Mass Of Material Research Articles

Inline process analysis of copper-bearing aerosols using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, laser-induced incandescence and optical imaging

The quantification and identification of aerosols in industry plays a key role in process monitoring and control and lays the foundation for process automation aspired by the industry 4.0 initiative. However, measuring particulate matter's mass and number concentrations in harsh environments poses great analytical constraints. The presented approach comprises a comprehensive set of light- and imaging-based techniques, all contactless, in-line, and real-time. It includes, but is not limited to, stroboscopic imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser-induced incandescence (LII). Stroboscopic imaging confirmed the particles sphericity and was used to measure the particle number density. A phase-selective LIBS setup with low fluence and 500 Hz repetition rate was used to classify each particle with a single-pulse and in real time. Simultaneously, the created plasma was captured by CCD imaging to determine the detection volume and hit rate of the LIBS setup. Both data sets combined were converted to a particle number density, which was consistent with the particle number density of the stroboscopic measurements. Furthermore, using a photodiode and microphone in parallel to the LIBS setup allowed for the photoacoustic normalization of the spectral line intensity at the laser repetition rate of 500 Hz. This was done as a partial photoacoustic normalization method with the cut-off based on the coefficient of variation (CV), reducing it by 25%. Aside from that photodiode and microphone were proven to be valuable event counting with the advantage of the less spatially constricted. A second laser setup was used for laser-induced incandescence (LII) making it possible to classify the particles based on their incandescence tendency. Given its larger probing volume, LII could be employed at very low particle number densities. With respect to the current literature, this is the first approach of using LII as an in-line, real-time analytical technique for the compositional classification of metal-bearing aerosols.

Massive Dispersion-Strengthened Composition Materials with Metal Matrix Condensed from the Vapour Phase

Massive Dispersion-Strengthened Composition Materials with Metal Matrix Condensed from the Vapour Phase

Interannual variabilities, long-term trends, and regulating factors of low-oxygen conditions in the coastal waters off Hong Kong

Abstract. The summertime low-oxygen conditions in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) have experienced a significant spatial expansion associated with notable deoxygenation in recent decades. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of quantitative data on the long-term trends and interannual variabilities in oxygen conditions in the PRE as well as on the driving factors. Therefore, the long-term deoxygenation in a subregion of the PRE (the coastal waters off Hong Kong) was comprehensively investigated in this study using monthly observations during 1994–2018. To evaluate the changes in scope and intensity of oxygen conditions, an indicator (defined as the low-oxygen index, LOI) that integrates several metrics related to low-oxygen conditions was introduced as the result of a principal component analysis (PCA). Moreover, primary physical and biogeochemical factors controlling the interannual variabilities and long-term trends in oxygen conditions were discerned, and their relative contributions were quantified by multiple regression analysis. Results showed that the regression models explained over 60 % of the interannual variations in LOI. Both the wind speeds and concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) played a significant role in determining the interannual variations (by 39 % and 49 %, respectively) and long-term trends (by 39 % and 56 %, respectively) in LOI. Due to the increasing nutrient loads and alterations in physical conditions (e.g., the long-term decreasing trend in wind speeds), coastal eutrophication was exaggerated and massive marine-sourced organic matter was subsequently produced, thereby resulting in an expansion of intensified low-oxygen conditions. The deteriorating eutrophication has also driven a shift in the dominant source of organic matter from terrestrial inputs to in situ primary production, which has probably led to an earlier onset of hypoxia in summer. In summary, the Hong Kong waters have undergone considerable deterioration of low-oxygen conditions driven by substantial changes in anthropogenic eutrophication and external physical factors.

Observational constraints on the massive neutrinos induced late-time cosmic acceleration

We investigate a late-time cosmological scenario at the both cosmological background and linear perturbative level which is based on a mass-less λ ϕ 4 theory in which the scalar field is inextricably coupled to massive neutrino matter with Z 2 symmetry by a well defined conformal coupling. The chosen coupling generically leads to the spontaneous symmetry breaking at late times, as the coupling builds up dynamically, such that the field acquires a non-zero mass proportional to the neutrino mass and rolls down slowly around the true ground state which emerges after spontaneous symmetry breaking. From our parametric estimations, we find the given scenario is well supported by the background level cosmological observations and is also in a good agreement with the evolution of growth of matter perturbations.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Seven Vibrio alginolyticus Strains Isolated From Shrimp Larviculture Water With Emphasis on Chitin Utilization.

The opportunistic pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus is gaining attention because of its disease-causing risks to aquatic animals and humans. In this study, seven Vibrio strains isolated from different shrimp hatcheries in Southeast China were subjected to genome sequencing and subsequent comparative analysis to explore their intricate relationships with shrimp aquaculture. The seven isolates had an average nucleotide identity of ≥ 98.3% with other known V. alginolyticus strains. The species V. alginolyticus had an open pan-genome, with the addition of ≥ 161 novel genes following each new genome for seven isolates and 14 publicly available V. alginolyticus strains. The percentages of core genes of the seven strains were up to 83.1–87.5%, indicating highly conserved functions, such as chitin utilization. Further, a total of 14 core genes involved in the chitin degradation pathway were detected on the seven genomes with a single copy, 12 of which had undergone significant purifying selection (dN/dS < 1). Moreover, the seven strains could utilize chitin as the sole carbon-nitrogen source. In contrast, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were identified in seven strains, including plasmids, prophages, and genomic islands, which mainly encoded accessory genes annotated as hypothetical proteins. The infection experiment showed that four of the seven strains might be pathogenic because the survival rates of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. However, no obvious correlation was noted between the number of putative virulence factors and toxic effects of the seven strains. Collectively, the persistence of V. alginolyticus in various aquatic environments may be attributed to its high genomic plasticity via the acquisition of novel genes by various MGEs. In view of the strong capability of chitin utilization by diverse vibrios, the timely removal of massive chitin-rich materials thoroughly in shrimp culture systems may be a key strategy to inhibit proliferation of vibrios and subsequent infection of shrimp. In addition, transcontinental transfer of potentially pathogenic V. alginolyticus strains should receive great attention to avoid vibriosis.

Spatial distribution and influencing mechanism of CO2, N2O and CH4 in the Pearl River Estuary in summer

Estuaries, considered as the important carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) sources to the atmosphere, are increasingly affected by near-bottom hypoxia. However, the impact of estuarine hypoxic zone development on GHGs production and discharge remains poorly understood due to the seasonal and spatially distributed heterogeneity of estuarine hypoxia occurrence and the lack of simultaneous monitoring of the distribution of bottom hypoxic waters and the vertical distribution of GHGs. Here, we conducted high spatial resolution vertical stratification sampling and analysis of water column GHGs in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), a large estuary with frequent hypoxia in recent years. Our results showed that Pearl River runoff is the main source of GHGs in the PRE. Strong nitrification is an important N2O production mechanism in the PRE. In situ generation of water and resuspension of surface sediments were the main sources of CH4 in bottom water, while massive organic matter (OM) mineralization is the main driver of CO2 in bottom water. The development of a hypoxic zone in the PRE significantly increased the concentration of N2O and CH4 in the bottom water and thus increased air-water fluxes. The air-water fluxes of N2O, CH4 and CO2 of PRE in summer were 31.9 ± 7.5 μmol m−2 d−1, 192.5 ± 229.4 μmol m−2 d−1 and 51.9 ± 14.1 mmol m−2 d−1, respectively. This study reveals that GHGs fluxes from estuarine waters to the atmosphere will increase significantly with increasing eutrophication caused by human activities and the expansion of hypoxic zones in estuarine waters.

Eco-friendly stabilization of highway lateritic soil with cow bone powder admixed lime and plastic granules reinforcement

Modernization, industrialization and rapid changes in the modern lifestyle have resulted in massive waste materials in the environment. Scientists are continuously evolving innovative ways for efficient reuse/recycling and the safe disposal of waste materials. This study explores potential waste materials reuse in additive stabilization of a fair to poor highway lateritic soil (clay with low plasticity/silty clay) as a sub-base material and the impact of such additives in reducing the lime content during soil stabilization treatment. Soil samples obtained from road construction burrow pit in Ado-Ekiti, south-west, Nigeria were classified as CL group (clay with low plasticity), according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and A-6 material (silty clay) which is fairly poor highway material. Hydrated lime, Cow bone and plastic wastes were also locally sourced. Geotechnical tests (Compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength test, direct shear and consolidation test) were carried out on the control and stabilized samples according to BS 1990. The results of the Unconfined Compressive Strength tests revealed that the 90 % lateritic soil +10 % lime and a combination of 6 % lime +7 % cow bone powder +1 % plastic waste (6 % L +7 % CBP + 1.0 %PP) mixes produced the best result for the lime stabilized and waste-lime stabilized soil samples, respectively. The direct shear tests, indicated a reduction in the soil’s cohesion (c) from 38 kN/m 2 to 28 kN/m 2 and an improvement in the angle of internal friction ( ϕ ) from 29º to 45º for the optimum waste-lime mix. 10 % lime (L 10 ) sample recorded comparatively lower c and ϕ values of 33 kN/m 2 and 41º, respectively. The mix (6 % L +7 % CBP + 1.0 % PP) had improved the unsoaked and soaked CBR of 61.7 % and 37.6 %, respectively compared to the lime stabilized soil which recorded lower values of 57.8 % and 31.3 %, respectively. The permeability of the soil was reduced from 3.22e-03 cm/s to 9.12e-04 cm/s on the application of 10 % lime however the waste-lime optimal mix produced a lower value of 5.26e-04 cm/s. The results of the consolidation tests also revealed that the 6 % L +7 % CBP +1.0 % PP sample had a lower coefficient of volume compressibility (Mv) of 1.065e-04 m 2 /kN than the untreated samples which is 1.365e-04 m 2 /kN implying the stabilized mix is less susceptible to compressibility than the untreated samples. The durability results revealed that the sample recorded a strength of 201.7 kPa after being subjected to 3 wet-dry (w-d) cycles for 6 % L +7 % CBP +1.0 % PP sample, while the 10 % lime stabilized soil was found to have a strength of 148.5 kPa strength. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the 6 % L +7 % CBP +1.0 % PP mix performed better than the 10 % lime stabilized mix with the waste materials substituting for 4 % of the lime and producing better results in terms of suitability as a highway sub-base material. • The partial replacement of lime improved weak highway lateritic soils. • Waste materials (cow bone powder and plastic granules) were suitably reused. • Near-zero emissions processing of stabilization additives was achieved. • Cleaner and energy-saving methods were employed for the disposal of waste. • Reduced weather sensitivity and compressibility were achieved for the soil mixture.

A Neutron Diffraction Study of the Effect Produced by the Direction of Crystal Growth on the Distribution of Residual Stresses in Austenite Steel Prisms Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

The effect affected by the choice of the direction of the crystal growth by selective laser melting on the distribution of residual stresses was studied on the example of initiated growing of a 20 × 20 × 70-mm prism of steel 316L. Prisms with different growth directions (along their long and short edges) have been investigated. Neutron stress diffractometry providing the measurement of all three stress tensor components in massive materials and products by a nondestructive method was used. Compressive stresses are formed in the central part of a prism in both cases. They are close to zero or transit to tensile stresses when approaching the surface. In the prism grown vertically along the long edge, tensile stresses are higher and occupy a larger volume as compared to the prism grown along the short edge. Maximum tensile stresses (~500 MPa) near the vertical prism edges are close to the ultimate yield strength of the material (~540 MPa). The maximum compressive stresses (~–400 MPa) are formed in the central part of the vertical prism.

Hyperbolic plasmons in massive tilted two-dimensional Dirac materials

We explore topological transitions in the type of propagation of surface electromagnetic modes in massive anisotropic tilted Dirac systems. The presence of tilting and mass gives rise to an indirect band gap that strongly modifies the joint density of states compared to the gapless system. New van Hove singularities appear, and the interplay between intra and interband transitions leads to an anisotropic optical conductivity with imaginary parts acquiring opposite signs in orthogonal directions, opening the possibility of having hyperbolic propagation of plasmons. Isofrequency contours and low plasmon losses, as obtained from the dispersion relation, show that transitions between purely anisotropic quasi-elliptical and well-defined, highly directional, hyperbolic modes are attainable only when tilt and mass coexist. Fine-tuning in the THz regime suggests that this might be useful as a dynamical probe of concurring tilt and mass in Dirac materials.

Pratylenchus brachyurus Suppression by Organic Fertilizers and the Development of Soybean Plants

The root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) Filipjev &amp; Schuurmans Stekhoven, has been caused significant losses in soybean crops in Brazil. The addition of organic fertilizers may suppress the population of these plant-parasitic nematodes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the action of cattle manure, cattle vermicompost, cattle compost, and slaughterhouse swine compost on the reduction of P. brachyurus population and the development in soybean plants (cv. NR 5909). The experiment was conducted for 90 days after P. brachyurus inoculation (DAI) in the pots, in greenhouse. At 90 DAI, shoots, roots and soil were collected from all experimental units to determine shoot dry matter, root fresh mass and nematodes quantification present in roots and soil. All the organic fertilizers promoted the increase of shoot dry matter and root fresh mass in relation to control, even under nematode infestation in soybean plants (cv. NR 5909). However, organic fertilizers did not promote a suppressive effect on P. brachyurus population in soybean plants.

Information Field and its Carriers in Biological Systems

Homeostatic intercellular communication is effected by an information field. Previously, such a field has been considered in relation to quantum and subquantum mechanics whereby physical aspects of the universe may be controlled by intuition. Correspondingly, recent research in fundamental physics reveals much deeper principles of the organization of matter than quantum mechanics prescribes. The study of real physical space discloses an inner structure of this eternal substrate that shares both discrete and continuum properties. Physical space is constituted as a fractal mathematical lattice of primary topological balls, named the tessellattice, from which particles emerge as fractally deformed cells. When such a particle is moving, it interacts with surrounding cells of the tessellattice, which results in the creation of a number of spatial excitations around the particle named inertons. In quantum mechanical formalism, a particle and its surrounding inerton cloud are expressed as the wave -function. Thus, inertons represent a substructure of the matter waves; they are carriers of mass and fractal properties of matter, and play the role of an information field in both physics and biology. Experimental manifestations of inertons in condensed media and biological systems are demonstrated. Certain challenges are listed.

Multi-isotopes revealing the coastal river anthropogenic pollutants and natural material flux to ocean: Sr, C, N, S, and O isotope study.

Coastal river exports massive terrestrial materials to the adjacent marine environment with information about chemical weathering, providing critical insights on riverine flux and the potential impact on marine ecosystem. In this study, the preliminary data of dissolved strontium (Sr) and 87Sr/86Sr in a typical coastal river in southeastern China were collected along with hydrochemistry and C, N, S, and O isotopes to discriminate the source of terrestrial weathering and the riverine flux. Sr concentrations exhibited a range of 0.084 ~ 1.307μmol L-1, and 87Sr/86Sr values ranged 0.7089 ~ 0.7164. The total cationic charge (TZ+) ranged 0.2 ~ 11.7meq L-1 with the predominant Ca2+ which accounted for > 50% of TZ+, while the anions were dominated by HCO3-. The extremely high Na+ and Cl- near the estuary indicated seawater mixing in such a coastal river. δ13C-DIC, δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-, and δ34S-SO42- of river water ranged - 24.1‰ ~ - 9.2‰, 0.3‰ ~ 22.7‰, - 2.1‰ ~ 21.4‰, and - 9.3‰ ~ 18.0‰, respectively. δ13C enhanced correspondingly to decreased δ34S, confirming the attendance of H2SO4 in carbonate weathering. Most δ18O values exhibited within ± 10‰, indicating the dominant nitrification process. δ15N presented slightly negative relationship with δ13C and no obvious correlation with δ34S, indicating relatively limited impact of denitrification. The depleted δ13C and δ15N may be attributed to carbonate dissolution with nitric acids and the oxidation of organic matters into C and N pools. Quantitative analysis revealed that silicate weathering accounts for 79% of total dissolved Sr, indicating the dominant weathering process. The estimated monthly flux of dissolved Sr to the East China Sea was 138.1 tons, demonstrating an potential impact on seawater Sr isotope evolution. Overall, the investigations of multi-isotopes revealed the enhancement of weathering rates and the consequently depleted CO2 consumption, which further proved the involvement of strong acids (H2SO4 and HNO3). This study provides scientific insight in terrestrial weathering and anthropogenic impact of a typical coastal watershed and may orient the management of environmental issues related to coastal ecosystems.

What Is Needed of a Scalar Field If It Is to Unify Inflation and Late Time Acceleration?

Quintessential inflation refers to scenarios in which a single scalar field is used to describe inflation and late time acceleration. This review is dedicated to the framework of quintessential inflation, with a focus on the building blocks of formalism. Consistent unification of inflation and late time acceleration using a single scalar field asks for a shallow field potential initially followed by steep behaviour thereafter and shallow again around the present epoch. The requirement of non-interference of the scalar field with thermal history dictates the steep nature of potential in the post-inflationary era, with a further restriction that late time physics be independent of initial conditions. We describe, in detail, the scaling and asymptotic scaling solutions and the mechanism of exit from the scaling regime to late time acceleration. The review includes a fresh look at scaling solutions that are central to the theme of unification of inflation and late time acceleration. As for the exit mechanism, special attention is paid to the coupling of massive neutrino matter to the scalar field, which builds up dynamically and can give rise to late time acceleration. We present a detailed analytical treatment of scalar field dynamics in the presence of coupling. We briefly discuss the distinguishing feature of quintessential inflation, namely the blue spectrum of gravity waves produced during the transition from inflation to the kinetic regime.

Engineered Cellulose Nanofiber Membranes with Ultrathin Low-Dimensional Carbon Material Layers for Photothermal-Enhanced Osmotic Energy Conversion.

As a promising clean energy source, membrane-based osmotic energy harvesting has been widely investigated and developed through optimizing the membrane structure in recent years. For chasing higher energy conversion performance, various external stimuli have been introduced into the osmotic energy harvesting systems as assistant factors. Light as a renewable and well-tunable energy form has drawn great attention. Normally, it needs massive photoresponsive materials for improving the energy conversion performance and this hinders its wide applications. Herein, we fabricate a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) membrane with an ultrathin layer of low-dimensional carbon materials (LDCMs) for photothermal-enhanced osmotic energy conversion. The ultralow loading carbon quantum dot, carbon nanotube, and graphene oxide (LDCM/CNF = 1:200 wt) are used for light-to-heat conversion to build the heat gradient across the membrane. The output power density of the osmotic energy generator has increased from ∼3.55 to ∼7.67 W/m2 under a 50-fold concentration gradient with light irradiation. This work shows the great potential of the CNF as a nanofluidic platform and the photothermal enhancement in osmotic energy conversion, and the ultralow loading design provides a practical and economical way to fully utilize other energy resources for enhancing osmotic energy conversion.

Neutrino mass from Affleck-Dine leptogenesis and WIMP dark matter

Affleck-Dine (AD) mechanism for leptogenesis involves the cosmological evolution of a complex scalar field (AD field) that carries non-zero lepton number. We show how explicit lepton number breaking terms, which involve the AD field needed to implement this scenario combined with fermionic WIMP dark matter, can generate neutrino mass at the one loop level, thus providing a unified framework for solving four major puzzles of the standard model i.e. inflation, baryogenesis, dark matter and neutrino mass. We discuss some phenomenological implications of this model.

The paradigm of warm quintessential inflation and spontaneous baryogenesis

In this paper, we consider a scenario of spontaneous baryogenesis in a framework of warm quintessential inflation where the residual inflaton field, left out after warm inflation, plays the role of quintessence field at late times and is coupled to a non-conserved baryonic current. Assuming a four fermion (B – L) violating effective interaction, we have demonstrated that the required baryon asymmetry can be produced successfully in this case. We show that the post-inflationary evolution, with the underlying scalar field potential, V(ϕ) = V 0 4exp(–αϕ n/M 4 Pl), n > 1 well suited to warm inflation, exhibits scaling behaviour soon after a brief kinetic regime. We show that the coupling of the scalar field to massive neutrino matter can give rise to exit from the scaling regime to cosmic acceleration at late times as massive neutrinos turn non-relativistic. The proposed model is shown to successfully describe the cosmic history from inflation to late time acceleration, with the evolution independent of initial conditions, along with the generation of baryon asymmetry during the post-inflationary era. A brief analysis of relic gravity waves produced in the scenario is presented.

ABOUT DIFFUSIVE TRANSFER OF THERMAL ENERGY AND MASS OF COMPONENTS IN THERMODYNAMICS HEAT-RESISTANT SYSTEMS

Thermodynamics of irretrievable processes of transfer of energy and mass of matter is the special scientific direction, which examines equalition of the second principle of thermodynamics as starting mathematical model for balance of energy and mass of matter in the elementary volume of the thermodynamics system during it cooperating with an environment. In accordance with positions of thermodynamics of irretrievable processes motive forces of processes of transfer of warmth and mass of matter are by vectors and according to principle Curie their fully possible combination, id est force which predetermines stream of thermal energy can to entail a mass stream and back to front. The closed thermodynamics heat-resistant system which interchanges thermal energy and mass of components with an environment is examined. The noted process is limited by absence of convective constituent of process of transfer in the system. The volume of the system does not change during a diffusive transfer and by treason of enthalpy in the system, as by the result of treason of thermal energy and concentration of mass, it is possible to neglect. The mathematical design of diffusive transfer of thermal energy and mass of components in the thermodynamics heatresistant system at presence of and to absence of cross effects is executed.

Reconstruction of thermodynamic equation of reaction process and its application in DSC/DTA

The traditional thermodynamic equation based on heat flow balance without reflecting the variation characteristics of the reaction process. New thermodynamics equation based on energy conservation is established involving multiple complex factors with reaction process, including species, matter mass and heat capacity. The DSC/DTA equation acquired from energy differential equation. The new equation reflects the dynamic Kirchhoff's law and expresses the heat capacity including the integral term and the differential term which both decided by reaction progression. Two kinds of modes with CaCO3 reactions are carried out to verify the equation. The theoretical calculations are well in accord with the experimental data, which validates the accuracy and reliability of the new equation.Reaction process; Thermodynamic equation; DSC/DTA; Thermal capacity

On the Origin of the Rhythmic Sun’s Radius Variation

Based on helioseismological measurements (1996–2017), the entire Sun shrinks during solar maximum and regrows during the next solar minimum by about a few km (~10−5 effect). Here, we observe, for the first time, that the solar radius variation resembles a 225-day relationship that coincides with Venus’ orbital period. We show that a remote link between planet Venus and Sun’s size must be at work. However, within known realms of physics, this is unexpected. Therefore, we can only speculate about its cause. Notably, the driving idea behind this investigation was some generic as-yet-invisible matter from the dark Universe. In fact, the 11-year solar cycle shows planetary relationships for a number of other observables as well. It has been proposed that the cause must be due to some generic streaming invisible massive matter (IMM). As when a low-speed stream is aligned toward the Sun with an intervening planet, the IMM influx increases temporally due to planetary gravitational focusing, assisted eventually with the free fall of incident slow IMM. A case-specific simulation for Venus’ impact supports the tentative scenario based on this investigation’s driving idea. Importantly, Saturn, combined with the innermost planets Mercury or Venus, unambiguously confirms an underlying planetary correlation with the Sun’s size. The impact of the suspected IMM accumulates with time, slowly triggering the underlying process(es); the associated energy change is massive even though it extends from months to several years. This study shows that the Sun’s size response is as short as half the orbital period of Mercury (44 days) or Venus (112 days). Then, the solar system is the target and the antenna of still unidentified external impact, assuming tentatively from the dark sector. If the generic IMM also has some preferential incidence direction, future long-lasting observations of the Sun’s shape might provide an asymmetry that could be utilized to identify the not isotropic influx of the assumed IMM.

Holographic description of SCFT5 compactifications

We present three infinite families of supersymmetric Type IIB backgrounds with AdS4, AdS3 and AdS2 factors, dual to SCFTs in 3, 2 and 1 space-time dimensions respectively. These field theories emerge at low energies, after a twisted compactification of a family of five dimensional mathcal{N} = 1 SCFTs on hyperbolic spaces. The holographic flows across dimensions are explicitly computed. We also discuss a family of SUSY breaking backgrounds, dual to a QCD-like quiver with massive (bi)fundamental matter. Some field theoretical observables are computed for these theories at the fixed points and along the flow.