Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ORGANIC MATTER AND REDUCIBLE IRON CONTROL OF AMMONIUM PRODUCTION IN SUBMERGED SOILS

Ammonium production is the key process for nitrogen (N) nutrition of wetland rice because N mineralization stops at ammonium production in submerged soils. Earlier results emphasized the importance of organic matter in controlling the release of ammonium in submerged soils. We studied the relationships between mineralizable N and ammonium in soil solution and reducible iron and organic C in 15 diverse West African soils. Mineralizable N released under anaerobic incubation at 30°C for 2 weeks was significantly correlated to organic C (r=0.79) and iron extracted by EDTA (EDTA-Fe) (r=0.86) or ammonium oxalate (Amox-Fe) (r=0.75). Ammonium in soil solution at 2 weeks after flooding also was correlated to organic C (r=0.71), EDTA-Fe (r=0.60) or Amox-Fe (r=0.60) although the correlation coefficients were lower than those obtained with mineralizable N. Multiple regression analysis of mineralizable N and ammonium in solution with organic C and reducible Fe showed that mineralizable N and ammonium in solution can be predicted from organic C and reducible iron status of the soils. The prediction of mineralizable N was better than the release of ammonium in soil solution. Our results underscore the importance of organic matter and reducible iron in controlling the production of ammonium in wetland rice soils.
Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Plants and Their Agricultural Significance: A Review

Abstract The rare earths include the elements scandium [Sc, atomic number (Z) = 21], yttrium (Y, Z = 39), and the lanthanides from lanthanum (La, Z = 57) to lutetium (Lu, Z = 71). Crop responses to application of rare earth elements (REEs) have only been documented in a few countries. The reasons for promoting growth or yield increases are still not sufficiently understood. Recently, physiological interaction of REEs with calcium (Ca), effects on structure and function of cytoplasm membranes, photosynthesis, hormone metabolism, enzyme activity, and water use efficiency have been discussed. This review covers the significance of REEs for agricultural plant production, beginning with a description of the history of their application. The recorded physiological and biochemical effects and responses of selected crops to REEs were also reviewed. Agricultural research needs on REEs are also suggested.
A comparative study between diesel and dual-fuel engines: Performance and emissions

The depletion of fossil fuels is understood by most energy users to be an inevitability. Researchers all over the world focus their attention on the development of various alternative fuels. It is believed that the use of compressed natural gas (CNG), as an alternative to conventional fuels will result in low levels of emissions. However, the use of CNG as the main fuel in a diesel engine with the diesel fuel used as an igniter has always been associated with some problems. The main problem in such a dual-fuel engine is the increased tendency toward detonation because of the high compression ratio of the engine. The current work is an experimental investigation of such a problem. An extensive experimental program was carried out on a variable compression ratio Recardo E6 engine. The results of the current investigation indicate that the dual-fuel engine can operate detonation-free for a compression ratio of 16.5. The results also indicate that dual-fuel engines are lower than diesel engines in brake thermal efficiency, brake power, and brake mean effective pressure at all loads. On the other hand, CO and NO emissionsare higher at high loads. However, at low loads, dual-fuel engines give lower NO.
Surfactants as hydrate promoters

Natural gas hydrates from different types and concentrations of surfactant solutions were produced in a high-pressure cell. An anionic, a cationic, and a nonionic surfactant were used to prepare different concentration of surfactant solutions from deionized water. Although the thermodynamics of hydrate formation from a gas mixture is not affected with the existence of surfactants in the environment, there is an appreciable effect of type and concentration of surfactant on hydrate formation rate. The hydrate formation rate is increased with the use of anionic surfactant for all concentrations tested. Hydrate formation rate is also increased at low concentrations of cationic surfactant. The effect of nonionic surfactant is less pronounced compared to anionic and cationic ones.
Solid Solution and Phase Transformation in the System ZnS ‐ MnS under Hydrothermal Conditions

The thermal behavior of the system was investigated under hydrothermal conditions. The solid solubility of in was ca. 50 mole percent (m/o) almost independent of temperature, whereas was not dissolved into at all. The transformation temperature of zinc blende (ZB) to wurtzite (WZ) in was largely lowered by the formation of the solid solution with in addition to the hydrothermal effect. The phase transformations of were also accelerated by means of the hydrothermal treatment; the transformation temperatures of ZB type to WZ type and WZ type to rock‐salt type were lowered by more than 50°C and ca. 125°C, respectively, compared with those in the dry process.
The pseudo-Jahn—Teller effect: a CASSCF diagnostic

A simple test for the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect is proposed, based on the behaviour of a CASSCF frequency calculation when symmetry is restricted. The test suggests that the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect operates at the D2h transition structure of S0 pentalene and the D8h transition structure of S0 cyclooctatetraene. The D4h transition structure of S0 cyclooctatetraene is not subject to a pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion according to this test. Our interpretation of the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect differs from the conventional one based on a single-transition (CIS-like) approximation.
Competition among thiols and inorganic sulfides and polysulfides for Hg and MeHg in wetland soils and sediments under suboxic conditions: Illumination of controversies and implications for MeHg net production

[1] Current research focus in mercury biogeochemistry is on the net production and accumulation of methyl mercury (MeHg) in organisms. The activity of iron- and sulfate-reducing bacteria (FeRB and SRB) has been identified as important for MeHg production. There are indications of a passive uptake of neutral Hg-sulfides by SRB, as well as of a facilitated bacterial uptake of Hg complexed by small organic molecules. In order to understand these processes, the chemical speciation of Hg and MeHg, and most important, the competition among organic thiols and inorganic sulfides and polysulfides, needs to be clarified under suboxic conditions (nM to low μM range of total sulfide concentrations) in wetland soils and sediments. In this paper the chemical speciation of Hg and MeHg is modeled at pH 4.0 and 7.0 in a conceptual wetland soil/sediment with typical concentrations of thiols, sulfides, Hg, and MeHg. Effects of precipitated HgS(s), the formation of Hg-polysulfides, and the size of the controversial stability constant for the formation of HOHgSH 0 (aq) are emphasized. The outcome of the modeling is discussed in light of chosen stability constants for Hg complexes with thiols, sulfides, and polysulfides. It is concluded that organic thiols are competitive with inorganic sulfides in the approximate total sulfide concentration range 0-1 μm. It is also concluded that increases in absolute aqueous concentrations of MeHg, or the molar ratio of dissolved MeHg/Hg, are not appropriate as indirect measures of MeHg net production, unless changes and differences in solubility of MeHg and Hg are corrected for.
A Pattern-based Analysis of WS-BPEL and Windows Workflow

Orchestration languages are of paramount importance for building composite services in service-oriented architectures. Pattern-based analysis is a method that allows to determine the expressiveness of existing process languages and serves as a means of comparison between different languages. The aim of this study is the analysis and comparison of important languages for building Web Services-based orchestrations, as well as the improvement of the method of pattern-based analysis. The predominant orchestration language today is the Web Services Business Process Execution Language (WS-BPEL) 2.0. This language is a standard that has been implemented by several companies and projects, such as the OpenESB BPEL Service Engine. An additional language is Windows Workflow 4 that is shipped by Microsoft as part of the . NET framework. There are various aspects, represented by pattern catalogs, for which existing languages can be analyzed. This study suggests a methodology for ordering existing pattern catalogs according to their importance for a selected problem domain which is Business-to-Business Integration. It furthermore presents an extensive evaluation of the languages at hand and assesses the degree of support they provide for several of the most important pattern catalogs. These catalogs are the workflow control-flow patterns, the service interaction patterns, the change patterns and the time patterns.
A simple theory of the off‐centre displacement of cations in octahedral environments

a case will be defined as partial enhancement. The reflections displaying the higher symmetry are distributed in the pattern after a certain symmetry and are usually those in which one or more than one index is a multiple of an integer. Foi: example, in the case of triclinic wollastonite, the hkl reflection, when k is even (a multiple of 2), is equal in intensity to, and located symmetrical against the hOl plane with, the (h+k)/2,[c,l reflection (Ito, 1950). Introductory remarks on partial enhancement have been published (Sadanaga, 1959, 1963) and the detailed theory will be treated shortly elsewhere.
GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF YOUNG BEAN PLANTS UNDER HIGH ALKALINITY AS AFFECTED BY MIXTURES OF AMMONIUM, POTASSIUM, AND SODIUM

High concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO− 3) cause alkalinity of irrigation water and are associated with suppression in plant growth and micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Because reports indicate that the deleterious effects of alkalinity may be counteracted partially by supplementary potassium (K+) or ammonium (NH4 +) an experiment was designed to evaluate the response of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in high alkalinity conditions to varying proportions of NH4 +, K+, or sodium (Na+) (as a potential substitute for K+). Plants established in a growth chamber were grown in hydroponics for 21 days in solutions containing 5 mM HCO− 3 and a total of 5 mM of a mixture of NH4 +, K+, and Na+. The proportions of NH4 +, K+, and Na+ were designed according to mixture experiment methodology. Total N in all the mixture treatments was maintained at 10 mM by using nitrate (NO− 3)-N, thus the NH4 +:NO− 3 ratio varied according to the proportion of NH4 + in the mixtures. Alkalinity caused suppression in plant growth and chlorophyll concentration in the younger leaves, whereas excessive NH4 + was associated with leaf scorching and decreased leaf expansion. High proportions of K+ alleviated alkalinity symptoms and produced higher shoot and root dry mass provided that NH4 + was included in the mixture. However, a proportion of NH4 + higher than 0.333 in the mixture (>1.66 mM NH4 +) induced toxicity. The highest shoot dry mass occurred if the NH4 +:NO− 3 ratio was 0.19:0.81 and the NH4 +:K+:Na+ proportion was 0.38:0.38:0.24 (1.9 mM NH4 + + 1.9 mM K+ + 1.2 mM Na+). Thus, an improvement in plant growth is achieved when NH4 +, K+, and Na+ are blended together, in spite of the high alkalinity treatment imposed. Optimum NH4 + was associated with a decrease in solution pH and an increase in shoot Fe and Zn concentration.
Evaluation of metal contamination in a changed sedimentary environment: Ghar El Melh Lagoon, Tunisia

Abstract Three cores were collected in the lagoon of Ghar El Melh (Northern Tunisia) and the sediments were analysed for trace and major elements, sulfides acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and pyrite and total organic carbon (TOC). The sediments are composed of black-mud in the upper layer (0–10cm depth) and grey-mud underneath. Based on the lagoon history, it was believed that the black-mud is endogenic, while the grey-mud is exogenic (derived from old contributions of the Mejerda River before its diversion). The concentrations of TOC and AVS decrease with depth, while the redox potential (Eh) is negative in the black-mud and positive in the grey-mud. The Eh measurements thus revealed the singularity of the sedimentation mode in this lagoon. The North American Composite Shale (NASC) normalisation indicated that Cd, Zn and Pb were enriched through the entire profiles, indicating that this sediment was contaminated for a long time by mining activities and human pollution. Trace metal profiles of Fe, Cd, and Cu approximated that of TOC, while the profiles of Mn, Co, Pb, Ni and Zn followed the Eh. These results, confirmed by the principal component analysis (PCA), suggested that some metals can accumulate in the reduced sediment, while others accumulate in the sub-oxic sediment. Such inference is supported by the metal chemical speciation, which showed these metal–sediment component associations: Mn, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn to the Mn-oxi-hydroxide fraction, Fe to the residual and organic–sulfide-fractions, Cu to the organic–sulfide fraction and Cd to carbonates and sulfides.
Application of chemical methods for the assessment of beef quality. II. Methods related to protein breakdown

Various methods for assessing the extent that the protein has spoiled in stored beef are considered in relation to the various criteria discussed in Part I. From the point of view of routine quality control, the macro-distillation of the volatile nitrogen produced appears to be the most reliable method. From statistical correlations with odour scores, most beef can be considered to be acceptable if the total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and TVN/FF (fat-free) figures do not exceed 16.5 and 19.7 mg N/100 g respectively.
Hydroxyl Groups on γ-Alumina Surfaces: A DFT Study

Abstract Despite numerous experimental studies devoted to the acid–base properties of γ-alumina, the precise nature of surface acid sites remains unsolved. Using density functional (DFT) calculations, we propose realistic models of γ-alumina (110) and (100) surfaces accounting for hydroxylation/dehydroxylation processes induced by temperature effects. The vibrational analysis, based on DFT calculations, leads to an accurate assignment of the OH stretching frequencies observed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The extension to chlorinated surfaces, which brings new insights into the understanding of the role of dopes, is also addressed.
Metastability of the Martensitic Transformation in a 12 mol% Ceria‐Zirconia Alloy: II, Grinding Studies

Observations of the grinding-induced transformation in singlephase Ce-TZP materials, referred to in an earlier paper, are presented. Two techniques were used to grind the surface: by hand in a slurry of abrasive particles and with a high-speed diamond-impregnated wheel. Significant differences in X-ray diffraction profiles between the two grinding methods was observed. Limited monoclinic ZrO2 was detected on the machineground surface, along with the reversal of the tetragonal ZrO2 (200) peak intensities. On the hand-ground surface, considerable monoclinic phase was observed. The disappearance of the monoclinic phase with heating was followed by X-ray diffraction, and the Af was found to exceed 700°C, while the reversal in tetragonal (200) peak symmetry and intensity remained unaltered up to at least 1000°C. Transmission electron microscope studies at various depths below the ground surface were undertaken to identify the differences between these surfaces and fractured surfaces. A simple explanation is proposed for the reversal of the tetragonal peak intensities. This reversal has previously led to the notion of a ferroelastic toughening mechanism in similar TZP materials.
Airborne Elements, Cell Membranes, and Chlorophyll in Transplanted Lichens

The objective of the present study was to test the concentration of airborne mineral elements in the lichen Ramalina lacera (with.) J.R. Laund. in comparison with its physiological status. Thalli of Ramalina lacera were collected in a remote unpolluted site and transplanted in a polluted region for 10 mo. An analysis of 20 elements in addition to an analysis of the status of cell membranes and the integrity of chlorophyll was performed after this period of transplantation. The lichen manifested a great potential for the accumulation of Pb, V, Ni, Zn, and Cu. Potassium and P were found to leach out. High concentrations of Ni, Mg, and B coincided with damage caused to cell membranes. The integrity of chlorophyll correlated with the concentration of K and correlated inversely with the concentration of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and B.
Effect of salinity on the growth and nitrogen uptake by wheat seedlings

Abstract Saline conditions affect nitrogen (N) assimilation of higher plants. To study the effect of salinity and N source on growth and N uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), plants were grown in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. The nutrient solution contained 4 mM N, applied as either calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] or ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4], or a mixture of both, and the salinity treatments consisted in two levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) (1 and 60 mM). Salinity significantly reduced shoot and root growth and the effect of the N source was dependent on which salinity treatment was applied. Salinity decreased the net uptake rate of nitrate (NO3) and NO3+ammonium (NH4), but had little effect on NH4 uptake when this nutrient was applied alone. Dark conditions affected NO3 uptake to a greater extent than NH4 uptake. The best N source for wheat growth was a mixture of NO3 and NH4, especially under saline conditions or periods of low irradiance.
Transformations of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Metals in Soils Treated with Waste Materials

Intact soil cores were used to evaluate decomposition, NH/sub 3/ volatilization, N transformations, and metal movement in soils treated with sewage sludges and antibiotic processing wastes. Soil cores were leached monthly with water and incubated for 1 year. An insignificant amount (<1%) of the NH/sub 4//sup +/-N applied was lost through NH/sub 3/ volatilization. The addition of wastes to five soils established that soil properties did not influence decomposition. In contrast, appreciable differences in decomposition were observed when different wastes were added to the same soil. Significant amounts of NO/sub 3//sup -/ were leached from soils treated with antibiotic wastes, while essentially no NO/sub 3//sup -/ leaching occurred in soils receiving sewage sludge, suggesting that denitrification and/or immobilization are major N loss mechanisms in soils treated with sewage sludge. Minimal amounts of P and metals were leached from sludge-amended soils. Soil analysis indicated that the majority of the added Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and Pb remained in the zone of sludge incorporation (0 to 7.5 cm) with minimal or no movement into the 7.5- to 15-cm soil depth.
Encapsulation of Orange Essential Oil in a Spout-Fluid Bed Dryer with a Draft Tube on a Bed of Inert Solids

Encapsulation of orange essential oil in modified starch (N-Lok) was performed in a spout-fluid bed dryer with a draft tube (SFB) on a bed of inert solids under different operating conditions. The essential oil retention and encapsulation efficiencies were determined and compared with those obtained in a spray-drying encapsulation process. The results showed that, in general, both SFB efficiencies were lower than those obtained in the spray dryer; however, it was observed that most of the essential oil remaining in the SFB was encapsulated (94% compared with 70% for the spray dryer). The formation of particles with thicker encapsulation walls in the SFB provided better protection of the orange essential oil than that achieved in spray drying.
MALDI-TOF Characterization of Highly Cross-Linked, Degradable Polymer Networks

Multifunctional anhydride monomers were synthesized and photopolymerized to form highly cross-linked, degradable networks. The networks were synthesized from monomers and oligomers of dimethacrylated sebacic acid of varying molecular weight, as well as under varying reaction conditions. The cross-linked polymers were subsequently degraded in phosphate buffered saline, and the degradation products, sebacic acid and poly(methacrylic acid), were isolated. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to characterize the absolute molecular weight distribution of the linear poly(methacrylic acid) degradation product, especially as a function of the network evolution (i.e., double-bond conversion), rate of initiation, and monomer size. MALDI-TOF results, supported by 1H NMR, showed that the distribution of kinetic chain lengths was relatively narrow, with average lengths shorter than calculated from experimentally measured rate data, indicating the influenc.
Nano-porous iridium and iridium oxide thin films formed by high efficiency electrodeposition

The goal of this work has been to fabricate very thin, highly porous Ir films, of use in a wide variety of applications. To achieve this objective, Ir was electrodeposited on a Au-coated quartz crystal, allowing in situ mass measurements to be carried out while concurrently monitoring the charge passed, as a function of the deposition potential, H2IrCl6 concentration, and time. Ir thin films (<5 nm) could be deposited at 100% charge efficiency at an optimum potential of 0.1–0.2 V vs. RHE, all in room temperature 0.5 M H2SO4 containing various concentrations of H2IrCl6. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and in situ surface area measurements showed that the Ir films are uniform and yet highly porous (up to 50%), independent of film thickness. We were also able to efficiently convert the electrodeposited Ir to Ir oxide, without significant loss of metal or diminished coating adhesion, while also maintaining their very high surface area properties. These interesting thin films are very promising for a wide variety of electrocatalytic and sensing applications.
Thermal activation of two-level systems in a polymer glass as studied with single-molecule spectroscopy

Fluorescence excitation spectroscopy of single chromophores in an amorphous polymer at low temperatures allows the study of single two-level systems (TLSs) of the matrix. With increasing temperature, more TLSs are thermally activated and contribute to random flipping, splitting, and/or broadening of single-molecule lines. In this paper we report on temperature-dependent changes of the intensity ratio between different components of single-molecule lines. The system under study is tetra-tert-butyl-terrylene in poly-isobutylene. Since the temperature dependent changes are due to thermal activation of individual TLSs, we could calculate the asymmetry of several of these TLSs yielding values between 0.25 and 1.5 meV. Some of the TLSs do not follow the Boltzmann activation law.