Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association in Aqueous Solutions of a Thermoresponsive PVCL-g-C11EO42 Copolymer

Thermoresponsive associations in aqueous solution of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) chains grafted with ω-methoxy poly(ethylene oxide) undecyl α-methacrylate (PVCL-g-C11EO42) at different copolymer concentrations have been investigated with the aid of various experimental methods. Turbidity measurements reveal that the cloud point (CP) decreases with increasing polymer concentration, and this effect is more pronounced in the semidilute concentration regime. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) results at large scattering wavevectors suggest a gradual conformational transition from random coils to contracted coils in the dilute concentration regime as the temperature rises. The rheological experiments disclose a strong temperature-induced contraction of the molecules in the dilute concentration regime, and the results in the semidilute regime indicate that the polymer chains are unentangled even at high concentrations. Dynamic light scattering results on solutions at temperatures up to the CP show the existence.
New catalysts for hydroprocessing: Transition metal carbides and nitrides

A series of moderate surface area transition metal carbides and nitrides of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, niobium, and titanium were prepared by temperature-programmed reaction of the oxide precursor with a reactant gas (20% CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2} for the carbides and 100% NH{sub 3} for the nitrides). The phase purity and composition of the samples were established by X-ray diffraction photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), while surface properties were determined by N{sub 2} BET and CO chemisorption measurements. The catalysts were tested in three-phase trickle-bed reactor for their activity in hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), hydrodesulfurization, and hydrodeoxygenation, with particular emphasis on HDN. The catalytic tests were carried out using a model liquid feed mixture containing 3000 ppm sulfur (dibenzothiophene), 2000 ppm nitrogen (quinoline), 500 ppm oxygen (benzofuran), 20 wt% aromatics (tetralin), and balance aliphatics (tetradecane). The carbides and nitrides were found to be active for HDN of quinoline with activity following the order group 6 > group 5 > group 4. Notably, Mo{sub 2}C showed superior areal HDN activity than a commercial sulfided Ni-Mo/Al{sub 2} O{sub 3} catalyst (shell 324). The XRD analysis of the spent catalysts indicated no change in the bulk structure, while XPS results showed little incorporation of sulfur in the surface regionmore » of the catalysts, suggesting that these materials are tolerant of sulfur. 42 refs., 11 figs., 7 tabs. « less
Ratiometric fluorescence probes based on a Michael acceptor type of coumarin and their application for the multichannel imaging of in vivo glutathione

A series of Michael acceptors based on a coumarin moiety, were developed as fluorescent probes for ratiometric detection of in vivo glutathione. The α,β-unsaturated Michael acceptors were transformed into non-conjugated molecules through the Michael addition of biothiols. The resulting UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of the probes revealed characteristic ratiometric responses, which were successfully applied for the multichannel imaging of in vivo glutathione.
Determination of Antibiotic Residues in Manure, Soil, and Surface Waters

In the last years more and more often detections of antimicrobially active compounds (“antibiotics”) in surface waters have been reported. As a possible input pathway in most cases municipal sewage has been discussed. But as an input from the realm of agriculture is conceivable as well, in this study it should be investigated if an input can occur via the pathway application of liquid manure on fields with the subsequent mechanisms surface run-off/interflow, leaching, and drift. For this purpose a series of surface waters, soils, and liquid manures from North Rhine-Westphalia (Northwestern Germany) were sampled and analyzed for up to 29 compounds by HPLC-MS/MS. In each of the surface waters antibiotics could be detected. The highest concentrations were found in samples from spring (300 ng/L of erythromycin). Some of the substances detected (e.g., tylosin), as well as characteristics in the landscape suggest an input from agriculture in some particular cases. In the investigation of different liquid manure samples by a fast immunoassay method sulfadimidine could be detected in the range of 1…2 mg/kg. Soil that had been fertilized with this liquid manure showed a content of sulfadimidine extractable by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of 15 μg/kg dry weight even 7 months after the application. This indicates the high stability of some antibiotics in manure and soil.
An Experimental Study on the Atomization and Combustion Characteristics of Biodiesel-Blended Fuels

In this paper we describe the atomization and combustion characteristics of biodiesel fuels in a common-rail diesel engine. To investigate the effect of the mixing ratio of biodiesels on the emission characteristics and engine performance, the experiments were conducted at various mixing ratios of the biodiesel and engine operation conditions. In addition, the physical properties such as kinematic viscosity and cetane number of the biodiesel-blended fuel were analyzed to study relations with the fuel atomization and combustion characteristics. The atomization characteristics of biodiesel-blended fuels were investigated in terms of spray tip penetration, SMD, and mean velocity distributions by using a spray visualization system and phase Doppler particle analyzer. The effect of the mixing ratio on the combustion characteristics was studied on the basis of the results of the combustion pressure obtained from the single-cylinder engine at various experimental conditions. The emission characteristics of HC, N.
Contamination of some reservoirs and lakes in Republic of Bulgaria by microcystins

This paper presents the results from analyses of water samples from 15 Bulgarian reservoirs and lakes for detection of microcystins presence by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a ultraviolet (UV) and photo diode array (PDA) detector. In 3 of the studied drinking water reservoirs cyanobacterial blooms were not detected. Cyanobacterial blooms were observed in 6 of 12 investigated water bodies used for fishing and water sports. Microcystis was the dominant cyanobacterial genus. The concentration of total microcystins in the biomasses ranged from 8 to 1070 μg g -1 (d.w.). Microcystin-LR and microcystin-RR were the predominant microcystins, followed by microcystin-YR, Presence of dissolved microcystins was obtained in one water sample with concentration of total microcystins 1.64 μg L -1 . Presence of microcystin-LF and -LW or unknown peaks possessing characteristic microcystin-like UV-spectra were not detected. Those first results for occurrence of microcystins in some Bulgarian reservoirs and lakes are a contribution to the knowledge on their distribution.
Ablution greywater treatment with the modified re-circulated vertical flow bioreactor for landscape irrigation

AbstractMounting pressure to conserve water supplies has stimulated greywater recycling to be reused for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation. A potential greywater source in Jordan as well as other countries is ablution water generated in mosques from prayers’ washing rituals. In this study, ablution greywater treatment with the low cost and easy to operate modified re-circulated vertical flow bioreactor was evaluated in terms of its treatment efficiency in order to supply some of the landscape irrigation needs in Al-Balqa’ Applied University. The treatment system adequately removed BOD5, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, chloride, and Na by up to 94, 88, 90, 48, and 33%, respectively. Dissolved oxygen was significantly increased by up to 133%. Concentrations of Mg, Ca, and K were also increased by up to 29, 63, and 95%, respectively. Nitrate concentration of the treated ablution greywater (TA) increased but remained less than the maximum allowable limit. Treatment efficiency fluct.
Essential oils of the rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera Griff. and Alpinia latilabris Ridl

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera and Alpinia latilabris were analysed by capillary GC and GC–MS; 50 compounds were identified in A. conchigera rhizome oil, among which 30 have not been detected previously. The major chemical class was terpenoids, with β‐bisabolene (28.9%), 1,8‐cineole (15.3%) and β‐caryophyllene (10.0%) the major components. A. latilabris rhizomes yielded 33 identified constituents, the majority terpenoids, but the oil was clearly dominated by methyl (E)‐cinnamate (89.5%).
Ultratrace determination of the long-lived isotope [sup 41]Ca by narrowband CW-RIMS

Determination of odd isotopes with multi-step RIMS is usually hampered by the hyperfine structure arising from a non zero nuclear spin. The splitting of the transition strength leads to a reduced ionization efficiency and large uncertainties in the determination of isotope ratios. We present a technique to overcome these drawbacks by appropriate use of optical pumping. Applying this technique, first isotopic ratio measurements on synthetic 41Ca-samples could be accomplished using double-resonance three photon ionization in a collimated atomic beam combined with a quadrupole mass spectrometer.
Sources of Naphthalene in Diesel Exhaust Emissions

The organic emissions from a diesel engine generally comprise a substantial proportion of hydrocarbon components of fuel-surviving combustion. Accompanying these in the engine exhaust are other components, often identical in structure to the surviving species but which have been produced pyrosynthetically from partially burned fuel. This paper reports on a series of radiochemical spike experiments designed to unequivocally elucidate the degree of survival and the extent of pyrosynthesis of the important fuel component naphthalene under one particular speed and load condition. Emissions were examined after duplicate experiments in which diesel fuel spiked with [14C]naphthalene was combusted in a Perkins Prima DI diesel engine. Diesel exhaust samples were collected using the total exhaust solvent scrubbing apparatus (TESSA) sampling system. Analysis of the exhaust samples was performed by radio-high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques developed for this research. The major radioactive species in t.
Efficient Synthesis of a New Podand and Application as a Suitable Carrier for Silver Ion-Selective Electrode

A new podand of 1,1′-thia-bis-[1-(chloroethan-2-acetamid-α-oxy)] naphtol was synthesized and used as a suitable carrier for Ag+ PVC membrane electrode. The electrode exhibited linear response with a Nernstian slope of (59.5±0.8 mV/decade) within a wide concentration range of 1.0×10−7 to 1.5×10−2 mol L−1 silver ions. The electrode had a fast response time of <10 s and detection limit of 8.6×10−8 mol L−1 with a working pH range from 3.7 to 9.0. The electrode was highly selective for Ag(I) ions over a large number of cations such as alkali, alkaline earth, and heavy metal ions. The proposed sensor has been applied as an indicator electrode for indirect determination of vitamin B1 in tablets by determination of Cl− ions in this compound with a standard solution of Ag(NO3).
Room-temperature synthesis of monodisperse mixed spinel (CoxMn1–x)3O4 powder by a coprecipitation method

Spinel oxide Co 3 O 4 has traditionally been synthesized by thermal decomposition of cobaltous salts at temperatures of 250-900°C under oxidizing conditions. Here, we report a solution synthesis route that yields mixed spinel oxide (Co x Mn 1–x ) 3 O 4 at room temperature in air. (Co 0.75 Mn 0.25 ) 3 O 4 solid solutions were synthesized by coprecipitation and oxidation of Co(OH) 2 and Mn(OH) 2 from mixed aqueous solutions of Co- and Mn-salts. The spinel oxide phase was stabilized by crystallization of Mn 3 O 4 resulting from the oxidation of Mn(OH) 2 in the mother liquor. While undoped Mn 3 O 4 is tetragonal, the (Co 0.75 Mn 0.25 ) 3 O 4 solid solution has a cubic symmetry due to the reduced Mn3+ concentration. The resulting powder is spherical with an average particle diameter of ca. 0.1 µm and a narrow size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that individual particles are nearly single crystalline but consist of a mosaic of multiple nanocrystallites. This observation supports an aggregation mechanism of formation for the nearly monodispersed particles.
Nanoantenna‐Sandwiched Graphene with Giant Spectral Tuning in the Visible‐to‐Near‐Infrared Region

Graphene exhibits intriguing electronic and optical properties, making it promising for integrating electronics and optics. Effective light modulation can be achieved by combining graphene with plasmonic metal structures. However, to tune plasmonic response with graphene at visible‐to‐near‐infrared frequencies has remained challenging owing to the weak coupling between plasmonic resonances and graphene optical transitions as well as inefficient gate control of the latter. Here the remarkable tuning of plasmonic scattering is reported by loading graphene into the cavities between Au nanocrystals and a Au film. The graphene‐loaded nanoantennas show dramatic resonance red shifts, which can further be modified by varying graphene dielectric screening effect. Such nanoantennas can therefore not only strengthen light−graphene interactions drastically but also exemplify an electroplasmonic system naturally. This study will open up an avenue for effectively operating graphene photonic devices in the visible‐to‐near‐infrared range and pave a way for electrically controlling light with plasmonic structures.
Influence of calcium carbonate added to the SBS rubber formulation on the surface modifications produced by halogenation

To improve the adhesion properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) rubber sole to polyurethane adhesive, surface treatments are required, of which halogenation with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCI) solutions in organic solvents is the most commonly used treatment in the footwear industry. Calcium carbonate filler is commonly added to improve the mechanical properties and to reduce shining of SBS rubber formulations. The influence of the filler on the effectiveness of surface chlorination of SBS rubber had not been considered in the existing literature. Therefore, 10 wt% calcium carbonate filler was added to the SBS rubber formulation and the surface modifications and adhesion properties produced by treatment with TCI solutions were investigated. The resulting surface modifications and adhesion were compared to those obtained in unfilled SBS rubber. It is shown that the treatment with TCI solutions was less effective in the calcium-carbonate-filled SBS rubber and a lower peel strength to polyurethane adhesive was obtained; however, a cohesive failure in the rubber was always obtained.
Factors contributing to distortion energies of bent hydrogen bonds: implications for proton-transfer potentials

L'energie d'interaction ab initio pour l'arrangement optimal de systemes comportant une liaison d'hydrogene, comme (H 3 NH-NH 3 ) + , est decomposee et comparee a une variete de geometries dans lesquelles les deformations angulaires sont imposees
Design and Characterization of an Inhalation System of Iron and Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles for Rodent Exposure

Because of the rise of anthropogenic sources of NP human exposure to NP has dramatically increased in the recent years, in the general population as well as in workers (e.g., welders). This raises the question of the potential adverse effects of NP on human health, particularly at the respiratory level, since it represents the main route of exposure for air pollutants. Since inhalation exposure is the most relevant but yet under evaluated route of exposure for the evaluation of NP toxicity our study was aimed to design, build, and characterize a safe inhalation system dedicated to evaluate the respiratory effects of NP in mice. We chose to focus on the generation of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) oxide NP distributions centered on 20–25 nm diameters at concentrations of 107–108 NP/cm3 as it is representative of the occupational exposure of welders. Fe and Mn NP aerosols were generated with the spark discharge generator technique with air as a carrier gas conditio sine qua non for the mice. Indeed, the spark generator has been widely studied and used but in noble gases (N2, Ar, . . .) suggests the absence of oxidation. Aerosol particles are characterized in terms of size distribution, concentration, morphology, and chemical composition. Exposure of mice for 1 to 4 days (3 h a day) to these occupationally relevant aerosol concentrations induces inflammatory effects (increased lung total protein content). Moreover, clusters of particles were observed throughout the lungs. Copyright © 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research
Mineral oil contents in paper and board recycled to paperboard for food packaging

Types of paper and board fed into the recycling process to manufacture paperboard for food packaging were analysed for saturated and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons. The focus was on the hydrocarbons eluted from gas chromatography before n‐C24, as these are relevant for migration into dry foods via the gas phase at ambient temperature. Newspapers and leaflets printed by similar techniques were identified as the predominant sources of mineral oil, whereas office paper, books and corrugated board were the starting materials of lowest mineral oil content. Paperboard produced from the latter sources would contain about five times less mineral oil than the average observed today, but the migration into food could still exceed the limit derived from the available acceptable daily intake by a factor of up to 20. On average, European newspapers produced by offset printing contained 4.1 g/kg
Rheological Scaling Methods in Food Matrices Containing Stabilizer

Relative viscosity, Peclet, and Reynolds scaling methods were used in various food matrices consist of tragacanth gum (TG) (0.5, 1% wt), Oleic acid (5, 10% v/v) and WPI (2, 4% wt) and the best scaling law was selected. As these emulsions are non-Newtonian, they do not obey the usual, simple, scaling laws. When the apparent viscosity is reduced to relative viscosity of the medium at zero shear rate, a distinct reduced flow curve is obtained, regardless of TG, oleic acid, and WPI concentrations. This will lead to a technique of simplifying complex non-Newtonian flow curves and therefore predicting the rheological flow curves and fluid mechanics when different modifiers are added to food emulsions. The flow behavior of all samples was successfully modeled with the Cross model, Power law model, and Ellis model, and Power law model was found as the better model to describe the flow behavior of dispersions. Results showed that both G′ and G″ increased with TG, oleic acid and WPI concentrations. However, the viscoelastic behavior was mainly governed by the TG content.
Raman spectra of mirabilite, Na2SO4·10H2O and the rediscovered metastable heptahydrate, Na2SO4·7H2O

Salt crystallisation in pores is known to cause serious damage to masonry. Sodium sulphate, often regarded as one of the most damaging salts, has a rich hydrate chemistry including one rediscovered metastable hydrate and a new high pressure octahydrate plus five known polymorphs of the anhydrous phase. The difficulty in working with these hydrates lies in their strong tendency to dehydrate or to convert to the stable phase, in the case of the heptahydrate. We present Raman spectra and a table of peak wavenumbers for randomly oriented crystals of mirabilite and the metastable heptahydrate, sufficient to distinguish between these phases that have SO4 ν1 values of 989.3 and 987.6 cm −1 , respectively. Mirabilite has a Raman spectrum very similar to the free sulphate anion in solution, which is probably due to the mobility of oxygen atoms within the sulphate tetrahedron. The oxygen atoms in the heptahydrate sulphate groups have no partial occupancy, and predicted peak splitting is observed in the region 400‐1200 cm −1 . C opyrightc � 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental evaluation of alkaline treatment as a method for enhancing the enzymatic digestibility of autohydrolysed Acacia dealbata.

BACKGROUND:Acacia dealbata wood samples were subjected to hydrothermal processing in aqueous media, yielding a liquid phase (containing xylooligosaccharides) and a solid phase, enriched in cellulose, which was treated with alkaline solutions to obtain solids with improved susceptibility towards enzymatic hydrolysis. The effects of the most influential variables involved in the alkaline processing (sodium hydroxide concentration, temperature and reaction time) on solid yield, solid composition and kinetic parameters involved in the modelling of the enzymatic hydrolysis were assessed using the response surface methodology (RSM). RESULTS: Analysis of the RSM equations allowed selection of operational conditions (temperature = 130 °C, sodium hydroxide concentration = 4.5%, time of alkaline processing = 3 h), leading to selective removal of non-cellulosic components and to a solid substrate highly susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis. Operating at an enzyme loading of 20 FPU (filter paper units) g−1 autohydrolysed, extracted solids (denoted AES) with a liquor to solid ratio of 30 g liquor g−1 AES, solutions containing 29.7 g glucose L−1 (corresponding to a yield of 47.3 g glucose per 100 g solids from autohydrolysis) were obtained after 48 h. CONCLUSION: Samples of Acacia dealbata wood were processed by autohydrolysis, sodium hydroxide treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, yielding xylooligomers and processed solids highly susceptible to the enzymatic hydrolysis. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Aerobic Thermophilic and Anaerobic Mesophilic Treatment of Sludge

The objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic thermophilic treatment in enhancing conventional anaerobic mesophilic digestion in terms of pathogen reduction. vector attraction reduction, volatile solids (VS) reduction, gas production, and product sludge dewaterability. Lab-scale two-stage experiments were conducted with the aerobic thermophilic stage as pretreatment (AerTAnM) or as posttreatment (AnMAerT) to mesophilic anaerobic digestion. The lab-scale AerTAnM and AnMAerT systems were operated at system sludge residence times (SRTs) of 15 and 15.5 days, thermophilic reactor temperature = 62°C, and mesophilic reactor temperature = 37°C. The control anaerobic digester was operated at a system SRT of 15 and 15.5 days and temperature = 37°C. The AerTAnM and AnMAerT systems and control anaerobic digester operated at a system SRT of 15 days were able to achieve VS reductions of >38% (Class A sludge vector attraction reduction requirement). The VS reductions by the AerTAnM and A.
ELECTRONIC SPIN RESONANCE DETECTION OF HYDROXYL RADICALS AND SINGLET OXYGEN DURING PEROXIDATION OF BOPINDOLOL IN THE PRESENCE OF COPPER IONS

1O2) and hydroxyl radical (HO • ) during peroxidation of bopindolol in the presence of Cu ions has been found using electron spin resonance (ESR) and spectrophotometry methods. 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide were used as traps. The spectrophotometry determination of 1 O2 was based on bleaching of pnitrosodimethylaniline (RNO), which was caused by the product of the reaction of 1 O2 with imidazole. The effect of 1 O2 quenchers and oxygen free radical scavengers on ESR signal and on bleaching of RNO has been studied. The results demonstrate the enhancing effect of bopindolol on the generation of HO • and 1 O2 in the Fenton reaction.