Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Acoustic Cavitation on Chlorophyceae from Effluent of Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Chlorophyceae are a large and important group of green algae. They include some of the most common species, as well as many members that are important both ecologically and scientifically. When abundant in the water, they can rapidly cover the surface of sand filters and drastically reduce the length of filter runs. Also, tastes and odors are caused by the release of certain compounds by both living algae and dead and decomposing algae. This study will provide basic information on the fundamentals of acoustic cavitation as a new technology for control of Chlorophyceae growth. This technology is an attractive means to improve water quality because of the simplicity of the system and no production of toxic by-products. The inactivation of Chlorophyceae is mainly due to cavitation. Cavitation is a primary mechanism of ultrasound waves that occurs when the gas vesicles are acted upon by sufficiently intense ultrasound waves of different frequencies. Waves collapse gas vacuoles and precipitate Chlorophyceae. Also damage is inflicted on the chlorophyll of Chlorophyceae. Experiments have been carried out using ultrasound reactor in a laboratory pilot plant, to investigate the effect of acoustic cavitation. The results show that increasing the short exposure to waves has a considerable effect on destruction of Chlorophyceae growth and results in the loss of buoyancy. At 42 kHz it is shown that 100% of the Chlorophyceae can be destroyed in 130 seconds.
Tailoring of locust bean gum and development of hydrogel beads for controlled oral delivery of glipizide

In this study, carboxymethyl derivative of locust bean gum was prepared, characterized, and its gelling ability with different concentrations (1–5% w/v) of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was utilized for the development of glipizide-loaded beads in a completely aqueous environment. The beads were spherical when observed under a scanning electron microscope. Increase in gelling ion concentration decreased the drug entrapment efficiency from 97.68% to 95.14%. The beads swelled more slowly in pH 1.2 KCl-HCl buffer and exhibited a slower drug release pattern than that observed in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Irrespective of the dissolution media, the drug release became slower at higher AlCl3 concentration. The drug release in alkaline medium was found to be controlled by a combination of diffusion as well as polymer relaxation phenomena. Comparing the release profiles, it was observed that the beads treated with 5% AlCl3 provided slower drug release up to 10 h in alkaline medium without any sign of disintegration and, thus, this formulation was selected for further studies. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the stable nature of the drug in the beads. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that most of the drug remained in amorphous state in the beads. Stability study indicated no statistical significant difference in drug entrapment efficiency of the beads. In vivo activity of the beads was tested and a prolonged hypoglycemic effect was achieved. Hence, carboxymethyl locust bean beads could be a potential carrier for controlled oral delivery of glipizide.
Conversation management UX patterns

In the previous chapter, we addressed UX patterns for conversation management at the sequence level; in this chapter, we cover conversation management at the conversation level, or session level. While the former concern the opening, completion, and closing of particular action sequences, such as inquiry or request sequences, the latter concern the opening, completion, and closing of the whole encounter. Although they are also sometimes viewed as superficial pleasantries or inconsequential “chit chat” from a content perspective, conversation-level management practices are important from the perspective of the social relationship. They are the means through which we engage, disengage, and re-engage with other people. Before we can talk about any particular content, we must first align our attention with another person, communicate an intent to interact, and secure their commitment to interacting with us. Likewise, agreeing on when to stop talking by closing the encounter is equally important. The conversation-level UX patterns enable this management of engagement with the user in a natural way. The conversation-level management patterns (C) in our Natural Conversation Framework can be broken down into five pattern types and 39 subpatterns (Table 7.1). The five pattern types include ways in which the agent (C1) or the user (C2) can open the conversation, ways they can talk about the agent’s capabilities (C3), and ways they can end the conversation either by closing it (C4) or disengaging from each other in other ways.
Individual vs. Collective Approaches to Fisheries Management

ABSTRACT This article presents an economic model of the efficiency and industry impacts of individual vs. collective approaches to rights-based management in fisheries. Key features of the model are the inclusion of uncertainty and an optimally designed mechanism for paying penalties or buying additional quota when harvests exceed allowances. Contrary to what might be expected, we find that a risk pooling mechanism (through either collective quotas or ITQs) does not necessarily reduce the probability of quota overages. We also show that for arbitrary penalties, the incentive effects faced by harvesters differ under the various approaches. The ability of regulators to optimally adjust the enforcement mechanism (here the quota price) plays a critical role in determining the efficiency of the different approaches. Finally, the optimal quota prices and the conditions that trigger them differ across the approaches; hence the impacts on expected profits differ as well. JEL Codes: D62, D70, Q22, Q28.
Refining experimental dental implant testing in the Göttingen Minipig using 3D computed tomography—A morphometric study of the mandibular canal

This study reports morphometric and age-related data of the mandibular canal and the alveolar ridge of the Göttingen Minipig to avoid complications during in vivo testing of endosseus dental implants and to compare these data with the human anatomy. Using 3D computed tomography, six parameters of the mandibular canal as well as the alveolar bone height and the alveolar ridge width were measured in Göttingen Minipigs aged 12, 17 and 21 months. Our null hypothesis assumes that the age and the body mass have an influence on the parameters measured. The study found that the volume, length and depth of the mandibular canal all increase with age. The width of the canal does not change significantly with age. The body mass does not have an influence on any of the measured parameters. The increase in canal volume appears to be due to loss of deep spongy bone in the posterior premolar and molar regions. This reduces the available space for dental implantations, negatively affecting implant stability and potentially the integrity of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. Dynamic anatomical changes occur until 21 months. On ethical grounds, using minipigs younger than 21 months in experimental implant dentistry is inadvisable. Paradoxically the measurements of the 12 months old pigs indicate a closer alignment of their mandibular anatomy to that of humans suggesting that they may be better models for implant studies. Given the variability in mandibular canal dimensions in similar age cohorts, the use of imaging techniques is essential for the selection of individual minipigs for dental prosthetic interventions and thus higher success rates.
High oxidative capacity and type IIx fibre content in springbok and fallow deer skeletal muscle suggest fast sprinters with a resistance to fatigue

SUMMARY Some wild antelopes are fast sprinters and more resistant to fatigue than others. This study therefore investigated two wild antelope species to better understand their reported performance capability. Muscle samples collected post mortem from the vastus lateralis and longissimus lumborum of fallow deer (Dama dama) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) were analysed for myosin heavy chain isoform content, citrate synthase, 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities. Cross-sectional areas, fibre type and oxidative capacities of each fibre type were determined in the vastus lateralis only. The predominant fibre type in both muscle groups and species were type IIX (>50%), with springbok having more type IIX fibres than fallow deer (P<0.05). Overall cross-sectional area was not different between the two species. The metabolic pathway analyses showed high glycolytic and oxidative capacities for both species, but springbok had significantly higher CS activities than fallow deer. Large variation and overlap in oxidative capacities existed within and between the fibre types. Some type IIX fibres presented with oxidative capacities similar to those from type I and IIA fibres. The data suggest that springbok and fallow deer are able sprint at >90 and 46 km h−1, respectively, partly from having large type IIX fibre contents and high glycolytic capacities. The high oxidative capacities also suggest that these animals may be able to withstand fatigue for long periods of time.
Properties of the Escherichia coli in DNA binding (unwinding) protein: interaction with DNA polymerase and DNA.

The E. coli DNA binding protein reduces the activity of the single-strand-specific nucleases associated with all three DNA polymerases known in E. coli. A slight excess of binding protein over that required to saturate the DNA template leads to total inhibition of activity of the 3' --> 5' nucleases associated with DNA polymerases I and III, but restores maximum activity of the DNA polymerase II-associated nuclease. The binding protein forms a specific complex with DNA polymerase II in the absence of DNA, and it is this complex that degrades a DNA.binding protein complex. Binding protein also facilitates the binding of DNA polymerase II to single-stranded DNA, whereas the binding to DNA of DNA polymerase I is inhibited. These data may explain the specificity with which the binding protein enhances the synthetic ability of DNA polymerase II.
Alloyed Au-Ag nanorods with desired plasmonic properties and stability in harsh environments

Bio-chemical molecular detection in the nanoscale, based on alloyed nanorods (NRs) with tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties and high chemical stability, has attracted particular interest. In this work, alloyed Au-Ag NRs with tunable aspect ratios were achieved by annealing Au nanobipyramid-directed Au@Ag core-shell NRs. The core-shell NRs were encapsulated within mesoporous silica outer shells to avoid fusion or aggregation. The structural stability of fully alloyed Au-Ag NRs, including chemical and thermal stability, is remarkably improved compared with that of Au@Ag core-shell NRs. The alloyed NRs would maintain the rod-like structure after being incubated in etchant solution, while Au@Ag core-shell NRs would decay into nanobipyramids. Additionally, fully alloyed NRs present stable morphology under annealing at high temperatures of up to 600°C in air. Benefiting from excellent structural and chemical stabilities, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect based on alloyed NRs is stable in harsh environments. Taking advantage of tunable SPR properties (600–1800 nm) and excellent stability, the obtained nanostructures can serve as drug carriers. The perfect photo-thermal effect induced by the particular SPR of alloyed NRs can improve the release efficiency of drugs.
Are beta-blockers efficacious as first-line therapy for hypertension in the elderly? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To assess antihypertensive efficacy of beta-blockers and their effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and all-cause morbidity compared with diuretics in elderly patients with hypertension. DATA SOURCE A MEDLINE search of English-language articles published between January 1966 and January 1998 using the terms hypertension (drug therapy) and elderly or aged or geriatric, and cerebrovascular or cardiovascular diseases, and morbidity or mortality. References from identified articles were also reviewed. DATA SELECTION Randomized trials lasting at least 1 year, which used as first-line agents diuretics and/or beta-blockers, and reported morbidity and mortality outcomes in elderly patients with hypertension. DATA SYNTHESIS AND RESULTS: Ten trials involving a total of 16164 elderly patients (> or =60 years) were included. Two thirds of the patients assigned to diuretics were well controlled on monotherapy, whereas less than a third of the patients assigned to beta-blockers were well controlled on monotherapy. Diuretic therapy was superior to beta-blockade with regard to all end points and was effective in preventing cerebrovascular events (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.72), fatal stroke (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49-0.90), coronary heart disease (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64-0.85), cardiovascular mortality (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.87), and all-cause mortality (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.96). In contrast, beta-blocker therapy only reduced the odds for cerebrovascular events (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.98) but was ineffective in preventing coronary heart disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality (ORs, 1.01, 0.98, and 1.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In contrast to diuretics, which remain the standard first-line therapy, beta-blockers, until proven otherwise, should no longer be considered appropriate first-line therapy of uncomplicated hypertension in the elderly hypertensive patient.
Empowering Women: Uncovering Financial Inclusion Barriers

In recent years, developing countries including India have witnessed significant efforts by civil society organisations and governments to promote thrift activities among the poor especially women. This has been followed by interventions in the area of micro-credit and microfinance. The designation of 2005 as the International Year of Micro credit by the United Nations helped to raise global awareness on the pivotal role that more inclusive finance can play in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Globally, the focus is now on financial inclusion and on strategies to make available a range of financial products and services that meet the specific needs of the poor. This article is an attempt to ascertain the awareness of Financial Inclusion among rural women in Tirunelveli District.
Fourier Transform Infrared Attenuated Total Reflection and Transmission Spectra Studied by Dispersion Analysis

Fourier transform infrared transmission (FT-IR) and attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectra of water–ethanol mixtures are recorded and reconstructed thanks to a causal dispersion analysis technique. As expected, the Beer's law technique is an empirical approximate method that cannot account for complex spectral features. On the other hand, a rigorous analysis performed by using the theoretical optical paths for both experimental techniques and Gaussian dispersion analysis (GDA) allows the dielectric functions of the pure liquids to be calculated. Simulations of the whole mid-infrared spectra in the range 500–4000 cm−1 match the experimental data very well, whatever the water–ethanol mixtures. This method is a powerful tool to quantify such model mixtures and more generally could be the first step toward software for assistance to the FT-IR spectrum analysis.
Evaluation of OpenDelos online video editing and publishing platform for Greek Open Courses and MOOCs

This paper presents briefly the project “Central Repository of Greek Open Courses” as well as the innovative OpenDelos platform. OpenDelos is an online video editing and publishing platform for MOOCs implemented in the context of this project. The main goal of this paper is to investigate users' acceptance of OpenDelos platform as an online video editing and publishing platform for MOOCs. The evaluation methodology is based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The five dimensions of the studied model are based on external variables (sex, age, web experience, educational level), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), attitude towards using (ATU) and behavior intension (BI). According to the confirmed derived model, presented in this paper, all the initially mentioned hypotheses were verified.
POLYGALACTURONASE INVOLVED IN EXPANSION1 Functions in Cell Elongation and Flower Development in Arabidopsis[C][W]

This work uses a genetic screen based on overexpression to identify a gene encoding a polygalacturonase enzyme that degrades pectins, both as a purified protein and in intact plant cell walls, and is required for cellular growth in dark-grown seedlings and the normal developmental control of flower petal number in adult Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Pectins are acidic carbohydrates that comprise a significant fraction of the primary walls of eudicotyledonous plant cells. They influence wall porosity and extensibility, thus controlling cell and organ growth during plant development. The regulated degradation of pectins is required for many cell separation events in plants, but the role of pectin degradation in cell expansion is poorly defined. Using an activation tag screen designed to isolate genes involved in wall expansion, we identified a gene encoding a putative polygalacturonase that, when overexpressed, resulted in enhanced hypocotyl elongation in etiolated Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. We named this gene POLYGALACTURONASE INVOLVED IN EXPANSION1 (PGX1). Plants lacking PGX1 display reduced hypocotyl elongation that is complemented by transgenic PGX1 expression. PGX1 is expressed in expanding tissues throughout development, including seedlings, roots, leaves, and flowers. PGX1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) localizes to the apoplast, and heterologously expressed PGX1 displays in vitro polygalacturonase activity, supporting a function for this protein in apoplastic pectin degradation. Plants either overexpressing or lacking PGX1 display alterations in total polygalacturonase activity, pectin molecular mass, and wall composition and also display higher proportions of flowers with extra petals, suggesting PGX1’s involvement in floral organ patterning. These results reveal new roles for polygalacturonases in plant development.
Protein lysine acetylation in normal and leukaemic haematopoiesis: HDACs as possible therapeutic targets in adult AML

Several new therapeutic strategies are now considered for acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), including modulation of protein lysine acetylation through inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs): a large group of enzymes that alters the acetylation and, thereby, the function of a wide range of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Firstly, HDACs can deacetylate histones as well as transcription factors, and can modulate gene expression through both these mechanisms. Secondly, acetylation is an important post-translational modulation of several proteins involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis (e.g., p53, tubulin, heat-shock protein 90). The only HDAC inhibitors that have been investigated in clinical studies of AML are butyrate derivatives, valproic acid and depsipeptide. In the first studies, the drugs have usually been used as continuous therapy for several weeks or months, and in most studies the drugs were used alone or in combination with all-trans retinoic acid for treatment of patients with relapsed or primary resistant AML. Neurological toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects seem to be common for all three drugs. Complete haematological remission lasting for several months has been reported for a few patients (< 5% of included patients), whereas increased peripheral blood platelet counts seem more common and have been described both for patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndromes. Taken together, these studies suggest that HDAC inhibition can mediate antileukaemic effects in AML, but for most patients the clinical benefit seems limited and further studies of combination therapy are required.
Concepts and Methods for Assessing Solute Dynamics in Stream Ecosystems

A stream solute workshop was held February 1-5,1989, at The University of Mississippi with the goals of 1) suggesting a conceptual model for stream solute studies that integrates physical, chemical, and biological processes, and 2) identifying advantages and limitations of various methods for studying solute transport and exchanges. Solute dynamics refers to the spatial and temporal patterns of transport and transfers of materials that are chemically dissolved in water. Solute transport and exchange processes can be described by solute transport equations that relate solute concentration to advection, dispersion, groundwater and tributary inputs, transient storage zones, and biotic and abiotic transformations. Studies can be based on these model equations even if a full simulation of a particular system is not attempted. Although no common methodological approach can serve every investigation of solute dynamics, experimental approaches represent a range from greatest control and least realism to least control and greatest realism. The model parameters describe processes that can be investigated in laboratory, chamber, and flume experiments designed to reduce confounding experimental variables. Whole-stream studies, particularly solute injection experiments, provide estimates of solute transfer to and from the water column and can be used to calibrate the simulation models. Transport and transfer models can link experimental results obtained at different scales and increase the opportunity for inter-site comparisons and the extrapolation of results between laboratory, chamber, flume, and whole-stream studies.
Information Systems Management Issues for the 1990s

This three-round delphis urvey of senior IS executives is the third ain a series designed to determine the most critical issues in IS management. Analysis focuses on respondents' assessments of specific issues as well as emerging trends. Key findings include: (1) continued concern for traditional issues such as strategic planning and organizational alignment; (2) only six of the top issues from 1986 remained in the top 10; (3) one new issue, technology infrastructure, made the top 10: (4) three issues from previous studies rejoined the top 10-IS human resources, software development, and telecommunication systems; and (5) data-related issues now occupy the top two slots. This research reveals two important trends as the field enters the 1990s. First is the rising importance of technology infrastructure issues. Technology infrastructure issues now occupy three of the top 10 slots including the highest position. Second, it appears that internal effectiveness issues have made a strong comeback after being virtually ignored in 1986. IS human resources, software development, and the applications portfolio-issues that make up the core of the IS function-all increased in importance.