bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF SNORKELING AND DIVING TO CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM
Authors: Muhidin . , Yulianda Fredinan , Zamani Neviaty Putri
Published: January 2018

Panggang Island is one of the snorkeling and diving area in the Seribu Islands. Number of tourists increase every year in line with the improving of tourism infrastructure such as tourist boat and dive shops. Tourism activities not only provide economic benefits but also give negative impact on coral reef ecosystem. The results of direct observations showed that there was destructive impact from snorkeling and diving. The most destructive behavior done by snorkeling and diver who has license was stepping on the coral reef. While the most destructive behavior by diver who has no license was holding the coral reef. The continued effect of tourist destructive behaviour grouped into three categories such as rubble, scratches on top of coral colony, and crushed coral colony. Based on the tourism impact analysis showed that diverwho has not been licensed gived the greatest damage impact,it was 13.55% per year of the ecological potential. While the impact of snorkeling touristwas 5.05% and diver who has license gived the smallest effect, it was 2.36%.  Comparison of coral reef data between 2010 and 2016 showed no significant changes to the coral reef, it means that until now coral reefs of Panggang Island still tolerate any disturbances including impact of tourism activities.Keywords : coral reef, diving, snorkeling, tourism, Panggang                      IslandPanggang Island is one of the snorkeling and diving area in the Seribu Islands. Number of tourists increase every year in line with the improving of tourism infrastructure such as tourist boat and dive shops. Tourism activities not only provide economic benefits but also give negative impact on coral reef ecosystem. The results of direct observations showed that there was destructive impact from snorkeling and diving. The most destructive behavior done by snorkeling and diver who has license was stepping on the coral reef. While the most destructive behavior by diver who has no license was holding the coral reef. The continued effect of tourist destructive behaviour grouped into three categories such as rubble, scratches on top of coral colony, and crushed coral colony. Based on the tourism impact analysis showed that diverwho has not been licensed gived the greatest damage impact,it was 13.55% per year of the ecological potential. While the impact of snorkeling touristwas 5.05% and diver who has license gived the smallest effect, it was 2.36%.  Comparison of coral reef data between 2010 and 2016 showed no significant changes to the coral reef, it means that until now coral reefs of Panggang Island still tolerate any disturbances including impact of tourism activities. Keywords : coral reef, diving, snorkeling, tourism, Panggang Island
SESSILE ORGANISMS COLONISATION ON CONCRETE SUBSTRATE “CRYPTO” AT DIFFERENT DEPTH IN THE PATCH REEF OF PRAMUKA ISLAND
Authors: Algadri Genadi , Subhan Beginer , Arafat Dondy , Ghozali Ahmad Taufik , Santoso Prakas , Madduppa Hawis
Published: January 2018

Acceleration of the process of recovery of damaged reefs require rehabilitation, management and supervision of well-planned and sustainable. One of the rehabilitation process is to create artificial reef. This study aims to look at the rate of attachment of sessile organisms on cement media called “crypto”. A total of 270 cement media at each shelf. The size of cement media is 5x5x1 cm. The cement media were deployed at a depth of 6 meters and 10 meters. The rate of attachment of sessile organisms was compared between the upper and lower of the media side at each depth and between depths. Different organisms was observed colonized concrete media such as shells, sponges, worms, green algae, red algae, and brown algae. Percentage of coverage of sessile biota at a depth of 6 meters was significantly higher than 10 meters. Percentage of coverage of sponges at a depth of 6 meters and 10 meters, showed no significantly different (P = 0.0670). The other sessile biota, value of the test results showed significant differences between depths, such as the brown algae (P< 0.0001), red algae (P = 0.0003), and  green algae (P = 0.0022). The type succession occurs in this research was likely a primary succession.                                                        Keywords: sessile biota, biodiversity, rehabilitation, concrete block,                         colonization, succession
GROWTH AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF Ulva prolifera MAINTAINED AT DIFFERENT FLOW RATES IN INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE SYSTEM
Authors: Diamahesa Wastu Ayu , Masumoto Toshiro , Jusadi Dedi , Setiawati Mia
Published: January 2018

Efforts to reduce the impact of waste improvement on degradation of water quality can be transferred by utilization of inorganic waste as a source of seaweed nutrition. This study aimed to determine the growth and protein content of Ulva prolifera maintained at different flow rates in integrated aquaculture system. 9 Yellowtail stocked with 5.095 g with an average weight of 566.11±81.51 g were kept in 540 L tank for 24 days, by water flowing at the rate of 10 L min-1. Water from the fish tank was distributed into the sediment tank and go to 6 Ulva tanks with the flow rate of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 L min-1. Test parameters measured were growth performance of Yellowtail, biomass of Ulva prolifera, protein content of Ulva prolifera, and total ammonia nitrogen. The measurement results showed that the biomass of fish increased to 5.408 g, then biomass of Ulva increased to 42 g, 156 g and 155 g for flow rate of 0.5 L, 1 L and 1.5 L min-1, respectively. The protein content of Ulva for all the treatments was the same (P> 0.05). A total of ammonia in the tank outlet of Ulva (0.0202 - 0.1137 mg N L-1) were smaller than those were in the inlet (0.0286 - 0.1394 mg N L-1).
THE BODY OF LOBSTER CATCHES IN PALABUHANRATU THAN THE APPLICABLE REGULATORY
Authors: Khikmawati Liya Tri , Martasuganda Sulaeman , Sondita M. Fedi A.
Published: January 2018

Lobster is one of the commodities that Indonesia export fisheries worth selling high. The value of selling lobster is affected by type, size, and condition or completeness of her body. Palabuhanratu is one of the centers of the lobster fishery in the South of West Java. Research on condition of fishing lobster in Palabuhanratu was done in April through November 2016 include the type, gender, number, and size (carapace length and weight) and its relationship with regulatory. Observation and measurement of the collecting is done in the lobster that come for each/sold to the warehouse by fisherman and follows directly the activities of catching lobsters. The data already obtained tabulated and analyzed. The results showed that types of lobsters captured fisherman Palabuhanratu are Panulirus ornatus, Panulirus penicillatus, Panulirus versicolor and Panulirus homarus. The majority of lobsters are caught is a kind of lobster P. homarus and P. ornatus and then followed P. penicillatus and P. versicolor. The number of the male for P. homarus, P. versicolor and P. ornatus more than females while the females of P. penicillatus more than males. The majority of the lobster weights less than 300 grams and carapace length less than 8 cm. The body condition of fishing lobster in Palabuhanratu based on the lobster fishery regulations that exist for all types of lobsters is  a majority yet decent catch. Keywords: type, lobster, Palabuhanratu, size
LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF YELLOWSTRIPE SCADS Selaroides leptolepis IN SUNDA STRAIT
Authors: Ibrahim Putri Sapira , Setyobudiandi Isdradjad , Sulistiono .
Published: January 2018

Yellowstripe scad Selaroides leptolepis is important product of small pelagic fishery resources in Java Sea. This fish also has high economic value and mostly captured by fisherman. The purpose of this study was to determine length weight relationship and condition factor of yellowstripe scads Selaroides leptolepis in Sunda Strait. Sampling was conducted from April to August 2015 with stratified random sampling method from catch landed at Pelabuhan Perikanan Pantai (PPP) Labuan, Banten. The results showed that 757 fish captured consists of 337 females and 420 males. The length weight relationship was W= 0.00004L2.7176 for female and W= 0.00003L2.7871 for male. The results indicated that the length weight relationship was highly correlated (r > 95%). the relative condition factors of fish varied from 1.0061-1.1926, of which females were generally in better condition than the males. Keywords: condition factor, length-weight relationship, yellowstripe scads, Sunda Strait
CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOHYDROXYAPATITE FROM TUNA’S Thunnus sp BONE AS BIOMATERIALS SUBSTANCE
Authors: Hanura Aditya Bayu , Trilaksani Wini , Suptijah Pipih
Published: January 2018

Tuna Thunnus sp is a high-value fisheries products. The abundance of waste from tuna’s processing industry has not been used optimally. The objective of this study was to produce and characterize nanohidroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3((OH)0.8F0.2) of tuna’s Thunnus sp bone waste using high temperature sintering of 400-800OC continuing by nanomilling method. The results of the characterization showed that the sintering temperature of 800OC was the best treatment yielding of hidroxyapatite 57.73%, 89.27% white degree level. The result of statistic analysis showed that the sintering temperature variation gave a significant effect on the white degree at the test level (p <0.05). Proximate result after sintering showed moisture content of 0.15%, 99.83% ash, 0.05% fat, 0.73% protein and 0% crude fiber. Results of heavy metal analysis showed the content of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) was negative, and cadmium (Cd) 0.018 ppm. The mineral test consist of calcium, phosphor, kalium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and sodium with the dominant elements were 49.76% calcium and 9.02% phosphor. The result of statistic analysis showed that the sintering temperature variation gave significant effect to the three main minerals at the test level (p<0.05). The Particle Size Analyzer test showed that nanohidroxyapatite particles was measured at 800-900 nm. The X-Ray Diffractometer analysis showed the results of sample identification contains hydroxyapatite and fluorian, with syn 100.00%. The hidroxyapatite was a compound complex and crystals formed has a hexagonal shape with a percentage of 82.9% crystallinity. Keywords : bone, nanohidroxyapatite, particles, sintering, tuna
THE HISTOLOGICAL, EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION COLLAGENS YELLOW-PIKE CONGER Muarenesox talabon
Authors: Gadi Dewi Setiyowati , Trilaksani Wini , Nurhayati Tati
Published: January 2018

By product Muarenesox talabon swim bladders can be used as a raw material for desperately needed in the food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceuticals industries. The aims of the research were to observed the histological and determine chemical characteristics of swim bladder including proximate and amino acids; extraction of acid soluble collagen and determine the characteristics of collagen including proximate, pH, heavy metals, microbial, amino acids, functional groups, molecular weights, and thermal stability. The morphology of cunang swim bladder consists of outer, middle, and inner layers containing collagen fibers; 33.67±0.71%wb and protein whichwere dominated by three amino acids that were glycine, proline, and alanine. Pretreatment by 0.1 M NaOH for 8 hours (K1T4) and acid extraction by 0.25 M acetic acid for 72 hours (M1T3) was the best treatment yielding 14.51± 0.43% of collagen; having 12.12±0.04% wb of moisture; 88.54 ± 0.08% wb of protein; 1.31±0.23% wb of fat; 0.17±0.03% wb of ash. Not detected any heavy metals (Pb, Hg, As, Cd). Acidity pH was 4.31 and negative of E. coli and Salmonella. The main amino acids detected were glycine 241.06 mg/g; proline 88.73mg/g; and alanine 86,98 mg/g; FTIR spectra were revealed the presence of triple helix structures; electrophoresis patterns consisted of 136 kDa of mol weight of α1 and 117 kDa of mol weight of α2 were characterisedto be type I collagen; which had Tmax of 195.59ºC and ΔH 7.8113 J/g. Keywords: acid extraction, swim bladder, collagens, thermal stability
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY FOR MULTI DRUG RESISTANCE (MDR) BACTERIA BYSEA CUCUMBER Stichopus vastus EXTRACT FROM KARIMUNJAWA ISLANDS – INDONESIA
Authors: Pringgenies Delianis , Ridlo Ali , Sembiring Nerva
Published: January 2018

The study aims to explore the antibacterial activity of Stichopus vastus against pathogenic MDR bacteria. Analysis of samples of sea cucumbers included extraction, fractionation, and analysis of bacterial sensitivity test Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the extraction process is carried out by solid-liquid extraction method. Fractionation was done with Open-Column Chromatography (OCC). Sensitivity test of bacteria was done using an agar diffusion method according to the Kirby-Bauer (Ref). The study revealed that from 5 species MDR bacteria, which are Coagulant negative stapylococi (CNS), E. coli, Enterobacter 5, Klebsiella sp. dan Pseudomonas sp. There are two MDR bacteria had the most sensitive responses by the extract of sea cucumber, which were Enterobacter-5 and Klebsiella sp. The two bacteria were tested against five bioactive fractions obtained from OCC. Fraction criteria-2 had the highest antibacterial activity against Enterobacter-5 and Klebsiella sp, with serial concentration of 20 µg ∙ disc–1, 40 µg. disc–1 and 80 µg. disc–1.  Largest inhibition zone were obtained from 80 µg. disc–1 againts the two bacteria were (14.73 ± 0.48) mm and (11.22 ± 0.85) mm respectively.  GC-MS Analysis revealed that fraction criteria-2 had (or consisted of) cyclohexhane, ethanol, butanoic and pentanoic acids. Keywords: antibacterial activity, multi drug resistance (MDR), sea cucumber, Stichopus vastus
SUITABLITY AND CARRYING CAPACITY OF KARTINI BEACH JEPARA AS COASTAL TOURISM DESTINATION
Authors: Fama Achmad , Haeruddin . , Purwanti Frida
Published: January 2018

Kartini beach as a marine tourism in Jepara, Central Java that have beach attraction consist of natural environment area suitable for tourism. Its potency have opportunity to be developed as marine ecotourism. The current problem is increasing number of visitor each year that might degrades the environment. The aims of this reseacrh are to analyse tourism suitability and to assess carrying capacity of the Kartini Beach as beach tourism. This research was conducted in Desember 2016 – March 2017 at the Kartini Beach of Jepara. The methods uses analysis of land suitablity for beach recreation and carrying capacity analysis. The result shows that suitability index in location 1 to 3 are suitable with value about 48 % – 60 % as beach recreational area. The results of carrying capacity analysis of location 1 with total area of 0,22 ha is 176 people / day,  location 2 with total area of 0,1 ha is 80 people / day, and location 3 with total area of 0,13 ha is 104 people / day. The conlusions of this reseacrh are Kartini beach is suitable for beach recreation and the number of visitor has esceeds the ability of carrying capacity.  Keywords: beach tourism, land suitablity, carrying capacity, Kartini beach, Jepara
Experimental and theoretical study of temperature-dependent variable stiffness of magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Xiang Changle , Gao Pu , Liu Hui , Zhou Han
Published: January 2018

The magnetorheological properties of a series of magnetorheological elastomers with ferromagnetic particles of different mass fractions and different diameters are investigated. The aim is to provide a basis for the preparation of high-performance material. The shear behavior of the magnetorheological elastomers is also investigated as a function of temperature. The results essentially reveal the temperature-dependent nature of the variable stiffness of the magnetorheological elastomers. A modified Gauss distribution columnar model of ferromagnetic particles (with a temperature-dependent magnetic permeability) and a modified super-elastic rubber matrix (with a linear thermal expansion coefficient) is developed and used to explore the nature of the temperature-dependent variable stiffness. The results suggest that the interaction between the rubber matrix and ferromagnetic particles is the most critical factor responsible for the temperature dependence and not the features of the two components themselves. On the basis of System Identification Theory, a fitting polynomial is added to modify the constitutive model, which can represent the interaction between the rubber matrix and ferromagnetic particles. Polynomial data fitting and a theoretical model were used to derive an expression for the temperature dependence. As a result, the magnetic field-induced shear modulus was obtained as a semi-empirical model. This was then used to draw maps of the temperature-induced and magnetic field-induced shear modulus. The calculated results were compared with the experimental data and the errors found to be acceptable, which verifies the effectiveness and reliability of the semi-empirical model. Finally, the temperature dependence of the shear modulus is converted into the temperature dependence of the shear stiffness.
Effect of sensitization on tribological behavior of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Fenili Cleber Pereira , Rocha Márcio Roberto da , Al-Rubaie Kassim S. , Arnt Ângela Beatriz Coelho , Angioleto Elidio , Bernardin Adriano Michael
Published: January 2018

This paper aims to evaluate the dry sliding wear of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel as a function of the applied load. Samples of AISI 304 were heat treated (sensitized) to precipitate Cr23C6carbides in the grain boundaries, and the resulting microstructure was compared to that of the non-sensitized samples. Wear testing was carried out at room temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of about 60% using a pin-on-disk apparatus. The load applied was varied from 10 to 30 N at a constant sliding velocity of 0.5 m s–1. Wear particles were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the dynamic friction coefficient remained effectively constant with increasing applied load. The surface hardness measured after the wear process generally increased at higher loads due to subsurface strain-hardening, and deformation-induced martensitic transformation occurred during the wear process. Surface roughness and weight losses were found to increase with increasing the load for both sensitized and non-sensitized samples. In addition, a great amount of Cr23C6carbides in the grain boundaries favored a size reduction of the debris generated due to wear.
The Mg–Ca–O system: Thermodynamic analysis of oxide data and melting/solidification of Mg alloys with added CaO
Authors: Liang Song-Mao , Kozlov Artem , Schmid-Fetzer Rainer
Published: January 2018

Some published experimental results on the thermodynamic data of pure solid CaO and MgO significantly contradict the widely used data in review books or tables, such as JANAF data. We scrutinized all the original experimental data forming the basis in review books and tables in order to establish a more realistic uncertainty range. The two Gibbs energy functions of CaO and MgO are combined with those of all other relevant phases to develop a thermodynamic database for the Mg–Ca–O system. The first systematic study of the calculated Mg–Ca–O phase diagram is presented. This phase diagram is validated by recently obtained dedicated experimental data using in-situ synchrotron radiation diffraction to study phase formation and reactions during melting and solidification of Mg and Mg–Ca alloys with CaO-additions below 1050 K. Intricacies in the solidification path of Mg-rich ternary alloys are revealed by the present thermodynamic calculations. Mg-rich alloys are categorized in four groups according to their participation in different invariant four-phase reactions. The development of non-equilibrium constitution of four phases, (Mg) + Mg2Ca + MgO + CaO, in the fully solidified sample is explained.
Per Rectal Bleeding in Children: Experiences in the Department of Paediatric Surgery in BSMMU
Authors: Alam Shoheli , Islam K.M. Didarul , Mahammad Noor , Nooruzzaman Md.
Published: January 2018

Per rectal bleeding is a frequently encountered clinical complaint in routine medical/surgical practice in paediatric patients. It has different aetiology in both extremes of age. This study was carried out in an attempt to find out causes, presentation and the proper management that can be offered to the affected infants and children.This retrospective study was carried out from January 2012 to December 2014 in the department of Paediatric Surgery of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. All patients presenting with the complaint of per rectal bleeding were included.  But patients who needed emergency surgical intervention were excluded from this study. The data were reviewed for gender, age, causes of rectal bleeding and type, number, site, recurrence rate and the modality of treatment employed in children having colorectal polyp. Technetium-labeled red blood cells scans was used for the diagnosis of Meckel's Diverticulum. Complete blood picture and routine stool examination were done for all cases.Most polyp cases were diagnosed with digital rectal examination (DRE). Colonoscopy was performed for some cases in the Paediatric Gastroenterology Department of BSMMU. Also all the rectal polyps and colonic mucosal biopsies taken during colonoscopy submitted to histopathological examination. Per rectal bleeding was the chief complaint in 326 (1.5%) patients Out of 21,533 patients presenting to the outpatient department of Paediatric Surgery of BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh over a period of three years. In this study, it was reviewed 326 patients, among them 208 (63.89%) were boys and 118 (36.19%) were girls. The male female ratio was 1.8:1. The ages ranged from 14 months to 14 years (mean age: 5.8years) at diagnosis. The most common aetiology was juvenile polyps which were found in 209 (64.11%) of the cases. It was to be found that anal fissure in 33 (10.12%) patients, rectal prolapse in 27 (8.2%) patients, non-specific colitis in 15 (4.60%) patients, Meckel's Diverticulitis in 3 (0.9%) patients, juvenile polyposis coli in 5 (1.5%) patients and familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) in 4 (1.2%) patients. However, the cause of per rectal bleeding remained unknown suspecting chronic constipation in 30 (9.20%) patients. No statistically significant differences were observed between males and females as well as different age groups regarding the means of the underlying causes of  per rectal bleeding in children(p > 0.05). The prevalence of anal fissure in less than 2 years old patients and juvenile polyps in the 2-6 years old patients were significantly higher than the other causes (p < 0.001). Other causes of per rectal bleeding prevailed in children were more than 2 years old.  Colorectal polyps are common causes of per rectal bleeding in children. Proper physical examination including DRE along with the colonoscopy promotes both rapid and accurate diagnosis and the opportunity for immediate therapeutic measures.
Transforming vocational education and training in Finland: Uses of developmental work research approach
Authors: Teräs Marianne
Published: January 2018

Vocational education and training (VET) is under reform in many Nordic countries. This article explores uses of developmental work research (DWR) approach in reforming and transforming practices of VET. DWR was initiated in Finland in the 1980s to enhance understanding about learning in organizations. The aim of this article is to elaborate the approach by examining studies made in the field of professional and vocational education and training, and thus to examine potentials and shortcomings of the approach. Eight DWR studies in the field of professional and vocational education and training are summarized, and three of them are elaborated. Contributions of the studies cover new tools, conceptualizations and methods for VET. Shortcomings bring forth researcher’s dual role and lack of evidence on sustainable development after study processes. In conclusion I state that DWR offers rich and solid theoretical and methodological tools for VET researchers. However, they need to develop concepts that combine different dimensions of research, and not to forget to elaborate their study results from societal and individual perspectives.
Nitrogen Use Efficiency and the Genetic Variation of Maize Expired Plant Variety Protection Germplasm
Authors: Mastrodomenico Adriano , Hendrix C. , Below Frederick
Published: January 2018

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in maize (Zea mays L.) is an important trait to optimize yield with minimal input of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Expired Plant Variety Protection (ex-PVP) Act-certified germplasm may be an important genetic resource for public breeding sectors. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the genetic variation of N-use traits and to characterize maize ex-PVP inbreds that are adapted to the U.S. Corn Belt for NUE performance. Eighty-nine ex-PVP inbreds (36 stiff stalk synthetic (SSS), and 53 non-stiff stalk synthetic (NSSS)) were genotyped using 26,769 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, then 263 single-cross maize hybrids derived from these inbreds were grown in eight environments from 2011 to 2015 at two N fertilizer rates (0 and 252 kg N ha−1) and three replications. Genetic utilization of inherent soil nitrogen and the yield response to N fertilizer were stable across environments and were highly correlated with yield under low and high N conditions, respectively. Cluster analysis identified inbreds with desirable NUE performance. However, only one inbred (PHK56) was ranked in the top 10% for yield under both N-stress and high N conditions. Broad-sense heritability across 12 different N-use traits varied from 0.11 to 0.77, but was not associated with breeding value accuracy. Nitrogen-stress tolerance was negatively correlated with the yield increase from N fertilizer.
Photosynthesis of Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) Seedling at Different Air Temperatures
Authors: Azhar Aidil , Makihara Daigo , Naito Hitoshi , Ehara Hiroshi
Published: January 2018

Photosynthetic activities of the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) were studied to find out its sensitivity to changes in ambient air temperature. The minimum ambient air temperature designed for the experiment was 25–29 °C, while the higher end was 29–33 °C. Several photosynthetic parameters were studied to support our analysis in sago photosynthetic activity, including diurnal leaf gas exchange, assimilation rate vs. CO2 concentration, leaf greenness, leaf chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate vs. irradiance. We found that sago palm photosynthetic activity tends to be more sensitive to minimum than to maximum ambient air temperature. The plants exposed to higher air temperatures had dark green leaf color associated with higher rates of diurnal photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and rubisco limited photosynthetic activity. They also exhibited higher trend in optimum irradiance absorption level. Consequently, maximum light energy dissipation occurred at higher temperatures.
Modelling the Collection and Delivery of Sheep Milk: A Tool to Optimise the Logistics Costs of Cheese Factories
Authors: Caria Maria , Todde Giuseppe , Pazzona Antonio
Published: January 2018

The milk transformation process, in the last thirty years, moved from on-farm to centralised cheese factories, affecting the management of transport logistics. In Sardinia, the presence of about 12,000 dairy sheep farms, located in rural areas with poor condition of road network, makes collecting milk a significant impact on profit, affecting the costs of milk transportation. Moreover, dairy sheep farming is characterized by seasonal production, this means that the amount of milk that is produced by each farm differs significantly over the year. The objective of this work was to develop a decision support tool that, while optimising milk collection routes, reduced the costs of milk transport, thus improving the density of collection. The tool developed ad hoc in this study used GPS map location and milk volumes of farms to calculate the cost per litre of milk for the regular routing, and to recalculate the same cost for the optimised collecting route. Results showed that this tool improved the efficiency of milk collection, reducing the number of routes and the driving distances. Furthermore, optimising the density of collection, the new routes improved the environmental impact and the transportation costs that are associated with logistic and traceability of raw sheep milk.
Definition of a Methodology for Gradual and Sustainable Safety Improvements on Farms and Its Preliminary Applications
Authors: Cividino Sirio , Pergher Gianfranco , Gubiani Rino , Moreschi Carlo , Da Broi Ugo , Vello Michela , Rinaldi Fabiano
Published: January 2018

In many productive sectors, ensuring a safe working environment is still an underestimated problem, and especially so in farming. A lack of attention to safety and poor risk awareness by operators represents a crucial problem, which results in numerous serious injuries and fatal accidents. The Demetra project, involving the collaboration of the Regional Directorate of INAIL (National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work), aims to devise operational solutions to evaluate the risk of accidents in agricultural work and analyze the dynamics of occupational accidents by using an observational method to help farmers ensure optimal safety levels. The challenge of the project is to support farmers with tools designed to encourage good safety management in the agricultural workplaces.
Sustainable Agriculture—Enhancing Environmental Benefits, Food Nutritional Quality and Building Crop Resilience to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Authors: Roberts Daniel , Mattoo Autar
Published: January 2018

Feeding nutrition-dense food to future world populations presents agriculture with enormous challenges as estimates indicate that crop production must as much as double. Crop production cannot be increased to meet this challenge simply by increasing land acreage or using past agricultural intensification methods. Food production doubled in the past through substantial use of synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, and irrigation, all at significant environmental cost. Future production of nutrition-dense food will require next-generation crop production systems with decreased reliance on synthetic fertilizer and pesticide. Here, we present three case studies detailing the development of cover crops and plant-beneficial microbes for sustainable, next-generation small grain, tomato, and oilseed rape production systems. Cover crops imparted weed and pathogen control and decreased soil erosion and loss of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon, while plant-beneficial microbes provided disease control and phosphorus fertility. However, yield in these next-generation crop production systems at best approximated that associated with current production systems. We argue here that to substantially increase agricultural productivity, new crop germplasm needs to be developed with enhanced nutritional content and enhanced tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. This will require using all available technologies, including intensified genetic engineering tools, in the next-generation cropping systems.
Private Animal Welfare Standards—Opportunities and Risks
Authors: Lundmark Frida , Berg Charlotte , Röcklinsberg Helena
Published: January 2018

The current shift moves the governance of animal welfare away from the government towards the private market and the consumers. We have studied the intentions, content, and on-farm inspection results from different sets of animal welfare legislation and private standards with an aim to highlight the most important opportunities and risks identified in relation to the trend of increasingly relying on private standards for safeguarding or improving farm animal welfare. Our results show that different focuses, intentions, animal welfare requirements, inspection methods (i.e., methods for measuring and evaluating the compliance with a regulation), and inspection results, together with the use of vague wordings and a drive towards more flexible regulations does certainly not facilitate the interpretation and implementation of animal welfare regulations, especially not in relation to each other. Since farmers today often have to comply with several animal welfare regulations, including private standards, it is important to stress that a given regulation should never be seen as a single, stand-alone phenomenon, and the policymakers must hence consider the bigger picture, and apply the standards in relation to other existing regulations. This is especially relevant in relation to the legislation, a level that a private standard can never ignore.
Search Methods Used to Locate Missing Cats and Locations Where Missing Cats Are Found
Authors: Huang Liyan , Coradini Marcia , Rand Jacquie , Morton John , Albrecht Kat , Wasson Brigid , Robertson Danielle
Published: January 2018

Missing pet cats are often not found by their owners, with many being euthanized at shelters. This study aimed to describe times that lost cats were missing for, search methods associated with their recovery, locations where found and distances travelled. A retrospective case series was conducted where self-selected participants whose cat had gone missing provided data in an online questionnaire. Of the 1210 study cats, only 61% were found within one year, with 34% recovered alive by the owner within 7 days. Few cats were found alive after 90 days. There was evidence that physical searching increased the chance of finding the cat alive (p = 0.073), and 75% of cats were found within 500 m of the point of escape. Up to 75% of cats with outdoor access traveled 1609 m, further than the distance traveled by indoor-only cats (137 m; p ≤ 0.001). Cats considered to be highly curious were more likely to be found inside someone else’s house compared to other personality types. These findings suggest that thorough physical searching is a useful strategy, and should be conducted within the first week after cats go missing. They also support further investigation into whether shelter, neuter and return programs improve the chance of owners recovering missing cats and decrease numbers of cats euthanized in shelters.
Myelin Antigens and Antimyelin Antibodies
Authors: Seil Fredrick
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this review is to provide an historical perspective on studies of serum derived antimyelin antibodies. Antimyelin antibodies can be defined by their action on myelinating organotypic nervous system tissue cultures and include demyelinating antibodies, which have destructive effects on myelin when applied to already myelinated cultures, and myelination inhibiting antibodies, which prevent myelin formation when applied to cultures prior to myelination. Myelin antigens were evaluated in animal studies for their ability to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an inflammatory demyelinating disease, and correlated with the induction of antimyelin antibodies. As tissue culture demyelinating activity was also found in sera from some patients with multiple sclerosis, a human inflammatory demyelinating disease, studies were undertaken to characterize the nature of the demyelinating factors.
Parameter Determination of a Minimal Model for Brake Squeal
Authors: Chu Zhigang , Zheng Fei , Liang Lei , Yan Hui , Kang Runcheng
Published: January 2018

In the research into the mechanism of brake squeal, minimal models with two degrees of freedom (DoFs) are widely used. Compared with the finite element method, the minimal model is more concise and efficient, making it easier to analyze the effect of parameters. However, how to accurately determine its kinetic parameters is rarely reported in the literature. In this paper, firstly, the finite element model of a disc brake is established and the complex eigenvalue analysis (CEA) is carried out to obtain unstable modes of the brake. Then, an unstable mode with seven nodal diameters predicted by CEA is taken as an example to establish the 2-DoF model. In order that the natural frequency, Hopf bifurcation point and real parts of eigenvalues of the minimal model coincide with that of the unstable mode with seven nodal diameters, the response surface method (RSM) is applied to determine the kinetic parameters of the minimal model. Finally, the parameter-optimized minimal model is achieved. Furthermore, the negative slope of friction-velocity characteristic is introduced into the model, and transient analysis (TA) is used to study the effect of braking velocity on stability of the brake system. The results show that the brake system becomes unstable when braking velocity is lower than a critical value. The lower the velocity is, the worse the stability appears, and the higher the brake squeal propensity is.
A Novel Approach for the Estimation of Doubly Spread Acoustic Channels Based on Wavelet Transform
Authors: Zhang Xing , Song Kang , Li Chunguo , Yang Luxi
Published: January 2018

In this paper, the estimation of doubly spread underwater acoustic (UWA) channels is investigated. The UWA channels are characterized by severe delay spread and significant Doppler effects, and can be well modeled as a multi-scale multi-lag (MSML) channel. Furthermore, exploiting the sparsity of UWA channels, MSML channel estimation can be transformed into the estimation of parameter sets (amplitude, Doppler scale factor, time delay). Based on this, the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm has been widely used. However, the estimation accuracy of OMP depends on the size of the dictionary, which is related with both delay spread and Doppler spread. Thus it requires high computational complexity. This paper proposes a new method, called wavelet transform (WT) based algorithm, for the UWA channel estimation. Different from OMP algorithm which needs to search in both time domain and Doppler domain, WT-based algorithm only needs to search in time domain by using the Doppler invariant characteristic of hyperbolic frequency modulation (HFM) signal. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by computer simulations based on BELLHOP. The simulation results show that WT-based algorithm performs slightly better than OMP algorithm in low signal to noise ratio (SNR) while can greatly reduce computational complexity.
Impact of a Porous Si-Ca-P Monophasic Ceramic on Variation of Osteogenesis-Related Gene Expression of Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ruben Rabadan-Ros , Beatriz Revilla-Nuin , Patricia Mazón , Salvador Aznar-Cervantes , Patricia Ros-Tarraga , Piedad N. De , Luis Meseguer-Olmo
Published: January 2018

This work evaluates in vitro the influence of a new biocompatible porous Si-Ca-P monophasic (7CaO·P2O5·2SiO2) ceramic on the cellular metabolic activity, morphology and osteogenic differentiation of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (ahMSCs) cultured in basal growth medium and under osteogenic inductive medium. Alamar Blue Assay and FESEM were carried out in order to monitor the cell proliferation and the shape of the cells growing on the Si-Ca-P monophasic ceramic during the study period. The osteogenic differentiation of ahMSCs was investigated by means of immunofluorescent staining (osteocalcin, osteopontin, heparan sulphate and collagen type I expression), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) (integrin-binding sialoprotein, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteonectin, runt-related transcription factor 2 and collagen type I) and expression of surface markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). We could check osteogenic differentiation in ahMSCs growing under the influence of Si-Ca-P monophasic ceramics itself, but especially when growth medium was replaced by osteogenic medium in the culture conditions. These results allowed us to conclude that the new Si-Ca-P monophasic scaffold greatly enhanced ahMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation; therefore, it may be considered to be employed as a new bone graft substitute or scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Swarming Behavior Emerging from the Uptake–Kinetics Feedback Control in a Plant-Root-Inspired Robot
Authors: Del Dottore Emanuela , Mondini Alessio , Sadeghi Ali , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a plant root behavior-based approach to defining the control architecture of a plant-root-inspired robot, which is composed of three root-agents for nutrient uptake and one shoot-agent for nutrient redistribution. By taking inspiration and extracting key principles from the uptake of nutrient, movements and communication strategies adopted by plant roots, we developed an uptake–kinetics feedback control for the robotic roots. Exploiting the proposed control, each root is able to regulate the growth direction, towards the nutrients that are most needed, and to adjust nutrient uptake, by decreasing the absorption rate of the most plentiful one. Results from computer simulations and implementation of the proposed control on the robotic platform, Plantoid, demonstrate an emergent swarming behavior aimed at optimizing the internal equilibrium among nutrients through the self-organization of the roots. Plant wellness is improved by dynamically adjusting nutrients priorities only according to local information without the need of a centralized unit delegated for wellness monitoring and task allocation among the agents. Thus, the root-agents can ideally and autonomously grow at the best speed, exploiting nutrient distribution and improving performance, in terms of exploration capabilities and exploitation of resources, with respect to the tropism-inspired control previously proposed by the same authors.
Correlation between the Golden Ratio and Nanowire Transistor Performance
Authors: Al-Ameri Talib
Published: January 2018

An observation was made in this research regarding the fact that the signatures of isotropic charge distributions in silicon nanowire transistors (NWT) displayed identical characteristics to the golden ratio (Phi). In turn, a simulation was conducted regarding ultra-scaled n-type Si (NWT) with respect to the 5-nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) application. The results reveal that the amount of mobile charge in the channel and intrinsic speed of the device are determined by the device geometry and could also be correlated to the golden ratio (Phi). This paper highlights the issue that the optimization of NWT geometry could reduce the impact of the main sources of statistical variability on the Figure of Merit (FoM) of devices. In the context of industrial early successes in fabricating vertically stacked NWT, ensemble Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with quantum correction are used to accurately predict the drive current. This occurs alongside a consideration of the degree to which the carrier transport in the vertically stacked lateral NWTs are complex.
A Bio-Inspired Control Strategy for Locomotion of a Quadruped Robot
Authors: Zeng Yinquan , Li Junmin , Yang Simon , Ren Erwei
Published: January 2018

In order to effectively plan the robot gaits and foot workspace trajectory (WT) synchronously, a novel biologically inspired control strategy for the locomotion of a quadruped robot based on central pattern generator—neural network—workspace trajectory (CPG-NN-WT) is presented in this paper. Firstly, a foot WT is planned via the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) notation and the inverse kinematics, which has the advantages of low mechanical shock, smooth movement, and sleek trajectory. Then, an improved central pattern generator (CPG) based on Hopf oscillators is proposed in this paper for smooth gait planning. Finally, a neural network is designed and trained to convert the CPG output to the preplanned WT, which can make full use of the advantages of the CPG-based method in gait planning and the WT-based method in foot trajectory planning simultaneously. Furthermore, virtual prototype simulations and experiments with a real quadruped robot are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. The results show that the gait of the quadruped robot can be controlled easily and effectively by the CPG with its internal parameters; meanwhile, the foot trajectory meets the preplanned WT well.
Broadband Electromagnetic Dipole Resonance by the Coupling Effect of Multiple Dielectric Nanocylinders
Authors: Fang Bo , Jing Xufeng , Ye Qiufeng , Cai Jinhui , Zhou Pengwei
Published: January 2018

Broadband resonant scattering in a visible region that can be obtained by coupled multiple silicon nanocylinders. For a single high refractive index silicon nanocylinder, the electric dipole and magnetic dipole resonances can be observed. By constructing a silicon nanocylinder dimer, the interaction between the particles plays an important role in broadband scattering. Interestingly, due to magnetic-magnetic dipole interaction, a splitting phenomenon of magnetic resonance mode is revealed. A new magnetic resonant mode emerges at a longer wavelength in dimer and trimer by changing the diameter of one nanocylinder in dimer or trimer, and the gap size between nanocylinders. The scattering bandwidth can further increase with the effect of substrate, which is attributed to the extension of resonant mode into substrate. The broadband optical response can be revealed by the calculated scattering resonant spectra and the spatial electromagnetic field distributions. Furthermore, the transmission of periodic nanocylinder structure, including single nanocylinder and dimer, is demonstrated. By decreasing the gap between nanocylinders in dimer for periodic array structure, a new electric resonant mode occurs. These results can provide a guideline to realize broadband resonant optical elements.
Spatiotemporal Variations in Satellite-Based Formaldehyde (HCHO) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region in China from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Zhu Songyan , Li Xiaoying , Yu Chao , Wang Hongmei , Wang Yapeng , Miao Jing
Published: January 2018

The widespread distribution and strong seasonal pattern of highly concentrated summertime formaldehyde (HCHO) were observed using data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) onboard Aura satellite from 2005 to 2015 in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, China. The large-scale HCHO concentrations and its close connection with the surface O3 pollution made the study of summertime HCHO patterns and its major contributors necessary. Accordingly, time series decomposition, Moran’s I and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were adopted to investigate the spatiotemporal variations of HCHO. We found that the HCHO columns regionally increased from 2005 to 2010 and decreased in the north (e.g., Chengde) from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, HCHO Vertical Column Densities (VCDs) exhibited higher values in urban areas. Despite the strong possibilities of major biogenic contributions, anthropogenic sources represented larger spatial PCCs and larger total emission rates. Industrial sources exhibited a large increasing emission amount, and the most similar distribution to HCHO was found in residential sources. By comparison, power-based emissions accounted for a relatively small fraction, and transportation emissions declined rapidly. In conclusion, anthropogenic VOCs might contribute to the summertime HCHO concentrations as well as isoprene, and controls on VOCs and HCHO would be greatly assisted by the satellite-based observations.