Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Phase Analysis of Laboratory-Active Belite Clinkers by Synchrotron Powder Diffraction

Several active belite laboratory clinkers with a theoretical composition of 60 wt% of C2S have been synthesized. The activation process has been carried out by adding variable amounts of alkaline salts, K2CO3, or Na2CO3 to the raw materials. In addition to an ordinary Portland clinker and a nonactive belite clinker, four active belite clinkers have been prepared with 1.0 and 2.0 wt% of K2O or 0.5 and 1.5 wt% of Na2O. Phase-enriched residues, silicate, and aluminate fractions have also been prepared in order to identify the most suitable structural description for each phase. High-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction patterns have been collected for the residues and for the laboratory clinkers. Quantitative phase analyses were performed by the Rietveld method using the synchrotron patterns. The reference belite laboratory clinker has a large amount of β-C2S but the addition of alkaline salts to raw mixtures promotes the stabilization at room temperature of the highest temperature polymorphs: α′H-C2S and α-C2S. As an example, the active belite clinker with 2.0 wt% nominal content of K2O contains 4.5(2) wt% of β-C2S, 19.2(1) wt% of α′H-C2S, 35.9(2) wt% of α-C2S, 17.6(1) wt% of C3S, 13.2(1) wt% of total C3A, and 9.6(1) wt% of C4AF. The role of K2O and Na2O, which stabilize different polymorphs, will be discussed. The partial volatilization of the alkaline metals will also be addressed. Finally, a calorimetric study has been undertaken in order to correlate the phase assemblage determined in the powder diffraction study with the hydration behavior.
Production of probiotic fresh white cheese using co-culture with Streptococcus thermophilus

In this research, the probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus was inoculated into milk as co-culture to produce probiotic cheese. The effects of using Streptococcus thermophilus with other probiotic bacteria on cheese composition, and microbiological viability during 28 days of storage were investigated. Sensorial properties were determined only at 1st and 28th days of storage. The results showed that the use of Streptococcus thermophilus as co-culture in probiotic cheese production did not affect negatively the cheese components. Fat and dry matter properties of cheese weren't influenced by added probiotic bacteria. However, different level of pH, salt and lactic acid were detected. All probiotic bacteria were present in high levels throughout storage of cheeses, above 7 Log cfu.g - 1, threshold required for probiotic activity. Sensory panel showed that the highest average sensory evaluation points were recorded in cheeses made with Streptococcus thermophilus plus Lactobacillus casei, whereas other probiotic bacteria combinations had been affected less in regard to taste or appearance.
THERMODYNAMIC STUDY OF THE SOLUBILITY OF SODIUM NAPROXEN IN SOME ETHANOL + WATER MIXTURES

By using the van't Hoff and Gibbs equations the apparent thermodynamic functions Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy of solution for sodium naproxen in ethanol + water cosolvent mixtures, were evaluated from solubility data determined at temperatures from (278.15 to 308.15) K. The drug solubility was greatest in neat water and lowest in neat ethanol at all the temperatures studied. By means of non-linear enthalpy-entropy compensation analysis, it follows that the dissolution process of this drug in ethanol-rich mixtures is entropy-driven, whereas, in water-rich mixtures the process is enthalpy-driven.
Chemical Characterization of Fine Particle Emissions from the Fireplace Combustion of Wood Types Grown in the Midwestern and Western United States

Results are presented from a series of source tests on the fireplace combustion of 10 wood species found in the Midwestern and Western United States: white oak, sugar maple, black oak, American beech, black cherry, white spruce, quaking aspen, douglas fir, ponderosa pine, and pinyon pine. Fine particle emission factors for total mass, organic, and elemental carbon, ionic species, elemental species including potassium, and over 250 individual organic compounds were determined. The data are intended for use in apportionment studies that utilize particulate organic compounds as specific tracers to identify the sources of ambient fine particles. The cellulose pyrolysis products levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were quantified in each of the wood smokes studied; they act as molecular tracers for cellulose from combustion of all wood types. Differences in the emission rates of syringol- and guaiacol-type phenolic compounds from lignin and of resin acids can be used to distinguish between hardwood and soft.
Near Infrared Technology for Precision Environmental Measurements: Part 1. Determination of Nitrogen in Green- and Dry-Grass Tissue

The driving force for this work is rooted in data that confirms the contamination of streams and lakes caused from excessive use of nitrogen, pesticides and other soil amendments. Traditional analytical (wet chemistry) methods are too slow and too costly for detecting ecological abuse. A technology that would characterise the nutritional status of growing plants in a timelier manner (preferably in real time as an applicator moves through the field) is needed to control the volume of amendments. This paper explores the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectrometry for measuring nitrogen in plant tissue. In particular, it discusses the development of nitrogen calibrations, and performance of those calibrations, for both green- and dry-grass tissue. Results, based on collaborative studies by several researchers indicate that nitrogen can be measured with an SEP of 0.411% and 0.167% for green- and dry-grass tissue, respectively.
Linear-chain gadolinium(III) nitronyl nitroxide complexes with dominant next-nearest-neighbor magnetic interactions

Gd(hfac) 3 NITiPr (hfac= hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NITiPr-2-isopropyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl-1-oxyl3-oxide) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 /n with cell parameters a=11.916 (1) A, b=17.625 (9) A, c=18.055 (1) A, β=96.98 (1) o , V=3763.82 A 3 , and Z=4. The structure refinement converged to R=0.086
4,4′-Oxydibenzoic acid

In the title compound, C14H10O5, each carboxyl group is coplanar with the attached aromatic ring. The dihedral angle between these planes is 72.56 (5)°. The carboxyl groups are linked by a pair of centrosymmetric O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, creating a zigzag chain along the [2\overline{3}1] direction.
Colour changes of heat-treated woods of red-bud maple, European hophornbeam and oak

Colour evolution and colour changes were analyzed from small specimens of three heat treated wood species using the CIE L*a*b* colour space. Upon heat exposure, the wood substance became darker of species; this was accompanied by a steady reduction in lightness. As treatment conditions (e.g., time and temperature) increase, various shades of yellow were favoured for the surface of red-bud maple wood (Δb = 1.22–9.79). For European hophornbeam wood, increased times at elevated temperatures make a blue (−b) colour the better choice. The total colour difference (ΔE) of the surfaces of wood substrates appear to be well correlated with the treatment temperature and time. The FTIR spectra suggest that the level of modification was insufficient for removing the major cell wall constituents of the wood substrates. All heat-treated samples showed much less stability against colour difference in outdoor conditions. For red-bud maple, the greatest improvement was achieved for samples that were treated at 150°C for 2 h (ΔE = 3.12). However, heat-treated oak wood hadmuch less stability of colour difference for treatment conditions of 150°C for 10 h. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010.
Zeolite Modified Discriminating Gas Sensors

The use of zeolites to enhance the response and discriminating power of solid state metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors is demonstrated. Thick film sensors were prepared by screen printing layers of tungsten trioxide (WO3) or chromium titanium oxide (CTO) with various zeolites as over-layers. The sensors' gas response was tested against carbon monoxide and ethanol in varying concentrations. The results show that in some cases the gas response is greatly enhanced and in other cases diminished; discriminatory behaviour that will be useful in electronic noses. ©The Electrochemical Society.
Measurements of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate at a background site in the Pearl River Delta region: Production efficiency and regional transport

ABSTRACTPeroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is a trace constituent of the atmosphere but plays important roles in air pollution and atmospheric chemistry. To understand the chemical and transport processes of PAN in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, measurements of PAN, its precursors and related parameters were made at a regional background site in late summer and late autumn of 2011. Despite the fairly low ambient levels of PAN in general, several photochemical episodes with peak concentrations of PAN and ozone (O3) as high as 4.86 and 189 ppbv were observed when the region was under influence of a tropical cyclone. PAN showed a seasonal variation with higher levels in autumn than in summer. PAN production efficiency, defined as the amount of PAN formed per unit amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) oxidized, was examined for the polluted PRD plumes, which indicated that PAN production accounted for on average approximately one third of the NOz formation. The photochemical production efficiency of PAN was much lower with respect to that of O3, suggesting that ~2.9 ppbv of PAN could be produced per formation of 100 ppbv of O3 in the PRD plumes. Varying air masses including maritime air, regional air masses from the PRD, and continental outflow from eastern China were identified, which showed different chemical signatures in terms of both pollution levels and NOz budget. The highest abundances of PAN were measured in the PRD air masses, compared to the lowest concentrations in the marine air. Overall, the present study provides some new insights into the photochemical production and regional transport of PAN in the PRD region, where such investigations were very scarce before.
Influence of sand/dust contamination on the breakdown of asymmetrical air gaps under switching impulses

This paper discusses the influence of airborne and surface-adhering sand/dust contamination on the breakdown characteristics of asymmetrical air gaps when subjected to standard switching impulses of both polarities. Extensive measurements of breakdown voltages and breakdown times are carried out under clean and polluted conditions using rod-plane and sphere-plane gaps. When positive switching impulses are applied to gaps /spl les/1.8 m, the presence of sand/dust particles /spl les/150 /spl mu/m diameter and /spl les/2 g/m/sup 3/ concentrations have insignificant influence on the breakdown characteristics of the air gaps. However, the presence of such particles can greatly affect the breakdown characteristics for negative switching impulses. Under such conditions, the particles can decrease V/sub 50/ by /spl les/40% for gaps with field factor f /spl les/3.5. For gaps with 3.5 >
THE ADMINISTRATION OF NANDROLONE DECANOATE MAY CAUSE MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE

Aim.In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of anabolic androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate (ND) which commonly used for doping by sport players, on the relative weight of liver, spleen and gonads in male and female rats. Methods.For this purpose, 60 rats (male =30, female =30) were used. Rats were divided into three groups as control group (0.5 mL 0.9% physiological saline, intraperiteonally (IP), peanut oil (PO) group (0.5 mL, IP) and ND group (10 mg/kg ND diluted in 0.5 mL peanut oil, IP). All injections were made daily for five days with a break for 2 days per week throughout the four weeks. The rats were euthanised at the end of the experiments and the relative weight of liver, spleen, testicle and ovaries were measured. Results. It was determined that relative weight of liver in male rats and the relative weight of spleen in both male and female rats in ND groups were lower than those in control group (p<0.05). Moreover, it was found that the administration of ND increased the relative weight of testicles as compared to control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, it is suggested that the decrement of relative weight of liver and spleen and the increment of relative weight of testicles may be an indicator for individual multiple organ failure and damage following long term administration of ND diluted in peanut oil.
Dielectric spectroscopy of chemically stabilized pericardium tissue at sub-zero temperatures

In this paper dielectric spectroscopy is used as a tool for the investigation of crosslinking processes in chemically modified collageneous tissues. Measurements in the frequency range of 10/sup -1/ to 10/sup 7/ Hz and at temperatures 180, 200 and 220 K have been performed for collageneous porcine pericardium tissues, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) and dimethyl suberimidate (DMS) reagents for exposure times ranging from 15 min to 2 h. The dielectric loss spectra allowed detection of a shift of the main relaxation process to lower frequencies upon GA or DMS treatment. The observed increase of relaxation times can be interpreted as a result of the crosslinking-induced changes in dipolar polarization of collagen bound water as well as in water-assisted polarization of polar sidegroups in collagen polypeptide chains. It has been found that the relaxation time reaches a maximum value after 1 h of chemical treatment for both reagents. This result can support earlier findings, which have shown that the major part of crosslinks in collagen is created over the first hour of the chemical modification.
Styrene Biofiltration Using Two Packing Materials with Different Adsorption Properties

A study was performed to investigate the effects of packing material's adsorption characteristics on biofilter performance and microbial/environmental stratification along the biofilter bed height. Two identical parallel experimental lab-scale biofilters, loaded with Perlite and granular activated carbon (GAC), respectively, were divided into four sequential individual reactor sections to allow separate monitoring of styrene degradation, leachate pH, and microbial composition along the bed height. Substantially higher maximum elimination capacity at pseudo steady state (>50 g m−3h−1, >150 g m−3h−1 per one section) was achieved in the GAC-packed biofilter compared to the Perlite biofilter (ca. 13–17 g m−3 h−1). Experiments with varying residence time at a constant mass loading below the threshold for breakthrough indicated that the critical factor contributing to the greater performance of the GAC biofilter may be styrene partitioning into the packing material (“buffering”) rather than other transport/kine.
Seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric PAH concentrations between rural, suburban and urban areas

Abstract Atmospheric sampling (gas and particle‐phases) of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were performed between 2002 and 2004 in Strasbourg (east of France) and its vicinity. Sites were chosen to be representative of urban (Strasbourg), suburban (Schiltigheim) and rural (Erstein) conditions. Field campaigns were undertaken simultaneously in urban/suburban and urban/rural sites during three seasons. Moreover, air sampling has been performed in three 4–h time intervals per day (morning, midday/afternoon, and evening) to assess the diurnal variations in PAH concentrations. Mean total PAH concentrations were 92 ng m‐3 for the rural site, 127 ng m‐3 for the urban site and 149 ng m‐3 for the suburban site. There is a significant difference in concentrations between the three sites, independently of the seasons considered. At the three sites, the most abundant compounds determined were naphthalene followed by phenanthrene and acenaphtene. Moreover, a variation between warm period (spring) and cold period (autumn and winter) for the three sites was observed with higher PAH concentrations during the cold periods. The diurnal variations of PAH concentrations at the three sites, in warm period, have been observed in accordance with the intensity of the vehicle traffic, with highest concentrations during the morning and the evening. In cold period, there was no difference in concentrations between these two time intervals of high vehicle traffic in urban and suburban sites. It seems that the contribution of domestic heating influenced the diurnal variations of some compounds, especially in the rural site.
Enhancement of photocurrent and photocatalytic activity of ZnO hybridized with graphite-like C3N4

A ZnO photocatalyst was hybridized with graphite-like C3N4via a monolayer-dispersed method. After hybridization with C3N4, the photocurrent of ZnO was enhanced by 5 times under UV irradiation and a photocurrent under visible light irradiation was observed. The photocatalytic activity of C3N4/ZnO under UV irradiation was increased by 3.5 times, the visible light photocatalytic activity was generated and the photocorrosion of ZnO was suppressed completely after ZnO was hybridized with C3N4. The enhancement in performance and photocorrosion inhibition under UV irradiation was induced by the high separation efficiency of photoinduced holes from ZnO to the HOMO of C3N4. Under visible light irradiation, the electron excited from the HOMO to the LUMO of C3N4 could directly inject into the CB of ZnO, making C3N4/ZnO present visible light photocatalytic activity. The optimum synergetic effect of C3N4/ZnO was found at a weight ratio of 3%, which corresponded to a monolayer dispersion of C3N4 on the surface of ZnO.
The effect of cation–anion interactions on soil pH and solubility of organic carbon

Alkaline soil is widely distributed and cultivated throughout the agricultural regions of the world. Organic carbon (OC) concentrations in alkaline soil are often small, partly because of the limitations of a high pH on the productivity of crops and pastures together with the effects of high pH on the chemistry of soil OC. Soil pH is often hypothesized to be a major factor in regulating OC turnover in agricultural soil, but there are few detailed studies on the effects of high pH on carbon cycling in alkaline soil. Sodium, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ are the major cations in alkaline soil, whereas Cl−, SO42− , HCO3− and CO32− are the major anions. The effect of different combinations of these cations and anions on soil pH and OC is not well described in the literature. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of cations and anions on soil pH and to quantify the dissolution of OC in relation to these changes in pH. The results showed that HCO3− (Na+, K+ and Mg2+) salts and CaCO3 dominate in the pH range 7.0–8.5, and CO32− salts of Na+ and K+ dominate above pH 8.5. The amount of dissolved OC (DOC) increased significantly as pH increased. Therefore, the presence of large concentrations of HCO3− and CO32− not only increased pH but also promoted the dissolution of soil OC. The concentration of Ca2+ modified this effect; large concentrations of Ca2+ increased the adsorption and reduced the concentration of DOC.
Trace metals distribution and uptake in soil and rice grown on a 3-year vermicompost amended soil

This study was designed to investigate the influence of vermicompost (VC) on trace metals distribution and uptake in soil and rice plant in research field as split plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2008. Main-plot was VC and chemical fertilizer (CF) that were added to soil in 6 levels (20 and 40 ton/ha VC, 20 and 40 ton/ha VC + 1/2 CF, CF and control). Application years considered as sub-plot comprised 1, 2 and 3 years. The results indicated that fertilizers and application periods treatments influenced micronutrients in soil and rice. Available copper (Cu) had no significant difference under different treatments. The highest available iron (Fe) was found in the 40 ton treatment group. During the 3 years, application of 20 ton and enriched 40 ton gave the most available zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn). In VC and enriched VC, treatments happened to give the highest Zn uptake by rice. Under the 3 years, application of 40 ton/ha VC, the highest Fe (91.19 ppm) and Cu (13.66 ppm) concentration was seen in flag leaf, while Fe (31.35 ppm) and Mn (27.56 ppm) was seen in grain. With the application of enriched 20 ton VC, the maximum uptake of Mn by flag leaf and Cu by grain was obtained.
Time‐dependent zinc desorption in soils

Abstract Time dependent zinc (Zn) desorption in eight benchmark soils of India was studied in relation to various pH values and ionic strengths. Soil samples were equilibrated in solutions containing 10 μg Zn g‐1 soil at pH 5.5,6.5, and 7.5 for 48 h at 25±2°C, and adsorbed Zn extracted with calcium chloride (CaCl2) for various periods of time. Desorption of Zn decreased with increasing pH, and the desorption rate decreased abruptly at pH 7.5. In contrast, an increase in the equilibration period and ionic strength of the background electrolyte increased Zn desorption. Four rival kinetic models were fitted and evaluated for their suitability for describing the Zn desorption process. Reaction rate constant (ß) calculated from the Elovich model for the different soils ranged from 9.99 to 25 (mg Zn kg‐1)‐1. The different kinetic models tested indicated that Zn desorption in soils was a diffusion controlled process. The desorption was rapid in the first 4 h, followed by slower phase in the rest of the time at all the pH values indicating a biphasic desorption, characteristic of a diffusion controlled process. The ß value for the Elovich equation showed a strong association with soil clay content and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Further, the best prediction of Zn desorption reaction rate constant could be made using multiple‐regression equation with soil clay content and CEC as variables.
Bacteriological, physicochemical and mineral analysis of water used in abattoirs in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria

Bacteriological, physicochemical and mineral analys is of water used in the months of January, February and March 2008, in two major abattoirs in Ado-Ekiti was determined. The bacteriological analysis of water used in two major abattoirs (Atikankan and Adere abattoirs) in Ado-Ekiti was assessed using standard microbiologic al techniques. Physicochemical and mineral constituents were also determined for the c ollected water samples. Results from the bacteriological analysis indicated that all the sam ples collected were highly contaminated with pathogenic organisms, Escherichia coli having the h ighest observed prevalence (26%) while Enterobacter aerogenes had the least observed preva lence (4%) among the encountered isolates. Highest mean bacterial count observed during the st udy was 8.5 x 10 7 cfu/ml. Recorded pH and temperature values ranged between 6.60-7.20 and 28. 5 0 C-37.5 0 C respectively. The mineral values obtained were Ca (60.2-101.6 mg/L), Mg (71.7 -113.3 mg/L), Na (50.9-80.5 mg/L) and K (99.3-120.0 mg/L), while iron, copper, zinc, and ma nganese had values which ranged from 0.701. 90 mg/L, 0.1-0.2 mg/L, 2.5-5.1 mg/L and 0.1-0.3 m g/L respectively. The need for improved sanitary conditions in abattoirs in Nigeria is emph asized.