Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peculiarities of Intramolecular Motions in Ionic Liquids

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been studied intensely during last two decades, because they can often be used as green and efficient solvents for many chemical reactions in organic chemistry, for electrochemical applications, and for industrial catalytic and extraction processes (Mamantov & Popov, 1994; Wasserscheid & Welton, 2002, 2008; Rogers & Seddon, 2003; Dyson & Geldbach, 2005; Anastas et al., 2010). RTILs have been investigated with various physical-chemical methods because they can easily interact with different surfaces and chemical environments, that is sure important for practice. For better practical applications, characterization of the transport and solvating properties, of the molecular mobility in RTILs as in a new class of reaction media. Recent studies with the use of different spectroscopic methods form now a new research area, although to date there are rather few reports on fundamental investigations of such systems. Among various unique properties distinguish ionic liquids from common molecular solvents, such as: high viscosity, a broad liquid temperature range, high thermal stability, negligible vapor pressure, a wide electrochemical window, recyclability, and high solvation ability, the mechanism of molecular motions in RTILs media is of great importance. There are two, from the first view independent, types of reorientation movements: mobility of the whole particle (any molecule or ion, including both ionic parts of RTIL itself and dissolved molecules) and the intramolecular reorganization. Also, historically, all movements are usually divided on rotational and translational with different physical formalism for describing them. Relatively recently it was experimentally shown by Wasserman & Kovarski, 1986; Kovarski, 1997 that there is a certain quantitative correlation between rotational, Drot, and translational, Dtr, diffusion coefficients. Easy to see, that knowledge of such dynamic characteristics for various ionic liquids is very valuable for applications, i.e., in catalysis, organic synthesis, absorption and separation, for electro-chemical processes in RTILs. Traditional physical and physico-chemical methods present information about various macroscopic (bulk) parameters such as viscosity, η, dielectric constants e, dipole moments μ, refractive indices nD, and some others at different temperatures. Several experimental methods are used for recording molecular dynamic properties in liquid solutions: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), fluorescence, ionic conductivity, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and some others. However, such processes as salvation, chemical interaction between reagents, electron and energy transfer, etc., take
Pig towers and in vitro meat: Disclosing moral worlds by design

Technology development is often considered to obfuscate democratic decision-making and is met with ethical suspicion. However, new technologies also can open up issues for societal debate and generate fresh moral engagements. This paper discusses two technological projects: schemes for pig farming in high-rise agro-production parks that came to be known as ‘pig towers’, and efforts to develop techniques for producing meat without animals by using stem cells, labelled ‘in vitro meat’. Even before fully entering our world as actually realized systems or commercially viable products, these technologies disclosed societal concerns over animal agriculture. These concerns were expressed through active public responses and were informed by formal methods of assessment, such as applied ethics and lifecycle analysis. By closely examining how features of these designs entered public debates and ethical thought, we trace the moral world-disclosing character of technological projects. We find that these proposals generate occasions for debate and gather new societal actors to form new coalitions or rifts. Both technologies gave rise to particular understandings of societal issues. As the central means through which problems were discussed changed, new types of arguments were considered relevant and ontological shifts could even be seen to occur with what was considered ‘real meat’ and the ‘true nature’ of animal farming. We argue that world disclosing involves a renewed sense of the character of political and moral agency, whereby the sensibilities that constitute a moral subject are redefined. Finally, we explore the inner tensions and ambiguities of this process of moral and political change by confronting the notions of ‘world disclosure’ developed by Dewey and Heidegger, thereby connecting to recent debates within both STS and political theory on how to understand political processes in a technological culture.
Intra-urban spatial variability of surface ozone in Riverside, CA: viability and validation of low-cost sensors

Abstract. Sensor networks are being more widely used to characterize and understand compounds in the atmosphere like ozone (O3). This study employs a measurement tool, called the U-Pod, constructed at the University of Colorado Boulder, to investigate spatial and temporal variability of O3 in a 200 km2 area of Riverside County near Los Angeles, California. This tool contains low-cost sensors to collect ambient data at non-permanent locations. The U-Pods were calibrated using a pre-deployment field calibration technique; all the U-Pods were collocated with regulatory monitors. After collocation, the U-Pods were deployed in the area mentioned. A subset of pods was deployed at two local regulatory air quality monitoring stations providing validation for the collocation calibration method. Field validation of sensor O3 measurements to minute-resolution reference observations resulted in R2 and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) of 0.95–0.97 and 4.4–5.9 ppbv, respectively. Using the deployment data, ozone concentrations were observed to vary on this small spatial scale. In the analysis based on hourly binned data, the median R2 values between all possible U-Pod pairs varied from 0.52 to 0.86 for ozone during the deployment. The medians of absolute differences were calculated between all possible pod pairs, 21 pairs total. The median values of those median absolute differences for each hour of the day varied between 2.2 and 9.3 ppbv for the ozone deployment. Since median differences between U-Pod concentrations during deployment are larger than the respective root mean square error values, we can conclude that there is spatial variability in this criteria pollutant across the study area. This is important because it means that citizens may be exposed to more, or less, ozone than they would assume based on current regulatory monitoring.
Modelling Social Network Sites with PageRank and Social Competences

In this communication a recent method to classify the users of an SNS into Competitivity groups is recalled. This method is based on the PageRank algorithm. Competitivity groups are sets of nodes that compete among each other to gain PageRank via the personalization vector. Specific features of the SNSs (such as number of friends or activity of the users) can be considered as Social Competences. By means of these Social Competences a node can modify its ranking inside a Competitivity group.
Four Collaborations with Rūsiņš Freivalds

Rūsiņš Mārtiņš Freivalds (1942-2016) was one of European pioneers of theoretical computer science, making important contributions to the theory of probabilistic algorithms and other fields of theoretical computer science. He was also my first research supervisor at the University of Latvia and influenced my research career quite substantially. In this article, I describe some of my research experiences working together with him, from the first exercises in his undergraduate seminar to how we started working on quantum computing.
PZT SENSORS APPROACHING FOR THE EVALUATION OF MULTIPLE IMPACT EFFECTS IN FIBRE GLASS COMPOSITE PLATES

RESUMO Neste trabalho propoe-se uma nova abordagem para analisar os efeitos de impacto em placas de compositos de fibra de vidro usando sensores PZT. Foram usados quatro conjuntos de amostras fabricadas com diferentes tamanhos e sequencias de empilhamento. Os testes de impacto foram realizados usando uma maquina de impacto de queda de peso. Os niveis de energia de impacto utilizados foram proporcionais a espessura das placas. Os sensores PZT foram colados nas placas numa configuracao pitch-and-catch. Foi escolhido o modo simetrico fundamental (S0) das ondas Lamb devido as suas melhores propriedades de propagacao. Os resultados demonstraram que a avaliacao da severidade dos defeitos, devido a impactos multiplos, e possivel com a tecnica proposta.
High aperture diffractive x-ray and extreme ultraviolet optical elements for microscopy and lithography applications

Microscopy and lithography using isotropic plasma x-ray and extreme ultraviolet sources require condenser elements with high numerical aperture. As shown by coupled-wave theory, zone structures with high aspect ratios can diffract a sufficiently large proportion of incident radiation into a single high order. This enables new diffractive optical elements for these applications with significantly increased numerical aperture. Suitable zone plate materials are nickel for water window wavelengths and organic polymers for λ=13 nm radiation. Copolymer and nickel zone structures have been produced with aspect ratios of 15 and 11, respectively. For optimization of the etched zone profile, the reactive ion etching process with O2 was periodically interrupted. In a first experiment at λ=3.4 nm a nickel linear zone plate with 75 nm outermost zone width and 500 nm height showed a diffraction efficiency of 1% in the sixth diffraction order.
Public Sector Financial Management and Output Growth in Nigeria: A Predictive Causality Test and Two-stage Least Square Approach

Our study empirically investigates the effect of public sector financial management on gross production in Nigeria. The study starts with the review of some theoretical and empirical literature as concerning the public financial management. After examining the stochastic characteristics of each time series by testing their stationarity, the study used predictive causality test, a two-stage least squares (2SLS) an instrumental variables approach for data set from 1970 to 2012. The findings were reinforced by the presence of static equilibrium relationship, as evidenced by the two-stage least squares. Results suggest that time limits set for the realization of these goals would encourage commitment, probity, accountability and transparency by public funds managers. Particular attention needs to be directed to the management of these variables to reverse the current trend. The study therefore, concludes that effective public sector financial management in Nigeria must consider the behavioral pattern, the social context, as well as time limits set for the realization of set goals. This will encourage commitment, probity, accountability and transparency by public funds managers.
Evaluation of The effect of Propolis extract on the Tongue mucosa of an Induced toxic rabbit by Fenitrothion

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of propolis as a natural antioxidant in prevention of fenitrothion induced toxicity on rabbit's tongue mucosa. Methods: Thirty healthy white New Zealand rabbits weighing between 1800 and 2200 g. were divided randomly into 3 groups, control (group I), fenitrothion administration (group II), fenitrothion administration 1 h after propolis extract administration (groups III) respectively. The rabbits were then sacrificed after 28 days. The tongue sections were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Results: Histopathologically the fenitrothion group showed evidence of hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis with acanthosis. Meanwhile, the basal cell layer revealed basilar hyperplasia, nuclear hyperchromatism and mild dysplasia. The tongue's muscles revealed signs of fatty degeneration. Histological examination of the tongue mucosa of propolis treated group showed a relatively normal appearance. Histomorphometric analysis showed significant increase in the optical density of caspase-3 cleaved activity in experimental group II. Conclusions: In a rabbit model the administration of natural antioxidants (propolis) could have beneficial effect on prevention of cytotoxicity induced by organophosphorous compounds (fenitrothion). (Elham F.Mahmoud and Mahmoud F. Mahmoud. Evaluation of The effect of Propolis extract on the Tongue mucosa of an Induced toxic rabbit by Fenitrothion. Life Sci J 2013;10(4):767-775). (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com . 97
Enhancement of Bone Marrow CD41+ Megakaryocytes as well as Modulation of TNF-a, IL-12, and IL-5 by a Novel Small Molecule, UTL-5g, in Mice Treated with Cisplatin

UTL-5g is a novel small-molecule chemoprotective agent against cisplatin-induced host cytotoxicity. Recent studies showed that UTL-5g increased the blood platelet count, which was reduced in cisplatintreated mice. In order to have a better understanding about the mechanism of action by which UTL-5g promotes platelet production, BDF1 mice were treated with or without UTL-5g after cisplatin treatment; several hematological analyses were conducted. The results showed that treatment of mice with UTL-5g alone by either i.p. injection or oral gavage markedly increased platelet counts. UTL-5g also restored bone marrow cell counts that were reduced by cisplatin treatment. Flow cytometric analysis showed that bone marrow CD41+ megakaryocytic cells were significantly increased in animals pretreated with UTL-5g before cisplatin. Measurement of secreted cytokines showed that pretreatment of UTL-5g lowered blood levels of both TNF- and IL-12 (p70) elevated by cisplatin treatment. On the other hand, pretreatment of UTL-5g raised blood levels of IL-5 that were lowered by cisplatin treatment. The results also showed that 60 mg/kg is the optimal dose of UTL-5g by oral route for the protection of bone marrow cells, CD41+ megakaryocytes, and platelets. In conclusion, this study suggests that UTL-5g (by i.p. injection or oral gavage) enhances the production of platelets by either protecting or increasing bone marrow CD41+ megakaryocytic cells at least in part; UTL-5g also modulates TNF-, IL-12 (p70), and IL-5. Taken together, these observed effects of UTL-5g on megakaryocytes and cytokines play important roles in the chemoprotective properties of UTL5g.
A continuum model of colloid-stabilized interfaces

Colloids that are partially wetted by two immiscible fluids can become confined to fluid-fluidinterfaces. At sufficiently high volume fractions, the colloids may jam and the interface may crystallize. Examples include bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels), which were proposed in this study by Stratford et al. [Science 309, 2198 (2005)] as a hypothetical new class of soft materials in which interpenetrating, continuous domains of two immiscible viscous fluids are maintained in a rigid state by a jammed layer of colloidal particles at their interface. We develop a continuum model for such a system that is capable of simulating the long-time evolution. A Navier-Stokes-Cahn-Hilliard model for the macroscopic two-phase flow system is combined with a surface phase-field-crystal model for the microscopic colloidal system along the interface. The presence of colloids introduces elastic forces at the interface between the two immiscible fluid phases. An adaptive finite element method is used to solve the model numerically. Using a variety of flow configurations in two dimensions, we demonstrate that as colloids jam on the interface and the interfacecrystallizes, the elastic force may be strong enough to make the interface sufficiently rigid to resist external forces, such as an applied shear flow, as well as surface tension induced coarsening in bicontinuous structures.
Diversity of tissues in acanthodians with Nostolepis-type histological structure

Acanthodian scales with Nostolepis-type histological structure are separated into five groups based on the presence/absence and extent of stranggewebe, odontocytic and syncitial mesodentine networks, cellular unipolar mesodentine, bone-like mesodentine and durodentine in scale crowns. Two new families of acanthodians are erected, based primarily on histological structure of scales: the Vesperaliidae (stranggewebe extending throughout the scale crown) and the Acritolepidae (bone-like mesodentine in the scale crown). The latter family includes species erected for articulated fish. The families Tchunacanthidae and Lenacanthidae are united in the single family Tchunacanthidae, characterized by having scale crowns with mesodentine formed mainly by unipolar cells. A sixth group, which we exclude from the Nostolepis -type, has scale crowns composed of dentine without lacunae, plus durodentine, and bases with only rare osteocyte cavities. The new groups promote the revision and reassignment of many "nostolepid" taxa, in particular removing many species from the genus Nostolepis. Four new genera are erected: Pechoralepis (including part of Nostolepis), assigned to Acritolepidae nov.; and three genera assigned to an indeterminate family, which scales are composed of only odontocytic mesodentine without stranggewebe: Nostovicina (including part of Nostolepis), Nobilesquama (including part of Nostolepis), and Peregrinosquama (including part of Watsonacanthus). Histological structures are considered the primary characters of taxonomical value when based on isolated scales. Unfortunately, scale histology is unknown for most articulated acanthodians.
Review of Important Cattle Tick and Its Control in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, but the contribution for the economic aspect of the country is still lowest amount and disease can be considered as a major constrain. Ticks are the most important ectoparasites of livestock in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Ethiopia is not exceptional and ticks are responsible for severe economic losses both through the direct effects of blood sucking and indirectly as vectors of pathogens and toxins. Feeding by large numbers of ticks causes reduction in live weight gain and anaemia among domestic animals, while tick bites also reduce the quality of hides. However, the major losses caused by ticks are due to the ability to transmit protozoan, rickettsial and viral diseases of livestock, which are of great economic importance world-wide. This review concerns with general aspects of tick biology, the taxonomy, pathogenic effects and methods for the control of ticks. ticks belong to the suborder Ixodida, which contains a single super family, the Ixodoidea, which is divided into two major families, Argasidae (soft ticks) and Ixodidae (hard ticks), and the rare family Nuttalliellidae, with a single African species. The main tick genera found in domestic animals of Ethiopia are Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus). Various breeds of cattle differ in their response to tick infestations. Bos indicus pure breeds and crossbreeds are reported to be more innately resistant than Bos taurus breeds. The conventional method of controlling tick infestations in Ethiopia is application of acaricide, either by hand spraying, by hand dressing. Therefore, to minimize tick adverse effect appropriate and timely strategic control measures are crucial.
Particulate Matter and Respiratory Diseases: How Far Have We Gone?

Air pollution is a potential threat to public health worldwide, especially in South Asia. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) reported that most of global deaths attributable to ambient particulate matter occurred in China and India. Particulate matter (PM), as the main air pollutant, is receiving increasing attention due to its specific biological properties. PM is a complicated mixture and varies in sizes, compositions and sources. Increasing epidemiological studies have shown that both short- and long-term PM exposure are associated with the morbidity and mortality of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, and pneumonia, especially in the elderly and children. Several potential biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain the adverse effect of PM on the respiratory diseases, including oxidant stress, pro-inflammation, epigenetic modifications, DNA damage and carcinogenesis. However, there are still some contradictions with regard to the role of PM in the development of these respiratory diseases. Thus, this review made a summary of results from epidemiological studies about the association between PM and COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and pneumonia, and elucidated its potential biological mechanisms.
Sex Selection and Gender Balance

We model the equilibrium sex ratio when parents can choose the sex of their child. With intrinsic son preference, sex selection results in a male-biased sex ratio. This is ine¢ cient due to a marriage market congestion externality. Medical innovations that facilitate selection aggravate the ine¢ ciency. If son preference arises endogenously, due to population growth causing an excess supply of women on the marriage market, selection may improve welfare. Empirically, sex selection causes an excess of males and reduces welfare in China, and in North-Western India.
The choice of emission indicators in environmental policy design: an analysis of GHG abatement in different dairy farms based on a bio-economic model approach

The application of economic instruments to GHG emissions from dairy farms needs to rely on GHG indicators as actual emissions are impossible or extremely costly to measure. The choice of indicator impacts chosen abatement options, related costs and GHG actually emitted. A tool to quantify these relations is proposed which at its core consists of a highly detailed, mixed-integer dynamic programming model template able to cover a wide range of dairy farm characteristics and promising indicators. It allows deriving and comparing marginal abatement costs of GHGs emission for different farm types and indicators, informing the policy process about promising indicators, abatement strategies and related abatement and measurement costs.
Magnetosonic Mach number dependence of the efficiency of reconnection between planetary and interplanetary magnetic fields

We present a statistical investigation into the magnetosonic Mach number dependence of the efficiency of reconnection at the Earth's dayside magnetopause. We use the transpolar voltage V PC, derived from radar observations of the ionospheric electric field, as a proxy for the dayside reconnection voltage. Our results show that the IMF clock angle dependence of V PC is closely approximated by the function f($\theta$) = sin2($\theta$/2), which we use in the derivation of a solar wind transfer function E* = E SW f($\theta$), wherein E SW is the solar wind electric field. We find that V PC is strongly related to E*, increasing almost linearly with small E* but saturating as E* becomes high. We also find that E* is strongly dependent on the magnetosonic Mach number, M MS, decreasing to near-zero values as M MS approaches 12, due principally to decreasing values of the IMF strength. V PC, on the other hand, is only weakly related to M MS and, for lower, more usual values of E*, actually shows a modest increase with increasing M MS. This result has implications for the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction at the outer planets where the Mach number is typically much higher than it is at 1 AU. Examples of SuperDARN convection maps from two high Mach number intervals are also presented, illustrating the existence of fairly typical reconnection driven flows. We thus find no evidence for a significant reduction in the magnetopause reconnection rate associated with high magnetosonic Mach numbers.