Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF BLANCHING AND FRYING ON TEXTURAL PROFILE AND APPEARANCE OF YAM (DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA) FRENCH FRIES

Response surface methodology was employed to characterize the effects of blanching temperature, blanching time and final frying time on texture and appearance of fried yam chips produced from two cultivars of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Fifteen treatment combinations were derived from Box–Behnken design (k = 3) and run. Analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the effects of factors on the texture and color indices and to fit models for predicting the response variables. There were differences in the effects of the same set of factor combinations on textural attributes (hardness, fracturability, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness) and color (L, a, b) indices of the two cultivars used. Blanching temperature and frying time had a greater impact on texture and appearance of fried chips than blanching time. Adequately fitted models were derived for predicting the effects of blanching and frying on the textural profile and color of yam chips. Practical Applications Millions of tonnes of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) are cultivated annually; however, very few commercial products have been produced from yam. French fries are hugely popular all over the world, and frozen potato chips have evolved into a multibillion dollar business. Yam shares many characteristics with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and can equally be conveniently processed and packed for distribution as frozen chips for French fries production. This study provides information on the effects of processing factors on the quality characteristics of fried yam chips similar to potato French fries to facilitate the process of transforming yam into a convenient food product to meet urban demand.
Measuring soil respiration in the field: an automated closed chamber system compared with portable IRGA and alkali absorption methods

With the objective of testing whether a series of automated chambers linked to IRGA equipment gave improved estimates of soil respiration, measurements using the automated system were compared with those obtained from (a) an alkali absorption method and (b) a hand-held commercially available instrument (EGM-1). Comparisons were made on occasions between autumn 1996 and spring 1999 across treatment plots which had a variety of harvest residue materials incorporated into them distributed across 5 sites. Spot readings made using the EGM-1 showed a wide range and greater variability compared to those made with the automated IRGA system. This was attributed to the reproducible location and larger area of the latter chamber. The range in values of estimated total daily CO2 flux made using KOH absorption and the automated IRGA method similar (0.1–4.0 g C m− 2 day− 1), but, although highly correlated, the slope of the regression line was significantly different from unity. Below 0.9 g C m− 2 day− 1 the KOH method over-estimated the CO2 flux, but above this value under-estimated it, relative to the automated IRGA system, with the coefficient of variance being consistently smaller for the KOH method. This was ascribed to inefficient absorption of CO2 at high efflux rates and the presence of an artificially high concentration gradient at low efflux rates for the KOH method. The results indicated that the automated IRGA system offered a robust estimate of both instantaneous and time-integrated CO2 efflux rates, and therefore has potential application in measurements of organic matter decomposition in agricultural soils.
Impact of organic manures with and without mineral fertilizers on soil chemical and biological properties under tropical conditions

Soils receiving organic manures with and without chemical fertilizers for the last 7 yr with pearlmillet–wheat cropping sequence were compared for soil chemical and biological properties. The application of farmyard manure, poultry manure, and sugarcane filter cake alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers improved the soil organic C, total N, P, and K status. The increase in soil microbial-biomass C and N was observed in soils receiving organic manures only or with the combined application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers compared to soils receiving chemical fertilizers only. Basal and glucose-induced respiration, potentially mineralizable N, and arginine ammonification were higher in soils amended with organic manures with or without chemical fertilizers, indicating that more active microflora is associated with organic and integrated system using organic manures and chemical fertilizers together which is important for nutrient cycling.
Electron field emitters based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with conducting polymer/metal/metal-oxide composites

The present work describes the field emission properties of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs)-based conducting polymer/metal-oxide/metal/MWNTs composites (polyaniline (PANI)/SnO2/Sn/MWNTs). MWNTs were synthesised by chemical vapour deposition technique. SnO2/Sn/MWNTs were prepared by using chemical reduction followed by calcination. By in situ polymerisation method, surface of SnO2/Sn/MWNTs were coated with PANI. PANI/SnO2/Sn/MWNTs field emitters were fabricated over flexible graphitised carbon fabric substrate by spin coating technique. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterise the field emitters. Field emission properties have been studied using an indigenously made facility. The fabricated PANI/SnO2/Sn/MWNTs field emitters exhibited excellent field emission properties with a turn on field of 1.83 V µm−1 and a field enhancement factor of 4800.
Progress report on hot particle studies

NCRP Report 106 on the effects of hot particles on the skin of pigs, monkeys, and humans was critically reviewed and reassessed. The analysis of the data of Forbes and Mikhail on the effects from activated UC{sub 2} particles, ranging in diameter from 144 {mu}m to 328 {mu}m, led to the formulation of a new model to predict both the threshold for acute ulceration and for ulcer diameter. In this model, a point dose of 27 Gy at a depth of 1.33 mm in tissue will cause an ulcer with a diameter determined by the radius to which this dose extends. Application of the model to the Forbes and Mikhail data obtained with mixed fission product beta particles yielded a ``threshold`` (5% probability) of 6 {times} 10{sup 9} beta particles from a point source of high energy (2.25 MeV maximum) beta particles on skin. The above model was used to predict that approximately 1.2 {times} 10{sup 10} beta particles from Sr-Y-90 would produce similar effects, since few Sr-90 beta particles reach 1.33 mm depth. These emissions correspond to doses at 70-{mu}m depth in tissue of approximately 5.3 to 5.5 Gy averaged over 1 cm{sup 2}, respectively.
Structural role of copper in the minerals of the pearceite-polybasite group: the case of the new minerals cupropearceite and cupropolybasite

Abstract The pearceite-polybasite group of minerals, general formula [M6T2S7][Ag9CuS4] with M = Ag, Cu; and T = As, Sb, show a crystal structure which can be described as the succession, along the c axis, of two pseudo-layer modules: a [M6T2S7]2- A module layer and a [Ag9CuS4]2+ B module layer. Copper is present in one structural position of the B module layer and replaces Ag in the only fully occupied M position of the A module layer. When the Cu content is >4.00 a.p.f.u. , the structural position of the A module layer becomes Cu-dominant and, consequently, the mineral deserves its own name. In this paper we report the crystal-chemical characterization of two Cu-rich members exhibiting the 111 unitcell type (corresponding to the Tac polytype). One sample (space group P3̅m1, a 7.3218(8), c 11.8877(13) Å , V 551.90(10) Å3, Z = 1) having As >Sb and with the structural position of the A module layer dominated by Cu, has been named cupropearceite and the other sample (space group P3̅m1, a 7.3277(3), c 11.7752(6) Å , V 547.56(8) Å3, Z = 1) having Sb >As has been named cupropolybasite. Both the new minerals and mineral names have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC.
Crystal structure of bisaqua-(4-amino-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole)- cobalt(II) terephthalate, Co(H2O)2(C12H10N6)(C8H4O4)

C20H18CoN6O6 ,m onoclinic, P121/c 1( no. 14), a =9 . 7383(9) A, b =1 7.651(2) A, c =1 1.449(1) A, - =9 7.063(4)°, V =1 953.0 A 3 , Z =4 , Rgt(F) =0 . 042, wRref(F 2 ) =0 . 106, T =2 93 K. Source of material Am ixture of CoCl2 ·6 H 2 O( 0.238 g, 1m mol), 4-amino-3,5-bis(3pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (bpt, 0.240 g, 1m mol), terephthalate (tp, 0.166 g, 1m mol), and H2 O( 15 g, 833 mmol) in the molar ratio 1.0 :1 . 0 :1 . 0 :0 . 833 was heated to 160 °C and hold for 120 hours. After cooling to room temperature, large red block-like crystals of Co(H2O)2(bpt)(tp) were collected (yield, 85 %b ased on Co). Elemental analysis —f ound: C, 48.30 %; H, 3.65 %; N, 16.90 %; calculated for C20H18N6O6Co: C, 48.17 %; H, 3.68 %; N, 16.82 %. Experimental details
Reusable photonic wordpad with water as ink prepared by radical polymerization

In this article, we report and demonstrate a novel photonic wordpad that is fabricated through the fast magnetically induced self-assembly of carbon-encapsulated superparamagnetic colloidals, followed by an instant radical polymerization to fix the photonic crystal structures inside a polyacrylamide glycol gel matrix. The photonic wordpad strongly diffracts blue light due to the colloids forming ordered chain-like structures in the solidified polymer matrix with uniform interparticle spacing under the induction of an external magnetic field. Distilled water is used as ink to write letters or Chinese characters with a different color on the wordpad because it can swell the polymer matrix and then increase the interparticle spacing within the chains, and as a result a red-shift in optical diffraction occurs. The photonic wordpad not only has an excellent reusability because the ink mark can be written or erased by introducing or removing the water in the surface layer of the photonic wordpad, but also is environmentally friendly and low-carbon owing to the reusability of the wordpad and non-toxicity of the ink. In addition, due to the use of the recent development of magnetically tunable assembly techniques, the processing time of this photonic wordpad is greatly reduced compared to using conventional assembly methods, which has an important significance in the large-scale industrial production in the future.
Phosphorus and Heavy Metal Attachment and Release in Sandy Soil Aggregate Fractions

The presence of P and heavy metals in different forms or in association with different size fractions influences availability and discharge of these elements from watersheds. Understanding the association of P and heavy metals with size fractions can improve evaluation of leaching potential of P and heavy metals from soils. In this study, five aggregate-size fractions, ranged from 1.00 to 0.50 to <0.053 mm, were separated from seven Florida sandy soils by dry sieving. Each aggregate fraction was characterized by phosphate sorption, sequential fractionation of P, total, water- and Mehlich III-extractable concentrations of P and heavy metals. Size differences in sand, silt, and clay aggregates influence the amount and strength of element binding. Elemental attachment (particularly heavy metals) increased with decreasing aggregate sizes. Phosphorus and heavy metals in the sandy soils are readily transported to surface waters with suspended fine particles. Higher percentages of water-extractable, Mehlich III-extractable P, and heavy metals were found in both the 0.50- to 0.25- and 0.25- to 0.125-mm aggregate fractions, suggesting that P and heavy metals in these two fractions had higher release potential. The sequential fractionation of P suggested that the 1.00- to 0.50-mm fraction contained a larger percentage of Ca-bound P, whereas the 0.50- to 0.25-, 0.25- to 0.125-, and 0.125- to 0.053-mm fractions had higher ratios of labile P (H 2 O-P and NaHCO 3 -P). Phosphorus release from smaller aggregate fractions is faster with a higher P 1 /P 168 ratio than from larger aggregate fractions because of larger amounts of water soluble P attached in the smaller aggregate fractions.
Detection of Diatomic Molecules in the Dust Forming Nova V2676 Oph

Novae are generally considered to be hot astronomical objects and show effective temperatures up to 10,000 K or higher at their visual maximum. But, it is theoretically predicted that the outer envelope of the nova outflow can become cool enough to form molecules that would be dissociated at high temperatures. We detected strong absorption bands of C 2 and CN radicals in the optical spectrum of Nova V2676 Oph, a very slow nova with dust formation. This is the first report of the detection of C 2 and the second one of CN in novae during outburst. Although such simple molecules are predicted to form in the envelope of the outflow based on previous studies, there are few reports of their detection. In the case of V2676 Oph, the presence of the molecular envelope is considered to be very transient, lasting several days only.
Comparison of Upper Leaf and Lower Leaf of Rice Plants in Response to Supplemental Nitrogen Levels

Abstract A field study was conducted to study effects of four nitrogen (N) supplemental levels on biomass, protein‐N, non‐protein‐N, and starch of an upper and a lower leaf in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The ranges of leaf protein‐N, non‐protein‐N, total N, and starch concentrations were from 1.18% to 3.66%, from 0.13% to 0.67%, from 1.32% to 4.14%, and from 38.4 mg g−1 to 108.6 mg g−1, respectively. The upper leaf appeared to be more sensitive than the lower leaf in response to N levels on biomass, but larger differences of protein‐N, total N, and starch contents were observed among nitrogen level treatments in the lower leaf than in the upper leaf. Protein‐N may be the best indicative of N status in rice. The lower leaf had a considerably higher ratio of protein‐N to non‐protein‐N at panicle formation and heading growth stage. The lower leaf had higher starch contents, which decreased with increasing N level. The response differences between the upper leaf and the lower leaf with relation to light conditions, developmental extent and leaf function were discussed. The results suggested that the lower leaf could be more suitable as a test sample for N status diagnosis by leaf chemical analysis, especially during the reproductive growth stage.
Precise modular synthesis and a structure–property study of acid-cleavable star-block copolymers for pH-triggered drug delivery

A series of well-defined three-armed star-block copolymers containing poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) blocks linked with acid-cleavable acetal groups, designated as (mPEG-acetal-PCL-acetal-)3 or (mPEG-a-PCL-a-)3, have been prepared via a “coupling-onto” method based on ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “Click” chemistry. The chemical compositions and structures, as well as the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions (PDIs) of these copolymers have been fully characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, and GPC measurements. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses demonstrated that the thermal behaviors of the star-block copolymers strongly depended on the relative lengths of PEG and PCL blocks in the arms. The self-assembly behaviors of these amphiphilic star-block copolymers were investigated by a fluorescence probe method, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The results showed that they could self-assemble into spherical micelles at low concentrations and mainly formed short rod-like micelles at high concentrations. Moreover, the acid-cleavable properties of these star-block copolymers were systematically studied by 1H NMR, GPC, and DLS measurements, and the results indicated that they were relatively stable in neutral pH media, but could be degraded under acidic conditions. The in vitro DOX release studies showed that DOX was released from drug-loaded micelles in a pH-sensitive manner. MTT assays demonstrated that these star-block copolymers possess low cytotoxicity against L929 cells and HeLa cells, and the DOX-loaded micelles exhibit a higher inhibition of the proliferation of HeLa cells in comparison with free DOX. Moreover, the results from the live cell imaging system and flow cytometry analysis revealed that these polymeric micelles could efficiently deliver and release DOX into the nuclei of HeLa cells. These pH-triggered shell-sheddable micelles are highly promising for the efficient intracellular delivery of hydrophobic anti-cancer drugs.
Study of the Synthesis, Crystallization, and Morphology of Poly(ethylene glycol)−Poly(ε-caprolactone) Diblock Copolymers

Poly(ethylene glycol)−poly(e-caprolactone) diblock copolymers PEG−PCL were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone using monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) as the macroinitiator and calcium ammoniate as the catalyst. Obvious mutual influence between PEG and PCL crystallization was studied by altering the relative block length. Fixing the length of the PEG block (Mn = 5000) and increasing the length of the PCL block, the crystallization temperature of the PCL block rose gradually from 1 to about 35 °C while that of the PEG block dropped from 36 to −6.6 °C. Meanwhile, the melting temperature of the PCL block went up from 30 to 60 °C, while that of the PEG block declined from 60 to 41 °C. If the PCL block was longer than the PEG block, the former would crystallize first when cooling from a molten state and led to obviously imperfect crystallization of PEG and vice versa. And they both crystallized at the same temperature, if their weight fractions were equal. We found that the PEG block c.
DISTRIBUTION AND PHYTOAVAILABILITY PREDICTION OF ZINC IN AGRICULTURAL CALCAREOUS SOILS

The extractability and distributions of zinc (Zn) were evaluated in calcareous agricultural soils from South-West Iran. Both single [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)] and sequential extraction procedures (Singh scheme) were applied to 20 representative soils. The DTPA extractable zinc levels were low (on average 3.34%). The sequential extraction procedures were also utilized for the study of zinc phytoavailability in maize plants (Zea mays L.) in a greenhouse experiment. The Singh scheme was significantly better than DTPA plus soil properties in phytoavailability prediction of zinc in soils. Significant correlations were found between the amounts of DTPA extractable zinc and the iron (Fe) oxides-bound (AFe and CFe) and residual fractions extracted by the Singh procedure. Zinc concentrations in plant samples (mean value of 27.49 mg kg−1) were poorly correlated with the different extracted soil fractions (single and sequential). The Singh procedure provided better predictions of zinc uptake by plants than DTPA extraction method.
Effect of Sodium Chloride on Germination and Emergence of Moringa ( Moringa oleifera L.) Seeds

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate sodium chloride ( NaCl ) tolerance of moringa tree (Moringa oleifera L.) at germination and emergence. The first experiment evaluated germination percentage, mean time of germination and germination uniformity at four NaCl concentrations (0, 40, 80 and 160 mM NaCl/l) on filter paper in Petri dishes in the seed laboratory of Seed Administration, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Khartoum. The other experiment evaluated emergence percentage, mean emergence time, emergence uniformity and seedling fresh and dry weights at four NaCl concentrations ( 0.0, 0. 2, 0.4 and 0.8% NaCl w/w of soil, resembling 1.8, 4, 8 and 16 electric conductivity (Ec) of the soil solution) on soil ( 1.8 Ec and 7.5 pH) in plastic bags in the nursery of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at 37 0 C and 17 0 C mean maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. Both experiments were laid in completely randomized design with four replications. Germination was only significantly decreased by the highest NaCl concentration (160 mM/l), whereas mean germination time and germination uniformity were significantly retarded by the lowest concentration (40 mM/l). NaCl concentrations higher than 0.2 % (4 dS/m Ec) had significant effects on emergence and its attributes as well as seedlings growth. The reductions of all growth parameters ranged between 30% and 90% at the lowest (0.2% NaCl) and the highest (0.8% NaCl) concentrations, respectively. It could be concluded that moringa may be considered as NaCl sensitive at germination and emergence but to be tolerant at other stages. For utilization of salt affected soils with moringa seedlings which could be raised in the nursery on soils of low or no NaCl.
Transport Characteristics of Co2+ Through an Ion Exchange Textile in a Continuous Electrodeionization (CEDI) System Under Electro‐Regeneration

Abstract The transport of cobalt ion in a continuous electrodeionization (CEDI) system was investigated in terms of electrochemical properties of ion exchange textile. The porous plug model and an extended Nernst‐Plank equation were applied to describe the transport of Co2+ through an ion exchange textile. The transport characteristics of Co2+ during CEDI operation suggested the transport mechanism was due mainly to the increased current induced by the high conductivity in the ion exchange textile, not accelerated ionic mobility. This study suggested the important parameter for the high performance of the CEDI system is the conductivity of the ion exchange media.
Dynamics of soil microbial biomass C, soluble organic C and CO2 evolution after three years of manure application

Application of manure and fertilizer affects the rate and extent of mineralization and sequestration of C in soil. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 yr of application of N fertilizer and different manure amendments on CO2 evolution and the dynamics of soil microbial biomass and soluble C in the field. Soil respiration, soluble organic C and microbial biomass C were measured at intervals over the growing season in maize soils amended with stockpiled or rotted manure, N fertilizer (200 kg N ha−1) and with no amendments (control). Manure amendments increased soil respiration and levels of soluble organic C and microbial biomass C by a factor of 2 to 3 compared with the control, whereas the N fertilizer had little effect on any parameter. Soil temperature explained most of the variations in CO2 flux (78 to 95%) in each treatment, but data from all treatments could not be fitted to a unique relationship. Increases in CO2 emission and soluble C resulting from manure amendments were s.