Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Highly Sensitive Amperometric Immunosensor for Clenbuterol Detection in Livestock Urine

We report a highly sensitive competitive-type assay for multiplexing electrochemical detection of clenbuterol in pig urine using a 16-sensor array. In this design, the clenbuterol was first conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and then the conjugates were immobilized on the electrode surface to compete with the free clenbuterol in the sample for specific antibody. Under the optimal conditions, the reproducibility of the clenbuterol electrochemical immunosensor was evaluated to be 3.4% (coefficient of variation, CV) and the limit of detection was estimated to be 1.3pg/mL. The very low detection limit was probably derived from the higher efficiency of the competitive immunoreaction caused by appropriate quantities of the clenbuterol immobilized on the 16-sensor array and the suitable amount of anti-clenbuterol antibody in the assay system.
The Mechanism of Paraffin Oxidation

Abstract Paraffin was mixed with microcrystalline wax at certain temperatures, airflow rate, and time. The catalyst and the catalyst promoter were added, and the oxidation reaction took place. Factors affecting induction period and activation energy, such as the airflow rate, the reaction temperature, the mass of the catalyst, the mass of catalyst promoter, and the reaction time, were also investigated. The induction period and the activation energy could be reduced, and the production's acid number and its saponification number could be improved by increasing the airflow rate and the reaction temperature. The productions can substitute the beeswax.
Effects of Chitosan on Properties of Novel Human-like Collagen/Chitosan Hybrid Vascular Scaffold

Novel human-like collagen (HLC)/chitosan hybrid scaffolds were fabricated at blend ratios of 0%, 0.02%, 0.2% by crosslinking and freeze-drying process. The properties of the scaffolds were investigated, including morphology, mechanical strength, degradability, and cell biocompatibility. When the blend ratio was 0.02%, the morphology of the scaffolds was highly homogeneous with interconnected porous structure 46 ± 9 μm in size (SEM). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated intermolecular crosslinks between HLC and chitosan. The strain and stress of the scaffolds were 37.9 ± 3.3% and 309.7 ± 19.7 KPa, respectively. Human venous fibroblasts were expanded and seeded into the scaffolds in the density of 1 × 10 5 cells/cm3 under static conditions. The cell morphology and proliferation were investigated using SEM, H&E, and MTT assay, which showed that the optimal content of the chitosan was signifcantly enhanced the cells adhesion, proliferation, and viability, compared to pure HLC, pure chitosan, and 0.2% chitosan/HLC scaffolds. These hybrid scaffolds appear to have favorable characteristics for vascular tissue engineering application.
Oxidation of Vanillin and Related Compounds by Sodium N-Chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide in Acid Medium: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Approach

The kinetics of oxidation of vanillin, vanillyl alcohol, vanillylamine hydrochloride and vanillyl mandelic acid (hereafter abbreviated as substrate) by N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide or chloramine–T (CAT) in HClO4 medium has been investigated at 30±0.1°C. The oxidation reaction follows identical kinetics with first-order in [CAT]o, fractional order in [substrate]o, and inverse fractional-order in [H+]. Variation of ionic strength and addition of the reaction product, p-toluenesulfonamide, or halide ions had no significant effect on reaction rate. Decrease in dielectric constant of the medium decreases the rate. The solvent isotope effect was studied in D2O medium. The reaction does not induce polymerization of acrylonitrile. Michaelis-Menten type of kinetics has been proposed and activation parameters for the rate-limiting step as well as overall reaction have been computed. The decomposition constants of substrate-oxidant complexes have been evaluated. Under comparable experimental conditions, the rate of oxidation increases in the following order vanillin>vanillylamine hydrochloride>vanillyl alcohol>vanillylmandelic acid. An isokinetic relationship is observed with β=339 K, indicating enthalpy as a controlling factor. Vanillic acid was identified as the oxidation product of each substrate and was confirmed by IR and GC-MS data. A general mechanism involving the formation of a complex between substrate and the conjugate acid (CH3C6H4SO2NHCl) of the oxidant has been proposed. The derived rate law is in agreement with the experimental results.
Organic Carbon Origin and Stock in Cultivated and Grassland Soil of the Argentine Pampa

Abstract A study was carried out in the Argentine Pampa. Plots under continuous maize and maize–wheat/soybean–soybean rotation were used. Three control plots on grassland with different undisturbed periods were also used. The objective was to show that C3 and C4 plants have a different effect on the quantity of carbon retained in the soil when different crop sequences are used. Total organic carbon was determined, and mass spectrometry techniques were used to assess the natural variation of the abundance of 13C and 12C to trace carbon fate in the soil. No differences were observed in the carbon stock at 90 cm deep across cultivated plots. Maize monoculture represented an important contribution to the soil organic matter when compared to the grassland areas, but the comparison through the initial δ13C from reference plots did not allow an assessment of the original soil carbon in the plot under rotation.
Role of reference materials for the realization of physicochemical properties. Past, present, and future

Abstract Reference materials have long been considered essential for both calibration and checking the correct operation of equipment used for the determination of physicochemical properties. Up until the 1970s, the maintenance of pure reference materials and the means to verify their properties through measurement using state-of-the-art equipment was the prerogative of many national standards laboratories. Over the last 30 years, many of the standards laboratories have either limited or eliminated their activity in maintaining both reference materials and state-of-the-art measuring equipment. One reason is the ready availability of high-purity materials from commercial sources and the ease with which one can now determine purity. A second reason is the ready availability of instruments to measure digitally fundamental quantities such as time, temperature, length, frequency, and voltage accurately has enabled chemical calibration using reference materials to be replaced in many instruments by electrical calibration. At the same time, digitization has enabled the computerization of the whole measurement process. Such automated devices, if not checked with reference materials, can give highly reproducible results but have large systematic errors, leading to poor values. The role of physicochemical reference materials in the past and the present will be outlined, and their status in the future will be explored.
Discharge cleaning on Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor after boronization

At the beginning of the 1990 Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) experimental run, after replacement of POCO‐AXF‐5Q graphite tiles on the midplane of the bumper limiter by carbon fiber composite (CFC) tiles and prior to any pulse discharge cleaning (PDC), boronization was performed. Boronization is the deposition of a layer of boron and carbon on the vacuum vessel inner surface by a glow discharge in a diborane, methane, and helium mixture. The amount of discharge cleaning required after boronization was substantially reduced compared to that which was needed after previous openings when boronization was not done. Previously, after a major shutdown, about 105 low current (∼20 kA) Taylor discharge cleaning (TDC) pulses were required before high current (∼400 kA) aggressive pulse discharge cleaning (PDC) pulses could be performed successfully. Aggressive PDC is used to heat the limiters from the vessel bakeout temperature of 150 to 250 °C for a period of several hours. Heating the limiters is important to in.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations of Anisotropic Lithium Intercalation into LixFePO4 Electrode Nanocrystals

The kinetic anisotropy of lithium ion adsorption and lithium absorption for LixFePO4 olivine nanocrystals is simulated and reported. The kinetics depend on the orientation of the electrolyte/LixFePO4 interface with respect to the far‐field ionic flux. As a consequence of these kinetics and a Li miscibility gap in LixFePO4, the particle geometry and orientation also have an effect on the morphology of the two‐phase evolution. These processes accompany the charge and discharge behavior in battery microstructures and a direct influence on battery behavior is suggested. A kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) algorithm based on a cathode particle rigid lattice is used to simulate the kinetics in this system. In these simulations the adsorption kinetics of the electrolyte/electrode interface are treated by coupling the normal flux outside the particle from a continuum numerical simulation of Li‐ion diffusion in the electrolyte to the atomistic KMC model within the particle. The interfacial reaction depends on local concentration and the potential drop at the interface via the Butler–Volmer (B–V) relation. The atomic potentials for the KMC simulation are derived from empirical solubility limits (as determined by OCV measurements). The main results show that the galvanostatic lithium‐uptake/cell‐voltage has three regimes: 1) a decreasing cell potential for Li‐insertion into a Li‐poor phase; 2) a nearly constant potential after the nucleation of a Li‐rich phase Li(1‐β)FePO4; 3) a decreasing cell potential after the Li‐poor phase has been evolved into a Li‐rich phase. The behavior in the second regime is sensitive to crystallographic orientation.
On the formation and crystal structure of the Pd6B phase

Abstract The crystal structure of the Pd6B phase has been elucidated employing selected-area electron diffraction and X-ray and neutron powder diffraction methods. It is based on a cubic close packed arrangement of Pd with B occupying 1/6 of the interstitial octahedral sites in an ordered way, such that a monoclinic (C2/c) superstructure results. The crystal structure contains isolated [BPd6] octahedral entities providing large distances between nearest neighbour boron atoms. Depending on the way of preparation, the same Pd6B phase can occur for the same composition in two different ‘manifestations’ having considerably different lattice parameters, which has a microstructural origin. Various phase equilibria between the ordered Pd6B phase and the disordered interstitial solid solution of boron in cubic close packed palladium have been investigated to clarify the corresponding regions in the phase diagram Pd—B.
Liquid‐state theory of the density dependent conformation of nonpolar linear polymers

We use the two solvation potentials discussed in the previous paper and polymer reference interaction‐site model (PRISM) theory to calculate the mutually consistent single‐molecule conformation and liquid structure of model linear flexible nonpolar polymers. We focus on the mean end‐to‐end distance R2 and radius of gyration Rg of the single chain as functions of polymer density. Our calculations are compared to computer simulations to assess their accuracy, and some aspects of the general trends with density predicted are discussed. Two methods of calculating the conformation of the single chain in the solvation potential are used, one is Monte Carlo simulation, the other, introduced in this paper, employs a generating functional. We cannot unambiguously confirm the accuracy of one solvation potential over the other; at low density they give identical results, and the exact values are too few at high density. However, we are inclined to question the accuracy of the hypernetted‐chain (HNC) style potential .
BF3·OEt2 in alcoholic media, an efficient initiator in the cationic polymerization of phenyl-1,3-benzoxazines

3-Phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazine (m1) underwent cationic ring opening polymerization using BF3·OEt2 in alcoholic solution under mild conditions. The polymerization of m1 proceeds through an intermediate hemiaminal ether leading mainly to the formation of polybenzoxazines with diphenylmethane bridges, and not only the classical Mannich-type ones. During the first stages of the reaction, low-molecular weight soluble oligomers containing benzoxazine rings are formed. At longer polymerization times, the propagation proceeds conventionally through the phenolic active sites. This polymerization mechanism is extensible to other substituted 3-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazines but fails in the case of 3-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazines or when the phenyl group in Position 3 have a substituent in the p-position. Spectroscopic studies and kinetic experiments using model reactions and deuterium labeled benzoxazines, allow proposing a plausible different polymerization mechanism. These soluble benzoxazine-containing polymers can be conveniently processed and impregnated on appropriate substrates before underwent crosslinking producing materials with comparable properties to those of conventional bis-benzoxazines. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 5075–5084
Measurement of azimuthal anchoring energy in nematic liquid crystals by transmitted and reflected light methods

In a recent paper Yokoyama [Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 165, 265 (1988)] showed that a correct thermodynamic definition of the anchoring energy at the interface between a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) and another medium requires the preliminary choice of a ‘‘Gibbs dividing surface. ’’ As a consequence of this, the measured value of the anchoring energy coefficient can depend on which method is used to perform the experiment. This dependence probably explains the large discrepancies that are often reported in the literature between anchoring energy coefficients measured on the same substrate by different authors. To test this important point the anchoring energy coefficient at a SiOx nematic interface has been measured by using two different methods at the same time: a reflection light method and a transmitted light method. Both these methods have been already used in the literature. In this paper the latter method is analyzed in detail and it is shown that its accuracy is greatly reduced by the presence of spurious bulk contributions. To increase accuracy, a new experimental procedure is proposed that exploits the differing dependence of surface and bulk contributions on the intensity of the magnetic field. This new method allows one to separate bulk and surface contributions without using fitting procedures. Therefore both the anchoring energy and information on the bulk director distortion can be directly obtained from the experiment. The transmitted light and the reflected light methods are used simultaneously to measure the azimuthal anchoring energy coefficient at the SiOx nematic interface on the same NLC sample at the same temperatures. A satisfactory agreement between the anchoring energy coefficients measured by the two methods is found.
Detection and decay of the Bt endotoxin in soil from a field trial with genetically modified maize

Genetically modified plants and their residues may have direct effects on ecosystem processes. We aimed to determine the amount in soil of the insecticidal δ‐endotoxin, originally from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, introduced into soil by root exudates and residues from genetically modified maize, to compare the short‐term rates of decay of Bt‐maize and non‐Bt‐maize, and to determine the rate at which the toxin in Bt‐maize leaves decomposes in soil. Intact soil, size fractions of soil, soluble fractions from soil and fractions of organic residues from a field where Bt‐maize had been cultivated for 4 years were analysed for the Btδ‐endotoxin. Traces of the δ‐endotoxin were detected in the whole (unfractionated) soil, the water‐soluble fractions, and some of the particle‐size fractions, but it was sufficiently concentrated only in the > 2000‐µm size fraction to be quantified. The δ‐endotoxin concentrations in this fraction ranged between 0.4 and 4.4 ng toxin g−1 fraction, which equated to 70, 6 and 50 mg toxin m−2 in the 0–15, 15–30 and 30–60 cm depths, respectively (or 126 mg toxin m−2 over the 0–60 cm depth) in the field in June (early summer). The > 2000‐µm size fraction was a mixture of light‐ and dark‐coloured organic material and mineral material comprising sand grains and stable aggregates. For samples collected early in the growing season, most of the detected δ‐endotoxin was present in the light‐coloured organic material, which was comprised of primarily live roots. However, recognizable maize residues, probably from previous years' crops, also contained δ‐endotoxin. In a laboratory incubation study, Bt‐ and non‐Bt‐maize residues were added to soil and incubated for 43 days. There was no detectable difference in the decomposition of plant material from the two lines of maize, as determined by CO2 production. The quantity of δ‐endotoxin in the decomposing plant material and soil mixtures declined rapidly with time during the incubation, with none being detectable after 14 days. The rapid disappearance of the δ‐endotoxin occurred at a rate similar to that of the water‐soluble components of the maize residues. The results suggested that much of the δ‐endotoxin in crop residues is highly labile and quickly decomposes in soil, but that a small fraction may be protected from decay in relatively recalcitrant residues.
Considering sustainability in projects: exploring the perspective of suppliers

Projects play an important role in the development towards a more sustainable society. Companies are integrating sustainability in their strategies, processes and actions. In the implementation of strategies, projects play an essential role. The relationship between sustainability and project management is therefore being addressed in a growing number of studies and publications and sustainability can be considered one of the recent trends in project management. However, there is still a gap between the literature on sustainability in project management and what is carried out in practice. A logical enabler for the consideration of sustainability in projects may be the demand of the client in the project, although the supplier’s strategy may also be an enabler of sustainability. This article therefore reports a study into the enablers of the integration of sustainability in projects as perceived by project suppliers. The study used Qmethodology to explore different subjective patterns of perceived enablers. Based on the factor analysis of 19 Q-sorts, we discovered three distinct patterns of enablers of the integration of sustainability, that we labelled as “Benefits driven”, “Demand and intrinsic motivation driven” and “Demand and Strategy driven”. As expected, the study found that for project suppliers, integrating sustainability in projects is strongly dependent on the demand and willingness of the customer to pay for sustainability. However, adoption of sustainability could also be a differentiator for suppliers. It should therefore be questioned whether a contractor should wait for the customer to ask for sustainability, or whether he should proactively take action himself.
Patterning of Epitaxial Perovskites from Micro and Nano Molded Stencil Masks

A process is developed that combines soft lithographic molding with pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to make heteroepitaxial patterns of functional perovskite oxide materials. Micro‐ and nanostructures of sacrificial ZnO are made by micro molding in capillaries (MiMiC) and nano transfer molding, respectively, and used to screen the single crystalline substrates during subsequent PLD. ZnO is used because of its compatibility with the high temperatures reached during PLD and because of the ease of its removal after use by benefiting from its amphoteric nature. Sub‐micrometer sized lines of La0.67Sr0. 33MnO3 are made by the transfer molding approach, preserving the anisotropic features expected for a fully oriented thin film and taking account for the magnetostatic contribution from the line shapes. Different patterns of SrRuO3 are made with lateral dimensions of a few micrometers having individual features for which electrical isolation is illustrated. The bottom‐up soft lithographic methods can be compliantly utilized for making epitaxial structures of various shapes and sizes in the μm down to the nm range, and offer unique opportunities for fundamental studies as well as for realizing technological applications.
Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with Di-n-Propyl ether and Di-n-Butyl ether and their deuterated analogs

Using relative rate methods, rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with di-n-propyl ether, di-n-propyl ether-d14, di-n-butyl ether and di-n-butyl ether-d18 have been measured at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. The rate constants obtained (in cm3 molecule−1 s−1 units) were: OH radical reactions, di-n-propyl ether, (2.18 ± 0.17) × 10−11; di-n-propyl ether-d14, (1.13 ± 0.06) × 10−11; di-n-butyl ether, (3.30 ± 0.25) × 10−11; and di-n-butyl ether-d18, (1.49 ± 0.12) × 10−11; Cl atom reactions, di-n-propyl ether, (3.83 ± 0.05) × 10−10; di-n-propyl ether-d14, (2.84 ± 0.31) × 10−10; di-n-butyl ether, (5.15 ± 0.05) × 10−10; and di-n-butyl ether-d18, (4.03 ± 0.06) × 10−10. The rate constants for the di-n-propyl ether and di-n-butyl ether reactions are in agreement with literature data, and the deuterium isotope effects are consistent with H-atom abstraction being the rate-determining steps for both the OH radical and Cl atom reactions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 425–431, 1999
Electron–ion coincidence measurements: The neutral dissociation cross section for CF4

Pulsed electron beam time-of-flight measurements of the electron energy loss spectrum of CF4 at scattering angles of 28°, 45°, 71°, 112°, and 135° were made at impact energies of 22, 25, and 34 eV in coincidence with positive ions. The angular-dependent elastic, total dissociation, ionization, and neutral dissociation cross sections were measured. The data were integrated over electron energy loss for each scattering angle. These angular dependent data were then fitted with various analytic functions and integrated over angle to obtain individual total cross sections. All cross-section data were placed on an absolute scale by matching to total cross-section measurements reported in the literature. The angular-dependent elastic cross section and the integrated cross sections for elastic and total dissociation were found to be in good agreement with literature values. Values obtained for the neutral dissociation cross section agree with the difference between previous separate measurements of total dissocia.