Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Layered double hydroxides: precursors for multifunctional catalysts

One-pot cascade reactions which involve multifunctional catalysts possessing different functions on the surface attract a growing interest. Relevant examples of the use of this type of catalysts in one-pot syntheses involving hydrogenation/dehydrogenation and aldol condensation reactions which give rise to valuable organic compounds are reported in this paper. It is shown that the layered double hydroxides (LDH) are precursors materials particularly adapted for the preparation of catalysts exhibiting acido/basic and redox sites. The paramount importance of the nature (Lewis or Bronsted) and the strength of the basic sites, as well as the nature of the metallic function of the supported metal catalysts obtained from LDH is discussed. It is emphasized on the equilibrium between the basic and metallic functions required to reach high activities and selectivities.
Denitrification loss from a grassland soil in the field receiving different rates of nitrogen as ammonium nitrate

Summary Denitrification loss from a loam under a cut ryegrass sward receiving 0, 250 and 500 kg N ha−1 a−1 in four equal amounts was measured during 14 months using the acetylene-inhibition technique. The rate of denitrification responded rapidly to changes in soil water content as affected by rain. Mean rates of denitrification exceeded 0.2 kg N ha−1 day−1 only when the soil water content was >20% (w/w) and nitrate was >5μ N g−1 in the upper 20 cm of the profile and when soil temperature at 2 cm was >5–8°C. When the soil dried to a water content 0.2 kg N ha−1 day−1). However, within 2–3 weeks following application of fertilizer to the plot receiving 250 kg N ha−1 a−1 the soil acted as a sink for atmospheric N2O when its water content was >20% and its temperature >5–8°C. Annual N losses arising from denitrification were 1.6, 11.1 and 29.1 kg N ha−1 for the plots receiving 0, 250 and 500 kg N ha−1 a−1, respectively. More than 60% of the annual loss occurred during a period of 8 weeks when fertilizer was applied to soil with a water content >20%.
Influence of the copolymer architecture and composition on the response and mechanical properties of pH-sensitive fibers

A series of copolymers based on acrylonitrile (AN) and acrylic acid (AA) with varying architecture and composition were synthesized using free radical polymerization. The distribution of monomers in the copolymer chains could be successfully controlled by regulating the addition of more reactive monomer (AA). Copolymers having nearly random distribution of comonomer moieties to block type distribution with different composition (10–50 mol % AA) were synthesized to investigate the effect of polymer architecture and composition on pH response and mechanical properties of resultant structures. These copolymers were solution spun from dimethylformamide-water system, drawn in coagulation bath, and annealed at 120°C for 2 h to make pH-sensitive fibers which were structurally stable without the need of chemical crosslinking. The fibers from block copolymers showed significantly better tensile strength (34.3 MPa), higher retractive forces (0.26 MPa), and enhanced pH response (swelling 3890%) in comparison with fibers from random copolymer (13.55 MPa, 0.058 MPa, and 1723%, respectively). The tensile strength and retractive forces could be further improved to a value of 72 MPa and 0.36 MPa, respectively, by changing the composition of the block copolymer while retaining the swelling percentage similar to the random copolymer mentioned above. It is proposed that on processing to fibers, the block copolymers could form a segregated domain structure with separate domains of AA and AN, where AN domains were responsible for high structural integrity by providing connectivity among polymer chains, while AA domains showed improved response to changing pH of the environment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
In-vitro effect of iron on the growth density of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug susceptibility testing.

This work was carried out to study the effect of iron on the growth density of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as drug susceptibility testing. Fifty two smear-positive acid fast bacilli out of 100 sputum specimens were obtained from patients who were referred to National Health Laboratory, Federal Ministry of Health, Sudan. The smear positive specimens were cultured onto control LJ medium and other three sets of LJ medium containing ferrous sulfate (iron) with different concentration; 100 mg/l, 200 mg/l and 400 mg/l. The growth was graded as negative (0 = no growth), +1 (1-19 colonies), +2 (20-100 colonies) +3 (100-200 colonies), +4 (200-500 colonies) and +5 (more than 500 colonies). At the same time, proportion method was applied to test susceptibility of mycobacterial isolates (20 isolates) to anti-tuberculosis drugs; isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB) and streptomycin (STM) in the presence and absence of ferrous sulfate. Chi squire test was used to analyze categorical variables and the significance level was set at P = . 05. Collectively, the results showed that the growth density of M. tuberculosis increased significantly when ferrous sulfate was added to LJ medium. Resistance to the four first line anti-tuberculosis drugs (INH, RIF, EMB, STM), INH and EMB were also respectively increased from 10% to 15c/o, 20% to 40% and 10% to 15% in the presence of ferrous Original Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 4(5): 523-529, 2014 524 sulfate. Contrary to other findings, it was observed that addition of ferrous sulfate to LJ medium enhanced the activity of STM while no effect was seen on RIF and multi-drug resistance (INH and RIF). The study concluded that the growth density of M. tuberculosis can be enhanced by supplementing LJ medium with 100-200 mg/l iron. This would be useful in recovery of the organisms from specimens with a low bacterial load particularly in laboratories in low income setting. Supplementation of LJ medium with iron must be avoided if drug susceptibility testing is required.
A Review of Chlorate- and Perchlorate-Respiring Microorganisms

Chlorate (CIO3 −) and perchlorate (CIO4 −) have been manufactured in large quantities, and therefore it is not surprising that they have been found at high concentrations (>50 mg/L and >1000 mg/L, respectively) in surface waters and groundwaters around the world. These compounds are chemically stable in water, and they are difficult to remove using typical physical-chemical water treatment technologies. Fortunately, chlorate and perchlorate can be removed by biodegradation to low levels in water. Both compounds are highly oxidized and can serve as electron acceptors for several strains of microorganisms under anoxic conditions. Although it has been known for more than 40 years that chlorate can be reduced by mixed cultures, several bacteria have been isolated recently that are able to respire using either chlorate or perchlorate. The purpose of this paper is to review the characteristics of these mixed cultures and isolates in order to assess their future potential for biological water and wastewater trea.
Static and dynamic structures of CD3ND3GeCl3 studied by TOF high resolution neutron powder diffraction and solid state NMR

CD3ND3GeCl3 has been studied by high-resolution neutron powder diffraction and 2H NMR investigation over a wide temperature range to understand the static and dynamic structures and successive phase transitions. A monoclinic crystal of CD3ND3GeCl3 (Phase IV, space group P21/n) undergoes a phase transition to an orthorhombic system (Phase III, Pnma) at 203 K where the symmetry of the anionic sublattice and the geometry of the N–D⋯Cl hydrogen bonds change. Furthermore, Phase III undergoes a phase transition to a trigonal system (Phase II, R3m) at 349 K where an orientational disorder of the cation is excited. Our 35Cl NQR measurement also suggested an onset of the reorientation of the pyramidal GeCl3− anion just below the phase transition to Phase II with an activation energy Ea = 60.5 kJ mol−1. However, a transition from Phase II to a cubic phase (Phase I, Pm3m), which was reported to be 396 K on the CH3NH3GeCl3, was not complete by 475 K. The Rietveld analysis at 475 K suggested that only 7% of the sample transformed to a cubic perovskite structure in which not only orientational disorder of the cation but also positional disorder of the chloride ion were confirmed, similar to CH3NH3GeCl3.
Copper complexation in the Northeast Pacific

Copper titrations were conducted at sea with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry to examine the degree to which copper was associated with organic ligands. Greater than 99.7% of the total dissolved copper in surface waters of the central Northeast Pacific shallower than 200 m was estimated to be associated with strong organic complexes. Below 200 m, increasing proportions of inorganic or labile copper spccics were observed. At middepths (1,000 m), about 50-70% of the total dissolved copper was in the organically complexed form. Whereas total copper varies by a factor of only three from the surface to middepths (0.6-I .8 nM), copper complexation gives rise to extremely low cupric ion activities in surface waters ({Cu! ‘} = 1.4 x lo-l4 M) and higher values at middepth ({Cuz-I} = lo- I1 M)-a variation of three orders of magnitude. Two classes of copperbinding ligands were found to be responsible for this complexation: an extremely strong ligand class [log K’cond (cu,j = 11.5 J at low concentrations (- 1.8 nM) -which dominated copper complexation in the surface waters and decreased with depth, and a weaker class of ligands [log K’cond(Cu3 = 8.51 at higher concentrations (8-10 nM) which was observed throughout the water column and showed no apparent structure in its vertical distribution. These findings have significant implications concerning the toxicity and bioavailability of copper in open ocean systems.
On-orbit radiometric calibration of SWIR bands of TANSO-FTS onboard GOSAT

Abstract. The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) was launched on 23 January 2009 to monitor global distributions of carbon dioxide and methane. The Thermal And Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) onboard GOSAT measures the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectra. Radiometric accuracy directly influences the accuracy of the retrieved greenhouse gas concentrations. From a 2.5-yr retrieval analysis of GOSAT data, we found that the minimum of the mean-squared value of the residuals (the difference between observed and fitted spectra) and the radiance adjustment factor (one of the ancillary parameters to be retrieved with the gas concentrations for adjusting the radiance level between the bands) changed with time, possibly due to inaccurate degradation correction. In this study, the radiometric degradation of TANSO-FTS was evaluated from the on-orbit solar calibration data and modeled as a function of time and wavenumber for each spectral band. The radiometric degradation of TANSO-FTS Band 1 (centered at 0.76 μm) after the launch was found to be about 4 to 6%, varying with wavenumber, whereas the other two bands (Band 2: 1.6 μm and Band 3: 2.0 μm) showed about 1% degradation and small wavenumber dependency. When we applied the new degradation model in the retrieval analysis, the above-mentioned issues disappeared.
A simplicity-guided approach toward molecular set–reset memories

Photochromic switches fulfill the general molecular design criteria for the surprisingly straightforward small-scale integration of seemingly complex set-reset latches. The implications of this re-interpretation are discussed with the example of a dithienylethene photochrome. The concept is shown to be valid for a multitude of well-introduced bistable switches with clearly differentiated output signals, e.g., optical signals for the presented example.
Creating Three‐Dimensional Polymeric Microstructures by Multi‐Beam Interference Lithography

It is attractive to produce true three‐dimensional (3D) microstructures both rapidly and economically over a large area with negligible defects for a wide range of applications. Multi‐beam interference lithography is one of the promising techniques that can create periodic microstructures in polymers without extensive lithography and etching steps. This review discusses the formation of interference patterns, their dependence on beam parameters, the lithographic process, and the applications to the formation of photonic crystals. Various photoresist systems, including thick films of negative‐tone and positive‐tone photoresists, liquid resins, organic‐inorganic hybrids, and holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals, are also reviewed.
OKT3: a monoclonal anti-human T lymphocyte antibody with potent mitogenic properties.

OKT3, a monoclonal anti-human T cell antibody (IgG2), was found to induce DNA synthesis in human peripheral lymphocyte cultures. OKT3 induced maximal mitogenesis at a concentration of 10 to 20 ng/ml and was about 20-fold more potent than PHA as a mitogen. No high-dose inhibition of thymidine incorporation was noticed at concentrations up to 2.5 microgram OKT3/ml. The monovalent Fab fragment of OKT3 was also mitogenic but about 100 times less potent than the parent IgG. OKT3 appeared to be a T lymphocyte mitogen as only sheep red blood cell rosetting lymphocytes were responsive. Quantitative studies on the binding of 125I-labeled Fab fragment of OKT3 to human lymphocytes showed an average of 5.1 x 10(4) receptor sites/cell with an association of about 10(8) M-1 at 37 degrees C, with no heterogeneity of the cell binding sites. These data suggest a strong interaction of the monoclonal OKT3 with a limited number of identical T cell membrane receptors. As this interaction can trigger mitogenesis, the cell membrane determinant recognized by OKT3 could be described as a "T cell stimulation receptor. " The mitogenecity of the lymphocytes is not solely dependent on cross-linking of these receptors.
Thermal Stability of Air Plasma Spray and Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Thermal Barrier Coatings

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were produced by conventional air plasma spray (APS) and solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) processes. Both TBCs were isothermally heat treated from 1200° to 1500°C for 100 h. Changes in the phase content, microstructure, and hardness were investigated. The nontransformable tetragonal (t′) phase is the predominant phase in both the as-sprayed APS and SPPS TBCs. APS and SPPS coatings exhibit similar thermal stability behavior such as densification rate, hardness increase, and grain coarsening rate. Both the as-received and heat-treated APS and SPPS TBCs show a bimodal pore size distribution with nano- and micro-size pores. After 1400°C/100 h heat treatment, equiaxed grains replace the columnar structure in APS TBCs and the splat structure disappears. Vertical cracks remain after the 1500°C/100 h exposure in SPPS TBCs. The monoclinic phase appears in APS TBCs after a 1400°C/100 h exposure and in SPPS coatings after a 1500°C/100 h exposure.
Crystallization of calcium carbonate on polyethylene γ-radiation-grafted with acrylic acid

The use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films grafted with acrylic acid by γ-ray irradiation as a template to control the nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate crystals was attempted. The morphology evolution of crystals formed from supersaturated calcium bicarbonate solution on the grafted HDPE films was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the interaction between the formed crystals and the grafted HDPE films was revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results of the characterizations proved that carboxylic acid functional groups on the grafted HDPE films significantly facilitated the heterogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate crystals, and the distribution of the crystals was in congruity with that of the grafted carboxylic acid groups, as discovered by the atomic force microscopic images. It can be concluded that radiation-induced grafting, a method for functional modification of polymer surfaces, is also an effective means for studying biomineralization.
Methane Emission, Sulphide Concentration and Redox Potential Profiles in Mtoni Mangrove Sediment, Tanzania

Mangrove forest sediments were investigated with respect to organic matter content, bacterial numbers, methane emission, sulphide concentration and redox potential profiles. The sediments had characteristically high organic matter content (varying from 8 to 30 % of dry weight) and high bacterial numbers (varying from 5 to 20 x 10 8 cells/g fw). Both values decreased with depth (0-30 cm). Methane emission, sulphide and redox profiles on the other hand, showed remarkable differences between and among sampling sites. In areas with a high abundance of leaf litter and few trees very high sulphide concentrations were encountered: increasing from about 1 mM at the surface to 25 mM at 30-40 cm depth. Redox values were consistently low; from -150 to -200 mV. Near trees, in between the roots, a remarkably lower sulphide concentration was observed in the top 5-30 cm of the sediment. Methane emission varied from 0 to 500 μmol/m 2 /h). In vitro measurements showed CH 4 production in the top layer occurring at a rate much higher than estimated from the emissions. The results clearly demonstrate the importance of the anaerobic microbial activity in mangrove sediments and indicate that aerial roots are responsible for a major input of oxygen into the sediment, which speeds up oxidation.
X-ray photoemission study of manganese thin films deposited on a layered semiconductor

Germanium sulphide (GeS) and tin diselenide (SnSe2) present anisotropic properties due to their layered crystal structures. These crystals are composed of atomic layers interacting with each other by van der Waals forces only. Recently these materials have been used to prepare a new diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) by substituting some Ge or Sn atoms by manganese in the crystal lattice, forming Ge1-xMnxS and Sn1-xMnxSe2. To compare Mn behaviour within the layered crystals, Mn/GeS and Mn/SnSe2 thin films have been grown and investigated in situ by X-ray induced photoemission. Here is reported the XPS analysis of in situ grown Mn/SnSe2 for coverage ranging from sub-monolayer to thin films. The properties of these films were investigated from the structural and reactivity point of view. XPS measurements suggest that an Mn-Sn alloy is formed at the interface and that Mn atoms first deposit as an atomic netting pattern dictated by the typical structure of the SnSe2 (001) surface.
Enseigner la langue du voisin dans une région transfrontalière franco-allemande : quelle approche didactique s'y prête ? : Etude exploratoire dans quatre établissements d'enseignement secondaire du Rhin supérieur

En raison de l’existence d’une cooperation transfrontaliere institutionnalisee, la region transfrontaliere duRhin superieur semble proposer les conditions ideales pour un enseignement/apprentissage optimal de lalangue du voisin. Pourtant, l’apprentissage systematique de la langue parlee de l’autre cote du Rhin nesemble pas tenir compte des specificites regionales de ce contexte geographique particulier (Faucompre etPutsche, 2015), ni de l’influence non negligeable de la proximite avec la langue-culture voisine sur lesrepresentations des eleves et de leurs enseignants (Putsche, 2011 ; Raasch, 2002). Notre travail de thesepropose donc de repondre a cette problematique grâce a la mise en place d’une recherche-action a la foiscollaborative et participative (Gonzalez-Laporte, 2014 ; Macaire, 2007) avec quatre enseignantes de lalangue du voisin exercant dans des etablissements scolaires d’enseignement secondaire a Strasbourg etFribourg-en-Brisgau. Ce travail de recherche propose de developper dans un premier moment, puisd’experimenter dans un second, une approche didactique se voulant transfrontaliere (Raasch, 2005 et2008), en tenant compte des representations des apprenants et de leurs enseignantes ainsi que desparticularites de l’espace du Rhin superieur.Nos resultats, principalement qualitatifs, ont su mettre en avant la necessite d’avoir systematiquementrecours a une approche didactique transfrontaliere dans l’enseignement de la langue du voisin dans cecontexte, afin de le rendre coherent par rapport aux besoins des apprenants en leur permettant d’acquerirce que nous appelons dans notre travail « une competence de communication transfrontaliere ». La mise en place d’une recherche-action aura permis aux actrices du projet de prendre position par rapporta leur role en tant qu’enseignantes de la langue du voisin en contexte frontalier, donnant ainsi a notreconception de l’approche didactique transfrontaliere une dimension perenne en lui attribuant un caracterede laboratoire transfrontalier permanent, en adequation avec la dynamique de la region du Rhin superieur.
3DAP measurements of Al content in different types of precipitates in aluminium alloys

Three‐dimensional atom probe and field ion microscopy have been used to determine the composition of precipitates formed in several types of aluminium‐based alloys. Special attention has been paid to local magnification artefacts, which are often suspected to strongly disrupt the precipitates' apparent composition. The charge state of Al ions has been used to identify the nature of precipitates (lower or higher evaporation field than the matrix) and also to determine the origin of Al ions observed in 3D reconstructions. The use of a cluster identification method, which allows erosion concentration profiles to be drawn, has revealed the importance of trajectory overlaps in the measurement of the precipitates' composition. By applying this method to low‐evaporation‐field precipitates in a 7XXX alloy, good agreement was found between atom probe measurements and observations in transmission electron microscopy and small angles X‐ray scattering. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microscopic examination of free-energy relationships for electron transfer in polar solvents

A recently developed semiclassical trajectory (ST) approach is used to explore the microscopic free-energy relationship for electron-transfer reactions in polar solvents. The free-energy functional is evaluated by an adiabatic charging process based on the umbrella sampling method. The relevant energy fluctuations are generated by molecular dynamics simulation, representing the solvent molecules by the surface constrained all atom solvent (SCAAS) model. The specific model considered is composed of two benzene-like molecules with variable redox potentials. The simulation gives stable results with a relatively small convergence error. The results are compared to the free-energy profile predicted by the macroscopic Marcus' model. It is found that the solvent contribution to the activation barrier follows Marcus' relationship, provided that the reorganization energy parameter is evaluated from the microscopic simulation. The experimentally observed deviations from Marcus' relationship are shown, by realistic microscopic calculations, to be due to the solute vibronic channels. It is pointed out that the approximately quadratic behavior of the free-energy functional might reflect an inherent property of solvents with high dielectric constant.