Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous ordered mesoporous carbon/metal oxide composites for the electrochemical energy storage

Title of Document: HETEROGENEOUS ORDERED MESOPOROUS CARBON/METAL OXIDE COMPOSITES FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE Junkai Hu, Doctor of Philosophy, 2015 Directed By: Professor Sang Bok Lee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The combination of high electronic conductivity, enhanced ionic mobility, and large pore volume make ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) promising scaffolds for active energy storage materials. However, mesoporous structures and material morphology need to be more thoroughly addressed. This dissertation discusses the effects of mesoporous structures and material morphologies on the electrochemical performance of OMC/Fe2O3 composites. In the first approach, Fe2O3 was embedded into 1D cylindrical (FDU-15), 2D hexagonal (CMK-3), and 3D bicontinuous (CMK-8) symmetries of mesoporous carbons. These materials were used as supercapacitors for a systematic study of the effects of mesoporous architecture on the structure stability, ion mobility, and performance of mesoporous composite electrodes. The results show that the CMK-3 and CMK-8 synthesized by hard template method can provide high pore volume, but the instability of their mesostructures hinders the total electrode performances upon oxide impregnation. In contrast, the FDU-15 from the soft template method can provide a stable mesostructure. However, it contains much smaller pore volume and surface area, leading to limited metal oxide loading and electrode capacitance. Based on these results, anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) and triblock copolymer F127 are used together as hard and soft templates to fabricate ordered mesoporous carbon nanowires (OMCNW) as a host material for Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The synergistic effects in the dual template strategy provide a high pore volume and surface area, and the structure remains stable even with high metal oxide loading amounts. Additionally, the unique nanowire morphology and mesoporous structure of the OMCNW/Fe2O3 facilitate high ionic mobility in the composite, leading to a large capacitance with good rate capability and cycling stability. I further evaluated this OMCNW/Fe2O3 as a lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode, which showed that the porous symmetry, material morphology, and structure stability are even more important in the rate and cycling performances of LIBs. This work helps further the understanding and optimization of porous structures and morphologies of heterogeneous composites for next generation electrochemical energy storage materials. HETEROGENEOUS ORDERED MESOPOROUS CARBON/METAL OXIDE COMPOSITES FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE
What determines the learned predictiveness effect? Separating cue-outcome correlation from choice relevance

Evidence from a variety of learning tasks suggests that cues that are more predictive of an outcome attract greater attention and are learned about more effectively in subsequent tasks. We tested whether this learned predictiveness effect is due to the objective strength of the cue-outcome association (cueoutcome correlation), or the degree to which the cue is informative for making the correct choice on each trial (choice relevance), by manipulating the possible outcome choices available on each trial. Experiment 1 compared two sets of cues that were equally (and imperfectly) correlated with outcomes and showed learning biases in favor of the set of cues that had initially been more relevant for choices made on each trial. Experiment 2 used a more conventional learned predictiveness design in which the cue-outcome correlation was stronger for one set of cues (perfect predictors) than the other set (imperfect predictors). However, here we manipulated whether or not the imperfect predictors could be used to make a correct choice, and thus whether the imperfect predictors possessed choice relevance that was equal to or less than the perfect predictors. In this case, we found no evidence that the relevance manipulation made any difference; learning biases towards the perfect predictor were evident regardless. The results suggest that both cue-outcome correlation and choice relevance can lead to changes in associability and learning biases; both were individually sufficient but neither were necessary.
Solubilities of Some Phosphaspirocyclic Compounds in Selected Solvents

The solubilities of 3,9-dichloro-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9- dioxide from (303.15 to 311.35) K in dichloromethane and from (298.15 to 357.65) K in acetic acid, 3,9-dihydroxy-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9-dioxide from (309.35 to 331.55) K in acetonitrile and from (295.75 to 319.15) K in acetone, 2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-dioxide-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9-melamine salt from (293.15 to 343.15) K in water, and 3,9-(bis-2,2'-carboxyetheyl)-3,9-dioxo-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5] undecane from (332.15 to 342.15) K in ethyl acetate were determined using a gravimetric method. The estimated uncertainty of all the solubility values based on error analysis and repeated observations was within 2.5 %.
Total antioxidant capacity and total phenolics content of Phyllostachys taxa shoots

Total phenolic content (TP) and total antioxidant capacity (AC) were analysed in shoots of Phyllostachys aureosulcata (PA) , P aureosulcata f. aureocaulis (PAA) , P. aureosulcata f. spectabilis (PAS) , P. bissetii (PB) , P. flexuosa (PF) , P. humilis (PH) , P. iridescens (PI) , P. nigra var. nigra (PNN) , P. nigra var. henonis (PNH) , P. mannii (PM) , P. sulphurea var. sulphurea (PSS) , P. violascens (PVI) , P. viridiglaucescens (PVG) , P. vivax f. aureocaulis (PVA), collected on four harvest dates . Both TP and AC were determined following three processing methods, fresh, boiled and pickled in shoots of PF. Comparative study of TP and AC in the above Phyllostachys species shoots has not been reported before. The highest TP (1,227.6 μg GA/ml) and AC (154.0 μg AA/ml) values were measured in fresh shoots and the lowest in pickled ones. The highest values of TP were measured in the case of PA (1,321.95 μg GA/ml). The other taxa followed in decreasing order: PF, PVI, PI, PAA, PB, PAS, PNN, PNH, PM, PH, PSS and PVA. The highest AC values were obtained in the case of PI (184.24 μg AA/ml). The other taxa followed in decreasing order: PA, PF, PSS, PNN, PNH, PVG, PB, PAA, PAS, PV, PVA, PM and PH. The highest TP values were measured in taxa harvested on the first collection date and the values consequently decreased in taxa collected at later harvest dates. Our findings suggest that the earlier harvest date, through the influence of lower temperatures, could enhance the phytochemical content of bamboo shoots.
Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of six Stachys species from Serbia

ABSTRACT: The essential oils of Stachys scardica , S. ofﬁcinalis , S. germanica , S. sylvatica , S. plumosa and S.recta were analysed by GC–MS. From more than 100 identiﬁed constituents of the oils, the sequiterpene hydro-carbons were the major components of all samples except that of S. plumosa , which was rich in monoterpenehydrocarbons. Furthermore, the oils were tested against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Theessential oil of S. ofﬁcinalis proved to be the most active. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.KEY WORDS: Stachys scardica ; Stachys ofﬁcinalis ; Stachys germanica ; Stachys sylvatica ; Stachys plumosa ; Stachys recta ; Labiatae; volatile constituents; Serbia * Correspondence to: H. D. Skaltsa, University of Athens, School ofPharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou,GR-157 71, Athens, Greece.E-mail: skaltsa@pharm.uoa. grContract/grant sponsor: Ministry of Science, Technologies and Development,Serbia; Contract/grant number: 1544.
Mechanisms of oxygen activation during plant stress

Green plants, within certain limitations, can adapt to a wide variety of unfavourable conditions such as drought, temperature changes, light variations, infectious attacks, air pollution and soil contamination. Depending on the strength of the individual impact(s), fluent or abrupt changes in visible or measurable stress symptoms indicate the deviation from normal metabolic conditions. Most of the visible or measurable symptoms are connected with altered oxygen metabolism principally concerning the transition from mostly heterolytic (two-electron transition) to increased homolytic (one-electron transition) processes. Homolytic reactions within metabolic sequences create, however, free radicals and have to be counteracted by the increase in radical-scavenging processes or compounds, thus warranting reaction sequences under metabolic control. At later states of stress episodes, the above control is gradually lost and more or less chaotic radical processes take over. Finally, cellular decompartmentalisations induce lytic and necrotic processes which are visible as the collapse of darkening cells or tissues. Every episode during this process is governed by a more or less denned balance between pro- and antioxidative capacities, including photosynthetic (strongly under metabolic and oxygen-detoxifying control) and photodynamic (only controlled by scavenger- and/or quencher-availability) reactions. This (theoretical) sequence of events in most cases can only be characterised punctually by strongly defined (analytical) indicator reactions (ESR) and is certainly species- and organ-specific.
Crystal structure of 6-(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)-6H-dibenzo[c,e][1,2]- oxaphosphinine 6-oxide, C19H15O3P

Abstract C19H15O3P, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 4.931(1) Å, b = 16.100(3) Å, c = 19.376(4) Å, V = 1538.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0370, wRref(F2) = 0.0876, T = 293 K.
Proton Conductivity and Solid Acidity of Mg-, In-, and Al-Doped SnP2O7

Mg-, In-, and Al-doped SnP 2 O 7 were synthesized, and their potential as electrolytes for fuel cells was evaluated in terms of their performance and durability. The overall conductivity of Mg-doped SnP 2 O 7 increased with increasing Mg 2+ content and reached a maximum at 10 mol %. However, this was smaller than that obtained for doping with 10 mol % In 3+ and 5 mol % Al 3+ , especially at temperatures below 300°C. This result was interpreted to be a consequence of lower proton mobility rather than of smaller proton concentration in Mg-doped SnP 2 O 7 , probably due to the electrostatic restriction by Mg 2+ against proton transport. Moreover, to investigate the influence of the Mg 2+ doping on the fuel-cell properties, fuel-cell tests were conducted using Sn 0.9 Mg 0.1 P 2 O 7 , Sn 0.9 In 0.1 P 2 O 7 , and Sn 0.95 Al 0.05 P 2 O 7 as electrolytes at a temperature of 150°C. Compared with Sn 0.9 In 0.1 P 2 O 7 and Sn 0.95 Al 0.05 P 2 O 7 cells, the Sn 0.9 Mg 0.1 P 2 O 7 cell showed a somewhat higher Ohmic resistance but exhibited a comparable polarization resistance, which is the main component of the total electrical resistance. More importantly, the Mg 2+ doping led to an improved stability of the Pt catalyst and carbon support at high potentials. This beneficial effect was attributed to a large reduction in the acidity of SnP 2 O 7 resulting from the basicity of MgO.
Growth and properties of Au nanowires

The self-assembling of Au nanoparticles into nanowires of different structure has been investigated by means of a periodic approach within density functional theory using an Au79 nanoparticle as a building block. The density functional calculations show that the interaction of the Au nanoparticles takes place preferentially along the [111] direction, in agreement with the experimental. The electronic structure of the different Au nanowires studied is found to be intermediate between that of the isolated nanoparticle and that of the bulk metal. This is perhaps not surprising but has important consequences for the chemistry of such nanostructures. Finally, calculations carried out for nanowires built from Cu, Ag and Au nanoparticles containing 38 atoms reveal that the self-assembling mechanism is general but that the strength of the interaction is dictated by the chemical nature of the metal with Au being the coinage metal leading to stronger interaction between the nanoparticles.
Nucleation Events During the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study: Description and Relation to Key Meteorological, Gas Phase, and Aerosol Parameters Special Issue of Aerosol Science and Technology on Findings from the Fine Particulate Matter Supersites Program

During the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study (PAQS) aerosol size distributions between 3 nm and 680 nm were measured between July 2001 and June 2002. These distributions have been analyzed to assess the importance of nucleation as a source of ultrafine particles in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. The analysis shows nucleation on 50% of the study days and regional-scale formation of ultrafine particles on 30% of the days. Nucleation occurred during all seasons, but it was most frequent in fall and spring and least frequent in winter. Regional nucleation was most common on sunny days with below average PM2.5 concentrations. Local nucleation events were usually associated with elevated SO2 concentrations. The observed nucleation events ranged from weak events with only a slight increase in the particle number to relatively intense events with increases of total particle counts between 50,000 cm−3 up to 150,000 cm−3. Averaging all days of the study, days with nucleation events had number concentrations peaking at around noon at about 45,000 cm−3. This is compared to work days without nucleation, when the daily maximum was 8 am at 23,000 cm−3, and to weekends without nucleation, when the daily maximum was at noon at 16,000 cm−3. Twenty-four-hour average number concentrations were approximately 40% higher on days with nucleation compared to those without. Nucleation was typically observed starting around 9 am EST, although the start of nucleation events was later in winter and earlier in summer. The nucleation events are fairly well correlated with the product of [UV intensity * SO2 concentration] and also depend on the effective area available for condensation. This indicates that H2SO4 is a component of the new particles. Published correlations for nucleation by binary H2SO4—H2O cannot explain the observed nucleation frequency and intensity, suggesting that an additional component (perhaps ammonia) is participating in the particle formation.
Mesoporous carbon nitride as a metal-free catalyst for the removal of aniline

Mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) was used for the first time as a thermal catalyst for the removal of aniline. While bulk carbon nitride (BCN) and mesoporous silica (MCM-41) did not show any catalytic activities, the MCN showed aniline removal (33%) at 398 K. It was revealed that the much higher activity of the MCN originated from the presence of mesoporosity and suitable adsorption sites for the reaction to occur. The nature of aniline adsorption on MCN was found to fit well to the Freundlich adsorption model. The evidence on the interactions between aniline and MCN was supported by fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopies. It was suggested that the interactions between MCN and aniline involved both weak π to π stacking and strong hydrogen bonding, which were important to initiate the catalytic removal of aniline.
Thermal Decomposition of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) with a New One-Dimensional Time to Explosion (ODTX) Apparatus

The thermal explosion of trinitrotoluene (TNT) is used as a basis for evaluating the performance of a new One-Dimensional-Time-to-Explosion (ODTX) apparatus. The ODTX experiment involves holding a 12.7 mm-diameter spherical explosive sample under confinement (150 MPa) at a constant elevated temperature until the confining pressure is exceeded by the evolution of gases during chemical decomposition. The resulting time to explosion as a function of temperature provides valuable decomposition kinetic information. A comparative analysis of the measurements obtained from the new unit and an older system is presented. Discussion on selected performance aspects of the new unit will also be presented. The thermal explosion of TNT is highly dependent on the material. Analysis of the time to explosion is complicated by historical and experimental factors such as material variability, sample preparation, temperature measurement and system errors. Many of these factors will be addressed. Finally, a kinetic model using a coupled thermal and heat transport code (chemical TOPAZ) was used to match the experimental data.
Leishmania infantum-Derived Glycoinositolphospholipids in the Immunodiagnosis of Subclinically Infected Dogs

Lipophosphoglycan (LPG), when used as an ELISA target, confers high specificity and sensitivity to the detection of Leishmania infantum antibodies in dogs. Glycoconjugates are economically viable because the yield is very high after extraction/purification. In addition, they are very stable, which allows their use in point-of-care testing without special storage conditions. During the glycoconjugate extraction, a glycoinositolphospholipid (GIPL)-enriched fraction is obtained in similar quantities as LPG. Since GIPLs can be extracted from the same parasite pellet as LPGs, this work aimed to evaluate the immune recognition of GIPLs by Leishmania infantum-infected dogs and its use for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) immunodiagnosis. Like LPG, GIPLs were recognized by sera from L. infantum-infected dogs, but with less sensitivity (83.8%). However, 80% (16/20) of subclinically infected dogs were detected as positive in the assay. Different from LPG, the GIPL-based assay achieved a lower specificity (73.7%) and cross-reactions occurred with T. cruzi and L. braziliensis-infected dogs. Although GIPLs exhibited a similar performance to LPG for subclinically L. infantum-infected dogs, the occurrence of cross-reactivities with other protozoa and a lower sensitivity hinders its use for an immunodiagnostic test. In places where those diseases do not co-exist such as in the Mediterranean region, its use for subclinically dogs could be an alternative.
O alto teor de silício no solo inibe o crescimento radicular de cafeeiros sem afetar as trocas gasosas foliares

Several studies have confirmed the benefits of silicon (Si) for crop growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Si on the initial growth of coffee plants cv. Catuai Vermelho. This study was carried out with potted plants grown in a greenhouse, without water deficiency. Dry matter partitioning of roots, stems and leaves as well as the chemical composition of plant tissues and soil and leaf gas exchange were evaluated in plants treated with 0 (control), 1.5 and 6 Mg ha-1 of calcium silicate. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with three treatments, and 3, 4 or 18 replications, depending on the evaluated variable. Each plot consisted of one plant. Regarding height and total dry matter, the plant growth was satisfactory in all treatments, with daily increases similar to the expected for well-fertilized coffee plants. The treatments resulted in increased soil and plant Ca and Si concentrations. Considering that only leaf Ca concentration was affected by treatments and its concentration was not deleterious, the observed responses are consequences of the high soil Si concentrations. Root dry matter of plants treated with 6 Mg ha-1 of calcium silicate decreased and the ratio between shoot and root dry matter increased 130 days after the beginning of the experiment. Despite the decreases in root growth and in Ca use efficiency, leaf CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance of the coffee plants were not affected. In summary, high soil concentrations of calcium silicate decrease the root growth of Arabica coffee plants cv. Catuai Vermelho; however, the functionality and development of shoots in well-nourished plants growing under well-watered conditions are not affected.
Factors affecting adherence to physiotherapy appointments for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Kano metropolis

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most commonly occurring physical disability in childhood. Poor adherence to physiotherapy appointments after discharged is one of the most problematic issue that makes the assessment of progress very difficult for children with CP in Kano state. The aim of the study is to find out the factors affecting adherence to physiotherapy appointment for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Kano metropolis. Method: The research method was a cross-sectional survey and 75 caregivers were recruited from Murtala Muhd Specialist hospital, Abdullahi Wase specialist hospital and Hasiya Bayero Pediatric hospital using purposive sampling technique,however,60 participants were eligibly enrolled into this research. Respondents were the principal caregivers of the children. Case notes and questionnaires were the major instruments used to obtained the data, however, verbal communication with the caregivers was done where necessary. Results: Socio-economic level was determined using Kuppuswamy scale. Descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation in form of percentages, tables and graphs was used to summarize the results. Inferential statistics of Chi-squares (at 5% level of significance), was employed to determine the associations between pairs of categorical variables in the study. Conclusion: According to the results of this study: level of education, marital status, knowledge of the condition and socioeconomic class of the caregivers were found to significantly affect the adherence (P-value <0.05), while age of the caregivers was found to have no significant association with their adherence to physiotherapy appointment. (P-value>0.05).
A completely anoxic microbial fuel cell using a photo-biocathode for cathodic carbon dioxide reduction

Typical microbial fuel cells (MFCs) rely on precious metals for reduction of oxygen at the cathode, but recently MFCs have been developed that use biocathodes for power generation with alternate electron acceptors. It is shown here that with illumination it is possible to develop a biocathode that uses dissolved carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) as the acceptor. During acclimation, the cathode was set at a potential of 0.242 V (vs.SHE) using a potentiostat. After approximately one month of acclimation, a current of 1 mA was sustained. Bicarbonate was reduced in stoichiometric agreement with current generation, with 0.28 ± 0.02 moles of bicarbonate reduced per mole of electrons. When this biocathode was used in a two-bottle MFC, a power density of 750 mW m−2 was produced. These results demonstrate that MFCs can be used to fix carbon dioxide as well as produce electricity.
DETERMINANTS OF BANK LIQUIDITY IN SYRIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL BANKS

Most of the studies have excluded Syrian banks from their samples due to the violent conflict in the country, which will affect their results. The main objective of this research is to evaluate liquidity risk through a comparative analysis between Islamic and conventional banks of Syria. We employed paired sampled t-test and regression with OLS estimation. Secondary data were collected spanning 2011-2017, for the entire private banking sector in Syria. This study investigates the significance of size of the bank and several financial ratios on the banks’ liquidity. Our finding manifested that an insignificant difference exists between Islamic and conventional banks in terms of liquidity. Furthermore, Islamic banks liquidity risk management predictors were significant and nonperforming finance ratio (NPF) and bank size at 10% level. Whereas in its counterparts all the variables selected in our model were significant predictors at 5%. Our results show different factors in different significant level affect liquidity risk in each bank. This study provides an alluded picture about Syrian private banking sectors, particularly liquidity risk management. Which might help the authorities to set future prospects.