Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensing CO2 in a chemically modified porous silicon film

An inexpensive and compact carbon dioxide sensor based on a porous silicon (PS) film modified with 3-amino-1-propanol has been demonstrated. The modifying reaction as well as the interaction of carbon dioxide with the PS amine-terminated surface has been investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Optical reflectivity spectra of PS modified layers display shifts in the Fabry-Perot fringes upon adsorption of carbon dioxide. This shift scales with the CO 2 concentration.
Transformation of Alkali Metals during Pyrolysis and Gasification of a Lignite

Transformation of Na and K in a lignite was investigated during pyrolysis and gasification in a fixed-bed by using a serial dissolution method with H2O, CH3COONH4, and HCl solutions. The evolution of the fractions of four forms in solid and alkali volatilization during pyrolysis and gasification was determined. The results show that a different mode of occurrence between Na and of K in coal existed. Na in coal can be nearly completely dissolved by H2O, CH3COONH4, and HCl solution. However, K in coal exists almost in the stable forms. Both H2O soluble and CH3COONH4 soluble Na and K fractions decline during pyrolysis and early gasification stage and increase a little with the process of char gasification. The stable form Na in the char produced during pyrolysis is transferred to other forms during char gasification via the pore opening and a series of chemical reactions. Na2SO4 (K2SO4) may play an important role in producing stable forms such as Na2O·Al2O3·2SiO2 and K2O·Al2O3·2SiO2 during pyrolysis. The fra.
Influence of Crosslinkers and Crosslinking Method on the Properties of Gelatin Films Extracted from Leather Solid Waste

Gelatin was extracted from chrome tanned leather waste with the aim to produce a durable coating or film. Crosslinking has shown to improve the physical performance of a film/coating. The effect of the method of crosslinking and the use of different crosslinking agents were studied. The extracted gelatin was crosslinked either by immersion of preformed films into a crosslinker solution (Method A) or by the addition of the crosslinking reagent to the gelatin solution prior to film formation (Method B). The different results obtained between both methods may be due to: the relative concentration of crosslinking reagent, the introduction of crosslinks within different regions of gelatin (triple helical regions and random coil regions), and the reaction rate. Method A of crosslinking is more likely to form crosslinks outside but close to the triple helical regions, disrupting the order and stability of the helical structure. Crosslinks may form preferentially within the random coil regions when Method B of crosslinking is used. Both methods led to the formation of chemical crosslinks in the extracted gelatin films, as demonstrated by the reduction of the degree of aqueous swelling and the proportion of low molecular weight fractions
Microwave-Assisted Insertion of Silver Nanoparticles into 3-D Mesoporous Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites and Nanorods

The nanocomposite of mesoporous ZnO and Ag was synthesized by microwave radiation in a 15 min reaction conducted under an argon atmosphere. The 3.5 ± 0.4 nm Ag particles were inserted into the pores, changing the pore structure. The particles are also present as clusters on the surface of ZnO. The hexagonal ZnO nanodisks were stacked one on top of the other for the Ag:ZnO molar ratio of 0.13, whereas for Ag:ZnO = 0.22, the nanodisks join in the form of nanorods, where Ag clusters catalyze nanorod formation. The mesoporous structure in the current study was prepared with the help of argon gas and ethylene glycol. The FTIR studies revealed the presence of the organic framework structure retained in the final products. The 14 ± 2 nm hexagonal ZnO nanodisks are bound together by this organic framework, forming pores of 3.2 ± 0.1 and 18.6 ± 0.2 nm in diameter. The BET surface area increased from 40 ± 0 (pristine ZnO) to 51 ± 1 m2/g (Ag:ZnO = 0.22) due to formation of Ag clusters on the surface of ZnO with the .
Effect of time on the metal-support (Fe-MgO) interaction in CVD synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes

A study on the effect of the metal-support interaction by employing iron particles supported on magnesium oxide (MgO) nanopowder in an alcohol-CVD process for single-walled carbon nanotubes growth is presented. Upon the prolongation of the process time, three main observations were detected: (i) decrease of the mean nanotubes diameter, (ii) reduction of the diameter distribution by the factor of two, (iii) increase of relative purity of the samples.
Testing the influence of chemicals on soil autotrophic ammonium oxidation

Nitrification is crucial for the content of inorganic nitrogen in soil and hence of considerable ecological and agricultural importance. The first step in the nitrification process, the oxidation of ammonium to nitrite, is particularly sensitive to chemicals, and the ammonium oxidation activity of soils may thus be used as an indicator of chemical disturbances. A method for the determination of potential nitrification has been tested that measures ammonium oxidation specifically and under optimal conditions, has a good reproducibility, and makes it possible to screen a large number of chemicals during a short period of time. The method has been tested with a number of pesticides. Dithio-carbamate fungicides gave the most pronounced inhibition of ammonium oxidation.
Determination of death thresholds and identification of terahertz (THz)-specific gene expression signatures

In recent years, numerous security, military, and medical applications have been developed which use Terahertz (THz) radiation. These developments have heightened concerns in regards to the potential health risks that are associated with this type of radiation. To determine the cellular and molecular effects caused by THz radiation, we exposed several human cell lines to high-power THz radiation, and then we determined death thresholds and gene expression profiles. Necrotic and apoptotic death thresholds were determined for Jurkat cells using an optically-pumped molecular gas THz source (υ = 2.52 THz, H = 227 mW/cm2), MTT viability assays, and flow cytometric techniques. In addition, we used confocal microscopic techniques to demarcate lethal spatial regions in a monolayer of dermal fibroblasts exposed to THz radiation. Then, to determine if cells exhibit a THz-specific gene expression signature, we exposed dermal fibroblasts to THz radiation and analyzed their transcriptional response using microarray gene chips. We found that 60% of the Jurkat cells survived the 30-minute THz exposure, whereas only 20% survived the 40-minute exposure. The flow data confirmed these results and provided evidence that THz-induced cell death was mediated using both nectrotic and apoptotic processes. The preliminary microscopy studies provided convincing evidence warranting future efforts using these techniques. Lastly, we found that dermal fibroblasts up-regulated several genes when exposed to THz radiation. Overall, these results provide evidence for the cellular and molecular effects associated with THz radiation, and we speculate that the identified up-regulated genes may serve as excellent candidate biomarkers for THz exposures.
AFM Studies on Curcumin Based Zn(II) Complex Molecules for Applications as Anticancer Agents

We present our recent atomic force microscopy studies on a curcumin based Zn(II) complex anticancer agent. We investigated the morphology of the molecule on a nanoscale level to test the effect of different substrates and solvents on the shape and the aggregation properties of the molecule. Self assembled films were produced by Langmuir technique at different surface pressures and by spin coating. Measurements showed small molecular aggregates with a height of 0,5 nm. The wetting properties of the substrate play a role in the aggregation properties and the film formation. The obtained results will help in understanding the interaction of the studied molecule with DNA or chromonic systems.
Investigating the interfacial properties of single-liquid nanodroplets by atomic force microscopy

The interaction of a liquid with a surface is of fundamental importance to many areas of scientific research. Information on the properties of liquids at surfaces at the microscopic scale is also required to elucidate the mechanisms behind macroscopic observations. In this study, the atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed in various complementary modes of operation to investigate the properties of nanometer-scale oil droplets existing on a polystyrene surface. Force curve mapping was used to gently probe the surface of the fluid droplets, and through automated analysis of the force curves the true topography and microscopic contact angle of the droplets were extracted. The contact angle was found to be 13 ± 2°, which is in excellent agreement with values obtained from macroscopic measurements. A discrepancy between these values and contact angle values obtained from tapping mode images were attributed to deformation of the soft interface. The resultant phase contrast mechanisms in the liquid tapping m.
Can the temperature of electrons in a high-pressure plasma be determined by means of an electrostatic probe?

The ion branch of a current-voltage characteristic of a Langmuir probe in a high-pressure plasma is theoretically analysed. In a wide range of conditions, perturbations created by the probe current are localized in a thin near-wall layer and a semi-logarithmic plot of the dependence of the electron current on the probe potential is close to a straight line. The value of the electron temperature that can be determined from this plot refers to the edge of the above-mentioned near-wall layer. A range of plasma parameters exists in which a variation of the electron temperature in the near-probe region is small and the above value is close to the electron temperature in the undisturbed plasma. Numerical calculation of the ion saturation current to, and the floating potential of, a wall probe in a cylindrical tube confining an arc discharge is presented.
Ethyl acetate production from water-containing ethanol catalyzed by supported Pd catalysts : Advantages and disadvantages of hydrophobic supports

Selective oxidation of water-containing ethanol in the presence of excess ethanol provides a one-step preparation of ethyl acetate. Acetic acid is formed from the oxidation of ethanol catalyzed by a supported Pd catalyst and is further catalytically esterified to ethyl acetate by the protons dissociated from acetic acid. The difference of the catalytic performance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic Pd catalysts was investigated by a continuous fixed-bed reactor run at 95 °C, 35.4 atm, and a air/ethanol molar ratio of 2.37. The experimental results indicated that, after the induction period, the conversion of ethanol catalyzed by a styrene−divinylbenzene copolymer (SDB)-supported Pd catalyst is more than 20 times that catalyzed by a γ-alumina-supported Pd catalyst at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 2.4 h-1. However, it may be caused by weak metal−support interactions and the formation of palladium(II) acetate during the reaction. For the Pd/SDB catalysts, the Pd clusters were leached out concomit.
ADSORPTION OF EXTRACTANTS AND MODIFIERS IN MIXED BINARY MODEL SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT The interfacial activity of 2-hydroxy-5-l-butylbenzophenone (E)-oxime (HBBO), two model a-acyloin oximes: 9-hydroxy-8-hexadecanone oxime (HHO) and 13-hydroxy-12-tetracosanone oxime (HTO), and a model modifier such as p-tertbutylphenol (BPh) is investigated at toluene/ water interface, at 21°C. Interfacial tension isotherms for individual compounds as well as for binary mixed solutions are obtained. In particular, it is shown that in all mixed systems co-adsorption is observed. Composition of mixed adsorption monolayer is affected mainly by mutual efficiency of adsorption of surface active components and composition of the bulk solution phase.
Photophoretic forces for bispherical aerosol particles

The gravito-photophoretic forces in the free-molecular regime have been calculated for the bispherical aerosol particles by using the Monte-Carlo method to estimate molecular transfer. It is shown that two types of gravito-photophoresis can contribute to levitation of aerosol particles absorbing the Sun and the Earth's radiation. There are the well-known Δα-gravito-photophoresis, its cause is a different in the thermal accommodation coefficient, and ΔT-gravito-photophoresis, when the aerosol aggregate consists of individual particles differing in temperature due to a difference in the physical properties and the radiation absorption power. Both mechanisms can induce large lifting forces able to provide a vertical transport of aerosol particles into the upper atmosphere. A connection between an existence of aerosol layers at altitudes near 20, 50, 70-100 km in the real Earth's atmosphere and a condition of the balance of photophoretic and gravity forces is shown.
Microfluidic Synthesis of Titania Shells on Colloidal Silica

Core-shell colloidal materials with tailored structural, electronic, photonic and chemical properties have a wide range of applications including coatings, pigments, electronics, catalysis, separations and diagnostics. [1] Typical particle cores are polymeric (e.g., polystyrene), [2] inorganic [3] (e.g., silica) or metallic [4] (e.g., gold) in size ranges between 2 nm to 10 l m. Tita-nia-silica core–shell particles in the sub-micron size range are of particular interest for several applications, including catalysis, [5] pigments (as whiteners) [6] and imaging materials. [7] Mi-crofluidic synthesis schemes, when combined with segmented flow for fast mixing and well defined residence time distribution RTD), produce cores with precisely controlled and narrow size distribution. [8–12] Here we extend this approach to a multi-step addition microfluidic system for growth of well defined shell coatings without complications of secondary nucleation. Photolithography-based microfabrication enables microfluidic designs that provide uniform addition through periodically spaced side inlets along the length of synthesis channel. This procedure is functionally equivalent to slow dropwise addition in conventional batch synthesis with the added advantages of control and continuous processing inherent to microfluidic synthesis. We specifically demonstrate coating colloidal silica core particles with titania layers of tunable thickness in a one-step, continuous flow process through controlled hydrolysis of titanium tetraethoxide (TEOT). Several methods have been reported for titania-coated-sili-ca synthesis, but many of these batch processes suffer from difficulties in controlling overcoat thickness, avoiding secondary nucleation and aggregation, and maintaining a narrow particle size distribution. Silica particles were coated with titania layers of
Improving the Efficiency of Matrix Acidizing With a Succinoglycan Viscosifier

The efficiency of matrix acidizing treatments is becoming more critical, especially as more wells are drilled with long, horizontal sections. Without some sort of selective placement or diversion technique, zones near the point of acid injection or with high injectivity will be preferentially treated. Yet hardware solutions are often prohibitively expensive, and many available diversion techniques are not readily applied in openhole horizontal sections. In this context, viscosified acids offer a potential solution. An investigation into the placement of gelled acids over a treatment interval has shown that they can greatly improve the uniformity of acidizing. Other studies have revealed that a succinoglycan biopolymer in hydrochloric acid (HCl) exhibits nearly ideal gelled-acid properties over a certain temperature range. To design a gelled HCl treatment, the temperature- and time-dependent rheology of succinoglycan in HCl has been determined. The experimental data have been fit to a model that is used here in an example optimization procedure.
Effect of Extraction on Phenolic Antioxidant of Different Thai Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Genotypes

Acid hydrolysis and shaking extraction methods were used to extract nine genotypes of Thai rice grains. The extracts were determined total phenolic including anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and the ferric thiocyanate assays from white, red, and black rice grains. The results demonstrated that the extraction methods affected phenolic antioxidant of rice grains. The values of insoluble phenolic compounds were significantly higher than those of soluble phenolic compounds, which was about 1.3 times. The soluble anthocyanin content of grains was low comparing to the insoluble anthocyanin content. In addition, among studied rice grains, black rice possessed the highest phenolic and anthocyanin contents as well as antioxidant capacities. These findings suggested that black rice can be further explored as a functional food.
Unsupposable Test-data Generation for Machine-learned Software

As for software development by machine learning, a trained model is evaluated by using part of an existing dataset as test data. However, if data with characteristics that differ from the existing data is input, the model does not always behave as expected. Accordingly, to confirm the behavior of the model more strictly, it is necessary to create data that differs from the existing data and test the model with that different data. The data to be tested includes not only data that developers can suppose (supposable data) but also data they cannot suppose (unsupposable data). To confirm the behavior of the model strictly, it is important to create as much unsupposable data as possible. In this study, therefore, a method called "unsupposable test-data generation" (UTG)---for giving suggestions for unsupposable data to model developers and testers---is proposed. UTG uses a variational autoencoder (VAE) to generate unsupposable data. The unsupposable data is generated by acquiring latent values with low occurrence probability in the prior distribution of the VAE and inputting the acquired latent values into the decoder. If unsupposable data is included in the data generated by the decoder, the developer can recognize new unsupposable features by referring to the data. On the basis of those unsupposable features, the developer will be able to create other unsupposable data with the same features. The proposed UTG was applied to the MNIST dataset and the House Sales Price dataset. The results demonstrate the feasibility of UTG.
Geographically Weighted Polynomial Regression: Application to Poverty Modeling in East Java Province, Indonesia

: Geographically weighted regression (GWR) is a regression method for exploring spatial nonstationarity by allowing different relationships at different locations. In the GWR, the response at each location is locally fitted by a linear function of a set of explanatory variables. In fact, it may have nonlinear relationship with one or more explanatory variables. Thus, the GWR model may not be able to accommodate the fact. In dealing with the problem, we attempt to introduce a geographically weighted polynomial regression (GWPolR) model. In this study, the GWPolR model is performed to explore spatially varying relationships between poverty and its factors in East Java Province, Indonesia. The factors studied here are the percentage of people educated less than elementary school, the percentage of people aged at least 10 years who cannot read and write, and the percentage of people working in the trading sector. Factually, the first and third factors tend to have nonlinear relationships with the poverty. Compared with the previous models in such condition, the GWPolR model gives a significant improvement and more complete understanding of how each explanatory variable was related to the poverty. This should allow improved planning of poverty alleviation strategies.
A Preliminary Evaluation of near Infrared Spectroscopy for Assessing Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Flax Fibre

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been used extensively as a rapid tool for the evaluation of protein, fibre fractions and other parameters of feeds and forages. The relative proportions of organic components present in flax fibre will vary depending on variety, growing and retting (controlled rotting) conditions, mechanical and processing factors. The presence of the main fibre fractions, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, wax and others will determine the physical and chemical characteristics. Tests for fibre distribution, fineness and strength are currently assessed using tedious and long-winded methods. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the use of NIR spectroscopy for developing calibrations for predicting important fibre parameters. In order to develop a model, a range of samples representing poor, medium and good quality fibres are included in the calibration and validation sample sets. Derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) and airflow methods have shown that differences in fibre fineness can be modelled from NIR spectral data in the ranges 1800–2498nm and 1100–2498nm, respectively. Fibre strength measurements were correlated with the NIR 1800–2498nm spectral band. The determination of fibre components using acid and neutral detergent methods exhibited a poor correlation with NIR spectroscopy assessments on the same sample set. NIR spectroscopy has proved to be a useful tool for predicting fibre fineness and strength in flax, however, its success will be dependent on the accuracy of reference measurements currently employed for fibre testing.
UAV integration aspects within the PROACTIVE network

Ad-hoc sensor networks are getting more and more important for public security and counter-terrorist applications. Data provided from airborne sensors are of specific interest in given scenarios. This article illuminates various aspects which originate from the integration of uninhabited aerial platforms in such networks. After giving some background on the PROACTIVE project, the text specifically addresses usability and networking issues by providing an overview on the approaches and methods chosen as well as experiments conducted by the respective project partners.
HTS-PMG Dizilimlerinin Kritik Akım ve Tuzaklanan Akı Özelliklerinin Nümerik Olarak İncelenmesi

Yuksek sicaklik superiletkenleri (HTS) icinde induklenen akim ve tuzaklanan aki dagiliminin belirlenmesi ve boylece Maglev sistemlerinin tasariminin optimize edilmesi icin Maglev sistemlerinin elektromanyetik davranisi belirlenmelidir. Bu calismada, ilk olarak COMSOL Multiphysics paket programinin AC/DC Modulundeki manyeto-statik cozum kullanilarak tek-PM ve cift-PM manyetik kilavuzlama yollarinin (PMG) manyetik aki yogunlugu dagilimlarini sayisal olarak elde edildi. Daha sonra H-formulasyonu kullanarak COMSOL'daki Kismi Diferansiyel Denklem (PDE) modu ile homojen olmayan manyetik alan altinda HTS icindeki tuzaklanan manyetik aki ve induklenen aki belirlendi. Bu calismada elde edilen sayisal sonuclar, farkli PMG konfigurasyonlarinin cesitli manyetik alan karakteristiklerine sahip oldugunu ve bu durumun Maglev sistemindeki HTS'nin manyetik ve super akim ozelliklerini iyilestirebilecegini gostermistir.