Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DETERMINATION OF ADSORPTION KINETICS OF COCONUT HUSK ADSORBENT FOR HEAVY METALS REMOVAL USING LANGMUIR AND FREUNDLICH ISOTHERM EXPRESSIONS

Adsorption of heavy metal cationic ions (Cr, Pb, and Cu) onto coconut husk carbon (CHC) adsorbent has been studied using batch-adsorption method. The study was carried out to investigate the adsorption kinetic and adsorption isotherm of the coconut husk adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals in waste liquid effluent. The influence of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and adsorbent concentration, and temperature on the adsorption process was also studied. Results indicated an initial increase in adsorption rate, and optimal removal of heavy metal was reached within 70 minutes, further increase in contact time and temperature show significant change in equilibrium concentration. Also, further increase in adsorbent dosage revealed significant change in the sorption capacity of the CHC. The adsorption isotherms could be fitted well by both Langmuir and Freundlich models. The RI (equilibrium parameter) value in the present investigation was less than 1 (one) which indicates that the adsorption of the heavy metals ions on the CHC is favorable. The value of n for this study which indicates the degree of non-linearity between solution concentration and adsorption were 0.31–0.39, this result indicated that the adsorption of heavy metals onto the CHC is a chemical sorption. After treatment of synthetic heavy metal solution with the CHC, the adsorption isotherm model analysis revealed that the adsorption capacity (b) of CHC for the heavy metal were 89 mg/L (Cr), 125.5 mg/L (Pb), and 129.7 mg/L (Cu). Conclusively, the results indicate that the freely abundant agricultural waste-coconut husk can be treated for heavy metal adsorption but it’s not economically viable because it’s not renewable due to the chemisorption nature of the adsorption process.
Synthesis, characterization and dose dependent antimicrobial and anticancerous efficacy of phycogenic ( Sargassum muticum ) silver nanoparticles against Breast Cancer Cells (MCF 7) cell line

In the present study silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using aqueous extract of Sargassum muticum. The aqueous extract (10%) treated with 1 mM silver nitrate solution resulted in the formation of AgNPs and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the formed AgNPs was recorded at 360 nm using UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The molecules involved in the formation of AgNPs were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), surface morphology was studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM micrograph clearly revealed the size of the AgNPs was in the range of 40-65 nm with spherical, hexagonal in shape and poly-dispersed nature, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) was used to determine the crystalline structure. High positive Zeta potential (36.5 mV) of formed AgNPs indicates the stability and XRD pattern revealed the crystal structure of the AgNPs by showing the Bragg's peaks corresponding to (111), (200), (311) and (222) planes of facecentered cubic crystal phase of silver. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited effective anticancerous activity (at doses 25 and 50 μg/ml of AgNPs) against Breast cancer cell line (MCF7).
Dislipidemija kao faktor rizika za nastanak cerebrovaskularne bolesti kod pacijenata sa preboljelim ishemičnim moždanim udarom

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the levels of LDL, HDL and triglycerids in patients that suffered ischemic stroke with the goal of determining the number and ratio of individual deviations from standard values of the observed variables of the lipidogram and using the results compare numerically the individual variables and try to prove the existence of multiple pathological values of the observed variables. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The study involved the patients admitted to the Neurology ward of the General hospital „dr. Josip Bencevic“ with the leading diagnosis of ischemic stroke in 2017 and had a lipidogram done. The data was gathered from the hospital system with the purpose of analysis. RESULTS: The research was conducted using the data of 109 patients with ischemic stroke. LDL was shown to be the most sensitive variable in prediction of ischemic stroke with 45.5%. Pathological values of triglycerides and LDL are more common in patients at the age of 56-65. All three variables – triglycerides, LDL and HDL are pathological in 7 (6,4%) patients. In patients of 56-65 years of age there are a lot more pathological triglyceride findings in combination with HDL or LDL, while in the other age groups there are no significant differences. We didn’t find any significant differences between genders. CONCLUSION: The values of LDL are the most sensitive variable of lipidogram for ischemic stroke. In the age group of 56-65 years, 80% of patients had a pathologycal LDL, and a lot more pathologycal triglycerides in combination with pathologycal HDL or LDL. Differences in lipid levels between genders were not found. Further analysis of dislipidemia in the population is required.
Magnetism in Ca2CoOsO6 and Ca2NiOsO6: Unraveling the Mystery of Superexchange Interactions between 3d and 5d Ions

In order to rationalize and predict the behavior of compounds containing 5d transition metal ions, an understanding of the local moments and superexchange interactions from which their magnetic properties are derived is necessary. The magnetic and electrical properties of the ferrimagnetic double perovskites Ca2CoOsO6 and Ca2NiOsO6 studied here provide critical insight toward that goal. First-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate, and experimental measurements confirm, that the Os(VI) moments are directed antiparallel to the Co/Ni moments. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements reveal that the orbital moment on osmium has a magnitude that is approximately 30% of the spin moment, and the two contributions oppose each other. Both the size and direction of the orbital moment are confirmed by the DFT calculations. The size of the Os(VI) total moment is predicted to be 0.6–0.7 μB by DFT calculations. The ferrimagnetic ground state is stabilized by strong antiferromagne.
Ozonation Rule for Organic Pollutants in Water and Its Methodology of Kinetics Study

The ozonation rule for organic pollutants in water and its methodology of kinetics study are reviewed in this paper. As a kind of strong oxidant, ozone can oxidize organic and inorganic compounds directly, indirectly via hydroxyl free radicals or both. Ozone oxidizes organic pollutants selectively. It reacts mainly with double bonds and activated aromatic systems or unprotonated amines. Hydroxyl free radicals react fast with most dissolved compounds unselectively. The study of oxidation kinetics of ozone involves ozone and hydroxyl free radical. The solute consumption method always is used to measure the second rate constant with ozone, mostly solute consumption and competition kinetics are adopted to determinate the reaction rate constant.
Study of the memory effect in atmospheric pressure townsend discharges in nitrogen with addition of oxidizing gas : temporally and spatially resolved electrical and optical characterizations

Plasma processes at atmospheric pressure using Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBD) are a good alternative to low pressure non-thermal plasma processes for various applications such as surface treatment, thin-film coating, sterilization etc. Indeed, they can be operated without complex vacuum facilities and allow the treatment of large surfaces that can be implemented directly into assembly lines. However, DBDs are usually filamentary, leading to non-homogeneous depositions on the treated surfaces. In certain condition depending on the experimental parameters (geometry, gas nature, power supply, etc.), a homogeneous discharge can be obtained leading to a uniform surface treatment. Nevertheless, even in the homogeneous mode, the DBDs properties are not necessarily the same at any point on the discharge surface, because of the gas flow circulation in particular, but also in case of materials with a properties gradient, or in case of self-organization phenomena. In order to better characterize the spatial distribution of the discharge, a new local electrical diagnostic tool to measure the local current densities has been developed during this thesis. Indeed, electrical measurements are widely used to characterize the DBDs as they give access to various parameters such as the gas voltage, discharge current, dissipated power etc. However, the measured current is integrated on all the surface of the electrodes. To be able to measure the local currents, the 3×3 cm2 ground electrode from the discharge cell has been divided into 64 segments, and a data acquisition system has been developed in order to simultaneously acquire the 64 measured currents with a high enough sampling rate for the data processing. This new electrical diagnostic tool can be correlated in time and space with optical measurements with an intensified iCCD camera, coupled with optical filters, to obtain information on the densities of some species in the plasma. The aim of this thesis is to better understand to local power dissipation, and to refine the characterization of the involved species in the different discharge regimes, especially to obtain a homogeneous regime. Homogeneous DBDs are ignited by a Townsend breakdown. For a Townsend breakdown to occur, a production source of seed electrons is necessary between two discharges, when the electric field is lower than the breakdown voltage. This breakdown is related to a memory effect from one discharge to the following one, that is visible on the electrical measurements with a discharge current jump. The hypotheses on the memory effect origin can be separated into two categories. [. ]
Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oils and Aqueous Extracts Obtained from Five Chinese Herbal Medicines

The present work examined the antioxidant activity of Motherwort(Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet),Broomwort(Scoparia dulcis L.),Ginkgo leaf(Ginkgo biloba L.),Angelica(Angelica sinensis Diels),and Milkvetch(Astragalus membranaceu Bunge). Dried herbs samples were submitted to extraction with steam distillation.The antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts and essential oils were assessed by the measurement of activities of HO· scavenging,inhibition of lipid peroxidation.Total phenolic constituents of the aqueous extracts and essential oils of five herbs were determined by the methods involving the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and gallic acid as standard.The cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts and essential oils were measured by MTT and LDH cytotoxicity assays.All extracts of five herbal medicines were determined to possess antioxidative activity to some extent.The aqueous extracts of Motherwort,Broomwort and Ginkgo leaf showed high antioxidant activity in the performed tests.The antioxidant activity of essential oils and aqueous extracts obtained from the five herbs displayed a significant relationship with the total phenols in them.
A video precipitation sensor for imaging and velocimetry of hydrometeors

Abstract. A new method to determine the shape and fall velocity of hydrometeors by using a single CCD camera is proposed in this paper, and a prototype of a video precipitation sensor (VPS) is developed. The instrument consists of an optical unit (collimated light source with multi-mode fibre cluster), an imaging unit (planar array CCD sensor), an acquisition and control unit, and a data processing unit. The cylindrical space between the optical unit and imaging unit is sampling volume (300 mm × 40 mm × 30 mm). As the precipitation particles fall through the sampling volume, the CCD camera exposes twice in a single frame, which allows the double exposure of particles images to be obtained. The size and shape can be obtained by the images of particles; the fall velocity can be calculated by particle displacement in the double-exposure image and interval time; the drop size distribution and velocity distribution, precipitation intensity, and accumulated precipitation amount can be calculated by time integration. The innovation of VPS is that the shape, size, and velocity of precipitation particles can be measured by only one planar array CCD sensor, which can address the disadvantages of a linear scan CCD disdrometer and an impact disdrometer. Field measurements of rainfall demonstrate the VPS's capability to measure micro-physical properties of single particles and integral parameters of precipitation.
Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling and Outcomes in Heart Failure and Valvular Heart Disease

ABSTRACT Right ventricular (RV) intrinsic contractility and its response to afterload defined as pulmonary arterial (PA) elastance, is referred to as RV-PA coupling. RV contractility can be estimated by end-systolic elastance (Ees), the slope of the line through the end-systolic pressure-volume point. Afterload or arterial elastance (Ea) can be estimated from RV end-systolic pressure divided by stroke volume. A ratio of Ees/Ea of 1.5-2 reflects an optimal balance between RV mechanical work and oxygen consumption. In left-sided heart failure (HF), chronically elevated left‐sided filling pressures result in secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). In the early stages of PH, RV contractility and load are adequately coupled through mainly RV hypertrophy, but as the disease advances, ventricular dilatation and failure takes place. The degree of RV coupling (or lack thereof) to the pulmonary circulation can be measured either invasively or through noninvasive imaging. Several non-invasive surrogate indexes for Ees and Ea have been associated with decreased functional status and mortality in patients with HF and valvular disease. Abbreviations: RV: Right ventricle; LV: Left ventricle; CMR: Cardiac magnetic resonance; Ees: End-systolic elastance; Ea: Arterial elastance; PVR: Pulmonary vascular resistance; PH: Pulmonary hypertension; TAPSE: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; TR: Tricuspid regurgitation; SPAP; RV systolic pulmonary artery pressure; RVLS: RV free wall longitudinal strain; TAVR: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement; HF: Heart failure; HFpEF: Heart failure with persevered ejection fraction; HFrEF: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; AS=aortic stenosis.
Young Men’s Entry and Persistence in Female-Dominated Occupations

ABSTRACT Since the 1970s, many male-dominated jobs have contracted while the demand for occupations traditionally held by women has increased. Despite these trends, men have made limited progress in entering female-dominated jobs. In this study, we use the 2004 and 2008 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation to examine whether younger men (ages 18–24) are more likely to enter female-dominated occupations than adults (ages 25–44) and middle-aged men (ages 45–65), as well as whether young men persist in female-dominated occupations once they are employed. We find that younger men are more likely to be in female-dominated occupations, and young men are as likely to stay in a female-dominated occupation as their counterparts in mixed- or male-dominated occupations. Our findings suggest that younger men may be more open to working in female-dominated occupations as compared to older men; once younger men enter female-dominated occupations, they are retained.
Estimation of excess water in the Sebou basin for an interbasin water transfer

This paper aims to estimate the unusable water in the Sebou basin (Morocco) with a view to transferring them to the Bouregreg basin. To this end, a hydrological model of Belksiri Basin (7744 km2, downstream part of Sebou) was elaborated. Then, several simulations were carried out to estimate the flow resulting from rainfall, with different return periods, in the Belksiri catchment. The model validation showed good results (NSE = 0.70, R 2 = 0.78). As for simulations of flow provoked by different return periods of the rainfall depth, the results showed that the peak flow increases from 916 m3/s for the return period T = 2–6744 m3/s for T = 100. This study clearly showed the possibility of the flow and route optimization related to the North to South Water Transfer Project (NSWTP) in Morocco. Indeed, the transfer flow can be increased from some 45 m3/s to 200 m3/s.
Detection and Analysis of Volatile Flavor Compounds of Cured Meat Made of Congjiangxiang Pig

The volatile flavor compounds and amino acids of the cured meat made of Congjiangxian pig were detected by SPME-GC/MS and HPLC technique.The results show that there are 90 volatile flavor compounds in the muscle of the cured meat,such as hexanoic acid ethyl ester,ethanol,pentanoic acid,tetramethylpyrazine,3-hydroxy-2-butanone,limonene,2,3-butanediol,acetophenone,acetic acid and butylated hydroxyl toluene,there are acids(13.46%),alcohols(18.93%),(esters(18.3%)) and aldehydes(4.21%) in the total tested compounds,there are 17 amino acids in the lean meat of cured meat and the contents of glutamic acid,total protein,necessary amino acid and tasty amino acid are 4.43%,27.71%,12.14% and(12.23%) in 17 tested amino acids respectively.
Development of nanostructured materials based on manganese oxides and produced by an electrochemical method for water electrolysis

The basic electrodeposition mechanism of MnO2 films was studied first on bulk Pt electrodes in various aqueous electrolytes. It was revealed that MnO2 electrodeposition is a multi-step reaction that is sensitive to pH and ionic strength. Chronoamperometry coupled to low concentration neutral aqueous solutions favors the electrodeposition of stable MnO2 films. FTO was found to be a better substrate than ITO, because it has a higher electrochemical activity and could enhance the mechanical stability of electrodeposited MnO2 films. Moreover, the potential used for electrodeposition has great influence on both the structure and the morphology of MnO2 films. Amorphous MnO2 films obtained at high potential possess higher electrocatalytic activity and stability than the birnessite-type MnO2 variety. The heat treatment can greatly enhance the electrocatalytic activity and mechanical stability. A phase transition of MnO2 films appears at 500 °C. The morphology changes dramatically after heating above this temperature. Samples heated at 500 °C are found to have the best electrocatalytic activity towards OER. Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations were found to be inserted in small amounts into the structure of MnO2 films during the electrodeposition procedure but they influence the structure and morphology of the films. Finally, birnessite type and amorphous MnO2 films appear to be promising candidates as catalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting, as they are able to generate considerable photocurrents under solar light illumination. In this purpose, thick and amorphous films with 500 °C heat treatment are supposed to produce the best performances.
Integrative omics identification, evolutionary and structural analysis of low affinity nitrate transporters in diatoms, diNPFs

Diatoms are one of the major and most diverse groups of phytoplankton, with chimeric genomes harbouring a combination of genes of bacterial, animal and plant origin. They have developed sophisticated mechanisms to face environmental variations. In marine environments, nutrients concentration shows significant temporal and spatial variability, influencing phytoplankton growth. Among nutrients, nitrogen, present at micromolar levels, is often a limiting resource. Here, we report a comprehensive characterization of the Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) in diatoms, diNPFs. NPFs are well characterized in many organisms where they recognize a broad range of substrates, ranging from short-chained di- and tri-peptides in bacteria, fungi and mammals to a wide variety of molecules including nitrate in higher plants. Scarce information is available for diNPFs. We integrated-omics, phylogenetic, structural and expression analyses, to infer information on their role in diatoms. diNPF genes diverged to produce two distinct clades with strong sequence and structural homology with either bacterial or plant NPFs, with different predicted sub-cellular localization, suggesting that the divergence resulted in functional diversification. Moreover, transcription analysis of diNPF genes under different laboratory and environmental growth conditions suggests that diNPF diversification led to genetic adaptations that might contribute to diatoms ability to flourish in diverse environmental conditions.
The Near-Death Experience: A Study of Its Validity

Abstract: An Italian translation of Greyson's (1983a) NDE Sclae was administered to 125 individuals who had been resuscitated at a hospital in Italy. By NDE Scale criteria 37.5 percent of those who returned the questionnaire had authentic NDEs. These data suggest some limitations to Grayson's NDE Scale and recommendations for future research.
Neutral electrolyzed water (NEW), chlorine dioxide, organic acid based product, and ultraviolet-C for inactivation of microbes in fresh-cut vegetable washing waters

The effect of decontamination methods on fresh-cut vegetable washing waters was evaluated. NEW, ClO2, organic acid-based product FPW, and UV-C were tested with and without an interfering carrot juice of 1% (IS), on Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Escherichia coli, and yeast Candida lambica. The use of ClO2 (50 ppm active chlorine) resulted in >4 log reduction of Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, E. coli and >3 log reduction of C. lambica. The antibacterial effect of NEW was less effective in the presence of IS when compared with ClO2. The inactivation of C. lambica by FPW reached a maximum of 2.8 log cfu/mL (concentration 0.125%), but the antimicrobial effect was delayed by the IS. The effect of FPW on E. coli was significantly reduced by 1% IS. The inactivation of E. coli and C. lambica with UV-C IS decreased the inactivation and lengthened its time. Filtration improved the effect of UV-C inactivation. Practical applications When chemical decontamination methods were used in fresh-cut vegetable processing, the presence of organic matter in process water increased the reaction times and the need for higher concentrations of the chemical decontamination and the time of physical decontamination. Yersinia required longer inactivation times than E. coli. When UV-C is used for decontamination of process waters, waters should be filtered to enhance the disinfection efficacy.
Biased ligands at opioid receptors: Current status and future directions

Ongoing efforts to identify and characterize biased ligands for opioid receptors are discussed. The opioid crisis represents a major worldwide public health crisis that has accelerated the search for safer and more effective opioids. Over the past few years, the identification of biased opioid ligands capable of eliciting selective functional responses has provided an alternative avenue to develop novel therapeutics without the side effects of current opioid medications. However, whether biased agonism or other pharmacological properties, such as partial agonism (or low efficacy), account for the therapeutic benefits remains questionable. Here, we provide a summary of the current status of biased opioid ligands that target the μ- and κ-opioid receptors and highlight advances in preclinical and clinical trials of some of these ligands. We also discuss an example of structure-based biased ligand discovery at the μ-opioid receptor, an approach that could revolutionize drug discovery at opioid and other receptors. Last, we briefly discuss caveats and future directions for this important area of research.