bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entropic barriers in the kinetics of aqueous proton transfer
Authors: Carpenter William B. , Lewis Nicholas H. C. , Fournier Joseph A. , Tokmakoff Andrei
Published: July 2019

Aqueous proton transport is uniquely rapid among aqueous processes, mediated by fluctuating hydrogen bond reorganization in liquid water. In a process known as Grotthuss diffusion, the excess charge diffuses primarily by sequential proton transfers between water molecules rather than standard Brownian motion, which explains the anomalously high electrical conductivity of acidic solutions. Employing ultrafast IR spectroscopy, we use the orientational anisotropy decay of the bending vibrations of the hydrated proton complex to study the picosecond aqueous proton transfer kinetics as a function of temperature, concentration, and counterion. We find that the orientational anisotropy decay exhibits Arrhenius behavior, with an apparent activation energy of 2.4 kcal/mol in 1M and 2M HCl. Interestingly, acidic solutions at high concentration with longer proton transfer time scales display corresponding decreases in activation energy. We interpret this counterintuitive trend by considering the entropic and enthalpic contributions to the activation free energy for proton transfer. Halide counteranions at high concentrations impose entropic barriers to proton transfer in the form of constraints on the solution’s collective H-bond fluctuations and obstruction of potential proton transfer pathways. The corresponding proton transfer barrier decreases due to weaker water-halide H-bonds in close proximity to the excess proton, but the entropic effects dominate and result in a net reduction in the proton transfer rate. We estimate the activation free energy for proton transfer as ∼1.0 kcal/mol at 280 K.
Superconducting on-chip solenoid for Josephson junction characterization
Authors: Graninger A. L. , Longo M. R. , Rennie M. , Shiskowski R. , Mercurio K. , Lilly M. , Smith C. H.
Published: July 2019

We report on the design and measurement of a superconducting solenoid integrated on chip with a Josephson junction fabricated in a multilayer 250 nm niobium process. The solenoid generates a current-tunable magnetic field parallel to the junction that allows us to fully suppress the dc Josephson current. The magnitude of the generated field is well approximated by a magnetostatic model, and the modulation of the critical current by the generated field agrees well with simulations for our specific junction geometry. This test circuit allows for the characterization of Josephson junctions in an applied magnetic field without requiring an externally supplied field.
Phase behavior of flexible and semiflexible polymers in solvents of varying quality
Authors: Midya Jiarul , Egorov Sergei A. , Binder Kurt , Nikoubashman Arash
Published: July 2019

The interplay of nematic order and phase separation in solutions of semiflexible polymers in solvents of variable quality is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We studied coarse-grained models, with a bond-angle potential to control chain stiffness, for chain lengths comparable to the persistence length of the chains. We varied both the density of the monomeric units and the effective temperature that controls the quality of the implicit solvent. For very stiff chains, only a single transition from an isotropic fluid to a nematic is found, with a phase diagram of “swan-neck” topology. For less stiff chains, however, also unmixing between isotropic fluids of different concentration, ending in a critical point, occurs for temperatures above a triple point. The associated critical behavior is examined in the MD simulations and found compatible with Ising universality. Apart from this critical behavior, DFT calculations agree qualitatively with the MD simulations.
Scalable readout of terahertz wave multiplex inputs from thousands of detectors
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: July 2019

Simpler approach using kinetic inductance bolometers allows an imager with more than 8,000 detectors to produce a readout with minimal signal-to-noise degradation.
Charge density wave observed for the first time in TaSe3 mesowires
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: July 2019

Researchers use a one-step growth process to discover charge density wave transition in tantalum triselenide wires between 100 and 300 nanometers in diameter.
Enhancement of the sensitivity of the light-induced drift effect to interatomic interaction potentials using a mixture of two buffer gases
Authors: Parkhomenko A.I. , Shalagin A.M.
Published: July 2019

Based on five different nonempirical (calculated ab initio) interaction potentials for pairs of colliding Li – Ne particles and three different interaction potentials for pairs of colliding Li – Ar particles, we have theoretically investigated the spectral features of the light-induced drift (LID) rate of Li atoms in the buffer Ne gas in a mixture of buffer Ne + Ar gases. The calculations of LID of Li atoms in the buffer Ne gas for two interaction potentials predict anomalous LID and, as a result, strong sensitivity of the spectral shape of the LID lines to the differences in these potentials. For three other potentials (out of the five in question), the shape of the LID line of Li atoms in Ne is insensitive to the shape of the potential, since calculations with these potentials predict a normal LID effect. In this case, as it turned out, by adding a small fraction (approximately 10 %) of Ar to Ne, one can go from normal LID to anomalous LID and thereby radically increase the sensitivity of the LID line shape of Li atoms to the difference in these interaction potentials. The results obtained enable high-precision testing of the interatomic interaction potentials in experiments on anomalous LID.
Analysis of the use of the LCR circuit model for evaluating the resonant response of thin rectangular nanoantennas
Authors: Venediktov V.Yu. , Efremova E.A. , Krylov I.R. , Prokhorova U.V.
Published: July 2019

We demonstrate the possibility of estimating in a simple way the expected frequency of the resonant response to an external electromagnetic field in a thin golden nanoantenna having a rectangular cross section. The paper considers nanoantennas with a thickness smaller than the thickness of the skin layer or comparable with it. Analytical expressions for estimating the resonance response are presented, and full-wave simulation is performed. The algorithm for obtaining such estimates is important, in particular, for planning experiments without using full-wave simulation, which is often rather resource consuming. To obtain analytical expressions, a refined LCR circuit model is used. The analytical estimates obtained for the characteristics of the resonant response are in good agreement with the results of the full-wave simulation.
Symmetric nanostructuring and plasmonic excitation of gold nanostructures by femtosecond Laguerre – Gaussian laser beams
Authors: Busleev N.I. , Kudryashov S.I. , Danilov P.A. , Porfir’ev A.P. , Saraeva I.N. , Rudenko A.A. , Umanskaya S.F. , Zayarnyi D.A. , Ionin A.A. , Khonina S.N.
Published: July 2019

Femtosecond low-energy Laguerre – Gaussian pulses of tightly focused visible laser radiation were employed for single-pulse ablative nanostructuring of a 50-nm thick gold film. Similar pulses of lower energy were employed for the efficient plasmonic photoluminescence excitation of a rhodamine 6G dye monolayer in the fabricated nanostructures. The consistency between the shape and polarisation symmetries of the low-energy laser beam, on the one hand, and the gold nanostructures produced by the same beam at a high radiation energy, on the other hand, opens the way to consistent nanostructuring and surface-enhanced analytical spectroscopy with the use of nanostructures.
Spontaneous phase symmetry breaking in a gas coupled-cavity ring laser
Authors: Zolotoverkh I.I. , Lariontsev E.G.
Published: July 2019

A theoretical model is proposed that describes the lasing dynamics in a gas ring laser (GRL) with coupled cavities. The conditions are found under which spontaneous phase symmetry of counterpropagating waves is broken in the GRL with an antiphase optical coupling of the cavities. It is shown that in the case of spontaneous phase symmetry breaking, two branches appear on the GRL frequency characteristic. In some region of frequency nonreciprocity of a ring cavity, both branches can exist under the same conditions. In this case, radiation bistability appears in the GRL, and hysteresis phenomena can be observed.
Laser detection of nuclear spin isomers of ethylene molecules
Authors: Chapovsky P.L.
Published: July 2019

We report the making of a double-beam laser spectrometer to measure absorption spectra in the ν
5 + ν
9 combination vibrational band of ethylene in the region of λ = 1.6 μm. The spectrometer is used to find a portion of the spectrum that has well-resolved absorption lines of all four nuclear spin isomers of ethylene molecules. The rotational quantum numbers of these absorption lines and the nuclear spin isomers of ethylene molecules responsible for them are identified.
Evaluation of oxygenation in the surface layers of biological tissues based on diffuse optical spectroscopy with automated calibration of measurements
Authors: Kleshnin M.S. , Turchin I.V.
Published: July 2019

To assess the oxygen saturation (oxygenation) in the surface layers of biological tissues (at a depth of 4 mm), a compact system based on diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) with reflective measurement geometry in the wavelength range of 520 – 590 nm is proposed. The experimental DOS device is based on a broadband LED source of probe radiation and a spectrometer using a fibre-optic radiation delivery system. To calculate the oxygenation, an original method is proposed based on measuring the intensity of scattered light at four different locations of the source and receiver on the surface of the object under study (four-measurement method). The developed method allows for the device hardware parameters (optical contact with the tissue, transient characteristics of the radiation delivery system) and does not require any additional calibration measurements. The results of testing the DOS system using the four-measurement method for monitoring the oxygen saturation of tissues during the artificial occlusion of the blood vessels agree with the published data of other research teams.
Study on harmonic generation regimes of Raman dissipative solitons in an external fibre cavity in a spectral region of 1.3 μm
Authors: Kharenko D.S. , Efremov V.D. , Babin S.A.
Published: July 2019

We have studied the harmonic generation regimes in a pulsed SRS laser with synchronous pumping. The use of phosphosilicate polarisation-maintaining fibre made it possible to obtain stable generation of Raman dissipative solitons (RDS’s) with a wavelength of 1.3 μm, and a fold increase in the length of the external cavity relative to that of the pump laser cavity by a dispersion-shifted fibre allowed us to raise the threshold for the transition to noise-like pulses and to increase the RDS energy up to 2.5 nJ with an estimated duration of a transform-limited pulse of about 200 fs.
Nitrogen removal by tropical floodplain wetlands through denitrification
Authors: Adame M. F. , Franklin H. , Waltham N. J. , Rodriguez S. , Kavehei E. , Turschwell M. P. , Balcombe S. R. , Kaniewska P. , Burford M. A. , Ronan M.
Published: July 2019

Excess nitrogen (N) leading to the eutrophication of water and impacts on ecosystems is a serious environmental challenge. Wetlands can remove significant amounts of N from the water, primarily through the process of denitrification. Most of our knowledge on wetland denitrification is from temperate climates; studies in natural tropical wetlands are very scarce. We measured denitrification rates during a dry and a wet season in five floodplain forests dominated by Melaleuca spp., a coastal freshwater wetland of tropical Australia. We hypothesised that the denitrification potential of these wetlands would be high throughout the year and would be limited by N and carbon (C) availability. Mean potential denitrification rates (Dt) were 5.0±1.7mgm2h–1, and were within the reported ranges for other tropical and temperate wetlands. The rates of Dt were similar between the dry and the wet seasons. From the total unamended denitrification rates (Dw, 3.1±1.7mgm2h–1), 64% was derived from NO3– of the water column and the rest from coupled nitrification–denitrification. The factor most closely associated with denitrification was background water NO3–-N concentrations. Improved management and protection of wetlands could play an important role in improving water quality in tropical catchments.
Temporal patterns in multi-modal social interaction between elderly users and service robot
Authors: Wang Ning , Di Nuovo Alessandro , Cangelosi Angelo , Jones Ray
Published: July 2019

Social interaction, especially for older people living alone is a challenge currently facing human-robot interaction (HRI). There has been little research on user preference towards HRI interfaces. In this paper, we took both objective observations and participants’ opinions into account in studying older users with a robot partner. The developed dual-modal robot interface offered older users options of speech or touch screen to perform tasks. Fifteen people aged from 70 to 89 years old, participated. We analyzed the spontaneous actions of the participants, including their attentional activities and conversational activities, the temporal characteristics of these social behaviours, as well as questionnaires. It has been revealed that social engagement with the robot demonstrated by older people was no different from what might be expected towards a human partner. This study is an early attempt to reveal the social connections between human beings and a personal robot in real life.
The microstructure and the mechanical property of AZ91D solidified under GPa-grade high-pressure
Authors: Lin Wang , Xiaoping Lin , Chang Xu , Shengshi Zhao , Heng Sun , Ning Zhang
Published: July 2019

High-pressure (2–4 GPa) solidified AZ91D alloy was prepared and the microstructure was investigated by X-ray energy diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy. The room-temperature compression deformation behaviour was also studied. The results showed that the high-pressure solidified AZ91D alloy was composed of nanometre β-Mg17Al12 and equiaxed α-Mg dendrites. The average size of α-Mg grains decreased from 395 ± 5 µm (atmosphere pressure) to 12 ± 3 µm (4 GPa) and the solubility of Al in α-Mg increased to 6.25 wt-% at 4 GPa. The compression strength of 402 MPa and the relative compression ratio of 27% (4 GPa) were 50% and 93% higher than the original AZ91D. Meanwhile, high pressure can also decreased the corrosion rate from 0.0675 mA/cm2 (atmosphere pressure) to 0.0122 mA/cm2 (4 GPa).
Opioid use Patterns and Risk Characteristics among Injured Patients
Authors: Cochran Gerald , Pacella Maria L. , Ringwald Whitney , Repine Melissa , Hruschak Valerie , Beaugard Corinne , Sewall Craig , Rosen Danny , Alarcon Louis H. , Tarkin Ivan S. , Moloney Gele B. , Corcos Alain
Published: July 2019

Background

Injured patients are at risk for prolonged opioid use after discharge from care. Limited evidence exists regarding how continued opioid use may be related to opioid medication misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) following injury. This pilot study characterized opioid consumption patterns, health characteristics, and substance use among patients with active prescriptions for opioid medications following injury care.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional screening survey combined with medical record review from February 2017 to March 2018 conducted among outpatient trauma and orthopedic surgery clinic patients. Eligible patients were 18–64 years of age, admitted/discharged for an injury or trauma-related orthopedic surgery, returning for clinic follow-up ≤6 months post hospital discharge after the index injury, prescribed opioid pain medication at discharge, and currently taking an opioid medication (from discharge or a separate prescription post discharge). Data collected included demographic, substance use, mental health, and physical health information. Descriptive and univariate statistics were calculated to characterize the population and opioid-related risks.

Results

Seventy-one participants completed the survey (92% response). Most individuals (≥75%) who screened positive for misuse or OUD reported no nonmedical/illicit opioid use in the year before the index injury. A positive depression screen was associated with a 3.88 times increased likelihood for misuse or OUD (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–13.5). Nonopioid illicit drug use (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.1–3.4) and opioid craving (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.1–1.5) were also associated with increased likelihood for misuse or OUD. Number of emergency department visits in the 3 years previous to the index injury was associated with a 22% likelihood of being misuse or OUD positive (95% CI = 1.0–1.5).

Conclusions

Patients with behavioral health concerns and greater emergency department utilization may have heightened risk for experiencing adverse opioid-related outcomes. Future research must further establish these findings and possibly develop protocols to identify patients at risk prior to pain management planning.
Search for power-efficient wide-range reversible resistance modulation of VO2 single crystals
Authors: Fisher Bertina , Patlagan Larisa , Kornblum Lior
Published: July 2019

The abrupt metal insulator transition in VO2 is attracting considerable interest from both fundamental and applicative angles. We report on DC I–V characteristics measured on VO2 single crystals in the two-probe configuration at several ambient temperatures below the insulator–metal (I–M) transition. The insulator-mixed-metal-insulator transition is induced by Joule heating above ambient temperature in the range of negative differential resistivity (NDR). In this range the stability of I(V) is governed by the load resistance RL. Steady state I(V) is obtained for R
L  >  |dV/dI|max in the NDR regime. For R
L  <  |dV/dI|max there is switching between initial and final steady states associated with peaks in the Joule power, that are higher the lower R
L is. The peaks caused by steep switching are superfluous and damaging the samples. On the other hand, the large R
L needed for steady state is the main power consumer in the circuit at high currents. The present work is motivated by the need to avoid damaging switching in the NDR regime while reducing the power consumption in the circuit. Large resistance modulation can be obtained under steady state conditions with reduced power consumption by increasing the ambient temperature of the device above room temperature. Under steady state conditions, the transition to the mixed metal-insulator state is smooth and is followed closely by appearance of sliding domains.
Space charge-limited current transport in thin films of alkyl-functionalized silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Pfaehler Simon , Angı Arzu , Chryssikos Domenikos , Cattani-Scholz Anna , Rieger Bernhard , Tornow Marc
Published: July 2019

We describe the fabrication and electrical characterization of all-silicon electrode devices to study the electronic properties of thin films of silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs). Planar, highly doped Si electrodes with contact separation of 200 nm were fabricated from silicon-on-insulator substrates, by combination of electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. The gaps between the electrodes of height 110 nm were filled with thin-films of hexyl functionalized SiNCs (diameter 3 nm) from colloidal dispersions, via a pressure-transducing PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) membrane. This novel approach allowed the formation of homogeneous SiNC films with precise control of their thickness in the range of 15–90 nm, practically without any voids or cracks. The measured conductance of the highly resistive SiNC films at high bias voltages up to 60 V scaled approximately linearly with gap width (5–50 μm) and gap filling height, with little device-to-device variance. We attribute the observed, pronounced hysteretic current–voltage (I–V) characteristics to space-charge-limited current transport, which—after about twenty cycles—eventually blocks the current almost completely. We propose our all-silicon device scheme and gap filling methodology as a platform to investigate charge transport in novel hybrid materials at the nanoscale, in particular in the high resistivity regime.
The relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism with VO2 max and flexibility
Authors: Candrawati Susiana , Gumilas Nur S A , Rujito Lantjip , Ardiansyah Irfani R
Published: July 2019

Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and flexibility are essential biomotoric components for football athletes. The influence of genetics on the biomotoric element has not been widely studied. The ACTN3 gene probably affects VO2 max and flexibility. This study aims to determine the relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism to VO2 max and flexibility in students of UKM Olahraga Jenderal Soedirman University. This was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. Seventy-eight subjects chosen by consecutive sampling underwent the protocol study. Venous blood samples were taken for ACTN3 gene polymorphism examination. The respondents were also tested for VO2 max with the multi-stage fitness test and flexibility tests using sit and reach method. Data were analyzed by a one way ANOVA test with a significance level of p=0.05.The results of this study showed that there was no significant relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism with VO2 max (p=0.763) and flexibility (p=0.912). The highest mean VO2 max was in the RR genotype (35.25±7.15 ml/kg.min), while the highest mean of flexibility was in the XX genotype (37.02±7.89 cm). There was no relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism with VO2 max and flexibility, in students of Jenderal Soedirman University.
Hepatitis B as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk factor in the south region of Java, Indonesia
Authors: Gumilas Nur Signa A , Harini Ika M , Sylviningrum Thianty , Djatmiko Wahyu , Rujito Lantip
Published: July 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a liver cancer caused by uncontrolled growth of hepatocytes. Many factors relate to the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma whether it is internal or external factors. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of HCC South Region of Central Java, Indonesia. The study design used a case-control approach using the population of HCC patients from Margono Soekarjo Banyumas Hospital as a referring hospital in a Southern part of Central Java. Samples were considered as total sampling criteria using patient’s database from the hospital. Statistical analysis was Chi-square and Fisher test. The study found that the age and hepatitis B infection have an association with the prevalence of HCC. Individuals infected with hepatitis B were at higher risk of HCC, compared with individuals not infected with hepatitis B. Younger age was a protective factor against HCC. As a conclusion, there was a significant relationship between age and hepatitis B infection with HCC.
Correlation between Framingham risk score and degree of asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis on stroke prone person
Authors: Junaidi Achmad , Marisdina Selly , Masita  , Indrajaya Taufik , Bahar Erial
Published: July 2019

Intracranial artery stenosis is the most frequent cause of ischemic stroke. Yet there is no recommendation for population-based screening with the goal of primary stroke prevention strategies. Framingham risk score D’Agostino’s modification has been shown as highly accurate screening to assess the risk of intracranial artery stenosis that lead to stroke. The aims of study to determine the correlation between Framingham risk score and degree of asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis among stroke prone person. In the study, 32 patients were included. Intracranial stenosis was assessed by transcranial Doppler (TCD). Stenosis defined if the mean flow velocity (MFV) value was abnormal. Artery stenosis was most common in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) (34.4%). After multiple linear regression analysis was done, only MFV of right carotid siphon artery (CSA) (p = 0.060; r = - 0.493), MFV of left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) (p = 0.073; r = 0.332), MFV of left MCA (p = 0.065; r = 0.341), had significant correlation. The conclusion appears that the stroke risk score has moderate correlation with the degree of asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis, especially with MFV of right CSA, left ACA and left MCA.
Correlation of serum lipid profile with leptin levels of skin tags patients
Authors: Kurniawati Yuli , Devi Mutia , Yakub Kemas , Affandi Khairani , Marlina Allin
Published: July 2019

Skin tags may be associated with increased adipose deposition. Mechanism of skin tags formation is through the activation of leptin receptor in the dermis and epidermis. Recent study suggested that the presence of skin tags is associated with obesity, abnormal lipid profile and elevated serum leptin levels. Researcher are interested to analyse the correlation betwen serum lipid profile and leptin levels of patients with skin tags. This is a cross sectional study, conducted from October 2017 to February 2018 at Tumor and Dermatosurgery Divison-Dermatology and Venereology Department outpatient clinic in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang. Sample study was obtained with consecutive sampling. There were 40 patients with skin tags that met the inclusion criteria included in the study. Serum lipid profile and serum leptin were measured. Statistic significant correlation between triglycerides and leptin levels was found (p=0.04; r=0.327), however there was no significant correlation between total cholesterol, LDL, HDL cholesterol with leptin levels (p=0.273; r=0.177, p=0.288; r=0.172, p=0.794; r=0.043). Triglyceride levels was found to have significant correlation with leptin levels.
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) patterns of GICU patients in Dr Mohammad Hoesin Hospital Palembang
Authors: Liana Phey , Patricia Venny , Agatha Cornellia
Published: July 2019

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO) are organisms (bacteria) that are resistant to at least one antimicrobial of ≥3 antimicrobial classes. MDRO transmission most recorded in General intensive care unit (|GICU), which is also the high risk units of nosocomial infection. A total of 549 from 611 samples (89.8%) was identified as MDRO in 2015 and as many as 490 of the 552 samples (88.7%) in 2016. The most gram-negative bacteria in 2015 and 2016 were Acinetobacter baumannii (33% vs 30.4%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24% vs 29.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11% vs 13.2%). In 2015, gram-positive bacteria had the highest level of resistance to antibiotics norfloxacin and ceftazidime, while in 2016 gram-positive bacteria had the high levels of resistance to antibiotics cotrimoxazole and ceftazidime. Gram-negative bacteria in 2015 had resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin, cefazolin, and tigecycline, whereas, in 2016, Gram-negative bacteria had resistance to the antibiotic imipenem, cefazolin, and tigecycline. The incidence of MDRO in 2016 decreased compared to 2015. In 2015 and 2016, a bacterial infection of GICU patient more often caused by gram-negative bacteria.
A successfull treatment of a rare case of dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: Nopriyati  , Diba Sarah , Kartika Ika , Salfitri Noviana
Published: July 2019

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a rare autoimmune bullous disease characterized by intensely pruritic, chronic, and recurrent vesicles on extensor surfaces such as the elbows, knees, and buttocks. There is a genotype relationship with HLA-DR3, HLA DQw2, discovered about 80-90% of cases. Immunoflorescence is the gold standard for diagnosis, but serologic testing can help if immunofluorescence result is negative. On histopathological examination, at the tips of papillary dermis, a collection of neutrophils are found and granular immunoglobulins A. Dermatitis herpetiformis associated with gluten intolerance (celiac disease), although the mechanism is not fully understood. Patients with gluten free diet will reduce of this disease both in the skin and intestinal tract, thereby reducing risk of lymphoma progression. Dapsone is the main therapy, but it require monitoring side effects.
Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation towards vitamin D serum levels and Myasthenia Gravis Composite Score (MGCS)
Authors: Okparasta Andika , Iman Indrasyah Muhammad , Haddani Hasnawi , Bahar Erial
Published: July 2019

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is due to the functional impairment Treg cell that is as important as controlling the activation of T cells and inhibit the autoimmune response. Vitamin D3 is known to have an effect on increasing the quantity of Treg cells in the peripheral blood circulation and also functional so that it can suppress T cell activation. This study used a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 20 patients MG during the period from April to July 2017. The bivariate analysis using independent t-test and paired T-test. Multivariate analysis using linear regression. The mean change MGCS after vitamin D3 treatment group and placebo were not statistically significant (p = 0531). On the addition of vitamin D3 MGCS 1:19 ± 0.1 (p = 0798). There is a significant change (p = 0.041) in the mean levels of vitamin D after treatment between vitamin D3 and placebo groups. A significant increase (p = 0.005) vitamin D levels after administration of vitamin D3 in the amount of 17.88 ± 29.5 Ng/ml. Multivariate analysis showed that the initial MGCS and IMT values that most influence on the final MGCS value, and levels of vitamin D beginning the most influence on the final vitamin D levels. Vitamin D3 is 800 IU / day had no effect on the value of MGCS but the effect on changes in levels of vitamin D in the blood.
The relationship between TNF-α gene polymorphism, pro-inflammatory cytokines and bone turnover markers in COPD patients with osteoporosis
Authors: Umi Partan Radiyati , Hidayat Rachmat
Published: July 2019

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is an important regulator of bone metabolism. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-α gene at position 308 have been identified. We investigated whether these polymorphisms and circulating TNF-a levels were related to BMD in osteoporosis caused by COPD. We conducted this study to analyse the relationship between genetic polymorphism of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a -308 G/A and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, bone turnover marker levels, and the incidence of osteoporosis in COPD patients. This study was conducted on 70 COPD patients. BMD and bone area of the femoral neck and lumbar spines were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Stratos ®). Blood cytokines (TNF-a, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-1b) and Ctelopeptide (CTX), receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were analysed using ELISA. Polymorphism of the TNF-α gene -308 G/A was assayed by PCR-RFLP. The levels of cytokines were significantly increased in the osteoporosis group compared to those without. Polymorphism was significantly different between COPD with osteoporosis and COPD without. The frequency of the GA and AA genotypes was significantly increased in patients with osteoporosis. To conclude, there is a relationship between the TNF-a -308 G/A polymorphism and high levels of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, CTX, and the incidence of osteoporosis in patients with COPD.
Comparison between clot waveform analysis (CWA) of normal and abnormal aPTT of sepsis patients in Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung
Authors: Rahmawati Eny , Zamalek Dalimoenthe Nadjwa , Prihatni Delita
Published: July 2019

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome caused by the entry of harmful pathogens toxins into the blood vessels, which will cause the immune system response and ultimately will also interfere with hemostasis system including coagulation system which can end up with DIC. Therefore, monitoring of coagulation in sepsis becomes very important. The examination of coagulation such as PT and aPTT by mechanical methods only provide information about the timing of the coagulation and completely unknown how the coagulation process occurs. The Currently available coagulometer tool that checks the coagulation system with photo optical method to visualize the waveforms clot (Clot Waveform Analysis). This study was to determine the difference between CWA of normal and abnormal aPTT in sepsis patients. It was conducted at the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung. The subjects were all patients diagnosed with sepsis based on SOFA sepsis criteria, in the period of May 1, 2016, until August 31, 2016, were examined aPTT by CS2100i. The CWA were obtained from the examination of aPTT with the tool. Waveform of aPTT in sepsis was a biphasic waveform if the value of slope_ 1> -0.25% T / sec. The waveform were found in normal aPTT (83.33%) and prolonged aPTT group (100%). It were occured in the most normal aPTT groups and in all subjects with prolonged aPTT.This finding was useful for the treatment of sepsis patients when aPTT is normal because it proved that in sepsis patients with normal aPTT shows a biphasic waveform.
Biocoagulant of blood based on chitosan nanoparticle from crustacea
Authors: Sari Eka , Herawati  , Anshori Ulil , Nurmayulis
Published: July 2019

Chitosan is a chitin derivative natural polymer compound isolated from aquaculture waste, such as a crab shell that is the most chitosan source. Nanocitosan as a drug delivery offers delivery with non-harmful routes such as oral, nose, eye, and absorption. Nanokitosan can be absorbed by human organs that have nano-sized membrane penetration capabilities such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs where nanoparticles are 1-1,000 nm in size. Chitosan nanoparticles are prepared by ionic gelation techniques. The mechanism of this method is the formation of chitosan nanoparticles based on the electrostatic interaction between the positive amine groups on chitosan (-NH2) with the negative charge group of polyanion tripolyphospate (TPP). The first step is the preparation of chitosan, crab shell waste which is smoothed to 60 mesh, after subsequent smrubination to be smoothed to remove the protein content by dissolved in 3 N NaOH, then crude chitin demineralized to eliminate the mineral content contained in the crab shell with the addition of HCl 1 N and the presence of heating and stirring. The chitin obtained then enters the deacetylation stage to remove the acetyl group present in the crab shell by adding 50% NaOH and carried out by heating and stirring. The chitosan obtained was then dissolved in 3% lactic acid to obtain liquid chitosan, then added NaTPP to reduce the chitosan particle size to nano size. The obtained nitrocitosan size is 688 nm distribution with variation of NaTPP addition of 0.1% concentration and stirring 60 minutes. The resulting nitocytosan is tested to increase the rate of blood clotting that has been shown to shorten blood clotting time by up to 30 seconds.
The effect of pindang patin intake on serum cholesterol and LDL levels of male mice (Mus Musculus L.)
Authors: Sinulingga Sadakata , Okba Vekos Putri Humairoh , Haryadi Kusumo , Subandrate
Published: July 2019

High blood cholesterol level can cause atherosclerosis which is potentially cause coronary heart disease. Pindang patin is one of the favourite foods in Palembang which contain omega 3 fatty acids that can decrease blood cholesterol level. The aim of this study was to see the effect of pindang patin intake on total cholesterol and LDL. The type of this study was laboratory experimental using a pre-post-test randomized design with a control group in male mice (Mus musculus L.). The mice were given the high-fat diet by using egg yolk as much as 20% of body weight. The samples were divided into 5 groups: Negative Control, Positive Control, Dose I (0.26 ml/20 grams of body weight), Dose II (0.52 ml/20 grams of body weight) and Dose III (1.04 ml/20 grams of body weight). Blood samples were examined by using a spectrophotometer. Dose II and Dose III give the effect in decreasing the blood level of cholesterol in male mice, and Dose III give the effect in decreasing the blood level of LDL of male mice. Pindang patin can decrease the blood total cholesterol and LDL levels of male mice, and the best dose is in 1.04 ml/20 grams of body weight.
Comparison of videomicroscope and dermoscopy examination in detecting Sarcoptes scabiei
Authors: Farida Yahya Yulia , Astri Aryani Inda , Juhendy Merlina , Marina Octyvani Tiar
Published: July 2019

A non-invasive method of examination, dermoscopy (DS) can be used to detect Sarcoptes scabiei, but needs special training and expensive. Videomicroscope (VM) is able to visualize burrow, mites and eggs, so prompt treatment can be given. The aim of the study is to compare VM and DS, confirmed by skin scraping microscopic examination as standard diagnostic. The method was analytic observational study comparing VM and DS in 210 presumptive scabies patients in Palembang municipal orphanage. By consecutive sampling, 139 patients were included, 73 (52.5%) were men, 66 (47.5%) were women. Majority age were 11-20 years: 85 (61.2%) and 5-11 years: 44 (31.7%). The most common locations were interdigital manus/pedis 125 (89.9%), dorsum manus/pedis 106 (76.6%), wrist joint 102 (73.4%). VM’s sensitivity 92%, specificity 88%, accuracy 91%, positive predictive value (PPV) 96%, negative predictive value (NPV) 79%, area under curve (AUC) 90.3%. DS’ sensitivity 85%, specificity 71%, accuracy 81%, PPV 90%, NPV 60%, AUC 77.7%. There is a significant difference in specificity, accuracy and AUC, specificity of VM 88% and DS 71%, p 0.0007 < 0.05, accuracy value of VM 91%, DS 81%, with p 0.0257 < p 0.05; AUC of VM examination 90.3%, DS 77.7%, p 0.0069 < p 0.05. There was a significant difference between VM and DS examination with Z=2.23 p 0.0257 (Z>1.96). VM is better than DS, VM can be used as a diagnostic method especially at primary health service, a rapid mass screening and for evaluation of post-therapeutic follow up of scabies in epidemic area.
Optimization of The FDM Parameters to Improve The Compressive Strength of The PLA-copper Based Products
Authors: Huu N H , Phuoc D P , Huu T N , Thu H T T
Published: July 2019

Nowadays, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) has accomplished huge proficiency in modelling and wide variety in products shape and size in the industry. Alongside with its development, many problems came up, one of which is to ensure the technical requirements of the parts such as: compressive strength, tensile strength, dimensional accuracy, etc. To solve this problem, new composite materials has been developing and at the same time correlative process parameters has been optimized to achieve the most optimal technical requirements of that material. In this paper, we focus on researching the effect of process parameters consist of: raster angle; build direction and layer thickness on the part’s compressive strength made by one of the newest composite material which is the PLA-Copper filament. Central composite design (CCD) methodology is used to lower the experimental runs, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method is employed to investigate the process parameters in order to achieve optimal compressive strength.
Effects of Multi-stack Ball Grid Array on Multi-stack Printed Circuit Board
Authors: Mukhtar M A F M , Abas A , W S Bahri W M E I
Published: July 2019

In the customary underfill (CUF) epitome process, there are couple of downsides experienced for instance, extended filling time, divided filling and voids improvement. Test and FVM reenactments have been directed to examine CUF dispensing systems for different types of ball grid array (BGA) tendencies out of a solitary layered PCB. In this task, the principle point is to enhance the stream of under filling mold crosswise over multi-stacks BGA. Package on Package (PoP), a strategy for coordinated circuit bundling, is utilized to consolidate BGA bundles vertically to permit higher segment thickness in devices. The L-type liquid stream in multi-stack BGA with edge introduction is contemplated and parameters of CUP exemplification, for example, void development and filling time were examined. The results demonstrated that the BGA sizes with the little weld balls put at the base layer, trailed by the medium size bind balls in the center stack and the biggest patch balls at the top layer has appeared to enhance the stream rate of the encapsulant ideally. Other arrangement in which the medium size solders placed are at the base layer, small solders at the center layer and largest solders on top of it, requires longest total filling time. The result also shows that the racing effect is present at central region and at the side of the layer. Because of the perimeter orientation design, the void formation is minimal and the race effect is not affecting much according experimental and computational result. This investigation additionally uncovers the capability of air gaps in improving velocity and pressure distribution near inlet and outlet to achieve faster total filling time at all layers of the BGA.
Optimisation of Flame Holder Design for Micro Gas Turbine
Authors: Enagi I I , Al-attab K A , Zainal Z A
Published: July 2019

Micro gas turbine (MGT) is an efficient alternative to costly generation and transmission of electricity especially in combined heat and power (CHP) for remote areas applications. In this study, an optimum geometry of a flame holder of MGT combustion chamber was determined in terms of height and diameter using solid works and ANSYS fluent. To determine and optimise the flame holder geometry, species transport and non-premix with radiation models were used in ANSYS fluent. Optimisation process was performed to select the best geometry of flame holder that produces lowest CO emission. The flame holder was divided in to three zones namely; pre-mix, combustion and dilution zones respectively. The test parameters applied during simulation include: the diameter of holes, number of rows per zone, heat flux through convective heat transfer, percentage excess air and location of dead zone. Optimum diameter of holes for the zones was found out to be 6, 8 and 10 mm with each having four rows of holes. In addition, 60 cm height and 2 inches diameter of flame holder showed a well distributed flame contours. The application of heat flux under radiation model reveals an acceptable CO emission of 102 ppm and average temperature of 1218 °C for the diesel fuel used.
Fuzzy Control of a Low Cost Mobile Robot Based on Vertical Lines in An Edge Detected Image
Authors: Seng N H , Samad Z , Nor N M
Published: July 2019

Edge detection is a computationally efficient and economical image processing technique as this method retains only the edges of surrounding objects for guiding the navigation and localization of a mobile robot. However, present edge detection based methods are heavily dependent on fusion with odometrical data which gradually accumulates localization errors. Moreover, they lack descriptive capabilities. In this paper, a fuzzy view descriptor which fused the information of the detected adjacent primary colours of the vertical lines in the mobile robot’s view with the fuzzified digital compass readings was used to ascertain the actual view. This fusion provided a sense of direction in addition to recognizing the frontal view. The fuzzified distance of the base pixel coordinates of the vertical line of interest determined the attraction of the mobile robot towards it or the repulsion from it. A fuzzy control rule base guided the mobile robot towards the vertical line of interest by constantly reducing its deviation in the edge image. The mobile robot managed to execute its consecutive movements in an intuitive manner without a precise mathematical model. The deviations of the vertical lines were kept small and the detection of the correct views was constantly reliable.
Production and Verification of RFID MM2 Microchip with Bump and On-Chip Antenna
Authors: Hassan A B , Ali I S A
Published: July 2019

This paper describes the special steps taken for the mass production of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) MM2 microchip. Since the MM2 is the unique semiconductor product with special on-chip antenna, it requires special production steps that might be quite different from ordinary electronics processes. In order to start the volume production, several preparation steps have to be taken in advance. These tasks are usually not included in the research and development stage. At the initial stage of the production, the production scheduling and quality management are the most important works. Since the availability of the production line varies by the demands, the production sometimes becomes very tight and it will cause the delivery shortage that is critical for customers. In this paper, the steps for the production preparation and production process are described. In order to confirm the proper operation against the process variation by lot, at least three lots (equivalent to 1 million microchips) of the wafers were produced. Very limited number of the microchips were used for the reliability test and the rest were used as the pre-production sample purposes. The uniqueness of the production steps compare to other chip production is the on-chip antenna (OCA) process i.e. build-up very small antenna coil with specified carrier frequency on top of the chips.
General Process Change Qualification framework for Wafer Fabrication
Authors: Nair D S , Chin J F
Published: July 2019

Wafer fabrication is the most value-added processes of semiconductor and electronics industries. The involved processes are state-of-the-art, most expensive, most complicated and highly sensitive. Any process changes require qualification dictated by different industry standards and also internal production performance specifications. The way a semiconductor industry performs qualification is often little known outside the industry and in contemporary literature. The paper offers insights into qualification process for wafer fabrication. Literature is reviewed on qualification in terms of reasons, stages and considerations. A general qualification framework currently employed in a foundry is shared as a valuable example.
Heuristic Based Scheduling for Toothpaste Filling Problem
Authors: Promjun S , Jarumaneeroj P
Published: July 2019

This research focuses on the development of a heuristic method for the Toothpaste Filling Problem (TFP) whose complication lies on a vast variety of products (formulae and sizes), together with specific restrictions on filling machines and storage tanks. More specifically, filling machines are non-identical, each of which has different speeds and capacities for filling toothpaste of various sizes. As unloading requires storage tanks, each with much larger capacity when compared to one particular production order, a tank will be then matched with several production orders and be repositioned among filling machines to avoid unnecessary changeovers. We solve the TFP by means of a two-phase method, where the initial solution is constructed by an Earliest Due Date (EDD) dispatching rule. Once completed, the initial solution is then iteratively improved by a series of improvement operators, mimicking the concept of Variable Neighbourhood Search (VNS), until no improvement could be found. We test our heuristic on a set of sample instances acquired from one of the biggest consumer products manufacturers in Thailand. Impressively, when compared to the current practice, our proposed heuristic could help reduce makespan by 32% on average, or equivalently an annual saving of $0.6 million, mainly from the reduction on overtime payment and changeovers.