Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age- and time-of-day dependence of glymphatic function in the human brain measured via two diffusion MRI methods

Advanced age, accompanied by impaired glymphatic function, is a key risk factor for many neurodegenerative diseases. To study age-related differences in the human glymphatic system, we measured the influx and efflux activities of the glymphatic system via two non-invasive diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, ultra-long echo time and low-b diffusion tensor imaging (DTIlow–b) measuring the subarachnoid space (SAS) flow along the middle cerebral artery and DTI analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) along medullary veins in 22 healthy volunteers (aged 21–75 years). We first evaluated the circadian rhythm dependence of the glymphatic activity by repeating the MRI measurements at five time points from 8:00 to 23:00 and found no time-of-day dependence in the awake state under the current sensitivity of MRI measurements. Further test–retest analysis demonstrated high repeatability of both diffusion MRI measurements, suggesting their reliability. Additionally, the influx rate of the glymphatic system was significantly higher in participants aged >45 years than in participants aged 21–38, while the efflux rate was significantly lower in those aged >45 years. The mismatched influx and efflux activities in the glymphatic system might be due to age-related changes in arterial pulsation and aquaporin-4 polarization.
Growth of the Sol-Gel Based ZnO:Al Thin Films with High Doping Concentration

Preferentially oriented Al-doped ZnO thin films with doping concentration of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 mol% respectively were prepared on glass substrates via sol-gel route. The crystallinity of films was characterized by X-ray diffraction and the surface morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that ZnO:Al films at low doping concentration (1, 2 mol%) grow into dense homogenous microstructure. However, as for high doping concentration (3, 5, 10 mol%), Al3+ precipitate in the form of amorphous Al2O3 and ZnO:Al films exhibit heterogeneous nucleation and exceptional growth of the big plate-like crystals at the interface of the amorphous Al2O3 and ZnO:Al matrix.
Phosphides: Solid-State Chemistry

The solid-state chemistry of phosphides, phosphide oxides, and phosphide halides is reviewed. Phosphorus is outstanding, since no other element approaches phosphorus in the variety of homoatomic connected polyanions formed, as a result of its relatively low electronegativity and stereochemical features. The article covers the various synthesis techniques for solid-state phosphides, the crystal chemistry, and chemical bonding. Besides the metal-rich phosphides with pronounced metal–metal bonding, the large family of polyphosphides, which exhibits an unexpected wealth of chemical composition, is discussed. Furthermore, the largely varying magnetic, electronic, and catalytic properties are reviewed. Keywords: phosphides; chemical bonding; magnetism; superconductivity; solid-state synthesis; crystal chemistry; Zintl-Klemm concept; Zintl compounds
The Inverse Kinetics Method and PID Compensation of the Annular Core Research Reactor

This thesis explores the development of a model describing the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR), the application of the inverse kinetics method to calculate the current reactivity level within the ACRR model, and the development of a PID compensator to automatically control the reactivity level within the model and thus controlling the power level.
Reactions of Gaseous Mercury with Atomic and Molecular Halogens: Kinetics, Product Studies, and Atmospheric Implications

Rapid depletions of atmospheric mercury (Hg0) and ozone coinciding with high halogen concentrations have recently been observed in several high-Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. The lack of kinetic data on the halogen-initiated reactions of elemental mercury precluded the drawing of any conclusions on the chemistry of these mercury depletion events. We carried out extensive kinetic and product studies on the reactions of gaseous Hg0 with molecular and atomic halogens (X/X2 where X = Cl, Br) at atmospheric pressure (750 ± 1 Torr) and room temperature (298 ± 1 K) in air and N2. Kinetics of the reactions with X/X2 was studied using relative and absolute techniques by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS) and gas chromatography with mass spectroscopic detection (GC-MS). The measured rate constants for reactions of Hg0 with Cl2, Cl, Br2, and Br were (2.6 ± 0.2) × 10-18, (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10-11, <(0.9 ± 0.2) × 10-16, and (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. The reaction products were analy.
Efficacy of Cellulose Degrading Microbial Strains on the Decomposition of Sewage Water Microalgae for the Production of Biogas

Sewage water microalgae are potential sources of feed stock for the production of biofuel. In this study, six treatment combinations of microbial strains (C, N1 and N2) in single and combined treatments were used in a 5L plastic container as anaerobic digester. The use of sewage water microalgae alone was used as a negative control; and a separate application of effective microorganisms (EM) were used for comparison. A volume of 3L sewage water suspension containing 300g of microalgae biomass were used in all plastic containers as a feedstock. All treatment applications including the control showed some activity of pressure development in each bag per treatment per cycle except the combined treatment of strain (C, N1, N2). Significant volume of biogas production (4-5L/300g)) and pressure development (517.80 and 544.35 Nm was observed in the first cycle when using cellulose degrading microorganism (C) alone and the combined treatment with nitrogen fixing strain (N1), respectively.
pH-sensitive drug delivery systems by radical polymerization of gelatin derivatives

The objective of this article was the synthesis and characterization of protein-based microspheres able to respond to pH changes using methacrylated gelatin hydrolyzed, methacrylic acid sodium salt and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as protein monomer, pH-responsive functional monomer, and cross-linking agent, respectively. Reverse-phase suspension polymerization as synthetic technique was adopted and, varying the molar ratios of the reagents in the polymerization feed, three different hydrogels were obtained. These were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and dimensional analyses to verify the spherical shape and the dimensional distribution. Then, Fourier transform infrared spectra and water uptake experiments at acidic and neutral pH were performed, in order to verify the copolymerization of all the components and the pH-responsivity, respectively. Finally, after loading of the microspheres with a common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as diclofenac sodium salt, drug release experiments in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1) and in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7) were performed, confirming the suitability of the obtained materials as drug delivery devices. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Spin coated amorphous chalcogenide films: Structural characterization

Thin films that are substantially amorphous arsenic sulfide have been prepared by spin deposition from solutions of n‐propylamine or n‐butylamine. These materials have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared absorption, and elemental analysis. A structural model is suggested based on As2S3 clusters surrounded by amine as an amine salt.
An amperometric microsensor for the determination of H2S in aquatic environments

A new amperometric microsensor for detection of dissolved H2S in aquatic environments was developed. The design of the microsensor is based on the same principle as the Clark-type oxygen microsensor. The sensor is equipped with a glass-coated platinum working electrode and a platinum guard electrode positioned in an outer glass casing (tip diameter 20−100 μm). Both working electrode and guard electrode were polarized at a fixed value in the range from +85 to + 150 mV with respect to a counter electrode. The outer casing is sealed with a thin silicone membrane and filled with a buffered electrolyte solution containing ferricyanide (K3[Fe(CN)6]) as redox mediator. Hydrogen sulfide penetrates the silicone membrane and is oxidized by K3[Fe(CN)6], resulting in the formation of elemental sulfur and ferrocyanide (K4[Fe(CN)6]). The latter is electrochemically reoxidized at the exposed end of the platinum working electrode, thereby creating a current that is directly proportional to the dissolved H2S concentration.
Die Identifizierung zweier im Tenebriokot und in Hefe vorkommender Substanzen mit Juvenilhormonwirkung

Aus Hefe und Tenebriokot wurde durch chromatographische Reinigung eine Fraktion mit starker Juvenilhormonwirkung erhalten. Das chemische und chromatographische Verhalten der Aktivität sprach dafür, daß die hormonale Wirksamkeit hauptsächlich auf dem Gehalt an Farnesol und Farnesal beruhte. Synthetischer Farnesol und Farnesal rufen nach Injektion in Insekten Corpus allatum-Hormon-Wirkungen hervor.
Chemical modification of lignin-rich paper

The effect of long-term irradiation on the yellowing of paper made from acetylated and non-treated unbleached and hydrogen-peroxide-bleached spruce TMP has been studied. The simultaneous change in the concentration of phenolic hydroxyl groups that occurs on irradiation has also been determined. The yellowing was more pronounced in the hydrogen-peroxide-bleached TMP than in the unbleached TMP, indicating that new structures that are detrimental to the light stability are generated during bleaching. It is also evident that the brightness reversion proceeds more or less in two phases, i.e. a rapid initial phase followed by a slower phase. Acetylation was found to improve strongly the long-term light-stability of the examined TMP even at a low extent of derivatization. The improvement of the photostability coincided with a reduction in the initial concentration of phenolic hydroxyl groups present in the pulps. Irradiation for a short period of time decreased the number of free phenolic hydroxyl groups in the acetylated TMP paper samples, but new phenolic hydroxyl groups were generated on prolonged irradiation.
Studying Protein Folding and Aggregation by Laser Light Scattering

Originally published in: Protein Folding Handbook. Part I. Edited by Johannes Buchner and Thomas Kiefhaber. Copyright © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA Weinheim. Print ISBN: 3-527-30784-2 The sections in this article are Introduction Basic Principles of Laser Light Scattering Light Scattering by Macromolecular Solutions Molecular Parameters Obtained from Static Light Scattering (SLS) Molecular Parameters Obtained from Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Advantages of Combined SLS and DLS Experiments Laser Light Scattering of Proteins in Different Conformational States – Equilibrium Folding/Unfolding Transitions General Considerations, Hydrodynamic Dimensions in the Natively Folded State Changes in the Hydrodynamic Dimensions during Heat-induced Unfolding Changes in the Hydrodynamic Dimensions upon Cold Denaturation Denaturant-induced Changes of the Hydrodynamic Dimensions Acid-induced Changes of the Hydrodynamic Dimensions Dimensions in Partially Folded States – Molten Globules and States Comparison of the Dimensions of Proteins in Different Conformational States Scaling Laws for the Native and Highly Unfolded States, Hydrodynamic Modeling Studying Folding Kinetics by Laser Light Scattering General Considerations, Attainable Time Regions Hydrodynamic Dimensions of the Kinetic Molten Globule of Bovine α-Lactalbumin RNase A is Only Weakly Collapsed During the Burst Phase of Folding Misfolding and Aggregation Studied by Laser Light Scattering Overview: Some Typical Light Scattering Studies of Protein Aggregation Studying Misfolding and Amyloid Formation by Laser Light Scattering Overview: Initial States, Critical Oligomers, Protofibrils, Fibrils Aggregation Kinetics of Aβ Peptides Kinetics of Oligomer and Fibril Formation of PGK and Recombinant Hamster Prion Protein Mechanisms of Misfolding and Misassembly, Some General Remarks Protocols and Instrumentation Laser Light Scattering Instrumentation Basic Experimental Set-up, General Requirements Supplementary Measurements and Useful Options Commercially Available Light Scattering Instrumentation Experimental Protocols for the Determination of Molecular Mass and Stokes Radius of a Protein in a Particular Conformational State Acknowledgments Keywords: static light scattering; dynamic light scattering; amyloid; molten globule; hydrodynamic dimensions; protein misfolding
Identification of Volatile and Powerful Odorous Thiols in Bordeaux Red Wine Varieties

The use of a new technique combining low-temperature vacuum distillation with a specific chemical capture with an organomercuric compound enabled the extraction of volatile odorous thiols present at very low concentrations in the Bordeaux red wine varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The analysis of wine extracts by gas chromatography coupled with detection by olfactometry, flame photometry, and mass spectrometry led to the identification of three aromatic thiols: 3-mercapto-2-methylpropanol, identified for the first time in wine; 3-mercaptohexanol; and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate, already described in Sauvignon Blanc wines.
Room Temperature Ferromagnetism in Single-Crystalline Fe5Si3 Nanowires

We have investigated electrical and magnetic properties of single-crystalline Fe5Si3 nanowires. The nanowire ensemble shows ferromagnetic properties with a high Tc of 380 K, small coercivity, and no remanence in zero field at room temperature. Such magnetic properties of the single-crystalline nanowires should give a chance to realize not only novel nanospintronic devices but also biomedical applications. Electrical transport measurements on single Fe5Si3 nanowire device show metallic properties with low resistivity of 487 μ·Ω·cm. Fe5Si3 nanowires are the first example of single-crystalline metallic ferromagnet with a Tc higher than room temperature.
Role of C/EBP Homologous Protein in Photoreceptor and Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) is a pro-apoptotic, transcription factor, and an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced marker of the unfolded protein response. The purpose of our study was to delineate the role of CHOP in photoreceptor and RGC death. We used CHOP knockout (Chop-/-) and C57BL/6J (WT) mice and the following two mouse models of retinal degeneration: the T17M RHO model and the retinal I/R model. We found that CHOP deficiency led to a significant reduction in ERG a-wave amplitudes and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer at P30. Also, we observed significant downregulation of mouse Rho, T17M RHO, Crx, Nrl, sXBP1 and P300 whereas the expression of peIF2α and Hdac1 was significantly increased in the ADRP mouse retina. CHOP was found to be upregulated in the RGCs 3 d after I/R and deficiency of CHOP significantly increased RGC survival at 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d after I/R. RGC function was also found to be improved at 3 d and 7 d after I/R. These results indicate that 1) CHOP plays a cytoprotective role in T17M ADRP photoreceptors and ablation of CHOP does not prevent loss of photoreceptors and 2) CHOP knockout partially protects against loss of RGC number and function after retinal I/R. In conclusion, CHOP contributes significantly to the survival and death pathways of photoreceptors and RGCs and modulation of the CHOP-mediated apoptotic pathway could help in the development of plausible treatment strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. ROLE OF C/EBP HOMOLOGOUS PROTEIN IN PHOTORECEPTOR AND RETINAL
Study of Cyanine Dye Binding to Amino Acids and Its Analytical Utility

Investigation of the NIR cyanine dye MHI‐36 shows binding affinity to charged amino acids. This cyanine dye showed aggregation and dimerformation at higher dye concentration (2.0x10 ‐3 M) induced by lysine. When dye concentration decreased to 1.0x10 ‐4 M no strong aggregate formation was viewed. Dye shows strong binding and selectivity properties towards charged amino acids lysine and arginine, compared to neutral leucine. It's believed the positively charged presence was able to break and disrupt the conjugated π‐ π bonds at lower dye concentration. Computational work showed intramolecular aggregation of the phenyl groups on the dye. These aggregates are believed to create electron rich environment suitable for lysine interaction. iv DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this work too my father, mother and sister. Thank you for your support. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Even though this seems like a personal achievement I believe anyone that has been in contact with me the past two years has played some part in this accomplishment. First and foremost I would like to thank God because he provided the strength I needed to reach my mountain top. My supportive and loving parents who believed in me. My out of town sister (lol), who has helped me understand the importance of education and to the rest of my family, all my Uncles, Aunts, cousins, and friends who have encouraged me more than they know. Dr. Patonay, thank you for providing more questions than answers. The freedom and flexibility you provided me helped me understand how to be a true scientist. Garfield, all the numerous conversation we had, majority non‐chemistry related. Sang Hooh Kim, Kristen Ashbey and other members of Patonay group. The rest of chemistry students I have met along the way. and all the other professors that I have had the pleasure of attending their class.
Microextraction using packed sorbent as an effective and high-throughput sample extraction technique: Recent applications and future trends.

Abstract In the last decade, several developments, particularly in the liquid chromatography and hyphenated techniques fields, have allowed researchers to reach analytical limits that are becoming very close to the single molecule level. Sample preparation, however, despite being a key step in the analytical methodology, did not track these developments and very few approaches able to cope with these stringent analytical requirements were developed. One such approach is microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), a sophisticated and miniaturized form of solid phase extraction that has reduced to the microliter scale every step of the sample extraction methodology including sample volume and solvent usage. Simultaneously, the amount of extraction phase used was also reduced and, more importantly, the sorbent is reusable dozens of times which significantly lowers the cost of analysis versus other solid-phase extraction approaches. In this review, we will update the state-of-the-art of the MEPS technique, focusing on the trends and applications reported since 2010 and future perspectives and developments that in our view will further improve the high-throughput potential and applications of this sample preparation methodology.
Heterogene Nukleierung und Kristallwachstum von CaCO-3(Calcit) in natürlichen Gewässern

Ths heterogeneous nucleation and crystal grouth of CaCO, (calcite) was investigated in the pH-range 7.5 8.5 and with 20 50-fold oversaturation (IAP/K Q). «f-Al-O. ,, algae and cellulose uere choosen as heterogeneous surfaces. The rate of nucleation depends on the kind and quantity of the heterogeneous surface, the oversaturation and the pH. The heterogeneous surfaces are able to catalyse the nucleation of calcite. The kinetics of growth is a surface-controlled process and may be described with the two pH-depended reactions Ca2+ + HCO
Condition monitoring of hydraulic systems using neural network for data analysis

Condition monitoring of engineering processes or equipment has become of paramount importance as there is a growing need for improved performance, reliability, safety and more efficient maintenance. Condition monitoring in railway industry as a whole covers a very wide field. To restrict the field we have confined ourselves to the non-intrusive monitoring of hydraulic systems. This thesis is mainly concerned with the investigation of the non-intrusive method based on ultrasonic concepts and neural networks for rapid condition monitoring and/or fault diagnosis of the hydraulic systems. A comparison between diagnosing hydraulic systems and electric systems is made. The location of faults in hydraulic systems is more difficult. The key to fault finding in hydraulic systems is the location of pressure. The development of pressure measurement instruments is reviewed. In case of trouble-shooting hydraulic systems, pressure readings are often required to be taken at several temporary locations. Since the hydraulic system is fully sealed, the direct measurement instruments can not be practically utilised for this purpose unless they are built-in during the production stage of the system. Instead, the indirect pressure measurement systems can be very helpful for rapid diagnosis of hydraulic systems. The new approach is a combination of the acoustic effect of the fully sealed oil inside the pipe and the penetrating capability of the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic wave energy enters the interior of the hydraulic piping and
Mobility and bioaccessibility of trace metals in soils assessed by conventional extraction procedures and passive diffusive samplers

Abstract Our objective was to verify the use of the diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) for assessment of metal mobility and bioaccessibility in soil and to compare the results with classical extraction procedures. Non-contaminated natural grassland and arable land soil samples from the South Moravian district, Czech Republic, both homogenised and undisturbed, were studied. DGT applied to soil cores gave information about the vicinity of the sampling probe related predominantly to the local structure and heterogeneity of the soil. However, measurement of mobile and kinetically labile metal species in the soil slurry could provide an approximation of the average information on plant accessible metals pools in soils, that was several orders of magnitude lower in comparison with results obtained by extraction procedures. Most DGT measured metals occurred in low molecular labile forms as demonstrated by using the diffusive gels with different pore size. Concentration of metals measured in soil solution was used for R-value (cDGT/csol) calculation. The R-values (0.6–1.1) indicated high lability of Cd species at both sampling sites. In contrast to Cu and Ni (R=0.11–0.15), Pb was relatively labile in nature grassland near the highway with heavy traffic density (R= 0.45-0.75) in agreement with results obtained by extraction procedures.
Correlating the Shape, Surface Plasmon Resonance, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Gold Nanorods

We report the study correlating the shape, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of gold nanorods (NRs) in dilute colloids. A series of gold NRs with various aspect ratios was prepared via an improved seed-mediated technique. Increasing the aspect ratio finely tunes the position of the longitudinal plasmon mode of the NRs in a wide spectral range. This shape-dependent SPR behavior was simulated by Gans theory and the discrete dipole approximation method. The subtle influence of SPR on SERS was then demonstrated by gradually tuning the SPR wavelength across a fixed excitation line. SERS experiments and theoretically predicted electromagnetic enhancement by the three-dimensional finite-difference time domain method clearly demonstrate that overlapping SPR and the excitation line maximizes the SERS enhancement. This correlation thus enables a quick diagnosis of SERS intensity by looking at the position of the SPR band.