Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fertigation of banana cv Prata Anã with N and K in an ultisol

The Brazilian Northeast is the main producing area, being responsible for about 35,80% of banana's national production. In spite of the favorable conditions to its cultivation, the average national yield has been a lot below its potential, due mainly to water and nutrients supply. Among all nutrients, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are the ones required in larger amounts by the banana. With the objective of studying the effect of four rates of N (0, 117, 235 and 352 kg ha-1 of N), and of four rates K (0, 157, 313 and 470 kg ha-1 of K2O) applied by fertirrigation in the 2o cycle of cultivation of the cv. Prata Ana, data was collected in an factorial experiment in randomized blocks, in an Ultisol of the coastal tableland, of the northeast of Brazil. There was not response to N but a linear one was observed for K. Soil K by Mehlich-1 critical level at 0,20- 0,40 m was 0,71 mmolc kg-1.
PRODUCTION OF POLYGALACTURONASE FROM ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS ITCC 6915 USING FACTORIAL DESIGN

Twenty strains which were able to grow on medium containing pectin as the sole carbon source were isolated from the soil samples rich in pectic and fruit waste collected from fruit and vegetable market of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The strain PG-2 which gave maximum activity was selected and identified at ITCC, IARI, New Delhi as Aspergillus fumigatus (ITCC 6915). The maximum polygalacturonase production was obtained when organism was grown for 72 h at 30°C and pH 6.5 on Rotary Shaker (150 rpm) with apple pectin (2.5% w/v) and ammonium oxalate (1.5% w/v) as carbon and nitrogen source respectively. Polygalacturonase showed maximum activity in sodium citrate buffer (50 mM) with pH 4.8 at 60°C reaction temperature for 15 minutes incubation. Best substrate for enzyme reaction was found to be polygalacturonic acid with concentration 0.9% w/v. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme were found to be 0.11 mg/ml and 5.71 μmol/ml/min respectively. Various phenolics, thiols, protein inhibitors and metal ions had inhibitory effect on the polygalacturonase activity. Utilizing a 2 6 factorial experimental design, concentration of apple pectin, ammonium oxalate and magnesium sulphate was reduced with higher polygalacturonase production over the medium selected. After optimizing all the parameters there was 5.57- fold increase in polygalacturonase activity.
Reaction Sequence of Nickel(II) with Kaolinite: Mineral Dissolution and Surface Complexation and Precipitation

The dissolution kinetics of Ni(II) sorbed to kaolinite at pH 7 were examined as a function of initial aqueous Ni(II) concentrations; the local molecular structure of the Ni surface complexes were determined using extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The dissolution of kaolinite was nonstoichiometric with a preferential release of Si over Al. The dissolution rate, R{sub Si}, increased with an increase in the aqueous concentration of Ni. A rate law was developed representing a fractional-order dissolution reaction with respect to the surface concentration of Ni. Absorption spectra were obtained from kaolinite samples washed with 0.10 M NaNO{sub 3} adjusted to pH 3.4 to remove amorphous Al-hydroxide surface deposits or adsorbed Al and from kaolinite that was untreated. For all samples, EXAFS results revealed the presence of multinuclear Ni surface complexes wit h a similar, but not identical, local structural environment to pure crystalline Ni(OH){sub 2}. The Ni-Ni bond distances were shorter (3.06--3.11 {angstrom}) than in Ni(OH){sub 2}(s) (3.13 {angstrom}) and increased with an increase in surface coverage. Additionally, Al was present in all but the highest surface coverage as a second neighbor backscatterer. At the lower surface coverages, Al is present at 2.69 {angstrom}, indicating the formation ofmore » a bidentate Ni surface complex. With increased surface coverage, the d(Ni-Al) increases to 2.96 {angstrom}, which is believed to result from a Ni,Al-hydroxide precipitate. No significant structural differences were found between kaolinite pretreatments. Based on these results, a hypothesized mechanism for Ni sorption on kaolinite is proposed. « less
FERROERICSSONITE, THE Fe2+ ANALOGUE OF ERICSSONITE, FROM EASTERN FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Ferroericssonite, ideally BaFe 2+ 2 Fe 3+ (Si 2 O 7 )O(OH), is a new mineral species found at both the Esquire #7 and #8 claims, situated along Big Creek in eastern Fresno County, and also at Trumbull Peak in Mariposa County, California, U.S.A. The mineral is the Fe 2+ analogue of ericssonite and is named accordingly. Ferroericssonite crystallized very late in a sequence of minerals resulting from fluids interacting with a quartz−sanbornite vein along its margin with the country rock. It is closely associated with anandite, bazirite, celsian, devitoite, quartz and titantaramellite. The crystals occur in dark reddish brown foliated masses of irregular, undulating striated blades up to several mm in length, flattened on {100} and elongate and striated parallel to [001]. The mineral is transparent and has a brown streak, a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of approximately 4½, and two cleavages: {100} perfect and {011} good. It is brittle with an irregular fracture. The calculated densities are 4.445 and 4.413 g/cm 3 on the basis of the empirical formulas for Esquire #7 and Esquire #8 material, respectively. It is optically biaxial (+), α 1.827(3), β 1.845(3), γ 1.920(6) (white light); 2 V meas = 63(2)°; 2 V calc = 63.0°; parallel dispersion, r v ; orientation: X = b , Y ≈ c , Z ≈ a ; pleochroic: brown, Z > X > Y . Electron-microprobe analyses of Esquire #7 and Esquire #8 material provided: BaO 30.11, 29.76, MgO 0.21, 0.10, MnO 1.19, 0.79, FeO 26.01, 26.24, Fe 2 O 3 15.30, 15.35, Al 2 O 3 0.02, 0.04, SiO 2 22.89, 23.34, F 0.09, 0.05, Cl 1.29, 0.88, H 2 O 1.33, 1.42, F + Cl≡ O −0.33, −0.22, total 98.11, 97.75 wt%, with FeO and Fe 2 O 3 assignments and H 2 O based on the structure. The empirical formulas for Esquire #7 and Esquire #8 material, based on Mg + Fe + Mn + Si = 5 apfu , are Ba 1.02 (Fe 2+ 1.89 Mn 2+ 0.09 Mg 0.03 ) ∑2.01 Fe 3+ 1.00 (Si 1.99 O 7 )O[(OH) 0.77 O 0.02 Cl 0.19 F 0.02 ] ∑1 and Ba 1.01 (Fe 2+ 1.90 Mn 2+ 0.06 Mg 0.01 ) ∑1.97 Fe 3+ 1.00 (Si 2.02 O 7 )O[(OH) 0.82 O 0.04 Cl 0.13 F 0.01 ] ∑1 , respectively. Ferroericssonite is monoclinic, C 2/ m , a 20.3459(10), b 7.0119(3), c 5.3879(4) A, β 94.874(7)°, V 765.89(7) A 3 and Z = 4. The strongest five lines in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [ d obs in A( I )( hkl )] are: 3.708(42)(311), 3.506(81)(311, 510, 020), 2.880(42)(420), 2.788(100)(221) and 2.663(83)( 202, 710). The crystal-structure determination ( R 1 = 3.56% for 885 F o > 4σ F ) shows the mineral to be a heterophyllosilicate with a Fe 2+ trioctahedral (O) sheet flanked on either side by heterophyllosilicate (H) layers, forming a HOH composite sheet. The heterophyllosilicate layers are composed of Si 2 O 7 groups linked by Fe 3+ square pyramids in a configuration referred to as a TS (Ti silicate) block, although five-coordinated Fe 3+ takes the place of Ti 4+ . The region between the composite sheets is occupied by Ba 2+ . Ferroericssonite is a member of the lamprophyllite group.
Thermobioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Used Motor Oil

A laboratory-scale bioreactor was used to investigate the effectiveness of thermobioremediation in the destruction of petroleum hydrocarbons in a soil contaminated with used engine oil. The total kjeldahl and ammonium nitrogen concentrations, moisture content, temperature, and total petroleum hydrocarbon (in fuel and lubricant ranges) were monitored. There was an initial lag period of 4 days after which the destruction of hydrocarbon took place resulting in a rise in the bioreactor temperature. The heavy range hydrocarbons (C21–C32) decreased rapidly from 17,000 ppm to 9,000 in the first 20 days (47% reduction at an average rate of 400 ppm/day) and then decreased slowly to less than 5,000 ppm at day 60 (an additional 23% reduction at an average rate of 100 ppm/day). The medium range hydrocarbons (C10–C21) decreased rapidly from 3,000 ppm to 800 ppm in the first 20 days (73% reduction at an average rate of 110 ppm/day) and then decreased slowly reaching 720 ppm by the end of the experiment (an additional 2.6% reduction at an average rate of 2 ppm/day). The results indicated that the nitrogen was not a limiting factor as the C:N ratio remained in the range of 30:1 to 10:1. The temperature appeared to be the limiting factor in the biodegradation of hydrocarbons. The results also showed significant reduction in the degradation rates during the mesophilic stage (24–35°C), which lasted from day 4 to day 16. The thermophilic stage caused substantial reduction in the moisture content. However, moisture content was not a limiting factor until day 50 when it dropped below 30%. For optimum bioremediation of hydrocarbons system, reactor temperature must be maintained at or below 35°C with moisture content in the range of 45–50%. Under these conditions, a complete destruction of petroleum hydrocarbons would be achieved in 102 days.
Some Positone Problems Suggested by Nonlinear Heat Generation

There is much current interest in boundary value problems containing positive linear differential operators and monotone functions of the dependent variable, see for example, M.A. Krasnosel'ski [1] and H. H. Schaefer [2]. We call such problems "positone" and shall examine here a particular class of them (which have been called non-linear eigenvalue problems in [2]).
Routine quantitative multi-element analysis of sulphide minerals by laser ablation ICP-MS: Standard development and consideration of matrix effects

ABSTRACT The paper describes a calibration standard for quantitative in-situ multi-element analysis of sulphide minerals by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Standard STDGL2b2 is a mixture of 25% Zn concentrate and 75% pyrrhotite doped with a number of additional trace elements and fused into an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) glass disk. The homogeneity of the disk has been tested for the 55 elements of interest. All elements except Se, Tl, Au and Pt are homogenous (< 5% variation). Accurate analysis for the above four elements requires averaging multiple analyses of the standard. Element concentrations in STDGL2b2 were quantified by XRF and standard solution ICP-MS using a Finnigan Element and an Agilent 4500 mass-spectrometers. For the analysis of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite, analytical errors caused by matrix-dependent fractionation have been evaluated by analysing five pressed-powder pellets. The compositions of the powders have been analysed by XRF and solution ICP-MS. When Fe or Pb can be used as the internal standard, errors for most elements are < 15%, but reach up to 50% for W, Zn and Cd, requiring correction factors to be introduced. However, when Zn is used as the internal standard, significant correction factors are required for most elements. Comparison of the results obtained with two different laser microprobes, a solid state 213 nm and an excimer 193 nm, indicates that either is well suited for LA-ICP-MS analysis of sulphide minerals using STDGL2b2 as the calibration standard. Use of STDGL2b2 significantly improves accuracy of sulphide analysis by LA-ICP-MS compared to silicate reference materials, such as the NIST 600 series.
Groundwater quality comparison between rural farms and riparian wells in the western Amazon, Brazil

Groundwater quality of a riparian forest is compared to wells in surrounding rural areas at Urupa River basin. Groundwater types were calcium bicarbonated at left margin and sodium chloride at right, whereas riparian wells exhibited a combination of both (sodium bicarbonate). Groundwater was mostly solute-depleted with concentrations within permissible limits for human consumption, except for nitrate. Isotopic composition suggests that inorganic carbon in Urupa River is mostly supplied by runoff instead of riparian groundwater. Hence, large pasture areas in addition to narrow riparian forest width in this watershed may have an important contribution in the chemical composition of this river.
Polyphenols and Colour of Douglas Fir Heartwood

Heartwood Colour Dihydroquercetin Leucocyanidin Summary The natural red-orange colour of Douglas fir heartwood limits its utilization for the production of thermo-mechanical pulps. Heartwood colour, determined in the CIEL*a*b* system, is studied in relation to various treatments applied to the wood. Heartwood differs from sapwood by the presence of poorly extractible pigments, fairly resistant to hydrogen peroxide bleaching. A model experiment suggests that they are formed by the enzymic reduction of dihydroquerce tin, the main extractive of Douglas-fir heartwood. The resulting unstable leucocyanidin spontaneously auto-oxidizes to polymeric pigments similar to those found in heartwood.
Evaluation of Thin-Layer Drying Models for Simulation of Drying Kinetics of Quercus (Quercus persica and Quercus libani)

Drying characteristics of Quercus were determined experimentally as a function of temperature, air velocity, and variety (Quercus Persica and Quercus Libani). In order to estimate and select a suitable drying curve, five different thin layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Experiments were performed at the air temperatures of 50, 60 and 70°C. At each temperature level, two air velocities were adjusted: 0.5 and 1m/s. The effect of air temperature was found to be significant in comparison to air velocity for drying of fresh Quercus fruits. Increasing air velocity at constant air temperature resulted in the decrease of drying time. Among all the selected drying models, the Page model was found as the best mathematical model for describing the drying kinetics of Quercus fruits. Based on the results, drying temperature of 70 o C and air velocity of 1 m/s are the optimum values for drying Quercus fruit. Drying time and Page model constants were found to be dependent significantly on the variables studied.
Pressure Effect on the Hydration Properties of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in Aqueous Solution Studied by FTIR Spectroscopy

The hydration properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a function of high hydrostatic pressure and compared to the thermally induced changes. We show that although both pressure and temperature induce a phase separation the underlying mechanisms are fundamentally different. It is well documented that increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature causes a dehydration of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. By contrast, high pressure enhances the hydration of the hydrophilic amide group. Moreover, pressure strengthens the weak C−H···O hydrogen bonds between the hydrophobic alkyl groups and water, although a reorganization of the water network around the hydrophobic groups occurs during the phase separation. From this it is concluded that PNiPA remains in a coillike state at high pressure. In addition, we suggest that PNiPA is a good model for the study of the hydration properties of proteins.
Impact assessment of effluent discharge on physico- chemical parameters and some heavy metal concentrations in surface water of River Challawa Kano, Nigeria

In order to understand bioavailability of heavy metals in water, surface water samples were collected from River Challawa, Nigeria, with the view of determining the effect of industrial effluents on the water quality of the river. The fractional concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn) in water were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The water samples were also analysed for physico-chemical parameters. The results show that all physico-chemical parameters determined: Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, pH, Temperature, Chloride, Sulphate, Phosphate with exception of Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand and Electrical Conductivity are within the recommended standard limits for these contents in drinking water. Also, results obtained from this study indicates the pollution tendencies of the surface waters of river Challawa, attributable to high levels of Pb, Cr and Cd recorded. Generally, elevated levels of Pb and Zn were recorded at control site, which indicates that other sources, than industrial effluents could be responsible. Also, the results showed that with continuous discharge of waste and waste water, pollution event especially with high Cd and Cr within the study area is likely to have severe but localized effects. It is therefore recommended that more strict methods of waste effluent management should be adopted to reduce further inputs into the area.
A Comparison of Vitamin C in Modern and Older Rose Varieties

Objectives/Goals Through hundreds of years, various hybridization methods have been developed for producing rose varieties, mainly for cosmetic reasons. Since rose hips are used for their Vitamin C content, these methods could affect the amount of Vitamin C concentration. My hypothesis is that modern roses have less concentration than their ancestors. Methods/Materials 11 samples of rose hips were collected from different species. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) tablets were used for positive control, distilled water for negative control. Rose hips were mashed, boiled and finally strained to produce the rose extract. Starch and iodine were used to detect Vitamin C concentrations. The data was analyzed both using the age and the available heritage of each of the roses to determine the change, if any, in the Vitamin C concentration. Results Shining Ruby, a modern rose variety (1992), had the most Vitamin C concentration, while Climbing Old Blush (1752) had the least. But in general, the Vitamin C concentration was neither increasing nor decreasing by age. Conclusions/Discussion My hypothesis was not true since there is no correlation between the age of rose and Vitamin C concentration. For future research, I would study the relationship between Vitamin C concentration in other families where the heritage data is fully known. Another direction is to study the concentration where non-natural methods such as fertilizers have been used.
Chemical Compositions Responsible for Inflammation and Tissue Damage in the Mouse Lung by Coarse and Fine Particulate Samples from Contrasting Air Pollution in Europe

Inflammation is regarded as an important mechanism in mortality and morbidity associated with exposures of cardiorespiratory patients to urban air particulate matter. We investigated the association of the chemical composition and sources of urban air fine (PM2.5−0.2) and coarse (PM10−2.5) particulate samples with the inflammatory activity in the mouse lung. The particulate samples were collected during selected seasons in six European cities using a high-volume cascade impactor. Healthy C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with a single dose (10 mg/kg) of the particulate samples. At 4, 12, and 24 h after the exposure, the lungs were lavaged and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed for indicators of inflammation and tissue damage: cell number, total protein, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and KC). Dicarboxylic acids and transition metals, especially Ni and V, in PM2.5−0.2 correlated positively and some secondary inorganic ions (NO3-, NH4+) negatively with the inflammatory activity. Total organic matter and SO42- had no consistent correlations. In addition, the soil-derived constituents (Ca2+, Al, Fe, Si) showed positive correlations with the PM2.5−0.2-induced inflammatory activity, but their role in PM10−2.5 remained obscure, possibly due to largely undefined biogenic material. Markers of poor biomass and coal combustion, i.e., monosaccharide anhydrides and As, were associated with elevated PAH contents in PM2.5−0.2 and a consistent immunosuppressive effect. Overall, our results support epidemiological findings that the local sources of incomplete combustion and resuspended road dust are important in urban air particulate pollution-related health effects.
A Density Functional Theory Study Of The Relationships Between Electronic Structure And Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5 Affinity Of 2- Amino- And 2-Halothiazole Derivatives.

We carried out an investigation and analysis of the relationships between the electronic structure and the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 affinity for a series of 2-amino- and 2-halothiazole derivatives using a model-based method. The electronic structure of all the molecules was calculated within the Density Functional Theory at the B3LYP/6-31g(d,p) level with full geometry optimization. Linear multiple regression analysis techniques were employed to find the best relationship between receptor binding affinity and local atomic reactivity indices belonging to a common skeleton. The variation of the receptor binding affinity is related to the variation of a set of three local atomic reactivity indices. The corresponding partial interaction pharmacophore is construed. The interaction with the receptor seems to be orbital-controlled. This is another example showing the absolute necessity of using formal quantum-chemical methods to study the microscopic basis of drug action.
Climate background of the evolution from Paleolithic to Neolithic cultural transition during the last deglaciation in the middle reaches of the Yellow River

Shizitan in Jixian County, Shanxi Province, is a site of transitional period from Paleolithic to Neolithic. The dating and the sporopollen analysis show that the middle reaches of the Yellow River where the site is located had been maintaining a steppe environment during 35.1-9.4 kaBP, in which, 35.1-17 kaBP belonged to the last glacial. With cold and dry climate, this period featured a desert steppe environment. In the late of this period, the area had a cold and half-humid steppe environment. The 17.0-11.9 kaBP belonged to the early-and mid-period of the last deglaciation. Mild and half-arid steppe alternates with mild and half-arid steppe, with a small amount of deciduous broadleaf species. During the period of 11.9-10.5 kaBP, cold and dry glacial climate appeared once more, featuring a desert steppe environment. During 10.5-9.4 kaBP, it is mild and half-arid, and later transited toward warm and half-humid. The early phase of this period featured a steppe environment and the later transited into a steppe environment with fairly more deciduous broadleaf species. Microlith, a mark of a transitional period from Paleolithic to Neolithic, was distributed mainly in 17.0-11.9 kaBP. The relatively warm, half-arid and fluctuating steppe environment in the early and medium period of the last deglaciation made a contribution to the appearance and development of Microlithic culture.
46—THE POROUS PLUG AND FIBRE DIAMETER MEASUREMENT. EFFECT OF FIBRE ORIENTATION AND USE OF PLUGS OF RANDOMIZED FIBRES

(1949). 46—THE POROUS PLUG AND FIBRE DIAMETER MEASUREMENT. EFFECT OF FIBRE ORIENTATION AND USE OF PLUGS OF RANDOMIZED FIBRES. Journal of the Textile Institute Transactions: Vol. 40, No. 11, pp. T749-T758.