Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reactions at coordinated ligands: redox-active ligands and coordination of Lewis acids

The theme of this study is reactivity at the ligand and how remote, relative to the metal, activation affects the metal center. The three approaches were the use of redox-active ligands, ligand protonation and Lewis acid coordination to ligands. The focus is on ligand design rather than substrate or metal optimization with a primary interest in reactivity with dihydrogen. The main thrust of the work has been the investigation of redox-active ligands in which redox occurs at the ligand. Redox-active ligands have been generally a curiosity in organometallic chemistry and have only recently been realized in catalysis. Presented here is one of the first examples of a system that incorporates redox-active ligands as a critical component to the catalysts. The complexes utilizing redox-active ligands became Lewis acidic upon oxidation, similar in behavior to the Noyori type catalyst that became Lewis acidic upon protonation. The catalysts containing redox-active ligand were used for the oxidation of H2. The interest in H2 oxidation is the hope that it will fulfill the need for a new fuel source. This interest has lead to the development of soluble catalyst that can oxidize H2 to protons and electrons, in order to further study the mechanism. Redox-active ligands have lower reorganizational barriers because redox at organic substituents are typically lower than for inorganic centers. Furthermore, redox-active ligands can supplement the electrons/holes transferred from the metal, which can facilitate reactions that require multi-electron transfers. The next theme was the use of borane Lewis acids bound to a coordinated ligand, which dramatically changed the ligands from a donor to an acceptor. This type of reaction at the ligand fundamentally changes the reactivity at the metal, however, the affects are not as dramatic as say substituting the ligand. A largh enough change in ligand polarity can affect oxidation-state at the metal. The oxidation state of a metal becomes very difficult to assign when multiple electronic structures exist between the metal and the ligand. In fact in many ways the concept of metal oxidation state becomes meaningless as the electronic structure of the ligand becomes more complicated. These subtler changes in ligand oxidation state and the affects they have on reactivity at metal have not been as widely explored in catalysis. Remote activation of a metal center through reacts at coordinated ligands will be explored here in. The coordination of boranes to cyanide ligands is well know, however, this theme has not been applied to hydrogenase models. Cyanide is an essential component of the [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenase active sites, both enzymes feature two cyanide ligands, however, models using cyanides ligands are plagued by undesirable side reactions such as metal-cyanide bridged polymers and decomposition. The bound boranes are used to simulate the hydrogen bonding found in the enzymes. The complexation of Lewis acids to cyanides offers an advantage over alkylation, in that the inductive affect…
Specific Immobilization of Escherichia coli Expressing Recombinant Glycerol Dehydrogenase on Mannose-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

Mannose-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were prepared for the immobilization of Escherichia coli cells harboring the recombinant glycerol dehydrogenase gene. Immobilization of whole E. coli cells on the carrier was carried out through specific binding between mannose on the nanoparticles and the FimH lectin on the E. coli cell surface via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The effects of various factors including cell concentration, pH, temperature, and buffer concentration were investigated. High degrees of immobilization (84%) and recovery of activity (82%) were obtained under the following conditions: cell/support 1.3 mg/mL, immobilization time 2 h, pH 8.0, temperature 4°C, and buffer concentration 50 mM. Compared with the free cells, the thermostability of the immobilized cells was improved 2.56-fold at 37 °C. More than 50% of the initial activity of the immobilized cells remained after 10 cycles. The immobilized cells were evaluated functionally by monitoring the catalytic conversion of glycerol to 1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA). After a 12 h reaction, the DHA produced by the immobilized cells was two-fold higher than that produced by the free cells. These results indicate that mannose-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can be used for the specific recognition of gram-negative bacteria, which gives them great potential in applications such as the preparation of biocatalysts and biosensors and clinical diagnosis.
“Ação a Distância versus Ação Intermediada. Contraste entre a Nova e as Velhas Visões sobre Eletricidade” – Tradução comentada de um texto de Oliver Heaviside sobre ação a distância

Apresentamos a seguir um texto de Oliver Heaviside (1850-1925), intitulado Action at a Distance versus Intermediate Agency. Contrast of New with Old Views about Electricity [1] que foi publicado pela primeira vez em 1893, no primeiro volume do livro Electromagnetic Theory [1]. O texto é a introdução de um capítulo no qual Heaviside discute a teoria das ondas eletromagnéticas planas. Aqui apresentamos a versão do texto que está disponível na edição de 1971 da obra citada. Na obra Electromagnetic Theory, Oliver Heaviside “removeu os obstáculos para a criação de um ‘Novo eletromagnetismo’, em que os princípios fundamentais da teoria de Maxwell seriam expostos com clareza e percepção sem precedentes” [2, p. 250]. Heaviside se propõe a mostrar o contraste entre dois mecanismos propostos sobre a interação entre corpos: a ação a distância e a ação intermediada. Assim como James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879), ele também leva em consideração as teorias de ação a distância. 1
Describing the Statistical Conformation of Highly Flexible Proteins by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Describing the Statistical Conformation of Highly Flexible Proteins by Small Angle X ray Scattering by Jo Anna Wiersma Capp Department of Biochemistry Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Terrence G. Oas, Supervisor ___________________________ David C. Richardson ___________________________ Harold Erickson ___________________________ Paul Modrich ___________________________ Stefan Zauscher An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biochemistry in the Graduate School of Duke University 2014 Copyright by Jo Anna Wiersma Capp 2014
High-Q THz Photonic Crystal Cavity on a Low-Loss Suspended Silicon Platform

In this article, we present an ultrahigh-Q cavity at terahertz (THz) frequencies. The designed cavity is built on a low-loss suspended silicon (Si) waveguide. The substrate removal under the waveguide and the use of optimized deep reactive ion etching processing are the main reasons for observing very low losses of this design α < 0.09 dB/mm. This very low-loss behavior of this designed platform is also demonstrated by the measurement of a one-dimensional photonic wire crystal cavity with Q > 18000. Different cavity layouts are adjusted in order to maximize the transmittance while maintaining high Q. A design with reduced number of etched crystal holes achieve Q > 1500 and high transmittance T > 70%. These structures are presented at sub-mm waves (around 600 GHz) for the design of a gas sensor in this frequency region, but the principles can be scaled and redesigned for other frequencies in the THz band.
A Comparative Study on Egg Yolk IgY Production with Different Adjuvants and their Inhibitory Effects on Staphylococcus aureus

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin disorders in infants and children and is often aggravated by increased Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization. An inhibitory effect of a specific egg yolk antibody (IgY) on S. aureus growth was demonstrated in this study. Furthermore, the effects of water- or oil-based adjuvants on the preparation of anti-S. aureus IgY and hen immunization were compared. Methods: Hens were immunized intramuscularly with formalin-killed S. aureus mixed with either a water-soluble polysaccharide λ-carrageenan, oil-based Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), or Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA). Anti-S. aureus IgYs (FIA-IgY, FCA/FIA-IgY, and λCarra-IgY) were purified from the egg yolk of immunized hen eggs, and the activity of the IgY against S. aureus antigen was measured by ELISA. The proportion of each IgY that was absorbed by S. aureus was also determined. Then, the effect of purified anti-S. aureus IgY on S. aureus growth inhibition was investigated in vitro. Results: The yolk of eggs and purified FIA-IgY from the FIA group showed the highest antibody activity, followed by FCA/FIA-IgY and λCarra-IgY. The proportion of each IgY that was absorbed by S. aureus antigen was as follows: FIA-IgY (18.1%), FCA/FIA-IgY (12.9%), and λCarra-IgY (7.0%). Only FIA-IgY significantly inhibited S. aureus growth in liquid medium. Conclusion: A specific IgY that was produced using the FIA adjutant inhibited S. aureus growth. Although water-soluble λ-carrageenan showed an adjuvant effect on anti-S. aureus IgY induction in egg yolk, but did not inhibit S. aureus growth. The use of the oil adjuvant FIA was necessary in the preparation of anti-S. aureus IgY as a treatment for AD symptoms.
The H3+ ion: a remote diagnostic of the jovian magnetosphere

Observations of the jovian system in the near-infrared (3.4 μm) reveal a wealth of information about Jupiter's magnetic field, magnetosphere, and magnetospheric dynamics. This wavelength contains a few emission lines of the H3+ ion and it is centred on a deep methane absorption band. As a result, one can image Jupiter's ionosphere at this wavelength with extraordinary signal–to–noise ratio, against a planet otherwise darkened by absorption due to methane in its atmosphere. High spatial resolution images of the planet's surface provide a synoptic view of the entire magnetosphere, from the electrodynamics of Io and the torus, to the excitation of auroral displays at high magnetic latitude. Observations of the Io Flux Tube footprint have provided a new magnetic coordinate system for the jovian polar regions and new insight into the electrodynamic interaction between Jupiter and Io. Short–term temporal variations (days) of auroral intensity are observed in the IR and are well correlated with variations in the solar–wind ram pressure arriving at Jupiter. These H3+ emissions are thermally excited and are a good proxy for time–averaged energy deposition. It is now possible to produce detailed maps of energy deposition from the Io footprint (L = 6) to the pole, in which both system III and local time variations are evident.
The effect of polyphenols on the performance and antioxidant status of sows and piglets

ABSRACT The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of polyphenols in pigs. The experiment was performed on 52 sows divided into 4 groups. Untreated control sows (group 1) were not administered vitamin E in the premixes. The diets of the experimental animals were supplemented with vitamin E in the amount of 50 mg (group 2) or 100 mg/kg diets (group 3) (gestation diets) and 75 mg (group 2) or 150 mg/kg diets (group 3) (lactation diets). The diets of group four sows were supplemented with vitamin E (50/75 mg/kg, gestation/lactation) and Proviox (polyphenols) (50/75 mg/kg, gestation/lactation). The influence of different dietary inclusion levels of vitamin E and vitamin E/polyphenols on the performance, vitamin E concentrations, and antioxidant status of sows and piglets was analysed. The sows whose diets were supplemented with vitamin E and polyphenols (50:50) were characterised by similar fertility, mating success, and litter performance as the group whose diets were supplemented with vitamin E only. The results of this study indicate that sows receiving vitamin E and polyphenols and their progeny were characterised by similar or improved vitamin E status and improved antioxidant status compared with the animals whose diets were supplemented with 100 mg/150 mg of vitamin E/kg diet. It can be concluded that the replacement of 50% of dietary vitamin E with polyphenols did not compromise the growth performance of sows or piglets and improved their antioxidant status.
Effects of Chicken MHC Haplotype on Resistance to Distantly Related Infectious Bronchitis Viruses

SUMMARY. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) B locus of chickens has been associated with resistance to different viral diseases. We previously provided evidence that chicken lines expressing MHC haplotypes B2 and B19 exhibit different resistance to a challenge with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) Massachusetts 41 (M41). In the current study, we attempted to determine if those differences were true for genetically diverse IB viruses, i.e., IBV M41 and Arkansas-Delmarva poultry industry (ArkDPI). Clinical, pathologic, molecular, and immunologic outcomes were compared. Our results showed subtle clinical and pathologic differences between the two MHC chicken lines tested. Clinical differences were observed in respiratory signs at 2 days postinfection (dpi) in M41-infected birds. Pathologic differences were detected in viral load at 2 dpi in M41-infected birds and in tracheal epithelial thickness at 6 dpi in ArkDPI-infected birds. Substantial differences were observed in antibody responses at 14 dpi. The transcriptome analysis showed that B19 chickens highly expressed genes related to inflammatory and innate immune responses. This increased immune gene expression detected in B19 birds at 6 dpi did not lead to enhanced antibody production at 14 dpi. On the other hand, B2-haplotype chickens highly expressed genes related to cell responses, suggesting that B2 is able to diligently control the infection. Although not identical, genes triggered by M41 and ArkDPI are part of communal pathways and suggest similar immune and cell responses to both IBV genotypes. This work provides modest evidence for differential resistance to IBV by chickens displaying different MHC haplotypes as well as insights into the expression of a variety of genes after IBV replication in the host.
EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MUNG BEAN (VIGNA RADIATE L)

Legumes are second only to the Graminae in their importance to humans. Mung bean (Vigna radiata L) is one of the most important grain legumes cultivated in Sri Lanka. Drought is a major abiotic stress on Mung bean in the sub-humid, dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. The present reveals the response of Mung bean for the water stress at three different growth stages; three weeks after planting (3WAP), six weeks after planting (6WAP) and eight weeks after planting (8WAP). A pot experiment was carried out at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Sri Lanka. Plant height, number of leaves, number of floral buds dry matter weight of shoot system, number of lateral roots, length of tap root, number of root nodules, and dry matter weight of root system were measured after one week recovery period in stressed plants at three different growth stages and in relevant control plants. Water stress significantly affects on each measured parameter at 6WAP when the flowering and pod filling stage of Mung bean and only number of leaves was significantly affected at the 8 WAP. Further, all the measured parameters were significantly affected at 3WAP under drought stress other than length of tap root and number of nodules per plant. Number of floral buds and number of pods were not affected by the drought stress at 8WAP though there is no economical value of these characters as the pod filling efficiency is low in Mung bean under drought stress.
Adaptation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) to high and low altitudes in Bali, Indonesia

Astarini IA, Defiani MR, Suriani NL, Griffiths PD, Stefanova K, Siddique KHM. 2020. Adaptation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) to high and low altitudes in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5263-5269. Broccoli is an important vegetable worldwide, with expanding markets and opportunities in Asia. In Indonesia, there is demand from high-end hotels, restaurants, and export markets, but the local supply is low quality and low yielding. Crown cuts are typically small and misshapen as the varieties are grown are not adapted to local environments. This study targeted new broccoli varieties to identify those best adapted to environmental stresses in Bali, Indonesia, using two-site replicated field experiments. Experiments were undertaken in two regions in Bali (Bedugul and Tabanan) using 13 commercial varieties that included heat-sensitive varieties and others identified as heat-tolerant in trials on the East Coast of the USA. The trials evaluated the varieties for crown initiation, days to maturity, crown size at harvest, crown diameter, and overall performance. The study demonstrated that all 13 varieties could be used for broccoli production in the Bedugul region (1200 m a.s.l. altitude), with Castle Dome being the best performer due to its earlier maturity and large high-quality crown. The varieties Bay Meadows, Belstar, Imperial, and Sarasota could be used in the Tabanan region.
THE APPLICATION OF PROBIOTIC DRYING WITH SIMPLE METHODS AND EFFECT ON BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVELS CHICKEN BROILER

Probiotic is indicated will improve and maintain the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract when it is consumed. This study aimed to know the influence of dried probiotic against the blood cholesterol level of the chicken broiler. Dried probiotics consist of four types of formulations; there are (A) 100% fermented cow’s milk, (B) combination of 75% fermented cow’s milk and 25% fermented mung bean milk, (C) combination of 75% fermented cow’s milk and 25% fermented soybean milk, and (D) combination of 50% fermented cow’s milk, 25% fermented mung bean milk, and 25% fermented soybean milk. Oven-dry method finished by using a 40oC for 25 hours, until the water content to 10%. The advantages of oven-dry are easy to operate and microorganisms still alive. The quality of dried probiotics can be seen from the pH, lactic acid levels, total lactic acid bacteria, and total bacteria. The results showed that pH ranges from 3.78 to 4.03 and lactic acid levels 0.64 to 0.74%. Each total of lactic acid bacteria is (A) 4.51 x 103 CFU/g, (B) 3.49 x 103 CFU/g, (C) 3.85 x 103 CFU/g, (D) 7.09 x 102 CFU/g. Meanwhile, each total bacterium (A) 1.27 x 103 CFU/g, (B) 6.10 x 106 CFU/g, (C) 1.70 x 103 CFU/g, and (D) 1.28 x 103 CFU/g. The study showed that dried probiotics administration effective to reduce broiler blood cholesterol levels, even though probiotic quality decreased especially the total lactic acid bacteria and total bacteria.
Two New Records of the Genus Minniza Simon (Pseudoscorpiones: Olpiidae) from Iran

Recent collections of pseudoscorpions in Fars Province-southern Iran resulted two new country records, Minniza gallagheri Mahnert and M. nigrimanus Mahnert. The species are illustrated and also, some notes on the morphometric ranges and the morphological characters of each species are given here.
Tuberculosis and tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV: immunological review of manifestation and immunopathogenesis

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection that makes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection more complicated. TB-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) mainly refers to an excessive immune response among HIV-infected patients. In HIV-infected patients, IRIS occurs after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), irrespective of increased CD4 count and effective suppression of HIV viremia; IRIS may occur at any stage in the progression of immunodeficiency and manifests with weakened immune system. IRIS is associated with various inflammatory processes as the outcome of immunological reaction against a variety of opportunistic infections (OIs). Currently, there is no reliable biological marker available for diagnosis of TB-IRIS. In accordance with current clinical case definition, deterioration of clinical and radiological symptoms of pre-existing TB infection in HIV patients is called “paradoxical TB-IRIS”. The appearance of a previously undiagnosed or new TB infection during ART treatment is called “unmasking TB-IRIS”. IRIS is a challenging complication for researchers and medical practitioners, as the incidence of IRIS is between 3-40% in patients initiated on ART. The variation in incidence probably reflects the differences in case definitions, patients’ population studied, and individual resource-limited settings. The immune pathogenesis of IRIS is poorly understood, and epidemiology partially defined. The complication for clinicians remains challenging in terms of diagnosis and treatment as well as patients’ suffering, even though, the mortality is typically low. HIV AIDS Rev 2020; 19, 2: 67-73 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/hivar.2020. 96486
Desenvolvimento do protótipo de um alimento a base de aveia e soja enriquecido com prebióticos, vitaminas e minerais para atender às necessidades nutricionais de adultos e idosos brasileiros

Mediante a utilizacao de um questionario sobre habitos de consumo e da tecnica focal de entrevistas, obteve-se um perfil de comportamento de consumo de alimentos processados e in natura de duas amostras da populacao adulta e idosa brasileira. A primeira foi realizada com 73 voluntarios do Nucleo de Estudos da Terceira Idade (NETI) da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, em Florianopolis, estado de Santa Catarina e a segunda com 295 participantes, selecionados aleatoriamente na cidade de Serranopolis do Iguacu, estado do Parana. Os dados coletados revelaram que ambas as populacoes tem expectativas quanto a alimentos saudaveis e apresentaram dificuldades na leitura do texto de rotulagem dos alimentos. Face aos resultados apresentados, este trabalho visou o desenvolvimento do prototipo de um alimento a base de aveia e soja, enriquecido com minerais, vitaminas e prebioticos, de forma a atender nao somente as expectativas apontadas mas tambem as necessidades fisiologicas e sensoriais desta populacao. Apresenta tambem como sugestao para o painel secundario do texto de rotulagem, um tamanho de fonte de letra acima de 10 para melhor visualizacao das informacoes nutricionais constantes nos rotulos dos alimentos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Expectativas de consumo; adultos; idosos; alimento enriquecido; prebioticos.
As-mineral-humic substance interactions - Influence of natural organic matter on sorption and mobility of As

17 18 Natural organic matter (NOM) can affect the behavior of arsenic within surface and subsurface 19 environments. We used batch and column experiments with ferrihydrite-coated sand to determine the 20 effect of peat humic acids (HA), groundwater fulvic acids (GFA), and a soil organic matter (SOM) 21 extract on As sorption and transport. A reactive transport model was used to quantitatively interpret the 22 breakthrough experiments. We found that As(III) breakthrough was faster than As(V) by up to 18 and 23 14% with and without OM, respectively. The fastest breakthrough occurred in systems containing SOM 24 and GFA. Dialysis and ultrafiltration of samples from breakthrough experiments showed that in systems 25 containing OM, As was transported mostly as free (non-complexed) dissolved As but also as ternary As26 Fe-OM colloids and dissolved complexes. In OM-free systems, As was transported in colloidal form or 27 as free ion. During desorption, As(III) desorbed to a greater extent (23-37%) than As(V) (10-16%), with 28 SOM showing highest and OM-free the lowest amount of desorption. Overall, the results demonstrate 29 that (i) NOM can mobilize As as dissolved complexes/colloids, (ii) different fractions of NOM are 30 capable of As mobilization and (iii) freshly extracted SOM (from a forest soil) had greater impact on As 31 transport than purified FA/HA. 32