Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and experimental resonant frequencies of rectangular dielectric resonators

In the paper the theoretical and experimental resonant frequencies of isolated and shielded rectangular dielectric resonators are reported. The dielectric waveguide model has been used for the analysis. Lowest-order modes of the resonator have been identified. The effect of shielding on the resonant frequencies of different modes has been studied. Experimental schemes that have been tried to excite various modes of the resonator are reported. Results of theory are compared with those of experiment.
The impact of lipid composition on the stability of the tear fluid lipid layer

The tear fluid protects the corneal epithelium from drying and pathogens and it also provides nutrients to these cells. Tear fluid is composed of an aqueous layer as well as a lipid layer that resides at the air–tear interface. The function of the lipid layer is to lower the surface tension of the tear fluid and probably prevent evaporation. We have studied the impact of lipid composition on the structural and dynamical properties of the tear lipid film using Langmuir films, X-ray diffraction, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Based on recently published lipidomic data, we have selected a number of model systems comprised of phospholipids, cholesteryl oleates, triglycerides, and free fatty acids to study how the organization, stability, and dynamics of the lipid layer depend on its composition. In particular our aim is to unravel how excess neutral lipids affect the stability and dynamics of the lipid layer, since physiologically this condition resembles the tear fluid of chronic blepharitis patients. Our results indicate that neutral lipids residing on top of phospholipids and facing the air phase are needed to produce a stable lipid film at the air–water interface for a wide range of surface pressures. Decreasing the phospholipid–neutral lipid ratio, however, decreases the stability of the lipid film. This turns out to stem from the changed organization of the lipid film that varies from a layered structure to an oil droplet-like structure with decreasing phospholipid–neutral lipid ratio. The results provide a plausible rationale for the development of dry eye syndrome in blepharitis patients.
Secretion of acid phosphatase by the roots of several crop species under phosphorus-deficient conditions

Abstract Nine crop species (rice, wheat, soybean, lupin, azuki bean, sugar beet, tomato, cabbage and radish.) were grown in phosphorus-sufficient and phosphorus-deficient nutrient solutions. Then, the activities of acid phosphatase secreted by the roots for 24 h and of that eluted by 100 mM NaCl were investigated. Both activities of acid phosphatase increased under low phosphorus conditions in all the crop species. The activity of acid phosphatase secreted by the roots under phosphorus-deficient conditions was remarkably high in lupin and tomato, high in cabbage and radish, moderate in soybean and sugar beet, and low in wheat and azuki bean. The increased rates of activity of acid phosphatase (on a root dry weight basis) secreted under phosphorus-deficient conditions when compared with those under phosphorus-sufficient conditions ranged from 1.5 times in azuki bean to 19.9 times in lupin. The activity of acid phosphatase in the NaCl eluates was also higher in all the crop species under phosphorus-deficien.
A Simple Method for Obtaining Kinetic Equations to Describe the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Biopolymers

A procedure to obtain the overall rate of hydrolysis of biopolymers is proposed, based on the fitting of the experimental data x = f(t) to cubic spline functions and from these, by differentiation, to obtain dx/dt. The values of these dx/dt slopes are an exclusive function of the conversion, x, when E 0 , S 0 , pH and temperature are constant. The fitting of dx/dt versus x leads to equations of the type dx / dt = a.x exp(-b. x) for the glucoamylase-starch system, where b = 8.75 and a = f(E 0 , T).
X‐Ray Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopic Investigation on the Phase Relations in Yb2O3‐ and Tm2O3‐Substituted CeO2

Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic studies on Ce1−xYbxO2−x/2 and Ce1−xTmxO2−x/2 (0.0≤x≤1.0) are being reported in this manuscript. It has been observed that ceria when heavily doped with ytterbia and thulia get transformed from single-phasic F type to single-phasic C type through the formation of a biphasic mixture. The critical concentrations at which the phase transition takes place have also been ascertained from XRD measurements and verified using Raman spectroscopy. From XRD studies, it has been found that in the case of Ce1−xYbxO2−x/2, pure F-type lattice continues until x=0.4 and then the biphasic region comprising F-type and C-type solid solutions starts, which is followed by single-phasic pure C-type region above x=0.9. For Ce1−xTmxO2−x/2, XRD studies reveal that the biphasic region comprising C-type and F-type lattice is formed from x=0.5 onward. However, it has been confirmed from Raman spectroscopic studies that the C-type lattice is formed even in the sample at x=0.4. The discrepancy is believed to have originated because of the small domain size (smaller than the coherence length of X-rays) of the C-type lattice that are inhomogeneously distributed within the F-type solid solution in the composition Ce1−xTmxO2−x/2 (x=0.4), which could not be directly detected from XRD measurements.
Discordant gross radioactivity measurements of natural and treated waters

The periodic measurement of gross radioactivity is being widely used as an indicator of the satisfactory quality of community water systems with respect to radioactivity. Americium-241 apparently is being used by an increasing number of laboratories as an alternative gross alpha activity calibration standard in place of the recommended uranium. Higher alpha counting efficiencies obtained using /sup 241/Am result in gross alpha activity analysis differences of up to 100% when compared with duplicate sample analyses based on a natural uranium standard. Data presented in this report demonstrate that the use of /sup 241/Am as an alternative gross alpha calibration standard will, in effect, double the federally specified maximum contaminant level for gross dlpha activity in community water systems. Similar problems are associated with gross beta activity calibration standards but the effects are not as pronounced. Comparative counting efficiency data for /sup 137/Cs and /sup 90/Sr//sup 90/Y as gross beta activity calibration standards are given. Gross beta activity differences up to 25% may be obtained on duplicate analyses depending on the beta calibration standard used. If gross radioactivity measurements are to be useful indicators of water quality, strict adherence to standard procedures and acceptance of single calibration standards used for determiningmore » gross radioactivity concentrations in water are needed to achieve industry-wide comparabilty of results. « less
Quantitative Theory for Linear Dynamics of Linear Entangled Polymers

We present a new quantitative development of the reptation picture of de Gennes−Doi−Edwards. It is well-known that the original reptation theory is unable to fit linear relaxation spectra (G‘ and G‘ ‘) as it misses several important physical processes: (1) contour length fluctuations, (2) constraint release, and (3) longitudinal stress relaxation along the tube. All of these processes were treated theoretically before; however, the treatment used either uncontrolled approximations or failed to include all of them at the same time. The aim of this work is to combine self-consistent theories for contour length fluctuations and constraint release with reptation theory. First, we improve the treatment of contour length fluctuations using a combined theoretical and stochastic simulation approach. This allows us to obtain an expression for the single chain relaxation function μ(t) without any adjustable parameters and approximations. To include constraint release, we use the scheme proposed by Rubinstein and C.
Options for eland: a multi-scale assessment of antipredatory responses of a vulnerable prey species to their dominant predator in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

v Chapter 1 . 1 1.1 Predation at the evolutionary time-scale . 1 1.2 Predation at the ecological time scale . 1 1.2. 1) The direct effects of predation . 2 1.2. 2) The indirect effects of predation . 3 1.3 Behaviourally-mediated responses to predation risk . 3 1.3. 1) Temporal and spatial variation in predation risk . 4 1.3. 2) The landscape of fear. 5 1.4 Predator avoidance and escape strategies . 6 1.5 Problem statement . 7 1.6 Aims and hypotheses . 9 Chapter 2 . 11 2.
ROLE OF PHOSPHOROUS MANAGEMENT FOR ENHANCING RICE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

Integrating crop management of rice is the main strategy for maximizing rice productivity in Egypt. Optimizing phosphorous application will ensure high productivity of rice and soil sustainability. Two field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 seasons at the Farm of Sakha Agriculture Research Station, Kafr-El Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. The soil texture was clayey. EC was 1.6 and 1.5 dS/m during 2010 and 2011, respectively. The eleven suggested treatments studied the response of Giza 178 rice variety to various alternates of phosphorous management namely; control(1), basal application the rate of 54 kg P2O5/ha (2), Diammonium phosphate (DAP) spray with the concentration of 2% at mid tillering stage (MT) (3), Potassium triphosphate (KTP) spray at MT 2% (4), DAP spray 2% at panicle initiation (PI) (5), KTP 2% at (PI) (6), DAP spray 2% at booting stage (BT) (7), KTP2% at (BT) (8), basal application of phosphorous+ 2%of DAP at BT(9), basal application of phosphorous + 2% of KTP at BT(10) and DAP spray at the concentration of 2% at the three growth sage (11). The results of this study can be summarized as follows. Phosphorous application treatments either basal or foliar and their combination at beginning of boot growth stage were significantly increased P leaf content and its uptake. Also, phosphorous application significantly improved growth parameters at heading date viz; LAI, dry matter production, tillers number/hill and plant height. Flag leaf characteristics, i.e. flag leaf area, dry weight of flag leaf and chlorophyll content were significantly improved by phosphorous either basal or foliar spray as combination particularly, at booting stage. Yield components and rice grain yield were significantly improved by phosphorous application involving basal, foliar application and their combinations at booting growth stage were found to the most . Basal application of phosphorous+ 2%of DAP at BT and basal application of phosphorous+ 2%of KTP at BT were found to be the most effective treatments , whereas they were comparable regarding all above mentioned traits and recorded the maximum values of them. Furthermore, DAP spray at three growth stage at mid tillering stage+ panicle initiation + beginning of booting stage and basal application treatments were comparable regarding rice grain yield but the basal application economically surpassed it. From economic point of view, the treatment of basal application of recommended phosphorous+ 2%of DAP at BT was the best and it could be recommended under similar conditions.
Combustion and Emissions Characteristics of Jatropha Methyl Esters in a Direct Injection Diesel Engine

Engine fueled with Jatropha biodiesel showed reduced nitrogen oxides, unburned hydrocarbons, and smoke emissions with a moderate increase in carbon monoxide emission at high loads. Increased by 16% fuel consumption at rated load was attributed to lesser by 10% heating value of biodiesel and decreased by 6% fuel conversion efficiency. Analysis of combustion characteristics revealed an earlier start of injection and shorter ignition delay of biodiesel. Resulting decrease in maximum rate of heat release and peak cylinder pressure was the main reason for reduced NOx emission. It was shown that cetane index determined by the ASTM D976 method is not a proper measure of the ignition quality of biodiesel.
Relations of sediment delivery underlying payments for environmental services in catchment areas

Em razao de sua simplicidade, a relacao de aporte de sedimento (RAS), dada pela razao entre a producao de sedimento no exutorio e a erosao total na bacia, e comumente usada no estudo e na determinacao da producao de sedimentos em bacias hidrograficas. Como ha uma serie de complexidades ligando a producao de sedimentos (Y) e a erosao a montante (E) na bacia, foram desenvolvidas distintas equacoes de RAS. Programas de pagamento por servico ambiental relativos ao abatimento de sedimentacao, como o Produtor de Agua, frequentemente requerem a estimativa da reducao da producao de sedimentos nas bacias hidrograficas, em funcao de implantacao do controle de erosao a montante. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram calcular a RAS da bacia do ribeirao Pipiripau (DF), usando oito equacoes existentes na literatura, e estimar a provavel reducao em Y, em funcao de uma reducao de 50 % da erosao na bacia, bem como avaliar as eventuais dificuldades em sua aplicacao. Os valores de RAS obtidos variaram entre 0,12 e 0,52, com media de 0,24 e desvio-padrao de 0,14. Duas das equacoes apresentaram alta sensibilidade as variaveis, indicando que haveria significativo potencial de propagacao de erro se elas fossem usadas. Partindo-se de uma reducao de erosao de 50 % na bacia (117.500 t ano-1), a reducao no aporte de sedimento usando as RAS das oito equacoes variou de 14 a 61 mil t ano-1. Essa significativa variacao em Y indica consideravel incerteza na estimativa de servicos ambientais relativos a reducao de aporte de sedimento, em programas de controle de erosao.
A separable model of N interacting Particles

A separable model of N particles interacting by two-particle potentials is presented. The interactions between disjoint pairs of particles are described by arbitrary two-particle potentials which depend on the interparticle distance only. The remaining interactions are described by two-particle harmonic oscillator potentials. A set of the pair potentials for which the model is quasi-exactly solvable is derived. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Area effect on electric breakdown of copper and stainless steel electrodes in vacuum

The breakdown field strength E/sub b/(= alpha Vb/d) of gaps made with pure copper and stainless steel depends on the effective area S/sub eff/. It can be expressed by the single experimental equation E/sub b/=K/sub 1/S/sub eff//sup -n/, where K/sub 1/ is a constant, n is about 0.24, S/sub eff/ is the electrode area subjected to more than 90% of maximum field strength, alpha is the shape factor, d is the gap length, and V/sub b/ is the breakdown voltage. The field intensification factor beta /sub l/ obtained through the measurement of prebreakdown current can be expressed by a single experimental equation beta /sub l/=K/sub 2/S/sub eff/n, where K/sub 2/ is a constant. This means that the area of effect of E/sub b/ is represented by the area effect of beta /sub l/ and that the vacuum breakdown may be initiated by field emission. >
The Production and Quality Assessment of Mustard Oil Biodiesel: A Cultivated Potential Oil Seed Crop

Abstract Biodiesel from vegetable oil seed crops is the potential substitute for petro-diesel in the current era of every crisis. This article is confined to the transesterification of mustard oil (Brassica campestris L.) into biodiesel. The maximum biodiesel yield was 84% by using 2.5% alkali methoxide as the catalyst. The technical tools and processes used for monitoring of the transesterification reaction and characterization of biodiesel were GC-MS, 1H NMR, 13CNMR, and FT-IR. The characteristic fuel properties of 100% mustard oil biodiesel, i.e., Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C (ny) 5.775 Flash Point 110°C, Pour Point −18°C, Cloud Point −6.3°C, Cetane number 53, and density @ 15°C Kg/Lit 0.0871, were in accordance with ASTM standards. This study stated that mustard oil biodiesel is considered as a potential option for renewable energy, if mass cultivation is practiced through agriculture programs at global perspective.
Quantifying phenotypic plasticity of berry traits using an allometric-type approach: a case study on anthocyanins and sugars in berries of Cabernet Sauvignon

In this paper we advance a novel allometric-type approach to quantify the stability of key berry traits viz. anthocyanins and sugars. To test the concept, we used data from Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a hot environment of South Australia. Sources of variation in berry traits included water supply, fruit load, seasonal conditions and their interactions. Anthocyanins and sugars were measured in berry samples taken 7‐8 times between veraison and harvest. Rates and durations of accumulation of anthocyanins and sugars per berry were derived from a bi-linear model between amount of compound and thermal time. We develop a framework based on ‘ α’ a parameter representing the slope of the regression between rate and duration in a log-log scale. This relationship accommodates three conditions viz. (a) potentially plastic, rate-driven trait (α > ‐1), (b) potentially plastic, duration-driven trait (α < ‐1), and (c) a stable trait, whereby variation in rate and variation in duration cancel each other (α = ‐1). Under our experimental conditions, amount of anthocyanins (range of variation 148%) was more plastic than amount of sugars per berry (range of variation 37%). The slope α captured the differential plasticity of these traits: α was significantly greater than ‐1 for anthocyanins and statistically undistinguishable from ‐1 for sugars. The rate-dominated accumulation of anthocyanins explained the relatively large variation in this constituent whereas the tightly coupled, inverse relationship between duration and rate (α ⊕ ‐1) explained the relative stability of sugars per berry. We conclude that our allometric-type relationship between rate and duration allows for the quantification of cultivar-environment specific plasticity of important berry traits.
Crystal-chemistry of synthetic K-feldspar-buddingtonite and muscovite-tobelite solid solutions

Abstract Experiments in the system K2O-(NH4)2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O-HCl have been conducted between temperatures of 400 and 600 °C at pressures of 200, 400, 500, and 1500 MPa. The run products consisted of solid solutions of the K-feldspar. -buddingtonite, muscovite- tobelite series, and quartz. The run products were characterized by electron microprobe, powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. It can be shown that complete solid solution exists for both series for temperatures at least above 400 °C. The grain size of the synthesized phases was usually small and rarely exceeded 10 μm. In addition the micas were quite thin and the thickness was lower than 100 nm. Due to the small grain size and the (NH4)2O-content, reliable electron-microprobe results were difficult to obtain. Rietveld analyses did show that the synthesized micas consisted of a complex mixture of 1M, 2M1, 2M2, 3T, and 2Or polytypes. The lattice parameters of the feldspar and mica solid solutions are linear combinations of the end-members and show practically no excess volume. Reasonable compositions of the solid solutions can be derived from the lattice parameters. The mica solid solutions are not binary mixtures but at elevated pressure increasing amounts of pyrophyllite component were observed. By using the NH4-deformation mode at around 1430 cm-1 and the OHstretching vibrations νOH at 3600-3700 cm-1 the NH4-contents of the micas could be determined also by IR spectroscopy.
Calcium isotopic composition of various reference materials and seawater

A compilation of δ44/40Ca (δ44/40Ca) data sets of different calcium reference materials is presented, based on measurements in three different laboratories (Institute of Geological Sciences, Bern; Centre de Geochimie de la Surface, Strasbourg; GEOMAR, Kiel) to support the establishment of a calcium isotope reference standard. Samples include a series of international and internal Ca reference materials, including NIST SRM 915a, seawater, two calcium carbonates and a CaF2 reference sample. The deviations in δ44/40Ca for selected pairs of reference samples have been defined and are consistent within statistical uncertainties in all three laboratories. Emphasis has been placed on characterising both NIST SRM 915a as an internationally available high purity Ca reference sample and seawater as representative of an important and widely available geological reservoir. The difference between δ44/40Ca of NIST SRM 915a and seawater is defined as -1.88 O.O4%o (δ44/42CaNISTSRM915a/Sw= -0.94 0.07%o). The conversion of values referenced to NIST SRM 915a to seawater can be described by the simplified equation δ44/40CaSa/Sw=δ44/40CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 1.88 (δ44/42CaSa/Sw=δ44/42CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 0.94). We propose the use of NIST SRM 915a as general Ca isotope reference standard, with seawater being defined as the major reservoir with respect to oceanographic studies.
Could oral hygiene prevent cases of at-home-acquired Legionnaires’ disease? – Results of a comprehensive case–control study on infection sources, risk, and protective behaviors

Introduction The “LeTriWa study” on community-acquired cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) found that most cases likely acquired their infection at home (AHALD). However, which sources confer the infection is largely unknown. We therefore analyzed the data set from the LeTriWa study to find out if individual sources were associated with AHALD and if specific behavioral habits may increase or lower the risk for AHALD. Methods During the study we had used two comparison groups: (i) controls matched for age group and hospital (“controls”), (ii) household members of cases with AHALD (“AHALD-HHM”). We inquired about exposure to water sources, such as showering or wearing dentures, as well as behavioral factors and habits related to oral hygiene. We took standardized household bathroom water and biofilm samples of both cases with AHALD and controls, and in addition from households of cases with AHALD only samples from suspect residential (non-)drinking water sources. We first conducted bivariate analyses for infection sources and behaviors, followed by multivariable analyses. Results There were 124 cases with AHALD, 217 controls and 59 AHALD-HHM. In bivariate analyses using controls for comparison, wearing dentures was the only variable significantly positively associated (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–2.7, p-value = 0.02). Behavioral factors such as showering, letting water run before use and not being alcohol abstinent were significantly negatively associated, smoking was significantly positively associated. In a multivariable analysis, we identified good oral hygiene as a preventive factor for both denture wearers (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.13–0.83, p-value = 0.02) and non-denture wearers (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.10–1.04, p-value = 0.06). Analyses of comparisons with AHALD-HHM showed similar effects but lacked statistical power. We identified Legionella in 16 residential (non-)drinking water sources, one of which was a PCR-positive scratch sample of dentures. Discussion Wearing (inadequately cleaned) dentures or poor oral hygiene might confer an increased risk for AHALD, and oral hygiene may prevent AHALD. The hypothesis that Legionella in oral biofilm or dental plaque may be the cause of cases with AHALD should be examined further. If confirmed this may open new and simple avenues for the prevention of LD.