Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anaerobic Storage of Activated Sludge: Effects on Conditioning and Dewatering Performance

Since dewatering equipment is commonly operated only during normal working hours, activated sludge must often be stored in an anaerobic condition prior to conditioning. It is the objective of this study to investigate the influence of anaerobic storage on conditioning requirements and dewatering performance on a laboratory scale. Sludges were collected at two large treatment plants (removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus) and one small treatment plant (removal of organic matter). Thickened activated sludges from the three wastewater treatment plants were stored anaerobically in the laboratory and analyzed frequently during fourteen days of storage. Both organic and inorganic conditioning was used. Turbidity and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in the sludge bulk water increased as a result of the anaerobic storage. These parameters indicated a release of colloids, dissolved exopolymers and fermentation waste products such as fatty acids to the bulk water. These constituents consumed additional cationic polyelectrolyte. Filterability at the optimal dosage of polyelectrolyte was not affected by anaerobic storage. Therefore, polyelectrolyte requirements are governed by the bulk water constituents, whereas filterability of the sludge is determined by the degree of sludge floc conditioning. Iron requirements seemed unaffected by anaerobic storage, but lime requirements to obtain good filterability increased with anaerobic storage time.
Molecular analysis of intestinal microbiota composition and function in individuals with differen diets, age and disease status

Die Fragestellung der vorliegenden Doktoratsarbeit war, ob epidemiologisch definierte Bevoelkerungsgruppen wie VegetarierInnen, MischkoestlerInnen, alte und junge Menschen sich hinsichtlich ihrer Mikrobiota-Zusammensetzung unterscheiden. Weiters war es ein Ziel die Einfluesse von Chemotherapie und Antibiotika auf die GI-Mikrobiota im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollen zu charakterisieren. Stuhlproben von jungen Omnivoren, Vegetarierinnen, AltersheimbewohnerInnen und Individuen, die immunsuppressive Chemotherapie erhalten, wurden untersucht. Ernaehrungsgewohnheiten und Lebensstilfaktoren wurden in Interviews anhand eines Fragebogens erfasst. Moegliche Unterschiede sollten anhand der Abundanz und Fuelle an Spezies (richness) der dominierenden Bakterien und Bifidobakterien, Clostridium leptum cluster, clostridium coccoides cluster und Bacteroides beschrieben werden. Ausschliesslich molekulare Methoden, naemlich PCR-DGGE fingerprinting, quantitative PCR und stable isotope probing wurden angewandt. Um sinnvolle Interpretation der hoch diversen DGGE fingerprinting Daten zu erlauben, wurde Clustering basierend auf Pearson Korrelation und Hauptkomponentenanalyse basierend auf Kovarianz angewandt. Als ein Schritt in Richtung funktioneller Charakterisierung wurde das Butyryl-CoA CoA Transferase Gen zusaetzlich zur Quantifizierung des 16S rRNA Gens, anhand dessen phylogenetische Identifizierung vorgenommen wurde, durchgefuehrt. RNA-stable isotope probing wurde als vielversprechende Methode identifiziert, um phylogenetische Information mit funktionellen Charakteristika von mikrobiellen Gemeinschaften des Darms zu verbinden.
Design of SNP Markers for Aldabra Giant Tortoises using ddRAD-seq

The Aldabra giant tortoise ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ) is one of only two remaining giant tortoise species worldwide. Captive-bred A. gigantea are being used in rewilding projects in the Western Indian Ocean to functionally replace the extinct endemic giant tortoise species and restore degraded island ecosystems. Furthermore, large-scale translocations may become necessary as rising sea levels threaten the only wild population on the low-lying Aldabra Atoll. Critical management decisions would be greatly facilitated by insights on the genetic structure of breeding populations. We used a double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) among the wild population and two additional captive populations of A. gigantea . A total of 149 unlinked, putatively neutral genome-wide SNPs were identified. The values of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.32 to 0.5, whereas the minor allele frequency ranged from 0.20 to 0.5. These novel SNP markers will serve as useful tools for informing the conservation of A. gigantea .
Prehistoric earthquakes on the Banning strand of the San Andreas fault, North Palm Springs, California

We studied a paleoseismic trench excavated in 2017 across the Banning strand of the San Andreas fault and herein provide the first detailed record of ground-breaking earthquakes on this important fault in Southern California. The trench exposed an ~40-m-wide fault zone cutting through alluvial sand, gravel, silt, and clay deposits. We evaluated the paleoseismic record using a new metric that combines event indicator quality and stratigraphic uncertainty. The most recent paleoearthquake occurred between 950 and 730 calibrated years B.P. (cal yr B.P.), potentially contemporaneous with the last rupture of the San Gorgonio Pass fault zone. We interpret five surface-rupturing earthquakes since 3.3–2.5 ka and eight earthquakes since 7.1–5.7 ka. It is possible that additional events have occurred but were not recognized, especially in the deeper (older) section of the stratigraphy, which was not fully exposed across the fault zone. We calculated an average recurrence interval of 380–640 yr based on four complete earthquake cycles between earthquakes 1 and 5. The average recurrence interval is thus slightly less than the elapsed time since the most recent event on the Banning strand. The average recurrence interval on the Banning strand is thus intermediate between longer intervals published for the San Gorgonio Pass fault zone (~1600 yr) and shorter intervals on both the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas fault (~215 yr) and the Coachella section (~125 yr) of the San Andreas fault.
Analysis of the Calcium Alginate Gelation Process Using a Kenics Static Mixer

A static mixer is a useful applicator for in situ cross-linkable hydrogels such as dental materials, hemostats, and tissue engineering scaffolds. The gelation of calcium alginate hydrogel containing carboxymethyl cellulose using a Kenics static mixer was carefully analyzed in terms of flow rate, the number of mixing elements, pressure drop, and homogeneity of the formed hydrogels as expressed by the coefficient of variance (COV). Pressure drop increased monotonically with Damkohler number (Da), defined as the ratio of the residence time in the mixer to the gelation time of hydrogels. Conversely, COVs reached maximum values with increasing Da and finally decreased for any number of elements. In addition, shear moduli of the formed hydrogels differed with COVs. These results suggest that it is helpful, when controlling the homogeneity and mechanical properties of hydrogels, to consider the balance between residence time in the mixer and the gelation time of the precursor polymer.
Event‐triggered scheduling for pinning networks of coupled dynamical systems under stochastically fast switching

This paper studies the stability of linearly coupled dynamical systems with feedback pinning algorithms. Here, both the coupling matrix and the set of pinned-nodes are time-varying, induced by stochastic processes. Event-triggered rules are employed in both diffusion coupling and feedback pinning terms, which can reduce the actuation and communication loads. Two event-triggered rules are proposed and it is proved that if the system with time-average couplings and pinning gains is stable and the switching of coupling matrices and pinned nodes is sufﬁciently fast, the proposed event-triggered strategies can stabilize the system. Moreover, Zeno behaviour can be excluded for all nodes. Numerical examples of networks of mobile agents are presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
Update zur Ektoparasitenbekämpfung beim Hund – was ist wichtig für die Praxis?

Die weite Verbreitung von Flöhen, ihre Bedeutung als Vektoren von verschiedenen Krankheitserregern und Erreger der Flohspeichelallergie sowie ihre Relevanz für die menschliche Gesundheit, machen eine effiziente Flohbekämpfung mittels Insektiziden und ggf. Wachstumsregulatoren erforderlich. Auf Säugern und Vögeln leben weltweit über 2000 verschiedene Flohspezies, und der Katzenfloh (Ctenocephalides felis) lebt als stationärer Parasit auf unseren Haustieren.
Model-Based Assessment of Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Energy Yield in the Form of Diverse Biofuels in Marginal Areas of Italy

Giant reed is a promising perennial grass providing ligno-cellulosic biomass suitable to be cultivated in marginal lands (MLs) and converted into several forms of renewable energy. This study investigates how much energy, in the form of biomethane, bioethanol, and combustible solid, can be obtained by the cultivation of this species in marginal land of two Italian regions, via the spatially explicit application of the Arungro crop model. Arungro was calibrated in both rainfed/well-irrigated systems, under non-limiting conditions for nutrient availability. The model was then linked to a georeferenced database, with data on (i) current/future climate, (ii) agro-management, (iii) soil physics/hydrology, (iv) land marginality, and (v) crop suitability to environment. Simulations were run at 500 × 500 m spatial resolution in MLs of Catania (CT, Southern Italy) and Bologna (BO, Northern Italy) provinces, characterized by contrasting pedo-climates. At field scale, Arungro explained 85% of the year-to-year variability of measured carbon accumulation in aerial biomass. At the provincial level, simulated energy yields progressively increased from bioethanol, to biomethane, and finally to combustible solid, with average values of 92-115-264 GJ ha−1 in BO and 105-133-304 GJ ha−1 in CT. Mean energy yields estimated for 2030 remained unchanged compared to the baseline, although showing large heterogeneity across the study area (changes between −6/+15% in BO and −16/+15% in CT). This study provides site-specific indications on giant reed current productions, energy yields, and natural water consumption, as well as on their future trends and stability, ready-to-use for multiple stakeholders of the agricultural sector involved in bioenergy planning.
An Experimentally Validated Analytical Model for Aerosol Number Concentration Reduction in Classrooms

ABSTRACT To predict the aerosol number concentration decay in modern classrooms, this study derived an analytical model that addresses various indoor factors, viz., the filtration efficiency of air ventilation systems, effects of indoor air cleaners, particle deposition on walls, and particle emission from occupants. We also conducted experimental measurements to determine the wall-loss coefficient and the occupants’ particle generation rate, and the modeling results agreed with the experimental data reasonably well. Additionally, we investigated the behavior of the particle concentration decay in different ventilation scenarios. The model has been incorporated into web-based software that is freely available to the public.
Research Update: Triblock copolymers as templates to synthesize inorganic nanoporous materials

This review focuses on the application of triblock copolymers as designed templates to synthesize nanoporous materials with various compositions. Asymmetric triblock copolymers have several advantages compared with symmetric triblock copolymers and diblock copolymers, because the presence of three distinct domains can provide more functional features to direct the resultant nanoporous materials. Here we clearly describe significant contributions of asymmetric triblock copolymers, especially polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (abbreviated as PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO).
Troxerutin Preconditioning Modulates the Activity of TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in a Rat Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Purpose Given the rising prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHD), investigations for achieving effective treatments are required. The purpose of this study is further understanding of troxerutin's impact on inflammatory response induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury, and the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channels in this scenario. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: Control, troxerutin-receiving, MI/R, MI/R plus troxerutin, MI/R plus 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), and MI/R plus troxerutin and 5-HD. The Langendorff-perfused hearts of animals were subjected to 30 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation and 45 min of reperfusion. Troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day) was administered for 4 weeks prior to MI/R. 5-HD (100 µM) was added to the perfusion solution 20 min before the ischemia. Myocardial infarct size (IS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, the expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) were measured. Results Troxerutin preconditioning significantly reduced IS (P < 0.05) and LDH release (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with troxerutin decreased the expressions of TLR4 (P < 0.05) and NF-κB (P < 0.01), and reduced the levels of TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05). Inhibition of mitoKATP channels by 5-HD significantly reversed the cardioprotective effects of troxerutin (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present work revealed that troxerutin preconditioning has cardioprotective effects against MI/R damage, which are partly mediated through anti-inflammatory effects and the activation of mitoKATP channels.
Variations in Wood Density, Annual Ring Width and Vessel Properties of Quercus brantii Affected by Crown Dieback

Tree decline due to climate change results in physiological weaknesses, attacks by harmful pests and pathogens and threats to forest ecosystem stability. In the work described here, the effects of drought on wood density, tree ring width and variations in vessel morphology are investigated in Persian oak (Quercus brantii) in the forest of the Zagros Mountains, Ilam Province, western Iran. Discs are cut from trunks of declined and healthy trees and woodblocks are cut radially from the sapwood near the bark, at a mid-point between the vascular cambium and the pith (middle) and from wood near the pith. Observations are made on transverse sections from the blocks using microscopy. In trees with decline symptoms, wood density is greater than in healthy trees. Furthermore, declining trees have the narrowest ring width, reduced vessel diameter and area and the highest numbers of vessels and tylose in pith towards the bark. It is concluded that changes in anatomical features are associated with the weakening of trees and are components of declining tree health.
Two-Photon Microscopy of E-Combretastatin uptake and activation in live mammalian cells

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the Western world. Hence, the development of novel effective treatment modalities to combat this disease is important. Combretastatins are powerful anticancer drugs that are being evaluated in phase I/II clinical trials. Combretastatins act by binding to p-tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and inhibiting angiogenesis in developing tumours. Most widely studied is the natural product c/5(Z)-combretastatin A4 that was originally isolated from the African bush willow Combretum caffrum by Pettit and co-workers. Chemically Combretastatins are substituted stilbenes, exhibiting major activity in the cis-form, whereas the corresponding fr-am'-isomers are ~ 2 - 3 orders of magnitude less cytotoxic. Combretastatins undergo reversible photoisomerization upon irradiation with UV/visible light. Here a novel form of two-photon phototherapy is proposed, in which the "inactive" fnms(£)-combretastatins are used as anticancer pro-drugs that may be activated (converted to the cw-isomer) by localized irradiation with light at the tumour site. The use of near-infrared (NIR) light to trigger a nonlinear two-photon excited photoactivation process provides deeper light penetration into tissues and minimizes cellular autofluorescence compared with UV/visible light. The work described in this thesis is highly multidisciplinary. A major task was the synthesis of a range of combretastatin derivatives as target compounds for the novel form of two-photon excited anticancer phototherapy proposed herein. The cytotoxicity of the drug candidates was assessed on live mammalian cell lines. Photochemical properties such as fluorescence quantum yields, fluorescence lifetimes, photoisomerization quantum yields and two-photon absorption characteristics of the combretastatin derivatives were investigated spectroscopically. The fact that the trans-isomers fluoresce in most cases, whereas ds-isomers are virtually non-fluorescent has allowed multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of the real-time uptake of the inactive pro-drugs into live mammalian cells, as well as monitoring their intracellular distribution and concentration. Two-photon excitation of ^-Combretastatins on monolayers of live cells led to effective conversion of the inactive pro-drugs to the highly cytotoxic Z-derivatives leading to apoptosis in the irradiated areas within 24 h. In conclusion, the two-photon excited activation of £-combretastatins on live cells was demonstrated, making £-combretastatins promising pro-drug candidates for two-photon excited anticancer phototherapy.
SMC for nonlinear systems with mismatched uncertainty using Lyapunov-function integral sliding mode

In this paper, the mismatched uncertainty and disturbance rejection is addressed for uncertain nonlinear systems by a class of integral sliding mode (ISM) design. First, after describing the system control problem, the ISM design problem is given. Then, two kinds of ISM are presented that have the ability to reject the mismatched uncertainty and disturbance. One is called Lyapunov-function integral sliding mode (LFISM) and the other is called assistant-Lyapunov-function integral sliding mode (ALFISM). The system state in the ideal sliding mode of the two ISM surfaces is proved to be robustly stable despite the existence of the mismatched uncertainty and disturbance. In the presented framework, a general case of single input nonlinear system was studied and verified by a simulation application to a one-link robotic manipulator. Additionally, applications to a unicycle using the ISM with the mismatched-disturbance minimisation (ISM-MDM) method, the high-order disturbance observer (HODO) technique, and the LFISM method were reported. The simulation results confirmed that the LFISM's rejection effect to the mismatched disturbance is better.
Food safety in India: a public health priority

Access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food is the key to sustain life and promote good health. It is an essential component of our survival. Healthy and nutritious food leads to a healthy workforce and hence, improving the economy of any country. Unsafe food creates a vicious circle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and sick. The food borne diseases impede socioeconomic development of any country by increasing expenditure on health system and affecting national economies, tourism and trade. Food borne illnesses are usually caused by infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses, protozoa and toxins in chemicals which contaminate food, water and soil in which food is grown. These pathogens lead to diarrhoea and other deadly diseases like meningitis. In India, majority of the outbreaks of food borne disease are unreported, unrecognized or un-investigated and may only be noticed after major health or economic damage has occurred. In such a condition controlling the outbreaks, detection and removal of foods leading to the problem, identification of the factors that contribute to the contamination, growth, survival and dissemination of the suspected agent, prevention of future outbreaks and strengthening of food safety policies and programmes is not possible.
Functional connectivity and population persistence in woodland birds: insights for management from a multi-species conservation genetics study

ABSTRACT Conservation management of wildlife benefits from understanding the genetic factors underlying individual fitness and population evolution. Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce genetic diversity and functional connectivity, limiting population persistence and adaptation to changing environments. Here we review and synthesise results from the Birds in Fragmented Landscapes program in central Victoria, Australia. Building on research on patterns of occurrence of woodland-dependent bird species, we conducted conservation genetic studies of ~3,500 individuals from 10 woodland bird species sampled in twelve 100 km2 ‘landscapes’ with different levels of habitat loss, to assess multiple conservation-relevant processes of response to habitat alteration. This program employed connectivity modelling and landscape-, acoustic- and population genetic analyses to understand mobility of birds, their genes and songs at different scales, relating these elements of functional connectivity to landscape structure for each sex in each species. At the regional scale, most species displayed unexpectedly high levels of genetic connectivity. At local-scales, there were strong signals of disrupted population processes (e.g. mating system) and reduced functional connectivity for several more-mobile and all less-mobile ‘decliner’ species. This underlines that high genetic connectivity does not necessarily signal genetically and demographically healthy populations. In some species, declines in mobility were greater in one sex but not necessarily the more philopatric sex. We derive conservation management recommendations in five concept areas: maintain existing and restore degraded habitat, reconnect the landscape, use species- and sex-specific information where possible, work across multiple scales, and conserve evolutionary processes (by genetic management where appropriate).
Pro-Environmental Behavior Predicted by Media Exposure, SNS Involvement, and Cognitive and Normative Factors

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of media exposure and social networking sites (SNS) involvement on environmental concern and perceived personal responsibility to the environment and the consequent behaviors. It also tests the mediator and moderator between environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior. The results show that media exposure to environmental-related messages positively predicts environmental concern and perceived personal responsibility, while SNS involvement shows a negative effect on environmental concern and positive influence on perceived personal responsibility. Perceived personal responsibility mediates the relationship between environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior. Subjective norm weakens the effect of environmental concern on both behavioral intention and actual behavior. Self-efficacy and collective efficacy do not moderate the effect of environmental concern on behavior intention, while collective efficacy weakly moderates the effect on actual behavior.