bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi-dimensional, time-lapse, high content screening platform applied to schistosomiasis drug discovery
Authors: Chen Steven , Suzuki Brian M. , Dohrmann Jakob , Singh Rahul , Arkin Michelle R. , Caffrey Conor R.
Published: December 2020

Approximately 10% of the world’s population is at risk of schistosomiasis, a disease of poverty caused by the Schistosoma parasite. To facilitate drug discovery for this complex flatworm, we developed an automated high-content screen to quantify the multidimensional responses of Schistosoma mansoni post-infective larvae (somules) to chemical insult. We describe an integrated platform to process worms at scale, collect time-lapsed, bright-field images, segment highly variable and touching worms, and then store, visualize, and query dynamic phenotypes. To demonstrate the methodology, we treated somules with seven drugs that generated diverse responses and evaluated 45 static and kinetic response descriptors relative to concentration and time. For compound screening, we used the Mahalanobis distance to compare multidimensional phenotypic effects induced by 1323 approved drugs. Overall, we characterize both known anti-schistosomals and identify new bioactives. Apart from facilitating drug discovery, the multidimensional quantification provided by this platform will allow mapping of chemistry to phenotype.
Enhanced optical absorption in conformally grown MoS2 layers on SiO2/Si substrates with SiO2 nanopillars with a height of 50 nm
Authors: Choi Hyeji , Kim Eunah , Kwon Soyeong , Kim Jayeong , Nguyen Anh Duc , Lee Seong-Yeon , Ko Eunji , Baek Suyeun , Park Hyeong-Ho , Park Yun Chang , Yee Ki-Ju , Yoon Seokhyun , Kim Yong Soo , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: December 2020

50 nm-height SiO2 nanopillars enabled improved absorption in a few layers of MoS2 over the whole visible wavelength range.
Photoelectrochemical performance of facet-controlled TiO2 nanosheets grown hydrothermally on FTO
Authors: Shahvardanfard Fahimeh , Cha Gihoon , Denisov Nikita , Osuagwu Benedict , Schmuki Patrik
Published: December 2020

Single crystal anatase TiO2 nanosheets (TiO2-NSs) are grown hydrothermally on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO).
A reinforced ceramic-coated separator by overall-covered modification of electron-insulated polypyrrole for the safe performance of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Peng Longqing , Wang Xin , Dai Jianhui , Shen Xiu , Huang Boyang , Zhang Peng , Zhao Jinbao
Published: December 2020

A rational design for a reinforced ceramic-coated separator that has been further modified with polypyrrole is reported. The thermal-dimensional stability of the separator is greatly improved without increasing its thickness.
Assessment of liquid biofuel potential from energy crops within the sustainable water–land–energy–carbon nexus
Authors: Wang Di , Jiang Dong , Fu Jingying , Hao Mengmeng , Peng Ting
Published: December 2020

With the rapid development of biofuels, doubts about their sustainability have also been raised.
Surface treatment of ZnO films with carbon nanotubes for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Mohammed Mustafa K. A. , Shekargoftar Masoud
Published: December 2020

Carbon nanotubes were used to deactivate hydroxyl groups, which are the main reason for ion migration in ambient-air processed perovskite solar cells.
Insights into the phenomenon of ‘bubble-free’ electrocatalytic oxygen evolution from water
Authors: Tsekouras George , Terrett Richard , Yu Zheyin , Cheng Zhenxiang , Swiegers Gerhard F. , Tsuzuki Takuya , Stranger Robert , Pace Ronald J.
Published: December 2020

Understanding of the operating mechanism of a ‘breathable’ water-splitting electrode, which extracts evolved gas without forming bubbles, is advanced.
Impacts of metal oxide additives on the capacity and stability of calcium oxide based materials for the reactive sorption of CO2
Authors: Minardi Luke T. , Alshafei Faisal H. , Mishra Zubin K. , Simonetti Dante A.
Published: December 2020

Thermally stable metal oxide additives within CaO-based sorbents mitigate particulate agglomeration during carbonation–regeneration cycling leading to significant increases in stability.
Primordial nucleosynthesis with varying fundamental constants
Authors: Martins C. J. A. P.
Published: December 2020

The success of primordial nucleosynthesis as a cornerstone of the hot Big Bang model has been limited by the long-standing lithium problem. Recent work presented a self-consistent perturbative analysis of the effects of variations in nature’s fundamental constants on primordial nucleosynthesis for a broad class of grand unified theory models, showing that such models provide a possible solution to the lithium problem, provided the value of the fine-structure constant α at the nucleosynthesis epoch is larger than the current laboratory one by a few parts per million of relative variation. Here we extend the earlier analysis, focusing on how this preferred value of α is affected if relevant cosmological parameters are also allowed to vary–specifically focusing on the baryon-to-photon ratio, the number of neutrinos, and the neutron lifetime. We rephrase the lithium problem in terms of the values of these parameters that would be needed to solve it within this class of grand unified theories, thus obtaining values that would disagree with the results of other experiments by several standard deviations. Using these experimental results as priors in the analysis, we find that a larger value of α is still preferred, confirming our previous results. By excluding lithium from the analysis, we also obtain upper limits on possible variations of α at the primordial nucleosynthesis epoch. At the two-sigma level, these are |Δα/α|< 50 ppm without nuclear physics, cosmology, or atomic clocks priors, or alternatively |Δα/α|< 5 ppm if these priors are used. While the simplest solution to the lithium problem is likely to be found within observational astrophysics, our work shows that varying fundamental constants remain a viable alternative.
Regional monitoring of forests using the Vega-Les system: case study for Tungussko-Chunskoye forest management unit and Tunguska reserve in the Russian Krasnoyarsk region
Authors: Kashnitskii Alexandr , Balashov Ivan , Bartalev Sergey , Egorov Viacheslav , Kobets Dmitrii , Zharko Vasily , Loupian Evgeniy
Published: December 2020

This paper demonstrates the capabilities of the Vega-Les (“Les” is the Russian word meaning “forest”) information system (IS) for forest monitoring. A brief assessment and characteristics of the Earth observation data and main available thematic products about Russian forests available in the system are given. An assessment of the capabilities of the Vega-Les IS for studying local scale forest changes was carried out. The Tungussko-Chunskoye forest management unit (FMU) and the Tunguska nature reserve in the Russian Krasnoyarsk Krai region were chosen as the test area. The analysis of forest cover changes over this area since the beginning of the 21st century, including the changes in the number and extent of wildfires, is presented. As a result, it is concluded that the Vega-Les IS is applicable for remote assessment and monitoring of various characteristics of Russian forests.
Building a model for predicting the water level in a river using remote sensing data from open sources
Authors: Kolesnikov Alexey , Kikin Pavel , Nungesser Anastasia
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the possibility of predicting the water surface area of a river (and based on these values, the calculation of the water level) based on only open data of remote sensing. The area and depth of snow cover, the intensity of precipitation according to Landsat and Sentinel data and the monitoring indicators MODIS, Copernicus, REMSS are used as initial parameters. For the selected parameters, the degree of influence on the final forecast was assessed.
Information content of statistical texture features in the problem of recognition and mapping of natural and man-made objects from space images
Authors: Dmitriev Egor , Sokolov Anton , Zotov Sergey , Kondranin Timophey , Melnik Petr
Published: December 2020

Statistical texture features are frequently used for the thematic processing of very high spatial resolution satellite images. The assessment of information content of 1st and 2nd order statistics is carried out based on processing WorldView-2 images of test areas located on the territory of the Savvatyevskoe forestry and employing the corresponding ground-based data. The comparison of the accuracy and computational efficiency of traditional and ensemble classifiers in the problem of pattern recognition of various natural and man-made objects reveals the high performance of the error correcting output codes method. The estimates obtained in this study demonstrate the advantage of using ensemble classification and 2nd order statistical texture features.
The use of satellite data for monitoring rivers in the Amu Darya basin
Authors: Mukhamedjanov Ildar , Konstantinova Anna , Loupian Evgeniy
Published: December 2020

The paper explores the organization of satellite monitoring of water bodies in Central Asia on the example of the Amu Darya river in a specialized satellite monitoring system EcoSatMS (http://suvo.geosmis.ru). The potential and prospects of using the new technology of virtual gauging stations to control the state of water bodies, as well as restoring the values of daily runoff at a point remote from the ground station for some distance are highlighted. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the implementation of the virtual gauging stations technique in flow of automated calculations allows to take the research as a basis for further development of individual tools for analyzing satellite observation time series and the EcoSatMS in general.
Geoecological agricultural lands of the Altai region of the Republic of Khakassia
Authors: Pavlova Ekaterina V. , Volkova Anastasiia I. , Demina Ekaterina A.
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the issue of application geographic information systems for inventory agricultural land and assessment of their condition. A geoinformation project has been developed for conducting geoecological appraisals agricultural land of the Altai region of the Republic of Khakassia. The structure of agricultural land, the area determined fallow lands and an inventory of forest belts investigated territory has been studied based on analysis of the agricultural map of scale 1: 100,000, interpretation of Landsat 4-5, 7, 8 and Sentinel 1 and 2 images, and also ground based satellite research. To processes overgrowth tree and shrub vegetation the deposits subject were revealed. The research results showed that on the study area in the structure of agricultural lands 56860 hectares of land belong to the deposits located on different stages of recovery. The elm overgrowing processes covered about 28580 hectares of post-agrogenic lands.
Reflectometry of ice cover at different seasonal conditions by signals of navigation satellites in L1-range
Authors: Sorokin Anatoly , Kuzmin Evgeniy , Makarov Daniil
Published: December 2020

A series recordings of interference reflectograms from a section of a lake with ice cover in the stage of freezing, stationary winter state, as well as during heating and melting was carried out. The presented experimental data were obtained in L1-range navigation satellites. The interference effects during periods of ice freezing, stationary state of ice (winter) and during melting (spring) were revealed. A variant of volumetric violation of the ice structure as a result of the influence of heat fluxes through the air-ice and ice-water interfaces is considered.
Les parents d’adolescents suicidants
Authors: Benhamou Hervé
Published: December 2020

Le passage à l’acte suicidaire d’un jeune nécessite une évaluation des circonstances et de sa signification psychodynamique pour le sujet lui-même, mais aussi des personnalités des parents et du fonctionnement relationnel familial. De nombreux facteurs familiaux éventuellement cumulés, peuvent ainsi être retrouvés : conflit aigu ou chronique, dépression, suicide, maladie, décès d’un proche, transplantation, négligence, abandon, séparation, abus physique et/ou sexuel, secret de famille... Des inductions suicidogènes parentales peuvent aussi pousser un jeune au suicide, comme le montre le matériel psychothérapique de la mère d’un jeune suicidé. Ce cas clinique suggère que lorsqu’un jeune s’est suicidé, un soutien psychothérapique, voire une psychothérapie pour l’un, ou les deux, parents, peuvent s’avérer utile. Lorsqu’un jeune a tenté de se suicider, ses soins peuvent être associés à un travail thérapeutique parental, afin notamment de déjouer des identifications projectives persistantes et potentiellement génératrices d’éventuelles récidives suicidaires de l’adolescent.
Dépression, psychotraumatisme et addiction après attentat chez un adolescent
Authors: Grohens Marc
Published: December 2020

Les attentats du 13 novembre 2015 en France sont une série de fusillades et d’attaques suicides terroristes islamiques (revendiqués par Daech) commis dans Paris et sa périphérie. Le plus meurtrier a eu lieu dans une salle de spectacle Le Bataclan. Un concert de musique réunissant près de 1 500 personnes dont des adolescents s’y déroulait. Au décours d’un cas clinique d’un jeune homme souffrant d’un PTSD nous revisiterons le dispositif de soins d’urgence médico-psychologique mis en place. L’évolution de la symptomatologie post-traumatique au fil du temps montrera l’intérêt de la prise en charge clinique en immédiat et au long cours. Les éléments psycho-pathologiques montreront la nécessité de poursuivre le déploiement d’un dispositif structuré et adapté aux particularités de soins des troubles post-traumatiques et de leur parfois lente évolution. Les différents traitements employés doivent rester en congruence avec les besoins et les demandes de tels patients dont la clinique évolue au fil du temps entre troubles dépressifs et addictifs. La qualité de la relation thérapeutique est un facteur clé du rétablissement.
Service Unifié de l’Enfance
Authors: Monduit de Caussade Camille
Published: December 2020

Cet article sur l’histoire des intersecteurs de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile en France se propose d’investiguer un projet ambitieux qui néanmoins n’a pas émergé dans toute sa dimension : le Service Unifié de l’Enfance. Ce dispositif à l’initiative du pédopsychiatre Michel Soulé dans le 14earrondissement de Paris est devenu un projet politique porté par Simone Veil lorsqu’elle est devenue ministre de la Santé. Comment et dans quel contexte ce projet a été construit, quels ont été ses acteurs, son évolution et ses limites. Et surtout pourquoi le Service Unifié de l’Enfance semble avoir été oublié ?

Au moment où l’organisation des soins psychiatriques, sous couvert d’unité et de regrou- pement, semble plus morcelée que jamais, l’histoire du découpage des institutions pour enfants est plus que jamais d’actualité.

Ce travail est issu d’une réflexion qui a pour point de départ un travail de recherche mené actuellement dans le cadre de l’École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) portant sur la création et l’histoire des intersecteurs en France depuis les années 1960 à aujourd’hui, sous la direction de Nicolas Henckes.
Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in Pregnancy: A Case Control Study
Authors: Caruso Fernanda Borsatto , Schreiner Lucas , Todescatto Alexandra Damasio , Crivelatti Isabel , Oliveira Julia Monteiro de
Published: December 2020

Objective Urinay incontinence (UI) is a major public health problem that can harm women in any period of life, including during the gestational period. Urinary incontinence during pregnancy has been studied because this condition can reduce the quality of life and interfere in several aspects of the maternal-fetal binomial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of UI in nullipara pregnant women and to identify risk factors associated with UI in this population.

Methods This is a case-control study in which we invited nullipara women between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy to participate in the research. They were asked to answer a specific questionnaire, write a 3-day bladder diary, and undergo a urogynecological evaluation including pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q), empty stress supine test (ESST), and pelvic floor muscle assessment.

Results A total of 70 out of 73 patients accepted to participate in the study, and the prevalence of UI in this population was 18.3%. Tobacco use was identified as an independent risk factor for UI in pregnant women (odds ratio 8.0). All other factors analyzed were not significantly associated to UI in pregnancy.

Conclusion Urinary incontinence can be a major problem in pregnancy. We identified the use of tobacco as a risk factor for developing UI in pregnancy, which provides an extra reason to encourage patients to quit smoking.
Urea applied as a foliar spray or in granular form to subtropical dairy pastures of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in eastern Australia
Authors: Fulkerson William J. , Jennings Nathan
Published: December 2020

The nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of a fertiliser has implications for pasture growth and the environment. This study aimed to compare application of urea as a foliar spray or in granular form, to kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone) and short-rotation ryegrass (Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures in the subtropical dairy region of eastern Australia. The first experiment was a replicated grazing study on a site with a high plant-available soil N (75 mg nitrate-N/kg). The granular rate of urea was 46 kg N/ha.month equivalent, and the foliar spray rate was 40% of the granular rate. Pasture growth rate (51 DM/ha.day with foliar spray vs 45 kg DM/ha.day with granules) and pasture consumed (4942 vs 4382 kg DM/ha) were not significantly different between treatments. However, over the 8 months of the study, soil nitrate-N levels fell from 75 to 22 mg/kg on the foliar plots but only fell to 60 mg/kg on the granular plots. The second experiment was a replicated plot-cut experiment on a site with a low plant-available soil N (8.7 mg nitrate-N/kg). The NUE for kikuyu grass was similar for all treatments with a mean of 14.8 kg DM/kg N for the four foliar treatments (high and low, with and without wetting agent) and 17.4 kg DM/kg N for the granular treatment. The NUE for the ryegrass was also similar for all treatments, with a mean of 13.2 kg DM/kg N for the foliar treatments and 15.8 kg DM/ha for the granular treatment. A third experiment, evaluating absorption of foliar-sprayed urea over time, found that >80% of the urea applied to kikuyu was absorbed by 7 h; for ryegrass, the amount absorbed was only ~45% but increased to ~75% if wetting agent was included. We suggest that the lack of benefit in NUE achieved by applying urea as a foliar spray, which contrasts with results from studies in temperate dairy farm systems, is primarily associated with the substantially lower tiller density and hence the smaller canopy area for absorption of the foliar spray by the new regrowth shoots post-grazing.
Martynia annua (tiger's claw).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: December 2020

Martynia annua is grown as an ornamental and medicinal herb. Originally native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, its effective seed dispersal mechanism has helped it spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world as a weed of pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides, moist thickets, riverbanks and floodplains. Currently, it is listed as invasive in Australia, New Caledonia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Cuba.
Dalea scandens (low prairie clover).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: December 2020

D. scandens is a perennial herb that grows as a weed and pioneer species in disturbed sites, grasslands, hillsides, and along roadsides (Groom, 2012). The native distribution range of this species is restricted to North America (i.e., Texas and Mexico) and Central America and it has been listed as introduced and invasive only in Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; USDA-ARS, 2015).
Faster than ‘g’—the question
Authors: Featonby David , Wijetunge Niloufar
Published: December 2020

A horizontal rule is fix pivoted at one end so that it can rotate downwards. Coins placed on the rod will fall, but will they all leave the rod at the same time? In a second experiment can you beat gravity and catch two coins balanced on a glass.
Automatic control and detection systems for low-level radioactive waste drums
Authors: Guili P. , Xianguo T. , Huailiang L. , Rui S. , Shoubin W.
Published: December 2020

Vast quantities of low-level solid nuclear wastes are produced in the operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. These radioactive nuclear wastes are usually contained in special drums. Consequently, these nuclear waste drums must be tested, classified and their levels measured before they are placed in a final repository. There are certain dangers during the detection process; there is an urgent need for a safe, efficient, and autonomous system to inspect these nuclear waste drums. This study describes the methods involved in scanning and measuring the vertical section of radioactive waste drums and describes using the programmable logic controller (PLC-SIEMENS S7-1200) in order to construct an automated system as well as a detection system. According to the waste drum test flow, we designed a control program that utilizes the STEP7 Software as well as a monitoring program using SIEMENS WinCC that is flexible within the computer's central monitoring system. In the future, this system may be applied beyond the scale of a laboratory; nuclear enterprises may be able to adopt this process for sampling checks on contaminated waste. This study ensures the detection efficiency of waste drums as well as the safety of their operators. Furthermore, the proposed system effectively promotes the disposal and management of radioactive waste, which has potential applications in engineering.
Method for correcting overlapping band phase difference of parallel ADC structure with mixer
Authors: Zhou Y. , Ye P. , Yang K. , Zhao Y.
Published: December 2020

Various parallel ADC structures with mixers (such as DBI-ADC, ATI-ADC) are attractive structures for broadband high-speed data acquisition systems. However, these structures have inherent disadvantages: the phase difference between subbands in the vicinity of overlapping bands of adjacent subbands causes the system frequency response to deteriorate significantly. The original correction method relies on high-performance circuits and components or correction algorithms that consume a lot of digital resources. This paper proposes a new method of phase difference correction for overlapping frequency bands and proves its effectiveness through experimental results. This method uses the structural characteristics of the acquisition system itself, without additional resources, and ensures that the phase difference does not affect the system SNR.
Human-caused fires release more carbon than lightning-caused fires in the conterminous United States
Authors: Liu Meng , Yang Linqing
Published: December 2020

Anthropogenic carbon emissions from fires impact the global carbon budget and contribute to global warming. However, due to the lack of inventory data, little was known about how carbon emissions differed between human-caused and lightning-caused fires previously. In this study, the Fire Program Analysis fire-occurrence database (FPA FOD) and the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) were combined to analyze the influences of human-caused fires on carbon emissions. We found that the GFED burned area was larger than that of the FPA FOD since the FPA FOD did not cover human-caused fire usages like prescribed fires. Carbon emissions over the conterminous United States were increasing significantly from 1997 to 2015. Human-caused fires released 9.99 Tg C yr−1 over the conterminous United States, which were approximately twice those of carbon emissions from lightning-caused fires, 5.44 Tg C yr−1. Carbon emissions of lightning-caused fires were increasing while those of human-caused fires were decreasing significantly with rising temperatures. Emissions in ecoregions such as the Eastern Temperate Forests, the Great Plains, the Marine West Coast Forests, and the Northern Forests were dominated by human-caused fire emissions, whose proportions were over 86%. These results highlight the importance of human activities on carbon emissions, offering new insights into the role of humans in climate change mitigation.
Applying the E. coli’s twin-arginine translocation pathway to isolation of biomarker-specific nanobodies from a synthetic camelized human nanobody library
Authors: Kamthong A , Poo-Arporn R P , Waraho-Zhmayev D
Published: December 2020

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been used extensively both for treatment and diagnostics. Phage display has been successfully used for isolation of many mAbs currently sold in the market. However, the main drawback is that it could result in a large number of false positives. In this study, we explored the feasibility of combination of two powerful antibody isolation techniques, phage display and Functional Ligand-binding Identification by Tat-based Recognition of Associating Proteins (FLI-TRAP), to identify nanobodies (Nbs) that are specific to HBsAg, an antigen commonly used for hepatitis B infection diagnostics. A synthetic camelized human nanobody library was subjected to 2 rounds of biopanning against HBsAg adr subtype, commonly found in southeast Asia. As expected, sequencing analysis of all 12 randomly selected clones from biopanning showed truncated Nbs, representing false positive. Full-length Nb genes were amplified from the phage eluted during the 2nd round of biopanning was subcloned into FLI-TRAP system for isolation. For evaluation, 16 clones were also randomly picked and submitted for sequencing analysis. Interestingly, 15 out of 16 clones had the same sequence and were full-length Nb, so C1 was used to represent these clones. C10, however, was truncated at framework 3. ELISA result of crude extract showed that C1 showed binding activity ≈ 4.5 fold higher than reference Nb and ≈ 1.46 fold lower than commercial purified monoclonal antibodies while its WB result showed that C1 had a higher protein yield than the reference Nb. C10 did not show ELISA signal nor was detected in WB, thus truncation was confirmed since the detection was performed using anti-FLAG antibody specific to FLAG epitope tag fused to the C-terminus of Nb. Nonetheless, our study demonstrated the feasibility to use FLI-TRAP after initial phage display screening to easily identify full-length Nbs. This combined platform would be powerful tool for easy isolation of Nb against new target as well as for affinity maturation.
Analysis of antioxidant property of the extract of saponin by experiment design methodology
Authors: Chen I C , Chen M T , Chung T W
Published: December 2020

The antioxidant properties of the extract of saponin from Sapindus mukorossi (soapberry) were analyzed and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Based on this study, by using different methods to evaluate its antioxidant properties for further analysis. The methods are 1,1-di-phenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating ability. The best DPPH free radical scavenging ability was obtained at 91.56 % (X1 = 1 hour, X2 = 1:15 (w/v), X3 = 0.55 %), in which, the influences of solid to liquid ratio (X2) and enzyme concentration (X3) was found to be significant on the response of percentage of free radical scavenging effect (Y1). The best reducing power was obtained in Absorbance (Abs) 0.473 (X1 = 3 hour, X2 = 1:10 (w/v), X3 = 0.1 %), in which, the influences of solid to liquid ratio (X2) was found to be significant on the response of amount of reducing power (Y2). The best ferrous ion chelating ability was obtained at 49.63 % (X1 = 1 hour, X2 = 1:10 (w/v), X3 = 1 %), in which, the influence of time (X1) and solid to liquid ratio (X2) was significant on the response of percentage of ferrous ion chelating ability (Y3). The extract of saponin from Sapindus mukorossi shows excellent in antioxidant capacity based on the reducing power and scavenging free radicals activity, but it is relatively weak in ferrous ion chelating.
Prospecting postharvest processing of agricultural and social forest products at Gerlang Village, Central Java
Authors: Ethica S N , Iriyanto S , Sukowiyono S , Khuriyati S F , Sulisyaningtyas A R , Hidayati N , Hersoelistyorini W
Published: December 2020

Farmers’ poverty and forest destruction are common problems in social forest areas of Central Java, Indonesia, including Gerlang Village, a rural area in Batang Regency. Major of the population of this village is members of Social Forest Farmer Group. This study aimed to study the prospect of postharvest processing of agricultural and social forest products to improve both economic level of forest farmers and preservation quality of forests at the Village. Information collection was conducted through a field survey, direct interview and literature study followed by a strength, weakness, opportunity, and thread analysis. The study had been carried out during August 2019 with sample size of 10 social forest farmers. The obtained data was then qualitatively analyzed. The study revealed that major problems of social forest farmers at the village are: Dependence of farmers’ income on the selling of raw potato, falling of potato price due to overproduction, unavailability of postharvest processing of potatoes, lack of encouragement towards cultivation of Carica and Tamarillo trees as part of forest preservation, high competition in processing products of Carica and Tamarillo at present, lack of farmers’ skills in financial management and marketing of agricultural products. To cope with the problems, it is necessary to process raw potatoes into flour, chips and sticks and to support diversification of Carica and Tamarillo processed products. Farmers’ financial management skills including e-commerce strategies should also be increased.
An improvement of rose flowers drying process recovering volatile compounds by heat pump systems
Authors: Geng W G , Li Z C , Yuan D L , Sun R F
Published: December 2020

Low-temperature drying is becoming recognized as an optimal type of hot drying technology for agricultural and sideline products. This study presents an experimental study on drying roses with a heat pump dehumidifier. The rose drying process took 40 hours across three drying stages, where the hot air temperatures were 45°C, 50°C and 55°C respectively. The dried roses were brightly colored and good quality, also, rose water was obtained during the drying process when the waste heat was recovered. The major components of the rose water were rose ether, nerol, citronellol, acetic acid, phenylethyl alcohol, methyleugenol, and so on, which are typical compounds of rose essential oil. The results show that a heat pump is one of best choices for drying rose flowers, and that rose water can also be effectively recovered during the drying process.
Effect of Aloe vera gel combined with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil as a natural coating on maintaining post-harvest quality of peach (Prunus persica L.) during storage
Authors: Mohammadi L , Hassanzadeh Khankahdani H , Tanaka F , Tanaka F
Published: December 2020

In this study, the effect of Aloe vera coating alone and combined with basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil at 500 and 1000 µL L-1 concentrations on postharvest quality of peach (Prunus persica L.) was investigated. Parameters including weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), color L*, a*, b* and hue angle were measured during the storage. The results indicated that application of the Aloe vera alone or in combination with basil oil largely maintain the quality of the postharvest peach comparing to the untreated samples. In particular such application ameliorated the weight loss and reduction of firmness during storage. The maximum firmness was found in fruit treated with Aloe vera mixed basil oil at 1000 µL L-1. Furthermore, coated fruit with Aloe vera mixed with basil oil at 1000 µL L-1 illustrated the lowest TSS. However, influence of treatments on L*, a*, b* and hue angle were not appreciable. These results verified the capability of composition of Aloe vera with basil oil on maintenance of the qualitative characteristics of peach fruit.
Fine-bubble technology application for pesticide-removal effect in ‘Gros Michel’ banana (Musa acuminata ‘Gros Michel’)
Authors: Vuthijumnonk J T
Published: December 2020

‘Gros Michel’ bananas are among highly exported agricultural product in Thailand. Their cultivation involves several pesticide applications to meet consumer satisfaction. In several countries, pesticide residues found in the bananas may result in rejection and further banned the imported products which may affect export income of Thailand. Therefore, it is important to reduce the level of the pesticide residue to meet Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fine-bubble technology on commonly used pesticides, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin, in banana fruits. The contact times, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes, and types of gas, air and ozone, used for microbubble generation were also studied. Pesticide removal effect of fine-bubble technology which was first screened using GPO-TM kits, a test kit for pesticide detection. The findings revealed that both organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides were not detected after 30 minutes contact time when treated with fine-bubbles regardless of the gas type. Air microbubble treatment was chosen for further quantitative analysis using gas chromatography (GC). In comparison to the unwashed products (Control), air microbubble application lessened chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin by 80% and 72%, respectively. Even though fine-bubble technology successfully reduced pesticide residue in banana fruits, modes of action require further investigation.
Seed loss of bean and maize varieties as a function of temperature and irrigation levels
Authors: Andrade J A , Mateus M , Cadima J F , Abreu F G
Published: December 2020

Minimizing seed loss is one of the main goals for a successful crop establishment. The main purpose of this research was to model seed loss of tropically relevant crops, measured both at germination and at emergence, as a function of temperature and irrigation level. Four bean varieties (catarina, ervilha, manteiga and sondeyombua) and two maize varieties (matuba and sam3) were studied. Experiments were performed in a controlled environment using a thermogradient plate. Temperatures were monitored with Cu-CuNi thermocouples. Seed loss under optimal hydric conditions was simulated at different temperatures, depending on the variety. Eight irrigation levels (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 18 mm) were used to simulate the effects of irrigation on losses under optimal thermal conditions. Temperature ranges suitable to the thermal response of each crop were used. A sandy loam-clay textured soil was used in both germination and emergence experiments whereas filter papers in Petri dishes were used for germination experiments only.

Seed loss was minimal along wide thermal or irrigation ranges and increased toward the lowest and highest temperatures and, in most cases, also towards the extreme irrigation levels. The use of even-degree polynomial models successfully identified thermal [T1, T2] and irrigation [I1, I2] ranges over which losses did not exceed the maximum acceptable losses (m.a.l.). The endpoints and length of those ranges were found to be crop-dependent. Differences between estimated polynomial model parameters, for both germination and emergence (Lmin, Tmin or Imin, and ct or ci), highlighted the role of soil in rising the seedling towards the surface. Germination size as a function of temperature also depended on the substrate used.

Both the range lengths and endpoints can be of interest for decision-making regarding crops or varieties to be used or in identifying sowing times for a given crop or variety. Farm weather forecast and warning systems of different nature and agro-climatic zoning may also benefit with the knowledge of these parameters.
An integrated electrical resistivity and geochemical approach to delineate groundwater contamination due to seawater intrusion in the southern part of Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Authors: Priya K , Jhariya D C
Published: December 2020

In this paper, integration of electrical resistivity survey and chemical analyses of groundwater has been executed in Mangalore’s southern part, Karnataka to delineate seawater intrusion phenomena. About 11 locations representing different hydrogeological and geomorphological setups were selected for the vertical electrical sounding (VES) to identify the subsurface formations and the extent of seawater intrusion. With the VES, the contaminated groundwater zones and the depth to fresh and saline water interface have been demarcated. Overall, 59 groundwater samples were subjected to various geochemical analysis viz; pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total hardness, alkalinity, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl−), sodium (Na2+), potassium (K+)and sulfate (SO4
2-) to understand the nature of salinity in the aquifer. The geochemical analyses show that good groundwater conditions characterize the study area except for the southern part. The southern part is under the moderate to high salinity hazard risk, possibly due to its proximity to the sea and hydraulic connection with the seawater through the tidal creek. Two among the VES locations situated in this region show a saline water trend towards the bottom, and in the rest of the VES locations, a freshwater trend is encountered towards the depth.
Geochemical appraisal of fluoride incidences in groundwater from granitic aquifers, parts of Jhansi and Tikamgarh districts (Bundelkhand region), central India: Lineament controls and human health
Authors: Ranjan N
Published: December 2020

A geochemical investigation based on the analyses of a total of 41 groundwater samples collected during the pre- and post-monsoon periods from tube/bore-wells points to human health issues due to fluoride levels above and below the tolerance limits specified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The study shows that the fluoride (F−) concentration in groundwater in the Bundelkhand granitoid varies from 0.13 to 2.55 mg/l and 0.17 to 2.2 mg/l in pre-monsoon, post-monsoon periods, respectively. The high F−values (>1.5 mg/l) were found in 13 samples (pre-monsoon), and 06 samples (post-monsoon) periods collected from shallow aquifers (120-200 ft) are causing dental fluorosis in the area. The hydro-geochemical processes like ion-exchange reactions, depletion of Ca2+under alkaline medium (high pH) have been found as a favourable environment for the liberation of F−into groundwater. The weathering of rocks containing fluoride-minerals and evapotranspiration processes govern fluoride enrichment in groundwater. The principal F−hosting minerals like apatite, biotite, muscovite, chlorite, sericite, hornblende and kaolinite were the key geogenic sources of F−in the area. The presence of weak/shear zones delineated as lineaments facilitated F- to the groundwater release due to prolonged rock-water interaction. Dental deformities are more ubiquitous in minor and old aged inhabitants than adults.
Chemical Composition of the Mesozoic Alkaline Rocks of the Medvedev Massif (South Yakutia, Aldan-Stanovoy Shield, Leglier Ore Cluster)
Authors: Ivanov Aleksey , Ivanov Michil , Zhuravlev Anatolii
Published: December 2020

The study shows chemical composition of the Mesozoic igneous rocks of the Medvedev massif. The massif is a part of the Central Aldan ore region. It is spatially located in the central part of the Nimnyr Block and is a part of the Leglier ore cluster. The massif is a multiphase structure of the most productive stage of the territory development – the Mesozoic tectonic-magmatic activation of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield. According to the materials of previous researchers, the rocks of the massif are represented by the augite hornblende and hornblende syenite porphyry. As a result of field work, we found that the massif has a zonal structure and is represented by three phases of intrusion. The rocks of the selected phases differ in their structural and compositional characteristics. The main objective of the work was to establish compositional characteristics by studying the chemical compositions of potential gold mineralization rocks of the Medvedev massif. In the course of studies and interpretation of chemical analysis of the massif Mesozoic magmatic rocks, we have identified the following characteristics. According to various classification data the following groups of rocks in Medvedev massif are identified – quartz syenites (Phase I), quartz monzodiorites of shoshonite series (Phase II) and monzonites of high-potassium calc-alkaline series (Phase III). The total alkali content (Na2O+K2O)>5% in them corresponds to alkaline rocks. All rocks are characterized by high Al2O3%>14 and low TiO2<1%. The potassium type of alkalinity Na2O/K2O<1 is typical for quartz syenites of the massif, while for quartz monzodiorites this indicator is intermediate, and in monzonites of the massif this parameter Na2O/K2O>1 corresponds to rocks of the alkaline potassium-sodium series. The massif rocks characteristic feature is the decrease of rocks alumina (al’) values from quartz syenites to quartz monzodiorites followed by the increase to monzonites, while the value of the rocks AG coefficient is significantly reduced in the series. Based on these facts, it was suggested that there are two sources of the mantle and mantle-crustal nature. Also, based on the study of the material composition of the Medvedev massif magmatic rocks and the similarity of the geological development with the Mesozoic magmatism of the Samolazovsky and Ryabinovy deposits, it was concluded that gold manifestations can be associated with such multiphase massifs within the Leglier ore cluster.
Natural Amalgam of Gold in Placers of the Ebelyakh Area -Indicator of Tectono-Fluid Activation (North-Eastern Siberian Platform)
Authors: Gerasimov Boris
Published: December 2020

The results of studying the typomorphic features of placer gold in the unique diamond-bearing placers of the Ebelakh river basin (Anabar diamond-bearing region) are given. Detailed study of the morphology, micro-relief of the surface and internal structure of the gold and photographing was performed using a scanning electron microscope JEOLJSM-6480LV. The gold fineness was determined using the Camebax-Micro microanalyzer and the JEOL OXFORD INCA-sight energy spectrometer. The internal structure of native gold was studied by etching gold in mounted thin sections using a proven method, using a reagent: HCl + HNO3 + FeCl3 × 6H2O + CrO3 + thiourea + water. It is determined that, modern placer occurrences were formed mainly due to the redeposition of fine high-grade gold from ancient gold-bearing intermediate sources. At the same time, in the placer of the Kamenisty creek a natural amalgam of gold is discovered, which is an aggregate consisting of several cemented rounded gold particles of small size (-0.25 mm) of various morphology. The cement is superimposed medium-grade gold with Hg content of up to 13.3%. Its internal structure is porous, and zoning is noted due to the uneven distribution of Hg. The surface of mercury gold is characterized by a brain-like microsculpture. Along with this, in some placers of the studied area, it was possible to find small (>0.2 mm) gold particles with a specific surface with the thinnest (first microns) fringe of mercury (ртутистого) gold. Obviously, these are single grains of the disintegrated aggregates of auro amalgam. We also found gold particles in an aluminosilicate film of variable Al, Si, K, Fe composition, and the smallest (1-2 microns) mineral phases of gold, sphalerite, galena, zincite and zinc-containing iron are identified on this film. It is assumed that natural amalgamation of placer gold occurred as a result of migration of mercury-containing gold-bearing hydrothermas on fault zones during tectonomagmatic activation. Based on the above-mentioned, it is assumed that there are adjacent sources of supply - low-temperature hydrothermal ore occurrences confined to the faults and formed as a result of tectonomagmatic activation processes. This proposition is confirmed by the identification of hydrothermal-metasomatic formations of K-spar-quartz-pyrite composition with disseminated gold-sulfide mineralization on the studied territory. The similarity of geological conditions of localization and the material composition of apocarbonate hydrothermal-metasomatic formations of the Ebelyakh area with the gold-bearing rocks of the Central Aldan ore district allow to estimate positively the prospects for their further study.
Petrography and Mineralogy of Granitoids of the Elikchan Massif (North-East of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma Orogenic Region)
Authors: Trunilina Vera
Published: December 2020

The article presents the results of a study of Elikchan granodiorite-granite massif with complex Sn-Au-Ag mineralization. It is shown that the massif localized in the zones of regional fault, where it was preceded and followed by subaerial volcanic outpourings. Considered typomorphic peculiarities of rock-forming, accessory, and restituir minerals of granitoids and petro- and geochemical features of the rocks. A polygenetic nature of the massif is documented, with the origination of parental melts of the amphibole-biotite granodiorites and granites from the lower and upper crustal protoliths, respectively, under the influence of deep heat and fluid fluxes rising from the metasomatized mantle to the magma-generation level. Geochemical specialization of granitoids on a wide range of ore elements characteristic of latite ore-magmatic systems has been established (Bi, As, Sb, Ag, Sn, W). It is shown that the crystallization of the granodiorites took place in conditions close to those of gold-bearing ore-magmatic systems, and the crystallization of the granodiorites took place in conditions close to those of gold-bearing ore-magmatic systems, and the crystallization of granites in the conditions close to those rare-metal ore-magmatic systems, what obyasnyat preformationist associated mineralization. An important criterion for the potential ore content of specific magmatic formations and its possible implementation is the regime of volatile elements.
Assessment the Role of Expanded-Polysterene Block and Grogrid Layer on Behavior of Buried Pipeline
Authors: Khalaj Omid , Darabi Naser Joz , Tafreshi Seyed Naser Moghaddas , Jirková Hana
Published: December 2020

Geogrid layers and expanded polystyrene blocks have widely been implemented in geotechnical projects, recently. This paper investigates the behaviour of buried pipelines through experimental and numerical analyses by implementing an expanded polystyrene (EPS or geofoam) block and a geogrid layer over the buried pipe rested in a trench and imposed by trench surface loading. In this regard, a 3-D finite element model was created using ABAQUS software which verification and material characteristics have been derived from experimental results. The results indicate that the behaviour of buried pipelines can be ameliorated by employing EPS geofoam blocks; however, the compressible inclusion character of EPS blocks has a side effect of more surface subsidence of buried pipe trenches. In addition, reinforced soil covers with geogrid and geofoam has a considerable impression on amending the maximum surface settlement and maximum pipe crown displacement values.