bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered integration of excitatory inputs onto the basal dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome
Authors: Mitchell Diana E. , Miranda-Rottmann Soledad , Blanchard Maxime , Araya Roberto
Published: January 2023

Layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons receive predictive and sensory inputs in a compartmentalized manner at their apical and basal dendrites, respectively. To uncover how integration of sensory inputs is affected in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), we used two-photon glutamate uncaging to activate spines in the basal dendrites of L5 pyramidal neurons from a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic cause of ASD. While subthreshold excitatory inputs integrate linearly in wild-type animals, surprisingly those with FXS summate sublinearly, contradicting what would be expected of sensory hypersensitivity classically associated with ASD. We next investigated the mechanism underlying this sublinearity by performing knockdown of the regulatory β4 subunit of BK channels, which rescued the synaptic integration, a result that was corroborated with numerical simulations. Taken together, these findings suggest that there is a differential impairment in the integration of feedforward sensory and feedback predictive inputs in L5 pyramidal neurons in FXS and potentially other forms of ASD, as a result of specifically localized subcellular channelopathies. These results challenge the traditional view that FXS and other ASD are characterized by sensory hypersensitivity, proposing instead a hyposensitivity of sensory inputs and hypersensitivity of predictive inputs onto cortical neurons.
Plant cell-like tip-growing polymer precipitate with structurally embedded multistimuli sensing ability
Authors: Park Chan Jin , Ha Jonghyun , Lee Hae-Ryung , Park Keunhwan , Sun Jeong-Yun , Kim Ho-Young
Published: January 2023

Soft systems that respond to external stimuli, such as heat, magnetic field, and light, find applications in a range of fields including soft robotics, energy harvesting, and biomedicine. However, most of the existing systems exhibit nondirectional, nastic movement as they can neither grow nor sense the direction of stimuli. In this regard, artificial systems are outperformed by organisms capable of directional growth in response to the sense of stimuli or tropic growth. Inspired by tropic growth schemes of plant cells and fungal hyphae, here we report an artificial multistimuli-responsive tropic tip-growing system based on nonsolvent-induced phase separation of polymer solution, where polymer precipitates as its solvent dissolves into surrounding nonsolvent. We provide a theoretical framework to predict the size and velocity of growing precipitates and demonstrate its capability of sensing the directions of gravity, mechanical contact, and light and adjusting its growing direction in response. Exploiting the embedded physical intelligence of sensing and responding to external stimuli, our soft material system achieves multiple tasks including printing 3D structures in a confined space, bypassing mechanical obstacles, and shielded transport of liquids within water.
A submillimeter bundled microtubular flow battery cell with ultrahigh volumetric power density
Authors: Wu Yutong , Zhang Fengyi , Wang Ting , Huang Po-Wei , Filippas Alexandros , Yang Haochen , Huang Yanghang , Wang Chao , Liu Huitian , Xie Xing , Lively Ryan P. , Liu Nian
Published: January 2023

Flow batteries are a promising energy storage solution. However, the footprint and capital cost need further reduction for flow batteries to be commercially viable. The flow cell, where electron exchange takes place, is a central component of flow batteries. Improving the volumetric power density of the flow cell (W/L
cell
) can reduce the size and cost of flow batteries. While significant progress has been made on flow battery redox, electrode, and membrane materials to improve energy density and durability, conventional flow batteries based on the planar cell configuration exhibit a large cell size with multiple bulky accessories such as flow distributors, resulting in low volumetric power density. Here, we introduce a submillimeter bundled microtubular (SBMT) flow battery cell configuration that significantly improves volumetric power density by reducing the membrane-to-membrane distance by almost 100 times and eliminating the bulky flow distributors completely. Using zinc–iodide chemistry as a demonstration, our SBMT cell shows peak charge and discharge power densities of 1,322 W/L
cell
and 306.1 W/L
cell
, respectively, compared with average charge and discharge power densities of <60 W/L
cell
and 45 W/L
cell
, respectively, of conventional planar flow battery cells. The battery cycled for more than 220 h corresponding to >2,500 cycles at off-peak conditions. Furthermore, the SBMT cell has been demonstrated to be compatible with zinc–bromide, quinone–bromide, and all-vanadium chemistries. The SBMT flow cell represents a device-level innovation to enhance the volumetric power of flow batteries and potentially reduce the size and cost of the cells and the entire flow battery.
Diverse mating consequences of the evolutionary breakdown of the sexual polymorphism heterostyly
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Zeng Gui , Zhang Kai , Wu Mingsong , Zhang Dianxiang , Harder Lawrence D. , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: January 2023

Reproductive systems of flowering plants are evolutionarily fluid, with mating patterns changing in response to shifts in abiotic conditions, pollination systems, and population characteristics. Changes in mating should be particularly evident in species with sexual polymorphisms that become ecologically destabilized, promoting transitions to alternative reproductive systems. Here, we decompose female mating portfolios (incidence of selfing, outcross mate number, and intermorph mating) in eight populations ofPrimula oreodoxa,a self-compatible insect-pollinated herb. This species is ancestrally distylous, with populations subdivided into two floral morphs that usually mate with each other (disassortative mating). Stages in the breakdown of polymorphism also occur, including “mixed” populations of distylous and homostylous (self-pollinating) morphs and purely homostylous populations. Population morph ratios vary with elevation in association with differences in pollinator availability, providing an unusual opportunity to investigate changes in mating patterns accompanying transitions in reproductive systems. Unexpectedly, individuals mostly outcrossed randomly, with substantial disassortative mating in at most two distylous populations. As predicted, mixed populations had higher selfing rates than distylous populations, within mixed populations, homostyles selfed almost twice as much as the distylous morphs, and homostylous populations exhibited the highest selfing rates. Populations with homostyles outcrossed with fewer mates and mate number varied negatively with population selfing rates. These differences indicate maintenance of distyly at low elevation, transition to monomorphic selfing at high elevation, and uncertain, possibly variable fates at intermediate elevation. By quantifying the earliest changes in mating that initiate reproductive transitions, our study highlights the key role of mating in promoting evolutionary divergence.
c-JUN-mediated transcriptional responses in lymphatic endothelial cells are required for lung fluid clearance at birth
Authors: Fu Siling , Wang Yanxiao , Bin Ennan , Huang Huanwei , Wang Fengchao , Tang Nan
Published: January 2023

Fluid clearance mediated by lymphatic vessels is known to be essential for lung inflation and gas-exchange function during the transition from prenatal to postnatal life, yet the molecular mechanisms that regulate lymphatic function remain unclear. Here, we profiled the molecular features of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in embryonic and postnatal day (P) 0 lungs by single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis. We identified that the expression of c-JUN is transiently upregulated in P0 LECs. Conditional knockout of
Jun
in LECs impairs the opening of lung lymphatic vessels at birth, leading to fluid retention in the lungs and neonatal death. We further demonstrated that increased mechanical pressure induces the expression of c-JUN in LECs. c-JUN regulates the opening of lymphatic vessels by modulating the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in LECs. Our study established the essential regulatory function of c-JUN-mediated transcriptional responses in facilitating lung lymphatic fluid clearance at birth.
Plurilingual education
Authors: Cerezo Herrero Enrique , García-Bellido María Rosario
Published: January 2023

The emergence of bilingual education in the Spanish educational landscape has spawned the implementation of a great deal of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) programs. The need to raise the citizens’ proficiency of foreign languages is imperative so as to embrace the new European mandates in linguistic matter. Each region has implemented its own programs based on the linguistic reality and convictions surrounding it. In fact, the great number of research studies carried out thus far bears witness to the ever-increasing attention that this new form of education awakens in the scientific community. However, as far as the region of Valencia is concerned, despite it being a bilingual region with a long-standing tradition in the implementation of bilingual programs, we know little about the effects of such programs. The only thing that can be ascertained to date is that the road to plurilingual education has been a bumpy one due to the continuous changes in law that plurilingual education has undergone. With this in mind, this article carries out an analysis of the Valencian plurilingual system from the viewpoint of in-service teachers with a special focus on English. The results of this study are thus expected to shed some light on how the plurilingual project is playing out and to push forward the plurilingual agenda of the region.
Using working memory intervention to improve math performance: ill-conceived, poorly executed, or just not quite there yet? (Intervenciones en memoria de trabajo para mejorar el rendimiento matemático: ¿mal diseñadas, pobremente ejecutadas, o poco desarrolladas?)
Authors: Lee Kerry
Published: January 2023

With over two decades of research showing a close association between working memory (WM) and maths performance, WM training has been suggested as one way to supplement conventional remedial instructions. Although initial findings were promising, recent reviews have found that training typically resulted in WM improvement but no transfer to maths performance. This paper focused on the utility of WM training for maths performance. In addition to a brief review of relevant works, I described my own efforts and insights gained from three iterations of an intervention that produced mixed findings. One of the main questions addressed in this paper was the reasons for robust findings of near but not far transfer. Some of the older studies were beset by poor methodological designs. However, the finding that more recent, better executed studies also found a similar lack of far transfer is troubling. I examined whether the use of WM training for improving maths performance is simply misguided. I also examined the possibility that the extant approaches to intervention may be approaching the problem from the wrong perspective.
Characterisation of tensile deformation behaviour of Fe–25Cr–35Ni-based alloy at high temperature
Authors: Guo Jingfeng , Xu Rengen , Zhao Li , Gao Yang , Chen Huan
Published: January 2023

Fe–25Cr–35Ni-based alloy tensile deformation behaviour was studied through tensile test at strain rates of 5 × 10−4, 10−3, 5 × 10−3 and 10−2 s−1 from 900 to 1023°C in this paper. The flow stress has a good correlation with testing temperature and strain rate. TEM and SEM were used to analyse the microstructure evolution. The results show that DRV and DRX are the important factors for reducing the flow stress during hot tensile deformation. The occurrence of DRV and DRX was confirmed by TEM micrographs in high temperature tensile deformation. The hyperbolic sine-type equation with deformation activation energy and temperature describes Fe–25Cr–35Ni-based alloy hot tensile deformation, and the deformation activation energy is 5.24 × 102 kJ mol–1.
Orai1 as a potential “fits-all approach” therapeutic target for the treatment of DMD
Authors: Cheng Arthur J. , von Walden Ferdinand , Lanner Johanna T.
Published: January 2023

Obliterating skeletal muscle Orai1 expression improves muscle pathology in the mdx mouse model of DMD—could Orai1 emerge as a potential drug target?
A combined study on structural, magnetic and specific heat on double perovskite iridates Ln2CoIrO6 [Ln = Pr, Nd]
Authors: Datta Raktim , Pradhan Suman Kalyan , Saha Rafikul Ali , Kumar Ravi , Majumdar Subham , De Subodh Kumar
Published: January 2023

We report rich magnetic behavior for Co–Ir based double perovskites consisting of different rare earth cations Pr and Nd: Pr2CoIrO6 (PCIO) and Nd2CoIrO6 (NCIO). Both oxides show an antisite disorder of 10% and a ferrimagnetic transition, T

F
i
M

around 96 K and 98 K respectively. The long range magnetic ordering is arising from the canted antiferromagnetic ordering between the Co2+ and Ir4+ ions. A prominent peak around 27 K in magnetization data of NCIO indicates that the total moment of Nd ion is antiferromagnetically coupled to the Co–Ir sublattice. The long range order of the Nd sublattice is corroborated by the evidence of an anomaly in specific heat at very low temperature. The compounds exhibit a maximum change of magnetic entropy of 0.57 (0.48) J kg.K−1 at T

F
i
M

in a magnetic field of 5 T. The strong spin–orbit coupling in 5d states of Ir and cation disorder lead to the Mott insulating phase as found from the analysis of temperature dependent resistivity. These unique behaviors suggest an interesting interplay between localized Pr/Nd-4f, itinerant Co-3d and Ir-5d electrons.
Development of a dual-mode electro-hydrostatic actuator with serial-parallel hybrid configured piezoelectric pumps
Authors: Ling Jie , Chen Long , Zhang Mingming , Zhu Yuchuan
Published: January 2023

Smart materials-based electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) plays an important role in the power-by-wire technology for the next generation of more electric aircraft. However, the output flow of a smart materials-based EHA is relatively low to narrow down its practical applications. To address this issue, a piezoelectric material-based dual-mode electro-hydrostatic actuator (DMEHA) is proposed in this work. The output flow can be improved by adopting two piezoelectric pumps without sacrificing the carrying capacity. In addition, a hybrid serial and parallel configuration for the two pumps is realized for the adaptability of different actuation requirements. Mathematical modeling and parameter identification are conducted and presented in detail for the designers. A physical prototype is fabricated and a series of experiments are carried out to investigate its characteristics. Results indicated that the DMEHA achieves a maximum output flow of 1.17 l min−1 at 360 Hz under the serial mode and the blocking load up to 40 kg. The corresponding maximum output flow in the parallel mode can reach 1.96 l min−1 at 420 Hz, and the blocking load is 20 kg.
Piezoelectric performance of lead-free PDMS/CNT/BaTiO3 piezocomposites with imperfect interphases and CNT agglomerations
Authors: Cañamero Francisco J , Buroni Federico C , Aliabadi Ferri M H , Rodríguez-Tembleque Luis
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) printable lead-free piezocomposites offer scalable and environmentally friendly solutions in many engineering applications. Typically, the composite system consists of polymeric matrices reinforced with active polycrystalline particles, and possibly nanoadditives. The presence of interfacial inclusion/matrix damage could not only compromise the structural integrity of the component but also significantly alter its ability to act as functional smart materials. In addition, both the agglomeration of the nanoadditives, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the degree of polarization could also affect the electromechanical behavior of the composite. In this paper, we develop a computational micromechanical model for the study of the influence of three types of internal defects on the piezoelectric performance of such composites. We investigate the influence of (a) the texture of the active phase, which is linked to the degree of polarization; (b) the effect of agglomerations of the CNTs; and (c) the presence of damage in the inclusion/matrix interphase region. Performance is assessed through the macroscopic response in various figures of merit. This work provides numerical evidence that the effective piezoelectric constants related to normal strain modes are strongly affected by the presence of damage in the interphase. Instead, the piezoelectric constant related to the shear strain remains unchanged by interfacial damage. Near the percolation threshold of the CNTs, piezocomposites exhibit a notable improvement in the piezoelectric response compared to the composite without nanomodification, as noted in previous works. Interestingly, this trend also applies in the presence of interfacial damage, and it is described in this work. The piezoelectric performance also depends on the texture of the active particles. We find, under some simplifications, the optimal orientation for the crystallites, and we find how the texture changes the performance in the presence of damage. Regarding energy harvesting applications, optimal energy conversion efficiency has been observed for polycrystalline inclusions that resembles a highly oriented single crystal and CNT volume fraction of 60

%

of percolation threshold. This is a quite surprising result since the optimal is usually expected for volume fractions very close to percolation and active inclusions with some orientational dispersion. The optimal CNT volume fraction depends on the presence of interfacial damage. Under perfect interface conditions, the energy conversion efficiency is improved with the presence of CNT agglomerations. Under imperfect interface conditions, there is no enhancement due to the addition of CNT.
Acoustic insulation characteristics improvement of a thick CNT-reinforced doubly-curved shell by using GPLRC and MEE composite layers
Authors: Ghassabi M , Talebitooti R
Published: January 2023

Noise reduction in structures and human living environments is one of the most important issues in engineering that is always given special attention. Sound insulation has always been improved using different methods, one of which is to use the properties of materials. Herewith, the aim of this paper is to take advantage of graphene-platelet reinforced composites and magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) material properties for sound attenuation. The present paper deals with the analysis of sound transmission loss (STL) through a three-layer sandwich doubly-curved shell where an MEE sheet is integrated with two nanocomposite sheets. In addition, these two nanocomposite sheets are reinforced by functionally graded (FG) distributions of CNT and graphene platelet (GPL)-reinforced composites, respectively. Firstly, the three-dimensional elasticity theory is employed to derive the governing equations of motion. Then, the vibroacoustic analysis for the resultant equations is completed according to the state space and transfer matrix method. Comparing the obtained results with the available literature discloses that the offered procedure has a high precision for structural acoustic problems. In the next step, in addition to inspecting two kinds of MEE composites, the effective parameters, such as layup configuration, FG distribution, volume fraction, weight fraction, radii of curvature, electromagnetic boundary conditions, and interphase thickness, are assessed on the STL. This assessment shows that the parameters involved in this paper are highly interdependent. Accordingly, the analysis of these parameters is done simultaneously with the aid of three- and four-dimensional plots in order that the optimal value for each parameter can be realized. As seen clearly in the outcomes, the electromagnetic boundary conditions parameters, compared to the other parameters, can much more alter the STL trend, so that a slight change in electric potential results in great change in the STL.
Hidden multistability of fractional discrete non-equilibrium point memristor based map
Authors: Shatnawi Mohd Taib , Abbes Abderrahmane , Ouannas Adel , Batiha Iqbal M
Published: January 2023

At present, the multistability analysis in discrete nonlinear fractional-order systems is a subject that is receiving a lot of attention. In this article, a new discrete non-equilibrium point memristor-based map with γ − th Caputo fractional difference is introduced. In addition, in the context of the commensurate and non-commensurate instances, the nonlinear dynamics of the suggested discrete fractional map, such as its multistability, hidden chaotic attractor, and hidden hyperchaotic attractor, are investigated through several numerical techniques, including Lyapunov exponents, phase attractors, bifurcation diagrams, and the 0 − 1 test. These dynamic behaviors suggest that the fractional discrete memristive map has a hidden multistability. Finally, to validate the presence of chaos, a complexity analysis is carried out using approximation entropy (ApEn) and the C
0 measure. The findings show that the model has a high degree of complexity, which is affected by the system parameters and the fractional values.
Star-shaped polymer translocation into a nanochannel: Langevin dynamics simulations
Authors: Tilahun Mesay , Tatek Yergou B
Published: January 2023

The dynamics of a star-shaped polymer translocation pulled by a single arm through a nanochannel is investigated using three-dimensional Langevin dynamics simulations. The pulling force is applied on the terminal monomer of the leading arm in order to mimic the motion of chains subject to a combination of magnetic and optical tweezers in real experimental setups. The effect of channel dimensions and magnitude of the pulling force as well as the chain size and functionality on the chain’s translocation dynamics is extensively examined. The variation of the mean translocation time 〈τ〉 with respect to channel length and diameter exhibits a non-trivial behavior characterized by an abrupt change in the translocation dynamics for chains with higher functionalities f. The dependence of 〈τ〉 upon channel aspect ratio yields also a regime change for the transport dynamics for chains with larger functionalities. Moreover, the average exit time with respect to chains total mass N and to the magnitude of the pulling force F are found to follow scaling laws in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Nonequilibrium spectral moment sum rules of the Holstein–Hubbard model
Authors: Najafi Khadijeh , Jacoby J Alexander , Nesselrodt R D , Freericks J K
Published: January 2023

We derive a general procedure for evaluating the nth derivative of a time-dependent operator in the Heisenberg representation and employ this approach to calculate the zeroth to third spectral moment sum rules of the retarded electronic Green’s function and self-energy for a system described by the Holstein–Hubbard model allowing for arbitrary spatial and time variation of all parameters (including spatially homogeneous electric fields and parameter quenches). For a translationally invariant (but time-dependent) Hamiltonian, we also provide sum rules in momentum space. The sum rules can be applied to various different phenomena like time-resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and benchmarking the accuracy of numerical many-body calculations. This work also corrects some errors found in earlier work on simpler models.
Investigation of an individual with background levels of exhaled isoprene: a case study
Authors: Harshman Sean W , Jung Anne E , Strayer Kraig E , Alfred Bryan L , Mattamana John , Veigl Alena R , Dash Aubrianne I , Salter Charles E , Stoner-Dixon Madison A , Kelly John T , Davidson Christina N , Pitsch Rhonda L , Martin Jennifer A
Published: January 2023

Isoprene is one of the most abundant and most frequently evaluated volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. Recently, several individuals with background levels of exhaled isoprene have been identified. Here, case study data are provided for an individual, identified from a previous study, with this low prevalence phenotype. It is hypothesized that the individual will illustrate low levels of exhaled isoprene at rest and during exercise. At rest, the subject (7.1 ppb) shows background (μ = 14.2 ± 7.0 ppb) levels of exhaled isoprene while the control group illustrates significantly higher quantities (μ = 266.2 ± 72.3 ppb) via proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). The result, background levels of isoprene at rest, is verified by thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) collections with the individual showing −3.6 ppb exhaled isoprene while the room background contained μ= −4.1 ± 0.1 ppb isoprene. As isoprene has been shown previously to increase at the initiation of exercise, exercise bike experiments were performed with the individual identified with low isoprene, yielding low and invariant levels of exhaled isoprene (μ = 6.6 ± 0.1 ppb) during the exercise while control subjects illustrated an approximate 2.5-fold increase (pre μ = 286.3 ± 43.8 ppb, exercise μ = 573.0 ± 147.8 ppb) in exhaled isoprene upon exercise start. Additionally, exhaled breath bag data showed a significant decrease in isoprene (delta post/pre, p = 0.0078) of the control group following the exercise regimen. Finally, TD-GC-MS results for exhaled isoprene from the individual’s family (mother, father, sister and maternal grandmother) illustrated that the mother and father exhibited isoprene values (28.5 ppb, 77.2 ppb) below control samples 95% confidence interval (μ = 166.8 ± 43.3 ppb) while the individual’s sister (182.0 ppb) was within the control range. These data provide evidence for a large dynamic range in exhaled isoprene in this family. Collectively, these results provide additional data surrounding the existence of a small population of individuals with background levels of exhaled isoprene.
Optimal Allocation Model for Sustainable and Economic Water Sources in Rutba City West of Iraq
Authors: Sulaiman Sadeq Oleiwi , Najm AbuBakir Ahmed , Mhedi Nebras Mahmood , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: January 2023

The water resources represented by rivers, lakes, and wells are of great importance in the growth and development of civilization by meeting the different needs of the population. Due to the climatic changes that take place in different regions of the world, in addition to the increasing population growth, it has become necessary to manage the various water resources in a way that achieves a balance between supply and demand, especially in dry areas that suffer from limited rainfall and high evaporation rates as a result of high temperatures. Iraq has surface water resources that are the main provider of agricultural, industrial, and domestic demand sites, in addition to a strategic store of groundwater that can be used during periods of water scarcity. In this study, the Water Assessment and Planning (WEAP) model was used to assess the current and future demand of the Rutba city in western Iraq for the period (2021 to 2030). The study showed a population increase of 20.9% for the period 2021-2030 which requires water amounting to (4.43) million cubic meters annually by 2030. Currently, water supply to the city is carried out from three different sources, which is through water withdrawal From the Euphrates River through the Qaim and Heet sites, as well as by withdrawing water from a group of wells from Dabaa aquifers east of the city and pumping it to the city of Rutba by pipes, which requires optimal management of the city’s water supply sources to meet the population’s need, especially in light of the high annual costs of the process of transferring the water supply to the city.
Applying of Canadian water quality index for evaluation of some water treatment plants in Basrah province
Authors: Al Saad Zainb A.A. , Hamdan Ahmed N. A. , ALbadran Fatma A.J.
Published: January 2023

In this study, ten water treatment plants were evaluated for water quality for drinking by using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI).The ten main water treatment plants were Jubyla(1), Khor Al Zubair, Al-Shaibah, AlmahkalAljadeed, Hay Al-Hussain, Al Asmaei, Al Garma(1), Al Abass, Al Madena Al Riadia, and Mhaijran. These water treatment plants were in different places in Basrah province and supply most of the needed water for citizens in Basrah city. The samples were collected for the treated water monthly from January to December of 2019. 13 parameters of the treated water were tested, which were the Turbidity (Turb), Total hardness (TH), pH, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), Chloride (Cl-), Magnesium (Mg+2), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca+2), Alkalinity (Alk.), Sulfate (So4) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) for all stations. The CCME WQI method classified the treated water of Mhaijran station as poor which means is not suitable for drinking purposes and this is because of several reasons, such as the discharges of the pollutants into Shatt Al-Arab River from domestic, agricultural drainage, and industrial process pollutants. The water quality for the two water treatment plants, that are Al-Shaibah and Al Madena Al Riadia, were in good condition in the dry season. Whereas in the wet season, Al-Shaibah was marginal and Al Madena Al Riadia was fair. Al Abass was nearly fair in the dry and wet season whereas the others were ranged from marginal to poor condition.
Softening of Groundwater at Samarra City by Electromagnetic Polarization
Authors: Ibrahem Aldoury Muzher Mahdi , Ismaeal Nizar N. , Mahdi Mohammed Jameel
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effect of electromagnetic polarization on groundwater softening. Samples of groundwater were delivered from Samarra city, Salah-Aldin government, Iraq. The electromagnetic polarization treatment process was conducted using a locally manufacturing electromagnetic device. This device uses a magnetic circuit, an iron core, which is made from it a magnetic pole, air gap, and coil made of copper wire. Treated groundwater samples are achieved by passing them through the electromagnetic treatment device with a flow rate of (4, 6, 12, 25, and 50) ml/min., Total hardness concentration (800, 1050, 1300, 1550, 1800) mg/l. as CaCo3 and electromagnetic flux intensity (0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.25) Tesla. The treatment was repeated with all these parameters. The ability to reduce Total Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of groundwater was assessed by measuring influent and effluent. It was concluded that the amount of (TDS) was slightly reduced and hardness-causing ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+) were significantly reduced after electromagnetic treatment for softening groundwater with efficiency removal ranging from (3.25 to 35.2)%.
Monitoring the Growth and Development of River Islands of the Tigris River between Zabin
Authors: Hameed sakr Forat Ali
Published: January 2023

The river islands are among the most prominent geomorphic features in the course of the Tigris River within the river section under study, as the area has been covered for 36 years from 1984 to 2019 and the study area is strictly limited between the mouth of the upper zab and the lower zab. The most important natural factors that contributed and still contribute to the present day to facilitate the construction process of the river islands were illustrated by clarifying the effect of geological factors and the slope of the stream and the effect of curves, in addition to clarifying the role of water discharges as well as clarifying the role of the riverine load important and essential in the direct impact on the growth of islands In addition to the human factor, by identifying the most effective human investments in the formation or creation of conditions appropriate for the formation of river islands represented by gravel and sand quarries. In order to monitor the geomorphic development taking place in the river islands in the river course between the two zabines during the first two periods of time, they were chosen before the establishment of the Mosul Dam in 1984 from the sensor type (TM) and the second visual for the year 2019 of the type sensor (Landsat8) to highlight the growth and development of the river islands by comparing the islands Existing in the visuals for the different periods, and then to give a clear picture of the nature of the operations that it witnessed and the resulting development in the numbers, sizes and shapes of the river islands during the study years.
Modeling Flow Patterns in Tigris River – Baghdad Using the CCHE2D model
Authors: Al-Asadi Shams , Hussain Tariq Abed , Al-Mukhtar Mustafa
Published: January 2023

In this study, the CCHE2D model was used to analyze the flow patterns in Tigris River in Baghdad city around a water treatment plant. To this end, the model was calibrated and validated in a steady-state using the relevant boundary conditions. The model was calibrated using the initial water surface level at the Sarai station for three discharges of 289, 530, and 870 m3/s. Hence, appropriate manning roughness modulus and equivalent mixing length turbulent models were selected to construct the hydraulic model of the Tigris River. The model was validated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2) equations. Results show that the RMSE, MAE, and R2 between the observed and modelled water levels at Sarai station were (0.17, 0.12, 0.9) m respectively during the validation. It was found that the average water velocity around the studied intake was 0.4 to 0.8 m/s while the water levels were 29 to 30 m. The CCHE2D model proved its capability to simulate the hydraulic behavior of the Tigris River. This study could be of use for further analysis on the hydraulic performance and provide better insights towards better management of the river.
Study of water productivity of wheat and moisture distribution under the influence of center pivot irrigation and different tillage systems for desert soils
Authors: Al Hasnawi Riyadh Abdzaid , Ati Alaa Salih , Tali Ahmed Hussein
Published: January 2023

A field experiment was conducted to grow the wheat crop during the fall season 2020 in Karbala province, north of Ain Al-Tamr District in two locations of different textures and parent materials. The first site (calcareous soil) with a sandy loam texture, is located at (44° 40′ 37′) east longitude and (32° 41′ 34′) north latitude, at an altitude of 32 m above sea level, and an area of 20 hectares. As for the second location (gypsum soil) with a loam texture, it is located at a longitude (45° 41′ 39′) east and a latitude (33° 43′ 34′ north) and at an altitude of 33 m above sea level and an area of 20 hectares. To find out the effect of different tillage systems on water productivity and wheat yield under center pivot irrigation system. Two treatments were used in the experiment, The first treatment: four-level tillage systems: zero tillage (T1), Spike pin harrows (T2), disc harrows (T3), and Moldboard plows (T4). As for the second treatment: Soil type with two levels: gypsum soil (G) and calcareous soil (C). The experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest yield of crop and field water was with treatment C with the productivity of 10.40 and 9.82 kg m-3, respectively and with T1 treatment with yields of 10.10 and 9.50 kg m-3, respectively. And with the GT1 bi-interaction treatment with yields of 9.30 and 8.80 kg m-3, respectively and with CT2 treatment with yields of 11.70 and 11.10 kg m-3, respectively. The treatment of calcareous soil (C) gave the highest value of grain yield, biological yield and 7657 kg ha-1, 18167 kg ha-1, respectively. Tillage treatment T1 gave the highest value of grain yield and biological yield of 7735 kg ha-1 and 18475 kg ha-1, respectively. The bi- interaction treatment GT1 gave the highest value for grain yield, biological yield 7520 kg ha-1, 17,980 kg ha-, respectively. The interaction CT2 treatment gave the highest value for grain yield, biological yield 8660 kg ha-1, 19270 kg ha-1, respectively. The T1 and T2 tillage system under center pivot irrigation is better in terms of moisture content at all depths and time periods.
Study of treating the vegetable oils in artificial water using advanced oxidation process
Authors: Joodi Nada Sabeeh , Kariem Nagam Obaid
Published: January 2023

AOPs homogenized advanced oxidation process was studied in Fenton and Photo-Fenton on the treatment of artificial water from vegetable oil contaminants. Several variables were studied: time, pH, mixing speed, and a dose of catalysis (Fe2SO4.7H2O).The best conditions are obtained by studying experiments. Fenton and Photo-Fenton process work at an acidic medium (pH=3.5). The optimum mixing speed at (1000 rpm) for the Photo-Fenton process and (500 rpm) for the Fenton. When concentration of H2O2 was (500 mg/L) obtained the concentration of Fe2SO4.7H2O for the photo-Fenton process = (50 mg/L), and for the Fenton process = (250 mg/L).

The Fenton process gave a maximum efficiency of removal of vegetable oils of 95.2% for Corn oil (COD from 12800 to 610 mg/L), 94.5% for Castor oil, while 57.5% for Coconut oil after the total reaction time (180 minutes).

The Photo- Fenton process gave an efficiency of removal: 93% for Corn oil (COD from 12500 to 870 mg/L), 83.8% for Castor oil, while 61.6% for Coconut oil.

As for the real wastewater, the treatment was acceptable and achieved an efficiency of 89.2%, and 83.8% for Fenton, and Photo-Fenton processes respectively.
Influences of Spatial and Seasonal Variation on Khabur River Pollution by Municipal Wastewater in Zakho District, Iraq Kurdistan Region
Authors: Hussain Gulistan Ali , Umer Mustafa Ismail , Ahmed Musher Rasheed.
Published: January 2023

Samples of water were collected from the Khabur River in Zakho city in Iraqi Kurdistan Region in three seasons, the summer, autumn, and winter of 2021, at three different locations, before arriving at the city, inside the city, and after passing the city, and some Physio-chemical properties of water were determined to evaluate the spatial and seasonal variation effects on the renowned Khabur River properties. The result revealed the dissolved oxygen DO, biological oxygen demand is significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the summer season than autumn and winter, as the high temperature minimizes the dissolvability of oxygen necessary for life in the water, however, the level of BOD in Khabur river in three seasons not exceeded the recommended level of WHO and Iraqi slandered 3 mg/l. The pH of the Khabur River is not significantly affected by seasonal changes, while EC is significantly affected by seasonal variation. The alkalinity of the Khabur River is significantly higher in summer than in autumn and winter, and the opposite of almost all the studied parameters that increased in winter. The river has a total hardness greater than 200 mg/l as well as total calcium and magnesium. Hardness is significantly high in winter, as the dissolution of both Ca and Mg from bedrock and soil is increased by the action of heavy rainfall on the eroded soil. Regarding the spatial variation, the most studied parameters of the Khabur deteriorated when the river enters Zakho city, as approximately all the sewage water of this city is discharged into the river without any proper treatment.
A Review On Membrane Desalination Process in Water Treatment
Authors: Aljumaily Mustafa Mohammed , Alshami Abeer W. , Ismael Bashar H. , Hameed Mohammed Majeed , AlOmar Mohamed Khalid , Hussain Intesar R. , hameed Mohammed saleh , Alsalhy Qusay F. , Alsaadi Mohammed A.
Published: January 2023

Desalination is being used on a much larger scale as a result of the rising scarcity of freshwater. Desalination plant energy usage, however, continues to be a problem. Inherently appealing, the use of renewable energy sources has been the subject of numerous research. Membrane processes are indeed attracting a great deal of interest due to their economic viability and capacity to be scaled up. This article offers a cutting-edge review of membrane processes related to renewable energies for desalinating seawater and brackish water. Reverse osmosis, membrane distillation, and electrodialysis are examples of membrane processes. They are combined with renewable energies like hydrostatic pressure, waves, solar, wind, and wind. The key findings in this field include principles, plant design and implementation, mathematical models, and economic viability, are presented in this article.
Biological Nitrogen Transformation Efficiency in Removing Nitrogen and Improving Water Quality from Zakho Municipal Wastewater in Kurdistan Region/Iraq
Authors: Mohammed Khawla Ali , Umer Mustafa Ismail , Alyazichi Yasir M.
Published: January 2023

Samples of municipal waste water was taken and subjected to biological nitrogen transformation (BNT) of ammonification nitrification, and denitrification processes in order to remove the excesses level of harmful nitrogen forms and to improve physio-chemical properties of wastewater. Results revealed that the BNT is efficient in removing all forms of Nitrogen from waste water, especially in end of denitrification process, nitrite reduced about 96% and nitrate reduced to 75%. nitrification process can convert about 17 % to nitrate in one-month period while in the end of denitrifying process this range was elevated to 40 %. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen reduced by ammonification about 17%, and nitrifying bacteria are able to convert about 74% of total Kjeldahl nitrogen to nitrate. the denitrifying bacteria are able to convert this nitrate to gaseous form of nitrogen and to remove 92% of total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Different BNT process were able to reduce 24%, 64%, and 81% of organic nitrogen by ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification respectively. The COD/ N is 1 and the nitrogen removal efficiency is high. BNT is efficient in reducing TS, TSS, and TDS in the water was brought to the excellent ranges for drinking water between 50-150 mg/l. Regarding hardness, hard wastewater higher than 350 mg/l removed significantly by all BNT to bring it to soft water 180 mg/l in the end of experiment. Alkalinity was elevated by the BNT as CO3 react with H coming from nitrification to form more HCO3 ions in the water. EC values during whole experiment were changed about 10 units to return to its natural values around 160 ds.m-1 as the soluble salts cannot be removed by BNT. Turbidity of waste water was significantly removed by BNT process as microbes decompose the majority of total suspended and dissolved solid that create the turbidly.
Distribution Path of Total and Active Carbonates, and Iron Oxides under Two Different Forest Tree Species
Authors: Fayyadh M. A. , Rekani S. A. F.
Published: January 2023

The research area was in Iraq’s Kurdistan region’s Duhok province. Oak and pine were chosen as the two woodland tree species. At each location, five pedons were dug, and soil horizons were then sampled. Because both types of forest soil were formed from limestone parent materials and the soil of Pine trees was substantially more carbonate than the soil of oak trees, and the calcium carbonate concentration of both forest types increased. The active carbonate varies from horizon to horizon, but it is often lower on the surface horizons, and its distribution pattern matches that of clay. Iron oxides in soils generally fluctuated between increasing and decreasing in the studied pedons, with the highest value of iron oxides in soil being discovered at the Sarke location. In contrast, the distribution pattern of iron oxides in clay fraction increased with increasing depth and was correlated with an increase in clay content. This study came to the conclusion that the distribution of active carbonate follows a similar pattern to that of total carbonate and is consistent with that of clay. The movement from surface soil horizons to subsurface due to gain was associated with the translocation of iron oxides in the investigated soils. The purpose of this study was to clarify the distribution pathways of free iron oxides, total and active carbonates in soil, under two different tree species.
Assessment of trap efficiency of Dokan dam with different sediment management techniques using ResCon 2.2
Authors: Jameel M , Shemal K , Sen S , Perumal M
Published: January 2023

Dokan dam is one of the strategic dams in Iraq with third larger storage capacity, the importance of this project comes through the functions that were built for; irrigation, flood prevention, hydropower generation, and tourism. Even in the pre-implementation stage, the sediment study was not conducted to predict the storage through the life of the dam. The rate of the siltation processed is indicated as 3.8 million m3 /year. For reservoir sedimentation analysis, many factors should be identified like shape of the lake behind dam, trap efficiency (TE), rate of sedimentation, and sediment management process. Different sediment management techniques are used in this research to predict the trap efficiency of Dokan dam for up to 300 years of project life, the analysis of available data shows that TE of Dokan dam is 97% up to 2055; and ResCon 2.2 model shows that the best sediment management techniques which give higher TE are catchment management, by-pass, and trucking of about 95%, 96%, and 97% respectively. The selection of the best techniques will be address after examining economical and technical factors.
Initial testing of ohmic heating through double flux swing during electron cyclotron start-up in the QUEST spherical tokamak
Authors: ZHANG Yifan , ONCHI Takumi , NAKAMURA Kazuo , YUE Qilin , NAGATA Takahiro , KAWASAKI Shoji , KURODA Kengoh , HASEGAWA Makoto , IKEZOE Ryuya , IDO Takeshi , HANADA Kazuaki , IDEI Hiroshi
Published: January 2023

A power-supply system was developed for Ohmic heating (OH) to double × 1018 the amount of change magnetic flux in the primary central solenoid (CS) on the QUEST spherical tokamak. Two power supplies are connected with stacks of insulated-gate bipolar transistors, and sequentially operated to generate positive and negative CS currents. This bipolar power-supply system is controlled via a field-programmable gate array, which guarantees the safety of the entire system operation. The new OH system, assisted by electron cyclotron heating, enables the stable generation of plasma currents exceeding 100 kA. Moreover, the achieved electron density over the wide range in the major radial direction exceeds the cut-off density for one of the high-power microwave sources in QUEST. This strategy yields target plasmas for future experiments with the electron Bernstein wave.