Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic activity and mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in soil cultivated with coffee and green manures

Existe grande preocupacao sobre a degradacao dos solos agricolas. Tem sido sugerido que o cultivo de plantas intercalares no cafeeiro aumenta a diversidade microbiana e a sustentabilidade do solo. No presente trabalho foi avaliada a alteracao na atividade de enzimas do solo (urease, arilsulfatase e fosfatase) e na mineralizacao do C e N devido ao cultivo intercalar de diferentes leguminosas de verao na cultura do cafeeiro. Foram feitas amostragens em um experimento de campo de longa duracao instalado em Latossolo Vermelho distrofico em Miraselva, PR, na profundidade de 0-10 cm, na projecao da copa e na entrelinha, nos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha, leucena (Leucaena leucocephala), Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria breviflora, amendoim-cavalo (Arachis hypogaea tipo virginia), mucuna-cinza (Mucuna pruriens), mucuna-ana (Mucuna deeringiana) e caupi (Vigna unguiculata). As amostragens de solo foram feitas em quatros estadios de desenvolvimento dos adubos verdes: pre-plantio (setembro), pos-plantio (novembro), florescimento (fevereiro) e pos-incorporacao (abril), de 1997 a 1999. O cultivo de adubos verdes influenciou a atividade das enzimas do solo (urease, arilsulfatase e fosfatase) e a mineralizacao do C e N tanto na projecao da copa como na entrelinha. O cultivo da leucena aumentou a atividade da fosfatase acida e da arilsulfatase e a mineralizacao de C e N na projecao da copa e na entrelinha do cafeeiro. O cultivo de leucena aumentou a atividade da urease na projecao da copa, enquanto C. breviflora incrementou a atividade da urease na entrelinha.
Effects of Temperature on Ethylene-induced Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase Activity and Russet Spotting in Harvested Iceberg Lettuce

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of temperature on the ethylene inducibility of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activity and the development of russet spotting (RS) in Iceberg lettuce (Lactucu sutiva L.). Tissue exposed to ethylene and held at 15 or 20C showed earlier hut lower peaks in PAL activity than tissue held at 5C. Accumulation of total soluble phenolic compounds, and the development of RS paralleled increases in PAL activity after a short lag period. Lettuce tissue transferred from 5 to 15C after 1 to 3 days showed later hut higher peaks in PAL activity than tissue continuously held at 15C. Transferring ethylene-exposed tissue to 0C before RS symptoms developed greatly limited further rise in PAL activity and RS development. Discontinuing ethylene exposure after 4 days resulted in a rapid decrease in PAL activity. Lettuce tissue exposed to ethylene for 4 days and then transferred from 5 to 0C after the development of moderate RS symptoms showed no difference in RS after 8 days compared to tissue stored continuously at 5C. Russet spotting (RS) is a major physiological disorder of harvested Iceberg lettuce. It is induced by exposure to ppm (ml·liter
QuEChERS Technique for the Gas Chromatographic Determination of Organophosphate Residues in Strawberries

This study describes the validation of an analytical method employing gas chromatography with flame photometric detection for the determination of organophosphate pesticides (diazinon, disulfoton, parathion, chlorpyrifos, and malathion) in strawberries. The method employed a QuEChERS dispersive solid phase extraction for the sample preparation. QuEchERS is inexpensive, fast, and easy for the separation of the analytes from the matrix. In addition, the method provided linear calibration curves, ranging from 0.10–1.00 µg g−1, for diazinon, disulfoton, parathion, and chlorpyrifos, and 0.10–2.00 µg g−1 for malathion. Recovery studies yielded values in the range from 81.64 to 100.00%. These results demonstrated the potential of the technique for the determination of organophosphate residues in strawberries.
Controlling the Optical Properties of Lemongrass Extract Synthesized Gold Nanotriangles and Potential Application in Infrared-Absorbing Optical Coatings

Anisotropic metal nanoparticles have distinct optical behavior when compared with their spherical counterparts. In this report, we demonstrate a simple method involving the reduction of aqueous gold ions by the extract of the lemongrass plant leading to the formation of gold nanotriangles with interesting absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. We show that, by simple variation of the experimental conditions, it is possible to vary the size of the gold nanotriangles and, thus, to tune the absorbance of flat gold nanoparticles in the NIR region. The NIR absorption of the gold nanotriangles is expected to be of application in hyperthermia of cancer cells and in IR-absorbing optical coatings. We show that the lemongrass extract synthesized gold nanotriangles can be easily cast in the form of films on glass substrates and that these films are highly efficient in absorbing IR radiation for potential architectural applications.
Expansion, Morphological, and Mechanical Properties of Starch−Polystyrene Foams Containing Various Additives†

Starch and polystyrene (PS) were mixed at 70:30, 80:20, and 85:15 ratios with 0.5 and 1% talc and extruded into loose-fill packaging foams. Azodicarbonamide (ADC), at 0, 0.2, and 0.4 wt %, and citric acid, at 0, 0.25, and 0.5%, were added as blowing agents to enhance the radial expansion and functional properties of foams. As the concentration of ADC in the starch−PS mixtures was increased from 0 to 0.2%, the expansion ratios increased, and consequently the bulk densities decreased. However, with a further increase in the concentration of ADC to 0.4%, the expansion ratios dropped considerably. The effects of citric acid on radial expansion and other properties were similar to those of ADC. Compared to ADC, citric acid produced foams with higher radial expansion and correspondingly lower densities. Extrudates containing citric acid had large-sized cells, but the cell walls were structurally damaged due to degradation of starch. The spring indices of foams treated with various additives were not significant.
Regression Model for Daily Maximum Stream Temperature

An empirical model is developed to predict daily maximum stream temperatures for the summer period. The model is created using a stepwise linear regression procedure to select significant predictors. The predictive model includes a prediction confidence interval to quantify the uncertainty. The methodology is applied to the Truckee River in California and Nevada. The stepwise procedure selects daily maximum air temperature and average daily flow as the variables to predict maximum daily stream temperature at Reno, Nev. The model is shown to work in a predictive mode by validation using three years of historical data. Using the uncertainty quantification, the amount of required additional flow to meet a target stream temperature with a desired level of confidence is determined.
Acid–base crystalline complexes and the pKa rule

Differences in the predicted aqueous pKa values (ΔpKa) have been calculated for 6465 crystalline complexes containing ionised and non-ionised acid–base pairs in the Cambridge Structural Database. A linear relationship between ΔpKa and the probability of proton transfer between acid–base pairs has been derived for crystalline complexes with ΔpKa between −1 and 4. The pKa rule is validated and quantitated.
Surface area of clays

In view of the assumptions employed in obtaining them, the surface areas of clays derived from adsorption and from desorption isotherms of nitrogen are in remarkable agreement. There is, in general, striking accord between the value from the adsorption isotherm, derived by using the BET equation, and the value from analysis of the desorption isotherm, obtained by using the Kelvin equation, micropore analysis, or a simple extrapolation of the pore size data into the micropore region. The latter empirical method, originally proposed by Innes, seems not only successful in this regard but may also be justified in terms of micropore geometry.
FURTHER MEASUREMENTS OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION USING A LARGE-VOLUME PLASTIC SPHERE

The experiment described by McAllister, et al. (1961), in which a phytoplankton bloom was induced to occur in a free-floating 20-ft diameter thin transparent plastic sphere has been repeated. Daily measurements were made of nutrients, particulate matter, and photosynthetic rates with less frequent assays for vitamins and dissolved organic matter. In situ light was recorded by a bolometer. The experiment was prolonged to 100 days to study phytoplankton decay, most of this period being in the dark. The phytoplankton consisted mainly of 6 species of diatom and one large dinoflagellate. The mean composition of this crop at various stages of its development is reported by ratios involving chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon. A detailed discussion is given of the findings of the experiment which, in general, confirmed those of the earlier work and yielded, in addition, valuable new information. The plant cells excreted 35–40% of their organic matter during growth. The C14 method of measuring photosynthesis gave results agreeing well with the production of particulate carbon. The growth kinetics of the bloom were dominated by the constancy of the mean cell division rates which were relatively independent of temperature and light. The rate of photosynthesis per unit chlorophyll was also remarkably constant and not proportional to light intensity, cells developing a highly efficient photosynthetic mechanism with respect to available radiant energy. The mean chemical composition of a cell changed after depletion of nutrients from the surrounding water. The carbon, protein, chlorophyll a and phosphorus decreased. The silicon and lipid contents remained nearly constant and the carbohydrate increased. During the decay period over half the particulate phosphorus was remineralized in 2 weeks. Silicon returned to solution more slowly but at a constant rate. There was no significant nitrification even after 75 days. The consumption of oxygen occurred mainly from the oxidation of “dissolved” organic matter and not from the interaction of oxygen with particulate material. The latter may have been important as a surface for bacteria. The evolution rate of carbon dioxide was constant with time but proceeded with a variable RQ, which was around 0.5 immediately after the bloom but increased to nearly 2 in the “old” water present at the beginning and end of the experiment.
Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Large-Scale Bubble Column Operating in a Semi – Batch Mode

Time-averaged local heat transfer coefficient profiles were studied in a 0.45 m bubble column using air-water system. The effect of the superficial gas velocity and axial locations (Z/D) on the heat transfer coefficient and its radial (r/R) profiles were investigated in bubble column. Significant differences were observed between heat transfer coefficients in the axial directions viz. in the bulk flow region (Z/D=4.8) higher than in the distributor region (Z/D=0.28) by 14% -22% for increasing the superficial gas velocity from 0.05-0.45 m/s. The heat transfer coefficients increase with superficial gas velocities and the values in the center of the column were 9 –13% greater than those near the wall region . The characteristics of bulk flow region are large variation in radial direction and little in axial direction for the values of heat transfer coefficients.
Performance and Stability Enhancement of Dye‐Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells by Al Doping of TiO2

Reversible photo‐induced performance deterioration is observed in mesoporous TiO2‐containing devices in an inert environment. This phenomenon is correlated with the activation of deep trap sites due to astoichiometry of the metal oxide. Interestingly, in air, these defects can be passivated by oxygen adsorption. These results show that the doping of TiO2 with aluminium has a striking impact upon the density of sub‐gap states and enhances the conductivity by orders of magnitude. Dye‐sensitized and perovskite solar cells employing Al‐doped TiO2 have increased device efficiencies and significantly enhanced operational device stability in inert atmospheres. This performance and stability enhancement is attributed to the substitutional incorporation of Al in the anatase lattice, “permanently” passivating electronic trap sites in the bulk and at the surface of the TiO2.
Free radicals trapped in polyethylene crystals

Abstract Electron-irradiated specimens of linear polyethylenes, aged at ambient conditions for periods between 79 and 112 months, were examined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Free radicals were found in all irradiated specimens, spin concentrations ranging from 0.5 × 1016 spins/g to 3.5 × 1016 spins/g and being nearly proportional to the original irradiation dose. For a given polyethylene, the radical concentration rises monotonically with crystallinity, suggesting that the free radicals are trapped in the crystalline phase. This would account for their longevity. At a given irradiation dose and crystallinity, the radical concentration is lower in normal molecular weight polymer than in ultrahigh molecular weight material. This difference may be explicable in terms of tie-chain concentration.
Electrolytic hydrogen generation using CANDU nuclear reactors

Hydrogen generation on a large scale will be required to power the emerging hydrogen economy without emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. All large‐scale hydrogen production facilities currently in operation use processes such as steam–methane reforming or partial oxidation of heavy hydrocarbons, which emit large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Anisotropic extinction corrections in the Zachariasen approximation

Refinement of crystal structures incorporating an extinction parameter in an approximation developed by Zachariasen has led to the experimental observation that some crystals show anisotropic extinction effects. A formalism is presented for refinement of anisotropic extinction coefficients for both extreme crystal types: Type I (extinction dominated by mosaic spread) and Type II (extinction dominated by particle size). For Type I crystals, an anisotropic rather than isotropic Gaussian mosaic spread distribution function is assumed. For Type II crystals, the average particle shape is described as an ellipsoid rather than as a sphere. In each case, the six independent components of a symmetrical second-order tensor are added to the list of parameters refined in a conventional crystallographic least-squares program. Results on several data sets from both neutron and X-ray diffraction experiments indicate that anisotropy of extinction is often significant. The inclusion of such parameters is recommended in all least-squares refinements of extinction affected data. Furthermore the detailed study of the effects may be of some promise in the study of crystal texture inasmuch as the refined parameters are of a magnitude which suggests physical significance.
Stabilization of Organic Matter During Composting: Influence of Process and Feedstocks

Information on compost organic matter stability is necessary to anticipate the effects of compost application on soil properties. Such information will soon be required by French legislation. The main objectives of the present work were: (1) to study the influence of the composting process and the composted waste on the kinetics of stabilization of organic matter during the composting process; (2) to validate physicochemical indicators of compost stabilization and also rapid tests used by the compost producers on the composting plants in order to be able to follow compost stabilization during the process. Ten compost windrows were sampled after 3, 4 and 6 months of composting at plants where green wastes (GW), biowastes (BIO), sludge (SG) or municipal solid wastes (MSW) were composted. In some plants, the composting process was accelerated by enforced aeration. The stability of the organic matter was assessed by laboratory incubations during which organic matter mineralization was followed. Maturity tests were run on compost samples which were then analyzed. For the GW, BIO and SG composts, the stabilization of organic matter occurred more rapidly than for the MSW composts and 3 to 4 months were enough for satisfying organic matter stabilization. For the MSW composts, 6 months were necessary to reach stabilization similar to the GW or BIO composts. The self-heating test was highly significantly correlated with the compost organic matter stability as evaluated from the incubation results and should be recommended to the compost producers rather than the Solvita test. Among the physicochemical characteristics of the composts, total organic C (TOC) appeared to be well correlated with organic matter stability of the composts and a better indicator than the C/N ratio, pH, electrical conductivity and N-NO3−/N-NH4+ ratio. The humic and fulvic acids (C-HA + C-FA) represented 9 to 27 percent of TOC and the humification index (C-HA/C-FA) was also well-correlated with organic matter stability.
The solubility of rare gases in fused silica: A numerical evaluation

The solubility of rare gases in a simulated model of fused silica is evaluated by the test particle method. It is shown that the order of magnitude of the rare gas solubility in liquid silica is mainly governed by the entropy of cavity formation and only marginally by the solvation energy of the solute in the melt. Hence, the hierarchy of solubilities is dictated by the size of the noble gases: The smaller the atom the higher the solubility. Moreover, the solubility exhibits only a moderate temperature dependence at fixed density. In silica glass the same solubility hierarchy is found (in agreement with the experimental data) although the energetic contribution to the absorption process may become significant, particularly when the temperature decreases. These results in silica are in strong contrast with those obtained in liquid water where the energetic contribution to the rare gas solubility is large enough to overcompensate the entropic loss of cavity formation, the net result being that light noble g.
The Calculation of the Hydrocarbon Dew Point in a Gas Pipeline

Abstract The hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) of natural gas is a key parameter in the gas transportation industry. Predicting and calculating HCDP precisely can ensure the security and reliability of the system. This article begins with an introduction of the methods to predict and measure HCDP and determines a suitable equation of state model to calculate HCDP of natural gas from the West to East-I pipeline. The natural gas composition is analyzed by an on-line gas chromatograph and an extended analysis in the laboratory. Based on the results computed by TPCOMP, 1 the influence of natural components to calculate HCDP is discussed, and a modified method to add 0.0002–0.0004% up to the heaviest hydrocarbon is proposed to make the agreement within ±3°C between calculation and measurement.
Removal of arsenic from ground water by iron oxide-coated sand

In a laboratory study, iron oxide-coated sand showed promise as a medium for use in small systems or home-treatment units in developing areas of the world, for removing arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from ground water. A low-cost, simple, home arsenic removal unit (material and fabrication cost: Rs. 200, cost of medium: Rs. 80, and regeneration cost: Rs. 5; 1 U.S. dollar = Rs. 35), containing 6 kg (4 L) of iron oxide-coated sand, produced 625 and 610, and 780 and 760 L of water in two cycles of runs when the influent arsenic(III) or arsenic(V) concentration was 1.0 mg/L. A detailed study addressing the effects of some important factors (selectivity of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) over one another for removal, water pH, concentration and type of competing anions, and cations) on the process is needed. The home arsenic removal unit should be subjected to field trial to assess long-term effects on performance.
Costus afer stem extracts protected against Paracetamol-induced oxidative stress and liver damage in rats -

SUMMARY Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials of Costus afer stem extracts against paracetamol induced acute liver injury. Methods: Fifty male albino rats were randomly distributed into ten groups of five rats each and orally co-administered with varying doses (20 - 60 mg/kg b.w.) of ethanol stem extract (ETSE), chloroform stem extract (CFSE) and paracetamol (PARA) (1 g/kg b.w.) for 7 days. In vivo liver and plasma antioxidants and hepatotoxic biomarkers were examined by using spectrophotometric methods. Results: Antioxidant study indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) in liver and plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in all treated groups compared with untreated control group. Catalase (CAT) activity in co-administered “PARA + ETSE” treated groups were significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared with “PARA + CFSE” treated groups. The liver and plasma glutathione (GSH) levels in “PARA + ETSE” treated groups were elevated compared with “PARA + CFSE” and PARA treated groups while the liver and plasma glutathione S- transferase (GST) activities in “PARA + ETSE” treated groups were reduced compared with “PARA + CFSE” and PARA treated groups. Liver and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were significantly reduced in “PARA + ETSE” treated group compared with “PARA + CFSE” and PARA treated groups. Furthermore, “PARA + CFSE” treated groups have reduced plasma aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities compared with “PARA + ETSE” treated groups and PARA treated groups. Conclusion: This investigation indicates that C. afer ETSE possess a higher antioxidant activity than CFSE while CFSE had a higher hepatoprotective property against paracetamol-induced tissue damage. Hence, C. afer stem could be exploited in drug discovery process to identify potential biopharmaceutical agents against oxidative stress related diseases and hepatic disorders.
Studies on Antimicrobial Activities of Chaetomium atrobrunneum Ames against Selected Microorganisms

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of Chaetomium atrobrunneum was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram +ve), Escherichia coli (Gram â€“ve) and Candida albicans using well diffusion and dilution method. The solvents used for extraction experiment was Ethylacetate and Dichloromethane and were removed in vacuo to yield viscous oils and paste which were made upto M 1 D DCM extract-0.04g, M 1 D EtOAc extract-0.03g, PDB EtOAc extract-0.04g, YPS EtOAc extract-0.025g dissolved in 10ml of DMSO each respectively. These were tested in varying volumes of 100-200Âµl/plate. Ampicillin and Itraconazole were used as references for bacteria and fungi . The solvent extracts of Chaetomium atrobrunneum showed higher antimicrobial inhibitory activity at 0.8mg/200Âµl of PDB EtOAc extract plate and the antioxidant activity test has been done with this PDB EtOAc extract. The extract which showed the higher antimicrobial activity is PDB-ethylacetate extract was taken for antioxidant study.