Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiferroelectric liquid crystals based on the salicylaldimine in connection with linear alkynyl chain

A novel homologous series of chiral salicylaldimine-based liquid crystals in connection with linear alkynyl chain, C m YCBOC8* ( m = 6–10), have been synthesised and their mesomorphic phases have been studied. All of the materials possessed antiferroelectric smectic C (SmCA*) phase, which was confirmed by the observations of microscopic texture, switching current behaviour and dielectric permittivity.
Carrier Facilitated Transport of Europium(III) Across Supported Liquid Membranes Containing N,N,N′,N′-tetra-2-ethylhexyl-3-oxapentane-diamide (T2EHDGA) as the Extractant

Studies on the solvent extraction and pertraction behavior of europium(III) was carried out from acidic feed solutions using N,N,N′,N′-tetra-2-ethylhexyl-3-oxapentane-diamide (T2EHDGA) in n-dodecane as the solvent. The nature of the extracted species from the solvent extraction studies conformed to Eu(NO3)3 · 3T2EHDGA which is in variance with the analogous Eu(III) – TODGA (linear homolog of T2EHDGA) extraction system. The transport behavior of Eu(III) was investigated from a feed containing 3.0 M HNO3 into a receiver phase containing 0.01 M HNO3 across a PTFE flat sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing 0.2 M T2EHDGA in n-dodecane as the carrier solvent and 30% iso-decanol as the phase modifier. Effects of feed acidity, carrier extractant concentration, membrane pore size, and Eu concentration in the feed on the transport rates of Eu(III) were also investigated. Membrane diffusion coefficient (D o) for the pertracted species was calculated using the Wilke-Chang equation as 4.25 × 10−6 cm2 · s−1. The influence of Eu concentration on the flux was also investigated. The role of temperature on the transport rates was investigated and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated.
Multi-Fading Factor and Update Monitoring Strategy Adaptive Kalman Filter Based Variational Bayesian with Inaccurate Time-Varying Process and Measure-Ment Noise Covariance Matrices

Aiming at the problem that the performance of Adaptive Kalman filter estimation will be affected when the statistical characteristics of the process and measurement noise matrix are inaccurate and time-varying in the linear Gaussian state-space model, an algorithm of Multi-fading factor and update monitoring strategy adaptive Kalman filter based variational Bayesian is proposed. Inverse Wishart distribution is selected as the measurement noise model, the system state vector and measurement noise covariance matrix are estimated with the variational Bayesian method. The process noise covariance matrix is estimated by the maximum a posteriori principle, and the update monitoring strategy with adjustment factors is used to maintain the positive semidefinite of the updated matrix. The above optimal estimation results are introduced as time-varying parameters into the multiple fading factors to improve the estimation accuracy of the one-step state predicted covariance matrix. The application of the proposed algorithm in target tracking is simulated. The results show that compared with the current filters, the proposed filtering algorithm has better accuracy and convergence performance, and realizes the simultaneous estimation of inaccurate time-varying process and measurement noise covariance matrices.
Effects of different droplet dispersion modeling methods on diesel spray simulation in Eulerian-Lagrangian framework

The realistic prediction of spray dynamics and dispersion is one of the main tasks of the combustion simulations in diesel engines. Usually, droplet dispersion modeling accuracy can be improved by the development of turbulence models and stochastic dispersion models. Although droplet dispersion due to turbulence is an important phenomenon in high-velocity fuel sprays, studies on the effect of these models are relatively few. Among these studies, the influence of a common used stochastic dispersion model on spray dynamics is not well understood and the application of hybrid turbulence models to fuel spray simulation in the Eulerian-Lagrangian framework with two-way coupling is still at starting stage. In the present study, a better understanding of the effect of the stochastic model on spray dynamics can be obtained by using a statistical analysis of stochastic dispersion time and velocity of dispersed droplets. In order to assess the ability of the hybrid model to improve the radial spread and the inhomogenous distribution of small droplets produced by a high-pressure injector, a partially averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) model is implemented in an open-source code OpenFOAM and is compared with an unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model and a large eddy simulation (LES) model. The results show the importance of resolving large-scale turbulent structures on droplet dispersion modeling in high-velocity fuel spray simulation. The common stochastic dispersion model used in RANS developed for homogenous, isotropic turbulent flows leads to the non-physical dynamics and distribution of droplets and hence is not applicable to the droplet dispersion which is dominated by the non-stochastic motion of large-scale structures in free shear layers. Using PANS instead of RANS should improve the droplet dispersion modeling accuracy of high-velocity fuel sprays in the development of diesel engines with an advanced injection system.
Cultivating membership abroad: Analyzing German pre-integration courses for Turkish marriage migrants

ABSTRACT Addressing research on migration governance, this article examines German pre-integration courses offered to Turkish marriage migrants in Istanbul. The courses were implemented in response to growing concern about the perceived poor integration of Muslim migrants and a high number of forced marriages. I argue that these courses are a micro form of biopolitical governance. Specifically, they are an attempt to generate internalized ways of being and knowing that are desired by the state, which I call ‘membership cultivation. ’ As such, the courses are not precisely aimed at restricting migration as in other pre-integration measures, nor are they mainly reinforcing symbolic boundaries and teaching liberalism as in post-migration German civic integration courses. Rather, the courses attempt to re-make migrants with regards to morality, culture and gender. Using participant observation and in-depth interviews, this research examines the disciplinary mechanisms targeting migrants’ transformation to enhance our understanding of the biopolitics of pre-integration governance.
Africa Would Need to Import More Maize in the Future Even Under 1.5°C Warming Scenario

Producing enough food to feed a growing population is a great future challenge, especially for vulnerable areas in Africa. There is limited understanding of food security under future climate conditions, particularly under the warming target stipulated in the Paris Agreement. Maize is the most widely cultivated crop in Africa. Taking maize as an example, we present an integrated assessment of maize supply and demand under 1.5°C and 2.0°C warming scenarios, considering the combined impacts of climate change, technology development and population increase. We find that global warming of 1.5°C or 2.0°C would shorten maize growth duration, aggravate droughts, and consequently reduce yield with a spatially explicit pattern. Maize yield would decrease more under global warming of 2.0°C versus 1.5°C. Benefit of rising CO2 concentration could not fully offset the yield loss due to climate change under global warming of 1.5°C. Technology development can significantly improve the ratio of maize supply to demand, which is however subject to future projections on population and technology development. Under a reasonable logarithmic technology development scenario, maize security would become worse in most of the countries in Africa. Our findings highlight the importance of technology development and adaptation strategies to meet the challenges of food security in the vulnerable regions.
Creation of novel structured carbon nanotubes using different-polarity ion plasmas

In order to develop novel functional carbon-based nanomaterials, an original approach using plasma technology has been performed. When positive or negative bias voltages are applied to a substrate that is covered with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and immersed in alkali–fullerene plasmas, accelerated negative fullerene or positive alkali-metal ions are irradiated on the SWNTs through plasma sheaths in front of the substrate. Field emission gun transmission electron microscopy (FEG-TEM) images clearly show that drastic structural modifications such as severe bending of SWNT bundles and tube tip termination take place after the ion irradiation. Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry confirms the existence of the elements Na, K and Cs in the samples after alkali-metal irradiation. In particular, Cs encapsulation inside the SWNTs is directly observed, the configuration of which is demonstrated to comprise three varieties by FEG-TEM and scanning TEM. In the case of irradiation by positive bias application, on the other hand, SWNTs encapsulating fullerene molecules are clearly observed. Furthermore, the fullerene encapsulation yield within the SWNTs linearly increases with an enhancement of the plasma density used. Finally, a sequential bias application with polarity change gives the possibility of formation of a nanojunction structure composed of Cs rows and C60 chains. It is worth emphasizing that our results open a new possibility for novel structured material synthesis using plasma technology.
Factors Affecting the Interlayer Shear Strength of Laboratory and Field Samples

Asphalt emulsion is the most widely used tack coat material in the U.S. The objective of this study is to investigate factors that may affect the interlayer bond shear strength of asphalt emulsion tack coats of both laboratory and field compacted samples. The laboratory study included six types of tack coat materials applied on two surfaces with two residual application rates. The field study phase involved validation of the interlayer shear performance findings using field cores extracted from paving projects. The field study included taking cores of the existing layer, emulsions used for interlayer bonding, and loose mixes of new asphalt layers. Materials were collected to produce the laboratory prepared specimens for comparison with the field cores. Results of the laboratory study demonstrate that there is a direct relationship between the roughness (texture) of the existing surface and the interlayer shear strength (ISS) between two surfaces. Statistical analysis provided a strong correlation and indicated that 79% of the data variance can be explained with surface texture, emulsion type, application rate, and replicate effects. Comparing field cores with laboratory produced samples showed no clear relationship between the shear strength of laboratory and field specimens. It is speculated that the difference in compaction of the upper layers in the laboratory and field, and effect of shearing during coring of the samples from the field, resulted in higher laboratory shear values relative to field core values. The study highlights major challenges in using laboratory prepared samples to predict field behavior of tack coats.
Blended Learning During Pandemic Corona Virus: Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions

The pandemic coronavirus is forcing educational institutions to shift rapidly to distance and online learning. It forces teachers and students to apply blended learning even though they may not be ready to teach and learn in fully online contexts. Hence, this research aims to explore teachers' and students' perceptions at Parahikma Institute of Indonesia regarding the use of blended learning as media learning during the pandemic coronavirus. This research was a qualitative design applying phenomenology. The technique of selecting participants was convenience sampling. The participants of this study consist of nine students from the third, fifth, and seventh semesters who were enrolled in the English Education Department and three lecturers who taught English at Parahikma Institute of Indonesia. This study utilized semi-structured interviews as the single data collection method. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of this study covered two parts, namely the teachers' and students' perceptions. In terms of teachers’ perception, the teachers reported some advantages regarding blended learning such as effective learning, autonomous learning and easy to use. However, there were challenges for the teachers in teaching through blended learning such as poor internet connection, time-consuming, and less experience. On the contrary, regarding students’ perceptions, students also reported benefits the blended learning like flexible learning, motivation, interaction, and improving their ICT skills. In addition, poor internet connection and incomprehensible materials were considered as the problem that hampers their learning.
Do surveys change behaviour? Insights from digital trace data

ABSTRACT Surveys continue to be a popular way of collecting data in the social sciences. But, despite their popularity they have a number of limitations including the possibility of changing the behaviour of respondents. Such mere-measure or question-behaviour effects can compromise the external validity of social data. In this article, we use digital trace data collected from PCs and mobile devices to investigate the effects of surveys on news and politics consumption. Using a non-probability panel of respondents in Germany we combine the digital trace data with that from three online surveys regarding the federal election. In contrast to our expectation, the participation in the survey does not influence online news and politics media consumption. Furthermore, we find weak evidence that respondents with previous high media consumption are less likely to be influenced by doing the survey compared to those with low media consumption.
Thermo-responsive polymers with aggregation induced emission

Abstract Thermo-responsive fluorescent materials are promising candidates for the development of fluorescent thermometers, biological sensors and biomedicine. Since the interesting phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was first defined by Tang in 2001, it has provided a wonderful platform for development of efficient luminescent materials. Over the past decade, luminophors with AIE characteristics were incorporated into thermo-responsive polymers to construct smart polymers with temperature-dependent fluorescent behaviors. In this review, we summarized the working principles and related applications of AIE-active thermo-responsive polymers developed recently, mainly focusing on fluorescence intensity enhancement with either increasing or decreasing temperature. Graphical Abstract
Novel solid forms of the anti-tuberculosis drug, Isoniazid: ternary and polymorphic cocrystals

Novel cocrystals of an anti-tuberculosis drug, Isoniazid (INH), with pharmaceutically acceptable coformers such as nicotinamide (NA), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), fumaric acid (FA), and succinic acid (SA) are reported. Cocrystallization experiments involving INH and HBA produced two polymorphs of a novel hydrate of the INH·HBA cocrystal. Similarly, cocrystallization of INH and FA produced a novel polymorph of the reported INH·FA cocrystal. We have successfully explored the idea of designing ternary cocrystals involving INH with NA and FA or SA. All the novel solids were thoroughly characterized and their crystal structures determined. All the crystal structures feature an acid–pyridine heterosynthon involving INH and the carboxylic acid. Stability of the novel cocrystals was evaluated by slurry experiments and dynamic vapor sorption studies. In addition, stability of the cocrystals at accelerated test conditions (40 °C, 75% RH) was also tested. Anhydrous INH·HBA cocrystal and Form I of INH·HBA cocrystal hydrate were found to convert to Form II of the INH·HBA hydrate, and Form II of INH·FA cocrystal converted to Form I of the INH·FA cocrystal. Ternary cocrystals remain stable at all test conditions. Solubility and dissolution experiments revealed a greater solubility of the INH·NA·SA cocrystal and its dissolution rate is comparable to the dissolution rate of the native INH. All other cocrystals showed lower solubility and dissolution rate compared to INH.
Electrothermal ac electro-osmosis

Two ac polarization mechanisms, charge accumulation due to electrode double layer charging and bulk permittivity/conductivity gradients generated by Joule heating, are combined in the double layer by introducing zwitterions to produce a new ac electrokinetic pump with the largest velocity (>1 mm/s) and flow penetration depth (100 μm) reported for low-conductivity fluids. The large fluid velocity is due to a quartic scaling with respect to voltage, as is true of electrothermal flow, but exhibits a clear maximum at a frequency corresponding to the electrode double layer inverse RC time.
Assessment of a Metal−Organic Framework Membrane for Gas Separations Using Atomically Detailed Calculations: CO2, CH4, N2, H2 Mixtures in MOF-5

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a fascinating alternative to more traditional nanoporous materials. Although hundreds of different MOF structures have been synthesized in powder form, little is currently known about the potential performance of MOFs for membrane-based separations. We have used atomistic calculations to predict the performance of a MOF membrane for separation of various gas mixtures in order to provide information for material selection in membrane design. Specifically, we investigated the performance of MOF-5 as a membrane for separation of CO2/CH4, CO2/H2, CO2/N2, CH4/H2, N2/H2, and N2/CH4 mixtures at room temperature. In every case, mixture effects play a crucial role in determining the membrane performance. Although the membrane selectivities predicted for MOF-5 are not large for the mixtures we studied, our result suggest that atomistic simulations will be a useful tool for considering the large number of MOF crystal structures that are known in order to seek membrane .
Fe, Cu, Mn, And Zn Input and Availability in Calcareous Soils Amended with the Solid Phase of Pig Slurry

Abstract A number of feed additives, such as As, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Se are added to enhance pig growth and performance, but most of these micronutrients pass directly through the animal, which leads to elevated levels in the manure. An accumulation of P and trace elements, especially Zn and Cu, typically occurs with repeated swine manure application on soil. The potential environmental hazard associated with the loading of these elements in amended soils could actually be a positive fact in calcareous soils that usually show a high deficiency in available micronutrients. In this experiment, we analyzed the effect of the application of the solid phase of pig slurry to agricultural calcareous soils on the input and availability of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. The experimental design was based on a field experiment using, as fertilizers two manures derived from the solid phase of pig slurry (composted, [C] and noncomposted [NC]). Two application rates were established to supply to the soils 300 and 450 kg N ha−1, respectively, using a nonamended soil as a control. Soil samples were taken at 0, 14, 33, 53, 73, and 103 days. Available Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn were extracted with DTPA (0.005 M DTPA, 0.01 N CaCl2, and 0.1 N TEA at pH 7) and determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A significant effect of manure application on available Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn was observed. Zn and, to a lesser degree, Fe DTPA contents in amended soils were increased by composted and noncomposted pig manure, and Mn was increased by the noncomposted material. Extractable Cu was lower in amended soils, than in the controls. In general, the composted pig manure induced less variation of the studied micronutrient contents in amended soils than the noncomposted manure.
Cyanogenesis prospection in galled and non-galled tissues of Microgramma squamulosa (Polypodiaceae)

Rocha, Mariana Fernandes da1; Isabella Rodrigues Lancellotti1; Marcelo Guerra Santos1* 1 Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Faculdade de Formação de Professores, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 24435-005, São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil. * Corresponding author: marceloguerrasantos@gmail.com ORCID: Mariana Fernandes da Rocha: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4377-4781 Isabella Rodrigues Lancellotti: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4856-0694 Marcelo Guerra Santos: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0680-4566 Prospecção da cianogênese em tecidos galhados e não galhados de Microgramma squamulosa (Polypodiaceae)
High Performances of Pt/ZnO Catalysts in Selective Hydrogenation of Crotonaldehyde

Hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde in the gas phase, at atmospheric pressure and 353 K over Pt/ZnO catalysts, was studied. Two types of precursor, (Pt(NH3)4(NO3)2 and H2PtCl6, referred to as A and B catalysts, respectively, were used for catalyst preparation. Before the catalytic experiments the catalysts were reduced at different temperatures. The reducibility of the support and the catalysts was followed by TPR. Catalysts were also analysed by XPS and XRD. Rapid deactivation during time on stream was observed. The A and B catalysts showed different dependence on the reduction temperature. Thus, the A catalyst had the highest activity when reduced at 473 K; a further increase in the reduction temperature led to a decrease in the activity, but at 673 K both catalysts A and B showed nearly the same activity. On the B catalyst, the crotyl alcohol selectivity reached a value as high as 75–80%, whatever the reduction temperature. The B catalyst was better dispersed than the A catalyst and formed a PtZn alloy at low reduction temperature (473 K). It contained about 5 wt% chloride, whatever the reduction temperature. In contrast, Pt metal particles were only formed on the A catalyst, reduced at 473 K, and then showed low selectivity in crotyl alcohol. However, when the reduction temperature was increased, activity decreased and crotyl alcohol selectivity increased parallel to Pt–Zn alloy formation. One can speculate that Pt sites, when alloyed to Zn, formed Ptδ−–Znδ+ entities, on which the crotonaldehyde adsorbed by the carbonyl group rather than by the C=C double bond. On the B catalyst, the high selectivity observed, whatever the reduction temperature, led us to assume that besides the alloying effect, chlorine has an important promotor effect by increasing the polarity of Znδ+ in the PtZn catalytic sites and facilitating the carbonyl adsorption. A reaction network and mechanism were put forward. Kinetic models, developed from the proposed elementary step mechanisms, were used to discuss the influence of support and promoters on reaction selectivity.