Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Square-Wave Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid by Catalytic Oxidation at a Perfluorosulfonated Ionomer/Ruthenium Oxide Pyrochlore Chemically Modified Electrode

A Nafion/ruthenium oxide pyrochlore (Pb 2 Ru 2-x Pb x O 7-y ) chemically modified electrode (CME) for the determination of uric acid by Osteryoung square-wave voltammetry (OSWV) is described. Compared to the glassy carbon electrode, the CME exhibits a 150 mV shit of the oxidation potential of uric acid in the cathodic direction and a marked enhancement of the current response. The best instrumental settings for OSWV are 50 Hz modulation frequency, 20 mV modulation amplitude, and 2 mV step height. Linear calibration curves are obtained over the 7.5×10 -5 -5×10 -7 M range in pH 1 buffer solution. The detection limit (3) is 1.1×10 -7 M. Ascorbic acid in less than 10-fold excess does not interfere. The practical analytical utility is illustrated by selective measurements of uric acid in human urine and serum without any preliminary treatmen
Phase-controllable copper oxides for an efficient anode interfacial layer in organic light-emitting diodes

We investigated phase-controllable copper oxide (CuOx) as a hole injection layer for improving the electrical and optical properties of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The phase of CuOx is changed from CuO to Cu2O by elevating the deposition rate during thermal evaporation, and a non-stoichiometric film mixing with two phases occurs in the intermediate condition. In non-stoichiometric films, unbonded oxygen atoms with a large density of gap states are induced near the Fermi level, acting as a hole transport path. Thus, holes can be more easily injected into the highest occupied molecular orbital states of α-NPD, lowering the hole injection barrier significantly. Films of non-stoichiometric CuOx are inserted at the interface of α-NPD with an Ag electrode, serving as the hole injection layer. Significantly improved current densities and luminance were achieved, reducing the operation voltage at 1 mA cm−2 from 6.1 V to 3.2 V.
Nitrous oxide emissions from grazed grassland

Abstract. Grazing animals on managed pastures and rangelands have been identified recently as significant contributors to the global N2O budget. This paper summarizes relevant literature data on N2O emissions from dung, urine and grazed grassland, and provides an estimate of the contribution of grazing animals to the global N2O budget.
Gold Nanorods: Electrochemical Synthesis and Optical Properties

Aqueous solutions containing a high yield of suspended gold nanorods have been successfully synthesized via an electrochemical method. The control of preparing gold nanorods with different aspect ratios can be attained. Their absorption spectral features show a dominant surface plasma band corresponding to the longitudinal resonance, SPl, and its λmax shifts markedly to the red as the aspect ratio is increased. Meanwhile, the dependence of λmax for longitudinal resonance on the mean aspect ratio shows a deviation from the classical electrostatic model prediction at mean aspect ratios around 4 ± 1, where it limits the validity of the classical electrostatic approximation.
DEPENDENCE OF APPARENT FRACTURE STRESS ON TABLETS ON TEST METHOD

Several devices are available for the determination of the mechanical strength of tablets; a number of authors, e.g. Bavitz & others (1973) , have considered the interpretation of test results from such devices. Fell & Newton (1970) have stressed the need to ensure tensile failure when determining the breaking strength under diametral compression, if reproducible results are to be obtained. Nevertheless, even if tensile failure is ensured, the brittle nature of many pharmaceutical materials will still result in a variable value for the breaking load of nominally identical tablets. Under cetain conditions, this component of variability can be represented reciprocally by the modulus of the Weibull distribution (Newton & Stanley, 1974)" The performances of 2 commercially available strength testing devices, the Erweka and the Schlueniger, have been c mpared
Plasma injection with helicon sources

An exhaustive set of measurements has been made to find the optimum conditions for plasma injection into a processing chamber using small helicon sources with low magnetic fields B. It is found that the plasma density decreases, rather than increases, with B, as in normal helicon discharges. The design of the field coil and flange caused this effect; with a different design, normal operation was obtained. This experiment provides data on the area coverage of individual helicon discharges for the design of large-area, distributed plasma sources.
High‐forward‐bias transport mechanism in a‐Si:H/c‐Si heterojunction solar cells

In order to elucidate the transport mechanism in a‐Si:H/c‐Si heterojunction solar cells under high forward bias (U > 0.5 V), we conducted temperature‐dependent measurements of current–voltage (I–V) curves in the dark and under illumination. ZnO:Al/(p)a‐Si:H/(n)c‐Si/(n+)a‐Si:H cells are compared with inversely doped structures and the impact of thin undoped a‐Si:H buffer layers on charge carrier transport is explored. The solar cell I–V curves are analyzed employing a generalized two‐diode model which allows fitting I–V data for a broad range of samples. The fitting results are complemented with numerical simulations using AFORS‐HET under consideration of microscopic a‐Si:H parameters as determined by constant‐final‐state‐yield photoelectron spectroscopy (CFSYS) to identify possible origins for a systematic increase of the high‐forward‐bias ideality factor along with the open‐circuit voltage (Voc). It is further shown that also for a‐Si:H/c‐Si heterojunctions, dark I–V curve fit parameters can unequivocally be linked to Voc under illumination, which may prove helpful for device assessment.
Silsesquioxane-based Hybrid Nanocomposite with Self-assembling Properties for Porous Limestones Conservation

The study was concerned with the synthesis and characterization of a silsesquioxane-based hybrid nanocomposite with self-assembling properties intended for monumental porous limestone conservation. Radical polymerization of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate in the presence of a primary amine surfactant yielded a new type of hybrid nanocomposite, in which silica was dispersed as domains with typical sizes in the nanometer range. The self-assembling properties of the synthesized composite have been ascribed to the supramolecular assembling abilities of the surfactant, as well as to the combination of linear, ladder, and cage-like fragments of silsesquioxane type. This new sol—gel approach, in which the surfactant makes the pore size of the network more coarse and uniform, avoids cracking while drying inside the stone and thus provides an effective alternative for porous limestone conservation.
Triple Component Carbon Epoxy pH Probe

A pH probe based on a carbon-epoxy electrode design is discussed. The electrode consists of three redox active components within a carbon epoxy matrix. These are the pH sensitive species anthraquinone and phenanthrenequinone, along with the pH insensitive ferrocene reference compound. The values of the peak potentials when combined are shown to shift by 120 mV/pH unit at 25 °C with respect to the ferrocene reference potential.
Anisotropic behavior of the 13C nuclear spin dynamics in a single crystal of l‐alanine

Strong anisotropic behavior of the 13C nuclear spin dynamics, namely, orientation dependent transient oscillation frequency of the spin locking cross polarization of the Cα carbon magnetization, the nuclear Overhauser enhancement, and the spin‐lattice relaxation times for the CH3 carbon nucleus were observed in a single crystal of l‐alanine. The spin locking cross‐polarization dynamics, including the transient oscillation effects, are explained by considering the dipolar interaction between the a‐carbon nucleus and its directly bonded proton, together with spin diffusion and spin‐lattice relaxation in the rotating frame, in the equation of motion of the density operator. We found that by assuming that the CH3 group undergoes random jumps between three equilibrium positions, the application of relaxation theory yields equations which provide a satisfactory interpretation of the experimental observations. Thus we conclude that the orientation dependence of the nuclear Overhauser enhancement, and the spin‐la.
Reactive blending methodologies for biopol

Multicomponent polymeric systems containing Biopol as one of the phases are described as obtained according to two different procedures : radical polymerization of an acrylic polymer in the presence of Biopol, and melt-mixing of Biopol with polycaprolactone in the presence of peroxide. The decomposition of peroxide causes, in both cases, the formation of intergrafted species responsible for interfacial activity and compatibilization. The results of chemical, chemical-physical, morphological and mechanical tests, confirming the occurrence of such interactions, are reported.
Fungal transformation of the antifungal isoflavone luteone.

An antifungal isoflavone, luteone [5, 7, 2′, 4′-tetrahydroxy-6-(3, 3-diniethylallyl)isoflavone] is metabolised by cultures of Aspergillus flavus and Botrytis cinerea into 2″, 3″-dihydro-3″-hydroxyluteone (AF- 1), 2″, 3″-dihydrodihydroxyluteone, a dihydrofuranoisoflavone (BG-1) and a dihydropyranoisoflavone. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated by physico-chemical and chemical procedures. The major metabolites, AF-1 and BC-1 are much less toxic than luteone against Cladosporium herbarum. The possible metabolic pathways are briefly discussed.
Lactato de sódio, nisina e sua combinação na validade comercial da linguiça Toscana embalada a vácuo e estocada a 4°C

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shelf life of four commercial formulations pork sausage (Control - no added additive, F1 - added 3% sodium lactate, F2 - added 0.5% nisin and F3 - added 3 % sodium lactate and 0.5% nisin). The samples were distributed into polyethylene bags containing 200 grams for each day of storage and formulation for subsequent bacteriological and physicochemical analysis. All formulations were vacuum packed and stored at 4°C. Regarding the shelf life samples were submitted to the following bacteriological counts of heterotrophic bacteria aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic; count of lactic acid bacteria count and Enterobacteriaceae. The analyzes were carried out physico-chemical: pH, water activity and the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. Interpreting the results obtained in the experiment it was concluded that the use of a combination of 3% sodium lactate and 0.5% nisin increased the shelf life compared to other samples. Key words: natural antimicrobial, bacteriocin, storage and pork sausage filling.
Nature of the use of adventitious carbon as a binding energy standard

It has become common practice to employ, as a binding energy reference for x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on nonconductive materials, the C(1s) spectra of the ubiquitous (adventitious) carbon that seems to exhibit an instantaneous presence on all air exposed materials. Despite this commonality, surface scientists, including many practitioners, have expressed substantial concerns about the validity of this approach. A detailed discussion of the method is presented including consideration of the types of materials and the electronic energy states involved, e.g., Fermi edges, vacuum levels, etc., and the couplings that must exist for the referencing method to be correctly applied. A number of other surface environments for which the carbon referencing method may be fallacious are also presented. This leads to a consideration of the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis results for different types of adventitious species and how the presence of some of these may confuse the use of the method.
NEXAFS spectroscopy with a laser plasma x-ray source on soil samples

Humic substances are post-mortal organic substances without an exact chemical structure. Their large specific surface is important for transport processes, especially in soils. We analyzed the NEXAFS spectra of humic substances, from which the amount of certain chemical compounds such as aromatic and aliphatic groups can be verified by the resonances of their binding energy. For the experiments, a compact table-top setup working with a laser plasma source was used. NEXAFS makes it possible to distinguish between samples, even if they contain the same composits, because information about the specific functional groups in the sample is supplied. The evaluation was carried out using the program SpecFit. It was developed on IDL within our group and allows to fit the NEXAFS-data with a combination of arctangent, Gaussian and Lorentzian curves.
A highly symmetric porous framework with multi-intersecting open channels

A porous anionic framework with cubic symmetry and multi-intersecting open channels, {[H2tmdp]3[In6(btc)8]·40H2O}n (1) (tmdp= 4,4‘-trimethylene dipiperidine, H3btc=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), is reported. Complex 1 crystallizes in the cubic space group I43d (a = b = c = 20.3732(8) A, V = 8456.2(6) A3, and Z = 2). Its cagelike units, In9(btc)11, constitute a large accessible void with 65.4% of the total volume. The cationic guests located in the channels can be exchanged with inorganic ions, such as K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+.
Nanosilver: A Catalyst in Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Starch

Abstract Silver nanoparticles are widely used, because of their antimicrobial properties. In this paper, the rate of starch digestion in the presence of nanocatalyst was compared with the rate of reaction without nanosilver. The rate of enzymatic degradation of starch was found to be increased in the presence of silver nanoparticles. It is considered that α-amylase was immobilized onto the surface of nanoparticles.
The contribution of volatile compounds derived during oak barrel maturation to the aroma of a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wine

Correlations were explored between the composition and aroma properties of a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wine, each matured in 24 new oak barrels over 55 and 93 weeks respectively. The concentration of volatile components derived during oak maturation had previously been measured for these wines using gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry and the aromas of the wines were profiled using descriptive analysis techniques, with intensities being ranked rather than rated. A number of significant and logical correlations were observed and conditions under which a number of commonly perceived oak-wood characters are perceived are suggested.
Effect of Flow-induced Relative Humidity Changes on Size Cuts for Sulfuric Acid Droplets in the Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI)

The effect of flow-induced relative humidity changes on cut sizes of aqueous sulfuric acid particles in a multi-nozzle microrifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) was studied theoretically and experimentally. In the theoretical study, the differential equation of vapor transport to particles including the Fuchs correction, the Kelvin effect, sulfuric acid solution properties, and temperature depression was integrated along the particle critical trajectory to determine the cut size at various relative humidities. Results show that aqueous sulfuric acid particles first shrink owing to evaporation caused by pressure drop, then grow in the jet owing to condensation caused by aerodynamic cooling. The study was confined to stages 7 (50% cut size = 0.122 μm) and 8 (50% cut size = 0.047 μm) where humidity variations are greatest. It was found that the net size change of aqueous sulfuric acid droplets is negligible when the inlet relative humidity is < 80% because of the moderate pressure drop across nozzles and .
Ferromagnetism in Transparent Thin Films of Fe-Doped Indium Tin Oxide

Transparent films of Fe-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) were grown at oxygen pressures of 5, 1, 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 Pa on yttria-stabilized zirconia (001) substrates by a pulsed-laser deposition method. We observed X-ray diffraction peaks from (00h) planes of In2O3 crystalline phase for the films. The films grown at 5 and 1 Pa were paramagnetic and semiconducting, that at 10-1 Pa was ferromagnetic and semiconducting, and those at 10-2 and 10-3 Pa were ferromagnetic and metallic. The Fe-ITO films grown below 10-1 Pa exhibited room-temperature (RT) ferromagnetism. Nanoscale Fe clusters in the highest oxidation state such as γ-Fe2O3 resulted in the RT ferromagnetism.
The Essential Oil of Artemisia judaica L. from Algeria

Abstract The essential oil of Artemisia judaica L. from Algeria was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Approximately 95% of the components were identified with piperitone (53.5%), chrysanthenone (9.8%) and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (7.4%) being the major constituents.
Temporal moments for solute transport through fractured porous media

Transport of reactive chemical through fractured porous media is described by advection, dispersion, diffusion and sorption processes. Hence, an advective dispersive transport equation, including equilibrium sorption and first-order degradation coefficient, is considered for solute in the fracture and simultaneously a diffusive transport equation is considered for porous media. A numerical implicit finite difference method is used to solve the transport equation for solute in the fracture. Finally, numerical results of various temporal moments have been predicted to investigate the behaviour of reactive solute in the fracture. It was found that the behaviour of zeroth temporal moment, mean arrival time and second temporal moments are non-linear along the travel distance for solute in the fracture in the presence of matrix diffusion and decay rate coefficient. It was also seen that the higher values of matrix diffusion, retardation factor and decay rate coefficients reduce solute mass recovery in a fracture along the travel distance.
Mathematical model of a personalized neoantigen cancer vaccine and the human immune system

Cancer vaccines are an important component of the cancer immunotherapy toolkit, enhancing the immune response to malignant cells by activating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Multiple successful clinical applications of cancer vaccines have shown good safety and efficacy. Despite the notable progress, significant challenges remain in obtaining consistent immune responses across heterogeneous patient populations, as well as various cancers. We present a mechanistic mathematical model describing key interactions of a personalized neoantigen cancer vaccine with the immune system of an individual patient. The model specifically considers the vaccine concentration of tumor-specific antigen peptides and adjuvant, patient's major histocompatibility complexes I and II copy numbers, tumor size, T-cells, and antigen presenting cells. We calibrated the model using patient-specific data from a recent clinical study where individualized cancer vaccines were used to treat six melanoma patients. Model simulations predict both immune responses to the vaccine as well as clinical outcome. Our model has the potential to lay the foundation for generating in silico clinical trial data and aid the development and efficacy assessment of personalized cancer vaccines.
Acidifier Dosage Impacts on Ammonia Concentrations and Emissions from Heavy-Broiler Houses

Broiler production results in the production of ammonia, and at high concentrations, ammonia can affect bird performance, and hence, productivity. When released into the environment through ventilation, ammonia can adversely affect public health and the environment. Because of its environmental and health impacts, ammonia emissions from animal feeding operations may be regulated by the EPA. Acidifying amendments have been shown to be effective in reducing ammonia emissions from poultry operations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate in-house ammonia concentrations and emissions from four commercial heavy-broiler houses in eastern North Carolina receiving four levels of PLT® (a commercial amendment): control (0.37 – 0.49 kg/m2 center brood area), low (0.37 – 0.49 kg/m2 whole house), medium (0.73 kg/m2 whole house), and high (>0.73 kg/m2 whole house). Ammonia concentrations were measured with acid scrubbers and ammonia emissions were calculated from exhaust ammonia concentrations and ventilation volumes. Based on monitoring of three flocks (September 2007 to May 2008), in-house ammonia-N concentrations decreased with increasing PLT application rates. A medium application rate was adequate for maintaining ammonia levels at or below 25 ppm for 9-wk grow-out period during the spring. Based on data from three flocks, ammonia emission factors (only grow-out) for the control, low, medium, and high treatments were 1.06, 1.12, 0.97, and 0.92 g/bird-d, respectively. These emission factors are mostly higher than those reported in the literature mainly because they represent heavier (>4 kg) and older (9-wk) birds fed a higher protein diet. Acid scrubbers proved to be suitable for measuring time-averaged ammonia concentrations for a wide range of values. Emissions data will be collected for four more flocks and PLT impacts on bird performance and energy use will also be quantified.
A Study of the Mechanisms of Wet Spherical Agglomeration of Pharmaceutical Powders

AbstractSpherical agglomeration of a number of chemical and pharmaceutical powders was effected in a stirred liquid mixture using the novel technique developed by Kawashima and Capes, with modifications. The compounds were first classified into four groups on the basis of their solubilities in the liquid systems employed and, accordingly, agglomerated using appropriately developed methods. Each powdered material was first suspended in a liquid medium (external phase) and agglomeration was achieved by addition of a relatively small amount of “bridging” liquid (internal phase) which was immiscible with the (external) dispersion medium. The resulting spherical agglomerates were examined for size, binding strength, and surface topography. It appeared that a considerable number of the suspended particles initially underwent partial dissolution in the bridging liquid. The dissolved portion then collected the undissolved powder into spherical agglomerates under the influence of continuous stirring. Based on the .
Catalytic conversion of waste plastics: focus on waste PVC

Effective waste management must address waste reduction, reuse, recovery/recycling and, as the least progressive option, waste treatment. The increase in plastic waste production is a serious environmental issue. Plastics consumption continues to grow and while plastic recycling has seen a significant increase since the early 1990s, consumption still far exceeds recycling. Waste plastic can, however, serve as a potential resource and, with the correct treatment, can be reused or serve as hydrocarbon raw material or as a fuel. PVC, highly versatile with many applications, is non-biodegradable and has a high Cl content (56% of the total weight). Waste PVC incineration is highly energy demanding and can result in the formation of toxic chloro-emissions with adverse ecological, environmental and public health impacts. The Cl component must be removed from any waste PVC derived gas or oil before it can be used. An overview of the existing waste plastic treatment technologies is provided with an analysis of the available literature on thermal and catalytic PVC degradation. Thermal degradation results in random scissioning of the polymer chains generating products with varying molecular weights and uncontrolled Cl content. There is a dearth of literature dealing with the catalytic dechlorination of PVC. A case study is presented to illustrate the role heterogeneous catalysis can play in PVC waste treatment. The efficacy of Pd/Al2O3 to promote PVC dechlorination is demonstrated, where a significant decrease (by up to a factor of 560) in the liquid fraction Cl content is recorded in addition to differences (relative to thermal degradation) in the gas phase product, i.e. higher C1C4 content with preferential alkane formation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry