Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proposal to list decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE) in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

1. The annex to the present note contains a proposal submitted by Norway to list decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE) in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 8 of the Convention. The proposal is being circulated as submitted and has not been formally edited. The Secretariat’s verification of whether the proposal contains the information specified in Annex D is discussed in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/INF/8.
Isolation of peppermint oil using supercritical co2 extraction

Peppermint leaf oil was isolated by a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using CO2 in which the extraction was followed by a two-stage fractional separation. Chemical analysis revealed that oils extracted under different SFE conditions possessed a widely different percentage composition. The percentage of co-extracted cuticular waxes varied too. Oil obtained by hydrodistillation was also compared with the extracted oils. Although practically the same compounds were present in the hydrodistilled oil, its composition was similar to SFE oil extracted under non-optimized conditions. Qualitative aroma tests showed that the oil obtained at optimum SFE conditions (p = 90 bar, T = 50°C) had a fragrance that better resembled that of the peppermint leaves used for the extraction of the oils.
Survey of receiving‐water environmental impacts associated with discharges from pulp mills: 4. Bioassay‐derived 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐P‐dioxin toxic equivalent concentration in white sucker (catostomus commersoni) in relation to biochemical indicators of impact

The H4IIE rat hepatoma bioassay was used to measure 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent concentrations (TECs) in livers of white sucker (Catostomus commersom) collected downstream from eight Ontario pulp mills and five reference sites. Subsamples of liver were also chemically analyzed for dioxins and furans. Bioassay-derived TECs were compared with TECs calculated from chemical residues using toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) specifically generated for the H4IIE cell line. This indicated that the bioassay-derived TECs could be accounted for largely by the additive effect of the dioxin and furan congeners. Seven of the eight examined mills had significantly higher TECs than the corresponding reference locations. The bioassay-derived TECs were highest at mills that used kraft pulping and chlorine bleaching. Although lower than the kraft mills, the thermomechanical (TMP) and sulfite mills also had higher TECs than the adjacent reference locations. The TECs were compared with hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD), as well as with concentrations of the plasma steroid hormones 17β-estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone, and testosterone. Significant correlations were found between EROD activity and TECs in both male and female white sucker. The correlation for males was stronger than that for females. Some of the variability in this relationship for females could be explained by a multivariate regression that added 17β-estradiol to the analysis; a strongly negative relationship between 17β-estradiol and EROD activity was superimposed on the positive EROD-TEC relationship. No significant correlations were found between TECs and 11-ketotestosterone in males, 17β-estradiol in females, and gonadosomatic indexes in either sex. There were significant negative correlations between TECs and testosterone in both sexes.
Phase transition and domain morphology of siloxane‐containing hard‐segmented polyurethane copolymers

The phase transitions and the morphology of hard-segment domains of those siloxane-containing hard-segmented polyurethane copolymers are studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The NH-SiPU2 copolymer, which comprises a siloxane–urea hard segment and a polytetramethylene ether glycol soft segment (PTMG2000), exhibits a high degree of phase-separation and a highly amorphous structure. Therefore, NH-SiPU2 copolymer proceeds with a melt-quenching process and with various annealing conditions, to examine the morphologies and the endothermic behaviors of the siloxane-containing hard-segment domains. DSC thermograms of further annealed NH-SiPU2 indicate that the first endotherm (T1) at around 75°C is related to the short-range ordering of amorphous siloxane hard-segment domains (Region I), and the second endotherm (T2) at around 160°C is related to the long-range ordering of amorphous siloxane hard-segment domains (Region II). The DSC thermograms at annealing temperatures below and above T1 demonstrate that both the temperature and the enthalpy of T1 linearly increase with the logarithmic annealing time (log ta). This result shows that the endothermic behavior of T1 is typical of enthalpy relaxation, which is caused by the physical aging of the amorphous siloxane hard segment. Additionally, the siloxane hard segments in Region I are movable, and can merge with the more stable Region II under suitable annealing conditions. Transmission electron microscopy shows that Regions I and II are around 200 and 800 nm wide, and that the Region I can be combined with the stable Region II, under suitable annealing conditions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4242–4252, 2006
Effect of hydrostatic pressure and salinity on the stability of gas hydrates

The distribution of gas in the hydrate and the liquid phases for the two-phase systems methane hydrate-water and methane hydrate-seawater has been calculated as a function of hydrostatic pressure. It is found that at hydrostatic pressures higher than the three-phase hydrate-liquid-gas equilibrium pressure, a two-phase hydrate-liquid equilibrium exists in which the hydrate phase is increasingly enriched in and the liquid phase depleted of the gas as the hydrostatic pressure increases. At higher pressures, the methane content of water necessary to form and to stabilize the hydrate is much less than required for saturation with respect to the gas phase. Similar results are obtained for the methane hydrate-ice system where, at hydrostatic pressures above the three-phase hydrate-ice-gas equilibrium pressure, hydrates of increasingly higher cage occupancy are obtained at the expense of converting a small amount of hydrate to ice.
Gas exchange of Citrus seedlings at different temperatures, vapor-pressure deficits, and soil water contents

Midday reductions of stomatal conductance and carbon dioxide assimilation rates (A CO2) in Citrus are typically attributed to large leaf-to-air vapor-pressure differences or high atmospheric vapor-pressure deficits (VPD). This study investigated air temperature (Ta) and available soil water (ASW) level as corollary factors of atmospheric VPD that influence midday reduction of net gas exchange in citrus leaves. The influence of elevated atmospheric CO 2 under conditions that inhibit net canopy Aco2 was also investigated. Net canopy ACO2 and evapotranspiration rates of Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf x Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and Swingle citrumelo (P. trifoliata Raf x C. paradisii Macf.) seedlings grown in outdoor controlled-environment growth chambers were measured under two levels of T a with concomitant changes in VPD and two levels of atmospheric CO2 concentration, which were changed in steps over time. Cyclical depletion of ASW was allowed to occur at each set of T a/VPD and CO2 combinations. Highest net canopy Ace, rates at ambient CO2 concentration (330 µmol·mol -1 ) were obtained at the low Ta/VPD level (29C/2.4 kPa) and ASW >50%. Diurnal canopy CO2 uptake rates decreased at the high Ta/VPD level (37C/3.6 kPa), and midday depression of canopy ACO2 was observed at ASW levels <50%. Net canopy ACO2 decreased at higher levels of ASW under the high Ta/VPD treatment than at the low Ta/VPD treatment. At the elevated CO2 concentration (840 µmol·mol -l ) net canopy CO2 uptake rates were double those that occurred at ambient CO2 levels and they did not exhibit midday reduction. Our data indicate that, when soil water is not readily available, citrus seedlings are more sensitive to high levels of T a and VPD which results in reduction of CO2 uptake. The inhibitory effects of elevated VPD and reduced ASW on citrus net A CO2 were lessened at the elevated atmospheric CO2 level.
Comparison of the Fatty Acid, Amino Acid, Mineral and Antioxidant Content of Sweet Potato Leaves Grown on Matsu Island and Mainland Taiwan

Sweet potato leaves (SPL) are a green leafy vegetable valued for their low carbohydrate and high essential-nutrient content. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge of the nutrient composition of SPL by analyzing SPL cultivated on Matsu and Hsinchu, Taiwan for antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals and trace elements. With the exception of antioxidants, in general, SPL from Matsu contained significantly more of these nutrients than those from Hsinchu. Methanol extracts of Hsinchu SPL contained 359 mg/g dry wt of polyphenols compared to 129 mg/g in leaves from Matsu and twice the radical-scavenging activity of the Matsu specimens. The leaves from Matsu contained more of 7 of 11 essential minerals than those from Hsinchu, including: Zn, Fe, Cr, Se, Ca, Mg, and P. Matsu and Hsinchu SPL contained 13.8 and 17.1% protein (P = 0.001), respectively, and the proportions of all essential amino acids in both sets of specimens, except for methionine plus cysteine (score, 46-54), exceeded those of a World Health Organization reference protein which are set at 100. The fatty acid content of the leaves from both sites was low (1.54-1.60%); however, the healthful �-3 essential fat ty acid �linolenic acid accounted for 48.3-53.4 of the total, whereas the �-6 essential fatty acid, linole nic acid contributed only about 12% to the fatty acid total. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that while the leaves of sweet potato are a good source of many essential nutrients, the amounts of protein, antioxidants, and minerals and trace elements and the fatty acid composition of SPL in Taiwan varied significantly between the two sites where they were cultivated. These differences are likely related to climate and soil quality.
INTERACTIONS AND THE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ADHERENCE AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Apesar do aumento de acessibilidade aos regimes de tratamento antirretrovirais, a adesao continua a ser um desafio para os sistemas de saude no Brasil. Dificuldades relacionadas a baixa adesao entre os pacientes que vivem com HIV/ Aids incluem a adaptacao ao tratamento e interacoes sociais mais pobres, devido, geralmente, ao estigma da doenca. Esses e outros aspectos psicossociais dos individuos sao expressos em suas interacoes sociais, objeto deste estudo qualitativo. Os participantes foram pacientes de servicos de referencia para o tratamento do HIV. Realizaram-se 30 entrevistas, sendo definidas categorias empiricas a partir da analise de conteudo realizada. Observou-se que os pacientes que se distanciaram de seus parceiros, familia, amigos e vizinhos, em oposicao a partilhar a sua experiencia com a doenca, experimentaram diminuicao de apoio de sua rede social. Esses dados salientaram a necessidade de melhorar a educacao do paciente e incentivar intervencoes mais eficientes, favorecendo o trabalho multidisciplinar e uma abordagem integrada dos cuidados de saude, para promover maior adesao ao tratamento
Water Diffusivity and Quality Attributes of Fresh and Partially Osmodehydrated Cactus Pear (Opuntia Ficus Indica) Subjected to Air-Dehydration

Water diffusivity, vitamin C degradation, and color change were assessed in two batches of cactus pear that were dried; one by regular air-drying; and the other one by applying partial osmodehydration followed by air-drying. The drying was done with a convection oven at 40, 50, 60, and 70°C. The pretreatment was performed by immersing the samples for 3 hours in a 40°Brix sucrose solution at 40°C. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a confidence level of 95% (p < 0.05) revealed that water diffusivity was mainly affected by the temperature and the pretreatment. Both the vitamin C loss and the color change behaved as a first-order reaction; the set temperature used was found to be the most important factor in the process.
On the theory of field emission from p‐type semiconductors

The field emission of semiconductors of p-type is investigated and the essential role of recombination processes in cathode is demonstrated. It is also shown that surface states on the emitting surface do not alter the value of the saturation current, while the volume traps may change its temperature dependence. [Russian Text Ignored. ]
Experimental evidence of parasitic shunting in silicon nitride rear surface passivated solar cells

Many solar cells incorporating SiNx films as a rear surface passivation scheme have not reached the same high level of cell performance as solar cells incorporating high‐temperature‐grown silicon dioxide films as a rear surface passivation. In this paper, it is shown by direct comparison of solar cells incorporating the two rear surface passivation schemes, that the performance loss is mainly due to a lower short‐circuit current while the open‐circuit voltage is equally high. With a solar cell test structure that features a separation of the rear metal contacts from the passivating SiNx films, the loss in short‐circuit current can be reduced drastically. Besides a lower short‐ circuit current, dark I–V curves of SiNx rear surface passivated solar cells exhibit distinct shoulders. The results are explained by parasitic shunting of the induced floating junction (FJ) underneath the SiNx films with the rear metal contacts. The floating junction is caused by the high density of fixed positive charges in the SiNx films. Other two‐dimensional effects arising from the injection level dependent SRV of the Si/SiNx interfaces are discussed as well, but, are found to be of minor importance. Pinholes in the SiNx films and optical effects due to a different internal rear surface reflectance can be excluded as a major cause for the performance loss of the SiNx rear surface passivated cells. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of LiCoO2 Cathode Nanoparticle Size on High Rate Performance for Li-Ion Batteries

The effect of LiCoO 2 cathode nanoparticle size on high-rate performance in Li-ion batteries was investigated using hydrothermally prepared oleylamine-capped LiCoO 2 nanoparticles with a particle size of 50 nm obtained at 200°C. Upon annealing as-prepared LiCoO 2 at 500, 700, and 900°C, the particle size increased to 100 nm, 300 nm, and 1 μm, respectively. Ex situ transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results indicated that the thickness of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) affected the particle's electrochemical properties at high rates. A LiCoO 2 cathode with a smaller particle size had a thicker SEI layer, which acted as a barrier for Li-ion diffusion, resulting in deteriorated rate capabilities at higher C rates. However, irrespective of the particle size, there was no structural degradation after cycling. Rate capability tests were performed under two different electrode densities (3.4 and 2.8 g/cm 3 ), and LiCoO 2 with a particle size of 300 nm demonstrated the best rate capability at higher C rates. Upon extended cycling at the 7 C rate, L'CoO 2 with a particle size of 300 nm exhibited 87 and 150 mAh/g under 3.4 and 2.8 g/cm 3 , respectively.
A lower bound for p_c in range-R bond percolation in four, five and six dimensions

For the range-R bond percolation in d=4,5,6, we obtain a lower bound for the critical probability p_c for R large, agreeing with the conjectured asymptotics and thus complementing the corresponding results of Van der Hofstad-Sakai (2005) for d>6, and Frei-Perkins (2016), Hong (2021) for d<4. The proof follows by showing the extinction of the associated SIR epidemic model and introducing a self-avoiding branching random walk where births onto visited sites are suppressed and the total range of which dominates that of the SIR epidemic process.
Phytochemical Investigation of Seed of Cucumis callosus (Rottl.) Cogn

Powdered seed of Cucumis callosus (Rottl.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae) were subjected to successive soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether 60-80, benzene, chloroform, alcohol and water to get their respective extracts for detailed chemical analysis. Fluorescence character of different extracts and seed powder with various reagents were noted under UV and under normal ordinary light. The total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash and sulphated ash value were 3.522, 0.118, 0.591 and 3.661%, respectively. Loss of weight on drying was 7.945%, the percent yield for petroleum ether 60-80, benzene, chloroform, alcohol, water extracts were 16.08, 3.12, 3.04, 5.79 and 9.84%%, respectively. Foaming index was found less then 100. The qualitative chemical analysis of extracts were found positive for alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins in alcohol and aqueous solvent extracts. These studies provide referential information for correct
SULFUR APPLICATION EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A CALCAREOUS SOIL AND ON SUGARCANE GROWTH AND YIELD

High pH soils limit availability of pH sensitive nutrients including phosphorus (P), even though abundant levels are present. Application of such nutrients to the soil is ineffective because they quickly get tied up in unavailable forms. Elemental sulfur (S) application in a narrow band to lower root zone pH and increase nutrient availability to the crop is a possible economically feasible solution. A four year field study was conducted in which S was applied to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) at rates up to 1120 kg S ha−1 each of the 1st three years in a band using different application methods. Sulfur application effects on soil pH were gradual, causing only a slight reduction in the application zone after one year; but was long lasting, resulting in continuing substantial declines in soil pH in an adjacent zone four years after the first S application. Soil available P, sulfate (SO4)-S, and salinity levels increased with increasing S applied. Sugarcane plant growth, as indicated by leaf area index during the grand growth period responded to moderate S application levels. Sugarcane yields increased linearly in the plant crop, but showed quadratic responses to S applications in the 1st through 3rd ratoon crops. Initial soil available P levels prior to the first treatment application were at the critical level considered adequate for crop requirements, yet growth and yield increases in response to S application suggest that the critical available soil P levels for sugarcane may be higher than previously established. Sulfur application at rates beyond those necessary to produce maximum yields resulted in salinity problems which probably reduced yields. The ‘stool splitter’ application method, which slices the plant stool using a coulter and places the fertilizer directly in the middle of the furrow caused crop damage and stand loss which persisted for the remainder of the sugarcane crops. Based on the results of this study, a single application of elemental S at up to 1120 kg S ha−1 directly below the seed cane at planting is recommend for sugarcane on a calcareous soil, with no additional applications in later crops.
Bioactive compounds from several tropical fruits and correlation by multivariate analysis to free radical scavenger activity

O alto consumo de frutas tem sido associado a baixa incidencia de doencas cronicodegenerativas, provavelmente devido a presenca de compostos bioativos, como os antioxidantes, nestes alimentos. Os teores de compostos bioativos -acido ascorbico, fenolicos totais, flavonoides e carotenoides totais - foram determinados em polpas obtidas a partir de 18 frutas tropicais adquiridas no Brasil. A atividade anti-radical livre foi avaliada pelo metodo ABTS. As frutas que apresentaram maior teor de compostos bioativos foram buriti, caja-manga, canistel, murici, physalis, piquia e tucuma. Considerando a composicao dos compostos bioativos analisados e as atividades anti-radical livre, as frutas foram divididas em 5 grupos, segundo Analise Hierarquica de Agrupamentos. Aplicando a Analise de Componentes Principais, a atividade anti-radical livre mostrou alta correlacao com compostos fenolicos totais (r = 0,99) e flavonoides (r = 0,86); porem, a correlacao encontrada foi muito pequena para acido ascorbico (r = 0,02) e carotenoides totais (r = 0,08). High ingestion of fruits has been associated with low incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases, probably due to the presence of bioactive compounds in these foods, such as antioxidants. The levels of bioactive compounds - ascorbic acid, total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids - were determined in 18 pulps obtained from tropical fruits acquired in Brazil. The free radical scavenger activity was evaluated by the ABTS assay. The fruits that showed higher levels of bioactive compounds were buriti, otaheite apple, egg-fruit, golden spoon, physalis, piquia and star nut palm. Considering the composition of bioactive compounds and free radical scavenger capacities the fruits were divided into five groups, according to Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. Applying Principal Component Analysis, free radical scavenger showed high correlation with total phenolic compounds (r = 0.99) and flavonoids (r = 0.86); however, the correlation was found to be very poor with ascorbic acid (r = 0.02) and with total carotenoids levels (r = 0.08).
Applying the Resonance Method to $\textrm{Re}\left(e^{-i\theta}\log\zeta(\sigma+it)\right)$

We apply the resonance method to Montgomery's convolution formula for $\textrm{Re}\left(e^{-i\theta}\log\zeta(\sigma+it)\right)$ in the strip $1/2<\sigma<1$. This gives new insight into maximal values of $\textrm{Re}\left(e^{-i\theta}\log\zeta(\sigma+it)\right)$ for $t \in [T^{\beta},T]$ for all $\beta \in (0,1)$ and real $\theta$.
Re‐evaluation of Capsicum Color Data

Previously published extractable pigment values of 15 selected red pepper varieties and the “L”, “a”, “b” color parameters were re-examined as continuing computation problems had led to erroneous conclusions. The correlations now obtained show that no single color parameter is consistently better than the others for predicting pigment content. For whole pods the “a” parameter gave the best individual correlations with pigment contents, while for pureed pods the correlations for the “L” and “b” parameters were marginally better than those with “a”. In general the correlation values were higher for pureed pods. Although statistically significant, the correlations were too small to provide a mathematical model that would predict accurately the pigment contents.
Fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI): a pathway to controlled high-efficiency clean combustion

A fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) concept is demonstrated as a promising method to achieve high efficiency – clean combustion. Engine experiments were performed in a heavy-duty test engine over a range of loads. Additionally, RCCI engine experiments were compared to conventional diesel engine experiments. Detailed computational fluid dynamics modelling was then used to explain the experimentally observed trends. Specifically, it was found that RCCI combustion is capable of operating over a wide range of engine loads with near zero levels of NO x and soot, acceptable pressure rise rate and ringing intensity, and very high indicated efficiency. For example, a peak gross indicated efficiency of 56 per cent was observed at 9.3 bar indicated mean effective pressure and 1300 rev/min. The comparison between RCCI and conventional diesel showed a reduction in NO x by three orders of magnitude, a reduction in soot by a factor of six, and an increase in gross indicated efficiency of 16.4 per cent (i.e. 7.9 per cent more of the fuel energy was converted to useful work). The simulation results showed that the improvement in fuel conversion efficiency was due both to reductions in heat transfer losses and improved control over the start- and end-of-combustion.