Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applications of synchrotron-based micro-imaging techniques to the chemical analysis of ancient paintings

Ancient paintings are complex materials in terms of chemical analysis because they are usually made of organic/mineral, amorphous/crystallized, major/minor mixtures, evolving with time, and organized in micrometric multi-layered arrangements. In this context, synchrotron micro-imaging techniques offer a powerful analytical platform to reveal the two dimensional atomic, molecular and structural compositions of such complex systems, at a micrometre resolution. The two selected examples illustrate the two main concerns of restorers and conservators: looking backwards, to get insight into ancient artistic practices (in particular through the identification of pigments and binders in Bamiyan Buddhist mural paintings); and looking forward, to preserve works of art as long as possible (through a better understanding of cinnabar blackening in Medieval Spanish paintings). From the analytical chemistry point of view, they also illustrate the relevance of combining micro X-ray fluorescence, micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy, micro X-ray diffraction, and micro-FTIR for the complete analysis of painting cross-sections (binders and pigments).
Proton Conductivity of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes during Transient Hydration and Dehydration Cycles

Most modeling work of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) assumes an equilibrium relationship between membrane water content and proton conductivity [1]. However, evidence is provided which shows that significant deviations from the equilibrium relationship exist during the transient hydration and dehydration cycles. A very interesting behavior we have observed is that dry membrane gains conductivity much faster than it can absorb water, while a wet membrane loses conductivity at about the same rate as it loses water. This asymmetric behavior needs to be accounted when modeling highly transient behavior of PEMFC.
Nicotianamine: mediator of transport of iron and heavy metals in the phloem?

Recent work has demonstrated that minerals in plants are circulated between root and shoot. This occurs during the whole life time and renders possible response to changing environmental conditions. This mineral circulation occurs through intensive solute exchange between xylem and phloem in roots, stems, and leaves. The transport form of heavy metals such as iron, manganes, zinc and copper in the phloem, whether ionic or chelated, is unclear in most cases. The unusual amino acid nicotianamine (NA) is ubiquitous throughout the plant kingdom. It is a chelator of several divalent transition metals. Its physiological role was investigated with the tomato mutant chloronerva, the only known NA-free multicellular plant. The mutant also exhibits disturbances of its iron metabolism and that of other heavy metals. This leads, among others, to a typical intercostal chlorosis and progressive iron accumulation in the leaves. From the heavy metal chelating properties of NA and from the phenotype of the mutant chloronerva it is concluded that NA is needed for normal distribution of heavy metals in young growing tissues fed via the phloem. This function could be fulfilled by mediating phloem loading or unloading of heavy metals as well as by preventing their precipitation in the alkaline phloem sap. An attempt is made to explain the chloronerva phenotype in the light of the phloem transport hypothesis of chelated iron.
Nephroprotective Activities of Artocarpus communis Extract Against Gentamycin Induced Toxicity in Rats

Introduction: Acute renal failure (ARF) marked by reducing renal function in several hour until days. Indonesian people used breat fruit (Artocarpus communis Forst) leaf as folk remedies to cure ARF. Objective: to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of aqueous extract of bread fruit leaf to creatinine level in gentamicin induced ARF rats. Methods: The steps in this work consist of phytochemistry screening, reflux with water, testing the activity of anti ARF with 76,7, 153.4, and 230 mg extract with ketosteril as positive control for eight days in gentamicin-induced ARF rats, then data analyzed by ANOVA. Results: the phytochemistry screening showed that simplicia and aqueous extract contain flavonoid, tannin, quinone, steroid/triterpenois, and glycoside. The reflux rendement was 14%. Bread fruit aqueous extract gave influence to creatinin level in gentamicin-induced ARF rats. Extract at 153.4 mg in dosage effective to recovery ARF which observation from discharge of creatinin serum level in gentamicin-induced ARF rats. Conclusion: aqueous extract of bread fruit leaf has the nephroprotective effect to creatinine level in gentamicin-induced ARF rats.
High-Resolution Incoherent Inelastic Neutron Scattering Spectra of Polyisobutylene and Polyisoprene

High-resolution (ΔE/E ∼ 2−3%) incoherent inelastic neutron scattering spectra of polyisobutylene and cis-1,4-polyisoprene have been obtained on the TFXA spectrometer at the ISIS pulsed neutron scattering facility. The observed bands are assigned with reference to available infrared and Raman data, and the differences observed are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the methyl group torsions which are not observable with the optical techniques. These bands are significantly broadened compared to the instrumental resolution, and this is attributed to a Gaussian distribution of local environment potentials for the methyl group, in agreement with present theoretical models. For polyisoprene, this assignment is confirmed by independent molecular dynamics simulations.
Biological Reduction of Chromium by E. Coli

Toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), was reduced by an Escherichia coli strain, ATCC 33456, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions by using a variety of electron donors including glucose, acetate, propionate, glycerol and glycine. In addition to electron‐donor type, the initial cell concentration, Cr(VI) concentration, pH, and temperature had profound effects on the rate of Cr(VI) reduction. Cr(VI) reduction was not significantly affected by the presence of moderate level of phenolic compounds. The concentration levels that caused a 50% reduction in the rate of Cr(VI) reduction (IC50) were 986, 1,526, and 5,263 mg/L for p‐cresol, 2‐chlorophenol, and phenol, respectively, in anaerobic cultures with higher IC50 values noted in aerobic cultures. Cr(VI) reduction by this strain was more susceptible to heavy metals (Zn2+ and Cu2+) than the phenolic compounds. The reduction of Cr(VI) by E. coli ATCC 33456 was enzymatic, and was not affected by redox potential of the culture media and other possible electron .
Evaluation of strained Si/SiGe material for high performance CMOS

The enhanced electrical performance of dual quantum well strained Si/SiGe n-channel MOSFETs has been investigated as a function of SiGe material quality. The higher electron mobility in strained Si compared with bulk Si has been translated into performance gains in terms of device transconductance and on-state drain current exceeding 120% compared with simultaneously fabricated Si controls. Increased performance was demonstrated for a wide range of gate lengths and operating conditions. Trade-offs between optimum device design and SiGe material quality have been investigated. The greatest performance enhancements are achieved through device fabrication on SiGe virtual substrate material grown by low-pressure chemical vapour deposition (LPCVD) at high temperature. Improved surface morphology, defect density and gate oxide quality are found to be the dominating factors in the enhanced performance of the devices compared with strained Si/SiGe MOSFETs fabricated on LPCVD material grown at low temperature. However, even degraded SiGe material arising from low temperature LPCVD growth resulted in strained Si/SiGe n-channel MOSFETs exhibiting significant improvements in device operation compared with conventional Si MOSFETs. The performance advantages offered by strained Si/SiGe devices fabricated on material grown at both low and high temperatures exceed that of a typical Si CMOS technology generation.
Shrinkage Kinetics during Convective Drying of Selected Berries

Drying and shrinkage kinetics of gooseberry, black and red currants, cherry, and blackberry were studied using a fully automated experimental apparatus, designed for continuous monitoring of the material moisture content, its temperature, and surface area. Experimental drying curves were approximated with a modified exponential model. The volume and surface area of berries were determined from the pictures taken during drying and transformed into digital images. The procedure for calculation of the object-related pixels in a two-dimensional plane to the temporal three-dimensional volume and surface area of the berries was developed. The modified exponential model was proposed to correlate the volumetric and surface area shrinkage with moisture content. Volumetric shrinkage at the end of drying was maximal (0.3) for black currant and minimal (0.45) for gooseberry.
A Wearable Respiration and Pulse Monitoring System Based on PVDF Piezoelectric Film

A novel wearable sensor system was developed for monitoring respiration and pulse using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric films as sensor materials. Due to the different signal intensity between respiration and pulse, a “double-sided arch” structure and a “thin-shell” structure were designed and fabricated as substrates for the respiratory sensor and pulse sensor, respectively. These sensors installed on belts can be easily tied on the chest, abdomen, or wrist for comfortable fit. In order to obtain clear respiratory and pulse signals from the sensor patch, some high-quality signal processing modules were designed. The digital signals were transmitted to a computer via Bluetooth and displayed by LabVIEW software. The fundamental principle and functional verification of the developed sensor system were described in this study. By comparing the sensor signals from the proposed structure with those of flat structure, it can be concluded that the proposed sensor is more sensitive and stable than its flat counterpart. In addition, the whole sensor system has the features of ease of use and comfortable to wear. All these make the proposed sensor system a promising sensing device for respiration and pulse real time monitoring.
A Study on Complexation and Transport of Cr(III) Through a Chromogenic Aza Crown Liquid Membrane

A new chromogenic aza-crown-ether N-(8-hydroxyquinoline-7-methylene)-4-azadibenzo-18-crown-6-ether (HQMADCE) was synthesized through the condensation reaction of 4-azadibenzo-18-crown-6-ether, 8-hydroxy quinoline and formaldehyde. The synthesized chromogenic crown was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and its complexation with Cr(III) was studied. The parameters like extraction constant (Kex), stability constant (β), free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and change in entropy (ΔS) were calculated. Subsequently transport of Cr(III) through a bulk liquid membrane containing HQMADCE as carrier was studied. The permeation of metal was investigated as a function of various experimental variables viz. pH, carrier concentration, metal concentration and time. Furthermore, interference by other ions was also studied.
Formation of Supported Lipid Bilayer Membranes on SiO2 from Proteoliposomes Containing Transmembrane Proteins

We report the preparation of protein-containing supported phospholipid bilayers (SPBs) on silica (SiO2). The bilayers are formed from small proteoliposomes, which convert to an SPB when the liposomes adsorb on the surface. The kinetics of this conversion process was followed in real time, using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques. The proteoliposomes were prepared by reconstitution of two different proteins into small unilamellar liposomes (diameter ∼ 26 nm), creating proteoliposomes with diameters ranging from ca. 50 to 85 nm, depending on protein concentration. The two proteins were proton translocating nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (TH) from Escherichia coli and gramicidin A (GrA) from Bacillus brevis. The SPB formation process was measured and compared for different protein situations in the liposomes: (i) with the intact TH in the proteoliposomes, (ii) after removal of the water-exposed, hydrophilic domains of .
Influence of Thermal Treatment and Fe-Loading on Morphology, Crystal Structure, and Photocatalytic Activity of Sodium Titanate Nanotubes

An understanding of collective influence of Fe-loading and calcination on changes in the crystal structure, morphology, phase composition, and photocatalytic activity of titanate-nanostructures is investigated here. Bare sodium-titanate nanotubes (TNT) having a BET-surface-area (SBET) of 176 m2 g−1 were transformed to sodium-titanate nanorods (TNT(S)) of SBET = 21 m2 g−1 when calcined at 800°C. Whereas, calcination of Fe-loaded-TNT at 800°C led to a variety of fragmented particles having different crystal structures, SBET (21–39 m2 g−1), shape, and sizes (50–70 nm) attributed to the strain induced thermal-decomposition of TNT after Fe-loading. The comparative photocatalytic activity of as-prepared catalysts under UV-light irradiation was evaluated by photooxidation of naphthalene to CO2, with the identification of its photoproduced intermediates by GC-MS analysis. These results are well explained in correlation with the surface area, size, and shape of as-prepared catalysts.
Reduced root water uptake after drying and rewetting

The ability of plants to extract water from soil is controlled by the water-potential gradient between root and soil, by the hydraulic conductivity of roots, and, as the soil dries, by that of the soil near the roots (rhizosphere). Recent experiments showed that the rhizosphere turned hydrophobic after drying and it remained temporarily dry after rewetting. Our objective was to investigate whether rhizosphere hydrophobicity is associated with a reduction in root water uptake after drying and rewetting. We used neutron radiography to trace the transport of deuterated water (D2O) in the roots of lupines growing in a sandy soil. The plants were grown in aluminum containers (28 × 28 × 1 cm3) filled with a sandy soil. The soil was initially partitioned into different compartments using a 1-cm layer of coarse sand (three vertical × three horizontal compartments). We grew plants in relatively moist conditions (0.1 1–0.5 h. We conclude that a reduction in hydraulic conductivity occurred during drying and persisted after rewetting. This reduction in conductivity could have occurred in roots, in the rhizosphere, or more likely in both of them.
Assessment of batch bioreactor odour nuisance using an e-nose

AbstractThe method of assessing a smell nuisance of the SBR laboratory bioreactor using a calibrated gas sensor array (e-nose) is described in the article. The SBR bioreactor is used to remove organic carbon and nutrients and can contribute to the emission of smell nuisance compounds. Two measurement devices were used as an information source regarding the presence of smell nuisance gases: an array consisting of 8 MOS-type gas sensors and a dynamic olfactometer. The research covered the stage of a normal bioreactor performance and simulation of the aeration system failure. With the gas sensor array, a static response has been recorded for air samples above the surface of treated wastewater. The dynamic olfactometer Ecoma TO-7 was simultaneously used in order to measure odour concentration with the “yes–no” method, according to EN-13725:2007. Comparative analyses were carried out with artificial neural networks in the statistical program. The research conducted indicates that normal bioreactor performance .
Time resolved visible spectroscopy studies of the plasma sheath evolution in a low energy plasma focus device

We present the study of the evolution of the ionization degree of the plasma sheath in a low energy plasma focus device with time and spatial resolution, by means of visible spectroscopy. The measurements were developed in the low energy plasma focus device PF-400J (176-539 J, 880 nF, 20-35 kV, quarter period ∼300 ns) [1], using an ANDOR Shamrock 500i visible spectrometer with an ICCD that enabled the acquisition of spectra with time resolution in the order of tens of nanosecond. The use of a lens system improved spatial resolution, allowing the study of the plasma sheath in different stages of the discharge dynamic. In this work we present results from the pinch volume to study the evolution of the ionization degree of the plasma. The results include discharges in pure Hydrogen and a mixture of noble gases and Hydrogen, such as Neon and Helium, which were introduced in the discharge by small percentages ranging from 2 to 5%.
Biodegradation of bottom sediments of Turawa Lake

Biodegradation of bottom sediments of Turawa Lake In this work we tested biopreparations developed in our laboratory for their ability to degrade the organic matter of the bottom sediments of Turawa Lake. The biodegradation was conducted under laboratory conditions for 6 weeks. For the testing purposes, there were three variants of biopreparations that contained autochthonous strains originating from our own collection and their mixture. The testing showed that the introduction of the biopreparations to the bottom sediment resulted in a significant increase of the number of bacteria, which consequently brought about the reduction of organic compounds in the sediment. In the case of all the variants, the number of bacteria increased by order of 102 - 104 CFU/g after 42 days of biodegradation. Among the tested biopreparations, the most effective one was the mixture of the autochthonous strains and those originating from the collection. After biopreparation was applied, a drop of content of carbohydrates by 66.94%, fatty matter by 83.33% and proteins by 74.42% was noted.
Preparation of Bismuth－Based Perovskites with Non-integer A and B Site Valence and Their Properties

Non-integer A and B site cation valence perovskite oxides with bismuth and niobium cations were synthesized. Using the tolerance factor, some single phase perovskite oxides were obtained. For the A 1+ x B 5– x O 3 type (Bi x /2 K - x /2+1 )(Ti x Nb 1- x )O 3 ceramics, the Curie temperature increased from approximately 200 to 350 ˚C with increasing x from 0.5 to 0.9. These results were discussed with the Abrahams relations.
Methyltrioxorhenium-catalysed oxidation of secondary amines to nitrones in ionic liquids

Nitrones serve as starting materials for the synthesis of many heterocycles. Oxidation of secondary amines using hydrogen peroxide and the catalytic amount of methyltrioxorhenium in ionic liquids is a useful method for the preparation of nitrones. Ultrasonic irradiation and ionic liquids have a positive influence on the reaction. The nitrones required were isolated in good yields. Corresponding hydroxylamines, which can be easily oxidised to nitrones, often accompanied the main products. Methyltrioxorhenium in ionic liquids was re-used in several reaction cycles without any deteriorating effect on the course of the reaction.
Biocatalytic ester synthesis in ionic liquid media

Ionic liquids have shown potential as green reaction media compared with organic solvents, mainly due to their lack of vapour pressure. In non-aqueous enzymology, ionic liquids are opening up new fields. The advantages of using ionic liquids over the use of organic solvents as reaction medium for biocatalysis include enhancement of enzyme activity, stability and selectivity. In this work, the enzymatic synthesis of esters in ionic liquids has been extensively reviewed. Numerous examples of the application of ionic liquids as reaction medium for the enzymatic production of esters have been included. The effect of the nature of the ionic liquid on activity, selectivity and stability of enzymes which catalyze esters synthesis has been carefully analysed. Innovative reaction methodologies for the biosynthesis of esters, including ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems and the integrated reaction/separation processes using supported liquid membranes based on ionic liquids have been revised. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
One-pot synthesis of heterostructured Bi2S3/BiOBr microspheres with highly efficient visible light photocatalytic performance

To overcome the drawback of low photocatalytic efficiency brought by fast electron–hole recombination and narrow photoresponse range, the heterostructured Bi2S3/BiOBr microspheres were designed and synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method. The as-prepared heterostructured Bi2S3/BiOBr photocatalyst exhibits significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance and photocatalytic activity for decomposing rhodamine B (RhB) and Brilliant ponceau 5R (BP) compared with pure BiOBr under visible light irradiation, which could be mainly attributed to the formation of a heterojunction in the Bi2S3/BiOBr interface, which can efficiently facilitate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Furthermore, a terephthalic acid photoluminescence (TA-PL) probing test and radical trapping experiments demonstrate that the h+ and ·O2− radicals are the dominant reactive species while ·OH radicals could be neglected. In addition, the possible enhanced photocatalytic mechanism is proposed on the basis of the calculated energy band positions and radical trapping experiments.
Nucleation in salt solutions

The nucleation of a number of sparingly soluble electrolytes has been studied by a precipitation method and interfacial free energies have been estimated using vapour nucleation theory. The results have been correlated with those obtained by other workers for aqueous solutions by precipitation or by the super-cooling technique. It is shown that the specific interfacial free energy of the separating phase (calculated from the observed rate of nucleation) is a nearly linear function of the negative logarithm of molar solubility.
Special issue on plasmas with liquids

In recent years, plasmas generated in and with liquids have attracted considerable interest because of their great potential for applications in various fields such as industrial, environmental and biomedical technologies. Special sessions on plasmas with liquids have been arranged in many large-scale international conferences, but few special meetings devoted only to these topics have been held. Therefore, we organized the International Workshop on Plasmas with Liquids (IWPL) in March 2010 in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan. Although it was a small workshop with about 90 participants from nine countries, 54 papers were presented within a period of three days. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we organized publication of a special issue on plasmas with liquids. Invited lecturers and selected presenters from the IWPL were invited to submit original peer-reviewed articles based on their presentations for this special issue. In order to expand the coverage of this topic, a call for papers was also announced broadly for non-participants of IWPL who also work in this field. In this special issue we have collected original papers related to the fundamental science of discharge phenomena in and with liquids, and to the resulting technological applications. Emphasis is placed on research into our understanding the physical, chemical and biological processes in discharges interacting with liquids. However, some papers with a focus on the potential applications of discharges in liquids are also included. The papers published in this special issue cover the frontiers of this new and growing field of plasma science and technology, and may encourage further advances in both fundamental research and application. We acknowledge the authors for their contributions.