Mixed Composition Research Articles (Page 1)

Accurate, scalable mapping of coral reef habitats is essential for monitoring ecosystem health and detecting change over time. In this study, we introduce a novel mathematically based nonlinear spectral unmixing method for benthic habitat classification, which provides sub-pixel estimates of benthic composition, capturing the mixed benthic composition within individual pixels. We compare its performance against two machine learning approaches: semi-supervised K-Means clustering and AdaBoost decision trees. All models were applied to high-resolution PlanetScope satellite imagery and ICESat-2-derived terrain metrics. Models were trained using a ground truth dataset constructed from benthic photoquadrats collected at Heron Reef, Australia, with additional input features including band ratios, standardized band differences, and derived ICESat-2 metrics such as rugosity and slope. While AdaBoost achieved the highest overall accuracy (93.3%) and benefited most from ICESat-2 features, K-Means performed less well (85.9%) and declined when these metrics were included. The spectral unmixing method uniquely captured sub-pixel habitat abundance, offering a more nuanced and ecologically realistic view of reef composition despite lower discrete classification accuracy (64.8%). These findings highlight nonlinear spectral unmixing as a promising approach for fine-scale, transferable coral reef habitat mapping, especially in complex or heterogeneous reef environments.

Arteriovenous (AV) shunts are critical conduits for patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Desired properties of next-generation AV graft materials include artery-like mechanics, clinically feasible manufacturing processes, and a bioactive interface that facilitates rapid and deep infiltration of neighboring cells to support tissue regeneration. These requirements inspired the design, fabrication, and post-processing of our constructs. In terms of material design, we evaluated the performance of three microfiber graft materials composed of a hydrophobic polymer and photo-clickable, 4-arm thiolated polyethylene glycol-norbornene (PEG-NB). The materials included two coaxially nanostructured fiber designs, each featuring a PEG-NB sheath and different cores-polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL-co-lactic acid (PLCL), respectively-and a mixed composition created by directly blending the sheath and core solutions during electrospinning. For post-processing, the constructs were either air-dried or freeze-dried (FD). Surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, while mechanical properties were characterized through tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. Subcutaneous implants were evaluated at 1, 4, and 16 weeks using histological, immunofluorescent, and multiphoton microscopy analyses to examine cellular distribution, material structure, and tissue remodeling. Results showed that the freeze-drying post-processing method enhanced overall porosity, stiffness, and ultimate tensile strength. Among all tested conditions, the FD core-sheath structure with PCL most closely matched the mechanical properties of native vessels. Using PLCL as a core material increased degradation and cell infiltration during the first month of subcutaneous studies. Ultimately, graft strength, porosity, and bioactivity were effectively modulated by the choice of core material and post-processing method. These findings provide insights into tailoring electrospun PEG-NB hybrid constructs as candidate AV shunt grafts, highlighting opportunities to balance mechanical performance, degradation, and bioactivity for end-stage renal disease patients requiring durable hemodialysis access.

Unexpected liver tumors in a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Research on train aerodynamics has so far mostly focused on high-speed passenger trains. However, increasing evidence is being acquired showing that aerodynamic effects are also highly relevant to freight trains regarding their efficient and safe operation. Freight-train-specific aerodynamic phenomena become more relevant in light of the increase in freight train service speed expected to take place in the near future. For some decades now, experimental and numerical studies have been published about the aerodynamics of freight trains, and specifically of container trains. An overview of this effort is presented in this paper, the major points of agreement are summarized, and the open points in the field are identified. In the paper, the topology of the flow and the slipstream are described and their implications on the aerodynamic forces (both with and without crosswinds) are discussed. Special attention is given to aerodynamic resistance, drag and to the efforts made in literature to predict it using numerical and experimental methods. Furthermore, a comparison of the methods of investigation adopted in the field is presented, highlighting their suitability for the study of different problems. Finally, other topics like the risk for bystanders caused by slipstream effects, ballast flight and aerodynamics in tunnels are discussed. The literature review highlights the need to expand the research on freight train aerodynamics to freight train geometries different from intermodal container trains and to consider the many diverse geometries that may result from realistic mixed compositions of different wagon types.

Abstract Fluid-driven retrogression of high-grade metamorphic rocks is a key process influencing elemental redistribution and the chemical evolution of the crust. In the Southern Marginal Zone (SMZ) of the Neoarchean Limpopo Belt, the transition from granulite- to amphibolite-facies conditions offers a unique opportunity to evaluate trace and rare earth element (REE) mobility, and behaviour of the Sm–Nd and U–Pb isotopic systems. This setting also raises critical questions about the timing of hydration and the sources of fluids involved. Mineral textural and assemblage differences between the northern and southern SMZ record contrasting retrograde histories. In the northern domain, the granulite-facies assemblage (quartz + plagioclase + garnet + orthopyroxene + cordierite) is well preserved, with limited retrogression marked by localized replacement of only cordierite by fine-grained kyanite, biotite, and orthoamphibole. In contrast, the southern domain shows extensive fluid-driven retrogression, with orthopyroxene completely replaced by orthoamphibole and cordierite and garnet partially overprinted by coarse-grained amphibolite-facies assemblages, including retrograde biotite, orthoamphibole, kyanite, and a second generation of garnet. In both domains, graphite intergrown with the retrograde assemblages indicates a mixed H2O-CO2 fluid and a rock-dominated system. We use garnet, monazite, apatite, and amphibole chemical compositions from retrogressed metapelites to constrain fluid sources and trace element mobility during dissolution–precipitation reactions driven by fluids linked to the retrogression of former granulites. Garnet REE patterns reveal two distinct populations described as Grt1 (Eu/Eu* = 0.26–0.36) and Grt2 (Eu/Eu* = 1.51–1.69). Monazite displays relatively homogeneous light rare earth elements (LREE) patterns with variable heavy rare earth elements (HREE) patterns and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.20–0.38) between individual samples. Apatite also displays two distinct REE patterns, one relatively enriched in REE (ΣREE = 1054–3009 μg g−1) and another depleted in REE (ΣREE = 141–159 μg g−1). Monazite U–Pb ages of c. 2742–2707 Ma suggest the amphibolite-facies assemblages developed during cooling from the Neoarchean granulite-facies event. Apatite U–Pb analyzes yielded younger ages of c. 2050 Ma. Monazite, amphibole, and apatite from individual samples align along an Sm–Nd isochron of 2684 ± 51 Ma (2s; n = 21; MSWD = 2.6) with an initial 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.50894 ± 0.00006 (2s), which is interpreted as mineral crystallization and amphibolite-facies retrogression during evolution of the c. 2.7 Ga Neoarchean granulite-facies metamorphism. The fluids responsible for retrogression were internally derived via fluid saturation of crystallizing in situ granitic melts. Reaction of this H2O-dominated fluid with graphite likely produced a mixed H2O-CO2 composition. Thus, the rock-dominated retrogression cycles carbon from metasediments into the fluid phase, then reprecipitates graphite as decreasing fluid H2O-CO2 ratios drive anhydrous silicates reactions to form orthoamphibole and biotite. These interpretations are supported by the closed-system behaviour of the Sm–Nd isotopic system. Initial Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sri = 0.7130) exclude a mantle fluid source. These processes suggest a key mechanism controlling trace element mobility and isotopic resetting during continental crust metamorphic evolution, in which apatite provides crucial insights into the early stages of metamorphism, offering a complementary approach for reconstructing the evolution of polymetamorphic terranes.

Large vaginal calculus in a red-rumped agouti (Dasyproctaleporina).

After grammar the second level of language in terms of linguistic study. The importance of this study comes from the fact that it relates to the study of Quranic grammar. Which is considered the most eloquent. Highest and most sublime text ever .After it in eloquence and sublimity comes Arabic poetry. Which we have made a model for our study and we devoted a part of it to the collection of poems of one of the greatest poets of the Arab world in various eras. Namely the poet “Ahmed Shawqi”. Who was pledged allegiance to by the writers and poets of his time as the Emir of poetry so he was nicknamed (the Emir of poets). He had a unique poetic talent and a flowing spring finding no difficulty in composing poetry .And his poetic production reached what almost no ancient or modern Arab poet reached. So he was the reason for our choosing his collection to be a model for the study. The study was limited to the first part of his collection of poems of “Ahmed Shawqi” due to its breadth and the abundance of nouns that are prohibited from being declined in it . And due to the large number of reasons being prohibited from being declined. Which amount to nine reasons. I dealt only with the scientific reason for being prohibited from being declined. Which in turn is divided into six reasons. Which are: Knowledge with foreignness knowledge with feminine. Knowledge with the increase of alif and nun. Knowledge with the weight of the verb. Knowledge with justice. And knowledge with mixed composition. We explained these reason. Which are divided in to sections. And we touched on the opinions of some grammarians on them and on their head is “Sibawayh”. We defined the methodology followed in the study. Which is the inductive method by tracing the linquistic phenomenon in the first part of the diwan of “Ahmed Shawqi” . We also used an analytical method by analyzing the indeclinable words according to the six schools of thought associated with the scientific method. We concluded the research with a conclusion in which we explained the most important results we reached through induction in the poems of.

The focus of this study is to develop a systematic method to design masonry mortar via weigh batching, considering the variance in water-cement (w/c) ratio on its flow characteristics. An experimental investigation with w/c ratios from 0.3 to 1.0 (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0) was conducted to obtain flow values of 100% and 150%, except 0.3 for 150% flow. Two mixed compositions were studied: 100% Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and 70% OPC and 30% substitute by fly ash as the supplementary cementitious material. These were conducted in accordance with the standard codes, a flow test was conducted, and the results were analysed to find out the relationship between the compressive strength and w/c ratio. The findings help to optimize masonry mortar mix proportions and examine the performance of cement replacement and water content on workability and strength to improve masonry mortar mobility and sustainability in construction.

Adsorption and volumetric properties of berberine and its mixtures with nonionic surfactants of the Kolliphor type.

To address the issues of capacity resource waste and increased carbon emissions caused by the asymmetry between import and export container transportation tasks in port collection and dispatching, a green and cooperative task-and-route optimization method for container trucks with heterogeneous carriers based on task sharing is proposed from the perspective of system optimization. Based on the concept of a sharing economy, a sharing and cooperation mechanism with dual elasticity in capacity and information is designed, which integrates the container trucks’ resources and dissymmetric transportation tasks of heterogeneous carriers to expand the revenue potential for all participants. Based on task sharing and matching, a green and cooperative task-and-route optimization model for container trucks with heterogeneous carriers based on task sharing is formulated in order to optimize container trucks’ resources and transportation tasks comprehensively and reduce the system’s carbon emissions. A column generation algorithm embedded with a ring-increasing strategy is designed to solve the problem to improve computational efficiency. Through algorithm testing and a case analysis, the effectiveness of the model and algorithm is validated. The optimization results show that the overall carbon emissions are reduced by more than 28%, the number of used trucks decreases by 28%, and the profits of participants are increased by 24–65% compared with independent operations. Finally, several management insights are obtained regarding the number of shared trucks, the external market demand, task demand variability, the mixed fleet composition, subsidies, and bonus adjustments.

Abstract The escalating volume of plastic waste in metropolitan regions poses a significant environmental and ecological threat, mainly due to the complexity of mixed polymer compositions that hinder effective sorting and recycling. This study addresses this challenge by manually sorting post‐consumer plastic waste and recovering polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) using a solvent‐based dissolution‐precipitation (SDP) method. The extracted polymers are characterized through NIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, EDX, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm their purity and thermal stability. Recycled polymers are then fabricated into membranes and assessed for antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli . Among the samples, PS membranes exhibit the most potent antibacterial activity, reducing E. coli colony growth with a distinct and measurable inhibition zone (17 ± 0.76 mm), which is further amplified in the presence of antibiotics (25 ± 1.52 mm). This research highlights a promising pathway for converting plastic waste into high‐value, antibacterial membranes for potential applications, such as water purification, which contributes to circular economy goals and environmental sustainability.

Microwave-assisted methanol-sulfosalicylic acid leaching system for efficient and closed-loop lithium-ion battery cathode recycling.

Alkylation as a strategy for optimizing water uptake and enhancing selectivity in polyethyleneimine-based anion-exchange membranes for brine mining via electrodialysis.

The escalating global demand for copper and its associated mining and metallurgical activities have led to the generation of significant quantities of mineral residues, posing substantial environmental challenges. This study investigates the microstructural characteristics of a specific copper-bearing mineral residue, assumed to be derived from a conventional flotation tailing, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The SEM analysis revealed a complex morphology characterized by irregular shapes, varying particle sizes, and a highly porous, rough surface dotted with cracks and heterogeneous phase distributions. EDS elemental mapping confirmed the presence of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O), indicating a mixed mineralogical composition likely comprising copper sulfides/oxides alongside silicates. Based on these microstructural attributes, this research conceptually explores the potential applications of this residue in environmental remediation, specifically for heavy metal ion adsorption, and as a viable secondary resource for copper recovery. Theoretical adsorption studies suggest a potentially high capacity for lead (Pb (II)) and cadmium (Cd (II)) removal, attributed to the high surface area and presence of active functional groups. Furthermore, the notable copper content identified by EDS underscores its economic viability for resource recovery. This work highlights the critical role of microstructural insights in transforming industrial byproducts into valuable assets for sustainable development and pollution control.

Urolithiasis is among the commonest diseases affecting the urinary tract with worldwide prevalence varying from 1%-20%. A urolith refers to a calculus or stone within the urinary tract, knowledge of urolith composition is important in understanding their etiology, treatment and preventing recurrence. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of urolith compositions among patients seen at the Aga Khan Hospital Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This was a hospital based cross-sectional study carried out among patients with urolithiasis treated during a ten-year period from January 2011 to December 2020 whose stones were sent for stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy. Data on age, sex, clinical presentation, mode of diagnosis, mode of extraction and chemical composition was analyzed. A total of 168 adult patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 44.7 yrs. (SD 10.99). Males (83.3%) were more affected than females. The majority (58.3%) of stones were found in the ureters. Purely calcium oxalate stones was the predominant composition of urinary tract stones, found in 66.1% of patients, this predominance was observed across both genders and across all age groups and anatomical locations, following calcium oxalate only stones in prevalence were stones with mixed calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (21.4%). Stones in our setting were of mixed composition. The most common constituent of stones across all ages, gender and locations was calcium oxalate only stones. Male gender was most predominant and the commonest site of urinary calculi was the ureters.

BackgroundUrolithiasis is among the commonest diseases affecting the urinary tract with worldwide prevalence varying from 1%−20%. A urolith refers to a calculus or stone within the urinary tract, knowledge of urolith composition is important in understanding their etiology, treatment and preventing recurrence. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of urolith compositions among patients seen at the Aga Khan Hospital Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsThis was a hospital based cross-sectional study carried out among patients with urolithiasis treated during a ten-year period from January 2011 to December 2020 whose stones were sent for stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy. Data on age, sex, clinical presentation, mode of diagnosis, mode of extraction and chemical composition was analyzed.ResultsA total of 168 adult patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 44.7 yrs. (SD 10.99). Males (83.3%) were more affected than females. The majority (58.3%) of stones were found in the ureters. Purely calcium oxalate stones was the predominant composition of urinary tract stones, found in 66.1% of patients, this predominance was observed across both genders and across all age groups and anatomical locations, following calcium oxalate only stones in prevalence were stones with mixed calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (21.4%).ConclusionStones in our setting were of mixed composition. The most common constituent of stones across all ages, gender and locations was calcium oxalate only stones. Male gender was most predominant and the commonest site of urinary calculi was the ureters.

Investigation of associations between the neonatal gut microbiota and severe viral lower respiratory tract infections in the first 2 years of life: a birth cohort study with metagenomics.

Abstract The behavior of mixed composition cold non-equilibrium plasmas was investigated in a low-pressure capacitively coupled reactor using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). By fitting experimental data to simulations of the Second Positive System ( $$\:{C\:}^{3}{{\Pi\:}}_{u}-{B\:}^{3}{{\Pi\:}}_{g}$$ ) of N2, rotational and vibrational temperatures were determined for various Ar/N2 mixtures as a function of plasma input power (40–100 W) and pressure (300–700 mTorr). Simulations of the plasma were performed for comparison. For pure N2, the observed trends revealed that both the rotational and vibrational temperatures increased with input power, ( $$\:{T}_{rot}$$ of $$\:v=0$$ increased from 369 to 396 K and $$\:{T}_{vib\:}$$ from 5938 to 6542 K, at 40–100 W, 100 SCCM and 293 mTorr) but both temperatures showed minimal response to the applied changes in pressure. The rotational and vibrational temperatures for the mixed composition Ar/N2 plasmas were significantly higher compared to the pure N2 plasmas (e.g. $$\:{T}_{rot}$$ of 1308 K and $$\:{T}_{vib}$$ of 7279 K for 1.8% of N2 in Ar; at 50 W, 4 SCCM of N2, 220 SCCM of Ar for a total pressure of 587 mTorr). Moreover, the addition of Ar caused a larger separation between the rotational and vibrational temperatures compared to the pure N2 case. These phenomena illustrate the effects of Ar on the non-equilibrium energy distribution and more generally the influence that the gas mixture composition may have on the plasma reactivity.

Recent advancements in lead halide perovskites opened up an avenue for vast optoelectronic applications. However, lead toxicity and the complicated synthesis process posed major obstacles to their further practical applications. To address these issues, a facile and robust mechanochemical synthesis of cesium manganese halide (Cs3MnX5, X = halide element) was developed via a highly efficient solvent‐free ball milling strategy. This green approach exempted the utilization of any harmful organic solvents, thereby enabling the fast and cost‐effective production of lead‐free Cs3MnX5 with excellent optical properties. Cs3MnX5 perovskites with mixed halide compositions could also be readily fabricated through this eco‐friendly approach at room temperature without any post‐purification. Furthermore, the robustness of the ball milling strategy was proved by fabricating zinc‐doped Cs3MnX5 perovskites with enhanced thermal stability and ambient stability. These features demonstrated that ball milling was highly efficacious for producing high‐quality non‐toxic halide perovskites, which could be used in light‐emitting diodes.

Abstract Soft corals (order Alcyonacea) are an important component of tropical coral reefs, and often form locally abundance dense carpets. Some soft coral species are prone to bleaching and heat stress like scleractinian, reef-forming corals, but others appear resistant to bleaching stressors. Despite the importance of soft corals in tropical reefs, there is limited knowledge regarding their demographic ecology. Spatial point process analysis (SPPA) enables inference of ecological processes underlying spatial distributions of individuals in a community by investigating the fit of models of known processes to observed spatial patterns. SPPA can also quantify how these underlying ecological processes change with environmental gradients (such as depth). We used SPPA to investigate the population ecology on the Great White Wall (GWW), Fiji—a vertical reef dominated by Nephtheidae soft corals alongside other filter feeders and algae. We found that a combination of reproductive and habitat association processes best explained the spatial patterns on the GWW. We found that the best-fit underlying ecological processes changed with depth, and that Nephtheidae soft corals became more dominant on deeper parts of the wall, likely due to a combination of reproductive lability, fast growth rates, and increasing suitable habitat associated with filter-feeding. Even where the Nephtheidae were most dominant, other filter feeders were able to persist. This mixed community composition could be because the Nephtheidae feed in periods of high current, and temporal niche partitioning in feeding could be permitting biodiversity on the GWW, allowing for hydroids and sponges to coexist with the Nephtheidae.