Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polyoxyalkylene Block Copolymers in Formamide−Water Mixed Solvents: Micelle Formation and Structure Studied by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

We investigated the solution properties of an amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO−PPO−PEO) block copolymer (Pluronic P105: EO37PO58EO37) in mixed solvents consisting of water and formamide (a nonaqueous polar solvent). The critical micellization concentration and temperature, the thermodynamic parameters of micellization, and the micelle structural parameters were obtained from small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) as a function of the formamide−water ratio, solution temperature, and block copolymer concentration. PEO−PPO−PEO block copolymers self-assemble in formamide−water mixed solvents with increasing temperature, indicating an endothermic micellization. Upon an increase of the formamide−water ratio, the enthalpy and entropy of micellization become smaller than the respective quantities in water. The micelle core and corona radii, the hard-sphere interaction distance of the micelles, the micelle association number, as well as the polymer volume fraction in.
Using Online Retail Therapy to Reduce Lingering Sadness

A senior project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Academic year 2016 โครงงานทางจตวทยานเปนสวนหนงของการศกษาตามหลกสตรปรญญาวทยาศาสตรบณฑต สาขาวชาจตวทยา คณะจตวทยา จฬาลงกรณมหาวทยาลย ปการศกษา 2559
Solid-state synthesis of large polymer single crystals

Criteria for the solid state synthesis of large, nearly defect-free, polymer crystals are derived and related to experimental observations. Polydiacetylene single crystals are of principal concern, although the concepts presented can be easily generalized. In particular, a least-motion criterion is developed whereby the solid-state reactivity of different diacetylene phases and the most likely polymerization mode of a particular phase can be predicted from a two-parameter description of the relationship between neighboring monomer molecules. Phase stability criteria are considered for four characteristic free energy diagrams which explain the phase behaviors that have been observed for various polymerizing diacetylenes. Reaction uniqueness criteria are discussed as they relate to monomer site point group symmetry, symmetry relations between mutually reacting monomer molecules, and dimensional changes during polymerization.
Wood composition and energy content in a poplar short rotation plantation on fertilized agricultural land in a future CO2 atmosphere

To study the influence of elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N) fertilization on wood properties and energy, Populus×euramericana trees were exposed to ambient CO2 (about 370 μmol mol−1 CO2) or elevated CO2 (about 550 μmol mol−1 CO2) using Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) technology in combination with two N levels. Elevated CO2 was maintained for 5 years. After three growing seasons, the plantation was coppiced, one half of each experimental plot was fertilized and secondary sprouts were harvested after two growing seasons. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of wood revealed significant effects of both elevated CO2 and N fertilization on wood chemistry, in particular, significant increases in lignin and decreases in N content. These results were corroborated by chemical analysis. Neither elevated CO2 nor N fertilization affected the calorific value of wood, which was 19.3 MJ kg−1. N fertilization enhanced the energy production per land area by 16–69% because of higher aboveground woody biomass production than on nonfertilized land. Estimates indicate that high yielding poplar short rotation cultivation may significantly contribute as an alternative feedstock for energy production.
Speciation of heavy metals in water from the Uganda side of Lake Victoria

Different forms of copper Cu, zinc Zn, lead Pb and cadmium Cd in water from the Uganda side of Lake Victoria (25°C, pH 6.75–7.18), the second largest inland freshwater lake in the world, have been studied using ion‐exchange, dialysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicate that heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd are present mainly in the cationic form (80–83%). Small quantities of anionic (13–22%), non‐ionic, dialyzable (4–8%), and non‐ionic, non‐dialyzable (< 1.3–4.4%) forms were also detected for all metals except Cd. The corresponding concentrations lay in the ranges: cationic, 0.06–0.99; anionic, < 0.001–0.25; non‐ionic, dialyzable, < 0.001–0.08; non‐ionic, non‐dialyzable, < 0.001–0.06 µg ml−1. The existence of the metals in non‐ionic and non‐dialyzable forms is attributable to metal associations with high relative molecular mass (RMM) organic matters.
Carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the hydrate, keto and enol forms of oxalacetic acid

The 13C resonances of the hydrate, keto and enol forms of oxaloacetic acid in aqueous solutions at low pH, at pH 4.3 and at pH 7.3 were assigned on the basis of the J(CH) values and the chemical shifts of reference compounds. At low pH the hydrate form predominated, while only small amounts of the keto and enol forms were detected. At pH 4.3 and 7.3 the keto form was the major form. In anhydrous dimethyl sulphoxide solution only the keto and enol forms were detected, whereas on addition of water the hydrate form became predominant. On prolonged recording of the spectra at the probe temperature (30°C) citroylformic acid was formed either at low pH or at pH 7–12, whereas only traces of pyruvic acid were detected. The aldol condensation product of oxalacetic acid was detected when the spectra were recorded at 7°C before its decarboxylation to citroylformic acid. In the spectra recorded at pH 3–7 pyruvic acid and its aldol condensation product, 4‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐ketoglutaric acid, were detected together with citroylformic acid. A complete assignment of the 13C resonances of these derivatives was made.
Polypyrrole/Carbon Nanotube and Polyaniline/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Characterization

The aim of this research work is to investigate the preparation of polypyrrole/carbon nanotube (PPy/CNT) and polyaniline/carbon nanotube (PAn/CNT) nanocomposites in aqueous media by chemical polymerization of pyrrole and aniline in presence of ferric chloride and potassium iodate as an oxidants, respectively. The products were investigated in terms of morphology, chemical structure and thermal stability with scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) methods, respectively. The results indicate that properties of products are dependent on nanocomposite structure. Also, it was found that PAn/CNT and PPy/CNT nanocomposites show remarkable improved thermogravimetric stability by comparison with the PAn and PPy homopolymers.
TRANSFORMATIONS OF ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS SUBSTRATES IN SOILS AS EVALUATED BY NaHCO3 EXTRACTION

The sodium-bicarbonate (NaHCO3) method of Olsen et al. was primarily designed to extract inorganic P (P1) and to correlate this P-pool with plant response. This procedure was used to follow the transformations of organic P (P0) substrates in soil. Various commercial P0 substrates were added to a sandy loam soil, and were extracted immediately and after 1 to 18 days of incubation at field capacity. Glycerophosphate and all 3‘ nucleotide components of RNA were completely mineralized and accounted for in the NaHCO3 solution after 3 days. While RNA degraded in 18 days, sodium inositol hexaphosphate (Na-phytate) was relatively unaffected during this time and unrecoverable in the NaHCO3 solution upon immediate extraction. Thus, the labile compounds, like RNA, its four 3’ nucleotides, and glycerophosphates were recoverable in the 0.5-M NaHCO3-extracting solution (pH 8.5) of Olsen et al., while the Na-phytate, a relatively resistant compound, was not. Native P0 was only slightly affected, however. A relatively constant amount of native P0 was extracted, irrespective of extraction periods lasting 0.5 to 6 h.
Indication of velocity overshoot in strained Si0.8Ge0.2 p-channel MOSFETs

A velocity-field study of several Si0.8Ge0. 2/Si p-channel MOSFETs with self-aligned poly-Si gates, thick gate oxides and effective channel lengths ranging from 1.5 to 8.5 µm, was carried out at room temperature. Comprehensive two-dimensional simulations of devices using drift-diffusion (DD), and bulk Monte Carlo calibrated hydrodynamic (HD) and energy transport (ET) models have revealed enhanced high-field hole transport in strained-channel MOSFETs. A close agreement is obtained between higher-level (HD/ET) models and DD model with calibrated high-field mobility parameters. It is found that the relatively low value of extracted saturation velocity in long-channel Si0.8Ge0. 2 p-MOSFETs increases considerably as the gate length is decreased. The increase in short-channel samples is attributed to non-equilibrium transport effects in the region near the source, resulting from higher mobility and longer relaxation times of holes in the strained SiGe layer. Our results not only confirm the expected advantage of strained SiGe p-MOSFETs in low-field transport, but also indicate that this is accompanied by an early onset of velocity overshoot, which may be beneficial in aggressively scaled devices.
Intergenerational Transmission of Employment and Working Behavior of Japanese Wife

Using the 2009-2016 Japan Household Panel Survey, this study examines whether mother-in-law's former employment affects wife's working behavior in Japan. The driving mechanisms behind this relationship is also investigated by testing the effect of mother's former employment on her son's attitudes toward gender roles as well as on husband's skills regarding household chores, paid limited attention in the literature. Main findings suggest that wife's employment is positively associated with mother-in-law's former employment. The influence of a working mother on her son's attitude, tested by employment decision of wife with a little child and husband's life satisfaction, is found statistically significant and positive. In addition, no significant findings are determined the relationship between mother-in-law's employment and time spent by a husband in housework and childcare. Taken together, even though a working mother-in-law shapes son's preferences and beliefs toward gender roles to have a working wife, husband takes an inactive role regarding household chores irrespective of his mother's employment. These results point out that the older generation's employment leads to increase in the current generation's labor supply in Japan by only affecting child's preference rather than skills.
How Much Benefit Can Dynamic Frequency Scaling Bring to WiFi?

Dynamic frequency scaling (DFS) is a state-of-the-art power-saving technique. Various DFS-based WiFi schemes have been proposed for power saving. These schemes demonstrated the power-saving feasibility of DFS via hardware implementation or simulation. This paper is the first that proposes a general theoretical framework to evaluate the performance of these schemes, where we use Queuing theory to analyze the system throughput and use Semi-Markov theory to quantify the power consumption. In addition, we adopt the energy efficiency (i.e., the throughput per energy cost) to compare the gains of these schemes. This efficiency measure can be used to make a trade-off between system throughput and power consumption and therefore help us choose appropriate parameter settings. Extensive simulations verify that our theoretical model is very accurate and our theoretical results well match with universal software radio peripheral (USRP) experiment results. Our study shows that DFS can greatly improve the energy efficiency of WiFi networks even under low SNR conditions; for example, when SNR = 9.7 dB (i.e., the basic requirement for decoding packets in WiFi), the improvement is around 25 percent for 802.11b at rate 11 Mb/s and 16 percent for 802.11 ac at rate 1300 Mb/s. Our study also shows that DFS can be well integrated with other commonly used power-saving mechanisms to improve energy efficiency further.
Assessment of solid waste and dumpsite leachate and topsoil

Dumpsite leachate contains different hazardous substances, some of which threaten the environment. In this study, municipal solid waste, dumpsite leachate and topsoil from seven different dumpsites in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria were analysed using standard methods. The parameters analysed in the composite leachate samples collected are pH, solids, alkalinity, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand turbidity, heavy metals (e.g. Zn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd) and some persistent organic pollutants (e.g. polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]). Total organic carbon, heavy metals (e.g. Zn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd) and organic pollutants (e.g. PAHs, PCBs) were analysed in the dumpsite topsoil and the control samples. The samples for heavy metal determination were digested using concentrated nitric acid and the digestate was analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas organic pollutants were extracted using cold extraction and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study revealed that dumpsites in Ibadan have ∼90% domestic and 10% industrial waste, whereas the figures for Lagos are 80% and 20%, respectively. In the leachate samples, concentrations of PAHs and PCBs ranged from 0.85 to 1.47 mg/L and 0.01 to 0.08 mg/L, respectively; the values were 0.94–2.79 mg/kg and 10.0–412 μg/kg in the topsoil. If not properly managed, dumpsite leachate can seep into groundwater and surface water via run-off, and can have adverse effects on human health and the entire ecosystem.
Effect of Extrinsic Parameters on the Production of a Bacteriocin by Lactobacillus buchneri, Isolated from Mexican Raw Sausages

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides acting on certain pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. They have recently been considered as natural alternative to food preservatives. The objective of this work was to study the inhibition spectrum of a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus buchneri, isolated from a Mexican sausage, against Listeria monocytogenes and several lactic acid bacteria, and the influence of several extrinsic parameters on bacteriocin activity. Culture media (MRS or APT) had no significant effect on bacteriocin production (p < 0.060) although higher activity was observed in MRS (220 AU/mL). Conversely, temperature significant affected production (p > 0.001). Bacteriocin activity was also increased by 100% nitrogen atmosphere (180 AU/mL) as compared to N2/CO2 (50:50) (150 AU/mL) and 100% CO2 (60 AU/mL). Maximum activity occurred at the end of the exponential growth phase. This bacteriocin inhibited some Listeria monocytogens strains and several lactic acid bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus sp.
Synthesis and Characterization of Surface-Protected Nanocrystalline Titania Particles

Monodisperse nonaggregated nanoparticles of titania are obtained through hydrolysis at 60 °C of titanium butoxide in the presence of acetylacetone and para-toluenesulfonic acid. After the particles are dried, the resulting xerosols can be dispersed without aggregation in water−alcoholic or alcoholic solutions at concentrations higher than 1 M. The characterizations of the nanoparticles were carried out in solution by using quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS); FTIR; 13C, 17O, and 1H NMR and in solid state by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR, thermogravimetry−dynamic thermal analysis (TG−DTA), 13C cross-polarization−magic angle spinning (CP−MAS) NMR. The mean size of the anatase oxide core can be adjusted in the 1−5 nm range by a careful tuning of the synthetic conditions. The protection of these particles toward aggregation is ensured through the complexation of the surface by acetylacetonato ligands and through an adsorbed hybrid organic−inorganic layer made with acetylace.
Organoclay–natural rubber nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical and solution mixing methods

This investigation describes two methods to obtain rubber composites based on natural rubber (NR) and organophilic layered silicates. In order to improve the exfoliation and compatibilization of the organoclays with the rubber matrix, a new approach which involves swelling of the organoclays with an elastomer solution prior to compounding has been used. The effect of the addition during swelling of a coupling agent, namely bis(trietoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfan (TESPT), on the behaviour of the composites was also investigated. The results show that a low amount of organoclay (10 phr) significantly improves the properties of natural rubber. This suggests a strong rubber–organoclay interaction which is attributed to a high degree of rubber intercalation into the nanosilicate galleries, as was confirmed from X-ray diffraction. In addition, an ulterior improvement in the properties of the nanocomposites prepared by solution mixing is clearly observed, due to the better filler–rubber compatibility. An even further increase in the properties is observed by treating the silicate with a silane coupling agent. The silane functional groups modify the clay surface, thus reducing the surface energy, and consequently improving the compatibility with the rubber matrix. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Time-dependent spectroscopy of plasma plume under laser welding conditions

Momentary emission spectra of iron and argon lines were measured in a plasma plume induced during welding with a continuous wave CO2 laser. Time-dependent spectra were registered using a fast gate, lens coupled microchannel plate image intensifier placed between a spectrograph and a 1254 silicon intensified target detector connected to an optical multichannel analyser. The results, together with the analysis of the colour images from a fast camera, show that in the case when argon is the shielding gas, two plasmas exist: the argon plasma and the iron plasma. It has been found that during strong bursts the plasma plume over the keyhole consists mainly of metal vapour, not being diluted by the shielding gas. No apparent mixing of the metal vapour and the shielding gas has been observed. The space-averaged electron densities determined from the Stark broadening of the 7503.87, 7514.65 A Ar I lines amounts to (0.75–1.05) × 1023 m−3 depending on the distance from the surface. Assuming that argon is not mixed with the metal vapour and is in local thermodynamic equilibrium these electron densities correspond to the temperatures of 12–13 kK. At the peaks of strong vapour bursts the space-averaged electron densities determined from the Stark broadening of the 5383.37 A Fe I line are (0.6–1) × 1023 m−3. Numerical simulations showed that the maximum densities in the plasma centre are considerably higher and amount to ~1.8 × 1023 m−3 and ~2.45 × 1023 m−3 in the case of the argon and metal plasma, respectively. Consequently the absorption of the laser beam in the plasma plume amounts to ~5% of the beam power in the case of argon and 10% in the case of metal plasma.
Effects of timing and rate of N supply on leaf nitrogen status, grape yield and juice composition from Shiraz grapevines grafted to one of three different rootstocks

Yeast cells have a minimum N requirement to ferment a must through to dryness, so that grape N content (hence must N) becomes critical in meeting that prerequisite. Viticultural practices aimed at meeting that N requirement are of special relevance because interactions between rootstock and vineyard nitrogen supply strongly influence scion mineral nutrient status as well as shoot vigour, and via those processes, fruit composition. Such outcomes were investigated in a field trial involving Shiraz on three rootstocks viz. Teleki 5C, Schwarzmann and Ramsey. Five N supply regimes, varying from 0 to 80 kg/(ha.season), were imposed through a drip-irrigation system during two periods (either flowering to veraison, or post-harvest to leaf-fall, or both) over three successive growing seasons. Post-harvest N supply increased scion leaf N and nitrate N concentrations at flowering for vines on Teleki 5C and Schwarzmann. By veraison, N recently applied in the flowering to veraison period elevated these indicators of N status in all vines on all rootstocks. Grape yields from vines on Teleki 5C and Schwarzmann were elevated by N supply after harvest, whereas juice soluble solids levels were lowered. Free amino acids in Shiraz juice were dominated by non-assimilable N, amounting to about 50% or more of the total free amino-N in the juice. Increasing N supply increased free amino acid concentrations in the juice of berries from vines on all rootstocks, but only vines on Schwarzmann derived any benefit from N supplied after harvest. The highest concentrations of free amino acids were measured in the berries from vines on Schwarzmann receiving 80 kg N/(ha.season). Of immediate practical relevance for N management of Shiraz grapevines on either Teleki 5C or Ramsey rootstocks, the minimum value for assimilable free amino-N concentration required to ferment a must through to dryness was not achieved if vineyard N application was limited to the post-harvest period.
Equilibrium Data for PEG 4000 + Salt + Water Systems from (278.15 to 318.15) K

Liquid−liquid equilibrium data of aqueous two-phase systems composed of PEG 4000 + sodium sulfate, PEG 4000 + lithium sulfate, and PEG 4000 + potassium phosphate were determined from (278.15 to 318.15) K. When the temperature was increased, the slope of the tie line (STL) tended to increase, reducing the quantity of salt necessary for phase splitting. From (308.15 to 318.15) K, for the aqueous systems PEG 4000 + lithium sulfate or potassium phosphate, a small decrease of the STL was verified. In spite of producing a phase diagram with a larger biphasic area, the sodium sulfate showed higher capability for inducing the phase splitting as compared to potassium phosphate and lithium sulfate.
Refrigerant Droplet Size Measurements in Conjunction with a Novel Method for Improving Flow Distribution in Evaporators

Maldistribution of two-phase flow in evaporators is known to significantly affect their performance. To reduce refrigerant maldistribution, a pressure-swirl atomizer is used to distribute R-134a in the header of a typical evaporator. A phase-doppler particle analyzer is used to characterize the spray along the centerline of the header for 1, 2, and 3 g/s total mass flow rate. The thermodynamic quality is varied in the header from 0% to 15%. The centerline droplet size is found to decrease with increasing quality and to decrease with increasing distance downstream of the nozzle. Flow distribution is found to be more uniform when the atomizer is used as the expansion device when compared to a typical expansion valve and pipe inlet.
Perspectives on:In Vitro Evaluation of Biomedical Polymers

Recently polymeric materials have gained tremendous attention in a wide variety of applications spanning from electronics to environmental and biomedical fields. In this paper, current in vitro methods for polymers biocompatibility assessment are reviewed in combination with new concepts and techniques that appear promising for the development and improvement of in vitro methods with the purpose of reducing animal experimentation. The utilization of medical devices, for example, has always been subordinate to the assessment of their biocompatibility. This aspect, as well as the methods for evaluating biocompatibility have changed over the years as a result of new developments in cell biology that have revolutionized in vitro techniques for assaying polymeric materials for bioapplications.