Kuwait Journal of Science最新文献

{"title":"Intelligent chlorination in water distribution networks: Integrating genetic algorithm and EPANET fusion","authors":"Benyamin Chahkandi ,&nbsp;Masoud Montazeri Namin ,&nbsp;Mohammad Gheibi ,&nbsp;Klodian Dhoska ,&nbsp;Reza Moezzi ,&nbsp;Amir M. Fathollahi-Fard","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The primary goal of chlorination, a chemical treatment process employed in water distribution networks (WDNs), is to safeguard public health by disinfecting potable water. This research delves into the hydraulic and qualitative analysis of WDNs in the Golestan district of Ahwaz city, Iran, utilizing a demand-based methodology integrating genetic algorithm (GA) and Environmental Protection Agency Network Evaluation Tool (EPANET) simulation software. The investigation incorporates varied concentrations of booster chlorination, and a re-qualitative analysis is subsequently performed. Three distinct scenarios, each employing one, two, and three booster pumps, are conceptualized. A quality performance indicator is developed to enhance comprehension and facilitate a comprehensive water assessment. To optimize the quality performance index (QPI), the GA is employed with an objective function, i.e., determining the most effective placement of chlorine injection pumps. The results reveal that the network performance index achieved percentages of 78 %, 78 %, and 80 % across the three scenarios. Moreover, the water quality in the second and third scenarios attains notably high acceptability levels, highlighting the efficacy of the proposed chlorination strategy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100425"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of parameters of the exponentiated inverse Rayleigh distribution under the Bayesian framework","authors":"Muhammad Asif ,&nbsp;Mariya Raftab ,&nbsp;Muhammad Usman ,&nbsp;Akbar Ali Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Estimating the unknown parameter(s) of distribution using Bayesian framework is a core topic in statistical literature. This study focuses on the Bayesian estimation and prior selection for the scale and shape parameters of the exponentiated inverse Rayleigh distribution. We consider both informative (chi-square, inverse Lévy) and non-informative (uniform, Jeffreys) priors to update the current state of knowledge regarding the unknown parameters. The squared error loss function (SELF), LINEX loss function (LLF), precautionary loss function (PLF), and quasi-quadratic loss function (QQLF) are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of priors while estimating the parameters. Expressions for posterior distributions, Bayes estimators (BE), Bayes posterior risks (BPR), credible intervals, and predictive intervals are derived under the aforementioned conditions. Extensive simulation as well as real data analysis is carried out to show the relative performances of the priors and loss functions by comparing the respective BPRs. The results reveal that the inverse Lévy prior outperforms the other priors in terms of minimum BPR and providing tighter credible and predictive intervals while estimating the scale parameter. Whereas, for the shape parameter, the gamma prior shows superior performance. The real data analysis cements the findings of the simulation study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100424"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Karst rocky desertification delineation and estimation of potential soil loss in tropical karst cockpits","authors":"Rakhmat Dwi Putra ,&nbsp;Tjahyo Nugroho Adji ,&nbsp;Eko Haryono","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100422","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tropical cockpit karst, characterized by hilly topography, steep slopes, and thin soil layers, is highly susceptible to land degradation in the form of karst rocky desertification (KRD). KRD occurs due to acute soil erosion in karst environments, leading to the exposure of bedrock. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of KRD, accurately assess soil erosion rates in cockpit karst landscapes, and identify the contributing factors. The research was conducted within the Seropan underground river catchment area in the Gunungsewu Karst region. KRD was identified using an image transformation approach employing the Karst Rocky Desertification Index (KRDI). Soil loss estimation was performed using the updated Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) method, incorporating the KRD factor to enhance its applicability in karst environments. The results demonstrate that KRDI is highly effective in identifying KRD. Approximately 40 % of the study area exhibits moderate to severe KRD levels, predominantly found on the slopes of conical hills, where the primary driving factors are deforestation, land clearing for dryland agriculture, and abandonment of agricultural land. The estimated total soil loss in the study area is 4975.01 tons per year, with the highest contribution occurring at the intense soil loss level. The intense to extremely intense-severe soil loss levels are correlated with the steep slopes of conical hills, highlighting the significant role of topography in soil degradation within tropical karst environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143852188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing organic waste management in Ghana through vermicomposting with Eudrilus eugeniae: Implications for sustainable agriculture and waste reduction","authors":"Saeed Ibn Idris Kofi Yeboah ,&nbsp;Asomaning Nana Sekyiwaah ,&nbsp;Gyan Ronald Amoah ,&nbsp;Addo Albert Martey ,&nbsp;Obeng Ayman Manu ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Kusi Amo ,&nbsp;Amanda Owusu ,&nbsp;Yeboah Kwasi Saeed Idris ,&nbsp;Quansah Diana ,&nbsp;Abubakar Asana Zorngo","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100421","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100421","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ghana faces considerable challenges in managing municipal solid waste (MSW), with 49 %–68 % of it consisting of organic matter. Vermicomposting, an aerobic composting process employing various species of redworms and earthworms, presents a favourable alternative for managing organic waste. This study aimed to assess earthworms' (<em>Eudrilus eugeniae</em>) capacity to facilitate the natural breakdown and transformation of organic waste, particularly food waste, and to evaluate their positive impact on plant growth. Organic materials such as cassava, plantain, yam, and their peels, including leftovers of fufu, banku, kenkey, and rice, were used for the experiment to ascertain the study objectives. Results indicated a reduction in food waste ranging from 15 % to 50 %, with an average weight loss of 41.8 %. Furthermore, total nitrogen increased from 0.14 % to 0.78 %, available phosphorus from 0.12 % to 0.85 %, and exchangeable potassium from 2.93 % to 3.97 %. The resulting vermicompost was used as a growth medium for tomatoes, and significant differences were observed in shoot length, leaf number, and branch number between treatments. However, no significant difference was found between NPK fertilizer and vermicompost treatments. At four weeks post-transplanting, tomatoes treated with NPK recorded the highest mean shoot length (31 cm), followed by vermicompost (30.13 cm) and the control (27.13 cm). Similarly, tomatoes treated with NPK had the most leaves (51.50), followed by vermicompost (48) and the control (38.75). This study recommends vermicomposting as a viable organic waste management strategy, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. Training and awareness programs should be initiated to promote its adoption in Ghana.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100421"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143839123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemical analysis and molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity of Stevia rebaudiana extract in gastric cancer cells: In silico docking and functional assays on apoptosis and cell migration","authors":"Quan Ye ,&nbsp;Yujiao Wu ,&nbsp;Dongmei Kuang ,&nbsp;Hong Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastric carcinoma (GC) continues to be a substantial worldwide health problem, requiring the investigation of new treatment approaches. Early GC, which can be multifocal and portend a worse prognosis, is classified into four types: Type-I (protruding), Type-II (superficial), Type-III (excavating), and Type-IV (infiltrating with lateral spreading). This research aimed to explore the possible anti-cancer properties of <em>Stevia rebaudiana</em> ethanol extract (EESR) on SGC-7901 GC cells. We conducted a thorough evaluation of the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and pro-apoptotic effects of EESR, as well as its capacity to regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. We used a range of assays, including 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide (MTT), clonogenic, Transwell chambers, Annexin-V, Western blotting, and molecular docking analysis, to investigate and understand the molecular pathways responsible for the bioactivity of EESR. The findings of our study showed that the viability of cells, capacity to form colonies, ability to migrate, and ability to invade were reduced in a manner that depended on the concentration of EESR. This decrease was accompanied by the initiation of apoptosis and the suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The results showed statistically significant findings, with a substantial decrease (∗∗p &lt; 0.01) in colony formation and migration, as well as an increase in apoptotic cells (∗∗p &lt; 0.01) after EESR treatment. Additional molecular docking studies demonstrated substantial interactions between Stevioside, a crucial component of EESR, and the PI3K-mTOR protein complex. These noteworthy results demonstrate the potential of EESR as a natural therapeutic agent for GC. Further study is needed to determine its effectiveness for clinical use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100420"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143852277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on the relationship between topological characteristics of vegetation ecospatial network and sand fixation function in the Mongolian Plateau","authors":"Jie Zang ,&nbsp;Qian Li ,&nbsp;Qiang Yu ,&nbsp;Avirmed Buyanbaatar ,&nbsp;Qibin Zhang ,&nbsp;Yueyue Wang ,&nbsp;Hongli Song","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The spatial structure of vegetation plays a pivotal role in determining the sand fixation function of ecosystems. However, the interaction between vegetation spatial structure at the regional scale and its sand fixation function remains insufficiently understood. Addressing this gap is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate soil erosion, combat desertification, and enhance ecosystem stability in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigates the Mongolian Plateau, a region highly vulnerable to wind erosion. Using the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and complex network theory, the regional-scale vegetation structure was abstracted into a vegetation ecospatial network (VEN), and its topological characteristics were analyzed. The revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) was then applied to estimate soil wind erosion and evaluate vegetation's sand fixation function for 2020. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between VEN topological indicators, vegetation-driven sand fixation, and regional wind erosion. The results revealed the 2020 Mongolian Plateau VEN as a scale-free small-world network with strong heterogeneity. Wind erosion modulus of the Mongolian Plateau in 2020 amounted to 33.79 t hm⁻², while vegetation sand fixation amount reached 48.68 t hm⁻². Most VEN nodes exhibited high sand fixation function. Node sand fixation function exhibited a strong positive correlation with PageRank and a substantial positive correlation with degree and betweenness centrality. These findings can provide insights into optimizing vegetation patterns and enhancing sand fixation function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100411"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of surface deformation patterns using InSAR data: Implications for human impacts in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Mohamed Elhag ,&nbsp;Anis Chaabani ,&nbsp;Lifu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Makkah City is undergoing extensive urban development to accommodate the growing number of Hajj pilgrims. This study applied Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) to map ground surface deformation in Makkah using a time series of 166 Sentinel-1 radar images acquired between December 2017 and January 2021. PS-InSAR enables the measurement of tiny displacements over time using phase differences between SAR images. A total of 85,484 persistent scatterers were identified, and their line-of-sight deformation velocities were estimated. The results show that deformation rates in Makkah City ranged from −19.1 to +19.1 mm/year during the study period, with positive velocities indicating movement away from the radar (ground swelling) and negative velocities representing motion towards the radar (subsidence). Spatial patterns of deformation correlated well with ongoing construction projects such as tunneling, infrastructure development, and groundwater extraction. This study demonstrates the capability of PS-InSAR for detailed and high-precision monitoring of urban ground motions caused by human activities in highly sensitive regions like Makkah. Continuous deformation monitoring is important for ensuring the safety and preservation of cultural heritage in the holy city.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100419"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tunable domain wall pinning behavior by notch geometry in CoFeB nanostrip under nano-pulse current injection","authors":"Candra Kurniawan ,&nbsp;Raditya Nugraha ,&nbsp;Dong-Hyun Kim ,&nbsp;Dede Djuhana","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To optimally control the domain wall (DW) pinning behavior in the ferromagnetic nanostrip, some focus is on utilizing a geometrical notch as an artificial pinning potential. Most of the studies were intended to explain the dynamics of DW structure when it passes or moves out from the notch. However, there is still a lack of discussion about the effect of the geometrical structure of notches in the nanostrips. This work investigated the effect of notch geometry on the domain wall tunability pinning behavior under nanosecond pulse current injection using micromagnetic simulation from its initial ground-state condition. The micromagnetic model of the material mimicked the perpendicular magnetization of the CoFeB stripe-shaped nanowire with a perfect single crystalline structure. The DW depinning condition determined by the edge of DW leaves out the notch area, which was related to the minimum energy needed to surpass the artificial pinning potential in the nanostrip made by the notch. The micromagnetic results showed that the notch depth variation linearly increased the depinning current density value. Moreover, the depinning current value was significantly increasing on the smaller nanostrip slit analog to the larger notch depth above 20 nm. In this case, the medium size of nanostrip geometries and notch sizes are considerable for the effective DW pinning and control in the CoFeB nanostrip.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Simple synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from lignite via controlled carbonization temperature for energy storage electrodes","authors":"Wiwin Dwiana ,&nbsp;Rini Zaqiyah ,&nbsp;Erma Surya Yuliana ,&nbsp;Silvi Rahmawati Wibowo ,&nbsp;Muchammad Harly ,&nbsp;Sunaryono Sunaryono ,&nbsp;Tahta Amrillah ,&nbsp;Muhammad Aziz ,&nbsp;Nandang Mufti","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lignite coal was carbonized at 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C to produce coalite samples, subsequently synthesized into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using Hummer's method. The synthesized rGO was then fabricated as an electrode. This study examines how coalite carbonization temperature affects rGO synthesis as a sodium ion battery (SIB) cathode. Characterization results confirmed successful synthesis: X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed an amorphous structure with a 25° peak, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) identified key functional groups, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) mapping recorded the highest porosity (69.19 %) in the rGO 600 sample. Electrochemical tests (galvanostatic charge-discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) demonstrated superior performance in the rGO 600 sample, achieving a specific capacity of 17.85 F/g, a power density of 41.82 W/kg, and an energy density of 0.197 Wh/kg. These results indicate a positive correlation between rGO porosity and electrochemical performance, supporting rGO from coalite as a promising material for future sustainable supercapacitors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100417"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143800503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An application of modified systematic sampling in auto-correlated populations","authors":"Zaheen Khan ,&nbsp;Laila A. Al-Essa ,&nbsp;Fuad S. Al Duais ,&nbsp;Javid Shabbir ,&nbsp;Sat Gupta","doi":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the efficiency of modified systematic sampling (MSS) in the context of auto-correlated populations. The MSS scheme is compared to linear systematic sampling (LSS), circular systematic sampling (CSS) and mixed random systematic sampling (MRSS) under different superpopulation models, emphasizing its applicability to auto-correlated datasets. Through numerical simulations and empirical validations, MSS demonstrates superior efficiency over conventional methods, making it a promising approach for various fields dealing with auto-correlated data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17848,"journal":{"name":"Kuwait Journal of Science","volume":"52 3","pages":"Article 100404"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143800502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}