Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Soil Micropores and Small Mesopores on Phosphate Extraction From Soils

Abstract Slow release of added phosphate in soils is of fundamental importance for plant nutrition and pollution in aqueous environments. The diffusion of phosphate in micropores and mesopores after desorption from the inside surface of pores is the most likely mechanism for the slow release. There are limited experimental data on the effects of micropores and mesopores, and differences in the effects of these pores among various soil types have not been reported. Phosphate extractability was characterized using the Hedley fractionation method and sequential anion exchange membrane extraction for soils with widely different acid oxalate–extractable Al and Fe (Alo and Feo) contents (1.7–87 g kg−1 of Alo + 1/2Feo). We measured the total specific surface area (SSA), the SSA of micropores and mesopores, and the decrease in SSA after phosphate sorption. The proportion of labile phosphate relative to added phosphate and the rate of phosphate release in sequential extractions were negatively correlated with Alo and Feo and the porosity of the soils (the 0.7- to 4-nm pore SSA relative to the total SSA). The soil samples in which the 0.7- to 4-nm pore SSA decreased with added phosphate showed low proportions of labile phosphate and slow release rates. We demonstrated that phosphate release from soils with high Alo and Feo contents was more difficult because of phosphate sorption into micropores and small mesopores. Availability of fertilizer phosphate might be low in soils with a high porosity, but the effects of aging and competition with organic molecules should be further investigated.
Perspective of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy in Polymers

Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) is a novel method that provides molecular-level information about complex macromolecular structure in a manner different from, but complementary to, conventional physical and chemical methodology. This paper presents a perspective of PAS in polymeric systems covering 12 aspects: historical, spacial, spherical quantum model, anisotropic structure, voids, positronium chemistry, time, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and data analysis, variable monoenergetic slow positron beam techniques and depth profiling, elemental analysis, multidimensional instrumentation advances in PAS, and free volume and free-volume theories.
The Changes of Floral Color and Pigments Composition During the Flowering Period in Paeonia lactiflora Pallas

The floral colors and the pigments composition in six blooming phases of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas which was introduced from Hexigten,Inner Mongolia were determined.The floral color in different blooming stages was measured by the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(R.H.S.C.C.) and a NF333 spectrophotometer.Its anthocyanins and other flavonoids were subsequently analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection(HPLC-DAD)and HPLC electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS 2). And the relationship between petal colors and anthocyanin contents was explored by multiple linear regression analysis.The results indicated that,during the blooming period,the floral lightness increased while the value of chroma decreased,and the floral color changed from red purple(N57A)to violet(75C). In all,6 kinds of anthocyanins,4 kinds of flavone glycosides(luteolin 7-O-galloylglucoside,luteolin 7-Oarabinoside)and 15 kinds of flavonol glycosides were detected from petals of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas.Among these compounds,2 kinds of anthocyanins(peonidin-3-O-galloylglucoside-5-O-glucoside,peonidin-3-O-malonylglucoside-5-O-glucoside),2 kinds of flavone glycosides,and 13 kinds of flavonol glycosides were detected for the first time.The analysis showed that peonidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside (Pn3G5G)was the main anthocyanin which took up 93.93% of the total anthocyanins content(TA),while kaempferol-3-O-glucoside was the main flavonol glucoside with 48.78% of the total flavones conten(tTF). In addition,during the six blooming stages,TA increased slightly from the Pigmented stage to the Unfold-petal stage of flowering and decreased after that.On the contrary,TF decreased during the first two stages,and then increased continuously.At the last,the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the contents of Pn3G5G,isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside,quercetin-3-O-glucoside,quercetin-7-Oglucoside were linear correlation with the floral color changing.
Digital Transformation Now!: Guiding the Successful Digitalization of Your Business Model

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Adsorption and Corrosion Inhibition Performance by Three New Ionic Liquids on API 5L X52 Steel Surface in Acid Media

In the present work, three new ionic liquids (ILs) were tested as corrosion inhibitors (CIs): 1,2-dimethyl-3-decylimidazole iodide (DDI), N-triethyl methylammonium acetate (TMA) and N-triethyl methylammonium laurate (TML). The tests were carried out in 1.0 M solutions of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydrochloric acid (HCL) in order to inhibit the corrosion of API 5L X-52 steel. The corrosion inhibitors (CIs) were evaluated by Tafel polarization and polarization resistance (RP). The Tafel polarization results confirmed that DDI, TMA, and TML inhibited the steel corrosion and worked as mixed inhibitors in both corrosive media. In 1.0 M H2SO4, DDI featured the best inhibition efficiency (IE), which ranged from 57 to 95%, whereas TMA in 1.0 M HCl showed the best IE, which was within the 30–70% range. The IE obtained by RP in 1.0 M H2SO4 was increased as a function of time, while in 1.0 M HCl, it was inversely proportional. The adsorption displayed by DDI, TMA, and TML on the API 5L X52 steel surface was both phy.
Kinetic Modelling of Phenol Oxidation in a Bioremediation Medium Using Fenton's Reagent

The present study is aimed at kinetic modeling of phenol oxidation using Fentons reagent in a medium suitable for bioremediation of organic pollutants. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of H2O2 concentration (29.26 to 146.31 mM), temperature (5 to 35°C), and to compare the oxidation of phenol in a bioremediation medium to that in pure water. The reaction mechanism used for kinetic modeling is based on the intermediate oxidation products identified in this study using LC-MS and ion chromatography. Progress of the chemical oxidation by Fentons reagent was monitored by determining the residual phenol concentration and concentrations of evolved intermediate compounds (catechol and hydroquinone) at regular time intervals. The rate of phenol oxidation and ultimate conversion of phenol were found to increase with increase in hydrogen peroxide concentration. The increase in temperatures has a positive effect on phenol oxidation and the rate of phenol oxidation was found to increase with temperature in the range of 5-35°C. Kinetic parameters, namely rate constants and activation energies for reactions involved, were determined by best-fitting the experimental data to the proposed reaction model. The values of the rate constants for oxidation of phenol and intermediate compounds, k1 (phenol to catechol), k2 (phenol to hydroquinone), k3 (catechol to maleic acid), k4 (hydroquinone to maleic acid) at 25°C were found to be 7.02x10-5±4.63x10-5, 7.22x10-4±6.09x10-4, 1.82x10-4±1.08x10-4, 1.68x10-3±1.29x10-3 L/mM min, respectively.
Groundwater quality in a rural area from Buzău County, Romania.

The underground water is the only source of drinking water in Buzău County. As a consequence the investigation of the underground water has a major importance. In the present study, a number of seven groundwater sources, located in Bisoca commune, NE of Buzău County, were selected in order to investigate the underground water quality. Several physico-chemical (temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, oxidationreduction potential, salinity and turbidity) and chemical (Li + , Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , NH4 + , F , Cl , Br , NO2 , NO3 , PO4 3, SO4 2, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni and Pb) parameters were analyzed. The waters proved to have low salinity values (0.10.8‰) and electrical conductivity (89.5 – 1993.0 μS/cm). The dissolved ions distribution is dominated by the presence of sodium (3.6 – 232.9 mg/l), calcium (6.8 – 365.43 mg/l), sulphates (10.9 – 1301.4 mg/l), bicarbonates (427 – 793 mg/l) and chloride (5.1 – 166.1 mg/l). In the case of iron and lead there were registered exceeding’s of maximum permissible limits for drinking water.
Changes in Chemical Properties of an Oxisol Due to Gypsum Application

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for fertilizers and the fact that the world reserves of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are depletable make appropriate soil management a critical factor in agriculture. Techniques for the fertilizer use and soil acidity corrective are becoming increasingly necessary to minimize the cost of yield and increase the nutrient efficiency. In view of the aforementioned, the present study aimed to assess the effects of gypsum application on the leaching of cations in the soil profile. A completely randomized design in a 5 × 4 factorial arrangement, with five replicates, was used. The treatments corresponded to five gypsum rates (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 magnesium (Mg) ha−1) applied on broadcast of soil and at four depth sampled (0–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–20 cm). Gypsum application increased the fertility in depth, with the leaching of cations. There was an increase in soil pH, exchangeable K+ and calcium (Ca2+), sulfur (S–SO42−), P, boron (B), and manganese (Mn) concentration, cation exchange capacity (CEC), K+ and Ca2+ saturation, Ca2+/Mg2+, Ca2+/K+, and K+/(Ca2+ + Mg2+) ratios, and electrical conductivity in soil depth. On the other hand, there was a decrease in exchangeable Mg2+ and potential acidity hydrogen and aluminum (H+ + Al3+), available silicon (Si), Mg2+ saturation, and Ca2+/K+ and Mg2+/K+ ratio. These results demonstrate that the gypsum application in an Oxisol with 690 g kg−1 of clay improves the root system with a significant increase in the soil fertility in the profile.
Formation of VO2 by rapid thermal annealing and cooling of sputtered vanadium thin films

Sputtered vanadium-rich films were subjected to rapid thermal annealing-cooling (RTAC) in air to produce vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films with thermochromic switching behavior. High heating and cooling rates in the thermal oxidation process provided an increased ability to control the film's microstructure. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films revealed less intense VO2 peaks compared to traditional polycrystalline samples fabricated with a standard (slower) cooling time. Such films also exhibit a high optical switching reflectance contrast, unlike the traditional polycrystalline VO2thin films, which show a more pronounced transmittance switching. The authors find that the RTAC process stabilizes the VO2 (M2) metastable phase, enabling a rutile-semiconductor phase transition (R-M2), followed by a semiconductor–semiconductor phase transition (M2-M1).
Extraction and separation of Pr(III)/Ce(III) from chloride medium by 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-(2-ethylhexyl) ester in the presence of two complexing agents

ABSTRACT Extraction and separation of Pr(III)/Ce(III) from a chloride medium using 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-(2-ethylhexyl) ester in the presence of two water-soluble complexing agents, lactic acid and citric acid, were experimentally studied. By adding the complexing agents into an aqueous chloride medium, the extraction capacity and separation factor were as high as 30.97 g/L and 10.48, respectively, which were much higher than those in conventional solvent extraction systems. The cation-exchange mechanism was also verified by IR spectra. Thus, it was demonstrated that this complexing method can be used as an effective method for improving extraction efficiency and increasing selectivity of adjacent rare earth metals.
Confidential Inference via Ternary Model Partitioning

Today's cloud vendors are competing to provide various offerings to simplify and accelerate AI service deployment. However, cloud users always have concerns about the confidentiality of their runtime data, which are supposed to be processed on third-party's compute infrastructures. Information disclosure of user-supplied data may jeopardize users' privacy and breach increasingly stringent data protection regulations. In this paper, we systematically investigate the life cycles of inference inputs in deep learning image classification pipelines and understand how the information could be leaked. Based on the discovered insights, we develop a Ternary Model Partitioning mechanism and bring trusted execution environments to mitigate the identified information leakages. Our research prototype consists of two co-operative components: (1) Model Assessment Framework, a local model evaluation and partitioning tool that assists cloud users in deployment preparation; (2) Infenclave, an enclave-based model serving system for online confidential inference in the cloud. We have conducted comprehensive security and performance evaluation on three representative ImageNet-level deep learning models with different network depths and architectural complexity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of launching confidential inference services in the cloud with maximized confidentiality guarantees and low performance costs.
International Journal of Food Engineering Sorption Properties of Cape Gooseberry ( Physalis peruviana L . )

The sorption equilibrium of water for cape gooseberry at different temperatures (25, 35, 50 and 60°C) over a range of relative humidity levels, from 0.10 to 0.90, were determined using a gravimetric static method. The isosteric heat and Gibbs free energy were calculated from the sorption equilibrium. GAB, BET, SMITH, modified de Halsey, modified de Chung-Pfost, modified Oswin and modified Henderson models were tested to fit the experimental data. The GAB model was found to be the most suitable for describing the sorption curves. The monolayer moisture content values for the sorption at different temperatures were calculated using the BET model. The sorption curves show a Type III behavior. The isosteric heat decreased with increases in moisture content, while the Gibbs free energy increased.
Delayed Electron Transfer through Interface States in Hybrid ZnO/Organic-Dye Nanostructures

Electron injection from photoexcited chemisorbed dyes into zinc oxide is known to proceed in a stepwise manner, yet the origin of the injection retardation remains controversial. Here we present a complementary time-resolved spectroscopy study on the electron injection dynamics from organic dyes into ZnO using model perylene derivatives with systematically lengthened bridge units to clarify the influence of the positively charged cation on the escape of the injected electron. The combination of transient absorption, optical-pump terahertz-probe, and time-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy reveals that the delayed release of charges into ZnO is independent of Coulomb attraction between the dye cation and the injected electron. Rather, following dye photoexcitation the primary acceptor states of electron transfer into ZnO are interface states formed between the dye and the ZnO surface, which retard the formation of free charges.
Association of the Liver and Plasma Lipidomes with the Histological Stage of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Background and aims: Alcohol disturbs hepatic lipid synthesis and transport, but the role of lipid dysfunction in the severity of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is unclear. We therefore characterised the liver and plasma lipidome in a biopsy-controlled cohort of patients with early ALD. Methods: We performed ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for lipidomics of the liver and plasma from 315 patients, and of plasma from 51 healthy controls matched for age, gender and BMI. We correlated lipid levels with histological fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis, after correction for multiple testing and adjustment for age, gender, statin use, BMI, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and ongoing drinking. Moreover, we investigated the mechanism of dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism by whole-blood transcriptomics and qPCR sequencing of miRNA. Results: We detected 198 lipids in the liver and 236 lipids in the circulation from 18 lipid classes. Nearly all ceramides, sphingomyelins and lyso-phosphocholines in plasma decreased as fibrosis progressed. This was paralleled by a comparable decrease in the liver. Circulating and liver sphingomyelins were also inversely associated with hepatic inflammation. The lipidomic signature of healthy controls was only comparable to ALD patients with no fibrosis. Three circulating miRNA, highly involved in sphingomyelin metabolism, were dysregulated together with the mRNA expression of enzymes in the sphingomyelin degradation pathway. Mendelian randomization in Finnish and UK population biobanks externally validated our findings, suggesting a causal relationship between genetic disposition to ALD and low sphingolipid levels. Conclusions: Liver fibrosis severity in alcohol-related liver disease is characterized by selective lipid depletion in blood and liver, indicating profound effects of progressive disease on the bioactive sphingolipids, already from early stages of fibrosis.
Persistence of neutralizing antibodies a year after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in humans

Most subjects develop antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 following infection. In order to estimate the duration of immunity induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 it is important to understand for how long antibodies persist after infection in humans. Here, we assessed the persistence of serum antibodies following WT SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at 8 and 13 months after diagnosis in 367 individuals. The SARS‐CoV‐2 spike IgG (S‐IgG) and nucleoprotein IgG (N‐IgG) concentrations and the proportion of subjects with neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were assessed. Moreover, the NAb titers among a smaller subset of participants (n = 78) against a WT virus (B) and variants of concern (VOCs): Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2) were determined. We found that NAb against the WT virus persisted in 89% and S‐IgG in 97% of subjects for at least 13 months after infection. Only 36% had N‐IgG by 13 months. The mean S‐IgG concentrations declined from 8 to 13 months by less than one third; N‐IgG concentrations declined by two‐thirds. Subjects with severe infection had markedly higher IgG and NAb levels and are expected to remain seropositive for longer. Significantly lower NAb titers against the variants compared to the WT virus, especially after a mild disease, suggests reduced protection against VOCs.
Clinical outcomes in vaccinated individuals hospitalized with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2

Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 with increased transmissibility or immune escape have been causing large outbreaks of COVID-19 infections across the world. As most of the vaccines currently in use have been derived from viral strains circulating in the early part of the pandemic, it becomes imperative to constantly assess the efficacy of these vaccines against emerging variants. In this hospital-based cohort study, we analysed clinical profiles and outcomes of 1161 COVID-19 hospitalized patients (vaccinated with COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1) or COVAXIN (BBV-152), n = 495 and unvaccinated n = 666) in Hyderabad, India between April 24th and May 31st 2021. Viral genome sequencing revealed that >90% of patients in both groups were harbouring the Delta variant (Pango lineage B.1.617.2) of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccinated individuals showed higher neutralizing antibodies (545+-1256 AU/ml Vs 51.1+-296 AU/ml; p<0.001) and significantly decreased Ferritin (392.26+-448.4 ng/mL Vs 544.82+-641.41 ng/mL; p<0.001) and LDH (559.45+-324.05 U/L Vs 644.99+- 294.03 U/L; p<0.001), when compared to the unvaccinated group. Severity of the disease (3.2% Vs 7.2%; p=0.0039) and requirement of ventilatory support (2.8% Vs 5.9%; p=0.0154) were significantly low in the vaccinated group despite the fact that these individuals had significantly higher age and risk factors. The rate of mortality was about 50% lower (2/132=1.51%) in the completely vaccinated breakthrough infections although mortality in individuals who had received a single dose was similar to the unvaccinated group (9/269=3.35% vs 23/666= 3.45%). Our results demonstrate that both COVISHIELD and COVAXIN are effective in preventing disease severity and mortality against the Delta variant in completely vaccinated hospitalized patients.
Clot Stiffness Measured By Seer Sonorheometry As a Marker Of Poor Prognosis In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

A high risk of thrombotic complications has been observed among severely ill COVID-19 patients. Viscoelastic tests (VET) have shown a hypercoagulable profile in these patients, although so far there is no clear evidence on the use of these tools as predictors of risk in the clinical course of patients. In this study we aimed to evaluate the association between Quantra® sonorheometry VET parameters, standard coagulation tests and inflammatory markers in 69 patients with COVID-19 on hospital admission with disease severity and outcome. Inflammatory markers were elevated in a high percentage of patients, as were coagulation-related parameters such as fibrinogen and D-dimer levels. Quantra® sonorheometry analysis revealed increased clot stiffness (CS), especially due to increased fibrinogen contribution (FCS) in 63.7%. Analysis of clot stability to lysis (CSL) on the Quantra showed a value of 100%, suggesting hypofibrinolysis, in 32.4%. Age > 65 years, elevated values of fibrinogen, D-dimer, LDH, increased CS and CSL were significantly associated with worsening disease. The combination of elevated FCS and D-dimer values showed a particularly high prognostic value in distinguishing patients with severe symptomatology. In conclusion, FCS measured by Quantra® system and its combination with D-dimer could be established as a powerful tool to identify poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients on hospital admission.