Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ferroelectric and Impedance Behavior of La- and Ti-Codoped BiFeO3 Thin Films

To study the effects of La and Ti cosubstitutions on ferroelectric and impedance behavior of BiFeO3, (Bi0.90La0.10)FeO3, Bi(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3, and (Bi0.90La0.10)(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3 thin films were deposited on LaNiO3-buffered Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si(100) substrates by off-axis radio frequency sputtering. The (Bi0.90La0.10)(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3 thin film exhibits an Ohmic conduction behavior in the range of the electric field investigated, and its leakage current at high electric fields is greatly suppressed. The Curie temperature of (Bi0.90La0.10)(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3 decreases to ∼690°C due to La and Ti cosubstitutions, and a direct band gap of 2.88 eV is identified for the (Bi0.90La0.10)(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3 thin film, demonstrating the increase of a direct band gap with La and Ti codoping. A high remanent polarization (2Pr∼102.6 μc/cm2 and 2Ec∼538.0 kV/cm) as confirmed by positive up negative down was obtained for the (Bi0.90La0.10)(Fe0.95Ti0.05)O3 thin film at room temperature because of the great inhibition of the leakage current density at high electric fields. The La and Ti cosubstitutions also improve the fatigue behavior of BiFeO3 thin film. Impedance analyses at different temperatures and frequencies show that the La- and Ti-codoped BFO thin film exhibits rather different dielectric relaxation and conduction mechanism as compared with those of the undoped and La- or Ti-doped BFO thin films, where oxygen vacancies appear to be involved in the dielectric relaxation and conduction processes of these thin films.
Common Table Salt Used as a Retrospective Dosimeter Using Thermoluminescence

In this study, the feasibility of using common table salt as a retrospective dosimeter was evaluated using thermoluminescence. In an event of a terrorist act in which radioactive material is used in a dispersal device, improvised nuclear device, or a nuclear yield device, quick radiation dose assessments will be needed for the affected population. An immediate dose assessment will be essential to determine health effects and environmental impacts. This can be achieved relatively faster with the use of a retrospective dosimeter. Retrospective dosimetry is a process that is used to measure markers of radiation exposure in biological tissues or materials. During exposure, the radiation dose absorbed persists long enough for assessment of the dose received in hours, days, weeks, or months before sampling. This is fundamental to dose assessment. In this study, we will duplicate methodologies used in previous studies by evaluating eight different brands of common table salt found in local restaurants to develop a protocol to quantify the ionizing radiation exposure. The samples will be irradiated to doses from 5 mSv to 4.5 Sv using Cs-137 gamma rays and will be characterized and evaluated for their applicability to be used as a thermoluminescent retrospective dosimeter. We will evaluate each salt sample by examining glow curve, dose response, linearity, and reproducibility. The key parameter will be the linearity of the
Mechanical relaxation processes of wood in the low‐temperature range

The dynamic viscoelastic properties of untreated and chemically modified wood specimens were determined in the temperature range 123 to 293 K and at constant frequencies. Absolutely dry wood specimens exhibited one relaxation process labeled γ at around 180 K, being attributed to the motions of methylol groups in the amorphous region of the wood constituents. The changes in the γ process due to the chemical modifications were explained by the reduction in the original γ loss peak due to the decrease of methylol groups, and an additional relaxation induced by the other groups introduced. With moisture adsorption, an additional relaxation labeled β was induced at 220–240 K. It appeared only when the wood adsorbed moisture irrespective of chemical modifications, and its characteristics were not affected by the formaldehyde and PEG treatments involving the remarkable changes in the mobility of amorphous molecules. These results suggested that the dominant mechanism of β relaxation was not the segmental motions of the main chain, but the motion of the adsorbed water molecules. The positive activation entropy of the β relaxation was interpreted to reflect rearrangement of the adsorption sites required for the rotation of the adsorbed water molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3338–3347, 2001
Characterization of Pyrolysis Liquids of Waste Wood-Based Board

We mainly characterized the compositions and basic properties of pyrolysis liquids of waste wood-based board in this study which can be a basic research for a further study of the possible application of the liquids. Compositions of pyrolysis liquids of wood-based board were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Basic properties of pyrolysis liquids including moisture content, density, diopter, pH and acidity were tested in the experiment. Results from GC-MS analysis show that pyrolysis liquids were influenced a lot by the nitrogen compounds transferred from urea formaldehyde (UF). Pyrolysis liquids are weak acetic to weak alkaline influenced by the pyrolysis compounds of UF adhesive. There are also some differences in properties between the pyrolysis liquids of medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particle board (PB). Future studies should be carried out to study the specific compositions and possible application of the liquids.
Design of Gas-Inducing Reactors

A gas-inducing impeller enables efficient recycling of gas from the headspace into the liquid. Historically, these impellers were used for the first time in froth flotation machines. The various designs of gas-inducing impellers (including those used in froth flotation) could be classified into three categories, depending on the flow pattern coming into and leaving the impeller zone. These are denoted as type 11, type 12, and type 22 systems. The critical impeller speed for the onset of gas induction (NCG) is governed by a balance between the velocity head generated by the impeller and the hydrostatic head above the impeller. A number of correlations (for types 11 and 22) are based on this balance (Bernoulli's equation). The rate of gas induction (QG) for the type 11 system can be accurately determined by equating the pressure difference (between the impeller zone and the headspace) generated by the impeller and the pressure drop required for the flow of gas. For type 22 systems, the correlations for QG a.
Linear or Edge Energy and Tension as Related to the Energy of Surface Formation and of Vaporization

The free energy of the edge of a lens of a nonvolatile oil on water is found by a consideration of the magnitude of the molecular energy involved to be very small, and of the order of 3 × 10‐6 erg per cm. Thus the linear tension of the edge should be of the order of 3 × 10‐6 dyne. The smallness of the energy does not indicate a lack of importance of the edge, since the molecular energy is higher than in the surface. Linear energy and the presence of edges are of importance in practically all solids, since these are in general built up of crystal grains, and are of special significance in certain biological systems. Equations which give the relation between the free, latent and ``total'' energy of the edge and the latent heat of vaporization, are presented.
A self-consistent thermodynamic model of metallic systems. Application for the description of gold

A self-consistent thermodynamic model of metallic system is presented. The expression for the Gibbs energy is derived, which incorporates elastic (static) energy, vibrational energy within the Debye model, and electronic part in Hartee-Fock approximation. The elastic energy is introduced by a volume-dependent anharmonic potential. From the Gibbs energy all thermodynamic quantities, as well as the equation of state, are self-consistently obtained. The model is applied for the description of bulk gold in temperature range $0 \leq T \lesssim 1300$K and external pressure up to 30 GPa. The calculated thermodynamic properties are illustrated in figures and show satisfactory agreement with experimental data. The advantages and opportunities for further development of the method are discussed.
Fluorescence XAFS analysis of local structures in iodine-doped Zn1-xCrxTe

Geometric structures for II-VI diluted magnetic semiconductor iodine-doped Zn1-xCrxTe films (x = 0.05) grown by molecular-beam epitaxy with high-temperature ferromagnetism were investigated by using fluorescence x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement in order to elucidate the relationship between the geometric structure and the magnetic properties. The XAFS analysis has revealed that the local structures around Cr atoms are dependent on the growth temperature. For the samples grown at 360 and 390 ? C, the majority of Cr atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated to Te atoms, indicating the formation of substitutional Cr on Zn-site in ZnTe lattice and/or zinc-blende (ZB) CrTe. On the contrary, for the samples grown at 300 and 330 ? C the additional formation of secondary phases such as Cr-Te compounds was suggested. Therefore, it is deduced that the formation of secondary phase such as Cr-Te compounds are related to the increase of Curie temperature. The XAFS analysis has also revealed that the local structures do not depend on the I concentration. For the samples with different I concentrations, the Cr atoms form substitutional Cr on Zn-site in ZnTe lattice and/or ZB CrTe, corresponding to the result of TEM measurement.
Flame propagation: the effect of pressure variation on burning velocities

The burning velocity of mixtures of methane, propane, ethylene and propylene with air are determined under constant-pressure conditions in a tube of rectangular section at pressures from ½ to 9 atm. For methane and also for propane, the effect of mixture strength was also investigated. Schlieren photographs of the passage of the combustion wave were obtained. The conditions leading to vibrations and to turbulence in the flame front, and also to change in the shape of the surface of the advancing flame, were investigated. The burning velocity was obtained from measurements of the speed of uniform movement and the flame area. A special valve maintained communication with an atmosphere of nitrogen during passage of the flame so as to maintain the pressure constant. The results are compared with other measurements. The pressure exponent is about 0·5 for methane and for other gases approximately 0·3, but there is some variation with change of mixture strength; the richer mixtures are less affected by pressure. The results indicate that both heat and diffusion (particularly of hydrogen atoms) play a part in flame propagation.
Airborne Pollen Samples for Early-Season Estimates of Wine Production in a Mediterranean Climate Area of Northern Portugal

A forecast model for estimating the annual variation in regional wine production has been developed over the past decade for the main wine regions of northern Portugal. Annual wine production has been forecasted based on a hierarchical analysis, including a determination of potential production by measuring airborne pollen concentrations at flowering with Cour traps followed by an evaluation of the possible impact of postflowering conditions on limited crop production. For each region, airborne pollen concentrations, in conjunction with wine yield, account for up to 90 to 95% of the interannual variations in wine production. Ninety-seven to 99% of the annual variability in regional wine production can be explained by agropalynoclimatological forecast models that take into account a number of agronomic and weather conditions after flowering. The reliability and early-indication ability of these forecast models justify their use by institutions and economists in decision making, adoption of technical improvements, and fraud detection.
Effect of Different Cluster Sunlight Exposure Levels on Ripening and Anthocyanin Accumulation in Nebbiolo Grapes

The influence of solar radiation and temperature on the accumulation of berry skin anthocyanins was evaluated in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Nebbiolo during ripening. In 2006 and 2007, five fruit-zone light exposure regimes were established using plastic netting or leaf removal. Shading was applied in three periods: from fruit set to veraison, from fruit set to harvest, and from veraison to harvest. Fruit-zone shading had no impact on yield per vine and cluster weight, but early fruit-zone shading caused a slight delay in berry development, although it did not lead to lower berry size at harvest. Fruit-zone shading reduced total soluble solids and anthocyanin accumulation. Generally, fruit shading decreased the 3′-hydroxylated anthocyanin concentration and increased the 3′,5′-hydroxylated anthocyanin concentration. Fruit-zone leaf removal caused a delay of berry development, but did not affect berry size, cluster weight, or yield at harvest. Excessive sunlight exposure caused sunburn damage and did not increase total soluble solids or anthocyanin accumulation.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction of citric acid with the hydroxyapatite (0001) and (011ˉ0) surfaces in an aqueous environment

Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to investigate the adsorption of citric acid molecules to the (0001) and (010) surfaces of hydroxyapatite. An aqueous environment is added through the explicit introduction of water molecules in the simulation cell. The citric acid is found to attach to the surfaces, rather than remain in the bulk water and the calculated average adsorption energies are +291.4 kJ mol−1 and −17.4 kJ mol−1 for the (0001) and (010) surfaces respectively. Citric acid thus adsorbs to the (010) surface and hence would inhibit growth of this surface more effectively than growth of the (0001) plane with which it does not interact strongly in an aqueous environment where the water competes with the citric acid for adsorption. The implication is that the hydroxyapatite crystal would grow more rapidly in the [0001] direction than in the [010] direction in the presence of citric acid, leading to elongation in the c-direction and more pronounced expression of the (010) surface in the hydroxyapatite morphology.
Humic acid protonation, metal ion binding and metal complex dissociation kinetics

of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Ph.D. HUMIC ACID PROTONATION, METAL ION BINDING AND METAL COMPLEX DISSOCIATION KINETICS by AW. Rate Two humic acids have been studied in terms of: (i) their ability to bind H+, Cd2+ and Cu2+, and; (ii) the rates of dissociation of their Cu2+ complexes. For both Summit Hill and Waimari Peat humic acids, the protonation reactions of the carboxylic acid functional groups were sensitive to changes in solution ionic strength, such that COOH groups dissociated more readily at higher ionic strength. This behaviour was shown to be consistent with that expected for flexible, macro-ionic molecules with acidic functional group heterogeneity. For Summit Hill humic acid, both the acid strength, and abundance, of COOH groups increased with decreasing molecular size. The observed complexation of Cd2+ and Cu2+ with sodium or calcium humates of the humic acids was found to be very heterogeneous with respect to binding afftnity. Both metal ions bound significantly to humates in the presence of excess concentrations of Na+ or Ca2+, and displaced H+ from humates at neutral pH, suggesting inner-sphere complexation. The observed enhanced binding of Cd2+ and Cu2+ to humates, as temperature increased, was found to be more consistent with a very slow component in the complex formation reaction than with thermodynamic effects. The kinetics of competing-ligand induced Cu2+-humate dissociation reactions were also found to be very heterogeneous with respect to first-order rate constants. A new model for metal-humate dissociation kinetics, based on a lognormal distribution of first-order dissociation rate constants, was ii developed and shown to give a good description of kinetic data. Dissociation reaction rates were found to increase with increasing Cu2+:humate ratio, salt concentration or temperature; a decrease in reaction rate was found when pH or pre-dissociation Cu2+-humate reaction time was increased. Modelling of humic acid protonation, metal complexation, and Cu2+-humate complex dissociation kinetics data was found to be useful, using suitable models, for predictive or comparative purposes. All equations used for modelling were considered to give strictly empirical descriptions of data.
Soil quality as affected by amendments in bean-potato rotations

Moulin, A. P., Buckley, K. E. and Volkmar, K. 2011. Soil quality as affected by amendments in pinto bean-potato rotations. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 533-542. The potential for adverse effects on soil quality and erosion in pinto bean-potato rotations is significant due to low levels of residue input to the soil following potatoes or beans, and the effect of tillage on soil structure, particularly in sandy-textured soils typical of the potato-growing area of Manitoba. Soil quality is reduced by low inputs of residue and carbon commensurate with an increase in the proportion of small and unstable aggregates susceptible to erosion. Furthermore N and P concentrations at the soil surface may be affected by various management options including fall cover crops, application of straw and the use of composted manure. In a study conducted at Carberry, MB, from 2000 to 2006, KCl-extractible NO3-N and Olsen P were determined in the fall prior to seeding in each year of the study. Water-soluble P, determined in the fall of 2005 for selected treatments, increased with application of compost. Soil organic C, total N and the proportion of erodible (<0.5-mm diameter) aggregates and stability of aggregates were measured in 2006 for treatments with fall-applied compost, cereal straw, and spring-applied anionic polyacrylamide (PAM). The proportion of erodible aggregates and aggregate stability were not consistently affected by treatment. Application of PAM did not affect stability of wet-sieved aggregates (1.3 to 2.0 mm), but decreased the proportion of small aggregates (<0.5 mm) in 2002. Soil C in the 0- to 5-cm depth increment increased with fall application of composted beef cattle manure. However, no effect was observed on the dry-sieved distribution of aggregates <0.5 mm in diameter. Soil quality, as indicated by an increase in soil organic C, can be improved by application of composted beef cattle manure, but levels of water-soluble P will increase, potentially increasing the risk of high concentrations of P in runoff. This research shows that the addition of compost and straw improves soil quality in terms of soil carbon and aggregate stability in bean-potato rotations. However, the proportion of erodible aggregates also increased, though not to levels that contribute significantly to soil erosion. Compost inputs must be monitored to reduce the potential for high concentrations and runoff of water-soluble P at the soil surface.
Gas Emissions from Straw Covered Liquid Dairy Manure during Summer Storage and Autumn Agitation

This study evaluated the effect of straw covers on emissions from liquid manure during storage and agitation. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3) were measured from six tanks (6.6 m2 each) containing batch-loaded liquid dairy manure. This was conducted between June and October 2007 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Straw was added to four of the tanks at two thicknesses (15 and 30 cm), while two tanks remained uncovered. Gas concentrations were measured using tunable diode lasers, an infrared gas analyzer, and acid traps. Fluxes were measured using steady-state chambers. At the end of the study, one tank from each treatment was agitated. During 122 d of undisturbed storage, the covers increased emissions of CO2 and N2O. However, the 15 and 30 cm covers reduced CH4 emissions by 24% and 28% and reduced NH3 emissions by 78% and 90%, respectively. During 5 d of intermittent agitation, substantial releases of CO2, CH4, and NH3 were observed from all treatments. In this period, greenhouse gas emission reductions were relatively unchanged because releases from the control and covered tanks were similar. However, emissions of NH3 during agitation were highest from tanks that had been covered, thereby decreasing the overall emission reduction provided by the 15 and 30 cm covers to 68% and 76%, respectively. Despite elevated emissions during agitation, the results suggest that straw covers provide an overall reduction of CH4 and NH3 emissions compared to the control.
AAS DETECTION OF HEAVY METAL IN SHEEP CHEESE (THE BANAT AREA, ROMANIA)

In this paper we present results of the measurement of some heavy metals in sheep cheese samples from three hill and alpine areas in the Banat area. We analysed, using flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, the following heavy metals: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd. The concentration ranges in the cheese samples were: 7.22-8.85, 1.36-1.83, 17.39-23.17, 0.691-0.886, 0.020-0.102, 0.002-0.010, 0,214-0.225, 0.193-0.314 and 0.001-0.003 mg/kg for iron, manganese, zinc, cooper, cobalt, nickel, chromium, lead and cadmium, respectively. Analysing experimental data shows that the specific soil and climate factors in the area favour cheese assortments with normal heavy metal contents under the form of essential elements and of low concentrations of heavy metals potentially toxic or toxic much below admitted toxicity levels.
Effect of Humic Acid on the Sorption and Kinetic Desorption of Radiocaesium Ions on/from Na-Rectorite Studied by the Batch Technique and a Chelating Resin

The sorption of radiocaesium ions onto Na-rectorite was studied at a pH value of 5.0 ± 0.2 using the batch technique under ambient conditions. The effect of humic acid on the Cs+ ion sorption was also investigated. The results indicated that the presence of humic acid significantly enhanced the sorption of Cs+ ions onto rectorite. The kinetic desorption of Cs+ ions from bare and HA-bound rectorite, respectively, was studied by the addition of a chelating resin. The results obtained indicated that Cs+ ion sorption onto rectorite generated reversible and irreversible sorption sites, with the irreversible sorption sites consisting of at least two kinds, i.e. “weak” and “strong”. With increasing ageing time, surface-sorbed Cs+ ions on solid colloids can move from “weak” sites to “strong” sites, whereas that corresponding to irreversible sorption are incapable of movement irrespective of the length of the aging time. The results obtained are important for the evaluation of the behaviour of radionuclides in the natural environment.