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The current research reports the development of a green lightweight engineered cementitious composite (GLECC) using local industrial wastes. Three types of industrial waste materials, including stone sludge powder, electric arc furnace dust and silica fume, were utilised fully or partially to replace ordinary constituent materials of engineered cementitious composite. Moreover, polypropylene fibres were substituted for polyvinyl alcohol fibres. The influences of different dosages of polypropylene fibres and silica fume on the mechanical properties of GLECC were experimentally tested. Then, the response surface method was employed for developing mathematical models of predicting mechanical properties and executing optimisation to obtain optimum combinations of polypropylene fibres and silica fume. The results revealed that the fresh and hardened densities and compressive strength declined with an increment in polypropylene fibres, while both flexural strength and toughness improved due to incorporating polypropylene fibres up to 2%. Adding up to 10% silica fume not only enhanced the strength and toughness but also reduced the fresh and hardened density of GLECC. The mathematical models developed to predict the mechanical characteristics were significant and accurate, with the highest error of 10%. The optimum dosage of variables was 14.2% silica fume and 2% polypropylene fibres with 79% desirability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low light is one of the most important factors limiting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. In this experiment, tomato genotypes under low light (winter planting), and adequate light (summer planting) were evaluated in the same greenhouse condition for other environmental conditions where 11 tolerance and susceptibility indices were evaluated in terms of fruit weight per plant produced. Using the rank of each genotype for the calculated indices, the mean rank index was calculated. The highest yield under adequate light was in genotypes "9318," "9314," "2216," "324," and "5239." Under low light, genotypes "321," "9318," "9314," "523," and "324" had the highest fruit yield per plant, respectively. Evaluation of tolerance and sensitivity indices indicated that tolerance indices, geometric mean productivity index, mean relative performance index and relative efficiency index had a positive, significant, correlation with fruit weight per plant in low light and adequate light are the best indicators for selecting genotypes tolerant to low light. Based on these indices, genotypes "9318," "9314," "321," "324," and "523" had the highest ranks and more tolerance to low light, and might be successfully cultivated in low light areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local buckling of intact thin-walled columns is generally performed by modeling the wall segments as long plates and by assuming that edges common to two or more plates remain straight. Thus, the buckling load can be determined by considering the wall segments as individual plates rotationally restrained by the adjacent wall segments. This technique is combined with plate theories as a new analytical method to predict the buckling load of an initially delaminated column with any arbitrary sections (open or closed). First, moments at the rotationally restrained edges of delaminated segment (web or flange) are obtained from the curvature and stiffness of the adjacent laminates. Then, the strain energy of this delaminated segment with distributed moment at edges is calculated based on the first-order shear deformation theory. Using the principal of minimum potential energy, the governing equations are obtained and solved by the Rayleigh–Ritz approximation technique. Results of the present approach are compared with three-dimensional finite-element results obtained from eigenvalue buckling analysis in ANSYS software for both box- and channel-section columns with cross-ply and angle-ply stacking sequences. Finally, the effects of delamination size and location are investigated on the buckling loads. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We say that a class𝒫of right modules over a fixed ringRis an epic class if it is closed under homomorphic images. For an arbitrary epic class𝒫, we define a𝒫-dimension of modules that measures how far modules are from the modules in the class𝒫. For an epic class𝒫consisting of indecomposable modules, first we characterize rings whose modules have𝒫-dimension. In fact, we show that every rightR-module has𝒫-dimension if and only ifRis a semisimple Artinan ring. Then we study fully Hopfian modules with𝒫-dimension. In particular, we show that a commutative ringRwith𝒫-dimension (resp. finite𝒫-dimension) is either local or Noetherian (resp. Artinian). Finally, we show thatMatm(R) is a right Köthe ring for somemif and only if every (left) right module is a direct sum of modules of𝒫-dimension at mostnfor somen, if and only ifRis a pure semisimple ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research indicated that the pumpkin (Cucurbita moschataL.) interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ had the most positive and negative heterosis for plant yield and plant length, respectively. Due to its negative heterosis for plant length it is possible to culture this plant at a higher plant density. Growers have two options when increasing plant populations per unit area; either within-row or between-row spacing can be decreased. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of altering plant population by varying between-row and in-row spacing on yield of pumpkin interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ to increase yield by reducing vegetative growth and increasing reproductive. The interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ was established at 1, 2, or 3 m between rows and 0.5, 0.75, or 1 m within rows. There were differences between inter- and between-row distances and their interaction on all characteristics except carotenoids content. Increasing interspecific hybrid ‘MO11 × P25’ plant population by varying both between-row and in-row spacing increased yield; the highest yield (98.4 t•ha−1) was with a spacing of 1 × 0.5 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of top resin layer is an essential task prior to adhesive bonding of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. This paper investigates the technical feasibility of using a low power continuous wave carbon dioxide laser for removing the top resin layer of CFRP without damaging the underlying fiber. The operating window and damaging threshold were experimentally determined. Irradiating the CFRP surface at a power of 14 W, scanning speed of 880 mm/sec, and a beam overlap of 25% provides an optimal thermal condition for removal of top resin layer. A finite element model was used to explain the removal mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Synthesis, physical and spectral characterization of a symmetric N2-donor Schiff base ligand of bis(3(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-prop-1-enylydene)-1,2-diaminoethane and its new mercury(II) halide/thiocyanate complexes are reported. The entire compounds were studied by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV-Visible,1H and13NMR spectra, melting point, and molar conductivity measurements. The reasonable red and blue shifts in FT-IR, electronic, and NMR spectroscopic signals of the complexes as compared with ligand proved good coordination of ligand so that a pseudotetrahedral geometry around metal center in the complexes is proposed. At last,in vitroantibacterial and antifungal properties of all compounds were screened against four bacterial strains (gram positive and negative bacteria) and two fungi that the results exhibited more antimicrobial activity of all complexes with respect to free ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth factors are increasingly considered as important regulators of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). This study investigated the effects of various growth factors (GDNF, IGF1, bFGF, EGF and GFRalpha-1) on purification and colonization of undifferentiated goat SSCs underin vitroandin vivoconditions. Irrespective of the culture condition used, the first signs of developing colonies were observed from day 4 of culture onwards. The number of colonies developed in GDNF + IGF1 + bFGF culture condition was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, the size of colonies developed in GDNF + EGF + LIF culture condition was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Immunocytochemical stationing for specific biomarkers of somatic cells (vimentin, alpha-inhibin and α-SMA) and spermatogonial cells (PLZF, THY 1, VASA, alpha-1 integrin, bet-1 integrin and DBA) revealed that both cell types existed in developing colonies, irrespective of the culture condition used. Even though, the relative abundance ofVASA, FGFR3, OCT4, PLZF, BCL6BandTHY1transcription factors in GDNF + IGF1 + bFGF treatment group was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, goat SSCs developed in the latter culture condition could colonize within the seminiferous tubules of the germ-cell depleted recipient mice following xenotransplantation. Obtained results demonstrated that combination of GDNF with IGF1 and bFGF promotein vitroculture of goat SSCs while precludes uncontrolled proliferation of somatic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the effect of the electron collision frequency with background ions onTMmode field components, the trajectory, and the electron energy gain in interaction infrared radiation with collisional plasma is studied. The field components of theTMmode in the rectangular and circular collisional plasma waveguides are obtained. The deflection angle and acceleration gradient of an electron in the fields associated with a transverse magnetic (TM) wave propagating inside a plasma waveguide forTMmode is studied. The relativistic momentum and energy equations for an electron are solved, which was injected initially along the propagation direction of the infrared. The results for collisionless and collisional plasma are graphically represented. Finally, the results for rectangular and circular waveguides are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bid and offer competition is a main transaction approach in deregulated electricity markets. Locational marginal prices (LMP) resulting from bidding competition determine electricity prices at a node or in an area. The LMP exhibits important information for market participants to develop their bidding strategies. Moreover, LMP is also a vital indicator for a Security Coordinator to perform market redispatch for congestion management. This paper presents a method using modular feed forward neural networks (FFNN) and fuzzy inference system (FIS) for forecasting LMPs. FFNN is used to forecast the electricity prices in a short time horizon and FIS to forecast the prices of special days. FFNN system includes an autocorrelation method for selecting parameters and methods for data preprocessing and preparing historical data to train the artificial neural network (ANN). In this paper, the historical LMPs of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland (PJM) market are used to test the proposed method. It is found that the proposed neuro-fuzzy method is capable of forecasting LMP values efficiently. In addition, MATLAB-based software is designed to test and use the proposed model in different markets and environments. This is an efficient tool to study and model power markets for price forecasting. It is included with a database management system, data classifier, input variable selection, FFNN and FIS configuration and report generator in custom formats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the existing literature, inventory models under inflationary conditions are usually developed under the assumption of certain inflation rates and constant, time-varying or stock-dependent demand rate. In many real-life situations, the practical experiences reveal that the inflation is non-deterministic and a variable. Meanwhile, the demand rate can be related to the inflation rates. The theoretical contribution of this article is to consider stochastic inflationary conditions with variable probability density functions (pdfs) over the time horizon, and the demand rate is dependent to the inflation rates (any arbitrary pdfs can be used). The developed model, also, implicates to finite replenishment rate, finite time horizon and deteriorating items with shortages. The objective is minimisation of the expected present value of costs over the time horizon. The numerical example and case study have been provided for evaluation and validation of the theoretical results and some special cases of the model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-bulk acrylic yarns which contract and increase in bulk during the heat relaxation process are produced by blending two types of fibres with different shrinking power in the spinning process. In this paper, high-bulk acrylic yarns (steamed and dyed) with different shrinkable fibre blending ratios were produced. Experimental results show that by increasing the shrinkable fibre blending ratio up to 40%, the specific volume and shrinkage of both dyed and high-bulk acrylic yarns are steadily increased while their tensile strengths are decreased. Further increasing the shrinkable fibre blending ratio causes the specific volume and tensile strength properties to decreased and increased respectively. However, the yarn shrinkage does not change significantly. It is also found that both dyed and high bulk acrylic yarns have the highest elongation at 20% shrinkable fibre blending ratio. In general, the specific volume and tensile strength of high-bulk acrylic yarns are more than those of dyed acrylic yarns but their shrinkage and elongation values are similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]