Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of prohexadione-calcium with three rates of phosphorus and chlormequat chloride on vegetative and generative growth of tomato

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of prohexadione-calcium [(Regalis ® )(100 mg L -1 )] and chlormequat chloride (2000 mg L -1 ) on vegetative and generative growth of tomato plant. An underlying aim was to evaluate the growth of plants treated with pro-Ca with three phosphorus rates (40, 80 and 120 mg L -1 ). Pro-Ca was applied to plants either as a spray or medium drench, while chlormequat chloride was applied only as a spray. Results show that inhibiting effect of pro-Ca and chlormequat chloride applications on seedling height were significant and these two chemicals produced smaller seedlings compared to the control. Height reduction with chlormequat chloride was 56%, while with pro-Ca treatments it varied from 46 to 55%. Effects of chemicals on total weight of two trusses were not significant, although spray of pro-Ca together with the 40 mg L -1 phosphorus rate was promising in relation to chlormequat chloride and control plants. Based on the results of this study, it seems likely that pro-Ca, having an inhibiting effect on stem elongation without a negative effect on total weight of two trusses would be sufficient to control stem elongation. However, further researches are needed to suggest a strong opinion whether the pro-Ca treated tomato plants give same responses in every independent application of this chemical. Key Words : Prohexadione-calcium, chlormequat chloride, growth rate, seedling height, tomato.
Ultrathin alumina-coated carbon nanotubes as an anode for high capacity Li-ion batteries

Alumina-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized on a copper substrate and have been used as an anode in Li-ion batteries. CNTs were grown directly on the copper current collector by chemical vapor deposition and an ultrathin layer of alumina was deposited on the CNTs by atomic layer deposition, thus forming the binder-free electrode for the Li-ion battery. While CNTs, which form the core of the structure, provide excellent conductivity, structural integrity and Li-ion intercalation ability, the aluminium oxide coating provides additional stability to the electrode, with further enhancement of capacity. The anode showed very high specific capacity, good capacity retention ability and excellent rate capability. This novel anode may be considered as an advanced anode for future Li-ion batteries.
Trace Element Analysis of Fused Whole‐Rock Glasses by Laser Ablation‐ICP‐MS and PIXE

The concentrations of fifty trace elements, including relatively volatile elements and transition metal elements, in fused glasses of Geological Survey of Japan rock reference materials GSJ JR‐2, JA‐1, JA‐2, JB‐1a, JB‐3, JGb‐1 and JF‐1 were determined by particle (proton) induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). The fused glasses were prepared by rapid fusion and subsequent quenching in welded platinum capsules and were found to be homogeneous for major elements and for trace elements with concentrations of more than 1 μg g‐1 within the observed precision (± 10% mean) on a 70 μm sampling scale. The values obtained by PIXE and LA‐ICP‐MS for the transition elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Cu), the relatively volatile elements (Zn, Ga, Rb and Pb) and the refractory elements (Y, Zr, Nb and Th) with concentrations greater than a few μg g‐1 showed good agreement (within 10 % relative difference). The values for almost all the elements detected at concentrations higher than 1 μg g‐1 as determined by LA‐ICP‐MS also agreed well with the reference values (mean relative difference < ± 10%), except for B and Cu. The good agreement confirmed the appropriateness of the NIST SRM 600 series glass calibration reference material for LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of glasses with variable major‐element compositions for almost all elements. The concentrations of Cu in all the samples were lower than the reference values, which was attributed to adsorption of the transition metals onto the platinum capsule during preparation.
Binding Characteristics of the γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid Receptor Antagonist [3H](2E)-(5-Hydroxy-5,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[a][7]annulen-6-ylidene) Ethanoic Acid in the Rat Brain

Radioligand binding studies with [3H](2 E )-(5-hydroxy-5,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6 H -benzo\[ a \]\[7\]annulen-6-ylidene) ethanoic acid ([3H]NCS-382), an antagonist of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) receptor, revealed specific binding sites in the rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. However, there was very little binding in the rat cerebellum, heart, kidney, liver, and lung membranes. Binding was rapid and reached equilibrium in about 5 min. Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms revealed two different populations of binding sites in the rat cerebral cortex ( K d1, 795 nM, B max1, 25.4 pmol/mg of protein; K d2, 21 μM; B max2, 178 pmol/mg of protein) as well as in the rat hippocampus ( K d1, 441 nM; B max1, 16.2 pmol/mg of protein; K d2, 9.8 μM; B max2, 255 pmol/mg of protein). (±)Baclofen (500 μM) and γ-aminobutyric acid (100 μM) inhibited the binding only partially, whereas (+)bicuculline, muscimol, picrotoxinin, and phaclofen did not modify the binding. Interestingly, potassium chloride (100–300 mM) inhibited [3H]NCS-382 binding (34–56%), and this inhibitory effect was not affected by picrotoxinin. GHB and NCS-382 completely inhibited the [3H]NCS-382 (16 nM) binding in the rat cerebrocortical and hippocampal membranes, and NCS-382 was found to be about 10 times more potent than GHB in this regard. A variety of ligands for other receptors did not modify the [3H]NCS-382 binding, thereby suggesting selectivity of this radioligand for the GHB receptor sites in the brain. Based on these observations, [3H]NCS-382 seems to be a better radioligand than [3H]GHB for investigating the role of the GHB receptors in various pharmacological actions.
Aerogels with a Microporous Crystalline Host Phase

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Labile soil organic carbon, soil fertility, and crop productivity as influenced by manure and mineral fertilizers in the tropics.

In recent years, organic agriculture has been receiving greater attention because of the various problems like deterioration in soil health and environmental quality under conventional chemical-intensive agriculture. However, little information is available on the comparative study related to the impact of use of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on the soil quality and productivity. A long-term field experiment was initiated in 2001 to monitor some of the important soil-quality parameters and productivity under soybean-wheat crop rotation. The treatments consisted of 0, 30, and 45 kg N ha ―1 for soybean and of 0, 120, and 180 kg N ha ―1 for wheat. The entire amount of N was supplied to both the crops through urea and farmyard manure (FYM) alone or in combination at 1:1 ratio. Results indicated that Walkley-and-Black C (WBC; chromic acid-oxidizable) exhibited a marginal increase under only organic treatments as compared to control treatment (without fertilizers and manure) after completion of five cropping cycles. In case of labile-C (KMnO 4 -oxidizable) content in soil, relatively larger positive changes were recorded under organic, mixed inputs (integrated) and mineral fertilizers as compared to WBC. Maximum improvement in the values of C-management index (CMI), a measure of soil quality was recorded under organic (348-362), followed by mixed inputs (268-322) and mineral fertilizers (198―199) as compared to the control treatment after completion of five cropping cycles. Similarly there was a substantial increase in KCI-extractable N; in Olsen-P; as well as in DTPA-extractable Zn, Fe, and Mn under organic treatments. Although labile soil C positively contributed to the available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents in soil, it did not show any relationship with the grain yield of wheat. After completion of the sixth cropping cycle, organic treatments produced 23% and 39% lower grain yield of wheat as compared to that under urea-treated plots. Relatively higher amount of mineral N in soil at critical growth stages and elevated N content in plant under mineral-fertilizer treatments compared to FYM treatments were responsible for higher yield of wheat under mineral fertilizers.
PHOSPHORUS RETENTION BY THE Ap HORIZON OF A SPODOSOL AS INFLUENCED BY CALCIUM AMENDMENTS 1

The low capacity of acid sandy soils to bind P is one reason for the leaching and runoff of P from these soils. Various soil amendments have been used to reduce P leaching. This study was conducted to show the effect of CaCO3, dolomite, gypsum, and CaCl2 on P retention by the Ap horizon of a Spodosol. Phosphorus sorption was studied in a batch experiment at an initial P concentration range of 0 to 10 mg L−1. The amendment rate used was 0.05 mmol of either Ca or Ca + Mg (and also 0.1 mmol in the case of CaCO3 and gypsum) per g of soil. The influence on P retention of time after soil amendment (1 h to 1 week) was assessed. P adsorption was described by Langmuir and Freundlich equations. All amendments, except for CaCl2, increased soil pH and P retention by soil. CaCO3 was more effective then dolomite, the carbonates (CaCO3 and dolomite) were more effective in their interaction with the soil, and gypsum increased P retention by itself, its effect was weakened upon interaction with soil. Sorption of P in soil amended with gypsum was faster than sorption in soil amended with CaCO3. The effect of the amendments under study was mainly to provide Ca ions, which must be accompanied by an increase in pH to increase P retention.
Long-Range Side Chain-Main Chain Hydrogen Bonds: A Molecular Signature of the TIM Barrel Architecture: A Dissertation

The hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bonding interactions have long been considered to be the dominant forces in protein folding. However, the contribution of hydrogen bonds to stabilizing proteins has been difficult to clarify. As the intramolecular hydrogen bonds are formed in place of hydrogen bonds with solvent during folding, measures of stability fail to give a significant change in free energy. Previous studies on hydrogen bonding interactions have shown that they are only marginally important. Three long-range side chain-main chain hydrogen bonds have been found in the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase (αTS), a (βα) 8 TIM barrel protein. These long-range noncovalent interactions connect either the N-terminus of one β-strand with the C-terminus of the succeeding and anti-parallel α-helix (F19-D46 and I97-D124) or the N-terminus of an α-helix with the C-terminus of the succeeding β-strand (A103-D130). By analogy, these interactions are designated as βα- or αβ-hairpin clamps. Surprisingly, the removal of any one of these clamp interactions, by replacement of the aspartic acid with alanine, results in significantly decreased thermodynamic stability for the native state and a substantial loss of secondary structure. When compared to several other side chain-side chain and short-range side chain-main chain interactions in αTS, these hairpin clamps clearly play a unique role in the structure and stability of αTS. The generality of these observations for βα-hairpin clamps in TIM barrel proteins was tested by experimental analysis of the clamps in a pair of homologous indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) TIM barrels of low sequence identity. The results suggest that only the subset of conserved βα-hairpin clamps with hydrogen bond length less than 2.80 A make substantive contributions to stability and/or structure. Those clamps with longer hydrogen bonds make modest contributions to stability and structure, similar to other types of side chain-main chain or side chain-side chain hydrogen bonds. The role of these clamps in defining the structures of the super-family of TIM barrel proteins was examined by a survey of 71 TIM barrel proteins from the structural database. Conserved features of βα-hairpin clamps are consistent with a 4-fold symmetry, with a predominance of main chain amide hydrogen bond donors near the N-terminus of the odd-number β-strands and side chain hydrogen bond acceptors in the loops between the subsequent α-helices and even-numbered β-strands. In this configuration, the clamps provide an N-terminal cap to odd-number β- strands in the β-barrel. Taken together, these findings suggest that βα-hairpin clamps are a vestigial signature of the fundamental βαβ building block for the (βα)8 motif and an integral part of the basic TIM barrel architecture. The relative paucity of βα-hairpin clamps remaining in TIM barrel structures and their variable contributions to stability imply that other determinants for structure and stability of the barrel have evolved to…
Enhanced Structural Stability of o -LiMnO 2 by Sol−Gel Coating of Al 2 O 3

Sol-gel coating of Al2O3 and subsequent heat-treatment at 400 °C greatly improved structural instability of orthohombic LiMnO2 during electrochemical cycling at 55 °C. The coated electrode showed only 2% capacity loss after 50 cycles, which was superior to that of the bare one (35% loss) in its capacity stability. This was attributed to the formation of a protective coating layer, consisting of LiMn1-xAlxO2, only at the particle surface.
Investigation of static electrification phenomenon due to transformer oil flow in electric power apparatus

Experimental investigations of the factors affecting the generation and accumulation of static charges due to oil flow in electrical equipment are introduced and discussed. The influence of oil temperature, flow rate, and type and frequency of electrical field energization on streaming electrification of fresh transformer oil (Diala-B) has been investigated by a closed oil cycle. In addition, comparisons between the calculated and the measured values of the relative streaming currents are introduced. A spinning disc system is also used to investigate factors that cannot be easily investigated by the closed cycle, e.g. moisture content, antistatic additives, and the material of which the rotating disc is made. The experiments have been carried out for both fresh and aged oil within the temperature range of 20 to 80 degrees C using rotating discs made of various materials. The type of rotating disc material causes evident quantitative and qualitative changes in the measured current. >
Development and Laboratory Performance Evaluation of a Personal Multipollutant Sampler for Simultaneous Measurements of Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants

A personal multipollutant sampler has been developed. This sampler can be used for measuring exposures to particulate matter and criteria gases. The system uses asingle personalsampling pump that operates at a flow rate of 5.2 l/min. The basic unit consists of two impaction-based samplers for PM2.5 and PM10 attached to a single elutriator. Two mini PM2.5 samplers are also attached to the elutriator for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), sulfate, and nitrate measurements. For the collection of nitrate and sulfate, the minisampler includes a miniaturized honeycomb glass denuder that is placed upstream of the filter to remove nitric acid and sulfur dioxide and to minimize artifacts. Two passive samplers can also be attached to the elutriator for measurements of gaseous copollutants such as O3, SO2, and NO2. The performance of the multipollutant sampler was examined through a series of laboratory chamber tests. The results showed a good agreement between the multipollutant sampler and the reference methods. The overall sampler performance demonstrates its suitability for personal exposure assessment studies.
Hyperspectral Imaging Applications in Agriculture and Agro-Food Product Quality and Safety Control: A Review

Abstract In this review, various applications of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) in agriculture and in the quality control of agro-food products are presented. NIR-HSI is an emerging technique that combines classical NIR spectroscopy and imaging techniques in order to simultaneously obtain spectral and spatial information from a field or a sample. The technique is nondestructive, nonpolluting, fast, and relatively inexpensive per analysis. Currently, its applications in agriculture include vegetation mapping, crop disease, stress and yield detection, component identification in plants, and detection of impurities. There is growing interest in HSI for safety and quality assessments of agro-food products. The applications have been classified from the level of satellite images to the macroscopic or molecular level.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN THE CONFIRMATORY METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF FLUBENDAZOLE IN FISH AND SHRIMP MUSCLES BETWEEN HPLC-MS/MS (Q MICRO) AND UPLC-MS/MS (TQD)

A confirmatory method for determination of flubendazole was developed in ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (AQUITY UPLC–TQD) and in HPLCMS/MS (Quattro micro) at same time. The method was validated in Bagda shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish. The liquid chromatographic separation was done with gradient elution by using (Atlantis® dC18, 3µm, 4.6x100 column in case of HPLC system whereas AQUITY UPLC BEH C18, 2.1x50mm, 1.7µm, Column in UPLC system) same mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Mass spectral acquisition was done using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode applying multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of two diagnostic transition reactions for flubendazole and for flubendazole_d3. Shrimp and fish samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and evaporated to dryness and finally reconstituted with acetonitrile. The method validation was carried out according to the criteria of Commission decision 2002/657/EC. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the concentration range from 1 to 20 ng/g with the correlation coefficient of >0.996 in all cases. In case of shrimp samples the decision limit (CCα) and the detection capability (CCβ) were 5. 8μg/kg and 6. 5μg/kg respectively in system1 and 5. 6μg/kg and 6. 2μg/kg in system2. In case of fish sample CCα values were 6. 00μg/kg and 5. 4μg/kg in system1 and system2 and CCβ values were 7. 1μg/kg and 5. 8μg/kg respectively for
Radiation effect on the thermal cracking of n-hexadecane. 1: Products from radiation-thermal cracking

In order to examine the applicability of radiation technology to hydrocarbon processing, radiation-thermal cracking of n-hexadecane was carried out in the liquid and gas phases by introducing cobalt-60 {gamma}-radiation in the temperature range of 300--400 C. The cracking process was observed to be significantly enhanced in both phases. For example, it was about 100 times faster under a dose rate of around 500 Gy/h at 330 C in the gas phase. The observed product pattern for radiation-thermal cracking was the same as that for pure thermal cracking, only dependent on the phase. Similar to pure thermal cracking, addition products and larger yields of alkanes were observed in the liquid phase, whereas no addition products but larger yields of alkenes were observed in the gas phase. In addition, a large evolution of H{sub 2} due to C-H dissociation by radiation was observed.
Comparison of incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and selected indices of vascular endothelium status in women aged 40-60.

The aim of our study was to compare cardiovascular risk factors and selected indices of vascular endothelium status in women aged 40-60, inhabiting urban (86 women) and rural (72 women) areas. In women inhabiting rural regions compared with urban dwellers, a significantly lower incidence of metabolic syndrome was found (31.7% vs. 66.7%) as well as higher waist circumference (92.65±13.56 vs. 86.25±13.56 cm), lower values of rest heart rate (60.8±8.2/min. vs. 64.5±9.3/min.), less frequent occurrence of increased values of diastolic blood pressure (14.8% vs. 24.4%), raised peptide C serum levels (48.5% vs. 57.1%), and higher IGF BP1 serum values (7.94±6.84 vs. 6.97±8.41 ng/ml). Despite the differences in distribution of metabolic syndrome and obesity in postmenopausal women inhabiting rural and urban areas in the Lublin region, there were no significant differences in selected indices of vascular endothelial status.
The incompressibility and thermal expansivity of D2O ice II determined by powder neutron diffraction

Using high-resolution neutron powder diffraction, the molar volume of a pure sample of D2O ice II has been measured, within its stability field, at 225 K, over the pressure range 0.25 < P < 0.45 GPa. Ar gas was used as the pressure medium, to avoid the formation of `stuffed ice' gas hydrates encountered when using He. The third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state parameters of helium-free D2O ice II, referenced to 225 K, are: V0,225 = 306.95 ± 0.04 A3 (1299.7 ± 0.2 kg m−3), K0,225 = 12.13 ± 0.07 GPa, with K'_{0,225} fixed at 6.0. The thermal expansivity of metastable D2O ice II samples recovered to ambient pressure has also been measured, over the range 4.2 < T < 160 K; above 160 K an irreversible transition to ice Ic was observed. The volumetric expansion coefficient, αV, at P = 0 and T = 225 K, is predicted to be 2.48 × 10−4 K−1.
Analysis of the damaged components of permed hair using biochemical technique

We have developed a new method of fractionating hair components in order to analyze the damaged components and the degree of damage due to perming. We found that the amount of constituent proteins extracted by an anionic surfactant with reductant was influenced by the concentration of the reductant. Using this method, the matrix and the microfibril protein could be easily separated and quantified. Applying this method to the analysis of individual hairs, we found a significant decrease in the intact microfibril protein on the tip end of permed hair.
Effect of Different Parameters on Gelatin Adsorption and Stability of the Colloidal Dispersion of Gelatin-Coated Magnetic Iron Oxide Nano-Particles

In this study, magnetic iron oxide nano-particles (IOPs) of ca. 8 nm in size were coated with gelatin A or B. The effect of temperature, pH, incubation time and salinity on the adsorption of the polymer coating was studied. The effect of pH and salinity on the stability of the colloidal dispersion was also studied using the inductive plasma coupling technique by measuring the concentration of IOPs present in the dispersion after 24 h incubation under specified conditions. The results showed that the adsorption of gelatin B was greater relative to that of gelatin A, probably as a result of the presence of a comparatively large number of free carboxylic groups. The adsorption phenomenon was affected by temperature, pH, incubation time and the salinity of the medium. However, it was observed that the concentration of IOPs in the dispersion was not drastically affected after incubation under given conditions of pH and salinity, thereby demonstrating the stability of the colloidal dispersion as a result of steric stabilization by gelatin. The dispersions were stable for a minimum of 24 h without any visual precipitation.