Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquid films and droplet deposition in a BWR fuel element

In the upper part of boiling water reactors (BWR) the flow regime is dominated by a steam-water droplet flow with liquid films on the nuclear fuel rod, the so called (wispy) annular flow regime. The film thickness and liquid flow rate distribution around the fuel rod play an important role especially in regard to so called dryout, which is the main phenomenon limiting the thermal power of a fuel assembly. The deposition of droplets in the liquid film is important, because this process sustains the liquid film and delays dryout. Functional spacers with different vane shapes have been used in recent decades to enhance droplet deposition and thus create more favorable conditions for heat removal. In this thesis the behavior of liquid films and droplet deposition in the annular flow regime in BWR bundles is addressed by experiments in an adiabatic flow at nearly ambient pressure. The experimental setup consists of a vertical channel with the cross-section resembling a pair of neighboring subchannels of a fuel rod bundle. Within this double subchannel an annular flow is established with a gaswater mixture. The impact of functional spacers on the annular flow behavior is studied closely. Parameter variations comprise gas and liquid flow rates, gas density and spacer shape. The setup is instrumented with a newly developed liquid film sensor that measures the electrical conductance between electrodes flush to the wall with high temporal and spatial resolution. Advanced post-processing methods are used to investigate the dynamic behavior of liquid films and droplet deposition. The topic is also assessed numerically by means of single-phase Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes CFD simulations of the flow in the gas core. For this the commercial code STAR-CCM+ is used coupled with additional models for the liquid film distribution and droplet motion. The results of the experiments show that the liquid film is quite evenly distributed around the circumference of the fuel rods. The time-averaged liquid film thickness decreases with decreasing liquid flow rate, increasing gas flow rate and increasing gas density. By the introduction of spacers, the liquid film is strongly structured into streaks downstream of the spacer in a distinct pattern depending on the spacer shape. The streaks are mainly generated by the effect of circumferential vector components of the gas shear stresses on the gas-liquid interface, which are generated by the spacer. The resulting local decrease of liquid mass flow rate can be interpreted as a deficiency of a given spacer geometry, since it may promote dryout under BWR conditions in close proximity to the spacer. Furthermore spacers increase the droplet deposition compared to an open channel flow, thus increasing the mass flow rate in the liquid film and the dryout margin. Spacer vanes enhance the droplet deposition by an enhanced turbulence of the gas core, a deflection of the gas streamlines and the direct impact of droplets on the spacer vanes. The contribution of each phenomenon to the deposition
Synthesis of polymer suspensions for immunochemical studies

New methods of preparing polymer suspensions of narrow particle size distribution with amino and carboxylic groups on the particle surface have been suggested. The effects of various factors on the diameter and size distribution of polymer particles, their stability, and concentration of functional groups on the particle surface were investigated. The application of such polymer suspensions for immunochemical studies was shown.
Sampling for validation of digital soil maps

The increase in digital soil mapping around the world means that appropriate and efficient sampling strategies are needed for validation. Data used for calibrating a digital soil mapping model typically are non‐random samples. In such a case we recommend collection of additional independent data and validation of the soil map by a design‐based sampling strategy involving probability sampling and design‐based estimation of quality measures. An important advantage over validation by data‐splitting or cross‐validation is that model‐free estimates of the quality measures and their standard errors can be obtained, and thus no assumptions on the spatial auto‐correlation of prediction errors need to be made. The quality of quantitative soil maps can be quantified by the spatial cumulative distribution function (SCDF) of the prediction errors, whereas for categorical soil maps the overall purity and the map unit purities (user's accuracies) and soil class representation (producer's accuracies) are suitable quality measures. The suitability of five basic types of random sampling design for soil map validation was evaluated: simple, stratified simple, systematic, cluster and two‐stage random sampling. Stratified simple random sampling is generally a good choice: it is simple to implement, estimation of the quality measures and their precision is straightforward, it gives relatively precise estimates, and no assumptions are needed in quantifying the standard error of the estimated quality measures. Validation by probability sampling is illustrated with two case studies. A categorical soil map on point support depicting soil classes in the province of Drenthe of the Netherlands (268 000 ha) was validated by stratified simple random sampling. Sub‐areas with different expected purities were used as strata. The estimated overall purity was 58% with a standard error of 4%. This was 9% smaller than the theoretical purity computed with the model. Map unit purities and class representations were estimated by the ratio estimator. A quantitative soil map, depicting the average soil organic carbon (SOC) contents of pixels in an area of 81 600 ha in Senegal, was validated by random transect sampling. SOC predictions were seriously biased, and the random error was considerable. Both case studies underpin the importance of independent validation of soil maps by probability sampling, to avoid unfounded trust in visually attractive maps produced by advanced pedometric techniques.
International Journal of Food Engineering Technological Characteristics of Grains from Fourteen Maize Cultivars

The effects of cooking and milling of grains from 14 maize cultivars on the characteristics of fine flours were studied in a factorial experimental design. Wet milling significantly increased (P<0.05) fine flour (<400 microns) yields, water absorption capacity at 90°C, solubility index at 25°C, swelling capacity at 95°C and least gel forming concentration. Fine flour composition and functionality were variety dependant. Maize cultivars producing similar fine flours in terms of functionality were classified into three groups: ATP SR-Y, ADV NCRE, CMS 9015, and 88094M131Exp124 for group 1; CMS 8704, CMS 8501, CMS 8806, PDY and ASPY for group 2; and the last group comprising K9351, 87036Exp124, CMS 2019. The specific functional properties maize cultivars should be taken into account in the formulation of pre-cooked weaning food from fine flours.
Stochastic Refinery Planning with Risk Management

Abstract This work proposes a two-stage stochastic programming model with fixed recourse via scenario analysis with incorporation of risk management for an optimal midterm refinery planning that addresses three factors of uncertainties: prices of crude oil and saleable products (in the objective function), product demands (in the RHS coefficients), and product yields (in the LHS coefficients). Compensating slack variables and “discrepancy costs” are employed to explicitly account for constraints' violations to increase model tractability. Variance is adopted as the risk measure, with its shortcomings highlighted and mean-absolute deviation proposed as an improved alternative. A representative numerical example is illustrated.
A spectroelectrochemical study of the technetium(IV)/technetium(III) couple in bicarbonate solutions

Spectroelectrochemistry at an optically transparent electrode, in conjunction with controlled potential coulometry, has been used to study the Tc(IV)/Tc(III) redox couple in aqueous bicarbonate solutions. The complexation provided by bicarbonate/carbonate ions was found to stabilize both Tc(IV) and Tc(III). The uv–visible absorption spectra for technetium(III) and technetium(IV) carbonate complexes are described. The redox potential for the Tc(IV)/Tc(III) couple, as well as the number of electrons, the number of carbonate groups, and the number of hydroxyl groups exchanged during the redox process in bicarbonate media are reported.
Efficiency of dietary vegetable oils in preserving the quality of shell eggs under ambient tropical conditions

The study evaluates the efficacy of three common market-grade culinary vegetable oils—groundnut oil, cottonseed oil and coconut oil—in preserving the internal quality of freshly laid eggs coated with them and stored under tropical room conditions of 25–32°C and 40–85% r.h. for 36 days. All three vegetable oils significantly (P 0.05) improvement over untreated eggs.
DRYING CHARACTERISTICS AND MILLING QUALITY ASPECTS OF PADDY DRIED WITH GAS‐FIRED INFRARED

Wet paddy was dried under different process conditions applying a laboratory gas-fired infrared (GIR) dryer. Peak wavelength of infrared emitted and initial moisture content of paddy were varied to study the drying behavior. The available thin-layer drying models were fitted to the drying data. Then, the modified Page model was chosen with higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9985 − 0.9695) and best-fitted over other models, based on comparing the values of root mean square deviation (RMSD), average percentage of error (%E) and chi-square (χ2) between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. Qualities of GIR and temper-dried wet paddy in terms of head rice yield and whiteness were evaluated. Response surface methodology found that an increase in GIR drying time could increase head rice yield. However, an increase in both GIR drying time and tempering time could decrease the whiteness. The contour overlay graph could then be used for determining the appropriate drying conditions, depending on the industrial or user requirement. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Infrared (IR) drying technology has appeared as one of the potential alternatives to the traditional heating methods for obtaining high-quality dried agro-products. For long-grain paddy drying, there is at present a dearth of reports exploring IR drying kinetics, and even in such reports, milling quality was the focus of investigation with respect to appropriate drying process conditions. This study has presented the modeling determination and explanation on milling qualities of paddy dried with gas-fired infrared dryer. The drying process has provided a guideline on basic information to build a commercial drying system. Finally, these results would have practical applications for maintaining or increasing the milling qualities of paddy in the existing industry.
Nitrogen Recovery and Transformation from a Surface or Sub-Surface Application of Controlled-Release Fertilizer on a Sandy Soil

ABSTRACT Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) are used to reduce leaching of nutrients, especially nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 −-N) to groundwater, caused mainly by application of soluble N fertilizers to sandy soils in Florida. A leaching column study was conducted to evaluate N release and transformation from a CRF (CitriBlen) over a 16-week period when it was applied on the soil surface or incorporated into the soil. When one pore volume of water was applied to column weekly or biweekly, the CRF released urea-N slowly over time with three peaks of release on 3–4, 8, and 12 week after application. Both ammonium-nitrogen (NH4 +-N) and NO3 −-N were leached in large amounts on week 2, likely from soluble forms of N. Cumulatively, the most leached N at the end of study was in the NH4 + form, followed by the NO3 − form. The sum of all N forms leached and volatilized accounted for 53–69% of total N applied. Total N recovery was 70% and 93% of total N applied for surface and sub-surface application of the fertilizer, respectively. It was indicated that the better recovery rate found with sub-surface application may have been due to minimized N loss by volatilization. Sub-surface application of fertilizer resulted in more than three times NH4 +-N remained in soil, compared with surface application. On average for both application treatments throughout 16-week period, 5.8 h was required for ammonification and 4.7 d for nitrification to occur after N release from the fertilizer. Characterization of CRFs for specific soil type, leaching volume and cycle, and application manner as well as knowledge of N requirement of the crop will allow for the Best Management Practices of these fertilizers, thus obtaining optimum yields and minimizing nutrient losses from CRFs.
Groundwater nitrate dynamics in grass and poplar vegetated riparian buffer strips during the winter

Nitate retention in riparian buffer strips is well documented in summer periods, but the potential of winter retention within these zones is poorly documented. Two sites, grass (L.), and poplar ()-vegetated riparian strips, were investigated in southern England (River Leach). Groundwater flow was via subsurface pathways within the sites, NO concentration gradients and loading rates were calculated over the winter period. Nitrate retention was found to be linearly dependent on load rate. Nitrate retention occurred at the edge of the riparian zone. This was most obvious in the poplar site where all hillslope-derived NO was absorbed within the first 5 m of flow within the riparian strip. When loading rates into the sites increased, NO absorption migrated upslope from the riparian site. The poplar-vegetated riparian zone was found to be more resilient (99% retention of NO) than the grass-vegetated riparian zone (84% retention of NO) in the winter months. It is postulated that although vegetation has no active role in retaining NO in the winter, above-ground vegetative biomass does contribute C to the soil microbacterial biomass that is engaged in NO reduction in the winter months, this accounted for the greater efficiency of the poplar vegetated site.
An experimental approach for dynamic investigation of the trapping properties of glass-ceramic under electron beam irradiation from a scanning electron microscope

A method is described that allows the trapping charge kinetics in insulating materials during their electron irradiation in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to be studied and the total trapped charge to be evaluated. The method consists in analyzing the leakage and the displacement currents measured simultaneously, during and after irradiation, using an arrangement adapted to the SEM. The dynamic trapping properties of glass-ceramic are investigated and the time constants for charging and discharging processes are evaluated. By correlating the leakage and displacement currents, the total electron yield σ during irradiation is also determined.
Reduction of human hair by cysteamine and ammonium thioglycolate : A correlation of amino acid analysis and single-fiber tensile kinetic data

A study was conducted to determine the effects of reduction by cysteamine and ammonium thioglycolate (ATG) on the physical and chemical properties of human air. The methods utilized were amino acid analysis with ortho-phthaldehyde derivatization (OPA) and a modification of the single-fiber tensile kinetics (SFTK) method. Virgin, medium brown hair from a single source (DeMeo Brothers) was used for all of the experiments. Stress relaxation of hair fibers was monitored to determine the rate of reduction of stress-supporting disulfide bonds by cysteamine and ATG. Levels of cystine and cysteine were monitored by amino acid analysis to determine the rate of reduction of disulfide bonds in the whole fiber. The results of this study indicated that the rate of reduction of both stress-supporting and whole-fiber disulfide bonds by ammonium thioglycolate was faster than the rate of reduction by cysteamine. The kinetic results obtained by stress relaxation were found to agree with the results from amino acid analysis.
Modeling snowpack and soil temperature and moisture conditions in a jack pine, black spruce and aspen forest stand in central Saskatchewan (BOREAS SSA)

Impacts of climate change on above- and below-ground heat and moisture conditions were modeled so that other impacts on, e.g., local carbon (C) and C-based pools for nutrients and pollutants such as Hg can be predicted reliably. This paper shows how the 199–-2003 data for the jack pine (jp; Pinus banksiana Lamb.), black spruce (bs; Picea mariana) and aspen (ta; Populus tremuloides) sites of the Southern Study Area of the BOREAS project were used to estimate some of the hydrothermal soil responses at these locations to daily variations in precipitation and air temperature. This was done by initializing and calibrating a forest hydrology model that has the capacity to simulate flow and retention of moisture and heat, as modified by canopy closure, ground cover, forest-floor depth, and soil composition. The calculations and data revealed strong but predictable site-specific differences in soil temperature and frost penetration (jp: 1–2 m > ta: 0.5–1 m > bs: 0–0.5 m), in soil moisture freezing (ta < bs < jp),.
Potential Brazilian wood species for bows of string instruments

Abstract Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (pau-brasil) is a Brazilian tree with symbolic character for Brazilian forestry, which is at risk of extinction because of illegal logging activities and exportation as raw material for bows of string instruments. Additional studies are required to select substitutes for pau-brasil, i.e., other wood species are being sought with potentially suitable characteristics for bow manufacture. The present paper is dedicated to the evaluation of six native Brazilian woods by comparing their anatomical features, specific gravity, speed of sound propagation, and dynamic modulus of elasticity in relation to the corresponding properties of C. echinata that are considered as standard for bow manufacture. The results showed that length, diameter, lumen diameter, and wall thickness of fibers are the most important variables contributing to specific gravity. Additionally, ray dimensions influenced sonic velocity. The values of dynamic modulus of elasticity are directly related to dimensions of rays and fibers. Among the six woods included in this study, Dipteryx spp. , Handroanthus spp. , and Hymenaea spp. were considered as the best alternatives to C. echinata wood as sources of bow construction. The bows from the first two woods were already tested by professional musicians and their suitability was certified. The Diplotropis spp. wood also showed promising characteristics. Mezilaurus itauba and Astronium lecointei do not have the necessary properties for bows.
Assessment of Car Wash Runoff Treatment Using Bioretention Mesocosms

AbstractCar wash runoff is known to be a pollution source to surface water bodies. Many groups hold car-washing fundraisers unaware of pollution issues associated with car wash runoff. This preliminary study investigated whether rain gardens are an appropriate management practice for reducing car wash pollutants, specifically surfactants. The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total suspended solids (TSS), and surfactants were measured in car wash runoff before and after treatment in three rain garden mesocosms. Mean TSS and surfactant effluent concentrations were significantly lower than the car wash runoff with TSS reductions ranging from 84 to 95% and surfactant reductions ranging from 89 to 96%. The removal efficiencies for surfactants were not enough to reduce concentrations below literature-based values for aquatic toxicity. Mean TP effluent concentrations were higher than the car wash runoff with increases ranging from 197 to 388%, although the increase was not statistically significant. This.
Identification of Mustard Related Compounds in Aqueous Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract : Thiodiglycol and a number of other compounds were detected during gas chromatographic analysis of aqueous samples obtained from near the site of the former DRES mustard hydrolysate vaults. Hexane extracts of the aqueous samples were analysed by capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) under both electron impact and chemical ionization conditions. Interpretation of the MS and complementary capillary column GC-fourier transform infrared data led to the characterization and identification of many compounds, including ether/ thioether macrocycles and vinyl alcohol compounds, not previously associated with mustard decomposition. Keywords: Gas chromatography, Mass spectrometry, Chemical ionization, Ammonia, Isobutane, Chemical agent detection, Military chemical agents, Mustard, Canada.
Visualization of electrochemical doping and light-emitting junction formation in conjugated polymer films

In situ electrochemical doping and light-emitting junction formation in conjugated polymer films have been visualized by direct imaging of a massive planar device structure under UV illumination. Both p- and n-doping of conjugated polymers have been observed. When the p- and n-doped regions meet, a light-emitting p–n junction forms and significant current flow begins. The reversal of applied bias creates many tiny and transient light-emitting p–n junctions in the previously n-doped region by the uneven growth of new p-doped areas. Eventually a stable emission zone is formed closer to the new cathode, from a polymer film that shows almost no photoluminescence due to doping.
A test of our understanding of the ozone chemistry in the Arctic polar vortex based on in situ measurements of ClO, BrO, and O3 in the 1994/1995 winter

We present an analysis of in situ measurements of ClO, BrO, O3, and long-lived tracers obtained on a balloon flight in the Arctic polar vortex launched from Kiruna, Sweden, 68°N, on February 3, 1995. Using the method of tracer correlations, we deduce that the air masses sampled at an altitude of 21 km (480 K potential temperature), where a layer of enhanced ClO mixing ratios of up to 1150 parts per trillion by volume was observed, experienced a cumulative chemical ozone loss of 1.0±0.3 ppmv between late November 1994 and early February 1995. This estimate of chemical ozone loss can be confirmed using independent data sets and independent methods. Calculations using a trajectory box model show that the simulations underestimate the cumulative ozone loss by approximately a factor of 2, although observed ClO and BrO mixing ratios are well reproduced by the model. Employing additional simulations of ozone loss rates for idealized conditions, we conclude that the known chlorine and bromine catalytic cycles destroying odd oxygen with the known rate constants and absorption cross sections do not quantitatively account for the early winter ozone losses infered for air masses observed at 21 km.
Nitrogen‐form and endophyte‐Infection effects on growth, nitrogen uptake, and alkaloid content of chewings fescue turf grass

Abstract Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud) is naturally infected by an endophyte, however, little is known about the biology of this association and the effects on host fitness. A hydroponic study was conducted in the greenhouse to determine if endophyte and/or nitrogen (N) form influenced growth, N accumulation and alkaloid production in ‘Jamestown II’ Chewings fescue. Endophyte‐infected and non‐infected grasses were established in solution culture for 5 weeks using a 1/4 strength modified Hoagland solution, and then grown for 15 d in similar solutions containing 50 mg L‐1 of N as either NH4‐N, NO3 ‐N or a 1:1 mixture of NH4‐N and NO3 ‐N. The presence of the endophyte increased total biomass 54% in this grass, but growth was unaffected by N source. Nitrogen uptake was 58% higher in endophytic grasses, but no differences were observed in N use efficiency with respect to non‐endophytic grasses. Nitrogen form affected both N uptake and N use efficiency, with significantly higher values .