bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview on Overvoltage Phenomena in Power Systems
Authors: Othman N S , Rohani M N K H , Mustafa W A , Wooi C L , Rosmi A S , Shakur N F M , Juliangga R , Khairunizam Wan , Zunaidi I , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B
Published: June 2019

Overvoltage happens in a condition where the voltage is increased and exceed its design limit. This situation may lead to harmful damage to machines or related equipment that connected to the system. Overvoltage can exist in a form of transient, voltage spike or permanent, depending on its duration. Types of overvoltage consist of lightning overvoltage and switching overvoltage. Overvoltage that caused by lightning is considerate as natural phenomena, while switching overvoltage exists from the system itself, either by the interruption of faults or inappropriate connection of circuit breaker contacts. This paper is discussed about overvoltage phenomenon including causes and effects of overvoltage and overvoltage protection towards power system.
Distributed Online Averaged One Dependence Estimator (DOAODE) Algorithm for Multi-class Classification of Network Anomaly Detection System
Authors: Nawir Mukrimah , Amir Amiza , Yaakob Naimah , R.Badlishah Ahmad , Mat Safar Anuar , Mohd. Warip Mohd. Nazri , Zunaidi I
Published: June 2019

Network monitoring system consists of large data streams, distributed architecture, and multiple computers that are geographically located all over the world caused a difficulty to detect abnormalities in the system. In addition, when handling network traffic, the data in network is fast incoming and requires an online learning where immediately response and predict the pattern of network traffic for classification once there is an event or request occur. Therefore, this paper aims to develop an effective and efficient network anomaly detection system by using distributed online averaged one dependence estimator (DOAODE) classification algorithm for multi-class network data to overcome these issues. The finding of DOAODE algorithm for multi-class classification is high in accuracy with average 83% and fast to train the network traffic recorded less than ten seconds and takes shorter time when the number of nodes increases.
Automated Chicken Weighing System Using Wireless Sensor Network for Poultry Farmers
Authors: Lee C.C. , Adom A.H. , Markom M.A. , Tan E.S.M.M.
Published: June 2019

In recent years, in the quest for cost-effective operations, slower than expected chicken growth has become a big issue for the poultry farmers in Malaysia. To be profitable, the chickens need to reach 1.8kg in only 38 days from hatching. At present, the farmers manually check the weight of chickens twice a day, in the morning and evening, to monitor the growth rate of chickens. However, the workers in such farms do not weigh the chickens according to an established SOP, which in turn results in inaccurate growth-rate data obtained. This paper describes the development of an automated chicken weighing system using wireless sensor network (WSN) for poultry farmers to replace the manual approach. The weighing scales are equipped with wireless data transfer system to enable automatic data transfer to the Cloud using a Wi-Fi module. The data collected are then compared to the expected growth rates and used to monitor of the growth rate of chickens. The proposed growth rate monitoring system enables them the daily monitoring of the chicken development rate and enables the rectification of problems as soon as any discrepancies are detected. Problems such as insufficient or poor distribution of feed and the occurrence of disease can be rectified at an early stage.
High Gain of Directional Ultra-Wideband Array Antenna Using Flat Reflector Structure for Microwave Imaging
Authors: Aminudin Jamlos Mohd , Mustafa W A , Khairunizam Wan , Zunaidi I , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B
Published: June 2019

UWB array antenna with high gain is proposed. The 4 × 1 array antenna consists of four identical copper circular patches are appropriately connected using quarter-wavelength transformer transmission line. The array elements and its feed network are properly optimized to have a high gain performance over wide range bandwidth frequencies. New additional flat reflector with distance of 20 mm enhances the proposed antenna gain. UWB antenna performance with reflector is better than UWB antenna without reflector structure. Antenna with reflector recorded wider operated bandwidth; 1.9GHz-10.6GHz with higher gain ranged from 3.5dB until 14.2dB compared with without reflector antenna operated from 2.2GHz to 10.6GHz with lower gain ranges of 1.9dB to 9.8dB. The reflector structure enhanced the antenna gain by 50% where the average gain throughout operated frequency for antenna with reflector and antenna without reflector is 10.2dB and 6.8dB respectively. Dimensions of 80 mm × 45 mm is considered as small UWB array antenna. The high gain and wide operator bandwidth of proposed antenna finds it very suitable to be integrated in human brain microwave imaging system due to ability of the wide signal with high energy penetrating human head structure.
Geometrical and mechanical performance of multi-material fused deposition modelling
Authors: Alief N A , Utomo M S , Kartika I , Whulanza Y
Published: June 2019

One method that has been used on additive manufacturing process is fused deposition modelling (FDM). This method employs material extrusion in the form of filament to build a product. Several materials have been developed as the filament, each with its own mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. Certain FDM machines are capable to print filaments from different materials. Although, each materials require different printing parameters. Consequently, different geometrical and mechanical properties from same design may be produced from their different printing parameters. Therefore, in order to obtain the characteristic of FDM machine output on multi-material, a comparative study is conducted. Lattice structures constructed from 3D CAD model with difference in pore configuration are printed by different filament materials on same FDM machine. We investigate the geometrical and mechanical properties of the structure, especially on the capability of the lattice structure to bear compressive load. There are 42-53% of pore dimension difference between the printed structure and the design despite material variation is used for each pore configuration.
Study on Quality Parameters of Yellow Matoa Fruit (Pometia pinnata) Using Digital Image Processing
Authors: Furay A. , Ahmad U. , Widodo S.
Published: June 2019

At this time matoa fruits are sold without grading them first so high and low quality fruits are mixed. In addition to not having SNI, there is also no standard method for grading according to standardization of fresh horticultural products. Related to this issue, digital image processing can be used as an alternative method for grading. The purpose of this study were to study quality parameters and to develop quality evaluation method for yellow type matoa using digital image processing. Manual measurement using weight as quality parameter of 203 yellow matoa produced three categories of quality classes namely A, B and C. Image processing algorithm was then developed to replace the manual measurement by estimating the weight using projected area of fruits image and to measure skin color of the fruits. The overall accuracy of quality evaluation based on weight using developed algorithm was 73.89%. For quality evaluation based on visual parameter or skin color represented by red and blue color ratio (R/B), and hue and value (H/V) color ratio, it was found possible to classify the fruits into three quality classes namely class 1 (brown to yellow-brown), class 2 (yellow), and class 3 (yellow-green to green) with overall accuracy of 74.38%. Finally, using combination of those two parameters (i.e. area and skin color) nine new quality classes, namely A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, and C3 classes were obtained with overall accuracy of 52.71%.
Stacked Stepped-Fed Super Wideband Antenna Performance in Free Space and Liquid Medium for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Aminudin Jamlos Mohd , Mustafa W A , Khairunizam Wan , Zunaidi I , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B
Published: June 2019

A new design of compact Super Wideband (SWB) antenna for performance comparison between in free space and in plain water is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna consists of basic circular patch as radiating element associated with partial ground and a zinc reflector to realize high gain and wide bandwidth. Dimension of 20 mm × 30 mm made the proposed antenna as a compact antenna. The significant feature of this design is the cautious manufacturing of the feed line with additional of two microstrip lines between the patch and the feed line known as stepped transmission line that altering the capacitance between the radiating element and the ground plane. The patch is directly connected with SMA connector using 50 Ohm mirostrip feed line through side feeding and deploy the air gap stacked. The antenna exhibit high performance in free space indicated by operated frequency ranged from 4.3 GHz until more than 15 GHz (<-10dB) with maximum gain of 9.79 dB. On the other hand, plain water medium degraded the antenna performance yet still within acceptance limit associated with resonant frequency ranged from 4.7 GHz until more than 15 GHz (<-6dB) and 2.2 dB for the maximum gain. The results reflect the reliability of the SWB antenna operated within liquid medium for various related applications especially for biomedical related applications such as microwave imaging for cancer detection.
Image Enhancement Based on Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCT) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT): A Review
Authors: Azani Mustafa Wan , Yazid Haniza , Khairunizam Wan , Aminuddin Jamlos Mohd , Zunaidi I , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B
Published: June 2019

Image enhancement is an important topic in image analysis in order to help humans and computer vision algorithms to obtain an accuracy information for analysis. The visual quality and certain image properties, such as brightness, contrast, signal to noise ratio, resolution, edge sharpness, and colour accuracy were improved through the enhancement process. The goal of image enhancement is to improve the quality of an image to become more suitable for a particular application. Till today, numerous image enhancement methods have been proposed for various applications and efforts have been directed to further increase the quality of the enhancement results and minimize the computational complexity and memory usage. In this paper, an image enhancement method based on Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCT) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) was studied. This paper presents an exhaustive review of these studies and suggests a direction for future developments of image enhancement methods. Each method shows the owned advantages and drawbacks. In future, this work will give the direction to other researchers in order to propose new advanced enhancement techniques.
Prediction of Color Level and Chlorophyll Content of Corn (Zea mays L.) Leaves by Using Mobile Phone Cameras
Authors: Astika I W , Khayati N N
Published: June 2019

This study aimed at designing a method to determine color level of corn leave and to estimate chlorophyll content using mobile phone cameras. The image of the leafs are captured with hand phone camera, and then the R, G, B color components are extracted. Four levels of color levels were used as those of leaf color card issued by IRRI. As for the natural light compensation, the colors of the Indonesian national inhabitant ID card were used as color references. The leafs were placed on the ID card, captured together, and then the leaf color level is determined by the variation of the grey levels of the leaves and the color references. The chlorophyll content were measured with SPAD chlorophyll meter. The average accuracy of leaf color prediction were 81.48% for sweet corn and 76.82% for hybrid corn under various field luminance, while the accuracy were 94.45% under a fixed 1500 lux luminance. The accuracy of chlorophyll prediction was very low with and R2 = 0.4762 for sweet corn and R2 = 0.5284 with national ID card references for hybrid corn. This low results were relatively contrast with the prediction from manual measurement of leaf color level, where the correlation coefficients were R2 = 0.8466 for sweet corn and R2 = 0.8506 for hybrid corn.
Preliminary study on EEG based typing biometrics for user authentication using nonlinear features
Authors: Amalina Intan , Saidatul A , Fook CY , Ibrahim Z
Published: June 2019

The application of password usage in databased user authentication method is unsafe, due to higher chance of off-line guessing attacks. Hackers are able to save our personal information and can detect them until the perfect match is acquired. Thus, the aim of this research is to examine EEG signals during typing task from three engineering students (right handed) with age of between 19 to 23 years old to identify the regular human typing pattern to differentiate between one user to another. All the subjects were asked to perform three times typing tasks for 5 minutes with rest in between for 30 seconds. The subjects were required to rest before and after performing the typing tasks for one minute. Truscan EEG device (Deymed Diagnostic, Alien Technic, Czech Republic) with frequency sampling of 1024 Hz and 19 channels was used. This study applied Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) notch filter to remove 50Hz powerline artefacts and proposed the implementation of nonlinear features such as Distribution Entropy (DistEn) and Approximate Entropy (ApEn). The features were extracted from channels F3 and F4. The extracted entropies features vector are used as an input to k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN) classifier. As a conclusion, the kNN and LDA classifier giving promising accuracy which are 82.22% (F3), 88.52% (F4), 94.81% (F3 and F4) and 80.37% (F3), 81.48% (F4), 89.63% (F3 and F4) respectively.
Software Defined Networks Security: Link Failure Analysis in SDN
Authors: Al-Junaid M A H. , Bin Mohd Warip Mohd Nazri , Badlishah Ahmad R , Mat Safar Anuar , Zunaidi I , Khairunizam Wan , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B
Published: June 2019

SDN is the new network technology. Although SDN still new, it is inseparable from the issue of a link failure. By using SDN, link failure scenario can be simulated and collection of data can be analysed. Before creating link failure scenario, several topologies were needed to show similarities with traditional network. There are many topologies that can be created by using SDN because SDN already provide virtual network devices. Each network device will be build inside virtual network topology. With use of desired topology then link failure scenario can be implemented. SDN also need a controller that acts a “brain” to the network. The controller will be provide a routing algorithm to control the behaviour of the network when one or more links become fail to connect with host or controller. One of suitable controller was Ryu which can adapt to any traffic handler and already provide application resemble to network behavior. All software components will be simulated inside Mininet emulator, one of realistic virtual network application.
Path Loss with Doppler Shift Effect and Handover Delay Analysis on Cellular Communication for Connected Car Application in Urban Area
Authors: Hamid A F A , Rahman M T A , Rahman A , Zabidi M M M
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the study on path loss and delay of cellular communication is conducted by considering doppler shift fading effect, shadowing effect and handover session in urban area. The experiment will consist observation on three different wireless communication module. This three-wireless module will have different carrier frequency and radio interface technologies to determine the effect of doppler shift to communication path loss and handover delay of a moving vehicle. The path loss of a moving vehicle will be determined based on measured received power on communication modules antenna and transmit power from base station. Handover delay that experienced by a moving vehicle will be measured based on data transmission latency during communication session transferring from previous cell network area that pass by the vehicle to a new cell network area. From this experiment, the best selection of wireless communication module by considering doppler shift effect and handover delay in urban area is determined as suited module to be use on connected car system.
Effect of Voltage and Frequency in Pasteurization Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Continous System of Pineapple (Ananas comosus [L.] Merr) Juice
Authors: Indriani D W , Amalia S , Sumarlan S H , Barunawati N
Published: June 2019

Pineapple which is one of the perishable commodities with high water content about 90.73% in 100 gr of fresh material. Thermal pasteurization has a weakness that can degrade the quality of fruit juice products. In contrast, non thermal processes have expectations which is don’t make decreasing quality of the product. One of the non-thermal pasteurization type called Pulsed Electric Field (PEF). Nowadays, PEF system have two type batch and continous, which respectively used in this research is PEF continous system. This study uses research methods group random design (GRD) with two factorial that voltage (20, 30 and 40 kV) and frequency (10, 20, 30 and 40 kHz). Based on these studies it is known that the voltage and frequency is significantly different to the value of Total Plate Count (TPC), and absorbance. However there aren’t significantly different with the pH, vitamin C, viscosity, total dissolved solid (TDS), total sugar and color. The treatment based on the microbial test are at a voltage of 40 kV and a frequency of 40 kHz which can reduce bacteria significantly 1.01x103 cfu/mL or 0.94 by log cycle with the effectiveness of microbial death by 88.5%. The treatment based on the microbial test are at a voltage of 40 kV and a frequency of 30 kHz which The result indicates that physical and chemical characteristic of pineapple juice become 3.98 of pH, total dissolved solid (TDS) of 6.25 °brix, total sugar of 14.75 % viscosity of 3 cp, vitamin C of 7.6 mg/100ml, absorbance of 0.67, color on the brightness (L*) value of 24.05, redness (a*) of 6.35, and yellowish (b*) of 7.5. This result shows that PEF continuous respectively work system to pasteurize the pineapple juice.
Simulation On Natural Convection Semi-Glazed Flat Plate Solar Collector For Green Bell Pepper Drying Application
Authors: Nelwan Leopold O. , Maulia Yulfi N. , Oktariski Delymi
Published: June 2019

A simulation on semi-glazed flat plate solar collectors under natural convection mode used for green bell pepper drying has been conducted. The solar collector has a 60% glazed area which was installed to the drying chamber with a 45o slope. The simulation consisted of the heating and drying process. For the heating process, a semi-empirical model of the buoyancy effect and heat balance was proposed. To determine the constants of the model, the non-linear least square method based on the experimental data of irradiation, ambient air temperature and the drying chamber temperature for no-load operation was used. Furthermore, for the drying process simulation was carried out based on the mass and energy balance of the product and the drying air as well as the drying characteristics of green bell pepper. The simulation results showed that in clear weather conditions, the temperature and air flow rate produced by the collector can be used to dry a stack of ten trays within effective time less than 20.6 hours or equal to less than three days sunshine.
Design Modification of Greenhouse Effect Solar-Hybrid Rack Type Dryer
Authors: Wulandani D , Agustina S E , Yulianto M , Nelwan L O , Rahman L M
Published: June 2019

Hybrid solar-type rack dryers are modified to improve efficiency and to save the drying energy. Modifications are made to the main components, namely; furnace and heat exchanger. The dimension of dryer was 1.8 m length, 0.7 m width and 1.8 m high. The dryer was equipped by 22 racks with dimension of 0.5 m x 0.65m. The furnace was modified to a cylindrical shape instead of rectangular shape and was designed with optimization of heat utilization and comfortable to be operated. To reduce heat loss, the wall of furnace was designed contact directly the drying room. The furnace material was iron galvanized plate with a thickness of 2 mm. The foregoing design of heat exchanger was tube bank type with horizontal fins attached on tubes. In this research, the adoption of vertical fins has enlarged the heat transfer area and increase the effectiveness of heat exchanger. The smoke flow from the combustion chamber of furnace was directed at the opposite side of the ambient air inlet for drying, so that smoke does not enter the drying chamber.
Exergy Analysis on Pyrolysis Process of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
Authors: Tiara Etika S , Susanto Ginting Agus , Setiawan Radite PA , Joelianingsih  , Tambunan Armansyah H
Published: June 2019

Exergy analysis is useful to evaluate the effectiveness of energy conversion process. This study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oil palm empty fruit bunch conversion by pyrolysis process using the exergy analysis compared to the theoritical of the cellulose pyrolysis. The effect of pyrolysis temperature was evaluated based on the amount of selected syngas produced. The results show that Increasing the temperature of pyrolysis from 473 K until 723 K will increase the concentration of H2 and CH4, but it will reduce the concentration of CO. Based on exergy efficiency, the optimum composition of gases that can be produced in the pyrolysis process of 1 mol cellulose are 3 mol of H2, 5 mol of CO, and 1 mol of CH4 at a temperature of 723K. The maximum amount of exergy efficiency is 96.33% in the reaction 2. Based on Gibbs free energy, the maximum value of hydrogen will be produced start at temperature 628K.
Laboratory investigation on the properties of asphalt concrete mixture with GGBFS as filler
Authors: Al-Hdabi Abbas , Al-Sahaf Nibras A , Mahdi Layth A , Yesar Zahraa , Moeid Haneen , Hassan Mortada
Published: June 2019

Consuming of by product materials in build manufacture such as making of hot asphalt mixtures introduces worthy interest on the way of ecological, economic standpoint. Accordingly, in this experimenter research, it was scrupulous for using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) in state traditional metal filler in hot asphalt mixtures. The mechanical characteristic was rating by lineal Marshall Stability & Indirect Tensile Strength tests. However, moisture harm and long-range aging were investigated by locate Index of retained Strength (IRS) & Mean Marshall Stability Ratio (MMSR), respectively. The empirical outcomes have presented a considerable refinement in the mechanical properties and a fundamental promotion in durability of the generated mixtures i.e. Asphalt Concrete Mixtures with GGBFS as a mineral filler (GGBFSAC) in rapprochement with the control mixtures that were infectious by ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as a mineral filler (OPCAC). As an outcome of this research, GGBFS can be united in state classical mineral filler in asphalt concrete mixtures especially in region where there is large GGBFS waste.
The Influences of Different Bamboo Filler Loading on Tensile Properties and Impact Strength of RHDPE/BF Composites
Authors: Ahmad Kamal Aini Asifa , Noriman N.Z. , Sam S.T. , Al-Rashdi Awad A. , Johari I. , Razlan Z M , Shahriman A B , Zunaidi I , Khairunizam Wan
Published: June 2019

Recycled high-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene reinforced with bamboo filler were compounded with twin-screw extruder and injection molding process. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different loading of bamboo filler reinforced with recycled high-density polyethylene composites via injection molding. The fillers loading were reinforced with plastic for different loading which is 0 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.% and 20 wt.% for two different matrixes, which is recycled high-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene. Mechanical measurements will show the presence of different loading filler will insignificantly effect in the composites tensile strength and also impact. The result of the mechanical analysis carried out showed that the presence of natural filler in composites will improve the properties of the material.
Single packaging design of papaya (Carica Papaya L.) variety IPB 9 (calina) for transportation and distribution
Authors: Ismaya P L , Darmawati E , Setyadjit
Published: June 2019

Papaya Calina (Carica Papaya L) is one of the favorite fruits. The thin skin and soft flesh of the papaya, easily cause the damaged of papaya mainly due to mechanical damage at the distribution process. The distribution of papaya generally carried out in bulk and arranged on the vehicles without packaging. Improvements in packaging for distribution that combined with retail packaging will reduce mechanical damage and increase consumer appeal. The research objective is to design retail and distribution packaging. Retail packaging is designed for individual fruits made from polypropylene plastic bags and corrugated board. Distribution packaging are made from corrugated board. The weight of papaya is selected in the range of 700 g -1000 g with a diameter of 90.5 mm - 110 mm and a length of 225 mm -240 mm. Based on these data, retail packaging is designed in the form of fruit units of 250x125x 250 mm for plastic bags and 90x90x140 for corrugated. The distribution packaging is designed with half telescopic container type using the flute BC with two different positions, both of vertical and horizontal positions. The packaging with the horizontal position contains of 4 fruit per packaging, the dimensions are 410x250x115 mm (KS1) and for vertical contains of 6 fruit per packaging with dimensions 330x230x70 mm (KS2). Corrugated board packaging dimensions is designed by considering the efficiency of pallets or generally vehicles that used in product distribution. The efficiency of the packaging that arranged on the pallet with the size of 1200x1100 mm are 85.41% for KS1 and pallet with the size of 1067x1067are 80% for KS2, while for M5 vehicle with the size of 2200 x 1585 mm the efficiency is 82.56% for KS1 and M2vehicle with the size 2630x1460 mm the efficiency is 90,92% for KS2.
Determination of Mung Bean Seed Viability Change in Vacuum Packaging during Storage in Different Temperatures
Authors: Faisal M. , Ahmad U. , Wulandani D.
Published: June 2019

Mung bean seeds decreased their viability very fast during storage, especially in tropical area without proper packaging. The purpose of this study is to observethe decrease in viability of mung bean seeds during storage and to build a mathematical model for shelf life prediction. Dried mung bean seeds were vacuum packed and stored in Accelerated Shelf-life Testing chamber at five different temperatures of 30° C, 35° C, 40° C, 45° C, 50° C with approximately 80% in relative humidity, to facilitate rapid deterioration with different rate of physical and chemical change in the seed. The results show that there was an increase in moisture content and the germination decreased in different rates. Changes in values for some parametersof the seeds affected the viabilty of the seeds during rapid deterioration. The value of constant (k)for viability decreasing was calculated and used to build the mathematical model for predicting the shelf life of mung bean seeds during storage at any temperature. Using the developed model, it was observed that the shelf life of the Sriti variety of mung bean seeds in vacuum packaging could maintain 90% of germination level for 421 days or 14.3 months if stored at 20 °C, and for 173.37 days or 5.78 months if stored at 25 °C.
Synthesis and characterization of aloe vera-based edible film incorporated with shellac resin and hydrocolloids
Authors: Purwanti Nanik , Yunus Fajri , Darmawati Emmy
Published: June 2019

Aloe vera-based edible film usually has weak structure, thus it has low strength. Incorporation of shellac resin and gelatine/guar gum might create composite edible film with preferable properties. This research aimed to synthesis edible film of aloe vera gel that was incorporated with shellac resin and gelatine or and guar gum. The initial concentration of shellac resin was kept constant at 6% w/w; meanwhile the initial concentrations of gelatine were 4% and 6% w/w and of guar gum were 1% and 2% w/w. The ratio between SHGE/SHGG and aloe vera gel in the suspension (ALSHGE/ALSHGG) was 1:1. The suspension was kept in the fridge for 4 days and the film was prepared from this suspension at day 0, 2 and 4. The suspension was characterized in terms of its viscosity, sedimentation and microbial activity during storage. The film was characterized in terms of its thickness, solubility, moisture content and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The results showed that ALSHGE and ALSHGG suspension were pseudoplastic, depending on their concentrations, with sedimentation occurred in ALSHGG suspension after 4 days. Microbial growth in the suspension was inevitable in both concentrations of ALSHGG, but there was no microbial growth observed in both concentrations of ALSHGE. After 20 g of suspension was casted into film, ALSHGE4% and 6% resulted in thicker films, with lower moisture content, than ALSHGG1% and 2%. These could be the reason for high solubility of ALSHGG films. The WVTR of the films varied, independent of storage time of the suspension, with the least WVTR was observed in the film from ALSHGE.
One-step chemical bath deposition of Cu2O flowers grown on ITO seed layer coated glass substrate
Authors: Alsultany Forat H
Published: June 2019

Here, the growth of Cu2O flowers on a glass substrate were successfully fabricated using one-step chemical bath deposition method at low growth temperature. These flowers were grown on ITO seed layers that were prepared on glass substrate by magnetron-frequency RF sputtering. The structure and surface morphology of the products of Cu2O flowers were characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction and microscopy of field emission scanning electron. Optical properties were examined through the ultraviolet/visible spectro-scopy. The results showed that the Cu2O flowers were uniformly formed on ITO seeds-coated glass substrate, grow in the cubic structure with film preferential (111) plane orientation, high transmittance, and good crystallinity. The value of band gap is approximately 2.53 eV. This study helps to be the basis for more research on the growth of Cu2O at low-temperature and low cost-effective substrate.
Analysis of Paddy Productivity Using NDVI and K-means Clustering in Cibarusah Jaya, Bekasi Regency
Authors: Liyantono  , Almadani Yusup , Adillah Yusuf , Maulana Yusuf Muhammad , Reza Mahbub Muhammad Nyak , Fatikhunnada Alvin
Published: June 2019

Information about rice productivity is one of the references for government to maintain food availability. With remote sensing technology, rice productivity can be known faster. This research was conducted using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and Sentinel-2 Satellite. Sentinel-2 NDVI which has a low resolution with high resolution UAV images, both variables have similarity values and regression reaches 0.8. NDVI are grouped into 8 classes using k-means clustering based on the similarity of the waveforms of each data retrieval point. Based on characteristic of k-means classes, field which has earlier planting times and the location closer to the water source, allowing a higher paddy productivity. Further analysis was also carried out to get the best period to estimate paddy productivity using Sentinel-2 imagery. Sentinel-2 was chosen because it has a distance between data as far as 5 days, allowing it to be more accurate. The best time is obtained at 63 DAP (Days After Planting), which is when NDVI reaches its maximum state. The estimation model of rice productivity based on UAV has a high coefficient of determination compared to Sentinel-2 so that the relationship between maximum NDVI UAV and rice productivity is better than Sentinel-2.
Prediction of chemical content in patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth) by portable NIR spectroscopy
Authors: Windawati Vrita , Purwanto Y A , Budiastra I Wayan , Widodo Slamet , Kuroki Shinichiro
Published: June 2019

The objective of this study was to develop the calibration model for predicting the patchouli alcohol in patchouli oil by portable Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Patchouli oil samples were obtained from different origin in Indonesia. Portable NIR spectrometer with wavelength of 760-1050nm was used to collect the spectra of the patchouli oils. The calibration model was developed by partial least square regression (PLS). The best model for predicting patchouli alcohol content is y = 0.7209x + 8.2804 with r = 0.86, SEC = 2.04%, SEP = 2.16%, CV = 7.6, RPD = 1.8.
Minimal surfaces and free boundaries: Recent developments
Authors: Caffarelli Luis , Sire Yannick
Published: June 2019

Free boundaries occur in a lot of physical phenomena and are of major interest both mathematically and physically. The aim of this contribution is to describe new ideas and results developed in the last 20 years or so that deal with some nonlocal (sometimes called anomalous) free boundary problems. Actually, such free boundary problems have been known for several decades, one of the main instances being the thin obstacle problem, the so-called (scalar) Signorini free boundary problem. We will describe in this survey some new techniques that allow to deal with long-range interactions. We will not try to be exhaustive since the literature on this type of problem has been flourishing substantially, but rather we give an overview of the main current directions of research. In particular, we want to emphasize the link, very much well-known in the community, between minimal surfaces, their “approximation” by the Allen–Cahn equation and free boundary problems.
Productivity Spillovers From Pollution Reduction: Reducing Coal Use Increases Crop Yields
Authors: Metaxoglou Konstantinos , Smith Aaron
Published: June 2019

Air pollution reduces crop yields by slowing down photosynthesis. We estimate the increase in US corn and soybean yields attributed to the recent dramatic reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from electric power plants. In response to the observed changes in power plant NOx emissions over the eight‐year period from 2003–05 to 2011–13, we estimate that average corn yields improved by 2.46% and soybean yields by 1.62%. These improvements imply an increase in total surplus of $1.60 billion annually across the two crops. The estimated yield improvements vary substantially across states depending on the change in NOx emissions. For corn, they range from 0.32% to 6.87% and for soybeans, they range from 0.21% to 4.30%. The demand for the two crops is quite inelastic, which means that prices decrease by more than production increases in response to this positive productivity shock and the implied rightward shift of the crop supply curve. Due to the low elasticities of supply and demand for U.S. corn and soybeans, we conclude from a welfare analysis that these changes made consumers better off and farmers worse off.
Marginal Costs and Likely Supply Elasticities for Pollination and Honey
Authors: Champetier Antoine , Sumner Daniel A.
Published: June 2019

We report new estimates of beekeeper costs and revenues, which include major activities undertaken by beekeepers, including honey producers and pollinators. We use our cost estimates, recent government surveys and other United States Department of Agriculture information to characterize supply functions for (1) pollination services to crops that bloom in the late winter (dominated by almonds), (2) pollination services to crops that bloom in the spring and summer, and (3) honey produced in the United States. The positions and shapes of these supply functions are crucial to understanding how the honeybee industry will respond to changes in demand for pollination services and other market conditions, including shifts in honey demand, honey import supply, and forage availability affected by climate change.
Grading Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors by Ki-67 Index Evaluated on Fine-Needle Aspiration Cell Block Material
Authors: Abi-Raad Rita , Lavik John-Paul , Barbieri Andrea L , Zhang Xuchen , Adeniran Adebowale J , Cai Guoping
Published: June 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether Ki-67 index evaluated on cytologic material could reliably grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs).

Methods

Cases with adequate cell block and available surgical specimens were included. Ki-67 index was calculated using “eyeballing,” “hot spot,” and “complete” counting methods.

Results

The overall concordance rates between cytology and surgical specimens were 71%, 73%, and 59%, respectively, by using eyeballing, hot spot, and complete counting approaches. All grade 1 tumors were correctly graded on cytology, but in grade 2 tumors concordance rates were only 36%, 41%, and 9%, respectively. All grade 2 tumors were undergraded when cell blocks contained fewer than 1,000 cells, while concordance rate increased to 57%, 64%, and 14%, respectively, in cases with 1,000 cells or more.

Conclusions

Grade 2 PanNETs can be significantly undergraded when Ki-67 index is evaluated on cell block material. In cases with 1,000 or more cells, the hot spot counting method has better correlation with surgical specimens.
Inappropriate opioid prescribing practices: A narrative review
Authors: Kim Brian , Nolan Seonaid , Beaulieu Tara , Shalansky Stephen , Ti Lianping
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Results of a literature review to identify indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing are presented.

While prescription opioids can be effective for the treatment of acute pain, inappropriate prescribing practices can increase the risk of opioid-related harms, including overdose and mortality. To date, little research has been conducted to determine how best to define inappropriate opioid prescribing. Five electronic databases were searched to identify studies (published from database inception to January 2017) that defined inappropriate opioid prescribing practices. Search terms varied slightly across databases but included opioid, analgesics, inappropriate prescribing, practice patterns, and prescription drug misuse. Gray literature and references of published literature reviews were manually searched to identify additional relevant articles. From among the 4,665 identified articles, 41 studies were selected for data extraction and analysis. Fourteen studies identified high-daily-dose opioid prescriptions, 14 studies identified coadministration of benzodiazepines and opioids, 10 studies identified inappropriate opioid prescribing in geriatric populations, 8 studies identified other patient-specific factors, 4 studies identified opioid prescribing for the wrong indication, and 4 studies identified factors such as initiation of long-acting opioids in opioid-naive patients as indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing.

Conclusion

A literature review identified various indicators of inappropriate opioid prescribing, including the prescribing of high daily doses of opioids, concurrent benzodiazepine administration, and geriatric-related indicators. Given the significant contribution of inappropriate opioid prescribing to opioid-related harms, identification of these criteria is important to inform and improve opioid prescribing practices among healthcare providers.
Dynamic Paths of Complexity and Accuracy in Second Language Speech: A Longitudinal Case Study of Chinese Learners
Authors: Yu Hanjing , Lowie Wander
Published: June 2019

The present study investigated the developmental patterns of Chinese EFL(AQ) learners’ oral language in terms of complexity and accuracy and looked into the dynamic interactions between them within the framework of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST). The data were analysed using dynamic analyses (moving min–max graphs, moving correlations and Monte Carlo Simulations). It was found that, firstly, at the group level, the general developmental trends of both complexity and accuracy showed improvements. Secondly, at the individual level, the developmental patterns were non-linear and dynamic with high degrees of variability, and individual language development was influenced by the initial states. Thirdly, the analyses revealed a complex interplay between complexity and accuracy, which gradually shifted from a clearly competitive relationship during the early stages to a supportive relationship in later stages. This shift in interaction shows that complexity goes hand in hand with accuracy, which corroborates the interconnectedness of subsystems as one of the major characteristics of CDST. The findings confirm the applicability of CDST approaches to L2 oral development and carry valuable implications for CDST theory development and oral language teaching.
Deep Cheek Fat Volumes and Midfacial Aging
Authors: Tower Jacob I , Gordon Neil A , Paskhover Boris
Published: June 2019

Background

Midfacial volumizing procedures are increasingly common in facial rejuvenation. However, the changes that occur in midfacial fat with aging are poorly understood.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine how deep cheek fat volume is predicted by age.

Methods

We conducted retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of patients based on facial computed tomography (CT) scans. In the cross-sectional cohort, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to model the relations between age and deep cheek fat volumes. In the longitudinal analysis, changes to deep cheek fat volumes were tracked among subjects who underwent multiple facial CT scans.

Results

The cross-sectional cohort comprised 109 patients. The mean (SD) age of the subjects was 59.7 (15.0) years (range, 21.7-91.1 years). A linear regression analysis showed that increasing age was associated with increasing deep cheek fat volume (β = 0.015, P < 0.001). Additional regression analyses showed that the gain of fat with aging was more pronounced in the caudal aspect of the cheek (β = 0.007, P < 0.001) than in the cephalad (β = 0.005, P < 0.001). Twenty-three subjects were identified for longitudinal analysis. The mean (SD) ages at initial and final imaging time points were 50.0 (5.8) and 60.3 (5.2) years. In the deep fat compartment, there was an average gain of 0.23 mL over 10.3 years (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Age is an important predictor of midfacial deep cheek fat volume. In this study, there is no evidence of adipose volume loss in the deep cheek compartment. Rather, aging was associated with an increase in deep cheek fat, possibly reflecting pseudoherniation of buccal fat.

Level of Evidence 2
Mice lacking membrane estrogen receptor 1 are protected from reproductive pathologies resulting from developmental estrogen exposure†
Authors: Nanjappa Manjunatha K , Medrano Theresa I , Mesa Ana M , Ortega Madison T , Caldo Paul D , Mao Jiude , Kinkade Jessica A , Levin Ellis R , Rosenfeld Cheryl S , Cooke Paul S
Published: June 2019

Both membrane and nuclear fractions of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mediate 17β-estradiol (E2) actions. Mice expressing nuclear (n)ESR1 but lacking membrane (m)ESR1 (nuclear-only estrogen receptor 1 [NOER] mice) show reduced E2 responsivity and reproductive abnormalities culminating in adult male and female infertility. Using this model, we investigated whether reproductive pathologies caused by the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) are mitigated by mESR1 ablation. Homozygous and heterozygous wild-type (WT and HET, respectively) and NOER male and female mice were subcutaneously injected with DES (1 mg/kg body weight [BW]) or vehicle daily from postnatal day (PND) 1–5. Uterine histology was assessed in select DES-treated females at PND 5, whereas others were ovariectomized at PND 60 and treated with E2 (10 μg/kg BW) or vehicle 2 weeks later. Neonatal DES exposure resulted in ovary-independent epithelial proliferation in the vagina and uterus of WT but not NOER females. Neonatal DES treatment also induced ovary-independent adult expression of classical E2-induced transcripts (e.g., lactoferrin [Ltf] and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 [Ezh2]) in WT but not NOER mice. At PND 90, DES-treated WT and HET males showed smaller testes and a high incidence of bacterial pyogranulomatous inflammation encompassing the testes, epididymis and occasionally the ductus deferens with spread to lumbar lymph nodes; such changes were largely absent in NOER males. Results indicate that male and female NOER mice are protected from deleterious effects of neonatal DES, and thus mESR1 signaling is required for adult manifestation of DES-induced reproductive pathologies in both sexes.
Sources of Airborne Norovirus in Hospital Outbreaks
Authors: Alsved Malin , Fraenkel Carl-Johan , Bohgard Mats , Widell Anders , Söderlund-Strand Anna , Lanbeck Peter , Holmdahl Torsten , Isaxon Christina , Gudmundsson Anders , Medstrand Patrik , Böttiger Blenda , Löndahl Jakob
Published: June 2019

Background

Noroviruses are the major cause of viral gastroenteritis. Disease transmission is difficult to prevent and outbreaks in health-care facilities commonly occur. Contact with infected persons and contaminated environments are believed to be the main routes of transmission. However, noroviruses have recently been found in aerosols and airborne transmission has been suggested. The aim of our study was to investigate associations between symptoms of gastroenteritis and the presence of airborne norovirus, and to investigate the size of norovirus-carrying particles.

Methods

Air sampling was repeatedly performed close to 26 patients with norovirus infections. Samples were analyzed for norovirus RNA by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The times since each patient’s last episodes of vomiting and diarrhea were recorded. Size-separating aerosol particle collection was performed.

Results

Norovirus RNA was found in 21 (24%) of 86 air samples from 10 different patients. Only air samples during outbreaks, or before a succeeding outbreak, tested positive for norovirus RNA. Airborne norovirus RNA was also strongly associated with a shorter time period since the last vomiting episode (odds ratio 8.1; P = .04 within 3 hours since the last vomiting episode). The concentrations of airborne norovirus ranged from 5–215 copies/m3, and detectable amounts of norovirus RNA were found in particles <0.95 µm and >4.51 µm.

Conclusions

The results suggest that recent vomiting is the major source of airborne norovirus and imply a connection between airborne norovirus and outbreaks. The presence of norovirus RNA in submicrometre particles indicates that airborne transmission can be an important transmission route.