Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term performance of a membrane bioreactor treating table olive processing wastewater

BACKGROUND: Table olive processing wastewater (TOPW) is a seriously polluting and difficult to treat effluent, characterized by widely fluctuating pH and salinity, as well as high concentrations of organic matter and polyphenols. This systematic long-term study in a laboratory-scale pilot demonstrates that membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is effective in substantially bio-degrading TOPW. RESULTS: After implementation of an appropriate protocol of active biomass acclimatization/proliferation, the MBR pilot was operated for 6 months with real TOPW effluent, under various operating conditions. Total organic carbon (TOC) and total polyphenol (TPh) compounds removal efficiencies were very high with mean values 91.5 and 82.8%, respectively; nutrient (N and P) removal was also satisfactory. The membrane exhibited stable performance at moderate biomass concentration, with a tendency to deteriorate at higher biomass concentration. Fouled membrane permeability could be fully restored by implementing the usual chemical cleaning protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high percentage TOC and TPh removal, the MBR effluent requires final post-treatment to remove a yellowish tint and further reduce its organic content, depending on local discharge standards. The MBR can serve as the basic treatment process in an integrated scheme for TOPW management, which needs additional R&D to further develop and optimize.
The Specificity of the Anionic Requirement for Iron Oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

Summary: The anionic requirement for the oxidation of ferrous ions by suspensions of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was satisfied by selenate as well as sulphate. Selenate was toxic to the organism and suppressed growth in ferrous iron media, even in the presence of high concentrations of sulphate. After treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid at 0°C, T. ferrooxidans, which specifically required SO4 2- or SeO4 2- for iron oxidation, showed no activity in response to 12 other anions tested. However, after the introduction of SO4 2- or SeO4 2-, addition of anions such as TeO4 2-, WO4 2-, AsO4 3- or PO4 3- further enhanced the rate of iron oxidation. Under these conditions, Cl-, B4O7 2- and ClO3 - had no significant effect at low concentration, whereas Br-, NO3 - and MoO4 2- were inhibitory. These observations distinguish between a specific and a non-specific anionic requirement for the oxidation of ferrous ions by T. ferrooxidans. The specific requirement is satisfied only through the uptake of SO4 2- or SeO4 2- by the bacteria. The non-specific requirement is satisfied by any one of several anions, including SO4 2- and SeO4 2-, which are presumed to act as ligands for iron in solution.
Occurrence of Colorectal Cancer and the Influence of Medical Treatment in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study, 1997 to 2015.

BACKGROUND The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has previously been investigated with conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk of CRC in IBD, focusing on its modification by treatment. METHODS All patients with incident IBD (n = 35,908) recorded in the Danish National Patient Register between 1997 and 2015 (ulcerative colitis: n = 24,102; Crohn's disease: n = 9739; IBD unclassified: n = 2067) were matched to approximately 50 reference individuals (n = 1,688,877). CRC occurring after the index date was captured from the Danish Cancer Registry. Exposure to medical treatment was divided into categories including none, systemic 5-aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, and biologic treatment. The association between IBD and subsequent CRC was investigated by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS Of the IBD patients, 330 were diagnosed with CRC, resulting in a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.28) as compared with the reference individuals. However, when excluding patients diagnosed with CRC within 6 months of their IBD diagnosis, the HR decreased to 0.80 (95% CI, 0.71-0.92). Patients with ulcerative colitis receiving any medical treatment were at significantly higher risk of developing CRC than patients with ulcerative colitis who were not given medical treatment (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.81), whereas a similar effect of medical treatment was not observed in patients with Crohn's disease or IBD unclassified. CONCLUSIONS Medical treatment does not appear to affect the risk of CRC in patients with IBD. The overall risk of developing CRC is significantly increased in patients with IBD as compared with the general population. However, when excluding patients diagnosed with CRC within 6 months of their IBD diagnosis, the elevated risk disappears.
Odin–OSIRIS detection of the Chelyabinsk meteor

Abstract. On 15 February 2013 an 11 000 ton meteor entered Earth's atmosphere southeast of Chelyabinsk, creating a large fireball at 23 km altitude. The resulting stratospheric aerosol loading was detected by the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) in a high-altitude polar belt. This work confirms the presence and lifetime of the stratospheric debris using the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS) onboard the Odin satellite. Although OSIRIS coverage begins in mid-March, the measurements show a belt of enhanced scattering near 35 km altitude between 50° N and 70° N. Initially, enhancements show increased scattering of up to 15% over the background conditions, decaying in intensity and dropping in altitude until they are indistinguishable from background conditions by mid-May. An inversion is also attempted using the standard OSIRIS processing algorithm to determine the extinction in the meteoric debris.
Chronic Nasal Instillation of Residual-Oil Fly Ash (ROFA) Induces Brain Lipid Peroxidation and Behavioral Changes in Rats

Several epidemiological studies have linked particulate matter exposure to numerous adverse health effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems (Braga et al., 1999; ; ; ). More recently, ambient levels of black carbon were associated to impaired cognitive function in children (), suggesting that the central nervous system (CNS) may be a target of air pollutants. The present study was conducted to (a) determine whether chronic residual oil fly ash (ROFA) exposure promotes behavioral changes and lipid peroxidation in rat brain areas, and (b) determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a general antioxidant, prevents these effects. Forty-five-day-old male Wistar rats were exposed or not to ROFA by intranasal instillation and were treated or not with NAC (150 mg/kg) ip for 30 days. One day later, rats were submitted to the open field test to evaluate the motor/exploratory activities and emotionality followed by decapitation. Striatum and cerebellum were dissected to determine lipid peroxidation by the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). ROFA instillation induced an increase in lipid peroxidation level in striatum (p = .033) and cerebellum (p = .030), as compared with the control group. NAC treatment blocked these changes. ROFA promoted a decrease in the frequency of peripheral walking (p = .006) and a decrease in exploration (p = .001), which were not blocked by N-acetylcysteine. The present study provides evidence that toxic particles, administered by the respiratory route, induce oxidative stress in structures of the central nervous system, as well as behavioral alterations. The administration of NAC reduces lipid peroxidation at the striatum and cerebellum levels, but does not influence behavioral disturbances.
A new asymmetric Pseudo‐Voigt function for more efficient fitting of XPS lines

Asymmetric peak profiles for the application in spectroscopy can be obtained in a simple way by substituting the usually constant full width at half maximum parameter in Pseudo-Voigt functions with an energy-dependent expression, for instance of sigmoidal shape. While this approach has been successfully applied to vibrational spectra, we find that the resulting curves are less suitable for least-squares fits of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data. However, if one additionally allows a variable displacement of the sigmoidal step relative to the peak, excellent fitting results can be obtained. We demonstrate the applicability of our extended approach on several inherently asymmetric XPS lines, i.e. the C 1s signal of graphite and C2H2/Pd(100), the 3d5/2–3d3/2 doublet of palladium, and the 4f7/2–4f5/2 doublet of platinum. Comparison of the corresponding fit results with the results obtained by the application of more elaborate, theory-based line profiles (Doniach-Sunjic and Mahan functions) shows that the modified Pseudo-Voigt function gives practically identical results in terms of peak shape and area, while requiring much less computational effort since no convolution procedures are required for its calculation. Thus, this function is most suitable for application in one of the following situations: (i) the peak shape of a given signal is known but cannot be calculated with ease, and (ii) the theoretical peak shape is not (yet) known, however, one wants to perform a first quantitative screening of the data at issue. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scope of droplet size measurements in food emulsions by pulsed field gradient NMR at low field

Low‐field NMR instrumentation offers a user‐friendly and cost‐effective means for assessment of water and oil droplet size measurements in food emulsions. Examples are given of major food application areas, and these are supported with validation data in terms of precision and equivalence to other methods. The NMR method gives the same results as other techniques, such as microscopy, laser diffraction and electric sensing, but with similar or better precision. NMR distinguishes itself by a simple and non‐perturbing sample preparation procedure (in addition to the aforementioned advantages). For reliable results, the NMR parameters should be properly chosen and adjusted. A survey is given of experimental NMR parameters than can have an impact on the performance of water and oil droplet size determination. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demography of the Intertidal Fucoid Hormosira banksii: Importance of Recruitment to Local Abundance

Canopy‐forming macroalgae form the basis of diverse coastal ecosystems globally. The fucoid Hormosira banksii is often the dominant canopy‐forming macroalga in the temperate intertidal of southern Australia and New Zealand, where it is commonly associated with an understory of coralline turf. Hormosira banksii is susceptible to both natural and anthropogenic disturbance and despite its abundance, few studies have examined the demography of this important species. This study determined the demographic response of H. banksii to different gradients of disturbance to both its canopy and to the understory coralline turf. We established plots in which the density of H. banksii and/or understory coralline turf was manipulated in a pulse perturbation to simulate a disturbance event. The manipulated plots contained eight treatments ranging from 100% removal of H. banksii to 100% removal of the understory coralline turf. We then measured recruitment and followed individual recruits for up to 18 months to determine growth and survivorship. We found that H. banksii recruitment was seasonally variable throughout the experiment and highest over summer, survivorship of recruits was generally high, and the species was slow‐growing and long‐lived. Moreover, the level of disturbance did not seem to affect recruitment, growth, or survivorship and post‐recruitment mortality was independent of H. banksii density. In this system, it appears that H. banksii is a relatively long‐lived perennial species whose demography is density‐independent which appears to allow recovery from disturbance.
Step Edges in Thin Films of Lamellar-Forming Diblock Copolymer

Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) is used to study the step edges that occur in thin films of lamellar-forming diblock copolymer, when the surfaces each have an affinity for one of the polymer components. We examine film morphologies consisting of a stack of ν continuous monolayers and one semi-infinite bilayer, the edge of which creates the step. The line tension of each step morphology is evaluated and phase diagrams are constructed showing the conditions under which the various morphologies are stable. The predicted behavior is then compared to experiment. Interestingly, our atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of terraced films reveal a distinct change in the character of the steps with increasing ν, which is qualitatively consistent with our SCFT phase diagrams. Direct quantitative comparisons are not possible because the SCFT is not yet able to probe the large polymer/air surface tensions characteristic of experiment.
Properties of the Organic‐on‐Inorganic Semiconductor Barrier Contact Diodes In/PTCDI/p‐Si and Ag/CuPc/p‐Si

The properties are discussed of organic-on-inorganic (OI) semiconductor contact barrier diodes, where the 3, 4, 9, 10 perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) and the copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) serve as the organic thin film. The results presented can be fully understood in terms of the thermionic emission-space-charge-limited (TE-SCL) current model introduced for OI structures with prototypical aromatic compound; 3, 4, 9, 10 perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) vapour-deposited onto n- and p-Si substrates. Also, under moderate and high reverse bias voltages the results obtained can be understood in terms of the organic-on-inorganic heterojunction (OI-HJ) model. Comparisons between diode performances and theory are made. The contact barrier diodes exhibit high breakdown voltages and reverse dark currents limited by generation and recombination of carriers in the Si bulk. From the forward current-voltage characteristics at several temperatures, apparent OI contact barriers of Φbp = (0.63 ± 0.01) V for PTCDI and Φbp = (0.59 ± 0.02) V for CuPc, are formed with p-Si substrates. Studies of the I–U characteristics suggest the presence of an exponential trap distribution in the band-gap of the organic semiconductors used. The resulting diodes are superior in many respect to conventional Schottky diodes due to enhanced contact barriers and reduced edge effects.
Dietary fatty acids and CHD: from specific recommendations to dietary patterns

Abstract Several countries have issued dietary recommendations about total and specific fatty acid (FA) intake for the prevention of CHD. For many years until today, controversies have existed especially about the deleterious effect or not of SFA, and the protective effect or not of n-3 PUFA, so that some authors have criticised these recommendations. There are many reasons for these controversies, including the different conclusions of prospective cohort studies compared with randomised clinical trials (RCT), and the contradictory conclusions of meta-analyses depending on the quality, number and type of studies included. The interrelationships between different FA in the diet make it difficult to analyse the specific effect of a particular class of FA on CHD. Furthermore, based on clinical practice and effectiveness of population-based prevention, it is very difficult at the individual level to assess in personal dietary intake the actual percentage and/or amount of SFA contained in each meal or consumed daily/weekly. In this critical narrative review, we try to answer the question of whether it would not be more relevant, in 2020, to promote dietary patterns, rather than FA intake recommendations. We critically analyse past and recent data on the association of FA with CHD, then propose that the Mediterranean diet and Japanese diet should be revitalised for Westerners and Asian populations, respectively. This does not exclude the usefulness of continuing research about effects of FA towards CHD, and accepting that what seems true today might be revised, at least partially tomorrow.
TAPS Suicide Postvention ModelTM: A comprehensive framework of healing and growth

Abstract The TAPS Suicide Postvention ModelTM is a three-phase approach to suicide grief that offers a framework for survivors and providers in the aftermath of a suicide. This framework proposes guidance on how to build a foundation for an adaptive grief journey and creates a research-informed, proactive, intentional pathway to posttraumatic growth. The Model follows the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors’ peer-based model of care and has supported more than 16,000 military suicide loss survivors over the past decade. The Model is applicable to anyone grieving a suicide loss or coping with any associated trauma.
Nowcasting for Real-Time COVID-19 Tracking in New York City: An Evaluation Using Reportable Disease Data From Early in the Pandemic

Background Nowcasting approaches enhance the utility of reportable disease data for trend monitoring by correcting for delays, but implementation details affect accuracy. Objective To support real-time COVID-19 situational awareness, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene used nowcasting to account for testing and reporting delays. We conducted an evaluation to determine which implementation details would yield the most accurate estimated case counts. Methods A time-correlated Bayesian approach called Nowcasting by Bayesian Smoothing (NobBS) was applied in real time to line lists of reportable disease surveillance data, accounting for the delay from diagnosis to reporting and the shape of the epidemic curve. We retrospectively evaluated nowcasting performance for confirmed case counts among residents diagnosed during the period from March to May 2020, a period when the median reporting delay was 2 days. Results Nowcasts with a 2-week moving window and a negative binomial distribution had lower mean absolute error, lower relative root mean square error, and higher 95% prediction interval coverage than nowcasts conducted with a 3-week moving window or with a Poisson distribution. Nowcasts conducted toward the end of the week outperformed nowcasts performed earlier in the week, given fewer patients diagnosed on weekends and lack of day-of-week adjustments. When estimating case counts for weekdays only, metrics were similar across days when the nowcasts were conducted, with Mondays having the lowest mean absolute error of 183 cases in the context of an average daily weekday case count of 2914. Conclusions Nowcasting using NobBS can effectively support COVID-19 trend monitoring. Accounting for overdispersion, shortening the moving window, and suppressing diagnoses on weekends—when fewer patients submitted specimens for testing—improved the accuracy of estimated case counts. Nowcasting ensured that recent decreases in observed case counts were not overinterpreted as true declines and supported officials in anticipating the magnitude and timing of hospitalizations and deaths and allocating resources geographically.
Ultraviolet photoemission studies of the bonding of CO to the ZnO (101̄0) surface and its interaction with atomic hydrogen

Angle integrated and angle resolved He ii photoemission spectroscopy have been used to characterize the adsorption of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on the ZnO (1010) surface, and to study their interaction. Hydrogen chemisorption is consistent with the formation of H+ (as (OH)−) and H− (as (ZnH)+) at high coverages due to the requirement of surface charge compensation. The primary interaction between the surface hydrogen and adsorbed CO is found to be site competition.
Analytical approaches for the assessment of free fatty acids in oils and fats

Free fatty acids (FFA) are produced by the hydrolysis of oils and fats. The level of FFA depends on time, temperature and moisture content because the oils and fats are exposed to various environments such as storage, processing, heating or frying. Since FFA are less stable than neutral oil, they are more prone to oxidation and to turning rancid. Thus, FFA is a key feature linked with the quality and commercial value of oils and fats. The American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS), the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and the European Commission (EC) Regulations have established almost identical standard methods for the assessment of FFA. These methods are based on titration, where oils or fats need to be dissolved in hot neutralized ethanol or ethanol/diethyl ether using phenolphthalein as an end point indicator. Titrimetric procedures are, however, laborious and need large amounts of chemicals and solvents. The cost of chemicals and environmental issues further limit these procedures. In addition, accurate detection of end points, especially for highly colored crude oil using a colorimetric indicator, is a difficult task. Despite these disadvantages, the titration method is unfortunately still being used in most of the edible-oil industries for the determination of FFA. Because of a lack of any comprehensive review on this very important topic, we have made an attempt to present a review in order to discuss the various methods available with special emphasis on the instrumental methods because of their high sensitivity, accuracy and rapidity.
Synthesis of Oil-Dispersible Hexagonal-Phase and Hexagonal-Shaped NaYF4:Yb,Er Nanoplates

Oil-dispersible α-NaYF4 spherical nanoparticles and β-NaYF4 hexagonal-shaped nanoplates were synthesized by the liquid−solid two-phase approach at different reaction temperatures. The TEM and FE-SEM images reveal that the nanoplates have a relatively narrow size distribution. In comparison with other methods, pure β-NaYF4 hexagonal-shaped nanoplates were prepared under a relatively mild condition. The nanoplates grew at the liquid−solid interface with slow crystallization rate, which may be preferable for achieving β-NaYF4.
Effects of acid treatment on the improvement of specific capacitance and deionization efficiency of porous carbon electrodes.

We report the effect of acid treatment on porous carbon materials on their double layer capacitance and electrosorption of ions in capacitive deionization systems. The as-received activated carbon cloth (ACC) had the capacitance value of 210 F/g and was markedly (∼175%) improved when treated with acid solution. Surface functional groups such as hydroxyl, quinines, lactones and ethers on carbon after modification were increased by 40% and 29% with HNO 3 and H 2 SO 4 respectively. In capacitive deionization test of NaCl solution, the ACC treated with HNO 3 had more than two times removal efficiency when charged with a 1.5 V current than the untreated one. This is attributed to activation and changes of surface functional groups when charged with a current.