Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pyridine adsorption on polycrystalline platinum studied by the radioactive-labeling method

The adsorption of pyridine on a polycrystalline platinum electrode was measured by using a radioactive-labeling technique. The potential dependence and concentration dependence of adsorption were measured in 0.1 M HClO{sub 4}, and two exchange experiments were performed. The potential dependence revealed behavior typical for a strongly adsorbed organic species; a broad plateau of maximum adsorption occurs in the double-layer region with decreased adsorption toward potential extremes. No exchange of surface species with added unlabeled solution pyridine occurred at 0.2 V (vs Ag/AgCl, 1 M Cl{sup {minus}}), but slow exchange was observed at {minus}0.2 V over about 2 h; slow hydrogenation is the most likely cause of the loss of adsorbate t this potential. Two different concentration dependence profiles were observed depending on the treatment of the platinum electrode surface; a clean surface gave consistently higher packing densities as a function of pyridine concentration than one that had been pretreated at 10{sup {minus}6} M. The observed packing densities correspond to horizontally oriented pyridine, formed at low concentrations, and vertically oriented pyridine, formed at high concentrations.
Characterization of the anthocyanins of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in vivo and in vitro by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

The power of direct infusion electrospray (ESI) mass spectrometry and ion trap multiple mass spectrometry (MS/MS) were applied to the detection and identification of the anthocyanic compounds of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Cell suspensions of C. roseus, fresh flowers from both in vitro regenerated and field-grown plants, were comparatively examined. The anthocyanic extracts were analyzed by positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and collision experiments were performed on molecular ions by means of ion trap facilities. In parallel, classical approaches such as thin layer chromatography (TLC) and UV/Vis spectroscopy were undertaken. Petunidin, malvidin and hirsutidin, already known in the literature, were identified as aglycones. Three 3-O-glucoside derivatives, supposed to be present on the basis of literature data, were also identified. Moreover, three 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)glucosides were identified for the first time in this species. Using the direct ESI-MS/MS approach, the mass spectra of all the anthocyanic compounds present in the extracts can be obtained, even of those occurring in traces and not detectable by TLC. The three extracts investigated showed the same qualitative anthocyanic profile, but large quantitative differences. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbonaceous organics removal kinetics in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating physico-chemically pre-treated textile wastewater

In the present study, physico-chemically pre-treated textile wastewater with a residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 780 ± 10 mg L �1 was treated using a lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor at variable HRTs of 30.8 to 8 h, and organic loading rates (OLRs) of 0.62‐2.4 kg COD m �3 d �1 . Using a new composite coagulant at dosage of 800 mg L �1 for pre-treatment, more than 99% of colour was removed from the feeding influent to UASB reactor. The optimum OLR was found as 0.95 kg COD m �3 d �1 at which maximum COD reduction (98%) was achieved. Modified Stover-Kincannon, Grau second-order, Monod, Haldane and Contois models were applied to evaluate the carbonaceous substrate removal kinetics inside the UASB reactor. The experimental results of this analysis revealed that modified Stover-Kincannon and Grau second-order kinetics were suitable for predicting the performance and to estimate the kinetic coefficients of UASB reactor.
Nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer improve pastures naturally growing under hazelnut trees

Abstract This three-year study (2003–2005) aimed to improve the yield and quality of pastures growing naturally that are colonized by naturally occurring vegetation without agricultural input under hazelnut (Corylus sp.) orchards in the middle and eastern Black Sea regions of Turkey. There were eight treatments: 1) control; 2) fertilizer only (triple superphosphate 44% and calcium ammonium nitrate 26%) (80kg ha−1 P and 60 kg ha−1 N in Samsun; 100 kg ha−1 P and 80 kg ha−1 N in Ordu; 100 kg ha−1 P and 40 kg ha−1 N in Giresun); 3) lime only (calcium carbonate 94%) (3.0 t ha−1 lime in Samsun; 4.5 t ha−1 lime in Ordu and Giresun); 4) early cut only; 5) soil aeration only; 6) fertilizer+lime; 7) fertilizer+lime+early cut; 8) fertilizer+lime+soil aeration, laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates at each location. The highest dry matter (DM) yield of kg ha−1 and crude protein content (%) was obtained from the treatments that included fertilizer. There was no difference in DM production between any of the combination treatments that involved fertilizer and the fertilizer alone treatment. Only lime and aeration applications also increased yield compared to control, but not as much as did any treatment including fertilizer. Crude protein content of the pasture ranged from 13.3 to 18.1% across locations. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer are recommended to improve DM yields and herbage quality for pastures under hazelnut orchards.
Starch Damage and Pasting Properties of Rice Flours Produced by Dry Jet Grinding

ABSTRACT Milling method and particle size affect some properties of rice flour. To prepare ultra-fine rice flour of <30 μm, hammer and dry jet grinding methods were examined and the effect of particle size on starch damage and pasting properties of the flour were elucidated. A jet mill could make finer flour (<10 μm mean size) with a narrower particle size distribution than a hammer mill could. Starch damage increased dramatically at a mean size of <10 μm. Particles of a similar size (<60 μm) had different levels of starch damage between mills. Not only the particle size, but also the milling method affected the level of damaged starch. Flour samples of ≥45 μm mean size had similar viscosity curves, but samples of <20 μm had different curves. Peak viscosity and final viscosity decreased sharply at <10 μm. Setback viscosity for particles of 3 μm from both brown rice and white rice were higher than the peak viscosity. Stability to heat and shearing stress were decreased for <20 μm flours as the breakdown vi.
Controlling the crystallinity and nonlinear optical properties of transparent TiO2–PMMA nanohybrids

Titania–polymer nanohybrid thin films represent a new class of potential materials for optoelectronic applications. While most such nanohybrid thin films lack control in crystallinity, we report in this paper transparent nanohybrids of titania-polymethyl methacrylate (TiO2–PMMA) thin films having a remarkably enhanced nanocrystallinity. Post-treatments with water vapor at relatively low temperatures were applied on these thin films, following in situ sol–gel polymerization. They promoted rearrangement of flexible Ti–O–Ti bonds leading to enhanced crystallization of the TiO2 phase. The degree of TiO2 crystallinity in the resulting nanohybrid films was studied by using XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopies and HRTEM. Both linear and nonlinear optical responses increase with the enhancement of TiO2 crystallinity in the nanohybrids. The highest two-photon absorption coefficient (β) and nonlinear refractive index (n2) were observed for the nanohybrid thin films with highest TiO2 crystallinity, as confirmed by open and closed aperture Z-scan techniques using 250 fs laser pulses at 800 nm, having a value of 2260 cm GW−1 and 6.2 × 10−2 cm2 GW−1, respectively.
Nominee directors on Indian boards: Direct and moderated influence on international investments

Extant literature on Corporate Governance predominantly examines the characteristics of Anglo-Saxon system of corporate governance. Characteristics of board of directors, such as board independence are the outcomes of primary agency problems, observed in this model of corporate governance. However, there is a need to examine the role of board across distinct corporate governance systems arising out of their unique economic and regulatory regimes. For instance, countries with higher ownership concentration and weaker investor protection, face a secondary agency problem and rely more on debt financing for growth. In this study, we examine a specific feature in the Indian Corporate Governance context i.e. representatives of financing institutions on the board of the directors, also known as nominee directors. We use a behavioral risk perspective to understand the preferences of these groups of board member. On a sample of 764 unique firms and 4216 firm year observations spanning the period 2006-2017, we find that the nominee directors are negatively associated with internationalization of emerging economy firms. In addition, we also find that the nominee directors negatively moderate the relationship between different ownership groups (such as pressure sensitive investors and family owners) and internationalization investments of emerging economy firms.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Thermal Stratification Effects

In the frame of this work, thermal stratification effects withincooling channel flow of hydrogen cooled combustion chambers are investigated with theoretical approaches. Experimental results with a hydrogen cooled cylindrical combustion chamber segment with four different cooling channel geometries are presented. A new stratification approach that consideres the limited mixing capabilities within the turbulent core flow of the cooling channel is validated with the help of the experimental results.
High Spectrum Selectivity Ultraviolet Photodetector Fabricated from an n-ZnO/p-GaN Heterojunction

Undoped n-ZnO films have been deposited onto p-GaN to form a pn heterojunction, and the current−voltage curve of the heterojunction shows obvious rectifying behaviors. A photodetector is fabricated from the heterojunction. Under back-illumination conditions, the GaN layer on one hand acts as a p-type counterpart for the n-ZnO layer, on the other hand as a “filter” that is transparent to the illumination light with wavelength longer than 360 nm. Because of the GaN “filter”, the photodetector shows a narrow band-pass response of only 17 nm in width. The results reported in this paper may provide a facile route to photodetectors with high spectrum selectivity.
The relative stabilities of the copper hydroxyl sulphates

Abstract The literature contains considerable disagreements on the relative stabilities of the members of the copper hydroxyl sulphate family. Titration of copper sulphate with sodium hydroxide is claimed by some to produce only brochantite, while other reports indicate that antlerite and a dihydrate of antlerite are produced in the titration. Most stability field diagrams show that antlerite is the more stable stoichiomer at pH 4 and sulphate activity of 0.05-1. We have reexamined this stoichiometric family by titration of aqueous copper sulphate with sodiumhydroxide and sodium carbonate, reverse titration of sodiumhydroxide with copper sulphate and simultaneous addition of copper sulphate and sodium hydroxide at a variety of mole ratios, concentrations, temperatures and reaction times. We have also explored the reaction of copper hydroxide with copper sulphate and the reaction of weak bases, such as sodium acetate, sodium carbonate and urea, with copper sulphate. Our work indicates that: (1) antlerite is not formed in reactions of 0.05 to 1.2 м CuSO4 with 0.05-1.0 м NaOH or Na2CO3 at room temperature; (2) antlerite is formed in the addition of small concentrations of base (≤0.01 м) to 1 м CuSO4 at 80ºC, but not at room temperature or with 0.01 м CuSO4 at 80ºC; (3) the formation of Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6‧4H2O occurs at large Cu2+ to base mole ratios; (4) the compound described in the literature as antlerite dihydrate is actually Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6‧4H2O; (5) at mole ratios of Cu2+ to OH- ranging from 2:1 to 1:2 the predominant product is brochantite; and (6) brochantite and Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6‧4H2O are converted to antlerite in the presence of 1 м CuSO4 (the latter requires temperatures of 80ºC or greater). The Ksp (ion activity product) values of antlerite and brochantite were determined to be 2.53 (0.01)×10-48 and 1.01 (0.01)×10-69, respectively, using atomic absorption spectroscopy and Visual MINTEQ after equilibration in solutions of varying ionic strength and pH for six days. These values are in good agreement with those from the literature. However, after 6 months, antlerite in contact with solution is partially converted to brochantite and hence is metastable with a relatively low conversion rate. The Ksp value for antlerite must therefore be considered approximate. The relative stabilities of the copper hydroxyl sulphates are rationalized using appropriate equations and Gibbs energy calculations. A Gibbs free energy of formation for Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6‧4H2O of -3442 kJ/mol was obtained from the simple salt approximation. The very restricted conditions required for the formation of antlerite are rationalized with a stability field diagram at 80ºC.
A liquid-crystalline hexa-adduct of [60]fullerene

A hexa-adduct of [60]fullerene was synthesized by addition of a mesomorphic twin cyanobiphenyl malonate derivative to C60; whereas the malonate derivative gave a monotropic nematic phase, the fullerene hexa-adduct showed an enantiotropic smectic A phase.
A Comparative Study of CO and CO2Hydrogenation over Rh/SiO2

The hydrogenation of CO and CO2over Rh/SiO2have been investigated for the purpose of identifying the similarities and differences between these two reaction systems.In situinfrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the surface of the catalyst. Exposure of the catalyst to CO or CO2produced very similar infrared spectra in which the principal features are those for linearly and bridge-bonded CO. In the case of CO2adsorption, a band for weakly adsorbed CO2could also be observed. For identical reaction conditions the rate of CO2hydrogenation to methane is higher than that for CO hydrogenation. The activation energy for CO hydrogenation is 23.2 kcal/mol and that for CO2hydrogenation is 16.6 kcal/mol. The partial pressure dependances on H2and COz(z=1, 2) are 0.67 and −0.80, respectively, for CO hydrogenation, and 0.53 and −0.46, respectively, for CO2hydrogenation. Infrared spectroscopy reveals that under reaction conditions the catalyst surface is nearly saturated by adsorbed CO. The spectra observed during CO and CO2hydrogenation are similar, the principal difference being that the CO coverage during CO hydrogenation is somewhat higher than that during CO2hydrogenation. The CO coverage is insensitive to H2partial pressure, but increases slightly with increasing COzpartial pressure. Transient-response experiments demonstrate that the adsorbed CO is a critical intermediate in both reaction systems. It is proposed that the rate determining step in the formation of methane is the dissociation of H2CO, produced by the stepwise hydrogenation of adsorbed CO. A rate expression derived from the proposed mechanism properly describes the experimentally observed reaction kinetics both under steady-state and transient-response conditions.
Annealed vanadium oxide nanowires and nanotubes as high performance cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Low electron transportation and lithium ion diffusion coefficient in laminar vanadium oxide nanostructures limit their electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries. In this work, V2O5 nanowires and VOx nanotubes were obtained via heat treatment of the pristine vanadium oxide nanotubes at different temperatures under air and nitrogen atmospheres, respectively, and then used as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. It is interesting to note that the pristine vanadium nanotubes were transformed to V2O5 nanowires under an ambient atmosphere while the nanotube morphology can be maintained under an inert N2 atmosphere. The electrochemical results show that the V2O5 nanowires obtained at 400 °C deliver the best cycling performance with an initial discharge capacity as high as 278 mA h g−1 and the best rate capability with a discharge capacity of 115 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1. The VOx nanotubes obtained at 400 °C show the highest lithium storage capacity of 218 mA h g−1 with excellent capability retention and the best rate capability among all the nanotube samples. The improvement of electrochemical properties of V2O5 nanowires and VOx nanotubes can be attributed to the synergy of the enhanced surface area and better crystallinity. The different electrochemical properties reveal the existence of four different modes of Li ion intercalation/de-intercalation behaviors in V2O5 nanowires and VOx nanotubes. It is very interesting to note that the Li ion intercalation/de-intercalation in amorphous VOx nanotubes (VOx + yLi+ + ye− → LiyVOx) can induce a phase transformation from amorphous matrix to layered crystalline structure. This present work reveals that the electrochemical properties, in particular the cycling stability of vanadium oxide nanostructures, can be improved by tuning the one-dimensional structures' crystallinity. Furthermore, the phase transformation from amorphous matrix to layered crystalline structure of VOx nanotubes may open an exciting door for all the amorphous nanostructures for the application of LIBs.
Accumulation mechanisms and heavy metal tolerance of a nickel hyperaccumulator

Abstract Alyssum bertoionii Desv. , a crucifer which grows only in Tuscany on serpentine soil, is characterized by high Ni concentration in its leaves and a high tolerance to this element. In this research, the Co and Zn tolerance of A. bertolonii has been tested and compared with that of Ni. Although the Zn concentration in the serpentine soil on which the plant grows is lower than that of Co, root growth showed no significant difference for these two elements. In excised roots, on the other hand, Co and Zn compete with Ni uptake and accumulation. Seedlings do not show any inhibition in the translocation of these three elements. They are all rapidly carried to and accumulate in the shoots, but the uptake and traslocation of Zn does not show the saturation trend found for Ni and Co. The same gel filtration fractions contain the three elements in association with malic acid, involved in Ni tolerance.
Adsorption Studies of Methane Films on Catalytic Carbon Nanotubes and on Carbon Filaments

Adsorption measurements of CH4 on catalytically produced carbon nanotubes were used to determine the wetting behavior of the films, the presence of capillary condensation, and the specific surface area of the tubes. Two groups of carbon tubes were produced. The set of larger tubes had inner diameters on the order of 1 μm, while the set of narrower tubes had inner diameters on the order of 10−100 nm. The narrower carbon tubes were either oxidized in nitric acid, or subjected to high-temperature treatment at 2400 °C in vacuum, or left in as-produced condition. The activation processes were used to open the ends of the tubes. Surface area determinations for untreated and treated tubes established that the specific surface area increased as a result of activation. Isothermal adsorption−desorption cycles were measured on treated and untreated tubes. Hysteresis loops, indicative of the formation of a capillary condensate on the substrate, were present only for the open-ended treated tubes; no hysteresis loops w.
Electrochemical Characterization of Nanocrystalline LiMxCo1‐xO2 (M=Mg, Ca) Prepared by a Solid‐State Thermal Method

Mg‐doped LiCoO2 and Ca‐doped LiCoO2 are prepared by a solid state thermal method and are used as cathode active materials for lithium ion batteries. The synthesized electrodes are characterized by X‐ray diffraction and SEM studies. LiCoO2 prepared by solid state reaction method, shows a capacity decay over 4.3 V but LiCoO2 doped with Mg and Ca provide an improvement in charge–discharge cycling performance. This effect may be attributed to the fact that Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions have the same size as the Li+ ion and they preferably locate at the inter‐slab space. Therefore, they give a pathway for the intercalation–deintercalation of Li+ during the charge and the discharge studies and prevent distortion of the structure. The products possess good morphology, nano level particle size. The excellent electrochemical performance of the LiMxCo1‐xO2 cathode active material is attributed to the novel preparation and is significant to further studies.
Reductive decolourization and total organic carbon reduction of the diazo dye CI Acid Black 24 by zero‐valent iron powder

In this study, wastewater contaminated by colour and total organic carbon from the diazo dye CI Acid Black 24 was successfully removed by reductive decolourization with zero-valent iron powder. The effects on decolourization of experimental variables such as iron dosage, initial dye concentration, pH and dissolved oxygen level were evaluated. The best removal efficiencies for decolourization of 99.7% and total organic carbon of 57.4% were obtained with an initial dye concentration of 25.0 mg L−1 and iron dosage of 200.0 g L−1. Moreover, the decolourization rates followed pseudo-first-order kinetic equations with respect to dye concentration. The colour removal efficiency was simultaneously dependent on iron dosage and various initial dye concentrations, although the colour and total organic carbon removal efficiencies linearly increased with increased iron dosage, reaching a maximum at 100.0 g L−1. A contour plot was developed to illustrate the 3D relation of removal efficiencies with initial dye concentration and iron dosage. For wastewater with a concentration range from 25 to 100 mg L−1 CI Acid Black 24 the suggested ideal operation conditions are 100.0 g L−1 iron dosage, pH 2-4, normal oxygen concentration of 5-7 mg L−1 and reaction time of 30-60 min. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Equilibrium moisture relations and heat of sorption of alfalfa pellets

Abstract Equilibrium moisture relations of alfalfa pellets were determined experimentally for several combinations of moisture content (5 to 20%) and temperature (10 to 40°C). Experimental data were used to estimate the coefficients of Halsey, Chung-Pfost, Oswin and Modified Henderson equilibrium equations. These equations were then compared using standard error of estimated equilibrium relative humidity and randomness of residuals. The Halsey equation gave the best fit and thus it was used to determine the heat of sorption of alfalfa pellets. The heat of sorption decreased exponentially with moisture content and approached that of free water at about 16% moisture content.