Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Filling of micron‐sized contact holes with copper by energetic cluster impact

A completely ionized and clustered beam of Mo or Cu is deposited with variable kinetic energy on a substrate, and the filling of micron‐sized contact holes on semiconductor devices is studied. An excellent hole filling is obtained for the impact of charged copper clusters, if they contain 1000–3000 Cu atoms and impinge with a kinetic energy of about 10 eV per atom on a substrate having a temperature of 500 K. The morphology of small hole fillings by slow and energetic cluster impact is discussed.
Protective Role of Putrescine Against Salt Stress is Partially Related to the Improvement of Water Relation and Nutritional Imbalance in Cucumber

ABSTRACT Polyamines play a variety of physiological roles in plant growth and development. To investigate whether exogenous putrescine (Put) has roles in protecting plants against salt stress, Put (100 μ M) was added to nutrient solution three days before cucumber (Cucumis sativusL. cv. “Jinyan No.4') seedlings were exposed to 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment. Putrescine treatment significantly ameliorated the detrimental effects of NaCl on root growth and this was associated with a decrease of Na uptake and an increase in potassium accumulation in roots. Manganese (Mn) content in roots was decreased by salinity stress but increased by Put pretreatment. Furthermore, osmotic stress associated with NaCl treatment decreased leaf water potential and water content, while these effects were alleviated by Put pretreatment. The decreases in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (Gs) by NaCl were also diminished by Put treatment. The results indicate that Put may play an important role in protecting cucumber plants against salt stress.
Notizen: Weitere Versuche zur Frage des Juvenilhormons bei Platynereis

1. Eine Hemmung, wie sie beim dekapitierten unreifen ♀ von Platynereis dumerilii ein ins Coelom implantierter arteigener Kopf auf das Wachstum und die Reifung der Oocyten ausübt, konnte auch durch Implantation eines Kopfes der nah verwandten Art Platynereis massiliensis induziert werden. 2. Isolierte Köpfe von bereits in Umwandlung zur Heteronerris befindlichen Pl. dumerilii wirkten im Coelom unreifer dekapitierter ♀♀ derselben Art, verglichen mit implantierten Köpfen unreifer Individuen. nur noch schwach hemmend auf die Oocytenentwicklung.
Temperature Dependence of the Nonequilibrium Kinetic Model That Describes the Adsorption and Desorption Behavior of CO2 in K-Promoted HTlc

A nonequilibrium kinetic model developed previously by the authors to describe the reversible adsorption and desorption behavior of CO2 in a K-promoted hydrotalcite-like compound (HTlc) was extended to account for temperature effects. This model involves three steps and four phases that reversibly undergo adsorption or reaction with CO2 in the structure. The model parameters were obtained by fitting it to experimental adsorption and desorption cycling data carried out with in-house-synthesized K-promoted HTlc at 11 temperatures ranging from 300 to 500 °C. A single adsorption (in CO2 at 1 atm) and desorption (in He at 1 atm) cycle having a 700 min half-cycle time was obtained at each temperature and fitted successfully to the model. Then, using the same set of parameters, the model was used to successfully predict similar shorter cycle time experiments carried out with a 60 min half-cycle time for eight cycles at each temperature. For both the long and short cycle time data, the model captured all three ki.
Slow and fast light in semiconductor waveguides

Investigations of slow and fast light effects in semiconductor waveguides entail interesting physics and point to a number of promising applications. In this review we give an overview of recent progress in the field, in particular focusing on the physical mechanisms of electromagnetically induced transparency and coherent population oscillations. While electromagnetically induced transparency has been the most important effect in realizing slowdown effects in atomic gasses, progress has been comparatively slow in semiconductors due to inherent problems of fast dephasing times and inhomogeneous broadening in quantum dots. The physics of electromagnetically induced transparency in semiconductors is discussed, emphasizing these limitations and recent suggestions for overcoming them. On the other hand, the mechanism of coherent population oscillations relies on wave mixing effects and is well suited for semiconductor waveguides. Recent experimental progress is reviewed, emphasizing new ideas that have significantly enhanced the degree of control that can be exercised and the frequency range that can be achieved. Thus, applications within microwave photonics appear to be within reach.
Untersuchungen über die Sterinzusammensetzung der Samenöle einiger Vertreter der Familie Apiaceae

Mit Hilfe der zweidimensionalen Gaschromatographie wurde die Sterinzusammensetzung von 9 Samenolen der Familie Apiaceae untersucht: Sellerie (Apium graveolens L.), Dill (Anethum graveolens L.), Kummel (Carum Carvi L.), Kreuzkummel (Cuminum cyminum L.), Koriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), Mohrrube (Daucus carota L.), Fenchel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), Anis (Pimpinella anisum L.) und Petersilie (Petroselinum sativum L.). Der Steringehalt in den Samenolen betragt 0.2 – 0.7%. Die Hauptkomponenten der Sterinfraktion sind Sitosterin – 33.0 bis 58.4% und Stigmasterin – 26.6 – 47.5%; Mikrokomponenten sind: Cholesterin, Brassicasterin, Campesterin, Δ7-Campesterin, Δ5-Avenasterin, Δ7-Stigmasterin und Δ7-Avenasterin. Studies on Sterol Composition of Some Glyceride Oils from Family Apiaceae Sterol composition in the 9 plant glyceride oils from Family Apiaceae: celery (Apium graveolens L.), fennel (Anethum graveolens L.), caraway (Carum carvi L.), cummin (Cuminum cyminum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), fenchel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), anis (Pimpinella anisum L.) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum L.) have been studied using a gas liquid chromatography. Sterol content is 0.2 – 0.7% in glyceride oils. Sitosterol – 33.0 – 58.4% and stigmasterol – 26.6 – 47.5% have been identified as major components in all of these glyceride oils. Minor components are: cholesterol, brassicasterol, campesterol, Δ7-campesterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ7-stigmasterol and Δ7-avenasterol.
SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADVANCE FOOD SECURITY

World soils have been a source of atmospheric carbon dioxide since the dawn of settled agriculture, which began about 10 millennia ago. Most agricultural soils have lost 30% to 75% of their antecedent soil organic carbon (SOC) pool or 30 to 40 t C ha−1. The magnitude of loss is often more in soils prone to accelerated erosion and other degradative processes. On a global scale, CO2-C emissions since 1850 are estimated at 270 ± 30 giga ton (billion ton or Gt) from fossil fuel combustion compared with 78 ± 12 Gt from soils. Consequently, the SOC pool in agricultural soils is much lower than their potential capacity. Furthermore, depletion of the SOC pool also leads to degradation in soil quality and declining agronomic/biomass productivity. Therefore, conversion to restorative land uses (e.g., afforestation, improved pastures) and adoption of recommended management practices (RMP) can enhance SOC and improve soil quality. Important RMP for enhancing SOC include conservation tillage, mulch farming, cover crops, integrated nutrient management including use of manure and compost, and agroforestry. Restoration of degraded/desertified soils and ecosystems is an important strategy. The rate of SOC sequestration, ranging from 100 to 1000 kg ha−1 year−1, depends on climate, soil type, and site-specific management. Total potential of SOC sequestration in the United States of 144 to 432 Mt year−1 (288 Mt year−1) comprises 45 to 98 Mt in cropland, 13 to 70 Mt in grazing land, and 25 to 102 Mt in forestland. The global potential of SOC sequestration is estimated at 0.6 to 1.2 Gt C year−1, comprising 0.4 to 0.8 Gt C year−1 through adoption of RMP on cropland (1350 Mha), and 0.01 to 0.03 Gt C year−1 on irrigated soils (275 Mha), and 0.01 to 0.3 Gt C year−1 through improvements of rangelands and grasslands (3700 Mha). In addition, there is a large potential of C sequestration in biomass in forest plantations, short rotation woody perennials, and so on. The attendant improvement in soil quality with increase in SOC pool size has a strong positive impact on agronomic productivity and world food security. An increase in the SOC pool within the root zone by 1 t C ha−1 year−1 can enhance food production in developing countries by 30 to 50 Mt year−1 including 24 to 40 Mt year−1 of cereal and legumes, and 6 to 10 Mt year−1 of roots and tubers. Despite the enormous challenge of SOC sequestration, especially in regions of warm and arid climates and predominantly resource-poor farmers, it is a truly a win-win strategy. While improving ecosystem services and ensuring sustainable use of soil resources, SOC sequestration also mitigates global warming by offsetting fossil fuel emissions and improving water quality by reducing nonpoint source pollution.
Quantitative Determination of the Components in Corn and Tobacco Samples by Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Multiblock Partial Least Squares

Multiblock partial least squares (MB-PLS) are applied for determination of corn and tobacco samples by using near-infrared diffuse reflection spectroscopy. In the model, the spectra are separated into several sub-blocks along the wavenumber, and different latent variable number was used for each sub-block. Compared with ordinary PLS, the importance and the contribution of each sub-block can be balanced by super-weights and the usage of different latent variable numbers. Therefore, the prediction obtained by the MB-PLS model is superior to that of the ordinary PLS, especially for the large data sets of tobacco samples with a large number of variables.
Correlation of Soil and Sediment Organic Matter Polarity to Aqueous Sorption of Nonionic Compounds

Polarities of the soil/sediment organic matter (SOM) in 19 soil and 9 freshwater sediment samples were determined from solid-state 13C-CP/MAS NMR spectra and compared with published partition coefficients (Koc) of carbon tetrachloride (CT) from aqueous solution. Nondestructive analysis of whole samples by solid-state NMR permits a direct assessment of the polarity of SOM that is not possible by elemental analysis. The percent of organic carbon associated with polar functional groups was estimated from the combined fraction of carbohydrate and carboxyl−amide−ester carbons. A plot of the measured partition coefficients (Koc) of carbon tetrachloride (CT) vs. percent polar organic carbon (POC) shows distinctly different populations of soils and sediments as well as a roughly inverse trend among the soil/sediment populations. Plots of Koc values for CT against other structural group carbon fractions did not yield distinct populations. The results indicate that the polarity of SOM is a significant factor in acc.
Plasma treatment of wood and wood-based materials to generate hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface characteristics

Abstract Plasma treatment at atmospheric pressure using a dielectric barrier discharge was carried out to increase the surface hydrophilicity of wood and wood-based materials. Surface energy determination by contact angle measurement revealed an increase in the polar component of surface energy and in total surface energy following plasma treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the generation of polar groups and consequently an increase in O/C ratio. The feasibility of plasma polymerization on wooden substrates at atmospheric pressure to create water-repellent characteristics was also investigated. An atmospheric-pressure plasma jet using hexamethyldisiloxane as precursor and air as process gas was used for thin-layer deposition. Treatment parameters for the layer deposition were investigated, as well as the layer topography and chemical composition. Atomic force microscopy revealed a closed surface layer consisting of silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen that exhibited low water permeability.
Relay autotuning : An overview and alternative approach

This paper discusses the use of relay-produced limit cycles for selecting the parameters of fixed controllers, with particular reference to the proportional−integral−derivative (PID) controller. This work shows how the current ideas relate to the early work of Ziegler and Nichols, particularly their loop cycling test. The evaluation of limit cycles in relay feedback systems is discussed, and details of their possibilities for determining parameters of an assumed plant transfer function or the value of the plant critical point are given. To conclude, it is shown how the approximate value of points on the plant frequency response locus can be determined from using the relay in parallel with the controller, which can be done without opening the control loop.
Study of How Salt Types Greatly Shape Soil Reflectance Spectra versus Salt Concentrations

In this study, a controlled experiment was designed to determine the potential impacts that salt types impose on soil reflectance spectra. Base soil from a typical inland river basin in China and 99% pure salts of three representive salt types as well as their combinations in different proportions were used to create composite soil samples. Seven levels of salt concentration were assigned for each saline soil treatment. The results revealed that salt concentration did not affect pattern parameters significantly (P > 0.5), where varying the salt concentrations only led to changes in the confined range that corresponded to salt types. Statistical parameter Rmean was sensitive to salt types but was limited to single-type salts. Therefore, salt types largely determined the overall shapes of soil reflectance spectra rather than salt concentrations. It is therefore necessary to identify salt type before retrival of salt concentration in saline soils by use of remote sensing data.
AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION FROM LIQUID DAIRY CATTLE MANURE IN THE FIELD

The volatilization of ammonia from applied liquid dairy cattle manure was measured in the field during 6- to 7- day periods in early May of 4 yr. An "open" system involving an aerodynamic diffusion method was employed for these measurements. Ammonia flux followed a diurnal pattern with maxima occurring shortly after midday and minima occurring during the early morning hours. The magnitude of daily flux values tended to decrease with time. However, both temperature and rainfall influenced the magnitude of ammonia flux. Generally, ammonia flux values increased with temperature but were suppressed by rainfall. Over periods of 6 or 7 days following the time of manure application, between 24 and 33% of the ammoniacal N applied in the manure was lost by volatilization. Samples of manure taken immediately following application and 5 days later showed a decrease in ammoniacal N concentration during this period. Although some ammonium moved into the 0- to 2- cm soil layer, immediately following application, most a.
Infrared band intensities of formaldehyde and formaldehyde‐d2

The infrared band intensities of formaldehyde and formaldehyde‐d2 have been measured in the gas phase using an FT–IR spectrometer. The effect of the polymerization of the sample molecule was minimized to measure the correct intensities. When the bands overlapped each other, their individual intensities have been determined by a band simulation calculation taking account of the Coriolis interactions. The signs of the dipole moment derivatives (∂p/∂Qi) have completely been determined by the least‐squares method, and the results were compared with those obtained by the molecular orbital calculation (CNDO/2) and by the analyses of the Coriolis interactions. The local intensity parameters of the CH2 group of this molecule were calculated and compared with the corresponding ones of ethylene.
The application of classical atmospheric tidal theory

The traditional dynamical theory of atmospheric tides is reviewed. The equations presented are modified to take account of infrared cooling. A numerical method is described for efficiently solving these equations for any vertical distributions of basic temperature, cooling rate coefficient, and excitation. The effect of varying basic temperature profiles, cooling rate distributions, and excitations on the diurnal and semidiurnal components of the atmosphere’s daily variation is examined. It is found, for example, that the semidiurnal surface pressure oscillation is approximately the same for widely differing basic temperature profiles. It is also found that the diurnal thermotidal fields become unstable above 85 km. We are able to calculate the diurnal contribution to the spatial distribution of vertical velocity and use this information to estimate a lower bound for the turbopause.
Computer simulation experiment on the mm‐wave properties of indium phosphide double drift impatts

Computer simulation of the high frequency properties of flat profile double drift region (DDR) impatts based on indium phosphide is carried out for mm-wave V-band (≈ 60 GHz) frequency. The profiles of negative resistance in the depletion layer of the DDR diode and their admittance characteristics are analysed for three current levels. The results show that the total negative resistance which is an useful parameter to indicate the output power from the device does not degrade appreciably due to mobile space charge even if a high current viz. 3 × 108 Am−2 is pushed through these devices. Computersimulation der Hochfrequenzeigenschaften von Doppeldriftbereich (DDR)-Impattdioden mit flachem Profil auf der Grundlage von Indiumphosphid wird fur das mm-Wellen-V-Band (≈ 60 GHz) durchgefuhrt. Die Profile des negativen Widerstands in der Raumladungsschicht der DDR-Diode und ihre Admittanzcharakteristiken werden fur drei Stromniveaus analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das der gesamte negative Widerstand, der ein nutzlicher Parameter fur die Ausgangsleistung des Bauelements ist, durch bewegliche Raumladung nicht wesentlich verschlechtert wird, sogar wenn ein hoher Strom, z. B. 3 × 108 Am−2, durch diese Bauelemente getrieben wird.
Synergistic antinociceptive interaction between acetaminophen or metamizol and B vitamins in the formalin test

There is evidence that B vitamins produce antinociception in animals. However, potentiation of NSAID‐induced antinociception by B vitamins is unclear. The current study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive interaction between a mixture of B vitamins and either acetaminophen or metamizol. Acetaminophen (56–316 mg/kg), metamizol (32–178 mg/kg), and the mixture of B vitamins (32–178 mg/kg of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin in a 100:100:1 proportion, respectively) or a combination of each drug with the B vitamins mixture was administered orally to female Wistar rats, and the antinociceptive effect determined in the formalin test. Isobolographic analyses were used to define the nature of the interaction between NSAIDs and B vitamins. Oral administration of either drug produced a dose‐related antinociceptive effect. Isobolographic analyses revealed that both acetaminophen or metamizol and the B vitamins mixture interacted synergistically in the formalin test, suggesting that these two combinations could be useful in treating inflammatory pain states. Drug Dev. Res. 66:286–294, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sidewall functionalisation of carbon nanotubes by addition of diarylcarbene derivatives

Functionalisation of carbon nanotubes by carbene derivatives is attracting attention as a way of increasing their dispersibility, processability and also to control the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes. We have explored the functionalisation of a sample containing single- and double-walled carbon nanotubes with different diaryldiazomethane derivatives by using the high reactivity of the intermediate carbenes formed under actinic irradiation to insert to the carbon nanotube structure. Besides characterisation by bulk techniques (Raman, FTIR and TGA), we provide direct evidence on the location of the functional groups on the sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes by an electron microscopy study of a heavy-element tagged sample. The functionalised carbon nanotubes present higher dispersibilities than the purified samples and are prone to further derivatisation, with potential application in the areas of composite materials or molecular electronics.
Aromatic plants of tropical West Africa. III. Chemical composition of leaf essential oil of Lippia multiflora Moldenke from Benin.

ABSTRACT Thirty-six components have been identified in the essential oil obtained from Lippia multiflora Moldenke collected in Benin. The oil was quite different from that of L. multiflora samples previously analyzed, since it was characterized by a high content of myrtenol (27.1%), linalool (11.9%) and 1,8-cineole (11.6%).
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Switzerland by genomic analysis of wastewater samples

The SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1. 1.7 and 501.V2, which were first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, respectively, are spreading rapidly in the human population. Thus, there is an increased need for genomic and epidemiological surveillance in order to detect the strains and estimate their abundances. Here, we report a genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in 48 raw wastewater samples collected from three wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland between July 9 and December 21, 2020. We find evidence for the presence of several mutations that define the B.1. 1.7 and 501.V2 lineages in some of the samples, including co-occurrences of up to three B.1. 1.7 signature mutations on the same amplicon in four samples from Lausanne and one sample from a Swiss ski resort dated December 9 - 21. These findings suggest that the B.1. 1.7 strain could be detected by mid December, two weeks before its first verification in a patient sample from Switzerland. We conclude that sequencing SARS-CoV-2 in community wastewater samples may help detect and monitor the circulation of diverse lineages.
Modelling of culture kinetics and physiology for c. acetobutylicum

A mathematical model of the batch acetone-butanol fermentation has been proposed which reflects the process kinetics and biochemistry. The degree of importance of the key kinetic parameters has been established by a parametric sensitivity analysis. The basic model was further extended by incorporating additional culture physiological parameters such as the number of active mass transport sites and the permeability of the cellular membrane as well as the intracellular and extracellular conditions. The model assisted in studying the role of the cellular membrane in the control of the culture performance and solvent biosynthesis. The theoretical predictions were confirmed by experimental results. On propose un modele mathematique de la fermentation discontinue en acetone-butanol, decrivant la cinetique et la biochimie du procede. L'importance des parametres cinetiques cles a ete etablie grǎce a une analyse de sensibilite parametrique. Le modele initial a ete ameliore par l'ajout d'autres parametres physiologiques de cultures comme le nombre de sites actifs de transfert de matiere, la permeabilite de la membrane cellulaire ainsi que les conditions intracellulaires ou extracellulaires. Le modele a servi a etudier le rǒle de la membrane cellulaire dans le contrǒle de la performance des cultures et de la biosynthese du solvant. Les predictions theoriques ont ete confirmees par des resultats experimentaux.