Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in material parameters for dye-doped ferroelectric liquid crystal

Addition of the dichroic anthraquinone dye molecules in pure ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) matrix results in many improvement in the various vital parameters of the pure FLC. However, addition of anthraquinone dye molecules in pure FLC matrix is not advantageous every time. There are certain constraints which are crucial for the application of these systems into many devices. In this article, we have discussed the concentration and temperature dependence of vital properties of dye-doped FLC. In this study there is improvement in contrast ratio by dye doping due to enhancement in plane switching for dye-doped FLC.
CONFORMATION OF A CONJUGATED POLYELECTROLYTE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION: SMALL ANGLE NEUTRON SCATTERING

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) by a conjugated, luminescent polyelectrolyte, poly[5-methoxy-2-(4-sulfobutoxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MBL-PPV), was investigated at semi-dilute concentrations in aqueous solution at room temperature. The polymer conformation was studied in pure deteurated water and in solutions with added salt, in solutions with added dicationic quencher and in solutions with added surfactant. A single broad peak in the scattered intensity, I(q), was observed for all concentrations in salt free solutions; the peak position and peak intensity per monomer unit scale with the MBL-PPV concentration as qm ∼ c1/2 and I(qm)/c ∼ c-1/2, respectively. The upturn of I(q) at low q (q<0.08Å−−) results from aggregation of the polymer chains; the sizes of the aggregates increase with increasing concentration. The addition of excess salt completely removes the broad peak from the scattering pattern as the salt ions screen the repulsive interchain electrostatic interaction. In high salt solutions, I(q) ∼ q−−, over a wide range of q, indicating a rigid-rod conformation for the conjugated chains with persistence length greater than 800Å. Cationic surfactant, DTA, was found to separate the polyelectrolyte chains from each other. Initial experiments in the presence of dicationic quencher indicate an increase in the aggregate size.
Systematic errors in free energy perturbation calculations due to a finite sample of configuration space: sample-size hysteresis

Although the free energy perturbation procedure is exact when an infinite sample of configuration space is used, for finite sample size there is a systematic error resulting in hysteresis for forward and backward simulations. The qualitative behavior of this systematic error is first explored for a Gaussian distribution, then a first-order estimate of the error for any distribution is derived. To first order the error depends only on the fluctuations in the sample of potential energies, {Delta}E, and the sample size, n, but not on the magnitude of {Delta}E. The first-order estimate of the systematic sample-size error is used to compare the efficiencies of various computing strategies. It is found that slow-growth, free energy perturbation calculations will always have lower errors from this source than window-growth, free energy perturbation calculations for the same computing effort. The systematic sample-size errors can be entirely eliminated by going to thermodynamic integration rather than free energy perturbation calculations. When {Delta}E is a very smooth function of the coupling parameter, {lambda}, thermodynamic integration with a relatively small number of windows is the recommended procedure because the time required for equilibration is reduced with a small number of windows. These results give a method of estimatingmore » this sample-size hysteresis during the course of a slow-growth, free energy perturbation run. This is important because in these calculations time-lag and sample-size errors can cancel, so that separate methods of estimating and correcting for each are needed. When dynamically modified window procedures are used, it is recommended that the estimated sample-size error be kept constant, not that the magnitude of {Delta}E be kept constant. Tests on two systems showed a rather small sample-size hysteresis in slow-growth calculations except in the first stages of creating a particle, where both fluctuations and sample-size hysteresis are large. « less
Hierarchical self-assembly of microscale leaf-like CuO on graphene sheets for high-performance electrochemical capacitors

In this paper, a leaf-like porous CuO–graphene nanostructure is synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared composite is characterized using XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM and nitrogen adsorption–desorption. The growth mechanism is discussed by monitoring the early growth stages. It is shown that the CuO nanoleaves are formed through oriented attachment of tiny Cu(OH)2 nanowires. Electrochemical characterization demonstrates that the leaf-like CuO–graphene are capable of delivering specific capacitances of 331.9 and 305 F g−1 at current densities of 0.6 and 2 A g−1, respectively. A capacity retention of 95.1% can be maintained after 1000 continuous charge–discharge cycles, which may be attributed to the improvement of electrical contact by graphene and mechanical stability by the layer-by-layer structure. The method provides a facile and straightforward approach to synthesize CuO nanosheets on graphene and may be readily extended to the preparation of other classes of hybrids based on graphene sheets for technological applications.
Influence of Particle Size on Physical and Chemical Properties of Coconut Coir Dust as Container Medium

The influence of particle size (diameter between <0.125 mm and >2 mm) on the physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties of a coconut coir dust from Mexico was studied. Particle size significantly affected the physical properties, especially the air–water relationships. Air content increased and water-holding capacity (total and readily available) decreased with increasing particle diameter. The easily-available water content did not reveal a clear pattern of variation, showing the largest value in the fraction 0.125–0.25 mm. Particle size equivalent to 0.5 mm brought about an important and highly significant change in the physical properties studied. Coconut coir dust particle size also affected the physico-chemical and chemical characteristics, but to a lesser degree. Both the electrical conductivity and the available macro- and micro-element concentrations were significantly higher in the smaller size ranges, the largest values being obtained in the finest particle size fraction (<0.125 mm).
Adjuvant activity of cudrania tricuspidata water extracts to enhance antigen specific humoral and cellular immune responses

The adjuvant effect of two types of water extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT), cold water extract (CT-CW) and hot water extract (CT-HW), on induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH) was examined. When mice were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) twice at 2-week interval with KLH (20 μg/mouse) admixed with or without 50 mg/mouse of CT-CW or CT-HW, mice immunized with KLH+CT-CW and KLH+CT-HW showed significantly higher antibody titers against KLH than those immunized with KLH alone. Increase of the number of KLH-specific antibody producing B lymphocytes was observed in mice immunized admixed with CT-CW and CT-HW. The assay for determining isotypes of antibodies showed that both CT-CW and CT-HW augmented KLH-specific antibody titers of IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b. In an in vitro analysis of T lymphocyte proliferation to KLH on week 4, the splenocytes of both mice treated with KLH+CT-CW and KLH+CT-HW showed a significantly higher proliferating activity than those treated with KLH alone. And the culture supernatants of the cell cultures from both mice immunized admixed with CT-CW and CT-HW showed a higher level of KLH-specific IL-2 production. Furthermore, mice immunized twice with KLH+CT-CW and KLH+CT-HW and followed by intrafootpad (i.f.) injection of KLH (20 μg/site) 7 weeks after the primary immunization induced a higher delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction than mice treated with KLH alone. These results suggest that CT possesses a potent immunoadjuvant activity to enhance antigen-specific immune responses.
Studies on the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of sapota (Achras sapota L.) cv. Kalipatti

The field experiment was conducted during the year 2011-2015 at JVR Horticulture Research Station, Malyal, Mahabubabad district Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticulture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The present experiment was carried out to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yiled of sapota (Achras sapota L.). The experiment was laid out randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. In this investigation significant results were recorded on growth and yield attributes. The highest plant height and plant spread were recorded in T4 - 40 kg FYM + 350 g N/Plant (4.79 m) and T9 (10 kg Vermicompost + 350 g N/Plant) however lowest was noticed in T5 - 40 kg FYM alone (3.83 m) and T10 (10 kg Vermicompost) respectively. The highest fruit weight and no fruits were recorded in T9 - 10 kg Vermicompost + 350 g N/Plant (112.16 g) and T3 - 40 kg FYM + 300 g N/Plant (384.21), however lowest was observed in T1 - 40 kg FYM + 200 g N/Plant (96.72 g) and T10 - 10 kg Vermicompost (269.35) respectively. The highest average fruit yield per tree (42.91 kg/tree) and hectare (6.69 t/ha) were recorded in T4 (40 kg FYM + 350 g N/Plant), however lowest fruit yield per tree (28.27 kg) and yield per hectare (4.40 t/ha) recorded in T5 (40 kg FYM alone).
Dust and hybrid explosibility in a 1 m3 spherical chamber

The dust explosibility characteristics of Lycopodium, Cornstarch, Pittsburgh Bituminous Coal and Calcium Sterate were measured in a 1 m3 spherical explosion chamber at ambient pressures, ambient temperatures and at three different turbulence levels. Explosibility parameters measured were the maximum pressure, maximum pressure rate of rise and the initial pressure rate of rise. Propane explosibility and Hybrid explosibility (Cornstarch in the presence of propane) were also measured. For the hybrid system, the lower limits of explosibility and the effect of low propane concentrations on the explosibility of optimum Cornstarch concentrations were investigated. Finally, a relationship between maximum pressure rate of rise and initial pressure rate of rise was sought in order to lay a foundation for explosion suppression and explosion venting engineering methodologies.
Influência da altura das garras dos pneus de um trator em área de plantio direto

Desenvolveu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de se avaliar os parâmetros de desempenho de um trator agricola equipado com um conjunto de pneus diagonais com garras altas (pneu novo) e outro conjunto de pneus diagonais de mesma dimensao, com garras mais baixas, em solo com cobertura vegetal (palha de milho). Utilizaram-se as velocidades teoricas de 4, 5, 6 e 7 km h-1, informadas no painel do trator, uma forca de tracao constante de 25 kN, e se mediram a forca de tracao, a velocidade de deslocamento, a patinagem dos rodados, o consumo horario e especifico de combustivel; enfim, foram calculadas a potencia disponivel na barra de tracao e a razao entre o consumo horario e o consumo especifico de combustivel com a potencia e o coeficiente de tracao. Concluiu-se que, em solo com cobertura vegetal palha de milho, esses parâmetros de desempenho do trator foram semelhantes para ambas as alturas de garra dos pneus.
MOBILITIES AND RELATED FACTORS OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THE TOPSOILS OF ANDOSOLS IN TOHOKU, JAPAN: 2. CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITIONS OF SIZE FRACTIONS AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MOBILITIES OF MAJOR CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

We conducted detailed mineralogical and chemical investigations into the clay, silt, and sand fractions separated from the topsoils of Andosols formed from felsic parent ash under a humid temperate climate. We concluded that the primary factors influencing the mobility sequence CaO, Na2O > SiO>2 > MgO > A12O3, Fe2O3, K2O in these soils are as follows: (1) Al2O3 and Fe2O3, very low solubility in soil solution; (2) K2O, preferential retention by volcanic glass and formation of a randomly interstratified chloritized 2:1 mineral-illite (formation of mica structure); (3) MgO, formation of 2:1 minerals (incorporation of magnesium into octahedral sheets); (4) SiO2, formation of 2: 1 minerals and possibly quartz; and (5) CaO and Na2O, facility in release from the parent ash, high solubility in soil solution, and absence of clay minerals containing significant amounts of both elements. Volcanic glass (silicic) appears to be the most important parent mineral, and its weathering and abundant formation of 2:1 minerals are strongly related to the mobility sequence of chemical elements we obtained, which is unique compared with other geochemical studies.
EFFECT OF DAY OLD CHICKS WEIGHT ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF TWO BROILER STRAINS AND THEIR CROSSING

This experment was conducted at the Poultry Farm،Animal production Dept./College of Agriculture. University of Baghdad from 1-4-2014 to 12-5-2014. to investigate the potential effect of day old chicks weight produced from two broiler strains and their crossing Ross 308 , Arbor Acres and Ross 308 x Arbor Acres on productive performance . A total of 360 day all chicks were distributed randomly to 6 groups with 4 replicate pens )15 birds / pens). The experimental groups were: T1= Ar-medium; T2= Ar Large ; T3= R-medium; T4= R -Large; T5= R Arb-medium; T6= R Ar-Large. Results showed that body weight, weekly average gain, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and relative breast weight in female were significantly (p<0.05) better in group T3 and T5 compared to heavy chicks . While there was no significant differences between sex or strain for breast relative weight and other cuts. It could be concluded from this study that chicks with medium weight gave better or equal live weight compared to heaver strain . however crossing between hybrids improved productive performance of broilers . ـKey wards: strain , chick weight, productive performance. حيقاشعنا حيعاسضنا وىهعنا حهجي – 47 ( 5 :) 129
Carrageenans. Part IV. Variations in the structure and gel properties of κ-carrageenan, and the characterisation of sulphate esters by infrared spectroscopy

Structures of the ‘masked repeating’ type seem to occur generally in κ-carrageenans from Chondrus crispus and Gigartina species and will account for the analytical variation between one sample and another. Most—possibly all—of the variation is in the 4-linked units which occur as 3,6-anhydrogalactose, 3,6-anhydrogalactose 2-sulphate, galactose 6-sulphate, and galactose 2,6-disulphate. In κ-carrageenan from G. stellata, as from C. crispus, all galactose units are believed to have the D-configuration. Samples from Chondrus were similar to each other and had a lower content of both types of 2-sulphate than those from Gigartina. The separation of a Chondrus sample into a series of subfractions which differed in the relative proportions of the various 4-linked units, suggests that κ-carrageenan might normally contain a mixture of related molecules. Evidence is given that absorption bands shown by sulphated 3,6-anhydrogalactose units in the 800–850 cm. –1 region of the infrared spectrum cannot be interpreted in the simple stereochemical terms used previously. However, many carrageenans show a band at about 805 cm. –1 which is characteristic of 3,6-anhydrogalactose sulphate and potentially useful because it is easily recognised, even in the presence of other sulphate esters. Gel formation by κ-carrageenan is enhanced by removal of 6-sulphate with conversion into 3,6-anhydrogalactose, but is much less sensitive to an excess of 2-sulphate. The variation of gel strength with polysaccharide structure provides some evidence on the molecular basis of gel formation.
Determination of Residue Levels of Ethyl Carbamate in Alcoholic Beverages by Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS/MS)

Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a contaminant generated in the fermentation processes of various fermented foods. In this study, residue levels of EC in 95 alcoholic beverage samples were determined by using Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). All the samples were purified by a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method using dichloromethane. The LLE method enables an improvement in time and cost to detection and specificity over the conventional extraction methods. The limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) to analyze EC were 1.3 and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively. The recovery rates of EC were ranged from 90.0 to 97.5% at the levels of 50, 100, and 500 ug/L. Among traditional grain-based alcoholic beverage samples (n
Genetic Control of High Protein Content and Its Association with Bread-Making Quality in Wheat

ABSTRACT A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross of Triticum aestivum cvs. WL711 and PH132 using the single-seed descent method was used to investigate the genetics of high protein content and its contribution to bread-making quality. Four-year data on protein content of parents and 124 RILs suggested that the difference in protein content between the two parents was controlled by two major genes with an additive effect. The individual gene gave intermediate protein content. Seven RILs with high protein content and without any yield penalty were selected, multiplied, and investigated for various milling, dough, and bread-making characteristics. PH132 and all seven selected RILs had higher protein content, higher sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation value, longer dough development time, a lower mixing tolerance index, higher stability, and better loaf volume and loaf quality than the bread wheat cultivars WL711 and PBW343. High molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit composition of various high-protein RILs indicated a recombination of parental protein subunits. “2*” coded by Glu-A1 locus, 17 + 18 subunits coded by Glu-B1 locus, and “5 + 10” coded by Glu-D1 locus were predominant. One of the selected RILs, T-74, possessing 2 + 12 at Glu-D1 locus, also had superior bread-making quality, indicating that grain-protein content above a certain minimum value is a relatively more important determinant of bread-making quality than HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10.
Increasing Slowly Digestible Starch Content of Normal and Waxy Maize Starches and Properties of Starch Products

ABSTRACT Changes in the digestibility and the properties of the starch isolated from normal and waxy maize kernels after heat-moisture treatment (HMT) followed by different temperature cycling (TC) or isothermal holding (IH) conditions were investigated. Moist maize kernels were heated at 80°C for 2 hr. The HMT maize kernels were subjected to various conditions designed to accelerate retrogradation of the starch within endosperm cells. Two methods were used to accelerate crystallization: TC with a low temperature of –24°C for 1 hr and a high temperature of 20, 30, or 50°C for 2, 4, or 24 hr for 1, 2, or 4 cycles, and IH at 4, 20, 30, or 50°C for 24 hr. The starch granules were then isolated from the treated kernels. The starch isolated from HMT normal maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 2 hr for 2 cycles gave the greatest SDS content (24%) and starch yield (54%). The starch isolated from HMT waxy maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 24 hr for 1 cycle had .
Flow Visualization and Three-Dimensional CFD Simulation of the Annular Region of an Annular Centrifugal Extractor

The single phase flow patterns in the annular region of an annular centrifugal extractor (ACE) have been studied both experimentally and computationally. Experiments were conducted using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) to understand the flow patterns and velocity profiles in both the presence and the absence of the net flow through the annulus. The data obtained in these experiments have been used for the validation of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Further, complete energy balance has been established. The CFD simulations were performed over a wide range of operating conditions. In contrast with the Taylor annular region (having no end effects), the ACE was found to exhibit markedly different cell patterns. The number of cells was found to be strongly dependent on the Taylor number. The effect of the internals such as radial baffles in the annulus, as well as vanes on the bottom plate, on the flow patterns has been investigated. From the simulations it was revealed that the flow patterns in ACE were also dependent on the start-up procedure of the equipment.
Determining Terbinafine in Plasma and Saline Using HPLC

A simple, sensitive, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of terbinafine concentrations in small-volume plasma and saline has been developed. Following a liquid extraction using hexane, samples were separated by reversed-phase HPLC on a Symmetry Shield RP18 (5 µm) 4.6 mm × 100 mm column and quantified using ultraviolet detection at 224 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of water, phosphoric acid, and triethylamine (pH 3.0), with acetonitrile (65:35, v/v), at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. The standard curve ranged from 5 to 1500 ng/mL for parrot plasma and 1 to 25 µg/mL for 0.9% saline. Intra- and inter-assay variability for terbinafine was less than 10% for both matrices, and the average recovery was greater than 90%. This method has been developed in parrot plasma and should be applicable to other species, making it useful to those investigators dealing with small sample volumes, particularly when conducting pharmacokinetic studies that require multiple sampling from the same animal. This method would also be valuable to aquariums that need to determine terbinafine concentrations in salt water.
Thermal-Ignition and Combustion Behavior of Pyrotechnic Composition Containing Mechanically Activated Commercial Mg-Al Alloy

The effect of mechanical activation of commercial Mg-Al on its thermally-initiated reactions with KClO4 under air atmosphere was investigated. Modifications of structure and morphology of Mg-Al during milling were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis and light emission measurement combined with a test of combustion products indicated that KClO4/Mg-Al mixtures containing milled Mg-Al had lower ignition temperature, faster combustion rates, and more complete combustion than the mixture containing commercial Mg-Al, especially when milling time was within 4 h–12 h. This was ascribed to decrease in particle size and appearance of nano-structured surface for milled Mg-Al. On the other hand, for the mechanically activated Mg-Al, prolonging milling time up to 16 h not only caused a significant decrease in heat release during ignition reaction, but also caused decreases in combustion rates and light emission intensity of the pyrotechnic mixture. Air-passivation and more obvious preferential oxidation of Mg component in the long-time milled Mg-Al were suggested as reasons for deterioration in combustion property of the pyrotechnic composition.
A Comparative Study on Antibacterial and Wash Durability Behaviour of ZnO and CuO Nanoparticles Treated Cotton Fabric Using Sodium Alginate as Cross Linker

The effects of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles on antibacterial and wash durability behaviour of nanoparticles treated cotton fabric using sodium alginate as cross linker were studied. The metal oxide nanoparticles treated cotton fabric using sodium alginate as a crosslinker was characterized employing SEM-EDX and their antibacterial activity was analyzed. The obtained zone of inhibition and estimated wash durability behaviour is in the order of ZnO>CuO.