Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial Transformations of Sulfur-Compounds in a Stratified Lake (Solar Lake, Sinai)

Microbiological and chemical aspects of the sulfur cycle were studied in the chemocline of a tropical salt lake. Oxygen and sulfide coexisted in a O-lo-cm layer which migrated up and down during a diurnal cycle. Sulfide was rapidly oxidized by oxygen, with a half-life of 5-10 min, to produce mainly sulfate and thiosulfate. Thiosulfate and elemental sulfur had concentration maxima in the chemocline while polysulfide was abundant throughout the sulfide zone. Radiotracer experiments showed that the elemental sulfur was produced by anoxygenic photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. The elemental sulfur was further oxidized or again reduced, depending on the presence or absence of oxygen. Cyanobacteria in the che- mocline shifted between anoxygenic photosynthesis in the morning and oxygenic photosyn- thesis in the afternoon. A high dark CO, fixation was found in the chemocline which could be stimulated by sulfide, elemental sulfur, and thiosulfate. The oxidation rate of sulfide in the chemocline was dependent on the presence of bacteria.
A Nanocellulose Polypyrrole Composite Based on Tunicate Cellulose

The water-dispersed conductive polypyrrole (PPy) was prepared via the in situ oxidative chemical polymerization by using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant and tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (T-CNs) as a dopant and template for tuning the morphologies of PPy nanoparticles. Highly flexible paper-like materials of PPy/T-CNs nanocomposites with high electrical conductivity values and good mechanical properties were prepared. The structure of nanocomposites of PPy/T-CNs was investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the composites revealed that PPy consisted of nanoparticles about 2.5 nm in mean size to form a continuous coating covered on the T-CNs. The diameters of the PPy nanoparticles increased from 10 to 100 nm with the increasing pyrrole amount. Moreover, electrical properties of the obtained PPy/T-CNs films were studied using standard four-probe technique and the electrical conductivity could be as high as 10−3 S/cm.
Electronic structures and spectroscopic regularities of phenylene-modified SWCNTs

The equilibrium geometries and electronic structures for a series of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) modified with phenylene were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Of the four configurations of the phenylene-modified SWCNTs, the v-configuration in which the bond is perpendicular to the main axis of the SWCNT is the most thermodynamically stable. The increase in radii of the modified SWCNTs generally leads to a decrease in the energy gaps. The first absorptions in the electronic spectra of the modified SWCNTs compared with those in the electronic spectra of pristine SWCNTs are basically red-shifted. The chemical shifts of bridged carbon atoms connected with phenylene in the v-configuration are shifted downfield relative to those of the pristine SWCNTs. The aromaticity of the rings in SWCNTs is improved owing to the addition of phenylene.
Efeito da Gliricidia sepium sobre nutrientes do solo, microclima e produtividade do milho em sistema agroflorestal no Agreste Paraibano

Gliricidia sepium is a leguminous tree that has been used in alley cropping systems in the Northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil because of its good development under water stress conditions. However, little information is available on the effects of the introduction of this species into regional agroecosystems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the distance of Gliricidia sepium plants on the characteristics of maize crop, soil properties and microclimate conditions in the semi-arid region of Paraiba, Brazil. The study was conducted in the Esperanca County, Paraiba State, Brazil. , where G. sepium trees were planted on a 0.5 ha field in 1996. The spacing used was 6 m between rows and 1 m between plants within the rows. In 2002, four 48 m2 plots were established within this field. Within each plot, three sampling positions were established: (1) under tree crowns in the rows (0 m); (2) 1 m apart from tree rows; and (3) 3 m apart from the tree rows. The experiment had a randomized block design with four replications. Litterfall dry matter amounted to 1.390 kg ha-1 under the trees and decreased to 270 kg ha-1 at a distance of 3 m from the trees. Soil P, K and light fraction of organic matter were significantly greater under the trees as compared to those between the tree rows. Soil and air monthly minimum temperature averages were not influenced by the distance from the trees. However, soil and air monthly maximum temperature averages were 6 and 2 °C lower under the trees, respectively. Soil moisture was significantly lower under the trees as compared to positions 1 and 3 m away from tree rows. Maize grain and straw yields as well as nutrient accumulation were higher under the trees and decreased with increasing the distance from the trees.
Etherification versus amine addition during epoxy resin/amine cure: An in situ study using near-infrared spectroscopy

The reactions between a multifunctional epoxy resin, tetraglycidyl 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) and a monofunctional amine, methylaniline (mAnil) are studied. Due to the existence of a tertiary amine catalytic center within the TGDDM molecule, the etherification reaction during cure of TGDDM is usually more significant than in other epoxide systems. The importance of this reaction relative to the amine addition reactions is investigated. In situ near-infrared spectroscopy is used to obtain kinetic data during the cure reactions. The reaction rate constants are calculated from linear regression analysis for both amine addition and etherification reactions based on the reaction mechanisms proposed. Arrhenius relationships are observed for all the reaction rate constants involved. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:895–901, 1998
Natural Organics Control Aggregation of Mercury Sulfide Nanoparticles in Freshwater Systems

Mercury (Hg) is an environmental contaminant that is neurotoxic to humans, particularly to individuals exposed through consumption of fish. In aquatic environments, Hg-sulfides, such as HgS nanoparticles, are precursors to methylmercury, the form of Hg that bioaccumulates in fish. Current knowledge is limited regarding processes through which HgS nanoparticles persist. The goals of this study were to: 1) synthesize uncapped HgS nanoparticles, 2) characterize these nanoparticles, and 3) test aggregation rates of nanoparticles in solutions simulating natural conditions. A novel aqueous synthesis process for uncapped nanoparticles was developed using a controlled precipitation process. The resulting metacinnabar-HgS(s) was characterized through transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Using dynamic light scattering, the aggregation rate of HgS nanoparticles was found to increase as salinity increased. Furthermore, the aggregation rate decreased in the presence of cysteine, an organic acid prevalent in sediment pore water. Through comparison of cysteine to a structurally similar organic acid, serine, it is believed that the sulfhydryl group in cysteine is responsible for controlling aggregation rates. By studying the biogeochemical processes of these ubiquitous nanoparticles in aquatic systems, this research has deepened the understanding of mercury in its aqueous phase and furthered the emerging field of nanogeoscience.
Modeling Effective Moisture Diffusivity of Orange Slice (Thompson Cv.)

The present study was conducted to compute effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy of orange slices during convection drying. The thin-layer drying experiments were carried out at five air temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80ºC, three air velocities of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m/s and three orange slice thicknesses of 2, 4, and 6 mm. Results indicated that drying took place in the falling rate period. Moisture transfer from orange slices was described by applying the Fick's diffusion model. The effective diffusivity values were increased from 6.27 × 10−10 to 3.50 × 10−9 m2/s for the temperature range used in this study. An Arrhenius relation with an activation energy value of 16.47 to 40.90 kJ/mol and the diffusivity constant value of 7.74 × 10−7 to 3.93 × 10−3 m2/s were obtained. It was found that with increasing the temperature and air velocity the effective diffusivity increases while slice thickness showed no considerable changes on the effective diffusivity.
Electron Spin Resonance of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine

An electron spin resonance study of vanadyl phthalocyanine magnetically diluted in metal‐free and zinc phthalocyanine salts, and in sulfuric acid solution, confirms the placement of the 3d unpaired electron in the dxy singlet orbital of the vanadium ion. An improved method of synthesis for vanadyl phthalocyanine which increased the yield to 64% is described. The infrared spectrum of vanadyl phthalocyanine indicates that this complex exists in only one polymorphic modification.
ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITIES OF GRAM NEGATIVE AEROBIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN COMMUNITY

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by bacteria that can also live in the digestive tract, in vagina, or around the urethra most often these bacteria, enter the urethra and travel to the bladder and kidneys and prostate (in men). Objective To determine the most common gram negative aerobic bacteria caused UTI in both sex and different ages, and to study the antibiotic susceptibility in order to determine the most effective antibiotics that can cure UTI. Methods Prospective study of 311 samples of urine has been collected from out patients complaining signs and symptoms of UTI. Isolation and Identification of causative bacteria was concluded, antibiotic susceptibility test has been done, and statistical analysis chi square had done. Results 125 urine samples obtained from 25 male and 100 female show growths of Gram negative aerobic bacilli. No bacterial growth was defined in the rest of urine samples. Single bacterium was identified in 120 samples, while 5 samples identified as a mixed infection with two kinds of bacteria. In 55 (44%) of cases, Echerishia Coli was isolated; in 41 (32.8%) Klebsiella Pneumoniae; in 17 (13.6%) Proteus mirabilis plus P. Vulgaris; and 12 (9.6%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The percentage of resistance for E. Coli varies from 73% to 86%, to Ceftzidime, Ceftriaxone, and Trimethoprim Sulfamethaxozol; for K. pneumoniae it ranges from 71% to 100% for Amoxicillin, Pipracillin, Trimethoprim Sulfamethaxozole, and Colistin; for P. mirabilis plus P. vulgaris ranging from 66% to 100% for Cetazidime, Trimethoprim Sulfamethaxozol, and Cefotaxime; and for P. aeruginose ranges from 66% to 100% for Cefazidime, Colistin, Nafcillin, Gentamycin, Trimethoprim Sulfamethaxozol. Conclusion E. Coli caused UTI in female higher than men in the community, and the gram negative rods had multi antibiotic resistant. Keyword UTI, Enterobacteriacae, Antibiotic susceptibility Introduction rinary tract Infection (UTI) caused by bacteria that can also live in digestive tract, in vagina, or around the urethra, most often these bacteria, enter the urethra and ascend to the bladder and kidneys and prostate (in men), usually our body removes the bacteria and we have no symptoms . Urinary bladder infection has become the most common urinary problem among children, according to conservative estimate, 3% of girls and 1% of boys have had a detected urinary tract infection (UTI) by the age of 11 . Women are more likely to get UTIs than men, UTIs can be dangerous especially for older people and pregnant women, as well as for those with diabetes and those who have difficulty urination . Many substances, such as soap, bubbles bath, stool or clothing can cause soreness of urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to invade and get into the bladder and multiply . U Iraqi JMS Published by Al-Nahrain College of Medicine
Removal of arsenic from synthetic and natural groundwater using acid‐activated laterite

Acid‐activated laterite (AAL) is used to remove arsenic from synthetic and natural groundwater. Physicochemical characteristics of AAL, such as BET (Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller) surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, zero point of charge, and chemical composition, are studied and compared with raw laterite (RL). The BET surface area and pore volume of AAL are obtained as 45.4 ± 2.7 m2 g−1 and 0.063 ± 0.007 mL g−1, respectively. Zero point of charge of AAL is found to be 5.70 ± 0.22. Arsenite and arsenate adsorption on AAL are examined under varying process parameters such as adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature, particle size, initial arsenic concentration, and competitive ions in batch mode. Arsenic adsorption capacity of AAL increases by two‐ to threefold compared with RL. The kinetic data fit better to pseudo‐second‐order model. Transport properties, such as external mass transfer coefficient and effective pore diffusivity of arsenic species, are obtained from shrinking core model fit to experimental kinetic data. Continuous fixed bed column mode adsorption of arsenic on AAL is performed. About 200 bed volume (21 L) of arsenic contaminated groundwater (total arsenic: 378 ± 8.9 μg L−1) has been treated at a breakthrough concentration of 50 μg L−1 of arsenic by using column height of 20 cm (weight of adsorbent: 125 g). © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Shrinkage behaviour of transiently‐ and constantly‐loaded soils and its consequences for soil moisture release

Soils under loaded conditions may have different shrinkage behaviour from that of load‐free soils. In this study, we applied two kinds of mechanical stress (σ) on repacked homogeneous soil samples: transient and constant stresses, simulating the traffic load during tillage and the overburden pressure, respectively. Three transient stresses were applied on the soil surface with 150, 400 and 1400 kPa, while the constant stresses ranged from 1.8, 3.8, 5.5, to 7.3 kPa. We hypothesized that the two stresses play different roles in soil shrinkage behaviour as depicted by void ratio (e) and moisture ratio (ϑ), as compared with load‐free soil. Thus, our aim was to build up the relationship between e, ϑ and σ. For a swelling soil, total pores can be divided into rigid and non‐rigid components according to their swelling and shrinkage capacity relative to soil moisture. The non‐rigid pores compacted by the transient stress can be regained in the subsequent wetting at load‐free conditions, whereas the compacted rigid pores do not recover. The reduction in rigid pores does not alter the soil pore shrinkage capacity. The shrinkage curves of transiently‐loaded soils are therefore parallel to each other with an identical coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) and the same shrinkage slope, although their structural shrinkage phase narrows with an increase of stress. However, the constant stress compresses non‐rigid pores readily through suppressing their swelling capacity during wetting as well as compacting rigid pores. If the change of rigid pores is negligible, the shrinkage curves of constantly‐loaded soils converge at the zero shrinkage or the dry‐end point with the load‐free soil shrinkage. If the reductions of rigid and non‐rigid pores are both considered, the soil shrinkage combines the part of parallel shrinkage derived from the reduced rigid pores and the intersected shrinkage resulted from the altered non‐rigid pores. On the basis of different shrinkage behaviours resulting from the two mechanical stresses, we propose numerical formulae to illustrate a series of curves for the e‐ϑ‐σ relationship. The different changes in rigid and non‐rigid pores cause soil water release differently.
Vacuolar Acidification in Citrus Fruit: Comparison between Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and Sweet Lime (Citrus limmetioides) Juice Cells

Vacuolar acidification was investigated in 'Palestine' sweet (Citrus limmetioides Tanaka) and 'Persian' acid lime ((Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) (vacuolar pHs of 5.0 and 2.1, respectively) using tonoplast vesicles isolated from juice cells. The ATPase activity of tonoplast-enriched vesicles from sweet limes was strongly inhibited by bafilomycin A1 and NO3 - , but was unaffected by vanadate. In contrast, the ATPase activity in acid lime membranes was only slightly inhibited by bafilomycin A1 and NO3 - and was strongly inhibited by high concentrations of vanadate. The vacuolar origin of the acid lime vesicles was confirmed by immunoblotting. After solubilization and partial purification of the two enzymes by gel filtration, their inhibitor profiles were largely unchanged. Based on equal ATPase activities, vesicles from sweet and acid limes were able to generate similar pH gradients. However, in tonoplast vesicles from sweet limes, the maximum ∆pH was reached four times faster than in those from acid limes. Addition of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to chelate Mg +2 after the maximal ∆pH was attained resulted in collapse of the pH gradient in vesicles from sweet limes, whereas no change in ∆pH was observed in vesicles from acid limes, indicating a less H +
Influence of Internal Pressure for Depth Measurement on a Dent

The main cause of failure for most transmission pipelines is third party damages, which conduct to the creation of dents. Depending on their dimensions, these defects can be detrimental in term of pipeline integrity. Defect measurement is usually performed on field when the pipeline is under pressure. However, common assessment criteria are based on the defect characteristics measured in absence of internal pressure. An empirical relation — Ho = 1.43 Hr — links the dent’s depth in absence of pressure Ho to its depth under pressure Hr. It can be assumed that the dent’s depth decreases as internal pressure increases; however, the relation is used whatever the pressure value, during measurement, is. Therefore, this relation can be considered as too conservative, and not realistic, especially when the pressure during defect characterization is low. This study presents a new relation linking Ho and Hr based on results of finite elements calculations and experimental data. The calculated results are always conservative, and the difference between experimental and calculated data does not exceed one percent. Gaz de France Research and Development division has also been able to decrease the coefficient of the relation below 1.43 for most of cases, especially for low values of internal pressure. But some cases with a coefficient between Hr and Ho which overtook 1,43 were also found. The depth of a dent without pressure can then be determined by taking into account the internal pressure when measuring the size of the dent.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A novel polyurethane/cellulose fibrous scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering

The present work demonstrates a biomimetic electrospun scaffold based on polyurethane (PU) and ethyl cellulose (EC), featuring uniform fibrous nanostructures and three dimensional porous networks. The relationship between processing conditions and fibrous nanostructures is established which guides the rational processing with tunable fiber diameters. Additionally, the developed scaffold template reveals biocompatibility in retention and proliferation of cardiac myoblast H9C2 cells. The high mechanical strength of the PU/EC scaffolds enables the processing and handling of an ultrathin patch. Their elastomeric characteristics revealed the compatibility between the patch and contractile tissues. Furthermore, anisotropic PU/EC scaffolds with aligned nanofibers were successfully fabricated, exhibiting higher mechanical strength and essential characteristics for the survival and function of cardiac cells with native anisotropy. This work demonstrates a bioengineered PU/EC fibrous scaffold with uniform nanostructural webs and provides insight into the relationships between processing control, nanostructures and associated properties, with promising potential in cardiac tissue engineering.
Flattening of TMPyP Adsorbed on Laponite. Evidence in Observed and Calculated UV−vis Spectra

The +4 charged dye tetramethylpyridylporphyrin, TMPyP (≡H2TMPyP4+), and the metallo ZnTMPYP are water-soluble. The cationic TMPy groups are nearly perpendicular to the plane of the porphine. When the dyes were applied to the layered inflatable clay mineral Laponite a ∼30 nm red shift in the spectrum of both TMPyP−'s adsorbed on outer surfaces and a ∼60 nm shift in the dyes trapped in interlamellar galleries were found. The negatively charged clay surface may be very acidic. In previous works, the red shifts were interpreted in terms of diprotonation of TMPyP. In this work, several possible causes of the observed red shifts were rigorously examined. These included diprotonation, redox reactions, solvent effects, π-electron interaction with the oxygen plane, and electronic changes due to the flattening of TMPyP on the clay. To facilitate in a deductive manner a possible explanation for the observed metachromasy, the charged, flat Laponite was replaced with its neutral analogue: talc and porous silica. The .
Measurement of Evaporation on Bare Soil and Estimating Surface Resistance

A new evaporation measuring device incorporating an evaporation chamber has been developed and checked for its accuracy. This device is unique that it uses a chamber that is completely open at one end and thereby minimizes the effect of the chamber on the natural profiles of temperature, humidity, and turbulence. It was used in estimating a newly formulated surface resistance to bare soil evaporation under dry topsoil conditions. A simple energy balance model incorporating the depth of evaporating surface, blended with a new approach for describing surface resistance was developed and successfully tested with a limited set of data obtained from a simple experiment, assuming ideal conditions. In addition to the newly formulated surface resistance, the depth of the dry soil layer was also estimated and was relatively comparable with measured value. The newly formulated surface resistance was found to be insignificant compared to the resistance imposed by the dry soil layer. The total surface resistance was modeled as a power function of soil moisture in the top 0–1 cm of soil, while the newly formulated resistance did not show any relation with the soil moisture.