This study combines palynological, ecological, and molecular techniques to elucidate the taxonomic relationships within the complex genus Centaurea. By analysing quantitative parameters such as P, E, P/E ratio, colpus length, exine thickness, and ornamentation from SEM studies, we investigated pollen morphology across five species—C. behen, C. regia, C. iberica, C. virgata, and C. solstitialis—collected along a climatic gradient in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. The findings indicate significant ecotypic variation strongly associated with local environmental conditions. Iranian populations, adapted to dry conditions, exhibit thicker exines and longer colpi, suggesting enhanced desiccation resistance. Turkish populations tend to have thinner exines and longer grains, likely optimised for temperate pollination environments. Iraqi populations show intermediate pollen traits, reflecting their role as transitional ecotypes in semi-arid regions. These results highlight how environmental adaptation shapes reproductive morphology and offer a basis for integrative taxonomy, leveraging adaptive traits to refine species delimitation and clarify phylogenetic relationships within Centaurea.
This work studies developing ultrafiltration (UF) membranes using organic and inorganic additives to remove organic dyes at UF conditions with high effectiveness. Flat sheet (18 wt%) polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were prepared via phase inversion and then developed by adding 6 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a pore former. Furthermore, the PVDF/PEG membranes were developed by embedding tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) with different contents of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt%. The prepared membranes were examined for their performance in the dye removal before being characterized using the field emission scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, contact angle, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, surface charge,
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Incremental Sheet Metal Forming (ISMF) is a modern sheet metal forming technology which offers the possibility of manufacturing 3D complex parts of thin sheet metals using the CNC milling machine. The surface quality is a very important aspect in any manufacturing process. Therefore, this study focuses on the resultant residual stresses by forming parameters, namely; (tool shape, step over, feed rate, and slope angle) using Taguchi method for the products formed by single point incremental forming process (SPIF). For evaluating the surface quality, practical experiments to produce pyramid like shape have been implemented on aluminum sheets (AA1050) for thickness (0.9) mm. Three types of tool shape used in this work, the spherical tool ga
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The paper presents the design of a system consisting of a solar panel with Single Input/Multiple Outputs (DC-DC) Buck Converter by using Simulink dialogue box tools in MATLAB software package for simulation the system. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique depending on Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm is used to control the output power of the converter and increase the efficiency of the system. The characteristics of the MSX-60 PV module is chosen in design of the system, whereas the electrical characteristics (P-V, I-V and P-I curves) for the module are achieved, that is affected by the solar radiation and temperature variations. The proposed design module has been found to be stable for any change in atmospheric tempera
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In this work, spinel ferrites (NiCoFe2O4) were prepared as thin films by dc reactive dual-magnetron co-sputtering technique. Effects of some operation parameters, such as inter-electrode distance, and preparation conditions such as mixing ratio of argon and oxygen in the gas mixture, on the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of the prepared samples were studied. For samples prepared at inter-electrode distance of 5 cm, only one functional group of OH- was observed in the FTIR spectra as all bands belonging to the metal-oxygen vibration were observed. Similarly, the XRD results showed that decreasing the pressure of oxygen in the gas mixture lead to grow more crystal planes in the samples prepare
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This study aimed at evaluating the torsional capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally wrapped with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. An analytical model was described and used as a new computational procedure based on the softened truss model (STM) to predict the torsional behavior of RC beams strengthened with FRP. The proposed analytical model was validated with the existing experimental data for rectangular sections strengthened with FRP materials and considering torque-twist relationship and crack pattern at failure. The confined concrete behavior, in the case of FRP wrapping, was considered in the constitutive laws of concrete in the model. Then, an efficient algorithm was developed in MATLAB environment t
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Dialysis is a stressful process and follows various psychological and social problems, which can lead to psychological disturbances. Patients on dialysis experience psychological distress, and the reduction of stress in patients provides psychological resources to cope with their physical condition. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of deep-breathing exercise training on the level of stress among maintenance hemodialysis patients.
This study is a randomized
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This study deals with free convection heat transfer for the outer surface of two
cylinders of the shape of (Triangular & Rectangular fined cylinders with 8-fins),
putted into two different spaces; small one with dimension of (Length=1.2m,
height=1m, width=0.9m) and large one with dimension of (Length=3.6m, height =3m,
width=2.7m). The experimental work was conducted with air as a heat transport
medium. These cylinders were fixed at different slope angles (0o, 30o, 60o and 90o)
.The heat fluxes were (279, 1012, 1958, 3005, 4419) W/m2, where heat transferred by
convection and radiation. In large space, the results show that the heat transfer from
the triangular finned cylinder is maximum at a slope angle equals