Primjena metode odzivnih površina i neuronskih mreža za modeliranje i procjenu otpornosti na abrazijsko trošenje Poly oxy metilena

In this study, abrasive wear behaviour of poly oxy methylenes (POM) under various testing conditions was investigated. A central composite design (CCD) was used to describe response and to estimate the parameters in the model. Response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to obtain an empirical model of wear loss as a function of applied load and sliding distance. Also, a neural network (NN) model was developed for the prediction and testing of the results. Finally, a comparison was made between the results obtained from RSM and NN.U radu je istraživano abrazijsko trošenje poly oxy metilena (POM), za različite uvjete ispitivanja. Za procjenu parametara modela i odziva, primijenjen je centralno kompozitni plan pokusa. Primjenom metode odzivnih površina dobiven je matematički model ovisnosti gubitka mase o primijenjenom opterećenju i putu klizanja. Također, primjenom neuronskih mreža, razvijen je model za procjenu i testiranje rezultata. Na kraju su uspoređeni rezultati modela, dobiveni metodom odzivnih površina i primjenom neuronskih mreža

ELECTRE I Method Using Hesitant Linguistic Term Sets: An Application to Supplier Selection

Decision making is a common process in human activities. Every person or organization needs to make decisions besides dealing with uncertainty and vagueness associated with human cognition. The theory of fuzzy logic provides a mathematical base to model the uncertainities. Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS) creates an appropriate method to deal with uncertainty in decision making. Managerial decision making generally implies that decision making process conducts multiple and conflicting criteria. Multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a widely applied decision making method. Outranking methods are one type of MCDA methods which facilitate the decision making process through comparing binary relations in order to rank the alternatives. Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Réalité (ELECTRE), means elimination and choice that translates reality, is an outranking method. In this paper, an extended version of ELECTRE I method using HFLTS is proposed. Finally, a real case problem is provided to illustrate the HFLTS-ELECTRE I method

Mapping of QTLs for leaf area and the association with winter hardiness in fall-sown lentil

Variations in plant architecture are often associated with the ability of plants to survive cold stress during winter. In studies of winter hardiness in lentil, it appeared that small leaf area was associated with improved winter survival. Based on this observation, the inheritance of leaf area and the relationship with winter hardiness using an F6 - derived recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from the cross of WA8649090 x Precoz was investigated. The WA8649090 parent was winter hardy and had small leaves, while the Precoz parent was non-winter hardy and had large leaves. The 106 RILs and the parents were planted in a field in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Leaf area(cm2) of leaves from the fourth node was measured using a flatbed scanner and WinRHIZO software. Average leaf area for WA8649090 was 0.46 cm2, while leaf area for Precoz was 0.89 cm2. Average leaf area of the RILs was 0.63 cm2, and the frequency distribution was continuous, indicating the effects of more than one gene. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using a 130-point linkage map revealed one major QTL on linkage group 6 which explained 20.45% of the phenotypic variation for leaf area. The location of QTL for leaf area mapped the same region where one of the QTL for winter hardiness was mapped and significant association (r2 = 0.750, P< 0.01) was found between leaf area and winter hardiness. These results indicated an association between winter hardiness and leaf area that provides information applicable to lentil breeding.Keywords: Leaf area, lentil, recombinant inbred line (RIL), QTL mapping, winter hardines

Working with refugees during COVID-19: social worker voices from Turkey

This short essay aims to share social workers’ experiences of working with refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Three of the authors work in different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in different cities. NGOs play a vital role in the delivery of psychosocial support services to refugees in Turkey and have been inevitably affected by the pandemic. The major practice challenges are being unprepared for tele-social work, a decrease in financial resources, increasing barriers to resources, and threats to refugee children’s wellbeing. Finally, suggestions are made for the near future

Diurnal gradual heat stress affects antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation and some physiological components in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Even though high temperatures significantly reduce both vegetative growth and yield in cotton, very little is known about the effects of heat stress on cotton antioxidant system. Thus, the effects of gradual heat stress on cotton growth in controlled conditions were investigated in the present study. At squaring stage, cotton plants were subjected to two different temperatures, 38 and 45°C to determine the influence of heat stress on the plants. The results of the present study showed that heat stress did not significantly altered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the leaves, whereas there was a remarkable decline in proline quantity of the leaves of plants subjected to 45°C heat stress. As for the amount of total chlorophyll content, a slight increase at plants treated with 38°C temperature was observed. Furthermore, the activities of some enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which were associated with heat stress response in other plants was also investigated. For example, there was decline in the activitity of SOD in the plants exposed to high temperatures. On the contrary, catalase (CAT) activity increased at 45°C; peroxidase (POX) activity increased at 38°C and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity increased at 38 and 45°C. The results from this study suggest a potential role for CAT, POX and APX in the reduction of elevated levels of H2O2 in cotton plants grown under heat stress condition. To sum up, it could be concluded that, diurnal gradual heat stress caused a low oxidative injury in cotton

TiO2 encrusted MXene as a High-Performance anode material for Li-ion batteries

TiO2 has the potential to be a viable anode material for high-power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the lower electronic conductivity of TiO2 limits its practical applications. Here, the synthesis of novel TiO2 decorated Ti3C-MXene anode for LIBs using in-situ hydrolysis is discussed. MXenes are well known for their outstanding structural stability and superior electronic conductivities; thus, using MXenes as a host material for TiO2 may improve its structural and electrical characteristics. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) examination revealed that the in-situ method resulted in a uniform and comformal coating of TiO2 (27.5 nm) on the inner and outer surfaces of MXene surfaces. BET analysis revealed that the larger surface area of MXene-TiO2 nanocomposite enhanced the active sites for lithium intercalation, which improved electrochemical performance. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed faster kinetics for MXene-TiO2 materials when compared to the TiO2 anode. Compared to pristine TiO2 anode, 5 wt% MXene-TiO2 nanocomposite showed significantly better electrochemical performance, with an electrochemical capacity of around 200 mAhg?1 at 0.1C. Nanocomposites based on MXene-TiO2 exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, indicating the potential for using MXene-based nanocomposites as an anode in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Microstructural analyses (FE-SEM and HR-TEM) were accomplished at the Central Laboratory Unit (CLU), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. Funding: This work was supported by Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation) [NPRP Grant # NPRP11S-1225-17128]; the Qatar University Internal Grant, [QUCG-CENG-20/21-2].Scopu

Photometry of GS UMa: a suspected delta Scuti variable

We present the time series analysis of GS UMa. GS UMa is a suspected Scuti variable with a primary frequency of 6.0987 d

Large-Area, Highly Sensitive SERS Substrates with Silver Nanowire Thin Films Coated by Microliter-Scale Solution Process

A microliter-scale solution process was used to fabricate large-area, uniform films of silver nanowires (AgNWs). These thin films with cross-AgNWs were deposited onto Au substrates by dragging the meniscus of a microliter drop of a coating solution trapped between two plates. The hot spot density was tuned by controlling simple experimental parameters, which changed the optical properties of the resulting films. The cross-AgNW films on the Au surface served as excellent substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, with substantial electromagnetic field enhancement and good reproducibility