Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of nanosilicon dioxide application on in vitro proliferation of apple rootstock

ABSTRACT Although silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element of the earth's crust and in soils, it is not listed among the essential elements for plants. However, the beneficial role of Si in stimulating the growth and development of many plant species has been recognized. This study investigated the effects of in vitro application of nanosilicon oxide on growth and proliferation of apple rootstock MM106 in tissue culture. The experiment included five levels nanosilicon oxide (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L) added to Murashige and Skoog medium. The results showed that using nanosilicon increased in fresh and dry weights, length and number of branches, and chlorophyll in explants with the highest increase being at 100 mg/L. Growth suppression occurred at 200 mg/L. This investigation showed that 100 mg/L silicon oxide can be added to Murashige and Skoog medium for fast growth and proliferation of MM106 apple rootstock explants.
Effects of nanolubricant on performance of hydrocarbon refrigerant system

This work discusses the replacement of the R-134a refrigerant and polyester lubricant with a hydrocarbon refrigerant and mineral lubricant. The mineral lubricant included added Al2O3 nanoparticles (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2wt% ) to improve the lubrication and heat-transfer performance. Experimental results indicated that the 60% R-134a and 0.1wt% Al2O3 nanoparticles were optimal. Under these conditions, the power consumption was reduced by about 2.4%, and the coefficient of performance was increased by 4.4%. These results show that replacing R-134a refrigerant with hydrocarbon refrigerant and adding Al2O3 nanoparticles to the lubricant effectively reduced power consumption.
Fixed-node quantum Monte Carlo for molecules

The ground‐state energies of H2, LiH, Li2, and H2O are calculated by a fixed‐node quantum Monte Carlo method, which is presented in detail. For each molecule, relatively simple trial wave functions ΨT are chosen. Each ΨT consists of a single Slater determinant of molecular orbitals multiplied by a product of pair‐correlation (Jastrow) functions. These wave functions are used as importance functions in a stochastic approach that solves the Schrodinger equation by treating it as a diffusion equation. In this approach, ΨT serves as a ‘‘guiding function’’ for a random walk of the electrons through configuration space. In the fixed‐node approximation used here, the diffusion process is confined to connected regions of space, bounded by the nodes (zeros) of ΨT. This approximation simplifies the treatment of Fermi statistics, since within each region an electronic probability amplitude is obtained which does not change sign. Within these approximate boundaries, however, the Fermi problem is solved exactly. The e.
A modified Kjeldahl procedure for determining strongly fixed NH4+‐N

This paper reports a procedure for determining the content of strongly fixed NH4+ in soil. The procedure consists of a Kjeldahl digestion followed by an acid attack of the residue with a 5 m HF:1 m HCl solution. Distillations after each of the two treatments recover different forms of NH4+. The procedure was tested on fine earth (< 2 mm) and skeleton (> 2 mm) fractions of two forest soils developed on sandstone parent material. In both soil fractions we evaluated three different forms of NH4+‐N: (i) Kjeldahl, (ii) non‐exchangeable and (iii) micaceous. The last is located in the interlayer of mica flakes larger than 50 μm that resist the Kjeldahl digestion and is considered strongly fixed. The total NH4+‐N content of a soil is obtained by the summation of the Kjeldahl and the micaceous NH4+‐N. In the soils under consideration, the micaceous form prevails in the skeleton because this fraction is richer in micas of sand size (> 50 μm). Following the proposed procedure, we found that micas (muscovite and biotite) contain about 3000 mg kg–1 of NH4+‐N in the interlayer. The presence of micaceous NH4+‐N in soil is generally ignored because the skeleton is usually excluded from analyses, and the micas larger than 50 μm cannot be dissolved by the Kjeldahl treatments. The micaceous NH4+ is the least extractable form of NH4+‐N, and we infer that it is the least available to plants.
A hierarchical mesh film with superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties for oil and water separation

BACKGROUND: Solid surfaces possessing both superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties have attracted great interest for fundamental research and potential application. However, fabrication of the reported surfaces is usually time-consuming and the wetability of the surfaces could not be achieved to the desired level in rugged environments. RESULTS: A hierarchical stainless steel mesh film comprising structures with three scales of roughness was synthesized by a simple chemical bath deposition method. After being modified with a low surface energy material e.g. Teflon, these films exhibit superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. In this study it was demonstrated that the unique properties of the as-prepared films match well with the requirements for the effective separation of oil and water mixtures. CONCLUSION: It was confirmed that the unique surface wetability of the surface is due to the cooperative effect of the hierarchical structures of the stainless steel mesh films and the natural low surface tension of Teflon. Furthermore, fabrication is simple and economic, and the surface exhibited robust durability even in a rugged environment. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Sol−Gel Column Technology for Single-Step Deactivation, Coating, and Stationary-Phase Immobilization in High-Resolution Capillary Gas Chromatography

A sol−gel chemistry-based novel approach to column technology for high-resolution capillary gas chromatography is described that effectively combines surface treatment, deactivation, coating, and stationary phase immobilization into a single step. In the conventional approach, these operations are carried out in separate steps that make column fabrication a time-consuming job. In the new approach, a cleaned fused silica capillary is filled with a sol solution of appropriate composition, and sol−gel reactions are allowed to go on inside the capillary for a controlled period, typically 15−60 min. A wall-bonded coating results due to condensation of the surface silanol groups with the sol−gel network evolving in their vicinity. Because of the direct chemical bonding to fused silica substrates, sol−gel coatings possess significantly higher thermal stability than conventional coatings. This is especially important for thick and/or polar stationary phase coatings that are difficult to immobilize. Scanning elect.
Hydration and hydration products of two-phase Portland cement clinker doped with Na2O

Alkalis are important minor constituents of ordinary Portland cement clinker. Na2O, in particular, is incorporated into the aluminate phase and alters its crystal structure. For this study, well defined Portland cement clinkers consisting of alite and aluminate doped with different amounts of Na2O were used. Isothermal conduction calorimetry of cements made from this clinker revealed that doping with Na2O activates the initial heat evolution of the clinker during the initial hours. It also influences the main reaction. In situ X-ray diffraction for monitoring cement hydration demonstrates that the dissolution of C3A and gypsum is accelerated by the incorporation of Na2O. The formation of crystalline ettringite and monosulphate during the first few hours of hydration is delayed. After 90 days of hydration, most of the C3A has reacted to monosulphate, detectable by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance. An increase of the Na2O content brought abo.
Trace Metal Speciation

Trace metals may be defined as those metals whose concentration is low enough so that their presence exerts a negligible influence on the overall chemistry of a water body. They can be contrasted with major ions that are present in sufficient amounts to affect the chemistry of the system. Major metal ions include the alkali and alkaline earth metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and perhaps Al, Fe, and Mn. Although there is no strict definition of a “trace metal,” we usually consider the transition metals, certain metalloids, and lanthanides. Radioactive elements are often considered separately. The potential effects on ecological and human health created by a certain number of trace metals mean that these metals are of particular importance and are the subject of intensive study. The effects of these metals may often be deleterious, but many metals are also micronutrients. In no order, some of the most important and most investigated trace metals are chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). Keywords: trace metal; speciation; chemistry; measurement; modelling; bioavailability; toxicity; transport
RESPONSE OF APPLE CULTIVARS TO DIFFERENT STORAGE DURATIONS

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the perf ormance of different apple cultivars during storage at Department of Horticulture, Agricultural University , Peshawar, Pakistan during 2007-08. The fruit of a pple cultivars: Royal Gala, Mondial Gala, Golden Delicio us and Red Delicious were harvested at commercial m aturity and stored at 5±1°C with 60-70 % relative humidity. Physico-chemical changes in fruit were determined at 30 days interval during storage. Apple cultivar Red Delicio us had the highest TSS/Acid ratio (23.12), fruit fi rmness (5.98 kg/cm 2 ) and the least weight loss (2.22 %). Starch score was the maximum (5.22) in cultivar Golden Delicious . The percent weight loss, total soluble solids, pH and T SS/Acid ratio increased with increase in storage du ration while starch score and firmness of fruit declined with in crease in storage duration .
Fabrication of ZnO/CdS core/shell nanowire arrays for efficient solar energy conversion

ZnO/CdS core/shell nanowire heterostructure arrays are fabricated by a two-step chemical solution method for use in semiconductor-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). The successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) shows a remarkable controllability of CdS shell thickness, which affects visible-light absorption properties and PEC performances of the heterostructures. The cell has a high short-circuit photocurrent density of 7.23 mA/cm2 with a power conversion efficiency of 3.53% under AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW/cm2. These results demonstrate that the ZnO/CdS core/shell heterostructure nanowire arrays can provide a facile and compatible frame for the potential applications in nanowire-based solar cells.
Extraction of radiostrontium from nuclear waste solution using crown ethers in room temperature ionic liquids

Extraction of radiostrontium from dilute nitric acid solutions was studied using two Sr2+ selective crown ethers, viz. dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 and 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butyl-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, in several room temperature ionic liquids, viz. 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C4mim+· ), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C6mim+· ) and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluoro phosphate (C8mim+· ); 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C4mim+· ), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C6mim+· ) and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C8mim+· ). The role of time of equilibration, feed acidity and extractant concentration was investigated. The extracted species were found to have the stoichiometry of 1:1 with the metal ion and the crown ethers. Extraction from simulated high-level waste as the feed indicated lowering in the D Sr values, suggesting extraction of other metal ions to a certain extent. The radiolytic stability of the solvent systems was also investigated and compared with those reported in the literature.
Organic Geochemical Investigation and Coal-bed Methane Characteristics of the Guasare Coals (Paso Diablo Mine, Western Venezuela)

Abstract The aim of this work was to carry out a geochemical study of channel samples collected from six coal beds in the Marcelina Formation (Zulia State, western Venezuela) and to determine experimentally the gas content of the coals from the Paso Diablo mine. Organic geochemical analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and isotopic analyses on-line in coalbed gas samples were performed. The results suggest that the Guasare coals were deposited in a continental environment under highly dysoxic and low salinity conditions. The non-detection of 18α(H)-oleanane does not preclude that the organic facies that gave rise to the coals were dominated by angiosperms. In addition, the presence of the sesquiterpenoid cadalene may indicate the subordinate contribution of gymnosperms (conifers) in the Paleocene Guasare mire. The average coalbed gas content obtained was 0.6 cm3/g. δ13C and δD values indicate that thermogenic gas is prevalent in the studied coals.
Energy Level Alignment and Charge Carrier Mobility in Noncovalently Functionalized Graphene

Density functional theory calculations have been performed to assess the electronic structure of graphene overlaid with a monolayer of electro-active conjugated molecules, being either electron donors or electron acceptors. Such a noncovalent functionalization results in a work function modification that scales with the amount of electron transfer from or to graphene, in line with the formation of an interfacial dipole. The charge transfer is accompanied by a pinning of the donor HOMO/acceptor LUMO around the Fermi level and a shift in the vacuum level. The use of the Boltzmann transport equation combined with the deformation potential theory shows that large charge carrier mobilities are maintained upon noncovalent functionalization of graphene, thereby suggesting that molecular doping is an attractive approach to design conductive graphene electrodes with tailored work function.
The influence of plutonium concentration and solution flow rate on the effective capacity of macroporous anion exchange resin. [Lewatit MP-500-FK; Pu/sup +/]

The principal aqueous process used to recover and purify plutonium at the Los Alamos Plutonium Facility is anion exchange in nitric acid. Previous studies with gel-type anion exchange resin have shown an inverse relationship between plutonium concentration in the feed solution and the optimum flow rate for this process. Because gel-type resin has been replaced with macroporous resin at Los Alamos, the relationship between plutonium concentration and solution flow rate was reexamined with the selected Lewatit MP-500-FK resin using solutions of plutonium in nitric acid and in nitric acid with high levels of added nitrate salts. Our results with this resin differ significantly from previous data obtained with gel-type resin. Flow-rate variation from 10 to 80 liters per hour had essentially no effect on the measured quantities of plutonium sorbed by the macroporous resin. However, the effect of plutonium concentration in the feed solutions was pronounced, as feed solutions that contained the highest concentrations of plutonium also produced the highest resin loadings. The most notable effect of high concentrations of dissolved nitrate salts in these solutions was an increased resin capacity for plutonium at low flow rates. 16 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
Removal of Ochratoxin A (OTA) from Naturally Contaminated Wines During the Vinification Process

J. Inst. Brew. 117(3), 456–461, 2011 In this study, 28 red and 18 white musts, from seven different local wineries in Turkey, were investigated to determine their ochratoxin A (OTA) content following the 2006 harvest period. The removal conditions of OTA during the main stages of the wine making processes (alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation, racking, fining and storage) were investigated using HPLC techniques. In addition, the removal of OTA from two samples of red musts containing more than 1.0 µg/L of OTA and one sample of white must containing 0.83 µg/L of OTA were studied. The percentage of OTA removal in the final wine was found to be 41.8% (Sample A) and 53.7% (Sample B) in red wine and 44.7% in the white wine. The activated carbon had no greater effect on removing OTA than the other fining agents. The wine bottle ageing processes decreased the OTA content of the red wine between 11.8% and 17.6% during 12 and 18 months of storage, respectively. The 24 month ageing period did not affect the OTA level of the red wine further compared to the 18 month period.
Computer simulations of apomyoglobin folding

The differences between refolding mechanisms of sperm whale apomyoglobin (apoMb) subsequent to three different unfolding conditions have been examined by atomistic level computer simulations. The three unfolding conditions used in this work are high-temperature, low temperature and low pH. The folding of this protein has been extensively studied experimentally, providing a large data base of folding parameters which can be probed using simulations. The crystal structure of sperm whale myoglobin was taken from Protein Data Bank, followed by the removal of the heme unit and a subsequent energy minimization was performed in order to generate the native apoMb form. Thus, the native conformation of apoMb utilized is the same in all the three different refolding simulations done in the present work. The differences are the way the initial unfolded conformations were obtained. The refolding trajectories were obtained at room temperature using the Stochastic Difference Equation in Length algorithm. The results reveal differences between the three refolding routes. In contrast to previous molecular simulations that modeled low pH denaturation, an extended intermediate vii with large helical content was not observed in the refolding simulations from the high-temperature unfolded state. Otherwise, a structural collapse occurs without formation of helices or native contacts. Once the protein structure is more compact (radius of gyration < 18A) secondary and tertiary structures appear. The low pH simulations show some agreement with the low pH experimental data and previous molecular dynamics simulations, like formation of a conformation having radius of gyration around 20A and large helical content. And the refolding simulations after the low temperature unfolding present differences in the properties of apoMb folding route, comparing to the other two previous conditions. The collapse of the protein during folding occurs later in the simulation when compared with high-temperature denaturing state, but earlier when compared to low pH simulations. These differences strongly suggest that a protein can follow different folding routes, depending on the nature and the structure of the unfolded state.
FORMATION MECHANISM OF NANOSIZED TIN OXIDE (SnO2) POWDER DURING HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS

Preparation of nanosized SnO 2 electroceramic powders via hydrothermal synthesis was investigated as a function of initial concentration and treatment time in order to understand the formation and growth mechanisms. SnO 2 powder was successfully synthesized from the hydrous tin oxide by hydrothermal synthesis at 200°C. Crystalline SnO 2 particles with a specific surface area as high as 170 m 2 /g were produced in a single step without requiring any calcination process. As initial concentration of metal cation increases from 0.0125 to 0.05 M, an Ostwald ripening type growth process was observed in the crystallite size from 3.1 to 4.6 nm. Evolution of tin oxide particles was also investigated by altering the treatment time from 1 to 24 h and a diffusion controlled growth behavior was observed as a function of synthesis time.
Early stages during localized corrosion of AA2024 TEM specimens in chloride environment

Localized corrosion in AA2024‐T3 specimens was investigated by ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies to determine an experimental window for real in situ TEM corrosion studies. In the as‐prepared specimens, intermetallic phases leading to local galvanic couples were classified based on the size and composition. The corrosion behavior of the TEM specimens was investigated in two kinds of corrosive environments, 1 M NaCl and oxygen bubbled through aqueous HCl of pH = 3. In the specimens exposed to a NaCl environment for a duration of 30 min, remnant copper‐rich particles as a result of de‐alloying were observed and energy filtered TEM (EFTEM) oxygen maps revealed the pitting of the oxide film at grain boundaries. In addition, severe deposition of NaCl crystals on the specimen surface was detected, making NaCl environment unsuitable for in situ TEM studies. Exposure to oxygen bubbled through aqueous HCl for durations of 20, 40, and 60 min gave insights into different stages of localized corrosion in this alloy. EFTEM elemental maps confirmed that the remnants formed during the de‐alloying were Cu rich, whereas most of the corroded regions had oxygen‐rich corrosion products. The corrosion behavior of the AA2024‐T3TEM samples showed to be in agreement with corrosion of bulk material reported in the literature. Thus, oxygen bubbled through aqueous HCl is considered a suitable environment for carrying out in situ corrosion experiments in the TEM. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light Trapping and Down‐Shifting Effect of Periodically Nanopatterned Si‐Quantum‐Dot‐Based Structures for Enhanced Photovoltaic Properties

Periodically nanopatterned Si structures have been prepared by using a nanosphere lithography technique. The formed nanopatterned structures exhibit good anti‐reflection and enhanced optical absorption characteristics. The mean surface reflectance weighted by AM1.5 solar spectrum (300–1200 nm) is as low as 5%. By depositing Si quantum dot/SiO2 multilayers (MLs) on the nanopatterned Si substrate, the optical absorption is higher than 90%, which is significantly improved compared with the same multilayers deposited on flat Si substrate. Furthermore, the prototype n‐Si/Si quantum dot/SiO2 MLs/p‐Si heterojunction solar cells has been fabricated, and it is found that the external quantum efficiency is obviously enhanced for nanopatterned cell in a wide spectral range compared with the flat cell. The corresponding short‐circuit current density is increased from 25.5 mA cm−2 for flat cell to 29.0 mA cm−2 for nano‐patterned one. The improvement of cell performance can be attributed both to the reduced light loss and the down‐shifting effect of Si quantum dots/SiO2 MLs by forming periodically nanopatterned structures.
Screening the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of the Extracts from Plantain (Plantago Major L.) Leaves

Abstract Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts obtained by classical (maceration) and ultrasonic (40 kHz) extraction from dry Plantago major leaves were compared. The antioxidant activities of extracts obtained by ultrasonic and classical extraction were 0.87±0.02 and 0.85±0.02 µg/µg DPPH, respectively. Ultrasound positively affected the extractive substance yield and the kinetics of extraction, but the extract obtained by classical extraction contained higher total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids than that obtained by ultrasonic extraction. Extracts of P. major showed better antimicrobial activity against the yeasts than against the bacteria.