Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of gender, neuter status, and training method on police dog narcotics olfaction performance, behavior and welfare

Objective: This study was carried out to study the influence of gender, neuter status, and training method on police dog narcotics olfaction performance, behavior, and welfare. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 German Shepherds aged 1–3 years were used for this study. The dogs were separated into two experiments. The first experiment (32 dogs and 28 bitches) was used to study the influence of gender on olfaction and smell to narcotics in police dog performance and training methods with behavioral problems and welfare. The second experiment (30 dogs and 30 bitches) was used to study the influence of sexual status (entire or neutered) on the smelling of narcotics in police dog performance by comparing with intact dogs and bitches. Results: We found that there were significant differences in sex in training to detect narcotics. Male German Shepherds were found to be significantly more trainable than females. Neutering causes a difference in trainability in male and female dogs. Gonadectomy had adverse effects on training. The intact male and female German Shepherds were found to be significantly more trainable than the neutered ones, and the reward-based method was found to be significantly more trainable than punishment. Dog training methods incorporated by punishment result in pain, suffering, emotional instability, symptoms of depression, aggression, unwanted barking, growling at other people, not under control all time, less trainability, increased problematic behavior, and decreased dog welfare. Conclusion: Reward-based method is associated with lower lousy behavior and dogs with good behavior, such as, attachment attention behavior, dogs under the control of handler all times, higher trainability, less problematic behavior, and increased dog welfare.
Electrochemical photovoltaic cells—review of recent developments

Photoelectrochemistry is attracting extensive attention from scientists worldwide for its use in converting light energy into electricity in electrochemical photovoltaic cells, the most common form of which, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), can offer both flexibility and transparency. Their efficiencies are now comparable with amorphous silicon solar cells but at a much lower cost. This review covers not only the fundamentals of electrochemical photovoltaic cell operation but also recent advances in research and development for industrial applications. The most recent research topics relating to DSSCs, for example, applications of nanostructured n-type semiconducting electrodes, ionic liquid electrolytes and graphene and carbon nanotube electrodes are all included. In addition, the storage of electrochemical energy by electrochemical photovoltaic cells has also been reviewed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Flavin-mediated oxidative decarboxylation of p-chlorobenzoylformic acid assisted by cyanide ion and cationic micelles

Oxidative decarboxylation of p-chlorobenzoylformic acid to p-chlorobenzoic acid occurs readily in the presence of a flavin, cyanide ion, and cationic micelles, the reaction involving trapping by the flaving of the carbanion intermediate formed from the cyanide-adduct.
Klick‐Chemie. Synthesen, die gelingen

Ein Synthesekonzept, das auf Grundlage weniger, sehr zuverlassig ablaufender Reaktionen mit einer breiten Substratspezifitat rasch zu einer hohen Diversitat fuhrt, ist die Klick-Chemie. Diese ist auf Grund der hohen Zeitersparnis insbesondere fur die Wirkstoffforschung von groser Bedeutung. Die Kriterien umfassen neben gunstigen thermodynamischen Voraussetzungen vor allem eine einfache Reaktionsfuhrung und eine leichte (fast nicht mehr notwendige) Aufarbeitung. Die kupferkatalysierte, 1, 3-dipolare Alkin-Azid-Cycloaddition hat sich hierbei als erfolgreichste Klick-Reaktion erwiesen, deren Vorzuge in den unterschiedlichsten Bereichen der Chemie mittlerweile genutzt werden. Die mechanistischen Vorstellungen dieser katalytischen Reaktion werden naher beleuchtet.
Raman Spectroscopic Identification of Uric-Acid-Type Kidney Stone

Kidney stones of the uric acid type were examined by Raman spectroscopy. The fingerprint pattern of the Raman spectra of these stones matched those of uric acid better than those of sodium urate. Although the Raman spectra of most stones were masked by the high fluorescence of the stones, with the use of a computer to correct the baseline, the Raman scattering bands became distinct. Uric acid has distinct Raman bands at 472, 562, 627, 784, 885, 999, 1039, 1122, 1234, 1288, 1046, 1499, 1595, and 1652 cm−1. The kidney stones examined also showed these bands, indicating that the stones were the uric acid type. Raman spectroscopy is a useful analytical tool for identifying the composition of kidney stones without much sample preparation.
Detection of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate through graphene–β-cyclodextrin composites by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

A β-cyclodextrin–graphene (β-CD–G) hybrid composite modified glassy carbon electrode for the first time was used for electrochemically detecting di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), based on the inclusion of DEHP into β-CD. The electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. At the composites electrode, the impedance value increased linearly with the increasing DEHP concentration in the range of 2 μM to 18 μM, the limit of detection was 0.12 μM (3σ method), with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The electrode showed good selectivity, reproducibility and stability. Obviously, the collected amounts of DEHP by β-CD–G could be detected through this electrochemical method. Furthermore, this simple and low-cost sensing platform can in principle be extended to the detection of other phthalate esters which can form host–guest complexes with cyclodextrin.
Domain Compositions and Fullerene Aggregation Govern Charge Photogeneration in Polymer/Fullerene Solar Cells

The complex microstructure of organic semiconductor mixtures continues to obscure the connection between the active layer morphology and photovoltaic device performance. For example, the ubiquitous presence of mixed phases in the active layer of polymer/fullerene solar cells creates multiple morphologically distinct interfaces which are capable of exciton dissociation or charge recombination. Here, it is shown that domain compositions and fullerene aggregation can strongly modulate charge photogeneration at ultrafast timescales through studies of a model system, mixtures of a low band‐gap polymer, poly[(4,4′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]germole)‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(2,1,3‐benzothia‐diazole)‐4,7‐diyl], and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester. Structural characterization using energy‐filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and resonant soft X‐ray scattering shows similar microstructures even with changes in the overall film composition. Composition maps generated from EFTEM, however, demonstrate that compositions of mixed domains vary significantly with overall film composition. Furthermore, the amount of polymer in the mixed domains is inversely correlated with device performance. Photoinduced absorption studies using ultrafast infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that polaron concentrations are highest when mixed domains contain the least polymer. Grazing‐incidence X‐ray scattering results show that larger fullerene coherence lengths are correlated to higher polaron yields. Thus, the purity of the mixed domains is critical for efficient charge photogeneration because purity modulates fullerene aggregation and electron delocalization.
Brominated poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) (BIMS)-clay nanocomposites: Synthesis and characterization

In this work, preparation and properties of different nanoclays modified by organic amines (octadecyl amine, a primary amine, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a tertiary amine) and brominated polyisobutylene-co-paramethylstyrene (BIMS)-clay nanocomposites are reported. The clays and the rubber nanocomposites have been characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The X-ray diffraction peaks observed in the range of 3 °–10 ° for the modified clays disappear in the rubber nanocomposites. TEM photographs show predominantly exfoliation of the clays in the range of 12 ± 4 nm in the BIMS. In the FTIR spectra of the nanocomposites, there are common peaks of virgin rubber as well as those of the clays. Excellent improvement in mechanical properties like tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus is observed on incorporation of the nanoclays in the BIMS. Structure-property correlation in the above nanocomposites is attempted. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4489–4502, 2004
Selective sensing of caesium ions by novel calix[4]arene bis(dibenzocrown) ethers in an aqueous environment

Calix[4]arene bis(dibenzocrown) ethers 3 and 4 were successfully synthesized in the fixed 1,3-alternate conformation in over 70% yield via the reaction of calix[4]arene with dibenzo dimesylates 6 and 7, respectively, in acetonitrile in the presence of caesium carbonate as base. Exhibiting typical 1H NMR spectrum patterns, 3 and 4 are in the 1,3-alternate conformation, which is confirmed by X-ray analysis. Among four synthetic compounds tested, 3 shows the best selectivity and efficiency for a caesium ion complexation over other alkali metal ions using the single flux method through a bulk liquid membrane system. Enhancement of the complexation ability is attributable to the flatness and lipophilicity of the ethereal linkages caused by introducing the dibenzo groups on the calix[4]arene moiety. Two phase extraction experiments using calix[4]arene bis(crown) ethers with caesium ions are found to give a 1∶1 ligand–metal complexation ratio.
Effects of alkali post-treatment on the particle morphology of soap-free poly(methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid) latices

Poly(methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid) P(MMA-EA-AA) latices with narrow particle size distribution and “clean” particle surface were first synthesized by batch soap-free emulsion polymerization, and the latex particles with anomalous morphology were obtained by alkali post-treatment. Effects of treatment temperature and time, initial pH value, as well as 2-butanone amount, on the morphology of latex particles were investigated. Results showed that anomalous structure of the dried latex particles could be easily identified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation under the conditions of temperature >60°C, initial pH > 10.5 and 4.0–7.0 ml of 2-butanone used. The higher the pH value is, the earlier the anomalous structure will occur. The volume expansion (ΔV) of the particle increased with the increase in treatment temperature and 2-butanone amount. However, with the increase of initial pH value and treatment time, ΔV increased first and then decreased, and different maximum of ΔV values were observed based on different conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
mRNA Cap Modification through Carb­amate Chemistry: Synthesis of Amino- and Carboxy-Functionalised Cap Analogues Suitable for Labelling and Bioconjugation

A simple and efficient synthesis of dinucleotide mRNA 5′ cap analogues functionalised by the addition of an amine or carboxylic acid group onto one of the ribose rings is reported. Selection of the modification sites was dictated by the recognition specificity for the 5′ cap by various cap-binding proteins, including eIF4E, DcpS, and Dcp2, as well as by bacteriophage RNA polymerase, which enables the incorporation of the synthetic cap into the mRNA chain. Some analogues were further modified by O-to-CH2 substitution in the triphosphate bridge to confer resistance to specific hydrolases. Spatial crowding and structural rigidity were balanced by use of diamines and amino acids of different lengths attached to the ribose through a carbamate moiety. The impact of these substitutions on the conformational equilibria of the ribose components was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The utility of the analogues for labelling with fluorescent dyes and affinity tags was demonstrated with the aid of NHS activation chemistry.
On the Bonding in Bis-pyridine Iodonium Cations*

A study on the bonding in bis-pyridine halonium cations has been carried out using both theoretical and synthetic techniques. The primary thrust for the study is to highlight the opportunities potentially afforded by considering iodine as a Lewis acid in a classic coordination sense. Our results suggest that the iodine dipyridine complex ([pyr-I-pyr]+) can be considered as a coordination complex of [I]+. The lighter bromine and chlorine analogues are more towards the covalent rather than the dative side of bonding, while [pyr-F-pyr]+ is best described as an ion-molecule complex with one strong covalent F-pyr bond and one weak F-pyr dispersion interaction. Finally, theoretical and synthetic studies suggest that the commercially available [pyr-F]+ cation cannot be considered as a coordination complex of ‘F+’, despite its use as a source of electrophilic fluorine.
Minimum Fluidization Velocity and Transition Velocity to Fast Fluidization of Oxygen Carrier Particle for Chemical-Looping Combustor

In order to design and select appropriate operating conditions for the practical operation of chemical-looping combustor, which consists of two interconnected fluidized beds (bubbling fluidized bed and fast fluidized bed), minimum flu- idization velocity and transition velocity to fast fluidization were measured and investigated. Oxygen carrier particle of NiO/ bentonite particle (specific surface mean diameter: 0.181 mm, particle density: 4,080 kg/m 3 ) was used as a bed material. The minimum fluidization velocity was determined by measuring the bed pressure drop in the pressurized fluidized bed (0.052 m i.d. and 1.66 m high) with variations of temperature (25-1,000 o C) and pressure (1-6 atm). The transition velocity from bub- bling to fast fluidization was determined by means of emptying time method in the high temperature circulating fluidized bed (0.02 m i.d. and 2.0 m high) with variation of temperature (25-600 o C). The measured minimum fluidization velocity was increased with increasing temperature and pressure. The measured transition velocity to fast fluidization was increased with increasing temperature. The previous correlations on the minimum fluidization velocity and transition velocity to fast fluidi- zation were compared with the present measured values to develop new correlation.
Metalorganic chemical vapor phase epitaxy of gallium-nitride on silicon

GaN growth on Si is very attractive for low-cost optoelectronics and high-frequency, high-power electronics. It also opens a route towards an integration with Si electronics. Early attempts to grow GaN on Si suffered from large lattice and thermal mismatch and the strong chemical reactivity of Ga and Si at elevated temperatures. The latter problem can be easily solved using gallium-free seed layers as nitrided AlAs and AlN. The key problem for device structure growth on Si is the thermal mismatch leading to cracks for layer thicknesses above 1 μm. Meanwhile, several concepts for strain engineering exist as patterning, Al(Ga)N/GaN superlattices, and low-temperature (LT) AlN interlayers which enable the growth of device- relevant GaN thicknesses. The high dislocation density in the heteropitaxial films can be reduced by several methods which are based on lateral epitaxial overgrowth using ex-situ masking or patterning and by in-situ methods as masking with monolayer thick SiN. With the latter method in combination with strain engineering by LT-AlN interlayers dislocation densities around 109 cm−2 can be achieved for 2.5 μm thick device structures.
Recyclable nano copper oxide catalyzed synthesis of quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates under ligand free conditions

An efficient protocol was developed for the recyclable nano CuO powder catalyzed synthesis of quinoline derivatives from acetylenedicarboxylates and 2-aminocarbonyl compounds using acetonitrile as solvent at 40 °C in air. A variety of quinoline derivatives were synthesized in good yields with good chemoselectivity in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuO nano powder under ligand/additive free conditions. The catalyst is air-stable, inexpensive and recyclable up to four cycles.
Removal of Metal Ions from Storm-Water Runoff by Low-Cost Sorbents: Batch and Column Studies

The possibility of using the sorption technology to reduce the levels of metal ions present in urban storm-water runoff was investigated in this study. Seven sorbent materials including Amberlite XAD7, chitosan, crab shell, peat, Sargassum, sawdust, and sugarcane bagasse were initially examined for removal of 11 metal ions (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) from simulated storm-water runoff at different concentrations. Among these sorbents, crab shell performed well with removal efficiencies exceeding 93% for all heavy metal ions examined and thus selected for further studies. Based on scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, microprecipitation of metal carbonates followed by adsorption onto the surface of crab shell was identified as the major mechanism responsible for removal of heavy metal ions by crab shell. Crab shell exhibited rapid removal of meal ions with attainment of biosorption equilibrium within 20 min. A crab-shell-packed column was used to study the contin.
Synthesis and property of epoxy prepolymer and curing agent with high refractive index

An epoxy prepolymer with high refractive index, diglycidyl ether of thiodiphenol (DGETP), was synthesized by 4,4′-thiodiphenol and epichlorohydrin via a two-step method. The curing agent o-benzenedimethanethiol (OBDMT) was synthesized by thiourea method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance were employed to characterize the structures of these resins. The cured product of DGETP and OBDMT was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet–visible spectrometer, and Abbe refractometer and compared with the property of traditional curing agent of methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and ordinary bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy prepolymer cured products. The lower curing temperature and glass transition temperature of DGETP than those of MHHPA can be mainly attributed to the strong rotation capability of thioether bond. The zero light transmittance region of DGETP/OBDMT curing adhesive (200–380 nm) was broader than that of the other three. The refractive index of DGETP/OBDMT was up to 1.654.
Sintering of Boron Carbide Heat‐Treated with Hydrogen

Hydrogen gas (H2) was used to extract B2O3 coatings from boron carbide (B4C) particles, permitting a lower temperature onset of sintering and restricting coarsening via solution and precipitation of B4C in B2O3 liquid. Remnant H2 had to be removed from the furnace before specimens were heated through temperature ranges in which evaporation-condensation coarsening competed with sintering (2010°–2140°C), because the presence of H2 increased the B4C vapor pressure. Heat treatment of B4C compacts in a 50:50 H2-He mixture at 1350°C, followed by a purge of the H2 gas and then rapid heating to 2230°C, resulted in a percentage of theoretical density of 94.7%. This is higher than the value of 92.8%, which was the highest achieved without the use of H2.
Degradation kinetics of green color and chlorophylls in peas by colorimetry and HPLC

The kinetics of chlorophyll degradation and visual green color loss in pureed green peas with 80% moisture (w/w) were determined at 70, 80 and 90 C. The –a value from a tristimulus colorimeter was chosen as the physical property and a technique based on fractional conversion was developed in the determination of kinetic parameters of visual green color loss. The degradation of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and greenness followed a first order reaction and the temperature dependence of these reactions indicated an Arrhenius relationship. The activation energies were 19.5, 17.1 and 18.2 kcal/mol, respectively.
TiO 2 Nanoparticles-Coated Polypropylene Copolymer as Photocatalyst on Methylene Blue Photodegradation under Solar Exposure

Problem statement: Pollutions of water bodies by dye wastes from text ile industries and other sources have become critical consideration. A photocatalytic technique using semiconductor materials such as Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2) activated by lights has been considered as one ec onomical method to solve this problem. Approach: We attached titanium dioxide on the surface of pol ymer grains as photocatalyc agents using a cylinder mill ing method. Photodegradation processes were observed in decomposition of Methylene Blue (MB) solutions, as waste model, under solar illumination. Several parameters were optimized suc h as the milling temperature, the milling period, number of coated grain layers on the surface of the waste. The repeatability of using the coated grain s was also sipected. Results: Two layers of TiO 2 coated grains resulted the optimum decomposition r ate of the MB solution. The milling temperature of 100° C and the milling period of 90 min produced the optimal decomposition rate. After five times repeti tion, the TiO 2 coated grains still function well by decomposition up to 97% MB compound. Conclusion: These materials have the potential in large scale wastewater treatment in the tropical regions and nearly do not require a complicated late handli ng in the process of separating the catalyst for treat ed water as well as requires very small energy, exp ect the sunlight energy.
The determination of strontium isotope ratios by means of quadrupole-based ICP-mass spectrometry: a geochronological case study

Quadrupole-based ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) was used for the determination of 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in digests of rock samples originating from two magmatic silicate rock formations of the Vosges (the Kagenfels granite and the Nideck rhyolite). The rock formations studied are geographically close to one another and, overall, they show a similar chemical composition. In a preliminary study, the effect of various data acquisition parameters on the isotope ratio precision was systematically studied, permitting optimum conditions to be selected. Rh was used as an internal standard, allowing the blank correction to be made accurately. Cation exchange chromatography was used to avoid isobaric overlap of 87Rb+ and 87Sr+ ion signals to the largest possible extent, while mathematical correction was applied to correct for the remaining interference. The accuracy of the method developed was evaluated by means of isotopic analysis of an oceanic gabbro sample, for which the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio was previously characterized by means of thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). An excellent agreement between the ICP-QMS and TIMS values was established. On the basis of the isochrons, constructed using the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio results and the contents of Rb and Sr (determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) obtained for the Kagenfels and Nideck samples, it could be concluded that for both rock formations, secondary processes (e.g., recrystallisation, high- and low-temperature alteration) have disturbed the Rb–Sr isotopic system. As a consequence, the uncertainties on (i) the initial 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios and (ii) the ages thus determined are large. Nevertheless, the estimated ages appear to be geologically relevant and provide information on the timing of geological events that affected the rocks several tens of million years after the initial formation. Overall, this case study shows the merits of ICP-QMS for exploratory studies of Sr isotope systematics and geochronology in cases with sufficient variation in the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios.