Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Lisbon drinking water distribution network biofilm colonization and associated hazards

Concerns arise from the possible occurrence of pathogens in drinking water pipe biofilms and storage tank sediments. In these studies, biofilm samples from pipes and sediments from storage tanks of the Lisbon drinking water distribution system were analyzed. Protein determinations and heterotrophic counts on pipe biofilm samples were used to assess the Lisbon network sessile colonization intensity and distribution. Indicator and pathogenic microorganisms were analyzed in pipe biofilm samples, as well as in storage tanks biofilm and sediments, by using cultural methods and PCR, to assess risks. Results have shown that the Lisbon network sessile colonization is relatively weak in intensity. In addition, no meaningful hazards were apparent for both the network biofilm and the storage tanks biofilm and sediments.
Communication: Matrix type transdermal drug delivery systems of metoprolol tartrate: skin toxicity and in vivo characterization

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) of metoprolol were previously fabricated and evaluated in vitro . The TDDS was composed of polymers Eudragit RL 100 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 in 8:2, 4:6, 6:4 and 2:8 fractions in formulations MT-1, MT-2 MT-3 and MT-4, respectively. All formulations carried 10% w/w of drug; metoprolol tartrate, 5% w/w of plasticizer; polyethylene glycol 400 and 5% w/w of penetration enhancer; dimethylsulfoxide (based on total polymers weight). The influence of the developed patch on the blood pressure of experimental hypertensive rats and its skin irritation potential is presented in this report. The study was carried out in thirty six male albino rats. They were divided into six groups of six animals each. Group A received no treatment (control). Group B was administered with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) (20 mg/kg/week) for two weeks (toxic control). Group C, D, E and F received MPA followed by MT-1, MT-2, MT-3 and MT-4 TDDS, respectively (treatment groups). The blood pressure of rats was measured using a non-invasive rat BP instrument based on cuff-tail technique. The statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Instat 3 software. All the treatment groups showed significant (P Keywords : transdermal, metoprolol, in vivo characterization, hypertension, skin toxicity Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal , vol. 22 (2004): 53-60
Performance of XPS analysis of model biochemical compounds

The performance of the XPS analysis of the chemical functions of biosurfaces has been assessed by examining model biochemical compounds (homopeptides, glucose related compounds,.). The components of the C-1s, O-1s and N-1s peaks may be attributed to classes of chemical functions. The FWHM of the components is controlled by sample charging heterogeneity and the same FWHM can usually be used for the different components of a given peak. The reproducibility of the binding energy (same function, different compounds) is better than 0.15 eV for most of chemical functions. The repeatability of the concentration ratios (same compound) is within a few percent. Internal consistency is demonstrated by the agreement between atom concentration ratios deduced from total intensities, on the one hand, and relative intensities of the C-1s components, on the other hand. A chemical composition in the range C15H26-30O4-6 is representative of common contamination overlayers. Modelling the effect of surface contamination overlayers indicate that the underestimation of O/C and N/C due to contamination is practically compensated by neglecting the kinetic energy dependence of the transmission function of the SSX-100 spectrometer. The accuracy of the O/C and N/C atom concentration ratios (underestimation of about 10 %) is within the range of the precision obtained when the whole set of model compounds is taken into consideration.
Platinum-Decorated Nanoporous Gold Leaf for Methanol Electrooxidation

Pt-decorated nanoporous gold (Pt-NPG) leaf was prepared by depositing an atomically thin layer of Pt over NPG substrate where Pt overlayers grow epitaxially on NPG surfaces. Their catalytic properties toward methanol and CO electrooxidation were studied, and they show structure-sensitive activities and a greatly enhanced antipoisoning effect.
RAFT Polymer End-Group Modification and Chain Coupling/Conjugation Via Disulfide Bonds

End-group modification of polymers prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was accomplished by the conversion of trithiocarbonate or dithioester end-groups into a pyridyl disulfide (PDS) functionality. Several different polymers, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(oligoethylene glycol-acrylate), poly(hydroxypropylacrylamide), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were prepared by RAFT polymerization, and subjected to aminolysis in the presence of 2,2′-dithiodipyridine to yield thiol-terminated polymers with yields in the range 65–90% dependent on the polymer structure. Furthermore, this PDS end-group was utilized to generate higher-order architectures, such as diblock copolymers with high yields and selectively. In addition, the PDS end-groups were used for the bioconjugation of different biomolecules, such as oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, and peptides. The successful modification of well-defined polymers was confirmed by a combination of UV-vis, NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography.
Economic Impacts of Alternative Regulatory Scenarios on the Florida Fresh Half-Shell Oyster Industry: A Study of Potential Outcomes

FE835, a 3-page executive summary of a report by K.L. Morgan, T.J. Stevens, R.L. Degner, S.L. Larkin, and C.M Adams, summarizes the results of a study to examine the economic impacts of possible closures of the fresh half-shell oyster market for varying time periods with the intention of protecting consumers from Vibrio vulnificus infections. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, June 2010.
Estimation of the Thermodynamic Properties of C-H-N-O-S-Halogen Compounds at 298.15 K

An estimation method, which was developed by S. W. Benson and coworkers for calculating the thermodynamic properties of organic compounds in the gas phase, has been extended to the liquid and solid phases for organic compounds at 298.15 K and 101,325 Pa. As with a previous paper dealing with hydrocarbon compounds, comparisons of estimated enthalpies of formation, heat capacities, and entropies with literature values show that extension of the Benson’s group additivity approach to the condensed phase is easy to apply and gives satisfactory agreement. Corresponding values for the entropy of formation, Gibbs energy of formation and natural logarithm of the equilibrium constant for the formation reaction are also calculated provided necessary auxiliary data are available. This work covers 1512 compounds containing the elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens in the gas, liquid, and solid phases. About 1000 references are provided for the literature values which are cited. §
Applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Particle Technology

During the past decade, the application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging techniques to problems of relevance to the process industries has been identified. In the context of particle technology, NMR imaging, in addition to the more routinely used techniques of Pulsed Gradient Spin Echo (PGSE) NMR and NMR spectroscopy, offer new methods of characterising pore structure, adsorption and diffusion processes within particles and packed beds of particles, as well as enabling time-resolved in-situ study of processes such as twophase flow, aggregation, polymerisation, crystallisation and phase separation phenomena. This paper reviews recent work in these areas, and also highlights the new insights NMR imaging can give us regarding the characterisation of porous materials, and the influence of the structure of the pore space on the transport processes occuring within a given porous solid.
Environmental benefits of parking‐integrated photovoltaics: a 222 kWp experience

The life cycle assessment of a grid‐connected, parking integrated, 222 kWp cadmium telluride photovoltaic system has been performed. The system was built at the University of Murcia and has been monitored for 2.5 years (sampling data every 5 min). The detailed material inventory, the energy embedded in the system, the energy payback time, and the energy return factor of the facility have been obtained and are 6.31 TJ equivalent primary energy, 2.06 and 12.16years, respectively. The average performance ratio is 0.8 with a slight monthly variation. Additionally, the environmental benefits of the architectural integration (in this case parking integration) have been quantified using a standard methodology for the calculation of several environmental parameters. Finally, the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation because of the savings of producing the same amount of electricity by the Spanish grid system have been assessed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchrotron hard x-ray microprobe: Fluorescence imaging of single cells

Imaging of trace elements in single cells was achieved by synchrotron-induced x-ray fluorescence (SXRF) in the hard x-ray range. Monochromatic and “pink” excitations at 14 keV were used with compound refractive lenses resulting in a 1×10 μm2 beam size. The experiment shows that SXRF is well suited for microanalysis of freeze-dried cells, and demonstrated high accuracy in quantitative imaging of trace element in cells treated with pharmacological doses of an iodine-labeled anticancer drug.
The Role of On-Site Experience on Landscape Preferences. A Case Study at Doñana National Park (Spain)

Analysis of landscape preferences of visitors to protected areas is considered a useful tool in designing environmental education programmes. This paper studies the landscape preferences of visitors to the Donana National Park, one of the most internationally well-known national parks in Spain. Despite the park's popularity, its landscapes do not correspond to what a significant part of the population would consider as spectacular or beautiful landscapes. An analysis of several individual visitor characteristics reveals a positive relationship between on-site experiences and the degree of preference for Donana's landscapes (plains, dunes, marshes) over the more commonly preferred mountain landscapes. The results of this study suggest the importance of providing more opportunities for visitors to interact with the park's peculiar and unique features, given that this interaction has positive effects on their attitudes towards its landscape.
New model for dopant redistribution at interfaces

A new model for dopant redistribution at an interface is derived and verified by data from segregation and outdiffusion experiments. In the present model, a third phase, the interface layer itself (interphase), is considered in addition to the adjacent bulk phases for the first time. The dynamics of the three‐phase system is described in terms of rate equations. In case that all three phases are identical, i.e., constitute one single homogeneous phase, this model effectively reduces to an ordinary diffusion equation for a bulk phase. The immediate advantage of this formulation is that the coupling between the redistribution at the interface and the diffusion in adjacent bulk phases can be described in an unambiguous and consistent way derived from first principles. In the limit of equilibrium segregation, the interface dynamics and bulk diffusion decouple, and the model reduces to diffusion equations in bulk phases supplied with Dirichlet boundary conditions at the interface given by analytic solutions of the equilibrium interface dynamics.A new model for dopant redistribution at an interface is derived and verified by data from segregation and outdiffusion experiments. In the present model, a third phase, the interface layer itself (interphase), is considered in addition to the adjacent bulk phases for the first time. The dynamics of the three‐phase system is described in terms of rate equations. In case that all three phases are identical, i.e., constitute one single homogeneous phase, this model effectively reduces to an ordinary diffusion equation for a bulk phase. The immediate advantage of this formulation is that the coupling between the redistribution at the interface and the diffusion in adjacent bulk phases can be described in an unambiguous and consistent way derived from first principles. In the limit of equilibrium segregation, the interface dynamics and bulk diffusion decouple, and the model reduces to diffusion equations in bulk phases supplied with Dirichlet boundary conditions at the interface given by analytic solutions of.
Photoluminescence of Single Quantum Well Structures in Gallium Arsenide

Abstract : The continued development of state-of the-art semiconductor technologies and devices by the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense requires accurate and efficient techniques to evaluate and model these new materials. Of particular interest to the Air Force are quantum well structures which can be used for small-scale laser sources in fly-by-light applications, as efficient infrared countermeasures to heat-seeking missiles, or as advanced seekers in optically guided missiles. This thesis provides the initial experimental procedures and data necessary to begin producing accurate yet robust models. Although carrier effective masses could not be evaluated using hot-electron photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation and temperature studies were conducted to determine the effects of strain and impurities on band structure in quantum structures. Beryllium-doped indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs:Be) quantum wells, compressively strained to lattice-match gallium arsenide, were studied, and parameters for strained energy gap, heavy hole-light hole split, and acceptor binding energy were evaluated. With the carrier effective masses fixed at accepted values, strain produced a 1.2715 eV energy gap within the well and a heavy hole-light hole split of 23.2meV. Finally, the beryllium binding energy was found to be 22.1 meV measured above the highest valence band (first quantized heavy hole band) at 300 K.
Emissions from vegetation burning in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), south India: a study using temporal IRS‐P6 AWiFS satellite data

Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is a sensitive area for wildlife, including Indian tiger and Asiatic elephant, in Kerala, southern India. Recently, forest fires in the PTR have threatened both the native vegetation as well as wildlife. In this study, we used temporal satellite remote sensing datasets corresponding to IRS‐P6 AWiFS with 56 m resolution to identify the burnt areas and thereby estimate greenhouse gas emissions resulting from biomass burning. Results from satellite derived area estimates suggested nearly 2803 ha as burnt during the dry season (February–April), of which evergreen vegetation accounted for 12.29%, mixed deciduous forests about 40.39% and grasslands 47.3%. Variations in biomass burning events were related to both climatic and anthropogenic factors. Of the different vegetation types, grasslands accounted for the highest amount of CO2 emissions compared to others. Nearly 0.0126Tg of CO2 has been released during the four‐month period from vegetation burning. Further, vegetation burning in the PTR region accounted for release of 0.00050Tg of CO, 1.81E‐05 Tg of CH4, 2.67E‐05 NOx, 3.03 E‐05 Tg NOx, 1.64E‐06Tg of N2O. Primary causes of vegetation fires in the tiger reserve have been analysed and quantitative estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from biomass burning have been provided. There is a need to provide alternative energy sources for the local people in order to ease the pressure on PTR forest resources. The results will be useful for forest managers and policy‐makers to undertake some mitigation options relating to fire management and greenhouse gas emissions in the sensitive zones of the study area.
Studies on pesticides based on coumarin IV: synthesis and antifungal activity of twelve 4-(substituted phenoxy) methyl-6-methyl coumarins

Twelve 4-(substituted phenoxy)methyl-6-methyl coumarins were synthesised by the condensation of 4-chloromethyl-6-methyl coumarin with various phenols in the presence of potassium carbonate in dry acetone. The compounds were tested for their toxicity towards the mycelial growth of seven plant pathogenic fungi. Among the tested fungi, Pythium aphanidermatum, Colletotrichum falcatum, Drechslera oryzae, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani exhibited maximum sensitivity whereas Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani were least sensitive to the test compounds. The 4-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)methyl and 4-(4-nitrophenoxy)methyl analogues possessed greatest toxicity towards the majority of the tested fungi.
Ionic liquid doped polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells

The polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) were fabricated with MEH−PPV as the luminescent polymer and the ionic liquid of imidazolium salts as the supporting electrolyte. The imidazolium salts utilized include various 1-methyl-3-alkylimidazolium salts with the alkyl substituents of butyl (bmim), dodecyl (dmim), tetradecyl (tmim), or hexadecyl (hmim) and the anions of PF6- or BF4-, which possess different melting points from room temperature for [bmim+][PF6-] to 83 °C for [hmim+][PF6-]. The electroluminescent (EL) properties and the electronic structure of the LECs were characterized by current−voltage (I−V), light intensity−voltage (L−V), and ac impedance measurements. It was found that the phase compatibility between the conjugated polymer and the ionic liquid determines the performance of the light-emitting devices, and the concentration of the ionic liquid and the ionic conductivity of the polymer blend films also play an important role. The imidazolium salts investigated in this work are.
Highly photoluminescent ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots

ZnSe quantum dots have been synthesized using a simple aqueous route. Coating ZnSe quantum dots with a ZnS monolayer, yields a remarkable enhancement in the PL quantum efficiency at room temperature without affecting the spectral distribution. The results suggest that passivation of surface states, along with an increased localization of the hole in core ZnSe layer, gives rise to high luminescence quantum yield.
Diversidad y composición de pteridofitas en tres formaciones vegetales en el rio Los Amigos, Madre de Dios, Amazonía sur Peruana

La composición florística, diversidad alfa y beta de pteridofitas fue estudiada en el río Los Amigos de la región Madre de Dios, Perú. Se evaluaron 12 transectos (5m x 500m) distribuidos equitativamente y sistemáticamente en tres formaciones vegetales. Donde se registró un total 22,810 individuos de pteridofitas, distribuidos en 92 especies (se incluye 7 morfoespecies), 37 géneros y 18 familias. El bosque inundable (57 especies) posee la más alta diversidad alfa, seguido por el bosque aguajal (44) y tierra firme (38). Del mismo modo, se encontró elevada diversidad beta entre las formaciones vegetales. Se confirma que la variación ambiental influye sobre diversidad beta de las pteridofitas y pueden ser usados para la clasificación de la vegetación.
Vibrational Spectra of Fluorinated Aromatics. XII. m‐Fluorochlorobenzene

The infrared absorption spectra of gaseous and liquid m‐fluorochlorobenzene have been obtained in the region 2—38μ with NaCl and CsBr prisms. The Raman spectrum of the liquid has been photographed with a 3‐prism glass spectrograph of linear dispersion 15 A/mm at 4358 A. A complete assignment of the fundamental vibrational frequencies is given, and the spectra are interpreted in detail.
Fluid and Particle Laser Doppler Velocity Measurements and Mass Transfer Predictions for the Usp Paddle Method Dissolution Apparatus

AbstractThis research was motivated by the lack of experimental data concerning the complex flow fields produced by the USP Paddle Method Dissolution Test Apparatus, which influence the reproducibility and sensitivity of the resulting dissolution data.A one-component He-Ne fiber optics laser Doppler anemometer and a conditional sampling computer data acquisition provided unique three-dimensional fluid velocity measurements in most regions of the fluid inside the vessel. Tangential velocities which are predominant in magnitude decrease as a function of distance from the paddle to the liquid surface. Low magnitude circulation patterns in the axial direction exist with little Interaction between the fluid above and below the paddle. The radial velocity component also exhibits a low magnitude. In the vicinity of the paddle, a periodic fluid motion produced by the wake formed behind the paddle exists. Close to the bottom of the vessel, tangential fluid velocities were approximately equal to solid body rotation.
Water Quality Trends in Shallow South Florida Lakes and Assessment of Regional Versus Local Forcing Functions

Seven large shallow lakes in South Florida, including five of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL) and Lakes Istokpoga and Okeechobee, have been the focus of long-term water quality monitoring since 1981, 1988, and 1972, respectively. Analysis of these long-term data, rare for a subtropical region, allowed the authors to evaluate trends and the extent to which observed temporal patterns are driven by regional climate-related forcing functions (e.g., rainfall and discharge) versus local forcing functions including nutrient load reductions and in-lake rehabilitation projects conducted by management agencies. Recent changes occurring in 2004 and 2005 were likely a result of major tropical storm events that affected sediment resuspension. While more localized phenomena including land use, sediment–water interactions, and management of aquatic plants appear to overwhelm synchronous patterns for water quality, activities that reduce a significant amount of external load, such as diversion of wastewater treatment effluent, and large infestations of Hydrilla have resulted in improvements of water quality in some of these lakes.
Nano-Biotechnology: Structure and Dynamics of Nanoscale Biosystems

Nanoscale biosystems are widely used in numerous medical applications. The approaches for structure and function of the nanomachines that are available in the cell (natural nanomachines) are discussed. Molecular simulation studies have been extensively used to study the dynamics of many nanomachines including ribosome. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) serve as prototypes for biological channels such as Aquaporins (AQPs). Recently, extensive investigations have been performed on the transport of biological nanosystems through CNTs. The results are utilized as a guide in building a nanomachinary such as nanosyringe for a needle free drug delivery.
Desenvolvimento de forma farmacêutica líquida de uso oral, isenta de substâncias glicogênicas, com extrato fluido de Mikania glomerata Sprengel - Asteraceae (guaco)

Mikania glomerata Sprengel, Asteraceae (guaco), is traditionally used against cough as an infusion, a fluid-extract, a tincture or a syrup. The present investigation had as objective the development of a sugarless pharmaceutical liquid form to carry the guaco fluid extract, a substitute to the guaco syrup, it would specially help those who cannot ingest the glycogenic substances found in syrups. Liquid formulation was developed, in which the preservants concentration, the humectants agents, and sweeteners and flavors were defined, thickening polymers commonly used in technological processes in order to reduce the syrups viscosity were tested. The rheological behavior was analyzed and the preliminary evaluation of physical characteristic was done. Of all the tested polymers, the sodium alginate (1%) showed itself the most stable, regarding the analyzed parameters. It had a rheological behavior similar to the Newtonian fluids and has adequate pH of oral use, as well as compatibility to the fluid guaco extract.