Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic thermal expansion of LiB3O5

The anisotropic thermal expansion of LiB3O5 has been studied along the principal crystallographic directions over the temperature range of 17 to 790 degrees C by means of high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction. This orthorhombic crystal exhibits strongly anisotropic expansion with coefficients of 108.2*10-6 K-1 for (100), 33.6*10-6 K-1 for (010) and -88.0*10-6 K-1 for (001) at 50 degrees C. The coefficients tend to zero when the temperature approaches the crystal's peritectic reaction point.
Atmospheric effects on CO2 laser propagation

An investigation was made of the losses encountered in the propagation of CO2 laser radiation through the atmosphere, particularly as it applies to the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center Pulsed Laser Doppler System. As such it addresses three major areas associated with signal loss: molecular absorption, refractive index changes in a turbulent environment, and aerosol absorption and scattering. In particular, the molecular absorption coefficients of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrous oxide are calculated for various laser lines in the region of 10.6 mu m as a function of various pressures and temperatures. The current status in the physics of low-energy laser propagation through a turbulent atmosphere is presented together with the analysis and evaluation of the associated heterodyne signal power loss. Finally, aerosol backscatter and extinction coefficients are calculated for various aerosol distributions and the results incorporated into the signal-to-noise ratio equation for the Marshall Space Flight Center system.
Microbiological and Physicochemical Quality Changes in Frankfurters Made from Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Mantle Muscle in the Presence and Absence of a Natural Antimicrobial Agent

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a natural antimicrobial agent (Pronat) on selected quality indicators during the shelf life of vacuum-packed frankfurters made from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) muscle. Frankfurters with and without Pronat (0.1%) were vacuum-packed and stored at 2–4C for up to 28 days. The physicochemical parameters (water loss, pH, thiobarbituric acid value, peroxide value, moisture, texture [texture profile analysis and sharing force], folding test performance, water-holding capacity [WHC], drip loss and color) as well as the microbial counts (total aerobic and anaerobic count, total and fecal coliform) of the samples were assessed. The samples with Pronat were physicochemically stable and in good microbiological condition up to 21 days compared with the control. The main changes were attributed to color, WHC and drip loss. The Pronat concentration used in squid frankfurters greatly improved their microbiological shelf life but did not considerably improve the physicochemical quality indicators assessed in the present study. Practical Applications At the present time and in response to a market niche, natural and healthier foods are sought. Therefore, natural antimicrobial agent is an alternative to be used in the production of jumbo squid frankfurters, generating a healthy product with an extended shelf life.
Aufbau eines Mikrobleichsystems an der GSI Schwerionen-Mikrosonde und dessen biologische Anwendungen

Diese Arbeit beschaftigt sich mit dem Aufbau und der Integrierung eines Lasersystems zur Untersuchung der Austauschkinetik fluoreszenzmarkierter Ku80 Reparaturproteine an strahleninduzierten DNA Schadigungen, welche durch gezielte Ionenbestrahlung mittels der Schwerionen-Mikrosonde der GSI erzeugt werden. Zur Messung dieser schnellen Austauschkinetik, mit wenigen Sekunden Halbwertszeit, muss auch die raumliche und zeitliche Auflosung des dedizierten in-situ Mikroskopes verbessert werden. Diese Verbesserungen erlauben es, dass die zuvor nur ex-situ beobachtbare Dekondensation von heterochromatischen Bereichen mit dichter DNA nun auch in-situ beobachtet werden kann und zusatzlich speziesubergreifend nachgewiesen wird. Bei der Reparatur von Doppelstrangbruchen entlang des Reparaturmechanismus der „Nicht Homologen Endverknupfung“ spielt Ku80 eine entscheidende, fruhe Rolle. Durch die gezielte Bestrahlung von Zentren unterschiedlicher Chromatindichte kann mit dem verbesserten Mikroskop der Mikrosonde gezeigt werden, dass Ku80-GFP fur die Akkumulation in Heterochromatin (HC) signifikant langer benotigt als in Euchromatin (EC). Im Rahmen der Untersuchung des Austausches von Ku80-GFP in diesen geschadigten Bereichen von HC und EC wird das Lasersystem genutzt, um gezielt die lokale Fluoreszenz durch Bleichen zu deaktivieren und den Austausch von gebleichten durch benachbarte ungebleichte Ku80-GFP Molekulen aufzunehmen. Diese Methode ist als FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching) bekannt. Dabei zeigt sich, dass der Austauschvon Ku80-GFP im dichten HC langsamer als im weniger dichten EC stattfindet.
Effect of Selenium on Mineral Content and Nutritive Value of Melilotus officinalis L.

Plants of Melilotus officinalis L. were subjected to two different treatments: a) no selenium (Se), and b) addition of 3 mg Se L−1 irrigation water for 45 days and samples of leaves, stems and roots were analyzed for Se, potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). Crude protein (CP) content, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were also estimated for the aerial plant tissues. In Se-treated plants Se mainly accumulated in leaf tissues, various changes in macronutrient concentrations were detected, while the micronutrient content decreased significantly. In addition, leaf CP, NDF and ADF content decreased, while IVOMD increased, possibly indicating ameliorated nutritive value. According to our findings, M. officinalis could be used either as a dietary supplement, in mixture with non-accumulator species, for livestock feed deficient in Se or for restoration of grasslands in seleniferous soils.
The Creative and Generative Capacity of Savant Artists with Autism

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the creative and generative capacities of a group of savant artists. As savant talent has a higher prevalence in autism, a disorder associated with deficits in imagination and creativity, it is surprising that one should find savant ability in areas such as music and art. Despite the interesting paradox this creates there has yet to be a thorough, empirical investigation into this area of savant performance in artists. The measurement of the concepts of creativity and generativity is alone a contentious area in psychology; however, from the outset they were clearly defined for the purpose of this thesis. Creativity is defined as the capacity to produce novel and meaningful responses, whereas generativity refers to the amount, or quantity, of ideas produced, irrespective of their originality. As the creative and generative capacity of savant artists is a hitherto neglected area of research, this investigation began by measuring this capacity in the domain of ability, using a standardised test where the response was drawn. A second test looked at creative and generative performance on a construction task with no drawn element. Subsequent investigations focused on the processes thought to underlie performance on the initial two tasks, particularly relating to the assets and deficits in the performance of the savant group, which may have occurred as a result of their autism. The results showed that a general autism-specific deficit was evident on tasks that required generativity outside of the direct domain of drawing. On the other hand, in relation to creativity, there were indications that such qualities were spared in the savants on tasks not directly involved with drawing, although still in the visual domain. These contrasting results are discussed in terms of a segmented visual processing style in the savant artists and an autism-specific deficit with regard to the generation of appropriate action plans.
A Multilayer Interference Reflector in the Eye of the Scallop, Pecten Maximus

1. The physical mechanism responsible for the high reflectivity of the argentea of the eye of Pecten maximus has been investigated by light microscopy, electron microscopy, interference microscopy and spectral analysis of the reflected light. 2. The argentea consists of 30-40 layers of high refractive index material (guanine crystals) separated by layers of low refractive index material (cytoplasm). Both high and low refractive index layers have optical thicknesses of approximately one-quarter of the wavelength of the light that the argentea reflects best (blue-green, λ = 530 mµ). 3. The reflecting properties of such a system have been investigated theoretically, and the results compared with the measured reflectivity of the argentea at different wavelengths. 4. The refractive index of the guanine crystals is 1·80.
Influence of Ce substitution on the critical properties of 3D-Heisenberg Cd x Ce y Cr2Se4 ferromagnets

The critical behaviour of single-crystalline Cd x Ce y Cr2Se4 spinels investigated around the paramagnetic–ferromagnetic phase transition revealed an increase in the critical exponents from β = 0.359, γ = 1.186, δ = 4.404 at T C = 131.95 K for Cd0.96Ce0.03Cr2Se4 to β = 0.382, γ = 1.286, δ = 4.487 at T C = 133.73 K for Cd0.83Ce0.13Cr2Se4. These values are close to those predicted by the renormalization-group calculations for a three-dimensional isotropic short-range Heisenberg ferromagnet, although their increase with the Ce substitution suggests a shift towards the mean-field estimates, characteristic of isotropic long-range exchange interactions. These results are being considered in relation to the strong lowering of magnetic moment from 5.67 µB/f.u. for y = 0.03 to 3.0 µB/f.u. for y = 0.13.
Optimization of CdTe thin‐film solar cell efficiency using a sputtered, oxygenated CdS window layer

A major source of loss in cadmium sulfide/cadmium telluride (CdS/CdTe) solar cells results from light absorbed in the CdS window layer, which is not converted to electrical current. This film can be made more transparent by oxygen incorporation during sputter deposition at ambient temperature. Prior to this work, this material has not produced high‐efficiency devices on tin oxide‐coated soda‐lime‐glass substrates used industrially. Numerous devices were fabricated over a variety of process conditions to produce an optimized device. Although the material does not show a consistent increase in band gap with oxygenation, absorption in this layer can be virtually eliminated over the relevant spectrum, leading to an increase in short‐circuit current. Meanwhile, fill factor is maintained, and open‐circuit voltage increases relative to baseline devices with sublimated CdS. The trend of device parameters with oxygenation and thickness is consistent with an increasing conduction band offset at the window/CdTe interface. Optimization considering both initial efficiency and stability resulted in a National Renewable Energy Laboratory verified 15.2%‐efficient cell on 3.2‐mm soda‐lime glass. This window material was shown to be compatible with SnO2‐based transparent conducting oxide and high resistance transparent coated substrates using in‐line compatible processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Reduced Kinetic Schemes of Complex Reaction Systems: Fossil and Biomass‐Derived Transportation Fuels

The kinetic modeling of the pyrolysis and combustion of liquid transportation fuels is a very complex task for two different reasons: the challenging characterization of the complex mixture of several hydrocarbon isomers and the complexity of the oxidation mechanisms of large hydrocarbon and oxygenated molecules. While surrogate mixtures of reference components allow to tackle the first difficulty, the complex behavior of the oxidation mechanisms is mostly overcome by reducing the total number of involved species by adopting a lumping approach. After a first investigation of the different liquid fuels (gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuels), a short discussion on the lumping techniques allows to highlight the advantages of this approach. The lumped POLIMI pyrolysis and oxidation mechanism of hydrocarbon and oxygenated fuels is then used for generating several skeletal mechanisms for typical surrogate mixtures, moving from pure n-heptane up to heavy diesel fuels. These skeletal models are simply reduced with a reaction flux analysis, and they involve between 100 and 200 species. While these sizes already allow detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations in internal combustion engines, further reduction phases are necessary when the interest is toward more complex CFD computations. To maintain the standard structure of the skeletal mechanisms, successive reduction phases are not considered. Moreover, new regulations pushed toward a greater use of renewable fuels. For these reasons, the skeletal models are also extended to biogasolines including methanol, ethanol, and n-butanol. Similarly, skeletal models of diesel and biodiesel fuels, including methyl esters, are also provided. Several comparisons with experimental data and complete validations in the operating range of internal combustion engines are also reported. The whole set of comparisons with experimental data obtained in a wide range of conditions not only validate the reduced models of specific transportation fuels but also the complete kinetic scheme POLIMI_1404.
Acute Genotoxic Effects of Effluent Water of Thermo-Power Plant "Kosova" In Tradescantia Pallida

The aim of this study was the evaluation of acute genotoxic effect of effluent water of thermo- power plant by means of Tradescantia root tips micronucleus test (MN), mitotic index and cell aberrations. Tradescantia, was experimentally treated (for 24 h), with effluent water of thermo-power plant in different dilution ratios (negative control - distilled water; primary untreated effluent water and 1:1; 1:2; 1:3; 1:4; 1:5; 1:6 and 1:7 respectively). Number of aberrant cells, and frequency of micronuclei (MN), in meristematic root tip cells of treated plants (Tradescantia), were significantly increased (P<0.001; P<0.001 respectively), while the mitotic index in all treated plants was progressively decreased in comparison to the negative control. The results of present study indicate that Tradescantia root-tip micronucleus assay with direct exposure of intact plants is an appropriate method which enables to detect genotoxic effects of effluent waters.
On–Line water quality parameters as indicators of distribution system contamination

The safety and security of drinking water distribution systems have recently generated considerable interest because of the credible concern that they could be compromised with chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants. In order to protect public health, the US Environmental Protection Agency initiated a program to investigate how changes in water quality parameters, which potentially indicate contamination, can be detected by real‐ or near real‐time sensors. The sensors investigated were off‐the‐shelf commercial products designed to monitor standard drinking water parameters such as pH, free chlorine, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC), chloride, ammonia, and nitrate. These sensors were mounted within a recirculating pipe loop and challenged with contaminants including secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant, potassium ferricyanide, a malathion insecticidal formulation, a glyphosate herbicidal formulation, nicotine, arsenic trioxide, aldicarb, and Escherichia coli K‐12 strain with growth media. Overall, the sensors that responded to most contaminants were those that monitored for free chlorine, TOC, ORP, specific conductance, and chloride. Generally, the technology used in sensor design or the particular manufacturer of the sensor did not affect the response characteristics. These results may help refine the role of water quality sensors, in conjunction with other data sources such as customer complaints and public health surveillance data, in a contamination warning system within a water distribution system.
Evaluation of indigenous concentrations of uranium and thorium in soils of China

Abstract Concentrations of uranium and thorium have been determined for samples of soil from 860 locations in 30 provinces throughout the China. Elevated levels of uranium, thorium, and Th/U as compared with the average world abundance in earth crust were observed. Furthermore, variation of uranium and thorium concentrations with soil types from north towards south China indicates a geochemical weathering pattern and leaching effect on soil development.
Postsynthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Properties in Alkene Epoxidation of Hydrothermally Stable Mesoporous Ti-SBA-15

Mesoporous Ti-SBA-15 has been postsynthesized by the titanation of pure silica SBA-15 in glycerol with the assistance of quaternary organic ammonium hydroxides, and has been extensively characterized by various techniques to investigate the mesostructural and catalytic properties, and the chemical nature of the incorporated Ti species, in comparison with those of Ti-MCM-41. To incorporate tetrahedral Ti species into the silica walls of SAB-15, the titanation needs to be carried out at elevated temperature and using an optimum amount of organic ammonium hydroxide. Ti-SBA-15 samples with a Si/Ti ratio ranging from 376 to 16 are successfully prepared with the retention of hexagonal mesostructure by elaborately conducting the titanation. The nature of the Ti species depends greatly on the Ti loading. At Si/Ti ratios higher than 50, the Ti species are mainly tetrahedrally coordinated in isolated states, while poorly dispersed Ti species of octahedral coordination are formed at higher Ti incorporation levels; h.
High Flash-point Fluid Flow System Aerosol Flammability Study and Combustion Mechanism Analysis

The existence of flammable aerosols creates fire and explosion hazards in the process industry. Due to the operation condition of high pressure circumstances, heat transfer fluids tend to form aerosols when accidental leaking occurs on pipelines or storage vessels. An aerosol system is a complicated reactive system; there are neither systematic flammability data similar to the case with pure gases, nor clearly described ignition-to-combustion process of a droplet-air mixture system. The flammable regions of three main, widely-used commercial heat transfer fluids: were analyzed by electro-spray generation with laser diffraction particle analysis method. The aerosol ignition behavior depends on the droplet size and concentration of the aerosol. From the adjustment of differently applied electro-spray voltages (7-10 kV) and various liquid feeding rates, a flammable condition distribution was obtained by comparison of droplet size and concentration. All of the fundamental study results are to be applied to practical cases with fire hazards analysis, pressurized liquid handling, and mitigation system design once there is a better understanding of aerosols formed by high-flash point materials. On the other hand, the process of combustion from initial stage to global flame formation was simulated with COMSOL-multi-physics in terms of heat transfer, droplet evaporation, and fluid dynamics of liquid-air interaction. The local temperature change iii through time, as an indicator of luminous flame appearance, was analyzed to describe the flame development and ignition delay time of aerosols. We have conducted a series of simulation regarding physical formula in description of this combustion process, and will conclude with how temperature distribution influenced the appearance of luminous flames, which was the symbol of successful ignition of aerosol. The mitigation implementing timing and location can be characterized with further understanding of this combustion process. The potential application of the ignition delay will be beneficial to the mitigation timing and detector sensor setting of facilities to prevent aerosol cloud fires. Finally, the scientific method of aerosol flammability study was discussed for its potential impacts on experimental results. A modeling point of view was introduced, with the analysis of electric field application on fuel droplets, and the related fundamental study of the ignition phenomenon on aerosol system. Existing charges from electrospray is beneficial for the monodispersity and control of aerosols for fundamental study. However, the additional charges accumulated on the droplet surfaces are likely to have impacts on flammability due to the excess energy they applied to the aerosols system and droplet-droplet …
Decay pathways and dissociation energies of copper clusters, Cun+ (2⩽n⩽25), Cun2+ (15⩽n⩽25)

The fragmentation pathways and dissociation energies of copper cluster cations, Cun+ and Cun2+, are determined by multiple-collision induced dissociation. For singly charged clusters, an odd–even staggering is observed throughout the investigated size range, 2⩽n⩽25, where the odd-size clusters have a higher dissociation energy than the average value of their even-size neighbors. The odd–even effect decreases with increasing cluster size. In small clusters it manifests itself by dimer evaporation of the odd-size clusters with n=3,5,11 and possibly n=7, while for all other cluster sizes dissociation by neutral monomer evaporation is observed. The clusters of size n=3, 9, 15, and 21 show particularly high dissociation energies and thus indicate electronic shell closures for n=2, 8, 14, and 20 atomic valence electrons. These results are compared with recent density functional theory calculations. The investigations on singly charged clusters are complemented by studies on doubly charged Cun2+, n=15–25. These .
Temperature dependence of the folding rate in a simple protein model: Search for a “glass” transition

Monte Carlo simulation of model proteins on a cubic lattice are used to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of protein folding over a wide range of temperatures. Both random sequences and sequences designed to have a pronounced minimum of energy are examined. There is no indication in the kinetics of a “glass” transition at low temperature, i.e., below the temperature of the equilibrium folding transition, the kinetics of folding is described by the Arrhenius law at all temperatures that were examined. The folding kinetics is single-exponential in the whole range of studied temperatures for random sequences. The general implications of the temperature dependence of the folding rate are discussed and related to certain properties of the energy spectrum. The results obtained in the simulations are in qualitative disagreement with the conclusions of a theoretical analysis of protein folding kinetics based on certain kinetics assumptions introduced in the Random Energy Model. The origins of the discrepancie.