Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fireside issues in advanced power generation systems

Abstract The traditional trend towards the development and use of power plants with ever increasing efficiencies is now being coupled to the use of a wider range of fuels and technologies designed to minimise CO2 emissions. Alternative solid fuels such as biomass and waste products, which can be classified as CO2 neutral, are being used alone or cofired with fossil fuels. The cofiring of biomass and coal is currently the most efficient and effective method for using biomass to generate power. CO2 capture technologies include systems for either precombustion or postcombustion CO2 removal. Gasification of fuels (using either oxygen or steam as the oxidant) produces a gas that can be conditioned to enable precombustion CO2 removal. Post-combustion CO2 capture can be carried out using either solid or aqueous sorbent processes. Oxy firing of fuels is a technology that would enable more efficient post-combustion CO2 capture. The various combinations of new fuels, novel technologies and higher temperature component operating conditions are producing challenging operating environments for components. Deposition, erosion and corrosion issues for hot gas path components in these advanced power generating systems, which are potentially life limiting, are reviewed. Reduction in heat transfer owing to high rates of deposition can significantly reduce heat transfer and increase the need for component cleaning. Depending on the system, component parts can include various heat exchangers, gas cleaning systems and gas turbines.
Seed-Assisted Growth of TiO2 Nanowires by Thermal Oxidation for Chemical Gas Sensing

Herein, we report the catalyst assisted growth of TiO2 one-dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs) on alumina substrates by the thermal oxidation technique. RF magnetron sputtering was used to deposit a thin Ti metallic layer on the alumina substrate, followed by an Au catalytic layer on the Ti metallic one. Thermal oxidation was carried out in an oxygen deficient environment. The optimal thermal growth temperature was 700 °C, in a mixture environment composed by Ar and O2. As a comparison, Ti films were also oxidized without the presence of the Au catalyst. However, without the Au catalyst, no growth of nanowires was observed. Furthermore, the effect of the oxidation temperature and the film thickness were also investigated. SEM, TEM, and EDX studies demonstrated the presence of Au nanoparticles on top of the NWs, indicating that the Au catalyst drove the growth process. Raman spectroscopy revealed the Rutile crystalline phase of TiO2 NWs. Gas testing measurements were carried out in the presence of a relative humidity of 40%, showing a reversible response to ethanol and H2 at various concentrations. Thanks to the moderate temperature and the easiness of the process, the presented synthesis technique is suitable to grow TiO2 NWs for many different applications.
GENOTYPING OF PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITE POLAR BEARS IN NUNAVUT AND ADVANCES IN DNA SEXING TECHNIQUES

Abstract Female pseudohermaphroditism is characterized by gonads consistent with chromosomal sex combined with ambiguous, masculinized external genitalia. Recognized in many mammals, this condition results from fetal exposure to androgens that can be embryonic, maternal, or environmental in origin. Female pseudohermaphrodite black and brown bears (Ursus americanus and U. arctos) from Alberta, Canada, and polar bears (U. maritimus) from Svalbard, Norway, have been identified. Recent population surveys in Nunavut, Canada, led to the discovery of 11 additional female pseudohermaphrodite polar bears. Each bear was screened for the presence of sex-determining region-Y (Sry) and amelogenin-Y (AMELY) genes as indicators of Y-chromosome DNA. One bear possessed both genes, implying that trisomy or a chromosomal rearrangement may account for her virilized phenotype. Preliminary data suggested that Sry was also present in the other 10 bears; further testing disproved that result, revealed an important source of error when using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen for the Sry gene, and led to the development of new amelogenin primers that provide superior sex information for bears. Ultimately, these extensive screens also supported the conclusion that 10 of 11 morphologically abnormal individuals may possess no genuine male-specific DNA. Therefore, nongenetic mechanisms such as maternal tumors, freemartinism, or endocrinological effects of environmental contaminants may also influence the development of the female pseudohermaphrodite phenotype in Nunavut polar bears.
Enhanced Clearance of Neurotoxic Misfolded Proteins by the Natural Compound Berberine and Its Derivatives

Background: Accumulation of misfolded proteins is a common hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) which results from a failure or an impairment of the protein quality control (PQC) system. The PQC system is composed by chaperones and the degradative systems (proteasome and autophagy). Mutant proteins that misfold are potentially neurotoxic, thus strategies aimed at preventing their aggregation or at enhancing their clearance are emerging as interesting therapeutic targets for NDs. Methods: We tested the natural alkaloid berberine (BBR) and some derivatives for their capability to enhance misfolded protein clearance in cell models of NDs, evaluating which degradative pathway mediates their action. Results: We found that both BBR and its semisynthetic derivatives promote degradation of mutant androgen receptor (ARpolyQ) causative of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, acting mainly via proteasome and preventing ARpolyQ aggregation. Overlapping effects were observed on other misfolded proteins causative of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal-lobar degeneration or Huntington disease, but with selective and specific action against each different mutant protein. Conclusions: BBR and its analogues induce the clearance of misfolded proteins responsible for NDs, representing potential therapeutic tools to counteract these fatal disorders.
Government Intervention, Risk Perception, and the Adoption of Protective Action Recommendations: Evidence from the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Experience of China

This study examines the relationships between government interventions, risk perception, and the public’s adoption of protective action recommendations (PARs) during the COVID-19 coronavirus disease emergency in mainland China. We conducted quota sampling based on the proportion of the population in each province and gender ratios in the Sixth Census and obtained a sample size of 3837. Government intervention was divided into government communication, government prevention and control, and government rescue. We used multiple regression and a bootstrap mediation effect test to study the mechanism of these three forms of government intervention on the public’s adoption of PARs. The results show that government prevention and control and government rescue significantly increased the likelihood of the public adopting PARs. Risk perception was significantly associated with the public’s adoption of PARs. The effects of government interventions and risk perception on the public’s adoption of PARs was not found to vary by region. Risk perception is identified as an important mediating factor between government intervention and the public’s adoption of PARs. These results indicate that increasing the public’s risk perception is an effective strategy for governments seeking to encourage the public to adopt PARs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution, and Safety of P-Ethoxy Oligonucleotides Incorporated in Liposomes

AbstractP-ethoxy oligonucleotides (oligos) are lipophilic analogs of phospho-diesters. We have used liposomes to increase the intracellular uptake of P-ethoxy oligos, and demonstrated that liposomal P-ethoxy antisense oligos specific for Bcr-Abl, Grb2, Crkl or Bcl-2 mRNA could selectively inhibit the production of the corresponding proteins, thereby inducing growth inhibition in leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. In support of studying the effectiveness of liposomal P-ethoxy antisense oligos in animal models, we had conducted a series of studies to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and safety of intravenous injection of liposomal P-ethoxy oligos in normal mice. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of liposomal P-ethoxy oligos are very similar to those of other liposomal compounds. The plasma clearance rate of liposomal P-ethoxy oligos was biphasic; the t1/2 α and t1/2 β were approximately 6.7 min and 7 h, respectively. The highest concentrations of liposomal P-ethoxy oligos were fo.
Microbiological Identification of Atmospheric Particles in Hermosillo, Sonora, México

The air quality in many cities has been deteriorating and affecting population’s health. Airborne particles can block the defense mechanisms of respiratory system and may lead biological elements such as pollen, bacteria, fungi and viruses into the lungs. This paper presents the study of biologically contaminated air in the city of Hermosillo, analyzing filters containing particulate matter with a diameter equal or less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and Total Suspended Particles (TSP). Three sampling periods were analyzed during 2011. Samples taken from the filters were placed in tubes containing nutritive broth BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) and incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. The identification of the isolated microorganisms was done by a biochemical test recommended in Bergey’s Manual. Results showed a high bacteria concentration in the presence of microorganisms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae sub pneumoniae, Citrobacter, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus penneri, Butiauxellaagrestis, Salmonella paratyphi A and Enterobacter sacazakii. When bacterial concentration was analyzed separately, the lowest number of bacteria was observed during February for the south location and in August for the north location. The highest degree of bacterial air pollution was found in the central area of the city.
THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: INFLUENCE OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT, COMPETITIVE STRATEGY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ON CUSTOMER PROFITABILITY IN HEALTH SPA BUSINESS, UPPER NORTHERN REGION OF THAILAND

The purpose of this research was to study the influence of Customer Experience Management, Competitive Strategy and Customer Satisfaction on Customer Profitability in health spa business in Upper Northern Region of Thailand. At present the tour industry, especially the health tourism is very popular which known as spa. Thai identity which was presented in Upper Northern Region of Thailand was marked as the sale point. It was outstanding from the general spa. Due to the change of marketing which highly competitive, it is necessary to add value and skill in the service for customer’s satisfaction. Disseminate the good experience from the customer is the best way to show how the service is. Hence the different competitive strategy gives rise to the satisfaction and influence on profitability. For this reason, profitability helps the proper model development in further business management. According to the national strategy which is emphasizes not only the business tourism and spa but also the customer’s benefit. This mixed research is developed from many review literatures involved the customer’s experience, competitive strategy and satisfaction that influence on the customer’s profitability. The studied sample sizes were the business spa customer in Upper Northern Region of Thailand : Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Nan, Maehongson, Lampang and Lampoon. Calculated sample sizes was provided by parameter derived from Cohen [1], together with G*power 3.0 program. Total cases were 300 cases and quota sampling by province. Questionnaires are made and issued by postal and self-collection. Quantitative analysis was performed to find out the relative factor by structural equation from Structure Equation Model (SEM) which formulated by PLS-Graph. Qualitative analysis was performed by interview and analysed the contents to support the quantitative research that concerned to health business spa. KeywordsCustomer Experience Management, Competitive Strategy, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Profitability, Health Spa Business
Does eel metamorphosis cause a breakdown in the tenets of otolith applications? A case study using the speckled worm eel (Myrophis punctatus, Ophichthidae)

Several basic tenets of otolith research have been questioned recently with regard to eel metamorphosis. Specifically, some researchers have suggested that otolith increment formation is not daily, and otolith material may be resorped during metamorphosis. We conducted a rearing experiment to test the hypothesis that increment formation is daily and that the otolith continues to grow during eel metamorphosis. We marked the otoliths of wild-caught Myrophis punctatus leptocephali and reared these fish through metamorphosis. Metamorphosis was characterized by a decreasing standard length, pre-anal length, and body depth accompanied by an increase in pigmentation and a change in behavior. Increment formation was daily or near-daily through metamorphosis, and the otolith continued to grow during metamorphosis. Thus, the basic tenets of otolith application apply to eel metamorphosis, and non-daily ring deposition and resorption should not be used as explanations for otolith characteristics of eels (e.g., back-c.
Editorial

Friction stir welding and processing has come a long way since the heady days of the pioneering work done at TWI in Cambridge some two decades ago. The FSWP 2010 conference held in Lille, France, during January, had the brief to cover in this context, the process, structure–property relationships, simulation and applications. Of the large number of papers presented at the conference, a selection which dealt with welding are included in this special issue of STWJ. All of these papers went through the usual independent refereeing and editorial procedures of the journal.
Appendix I

The world's wealthiest nations have expended vast blood and treasure in tracking and capturing traffickers, dealers and consumers of narcotics, as well as destroying crops and confiscating shipments. Yet the global trade in illicit drugs is thriving, with no apparent change in the level of consumption despite decades of prohibition. This Adelphi argues that the present enforcement regime is not only failing to win the ‘War on Drugs’; it is also igniting and prolonging that conflict on the streets of producer and transit countries, where the supply chain has become interwoven with state institutions and cartels have become embroiled in violence against their rivals and with security forces. What can be done to secure the worst affected regions and states, such as Latin America and Afghanistan? By examining the destabilising effects of prohibition, as well as alternative approaches such as that adopted by the authorities in Portugal, this book shows how progress may be made by treating consumption as a health-care issue rather than a criminal matter, thereby freeing states to tackle the cartels and traffickers who hold their communities to ransom.
In vivo optical detection of cellular cancer biomarkers using gold nanoparticles

Specific genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) are well correlated with cervical oncogenesis. The major transforming and immortalizing protein in high risk HPVs, namely HPV16, is E7 protein. E7 protein functions by deregulating the cell cycle and promoting S-phase reentry in differentiated keratinocytes. Currently, clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer is based on phenotypic changes observed in a screening Papanicolaou smear. Although screening has been effective in reducing the occurrence of cervical cancer, the low specificity of the Pap smear results in resources wasted on the evaluation of low-grade lesions not likely to progress to cervical cancer. Molecular characterization of active HPV infections using molecular specific contrast agents are combined with in-vivo optical imaging is proposed to be a cost-effective, non-invasive technique for the detection of cervical pre-cancers. Contrast is achieved by exploiting the peak absorbance and scattering shift in aggregated gold nanoparticles over isolated ones and molecular specificity is achieved via recognition moieties with high affinities for E7. Conjugates of gold nanoparticles and HPV16 anti-E7 antibodies are delivered into the nucleus of living cells and imaged with reflectance confocal microscopy. These contrast agents have been used to successfully enhance contrast in HPV16+ cervical cancer cells over HPV- cells by a factor of 2.5. Further characterization and development of these contrast agents will provide a robust, low cost screening tool for the detection of cervical pre-cancers.
Gβγ that interacts with adenylyl cyclase in opioid tolerance originates from a Gs protein

We previously demonstrated that chronic morphine induces a change in G protein coupling by the mu opioid receptor (MOR) from Gi/o to Gs, concurrent with the instatement of an interaction between Gβγ and adenylyl cyclase types II and IV. These two signaling changes confer excitatory effects on the cell in place of the typical inhibition by opioids and are associated with morphine tolerance and dependence. Both signaling changes and these behavioral manifestations of chronic morphine are attenuated by cotreatment with ultra-low-dose naloxone. In the present work, using striatum from chronic morphine-treated rats, we isotyped the Gβ within Gs and Go heterotrimers that coupled to MOR and compared these to the Gβ isotype of the Gβγ that interacted with adenylyl cyclase II or IV after chronic morphine treatment. Isotyping results show that chronic morphine causes a Gs heterotrimer associated with MOR to release its Gβγ to interact with adenylyl cyclase. These data suggest that the switch to Gs coupling by MOR in response to chronic morphine, which is attenuated by ultra-low-dose opioid antagonist cotreatment, leads to a two-pronged stimulation of adenylyl cyclase utilizing both Gα and Gβγ subunits of the Gs protein novel to this receptor. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Sex Ratio and Optimal Male Time Investment Strategies in Asellus Aquaticus (L.) and a. Meridianus Racovitza

A. aquaticus and A. meridianus have a passive phase in which the male carries the female for some days before moulting and copulation are possible. The effect of varying male: female ratios (0.5:1; 1:1; 1.5:1) is discussed in this paper. It was found that an increase in the proportion of males led to: a) earlier initiation of the passive phase; b) lower gain rates from paired females; c) an increased tendency for males to leave females; d) a reduction in the strength of the association between the timing of pairing and oviposition. The relevance of these observations to models of optimal female guarding and foraging strategies is discussed.
Factors affecting caching in the pine vole, Microtus pinetorum

Dans son habitat naturel, Microtns pinetorum cache beaucoup de nourriture, en particulier pendant 1'hiver. Au laboratoire un male isole et une femelle isole"e ont plus tendance a cacher des cacahuetes lorsqu'cm les eleve sous une lumiere de faible intensite. Les males isoles ont plus tendance ä cacher que les femelles. Les couples cachent beaucoup plus, quelle que soit l'intensite de la lumiere; ils cachent plus, ensemble, que chacun separement, ce qui parait etre 1'effet d'une facilitation sociale. Quand on leur a donne des cacahuetes parfumees et des leurres en bois les males ont cache plus que les femelles au cours d'une heure d'observations et les couples ont eu les plus hautes performances. Les cacahuetes ont ete cachees avant les leurres. Le fait d'avoir goüte ces aliments n'a pas affecte chez ces rongeurs la tendance ä cacher, au cours d'une heure d'observations; il 1'a cependant affectee, au cours de six heures d'observations, oil ces aliments, trempes dans 1'huile ou le sucre, ont prcferes.
The neotropical damselfly genus Cora: new larval descriptions and a comparative analysis of larvae of known species (Odonata: Polythoridae)

The final larval stadium of four species of Cora are described and compared with known species in the genus. Cora skinneri Calvert, 1907, C. semiopaca Selys, 1878 and C. lugubris Navás, 1934 are described and illustrated for the first time using material from Costa Rica for the first two and from Colombia for the latter. A redescription of C. marina Selys, 1868 from specimens collected in Costa Rica is also included for comparison. Although all species are very similar as larvae, two major groups can be differentiated based on the shape of the caudal gills. The three species here described for the first time are very similar, but can be separated from each other using a combination of characters. Se describen los estadios finales de las larvas de tres especies de Cora y se comparan con las especies conocidas en el género. Cora skinneri Calvert, 1907, C. semiopaca Selys, 1878 y C. lugubris Navás, 1934 son descritas e ilustradas por primera vez usando material de Costa Rica para las dos primeras y de Colombia para la última especie. Se incluye además la descripción de la larva de C. marina Selys, 1868 de especímenes recolectados en Costa Rica para propósitos comparativos. Las especies de Cora son muy similares como larvas, pero se pueden diferenciar dos grandes grupos basado en la forma de las branquias caudales. Las tres especies que se describen pertenecen al mismo grupo y se pueden separar entre ellas usando una variedad de caracteres.
Detection and Characterization of the Serotonin 5‐HT1D Receptor in Rat and Human Brain

Abstract: In the presence of 1 μM (±)‐pindolol [to block 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT, serotonin) 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT1B receptors] and 100 nM mesulergine (to block 5‐HT1C receptors), 2.0 nM [3H]5‐HT binding to rat cortical homogenates is specific, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis of [3H]5‐HT binding, in the presence of 1 μM (±)‐pindolol and 100 nM mesulergine, produced a KD of 3.2 nM and Bmax of 43 fmol/mg protein. Distribution studies show this site to be present in most rat brain regions. This site is also detectable in human caudate. The pharmacological profile of this site is distinct from the previously identified 5‐HT receptor subtypes. Compounds with high affinity for 5‐HT1A (8‐hydroxydipropylaminotetralin), 5‐HT1B (trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine), 5‐HT1C (mesulergine), 5‐HT2 (4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine), and 5‐HT3 (ICS 205–930) receptors have low affinity for this site. These data suggest the presence of an additional, previously unidentified, 5‐HT binding site in rat and human brain tissue. This putative novel 5‐HT receptor has a similar pharmacology to the “5‐HT1D” site detected in bovine brain by Heuring and Peroutka.
DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS OF COASTAL WADERS (CHARADRII) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, SUMMER 1975–76

Summary Summers, R. W. , Cooper, J. & Pringle, J. S. 1970. Distribution and numbers of coastal waders (Charadrii) in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, summer 1975–76. Ostrich 48: 85–97. A survey of the distribution and numbers of waders (suborder Charadrii) in the coastal regions of the southwestern Cape was conducted from November 1975 to February 1976. Forty-four coastal wetlands and 49 sections of coastline were visited between the Olifants and Groot-Brak rivers. The estimated total wader population was 119 008 of which 102 841 (86,4%) were Palaearctic migrants. Langebaan Lagoon and the Berg estuary supported the largest numbers. The Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea and Sanderling Calidris alba were the most numerous species. The abundance of waders was greater on west coast shores than along the south coast.