Chemical fractions of potassium in arid region calcareous soils: The impact of microclimates and physiographic variability.

Factors such as topography, mineralogy, physicochemical properties, and climate can affect the distribution of soil potassium (K) forms. However, often the special effects of physiographic units are neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors controlling the distribution of chemical fractions of K in different physiographic units of calcareous soils (piedmont plain, flood plain, alluvial plain, lowland, badland, and plateau) in southern Iran.

Comparing machine learning approaches for estimating soil saturated hydraulic conductivity.

Characterization of near (field) saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) of the soil environment is among the crucial components of hydrological modeling frameworks. Since the associated laboratory/field experiments are time-consuming and labor-intensive, pedotransfer functions (PTFs) that rely on statistical predictors are usually integrated with the existing measurements to predict Kfs in other areas of the field. In this study some of the most appropriate machine learning approaches, including variants of artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used for predicting Kfs by some easily measurable soil attributes.

Sugarcane bagasse derived biochar potential to improve soil structure and water availability in texturally different soils.

Low organic matter content is one of the main constraints in arid and semiarid regions. This constraint and its negative influences on soils and plant growth may be alleviated by biochar (BC). Furthermore, improving soil physical and hydraulic attributes by application of biochar has received increased attention.

Feasibility of Vis-NIR spectroscopy approach to predict soil biological attributes in arid land soils.

Visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy has recently emerged as an efficient and cost-effective tool for monitoring soil parameters and provides an extensive array of measurements swiftly. This study sought to predict fundamental biological attributes of calcareous soils using spectral reflectance data in the Vis-NIR range through the application of partial least square regression (PLSR) and stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) techniques. The objective was to derive spectrotransfer functions (STFs) to predict selected soil biological attributes.

Integrated application of multiple indicators and geographic information system-based approaches for comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts of toxic metals-contaminated agricultural soils and vegetables.

Conventional monitoring and mapping approaches are laborious, expensive, and time-consuming because they need a large number of data and consequently extensive sampling and experimental operations. Therefore, due to the growing concern about the potential of contamination of soils and agricultural products with heavy metals (HMs), a field experiment was conducted on 77 farm lands in an area of 2300 ha in the southeast of Shiraz (Iran) to investigate the source of metal contamination in the soils and vegetables and to model spatial distribution of HMs (iron, Fe; manganese, Mn; copper, Cu; zinc, Zn; cadmium, Cd; nickel, Ni, and lead, Pb) over the region using geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistical (Ordinary Kriging, OK) approaches and compare the results with deterministic approaches (Inverse Distance Weighting, IDW with different weighting power). Furthermore, some ecological and health risks indices including Pollution index (PI), Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI), pollution load index (PLI), degree of contamination (C), modified contamination degree (mCd), PI and PI for soil quality, multi-element contamination (MEC), the probability of toxicity (MERMQ), the potential ecological index (RI), total hazard index (THI) and total carcinogenic risk index (TCR) based on ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways for adults and children respectively for analyzing the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated.

Predicting saturated and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity using artificial neural networks and multiple linear regression in calcareous soils.

Hydraulic conductivity (Kψ) is one of the most important soil properties that influences water and chemical movement within the soil and is a vital factor in various management practices, like drainage, irrigation, erosion control, and flood protection. Therefore, it is an essential component in soil monitoring and managerial practices. The importance of Kψ in soil-water relationship, difficulties for its measurement in the field, and its high variability led us to evaluate the potential of stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), and multilayer perceptron (MLPNNs) and radial-basis function (RBFNNs) neural networks approaches to predict Kψ at tensions of 15, 10, 5, and 0 cm (K15, K10, K5, and K0, respectively) using easily measurable attributes in calcareous soils.

Characterization of clay and nanoclay extracted from a semi-arid Vertisol and investigation of their carbon sequestration potential.

Mitigation of global climate change by means such as soil carbon (C) sequestration has become an important area of research. Soil organic matter (SOM) that is stabilized with clay minerals is the most persistent in soils. Currently, little is known regarding the C sequestration ability of nanoclay extracted from Vertisols in semi-arid regions.

Applicability of the sigmoid model to estimate heavy metal uptake in maize and sorghum as affected by organic acids.

Although assisted phytoremediation using chemical treatments is a suitable technique for the removal of heavy metals (HMs), the estimation of this process using simple models is also crucial. For this purpose, a greenhouse trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of citric, oxalic, and tartaric acid on Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn phytoremediation by maize and sorghum and to estimate this process using sigmoid HMs uptake model. Results showed that mean values of root and shoot dry weight and metals uptake, translocation factor (TF) of Pb and Zn, and uptake efficiency (UE) of Cd in maize were higher than sorghum but the TF of Cd and the phytoextraction efficiency (PEE) and UE of Pb in sorghum were higher than maize.

Localization of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas from the spatial relationships of perimedullary vessels on standard MRI.

Objective: The goal in this study was to explore the spatial relationship of perimedullary vessels visualized on MRI to localize the side and the site of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with SDAVF on MRI was undertaken. Two experienced reviewers blinded to all reports and angiographic images analyzed T2-weighted as well as postcontrast T1-weighted sequences.

Numerical analysis of pressure drop reduction of bubbly flows through hydrophobic microgrooved channels.

Due to the high performance of hydrophobic surfaces in pressure drop reduction, they have been proposed for various applications. However, despite the extensive uses of two-phase flows in many industries, the effect of hydrophobic surfaces on the pressure drop reduction of two-phase flows has not been well understood yet. Thus, in the present study, by implementing the phase-field and finite element methods, the bubbly flows as an example of two-phase flows are considered for examining the effect of hydrophobic microgrooved microchannels on the pressure drop reduction of these regimes in the laminar state.

Digital mapping and spatial modeling of some soil physical and mechanical properties in a semi-arid region of Iran.

The soil's physical and mechanical (SPM) properties have significant impacts on soil processes, such as water flow, nutrient movement, aeration, microbial activity, erosion, and root growth. To digitally map some SPM properties at four global standard depths, three machine learning algorithms (MLA), namely, random forest, Cubist, and k-nearest neighbor, were employed. A total of 200-point observation was designed with the aim of a field survey across the Marvdasht Plain in Fars Province, Iran.

Studying Liquid-Infused Surfaces with Affordable Surface Features Infiltrated with Various Lubricants from Corrosion, Biofouling, and Fluid Drag Viewpoints.

Drag force, corrosion, and biofouling have always been issues that disrupt the reliable operation of systems dealing with fluid flow. Inspired by nature, liquid- or solid-infused surfaces are brand-new surfaces that can address these problems. The present study examines nine comprehensive yet affordable samples with different surface structures, from the nanoscale to the microscale on the aluminum substrate.

Enhancement of Dropwise Condensation Heat Transfer through a Sprayable Superhydrophobic Coating.

Improving the shedding rate of condensed droplets has many applications in industries and daily problems, including increasing heat transfer and self-cleaning properties. One way to achieve this goal is by enhancement of the wetting properties of surfaces. In this research, the hierarchical superhydrophobic coating over aluminum has been applied using a relatively cost-effective method, spraying, which is also applicable to any metal surface used as a condenser.

Laminar drag reduction ability of liquid-infused microchannels by considering different infused lubricants.

We numerically investigate the pressure drop reduction (PDR) performance of microchannels equipped with liquid-infused surfaces, along with determining the shape of the interface between the working fluid and lubricant within the microgrooves. The effects of different parameters, such as the Reynolds number of working fluid, density and viscosity ratios between the lubricant and working fluid, the ratio of the thickness of the lubricant layer over the ridges to the depth of the groove, and the Ohnesorge number as a representative of the interfacial tension, on the PDR and interfacial meniscus within the microgrooves are comprehensively studied. The results reveal that the density ratio and Ohnesorge number do not significantly affect the PDR.

Congenital Malformations of Cerebellum.

Advances in pre and postnatal neuroimaging techniques, and molecular genetics have increased our understanding of the congenital malformation of the brain. Correct diagnosis of these malformations in regards to embryology, and molecular neurogenetics is of paramount importance to understand the inheritance pattern and risk of recurrence. Lesions detected on prenatal imaging require confirmation either with postnatal ultrasound and/or with MR imaging.

Atomic Scale Interactions between RNA and DNA Aptamers with the TNF- Protein.

Interest in the design and manufacture of RNA and DNA aptamers as apta-biosensors for the early diagnosis of blood infections and other inflammatory conditions has increased considerably in recent years. The practical utility of these aptamers depends on the detailed knowledge about the putative interactions with their target proteins. Therefore, understanding the aptamer-protein interactions at the atomic scale can offer significant insights into the optimal apta-biosensor design.

Mechanically stable superhydrophobic nanostructured aluminum mesh with reduced water surface friction.

Superhydrophobic surfaces demonstrate significant characteristics which make them suitable for a wide variety of applications. In this study, we propose a facile, one-step, and cost-effective anodizing scheme using aluminum nitrate/stearic acid mixture solution to create a superhydrophobic surface on an aluminum mesh. The surface outperforms the surface anodized by the widely used oxalic acid solution in terms of superhydrophobicity and water-surface friction behavior.

Novel adjustable monolayer carbon nitride membranes for high-performance saline water desalination.

In this study, via molecular dynamic simulations, we showed that the latest described graphene-like carbon nitride membranes, such as g-CN, g-CN, and g-CN single-layers, can be used as high-performance membranes for water desalination. In addition to having inherent nanopores and extraordinary mechanical properties, the carbon nitride membranes have high water permeability and strong ion rejection (IR) capability. The important point about carbon nitride membranes is that the open or closed state of the pores can be changed by applying tensile stress and creating a positive strain on the membrane.

Non-Newtonian droplet-based microfluidics logic gates.

Droplet-based microfluidic logic gates have many applications in diagnostic assays and biosciences due to their automation and the ability to be cascaded. In spite of many bio-fluids, such as blood exhibit non-Newtonian characteristics, all the previous studies have been concerned with the Newtonian fluids. Moreover, none of the previous studies has investigated the operating regions of the logic gates.

Factors Associated with Failure of Nonoperative Management for Complicated Appendicitis.

In recent years, nonoperative management of complicated appendicitis has become more common. Patients managed nonoperatively do well, but there is a paucity of literature on patients who fail nonoperative management. The purpose of this study was to examine the overall failure rate, morbidity associated with failure, and potential predictors of failure in nonop management of appendicitis.

Heavy metals content and distribution in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as influenced by cadmium and different potassium sources.

Despite the fact that cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element for plants, it can influence nutrients and affect human health. Potassium (K) can influence the transportation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil-plant systems. Here, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Cd and K fertilizers on the different partitioning forms of HMs, their concentrations, uptake in the shoots and roots of Ocimum basilicum.

Cancel that PICC line order; cholecystostomy tube and short course of antibiotics.

Background: Current guidelines do not specifically address optimal antibiotic duration following cholecystostomy. This study compares outcomes for short-course (<7 days) and long-course (≥7 days) antibiotics post-cholecystostomy.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of cholecystostomy patients (≥18 years) admitted (1/1/2007-12/31/2017) to one healthcare system.

A 53 KDa Glycan Antigen of Hydatid Cyst Wall May Involve in Evasion from Host Immune System.

Background: Recent studies have shown that similar host glycan antigens are expressed by helminths such as hydatid cysts to evade from host immune system. In this work to investigate these antigens further, immunological cross-reactivity between human sera and hydatid cyst wall antigens has been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Hydatid cyst wall antigens were used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western immunoblotting and probed with pooled sera of hydatidosis patients and healthy controls.