Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Composition and Morphology of CTMP Fibers

Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the surface composition and morphology of Chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) fibers from spruce. The fibers were exposed to a sequence of mild treatments such as washing, peroxide bleaching and extraction. The effects of treatments on fiber bulk composition and surface properties were investigated. All treatments did not significantly result in changes in total lignin and carbohydrate content. However, the extractives were stepwise removed. With the Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) technique, a gradual reduction of unoxidized carbon in the C1s resolved peak was shown, which was correlated to the removal of non-carbohydrates. Variations in surface topography among the analyzed samples were displayed with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of fibers in tapping mode. The wetting properties of all pulps were measured by Dynamic Contact Angle (DCA) on the single fibers. The advancing contact angle decreased and the hysteresis is also reduced, as a result of treatments. ESCA, AFM and contact angle analyses suggest that the extractives are distributed as globular particles at the fiber surface. Phase imaging AFM indicated the presence of lignin as irregular patches at the surface. A model of the CTMP fiber surface based on experimental findings in this work is proposed.
PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND INVITRO ANTI - INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AN IVY GOURD, COCCINIA GRANDIS

Nature has provided lead molecules for the betterment of humans. In recent years pharmaceutical sector is focusing on development of new drugs and plant based drugs through investigation of leads from folklore medicine which is being practiced for thousands of years. In India, Coccinia grandis (Cucurbitaceae) are used widely as vegetable. The objective of the present study is to investigate the phytochemical constituents and in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity of the fruit extract to justify their use in folkloric medicine. Phytochemical screening of Coccinia grandis fruit powder in organic solvent (methanol) revealed the presence of alkaloids (0.22±0.07mg), flavonoids (1.09±0.00mg), saponin (0.05±0.01mg) and phenol (17.01±0.02mg). Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by Human red blood cell membrane stabilization assay (HRBS) by varying concentration of the fruit extract ranging from 100mg/ml to 500mg/ml. The results obtained in the study showed that the fruit extract of Coccinia grandis showed 44.46±0.09% and 84.63±0.04% anti-inflammatory activity for 100mg/ml and 500mg/ml concentration respectively, and the activity was found to be concentration dependent and proved folklore practice of the fruit extracts in curing various inflammatory responses.
Phosphorus and nitrogen losses to surface waters from a forested feedlot for bulls in Finland

Phosphorus and nitrogen losses to water from a forested feedlot (10 000 m2) for 10 bulls was studied for 2 years in northwestern Finland. The nutrient loading was estimated by monitoring nutrient accumulation and migration in a feedlot soil profile and run‐off to a nearby ditch. Ditch water was sampled for total phosphorus (TP), dissolved reactive P (DRP), total nitrogen (TN), NH4‐N and NO3‐N analyses. The concentrations of ammonium acetate extractable phosphorus (PAAAc), NH4‐N and NO3‐N in the soil were measured before and during the study. The mean PAAAc rose in the surface soil layer (0–5 cm) from 5.0 to 13.8–21.3 mg L−1, being the highest in the areas where bulls congregated. Also the mean contents of NH4‐N and NO3‐N in the 0.6‐m soil layer rose from 5.4 and 0.5 kg ha−1 up to 270 and 30 kg ha−1, respectively; an approximately 50‐ to 60‐fold increase. Although the annual losses of DRP, TP, NH4‐N, NO3‐N and TN (0.6, 0.9, 1.4, 0.3 and 3.5 kg ha−1, respectively) increased only moderately in ditch water during the study period, our results suggest that forested feedlots may represent a long‐term source of increased nutrient loading to water if cattle rearing with high stock numbers continues for a long time in the same place.
Carbothermal synthesis of titanium oxycarbide as electrocatalyst support with high oxygen evolution reaction activity

Carbothermal reduction of semiconducting TiO_2 into highly conductive titanium oxycarbide (TiO_xC_y) was investigated. The thermally produced uniform carbon layer on TiO_2 (Degussa P25) protects the TiO_2 nanoparticles from sintering and, at the same time, supplies the carbon source for doping TiO_2 with carbon. At low temperatures (e.g., 700 °C), carbon only substitutes part of the oxide and distorts the TiO_2 lattice to form TiO_2− x C_x with only substitutional carbon. When the carbon-doped TiO_2 is annealed at a higher temperature (1100 °C), x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that TiO_xC_y, a solid solution of TiO and TiC, was formed, which displays different diffraction peaks and binding energies. It was shown that TiO_xC_y has much better oxygen revolution reaction activity than TiO_2 or TiO_2− x C_x. Further studies showed that the TiO_xC_yobtained can be used as a support for metal electrocatalyst, leading to a bifunctional catalyst effective for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.
Thermodynamic Study on the Formation of Acetylene during Coal Pyrolysis in the Arc Plasma Jet

Abstract Based on the principle of minimizing the Gibbs free energy, the composition of C-H-O-N-S equilibrium system about acetylene formation during the pyrolysis in arc plasma jet for four kinds of different rank-ordered coals such as Datong, Xianfeng, Yangcheng, and Luan was analyzed and calculated. The results indicated that hydrogen, as the reactive atmosphere, was beneficial to the acetylene formation. The coal ranks and the hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur in coal all could obviously affect the acetylene yield. The mole fraction of acetylene is the maximum when the ratio value of atom H/C was 2. The content of oxygen was related to the acetylene yield, but it does not compete with CO formation. These agreed with the experimental results, and they could help to select the coal type for the production of acetylene through plasma pyrolysis process.
Survey Analysis of Student Experiences for Underrepresented Populations in Engineering and Computer Science

This study examines the experiences of students in engineering and computer science at XYZ University, and how those experiences differ for students from underrepresented or marginalized groups. XYZ University’s mission and values statement includes a commitment to the importance of diversity in educational excellence. In the fall of 2018, 1,094 undergraduates were enrolled in XYZ University’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE), including 480 female‐identifying students and 222 underrepresented minority (URM) students. The CSE is comprised primarily of undergraduate programs, which are the focus of this study. This study follows previous work examining barriers to successful completion of undergraduate engineering degrees amongst female‐identifying and URM students. While the goal of the original study was to extract characteristics that differentiate students who do or do not successfully complete degrees within engineering, this new study examines survey data to better understand the experiences of students from underrepresented or marginalized groups. We examine survey data for undergraduate students who were enrolled in the CSE’s engineering majors (comprised of Pre‐Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science) during the spring of 2018. Results are compared for female‐identifying students, URM students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities across factors including students’ feelings of preparedness, sense of community, satisfaction with their academic performance, and experiences of bias from both peers and faculty/staff. These findings will be used to inform the development of new policies and programs within the CSE to better support students from underrepresented or marginalized groups. This study is part of a broader initiative at our college to examine accessibility of engineering degrees and how our engineering programs can better support students from underrepresented populations.
Hydrophilic monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles and their functionalisation with fluorescent chromophores

The efficient implementation of metal nanoparticles in bioanalytical detection schemes, biological imaging and phototherapy requires these particles to be stable against aggregation and chemical desintegration. The functionalisation of these particles with specific (bio)molecular units is a further necessity. These requirements may be met by covering the particle surface with self-assembled monolayers of functional thiols and disulfides. We have synthesised organic disulfides carrying alkyl-oligoethylene glycol chains that self-assemble into a molecular monolayer on the surface of gold nanoparticles to give rise to robust water-soluble nano-objects. These monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles can be purified using centrifugation, dialysis and gel permeation chromatography. The number of available disulfide binding sites on the gold nanoparticles was determined experimentally, and found to be in reasonable agreement with theoretical estimates, indicative of the formation of a dense protecting monolayer. The introduction of molecular functions through amino-terminated oligoethylene glycol disulfides is exemplified using a fluorescent chromophore, fluorescein. The quenching of the fluorescence of fluorescein by the metal nanoparticle core is investigated quantitatively, and employed as a fluorimetric tool for the investigation of the monolayer chemistry of these water-soluble functionalised gold nanoparticles.
Variability of Escherichia coli Concentrations in an Urban Watershed in Texas

In this study, daily Escherichia coli measurements at six locations in an urban watershed in Houston, were undertaken over a period of 12 weeks, and were analyzed using time series and fractal analyses. The time series analysis revealed that the E. coli data series were nonrandom in nature and were characterized by a lack of periodicity. Shorter E. coli time series data sets (on the order of 10 days or less) exhibited a fractal structure, suggesting that micro scale time series may be fractal in nature in urban environments, a finding that has significant implications for bacteriological water quality monitoring. Although stormflow E. coli concentrations were significantly higher than baseflow levels, the range of variability in E. coli concentrations both during dry and wet weather conditions was comparable, indicating the residual impacts of rain events on bayou water quality. While other studies in the literature have shown that afternoon E. coli levels were lower than morning levels, the results from .
EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL STUNNING ON POSTMORTEM BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES AND TENDERNESS IN BROILER BREAST MUSCLE

Two hundred broilers were commercially processed with and without electrical stunning to determine the effect of stunning on biochemical changes and its relationship to final meat tenderness. Electrically stunned birds were more tender with 30% lower shear values than no-stun controls after 24 hr aging. Breast muscles of electrically stunned birds showed significantly higher ATP, CP and pH, and lower lactate level than no-stun controls during the early processing steps. It was concluded that electrical stunning inhibited the rapid breakdown of ATP, CP and glycogen, and thus delayed the onset of rigor until after spin-chill by which time muscle temperature reached 4°C. Consequently, the rigor process occurred at low temperature where potential heat shortening was avoided, resulting in improved meat tenderness.
On the Origin of the High Resistance to Coarsening of Ω Plates in Al-Cu-Mg-(Ag) Alloys Using Z-Contrast Microscopy

Conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) has been used to measure the thickening kinetics of Ω plates in Al-4Cu-0.3Mg-0.4Ag (wt. %) at 200 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C. At 200 °C the plates thickened at a slow rate, remaining less than 10nm in thickness after 1000h exposure. At 250 °C the thickening kinetics exhibited two clearly discernible regimes. The first is characterized by a relatively slow rate of plate coarsening and the second by a much enhanced rate. The transition between the two regimes occurs after ∼300h and at a plate thickness close to 13nm. At 300 °C, the Ω plates thicken rapidly and thicknesses in excess of 30nm are reached within 50h. Atomic resolution Z-contrast microscopy was used to examine the Ω plate/matrix interface as a function of time and temperature to attempt to explain the observed thickening kinetics. At all times and temperatures, two atomic layers of Ag (and possibly Mg) are present at the broad faces of the Q plates. The ends of the plates and the risers of the growth ledges appear free of segregation. At plate thicknesses less than 13nm, the density of thickening ledges is very low and for plate thickness in excess of 13nm, the density increases dramatically. The change in ledge density is thought to be associated with the transition from full coherency to semi-coherency of the Q plate. The critical plate thickness for this transition has been experimentally determined to be close to 13nm. The high resistance of Ω plates to thickening at temperatures up to 200 °C may be due to the high activation energy for ledge nucleation at plate thicknesses less than 13nm. The role of Ag (and Mg) seems to be in their contribution (structural and chemical) to the interfacial energy of the Q phase and in determining the critical plate thickness for the loss of coherency. The necessary Ag (and Mg) redistribution accompanying a migrating growth ledge is probably of secondary concern in accounting for the observed thickening kinetics.
Correlative Analysis of the Crystallization of Sol−Gel Dense and Mesoporous Anatase Titania Films

Mesoporous and dense sol−gel titania films have been synthesized and processed in similar conditions to make a comparative study of crystallization to anatase in porous and dense samples. We have performed a correlative analysis combining THz spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation, variable angle incidence infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction to characterize the structure of titania films as a function of thermal processing conditions. THz spectra have shown that small anatase crystalline clusters are already present in the as-deposited samples, and both crystallization and growth process are favored in the mesoporous films. Moreover, the analysis by X-ray diffraction and variable angle incidence infrared spectroscopy has allowed identification of the presence of small textures in the samples.
Streamer initiation in mineral oil. Part I: electrode surface effect under impulse voltage

Presents a study of streamer inception in mineral transformer oil, in point-plane and rod-plane geometry under impulse voltage. The measurements performed with points and rods over a wide range of tip radii show a marked decrease of initiation fields when the electrode radius is increased. The initiation field is divided by 30 over the investigated range (from 1 /spl mu/m points up to 2 cm rods). This effect compares fairly well with the "surface effect" known for breakdown voltages under uniform field with large electrodes. Plotting these results together shows the decrease of streamer initiation fields over a very wide electrode surface range (12 decades), proportional to S/sup -0.17/ (S: electrode surface area, cm/sup 2/). These results suggest the influence of electrode surface defects on streamer initiation under impulse voltage.
Dioxo- and Oxovanadium(V) Complexes of Biomimetic Hydrazone ONO Donor Ligands: Synthesis, Characterisation, and Reactivity

The dioxovanadium(V) complexes M[VO2(L)solv] (2, 5, 6) have been isolated along with dimeric, oxo-bridged monooxovanadium complexes with the formula [{VOL}2µ-O] (1, 4), and characterised by their spectral and thermogravimetric properties and reactivity patterns. H2L is the hydrazone H2{(R-sal)-iNH} [sal derives from salicylaldehyde (R = H) or p-Cl-salicylaldehyde (R = Cl)] or H2hap-iNH, where hap is the o-hydroxyacetophenone moiety, and iNH stands for isonicotinic acid hydrazide. In the isolated potassium (M = K) complexes 2a, 5 and 6, solv is a water molecule, which was exchanged for methanol or DMSO in the respective solutions as shown by 51V NMR. Treatment of the dimeric (1 and 4) or anionic complexes (2a and 5) with H2O2 yielded (unstable) oxoperoxovanadium complexes K[VO(O2)L] (7, 8). Acidification of 1 and 4 afforded oxohydroxo complexes. When compound 2a is dissolved in methanol, it is partly deoxygenated to form [VO(OMe)(HOMe)L] (9), the crystal and molecular structures of which have been determined, confirming the ONO binding mode of L in its enolate form.
Effect of Thickness Layer of Kenaf Fibre Reinfoeced Fibre Glass, Against Impact of Hybrid Composite Sandwich with Core Sengon

The purpose of this research is to know the impact strength of composite structures of sengon laut sawdust. Experimental results show that the impact toughness of sandwich composite will increase as the thickness of composite sandwich skin increases. The impact failure is due mostly to the shear failure of the core. Brittle specimen failure occurs on the sandwich composites structured with skin and core manufactured with the same thickness of 5 mm. This brittle sandwich composite has a flat cross section on both sides of the fault. The shear failure of the cores occurs in samples with 2 mm thick, 3 mm, 4 mm thick, and 10 mm thick core. In some samples, the shear failure of the cores is accompanied by cracks on the core so that the sandwich composite is broken in several parts. The highest value of absorption energy and the highest impact strength is found on thick composite sandwich variation of 10 mm thick with 4 mm thickness of 2,7860 J and 0,01032 J/mm 2 .
Nonaqueous synthesis of uniform indium tin oxide nanocrystals and their electrical conductivity in dependence of the tin oxide concentration

Indium tin oxide nanoparticles with tin oxide contents varying from 2 to 30 wt % have been synthesized via a nonaqueous sol−gel procedure involving the solvothermal treatment of indium acetylacetonate and tin tert-butoxide in benzyl alcohol. According to powder X-ray diffraction analysis combined with Rietveld refinement all the materials are crystalline with the cubic bixbyite structure of indium oxide without any indication of SnO2 as an additional phase. Transmission electron microscopy studies proved that the nearly spherical particles are relatively uniform in size and shape with crystallite sizes in the range of 5−10 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the final composition of the nanoparticles coincided well with the initial indium acetylacetonate-to-tin tert-butoxide ratio. Furthermore, a high amount of oxygen vacancies was detected, which contribute to the good electrical conductivity of the nanoparticles. Conductivity measurements on the as-synthesized nanopowders pressed in.
Enhancement of thermoelectric figure of merit in Bi2Se3 crystals through a necking process

The growth of good quality bulk single crystals of bismuth selenide by employing a high-temperature vertical Bridgman technique with a specially designed ampoule having a provision for a necking process is reported. Several growth experiments were performed and reproducible results were obtained. The crystal structure and lattice dimensions were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), the bulk crystalline perfection was assessed using high-resolution X-ray diffractometry and the good bulk crystalline perfection with an indication of layered structure was confirmed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was carried out for the grown single crystal and confirmed the layered structure. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) was also used to further assess the crystalline perfection. The direct measurement of d spacing obtained from HRTEM imaging was found to be in good agreement with the data obtained from PXRD. The thermal behavior was examined by differential scanning calorimetry and a sharp melting was found at 983 K, which revealed the purity of the bismuth selenide. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivities were measured, and a thermoelectric figure of merit was calculated in order to assess the suitability of the crystal for thermoelectric applications such as refrigeration and portable power generation. Nanoindentation analysis was also performed for the first time.
A commercially available rosette system for trace metal—clean sampling

To obtain trace element data sets of sufficient resolution to resolve and interpret biogeochemical features, it is necessary to develop sampling schemes that are fast and reliable, retrieve uncontaminated samples, and are consistent with the new global‐ranging oceanographic programs. We present here a detailed description of a rosette‐based system for trace element determinations that meets these criteria. It has been used successfully on several CLIVAR cruises that required high‐resolution sampling for trace elements, and it has also been used on cruises for biological studies where large volumes of uncontaminated water were needed for deckboard incubations. With the exception of the weights used for ballasting, the rosette is an assembly of commercially available components and thus requires no custom fabrication. Comparison of Fe and other trace element concentrations in samples collected with this equipment and processed using these protocols with samples collected and processed using protocols developed in other trace element laboratories, during the SAFe intercalibration cruise, show essentially identical results.
Primary biological aerosol particles in the atmosphere: a review

Abstract Atmospheric aerosol particles of biological origin are a very diverse group of biological materials and structures, including microorganisms, dispersal units, fragments and excretions of biological organisms. In recent years, the impact of biological aerosol particles on atmospheric processes has been studied with increasing intensity, and a wealth of new information and insights has been gained. This review outlines the current knowledge on major categories of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP): bacteria and archaea, fungal spores and fragments, pollen, viruses, algae and cyanobacteria, biological crusts and lichens and others like plant or animal fragments and detritus. We give an overview of sampling methods and physical, chemical and biological techniques for PBAP analysis (cultivation, microscopy, DNA/RNA analysis, chemical tracers, optical and mass spectrometry, etc.). Moreover, we address and summarise the current understanding and open questions concerning the influence of PBAP on the atmosphere and climate, i.e. their optical properties and their ability to act as ice nuclei (IN) or cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). We suggest that the following research activities should be pursued in future studies of atmospheric biological aerosol particles: (1) develop efficient and reliable analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of PBAP; (2) apply advanced and standardised techniques to determine the abundance and diversity of PBAP and their seasonal variation at regional and global scales (atmospheric biogeography); (3) determine the emission rates, optical properties, IN and CCN activity of PBAP in field measurements and laboratory experiments; (4) use field and laboratory data to constrain numerical models of atmospheric transport, transformation and climate effects of PBAP.