Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competitive Adsorption of Xylene and Toluene on Modified and Unmodified Magnesium Exchanged Bentonite Clay Mineral

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) – modified and unmodified magnesium exchanged bentonite were used for the competitive adsorption of m-xylene and toluene from their aqueous solution. Infrared spectroscopy (IR, adsorption capacity and Foster swelling measurements were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer to evaluate the performance of the adsorbents. The FT-IR results indicated that the quaternary ammonium salts (Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) were intercalated between the layers of the bentonite clay. The Foster swelling test results indicated that the affinity of CTAB occurred in the treated clay as tested in all organic solvents (diesel, kerosene, gasoline, toluene and m-xylene), with and without agitation. The result showed that modified magnesium bentonite swelled more than the unmodified and the order of the swelling factor is; m- xylene > toluene > gasoline > diesel > DPK > water. However, when the assay was performed under agitation, it yielded higher swelling capacity and all the organic solvents used in this investigation showed good compatibility after organophilization. The modified clay exhibited very high capacity of adsorption compared to unmodified samples. The m-xylene and toluene uptake follows a pseudo second order kinetics mechanism, suggesting that the rate determining step of adsorption involves the two adsorbates competitively adsorbed on the adsorbent sites. Modified magnesium bentonite has a higher percentage removal and higher adsorption capacity than raw or unmodified magnesium bentonite. These adsorbents (modified magnesium bentonite) are therefore recommended for use by water treatment and petrochemical industries for removal of hydrocarbons (m- xylene and toluene) from their waste water and effluents.
Influence of physical activity of the maximum aerobic power on hemo-dynamic and morpho-biochemical of change of erythrocytes of female volleyball players

Purpose : to study types of the cardio-hemo-dynamic reaction of an organism and morpho-biochemical changes of erythrocytes of peripheral blood of female volleyball players on physical activity of the maximum aerobic power. Material : 18 female volleyball players with different qualification participated in the experiment (age - 22,0±0,6 years). It is investigated cardio-hemo-dynamic (by functional methods), functional changes (by biochemical methods) and structure of erythrocytes (by means of the scanning electronic microscopy) before and after maximum (3,5 W/kg of body mass) physical activity. Results : It is determined that the maximum physical activity causes essential changes in cardio-hemo-dynamic. Such changes depend on the morphological reorganization of peripheral blood erythrocytes (increase in the index of erythrocytes deformation) and closely correlate with biochemical changes (decrease of ATP concentration and increase of magnesium concentration in erythrocytes). It is discussed the possible mechanisms of realization of reaction features of the organism of female volleyball players to physical activity of the maximum aerobic power. Conclusions : the physical activity of the maximum aerobic power finds typological features of the cardio-hemo-dynamic reaction of the female volleyball players’ organism. Such features are expressed by conformational changes of erythrocytes of peripheral blood. They depend on the concentration of separate macroelements in these cells and type of cardio-hemo-dynamic.
Recent advances in the use of animal-sourced gelatine as natural polymers for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.

Gelatine is used as an excipient for various pharmaceutical dosage forms, such as capsule shells (both hard and soft), tablets, suspensions, emulsions and injections (e.g. plasma expanders). It is also broadly used in various industries such as food and cosmetics. Gelatine is a biopolymer obtained from discarded or unused materials of bovine, porcine, ovine, poultry and marine industrial farms. The discarded materials can be the skin, tendons, cartilages, bones and connective tissues. Gelatine sourced from animals is relatively easy and inexpensive to produce. The potential needs of gelatine cannot be overemphasised. Rising demands, health concerns and religious issues have heightened the need for alternative sources of gelatine. This review presents the various industrial uses of gelatine and the latest developments in producing gelatine from various sources.
Text Segmentation

Electronic text is essentially just a sequence of characters, but the majority of text processing tools operate in terms of linguistic units such as words and sentences. Tokenization is a process of segmenting text into words, and sentence splitting is the process of determining sentence boundaries in the text. In this chapter we describe major challenges for text tokenization and sentence splitting in different languages, and outline various computational approaches to tackling them.
Adsorption of Ni(II) Ion onto Calcined Eggshells: A Study of Equilibrium Adsorption Isotherm

Adsorption is one of the most effective and economical method to treat heavy metals in water. In this study, we utilize waste chicken eggshells as biosorbent to adsorb Ni(II). Furthermore we study the effect of eggshell calcination on its adsorption performance. The effect of calcination on the characteristic of eggshell was observed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). It could be observed that CaCO3 in eggshell was converted into CaO, and from SEM images the calcined eggshell became more porous than the uncalcined one. The effect of various parameters such as initial Ni(II) solution pH and initial Ni(II) concentration was investigated using batch adsorption experiments. The data obtained then fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The best pH for Ni(II) adsorption was found to be 6. From Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich, it was found that calcined eggshells gave 60 times higher maximum adsorption capacity then uncalcined one. This increase was possible due to more porous structure of calcined eggshells. The adsorption process was found to be exothermic and physisorption. This result was confirmed by the decrease of % removal with increase of temperature. Furthermore, Langmuir isotherm was found to be the best model, indicating adsorption of Ni(II) was monolayer adsorption on homogenous surface.
SlidAR: Towards using AR in Education

Applying Augmented Reality in education is being explored by many scientists. Therefore, we augment digital slides of lectures in higher education. We implemented a web server application, which allows professors to create their own AR slides. We also developed a mobile app for students to scan the slides and view the augmentation in lectures or learning sessions. To assess the usability of our system, we conducted a study with fifteen students and two professors. Students' feedback indicated that our AR app could be integrated into education. Professors, on the other hand, reported improvement suggestions. However, both groups supported applying the system in real lectures.
Metal- and photocatalyst-free visible-light-promoted regioselective selenylation of coumarin derivatives via oxidation-induced C–H functionalization

A visible-light-promoted approach for the regioselective selenylation of 4-amino substituted coumarins has been developed under metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions at room temperature. Notably, dual selenylation products were also obtained selectively when N-substituted 4-(phenylamino)-2H-chromen-2-ones were employed. Preliminary mechanism studies suggest that oxidation-induced C–H functionalization may be involved in this transformation. The present method provides a highly attractive and alternative approach to C–Se bond formation.
Physical Trauma and Its Consequences in Rural and Semi-Urban Regions of Low and Middle Income Countries

Trauma is a common occurrence in the rural and semi-urban regions of the low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) due to existence of risky infrastructure, socioeconomic, and cultural environments. Causes of trauma in these regions range from the commonest road traffic accidents, falls, burns, and assaults to the scarcely reported range of farmyard accidents. A majority of persons who survive trauma in these areas are evacuated from the incident scene and transported to the health facilities by laypersons by using any available vehicles. This state of handling potentially exposes trauma survivors to secondary injuries, worsening the disability and heightening risk to prehospital death. The cost managing persons with trauma is overwhelmingly high for rural areas of LMICs. Most governments of LMICs are not prepared to cater for individual traumatic incidents; so, if a permanent disability is a final outcome, the injured person and the immediate family have to bear the whole rehabilita- tion cost. In most cases, these rehabilitation costs are either unaffordable or unavailable to the family leading to provision of inappropriate assistive functional and mobility devices. Broader consequences include the inability to engage in income generating activities, while continuously draining the family economy, hence a poverty-disability vicious cycle.
Extremely Dilution of Strychnos Nux vomica Mitigates Alcohol-Induced Reduction in Enthalpies Associated With Free Water Molecules in a Fish Brain

Introduction Alcohol intoxication affects aquaporins in the glial cells of brain resulting in oedema. Nux vomica, a homeopathic drug of plant origin, is known to counteract alcohol effect. The objective of this present study is to find out the level of free water molecules in the brain of a teleost fish under ethanol intoxication. The second objective is to determine whether Nux vomica could restore the level of free water in the alcohol treated fish. Materials and methods One group of fish was exposed to 456 mM ethanol for 30 min, another exposed first to a solution of Nux vomica 200c for 20 min and then to 456 mM ethanol for 30 min. The third group served as an untreated control. The mid brain of each fish was kept in an aluminium sample pan and its free water level was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results All alcohol treated fish showed significant reduction in the level of free water molecules as compared to the untreated control. Treatment with Nux vomica increased the level of free water in the brain significantly as compared to the untreated alcoholic group. Conclusion Alcohol intoxication reduces free water molecules in the fish brain. Nux vom might have acted on aquaporins in the glial cells thereby increasing the level of free water in the brain.
TREATMENT MANNERS, GLYCEMIC CONTROL, AND C - REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PATIENTS RECEIVING ANTIDIABETIC OR ANTIDIABETIC WITH ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN BASRA

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between treatment manners, glycemic control, and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum level in patients receiving antidiabetic drugs (ADM) alone or ADM with antihypertensive (AHT) drugs in Basra.Methods: Patients receiving ADM or ADM with AHT drugs, not suffering from complications, were recruited from Al-Mawanee General Hospital in Basra. Socioeconomic characteristics, blood pressure (BP), and treatment plans were recorded. Blood samples were obtained to measure glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids profile, and high sensitive (hs-CRP). Results: A total of 26 men and 50 women were involved. Lower mean HbA1c was found in patients receiving ADM with AHT drugs compared with those on ADM drugs only (p=0.0013). Lower mean systolic BP (p<0.0001) and diastolic BP (p=0.0078) were found in patients receiving ADM drugs only compared with those receiving ADM with AHT drugs. Lower mean hs-CRP was found in women receiving ADM with AHT drugs compared with those on ADM drugs only. Treatment manners had no effect on mean hs-CRP in men and women receiving ADM with AHT drugs; however, there was a significant direct correlation of hs-CRP with HbA1c (p=0.002) and triglycerides (p=0.009), but inversely with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.011) in women receiving ADM drugs only.Conclusion: High levels of hs-CRP are associated with poor glycemic control and dyslipidemia, therefore, consequently increased cardiovascular risk. Due to its value as a risk predictor, hs-CRP should be included in routine monitoring of Type-2 diabetic patients.
FT-IR and GC-MS analyses of an antioxidant leaf essential oil from sage plants cultivated as an alternative to tobacco production

ABSTRACT The renewed interest in medicinal and aromatic plants and the increase in their market demand have favoured rural development programs for their cultivation, also as a measure to counteract the profound crisis affecting some agricultural sectors. Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a plant of the Lamiaceae family, whose leaves contain some different active ingredients, which confer sage-based preparations any properties. In particular, sage essential oil (EO) is known for its antiseptic and balsamic properties. As the composition of sage EO strongly depends on environmental factors, the chemical investigation of a leaf EO, obtained from sage plants experimentally cultivated in the Benevento area (Campania, Italy), was achieved using analytical techniques as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detector (FID). Furthermore, in order to strengthen potential uses of products based on locally cultivated sage, different assays were performed to evaluate its antioxidant effects.
Understanding E-Commerce Market Using Cluster Analysis: A Case Study of the CRM Programs of Online Shopper

The purpose of this research was to segment customers of e-commerce platform based on their preference on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programs and socio-demographic. The study surveyed 100 respondents who have bought products from e-commerce platform. The research employed cluster analysis to group customers of e-commerce platform with similar characteristics and preferences. Using CRM programs as measurement variables, the results suggested three groups of customers, they are, Lifestyle driven segment, Selective driven segment and Penny-wise driven segment. The results also showed Lifestyle driven segment as the most dominant type of customers who strongly driven by lifestyle trend and dominated by millennial. Understanding the differences between these three group segments should provide company with important information to successfully create a proper CRM programs for each segment. Therefore, effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programs can help a company to retain customers. The recommendation to improve CRM program effectiveness based on each cluster preferences are provided in the paper.
Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Sensory Quality of Dry Fermented Sausages with Flaxseed Oil Preparations

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the extent of changes in physico-chemical and sensory properties of dry fermented sausages where pork backfat was partly replaced by flaxseed oil used as liquid (FXL), after encapsulation (FXE), and pre-emulsified with alginate (FXA) and soy protein isolate (FXI). During production and storage, similar pH values of all products were observed. FXL sausages had significantly lower (p<0.05) weight loss which led to significantly higher moisture content, significantly lower fat content, hardness and chewiness. Also, FXL sausages had the lowest grades in terms of sensory attributes, such as colour, odour, taste, texture and overall acceptability. Flaxseed oil preparations affected the parameters of instrumental colour analysis of sausages. All modified products had significantly higher yellowness (relative to control) and FXI sausages relative to other modified products. Regarding consumer sensory evaluation, FXA sausages stood out among modified products because all other modified products had significantly lower grades relative to control. The thirty-day storage period did not lead to significant changes (p>0.05) in any of the observed sensory characteristics.
The Rise and Decline of the Post-Cold War International Order

This books surveys the evolution of the international order in the quarter century since the end of the Cold War through the prism of developments in key regional and functional parts of this “liberal international order 2.0” (LIO 2.0) and the roles played by two key ordering powers, the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Among the partial orders analyzed in the individual chapters are the regions of Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia and the international regimes dealing with international trade, climate change, nuclear weapons, cyberspace, and international public health emergencies, such as SARS and Zika. To assess developments in these various segments of the LIO 2.0, and to relate them to developments in the two other crucial levels of political order, order within nation-states and at the global level, the volume develops a comprehensive, integrated framework of analysis that allows systematic comparison of developments across boundaries between segments and different levels of the international order. Using this framework, the book presents a holistic assessment of the trajectory of the international order over the last decades, the rise, decline, and demise of the LIO 2.0, and causes of the dangerous erosion of international order over the last decade.
Measuring temperature-induced effective attenuation coefficient spectra of biological tissue based on diffuse reflection spectroscopy

In the non-invasive blood glucose measurement based on near-infrared spectroscopy, the glucose signal is very weak and easy to be disturbed. Tissue temperature fluctuation is a primary disturbance source, since it would greatly affect the accuracy of blood glucose concentration results. We present a method called differential diffuse reflection spectroscopy, which makes a differential processing on the data from multiple source-detector distances (SDDs), and it can directly estimate the change in effective attenuation coefficient (EAC) of tissue. Using EAC spectra, we investigated the influence of temperature on the tissue spectra and then used a multivariable analysis of external parameters orthogonalization (EPO) to calibrate the spectra. The spectra of 1000-1800 nm caused by temperature and glucose are compared. Theoretical computing, Monte Carlo simulations and experiments were used to test this method. In conclusion, this proposed method using EAC spectrum to monitor the tissue change shows a promising application potential in non-invasive blood glucose measurement.
A new preparation method of rutile-anatase TiO2 coatings for photocatalytic application

The article presents the method used to obtain titanium oxide (TiO2) coatings. The presented method combines the production technique by means of a sol-gel method and a laser processing method. The process can be divided into three stages. At the first stage, based on the popular sol-gel method, an appropriate colloid solution (sol) is prepared. At the second stage, the obtained solution is deposited on a substrate and heated in increased temperature. The layers obtained in this way are modified at the third stage by means of laser radiation with wavelength of 532 nm, operating in continuous mode. The laser influence on the heated coatings is a substitute of the traditionally-used calcination. Consequently, the anatase-rutile coatings are obtained.
Improved Protein Characterizations using Ionic Liquids: PAGE and MALDI-MS

xvi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1. Background . 1 1.2. Protein Structure . 2 1.2. 1. Protein Primary Structure . 2 1.2. 2. Protein Secondary Structure . 3 1.2. 3. Protein Tertiary Structure . 4 1.3. Protein Stability . 5 1.4. Protein Separation . 6 1.4. 1. Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) . 6 1.4. 2. Ionic Liquids . 10 1.4. 3. Ionic Liquid-based Surfactants in Protein Separation . 11 1.5. Protein Identification . 12 1.5. 1. Protein Identification by MALDI-MS . 12 1.6. Instrumentation Techniques . 14 1.6. 1. Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) . 14 1.6. 2. Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) . 15 1.6. 3. Fluorescence Spectroscopy . 16 1.6. 4. Circular Dichroism (CD) . 19 1.6. 5. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)-Mass Spectrometry (MS) . 20 1.7. Scope of Dissertation . 21 1.8. References . 22
Dental arch and Smile Changes Following Miniscrew Anchored En-masse Retraction of Anterior Teeth in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion

Objective: To evaluate dental arch and smile changes after miniscrew anchored en-masse retraction of maxillary anterior teeth in Class II division 1 malocclusion cases. Methods: A total of 22 adult patients (mean age, 19.78 + 1.24 years) with Class II division 1 malocclusion were randomly assigned to 2 groups; group I (11 patients treated with miniscrew anchored en-masse retraction) and group II (11 patients treated with two-step retraction using conventional anchorage). Skeletal, dentoalveolar and smile changes were analyzed in both groups using standardized photographs, study casts, and lateral cephalograms before and after space closure. Results: Miniscrew anchored en-masse retraction showed a statistically significant decrease in upper incisor display (U1UL) (-2.22±1.33; P<0.05). There was a significant increase in nasolabial angle (-13.6±8.09, P ≤ 0.001; 6.6±5.93, P=0.007) for group I and II, respectively. Non-significant difference was found in buccal corridor and smile arc measurements in both groups (P>0.05). Group II demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in IMW (-1.63 ± 1.19, P< 0.05) and significant mesialization of maxillary first molars (U6-MR, U6-LR) (-2.46 +1.64, -1.03 + 1.13, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of miniscrews as a means of anchorage during retraction of maxillary anterior teeth provides an absolute anchorage for maxillary first molars with in either anteroposterior or vertical direction. Therefore, miniscrew position could effectively reduce upper incisors display without altering buccal corridor dimensions or affecting the smile arc.
A Fast Approximation for Adaptive Wavelength Selection for Infrared Chemical Sensors

Active mid-infrared spectroscopy with tunable lasers is a leading technology for standoff detection and identification of trace chemicals. Information-theoretic optimal selection of the laser wavelength offers the promise of increased detection confidence at lower abundances and with fewer wavelengths. Reducing the number of wavelengths required enables faster detections and lowers sensor power consumption while keeping the optical power under eye safety limits. This paper presents an approximation to the mutual information which operates ~40000x faster than traditional techniques, thereby making near-optimal real-time sensor control computationally feasible. Application of this technique to synthetic data suggests it can reduce the number of wavelengths needed by a factor of two relative to an evenly-spaced grid, with even higher gains for chemicals with weak signatures.
Culture of Social Integration: How Extractive Colonialism Promotes Contemporary Individual Income

ABSTRACT By exploring the history of northeastern China in 1898–1911, this paper documents that extractive colonialism spurs a culture of social integration that generates a positive effect on contemporary individual income, with robustness to potential endogeneity bias. Given that the existing literature has emphasized the long-run negative economic impacts of extractive colonialism, this paper helps explain the following institutional puzzle: Why does extractive colonialism spur development in the long run? We thereby deepen understanding of colonialism and institutions from a cultural perspective.