Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The beneficial effect of salicylic acid on rose plants exposed to iso-osmotic stress.

Effect of 0.01M salicylic acid treatment on two rose plant cultivars (‘Red Berlin’ and ‘Red Horizon’) exposed to 0.2M NaCl or 0.35M D-Mannitol iso-osmotic stress (-1,05MPa) was studied. After five days of stress, the salicylic acid treatment strongly increased the proline content in leaves up to 28 times compared to control. It did not affect the soluble sugars content in ‘Red Berlin’, but decreased it below the control levels in ‘Red Horizon’. The plant response to salicylic acid application varied and was dependent upon the cultivar and the iso-osmotic agent. Thus, the salicylic acid had a beneficial effect on plants under NaCl stress and caused a slight increase in chlorophyll content and a significant increase in the quantum yield of photosystem PII in rose plants under Mannitol stress (Fv/Fm ratio about 0.72). It also increased leaf fresh/dry weight ratio of stressed plants (81% in ‘Red Berlin’), while it significantly reduced electrolyte leakage of stressed leaves.
Development of an Ethanol Yield Procedure for Dry-Grind Corn Processing

ABSTRACT In 2008, the United States produced ethanol at a rate of 39.5 billion L/year; an additional 8.5 billion L/year capacity was under construction. Kernel composition and physical properties are not correlated with ethanol yield. A procedure that measured the potential of hybrids to produce ethanol would benefit corn seed companies, corn producers, and ethanol processors. The objective was to develop a laboratory procedure to measure ethanol yield from corn samples and evaluate the developed procedure for accuracy and precision. To determine parameters for routine analyses, effects of mill type, dry solids, and yeast addition were investigated separately followed by effects of fermentation time (Tf), glucoamylase dose, and yeast addition. Measurement of ethanol using HPLC and gravimetric (change in weight due to CO2 loss) methods were compared. Using the procedure developed, ethanol yields for five diverse hybrids (dent, waxy, white, high oil, and high amylose) were measured. Effects of mill type, dr.
Encapsulation of Water‐Immiscible Solvents in Polyglutamate/ Polyelectrolyte Nanocontainers

A novel approach for encapsulation of hydrophobic materials into a hydrophilic multifunctional shell is presented, based on combining an ultrasonic technique and a layer‐by‐layer protocol. Polyglutamate/polyethyleneimine (PEI)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyglutamate/PEI/PAA/silver nanocontainers loaded with a hydrophobic dye, 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphin, dissolved in toluene, are fabricated. Uniform, stable, and monodisperse polyglutamate/PEI/PAA nanocontainers of about 600 nm are obtained. The hydrophobic core of the nanocontainers might contain a huge variety of water‐insoluble drugs and the outer polyelectrolyte shell may provide controlled permeability and desired multifunctionality. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed for the characterization of the resulting nanocontainers. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant, the amount of nanocontainers, their monodispersity, and stability can be increased dramatically.
North East Scotland River Catchment Nitrate Loading in Relation to Agricultural Intensity

Abstract Modern agricultural practices have been strongly linked with increased NO3-N loadings in surface waters. Nitrate leaching increases as land use progresses from forest and moorland through grassland, to arable agriculture. There are, within the UK, few studies on a regional scale capable of displaying a relationship between land cover (agricultural intensity) and water quality. This relationship can be investigated using computer manipulation of spatial geographic information together with conventional river and agricultural census data. Simple regression analysis against primary land cover suggests that agriculture is reponsible for annual losses of nitrate in North East Scotland river catchments. Further multi-linear regression analysis, using the GIS data and agricultural census returns indicate that most of the outstanding variation can be accounted for if the agricultural variable is related to agricultural practice, such as spring, winter and grass cropping.
Mechanisms for Fe(III) Oxide Reduction in Sedimentary Environments

Although it was previously considered that Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms must come into direct contact with Fe(III) oxides in order to reduce them, recent studies have suggested that electron-shuttling compounds and/or Fe(III) chelators, either naturally present or produced by the Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms themselves, may alleviate the need for the Fe(III) reducers to establish direct contact with Fe(III) oxides. Studies with Shewanella alga strain BrY and Fe(III) oxides sequestered within microporous beads demonstrated for the first time that this organism releases a compound(s) that permits electron transfer to Fe(III) oxides which the organism cannot directly contact. Furthermore, as much as 450 w M dissolved Fe(III) was detected in cultures of S. alga growing in Fe(III) oxide medium, suggesting that this organism releases compounds that can solublize Fe(III) from Fe(III) oxide. These results contrast with previous studies, which demonstrated that Geobacter metallireducens does not produce electron-shuttles or Fe(III) chelators. Some freshwater aquatic sediments and groundwaters contained compounds, which could act as electron shuttles by accepting electrons from G. metallireducens and then transferring the electrons to Fe(III). However, other samples lacked significant electron-shuttling capacity. Spectroscopic studies indicated that the electron-shuttling capacity of the waters was not only associated with the presence of humic substances, but water extracts of walnut, oak, and maple leaves contained electron-shuttling compounds did not appear to be humic substances. Porewater from a freshwater aquatic sediment and groundwater from a petroleum-contaminated aquifer contained dissolved Fe(III) (4-16 w M), suggesting that soluble Fe(III) may be available as an electron acceptor in some sedimentary environments. These results demonstrate that in order to accurately model the mechanisms for Fe(III) reduction in sedimentary environments it will be necessary to have information on the concentrations of electron-shuttling compounds and possibly Fe(III) ligands. Furthermore, as it is now apparent that different genera of Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms may reduce Fe(III) via different mechanisms, knowledge of which Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms predominate in the environment of interest is essential in order to model this process appropriately.
Molecular Mobility in Cyclic Hydrocarbons: A Simulation Study

Mixtures of cyclohexane and cyclohexene are investigated by means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Thermodynamic properties (density, enthalpy of vaporization), transport coefficients (different diffusion coefficients, reorientation times), and structural properties (radial distribution functions) were calculated for seven different compositions and compared to experimental results where available. Transport coefficients indicate a nonideal behavior at low cyclohexene concentrations. The problem of determining the mean-squared displacement from a constant pressure simulation is addressed, and a method is derived, which minimizes the artifacts introduced by the rescaling of the periodic box.
Magnetoplasmonic Nanorings as Novel Architectures with Tunable Magneto‐optical Activity in Wide Wavelength Ranges

Funding from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through grants “FUNCOAT” CONSOLIDER CSD2008–00023, MAPS MAT2011–29194-C02–01, and from Comunidad de Madrid through grant “MICROSERES-CM” S2009/TIC-1476 is acknowledged. Hua Yu Feng thanks the funding from CSC (Chinese Scholarship Council), grant No. 201206220112. F. Luo would like to acknowledge the supports of NSFC (Nos. 51002003 & 11090332) as well as RYC-2012-11954. D. G. acknowledges RYC-2012–09864.
Polarization Grating of Photoaligned Liquid Crystals with Oppositely Twisted Domain Structures

ABSTRACT We demonstrate a polarization grating of a liquid crystal (LC) in an oppositely twisted configuration using the photo-alignment technique. The polarization-modulated nature of the LC polarization grating is produced by a single-masking process with two step-exposure of a linearly polarized ultraviolet light. The LC polarization grating presented here produces high diffraction efficiency and polarization independence.
CHANGES IN TEXTURE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF PRESSURE‐TREATED FISH MUSCLE TISSUE DURING CHILLED STORAGE

Activities of four endogenous enzymes (cathepsin C, collagenase, chymotrypsin- and trypsin-like enzymes), as well as firmness/strength and elasticity of pressurized fish tissues were monitored over 3 weeks of storage (4–7C). Results indicate that pressurization of fish muscle at 1,000 atm increased firmness whereas pressurization at 2,000 atm or 3,000 atm caused an opposite effect. Changes in tissue elasticity also showed similar trends with correlation between firmness and elasticity. During storage, pressure-inactivated enzymes were reactivated to various extents depending on level of pressurization. Scanning electron microscopy of the tissues revealed some morphological changes with pressurization. At 1,000 atm, there were no significant changes in the myofibers while pressurization at 2,000 atm and 3,000 atm resulted in breakdown of myofibers and connective tissue networks. The results indicate that pressurization may be used to enhance and maintain fresh seafood texture during storage.
Manipulation of the Orientational Response of Liquid Crystals to Proteins Specifically Bound to Covalently Immobilized and Mechanically Sheared Films of Functionalized Bovine Serum Albumin

This paper reports on the orientational behavior of thermotropic liquid crystals supported on films of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) that are covalently immobilized on the surface of glass substrates using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APES) and disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). The films of biotinylated BSA are mechanically sheared and then immersed into aqueous solutions of anti-biotin immunoglobulin G (IgG) prior to contact with nematic phases of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB). Using ellipsometry, we found the capacity of the films of biotinylated BSA to bind anti-biotin IgG to be unchanged upon shearing with a polyester cloth. In contrast, we determined the orientational response of nematic phases of 5CB to the presence of bound anti-biotin IgG to be a strong function of the normal pressure applied during shearing, as well as the magnitude of the lateral displacement of the film of biotinylated BSA when in contact with the surface of the polyester cloth. The shear rate, however, appears to have little influence on the response of the liquid crystal to bound IgG. These results demonstrate that it is possible to manipulate the response (sensitivity) of liquid crystals to IgG specifically bound to sheared films offunctionalized BSA by changing the manner of shearing of the films of BSA without changing the capacity of the films to bind IgG. We also report a characterization of the nanometer-scale topography of mechanically sheared films of biotinylated BSA using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Manganese removal and occurrence of manganese oxidizing bacteria in full-scale biofilters

Biological treatment of drinking water to remove manganese (Mn) is becoming more and more common. However, details as to how the technology works remain poorly understood. Some previous studies have focused on bacteria of the genus Leptothrix , identifying them as one of the predominant organisms in Mn oxidizing biofilms. This research took media from inside the filters of four Mn biofiltration plants in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. The water was characterized for all four sites and it was found that Mn removal from all plants is virtually 100%. Biofilm was detached from the sand and tested for presence of Leptothrix using real-tme polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) DNA amplification. Less specific testing for Mn oxidizing bacteria was done simultaneously using indicative agar plates. Results showed that only one plant contained Leptothrix in its filters while three of the four plants tested positive for manganese oxidizing bacteria (MOB) through plating. These results, along with other evidence, suggest that while the mechanism of oxidation observed is likely biological, Leptothrix is not necessarily the predominant organism carrying out biooxidation.
[HN(C2H4)3NH][V6O14]·H2O: a mixed-valence layered vanadium oxide with interlamellar organic cations

The new mixed-valence vanadium oxide [(HN(C2H4)3NH)][V6O14]·H2O contains layers of composition [(V5+)2(V4+)4O14]2– with protonated [HN(C2H4)3NH]2+ dications and water molecules in the interlayer region.
Comparing mono- and bimetallic noble-metal catalysts in a catalytic membrane reactor for methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation

H{sub 2} storage, in the form of liquid organic hydrides, e.g., methylcyclohexane (MCH), was proposed for the seasonal storage of electricity. A catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) containing a catalyst bed and a tubular palladium-silver (Pd-Ag) membrane to separate the coproduced H{sub 2}, was used to obtain higher than equilibrium conversions in the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH). A monometallic, Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (MM30S), and a bimetallic, Pt-Re/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (BM30), noble-metal catalysts and two membranes with 0.1 and 0.2 mm wall thickness were employed. Experiments in the CMR at 573--673 K, 1--2 MPa, and liquid hourly space velocities (LHSVs) up to 12 volume feed/(h{times}reactor volume) showed that catalyst MM30S was outstanding in performance giving significant improvement in toluene (TOL) and H{sub 2} yields over the equilibrium values at commercially relevant conditions. Catalyst BM30 deactivated exceeding equilibrium yields to extents considerably lower than those with catalyst MM30S. However, the ratios of H{sub 2} permeation to generation rates were almost equal for the two catalysts under comparable conditions. The extent by which the equilibrium conversions were exceeded, decreased as the LHSV increased due to permeation limited operation. Reactor axial temperature profiles showed the existence of two cold spots in the CMR. An attemptmore » is made to correlate the extent of MCH conversion to TOL in the CMR with the operating variables. « less
The stage ii recovery behavior of a series of ion-irradiated platinum (gold) alloys as studied by field-ion microscopy

Abstract Direct and visible evidence has been obtained for long-range migration of self-interstitial atoms (SIAs) in Stage II of three different ion-irradiated platinum (gold) alloys. Field-ion microscope (FIM) specimens of Pt-0.10, 0.62 and 4.0 at. % Au alloys were irradiated in situ with 30 keV W+ or Pt+ ions at a tip temperature of 35 to 41 K at 2 × 10−9 torr. Direct observation of the surfaces of the FIM specimens during isochronal warming experiments to 100 K showed that a flux of SIAs crossed the specimens' surfaces between 40 to 100 K. The spectrum for each alloy consisted of two recovery peaks (substages IIB and IIC). The results are explained on the basis of an impurity-delayed diffusion mechanism employing a two-level trapping model. The application of this diffusion model to the isochronal recovery spectra yielded a dissocation enthalpy (δh diss li-Au) and an effective diffusion coefficient for each substage; for substage IIB δh diss li-Au (IIB) = 0.15 eV for substage IIC δh diss li-Au (IIC) = 0.
Heterogeneous Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Catalyst Discovery and Optimization

High-throughput methods are utilized in the discovery and optimization of heterogeneous catalyst formulations that promote single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) synthesis. Catalyst compositions, substrates, and reaction conditions are varied to efficiently investigate SWNT growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A robotic microarray printer is employed to print libraries of the liquid-based catalyst precursors onto various substrates. After CVD, the catalyst arrays are qualitatively screened for yield via electron microscopy. More comprehensive characterization of candidate catalysts is further investigated with confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS). Detailed CRS mapping reveals information concerning the printed catalyst and nanotube homogeneity in the microarrays. This powerful characterization approach allows for the high-throughput screening of nanotube type, diameter distribution, and purity within the microarrays. The methodology described has enabled the efficient exploration of synthesis parameters,.
Electrodeposition of ZnO layers for photovoltaic applications: controlling film thickness and orientation

A systematic study of the effect of the zinc oxide (ZnO) electrodeposition parameters (concentration, temperature, potential and pH) on film morphology, thickness, transparency, roughness and crystallographic orientation is presented with the view of producing optimized thin, planar, and continuous ZnO films for photovoltaic applications. Electrochemical measurements of the deposition charge as a function of time are used to understand the mechanism of nucleation and textured growth. Continuous thin films of crystalline ZnO are obtained at temperatures below 100 °C without the need for subsequent annealing. The formation of continuous films is favoured by high concentrations of Zn2+ precursor (> 100 mM), high temperature (> 70 °C) and low potentials (< −1.1 V/AgAgCl). A low bulk solution pH is shown to be a key factor in obtaining thin continuous films and the crystallographic orientation of these films can also be controlled by the deposition parameters. The importance of orientation and thickness control on device performance is shown by using the electrodeposited films as electron extracting interlayers in a model organic photovoltaic system.
Effectiveness of Croton cajucara Benth on corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in saline medium

Application of corrosion inhibitors is one of the most common practices for the protection of steel structures and their alloys in industry. Since metallic corrosion is a major cause of economic losses in the oil industry, the use of natural inhibitors is an alternative for sustainable technological development. In the present study the effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic extract of the plant species Croton cajucara Benth (CC) dissolved in a microemulsion system (MES‐CC) as well as in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO‐CC) was evaluated as corrosion inhibitor on carbon steel AISI 1020 in saline medium. Surface tension measurements of the MES‐CC confirmed micelle formation, and rheological data showed that viscosity varies with temperature. According to potentiodynamic technique and Tafel extrapolation, maximum inhibition efficiencies were effective (93.84% for MES‐CC and 64.73% for DMSO‐CC) with predominant control of cathodic reaction. The adsorption of MES‐CC on carbon steel surface obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm, while DMSO‐CC was found to follow the Frumkin isotherm.
Direct DNA Extraction from Soil and DNA Purification: Comparison of the Different Methods.

To evaluate the diversity of microorganisms in soil as an environmental index, the analysis of DNA directly extracted from soil is very useful. In this study, We compared different methods employed for the direct extraction of DNA from the soil. The following method was most effective in DNA yield: that is, lysis with a high-salt extraction buffer (1.5 M NaCl) containing 1% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and proteinase K at extended heating (2h) in 1% SDS solution. Also a method proposed by TOYOTA Co., Ltd. was effective; it needed little time (1hr) to complete the extraction process while the other methods needed more than two hours. For DNA purification, combination of PVPP (Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone) columns and Sepharose 4B columns was most effective.
The essential oil of Salvia pomifera L

ABSTRACT A water-distilled essential oil obtained from the leaves of Salvia pomifera was examined by GC/MS. Twenty-seven components representing 92.87% of the oil were characterized. The major components were β-thujone (50.67%), α-thujone (15.64%) and 1,8-cineole (7.08%).
High sensitivity spectrometer at 3 /spl mu/m based on difference frequency generation for N/sub 2/O detection

We report the description of a laser spectrometer based on difference-frequency generation. As a pump laser, we used a master-slave diode laser configuration emitting at 785 nm, while for a signal laser, we used a diode-pumped Nd : YAG laser. The wavelength of the idler radiation is continuously tunable in the spectral region between 2.88 to 3.02 /spl mu/m. In this range lie the /spl nu//sub 1/ fundamental vibrational symmetric stretching mode of water vapor and the relatively strong combination band /spl nu//sub 1/+/spl nu//sub 3/ of nitrous oxide that are both investigated in this work. We show that both molecules can be simultaneously detected by using a simple absorption scheme and by tuning the spectrometer frequency within few gigahertz. A systematic study of pressure broadening for a N/sub 2/O line has been performed in presence of the main air constituents, i.e., nitrogen and oxygen. Finally, the estimation of the minimum detectable N/sub 2/O concentration at 500 torr of nitrogen resulted in 2.6(2) ppmV with 0.9-m absorption path-length.
Gas-Phase Tropospheric Chemistry of Volatile Organic Compounds: 1. Alkanes and Alkenes

Literature data (through mid-1996) concerning the gas-phase reactions of alkanes and alkenes (including isoprene and monoterpenes) leading to their first generation products are reviewed and evaluated for tropospheric conditions. The recommendations of the most recent IUPAC evaluation [J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 26, No. 3 (1997)] are used for the ⩽C3 organic compounds, unless more recent data necessitates reevaluation. The most recent review and evaluation of Atkinson [J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, Monograph 2, 1 (1994)] concerning the kinetics of the reactions of OH radicals, NO3 radicals, and O3 is also updated for these two classes of volatile organic compounds.
'Molecular-imprinting' of AMP utilising the polyion complex formation process as detected by a QCM system

The formation of a polyion complex was applied for molecular imprinting of AMP on a QCM resonator surface. The gold electrode on the resonator surface was modified with anionic thiols. Subsequently, layers of polycations and boronic acid-containing polyanions were adsorbed onto the QCM anionic surface utilising an alternating adsorption process. When the polymer adsorption was conducted in the presence of AMP, the anionic charges of the phosphate group introduced into polyanion by a boronate–cis-diol interaction altered the film growth behaviour: viz., excess polycationic units were adsorbed onto the polyanionic surface. After removal of the AMP from the surface polyion complex, a swollen gel layer with excess cationic charge is created. It was proven that this QCM system sensitively responds to AMP. The responsiveness is derived from the mass decrease in relation to the shrinking of the surface gel layer.