Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐Trace Element Analysis of NIST SRM 616 and 614 using Laser Ablation Microprobe‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LAM‐ICP‐MS): a Comparison with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)

The microanalytical capability of laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LAM-ICP-MS) to determine ultra trace elemental concentrations has been demonstrated by the analysis of two low concentration glass standard reference materials, NIST SRM 614 and 616. Results for fifty two elements at concentrations in the low ng g-1 range are compared with those determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Both techniques provide results at these concentrations that generally agree within 95% confidence limits, demonstrating the accuracy for ultra-trace level of in situ determinations by the two techniques. At concentrations of less than 20 ng g-1 in NIST SRM 616, an accuracy and precision of better than 10% has been obtained for most mono-isotopic rare earth elements, when a spot size of 50 μm is used. Limits of detection for selected elements were as low as 0.5 ng g-1. Les potentialites de l'ablation laser couplee a un ICP-MS (LAM-ICP-MS) dans le domaine de la microanalyse de concentrations en ultra-traces ont ete demontrees par l'analyse de deux verres standards de reference a faibles teneurs, NIST SRM 614 et 616. Les resultats obtenus pour cinquantedeux elements a des concentrations inferieures a quelques ng g-1 sont compares avec ceux determines par spectrometrie de masse aemission d'ions secondaires (SIMS). Les deux techniques donnent des resultats situes dans l'intervalle de confiance de 95%, demontrant l'exactitude des deux methodes pour l'analyse in situ d'ultra-traces. Dans l'echantillon NIST SRM 616, dont les concentrations sont inferieures a 20 ng g-1, une exactitude et une justesse meilleures que 10% ont ete obtenues pour la plupart des terres rares mono-isotopiques en choisissant un cratere d'impact de 50 micrometre. Les limites de detection pour certains elements particuliers etaient inferieures a 0,5 ng g-1
Transport of ultratrace reduced gases and particulate, near-surface oxidation, metal deposition and adsorption

ABSTRACT A model for a reduced chimney above ore deposits is presented that complements the existing electrical charge model. This new model emphasizes the role of reduced gases in the formation of the chimney. A computer model for the transport of reduced gases in the unsaturated zone and subsequent microbial oxidation is applied to a hydrocarbon gas chimney. The role of nitrogen soil gases is demonstrated for active epithermal systems. The formation of gaseous As(CH3)3 and its transport and oxidation in the unsaturated zone is postulated for the formation of near-surface extractable As, and possibly other elements. The transport of Hg and its flux into the atmosphere is demonstrated to have a significant seasonal variation. This in turn results in variation in seasonal soil gas Hg concentrations. The unsaturated zone model is applied to the vertical transport of ultrafine particulates with application to Au. Barometric pumping causes pressure gradients in the unsaturated zone that are capable of moving sub-micron Au particulate to the surface. A variety of exploration methods are suggested by the data and modelling of transport processes.
Modelling of a N2–O2 flowing afterglow for plasma sterilization

A kinetic model for a flowing microwave discharge in N2–O2 at ω/(2π) = 2450 and 915 MHz, in the pressure range p = 1–10 Torr, is constructed with the purpose of studying the conditions that maximize the concentrations of NO(B 2Σ) molecules and O(3P) atoms, which are known to play a central role in the sterilization processes. The former are responsible for the emission of UV photons associated with the NOβ bands. The NO(B) concentration is found to pass through a maximum, at approximately 1–3% of O2 added to the mixture, which is in good agreement with the measured maximum of UV emission intensity, and with the shortest time required for the inactivation of spores. For such an O2 percentage, the NO(B) also remains in the afterglow, with only a small reduction, up to a few ∼100 ms. Furthermore, the NO(B) concentration peaks with increasing pressure, with the corresponding maximum shifted to lower O2 percentages, in agreement with the observations of UV intensity. The concentration of O(3P) atoms is practically unchanged along the afterglow, at least up to times as high as 100 ms.
Estoques de carbono e nitrogênio no solo cultivado com mamona na Caatinga

Grande parte da producao brasileira de mamona encontra-se no Nordeste, como opcao de cultura para a regiao semiarida no bioma Caatinga. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as alteracoes nos estoques de C e N devido a mudanca de uso do solo de vegetacao natural para o cultivo de mamona no bioma Caatinga. Este trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Floresta, no municipio de Irece, no centro-norte baiano. O clima da regiao e do tipo BSwh (Koppen) - clima semiarido de altitude. O solo foi classificado em Latossolo Vermelho de textura argilosa. As situacoes avaliadas foram: tres areas cultivadas com mamona com diferentes tempos de implantacao: (i) com 10 anos, (ii) com 20 anos e (iii) com 50 anos; e uma area de referencia (vegetacao nativa de Caatinga) contigua as situacoes avaliadas. Os estoques de C e N foram determinados em amostras de solo coletadas em cinco minitrincheiras, nas camadas de 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 e 20-30 cm. Os resultados mostraram que o constante aporte de residuos vegetais na Caatinga promoveu a manutencao dos estoques de C (90 Mg ha-1) e N (10 Mg ha-1) para a camada de 0-30 cm. A mudanca de uso da terra para o cultivo da mamona ocasiona reducao em aproximadamente 50 % nos estoques de C e N do solo em relacao a vegetacao nativa nos primeiros 10 anos de implantacao da cultura. A meia-vida da materia orgânica do solo (MOS) calculada para essa situacao na regiao do semiarido foi de 4,7 anos. O fator de emissao de C do solo, devido a mudanca de uso da terra apos 20 anos, conforme proposto pelo metodo do IPCC (2006), foi de 2,47 Mg C ano-1. Por meio do conjunto dos resultados, observa-se a fragilidade do solo do bioma Caatinga no que se refere a perda de MOS devido a mudanca de uso da terra.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis of Sensitization‐Based Solar Cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a very powerful tool for elucidation of charge transfer and transport processes in sensitization-based solar cells (e.g., dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs], quantum dot-sensitized solar cells [QDSSCs], and perovskite solar cells [PSCs]). EIS measures the electrochemical response to small amplitude AC signals over a wide range of frequencies. Analysis of the EIS response provides information about the corresponding parameters of the cells. Here, we review the fundamentals of EIS, charge transport kinetic processes, and equivalent circuit models of sensitization-based solar cells and use these concepts to explain the EIS spectra of DSSCs, QDSSCs, and PSCs. This review will be very useful for understanding the fundamental charge transfer and transport processes in different sensitization-based solar cells and the use of an equivalent circuit model to interpret the observed charge transfer and reactions.
Formation of Quasi Two-dimensional Bilayer Ice in Hydrophobic Slits: A Possible Candidate for Ice XIII?

We performed molecular dynamics simulations of water confined to hydrophobic slit nanopores. Two five-site potential models of water were employed: the ST2 model and the TIP5P model. The simulations confirm our previous simulation results on basis of the four-site TIP4P model of water, that is, upon cooling the confined liquid water may undergo a first-order phase transition to either a bilayer crystalline ice phase or to a bilayer amorphous ice. The selection of the bilayer crystalline phase occurs at the constant normal pressure condition whereas the selection of the bilayer amorphous ice phase is likely to occur at the fixed pore-width condition. This computer-simulation generated ice form, if confirmed by crystallographic or spectroscopic experiments, may be a candidate for “ice XIII”, provided that purely quasi two-dimensional ice forms (metastable in vacuum) can be viewed as a stand-alone solid phase of ice.
Ice hydrometeor profile retrieval algorithm for high frequency microwave radiometers: application to the CoSSIR instrument during TC4

Abstract. A Bayesian algorithm to retrieve profiles of cloud ice water content (IWC), ice particle size (Dme), and relative humidity from millimeter-wave/submillimeter-wave radiometers is presented. The first part of the algorithm prepares an a priori file with cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) and empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of profiles of temperature, relative humidity, three ice particle parameters (IWC, Dme, distribution width), and two liquid cloud parameters. The a priori CDFs and EOFs are derived from CloudSat radar reflectivity profiles and associated ECMWF temperature and relative humidity profiles combined with three cloud microphysical probability distributions obtained from in situ cloud probes. The second part of the algorithm uses the CDF/EOF file to perform a Bayesian retrieval with a hybrid technique that uses Monte Carlo integration (MCI) or, when too few MCI cases match the observations, uses optimization to maximize the posterior probability function. The very computationally intensive Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method also may be chosen as a solution method. The radiative transfer model assumes mixtures of several shapes of randomly oriented ice particles, and here random aggregates of spheres, dendrites, and hexagonal plates are used for tropical convection. A new physical model of stochastic dendritic snowflake aggregation is developed. The retrieval algorithm is applied to data from the Compact Scanning Submillimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (CoSSIR) flown on the ER-2 aircraft during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) experiment in 2007. Example retrievals with error bars are shown for nadir profiles of IWC, Dme, and relative humidity, and nadir and conical scan swath retrievals of ice water path and average Dme. The ice cloud retrievals are evaluated by retrieving integrated 94 GHz backscattering from CoSSIR for comparison with the Cloud Radar System (CRS) flown on the same aircraft. The rms difference in integrated backscattering is around 3 dB over a 30 dB range. A comparison of CoSSIR retrieved and CRS measured reflectivity shows that CoSSIR has the ability to retrieve low-resolution ice cloud profiles in the upper troposphere.
Distribution and Translocation of Nitrogen Absorbed During Late Spring by Two-Year-Old Grapevines Grown in Sand Culture

The grapevine shows a critical demand for nitrogen (N) during early summer (end of rapid shoot growth up to veraison). The distribution and translocation of N applied during this period were quantified for Chenin blanc grapevines grown in sand culture. Vines, in their second growing season, were labeled with 15N over a 25-day period starting at the end of rapid shoot growth (berry size: 8 mm in diameter). After labeling, the vines received standard Hoagland solution for the rest of the investigation period. Entire vines were subsequently sampled seven times over a period of 10 months: i.e., four times during the latter part of the second, and three times during the first part of the third growing season. At the first sampling date (veraison), 52% of the labeled N was found in the vegetative growth, 28% in the bunches, and 20% in the permanent structure. Between veraison and harvest, 34%, 23%, and 35% of the amounts of labeled N in the shoots, leaves, and permanent structure, respectively, were lost, presumably being translocated to the bunches. It is suggested that these figures can be regarded as realistic estimates of N turnover during the relevant period. At harvest, bunches contained 46%, vegetative growth 41%, and the permanent structure 13% of the labeled N. This distribution appears to be fixed for all N absorbed from the end of bloom up to veraison by vines with a realistic ratio for yield to vegetative growth.
INFRA-RED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE DEHYDRATION OF MONTMORILLONITE AND SAPONITE

A B S T R A C T: The more firmly held water which is directly co-ordinated to the exchangeable cations in smectites is clearly distinguished by infra-red spectroscopy from the more labile water in outer spheres of co-ordination. Li+, Ca2+ and MgZ+ retain both types of water to higher temperatures than do K+, Na+ and NH~+, and the former group give stable monohydrates in saponite which are probably not completely decomposed till 400-600~ K-, Li- and Na-saponite rehydrate completely after heating, but NH4- , Mg- and Ca-saponite are irreversibly dehydrated at 600-700~ by which temperature NH4+ is also decomposed. NH4-, Li- and Mg-montmorillonite fail to rehydrate after heating to 350~ and changes in their spectra indicate interaction between the exchangeable cations and the lattice. Decomposition of NHa+ gives H-montmorillonite, but the products from Li- and Mgmontmorillonite are also acidic, and give spectra similar to that of Hmontmorillonite. Na- and Ca-montmorillonite do not rehydrate after heating to 500-550~ and K-montmorillonite rehydrates only partially in the range 350-550~ Dehydration of saponite and montmorillonite at low temperatures causes changes in lattice vibrations which are reversed on rehydration. The spectra of the products of dehydroxylation of montmorillonite and saponite are slightly affected by the exchangeable cation originally present.
Polymorphism of a high-molecular-weight racemic poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blend: effect of melt blending with poly(methyl methacrylate)

The effect of melt blending with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a miscible polymer with polylactide (PLA), on the crystallization and melting behaviors and crystalline structure of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) (PLLA/PDLA) blend was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Due to the decreased segmental mobility of PLA chains and the dilution effect of the introduced PMMA, the crystallization of PLA is hindered. The polymorphic crystallization of the PLLA/PDLA blend can be tailored by the amount of PMMA and dynamic and isothermal crystallization conditions. The formation of stereocomplex (sc) crystallites is favored for the blends containing PMMA lower than 50 wt% during cold crystallization. During isothermal melt crystallization, the formation of sc crystallites is always accompanied by the generation of homochiral (hc) crystallites at a crystallization temperature (Tc) ranging from 110 to 160 °C for neat PLLA/PDLA blend, while the crystallization window for exclusive sc crystallites is widened to 160 °C, 140–160 °C, and 110–150 °C for PLLA/PDLA blends containing 10, 25, and 50 wt% PMMA, respectively. Especially, the formation of sc crystallites can be enhanced over the entire Tc range of 110–160 °C when the PMMA content is lower than 25 wt%. The enhanced sc crystallite formation can be ascribed to the reduced crystallization competition resulting from highly restricted hc crystallization. With the PMMA content increasing to 75 wt%, the inhibition effect on the crystallization of PLA suppresses either hc or sc crystallization.
Partial protection of N-acetylcysteine against MPA-capped CdTe quantum dot-induced neurotoxicity in rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons

As one of the most frequently used quantum dots (QDs), the toxicity of cadmium telluride (CdTe) QDs related to several body systems has been investigated, but the studies on the nervous system are rather limited. It is extremely important to assess QDs’ cytotoxicity to neurons by a thorough systematic and quantitative analysis before they are applied in scientific or clinical settings. This study observed that CdTe QDs caused cell death and apoptosis in rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons in a dose-, time- and size-dependent manner. QD-exposed neurons showed an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular calcium levels that leads to neuron apoptosis and even death, which may be completely or partially protected by a common antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), respectively. For future research, it is necessary to study the underlying mechanisms by investigating the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways by which CdTe QDs induce neurotoxic effects.
Myiasis in dogs and cats treated in two veterinary clinics in peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Myiasis, a maggot infestation of wounds in animals, is classified into three groups; obligatory, facultative and accidental. For the first time in Sri Lanka, the relationship between occurrence of myiasis in dogs and cats with the temperature, rainfall and humidity pattern was examined. The samples were collected from GVH and VTH. In the retrospective study, 299 myiasis cases were reported of which 295 were of dogs and four were from cats. In July 2014, the number of cases was highest since the temperature and humidity were optimum for maggot growth. No clear relationship was seen between myiasis case reports and rainfall. According to the prospective study, all infestations were due to Chrysomya bezziana. A majority of reported hosts were males of cross-breeds and were between 0-4 years. It is important that the veterinarians educate pet owners with regard to early recognition of wounds and prompt referral to avoid myiasis.
Physical properties of pure 1 -ethyl -3 -methylimidazolium ethylsulfate and its binary mixtures with ethanol and water at several temperatures

This paper reports on the synthesis and the physical properties of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate (EMISE). Experimental densities, speeds of sound and refractive indices were determined from (288.15 to 343.15) K. Dynamic viscosities were measured from (298.15 to 343.15) K and surface tension were measured from (288.15 to 313.15) K for pure ionic liquid. Densities, dynamic viscosities, speeds of sound, and isentropic compressibilities have been determined over the whole composition range for ethanol (1) + EMISE (2) and water (1) + EMISE (2) binary systems at T = (298.15, 313.15, and 328.15) K and atmospheric pressure. Excess molar volumes, viscosity deviations, and deviations in isentropic compressibility for the binary systems were fitted to a Redlich−Kister equation to determine the fitting parameters and the root mean square deviations. Refractive indices were measured at 298.15 K over the whole composition range for the ethanol (1) + EMISE (2) and water (1) + EMISE (2) binary.
Three-dimensional transition map of flattening behavior in the thermal spray process

Abstract Many kinds of both metallic and ceramic powder particles were plasma-sprayed onto the mirror-polished metallic substrate surface, and the effect of both substrate temperature and ambient pressure on the flattening behavior of the particle was systematically investigated. In the flattening behavior of the sprayed particle onto the substrate surface, critical conditions were recognized both in the substrate temperature and ambient pressure. That is, the flattening behavior changed transitionally on that critical temperature and pressure range, respectively. We defined and introduced a transition temperature, Tt, and transition pressure, Pt, respectively, for those critical conditions. The role of the related factors (such as solidification of the bottom surface of the splat, desorption of adsorbates on the substrate surface and wetting at interface) on the transition behavior in the flattening was clarified from several points of views. The fact that the dependence both of transition temperature and transition pressure on the sprayed particle material had a similar tendency indicated that the wetting of the substrate by the molten particles seemed to be a domination in the flattening. A three-dimensional transition map by combining both transition temperature and transition pressure dependence was proposed as a controlling principle of the thermal spray process.
Laboratory measurements of mass transfer of carbon dioxide and water vapour for smooth and rough flow conditions

Mass transfer rates of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water (H 2 O) have been measured in a 32-m wind-wave tunnel, with a beach in the middle providing 2 sections of 16 m fetch. The wind speed (referred to 10 m) range explored was 1 to 24 m/s, covering a full range of aerodynamic conditions from smooth to fully rough. A pronounced minimum in the Dalton number for both CO 2 and H 2 O is revealed. The minimum Dalton number, at wind speeds between 2 and 3 m/s, indicates a characteristic common point in the transfer mechanism for both gas and aqueous phase controlled constituents. This point corresponds to the occurrence of the first wind generated wavelets. At higher winds, the transfer rates of CO 2 increase more rapidly than those of H 2 O, reflecting the increased importance of wave-generated turbulence for the ventilation of water phase limited compounds at the air-water interface. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1994. 00002.x
Effect of natural convection on conjugate heat transfer characteristics in liquid minichannel during phase change material melting

This article presents numerical and experimental simulation of three-dimensional conjugate heat transfer problem in mini-scaled thermal storage system. The conjugate problem includes melting process of phase change material in the presence of natural convection during laminar flow of heat transfer fluid through circular minichannel. The paraffin wax is used as a phase change material while the water is used as a heat transfer fluid. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the phase change material natural convection during the melting process on the heat transfer fluid thermal characteristics as well as the impact of the natural convection on the melting performance itself. The thermal characteristics are represented by local Nusselt number (Nu) and local surface temperature. The melting performance is evaluated by fusion time and liquid fraction profile. Two inlet temperatures and velocities of the heat transfer fluid are adopted to highlight the effect of the natural convection. Combination of the inlet temperatures and velocities of the heat transfer fluid forms four cases: case_1 (at T f , in = 353 °K, V f , in = 1 m/s), case_2 (at T f , in = 453 °K, V f , in = 1 m/s), case_3 (at T f , in = 353 °K, V f , in = 0.1 m/s), and case_4 (at T f , in = 453 °K, V f , in = 0.1 m/s). Experimental test rig was constructed to verify the computational results and good agreement between both results was achieved. The study shows that the heat transfer fluid encounters an erratic thermal behavior during the phase change material melting process. For example, the local surface temperature experiences dramatic increase and decrease at certain sections of the channel length. The magnitude of this temperature inconsistency interrelates closely to the strength of natural convection impact, and this can expose the minichannel (which has short length) to severe wall thermal stress. The local Nu experiences improvement in some section of the channel and at the same time it suffers from drastic deterioration in its value particularly at the channel end at which the convection current accommodates. The case with the lowest inlet velocity and the highest inlet temperature has the smallest fusion time at expense of the largest heat transfer fluid bulk temperature gradient before reaching the fusion time. The study is considered as a benchmark and helpful guidelines in the design of small-scaled thermal storage systems of phase change material.