Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Some Chemical Treatments on Fruiting of 'Leconte' Pears

2 Abstract: This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of some chemical treatments to enhance fruit set and improve fruit characteristics of Le Conte pear trees. It was performed during seasons 2003 and 2004 at the experimental research station of Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza Governorate. Different concentrations of boron, gibberellic acid (GA ), benzyl adenine (BA) and sucrose were applied at full bloom and 3 three weeks later. All the applied treatments significantly increased initial fruit set, final fruit set and yield compared to the control trees in both seasons of the study. However the highest significant initial fruit set was produced as a result of 5% sucrose at full bloom and it averaged 13.04 and 16.71% in the two successive seasons. Also, 20% sucrose spray at full bloom resulted in the highest significant final fruit set as it averaged 7.9 and 8.7% in both seasons. Similarly significant improvements were attained in fruit characteristics as a result of the applied treatments. Data are presented for the studied fruit characteristics which comprised of average weight, volume, length, diameter, shape index, specific gravity, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity and TSS/ acid ratio as a result of the applied treatments during the two studied seasons. It can be recommended from the present study to apply the enhancement chemical treatments at full bloom as they gave better results than after three weeks from bloom, also sucrose applications either at 5 or 20% caused significant improvement in fruit set, yield and most of the studied fruit characteristics.
Preparation and protein adsorption of hydrogel polysucrose microspheres

A series of novel hydrogel polysucrose microspheres with the mean size ranging from 200 to 500 mm were prepared via two-step method. First, soluble poly- sucrose was synthesized by solution polymerization between sucrose and epichlorohydrin; second, a reversed phase suspension crosslinking reaction was performed to prepare polysucrose microspheres. The SEM images indicated that these spherical beads had smooth surface and hydrogel in- terior structure. FTIR was used to characterize the chemi- cal structure of the beads. The hydrated and dry densities, equilibrium water content, and hydroxyl content of polysu- crose microspheres were also investigated. The characteristic of high hydroxyl content (15.48-19.04 mmol/g) make these microspheres suitable for protein adsorption. Meanwhile, bovine serum albumin was used to examine the adsorption capacity of the microspheres. These microspheres had a capacity as high as 49.28 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics and recycling of the beads were also investigated. 2006 Wiley
Influence of composition and structure of oil-in-water emulsions on retention of aroma compounds

The influence of the composition and structure of oil-in-water emulsions on aroma retention was examined for 20 volatile compounds. Compositional and structural parameters included the fraction of emulsifier phase, the fraction of lipid phase and the particle size distribution of the dispersed lipid phase in the emulsion. Air/liquid partition coefficients of dimethyl sulphide, 1-propanol, diacetyl, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol, 2-pentanol, propyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, ethyl butyrate, hexanal, butyl acetate, 1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, heptanal, α-pinene, 2-octanone, octanal, 2-nonanol and 2-decanone were determined by static headspace gas chromatography. The hydrophobicity of the compounds determined the influence of the compositional and structural parameters of the emulsions on air/liquid partitioning. Increase of the emulsifier fraction increased the retention of mainly hydrophilic aroma compounds and decreased the retention of hydrophobic compounds. Higher lipid levels led to increased retention of hydrophobic compounds and release of hydrophilic compounds. Emulsions with larger particles showed increased aroma retention, which was independent of the lipid fraction and the polarity of the aroma compounds. The data demonstrated a profound effect of both composition and structure of oil-in-water emulsions on the air/liquid partitioning of the 20 aroma compounds under equilibrium conditions. Cette etude evalue l'influence de la fraction emulsifiante (Tween 20), de la fraction lipidique et de la taille des particules de la phase dispersee sur la retention de 20 composes d'arome dans des emulsions huile-dans-l'eau. L'augmentation de la fraction emulsifiante augmente la retention des composes hydrophiles et reduit celle des composes hydrophobes. L'augmentation de la teneur en lipide augmente la retention des composes hydrophobes et la liberation des composes hydrophiles.
The LAMOX Family of Fast Oxide-Ion Conductors: Overview and Recent Results

A short review of our recent works and original results on the new LAMOX family of fast oxide-ion conductors based on La 2 Mo 2 O 9 are presented. The order/disorder phase transition of La 2 Mo 2 O 9 , accompanied by an increase of anion conductivity, is suppressed by most of the substituants which stabilize the highly conducting cubic phase down to room temperature. The series La 2-x R x Mo 2-y W y O 9 (R=Nd,Gd,Y) was studied with respect to the optimisation of anion conduction and stability against reduction. Tungsten substitution is a good way to mi nimize oxygen loss under reducing atmosphere, a drawback in applications such as electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells. Ball-milling and dilatom etric studies allowed an efficient control and improvement of the samples relative density, for a better characterisation of the oxygen diffusion pro perties, a first account of which is presented here. The LAMOX family exhibits among the highest oxygen tracer diffusion coefficients. A specific curvature in the conductivity curves of cubic substituted phases is interpreted as resulting from a VTF-type conduction mechanism above a certain temperature , an indication of the existence of a dynamic disorder at high T, which would freeze while cooling down.
Comparative evaluation of Bacillus licheniformis 5A5 and Aloe variegata milk-clotting enzymes

Abstract - The properties of a milk clotting enzyme (MCE) produced by bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis 5A5) were investigated and compared to those of rennet extracted from a plant ( Aloe variegata) . Production of MCE by B. licheniformis 5A5 was better in static than in shaken cultures. Maximum activity (98.3 and 160.3 U/ml) of clotting was obtained at 75°C and 80°C with bacterial and plant rennet, respectively. In the absence of substrate, the clotting activity of Aloe MCE was found to be less sensitive to heat inactivation up to 80°C for 75 min, retaining 63.8% of its activity, while bacterial MCE was completely inhibited. CaCl 2 stimulated milk clotting activity (MCA) up to 2% and 1.5% for bacterial and plant enzymes. NaCl inhibited MCA for both enzymes, even at low concentration (1%). Plant MCE was more sensitive to NaCl at 3% concentration it retained 30.2% of its activity, whereas bacterial MCE retained 64.1%. Increasing skim milk concentration caused a significant increase in MCA up to 6% for both enzymes. Mn
Zinc fractionation of tropical paddy soils and their relationships with selected soil properties

Knowledge of zinc (Zn) distribution among various fractions will help to predict the potential of the soil to supply sufficient Zn for crop production. The present study was done to investigate Zn fractions, Zn availability factor (AF) and their relationship with soil properties of Zn-deficient tropical paddy soils. The samples of two soil orders (six soil series) were sequentially extracted with chemical extractants in two different growth stages of rice (maximum tillering and flowering stages). The proportion of Zn fractions extracted at the maximum tillering stage followed the order, water soluble plus exchangeable (WE) < crystalline sesquioxide (Cry) < manganese oxide (MN) < organically bound (Org) < amorphous sesquioxide (Amor) < residual Zn (Res), whereas the order at the flowering stage was as follows: WE < Mn < Cry < Org < Amor < Res. Cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay content and organic carbon (OC) were the most important factors controlling the distribution of Zn in soils. The AF was low in Tok Young (1.79%), high in Telemong (17%) and medium in the rest of soil series (around 8%). A stepwise multiple linear regression and principal component analyses showed that OC, clay content and CEC were the main variables that explained the predictability of Zn fractions. The result of the length of submerging showed that the WE, Org and Cry concentrations decreased, while Amor, MN, and the sum of all Zn fractions increased with increase in the flooding period. The extractability and solid-phase fractionation of Zn in two different times of soil sampling showed the importance of timing of Zn fertilizer application and flooding or pre-flooding in Zn availability.
Durability Studies of PBI‐based High Temperature PEMFCs

Long‐term durability testing of polybenzimidazole (PBI)‐based polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells was performed using test protocols designed to simulate fuel cell operational situations which may be found in real applications. The fuel cell voltages and phosphoric acid (PA) loss were carefully monitored over thousands of hours and hundreds of cycles. In the typical operating range for high temperature PEM fuel cells (160 °C), the fuel cell voltage degradation rate was 4.9 μV h–1 for steady‐state operation. The PA loss rates were generally low and indicated that long‐term operation (>10,000 h) was possible without significant performance degradation due to PA loss from the membrane. Dynamic durability tests also showed that the PA loss rate from the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) depended on cell operating temperature and load conditions. Under all conditions, the PA loss was a relatively small amount of the total PA in the membrane.
Isolator Decontamination Using Chlorine Dioxide Gas

he use of isolation technology in the United States and Eu-rope is beginning to show signs of widespread acceptanceand growth.With the increased use of isolators for criticalprocesses comes a demand for better and quicker decont-amination methods.Fueling the growth of chlorine dioxide (CD)in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries are its prop-erties as a true gas at ambient temperatures,its capacity to be un-affected by temperature variations and gradients, and its tightprocess consistency because concentrations can be precisely mon-itored and controlled.
Adrenergic β1- and β1+2-receptor blockade suppress the natural killer cell response to head-up tilt in humans

Klokker, M. , N. H. Secher, P. Madsen, M. Pedersen, and B. K. Pedersen. Adrenergic β1- and β1+2-receptor blockade suppress the natural killer cell response to head-up tilt in humans.J. Appl. Physiol.
Anthocyanins in fruits of Prunus padus (bird cherry)

Bird cherry (Prunus padus) anthocyanins were extracted with acidified methanol, fractionated by column chromatography on Toyopearl HW40(S) and purified in a C-18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The pigment composition was very simple, as there were only two compounds. The anthocyanins cyanidin-3-rutinoside (60%) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (40%) were determined using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of Silicon-Silicon Dioxide Structure by Electron Spin Resonance I

Three kinds of paramagnetic centers named PA, PB and PC have been found in a silicon-silicon dioxide structure at liquid nitrogen temperature. PA (g=∼2.000, ΔH=∼4 Oe), and PB having anisotropic g-value (g=∼2.000∼2.010, ΔH=∼6 Oe) are in the exide, while PC which also has anisotropic g-value (g=∼2.06∼2.07, ΔH=∼9 Oe) is in the silicon near the Si-SiO2 interface. Distribution of PB is successfully determined that it has the maximum concentration within about 400Å from the interface. PA and PB appear when the silicon is oxidized in dry oxidizing ambient or the Si-SiO2 is cooled from elevated temperatures to room temperature with a cooling speed of about 500°C/sec. PC appears when the Si-SiO2 is heated at elevated temperatures followed by rapid cooling to room temperature or is exposed to the ambient containing an appreciable amount of hydrogen at elevated temperatures such as 1000°C, for 10 min. PB is ascribed to a trivalent silicon \overset\shortmid\underset\shortmid-Si· which has a nonbonding orbital electron in the Si-O network. The mechanisms for the various behaviors of the centers are also discussed in detail.
Fourier transform near-infrared resonance Raman spectroscopic study of the α-subunit of phycoerythrocyanin and phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus

The isolated α-subunits of the light-harvesting pigments phycoerythrocyanin (PEC) and C-phycocyanin (CPC) of Mastigocladus laminosus were studied by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. The results for PEC indicate that the photoconversion of the tetrapyrrole chromophore from the Z,Z to the Z,E configuration is associated with structural changes which are largely restricted to the photoisomerization site, i.e. the methine-bridge C–D. Evidently the rotation around this double bond is not complete in the first intermediate which can be detected after the photochemical event. The subsequent decay to the stable Z,E isomer at T>-30°C is associated with conformational relaxations of the remainder of the chromophore. Thus, the PEC photoconversion differs substantially from that of the plant photoreceptor phytochrome, which exhibits more extended changes of the chromophore structure and its interactions with the protein environment during the photoconversion. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supercapacitor Electrodes Obtained by Directly Bonding 2D MoS2 on Reduced Graphene Oxide

Layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is deposited by microwave heating on a reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Three concentrations of MoS2 are loaded on RGO, and the structure and morphology are characterized. The first layers of MoS2 are detected as being directly bonded with the oxygen of the RGO by covalent chemical bonds (Mo‐O‐C). Electrochemical characterizations indicate that this electroactive material can be cycled reversibly between 0.25 and 0.8 V in 1 m HClO4 solution for hybrids with low concentrations of MoS2 layers (LCMoS2/RGO) and between 0.25 and 0.65 V for medium (MCMoS2/RGO) and high concentrations (HCMoS2/RGO) of MoS2 layers on graphene. The specific capacitance measured values at 10 mV s−1 are 128, 265, and 148 Fg−1 for the MoS2/RGO with low, medium, and high concentrations of MoS2, respectively, and the calculated energy density is 63 W h kg−1 for the LCMoS2/RGO hybrid. This supercapacitor electrode also exhibits superior cyclic stability with 92% of the specific capacitance retained after 1000 cycles.
Synthesis of self-ordered and well-aligned Nb2O5 nanotubes

In the present work we demonstrate the fabrication of self-assembled and highly aligned Nb2O5 nanotubes by means of electrochemical anodization of metallic Nb at room temperature. We have investigated the effect of anodization parameters (the type and the concentration of the electrolyte, the anodization voltage and the current) on the formation of Nb2O5 nanotube arrays. The structural properties of the nanotubes as a function of annealing treatment conditions (temperature and duration) have been studied. The current–voltage characterization of the samples in the dark and under UV light illumination has been carried out. The photocurrent of the Nb2O5 nanotubes has been improved by improving their crystalline performance.
Multispectroscopic (FTIR, XPS, and TOFMS−TPD) Investigation of the Core−Shell Bonding in Sonochemically Prepared Aluminum Nanoparticles Capped with Oleic Acid

Organically capped metal nanoparticles are an attractive alternative to more conventional oxide-passivated materials, due to the lower reaction temperatures and the possibility of tuning the organic coating. Sonochemical methods have been used to produce small (∼5 nm average size) air-stable aluminum nanoparticles capped with oleic acid. In order to understand the nature of the metal−organic bonding in the nanoparticles, we have used FTIR, XPS, and TOFMS−TPD techniques to study the organic passivation layer and its desorption at elevated temperatures. In the present case we find that the organic layer appears to be attached via Al−O−C bonds with the C atom formerly involved in the carboxylic acid functional group.
SIMS Profile quantification by maximum entropy deconvolution

The action of the probe ions in SIMS depth profiling causes a number of mass transport phenomena. Consequently the data obtained are both broadened and shifted in a manner dependent on the species of the matrix, impurity and probe, and the experimental conditions. Quantification methods based on implanted standards and crater depth measurement are hampered by inaccuracies in the depth measurement, and take no account of the blurring processes. This paper reports the development of an alternative method. The blurring processes are not yet well enough understood for complete modelling. An empirical model, valid in the dilute limit, is that the true depth distribution is convoluted with an instrumental response to give the SIMS signal. If the response function is carefully defined, inversion of the convolution equation should give a fully quantified depth profile, correcting for blurring effects and any differential shift, mapping primary ion dose density (or time) back to depth and mapping signal intensity back to concentration in one mathematical operation. The sample from which the response function is measured becomes a complete concentration and depth standard. Deconvolution is non-trivial as there is no unique solution in the real case, where the profile data and measured response consist of a finite number of data points. The method used here is based on the use of maximum entropy and returns the least biased (least structured) of the possible solutions. The use of this method to fully quantify two samples will be demonstrated and the results compared with ordinary quantification.
Dye-sensitized CuAlO2 photocathodes for tandem solar cell applications

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using the p-type semiconductor CuAlO2, in con- junction with a highly effective hole injecting dye and an iodide-triiodide-based electrolyte have been produced, demonstrating photocathodic behavior. An improved open-circuit volt- age (VOC) of 333 mV was observed, compared to analogous devices using NiO, which can be explained by the CuAlO2 valence-band energy, which is lower on the vacuum scale than that of NiO. Incident photon-to-charge-carrier efficiency response confirms that the observed photocurrent is generated by the dye. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
Raman microscopy of formamide-intercalated kaolinites treated by controlled-rate thermal analysis technology

Raman spectroscopy of formamide-intercalated kaolinites treated using controlled-rate thermal analysis technology (CRTA), allowing the separation of adsorbed formamide from intercalated formamide in formamide-intercalated kaolinites, is reported. The Raman spectra of the CRTA-treated formamide-intercalated kaolinites are significantly different from those of the intercalated kaolinites, which display a combination of both intercalated and adsorbed formamide. An intense band is observed at 3629 cm-1, attributed to the inner surface hydroxyls hydrogen bonded to the formamide. Broad bands are observed at 3600 and 3639 cm-1, assigned to the inner surface hydroxyls, which are hydrogen bonded to the adsorbed water molecules. The hydroxyl-stretching band of the inner hydroxyl is observed at 3621 cm-1 in the Raman spectra of the CRTA-treated formamide-intercalated kaolinites. The results of thermal analysis show that the amount of intercalated formamide between the kaolinite layers is independent of the presence of water. Significant differences are observed in the CO stretching region between the adsorbed and intercalated formamide.
Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto collagen initiated by tributylborane

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto collagen initiated by tributylborane was investigated in aqueous medium. The total conversion, percentage of grafting and efficiency of grafting increased with increasing collagen content. The optimum conditions on the percentage of grafting and efficiency of grafting were determined by varying initiator concentration, monomer concentration, and polymerization temperature. The grafting onto denaturated collagen was also studied. It has been suggested that the grafting onto collagen proceeds by a radical mechanism via a complex of TBB and hydrated collagen.
GC-MS analysis of biologically active compounds in Cayratia pedata (lam) leaf and callus extracts

In this study, the bioactive components of Cayratia pedata leaf and callus have been evaluated using GC/MS. The chemical compositions of the methanol extract of Cayratia pedata leaf and callus were investigated using Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extracts were matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC/MS analysis of methanolic extract of Cayratia pedata revealed the existence of twenty five compounds in leaf and twenty compounds in callus. The prevailing compounds of Cayratia pedata leaves were Hexadecanoic acid (28.46), 2-Hexadecen-1-ol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl (30.62) and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (27.94) whereas callus contains n-Hexadecanoic acid (13.67), Octadecanoic acid (17.04), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (13.10) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (16.05). The results of this study offer a platform of using of Cayratia pedata leaf and callus as herbal alternative for various diseases. Keyword: Cayratia pedata, Callus, GC/MS, Bioactive components.
Solution Behaviour of Rivanol in Micellar Environments

Abstract The interaction of the cationic drug rivanol (RIV) with three types of surfactants; [cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; CTAB), anionic (sodium dodecylsulfate; SDS), and nonionic (t‐octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, TX‐100)] has been studied spectrophotometrically as a function of surfactant concentration from the premicellar to the postmicellar region. A comparison of the binding constants calculated from the Benesi–Hildebrand equation indicated that the binding tendency of RIV with TX‐100 micelles is higher than that with SDS micelles. The binding constants of RIV to both SDS and TX‐100 micelles were found to decrease in the presence of NaCl (0.225% w/v), ethanol (5% v/v), propylene glycol (5% v/v), and glycerin (5% v/v), The addition of the additives to the medium had a pronounced effect on the association of RIV with micelles. They all tended to decrease the binding of RIV to micelles. The inhibitory effect of alcohols followed the order water>glycerin>propylene glycol>ethanol.
Estrogenic Effects of Effluents from Sewage Treatment Works

Abstract The occurrence of hermaphrodite fish in the lagoons of sewage treatment works led us to hypothesize that sewage effluent might contain a substance, or substances, estrogenic to fish. to test this hypothesis, we placed cages containing rainbow trout in the effluent from sewage-treatment works, and one to three weeks later measured the vitellogenin concentration in the plasma of the fish. Vitellogenin is a protein synthesized by the liver of oviparous fish in response to estradiol stimulation; it is then conveyed by the blood to the ovary, where it is sequestered by oocytes to form the yolk. Thus, the presence of vitellogenin in the plasma is indicative of estrogenic stimulation of the liver. an initial study, at a sewage-treatment works, showed that plasma vitellogenin concentrations rose rapidly and very markedly (over 1000-fold in three weeks) when trout were maintained in the effluent. an extensive nationwide survey was then conducted. Results were obtained from fifteen sewage-treatment works d.