Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Four New Phenolic Glycosides from Polygala tenuifolia

Four new phenolic glycosides, tenuifolisides A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4) together with a known phenolic glyciside, β-D-(3-O-sinapoyl)-fructofuranosyl-α-D-(6-O-sinapoyl)-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from the roots of Polygala tenuifolia. The structures of these new compounds were characterized as β-D-(3-O-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamoyl)]-fructofuranosyl-α-D-[6-O-(p-hydroxybenzoyl)]-glucopyranoside (1), β-D-(3-O-sinapoyl)-fructofuranosyl-α-D-(6-O-[p-hydroxybenzoyl)]-glucopyranoside (2), β-D-[3-O-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamoryl)]-fructofuranosyl-α-D-(6-O-sinapoyl)-glucopyranoside (3), and 1, 5-anhydro-[6-O(3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamoryl)]-D-glucitol (4), respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence including two dimensional unclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) studies.
Errors in repeated measurements of soil water content in pots using a ThetaProbe

Abstract. The accuracy of a ThetaProbe (Delta‐T Devices Ltd, UK) to obtain repeated measures of soil water content in pot plants was tested. This alternative to balance determinations led to a large underestimation of water content, varying from 12.2 to 21.8% of the total water content, depending on soil type.
Produção de Serapilheira e Retorno de Nutrientes ao Solo pela Espécie Eucalyptus urograndis

A dinâmica da liberacao de nutrientes da serapilheira em sincronia com as necessidades das plantas, associado as variacoes sazonais do clima, pode contribuir para a formulacao de modelos para manejo sustentavel de plantios florestais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a producao de serapilheira e a devolucao de nutrientes ao solo por esta via na especie Eucalyptus urograndis. A coleta da serapilheira teve inicio em maio/2007, sendo coletada mensalmente ate abril/2008. Apos ter sido seca a 60 °C, o material foi moido e neste, determinado os teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg. A producao mensal de serapilheira teve seu pico nos meses mais quentes, sendo a transferencia de nutrientes via serapilheira ao solo determinada pela sazonalidade verificada na producao da serapilheira. O N foi o elemento mais representativo, seguido pelo Ca, K e Mg. O P foi o elemento que apresentou a menor concentracao. O N e Ca sao de maior expressao na serapilheira do E. urograndis para transferencia ao solo.
Physical-chemical and chemical modification of PVC and their effect on the electrical properties of the polymer

The possibilities to increase the static conductivity of PVC compared to the initial antistatic level, for PVC plasticate obtained with effective plasticizer - a so called modifier of type A, and partial thermal dehydrochlorination for formation of a copolymer with a system of conjugated double bonds are investigated. To analyze the dependence of electrical conductivity from double conjugated bonds the doping method is proposed, in which a chemically active dopant is embedded between two thin films of the polymer sample, not touching, and, accordingly, not interacting with the metal electrodes. In this scheme it is found, that the for folding of two layers of partly dehydrochlorinated PVC on the border between them the barrier layer is formed, which can be eliminated by doping with iodine giving significant increase in electrical conductivity. This layer does not arise in the case of type A modifier plasticized PVC. The presence of such layer can be interpreted as a sign of the near-surface spatial heterogeneity associated with the presence of conduction mechanism of double conjugated bonds.
INTERACTION OF LONG-CHAIN ALCOHOL “MODIFIERS” WITH LIX SOLVENT EXTRACTION REAGENTS

ABSTRACT The effect of two long chain alcohols, n-tridecyl alcohol (TDA) and 2-(l,3-trimethylbutyl)-5,7,7-trlinethyloctanol (ODA) on the extraction of Cu by alkylated hydroxyaldoximes in heptane was investigated by extraction equilibrium determination and infrared spectroscopic examination. The formation of an alcohol-extractant association complex quantitatively explains observed decreases in Dcu that accompanies alcohol addition. Further, an examination of Interfacial activity in these systems demonstrates that, whereas alcohol addition decreases the extractant adsorption at the interface, this cannot be attributed to simple displacement (the extractants are significantly more surface active than the alcohols) but rather to its depletion resulting from the formation of the poorly surface active extractant-modifier complex. Values for the Cu-hydroxyaldoxime extraction constants, self-association constants of the extractants, and the alcohols and extractant-modifier complex formation constant are presente.
Cadmium Sorption Characteristics of Major Soils of India in Relation to Soil Properties

Concentration of heavy metals in soil solution and their bio-availability are controlled by sorption reactions at soil colloids, which are influenced by soil properties. A study was, therefore, undertaken to compare the sorption characteristics of Vertic Ustochrept, Typic Eutrochrept, Typic Ustochrept, Typic Ustipsamment, Typic Haplustalf and Typic Ustothrent representing five agro-ecologica1 regions of India. Sorption of Cd could be predicted satisfactorily by Freundlich equation and modified Langmuir equation. The conventional Langmuir equation could predict sorption of Cd at lower concentration up to 5 mg L−1 of equilibrium solution. Vertic Ustochrepts and Eutrochrept soils showed maximum-Cd sorption capacity and the least by Ustipsamment, Haplustalf and Ustothent. Such differences in Cd sorption capaoity were related to differences in soil physicochemical properties. Sorption maxima (b) and the Freundlich constant (Kf) of cadmium were positively correlated to CEC, clay, CaCO3 and pH.
Fractionation of natural organic matter by size exclusion chromatography: Properties and stability of fractions

An aquatic natural organic matter sample was concentrated by membrane filtration and fractionated using a size exclusion chromatography (SEC) system with a Superdex 75 column. Stability over time was investigated by reinjection of selected fractions. The reinjection yielded single peaks of a more or less Gaussian shape. From the peak shape of the individual fractions it was concluded that non-SEC mechanisms play an important role for the elution behavior. No significant change in the UV chromatograms could be detected over 5 weeks, suggesting a high stability of the fractions and only little or no alterations of the molecular weight distribution during that time period. The fractions were reexamined using a liquid chromatography system with online dissolved organic carbon detection (LCDOC system) with a TSK HW-50 (S) column. The average total recoveries of all fractions were 90 ± 4% for the Superdex system (calculated from UV-peak areas), and 102% and 105% for the spectral UV-absorbances (UVA) and dissolv.
Verification of necessity for bioaugmentation—lessons from two batch case studies for bioremediation of diesel‐contaminated soils

BACKGROUND: Two bio-pile studies undertaken in a controlled laboratory were aimed at deciding optimal strategies to remediate two different artificial diesel-contaminated soils. Bioaugmentation with various inoculations, biostimulation with various levels of biosurfactant rhamnolipid, and nutrient enhancement were the proposed remediation courses. RESULTS: In Case I, the average of the first-order kinetic degradation rate constants during the first degradation stage for the bioaugmentation/biostimulation treatments was 0.0195 ± 0.0056 d−1, which was about 2.6-fold higher than that of the control batch (0.0075 d−1). Conversely, in Case II, the rate constants for treatments with amendments and those for the control batch were found to be comparable, 0.0172 ± 0.0015 d−1 and 0.0158 d−1, respectively. Microarray results indicated a less diverse indigenous bacterial community in Case I and an abundant indigenous community in Case II, both from the control batches on Day 0. The dynamics of the two microbial communities, revealed by NMS plots, emphasized the similarity among the different treatments during the first degradation stage. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to a remediation project, the usefulness of a bioaugmentation approach can be investigated using an ITS oligonucliotide microarray. Results from the microarray answered why the bioaugmentation approach was useful in Case I, but not in Case II. The abundance of the diesel-degrading community determined the usefulness of bioaugmentation. Relatively quantified TRFLP results analyzed via the NMS plots demonstrated comparable microbial communities during the first degradation stage, regardless of differences between the two batches. The bacterial community structure might shift with the availability of hydrocarbons. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Introduction To Mineralogy

SECTION 1: CRYSTALLOGRAPHY AND CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY 1. Introduction 2. Crystallography 3. Crystal Chemistry 4. Crystal Structure 5. Crystal Growth SECTION 2: MINERAL PROPERTIES, STUDY, AND IDENTIFICATION 6. Physical Properties of Minerals 7. Optical Mineralogy 8. Intro to X-Ray Crystallography 9. Chemical Analysis of Minerals 10. Strategies for Study SECTION 3: MINERAL DESCRIPTIONS 11. Silicates 12. Framework Silicates 13. Sheet Silicates 14. Chain Silicates 15. Disilicates and Ring Silicates 16. Orthosilicates 17. Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Borates, Tungstates, and Molybdates 18. Oxides, Hydroxides, and Halides 19. Sulfides and Related Minerals 20. Native Elemetns Appendix A Effective Ionic Radii of the Elements Appendix B Determinative Tables
CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC CH4, O3, NO2, SO2 CONCENTRATION DYNAMICS IN LUBLIN IN THE YEARS 2007-2009

Ab s t r a c t . Changes in atmospheric concentrations of gases including CH4, O3, NO2, SO2 are one of the most current issues, due to the observed global warming. The concentration of atmospheric gases is being monitored by satellite measurements and also by tropospheric air monitoring stations located at various geographical latitudes. Polish law and EU Directives determine the limit values of concentrations of air pollutants established for the protection of human health: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, ozone, PM10, lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and benzo(a)pyrene. The basic equipment of monitoring stations does not include methane analysers. Our monitoring station is one of two stations in Poland with a CH4 analyser. The sampling intake of the KUL monitoring station is located on the wall oriented perpendicularly to the LublinKrakow road, c.a. 41.5 m from this very frequently used road. The research, conducted for three years beginning from 2007 until 2009, showed significant variations in greenhouse gases (GHG) concentrations. The increase in mean annual methane concentration noted at the KUL station was 1.4 % for the years 2007-2008 and 1.7% for 2008-2009. The growth rate of ozone mixing ratio was 29% in the period of 2007-2009. Annual mean values of NO2 concentration in 2007 were 50.3% higher than in 2009. The growth rate of SO2 mixing ratio exceeded 65% between 2007 and 2008. The concentration levels of pollutants in the air were related directly with the emission of pollutants to the atmosphere and with the meteorological conditions. K e y w o r d s : greenhouses gases, global warming, monitoring of air pollutants
Degradation of wood veneers by Fenton's reagents: Effects of wood constituents and low molecular weight phenolic compounds on hydrogen peroxide decomposition and wood tensile strength loss

Abstract Pine wood (Pinus sylvestris) veneer strips were incubated in acetate buffer containing hydrogen peroxide and Fe ions (Fenton's reagent) to mimic aspects of brown rot decay and to assess the degradation of cellulose in wood via measurement of tensile properties (measured in a zero-span mode). Varying the type of iron (ferrous or ferric sulfate) mixed with H2O2 did not yield significant differences in the rates of H2O2 concentration and tensile strength reduction. However, increasing the amount of wood material (the number of wood strips) in the reaction mixture elevated Fe(III) reduction in solution, indicating that wood constituents participated in this reaction. Increasing concentrations of Fe(III) in the reaction mixture resulted in a decrease in H2O2 in solution. Despite an increase in iron concentration and H2O2 decomposition under these conditions, a uniform and consistent strength loss of 30% was observed at all Fe(III) concentrations tested. At fixed Fe(III) concentrations, increasing the H2O2 concentration linearly increased the strength loss of the veneers up to approximately 50% within 24 h. The addition of a low molecular weight, metal-binding, phenolic compound (2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid) and of a non-chelating hydroquinone to the reaction mixtures entailed a more rapid consumption of H2O2; however, the tensile strength loss of the veneers decreased with increasing concentration of the phenolics. Thus, in contrast to previous studies on cellulose degradation, phenolics reduced the degree of wood decay in a Fenton system.
Growth and enzymatic activity of maize (Zea mays L.) plant: Solution culture test for copper dioxide nano particles

ABSTRACT Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants, which acts either as the metal component of enzymes or as a functional structural or a regulatory co-factor of a large number of enzymes. To understand the possible benefits of applying nanotechnology to agriculture, the first step should be to analyze penetration and transport of nano-particles in plants. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that copper nanoparticle would enter into the plant cell and govern the growth of maize plant.A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Cu nano-particles (<50nm) on the growth and enzymatic activity of maize (Zea mays L.) plant. Bioaccumulation of Cu nano-particles in plant was also investigated. Results showed that Cu nano-particles can enter into the plant cell through roots and leaves. Bioaccumulation increased with increasing concentration of Cu nano-particles (NPs), and agglomeration of particles was observed in the cells using transmission-electron microscopy. Application of Cu nano-particles through solution culture as well as spray enhanced the growth (51%) of maize plant in comparison to control. The different enzymatic activities like glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, andguaiacol peroxidase were studied to find a possible pathway through which NPs may affect the enzymatic activity of plant. Amongst the enzymes, the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was highly influenced by copper oxide (CuO)nano-particles application by spray as well as in solution. Experimental results revealed that CuOnano-particles affected the pentose phosphate pathway of maize plant. The obtained experimental results provided conclusive evidence to indicate that the nano-particles considered under this study could enter into the plant cell, easily be assimilated by plants and also enhanced its growth by regulating the different enzyme activities.
Preparation and characterization of electrospun, biodegradable membranes

Nonwoven, biodegradable membranes fabricated by electrospinning have recently attracted a great deal of attention for biomedical applications. In this study, microporous, nonwoven membranes of poly(L-lactide) and its copolymers and blends were fabricated through electrospinning. The structures and morphologies of the electrospun membranes were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. Different polymer membranes, incorporated with carmofur, were fabricated, and their drug release profiles were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the fiber diameters were down to the nanometer range. The diameters and morphologies of thenanofibers depended on processing parameters such as the solution properties (concentration and polymer molecular weight), applied electric voltage, solution feeding rate, and needle diameter. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the crystallinity of the electrospun membranes was lower than that of the cast film. For all the membranes incorporated with the drug, there was a burst release in the first 10 h of incubation in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C. Poly(glycolide-co-lactide) membranes showed faster and more complete drug release than poly(L-lactide), and this could be attributed to its faster degradation. The incorporation of polylactide–poly(ethylene glycol) could shorten the drug release time. A combination of suitable degradable biomaterials with an appropriate electrospinning process could be useful in the fabrication of a new kind of membrane suitable for different biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
High-Pressure Diffraction Studies of Rubidium Phase IV

Rb-IV is the stable high-pressure phase of rubidium between 16 and 21 GPa. The structure of Rb-IV has long been known to be complex, but it is only recently that it has been solved as being an incommensurate host-guest composite structure, comprising a tetragonal host framework containing chains of ”guest” atoms that form structures incommensurate with the host along their common caxis. While similar composite structures have been observed in a number of other elemental metals, Rb-IV is unique in that on pressure decrease below 16.7 GPa at 300 K, the chains of guest atoms become disordered and liquid-like. This thesis is a detailed structural study of Rb-IV. High-pressure, combined with high-temperature powder diffraction techniques, have been used to map the P-T phase diagram of rubidium between 15 GPa and 20 GPa and between 298 K and 600 K. The results show that the guest order-disorder transition pressure is strongly temperature dependent, and that the disordered phase is observed to the highest temperatures. Technical developments, which have made it possible to extract reliable modulation reflection intensities from a Rb-IV single crystal, are described. The resulting data are used for a full modulated structure refinement of Rb-IV, revealing a saw-tooth shaped modulation of the guest structure, from which new information on the host-guest interactions has been extracted. Inelastic X-ray scattering techniques have been used to measure the longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons in a Rb-IV single crystal. Two LA-like phonon branches, one for each of the two composite subsystems, are observed along the common c-axis. The sound velocities in the host and guest structures are determined and the pressure dependence is shown to differ by a factor of two. Finally, developments that will enable future combined high-pressure hightemperature single-crystal diffraction studies, and single-crystal diffraction studies at pressures above 100 GPa, will be presented.
Dissociation dynamics of I2(B)–Ar: Rotational population distributions of I2(B,v) fragments from the T-shaped and linear complexes

Optical-optical double resonance techniques have been used to examine the dissociation dynamics of I2(B)–Ar. Rotational population distributions were characterized for the I2(B,v) fragments. Vibrational predissociation of the T-shaped complex yielded fragments with smooth rotational distributions. The high-energy limits of the distributions were consistent with events that channeled almost all of the available energy into product rotation. These data indicate a dissociation energy for I2(B)–Ar of D0(C2v)=220 cm−1. Most initial states of the complex produced bimodal rotational population distributions, but a few gave Boltzmann-type product distributions. The dependence of the character of the distribution on the initially excited state suggests that predissociation is mediated by intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution. Dissociation of linear I2(B)–Ar yielded fragments with Boltzmann type rotational population distributions. Excitation of the complex within the bound regions of the B–X transition .
Preparation and transport properties of polycrystalline Bi and Bi–SiO2 nanocomposites

Bismuth–silica nanocomposites and polycrystalline bismuth were prepared via powder metallurgy in order to study the influence of silica inclusions on the thermoelectric properties of bismuth. Bi–SiO2 powders containing from 0.5 to 15 vol. % of silica and pure Bi powders were produced by an arc-plasma processing. Transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed the presence of a nanometric silica shell around the Bi grains. The powders were cold pressed and sintered close to the melting temperature of bismuth. The bulk microstructures are very different for the bismuth and the Bi–SiO2 nanocomposites because silica, which is primarily dispersed at grain boundaries, inhibits the grain growth during sintering. The electrical resistivity was measured from 5 to 300 K, while the thermoelectric power and the thermal conductivity were measured from 65 to 300 K on both polycrystalline bismuth and Bi–SiO2 samples containing 0.5, 4, and 15 vol. % of silica, respectively. The transport properties are mainly di.
The social function of the feeling and expression of guilt

Humans are uniquely cooperative and form crucial short- and long-term social bonds between individuals that ultimately shape human societies. The need for such intense cooperation may have provided a particularly powerful selection pressure on the emotional and communicative behaviours regulating cooperative processes, such as guilt. Guilt is a social, other-oriented moral emotion that promotes relationship repair and pro-sociality. For example, people can be more lenient towards wrongdoers who display guilt than towards those who do not. Here, we examined the social consequences of guilt in a novel experimental setting with pairs of friends differing in relationship quality. Pairs of participants took part in a cooperative game with a mutual goal. We then induced guilt in one of the participants and informed the other participant of their partner's wrongdoing. We examined the outcome using a dictator game to see how they split a joint reward. We found that guilty people were motivated to repair wrongdoing regardless of friendship. Observing guilt in others led to a punishment effect and a victim of wrongdoing punished close friends who appeared guilty more so than acquaintances. We suggest, therefore, that guilt has a stronger function between close friends as the costs of relationship breakdown are greater. Relationship context, therefore, is crucial to the functional relevance of moral emotions.
SARS-CoV-2 infections in kindergartens and associated households at the start of the second wave in Berlin, Germany - a cross sectional study

Objectives: The comparatively large proportion of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in the youngest children opens up the possibility that kindergartens represent reservoirs of infection. However, actual surveys in kindergartens beyond individual outbreaks are rare. At the beginning of the second pandemic wave in Berlin, Germany, i.e., end of September 2020, we screened SARS-CoV-2 infections among kindergarten children, staff and connected household members. Methods: Twelve kindergartens were randomly selected in the Berlin metropolitan area, and a total of 720 participants were recruited (155 pre-school children, 78 staff, 487 household members). Participants were briefly examined and interviewed, and SARS-CoV-2 infections and anti-SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies were assessed. Results: Signs and symptoms, largely resembling common cold, were present in 24.2% of children and 28.9% of staff. However, no SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected among 701 PCR-tested individuals, and only one childcare worker showed IgG seroreactivity (0.15%; 1/672). Conclusions: Against a backdrop of increased pandemic activity in the community, this cross-sectional study does not suggest that kindergartens are silent transmission reservoirs. Nevertheless, at increasing pandemic activity, reinforced precautionary measures and repeated routine testing appears advisable.