Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the Photoconductive and Optical Limiting Processes in Organic Nanostructures

Among other areas of application of materials doped with fullerenes or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the special aspect is being made to investigate these nanostructures in the near and middle infrared. In the present paper, the infrared nonlinear transmission processes in fullerene- and nanotubes- containing organic systems based on polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, prolinol, pyridine, and polyaniline have been considered. The thin films, gels, solution, and dispersed liquid crystal compounds have been studied at wavelengths of 805, 1047, 1080, 1315, and 2940 nm. Optical limiting properties and photoconductive peculiarities have been found. The possible limiting mechanisms have been discussed. It should be mentioned that the photoconductivity of nanostructure-doped systems varies in the range of 5–6 orders of magnitude. Additionally, the study with a microscope has been made. The quasi-photonic organic system has been obtained. Thus, the diffraction of a laser beam passing through this structure would be considered as one of the mechanisms to attenuate the laser beam.
Doing Classroom Research: A Step-By-Step Guide for Student Teachers

Recently there has been a national move for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes to support students working at master's level in some of their courses, yet there is little literature to support the students or their tutors/supervisors in the specific area of research. This step by step guide has been designed to meet the needs of all teacher training students involved in any classroom-based research at Level 6 or M-level. The book contains three sections that mirror the progression from novice researcher to practitioner researcher.The introductory overview includes a discussion of different types of research and the role of the teacher/researcher. Section one introduces the purpose of school-based research and contains case studies and advice from experienced teacher researchers who have 'been there, done that' to make the most of both the professional course and their research. It also offers guidance on study skills and how to carry out a literature review. The important issue of research ethics is investigated with guidance offered to both students and tutors. Issues of reliability and validity are also taken up in this first section.Section two broadens the focus further by offering the opportunity to consider how teaching impacts on children's and students' learning and a range of methods of data collection and analysis are discussed. The researcher is encouraged to develop their pedagogy further by considering how a more creative and innovative approach to teaching can be critically evaluated through research. The advantages of collaboration and triangulation will be introduced. Section three offers support for sharing research with a wider audience in a range of ways. It also discusses how further developing skills in educational research is an opportunity for continued professional development. The conclusion suggests the notion of the teacher researcher as being part of the professional identity of a teacher.
Phytochemistry and proximate composition of ginger ( Zingiber officinale )

The phytochemistry, proximate composition and medicinal properties of ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) were investigated. The rhizomes of ginger were collected, washed with water and chopped into tiny pieces. These were dried in an air-circulating oven and milled into fine powder using a mechanical grinder. The resulting powdered sample was subjected to phytochemical tests. Proximate analysis was also carried out to determine the moisture, protein, fats, carbohydrate contents as well as ash and fibre values of the rhizome. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, saponins, steroids, flavonoids and terpenoids were present, while reducing sugars, tannins, oils and acid compounds were absent. Similarly, the results of the proximate analysis of the rhizome showed that ginger contains mostly carbohydrates (71.46%) and crude protein (8.83%) with a little crude fibre content of 0.92 %. The results indicated that ginger rhizome is an excellent natural remedy for a wide range of ailments. Keywords : Zingiber officinale, spice, rhizome, phytochemistry, proximate analysis, Zingiberaceae, zingerone, methanolic extraction Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences , Vol. 7 No. 5 (2010)
Extraction of Cadmium from Phosphoric Acid Media by Di(2‐ethylhexyl) Dithiophosphoric Acid

Di(2‐ethylhexyl) dithiophosphoric acid (D2EHDTPA) was examined for cadmium removal from phosphoric acid solutions. High extraction performance was achieved. By means of slope and saturation methods, the stoichiometry of the complex was postulated. Both methods indicated the presence of anhydrous CdR2 as being the metallic extracted complex, HR denoting the D2EHDTPA molecule. The stripping of cadmium from the organic phase was ensured by aqueous solutions of HCl; quantitative stripping was achieved with either HCl (4 M) or an HCl‐NaCl mixture.
THE CREST REACTIVE BURN MODEL

CREST is a new reactive‐burn model for explosives that is able to reproduce a range of shock initiation behaviour in coventional plastic bonded explosives. This is accomplished by using entropy rather than pressure‐dependent reaction rates. In this paper, a CREST model for the insensitive high explosive PBX9502 is tested against a wide range of one‐dimensional experimental data.
Essential Oil of Ocimum gratissimum from Benin

Abstract The essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum were isolated from fresh aerial plant parts by steam distillation with yields from 0.2-0.9%. Analysis by GC and GC/MS identified 35 constituents, of which γ-terpinene (2.2-30.2%), p-cymene (13.5-37.1%) and thymol(2.3-32.1%) were the most abundant. Three samples were especially rich in p-cymene (38.2-47.1%), accompanied by γ-terpinene (2.2%) and myrcene (2.8%). Percentage of these compounds are included beetween 45-65%.
Heat Transfer Coefficient Determination during FC-72 Flow in a Minichannel Heat Sink Using the Trefftz Functions and ADINA Software

This work focuses on subcooled boiling heat transfer during flow in a minichannel heat sink with three or five minichannels of 1 mm depth. The heated element for FC-72 flowing along the minichannels was a thin foil of which temperature on the outer surface was measured due to the infrared thermography. The test section was oriented vertically or horizontally. A steady state heat transfer process and a laminar, incompressible flow of the fluid in a central minichannel were assumed. The heat transfer problem was described by the energy equations with an appropriate system of boundary conditions. Several mathematical methods were applied to solve the heat transfer problem with the Robin condition to determine the local heat transfer coefficients at the fluid/heated foil interface. Besides the 1D approach as a simple analytical method, a more sophisticated 2D approach was proposed with solutions by the Trefftz functions and ADINA software. Finite element method (FEM) calculations were conducted to find the temperature field in the flowing fluid and in the heated wall. The results were illustrated by graphs of local heated foil temperature and transfer coefficients as a function of the distance from the minichannel inlet. Temperature distributions in the heater and the fluid obtained from the FEM computations carried out by ADINA software were also shown. Similar values of the heat transfer coefficient were obtained in both the FEM calculations and the 1D approach. Example boiling curves indicating nucleation hysteresis are shown and discussed.
Intercomparison Study of the Size-Dependent Counting Efficiency of 26 Condensation Particle Counters

ABSTRACT Particle detection efficiency curves for 26 condensation particle counters were determined during a calibration workshop in preparation for the Aerosol Characterization Experiment 1 (ACE1). Three different types of commercially available particle counters, the ultrafine condensation particle counter (TSI-3025) and the condensation particle counters (TSI-3010 and TSI-3760 or TS1-7610) were investigated at default temperature and flow settings as well as for other flow rates and temperature differences between the saturator and the condenser. Furthermore, the pulse-height-analysis ultrafine condensation particle counter and a TSI-3010 modified to achieve a higher temperature difference were calibrated. In this study, the large number of particle counters investigated provided the opportunity to obtain a more statistically significant picture of the performance of different particle counters for different operating conditions.
Studies on the Miscibility of Chitosan/Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) Blend in Solution by Viscometry, Ultrasonic Velocity, Density and Refractometry Techniques at 30, 40, and 50°C

Polymer blends of chitosan (CHI) with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) have been prepared by solution blending, and their miscibility studies were carried out by using physical techniques over an extended range of concentration and composition in buffer solution. The viscosity, ultrasonic velocity, density, and refractive index were measured at 30, 40, and 50°C, respectively. Using viscosity data, the interaction parameter μ and α were computed to probe the miscibility. These values revealed that the blend is miscible when the chitosan content is more than 60% in the blend at all temperatures. The obtained results were further confirmed by the ultrasonic velocity, density, and refractive index measurements.
Solution-processed ferroelectric terpolymer nanocomposites with high breakdown strength and energy density utilizing boron nitride nanosheets

The development of high-performance capacitive energy storage devices is of critical importance to address an ever-increasing electricity need. The energy density of a film capacitor is determined by the dielectric constant and breakdown strength of dielectric materials. With the highest dielectric constant among the known polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric terpolymers are of great potential for high energy density capacitors. However, their energy storage capability has long been limited by the relatively low breakdown strength. Here we demonstrate remarkable improvements in the energy density and charge–discharge efficiency of the ferroelectric terpolymers upon the incorporation of ultra-thin boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs). It is found that BNNSs function as a robust scaffold to hamper the onset of electromechanical failure and simultaneously as an efficient insulating barrier against electrical conduction in the resulting polymer nanocomposites, resulting in greatly enhanced breakdown strength. Of particular note is the improved thermal conductivity of the terpolymer with the introduction of BNNSs; this is anticipated to benefit the stability and lifetime of polymer capacitors. This work establishes a facile, yet efficient approach to solution-processable dielectric materials with performance comparable or even superior to those achieved in the traditionally melt-extruded ultra-thin films.
The calculation of structural, elastic and phase stability properties of minerals using first principles techniques: A comparison of HF, DFT and Hybrid functional treatments of exchange and correlation

We benchmark the performance of four treatments of electron exchange and correlation in the prediction of structural and elastic properties of a range of minerals. The treatments used are the Hartree-Fock (HF) theory, the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) to the density functional theory (DFT) and Becke's three parameter hybrid functional (B3LYP). We find that the hybrid functional, B3LYP method yields computed elastic properties in significantly better agreement to experiment than HF or DFT-LDA and performs at least as well, if not better than the most successful DFT-GGA functionals. We suggest that B3LYP is a simple, reliable and computationally efficient tool for the ab initio simulation of mineral systems.
Thermophysical and Chemical Properties of Perennial Energy Crops Depending on Harvest Period

Abstract This paper presents analyses of the thermophysical and chemical properties of eleven perennial crop species harvested in one-year rotation cycles. The crops included four species grown for biomass in the form of straw, five species producing semi-wood biomass, and two species yielding wood biomass. The research comprised three consecutive crop harvests. In each harvesting season, biomass samples for analyses were taken on six dates at one-month intervals. Thermophysical and chemical properties of the biomass were significantly differentiated within the main experimental factors and their interactions. The biomass produced by Virginia mallow had the best quality parameters as solid fuel. In fact, it achieved the lowest water content and the highest lower heating value during all of the analyzed seasons and harvest dates. The biomass of the species yielding straw or semi-wood products attained better quality as solid fuel on later harvest dates. In turn, the quality of willow biomass remained practically unchanged between the harvest dates.
CADMIUM ADSORPTION BY SOILS

Summary The Langmuir adsorption equation was found to describe Cd adsorption from dilute solutions at 5°C and 25°C for ten soils from Tuscany. The calculated Langmuir adsorption maxima (Q) and bonding energy coefficients (K) were well correlated with CEC and organic matter content. On the basis of the temperature effect on Q and K, the mechanism of Cd adsorption is discussed.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Immunoassay for Ochratoxin A Based on Nanogold Hollow Balls with Dendritic Surface

Abstract A surface plasmon resonance (SPR)‐immunosensor based on nano‐size gold hollow ball (GHB) with dendritic surface has been developed for detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA). A thionine thin film was initially electropolymerized onto the SPR‐probe surface, and then anti‐OTA monoclonal antibody (anti‐OTA) was immobilized onto the SPR‐probe surface by means of GHB conjugation. The binding of target molecules onto the immobilized antibodies causes an increase in the resonant angle of the sensor chip, and the resonant angle shift was proportional to the OTA concentration in the range of 0.05–7.5 ng/ml with a detection limit of 0.01 ng/ml at a signal/noise ration of 3. A glycine‐HCl solution (pH 2.8) was used to release antigen‐antibody complexes from the biorecognition surface. Good reusability was exhibited. Moreover, spiking various levels of OTA into three milk samples was assayed using the proposed immunoassay. Analytical results show the precision of the developed immunoassay is acceptable. Compared with the conventional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, the proposed immunoassay system was simple and rapid without multiple labeling and separation steps. Importantly, the proposed immunoassay system could be further developed for the immobilization of other antigens or biocompounds.
Preparation of anti-melamine antibody and development of an indirect chemiluminescent competitive ELISA for melamine detection in milk

An indirect chemiluminescent competitive ELISA (CL-ELISA) method was developed to detect residues of melamine in milk. A high-quality polyclonal antibody towards melamine cyanurate (MC) was prepared based on synthesis of a novel immunogen. The method is applicable over the range of 0.5–7.0 µg. mL−1 of MC, with an IC50 value of 1.7 µg. mL−1. The developed method was used in the detection of melamine residue in milk with the detection limit of 1 ng.mL−1. There was no cross-reactivity with commonly used veterinary drugs. The CL-ELISA method developed provides an alternative to chromatography spectrometry for regulatory analysis of melamine in milk and could be promisingly used to improve the sensitivity of the available ELISA test kits.
Zincalstibite, a new mineral, and cualstibite: Crystal chemical and structural relationships

Abstract Zincalstibite, a new mineral occurring within the cavities of marble of the Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy, has chemical formula Zn2AlSb(OH)12, space group P3̄, a = 5.321(1), c = 9.786(2) Å. It is associated with sub-millimeter tufts of white crystals of mimetite and sub-millimetric stalactite aggregates of opal and an amorphous copper-silicate phase (possibly crisocolla). The crystals are trigonal prismatic, with forms {110}, {001}, elongated [001], generally less than 10 × 10 × 40 ÷ 50 μm, with few larger crystals. They are colorless, transparent, with vitreous luster, white streak and {001} cleavage. The stronger reflections are [(hkl), d (Å), Irel]: (002), 4.904, 100; (100), 4.620, 35; (101), 4.179, 57; (103, 110), 2.669, 31; (112, 112̄), 2.343, 88; (114, 114̄), 1.805, 57. Zincalstibite is structurally related to cualstibite, as evidenced by the structural determinations and refinements we present for both the minerals. They are built up by layers of isolated Sb(OH)6 octahedra alternating along c with trioctahedral layers, which contain Zn and Al cations and Cu and Al cations in zincalstibite and cualstibite, respectively. In cualstibite the ordering of Al and Cu within these trioctahedral layers results in a supercell, with acual = 9.150(2) Å ≈ √3 azinc. The name of zincalstibite is related to its chemical composition and points to its relationships with cualstibite. Both the mineral and its name were approved by the IMA Commission for New Minerals and Mineral Names (IMA 1998-033).
High pressure experimental study of natural antigorite dehydration reactions

From the Mid-Oceanic-Ridge to the subduction trench, hydration of peridotite minerals in the upper part of the oceanic lithosphere produces hydrous phases such as serpentine. Because of its high-water content (13 wt% H2O) this mineral family is of particular interest for water fluxes. Depending on the thermal path followed by the lithosphere while sinking into the mantle, antigorite destabilization can either lead to fluid release in the mantle wedge or water transfer to deeper levels. During this thesis we conducted experimental investigations of antigorite dehydration in the framework of these two scenarios.First, we investigated antigorite dehydration under conditions relevant to slab water release, known to trigger partial melting and to generate arc magmatism. Multi-anvil experiments were conducted on a natural serpentinite sample, at 3 GPa and between 600 and 900°C under different redox conditions. We were able to constrain phase assemblages produced by antigorite dehydration as well as the fO2 of such reactions to 5 units above the FMQ (Fayalite-Magnetite-Quartz buffer). These results support the oxidizing character of slab released fluids, that could explain the oxidized character of arc magmas compared to Mid-Oceanic-Ridge basalts or Oceanic-Island basalts.The second experimental work conducted during this thesis allowed to refine phase equilibria involving antigorite and the Dense Hydrous Magnesium Silicates (DHMS) phase A and phase E, in a realistic chemical composition for hydrated ultramafic system. Antigorite destabilization was performed between 6.5 and 10 GPa, for temperatures in the range phase E>phase A for the aluminous and iron-rich hydrated peridotite system. This study allowed the refinement of water budgets that can be stored in relatively cold slabs (<750°C at 8-10 GPa), supporting the hypothesis of water survival down to the transition zone.
Levofloxacin: formulation and in-vitro evaluation of alginate and chitosan nanospheres

Background and objectives Levofloxacin, the active l-isomer of ofloxacin, is a widely used fluoroquinolone, with activity against bacteria that causes respiratory, skin, and genitourinary tract infections, (-)-(S)-9-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-10-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-7-oxo-7H-pyrido benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid hemihydrates. It is a new quinolone antimicrobial agent that exhibits broad-spectrum in-vitro bactericidal activities against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes. The aim of this study was to formulate sodium alginate nanospheres containing levofloxacin and evaluate its physiochemical properties, exploring alternative routes of administration, such as nanoparticle to develop a targeted drug delivery system and to act locally on the organ of infection with enriched therapeutic efficacy. Materials and methods Sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions were prepared. A constant volume (20 μl) of levofloxacin solution was incorporated into the sodium alginate solution, and then the same method was followed for the preparation of hybrid chitosan-alginate nanoparticles. In-vitro release study was carried out by dialysis membrane for 7 h in the physiological fluid (pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution). Morphology and structure characterization of nanoparticles were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectra, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, respectively. Results and conclusion This paper reports the possibility to entrap lipophilic levofloxacin within chitosan/alginate (CS/ALG) nanoparticles using a very simple ionotropic pregelation technique; strong electrostatic interactions exist in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with a diameter of 25-55 nm were obtained at the optimal mass range of sodium alginate: calcium chloride:chitosan in the meta acid environment. The delivery behavior of levofloxacin from nanoparticles was studied. Levofloxacin released from chitosan-alginate nanoparticles was 71% at pH 7.4 within 7 h. The release profile was characterized by an initial burst effect in phosphate buffer solution, followed by a continuous and controlled release phase. The drug release mechanism from polymer also offers an interesting potential for the delivery of lipophilic compound.
Biosorption of Cadmium by Fucus spiralis

Environmental Context. Conventional processes for the removal of heavy metals from wastewaters generally involves chemical precipitation of metals (changing the pH) followed by a period to allow the metal precipitates to settle and be separated. These processes are inefficient when the metals are at a low concentration and still demand handling and disposal of toxic metal sludges. An alternative method for heavy metal removal is adsorption onto a biological material, biosorption. The biological materials, including agricultural byproducts, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae, all which take up heavy metals in substantial quantities, are relatively inexpensive, widely available, and from renewable sources. However, biological materials are complex and the active mechanisms often unclear. Abstract. Cadmium biosorption properties of nonliving, dried brown marine macroalga Fucus spiralis from Galician coast (northwest Spain) have been investigated. The biosorption capacity of the alga strongly depends on solution pH; the uptake is almost negligible at pH ≤ 2 and reaches a plateau at around pH 4.0. Cadmium biosorption kinetics by F. spiralis is relatively fast, with 90% of total adsorption taking place in less than one hour. A pseudo second order mechanism has been proved to be able to predict the kinetic behaviour of the biosorption process. The effect of initial cadmium ion concentration, alga dose, solution pH, and temperature on the biosorption kinetics has been studied. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir–Freundlich, and Toth isotherms were used to fit the experimental data and to find out the adsorption parameters. Acid–base properties of the alga have been studied potentiometrically in order to calculate the number of acidic groups and the apparent pK value by using Katchalsky model. The pK obtained is comparable with typical values associated to the ionization of carboxyl groups of alginates, supporting the implication of these groups in the biosorption process.