Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A SIMPLE AND FAST RP-UHPLC-PDA METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ISRADIPINE FROM POLYMERIC NANOCAPSULES

A simple and fast analytical method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was developed and validated in order to assay isradipine in poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanocapsules. Experiments were performed by UHPLC on a C18 chromatographic column at 25°C using a mobile phase composed by methanol and water (85:15 v/v) with a flow rate of 0.5 mL.min−1 and UV detection at 327nm for achieving a total run time of 1.5 min. The UHPLC method was validated according to the guidelines set on The International Conference on Harmonisation. It proved to be selective, linear (r = 0.99962), precise (RSD < 4.1%), and accurate (recovery rates between 95.24 and 96.53%) at the range from 10 to 40 µg. mL−1. The performance was robust when slight changes in the flow rate, wavelength of detection, and mobile phase composition were tested. It was successfully applied to quantify isradipine from nanoparticulate polymeric systems, showing high loading efficiency rates, greater than 98.55%. These results provided an experimental basis to use this method for quantifying isradipine with reliable results, besides being very fast, easy to perform and cheaper.
Influence of Pectin Structural Properties on Interactions with Divalent Cations and Its Associated Functionalities.

Pectin is an anionic cell wall polysaccharide which is known to interact with divalent cations via its nonmethylesterified galacturonic acid units. Due to its cation-binding capacity, extracted pectin is frequently used for several purposes, such as a gelling agent in food products or as a biosorbent to remove toxic metals from waste water. Pectin can, however, possess a large variability in molecular structure, which influences its cation-binding capacity. Besides the pectin structure, several extrinsic factors, such as cation type or pH, have been shown to define the cation binding of pectin. This review paper focuses on the research progress in the field of pectin-divalent cation interactions and associated functional properties. In addition, it addresses the main research gaps and challenges in order to clearly understand the influence of pectin structural properties on its divalent cation-binding capacity and associated functionalities. This review reveals that many factors, including pectin molecular structure and extrinsic factors, influence pectin-cation interactions and its associated functionalities, which makes it difficult to predict the pectin-cation-binding capacity. Despite the limited information available, determination of the cation-binding capacity of pectins with distinct structural properties using equilibrium adsorption experiments or isothermal titration calorimetry is a promising tool to gain fundamental insights into pectin-cation interactions. These insights can then be used in targeted pectin structural modification, in order to optimize the cation-binding capacity and to promote pectin-cation interactions, for instance for a structure build-up in food products without compromising the mineral nutrition value.
KARAKTERISTIK MEMBRAN KOMPOSIT BERBASIS KITOSAN/PVA TERMODIFIKASI LEMPUNG DARI BABAKAN MADANG BOGOR

The use of natural polymers as membranes of DMFC from chitosan was developed because it is more environmentally friendly and has high thermal stability, but the proton conductivity is low. The Clay from Babakan Madang , which contained of Si O 2 50% was expected to increase proton conductivity and improve the characteristics of the polymer membrane. Chitosan / PVA based membrane synthesis was carried out by adding clay weight variations of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 g. The spectra of membranes investigated by FT-IR confirm ed the presence of functional groups from chitosan/PVA/clay. Morphological analysis using SEM showed that there were granules of clay dispersed on the membrane. The determination of membran conductivity using EIS showed the highest proton conductivity value was a membrane with the addition of 0.6 g clay , it was 6.96 x 10 -7 S / cm. The membrane water swelling produced on the three membranes tended to be high, with the smallest value of 56.69% on the membrane with the addition of 0.9 gram s of clay. The methanol uptake data found that the conductivity of membrane with the addition of 0.6 grams of clay was 346.11% .
Metrological characteristics for the calibration of surface topography measuring instruments: a review

In this paper, we will review the development and use of an ISO standardised framework to allow calibration of surface topography measuring instruments. We will draw on previous work to present the state of the art in the field in terms of employed methods for calibration and uncertainty estimation based on a fixed set of metrological characteristics. The resulting standards will define the metrological characteristics and present default methods and material measures for their determination—the paper will summarise this work and point out areas where there is still some work to do. An example uncertainty estimation is given for an optical topography measuring instrument, where the effect of topography fidelity is considered.
Examining the Factors Affecting the Implementation of a Paperless Port System

The introduction of a paperless port system (PPS) was to inject potency in the clearance system as the former paper system had too many human interactions and delays in handling hard documents. To avoid these visible irregularities in line with the ever-changing port working environment and the effects of massive corruption in the ports, the factors that affect the implementation of PPS must be carefully studied. The main objectives of this study are to examine the implementation process of PPS in Ghana and present appropriate recommendations for decision making. The analysis reveals that the main factors that influence the implementation of PPS are; network connection, complicated procedures, and lack of stakeholder training, and the least factor that affects the implementation of PPS is the availability of resources. The results of this analysis could be of great benefit for other member states in West and Central Africa, in developing prudent policies as initiated by the government to boost the overall port efficacy for prompt socio-economic development.
Marine Cod (Gadus morhua) Head Hydrolysates - in vitro ACE inhibitory activity and investigation of structure-activity relationship

iii Sammendrag . v Abbreviations . vii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1. Background and motivation . 1 1.2. Fish by-products . 2 1.2.1. Definition of by-products . 2 1.2.2. Applications and biochemical properties of by-products . 3 1.2.3. Utilization of cod heads . 4 1.2. 4. Stability and quality of by-products . 5 1.2. 5. Challenges in utilizing by-products . 6 1.3. Hydrolysis and fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) . 6 1.3.1. Enzymatic hydrolysis . 7 1.3.2. Properties and applications of FPH . 10 1.4. Antihypertensive effects of FPH . 14 1.4. 1. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme . 14 1.4. 2. Inhibition of ACE . 15 1.5. Aims of the thesis . 19 Chapter 2: Materials and methods . 21 2.1. Overview of the work performed . 21 2.2. Cod head hydrolysates . 22 2.3. Analysis of the cod head hydrolysates . 24 2.3.1. Investigation of ACE inhibitory activity . 24 2.3.2. Determination of total amino acid composition . 27 2.3.3. Fractionation of cod head hydrolysates: membrane filtration . 28 2.3.4. Determination of molecular weight distribution . 29 2.3. 5. Determination of free amino acids . 30 2.3. 6. Determination of degree of hydrolysis . 30 2.3. 7. Determination of protein concentration: Lowry protein assay . 30 Chapter 3: Results and discussion . 31 3.1. ACE inhibitory activity . 32 3.2. Structure and composition of the cod head hydrolysates . 34 3.2.1. Total amino acid composition . 35 3.2.2. Molecular weight distribution . 39 3.2.3. Free amino acids. 45 3.2. 4. Degree of hydrolysis. 47 3.3. Evaluation of the methods . 50 3.4. Conclusions in the HEADS UP project . 50 Chapter 4: Conclusion . 53 Chapter 5: Suggestions for further work . 54 References . 55 Appendix A: Preparation of solutions . I A.1 Preparation of solutions for the ACE inhibitory experiments . I A.2. Preparation of solutions for the Lowry-assay . II Appendix B: ACE inhibitory experiments . III Appendix C: Total amino acid composition . VII Appendix D: Molecular weight distribution . XIII D.1. Chromatograms of standard proteins . XIII D.2. Calculation of peptide molecular weights . XV Appendix E: Free amino acids . XVII Appendix F: Degree of hydrolysis . XIX Appendix G: Determination of protein concentrations . XXI G.1. Experimental procedure of the Lowry protein-assay . XXI G.2. Standard curves . XXII G.3. Mass balance: protein recovery from membrane filtration . XXIV Appendix H: Protein content in the cod head hydrolysates . XXVII
Modeling sediment yield of Rib watershed, Northwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Application of models to assess soil erosion processes and design best management practices in Ethiopia has been increasing. This study investigated and predicted the processes and patterns of sediment yield in the watershed. SUFI-2, a SWAT CUP2012 program was applied to optimize sediment parameters using observed sediment data of the watershed. Channel erodibility factor (CH_ERODMO), exponent parameter for calculating sediment reentrained in channel sediment routing (SPEXP) from channel parameters, and USLE equation support practice factor (USLE_P) from landscape parameters have been found to be the highest sensitive sediment yield parameters. Multi-objective function statistics of R2 (0.65, 0.54), NSE (0.57, 0.51), PBIAS (1.2%, 19%), and RSR (0.66, 0.7) were identified for calibration and validation respectively. Performance measurements of P-factor and R-factor value of (57%, 39%) and (0.87, 0.48) for calibration and validation respectively were obtained. Generally, the model evaluation statistics suggested that SWAT underpredicted peak sediment loads in calibration and validation periods. According to model evaluation performance measurements, the modelled sediment yield was between ‘Satisfactory’ to ‘Very Good’ rating scales. The calibrated model provides information to apply the model in other ungauged watersheds of similar topography, land use, soil and climate for erosion assessment, and implementation of best management scenarios in Ethiopian.
The littoral benthic macroinvertebrate community as a reflection of environmental heterogeneity

Background. The lakes’ littoral zone shows high spatial heterogeneity characterized by physical and chemical parameters of the water column and sediment which in the present study allow us to describe the structure and variability of the spatial distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) community of Lake Alchichica, Puebla. At Alchichica, the lake’s water level reduction and the presence of al almost continues stromatolites ring has generated a heterogeneous littoral zone with regions in direct contact with the limnetic zone of the lake but in the other extreme, regions totally isolated from it. In this way, the littoral zone allows us to recognize a desiccation process of the lake. Goals. Thus, the study allows us to describe the effects of the desiccation process on the BMI community structure. Methods. Eleven sampling stations were located along the littoral zone. At each station environmental variables were measured and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled. Results. We identified 21 BMI taxa among which the dominant in density and frequency are the oligochaete Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and the amphipod Hyalella azteca. Environmentally, the sampling stations could be divided in those stations with open communication with the limnetic zone and others almost or totally separated from the main water body. Conclusions. There is a decline in the taxonomic richness, diversity, maximum diversity, and evenness but not in density, as the communication with the limnetic zone decreases. The sediment texture changes from sandy bottom in the communicated stations to clayed-silt in those isolated which in turn favors a change in the dominant taxon from H. azteca in sandy bottoms to L. hoffmeisteri in silty-clayed bottoms.
Diffusion limited growth of crystalline domains in phospholipid monolayers

The growth kinetics of two‐dimensional crystalline phospholipid domains at the air/water interface is studied following a stepwise increase in density of interfacial molecules. In addition to pressure relaxation the development of domain size and shape and impurity distribution could be followed by fluorescence microscopy. All experimental findings agree, within a factor of 3, with results of simple model calculations. These consider the growth kinetics to be controlled by two‐dimensional diffusion of impurities from the solid/lipid boundary (constitutional supercooling) and do not use any freely adjustable, but independently measurable parameters.
Systems Level Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets and Intercellular Communication Networks in Human Breast Cancer

Cell-to-cell communication is at the basis of the higher order organisation observed in tissues, organs, and organism. Understanding cell-to-cell communication, and its underlying mechanisms that drive the development of cancer is essential. Breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of a great cellular diversity, such as endothelial, stromal or immune cells that can influence tumor progression as well as its response to treatment. Among the different immune cell populations, dendritic cells (DCs) subsets integrate signals from their microenvironment and are subsequently essential in orchestrating specific immune response through T cell activation. However, the differential function of these subsets, and their interactions within the TME remain poorly described. My main thesis objective was to understand the impact of the breast TME on DC subsets using systems-level analysis. We used RNA sequencing to systematically analyze the transcriptomes of tumor-infiltrating plasmacytoid pre-DCs (pDCs), cell populations enriched for type 1 classical DCs (cDC1e), type 2 classical DCs (cDC2s), CD14+DCs, and monocytes-macrophages from human primary luminal breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. We found that transcriptional reprogramming of tumor-infiltrating antigen-presenting cells is subset-specific. These results suggest a complex interplay between ontogeny and tissue imprinting in conditioning DC diversity and function in cancer.As a second objective, I aimed at studying the cellular communications in order to understand how cells integrate signals from their environment. I developed ICELLNET, a tool to reconstruct intercellular communication networks. This original quantitative method, integrating ligand-receptor interactions and cell type specific gene expression, can be automatically applied to any cell population level transcriptomic profile opening perspectives of application in several disease contexts and biology fields.
Porous polyvinyl formaldehyde / MWCNTs foam for Pb+2 removal from water

Preparation of macro-porous polyvinyl formaldehyde / multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PVF/MWCNTs) foam was done via one step reaction during acetalization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The as-prepared PVF/MWCNTs composite was used as an eco-friendly, easy recovery sorbets for Pb (II) from aqueous medium. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) were used to investigate the chemical composition and morphological structure of the prepared foam. The results showed that equilibrium occurred within 60 min at pH≈ 5 with a maximum adsorption capacity 3.4 mg/g with 43 % removal (considering the total weight of composite). In addition, the kinetic results are most fitted with pseudo-second-order model indicating that the reaction mechanism is chemisorption in nature. Therefore, it is suggested that the prepared PVF/MWCNTs foam can be used in water treatment systems as an eco-friendly and efficiency sorbent.
Response to Temperature and Virulence Assessment of Fusarium circinatum Isolates in the Context of Climate Change

With future global temperatures predicted to increase, the relationship between a host, pathogen, and environment, becomes less predictable and epidemics may pose a greater risk to forests worldwide. Resistance breeding is an important disease management tool, but because tree species require long breeding times, it is necessary to develop techniques for testing current pathogen isolates against their hosts. Pitch canker disease of pines, caused by the pathogen Fusarium circinatum, is no exception and represents a threat to pine forests and commercial plantations worldwide, as it thrives at warm temperatures and high humidity. We tested growth of 15 F. circinatum isolates in culture at three temperatures: 25, 27, and 31 °C. We also evaluated the sporulation and pathogenicity of eight of the isolates on two susceptible Pinus elliotti (slash pine) open-pollinated families and one tolerant open-pollinated Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) family. Our results showed significant differences among isolates in the temperature and pathogenicity tests. All isolates showed a significant decrease in growth at 31 °C, although some showed similar growth at 25 and 27 °C. Several of the new isolates tested were more pathogenic than the isolates that the USDA Forest Service Resistance Screening Center (RSC) had been using. The new isolates have now been incorporated into their operational screening program.
A community-based study to estimate the contraceptive prevalence rate among the women of reproductive age group in rural North India

Background: The utilization of family planning services has improved over the decade, but still the SDG’s health target to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services is yet to be achieved.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, from September to December 2019, with sample size of 316. The eligible participants were administered a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured and anonymous interview schedule after taking consent.Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.2±6.1 years. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) was found to be 67.7% among women of reproductive age group 15-49 years. Male condom 36%, followed by female sterilization 30% were the most common methods preferred.Conclusions: Besides male condoms and female sterilisation, other methods of contraception were adopted by meagre number of women. Though, the unmet need for family planning was lesser in this study, still, efforts are needed to plunge it, for ameliorating the contraceptive prevalence rate. Also, the availability of basket of contraceptive choices in government sector need sheer assiduity.
Risk Preference Heterogeneity in Group Contests

We present and analyze the first model of a group contest with players that are heterogeneous in their risk preferences. In our model, individuals' preferences are represented by a utility function exhibiting a generalized form of constant absolute risk aversion, allowing us to consider any combination of risk-averse, risk-neutral, and risk-loving players. We begin by proving equilibrium existence and uniqueness under both linear and convex investment costs. Then, we explore how the sorting of a given set of players by their risk attitudes into competing groups affects aggregate investment. For the case of linear costs, we find that a balanced sorting of players (i.e., minimizing the variance in risk attitudes across groups) produces higher aggregate investment than an unbalanced sorting (i.e., maximizing the variance in risk attitudes across groups), and this continues to hold for a wide range of parameters when costs are convex. Thus, in the presence of relative performance incentives, our results largely support the conventional wisdom that team diversity promotes output.
Work engagement of employees who are parents of children with disabilities: empirical evidence from Singapore and the United Kingdom

Abstract Work engagement has attracted increased interest among human resource management scholars and practitioners. Within a family-work context, a population whose levels of work engagement has sparsely been previously studied has been that of employees who have children with special needs/disabilities (SND). These employees frequently face demanding responsibilities at home, a fact that may have implications in the workplace. Drawing on perceived family–work strain and organizational support literatures, we examine whether the disability severity of employees’ children and the support provided by the supervisor may affect employees’ levels of work engagement. Deriving data from two societies, those of Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK), the findings of this research may inform human resource management literature concerning the work engagement of employees who are parents of children with SND. Our two-society data collection rendered 430 usable questionnaires. Employees with children with SND in Singapore (n = 224) reported higher work engagement levels than employees in the UK (n = 206). Also, the research results confirmed that the relationship between child’s disability severity and employee work engagement is moderated by the support provided by the supervisor. Setting the grounds for an international discussion about human resource management and family-support practices directed toward employees with children with SND, implications and recommendations for future research are offered.
F2B+-tree: A Flash-aware B+-tree Using the Bloom Filter

As the price per bit of flash storage is rapidly decreasing, diverse research has been done to devise flash-aware B+-tree indexes. Since the original B+-tree structure was devised for indexing data records stored in hard disk drives, a naive transplant of the B+-tree into flash may degrade index performance. This is because flash storage suffers from significant performance disparity between update operations and read/write operations. To solve the problem, we adopt the probabilistic index structure, called the Bloom filter. By using the Bloom filter, we make some free space in each node whose child nodes are leaf nodes. We refer to such a node as the BF node. In the free space of a BF node, our proposed F 2 B+-tree stores update logs in order to save histories of key inserts or deletes that have arisen in leaf nodes. Since B+-tree's nodes except for leaf nodes are usually manipulated in a memory buffer pool, the F 2 B+-tree can considerably reduce the amount of physical updates on flash storage. Additionally, we cluster a set of sibling leaf nodes in a flash block such that garbage collection can be cheaply performed without full-merges or half-merges. As a result, the F 2 B+-tree can prevent unpredictable fluctuations in performance of flash-based databases, which could be caused by background-mode actions needed for garbage collection.
Direct Electron Transfer of Horseradish Peroxidase and Its Biosensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Chitosan/ITO Modified Electrode

Abstract Gold nanoparticles/chitosan modified indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass electrode was prepared by a simple layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was successfully immobilized on the modified electrode by electrostatic adsorption. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of HRP were investigated. The composite film showed an obvious promotion for the direct electron transfer between HRP and the underlying electrode. The immobilized HRP exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H2O2. The catalysis currents increased linearly to the H2O2 concentration in a wide range of 2.0 × 10−5 to 6.5 × 10−3 M with a low detection limit of 3.5 × 10−6 M. The calculated apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K ) was 4.43 mM.