Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pollutant Mass Flushing Characterization of Highway Stormwater Runoff from an Ultra-Urban Area

Water quality of highway stormwater runoff from an ultra-urban area was characterized by determining the event mean concentration (EMC) for several pollutants and by evaluating pollutant flushing. Thirty-two storm events were monitored between June 2002 and October 2003. Mean EMCs in mg/L were 0.035, 0.11, 0.22, 1.18, 420, 3.4, 0.14, 1.0, and 0.56 for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), N O2 –N , N O3 –N , and TP. First flush as defined by flushing of 50% of the total pollutant mass load in the first 25% of the event runoff volume occurred in 33% of the storm events for N O2− , 27% for TP, 22% for N O3− and TKN, 21% for Cu, 17% for TSS, 14% for Zn, and 13% for Pb. Median values for the mass flushed in the first 25% of runoff volume were greater than the mass flushed in any 25% portion beyond the first for all pollutants. The mass in later 25% volume portions were greater than in the first 25% volume in at least 17% of the events for all pollutants, indicating that .
Reducing power consumption in LEO satellite network

Current Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network infrastructures display poor power efficiency, running network devices at full capacity all the time regardless of the traffic matrix and the distribution of the population over the Globe. Most of the research on energy efficiency of LEO satellites has focused on component level or link level. Therefore, this kind of reseach is not holistic to try to look at the satellite system as a single node. To enhance the energy efficiency, an integral solution can be followed. The solution should exploite multipath routig and load balancing. LEO satellite network is overprovisioned, and hence selectively shutting down some satellite nodes and links during off-peaks hours seems like a good way to reduce energy consumption. In this paper, we exploit the fact that due to geographical and climatic conditions, some satellite links are expected to be loaded with data packets while others remain unused. Our approach is to power down satellite nodes and links during period of low traffic load, while guaranteeing the connectivity and the Quality of Service (QoS). Finding the optimal solution is NP-Complete problem and therefore, we explore in this work two heuristic algorithms. We evaluate our heuristics on a realistic LEO topology and real traffic matrices, considering the day and night traffic variation. Simulation results show that the power saving can be significant, e.g., larger than 50%. This is done by trading off very little in end-to-end delay.
Overall Kinetic Parameters and Laminar Burning Velocity from Pressure Measurements in Closed Vessels

Abstract The experimental pressure-time patterns measured during methane-oxygen-nitrogen explosions in a constant-volume bomb were analyzed by means of a lumped-parameter mathematical model. The use in this model of two explicit expressions for the dependence of the laminar burning velocity on pressure, temperature and composition derived from the solutions of the flame equations obtained by asymptotic methods, allowed the evaluation of the kinetic parameters of the overall reaction of combustion, and of the laminar burning velocity. A method of data analysis based on the concepts of non-linear identification was used to increase the accuracy of computations. The computed results, both for the laminar burning velocity and for the overall reaction rate, fairly agree with literature data.
On the Induction Period of Methane Aromatization over Mo-Based Catalysts

The behavior of different species during the temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) of methane over various catalysts is traced by an online mass spectrometer. It is demonstrated that the transformation of MoO3 to molybdenum carbide hinders the activation of methane as well as the succeeding aromatization in the TPSR. If this transformation process is done before the reaction, the temperature needed for methane activation and benzene formation will be greatly lowered (760 and 847 K, respectively). On the basis of comparison of the catalytic behavior of molybdenum supported on different zeolites, it is suggested that the initial activation of methane is the rate-determining step of this reaction. For the cobalt catalysts supported on HMCM-22 or Mo catalysts supported on TiO2, no benzene formation could be observed during the TPSR. However, the prohibition of benzene formation is different in nature over these two catalysts: the former lacks the special properties exhibited by molybdenum carbide, which can continuously activate methane even when multiple layers of carbonaceous species are formed on its surface, while the latter cannot accomplish the aromatization reaction since there are no Bronsted acid sites to which the activated intermediates can migrate, although the activation of methane can be achieved on it. Only for the catalysts that possess both of these properties, together with the special channel structure of zeolite, can efficient methane aromatization be accomplished.
Mechanistic Model for CaSO4 Fouling on Nanofiltration Membrane

One of the major limitations of nanofiltration (NF) in drinking water treatment is inorganic scaling. In this study, a mechanistic model has been proposed to describe the permeate flux decline process during CaS O4 scaling in NF. It has been observed that the permeate flux decline follows four distinct stages. At first stage, 22–30% flux is reduced due to concentration polarization. At the second stage, flux is not reduced, instead, nucleation of CaS O4 occurs. The major permeate flux decline (60–70%) occurred at the third stage due to CaS O4 cake formation. At the final stage, the system reached the steady state, where rate of CaS O4 deposition on the membrane is balanced by shearing caused by the increase of concentrate flow rate. Beyond this stage, the flux does not decrease significantly. At each stage, the concentration of the salt at the membrane surface was estimated. The maximum salt concentration was found at the initial stage of permeate flux reduction, which gradually decreases as the filtratio.
Methyl orange adsorption by microporous and mesoporous TiO2-SiO2 and TiO2-SiO2-Al2O3 composite xerogels

We investigate the adsorption behavior of methyl orange (MO) on composite xerogels. Mesoporous TiO2-SiO2 and TiO2-SiO2-Al2O3 xerogels are prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT), and AlCl3 ·6H2O using HCl as a catalyst and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a templating agent. The corresponding microporous xerogels are also prepared without addition of CTAB. These xerogels are then characterized by XRD, FTIR, and BET.We find that MO is adsorbed by the mesoporous xerogels in acidic solutions, showing Langmuir type adsorption isotherms. We also find that the adsorption decreases with increasing temperature. It is suggested that adsorption exhibits a sieve effect and that MO is adsorbed through electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding between MO and the xerogels.
Calcium Signals Recorded from Cut Frog

was an early change in absorbance, with a wavelength dependence that nearly matched a cuvette Ca-difference spectrum . As with arsenazo III, this signal became prolonged as experiments progressed . In a freshly prepared cut fiber containing 0.3 mM indicator, the absorbance change had an average half-width of 10 ms at 18°C. The peak amplitude of this Ca signal depended on the indicator concentration in a roughly parabolic manner, which is consistent with a 1 :2 stoichiometry for Ca :indicator complexation and, for indicator,concentra- tions 50.4 mM, constant peak free (Ca) . If all the antipyrylazo III inside a fiber can react normally with Ca, peak free (Ca) is 3 jM at 18°C. If only freely diffusible indicator can react, the estimate is 42 pM . The true amplitude probably lies somewhere in between . The time course of Ca binding to intra- cellular buffers and of Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is estimated from the 3- and 42-AM myoplasmic (Ca) transients . After action potential stimulation, the release waveform is rapid and brief, its latency after the surface action potential is 2-3 ms and its half-width is 2-4 ms . This requires rapid
Mechanism for the formation of gaseous and particulate products from ozone-cycloalkene reactions in air

Both gaseous and particulate products of the reactions of ozone with C/sub 5/ and C/sub 7/ cycloalkenes in air were analyzed. Major gaseous products were CO, CO/sub 2/, formic acid, and aldehydes consisting of C/sub n/ dialdehyde, C/sub n-1/ dialdehyde, and C/sub n-1/ monoaldehyde. The sums of the primary yields of aldehydes were 34 +/- 15% for cyclopentene and 64 +/- 15% for cycloheptene. In cyclopentene reactions, formaldehyde and ethylene were additional major products with yields of 13 +/- 3% and 12 +/- 2%, respectively. The main particulate products were C/sub n/ and C/sub n-1/ dialdehyde, omega-oxo carboxylic acid, and dicarboxylic acid, and the absolute yields of each component were determined as a function of ellapsed time after the reaction. Transformation of aerosols was clearly demonstrated to be dialdehyde . -->. omega-oxo carboxylic acid . -->. dicarboxylic acid. A generalized mechanism of the ozone-cycloalkene reactions was proposed, and the branching ratio of each pathway of the Criegee-type intermediates was evaluated. The lower and upper limits of aerosol yield were determined to be 1 +/- 1 and approx. 5%, 3 +/- 1 and 13 +/- 3%, and 4 +/- 1 and approx. 10% for C/sub 5/, C/sub 6/, and C/sub 7/ cycloalkenes, respectively.more » 37 references, 1 figure,5 tables. « less
A novel tetragonal pyramid-shaped porous ZnO nanostructure and its application in the biosensing of horseradish peroxidase

A novel nano-sized tetragonal pyramid-shaped porous ZnO (TPSP-ZnO) structure was, for the first time, prepared with a high morphological yield by a simple polyglycol-assisted wet chemical method. It was found that the polyglycol had a significant influence on the nucleation and pore formation in the ZnO nanostructure. The OH−concentration and the zinc counter-ion affected the morphology of the produced ZnO nanostructure. TPSP-ZnO can be used as an efficient matrix for immobilizing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and applied to sense hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Interestingly, it had better biosensing properties than solid spherical ZnO nanoparticles, which might result from the larger specific surface area of TPSP-ZnO, causing a higher HRP loading, and the tetragonal pyramid-shaped porous nanostructure having high fraction of surface atoms located on the corners and edges, resulting in an improved catalytic activity.
Long-Term, Low Temperature Simulation of Early Diagenetic Alterations of Organic Matter: A FTIR Study

Early diagenetic alterations of organic matter from conifers and algae were simulated at 80°C for more than five years. To investigate the changes of functional groups of organic matter during the simulation, the samples were analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The basic IR spectra characteristics of coniferous and algal organic matter were elaborated. The results indicate that only the IR absorptions from aromatic rings are different. The changes of IR spectra of simulated samples show that organic matters underwent dehydroxylation, decarboxylation or polycondensation during the simulation. Besides, the differences of IR spectra among selected samples under different conditions reveal that iron-containing environment may deplete the phenolic hydroxyls in conifer samples, and the hypersaline conditions can accelerate the degradation of asphaltenes into polar compounds both in conifers and algae samples.
Relationship between density and stiffness of apple flesh

The parenchyma of a number of varieties of apple was tested in torsion. It is necessary to use small samples (cylinders 10 mm long × 5 mm diameter) orientated to take account of the radial air spaces. Over a range of nine varieties of apple, the torsional stiffness (0.5 to 7 MPa) is largely dependent on the average density (0.6 to 0.9 g cc−1) both within and between varieties. At a given density, the outer parenchyma is stiffer than the inner. As the apple matures, density and stiffness reduce and their mutual dependence is also less. A model is presented which can convert density (or volume fraction) of packed cells into the degree of mutual cellular contact. The calculated degree of contact (never greater than 0.4 of the wall area of a cell) correlates well with stiffness, though the nature of the correlation varies with the variety of apple and its maturity. The anisotropy and density/stiffness relationship must be considered in any mechanical (and presumably, therefore, organoleptic) testing of apples.
A hybrid multiphase flow model

The development of a hybrid model for predicting outflow following the rupture of downward sloped pressurized hydrocarbon pipelines is described. The model addresses the failure of the Method of Characteristics (MOC)-based numerical solution technique in predicting post depressurization outflow through coupling it with a hydraulic flow model. The resulting hybrid simulation is tested against the hypothetical full bore rupture of a 100-m-long, 0.158-m-diameter pipeline at various angles of decline in the range 0 to −90° containing different classes of hydrocarbons. These include a two-phase mixture, flashing liquid, liquid, and a permanent gas. The results indicate that in the case of the two-phase mixture and the permanent gas, both the MOC and the hybrid models produce very similar results with outflow being independent of the angle of decline. However, large differences in the data are obtained in the case of liquid and flashing liquid inventories with the MOC significantly under predicting outflow. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
On the Pressure Dependence of the Debye Temperature in Solids

A new relation for the pressure dependence of the Debye temperature is derived on the basis of the nonlinear expression for the pressure dependence of the Gruneisen parameter. The application of the new relation to the cases of NaCI and Csl are presented and compared with that of the relation derived on the basis of the linear expression presented by Kumari and Dass (phys. stat. sol. (b) 133, 101 (1986)) for the pressure dependence of the Gruneisen parameter. The comparison shows that the new relation presented in this paper is better.
Splintering of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Single Crystals by PHB-Depolymerase A from Pseudomonas lemoignei

With the aim of improved understanding of the mechanism of depolymerase action, folded chain lamellar single crystals were partially degraded with PHB-depolymerase A from Pseudomonas lemoignei. Enzymatically degraded single crystals of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, were observed by transmission electron microscopy and were found to be splintered parallel to their long axes. Prior to degradation, the crystals were lamellar with macroscopic dimensions of approximately 2.5 μm by 20 μm and the classical baseplane single crystal diffraction pattern corresponding to bacterial PHB was recorded. When observed by TEM, the partially degraded crystals had been splintered longitudinally to a needlelike morphology. The needlelike fragments of PHB still yielded the same crystalline baseplane diffraction pattern. These results support an “edge attack” model for the degradation of PHB single crystals and explain, at a molecular level, the lack of decrease in molecular weight during the degradation since the dir.
Dynamics of emulsification and demulsification of water in crude oil emulsions

The effect of aging on the crude oil/water interface has been studied, and the slow buildup of natural surfactants present in the crude oil at the interface was observed. Interfacial tension data and microvideography were used to evaluate the buildup of surface concentration. The methodology adopted in this work permits the calculation of the actual surface excess of natural surfactants at the crude oil/water interface, without having to isolate them from the crude oil and without knowing their bulk molar concentration. The rate of adsorption of demulsifier at the interface was determined by measurement of the dynamic interfacial tension by a microprocessor-controlled drop volume method apparatus. Temperature, concentration, and nature of the medium (crude oil or brine) were found to be very important parameters governing adsorption of demulsifier at the interface. Diffusion of the emulsifier to the oil/water interface was much slower when demulsifier was present in the oil phase than when it was present in the water phase.
All trans-cis -carotene content of selected sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) varieties as influenced by different levels of nitrogen fertilizer application

All trans-cis isomers content of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) as influenced by different levels of nitrogen fertilizer application were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nitrogen fertilizer treatments were four nitrogen levels of 0 (control), 40, 80, 120 kg N/ha and four varieties of sweet potatoes: White fleshed TIS87/0087 and TIS8164, orange-fleshed, Ex-Igbariam and CIP Tanzania. The study area was Umudike Southeast Nigeria, located at latitude 05°29’N and longitude 07°33E, and at elevation of 122 m above sea levels. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly (P 0.05) for the varieties studied except CIP Tanzania. β-carotene (trans-cis isomers) has the potential to improve vitamin A status among the vulnerable groups in Southeast Nigeria. Sweet potato being a stable crop in Southeast Nigeria can be effectively used as a vehicle for improving the Vitamin A intake in this ecological zone through biofortification with β-carotene. With nitrogen fertilizer increasing sweet potato production in this ecological zone, the evaluation of the trans-cis isomers of β-carotene content was a major objective. Key words: β-carotene, trans-cis isomers, sweet potato varieties, nitrogen fertilizer application.
Mixing and Fuel Atomisation Effects on Premixed Combustion Performance

The objective of the work presented here was to compare a flame stabiliser at constant pressure loss and identical isothermal aerodynamics with three modes of fuel injection: premixed, direct propane injection and direct kerosene injection. A Jet Mixing type of flame stabiliser was used at simulated gas turbine primary conditions. The influence of gaseous mixing effects was to deteriorate the combustion efficiency solely by increasing the CO emissions and to increase the NO/sub x/ emissions. The flame stability was increased and low CO emissions were achieved at weaker mixtures. Liquid fuel atomisation effects resulted in a further deterioration in combustion efficiency due solely to unburnt hydrocarbons. However, the NO/sub x/ emissions were reduced indicating that local stoichiometric burning around single droplets does not occur.
Gheorghe Asachi ” Technical University of Iasi , Romania MAGNETIC CONTAMINATION OF ENVIRONMENT – LABORATORY SIMULATION OF MIXED IRON OXIDES IMPACT ON MICROORGANISM CELLS

Magnetic contamination is considered more and more as a challenging issue related to biosphere pollution with magnetic materials originating in natural and artificial sources (volcanic eruptions and respectively industrial activities that contributed to iron and other metal compounds spreading in air, water and soil). Aiming to study the impact of magnetic metal ions such as iron and cobalt on the metabolism of some environmental microorganisms, in this paper an experimental simulation of magnetic contamination was carried out based on mixed iron/cobalt oxides as source of ions. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared following chemical route with appropriately adjusting of their surface to ensure uniform dispersion in water. Typical crystalline structure of studied nanoparticles was evidenced with X-ray diffraction, while microstructural and magnetic properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and respectively vibrating sample magnetometry. Increased level of peroxidase activity in a fungus mycelium has suggested microorganism adaptation to higher levels of reactive oxygen species following the supply with magnetic nanoparticles suspensions (0-10-20-30-35 mg/L, comparable with detected levels of iron in the living organism). Lipid peroxidation was evidenced also; being assigned to the increased level of hydrogen peroxide that catalase seems enable to balance as resulted from its decreasing activity. The variations of analyzed indicators of oxidative stress were of no more than 15%, reflecting organism adaptation to environmental constraints but also possible damages of cell membrane system.
Chemical-kinetic parameters of hyperbolic Earth entry

Chemical-kinetic parameters governing the flow in the shock layer over a heat shield of a blunt body entering Earth's atmosphere from a hyperbolic orbit are derived. By the use of the assumption that the heat shield is made of carbon phenolic and by allowing for an arbitrary rate of pyrolysis-gas injection, chemical reactions occurring in the shock layer are postulated, and the collision integrals governing the transport properties, the rate coefficients of the reactions, and the parameters needed for the bifurcation model and for the finite-rate kinetic wall boundary conditions are determined using the best available techniques
BORON ANALYSIS IN TISSUES BEFORE APPLE TREE BLOOM CAN BE USED TO ASSESS BORON NUTRITIONAL STATUS

The aim of this study was to examine relationships between boron (B) concentrations in flower buds, spur leaves, and flowers and B in leaves of one-year-old shoots. The experiment was carried out during 1997–1999 in the Experimental Orchard of the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Skierniewice, Poland on mature “Jonagold” and “Gala” apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees grafted on 11 and 10 rootstocks, respectively. Flower buds were collected at the stage of their bursting, spur leaves and flowers at the stage of pink bud, and leaves of one-year-old shoots 80 days after full bloom. The results showed that B status in plants was distinctly influenced by rootstock used. Boron levels in the studied organs were relatively stable throughout the years. Highly significant correlation was found between B in buds and flowers and B concentration in leaves of current-season shoots. In the case of “Jonagold” cultivar, correlation coefficient values between B in spur leaves and B in leaves of one-year-old shoots were also high, although they were lower than for relationships between B in buds and flowers and B in leaves of current-season shoots. For “Gala” cultivar, only in two out of three years were correlation coefficients between B in spur leaves and B in leaves of one-year-old shoots highly significant. According to regression models, optimum B levels in flower buds, spur leaves, and flowers are 17.1–33.3, 19.4–32.2, and 14.2–32.6 mg kg−1 for “Jonagold” and 7.1–20.5, 27.2–32.8, and 8.2–29.0 mg kg−1 for “Gala” cultivar. The results indicate that studied plant parts can be used to predict B nutritional status of apple trees and consequently fertilization with this element.