Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical Feasibility of Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste

Experiments were conducted using one-litre anaerobic batch bioreactors operated mesophilically (37 °C) and fed a mixture of primary sludge (RAW), thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) and simulated organic municipal solid waste (MSW). A mixture of 25% MSW and 75% sewage sludge (60% RAW, 40% TWAS) yielded the highest biogas production. Based on biogas production, the most anaerobically biodegradable components were the white paper and grass components of the MSW. The TWAS and the newspaper components of the MSW were found to be the least biodegradable components. Both particle size and total solids concentration of the feed had a significant impact on the performance of the process. Over the operating region studied, the optimal operating conditions in terms of biogas production and volatile solids removal were at small particle sizes (0.85 mm, the smallest studied) and high total solids concentrations (22.1%, the highest studied).
Polymerization of Lipid and Lysolipid Like Diacetylenes in Monolayers and Liposomes

Abstract Since conventional model membranes (Black Lipid Membranes (BLM), liposomes) lack in long time stability, a number of polymerizable lysophospholipid and phospholipid like monomers were synthesized, where the diacetylene moiety was the polymerizable unit. The hydrophilic head groups were simple ammonium, ether, or amine structures as well as phosphorus containing groups also occurring in nature. A first characterization of the monomers was achieved by surface pressure-area diagrams at the gas-water interface. Additionally, these monolayers could be polymerized via UV irradiation yielding stable, totally rigid polymer films. The mechanism of the polyreaction was followed with a new device permitting the recording of mono-layer UV spectra. Electron microscopy showed that sonication of aqueous suspensions of phospholipid and lysophospholipid analogs yielded spherical vesicles, which could be polymerized by UV light under complete retention of their structure.
Adsorption of anionic dyes onto natural, thermally and chemically modified smectite clays

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the adsorption capacity of the smectite clays (from the overburden of the lignite deposit in Belchatow) for two anionic dyes, i.e. Reactive Blue 81 (RB-81) and Direct Blue 74 (DB-74). Additionally, the influence of the thermal and chemical (acid and alkali) clay modifications on the amount of bonded dyes was investigated. The adsorption capacity of the clay (natural and modified) was different for studied dyes and depended on the initial concentration and modification type. All the modified clays adsorbed the dyes at pH>pHPZC as the negatively charged surfaces of their particles (in accordance with the formula: AOH ↔ AO- + H+) prevented the formation of electrostatic bonds between the anionic dyes and the clay surface. The dyes were mainly bound with the hydrogen bonds forming between the donor groups in the dyes and the acceptor groups (-SiO and -Al2OH) in the clays. The coefficients in the adsorption isotherms were estimated with the linear and non-linear regression. The linear regression method was found that the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms described the dye sorption much better than the Langmuir model. On the other hand, all three models described well the experimental data in the non-linear regression method. Furthermore, the 1/n value (<1) obtained from the Freundlich equation for all the dye-sorbent systems indicated the favorable sorption.
Phenomena That Limit the Capacity of the Positive Lead Acid Battery Plates II. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Mechanism of Discharge of the Plate

This paper is the second part of an investigation whose purpose is to establish the mechanism of the processes that proceed during discharge and cycling of the lead dioxide plate of the lead acid battery (LAB). On the basis of this mechanism some electrical parameters that can show the state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) have to be distinguished. In the first part of this study the shape of the charge potential transient was examined. In this part the electrochemical impedance spectra of a model lead dioxide electrode was investigated in charged and discharged states as well as the changes in impedance spectra during cycling of the electrode with high and low charge currents. It was established that during cycling the values of charge-transfer resistance (R ct ), ion diffusion resistance (R diff ) in the reaction layer, resistance of the grid/PAM interface (R i ), and ohmic resistance of the electrode (R Ω ) change smoothly at first with cycling and after a critical number of cycles have been reached, they start to increase fast. This shows that the electrode is close to the end of its life. The above parameters can be used for the determination of SOH of the positive LAB plate. The discharge processes take place on active centers (ACs) in positive active material (PAM) and interface. A model of the structure of ACs as well as a scheme of the elementary reactions proceeding at discharge in the ACs is proposed. During cycling when the number of ACs in PAM decreases and this one in the interface increases, the capacity of the electrode decreases. On the basis of the changes in the impedance spectra at discharge and charge the changes in equivalent electrical circuit are discussed.
In vitro total and methane gas production as influenced by rate of nitrogen application, season of harvest and perennial ryegrass cultivar

The effects of rate of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization (0, 80 or 160 kg N ha−1 per regrowth), season of harvest (regrowths 1, 2 and 3) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivar [classified as having either a normal or elevated water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration genotype] on in vitro gas production and digestibility were assessed. Increased N fertilizer application significantly decreased total gas production (TGP), methane (CH4) production and organic matter digestibility (OMD). The results suggest that the decreases in TGP and CH4 production were associated with a restriction in organic matter (OM) fermentation and an altered crude protein (CP) to structural carbohydrate ratio rather than a modification in the stoichiometry of fermentation. Season of harvest only significantly (P < 0·05) altered in vitro OMD and CH4 production at 8 h, despite altering the chemical composition of the herbage. Cultivar effects on all measured in vitro parameters were not significant presumably because the elevated WSC concentration trait was not expressed strongly in the study.
Laser‐Activatible PLGA Microparticles for Image‐Guided Cancer Therapy In Vivo

Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles are biocompatible and biodegradable, and can be used as a carrier for various chemotherapeutic drugs, imaging agents and targeting moieties. Micrometer‐sized PLGA particles were synthesized with gold nanoparticles and DiI dye within the PLGA shell, and perfluorohexane liquid (PFH) in the core. Upon laser irradiation, the PLGA shell absorbs the laser energy, activating the liquid core (liquid conversion to gas). The rapidly expanding gas is expelled from the particle, resulting in a microbubble; this violent process can cause damage to cells and tissue. Studies using cell cultures show that PLGA particles phagocytosed by single cells are consistently vaporized by laser energies of 90 mJ cm−2, resulting in cell destruction. Rabbits with metastasized squamous carcinoma in the lymph nodes are then used to evaluate the anti‐cancer effects of these particles in the lymph nodes. After percutaneous injection of the particles and upon laser irradiation, through the process of optical droplet vaporization, ultrasound imaging shows a significant increase in contrast in comparison to the control. Histology and electron microscopy confirm damage with disrupted cells throughout the lymph nodes, which slows the tumor growth rate. This study shows that PLGA particles containing PFC liquids can be used as theranostic agents in vivo.
Simultaneous modification of pyrolysis and densification for low-temperature solution-processed flexible oxide thin-film transistors

High-pressure annealing (HPA) affected the thermodynamics of the formation of a solution-processed oxide film through the simultaneous modification of thermal decomposition and compression, and enabled the use of lower annealing temperatures, which was favourable for device implementation. HPA also reduced the film thickness and decreased the porosity, resulting in enhanced device characteristics at low temperature. Surface and depth profile characterization using X-ray reflectivity (XRR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and ellipsometry suggested that the HPA process supported the effective decomposition of commercial metal-nitrate and/or -salt precursors and strong bonding between oxygen and the metal ions, ultimately reducing the amount of organic residue. The as-optimized HPA process allowed for high-performance solution-processed flexible InZnO (IZO) TFTs on a polymeric substrate at 220 °C with low sub-threshold voltage swing (as low as 0.56 V dec−1), high on–off ratio of over 106, and field-effect mobility as high as 1.78 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. These results demonstrate that this is a simple and efficient promising approach for improving the performance of solution-processed electronic devices at low temperatures.
Effect of Stress Intensity, Stress Duration and Previous Stress Exposure

Pathological consequences of stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may be related to the duration rather than to the intensity of HPA axis activation after exposure to the stressor. Consequently a fine analysis of post-stress events is of importance. The present experiments were designed to study the importance of three key factors in HPA recovery: intensity of the stressor (experiment 1), duration of exposure to the stressor (experiment 2) and previous experience of the animals with the situation (experiments 3 and 4). In experiment 1, analysis of both the response to the stressor and the poststress period showed that the stronger the stressor, the greater the area under the curve of HPA activation. In experiment 2, different groups of rats were exposed to different periods of immobilization (IMO) (20 min, 1 h and 2 h) and sampled before, during and after exposure to IMO. The speed of recovery of plasma corticotropin (ACTH) levels was not related to the duration of exposure to the stressor. In experiments 3 and 4, the influence of previous experience with the stressor was studied in rats daily exposed to 20 min IMO or daily injected with hypertonic saline (HS) for 8 days and sampled on days 1, 2, 5 and 8. Whereas a significant decline in plasma ACTH levels was not observed immediately after IMO until day 8, a single previous exposure to IMO was enough to enhance recovery 90 min after the end of exposure to IMO. Corticosterone levels were related to the number of previous experiences with the stressor only in the post-IMO period. In response to a novel stressor (forced swimming), chronic IMO rats showed a slightly impaired recovery as compared to stress-naive rats, suggesting that enhanced recovery of the HPA axis was specific for the homotypic stressor. After daily HS injections, a pattern similar to that after IMO was observed, the delayed, but not the early response of the HPA axis being reduced as a function of the number of previous experiences with the situation. Taken together,
Sister Chromatid Exchanges

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/04/1044–0310$21.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) are symmetrical exchanges between newly replicated chromatids and their sisters. While homologous recombination may be one of the principal mechanisms responsible for SCEs, the full details of their molecular basis and biological significance remain to be elucidated. Following exposure to ultraviolet light B (UVB), mitomycin C (MMC) and cisplatin, we analyzed the location of SCEs on metaphase chromosomes in Chinese hamster CHO cells. The frequency of SCEs increased over the spontaneous level in proportion to the agent’s dose. UVB-induced SCEs occurred frequently in telomere regions, as cisplatin-induced SCEs did, differing from MMC-induced ones. The remarkable difference of intrachromosomal distribution among the three mutagens may be attributed to the specificity of induced DNA lesions and structures of different chromosome regions. Telomeric DNA at the end of chromosomes is composed of multiple copies of a repeated motif, 5)-TTAGGG-3) in mammalian cells. Telomeric repeats may be potential targets for UVB and cisplatin, which mainly form pyrimidine dimers and intrastrand d(GpG) cross-links, respectively, resulting in SCE formation. UVB irradiation shortened telomeres and augmented the telomerase activity. The possible implications of the frequent occurrence of SCEs in telomere regions are discussed in connection with the maintenance of telomere integrity.
Nano magnetite decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes: a robust nanomaterial for enhanced carbon dioxide adsorption

It has long been seen as a demanding task to counteract the raised levels of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2). Current worldwide research is focused on the investigation of materials which can capture large amounts of CO2 through physical or chemical adsorption. The present work focuses on a high pressure CO2 adsorption study of functionalized MWNTs (f-MWNTs) and a magnetite decorated MWNT nanocomposite. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition method followed by purification and functionalization. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were decorated over the f-MWNT surface by a chemical method. The functionalized MWNTs and magnetite decorated MWNTs were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The CO2 adsorption capacity was measured using high pressure Sieverts' apparatus. A large enhancement in the CO2 adsorption capacity was achieved by decorating magnetite nanoparticles over the MWNT surface.
Raman Vibrational Properties of Carbon Nanotubes with the Radiation Defect Formation

Studies of changes in the crystal structure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) during the high-energy electron irradiation (E e = 1.8 MeV) with doses from 3.0 to 10.0 MGy are carried out by means of the analysis of the Raman vibrational spectra. It is shown that defects generated by the electron beam irradiation are accompanied by an increase in the interlayer correlations as a consequence of interlayer links and local variations in the geometry of MWNT. The generation of the structural defects leads to the drop in the integral intensities of the G- and D-bands in the Raman scattering spectrum and to the splitting of the G-band into several components. These results are supported by the manifestation of new vibrational modes with increase in the fluence of irradiation which is an indication of the reconstruction of the structure and geometry of MWNT and, respectively, of their symmetry.
Influence of intrachain hydrogen bonding on the cyclization of a polystyrene chain

Cyclization of a polystyrene chain (Mn = 10,600; Mw/Mn = 1.09) both ends labeled with 4-(1-pyrenyl)butanoamide groups was studied in cyclohexane between 25 and 95°C. The amide groups (peptide bonds) at both ends can form an intrachain hydrogen bond between the amide hydrogen at one chain end and the carbonyl oxygen at the other. The presence of two sets of conformers, random coils, and chains cyclized through hydrogen bonding, complicates the data analysis. The pyrene excimer kinetics of this polymer is well described by a model composed of two monomers (hydrogen bonded and nonbonded chains) and one excimer, in equilibrium. The cyclization rate constant for hydrogen-bonded chains is larger than the one for nonhydrogen-bonded chains. The pyrene excimer binding energy (ca. 1.6 kcal/mol) is lower than the published value for nonhydrogen-bonded chains (∼ 9 kcal/mol), suggesting that intrachain hydrogen bonding hinders the stabilization of the excimer. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Infertility and Chromosome Abnormalities in Human Gametes

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel 1424–8581/05/1114–0358$22.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. The aim of aneuploidy evaluation in spermatozoa from patients presenting spermatogenesis defects is to identify a relationship between meiotic errors and quantitative or qualitative alterations of spermatogenesis. During the past ten years, the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has permitted the determination of the frequency of numerical chromosome aberrations in different clinical situations. It has been established that infertile males with reduced sperm count and a normal constitutional karyotype have a significantly high risk of aneuploidy in their spermatozoa particularly regarding sex chromosomes. Concerning sperm motility, the data are more controversial. However, patients of severe asthenozoospermia induced by specific morphological deformities involving sperm flagella have a significantly high risk of producing aneuploid spermatozoa.
Accuracy of Cytology vs. Microbiopsy for theDiagnosis of Well-DifferentiatedHepatocellular Carcinoma andMacroregenerative NoduleDefinition of Standardized Criteria from a Study of 100Cases

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of ultrasound (US)–guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for the diagnosis of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (wd HCC) and macroregenerative nodule (MRN) and to identify the most useful cytologic and histologic criteria to distinguish between those two diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic and histologic specimens of 50 wd HCC and 50 MRN were reviewed blindly and the diagnosis compared to the final clinical diagnosis. Twenty-eight cytologic and 25 histologic criteria were examined and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among 100 cases studied, the final diagnosis was available for 43. In those 43 cases, combining analysis of cytologic and histologic specimens, the sensitivity of US-guided FNA was of 75% and the specificity 100%. Cytologic analysis was better than isolated histologic analysis, with a sensitivity of 75% vs. 68%, respectively. Sensitivity of cytologic diagnosis was lower for smaller nodules and for those located in poorly accessible hepatic segments. With the use of stepwise logistic regression analysis, four cytologic features (increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, cellular monomorphism, nuclear crowding, loss of bile duct cells) and four histologic features (increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, decreased Kupffer cells, cellular monomorphism, increased trabeculae thickness) were identified as predictive of HCC.
A Rugged Oxygen Gas Sensor with Solid Reference for High Temperature Applications

An oxygen sensor based on yttria-stabilized zirconia with Ni-NiO mixture as a solid reference electrode for high temperature applications has been fabricated and tested. During high temperature use Ni reacts with inner Pt electrode and Pt lead wire, and affects the output signal of the sensor leading to a limited lifetime. This is the first time an Al 2 O 3 isolation layer has been introduced in the design of an oxygen sensor. Use of this isolation layer prevents high temperature alloy formation between Ni and Pt, leading to a significant enhancement in the performance and the stability of the sensor. The sensor shows fast response with good recovery characteristics in the temperature range of 600-1400°C. However, after repeated tests over a longer period, the sensor performance degrades possibly due to grain growth and sintering of the inner electrode at high temperature.
Comparative Molecular Cytogenetics and Chromosome Evolution

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/05/1083–0217$22.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. A complex low-repetitive human DNA probe (BAC RP11-35B4) together with two microdissection-derived region-specific probes of the multicolor banding (MCB) probeset for chromosome 1 were used to re-analyze the evolution of human chromosome 1 in comparison to four ape species. BAC RP11-35B4 derives from 1q21 and contains 143 kb of nonrepetitive DNA; however, it produces three specific FISH signals in 1q21, 1p12 and 1p36.1 of Homo sapiens (HSA). Human chromosome 1 was studied in comparison to its homologues in Hylobates lar (HLA), Pongo pygmaeus (PPY), Gorilla gorilla (GGO) and Pan troglodytes (PTR). A duplication of sequences homologous to human 1p36.1 could be detected in PPY plus an additional signal on PPY 16q. The region homologous to HSA 1p36.1 is also duplicated in HLA, and split onto chromosomes 7q and 9p; the region homologous to HSA 1q21/1p12 is present as one region on 5q. Additionally, the breakpoint of a small pericentric inversion in the evolution of human chromosome 1 compared to other great ape species could be refined. In summary, the results obtained here are in concordance with previous reports; however, there is evidence for a deletion of regions homologous to human 1p34.2→p34.1 during evolution in the Pongidae branch after separation of PPY.
Cochlear Implants and Brain Plasticity

Profoundly deaf children who use a cochlear implant (CI) provide a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of auditory sensory deprivation on the maturing human central nervous system. Previous results suggest that children fitted with a CI show evidence of altered auditory cortical maturation, based on evoked potentials. This altered maturation was characterized by both latency delays and morphological changes in the cortical auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). Based on prolonged P1 latencies compared to age-matched normal-hearing (NH) peers, these data suggested a delayed maturation nearly equivalent to the period of deafness. However, rates of maturation for this AEP peak were essentially the same in NH and CI children. This suggests that, given enough time, the AEPs of CI children would assume the characteristic morphology found in older NH teens and NH adults. However, the data also indicated a substantial alteration of the typical set of obligatory P1-N1b-P2 peaks, specifically related to the absence of the N1 potential. Recent analyses of more extensive sets of longitudinal and cross-sectional data indicate that even after many years of implant use, the AEPs of CI users in their late teens remain very different from those of their NH peers. The P1 peak latency remains prolonged and P1 amplitude remains much larger in CI users than in age-matched NH teens. These findings suggested that age-related changes in the P1 peak are completed by 12 years of age. In addition, the normal N1b peak fails to emerge in virtually all of the CI children tested in our laboratory. A major new interpretation of the abnormal maturation of AEP waveforms in CI children is presented. It is based on direct evidence showing that a persistent immaturity of the superficial layer axons has persistent negative effects on the generation of the N1b and, consequently, on the morphology of the AEPs. A comparison of scalp-recorded AEPs from implanted children with local field potentials measured from the cortical surface in deaf white kittens suggests the effects of deafness and CI use are similar across these mammalian species. For both species, a period of profound deafness followed by CI stimulation reveals a substantial immaturity in cortical activation even after a period of electrical stimulation by the CI. Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel