Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bermudagrass response to surface-applied urea amended with calcium chloride or ammonium thiosulfate

Surface-applied urea fertilizers are susceptible to hydrolysis and loss of nitrogen (N) through NH3 volatilization when conditions favorable for these processes exist. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) have been proposed as possible urease and NH3 volatilization inhibitors. The main objective of this research was to compare the efficacy of various N fertilizer sources on bermudagrass yield and fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE), and also to evaluate the effectiveness of CaCl2 and ATS as NH3 volatilization inhibitors for surface-applied urea. Multiple nitrogen fertilizer response tests were carried out on established bermudagrass plots at two sites near College Station, TX. Soil at one site was calcareous Ships clay and at the other site, acidic Lufkin fine sandy loam. Fertilizers were surface-applied to established bermudagrass plots at the beginning of each growing season and after each harvest. Urea performed as well as ammonium nitrate on the calcareous Ships clay soil, but on the acidic Lufkin fine sandy loam, bermudagrass yield and NUE for the urea treatments were lower than those for ammonium nitrate during one growing season. Neither CaCl2 nor ATS significantly increased yield or N use efficiency of urea-fertilized bermudagrass plots on either soil. Apparently, rapid daily drying of the soil surface prevented the occurrence of significant hydrolysis and N loss from urea and negated any influence of the inhibitors. Urea continues to be a feasible N source for forage production in the Southern U.S. where environmental conditions prevent significant NH3 volatilization losses.
Effect of Different Organic Ligands on Cadmium Sorption by and Extractability from Soils

Soil solutions contain a variety of low molecular weight dissolved organics from breakdown of plant residues and exudation from plant roots, and complexation of metals by these organic ligands can play an important role in controlling metal solubility. The effect of the organic ligands acetate, citrate, fumate, malonate, maleate, salycylate, succinate, and tartrate on the extractability and sorption of Cd was investigated in a range of Cd-treated soils varying widely in soil chemical characteristics. Experimental parameters were adjusted to investigate the effect of pH and organic ligand concentration on Cd extractability. The soils were also extracted with NaNO 3 of equivalent pH and concentration. The organic ligands always extracted more Cd than did NaNO 3 , indicating that organic complexation increased the extractability of Cd from soil, Extractable Cd ranged from fumarate = succinate > tartrate > malonate > oxalate > salicyclate when the pH of the extract was between 3.1 and 3.4; in this pH range competition for complexation between the metal ion and ligand anion is greater than the affinity of the metal ion for the soil surface. For all soils and organics, extractable Cd decreased with increasing pH of the ligand solutions. The amount of NaNO 3 -extractable Cd also decreased with increasing pH, and the amount desorbed was not detectable at pH values exceeding 5.5, suggesting that at high pH values, Cd is released into soil solution only as metal-organic complexes.
Sonographic assessment of follicular and luteal characteristics in repeat breeding cattle with prolonged oestrus

Follicular dynamics (FD), luteal growth and regression characteristics as well as the progesterone (P4) concentration in repeat breeding (RB) cows with prolonged oestrus was assessed. Ten normally cycling cows with oestrus period of less than 36h formed the control group while ten RB animals with prolonged oestrus (>36h) formed Group II. 95 per cent of the selected animals exhibited either two or three waves per cycle. Duration of persistence of pre-ovulatory follicle was longer in RB animals (>24 hrs in 70% animals). The luteal growth and regression rate differed non-significantly between the normal and RB animals. In RB animals, a significant difference in P4 concentration was observed on the day of oestrus (0.67±0.03ng/ml) in contrast to cows in control group (0.36±0.03 ng/ml). In conclusion, a higher duration of persistence of pre-ovulatory follicle and suboptimal luteal profile were observed in RB animals with prolonged oestrus.
SOME EFFECTS OF SODIUM LACTATE ON SHELF‐LIFE, SENSORY, AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VACUUM‐PACKAGED BEEF BOLOGNA

Beef bologna, containing 0, 1, 2, or 3% sodium lactate (SL), was vacuum packaged and stored at 4C for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. Color was assessed using L*, a*, b* measures, and fade (% reflectance 570 nm/650 nm). A trained sensory panel evaluated flavor and color intensity. Total aerobic plate counts (TPC), pH, and TBA values were determined. Addition of SL had no effect on initial pH. Pink color was correlated with a* values, fade, and TPC (r = 0.74, -0.70 and -0.54, respectively; p < 0.05). Salty-flavor intensity was highest for bologna containing 3% SL and lowest in controls. Beefy flavor was inversely correlated with TPC (r = -0.45, p < 0.05). Sour-flavor scores were inversely correlated with pH (r × -0.51) and directly with TPC (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). After 10 weeks TPC for control product was highest, while that for bologna containing 3% SL was lowest.
Energy transfer in surface enhanced luminescence

Radiationless energy transfer from excited dye molecules to silver islands has been studied. The dye is separated from the metal surface by a thin layer of SiOx. When the spacer layer thickness is increased from d=0, an increase in the luminescence intensity is observed. For the low quantum yield dye Basic Fuchsin, a maximum luminescence enhancement of 200 is observed at dSiO≂25 A, relative to dye on an inert substrate. With further increase in spacer thickness, the luminescence intensity drops rapidly toward the unenhanced value. The results are interpreted in terms of competition between local field enhancement and loss of excitation by energy transfer to the metal.
Different Forms of Potassium and Their Contributions toward Potassium Uptake under Long-Term Maize (Zea mays L.)–Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Rotation on an Inceptisol

In a long-term fertilizer experiment at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, with maize, wheat, and cowpea, various forms of potassium (K) and their contribution toward K uptake were found to be affected by fertilizer use and intensive cropping. The treatments included for the study were a control, 100% nitrogen (N), 100% N–phosphorus (P), 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM at 15 t ha−1 to maize only), and 150% NPK. The concentration of nonexchangeable K was greatest, followed by exchangeable K and water-soluble K. The study revealed no significant change in water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control, indicating existence of an equilibrium between different K forms. Application of 100% NPK significantly increased water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control treatments after maize, wheat, and cowpea. Application of NPK + FYM and 150% NPK resulted in greater quantities of all the K forms as compared to other treatments. Among the three forms, water-soluble K contributed predominantly to K uptake by maize and wheat; however, nonexchangeable K contributed significantly to K uptake by cowpea.
Soil carbon inventories under a bioenergy crop (switchgrass): measurement limitations

Approximately 5 yr after planting, coarse root carbon (C) and soil organic C (SOC) inventories were compared under different types of plant cover at four switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) production field trials in the southeastern USA. There was significantly more coarse root C under switchgrass (Alamo variety) and forest cover than tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), corn (Zea mays L.), or native pastures of mixed grasses. Inventories of SOC under switchgrass were not significantly greater than SOC inventories under other plant covers. At some locations the statistical power associated with ANOVA of SOC inventories was low, which raised questions about whether differences in SOC could be detected statistically. A minimum detectable difference (MDD) for SOC inventories was calculated. The MDD is the smallest detectable difference between treatment means once the variation, significance level, statistical power, and sample size are specified. The analysis indicated that a difference of {approx}50 mg SOC/cm{sup 2} or 5 Mg SOC/ha, which is {approx}10 to 15% of existing SOC, could be detected with reasonable sample sizes and good statistical power. The smallest difference in SOC inventories that can be detected, and only with exceedingly large sample sizes, is {approx}2 to 3%. These measurement limitations have implicationsmore » for monitoring and verification of proposals to ameliorate increasing global atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations by sequestering C in soils. « less
Adsorção de fósforo em frações argila na presença de ácido fúlvico

Organic acids can be adsorbed onto soil colloids, increasing the P availability to plants. Isotherms were used to evaluate the influence of fulvic acid (FA) on P adsorption in the clay fraction of two Rhodic Ferralsols (LVdf) and (LVd), poor crystallized natural kaolinite (KGa2), synthetic goethite (Gt) and hematite (Hm). The P adsorption isotherms adjusted to the Langmuir model in the presence of FA were suitable only for the region of low P concentration. In general, the presence of FA incubated in the studied clay fractions was able to reduce P adsorption. In the clay fraction of LVdf, P adsorption at low and high P concentrations were little influenced by the P sequence of incubation with FA. In the clay fraction of the LVd, however, the sequences of incubation with P and FA affected phosphorus adsorption. The reduction of P adsorption to the clay fraction of KGa2 at low P concentrations had no dependence on the incubation sequence of P and FA, but rather on the presence of FA. In the region of high P concentrations the incubation sequence of P and FA influenced P adsorption. P adsorption to Gt depended on the incubation sequence with FA, and previous incubation of FA reduced P adsorption. The incubation sequence of P and FA in Hm influenced P adsorption at low and high concentrations in the isotherms. The values of P adsorption were lowest under P incubation with FA or FA incubation preceded by P.
Essential oils from fijian Ocimum basilicum L

The composition of the steam-volatile leaf oils of Fijian Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) has been determined by the use of capillary gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major components of the oils are methyl cinnamate, linalool, methyleugenol and eugenol.
Composite Sr2TiO4/SrTiO3(La,Cr) heterojunction based photocatalyst for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation

A composite Sr2TiO4/SrTiO3(La,Cr) heterojunction photocatalyst has been prepared by a simple in situ polymerized complex method. Upon Pt cocatalyst loading, this catalyst shows higher photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen production than individual SrTiO3(La,Cr) and Sr2TiO4(La,Cr) in the presence of methanol sacrificial reagent. Microscopic morphology studies show that well defined heterojunctions are formed by matching the lattice fringes of SrTiO3(La,Cr) and Sr2TiO4(La,Cr), and Pt was preferentially loaded on the surface of the Sr2TiO4(La,Cr) component in the composite Sr2TiO4/SrTiO3(La,Cr) photocatalyst. XPS and EPR analyses show that the composite photocatalyst also has the lowest amount of Cr6+ electron trapping sites. Band structure analysis by combining absorption spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky plots shows that, in the composite photocatalyst, the photogenerated electrons and holes tend to migrate from SrTiO3(La,Cr) to Sr2TiO4(La,Cr) and from Sr2TiO4(La,Cr) to SrTiO3(La,Cr), respectively. This kind of band structure can facilitate charge transfer and separation driven by the minor potential difference between the two components, which is further confirmed by the observation of long lived electrons in the time resolved FT-IR spectroscopic study. It is concluded that the superior photocatalytic activity of the composite heterojunction photocatalyst is due to efficient charge transfer and separation by well defined heterojunctions formed between SrTiO3(La,Cr) and Sr2TiO4(La,Cr), preferential loading of Pt nanoparticles on the Sr2TiO4(La,Cr) component, and the lowest amount of Cr6+ in the composite photocatalyst. The tailored design and synthesis of the composite heterojunction structure is a promising approach for the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of a photocatalyst.
Psychosocial adjustment in adolescent survivors of childhood brain tumours

2 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 4-49 Overview 4 Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours prevalence and treatment 5 Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment 6 A model of of psychosocial adjustment 15 Peer perception of children with cancer 22 The impact of physical appearance on peer relationships 23 Neuropsychological Effects of cancer and their impact on peer 26 relationships Educational Implications and the impact on psychosocial functioning 28 Psychosocial functioning a summary of the evidence 29 Effects of childhood cancer on siblings 30 Theories of social functioning and friendship 32 Study Aims 43 Research Hypotheses 48 CHAPTER TWO: Method 50-62 Overview 50 Participants 50 Ethical considerations 54 Procedure 54 Measures 56 CHAPTER THREE: Results 63-90 Overview 63 Testing the hypotheses 64 Between group differences 66 Summary of between-group findings 72 Testing the model 74 Themes emerging form responses to the TAT 79 Open-ended questions: Subjective accounts of the impact of cancer 86 CHAPTER FOUR: Discussion 91-121 Overview 91 Summary o f findings: differences between groups 92 Testing the conceptual model 101 Themes emergent from qualitative analysis 109 Methodological issues 110 Future directions for research 112 Clinical implications of the findings 115 APPENDICES Appendix One: Letters of ethical approval 122 Appendix Two: Patient information forms 125 Appendix Three: Participant consent forms 134 Appendix Four: SDQ 137 Appendix Five: MESSY 142 Appendix Six: CFI 151 Appendix Seven: PIE 153 Appendix Eight: TAT instructions 158
Light emission from corona discharge in SF6 and SF6/N2 gas mixtures at high pressure

A spectroscopic investigation of corona discharges in SF 6 /N 2 gas mixtures has been undertaken using an optical multichannel analyser (OMA). A point-to-plane geometry has been used with point radii varying from 3 to 10 μ m. Spectra are measured for high pressures ranging from 0.2 MPa up to 1.4 MPa and for different concentrations of SF 6 in the gas mixture. The spectra in the 200–850 nm spectral range are mainly made of molecular bands, which is indicative of a low temperature discharge. It has been noted that SF 6 emits in the region of 420 nm to 510 nm in positive and negative polarities, although in negative polarity the emission is weaker. For SF 6 /N 2 mixtures, the main source of light emission is from N 2 . The resultant spectra are used to evaluate the rotational T r and vibrational T v temperatures of excited N 2 , T r being considered, due to the high pressure, to be equal to the kinetic temperature T kin in the corona discharge. T r and T v are determined by comparing the experimental spectrum of the second positive system ( of N 2 and the simulated one, which is obtained using a convolution method. As expected, the results show that the measured rotational temperature T r increases steadily with the mean discharge current, while its increase with gas pressure is less pronounced. The values of T r are higher for the positive corona discharge than the negative and also for mixtures having higher amounts of SF 6 . In all conditions, we found and T v is less sensitive to the variation of the current.
Fortification of maize flour based diets with blends of cashewnut meal, African locust bean meal and sesame oil meal†

The relative efficacy of protein blends (Blends I, 2:1:1; II, 1:2:1; III, 1:1:2, IV, 3:1:0; V, 1:3:0; VI, 3:0:1; VII, 1:0:3; VIII, 0:3:1 and IX, 0:1:3 of cashewnut, African locust bean and Beninseed flours) as compared to some commercially available baby foods ( “Farlene”, “Cerelac”, “Farex” and “Cow and Gate” cereal food) in meeting the protein needs of weanling albino rats have been studied. Growth promoting ability of the different blends ranged between 0.75 and 4.73 g/day while those for the commercial foods were 2.64–4.59 g/day. The values of 4.73 and 4.61 g/day for blends I and II were the best, being comparable to those of 4.59 g/day for “Cow and Gate” Cereal food but superior to those of 3.41 and 2.64 g/day for “Farlene” and “Cerelac”. The protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein retention (NPR), net protein utilisation (NPU) and biological value (BV) for blends I and II were respectively 3.6, 4.4, 72.4 and 75.9 and 3.11, 3.8, 69.1 and 72.4, compared with the values of 2.5, 3.3, 65.8 and 69.5; 4.80, 0.41, 85.8 and 90.1; 3.2, 4.0, 73.5 and 76.1 and 4.0, 4.8, 76.5 and 79.8 for “Farlene”, “Cerelac”, “Farex” and “Cow and Gate” cereal food respectively. The blends and commercial baby foods showed high true digestibility values between 94.9 and 98.1 %. The results are discussed in the light of balance and limitation of amino acids in the component oil seed meals.
Adsorption of trace metals by microplastic pellets in fresh water

Environmental context Although microplastics are known to adsorb and transport contaminants in the aquatic environment, there is no information on the significance of the effect in fresh waters. We studied the adsorption of metals to new and aged plastic pellets in river water, and show interactions that are dependent on time, pH and metal concentration. Because metals have a higher affinity for aged pellets than for new pellets, weathered microplastics could represent a significant vehicle for the transport of metals in aquatic environments. Abstract Adsorption of trace metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) to new (virgin) and aged (beached) plastic production pellets suspended in river water (pH ~ 6.5) has been studied under laboratory conditions. Over a 7-day period, reaction kinetics largely conformed to a pseudo-first-order reversible mechanism with forward rate constants that were typically at least an order of magnitude greater for beached pellets than virgin pellets. Adsorption isotherms were defined by a linear model in many cases, with maximum distribution coefficients of ~6mL g–1 for virgin pellets (Hg and Pb) and of the order of 102mLg–1 for beached pellets (Ag and Pb). However, more significant fits to the data were obtained using Freundlich or Langmuir models with adsorption constants that were orders of magnitude greater for beached pellets than virgin pellets and, regarding the former, that were greatest for Ag, Hg and Pb. Increasing pH of river water resulted in an increase in adsorption of Ag, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn, a reduction in adsorption of Cr and no clear trend for Cu or Hg, and adsorption was always greater to beached pellets than virgin pellets. The ability of pellets to adsorb metals was attributed to the modification of the surface through the attachment of organic matter during the experiments and, with regard to beached pellets, their long-term pre-modification through photooxidation and attrition of charged material. Interactions at the pellet surface likely involve metal cations, oxyanions (HCrO4–/CrO42–) and organic complexes.
Addition of Mancozeb to DMI + QoI, and SDHI + QoI Co-formulations Improving Control of Asian Soybean Rust

The reduced sensitivity of Phakopsora pachyrhizi to site-specific fungicides used to control Asian soybean rust by the current co-formulations needs investigation. To improve the rust control the performance of cyproconazole + picoxystrobin, tebuconazole + picoxystrobin, cyproconazole + azoxystrobin, epoxyconazole + pyraclostrobin, fluxapyroxade + pyraclostrobin, benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin, prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin and cyproconazole + trifloxystrobin mixtures added by five doses of the multisite mancozeb were evaluated. The fungicides were sprayed at four growth stages the first performed at R1 growth stage and the others with 15-18 days intervals. The rust severity was quantified, the control was calculated, the percentage of chlorophyll and the yield of soybean were determined. The mean of rust control by the mixtures without addition of the multi-site fungicide was 46% (21 to 71%). There was an increase in control efficiency due to addition and mancozeb doses in all treatments. Control over 80% was obtained with tebuconazole + picoxystrobin, fluxapyroxade + pyraclostrobin, benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin, and prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin added at least of 2.0 kg/ha mancozeb. In unsprayed plots the maximum 78% severity corresponded to 59% damage. There was an increase in chlorophyll content and soybean yield as a function of the mancozebe increased doses: 2,019 kg/ha in the unsprayed control and in the best treatment 5,132 kg/ha. Actual control reduction due to fungal decrease in sensitivity can be improved by the multi-site fungicide addition.
N-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticle Based Visible Light Photocatalyst by Modified Peroxide Sol−Gel Method

The peroxide gel route is employed to synthesize N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) at low temperature using titanium tetraisopropoxide, ethylmethylamine, and hydrogen peroxide as precursors. Structural studies show anatase phase in the undoped titania NPs as well as at 5 at. % N-doped titania NPs, although with a degree of matrix disorder in the latter case. The annealing of N-doped titania NPs at different temperatures shows that above 400 °C nitrogen escapes the O−Ti−O matrix and at 500 °C the sample becomes crystalline. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the particle size is in the range of 20−30 nm for the undoped TiO2 but only 5−10 nm for N-doped TiO2. At higher nitrogen concentration (10 at. %) bubble-like agglomerates form. FTIR and photoluminescence quenching also confirm the incorporation of nitrogen in anatase TiO2. Optical properties reveal an extended tailing of the absorption edge toward the visible region upon nitrogen doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to examine the .
The effect of drop size on flame propagation in liquid aerosols

A method has been developed whereby suspensions of controlled uniform drop size can be prepared from pure liquids. Using tetralin as the fuel, it has thus been possible, within limits, to study the effect of the drop size on the combustion properties of a liquid-in-air suspension. Through a study of limits of inflammability, nitrogen dilution limits and burning velocities, it has been shown that the mechanism of flame propagation is completely transformed within the drop-size range 7 to 55μ. Below 10μ the suspension behaves like a vapour, but above 40μ the drops burn individually, in their own air envelope, and one burning drop ignites adjacent ones, thus spreading combustion. At intermediate sizes, behaviour is transitional. A practical consequence of this transformation is that the lower concentration limit of inflammability is reduced and the rate of burning increased for the larger drops.
Control and characterisation of a single aerosol droplet in a single-beam gradient-force optical trap

Optical tweezers are used to control aerosol droplets, 4–14 μm in diameter, over time frames of hours at trapping powers of less than 10 mW. When coupled with cavity enhanced Raman scattering (CERS), the evolution of the size of a single droplet can be examined with nanometre accuracy. Trapping efficiencies for water and decane droplets are reported and the possible impact of droplet heating is discussed. We demonstrate that the unique combination of optical tweezing and CERS can enable the fundamental factors governing the coagulation of two liquid droplets to be studied.