Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Considerations over causes of desertification in Braila county.

Land reclamation engineering technologies habe been succesfully applied to improve crop quality and compensate the natural inconspicuous and counterproductive factors for a long and radical evolution of the agricultural production. Still, an incorrect use of these technologies, inadequate agricultural exploitation and alcaline to salty soils, led to profound ecosystem degradation, up to desertification. It is the case of some specific areas in Braila county, Romania, which degraded from agricultural to desertified land. The paper aims to track the transformation of these areas over a 35 years period and to conclude whether stakeholders should follow the natural path and find a way to work along with the raw environment. The analisys passes in review the transformations of Braila plain from 1974 to 2010, based on graphic analysis of arridity index, Lang pluviometric index and Gaussen obrothermic diagram, corroborated with pedologic conditions, soil quality and climate factors variation, leading to the desertification of more than 2000 hectars, classified nowdays with the IV-th and V-th fertility grade. Administrative measures have been proposed by the local authorities but not applied on the site, due to high costs of implementation and the question to be answer is whether an eco management and economic solutions would better generate profitable use of these desertified soils.
Characterization of Iron-Oxides Formed by Oxidation of Ferrous Ions in the Presence of Various Bacterial Species and Inorganic Ligands

The oxidation of ferrous ions in the presence of an excess of dissolved oxygen at neutral pH generally leads to the formation of lepidocrocite. The effect of inorganic ligands (PO4, SO4, or Si(OH)4) in concentrations typical of those in sediment pore waters, and of microorganisms (Escherichia coli K12, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis) on the mineralogy, chemical composition, morphology and spatial distribution of the iron-oxides were examined using various complementary techniques, including TEM, XRD, and EXAFS. The presence of inorganic ligands during the oxidation can affect the mineralogy as well as the size and structure of the Fe-oxide particles. While the presence of sulfate (SO4/Fe = 0.5) had little effect on the outcome of the Fe-oxide synthesis, low quantities of phosphate (PO4/Fe = 0.05) inhibited lepidocrocite and large quantities of aqueous silica (Si/Fe = 5) favored the formation of 2-line ferrihydrite. The presence of any of the four representative species of bacterial cells in the various systems did not modify the mineralogy of the Fe-oxides. However, the size of the Fe-oxide particles tended to be reduced, and the presence of the cells also affected the spatial organization and the morphology of the particles. In addition, in some systems, some of the iron remains adsorbed on the cells and does not contribute to the formation of mineral phases.
Understanding of nanogels swelling behavior through a deep insight into their morphology

A thorough understanding of the morphology of the environmental sensitive nanogels was indispensable to obtain a deeper insight on their stimuli-responsive behavior. Therefore, in this work the colloidal characterization and the study of the inner morphology were related by using light scattering technique and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance transverse relaxation measurements combined with the Flory–Rehner theory. Different biocompatible and dual-stimuli-sensitive nanogel particles based on poly(2-diethylaminoethyl) methacrylate were synthesized using three different crosslinkers: two bifunctional and one multifunctional. All the nanogels obtained had a core–shell type heterogeneous morphology, but they presented completely different swelling behaviors due to their different crosslinking points’ distribution and polymeric chains’ microstructure. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2017–2025
Effect of adding natural antioxidants on colour stability of paprika

We analysed the effect of adding rosemary and tocopherol extracts, two natural antioxidants, on the colour stability of paprika stored at different temperatures and degrees of relative humidity. Any possible synergistic effect of their joint use was also investigated. The experimental data concerning colour loss, as determined by the ASTA 20.1 method, fitted first- and second-order kinetics, which provided the rate constants of colour loss and half-lives of the samples. The first finding concerned the antagonistic effect between storage temperature and humidity. The antioxidants had a clear protective effect on colour stability in all the conditions assayed, the superior effect of one or the other depending on the storage temperature. A synergistic effect of both antioxidants at temperatures between 25 and 40°C was evident. The experimental data referring to colour loss for most of the storage conditions assayed fitted second-order kinetics best. Cette etude evalue l'effet de l'addition d'extraits de romarin et/ou de tocopherol, deux antioxydants naturels, sur la stabilite de la couleur de paprika entrepose sous differentes conditions de temperature et d'humidite relative. Les antioxydants montrent des effets protecteurs sur la couleur dans toutes les conditions evaluees. Un effet de synergie des 2 antioxydants est observe entre 25 et 40°C.
Studies on protein folding, unfolding, and fluctuations by computer simulation. II. A. Three‐dimensional lattice model of lysozyme

A three‐dimensional lattice model of protein designed to assimilate lysozyme is introduced. An attractive interaction is assumed to work between preassigned specific pairs of units, when they occupy the nearest‐nighbor lattice points. The behavior of this lattice lysozyme is studied by a Monte Carlo simulation method. Because of the specific interunit interactions,“native state” of the lattice lysozyme is stable at low temperatures. Conformational fluctuations in the native state are observed to occur at both termini and loop regions of the main chain existing on the surface. The process of unfolding and denatured states of this model are discussed. Complete refolding from a denatured state was not observed. However, by starting from partially folded structures, the native conformation could be attained. From these observation it is concluded that, in the process of folding of proteins as simplified in a lattice model, nulceation is a rate‐limiting factor. The artificial character of this model and possible improvement are discussed.
Phytochemical screening and study of in vitro antioxidant activity of two different extracts of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Family: Acanthaceae)

Andrographis paniculata Nees is a medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcer, leprosy, skin diseases etc. In the present study, methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of the plant sample were taken and screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. The same extracts were again used for the antioxidant assays using DPPH and by estimation of their Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). The presence of most of the secondary metabolites was observed in the methanolic extract along with significant antioxidant activities compared to the petroleum ether extract.
COMPUTATIONAL DETERMINATION OF SULFONYLUREAS AS 5- LIPOXYGENASE INHIBITORS BY MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES

Molecular docking study was performed on a series of 25 sulfonylureachalcones CP1-CP25 as potential 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. The docking technique was applied to dock a set of representative compounds within the active site region of 3V99 (5-LO) using Molegro Virtual Docker v 4.0. For these compounds, the binding free energy (kcal/mol) was determined. The docking simulation clearly predicted the binding mode that is nearly similar to the crystallographic binding mode with 1.17A o RMSD. Based on the validations and hydrogen bond interactions made by R substituents were considered for evaluation. The results avail to understand the type of interactions that occur between designed ligands with 3V99 binding site region and explain the importance of R substitution on sulfonylureachalcone basic nucleus.
Experimental and simulated analysis of front versus all‐back‐contact silicon heterojunction solar cells: effect of interface and doped a‐Si:H layer defects

Front silicon heterojunction and interdigitated all‐back‐contact silicon heterojunction (IBC‐SHJ) solar cells have the potential for high efficiency and low cost because of their good surface passivation, heterojunction contacts, and low temperature fabrication processes. The performance of both heterojunction device structures depends on the interface between the crystalline silicon (c‐Si) and intrinsic amorphous silicon [(i)a‐Si:H] layer, and the defects in doped a‐Si:H emitter or base contact layers. In this paper, effective minority carrier lifetimes of c‐Si using symmetric passivation structures were measured and analyzed using an extended Shockley–Read–Hall formalism to determine the input interface parameters needed for a successful 2D simulation of fabricated baseline solar cells. Subsequently, the performance of front silicon heterojunction and IBC‐SHJ devices was simulated to determine the influence of defects at the (i)a‐Si:H/c‐Si interface and in the doped a‐Si:H layers. For the baseline device parameters, the difference between the two device configurations is caused by the emitter/base contact gap recombination and the back surface geometry of IBC‐SHJ solar cell. This work provides a guide to the optimization of both types of SHJ device performance, predicting an IBC‐SHJ solar cell efficiency of 25% for realistic material parameters. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of granular cold-water-soluble corn starch by surface modification with poly(ethylene glycol)

The main target of this study is to synthesize one kind of granular cold-water-soluble (GCWS) starch by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments onto the surface of native starch granules. It is found that the grafting process could introduce long PEG chains onto the granule surface, resulting in the presence of special micropits on the granule surface, as characterized by SEM. The cold water solution test verified that the resultant PEG-grafted corn starches exhibited excellent cold-water-solubility. The XRD analysis and further polar optical micrograph (POM) observation indicated that the crystallites structure inside the PEG-grafted corn starches was fully preserved, since no gelatinization process was involved. The present study provides a new train of thought that we can adjust the physiochemical properties of starch granules with proper surface modification.
Synthesis and characterization of LSMO manganite-based biocomposite

In this paper we study the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of La0.67Sr0. 33MnO3 (LSMO) manganite nanoparticles (NPs) and its biocomposite, obtained by mixing NPs of hydroxyapatite (HA). From the studies of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transmission of infrared spectroscopy it is evident that in the biocomposite sample both the individual phases are distinguishable from each other. The measurements of direct current (DC) magnetization and hysteresis loops reveal that the basic magnetic behaviour of LSMO–HA is similar to that of LSMO; however, the admixture of HA makes the sample magnetically softer. From the investigation of transmission electron microscopy it is observed that such a biocomposite is composed of the NPs of LSMO surrounded by HA particles, which can be found suitable for biomedical applications.
Flujo de trabajo para la experimentación colaborativa en Ingeniería del Software guiada por búsqueda

Resumen La Ingenieŕıa del Software Guiada por Búsqueda persigue reformular problemas de Ingenieŕıa del Software que a menudo comprenden objetivos en conflicto, como problemas de optimización. Aśı, las técnicas que se aplican en esta disciplina buscan una o un conjunto de soluciones casi-óptimas en un espacio de soluciones candidatas con la ayuda de una función de aptitud que les permita distinguir las mejores soluciones. La naturaleza estocástica de los algoritmos de optimización requiere de la repetición de las búsquedas para mitigar los efectos de la aleatoriedad. A la hora de comparar algoritmos, el investigador comparará los resultados con mejor calidad (mejores valores en la función de aptitud, en indicadores de calidad y rendimiento) devueltos en las búsquedas, lo que conlleva un trabajo adicional por parte del investigador. La sobrecarga que implica esta actividad puede aminorarse si la experimentación se enfoca de manera colaborativa. Este art́ıculo propone un flujo de trabajo para la experimentación colaborativa basado en resultados e indicadores de calidad y rendimiento.
Comprehensive evaluation of auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter for electric vehicle applications

A 50 kW auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter (ARCPI) is built and experimentally investigated for the electric vehicle (EV) application. The key performance aspects such as the efficiency and EMI noise have been compared between the ARCPI and the hard-switching inverter. The theoretical analysis is also presented to give the insightful view of the actual performance of the ARCPI for the EV application.
Sorption-diffusion in heterogeneous systems. Part 3.—Experimental models of dye sorption

Experimental studies are made of the sorption dynamics of dye molecules on rigid potous substrates (silica-alumina spheres) of known pore structure. The apparent diffusivity of the dye molecules is shown to vary by several orders of magnitude for different substrate/dye sorption affinities . However, the true diffusivity, derivable by methods described previously,1, 2 has the magnitude characteristic of free diffusion in the solvent for non-aqueous solvents. For cationic dyes in water, the true diffusivities, low at room temperature, also approach the classical diffusivity, as the temperature is raised in order to destroy a mobility inhibiting mechanism . At lower temperature, dye aggregation leads to dye entities sufficiently large compared to the pore dimensions.
Updated chemical mechanism for atmospheric photooxidation of toluene

A new reaction mechanism describing the atmospheric photochemical oxidation of toluene is formulated and tested against environmental chamber data from the University of California, Riverside, Statewide Air Pollution Research Center (SAPRC). On simulations of toluene—NO_x and toluene—benzaldehyde—NO_x irradiations, the average predicted O_3 and PAN maxima are within 3% of the experimental values. Simulations performed with the new mechanism are used to investigate various mechanistic paths, and to gain insight into areas where our understanding is not complete. Specific areas that are investigated include benzaldehyde photolysis, organic nitrate formation, alternate ring fragmentation pathways, and conjugated γ-dicarbonyl condensation to the aerosol phase.
Comparison of Line‐Drive and Push‐Pull Flushing Schemes

The performance of cyclodextrin (CD)‐enhanced push‐pull (PP) and line‐drive (LD) approaches to remediation of a site contaminated with a multicomponent dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) present in a surficial sandy aquifer was evaluated in this field study. The treatment techniques were compared to each other and to the projected performance of a conventional water‐flushing system. Performance was assessed based on contaminant mass removed per unit volume of extraction solution and per unit time of operation. As expected, the CD‐enhanced LD and PP approaches to remediation were more efficient than conventional flushing with water. Between the two techniques, the PP approach performed 1.5 to 2 times better than the LD approach, particularly for higher DNAPL saturation of the source zone. This result suggests that forcing the flushing solution directly into and through the DNAPL source zone minimized flow bypassing and consequently resulted in a more efficient transfer of contaminant mass between the DNAPL phase and the flushing solution. Nonuniform treatment zone contaminant concentrations and changes in contaminant composition influenced the treatment performances, but these effects were small and still permitted the comparison of successive tests. Although CD was used as the solubility‐enhancing flushing agent in this study, it is likely that the results can be transferred to other chemically enhanced flushing technologies that use, for example, surfactants or alcohols.
Do bone turnover markers change with a steep drop in maternal steroids?

The pregnant woman’s body provides 25 to 30 grams of calcium to support the developing fetal skeleton. Much of the fetal calcium demand occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, Calcium homeostasis is achieved through dietary intake, intestinal absorption, skeletal accretion and resorption, and urinary excretion. The key organs involved in the changes in calcium metabolism during pregnancy include the maternal parathyroid gland, the maternal intestine, and the feto-placental unit. An increase in 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, derived primarily from the placenta, stimulates intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, and appears to be the key regulatory factor during pregnancy [1] Serum concentrations of collagen crosslinks reflect bone resorption but not dietary intake, and these make them better indicators of bone resorption than urinary calcium or hydroxyproline excretion [2]. The c-telopeptide crosslink (CTX) was used in this study. During early pregnancy, levels of osteocalcin (a marker of new bone formation) decline, reaching a nadir at midgestation, and then rise to pre-pregnancy levels by term [35]. This pattern is similar to the changes in parathormone (PTH) levels during pregnancy (initial decline followed by a rise) and indicates a progressive decrease and then increase in bone turnover during pregnancy [3, 6]. The overall controlling factors involved in bone homeostasis during pregnancy are yet unknown. A recent two-year study demonstrated a 2% decrease of bone mineral density of 59 pregnant and lactating women by using ultra-distal radius bone mineral density, suggesting that maternal skeleton may be an important source of calcium transported to the fetus [6]. Although dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) is far superior for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, bone turnover markers (BTM) give some indication about the future risk for bone loss and fractures. Several assays are currently available that measure BTMs, (7). These assays measure collagen breakdown products released from osteoclasts and osteoblasts during the process of bone resorption and formation. This study was performed to compare the serum level of bone turnover markers (osteocalcin and CTx) at 35-36 weeks (the maximum time of a change) and postpartum level, when pregnancy steroids levels drop considerably.
Energetics and Dynamics of a Cyclic Oligosaccharide Molecule in a Confined Protein Pore Environment. A Molecular Dynamics Study

Interaction between a transmembrane pore protein α-hemolysin and a cyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin results in a system that can be viewed from several different perspectivesas an ion channel modified by a noncovalent adapter, thus providing a pivotal building block for the novel single molecule sensor devices, as a model protein−carbohydrate complex, whose structural, dynamical and energetic properties can be helpful in understanding the mechanisms of protein−carbohydrate recognition in biological systems, and as an example of a self-assembling supramolecular system. The detailed understanding of mechanisms of intermolecular interactions in such complexes is, therefore, of wide interest. We have performed a set of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (20 ns of total reported simulation time) of a β-cyclodextrin (βCD) molecule confined inside the lumen of the α-hemolysin channel (αHL). For comparison, the 8 ns dynamics of a free βCD in bulk aqueous solution was also performed. A detailed analysis of t.
Composition and Properties of Synthetic Hydrotalcites

Hydrotalcites of high aluminum content have been synthesized from aluminate liquors of varying composition and activated magnesia obtained by calcination of hydroxide or hydroxycarbonate precursors. Lattice parameter measurements and chemical analyses of 21 synthetic hydrotalcites show that the aluminum substitution $$\left( {\rm{X = \frac{{Al}}{{Al + Mg}}}} \right)$$ for most of the products is about 0.35, which is at the maximum experimentally-observed limit of solid solubility. Pillared hydrotalcites were also prepared by molybdate, Chromate, and silicate anion replacement. A maximum distance of 10.4 Å between the brucite-like layers was observed for the Mo7O246− intercalated material.
Relaxation studies on power equipment

This paper describes a method of studying and modeling the dielectric relaxation for stationary power apparatus in an interconnected network to get the necessary aging indicators. The polarization phenomenon was studied using Recovery Voltage (RVM) and Polarization Current (PCM) Measurements on individual power apparatus and on network with other connected apparatus. Because of dielectric absorption in composite insulation, all RVM responses showed a single peak response and the response was linear with charging voltage. PCM decreased monotonically with a sudden drop in the initial period and after 100 s, it decreased very slowly and the response was linear with charging voltage. The responses were analyzed by modeling the dielectric function as an exponential function and as two-time dependent fractional power law function to determine suitable aging parameters. Exponential function model was found to fit both responses to get an equivalent electrical circuit of the system. Interrelation of RVM and PCM was established in most of the cases. Predicted dielectric response function for generator was more linear with time than for transformers and cable. In the frequency plane, it was found to have distinct regions of relaxation spectrum. Studies indicated that the parameters of fit for RVM response with each charging period differed from all RVM responses.
‘MyQuestion’ Inquiry System for UTP Students and Staff

Due to the lack of single comprehensive system, both students and staff are not satisfied with the current state of handling inquiries within administrative departments which is time-consuming and human-relied. As students struggle to get timely response to their inquiries in administrative departments, the necessity for automated question answering system becomes more important. There is a need in a system that allows a student to ask a question in everyday language and receive an answer quickly and succinctly, with sufficient context to validate the answer. Hence, the main objective of the project is to develop system prototype based on the concepts of Automated Email Response and Question-Answering Systems using Iterative Development approach. The given paper further elaborates the problem statement and scope of the project. In-depth analyses and development requirements have been carried out in order to better facilitate to the progress of building the proposed system.