Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separation of Hexane/Ethanol Mixtures. LLE of Ternary Systems (Ionic Liquid or Hyperbranched Polymer + Ethanol + Hexane) at T = 298.15 K†

Liquid−liquid phase equilibria (LLE) of hexyl(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (C6BF4) or hyperbranched polymer (a fatty-acid-modified dendritic polymer, Boltorn U3000) B-U3000 + ethanol + hexane, at T = 298.15 K have been measured. The results are discussed in terms of the selectivity of ethanol and hexane separation. Sloping of the tie lines toward the ethanol vertex is observed for both mixtures (C6BF4 or B-U3000 + ethanol + hexane). The results indicate high selectivity for separation of ethanol and hexane with the ammonium ionic liquid in solvent extraction. The nonrandom two-liquid NRTL model was successfully used to correlate the experimental tie lines. The maximum mean square deviation in mole fraction was 0.01.
Adsorption and desorption of perchloroethylene in soils, peat moss, and granular activated carbon

Studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption–desorption isotherms of a common dry cleaning solvent, perchloroethylene (PCE), in soils, peat moss, and granular activated carbon. The results obtained followed the Freundlich Isotherm, and the organic carbon content of the media was the most significant controlling factor in the adsorption–desorption process. The peat moss exhibited the highest residual saturation concentration for pure PCE amongst all the media tested. The desorption studies indicated that PCE had medium mobility in soil and was not significantly affected by moderate changes in pH. Key words: adsorption, desorption, Freundlich Isotherm, granular activated carbon, peat moss, perchloroethylene, soils.
Efect of zinc and iron deficiency on phytos1derophore release in wheat genotypes differing in zinc efficiency

Abstract The effect of varied zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) supply on the release of Zn and Fe mobilizing phytosiderophores from roots was studied in Zn‐efficient Aroona and Zn‐inefficient Durati wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum cv. Aroona; T. durum cv. Durati) grown under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solution for 25 days. Phytosiderophore release was determined by the measurement of Zn and Fe mobilizing capacity of root exudates from a Zn‐loaded resin and from freshly precipitated FeIII hydroxide as well as identification by HPLC analysis. Visual Zn‐deficiency symptoms, such as necrotic patches on leaves and reduction in shoot length, appeared first and more severely in Zn‐inefficient Durati, although the concentrations of total Zn in shoot and root tissues were the same in both genotypes. Zinc‐efficient Aroona responded to Zn deficiency by increasing phytosiderophore release usually after 10 days growth in nutrient solution, whereas the phytosiderophore release in Durati remained at a ver.
Review on structure, function and applications of microfluidic systems

Microfluidics is made on a very small scale, which can be used in very small volumes of fluids. In this system, fluids are contained within the microchannels, which perform various operations on the fluids.1,2 Inside microfluidic devices in addition to micro channels, other components including pumps, valves and mixers are available.3 Several types of microfluidic penetrate into these micro channels, and then some of these fluids are stored in the micro channels. Then, these fluids are combined with the mixers and create a specific reaction. Finally, the final product of this reaction will come out of the machine. The function of this device can be checked by ultraviolet microscopes, etc.4,5 Microfluidic systems have vast applications that have widespread use of the system in medicine and biology, as well as in research and laboratory. The technology of lab on a chip (LOC) is one of the applications of these systems that part of the chip acts as a part of the lab. The benefits of this technology include high sensitivity, isolation, reduced time and cost, high separability and excellent detection (Figure 1). 6–8
Biofortification of Durum Wheat with Zinc Through Soil and Foliar Applications of Nitrogen

ABSTRACT Increasing zinc (Zn) concentration of cereal grains is a global challenge to alleviate Zn deficiency-related health problems in humans caused by low dietary Zn intake. This study investigated the effects of soil- and foliar-applied nitrogen (N) and Zn fertilizers on grain Zn accumulation of durum wheat (Triticum durum) grown on a Zn-deficient soil. In addition, localization of Zn and protein within durum wheat grain was studied by using Bradford reagent for protein and dithizone (diphenyl thiocarbazone) for Zn. Grain Zn concentration was greatly enhanced by soil or foliar applications of Zn. When Zn supply was adequately high, both soil and foliar N applications improved grain Zn concentration. Consequently, there was a significant positive correlation between grain concentrations of Zn and N, when Zn supply was not limiting. Protein and Zn staining studies showed co-localization of Zn and protein within grain, particularly in the embryo and aleurone. Results indicate that N and Zn fertilization .
Darstellung und Kristallstruktur eines Kaliumnitridophosphats, K3P6N11

Rontgenographisch phasenreines mikrokristallines K3P6N11 entsteht bei der Umsetzung von P3N5 mit KNH2 in Ammoniak unter ammonothermalen Bedingungen (6kbar, 500°C) nach 7d Reaktionszeit in Autoklaven. Die Struktur konnte uber eine Rontgenstrukturanalyse am Pulver geklart werden. K3P6N11: P4132, a = 10,388(3) A, Z = 4, RBragg (F) = 0,087, 51 Reflexe K3P6N11 ist aus zweifach- und dreifach eckenverknupften Tetraedern PN4 aufgebaut, die ein dreidimensionales Gerust bilden, in dessen Hohlraumen die Kaliumionen K(l) von (2 + 6) N von K(2) von (3 + 3 + 3) N umgeben sind. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Potassium Nitridophate, K3P6N11 Single phase microcrystalline K3P6N11 was obtained by the reaction of P3N5 KNH2 in supercritical ammonia (6 kbr, 500°C) after 7 d reaction time in autoclaves. The structure was solved by X-ray powder diffraction methods. K3P6N11: P4132, a = 10.388(3) A, Z = 4, RBragg (F) = 0.087, 51 reflections K3P6N11 contains two- and three-fold corner-sharing tetrahedra PN4. These form a three-dimensional framework with potassium in voids coordinated by (2 + 6) N for K(1) and (3 + 3 + 3) N for K(2).
Nanoporous Silver Thin Films: Multifunctional Platforms for Influencing Chain Morphology and Optical Properties of Conjugated Polymers

Disordered nanoporous silver (NPAg) thin films fabricated by a thermally assisted dewetting method are employed as a platform to influence chain alignment, morphology, and optical properties of three well‐known conjugated polymers. Grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements show that the porous structure of the metal induces close π–π stacking of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) chains and extended, planar chain conformations of poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl) (PFO) and poly[(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazol‐4,8‐diyl)] (F8BT). A greater degree of vertically‐oriented P3HT chains are found on NPAg compared with planar Ag. However, PFO and F8BT chain alignment is only affected when pore size is large. The optical properties of NPAg films are investigated by transmission and back‐scattering spectroscopies. Strong back‐scattering is observed for all NPAg morphologies, especially for NPAg with small pore sizes. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of conjugated polymer layers on NPAg showed pronounced emission enhancements (up to factors of 26) relative to layers on glass. The enhancements are attributed primarily to: 1) redistribution of conjugated polymer emission by Ag; 2) redirection of emission by polymer‐filled nanopores; and 3) local electromagnetic field effects. This work demonstrates the potential of NPAg‐thin films to influence molecular chain morphology and to improve light‐extraction in organic optoelectronic devices.
A novel solid-state material for furfuraldehyde detection

The thermal degradation of solid insulation within a power transformer results in the production of FFA (2-furfuraldehyde) within the transformer oil. Measuring the concentration of FFA gives a reliable indication as to the condition of the solid insulation. This measurement has routinely been performed by using techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatrography. We report a new solid state material which has been specifically designed for FFA detection. The material can be optically interrogated to detect small concentrations (<1 ppm) of FFA within transformer oil.
Phase coexistence of neutral polymer gels under mechanical constraint

We have measured the equilibrium diameter of cylindrical poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPA) gels with submillimeter diameters under a mechanical constraint along the uniaxial direction. The linear swelling curve, diameter vs temperature, was obtained in the vicinity of the volume phase transition temperature under isometric constraint: both ends of the gel were fixed at rest (stress was zero) in a swollen state at 30 °C (a few degrees below the transition temperature). Thereafter, the temperature was gradually changed by keeping the uniaxial length constant (to the fixed length). It was demonstrated that the gel could take a coexistent state at the transition point and remain stable for several days. This time was much longer than the characteristic relaxation time of the phase transition in this tiny gel. The phase coexistence observed here was caused by stress inhomogeneity along the uniaxial direction due to the mechanical constraint. A collapsed to swollen phase transition induced by uniaxial stress a.
Exogenous Application of Glycinebetaine Facilitates Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth under Water Deficit Conditions

Aims: To determine whether the exogenous application of glycinebetaine (GB) can ameliorate the effects of water deficit on maize growth and physiological processes. Study Design: Split plot design with water deficit being the main plot factor and GB application being the subplot factor. Treatment was a combination of water deficit level and GB application with 3 replications. Place and Duration of Study: R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA between May and July 2010. Methodology: A pot experiment was conducted using 31-d old ‘TV25R19’ maize irrigated with 750 ml pot day (WW: well-watered), 450 mL potday (WD60, 60% of WW) and 300 mL potday (WD40, 40% of WW) grown with or without GB application at each stress level. GB was applied as a foliar spray every 5 days at a rate of 4 kg ha. Soil moisture content and leaf water potential, growth, biomass, and gas exchange parameters were measured in response to the treatment variables. Results: Significant GB and water deficit main effects were observed for plant height (PH), leaf dry weight (LDW), ear dry weight (EDW) and total dry weight (TDW) (P  0.05) while Research Article American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3(1): 1-13, 2013 2 GB main effects alone were observed for node number (NN) and stem dry weight (SDW) (P  0.05). GB application increased leaf area (LA) (5,454 cm plant) in WD60 plants relative to untreated plants. No GB effect was seen under other treatment combinations at 10 or 20 days after treatment (DAT) measurements. GB did not increase stomatal conductance or transpiration at 10 or 20 DAT in plants subjected to water deficit. GB application resulted in leaf water potential values in the WD60 treatment that were statistically similar to the well-watered plants. Volumetric soil water content did not change with foliar GB application across water deficit treatments except under mild stress after 18 DAT, where soil moisture was higher for GB treated plants. Conclusion: GB’s effect was most evident in plants from the WD60 treatment. GB application significantly improved PH, LA, LDW, SDW, EDW and TDW and did not influence NN under WD60 conditions.
Synthesis and unusual volume phase transition behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)–poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer network microgel

The poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)–poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PNIPAM–PHEMA) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) microgel was synthesized for the first time. FT-IR, AFM and DLS were used to help propose the mechanism of formation of the IPN microgel. Due to the hydrogen bonds between the NIPAM and HEMA monomers, polymerization of HEMA takes place earlier inside the PNIPAM microgel than on the outside. We also focus our research on the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the IPN microgels obtained at different reaction times during polymerization. Due to the incorporation of the PHEMA chains, the VPTT of the IPN microgel exhibits a decreasing trend with increasing reaction time, which is unusual for an IPN microgel.
Effects of silicon on salinity tolerance of two barley cultivars

Abstract Added silicon (Si) could significantly enhance dry matter yields of both salt‐sensitive (Hordeum vulgare L. Kepin No. 7) and salt‐tolerant (Hordeum vulgare L. Jian 4) barley cultivars under salt‐stressed condition. The dry matter yield of Kepin No.7 grown in the solution containing high Si (1.0 mM Si/L) and high salt (120 mM NaCl/L) was 18.0% greater than that of the plants treated with 120 mM NaCl/L alone. The dry matter yield of Jian 4 treated with low Si (0.5 mM Si/L) and high salt (120 mM NaCl/L) was found to increase by 15.2% compared with that of plants treated with 120 mM NaCl/L only. Silicon added could increase net photosynthetic rate of two barley cultivars grown in the solution containing 120 mM NaCl/L. The electrolytic leakage percentage was significantly lower in the leaves of two barley cultivars treated with 120 mM NaCl/L and 1.0 mM Si/L than in the leaves treated with 120 mM NaCl/L alone, which indicated that added Si resulted in a reduction of membrane permeability of salt‐stress.
Flame Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanocapsules

Flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes and nanocapsules is demonstrated via a pyramid-shaped pyrolysis flame. The mixture of CO, H2, and nebulized catalyst raw material reacts in a high temperature environment formed inside the frustum of pyramid-shaped reactor heated by premixed flame of C2H2 and air outside. A sampling substrate inserted into the incomplete combusting flame of central reacting mixtures can gain the samples of carbon nanotubes and nanocapsules. The effect of sampling time and catalyst concentration is revealed via Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). 5-mins sampling time and 0.5/50 (Fe(CO)5/C2H5OH, volume ratio) of catalyst concentration is the most appropriate for carbon nanotubes synthesis. In addition, it is to say that catalyst concentration is the most important one among all the factors that can be used to determine whether the main products are carbon nanotubes or nanocapsules, and the structures of nanocapsules are also analyzed in detail.
A combined steepest descent and genetic algorithm (SD/GA) approach for the optimization of solvation parameters

An accurate solvation model is essential for computer modeling of protein folding and other biomolecular self-assembly processes. Compared to explicit solvent models, implicit solvent models, such as the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) with solvent accessible surface area model (PB/SA), offer a much faster speed—the most compelling reason for the popularity of these implicit solvent models. Since these implicit solvent models typically use empirical parameters, such as atomic radii and the surface tensions, an optimal fit of these parameters is crucial for the final accuracy of properties such as solvation free energy and folding free energy. In this paper, we proposed a combined approach, namely SD/GA, which takes the advantage of both local optimization with the steepest descent (SD), and global optimization with the genetic algorithm (GA), for parameters optimization in multi-dimensional space. The SD/GA method is then applied to the optimization of solvation parameters in the non-polar cavity term of the PB/SA model. The results show that the newly optimized parameters from SD/GA not only increase the accuracy in the solvation free energies for ∼200 organic molecules, but also significantly improve the free energy landscape of a β-hairpin folding. The current SD/GA method can be readily applied to other multi-dimensional parameter space optimization as well.
A new benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran-based copolymer for efficient polymer solar cells

A new donor–acceptor type copolymer, namely poly{4,8-bis(2-ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b′]difuran-alt-6-octylnaphtho[2,3-c]thiophene-4,9-dione} (PBDFNTDO) was synthesized by a Stille coupling reaction and characterized by 1H NMR, GPC, TGA, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. PBDFNTDO is readily soluble in common organic solvents with a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 10.7 kDa mol−1 and a polydispersity index of 1.71. TGA analysis shows the copolymer exhibits good thermal stability with 5% weight loss at a temperature of 341 °C. PBDFNTDO possesses a broad absorption band at 300–750 nm with an optical bandgap of 1.65 eV. Cyclic voltammetry gives HOMO and LUMO energy levels of −5.33 eV and −3.40 eV, respectively. The hole mobility of PBDFNTDO:PC71BM (1 : 1.5, w/w) reaches up to 5.0 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 by the space-charge-limited current (SCLC) method. A polymer solar cell with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PBDFNTDO:PC71BM (1 : 1.5, w/w)/Ca/Al demonstrates a promising power conversion efficiency of 4.71% under the illumination of AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm−2.
Enhanced waveguide Raman spectroscopy with thin films. Plenary lecture

A sensitive Raman analytical technique for the study of thin films, surfaces and interfaces is demonstrated. Waveguide Raman spectroscopy (WRS) provides for a non-destructive evaluation of thin films in the micrometre and submicrometre regime. High intensity propagating waves have been used to sample molecules within waveguides, and interfacial species have been sampled by the evanescent portions of the optical field which tail into the substrate and superstrate regions of the waveguide structure. Variations of the simple waveguide experiment have been explored in surface and interface studies. Both resonance Raman spectroscopy and, for the first time, surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) have been used in combination with the waveguide technique, providing further increases in sensitivity. Experiments performed include waveguide resonance Raman spectroscopy of chromophores (beta-carotene on a polymer surface; tetraphenylporphine sulfonate at a polymer/glass interface; poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) degradation products incorporated within a PVC thin film, and a novel combination of SERRS with WRS to detect tris(2,2-bypyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride hexahydrate incorporated within a polymer thin film.
EFFECTS OF BLANCHING AND FROZEN STORAGE ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF FOUR LEAFY VEGETABLE WIDELY CONSUMED IN ILARO COMMUNITY, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Vegetables are edible parts of the plants which are usually cooked and salted before consumption with other foods. They also include leaves, stems, roots , flowers, seeds, fruits, bulbs, tubers and fungi. The proximate composition of four leafy vegetable widel y consumed in Ilaro community of Ogun state, Nigeria, subjected to blanching and frozen storage were investigated in this present work. The result of the proximate composition calculated on dry weight basis indicated that the Ash contents ranged from 6.26 ‐ 23.00% while the Fat contents ranged between 2.03 and 5.80% for all the samples. Protein contents also ranged from 17.44 ‐ 32.83% with fibre content varying between 2.68 and 5.20% for the samples. The carbohydrate contents for the samples were between 46.00 and 60.03%. Except for the carbohydrate contents which showed a gradual increase in values, all other parameters evaluated decreased in values as the frozen day progressed.
The mechanism of thermally transferred optically stimulated luminescence in quartz

In this paper we assess two mechanisms for the production of the thermally transferred optically stimulated luminescence (TT-OSL) signal in quartz when all stimulation is carried out at 125 °C. One mechanism is based on the double transfer process previously put forward for OSL recuperation following storage at room temperature. In this mechanism, electrons from the trap giving rise to the fast OSL component are released by optical stimulation and some are transferred into a refuge trap via the conduction band; these electrons are then released from the refuge trap by a thermal treatment and some are retrapped in the trap responsible for the fast OSL component. The other mechanism is based on a single transfer process in which electrons are transferred by thermal treatment from a light-sensitive trap via the conduction band to the trap that gives rise to the fast component of the OSL signal, this trap having been emptied by the initial optical stimulation. The analysis of the measured OSL and TT-OSL decay curves suggest that the two signals are derived from the same traps and are dominated by the fast OSL component. The experimental data presented support the hypothesis that the original source of the electrons that are thermally transferred is a trap that is less light sensitive than that giving rise to the fast OSL, but one that has similar thermal stability. Thus, a single transfer mechanism explains the production of the TT-OSL signal observed for stimulation above 120 °C when the 110 °C TL trap is kept empty.
Redox reaction based negative differential resistance and bistability in nanoparticulate ZnO films

Negative differential resistance (NDR) and bistability in the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics have been demonstrated for a simple device fabricated from ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The Au/ZnO/Au device (ZnO nanoparticles size: 5–15 nm) attains ON and OFF states during forward and reverse voltage scans, respectively, akin to a cyclic voltammogram. The origin of the observed NDR and bistability is traced to the protonic conduction resulting from the dissociation of adsorbed moisture on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. Water layers adsorbed on the ZnO surface dissociate into hydroxyl ions at the oxygen vacancy (Vo) site and transfer a proton to the nearby water molecule. Signature of NDR is created when the rate of redox reactions at the electrode is faster than the generation and transport of reactants. Oxygen vacancies considered as active sites for water dissociation reside predominantly at the surface due to their low formation energy. So, the degree of bistability and NDR are found to decrease with .
Sodium Diffusion in SiO2 Glass

Diffusion of the radioactive tracer 22Na in a commercial SiO2 glass was investigated from 170° to 1000°C. The temperature dependence curve had discontinuities at about 573° and 250°C. The resulting Arrhenius equations are D = 3.44 × 102 exp(-21.1 kcal/RT) cm2/sec between 1000° and 573°C, D = 0.398 exp(-25.8 kcal/RT) cm2/sec between 573° and 250°C, and D = 2.13 exp(-28.3 kcal/RT) cm2/sec between 250° and 170°C. The two anomalies are discussed in terms of “quartz-like” and “cristobalite-like” precrystalline elements in the structure of the glass. Comparison of the Na diffusion in SiO, glass with that in soda-silica and soda-lime-silica glasses shows that SiO2 glass occupies a boundary position with respect to these systems. A possible diffusion mechanism is discussed.