Regularity analysis of an individual-based ecosystem simulation

We analyze the results of a large simulation of an evolving ecosystem to evaluate its complexity. In particular, we are interested to know how close to a stochastic or a deterministic behavior our simulation is. Four methods have been used for this analysis: Higuchi fractal dimension, correlation dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent, and P&H method. Besides, we use a surrogate data test to reach a final decision about analysis. As we expect, our results show that there is a deterministic and chaotic behavior in ecosystem simulation.     

Effects of Magnetic Nanofluid Fuel Combustion on the Performance and Emission Characteristics

Although the compression ignition engines are a significant source of power, their detrimental emissions create considerable problems to the environment as well as to humans. The objective of the present experimental investigation is to examine the effects of the magnetic nanofluid fuels on combustion performance characteristics and exhaust emissions. In this regard, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles dispersed in the diesel fuel with the nanoparticle concentrations of 0.4 and 0.8 vol% were employed for combustion in a single-cylinder, direct-injection diesel engine. After a series of experiments, it was demonstrated that the nanoparticle additives, even at very low concentrations, have considerable influence in diesel engine characteristics. Furthermore, the results indicated that the nanofluid fuel with nanoparticle concentration of 0.4 vol% shows better combustion characteristics in comparison with that of 0.8 vol%. Based on the experimental results, NO _x and SO₂ emissions dramatically reduce, while CO emissions and smoke opacity noticeably increase with increasing the dosing level of nanoparticles.     

Conformation of simple aromatic molecules

The conformation of five aromatic molecules were calculated using the atom-atom potentials method. The deformations of valency angles were not considered, and the conformations of some molecules were determined solely by the minimum interaction energy between non-bounded pairs of atoms. In case of molecules having π-bonds, the geometry of the isolated molecule was determined by the balance between the π-electron and the non-bonded energies. A comparison is made between the structure of molecules in the crystal form and the structure of the free molecules determined by conformational analysis. For terphenyl molecule which has different structures in the different phases, a calculation of the structure of molecule in crystal from was done theoretically using lattice energy minimization. Good agreement was found between structures obtained theoretically and experimentally.     

Ferroptosis: A New Road towards Cancer Management

Ferroptosis is a recently described programmed cell death mechanism that is characterized by the buildup of iron (Fe)-dependent lipid peroxides in cells and is morphologically, biochemically, and genetically distinct from other forms of cell death, having emerged to play an important role in cancer biology. Ferroptosis has significant importance during cancer treatment because of the combination of factors, including suppression of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), cysteine deficiency, and arachidonoyl (AA) peroxidation, which cause cells to undergo ferroptosis. However, the physiological significance of ferroptosis throughout development is still not fully understood. This current review is focused on the factors and molecular mechanisms with the diagrammatic illustrations of ferroptosis that have a role in the initiation and sensitivity of ferroptosis in various malignancies. This knowledge will open a new road for research in oncology and cancer management.     

Defect induced ferromagnetism in carbon-doped ZnO thin films

We report on room temperature ferromagnetism in C-doped ZnO thin films prepared by electron beam evaporation. Magnetization, Hall effect, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction studies have been conducted to investigate the source and nature of ferromagnetism in C-doped ZnO. The samples were observed to have n-type conduction with the carrier concentration increasing with C doping. XPS does not give any evidence for C substituted at the O site, and is more consistent with the formation of C-O bonds and with the presence of C primarily in the +4 state. It is suggested that the ferromagnetism originates in the development of Zn vacancies that are stabilized due to the incorporation of C in a high valence state (C⁴⁺).     

The virtual mass of an oblate-ellipsoidal bubble

A semi-analytical solution is presented for the virtual mass coefficient of an oblate-ellipsoidal bubble rising in liquid. The solution was found to be a function of Weber number. The present solution compared well with the numerical solution of the lattice Boltzmann method and the analytical solutions of other investigators.     

Optimization of intracavity Q-switched laser frequency doubling

The optimization theory for intracavity frequency-doubled Q-switched lasers is discussed. Nonlinear loss effects caused by the frequency doubler were introduced into the rate equations. The harmonic pulse characteristics such as peak power, pulse energy, pulsewidth were studied. Lagrange multiplier technique was adopted to maximize the peak power of the second-harmonic pulse for a given pumping level. It was found that the optimal frequency-doubling factor is constant and equals 1. Design curves for the laser characteristics parameter were established. The curves and expressions presented help in designing an optimal Q-switched intracavity frequency-doubled miniature laser and predict the pulse characteristics.     

The representation type of rational normal scrolls

The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that all non-singular rational normal scrolls \(S(a_0,\ldots ,a_k)\subseteq \mathbb P ^N\), \(N =\sum _{i=0}^k(a_i)+k\), (unless \(\mathbb P ^{k+1}=S(0,\ldots ,0,1)\), the rational normal curve \(S(a)\) in \(\mathbb P ^a\), the quadric surface \(S(1,1)\) in \(\mathbb P ^3\) and the cubic scroll \(S(1,2)\) in \(\mathbb P ^4\)) support families of arbitrarily large rank and dimension of simple Ulrich (and hence indecomposable ACM) vector bundles. Therefore, they are all of wild representation type unless \(\mathbb P ^{k+1}\), \(S(a)\), \(S(1,1)\) and \(S(1,2)\) which are of finite representation type.     

Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rates in building materials used in Egypt

Natural and fabricated building materials commonly used in Egypt were surveyed for both natural radionuclides content and radon exhalation rate. These include raw as well as construction products. Concentration of natural radionuclides in all samples were determined by γ-ray spectroscopy with HPGe detector. For Radon exhalation rate measurements of fabricated samples, the seal can-technique has been applied using CR-39 plastic track detectors. The radiation hazard indices of the total natural radioactivity in the studied samples were estimated. The results were compared with the corresponding results of different countries and were found to be lying within the average world values. Radon exhalation rate in the studied samples varied between 197 (cement brick) and 907 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹ (blast furnace slag cement). The results of this survey suggest that, using blast furnace slag cement for pre-coating the internal walls of buildings in the Urban region of Egypt is discouraged and the replacement of clay brick by cement brick will be more healthy for the public.     

Water vapor adsorption onto activated carbons prepared from cattle manure compost (CMC)

Activated carbons were prepared from cattle manure compost (CMC) using zinc chloride activation. The structural and surface chemical characteristics of CMC-based activated carbons were determined by N₂ adsorption-desorption and Boehm titration, respectively. The water vapor adsorption properties of the prepared activated carbons with various pore structure and surface nature were examined, and the mechanism of water adsorbed onto activated carbon was also discussed. The results show that the adsorption of water vapor on carbons begins at specific active sites at low relative humidity (RH), followed by micropore filling at medium RH through the formation of pentamer cluster of water molecules in the narrow micropores. The water vapor adsorption capacity of activated carbon is predominantly dependent on its pore volume and surface area. Although capillary condensation is not the mechanism for water adsorption onto activated carbon, water can adsorb on narrow mesopore to some extent.