The application of continuous-scan integration to collect X-ray diffraction data with a Si strip X-ray detector (CSI-SSXD) introduces additional effects on the peak shift and deformation of peak shape caused by the equatorial aberration. A deconvolutional method to correct the effects of equatorial aberration in CSI-SSXD data is proposed in this study. There are four critical angles related to the effects of spillover of the incident X-ray beam from the specimen face in the CSI-SSXD data. Exact values of cumulants of the equatorial aberration function are efficiently evaluated by 4 × 4 point two-dimensional Gauss–Legendre integral. A naïve two-step deconvolutional method has been applied to remove the effects of the first and third-order cumulants of the equatorial aberration function from the observed CSI-SSXD data. The performance of the algorithm has been tested by analyses of CSI-SSXD data of three LaB6 powder specimens with the widths of 20, 10, and 5 mm, collected with a diffractometer with the goniometer radius of 150 mm.

A ternary compound Al3CoNd2 was synthesized and its crystal structure parameters were determined by the Rietveld refinement method based on powder X-ray diffraction data. Results show that the compound crystallizes in the MgCu2-type structure (cubic Laves C15 phase, space group $Fd\bar{3}m$), with the lattice parameter of a = 7.8424(2) Ǻ, unit-cell volume of V = 482.33 Å3, and calculated density of Dcalc = 5.90 g.cm−3. The residual factors converge to Rp = 0.1024 and Rwp = 0.1287. The reference intensity ratio value obtained experimentally is 3.03. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate an agreement with the Curie–Weiss law in the temperature range of 385–450 K, and paramagnetic Curie temperature of θp = 379.9 K. Both rare-earth elements and cobalt ions contribute to the paramagnetic moment. The saturation magnetic moment and magnetic hysteresis loop were measured for the Al3CoNd2 compound at various temperatures. Results show that the saturation magnetic moment value decreases with an increase in temperature and the compound becomes a ferromagnet below the Curie temperature Tc.

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of polymer composites based on onion-like carbons (OLCs)-silicon diimide by a salt-free polycondensation reaction. The pyridine-catalyzed polymerization reaction was carried out in the presence of various contents (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) of carboxyl-functionalized OLCs in argon atmosphere to provide composites with well-dispersed and covalently incorporated 0D nanocarbons throughout the 3D matrix of silicon diimide polymer. A strong dependency of the optical properties (UV absorbance and the photoluminescence spectra) on the content of functionalized OLCs incorporated within the polymer matrix was observed. The novel polymer composites are suitable precursors for the design of advanced and multifunctional 0D-nanocarbon–containing Si3N4-based ceramic nanocomposites.

Philippine natural bentonite is characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), chemical analysis, thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also measured. XRD shows that the mineral is composed primarily of mordenite, hectorite, and montmorillonite. SEM shows the flaky and porous structure of the bentonite powder. Chemical analyses show that SiO2 (47.90 wt%) and Al2O3 (14.02 wt%) are the major components of the clay. TG-DSC shows that the mineral contains 15.55% moisture. IR transmittance spectrum shows the common vibration bands present in the sample which include O–H stretching of inter-porous water, symmetric and asymmetric stretching of hydroxyl functional groups, asymmetrical stretching of internal tetrahedra (O–Si–O and O–Al–O), symmetrical stretching of external linkages, and so on. The measured CEC were found to be 91.37 and 43.01 meq/100 g according to the ammonium acetate method and barium acetate method, respectively.

Radars used to observe meteor trails in the mesosphere deliver information on winds and temperature. Use of these radars is becoming a standard method for determining mesospheric dynamics and temperatures worldwide due to relatively low costs and ease of deployment. However, recent studies have revealed that temperatures may be overestimated in conditions such as high geomagnetic activity. The effect is thought to be most prevalent at high latitude, although this is not yet proven. Here, we demonstrate how temperatures might be corrected for geomagnetic effects; the demonstration is for a particular geographic location (Svalbard, 78°N, 16°E) because it is local geomagnetic disturbances that affects local temperature measurements, therefore requiring co-located instruments. We see that summer temperatures require a correction (reduction) of a few Kelvin, but winter estimates are more accurate.

There is dearth information on the role of fisetin as an antistress agent in ameliorating heat stress in broiler chickens. Here, we experimentally compared probiotic, an antioxidant and antistress agent, with fisetin, an antioxidant agent with little or no report on its antistress effect. Sixty-day-old broiler chickens (Arbo Acre breed) were allotted into 4 groups of 15 birds each as follows; control, fisetin, probiotic, and fisetin + probiotic groups, respectively. All administrations were performed orally through gavage for the treatment groups. The environmental and cloacal temperature (CT) parameters were measured bi-hourly at Days 21, 28, and 35 from 7:00 to 7:00 hr, during the period of study. The environmental parameters exceeded the thermoneutral zone for broiler chickens. The probiotic-supplemented group had the least overall mean CT values all through the experimental period. Based on our findings, fisetin was not a potent antistress agent in mitigating heat stress in birds.

The experiment investigated the effects of dietary ascorbic acid and betaine stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season. A total of 240 male Japanese quails (14 days old) were used and randomly assigned to four groups, each group has three replicates (n = 20). Birds in treatment groups were fed ascorbic acid (AA); betaine (BET); and AA + BET in their diets, whereas the control birds were fed only basal diet. Environmental conditions were predominantly outside thermoneutral zone for Japanese quails. Dietary AA ± BET increased (p < .05) serum catalase, reduced glutathione and testosterone, but lowered (p < .05) cortisol levels when compared with control group. Supplemental AA, BET, or AA + BET enhanced (p < .05) cloacal gland size and sexual traits. In conclusion, dietary AA and BET improved stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season.