Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solubility enhancement of poorly water soluble drugs using liposome technology

The aim of this work is to investigate the various parameters that could control the encapsulation of lipophilic drugs and investigate the influence of the physical properties of poorly water-soluble drugs on bilayer loading. Initial work investigated on the solubilisation of ibuprofen, a model insoluble drug. Drug loading was assessed using HPLC and UV spectrophotometric analysis. Preliminary studies focused on the influence of bilayer composition on drug loading to obtain an optimum cholesterol concentration. This was followed up by studies investigating the effect of longer alkyl chain lipids, unsaturated alkyl chain lipids and charged lipids. The studies also focused on the effects of pH of the hydration medium and addition of the single chain surfactant a-tocopherol. The work was followed up by investigation of a range of insoluble drugs including flurbiprofen, indomethacin, sulindac, mefenamic acid, lignocaine and progesterone to investigate the influence of drugs properties and functional group on liposomal loading. The results show that no defined trend could be obtained linking the drug loading to the different drug properties including molecular weight, log P and other drug specific characteristics. However, the presence of the oppositely charged lipids improved the encapsulation of all the drugs investigated with a similar effect obtained with the substitution of the longer chain lipids. The addition of the single chain surfactant a-tocopherol resulted in enhancement of drug loading and possibly is governed by the log P of the drug candidate. Environmental scanning-electron microscopy (ESEM) was used to dynamically follow the changes in liposome morphology in real time during dehydration thereby providing a alternative assay of liposome formulation and stability. The ESEM analysis clearly demonstrated ibuprofen incorporation enhanced the stability of PC:Chol liposomes.
Assessing the activity of natural food antioxidants.

: In the present chapter a working plan for the assessment of antioxidant activity of individual phenolic compounds or of their mixtures (plant extracts, beverages) is presented considering the current trends and advances in methodology. A series of decisive factors that should be taken into consideration when planning antioxidant activity assessment are highlighted. Shortcomings and improvements of available tools for the antioxidant activity assessment are critically presented. Reference is made on computational methods to predict the radical scavenging potential of phenolic compounds and complement experimental findings. Regarding the experimental protocols, emphasis is given to those employing biologically relevant reactive species. Comments are also made on the popular assays DPPH● and ABTS●+ as they are highly appreciated by researchers in the fields of food and life sciences. Since lipids are often the source of radicals in foods, assays based on lipid-derived radicals during oxidation of appropriate models (bulk oils, dispersed systems or complex matrices) are presented. The multifaceted character of antioxidant activity is stressed with regard to methodology choice. High resolution screening assays to obtain information on both chemical composition and antioxidant activity of individual constituents of mixtures of antioxidants is acknowledged. As scientists are aware of limitations and drawbacks of existing methods a consensus among experts is needed in order to produce data under standardized protocols, even if methodologies are under scrutiny. The accumulated information can, thus, be transformed to a useful databank for future revisions in this scientific field.
Evaluación de residuos de la industria forestal por un sistema de FSS de presacarificación con fines a la producción de alcohol

This work intends to collaborate in the development of the technology needed to transform lignocellulosic materials into bioethanol through a process that is both eficient and profitable so it can be deployed in the industry. In a system of solid fermentation, waste from the forestry industry was treated in a two stage process. At first, the material was inoculated with microorganisms that present ligninolytic activity (Tramentes versicolor y Pleurotus ostreatus) and then with microorganisms with cellulolytic activity (Trichoderma reesei). To assess the results, the fermentable sugars content was determined, and the samples treated with fungi showed a higher content than the untreated ones. Other parameters took into consideration where the ADF and the NDF, which were lower in the treated material, showing a plausible predigestion. Some measures of absorbance at wavelengths in between 200nm and 400nm were made to assess the products from the lignine degradation and it showed an increase in the treated samples. To assess the effectiveness of the treatment, enzymatic sacarifications were done on both treated and untreated material and the reductor sugars were later measured through DNS. As a result, an increase of 45 % was found in the treated samples. The high performances obtained allows us to consider it as a low cost presacarification methodology. The applicability of the process appears to be promising and because of the high variability of the results there will be further work done in its optimization.
Análise físico-química de amostras de méis de Apis mellifera e Meliponíneos

Physico-chemical analysis of honey samples of Apis mellifera and Meliponid The honeybee is a very complex biological product, whose composition varies markedly depending on the plant visited by the bees and the weather and soil conditions in the region where it was produced. This study aimed to compare the results of physicochemical analysis between the samples of honey produced in different locations in Brazil by Apis mellifera and Meliponid and to investigate whether honey produced by these bees, in different regions of origin, has tolerable levels of inorganic contaminants. To this end, we evaluated 56 samples of honey from A. mellifera and 56 samples of honey from Meliponid from the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraíba, Piauí, Paraná, Santa Catarina and São Paulo, for the following parameters: moisture content, water activity, viscosity, pH, free acidity, formol index, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, ash content, color, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity and metals (Hg, Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu). Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) technique was used to quantify the metals, and, to the other analysis, conventional and suitable methods for honey were used. The results showed that the current legislation, referring to the honey of A. mellifera, is not appropriate for the parameters reducing sugars, moisture content and diastase activity of some species of Meliponid. It was concluded that the species A. mellifera, Tetragonisca angustula, Melipona quadrifasciata, M. scutellaris, M. mandacaia, M. fasciculata, M. subnitida produce honeys with different and specific physico-chemical characteristics. For all species studied, levels of inorganic contaminants found in honey were tolerable to human health. The honey produced by A. mellifera showed variations in physicochemical water activity, viscosity, free acidity, formol index, reducing sugars, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity and the mineral zinc, depending on the different locations where they were produced.
Effect of Pressure on the Prodan Fluorescence in Bilayer Membrane of Ether-Linked Lipid, Dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine

The fluorescence spectra of 6-propionyl-2-(dimethyamino)-naphthalene (Prodan) in the bilayer membrane of an ether-linked phospholipid, dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine (DHPC), were observed as a function of temperature and pressure. Previous results for Prodan in the bilayer membrane of an ester-linked lipid, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), were compared with the present results. A great difference in the fluorescence spectrum shape was found in the ripple gel phase of the DHPC and DPPC bilayers. The location of the Prodan molecule in the bilayer was speculated on the basis of the maximum emission wavelength. The ratio of fluorescence intensity of Prodan at two wavelengths was useful for the determination of bilayer phase transition, especially the pressure-induced interdigitation.
An optimal design and use of solar home system in Mongolia

This paper presents the results of study related into optimal design and use of solar home system (SHS) in Mongolia. Over recent years, SHS becomes widely used by nomadic households in Mongolia. In the other hand, there exists an increasing problem of system component failure, low battery lifetime and users' dissatisfaction. To overcome the present problem, a user training manual and demand-side load management seems to be necessary for enhance lifetime and minimize failures of SHS. The time-serial simulation results shows possibilities to gain more performance ratio of SHS, which sized design parameter method. The optimal load table to support DSM for user proposed in the case of Mongolian central area.
On the equilibrium structure of dense fluids

A factorization ansatz for the triplet direction correlation function c (3) is combined with the exact relation between c (3) and the derivative of the pair function c (2) with respect to density to derive a simple and tractable approximation for c (3) in dense, classical fluids. The predictions of this approximation are found to be in good agreement with the results of ‘exact’ molecular dynamics simulations for the ‘soft sphere’ model near freezing. The approximate c (3) is then used to derive an improved integral equation for the pair correlation function which is found to yield satisfactory results. In another application, the third order term in the density functional theory of freezing is systematically evaluated for the first time and is found to lead to significant improvement over the usual second order theory, particularly for soft interatomic repulsions.
Electrochemical-reduction-assisted assembly of ternary Ag nanoparticles/polyoxometalate/graphene nanohybrids and their activity in the electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction

The green, facile, electrochemical-reduction-assisted assembly of ternary Ag nanoparticles (NPs)@polyoxometalate (POM)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is reported. The POM served as an electrocatalyst and bridging molecule. Characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis, etc., was performed and verified the structure of the prepared nanohybrids of Ag NPs@POM/rGO. The density and size of the Ag NPs on the rGO can be simply tuned by changing the concentration of Ag+. Most importantly, it is interesting to find that the ternary Ag NPs@POM/rGO nanohybrids showed much better electrocatalytic activities towards the oxygen reduction reaction than binary Ag NPs@POM and POM/rGO nanohybrids, and a direct four-electron transfer pathway was observed because of the synergistic effect of the Ag NPs and rGO. The electrocatalytic performance of Ag NPs@POM/rGO depended on the loading amount of Ag NPs, and 30% Ag NPs@POM/rGO showed the best electrocatalytic performance.
Crystal structure of {2-[2-(1H-inden-3-yl)-2-phenylethyl]-1H-imidazolyl- κN1}-tris[N,N-diethylamido-κN]titanium(IV), C32H47N5Ti

Abstract C32H47N5Ti, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 16.100(2) Å, b = 19.904(2) Å, c = 20.196(2) Å, V = 6472.3 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0405, wRref(F2) = 0.1178, T = 293 K.
Stimulated Deformation of Polysiloxane Capsules in External Electric Fields

Due to their pronounced viscoelastic properties polymer microcapsules are able to undergo mechanical deformations when they are stimulated by external signals. The aim of our work was to prepare new types of electric switchable microcapsules based on the interfacial polycondensation of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and to investigate their deformation behavior in externally electric fields. In a series of experiments we explored the influence of different additives on the deformation behavior of the capsules in electric fields as well as on the shear rheological properties of the polysiloxane networks at the planar interface. We could show that the additives had a significant influence on the rheological membrane properties, but we observed only small changes in the deformation of the whole capsules.
A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract— In experiments on the interception of reactive intermediates of strongly oxidizing character in dye (S) sensitized photooxidations using p‐nitrosodimethylaniline (RNO) as a selective scavenger, it has been observed that some substrates (A) or 1O2 acceptors (like imidazole derivatives) induce the bleaching of RNO as followed spectrophotometrically at 440 nm. Since singlet oxygen (1O2) does not react chemically with RNO, this bleaching is a consequence of 1O2 capture by the imidazole ring which results in the formation of a trans‐annular peroxide intermediate [1O2] capable of inducing the bleaching of RNO (‐RNO). In the absence of RNO, [1O2] decomposes or rearranges into the final oxygenation product 1O2: 1Δg Thus, the system imidazole plus RNO can be used as a sensitive and selective test for the presence of 1O2 in aqueous solutions. The method can also be applied in the presence of sensitizing dyes which, under visible irradiation, can partially bleach RNO even in the absence of imidazole derivatives. In such a case, the bleaching of RNO is strongly increased by the presence of imidazoles with a characteristic dependence on their concentration. The separation of the product of RNO bleaching by thin layer chromatography can serve as additional proof of the presence of 1O2 in the system. The imidazole plus RNO method has been applied to a number of sensitizing and non‐sensitizing dyes.
Frequency dispersion and dielectric relaxation of La2Hf2O7

Thin films of La2Hf2O7 have been deposited by liquid injection atomic layer deposition and post-deposition annealed at 900°C. The dielectric frequency dispersion was more serious for thinner films which is attributed to the effect of a lossy interfacial layer between the La2Hf2O7 dielectric and silicon substrate. The effect of the interfacial layer was modeled based on a dual-frequency measurement technique. The dielectric relaxation of the La2Hf2O7 thin films was modelled using both the Curie-von Schweidler and Havriliak-Negami relationships. Post deposition annealing in nitrogen at 900°C for 15min improved dielectric relaxation and reduced the dielectric loss.
Recovery and Recycling of Zn(II) from Wastewater by Scenedesmus sp. MCC 26 Isolated from a Heavy Metal Contaminated Site

This study evaluated the potential of Scenedesmus sp. MCC 26 as a new cost effective and efficient alternative for removing Zn(II) ions from viscose industrial effluent. Scenedesmus sp. MCC 26 (green microalgae) was isolated from a metal contaminated site and investigated for biosorption of Zn(II) from simulated viscose industrial effluent. Different biosorption parameters such as effect of pH (2–7), initial Zn(II) ion concentration (0–600 mg/L) and contact time (0–120 min) were investigated in order to optimize the process. The maximum absorption (142.85 mg/g) by the microalgal biomass was observed at pH 6 within 60 min of contact time at 28°C. Biosorption process was found to be rapid (6 mg of Zn/g biomass per min) for initial 10 min followed by a slower phase (0.6 mg of Zn/g biomass per min). The absorption data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm (qmax = 142.85 mg/g, r2 = 0.973) and Freundlich isotherm (kf = 1.447, r2 = 0.992). Treatment of Zn(II) loaded biomass with 0.1 M H2SO4 showed almost 99% recovery of zinc which can be reused in the industrial processes. After first cycle of Zn(II) removal and recovery, the same biomass was tested for its reusability in repeated cycles. The results showed that the same biomass can be used minimum for five cycles of Zn(II) absorption and recovery with similar efficiency.
Investigations of aerosol scavenging efficiency by precipitation

Results of field experiments of aerosol scavenging by precipitation are considered. Scavenging factor was evaluated for aerosol particles within the range greater 0.3 mkm. Experiments have clearly shown that one can calculate scavenging factor only thoroughly analyzing results of each measurement because there are lot of factors (aerosol concentration variations due to synoptical processes, daily aerosol concentration trend, wind, local aerosol sorcerers, etc) that seriously complicate processing procedure. Nonstationary parameterized model of Cu cloud have been used also to calculate scavenging factor.
FACTORS INFLUENCE THE INTENTION TO USE INTERNET BANKING IN VIETNAM

This thesis reports the findings of a study issues concerning the adoption of internet banking in Vietnam. This study investigates customers’ adoption within the context of Vietnam Internet Banking services and research framework is based on the extension of Technology Acceptance Model with theory of Planned Behavior and Trust. Theory was developed to identify factors that would influence the adoption of internet banking. The framework includes Perceived usefulness, Perceived ease of use, Trust, and intention constructs. Survey was conducted to gather the data. Multiple Linear Regression Model was used to examine the entire pattern of intercorrelations among the constructs and to test related propositions empirically. Results show that Perceived usefulness, Trust significantly influence customers’ intention toward adopting internet banking. Theoretical contributions and practical implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are presented.
D-Xylonic acid: a solvent and an effective biocatalyst for a three-component reaction

A simple and effective synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones/thiones and their derivatives from aldehydes, β-dicarbonyl compounds and urea or thiourea using D-xylonic acid both as a green solvent and an effective catalyst is described. Taking the environment and economy into account, the work presented here has the merits of environmental friendliness, easy operation, simple work-up, excellent yields and the avoidance of organic solvents and inexpensive catalysts. In addition, the good properties of D-xylonic acid have also been validated by the synthesis of 5-phenyl-1(4-methoxyphenyl)-3[(4-methoxyphenyl)-amino]-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one and 12-phenyl-9,9-dimethyl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen-11-one. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and melting point.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS RELATIONS OF PROPRIOSPINAL AND SPINO-BULBO-SPINAL REFLEX SYSTEMS

1. Relationships of propriospinal (PS) and spino-bulbo-spinal (SBS) reflexes to peripheral input and output systems were studied in cats. The significance of cutaneous and muscular afferents as well as efferent connections with intrafusal and extrafusal motor units and the involvement of flexor and extensor muscles were investigated.2. A comparison of afferent stimulation of the two reflex systems shows that SBS reflexes respond at a lower threshold of cutaneous nerve stimulation than PS reflexes. Conversely, PS reflexes are readily elicited by muscular afferents whereas SBS reflexes have a higher threshold and are inconsistent. Conduction velocities of cutaneous afferents responsible for SBS reflexes were found to be as high as50-80m/sec. It was possible to elicit SBS reflexes by mechanical stimulation of the skin, ipsilaterally and contralaterally.3. A comparison of the muscular responses of these two reflex systems shows that the propriospinal reflexes involve contraction of both flexor and extensor muscles of trunk and extremities bilaterally, whereas spino-bulbo-spinal reflexes involve flexor muscles if excited by cutaneous afferents, and extensor muscles if excited by extensor muscle afferents. Both reflex systems are served exclusively by alpha motoneurons and identical units may respond to the two reflex events in rapid succession.4. The excitability of PS and SBS reflexes may be increased or decreased by neck proprioceptors as well as by stretch receptors of limb muscles. While both reflex mechanisms are similarly modified by proprioceptive influences, they are differentially affected by Nembutal anesthesia and asphyxia, i. e. , SBS reflexes are more vulnerable as compared to PS reflexes.
NO formation in a pulsed spark discharge in N2/O2/Ar mixture at atmospheric pressure

Nitrogen monoxide (NO) formation in a pulsed spark discharge is studied in N2/O2/Ar mixture at atmospheric pressure. For monitoring NO formation, vibrationally excited NO(X,v = 3) is measured by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with a tunable KrF excimer laser. The LIF with a KrF laser has an advantage that it can also monitor vibrationally excited oxygen O2(X,v = 6) along with NO(X,3). The generation of the O2(X,6) is closely related with the production of O radical or excited oxygen O2* that is generally responsible for NO formation. Therefore, LIF can observe NO formation associated with O and O2* production. LIF analysis shows a similarity between NO(X,3) and O2(X,6) formation when O2 content changes. NO(X,3) and O2(X,6) are not formed at O2 content less than 9%, whereas both molecules increase linearly with O2 concentration when the O2 content exceeds 9%. The similarity between NO(X,3) and O2(X,6) formation suggests that NO is mainly formed by reaction with O or O2*. With the result, the possible NO production processes are discussed. It is concluded that NO is mainly produced by reactions N2* + O or N2* + O2*, where N2* represents an excited nitrogen molecule.
Crystallization of β‐glycine by spray drying

Glycine crystallization during spray drying has been investigated on a laboratory scale. In order to obtain different polymorphs the experiments have been performed at different hot air temperatures, concentrations, different flow of the solution and spraying air. The obtained crystals were analyzed by means of X‐ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and the Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Crystallization mostly resulted with a mixture of α‐ and β‐glycine with a small amount of γ‐glycine. The glycine polymorphism is affected by the drying air temperature, concentration and the flow of the solution, as well as the spraying air flow. Decrease of the drying air temperature and increase of the solution flow rate causes the increase of the quantity of β‐glycine. At room conditions, β‐glycine spontaneously transforms into thermodynamically more stable α‐glycine. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
DETERMINATION OF FK506 IN RAT BLOOD BY LC-MS/MS AND EFFECT OF SILYMARIN ON ITS PHARMACOKINETICS

A simple and specific LC-MS/MS method for the determination of FK506 in blood was developed, validated, and successfully applied in pharmacokinetic studies of the effect of silymarin on FK506 in rats. Blood samples were extracted by liquid-liguid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether and separated on an Eclipse plus-C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 µm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-10 mM ammonium acetate buffer solution (80:20, v/v). FK506 was detected without interference in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Good linearity was achieved over a range of 2.0–200 ng mL−1. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 13.5 % for all concentrations of quality control samples. The recoveries of FK506 were 74.2–85.3 %. Although the mean Cmax and AUC0 − ∞ of FK506 were increased to some extent, there was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic profile of FK506 after oral administration to rats in the presence and absence of silymarin (200 mg kg−1, 2 times/d for 14 d).