Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Situ Chromium(VI) Reduction Using Iron(II) Solutions: Modeling Dynamic Geochemical Gradients

Previous experiments were conducted using Atlantic Coastal Plain soils and subsurface sediments to evaluate the effectiveness of Fe(II) solutions (FeCl2 or FeSO4) as an in situ means of remediating Cr(VI) contamination. Although Fe(II) was effective in reducing Cr(VI), the subsequent precipitation of Cr(III) was inhibited by the decrease in pH accompanying hydrolysis of Fe(III) and Cr(III). Including acetate buffer (pH 5.6) enhanced Cr(III) precipitation in batch equilibrium experiments, but added SO42− and acetate enhanced Cr(VI) mobility. Reactive transport modeling based on available data and constants derived from the literature was used to describe the dynamic geochemical gradients associated with advective–dispersive conditions encountered during the application of such a remediation strategy. Two mechanisms of Cr partitioning were simulated: (i) Cr(VI) (CrO42−) sorption to and competition with SO42− for weak binding sites associated with Fe oxides using the diffuse double layer model based on surface protonation and complexation constants derived from the literature, with reactive site densities derived from batch data; and (ii) Cr(III) precipitation in the form of a mixed Cr(III)–Fe(III) hydroxide. Adjusting for only two optimized parameters, apparent site density and solubility, the transport model predictions were qualitatively consistent with observed Cr(VI) behavior during both the contamination and remediation phases, including the enhanced migration of Cr(VI) induced by SO42− competition and the continued migration of Cr(III) associated with acidification induced by oxidation of nonbuffered Fe(II) treatments. Discrepancies between experimental results and model simulations can be attributed to the kinetics of both sorption and redox processes.
Consequences of forest conversion to pasture and fallow on soil microbial biomass and activity in the eastern Amazon

The main change in soil use in Amazonia is, after slash and burn deforestation followed by annual crops, the establishment of pastures. This conversion of forest to pasture induces changes in the carbon cycle, modifies soil organic matter content and quality and affects biological activity responsible for numerous biochemical and biological processes essential to ecosystem functioning. The aim of this study was to assess changes in microbial biomass and activity in fallow and pasture soils after forest clearing. The study was performed in smallholder settlements of eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Soil samples from depths of 0–2, 2–5 and 5–10 cm were gathered in native forest, fallow land 8–10 yr old and pastures with ages of 1–2, 5–7 and 10–12 yr. Once fallow began, soil microbial biomass and its activity showed little change. In contrast, conversion to pasture modified soil microbial functioning significantly. Microbial biomass and its basal respiration decreased markedly after pasture establishment and continued to decrease with pasture age. The increase in metabolic quotient in the first years of pasture indicated a disturbance in soil functioning. Our study confirms that microbial biomass is a sensitive indicator of soil disturbance caused by land‐use change.
Light Scattering Study of Aggregation Kinetics in Dense, Gelling Aerosols

We report the results of a study of the kinetics of a dense aggregating aerosol system that show that the predictions of the Diffusion Limited Cluster Aggregation (DLCA) model no longer hold when the system is dense. We studied a soot aerosol using the small angle light scattering technique created by exploding a mixture of a hydrocarbon gas and oxygen in a closed chamber. The soot particles started as individual monomers, ca. 38 nm radius, grew to bigger fractal clusters with time and finally stopped evolving after spanning a network across the whole system volume. This spanning is aerosol gelation. The study of the kinetics of the aggregating system showed that as the system evolved from a cluster dilute to cluster dense system, the aggregation kernel homogeneity λ evolved from the dilute limit, DLCA value of zero to a value 0.42 +/− 0.05 at the gel point. This evolution is consistent with previous simulation and theory. The experimental value at the gel point is nearly equal to the value of 0.5 predicted by simulation and theory. In addition, the magnitude of the aggregation kernel showed an increase with increasing volume fraction.
Selenium concentration of fescue and bahiagrasses after applying a selenium fertilizer

Two experiments were conducted, one with bahiagrass in North Central Florida (Gainesville) and the other with fescue in Northwest Florida (Quincy), to evaluate the selenium levels of the grasses after applying a slow release selenium fertilizer (Selcote Ultra). In the bahiagrass study, forage samples were collected from 3×5 m plots which had been sprayed with Selcote Ultra at treatment rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g ha−1 selenium. Samples were collected every two weeks for a total of six collections. In the fescue study, the procedure was the same except that forage samples were collected at 2, 4, 6, 10, 16, and 22 wk after applying the fertilizer, and the rates were 0, 5, 10, 24, and 120 g ha−1 selenium. For bahiagrass, only the 10, 15, and 20 g ha−1 selenium treatments reached acceptable levels in the forage (>0.1 mg kg−1) for beef cattle. The 10 g ha−1 selenium treatment reached adequate levels (0.25 mg kg−1) only at 4 wk after application. The 15 g ha−1 selenium treatment presented adequate levels of selenium at 2, 4, and 6 wk after application (0.19, 0.17, and 0.17 mg kg−1, respectively). The 20 g ha−1 selenium treatment had adequate forage selenium at 4 and 6 wk after application (0.19 and 0.23 mg kg−1, respectively). The 5 g ha−1 selenium treatment and the control did not reach acceptable values and were selenium deficient. All treatments were deficient at 8 and 12 wk. In the fescue study, all treatments presented adequate concentrations (0.1 mg kg−1) of selenium in the forage, except for the control. At two weeks after application, the 24 g ha−1 and the 120 g ha−1 selenium treatments had toxic selenium levels in forage. However, these values declined to below toxicity (4–5 mg kg−1) at all other collection dates. Florida Agriculture Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-08246.
HISTOPATHOLOGY STUDIES OF SELECTED ORGANS OF Hemichromis fasciatus INHABITING IGUN GOLD MINING AND OPA RESERVOIRS, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

This study examined the histopathological alterations in the gills, fillet and liver of Hemichromis fasciatus in Igun reservoir (located in an abandoned goldmine area) compared to those of Opa reservoir. Life fish species were collected from Opa and Igun reservoirs and identified in the laboratory. Techniques based on histological analyses were done on the organs and photomicrographs taken using digital binocular compound LED microscope. Epithelial lifting and hypertrophy of lamellae were observed in the gills of H. fasciatus in Opa reservoir and compared to rupture of gill epithelium, rupture of chloride cell, fusion, hyperplasia, curling of lamellae in H. fasciatus of Igun reservoir. The fillet of H. fasciatusin Opa and Igun reservoirs revealed splitting and atrophy of muscle bundles. Also, parasite cyst and necrosis were observed in the fillet of H. fasciatus of Igun reservoir compared to degeneration in muscle bundles in the fish of Opa reservoir. Similarly, the liver of H. fasciatus in Igun and Opa reservoirs showed splitting at the wall of central vein, hepatopancreas and liver cells degeneration. Moreover, nucleus hypertrophy was also identified in the liver of H. fasciatus in Opa reservoir compared to vascular congestion in the central vein, bile duct, portal vein and portal artery of H. fasciatus in Igun reservoir. The study therefore concluded that H. fasciatus specimens in Igun reservoir were histopathologically unhealthy as compared with those of Opa reservoir probably due to the high level of pollution resulting in bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Igun reservoir samples. Obayemi, O. E | Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Survey on Ethno-Veterinary Practices of Native Chicken Raisers in Davao Region, Philippines

Nine hundred (900) native chicken raisers were surveryed to verify the extent of ethno-veterinary practices in controlling diseases and parasites in Davao Region. In this survey, the author analyzed the extent of traditional medicine usage vis-a-vis that of modern drugs. Twenty four herbal species, 5 ethno remedies, 7 herbal dewormers, 6 herbal insecticides and one method for eliminating fowl mites were documented. Some herbs have multiple medicinal uses and others vary in their dosage and preparation, thus, the need for standardization and validation. Results also reveal that a significant percentage of raisers neither treat (23%) nor deworm (41%) their flock, an indication that some raisers do not consider native chicken production as an economic enterprise but only as a source of food for the family.
An assessment of customer retention with self-service technology : a comparative study between Internet banking and mobile banking in Saudi Arabia

Self-service technology (SST) channels (i.e. Mobile banking; Internet banking) have been commonly adopted by banks in Saudi Arabia as a one of the main mechanisms to enhance the customer experience, satisfaction, and loyalty. By using such channels, customers will have an effective role in terms of value co-creation as they will undertake the financial service required individually and without any assistance from the banking staff at their own convenience in terms of time and place. Banks could also benefit from such novel channels by maintaining the quality of their services, increasing geographical coverage, and decreasing labour cost. However, such benefits could not be easily captured by banks with lower levels of customer retention with regard to SST channels as in the case of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, in the Saudi Arabia banking context, there is a lack of current understanding regarding the main factors predicting the customers’ adoption and usage of SST channels (e.g. Internet banking and mobile banking) due to the limited studies undertaken in Saudi Arabia. This is in addition to the fact that customer retention has never been studied in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the fundamental aim of this thesis is to identify and empirically examine the key factors predicting retention of SST banking channels. Through a critical review of the main body of SST literature and information systems theories, the conceptual model proposed was based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and expectation confirmation theory (ECT). This was also extended by adding perceived risk and culture as external factors. The positivist quantitative research approach was adopted in the current study to test the conceptual model and research hypotheses. The empirical data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a convenience sample of Saudi bank customers (potential users and actual users of SST channels). The collected data was then tested using Structural Equation Modelling. The main statistical findings largely supported the significant impact of model factors for two SST channels: Internet banking and mobile banking (i.e. perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, perceived risk, cultural factors, confirmation, and satisfaction). This study makes an important contribution by applying TAM and ECT to examine new technology (SST) in a new context (Saudi Arabia) and by including perceived risk and culture alongside the TAM and ECT constructs and adding new relationships. Results of the current study will hopefully help banks in Saudi Arabia to design and deliver their SST channels in a more acceptable form.
A Fast and Efficient Version of the TwO-Moment Aerosol Sectional (TOMAS) Global Aerosol Microphysics Model

This study develops more computationally efficient versions of the TwO-Moment Aerosol Sectional (TOMAS) microphysics algorithms, collectively called “Fast TOMAS. ” Several methods for speeding up the algorithm were attempted, but only reducing the number of size sections was adopted. Fast TOMAS models, coupled to the GISS GCM II-prime, require a new coagulation algorithm with less restrictive size resolution assumptions but only minor changes in other processes. Fast TOMAS models have been evaluated in a box model against analytical solutions of coagulation and condensation and in a 3-D model against the original TOMAS (TOMAS-30) model. Condensation and coagulation in the Fast TOMAS models agree well with the analytical solution but show slightly more bias than the TOMAS-30 box model. In the 3-D model, errors resulting from decreased size resolution in each process (i.e., emissions, cloud processing/wet deposition, microphysics) are quantified in a series of model sensitivity simulations. Errors resulting from lower size resolution in condensation and coagulation, defined as the microphysics error, affect number and mass concentrations by only a few percent. The microphysics error in CN70/CN100 (number concentrations of particles larger than 70/100 nm diameter), proxies for cloud condensation nuclei, range from –5% to 5% in most regions. The largest errors are associated with decreasing the size resolution in the cloud processing/wet deposition calculations, defined as cloud-processing error, and range from –20% to 15% in most regions for CN70/CN100 concentrations. Overall, the Fast TOMAS models increase the computational speed by 2 to 3 times with only small numerical errors stemming from condensation and coagulation calculations when compared to TOMAS-30. The faster versions of the TOMAS model allow for the longer, multi-year simulations required to assess aerosol effects on cloud lifetime and precipitation. Copyright 2012 American Association for Aerosol Research
New group III-group V compounds: BP and BAs

Xray powder diffraction da ta for the two compounds are l isted in Table 1. Bo th B P and BAs decompose when hea ted in air. BP is stable to a t least 1250 ° C. when hea ted in an a tmosphere of phosphorus. I n the presence of arsenic vapor BAs is stable to 920 ° C. ; above t ha t t empera tu re it undergoes an irreversible t ransformat ion to a tancolored or thorhombic modif icat ion whose exact composition has no t ye t been established. The uni t cell is C-face-centered wi th
Shape-Dependent Reducibility of Cuprous Oxide Nanocrystals

In this paper the reducibility of octahedral and cubic Cu2O nanocrystals that respectively expose the (111) and (100) crystal planes has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Reduced either by H2 or CO, the reduction temperature of octahedral Cu2O nanocrystals is lower than that of cubic Cu2O nanocrystals by more than 120 °C, which provides the unambiguous experimental results that the Cu2O(111) crystal plane is much more facile to be reduced than the Cu2O(100) crystal plane. The DFT calculation results reveal that the different reducibilities of octahedral and cubic Cu2O nanocrystals arise from their different surface structures, in which the Cu2O(111) surface has coordination unsaturated Cu but the Cu2O(100) surface does not. The chemisorption and activation of CO and H2 are stronger on the Cu2O(111) surface than on the Cu2O(100) surface. These results provide the convincing evidence for the shape-dependent surface reactivity of oxide nanocrystals.
RUNX1 mitotically bookmarks target genes that are important for the mammary epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

RUNX1 has recently been shown to play an important role in determination of mammary epithelial cell identity. However, mechanisms by which loss of the RUNX1 transcription factor in mammary epithelial cells leads to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are not known. Here, we report mitotic bookmarking of genes by RUNX1 as a potential mechanism to convey regulatory information through successive cell divisions for coordinate control of mammary cell proliferation, growth, and identity. Genome-wide RUNX1 occupancy profiles for asynchronous, mitotically enriched, and early G1 breast epithelial cells reveal RUNX1 is retained during the mitosis to G1 transition on protein coding and long non-coding RNA genes critical for mammary epithelial proliferation, growth, and phenotype maintenance. Disruption of RUNX1 DNA binding and association with mitotic chromosomes alters cell morphology, global protein synthesis, and phenotype-related gene expression. Together, these findings show for the first time that RUNX1 bookmarks a subset of epithelial-related genes during mitosis that remain occupied as cells enter the next cell cycle. Compromising RUNX1 DNA binding initiates EMT, an essential first step in the onset of breast cancer. Significance This study elucidates mitotic gene bookmarking as a potential epigenetic mechanism that impacts breast epithelial cell growth and phenotype and has potential implications in breast cancer onset.
Thermorheological Behavior of Polyethylene: Effects of Microstructure and Long Chain Branching

The independent and combined effects of long and short chain branching on the thermorheological behavior of polyethylene are described. The activation energy of linear poly(ethylene−butene) increases with butene content to approximately 33−34 kJ/mol and then levels off for butene contents between 7 and 25 wt %. Long chain branched homo-polyethylene is thermorheologically complex and is most sensitive to temperature at low frequency. A technique for determining the activation energy spectra of thermorheologically complex materials is proposed. Short and long branches in the same system synergistically increase the zero-shear rate activation energy.
Dissociation of dorso-lateral and dorso-medial prefrontal cortex contributions to familiarity and recollective processes in primates

According to dual-process theories, recognition memory draws upon both familiarity and recollection. It remains unclear how primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to familiarity and recollection processes but frequency-specific neuronal activities are considered to play a key role. Here, non-human primate (NHP) electrophysiological local field potential (LFP) recordings first showed that a specific subregion of macaque PFC (i.e., dorsolateral PFC, dlPFC) was implicated in task performance at a specific frequency (i.e., increased beta power in the 10-15 Hz range observed in correct versus error trials) in a specific phase of a recognition memory task (i.e., during sample presentation). Then, to assess generalization to humans and causality we targeted left human dlPFC (BA 9/46) as well as left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (BA 8/9) for comparison, and also vertex as a control, with transcranial magnetic stimulation at a frequency in the middle of the low-beta range observed in NHP (i.e. 12.5 Hz) and compared that to non-frequency-specific stimulation, and also to a no-stimulation control, during occasional sample presentations within a similar task. Hence we investigated hypotheses about the causal importance for human memory of a location-specific, frequency-specific, and task-epoch-specific intervention derived directly from the NHP electrophysiological observations. Using a dual-process signal detection (DPSD) model based on analysing receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, we showed beta-frequency TMS caused decreased recollection when targeted to human dlPFC, but enhanced familiarity when targeted to dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Non-frequency-specific patterns of stimulation to all sites, and beta-frequency stimulation to vertex, were all without behavioural effect. This study provides causal evidence that PFC-mediated contributions to object recognition memory are modulated by beta-frequency activity; more broadly it provides translational evidence bridging NHPs and humans by emphasizing functional roles of beta-frequency activity in homologous brain regions in recognition memory.low beta power in NHP dlPFC during stimulus encoding was related to behaviourhuman rTMS study used parameters derived from NHP observations to test causalitylow beta rTMS to human dlPFC, but not dmPFC, impairs recollectionlow beta rTMS to human dmPFC, but not dlPFC, enhances familiarityprovides cross-species validation of prefrontal beta power to primate recognition
Hydrogenating Effect of Single-Crystal Diamond Surface

Hydrogenation of diamond has been carried out using the electron-cyclotron-resonance microwave plasma chemical-vapor deposition apparatus. According to reflection high-energy and low-energy electron diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, the natural- and synthetic-diamond surfaces maintained their crystallinity even after the hydrogenation. Seebeck effect measurement and the temperature dependence of the resistance revealed an appearance of deep acceptor levels in the hydrogenated diamond layer. The diffusion depth of the hydrogen by the plasma treatment (2 h, 830°C) was roughly estimated to be ∼0.6 µm from the drain current-voltage characteristics of a rudimentary MISFET using the hydrogenated diamond.
The Effects of Mechanical Degradation and Viscoelastic Behavior on Injectivity of Polyacrylamide Solutions

Results of recent experiments that clarify the effects of mechanical degradation and viscoelastic behavior on the flow of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide solutions through porous media are presented. From these results, a simple model that may be used to predict injectivity of polyacrylamide solutions is developed. Injection pressures for linear corefloods are shown to be separable into two components: an initial pressure drop associated with the entrance of polymer into the sandstone and a constant pressure gradient throughout the remainder of the core. Entrance pressure drop is zero until the polymer solution flux increases to the rate where mechanical degradation takes place. Thereafter, entrance pressure drop and the degree of polymer mechanical degradation increase with increasing flux. These observations suggest that the entrance pressure drop is associated closely with the process of polymer mechanical degradation. A new correlation is developed that may be used to determine entrance pressure drop and the level of mechanical degradation directly as a function of sandface flux, permeability, and porosity. This correlation is more convenient to apply and less dependent on flow geometry than previous correlations. Based on these observations, a model is developed that may be used to estimate injectivity of polyacrylamide solutions in linearmore » or radial flow geometries. « less
DRYING KINETICS OF AGARICUS BISPORUS AND PLEUROTUS FLORIDA MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms are consumed as a source of protein throughout the world. In this article, the drying kinetics of two species of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus florida) has been reported. Mushrooms were blanched in boiling water for 1 min and immersed in solution containing 0.1% citric acid and 0.25% potassium metabisulfite for 15 min at room temperature. Treated mushrooms were dried in a tray dryer at selected temperatures (45.C, 50.C, 55.C, 60.C, and 65.C). Results indicated that drying took place in the falling–rate period, and the drying kinetics was adequately described by Page’s model. The process activation energy for drying equaled 19.79 and 23.59 kJ/mol, respectively, for Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus florida.