Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
α‐Fe2O3 Nanorings Prepared by a Microwave‐Assisted Hydrothermal Process and Their Sensing Properties

Nanocrystalline materials have attracted a great deal of attention because of their intriguing size/shape-dependent properties. Remarkable progress has been made in the fabrication of zero, one, and two-dimensional (0D, 1D, and 2D) nano-materials such as nanoparticles, rods (wires, cables, tubes, ribbons, and helixes), and sheets. [1–4] However, it is still a challenge to develop simple “bottom-up” techniques for preparing functional ringlike objects in strict circular, oval, or polygonal forms. The ability to construct artificial ringlike building units has implications in the design of complex nanostructures for precise nanofabrication. [5] Because of their unique structural features, ringlike objects exhibit novel properties with ring cavities. This may strongly enhance the functionality of nanomaterials. For instance, remarkably uniform field enhancement effect occurs in the cavities of gold nanorings. It has been demonstrated that they could serve as resonant nanocavities for holding or probing smaller nanostructures (e.g., biomolecules or quantum dots) in sensing and spectroscopy applications. [6] In virtue of their stably retained vortex states, magnetic nanorings have been proposed for applications in high-density magnetic storage and vertical magnetic random access memory (V-MRAM). [7] To date, the fabrication of ringlike structures is almost limited to either electron beam lithography (EBL) or template techniques. [8–10] However, the high cost and complexity associated with the introduction of templates has limited the practical application of these approaches. Among various strategies, solution-phase methods appear to be of particular interest for preparing nanostructures since they offer the potential
Ethical Governance is essential to building Trust in Robotics and AI Systems

This paper explores the question of ethical governance for robotics and AI systems. We outline a roadmap – which links a number of elements including ethics, standards, regulation, responsible research and innovation and public engagement – as a framework to guide ethical governance in robotics and AI. We argue that ethical governance is essential to building public trust in robotics and AI, and conclude by proposing five pillars of good ethical governance.
Caracterização funcional do gene Hus1 de Trypanosoma cruzi

A resposta ao dano de DNA (DDR) e um mecanismo coordenado de sinalizacao do dano, no qual a deteccao da lesao leva a parada do ciclo celular e o recrutamento da maquinaria de reparo. Uma das vias da DDR e ativada pela cinase ATR. Em resposta a replicacao parada, o complexo 9-1-1, formado por Rad9, Rad1 e Hus1, e carregado para regioes de DNA de fita simples recobertas pela proteina RPA. A presenca de 9-1-1 facilita o recrutamento de TopBP1, ativador alosterico de ATR. ATR ativa e capaz de fosforilar a cinase Chk1 que, por sua vez, fosforila e inativa Cdc25, promovendo o checkpoint de replicacao e a parada do ciclo celular. Estudos em Leishmania major sugerem a associacao entre Hus1 e o aumento da capacidade desse parasito em lidar com o estresse replicativo. Os mecanismos envolvidos na resposta ao estresse replicativo nao estao elucidados em Trypanosoma cruzi. Dessa forma, este trabalho visou caracterizar o gene Hus1 de T. cruzi, o parasito causador da doenca de Chagas. Para estudar a funcao de TcHus1 foi construida uma linhagem de T. cruzi com niveis aumentados deste gene. Assim, formas epimastigotas da cepa CL Brener foram transfectadas com o vetor pROCKhigro contendo o gene TcHus1. A analise do perfil de crescimento do parasito superexpressor em condicoes normais de cultivo, sugeriu que a expressao elevada desse gene nao compromete as funcoes basicas da celula. Tambem foi analisado o perfil de crescimento dos parasitos quando submetidos ao tratamento com agentes genotoxicos causadores de estresse replicativo. Os tratamentos realizados com benzonidazol, cisplatina, camptotecina, hidroxiureia e metil metano sulfonato (MMS) nao apresentaram diferenca no perfil de crescimento da celula superexpressora de TcHus1 quando comparada com as celulas controle. Contudo, a reacao de PCR quantitativa em tempo real de celulas submetidas ao tratamento com MMS mostrou que apenas os parasitos pROCK-Hus1 foram capazes de aumentar a expressao de Hus1 em resposta ao estresse replicativo gerado pelo MMS. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho nao permitem concluir se a funcao do gene Hus1 de T. cruzi e promover a ativacao da cinase de checkpoint ATR, como descrito nos demais eucariotos. Mais estudos serao necessarios para compreender a funcao e a importância dessa via na manutencao da integridade do genoma desse protozoario.
In situ fabrication of three-dimensional, ultrathin graphite/carbon nanotube/NiO composite as binder-free electrode for high-performance energy storage

Metal oxides have attracted considerable attention as promising electrode materials for energy storage, but the use of metal oxides for electrodes still faces challenges such as attaining high capacity, good cycle stability, and high-rated performance. Therefore, rational design of electrode architectures and assembling metal oxides into desired structures to further enhance electrochemical performance is necessary. Here, novel 3D electrode architectures consisting of 3D ultra-thin graphite film (UGF)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) uniformly covered by NiO nanosheets are successfully constructed by a chemical vapor deposition and subsequent electrodeposition, which are directly used as bind-free electrodes for supercapacitors and Li-ion batteries. In such composite structures, 3D UGF/CNTs serve as substrates for NiO nanosheet decoration, and act as spacers to stabilize the composite structure, making the active surfaces of NiO nanosheets accessible for electrolyte penetration and accommodating volume changes during charge/discharge processes. As expected, 3D UGF/CNTs/NiO as electrode material for supercapacitors showed high specific capacitance (750.8 F g−1 at current density of 1 A g−1), superior rate performance (capacitance of 575.6 F g−1 at 10 A g−1) and excellent cycle stability (no decay after 3000 cycles). Moreover, the 3D CNTs/UGF/NiO composite also exhibited enhanced lithium storage properties as anode materials for Li-ion batteries.
Otimização da produção de naringinase de Aspergillus niger por metodologia de superfície de resposta

Citrus juice for export has a slight bitter taste which is characteristic and acceptable by the consumer but high levels of naringin reduce its quality and commercial value. Naringin (a flavonoid linked to a rhamnose and glucose) is the main bitter component of several citrus fruits. The reduction in bitterness may be achieved by naringinase, an enzyme that degrades naringin. This study aimed the production of naringinase of Aspergillus niger by fermentation of low-cost substrates from agroindustry. The experiment was planned according to a 2³ factorial design which included three replications at the center point having as variables (g/L): naringin (0.20; 0.30 and 0.40); soy bean molasses (0.35; 1.05 and 1.75 of total sugars) and sugar cane molasses (0.35; 1.05 and 1.75 of total sugars). Using the results of 144 hours of fermentation the statistical analysis and predictions were carried out. The statistical analysis showed that the significant variables for the production of naringinase were sugar cane molasses and soy molasses, as long as naringin was used at its lowest concentration. The predictive analysis showed a maximum value of 1.35U/mL could be achieved when naringin (0.25g/L), sugar cane molasses (1.75g/L) and soy bean molasses (1.75g/L) were used. When the validity test was carried out a value of 1.344 (99.3% of prevision) was obtained.
Application of cement kiln dust for chemically enhanced primary treatment of municipal wastewater

ABSTRACTChemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) involves the use of chemical coagulants to enhance the coagulation or flocculation of wastewater particles. Chemicals of aluminum sulfate (alum), cement kiln dust (CKD), and cationic polymer were studied with jar test to select the most suitable coagulant for effective treatment of municipal wastewater. The results reveal that CKD at dose 50 mg l−1 could remove about 58.7% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 60% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The addition of 50 mg l−1 of CKD and of 0.2 mg l−1 of polyacrylamide flocculant (PAM) could provide a reduction of BOD, COD, phosphorous, and fecal coliform (FC) with percentages higher than 79, 85, 95, and 99.9%, respectively. Heavy metals, salinity, sodicity, phosphorous concentrations, and pH of the treated wastewater by (CKD + PAM) are within the acceptable range for irrigation. FC numbers was 1400 Most Probable Number (MPN)/100 ml for the CEPT effluent, and it is not meeting the WHO guideline for FC of 10.
Seasonal variations on energy yield of a‐Si, hybrid, and crystalline Si PV modules

This paper presents a study of long‐term outdoor performance of a‐Si and hybrid modules mounted in the same location over several years. The modules were also characterized indoors using standard measurement methods employing pulsed solar simulators at the European Solar Test Installation (ESTI). The present study is intended to contribute to future standards on energy rating by presenting a common procedure for correcting the outdoor performance measurements to standard test conditions and comparing the resulting module performance at real and laboratory conditions. A seasonal variation in output, higher in the summer and lower in the winter, suggests that the module performance improves due to annealing when the module temperature is higher. The total output energy per month for these two technologies and a reference c‐Si technology is also presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of a new ceramide EOS species: synthesis and investigation of the thermotropic phase behaviour and influence on the bilayer architecture of stratum corneum lipid model membranes

The lipids of the stratum corneum, particularly the ceramides, are known to play a crucial role for the skin barrier properties. Thereby, the unique ω-acyl ceramide EOS is regarded to be a precondition for the formation of a protective envelope. We report on the chemical synthesis of a new ceramide EOS derivative constituting a saturated and branched ω-acyl chain instead of the naturally occurring ω-esterified linoleic acid moiety, therefore showing an improved stability against oxidative influences. In addition, the thermotropic phase behaviour of the new ceramide was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate a phase behaviour similar to the one known for the naturally occurring ceramide EOS. Chain packing behaviour as well as phase transition temperatures are found to be comparable for both ceramide species. Furthermore, the present study addresses the issue of characterising oriented quaternary stratum corneum lipid model membranes based on the new ceramide EOS derivative by means of neutron diffraction. The results indicate the formation of a stable bilayer architecture with membrane parameters comparable to the quaternary model systems containing naturally the occurring ceramide EOS species. Additional molecular dynamics simulations corroborated the findings received from neutron diffraction and the proposed lipid bilayer arrangement.
Adsorption of Gold(III) Ions onto Chitosan and N-Carboxymethyl Chitosan: Equilibrium Studies

The adsorption of gold(III) ions onto chitosan and N-carboxymethyl chitosan (NCMC) has been investigated. Experiments were carried out as a function of pH, agitation period, and concentration of Au3+ ions. It was shown that the adsorption of Au3+ ions occurred only at the optimum pH. Kinetic studies showed a rapid adsorption of Au3+ from aqueous solution. Adsorption isothermal data could be interpreted by the Langmuir equation. Langmuir constants have been determined. The experimental data of the adsorption equilibrium from Au3+ solutions correlated well with the Langmuir isotherm equation. The uptake of Au3+ on chitosan and NCMC were 30.95 mg/g of chitosan and 33.90 mg/g of NCMC. The Au3+ ions were readily removed from chitosan and NCMC by treatment with an aqueous EDTA solution.
Studies on the mineral composition of the leaves of Graviola plant, Annona Muricata , from some selected municipalities in Ghana by activation analysis

A B ST R A C T Graviola, Annona Muricata , leaves is known for its efficacy in the treatment and management of complex disorders in man. Most research work available however targets on their organic contents, viz. essential oils, glycosides, vitamins, alkaloids and other active components. This research work aimed at investigating their elemental composition which is most often overlooked, though they play important roles in the fight against diseases. In order to determine the presence of these elements, even at trace levels, and to minimize chemical contamination during sample preparation, the sensitive analytical technique (which is free from the use of chemicals), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used. Potassium, Ca, Cl, Mg, Fe, Na, Br, Mn, Cu, Cr and Co were present in the leaves at detectable concentrations. The concentrations of the elements Cu, Fe and Mn were found to be below their tolerable upper intake levels. The presence of these elements in the leaves of Annona Muricata indicates its potential for use in medicinal preparations for the management and treatment of certain diseases.
Thermo‐Responsive Polyethersulfone Composite Membranes Blended with Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Nanogels

Thermo-responsive composite polyethersulfone (PES) membranes blended with monodisperse poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogels were prepared from blends of PES solution and PNIPAM nanogels by phase inversion. The monodisperse and spherical PNIPAM thermo-responsive nanogels were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. The blended PNIPAM nanogels did not affect the formation of the finger-like pore structure of the PES membrane but resulted in microporous structures. The water flux across the composite membrane at temperatures above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM was much higher than that below the LCST because of thermo-responsive shrinking/swelling of the PNIPAM nanogels, and the thermo-responsive permeation characteristics were affected by the content of blended PNIPAM nanogels. The thermo-responsive permeation performance of the composite membranes was reversible and reproducible.
Semiconductor CdO as a Blocking Layer Material on DSSC Electrode: Mechanism and Application

We fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with SnO2 nanoparticles coated with thin layers of CdO on the surfaces into a core−shell-type structure with various Cd/Sn ratios, and studied their effects on the DSSC performance as a function of the CdO shell thickness. CdO is an n-type semiconductor with a conduction band edge lower than that of SnO2 and, thus, has not been considered as a blocking layer material in the previous studies. The overall conversion efficiency of the DSSC was increased until the Cd/Sn ratio was 0.10, but was dramatically decreased when Cd/Sn was 0.20, compared with that of pure SnO2. The DSSC with Cd/Sn = 0.05 showed an efficiency of 3.25%, which is improved by 59% from that of pure SnO2. The influences of the CdO shells were studied by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, dye adsorption, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. When the Cd-content is low, the flat band potential of the electr.
Evaluation of manipulation probes for expanding the range of capillary force

In order to perform reliable micromanipulation, we need to use a force that is both controllable and greater than the adhesional force. We have proposed a manipulation method based on capillary force. For reliable micro-manipulation, a wide range of capillary force is required to pick/place a micro-object. This paper evaluates the capillary force generated by a liquid bridge between a spherical object and a manipulation probe with a concave tip. As the radius of the concavity being close to the object, the capillary force can be increased drastically, and it can also be controlled through a wide range by means of the liquid volume. There is a drastic decrease of the capillary force with the liquid volume when the hemline of the meniscus is on the brim of the concave, and it can be shifted by means of the depth control of the concavity. The mechanism of this increase of the capillary force, the capillary force curve, and the profile of the liquid bridge are also presented.
Amphiphilic β‐cyclodextrin‐based star‐like block copolymer unimolecular micelles for facile in situ preparation of gold nanoparticles

Multifunctional polymer unimolecular micelles, which are used as templates to fabricate stable gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in one-step without external reductant, have been designed and prepared. Amphiphilic 21-arm star-like block copolymers β-cyclodextrin-{poly(lactide)-poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-poly[oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)methacrylate]}21 [β-CD-(PLA-PDMAEMA-PEtOxMA)21] and the precursors are synthesized by the combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). The tertiary amine groups of PDMAEMA block reduce the AuCl4− counterion to zerovalent gold in situ, and these gold atoms combine mutually to form final GNPs. GNPs with relatively small size and narrow size distribution can be obtained in longer DMAEMA block copolymer, larger molar ratio of DMAEMA to HAuCl4 and smaller absolute concentrations of both polymer and HAuCl4. These results showed that the unimolecular micelles can be used as templates for preparing and stabilizing GNPs in situ without any external reducing agents and organic solvents, suggesting that the nanocomposite systems are latent nanocarriers for further biomedical application. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 186–196
Speciation and Bioavailability of Trace Metals in Water: Progress Since 1982

The advances in studies of trace metal speciation and bioavailability since Mark Florence’s 1982 review of the topic, published in Talanta, have been comprehensively reviewed. While the relative merits of kinetic and equilibrium approaches are still being determined, advances in the applications of stripping voltammetry, including the application of microelectrodes and an appreciation of detection windows in both CSV and ASV, have been matched by the introduction of new dynamic techniques including diffusive gradients in thin films (DGTs), permeation liquid membranes (PLMs), and improved applications of chelating resins. There have also been improvements in equilibrium techniques such as ion-selective electrodes and Donnan dialysis. The ability of geochemical speciation models to predict metal complexation by natural organic matter has greatly improved, yet the models still require validation against field measurements. More reliable and relevant bioassays have been developed using sensitive species such as algae and bacteria, and improved protocols are eliminating uncertainties particularly due to problems with high cell densities, and are allowing more useful comparisons with chemically estimated bioavailability. While the free-ion activity model has provided an improved interpretation of the relative toxicities observed with different metal species, its extension to the biotic ligand model is leading to better predictions of acute effects at least on higher organisms. The extension of such approaches to studies of chronic effects at ‘natural’ concentrations using unicellular organisms remains a challenge, as does the evaluation of whether such approaches are simplified limiting cases of a more dynamic natural situation where chemical reactivity and rates of metal transport could be important.
Chemical Fixation of Carbon Dioxide Co-Catalyzed by a Combination of Schiff Bases or Phenols and Organic Bases

Binaphthyldiamino, ethyldiamino and cyclohexyldiamino Schiff bases can catalyze the reaction of epoxides with carbon dioxide in the presence of catalytic amounts of various organic bases to give the corresponding cyclic carbonates in high yields. The simplest binaphthyldiamino Schiff base, derived from the reaction of binaphthyldiamine with salicylaldehyde, gave the highest yield of cyclic carbonate. This catalytic system can be further simplified by use of a phenol instead of the Schiff base to give the corresponding cyclic carbonates in high yields as well. Mechanistic insights were obtained based on a deuterium labeling experiment. The reaction of aziridines with CO2 and epoxide with CS2 were also examined under the same reaction conditions. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004).
Zur Kristallchemie intermetallischer Verbindungen

Nach einer kurzen Kennzeichnung der Sonderstellung der intermetallischen Verbindungen wird auf einige thermodynamische Gesichtspunkte bei ihrer Behandlung hingewiesen und die Methode der Strukturargumente in diese allgemeinen Zusammenhange eingeordnet. Die Strukturargumente der Koordinationszahl und der grosten Dichte werden naher besprochen. Namentlich letzteres wird am Beispiel der Laves-Phasen eingehend erortert und seine allgemeine Bedeutung im Gebiet intermetallischer Verbindungen dargelegt. After a short charakterization of the peculiarity of the intermetallic compounds some thermodynamic aspects in their treatment are discussed and the method of the structure arguments is settled into these general relations. The structure arguments of the coordination number and the highest density are discussed more thoroughly. Especially the latter is discussed on the example of the Laves-phases and its general meaning in the field of intermetallic compounds is shown.
The optimal design of 15 nm gate-length junctionless SOI FinFETs for reducing leakage current

Junctionless (JL) transistors need to be heavily doped to have large drain current in the ON-state, which engenders the effect of band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) in the OFF-state simultaneously. It causes an obvious increase of the leakage current in the OFF-state. This paper presents an effective method of reducing the leakage current by changing the geometrical shape and dimension of the oxide layer under the edge of the gate. The optimal design of 15 nm gate-length JL silicon-on-insulator FinFETs with the triple-gate structure is performed for reducing the effect of BTBT through simulation and analysis by this means.
Clustering in Amorphous Carbon Films Probed by the Charge Transport and Structural Studies

The influence of deposition energy on the electron transport character in amorphous carbon films containing silicon and oxygen was studied. It is shown that the dominant mechanism of the conductivity over the entire range of deposition energies at the applied electric fields up to 5·105 V/cm is a bandtail hopping of the charge carriers along the transport energy level. The role of sp2 clustering enhancement at high deposition energies in the electron transport modification is considered.