bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation Of Triangle Chain Cipher Algorithm in Security Message of Social Media
Authors: Tarigan Pilipus , Sunandar Hery , Sinuraya Bersama , Arizona Matondang Zekson , Ginting Garuda
Published: July 2020

Messages sent on social media can be seen or used and obtained by others. Given the current many types of text messages that must not be known by others, or secret messages. Because social media is free, users cannot request security facilities for their messages. The triangle chain cipher algorithm is one of the encryption algorithms that operates based on classical encryption (cryptography), especially in character substitution techniques. Each character will be substituted based on the key and multiplier that has been determined based on the formula that applies in this algorithm. This algorithm encodes text messages twice and always depends on the results of the previous process. This is what underlies the complexity of solving this encryption coding algorithm. Encoding of messages especially in text messages is one of the most important things to do in improving the security of text messages from various levels of crime committed by people who are not entitled and not responsible. The implementation of the triangle chain cipher algorithm in encrypting text messages can make it difficult for anyone who is able to access and obtain text messages to understand and understand, damage, distribute, steal text messages or other actions that can harm the parties to the text message.
Optimization Of Fuel Tankering And Cargo Maximization At Garuda Indonesia Airline To Gain Profitability (Study Case Of Route Cgk-Sub)
Authors: Wulandari A , Sari W P , An C , Firdaus M I
Published: July 2020

Fuel is a considerably high cost component in aviation operations. One of the ways to cost savings of an aircraft expense is Fuel Tankering. Fuel Tankering is an additional fuel carrying procedure aimed at obtaining cost savings by resorting to the price gap between departure and arrival airport, as well as minimizing risk. In reality, Fuel Tankering strategy in some airlines is still not favorable. Thus, companies must be able to weigh up expenditures and revenues. Therefore, there is a need for the estimation of fuel tankering and cargo maximization in the aircraft, so that Flight Operation Officer has a reference in estimating the defined formulations. The purpose of this research is to optimize Fuel Tankering and cargo maximization of airline company. It is expected that upon the strategy application within Indonesian airlines, there will be a significant and profitable operations.
The Impact of Online Motorcycle Fare on Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Ryan V D , Crismonika E , Marina S , Rahmawati A
Published: July 2020

The upturn of internet technology presents a practical and low-fare online motorcycle taxis service which becomes a solution under a high demand of Indonesian society regarding traffic issue. Fare strategies continue to be carried out by the online transportation companies in order to create customer satisfaction and to win the competition. This research aims to find the impact of Grab-Bike fare offered towards the students of Management and Business Faculty, Institute of Transportation and Logistics Trisakti. The method used in this research is survey by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents. The using of standard regression linear analysis technique aims to examine hypothesis with the support of SPSS software. The result of this research is showing that Grab-Bike fare positively and significantly influenced the satisfaction of the students of Management and Business Faculty, Institute of Transportation and Logistics Trisakti.
Acoustic properties of materials: a comparison of numerical and experimental methods.
Authors: Viscardi Massimo , Napolitano Pasquale
Published: July 2020

Acoustic simulations provide today a valid tool to simulate complex environments and complex interaction between acoustic and structure. Multiple methods are nowadays available with different degrees of accuracy and different applications. Simulation methods cover a wide frequency range with FE methods dominating the low frequency range. SEA mostly covers high frequency range with BEM covering an intermediate frequency range. Ray- tracing can work on the entire frequency range and is used when a large domain must be simulated. These methods require acoustic properties of materials to be implemented such as acoustic impedance or absorption and STL. The aim of this paper is to show different methods to provide these properties and discuss about the equivalence/difference of the numerical and experimental approaches under specific assumptions.
Vision based techniques for the experimental characterization of a prosthetic finger model
Authors: Cosenza C , Niola V , Penta F , Savino S
Published: July 2020

Several prototypes of mechanical fingers composing anthropomorphic prosthetic hands have been developed using underactuated mechanisms. These mechanisms require specific experimental procedure to measure their properties. Due to their low weight, the addition of further sensors for measurement purposes could modify the trajectory of the single parts and the overall prosthetic device behaviour. Vision system methods represent a route to overcome these drawbacks. In this study, an experimental methodology to acquire the dynamics of an underactuated prosthetic finger is presented due to the employment of a vision-based technique, the Digital Image Correlation. The experimental characterization aids the development of a dynamical model of the finger behaviour.
Lean Flame Stabilization by Means of a Coaxial Synthetic Jet
Authors: Di Tommaso R M , Fasanella R , Nino E
Published: July 2020

In the present paper the effect of a synthetic jet, coaxial with an annular type combustor, has been investigated in order to infer aerodynamic interaction between the two gaseous flows. The experimental investigation has the purpose to find the existence of synthetic jet excitation frequency able to extend the stability limits of a lean air/propane mixture flame. Lean flame is widely adopted in low thermal NOx emission combustors. As it is well known for gaseous premixed flame increasing the air/fuel ratio (lean flame) the flame propagation velocity is decreasing until it is getting comparable to the velocity of supplied fresh gaseous mixture. At this point, the flame is flushed away from the combustor mouth and the combustion process is quenched (blow off). In order to avoid those effects, for very low air/combustible ratio the modern premixed industrial combustors control the flame stability by means of the so called “pilot flame”, a small secondary relatively rich flame. The pilot flame, fed by a few percent of the total amount of supplied combustible, represent a relatively high source of thermal NOx. The experimental investigations have been performed by means of a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), in order to obtain instantaneous two dimensional velocity distribution overall the entire gaseous reacting jet, in order to stretch the influences of coherent structures generated in the jet, by means of natural aerodynamic effect and by means of perturbation forced into the flow by means of the synthetic coaxial jet under combustion conditions.
The impact of COVID-19 control measures on air quality in China
Authors: Silver Ben , He Xinyue , Arnold Steve R , Spracklen Dominick V
Published: July 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China in January 2020 prompted substantial control measures including social distancing measures, suspension of public transport and industry, and widespread cordon sanitaires (‘lockdowns’), that have led to a decrease in industrial activity and air pollution emissions over a prolonged period. We use a 5 year dataset from China’s air quality monitoring network to assess the impact of control measures on air pollution. Pollutant concentration time series are decomposed to account for the inter-annual trend, seasonal cycles and the effect of Lunar New Year, which coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak. Over 2015–2019, there were significant negative trends in particulate matter (PM2.5, −6% yr−1) and sulphur dioxide (SO2, −12% yr−1) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2, −2.2% yr−1) whereas there were positive trends in ozone (O3, + 2.8% yr−1). We quantify the change in air quality during the LNY holiday week, during which pollutant concentrations increase on LNY’s day, followed by reduced concentrations in the rest of the week. After accounting for interannual trends and LNY we find NO2 and PM concentrations were significantly lower during the lockdown period than would be expected, but there were no significant impacts on O3. Largest reductions occurred in NO2, with concentrations 27.0% lower on average across China, during the lockdown. Average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 across China were respectively 10.5% and 21.4% lower during the lockdown period. The largest reductions were in Hubei province, where NO2 concentrations were 50.5% lower than expected during the lockdown. Concentrations of affected pollutants returned to expected levels during April, after control measures were relaxed.
Influence of a Baffle and Shaft Spacing on Shaft Exhaust Efficiency
Authors: QianKun Hou , Weng Miao-cheng , liu Fang
Published: July 2020

In road tunnel. A baffle-coupled shaft is used to decrease the plug-holing and boundary layer separation. Install baffle on both sides of the shaft (when the fire occurs upstream of the shaft, the baffle upstream of the shaft closes and the baffle downstream of the shaft opens), it can function as a smoke barrier. In order to study the distance between the baffle and shaft, numerical simulation was performed using the Fire Dynamic Simulation (Version 6.7.1). We use the mass flow of carbon monoxide discharged through the shaft as a basis for evaluating the efficiency of exhausting smoke. As the spacing increases, the exhaust efficiency increases first and then decreases. In this paper, the baffle-coupled is set 2 meters.
The Achievements, Problems and Improvements in the Development of the Rule of Law for Rural Environmental Protection
Authors: Zhijie Yu
Published: July 2020

With the improvement of social development, more and more people attach great importance to the construction of new rural areas and focus on rural economy and the vital interests of farmers. At this stage, the fundamental reasons for rural environmental problems are the imperfect relevant legal mechanism and shortage of environmental protection awareness among rural residents. Thus, whether the rural environment can be improved has become the key to realizing the new rural construction. This paper mainly illustrates the achievements, problems and improvement of legal construction of rural environment protection, so as to improve the current environmental situation in rural areas.
Purification Process Design of Vinyl Acetate Based on Aspen Plus
Authors: Xie Ya Nan , Meng Zhi , Li Fu
Published: July 2020

Based on Aspen Plus process simulation, the purification stage of the production of vinyl acetate by 450000 tons of calcium carbide acetylene process was optimized.The main equipment involved in the process are degassing tower, deacetaldehyde tower, crude separation tower, vinyl acetate refining tower, acetic acid distillation column and so on. The unit operation involved mainly includes general distillation, azeotropic distillation, distillation with side line extraction, absorption, extraction and so on. Aspen Plus sensitivity analysis function is used to analyze and optimize tower parameters such as reflux ratio, the number of theoretical plates, distillate feed ratio, feed position, side line extraction position. The results will provide reference for improving the problems of low purity and energy waste of products.
Effect of water quality on wettability of coking coal dust
Authors: Wang Jinfeng , Zhao Wenbin , Zhao Juan , Liu Bo , Song Lei
Published: July 2020

Water quality has certain influence on the wettability of coal dust, so we studied the wettability of coking coal by reclaimed water and mine water and distilled water. The surface contact angle and forward permeability time of various kinds of water on coking coal dust were measured firstly, the wetting effect of reclaimed water was better than those of other water types. Through infrared spectra analysis, we found that the functional groups contained in reclaimed water promoted the wettability of coal dust to some extent.
Numerical simulation of seepage in the landfill leachate layers
Authors: Li Gang , Zhang Jinli , Liu Jia
Published: July 2020

In order to control the environmental pollution caused by landfill leachate, the numerical simulation of landfill leachate seepage was carry out, which considered the influence of anisotropy of permeability coefficient, the permeability coefficient, matrix suction, infiltration amount of leachate, slope of drainage layer, drainage distance and initial water head on the maximum saturation depth. The results showed that when the horizontal permeability coefficient is fixed and the vertical permeability coefficient is reduced, the maximum saturation depth of leachate increased sharply. The maximum saturation depth linearly increased with the infiltration of leachate, whereas sharply decreased with the increasing of drainage slope. The maximum saturation depth is less affected by small drainage distance, whereas more affected by the large drainage distance. The initial head has a great effect on the maximum saturation depth, and whether the drainage pipe can discharge the leachate or not has an important influence on the maximum saturation depth.
Assessment on Effect of Load Frequency to Durability of Chassis of the Multi-Purpose Forest Fire Fighting Vehicle
Authors: Nguyen Xa Hoi , Van Luong Van , Quang Nguyen Thanh , Tran Van Tuong
Published: July 2020

Chassis is the main structural component of the automobile; it is subject to any damage due to fatigue or destruction during the operation of the automobile. Therefore, it is important to research and assess the durability of the chassis. In particular, studying the effect of load frequency on chassis durability is very important in the assessment of chassis durability. An objective of this study was to investigate the effect of load frequency, from the road surface and engine to chassis durability when the multi-purpose forest fire fighting vehicle operates in some cases when moving on the road. The assessment of the effect of load frequency on the chassis durability of the multi-purpose forest fire fighting vehicle contributes to input parameters for the determination and assessment of fatigue problem and breaking strength of the chassis.
Hybrid Turbo Compound Fan Engine an Eco-Efficient Propulsion System for Aviation
Authors: Berg H P , Himmelberg A , Poojitganont T
Published: July 2020

The path to electric propulsion systems depends on the development of powerful, compact and very light energy storage system with a high storage density. In order to create an environment-friendly intermediate solution in the medium term, especially for aircraft engines of medium power classes, it makes sense to use an innovative, electrically parallel hybrid unit based on rotary engines and electric boosters for start and climb phases as a propulsion system. An aero-engine application, based on the HSD concept (HSD = hybrid super-drive – hybrid Wankel rotary engine) for different hybrid-parallel propulsion systems is presented. In this article, the introduced technology is based on a currently produced family of multi-component Wankel rotary engines. The proposed HSD concept uses a chamber volume of 650ccm per rotor. The projected power range (0.8 to 1.36 MW) is covered by an innovative hybrid electric parallel turbo compound concept together with 2x4 rotary engine units. A novel, air-bearing turbo engine with integrated electric drive is used as a turbocharger for charging the rotary engine. For the aero-engine technology, the counter-rotating fan (CRF) concept shown as an example for an aircraft technology carrier (light jet) leads to a further increase in the efficiency of a complete system.
Simulation and validation of Airflow Past Hand-Shape Mold Using OpenFOAM
Authors: Loksupapaiboon K , Suvanjumrat C
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to present a wind tunnel, aiming to examine the effect of airflow past the hand-shape mold especially airflow around the gap between the fingers of the mold. Part of the aim of this project is to investigate the behavior of airflow past the mold on the different angles, which was valuable to vulcanize rubber glove in the oven. The wind tunnel experiments were performed on the various angle of attack of hand-shape mold from 0 to 180 degrees under the airflow velocity of 5 to 20 m/s. The 3D simulations were carried out by using open source code software, OpenFOAM. The k-? model was used to simulate the turbulent flow past hand-shape mold. The pressure-velocity coupling problem and the convection-diffusion term were solved by using a SIMPLE algorithm and upwind differencing scheme, respectively. The drag force by airflow on the rubber glove mold which obtained by the computational fluid dynamics (henceforth CFD) method was compared with the experimental data. The comparison between CFD simulation and the experimental data showed a fairly close agreement and the average error was less than 13.96%. Further research in this field would be of great help in developing a model to optimize the mold installation inside the rubber glove oven.
A Two-Dimensional Computational Study of a Single Right Trapezoidal Cylinder Subjected to Unsteady Laminar Flow Regime at Low Reynolds Number
Authors: Lamtharn Sodsai , Pimsarn Monsak
Published: July 2020

A right trapezoidal cross-section cylinder is used as guided bars for a barred tee in the long pipeline and piping system to protect the moving of pigs across the branched pipe. The cylinder must have the integrity to withstand to fluid flows-induced vibration which concerns the synchronization between vortex shedding frequency of fluid flows with a natural frequency of the cylinder. Therefore, this article aims to numerically investigate the vortex shedding frequency responses which are in terms of Strouhal number, flow force coefficients and in order to provide additional data for use in the absence of more applicable data for engineering design of the single right trapezoidal cylinder in structural integrity point of view. In this study, the simulation of the single right trapezoidal cylinder immersed in the uniform oncoming laminar flow regime with low Reynolds number; Re = 100, was performed. There are various sharpening angles in this study; defined as angle which is measured from virtual line parallel with height base side to slant side or (90°- acute angle°) of the cylinder, in the range of 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 40° and 60°, accompanying with the cylinder side ratio (B/A) which is the ratio of the longest base side-to-height base side, in the range of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. In the simulation, the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) with a finite volume method, an incompressible flow and constant fluid properties were employed. The computational results were validated against the published data. The effect of the sharpening angle and side ratio on the response of the single right trapezoidal cylinder were presented and discussed. The Strouhal number and flow force coefficients at fully ten cycle of saturated flow have been calculated. The simulated results show that increasing of sharpening angle, the Strouhal number slightly increases whilst the root mean square lift coefficients significantly increases. Additionally, as the side ratio increases, the Strouhal number and the root mean square lift coefficients decreases.
Surrogate-assisted Meta-Heuristic method for Aerodynamic Design of an Aircraft Wing
Authors: Mar Aye Cho , Pholdee Nantiwat , Bureerat Sujin
Published: July 2020

This paper presents the aerodynamic design of an aircraft wing using a surrogate-assisted meta-heuristic (MH) method. The optimization problem is posed to find the wing shape in order to maximize its lift-to-drag ratio. Two surrogate-assisted MHs are presented which are the use of a surrogate model to predict the objective function directly and using a surrogate model to predict lift coefficient and drag coefficient separately before calculating the objective function. Computational fluid dynamic analysis is used for calculating the values of lift and drag coefficients while a Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm and a radial basis function are respectively used as MH and a surrogate model. From this study, the performance of the surrogate-assisted design approaches for aerodynamic optimization of an aircraft wing is obtained. The attained results are said to be the baseline for future study of surrogate-assisted aerodynamic optimization.
Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Stress Distribution and Displacement to Design of Patient Lifting Equipment
Authors: Sakunsongbunsiri M. , Keangin P.
Published: July 2020

The patients with stroke, especially hemiplegia and paraplegia cases, need to be transferred whether from bed to wheelchair or wheelchair to bed and be transferred whether from wheelchair or bed to car or car to a wheelchair or bed while the patient is admitted to the hospital or stay at home. The accuracy of movement handling is required to be in accordance with the principles of physiology in order to increase the safety of patient moving. The utilization of patient lifting equipment will improve patient handling more efficiently for both patients and staff during health care. Patient-lifting equipment is absolutely helpful in lifting patient movement. The study on the analysis of stress distribution as well as the displacement of the device in the analysis of strength in the structure design is rarely found because of computer program limitations. For appropriate usage in each situation, it is important to apply a comprehensive understanding of principles of strength analysis to design patient-lifting equipment. The objective of the proposed research is to design a spreader bar of the patient lift equipment to support use for transferring from a wheelchair or bed to car or car to a wheelchair or bed. The details regarding concept design and analysing the strength of the structure is solved by finite element method (FEM) with a three-dimensional model. The simulated results obtained from the computational solution are investigated and validated against those obtained from the analytical solution. The study focuses attention on the effects of different angles of the spreader bar on the stress distribution and displacement at various points. It is found that the change in the angle adjustment of the spreader bar directly affects the change in the stress distribution, as well as displacement. The maximum stress distribution, as well as maximum displacement, are reduced when the degree increases. The obtained results can be a helpful information to use as the guideline to design a spreader bar of the patient- lifting equipment to transfer patients suitably under each situation.
The Conception of an Autonomous Traveling Manual Wheelchair and a Study on its Localization
Authors: Tobita K , Shikanai Y , Murata T
Published: July 2020

In a care facility, it is one of the factors that the burden of a caregiver is increasing by guiding many cared persons in a wheelchair before and after a meal. Although many autonomous electric wheelchairs have been researched and developed, it is not reasonable to introduce them for the entire care receivers in a nursing home from the viewpoint of cost, time and trouble of maintenance. We are developing a detachable robot that makes a manual wheelchair run autonomously. This paper describes the basic concept, target specifications and design conditions of the experimental machines and feasibility study about the localization by using the optical flow sensor. In the future, we will proceed with the implementation of the autonomous driving function.
Effect of Chemical Solution on Tensile Strength of Bamboo Fiber
Authors: Kaima Jerachard , Preechawuttipong Itthichai , Jongchansitto Pawarut , Charoenloe Nattaphat
Published: July 2020

This study aims to investigate the effect of a chemical solution on the tensile strength of the bamboo fiber. The bamboo woods were cut into the size of small pieces 60 mm x 5 mm x 1 mm. Seven solutions were used in this work which is distilled water (control conditions), ASH and NaOH solution with concentrations of 20%, 10%, and 5% by weight. The bamboo pieces were soaked in the solution with 11 different soaking times except soaking in distilled water for 5 different soaking times. After that processed bamboo pieces were washed and dried at room temperature for 1 week. They were separated by hand to get processed bamboo fiber with cross-section size between 0.06-0.27 mm2. For all specimen, more than 5 pieces of processed bamboo fibre were tested following to ASTM D3039. The results show that the cross-section area in rang 0.06-0.27 mm2 from raw materials have similar tensile strength with 290 MPa [1]. The higher concentration of NaOH, the lower value of the tensile strength which decreases and reach below 100 MPa for 20% NaOH solution. For ASH solution, the values of the tensile strength as the function of soaking time are the same inclination with the different concentration. The tensile strength of processed bamboo fibres is pretty splattered between 200-400 MPa for the soaking time less than 48 hours. While tensile strengths have the range between 275-300 MPa for the soaking time more than 48 hours. Because some fungus grew on bamboo fibre surface soaked in distilled water, the tensile strength of processed bamboo fibres soaked in 20% ash solution is greater 100 MPa than the tensile strength of bamboo fiber soaked in distilled water for the soaking time more than 120 hours.
In situ observation on the failure behavior of ZrO2-resin-dentin bonding interface with prefabricated indentation defects
Authors: Ma Zhichao , Zhang Hongzhao , Liu Dongni , Zhao Hongwei , Feng Yan , Ren Luquan
Published: July 2020

Interfacial cracking and fracture of restorative materials are major obstacles to realize effective dental restoration. Especially, the bonding failure of compound interfaces consisting of dentin, resin and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) ceramic, exhibit complexity, variability and unpredictability due to the complicated loading type and oral environment. By using a self-developed miniaturized horizontal device integrating with thermostatic artificial saliva, an approximate oral environment was established to investigate the failure mechanism of ZrO2-resin-dentin compound interfaces. Through real-time in situ observation of shearing deformation behaviors of the dentin-resin and resin-ZrO2 interfaces, the continuous propagation processes of cracks nucleating from the interfacial intersection line or dentin’s interior were analyzed in detail. The discontinuous cracking behaviors revealed the prior crack of resin-ZrO2 interface, which attributed to the acid etching of dentin and significant gradients in Young’s modulus and hardness compared with the corresponding parameters of dentin-resin interface. The significant interfacial differences in mechanical properties promoted the crack nucleation and induced the bonding failure. A widest crack with a width of 1.4 μm inside the dentin was also observed from the fractured ZrO2-resin-dentin specimen. This paper focused on the discontinuous interfacial cracking behaviors and bonding failure mechanisms of ZrO2-resin-dentin specimen, which would be beneficial to the research of novel composite resins and the improvement of bonding processes.
Distribution (function) of relaxation times, successor to complex nonlinear least squares analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy?
Authors: Boukamp Bernard A
Published: July 2020

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and complex nonlinear least squares (CNLS) analysis with an equivalent circuit (EqC) has been the standard research tool in Solid State Electrochemistry for many decades. With an ever increasing interest in the development of energy related materials with complex structures, the impedance spectra are becoming too complex for a simple CNLS-analysis. Inversion of the data from the frequency domain to a distribution function of relaxation times (DFRT), i.e. the τ-domain, has shown to present a better separation and visualization of the underlying electrochemical processes. These are presented by peaks with characteristic time constants that are associated with the separate processes. Hence, the interest in EIS-analysis with inversion to a DFRT has rapidly gained attention over the last decennia. In this contribution a brief review of the applications and limitations of the DFRT procedure is presented. Some examples from the field of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and Li-ion based battery research are discussed. When possible a comparison is made between the exact DFRT (derived from known DFRT expressions) and three inversion methods: Fourier Transform (FT), Tikhonov Regularization and a recently developed multi-(RQ) CNLS-fit: ‘m(RQ)fit’. It is shown that the three differently derived DFRT’s can differ significantly, while the impedances reconstructed from the DFRT with the inverse process show a quite good match with the original data.
X-ray absorption fine structure measurements on Ru–Zn/ZSM-5 during heterogeneous catalysis using an in situ spectroscopic cell
Authors: Liu Lijia , He Peng , Xia Yujian , Song Hua , Chang Lo-Yueh , Chen Jeng-Lung , Pao Chih-Wen
Published: July 2020

We introduce a design of a portable, multi-functional spectroscopic cell for in situ structural probe of materials using hard x-rays. This versatile reaction cell allows x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and x-ray diffraction measurements in transmission mode on solids at a controlled temperature, pressure, and gas environment. A model heterogeneous catalysis system, co-aromatization of octane with methane catalyzed by Ru–Zn/ZSM-5, was employed to demonstrate the performance of the spectroscopic cell. Quick XAFS measurement at the Ru K-edge was performed during the catalyst activation and catalysis reaction. The chemical reduction of Ru from RuO2 to metallic-like Ru is found to occur rapidly once the temperature is above a threshold, and the reduction is completed in ∼75 s. Prolonged heating during catalysis reaction at constant operating temperature has a minimum effect on the electronic structure of the Ru species.
Searching for metal-insulator transition in Fibonacci quasicrystals by distribution analysis of electronic wavefunction participation ratios
Authors: Alfonsi Jessica
Published: July 2020

Preliminary computational data are presented related to shape changes in the distribution of participation ratios of electronic wavefunctions from 1D and 2D Fibonacci quasicrystals. They suggest a likely connection between a distorsion-induced metal-insulator transition and the golden number spanning the word sequence underlying the quasiperiodicity of these systems.
A 3-day course of 1 mg/kg versus 2 mg/kg bodyweight prednisolone for 1- to 5-year-old children with acute moderate exacerbation of asthma: a randomized double-blind noninferiority trial
Authors: Buddala Pavan Kumar , Chandrasekaran Venkatesh , Harichandrakumar K T
Published: July 2020

Background

Even though the guidelines on the management of preschool asthma recommend early use of corticosteroids for acute moderate-to-severe exacerbations, considerable variation exists with regard to type and dose of steroids.

Objectives

To compare the clinical outcomes and side effect profile between 1 mg/kg/day and 2 mg/kg/day of oral prednisolone when administered for 3 days in preschool children with acute moderate asthma exacerbations.

Study Design and Setting

Randomized double-blind noninferiority trial was done in the paediatric emergency of a teaching hospital.

Patients, Interventions, and Outcomes

A total of 128 children aged 1 to 5 years who presented to the paediatric emergency with acute moderate exacerbation of asthma were enrolled. They were randomized into two groups. One group received 1 mg/kg/day and the other 2 mg/kg/day of oral prednisolone for 3 days. Severity of asthma exacerbation was measured by Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) score. The PRAM scores, wheeze recurrence, and side effect profile were compared and analyzed between the two groups.

Results

The difference in the PRAM scores at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after intervention between the two groups was statistically insignificant. Need for escalation of therapy, salbutamol nebulization, time for resolution of symptoms, and recurrence of wheeze were similar between the two groups. Vomiting was significantly less frequent in low-dose group with a relative risk of 0.19 to 0.99 compared to high-dose prednisolone.

Conclusion

Prednisolone at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day was not inferior to 2 mg/kg/day in terms of clinical improvement and recurrence of wheeze within 1 week and has less frequent vomiting compared to higher dose.
One Tap at a Time: Correlating Sensorimotor Synchronization with Brain Signatures of Temporal Processing
Authors: D’Andrea-Penna Gina M , Iversen John R , Chiba Andrea A , Khalil Alexander K , Minces Victor H
Published: July 2020

The ability to integrate our perceptions across sensory modalities and across time, to execute and coordinate movements, and to adapt to a changing environment rests on temporal processing. Timing is essential for basic daily tasks, such as walking, social interaction, speech and language comprehension, and attention. Impaired temporal processing may contribute to various disorders, from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia to Parkinson’s disease and dementia. The foundational importance of timing ability has yet to be fully understood; and popular tasks used to investigate behavioral timing ability, such as sensorimotor synchronization (SMS), engage a variety of processes in addition to the neural processing of time. The present study utilizes SMS in conjunction with a separate passive listening task that manipulates temporal expectancy while recording electroencephalographic data. Participants display a larger N1-P2 evoked potential complex to unexpected beats relative to temporally predictable beats, a differential we call the timing response index (TRI). The TRI correlates with performance on the SMS task: better synchronizers show a larger brain response to unexpected beats. The TRI, derived from the perceptually driven N1-P2 complex, disentangles the perceptual and motor components inherent in SMS and thus may serve as a neural marker of a more general temporal processing.
Neural and Behavioral Evidence for Frequency-Selective Context Effects in Rhythm Processing in Humans
Authors: Lenc Tomas , Keller Peter E , Varlet Manuel , Nozaradan Sylvie
Published: July 2020

When listening to music, people often perceive and move along with a periodic meter. However, the dynamics of mapping between meter perception and the acoustic cues to meter periodicities in the sensory input remain largely unknown. To capture these dynamics, we recorded the electroencephalography while nonmusician and musician participants listened to nonrepeating rhythmic sequences, where acoustic cues to meter frequencies either gradually decreased (from regular to degraded) or increased (from degraded to regular). The results revealed greater neural activity selectively elicited at meter frequencies when the sequence gradually changed from regular to degraded compared with the opposite. Importantly, this effect was unlikely to arise from overall gain, or low-level auditory processing, as revealed by physiological modeling. Moreover, the context effect was more pronounced in nonmusicians, who also demonstrated facilitated sensory-motor synchronization with the meter for sequences that started as regular. In contrast, musicians showed weaker effects of recent context in their neural responses and robust ability to move along with the meter irrespective of stimulus degradation. Together, our results demonstrate that brain activity elicited by rhythm does not only reflect passive tracking of stimulus features, but represents continuous integration of sensory input with recent context.
Differential Expression of Fungal Genes Determines the Lifestyle of Plectosphaerella Strains During Arabidopsis thaliana Colonization
Authors: Muñoz-Barrios Antonio , Sopeña-Torres Sara , Ramos Brisa , López Gemma , del Hierro Irene , Díaz-González Sandra , González-Melendi Pablo , Mélida Hugo , Fernández-Calleja Vanessa , Mixão Verónica , Martín-Dacal Marina , Marcet-Houben Marina , Gabaldón Toni , Sacristán Soledad , Molina Antonio
Published: July 2020

The fungal genus Plectosphaerella comprises species and strains with different lifestyles on plants, such as P. cucumerina, which has served as model for the characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana basal and nonhost resistance to necrotrophic fungi. We have sequenced, annotated, and compared the genomes and transcriptomes of three Plectosphaerella strains with different lifestyles on A. thaliana, namely, PcBMM, a natural pathogen of wild-type plants (Col-0), Pc2127, a nonpathogenic strain on Col-0 but pathogenic on the immunocompromised cyp79B2 cyp79B3 mutant, and P0831, which was isolated from a natural population of A. thaliana and is shown here to be nonpathogenic and to grow epiphytically on Col-0 and cyp79B2 cyp79B3 plants. The genomes of these Plectosphaerella strains are very similar and do not differ in the number of genes with pathogenesis-related functions, with the exception of secreted carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), which are up to five times more abundant in the pathogenic strain PcBMM. Analysis of the fungal transcriptomes in inoculated Col-0 and cyp79B2 cyp79B3 plants at initial colonization stages confirm the key role of secreted CAZymes in the necrotrophic interaction, since PcBMM expresses more genes encoding secreted CAZymes than Pc2127 and P0831. We also show that P0831 epiphytic growth on A. thaliana involves the transcription of specific repertoires of fungal genes, which might be necessary for epiphytic growth adaptation. Overall, these results suggest that in-planta expression of specific sets of fungal genes at early stages of colonization determine the diverse lifestyles and pathogenicity of Plectosphaerella strains.
Complete Genome Sequence Resource for the Necrotrophic Plant-Pathogenic Bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum WPP14
Authors: Liu Yingyu , Helmann Tyler C. , Stodghill Paul , Filiatrault Melanie J.
Published: July 2020

Pectobacterium spp. are a major cause of loss in vegetable and ornamental plant production. One of these species, Pectobacterium carotovorum, can cause soft rot disease on many plants, particularly potato. These diseases lead to significant economic loss and pose food security threats by reducing crop yields in the field, in transit, and during storage. The Gram-negative enterobacterium P. carotovorum WPP14 is a particularly virulent strain for which there is no available closed genome, limiting the molecular research for this important pathogen. Here, we report a high-quality complete and annotated genome sequence of P. carotovorum WPP14. The 4,892,225-bp genome was assembled with Nanopore reads and polished with Illumina reads, yielding 394× and 164× coverage, respectively. This closed genome provides a resource for research on improved detection and biology of P. carotovorum, which could translate into improved disease management.
Cryptic Diversity, Molecular Systematics, and Pathogenicity of GenusPestalotiopsisand Allied Genera Causing Gray Blight Disease of Tea in Taiwan, With a Description of a NewPseudopestalotiopsisSpecies
Authors: Tsai Ichen , Chung Chia-Lin , Lin Shiou-Ruei , Hung Ting-Hsuan , Shen Tang-Long , Hu Chih-Yi , Hozzein Wael N. , Ariyawansa Hiran A.
Published: July 2020

Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, commonly known as tea, is widely cultivated around the world in tropical and subtropical areas. Tea is mainly manufactured using young shoots of tea plants. Therefore, it is essential to control foliar diseases. Gray blight disease is caused by pestalotiopsis-like taxa and is known as one of the most destructive tea diseases. Although several studies have provided the groundwork for the fungal diseases associated with C. sinensis in Taiwan, gray blight disease has not been characterized based on diversity, molecular systematics, or pathogenicity. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize the causative agents of tea gray blight disease. A total of 98 pestalotiopsis-like isolates associated with symptomatic leaves of C. sinensis from major tea fields in Taiwan were investigated. Based on phylogenies of single and concatenated DNA sequences (internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, translation elongation factor 1-α) together with morphology, we resolved most of the pestalotiopsis-like species in this study. The study revealed seven well-classified taxa and seven tentative clades in three genera: Pestalotiopsis, Pseudopestalotiopsis, and Neopestalotiopsis. One novel species, Pseudopestalotiopsis annellata, was introduced. Five new records, Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis, Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis, Pestalotiopsis camelliae, Pestalotiopsis yanglingensis, and Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola, were introduced for the first time in Taiwan. Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis was the taxon most frequently isolated from C. sinensis in this study. Furthermore, results of pathogenicity assessments exhibited that, with wound inoculation, all assayed isolates in this study were pathogenic on tea leaves. Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis and Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis were identified as the major pathogens associated with gray blight disease of tea in Taiwan. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the diversity, pathogenicity, and characterization of pestalotiopsis-like fungi causing tea gray blight disease in Taiwan.
Protection to Tomato Wilt Disease Conferred by the Nonpathogen Fusarium oxysporum Fo47 is More Effective Than that Conferred by Avirulent Strains
Authors: de Lamo Francisco J. , Spijkers Staf B. , Takken Frank L. W.
Published: July 2020

Although the vascular pathogen Fusarium oxysporum is notorious for being the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease, the vast majority of F. oxysporum strains are harmless soil and root colonizers. The latter F. oxysporum’s are often endophytes colonizing roots intracellularly without negatively affecting plant fitness. Actually, most of them, like Fo47, are beneficial providing biological control to various root pathogens. Interestingly, also pathogenic F. oxysporum inoculated on a resistant host (i.e., avirulent F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) can reduce susceptibility to virulent F. oxysporum strains via a mechanism called “cross protection.” It has been hypothesized that cross protection is based on activation of a resistance protein of the host upon recognition of a cognate avirulence (Avr) protein of the pathogen. Currently, it is unknown whether the biocontrol activity of F. oxysporum endophytes utilizes similar mechanisms as cross protection conferred by avirulent pathogens, and whether both provide a quantitative similar level of protection. Here, we show that in tomato biocontrol activity of the Fo47 endophyte to the pathogen F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is more effective than cross protection induced by avirulent F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici strains activating either I, I-2, or both resistance proteins upon recognition of Avr1 or the Avr2/Six5 pair, respectively. These findings imply that cross protection and biological control utilize different mechanisms to reduce susceptibility of the host to subsequent infections.
The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome on Corneal Endothelial Cell Preservation in an Oxidative Injury Model
Authors: Rabiee Behnam , Bheri Abdullah , Farooq Asim V. , Yazdanpanah Ghasem , Jabbehdari Sayena , Ghassemi Mahmood , Djalilian Ali R.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

To describe a reproducible oxidative injury model in ex vivo porcine corneas and to investigate the effects of corneal mesenchymal stem cell (Co-MSC) secretome and specific factors on the preservation of corneal endothelium after oxidative injury.

Methods:

Porcine corneas underwent vital staining with trypan blue and alizarin red with different concentration and time points. Ex vivo porcine corneas were exposed (endothelial side) to varied concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. After injury, 3 groups of 5 corneas underwent treatment with secretome from either a wild-type (WT) murine Co-MSC, a pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) knock out (K/O) murine Co-MSC, or basal media for 4 hours at 37°C. The viability of the endothelium was evaluated using the optimized vital staining protocol.

Results:

The optimal vital staining was achieved with 0.4% trypan blue for 60 seconds and 0.5% alizarin red for 90 seconds. The optimal oxidative injury (for consistency and level of damage) was obtained with 1% hydrogen peroxide for 15 seconds. Treatment with both WT Co-MSC and PEDF K/O Co-MSC secretome significantly reduced the endothelial damage compared with control (17.2% ± 10.0%, 33.5% ± 11.6%, and 68% ± 17%, respectively, P < 0.01). The WT Co-MSC secretome was significantly more effective compared with PEDF K/O Co-MSC secretome (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

A reproducible model of vital staining and oxidative injury is described for studying porcine corneal endothelial survival. Our results demonstrate a beneficial role of a corneal MSC secretome in reducing oxidative damage to the corneal endothelium. In addition, it suggests a potential role for PEDF in this process.
Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Lung Support as a Bridge to or Through Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in Patients with Severe Hypercapnia
Authors: Akil Ali , Ziegeler Stephan , Reichelt Jan , Lavae-Mokhtari Mahyar , Freermann Stefan , Semik Michael , Fichter Joachim , Rehers Stephanie , Dickgreber Nicolas Johannes , Richter Lars , Ernst Erik Christian , Fischer Stefan
Published: July 2020

Extracorporeal lung support (ECLS) represents an essential support tool especially for critically ill patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an important treatment option for end-stage lung emphysema in carefully selected patients. Here, we report the efficacy of veno-venous ECLS (VV ECLS) as a bridge to or through LVRS in patients with end-stage lung emphysema and severe hypercapnia. Between January 2016 and May 2017, 125 patients with end-stage lung emphysema undergoing LVRS were prospectively enrolled into this study. Patients with severe hypercapnia caused by chronic respiratory failure were bridged to or through LVRS with low-flow VV ECLS (65 patients, group 1). Patients with preoperative normocapnia served as a control group (60 patients, group 2). In group 1, VV ECLS was implemented preoperatively in five patients and in 60 patients intraoperatively. Extracorporeal lung support was continued postoperatively in all 65 patients. Mean length of postoperative VV ECLS support was 3 ± 1 day. The 90 day mortality rate was 7.8% in group 1 compared with 5% in group 2 (p = 0.5). Postoperatively, a significant improvement was observed in quality of life, exercise capacity, and dyspnea symptoms in both groups. VV ECLS in patients with severe hypercapnia undergoing LVRS is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option. In particular, it increases the intraoperative safety, supports de-escalation of ventilatory strategies, and reduces the rate of postoperative complications in a cohort of patients considered “high risk” for LVRS in the current literature.