Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic Radiation‐Based Dry Blanching of Red Bell Peppers: A Comparative Study

Retention of water-soluble nutrients, prevention of solid loss and elimination of waste water generation are some of the advantages of dry blanching. Dry blanching of red bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) slices using infrared (IR) and microwave (MW) radiations was attempted and its performance was compared with conventional water and steam blanching methods. Processing conditions (time and temperature) were standardized on the basis of degree of enzyme inactivation (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase). Effect of blanching methods on retention of micronutrients such as ascorbic acid, β-carotene and protein, besides product shrinkage, structure and texture (shearing force) were analyzed. Water and steam blanching were found to need lower processing time (1.0 and 1.5 min, respectively) compared with IR (6.0 min) and MW blanching (3.0 min). However, MW-blanched samples retained higher amounts of ascorbic acid (94.7%). Dry blanching with IR (150C) and MW (17.5 W/g) resulted in higher retention of β-carotene (103.2 and 118.6%, respectively) compared with water (60.3%) and steam blanching (88.3%). Dry blanching resulted in moisture loss (1–6%) and shrinkage, perhaps resulting in higher shearing force observed in dry blanched slices. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that method of blanching has a role on extent of effect on cell structure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Red bell pepper is a rich source of ascorbic acid and β-carotene. This study explored the possibilities of dry blanching red bell pepper using infrared and microwave radiation as a potential alternative to water and steam blanching. The dry blanching is expected to retain higher amount of nutrients, reduce solid loss and eliminate effluent generation besides being convenient to operate.
Indices of PAH Origin—A Case Study of the Gulf of Gdańsk (SE Baltic) Sediments

The aim of this work is to present a way of developing indices for assessing the dominant origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the basis of a case study in the Gulf of Gdańsk (SE Baltic). The indices were based on selected concentration ratios of both parent and alkylated PAHs found in reference matrices that are potential anthropogenic sources of PAH pollution for this area, i.e., airborne particulate matter (PM10) from the Gdańsk conurbation, soot derived from wood and diesel oil combustion, and a variety of petrogenic products. Verification of the suitability of the PAH ratios for source apportionment showed that the following indices are potentially the most useful for distinguishing PAHs of pyrogenic and petrogenic origin: [Σ3-+Σ4-ring-PAHs]/[Σ5-+Σ6-ring-PAHs], ΣmMP/Phen, 4,5-MP/ΣmMP, 1,7-dMP/[1,7-+2,6-dMP]. It was found that PAHs deposited in recent sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk originate mainly from pyrogenic sources, while perylene is also derived from diagenetic processes.
Corrosion Inhibition and Adsorption Properties of Methocarbamol on Mild Steel in Acidic Medium

The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in H 2SO 4 in the presence of methocarbamol was studied using thermometric and gasometric (hydrogen evolution) methods. The study revealed that the corrosion rate increases with temperature, time and concentration of H2SO 4. Addition of methocarbamol to the corrodent solution lowered the corrosion rate of mild steel. Inhibition efficiency (%I) of methocarbamol was found to increase with concentration and decreased with temperature. Adsorption of methocarbamol molecule on mild steel surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The phenomenon of physical adsorption is proposed from the obtained thermodynamic parameters.
Chain Length Effects on Frictional Behavior of Confined Ultrathin Films of Linear Alkanes under Shear

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the effect of molecular chain length on frictional behavior of confined thin liquid films under shear. One of the walls confining the films, composed of linear alkanes (chain length 6−80), was moved at a constant velocity for two different pressures. The results indicate that there are distinct differences in frictional behavior under fast sliding velocity between low and high pressures. Under high pressure, interfacial slip appears between the moving wall, base, and the film, and shear stress doe not depend on the chain length. On the other hand, for low pressure, interlayer slips within the film appear in longer chains and shear stress depends on the chain length. In the interfacial and interlayer slip regions, more heat generated by friction is observed. Also, the interfacial shear stress is caused by the slider, interlayer shear stress is caused by interwined and locked layers, and both these stresses have maximum values. When the maximum int.
Degradation of Phenol in Aqueous System by Solar Photocatalysis, Photolysis and Adsorption Processes

Phenol degradation in aqueous solutions using chitosan prepared from Crassostrea gigas (Sea oyster) shells as adsorbent was investigated using photocatalysis and adsorption processes at ambient temperature. Photolysis was carried out to study the effect of light on the degradation of phenol at ambient temperature while adsorption process was carried out without utilizing solar illumination. Effect of initial concentrations of phenol (50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/l), TiO 2 loading (4, 8, 16 and 20 %), and composite mass (adsorbent + TiO 2 ) (1, 3, 5 and 8 g) were investigated using UV-Visible spectrophotometric technique. The results obtained indicate that phenol removal increases with time and concentration of the catalyst (TiO 2 ) and decreases with increase in initial concentration of phenol and composite mass. Combination of UV irradiation with TiO 2 loading gave a degradation efficiency ranging from 98.13 - 98.92 % while UV irradiation with composite mass gave a degradation efficiency ranging from 84.80 - 98.51 %. The efficiency of the processes of degradation of phenol followed the trend: photocatalysis>photolysis> adsorption. The kinetics of the degradation fitted the Langmuir and pseudo-second–order models. Keywords: Adsorption, Crassostrea gigas , Photocatalysis, Photolysis, Titanium dioxide
A mechanistic theory of hydrogen embrittlement of steels

Consideration of the relation between the cohesive energy and the surface free energy leads to the inference that dissolved hydrogen reduces the maximum cohesive resistive force of which the iron lattice is capable. This forms the basis of a mechanistic model for the velocity of hydrogen‐induced crack propagation in steels. The crack grows when the local tensile elastic stress normal to the plane of the crack equals the local maximum cohesive force per unit area as reduced by the large concentration of hydrogen drawn there by the effect of elastic stress on the chemical potential of hydrogen. The velocity of the growth is given by the solution of the relevant transport equation for the accumulation of hydrogen. Although quantifiable in principle the theory remains implicit because of current ignorance of the needed functional relationships, but some qualitative predictions and insights are possible, as well as the specification of important experiments.
Importing, Exporting, and Firms’ Productivity Evolution in China

Firms display remarkable persistence in exporting and importing status. However, export and import status do not overlap perfectly, as some exporters do not import while some importers do not export. Motivated by these facts, I develop a dynamic discrete choice model of a firm’s decision to import and export. A firm needs to pay either sunk costs to initiate an activity or fixed costs to maintain that activity, anticipating that the decision would impact its future productivity and expected revenue. Estimating the model for a range of Chinese industries, I find that both activities benefit a firm’s future productivity. Then, I investigate the impact of trade liberalization and government subsidy policies on firms’ importing and exporting behavior using the estimated model. A simulation of market expansion raises both exporting and importing participation rates and generates a modest increase in mean productivity. Subsidizing either the sunk costs or the fixed costs of one activity raises the activity’s participation rate while discouraging the other activity. In addition, subsidizing the fixed costs of exporting generates a larger increase in total foreign market revenue than subsidizing the sunk costs of exporting. ∗Email: yyi102@syr.edu. I am grateful to Devashish Mitra, Mary E. Lovely, and Mengxiao Liu for their continuous support and guidance throughout my Ph.D. I would also like to thank George Alessandria, Mostafa Beshkar, Kristy Buzard, Paola Conconi, Giovanni Maggi, David Kuenzel, Ahmad Lashkaripour, Philip Luck, Eric Verhoogen, Luhang Wang, and paticipants at the Syracuse University Trade Breakfast for helpful comments and discussions. Of course, I am responsible for all the errors.
Synthesis and characterization of cerium oxide nanoparticles coated with turbostratic boron nitride

A method based on a hydrothermal process was applied to obtain not only ultrafine but also well-dispersed CeO2 nanoparticles by the application of citric acid as a protective agent against particle growth. The well-defined crystallites have a narrow size distribution, and the mean size and BET specific surface area are 3.1 nm and 211 m2 g−1, respectively. A mixture of the condensation product of boric acid and 2,2′-iminodiethanol (diethanolamine) and cerium oxide nanoparticles has been found to yield turbostratic boron nitride (tBN) coatings on the cerium oxide surface after heating the mixture in a flow of ammonia. Formation of a tBN layer was identified using high-resolution electron microscopy and infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The surface tBN layer was found to be a few nanometres thick with a surface coverage of 51.2%. However, coating of cerium oxide with such a tBN layer is suitable both for whitening the colour whilst maintaining good ultraviolet absorption properties and for restraining the high oxidation activity of cerium oxide.
Rapid room-temperature synthesis of nanosheet-assembled ZnO mesocrystals with excellent photocatalytic activity

We have investigated the growth of ZnO in a simple alkaline solution by chemical precipitation. ZnO nano(micro)structures with well-defined morphologies have been realized by tuning the Zn2+ : OH− ratio and the amount of the complexing agent NH4F. Importantly, we have demonstrated a fast spontaneous room-temperature formation of ZnO mesocrystals constructed with nanosheet subunits. The growth of ZnO involves the phase transformation from two intermediate compounds ZnF(OH) and Zn(OH)2. The nanosheets are observed to be ZnO (100) facets from the side- and top-view high-resolution TEM measurements. By comparing the arrangement of the (100) nanosheets in the mesocrystal with the organization of the {100} planes in the wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO, we identify for the first time the assembly of 2D nanosheets into 3D architectures by epitaxy. This unique self-assembly by epitaxy effectively separates the nanosheets in an ordered manner, producing a robust, geometrically ideal photocatalyst that is easily separable and recyclable. Being constructed of reactive (100) facets, the microstructured ZnO exhibits much higher photocatalytic efficiency than its nanoparticle counterpart. The defective nature of the (100) facets confirmed by the photoluminescence study explains the visible photocatalysis of the nanosheet assemblies.
Steady free convection flow with variable viscosity and thermal diffusivity along a vertical plate

Presents a study of the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid along a heated vertical plate, taking into account the variation of the viscosity and thermal diffusivity with temperature. The governing conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy are non-dimensionalized by using an appropriate transformation. The resulting system of coupled ordinary differential equations is solved analytically and numerically. Euler's transformation has been used to improve the analytical solution towards the numerical solution. The results show rather good agreement between the analytical and numerical solutions near the plate. It is found that the velocity f' of air or water near the plate increases as the viscosity decreases (the viscosity parameter alpha increases), but an opposite effect is noticed at a certain distance from the plate. It is observed that both the velocity and temperature of air increase as the thermal diffusivity of air increases (the thermal diffusivity parameter beta increases). For water it is found that the temperature theta decreases as the viscosity decreases ( alpha increases). The dimensionless shearing stress at the plate, the heat transfer rate at the plate, the momentum boundary layer thickness delta 1, and the thermal boundary layer thickness delta 2 are estimated for different values of alpha , beta and the Prandtl number sigma .
Accuracy of Nanoparticle Diameters Measured with a Differential Mobility Analyzer in Free-Molecule Regime

We conducted precise measurements of electrical mobilities of negatively charged metal nanoparticles in Ar gas using a differential mobility analyzer. The measured inverse mobilities were larger than those calculated from the hard-sphere collision model. We propose a formula describing the relationship between the electrical mobilities and the diameters of particles measured using transmission electron microscopy, which corrects the deviation from the hard-sphere collision model.
THE ROMANIAN VERSION OF THE SATISFACTION WITH LIFE SCALE

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is one of the most widely used scales for the measurement of subjective well-being. The present study presents the translation of the SWLS in Romanian and examines its psychometric properties in a sample of 342 Romanian students. Results showed that the SWLS had good internal consistency; the Alfa Cronbach coefficient obtained for the entire scale is . 82. There are no gender differences. Confirmatory factor analysis showed support for a unidimensional factor structure, the indicators showing a good model fit. The solution with one factor was obtained by all the researchers who tested the structure of SWLS after its translation in different languages. These results suggest that the Romanian SWLS is a valid and reliable measure of life satisfaction. Although the SWLS is extensively studied and shows good psychometric properties including validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability, there are still important issues that need to be addressed. Future investigations should consider assessing the temporal stability of this instrument. Cuvinte cheie: Analiză factorială confirmatorie, psihologie pozitivă, satisfacția cu viața, stare de bine.
Characterization of the microbial diversity in a biotreatment process using non-culture based methods

Molecular techniques were used to compare the microbial community of suspended activated sludge and attached biofilm in a biological nutrient removal process (TNCU-I) operated under various COD/total P (COD/TP) feed ratios. Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of amplified 16S rRNA genes indicated that the microbial population structures were more closely related among those sludge samples taken from aerobic sludge than that taken from biofilm attached on the RBC. The use of different COD/TP feed ratios (300/2.5-300/25) had no significant effect on the change of microbial structures of sludge samples. The 16S rDNA clone library further indicated that at least eight and six different microbial populations were present in activated sludge and RBC biofilm, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that six of those eight major clones obtained from the suspended activated sludge were from the beta-subclass of the class Proteobacteria . In contrast, only one clone obtained from biofilm belonged to the beta-subclass of the Proteobacteria . This difference in the microbial population structure was possibly attributed to the growth state (suspended or attached) or carbon source (autographs or heterotrophs) of the sludge samples rather than the effect of the COD/TP ratio used.
O emprego de metodologias não destrutivas na avaliação de instrumentos endodônticos

The fracture of the endodontic instruments is a constant concern in the clinical life of the endodontist. The causes were analyzed through investigation of the alloys with which the instruments are made, their designs as well as wear during use. This study analyzed reciprocating endodontic instruments by means of two nondestructive methods in order to evaluate the same instrument before and after each use in simulated canals. The methods used were 3D non-contact optical profilometry and computerized X-ray microtomography (micro-CT). In the first methodology, the presence and occurrence of defects in areas of the pitch region of the WaveOne and Reciproc instruments were analyzed. Regarding the computerized X-ray microtomography (micro-CT), a preliminary study was carried out with the objective of investigating a new application of equipment for external and internal image of an endodontic instrument (high density material). The results obtained by the 3D noncontact optical profilometry method showed more defects in the pitches of the Primary WaveOne instruments compared to the Reciproc R25, regardless of the evaluation stage. The computerized X-ray microtomography allowed the visualization of the external surface and the core of the same instrument at different moments of the instrumentation process, thus enabling researchers to identify where the cracks started and their progression during the course of instrument use. In view of the results of the two methods, it was concluded that: the profilometry showed to be a research technique able to provide a precise and reproducible evaluation of the pitch region of the NiTi instruments, qualitatively and quantitatively. Regarding the microCT, it was possible to identify the beginning and the end of the damage generated, internally and externally in the sample, showing a viable method in the study of endodontic instruments.
Synthesis of Lithium-Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles by Flame Spray Pyrolysis

Crystalline LiCoO2nanoparticles were synthesized from an aqueous solution of acetate compounds of lithium and cobalt by a flame spray pyrolysis, and characterized by TEM, XRD, and BET method. We investigated the evolution of LiCoO2nanoparticles from liquid droplets sprayed along the flame and observed disintegration of aqueous precursor droplets about 10μm into smaller fragments around 50 nm in the high temperature flame, as well as decomposition/oxidation of the precursor and coalescence/coagulation. We also examined effects of process variables such as molar concentrations of the precursors and flow rates of combustible gases on the particle size and crystal structure. The average particle diameter increased with an increase in the molar concentration of the precursor. Raising the maximum flame temperature by controlling the gas flow rates also led to an increase in the average diameter of the particles. The crystalline nanoparticles synthesized were nearly spherical, and their average primary particle diameters ranged from 11 to 35 nm.
Soluble and exchangeable aluminum in Ultisols and Alfisols in West Africa

Abstract Aluminum in soil saturation extracts and exchangeable Al determined by N KCl extraction were studied using a large number of Ultisol and Alfisol samples from West Africa. The concentration of soil solution Al ranged from 0.05 to 4.5 ppm. Solution Al content was generally higher in the surface horizon (Ap and A1) than in the lower horizons within the same profile; whereas the reverse was true for exchangeable Al. For subsoil samples, the percentage exchangeable Al saturation was highly correlated with soil pH measured both in water and in N KCl. But for surface soil samples, the correlations were poor.
Salient Crises, Quiet Crises

We construct a new historical dataset of bank equity returns for 46 countries over the period 1870-2016 to examine the role of bank losses and panics in banking crises. Bank equity declines capture episodes both with salient crisis symptoms, such as panics and government interventions, and quieter periods of banking sector distress, allowing us to expand the sample of crises beyond those identified by previous narrative accounts. We find that quiet crises, defined by large bank equity declines without panics, are also associated with substantial credit contractions and output gaps. Large bank equity declines tend to precede panics, when they occur, suggesting that while panics can be an important amplification mechanism, panics are not necessary for the occurrence of severe economic consequences and tend to occur after banking losses are recognized. We use bank equity returns to uncover a number of forgotten historical banking crises and to create a banking crisis chronology emphasizing bank equity losses and failures. * The authors would like to thank Md Azharul Islam, Jamil Rahman, and Bryan Tam for their extraordinary research assistance. Isha Agarwal, Isaac Green, William Shao, Sylvia Lu, Felipe Silva, and the librarians at the Harvard Business School Historical Collections also provided valuable assistance. The authors would also like to thank Jason Donaldson, Sam Hanson, Mikael Juselius, Arvind Krishnamurthy, Randy Kroszner, Moritz Schularick, Andrei Shleifer, and seminar participants at Cambridge University, Cornell University, Danmarks Nationalbank, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Georgetown University, Harvard University, MIT, University of Bonn, University of Rochester, Yale University, the Federal Reserve Board, Richmond Fed, Boston Fed, OCC, Chicago Booth financial crises conference, fall 2018 NBER Corporate Finance meeting, Becker-Friedman Institute junior finance/macro conference, 2018 AEA meeting, and 2019 AFA meeting for their comments and feedback. We thank Mika Vaihekoski and Frans Buelens for sharing data. A previous version of this paper was circulated with the title “Bank Equity and Banking Crises. ” ** Contact information: Matthew Baron, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, baron@cornell.edu; Emil Verner, MIT Sloan, everner@mit.edu; Wei Xiong, Princeton University and NBER, wxiong@princeton.edu.