Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The importance of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis in source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A critical review

Abstract As unavoidable by-products of the combustion of organic matter, the sources of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an area of great research interest in environmental monitoring, environmental forensics, and organic geochemistry. Molecular diagnostic ratios, receptor models, and stable isotope analysis are the most widely used methods to identify the sources of PAHs. However, some studies have demonstrated that these conventional methods have several disadvantages including overlapping end-members (or “non-uniqueness”), unexpected “blending,” secondary reaction and degradation, which lead to ambiguous PAH source results. At the end of the last century, compound-specific radiocarbon analysis (CSRA) focusing on the molecular level radiocarbon signatures was introduced for PAH source identification, because of its effectiveness in avoiding uncertainties of the conventional methods. CSRA has an excellent ability to distinguish the fractional contributions of fossil fuels and biomass burning. Here, by reviewing the merits and limitations of conventional methods, we point out that their unquestioning application needs to be criticized in PAH source identification, and further highlight the particular advantages of CSRA. Specifically, we summarize the application and prospects of CSRA in PAH source identification. We conclude that CSRA provides a powerful tool to accurately quantify the sources of aromatic pollutants, to reveal their sedimentary radiocarbon records, and to elucidate regional energy structure and fuel consumption. In doing so, we provide a critical resource to expand the application of CSRA in environmental science. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of the application of CSRA for PAH source identification. Graphical abstract
Pyrolysis of rice husk and sawdust for liquid fuel

纸集中于学习怎么把米饭外壳和锯屑变换成液体燃料。 瑞斯外壳，锯屑和他们的混合是在在 420 degC 和 540 deg C 之间的温度的 pyrolyzed，并且液体燃料的主要产品被获得。 试验性的结果证明液体燃料的收益重重地取决于化工物品和热分解温度的类型。 在实验，为米饭外壳的最大的液体收益，锯屑和他们的混合是 56percent at465 deg C， 61% 在 490 deg C 并且 60% 在 475 deg C 分别地。 Analysiswith GCMS 和另外的仪器显示液体燃料是有低热量的价值的复杂有机化合物并且没有任何升级，能直接被用作燃料油。 作为原油，液体燃料能被精制是车辆油。
Dehumidifier-Assisted Drying Characteristics of Nutrient Enriched Gellan and Agar Gels

The characteristics of moisture removal and selected physical properties during the dehumidifier-assisted drying of model food gel systems like agar and gellan gels were studied. The effect of gel forming ingredients/nutrients like FeSO4 (0.05%), whey protein concentrate (WPC; 5%), and flaxseed powder (FSP; 5%) were investigated with an overall intention of developing a delivery system for nutrients as a convenience food. Gellan and agar gels were prepared at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3% (w/w) and subjected to drying at a low temperature of 40°C in a dehumidifier-assisted dryer up to 12 h. The different quality parameters that were determined included the extent of shrinkage, moisture content, textural parameters, and the diffusion coefficient. Agar gels possessed higher moisture ratios compared to corresponding gellan samples. The diffusion coefficients for agar and gellan gels were 0.83 × 10−7 − 2.38 × 10−7 m2s−1. The gellan gels were much harder than their corresponding agar gels. The addition of WPC, FeSO4, and FSP increased the textural indices like fracture force, fracture strain, fracture energy, and total energy for 50% compression for all the gels. Gellan and agar gels showed volume shrinkage; the lowest shrinkages were with WPC added gels followed by the FSP and FeSO4 incorporated samples. Dehumidifier-assisted dried food gels can serve as a delivery system for nutrients.
Viscosidad de zumos comerciales de melocotón, manzana y pera a temperaturas cercanas a la congelación

Conocer el comportamiento reologico de zumos comerciales susceptibles de ser procesados a bajas temperaturas es de gran interes para el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologias y equipos en la industria de alimentos. En procesos de concentracion de fluidos alimentarios a bajas temperaturas como la crioconcentracion, el incremento de la viscosidad es una limitante en la eficiencia del proceso. En el presente trabajo se determinaron experimentalmente las viscosidades de zumos comerciales de melocoton, manzana y pera a concentraciones entre 40° Brix y 50° Brix, en el intervalo de temperatura -6 a 4°C, evitando la formacion de cristales de hielo. Se analizo el efecto de la temperatura sobre viscosidad de los dos zumos. El rango de variacion obtenido para la viscosidad de los tres zumos a 40 y 50°Brix es de 11 a 22 mPa·s y de 28 a 64 mPa·s respectivamente en todo el intervalo de temperatura estudiado. El zumo de melocoton presenta el valor mas elevado de viscosidad (64,0± 0,2 mPa·s a 50o Brix y -6 °C). El efecto de la temperatura sobre la viscosidad de los zumos se representa de manera adecuada por una ecuacion tipo Arrhenius. Los zumos estudiados presentan un comportamiento newtoniano.
Gaussian Mixture Models for Detecting Sleep Apnea Events Using Single Oronasal Airflow Record

Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related disorder that significantly affects the population. It is characterized by repeated breathing interruption during sleep. Such events can induce hypoxia, which is a risk factor for multiple cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Polysomnography, the gold standard, is expensive, inaccessible, uncomfortable and an expert technician is needed to score sleep-related events. To address these limitations, many previous studies have proposed and implemented automatic scoring processes based on fewer sensors and machine learning classification algorithms. However, alternative device technologies developed for both home and hospital still have limited diagnostic accuracy for detecting apnea events even though many of the previous investigational algorithms are based on multiple physiological channel inputs. In this paper, we propose a new probabilistic algorithm based on (only) oronasal respiration signal for automated detection of apnea events during sleep. The proposed model leverages AASM recommendations for characterizing apnea events with respect to dynamic changes in the local respiratory airflow baseline. Unlike classical threshold-based classification models, we use a Gaussian mixture probability model for detecting sleep apnea based on the posterior probabilities of the respective events. Our results show significant improvement in the ability to detect sleep apnea events compared to a rule-based classifier that uses the same classification features and also compared to two previously published studies for automated apnea detection using the same respiratory flow signal. We use 96 sleep patients with different apnea severity levels as reflected by their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) levels. The performance was not only analyzed over obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but also over other types of sleep apnea events including central and mixed sleep apnea (CSA, MSA). Also the performance was comprehensively analyzed and evaluated over patients with varying disease severity conditions, where it achieved an overall performance of TPR=88.5%, TNR=82.5%, and AUC=86.7%. The proposed approach contributes a new probabilistic framework for detecting sleep apnea events using a single airflow record with an improved capability to generalize over different apnea severity conditions
Influence of Organic Solvents on Secondary Brain Damage after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Many compounds tested for a possible neuroprotective effect after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not readily soluble and therefore organic solvents need to be used as a vehicle. It is, however, unclear whether these organic solvents have intrinsic pharmacological effects on secondary brain damage and may therefore interfere with experimental results. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of four widely used organic solvents, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), Miglyol 812 (Miglyol®), polyethyleneglycol 40 (PEG 40), and N-2-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) on outcome after TBI in mice. A total of 143 male C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI). Contusion volume, brain edema formation, and neurological function were assessed 24 h after TBI. Test substances or saline were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 10 min before CCI. DMSO, Miglyol, and PEG 40 had no effect on post-traumatic contusion volume after CCI; NMP, however, significantly reduced contusion volume and brain edema formation at different concentrations. The use of DMSO, Miglyol, and PEG 40 is unproblematic for studies investigating neuroprotective treatment strategies as they do not influence post-traumatic brain damage. NMP seems to have an intrinsic neuroprotective effect that should be considered when using this agent in pharmacological experiments; further, a putative therapeutic effect of NMP needs to be elucidated in future studies.
Improvement in Photosynthetic Rate and Grain Yield in Super-High-Yield Maize (Zea mays L.) by Optimizing Irrigation Interval under Mulch Drip Irrigation

High yield is one of the important goals of crop production, and close planting and optimum irrigation systems are important agronomic practices for increasing maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. However, little is known about the effect of optimal irrigation interval on the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and dry matter accumulation (DM) of closely planted super-high-yield maize under drip irrigation under mulch. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of irrigation interval on the leaf Pn, DM, and grain yield of closely planted super-high-yield maize under mulch drip irrigation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwestern China. A field experiment was conducted using three irrigation intervals in 2016—namely, six days (D6), nine days (D9), and 12 days (D12)—and five irrigation intervals in 2017—namely, three days (D3), six days (D6), nine days (D9), 12 days (D12), and 15 days (D15). The Xianyu 335 high-yield maize hybrid was used in the test; the planting density was set to 12×104 plants ha−1, and an optimal irrigation quota of 540 mm was used. The results showed that during the irrigation period, (1) the soil moisture content (SMC), DM, leaf Pn, and grain yield of treatment D6 were higher than for other irrigation intervals, (2) the leaf Pn and stomatal conductance (GS) of the leaves of treatments D3, D9, D12, and D15 were significantly correlated with the SMC of the 0–40 cm soil layer, and (3) the leaf Pn of treatment D6 was significantly positively correlated with SMC in the 0–60 cm soil layer but not significantly correlated with GS. Irrigation treatment D6 was found to maintain high SMC, provide a water environment favorable to the growth of maize, and increase the leaf Pn and DM, and thereby obtain maize grain yield (20.6–21.0 t ha−1). Therefore, an optimal irrigation interval could be beneficial for adjusting soil moisture, leaf Pn, and DM in order to increase maize grain yield with drip irrigation under mulch.
A Mathematical Model Using Time Elements for Timed-Arc Petri Nets

In this work, a novel graphical and mathematical model is introduced for Timed-Arc Petri Nets. In this model, operation durations related to events are associated with arcs as firing durations. Time elements are introduced on the arcs of the model for monitoring tokens in operation durations (firing durations) of firing processes (events). In the model, the status of the system is represented as states consisting of remaining time vector for indicating the status of time elements and marking vector for indicating the status of places' state information. This feature of states allows to obtain reachability set enhanced with the time information and the timed reachability graph of the system. In this work, behavioral properties of the proposed model are also defined. Moreover, via considering real world systems, behavioral properties are analyzed and performance of the model is compared with Stretched Petri Nets which is a recently proposed type of Timed Petri Nets.
Adsorption studies of Cibacron Blue onto both untreated and chemically treated pistachio shell powder from aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT In order to enhance its adsorption properties, pistachio shell powder was modified first with aqueous HCl solution and then with aqueous NaOH solution. The adsorption of Cibacron Blue dye onto both untreated and chemically treated pistachio shell powder was investigated using a batch adsorption technique. The parameters affecting the adsorption process, namely contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and initial dye concentration were examined. For both adsorbents, the dye adsorption was favored under acidic conditions (pH 2–3). Equilibrium adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies showed that Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well to the experimental data.
Tribalism in America: Behavioral Experiments on Affective Polarization in the Trump Era

Abstract Our research speaks to the ongoing debate over the extent and severity of partisan political divisions in American society. We employ behavioral experiments to probe for affective polarization using dictator, trust, and public goods games with party identification treatments. We find that subjects who identify politically with the Democratic or Republican Party and ideologically as liberals and conservatives display stronger affective biases than politically unaffiliated and ideological moderates. Partisan subjects are less altruistic, less trusting, and less likely to contribute to a mutually beneficial public good when paired with members of the opposing party. Compared to other behavioral studies, our research suggests increasing levels of affective polarization in the way Americans relate to one another politically, bordering on the entrenched divisions one commonly sees in conflict or post-conflict societies. To overcome affective polarization, our research points to inter-group contact as a mechanism for increasing trust and bridging political divides.
Effective Simulations of Electronic Transport in 2D Structures Based on Semiconductor Superlattice Infinite Model

Effective simulations of semiconductor superlattices are presented in the paper. The simulations have been based on the Wannier function method approach where a new algorithm, inspired by Büttiker probes, has been incorporated into determining the Green function procedure. The program is of a modular structure, and its modules can either work independently, or interact with each other following a predefined algorithm. Such structuring not only accelerates simulations and makes the transport parameters possible to initially assess, but also enables accurate analysis of quantum phenomena occurring in semiconductor superlattices. In this paper, the capabilities of type I superlattice simulator, developed earlier, are presented, with particular emphasis on the new block where the Fermi levels are determined by applying Büttiker probes. The algorithms and methods used in the program are briefly described in the further chapters of our work, where we also provide graphics illustrating the results obtained for the simulated structures known from the literature.
Psychological Considerations for Bariatric Surgery

Obesity management requires a multidisciplinary, integrated treatment composed of medical, nutritional, physical, and psychological interventions. Currently, bariatric surgery is the most suitable treatment available in case of severe obesity, or obesity with comorbid medical conditions. Despite bariatric surgery results in a significant weight loss in most of the cases, a not-inconsiderable portion of patients does not achieve relevant outcomes, in terms of limited weight loss or weight regain due to psychological problems. The pre-operative evaluation of the psychological conditions of the candidates for bariatric interventions and pre/post-surgical psychological support is required in order to achieve the desired post-operative outcomes for a long time. In this chapter, we will elucidate the core components of the psychological assessment of bariatric candidates. Moreover, the main directions for the pre/post-surgery psychological support will be provided.
Heat pipes and solid sorption transformations : fundamentals and practical applications

A Review of Modeling Approaches to Heat and Mass Transfers in Porous Wicks Sassi Ben Nasrallah and Marc Prat Thermally Powered Adsorption Cooling: Recent Trends and Applications B B Saha and I I El-Sharkawy Optimization of Adsorption Dynamics in Adsorptive Heat Transformers: Experiment and Modeling Yuri I Aristov Mechanisms of Intensive Heat Transfer for Different Modes of Boiling Victor V Yagov A Review of Practical Applications of Heat Pipes and Innovative Application of Opportunities for Global Warming M Mochizuki, A Akbarzadeh and T Nguyen Heat Pipes and Thermosyphons for Thermal Management of Solid Sorption Machines and Fuel Cells L L Vasiliev and L L Vasiliev Jr Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfer in Sorption and Chemisorption Heat Converters and Their Optimisation L L Vasiliev, O S Rabinovich, N V Pavlyukevich and M Yu Liakh Sorption Systems with Heat Pipe Thermal Management for Hydrogenous Gas Storage and Transportation L L Vasiliev and L E Kanonchik Fundamental Questions of Closed Two-Phase Thermosyphons M K Bezrodny Thermal Control Systems with Variable Conductance Heat Pipes for Space Application: Theory and Practice V M Baturkin Thermosyphon Technology for Industrial Applications Marcia B H Mantelli Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer with Phase Change in Minichannels and Microchannels V V Kuznetsov and S A Safonov Index
Surges of Harald Moltke Bræ, north-west Greenland: Seasonal
modulation and initiation at the terminus

Abstract. Harald Moltke Bræ, a marine-terminating glacier in north-west Greenland, shows episodic surges. A recent surge from 2013 to 2019 lasted significantly longer (6 years) than previously observed surges (2–4 years) and exhibits a pronounced seasonality with flow velocities varying by one order of magnitude (between about 0.5 and 10 m/day) in the course of a year. During this six-year period, the velocity always peaked in the early melt season and decreased abruptly when meltwater runoff was maximum. Our data suggest that the seasonality has been similar during previous surges, and, to a much lesser extent, during the intermediate quiescent phases. It is peculiar to Harald Moltke Bræ that the seasonal amplitude is amplified episodically to constitute glacier surges. The surge from 2013 to 2019 was preceded by a rapid frontal retreat and a pronounced thinning at the glacier front (30 m within 3 years). We discuss possible causal mechanisms of the seasonally modulated surge behaviour by involving various system inherent factors (e.g. glacier geometry) and external factors (e.g. surface mass balance). The seasonality may be caused by a transition of an inefficient subglacial system to an efficient one, as known for many glaciers in Greenland. The patterns of flow velocity and ice thickness variations indicate that the surges are initiated at the terminus and develop through an up-glacier propagation of ice flow acceleration. Possibly, this is facilitated by a simultaneous up-glacier spreading of surface crevasses and weakening of subglacial till. Once a large part of the ablation zone has accelerated, conditions may favour substantial seasonal flow acceleration through seasonally changing meltwater availability. Thus the seasonal amplitude remains high for two or more years until the fast ice flow has flattened the ice surface and the glacier stabilizes again.
Effect of Microwave Radiation on the Synthesis of Ion Exchange Resins: A Comparative Study

A series of new ion exchange resins was synthesized in a microwave radiation field by modification of chloromethylated styrene/divinylbenzene (S/DVB) and vinylbenzylchloride/divinylbenzene (VBC/DVB) copolymers using amines. The modification processes have been executed simultaneously using the microwave-assisted method and the most efficient, conventional one. The greatest total sorption capacities for noble metals were achieved for two resins conventionally modified using ETDA ion exchange resins based on S/DVB matrices. The microwave-modified resins reveal only slightly lower and in some circumstances even better sorption capacity for noble metals than their conventionally-modified equivalents. The differences are discussed by effect of the synthesis method as evaluated using FTIR spectrophotometry.
ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF GULLY EROSION IN OLIVE GROVES USING PHOTOGRAMMETRY TECHNIQUES. RELATIONSHIPS WITH RAINFALL REGIME

Gully erosion is one of the main processes of soil degradation, reaching 50%–90% of total erosion in basins. As erosion processes are related to rainfall regime, the depletion and deposition rates can be increasing in a climate change scenario. This paper deals with the quantification of erosion processes in an active gully affecting olive groves of the province of Jaén (southern Spain), using geomatics techniques (photogrammetry and LiDAR). Eight historical aerial flights from 1980 to 2016, a LiDAR dataset (2014) and 2 recent UAS surveys (2019-2020) were used and processed in a common reference system with the support of field GNSS ground control points. Then, DSMs and orthophotographs were obtained and DSMs of differences (DoDs) calculated, from which we can identify gullies, calculate the depletion and deposition areas, and estimate height differences and volumes involved. These analyses result in an average depletion of about -1.6 m (incision) and a waste volume up to 30000 m3 (soil losses), which lead to a rates of 0.05 m/year and -44 t/ha*year, respectively. These rates are very different along the considered periods, reaching the maximum values (near -300-450 t/ha*year) in 2009-2011 and 2011–2013, coinciding with the periods of higher rainfall in the last fifty years, that probably have underwent an increase of 10-30% in the last decades. Thus, the evolution of the gully area for 40 years has been analysed in relation to the rainfall regime that has been established from the daily rainfall data. * Corresponding author
Shannon information as a measure of distortion in coordination polyhedra

Variations in the distribution of bond orders within coordination polyhedra in crystals have been used as a scale of departure from perfect polyhedral symmetry and a measure of polyhedral distortion. The distribution of bond orders mathematically resembles the probability distribution; the bond orders can be normalized to their sum within a polyhedron and used to calculate the Shannon information content that depends on the degree of their departure from uniform distribution. The difference in the Shannon information between a perfect and a distorted polyhedron can be defined as a function taking bond orders as arguments to yield a non-negative real value unambiguously ascribed to a polyhedron. The so-defined distortion function is continuous and vanishes for all the bond orders being equal in the case of a perfect polyhedron. For small distortions it can be reduced to a form analogous to the well known chi-squared function.