bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Concentration, Site, and O Vacancy on Magnetic and Optical Properties of Cu‐Doped Anatase TiO2
Authors: Yang Yao , Hu Yibin , Huang Yan , Wang Xiaofang , Chen Xiaoshuang
Published: July 2023

Cu‐doped is a dilute magnetic semiconductor with excellent electrical, magnetic, and optical properties. Herein, first‐principles methods are employed to investigate its electronic structure, magnetic properties, and optical behavior. The results demonstrate that Cu‐doped exhibits intrinsic ferromagnetism. The presence of O vacancies facilitates the ferromagnetic exchange between Cu ions by forming bound magnetic polarons (BMPs). This finding validates the BMPs model and explains for the decrease in magnetic properties during annealing under O2 conditions. As the concentration of Cu increases, the system undergoes a transition from a semiconductor to a metal. Cu ions exhibit a preference for a compact configuration and display either paramagnetism or antiferromagnetism. The spin polarization can be effectively controlled from 0% to 100% by adjusting the concentration and site of Cu. Additionally, Cu doping leads to a reduction in the bandgap and an extension of the absorption range into the infrared region. The absorption intensity is positively correlated with the concentration. The presence of a spin‐polarized intermediate band indicates a correlation between the spin of the excited electron and the energy of the absorbed photon. Overall, Cu‐doped shows significant potential for applications in spintronics and spin‐related optics, including photospintronics and spin photocatalysis.
The detection and full genomic characterization of domestic catOrthohepadnavirusesfrom Türkiye
Authors: Adıgüzel Ece , Erdem‐Şahinkesen Eda , Koç Bahattin Taylan , Demirden Cansu , Oğuzoğlu Tuba Çiğdem
Published: July 2023

Background

Domestic cat hepadnaviruses (DCHs) have been described as a novel virus that can infect cats.

Objective

The aim of our study is the first identification and molecular characterizations of DCH infection in Turkish domestic cats.

Methods

The blood, organ and ascites fluid samples from 550 cats were randomly sampled. The presence of DCH nucleic acid was investigated by using both in the literature and newly designed primers.

Results

It was found that the hepadnavirus positivity rate is 4% (22/550) in Türkiye. The full genomic characterization was performed on 13 of 22 samples, and others were characterized as nearly full genome. In this study, we highlight that whole blood samples should be also screened for DCH, not only serum samples as has frequently been done in other studies. DCH‐infected cats were also found positive (54.54%, 12/22) forFeline leukaemia virusinfection. BLAST results revealed that Turkish DCHs have 86.32%–99.08% homology with strains in the GenBank database, enabling us to construct phylogenetic trees.

Conclusions

According to this study's results, it is suggested that this infection should be added to veterinary diagnostic panels worldwide. Additionally, we suggest that our new synthesized primers for the amplification of X gene can also be used for diagnosis.
Public perceptions of heat decarbonization in Great Britain
Authors: Becker Sarah , Demski Christina , Smith William , Pidgeon Nick
Published: July 2023

Heating contributes significant carbon emissions, especially in countries that rely heavily on natural gas as in the UK. Switching to low‐carbon heating is imperative for reaching international climate change targets. Understanding public perceptions and acceptance of low‐carbon heating systems is a crucial part of the successful rollout of alternatives. This review examines public perceptions of different low‐carbon heating technologies, namely heat pumps, hydrogen boilers, hybrid heating systems, and district heating, as well as social factors such as heat experiences. The review focuses on the UK as a case study, which is characterized by high reliance on natural gas for heating with little progress to decarbonize this sector to date. The next years will be critical regarding decision‐making on what low‐carbon heating technologies to pursue. The review shows there is generally low awareness amongst the general public of the need to decarbonize heating and of the low‐carbon heating alternatives. A number of factors have been identified as playing a crucial role in influencing public perceptions of all low‐carbon heating systems, such as installation and running cost, thermal comfort, disruption, level of control, and environmental benefits. However, the acceptance of a new heating system is not simply the sum of several factors, as people's priorities vary across different contexts and technologies. Further public engagement on low‐carbon heating and support (e.g., financial) is necessary for increasing uptake. Future research could explore comparisons between the different low‐carbon heating technologies, key enabling factors, trade‐offs, and concrete policy support.

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Environment > Net Zero Planning and Decarbonization

Policy and Economics > Energy Transitions

Human and Social Dimensions > Social Acceptance
After chemo-metamorphosis: p-menthane monoterpenoids characterize the oil gland secretion of adults of the oribatid mite, Nothrus palustris
Authors: Raspotnig Günther , Bodner Michaela , Fröhlich David , Blesl Julia , Stabentheiner Edith , Kunert Olaf
Published: July 2023

The oil gland secretion of the oribatid mite Nothrus palustris is known to show the phenomenon of juvenile–adult polymorphism, i.e., juvenile instars produce secretions predominated by geranial, whereas adults secrete dehydrocineole along with a number of chemically unidentified compounds. We here re-analyzed the secretions of adult N. palustris by GC–MS and NMR spectroscopy, eventually identifying the unknown compounds as p-menthane monoterpenoids. The major components were two isomeric 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-cyclohex-3-en-1-yl formates (= p-1,8-menthadien-5-yl formates), which accounted for about 75% of the secretion. These were accompanied by five additional, only partly identified p-menthanes (or p-methane-derivatives), all of which represented minor or trace components. In addition, adult secretions contained two C21-hydrocarbons, 1,12-heneicosadiene (major) and a heneicosatriene (minor). Menthane monoterpenoids represent a novel sub-class of terpene compounds in the oil gland secretions of Oribatida. In case of N. palustris, we assume that both geranial and p-menthane monoterpenoids arise via the mevalonate pathway which obviously shows a split at the level of geranyl pyrophosphate, leading to geranial in juveniles and to p-menthanes in adults. The significance of methane occurrence in oil glands as well as the taxonomic distribution of juvenile–adult polymorphism in oribatid oil gland secretions is discussed. The latter phenomenon—i.e., “chemo-metamorphosis” of secretions—is not known from early- and middle-derivative Oribatida nor from Astigmata, but appears to be more common in some derivative desmonomatan and brachypyline oribatid groups.
Binary programming formulations for the upper domination problem
Authors: Burdett Ryan , Haythorpe Michael , Newcombe Alex
Published: July 2023

We consider Upper Domination, the problem of finding the minimal dominating set of maximum cardinality. Very few exact algorithms have been described for solving Upper Domination. In particular, no binary programming formulations for Upper Domination have been described in literature, although such formulations have proved quite successful for other kinds of domination problems. We introduce two such binary programming formulations, and show that both can be improved with the addition of extra constraints which reduce the number of feasible solutions. We compare the performance of the formulations on various kinds of graphs, and demonstrate that (a) the additional constraints improve the performance of both formulations, and (b) the first formulation outperforms the second in most cases, although the second performs better for very sparse graphs. Also included is a short proof that the upper domination number of any generalized Petersen graph P(n, k) is equal to n.
Eating to live or living to eat? Exploring the link between calorie satiation, Bennett’s law, and the evolution of food preferences
Authors: Rathu Manannalage Kalyani Mangalika Lakmini , Chai Andreas , Ratnasiri Shyama
Published: July 2023

As people become wealthy, the type of food they consume tends to fundamentally change. Bennett’s law states that the budget share of starchy food staples, such as cereals and rice, tends to decline as household income rises, while the budget share of other foods, such as meat and vegetables, tends to rise. We argue that an important factor behind this shift is the extent to which the caloric value of the household’s diet meets their energy needs. When the caloric value of the diet is too low, the demand for calories is unsatiated and household’s will ‘eat to live’ and prefer to consume more calorie-dense staple foods, relative to other foods. If the calorie intake exceeds daily energy needs, satiated consumers will ‘live to eat’ and prefer to dedicate additional income to consuming more non-starchy foods that satisfy other wants, such as taste, novelty, or social status. Using Sri Lankan household data, we employ a finite mixture model (FMM) to analyze how satiated and unsatiated groups of consumers alter their calorie intake as income rises. We find empirical evidence that supports this conjecture and suggests that calorie satiation plays an important role in enabling food preferences to evolve as income rises. Policy implications are also discussed.
Impact on urinary incontinence after management of complications related to a retropubic midurethral sling
Authors: Juhl Caroline , Thimm Mette Holberg , Glavind Karin
Published: July 2023

Introduction and hypothesis

The most common complications to midurethral sling (MUS) operations for stress urinary incontinence are postoperative urinary retention (POUR), vaginal MUS exposure, and urgency. They are well described but consensus regarding their management is missing. An evaluation of the treatment of POUR, exposure and urgency after the MUS procedure in our department was implemented. Incontinence status after treatment of complications was evaluated.

Methods

A review of the medical records of women undergoing MUS procedures from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021 (n = 329).

Results

A total of 279 women (85%) had no complications. Fifty women had one or more complications. Twenty-three women (7%) experienced POUR. Final treatment in 9 women was clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC). All remained continent. Nine women had the MUS mobilized. This was successful in 8 women who remained continent. Six women had their MUS incised (one after unsuccessful mobilization). Four became incontinent again and 2 remained continent. Eight women had vaginal MUS exposure. Seven attempted recovering of the MUS. This was successful in 3 patients. The remaining had a partial MUS removal. Only 33% remained continent after removal. Ten patients developed de novo urge, but only 2 needed medication.

Conclusions

Mobilization of the MUS must be considered the optimal treatment for POUR when CISC fails. It is the most effective intervention with the best effect on POUR and the lowest risk of incontinence. Concerning vaginal exposure, a trial of recovering should be attempted as the risk of incontinence when undergoing a partial removal of the MUS is considerable.
Proctored adoption of robotic hiatus hernia surgery: outcomes and learning curves in a high-volume UK centre
Authors: Straatman Jennifer , Rahman Saqib A. , Carter Nicholas C. , Mercer Stuart J. , Knight Benjamin C. , van Boxel Gijsbert I. , Pucher Philip H.
Published: July 2023

Background

The adoption of new surgical technologies is inevitably accompanied by a learning curve. With the increasing adoption of robotic techniques in benign foregut surgery, it is imperative to define optimal learning pathways, to ensure a clinically safe introduction of such a technique. The aim of this study was to assess the learning curve for robotic hiatal hernia repair with a pre-defined adoption process and proctoring.

Methods

The learning curve was assessed in four surgeons in a high-volume tertiary referral centre, performing over a 100 hiatal hernia repairs annually. The robotic adoption process included simulation-based training and a multi-day wet lab-based course, followed by robotic operations proctored by robotic upper GI experts. CUSUM analysis was performed to assess changes in operating time in sequential cases.

Results

Each surgeon (A, B, C and D) performed between 22 and 32 cases, including a total of 109 patients. Overall, 40 cases were identified as ‘complex’ (36.7%), including 16 revisional cases (16/109, 14.7%). With CUSUM analysis inflection points for operating time were seen after 7 (surgeon B) to 15 cases (surgeon B).

Conclusion

The learning curve for robotic laparoscopic fundoplication may be as little as 7–15 cases in the setting of a clearly organized learning pathway with proctoring. By integrating these organized learning pathways learning curves may be shortened, ensuring patient safety, preventing detrimental outcomes due to longer learning curves, and accelerating adoption and integration of novel surgical techniques.
T2RFIS: type-2 regression-based fuzzy inference system
Authors: Wiktorowicz Krzysztof
Published: July 2023

This article discusses a novel type-2 fuzzy inference system with multiple variables in which no fuzzy rules are explicitly defined. By using a rule-free system, we avoid the serious disadvantage of rule-based systems, which are burdened with the curse of dimensionality. In the proposed system, Gaussian membership functions are used for its inputs, and linearly parameterized system functions are used to obtain its output. To obtain the system parameters, a genetic algorithm with multi-objective function is applied. In the presented method, the genetic algorithm is combined with a feature selection method and a regularized ridge regression. The objective functions consist of a pair in which one function is defined as the number of active features and the other as the validation error for regression models or the accuracy for classification models. In this way, the models are selected from the Pareto front considering some compromise between their quality and simplification. Compared to the author’s previous work on the regression-based fuzzy inference system, a new inference scheme with type-2 fuzzy sets has been proposed, and the quality has been improved compared to the system based on type-1 fuzzy sets. Four experiments involving the approximation of a function, the prediction of fuel consumption, the classification of breast tissue, and the prediction of concrete compressive strength confirmed the efficacy of the presented method.
All-in-one picture: visual summary of items in a recommender system
Authors: Pérez-Núñez Pablo , Díez Jorge , Remeseiro Beatriz , Luaces Oscar , Bahamonde Antonio
Published: July 2023

Navigation through large volumes of images is a complex and tedious task that requires tools to facilitate the exploration and discovery of visual information. Photo summaries are one of these tools, which consist of selecting a reduced set of images that best represent the original data source. However, creating photo summaries in the context of recommender systems poses several challenges: How to select the most relevant images for each item? How to encode each image? How to evaluate the quality of the generated summary? In this manuscript, we propose a clustering-based method to create a visual summary in the context of a restaurant recommender system, which includes the photos taken by users who visited the restaurants (items) in a given city. These photos are encoded using a deep neural network that takes into account not only their content but also the relationships between users and restaurants. This encoding will allow us to create a visual summary that captures the essence of user tastes and illustrates the gastronomic offer of the city. We also propose a similarity measure between items based on the users who have visited them and an evaluation method that calculates to what extent the summary obtained represents the original data source. The experimentation carried out includes five datasets and the obtained results demonstrate the adequacy of our proposal for the construction of these summaries.
Human-centred feasibility restoration in practice
Authors: Senthooran Ilankaikone , Klapperstueck Matthias , Belov Gleb , Czauderna Tobias , Leo Kevin , Wallace Mark , Wybrow Michael , Garcia de la Banda Maria
Published: July 2023

Decision systems for solving real-world combinatorial problems must be able to report infeasibility in such a way that users can understand the reasons behind it, and determine how to modify the problem to restore feasibility. Current methods mainly focus on reporting one or more subsets of the problem constraints that cause infeasibility. Methods that also show users how to restore feasibility tend to be less flexible and/or problem-dependent. We describe a problem-independent approach to feasibility restoration that combines existing techniques from the literature in novel ways to yield meaningful, useful, practical, and flexible user support. We evaluated the resulting framework on three real-world applications and conducted a qualitative expert user study with participants from different application domains.
A people-centred framework for exploring water, energy and food security in a small developing island
Authors: Newman Rebecca J. S. , Thorn Jessica P. R. , Haji Tahir A. , Nchimbi Aziza Y. , Musa Irene , Enns Charis , Marchant Robert A.
Published: July 2023

Small developing islands face a number of environmental and social pressures which impact resource security. This study uses a people-centred framework to investigate social-ecological interactions for water, energy and food security. Ten semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted in Pemba and Unguja islands with village elders and leaders. Results demonstrate that shocks and stresses affecting resource security are attributed to land use and resource competition, deforestation, climate change and insufficient resource infrastructure. The scale and strength of such pressures are heightened in dry seasons and also correspond with spatial characteristics such as remoteness, intensity of land use and amount of natural resource capital. Whilst a number of adaptive responses are identified, these appear to be incremental and do not address the scale of the challenge. Maladaptive responses are also identified; most concerning is the use of poor quality water when piped water was disrupted, reduced nutritional intake during dry season and using unsustainable supplies or methods of obtaining of fuelwood. Findings illustrate the importance of using people-centred approaches for understanding the complexity of social-ecological interactions for resource security. They also demonstrate that interventions for resource management need to consider spatial heterogeneity and temporality in terms of how specific land cover uses connect to differential pressures and adaptation capacity over time.
Pre‐Vegetation, Single‐Thread Rivers Sustained by Cohesive, Fine‐Grained Bank Sediments: Mesoproterozoic Stoer Group, NW Scotland
Authors: Valenza Jeffery M. , Ganti Vamsi , Whittaker Alexander C. , Lamb Michael P.
Published: July 2023

A Silurian shift in fluvial stratigraphic architecture, coincident with the appearance of terrestrial vegetation in the fossil record, is traditionally cited as evidence for exclusively shallow, braided planforms in pre‐vegetation rivers. While recent recognition of deep, single‐thread channels in pre‐Silurian strata challenge this paradigm, it is unclear how these rivers maintained stable banks. Here, we reconstruct paleohydraulics and channel planform from fluvial cross‐strata of the 1.2 Ga Stoer Group. These deposits are consistent with deep (4–7 m), low‐sloping rivers (2.7 × 10−4 to 4.5 × 10−5), similar in morphometry to modern single‐thread rivers. We show that reconstructed bank shear stresses approximate the cohesion provided by sand‐mud mixtures with 30%–45% mud—consistent with Stoer floodplain facies composition. These results indicate that sediment cohesion from mud alone could have fostered deep, single‐thread, pre‐vegetation rivers. We suggest that the Silurian stratigraphic shift could mark a kinematic change in channel migration rate rather than a diversification of planform.
Plasma lipid metabolites as potential biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk of obesity-induced metabolic complications
Authors: Bellot Paula Emília Nunes Ribeiro , Braga Erik Sobrinho , Omage Folorunsho Bright , da Silva Nunes Francisca Leide , Lima Severina Carla Vieira Cunha , Lyra Clélia Oliveira , Marchioni Dirce Maria Lobo , Pedrosa Lucia Fatima Campos , Barbosa Fernando , Tasic Ljubica , Sena-Evangelista Karine Cavalcanti Maurício
Published: July 2023

Lipidomics studies have indicated an association between obesity and lipid metabolism dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate and compare cardiometabolic risk factors, and the lipidomic profile in adults and older people. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 individuals, divided into two sex and age-matched groups: obese (body mass index—BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; n = 36) and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2; n = 36). The lipidomic profiles were evaluated in plasma using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Obese individuals had higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), visceral adiposity index (p = 0.029), homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.010), and triacylglycerols (TAG) levels (p = 0.018). 1H-NMR analysis identified higher amounts of saturated lipid metabolite fragments, lower levels of unsaturated lipids, and some phosphatidylcholine species in the obese group. Two powerful machine learning (ML) models—k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and XGBoost (XGB) were employed to characterize the lipidomic profile of obese individuals. The results revealed metabolic alterations associated with obesity in the NMR signals. The models achieved high accuracy of 86% and 81%, respectively. The feature importance analysis identified signal at 1.50–1.60 ppm (–CO–CH2–CH2–, Cholesterol and fatty acid in TAG, Phospholipids) to have the highest importance in the two models.
Traveling salesman problem solution using magnonic combinatorial device
Authors: Balinskyy Mykhaylo , Khitun Aleksandr
Published: July 2023

Traveling salesman problem (TSP) is a decision-making problem that is essential for a number of practical applications. Today, this problem is solved on digital computers exploiting Boolean-type architecture by checking one by one a number of possible routes. In this work, we describe a special type of hardware for the TSP solution. It is a magnonic combinatorial device comprising magnetic and electric parts connected in the active ring circuit. There is a number of possible propagation routes in the magnetic mesh made of phase shifters, frequency filters, and attenuators. The phase shifters mimic cities in TSP while the distance between the cities is encoded in the signal attenuation. The set of frequency filters makes the waves on different frequencies propagate through the different routes. The principle of operation is based on the classical wave superposition. There is a number of waves coming in all possible routes in parallel accumulating different phase shifts and amplitude damping. However, only the wave(s) that accumulates the certain phase shift will be amplified by the electric part. The amplification comes first to the waves that possess the minimum propagation losses. It makes this type of device suitable for TSP solution, where waves are similar to the salesmen traveling in all possible routes at a time. We present the results of numerical modeling illustrating the TSP solutions for four and six cities. Also, we present experimental data for the TSP solution with four cities. The prototype device is built of commercially available components including magnetic phase shifters/filters, coaxial cables, splitters, attenuators, and a broadband amplifier. There are three examples of finding the shortest route between the cities for three different sets of city-to-city distances. The proposed approach is scalable to TSP with a larger number of cities. Physical limits and challenges are also discussed.
Silicon based Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 ferroelectric tunnel junction memristor for convolutional neural network application
Authors: Liu Gongjie , Wang Wei , Guo Zhenqiang , Jia Xiaotong , Zhao Zhen , Zhou Zhenyu , Niu Jiangzhen , Duan Guojun , Yan Xiaobing
Published: July 2023

We report a ferroelectric memristor based on Bi0.9La0.1FeO3. It has a variety of biological synaptic functions and exhibits device-based convolutional neural network neuromorphic computing.
Unleashing the photocatalytic potential of a noble-metal-free heteroleptic copper complex-based nanomaterial for an enhanced aza-Henry reaction
Authors: Rana Pooja , Saini Kapil Mohan , Kaushik Bhawna , Solanki Kanika , Dixit Ranjana , Sharma Rakesh K.
Published: July 2023

A noble metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst based on a highly efficient heteroleptic copper complex was fabricated via a covalent grafting approach for the promotion of aza-Henry reactions under visible light conditions.
MaskDis R‐CNN: An instance segmentation algorithm with adversarial network for herd pigs
Authors: Tu Shuqin , Zeng Qiantao , Liu Haofeng , Liang Yun , Liu Xiaolong , Huang Lei , Huang Zhengxin
Published: July 2023

The current instance segmentation method can achieve satisfactory results in common scenarios. However, under the overlap or partial occlusion between targets caused by the complex scenes, accurate segmentation of pigs remains a challenging task. To address the problem, the authors propose an instance segmentation method based on Mask Scoring region‐based convolutional neural networks (R‐CNN) (MS R‐CNN), which creates the adversarial network called MaskDis in the head branch of MS R‐CNN. The MaskDis is trained as a discriminator using a generative adversarial network, and the MS R‐CNN model is used as a generator during model training. The adversarial training enables the generator to learn context information and features at the pixel level, which effectively improves the segmentation quality under pigs’ overlapping or dense occlusions scenes. Experimental conducted on the pig object segmentation dataset show that the proposed approach achieves a precision of 92.03%, a recall of 92.18%, and an F1 score of 0.9210. Compared with the basic MS R‐CNN model, the approach achieved a 2.25% improvement in precision and 1.18% improvement in F1 score. Furthermore, the improved approach outperformed advanced instance segmentation methods such as YOLACT, Swin Transformer, YOLOv5‐seg, and SOLOv2 on COCO evaluation metrics. These experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in instance segmentation of pigs in complex scenes, providing technical support for non‐contact pig automatic management.
Veranstaltungsübersicht
Authors: Bundschu Marion
Published: July 2023

Informationen zu den Veranstaltungen finden Sie auf www.wbs-ulm.de.
Sklerodermie – „die harte Haut“
Authors: Speidel Jil , Hunzelmann Nicolas , Moinzadeh Pia
Published: July 2023

Unter dem Begriff Sklerodermie ist eine heterogene Gruppe von Erkrankungen zusammengefasst, die eine kutane Sklerose gemeinsam haben. Die einzelnen Erkrankungen variieren in der Beteiligung betroffener Strukturen wie Haut, Fettgewebe, Muskulatur, Gelenkstrukturen, Knochen, innerer Organe und der damit einhergehenden Krankheitsausprägung. Es lassen sich grundsätzlich zwei verschiedene Subtypen unterscheiden: die lokalisierte Sklerodermie (LoS) und die systemische Sklerose (SSc), die sich jeweils in weitere Subgruppen unterteilen lassen. Es handelt sich um zwei verschiedene Erkrankungen, die sich in der Ausprägung der Hautsklerosierung, der Beteiligung innerer Organe, im Antikörper-Profil, im Krankheitsmanagement sowie der Prognose unterscheiden. Darüber hinaus gibt es Krankheitsbilder, die eine Sklerodermie imitieren und daher als sklerodermie-artige Erkrankungen oder auch als Pseudosklerodermien bezeichnet werden. Um die richtige Diagnose stellen zu können, ist ein standardisiertes diagnostisches Vorgehen bedeutsam. Die frühe Diagnosestellung ist wichtig, um frühzeitige eine Therapie einleiten zu können und so funktionelle kutane und extrakutane Einschränkungen und auch kosmetische Schäden gering halten zu können.
Analysis of tar and pyrolysis gas from low-rank coal pyrolysis assisted by apple branch
Authors: Yin Ning , Song Yonghui , Wu Lei , Dong Ping , Wang Chaofan , Zhou Jun , Zhang Xinwei
Published: July 2023

Low-rank coal (LRC) pyrolysis assisted by biomass can realize the clean and efficient conversion utilization of LRC. The gas and tar characteristics obtained from co-pyrolysis of apple branch (AB) and LRC at different stages were studied with TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS. It was found that the co-pyrolysis process could be divided into four stages, and the weight loss rate of AB+LRC was 24.03% in the second stage (194.60–404.63 °C), lower than the calculated value. However, the third stage (404.63–594.33 °C) weight loss rate was 13.33%, higher than the calculated value. The content of volatile products increased during co-pyrolysis, resulting in a higher total weight loss rate than the calculated value. There was a synergistic effect between AB and LRC. Aromatic hydrocarbon release intensity in co-pyrolysis products was significantly enhanced in the second and third stages, and it was stronger than that of pyrolysis alone; in contrast, the release intensity of gaseous products was weaker than that of pyrolysis alone. In co-pyrolysis tar, the content of monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was increased. The C<10 component was 86.48%, higher than the calculated value of 12.68%. The proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols increased significantly compared with the calculated value.
Ultrathin metamaterial-based refractive index sensor for biomedical applications
Authors: Anwar Shahzad
Published: July 2023

This work presented an ultrathin terahertz metamaterial-based sensor in the terahertz region. The suggested design comprised of gold metasurface atop on layer of dielectric spacer and a layer of gold at the bottom. The simulation results display dual frequencies found at 1.04 THz and 2.655 THz with absorptance rate closed to 100%. The suggested design displays sharp peaks and a maximum Q value of 132.75 in the dual-band absorptance profile. Moreover, the suggested sensor displays polarization independence which will eradicate the polarization demand of the device. The dual peaks of the suggested sensor are extremely sensitive to the refractive index variation of surrounding medium. Furthermore, the suggested sensor sensitivity increases up to 0.76 THz RIU−1 and figure of merit (FOM) reaches up to 38 RIU−1 lies between 1 to 2 RI range at 50 μm analyte thickness selected. Additionally, the sensor device has the ability of detection of glucose and malaria infection with high sensitivity and FOM.
Thermodynamic quantities and phase transitions of five-dimensional de Sitter hairy spacetime*
Authors: Li Xin-Ping , Zhang Li-Chun , Ma Yu-Bo , Li Huai-Fan
Published: July 2023

In this study, we take the mass, electric charge, hair parameter, and cosmological constant of five-dimensional de Sitter hairy spacetime as the state parameters of the thermodynamic system, and when these state parameters satisfy the first law of thermodynamics, the equivalent thermodynamic quantities of spacetime and the Smarr relation of five-dimensional de Sitter hairy spacetime are obtained. Then, we study the thermodynamic characteristics of the spacetime described by these equivalent thermodynamic quantities and find that de Sitter hairy spacetime has a phase transition and critical phenomena similar to those of van de Waals systems or charged AdS black holes. It is shown that the phase transition point of de Sitter hairy spacetime is determined by the ratio of two event horizon positions and the cosmic event horizon position. We discuss the influence of the hair parameter and electric charge on the critical point. We also find that the isochoric heat capacity of the spacetime is not zero, which is consistent with the ordinary thermodynamic system but differs from the isochoric heat capacity of AdS black holes, which is zero. Using the Ehrenfest equations, we prove that the critical phase transition is a second order equilibrium phase transition. Research on the thermodynamic properties of five-dimensional de Sitter hairy spacetime lays a foundation for finding a universal de Sitter spacetime thermodynamic system and studying its thermodynamic properties. Our universe is an asymptotically dS spacetime, and the thermodynamic characteristics of de Sitter hairy spacetime will help us understand the evolution of spacetime and provide a theoretical basis to explore the physical mechanism of the accelerated expansion of the universe.
Statistical Properties of Alfvén Ion Cyclotron Waves and Kinetic Alfvén Waves in the Inner Heliosphere
Authors: Sun Chang , Yang Lei , Li Qiu-Huan , Dai Cun-Li , Li Jian-Ping , Cheng Zheng-Wei , Wu De-Jin
Published: July 2023

Alfvén ion cyclotron waves (ACWs) and kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) are found to exist at <0.3 au observed by Parker Solar Probe in Alfvénic slow solar winds. To examine the statistical properties of the background parameters for ACWs and KAWs and related wave disturbances, both wave events observed by Parker Solar Probe are selected and analyzed. The results show that there are obvious differences in the background and disturbance parameters between ACWs and KAWs. ACW events have a relatively higher occurrence rate but with a total duration slightly shorter than KAW events. The median background magnetic field magnitude and the related background solar wind speed of KAW events are larger than those of ACWs. The distributions of the relative disturbances of the proton velocity, proton temperature, the proton number density, and β cover wider ranges for ACW events than for KAW events. The results may be important for the understanding of the nature and characteristics of Alfvénic slow solar wind fluctuations at ion scales near the Sun, and provide the information of the background field and plasma parameters and the wave disturbances of ACWs and KAWs for further relevant theoretical modeling or numerical simulations.
A cell–electrode interface signal-to-noise ratio model for 3D micro-nano electrode
Authors: Yin Shuqing , Li Yang , Lu Ruoyu , Guo Lihua , Wang Yansheng , Liu Chong , Li Jingmin
Published: July 2023

Objective. Three-dimensional micro-nano electrodes (MNEs) with the vertical nanopillar array distributed on the surface play an increasingly important role in neural science research. The geometric parameters of the nanopillar array and the cell adhesion state on the nanopillar array are the factors that may affect the MNE recording. However, the quantified relationship between these parameters and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is still unclear. This paper establishes a cell–MNE interface SNR model and obtains the mathematical relationship between the above parameters and SNR. Approach. The equivalent electrical circuit and numerical simulation are used to study the sensing performance of the cell–electrode interface. The adhesion state of cells on MNE is quantified as engulfment percentage, and an equivalent cleft width is proposed to describe the signal loss caused by clefts between the cell membrane and the electrode surface. Main results. Whether the planar substrate is insulated or not, the SNR of MNE is greater than planar microelectrode only when the engulfment percentage is greater than a certain value. Under the premise of maximum engulfment percentage, the spacing and height of nanopillars should be minimized, and the radius of the nanopillar should be maximized for better signal quality. Significance. The model can clarify the mechanism of improving SNR by nanopillar arrays and provides the theoretical basis for the design of such nanopillar neural electrodes.
Influence of Biochar Application and Gypsum Content on some Hydrophysical Characteristics of a Gypsiferous Soil
Authors: Kurdi A. A. , Shihab R. M.
Published: July 2023

Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effect of biochar addition and gypsum content on some hydrophysical properties and soil quality index. Soil samples with gypsum content (G2) 100, (G3) 150, (G4) 200, (G5) 250 and (G6) 350 g kg-1, were prepared by mixing a surface soil sample for a depth of 0-10 cm with a gypsum content (G1) 60 g kg-1 and a subsurface soil sample from a depth of 60-100 cm with a gypsum content (G7) 443 g kg-1 at the research station of the College of Agriculture / Tikrit University. biochar was imported from the Plantonix company, boichar were mixed with the soil at a ratio of (B0) 0,(B1) 20, (B2) 40,(B3) 60,(B4) 80 g kg -1, then the prepared soil samples were moistened by spraying to within two-thirds of the field capacity, then incubated in open plastic containers with continuous stirring daily for two months for the purpose of homogenization. After the end of the incubation period, the soil samples were air dried and passed through a sieve with 2 mm openings. Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) gave highest values for biochar is 4.68,4.29,4.03,3.75 and 2.57 mm for gypsum levels, respectively. While it was less value for the comparison treatment. While the physical soil quality index gave the highest value when the treatment G4B3 reached 0.045 (good) while it was the lowest value when the treatment G1B2 reached 0.024 (weak or weak).and the results Infiltration were decreased at a content of 60 g kg-1 reaching 1.29 cm. Despite this, it was significantly superior to the comparison treatment, which amounted to 0.97 cm. Then increased significantly with increasing boichar content. They were 0.97, 1.64, 1.54, 1.29 and 1.98 cm for the biochar content of B4–B0, respectively.
A biochar and Fulvic Acid Usage-Based Approach to Reduce Pollution Resulting from the use of Mineral Fertilizers
Authors: Shaltout Nouran H. A. , Ibrahim Ahmed H. , Abdel-Fattah Mohamed K. , Abdou Ahmed I.
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, due to pollution in world due to due to excessive consumption of mineral fertilizers, the limiting or minimizing their use has become a major strategy for environmentalists. The research work objective was to reduce quantities of mineral fertilizers, especially NPK fertilizers, by gradually replacing nitrogen fertilizers with fulvic acid and biochar. Four different combinations of mineral fertilizers were used as soil application (NPK1: 120, 160 and 143, NPK2: 180, 310 and 190, NPK3: 240, 475 and 240 and NPK4: 300, 635 and 285 kg ha-1), biochar as soil application (B0: without biochar, B1: 15 and B2: 30 Mg ha-1) and fulvic acid as foliar addition (FA0: without fulvic acid and FA1: 0.2, gL-1) were studied using pot experiment during 2017/2018 season using wheat plants. The results indicated general increment trend in almost investigated parameters with increasing fertilizers level especially that combined with biochar at any rate and fulvic acid. The highest soil N and P contents (63.59 and 38.35 mgkg-1) were reported with NPK4 + B2 + F1 while the lowest values (31.09 and 2.96 mgkg-1) were recorded under the lowest fertilization level without application of B or FA. Unlike, maximum K contents (216.79 and 214.88 mgkg-1) were reported under adding the NPK4 or with B2 without FA. The grain yield recorded maximum values (5 Mg ha-1) under combined application of maximum NPK fertilizer level, 30 Mg ha-1 of biochar and fulvic acid while applying the minimum NPK fertilization level (level 1) without any applications of biochar or fulvic acid resulted in the lowest values (2.94 Mg ha-1). The results showed that it is possible to partially reduce the quantities of mineral fertilizers used and replace them with a complementary addition from fulvic acid and biochar, and this is reflected in the reduction of environmental pollution resulting from the use of mineral fertilizers. Also, the combination of NPK and biochar led to an improvement in the productivity of wheat grown in sandy lands, as it reduced the loss of nutrients, and the addition of fulvic acid led to an increase in plant resistance to stress conditions that appear under sandy soil conditions.
Response of Olive Seedlings (Olea europaea L.) Manzinilo Cultivar to Spraying with Potassium Silicate and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Al-Waeli Fatimah Khayoon Mohammed , Al-Khayyt Baqer Sejad Mohmod
Published: July 2023

This research was carried out in one of the private orchards in the district of Al-Musayyab / Babil during the season 2019-2020 with the aim of studying the effect of two factors, namely, spraying with three concentrations of potassium silicate (0,100,150 mg. L-1) and ascorbic acid with three concentrations of 0,100,200 mg. l-1), the experiment was designed as a factorial experiment according to the design of randomized complete blocks (RCBD) and with three replications, and the experimental unit included one seedling, so the number of experiment trees is 27 seedlings. The transactions were distributed randomly and using the SAS program to analyze the data. Spraying with potassium silicate and ascorbic acid at a concentration of 100 mg.l-1 each led to a significant increase in plant height, which amounted to 79.10 cm compared to the control treatment, which amounted to 47.00 cm, as well as its superiority in the number of branches, which reached 5 branches. seedlings -1 compared to the control treatment. Which amounted to 3.00 branch. seedlings-1, while the spraying treatment with potassium silicate and ascorbic at a concentration of 150 mg.l-1 each was superior in the characteristics of the number of total leaves. mg.l-1 and ascorbic at a concentration of 50 mg. l-1 in the characteristic of stem diameter, which amounted to 15 mm each, compared with the control treatment, which amounted to 10.24 mm, and the characteristic of leaf area, which amounted to 12.40 and 12.17 cm2 for each, respectively, while the comparison treatment for leaf area was 9.91 cm2.
Effect of Cultivars, Apical Pinching and Copper Nano-Fertilizer on 1-Characteristics of Vegetative Growth of Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: alsawaf Ahmed , Ibraheem Fathel F. R.
Published: July 2023

Research was conducted at the vegetable field of the University of Mosul’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering (in the College of Agriculture and Forestry) (2021). The experiment included a study of three factors, the first of which was the use of three different bean sprout cultivars (Spanish, American, and Dutch), the second of which was the condition of apical pinching (apical pinching and without pinching), and the third of which was the use of copper Nano-fertilizer at three different concentrations (zero, one, and 1.5 gm L-1) (2 x 3 x 3). Field research was conducted utilizing a factorial experiment with split-plots in R.C.B.D. Varieties were planted in the main plots, and the correlation between pinching and copper Nano-fertilizer concentrations was observed in the sub-plots. The Duncan multiple range test was used to compare the means of the groups, and a significance threshold of 5% was used for the study. Here’s a rundown of the A- The significant effect of the plants of the three cultivars varied in the characteristics of the vegetative growth, as the plants of the Spanish and American cultivars were significantly superior in plant height and percentage of dry matter, while the plants of the Dutch and Spanish cultivars excelled in the number of branches, while no significant differences were observed between the cultivars in terms of chlorophyll and leaf area. B- The treatment of apical pinching excelled in terms of the number of branches and leaf area compared to the treatment of not pinching. C- The use of copper Nano-fertilizer in two concentrations resulted in significant effects on all vegetative growth traits compared to comparison plants. D- Most of the effects of the binary and triple interaction of the studied factors were consistent with the single effect of each factor for most of the previous characteristics.
Effect of the Fungus Neoscylitiadium dimidiatum Penz. Reduction of Dry Weight and Specific Weight of Sapwood and Heartwood of the Trunks of Populus and Eucalyptus Trees
Authors: Abdullah Anfal Awad , Muhammad Anwar Nouri
Published: July 2023

The study was carried out in the Forest Diseases Laboratory, Department of Forest Sciences, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Al Mosul. During the academic year 2021-2022, the Sakla wood is available in the wood stores in the city of Mosul. The study aimed at the effect of decay fungi on some local commercial woods, including populus and Eucalyptus The results of the field survey of wood stores in the city of Mosul showed that most of the wood was infected with brown rot fungus. As the severity of the infection varied in different proportions, the percentage of infection of populus wood columns was 75%, and the percentage of infection of Eucalyptus wood columns was 40%. The fungus Neoscylitiadium dimidiatum penz. caused a decrease in the dry weight of populus wood and Eucalyptus columns from the first month of incubation and continued gradually until the fifth month As the percentage of loss in the fifth month was 4.41% for the populus poles, and the percentage of loss was 3.33% for the Eucalyptus poles. The increase in the losses in the weight of the sap wood continued during the incubation stages and to a greater degree than the increase in the loss percentages in the heart wood.
The Effect of the Bacterial Biofertilizer Azotobacter and Gibberellic Acid Solution and Kinetin in Germination of Guava Seeds (Psidium guajava L.)
Authors: Alkalabi Chasb Kh. Ja. , Bajlan Sabah G. Sh.
Published: July 2023

The study was carried out in the College of Agriculture - University of Kerbala at the beginning of September of the year 2022, according to a factorial experiment with a completely randomized block design, to study the effect of bacterial biofertilizer Azotobacter, and a solution of gibberellic acid in three concentrations (0, 150 and 300 mg. L-1), and a solution of kinetin in three concentrations (0, 25 and 50 mg. L-1) in germination of guava seeds (Psidium guajava L.), the results showed that the single effect of the biological fertilizing agent was superior in the all studied characteristic, except for the characteristic of germination energy after ten days compared to the control treatment. As for gibberellic acid, the concentration (300 mg. L-1) gave it the highest significant increase in all the studied traits compared to the control treatment. Also, the treatment of seeds with kinetin excelled, as the concentration (50 mg. L-1) recorded the highest significant difference in all the studied traits, compared to the control treatment, which recorded the lowest rate.
The Effect of Rhus coriaria on the Microorganisms Present in the Gut, Gills and Aquarium Environment of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: Salih Saadullah Ali , Al-Taee Nidhal Tahseen Taha
Published: July 2023

The study was conducted for the purpose of estimating three types of bacteria, Salmonella enterica, E.Coli, and Lactobacillus’s (lactic acid bacteria) in the fish laboratory of the Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul. In order to find out the extent of contamination of the fish environment with microorganisms and the exposure of fish to them, bacterial samples were taken from three sites, which are the aquarium water, the gills and the intestines, and they were cultivated in the culture media designated for them. Results There were significant differences at the probability level (P ≥ 0.05), as a decrease in the number of colonies of the three types of bacteria was observed in the treatments that contained different percentages of sumac compared to the control.