High tunnels, or unheated plastic greenhouses, are becoming increasingly popular among organic vegetable growers across the United States. However, the intensive production typical of these systems presents soil health challenges, including salinization due to high fertilizer or compost inputs coupled with lack of rainfall to leach salts. Legume cover crops may improve soil health in high tunnels by reducing the need for external inputs, while adding organic matter. We tested the soil health effects of a winter hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop used to replace fertilizer N in an organic tomato cropping system in high tunnels. Studies were replicated across three sites differing in climate and soil type (Kansas, Kentucky, and Minne

The aim of this work is to produce samples from Iraqi raw materials like Husyniat Bauxite (raw and burnt) and to study the effect of some additives like white Doekhla kaolin clays and alumina on that material properties were using sodium silica as a binding material. Five mixtures were prepared from Bauxite (raw and burnt) and kaolin clays, with an additive of (40) ml from sodium silica and alumina of (2.5, 5, 7.5,10 wt %) percentage as a binding material. the size grading was through sieving. The formation of all specimens was conducted by a measured gradually semi-dry pressing method under a compression force of (10) Tons and humidity ratio ranging from (5-10) % from mixture weight. Drying all specimens was done and then they were burn

In this study, the physical, and mechanical properties of low-cost and biocomposites were evaluated. The walnut shell and date palm frond fibers were thermally treated in an oven at a temperature of 70°C and then chemically treated with NaOH and distilled water solution, after these treatments, the biocomposite materials will be thermally treated again at 50°C. This procedure was performed for three types of biocomposite; Walnut shell Fiber Reinforced Polymer (WFRP), Date palm Fiber Reinforced Polymer (DFRP), and Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (HFRP), whereas the biocomposite sheets consisting of 30% biofibers and 70% unsaturated polyester, the mechanical test specimens were cut by a CNC machine according to ASTM standards. The e

This study involves the synthesis of a new class of silicon polymers, designated as P1-P7, derived from dichlorodimethylsilane (DCDMS) in combination with various organic compounds (Schiff bases prepared from different amines and appropriate aldehydes or ketones) [I-V] through condensation polymerization. The structures of all monomers and polymers were characterization by FTIR and 1HNMR spectroscopy (for some polymers). The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry DSC test show stable thermal behaviour. Polymers with a higher concentration of aromatic rings in their repeating structural units exhibited a higher temperature for weight loss, indicating increased thermal stability. Thermal meas

This study involves the synthesis of a new class of silicon polymers, designated as P1-P7, derived from dichlorodimethylsilane (DCDMS) in combination with various organic compounds (Schiff bases prepared from different amines and appropriate aldehydes or ketones) [I-V] through condensation polymerization. The structures of all monomers and polymers were characterization by FTIR and 1HNMR spectroscopy (for some polymers). The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry DSC test show stable thermal behaviour. Polymers with a higher concentration of aromatic rings in their repeating structural units exhibited a higher temperature for weight loss, indicating increased thermal stability. Thermal meas

Nanocomposite was prepared using unsaturated polyester (UP) resin as a matrix and graphene nanoparticles as a reinforcement material in six percentage weights (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1 and 1.5%). Mechanical, calorimetric and thermal studies were performed on the (UP) resin/graphene nanocomposite. All tests showed a clear improvement of all mechanical properties examined (hardness, flexural strength (F.S), impact strength (I.S) and tensile strength (T.S)) with increasing graphene percentage. In addition, the temperature of glass transition and thermal conductivity of this composite increased with increasing graphene content.

The performance of asphalt pavements is crucial due to heavy traffic loads from civil and industrial developments. Various additives and modifiers are used in flexible roads to improve their resistance to deterioration caused by climatic changes. From this context, modifying the asphalt binder with polymers is popular in asphalt pavement construction. The present research investigates the effect of Polyethylene (PE) polymers in powder form on the characteristics of asphalt mixtures since these polymers are composed of hydrocarbons. It is similar to asphalt binders, making them very effective in enhancing the performance of neat asphalt produced from the oil refinery. To confirm this, two types of PE, High-Density PE (HDPE) and Low-Density P