Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surfactants in the River Warta: 1990-2000

Data concerning the systematic determination of anionic surfactants (AS) and non-ionic surfactants (NS) over the period 1990-2000 in a single sampling point (Poznan) is reported, as well as data concerning the determination of these surfactants along the whole of the River Warta measured in 1997-1999. The indirect tensammetric method was applied for the determination of non-ionic surfactants, while the MBAS method was applied for the determination of anionic surfactants. The average concentration of NS over the period 1990-2000 showed a highly increasing tendency, from approximately 25 µg 1 -1 to approximately 150 µg 1 -1 . The average spring-summer concentration of AS over this period fluctuated around the value of 140 µg 1 -1 , while autumn-winter average concentrations showed a gradual decrease in average concentration over the last five years, from approximately 300 µg 1 -1 to approximately 150 µg 1 -1 .
Aqueous Colloidal Stability of Graphene Oxide and Chemically Converted Graphene

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by modified Hummer’s method, and chemically converted graphene (CCG) was prepared by further reduction of the aqueous GO colloid. The effect of pH on particle size, particle charge, and light absorption of the aqueous colloids of GO and CCG was studied with titration against HCl or NaOH, to find the ideal characteristics for a stable dispersion. The GO colloid was stable in the pH range of 4–11, whereas the CCG colloid gained stability at a relatively narrower pH range of 7–10. Poor stability of the colloids was observed for both GO and CCG colloids at both extremes of the pH scale. Both of the colloids exhibited average size of ~1 micron in the low pH range, whereas for higher pH the size ranged between 300 and 500 nm. The UV-Vis spectra showed absorption peak at 230 nm for GO colloids that shifted to 260 nm for the CCG colloid. Such shift can be ascribed to restoring of electronic conjugation of the C=C bonds in CCG.
Mercury accumulation and resistance to mercury stress in Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare grown in perlite

Plants of Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare, collected in the mining area of Almaden, were transferred to pots and grown for 2 months using perlite as substrate and treated with soluble mercury (Hg) in the applied nutrient solution. Mercury resistance, Hg bioaccumulation, and some stress biomarkers were investigated in both plant species. Mercury concentration increased in both plant species in response to Hg supply, but R. induratus was more effective in Hg accumulation. Rumex induratus and M. vulgare showed higher [Hg]shoot-to-[Hg]root ratios than other plant species. Mercury in the growth medium perlite was also investigated, distinguishing soluble, available, and total amounts of Hg in the medium. At the lower doses, one half of the applied Hg was retained by perlite. Rumex induratus decreased the available Hg fraction in perlite more than M. vulgare. The bioaccumulation factor ([Hg] plant /[Hg] available ) was similar in both species and similar as found in previous field studies. Plant growth, water content, and chlorophyll concentration, and nutrient translocation were reduced in both plant species by the Hg. Rumex induratus showed higher resistance and Hg-accumulation capacity than M. vulgare, due to the accumulation of thiols in roots and the absence of a lipid oxidative response.
Hydrolysis of Non-cellulose of Cotton Fiber by Lipase Treatment

Eco-friendly processing using enzymes has been focused in textile industry in order to reduce environmental pollutions. This paper was suggested to hydrolyze non-cellulose, such as fats and waxes in cotton fabrics by lipase treatment. Enzymatic treatment conditions were controlled according to pH, temperature, enzyme concentration, and treatment time. The physical properties of the lipase-treated cotton fabrics were evaluated by measuring weight loss, moisture regain and dyeing properties. The surface morphology of lipase-treated cotton fabrics were observed by SEM. As a result, the optimum conditions for the lipase treatment were at pH 4.2, temperature 50, concentration 50%, and treatment time 90 minutes. Calcium chloride and Triton X-100 were effective auxiliaries in lipase treatment.
WhatsApp Groups in Social Research: New Opportunities for Fieldwork Communication and Management

WhatsApp is a popular platform primarily for informal communication. It has 1.5 billion users worldwide. Though there are increasing numbers of studies looking at the use of WhatsApp in various formal settings, its use in social research remains under-studied. We have used WhatsApp in several research projects. In this article, we analyse our use of WhatsApp within two studies conducted in 2019. We analysed the content of messages and counted the messages sent by each member to our WhatsApp groups. We also analysed the feedback received from our research assistants on the use of WhatsApp groups in research. We show in this article that WhatsApp has created new opportunities for better communication and management of fieldwork to meet a tight schedule and that this improved the overall quality of the project. We offer lessons learned for improving the use of WhatsApp in research processes.
Exploring the severe winter haze in Beijing: the impact of synoptic weather, regional transport and heterogeneous reactions

Abstract. Extreme haze episodes repeatedly shrouded Beijing during the winter of 2012–2013, causing major environmental and health problems. To better understand these extreme events, we performed a model-assisted analysis of the hourly observation data of PM2.5 and its major chemical compositions. The synthetic analysis shows that (1) the severe winter haze was driven by stable synoptic meteorological conditions over northeastern China, and not by an abrupt increase in anthropogenic emissions. (2) Secondary species, including organics, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium, were the major constituents of PM2.5 during this period. (3) Due to the dimming effect of high loading of aerosol particles, gaseous oxidant concentrations decreased significantly, suggesting a reduced production of secondary aerosols through gas-phase reactions. Surprisingly, the observational data reveals an enhanced production rate of secondary aerosols, suggesting an important contribution from other formation pathways, most likely heterogeneous reactions. These reactions appeared to be more efficient in producing secondary inorganics aerosols than organic aerosols resulting in a strongly elevated fraction of inorganics during heavily polluted periods. (4) Moreover, we found that high aerosol concentration was a regional phenomenon. The accumulation process of aerosol particles occurred successively from cities southeast of Beijing. The apparent sharp increase in PM2.5 concentration of up to several hundred μg m−3 per hour recorded in Beijing represented rapid recovery from an interruption to the continuous pollution accumulation over the region, rather than purely local chemical production. This suggests that regional transport of pollutants played an important role during these severe pollution events.
Antioxidant capacity of extracts and fractions from mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) seed kernels

This study investigated the antioxidant capacity and chelating activity of the mango seed kernel (MSK) extracts prepared by shaking (SMSK) and acid hydrolysis (AMSK) including fractions. The MSK was dissolved in methanol and separated using a Sephadex LH20 column with monitoring by UV absorption. The results showed that both MSK showed significantly (P<0.05) higher antioxidant capacity, assessed by the DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging assays and ferric thiocyanate test, than αtocopherol. AMSK showed higher phenolic antioxidant activities than SMSK. The chelating efficiency of AMSK was greater than that of ascorbic acid. The chromatographic profile of MSK extracted by shaking (5 fractions) and acid hydrolysis (2 fractions) was different. Fraction 2 of AMSK (93.68±1.24% yield, db) showed a remarkable antioxidant and chelating activity in comparison with tannic acid and methyl gallate. The present study demonstrated that mango seed kernel obtained from acid hydrolysis is a potential material for use as a natural phenolic antioxidant.
SOME COMMON FIXED POINT THEOREMS IN z-METRIC SPACES

unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract. In this paper, we prove a new common fixed point theorem for four mappings in z-metric spaces and give its results. Our main results are z-metric version of Fisher’s main theorems [5] and [6]. Furthermore, our main result is a generalization of Theorem 4 in [12].
Ethanol dehydrogenation with a palladium membrane reactor : An alternative to Wacker chemistry

The use of a membrane reactor offers the possibility of shifting the extent of reaction beyond the normal equilibrium position by continuously depleting one of the products. One such case is the dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. Formation of acetaldehyde is endothermic and overall unfavorable, but the secondary formation of ethyl acetate from the product and reactant is exothermic and favorable. Therefore, it is observed that the secondary product forms under catalytic reaction conditions, thereby dropping the yield of the desired aldehyde product. Herein, we show how the use of a palladium membrane to remove hydrogen in conjunction with a catalyst leads to a shift further to the right in the acetaldehyde-forming step before the product can react deleteriously with ethanol, and thereby increase the yield of acetaldehyde substantially over the conventional reactor case. With the membrane, ethanol conversion increased from 60% to nearly 90% with a commensurate rise in selectivity to acetaldehyde f.
Hydrocarbon Bioremediative Potential of (Per)Chlorate-Reducing Bacteria

Petroleum contamination of soils and sediments is a national concern due to the toxicity and recalcitrance of the aromatic components in the absence of oxygen. Oxygen can be introduced into the anaerobic zone of a contaminated environment by injection of gaseous O2 to stimulate biodegradation, but this process is costly and inefficient. Other more soluble electron acceptors, such as nitrate or sulfate, may alternatively be used, but the rates of oxidation are slow and not all hydrocarbons are degraded. Here we report that chlorite dismutation by (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria may offer an alternative source of oxygen for contaminant degradation. The dismutation of chlorite is an intermediate step in the microbial reduction of chlorate. Chlorite dismutation can stimulate the rapid oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene or naphthalene in anoxic environments by supplying oxygen to the aerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing population. Benzene, which is extremely recalcitrant under anaerobic conditions, i.
Field Evidence for Flow Reduction through a Zero‐Valent Iron Permeable Reactive Barrier

The combination of detailed multilevel ground water geochemistry samples, a natural‐gradient tracer test, minislug tests, and a numerical flow and transport model was used to examine flow through a zero‐valent iron permeable reactive barrier (PRB) installed to remove explosives from ground water. After 20 months of operation, the PRB continued to completely remove explosives from the ground water flowing through it. However, the data indicate that a portion of ground water flow was being diverted beneath the PRB. Ground water geochemistry was significantly altered by the PRB, and concentrations of some ions, including sulfate, carbonate, and calcium, were substantially reduced due to precipitation. Field data and numerical model results indicate that, after 20 months of operation, flow through the PRB was reduced to approximately one‐third of its expected value.
Binuclear Bi(III) halide complexes with 4,4′-ethylenepyridinium cations: luminescence tuning by reversible solvation

Two new complexes based on 4,4′-ethylenepyridinium cations and binuclear Bi(III) anionic complexes, (H2bpe)2[Bi2X10]·2H2O (bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane; X = Cl (1), Br (2)), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffractometry. In both cases, loss of solvent H2O molecules affects the luminescence behavior, resulting in increase of intensity (ca. 5-fold). Desolvation is reversible, which is of potential use in chemosensor systems.
Development of a membrane solid-phase extraction method based on polyethyleneimine modified MWNTs for on-line extraction and preconcentration of acidic proteins in serum samples

A membrane solid-phase extraction method based on polyethyleneimine modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) for the on-line separation and concentration of acidic proteins in serum sample, followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometric determination, is developed. In this study, the polyethyleneimine was noncovalently adsorbed on the outer surface of the MWNTs and then the polyethyleneimine modified MWNTs (PEI–MWNTs) were filtered through a membrane to form an adsorbent layer. The alkalescent PEI coating provided high-density homogeneous functional groups on MWNTs' sidewall and led to homogeneous dispersion of MWNTs in aqueous solutions. The PEI–MWNTs membrane was applied to on-line separation of proteins in serum and exhibited excellent extraction and concentration ability for acidic proteins. Factors, which affected the efficiency of proteins extraction and their subsequent spectrophotometric determination, were studied and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the retention and recovery efficiencies of 100% and 92% for 25 μg mL−1 of BSA solution were achieved, along with a RSD value of 1.9% at a flow rate of 30 μL s−1. The limit of method detection was 1.0 μg mL−1 with an enrichment factor of 12. The maximum adsorption capacity for BSA was 112 mg g−1 MWNTs. The method was applied to isolating acidic proteins from bovine serum sample and obtained satisfactory results.
Simple and Credible Value-Added Estimation Using Centralized School Assignment

Many large urban school districts match students to schools using algorithms that incorporate an element of random assignment. We introduce two simple empirical strategies to harness this randomization for value-added models (VAMs) measuring the causal effects of individual schools. The first estimator controls for the probability of being offered admission to different schools, treating the take-up decision as independent of potential outcomes. Randomness in school assignments is used to test this key conditional independence assumption. The second estimator exploits randomness in offers to generate instrumental variables (IVs) for school enrollment. This procedure uses a low-dimensional model of school quality mediators to solve the under- identification challenge arising from the fact that some schools are under-subscribed. Both approaches relax the assumptions of conventional value-added models while obviating the need for elaborate nonlinear estimators. In applications to data from Denver and New York City, we find that models controlling for both assignment risk and lagged achievement yield highly reliable VAM estimates. Estimates from models with fewer controls and older lagged score controls are improved markedly by IV.
Gender invariance and psychometric properties of the Non-Productive Thoughts Questionnaire for Children Kocsel,

Perseverative cognitions – rumination and worry – can contribute to mental and somatic health problems in adolescence. Girls usually report stronger rumination or worry than boys even in earlier years across the development age spectrum. Our aim was to test the gender invariance and psychometric properties of the Non-Productive Thoughts Questionnaire for Children (NPTQ-C). Study 1 involved 1572 students (mean age=15.39 years, SD=2.26; 49% boy) recruited representatively from local schools. We applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the measurement model of perseverative cognitions. The gender invariance of the measurement model, and the convergent validity were analysed as well with CFA with covariates model. The original one-factor structure of NPTQ-C was supported in our adolescent sample. Gender invariance was also confirmed. The NPTQ-C indicated high convergent validity: showing positive correlations with emotional instability and emotional symptoms. In Study 2 (385 students; mean age=16.05; SD=1.23; 34% boy) we tested the construct validity of NPTQ-C. The applied CFA with covariates model supported the construct validity. In summary, NPTQ-C proved to be a good instrument for measuring ruminative and worrying thoughts of adolescents, which reliably measures perseverative cognitions across genders.
Efeitos da escarificação na qualidade física de um latossolo vermelho distroférrico após treze anos de semeadura direta

The objective of this study was to evaluate alterations in the physical soil quality of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Typic Haplorthox) caused by chiseling, after thirteen years of no-tillage. The experiment consisted of two management systems: soil chiseling down to a 0.30 m depth (NTC) and no-tillage (NT). Undisturbed soil samples were collected at depths of 0-0.15 m and 0.15-0.30 m, and the soil water retention curve, the soil resistance to penetration curve, the soil bulk density, and the "Least Limiting Water Potential" (LLWP) were determined. The results showed that the chiseling caused modifications in soil porosity in the 0-0.15 m layer, maintaining appropriate aeration conditions in water matric potentials under 0.01 MPa. On the other hand, the strongest limitations by soil penetration resistance in matric potentials under 1.5 MPa were verified in the NTC soil management. In the 0.15-0.30 m soil layer under the NTC treatment, the soil penetration resistance was the upper limit of the LLWP. The results of the study indicate that under the present management condition, chiseling is not necessary in this soil.
Development of the quantitative generalized information network analysis (GINA) methodology for satellite systems

A generalized analysis methodology for satellite systems has been developed, and it can be used for the analysis of any space system architecture addressing any mission in communications, sensing or navigation. The generalized information network analysis (GINA) methodology is a hybrid of information network flow analysis, signal and antenna theory, space systems engineering and econometrics, and specifies measurable, unambiguous metrics for the cost, capability, performance and adaptability. The important contribution made by GINA is that by standardizing the representation of the overall mission objective, in terms of generalized quality of service parameters, GINA organizes, prioritizes and focuses the engineering effort expended in satellite systems analysis. The GINA methodology is thus identified as a valuable tool for space systems engineering, allowing qualitative and quantitative assessment of the impacts of system architecture, deployment strategy, schedule slip, market demographics and technical risk.
Home Health Care Intervention regarding Quality of Life for Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents an important public health challenge and it's a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality of the elderly people throughout the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate home health care intervention regarding quality of life for elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Benha City. Research design: A quasi experimental design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted in Outpatient Clinics of Chest Hospital in Benha City. The sample: Purposive sample 100 elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tools: Three tools are used I): A structured interviewing questionnaire which consists of four parts to assess A): Demographic characteristics of the studied elderly patients, B): Medical history of the studied elderly patients with COPD, C): Knowledge of the studied elderly patients regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease D): Reported practices of the studied elderly patients regarding COPD, II): Scale to measure quality of life of the studied elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, III): Observational checklist: Awas used to observe practices of the studied elderly patients, Bwas used to observe home of the studied elderly patients. Results: 55% of the studied elderly patients had good knowledge post intervention, 81% of the studied elderly patients were satisfactory practices post intervention, 72% of the studied elderly patients had good total scores of quality of life post intervention. Conclusion: The home health care intervention succeeded to improve knowledge, practices and quality of life of the studied elderly patients. Recommendations: Continuous home health care intervention for the elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to increase their knowledge and improve their practices.
DEVELOPMENT OF APPROACH TO SIMULATION OF OIL REFINING PROCESSES ON EXAMPLE OF BENZENE ALKYLATION WITH ETHYLENE

On the example of the synthesis of ethylbenzene, an approach to reaction network formalization was proposed. This approach consists in grouping the components according to their reactivity their reactivity with respect to a specific reaction. The values of compensation degrees of reactions as an indicator of components reactivity were calculated. The kinetic model of alkylation of benzene with ethylene and heavy alkylates transalkylation was developed. The proposed approach is promising for development of mathematical modeling of multi-component processes of oil refining and petrochemical industries.
RBE of α-Irradiation for In Vitro Relative Transformation of Rat Tracheal Epithelial Cells

We have characterized the dose–effect relationship for rat tracheal epithelial cell transformation after either α- or γ-irradiation. The cells were harvested from 3-month-old Sprague– Dawley male rats. Primary cultures were irradiated after trypsin treatment and cell sedimentation. Transformation dose–response curves appeared linear quadratic after γ-irradiation exposure, whereas after α-irradiation exposure it was linear up to ∼1 Gy and then infra-linear. In the range of doses studied, relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for cell death of ~10 appeared constant up to 0.5 Gy. Above 0.5 Gy RBE gradually decreased; it was 5.1 at 1 Gy and 1.1 at 5 Gy. These results have been compared with those obtained in vivo after inhalation of poorly soluble radioactive aerosols emitting either α- or β-rays.
Comparison of the ability of the nitrification inhibitors DCD and DMPP to reduce nitrification and N2O emissions from nitrogen fertilisers

Nitrification of applied nitrogen fertilisers leads to losses of nitrogen (N) as nitrate (NO3 - ) or as the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Nitrification inhibitors can be used to suppress the ammonia oxidizing bacteria involved in nitrification and hence reduce these losses. The ability of nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrification is dependent upon both climatic and soil conditions, and different inhibitors respond differently. The ability of two nitrification inhibitors, 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) (1.84 kg/t urea) and dicyandiamide (DCD) (10 kg/t urea) to reduce nitrification from applied fertiliser (100 kg N/ha) in a pasture soil, in small scale (150 g) incubation studies under a range of temperatures (5, 15 and 25 o C) was studied. Both products were applied as commercially prepared granular urea products. The comparable ability of the 2 inhibitors to reduce nitrification, as measured by NO3 - formation, were similar across all treatments, with neither effective in the topsoil and both causing reduced NO3 - formation in the subsoil. N2O emissions were reduced by both inhibitors. DMPP was applied at a lower concentration than DCD and performed almost, and equally as well in many cases.