bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terapi Story Telling dan Menonton Animasi Kartun terhadap Ansietas
Authors: Padila Padila , Agusramon Agusramon , Yera Yera
Published: June 2019

This study aims to determine the comparison of the effectiveness of story telling therapy

and watching animated cartoons on anxiety levels due to hospitalization in pre-school age children in Raflesia hospital in Bengkulu. This research used quasi experiment two group before after pre-test and post test group design. Sampling was conducted based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, samples taken as many as 10 people in each treatment group with measuring instruments used using the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) questionnaire. The results showed that the treatment by using story telling more significantly decreased anxiety in pre school children at Raflesia hospital in Bengkulu compared to watching cartoon animation, seen from the test result of t test 2 Independent samples got the average value of posttest result to 5 between story telling therapy and animated cartoon watching that is 2.00 and 8.00. So it is highly recommended for nurses who work in the inpatient ward to implement story telling therapy to overcome anxiety problems (Anxiety) in pre-school age children.

 Keywords: Anxiety, Cartoon Animation, Pre School, Story Telling
Perbedaan Tekanan Darah Sebelum dan Sesudah Pekerja Kopi Terpajan Kebisingan di Penggilingan Padi
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Rosari Rita , Yenida Yenida
Published: June 2019

This study aims to determine differences in blood pressure before and after workers exposed to noise in rice and coffee milling in Kepahiang Regency. This research was conducted in July 2017 with quantitative research type and research design which used pre experimental design with one group pretest posttest approach. The sampling technique used is total sampling with sample is 22 workers at point 1 had increased sistole blood pressure (39.29%) and 17 workers at point 2 did not increase Sistole blood pressure (30.36%). While for diastolic blood pressure, there were 14 workers at point 1 had an increase in diastolic blood pressure (25%) and 18 workers point 2 did not increase diastolic blood pressure (30%). Based on Wil Coxon Signed Ranks Test statistical results obtained p = 0.000 <α (0.05) for blood pressure of laborer systole point 1, p = 0.000 <α (0.05) for blood pressure sistole worker point 2, p = 0.000 <α (0.05 ) for diastolic blood pressure point 2, and p = 0.002 <α (0.05) for the worker's diastolic blood pressure at point 2. So there is a significant difference in blood pressure before and after workers exposed to noise in rice and coffee milling in Kepahiang Regency.  

Keywords: Blood Pressure, Noisy
Perbandingan Efektifitas Relaksasi Autogenic dan Music Therapy terhadap Tingkat Nyeri setelah Insersi Vaskuler Pasien yang Menjalani Hemodialisa
Authors: Haerani Beti , Sofiani Yani , Wardi Anwar
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of autogenic relaxation and music therapy to the level of pain in HD patients when insertion of vascular access. This study used Quasy experiment study with Post Control Only Control Group Design, which was conducted on 99 HD patients with total sampling. The results, using  independent t test analysis, showed that there were similar pain levels in each group. There was no difference in the effectiveness of pain levels between HD patients who were given autogenic relaxation with HD patients who were given music therapy when access insertion (p value = 0.896, alpha = 0.05). The average level of pain in the music therapy group is (5.00), autogenic relaxation with an average level of pain (5.27) and the average level of pain in the group combined between autogenic relaxation and music therapy namely (5.06) . Music therapy has a low level of pain compared to autogenic relaxation because during music therapy does not require a large mental effort for the patient to remain in focus.

Keywords: Hemodialysis, Pain Level, Autogenic Relaxation, Music therapy.
Numerical analysis of the
fuel spray packages penetration and gas inflow
from quasi-dimensional di
diesel engine numerical model
Authors: Mrzljak Vedran , Žarković Božica
Published: June 2019

The paper presents two components of developed quasi-dimensional numerical model: spray package penetration and gas inflow from the zone without combustion into the spray packages. Correction of spray package penetration along the fuel spray radial axis is presented and described numerically. Numerical model simulation is validated in several measured operating points of direct injection diesel engine, after which the simulation results are presented. According to numerical model settings, each fuel spray was divided into packages (control volumes). In the same time interval, the shortest penetration was obtained for spray packages located at the fuel spray edge. Before reaching the break-up time spray package penetration was linear and after reaching the break-up time, package penetration had a curved form. Later injected spray packages quickly reached and surpassed earlier injected spray packages because earlier injected spray packages hit “gas wall” in the engine cylinder and they were “braked” with surrounding gas in comparison to packages injected later. Gas inflow from the zone without combustion into the spray packages is the most intensive for spray packages positioned at the fuel spray edge. The simulation shows that the inflow mass from the zone without combustion increases for spray packages injected later.
Analiza mogućnosti unaprjeđenja sigurnosti prometa kod mladih vozača
Authors: Tomić Ivana , Barišić Ivica
Published: June 2019

Prometne nesreće svakodnevna su pojava i u njima stradava velik broj ljudi. Procjene su Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije da će do 2030. godine smrtno stradavanje u prometnim nesrećama postati peti uzrok smrtnosti. Danas su prometne nesreće prvi uzrok stradanja mladih u dobi od 10 do 25 godina. Neiskustvo, prekomjerno samopouzdanje, velika brzina, korištenje opojnih droga i alkohola samo su neki od uzroka koji utječu na prekomjeran broj prometnih nesreća mladih vozača. Sve češće se
postavlja pitanje koliko su uopće mladi vozači dobro educirani o sigurnosti u cestovnom prometu te koliko je njihovo znanje u trenutku dobivanja vozačkih dozvola. U radu je dana analiza stanja sigurnosti prometa s naglaskom na mlade vozače te pregled mjera primjenom kojih bi se dugoročno moglo poboljšati stanje sigurnosti mladih vozača na hrvatskim prometnicama.
IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PLANT ELAEOCARPUS TUBERCULATUS ROXB.
Authors: Mathad Vikas R. , V. Jayadevaiah K. , R. Vinay , S. Basavaraja H. , R. Bharathi D. , V. Rajashekhar K.
Published: June 2019

A majority of the population in the developing world is struggling to raise living standards and improve health-care delivery due to increasing poverty and population. According to an estimate, 70-80% of the developing world is dependent on conventional plant-obtained remedies, as pharmaceuticals are high priced, so the present study was aimed at evaluating the crude ethanolic extract of stem bark of plant Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. belonging to the family Elaeocarpaceae with in- vitro antioxidant activity by following various methods namely total reducing power and free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The crude ethanolic extract possesses significant concentration dependent inhibition of DPPH activity and concentration dependent increase in reducing power property against the standard ascorbic acid. Our findings provide evidence that the crude ethanolic extract of stem bark of Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. is a potential source of natural antioxidant.

Keywords: Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), Total reducing power, ascorbic acid.
Dynamics and persistence of rabies in the Arctic
Authors: Simon Audrey , Tardy Olivia , Hurford Amy , Lecomte Nicolas , Bélanger Denise , Leighton Patrick
Published: June 2019

Rabies is a major issue for human and animal health in the Arctic, yet little is known about its epidemiology. In particular, there is an ongoing debate regarding how Arctic rabies persists in its primary reservoir host, the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), which exists in the ecosystem at very low population densities. To shed light on the mechanisms of rabies persistence in the Arctic, we built a susceptible–exposed–infectious–recovered (SEIR) epidemiological model of rabies virus transmission in an Arctic fox population interacting with red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), a rabies host that is increasingly present in the Arctic. The model suggests that rabies cannot be maintained in resource-poor areas of the Arctic, characterized by low Arctic fox density, even in the presence of continuous reintroduction of the virus by infected Arctic foxes from neighbouring regions. However, in populations of relatively high Arctic fox density, rabies persists under conditions of higher transmission rate, prolonged infectious period and for a broad range of incubation periods. Introducing the strong cyclical dynamics of Arctic prey availability makes simulated rabies outbreaks less regular but more intense, with an onset that does not neatly track peaks in Arctic fox density. Finally, interaction between Arctic and red foxes increases the frequency and/or the intensity of rabies outbreaks in the Arctic fox population. Our work suggests that disruption of prey cycles and increasing interactions between Arctic and red foxes due to climate change and northern development may significantly change the epidemiology of rabies across the Arctic.
Key performance indicators for monitoring the integrated care pathway in breast cancer: the E.Pic.A. project
Authors: Altini Mattia , Balzi William , Maltoni Roberta , Falcini Fabio , Foca Flavia , Messori Ioli Giovanni , Ricotti Andrea , Bertetto Oscar , Mistrangelo Marinella , Amunni Gianni , Gemmi Fabrizio , Bachini Letizia , Silenzi Andrea , Pastorino Roberta , Barbara Andrea , Pierini Andrea , Massa Ilaria
Published: June 2019

Background: Due to its high incidence, evaluating performance of care delivered to breast cancer patients is a crucial issue. The multidisciplinary panel E.Pic.A. (Economic Appropriateness of an Integrated Care Pathway) defined a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate economic waste in breast cancer healthcare interventions. Methods: The E.Pic.A. panel identified the principal KPIs that are crucial within the breast cancer care pathway to evaluate the performance of care. KPIs were defined taking into account their reliability, validity, usability and feasibility of measurement through the linkage between multiple routine healthcare data sources. Results: Seven KPIs were identified: three on instrumental diagnostics, two on surgery and two on treatment. The three KPIs regarding instrumental diagnostics are aimed at assessing the inappropriateness of diagnostic tests performed before and after the index surgery. The two KPIs regarding surgery measure the inappropriateness of possible repeated interventions considering the time elapsed from the index surgery. The two KPIs regarding oncologic therapy measure the inappropriateness about the administration time of adjuvant therapy and radiotherapy considering the time elapsed from the index surgery. Conclusion: E.Pic.A methodology could help to evaluate economic waste in healthcare interventions with the objective of redirecting resources to interventions with greater value. (HTA & Market Access)
Composição e estrutura de uma assembleia de aves em uma mata calcária de Israelândia, estado de Goiás
Authors: Valadão Erika Cristina Soares , Carvalho Márcia Pamela de Paula , Franchin Alexandre Gabriel , Blamires Daniel
Published: June 2019

Este estudo analisou a composição e estrutura trófica da avifauna em um remanescente de mata calcária em Israelândia, no Cerrado goiano, com doze visitas mensais entre Agosto de 2016 a Julho de 2017, com o método das listas de Mackinnon. Noventa e seis espécies foram registradas. Aratinga auricapillus, espécie quase ameaçada de extinção (NT), foi documentada na área. A riqueza estimada de Jackknife1=119,92 e a curva de acumulação assintótica demonstram que os dados foram satisfatoriamente obtidos. Uma assimetria positiva e significativa (G1=1,81; Lilliefors p<0,01) foi observada para a distribuição da abundância relativa, um resultado esperado para esta variável. A maioria das espécies foi classificada como rara e pouco comum. A inspeção das categorias tróficas demonstrou um predomínio de indivíduos onívoros e insetívoros, devido provavelmente ao forte efeito da sazonalidade na vegetação. Predominaram espécies de sensitividade baixa e média a distúrbios ambientais, como esperado para aves de florestas secas: mais generalistas de habitat e tolerantes a distúrbios. Estudos futuros, com registros de espécies noturnas e a correlação entre a riqueza e abundância obtidas com variáveis ambientais certamente ampliarão o conhecimento avifaunístico tanto para Israelândia quanto todo o Cerrado.
Factors Influencing the Frequency of Consumers’ Purchases of Locally-Produced Rice in Indonesia: A Poisson Regression Analysis
Authors: Wahyudi Apri , Kuwornu John K. M. , Gunawan Endro , Datta Avishek , Nguyen Loc T.
Published: June 2019

This study assessed the factors influencing the frequency of purchases of locally-produced rice using data collected from a sample of 400 consumers in Jakarta Province in Indonesia. The empirical results of a Poisson regression model revealed that socio-economic characteristics of the consumers (i.e., gender, age, occupation, education, and income), characteristics of the product (i.e., label and color), and the product’s price and promotion significantly influenced consumers’ frequency of purchasing locally-produced rice. The implication is that increasing the quality of locally-produced rice, applying an appropriate marketing strategy such as offering a relatively lower-priced product compared to the price of imported rice, and product promotion are necessary for increasing the frequency of consumers’ purchases of locally-produced rice.
Quantification of Site Layout and Filter Characteristics on Primary Filter Airflow Reduction on Commercial Swine Sites in Iowa
Authors: Smith Benjamin , Hoff Steven , Harmon Jay , Andersen Daniel , Zimmerman Jeffrey , Stinn John
Published: June 2019

Fresh air intake filtration is used on commercial swine breeding-gestation-farrowing farms to reduce the frequency of airborne infectious agents. For swine producers, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae are considered the most economically challenging airborne pathogens. Reduced frequency of disease outbreaks has been attributed to retrofitting existing systems with filtration. Economic analysis of operating costs includes energy use, maintenance and replacement of filters. Filter replacement, the largest operational cost, is dependent on filter lifespan. However, limited data is available on filter lifespan and the rate of airflow reduction during the high dust-loading periods typically encountered for filtered swine building ventilation systems. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) estimate the average primary filter airflow reduction per day, (2) identify the impact of factors related to site layout, filter characteristics and weather on airflow reduction rates of filters in positive-pressure ventilated buildings and (3) determine methods for reducing average primary filter airflow reduction rate per day during row-crop harvest season. Both filter brand and the installed orientation of the filter significantly (p = 0.0314, p = 0.0419, respectively) impacted airflow reduction rates. All site layout factors were significant (driveway side, p = 0.001; dormer orientation, p = 0.0001; and dormer configuration, p = 0.0001). The materials tested significantly reduced the airflow reduction rate during row-crop harvest. The information obtained in this study will aid producers when planning for filtration, highlight details relevant to the purchase and installation of filters, identify factors that affect filter lifespan and identify methods for improving filter lifespan.
Data Augmentation for Speaker Identification under Stress Conditions to Combat Gender-Based Violence
Authors: Rituerto-González Esther , Mínguez-Sánchez Alba , Gallardo-Antolín Ascensión , Peláez-Moreno Carmen
Published: June 2019

A Speaker Identification system for a personalized wearable device to combat gender-based violence is presented in this paper. Speaker recognition systems exhibit a decrease in performance when the user is under emotional or stress conditions, thus the objective of this paper is to measure the effects of stress in speech to ultimately try to mitigate their consequences on a speaker identification task, by using data augmentation techniques specifically tailored for this purpose given the lack of data resources for this condition. An extensive experimentation has been carried out for assessing the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. First, we conclude that the best performance is always obtained when naturally stressed samples are included in the training set, and second, when these are not available, their substitution and augmentation with synthetically generated stress-like samples improves the performance of the system.
Dispersion of a Traffic Related Nanocluster Aerosol Near a Major Road
Authors: Kangasniemi Oskari , Kuuluvainen Heino , Heikkilä Joni , Pirjola Liisa , Niemi Jarkko V. , Timonen Hilkka , Saarikoski Sanna , Rönkkö Topi , Dal Maso Miikka
Published: June 2019

Traffic is a major source of ultrafine aerosol particles in urban environments. Recent studies show that a significant fraction of traffic-related particles are only few nanometers in diameter. Here, we study the dispersion of this nanocluster aerosol (NCA) in the size range 1.3–4 nm. We measured particle concentrations near a major highway in the Helsinki region of Finland, varying the distance from the highway. Additionally, modelling studies were performed to gain further information on how different transformation processes affect NCA dispersion. The roadside measurements showed that NCA concentrations fell more rapidly than the total particle concentrations, especially during the morning. However, a significant amount of NCA particles remained as the aerosol population evolved. Modelling studies showed that, while dilution is the main process acting on the total particle concentration, deposition also had a significant impact. Condensation and possibly enhanced deposition of NCA were the main plausible processes explaining why dispersion is faster for NCA than for total particle concentration, while the effect of coagulation on all size ranges was small. Based on our results, we conclude that NCA may play a significant role in urban environments, since, rather than being scavenged by larger particles, NCA particles remain in the particle population and grow by condensation.
Highly-Dispersed Ni-NiO Nanoparticles Anchored on an SiO2 Support for an Enhanced CO Methanation Performance
Authors: Li Jiangwei , Li Panpan , Li Jiangbing , Tian Zhiqun , Yu Feng
Published: June 2019

Highly-dispersed Ni-NiO nanoparticles was successfully anchored on an SiO2 support via a one-pot synthesis and used as heterogeneous catalysts for CO methanation. The as-obtained Ni-NiO/SiO2 catalyst possessed a high Ni content of 87.8 wt.% and exhibited a large specific surface area of 71 m2g−1 with a main pore diameter of 16.7 nm. Compared with an H2-reduced Ni-NiO/SiO2 (i.e., Ni/SiO2) catalyst, the Ni-NiO/SiO2 displayed a superior CO methanation performance. At the temperature of 350 °C, the Ni-NiO/SiO2 showed a CO conversion of 97.1% and CH4 selectivity of 81.9%, which are much better values than those of Ni/SiO2. After a 50-h stability test, the Ni-NiO/SiO2 catalyst still had an overwhelming stability retention of 97.2%, which was superior to the 72.8% value of the Ni/SiO2 catalyst.
Isomerization and Dehydroaromatization of R(+)-Limonene Over the Ti-MCM-41 Catalyst: Effect of Temperature, Reaction Time and Catalyst Content on Product Yield
Authors: Retajczyk Monika , Wróblewska Agnieszka
Published: June 2019

This work describes research on the isomerization of R(+)-limonene over the Ti-MCM-41 catalyst. The studies showed that the Ti-MCM-41 catalyst is an active catalyst in the isomerization of R(+)-limonene. As a result of the isomerization of this compound, it is possible to obtain α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene and p-cymene. Terpinolene is the main product of this process, and p-cymene is formed by the alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene and terpinolene dehydrogenation. The aforementioned products are of great practical importance. The most favorable reaction conditions leading to the obtaining of limonene isomerization products is the use of the catalyst in an amount of 15 wt% and the temperature of 160 °C. Depending on whether the desired products are the isomers of limonene (γ-terpinene, α-terpinene and terpinolene) or the product of their dehydroaromatization (β-cymene), it is possible to shorten or extend the reaction time. The method for the isomerization of limonene on the Ti-MCM-41 catalyst makes it possible to obtain a significant yield of both the limonene and p-cymene isomers. Longer reaction time is conducive to obtain larger quantities of other reaction products and less desirable products that constitute impurities (oxidized products and polymeric compounds).
Continuous Composition Spread and Electrochemical Studies of Low Cobalt Content Li(Ni,Mn,Co)O2 Cathode Materials
Authors: Jung JongSeok , Yim Haena , Parmar Narendra Singh , Lee Jae-Seung , Choi Ji-Won
Published: June 2019

Many scientific efforts have been undertaken toward reducing the Co content in LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials for thin-film batteries. In this study, we present cathodes with a wide range of Li(Ni, Mn, Co)O2 compositions to determine the material with the best electrochemical performance by changing the ratio of Ni to Mn at a fixed 0.1 at.% of Co by the continuous composition spread sputtering method. The cathode composition measurements by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy show that the best electrochemical performance is obtained for a composition of Ni:Mn:Co = 19:71:10. The reasons for this improved electrochemical performance are further investigated by X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy.
Distributed Management Systems for Infocommunication Networks: A Model Based on TM Forum Frameworx
Authors: Mochalov Valery , Bratchenko Natalia , Linets Gennady , Yakovlev Sergey
Published: June 2019

The existing management systems for networks and communication services do not fully meet the demands of users in next-generation infocommunication services that are dictated by the business processes of companies. Open digital architecture (ODA) is able to dramatically simplify and automate main business processes using the logic of distributed computing and management, which allows implementing services on a set of network nodes. The performance of a distributed operational management system depends on the quality of solving several tasks as follows: the distribution of program components among processor modules; the prioritization of business processes with parallel execution; the elimination of dead states and interlocks during execution; and the reduction of system cost to integrate separate components of business processes. The program components can be distributed among processor modules by an iterative algorithm that calculates the frequency of resource conflicts; this algorithm yields a rational distribution in a finite number of iterations. The interlocks of parallel business processes can be eliminated using the classic file sharing example with two processes and also the methodology of colored Petri nets. The system cost of integration processes in a distributed management system is reduced through partitioning the network into segments with several controllers that interact with each other and manage the network in a coordinated way. This paper develops a model of a distributed operational management system for next-generation infocommunication networks that assesses the efficiency of operational activities for a communication company.
Improvement of Image Binarization Methods Using Image Preprocessing with Local Entropy Filtering for Alphanumerical Character Recognition Purposes
Authors: Michalak Hubert , Okarma Krzysztof
Published: June 2019

Automatic text recognition from the natural images acquired in uncontrolled lighting conditions is a challenging task due to the presence of shadows hindering the shape analysis and classification of individual characters. Since the optical character recognition methods require prior image binarization, the application of classical global thresholding methods in such case makes it impossible to preserve the visibility of all characters. Nevertheless, the use of adaptive binarization does not always lead to satisfactory results for heavily unevenly illuminated document images. In this paper, the image preprocessing methodology with the use of local image entropy filtering is proposed, allowing for the improvement of various commonly used image thresholding methods, which can be useful also for text recognition purposes. The proposed approach was verified using a dataset of 140 differently illuminated document images subjected to further text recognition. Experimental results, expressed as Levenshtein distances and F-Measure values for obtained text strings, are promising and confirm the usefulness of the proposed approach.
CKMI: Comprehensive Key Management Infrastructure Design for Industrial Automation and Control Systems
Authors: T. C. Pramod , G. S. Thejas , Iyengar S. S. , Sunitha N. R.
Published: June 2019

Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) are broadly utilized in critical infrastructures for monitoring and controlling the industrial processes remotely. The real-time transmissions in such systems provoke security breaches. Many security breaches have been reported impacting society severely. Hence, it is essential to achieve secure communication between the devices for creating a secure environment. For this to be effective, the keys used for secure communication must be protected against unauthorized disclosure, misuse, alteration or loss, which can be taken care of by a Key Management Infrastructure. In this paper, by considering the generic industrial automation network, a comprehensive key management infrastructure (CKMI) is designed for IACS. To design such an infrastructure, the proposed scheme employs ECDH, matrix method, and polynomial crypto mechanisms. The proposed design handles all the standard key management operations, viz. key generation, device registration, key establishment, key storage, device addition, key revocation, key update, key recovery, key archival, and key de-registration and destruction. The design supports secure communication between the same and different levels of IACS devices. The proposed design can be applied for major industrial automation networks to handle the key management operations. The performance analysis and implementation results highlight the benefits of the proposed design.
Occupational Infection Risk with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Health Personnel—A Systematic Review
Authors: Peters Claudia , Dulon Madeleine , Nienhaus Albert , Schablon Anja
Published: June 2019

The increase in multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the last years has become a public health problem. MDROs are partially responsible for numerous nosocomial infections, extended hospital stays, high costs, and high mortality. In addition to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Gram-negative bacteria are also a key area of focus. The knowledge of MDROs among the medical staff in the occupational context is limited, with the exception of MRSA. Therefore, a systematic review was carried out to determine the occupational risk for employees posed by MDROs. The search included studies from the year 2000 onwards among personnel who had contact with MDROs. A total of 22 primarily cross-sectional studies in hospital or geriatric care settings were found, with large differences regarding number of participants, examination method, inclusion of a control group, and study quality. The most frequently examined pathogens were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria with a prevalence of 2.6–48.5%, VRE (0–9.6%), and MRSA (0.9–14.5%). There are only few qualitatively good studies available on MDROs’ risk infection for employees in the health service. Any comparison of the results was limited by data heterogeneity. More research is required to describe the occupational risk of infection with MDROs.
Sport Experience and Physical Activity: Event-Related Brain Potential and Task Performance Indices of Attention in Young Adults
Authors: Aly Mohamed , A. Ahmed Mohamed , Hasan Asmaa , Kojima Haruyuki , R. Abdelhakem Abdelhakem
Published: June 2019

A growing body of literature demonstrates that engaging in sport regularly and maintaining an active lifestyle have a positive impact on cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of sport experiences and physical activity on attention, and explore whether the type of sport can impact differently on the neuroelectric system using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). Thirty-three young adults (mean age = 19.72 ± 1.25) were divided according to their sport experience into swimmers, karateka, and irregular exercisers. Participants performed auditory oddball tasks, while measures of task performance and ERPs were collected. The results indicated that exercisers, regardless of their sport experience, exhibited a larger and shorter P3 compared to irregular exercisers. However, no significant difference was observed in the reaction time (RT) between groups. No statistically significant differences in the RT and P3 were present between swimmers and karateka. These findings suggest that sport experiences, regardless of the type, are associated with a larger amount of neural attentional resources and faster stimulus evaluation speed. The results replicate previous studies that have reported improved cognitive functions in more active individuals. They further extended the current knowledge by indicating that both swimming and karate influence attention and do not differentially alter the brain response.
An Investigation into Picosecond Laser Micro-Trepanning of Alumina Ceramics Employing a Semi-Water-Immersed Scheme
Authors: Ma Qiang , Zhu Hao , Zhang Zhaoyang , Xu Kun , Dai Xueren , Zhu Shuaijie , Wang Anbin
Published: June 2019

Intense interest has been given to the fabrication of micro-through-holes with smaller tapering and higher aspect ratios in engineering ceramics due to their wide range of applications in MEMS and aerospace. A semi-water-immersed laser micro-trepanning (SWILT) scheme is proposed and investigated in this paper with alumina ceramics as the target material, and its performance is assessed and compared with the direct laser trepanning method. Relevant processing parameters influencing the trepanning process are explored through an orthogonally designed experiment, and their effects on hole profiles are adequately discussed to yield optimized parameters. It is revealed that SWILT is capable of producing micro-through-holes with minimized hole tapering and much straighter sidewalls compared with the direct trepanning results, whereas the ablated surface quality is relatively rougher. The micro-through-hole formation mechanisms are also amply analyzed, where the transition hole development may be purely attributed to the laser-material interaction in the direct laser trepanning condition, while the SWILT case features an enhanced material-removal rate, especially at the lower part of the through-hole. The latter is due to the strengthened mechanical effects coming from the water-confined plasma zone and the following cavitation bubble collapse, which may efficiently expel the molten material from sidewalls and result in significantly reduced hole tapering.
Polymer-Functionalised Nanograins of Mg-Doped Amorphous Calcium Carbonate via a Flow-Chemistry Approach
Authors: Demmert Benedikt , Schinzel Frank , Schüßler Martina , Mondeshki Mihail , Kaschta Joachim , Schubert Dirk W. , Jacob Dorrit E. , Wolf Stephan E.
Published: June 2019

Calcareous biominerals typically feature a hybrid nanogranular structure consisting of calcium carbonate nanograins coated with organic matrices. This nanogranular organisation has a beneficial effect on the functionality of these bioceramics. In this feasibility study, we successfully employed a flow-chemistry approach to precipitate Mg-doped amorphous calcium carbonate particles functionalized by negatively charged polyelectrolytes—either polyacrylates (PAA) or polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). We demonstrate that the rate of Mg incorporation and, thus, the ratio of the Mg dopant to calcium in the precipitated amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), is flow rate dependent. In the case of the PAA-functionalized Mg-doped ACC, we further observed a weak flow rate dependence concerning the hydration state of the precipitate, which we attribute to incorporated PAA acting as a water sorbent; a behaviour which is not present in experiments with PSS and without a polymer. Thus, polymer-dependent phenomena can affect flow-chemistry approaches, that is, in syntheses of functionally graded materials by layer-deposition processes.
A Numerical Study of Slip System Evolution in Ultra-Thin Stainless Steel Foil
Authors: Ren Zhongkai , Fan Wanwan , Hou Jie , Wang Tao
Published: June 2019

In order to quantitatively describe the effect of the initial grain orientation on the inhomogeneous deformation of 304 austenitic stainless steel foil during tension, a three-dimensional uniaxial tension model was established, based on the crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) and Voronoi polyhedron theory. A three-dimensional representative volume element (RVE) was used to simulate the slip deformation of 304 stainless steel foil with five typical grain orientations under the same engineering strain. The simulation results show that the number and characteristics of active slip systems and the deformation degree of the grain are different due to the different initial grain orientations. The slip systems preferentially initiate at grain boundaries and cause slip system activity at the interior and free surface of the grain. The Brass, S, and Copper oriented 304 stainless steel foil exhibits a high strain hardening index, which is beneficial to strengthening. However, the Cube and Goss oriented 304 stainless steel foil has a low deformation resistance and is prone to plastic deformation.
One-Bath Pretreatment for Enhancing the Color Yield and Anti-Static Properties of Inkjet Printed Polyester Using Disperse Inks
Authors: Cao Hongmei , Ai Li , Yang Zhenming , Zhu Yawei
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a simple and economical method for preparing durable anti-static functionalized inkjet prints by using P[St-BA-F6]—novel antistatic agents synthesized by an oxidative polymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and allyl alcohol polyether F6. The P[St-BA-F6] was characterized by gel permeation chromatography and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. One bath pretreatment solution containing P[St-BA-F6] and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA) were applied to polyester fabrics before inkjet printing, in order to enhance the color yield and the anti-static properties. The pretreatment conditions, including the concentrations of P[St-BA-F6], curing temperature, and time, were optimized based on inkjet printed polyester fabrics. SEM (scanning electron microscope), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffractometer), TG (thermogravimetric), and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) examined the fabrics. The results showed that the treated PET fabrics exhibited good applied performances, such as higher color yield, better dry rubbing fastness, lower electrostatic voltage, and durable anti-static properties, even after washing 10 times. These results can be attributed to alcohol polythene group (F6) and allyl group (PETA). PETA can be cross-linked with P[St-BA-F6] and PET fiber. The thermal stability of the treated fabric was lower than that of the untreated fabric, owing to the presence of resin film on the fiber surface.
Fractional Calculus as a Simple Tool for Modeling and Analysis of Long Memory Process in Industry
Authors: Petráš Ivo , Terpák Ján
Published: June 2019

This paper deals with the application of the fractional calculus as a tool for mathematical modeling and analysis of real processes, so called fractional-order processes. It is well-known that most real industrial processes are fractional-order ones. The main purpose of the article is to demonstrate a simple and effective method for the treatment of the output of fractional processes in the form of time series. The proposed method is based on fractional-order differentiation/integration using the Grünwald–Letnikov definition of the fractional-order operators. With this simple approach, we observe important properties in the time series and make decisions in real process control. Finally, an illustrative example for a real data set from a steelmaking process is presented.
The Generalized Viscosity Implicit Midpoint Rule for Nonexpansive Mappings in Banach Space
Authors: Zhang Huancheng , Qu Yunhua , Su Yongfu
Published: June 2019

This paper constructs the generalized viscosity implicit midpoint rule for nonexpansive mappings in Banach space. It obtains strong convergence conclusions for the proposed algorithm and promotes the related results in this field. Moreover, this paper gives some applications. Finally, the paper gives six numerical examples to support the main results.
Influence of Surface Micro-Patterning and Hydrogel Coating on Colloidal Silica Fouling of Polyamide Thin-Film Composite Membranes
Authors: ElSherbiny Ibrahim , Khalil Ahmed , Ulbricht Mathias
Published: June 2019

In this work, colloidal fouling by silica particles of different sizes on micro-patterned pristine and poly-(N-isopropylacylamide)-coated polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes was studied. The competing impacts of surface micro-patterning vs. surface chemical modification on enhancing antifouling propensity in unstirred dead-end filtration conditions were systematically explored. Spatially selective deposition of silica microparticles (500 nm), driven by unequal flow distribution, was observed on micro-patterned membranes such that silica particles accumulated preferentially within the surface pattern’s valleys, while keeping apexes regions not fouled. This interesting phenomenon may explain the substantially enhanced antifouling propensity of micro-patterned PA TFC membranes. A detailed mechanism for spatially selective deposition of silica microparticles is proposed. Furthermore, micro-imprinted surface patterns were revealed to influence deposition behavior/packing of silica nanoparticles (50 nm) resulting in very limited flux decline that was, almost, recovered under influence of triggering stirring stimulus during a continued silica filtration experiment. The current findings provide more insights into the potency of surface micro-patterning consolidated with hydrogel coating toward new fouling-resistant PA TFC membranes.
Improving of Mechanical Properties of Titanium Alloy VT23 due to Impact-Oscillatory Loading and the Use of Carbon Nano-Solution
Authors: Chausov Mykola , Khyzhun Oleg , Brezinová Janette , Maruschak Pavlo , Pylypenko Andrii , Brezina Jozef , Buzová Katarína , Lopat’ko Kostiantyn
Published: June 2019

Improvement in the mechanical properties of sheet two-phase high-strength titanium alloy VT23 due to impact-oscillatory loading and the use of carbon nanosolutions at room temperature was tested experimentally. It was shown that in addition to obtaining a significant increase in the initial plastic deformation of the alloy, it is possible to strengthen the surface layers of the alloy by a factor of 8.4% at a time via the impulse introduction of energy into the alloy and the use of carbon nanosolutions. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), it was first found that strengthening of the surface layers of the titanium alloy at a given load, in line with using a carbon nanosolution, leads to the formation of a mixture of titanium oxide and titanium carbide or oxycarbide of type TiO2−xCx on the surface.
Flexible Metal/Polymer Composite Films Embedded with Silver Nanowires as a Stretchable and Conductive Strain Sensor for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Luan Jinjin , Wang Qing , Zheng Xu , Li Yao , Wang Ning
Published: June 2019

To avoid conductive failure due to the cracks of the metal thin film under external loads for the wearable strain sensor, a stretchable metal/polymer composite film embedded with silver nanowires (AgNWs) was examined as a potential candidate. The combination of Ag film and AgNWs enabled the fabrication of a conductive film that was applied as a high sensitivity strain sensor, with gauge factors of 7.1 under the applied strain of 0–10% and 21.1 under the applied strain of 10–30%. Furthermore, the strain sensor was demonstrated to be highly reversible and remained stable after 1000 bending cycles. These results indicated that the AgNWs could act as elastic conductive bridges across cracks in the metal film to maintain high conductivity under tensile and bending loads. As such, the strain sensor engineered herein was successfully applied in the real-time detection and monitoring of large motions of joints and subtle motions of the mouth.
Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Characterization of Tandem Triblock BPOSS-PDI-X Shape Amphiphiles
Authors: Shao Yu , Chen Jia , Ren Xiang-Kui , Zhang Xinlin , Yin Guang-Zhong , Li Xiaopeng , Wang Jing , Wesdemiotis Chrys , Zhang Wen-Bin , Yang Shuguang , Sun Bin , Zhu Meifang
Published: June 2019

In this article, we report the facile synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization of shape amphiphiles (BPOSS-PDI-X) based on isobutyl-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (BPOSS), perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI), and (60)fullerene (C60) moieties. Firstly, an asymmetrically functionalized diblock shape amphiphile precursor (BPOSS-PDI-OH) was obtained through the one-pot reaction between perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and two different amines, namely BPOSS-NH2 and 3-amino-1-propanol. It was further conjugated with C60-COOH to give a tri-block shape amphiphile (BPOSS-PDI-C60). Their chemical structures were thoroughly characterized by NMR, IR and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry. In order to gain insights on the structure-property relationship, their self-assembly in gas phase, in solution, and in solid state were characterized using traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS), UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence emission spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. It was found that BPOSS-PDI-OH formed more complicated dimers than BPOSS-PDI-C60. Both samples showed unique aggregation behaviors in solution with increasing concentration, which could be attributed neither to H- nor to J-type and might be related to the discrete dimers. While BPOSS-PDI-C60 could hardly crystalize into ordered structures, BPOSS-PDI-OH could form nanobelt-shaped single crystals, which may hold potential applications in microelectronics.
Error Tolerance of Machine Learning Algorithms across Contemporary Biological Targets
Authors: Kaiser Thomas M. , Burger Pieter B.
Published: June 2019

Machine learning continues to make strident advances in the prediction of desired properties concerning drug development. Problematically, the efficacy of machine learning in these arenas is reliant upon highly accurate and abundant data. These two limitations, high accuracy and abundance, are often taken together; however, insight into the dataset accuracy limitation of contemporary machine learning algorithms may yield insight into whether non-bench experimental sources of data may be used to generate useful machine learning models where there is a paucity of experimental data. We took highly accurate data across six kinase types, one GPCR, one polymerase, a human protease, and HIV protease, and intentionally introduced error at varying population proportions in the datasets for each target. With the generated error in the data, we explored how the retrospective accuracy of a Naïve Bayes Network, a Random Forest Model, and a Probabilistic Neural Network model decayed as a function of error. Additionally, we explored the ability of a training dataset with an error profile resembling that produced by the Free Energy Perturbation method (FEP+) to generate machine learning models with useful retrospective capabilities. The categorical error tolerance was quite high for a Naïve Bayes Network algorithm averaging 39% error in the training set required to lose predictivity on the test set. Additionally, a Random Forest tolerated a significant degree of categorical error introduced into the training set with an average error of 29% required to lose predictivity. However, we found the Probabilistic Neural Network algorithm did not tolerate as much categorical error requiring an average of 20% error to lose predictivity. Finally, we found that a Naïve Bayes Network and a Random Forest could both use datasets with an error profile resembling that of FEP+. This work demonstrates that computational methods of known error distribution like FEP+ may be useful in generating machine learning models not based on extensive and expensive in vitro-generated datasets.
Electrophilic Bromination in Flow: A Safe and Sustainable Alternative to the Use of Molecular Bromine in Batch
Authors: Van Kerrebroeck Reinout , Naert Pieter , Heugebaert Thomas S. A. , D’hooghe Matthias , Stevens Christian V.
Published: June 2019

Bromination reactions are crucial in today’s chemical industry since the versatility of the formed organobromides makes them suitable building blocks for numerous syntheses. However, the use of the toxic and highly reactive molecular bromine (Br2) makes these brominations very challenging and hazardous. We describe here a safe and straightforward protocol for bromination in continuous flow. The hazardous Br2 or KOBr is generated in situ by reacting an oxidant (NaOCl) with HBr or KBr, respectively, which is directly coupled to the bromination reaction and a quench of residual bromine. This protocol was demonstrated by polybrominating both alkenes and aromatic substrates in a wide variety of solvents, with yields ranging from 78% to 99%. The protocol can easily be adapted for the bromination of other substrates in an academic and industrial environment.
Network Analysis of the Potential Role of DNA Methylation in the Relationship between Plasma Carotenoids and Lipid Profile
Authors: Tremblay Bénédicte L. , Guénard Frédéric , Lamarche Benoît , Pérusse Louis , Vohl Marie-Claude
Published: June 2019

Variability in plasma carotenoids may be attributable to several factors including genetic variants and lipid profile. Until now, the impact of DNA methylation on this variability has not been widely studied. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) is a systems biology method used for finding gene clusters (modules) with highly correlated methylation levels and for relating them to phenotypic traits. The objective of the present study was to examine the role of DNA methylation in the relationship between plasma total carotenoid concentrations and lipid profile using WGCNA in 48 healthy subjects. Genome-wide DNA methylation levels of 20,687 out of 472,245 CpG sites in blood leukocytes were associated with total carotenoid concentrations. Using WGCNA, nine co-methylation modules were identified. A total of 2734 hub genes (17 unique top hub genes) were potentially related to lipid profile. This study provides evidence for the potential implications of gene co-methylation in the relationship between plasma carotenoids and lipid profile. Further studies and validation of the hub genes are needed.