Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Mercury Oxidation and Adsorption by Cupric Chloride-Impregnated Carbon Sorbents

Cupric chloride-impregnated activated carbon sorbents (CuCl2-ACs) showed good performance in Hg0 oxidation and adsorption in previously published entrained-flow test results. In addition, our previous studies indicated that Hg0 is oxidized by CuCl2-ACs and the resultant oxidized mercury is readsorbed onto the sorbents. This study conducted mathematical modeling to interpret these previous results and better understand the Hg0 oxidation and adsorption mechanism of CuCl2-ACs. As a result, the mathematical modeling results confirmed that Hg0 oxidation by CuCl2-ACs is determined by the injection level of CuCl2 impregnated onto the sorbents. An increase in CuCl2 loading in CuCl2-ACs was found to increase Hg0 oxidation but very slightly increased Hg adsorption because an increase in CuCl2 loading decreased the active CuCl2-free carbon sites available for the readsorption of resultant oxidized mercury on the surfaces and inside the pores.
Operability Analysis of MTBE Reactive Distillation Column using a Process Simulator

It has been understood for decades that process operability does not depend entirely upon the control system but also on the inherent properties of the process itself. For example, the decision on the size of equipment or the use of a highly integrated process may have a significant impact on the overall operability. Ignoring operability during process design may lead to a very difficult to control process. In this paper, a dynamic operability analysis of a Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) reactive distillation column is presented. The effects of two design parameters, i.e. the reboiler duty and the reflux ratio, on the operability of the reactive distillation system are studied. Process operability is defined as the ability of the process to return to the steady-state in spite of unknown but bounded disturbances. The nonlinearity of the process is represented using a Hammerstein model, which can be easily obtained during process design from the steady-state model combined with some limited information on the process dynamics. The recent operability analysis method proposed by Rojas et al. (2007) is extended such that it can be implemented conveniently as one extra step after the flowsheet simulation using a process simulator. Based on this approach, an optimal controller for this highly nonlinear process is determined by solving a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem.
Kinetics study of fibrinogen adsorbed on titanium powder

A kinetics study of fibrinogen adsorbed on titanium has been investigated by means of spectrophotometer of the type developed for micro-enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay determination. Implants invoke inflammatory responses from the body and an attempt to alleviate the problem caused by the adsorption of protein on artificial implants mostly used in the medical, informed this study. The experimental isotherm data were analysed using the Langmuir equation and the amount of fibrinogen adsorbed increase in contact time and reached close to saturation after 120 min for the initial protein concentration 0.1, 0.2 0.4 and 0.6 mg/ml used in this study. The adsorption process was found to be of first order with respect to the bulk concentration, and in the transient region, the adsorption process is independent of the concentration of protein in the bulk and the actual rate constants for each fibrinogen concentration investigated are, 0.01706, 0.01856, 0.01840 and 0.01841 cm/s. Key words: Titanium, fibrinogen, implants, kinetics rate, adsorption.
Structure-sensitive elastography: on the viscoelastic powerlaw behavior of in vivo human tissue in health and disease

Elastography combines medical imaging with soft tissue mechanics and is used for the diagnosis of diseases associated with an altered stiffness of affected tissue. Beyond stiffness, dynamic elastography can measure viscoelastic constants sensitive to the network structure of polymers or biological materials. In this article current applications of in vivo multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography to healthy or diseased tissue are revisited in order to develop a unified framework for the interpretation of disease-related structural changes using viscoelastic powerlaw constants. The generalized view on different organs and processes such as liver fibrosis, neuronal tissue degradation, and muscle contraction reveals systematic signatures of the underlying microstructural changes to viscoelastic powerlaw constants. It is shown that in vivo powerlaw constants measured by elastography scale the mechanical properties of cellular networks into the macroscopic images obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. This sensitivity to scales far below image resolution makes dynamic elastography an ideal diagnostic tool for the assessment of subtle alterations in living tissue occult to other medical imaging methods.
XHR SEM: enabling extreme high resolution scanning electron microscopy

The low voltage scanning electron microscope (SEM) is widely used in many industrial and research applications due to its ability to image surface details and to minimize charging and beam damage effects on sensitive samples. However, fundamental limitations in beam performance have existed, most notably in the chromatic aberration effects, which become larger as the beam voltage is reduced. The introduction of the extreme high resolution (XHR) SEM has demonstrated that sub-nanometer resolution can be achieved at low beam voltages, revealing fine surface detail. This system uses a source monochromator to reduce the effects of chromatic aberrations, resulting in a more tightly focused electron beam. Beam deceleration is available to provide a further improvement in imaging at low voltages and to give additional flexibility in optimizing the image contrast. While the monochromator is a necessary enabler of the improved imaging performance, further system elements, such as scanning, detectors, stage and environmental controls - that go into completing the SEM - are also key to the usability and throughput when it comes to practical day-to-day performance.
Synthesis and structure of the new oxide fluoride Sr2TiO3F2 from the low temperature fluorination of Sr2TiO4: an example of a staged fluorine substitution/insertion reaction

In this paper we report the synthesis of the new oxide fluoride, Sr2TiO3F2, from the low temperature reaction of Sr2TiO4 with fluorinating agents (NH4F, transition metal difluorides). The reaction involves involves substitution/insertion with 2 F replacing 1 O, with the extra anions entering interstitial sites within the structure. The fluorination results in a significant reduction in the unit cell along a, b (≈2%) along with a large expansion along c (≈23%): Sr2TiO3F2, a = b = 3.8017(1), c = 15.536(1) A. Structural refinement using powder neutron diffraction data indicates that the reaction is a staged process leading to alternate layers of full and empty interstitial sites (space group P4/nmm). The occupancy of the interstitial sites also results in a substantial distortion in the Ti coordination away from the octahedral coordination of the Sr2TiO4 starting material, with one very long bond such that the coordination approximates to square pyramidal.
Effect of winter-flooding on methanogenic archaeal community structure in paddy field under organic farming

Paddy field is a major emission source of methane. Methane is the terminal product of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and generated by methanogenic archaea under flooded conditions in paddy fields. This study aimed to reveal the effect of winter flooding on methanogenic archaeal community structure in paddy fields of Andosols under organic farming. Soil samples were collected from experimental paddy fields in the Field Science Center, Tohoku University, for two years. They were under flooding conditions during winter with organic farming, under non-flooding conditions during winter with organic farming and under non-flooding conditions during winter with conventional farming (non-organic farming). Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis of methanogenic archaeal 16S rRNA gene revealed that the DGGE patterns were nearly the same irrespective of the treatment and sampling times. Twenty-three bands were observed from each treatment and 4, 13 and 6 sequences were closely related to Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinales and Methanocellales, respectively. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the abundance of methanogenic archaeal 16S rRNA gene and mcrA gene, encoding α subunit of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, was not significantly different among the paddy fields. This study first revealed a methanogenic archaeal community in an Andosol paddy field and showed that the community was not affected by winter flooding under organic farming.
C8- and C9-Alkylphenols and Ethoxylates: I. Identity, Physical Characterization, and Biodegradation Pathways Analysis

ABSTRACT C8- and C9-alkylphenols (AP) and their ethoxylates (APE) are widely used commercial products mainly used in industrial applications, in the formulation of crop protection chemicals, and in industrial and household cleaners. These compounds have been the subject of considerable regulatory scrutiny regarding their potential to pose environmental risks. Recent regulatory focus on these compounds has included an assessment of their potential to meet criteria for persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds (PBTs). To facilitate the evaluation of the environmental behavior of APE and an assessment of their PBT characteristics, a review of the physical-chemical properties and environmental degradation pathways was performed. The most widely used commercial APE are highly water soluble and non-volatile. Nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP) are relatively low solubility compounds that are more hydrophilic and volatile than the ethoxylates. Properties of ethoxylate degradation intermediates such as APE1,2 are between values for the commercial APE and the AP building blocks in terms of solubility and partitioning characteristics and are non-volatile at ambient temperatures. The ether carboxylate intermediates are ionic in neutral water solution; hence, they are non-volatile and less prone to partitioning to organic matter. Under aerobic conditions, commercial APE undergo rapid degradation to short chain ethoxylates and ether carboxylates, which in turn degrade ultimately to carbon dioxide and water. Under anaerobic conditions, APE degrade more slowly, and may result in some accumulation of AP. Degradation half-lives and the potential for these compounds to bioaccumulate will be examined in a companion article.
Mapping Electric Field‐Induced Switchable Poling and Structural Degradation in Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskite Thin Films

For lead halide perovskite solar cells to be considered for large‐scale commercial applications, the active material must be proven to be fundamentally stable under relevant operating conditions, such as exposure to light, heat, ambient environment, and electrical bias. Reversible and irreversible effects upon applying an electric field under different environmental conditions are identified. The application of an electric field in inert conditions leads only to a reversible poling on a time scale of minutes, whose distribution is mapped throughout the semiconductor film. It is also found that the presence of moisture, and in general of small polar and hydrogen‐bonding molecules, results in an irreversible degradation in the presence of the electric field, which happens in a time scale of hours under conditions relevant for photovoltaic operation. The measurements here suggest that the irreversible field‐induced degradation in air occurs via a hydrated phase, in which the organic cation is loosely bound and can drift in response to an electric field, finally degrading the material to PbI2. This has direct relevance to perovskite solar cells; hysteretic behavior in current–voltage curves is aggravated by the presence of moisture while devices aged under load accelerates degradation.
Phosphorus Status of a Soil Catena under Liberian Evergreen Rain Forest: Results of 31P NMR Spectroscopy and Phosphorus Adsorption Experiments

Phosphorus NMR spectra were recorded of the A horizons of a soil catena under vital stands of Liberian tropical high forest. Organic P compounds play a major part in the total P reserves (ca. 1/2 of total extractable P which is 1/5 of total soil P). Thereof, between 3.3 and 5.3 kg orthophosphate diester P per hectare participate in the plant available nutrient pool; similar amounts were calculated for the calcium acetate-lactate soluble fraction. Persistent orthophosphate monoester P makes up an even greater percentage of soil P (10 to 25 kg ha−1). Mineral fertilizer requirements are in the range of 25 to 50 kg per hectare for 10 cm depth (based on a 48 hrs. adsorption experiment) when a soil solution concentration of 0.02 mg L−1 is considered adequate for the P supply of plants. P sorption can be explained by the amorphous fractions of Al and Fe hydroxides and the percentage of clay. The apparent vitality and absence of P deficiency symptoms of forest trees suggest the existence of an intact, however delicate, natural P cycle. Kennzeichnung des Phosphor-Status einer Bodencatena unter immergrunem Regenwald in Liberia mit 31P-NMR-Spektroskopie und P-Adsorptionsisothermen Die 31P-NMR-spektroskopische Untersuchung von Oberbodenhorizonten unter tropischem Regenwald zeigt, das organische Phosphorverbindungen einen bedeutenden Pool fur die Phosphornachlieferung zur Pflanze darstellen konnen. Es wurden Vorrate labiler Orthophosphat-Diester in Hohe von 3, 3 bis 5, 3 kg ha−1 gefunden, was der Menge des CAL-extrahierbaren Phosphors entspricht. Die abbauresistenteren Monoester haben mit 10 bis 25 kg ha−1 einen deutlich groseren Anteil am Gesamt-P. Der in Adsorptionsexperimenten ermittelte Dungerbedarf liegt bei 25–50 kg P pro Hektar und 10 cm Bodentiefe. Hierbei ist nach 48 Stunden eine Losungskonzentration von 0, 02 mg P L−1 sichergestellt, die fur die P-Ernahrung von Pflanzen ausreicht. Amorphe Aluminium- und Eisenhydroxide und der Tongehalt liefern eine hochsignifikante Erklarung des beobachteten Sorptionsverhaltens. Die gute Wuchsigkeit und das Fehlen von Mangelsymptomen lassen darauf schliesen, das ein intakter P-Kreislauf mit entscheidender organischer Komponente vorliegt, der jedoch bei Eingriffen leicht gestort werden kann.
Soft X-ray Induced Decomposition of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine: A Comparative Study

The pristine state and soft X-ray induced decomposition of two aromatic amino acids, viz. phenylalanine and tyrosine, have been studied by means of XPS and NEXAFS. The spectroscopic data on the radiation decomposition have been supplemented by a mass-spectral analysis of desorbed species in the residual gas. Despite very similar chemical structures, the two amino acids show a drastically different behavior towards ionizing radiation: phenylalanine degrades very quickly whereas tyrosine shows a prominent stability against radiation damage. Reasons for this difference are discussed in relation to radical-mediated reactions responsible for the decomposition.
Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of cadmium adsorption from aqueous solution onto rice husk

The adsorption behavior of rice husk for cadmium ions from aqueous solutions has been investigated as a function of appropriate equilibrium time, adsorbent dose, temperature, adsorbate concentrations and pH in a batch system. Studies showed that the pH of aqueous solutions affected cadmium removal with the result that removal efficiency increased with increasing solution pH. The maximum adsorption was 98.65% at solution pH 6, contact time 60 min and initial concentration of 25 mg/L. The experimental data were analysed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of adsorption. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm and related correlation coefficients have been determined. Thermodynamic parameters such as, and have also been evaluated and it has been found that the sorption process was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The kinetics of the sorption were analysed using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium sorption capacities and related correlation coefficients for each kinetic model were calculated and discussed. It was shown that the adsorption of cadmium could be described by the pseudo-second order equation, suggesting that the adsorption process is presumably a chemisorption. The rice husk investigated in this study showed good potential for the removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions. The goal for this work is to develop inexpensive, highly available, effective metal ion adsorbents from natural waste as alternative to existing commercial adsorbents.
A kinetic study of the thermal degradation of chitosan-metal complexes

The thermal degradation of metal complexes formed by chitosan with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and Hg(II), at different metal concentrations, was studied by thermogravi- metric analysis in a nitrogen atmosphere over the tempera- ture range 25-800 � C. The results indicate that thermal degradation of chitosan and chitosan-metal ion complexes could be of one or two-stage reaction. In the thermal degra- dation of chitosan with metal complexes, the temperature of initial weight loss and the temperature of maximum weight loss rate decrease. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the interaction of chitosan with metal ions. The bands of ANAH, AC¼ ¼O, ACAOACA groups of chitosan are shifted or change their intensity in the presence of metal. These changes in the characteristic bands are taken as evidence of the influence of metal ions on the thermal stability of chitosan. Broido's method was employed to evaluate the activation energies as a function of the degree of degradation. The presence of metal ions provoked a decrease in the thermal stability of chitosan, which became more marked when the concentration of metal was increased. The dynamic study showed that the apparent activation energy values of the main stage of the thermal degradation of chitosan-metal complexes decrease as the strength of the polymer-metal interaction increases. V C 2009
Sustainability Practices in Food Supply Chains: How is Wine Different?

Environmental stewardship has received much attention in the wine industry, but firms must also address social sustainability to be considered a ‘sustainable’ company. In this research, we compare qualitative and quantitative evidence of sustainability practice adoption of wine and other food producers. To this end, we first performed interviews with 14 winery and 18 food processing operations managers or owners in the northwestern United States. We then used the interviews to develop a questionnaire and surveyed all wine and food producers in the same region, receiving responses from 56 wineries and 61 food processors. The results indicate differences in sustainability practices and performance impacts across the two sectors. Specifically, we find that winery managers place more emphasis on certain environmental practices, which in turn improve product quality. Additionally, wineries with higher adoption rates of social sustainability practices find that these efforts pay off in better wine quality and better overall market perceptions.
Thermohydraulic Performance of Heat Exchanger Tube Equipped with Single-, Double-, and Triple-Helical Twisted Tapes

Heat transfer augmentation by dual-helical twisted tapes (D-HTTs) and triple-helical twisted tapes (T-HTTs) is presented in comparison with that by single-helical twisted tape (S-HTT). The effects of tape width ratio (w/D = 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) on heat transfer, friction factor, and thermal performance are also reported. The experiments were performed using air as a working fluid for Reynolds number between 6000 and 20,000. At similar conditions, the use of D-HTTs and T-HTTs leads to the increase of Nusselt number by respectively 15.6% to 17.6% and 19.5% to 23.4%, the increase of friction factor by respectively 83% to 206% and 143% to 335%, and the decrease of thermal performance factor by 3.9% to 20.3% and 8.3% to 26.2% compared to those obtained from the use of S-HTT/promoter. As the width ratio increases, both Nusselt number and friction factor are considerably increased. However, due to the poorer trade-off between the increases of Nusselt number and friction factor, lower thermal performance factor is consistently obtained at the conditions possessing higher Nusselt number. At similar conditions, S-HTTs consistently give a higher thermal performance factor than D-HTTs and T-HTTs; the maximum thermal performance factors given by S-HTTs with w/D of 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 are 1.34, 1.31, and 1.29, respectively (at Reynolds number of 6000).
Transition Length Prediction for Flows With Rapidly Changing Pressure Gradients

A new method for calculating intermittency in transitional boundary layers with changing pressure gradients is proposed and tested against standard turbomachinery flow cases. It is based on recent experimental studies which show the local pressure gradient parameter to have a significant effect on turbulent spot spreading angles and propagation velocities (and hence transition length). This can be very important for some turbomachinery flows. On a turbine blade suction surface for example, it is possible for transition to start in a region of favorable pressure gradient and finish in a region of adverse pressure gradient. Calculation methods which estimate the transition length from the local pressure gradient parameter at the start of transition will seriously overestimate the transition length under these conditions. Conventional methods based on correlations of zero pressure gradient transition data are similarly inaccurate. The new calculation method continuously adjusts the spot growth parameters in response to changes in the local pressure gradient through transition using correlations based on data given in the companion paper by Gostelow, Melwani and Walker (1995). Recent experimental correlations of Gostelow, Blunden and Walker (1994) are used to estimate the turbulent spot generation rate at the start of transition. The method has been incorporated in a linear combination integral computation and tested with good results on cases which report both the intermittency and surface pressure distribution data. It has resulted in a much reduced sensitivity to errors in predicting the start of the transition zone, and can be recommended for engineering use in calculating boundary layer development on axial turbomachine blades.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
Evidence for a very slow disaggregation of lignosulfonates

Abstract There is still a challenging question about how lignosulfonates (LS), such as non-sulfonated lignins, aggregate and disaggregate in solution. In the literature, the reported critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of LS varies by orders of magnitude. In the present work, the aggregation of a purified sodium LS (NaLS) from a softwood has been studied by size exclusion chromatography and capillary viscometry. It was found that intermolecular aggregates form at relatively high concentrations. Disaggregation is an extremely slow process for spray dried samples and proceeds for several weeks. The process can be speeded up by increasing the pH and/or temperature. The very slow disaggregation may explain the strongly varying (and sometimes very low) CAC values reported in the literature. An interaction energy of about 8 kJ mol-1 monomer was calculated.