Control of magnetic states and spin interactions in bilayer CrCl3_{3} with strain and electric fields: an ab initio study

Using ab initio density functional theory (DFT), we demonstrated the possibility of controlling the magnetic ground-state properties of bilayer CrCl$_{3}$ by means of mechanical strains and electric fields. In principle, we investigated the influence of these two fields on parameters describing the spin Hamiltonian of the system. The obtained results show that biaxial strains change the magnetic ground state between ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) phases. The mechanical strain also affects the direction and amplitude of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (MAE). Importantly, the direction and amplitude of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya vectors are also highly tunable under external strain and electric fields. The competition between nearest neighbor interaction, MAE, and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions can lead to the stabilization of various exotic spin textures and novel magnetic excitations. The high tunability of magnetic properties by external fields makes bilayer CrCl$_{3}$ a promising candidate for application in the emerging field of two-dimensional quantum spintronics and magnonics.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure

Analysis of Soil Liquefaction Potential Through Three Field Tests-Based Methods: A Case Study of Babol City

During earthquakes, ground failure is commonly caused by liquefaction. Thus, assessment of soil liquefaction potential in earthquake-prone regions is a crucial step towards reducing earthquake hazard. Since Babol city in Iran country is located in a high seismic area, estimation of soil liquefaction potential is of great importance in this city. For this purpose, in the present research, using field-based methods and geotechnical data of 60 available boreholes in Babol, three liquefaction microzonation maps were provided. Finally, one comprehensive liquefaction microzonation map was presented for soil of Babol city. The obtained results in this paper are well in line with the previous investigations. The results indicate that application of different field tests in evaluation of liquefaction is necessary

Thermal properties variation of Malaysian yellowtail catfish during precooling process and numerical verification

Malaysian yellowtail catfish, which is widely consumed in Malaysia, was investigated to determine the thermal properties and their variation during precooling process. These properties encompassed thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity. The moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate and ash contents of the fish muscle were determined in a fresh fish. Mathematical formulae, which correlated between the constituent values and the thermal properties, were used to determine these properties and their variation with temperature. The results were compared with the existing literature of other fishes. Slight differences were noticed, however, the results were still within the common range of fish thermal properties values. The differences may be attributed to the different growing conditions. Models correlated between the thermal properties and temperature variations were developed which are the basic requirements of solving heat transfer problems related to precooling process. These models were used in conjunction with Ansari’s empirical equation to predict temperature history at the midpoint of preassumed slab subjected to precooling process. When a typical real slab was tested experimentally in the precooling process, similar experimental temperature history at the mid point was observed

Intuition in Iranian pediatric nurses: A cross sectional study

Background: Intuition is one of the key factors in decision-making leading to timely recognition of problems and quality care.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of intuition and the factors influencing it in pediatric nurses.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 with 100 pediatric nurses working in hospitals of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Smith Intuition Instrument was used to collect data. Descriptive statistical methods, t-test, and analysis of variance were used for data analysis.Results: Most nurses (59%) demonstrated moderate use of intuition whereas the others (41%) showed high use of intuition. Nurses with less than 10 years of work experience and those working in pediatric intensive units scored significantly higher on the reassuring feelings subscale (P<0.001).Conclusion: The pediatric nurses’ intuition was appropriate. Nurses are encouraged to confidently use their intuition without fear of blame in the difficult and sensitive situations of pediatric care

Determination of Effective Impervious Area in Urban Watersheds

Impervious surfaces have been identified as an indicator of the impacts of urbanization on water resources. The design of stormwater control measures is often performed using the total impervious area (TIA) in a watershed. Recent studies have shown that a better parameter for these designs is the “effective” impervious area (EIA), or the portion of total impervious area that is hydraulically connected to the storm sewer system. Methods to improve estimates of EIA are not highly researched, and need further investigation. The overall goal of this project is to develop a method to estimate EIA in urban watersheds with data that is readily available. First, the existing rainfall-runoff method was improved by reducing the uncertainty associated with EIA estimates and applying it to 40 gauged urban watersheds with different sizes and hydrologic conditions, mostly in the Twin Cities metro area of MN and Austin, TX. The results are then utilized to develop a new method based on the integration of GIS and Curve Number (CN). The GIS-CN method is applicable to un-gauged watersheds and is able to estimate EIA fraction based on TIA and hydrologic soil group (HSG). The results are used to evaluate the potential and the limitations of the GIS-CN method. The outcome and applications of this study improves the rainfall-runoff modelling in urban watersheds and will eventually lead to the design of a more sustainable urban stormwater infrastructure

Association between Genetic Variants Linked to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Inflammatory Markers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Premature menopause (PM) is the cessation of ovarian function before age 40. PM women are more likelyto have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and mental disorders. This is the first study that assessed the associationof single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with anti-heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), and PM and serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), as putative risk factors for CVDs. We aimed toexplore the association of oxidative stress markers with eight different SNPs shown to be related to premature menopause.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, we included 183 healthy women and 117 premature menopausalwomen. We determined baseline characteristics for all participants and measured serum hs-CRP, anti-HSP-27 antibody titer, and PAB levels using the established methods. Genotyping for eight SNPs was done usingthe tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (Tetra-ARMS PCR) and allele-specificoligonucleotide PCR (ASO-PCR) methods.Results: We found a significant difference between mean serum PAB levels and the genetic variant of rs16991615(P=0.03). ANCOVA showed a significant effect of the genotypes rs4806660 and rs10183486 on hs-CRP serum levelsin the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.04 and P=0.007). ANCOVA also showed an association betweenrs244715 genotypes and anti-hsp27 serum levels in the case group (P=0.02). There was a significant effect of thegenotypes of rs451417 on the serum hs-CRP level in the control group (P=0.03).Conclusion: There was a significant association of the genetic variants related to PM with oxidative stress and inflammatorymarkers (serum PAB, anti-hsp27 antibody, and hs-CRP). Accordingly, this seems to be an effective approach topredicting susceptible subjects for cardiovascular and mental disorders as well as various cancers

Diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct primary disease process, independent of coronary artery disease, which leads to heart failure in diabetic patients. Epidemiological and clinical trial data have confirmed the greater incidence and prevalence of heart failure in diabetes. Novel echocardiographic and MR (magnetic resonance) techniques have enabled a more accurate means of phenotyping diabetic cardiomyopathy. Experimental models of diabetes have provided a range of novel molecular targets for this condition, but none have been substantiated in humans. Similarly, although ultrastructural pathology of the microvessels and cardiomyocytes is well described in animal models, studies in humans are small and limited to light microscopy. With regard to treatment, recent data with thiazoledinediones has generated much controversy in terms of the cardiac safety of both these and other drugs currently in use and under development. Clinical trials are urgently required to establish the efficacy of currently available agents for heart failure, as well as novel therapies in patients specifically with diabetic cardiomyopathy

Assessing the environmental footprints and material flow of 2,3-butanediol production in a wood-based biorefinery

This study aims to scrutinize and compare the environmental impacts of biobased 2,3-butanediol (BDO) and its fossil-based counterpart. BDO is a fundamental chemical in various industries, traditionally derived from petroleum sources. Wood residues, largely available in Nordic countries, are sustainable alternative feedstocks, offering potential environmental benefits. Material flow analysis followed by consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) were employed to quantify the potential environmental burdens associated with various biorefinery stages of wood-based BDO production. The findings indicated that refraining from wood combustion and, instead, utilizing wood in a biorefinery to produce BDO as the main product, with methane and fertilizer as coproducts from the waste residue, resulted in 125%, 52%, and 90% better environmental performance regarding human health, climate change, and resource scarcity, respectively, compared to fossil-based BDO production. The results offer valuable insights for technology developers and policymakers, empowering them to make informed decisions and support sustainable practices

Sensitivity Analysis of Different Infiltration Equations and Their Coefficients under Various Initial Soil Moisture and Ponding Depth

Infiltration is a complex process that changed by initial moisture and water head on the soil surface. The main objective of this study was to estimate the coefficients of infiltration equations, Kostiakov-Lewis, Philip and Horton, and evaluate the sensitivity of these equations and their coefficients under various initial conditions (initial moisture soil) and boundary (water head on soil surface). Therefore, one-and two-dimensional infiltration for basin (or border) irrigation were simulated by changing the initial soil moisture and water head on soil surface from irrigation to other irrigation using the solution of the Richards’ equation (HYDRUS model). To determine the coefficients of infiltration equations, outputs of the HYDRUS model (cumulative infiltration over time) were fitted using the Excel Solver. Comparison of infiltration sensitivity equations and their coefficients in one-and two-dimensional infiltration showed infiltration equations and their sensitivity coefficients were similar function but quantitatively in most cases sensitive two-dimensional equations and their coefficients were greater than one dimension. In both dimensions the soil adsorption coefficient Philip equation as the sensitive coefficient and Horton equation as the sensitive equation under various initial moisture soil and water head on soil surface were identified