Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study Of The Functional And Physico-Chemical Properties Of Debittered Moringa Seeds And Soybeans Flours

The physico-chemical and functional properties of debittered moringa seeds flour were compared with soybean flour following AOAC method. The results show that ordinary defatted moringa seeds (DFMS) and debittered moringa seeds (DBMS) flours were higher in crude protein and crude fibre than defatted soybean (DFSB) flour. In vitro digestibility increased from 60.1 to 77.5% for DFMS and DBMS respectively; but these are less than that of soybean (83%). Increasing and decreasing trends of nitrogen solubility was observed for DFMS flour as pH increased giving minimum solubility at pH 4.0 and 9.0. Emulsion capacity reduced significantly for DBMS flour at all ionic concentrations; whereas for DFSB flour, the trend was similar to nitrogen solubility. Minimum gelation concentrations of the flours were 14% for DFMS flour and 10% for both DBMS and DFSB flours. Foaming capacity of DFMS and DFSB flours increased with pH, whereas for DBMS flour foaming reduced significantly and no visible change was observed as pH increased. Scanning electron micrographs showed no noticeable difference in the microstructure of DFMS and DFSB flours; however the particles of DBMS flour formed a continuous protein matrix that were devoid of air cells. Trypsin inhibitor activity was not detected in moringa seed flours but phytic acid was 0.38, 0.24 and 1.53 g/100 g for DFMS, DBMS and DFSB flours respectively. Successful removal of the bitter principle in moringa seeds holds good prospect for its utilization as an alternative source of vegetable protein; however, detailed toxicological properties still needs to be evaluated regarding the chemistry of moringa seeds protein and its interaction with other food constituents such as starch and lipids.
Attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy of polymers : theory and practice

SECTION I. PRINCIPLES AND BASIC CONCEPTS Introduction to Basic Concepts Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy as a Surface Tool Useful Relationships in ATR Spectroscopy Transmission Versus ATR Spectra SECTION II. QUANTITATIVE ATR SPECTROSCOPY Kramers-Kronig Transforms in ATR Spectroscopy Methods of Analysis of Attenuated Total Reflection Spectra Using Kramers-Kronig Transforms Quantitative Surface-Depth Profiling SECTION III. SELECTED APPLICATIONS ATR of Surfaces and Interfaces In Situ ATR Experiments
Computational modelling of reactive transport in hydrogeological systems

This study presents numerical simulations of solute transport through homogeneous and layered heterogeneous porous media taking the effects of solute partitioning and particle deposition processes into account. The model is based around PHYSICA’s multi-physics simulation environment and utilizes finite volume discretisation techniques to investigate the attenuation of reactive contaminants subject to equilibrium and kinetic adsorption isotherms. A number of test cases have been conducted for simulating one and two-dimensional advective-dispersive transport in homogeneous and layered soils. The accuracy of the model has been examined by means of analytical/numerical solution comparisons available in the literature. The model predicts that the shape and spread of contaminant plume can be strongly influenced by the governing adsorption mechanism for solute migration. Breakthrough curves of solute transport subject to nonlinear adsorption (advection-dominant problems) exhibit concentration shocks and sharp fronts with a retarded plume velocity as opposed to the linear adsorption. The contaminant concentration in layered physical and geochemically heterogeneous systems is observed to be affected by contrasting physical/geochemical properties and velocity variations across the layers.
Pharmacokinetics of Naringin and its Metabolite Naringenin in Rats after Oral Administration of Rhizoma Drynariae Extract Assayed by UPLC-MS/MS

AIM:To investigate the pharmacokinetics of naringin and naringenin in rats after oral administration of Rhizoma Drynariae extract.METHODS:The extract of Rhizoma Drynariae were refluxed with 50% ethanol for 1 h and dissolved with 50% PEG 400,and then administered to the rats.Naringin and naringenin were extracted from rat plasma by means of liquid-liquid extraction(LLE) with ethyl acetate.Paracetamol was used as the internal standard(IS). The analysis was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18 column with acetonitrile-0.4% acetic acid(80:20,V/V) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.25 mL.min-1.The detection was carried out via negative electrospray ionization(ESI) mass spectrometry with multiple-reaction monitoring(MRM). The quantification was performed using the transitions of m/z 578.4→270.7 for naringin,m/z 270.7→150.7 for naringenin and m/z 149.9→106.6 for paracetamol(IS),respectively.RESULTS:After oral administration of Rhizoma Drynariae extract to rats,the mean Cmax of naringin and naringenin was(2.56 ± 0.77) × 103 ng.mL-1 and 222 ± 45 ng.mL-1,the Tmax was 0.67 ± 0.20 h and 8.0 ± 1.3 h,the AUC0-t was calculated to be(3.23 ± 0.54) × 103 ng.mL-1.h and(1.57 ± 0.37) × 103 ng.mL-1.h,the AUC0-∞ was calculated to be(3.29 ± 0.54) × 103 ng.mL-1.h and(1.79 ± 0.43) × 103 ng.mL-1.h. The t1/2 was 4.1 ± 0.8 h for naringin,and another small peak could be seen at 8h in the plasma concentration-time profile of naringin.CONCLUSION:The developed UPLC-MS/MS method was conformed to the criteria for the analysis of biological samples according to the guidance of FDA.The results of pharmacokinetic study on naringin and its active metabolite naringenin would be a suitable reference in clinical application for Rhizoma Drynariae.
Biomarkers and isotopes in the environment and human history

About the authors Preface Purpose Acknowledgements Part I. Biomarkers and Isotopes in the Environment and Human History: 1. Origin and preservation of organic matter 2. Organic chemistry 3. Biochemistry of biomarkers 4. Geochemical screening 5. Refinery oil assays 6. Stable isotope ratios 7. Ancillary geochemical methods 8. Biomarker separation and analysis 9. Origin of petroleum 10. Biomarkers in the environment 11. Biomarkers in archaeology Appendix: geologic time charts Glossary References Index.
Concentrado protéico de resíduos da filetagem de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus): caracterização físico-química e aceitação sensorial

This study aimed to use mechanically separated mince (MSM) from the residues left after filleting Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1757) to obtain a protein concentrate for human consumption and to assess its proximal composition and sensory characteristics. Yield, proximal composition, water activity and sensory evaluation were analyzed on the dry TPC. The TPC has a yield of 18.34%, and contained 1.38% moisture, 62.39% protein, 32.63% fat, 2.26% ash and had 0.16 Aw. Sensory evaluation of dry FPC powder expressed as frequency of acceptance by panelists was 60.4% for color, 51.1% for general appearance and 41.7% for aroma. Description of flavor using terms like "typical of fish" was reported by only 44.2% of the panelists, suggesting the need for a more efficient deodorizing process and showing a balance in relation to the group of panelists that did not notice the characteristic smell. The study shows the possibility of adding value to a residual food material offering an alternative source of protein at a relatively low cost.
Psychological contract breach and counterproductive workplace behaviors : testing moderating effect of attribution style and power distance

In this study, we examined the relationship between psychological contract breach (PCB) and counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWBs). We also explored two personal factors, namely casual attribution styles and power distance, in moderating the PCB–CWB linkage. One hundred and thirty-one full-time Chinese employees in Macao were recruited. Results showed that PCB was positively correlated with CWB. Furthermore, this relationship was moderated by external attribution style and power distance. In particular, employees who attributed the contract breach more to disruption and endorsed higher on power distance tended to report lower CWB. Limitation and implication are discussed.
Aggregate and Specific Performance Measures and Intra-Firm Interdependencies: Theory and Evidence

We provide theory and empirical evidence on the role of three types of performance measures in the evaluation of business unit managers in response to intra-firm interdependencies. We consider aggregated “above-level” measures (e.g., firm-wide net income), “own-level” business unit measures (e.g., business unit profit), and specific “below-level” measures (e.g., revenues on a product) and analyze variation in their relative incentive weight in response to interdependencies that arise from the focal manager’s impact on other units in the firm or from the impact of other units on the focal manager’s performance. Our theory yields two predictions: (1) the relative weight placed on specific “below” level measures is increasing in the impact of the focal manager on other business unit and (2) both types of interdependencies interact. Empirical evidence based on a survey among 122 business unit managers is consistent with these predictions.
Electrocatalyseurs platine-ruthénium nanodispersés pour une pile à combustion directe de méthanol

Ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre du developpement de catalyseurs nanostructures actifs pour l'electrooxydation du methanol. Le platine est indispensable mais engendre une importante limitation cinetique, consequence de la presence de l'espece poison COads a sa surface. Associe au platine, le ruthenium diminue cet empoisonnement. La methode colloidale a permis de synthetiser deux types de catalyseur platine-ruthenium avec une taille de particules de l'ordre de 2 nm. Le premier, melange de particules de platine et de ruthenium s'est avere plus actif pour l'oxydation du CO et du methanol que le second presentant une structure d'alliage. Le recours a des techniques de spectroscopie ± in situ α (DEMS et FTIRS) a permis de mettre en evidence une plus grande selectivite du melange pour la production de CO2. La composition optimale a ete evaluee a 70:30 pour une temperature de fonctionnement entre 25 et 50 ʿC. Enfin, des tests en pile a combustible (DMFC) ont permis d'atteindre des densites de puissance de l'ordre de 110 mW/cm2.
Ettect of Electrolytes on Flow Properties of Aqueous Bentonite Suspension

Dependence of the flow behavior of aqueous suspension of Black Hills bentonite on the concentration and the types of electrolytes was stydied. The flow properties were measured with a Couette-type totational viscometer. On addition of monovalent cations, the apparent viscosity determined from the reproducible flow curves (shear rate vs. shear stress) decreased followed by a rise as the ionic concentration further increased. Addition of multivalent cations (di- and tri-) resulted in the viscosity which increased to a maximum then decreased to a constant value. Anions of different chatges produced essentially the same relationship between viscosity and electrolyte concentration. The flow behavior of the electrolyte-containing suspensions was rationalized in terms of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory of colloidal stability and the generalized theory of viscosity.
Gaz de fermi en interaction forte : du condensat de molécules aux paires de Cooper

This thesis presents properties of a strongly interacting quantum-degenerate Fermi gas. First, we study theoretically the limit to the cooling of a Fermi gas due to atom losses. A fermionic Li gas is then studied in the vicinity of a s-wave Feshbach resonance. By adjusting the magnetic field, one can control the sign and the strength of the effective atom-atom interactions. We demonstrate the efficient formation of weakly bound molecules, which are composed of two fermions. These results are interpreted using a model assuming thermodynamic equilibrium between atoms and molecules. Due to the Pauli principle, these molecules are extraordinarily stable near the resonance peak. This property allows us to produce a molecular Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and to measure the mean field interaction energy between molecules. When increasing the magnetic field over the Feshbach resonance, one expects a phase transition at low temperature similar to the BCS (Bardeen, Cooper, Schrieffer) superconducting transition in metals. Close to resonance the gas is a strongly interacting N-body system, difficult to treat theoretically. Experimentally, we studied the expansion of the gas in this transition region between a molecular condensate and a BCS phase. Finally we characterized losses in the vicinity of p-wave Feshbach resonances.
Atmospheric reentry modelling using an open source DSMC code

Aerothermodynamic investigations of hypersonic re-entry vehicles provides crucial information to other key disciplines as structures and materials, assisting the development of efficient and lightweight thermal protection systems (TPS). Under the transitional flow regime, where chemical and thermal nonequilibrium are predominant, the most successful numerical method for such studies has been the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) numerical technique. In the present work, the solver dsmcFoam has been benchmarked against experimental, numerical, and theoretical data found in the open literature for inert and chemically reactive flows. The Quantum-Kinetic (QK) chemistry model with a full set of 19 chemical reactions has been implemented into the code and it proved to be essential in the correct prediction of the shock wave structure and heating flux to the vehicle’s surface during the re-entry phase. Having implemented the QK chemistry model, the dsmcF oam solver was employed to investigate thermal protection system discontinuities. These TPS discontinuities, representative of panel-to-panel joints or the impact of micro meteorites/ice droplets, were modelled as a family of cavities with different length-to-depth ratios. The results showed that the cavity length has a significant impact on the flowfield structure and aerodynamic surface quantities distribution inside and around the cavities. In addition, for L/D = 5, the flow separates at the cavity upstream lip and attaches to the cavity bottom surface, representing a potentially catastrophic feature under rarefied gas conditions. Furthermore, the same phenomena is only observed in the continuum regime when L/D > 14.
Uniformity of Potato Minitubers Derived from Meristem Cultures of Nuclear Seed Stocks

The uniformity of minitubers of meristem plantlets obtained from the meristems of nuclear seed stocks in the laboratory were studied in the greenhouse during 2008 and 2009. Tuber number per plant (TNP), tuber yield per plant (TYP) and single tuber weight (STW) were recorded on the 10 randomly selected plants in two consecutive years. Based on the statistical analysis there was significant variation for genotype in terms of TNP and TYP. Year and genotype x year components of variation were not significant as expected. STW did not have any significant variation for genotype, year and their interaction. Granola had higher means such as 3.3 in 2008 and 3.7 in 2009 than Hermes for TNP (2008: 2.6 and 2009: 3.0). Within Granola and Hermes the means of TNP, TYP and STW of 2008 and 2009 were not different from each other. In conclusion, the uniformity of minitubers within cultivars during the propagation of 2 years indicated that nuclear seed stocks could be used in minituber production in the greenhouse for more than one year.
Comparison of UV irradiances from Aura/Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) with Brewer measurements at El Arenosillo (Spain) – Part 1: Analysis of parameter influence

Abstract. Several validation studies have shown a notable overestimation of the clear sky ultraviolet (UV) irradiance at the Earth's surface derived from satellite sensors such as the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) with respect to ground-based UV data at many locations. Most of this positive bias is attributed to boundary layer aerosol absorption that is not accounted for in the TOMS/OMI operational UV algorithm. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyse the aerosol effect on the bias between OMI erythemal UV irradiance (UVER) and spectral UV (305 nm, 310 nm and 324 nm) surface irradiances and ground-based Brewer spectroradiometer measurements from October 2004 to December 2008 at El Arenosillo station (37.1° N, 6.7° W, 20 m a.s.l.), with meteorological conditions representative of the South-West of Spain. The effects of other factors as clouds, ozone and the solar elevation over this intercomparison were analysed in detail in a companion paper (Anton et al., 2010). In that paper the aerosol effects were studied making only a rough evaluation based on aerosol optical depth (AOD) information at 440 nm wavelength (visible range) without applying any correction. We have used the precise information given by single scattering albedo (SSA) from AERONET for the determination of absorbing aerosols which has allowed the correction of the OMI UV data. An aerosol correction expression was applied to the OMI operational UV data using two approaches to estimate the UV absorption aerosol optical depth, AAOD. The first approach was based on an assumption of constant SSA value of 0.91. This approach reduces the OMI UVER bias against the reference Brewer data from 13.4% to 8.4%. Second approach uses daily AERONET SSA values reducing the bias only to 11.6%. Therefore we have obtained a 37% and 12% of improvement respectively. For the spectral irradiance at 324 nm, the OMI bias is reduced from 10.5% to 6.98% for constant SSA and to 9.03% for variable SSA. Similar results were obtained for spectral irradiances at 305 nm, and 310 nm. Contrary to what was expected, the constant SSA approach has a greater bias reduction than variable SSA, but this is a reasonable result according to the discussion about the reliability of SSA values. Our results reflect the level of accuracy that may be reached at the present time in this type of comparison, which may be considered as satisfactory taking into account the remaining dependence on other factors. Nevertheless, improvements must be accomplished to determine reliable absorbing aerosol properties, which appear as a limiting factor for improving OMI retrievals.
Collisional broadening and shift of D1 and D2 spectral lines in atomic alkali vapor - noble gas systems

Abstract : The Baranger model is used to compute collisional broadening and shift of the D1 and D2 spectral lines of M + Ng, where M = K, Rb, Cs and Ng = He, Ne, Ar, using scattering phase shift differences which are calculated from scattering matrix elements. Scattering matrix elements are calculated using the Channel Packet Method where the collisions are treated non-adiabatically and include spin-orbit and Coriolis couplings. Non-adiabatic wavepacket dynamics are determined using the split-operator method together with a unitary transformation between adiabatic and diabatic representations. Scattering phase shift differences are thermally weighted and integrated over energies ranging from E = 0 Hartree up to E = 0.0075 Hartree and averaged over values of total angular momentum that range from J = 0.5 up to J = 400.5. Phase shifts are extrapolated linearly to provide an approximate extension of the energy regime up to E = 0.012 Hartree. Broadening and shift coefficients are obtained for temperatures ranging from T = 100 K up to T = 800 K and compared with experiment. Predictions from this research find application in laser physics and specifically with improvement of total power output of Optically Pumped Alkali Laser systems.
Antithrombotic Peptide Delivery from Glow-Discharge Plasma-Coated Controlled Release Matrices

Antithrombotic Peptide Delivery from Glow-Discharge Plasma-Coated Controlled Release Matrices Marc Masayuki Takeno Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Buddy D. Ratner Department of Bioengineering A novel polymeric matrix system has been developed to deliver agents to block platelet adhesion or inhibit thrombin activation on implanted biomaterials. The base material of the system used was BioSpan®, a medical-grade polyether-urethane urea (PEUU) elastomer, which contained a dispersion of an active agent: either an anti-platelet-adhesion peptide (echistatin), small peptide (RGDSGY), or direct antithrombin peptide (hirudin), along with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an excipient and poreformer. The PEUU-peptide matrix was subsequently processed using radio-frequency glowdischarge (RFGD) plasma polymerization of acrylate monomers, either 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), or N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) to create a barrier membrane. Control of plasma parameters changed the cross linking of this thin, conformal barrier, and produced different release rates of the active agents from the matrix. Biologically active echistatin and hirudin were delivered successfully, but some matrices exhibited a limited reduction in release rate due to osmotic rupturing of the matrix and coating. For RGDSGY-containing matrices, the reduction in release rate with RFGD plasma coating was greatest for matrices with PEG excipients of 10,000 and 20,000 molecular weight.
Effects of Tramadol on Histopathological and Biochemical Parameters in Male Rabbits

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of different doses of tramadol hydrochloride (TH) on histopathological and biochemical changes in male rabbits. Fifteen healthy males local breed rabbits weighting 1.6 - 1.8 kg were distributed randomly and equally into three groups, housed under laboratory condition at the same room with natural light 1 dark cycle at 23 +3 oC temperature, and given free access to commercial balanced diet and water ad libitum all over the experimental period. Group T1injected intramuscularly(i.m) with tramadol 10 mg/kg b.w for 15 days, while the T2 group injected i.m with tramadol 15mg/kg b.w for 15 days and the 3rd groups T3 is control inoculated with distilled water 1/M at the same period. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After sacrificed the animals, liver and kidney samples were obtained and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for histopathological changes. The histopathological examination showed cellular degeneration characterized by vacuolization in the endothelium cells of renal tubules of the kidney and degeneration and pyknotic of the hepatocyte nuclei in the liver of the tramadole administrated rabbits only. The biochemical assay revealed that administration of tramadol for 15 days increased serum creatinine, ALT, AST, and ALP in treated rabbits compared to the control. The maximum increases was recorded in group T2, administrated i.m with 15mg/kg tramadol. In conclusion the tramadol side effects should be avoided during long term therapy especially in large doses.