Lower Branch Research Articles

HFCC-Net: A Dual-Branch Hybrid Framework of CNN and CapsNet for Land-Use Scene Classification

Land-use scene classification (LUSC) is a key technique in the field of remote sensing imagery (RSI) interpretation. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is widely used for its ability to autonomously and efficiently extract deep semantic feature maps (DSFMs) from large-scale RSI data. However, CNNs cannot accurately extract the rich spatial structure information of RSI, and the key information of RSI is easily lost due to many pooling layers, so it is difficult to ensure the information integrity of the spatial structure feature maps (SSFMs) and DSFMs of RSI with CNNs only for LUSC, which can easily affect the classification performance. To fully utilize the SSFMs and make up for the insufficiency of CNN in capturing the relationship information between the land-use objects of RSI, while reducing the loss of important information, we propose an effective dual-branch hybrid framework, HFCC-Net, for the LUSC task. The CNN in the upper branch extracts multi-scale DSFMs of the same scene using transfer learning techniques; the graph routing-based CapsNet in the lower branch is used to obtain SSFMs from DSFMs in different scales, and element-by-element summation achieves enhanced representations of SSFMs; a newly designed function is used to fuse the top-level DSFMs with SSFMs to generate discriminant feature maps (DFMs); and, finally, the DFMs are fed into classifier. We conducted sufficient experiments using HFCC-Net on four public datasets. The results show that our method has better classification performance compared to some existing CNN-based state-of-the-art methods.

The harmonic resonance and singularity analysis of bifurcation for the magnetized elastic plate with action of time-varying magnetic potential

This paper deals with the superharmonic resonance of a ferromagnetic thin rectangular plate in the air-gap magnetic field excited by armature magnetic potential. Electromagnetic forces applied on the plate by the air-gap magnetic field cause the plate to transversal vibrate, which affects the air-gap magnetic field in turn, resulting the vibration and magnetic field coupling. According to the basic electromagnetic field theory and considering the magnetoelastic coupling effect, the air-gap magnetic field intensity is obtained by solving the Laplace's equation satisfied the air-gap magnetic boundary conditions. The electromagnetic force model of soft ferromagnetic plates is determined based on theories of electromagnetic and elasticity. According to the large deflection theory of plates, basic energy relationships and variational equations of the elastic plate are given. Eventually, the nonlinear magnetoelastic vibration equation of ferromagnetic thin plates is derived using Hamilton's principle and Galerkin method. The multi-scale method is used to solve the superharmonic resonance to obtain the amplitude-frequency response equation and the stability discriminant of solutions. The topological analysis of amplitude-frequency equation is carried out using singularity theory, and the bifurcation characteristics of systems on physical parameter planes in different regions are obtained according to the transition set. The correctness of analytical solutions is verified by comparison with numerical solutions. Through numerical calculations, curves of the static deflection and equivalent magnetic force of plate with parameters are given, and the amplitude curves, dynamic phase plane trajectories and time history diagrams of system response with changes in electromagnetic and structural parameters are plotted. Results show that both the decrease of armature magnetic potential amplitude and the increases of plate thickness and initial air-gap thickness reduce the static deflection. The increase of armature magnetic potential amplitude increases the equivalent magnetic force. As the decrease of initial air-gap thickness and the increases of armature magnetic potential amplitude and excitation force amplitude, the amplitudes of the upper branch and lower branch curves representing stable solutions decrease and increase, respectively, and the single-value solution region increases.

Existence of dual solution for MHD boundary layer flow over a stretching/shrinking surface in the presence of thermal radiation and porous media: KKL nanofluid model

Present study is dedicated to analyze the closed form solution of nanofluid flow over a stretching/shrinking sheet with dual availability. Flow is developed through two-dimensional boundary layer theory. Appropriate tensor is used to generate the continuity, energy, and momentum equations. Converted governing partial differential equations (PDEs) into dimensionless non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by adoption of favorable similarity variables. The dimensionless ODEs of energy and momentum produced a dual nature solution in closed form under certain conditions. To deal with the nanofluid, the Koo-Kleinstreuer and Li (KKL) model is used, and the equations are solved using well-known software Maple. The effect of porosity Φ, suction/injection fw, stretching/shrinking λ, and magnetic effect M on skin friction, velocity, temperature, and streamlines are well explored and showcased. The results for the stable solutions have been showed that the upper branch's fluid velocity is increasing as the magnetic parameter M rises whereas the lower branch's fluid velocity is decreasing as M rises. Additionally, the CuO-nanofluid's velocity is impacted by the volume fraction of nanoparticles, with an increase in volume fraction causing a decrease in velocity. On both the lower and upper branches, the temperature profile is seen to improve as the Biot number increases. On the other hand, as the magnetic parameter varies and the magnetic field increases, the local Nusselt number against suction/injection decreases, as well as the rate of heat transfer in the upper branch decreases.

Mixed Convection Flow Analysis of Carreau Fluid Over a Vertical Stretching/Shrinking Sheet

The current investigation aspires to unravel the steady mixed convection flow of Carreau fluid over a permeable vertical stretching/shrinking sheet near a stagnation point. The system of governing equations is reduced into ODEs utilizing appropriate similarity transformations. The similarity transformations are obtained via the Lie scaling group of transformations. Dual similarity solutions are detected depending on the opposing flow parameter for stretching and shrinking cases. The effects of pertinent parameters on the skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, velocity, and temperature fields are examined in detail. The influence of the suction parameter on the variations of skin friction coefficient for the stretching case shows various behavior than in the shrinking case. However, on the variations of the Nusselt number, a similar trend in both the stretching and shrinking cases is observed. The fluid velocity decreases, and the temperature rises with the increment of non-Newtonian parameter in the upper branch, whereas the lower branch depicts opposite trends. Due to the different characteristics of the lower branch than the upper branch, it is necessary to find a physically reliable solution branch. Thus, a linear temporal stability analysis is conducted based on the sign of the smallest eigenvalue. The smallest eigenvalues are determined numerically using the shooting technique, revealing that the upper branch is the only stable solution branch.

Solution-processed halide perovskite microcavity exciton-polariton light-emitting diodes working at room temperature

Exciton-polaritons offer the potential to achieve electrically pumped perovskite polariton lasers with much lower current thresholds than conventional photonic lasers. While optically pumped exciton-polaritons have been widely studied in halide perovskites, electrically-pumped polaritons remain limited. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a solution-processing strategy to develop halide perovskite polariton light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that operate at room temperature. The strong coupling of excitons and cavity photons is confirmed through the dispersion relation from angle-resolved reflectivity, with a Rabi splitting energy of 64 meV. Our devices exhibit angle-resolved electroluminescence following the low polariton branch and achieve external quantum efficiencies of 1.7%, 3.85%, and 3.7% for detunings of 1.1, −77, and −128 meV, respectively. We also explore devices with higher efficiency of 5.37% and a narrower spectral bandwidth of 6.5 nm through the optimization of a top emitting electrode. Our work demonstrates, to our knowledge, the first room-temperature perovskite polariton LED with a typical vertical geometry and represents a significant step towards realizing electrically pumped perovskite polariton lasers.

Transition in radio frequency gas breakdown with a transverse magnetic field

This paper presents the quantification of gas breakdown voltages in low-pressure argon capacitive radio frequency (rf) discharges in the presence of an external transverse magnetic field via fully kinetic particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations. It is found that as the magnetic field increases, the left branch of the breakdown curve, a double-valued rf breakdown voltage regime, shifts toward a lower-pressure region. A split of the breakdown curve into lower and upper branches occurs when the external magnetic field rises to a critical value. The observed abrupt transition of rf breakdown behaviors can be understood based on the electron kinetics behaviors, with the consideration of the enhanced ionization and electron confinement induced by drift motions. An improved analytical model is developed, which can estimate the critical magnetic field required for the occurrence of the transition.

Diurnally Forced Tropical Gravity Waves under Varying Stability

Abstract Diurnal processes play a primary role in tropical weather. A leading hypothesis is that atmospheric gravity waves diurnally forced near coastlines propagate both offshore and inland, encouraging convection as they do so. In this study we extend the linear analytic theory of diurnally forced gravity waves, allowing for discontinuities in stability and for linear changes in stability over a finite-depth “transition layer.” As an illustrative example, we first consider the response to a commonly studied heating function emulating diurnally oscillating coastal temperature gradients, with a low-level stability change between the boundary layer and troposphere. Gravity wave rays resembling the upper branches of “Saint Andrew’s cross” are forced along the coastline at the surface, with the stability changes inducing reflection, refraction, and ducting of the individual waves comprising the rays, with analogous behavior evident in the rays themselves. Refraction occurs smoothly in the transition-layer solution, with substantially less reflection than in the discontinuous solution. Second, we consider a new heating function which emulates an upper-level convective heating diurnal cycle, and consider stability changes associated with the tropical tropopause. Reflection, refraction, and ducting again occur, with the lower branches of Saint Andrew’s cross now evident. We compare these solutions to observations taken during the Years of the Maritime Continent field campaign, noting better qualitative agreement with the transition-layer solution than the discontinuous solution, suggesting the tropopause is an even weaker gravity wave reflector than previously thought. Significance Statement This study extends our theoretical understanding of how forced atmospheric gravity waves change with atmospheric structure. Gravity wave behavior depends on atmospheric stability: how much the atmosphere resists vertical displacements of air. Where stability changes, waves reflect and refract, analogously to when light passes from water to air. Our study presents new mathematical tools for understanding this reflection and refraction, demonstrating reflection is substantially weaker when stability increases over “transition layers,” than when stability increases suddenly. Our results suggest the tropical tropopause reflects less gravity wave energy than previously thought, with potential design implications for weather and climate models, to be assessed in future work.

Anomaly of the inferior vena cava and its tributaries

Detection of a combination of aplasia of the inferior vena cava and retroaortic left renal vein is extremely rare. A description of a clinical case with similar anomalies in the development of the inferior vena cava and the left renal vein is given. In our case, the combination of an anomaly of the inferior vena cava and the left renal vein in a 59-year-old male patient was an incidental finding during examination and treatment for acute cerebrovascular accident. Asymptomatic aplasia of the prerenal and hepatic sections of the inferior vena cava with drainage into the azygous vein was revealed. The hepatic veins empty into the right atrium. The identified variant of aplasia of the prerenal and hepatic sections of the inferior vena cava with drainage into the unpaired vein is the result of atrophy of the right subcardinal vein. A rare unclassified type of retroaortic left renal vein was found, the lower branch of which flows into the inferior vena cava, and the upper branch into the unpaired vein. The retroaortic left renal vein is formed while maintaining the anastomosis between the right and left supracardinal veins. The possibility of accidental radiographic findings of anomalies in the development of the inferior vena cava and its tributaries in humans before clinical manifestations has been established. Given the possible manifestation of an anomaly of the inferior vena cava in people over 40 years of age with a clinic of peripheral venous thrombosis, and the manifestation of the retroaortic left renal vein - the development of congestive venous hypertension in the kidney, the patient was given the necessary recommendations.

Magnetized casson SA-hybrid nanofluid flow over a permeable moving surface with thermal radiation and Joule heating effect

Here in, heat transfer characteristics of a magnetized Casson sodium alginate-alumina/copper hybrid nanofluid flowing through the permeable moving plane are investigated considering the effects of thermal radiation and Joule heating with Tiwari and Das model. The primary objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of the velocity ratio parameter on the solid volume fraction and the Casson parameter. In addition, the velocity and temperature profiles used in the current study illustrate the effects of the velocity ratio parameter R, solid volume fraction, suction effect, magnetic field, Joule heating, and thermal radiation. To apply the three-stage Lobatto IIIa with boundary value problems (bvp4c) approach to implement the appropriate similarity variables to transform the partial differential equations (PDEs) into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). It has been determined that there are two branch solutions for the velocity ratio parameter against using the Casson parameter and copper volume fraction values. Non-unique branch at R < Rci however, no branch happens at R > Rci. As the Eckert number and radiation grew, the rate of heat transmission surged. The increase of Casson hybrid nanofluid parameter values caused to drop the skin friction in both upper and lower branch.

Stability scrutinization and model development for mixed convective non-Newtonian hybrid nanomaterial flow in thermal system over a vertical shrinking surface

The development of a better extremely high-efficiency coolant classified as nanofluid for numerous engineering and industrial technologies has been made possible by recent advancements in nanotechnology. In this work, we investigate the impression of an irregular heat generation or heat absorption on the improvement of heat transfer of Williamson hybrid nanoparticles composed of water-based Ag and MgO over a porous surface that is shrinking and stretching. The assisting and opposing flows are also provoked. The non-linear model based on differential equations is derived and numerically handled via a bvp4c process based on some reasonable assumptions. In an appropriate region of mixed convection, mass transpiration velocity, and shrinking surface characteristics, two dissimilar branch outcomes are discovered with the change of the influential parameters. In addition, the analysis of the temporal stability to moderate disruptions is executed on these multiple solutions. It is also discovered that whereas the lower solution is unstable with negative lowest eigenvalues, the upper solution is stable and essentially realistic. In addition, the friction factor and the rate of heat transfer rose by nearly 0.129% and 0.039% for the upper branch solution for superior nanoparticle volume fraction, respectively, and decreases by nearly 0.101% and 0.044% for the lower branch solution. Moreover, the outlines of temperature escalates due to the heat source and decelerates due to the heat sink. Finally, the present fallouts are assessed with the prior findings in a specific case to demonstrate the correctness of the existing technique. This study has a wide range of intriguing applications like heating and cooling systems, geothermal energy plants, aerodynamics, and the manufacture of gate disc valves, etc.

Effects of superhydrophobicity on VIV control of a circular cylinder

We conducted an experimental study on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) dynamics of cylinders featuring a specific superhydrophobic band. The superhydrophobic band refers to the pattern where the cylinder's surface is featured with equispaced bands of normal surface and superhydrophobic coating in an alternate manner. The experiments were conducted over a range of reduced velocities from Ur = 3 to 11, corresponding to Reynolds numbers between 1500 and 5900. To capture the near-field wake of the cylinders, a time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) system was employed, while the hydrodynamic forces were acquired using a six-component load cell. We found that the fully coated cylinder consistently displays the smallest amplitude of oscillation in the VIV initial branch, achieving a maximum reduction of approximately 38.9% at Ur = 5.0. Upon applying a superhydrophobic coated band, the patterned cylinder experiences a substantial enhancement in VIV amplitude (about 22.5% at Ur = 5.0) compared to the normal cylinder. On the other hand, in the VIV lower branch, the patterned cylinder effectively suppresses oscillation, whereas the fully coated cylinder exhibits slightly larger oscillation amplitudes than the normal cylinder. This finding agrees well with the trend of lift forces. The analysis of phase-averaged flow structures suggests that this difference can be attributed to the delayed vortex shedding from the superhydrophobic surface and the emergence of three-dimensional vortex structures created by the superhydrophobic band.

Bending Vibrations of an Elastic Rod Controlled by Piezoelectric Forces

Bending vibrations of a thin elastic rod of rectangular cross-section are studied. A number of piezoelectric actuators (elements) is symmetrically attached without gaps to two opposite sides of the rod. Each element is glued to the neighboring ones, forming with the rod a single elastic body in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. The body is hinged at both ends relative to the cross-sectional axis parallel to the piezoelectric layers. In opposite piezoelements, homogeneous fields of normal stresses are set antisymmetrically as functions of time. These stresses are parallel to the axis of the rod and force the elastic system to perform bending motions. Within the framework of the linear theory of elasticity for the considered system, generalized formulations of the initial-boundary value problem and the corresponding eigenvalue problem are given. These problems are defined through unknown displacements and the time integrals of mechanical stresses. An approximation of the displacement and stress fields, which is polynomial in transverse coordinates, is proposed. This approximation exactly satisfies the homogeneous boundary conditions for stresses on the lateral sides and takes into account the symmetry properties of the bending motions. For the chosen approximation, the boundary value problem for eigenvalues is exactly solved. Two branches of eigenvalues are found and used to reduce the initial-boundary value problem to a countable system of first-order ordinary differential equations with respect to complex variables. The dynamical system is decomposed into independent infinite-dimensional subsystems with a scalar control input. One of these subsystems is not controllable. For the remaining subsystems, each corresponding to a pair of piezoelectric elements, a control law for vibration damping is proposed for a specific number of the lower modes associated with the lower branch.

Two proton emission and other exotic decays in the 48Ni region with ACTAR TPC

Since the first indirect measurements of the two proton radioactivity in 2002 [1], some theoretical descriptions have been able to reproduce experimental results until the 2-proton radioactivity was established for 67Kr at RIKEN [2], with a lifetime about 20 times lower than expected. New theory inputs have recently been developed [3][4], predicting angular distributions of the emitted protons for some of the two proton emitters, that need to be confirmed experimentally. An experiment at GANIL/LISE3 facility was performed in May 2021 aiming to produce one of the 2 proton emitters (48Ni) and measure the angular distribution of the emitted protons. We used the ACTAR TPC detector to implant the ions and perform the tracking of their proton decays. In addition, other exotic nuclei in the 48Ni region were produced. For several of them we have found a first evidence of exotic decays such as β delayed 3- and 2-proton emission or low energy proton branches for β delayed single proton emission. The analysis of this decays will provide helpful experimental information about the structure and the partial decay schemes of these unstable nuclei.

Mixed-mode Ensemble Asteroseismology of Low-luminosity Kepler Red Giants

We present measurements of the dipole mode asymptotic period spacing (ΔΠ1), the coupling factor between the p- and g-modes (q), the g-mode phase offset (ϵ g ), and the mixed-mode frequency rotational splitting (δ ν rot) for 1074 low-luminosity red giants from the Kepler mission. Using oscillation mode frequencies extracted from each star, we apply Bayesian optimization to estimate ΔΠ1 from the power spectrum of the stretched-period spectrum and to perform the subsequent forward modeling of the mixed-mode frequencies. With our measurements, we show that the mode coupling factor q shows significant anticorrelation with both the stellar mass and metallicity, and can reveal highly metal-poor stars. We present the evolution of ϵ g up the lower giant branch up to before the luminosity bump, and find no significant trends in ϵ g or δ ν rot with the stellar mass and metallicity in our sample. Additionally, we identify six new red giants showing anomalous distortions in their g-mode pattern. Our data products, code, and results are provided in a public repository.

The occipital-vertebral anastomosis revisited.

The goal of the study was to provide relevant data about the location and prevalence of the occipital artery-vertebral artery (OA-VA) anastomosis in patients without visible occlusive disease, as well as to thoroughly discuss the clinical significance of these anastomotic channels. Furthermore, the morphometric properties of the OA and its branches were also analysed. A retrospective study was carried out to indicate anatomical variations, their prevalence, and morphometrical data on the OA and its branches. The study was performed on 55 randomly selected computed tomography angiographies (CTA) of the head and neck region. Each CTA result was analysed bilaterally. Thus, 110 results were originally assessed. The OA median maximal diameter was demonstrated at 4.85 mm (lower quartile [LQ]: 4.11; upper quartile [UQ]: 5.53) and the median maximal diameter of VA at 3.60 mm (LQ: 2.79; UQ: 4.38). The distances between OA and its branches were also measured giving a median result of 21.73, 30.29, 60.84, 34.88, 18.02, 55.16 mm for the lower and upper sternocleidomastoid branch, meningeal branch, mastoid branch, and descending branch, respectively. The median distance between OA and its first anastomosis was set to be 51.15 mm (LQ: 37.20; UQ: 60.10). Moreover, a set of additional measurements was carried out in order to create a three-dimensional anatomical heat-map of the occurrence of the OA-VA anastomosis. Knowledge about the anatomy of the OA-VA anastomosis might be of immense importance to avoid potentially fatal complications during embolisation of the OA and its branches.

Nanocrystallization of Cu46Zr33.5Hf13.5Al7 Metallic Glass

The recently discovered Cu46Zr33.5Hf13.5Al7 (at.%) bulk metallic glass (BMG) presents the highest glass-forming ability (GFA) among all known copper-based alloys, with a record-breaking critical casting thickness (or diameter) of 28.5 mm. At present, much remains to be explored about this new BMG that holds exceptional promise for engineering applications. Here, we report our study on the crystallization behavior of this new BMG, using isochronal and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With the calorimetric data, we determine the apparent activation energy of crystallization, the Avrami exponent, and the lower branch of the isothermal time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagram. With XRD and TEM, we identify primary and secondary crystal phases utilizing samples crystallized to different degrees within the calorimeter. We also estimate the number density, nucleation rate, and growth rate of the primary crystals through TEM image analysis. Our results reveal that the crystallization in this BMG has a high activation energy of ≈360 kJ/mole and that the primary crystallization of this BMG produces a high number density (≈1021 m−3 at 475 °C) of slowly growing (growth rate &lt; 0.5 nm/s at 475 °C) Cu10(Zr,Hf)7 nanocrystals dispersed in the glassy matrix, while the second crystallization event further produces a new phase, Cu(Zr,Hf)2. The results help us to understand the GFA and thermal stability of this new BMG and provide important guidance for its future engineering applications, including its usage as a precursor to glass–crystal composite or bulk nanocrystalline structures.

Assessing Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics of Pinus taeda Branches Undergoing Shade-Induced Mortality

Light acts as a complex signal, influencing various plant physiological, phenological and morphogenetic traits. Although previous studies have explored the effects of varying light levels on branch growth and survival, the underlying mechanisms of branch mortality under shade conditions remain poorly understood, hindering our understanding of canopy dynamics. In this study, contrasting shade conditions were imposed on Pinus taeda branches, and the changes in their water relations and carbon dynamics were evaluated. Monthly measurements of the photosynthetic light–response curve (LRC), sap flow and water potential of the branches were conducted. Furthermore, the conditions that led to the deaths of lower branches were investigated, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify branches according to their mortality status. Significant shade treatment effects were observed for all photosynthetic parameters. The assimilation at light saturation (Amax), dark respiration rate (Rd), apparent quantum yield (AQY), light compensation point (LCP) and light saturation point (LSP) all decreased from full light to deepest shade, whereas the opposite was the case for the convexity term (θ). All water relations traits also decreased from full light to deepest shade; however, although significant shade effect was observed in stomatal conductance (gs) and sap flow, the differences in the pre-dawn (Ψpre-dawn) and mid-day (Ψmid-day) water potentials among treatments were not statistically significant. The PCA classification results showed that it could be used as a reliable method to screen for branch mortality as early as four months before mortality becomes evident. Our results shed more light on branch physiology and mortality under shade and have the potential to help improve the prediction of tree crown size, ultimately improving process-based forest growth models.

Bistability and nonequilibrium condensation in a driven-dissipative Josephson array: A c-field model

Developing theoretical models for nonequilibrium quantum systems poses significant challenges. Here we develop and study a multimode model of a driven-dissipative Josephson junction chain of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, as realised in the experiment of Labouvie et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 235302 (2016)]. The model is based on c-field theory, a beyond-mean-field approach to Bose-Einstein condensates that incorporates fluctuations due to finite temperature and dissipation. We find the c-field model is capable of capturing all key features of the nonequilibrium phase diagram, including bistability and a critical slowing down in the lower branch of the bistable region. Our model is closely related to the so-called Lugiato-Lefever equation, and thus establishes new connections between nonequilibrium dynamics of ultracold atoms with nonlinear optics, exciton-polariton superfluids, and driven damped sine-Gordon systems.

Insight into the motion of ethylene glycol (fluid) conveying magnesium oxide and aluminium oxide nanoparticles with emphasis on “upper branch” and “lower branch” solutions

To address the limitations of nanofluids and combine the physical and chemical characteristics of nanoparticles in a meaningful way, researchers have been focusing on the usage of hybrid nanofluids. A rising number of studies have been conducted in the literature to explore the thermal performance of hybrid nanomaterials. In the current study, dual analysis is carried out to show the impact of theoretical correlations on the heat transfer capabilities of hybrid nanofluids. In this context, a mathematical model for a hybrid nanofluid is developed employing ethylene glycol as a base fluid, conveying magnesia and silver as nanoparticles on an inclined porous stretching/shrinking surface. The thermal transport aspects of a hybrid nanofluid are analyzed in terms of thermal radiation, Ohmic and viscous dissipation, and variable heat source/sink effects. The mathematical model is numerically solved using the bvp4c function in the MATLAB program. The outcomes of controlling factors on the fluid velocity, thermal distributions, as well as friction drag coefficient and heat transfer rate, are illustrated graphically. The findings show that due to remarkable thermal capabilities, the hybrid nanofluid is more effective at transferring heat than ordinary nanofluid. Additionally, the upshots show that the suction and magnetic parameter expands the shrinking range for which the dual solution lives.

Phytophthora Root Rot in Rangpur Lime Cultivated in Soil Managed with Ecological and Conventional Mower

Root rot and gummosis caused by Phytophthora spp. are considered one of the most important citrus diseases in Brazil. Symptoms of Phytophthora spp. infection in citrus plants are associated with lesions on the bark at the base of the plant, roots, and even lower branches. Inappropriately performed cultural practices, such as excessive irrigation and practices that result in reduced aeration and soil drainage, favor the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Urochloa ruziziensis mulching provided by an ecological mower on the severity of Phytophthora nicotianae root rot and the development of citrus plants and their root system. The experiments were carried out under controlled conditions on Rangpur lime seedlings kept in pots containing soil from ‘Hamlin’ orange orchards with the use of an ecological mower or a conventional mower in the management of inter-row vegetation for six years. Urochloa ruziziensis mulching (9 t ha−1) was added or not to the pots. The inoculation of P. nicotianae in the roots occurred through infection of the soil with a solution containing mycelium and sporangia of the pathogen. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme was used, with the following factors A: soil type, B: inoculation of P. nicotianae and C: mulching of U. ruziziensis. The attributes of plant development, such as root growth, average number of leaves, leaves and dry mass of shoots and roots, in addition to assessments of the severity of disease in the roots, were evaluated. The mulch of U. ruziziensis did not promote an increase in root rot. The soil resulting from this management promoted the better development of Rangpur lime plants. Therefore, vegetation management of inter-row with an ecological mower is not associated with increased symptoms of Phytophthora root rot.