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This recent paper is focused on the effect of multiple matric suctions (90, 50, 20, 10, 7, 2, and 0 kPa) on gypseous sand in the short-term on the deformation of the Oedometer cell specimen under net stresses of 100, 200 and 400 kPa. The specimen was prepared from disturbed samples according to a degree of compaction of 90%. This percentage of density (90%) was relied upon to compare the results with a previous study, which was conducted on the same type of soil with the same density, but without the influence of external stresses. The soil samples were represented the Al-Jameah district in Al-Najaf city, Iraq. The results illustrate an increase in the deformation within a decreasing of the matric suction (wetting) under different normal stresses. The final settlement of the specimen is related to the initial load-settlement value before wetting. The deformation rate is clear and greatest when the stress is ≥200 kPa with similar rates. Low collapse potentials are revealed due to wetting progress, and this may be attributed to the short-term process (a few hours). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers cultivate crops directed to the production and consumption of family food. This study aims to explain the impact of agricultural transformation on food production and consumption in the Arfak community in Anggi District, Arfak Mountains Regency, West Papua Province. This research is descriptive qualitative research. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and Focus Group Discussion. Primary data were obtained from the community in the research area either as informants selected with the technique intentionally (purposive) or engineering snowball (snowball). Secondary data were obtained from the literature related to the purpose and location of the study. The results showed that the agricultural transformation of the Arfak community in Anggi District, Arfak Mountains Regency impacted family food production and consumption. Agricultural transformation reduces hunting, gathering, and shifting farming activities to maintain ecological balance and natural resources. Sedentary field farming activities through market-oriented crop cultivation and marketing of agricultural production are increasing. Consumption of rice and other non-local food increases and shapes consumptive behavior in semi-commercial agriculture. The production and consumption of food that is formed threaten the existence of "Bapak" agriculture as local food production and "mama" food as the family's local food processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization of filler in polymer composites is one technique of combining different properties of filler for making unique composites. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used as filler to enhance the mechanical properties of polymer composites. However, CNTs are difficult to disperse in a polymer matrix. The hybridization of CNTs and inorganic fillers can combine their properties and improve the dispersion in polymer composites. This research was focused on the fabrication and characterization of CNTs-dolomite filled with epoxy composites. The CNTs-dolomite hybrid fillers were prepared by physically mixing method and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. The CNTs-dolomite hybrid compound filled epoxy composites with different filler loading were characterized by tensile test, Rockwell hardness test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Epoxy/CVD composites showed higher mechanical properties than the Epoxy/PHY composites. This increase was associated with the homogenous dispersion of CNTs-dolomite hybrid compound as observed using SEM. It was demonstrated that the Epoxy/5CVD composites are capable of increasing tensile strength by up to 67 %, and tensile modulus of 28 %, when compared to a pure epoxy composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous thin films of Sb65Se35-xGex(x =0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) were grown with electron beam evaporation technique onto ultra clean glass substrates at room temperature. The as-deposited films were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology as well as the elemental chemical composition of films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical measurements of as-deposited films were recorded in the wavelength range of 250-2500 nm. The effect of Ge on the optical properties was discussed. Absorption coefficient and band gap of films were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]