Quantum correlations in a few-atom spin-1 Bose-Hubbard model

We study the thermal quantum correlations and entanglement in spin-1 Bose-Hubbard model with two and three particles. While we use negativity to calculate entanglement, more general non-classical correlations are quantified using a new measure based on a necessary and sufficient condition for zero-discord state. We demonstrate that the energy level crossings in the ground state of the system are signalled by both the behavior of thermal quantum correlations and entanglement

Evaluation of type C fly ash in the production of composite material

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.In this study, the availability as a new composite material of the class C fly ashes which have negative effects on environment was investigated. First of all, the properties of fly ash and polypropylene have been identified. By making use of the obtained results, the availability of fly ash and polypropylene materials was investigated in production of a new composite material. For this purpose, by using type C fly ash of thermal power plants in mass ratios of 10% - 60%, a new composite material was produced. To determine mechanical and physical properties of the produced composite samples, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, water absorption capacity, and abrasive loss were performed. From the results, it was witnessed that both environmental problems can be reduced and economical profit can be achieved by means of energy saving.dc201

Biofortification and Localization of Zinc in Wheat Grain

Zinc (Zn) deficiency associated with low dietary intake is a well-documented public health problem, resulting in serious health and socioeconomic problems. Field experiments were conducted with wheat to test the role of both soil and foliar application of ZnSO4 in Zn concentration of whole grain and grain fractions (e.g., bran, embryo and endosperm) in 3 locations. Foliar application of ZnSO4 was realized at different growth stages (e.g., stem elongation, boot, milk, dough stages) to study the effect of timing of foliar Zn application on grain Zn concentration. The rate of foliar Zn application at each growth stage was 4 kg of ZnSO4 3 7H2O ha-1. Laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS was used to follow the localization of Zn within grain. Soil Zn application at a rate of 50 kg of ZnSO4 3 7H2O ha-1 was effective in increasing grain Zn concentration in the Zn-deficient location, but not in the locations without soil Zn deficiency. In all locations, foliar application of Zn significantly increased Zn concentration in whole grain and in each grain fraction, particularly in the case of high soil N fertilization. In Zn-deficient location, grain Zn concentration increased from 11 mg kg-1 to 22 mg kg-1 with foliar Zn application and to 27 mg kg-1 with a combined application of ZnSO4 to soil and foliar. In locations without soil Zn deficiency, combination of high N application with two times foliar Zn application (e.g., at the booting and milk stages) increased grain Zn concentration, on average, from 28 mg kg-1 to 58 mg kg-1. Both ICP-OES and LA-ICP-MS data showed that the increase in Zn concentration of whole grain and grain fractions was pronounced when Zn was sprayed at the late growth stage (e.g., milk and dough). LA-ICP-MS data also indicated that Zn was transported into endosperm through the crease phloem. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the timing of foliar Zn application is of great importance in increasing grain Zn in wheat, especially in the endosperm part that is the predominant grain fraction consumed in many countries. Providing a large pool of Zn in vegetative tissues during the grain filling (e.g., via foliar Zn spray) is an important practice to increase grain Zn and contribute to human nutritio

Critical Point Estimation and Long-Range Behavior in the One-Dimensional XY Model Using Thermal Quantum and Total Correlations

We investigate the thermal quantum and total correlations in the anisotropic XY spin chain in transverse field. While we adopt concurrence and geometric quantum discord to measure quantum correlations, we use measurement-induced nonlocality and an alternative quantity defined in terms of Wigner-Yanase information to quantify total correlations. We show that the ability of these measures to estimate the critical point at finite temperature strongly depend on the anisotropy parameter of the Hamiltonian. We also identify a correlation measure which detects the factorized ground state in this model. Furthermore, we study the effect of temperature on long-range correlations.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Performance comparison of CVD grown carbon nanofiber based on single- and multi-layer graphene oxides in melt-compounded PA6.6 nanocomposites

In the present study, newly design hybrid nanostructures were produced by growing long carbon nanofibers (CNF) on single- and multi-layer graphene oxide (GO) sheets in the presence of catalyst by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Chemical composition analysis indicated the formation of Fe-C bonds by the deposition of carbon atoms on catalyst surface of Fe2O3 and increasing in C/O atomic ratio confirming CNF growing. These hybrid additives were distributed homogeneously through polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) chains by high shear thermokinetic mixer in melt phase. Spectroscopic studies showed that the differences in the number of graphene layer in hybrid structures directly affected the crystalline behavior and dispersion state in polymer matrix. Flexural strength and flexural modulus of PA6.6 nanocomposites were improved up to 14.7% and 14% by the integration of 0.5 wt% CNF grown on multi-layer GO, respectively, whereas there was a significant loss in flexural properties of single-layer GO based nanocomposites. Also, the integration of 0.5 wt% multi-layer GO hybrid reinforcement in PA6.6 provided a significant increase in tensile modulus about 24%. Therefore, multi-layer GO with CNF increased the degree of crystallinity in nanocomposites by forming intercalated structure and acted as a nucleating agent causing the improvement in mechanical properties

New hybrid nano additives for thermoplastic compounding: CVD grown carbon fiber on graphene

Nano additives have unique characteristics widely used in high technology applications due to their ultrahigh mechanical and thermal properties. They are not preferred in price sensitive sectors especially in automotive applications because of their high cost. On the other hand, there is a growing interest to use graphene as a reinforcing agent in composite production. At this point, graphene platelet (GNP) produced from the recycle source was used as a template for carbon nanofiber production by using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique to overcome commercialization harrier. This bicomponent and novel structure is a good candidate to be used as a reinforcing agent in compound formulations. This produced hybrid additive was dispersed in thennoplastic resin by thennokinetic mixer to get homogeneous dispersion and provide strong interfacial interactions. In the current work, the outstanding properties of graphene with carbon fibers were combined into one type structure. With the further research, the number of graphene layer were adjusted in this hybrid structure to bring a new insight in graphene and its composite applications. After the fabrication of graphene and carbon fiber-based reinforcements with different graphene sources, mechanically and thermally improved Polyamide 6.6 were developed at very low loadings by a thermokinetic high shear mixer. This developed technology will utilize an innovation to produce advanced thermoplastic prepregs including graphene and its hybrid additives with high mechanical properties and increased recycling degree by decreasing manufacturing costs

Oncoplastic breast consortium recommendations for mastectomy and whole breast reconstruction in the setting of post-mastectomy radiation therapy

Aim Demand for nipple- and skin- sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (BR) has increased at the same time as indications for post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) have broadened. The aim of the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium initiative was to address relevant questions arising with this clinically challenging scenario. Methods A large global panel of oncologic, oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeons, patient advocates and radiation oncologists developed recommendations for clinical practice in an iterative process based on the principles of Delphi methodology. Results The panel agreed that surgical technique for NSM/SSM should not be formally modified when PMRT is planned with preference for autologous over implant-based BR due to lower risk of long-term complications and support for immediate and delayed-immediate reconstructive approaches. Nevertheless, it was strongly believed that PMRT is not an absolute contraindication for implant-based or other types of BR, but no specific recommendations regarding implant positioning, use of mesh or timing were made due to absence of high-quality evidence. The panel endorsed use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. It was acknowledged that the shape and size of reconstructed breasts can hinder radiotherapy planning and attention to details of PMRT techniques is important in determining aesthetic outcomes after immediate BR. Conclusions The panel endorsed the need for prospective, ideally randomised phase III studies and for surgical and radiation oncology teams to work together for determination of optimal sequencing and techniques for PMRT for each patient in the context of BR

Defining the causes of sporadic Parkinson’s disease in the global Parkinson’s genetics program (GP2)

The Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) will genotype over 150,000 participants from around the world, and integrate genetic and clinical data for use in large-scale analyses to dramatically expand our understanding of the genetic architecture of PD. This report details the workflow for cohort integration into the complex arm of GP2, and together with our outline of the monogenic hub in a companion paper, provides a generalizable blueprint for establishing large scale collaborative research consortia

Author Correction: Elucidating causative gene variants in hereditary Parkinson’s disease in the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2)

Correction to: s41531-023-00526-9 npj Parkinson’s Disease, published online 27 June 2023 In this article the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) members names and affiliations were missing in the main author list of the Original article which are listed in the below