Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced biodegradability of UV and VUV pre-treated natural organic matter

A systematic investigation of the effectiveness of utilising UV (254 nm) or VUV (254 nm + 185 nm) photo-oxidation followed by biological treatment for the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from a sample of drinking water was undertaken. The conditions of UV and VUV pre-treatment required to achieve maximum biological removal were determined. Positive correlations were observed between the production of smaller molecular weight molecules as shown by HPSEC and the decrease in dissolved organic carbon with increasing radiation dose. Similarly, the reduction of UV absorbance at 254 nm was found to correlate well with the observed increase in biodegradability of the UV-treated samples. UV pre-treatment resulted in the accumulation of biodegradable compounds from the breakdown of chromophoric material, although significant concentrations of refractory DOC remained even after the largest dose (140 J.cm -2 ). VUV pre-treatment resulted in a rapid rate of mineralisation and fast formation of biodegradable compounds. VUV doses larger than 96 J.cm -2 were observed to reduce the apparent effectiveness of biological treatment. After the experimentally determined optimal VUV dose, approximately 80% of remaining DOC was biodegradable demonstrating that greater total DOC removal was achieved utilising VUV irradiation followed by biological treatment. The smaller doses of radiation required and greater bioavailability make VUV more effective than UV pre-treatment.
Actinide Recovery Experiments with Bench-Scale Liquid Cadmium Cathode in Real Fission Product-Laden Molten Salt

Abstract This article summarizes the observations and analytical results from a series of bench-scale liquid cadmium cathode experiments that recovered transuranic elements together with uranium from a molten electrolyte laden with real fission products. Variable parameters such as the ratio of Pu3+/U3+ in the electrolyte, liquid cadmium cathode voltage, and feed materials were tested in the liquid cadmium cathode experiments. Actinide recovery efficiency and Pu/U ratio in the liquid cadmium cathode product under variable conditions are reported in this paper. Separation factors for actinides and rare earth elements in the molten LiCl-KCl/cadmium system are also presented.
Analyzing organic matter composition at intact biopore and crack surfaces by combining DRIFT spectroscopy and Pyrolysis-Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry#

In the clay-illuvial horizons (Bt) of Luvisols, surfaces of biopores and aggregates can be enriched in clay and organic matter (OM), relative to the bulk of the soil matrix. The OM composition of these coatings determines their bio-physico-chemical properties and is relevant for transport and transformation processes but is largely unknown at the molecular scale. The objective of this study was to improve the interpretation of spectra from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode (DRIFT) by using thermograms and released ion intensities obtained with pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS) for a more detailed analysis of the mm-scale spatial distribution of OM components at intact structural surfaces. Samples were separated from earthworm burrow walls, crack coatings, uncoated cracks, root channels, and pinhole fillings of the Bt-horizons of Luvisols. The information from Py-FI mass spectra enabled the assignment of OM functional groups also from spectral regions of overlapping DRIFT signal intensities to specific OM compound classes. In particular, bands from C=O and C=C bonds in the infrared range of wave numbers between 1,641 and 1,605 cm−1 were related to heterocyclic N-compounds, benzonitrile, and naphthalene. The OM at earthworm burrow walls was composed of chemically labile aliphatic C-rich and rather stable lignin and alkylaromatic compounds whereas the OM of thick crack coatings and pinholes was dominated by heterocyclic N and nitriles and high-molecular compounds, likely originating from combustion residues. In combination with Py-FIMS, DRIFT applications to intact samples seem promising for generating a more detailed mm-scale spatial distribution of OM-related sorption and wettability properties of crack and biopore surfaces that may serve as preferential flow paths in structured soils.
Forms and pedogenic distribution of extractable iron in selected wetland soils in Nigeria

Abstract The content of various forms of iron (Fe) (free, reducible, and organic) were determined by selective extraction methods in three wetland profiles between 1993 and 1995 seasons. The result showed that Fe distribution was in the order: dithionite (Fed) > hydroxylamine (FeH) > pyrophosphate (Fep) iron in the three pedons. The hydroxylamine‐Fe constituted between 10–42% (1993), 20–47% (1994), and 10–12% (1995) of the total free Fe oxides. The pyrophosphate‐Fe, on the other hand, constituted between 0.2–1.0% (1993), 19–52% (1994), and 3–9% (1995) of the total free Fe oxides. Dithionite‐Fe (total free iron oxides) content increases with the increasing depth, while hydroxylamine‐Fe decreases, suggesting that larger proportions of Fe oxides are present as crystalline forms in the lower horizons. The active Fe ratios were generally high in the top soils and low in the subsoil. It ranged between 0.03 and 0.69 (1993), 0.05 and 68 (1994), 0.05 and 0.53 (1995) in all pedons. This suggests that poor drainage slowed down soil development. Highly significant correlations (0.1%) were evident between phosphorus (P) and organic carbon; ECEC and base saturation; FeH and active Fe ratio. Significant correlations (1%) were also evident between Fe2+ and organic carbon; P and FeH; ECEC and clay. Furthermore, significant correlations (5%) were also obtained between clay and Fed; pH and Fed; active Fe ratio and P; FeH and clay; active Fe ratio and Fed.
Modelling of two-phase flow with surface active particles

Colloid particles that are partially wetted by two immiscible fluids can become confined to fluidfluid interfaces. At sufficiently high volume fractions, the colloids may jam and the interface may crystallize. The fluids together with the interfacial colloids compose an emulsion with interesting new properties and offer an important route to new soft materials. Based on the principles of mass conservation and thermodynamic consistency, we develop a continuum model for such systems which combines a Cahn-Hilliard-Navier-Stokes model for the macroscopic two-phase fluid system with a surface Phase-Field-Crystal model for the microscopic colloidal particles along the interface. We begin with validating the used flow model by testing different diffuse interface models on a benchmark configuration for a two-dimensional rising bubble and compare the results with reference solutions obtained by other two-phase flow models. Furthermore, we present a new method for simulating two-phase flows in complex geometries, taking into account contact lines separating immiscible incompressible components. In this approach, the complex geometry is described implicitly by introducing a new phase-field variable, which is a smooth approximation of the characteristic function of the complex domain. The fluid and component concentration equations are reformulated and solved in larger regular domain with the boundary conditions being implicitly modeled using source terms. Finally, we derive the thermodynamically consistent diffuse interface model for two-phase flow with interfacial particles by taking into account the surface energy and the energy associated with surface colloids from the surface PFC model. The resulting governing equations are the phase field crystal equations and Navier-Stokes Cahn-Hilliard equations with an additional elastic stress. To validate our approach, we derive a sharp interface model and show agreement with the diffuse interface model. We demonstrate the feasibility of the model and present numerical simulations that confirm the ability of the colloids to make the interface sufficiently rigid to resist external forces and to stabilize interfaces for long times.
The Distribution of Heavy Metals in Urban Street Dusts of Karak City, Jordan

Street dust samples from urban and suburban areas were collected from the city of Karak, Jordan, during the summer season of 2004. Samples were analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, and Mn). The results showed that all heavy metals are higher in city urban areas than the surrounding suburbs. The distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in all areas show automobile originated sources such as emissions and wear and tear of automobiles were the main source of pollution. Despite the fact that the city of Karak and the capital Amman are under the same climatic conditions and same type of fuel used in both cities, the heavy metal concentrations of street dust samples were lower in Karak than Amman due to the lower traffic density.
Optimisation of conditions for malting of sorghum

Malting conditions for sorghum cv. IS 2941 were determined by varying the periods of steeping (8-32 h) and germination (2-6 days) and the temperature of heat treatment (80-100°C). The parameters used to assess malt quality were malting loss, cold and hot water extracts, reducing sugar content of the extract, diastatic power and liquefying power. A steeping time of 18 h and germination time of 4-5 days were found to be optimum for malting. Kilning at 100°C for 3 h was found sufficient
Metal Ion Adsorption by Soybean Hulls Modified with Citric Acid: A Comparative Study

Soybean hulls, extracted with 0.1 N NaOH (BE) and modified in the presence of 0.6 M citric acid (CA), were compared to similarily treated peanut shells and the hulls of almonds, cottonseed and macadamia nut for their ability to adsorb copper ion (Cu2+) as a typical metal ion. BE, CA-modified soybean hulls had the highest metal ion adsorption but similarly treated almond hulls had the highest total negative charge. BE, CA-modified soybean hulls also were compared to BE hulls modified in the presence of 0.6 M concentrations of four different dicarboxylic acids (maleic, malic, succinic, tartaric) for their copper ion adsorption potential. Hulls modified with CA had the highest adsorption of copper ion by virtue of their largest total negative charge. Adsorption capacities and affinity constants for the metal ions cadmium (Cd2+), copper (Cu2+), nickel (Ni2+), lead (Pb2+) and zinc (Zn2+) were determined for BE, CA-modified hulls at pH 4.8. Adsorption capacities for all ions were greater than 1.0 mmol g−1 hull. These hulls were compared to two commercial cation exchange and two commercial chelating resins for adsorption of the five metals at three metal ion concentrations either in a solution containing all five ions or as individual metals. When all five metal ions were present at the highest concentration (7 mM), modified soybean hulls removed more metal ions than any of the commercial products. For individual metal ions, all adsorbents generally were quite effective at metals removal at the three concentration levels. Our comparative results demonstrate that modified soybean hulls have excellent metals removal properties and can be considered as a product with possible commercial potential for metal ion remediation.
Odporność odmian łubinu żółtego na Fusarium spp.

Synopsis. W latach 2011–2012, w ścislym doświadczeniu polowym, w warunkach prowokacyjnych, oceniano porazenie kilku odmian lubinu zoltego przez Fusarium spp . oraz plon nasion tych odmian . Pierwszej obserwacji nasilenia porazenia Fusarium spp . dokonywano w fazie początku kwitnienia pedu glownego, drugiej – w 3 tygodnie poźniej i trzeciej – w fazie dojrzewania strąkow na pedzie glownym . Wystepowanie i nasilenie fuzarioz zalezalo od warunkow glebowo-klimatycznych oraz stosowanej agrotechniki i ochrony roślin . Odmianą najbardziej odporną na wystąpienie choroby okazala sie Dukat i Lord, najmniej zaś – Talar . Najplenniejszą odmianą, niezaleznie od roku badan, okazala sie wczesna Baryt, homologiczną pod tym wzgledem − odmiana Talar, zaś najmniej plenną − odmiana Lord . Wykorzystanie potencjalu biologicznego lubinu zoltego bylo uzaleznione od czynnikow dzialających kompleksowo, a do najwazniejszych zaliczono przebieg warunkow atmosferycznych .
Recycling of Organic Waste through Four Different Composts for Disease Suppression and Growth Enhancement in Mung Beans

Compost is beneficial for agriculture fields in many ways such as soil conditioner, fertilizer, and natural pesticide and above all it helps to manage organic wastes and adds vital humic acids to soil. Four indigenous composts prepared from readily availableorganic wastes viz.vermicompost,banana, NADEP, andCalotropiswere used in the present investigation for growth and disease suppression in mung beans. The composts were amended with Trichoderma viride in the concentration of 0.1 and 0.2% to determine their influence on length and weight of roots and shoots, disease incidence, soil moisture, and soil microflora in plants. The best results were observed in the treatment with T. viride (0.2%), followed by T. viride (0.1%) in vermicompost, while the treatment T. viride (0.1%) with Calotropis compost showed little growth and suppression of disease. All composts enhanced the soil moisture content and microbial populations in amended soil resulting in the reduction of disease incidence. Among T. viride enriched composts, the counts of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes were higher in the vermicompost and banana compost-amended soils. Thus, preparing these composts from readily available organic wastes and amending soil with T. viride enriched composts hold a great promise for improving soil fertility and suppressing the soilborne plant pathogens for sustainable agriculture.
Chemical Synthesis and Morphology of β–Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid‐Doped Polypyrrole Micro/Nanotubes

Abstract A preliminary result of the morphology and yield of chemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPY) using β–naphthalene sulfonic acid (NSA) and ammonium peroxodisulphate (APS) in aqueous medium is presented. Various micro/nanotubes were obtained using different dopant/monomer (D/M) ratios and temperature settings. Similar but shorter and sheet‐like nanostructures were obtained without the use of surfactant NSA; with a fibre‐like, loose and admixed physical outlook. The percentage yield (m/v) of the doped PPY was greater than that from the undoped, being 27–44 and 18–20, respectively with higher values obtained from the low temperature synthesis. The highest percentage yield of 44 was obtained from a D/M ratio of 0.8.
Impact of polylactide (PLA) on the quality of bio-products in contact

Packaging plays a major role in the preservation of food but mass transfer between the packaging material and foodstuff occurs during shelf life leading to the quality deterioration. Polylactide (PLA) is a novel packaging material; therefore its interaction with food was investigated at service conditions. The sorption of ethyl esters, benzaldehyde and 2-nonanone at low concentrations and in mixture and the effects on the thermal properties of PLA were studied. Multiple Headspace Extraction (MHE) and Multiple Headspace coupled to Solid Phase MicroExtraction (MHS-SPME) developed here allow to show a high affinity for moderately hydrophilic molecules sharing structure similarities with PLA such as ethyl acetate. However, a very high affinity for the aromatic structure of benzaldehyde was revealed which seems to favor interaction and sorption of the aroma compounds present in the mixture. At 0.01 activities, a plasticization by aroma compounds was observed and a solvent induced crystallization seemed to be correlated to the sorption of benzaldehyde. The contact between a flavored food emulsion and PLA, using conditions near the PLA glass transition showed that PLA hydrolysis was moderate and oil and aroma compound sorption was low. The formation of VOC during the PLA manufacturing process was assessed by MHS-SPME. Lactides, acetaldehyde and 2,3-pentanedione are VOCs present in PLA after extrusion and thermoforming. The two latter compounds increased after extrusion and then decreased or disappeared after thermoforming.
Effect of reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) reactions on (Mini)emulsion polymerization kinetics and estimate of RAFT equilibrium constant

The Smith−Ewart equation has been modified to describe the kinetics of reversible addition−fragmentation transfer (RAFT) (mini)emulsion polymerization. Two types of radicals (propagating and intermediate) are taken into account. The influence of RAFT reactions on the (mini)emulsion polymerization kinetics is investigated using the modified Smith−Ewart theory. In a simplified zero−one case, the average number of propagating radicals per particle can be described by nRAFT-1 = nblank-1 + 2K[RAFT]0, where K is the RAFT equilibrium coefficient. It is found that the rate retardation is an intrinsic kinetic property of RAFT (mini)emulsion polymerization. The miniemulsion polymerization of styrene is also carried out with styrene oligomers of 1-phenylethylphenyl dithioacetate (PS−PEPDTA) and 2-cyranoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate (PS−CPDB) as the RAFT agents. The experimental n data are well described by the theory. The K values are estimated to be 314 L/mol for PS−CPDB and 22 L/mol for PS−PEPDTA. The fragmentation .
Evidence of Matrix Lattice Distortion in Zn1−xCoxO Nanocrystals

In this work, we investigated the doping effect on the local structure of Co, Zn, and O in Zn1−xCoxO (x = 0.02 and 0.2) nanocrystals by X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with ab initio calculations. We identified the presence of a distorted CoO4 structure and showed that the distortion propagates homogeneously in the matrix with increasing doping concentration. The presence of a distorted matrix lattice plays an important role in the mechanism of room-temperature ferromagnetism observed in diluted magnetic semiconductor materials, which is in agreement with a new mechanism recently introduced. Information on the electronic structure of the bottom of the conduction band has been achieved by O K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy that also addresses significant contributions of the matrix lattice distortion on the distribution of O 2p states.
NOx Emissions From Combustion of High Sulfur Lignite in an ABFBC Test Rig

NOx emissions from fluidized bed combustion of various coals have extensively been investigated and well documented. However, NOx emissions from combustion of Turkish lignites with high ash, volatile matter and sulfur contents have not drawn much attention to date. Recent trend in utilization of indigenous lignites in fluidized bed boilers necessitated investigation of pollutant emissions and adaptation of fluidized bed combustion technology to these lignites. In this study, experimental results of various runs pertaining to the formation and emission of NOx from METU 0.3 MWt Atmospheric Bubbling Fluidized Bed Combustor (ABFBC) test rig burning typical indigenous lignites; Aydin without limestone addition and Beypazari with and without limestone addition are presented. NOx profiles along the combustor show that concentrations are higher in bed compared to those in freeboard and that conditions leading to higher unburned volatiles in freeboard enhances NOx reduction in that region. Limestone addition results in higher concentrations of NOx in bed but lower concentrations in freeboard, albeit insignificantly.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The effect of industrial effluent and leachate from landfills on the levels of selected trace heavy metals in the waters of Upper and middle Mukuvisi river in Harare, Zimbabwe

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 1993, 7(1) 1-10. Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 1993, 7(1) 1-10 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 1993, 7(1) 1-10
Protective value of vegetation on tertiary terrain before and during Cyclone Bola, East Coast, North Island, New Zealand

The effects of six vegetation types on landslide densities on Tertiary bedrock terrain were examined before and after Cyclone Bola struck the East Coast region of the North Island of New Zealand in March 1988. Indigenous forest and exotic pine plantations more than 8 years old provided the best protection against the formation of shallow landslides, both before and during Cyclone Bola. Regenerating scrub and exotic pines 6-8 years old provided an intermediate level of protection. Greatest damage occurred on pasture and in areas of young (<6 years old) exotic plantations where canopy cover was negligible and root development limited. Sites under older vegetation types with a closed canopy (indigenous forest and plantations of exotic pines >8 years old) were four times less susceptible to landsliding during Cyclone Bola than those under regenerating scrub and exotic pines 6-8 years old, and 16 times less susceptible than those under pasture and young exotic pines (<6 years old).
Studies on heterosis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for yield and fibre quality traits

The present study was undertaken to assess the extent of heterosis for seed cotton yield, yield traits and fibre quality traits in 40 intra-hirsutum hybrids of cotton developed by crossing 8 lines with 5 testers in line x tester fashion during kharif, 2016-17 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam Farm, Guntur. The standard heterosis was calculated over check hybrid, LAHH 5. The hybrid combinations viz., LH 2220 × GTHV 13/32, L 1384 x HYPS 5152 and L 1060 × GTHV 13/32, were found to be promising based on per se performance and significant standard heterosis for seed cotton yield per plant, important yield contributing traits including fibre quality traits in terms of standard heterosis. These genotypes may be evaluated over locations for further confirmation of their superiority before they are being exploited commercially.
Antiferromagnet-ferromagnet transitions in La1-xBaxCoO3-δ induced by pressure and magnetic field

Magnetic properties of the anion deficient cobaltites La1-xBaxCoO3-δ (x ≥ 0.5) have been studied. Magnetic field induces very large changes in resistivity accompanied by large magnetic hysteresis. It is found that an applied pressure transforms antiferromagnetic state into ferromagnetic one. It is assumed that a ground magnetic state strongly depends on unit cell volume and transition is associated with the cobalt ions spin state crossover. It is suggested that the antiferromagnetic state corresponds to high spin state of cobalt ions whereas ferromagnetic one is due to intermediate spin state of cobalt ions.
VizualAge: A Novel Approach to Laser Ablation ICP‐MS U‐Pb Geochronology Data Reduction

VizualAge, a new computer software tool for analysing U‐Pb data obtained by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry, was developed. It consists of a data reduction scheme (DRS) for Iolite (a general mass spectrometry data analysis tool) as well as visualisation routines. In addition to the U/Pb and Th/Pb ages calculated by Iolite’s U‐Pb geochronology DRS, VizualAge also calculates 207Pb/206Pb ages and common Pb corrections for each time‐slice of raw data. Importantly, VizualAge allows one to display a live concordia diagram for visualising data on such a diagram as an integration interval is being adjusted. This provides instantaneous feedback regarding discordance, uncertainty, error correlation and common Pb. Several zircon data sets were used to illustrate how the live concordia could be used as a powerful inspection tool, revealing a single analysis to consist of zones of concordance, metamict areas, as well as inherited cores or younger overgrowths. VizualAge also constructs histograms, conventional and Tera‐Wasserburg type concordia diagrams, as well as 3D U‐Th‐Pb and total U‐Pb concordia diagrams. The precision and accuracy of data reduced with VizualAge are demonstrated with examples of the Plešovice, Temora‐2 and Penglai zircon reference materials. Data for zircon from the Long Lake Batholith (Wyoming craton) were used to illustrate how VizualAge calculated common Pb corrections and helped to expose as yet unexplained difficulties with accurately determining 204Pb.