Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Achieving Enhanced Interfacial Adhesion and Dispersion in Cellulose Nanocomposites via Amorphous Interfaces

Understanding and designing nanoscale interfaces are essential to advancing the thermomechanical performance of polymer nanocomposites reinforced by nanocellulose. In this context, it remains to be understood how disorder introduced on the surfaces of crystals as filler materials during extraction and processing influences interfacial adhesion with glassy polymers. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, here we systematically explore the interfacial adhesion between nanocellulose and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by comparing an ordered cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) interface to a disordered amorphous cellulose (AC) interface. Using a bilayer system that consists of a cellulose underlayer and a polymer upper layer, our simulations show that the AC–PMMA interface can achieve about 50%–60% greater interfacial adhesion energy than that of the CNC–PMMA interface. We uncover that the improved adhesion primarily arises from a larger number of hydrogen bonds formed between the cellulose and polyme.
Study on structural and enhancement of current in activated carbon by incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotube as binary nanocomposites

Supercapacitor (SC) also called ultracapacitor is an electrochemical energy storage device applied to store electrical charges and pulse power supply. It is expected that both energy and power density could be improved by making the SC composite structure using highly conducting materials multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in activated carbon (AC). Also the performance of SC depends on some major factors of its electrode materials like high electrical conductivity, good mesoporocity, high specific surface area etc., so the structural and electrical study of MWCNTs incorporated in host activated carbon (AC) that forms nanocomposite prepared by a simple, low cost and environment friendly method has been reported. The structural properties of AC, MWCNTs and AC/MWCNTs have been examined by XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The enhancement of current in AC by adding MWCNTs has been analysed by current(I)-voltage(v) measurements. The observed results suggest that the prepared composite could be used for supercapacitor application.
Volumetric 3D‐Printed Antennas, Manufactured via Selective Polymer Metallization

Additive manufacturing paves new ways to the efficient exploration of the third space dimension, providing advantages over conventional planar architectures. In particular, volumetric electromagnetic antennas can demonstrate superior characteristics, outperforming their planar counterparts. Here a new approach to the fabrication of electromagnetic devices is developed and applied to antennas, implemented on curved surfaces. Highly directive and broadband antennas are 3D‐printed on hemispherical supports. The antenna skeleton and the support are simultaneously printed with different polymer materials – PLA mixed with graphene flakes and pure PLA, respectively. Weakly DC‐conductive graphene PLA‐based skeleton is post‐processed and high‐quality conductive copper layer is selectively electrochemically deposited on it. The antenna devices are found to demonstrate radiation performance, similar to that achievable with conventional fabrication approaches. However, additive manufacturing of RF antennas provides superior capabilities of constructing tailor‐made devices with properties, pre‐defined by non‐standardized end users.
Growth and characterization of micro-crystalline silicon-germanium and silicon-carbon films

This thesis reports on the growth chemistry and appropriate process parameters that result in the formation of micro-crystalline silicon-germanium and silicon-carbon films . The growth technique uses an electron-cyclotron-resonance-chemical-vapor-deposition apparatus. This apparatus allows the process engineer to control such parameters as the plasma resonance plane, substrate temperature, microwave power, vacuum pressure, gas flow ratios, and gas combinations. The plasma gas is hydrogen and the precursor gases are silane and germane. The hydrogen ions and electrons in the plasma dissociate the precursor gases into radicals that give rise to film growth on the substrate. The substrate temperatures are kept below 300 °C so that deposition on polyimide substrates can be performed. High power (200 Watts) and low pressure (5 mTorr) typically results in micro-crystallite formation. However, it has been determined that micro-crystalline (Si,Ge):H only occurs for specific silane to germane ratios. The type of substrate (glass, polyimide, or molybdenum coated polyimide) also plays a role in the structure of the deposited films . Spectrophotometer, activation energy, conductivity, sub-gap absorption, and Raman spectroscopy measurements are used to characterize the film's optical, electrical, and structural properties. From these measurements, characteristic signatures have been established that determine the material ' s quality and structure. Relating the characterization data to the process parameters will allow the process engineer to precisely control the resulting semiconductor behavior in materials and devices during manufacturing. CHAPTER
Analysis of the Price Change of the Azerbaijani Oil of Azeri Light, using the Monte-Carlo Method in the Conditions of Uncertainty

Purpose: This article examines the uncertain conditions of the oil industry in and post crisis period in Azerbaijan Republic in 2015-2017 and during COVID-19 in 2020. Design/Methodology: Existing turmoil in the global economy and volatile oil prices affected the economies of the oil-producing countries. Such instability also affected the economy of Azerbaijan Republic and led to a decrease in its key economic indicators, which leads to apply specific methods for identifying risks and estimating its valuation. Findings: The reasons of the sharp drop in oil and oil products demand have been analysed, using the Monte Carlo techniques and with its impact on Azerbaijan Republic as an example. Practical implications: The author, compiling the forecast for the chosen methodology, clarified forecast for 2018 of oil price of Azerbaijani oil brand Azeri Light in an uncertain environment, and made forecast for coming years, based on these calculations.
Anaerobic digestion of chicken manure: Influence of trace element supplementation

In this study, anaerobic digestion of nitrogen‐rich chicken (egg‐laying hen) manure at different trace element (TE) mix doses and different total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations was investigated in batch digestion experiments. With respect to nonsupplemented TE sets, addition of TE mixture containing 1 mg/L Ni, 1 mg/L Co, 0.2 mg/L Mo, 0.2 mg/L Se, 0.2 mg/L W, and 5 mg/L Fe at TAN concentrations of 3000 mg/L and 4000 mg/L, cumulative CH4 production and CH4 production rate improved by 7–8% and 5–6%, respectively. The results revealed that at a very high TAN concentration of 6000 mg/L, the effect of TE addition was significantly high and the cumulative CH4 production and production rate were increased by 20 and 39.5%, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that at elevated TAN concentrations the CH4 production that was stimulated by TE supplementation was presumably occurred through syntrophic acetate oxidation.
Anticancer Effects of Doxorubicin-Loaded Micelle on MCF-7 and MDAMB-231, Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers with high mortality, especially in women. Due to the severe side effects of chemotherapy drugs, scientists have tried to encapsulate these drugs in nanocarriers. The aim of this study was to analyze the anticancer effects of free doxorubicin and the doxorubicin-loaded OA400 micelle on MCF- 7 and MDA-MB-231, breast cancer cell lines. The Drug loading (DL) and Encapsulation efficiency (EE) of DOXloaded micelle were measured by spectrophotometry measurements. Dialysis bag method was used to evaluate the release of doxorubicin. We applied MTT assay in order to evaluate cell cytotoxicity of free and DOX-loaded micelle on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, breast cancer cell lines. The hydrophobic doxorubicin were successfully loaded into the OA400 micelles. The DL and EE was obtained 7.32 ±1.36% and 73.2 ±2.6%, respectively. The cumulative release rate of the drug was 27%, 22% and 12% at pHs of 4.5, 5.5 and 7.4, respectively. The IC50 value of the free DOX and DOX-loaded micelle in the MCF-7 cell line was 1.1 μg/ml and 1.8 μg/ml, respectively. Whereas the IC50 value for the free DOX and DOX-loaded micelle on MDA-MB-231 cell line was 1.38 μg/ml and 0.9 μg/ml, respectively. According to the results of this study, DOX-loaded micelle with less side effects had significant antitumor effects on breast cancer cell lines, especially MDA-MB-231 which could be as an alternative option for directed chemotherapy of breast cancer.
Modélisation de processus attentionnels dans la perception multimodale d'un robot virtuel

Nous avons modelise deux types de processus attentionnels sur un robot virtuel, dont le "cerveau" est constitue d'un modele connexionniste, distribue, de memoire associative multimodale. Celui-ci evolue dans un environnement virtuel dynamique, avec proies et predateurs, qui nous permet d'evaluer les apports de la modelisation des mecanismes visuo-attentionnels. Le second type de processus modelises est issu des recents travaux, en neu-rosciences, qui demontrent l'existence d'interactions precoces entre les modalites percep-tives, les interactions cross-modales.
Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Rich Carbon Dots as Fertilizers for Mung Bean Sprouts

Nitrogen‐doped carbon‐dots (N‐CDs) are synthesized using a solid‐state method and applied as nanofertilizers. Specifically, 70 g of mung bean seeds are cultivated in the aqueous solution of N‐CDs (0.2 mg mL−1) and yields 646 g of bean sprouts; this yield is significantly higher than that obtained in the pure water control (i.e., 550 g of bean sprouts from 70 g of beans). Furthermore, blue florescence is observed during the sprouting process, which gradually migrates from the beans to the root ends, implying the absorption and migration of the N‐CDs during this process. This work demonstrates that the N‐CDs not only serve as a new fertilizer for promoting plant growth but also enable in vivo monitoring of the plant growth progress of plants, opening up new possibilities of CDs‐related materials for future agricultural applications.
Alginate-based composites for environmental applications: a critical review

Abstract Alginate-based composites have been extensively studied for applications in energy and environmental sectors due to their biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective properties. This review is designed to provide an overview of the synthesis and application of alginate-based composites. In addition to an overview of current understanding of alginate biopolymer, gelation process, and cross-linking mechanisms, this work focuses on adsorption mechanisms and performance of different alginate-based composites for the removal of various pollutants including dyes, heavy metals, and antibiotics in water and wastewater. While encapsulation in alginate gel beads confers protective benefits to engineered nanoparticles, carbonaceous materials, cells and microbes, alginate-based composites typically exhibit enhanced adsorption performance. The physical and chemical properties of alginate-based composites determine the effectiveness under different application conditions. A series of alginate-based composites and their physicochemical and sorptive properties have been summarized. This critical review not only summarizes recent advances in alginate-based composites but also presents a perspective of future work for their environmental applications.
Phytotoxicity Studies of Textile Wastewater on Vigna radiata

The reuse of industrial wastewater for agricultural irrigation is often viewed as a positive means of recycling water due to the advantage of being a constant, reliable water source and availability in large volumes. In the present study, a laccase enzyme from the fungus Cladosporium oxysporum was used for treatment of textile industry wastewater. The fungal biomass was subjected to autoclaving (pretreatment) and, three different modes, agitated, aerated and rotating biological contactor were employed. In all three modes, autoclaved biomass of C.oxysporum was found to be most effective in removal of dyes from aqueous solutions. Among the three modes of batch studies, agitated mode was found to be more efficient and easy to operate. The resultant treated effluent from agitated mode as well as raw effluent was subjected to seed germination bioassays on Vigna radiata seeds. Root length, shoot length, root biomass and shoot biomass were increased in treated effluent when compared to untreated effluent. Seedlings irrigated with diluted (20%) untreated effluent yielded a total biomass of 538 mg, whereas treated effluent with 20% dilution yielded a total biomass of 626 mg. The untreated and treated effluents showed a phytotoxicity of 78.33 and 61.67% respectively and diluted effluents respectively had 26.67 and 20%. These results revealed that treatment of dye industry effluent with autoclaved biomass at optimum conditions reduced the toxicity of the effluent and the effluent after proper dilution can be used for irrigation.
Re-envisioning L2 hybrid and online courses as digital open learning and teaching environments: Responding to a changing world.

This article begins with a summary of the research literature that has been carried out over the last ten years regarding second language (L2) learning and teaching issues in college-level hybrid and online course environments. Next, I explore the open education movement and highlight characteristics that are shared between open educational resources and practices as well as open access scholarship and the interactions, activities, materials, and digital tools that are commonly used in L2 hybrid and online courses. As such, the primary focus of this article examines how L2 hybrid and online course environments can be conceptualized as—and are increasingly becoming—digital open learning and teaching ecologies (van Lier, 2004). Re-envisioning L2 hybrid and online courses as digital open learning and teaching environments presents both opportunities and challenges for L2 learners and teachers and the language education field as a whole. I therefore conclude with an overview of future empirical, pedagogical, and curricular issues and questions that will need to be addressed related to L2 digital open efforts as they continue to expand.
Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic compounds

Modern epidemiological and interventional studies have demonstrated that various bioactivities including antioxidant, antiproliferative, immune-regulatory, hormonal-regulation abilities and neuro-/hepato-/cardioprotective effects result from consumption of a phenolic-rich diet. The health benefits of ingesting phenolics are greatly dependent on their bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the digestive tract and circulatory system. This contribution attempts to review the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic compounds by focusing on the body’s internal mechanism including digestion, absorption, transport, modification, excretion, and colonic fermentation. The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of different phenolics vary depending on the physical condition of an individual, including digestive/absorptive/metabolic/response capability and effective dose. External factors such as processing methods and interaction with various food matrices also play a vital role on the bioavailability of dietary phenolic compounds. On the other hand, some novel phenolics have been synthesized to enable them rendering new bioactivities. The key internal factors influencing the bioaccessibility and bioavailability are also reviewed in this contribution. In addition, suggestions have been made for future measurement and assessment of bioavailability, together with prospects for food/nutraceutical/pharmaceutical application of novel phenolics.
Synthesis and characterization of a nanocomposite NiO/SiO2 from a sustainable source of SiO2

ABSTRACT The search for raw materials obtained from renewable sources is necessary for the sustainable development in the production of engineering materials. In this study, we present the hydrothermal synthesis of biogenic silica extracted from rice husk for the production of NiO/SiO2 nanocomposite by Pechini method and employed an alternative strategy for the use of tetraethylorthosilicate as precursor agent. The synthesized nanocomposite presents amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in a NiO matrix as observed in the x-ray diffraction patterns and by scanning electron microscopy characterization. The average size of the crystallite measured by XRD was 11 nm. The formation of the aimed composite containing 83% of NiO crystalline phase and 17% of SiO2 in amorphous phase was confirmed by Infrared and Raman spectroscopic analyses. These results demonstrate that it is possible to develop synthetic routes to produce new materials using several raw materials from sustainable sources and thus reducing environmental impact.
Green synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles using latex from Hevea brasiliensis and evaluation of their in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis tree has been used as a green alternative for preparing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs); however, no study evaluating the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of Au NPs synthesised using H. brasiliensis has been published. The present study aimed to synthesise and characterise colloidal Au NPs using latex from H. brasiliensis and to evaluate their in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Ideal conditions for the green synthesis of Au NPs were studied. In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Au NPs in CHO-K1 cells was also evaluated. Our findings indicated that the ideal synthesis conditions of pH, temperature, reduction time, and concentrations of latex and HAuCl4 were 7.0, 85°C, 120 min, 3.3 mg/mL, and 5.0 mmol/L, respectively. LC5024 h of Au NPs was 119.164 ± 5.31 μg/mL. Lowest concentration of Au NPs tested presented minimal cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. However, high concentrations of Au NPs promoted DNA damage and cell death via apoptosis. On the basis of these findings, the authors optimised the use of an aqueous solution of H. brasiliensis latex as a reducing/stabilising agent for the green synthesis of Au NPs. Low concentrations of these NPs are biocompatible in normal cell types, suggesting that these NPs may be used in biological applications.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF REVERSE PHASE-HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE FOR THE CONCOMITANT ASSESSMENT OF OMEPRAZOLE AND PIPERINE IN BULK FORM

Objective: The immense literature study was carried out and disclosed that here no method arrived for the concomitant assessment of omeprazole and piperine in bulk form by using RP-HPLC. Hence, an effort was assembled to arise a easy, specific, precise, reliable, linear, rapid, and validated reverse phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) technique for the simultaneous assessment of omeprazole and piperine in bulk form.Methods: The chromatographic analysis of omeprazole and piperine was performed using a RP-HPLC (WATERS) provided with autosampler and ultraviolet (UV) detector with the software of EMPOWER Version 2. The chosen conditions were isocratic separation with two mobile phase composed of acetonitrile:buffer (phosphate buffer: pH 6.5 ± 0.1) (55:45). Detection was carried out using UV/visible double-beam spectrophotometer at 320 nm. The method was validated as per the ICH guidelines.Results: The retention time for omeprazole and piperine by proposed HPLC method was found to be 2.767 and 4.029 min, respectively. The correlation coefficients are 0.999. The developed chromatographic method was found to be accurate with recovery 99.2–99.8% and was found within the acceptance criteria (i.e., 98.0–102.0%) with acceptable % relative standard deviation of not >2% at each level.Conclusion: Thus, the proposed HPLC procedure for the concomitant assessment of omeprazole and piperine was accurate, precise, linear, robust, simple, and economic.
Formation of 3-buten-1-ol over metal encapsulated ZSM-5 from formaldehyde and propene: A Density Functional Theory study

Carbonyl-ene reaction, which involves C-C bond formation, is an essential organic reaction. Here, we explained the possibility of the C-C bond formation between HCHO and propene catalyzed with Ni 2+ , Pd 2+ , and Pt 2+ exchanged on ZSM-5 zeolite (metal-ZSM-5) by density functional theory. Pt-ZSM-5 exhibits a better activity than other metal-ZSM-5 reported in present work due to high charge transfer among the platinum and formaldehyde.
Reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy post Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) and its clinical implication

Aim: To track the reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy post cardiac resynchronization therapy (ON and OFF modes) and its implication on patients clinical condition emphasizing the factors achieving that remodeling. Patients and Methods: 30 patients indicated for the device were enrolled and studied before and three to six months after device insertion by history taking, clinical examination, transthoracic echocardiogram, ECG and six minutes' walk test. Results: 30 patients (23 males and 7 females, mean age (54.50 ± 6.24years) with implanted CRT. All patients were in sinus rhythm, QRS duration ≥120 ms and LBBB with dilated cardiomyopathy (ischemic etiology was excluded by coronary angiography in patients having risk factors for IHD). There was clinical response to CRT as NYHA class improved p < 0.001 and 6 min walk test p < 0.001, electrocardiographically, there were significant differences in HR, PR interval, QRS duration ,axis and morphology between pre and post CRT measurements (P<0.001) and echocardiographic response as LV volume improved in 80%, EF in 76.6% and change (∆QRSD) significantly correlated with changes in NYHA, LVEDD, LVESD, and LVEF. s. Area under the curve was 0.824 for ∆QRSD (p=0.005), ∆QRSD of ≥-20 ms as a cutoff value had high specificity for predicting both clinical and Echocardiographic response. Coronary sinus lead selection and positioning had a major role in achieving that remodeling with best response was shown with the lateral veins (70 % of responders ) and worst response with mid vein ( 65 % of non- responders);Achieving that targeted significant ∆QRSD of ≥-20 ms sometimes required a more than usual programmable VV delay up to 60 ms in some patients. Conclusion: Reverse cardiac remodeling post CRT in patients with DCM in both (CRT ON + OFF modes ) was associated with a significant improvement in patients clinical conditions with subsequent reduction of the incidence of their need to hospital admissions.
An Estimation of Daily Intake of Potentially Toxic Elements from Urban Dust of Abakaliki, Nigeria

This study examined the total concentration of eight potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in urban dust of Abakaliki and also calculated the daily intake (DI) of these PTEs. Fifteen samples were investigated and the result revealed that the range of mean total PTE concentrations was found in this order: 3.59 – 15.3 mg/kg (As); 66.8 -172 mg/kg (Cd); 0.288 – 1.36 mg/kg (Cr); 25.4 – 86.6 mg/kg (Cu); 55.5 – 1815 mg/kg (Pb); 397 – 1389 mg/kg (Mn); 22.3 – 52.7 mg/kg (Ni) and 73.3 – 434 mg/kg (Zn). For each element the highest concentration (representing the worst-case scenario was used to calculate the daily intake and it was observed that only Pb with a DI of 4.88 μg kgbw -1 day -1 exceeded Pb recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 3.6 μg kgbw -1 day -1 . Based on a soil and dust ingestion rate of 50 mg /day for children between the age of 1 and <6 year, the amount of dust that a child would ingest in order to exceed the recommended tolerable daily intake TDI was also calculated. Keywords : urban dust, potentially toxic elements (PTEs), oral ingestion, Abakaliki, tolerable daily intake (TDI)