Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of foliar spray of potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate on grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) grown in rice fallows.

However, there is a possibility of raising another crop as a paira crop in a relay cropping system before the harvest of rainfed lowland rice. Grasspea is suitable for relay cropping with paddy rice (1) and it has potential among grain legumes for its tolerance to dry conditions and its adaptibility to unfavourable environments . Since grasspea in relay cropping with rice suffers from nutrient stresses during the reproductive phase, late application of N is effective in reducing flower and pod drop in legume and in increasing seed yield . Legumes, in general, require K and Ca. This study, therefore, was initiated to investigate the effect of foliar spray of potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate on a paira crop of grasspea grown in rainfed lowland rice fallows.
On metal contacts of terahertz quantum cascade lasers with a metal–metal waveguide

This paper reports an experimental study of the effects of different metal claddings on the performance of terahertz quantum cascade lasers. The experimental results show that by using a metal cladding made of Ta/Cu/Au to replace that of Pd/Ge/Ti/Pt/Au, the maximum lasing temperature of the devices is increased from 132 to 172 K, and the threshold current density of the devices at 10 K can be reduced from 0.74 to 0.68 kA cm−2. The improvement of the device performance is attributed to lower optical losses associated with the metal cladding layers. The different effects of the metal contacts on device optical properties and electrical properties are also discussed.
Quality of Gamma Irradiated California Valencia Oranges

California Valencia oranges were irradiated at 0.30, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 kGy for quality evaluation and potential use of gamma-radiation as an alternative quarantine treatment and for fresh market life extension. Fruits were ocean-freighted to Honolulu, irradiated at the Hawaii Research irradiator 8 days after harvest, then stored for 7 wk at 7°C or 4 wk at 7°C and 2 wk at 21°C (6 wk total). Treatments of 0.75 kGy maintained fruit qualities at low storage temperature (7°C) up to 7 wk while 0.50 kGy retained qualities when fruits were stored at 21°C. Gamma irradiation of Valencia oranges at 0.26–0.30 kGy can achieve fruit fly disinfestation at probit 9 security level while preserving market qualities including organoleptic qualities, ascorbic acid, total acids, and total soluble solids.
Seasonal variation of total phenols in leaves of walnut (Juglans regia L.)

st to September 15 th ). Total phenols content was determined by colorimetric assay and their amount ranged from 15.87 (cv. Jupanesti) to 33.67 mg GAE/100 g (cv. Valrex). Total phenols increase over the months of June and July, then decrease over the month of August, then a new increase is recorded by the beginning of September. These differences in terms of total phenols at different sampling time are supposed to be the effect of change in ecological parameters. The results obtained indicated that walnut leaves may become important in obtaining a noticeable source of compounds with health protective potential and antimicrobial activity; therefore the walnut leaves should preferentially be collected in July and early September, when phenolic content is higher.
Synthesis and Structure Refinement of Zinc-Doped β-Tricalcium Phosphate Powders

Zinc substituted β-tricatcium phosphate [β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ] was formed by substituting a zinc precursor in calcium-deficient apatite through aqueous precipitation technique. Heat treatment at 1000°C led to the formation of well crystalline β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ). Refinement technique was used to determine the influence of incorporated zinc in the β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) structure. The structural data for all the four different zinc substituted β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) ranging from 0-9 mol% of zinc investigated in the present study confirmed the rhombohedral structure of β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) in the hexagonal setting (space group R3c). The incorporation of lower sized Zn 2+ (0.745 A for sixfold coordination with O) at the higher sized Ca 2+ (1.00 A for sixfold coordination with O) site in the β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) structure led to the contraction of unit cell parameters. The added zinc prefers to occupy the Ca(5) site of β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) structure.
Novel Interpretations of CMP Removal Rate Dependencies on Slurry Particle Size and Concentration

The dependence of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) performance on particle size and particle concentration was examined. Material removal per abrasive particle is a useful parameter in comparing performance of different abrasives. Impact of particle concentration and particle size on removal rate per particle were different for Ta and TEOS films, indicating differences in material removal mechanisms. The dependencies of removal rate per particle on particle size and concentration were compared with predictions of some of the models reported in published literature. None of these models could successfully predict the results.
Investigation of in-plane- and z-polarized intersubband transitions in pyramid-shaped InAs/GaAs quantum dots coupled to wetting layer: Size and shape matter

In this work, the effects of the shape and size on the intersubband electronic and optical properties of three-dimensional self-assembled pyramid-shaped InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) were investigated in detail. More precisely, in-plane- and z-polarized transitions dipole moment (TDM), oscillator strength (OS), and absorption coefficients of P-to-S, WL-to-P, and WL-to-S transitions were studied as a function of the QD height. The P-to-S TDM showed to be strong and purely in-plane-polarized transition dominating two others. However, the TDMs and OSs of WL-to-P and WL-to-S transitions which are in-plane- and z-polarized transitions, respectively, showed a competition behavior for short and tall QDs. The former dominates for short QDs, and the latter for tall QDs. The physical reasons behind these interesting phenomena were also explained using the probability of finding the carriers in the pyramid region attached to the WL. The theoretical results are in good agreement with experimental data reported for short QDs [Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 630 (2003)].
Characteristics of Clear Noodles Prepared from Edible Canna Starches

: Clear noodles were prepared from starches of 3 edible canna cultivars namely; Thai-purple, Thaigreen, and Japanese-green. The effects of amount of gelatinized starch, moisture content of dough, and holding temperature after cooking on noodle appearance were investigated. Ten percent gelatinized starch, 55% moisture content, and holding temperature at 4°C for 24 h gave clear noodles with appearance, cooking loss, and rehydration ratio comparable to commercial mung bean noodles. However, the canna noodles were of inferior tensile strength. Moisture content of the canna noodles was 15.24% to 15.46%. Their chemical compositions on dry weight basis were as follows: 89.41% to 91.63% starch, 0.21% to 0.33% protein, > 0.01% lipid, 0.16% to 0.20% ash. Measured diameters of noodles were in the range of 0.73 to 0.88 mm. The cooking losses were 0.93% to 0.55% dry weight, whereas tensile stresses were 17.44 to 22.77 g/mm2. The energy values derived from 100 g of canna noodles were 358.48 to 367.84 kcal. Sensory evaluation by descriptive test revealed that there were no significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the general acceptability between the canna noodles and the commercial mung bean noodles. By paired-comparison test, however, the commercial mung bean noodle A was more favorable.
Improved photocatalytic activity of Sn4+ doped TiO2 nanoparticulate films prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Sn4+ ion doped TiO2 (TiO2–Sn4+) nanoparticulate films with a doping ratio of about 7∶100 [(Sn)∶(Ti)] were prepared by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) method. The doping mode (lattice Ti substituted by Sn4+ ions) and the doping energy level of Sn4+ were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and electric field induced surface photovoltage spectroscopy (EFISPS). It is found that the introduction of a doping energy level of Sn4+ ions is profitable to the separation of photogenerated carriers under both UV and visible light excitation. Characterization of the films with XRD and SPS indicates that after doping by Sn, more surface defects are present on the surface. Consequently, the photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of phenol in the presence of the TiO2–Sn4+ film is higher than that of the pure TiO2 film under both UV and visible light irradiation.
STRUCTURAL AND CHEMICAL CONTRASTS BETWEEN PRISMATIC AND FIBROUS FLUORO-EDENITE FROM BIANCAVILLA, SICILY, ITALY

Fluoro-edenite [NaCa2Mg5(Si7Al)O22F2], a new end-member of the calcic amphibole group, is present with both prismatic and fi brous morphologies in the altered volcanic products of the Monte Calvario locality, Biancavilla, on the fl anks of Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy. Whereas the crystal chemistry of the prismatic variety was described recently, the fi brous variety has not been well characterized. We report original crystal-chemical and structural data on this fi brous amphibole. Because of the diffi culty in analyzing this micrometric material, specifi c procedures of sample preparation were developed. SEM–EDS microanalyses and Mossbauer spectroscopy indicate a variable composition of the fi bers, ranging mostly from fl uoro-edenite to, subordinately, winchite, tremolite, and richterite compositions. Given the impossibility of using a single-crystal X-ray method, the powderdiffraction data were evaluated by the Rietveld method. By combining the microchemical data, Mossbauer Fe 3+ /Fetot values, and with a refi nement of the structure, the following chemical formula was obtained from an averaged composition of all the fi brous amphibole analyzed: (Na0.307K0.157)� 0.464 (Ca1.505Na0.495)� 2.000 ( VI Al0.104Fe 3+ 0.333Fe 2+ 0.162Mg4.255Ti0.062Mn0.063)� 4.980 (Si7.520 IV Al0.480)� 8.000 O22 (F1.970Cl0.020)� 1.990. The cell parameters, positional parameters for all the atoms, and site scattering for O3, M1, M2, M3, M4, A, and A(m) were refi ned. In agreement with the site occupancies of cations based on both XRPD and Mossbauer data, Fe 2+ was assigned to the M2 and M3 sites, and all Fe 3+ was assigned to the M2 site. In particular, Fe 2+ content of each M2 site is far greater (0.125 apfu) than that of M3 (0.037 apfu). The analytical procedures utilized here can be adopted for all types of mineral fi bers, whether they belong to the asbestiform group of amphiboles or not. In addition to their mineralogical interest, these results are also relevant for environmental and health aspects. The interactions between mineral fi ber and the biological environment are strongly related to the crystal chemistry of the fi brous materials.
The impact of BTEX emissions from gas stations into the atmosphere

Abstract Gas stations in Brazil are commonly located in residential and commercial areas, which lead to the degradation of health quality for people who live and work in the neighborhood. In this study, eleven gas stations located at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were evaluated. Forty–nine samples were collected in the gas station area and others 250 m away from one of the studied areas to evaluate the plume dispersion of the contaminants emitted during the filling process. This study focused on the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes) emissions, as content of these compounds in gasoline sold in Brazil is near 40% v/v. Samples were collected using coconut shell charcoal cartridges, and the chemical analyses were done using a GC–MS technique after sample extraction with dichloromethane. Results indicated an average value of 29.7 μg m−3 for benzene, 47.7 μg m−3 for toluene, 23.3 μg m−3 for ethyl benzene, 46.9 μg m−3 for m+p–xylene and 14.3 μg m−3 for o–xylene. The concentrations of the saturated vapors of five commercial gasoline samples were evaluated by using the static headspace technique. Ambient air concentrations estimated using a Gaussian plume dispersion model indicated that values for BTEX were greater than those found in the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro, even 150 m away from the gas station which can impact a nearby hospital, two schools and several residences. These results indicated that more attention should be given to the locations of gas stations.
Endothelial Cell Responses Towards Surface-modified Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Fibers

The effect of various surface modifications, in conjunction with the intrinsic surface features of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) fibers on endothelialization, were investigated. A multi-step surface modification strategy was applied to commercial ePTFE sutures and then the effect of surface topography and surface chemistry involving cell adhesive and cell-resistant molecules was evaluated towards endothelial cell adhesion and its spreading. N-hepthylamine plasma polymer (HApp) was deposited onto the ePTFE fiber surface and then carboxy-methyl-dextran (CMD) was covalently attached. Subsequently, GRGDS and GRGES peptides were covalently grafted onto the CMD graft layer. The micrometric and nanometric features of ePTFE were qualitatively examined by atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to evaluate the in vitro cell adhesion on nonmodified fibers and the multi-step surface coatings. Cell adhesive molecules (HApp and RGD) enhanced the cell adhesion while cell-resistant molecules (CMD and RGE) and nonmodified fibers resisted cell adhesion. Therefore, only surface features have no effect on the HUVEC adhesion and that the surface chemistry is dominant in modulating HUVEC adhesion on ePTFE fibers.
Diisocyanate-linked polymers. III. Relationships between the composition and ultimate tensile properties of some polyurethane elastomers†‡

The ultimate tensile properties (tensile strength and elongation at rupture) of various series of polyurethane elastomers which apparently do not crystallize were studied. Elastomers which contained 0–20% isodecyl pelargonate were prepared from polyoxypropylene glycol 2025 (PPG), dipropylene glycol (DPG), trimethylolpropane (TMP), and toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI); the ratios of ingredients were varied so that all clastomers had approximately the same number of chains per unit volume v and tho same concentration of urethane groups [U]. Unplasticized elastomers were also prepared that were similar except that they were linked by hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, TDI, m-phenylene diisocyanate, and naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate. Over a wide temperature range, the ultimate proper- ties of elastomers in both series were identical at equal values of T − Tg,. Series of elastomers were also preparcd from TMP, TDI, triethylme glycol, and two polyester diols: a 50/50 and an 80/20 copolymer of e-caprolactone and methyl e-caprolactone. In these series, v was held constant and [U] was varied. Within each series, the ultimate properties were identical at equal values of T − Tg, although the ultimate properties depended on the nature of the polyester diol and were different from those of similar elastomers prepared from PPG. To study the effect of the crosslinker type and the concentration, elastomers having a constant [U] were prepared from PPG, DPG, TUI, and six crosslinkers, three being trihydroxy and three being tetrahydroxy materials. At a given temperature, the tensile strength and ultimate elongation appeared to be inde- pendent of the crosslinker type and proportional to ve½ and 1/ve, respectively, the proportionality constants being temperature-dependent. On these elastomers, equilibrium swelling ratios in benzene and rough values of the per cent sol were also measured and certain relations among these and the mechanical properties were observed.
HEAVILY Si-DOPED AlAs FILMS GROWN BY MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY

Heavily Si-doped aluminium arsenide films on GaAs substrate by MBE have been investigated. It is found that the Si activation energy E D for AlAs films decreases with increasing Si donor concentration, approaching a few meV for n≧3×l0 18 . The maximum free electron concentration of n=7×l0 18 cm −3 and electron mobility of 200 cm 2 /V.sec for n=5×l0 17 were obtained. It is also shown that the replacement of the ternary Al x Ga l−x As with a superlattice having heavily Si-doped binary AlAs in the barrier layers is effective to increase free carrier concentration.
Regional-based estimates of water use for commercial sugar-cane in South Africa

The water use of rain-fed sugar-cane has come under the spotlight in South Africa, largely as a result of changes in legislation and a focus on streamflow reduction activities. In this study a robust relationship between sugar-cane yield and evapotranspiration derived by Thompson in 1976 is applied in conjunction with regional cane production records in South Africa. These were used to provide regional estimates of water use of commercial rain-fed and irrigated sugar-cane as affected by environmental limitations. The mean water use of sugar-cane at an industry scale was 598 mm·a-1. This included irrigated cane and is approximately 40% of the mean industry potential evapotranspiration for a full canopy crop. An estimate of water use of rain-fed cane is approximately 36% of potential evapotranspiration. The results shown in this paper provide strong evidence that simple comparisons of the potential evapotranspiration of different crops or land covers are of little value in determining potential hydrological impacts of land-use changes. This illustrates that the use of potential sugar-cane evapotranspiration to compare this crop\'s impacts on streamflow reduction to those of original vegetation is a problematic approach and is fundamentally flawed. Water SA Vol. 32(2) 2006: pp.219-222
Elastic Scattering of Electrons from H2O Molecule

Elastic differential cross sections (DCS's) for H 2 O have been measured in the energy range from 4 to 200 eV and in the angular range from 10° to 120° by a crossed beam method. The absolute scale of the DCS's was given by normalizing the relative values to the absolute elastic DCS's for He with the relative flow method. Integral and momentum transfer cross sections were derived from the DCS's and compared with the previous experimental and theoretical results.
Changing quality indicators of wheat crops following fertilizers application.

Amino acid composition is an important feature in determining the nutritional value of wheat grain for human and animal diets. The main objective of the research is to track how the localized application with seeding, chemical fertilizers micro granulated, under the different type fertilizers, influence the variation in the raw protein and amino acid composition of the grain. The amino acids were assayed using ion-exchange chromatography after hydrolyzing with 6 M HCl for 24h at 110°C. Raw protein content from wheat grain was determined by Kjeldahl method, as Kjeldahl nitrogen multiplied with 6.25. Methionine and cystine were analyzed by using formic acid protection prior to acid hydrolysis. The research takes place in experimental field from U.S.A.M.V.B. Didactic Station from Timisoara and after that in the research lab of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department from Faculty of Agriculture. The experiments are stationary type, with wheat - maize rotation. Field experiences are stationary type, in which to practice wheat-corn rotation. Each plot is subdivided into four repetitions, four variants of fertilization placed linearly, one still other, with dimensions 10 x 3.5 m (35m2) The variety used for this experiment is Alex wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The fertilizers used are: 15.15. 15 complex mineral fertilizers, N 28 liquid foliar fertilizers, Nitrophoska 13.42. 0 micro granulated fertilizers.
Quantitative observation on the root system of various crops growing in the field

Abstract 1. Rice (flooded), wheat, maize, soybean, potato, and sugarbeet were grown in fields with and without nitrogen application, and various traits of the root system were quantitatively measured at the growth stage when the root system had fully developed. 2. The total length of the whole root system per unit field area ranged from 21 (potato) to 86 (wheat) km-m−2. The total surface area was only 22 m2-m−2 in potato and about 90 m2-m−2 in rice, wheat, and maize. The total volume was in the range of 1.8 (potato) to 13 (maize) liters -m−2. The mean diameter was 0.56 mm in maize and 0.33-0.39 mm in the other crops. These values generally increased when nitrogen was applied. 3. The root system was shallower in rice, and deeper in maize than in the other crops. Soil depth where 90% of the roots were distributed was 23 cm in rice, 35-38 cm in potato and soybean, 48-51 cm in sugarbeet and wheat, and 59 cm in maize. 4. The root density (value of various root traits per unit soil volume) in the upper soil lay.
Aqueous chemical synthesis of tellurium nanowires using a polymeric template for thermoelectric materials

We report the simple synthesis of tellurium nanowires (TeNWs) by a one-pot scale-up hydrothermal process. A clean wet-chemical method, employing telluric acid (Te(OH)6) as a source of tellurium, ascorbic acid as a weak reducing agent, and a linear polymer as a template, has been developed for the synthesis of TeNWs with a diameter of 30–140 nm and a length of several micrometers at 105 °C. A possible explanation for the one-dimensional growth of TeNWs is the linear polymer template. The effects of the concentration of the polymeric template on the nanowire morphology were investigated. Evaluation of the thermoelectric properties indicated a high Seebeck coefficient and a power factor of about 568 μV K−1 and 8.44 μW mK−2, respectively, of the optimized TeNW films, and these values were about 80 times larger than those of the TeNW films formed without a polymeric template. We expect this simple process to be widely applicable for large-scale production of one-dimensional inorganic nanomaterials for energy harvesting and electronic devices.
Nature‐Inspired Boiling Enhancement by Novel Nanostructured Macroporous Surfaces

World energy crisis has triggered more attention to energy saving and energy conversion systems. Enhanced surfaces for boiling are among the applications of great interest since they can improve the energy efficiency of heat pumping equipment (i.e., air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigeration machines). Methods that are used to make the state‐of‐the‐art enhanced surfaces are often based on complicated mechanical machine tools, are quite material‐consuming and give limited enhancement of the boiling heat transfer. Here, we present a new approach to fabricate enhanced surfaces by using a simple electrodeposition method with in‐situ grown dynamic gas bubble templates. As a result, a well‐ordered 3D macro‐porous metallic surface layer with nanostructured porosity is obtained. Since the structure is built based on the dynamic bubbles, it is perfect for the bubble generation applications such as nucleate boiling. At heat flux of 1 W cm‐2, the heat transfer coefficient is enhanced over 17 times compared to a plain reference surface. It's estimated that such an effective boiling surface would improve the energy efficiency of many heat pumping machines with 10–30%. The extraordinary boiling performance is explained based on the structure characteristics.
Heterogeneous catalysis of the glycerol hydrogenolysis

Glycerol has become an important feedstock for chemicals. Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol has been attempted using several types of catalysts: non-noble-metal catalysts, noble-metal catalysts with an acid as an additive, noble-metal catalysts combined with a base, and metal-oxide-modified noble-metal catalysts. The former three approaches give 1,2-propanediol as a main product, while the mechanisms may be different. Only the last one can selectively give the more valuable 1,3-propanediol.