Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New agroclimatic approach for soybean sowing dates recommendation: A case study

The objective of this study was to introduce a new approach to recommend sowing dates for soybean crop in Brazil, considering the climatic conditions and crop yield. The first step was to define the periods when air temperature is smaller than 40 °C and greater than 1 °C in at least 80% of the years, and with at least 60% of relative crop evapotranspiration during the establishment phase in more than 50% of the years. The actual yield of crop was estimated by FAO Agroecological zone model for the suitable sowing dates. Based on that, when actual yield overcome the production cost in more than 80% of years and mean air temperature along the cycle is between 20 and 30 °C, the sowing date is classified as suitable, but if actual yield overcome the production cost only between 60 and 80% of the years or mean air temperature is not between 20 and 30 °C, the date is classified as marginal. Sowing dates are considered as unsuitable if actual crop yield overcome the production cost in less than 60% of the years. The new approach was applied, as case studies, for Cruz Alta, RS, Jatai, GO, and Balsas, MA, in order to compare it with the agroclimatic zoning approach presently used in Brazil. The new procedures can generate more accurate information to support sowing dates recommendation for soybean, minimizing yield losses from climatic risk.
3‐D optical modeling of thin‐film silicon solar cells on diffraction gratings

An effective rigorous 3‐D optical modeling of thin‐film silicon solar cells based on finite element method (FEM) is presented. The simulation of a flat single junction thin‐film silicon solar cell on thick glass (i.e., superstrate configuration) is used to validate a commercial FEM‐based package, the High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS). The results are compared with those of the reference software, Advanced Semiconductor Analysis (ASA) program, proving that the HFSS is capable of correctly handling glass as an incident material within very timely, short, and numerically stable calculations. By using the HFSS, we simulated single junction thin‐film silicon solar cells on glass substrates textured with one‐dimensional (1‐D) and two‐dimensional (2‐D) trapezoid‐shaped diffraction gratings. The correctness of the computed results, with respect to an actual device, is discussed, and the impact of different polarizations on spectral response and optical losses is examined. From the simulations carried out, optimal combinations for period and height in both 1‐D and 2‐D grating configurations can be indicated, leading to short‐circuit current percentage increase with respect to a flat cell of, respectively, 25.46% and 32.53%. With very limited computer memory usage and computational time in the order of tens of minutes for a single simulation, we promote the usage of 3‐D FEM as a rigorous and efficient way to simulate thin‐film silicon solar cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Band Alignment Parameters of Al2O3/InSb Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Structure and Their Modification with Oxide Deposition Temperatures

From the Fowler–Nordheim (FN) current–voltage (I–V) characteristic and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the conduction band offset of 2.73±0.1 eV and the valence band offset of 3.76±0.1 eV have been extracted for the atomic-layer-deposition (ALD) Al2O3/InSb structure. By these analyses, the parameters of an Al2O3 film including bandgap, electron affinity, and electron effective mass are also deduced. The capacitance–voltage and I–V characteristics of ALD Al2O3/InSb at different deposition temperatures indicate the modification of the Fermi level in InSb to 0.09 eV lower than that in metal side of the sample deposited at 250 °C as compared to the samples deposited at lower temperatures.
Improved Computational Procedure for Retention Relations of Immiscible Fluids Using Pressure Cells

The capillary pressure-saturation relation, or the capillary pressure head-volumetric fluid content relation, is of widespread interest in modeling and predicting multiphase fluid flow. A common procedure to determine this relation is to use a pressure cell and assume uniform distributions of capillary pressure and volumetric fluid contents at static equilibrium. The pressure cell method, however, yields inaccurate results for certain combinations of multiphase fluids and porous media. The sensitivity analysis in this study shows that the pressure cell height, the positions of the pressure measuring devices, which can coincide with the in- and outflow ports, and the relative density difference of the fluids, can give rise to considerable errors in the determination of capillary pressure head-volumetric fluid content relations by the standard procedure using pressure cells. We, therefore, propose a curve-fitting method that considers nonuniform distributions of capillary pressure and volumetric fluid content of multiphase fluids. The method uses the same input data as commonly used procedures.
Predator presence elicits vigilance and decreases honey bee recruitment dancing

Predators can reduce bee pollination and decrease plant fitness through fear: prey avoiding predators. However, the effects of predator-induced fear on bee communication are poorly understood. For bees that are mass foragers, such as honey bees, the effects of fear alter individual foraging choices and colony foraging allocation through recruitment communication. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) can recruit nestmates to visit food sources, thereby amplifying the effects of their individual foraging. It was not known if honey bees would alter their foraging communication, factoring in the risk of predation, when confronted with live predators on floral-type resources. We show that the potential risk of predation from live predators, not just the evidence of recent predation, alters the dance language in an adaptive way. In this study, honey bees were given a choice of safe and dangerous feeders to determine if they would avoid praying mantises (Tenodera sinensis), a predator that bees were not previously known to avoid. Bees exhibited fear (avoidance) and significantly avoided the live mantis (at all instar sizes > 4cm) and avoided mantis odor (cuticular hydrocarbon extract) and visual cues (plastic mantis). Both olfactory and visual cues were equally effective deterrents. Honey bees decreased the number of waggle dance circuits (a measure of food source quality) for a rich food patch with a live mantis, but not for a mantis-free control, which is the first demonstration that wariness of a live predator alters bee communication inside the nest and suggests that information flow within a colony plays a role in the ecology of fear
HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α play a central role in stretch‐induced but not shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis in rat skeletal muscle

Angiogenesis, which is essential for the physiological adaptation of skeletal muscle to exercise, occurs in response to the mechanical forces of elevated capillary shear stress and cell stretch. Increased production of VEGF is a characteristic of endothelial cells undergoing either stretch‐ or shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis. Because VEGF production is regulated by hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), we examined whether HIFs play a significant role in the angiogenic process initiated by these mechanical forces. Rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were overloaded to induce stretch, or exposed to the dilator prazosin to elevate capillary shear stress, and capillaries from these muscles were isolated by laser capture microdissection for RNA analysis. HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α transcript levels increased after 4 and 7 days of stretch, whereas a transient early induction of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α transcripts was detected in capillaries from prazosin‐treated muscles. Skeletal muscle microvascular endothelial cells exposed to 10% stretch in vitro showed an elevation in HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α mRNA, which was preceded by increases in HIF‐binding activity. Conversely, HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α mRNA were reduced significantly, and HIF‐α proteins were undetectable, after 24 h exposure to elevated shear stress (16 dyn cm−2 (16 ×10−5 N cm−2). Given the disparate regulation of HIFs in response to these mechanical stimuli, we tested the requirement of HIF‐α proteins in stretch‐ and shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis by impeding HIF accumulation through use of the geldanamycin derivative 17‐DMAG. Treatment with 17‐DMAG significantly impaired stretch‐induced, but not shear‐stress‐induced, angiogenesis. Together, these results illustrate that activation of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α contributes significantly to stretch‐ but not to shear‐stress‐induced capillary growth.
An Automated Dynamic Water Vapor Permeation Test Method

Abstract : This report describes an automated apparatus developed to measure the transport of water vapor through materials under a variety of conditions. The apparatus is more convenient to use than the traditional test methods for textiles and clothing materials, and allows one to use a wider variety of test conditions to investigate the concentration-dependent and nonlinear transport behavior of many of the semipermeable membrane laminates which are now available. The dynamic moisture permeation cell (DMPC) has been automated to permit multiple setpoint testing under computer control, and to facilitate investigation of transient phenomena. Results generated with the DMPC are in agreement with and of comparable accuracy to those from the ISO 11092 (sweating guarded hot plate) method of measuring water vapor permeability.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal and Explosive Properties of [Cd(SCZ)3(H2O)](PA)2·3H2O (SCZ = Semicarbazide, PA = Picrate)

The heptacoordinate transition metal coordination compound [Cd(SCZ)3(H2O)](PA)2·3H2O (1) with the ligand semicarbazide (SCZ) and the counteranion picrate (PA) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The Cd2+ ion is heptacoordinated by three SCZ groups and a water molecule. SCZ presents typical bidentate coordination modes. The thermal decomposition mechanism of 1 was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which revealed that complex 1 exhibits three small endothermic and two large exothermic processes. The non-isothermal kinetics parameters were calculated by the Kissinger's method and Ozawa-Doyle's method, respectively. The heat of combustion was measured by oxygen bomb calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation, the critical temperature of thermal explosion, the entropy of activation (ΔS≠), the enthalpy of activation (ΔH≠), and the free energy of activation (ΔG≠) were also calculated. Sensitivity tests revealed that 1 is insensitive to mechanical stimuli.
Cálculo de la huella ecológica en universidades cubanas. Caso de estudio: Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas

En el trabajo se adapta una metodologia para el calculo de la huella ecologica en universidades cubanas, la misma ha sido desarrollada por Noelia Lopez Alvarez de la Oficina de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela y ha sido aplicado en varias universidades espanolas. Han sido cuantificados los consumos basicos de recursos de la Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas: agua, energia electrica y otros portadores energeticos, consumo de alimentos, consumo de papel, tambien se han contabilizado los residuos generados. Asociado a los consumos anteriores se han determinado las emisiones de CO2. Se ha calculado, en funcion de las caracteristicas del pais, las areas requeridas para la absorcion de las emisiones de CO2. Como resultado se obtiene una metodologia que puede ser empleada en las condiciones de Cuba, al aplicarla a la Universidad Central “Marta Abreu”de Las Villas en los anos 2008 y 2009 dio como resultados 0.2069 ha/persona y 0.2147 ha/persona respectivamente, lo que esta acorde con reporte de otras universidades. Para universidades cubanas es la primera vez que se reporta el calculo de la huella ecologica por lo que el procedimiento puede ser extrapolado a otros centros de educacion superior del pais.
Variations in parametrial white adipose tissue mass during the mouse estrous cycle : relationship with the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and retinoic acid receptor-α

Estrogen and progestin participate in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RXRalpha) are absolutely required for adipose tissue development. The present study is to investigate the changes in parametrial fat mass and expression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha during estrous cycle in mice. Parametrial white adipose tissues (WAT), inter-scapula brown adipose tissues, and uteri from female mice were weighed. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone levels. An RNase protection assay and Western blot analysis were used to compare the expression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha in adipose tissue. The mass of parametrial WAT in diestrus was significantly higher compared with estrus. However, there is no significant difference on the mass of brown adipose tissues during estrous cycle. The expression of PPARgamma in WAT in diestrus was significantly higher than that in estrus. The expression of RXRalpha during estrous cycle was unchanged in both white and brown adipose tissues. In conclusion, the variation in parametrial WAT mass during the mouse estrous cycle correlates with changes in the expression of PPARgamma in WAT.
Comparison of polyphenolic composition of extracts from honeysuckle, chokeberries and green tea - a short report.

The aim of the study was to compare the polyphenolic composition of extracts from different plant sources. Extracts from two new plants rich in polyphenols, i.e. chokeberries and honeysuckle, were compared with the well-investigated green tea polyphenols. All extracts obtained were characterised by a high content of polyphenols: green tea - 611 mg/g, honeysuckle - 633 mg/g and chokeberries - 714 mg/g. Honeysuckle and chokeberries extracts consisted mainly of anthocyanins (321.2 and 404.5 mg/g, respectively), whereas green tea extract contained mainly flavan-3-ols (587.9 mg/g).
Effects of Soil Factors on Phytotoxicity and Dissipation of Sulfentrazone in Canadian Prairie Soils

Studies were conducted to examine the effects of soil properties on sulfentrazone phytotoxicity and dissipation under laboratory conditions. The pH values of five soils from Saskatchewan were altered through acidification with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and alkalization with calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The phytotoxicity of sulfentrazone to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. Beta 1385), determined using a shoot length bioassay, was reduced when soil pH was lowered and was greater when soil pH increased. Concentrations corresponding to 50% inhibition (I50 values) obtained from the dose–response curves were correlated with soil pH, demonstrating the relationship between soil pH and sulfentrazone phytotoxicity. Dissipation of sulfentrazone was examined in soils incubated at 25 °C and moisture content of 85% field capacity. Sulfentrazone dissipation followed a two-compartment model, and sulfentrazone half-lives estimated from the dissipation curves ranged from 21 to 111 days. Half-lives were correlated with soil pH (R = –0.857, p = 0.014) and soil organic carbon content (R = 0.790, p = 0.034) but not with clay content (R = 0.287, p = 0.533). Soil characteristics, particularly soil pH and organic carbon content, affect the bioactivity of sulfentrazone and influence both sulfentrazone efficacy in weed control and its potential for carry-over injury to subsequent crops.
Photoelectron spectra of phthalocyanine thin films: a valence band theoretical interpretation

A theoretical investigation of the photoelectron valence band spectra of metal-free phthalocyanine (H{sub 2}Pc) thin films is performed using the nonempirical valence effective Hamiltonian (VEH) quantum-chemical method. The results of the VEH band structure calculations are presented in the form of theoretical UPS and XPS simulations and are analyzed by comparison to the electronic structure of the H{sub 2}Pc molecule. The theoretical spectra are found to be fully consistent with experimental solid-state synchrotron (hv = 100 eV) and XPS spectra. An excellent quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is achieved when comparing the energies of the main peaks. A detailed interpretation of all the photoemission bands constituting the experimental spectra is reported in the light of the VEH predictions. 73 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH‐MOISTURE SHELF‐STABLE GRATED CARROT PRODUCT USING HURDLE TECHNOLOGY

Carrot (Daucus carota) can be highly perishable and difficult to preserve fresh for long periods at ambient temperature and humidity. Studies on grated carrots were carried out for the development of a shelf-stable moist-preservation process based on infusion of additives using hurdle technology. Additives comprising 3.0% sodium chloride (to reduce water activity [A w ] to 0.94), 0.9% citric acid (to reduce pH to below 4.5), 1.0% sodium citrate and 0.2% sodium benzoate (as antimicrobial agents) were followed by partial dehydration. The product was stored in flexible polymeric pouches. The physical, chemical and pathological stability was monitored during storage at ambient temperatures (19-33C). The partially dehydrated grated carrots (moisture 66.2%) were acceptable for more than six months at ambient temperature with the retention of carotenoid up to 82.5%. The product was microbiologically safe throughout the study.
Two-phase flow pressure drop and heat transfer during condensation in microchannels with uniform and converging cross-sections

This study experimentally investigates steam condensation in rectangular microchannels with uniform and converging cross-sections and a mean hydraulic diameter of 135 µm. The steam flow in the microchannels was cooled by water cross-flowing along its bottom surface, which is different from other methods reported in the literature. The flow patterns, two-phase flow pressure drop and condensation heat transfer coefficient are determined. The microchannels with the uniform cross-section design have a higher heat transfer coefficient than those with the converging cross-section under condensation in the mist/annular flow regimes, although the latter work best for draining two-phase fluids composed of uncondensed steam and liquid water, which is consistent with the result of our previous study. From the experimental results, dimensionless correlations of condensation heat transfer for the mist and annular flow regions and a two-phase frictional multiplier are developed for the microchannels with both types of cross-section designs. The experimental data agree well with the obtained correlations, with the maximum mean absolute errors of 6.4% for the two-phase frictional multiplier and 6.0% for the condensation heat transfer.
The sound of one atom hopping : atomic manipulation on silicon surfaces by STM

Abstract We report time-resolved studies of the vertical tip displacement of a scanning tunnelling microscope during atomic-scale modification of silicon surfaces induced by voltage pulses. In a previous investigation, it was found that the majority of modification events occur either at the onset of the pulse or after the pulse. Here, we show that by suitably shaping the voltage pulse and varying the tunnelling conditions after the pulse, the temporal distribution of modification events can be controlled. In particular, modification events occurring at the pulse onset or after the pulse can be selectively suppressed. We also observe that voltage pulses sometimes generate bistable fluctuations in the tunnel junction resistance. It is suggested that these fluctuations share a common origin with the modification events occurring after pulses, namely both effects are the result of the diffusive motion of an atom hopping between absorption sites on the tip or surface.
Design, Construction, and Operation of a Fast Pyrolysis Plant for Biomass

A continuous fluidized‐bed plant (PDU‐scale) for fast pyrolysis of lingnocellulosic biomass gives rise to bio‐oil yields of 65 wt. ‐%. The average reactor gas residence time was 1.2 s only. The gas and charcoal yields were 15–20 wt. ‐%, respectively. The bio oils were chemically characterized. The main monomeric products of the thermal degradation of carbohydrates are acetic acid, hydroxyacetaldehyde, hydroxypropanone, and levoglucosan. The process described in this paper can also be used for disposal of inorganic‐, metal‐organic‐, and chlorine‐organic contaminated waste‐wood. Inorganic compounds of wood preservatives are concentrated in the charcoal fraction and can be separated easily. Chlorine‐organic wood preservatives are mostly degraded. The process has been positively tested as a technique for disposal, recycling, and exploitation of industrial biomass waste (wood waste, grinding grit, fibre sludge, cocoa shell and modern composites like HPL). Bio oil from fast pyrolysis can be used for the production of energy and chemical feedstock. Research for these purposes is ongoing.
The response of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the ecosystem carbon balance to experimental drought in a temperate shrubland

Climate change has been proposed as a driver of carbon (C) loss from the large pool of C held in soils. Aqueous (dissolved organic carbon, DOC) and gaseous (soil respiration or net ecosystem CO2 exchange) forms of C loss from soils have been considered. Under some climate change scenarios, gaseous emissions of C have been predicted to result in terrestrial ecosystems becoming a net source of C by 2050. Indeed, both forms of C loss have been linked to climate‐related changes, such as warming and/or changes in precipitation. In our field‐based drought manipulation experiment on an upland moorland in northeast Wales, we have carried out an annual drought treatment for 8 years, reducing levels of annual rainfall by 23% on average (1999–2007) through the use of automated roofs, which prevent rain falling on experimental plots between June and September annually. Following 5 years of repeated summer drought, there was a 26% increase in concentrations of DOC in soil water in the mineral soil in the drought plots and this further increased to 52% after 8 years. A similar pattern was not observed in the organic soil horizons. Despite higher DOC concentrations in the mineral soil horizon, decreased drainage of water from the drought‐treated soils resulted in an overall decrease of 9% in total DOC export. Calculating the carbon (C) balance for the below‐ground component of the ecosystem reveals that DOC represents 3% of gross C export. Previous studies at the site have demonstrated large increases in soil respiration resulting from the repeated drought treatment. By including data presented here with other C fluxes and pool measurements from the site, we demonstrate that soil carbon is accumulating by 126 g C m−2 year−1 in the control plots, but decreasing by 18 g C m2 year−1 in the drought plots. The repeated drought treatment has thus resulted in the ecosystem switching from a net sink for C into a net source.
Calcium-induced shrinking of polyacrylate chains in aqueous solution

Conformational changes of polyacrylate chains induced by Ca 2+ ions have been studied by means of static light scattering and viscosity measurements with two different sodium polyacrylate samples. The reference system was sodium polyacrylate in an aqueous solution of 0.1 N NaCl at a pH of 9. Replacement of different amounts of the Na + ions from the added NaCl by Ca 2+ ions led to different Ca 2+ fractions at constant ionic strength of the low molecular weight salt. At each Ca 2+ ion fraction, the size of the polyelectrolyte coils was recorded as a function of polyacrylate concentration. The results were discussed in terms of a coil collapse which precedes precipitation of the calcium polyacrylate when lowering the polyacrylate concentration