Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of water vapor on the process of new particle formation during monoterpene ozonolysis

This study was focused on the investigation of the influence of water vapor on the size distribution of the newly formed aerosol particles during the reaction of monoterpenes and ozone measured by a scanning mobility particle sizer (TSI 3936). Measurements made during reactions of selected exocyclic monoterpenes (β-pinene and sabinene, 1 ppmv) with ozone (0.5 ppmv) showed a decrease of the particle number concentration and total aerosol volume with increasing water vapor. On the contrary, number concentration and total aerosol volume were not affected or less affected by the presence of water vapor during similar experiments with the endocyclic monoterpenes α-pinene and Δ3-carene. However, when the reactant concentrations of α-pinene and ozone were lowered to 50 and 110 ppbv, a similar decreasing effect of water vapor on the nucleation was observed as found in the exocyclic monoterpene reactions, whereas an increase of the produced aerosol volume was measured. These observations contradict the assumption .
Effects of correcting for microbial contamination and the use of sodium sulphite in neutral detergent fibre analyses on the ruminal fibre degradability of several feeds

SUMMARY Sodium sulphite is used in an optional way to remove insoluble proteins from neutral detergent fibre (NDF) residue. To determine whether the recovery of both NDF and insoluble nitrogen (N) in NDF solution (NDIN) are altered by its use, both parameters were measured in a set of 12 feeds, including cereal grains: maize (MG), rye (RG) and wheat (WG); cereal co-products: maize gluten feed (MGF), distilled dried grains from barley (DDGB) and wheat (DDGW) and wheat bran (WB); protein concentrates: rapeseed meal (RSM) and expeller palm kernel (EPK); dehydrated sugar beet pulp (DBP) and oat (OH) and ryegrass (RGH) hays. Associated effects on the in situ effective degradability (ED) of both NDF and NDIN were also studied in DDGW, WB, RSM, EPK, DBP, OH and RGH. Also, ED of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and its N (ADIN) were studied in hays. Errors due to microbial contamination in the rumen on the ED of NDF, ADF, NDIN and ADIN were also established in these last seven samples using 15N infusion methods. Three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers were used in the study. The sulphite use in NDF solution led to reductions (DDGB, DDGW, RSM and OH) and increases (RG, WG, WB and DBP) of the NDIN proportion, as well as the contribution of crude protein to NDF. These variations were associated with irregular effects on NDF residues and on ED of both NDIN and NDF. As a consequence, sulphite use does not assure the reduction of the insoluble protein contamination and it may even increase it. This methodology may also alter the degradability estimates of NDIN or NDF. Mean ruminal microbial contamination in NDF was 7·0, 10·8, 13·3, 5·4, 12·0, 35·3 and 20·0 g/kg in WB, DDGW, RSM, EPK, DBP, OH and RGH, respectively. The associated contents of microbial N in NDIN were: 59·3, 29·9, 26·2, 19·8, 37·3, 441 and 150 g/kg, respectively. Microbial contamination in ADF and ADIN (g/kg) was 3·6 and 94·5 in OH and 1·7 and 41·2 in RGH. Not correcting this contamination led to consistent undervaluations of ED of NDIN and NDF in all tested feeds, although errors only reached significance for NDIN in hays and DBP. Microbial-corrected ED of NDIN was 0·685, 0·826, 0·481, 0·389, 0·166, 0·718 and 0·425 in WB, DDGW, RSM, EPK, DBP, OH and RGH, respectively, whereas values for ADIN were 0·504 (OH) and 0·469 (RGH).
Soil Aggregate and Organic Carbon Stability under Different Land Uses in the North China Plain

Soil aggregates and organic matter are considered to be important indicators of soil quality. The objective of this study was to determine land-use effects on the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) associated with aggregate-size fractions. Bulk soil samples were collected from incremental soil depths (0–10, 10–20 20–40, 40–70, and 70–100 cm) under three land-use types: fruit tree orchards established in 1987, cropland, and forage field. Soil samples collected from these plots were analyzed for aggregate stability after wet sieving into four aggregate-size classes (>2000, 250–2000, 53–250, and <53 μm), and the concentration of SOC was determined in each size fraction. Cropland and forage field soils were significantly more alkaline than the fruit tree soil. Bulk densities were greater in cropland and forage field (1.40–1.52 g cm−3) than in fruit tree orchards (1.33–1.37 g cm−3). The total weight of soil aggregates varied in the order of forage field > cropland > fruit tree orchard. Aggregate stability was greater in cropland and forage field than under fruit tree orchards. Soil organic C decreased with increasing soil depth but was greater under fruit tree orchards than others and was mainly concentrated in the topsoil layer (0–20 cm). Sieved fraction (<53 μm) had a greater SOC concentration, regardless of soil depth or land use. Our data supported the hypothesis that perennial vegetation (fruit tree orchard) and the proportion of aggregates with diameter <53 μm are suitable indicators of SOC accumulation and may therefore have a greater potential for SOC sequestration than the cropland.
Synthesis of macrocyclic ketones exploiting palladium-catalyzed activation of carboxylic acids as an enabling step

The novel synthesis of macrocyclic arylketones via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylboronic acids and carboxylic acids, activated by the treatment with di(N-succinimidyl) carbonate, is disclosed. This allows the high yielding synthesis of various functionalized arylketones, which can be converted into macrocycles via a Mitsunobu protocol.
Adenosine A2A receptors and their role in drug addiction

The specific events between initial presumably manageable drug intake and the development of a drug‐ addicted state are not yet known. Drugs of abuse have varying mechanisms of action that create a complex pattern of behaviour related to drug consumption, drug‐seeking, withdrawal and relapse. The neuromodulator adenosine has been shown to play a role in reward‐related behaviour, both as an independent mediator and via interactions of adenosine receptors with other receptors. Adenosine levels are elevated upon exposure to drugs of abuse and adenosine A2A receptors are enriched in brain nuclei known for their involvement in the processing of drug‐related reinforcement processing. A2A receptors are found in receptor clusters with dopamine and glutamate receptors. A2A receptors are thus ideally situated to influence the signalling of neurotransmitters relevant in the neuronal responses and plasticity that underlie the development of drug taking and drug‐seeking behaviour. In this review, we present evidence for the role of adenosine and A2A receptors in drug addiction, thereby providing support for current efforts aimed at developing drug therapies to combat substance abuse that target adenosine signalling via A2A receptors.
A quantitative study of crosslinking cotton with N‐methylol acrylamide

Cotton was acrylamidomethylated by applying N-methylol acrylamide to it with the aid of a mild acid catalyst. When the molal ratio of N-methylol acrylamide to anhydroglucose exceeded about 0.2, the efficiency of this reaction was suddenly reduced and the variation of density with addon departed from linearity. These and other available facts indicated that only one of the three hydroxyls in cellulose, probably the one in the 6-position, was involved in the acrylamidomethyl ether formation and that cotton was about 20% accessible to this reagent. When acrylamidomethylated cotton was treated with free radical or alkaline catalysts, the double bonds became partially saturated and the mechanical properties changed in a spectacular manner. In particular, the resilience of the fabric, as measured by crease recovery, was improved. Analysis of double bond reaction at various levels of acrylamidomethyl content of the fabric indicated that free radical catalysis caused homopolymerization of the pendant double bonds, that alkaline catalysis in the presence of water resulted in Michael condensation between double bonds and the hydroxyls of cellulose, and that these two reactions competed with each other when the alkaline aftertreatment was conducted in dry state. These reactions crosslinked the fabric, and the crosslink content could be calculated from the difference of molal methylene and double bond contents. The crease recovery reached the maximum attainable value characteristic for the method of catalysis when the ratio of accessible anhydroglucose units to crosslinks was 4 to 5. When the crosslinked fabrics were hydrolyzed in acid, the crease recovery increment produced by crosslinking was eliminated after about half of the crosslinks were broken. The residual crosslinks did not contribute to crease recovery. Dry state crosslinking treatments reduced the moisture regain, increased the density, and had no effect on the x-ray pattern. In contrast to this, wet state crosslinking in-increased the moisture regain, changed the x-ray pattern, and, under certain conditions, reduced the density. These results indicate that wet state crosslinking increased the amorphous portion of cotton. Wet state crosslinking lead to higher wet than dry crease recovery whereas the opposite was true for dry state crosslinking. Although the alkaline catalyst did not degrade the fabric, alkali catalyzed crosslinking substantially reduced the tensile strength. Free radical catalysis was more favorable for tensile strength, in spite of the fact that it degraded the fabric in the absence of crosslinking agent.
Effect of heavy noble gas ion irradiation on terahertz emission efficiency of InP (100) and (111) crystal planes

Emission of terahertz (THz) electromagnetic radiation from heavily-doped (5 × 1018 cm−3) (100) and (111) InP bulk materials and nanoporous honeycomb membranes, irradiated with heavy noble gas (Kr and Xe) ions, is presented. Irradiating samples with Kr or Xe improves THz emission efficiency. For (111) samples, as for unirradiated samples, the irradiated porous structures generate more THz radiation than their bulk counterparts. On the other hand, in contrast to unirradiated (100) samples, the irradiated (100) samples show a decrease in THz emission with porosity. We attribute this behaviour to changes in the local electric field due to the combined effect of the irradiation and nanoporosity.
Experimental Study of Transient Combustion Characteristics of AP/HTPB Base Bleed Propellant Under Rapid Pressure Drop

The transient combustion characteristics of ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) base bleed propellant, associated with the transient instability by sudden depressurization in the moment that the base bleed projectile flies away from the muzzle, was investigated experimentally. The combustion pressure is between 3.15 MPa and 7.24 MPa and the depressurization rate is controlled in the range of 13.2–136.7 MPa/s. The gas phase flame blows away from the nozzle, leading to a thicker gas phase reaction layer and smaller heat feedback to the propellant under rapid depressurization. Two main traits were presented under depressurization, which is gas phase flame extinction and non-extinction. There is a smallest critical depressurization rate to extinguish AP/HTPB base bleed propellant, which increases as the maximum combustion pressure increases and has the empirical relationship of |dp/dt|cr = 58.29 p - 140.78 MPa/s. Although the gas phase flame is extinguished by rapid depressurization, the condensed phase decomposition may still exit and a stable re-ignition flame may occur if enough heat is accommodated. The gas phase flame extinction behaviors under transient depressurization can be divided into three regions, which are extinction with then re-ignition, extinction with maintaining decomposition, and absolutely extinction.
Novel quaternary phosphonium-type cationic polyacrylamide and elucidation of dual-functional antibacterial/antiviral activity

A novel quaternary phosphonium-type cationic polyacrylamide (PPAD) was developed with a pendent butyltriphenylphosphonium bromide as the active moiety. A cationic monomer, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC), was introduced to impart positively charged groups to the backbone. The resulting cationic tripolymer was characterized with 13C–1H heteronuclear single quantum coherence (13C–1H HSQC), static light scattering (SLS), apparent charge density measurement and UV spectrometry. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the synthesized polymers were investigated against Escherichia coli in terms of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). To investigate the antibacterial mechanism, atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was employed for tracking the dynamic process of killing bacteria. The antiviral activity of the copolymers was assessed via a plaque assay against non-enveloped adenovirus (ADV), and a corresponding model was established to reveal the mechanism of the action of PPAD on adenovirus. The results indicated that the incorporation of quaternary phosphonium salt (QPS) can render cationic PAM with antibacterial as well as antiviral activities, thus permitting the cationic tripolymer to be used as an antibacterial/antiviral intensifier, retention or filtration aid for various hygiene products or water clarification/disinfecting process.
Silicon-induced changes in growth, ionic composition, water relations, chlorophyll contents and membrane permeability in two salt-stressed wheat genotypes

We investigated the effect of exogenously applied silicon (Si) on the growth and physiological attributes of wheat grown under sodium chloride salinity stress in two independent experiments. In the first experiment, two wheat genotypes SARC-3 (salt tolerant) and Auqab 2000 (salt sensitive) were grown in nutrient solution containing 0 and 100 mM sodium chloride supplemented with 2 mM Si or not. Salinity stress substantially reduced shoot and root dry matter in both genotypes; nonetheless, reduction in shoot dry weight was (2.6-fold) lower in SARC-3 than in Auqab 2000 (5-fold). Application of Si increased shoot and root dry weight and plant water contents in both normal and saline conditions. Shoot Na+ and Na+:K+ ratio also decreased with Si application under stress conditions. In the second experiment, both genotypes were grown in normal nutrient solution with and without 2 mM Si. After 12 days, seedlings were transferred to 1-l plastic pots and 150 mM sodium chloride salinity stress was imposed for 10 days to all pots. Shoot growth, chlorophyll content and membrane permeability were improved by Si application. Improved growth of salt-stressed wheat by Si application was mainly attributed to improved plant water contents in shoots, chlorophyll content, decreased Na+ and increased K+ concentrations in shoots as well as maintained membrane permeability.
The Performance and Stability of Ambient Temperature Molten Salts for Solar Cell Applications

Room temperature molten salt systems based on methyl-hexyl-imidazolium iodide (MHImI) have been used to scrutinize the performance characteristics, the stability and the mass-transfer effects in a photoelectrochemical regenerative device, as the latter is influenced and can even be limited by local concentration and mass-transport of the electroactive redox mediator species in the electrolyte phase. These salts appear to afford particular advantages over organic liquids as solvents for solar cell electrolytes. Cell performance showed outstanding stability, with an estimated sensitizer turnover in excess of 50 million. An investigation has been carried out on the physical-electrochemical properties of MHImI and its mixtures with organic solvents such as n-methyl-oxazolidinone, acetonitrile and with other lower viscosity molten salts such as methyl-butyl-imidazolium triflate. The repercussions of these properties on solar cells is described experimentally by the performance of practical application devices. Simulation models of mass transport in the nanocrystalline solar cell help illustrate operational aspects such as concentration profiles, limiting currents, anticipated mass-transfer overpotential as a function of current density, and they help to make projections as to how the properties of molten salt electrolytes can be better exploited toward this practical end.
Spatially resolved atomic excitation temperatures in CH4/H2 and C3H8/H2 RF discharges by optical emission spectroscopy

Spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy was used to determine the atomic excitation temperature of the capacitively coupled radio-frequency (RF) plasma system. Low pressure plasmas of methane or propane in hydrogen were excited at 13.56 MHz in a parallel plate system. Ar was added as an actinometer. Optical emission lines in the 300–850 nm spectral range were investigated at typical conditions of 100 W RF power, ∼30 mTorr pressure, 20 mm electrode spacing and 50 sccm total flow rate. Two-dimensional intensity profiles of the important species were collected along the vertical and radial axes. The raw radial intensity was transformed into the actual local radiation intensity by Abel inversion. The atomic hydrogen and argon excitation temperature distributions between the power and grounded electrodes were derived from these data and distinct differences were found in methane- and propane-containing plasmas.
Na2BaCuV2O8: Ein neuer Strukturtyp der Alkali-Erdalkalimetall Kupfer-Oxovanadate

Einkristalle von Na2BaCuV2O8 wurden bei relativ hohen Temperaturen aus einer Schmelze erhalten. Die bisher unbekannte Verbindung reprasentiert einen neuen Strukturtyp. Na2BaCuV2O8 kristallisiert monoklin in der Raumgruppe C–C2/c mit a = 9,4329 A, b = 5,6858 A, c = 14,0488 A, β = 92,344°, Z = 4. Die Kristallstruktur zeigt VO4-Tetraeder, gestreckte CuO6-Oktaeder, trigonale Bipyramiden um Na+ und ein BaO10+2-Polyeder. Na2BaCuV2O8: A New Structure Type of the Alkaline-Alkaline Earth Copper Oxovanadates Single crystals of Na2BaCuV2O8 were prepared by a high temperature flux. It crystallizes with monoclinic symmetry space group C–C2/c, a = 9.4329 A, b = 5.6858 A, c = 14.0488 A, β = 92.344° Z = 4 and represents a new structure type. The crystal structure show VO4 tetrahedra, stretched CuO6 octahedra, trigonal bipyramids around Na+ and a BaO10+2 polyedron.
Toward a new type of anhydrous organic proton conductor based on immobilized imidazole

Extensive studies on a model system (imidazole-terminated ethylene oxide oligomers doped with small amounts of strong acids) for a proton-conducting polymer functioning without a liquid phase, but instead using imidazole tethered to the backbone via flexible spacers as a proton solvent, are presented and the parameters governing conductivity and its mechanism are discussed. Temperature-dependent conductivities are well described by free-volume considerations (VTF-behavior). Thus, besides a high density of imidazole moieties, a low Tg is in favor of high proton conductivity, which experimentally is shown to be predominantly due to structure diffusion. The available free volume is suggested to correlate with the rate of hydrogen bond breaking and forming processes within the dynamical hydrogen bond networks, which generally limit the rate of long-range diffusion of protonic defects via structure diffusion. The equilibrium constants for the protonation of imidazole by two different dopants in an oligo(ethyle.
Cadmium accumulation and distribution in sunflower plant

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) accumulation and distribution was studied in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., public line HA‐89) plant. From an uncontaminated sandy loam brown forest soil with 162 μg kg‐1 HNO3/H2O2 extractable Cd the HA‐89 sunflower public line accumulated 114 ug kg‐1 Cd in its kernels under open field conditions. This value is rather low as compared to data found by others. Sandy loam brown forest soil was treated with 0, 1 or 10 mg kg‐1 of Cd to study the interaction of this heavy metal with young sunflower plants in a greenhouse pot experiment. The fresh weight and dry matter accumulation of sunflower plant organs (roots, shoots, leaves or heads) was unaffected by cadmium treatment of soil. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), or zinc (Zn) uptake of sunflower plant organs was not influenced by lower or higher Cd‐doses, except sunflower heads where 10 mg kg‐1 of Cd treatment of soil significantly reduced the uptake .
Phase Structure of Polyamide 6/Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) and Poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) or Poly(maleated Styrene/Ethylene-co-Butylene/Styrene) Ternary Blends

Two sets of ternary blends; polyamide 6/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)/poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (PA6/SAN/SEBS) and polyamide 6/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)/poly(maleated styrene/ethylene-co-butylene/styrene) (PA6/SAN/SEBS-g-MA), based on 70 wt% of matrix and 30 wt% of the dispersed phases at various concentrations of the minor components, were prepared via melt blending. Morphologies of the ternary systems were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compared with the predictions of the spreading coefficient (SC), minimum relative interfacial energy (RIE), and dynamic interfacial energy (DIE) phenomenological models. The effects of different reported surface tensions of the used polymers and different protocols of the core-shell ratio calculation on the prediction of the models were investigated. The core-shell structure for PA6/SAN/SEBS system and two separate minor phases for PA6/SAN/SEBS-g-MA were observed at all of the compositions. The results indicated that the most important parameter for the accurate prediction of the models is the accurate calculation of the interfacial tension of the used polymers, in both the static and dynamic conditions.
Template Synthesis of Highly Oriented Polyfluorene Nanotube Arrays

Polyfluorene nanotubes are synthesized by solution assisted wetting of porous anodic alumina membranes. Well aligned arrays of close packed (∼109 tubes/cm−2) discrete nanotubes are obtained. Individual tubes have diameters of ∼260 nm and wall thicknesses of ∼50 nm. X-ray diffraction measurements carried out on nanotube arrays embedded in host templates indicate a polymer chain alignment along the long axes of the template pores and, as a result, along the long axes of the nanotubes themselves. Optical spectroscopic studies of mats of nanotubes on glass substrates yield well resolved emission spectra reflecting a narrowed distribution of emitting chain segments with increased effective conjugation lengths. The data indicate intrachain reorientation of the amorphous random poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) molecular conformation to the more planar (low energy) extended 21 helical β-phase conformation within the tubes. Raman spectra acquired for template embedded tubes are also consistent with β-phase forma.