Search Results (8)

Quantifying uncertainty in complex systems is a central problem in reliability analysis and engineering applications. In this work, we develop an information-theoretic framework for analyzing linear consecutive k-out-of-n:G systems using the cumulative residual Tsallis entropy (CRTE). A general analytical expression for CRTE is derived, and its behavior is investigated under various stochastic ordering relations, providing insight into the reliability of systems governed by continuous lifetime distributions. To address challenges in large-scale settings or with nonstandard lifetimes, we establish analytical bounds that serve as practical tools for uncertainty quantification and reliability assessment. Beyond theoretical contributions, we propose a nonparametric CRTE-based test for dispersive ordering, establish its asymptotic distribution, and confirm its statistical properties through extensive Monte Carlo simulations. The methodology is further illustrated with real lifetime data, highlighting the interpretability and effectiveness of CRTE as a probabilistic entropy measure for reliability modeling. The results demonstrate that CRTE provides a versatile and computationally feasible approach for bounding analysis, characterization, and inference in systems where uncertainty plays a critical role, aligning with current advances in entropy-based uncertainty quantification. Full article

Fe–porphyrin/g-C₃N₄ composites have emerged as promising visible-light photocatalysts, but their performance remains limited by inefficient charge separation and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) yield. Here, iron–tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (Fe–TCPP) was coupled with g-C₃N₄ nanotubes (CNNTs) via a facile self-assembly strategy, creating a morphology-coordinated system. Comprehensive characterization (XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, BET, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance, PL, XPS, and EPR) confirmed the structural integrity, electronic coupling, and ROS generation capability of the composites. Fe–TCPP incorporation narrowed the bandgap from 2.78 to 2.56 eV, prolonged the average carrier lifetime from 6.3 to 7.5 ns, and significantly enhanced the generation of •OH and ¹O₂. The optimized 1 wt% Fe–TCPP@CNNTs achieved complete Rhodamine B degradation within 30 min under visible light, with the highest two-stage apparent rate constants (k₁ = 0.0964 min⁻¹, k₂ = 0.328 min⁻¹). In addition, the hybrids retained over 90% activity after six consecutive runs, confirming their stability and recyclability. The synergistic effect of Fe–N coordination and nanotubular architecture thus promotes light harvesting, charge separation, and ROS utilization, offering a promising design principle for high-performance photocatalysts in environmental remediation. Full article

We investigate some information properties of consecutive k-out-of-n:G systems in light of fractional generalized cumulative residual entropy. We firstly derive a formula to compute fractional generalized cumulative residual entropy related to the system’s lifetime and explore its preservation properties in terms of established stochastic orders. Additionally, we obtain useful bounds. To aid practical applications, we propose two nonparametric estimators for the fractional generalized cumulative residual entropy in these systems. The efficiency and performance of these estimators are illustrated using simulated and real datasets. Full article

Portulaca oleracea L. is a wild edible plant with high potential for exploitation in commercial cropping systems due to its nutritional value and great adaptability to abiotic stress conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the response of purslane plants grown under drought stress conditions (100%, 80%, and 60% of field capacity (FC)) and the implementation of biostimulant amendments (control without amendment, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhiza, and effective microorganisms (EMs)) for two consecutive years. In the two-year experiment, the greatest height was recorded in plants grown under no-stress conditions and inoculated with PGPR. The highest branch number, and fresh and dry weight of aboveground and underground parts were observed under no-stress conditions at the mycorrhiza treatment. Moreover, mycorrhiza application in plants growing under 100% FC resulted in the highest N, P, total carbohydrates, and vitamin C and the lowest nitrate and proline contents in leaves. Purslane plants grown under 100% FC and inoculated with PGPR treatment resulted in the highest K and total chlorophyll leaf contents. Additionally, growing plants under mild drought stress (80% FC) combined with biostimulant application (e.g., inoculation with mycorrhiza, PGPR, and EM) may improve plant growth characteristics and mitigate negative stress effects. In general, the applied biostimulant amendments alleviated the adverse effects of drought on plant growth and leaf chemical composition indicating the importance of sustainable strategies to achieve high yield and sufficient quality within the climate change scenario. Full article

Double-cropping rice cultivation reduces soil fertility, and the extensive use of chemical fertilizers has harmful effects on both the environment and grain yield. The application of organic materials could be used as a practical strategy to maintain soil fertility and improve grain yield in a double-season rice cropping system. For this purpose, field experiments with six growing seasons over three years, from 2016 to 2018, were conducted to assess the effects of five organic materials (biochar, Chinese milk vetch, rice straw, rapeseed cake fertilizer, and manure) on the grain yield and soil fertility, aiming to save about 25% of the chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer required for all rice growing stages. The result showed that, compared with CK (the most common dose of fertilizer in this study region; 100% chemical fertilizer without organic fertilizer), the grain yield and soil fertility of double-cropped rice were increased after applying organic fertilizers for three consecutive years. Specifically, the CRC treatment (Chinese milk vetch (10.77 t ha⁻¹ in fresh)/rice straw (26.51 t ha⁻¹ in fresh) + 75% chemical fertilizer) showed significantly higher rates of effective panicles (4.65–10.92%) and annual grain yield (8.00–8.82%). The total N, total phosphorus (P), total potassium (K), alkaline N, and available P content in the CRC soil were significantly increased by 11.85%, 12.22%, 15.08%, 23.32%, and 41.04%, respectively, relative to CK. The decomposition of the applied Chinese milk vetch and rice straw combined with 75% chemical fertilizer resulted in more soil humus (9.50 g kg⁻¹), humic acid (3.19 g kg⁻¹), fulvic acid (3.26 g kg⁻¹), and active organic carbon (5.78 g kg⁻¹) and a significantly higher carbon pool management index (13.5%), as well as significantly higher soil urease activity (18.10%) and acid phosphatase activity (17.64%). Therefore, in this study, Chinese milk vetch (10.77 t ha⁻¹ in fresh) in the early rice season/rice straw (26.51 t ha⁻¹ fresh) in the late rice season + 75% chemical fertilizer treatment was the optimal dose for the double-season rice cropping system. It resulted in higher rice yields and has the potential to be used for more sustainable soil fertility. Full article

In this work, a hematite/porous graphite carbon-nitride (α-Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄) catalyst was synthesized through the doping of hematite loaded onto porous graphite carbon-nitride using a heat treatment process. Then, the ability of catalyst was evaluated to degrade diazinon (DZN) for the first time, mainly via the sonophotocatalytic process. Among the samples, the greatest DZN degradation was observed in the sonophotocatalytic system, which separated 100% of DZN from the aqueous solution after 50 min, while the removal percentages for the sonocatalytic, photocatalytic, and adsorption systems were 72.9, 89.1, and 58.1%, respectively. The results of scavengers showed that both sulfate and hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) participated in removing DZN, although positive holes and negative ^•OH played a major role. Moreover, the removal efficiencies of the target pollutant using the sonophotocatalytic process were higher than those using the photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, and adsorption processes. The reaction profile followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the reaction rate coefficient for the sonophotocatalytic system was 2.2 times higher than that of the photocatalytic system and 2.64 times higher than that of the sonocatalytic system. The energy consumption of the sonophotocatalytic system after 60 min was 11.6 kWh/m³, while it was 31.1 kWh/m³ for the photocatalytic system. A DZN removal percentage of 100% was obtained after 50 min under the following conditions: UV intensity of 36 watts, ultrasound frequency of 36 kHz, DZN concentration of 50 mg/L at pH 5, and α-Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ dosage of 0.4 g/L. The catalyst reusability was examined with only a 9.9% reduction in efficiency after eight consecutive cycles. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic compound (TOC) removal percentages were 95.6% and 88.6%, respectively, and the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅)/COD ratio was 0.16 at the beginning of the degradation process and 0.69 at the end of the process. In addition, toxicological experiments showed that degradation of DZN by the sonophotocatalytic process exhibited low toxicity. All results confirmed that the sonophotocatalytic process using α-Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ was a highly efficient process for DZN pollutant removal from liquid wastes. Full article

Rice is the lifeline for more than half of the world population, and in India, in view of its huge demand in the country, farmers adopt a rice–rice cropping system where the irrigation facility is available. As rice is a nutrient-exhausting crop, sustainable productivity of rice–rice cropping system greatly depends on appropriate nutrient management in accordance with the inherent soil fertility. The application of an ample dose of fertilizer is the key factor for maintaining sustainable rice yields and nutrient balance of the soil. Considering the above facts, an experiment was conducted on nutrient management in a rice–rice cropping system at the university farm of Visva-Bharati, situated in a sub-tropical climate under the red and lateritic belt of the western part of West Bengal, India, during two consecutive years (2014–2016). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design with 12 treatments and three replications, with different rates of N:P:K:Zn:S application in both of the growing seasons, namely, kharif and Boro. The recommended (ample) dose of nutrients was 80:40:40:25:20 and 120:60:60:25:20 kg ha⁻¹ of N:P₂O₅:K₂O:Zn:S in the Kharif and Boro season, respectively. A high yielding variety, named MTU 7029, and a hybrid, Arize 6444 GOLD, were taken in the Kharif and Boro seasons, respectively. The results clearly indicated that the application of a recommended dose of nutrients showed its superiority over the control (no fertilizer application) in the expression of growth characters, yield attributes, yields, and nutrient uptake of Kharif as well as Boro rice. Out of the all treatments, the best result was found in the treatment where the ample dose of nutrients was applied, resulting in maximum grain yield in both the Kharif (5.6 t ha⁻¹) and Boro (6.6 t ha⁻¹) season. The corresponding yield attributes for the same treatment in the Kharif (panicles m⁻²: 247.9; grains panicle⁻¹: 132.0; spikelets panicle⁻¹: 149.6; test weight: 23.8 g; and panicle length: 30.6 cm) and Boro (panicles m⁻²: 281.6; grains panicle⁻¹: 142.7; spikelets panicle⁻¹: 157.2; test weight: 24.8 g; and panicle length: 32.8 cm) season explained the maximum yield in this treatment. Further, a reduction or omission of individual nutrients adversely impacted on the above traits and resulted in a negative balance of the respective nutrients. The study concluded that the application of a recommended dose of nutrients was essential for proper nutrient balance and sustainable yields in the rice–rice cropping system. Full article

Protective action by annatto-derived delta-tocotrienol (δ-TCT) and soy-derived alpha-tocopherol (α-TOC) through the regulation of the PI3K/Akt-cyclin D1 pathway against nicotine-induced DNA damage is the focus of the present study. Nicotine, which has been widely reported to have numerous adverse effects on the reproductive system, was used as a reproductive toxicant. 48 female balb/c mice (6–8 weeks) (23–25 g) were randomly divided into eight groups (Grp.1–Grp.8; n = 6) and treated with either nicotine or/and annatto δ-TCT/soy α-TOC for seven consecutive days. On Day 8, the females were superovulated and mated before euthanization for embryo collection (46 h post-coitum). Fifty 2-cell embryos from each group were used in gene expression analysis using Affymetrix QuantiGene Plex2.0 assay. Findings indicated that nicotine (Grp.2) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the number of produced 2-cell embryos compared to the control (Grp.1). Intervention with mixed annatto δ-TCT (Grp.3) and pure annatto δ-TCT (Grp.4) significantly increased the number of produced 2-cell embryos by 127% and 79%, respectively compared to Grp.2, but these were lower than Grp.1. Concurrent treatment with soy α-TOC (Grp.5) decreased embryo production by 7%. Supplementations with δ-TCT and α-TOC alone (Grp.6-Grp.8) significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of produced 2-cell embryos by 50%, 36%, and 41%, respectively, compared to control (Grp.1). These results were found to be associated with alterations in the PI3K/Akt-Cyclin D1 genes expressions, indicating the inhibitory effects of annatto δ-TCT and soy α-TOC against nicotinic embryonic damage. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt in studying the benefits of annatto δ-TCT on murine preimplantation 2-cell embryos. Full article