Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of controlled drainage-subirrigation on surface and tile drainage nitrate loss

Controlled drainage-subirrigation (CDS), conservation tillage, and corn (Zea mays L.) production practices were evaluated as methods of reducing NO 3 - loss through tile drainage. Controlled drainage-subirrigation was used to manage water from precipitation and subirrigation. Samples of tile drainage (5801) and surface runoff (3274) water were collected with autosamplers during each runoff event over a 3-yr period. Annual tile drainage volumes were reduced 24% with CDS compared with the drainage (DR) treatments. Flow weighted mean NO 3 - concentration of tile drainage water was reduced 25% from 10.6 mg N L -1 for the DR treatments to 7.9 mg N L -1 for the CDS treatments. The average annual NO 3 - loss was reduced 43% from 25.8 kg N ha -1 for the DR treatment to 14.6 kg N ha -1 for the CDS treatments. Eighty-eight to 95% of the NO 3 - losses from all treatments occurred in the noncrop period (1 Nov.-31 Apr.). Conservation tillage in combination with CDS reduced annual NO 3 - losses 49% (11.6 kg N ha -1 ) when compared with the conventional moldboard plow tillage and DR treatment. Annual NO 3 - loss through surface runoff was increased to 1.9 kg N ha -1 with the CDS treatments compared with 1.4 kg N ha -1 with the DR treatment, this loss was minor compared with losses incurred through tile drainage. Controlled drainage-subirrigation is a technological advancement in soil and water management as it enables farmers to minimize the effect of dry summers on crop growth and reduce NO 3 - contamination of drainage water.
Oxygen diffusion and precipitation in Czochralski silicon

The objective of this article is to review our understanding of the properties of oxygen impurities in Czochralski silicon that is used to manufacture integrated circuits (ICs). These atoms, present at a concentration of ~1018 cm-3, occupy bond-centred sites (Oi) in as-grown Si and the jump rate between adjacent sites defines `normal' diffusion for the temperature range 1325 - 330 °C. Anneals at high temperatures lead to the formation of amorphous SiO2 precipitates that act as traps for fast diffusing metallic contaminants, such as Fe and Cu, that may be inadvertently introduced at levels as low as 1011 cm-3. Without this `gettering', there may be severe degradation of fabricated ICs. To accommodate the local volume increase during oxygen precipitation, there is parallel generation of self-interstitials that diffuse away and form lattice defects. High temperature (T > 700 °C) anneals are now well understood. Details of lower temperature processes are still a matter of debate: measurements of oxygen diffusion into or out of the Si surface and Oi atom aggregation have implied enhanced diffusion that has variously been attributed to interactions of Oi atoms with lattice vacancies, self-interstitials, metallic elements, carbon, hydrogen impurities etc. There is strong evidence for oxygen-hydrogen interactions at T < 500 °C and the formation of fast diffusing O2 dimers. These observations have led to significant advances in understanding the growth and structures of small oxygen clusters, identified with the so-called thermal donor and shallow thermal donor defects. There is a need to improve this understanding because the temperatures of device processing will continue to decrease as the size of future device features decreases below the lower end of the sub-micron range, currently close to 0.18 µm.
Anti-inflammatory and Aanalgesic Studies of Essential Oils of Vitex negundo Linn.

Abstract The anti-inflammatory effects of Vitex negundo Linn essential oils and extracts were evaluated using Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats and the paw volume was measured plethysmometrically at 60, 90, 150 and 180 minutes after drug treatment. The analgesic effects were also evaluated for both central and peripheral analgesic activity using Eddy’s hot plate and Acetic acid induced wriths methods respectively in swiss albino mice. The essential oils and extracts were given in graded doses (p.o.) to healthy animals in both the experimental models and the effects were compared with standard drug diclofenac sodium. An excellent inhibition in edema volume was observed by leaves and green fruit oils at 150 minutes at a dose of 250 mg/kg, the inhibition was comparable (23 %) to standard drug diclofenac sodium (24 %). All ethanolic extracts also exhibited good inhibition in paw edema volume at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. except the ethanolic extract of flowers. Ethanolic fruit and root extracts showed inhibition in paw edema 34 % and 37 % respectively comparable to standard drug inhibition 42 %. Out of four essential oils, maximal inhibition of the nociceptive response was shown by oil of leaves (60 %) while all other oils showed only moderate inhibition (50–55 %) in comparison to standard drug diclofenac sodium (67 %) in writhing response induced by acetic acid. All the ethanolic extracts showed only moderate inhibition in writhing response induced by acetic acid. All essential oils at 150 and 250 mg/kg p.o. doses elicited very good analgesic activity and increased the latency time in comparison to control. The ethanolic leaves, fruit and root extracts were found to be show significant nociception response at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of essential oils may devoted to presence of different terpenoids while ethanolic extracts of leaves, fruit and root may be having these activities due to presence of pentacyclic triterpenoids like ursolic and betulinic acid or due to flavonoids.
Hartmann-Hahn polarization transfer in liquids: An ideal tool for selective experiments

Cross-polarization using continuous-wave spin-locking fields has never become routine in liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. Efficiency of cross-polarization tends to be strongly attenuated if radio-frequency (RF) fields are not perfectly homogeneous. It has recently been demonstrated that imperfections in RF-fields have little effect on efficiency of polarization transfer, provided that RF-amplitudes are comparable to magnitudes of heteronuclear scalar coupling constants, rendering this method ideal for selective experiments. The technique can be exploited for the excitation of nuclei with a low gyromagnetic factor like 13C and 15N, as well as of nuclei with a high gyromagnetic factor like 1H. Several useful applications are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 12: 103–124, 2000
Seasonal Changes of Leachate Production and Quality from Test Cells

Seasonal changes oi leachate production and water-flux-dependent leachate quality from two test cells containing 4,000 t of refuse each were investigated. Pronounced seasonal dependence of the leachate production appeared three years after the final covering of the test cells. With seasonal dependent production, a number of leachate parameters showed water-Aux-dependent trends. The dependence was quantified with results from a five-month-long sampling program using correlation coefficients. The magnitude of changes appeared to indicate alternation between methanogenic and acidogenic phases. Reasons for the la-ge variations observed were sought with the assumption that different biochemical conditions dominated in different locations in the test cells at the same time, Hypothetical configurations with various biochemical conditions In different locations were constructed and evaluated, Results from a gas extraction program, measurements of leachate production rates, and analyses of leachate and solid waste samples were used to evaluate the configurations, The evaluation identified two mechanisms as the origins of the observed phenomena: (1) biological filtration in the drainage layer; and (2) annual successive wetting of the waste material. (Less)
Indomethacin release behaviors from pH and thermoresponsive poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylic acid) IPN hydrogels for site‐specific drug delivery

A temperature- and pH-responsive drug delivery system was studied by using interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels constructed with poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The release of indomethacin incorporated into these hydrogels showed pulsatile patterns in response to both pH and temperature. Indomethacin diffused from the polymer matrices through the swelling and deswelling mechanism. The release amount increased at higher temperature because of the swelling caused by the dissociation of hydrogen bonding. The drastic change of drug release was achieved by alternating pH of the buffer solution and was attributed to the change of states of ionic groups within IPN hydrogels. The free water contents were calculated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and were proved to be the main factor in the swelling. These results demonstrated that the drug release could be controlled by the swelling/deswelling degree of IPN hydrogels as functions of pH and/or temperature. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 65: 685–693
Assessing the Economic Impact of Tourism: A Computable General Equilibrium Modelling Approach

1. An Introduction to CGE Modelling -- 2. Useful CGE Modelling Packages -- 3. Application of CGE Modelling on Tourism -- 4. Collecting Background Information for a Tourism CGE Model -- 5. Creating a Tourism CGE Model -- 6. Preparing Database for a Tourism CGE Model -- 7. Model Implementation and Testing -- 8. Interpretation of Results from a Tourism CGE Model -- 9. Frontiers of Tourism CGE Modelling.
System-Size Dependence of Diffusion Coefficients and Viscosities from Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Periodic Boundary Conditions

We study the system-size dependence of translational diffusion coefficients and viscosities in molecular dynamics simulations under periodic boundary conditions. Simulations of water under ambient conditions and a Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluid show that the diffusion coefficients increase strongly as the system size increases. We test a simple analytic correction for the system-size effects that is based on hydrodynamic arguments. This correction scales as N-1/3, where N is the number of particles. For a cubic simulation box of length L, the diffusion coefficient corrected for system-size effects is D0 = DPBC + 2.837297kBT/(6πηL), where DPBC is the diffusion coefficient calculated in the simulation, kB the Boltzmann constant, T the absolute temperature, and η the shear viscosity of the solvent. For water, LJ fluids, and hard-sphere fluids, this correction quantitatively accounts for the system-size dependence of the calculated self-diffusion coefficients. In contrast to diffusion coefficients, the shear viscos.
Thermal Conductivity of Metakaolin Geopolymers Used as a First Approximation for Determining Gel Interconnectivity

The thermal conductivities of a systematic series of metakaolin-derived Na, NaK, and K geopolymers have been measured under a range of different environmental conditions, including varied relative humidity (RH) and temperature. The thermal conductivity of geopolymers is closely linked with the specific heat, with little variation in thermal diffusivity observed in different conditions. The thermal transport properties of specimens was found to not change significantly under ambient humidity from 40 to 100 °C. The Hashin−Shtrikman model for conductivity in biphasic solids, with an extension developed by Schilling and Parstzsch, has been applied to determine the thermal conductivity of the intrinsic geopolymer binder and a first approximation of the interconnectivity of the gel.
Release of Polyanions from Polyelectrolyte Complexes by Selective Degradation of the Polycation

One of the major problems associated with analyzing polyelectrolyte complexes is the separation of strongly bound oppositely charged polymeric components. As part of a work aimed at better understanding the factors that affect polyelectrolyte complex formation and stability, an investigation of the possibility to release and analyze the polyanion, after hydrolytic or enzymatic degradation of the partner polycation, was made. Mixtures of poly(acrylic acid) or poly(L-lysine citramide) polyanions with poly(L-lysine) or poly(amino serinate) polycations were investigated. For each polycation-polyanion couple, four complex fractions were obtained by adding the polycation to the polyanion according to a titration protocol. The selective degradation of the polycation within the different complex fractions was investigated after the complex was disrupted with a NaCl solution. The molecular weights of the recovered polyanionic macromolecules were assessed by both static light scattering and size exclusion chromatography. The data supported previous findings that complexation was selective according to the molecular weight of the polyanion for a given polycation. The lower the degree of neutralization of the polyanion negative charges by the polycation positive charges, the greater the molecular weight of the complexed polyanionic macromolecules.
An investigation of the association between catastrophic thoughts and anxiety in people with respiratory diseases

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the cognitive model of panic may explain the high levels of anxiety that have been reported amongst people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Carr et al, 1994). In previous research, cognitive variables, assessed on general measures of catastrophizing (such as the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire), have been shown to be strongly predictive of anxiety in people with COPD, regardless of severity or duration of the respiratory disease. One of the aims of this study was to develop a questionnaire to elicit specific cognitions in response to a range of COPD-related symptoms presented in different situations. Favourable reliability and validity were demonstrated for the questionnaire, and its completion by 37 people with COPD produced a range of cognitions of differing severity. High levels of anxiety (assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) were found in the group (more than 27%). More severe catastrophic thoughts were found to be strongly predictive of greater anxiety, particularly for specific anxiety ratings on the new questionnaire, and this relationship was more significant when cognitions and anxiety wore elicited by symptoms presented in 'unsafe' situations. Severity and duration of illness were not significant predictors of anxiety, but social support was strongly predictive of generalized anxiety. In the light of the adverse consequences of anxiety with regards to appropriate coping with respiratory disease, an exploration of the use of cognitive techniques in therapy is suggested.
Structure of Borate Glasses

Anomalous thermal expansion and other properties of borate glasses have previously been given a structural explanation by Abe. This explanation is here reinterpreted and revised in terms of the structon theory of Huggins. In agreement with Warren, it is postulated that, in glasses containing, in addition to boric oxide, small relative amounts of an alkali or alkaline-earth oxide, some of the boron atoms are surrounded by four oxygen atoms and all the oxygen atoms bridge between two boron atoms. At concentrations beyond that of the thermal expansion minimum, some oxygens are assumed to have only one boron neighbor. These ideas are formulated quantitatively and are used to interpret pertinent experimental data. From the concentrations where the property-composition curves show breaks, conclusions may be drawn as to the average number of oxygens surrounding each metal atom.
Effects of interpersonal familiarity on the auditory distance perception of level-equalized reverberant speech

Familiarity with sound sources is known to have a modulatory effect on auditory distance perception. However, the level of familiarity that can affect distance perception is not clearly understood. A subjective experiment that aims to investigate the effects of interpersonal familiarity on auditory distance perception with level-equalized stimuli is reported. The experiment involves a binaural listening task where different source distances between 0.5 and 16 m were emulated by convolving dry speech signals with measured binaural room impulse responses. The experimental paradigm involved level-equalized stimuli comprising speech signals recorded from different-gender couples who have self-reported to have known each other for more than a year with daily interaction. Each subject judged the distances of a total of 15 different speech stimuli from their partner as well as spectrally most similar and most dissimilar strangers, for six different emulated distances. The main finding is that a similar but unfamiliar speaker is localized to be further away than a familiar speaker. Another finding is that the semantic properties of speech can potentially have a modulating effect on auditory distance judgements.
Development and Application of a Correlation of 13C NMR Chemical Structural Analyses of Coal Based on Elemental Composition and Volatile Matter Content

13C NMR spectroscopy has been shown to be an important tool in the characterization of coal structure. Important quantitative information about the carbon skeletal structure is obtained through 13C NMR spectral analysis of coal. Solid-state 13C NMR analysis techniques have progressed beyond the mere determination of aromaticity and can now describe features such as the number of aromatic carbons per cluster and the number of attachments per aromatic cluster. These 13C NMR data have been used to better understand the complicated structure of coal, to compare structural differences in coal, tar, and char, and to model coal devolatilization. Unfortunately, due to the expense of the process, extensive 13C NMR data are not available for most coals. A nonlinear correlation has been developed that predicts the chemical structure parameters of both U.S. and non-U.S. coals generally measured by 13C NMR and often required for advanced devolatilization models. The chemical structure parameters correlated include (i).
HP-HT Drilling Mud Based on Environmently-Friendly Fluorinated Chemicals

The worldwide growing demand for energy drives oil and gas companies to drill deeper and hotter wells. The exploration and the development of Deeply Buried Reservoirs (DBR) generate major technical challenges due to the extremely high pressures and temperatures met (1 400 bar, 300°C). Currently, several drilling fluids are emerging. They are briefly reviewed at the beginning of the paper. The technical difficulty related to HP-HT mud is so significant that standard mud formulation technologies are irrelevant and alternative systems have to be considered. New formulations based on perfluorochemicals have been jointly developed by IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), Solvay Specialty Polymers Italy and Total . Their lab characterizations are presented and reveal their promising benefits.
DEFINITION OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR RECOVERY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENT AREAS ACCORDING TO LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY

The definition of priority areas for the implementation of environmental programs, reconciling environmental, socioeconomic and cultural interests is crucial for guiding decision-making processes, especially in a context of public sector budget constraints. This research aims to contribute to this discussion through the analysis of land use and vegetation cover in relation to land use and management capability, considering effective soil depth, internal drainage characteristics of soils, slope and susceptibility to erosion as limiting factors. The study is carried out in the catchment area of the Serra Azul reservoir, which is an important source of drinking water for the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The method for defining the prioritization for protection and recovery areas included those areas that are legally protected, such as riparian areas and areas surrounding water springs, and areas particularly susceptible to environmental degradation. The results of the research highlight that, on the one hand, some legally protected areas are already impacted by urban expansion and economic activities, appointing lack of effective control by the public sector. This intensive use of sensible areas may lead to high risks of soil degradation. On the other hand, we identified areas which would allow a more intensive use of the soil, with greater gains in productivity.
Does silicon exist in association with organic compounds in rice plant

Abstract Silicon-organic compounds in the cell walls of rice seedlings grown in solutions with different levels of CaCl2 and with or without silicon were investigated by IR and UV absorption spectroscopy. Levels of the lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC) in cell walls decreased by silicon deficiency. A bathochromic effect, namely, shifting of the absorption maximum to a longer wavelength, a hyper-chromic effect, evident as an increase in the maximum absorbance in the absorption spectrum, and an absorbance band at 940 cm-1 in the IR spectrum, suggesting the combination between an aromatic ring and Si-O, were observed in the LCC from the cell walls supplied with silicon, while only a hyperchromic effect was observed when calcium was supplied. Thus, in the cell walls of rice plants, evidence was provided for the possible presence of silicon combined with some organic compounds.
Misfolded free energy surface of a peptide with αββ motif (1PSV) using the generalized Born solvation model

Using the replica exchange molecular dynamics method, we carried out ab initio folding study of 1PSV using AMBER param99MOD2 and the generalized Born (GB) solvation model. A total of 10 ns run for each replica resulted in a distorted free energy surface populated by two major misfolded conformers. The native structure of 1PSV was never located in the free energy surface. This distortion is mainly due to the defect of the current energy model including the GB solvation term. Therefore, the current energy model should be further improved for correct folding predictions of the proteins with a αββ motif.
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Crystallization Behavior and Membrane Structure Formation Via Thermally Induced Phase Separation with Benzophenone Diluent

Microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were prepared by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) at different quenching temperatures with benzophenone as the diluent. The crystallization behavior and crystal structure of PVDF in PVDF/benzophenone systems were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The different PVDF concentrations had a remarkable effect on PVDF crystallization behavior and resulted in different membrane structures. Spherulitic structures were vague when the PVDF/benzophenone solution was quenched to −8°C; however, discernable spherulitic structures were obtained when quenched to 34 and 49°C. Additionally, two phase separation mechanisms (solid–solid (S–S) and solid–liquid (S–L) phase separation) were observed during membrane preparation. It was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that microporous membranes had more discernable spherulitic structures formed by S–L phase separation than by S–S phase separation, which induced macrovoids and irregular pores on the fracture surfaces of membranes.