Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation , Characterization Of Bentonite Carbon Composite And Design Application In Adsorption Of Bromothymol Blue Dye

New bentonite carbon composite was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope, X-ray fluorescence & X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction profile of the composite showed different characteristics in relation to its precursor clay and coke breeze carbon, a displacement of the diffraction peaks occurs, suggesting carbon intercalation between the clay layers. The optimum adsorption efficiency for bromothymol blue dye on bentonite carbon composite, was obtained. Under these conditions the adsorbent dose was ≈ 20g.l -1 , the equilibrium between the adsorbate in the solution and the adsorbent surface was practically achieved in 90min at pH 1.0. Adsorption kinetics was found to follow a pseudo-second-order rate expression and equilibrium adsorption data of bromothymol blue dye on bentonite carbon composite was best represented by the Langmuir isotherm. Keywords—Bentonite clay; coke breeze carbon; composite; characterization; bromothymol blue
Salt stress tolerance and antioxidative mechanisms in wheat plants ( Triticum durum L . ) by seaweed extracts application

In this study we report how do use the Seaweed extract (SWE) obtained from Moroccan macroalgae species Ulva rigida affect salt stress tolerance in wheat plants. Some physiological and biochemical parameter such as, chlorophyll content, carotenoides, total phenolic content and antioxidant enzyme activity of wheat plants (Triticum durum L.) were studied under salt condition at various levels of NaCl (0, 2 and 4 g/l of NaCl). Our result showed that salt stress reduced plant growth and all parameters were affected. The application of SWE enhance vegetative growth in plant with all concentration applied under salt stress condition. Improved leaf pigment (chlorophyll and carotenoid) was observed with all SWE treatment in salt stressed plant compared to control. Also, total phenolic content was increased in wheat plants by SWE treatment under different growth condition and the optimum level was attained with 25% concentration. There was a significant enhancement in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX ) activities. These enzymatic activities increased considerably when plants were sprayed with 25% of Ulva rigida extract under salt stress. Our study showed an enhancement of vegetative growth and improvement of total phenolic, carotenoids content and antioxidant enzymatic activity by Ulva rigida extract in stressed wheat plant. It suggest that Seaweed extract SWE of Ulva rigida can improve salt stress tolerance and contributes to protection of wheat plant against oxidative deterioration
Poor Adherence to Medical and Dietary Treatments in Adult Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the adherence to prescribed medical and dietary maintenance treatments in a cohort of adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and to identify associated factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, adult patients with EoE who were prescribed medical or dietary maintenance therapy were included. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires concerning treatment adherence (Medication Adherence Rating Scale), beliefs about treatment (Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire), beliefs about disease (Illness Perception Questionnaire), and current symptoms (Straumann Dysphagia Index). RESULTS: A total of 177 patients with EoE (71% males) were included, with a median age of 43 years. The overall prevalence of poor adherence to prescribed treatments (Medication Adherence Rating Scale < 21 or Diet Adherence Rating Scale < 21) in this cohort was high, being 41.8%. Medically treated patients seemed less adherent to prescribed treatment compared with patients prescribed a diet (35.1% vs 41.8%, P = 0.320). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the following independent factors associated with poor treatment adherence: age <40 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.571, 95% CI 1.195–5.532, P = 0.016), longer disease duration in years (OR 1.130, 95% CI 1.014–1.258, P = 0.027), severe symptoms (Straumann Dysphagia Index) (OR 1.167, 95% CI 1.012–1.345, P = 0.034), and low necessity beliefs (OR 4.423, 95% CI 2.169–9.016, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Adherence to maintenance treatment is poor in many adult patients with EoE. Clinicians should pay more attention to treatment adherence, particularly in younger patients, and discuss the necessity of treatment.
When a Clue is not a Clue. A corpus-driven study of explicit vs. implicit signalling of sentence links in popular economics translation

Lo studio si propone di analizzare la traduzione di una particolare categoria di elementi coesivi, i connettori interfrasali, in un corpus di articoli di argomento economico tratti da quotidiani e riviste specializzate tradotti dall’inglese in italiano. Lo studio mette in rapporto i risultati sulla frequenza dei connettori con quelli derivanti dall’analisi di un corpus comparabile di articoli scritti originariamente in italiano. Soffermandosi in particolare sui casi di esplicitazione traduttiva tramite l’inserimento di connettori non presenti nel testo di partenza, lo studio conclude che tale esplicitazione può, da un lato, essere collegata al tentativo dei traduttori di uniformarsi a una norma di produzione testuale tipica dell’italiano e, dall’altro, essere considerata come spia del processo di decodifica dell’informazione (spesso di carattere specialistico) veicolata dall’originale.
Measuring Vitamin D3 Metabolic Status, Comparison between Vitamin D Deficient and Sufficient Individuals

The main branch of vitamin D3 metabolism involves several hydroxylation reactions to obtain mono-, di- and trihydroxylated metabolites, including the circulating and active forms—25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, respectively. However, most clinical trials strictly target the determination of 25(OH)D3 to offer a view of the metabolic status of vitamin D3. Due to the growing interest in expanding this restricted view, we have developed a method for measuring vitamin D3 metabolism by determination of vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and 1,24,25(OH)3D3 in human plasma. The method was based on SPE–LC–MS/MS with a large volume injection of human plasma (240 µL). Detection of di- and trihydroxymetabolites, found at the picogram per milliliter level, was attained by the combined action of high preconcentration and clean-up effects. The method allows obtaining information about ratios such as the known vitamin D metabolite ratio (24,25(OH)2D3/25(OH)D3), which can provide complementary views of vitamin D3 metabolic status. The method was applied to a cohort of obese patients and a reference cohort of healthy volunteers to find metabolic correlations between target analytes as well as differences as a function of vitamin D levels within and between cohorts.
Epitaxial growth of Sii _ xGex on Si ( 100 ) 2 X 1 : A molecular-dynamics study

We use molecular-dynamics simulations to study the growth of pure Si, Sio.sGeo. s, and pure Ge on the 2 X 1 reconstructed surface of Si(100) in a way appropriate to the fabrication of thin films by the method of molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE), namely sequential deposition of energetic atoms. The atoms interact with one another via effective potentials of the Stillinger-Weber form, with parameters adjusted such as to describe all possible types of triplet interactions. Motivated by numerous experimental studies of MBE-grown films, we investigate in particular the structure of the deposits as a function of substrate temperature. We find in all three cases that at low substrate temperatures, poorly ordered structures form, while at high substrate temperatures, epitaxial growth takes place. The presence of Ge limits the number of crystalline overlayers that form, even though it appears to favor a more-ordered structure in the initial stages of growth. For pure Ge epitaxy, in particular, only the first three layers are crystalline, after which growth appears to proceed by the formation of islands, reminiscent of the Stranski-Krastanow growth scheme, and in qualitative agreement with recent experimental and theoretical work. In all samples, annealing improves the quality of the films—at least when grown at sufficiently high substrate temperatures. The interdiffusion of the species at the substrate-deposit interface is also examined.
A Kinetic Approach to Active Rods Dynamics in Confined Domains

The study of active matter consisting of many self-propelled (active) swimmers in an imposed flow is important for many applications. Self-propelled swimmers may represent both living and artificial ones such as bacteria and chemically driven bi-metallic nano-particles. In this work we focus on a kinetic description of active matter represented by self-propelled rods swimming in a viscous fluid confined by a wall. It is well-known that walls may significantly affect the trajectories of active rods in contrast to unbounded or periodic containers. Among such effects are accumulation at walls and upstream motion (also known as negative rheotaxis). Our first main result is the rigorous derivation of boundary conditions for the active rods' probability distribution function in the limit of vanishing inertia. Finding such a limit is important due to (i) the fact that in many examples of active matter inertia is negligible, since swimming occurs in a low Reynolds number regime, and (ii) this limit allows us to reduce the dimension - and so computational complexity - of the kinetic description. For the resulting model, we derive the system in the limit of vanishing translational diffusion which is also typically negligible for active particles. This system allows for tracking separately active particles accumulated at walls and active particles swimming in the bulk of the fluid.
Metaphor and the Mind of God in Nevi’im

In The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture, Yoram Hazony contrasts the uses of metaphor in Nevi’im and the New Testament. According to Hazony, metaphor is employed by Jesus to obscure teachings, but the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures use metaphor to make teachings intelligible. However, this understanding of metaphor is too simplistic to capture the scope of metaphorical statements made by the Hebrew prophets. In this paper, I suggest that an important set of philosophical arguments are advanced by the prophets in ways not captured by current interpretive methodologies. The paper is divided into two parts. In the first half, I argue against Hazony’s assessment of Nevi’im. In the second, I forward my position on the philosophical dimensions of Nevi’im: that prophetic writings reveal important moral facts about God’s nature and the ways in which we should respond to him in both action and emotion. Appealing to the works of Dru Johnson, Eleonore Stump and Linda Zagzebski, I show that the writings of the Hebrew prophets may in fact advance certain arguments about the emotions and motivations of God. Through the collected writings of Nevi’im, God functions as an exemplar for those receiving the words of the prophets.
Hall 2 De numerical simulations for the assessment of pole erosion in a magnetically shielded Hall thruster IEPC-2015-249

Magnetic shielding of Hall thrusters has been shown to reduce erosion of the channel walls by at least a few orders of magnitude thereby enabling the use of these devices in deep space missions. Recently, a 150-hour wear test of a magnetically shielded laboratory Hall thruster (H6MS) operating at 300V and 6kW revealed unexpected sputtering of the inner pole surface. In this paper we present results from numerical simulations with Hall2De aimed at understanding the cause(s) of the erosion measured at the inner pole. Hall2De is a 2-D axisymmetric code that makes use of a hydrodynamics formulation for both electrons and ions and assumes a quasi-neutral plasma. A space charge algorithm, which provides a correction of the plasma potential in regions where these approximations fail, has been included in order to reproduce the correct features of the electric field in the vicinity of the poles. We employ a computational domain that emulates closely the geometry of the thruster, even replicating a gap between the inner pole and the acceleration channel. This first study reveals that erosion rates inferred from the plasma conditions produced in Hall2De simulations under-predict the measured values by factors of 3 to 15. An investigation of possible causes for the observed erosion rates in the wear test follows, focusing on the influence of beam ions and possible oscillations in the plume. Numerical results suggest that beam ions are an unlikely cause for erosion. For beam ions to bombard the pole surface at sufficient rates, the acceleration region must be located far downstream of its experimentally determined position. In addition, the high amplitude of the discharge oscillations that would be required to replicate the erosion measurements contradict the time-resolved measured performance. Finally, it is found that large oscillations induced by the cathode flow are required in order to explain the erosion rates reported at the wear test. The dynamical behavior of the plasma in the vicinity of the inner pole is the subject of a near-term experimental campaign.
Craniolateral forearm muscles of the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and a comparative review with other carnivorans

ABSTRACT The crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus (Cuvier, 1798) is a species of the order Carnivora and family Procyonidae with a geographical distribution in Central and South America. Although crab-eating raccoons use scansorial locomotion, they also have aquatic habits, displaying greatly developed skills when handling their food. This species can frequently be found in wildlife care centers due to injuries caused by domestic dogs, humans, and car collisions. Having knowledge of the species’ gross anatomy and anatomical bases is imperative to perform the most appropriate medical and surgical procedures. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to analyze the interspecific and intraspecific differences of the craniolateral forearm muscles of Procyon cancrivorus. Gross dissections were performed in four specimens describing the origin, insertion, shape, innervation, and arterial supply of the craniolateral forearm muscles. There is a constant and well development of brachioradialis muscle comparatively to that described in strictly cursorial species; the extensor carpi radialis muscle has two bellies that are fused proximally; the extensor digitorum communis muscle can also extend the tendon to the digit I as an anatomical variant, and the extensor digiti I and II muscle also extends the tendon to digit III. All are innervated by the deep branch of the radial nerve, and their arterial supply is mainly by the radial collateral, cubital transverse, and cranial interosseous arteries. The anatomical characteristics observed in this study complement the previous descriptions for Procyon cancrivorus, and the anatomical variants found in this species can also be in other carnivorans. Thus, the intraspecific anatomical variations of the digital extensor muscles in P. cancrivorus are phylogenetic traits that can occur as a common pattern or as anatomical variants in other species of the order Carnivora.
Effect of Soyghurt Lactobacillus Acidohillus on Blood Glucose Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Management of diabetes melitus is still a global problem because satisfactory therapeutic treatments have not been found. This study aimed to explore the possibility of soyghurt Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus as an alternative therapy to lower blood glucose levels through the administration of soyghurt L. acidohillus to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This was experimental laboratory research with a pre- and post-test design and control group. It was found that administering soyghurt L. acidophilus had a significant influence, but a combination of soyghurt L. acidophilus and glibenclamide was the most effective in lowering the blood glucose levels of the diabetic rats (p < 0.05). The blood glucose levels were reduced due to the local and systemic effects of soyghurt L. acidophilus in reducing proinflammatory cytokines. This complemented the mechanism of action of glibenclamide which increases insulin secretion. We can conclude that a combination of soyghurt L. acidophilus and glycbenklamid results in the largest decrease in blood glucose levels. Keywords: blood glucose, diabetic rat, L. acidophillus, soyghurt
Agricultural Academy MULTIPLEX PCR DETECTION OF HAEMOLYSIN GENES IN β-HAEMOLYTIC AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA STRAINS ISOLATED FROM FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS

STRATEV, D. , E. GUROVA, I. VASHIN and H. DASKALOV, 2016. Multiplex PCR detection of haemolysin genes in β-haemolytic Aeromonas hydrophila strains isolated from fi sh and fi sh products. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22:
Focal ratio degradation in lightly fused hexabundles

We are now moving into an era where multi-object wide-field surveys, which traditionally use single fibres to observe many targets simultaneously, can exploit compact integral field units in place of single fibres. Current multi-object integral field instruments such as SAMI (Croom et al. 2012; Bryant et al. 2012a) have driven the development of new imaging fibre bundles (hexabundles) for multi-object spectrographs. We have characterised the performance of hexabundles with different cladding thicknesses and compared them to that of the same type of bare fibre, across the range of fill-fractions and input f-ratios likely in an IFU instrument. Hexabundles with 7-cores and 61-cores were tested for focal ratio degradation (FRD), throughput and cross-talk when fed with inputs from F/3.4 to >F/8. The five 7-core bundles have cladding thickness ranging from 1 to 8 microns, and the 61-core bundles have 5micron cladding. As expected, the FRD improves as the input focal ratio decreases. We find that the FRD and throughput of the cores in the hexabundles match the performance of single fibres of the same material at low input f-ratios. The performance results presented can be used to set a limit on the f-ratio of a system based on the maximum loss allowable for a planned instrument. Our results confirm that hexabundles are a successful alternative for fibre imaging devices for multi-object spectroscopy on wide-field telescopes and have prompted further development of hexabundle designs with hexagonal packing and square cores.
Ivermectin impacts on dung beetle diversity and their ecological functions in two distinct Brazilian ecosystems

The indiscriminate use of Ivermectin is becoming a frequent scenario in Brazil, one of the largest beef cattle herds in the world, and the second‐highest commercial production, despite this product having harmful effects on non‐target organisms. Among these organisms, dung beetles are essential for the maintenance of ecosystem functioning in introduced pastures. This study evaluated the effects of Ivermectin on dung beetle assemblage attributes (species richness, abundance, species composition, functional groups and indicator species) as well as their ecological functions (dung removal and soil bioturbation) in introduced pastures with different priorities for livestock intensification in Brazil; Amazon (high) and Pantanal (low). We found a negative response of dung beetle assemblages to Ivermectin in both Brazilian ecosystems, where these negative effects were more pronounced in the Pantanal. Tunneler beetles are the functional group most negatively affected in both ecosystems. Finally, the Ivermectin reduces the ecological functions performed by dung beetles, with a dung removal reduction of ca. 50% and 70% in the Amazon and Pantanal, respectively. The most negative impacts in the Brazilian Pantanal reflect the long‐term consequences due to a long history of Ivermectin use than in the Amazon. However, these results also indicate a drastic future for dung beetles in Amazonian pastures. Thus, a sustainable cattle production system reducing Ivermectin use will be important for conserving dung beetles on introduced Brazilian pastures and the ecological functions that these insects provide in livestock‐dominated landscapes.
Significant Space Weather Impact on the Escape of Hydrogen From Mars

In September 2017, an active region of the Sun produced a series of strong flares and a coronal mass ejection that swept past Mars producing enhanced ionization and heating in the upper atmosphere. Emissions from atmospheric hydrogen Lyman‐α were also enhanced at Mars. Temperatures derived from neutral species scale heights were used in conjunction with the H Lyman‐α observations to simulate the effects of this space weather event on Martian hydrogen properties in the exosphere. It was found that hydrogen abundance in the upper atmosphere decreased by ~25% and that the H escape rate increased by a factor of 5, mainly through an increase in upper atmospheric temperature. This significant escape rate variation is comparable to seasonally observed trends but occurred at much shorter timescales. Such solar events would statistically impact extrapolation of Martian water loss over time.
Impact of nationwide hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance on the prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease

Background/Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance using the Korea National Liver Cancer Screening Program on the receipt of curative treatment for HCC and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods This population-based cohort study from the Korean National Health Insurance Service included 2003 to 2015 claims data collected from 1,209,825 patients aged ≥40 years with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and liver cirrhosis. Patients were divided according to HCC surveillance using ultrasonography and serum alpha-fetoprotein every 6–12 months. The study outcomes were the receipt of curative treatment (surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, or liver transplantation) and all-cause mortality. Results The study population consisted of 1,209,825 patients with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and liver cirrhosis (median age, 52.0 years; interquartile range, 46–55 years; 683,902 men [56.5%]). The proportion of participants who underwent HCC surveillance was 52.7% (n=657,889). During 10,522,940 person-years of follow-up, 74,433 HCC cases developed, including 36,006 patients who underwent curative treatment. The surveillance group had a significantly higher proportion of curative treatment for HCC than the non-surveillance group after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 5.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.48–5.81). The surveillance group had a significantly lower mortality rate than the non-surveillance group (adjusted HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.55–0.56). Conclusions HCC surveillance using the national screening program in patients with chronic viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis provides better opportunity for curative treatment for HCC and improves overall survival.