Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxic effect of transition metal complexes on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens

The present article describes the synthesis, structural features and toxicological studies of the complexes of the type [M(L)(dipy-amine)(H2O)] or [M(L)(bendan)(H2O)] where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), H2L = salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol, dipy-amine =di(2-pyridyal)amine, or bendan = bis(benzylidene)1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, electronic spectra, magnetic measurement and thermogravimetric analyses. The nature of the bonding has been discussed on the basis of infrared spectral data. A thermal study of the complexes has been carried out to ascertain their thermal stability. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectral data suggest a six-coordinated octahedral structure for these complexes. The complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) are paramagnetic, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) are diamagnetic in nature. The toxic effects of the investigated complexes were tested against three Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens by the “Disc Diffusion Method”. It is observed that the complexes show higher toxic effects as compared to the ligands, metal salts and control (DMSO), but moderate toxic effects as compared to the standard drug (tetracycline) and the results are discussed.
Energy Gap and Temperature Dependence of Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Porphyrin-Quinone Cyclophanes

We have investigated intramolecular photoinduced charge separation and recombination in a series of cyclophane-bridged porphyrin-quinone systems by means of time-resolved fluorescence decay measurements. Rates of charge separation have been determined as a function of the free energy change of the reaction, of the polarity of the solvent, and of the temperature. In some systems a long-lived fluorescence is observed which is attributed to a thermal repopulation of the initially excited state from the charge transfer state. This delayed fluorescence allows the calculation of the rate of recombination in these cases. The observation of delayed fluorescence for a particular donor-acceptor compound in some solvent serves as a reference for the reaction free energy of the respective charge separation ([Delta]G[sub cs] [approx equal] 0 eV). The free energy change in other systems is estimated by correcting for differences in the redox potentials of the respective porphyrins and quinones. Electronic couplings and reorganization energies are determined by globally fitting standard rate expressions as a function of the free energy change to the experimental rate data. 32 refs., 5 figs., 4 tabs.
Association between GH (g.1456_1457insT), GHRH (g.4474 C>A), and Pit-1 (g.244G>A) Polymorphisms and Lactation Traits in Holstein Friesian Cattle

Lactation traits are controlled by many genes, among others, potentially by growth genes. This research was conducted to study genetic polymorphisms of GH, GHRH, and Pit-1 genes and associations of GH (g.1456_1457 InsT), GHRH (g.4474 C>A), and Pit-1 (g.244 G>A) genotypes with milk yield and quality in Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle. Genotyping was conducted for HF dairy cows raised by small farmers from North Lembang (SF-NL) (98 heads) and South Lembang (SF-SL) (95 heads), and also from Cikole Dairy Cattle Station (CDCS) (82 heads) in Lembang, West Java, Indonesia. Progeny tested of HF bulls (17 heads) from LAIC (Lembang Artificial Insemination Center) in West Java and from SAIC (Singosari AIC) (32 heads) in East Java were also genotyped. Effects of genotypes on test day milk yield, fat content, and SNF content were analyzed by General Linear Models. The GHRH g.4474 C>A SNP and Pit-1 g.244 G>A SNP generated high frequencies of C allele to A allele, while the two allelic frequencies of the GH g. 1456_1457 InsT varied. Compared to the AA and AC genotypes, the CC genotype of the GH gene resulted higher test day milk yield (p<0.01), fat content (p<0.05), and SNF content (p<0.05). Further the CC genotype of the GHRH gene yielded higher milk yield (p<0.05), while the GG genotype of the Pit-1 gene resulted higher fat content (p<0.05). Therefore the GH g. 1456_1457 InsT, GHRH g.4474 C>A SNP, and Pit-1 g.244 G>A SNP are potential to be used as molecular markers for selection on milk yield and quality in domestic HF cattle.
Jumping Locomotion Strategies: From Animals to Bioinspired Robots

Jumping is a locomotion strategy widely evolved in both invertebrates and vertebrates. In addition to terrestrial animals, several aquatic animals are also able to jump in their specific environments. In this paper, the state of the art of jumping robots has been systematically analyzed, based on their biological model, including invertebrates (e.g., jumping spiders, locusts, fleas, crickets, cockroaches, froghoppers and leafhoppers), vertebrates (e.g., frogs, galagoes, kangaroos, humans, dogs), as well as aquatic animals (e.g., both invertebrates and vertebrates, such as crabs, water-striders, and dolphins). The strategies adopted by animals and robots to control the jump (e.g., take-off angle, take-off direction, take-off velocity and take-off stability), aerial righting, land buffering, and resetting are concluded and compared. Based on this, the developmental trends of bioinspired jumping robots are predicted.
Dynamic positive column in long-gap barrier discharges

A simple analytical model of the barrier discharge in a long gap between opposing plane electrodes is developed. It is shown that the plasma density becomes uniform over a large part of the gap in the course of the discharge development, virtually forming a dynamic positive column. The column completely controls the dynamics of the barrier discharge and determines such characteristics as the discharge current, discharge duration, light output, etc. Using the proposed model, one can easily evaluate many important discharge parameters.
Bioengineered Scaffolds for Thermo-responsive Drug Delivery in Wound Healing

innate and adaptive immune responses lead to wound healing by regulating a complex series of events promoting cellular cross-talk. An inflammatory response is presented with its characteristic clinical symptoms: heat, pain, redness, and swelling. Some smart thermo-responsive polymers like chitosan can be used to create biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds with 3D architectures similar to human structures, allowing their efficient and safe use as tissue engineering and drug delivery systems in chronic wounds. Locally heated tumors above polymer lower critical solution temperature can induce its conversion into a hydrophobic form, enhancing drug release until the thermal stimulus is gone, where a lower release is due to the swelling of the material. This paper integrates the relevant reported contributions of bioengineered scaffolds for thermo-responsive drug delivery in wound healing. Therefore, we present a comprehensive review that aims to demonstrate the capacity of these systems to provide spatially and temporally controlled release strategies for one or more drugs used in wound healing. In this sense, the novel manufacturing techniques of 3D-printing and electrospinning are explored for the tuning of their physicochemical properties to adjust therapies according to the patient’s convenience, as well as reduce drug toxicity and side effects.
Sub‐Picosecond Response Time of a Hybrid VO2:Silicon Waveguide at 1550 nm

Hybrid material systems are a promising approach for extending the capabilities of silicon photonics. Given the weak electro‐optic and thermo‐optic effects in silicon, there is intense interest in integrating an ultrafast‐switching phase‐change material with a large refractive index contrast into the waveguide, such as vanadium dioxide (VO2). It is well established that the phase transition in VO2 thin films can be triggered by ultrafast, 800 nm laser pulses, and that pump‐laser fluence is a critical determinant of the recovery time of thin films irradiated by femtosecond pulses. However, thin‐film experiments are not reliable guides to a VO2:Si system for all‐optical, on‐chip switching because of the differences in VO2 optical constants in the telecommunication band, and the complex sample geometry and alignment issues in a waveguide geometry. This paper reports the first demonstration that the reversible, ultrafast photoinduced phase transition in VO2 can achieve sub‐picosecond response when small VO2 volumes are integrated into a silicon waveguide as the active element. The result suggests that VO2 can be pursued as a strong candidate for waveguide switching with sub‐picosecond on‐off times.
Les conséquences du réchauffement climatique sur les hôtes intermédiaires de Fasciola hepatica en Haute-Vienne

Dans le département de la Haute-Vienne, deux espèces de limnées : Galba truncatula et Omphiscola glabra, sont connues pour être des hôtes intermédiaires dans le cycle de vie d’un parasite, Fasciola hepatica. Ces deux mollusques montrent, à l’heure actuelle, un déclin dans le nombre des populations et la superficie de leurs habitats. Pour expliquer ce déclin, le réchauffement climatique a été proposé comme l’un des facteurs possibles. Comme plusieurs épisodes de canicule ont eu lieu dans le département en 2015, 2018 et 2019, des investigations ont été effectuées en 2020 dans 190 prairies marécageuses pour dénombrer les populations de chaque espèce, les individus transhivernants de chaque population et préciser la superficie de leurs habitats. Si l’on ne tient pas compte du type d’habitat, le nombre global des populations en 2020 a diminué de 37,5 % chez G. truncatula et de 23,7 % chez O. glabra par rapport aux relevés effectués par notre équipe dans les mêmes prairies en 2013-2014. De même, la densité globale des individus transhivernants a présenté une diminution de 74,7 % chez G. truncatula et de 55,4 % chez O. glabra. L’ampleur de la chute pour ces deux paramètres a présenté des variations selon le type d’habitat. Par contre, les habitats de G. truncatula et la plupart des sites avec O. glabra n’ont pas montré de variation significative dans leur superficie entre les deux périodes d’étude. Entre 2013-2014 et 2020, 11 populations de G. truncatula et six d’O. glabra se sont déplacées vers l’aval sur le cours même des rigoles de drainage et parfois jusqu’au fossé principal. Sept habitats peuplés par les deux espèces de limnées ont également été observés dans les prairies étudiées en 2020 alors qu’il n’y en avait pas en 2013-2014. Ces changements dans l’écologie et la dynamique des deux espèces de limnées doivent être rapportés en grande partie à l’effet des épisodes de canicule qui ont eu lieu dans le département au cours des années passées.
Is Classroom Gamification Opposed to Performance?

Learning through digital media is currently considered as a mixture of methodologies that aim to approach the reality of students to motivate them. Gamification emerges as one of the pedagogical methodologies on the rise in digital classrooms, but is it really practical? What are its effects? A gamification longitudinal case-study experience was carried out in the subject: complements for disciplinary training in technology of the master’s degree of secondary school teachers (technology specialty) that is taught at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, where gamified activities and alternatives to traditional master teaching have been introduced in a progressive way throughout three academic years (2016/17 to 2018/19). The results show that there is a negative correlation between the numerical scores of the different components of the evaluation and the marks obtained in the activities of gamification. It is surprising that the group less involved in the gamification obtained better academic results, although gamification improved the motivation and the valuations of the subject, due to the inclusion of more games in the course. This raises doubts on whether the positive effects of gamification on the climate of the classroom and on motivation are opposed to academic results.
The effect of a psycho-educational intervention on sexuality of women with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often have sexual dysfunction, and difficulty with sexual adjustment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PLLISIT sexual counseling on sexual function, self-perception and adjustment of women with ACS patients. A total of 34 women aged 30–65 years with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received three sessions of one-hour PLLISIT-based sexual counseling and the control group received routine care. Female sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Self-Perception and Adjustment Questionnaire (SSPAQ) were used at baseline, one month and 3 months later for evaluation. There was no significant difference in FSFI and SSPAQ scores at baseline between the two groups. However, three months after intervention, both mean FSFI and SSPAQ scores rose significantly in intervention group (P = 0.022). Subscales of sexual desire, subjective arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction in FSFI as well as sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual satisfaction in SSPAQ also showed significant improvement after intervention. Considering the effectiveness of PLLISIT-based sexual counseling on sexual function and sexual adjustment in our patient with ACS, this intervention can be used to improve sexuality in these women.
An Inter-Model Comparison for Wave Interactions with Sea Dikes on Shallow Foreshores

Three open source wave models are applied in 2DV to reproduce a large-scale wave flume experiment of bichromatic wave transformations over a steep-sloped dike with a mildly-sloped and very shallow foreshore: (i) the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations solver interFoam of OpenFOAM® (OF), (ii) the weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics model DualSPHysics (DSPH) and (iii) the non-hydrostatic nonlinear shallow water equations model SWASH. An inter-model comparison is performed to determine the (standalone) applicability of the three models for this specific case, which requires the simulation of many processes simultaneously, including wave transformations over the foreshore and wave-structure interactions with the dike, promenade and vertical wall. A qualitative comparison is done based on the time series of the measured quantities along the wave flume, and snapshots of bore interactions on the promenade and impacts on the vertical wall. In addition, model performance and pattern statistics are employed to quantify the model differences. The results show that overall, OF provides the highest model skill, but has the highest computational cost. DSPH is shown to have a reduced model performance, but still comparable to OF and for a lower computational cost. Even though SWASH is a much more simplified model than both OF and DSPH, it is shown to provide very similar results: SWASH exhibits an equal capability to estimate the maximum quasi-static horizontal impact force with the highest computational efficiency, but does have an important model performance decrease compared to OF and DSPH for the force impulse.
Time-resolved near-infrared technique for bedside monitoring of absolute cerebral blood flow

A primary focus of neurointensive care is monitoring the injured brain to detect harmful events that can impair cerebral blood flow (CBF). Since current non-invasive bedside methods can only indirectly assess blood flow, the goal of this research was to develop an optical technique for measuring absolute CBF. A time-resolved near-infrared (NIR) apparatus was built and its ability to accurately measure changes in optical properties was demonstrated in tissue-mimicking phantoms. The time-resolved system was combined with a bolus-tracking method for measuring CBF using the dye indocyanine green (ICG) as an intravascular flow tracer. Cerebral blood flow was measured in newborn piglets and for comparison, CBF was concurrently measured using a previously developed continuous-wave NIR method. Measurements were acquired with both techniques under three conditions: normocapnia, hypercapnia and following occlusion of the carotid arteries. Mean CBF values (N = 3) acquired with the TR-NIR system were 31.9 ± 11.7 ml/100g/min during occlusion, 39.7 ± 1.6 ml/100g/min at normocapnia, and 58.8 ± 9.9 ml/100g/min at hypercapnia. Results demonstrate that the developed TR-NIR technique has the sensitivity to measure changes in CBF; however, the CBF measurements were approximately 25% lower than the values obtained with the CW-NIRS technique.
Parallel computing efficiency of SWAN

Abstract. Effective and accurate ocean and coastal wave predictions are necessary for engineering, safety and recreational purposes. Refining predictive capabilities is increasingly critical to reduce the uncertainties faced with a changing global wave climatology. Simulating WAves in the Nearshore (SWAN) is a widely used spectral wave modelling tool employed by coastal engineers and scientists, including for operational wave forecasting purposes. Fore- and hindcasts can span hours to decades and a detailed understanding of the computational efficiencies is required to design optimized operational protocols and hindcast scenarios. To date, there exists limited knowledge on the relationship between the size of a SWAN computational domain and the optimal amount of parallel computational threads required to execute a simulation effectively. To test this, a hindcast cluster of 28 computational threads (1 node) was used to determine the computation efficiencies of a SWAN model configuration for southern Africa. The model extent and resolution emulate the current operational wave forecasting configuration developed by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). We implemented and compared both OpenMP and the Message Passing Interface (MPI) distributing memory architectures. Three sequential simulations (corresponding to typical grid cell numbers) were compared to various permutations of parallel computations via the speed-up ratio, time saving ratio and efficiency tests. Generally, a computational node configuration of 6 threads produced the most effective computational set-up based on wave hindcasts of one-week duration. The use of more than 20 threads resulted in a decrease in speed-up ratio for the smallest computation domain, owing to the increased sub-domain communication times for limited domain sizes.
Vertical Distribution Characteristics of Outdoor
Particles Concentrations in High-Rise Buildings

With speeding up urbanization in China, it is important to understand the vertical distribution characteristics of outdoor particulate matter concentrations of high-rise buildings. A high-rise building at different heights (1st, 7th, 11th, 17th, 23th, and 27th floors) in a university in Xi’an was tested and analyzed in this paper. Test time was 8:00, 12:00, 15:00, 15:00 and 22:00, respectively. The results showed that the concentration of each particulate matter changed the same trend roughly with the increase of vertical height at 8:00 and 22:00, as well as at 15:00 and 18:00. While the mass concentration of each particle showed a trend of first increased, then decreased and next then increased with the height increased when the time was 12:00. It caused by the inverse temperature. The particles between 0 and 1.0 μm accounted for more than 99.4% during the testing. There were mainly small particles in the atmosphere. PM1.0/PM10 and PM2.5/PM10 all showed a trend of first decreased and then increased at different vertical height. The highest points of PM2.5/PM10 and PM1.0/PM10 increased by 9.63% and 8.2% respectively from the lowest points, and the ratio was the highest at 15:00. At the same time, outdoor meteorological conditions would also affect the concentration distribution of particulate matters. This paper provides a reference for the development of high-rise buildings and the effective control of particulate matter concentration in high-rise buildings.
EFFECTS OF CONCENTRATION OF SUPPORTING SOLUTION ON SOIL SOLUTION ALUMINUM IN VARIABLE CHARGE SOILS

Characterization of soil solution aluminum (Al) as a predictor of Al toxicity to plant roots growing in acid soils has received increasing attention during recent years. However, release of Al into soil solution may depend on several soil properties and the concentration of supporting solution employed for displacing soil solution. For this study we obtained subsoil (0.6–0.8 m depth) samples of Bladen (Typic Albaquult) and Wedowee (Typic Hapludult) series from Georgia and a sample Podzolic (Epiaquic Haplustult) soil from Australia. Soil solution was displaced by centrifugation following 4 h equilibration with deionized water or solutions of CaCl2.2H2O at 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 mM concentration. The pH and ionic strength of displaced soil solutions were not influenced by the concentration of CaCl2 in the supporting solution from 0 to 1.0 mM. However, the pH of soil solutions decreased while the ionic strength increased when the concentration of CaCl2 in the supporting solution was increased to 10 or 100 mM. Concentrations of Al in soil solutions displaced by water or 0.1–1.0 mM CaCl2 solutions were much greater in predominantly smectitic-Bladen soil than in kaolinitic-Podzolic or Wedowee soils, although exchangeable Al was 78% greater in the Podzolic soil and only 36% lower in the Wedowee soil than in the Bladen soil. Concentration of Al in soil solution rapidly increased along with a decrease in pH and an increase in ionic strength when soil solution was displaced using 10 or 100 mM CaCl2 solutions. The sorption of calcium (Ca) was very similar to the release of other cations into soil solution in the Bladen soil, but it was greater than the release of other cations into soil solution in the Podzolic and Wedowee soils. Greater sorption of Ca from the supporting solution in the Podzolic and Wedowee soils than in the Bladen soil, due to an increase in surface charges, may be partly responsible for lower concentration of Al in displaced soil solution in the former soils than in the latter soil.
Pt Nanoparticles Dispersed on SnO2 Thin Films: A Microstructural Study

Abstract Platinum nanoparticles (3-5 nm) dispersed on polycrystalline SnO2 (8-25 nm) thin films were obtained by codeposition of Pt and SnO2 from ultrahigh frequency spraying of a solution. SnO2 grain size decreases as the platinum concentration increases (0-11%). A comparison is made with pure platinum films where Pt grain size (20-40 nm) is much greater than in Pt/SnO2 films. A HREM study shows well crystallized nanoparticles with good interaction between Pt particles and SnO2 grains. Contrary to other noble metal particles, no icosahedral or decahedral morphologies due to multitwinning are observed.