Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanoarchitectures and molecular composites as advanced materials

A molecular composite is defined as a supramolecular structure in which extended chains are embedded in a continuous matrix of liquid-like or glassy nature. A nanoarchitecture is obtained via assembly of shape persistent objects to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional patterns. These two concepts have been realized by the design of rod-like, that is shape persistent, backbones to which short and flexible side chains are attached. The latter acts as a solvent skin providing the solubility and processability to the shape persistent backbone elements. The interaction between the solvent skins of the individual rods create a continuous matrix in which the backbone elements are embedded as reinforcing elements.
Meat and bone meal and biosolids as slow-release phosphorus fertilizers

Biosolids and meat and bone meal (MBM) are commonly used as fertilizers in agriculture, often at application rates where total phosphorus (P) far exceeds the annual demand. In a pot experiment, three biosolids and two types of MBM were tested at two commonly used application rates. Their contributions to P uptake in ryegrass (second and third season) were compared with annual mineral P fertilization. The soil was analysed for extractable P (P AL and P Olsen ). Only soil amended with digested, limed biosolids provided a P uptake in ryegrass the third season comparable to annual NPK fertilization. Bone-rich MBM had considerable contributions to third season P uptake in soil with pH < 6. The product application rates did not influence P uptake significantly for any of the products. P Olsen was found suitable to describe residual effects on soil P solubility, whereas the P AL -method was not applicable for MBM fertilized soils.
Advancements in the Direct Hydrogen Redox Fuel Cell

An alternative type of fuel cell in which the air cathode is replaced by the ferric ion was investigated. This hybrid between a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and a redox battery showed promising performance even though components such as the membrane were not optimized. Power densities greater than 0.17 W/cm 2 were achieved with no platinum on the cathode. In addition, the liquid-redox cathode can eliminate the need for humidification and cooling for the fuel cell and provides greater design flexibility. Different aspects of the redox cathode were characterized and showed opportunity for further performance improvement.
Colorimetric detection of chemical warfare simulants

Two simple chromogenic indicators (4) and (5), containing different supernucleophilic moieties, have been synthesized. Upon phosphorylation with two chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants, a hypsochromic shift of approximately 50 nm is observed in an NaOH–DMSO solution. The oximate supernucleophile was found to be a better supernucleophile than the hydrazone moiety. Two X-ray crystal structures were obtained from unexpected synthetic side products obtained in this study. These will also be discussed.
The effect of straw incorporation on the uptake of nitrogen by winter wheat.

There was a small decrease in grain yield (from 10.8 to 10.5 t ha−1) when wheat straw (3 t dry matter ha−1) was incorporated into a silty clay loam soil sown to winter wheat. In the absence of straw, 60% of autumn-applied 15N-labelled nitrate was lost from the crop:soil system. Straw incorporation decreased this loss to 47%. There was little overall effect on the uptake of N by the crop, presumably because straw immobilised inorganic N that would otherwise have been leached from the soil during winter. Only 12% of the N in 15N-labelled straw was recovered by the crop; 78% still remained in the soil one year after incorporation.
Preparation and Evaluation of Sustained-Release Solid Dispersions of Drugs with Eudragit Polymers

AbstractCoevaporates of paracetamol and rifampicin with Eudragit polymers of different natures (anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic) were prepared. Determination of dissolution rate of these coevaporates in dissolution media simulating those of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) revealed that the release rate of paracetamol is retarded from all the coevaporates studied. In this respect, Eudragit L100-SS shows the highest sustainment of drug release, while Eudragit E100 shows the lowest. Conversely, the release of rifampicin from its coevaporates with the anionic Eudragit S100 polymer is more retarded than the corresponding coevaporate with the zwitterionic Eudragit RL100 or from coevaporates with equal mixtures of the two polymers.Increasing the polymer weight fraction in rifampicin coevaporates with Eudragit S100 up to 0.5 resulted in a corresponding decrease in the dissolution rate. However, beyond this weight fraction, the polymer effect on the dissolution rate of the drug becomes minimized. The results .
INTERMEDIATES IN THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF NORMAL COPPER(II), NICKEL(II) AND COBALT(II) SELENITE DIHYDRATES

Abstract Thermal decomposition of normal transition metal selenite dihydrates, MSeO2.2H2O; M [dbnd] Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) was traced by TGA/DTA measurements from 50–700°C. The thermal products were obtained by heating the selenites in an air-oven to different temperatures, as determined from TGA/DTA curves, where different coloured products are obtained. The structures of the start selenites and the thermal intermediates were determined by chemical analyses and FT-IR spectral measurements. The start selenites proved to be equilibrium mixtures of the selenite, hydrogenselenite and/or pyroselenite anions. Gradual changes occurred in the FT-IR spectra of the nickel and cobalt selenites on thermal treatment till 225°C where, due to water loss, merely selenite anions are observed. In the case of the copper selenite, the selenito mixture persists till 250°C and the only change observed in the final product is the disappearance of one of the structurally non-equivalent water molecules present in the start selen.
THE ROLE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN PROTECTING TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: EVIDENCE FROM SRI LANKA

Abstract Despite the interest and willingness of donor communities to support the conservation projects of tropical rainforests, scientific evidence on effective ways of providing such assistance is lacking. Recent evidence on failures of integrated conservation and development projects also highlight the need for more research in this area. Dependency of local communities on forest resources is a major obstacle in implementing forest protection programmes. This paper develops two forest dependency models for Knuckles and Sinharaja forests in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from peripheral villages of Knuckles and Sinharaja forests applying stratified random sampling procedures. Two regression models were developed incorporating nine socio-economic variables. Results show that involvement in non-farm and non-forestry employment, higher agricultural income, higher agricultural productivity, better education and, possibly, the incorporation of local communities into the outside markets can reduce dependency on forest resources. Therefore, the paper suggests rural development with the above components as an alternative strategy for forest protection.
Ambiência e termorregulação de novilhas leiteiras em sistema silvipastoril durante o verão e inverno

O estresse termico e um dos principais fatores de impacto economico no rebanho leiteiro, trazendo efeitos negativos no desenvolvimento de femeas leiteiras, especialmente na fase de novilhas. Com base nesta problematica, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influencia dos aspectos bioclimaticos do sistema silvipastoril na ambiencia e termorregulacao de novilhas leiteiras em diferentes estacoes do ano. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma propriedade leiteira no municipio de Realeza, na regiao do sudoeste do Parana. Foram utilizados dois tratamentos, sendo esses, um ao ar livre e outro com sombreamento proporcionado pelo sistema silvipastoril de Eucalyptus grandis. Os tratamentos contaram com cinco novilhas leiteiras cada, distribuidas ao acaso. Durante oito dias consecutivos em cada tratamento foram aferidas as variaveis de temperatura de bulbo seco, umidade relativa do ar, luminosidade e velocidade do vento para a analise de ambiencia e para a obtencao dos dados de termorregulacao foram medidos frequencia respiratoria e temperatura superficial media. Com todas as informacoes coletadas obteve-se um comparativo entre o sistema convencional de criacao e o sistema silvipastoril. As condicoes ambientais dentro do sistema silvipastoril foram inferiores as apresentadas pelo sistema convencional de criacao. Os valores de frequencia respiratoria e temperatura superficial foram menores nos animais que estavam sob sombreamento (P<0,05). Houve correlacao positiva entre a elevacao da frequencia respiratoria e a temperatura superficial a medida que se elevava a temperatura do ar. Atraves dos resultados desta pesquisa pode-se concluir que o sistema silvipastoril proporciona melhores indices de conforto termico as novilhas leiteiras.
Applications of Potential Energy Surfaces in the Study of Enzymatic Reactions

From a generated PES, one can determine the relative energies of species involved, the sequence in which they occur, and the activation barrier(s) associated with individual steps or the overall mechanism. Furthermore, they can provide more insights than a simple indication of a path of sequential mechanistic structures and their energetic relationships. The investigation into the activation of O2 by alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (AlkB) clearly shows the opportunity for spin inversion, where one can see that the lowest energy product may be formed via several possible routes. In the investigation of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase III (UROD), the use of QM/MM methods allowed for the inclusion of the anisotropic protein environment providing greater insight into the rate-limiting barrier. Lastly, the mechanism of 6-phospho-α-glucosidase (GlvA) was discussed using different active site models. In particular, a continuum model PES was compared to the gas-phase PES.
Wavelength-stabilized tilted wave lasers with a narrow vertical beam divergence

We studied laser diodes grown in the tilted wave geometry with cleaved facets. In this approach a cavity with the gain medium is coupled to the second cavity, while the phase matching of the modes of the two cavities results in the wavelength stabilization. The mode separation can be controlled by the tilt angle of the leaky wave emission and the thickness of the coupled cavity. In one case a ∼100 µm thick transparent substrate with a polished and dielectric-coated back surface was used as a coupled waveguide. In the second case, a 10 µm thick GaAs layer followed by an InGaP evanescent reflector was applied. We observed an increase in the lasing mode wavelength spacing and the width of the vertical far-field lobes from ∼0.7° to 5° (full width at half maximum, FWHM) with the reduction of the thickness of the coupled cavity, in agreement with expectations. The FWHM numbers correspond to the diffraction limit for 100 and 10 µm thick coupled waveguides, respectively. A high temperature stability of the lasing wavelengths (0.1 nm K−1) was revealed. The results indicate that a new generation of wavelength-stabilized lasers for applications requiring ultrahigh brightness and wavelength stabilization can be developed.
Inorganic Frameworks Made by Combining Paddle-wheel Diruthenium(II, III) Complexes and Polyoxometalate Clusters

The reactions of a pivalate-bridged paddle-wheel diruthenium(II, III) complex, [Ru2II,III(piv)4(THF)2]BF4, with two kinds of polyoxometalates (POMs), (TBA)2[Mo6O19] and (TBA)3[H3V10O28] (TBA: tetra.
Plasma immersion ion implantation doping experiments for microelectronics

Using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII), silicon has been doped with boron in a high voltage pulsed microwave multipolar bucket plasma system. In order to optimize the system design and predict the doping results, a collisional dynamic sheath model has been developed, which has been verified by measurements as well as simulations. Silicon devices, including diode, metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitor, and PMOS transistor, were fabricated by PIII doping technique. B2H6 diluted in helium (1%) was used as the gas source. The reasonable contamination levels involved from PIII process were observed by the measurements of secondary ion mass spectrometry and characteristics of fabricated devices. Good quality of devices has been demonstrated including low reverse current of diode and reasonable lifetimes of the minority carrier.
Oxygen Activation by N-doped Graphitic Carbon Nanostructures

Fundamental understanding of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyzed by nitrogen-doped carbon requires a well-defined structure to correlate structure to function. Well-characterized N-doped graphitic nanostructures derived from benzene derivatives have been synthesized in our group, and shown to catalyze a four-electron ORR under alkaline conditions. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on a model N-doped graphitic nanostructure, C 50 N 2 H 20 , to determine an oxygen activation mechanism. With guidance through an experimentally determined Pourbaix diagram, DFT calculations clearly indicate that the catalyst must undergo a 2e − ,1H + reduction to generate a reactive carbanionic intermediate that activates oxygen with a spin inversion.
Microstructure Analysis of the Intermetallic Diffusion-Induced Alloy Phases in Composite Pd/Ag/Porous Stainless Steel Membranes

The surface interactions and associated phase changes of the annealed electroless plated Pd and Ag on porous stainless steel (PSS) supports were investigated in the temperature range of 500−800 °C. The complete miscibility of the Pd and Fe binary solid solutions was verified by the X-ray phase analysis. The Fe segregation into the Pd matrix was as high as 59 wt % upon annealing at 800 °C for 20 h in H2. It was further shown that the solid solutions of Fe and Ag were immiscible for the temperature range investigated. In the case of the ternary phase analysis, it was found that both the Pd/Fe and Pd/Ag alloy formations took place on the support surface, in which both alloy compositions became richer in Pd with decreasing annealing temperature.
Quantifying the Effects of Carbon Sub-nanoporous Structures on Electrochemical Capacitance

When increasing the surface area of a porous activated carbon, researchers have created EDLC s with materials containing micropores (0-2 nm) [2-4]. The more recent of the latter citations, reported these microporous materials to have lower capacitance as the predominant pore width approached 1 nm [2]. Contrarily, when pores were tailored to approximately the width of electrolyte ions found in the supercapacitor electrolyte, the capacitance exceeded the values found in mesoor macro-porous materials [2]. In support of the increase in capacitance, molecular modeling has linked the presence of micropores to capacitance [5, 6]; however, the process to quantify capacitance of a supercapacitor cell to micropore structure is still not well understood [7, 8].
Metabolic and anabolic responses of arable and forest soils to nutrient addition

The increase in microbial C content, cumulative respiration and changes in ”available” C were determined after adding glucose (2 mg glucose-C (g soil)—1, ”C”), glucose + nitrogen (”C+N”) or glucose + nitrogen + phosphorus (”C+N+P”) to four soils. In two sandy soils, one agricultural and the other from a beech forest in Germany, available C was still present approximately 7 days after C addition. The supplement N and N+P decreased the content of available C and stimulated respiration rate and microbial growth. In two loamy forest soils from Italy, which had a high native content of microbial C, available C was present in the beech soil but not in a silver fir soil treated with C+N. In the Italian beech and fir soil, microbial growth was highest with C+N+P and C+N addition respectively. Available C remaining in the soil was related to some extent to the native microbial C content. However, microbial growth and respiration response varied between soil and treatment. The respiratory coefficient, that is the ratio of assimilated to respired C, varied between 0.0 and 1.45 μg Cmic (μg CO2-C)—1 and was generally higher when a large amount of native biomass was present. The eco-physiological strategy of the soil microbiota in using C seemed to shift according to the biomass content, the added concentration and composition of available substrates, and emergent system properties. Metabolische und anabolische Reaktionen von landwirtschaftlich und forstwirtschaftlich genutzten Boden auf die Zugabe von Nahrstoffen Die Zunahme der mikrobiellen Biomasse, die kumulative Respiration und die Veranderung von ”verfugbaren” C-Verbindungen wurde nach Zugabe von Glucose (2 mg Glucose-C (g Boden)—1), Glucose + Stickstoff und Glucose + Stickstoff + Phosphor fur vier Boden ermittelt. In den zwei sandigen Boden aus Norddeutschland, einer unter landwirtschaftlicher Nutzung und einer unter Buchenwald, waren noch 7 Tage nach der C-Applikation verfugbare C-Verbindungen vorhanden; N- und P-Zugabe reduzierten die verfugbaren C-Verbindungen, stimulierten jedoch die mikrobielle Atmung und das mikrobielle Wachstum. In den lehmigeren Waldboden aus Italien, die deutlich hohere Gehalte an mikrobieller Biomasse beinhalteten, war verfugbares C noch nach 7 Tagen in der Probe aus einem Buchenwald vorhanden, nicht jedoch in der Probe aus einem Tannenwald. Die verbliebenen verfugbaren C-Verbindungen standen nur bedingt mit dem nativen Gehalt an mikrobieller Biomasse in Beziehung; die Reaktion variierte unterschiedlich in den verschiedenen Boden in Abhangigkeit von Boden und Behandlung. Der respiratorische Koeffizient, der Quotient aus assimiliertem und respiriertem C, variierte zwischen 0.0 und 1.45 μg Cmic (μg CO2-C)—1 und war hoher, wenn mehr Biomasse vor der Substratzugabe vorhanden war. Die okophysiologische Strategie der Bodenmikroorganismen scheint abhangig von Biomassegehalt, der zugegebenen Substratmenge und -zusammensetzung sowie den Wechselwirkungen der vegetations- und bodenspezifischen Standorteigenschaften zu sein.
Preparation and characterization of low‐density polyethylene/banana starch films containing compatibilizer and photosensitizer

Composite films containing various percentages of banana starch and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared. The effects of the compatibilizer, banana starch content, and photosensitizer content on the thermal and tensile properties of these films were investigated. The banana starch content was varied from 5 to 20 wt % of LDPE, whereas benzophenone was added as a photosensitizer in three different amounts (0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt %) based on LDPE. In these films PE-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer at 10 wt % banana starch. It was found that the thermal stability of the composite films remained unchanged with respect to the amount of banana starch and benzophenone content. The addition of banana starch had no effect on the melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of the films. Similarly, PE-g-MA had no effect on the melting temperature but decreased the degree of crystallinity of the LDPE phase. Benzophenone caused an increase in the melting temperature but decreased the degree of crystallinity of LDPE in the films. Increasing the amount of banana starch decreased the tensile properties of the composite films. The addition of PE-g-MA as a compatibilizer increased the tensile properties compared with the uncompatibilized films. However, benzophenone had no effect on the tensile properties of the blend films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2717–2724, 2006
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ORAL SELF EMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF LORNOXICAM

The objective of the present study is to formulate Self emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of lornoxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug to sustain the drug release and to reduce the side effects. The study involves combining oils with food grade non ionic emulsifiers to form concentrates that can incorporate large quantities of water and remain as a single phase liquid. Solubility studies were performed to select oils, surfactants and co-surfactants for the formulation. of the drug (BCS class II). In this study, self emulsifying formulations (Batch F1 to F20) of drug Lornoxicam were made using different concentration of Capryol 90, Tween 20, Tween 80, Transcutol P, Propylene glycol. Systematic optimization was carried out , with a goal to minimize self emulsification time, to sustain the percentage drug release and reduce the side effects. The best emulsification grade was with batch F9. The in vitro drug release of Lornoxicam SEDDS was sustained (87.12% for 24 hours) when compared to marketed formulation Lornoxi (tablet) (100% at 90 mins). Pharmaco dynamic studies performed by paw volume method indicated significant (p< 0.05) inhibition in paw edema (75%) for the test formulation after 4hours as compared to the standard formulation (56%.).
Electrical destruction of amorphous tantalum and niobium oxide films

The author presents the results of a study on the processes of the destruction of amorphous tantalum and niobium oxides in thin anodic layers on metal surfaces in strong electric fields. The kinetics of the processes under study determines the reliability of oxide dielectric capacitors. The destruction processes take place in one of two forms, i.e. a breakdown of the oxide dielectric in capacitor structures whose counterelectrode is constituted of a solid phase material (metal, semiconductor, or solid electrolyte), or an electrically stimulated growth of metal oxide crystals in metal-oxide-electrolyte capacitor structures. By studying the breakdown of a highly homogeneous oxide dielectric, it is shown that such a breakdown is preceded by storage processes (dielectric aging). A number of experimental techniques are presented for detecting, in an amorphous oxide dielectric, structural defects which accelerate film destruction processes in a strong electric field and thus are potentially dangerous under the prolonged thermoelectric stresses applied to capacitor structures. These techniques are based on structure-sensitive kinetic phenomena in amorphous metal oxide dielectrics. <<ETX>>
Flavonols and Flavones in Some Bulgarian Plant Foods

Abstract Flavonols and flavones are antioxidants of plant origin with a beneficial role in the prevention of different diseases. Therefore it is important for their content in various foods to be measured in order to be able to judge on their potential for disease prevention. The aim of the study is to present precise and representative data for flavonols and flavones content of Bulgarian foods from Malvaceae and Umbiliferae plant families, based on a validated analytical HPLC procedure. The content of flavonols and flavones was determined in one representative belonging to Malvaceae plant family used as food - okra, and four representatives of Umbiliferae plant family - dill, parsley, celery, and carrots. An HPLC method for simultaneous determination of flavonols myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and flavones luteolin and apigenin was applied and validated. The results showed that dill was particularly rich in the flavonol quercetin (403.0 mg/kg) followed by okra (200.3 mg/kg). The other analysed samples contained only flavones with the highest amount noted for luteolin in celery leaves (228.9 mg/kg) and for apigenin in parsley (747.9 mg/kg). Those data outlined the ranking of green leaf herbs among the greatest sources of flavonols and flavones among Bulgarian foods. They could be used to characterise various biological species and, what is more, they could be successfully applied in practice to formulate preventive antioxidant diets to be administered in case of various contemporary diseases.