bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust innate immune responses at the placenta during early gestation may limit in utero HIV transmission
Authors: Johnson Erica L. , Swieboda Dominika , Olivier Amanda , Enninga Elizabeth Ann L. , Chakraborty Rana
Published: August 2021

In 2019, >90% of new HIV infections in infants globally occurred vertically. Studies suggest intrauterine transmission most often occurs in the third trimester; however, there are no mechanistic studies to support these observations. We therefore obtained early/mid-gestation and term placentae from 20 HIV/Hepatitis B/CMV negative women. Isolated primary placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells [HCs]) were exposed to HIV-1BaLand/or interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, IFN-λ1, and RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) agonists. qRT-PCR, FACS, ELISA, Luminex, and Western blot analyses determined expression of activation markers, co-receptors, viral antigen, cytokines, antiviral genes, and host proteins. Early gestation HCs express higher levels of CCR5 and exhibit a more activated phenotype. Despite downregulation of CCR5, term HCs were more susceptible to HIV replication. Early gestation HCs displayed a more activated phenotype than term HCs and HIV exposure lead to the further up-regulation of T-cell co-stimulatory and MHC molecules. Limited HIV replication in early/mid gestation HCs was associated with increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and a more robust antiviral immune response. In contrast, term HCs were more susceptible to HIV replication, associated with dampening of IFN-induced STAT1 and STAT2 protein activation. Treatment of early/mid gestation and term HCs, with type I IFNs or RLR agonists reduced HIV replication, underscoring the importance of IFN and RLR signaling in inducing an antiviral state. Viral recognition and antiviral immunity in early gestation HCs may preventin uteroHIV infection, whereas diminished antiviral responses at term can facilitate transmission. Defining mechanisms and specific timing of vertical transmission are critical for the development of specific vaccines and antiviral therapeutics to prevent new HIV infections in children globally.
Dukungan Teknologi Menuju Pengembangan Kawasan Jagung di Sumatra Utara
Authors: Girsang Setia Sari ,   North Sumatra Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology, Akmal Akmal ,   North Sumatra Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology, Girsang Moral Abadi ,   North Sumatra Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology, Nurzannah Sri Endah ,   North Sumatra Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology, Purba Tommy ,   North Sumatra Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology
Published: August 2021

Senjangnya hasil produk tanaman jagung antara produksi aktual dan potensi hasil khususnya di area dengan lahan jagung potensial—Sumatra Utara—membuat seluruh upaya dan program yang telah digalakkan, termasuk oleh pemerintah, perlu dikaji ulang. Kondisi ini menyiratkan fakta bahwa program-program dari pemerintah belum sepenuhnya diadopsi dengan baik oleh petani. Proses kaji ulang tersebut, salah satunya, tertuang dalam buku ini. Buku di tangan Anda ini merupakan perpanjangan tangan dari pelaksanaan serangkaian program terkait kegiatan pertanian dan pemanfaatan teknologi untuk mendukung keberhasilan dan peningkatan kualitas mutu budi daya tanaman jagung. Buku ini diharapkan mam­pu menjadi pedoman bagi petani, penyuluh, mahasiswa, praktisi pertanian, maupun pemerintah daerah dalam mengembangkan usaha tani jagung di Sumatra Utara.
A Clinicopathological Study of Thrombocytopenia in Malaria Cases with Its Evaluation in Different Types of Malaria
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Nisha Thattamparambil , Papaiah Supriya , Soman Smera , Upadhyaya Krishnaraj
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND Malaria is a global health problem, caused by the protozoa plasmodium and is characterized by haematological abnormalities, with thrombocytopenia being the most common. Microscopic examination of thick and thin blood films is the gold standard in diagnosis of malaria. This study was conducted to assess the severity of thrombocytopenia in malaria patients and to correlate it with the type of malaria. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in Yenepoya Medical College, Hospital, Mangalore for a period of 1.5 years. Patients of all ages who were hospitalized or attending OPD were included. Patients with dengue fever and drug-induced thrombocytopenia were excluded. Complete blood cell count was done using an automated cell count analyser. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count < 150,000 / μl. It was graded as severe: platelet count < 50,000/ μl, moderate: 50,000- 100,000/ μl and mild: 100,000-150,000 /μl. RESULTS Our study included 120 malaria positive cases with 102 (85 %) males and 18 (15 %) females. 90.8 % cases presented with thrombocytopenia, predominantly moderate to severe thrombocytopenia (80.7 %). Plasmodium vivax (Pv) was the most common species found in our study. Ninety-nine (82.5 %) cases were positive for Plasmodium vivax (Pv), 8 (6.6 %) cases for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and 13 (10.8 %) cases had mixed infection with both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Out of 99 cases which had vivax malaria, 88 (88.9 %) cases had thrombocytopenia. All 8 cases detected with falciparum malaria and 13 cases with mixed infection had thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS The above findings can have therapeutic implications in avoiding unnecessary platelet infusion in malaria patients. Presence of thrombocytopenia in a patient with acute febrile illness can heighten suspicion of malaria, and initiate prompt treatment. KEY WORDS Thrombocytopenia, Malaria, Severity
Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis - A Rare Clinicopathological Entity
Authors: M. S. Bhuvitha , G. Nandakumar
Published: August 2021

This is a rare case report of a thirty-eight-year-old male who presented with multiple asymptomatic hyper-pigmented papulonodular lesions on the face for the past two years without the association of pain or pruritus and with restriction of elbow movements. The diagnosis of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis was made on histopathological findings of Touton type of giant cells and sheets of foamy histiocytes along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies. Workup was done for other associated diseases. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is also known as lipoid dermatitis,1 a rare disease which is characterised by the presence of extensive papulonodular cutaneous eruptions and severe, sometimes destructive arthropathy, followed by eruption of the skin and mucous membrane lesion.2,3 It’s a rare idiopathic nonLangerhans cell histiocytosis.4 This disorder is characterised by predominant cutaneous manifestation and joint involvements. The lesions may show regression and recurrence, many case studies show an association of this lesion with internal malignancies, autoimmune diseases, hyperlipidaemias, and tuberculosis.5,6 Few cases have shown musculoskeletal involvement with features such as myositis. The disease was described initially as reticulocytosis granuloma in 1952 by Caro and Senear, later the term was coined by Goltz and Laymon as multicentric reticulohistiocytosis in 1954.4 It is also known by different names such as giant cell histiocytosis, lipoid dermato-arthritis, lipoid-rheumatism and reticulohistiocytosis granuloma. The disease incidence is very low worldwide, less than 200 cases have been reported in literature5 and reports from India are limited.
A hatékony válságkommunikáció
Authors: Fenyvesi Éva
Published: August 2021

A szerző dolgozatában a válságkommunikáció folyamatát mutatja be. Elemzi a folyamatban résztvevők feladatait, azok sajátosságait. Feltárja azokat a vezetői készségeket, képességeket, melyek nélkülözhetetlenek a sikeres válságmegoldáshoz.
Az informális kapcsolati háló és a kompetenciák - szociometria és 360 fokos értékelés alkalmazása egy felsővezetői team vizsgálata során
Authors: Török L. Gábor
Published: August 2021

A szerző dolgozatában egy szociometriái vizsgálatból és egy 360 fokos kompetenciaértékelésből származó adatok és megállapítások tapasztalatait foglalja össze. A kétféle megközelítés lehetőségeit kihasználva elsősorban arra a kérdésre kereste a választ, hogy az egyes személyeknek a vezetői csoportban elfoglalt szociometriái státusa milyen kapcsolatban van az illetőknek a 360 fokos értékelés által jelzett kompetenciaszintjével.
An Unusual Case of Biliary Obstruction Because of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma From Head and Neck Primary
Authors: Chopra Maneera , Bhakta Dimpal , Zhang Songlin , DaVee Tomas
Published: August 2021

Secondary pancreatic tumors are uncommon, with the majority originating from primary gastrointestinal or lung cancers. We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas, found to be human papillomavirus–positive on in situ hybridization. After extensive work-up, the patient was determined to have a previously undiagnosed, asymptomatic head and neck primary malignancy. There is sparse literature discussing metastatic human papillomavirus–positive squamous cell carcinoma to the pancreas. This report highlights the importance of including this diagnosis when considering a differential for secondary pancreatic tumors, especially squamous etiology.
Leisure and youth clubs’ work with young people of ethnic minority background living in socially deprived housing areas: creating processes of hope and empowerment through social pedagogical work
Authors: Petersen Kirsten Elisa
Published: August 2021

This article gives an analysis of social pedagogical work in leisure and youth clubs, physically located in so-called socially deprived housing areas in Denmark. The pedagogical work is especially aimed at young boys of ethnic minority background. The article draws on empirical research from a project exploring leisure and youth clubs’ impact on children and young people’s well-being and opportunities for development when growing up in socially deprived housing areas. The social pedagogical work seems very closely related to societal issues moving into the pedagogical everyday life of the leisure and youth clubs. These clubs, besides embracing the children and young people’s active leisure life in communities with other children and young people, are thus also instrumental in helping and supporting the children and young people to cope with an everyday life that features experiences of stigmatising and inequality-shaped living conditions. The social pedagogical work is analysed from the perspectives of the pedagogues and young people, taking their point of view to what seems particularly significant to the well-being and development of the young people based on Scandinavian-German critical psychology. This is integrated with Paulo Freire’s notion of hope and empowerment, which is the analytical framework within the context of social pedagogical work concerned with how the young men develop belief in themselves for them to complete their education, get a job in after-school hours and refrain from involvement in crime and gang-related communities.
Fractal characteristic of recycled aggregate and its influence on physical property of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Gao Song , Li Qiuyi , Luo Jianlin
Published: August 2021

Fractal dimension is introduced to describe the complicated characteristics of recycled aggregate and their influence on properties of recycled concrete as an integrated indicator. The fractal dimensions of both particle outline and distribution of recycled aggregate have obvious self-similarity and fractal characteristics. The order of the bulk density, water absorption, and crushing index of recycled aggregate in particle group state is clearly and directly related to the fractal dimension of boundary line. Additionally, the fractal dimension of the distribution of recycled coarse aggregate in concrete decreases in order of natural aggregate, Type I, Type II, and Type III recycled coarse aggregate; smaller distribution dimension value represents more concentrated distribution of aggregate, and 7 and 28 days compressive strength of the corresponding recycled concrete increases. The fractal dimension method is an effective process to assess comprehensive performances of recycled aggregate and helpful to establish a quantitative evaluation criterion for its wide applications.
WNK3 promotes the invasiveness of glioma cell lines under hypoxia by inducing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Wang Yue , Wu Bingbing , Long Shengrong , QiangLiu  , Li Guangyu
Published: August 2021

Background

The primary features of malignant glioma include high rates of mortality and recurrence, uncontrollable invasiveness, strong angiogenesis, and widespread hypoxia. The hypoxic microenvironment is an important factor affecting the malignant progression of glioma. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying glioma adaption in hypoxic microenvironments are poorly understood.

Objective

The work presented in this paper focuses on the role of WNK3 gene in glioma invasion under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we aim to explore its role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods

ShRNA targeting WNK3 transfection was used to knockdown the WNK3 expression in U87 cells. We used western blot analysis to detect the relative expression of proteins in U87 cells. The effect of WNK3 on cell migration was explored using a transwell assay in the U87 cell line. We also evaluated WNK3 expression levels in glioma samples by immunohistochemistry analysis.

Results

WNK3 expression was significantly higher in high-grade (III and IV) gliomas than in low-grade (I and II) gliomas. WNK3 expression was up-regulated in U87 cells when cultured in a hypoxic environment in addition; WNK3 knockdown inhibited the invasion of U87 glioma cells by regulating the EMT, especially under hypoxic conditions.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that WNK3 plays an important role in the hypoxic microenvironment of glioma and might also be a candidate for therapeutic application in the treatment of glioma.
The Influence of Eggshell as Coarse Aggregate Replacement in Hot Mix Asphalt
Authors: Cui Ming Ng , Putra Jaya Ramadhansyah , Awang Haryati
Published: August 2021

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is the most commonly used in Malaysia for highways, interstates and roads due to its flexibility, economical, strong and provide safe riding quality for road users. Over the years, the increase of damage on pavement roads in Malaysia has become a severe issue although the road did not achieve its design life. Hence, to reduce damage and defect, an improvised road pavement structures is needed. Various studies have been conducted to identify the new materials that can be used as a replacement in hot mix asphalt. In this research, the purpose is to evaluate the performance of eggshell as coarse aggregate replacement in hot mix asphalt. The gradation for aggregate used in this mixture is AC14. The weight for total mixing of the aggregates used is 1200g while the grade for bitumen is 60/70. The samples were mixed with eggshell in the various percentages of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by total weight of aggregate size 5mm. The laboratory tests carried out to determine the properties of aggregates included, aggregate impact value and aggregate crushing value. Besides, penetration and softening point were also performed to determine the properties of bitumen. Several types of test were conducted towards the samples, which are Marshall Test, Indirect Tensile Strength and Cantabro Test. The results exhibit that the conventional asphalt mixture is more effective than modified asphalt mixture. The replacement of eggshell as coarse aggregate was not enough improvement to the performance of asphalt pavement as the performance of conventional mixture is more stable than modified mixture.
Application of Redlich-Kister Model to Measure and Predict Thermo Physical Properties of Binary Liquid Mixtures at Various Temperatures
Authors: Ramesh R. , Ramesh K. , Yusoh K.
Published: August 2021

Study conducts in this research are Viscosities,ŋ, and densities, of 1, 4-dioxane with Benzene at different mole fractions and various temperatures in the atmospheric pressure condition. From experimentations excess volumes, Vᴱ, and deviation sin viscosities,Δŋ, of mixtures at infinite dilutions have been obtained. The measured systems exhibited positive values of Vᶆᴱ and negative values of Δŋ. The binary mixture 1, 4 dioxane + Benzene show positive Vᴱ and negative Δŋ with increasing temperatures. The outcomes clearly indicate that weak interactions present in mixture. It is mainly because of number and position of methyl groups exist in these aromatic hydrocarbons. These measured data tailored to the non-linear models to derive the binary coefficients. Standard deviations are considered between the fitted outcomes and the calculated data is helpful deliberate mixing behavior of the binary mixtures. It can conclude that in our cases, the data found with the values correlated by the corresponding models very well. The molecular interactions existing between the components and comparison of liquid mixtures also discussed.
Design of Selectable Modems for MC-CDMA Based on Software Defined Radio
Authors: Nahar Ali Kareem , Rahayu Yusnita
Published: August 2021

MC-CDMA technique is the combination of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technique and collects the benefits of both techniques to provide higher data rates and greater flexibility for voice, data, video and internet services for future wireless systems. In this paper MC-CDMA system based on Software Defined Radio (SDR) was proposed. The proposed data spread model consists of gold code and Selectable six modulation types (BPSK, QPSK, 8QAM, 16QAM, 32QAM and 64QAM). In addition, OFDM is designed by both FFT and IFFT for detecting ideal channel. The programming is done by using MATLABSimulink tool as well as M-files presented for each modem. Matlab 13A. The transmitter send 4, 3 and 2 bit to the receiver in which the system indicate is too big for 4 and 3 bit therefore the transmitted but reduced to two bit for successfully system work. To achieve optimum encoding and decoding signal the all modulation techniques use 5 MHz to 20 MHz spectrum frequency. Moreover the bandpass signal generation has optimal utilized area to satisfy the required sampling rate
Investigation of Circular Flexural Hinge Used in Compliant Mechanism Using FEA Tool.
Authors: Sawant M. M. , Anerao P. R.
Published: August 2021

To reduce fatigue failure of compliant mechanism, it is necessary to design and analyze the flexure hinge parametrically. A methodology to design a flexural hinges for compliant mechanism is proposed in this paper to improve fatigue life. Results obtained by finite element analysis shows that used design equations are reliable and easier to be used in the design of such proportion flexural hinges. The proposed analytical model gives a new viewpoint on the design of circular flexure hinge based compliant mechanisms. Circular flexural joint was manufactured by using Al 6061 T6 material and experimental setup is developed to test this flexural hinge. Results obtained by FEA were found to be in good correlation with experimental results. The variation in the results can be attributed to variation in properties of material, actual dimensions of setup etc.
Exploring Distinguish Approach to Opinions of Indian Educators and Students towards ICT
Authors: Verma Chaman
Published: August 2021

In today’s arena Information and communication technology (ICT) is the prime pillar of academic and economic growth. Indian technological growth has been reached up to peak, due to higher involvement of ICT in research and education. The author sensed that there is necessity to evaluate the opinions of educators and students regarding ICT. This paper focuses on exploring meaningful difference between students and educators towards ICT awareness in respect to their occupation. This study has been carried out on students and faculty of six Indian Universities. The nine hundred four samples have been collected from two states. To find significant difference between student and faculty popular statistical techniques such as F-test and one way ANOVA test has been applied. The outcomes this paper reveal that there is meaningiful differnece between opinion of students and educators for their occupation. More than nine hundred educators and students from Haryana and Punjab have participated in this research.
Antimicrobial activity of tropical soft corals found in the Northern Straits of Malacca
Authors: Marican Hana , Edros Raihana , Mohammad Mahadi , Salleh Sazlina
Published: August 2021

The study was conducted to obtain and test crude extracts from soft corals found at Pulau Payar, an island off the northern Straits of Malacca. Specimens were extracted in an equal volume of methanol and dichloromethane. The samples were then concentrated to obtain crude extracts. Anti-bacterial activities of the crude extracts were tested by disc diffusion method, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial activities (MBC) assays. Out of twelve crude extracts tested, 50 percent of them showed inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA; and approximately 8 percent have showed inhibition for Enterococcus raffinosus. The MIC of each extract is stated in the tables below. Only one of them showed bactericidal properties against MRSA. Soft corals around the world, have been found to contain beneficial chemical compounds, however not much research has been done in the region. This shows that soft coral extracts found in the Northern Straits of Malacca do have antibacterial potential, and this potential can be harnessed for future pharmaceutical exploration.
Analysis of Infra-Red Laser Power Process Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Bin Safiei Wahaizad , Bin Ab Rashid Mohd Rashdan
Published: August 2021

High-quality products and shorten manufacturing lead time are very important factors addressed by many companies. Typically, low-quality products are induced by inconsistent of manufacturing process performance. To get a constant laser power in Infrared (IR) Laser Marking process was a common problem facing by many engineers in the manufacturing industry. This consequences might effect on laser marking characteristics such as the possibility of burn marking or blur marking particularly on the products. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to study the interaction between Infrared (IR) Laser Marking input parameters such as current (amp), frequency (Hz), water flow (l/min) and laser beam size (mm) on laser power (watt) as the main response. Furthermore, the response of laser power from Infra-Red laser process can be predicted when all combinations of parameters are tested. The IR marking machine was deployed and experimental studies were conducted in order to meet this objective. The experiments were based on Design of Experiment (DOE) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) because second order model or polynomial equation was needed to fit for the response. The relationship between input and output parameters can be visualized by 3D graphs which were developed from Mathematical modeling. Based on the experiment results, the parameters that have significant effects on the laser power are current, laser beam size and water flow. However, frequency does not have a significant factor in this study.
An Empirical Study of Outlook difference among Indian Students towards ICT for Demography and Educational Standards
Authors: Verma Chaman , Dahiya Sanjay , Sharma Yogesh Kumar
Published: August 2021

Information and communication technology (ICT) is major backbone of Indian education system. Now days, the higher educational Institutions are using ICT based teaching and learning. Many of researchers, educators and students from the world are adapting sharply ICT in their educational life. Indian students have variety of thoughts towards ICT usage in their education. We have tried to explore the outlook difference among Indian students receiving higher education in Universities. More than five hundred students from six Universities located in Haryana and Punjab have participated in this study. This article is focusing on to find outlook difference among students towards ICT in relation to their locality and level of study. The statistically test like Z-test and T-test proves that educational standard and demography of students did not affect the outlook towards ICT awareness in higher education. This paper will support to investigators over the globe those are conducting their research on ICT awareness in higher educational institutions.
Development and Testing of Hot Cold Tumbler Operating on Peltier Effect
Authors: Robin Lee Robin , Chee Kiong Chong , Kulkarni Ratnakar
Published: August 2021

Use of Peltier effect for cooling is not new. Various attempts have been made to generate cooling using Peltier effect. Occasionally use of this effect for heating applications is also reported. This paper reports the development and testing of a hot cold tumbler that is capable of heating as well as cooling of a 300 cc can of water/tea/coffee or any other liquid. The compact design makes this tumbler portable and can be carried out without any inconvenience. Use of battery makes it possible to use this at remote places or where electric supply is not readily available. The testing showed positive results and tumbler was capable of heating drink can up to 60oCand cooling was achieved up to 20oC within a span of 30 minutes. To reduce this time it was suggested to increase the Peltier chip capacity and solar power to recharge the battery.
A Review on Indoor Smart Energy Managemet SYSTEM
Authors: Woon Koay Li , Hashim Yasir
Published: August 2021

One of the best choices to reserve energy is converted the original home into an intelligent one or known as “Smart Home”. In this paper, a review on samart energy management system was presented. Various novel methods and technologies are being extensively explored.
Effects of Support Matrix for XylanaseImmobilisationon Alginate Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Mohd Sukri Siti Sabrina , A.M Mimi Sakinah
Published: August 2021

Enzymes serving as biocatalysts and play an important roles in many industrial field. However, the limitation of enzyme usage due to its high cost and unstable conditions of soluble enzyme to harsh conditions lead to findings an alternative to enhance the enzyme efficiency by immobilisation (insoluble enzyme). The present work reported a combination of immobilisation technique of xylanase by entrapment and covalent binding on alginate hydrogel beads. Xylanase enzyme was effectively immobilised within the support matrix, alginate hydrogel beads by entrapment and covalent binding on the surface of beads using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linked agent. The effects of support matrix comprised of sodium alginate concentration (% w/v) and calcium chloride, CaCl2 (M) were studied in order to obtain a better immobilisation yield. The suitable concentration of sodium alginate and CaCl2 to ensure a robust and stable hydrogel beads with higher immobilisation yield were formed as a support matrix for xylanase immobilisation. The analysis of xylanase activity was determined using dinitrosalicyclic (DNS) acid reagent method. Maximal enzyme immobilisation yield (>80 %) was achieved at 3.0 % w/v of sodium alginate concentration and 0.3 M of CaCl2. The study shows the support matrix of hydrogel beads gave a significant impact towards the immobilisation yield of xylanase.
Solving the Environmental Economic Dispatch Problem using Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: J.Touma Haider
Published: August 2021

In this work, the Whale Optimization Algorithm method used to solve the Environmental Economic Dispatch Problem. The performance of the used algorithm is substantiated using standard test system of three thermal generating units. The proposed algorithm produced optimum or near optimum solutions. The obtained results in this study using the Whale Optimization Algorithm are compared with the obtained results using other intelligent methods such as Particle Swarm Optimization, Simple Genetic Algorithm and Genetic Algorithm. The comparison demonstrated the obtained results in this research are close to these obtained using the above revealed approaches.
Stability of Object Classes and Selection of the Latent Features
Authors: Ignatyev N.A. , Madrakhimov Sh.F. , Saidov D.Y.
Published: August 2021

The problem of selection new latent features space in pattern recognition with teacher is considered. To form the space is used by the partition the set of the initial features to the previously unknown number of disjoint groups. The extremum of the criterion of grouping is calculated by the value of stability of each object in class along the set of features included in the group. Displaying such a set to the numerical axis represents the value of the latent feature in the description of admissible objects.
Development of Dynamic Programming Algorithm for Maintenance Scheduling Problem: A Conceptual Paper
Authors: Fauzi Z. A. M. , Mansor M. A.
Published: August 2021

Maintenance is one of the important methods that can be used to ensure the machines and equipment can operate within the best condition. A good scheduling for maintenance will maintain the proper performance since all resources will be utilised effectively as the underused of the resource can be reduced. The schedule created ensures the particular task was done within the time provided. What, when, where and how the certain operation will be done will be stated to make sure the planned activity going smoothly without any delays. However, the uncertainty that happened during the maintenance needs to be taken into account to create the fully optimised schedule. This change will affect the schedule developed and caused delays to the scheduled task. Once the beginning task is delayed, the following work will also be postponed. Thus, a mathematical model for maintenance scheduling for repairable and inspection of the machines and equipment was proposed to deal with the uncertainty that happened. This dynamic model will create the new schedule for the maintenance scheduling and help the manager in the decision-making process on where to assign the maintenance team when the uncertainty happened.
Theoretical Modelling of Charge Transport Properties of Individual Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ijeomah G. , Samsuri F. , Obite F. , Zawawi M.A.
Published: August 2021

Experimental projection of transport properties of semiconductor devices faces a challenge nowadays. As devices scale to nanometre scale range, the classical transport equations used in current device simulators can no longer be applied. Conversely, the use of a more accurate and better non-equilibrium green function (NEGF) is limited by the fact that it requires excessive quantum of memory and computational time, having quasi-separable matrices that are extremely convoluted to solve. This work exploits the Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) to assess the transport properties of carbon nanotubes. Previous works on solving the BTE have employed either a stochastic method or an approximate method, both of which do not possess the necessary properties for practical device applications. Therefore, this work represents the first direct theoretical solution of the BTE for one-dimensional carbon nanotubes that can be utilized for practical device applications. The complete spectrum of transport in CNTs extending from ohmic to high-field through ballistic transmission is examined to delineate plethora of transport properties. The transport for arbitrary values of the electric field is based on the BTE applied to experimental data on CNTs. In the limit of low field, the mobility expressions are obtained in terms of the mean free path (mfp) that is distinctly shorter than the length of the sample. The ohmic resistance is quantized a value of 6.453k-ohms consistent with experimental findings with transmission approaching unity as channel length shrinks below the carrier mfp. The emission of a quantum was observed to lower the saturation velocity that is independent of scattering and hence ballistic. Transition to ballistic domain was found to occur when the channel length is scaled below the ballistic limit that is shown to be the extended version of the long-channel mfp modulated by injections from the contacts, yet the mobility degrades. The mobility degradation is shown to be the cause of resistance quantum in the low-channel length limit. These findings are important in predicting the transport properties of low-dimensional CNTs.
Effects of Flame Retardants Additives on the Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene
Authors: Ma'ali Raed
Published: August 2021

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has many unique properties such as lightweight and high chemical resistance. Unfortunately, it burns rapidly when it is exposed to a flame which limits its applications especially when flame resistance is to be considered. Different percentages of magnesium hydroxide and decabromide diphenyl ether (3.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0 wt.%) were mixed with LDPE using a two-roll mill machine at 1600C for 2 minutes. Then, the tensile and flame retardancy tests samples were prepared by an injection molding process using an industrial plastic machine at 1600C. Flammability, rheological, tensile and thermal properties of the produced samples were tested using a flammability test apparatus, a melt flow index machine, a universal testing machine, and a differential scanning calorimeter, respectively. It was observed that the flame resistance of LDPE was improved with the addition of both flame retardants up to 7.0 wt.%, then it was reduced when 9.0 wt.% of flame retardants were used. This may be attributed to the poor mixing due to the increase in the polymer melt viscosity as observed from the melt flow index results. An increase in elastic modulus and a reduction in ductility of LDPE were observed with the increasing of flame-retardant contents while the ultimate tensile strength of LDPE was increased from 5.7 to 7.6 and 7.5 MPa when 9.0 wt.% and 7.0wt.% decabromide diphenyl ether and magnesium hydroxide were added. This is due to the fact that the additives act as a load carried and/or their effects on the degree of crystallinity of LDPE.
A Review of Membrane Distillation Process: Before, During and After Testing
Authors: Muhamad N.A.S. , Mohd Mokhtar Nadzirah , Naim R. , Lau W.J. , Ismail A.F.
Published: August 2021

Membrane Distillation (MD) is a promising technology for separation and purification processes. It is a thermally-driven separation process which allow only vapour molecules are to pass through a porous hydrophobic membrane. MD separation is driven by the vapour pressure difference existing between the porous hydrophobic membrane surfaces unlike normal membrane processes which operate on temperature difference. This paper focus on the expectation of MD treatment process primarily for the readers who have no idea about this membrane process A brief overview is given of MD before treatment process which includes membrane materials, membrane preparation techniques, membrane characteristics, module and configuration. Membrane performance during treatment process will be highlighted. Membrane fouling which is one of the major drawback of MD will be also discussed.
Isoflurane stress induces glucocorticoid production in mouse lymphoid organs
Authors: Hamden Jordan E , Salehzadeh Melody , Gray Katherine M , Forys Brandon J , Soma Kiran K
Published: August 2021

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are secreted by the adrenal glands and locally produced by lymphoid organs. Adrenal GC secretion at baseline and in response to stressors is greatly reduced during the stress hyporesponsive period (SHRP) in neonatal mice (postnatal day (PND) 2–12). It is unknown whether lymphoid GC production increases in response to stressors during the SHRP. Here, we administered an acute stressor (isoflurane anesthesia) to mice before, during, and after the SHRP and measured systemic and local GCs via mass spectrometry. We administered isoflurane, vehicle control (oxygen), or neither (baseline) at PND 1, 5, 9, or 13 and measured progesterone and six GCs in blood, bone marrow, thymus, and spleen. At PND1, blood and lymphoid GC levels were high and did not respond to stress. At PND5, blood GC levels were very low and increased slightly after stress, while lymphoid GC levels were also low but increased greatly after stress. At PND9, blood and lymphoid GC levels were similar at baseline and increased similarly after stress. At PND13, blood GC levels were higher than lymphoid GC levels at baseline, and blood GC levels showed a greater response to stress. These data demonstrate the remarkable plasticity of GC physiology during the postnatal period, show that local steroid levels do not reflect systemic steroid levels, provide insight into the SHRP, and identify a potential mechanism by which early-life stressors can alter immunity in adulthood.
GDF-8 stimulates trophoblast cell invasion by inducing ALK5-SMAD2/3-mediated MMP2 expression
Authors: Fang Lanlan , Wang Zhen , Wu Ze , Yan Yang , Gao Yibo , Li Yuxi , Cheng Jung-Chien , Sun Ying-Pu
Published: August 2021

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in the regulation of cell invasion. Placental trophoblast cell invasion is a precisely regulated event. Dysregulation of MMPs has been linked to various placental diseases. Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), also known as myostatin, is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily. GDF-8 and its putative receptors are expressed in human extravillous cytotrophoblast cells (EVTs). Although the pro-invasive effect of GDF-8 in human EVT cells has been recently reported, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the effects of GDF-8 on the expression of the two most important MMPs, MMP2 and MMP9, in the HTR-8/SVneo human EVT cell line. Our results show that GDF-8 significantly upregulates the expression of MMP2. The expression of MMP9 is not affected by GDF-8. Using a siRNA-mediated knockdown approach, we reveal that the stimulatory effect of GDF-8 on MMP2 expression is mediated by the ALK5-SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the knockdown of MMP2 attenuates the GDF-8-induced cell invasiveness. These findings deepen our understanding of the biological roles of GDF-8 in the regulation of human trophoblast cell invasion.
Evaluation and Monitoring of the Group of Pregnant Women in a Primary Health Care Unit in the Municipality of Fortaleza
Authors:   Primary Health Care Unit Regina Maria da Silva Severino,Brazil, Castro Silvestre Fernanda , Helenice Almeida Leitão Maria ,   Primary Care of Regional VI of the Municipality of Fortaleza,Brazil, Araújo Monteiro Tiago ,   Health Team of the Primary Health Care Unit Regina Maria da Silva Severino,Brazil, Duarte da Rocha Mayara ,   ecretariat of Social Protection, Justice, Citizenship, Women and Human Rights (WHR),Brazil, Girão de Oliveira Samilly ,   Regional III of the Municipality of Fortaleza, Brazil, Rodrigues de Souza Adriano ,   State University of Ceará (UECE), Brazil
Published: August 2021

This work aims to show the deployment of a Group of Pregnant Women developed in a Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) of Regional V. Firstly, a strategy was started for early capture, prenatal care, stratification and the entire development of care for prenatal. The collection took place collectively, through visits by Community Health Agents (CHA), in the visits to the unit and early identification of suspected pregnancy, the examination was carried out. Finding pregnancy, the first consultation was held in partnership between psychology and nursing, starting with anamnesis of pregnancy, raising awareness about sexually transmitted infectious diseases, application of the rapid test and scheduling for the group of pregnant women. During the meetings, experiences and difficulties related to the gestational period were shared, covering topics such as breast care and the newborn. The pregnant women got interest and realized the relevance of the group, maintaining attendance to the meetings. An average of 102 pregnant women were monitored during the period from January to December 2019, which effectively prevents and promotes health in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) linked to the Extended Family Health Center (EFHC).
Women’s alcohol consumption in a Primary Health Care service
Authors: Ponce Talita Dutra , Picciano Andressa Pelissoli , de Vargas Divane
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify alcohol consumption patterns in people cared by a Primary Health Care service and verify the association between the patterns and the variables of the sample. Method: Our observational study used both the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test instrument and a questionnaire with socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral questions for data collection. We carried out the descriptive and univariate analysis with Kendall and Kruskal-Wallis correlation tests. We introduced variables with p ≤ 0.2 values in the multiple logistic regression – Mann-Whitney test. Results: The sample of the study was constituted by 561 women. The analysis results indicated relevant influence for higher patterns of consumption: not having a partner, not having a religion, smoking and drug habits, and having arterial hypertension. Besides that, within each additional year in women’s age, the alcohol consumption decreases. Conclusion: We endorsed data that female alcohol consumption is presenting a tendency to increase especially among younger women, this information is essential for the promotion of Primary Health Care.
Viviendas con Electricidad Neutral con un Caso de Estudio en el Área Metropolitana de Bogotá-Colombia
Authors: Pulido Diego Fernando Quintero , Ibáñez Nolly Nataly Castañeda , Ayala Roberto Rafael Balda
Published: August 2021

Este artículo revisa el desarrollo actual para incrementar el acceso a la electricidad y la implementación de viviendas con electricidad neutral (viviendas autónomas no conectadas a la red eléctrica) en diferentes escenarios. Además, se presentan con más detalle las posibles direcciones de investigación para tecnologías de viviendas con electricidad neutral. Para esto, se describe un caso de una posible vivienda con electricidad neutral en Colombia junto con algunos resultados iniciales de simulaciones usando energía solar fotovoltaica, una nueva batería a base de sal marina (the Sea-Salt battery) y una celda de combustible a base de glicerol (the Glycerol Fuel Cell) como sistema de respaldo. Las simulaciones utilizan el software BEopt y DstorageS. Este análisis se realiza utilizando datos medidos de consumo de electricidad en una vivienda localizada en la zona metropolitana de Bogotá-Colombia. Resultados preliminares muestran que una vivienda en Colombia puede funcionar con electricidad neutral, al tener una energía solar FV de 4 kW con una batería de sal marina de 10 kWh y una celda de combustible de glicerol de 2 kW funcionando de forma autónoma durante todo el año 2019.
New Light on Tomás Carrasquilla
Authors: Levy Kurt L.
Published: August 2021

The vital statistics on Tomás Carrasquilla have hitherto baffled not only scholars and librarians, but even the members of his own family. One authority suggests 1865 as the year of his birth; another, 1851. The most conservative estimate, which “splits the difference,” as it were, favors 19 January 1858, the date accepted by Carrasquilla's family. In Santo Domingo, Colombia, I discovered on a baptismal certificate that “en la iglesia parroquial de Santo Domingo a veinticuatro de enero de mil ochocientos cincuenta y ocho, yo el cura interino que suscribo, bauticé solemnemente a un niño de un día de nacido a quien nombré Tomás María hijo legítimo de Rafael Carrasquilla y Ecilda Naranjo vecinos de esta parroquia,” so that, on the strength of this document, the actual date of Carrasquilla's birth appears to have been 23 January 1858.
Nietzsche's View of Luther and the Reformation in Morgenröthe and Die Fröhliche Wissenschaft
Authors: Bluhm Heinz
Published: August 2021

This paper is a continuation of two earlier articles on Nietzsche's attitude toward Luther. In his first creative period ending with Richard Wagner in Bayreuth, Nietzsche had sung the praises of Luther and the Reformation. Martin Luther was one of his proudly acknowledged heroes, together with such men as Richard Wagner and Arthur Schopenhauer. Nietzsche chose to see in Luther one of his spiritual forebears and in the Reformation a definite harbinger of modern culture. Strongly opposed to Roman Catholicism, young Nietzsche let all the light fall on Protestantism and especially upon its fountainhead, Martin Luther. He was convinced that a progressive spirit manifested itself in sixteenth-century Protestant Germany. He thoroughly approved of it and admonished his contemporaries to ally themselves with the mind that was in Martin Luther and to hold fast to the heritage of the German Reformation.
The Site and Ancient City of Browning's Love Among the Ruins
Authors: Parr Johnstone
Published: August 2021

Robert browning'S Love Among the Ruins (1855) is comprised chiefly of descriptions of a once-great capital city—its present desolate site as contrasted with the city's magnificence in the ancient days of its splendor. William C. DeVane suggests that the poem is “a vivid recollection of the Italian scene, or perhaps of some picture which Browning had recently seen in the Louvre.” Three critics maintain the Roman Campagna to be the scene which Browning had in mind, but cite no descriptions of this area pertinent to the poem. Bernhard Fehr shows that the city of the poem resembles the description of Babylon given in the History of Herodotus and the Apocalypse of St. John. Robert A. Law suggests that Browning drew upon i Chronicles for two images and thus had in mind Jerusalem. A recent commentator proposes that the poem was suggested by some remarks on the transience of great cities in Letter cxvii of Goldsmith's Citizen of the World.
Becoming-Signiconic: Emergence and Territory in The Familiar
Authors: Bekavac Luka
Published: August 2021

The Familiar is densely structured by divisions and hierarchies in terms of plot, focalization, vocabularies and layout, but it is primarily a book of interconnectedness. This is a principle that propels its narrative and poses the biggest challenge in its execution: is it possible to describe a genuinely new and disruptive entity, a “monster” unreadable in terms of existing codes and concepts, arriving as a series of glitches, a system breach, a breakdown of defenses, an enforced encounter with the Other?The Familiar itself could be conceived as an arena where a new genus comes into being through the corporeality of text, not represented as a character or recounted as an event, but assuming flesh on the page within the suspended temporality of print. A specific signiconic lexicon was devised to blur the borders between the textual and the pictorial, to give a voice to the voiceless (“the waves, the animals, the plants”), and to “surpass or bypass the mind” (Danielewski). Placing this enlarged semiotic spectrum of the sensible and the intelligible within the traditional frame of a multi-volume novel makes its ambition even more radical. Pushing the book-as-archive beyond its historical confines of mimesis and expression, The Familiar envisions literature as a process, a distribution of forces across an ontologically heterogeneous field, suggesting a nonlinear continuum motivated by a “non-subject-centered mode of agency” (Bennett).Starting with notions of the book to come as a locus of futurity and unexplored possibility (Blanchot, Derrida) and assemblage as a multiplicity, a corpus of becoming or a zone of emergence (Deleuze and Guattari), this article attempts to examine the tension between storytelling demands and the very materiality of The Familiar (including its asemic borders or cores) in view of its own signiconic and inherently post-anthropocentric goals.