bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Adding Sheep Manure and Organic Extracts on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Growth and Yield
Authors: Sharqi Haneen Shartoh , Hussein Abdulhakeem D. , Al-Mashhdany Maysam A. R. , Sarheed Bassam R.
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was conducted in one of the agricultural fields of the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, in a sandy loam soil to cultivate fenugreek plants according to a randomized complete block design with three blocks to study the effect of adding sheep manure before planting at three levels (without addition (A0 0 µg.ha−1), A1 6 µg ha−1, A2 8 µg.ha−1). The treatments were also sprayed with commercial organic acids at concentrations of (0.5, 1, and 1.5) ml.L−1, were denoted as G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The treatments were also sprayed with manufactured organic acids at concentrations of (0.5, 1, and 1.5 ml L−1) and were denoted as M1, M2, and M3, respectively. In addition, there was a treatment of spraying with distilled water only (C). The results showed that the second level of sheep manure (A2) was superior with the highest rate for all growth and yield traits. The manufactured organic acids were superior with the highest rate of plant height, number of branches plant−1, number of pods plant−1, and number of seeds.pod−1. While the treatment of spraying with both industrial (M3) and commercial (G3) organic acids outperformed with the same rate for the weight of 100 seeds (1.7gm). The treatment of spraying with commercial organic acids (G2) was superior with the highest yield of 1.002 µg.ha−1, but it did not differ significantly from manufactured organic acids. The best interaction in giving the highest yield of fenugreek seeds in treatment A2G2 was 2.142 µg.ha-1compared to control treatment A0C when the yield of fenugreek seeds was 0.022 µg.ha−1.
Variation in the Proportion of Weathering Indicators in Alluvial and Desert Sedimentary Soils in Western Iraq
Authors: Al-Mohammedi Muna Faraj , Alani Ahmed R. , Ibrahiem Muthana khleel
Published: July 2024

This study was conducted to distinguish flood sediments and desert sediments using total oxides values and observing variations in weathering indicators in the studied soils. The study area is located within the administrative boundaries of Anbar Governorate, where the study included several valleys, ranging from Al-Qaim valley, Al-Mohmouadi valley, Al-Damama valley, Houran valley, Al-Baghdadi valley, Zaghdan valley, Al-Sahliya valley, Sheikh Hadeed valley, by pedons for each site pedons with in the sedimentary and pedons with in the desert sediments After taking samples from each horizon, the samples were prepared for laboratory tests and the necessary analyzes were carried out. The total oxides in the soil that included were estimated Na2O, K2O, CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO using X-ray machine (XRF)Based on the results of the chemical analysis of the elements, the weathering indicators (WPl, PAI, CWI CAI, Vogts) In order to identify the activity of weathering processes of all kinds and to identify a difference in the degree of weathering as well as the extent of development of the soil of the study areas. Results of the complete elemental analysis (XRF) indicated an elevation in the proportions of weathering-resistant oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3). Silicon oxide(SiO2) predominated in all studied pedons, especially in desert soils, ranging between 28.47 to 38.21% in desert soils and 28.39-36.03% in alluvial soils. The proportions of Fe2O3 oxides varied between 2.62-7.90% with the lowest value found in Al-Damama valley soil at 4.60% and the highest in Al-Sahliya valley at 6.70%. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) reached its highest value at 9.31% in alluvial sedimentary soils and it is lowest at 4.73% in desert soils. Regarding the easily leachable elements, calcium oxide (CaO)ranked second in prevalence in both alluvial and desert sedimentary soils, ranging between 19.60 to34.20%. Sodium oxide (Na2O) showed a significant decrease in the studied soils due to leaching processes and its fast mobility, ranging between 0.08 to 2.36%. Calculations of weathering standards, including (Vogts, Cal, Cwl, PAl, WPl) showed that the highest level was in the soil of Al-Sahliya valley, within the alluvial sedimentary deposits(high rainfall) and it gradually decreased until it reached its lowest levels in the soil of Houran valley within the desert deposits(less rainfall).
Preparation and Characterization of Biochars from Plant and Animal Waste Under Different Pyrolysis Temperature
Authors: Ali Mustafa Hussein , Fahmi Alaa Hasan
Published: July 2024

Biochar is widely used for environmental and agricultural purposes due to its positive effect on soil fertility, immobilization of pollutants and sequestration of carbon. This research produced biochar from plant waste (palm fronds PFB) and animal waste (sheep manure SMB) at different pyrolysis temperatures (300 and 700 °C) and compared their physicochemical properties. The results showed the biochars produced at a low temperature (300 °C) had higher yield. However, the increasing pyrolysis temperature led to increased surface area, pore volume, EC, pH, ash content, carbon content, and negative zeta protentional. Sheep manure biochar (SMB) was higher elements (phosphorus, potassium, calcium). Therefore, it can be suggested to use sheep manure biochar as organic fertilizer for soil treatment rather than used for the removal of contaminants as preferred for palm fronds biochar produced at higher pyrolysis temperatures depending on their properties.
The Spatial Pattern Assessment of Annual Rainfall in Iraq for Periods from 2001 to 2023
Authors: Al-Daoudi Ahmed S. , Al-Timimi Y. K.
Published: July 2024

This study aims to investigate the patterns of the annual rainfall in Iraq from 2001 to 2023 using data obtained from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The period of study was divided into five periods, each spanning five years (except the first, and the fifth period), to analyze annual rainfall variations. Spatial distribution maps and descriptive statistics were generated to assess rainfall patterns across different regions of Iraq. Results indicate significant variability in rainfall amounts and distributions over the study interval, with the northeastern and southeastern strip regions consistently receiving higher rainfall than western and southwestern areas. During the first period (2001-2004), the highest maximum annual rainfall was in 2002 (912 mm/year), in contrast, the second period (2005-2009) recorded the lowest maximum annual rainfall in 2008 by about (439 mm/year). Analysis of the mean annual accumulative rainfall for each period illustrated that the first period 2001-2004 incorporated the highest maximum value of mean annual accumulative rainfall and standard deviation by about 765 mm/4 years, and 160.5 respectively. In contrast, the fifth period 2020-2023 has the lowest maximum value and standard deviation which reached 512 mm/5 years, and 89.2 correspondingly. Mean annual accumulative rainfall decreased over time, suggesting potential impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns in Iraq. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding and managing water resources, agriculture, and environmental sustainability in the region.
An Economic Study of the Water Footprint of the Most Important Strategic Crops in Iraq
Authors: Abdul Sura Sael , Hamid Al-Badri Bassem Hazem , Sharif Mohammad Omar
Published: July 2024

Water is mostly used in agricultural production. It is anticipated that future dietary changes, economic growth, and population expansion will raise the water demand. An overview of the water footprint and sustainability of crop production (wheat, barley, rice, and maize) for the years 2000–2022 is offered in this paper. The study concluded that the averages of the total water footprint of the study crops ranged respectively (11.00, 2.8211, 17.42, 2.71) billion m3, and the average proportion of the researched crops’ reliance on outside water resources is (20.25, 0.0044, 77.74, 0.0578)%, while the average proportion of the crops’ self-sufficiency in local water resources is (79.75, 100.00, 22.26, 99.94)%. The average unit productivity also reached irrigation water, respectively (0.00099, 0.0004, 0.0004, 0.0004). The investigation resulted in a set of suggestions. The grain crops studied are classified as water-consuming crops. Therefore, their water footprint is fairly large, and they exert a major strain on water resources, especially considering their widespread use. Based on this result, several suggestions were offered, the most significant of which is the need to calculate the water footprint of different crops in order to achieve self-sufficiency in local water resources and reduce reliance on foreign water resources.
Calculating Water Productivity Using the Portal WaPOR
Authors: Mahmoud Shatha Hadi , Ati Alaa Salih , Majeed Shatha Salim
Published: July 2024

The task of attaining food security while simultaneously ensuring the sustainable utilization of water resources poses a significant obstacle for both present and future generations. This problem is particularly pronounced in light of escalating pressures, including economic and demographic expansion, as well as the impacts of climate change. The agricultural sector accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. Hence, meticulous surveillance of water productivity in agriculture enables us to ascertain the efficiency of water utilization for crop cultivation and identify strategies for its optimization, especially in regions with limited water resources. Enhancing water productivity frequently serves as the primary approach for effectively regulating water demand in the agricultural sector. Systematic monitoring facilitates the assessment of disparities in water productivity and the identification of suitable measures to address these disparities. Water productivity refers to the measure or worth of output relative to the amount of water that is utilized in a positive manner to generate said output. Water productivity in agriculture can be quantified as the ratio of crop yield to the amount of water utilized for useful purposes. The FAO portal, WaPOR, provides open access to remotely sensed and derived data for monitoring water productivity. It oversees and documents the water efficiency of agriculture in Africa and the Near East, and offers unrestricted access to the water efficiency database and its numerous underlying map layers. The system facilitates the execution of direct data queries, analysis of time series data, computation of area statistics, and retrieval of essential variables related to assessments of water and land productivity.
Role of Agricultural Sulfur and Phosphate Fertilizer Levels on the Availability of Specific Nutrients and the Productivity of Potatoe (Solanum Tuberosum L.)
Authors: Alwan Bushra Mahmoud , Mohsen Talib Khairy
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was conducted in Abu Ghraib’s sandy-loam soil during the autumn 2019–2020 season at one of the agricultural stations of the Soil Research Department. The current study sought to determine how phosphate fertilizer levels and agricultural sulfur affect the availability of specific nutrients and the productivity of potato cultivars (Sivra). Additionally, the experiment was set up using three replicates of the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Agricultural sulfur at levels S0 (without addition) and S1 (500 kg.ha−1) were two components of the test. The second is phosphate fertilizer, which comes in three levels: P0 (without adding), P1(50% fertilizer recommendation of 100 kg/ha), and P2 (100% fertilizer recommendation of 140 kg/ha). The treatments were given to the experimental units at random during the statistical analysis of the data, and the average of the treatments was compared using the least significant difference (L.S.D.) test at a probability level of 0.05. The Results of the study showed that the characteristics of the plants were significantly influenced by the concentration of agricultural sulfur S1. The P2S1 bilateral interaction treatment was 73.57 cm taller than the other treatments in terms of plant height. Additionally, at the maturity stage, the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the leaves were 2.60%, 0.42%, and 3.82%, respectively, while the amount of dry matter in the tubers was 20.72%. In addition, the yield characteristics, tuber weight, plant yield, and overall yield were significantly different from the control treatment, according to the results. With a tuber weight of 167.57 g/tuber, a plant yield of 1097.0 g/plant, a total tuber yield of 58.53 t.ha-1, and a starch percentage of 13.65%, the bilateral interaction treatment P2S1 was superior.
An Environmental Study to Determine The Groundwater Quality Index for Agricultural Purposes in Areas Near The Bahr Al-Najaf Depression Using GIS
Authors: Abdulshaheed Zainab Hussain , Halboos Mohanad Hazim
Published: July 2024

In this research, the quality of groundwater was studied for fifty wells distributed in areas near the Bahr al-Najaf depression. Where a large discrepancy was observed in the readings and concentrations of the thirteen variables that were identified, they included both the acid function pH and their ranged between (7.11 - 7.29) and the electrical conductivity EC whose values in the number of wells measured were between (2351 - 8901 μS/cm) and the total dissolved salts TDS were between (1520 to 5773 mg/L). In this study, the concentrations of positive ions were also measured, including calcium, and their values ranged between (155 to 594 mg/L), sodium (235 to 895 mg/L), potassium (2 - 101 mg/L), and magnesium (60 to 337 mg/L). Negative ions represented by sulfates SO4
2- were also studied, and their concentrations ranged between (517 to 1919 mg/L), chlorides Cl− (293 to 1243 mg/L), and nitrates NO3
− (0.3 - 1.8 mg/L). The concentrations of heavy metals in the water of these wells were also studied, and their values included lead ions (0.00 - 0.0183 mg/L), cadmium (0.00 - 0.0038 mg/L), and manganese (0.2464 - 1.1628 mg/L). Then the water quality index WQI for these wells was determined, and a large discrepancy in the results was also noted after using the geographic information system GIS when drawing maps and distributing the results on them.
Mycorrhizal Effect on Potassium Availability, Potato Growth, and Yield in Relation to Potassium Fertilizer
Authors: Karim Al-Harqani Rusul Jamal Abdul , Oleiwi Mohammed Sallal , Mahmood Saad S.
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was conducted to cultivate Arizona potatoes in a private field located in the Abu Gharq district of Babylon province during the autumn season 2023-2024. The soil type utilized was Typic Torrifluvent clay loam. The research encompassed the investigation of how potassium fertilizer concentrations and the efficacy of mycorrhizae inoculation affected potassium availability, growth, and yield. The potato plants were inoculated with three different concentrations of mycorrhizae, denoted as M0, M1, and M2, respectively, at weighing 0, 10, and 20 g per plant. This pertains to the initial factor, whereas the second factor illustrated the sequential addition of potassium fertilizer in the form of potassium sulfate to the soil at three different levels (0, 125, and 250) kg.ha−1, denoted by the symbols K0, K1, and K2, respectively. The study utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to conduct its experiments. The investigated vegetative growth characteristics were assessed at maturation, while leaf and tuber samples were collected to determine the concentrations of K, P, and N in the tubers and the soil subsequent to sowing. The results were evident. In comparison to the control treatment M0K0, the K2 M2 treatment exhibited greater values for vegetative growth trait indicators including plant height, number of main stems, leaf area, chlorophyll index, and dry weight of vegetative growth.
Pedogenic and Spatial Distribution of Gypsum Content in Soil Series units in Al-Dur District in Salah Al-Din Governorate
Authors: Mahmoud Hussein Imad , Ismaeal Ammar S.
Published: July 2024

In order to diagnose the extent of development of some gypsum soils and their suitability for agricultural production, prepare maps of the spatial distribution of gypsum, and thus prepare a digital spatial database that fulfills the requirements for successful management of agricultural lands, five gypsum chain units were selected in the city of Al-Dur in Salah al-Din Governorate, and 5 soil beds were dug and models were taken from each horizon representative of the soil. Then, 41 surface samples were taken, representing all the series of the region, in order to prepare a map of the spatial distribution of gypsum using geospatial techniques. The results showed the diagnosis of the ochric epipedon surface horizon and the subsurface diagnostic horizon, the Gypsic Endopedon, in series A3.3 and A1.1, and the presence of gypsum in the form of gypsum cones in these horizons. The results of the spatial distribution map also revealed that the type of gypsum with a high content occupies a large area in the study area, estimated at about 44.26 km2, which leads to a problem in root growth and obstruction of the root system, which negatively affects the productivity of the crop and thus will negatively affect the productivity of agricultural lands, which requires the development of plans. Successful management achieves the preservation of the soil resource in order to achieve sustainable development goals of providing food and preserving these natural resources.
Preparing a Map of the Spatial Variation of Ready Phosphorus in the Units of Gypsum Soil Series in Al-Dur District / Salah Al-Din Governorate
Authors: Mahmoud Hussein Imad , Ismail Ammar S.
Published: July 2024

In order to know the ready phosphorus content and the extent of its readiness in the soil, five series were chosen representative of the gypsum soils of the study area in the East Tarab Extension Project, Al-Dour District - Salah al-Din Governorate, and a representative pot for each series was dug. Geospatial techniques were used to prepare maps of the spatial distribution of ready-made phosphorus content in the study’s soil series, and the maps representing ready-made phosphorus in the soil series were distributed vertically for each representative level of each series. The results of the study of the series of stove soils for their ready-made phosphorus content showed the following. The lowest percentage was 0.177 mg.kg−1 found in the series E1.3, the first stove, P1, the last or fourth horizon, C3, at a depth of (58-100) cm, and also in the A4 series. 1. The third mass, P3, the last or fourth horizon, C3, with a depth of (80-100) cm, and also in the A3 series. 3 The fourth mass, P4, the last or fourth horizon, C3, with a depth of (70-100) cm, and the highest percentage was 21,207 mg. 1 kg within the E1.5 series, the second burner, the P2 first horizon, with a depth of (0-34) cm. As for the soil series of surface samples, the number of samples was 41 samples represented on the soil series of the study for preparing phosphorus maps, as it gave the highest percentage in sample No. (S6) and its percentage was (67.846) mg.kg−1, which is located in series A1.1. The lowest percentage was in sample No. (S23) and its percentage was (1.075) mg kg−1, which falls in series A4.1. The use of geospatial technologies has shown high efficiency and good accuracy in studying the mapping of the distribution of nutrients for gypsum soils and the content of these soils of elements. And their readiness. Also, the IDW spatial derivation technique was used to know the behavior of these soils and the extent of their readiness for ready phosphorus in the study soil series.
The Impact of Spatial Variation on the Macronutrient Availability in the Soil of the Al-Rifai District, Dhi-Qar Province
Authors: Al-Badiri Rasoul Tuma , Jubier Amal Radhi , Oleiwi Mohammed Sallal
Published: July 2024

This research was conducted in the southern Iraqi district of Al-Rifai, Dhi Qar Province. Ten pedons were identified in the Al-Rifai District, which is situated in the northern region of Dhi Qar Province and is 63 kilometres from the centre of Nasiriyah. Its longitude ranges from 46°11′10.21″ to 46°21′45.98″ and its latitude is from 31°44′38.835″ to 31°46′ 9.889″. Of these pedons, eight contain wheat and barley crops, fodder crops, and palm trees. Two pedons contain abandoned, uncultivated soils. The results were acquired after the locations of the pedons were detected and their locations were determined using a GPS positioning programme. For laboratory analysis, samples collected from each site were deposited in containers, numbered, and transported to the laboratory. Based on the findings, the pedons grown with wheat, specifically pedon P6, exhibited the highest values of available nitrogen in soil (26.90 mg kg−1). The uncultivated pedons, denoted as pedons P9 and P10, contained the maximum concentrations of available phosphorus in the soil at 20.18 and 19.60 mg kg−1, respectively. In contrast, pedons P8 and P7 contained the lowest concentrations at 16.17 and 15.26 mg kg−1, respectively. Pedons P9 and P10, which correspond to the uncultivated pedons, contained the lowest value of available phosphorus in the soil. Conversely, pedon P8, which represented the uncultivated pedons, contained the highest value of available potassium in the soil, amounting to 185.18 mg kg−1. P9 and P10 exhibit the least amount of available potassium in the soil, measuring 162.61 and 159.81 mg kg−1, respectively.
Evaluation of the Biological and Chemical Properties of Compost Prepared from Different Plants Sources Taken from the University of Tikrit
Authors: Mahdi Altai Salahaldeen Hammadi , Yousif Hiba Mohammed
Published: July 2024

A laboratory experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources - College of Agriculture - University of Tikrit, for the (2019-2020), to evaluate the biological and chemical properties of compost prepared from different plants sources and to compare the stages of decomposition aerobic and anaerobic, and on two parts of thin leaves plants (Imperata Cylindrica and Cynodon dactylon). And the second section is broadleaves plants (Sorghum halepense and Diplotaxis cespitosa) to which the bacteria Pseudomonas spp., and Bacillus spp. were added, and the biological, chemical, and physical properties were studied for the purpose of evaluating it as an organic fertilizer, as the experiment included four treatments: control (without inoculation) analyzed with two types of bacteria, aerobic (Pseudomonas spp.) and anaerobic (Bacillus spp.) bacterial inoculation treatment. The results showed PH values for the treatments (6.12, 5.88, 6.92, 5.18), respectively, and Ec values (2.12, 1.88, 2.87, 3.18) mmohs/cm, respectively. Also, some elements were analyzed, calcium and magnesium. The percentages of calcium in the extract of thin-leaves plants were (41, 57, 5.22, 5.14) mEq/L, respectively, and (43, 53, 5.94, 5.82) mEq/L, respectively, in broad-leaves plants, as well as the percentages of magnesium in the extract of thin-leaves plants (24, 39, 4.2, 4.6) mEq/L, and (17, 38, 4.94, 5.12) mEq/L, respectively, in the broad-leaves plants. Also, the bacteria were counted by the method of dilutions, as the treatment of the bacterial inoculum (Pseudomonas spp.) by aerobic lysis showed superiority in the number of bacteria, and this treatment also gave the best results in terms of the elements that were analyzed. The results also showed that the inoculated treatments were superior in increasing the proportions and readiness of some elements compared to the control treatment.
Effects of Ploughing Techniques on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity and Infiltration Rate
Authors: Al-Jburi Ahmed H. H. , Mahmood Haider F. , Subhi Kussay Ahmed
Published: July 2024

The study was performed on saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) and infiltration rate in the silty clay soil by means of two ploughing methods, moldboard and disk. The experimental treatments employed moldboard and disk plowing, three different plowing speeds: 3 km/h, 5 km/h and 8 km/h. Properties analyzed of the soil included bulk density, total porosity, penetration resistance, hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rate. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to obtain evidence for differences that might exist between these treatments. The speed differences between moldboard plowing techniques were significant (F = 11.983, p = 0.003) as were the ones in bulk density and total porosity at each (F value for moldboard = 11.983, p = 0.003). But there were no significant differences in penetration resistance (F = 17.805, p = 0.001), hydraulic conductivity (F = 0.384, p = 0.544) or infiltration rate (F = 0.87, p = 30.824132) among plowing speeds for these statistics. By the same token, meaningful differences in any of the parameters studied were not found: among three different speeds with disk plowing techniques bulk density and total porosity (F = 1.561, p = 0.242); penetration resistance (F = 0.413, p = 0.669); hydraulic conductivity (F = 0.503, p = 0.614); infiltration rate (F=0.087, P=0.918) Speeds significantly affect the bulk density and total porosity in mouldboard ploughing technique, but no important difference is shown for disk ploughing at all observed soil properties. One important thing about extended research For the study of the relationships between soil properties and the rate of infiltration is how important the technique, speed and other factors may weigh in that conversion. Different conditions still require different applications of research methods on these types of questions so I recommend more work to be done here with new institutions.
3D electromagnetic simulation of the coupling characteristics and double-stub Ferrite tuners impedance matching for EAST ICRH four-strap antenna
Authors: ZHOU 周 Hua 华 , DU 杜 Dan 丹 , YANG 杨 Zhongshi 钟时 , SAITO K. , YANG 杨 Qingxi 庆喜 , ZHANG 张 Wei 伟 , NIU 牛 Guojian 国鉴
Published: July 2024

A program developed with COMSOL software integrates EAST four-strap antenna coupling with the double-stub Ferrite tuners (FT) impedance matching, obtaining physical quantities crucial for predicting the overall performance of the ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) antenna and matching system. These quantities encompass S-matrix, port complex impedance, reflection coefficients, electric field and voltage distribution, and optimal matching settings. In this study, we explore the relationship between S-matrix, reflection coefficients, port complex impedance, and frequency. Then, we analyze the impact of Faraday screens placement position and transparency, the distance from the Faraday screen (FS) to the current straps (CS), the relative distance between ports, and the characteristic impedance of the transmission line on the coupling characteristic impedance of the EAST ICRH system. Finally, we simulate the electric field distribution and voltage distribution of the EAST ICRH system for plasma heating with double-stub FT impedance matching. Using optimized parameters, the coupling power of the ICRH system can be approximately doubled. The results present herein may offer guidance for the design of high-power, long-pulse operation ICRH antenna systems.
Modeling of ion cyclotron resonance frequency heating of proton-boron plasmas in EHL-2 spherical tokamak
Authors: WU 伍 Xianshu 先树 , LI 李 Jingchun 景春 , DONG 董 Jiaqi 家齐 , SHI 石 Yuejiang 跃江 , LIU 刘 Guoqing 国卿 , LIU 刘 Yong 永 , LONG 龙 Zhiqiang 志强 , ZHANG 张 Buqing 布卿 , (袁宝山) Baoshan YUAN , PENG 彭 Y. K. Martin 元凯 , (刘敏胜) Minsheng LIU
Published: July 2024

Ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) stands out as a widely utilized and cost-effective auxiliary method for plasma heating, bearing significant importance in achieving high-performance discharges in p-11B plasmas. In light of the specific context of p-11B plasma in the EHL-2 device, we conducted a comprehensive scan of the fundamental physical parameters of the antenna using the full-wave simulation program TORIC. Our preliminary result indicated that for p-11B plasma, optimal ion heating parameters include a frequency of 40 MHz, with a high toroidal mode number like

to heat the majority H ions. In addition, we discussed the impact of concentration of minority ion species on ion cyclotron resonance heating when 11B serves as the heavy minority species. The significant difference in charge-to-mass ratio between boron and hydrogen ions results in a considerable distance between the hybrid resonance layer and the tow inverted cyclotron resonance layer, necessitating a quite low boron ion concentration to achieve effective minority heating. We also considered another method of direct heating of hydrogen ions in the presence of boron ion minority. It is found that at appropriate boron ion concentrations (

), the position of the hybrid resonance layer approaches that of the hydrogen ion cyclotron resonance layer, thereby altering the polarization at this position and significantly enhancing hydrogen ion fundamental absorption.
Image scanning microscopy reconstruction by autocorrelation inversion
Authors: Ancora Daniele , Zunino Alessandro , Vicidomini Giuseppe , Crevenna Alvaro H
Published: July 2024

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) stands out as one of the most widely used microscopy techniques thanks to its three-dimensional imaging capability and its sub-diffraction spatial resolution, achieved through the closure of a pinhole in front of a single-element detector. However, the pinhole also rejects useful photons, and beating the diffraction limit comes at the price of irremediably compromising the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the data. Image scanning microscopy (ISM) emerged as the rational evolution of CLSM, exploiting a small array detector in place of the pinhole and the single-element detector. Each sensitive element is small enough to achieve sub-diffraction resolution through the confocal effect, but the size of the whole detector is large enough to guarantee excellent collection efficiency and SNR. However, the raw data produced by an ISM setup consists of a 4D dataset, which can be seen as a set of confocal-like images. Thus, fusing the dataset into a single super-resolved image requires a dedicated reconstruction algorithm. Conventional methods are multi-image deconvolution, which requires prior knowledge of the system point spread functions (PSFs), or adaptive pixel reassignment (APR), which is effective only on a limited range of experimental conditions. In this work, we describe and validate a novel concept for ISM image reconstruction based on autocorrelation inversion. We leverage unique properties of the autocorrelation to discard low-frequency components and maximize the resolution of the reconstructed image without any assumption on the image or any knowledge of the PSF. Our results push the quality of the ISM reconstruction beyond the level provided by APR and open new perspectives for multi-dimensional image processing.
Topological THz on-chip valley–spin converter
Authors: Ren Yudong , Li Xinrui , Han Ning , Zhang Li , Zhao Rui , Chen Qiaolu , Hu Yuze , Tong Mingyu , Han Song , Yang Yihao
Published: July 2024

Topological photonics offers a powerful platform for next-generation nanophotonic chips, capitalizing on their remarkable resilience to disorder and defects. Among the two-dimensional (2D) photonic topological insulators, valley-Hall (VH) and pseudo-spin-Hall (PSH) topological insulators have emerged as the most practical designs, as they do not require breaking time-reversal symmetry. These photonic topological insulators support robust edge states, demonstrating promising potential for a wide range of applications, from on-chip communication to optical computing and sensing. However, the conversion between distinct topological phases (VH and PSH) in terahertz (THz) band has not been achieved. Here we experimentally demonstrate a THz on-chip spin–valley converter through adiabatic evolution in 2D parameter space without closing the bulk bandgap. By leveraging the adiabatic phase transition, we confirm the high-efficiency conversion between two valley states in a valley–spin–valley converter. In addition, we verify the robustness of THz PSH topological energy transport through sharply twisted corners. Our findings not only advance the understanding of topological phases in photonics but also hold promise for the development of innovative photonic devices with enhanced performance and functionality.
Wavefront shaping simulations with augmented partial factorization
Authors: Lin Ho-Chun , Wang Zeyu , Hsu Chia Wei
Published: July 2024

Wavefront shaping can tailor multipath interference to control multiple scattering of waves in complex optical systems. However, full-wave simulations that capture multiple scattering are computationally demanding given the large system size and the large number of input channels. Recently, an ‘augmented partial factorization’ (APF) method was proposed to significantly speed-up such full-wave simulations. In this tutorial, we illustrate how to perform wavefront shaping simulations with the APF method using the open-source frequency-domain electromagnetic scattering solver MESTI. We present the foundational concepts and then walk through four examples: computing the scattering matrix of a slab with random permittivities, open high-transmission channels through disorder, focusing inside disorder with phase conjugation, and reflection matrix computation in a spatial focused-beam basis. The goal is to lower the barrier for researchers to use simulations to explore the rich phenomena enabled by wavefront shaping.
Simulation of the tensile behaviour of biaxial knitted fabrics produced based on rib structure using a macro constitutive model
Authors: Abghary Mohammad Javad , Jafari Nedoushan Reza , Hasani Hossein , Yu Woong-Ryeol
Published: July 2024

This study presents a macro-scale constitutive model to simulate the tensile behaviour of biaxial weft knitted fabrics produced based on a 1 × 1 rib structure. Fabrics were produced using polyester yarns as stitch yarns and nylon yarns as straight yarns in a modern flat knitting machine. Stress–strain curves of 1 × 1 rib structure and corresponding biaxial knitted fabric were measured in three different directions (course, wale and 45 degrees) on a tensile tester. Based on extracted results, a constitutive equation was proposed for macro modelling of biaxial knitted fabrics. The stiffness matrix of the biaxial knitted fabrics was assumed to be a combination of the stiffness matrix of 1 × 1 rib and reinforcement yarns. A UMAT subroutine was provided to implement the constitutive behaviour in Abaqus software. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed model, fabric tensile behaviour in 22.5° and 67.5° directions were simulated and compared with experimental results. The results showed that the macro model can successfully predict the tensile behaviour of the biaxial weft knitted fabric in different directions.
Modeling of hydropower plant in islanded mode for different operating conditions
Authors: Mishra Sachin , Sudabattula Suresh Kumar , Dharavat Nagaraju , Sharma Naveen Kumar , Jadoun Vinay Kumar
Published: July 2024

Most countries have access to abundant water resources through rivers and canals. Utilizing this renewable resource, electricity can be generated in an environmentally friendly manner without causing pollution. In rapidly developing countries like India with the abundance of natural resources and diversities, the development of Hydropower is gaining in importance to meet the country’s demand. This work discusses the different operating conditions that may occur in real time of the standalone hydro power generation system. In this work, various operating conditions are considered in terms of faults and disturbances that occur on the load side. These effects of faults and disturbances may be caused in the generating side. It takes into consideration some major events from the load side i.e. small disturbance, load addition, load rejection, large disturbance. In this work, the above-mentioned objectives are achieved by creating a model of a hydro power plant in MATLAB Simulink and keeping its operating environment same, simulate different scenarios related to load side, and study its effect on the generator and generating system. This is achieved by changing the load side for different conditions like introducing a small fault into the system, changing the load on a larger scale, etc The conditions that are introduced are simulated in a period of 10 s time frame. The reaction of the generating side from these conditions is recorded and plotted on parameters that can show the effect directly on the generator.
Dual-band dual-truncated R-slot loaded monopole patch antenna using a single-layer bandstop FSS reflector for gain enhancement
Authors: Yende Mohamed Njianga , Mbinack Clement , Singh Ghanshyam , Ayissi Eyebe Guy , Mbida Joseph Mebara
Published: July 2024

New reflector structure (RS) based on ultra-wide stopband single-layer frequency selective structure (FSS) for mid-band sub-6 GHz 5G applications is designed. The proposed RS is arranged into array of 7 × 7-unit cell of FSS elements for antenna gain and front-to-back ratio enhancement. The single antenna element of volume 30 × 20 × 1.6 (in mm3) consists of a dual-quarter-circular truncated edge-fed rectangular slot (R-slot) loaded rectangular patch (R-patch) antenna with degraded ground structure (DGS) to operate at 3.6 GHz mid-band sub-6 GHz 5G and 5.8 GHz WBAN band. The proposed unit cell FSS element, the RS of volume 55.5 × 55.5 × 13.2 (in mm3) and the associated antenna are designed on lossy thin FR-4 substrate material and investigated numerically using commercial computer simulation technology microwave studio (CST-MS) software. The studied dual-structure based RS made with array of single-layer FSS and monopole R-patch antenna is fabricated and measured. The measured impedance bandwidth (IBW) of 48.28% (3.06–4.85 GHz) and 86.20% (5–10 GHz), peak gain of 5.36 and 7.45 dBi, radiation efficiency of 67.11% and 80.16%, and front-to-back ratio of 12.23 dB and 22.84 dB are achieved at the resonant frequencies 3.5 and 5.8 GHz respectively. The FSS reflector associated with the dual-band monopole R-patch antenna performances are in good agreement with the portable wireless applications requirements.
Health vulnerability mapping for drought: a case study in a predominantly rural, agricultural state
Authors: Jalalzadeh Fard Babak , Puvvula Jagadeesh , Smith Kelly , Hayes Michael , Lookadoo Rachel , Mahmood Rezaul , Medcalf Sharon , Rowe Clinton , Durr Martha , Bell Jesse E
Published: July 2024

Drought is considered among the most devastating climate hazards impacting civilizations, including human health, throughout history. It causes cumulative damages based on the five generally categorized meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, socioeconomic, and ecological droughts. Reducing damages at the local, regional, and global levels requires a better understanding of human (health) vulnerability to drought. While there are different studies to distinguish and measure vulnerabilities for the five aforementioned conditions, there is minimal effort to identify vulnerabilities to health impacts from drought. Our study aims to develop an analysis of vulnerability for Nebraska based on the established health effects associated with drought. We considered vulnerability as the interaction between exposure to drought and different sensitivity measures for a timespan, including the highest drought levels in the 21st century. To calculate the total sensitivities, we extracted ten initial variables and applied two well-known methods of dimensionality reduction and (Weighted) Additive Overlays of percentile-ranked values. The result showed the inadequacy of the former method for our study. We also grouped the sensitivity variables into socioeconomic, environmental, and water-related intervention categories and developed related intensity maps showing different spatial patterns. We calculated the drought exposure levels by adding the intensity, duration, and frequency of drought over the study period (2012–2016) and developed total vulnerability maps to determine the ten most vulnerable counties, of which nine are rural. The resulting three intervention category maps can help related experts find priority areas within Nebraska, and the final vulnerability maps can help distinguish the areas of concern for general state-wide planning. While the results and some sensitivity variables are unique to Nebraska, the provided framework and the inclusion of two different methods can guide other regions in similar studies.
A Theory of Moral Fictionalism
Authors: Joyce Richard
Published: July 2024

Having accepted moral error theory, moral fictionalists claim that we nevertheless should retain our moral discourse but stripped it of erroneous ontological commitments, which can be achieved by adopting a nondoxastic and nonassertoric stance toward moral judgments. This chapter defends an ambitious version of moral fictionalism. One of the principal uses of moral judgments is to function as “conversation-stoppers”: considerations that brook no further discussion and require no further justification. But how could a moral judgment continue to serve this function if it is no longer believed? The answer models moral fictionalism on Coleridge’s notion of the “suspension of disbelief” and on Mill’s solution to the paradox of happiness. Nondoxastic acceptance allows for a degree of flexibility and recalibration of one’s moral commitments in a way that belief does not, and thus the former attitude is a practically better one to adopt toward conversation-stoppers than the latter.
Not out of Egypt
Authors: Baum Robert M
Published: July 2024

Written sources and was a region of sustained cultural exchange with Egyptian kingdoms to the north. Northeast African societies were linked to Egypt by trade, while providing the influence of local deities and ritual objects. This chapter relies heavily on historical linguistic analysis of the Bantu migrations in Equatorial and East Africa, which provides evidence of changing concepts of supreme beings, ancestors and rites of initiation. Analysis of burial practices provide the main evidence for North Africa. In West Africa the ancient domestication of African varieties expanded populations in the river valleys and the ritual practices associated with rice farming. Rock art provides the richest sources for the Sahara and southern Africa.
Beyond the Nile Basin
Authors: Baum Robert M
Published: July 2024

This chapter examines the long last millennium before the Common Era, in those areas beyond the Nile valley. In North Africa, it examines the sustained interaction among Amazigh (Berbers), Carthaginians, Libyans, and Greeks, each of whom influenced the others. For the Sahara and West Africa, the chapter examines the impact of ironworking, rice cultivation, urbanization, and long-distance trade on the religious life of the region. In Equatorial Africa, new linguistic developments suggest changing views of supreme beings, territorial spirits, and ancestors. In East Africa, the chapter examines the spread of male circumcision initiations and nonsurgical forms of female initiation, as well as the growing importance of blacksmith cults around Lake Victoria.
The Sahara and the South
Authors: Baum Robert M
Published: July 2024

This chapter focuses on Sub Saharan Africa before the founding of Islam. It analyzes the growing importance of blacksmith shrines, both as guild shrines and their relationship to rain rituals. As Bantu-speaking communities moved south and east, they developed symbiotic relationships with older communities, “owners of the land,” including Batwa and Khoisan who embodied client status and ritual prestige. As trans-Saharan trade increased in importance, urbanization increased in West Africa’s Sahel region, culminating in the founding of Ghana (Wagadu) toward the end of this period. Changing concepts of the supreme being and the increasing importance of territorial and ancestral cults are central to this chapter.
Investigating alignment-free machine learning methods for HIV-1 subtype classification
Authors: Wade Kaitlyn E , Chen Lianghong , Deng Chutong , Zhou Gen , Hu Pingzhao
Published: July 2024

Motivation

Many viruses are organized into taxonomies of subtypes based on their genetic similarities. For human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), subtype classification plays a crucial role in infection management. Sequence alignment-based methods for subtype classification are impractical for large datasets because they are costly and time-consuming. Alignment-free methods involve creating numerical representations for genetic sequences and applying statistical or machine learning methods. Despite their high overall accuracy, existing models perform poorly on less common subtypes. Furthermore, there is limited work investigating the impact of sequence vectorization methods, in particular natural language-inspired embedding methods, on HIV-1 subtype classification.

Results

We present a comprehensive analysis of sequence vectorization methods across machine learning methods. We report a k-mer-based XGBoost model with a balanced accuracy of 0.84, indicating that it has good overall performance for both common and uncommon HIV-1 subtypes. We also report a Word2Vec-based support vector machine that achieves promising results on precision and balanced accuracy. Our study sheds light on the effect of sequence vectorization methods on HIV-1 subtype classification and suggests that natural language-inspired encoding methods show promise. Our results could help to develop improved HIV-1 subtype classification methods, leading to improved individual patient outcomes, and the development of subtype-specific treatments.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at https://www.github.com/kwade4/HIV_Subtypes
DeepCRISTL: deep transfer learning to predict CRISPR/Cas9 on-target editing efficiency in specific cellular contexts
Authors: Elkayam Shai , Tziony Ido , Orenstein Yaron
Published: July 2024

Motivation

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been revolutionizing the field of gene editing. Guide RNAs (gRNAs) enable Cas9 proteins to target specific genomic loci for editing. However, editing efficiency varies between gRNAs and so computational methods were developed to predict editing efficiency for any gRNA of interest. High-throughput datasets of Cas9 editing efficiencies were produced to train machine-learning models to predict editing efficiency. However, these high-throughput datasets have a low correlation with functional and endogenous datasets, which are too small to train accurate machine-learning models on.

Results

We developed DeepCRISTL, a deep-learning model to predict the editing efficiency in a specific cellular context. DeepCRISTL takes advantage of high-throughput datasets to learn general patterns of gRNA editing efficiency and then fine-tunes the model on functional or endogenous data to fit a specific cellular context. We tested two state-of-the-art models trained on high-throughput datasets for editing efficiency prediction, our newly improved DeepHF and CRISPRon, combined with various transfer-learning approaches. The combination of CRISPRon and fine-tuning all model weights was the overall best performer. DeepCRISTL outperformed state-of-the-art methods in predicting editing efficiency in a specific cellular context on functional and endogenous datasets. Using saliency maps, we identified and compared the important features learned by DeepCRISTL across cellular contexts. We believe DeepCRISTL will improve prediction performance in many other CRISPR/Cas9 editing contexts by leveraging transfer learning to utilize both high-throughput datasets and smaller and more biologically relevant datasets.

Availability and implementation

DeepCRISTL is available via https://github.com/OrensteinLab/DeepCRISTL.