Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depletion: A Game with Natural Rules for Teaching Reaction Rate Theory

Depletion is a game that reinforces central concepts of reaction rate theory through simulation. Each player buys chemicals and guides them through a series of reactions, thereby earning money to buy more chemicals. The reactions occur when players roll a high enough value on two dice to overcome an activation barrier. The reactions may be accelerated by buying heat (which allows the player to roll three dice instead of two) or catalysts (which lower the activation barrier). The value of acceleration derives from the increasing price of fresh chemicals as resources are depleted and waste products accumulate. The player who nets the most money wins the game. The details of the game are presented, with a set of follow-up questions suitable for either a quiz or discussion. Student reaction to the game is also described.
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF NUTRIENT SOLUTION AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION ON METHANE BIOFILTRATION

Landfi ll gas emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect due to the presence of methane (CH 4 ). CH 4 emissions from old and small landfi lls can be reduced by using biofi ltration. The objective of this study was to optimize parameters that control CH 4 removal in a biofi lter. Temperature is one of the important parameters as well as the amount of nutrient solution (NS) supplied. The effects of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration on CH 4 biofi ltration were also studied. Four biofi lters using an inorganic fi lter bed were studied under similar conditions: an inlet CH 4 concentration of 7000 ppmv and an air fl ow rate of 0.25 m 3 /h. A NS was supplied daily. The temperature was varied from 4°C to 43°C. The highest performance was obtained in the range of 31–34°C with an elimination capacity (EC) of 30 g CH 4 /m 3 /h for an inlet load (IL) of 80 g CH 4 /m 3 /h. The effect of the amount of NS supplied to the biofi lter at ambient temperature was also analyzed. The EC was 23 g CH 4 /m 3 /h for both 101 L NS /m 3 V bed /d and 34 L NS /m 3 V bed /d, but it fell to 17 g CH 4 /m 3 /h at 17 L NS /m 3 V bed /d. CO 2 concentrations were varied from 650 to 18,500 ppmv and no effect was noticed on the EC which remained constant at 18 g CH 4 /m 3 /h for an inlet load of 72 g CH 4 /m 3 /h.
Modelling and simulation of commercial catalytic naphtha reformers

A simulation model for catalytic reforming has been developed to monitor commercial plant performance. The model consists of various modules to predict temperature and concentration profiles, catalyst deactivation and cycle length, inter stage heater duties, recycle gas composition and octane number. The lumping details of the feed and reaction scheme, parameter estimation and model validation details are given. The model numerically integrates the component and energy balance equations for the combined feed and recycle gas in each reactor and then simulates flash separator for recycle gas composition. The results of the model validated for four different commercial reactors performance are presented.
Methodology for Particle Characterization in the Exhaust Flows of Gas Turbine Engines

The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) has developed, constructed, and employed a trailer-housed mobile aerosol sampling system (MASS) for the physical characterization of particles extracted from the exhaust flows of gasturbine engines. The MASS has been designed for a range of sampling conditions typically encountered at exit planes of combustors, angular sector rigs, flame tubes, and actual engines. To date measurements have been conducted in test cells, altitude chambers, on the wing (on the ground), and in flight. Reaching beyond the historically used but limited concept of smoke number, the MASS relies on differential mobility analysis, laser particle sizing, transmission electron microscopy, and molecular absorption spectroscopy to measure directly particle number concentration and size distribution (0.01 to <25 μm), water mixing ratio, particle morphology, and carbon dioxide (CO2), Combined with key combustor/engine operating conditions and fuel properties the MASS provides a series of derived parameters including mean particle diameter and number-, surface-, and mass-based emission indices, which are important parameters for the performance characterization and environmental assessment of gas turbine engines. In this article we describe the technical details of the UMR MASS, discuss data reduction and experimental uncertainties, and show some example data sets.
Spectroscopic Study of the Interaction Between Folic Acid and Bovine Serum Albumin

Abstract The interaction between folic acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by spectroscopic methods including fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and UV‐Vis absorption adsorption spectroscopies. The binding constant K A and the number of binding sites, n, were determined based on the fluorescence quenching of BSA in the presence of folic acid. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔG, ΔS at different temperatures were calculated, and the results indicated that the acting force between folic acid and BSA was mainly hydrogen bonding. The distance between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (folic acid) was obtained according to Förster's theory of nonradiational energy transfer. The quenching mechanism of the BSA–folic acid system is a combination of static quenching and nonradiative energy transfer. The CD and synchronous fluorescence spectra were used to investigate the structural change of BSA upon addition of folic acid, and the result indicated that the secondary structure of BSA changed in the presence of folic acid.
A numerical study of cw chemical DF laser performance with ramp nozzle array

Results are presented of a comparative numerical study of continuous-wave chemical DF laser with ramp and equivalent slot nozzle arrays. A special code is developed and is used to calculate the spacial distribution of chemical species accounting for the stimulated emission in the Fabry-Perot resonator. Influence of the design principles of these nozzles on lasing performance is investigated under different flow conditions in the active medium.
Fourier Transform Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Studies of Silk Fibroin

The chemical and conformational structures of Bombyx mori silk were studied with the complementary techniques of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Fourier trans- form Raman spectrum of silk showed strong bands for the photosensitive aromatic amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. Intensive UV/ozone irradiation reduced the Raman intensities of the amide III band and the tyrosine signals due to peptide chain scission of the silk polymer and the photochemical changes in the tyrosine residues on the silk molecules. However, the Raman spectroscopy changes for tryptophan were less clearly defined because of peak overlapping with other amino acid signals and the low concentration of tryptophan. The Fourier transform infrared (attenuated total reflectance) technique, coupled with sec- ond-derivative spectroscopy analysis, demonstrated a de- crease in the crystallinity degree and tyrosine content of UV/ozone-irradiated silk, as indicated by changes in the Fourier transform infrared bands of amide III doublet and tyrosine signals. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1999 -2004, 2005
Work Family Conflict and Work Engagement on Woman Employees at PT Sumatera Berlian Motors

: This study aims to determine the relationship between work family conflict and work engagement. The hypothesis of this study states that there is a negative relationship between work family conflict and work engagement, with the assumption that the higher work family conflict, the lower the work engagement and conversely. The subjects of the study are 87 woman employees of PT Sumatera Berlian Motors Medan. Data were obtained from a scale to measure the Work Engagement and Work Family Conflict. The calculation was performed by means of testing requirements analysis (assumption) that consists of a test for normality and linearity. The analysis of the data was performed using Product Moment Correlation with SPSS 21 for Windows. The results of data analysis showed a correlation coefficient of -0.462, p <0.001. It shows that there is a negative relationship between work family conflict and work engagement. The results indicate that the contribution given to the variable of work family conflict and work engagement is by 21.3 percent and the remaining 78.7 percent is affected by other factors. From these result, it is concluded that the hypothesis stating there is a negative relationship between work family conflict and work engagement, is accepted.
The effects of natural fermentation on the physical properties of rice flour and the rheological characteristics of rice noodles

Summary The effects of fermentation of whole polished rice grains on the physical properties of rice flour and the rheological characteristics of rice noodles were investigated. Natural fermentation had little effect on the crystalline structure of rice starch, as measured by X-ray diffraction, but the ratio of the crystalline to the amorphous regions increased. The thermal properties of rice flours were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and a rapid viscosity analyser (RVA). The gelatinization temperature, Tp, and the RVA peak viscosity of rice flour decreased, while the gelatinization enthalpy, ΔH, increased after fermentation. The FTIR spectra of fermented and control rice flours were similar. Fermented rice starch granules had slight superficial corrosion when examined using scanning electron microscopy. Fermentation may thus change the amorphous region of the starch granule as well as the chemical components and thereby modify both physical properties of rice flour and rheological characteristics of rice noodles.
CHEMICAL CHANGES DUE TO ACID PRECIPITATION IN A LOESS‐DERIVED SOIL IN CENTRAL EUROPE

In a stand of Fagus silvatica in the Solling highlands, Federal Republic of Germany, we followed the effect of acid precipitation on chemical soil state and the ion fluxes in the ecosystem between 1966 and 1979. As indicated by increasing aluminum concentration in the soil solution and an increase in organic matter storage in the forest floor, for example, the soil shifted during the measuring period from one state toward another one. During this transition, the acid precipitation has induced soil internal H+ ion production, partly by accumulation of organic matter poor in nitrogen, and partly by a probable change in the type of nitrogen nutrition. Two-thirds of the H+ ion buffering is due to the dissolution of polymeric hydroxoaluminum, resulting in the formation of solid AlOHSO4 and the leaching of Al ions. There are indications that the Al concentration in soil solution reaches toxic levels for the stand. The findings may have serious consequences for forestry in central Europe.
A study of the convective flow as a function of external parameters in high-pressure mercury lamps

This paper deals with the modelling of the convection processes in high-pressure mercury arcs. Temperature and velocity fields have been calculated by using a 2D semi-implicit finite-element scheme for the solution of conservation equations relative to mass, momentum and energy. After validation, this model was applied to the study of the influence of arc external parameters such as mercury charge and tube diameter on the convective processes. It was found that stable laminar mono-cellular convection flow occurs at low values of tube diameter for a cylindrical burner and/or a low mercury charge. Finally, we considered in detail the region behind the electrodes, where an accumulation of mercury is observed. The evaluation of this amount of mercury 'trapped' in these regions is of prime importance for a good description of the distribution of mercury in the burner and for a correct evaluation of the total discharge pressure.
Współpraca rodziców z nauczycielami edukacji wczesnoszkolnej w świetle badań sondażowych

Streszczenie Celem artykulu jest przyblizenie roznorodnych form wspolpracy rodzicow ze szkola, sposobow jej podejmowania i oce- ny. Chodzi tutaj rowniez o poznanie opinii rodzicow i nauczycieli na temat ich wzajem- nych kontaktow. Czesc teoretyczna de niuje pojecie „formy wspolpracy”, dokonuje cha- rakterystyki podstawowych form wspolpracy rodzicow ze szkola. Czesc praktyczna prezen- tuje analize wynikow badan sondazowych, opartych na technice ankiety, z wykorzysta- niem kwestionariusza jako narzedzia badaw- czego. Badania te zostaly przeprowadzone wsrod rodzicow i nauczycielek edukacji wczesnoszkolnej na terenie Gminy i Miasta Czerwionka-Leszczyny. Summary e purpose of the article is to introduce various forms of cooperation between parents and school, ways of making an evaluation. It is also meant to acknowledge the opinion of parents and teachers about their mutual contacts. e theoretical part de nes the term „forms of cooperation“, it makes the characte- ristics of the basic forms of cooperation bet- ween parents and school. e practical part presents the analysis of the results of surveys research, based on the technique of the sur- vey, using a questionnaire as a research tool. ese studies were conducted among parents and early childhood education teachers in the commune and Czerwionka-Leszczyny town.
High concentration few-layer graphene sheets obtained by liquid phase exfoliation of graphite in ionic liquid

In the present work, the use of a commercial ionic liquid as a convenient solvent medium for graphite exfoliation in mild and easy conditions without any chemical modification is presented. To confirm the presence of few layer graphene, its dispersion, which exhibits Tyndall effect, was characterized by Raman and UV spectroscopies, and atomic force and field emission electron microscopies. It is noteworthy that, by gravimetric analysis, a graphene concentration as high as 5.33 mg ml−1 was determined, which is the highest value reported so far in any solvent.
CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF THE INCOMPLETE-OXIDATION PRODUCTS IN RESIDUAL GAS ON THE GASOLINE HCCI AUTO-IGNITION

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) achieved by negative valve overlap (NVO) strategy can realize ignition phasing control through retaining residual gas. Except for the heating and dilution effects of residual gas, the presence of incomplete-oxidation products in residual gas also affects auto-ignition significantly. In order to investigate the compositions of incomplete-oxidation products, a fast instantaneous in-cylinder sampling system was developed. The in-cylinder sample gas was extracted just before the low temperature reaction and analyzed online quantitatively. It was found that the main incomplete-oxidation products in residual gas, which possibly have significant effects on auto-ignition, are short-chain hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols. Simulation analysis with a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism of gasoline surrogate was used to decouple the effects of these species. It indicated that CH2O, C2H4, and C2H2 play the most important roles in advancing auto-ignition. Also, the accumulation mechanisms of these main active species prior to auto-ignition are analyzed.
Simulation of Neutral Particle Flow During High Power Magnetron Impulse

The behavior of neutral component of the plasma during high power impulse magnetron sputtering was studied. Movement of the neutral particles including sputtered metal (Ti) and Ar gas during an impulse (200 µs, 1 kA, 1 kV) has been simulated using direct simulation Monte Carlo method. When the discharge current reaches kA range, very strong gas rarefaction in the main plasma region occurs and the volume density of sputtered metal exceeds the gas density several times. This may contribute to the high ratio of metal ions to Ar ions observed in experiments. Rapid gas movement in the form of a shock wave toward the substrate results in a temporary increase in density and pressure of the substrate. This again influences both the deposition flux and the discharge behavior.
Poly(butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate), a Biobased Alternative to PBT: Synthesis, Physical Properties, and Crystal Structure

This paper describes the synthesis, crystal structure, and physicomechanical properties of a biobased polyester prepared from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 1,4-butanediol. Melt-polycondensation experiments were conducted by a two-stage polymerization using titanium tetraisopropoxide (Ti[OiPr]4) as a catalyst. Polymerization conditions (catalyst concentration, reaction time and second stage reaction temperature) were varied to optimize poly(butylene-FDCA), PBF, and molecular weight. A series of PBFs with different Mw were characterized by DSC, TGA, DMTA, X-ray diffraction and tensile testing. Influence of molecular weight and melting/crystallization enthalpy on PBF material tensile properties was explored. Cold-drawing tensile tests at room temperature for PBF with Mw 16K to 27K showed a brittle-to-ductile transition. When Mw reaches 38K, the Young modulus of PBF remains above 900 MPa, and the elongation at break increases to above 1000%. The mechanical properties, thermal properties and crystal st.
Field Comparison of P-Trak and Condensation Particle Counters

The P-trak ultrafine particle counter is a portable version of a condensation particle counter (CPC). Both instruments detect particle number concentrations in real time but have different detection limits. The P-trak has been widely used for indoor air quality evaluation and aerosol research. However, there is very limited information about the reliability and precision of this instrument and its comparability with other similar instruments. The purpose of this study was to compare a P-trak ultrafine particle counter with a standard CPC and evaluate its applicability to ambient air monitoring. This study was carried out near the Interstate 405 freeway (I-405) in Los Angeles. Measurements were made at increasing distances from the freeway on both sides at night as well as inside and outside of two 2-bedroom apartments located near the freeway. A CPC and a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) were collocated with two P-traks and measurement results compared. In general, higher correlations were observed between P-trak and CPC data for indoor measurements than outdoor. The highest P-trak and CPC correlation ( r 2 = 0.9385) was detected inside Apartment 2, which is located farther away from the freeway than Apartment 1. The poorest correlation occurred at 30 m downwind from the freeway. In that case, the P-trak reported about 25% of ultrafine particle concentration that CPC did. A sigmoid (S-shape) function was fitted to observed P-trak to CPC ratios and geometric mean diameters of the corresponding ultrafine particle size distributions. Overall, we concluded the P-trak worked reasonably well when sampled indoor air. However, it has significant limitations in detecting freshly emitted ultrafine particles from vehicles. The P-trak underestimated ultrafine particles especially for particles smaller than its activation size which was found to be approximately 25–30 nm. Caution must be given in interpreting data collected by P-trak monitors near combustion sources.
Temperature dependent thermal conductivity of polycrystalline ZnO films

We report on measurements of the thermal conductivity of atomic layer deposited polycrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) films between 30 and 300 K. The room temperature thermal conductivity of the films is found to be twofold less than that of single-crystal ZnO. The maximum thermal conductivities of the polycrystalline samples occur at about 60 K and their values are almost an order of magnitude lower than bulk ZnO. The effect of the grain size and the transparency of the intergrain boundary on the thermal conductivity are analyzed within the framework of the phonon-hopping transport model.
Characterisation of liquid crystals for broadband optimal design of Mueller matrix ellipsometers

The optimal design over a broad spectral range of Liquid Crystal (LC) based Polarisation State Generators (PSG) and Polarisation State Analyzers (PSA), requires detailed knowledge of the spectral behaviour of the LCs. The full Mueller matrix measurement formalism based on the Eigenvalue Calibration Method, does in principle not require an exact modelling of the polarizing components, however, it is required that the condition number for both the PSG and the PSA is close to optimum over a wide spectral range. Two LC technologies are investigated here, Ferroelectric LC (FLC), and Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVR). In the case of a FLC based PSG, additional components, such as fixed retarders also need to be properly characterised in order for a proper broad spectral optimal design. These issues are here studied by characterizing the FLCs, the LCVRs and the fixed retarders with the help of a commercial visible Mueller matrix ellipsometer, and a polarizer-rotating sample-rotating analyzer near infra red set-up. The results are analyzed in the framework of the optimal condition number over a broad spectral range.
Exact solutions for a stream of bubbles in a Hele-Shaw cell

A new two-parameter family of exact solutions for an infinite stream of steady bubbles in an unbounded Hele-Shaw cell is obtained when surface tension is neglected. The bubble shapes found here correspond to a 90° rotation of the solutions for a single bubble in a Hele-Shaw channel originally found by G. I. Taylor and P. G. Saffman.
Time of flight study of high performance CVD diamond detector devices

In comparison with polycrystalline diamond, single crystal diamond (SC CVD) offers important advantages for applications to electronics and detection. This is because SC CVD diamond exhibits improved charge transport characteristics, specifically a high drift mobility and an increased charge carrier lifetime. So far, only limited studies have dealt with the measurements of electrical transport parameters in SC diamond and majority of these studies were based on industrial material only. In our study we have investigated the electrical transport properties of PE CVD SC diamond grown using relatively high pressure growth conditions and high deposition growth rates (typically 20 μm/hour) by two independent methods: the laser Time‐of‐Flight (TOF) and the alpha particle TOF techniques. Raman spectroscopy, defect spectroscopy were used to characterize the quality of the samples prepared. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Leaf Mineral Composition of Olive Varieties and Their Relation to Yield and Adaptation Ability

ABSTRACT The amount of yield and adaptation of a cultivar to a new environment is strongly related to nutrient uptake ability. The aim of this study was to compare nutrient uptake ability of 21 local and/or standard olive varieties grown under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Elemental compositions of olive leaves were determined for two consecutive years. The highest yields were obtained from ‘Gemlik’, ‘Manzanilla’, ‘Memecik’, and ‘Hojiblanca’ varieties. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) content of leaves were comparatively higher in the high-yielding year (2004) whereas iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) contents were lower. Nutrient uptake ability and usage efficiency of olive varieties were different. Mineral composition of leaves was variety dependent and different groups of varieties showed higher leaf concentration for each element. Therefore, it can be concluded that the variation in the nutrient uptake ability may be used as a criterion for adaptation of a variety to a new ecological environment.