Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of LHW, HCl, and NaOH pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse: sugar recovery and fractal-like kinetics

Abstract Conversion of lignocellulose to sugars involves two main processes, namely pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Lignocellulose pretreatment leads to the degradation of enzymatic recalcitrance of substrate for achieving efficient saccharification. In this study, liquid hot water (LHW), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were as reagents used to pretreat sugarcane bagasse (SB). Results showed that LHW, HCl, and NaOH pretreatment could solubilize 95.3%, 94.7% xylan and 88.7% lignin, respectively. Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated SB showed that the maximum glucose (26.0 g/L) and xylose (12.7 g/L) concentration were produced by NaOH pretreatment, and slightly more glucose and less xylose were produced after HCl pretreatment compared to LHW pretreatment. Addition of Tween 80 or xylanase could significantly improve both glucose and xylose production. At 48 h, the glucose increase for LHW, HC1 and NaOH pretreatment was 38.3%, 26.4% and 8.0%, respectively, and the xylose increase for them was 35.0%, 24.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Fractal-like kinetics showed that the value of rate constant increased after the addition of Tween 80 or xylanase, and the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis mainly depended on rate constant other than fractal dimension of substrate. Totally, substrate accessibility was dominated for efficient of lignocellulose to sugar compared to enzyme loading. The application of fractal-like theory on the heterogeneous enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose was quite successful.
Stable Silica Nanofluids of an Oilfield Polymer for Enhanced CO2 Absorption for Oilfield Applications

CO2 injected with water often gives premature breakthrough and reduces its absorption during sequestration and oil recovery applications. Water-soluble polymers are used to increase CO2 absorption via an increase in water viscosity that restricts CO2 movement and thus its early release. The efficacy of polymer CO2 absorption methods can be further increased in the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) that interact with polymer chains and create a steric barrier to improve CO2 absorption. Thus, nanofluids prepared with compatible NPs might be a safe and reliable method to improve CO2 absorption of polymer methods. In this work, a nanofluid prepared with silica NPs (0.1–1.0 wt %) in base fluid of oilfield polymer [(polyacrylamide (PAM) with typical oilfield concentration (1000 ppm)] was tested for CO2 absorption and compared with the one of PAM fluid at different temperatures (303 and 353 K). The inclusion of SiO2 in PAM fluid provided stable nanofluids that exhibited good dispersion stability without NP settlem.
O efeito agudo do Rast Test sobre o estresse oxidativo e os marcadores de danos musculares em atletas jovens

Poucos estudos abordam os efeitos dos exercicios de alta intensidade e curta duracao como o RAST TEST, o que pode favorecer o adequado controle das sessoes de treino e, consequentemente, o desempenho atletico. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito agudo do RAST TEST sobre o estresse oxidativo e danos musculares em jovens atletas. Participaram 09 atletas jovens, com idade entre 15 e 18 anos. O RAST TEST determinou o PAN-pico, PAN media, minimo PAN (534,8 ± 138,9; 714,6 ± 102,2; 285,2 ± 285,2 Watts, respectivamente) e FI (7,0 ± 1.5Watts / seg) dos atletas corredores, resultando em um aumento da peroxidacao lipidica avaliada pelo TBARS (pre: 00:48 ± 0.1nmolEq MDA.mL vs pos: 0,66 ± 0,0nmolEq MDA.mL), da atividade antioxidante da glutationa peroxidase (pre: 165,8 ± 87.7mmol / min / mg vs pos: 297.4mmol ± 624,4 / min / mg) (p <0,05), e aumento das concentracoes sericas de lactato desidrogenase (pre: 326,0 ± 72,65U / L e pos: 758,72 ± 135,09U / L) e creatina quinase (pre: 278,1 ± 78,64U / L e pos: 983,62 ± 339,49 u / L) (p <0,05). Conclui-se que o RAST TEST promove estresse oxidativo e danos musculares em jovens atletas.
Impact generated stress waves and coupled fluid-structure responses

We are studying strongly-coupled fluid-structure interaction generated by a stress wave propagating along the surface (as opposed to the usual case of normal incidence) in the fluid adjacent to a thin solid shell. This is realized experimentally through projectile impact along the axis of a water-filled tube. We have tested mild steel, aluminum (6061-T6), carbon-fiber (CFC), and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) tubes 40 mm diameter and 0.8 mm wall thickness. A steel impactor is accelerated to 5–20 m/s using an air cannon and strikes an acrylic buffer or a polycarbonate buffer within the tube. Strain gages measure hoop and longitudinal strains every 100 mm. Elastic flexural waves are observed for impact speeds of 5–10 m/s and plastic waves appear for impact speeds approaching 20 m/s. Plastic flexural waves caused rupture of Al and CFC tubes at the closed end of specimen although the wave speeds were close to those predicted by the simple Korteweg theory.
A Survey of Photon Cross Section Data for use in EPICS 2017

I have presented here my Survey of Atomic Photon Cross Section Data for use in EPICS2017. There are few original results of in this report; most of the original work was done by those who put together the compilations that I used; one being my own EPDL data. I started from my existing compilations of photon cross section data (EPDL), and compared it to PENELOPE, NIST and Scofield data. I added new edge energies to photoelectric and calculated the corresponding anomalous and coherent scattering data. I also added a few tests for the expected systematics. I put the final results into the ENDF/B format, so that they can be easily used by as many computer codes as possible. In this report I extensively used graphics to illustrate the simple Z dependence of the data and to compare sets of data, to give the reader a realistic estimate of the uncertainty in this data. After reviewing all the data, I have decided for EPICS2017 to only change: binding energies, photoelectric cross sections, anomalous and coherent scatter. Nuclear Data Section E-mail: NDS.Contact-Point@iaea.org International Atomic Energy Agency Fax: (43-1)26007 P.O. Box 100 Telephone: (43-1)2600-21725 A-1400 Vienna Web: http://www-nds.iaea.org Austria
Minority Salience and Political Extremism

We investigate how the salience of an ethnic minority affects the majority group’s voting behavior. We use the increased salience of Muslim communities during Ramadan as a natural experiment. Exploiting exogenous variation in the distance of election dates to Ramadan over the 1980–2013 period in Germany, our findings reveal an increased polarization. Vote shares for both right- and left-wing extremist parties increase in municipalities with mosques when an election takes place shortly after Ramadan. We use survey data to provide evidence on mechanisms: Ramadan increases respondents’ perceived share of the foreign-born population and emphasizes cultural dissimilarities, ultimately worsening attitudes toward Muslims. (JEL D72, D91, J15, Z12, Z13)
Recent trends in ozone in the upper stratosphere: Implications for chlorine chemistry

We have studied the implications of recent trends in the annual mean and the amplitude of the annual harmonic of ozone in the upper stratosphere from the 15 years of the combined data from the Nimbus-7 SBUV and the NOAA-11 SBUV/2 instruments. This was done in the context of the GSFC 2D model predictions of these trends which are based on plausible scenarios of anthropogenic Cly increase in the atmosphere. The comparison of the observed and model- estimated annual mean ozone trends show some similarity in their latitude and altitude characteristics. Both the model and data show a maximum ozone decrease of-6 to -10 % per decade at high latitudes in the upper stratosphere. However, there are also significant differences between the observed and computed trends which may be related to both the model uncertainty and the uncertainty in correcting for the long term instrument drift. The observations also suggest a decrease of 10-25 % per decade in the annual amplitude of ozone at 2 mb between 400-60 o in both hemispheres, with a relatively larger interannual variability in the northern hemisphere. These values are in general agreement with the model predictions and thus provide additional support in favor of the chlorine induced changes in ozone in the upper stratosphere. More recently, Chandra and McPeters (1994) have extended the ozone data base by combining the Nimbus-7 SBUV data with the NOAA-11 SBUV/2 data from January 1989 to December 1993. Though the combined data set covering a 15 year period does not significantly alter the length of the time series for studying long term changes in stratospheric ozone, it is the best data set available to study the various implications of long term changes in the stratosphere. It has been shown by Chandra et al.( 1993, to be referred to as C93) that both the annual mean and the amplitude of the annual harmonic of ozone are influenced by the chlorine catalytic loss cycle. The annual harmonic at middle and high latitudes accounts for more than 80 % of the total variance of the annual wave ( see also Perliski and London, 1989). A study of long term change in the annual cycle of ozone thus provides an additional constraint in delineating the role of odd chlorine in the stratosphere. The purpose of this paper is to study long term changes in the annual mean and the annual amplitude of ozone in the upper stratosphere at middle and high latitudes in the context of the GSFC 2D model results as discussed in C93. similarity with the trends derived from the 2D photochemical models (WMO, 1991). These trends, however, are sig- nificantly larger than the trends reported by McCormick et al. (1992) from their analysis of SAGE I and SAGE II ozone
Influence of Cationization of Cotton on Reactive Dyeing

Cationization of cotton is emerging as an effective tool that solves the environmental problems associated with dyeing of cotton with anionic dyes. In this research work, the cationizing effic iency of cationizing agent CIBAFIX WFF was estimated and it was found to be a better one than compared with normal or existing method of reactive dyeing of cotton. The influence of process conditions like concentration of cationizing agent, concentration of alkali and temperature of cationization bath on the color strength (K/S) and Total dye utilization percentage (T%) were analyzed and these process conditions are optimized. The optimized process conditions gives better K/S values and T% than the normal reactive dyeing of cotton. The effect of cationization on color strength and color fastness of various reactive dyes was found and cationization shows higher increase in lighter shades and lesser increase in dark shades than normal cotton dyeing. The impact on the environmental pollution and the dyed fabric quality were ascertained and compared with the existing dyeing system and the cationized cotton gives very less (nearly zero) environmental pollution. The cationized cotton shows similar kind of fabric quality as like normal dyeing of cotton. Cationization of cotton with cibafix WFF was found to be a successful and commercially viable process, since it is found to be cheaper than the normal dyeing process.
Validation of v1.022 mesospheric water vapor observed by the Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment instrument on the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere satellite

[1] Water vapor measured by the Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE) instrument on the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere satellite has been validated in the vertical range 45–95 km. Precision estimates for SOFIE v1.022 H2O are ∼0.2%–2.5% up to 80 km and degrade to ∼20% at ∼90 km. The SOFIE total systematic error from the retrieval analysis remains at ∼3%–4% throughout the lower to middle mesosphere and increases from ∼9% at 85 km to ∼16% at 95 km. Comparisons with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) H2O show excellent agreement (0%–2%) up to 80 km in the Northern Hemisphere with rare exceptions. Percentage differences above ∼85 km increase to ∼20% or worse due largely to the low H2O volume mixing ratios in the upper mesosphere. For the Southern Hemisphere SOFIE is consistently biased low by 10%–20% relative to both ACE-FTS and MLS H2O. Slopes of SOFIE daily mean H2O isopleths on an altitude versus time cross section are used as an indicator of upwelling air motion. In the lower to middle mesosphere, the slope is the largest from mid-May to mid-June (maximum of ∼1.5 cm/s), and then in July and August, it is reduced significantly. Both SOFIE and MLS daily mean H2O volume mixing ratios at the polar mesospheric cloud height increase rapidly from ∼2.0 to ∼5.0 ppmv prior to the solstice and then approach a near-constant but slightly increasing level (6.0–6.5 ppmv) throughout the season.
Comparative Study of the Characteristics and Activities of Pd/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts Prepared by Vortex and Incipient Wetness Methods

5 wt% Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by a modified Vortex Method (5-Pd-VM) and Incipient Wetness Method (5-Pd-IWM), and characterized by various techniques (Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), N2-physisorption, pulse CO chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD)) under identical conditions. Both catalysts had similar particle sizes and dispersions; the 5-Pd-VM catalyst had 0.5 wt% more Pd loading (4.6 wt%). The surfaces of both catalysts contained PdO and PdOx with about 7% more PdOx in 5-Pd-VM. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated presence of PdO/PdOx nanocrystals (8–10 nm) on the surface of the support. Size distribution by STEM showed presence of smaller nanoparticles (2–5 nm) in 5-Pd-VM. This catalyst was more active in the lower temperature range of 275–325 °C and converted 90% methane at 325 °C. The 5-Pd-VM catalyst was also very stable after 72-hour stability test at 350 °C showing 100% methane conversion, and was relatively resistant to steam deactivation. Hydrogen TPR of 5-Pd-VM gave a reduction peak at 325 °C indicating weaker interactions of the oxidized Pd species with the support. It is hypothesized that smaller particle sizes, uniform particle distribution, and weaker PdO/PdOx interactions with the support may contribute to the higher activity in 5-Pd-VM.
Laboratory Measurements of Particulate Matter Concentrations from Asphalt Pavement Abrasion

Abstract The issue of emissions from road traffic is compounded by the fact that the number of vehicles and driven kilometres increase each year. Road traffic is one of the main sources of particulate matter and traffic volume is still increasing and has unpleasant impact on longevity of the pavements and the environment. Vehicle motions cause mechanical wearing of the asphalt pavement surface - wearing course by vehicle tyres. The contribution deals with abrasion of bituminous wearing courses of pavements. The asphalt mixtures of wearing courses are compared in terms of mechanically separated particulate matter. The samples of asphalt mixtures were rutted in wheel tracking machine. The particulate matter measurements were performed in laboratory conditions. The experimental laboratory measurements make it possible to sample particulates without contamination from exhaust emissions, abraded particles from vehicles, resuspension of road dust and climate affects. The contribution offers partial results of measurements on six trial samples of asphalt mixtures with different composition. It presents particulate matter morphology and the comparison of rutted asphalt samples in terms of PM mass concentrations and chemical composition.
FUNDAMENTAL TRENDS OF RURAL MUSHROOM CULTIVATION IN MEXICO , AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The rural production of edible mushrooms (Pleurotus) started during 1989 in central Mexico. This activity soon became important as considerable governmental funds were made available to peasant communities. However, the development and significance of mushroom cultivation within the rural household system (RHS) in different regions have not yet been assessed. We developed a model to study the fundamental trends of mushroom cultivation within the RHS in two contrastive regions: 1) Cuetzalan, Puebla; and 2) Toluca, Mexico. Both regions were characterized environmentally and socio-economically. Structured surveys were applied to a random sample (20%: 89) of members from a cooperative in Cuetzalan, while to all peasant mushroom growers (27) in Toluca. RHSs were studied following the systems methodology. Data were statistically analyzed by the correlation of variables studied. Mushroom biotechnology can be adopted and adapted to the RHS needs, keeping a proper balance with other agricultural and extraagricultural activities. Mushroom cultivation can provide incomes, labour opportunities, and food to the RHS. Three types of RHSs were defined on the basis of the level of integration of mushroom cultivation within the RHS: 1) Constant grower (CG), 2) Frequent grower (FG), and 3) Occasional grower (OG). According to this typology, three regions can be identified for RHSs located around the main urban centres of mushroom consumption: 1) Near the market, 2) Intermediate distance from the market, and 3) Far from the market. It was established that fundamental trends of rural mushroom cultivation are directly associated to main mushroom markets. Accordingly, those RHSs operating as CGs are normally located near the market, FGs are at an intermediate distance from the market, and OGs are far from the market. Depending on this location, RHSs take advantage differentially from the social, economic, and ecological aspects of mushroom cultivation.
Hitchhiker's Guide to Inflation in Libya

This paper presents an empirical investigation of inflation dynamics in Libya over the period 1964-2012, using cointegration and error correction models. While inflation inertia is found to be a key determinant of consumer price inflation, the results indicate that government spending, money supply growth, global inflation, and exchange rate pass-through play central roles in the inflation process. These findings are broadly consistent with the experience of other countries that are natural resource dependent. We also find evidence that the imposition and subsequent removal of international sanctions on Libya had a significant impact on consumer price inflation. Collectively, our econometric estimates indicate that the deviations from an equilibrium path initiate significant adjustments in inflation dynamics, and that closer coordination between monetary and fiscal policies would improve the balance between economic growth and price stability.
The Y Generation Myth: Evidences Based on the Causality Relations Among Age, Diffusion and Adoption of Technology of College Students of São Paulo State

The objective of this research was to assess whether college students, classified as Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants, show different behavioral styles and adoption profiles in relation to technology. To do so three measurement scales (Technological Origin - OTE, Adoption Profile - PAD and Innovator Behavioral Style - ECI) were used and to identify the causal relationships among concepts, attitudes and processes of technology adoption among students. The data analysis choice was based on structural equation model (SEM) variance based approach or partial least squares (PLS-SEM) using the SmartPLS 2.0 software. The general model was tested, comprised by the constructs of the three scales and then a variable which characterizes the respondent’s generation was introduced as moderator. As a result it is possible to state that for the concepts of Digital Native and Digital Immigrant are lacking empirical foundations, simply serving as a rhetorical figure, of easy acceptance and assimilation, but unable to substantiate the existence of a phenomenon or generations effect on the process of diffusion and technology adoption, unlike what is commonly proposed in the literature.
The influence of the microgrooves on the hydrodynamic pressure distribution and load carrying capacity of the conical slide bearing

The aim of this work is to determine the hydrodynamic pressure distribution in oil film and the load carrying capacities of conical slide micro bearings with grooved sleeves. The results for some bearings examples are presented. For the bearings taken into account, the Reynolds equation was solved by the method of Finite Differences. In the calculations, the Reynolds boundary condition was applied. The simulation was performed for the conical slide micro bearings with the groves parallel to the cone generating line. The function of lubrication gap height for the conical slide bearings with sleeves covered with microgrooves was assumed on the basis of existing papers. The results obtained for the analogous bearings without the microgrooves are also shown, therefore the influence of microgrooves on the conical slide micro bearings can be observed. On the basis of the results, one can conclude, that applying microgrooves on the bearing sleeve surface causes the increase of the value of hydrodynamic pressure and longitudinal and transverse components of the load carrying capacity of the bearing. Furthermore, the effect of the microgrooves and their impact is noticeable in graphs of hydrodynamic pressure distribution. The applied method of investigation of the impact of microgrooves on a bearing operation is simpler and less expensive than the experimental studies, however it is necessary to verify that the results obtained with this method are correct and whether in fact applying microgrooves, besides form facilitate lubrication, causes the improvement in bearing operating parameters.
Electrostatic potential variation on the flux surface and its impact on impurity transport

The impurity transport in magnetically confined plasmas under some conditions finds neither quantitatively nor qualitatively a satisfactory theory-based explanation. This compromises the successful realization of thermo-nuclear fusion for energy production since impurity accumulation is known to be one of the causes that limits the plasma performance through radiative losses and plasma dilution. Under stellarator reactor-relevant conditions, accumulation is supported by the negative (inwards pointing) radial electric field which must arise to satisfy the ambipolarity constraint on the neoclassical particle fluxes. The high charge number of the impurities makes their transport particularly sensitive to the presence of electric fields and, consequently, the electrostatic potential variation on the flux surface, Φ1 , which conventional neoclassical theory usually neglects, may contribute to the theoretical interpretation of experimental results not yet fully understood, e.g. Ida et al (2009 Phys. Plasmas 16 056111) and Yoshinuma et al (2009 Nucl. Fusion 49 062002). In the present work we have considered different stellarator configurations and assessed the impact that Φ1 has on the radial particle transport of selected impurities. The results for LHD show that Φ1 can strongly modify this transport, resulting in large deviations of the level of inward impurity flux predicted by the standard neoclassical theory in most cases. In Wendelstein 7-X, on the contrary, Φ1 is significantly smaller and, for the parameters considered, its effect only appreciable for impurities with high charge number. Finally, in TJ-II the potential variation leads to appreciable changes of the impurity radial flux, although not to the extent its large amplitude might lead one to think. The dependence on the chosen parameters and open questions for future developments are discussed.