Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of high ammonium levels on nitrification, soil acidification, and exchangeable cation dynamics

Abstract In almond orchards which are fertilized and irrigated with drip systems, fertilizers are applied to a relatively small soil volumes several times during the growing season. Where NH4‐based fertilizers are used, high NH4 levels are anticipated in soil solution and on exchange sites. The effects of high NH4 concentration on nitrification, soil acidification, and exchangeable cation dynamics were studied in an incubation experiment where 500 and 2000 mg N/kg soil were added as (NrL4)2SO4. After incubation for 25 days with added (NH4)2SO4, nitrifying bacteria were lower than the populations at the start of experiment. In the 2000 mg N/kg treatment, nitrification activity nearly ceased and soil acidification was reduced. Although nitrification activity was lower in the 500 mg N/kg treatment than in the control, after 10 days of incubation, nitrification activity lowered soil pH by 0.7 units. After the initial 10 days, soil pH was lowered to 4.8 and nitrification activity was depressed. Ammonium ions o.
Topography and surface potential in Kelvin force microscopy of perfluoroalkyl alkanes self-assemblies

Self-assemblies of two perfluoroalkyl alkanes [F(CF2)n(CH2)mH with n=14, m=20 and n=12, m=8] on different substrates (mica, Si, and graphite) were examined with Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) by detecting either the electrostatic tip-sample force or its gradient. Both measurements were realized in the single pass operation using different frequencies for monitoring topography and surface potential changes. Furthermore, the KFM imaging was performed in the intermittent contact regime that allowed high-resolution mapping of surface potential changes without noticeable cross-talk between signals related to mechanical and electric forces. The use of force gradient for electrostatic force measurements led to high-resolution surface potential images of the perfluoroalkyl alkane adsorbates with strong contrast of the particular self-assemblies (spirals, ribbons, and toroids). The obtained potential data are close to ones recorded with macroscopic Kelvin probe and to theoretical estimates. The surface potential co.
ARE WEALTH TRANSFERS BIASED AGAINST GIRLS? GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LAND INHERITANCE AND SCHOOLING INVESTMENT IN GHANA'S WESTERN REGION

This study attempts to analyze changing patterns of land transfers and schooling investments by gender over three generations in customary land areas of Ghanas Western Region. Although traditional matrilineal inheritance rules deny landownership rights to women, women have increasingly acquired land through gifts and other means, thereby reducing the gender gap in landownership. The gender gap in schooling has also declined significantly, though it persists. We attribute such changes to the increase in womens bargaining power due to an agricultural technology that increased the demand for womens labor, contributing to the reduction of social discrimination as well as weak parental discrimination.
Influence of Chemical Components of Oil Palm on Properties of Binderless Particleboard

The influence of chemical components of oil palm on properties of binderless particleboard were evaluated through a series of mechanical, physical, and chemical analyses in order to assess the self-bonding mechanism. Binderless particleboards were evaluated by relating the physical and mechanical properties to the chemical components. Results revealed that the addition of glucose and sucrose onto the board with and without extraction increased the modulus of rupture and internal bond strength. Glucose and sucrose also reduced the thickness swelling and water absorption of the board. The addition of starch onto the board enhanced the strength of the board, though sugar addition enhanced the board strength more than starch. Adding the sugar also lowered the xylose/ arabinose ratio, indicating that the boards consist of short-chain polymers with a large amount of branching with other monosaccharides. This implies that sugar content present in oil palm trunk plays a major role in the bonding of binderless boards.
SEPARATION PERFORMANCE OF SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE EXTRACTION COLUMN FOR THE CITRUS OIL PROCESSING: OBSERVATION USING SIMULATOR

Phase behavior of limonene and linalyl acetate, which are principal constituents of terpenes and oxygenated compounds, respectively, in bergamot oil, with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was observed by use of process simulator (SIMSCI PRO/II). Solubility of each pure component in SC-CO2 was calculated by the Peng–Robinson equation of state. For a given calculating condition, the solubility of limonene was 2–5 times higher than that of linalyl acetate. Process flow diagram for the citrus oil processing by SC-CO2 extraction column was successfully constructed to evaluate the separation performance. The effects of feed composition, feed inlet position, reflux ratio, and stage number on the extraction ratio of limonene, separation selectivity, and recovery of linalyl acetate were studied at 333K and 8.8 MPa.
Observation of Nematic Liquid-Crystal Textures in Aqueous Gels of Smectite Clays

Aqueous suspensions of two smectite clays, natural bentonite and synthetic laponite B, were prepared at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 g/cm3. Viewed at rest between crossed polarizers, concentrated gel suspensions (> 0.024 g/cm3 for bentonite and > 0.020 g/cm3 for laponite B) show optical birefringence which demonstrates the existence of a liquid-crystalline order of the platelike particles extending over macroscopic distances. The textures of these birefringent gels observed with polarized light microscopy are typical of a nematic phase. At concentrations slightly below that of the phase transition, the suspensions show strong pretransitional effects such as shock or flow birefringence. For both systems, large (≈1 cm3) macroscopically oriented domains of the nematic phase were grown by slowly drying isotropic suspensions. The phase diagrams of these two systems versus clay and NaCl concentrations have been established. Unexpectedly, the nematic phase of bentonite is stabilized with increasing Na.
Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer parameters of Tm3+ ions in gallium lanthanum sulfide glass

This work presents the spectroscopic characterization of Tm3+ doped gallium lanthanum sulfide (GaLaS) chalcogenide glass through absorption, fluorescence and lifetime measurements of excited3H4 and3F4 states, and a study of Tm3+:Tm3+ energy transfer. The cross relaxation 3 H 4,3 H 6 →3 F 4,3 F 4 responsible for the pumping of level3F4 and the laser transition at 1800 nm (3 F 4 →3 H 6), as well as the energy migration 3 H 4,3 H 6 →3 H 4,3 H 6 processes are studied in terms of the microscopic parameters of energy transfer Cda and Cdd obtained by the Kushida model of multipolar interactions and by a rate equation treatment of the dynamics of levels3F4 and3H4. From this treatment it was possible to simulate level3F4 temporal evolution curves for different Tm3+ concentrations, leading to results that are in excellent agreement with experimental ones. All the samples studied in the work present positive optical gain coefficients for excitation densities higher than 12 kW cm−2 indicating the potentiality of GaLaS:Tm3+ glass as a mid-infrared laser active medium.
Catalysis of Addition Reactions by a Negatively Charged Silica Surface Site on a Dust Grain

Two common astrochemical surface reactions, hydrogenation and oxidation of unsaturated compounds, increase the molecular complexity in the interstellar medium. The catalytic effect of a negatively charged silica surface site on addition reactions to adsorbed unsaturated organic molecules is investigated computationally. Adsorbates bind relatively strongly to the silanolate group (SiO-) with a pronounced weakening of their multiple bonds, which results in a significant reduction in the activation barrier of the H atom addition to COads, H2C = O-ads, H2C = CH2,ads and HC CHads with respect to the corresponding gas phase barriers. More strikingly, the sizable gas phase barrier (21 kJ/mol) for the O-3 + CO reaction is almost entirely removed. This strong catalytic effect allows for effective CO2 formation in dark molecular clouds where other routes are inefficient. Furthermore, negatively charged siliceous dust particles could also play an important role in the hydrogenation of CO and hydrocarbons in the interstellar medium.
Spatiotemporal patterns of γ frequency oscillations tetanically induced in the rat hippocampal slice

1 We used transverse and longitudinal rat hippocampal slices to study the synchronization of γ frequency (> 20 Hz) oscillations, across distances of up to 4.5 mm. γ oscillations were evoked in the CA1 region by tetanic stimulation at one or two sites simultaneously, and were associated with population spikes. Tetanic stimuli that were strong enough to induce oscillations were associated with depolarization of both pyramidal cells and interneurones, largely produced by activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. 2 Computer simulations of γ oscillations were also performed in a model with pyramidal cells and interneurones, arranged in a chain of five cell groups. This model had suggested previously that interneurone networks alone could generate synchronous γ oscillations locally, but that pyramidal cell firing, by inducing spike doublets in interneurones, was necessary for the occurrence of highly correlated oscillations with small phase lag (< 2.5 ms), in a distributed network possessing long axon conduction delays. 3 In both experiment and model, pyramidal cell spikes occurred in phase with local population spikes, as did the first spike of the interneurone doublet. 4 The conductance of the interneurone α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor‐mediated conductance was manipulated in the model, while the relation between oscillations at opposite ends of the chain was examined. When the conductance was large enough for doublet firing to be synaptically induced in interneurones, oscillation phase lags were < 2.25 ms across the chain. As predicted, experimental blockade of AMPA receptors resulted in increased phase lags between two sites oscillating simultaneously, compared with control conditions. 5 Both in model and in experiment, when stimuli to the two ends of the network were slightly different, cross‐network synchronization occurred with a shorter phase lag at high frequencies than at lower frequencies. 6 These data suggest that, while interneurone networks alone can generate locally synchronized γ oscillations, firing of pyramidal cells, and the synaptically induced doublet firing in interneurones, contribute to the stability and tight synchrony of the oscillations in distributed networks.
Low-carbohydrate dieting: what’s going on?

Low-carbohydrate diets have become increasingly popular in recent years. A review of available clinical trials indicates that there is not enough information on efficacy and safety to make clear recommendations for or against the use of such diets in obesity treatment. Unfortunately, too many published studies have methodological shortcomings, making interpretation of data difficult. Keywords: Clinical trials; low-carbohydrate diet; obesity; risk factors; treatment
Effect of Grape Seed Extracts on Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Goat Meat Cooked by Conventional Electric or Microwave Ovens

1 Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan 2 Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA 3 Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110370, Gainesville, FL 32611-0370, USA 4 Faculty of Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Spectrophotometrically and Chemometrically Assisted Studies on the Photostability of Terazosyne in an Aqueous Environment

The behavior of terazosine hydrochloride (TR), representative of the selective α1-adrenergic blockers in river water under the influence of sunlight, was tested. Details of the photodegradation process were obtained using principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCRALS) chemometric methods and confirmed by HPLC analysis. Additionally, the impact of some factors important for efficient waste treatment were studied. For this purpose a stability of terazosine aqueous solutions under the influence of UV, UV+H2O2, Fenton, and photo-Fenton processes and sunlight was studied. The presence of H2O2 and Fe (II) ions increases the rate of transformation. The process of direct photolysis and H2O2-assisted photoreaction showed first order kinetics, while dark and photo-Fenton reactions exhibited second-order kinetics.
2‐[4‐(Acetamido)phen­oxy]‐N,N‐dimethyl­acetamide: a potential anti‐amnesic agent

For the title compound, C12H16N2O3, a potential anti-­amnesic agent, the conformations of the mol­ecule in the crystal structure and that of the energy-minimized free mol­ecule do not differ significantly. Inter­molecular N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds stabilize the crystal packing.
Tritiated peptides. Part 9. Synthesis of [3,5-3H2-Tyr12]- and [2,5-3H2-His20]-human calcitonin

The syntheses are described of human calcitonin dotriacontapeptides separately labelled with tritium in the tyrosine and histidine residues at positions 12 and 20 to specific radioactivities of 50.5 and 8.2 Ci mmol–1, respectively, by reductive de-iodination of suitable 11–32 fragments followed by rapid coupling to the 1–10 fragment and column-chromatographic purification of the reaction mixtures, using gel-filtration, and ion-exchange and high-pressure liquid chromatographic techniques. It was demonstrated that the peptide containing a disulphide bridge poisons the catalysts used for tritiation.
Magnetic and Fluorescent Hybrid Silica Nanoparticles Based on the Co-Encapsulation of γ-Fe2O3 Nanocristals and [Mo6Br14]2- Luminescent Nanosized Clusters by Water-in-Oil Microemulsion

The design, synthesis and characterization of magnetic-luminescent nanoparticles is now more and more studied since the last decade. However, optimizing the design of such materials requires a deep understanding of their physico-chemical properties. In this paper are reported extended investigations on luminescent and magnetic @SiO2 Nps prepared by a water-in-oil microemulsion technique. The Cs2[Mo6Br14] cluster compound is used as red-NIR phosphor and is prepared by solid state chemistry. We bring here new insights into the structure of such Nps and its interplay with their optical or magnetic properties.
Toxicity of three F‐substituent aromatics in anaerobic systems

BACKGROUND: The commercial use of organofluorine compounds has dramatically increased over the past few years. However, little information has been reported on the potential toxicity of organofluorine compounds to anaerobic digestion processes. In this work, the effects of 4-fluorophenol (p-FP), 4-fluorobenzoic acid (p-FB) and 4-fluoroaniline (p-FA) on methanogenesis and biodegradability were evaluated using sucrose-fed systems. RESULTS: The anaerobic biodegradation of three test compounds was not observed in the study. Adsorption of p-FP, p-FB and p-FA to the sludge fitted the linear model well (r2 > 0.94). The partition coefficient Kd was 25 L kg−1 for p-FP, 16 L kg−1 for p-FB and 26 L kg−1 for p-FA. Both methanogensis and hydrolysis acidification were inhibited in the presence of three test compounds. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of methanogenic activity were 339, 1390 and 1907 mg L−1 for p-FP, p-FB and p-FA, respectively. A significant linear correlation (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.05) was obtained between the half maximal inhibitory concentrations and the most negative atomic charges of molecules (q−) of the three F-substituent aromatics. CONCLUSIONS: Three F-substituent aromatics had specific effects on methanogensis, hydrolysis acidification and syntrophic cooperation in anaerobic systems. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
A HPLC Method for the Separation and Quantification of the Enantiomers of Hydroxychloroquine and Its Three Major Metabolites

Abstract A two step HPLC method for analysis of the enantiomers of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its three major metabolites, Desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ), Desethylchloroquine (DCQ) and Bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ), was developed. Fluorescence detection was used at λex=230nm and λem=385nm with a 370nm cut-off filter. This method has higher sensitivity and better resolution of the parent drug and its three metabolites when compared to published methods. In the first step, a cyano column was used to separate and collect fractions containing HCQ and its three metabolites. The mobile phase was 20% pH 6.0 (0.015M K2HPO4) buffer, 30% methanol and 50% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 2 ml/min and 50°C. This method was linear over the concentration ranges of 2–20, 20–300 and 200–2000 ng/ml of blood (r>0.99) and was used for quantitation. In a second step, chiral separation was performed on a chiral-AGP column using a mobile phase of 94% pH 7.0 (0.05M NH4H2PO4, 0.005M dihexylamine) buffer, 5% isopropanol and 1%.
Two-Color Laser Induced Evaporation Dynamics of Liquid Aerosols Probed by Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The first results are reported from an investigation into the evapora tion dynamics of liquid aerosols using a newly constructed two color laser time-off light mass spectrometer, which utilizes a CO2 laser (IR) for vaporization and an excimer laser (UV) for ionization. The results indicate that the CO 2 laser with an intensity greater than 1.2 = 108 W cm2 completely vaporizes the aerosol particle and that this preevaporation of the liquid aniline particle increases the ion signal by as much as two orders of magnitude compared to direct ionization of the particle with the excimer laser only. The present focus is on exploring the vaporization process by varying both the timing between the two lasers and the CO 2 laser fluence. A three-dimensional (3D) model of the laser-induced gas plume is used to extract the associated velocity distribution and its temperature of 1300 and 2500 K for CO2 laser intensities of 1.2 = 108 W cm2 and 2.8 = 108 W cm2, respectively. At the higher CO2 laser energies, the data could only be fitted by the addition of a 350 m/s stream, or entrainment, velocity to the three-dimensional Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, consistent with hydrodynamic expansion.
New synthesis of 2-oxo-3-alkenylphosphonates and hetero diels−Alder reactions with vinyl ethers leading to 5-substituted 2-phosphinyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ones

A new method of synthesizing phosphinyl-substituted enones, 2-oxo-3-alkenylphosphonates, is developed via the dianion of diethyl 2-oxopropylphosphonate. The enones serve as hetero dienes in thermal reactions with vinly ethers producing 2-alkoxy-6-(phosphinylmethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrans. Acid-catalyzed cleavage of these cycloadducts is followed spontaneously by internal condensation furnishing 2-phosphinyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivatives.
Nanoheterostructures on TiO2 nanobelts achieved by acid hydrothermal method with enhanced photocatalytic and gas sensitive performance

Nanoheterostructures of TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanobelts and Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanobelts are prepared by the acid-assisted hydrothermal method followed by an in situ photo-reduction process. The experimental parameters, including acid corrosion time and calcination temperature, are investigated in detail. Compared with TiO2 nanobelts, the single nanoheterostructure TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanobelts have a better photocatalytic activity. The double nanoheterostructure Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanobelts can further dramatically enhance photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanobelts. The mechanisms for formation of the heterostructure and the enhanced photocatalytic effect of the heterostructure are discussed. The liquid continuous-flow photocatalysis based on TiO2 nanobelt nanopaper with different heterostructures is carried out, which has an efficient photocatalytic ability. At the same time, the obtained TiO2 nanobelt heterostructures have a good gas sensitive performance for ethanol.
Quantum Chemical Scaling and Its Importance: The Infrared and Raman Spectra of 5-Bromouracil

ABSTRACT This work describes the interest and necessity of scaling to correct the deficiencies in the calculation of the harmonic vibrational wave numbers. The use of adequate quantum-chemical methods and scaling procedures reduces the risk in the assignment and can also accurately determine the contribution of the different modes in an observed band. As an example, the IR and laser-Raman spectra of the 5-bromouracil biomolecule are shown.
Multivariate Determination of Glucose in Whole Blood Using Partial Least-Squares and Artificial Neural Networks Based on Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy

The infrared (IR) spectra of whole blood EDTA samples, in the range between 1500 and 750 cm−1, obtained from the patient population of a general hospital, were used to compare different multivariate calibration techniques for quantitative glucose determination. Ninety-six spectra of whole undiluted blood samples with glucose concentration ranging between 44 and 291 mg/dL were used to create calibration models based on a combination of partial least-squares (PLS) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods. The prediction capabilities of these calibration models were evaluated by comparing their standard errors of prediction (SEP) with those obtained with the use of PLS and principal component regression (PCR) calibration models in an independent prediction set consisting of 31 blood samples. The optimal model based on the combined PLS-ANN produced smaller SEP values (15.6 mg/dL) compared with those produced with the use of either PLS (21.5 mg/dL) or PCR (24.0 mg/dL) methods. Our results revealed that the combined PLS-ANN models can better approximate the deviations from linearity in the relationship between spectral data and concentration, compared with either PLS or PCR models.
Kinetics of pyrolysis of furan

The kinetics of pyrolysis of furan vapour diluted in argon have been studied behind reflected shock waves in a shock tube both by time-resolved infrared CO2 laser absorption spectrometry and by single pulse shock techniques of product analysis over the temperature range 1100–1700 K, at pressures of ca. 20 atm and at uniform residence times of ca. 300 µs. The rate of overall disappearance of furan, as measured by absorption spectrometry, was found to be first order in furan concentration, with a rate constant of koverall= 1015.3±0.3 exp[–326(±8) kJ mol–1/RT] s–1 in agreement with a previous determination by Lifshitz et al.(A. Lifshitz, M. Bidani and S. Bidani, J. Phys. Chem., 1986, 90, 5373). Principal products were carbon monoxide, C3H4(propyne and allene) and acetylene. Ketene was identified in the products by FTIR spectroscopy.A detailed chemical reaction model for the pyrolysis was developed and shown to give good predictions of the concentration profiles of furan and the major products. Modelling and thermochemical considerations led to the postulate that the initiation of pyrolysis takes place by C—O bond scission to a biradical which can undergo decomposition, via parallel reaction paths, to the observed products.