Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silicon Decreases Transpiration Rate and Conductance from Stomata of Maize Plants

ABSTRACT To characterize the effect of silicon (Si) on decreasing transpiration rate in maize (Zea mays L.) plants, the transpiration rate and conductance from both leaves and cuticula of maize plants were measured directly. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions with and without Si under both normal water conditions and drought stress [20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration in nutrient solution] treatments. Silicon application of 2 mmol L−1 significantly decreased transpiration rate and conductance for both adaxial and abaxial leaf surface, but had no effect on transpiration rate and conductance from the cuticle. These results indicate that the role of Si in decreasing transpiration rate must be largely attributed to the reduction in transpiration rate from stomata rather than cuticula. Stomatal structure, element deposition, and stomatal density on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a light microscope. Results showed that changes in neither stomatal morphology nor stomatal density could explain the role of Si in decreasing stomatal transpiration of maize plants. Silicon application with H4SiO4 significantly increased Si concentration in shoots and roots of maize plants. Silicon concentration in shoots of maize plants was higher than in roots, whether or not Si was applied. Silicon deposits in cell walls of the leaf epidermis were mostly in the form of polymerized SiO2.
Physicochemical modifications of partially esterified cellulose evidenced by inverse gas chromatography

Partial esterification of cellulose using acyl chlorides having 5 and 16 carbon atoms was performed in a swelling medium to produce cellulosic esters with two different degrees of substitution (DS = 0.15 and 0.45). The effects of this treatment on the surface energy, on the water uptake, and on the acido-basic character of the cellulose were studied by inverse gas chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis. The attaching of alkyl chains to the surface of cellulose reduces its acidic character and its hydrophilicity and the DS required for such an effect depends on the chain length. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 2195–2203, 1998
El modelo TPACK como perspectiva de análisis en la integración de TIC para la educación: un estado del arte

Resumen El proceso de integracion de las TIC en la educacion ha sido un fenomeno muy estudiado en las ultimas decadas. Mas en los ultimos cinco anos, la preocupacion por mejorar la educacion a partir de las nuevas tecnologias se incrementa debido a las dinamicas propias de lo que ahora se denomina la era digital. Por tanto, el presente capitulo tiene como objetivo analizar las publicaciones mas relevantes en torno a la tematica referida para describir el statu estado del arte. Para tal fin, se utiliza como perspectiva de analisis el modelo TPACK debido a su alta relevancia en el estudio de la integracion TIC con la educacion. Asimismo, el metodo descriptivo utilizo, como herramienta de analisis hermeneutico, la tecnica de niveles de interpretacion propuesto por Rodriguez Jerez (2019). Los resultados obtenidos son organizados a partir de la zona y las unidades de convergencia encontradas. Las conclusiones brindan un marco de reflexion para comprender el proceso actual de integracion de las TIC en los procesos de ensenanza y aprendizaje.
Tailored Porous Materials

Tailoring of porous materials involves not only chemical synthetic techniques for tailoring microscopic properties such as pore size, pore shape, pore connectivity, and pore surface reactivity, but also materials processing techniques for tailoring the meso- and the macroscopic properties of bulk materials in the form of fibers, thin films, and monoliths. These issues are addressed in the context of five specific classes of porous materials: oxide molecular sieves, porous coordination solids, porous carbons, sol−gel-derived oxides, and porous heteropolyanion salts. Reviews of these specific areas are preceded by a presentation of background material and review of current theoretical approaches to adsorption phenomena. A concluding section outlines current research needs and opportunities.
Effects of Combustor Geometry on the Flowfields and Flame Properties of a Low-Swirl Injector

The Low-swirl injector (LSI) is a novel dry-low NOx combustion method that is being developed for gas turbines to burn a variety of gaseous fuels including natural gas, low-Btu fuels, syngases and hydrogen. Its basic principle is described by a top level analytical model that relates the flame position to the flowfield similarity parameters and the turbulent flame speed correlation. The model was based on experimental measurements in open laboratory flames. It has been useful for guiding hardware development. As the LSI is being adapted to different engine configurations, one open question is how the combustor geometry and size affect its basic operating principle. The objective of this paper is to investigate these effects by conducting Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements in open and enclosed flames produced by a 6.35 cm diameter LSI using two quartz cylinders of 15.5 and 20 cm diameter to simulate the combustor casing. Results from 18 methane-air flames show that the enclosures do not alter the flame properties or the nearfield flow structures. The differences occur mostly in the farfield where the tighter enclosure deters the formation of a weak recirculation zone. The enclosure effects on hydrogen and hydrogen-methane flames were studies using the 20 cm cylinder. The results show that the outer recirculation zone generated at the corner of the dump plane promotes the formation of attached flames. However, the properties and nearfield flow features of the attached flames are similar to those of the lifted flames. At higher stoichiometries, the attached flame collapses to form a compact disc shaped flame that has very different flowfield structures. These results show that the enclosure effects on the LSI are strongly coupled to the fuel type and dump plane geometry but are less dependent on the enclosure size. These observations will provide the basis for developing computational methods that can be used as design tools for LSI adaptation. © 2008 ASME
Removal of Pb (II) in aqueous solution using acid activated carbons prepared from cola edulis shell (Alocaceae), pentaclethra macrophylla husk (Mimosaceae) and aucoumea klaineana sawdust (Burseraceae)

The present research was undertaken to study the potential efficiency as adsorbents of three acid activated carbons, prepared from plant biomass of colas edulis shell (CAH), pentaclethra macrophylla husk (GAH) and aucoumea klainenea sawdust (QAH), for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution, by the means of batch technique. The study was managed using pH, concentration of lead solution, adsorption process equilibrium time and temperature as parameters. The adsorption increased with the increase in pH. The Pb (II) concentration to the equilibrium on the acid activated carbons surface for CAH (765 mg/g) is higher than for GAH (743 mg/g) and than of QAH (671 mg/g). The experimental data were found to fit both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. CAH (3.52 mg/g) was found to possess a more large heterogeneous surface capacity than GAH (2.19 mg/g) and QAH (1.43 mg/g) for Pb (II) ions adsorption, according to the Freundlich model. The testing of Langmuir model had given QAH (42.19 mg/g) higher monolayer surface capacity than GAH (27.25 mg/g) and CAH (22.62 mg). Adsorption kinetics was found to follow well the pseudo-second-order than the pseudo-first-order models. The adsorption process was found to be realized spontaneously between 308 and 318K. Key words: Adsorption, lead (II), acid activated carbons, isotherm models, kinetic equations.
Investigation of equilibrium wetting films of n-alkanes on α-alumina

A review is given of previous disjoining pressure investigations of liquid films on solids, and the advantages of combining such investigations with corresponding vapour adsorption studies are discussed. The relevant thermodynamic framework is presented in outline. Direct measurements of the disjoining pressure of stable wetting films of n-octane and n-decane on α-alumina are reported for films of from 20–80 nm in thickness. The results obtained, together with data for much thinner films derived from a previous gravimetric study of the vapour adsorption of n-decane on the oxidised surface of aluminium foil, are compared with the predictions of Lifshitz and London–Hamaker theories of dispersion forces. It is found that both theories correctly predict the disjoining pressure and differential free energy of formation of the films, provided the films exceed monolayer coverage, and provided due allowance is made for retardation if the films exceed a thickness of about 5 nm. In making these predictions, it is sufficient to assume that the films have molar volumes, molar entropies and dielectric properties identical with those of the parent bulk liquids.
Operational Testing of Satellite based Hydrological Model (SHM)

Incorporation of the concept of transposability in model testing is one of the prominent ways to check the credibility of a hydrological model. Successful testing ensures ability of hydrological models to deal with changing conditions, along with its extrapolation capacity. For a newly developed model, a number of contradictions arises regarding its applicability, therefore testing of credibility of model is essential to proficiently assess its strength and limitations. This concept emphasizes to perform ‘Hierarchical Operational Testing’ of Satellite based Hydrological Model (SHM), a newly developed surface water-groundwater coupled model, under PRACRITI-2 program initiated by Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. SHM aims at sustainable water resources management using remote sensing data from Indian satellites. It consists of grid cells of 5km x 5km resolution and comprises of five modules namely: Surface Water (SW), Forest (F), Snow (S), Groundwater (GW) and Routing (ROU). SW module (functions in the grid cells with land cover other than forest and snow) deals with estimation of surface runoff, soil moisture and evapotranspiration by using NRCS-CN method, water balance and Hragreaves method, respectively. The hydrology of F module is dependent entirely on sub-surface processes and water balance is calculated based on it. GW module generates baseflow (depending on water table variation with the level of water in streams) using Boussinesq equation. ROU module is grounded on a cell-to-cell routing technique based on the principle of Time Variant Spatially Distributed Direct Runoff Hydrograph (SDDH) to route the generated runoff and baseflow by different modules up to the outlet. For this study Subarnarekha river basin, flood prone zone of eastern India, has been chosen for hierarchical operational testing scheme which includes tests under stationary as well as transitory conditions. For this the basin has been divided into three sub-basins using three flow gauging sites as reference, viz., Muri, Jamshedpur and Ghatshila. Individual model set-up has been prepared for these subbasins and calibration and validation using Split-sample test, first level of operational testing scheme is in progress. Subsequently for geographic transposability, Proxy-basin test will be done using Muri and Jamshedpur as proxy basins. Climatic transposability will be tested for dry and wet years using Differential split-sample test. For incorporating both geographic and climatic transposability Proxy-basin differential split sample test will be used. For quantitative evaluation of SHM, during Split-sample test Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Coefficient of Determination (R) and Percent BIAS (PBIAS) are being used. However, for transposability, a productive approach involving these performance measures, i.e. NSE*R*PBIAS will be used to decide the best value of parameters.
Size-scaling effect on the velocity field of an internal combustion engine, part I: Bulk motion

In-cylinder velocity measurements were acquired to study the bulk fluid motion in two geometrically scaled, two-valve, optically accessible, and single-cylinder research engines. Different port geometries (two), different port orientations (two), and both shrouded and nonshrouded intake valves were tested to vary the intake-generated flow. The engines were motored at speeds ranging from 300 to 1200 r/min for the larger engine and from 600 to 1800 r/min for the smaller engine. Prior to testing on the engines, the different head configurations were tested on a steady flow bench. Particle image velocimetry data were taken on a single plane, parallel to the piston surface, in the engines to characterize the large-scale flow phenomena. The mean location of the swirl center and the mean angular velocity were determined by fitting a solid-body profile to the flow. The results showed that the swirl center location was relatively insensitive to engine speed for both engines, but did change position throughout the cycle. The swirl center locations, scaled by the cylinder radii, were found to be in nearly the same location for the two-scaled engines in the same nominal configuration, indicating that the swirl center motion was deterministic in nature. Normalizing the best-fit solid-body angular velocity by the engine rotation rate was found to collapse the data from the multiple engine speeds nearly onto a single curve for a given engine configuration. The angular velocity was found to decrease with crank angle due to wall friction, which was higher for the small engine because of the higher surface-to-volume ratio.
Polymorph and Morphology Control of CaCO3 via Temperature and PEG During the Decomposition of Ca(HCO3)2

As research continues, the control on the polymorph and morphology of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) becomes a hot topic because its application is limited by these parameters. The polymorph and morphology control of CaCO3 was successfully achieved via temperature and PEG (Mw = 6000) during the decomposition of Ca(HCO3)2, which has rarely been employed to prepare precipitated CaCO3. As-prepared CaCO3 was characterized using XRD and SEM. In the case of no PEG, rhombohedra calcite, lamellar vaterite, rod- and needlelike aragonite are observed, and calcite is the major phase at all samples and it increases with temperature, whereas vaterite and aragonite decrease with temperature. The addition of PEG restrains the formation of vaterite and promotes the emergence of needlelike aragonite particles at 70°C, and prevents the generation of calcite and encourages the production of rodlike aragonite particles at 80°C and 90°C. This work not only provides a new way on the preparation of CaCO3 powder but also presents the feasible control method in this route.
Effects of Mentha longifolia essential oil on ruminal and abomasal longitudinal smooth muscle in sheep

Mentha longifolia is grown commercially for production of oils and leaves. For centuries, this plant has widely been used traditionally as a folk remedy for treatment of human and ruminant gastrointestinal complaints in the Northwest of Iran. The essential oil of the plant was extracted using hydrodistillation. In the present study a total of 12 constituents, representing 96.6% of the oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main compounds were 1,8-cineole (19.8%), pulegone (17.3%), caryophyllene oxide (14.8%) and isomenthone (12.4%). The effects of 0.1 to 1000 g/mL essence of Mentha longofolia (EOML) on ruminal and abomasal smooth muscle of 24 healthy sheep were assessed in vitro. In the isolated ruminal and abomasal preparations, EOML (0.1–100 g/mL) exhibited a weak spasmogenic effect followed by relaxation and complete (p < 0.05) abolition of the spontaneous contraction at the highest dose (1000 g/mL). In contrast rat ileum only showed a dose-dependent relaxation effect, and tissues preincubated with EOML decreased the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction. EOML (1000 g/mL) significantly inhibited the effect of ACh suggesting that the effect may be mediated via cholinergic receptors on smooth muscle. These primary data indicated that the plant contained spasmogenic and spasmolitic constituents. Moreover the results showed that the EOML profoundly alters gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction in a dose-dependent and tissue-specific manner. The results suggested that EOML has the potential for development as a prokinetic and relaxant agent that may prevent or alleviate dysfunctions of gastrointestinal motility.
A new carbon fiber from lignin

A new carbon fiber was prepared from the lignin (steam-exploded lignin), which was isolated from steam-exploded birch wood (Betula platyphylla). The lignin was modified to melt thermally on hydrogenolysis. The chloroform soluble and carbon disulfide insoluble fraction (HL) of the reaction products was heated at 300–350°C for 30 min, giving a molten viscous material (HHL). The HHL had a softening point of 110°C and melted at over 145°C to form viscous liquid. When HHL was subjected to a spinning test, according to a conventional fusion spinning method at a speed over 100 m/min, a fine filament could be continuously formed through a pinhole (diameter: 0.3 mm). After the filaments were heated in air at 1–2°C/min up to 210°C, by which time the filament was converted to have an infusible property, the filaments were carbonized by heating from a room temperature to 1000°C at a heating rate of 5°C/min in a stream of nitrogen. The typical properties of the lignin based carbon fiber were as follows: Fiber diameter = 7.6 ± 2. 7μ Elongation = 1.63 ± 0.29% Tensile strength = 660 ± 230 MPa; Modulus of elasticity = 40.7 ± 6.3 GPa. The chemical structure of the precursor was remarkably changed from that of the original lignin, indicating the elimination of aliphatic functional groups implied originally in the starting material.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Ni - DOPED ZnO BY CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION METHOD

Ni – doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using chemical precipitation methods with aqueous solution of nickel acetate and zinc acetate in the presence of NaOH at room temperature. The prepared nanoparticles’ densities, diameters and lengths of the rods can easily be controlled through the concentrations of the dopant Ni 2+ ions and it is in nanorod form and were incorporated into the Wurtzite structure of ZnO crystal. The effects of Ni doping on the structural and optical properties of ZnO: Ni particles were investigated using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV) Spectroscopy and Photo Luminescence (PL) spectroscopy.
The Dynamics of Soil Moisture and Salinity after Using Saline Water Freezing-Melting Combined with Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum

A laboratory experiment was conducted in soil columns to study the moisture and salt redistribution through soil profile after the application of saline ice melt-water (SIMW) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) in a saline-sodic soil. The study consisted of SIMW (3200 ml frozen saline groundwater) and four SIMW+FGDG treatments which were SIMW+25%GR (7.9 mg·cm -2 , gypsum require (GR) in the surface of soil column), SIMW+50%GR (15.9 mg·cm -2 ), SIMW+70%GR (23.8 mg·cm -2 ), and SIMW+100%GR (31.8 mg·cm -2 ). The results showed that Na + content, EC, SAR, and pH were reduced near the surface layers in all treatments, but the trend was reversed in deeper soil layers. Comparing the SIMW treatments, treatments containing FGDG showed higher desalting rate, leaching depth, and soil moisture at the end of the experiment. The SIMW+50%GR treatment resulted in the highest leaching rate of Na + and lowest EC and SAR in 0-40 cm soil layer. With the increase of the applied FGDG, there was no significant difference in reclamation effect. Therefore, when the small amount of gypsum was added in conjunction with saline ice meltwater, better leached effect of sodium was achieved.
IMPACT OF NEW TRENDS: SWOT ANALYSIS OF ONLINE AND MOBILE BANKING: CASE STUDY OF A DJIBOUTIAN BANK

Dunyanin dort bir yanindaki bankalar, faaliyetlerini kolaylastirmak ve musterilerine daha iyi bir deneyim sunmak icin yeni teknolojiler gibi yeni trendlerden yararlanmaktadir. Finansal hizmetlerin ve urunlerin isbirligi ve birlikte olusturulmasi sadece bir heves degil, ayni zamanda musterinin ihtiyaclarini ideal sekilde karsilamak icin surdurulebilir bir sekilde inovasyonu gelistirmek icin guclu modellerdir. Cibuti'nin finans sektoru, online ve mobil bankacilik tekliflerinin yayilmasiyla guclendi ayni zamanda sektordeki bu yeni egilimleri destekleyen yeni duzenlemeler. Bu calisma, cevrimici ve mobil bankaciligin buyumesi ve gelecegini tespit etmek icin bir TOWS matrisinin eslik ettigi SWOT matrisini kullanarak yeni trendlerin stratejik yaklasimina odaklaniyor. Bulgular derlenmis ve yeni egilimlerin guclu ve firsatlarinin yani sira zayifliklari ve tehditleri ortaya koymustur. Sonuc olarak, TOWS matrisinin kullanimi dikkate alinmasi gereken onemli stratejilere isaret eder.
The Role of Metadata for Effective Data Warehouse

Metadata efficient method for managing Data Warehouse (DW). It is also an effective tool in reducing the time or speed to answer queries. In addition, it achieved capabilities of the integration and standardization, thus lead to faster, clear and accurate decision-making in the right time. This paper provides the definition of metadata concept, and using metadata in Data Cleaning; which it identify the sources, types of fields, and choose the appropriate algorithm. In addition, useful in Decision Support System (DSS); which it improve efficiency of analysis and reduces response time of query.
Theoretical Characterization of the Reaction Intermediates in a Model of the Nickel−Iron Hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio gigas

The catalytic cycle for H2 oxidation in [NiFe] D. gigas hydrogenase has been investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a wide variety of redox and protonated structures of the active site model, (CO)(CN)2Fe(μ-SMe)2Ni(SMe)2. DFT calculations on a series of known LFe(CO)(CN)(L‘)n- (L = Cp or Cp*, L‘ = CN, CO, CNCH3; n = 0, 1, 2) complexes are used to calibrate the calculated CO bond distances with the measured IR stretching frequency. By combining this calibration curve with the energy and CO bond distance of the DFT calculations on the active site model and the experimental IR frequencies on the enzyme, the redox states and structures of active site species have been determined: Ni-B is a Ni(III)−Fe(II) species, Ni-SI(a) is a Ni(II)−Fe(II) species, Ni-SI(b) has a protonated terminal sulfur (Ni bound), Ni-R is a Ni(II)−Fe(II) dihydrogen complex with H2 bound at Fe, and Ni-C is a Ni(III)−Fe(II) species with an Fe−H−Ni bridge. The latter species returns to Ni-SI through a Ni(I)−Fe(.