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In this communication, a new stochastic numerical paradigm is introduced for thorough scrutinization of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow of Prandtl–Eyring fluidic model along a stretched sheet impact on thermal radiation as well as convective heating scenarios by exploiting the accurate approximation knacks of ANNs (artificial‐neural‐networks) modeling by using the inverse multiquadric (IMQ) function optimized/trained with well‐reputed global search with genetic algorithms (GAs) and local search efficacy of sequential quadratic programming (SQP), that is, ANNs‐IMQ‐GA‐SQP. The mathematical model of the Prandtl–Eyring fluid flow is portrayed in the form of PDEs and then converted in the form of a nonlinear system of ODEs by utilizing suitable similarity transformation to calculate/analyze the solution dynamics. The kinematic and thermodynamic properties of MHD Prandtl–Eyring fluid flow are examined/observed by varying the sundry physical parameters. The obtained intelligent computing designed solver‐based numerical results are consistently found in good agreement with reference results obtained through the Adams numerical technique. First and second‐order cumulant‐based statistical assessments are extensively exploited to endorse trustily the efficacy of ANNs‐IMQ‐GA‐SQP solver based on exhaustive simulations for the Prandtl–Eyring fluidic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entropy generation with activation energy has garnered worldwide attention from researchers due to its extensive applications in thermodynamic design, chemical engineering, and optimization processes. One of the primary reasons for focusing on entropy is the global energy crisis, driven by massive consumption against limited resources. This study elucidates the double diffusion process in the dynamics of a viscous fluid over a stretching cylinder, incorporating considerations of entropy generation and activation energy. The non‐Fourier heat flux model is employed to describe the thermodynamics of the thermal system, while non‐Fick's law is used to elucidate the mass diffusion process. The unsteady phases of axisymmetric flow of the viscous fluid are thoroughly discussed. Transport equations in cylindrical configuration are transformed into ordinary differential equations, and an efficient mathematical method (i.e., homotopy analysis method) is applied to solve the transformed system. The graphical examination reveals the impact of flow parameters on velocity configuration, entropy configuration, temperature configurations, and concentration configurations. Additionally, a comparative benchmark is established with the results from previously published work for authentication and validation purposes. It is noted that concentration and temperature configurations are directly related to the unsteady stretching parameter. Entropy generation exhibits an inverse relationship with the unsteady stretching parameter when close to the stretching cylinder, whereas it shows a direct relationship when the fluid is flowing away from the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improved thermal assessment of nano‐particles in presence of magnetic force, thermal radiation and activation energy involve dynamic applications in thermal engineering, industrial processes, and modern technologies. The bioconvection pattern in various nanoparticles attributes novel bio‐technology applications like bio‐fuels petroleum engineering, enzymes, bio‐sensors, and many more. On this end, present theoretical analysis endeavors to examine the thermal characteristics of time dependent Williamson nanofluid confined by an unsteady stretched radioactive Riga plate. Here, nanofluid bioconvection is developed by the combined aspects of buoyancy forces and magnetic field with collaboration of motile microorganisms and nanoparticles. Present analysis is further carried out in presence of activation energy, nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction. The whole exploration is exposed to convective Nield constraints on boundary. The dimensionless form of formulated nonlinear system is achieved with utilization of apposite transformations and then approximate solution is elucidated by shooting technique. The graphical interpretation for numerous relevant parameters on velocity, concentration, temperature and motile microorganism profiles are displayed. The results reveal that an increasing variation in velocity is noticed with modified Hartmann. An increasing nanofluid temperature is associated with Williamson parameter and temperature ratio constant. Moreover, the motile microorganism distribution enhances with bioconvected Lewis and mixed convection constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The software engineering researchers and practitioners echoed the need for investigations to better understand the engineers developing software and services. In light of current studies, there are significant associations between the personalities of software engineers and their work preferences. However, limited studies are using psychometric measurements in software engineering. Objective: We aim to evaluate attitudes of early‐stage software engineers and investigate link between their personalities and work preferences. Method: We collected extensive psychometric data from 303 graduate‐level students in Computer Science programs at four Pakistani and one Swedish university using Five‐Factor Model. The statistical analysis investigated associations between various personality traits and work preferences. Results: The data support the existence of two clusters of software engineers, one of which is more highly rated across the board. Numerous correlations exist between personality qualities and the preferred types of employment for software developers. For instance, those who exhibit greater levels of emotional stability, agreeableness, extroversion, and conscientiousness like working on technical activities on a set timetable. Similar relationships between personalities and occupational choices are also evident in the earlier studies. More neuroticism is reported in female respondents than in male respondents. Higher intelligence was demonstrated by those who worked on the "entire development process" and "technical components of the project." Conclusion: When assigning project tasks to software engineers, managers might use the statistically significant relationships that emerged from the analysis of personality attributes. It would be beneficial to construct effective teams by taking personality factors like extraversion and agreeableness into consideration. The study techniques and analytical tools we use may identify subtle relationships and reflect distinctions across various groups and populations, making them valuable resources for both future academic research and industrial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel neuro heuristic approach is designed to investigate the flow properties of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid along an exponentially extending sheet with a permeable medium with the impact of radiation as well as fluctuating heat source/sink. The designed scheme to handle the suggested problem is established through the well‐known biologically inspired neural networks (BINNs) by exploiting the inverse multiquadric kernel (IMQK), that is, BINNs‐IMQK which is quite a new approach. The partial differential equations (PDEs) which govern the fluidic flow are reformed into a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the most fitted similarity transformations rules and numerically solved by varying the parametric values including unsteady parameter, Brownian motion parameter, suction/injection parameter, radiation parameter, Schmidt number together with Prandtl number to visualize the velocity, thermal gradient, and mass transfer in the suggested fluid problem. It is noticed that nanofluid temperature hikes by uplifting the value of the Brownian motion parameter but this effect is reversed in case of unsteady parameter. The obtained numerical results are verified through reference solution using the well‐known Adams method and the efficacy of the suggested solver is endorsed using a variety of statistical operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a natural compound derived from turmeric and can target malignant tumor molecules involved in cancer propagation. It has potent antioxidant activity, but its effectiveness is limited due to poor absorption and rapid elimination from the body. Various curcumin derivatives have also shown anticancer potential in in‐vitro and in‐vivo models. Curcumin can target multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development/progression or induce cancer cell death through apoptosis. In addition, curcumin and its derivatives could also enhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy and reduce their associated side effects. Lately, nanoparticle‐based delivery systems are being developed/explored to overcome the challenges associated with curcumin's delivery, increasing its overall efficacy. The use of an imaging system to track these formulations could also give beneficial information about the bioavailability and distribution of the nano‐curcumin complex. In conclusion, curcumin holds significant promise in the fight against cancer, especially in its nanoform, and could provide precise delivery to cancer cells without affecting normal healthy cells. Significance statement: The current article highlights the usage of natural compounds, especifically curcumin, as an anticancer agent. Due to their inherent property, such as poor absorption and solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid elimination, this potent compound has yet to be exploited to its potential. To overcome the above‐mentioned issues, several nanoformulations have been developed that overcome these limitations and enhance the efficacy of this compound in different in‐vitro and in‐vivo cancer models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the global arena. Lately, several studies demonstrated that DM could promote cancer. However, the exact mechanism(s) highlighting this association are largely untouched and require comprehensive detailing. In the present review, we aimed to explore and decipher the possible mechanism of DM an cancer association. Hyperglycemia could be a subordinate plausible explanation of carcinogenesis in the diabatic patient. It is well known that high glucose levels may help in cancer proliferation. In addition, chronic inflammation, the other well‐known factor of diabetes, could also play a role in carcinogenesis. Moreover, the numerous medicines to treat diabetes either increase or reduce cancer risk. Insulin is one of the potent growth factors that promotes cell propagation and induces cancer directly or via insulin like growth factor‐1. On the other hand, hyperinsulinemia leads to an increased activity of growth factor‐1 by inhibiting growth factor binding protein‐1. To improve cancer prognosis, individuals with diabetes should be screened to discover cancer at an early stage and treated appropriately. Significance statement: The current article highlights the possible linkage between various forms of cancer and diabetes mellitus based on experimental animal models and epidemiological studies.Different factors such as hyperglycemia, inflammation, and antidiabetic medicine have been suggested to play the interlinking role.Hyperinsulinemia could also increase the chances of cancer through hyperactivations of insulin like growth factor‐1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

developments in nanotechnology have attracted the attention of scientists towards the interaction of nanoparticles due to their fascinating applications in thermal engineering and solar energy systems. Convinced by such motivating applications, the current research project addresses the utilization of nanoparticles in the unsteady three‐dimensional chemically reactive flow of an Oldroyd‐B fluid induced by a bidirectional oscillatory stretching surface. The effects of mixed convection are also considered here. The prime features of the nanofluid namely thermophoresis and Brownian motion characteristics are explored by introducing the famous Buongiorno's nanofluid model. The relevant equations for the formulated theoretical model have been reduced by the appropriate transformations for which the analytic solution is deliberated via the homotopic technique. Later on, a complete graphical analysis for distinct flow parameters is deliberated for dimensionless velocities, concentration, and temperature distributions with the relevant physical implications. Moreover, stimulating physical quantities like local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are numerically calculated and discussed. The study emphasizes that decreasing variation in both components of velocities has been reported with an increment of relaxation time, while the impact of the retardation time constant is quite opposite. It is further claimed that the velocity distribution has an increasing tendency in the horizontal direction for a higher buoyancy ratio and mixed convection parameters. Moreover, an increment in thermophoresis parameter enhances both temperature and concentration distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, unsteady bidirectional stretched flow and heat transport of a Cu–water nanomaterial in the presence of a magnetic environment embedded in a porous medium occupying boundary‐layer region is investigated. Moreover, heat transport investigation is conceded out by simultaneous heat sources, namely, prescribed surface temperature and prescribed heat flux. The considered problem is converted into a set of four coupled differential equations with the help of a suitable combination of variables. The Keller–Box method is then implemented to get the numerical solution for velocity components and temperature distributions. Nanomaterial volume fraction ψ impact on the velocity components and temperature distributions are studied. Through reduced skin friction coefficients and Nusselt numbers, it is detected that the heat transport capacity of nanomaterial is better than that of the base fluid. An exponentially decaying behavior of velocity components and temperature distributions is observed at far‐field for various amounts of involved flow parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated changes in plant morphology, anatomy and physiology in a commonly occurring weed, Euphorbia helioscopia L. due to exposure to post‐emergence herbicides. Weed plants were sprayed with one of the following herbicides: pyrimidinyl sulphonylharnstoffe (PS), tribenuron‐methyl (TM), fluroxypyr‐methyl tribenuron‐methyl (FMTM) and bromoxynil (Br). The PS treatment significantly decreased plant height, promoted initiation of side branches and induced a prostrate habit. A specific response of root anatomy to PS and Br treatments was the high proportion of storage parenchyma. The Br‐treated plants showed thickest roots with a significantly large storage parenchyma, not only in the central portion of roots, but also in the cortical parenchyma outside the vascular tissue. A high proportion of xylem in the central portion of roots in the TM or FMTM‐treated plants provides a strong survival response in E. helioscopia. Disintegration of stem cortical parenchyma is the most prominent response of E. helioscopia when treated with a herbicide like PS or FMTM. Survival against these herbicides relates to a complete ring of vascular bundles and intact cortical parenchyma outside the vascular tissue. Increased leaf thickness was recorded in most of the cases except in the FMTM‐treated plants. The PS‐treated plants showed midrib thickness with two distinct vascular bundles. The cortical region, however, was found to be damaged by tissue collapse forming a large lysigenous aerenchyma. Euphorbia helioscopia had altered morphology, anatomy and physiology in response to herbicide application, which changed its growth in the field. To achieve control of this weed species, alternative strategies or higher doses of herbicide should be applied. Further research is required to determine the interaction of surviving weed plants with the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation aims to explore the influence of a mixed convection and nonuniform heat source/sink on unsteady flow of a chemically reactive nanofluid driven by a bidirectionally expandable surface. Convective heat transport phenomenon is used to maintain the temperature of the surface. Moreover, zero mass flux is also accounted at the surface such that the fraction of nanomaterial maintains itself on strong retardation. The governing nonlinear set of partial differential equations is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations via a suitable combination of variables. The Keller‐Box scheme has been incorporated to make a numerical inspection of the transformed problem. The spectacular impacts of the pertinent constraints on thermal and concentration distributions are elucidated through various plots. Graphical outcomes indicate that the thermal state of nanomaterial and nanoparticles concentration are escalated for elevated amounts of Biot number, porosity parameter and nonuniform heat source/sink constraints. Furthermore, it is also seen that escalating amounts of unsteady parameter, temperature controlling indices, Prandtl number, and expansion ratio parameter reduce the thermal and concentration distributions. Numerical results for the rate of heat transference have been reported in tabular form. The grid independence approach is used to verify the convergence of the numerical solution and the CPU run time is also obtained to check the efficiency of the numerical scheme adopted for finding the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current exploration reveals the unsteady three‐ dimensional flow of Jeffrey nanofluid over a bidirectional oscillatory stretching surface. The Brownian motion and thermophoresis phenomenon has been scrutinized by utilizing Buongiorno's nanofluid model. The heat transfer analysis is carried out in the presence of thermal radiation and heat generation/ absorption features. Furthermore, chemical reaction and magnetic effects are also deliberated. The flow has been generated by a bidirectional periodically accelerated heated surface. The formulated nonlinear problem is condensed into a dimensionless form via apposite transformations, and then analytic series solution is computed via homotopic technique. Comprehensive graphical evaluations for numerous prominent flow constants on associated profiles are performed. In addition, the tabulated numerical calculations for the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are also presented. The current analysis reported that both components of velocities have an increasing tendency for higher Deborah number, whereas an adverse influence is observed for the ratio of relaxation and retardation times parameter. Moreover, the concentration profile diminishes for the increasing variation of the chemical reaction parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by spectacular applications of nonlinear resources in the field of nanotechnology, we formulate a mathematical relation for unsteady radiative flow of a magneto-Carreau nanoliquid as the consequence of a bidirectionally stretchable surface using the Buongiorno model. Practically, this newly mentioned approach is more genuine where we account for the fact that the surface temperature and surface heat flux are adjusted themselves on the boundaries, accordingly. With the utilization of this approach, industrial and engineering quantities of interest are investigated in a more effective manner. A suitable combination of variables is used to alter the partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations and then computationally solved by employing the Keller box method. The great significance of the involved constraints on the Carreau nanomaterial velocity components, temperature, and concentration fields is depicted graphically and elucidated in detail. The foremost outcomes for drag forces, surface temperature gradient, and concentration gradient for the Carreau nanomaterial are anticipated and arranged through tables. For endorsement of the present solution, the attained outcomes are linked with formerly published work in a particular case and found in marvelous agreement. It is observed that an escalating amount of radiative parameter Rd enhances the temperature of the Carreau nanomaterial. Moreover, the amounts of heat and mass fluxes are significantly improved by increasing the temperature of the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we have endeavored the rheological aspects of Oldroyd-B fluid induced by an accelerated and periodically moving sheet. The heat transfer evolution has been characterized with employment of novel Cattaneo-Christov law. Further features of heat transfer are characterized with heat generation/ absorption and thermal conductivity depending upon the temperature. The governing equations have been constituted properly with utilization of associated laws. After truncating the flow problem in dimensionless form, we follow famous analytic procedure, namely, homotopy analysis technique to simulate the solution. The convergence of the solution is established by sketching the h-curves. While assigning suitable constant values to involved physical parameters like Deborah number, thermal relaxation parameter, Prandtl number, and heat source/sink constants, the change in particles movement and heat transfer rate has been examined. It is observed that the velocity profile decreases with increments in Deborah constant, in terms of relaxation time constant. The presence of variable thermal conductivity and heat source parameters enhance the temperature distribution efficiently. Significance of Results: Recently, non-Newtonian fluids have attracted the interest of scientists due to their significant use in various chemical, mechanical, and processing industries. Some essential applications of such materials arise in polymer processing, food industries, paints, petroleum industries, biomedical engineering, and so forth. Besides this, the heat transportation phenomenon in non-Newtonian fluids flow engaged diverse novel applications in area of engineering processes, and also appeared in chemical, mechanical, and processing industries. The present problem may find engineering applications in paper production, glass blowing, polymer solution, and metal extrusion. The proposed results are useful in extrusion system applications, energy production, and manufacturing processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Energy efficiency is a contemporary and challenging issue in geographically distributed data centers. These data centers consume significantly high energy and cast a negative impact on the energy resources and environment. To minimize the energy cost and the environmental impacts, Internet service providers use different approaches such as geographical load balancing (GLB). GLB refers to the placement of data centers in diverse geolocations to exploit variations in electricity prices with the objective to minimize the total energy cost. GLB helps to minimize the overall energy cost, achieve quality of service, and maximize resource utilization in geo‐distributed data centers by employing optimal workload distribution and resource utilization in the real time. In this paper, we summarize various optimization‐based workload distribution strategies and optimization techniques proposed in recent research works based on commonly used optimization factors such as workload type, load balancer, availability of renewable energy, energy storage, and data center server specification in geographically distributed data centers. The survey presents a systemized and a novel taxonomy of workload distribution in data centers. Moreover, we also debate various challenges and open research issues along with their possible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although organic nitrogen (N) compounds are ubiquitous in soil solutions, their potential role in plant N nutrition has been questioned. We performed a range of experiments on Arabidopsis thaliana genetically modified to enhance or reduce root uptake of amino acids. Plants lacking expression of the Lysine Histidine Transporter 1 (LHT1) displayed significantly lower contents of 13C and 15N label and of U-13C5,15N2 L-glutamine, as determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry when growing in pots and supplied with dually labelled L-glutamine compared to wild type plants and LHT1-overexpressing plants. Slopes of regressions between accumulation of 13C-labelled carbon and 15N-labelled N were higher for LHT1-overexpressing plants than wild type plants, while plants lacking expression of LHT1 did not display a significant regression between the two isotopes. Uptake of labelled organic N from soil tallied with that of labelled ammonium for wild type plants and LHT1-overexpressing plants but was significantly lower for plants lacking expression of LHT1. When grown on agricultural soil plants lacking expression of LHT1 had the lowest, and plants overexpressing LHT1 the highest C/N ratios and natural δ15N abundance suggesting their dependence on different N pools. Our data show that LHT1 expression is crucial for plant uptake of organic N from soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this era, the neuroscientists get attention to find a network of brain which is activated in resting state of mind. It is challenging for any analytical technique to find out the connectivity among Brodmann areas of brain in resting state. To find network, a study was conducted in which brains are scan by functional magnetic resonance imaging of four healthy right handed individuals. Exploratory factor analysis was used to explore that which Brodmann areas are related to each other and then structural equation model has applied on explored factors (lobes) to find a network of activated brain in resting state. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 26, 264-269, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) of the Aravalli Craton (India) comprises Archean BGC‐I (3.3–2.5 Ga) and Proterozoic BGC‐II. The BGC‐II is a mosaic of amphibolite facies namely, (a) Mangalwar Gneissic Complex (MGC), (b) Mangalwar Metasedimentary Complex (MMC), and (c) granulite‐facies Sandmata Metamorphic Complex. Here we present field, petrography and geochemical study of the Proterozoic amphibolites from the MGC and MMC. Based on field and geochemical data, the amphibolites have been characterized into three types related to rift settings (G1, G2 and G3). The G1 type occurs as dykes in the MGC and bears ocean island basalt‐type rare earth element (REE) patterns along with negative Nb and Ti anomalies, negative to positive values of εNd(t) (−0.02 to +3.96) and slightly variable initial 87Sr/86Sr (ISr) ratios. They are derived from deep mantle sources and correspond to the pre‐rift magmatic phase. The G2 type occurs as isolated patches associated with chert and is characterized by light REE (LREE) depleted and almost flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns suggesting that they were emplaced in an oceanic setting and were derived from a shallower mantle bearing positive εNd(t) (+2.87 to +6.27) and ISr = 0.7002–0.7083. This phase corresponds to the opening of the Mangalwar sedimentary basin (MMC). The G3 type occurs intercalated with metasedimentary rocks of the MMC and marked by LREE‐enriched and HREE‐depleted to flat patterns that resemble Upper Continental Crust signature, their εNd(t) mostly negative values and variable ISr also corroborate this explanation. They are believed to be derived from heterogeneous sources and represent syn‐sedimentary volcanic phases. All these signatures indicate that the amphibolites distinctly represent three phases of magmatism that occurred during pre‐rift (1.72 Ga), opening of basin (1.62 Ga) and syn‐sedimentary volcanism (1.6–1.3 Ga) in the rift‐basin and they were formed during the Proterozoic. These rifting events might have been connected with the fragmentation of Columbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, heat transfer analysis of a nonaxisymmetric Homann stagnation-point flow of a Maxwell fluid is performed using a heat source and sink. The governed system of partial equations is reduced to the system of ordinary equations by employing the similarity variables. The numerical and asymptotic results are computed by employing the shooting technique. The effects of various parameters are analyzed on velocity and temperature profiles. Numerical results for skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are computed for different involved parameters. The sound effects of 𝛾=𝑏/𝑎 (𝑏 is the shear rate and 𝑎 is strain rate) are examined for different profiles over (−∞,∞). Solutions for diverse values of heat source/sink parameter 𝑆, Deborah number 𝛽1, and 𝛾 are obtained. Local Nusselt number and wall shear stress parameter are compared with their large-𝛾 asymptotic behavior. It is found through analysis that the heat transfer rate increases for Deborah 𝛽1 and Prandtl number 𝑃𝑟. However, the addition of a source declines the heat transfer rate, whereas the sink enhances the heat transfer rate. However, the temperature of the fluid decreases as 𝛾 and 𝑃𝑟 increase. Meanwhile, the temperature of the fluid increases as 𝑆 increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantized momentum eigenstates of neutral atoms offer high resistance to decoherence and thus suggests a viable alternative for quantum informatics tasks including teleportation. In this work, a scheme is suggested to teleport an unknown superposition of two distinct external momentum states of a neutral atom onto the similar momentum states of a distant atom at the receiving end through the off‐resonant atomic Bragg diffraction (ABD). In order to teleport this unknown state from the sender, that is, Alice, to the receiver, that is, Bob, a pre‐existing entangled link formed through a high‐Q cavity at Alice's end and momentum states of a neutral atom at the Bob's end are utilized. Further, while citing the realistic experimental parameters, it is demonstrated that the proposal can easily be implemented experimentally under the prevailing cavity‐QED atom‐field research scenario. The proposal is also generalized to cover the teleportation of the multipartite entangled momenta states and the case of multipartite GHZ entangled states is elucidated in details. However, the procedure is generic and can be extended to cover the teleportation schematics for any arbitrary atomic momenta states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the impact of global financial crisis (GFC) on Pakistan's economy mainly transmitted through Gulf Financial Crisis (GCC). In this regard, we assess the effects of both the global and Gulf financial crises on remittances, workers' emigration, return migration, national savings and foreign investment. Applying Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) before (2000–07) and after GFC (2008–18), we demonstrate that Pakistan witnessed remarkably low FDI inflows and labour force emigration along with higher return migration rates after the crises. Investment from the UAE and other Gulf countries declined eightfold immediate after the global financial crisis, contributing considerably to the decline of the country's GDP growth during 2008–10. There was significant curtailment in emigration volumes and spurts in return migration after 2012, because of the Gulf oil price crisis. The positive trend in remittances until 2015 seems to be influenced by post‐9/11 anti‐money laundering legislation and depreciation of the rupee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Long‐term evolution (LTE) technology is critical for the envisioned usage scenarios in the Internet of Vehicles. An important usage scenario is traffic information systems (TIS) for vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) that depend on LTE for the delivery of non‐safety information to vehicles. TISs are centralized data warehouses that collect and process traffic information and subsequently allow vehicles to receive such information before and during a road trip. Considering the extensive deployment of VANETs, the LTE demand for TIS is expected to increase. Therefore, we explore and quantify the inefficiency of LTE when used in TIS. By envisioning basic test case scenarios, we establish the trends of data usage while commuting and providing insights into how LTE usage in TIS may lead to the inefficient use of the available wireless spectrum during road trips. To reduce identified inefficiency in LTE usage and cluster instability due to the high speed of the vehicles, we proposed a novel stable interest‐aware clustering (SIAC) mechanism. SIAC consider VANETs mobility constraint, LTE link quality, and exploit interest of the vehicles, in cluster formation phase. Resulting in the reduction in the data demand of the vehicles and frequency of link failures among the vehicles and provides transmission path stability. SIAC performs well as compared with the existing approaches shows more cluster stability and reduces the LTE usage for driving assistance and route planning applications. We established the trends of data usage while commuting and providing insights into how LTE usage in traffic information systems (TIS) may lead to the inefficient use of the available wireless spectrum during road trips. We quantified the inefficiency of LTE when use in TIS through real‐world test case scenarios. A novel stable interest‐aware clustering mechanism is proposed to reduce identified inefficiency in LTE usage, cost incurring, and vehicular cluster instability. Comparison of performance showed the superiority of our mechanism over the existing well‐known approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present contribution determines the impacts of viscous dissipation and Ohmic heating with magnetic coating on Prandtl nanofluid flow driven by an unsteady bidirectionally moveable surface. Random motion of nanoparticles and thermophoretic diffusion are elaborated through a two-phase nanofluid model. The novelty of the investigation is fortified by prescribed heat flux and prescribed mass flux mechanisms. The appropriate combination of variables leads to a system of strong nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The formulated nonlinear system is then tackled by an efficient numerical scheme, namely, the Keller-Box method. Nanoliquidtemperature and mass-concentration distributions are conferred through various plots with the impacts of miscellaneous-arising parameters. The rates of heat and mass transferences are also discussed through tables. The thermal states of the nanomaterial and mass concentration are reduced for incremental amounts of the unsteady factor, ratio parameter, elastic parameter, and Prandtl fluid parameter. Moreover, escalating amounts of the Brownian parameter, Eckert number, magnetic factor, and thermophoresis parameter enhances the temperature of the nanoliquid. An error analysis is also presented to predict the efficiency of the method used for the computational work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of monoclinic phase‐pure gallium oxide (β‐Ga2O3) layers by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition on c‐plane sapphire and aluminum nitride (AlN) templates using silicon‐oxygen bonding (SiOx) as a phase stabilizer is reported. The β‐Ga2O3 layers are grown using triethylgallium, oxygen, and silane for gallium, oxygen, and silicon precursors, respectively, at 700 °C, with and without silane flow in the process. The samples grown on sapphire with SiOx phase stabilization show a notable change from samples without phase stabilization in the roughness and resistivity, from 16.2 to 4.2 nm and from 85.82 to 135.64 Ω cm, respectively. X‐ray diffraction reveals a pure‐monoclinic phase, and Raman spatial mapping exhibits higher tensile strain in the films in the presence of SiOx. The β‐Ga2O3 layers grown on an AlN template, using the same processes as for sapphire, show an excellent epitaxial relationship between β‐Ga2O3 and AlN and have a significant change in β‐Ga2O3 surface morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self‐consistent two‐dimensional fluid model was used to study HBr/Cl2/O2 plasma discharge. A comprehensive set of 150 reactions comprising different processes (i.e., dissociation, ionization, and excitation) in tandem with 32 plasma species were considered in the computational model. The results revealed that the plasma reactions were dominated by 11 species (i.e., Cl, Cl+, Cl2+, H, H2, HCl, HCl+, Br, Br+, Br2, and HBr+), where the neutral species outnumbered the charged species. The density of charged species in the plasma reactor followed a bell shaped while the neutral species followed a double humped shaped distribution. The increase in plasma O2 concentration resulted in an initial decrease, followed by a gradual increase in the generation of Cl, Br, H, Cl+, and Br+ in the plasma discharge. A lower/higher concentration of oxygen in the plasma stimulated the densities of neutral/charged species, which facilitated the chemical/physical etching pathway. These findings provide new insights into the type of etching species and their optimization in the HBr/Cl2/O2 plasma discharge, with potential applications in the semiconductor industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of functionalization and weight fraction of mutliwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated on mechanical and thermomechanical properties of CNT/Epoxy composite. Epoxy resin was used as matrix material with pristine-, COOH-, and NH2-functionalized CNTs as reinforcements in weight fractions of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0%. Varying (increasing) the weight fraction and changing type (pristine or functionalized) of CNTs caused increment in Young's modulus and tensile strength as observed during mechanical tests. CNT reinforcement improved thermal stability of the nanocomposites as observed by thermogravimetric analysis. Thermomechanical analysis showed a slight reduction in free volume of the polymer, that is a drop in coefficient of thermal expansion, prior to glass transition temperature ( Tg) beside a slight increase in Tg value. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated an increase in storage modulus and Tg owing to the strength addition of CNT to the matrix alongside the hardener. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the fractured surface(s) revealed that CNTs were well dispersed with no agglomeration and resulted in reinforcing the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1891-1898, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic oxidation of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) into carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most significant reactions in heterogeneous catalysis and industrial chemistry. Hence, finding efficient and cost‐effective catalysts for CO oxidation is very critical. In this study, the electronic and catalytic properties of a Co atom incorporated B36 cluster (Co@B36) are investigated by means of first‐principles calculations. The results show that the Co atom can seriously tune the properties of the B36 cluster due to significant hybridization between the 3d states of the Co atom and the B‐2p states of the surrounding B atoms. This induces a significant positive charge on the Co atom, providing an active site for O2 and CO molecules to attack. Furthermore, the well‐known mechanisms for CO oxidation, namely the Eley‐Rideal (ER), Langmuir‐Hinshelwood (LH), termolecular Eley‐Rideal (TER), and new Eley‐Rideal (NER), are taken into account in this work. According to our findings, the LH and TER mechanisms are the most energetically efficient routes for CO oxidation; however, the favored mechanism may be depending on the relative concentrations of CO and O2 molecules in the reaction mixture. The obtained activation energies through the TER and LH mechanisms are also comparable with those reported on noble metals. The findings of this work might help in the design and manufacture of noble‐metal free single atom catalysts for the removal of harmful CO molecules from the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes Hall current and Joule heating effects on the ferro‐nanofluid flow by the rotation of the disk incorporated with generalized slip condition. By using the well‐known Von Karman transformation, formulated flow equations are modeled into ordinary differential equations. Numerical solutions of the governing flow equations are attained by utilizing the shooting method consolidated with the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta scheme. The impacts of different parameters on skin friction coefficient, velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number are given in graphs and tables and investigated in detail. Furthermore, an association with formerly published articles is given and met in remarkable correspondence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their superior breakdown fields compared with GaN and SiC and high thermal conductivity, AlxGa1−xN (x > 0.4) channel high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) will find applications in extreme environments such as power electronics. Herein, the high‐temperature operation of ultrawide‐bandgap (UWBG) Al0.65Ga0.35N/Al0.4Ga0.6N metal oxide semiconductor heterostructure field effect transistors (MOSHFETs) with atomic layer‐deposited (ALD) high‐k gate dielectrics TiO2, Al2O3, and ZrO2 is reported. As compared with similar geometry HFETs, these devices exhibit a simultaneous reduction in gate‐leakage current by ≈104 and a positive shift of the threshold voltage as much as 4 V. This positive threshold shift indicates the introduction of negative charges at the oxide/barrier interface and within the thin oxide, attributed to the pre‐ALD plasma treatment. The gate leakage increases weakly with temperature up to 250 °C, whereas the peak drain currents decrease from ≈0.5 to 0.3 A mm−1. An analysis of the C–V and I–V characteristics reveals that this drain current decrease is due to a reduction in channel electron mobility. The potential mechanisms responsible for this are discussed. Up to the measured temperature of 250 °C, the devices withstand repeated temperature cycles without catastrophic degradation or breakdown, underscoring the promise of these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronical and optical properties of CdGa2S4 under high pressures were studied using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the GGA and mBJ exchange correlation potentials from 0.0 to 16.92 GPa. The obtained results show that the lattice constants, bandgap values, and optoelectronic properties are sensitive to applied external pressures. The mBJ results indicate that the bandgap increases and the static dielectric constants decrease with increasing the pressure. The two none zero dielectric tensor components show considerable anisotropy between the perpendicular and parallel components. The maximum absorption for x direction in all pressures takes place in vacuum UV region. Also, the plasma frequency shifts to the higher energies with increasing the pressure for application in optical devices. The calculated results by mBJ are in close agreement with the experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study explores the patterns of activation in brain regions toward classifying decision making voxels from among four major Brodmann areas (BAs) upon stimulus of visual tasks. Toward this goal, a well-known clustering analysis has been performed on real-time data of the human brain obtained using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The functional connectivity among various brain regions was detected by leveraging a distance correlation graph. Graphical methods have been employed to visualize the clusters elicited in the process. The analysis of the results sheds new light on how four significantly activated BAs of the brain exhibit effective connectively to perform a visual task in the context of decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]