Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
POROSITY: III. WATER AS AN ABSORPTION LIQUID

Classes of absorption method. —The ordinary immersion method has been shown by previous investigators to be unreliable. Simple immersion in low vacuo without boiling is also shown theoretically to be unreliable. An analysis of the results of previous investigators indicates the presence of unsuspected sources of error. Effect of adsorbed gases upon dry weights of test pieces. —Dry air is shown to be without appreciable influence. Depending upon the humidity of the atmosphere, adsorbed water vapor may cause errors up to 2 per cent in the porosity value. Perfectly dry fired clay will remove water from conc. H2SO4, and from fused CaCl2. Saturation by boiling at atmospheric pressure. —A one hour's (and in one instance a 5 hours') boiling failed to saturate completely. On continued boiling the saturated weight increases linearly with the time and this in spite of the fact that appreciable quantities of dissolved materials are removed from the test piece by the hot water. This result is shown to be due to a gradual and continuous rehydration of the clay by the hot water. The error from this factor may amount to as much as 3% and the error from dissolved materials to as much as 2%, during a 3 hours' boiling. The nature of the dissolved material was determined. Method of cooling the test piece. —It is recommended that the test piece be kept in a closed vessel over 95% sulphuric acid for several hours before its dry weight is taken. Saturation procedure. —A vacuum method is described in which water may be employed as the saturation liquid under conditions where the above sources of error are reduced to a minimum. The method is not however recommended as a primary standard. Necessity of a soaking period. —It is shown from theoretical considerations that a soaking period is necessary and methods are given for calculating and for measuring the minimum soaking period required for a given test piece and a given liquid of known penetrativity.
High Power and High Resolution Near-Infrared Light Source for Optical Coherence Tomography Using Glass Phosphor and Light Emitting Diode

We have fabricated a novel near-infrared light source for optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a glass phosphor and a light emitting diode (LED) as the excitation source. We used 1.0Yb2O3–4.0Nd2O3–47.0Bi2O3–47.0B2O3–1.0Sb2O3 glass as the phosphor to obtain wideband light emission around 1000 nm. We observed a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) as wide as 98 nm with an output power as high as 1 mW. The interference signal showed a coherence length of 4.6 µm. This value indicates that the depth resolution of the OCT is twice as high as that of conventional LEDs and super luminescent diodes (SLDs).
AFFINITY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS

Among all the chromatographic techniques, affinity chromatography, developed during the 1960’s and 1970’s, is one of the most powerful. Using this technique, it is possible to purify compounds ranging from small molecules to entities such as viruses and cells. In principle, affinity chromatography uses biospecific and reversible recognition between molecules. Affinity interactions can be classified into two broad categories: group specific and highly specific. Examples of the former are the binding of the triazine dyes to enzymes that contain nuSEPARATION AND PURIFICATION METHODS, 29(1), 1–25 (2000)
Photoconductive Properties of Brush Plated Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Films

Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) films were deposited for the first time by the brush electrodeposition technique. X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of single phase chalcopyrite CIGS. Lattice parameters, dislocation density, and strain were calculated. Band gap of the films increased from 1.12 eV to 1.63 eV as the gallium concentration increased. Room temperature transport parameters of the films, namely, resistivity increased from 0.10 ohm cm to 12 ohm cm, mobility decreased from 125 cm2V−1s−1 to 20.9 cm2V−1s−1, and carrier concentration decreased from 4.99 × 1017 cm−3 to 2.49 × 1016 cm−3 as the gallium concentration increased. Photosensitivity of the films increased linearly with intensity of illumination and with increase of applied voltage.
How Autophagy Shapes the Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by a high mortality rate due to the late diagnosis and the elevated metastatic potential. Autophagy, a lysosomal-driven catabolic process, contributes to the macromolecular turnover, cell homeostasis, and survival, and as such, it represents a pathway targetable for anti-cancer therapies. It is now recognized that the vascularization and the cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment influence the development and progression of OC by controlling the availability of nutrients, oxygen, growth factors, and inflammatory and immune-regulatory soluble factors that ultimately impinge on autophagy regulation in cancer cells. An increasing body of evidence indicates that OC carcinogenesis is associated, at least in the early stages, to insufficient autophagy. On the other hand, when the tumor is already established, autophagy activation provides a survival advantage to the cancer cells that face metabolic stress and protects from the macromolecules and organelles damages induced by chemo- and radiotherapy. Additionally, upregulation of autophagy may lead cancer cells to a non-proliferative dormant state that protects the cells from toxic injuries while preserving their stem-like properties. Further to complicate the picture, autophagy is deregulated also in stromal cells. Thus, changes in the tumor microenvironment reflect on the metabolic crosstalk between cancer and stromal cells impacting on their autophagy levels and, consequently, on cancer progression. Here, we present a brief overview of the role of autophagy in OC hallmarks, including tumor dormancy, chemoresistance, metastasis, and cell metabolism, with an emphasis on the bidirectional metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells in shaping the OC microenvironment.
Nutritional value of diets containing graded levels of wheat distillers grains with solubles fed to broiler chicks

This feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of graded levels of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on nutrient digestibility and performance when fed to broiler chicks. A total of 125, day-old, male broiler chicks (52.8 ± 0.6 g) were fed wheat/soybean meal-based diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20% wheat DDGS. There were five birds per pen and five replicate pens per treatment. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter (P = 0.001), energy (P = 0.001) and phosphorus (P = 0.001) declined in a linear manner with increasing levels of wheat DDGS in the diet. Despite the lower digestibility of nutrients in diets containing wheat DDGS, there were no significant differences in weight gain (P = 0.721), feed intake (P = 0.748) or feed conversion (P = 0.766) due to the incorporation of wheat DDGS in the diet, although weight gain and feed conversion showed a tendency to decline at the highest inclusion level (20%) in the diet. The overall results of this study indicate that wheat DDGS can be successfully incorporated into diets fed to broiler chicks. Potential detrimental factors contained in wheat DDGS, including a low energy and low lysine content, can be compensated for in diet formulation. Therefore, when the price of alternative feed ingredients dictates, wheat DDGS can be incorporated into diets at levels as high as 15% without detrimental effects on broiler performance. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Sensory function, cognition, and brain structure in SCD, MCI, and AD: Initial findings from the COMPASS‐ND Study

There is a strong relationship between sensory and cognitive function in older adults and impairment in hearing, vision, and olfaction are each independently associated with dementia. However, these have rarely been examined together in persons with dementia, nor their concurrent relationship with cognitive function and brain structure. The Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia (COMPASS‐ND) study is a large‐scale study of older Canadians who are living with, or are at risk for, dementia, including those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), other causes of dementia, and normal controls. We collect clinical and cognitive data, structural brain imaging, and measures of sensory function.
10A.3 NWP WITH THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECAST MODEL AND LOCAL DATA SIIMILATION AS A PRELUDE TO “NEIGHBORHOOD WEATHER”

The NOAA Coastal Storms Initiative (CSI) pilot program was located in the St. Johns River basin in Northeast Florida, and had an overarching goal lessening the impact of storms on the coastal community. One of the nine projects approved as part of the CSI was the implementation of a locally-run mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model with additional local data assimilation at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Jacksonville (JAX), Florida. Funded as part of the NOAA CSI, a small team of collaborators has put together a high resolution atmospheric modeling system as an operational adjunct in a National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO). For the project, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and open system software were to be used to the maximum extent possible. The purpose of the WFO NWP modeling project in particular, was to assess if a WFO could use such a high resolution numerical model to improve forecast services to the public in the pilot program area. A commercial Linux Beowulf system was purchased and adapted to the specific tasks of running the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model developed by UCAR. Developers of the project included members of the WFO JAX staff, and selected participants from the NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL), NOAA NWS Southern Region Headquarters staff, and Florida State University. NOAA National Ocean Service was the CSI sponsor. The NWS Office of Science and Technology provided project management and coordination. The NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC)
Behavior of Conducting Particles in a New Electrostatic Separator with Two High-Voltage Electrodes

The objective of this work was to analyze the behavior of good conducting granules in a newly designed plate-type electrostatic separator. Commercial software was employed for the numerical analysis of the electric field generated by an original electrode configuration. This enabled the evaluation of the electric charge and forces on conducting particles. The trajectory of a single particle was calculated over a set of 1300 points. The simulated results show that the trajectories depend on the applied voltage, the radius, and the mass density of the granules. They were found in good agreement with the experiments carried out on a laboratory electrostatic separator.
Lignins for Phenol Replacement in Novolac-Type Phenolic Formulations. II. Flexural and Compressive Mechanical Properties

Several hexamethylenetetraamine-cured novolac-type lignophenolic resins have been subjected to me- chanical analysis to check the influence of the addition of dif- ferent types of lignins (kraft pine lignin, soda/anthraquinone flax lignin, and sulfonated kraft lignin from mixed softwoods) and the influence of different phenol substitution levels. Both flexural and compression tests have been performed to evalu- ate the influence of the curing temperature and pressure. The results have been compared with those from a commercial novolac system. Flexural tests show that lignin incorporation leads to systems with increased rigidity, whereas up to 82% of the maximum strength can be retained with respect to a commercial phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) at a 45 wt % substitution degree. Compression analyses show that modi- fied prepolymers are not significantly affected by the presence of lignin at a medium curing pressure (150 bar), but their deformability results considerably increase at high curing pressures (400 or 600 bar). 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 107: 159-165, 2008
ADSORPTION OF TOLUENE ON BENTONITES MODIFIED BY DODECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE

The adsorption of toluene was studied by using various types of adsorbents (Na+- and Al3+-bentonite) modified by dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). The characterization of these new sorbing matrices by XRD and IR indicates that DTAB tallow interacted with bentonite and increased the interlayer spacing of the clay with double-layered formation. Adsorption of toluene on modified bentonites was characterized by linear isotherms with no limitation of adsorption within the concentration range studied, thus indicating a mechanism of adsorption due to partition. Adsorption was fast and favored by a slightly acid medium. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, the Elovich equation, and intra-particle diffusion models were used to fit the experimental data. The adsorption kinetic of toluene was described by the pseudo-first order onto DTAB-Na-bent, and pseudo-second order onto DTAB-Al-bent. The intra-particle diffusion process was identified as the main mechanism controlling the rate of toluene adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard free energy change (ΔG 0), the standard enthalpy change (ΔH 0), and the standard entropy (ΔS 0) were also evaluated. The variation of adsorption energy versus the types of adsorbent suggested a physical adsorption mechanism.
Impulse Inhibition Ability With Methamphetamine Dependents Varies at Different Abstinence Stages

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the impulse inhibition ability with methamphetamine dependents would vary at different abstinence stages. Methods: Sixty-three methamphetamine dependents, including 31 short-term (< 10 months) and 32 long-term (≥ 10 months) abstinence participants, were recruited for this study. In addition, 33 men were recruited as the healthy control (HC) group. All participants performed a two-choice oddball task, which is well-established to assess impulse inhibition. Accuracy for deviant trials and deviant–standard reaction time (RT) delay were computed as indexes of impulse inhibition. Results: The accuracy for deviant trials was significantly decreased in short-term abstinence subjects (90.61%) compared to HC subjects (95.42%, p < 0.01), which was coupled with a shorter RT delay reflecting greater impulsivity in the short-term group vs. the HC group (47 vs. 73 ms, p < 0.01). However, impulse inhibition was improved in the long-term group, shown by the increased accuracy for deviant trials in the long-term group compared to the short-term group (94.28 vs. 90.61%, p < 0.05) and the similar accuracy for the long-term and HC groups (p > 0.05). Further regression analyses confirmed that the abstinence duration positively predicted impulse inhibition of methamphetamine dependents, both in accuracy and RT for deviant stimulus (β = 0.294, p = 0.019; β = 0.337, p = 0.007). Conclusion: These results suggest that long-term abstinence is more effective in improving impulse inhibition with methamphetamine dependents.
Observation of Stark shifts in quantum well intersubband transitions

We have observed Stark shifts of quantum well intersubband transitions in a perpendicular electric field. Two samples consisting of 100 and 120 A GaAs quantum wells separated by 350 A AlGaAs barriers showed optical absorption peaks at 11.1 and 13.9 μm, respectively. In an electric field of 36 kV/cm, the 13.9 μm peak shifted to 13.7 μm and the 11.1 μm shifted to 11.0 μm, in good agreement with theoretical calculations. These tunable transitions can be applied to high‐speed infrared light modulators.
Genetic Control Diversity Drives Differences Between Cadmium Distribution and Tolerance in Rice

Rice, a staple crop for nearly half the planet’s population, tends to absorb and accumulate excessive cadmium (Cd) when grown in Cd-contaminated fields. Low levels of Cd can degrade the quality of rice grains, while high levels can inhibit the growth of rice plants. There is genotypic diversity in Cd distribution and Cd tolerance in different rice varieties, but their underlying genetic mechanisms are far from elucidated, which hinders genetic improvements. In this study, a joint study of phenotypic investigation with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analyses of genetic patterns of Cd distribution and Cd tolerance was performed using a biparent population derived from japonica and indica rice varieties. We identified multiple QTLs for each trait and revealed that additive effects from various loci drive the inheritance of Cd distribution, while epistatic effects between various loci contribute to differences in Cd tolerance. One pleiotropic locus, qCddis8, was found to affect the Cd distribution from both roots to shoots and from leaf sheaths to leaf blades. The results expand our understanding of the diversity of genetic control over Cd distribution and Cd tolerance in rice. The findings provide information on potential QTLs for genetic improvement of Cd distribution in rice varieties.
Prediction of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation From Complexity Analysis of the Sinus Rhythm ECG: A Retrospective Case/Control Pilot Study

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, conveying a stroke risk comparable to persistent AF. It poses a significant diagnostic challenge given its intermittency and potential brevity, and absence of symptoms in most patients. This pilot study introduces a novel biomarker for early PAF detection, based upon analysis of sinus rhythm ECG waveform complexity. Sinus rhythm ECG recordings were made from 52 patients with (n = 28) or without (n = 24) a subsequent diagnosis of PAF. Subjects used a handheld ECG monitor to record 28-second periods, twice-daily for at least 3 weeks. Two independent ECG complexity indices were calculated using a Lempel-Ziv algorithm: R-wave interval variability (beat detection, BD) and complexity of the entire ECG waveform (threshold crossing, TC). TC, but not BD, complexity scores were significantly greater in PAF patients, but TC complexity alone did not identify satisfactorily individual PAF cases. However, a composite complexity score (h-score) based on within-patient BD and TC variability scores was devised. The h-score allowed correct identification of PAF patients with 85% sensitivity and 83% specificity. This powerful but simple approach to identify PAF sufferers from analysis of brief periods of sinus-rhythm ECGs using hand-held monitors should enable easy and low-cost screening for PAF with the potential to reduce stroke occurrence.
UAV-UGV-UMV Multi-Swarms for Cooperative Surveillance

In this paper we present a surveillance system for early detection of escapers from a restricted area based on a new swarming mobility model called CROMM-MS (Chaotic Rössler Mobility Model for Multi-Swarms). CROMM-MS is designed for controlling the trajectories of heterogeneous multi-swarms of aerial, ground and marine unmanned vehicles with important features such as prioritising early detections and success rate. A new Competitive Coevolutionary Genetic Algorithm (CompCGA) is proposed to optimise the vehicles’ parameters and escapers’ evasion ability using a predator-prey approach. Our results show that CROMM-MS is not only viable for surveillance tasks but also that its results are competitive in regard to the state-of-the-art approaches.
Chemometrics in Process NIR—Tales from a 14-Year Old (and Growing…) Application Part 5: Troubleshooting, Continuous Improvement and Reliability

cussion of method “Quality”, along with an exploration of the importance of informa tion technology (IT) resources for integrating the method into an existing process control system, and for establishing a reliable and secure infrastructure for remote method monitoring and support. At this point, we’re clearly in the mature stage of this application’s life cycle: although method capability for its intended purpose has been demonstrated over a short term, its true value is only just starting to be real ised. From a project manager’s perspective, a significant resource commitment has been made to get to this point and it is critically important to put appropriate systems and protocols into place in order to realise this application’s full value over time.
Indolaminergic System in Adult Rat Testes: Evidence for a Local Serotonin System

Serotonin (5-HT) is member of a family of indolamine molecules that participate in a wide variety of biological processes. Despite its important role in the regulation of local blood systems, little is known about the physiological function of 5-HT in reproductive organs, its functional implications, and its role in the reproduction of mammals. In the present work, we evaluated the localization and distribution of 5-HT (using histochemical analysis of indolamines) and different components of the serotoninergic system in rat testes. We detected local synthesis and degradation through immunofluorescence and western blot analyses against the TPH1, MAOA, 5-HTT, and VMAT1 serotonin transporters. We also identified the localization and distribution of the 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT3A receptors. RT-PCR results showed the presence of the Tph1, Maoa, Slc6a4, and Htr3a genes in testes and in the brain stem (Tph1 was used as a negative control). High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the presence of 5-HT and the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase in testes homogenates in vitro. Our observations suggest that TPH1 activity and local 5-HT synthesis befall in rat testes. We propose that 5-HT could participate in the regulation of testosterone synthesis and in the spermatogenesis process via local serotoninergic system. However, more studies are needed before concluding that rat testes, or those of other mammals, contain an active form of tryptophan hydroxylase and produce 5-HT.
Self-assembled multilayers of 4,4′-dimercaptobiphenyl formed by Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation

Self-assembled multilayers were prepared by alternate deposition of 4,4‘-dimercaptobiphenyl (DMBP) and copper(II) ions onto planar Au(111) substrates. The multilayers were characterized by ellipsometry, external reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ER-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Ellipsometry and ER-FTIR results show a linear relationship between the number of layers and the integral area of absorption characteristic of vibrational modes assigned to the biphenyl moieties. XPS data suggest that the copper is present in the +1 and +2 oxidation states in bulk material made by the reaction of DMBP and Cu(II) ions in solution, and only in the +1 state in multilayer films. XPS results also indicate a linear relationship between the number of DMBP layers and film thickness. AFM studies provided details about the surface morphology. In addition, thickness was measured precisely via nanoshaving and nanografting techniques. On the basis of the com.
Memory complaints are associated with impaired working memory and reduced frontal cortical thickness in mid‐life surgically menopausal women

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)‐related brain pathology is observed in participants within the normal ranges of cognitive assessments (Delacourte et al., 1999). Consequently, there is increased interest in subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a self‐experienced decline in cognition, as an early risk factor (Jessen et al., 2014). SCD is associated with earlier conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD (Jessen et al., 2010; Reisberg et al., 2010), poorer performance on cognitive tasks, and cortical thinning in AD‐related regions (Schultz et al., 2015; Sánchez‐Benavides et al., 2018). Women with surgical menopause prior to age 50 have an increased risk of AD (Rocca et al., 2007). Women with bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy (BSO) without estradiol (E2) therapy in mid‐life show decreases in WM performance and volumetric declines in the frontal cortex and hippocampus compared to controls (Almey et al., 2018; Gervais et al., 2018).