Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Behavior of Densified Low- Density Plantation Wood Species: A Preliminary Study

This work presents the morphological effect of densification technique employed on underutilized low-density plantation wood species, Batai (Falcataria moluccana) with an average density of 360 kg/m3 on air-dried weight. Timbers were cut into laminas, air-dried and conditioned. Laminas were pre-treated using pressurized steamer at 130oC, 175 kPa for 10 minutes to soften the wood structure. Densification process happens when the laminas were hot pressed immediately at 170oC, 2 MPa, for 45 minutes. The targeted thicknesses of densified laminas were controlled with 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm metal stoppers. The laminas were left to cool in the hot press machine until the temperature of the lamina reached below 100oC to reduce springback effect before conditioning. Undensified laminas were used as control. Light microscopy was used to observe the morphological structure for both densified and undensified laminas. The microscopic result showed that the vessels of cell structures can be collapsed easily. The volume of the void spaces had decreased compared to undensified lamina which contributed to the improvement in the density of the lamina. However, as the densified lamina were left to condition until 7 days, the vessels started to swell up.
Capital Structure Decisions and Family Ownership: Zero-Leverage Firms, Firm Size Effects and the Global Financial Crisis

In this paper we examine the influence of family ownership, firm size and the current financial crisis on two distinct financial leverage decisions: the probability of using debt; and, conditional on its use, the proportion of debt issued. Overall, we find a significant positive effect of family ownership on both decisions; a significant positive effect of firm size on the probability of family firms using debt; a significant increment on the probability of using debt after 2008 for all types of firms; and a significant reduction (increment) on the relative amount of debt used by small (large) levered firms after 2008.
On the Matter of Space: An Already-Unified Gauge Field Theory

This already-unified gauge field theory uses solutions to classical force field equations as background dependent metric gauge transformations. Based upon their analytic properties they are identified as the different local force fields with a built-in hierarchy; scalar, vector, tensor. It entails quantization of charge. The Einstein field equation becomes an identity and a background independent wrapper for the flat space fields with singularities removed from the theory. The stress-energy tensor becomes a covariant consequence of the local fields. The Laue scalar, total mass, stress-energy tensor are calculated for massive and massless gauge fields. Exact solutions for neutral spin zero masses, electromagnetic plane waves, gravitational waves, the Aharonov-Bohm effect and galactic rotation curves are analyzed. The static, spherically symmetric gravitational case is asymptotically the Schwarzchild solution, but without singularity. The Laue scalar integrated over all space is shown to correctly give the gravitational mass. Black holes become ”red holes”, almost identical, but distinguishable, and without an event horizon. The gravitational wave stress-energy tensor is shown to be identical to both the Landau-Lifshitz pseudotensor and the TT-mode Isaacson pseudotensor from the linearized theory, only exact and covariant. Electromagnetic plane wave solutions give a flat space. Charged particles are found to rely on gravity for their existence. The Aharonov-Bohm effect is shown to be purely geometrical and the magnetic energy is found to be stored outside the magnet as gravitational energy. Dark Matter is a natural consequence and is shown to fit galaxy rotation curves without the need for a modeled DM density profile. Neutral spin zero masses are automatically prevented from singularity by a Yukawa term having identical properties to the Higgs boson, providing inertial mass, but being classical in nature. If gravitational masses are allowed to be negative, they have negative energy and are found to be repelled by positive energy masses. A small asymmetry is found between positive and negative energy fields, although they are identical in their masses. Their symmetry is found to be restored under a Mostly-Minus to Mostly-Plus metric transformation. The baryon asymmetry is explained and the cosmological implications are discussed. Experiments to validate and refute are proposed.
Scaffolding project-based learning in an engineering and education partnership using open-access technology

This paper describes the use of a freely-accessible open-source platform based on Google Apps for Education that combinesGoogle Sites, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Hangouts and script language in a custom-based interface that supportscollaborative service-learning projects for teams of Engineering and Education students. The approach discussed in this paper wassuccessful in promoting collaboration among students from two different disciplines working remotely. The analysis suggests thatbalanced participation in the team, presence of shared goals and clear roles that emphasized individual and collectiveresponsibilities were key to a successful interdisciplinary project experience. While many students still reported struggling withnormal teamwork challenges, like finding common meeting times, others were pleased with the dynamics of their team and theopportunity to learn from one another. While SCOL, the open-source collaboration tool, did not significantly predict teamsatisfaction, the instructors found it very valuable for structuring project tasks, monitoring student progress, and providing timelyfeedback. The tool was seen as critical in supporting cross-disciplinary course collaboration for which students had limited accessto face-to-face interaction. Faculty emphasized the importance of training students to use the asynchronous communication andcollaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs and Google Hangouts) to maximize the benefits for students. Training will be included infuture implementations of SCOL to ensure a more effective use of the platform.
The impacts of nanotechnology on catalysis by precious metal nanoparticles

Abstract This review article focuses on the impacts of recent advances in solution phase precious metal nanoparticles on heterogeneous catalysis. Conventional nanometal catalysts suffer from size polydispersity. The advent of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the techniques for preparing uniform nanoparticles, especially in solution phase synthesis of precious metal nanoparticles with excellent control over size, shape, composition and morphology, which have opened up new opportunities for catalysis. This review summarizes some recent catalytic research by using well-defined nanoparticles, including shape-controlled nanoparticles, high index-faceted polyhedral nanocrystals, nanostructures of different morphology (e.g., core-shell, hollow, etc.), bi- and multi-metallic nanoparticles, as well as atomically precise nanoclusters. Such well-defined nanocatalysts provide many exciting opportunities, such as identifying the types of active surface atoms (e.g., corner and edge atoms) in catalysis, the effect of surface facets on catalytic performance, and obtaining insight into the effects of size-induced electron energy quantization in ultra-small metal nanoparticles on catalysis. With well-defined metal nanocatalysts, many fundamentally important issues are expected to be understood much deeper in future research, such as the nature of the catalytic active sites, the metal-support interactions, the effect of surface atom arrangement, and the atomic origins of the structure-activity and the structure-selectivity relationships.
Degradation Mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol) by Successive Reactions of Secondary Alcohol Oxidase and β-Diketone Hydrolase from Pseudomonas sp.

The secondary alcohol oxidase from Pseudomonas sp. catalyzed the oxidation of various vinyl alcohol oligomers with the molecular weight of 220 to 1500 and of β-ketols such as 5-hydroxy-3-heptanone, 4-hydroxy-2-nonanone, 3-hydroxy-5-nonanone, 6-hydroxy-4-nonanone, 7-hydroxy-5-dodecanone, and 8-hydroxy-6-tridecanone. β-Diketone hydrolase from the same strain catalyzed the hydrolysis of various aliphatic β-diketones and some aromatic β-diketones such as 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione and 1-phenyl-2,4-pentanedione. 4,6-Nonanediol, used as a low molecular weight model of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), was oxidized to 4,6-nonanedione by way of 6-hydroxy-4-nonanone by secondary alcohol oxidase. 4,6-Nonanedione was hydrolyzed to 2-pentanone and n-butyric acid by β-diketone hydrolase. These reactions were stoichiometric.The presence of the β-diketone structure in PVA oxidized by secondary alcohol oxidase was confirmed by spectral experiments. The absorption due to β-diketone structure in the oxidized PVA decreased as it was.
Soil‐profile distribution of organic C and N after 6 years of tillage and grazing management

Stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil nitrogen (TSN) are key determinants for evaluating agricultural management practices to address climate change, environmental quality and soil productivity issues. We determined SOC, TSN and particulate organic C and N depth distributions and cumulative stocks in response to 6 years of tillage (conventional and no‐tillage) and cover‐crop management (without and with cattle grazing) on an Acrisol in the southeastern USA. Total and particulate organic C concentrations were greater under no‐tillage than under conventional tillage at a depth of 0–20 cm only. No differences in concentrations at various depths to 150 cm or of cumulative stocks were observed in total and particulate organic C and N in response to cover crop management, suggesting that animal grazing had no negative effect on SOC and TSN. Compared with perennial grass as a control, the stock of SOC was significantly reduced under cropping at a depth of 0–40 cm, was trending toward reduction at a depth of 0–90 cm and was not different at a depth of 0–150 cm. A declining significance of management with depth indicated an important consideration in attempts to determine the whole‐profile response of SOC and TSN to management: rigorous sampling approaches are needed to overcome the problems of small concentrations and large variation with increasing soil depth. The results of this study clearly indicate that (i) greater SOC and TSN concentrations can be expected in the surface layer under no‐tillage than under conventional tillage in Acrisols of the warm, moist climatic region of the southeastern USA and (ii) compensation for stratified SOC and TSN with no‐tillage does not occur deeper in the soil profile, such that the same relative numeric difference that occurred at the surface remains unchanged with greater cumulative depth.
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry in Supramolecular Chemistry

Among the many options to measure molecular interactions in solution, isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) stands out as an almost universal, label-free, operationally fast, fully computer-operated, and thus quite robust method to acquire all thermodynamic parameters necessary to characterize the energetics of intermolecular association. Provided that there is an enthalpic response accompanying the mutual molecular interaction, the free energy, molar enthalpy, and, by using the Gibbs–Helmholtz equation, also the molar entropy can be determined in a single run. The present review describes the fundamental concept, the methodological aspects concerning the range accessible to direct determinations, and its potential expansion. Special focus is on data evaluation and the intrinsic limits to translate the macroscopic instrumental output into the illumination of the microscopic events happening on the molecular scene. The scope of ITC as a means to characterize thermodynamic equilibria is illustrated with the help from recent applications spanning from low-molecular host–guest chemistry to multimeric assembly of surfactants observable as phase changes. Keywords: ITC; molecular interaction; host–guest chemistry; thermodynamics; calorimetry; association; supramolecular chemistry; enthalpy; entropy
First‐principles study of the (001) surface of cubic PbTiO3

We present first‐principles calculations on the (001) surfaces of cubic PbTiO3 with PbO and TiO2 terminations. The cleavage energy, surface energy, surface grand potential, surface relaxation and surface electronic structure have been investigated by using the projector‐augmented wave method under generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results show that surface energy of a TiO2‐terminated surface is a little lower than that of a PbO‐terminated one, thus allowing both terminations to coexist. The PbO‐termination is stable in O‐ and Pb‐rich environments, while on the contrary, the TiO2‐termination is stable in O‐ and Pb‐poor conditions. In addition, the surface rumpling S of a PbO‐terminated surface is slightly larger than that of a TiO2‐terminated one. The relaxations dominantly take place on the outermost three layers, and an oscillatory (− + −) damping (|Δd12 | > | Δd23 | > | Δd34|) relaxation phenomenon appears for both terminations. The band gaps of both PbO‐ and TiO2‐terminations are slightly lower than that of the bulk. Moreover, the DOS curves of each layer show that for the TiO2‐termination, the top of the valence band of the first and third TiO2 layers moves toward Fermi level. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleate boiling in thin liquid films

Experimental results are presented for distilled water, ethyl alcohol and Freon-113 at atmospheric pressure with liquid levels ranging from pool depths of 25 mm down to thin films near 0.5 mm. Pool boiling data compare favorably with the Rohsenow correlation. Temperature measurements with thermocouples and liquid crystals show that liquid level has little effect on the heat transfer coefficient above a level of 5 mm. Below this level however, there is an increase of up to 50% in the heat transfer coefficient as the level is reduced, until dryout occurs. All the thin film data compare satisfactorily with the proposed correlation of Nishikawa.
Resolution in focused electron- and ion-beam induced processing

The key physical processes governing resolution of gas-assisted focused electron-beam and ion-beam induced deposition and etching are analyzed via an adsorption rate model. The authors quantify how the balance of molecule depletion and replenishment determines the resolution inside the locally irradiated area. Scaling laws are derived relating the resolution of the deposits to molecule dissociation, surface diffusion, adsorption, and desorption. Supporting results from deposition experiments with a copper metalorganic precursor gas on a silicon substrate are presented and discussed.
MSPD METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CLOFENTEZINE, FLUMETRALIN, AND KRESOXIM-METHYL RESIDUES IN FRESH AND DEHYDRATED FORMS OF PLANTAGO MAJOR MEDICINAL PLANT BY HPLC/UV-DAD

A method was developed using matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), together with liquid chromatography with ultraviolet diode array detector for determination of clofentezine, flumetralin, and kresoxim-methyl in fresh and dehydrated Plantago major medicinal plant material. Parameters evaluated included the type of sorbent (C18-bonded silica, neutral alumina, silica gel, Florisil, and MIL-53) using dichloromethane as the eluting solvent. The best results were obtained using 0.5 g of plant material, 0.5 g of silica gel as sorbent, and dichloromethane (20 mL). The method was validated using plant samples spiked with pesticides at three concentration levels (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 µg/g). Average recoveries (using four replicates) ranged from 62.2% to 110%, with relative standard deviations between 5.4% and 18.5%. Detection and quantification limits were in the ranges 0.05–0.07 µg/g and 0.15–0.25 µg/g, respectively.
An overview on the biology and phylogeny of the early-diverging oomycetes

Holocarpic oomycetes are ubiquitous especially in marine and freshwater environments. These organisms are mostly obligate biotrophic parasites and members of the deep-branching, early-diverging clades of the Oomycota, comprising of several genera that had their phylogenetic position only recently investigated (Miracula, Olpidiopsis, Eurychasma, Haptoglossa, Anisolpidium, Diatomophthora, Pontisma, Haliphthoros) as well as some unresolved genera (Ducellieria, Petersenia, Sirolpidium, Eurychasmidium, Pseudosphaerita, Rozellopsis). Despite their widespread occurrence and importance for understanding the evolution of the oomycetes, knowledge on the biology and ecology of these bizarre organisms is still fragmentary for temperate regions and almost absent for the tropics. Here, an overview on the current state of knowledge on early-diverging oomycetes is presented, with emphasis on the general biology, systematics and ecology.
Churches as Pre-Historic Ritual Monuments: A Review and Phenomenological Perspective from Somerset

It is probably fair to say that prehistorians' own perception of the task of reconstructing the lifeways and thought-worlds of their chosen societies is that it is in some sense ennobled and elevated to a higher intellectual plane by their total reliance on aspects of material culture. This has in effect forced them to establish theoretical models of societal and cultural development in a way that, they might argue, their medieval colleagues would simply not recognise. Documents, then, are for wimps, and it is no coincidence that the overwhelming body of archaeological theory currently taught in our universities was developed specifically by prehistorians and anthropologists for the analysis of those pre-industrial societies that were either entirely non-literate, or which did not usually commit narrative accounts of collective or individual experience to formal writing systems.
School Counselor Preparation to Support Inclusivity, Equity and Access for Students of Color With Disabilities

The effective implementation of comprehensive school counseling services to all students is premised on the ASCA National Model framework themes of leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change. The school counselor’s role is to support the academic, career and social-emotional development of all students. From a school counselor advocacy and social justice perspective, school counselors engage in practices that will support all students and create opportunities for equal access and success through their leadership and service as collaborators, consultants and change agents. School counselor leadership results in positive changes within the school community. Using the ASCA Model Framework themes, school counselors can integrate these themes to support inclusivity, equity and access for students of color with disabilities, to the general education curriculum. In order to better prepare school counselor trainees to provide culturally appropriate support and services for students of color with disabilities, school counselor education programs must be more intentional in providing graduate-level course work that introduces trainees to best practices in their work with students with disabilities. First, this writer will discuss the ethical imperative for school counselor educators to be intentional in integrating special education curriculum in preparation programs and how school counselor education programs can use the ASCA Model framework themes in preparing school counselor trainees to engage in best practices to encourage, support, and ensure that students of color with disabilities have access and inclusion in the general education settings. Secondly, this writer will also discuss the incorporation of interactive related ASCA theme activities as preparation for school counselor trainees, in a special topics course as well as during practicum and internship and future professional school counselor opportunities.
Hierarchic self-assembling of silver nanoparticles in solution

Abstract Facile chemical synthesis and understanding of the formation mechanism of silver nanoparticles, ordered on the microscale on one-dimensional (1D), 2D or in 3D structures of complex forms is challenging for advanced applications, in electronics, optoelectronics, and medicine, to mention a few. Significant results obtained in the comprehension of assembling mechanisms in solutions of silver nanoparticles in 1D, 2D, and 3D organic-inorganic mesostructures are surveyed together with details on their preparation and characterization. Emphasis will be placed on very recent results obtained in our laboratories on self-assembly of silver nanoparticles in 1D microstructures and hierarchic ordering in 3D flower-like mesostructures monitored and studied by in situ and time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements.
Myocardial T1-Mapping: Techniques and Clinical Applications

1 MOLLI images (1A) with respective signal-time curves (1B) and reconstructed T1 map (1C) at 3T. The mean T1 time for this patient was 1152 ms (pre-contrast). techniques that have made CMR so important is late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and the demonstration of localized areas of infarct and scar tissue [2–4]. However, despite being very sensitive to small areas of regional fibrosis, LGE techniques are mostly dependent on the comparison to supposedly normal reference areas of myocardium, thus not being able to depict more diffuse disease.
Schemes for the use of conducting polymers as active materials in electrochemical supercapacitors

The development of a novel conducting polymer based system for use in electrochemical capacitors is described. This system utilizes a new conducting polymer, poly-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thiophene (PFPT), that can be reversibly n- and p-doped to high charge density. The electrochemical n-dopability of this material can be further improved by cycling in acetonitrile solution that contains a new electrolyte, tetramethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me[sub 4]NCF[sub 3]SO[sub 3]). We discuss these improvements in n-dopability in terms of potential electronic and steric influences. We believe that the substituent fluorophenyl group does not communicate with the polythiophene backbone through resonance, and conclude that the ability to n-dope PFPT to high charge density may occur as a result of electron transfer reactions from the conducting polymer backbone into the substituent. This new system for electrochemical capacitors provides the best achievable performance from conducting polymers and generates high energy and power densities that are comparable with noble metal oxide systems, potentially at a fraction of the cost.