), the cations release ((Na + K)/2 + (Ca + Mg)) decreased from 116.9 to 30.1 μmol/g when the corresponding U sorption increased from 0.6 to 77.3 μmol/g. Initial solution pH at 3 was favorable for U sorption when pH ranged from 3 to 7. With increase of uranium concentration, ion exchange played a less role in U removal. The maximum U sorption capacity reached 142.1 μmol/g, calculated from the Langmuir model at initial pH 5. The O-containing functional group, such as carboxyl on the gel bead played an important role in U adsorption according to FTIR and XPS analysis. XPS analysis showed the existence of U (VI) and U (IV) on the surface of gel bead. Ion exchange, complexation and uranium reduction involved in uranium adsorption by the immobilized active dry yeast gel beads.
Gamification framework for a document management system

Este projeto consiste na definicao e implementacao de uma estrategia de ludificacao para um software de gestao documental, cuja funcao principal e ser uma alternativa aos metodos de arquivo de documentos tradicionais em empresas, incluindo a sua gestao e a dos processos a eles associados, atraves de workflows, isto e, dos fluxos de trabalho para cada documento, incluindo a sua respetiva alocacao a diferentes utilizadores. Assim, o trabalho desenvolvido no projeto consiste numa primeira fase no estudo teorico da experiencia do utilizador e das estrategias de ludificacao existentes. Posteriormente, e feita uma analise da experiencia atual do utilizador com o software, e uma avaliacao do seu nivel de ludificacao atual atraves da framework Octalysis. Por fim, e definida e implementada uma estrategia de ludificacao com base na metodologia de Werbach and Hunter, de modo a melhorar a experiencia do utilizador e otimizar a eficacia dos objetivos da ferramenta.
Part 8: Academic Help Seeking

ABSTRACT Academic librarians are well aware that many students who could use help do not ask for it. Reluctance to ask for help can be due to students’ goals and motivations, social and interpersonal influences, personal characteristics, and the learning environment. To overcome reluctance to ask for help, a person needs motivation, opportunity, and permission to ask. Research findings on academic help-seeking behaviors are summarized and recommendations are given for how to encourage students to ask librarians for help.
Luminescence studies of uranyl-aliphatic dicarboxylic acid complexes in acetonitrile medium

Abstract The uranyl (UO22+)-aliphatic dicarboxylic acid complexes are studied by luminescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy in acetonitrile (MeCN) medium. The ligands used are malonic acid (MA), succinic acid (SA), glutaric acid (GA), adipic acid (AA) and pimelic acid (PA). The complexes of UO22+ with the above ligands showed well resolved luminescence spectra at pH 4.0 with M/L = 5. Both luminescence and UV-Vis spectra indicated the formation of 1:2 and 1:3 complexes of UO22+ with MA and GA, AA, PA, respectively. DFT computations indicated the formation of 1:2 chelate complex of UO22+ with MA and two types of 1:3 complexes of UO22+ with SA, GA, AA and PA. Furthermore, the effect of solvent (water and acetonitrile) on the UO22+-ligand complexes has been performed using COSMO model. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, the formation of tris complexes of uranyl with these ligands in acetonitrile medium.
Process Intensification via Continuous and Simultaneous Isolation of Antioxidants: An Upcycling Approach for Olive Leaf Waste

The isolation of individual pharmaceutical-grade bioactive compounds from complex plant extracts is still a sustainability challenge. Process intensification improves manufacturing design to achieve significant benefits in process efficiency and operation, product quality, and waste management. A process optimization and intensification methodology for the simultaneous isolation of biophenols from agricultural waste, using imprinted materials and nanofiltration membranes, is reported herein. First, temperature-swing molecular imprinting technology was used to selectively extract individual biophenols from olive leaf extracts. Second, solvent-resistant nanofiltration was used to “in-line” concentrate the product and waste streams as well as to recover the solvent. The predictive mathematical models for the adsorption dynamics and the membrane separation resulted in a significant reduction of the carbon footprint, E factor, and economic sustainability. This process was designed for easy operation with multi.