bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the circulation prediction of shock-accelerated elliptical heavy gas cylinders
Authors: Li Dongdong , Wang Ge , Guan Ben
Published: May 2019

A theoretical model is presented to predict the circulation generation in the interaction of a shock wave with elliptical heavy gas cylinders with various elongations. The focus is to introduce the interface geometrical relation into circulation modeling. This high-speed multifluid flow is simulated by solving the Navier-Stokes (NS) equations in a finite difference frame. The second-order Strang time-splitting scheme is used to decouple the NS equations into the hyperbolic and parabolic steps. The fifth-order weighted essentially nonoscillatory scheme and the three-order total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta scheme are applied in the hyperbolic step. The fourth-order central difference scheme and the second-order explicit Runge-Kutta-Chebyshev scheme are applied to handle the viscosity term in the parabolic step. Nine elliptical heavy gas interfaces filled with SF6/air mixture are examined under the impact of incident shock with Mach number 1.2. The evolutions of the wave system are presented, and the interfaces are correspondingly classified based on a shock wave competition between the incident shock and the transmitted shock. The distributions of vorticity and generations of circulations on different interfaces are computed. Based on the present numerical results, a unified circulation model is proposed for the elliptical interfaces considering both the interface classification and the geometrical relation between the incident shock and the initial interface. This model is found to provide an accurate prediction of the circulation generation. For the cases being studied, the maximum prediction error is 8%, and the minimum error reaches 1.6%. It highlights the geometric role as an independent factor that played in the interaction of shock with gas inhomogeneities.
Sparse neuromorphic computing based on spin-torque diodes
Authors: Cai Jialin , Zhang Like , Fang Bin , Lv Wenxing , Zhang Baoshun , Finocchio Giovanni , Xiong Rui , Liang Shiheng , Zeng Zhongming
Published: May 2019

We report on the sparse neuromorphic computing based on spin-torque diodes (STDs). The rectification characteristics of STDs have been investigated in the absence and presence of d.c. bias currents. While the injection locking phenomenon is observed in our devices, the output functions versus the d.c. bias currents mimic artificial neurons with sparse representations. Furthermore, we construct a neural network with STD neurons to recognize the handwritten digits in the Mixed National Institute of Standards and Technology database, with a produced accuracy of up to 92.7%. The results suggest that STDs have potential to be building blocks for the realization of a biologically plausible neuromorphic computing system.
Self-propulsion of an active polar drop
Authors: Yoshinaga Natsuhiko
Published: May 2019

We investigate the self-propulsive motion of a drop containing an active polar field. The drop demonstrates spontaneous symmetry breaking from a uniform orientational order into a splay or bend instability depending on the types of active stress, namely, contractile or extensile, respectively. We develop an analytical theory of the mechanism of this instability, which has been observed only in numerical simulations. We show that both contractile and extensile active stresses result in the instability and self-propulsive motion. We also discuss asymmetry between contractile and extensile stresses and show that extensile active stress generates chaotic motion even under a simple model of the polarity field coupled with motion and deformation of the drop.
Are we ready to transfer optical light to gamma-rays?
Authors: Vranic M. , Grismayer T. , Meuren S. , Fonseca R. A. , Silva L. O.
Published: May 2019

Scattering relativistic electrons with optical lasers can result in a significant frequency upshift of photons, potentially producing γ-rays. This is what linear Compton scattering taught us. Ultra-intense lasers offer nowadays a new paradigm where multiphoton absorption effects come into play. These effects can result in higher harmonics, higher yields, and also electron-positron pairs. This article intends to discriminate the different laser scenarios that have been proposed over the past few years as well as to give scaling laws for future experiments. The energy conversion from lasers or particles to high-frequency photons is addressed for both the well-known counter propagating electron beam-laser interaction and quantum-electrodynamics cascades triggered by various lasers. Constructing bright and energetic gamma-ray sources in controlled conditions is within an ace of seeing the light of day.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry extraction of optical constants for materials from oxide covered samples: Application to the plutonium/oxides system
Authors: Dinh L. N. , Stanford J. A. , Saw C. K. , Nelson A. J. , Gollott R. , Haschke J. M. , Allen P. G. , Gardner C. , Hrousis C. , Siekhaus W. J. , McLean W.
Published: May 2019

Spectroscopic ellipsometry is combined with scanning electron microscopy and multisample analysis of the measured oxide thickness difference from one sample at two different times during the oxide growth phase or from two separate samples to obtain the optical constants of the oxides. With the obtained thickness and optical constants of the oxides, the optical properties of the substrate material can be uniquely deduced. This methodology has been applied to obtain, the refractive indices and extinction coefficients of delta plutonium (δ-Pu) metal with 0.5 wt. % Ga in the wavelength region from 435 nm to 850 nm, without the influence of surface oxides. The presented methodology can also be applied to metals and semiconductors from surface oxidized samples, even when the oxides do not possess a common set of optical characteristics.
Voltage-input spintronic oscillator based on competing effect for extended oscillation regions
Authors: Zhu Zhifeng , Deng Jiefang , Fong Xuanyao , Liang Gengchiau
Published: May 2019

The stable precession region in the spintronic oscillator with an in-plane magnetic tunnel junction is very narrow under small external fields, restricting its applications such as for microwave generators. Here, we show that this region can be greatly enlarged by introducing competing effects between different torques. Moreover, we observe large-angle precessions at zero external field, which leads to large output power. We further evaluate the oscillator performance in a voltage-input device, where the circuit area can be minimized and the difficulty in accurate current control can be resolved. The operating voltage window in the proposed device is over 1.23 V, and its frequency can be adjusted from 1.6 to 4.9 GHz. A maximum output power of 0.28 μW is obtained at an energy consumption of 2.2 mW. This study should provide insights into designing voltage-input spintronic oscillators.
Resolving vortex-induced pressure fluctuations on a cylinder in rotor wake using fast-responding pressure-sensitive paint
Authors: Jiao Lingrui , Chen Yujia , Wen Xin , Peng Di , Liu Yingzheng , Gregory James W.
Published: May 2019

The interaction between rotor wake and a cylinder has been studied experimentally in the current work. The cylinder was placed in close proximity to the rotor plane, and the pressure fluctuations induced by the rotor wake on the cylinder surface were measured by microphones and fast-responding pressure-sensitive paint. Based on the developed data processing methods, challenges such as the low signal-to-noise ratio were resolved and small pressure fluctuations (less than 100 Pa) during the interaction were successfully extracted. The high-resolution vortex-induced pressure field under different blade-cylinder separation distances and rotor collective pitches were compared and analyzed, which clearly showed the effects of tip vortex strength and its evolution. More importantly, for cylinders with different cross section shapes, the pressure footprints left on the surface showed significant distinction in both pressure patterns and overall fluctuation levels. The flat surface would break the structure of the tip vortex and lead to both pressure rise and drop on the surface, while wedge-shaped obstacles would cut the vortex in half and result in two strong pressure drops on both sides. The square cylinder with a 0° installation angle (parallel to the blade) generated the least amount of pressure fluctuation due to its capability of fully breaking the vortex structure during the interaction.
Elastic collisions of low-energy positrons with tetrahydrofuran
Authors: Barbosa Alessandra Souza , Bettega Márcio H. F.
Published: May 2019

We report a study on the scattering of low-energy positrons by the biological relevant molecule tetrahydrofuran. The present calculated integral and differential cross sections were obtained with the Schwinger multichannel method in the static plus polarization approximation. The Born closure procedure was employed to account for the long range potential due to the permanent dipole moment of the molecule. The present results are compared with the available experimental data of Zecca et al. [J. Phys. B 38, 2079 (2005)] and Chiari et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 074301 (2013)], and with the theoretical results of Franz and Gianturco [J. Chem. Phys. 139, 204309 (2013)] and Chiari et al. In general, we found a good agreement between our results and the experimental data, whereas the calculated integral cross sections (ICSs) obtained with different methods differ in magnitude. We also found a very good agreement between our calculated differential cross sections and the results of Franz and Gianturco and also with the experimental data of Chiari et al. Moreover, we also employed our calculated differential cross sections to provide a correction of the experimental total cross section of Zecca et al., due to the angular resolution errors, which improved the agreement between our ICSs and the experimental data of Zecca et al.
Narrow Fano resonances in Si nanocylinder metasurfaces: Refractive index sensing
Authors: Abujetas Diego R. , Sáenz Juan J. , Sánchez-Gil José A.
Published: May 2019

All dielectric metasurfaces are attracting great attention for their potential to control light reflection and transmission at the nanoscale. Here, we make use of a coupled electric/magnetic dipole formulation for a periodic array of high-refractive-index cylinders to analytically explore the emergence of Fano resonances for both s- and p-polarized waves. Strong Fano resonances with large Q-factors are found in Si nanocylinder metasurfaces as a result of the lattice-induced interplay between electric and magnetic dipole resonances, where the narrow resonances are connected to bound states in the continuum supported by the lattice. The impact on the refractive index of the surrounding medium is analyzed, revealing that such simple all dielectric metasurfaces are suitable for refractive-index sensing devices with figures of merit of two orders of magnitude.
Numerical simulation of self-propelled non-equal sized droplets
Authors: Chen Xianyang , Lu Jiacai , Tryggvason Grétar
Published: May 2019

In general, external energy is needed to remove a liquid from a solid wall during cooling by dropwise condensation. However, experiments have shown that in some cases, droplets can propel themselves from the wall, without any external energy, due to the coalescence-induced conversion of surface energy to kinetic energy. Several authors have reported scaling analysis combined with an energy balance of kinetic energy, surface energy, and viscous dissipation to estimate whether the droplets can be self-propelled or not. Here, we use numerical simulation to describe the coalescence and self-propelling for nonequal sized droplets based on a finite-volume/front-tracking method and the generalized Navier boundary condition to model the moving contact lines. We find that a slightly smaller contact angle (165°) will give a larger out-of-plane jumping velocity than a superhydrophobic surface (with a contact angle of 180°). Further decreasing the contact angles results in “immobile coalescence.” The speed of the moving contact line does not influence the spontaneous removal process as long as it is large enough to let the contact areas detach. Nonequal sized drops are much more difficult to be spontaneously removed from a wall compared to equal-sized ones. Two spherical drops with a diameter ratio of 2.0 have 60% total usable energy compared to equal-sized ones, and only 0.5% of the total released energy can be effectively used for out-of-plane jumping.
Effect of heat transfer coefficient, draw ratio, and die exit temperature on the production of flat polypropylene membranes
Authors: Barborik Tomas , Zatloukal Martin
Published: May 2019

In this work, a stable numerical scheme has been developed for the 1.5-dimensional film casting model of Silagy et al. [Polym. Eng. Sci. 36, “Study of the stability of the film casting process,” 2614–2625 (1996)] utilizing the viscoelastic modified Leonov model as the constitutive equation and energy equation coupled with the crystallization kinetics of semicrystalline polymers taking into account actual temperature as well as cooling rate. The model has been successfully validated on the experimental data for linear isotactic polypropylene taken from the open literature. Drawing distance, draw ratio, heat transfer coefficient, and die exit melt temperature were systematically varied in the utilized model in order to understand the role of process conditions in the neck-in phenomenon (unwanted film width shrinkage during stretching in the post die area) and crystalline phase development during flat film production. It is believed that the utilized numerical model together with the suggested stable numerical scheme as well as obtained research results can help to understand a processing window for the production of flat porous membranes from linear polypropylene considerably.
Frequency-tunable high-Q superconducting resonators via wireless control of nonlinear kinetic inductance
Authors: Xu Mingrui , Han Xu , Fu Wei , Zou Chang-Ling , Tang Hong X.
Published: May 2019

Frequency-tunable microwave resonators are in great demand especially in hybrid systems where precise frequency alignment of resonances is required. Here, we present frequency-tunable high-Q superconducting resonators fabricated from thin niobium nitride and niobium titanium nitride films. The resonant frequency is tuned by applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the hole structures in the resonator's inductor wire, whose kinetic inductance is modified by wirelessly induced DC supercurrents. A continuous in situ frequency tuning of over 300 MHz is achieved for a 10 GHz resonator with a moderate magnetic field of 1.2 mT. The planar resonator design and the noncontact tuning scheme greatly ease the fabrication complexity and can be widely applied in many hybrid systems for coupling microwave modes with other forms of excitations such as optical photons, phonons, magnons, and spins.
Move over Wi-Fi, new phototransistor opens opportunity to share data with light
Authors: Kish Stacy W.
Published: May 2019

Researchers design new phototransistor critical for the future of high-speed data transmission and wireless communication.
Visualization of natural landscapes and selective attention in patients with AD and MCI / Visualización de paisajes naturales y atención selectiva en pacientes con EA y DCL
Authors: Delgado Alfonso , Zamarrón María-Dolores
Published: May 2019

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) involve a progressive deterioration in cognitive function, including attention. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) argues that visualization of certain natural landscapes improves attention. The aim of this article is to ascertain whether people with AD and MCI could benefit from exposure to restorative landscapes in a selective attention test. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. 32 participants (72% women) diagnosed with AD (52%) or MCI performed a selective attention test before and after exposure. The experimental group was exposed to restorative landscapes, while the control group was exposed to alternative material. The experimental group was faster (intergroup comparison) and more precise (intragroup comparison). Restorative landscapes have been proven to be useful for selective attention in people with AD and MCI, providing an additional resource in cognitive interventions.
Armenia’s path to democratization by recursive mass protests
Authors: Grigoryan Armen
Published: May 2019

This study analyses the “Velvet Revolution” of 2018 in Armenia, making a comparison with previous democratization attempts in order to facilitate understanding of some of the long-term tendencies which eventually made the revolution possible. Mass protest movements in Armenia, beginning with non-successful post-electoral protests in 2003–2004 and ending with the civil disobedience campaign resulting in regime collapse in 2018 are analyzed, and some comparisons with other cases of regime change and following developments are offered. The study contributes to the understanding of why this particular mode of regime change succeeded at that particular moment, and the implications for the post-revolution period.
Extraocular muscle function is impaired in ryr3−/− mice
Authors: Eckhardt Jan , Bachmann Christoph , Sekulic-Jablanovic Marijana , Enzmann Volker , Park Ki Ho , Ma Jianjie , Takeshima Hiroshi , Zorzato Francesco , Treves Susan
Published: May 2019

Calcium is an ubiquitous second messenger mediating numerous physiological processes, including muscle contraction and neuronal excitability. Ca2+ is stored in the ER/SR and is released into the cytoplasm via the opening of intracellular inositol trisphosphate receptor and ryanodine receptor calcium channels. Whereas in skeletal muscle, isoform 1 of the RYR is the main channel mediating calcium release from the SR leading to muscle contraction, the function of ubiquitously expressed ryanodine receptor 3 (RYR3) is far from clear; it is not known whether RYR3 plays a role in excitation–contraction coupling. We recently reported that human extraocular muscles express high levels of RYR3, suggesting that such muscles may be useful to study the function of this isoform of the Ca2+ channel. In the present investigation, we characterize the visual function of ryr3−/− mice. We observe that ablation of RYR3 affects both mechanical properties and calcium homeostasis in extraocular muscles. These changes significantly impact vision. Our results reveal for the first time an important role for RYR3 in extraocular muscle function.
A dual-band cold-electron bolometer with on-chip filters for the 220/240 GHz channels of the LSPE instrument
Authors: Kuzmin L S , Pimanov D A , Gordeeva A V , Chiginev A V , Masi S , de Bernardis P
Published: May 2019

We are developing multi-chroic double-slot antenna with cold-electron Bolometer (CEB) on-chip filters for the 220/240 GHz interstellar dust monitoring channels of the LSPE–SWIPE experiment. For this goal, we used a narrowband double-slot resonant antenna with CEBs connected by coplanar lines. The simulations show that we have achieved 5% bandwidth for 220 GHz and 5.5% bandwidth for 240 GHz in our numeric modeling for the single cells. A series array of unit cells using double-slot design and coplanar lines with CEBs shows proper frequency selection. Estimations of the noise properties of the CEB arrays in a voltage-biased mode with the SQUID readout show photon-noise limited operation for the optical power load of 6 pW for channel 220 GHz and 20 pW for channel 240 GHz.
The effects of acute exposure to cadmium nitrate (CdNO3) on gambusia fish (Gambusia affinis)
Authors: Adam M A , Maftuch  , Kilawati Y , Soegianto A , Risjani Y
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of cadmium nitrat (CdNO3) in Gambusia affinis on growth and the development of histopathological changes in gill organs and on the activity of some oxidative stress markers during a 96-hours acute toxicity test. Tests were performed on G. affinis. The average initial weight of fish used in the experiment was 3±1.2 g and the average initial total length of fish was 5.21±3.48 mm. The fish were exposed to a range of CdNO3 concentrations (1 mg/L, environmental concentration, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 nad 0.0001 mg/L) for 96 hours. Each test on a CdNO3-treated group was performed in duplicate. There were no significant differences between the specific growth rates of fish from the test groups and from the control group. Histopathological examination revealed no pathological changes in organs of fish exposed to any CdNO3 concentration. Significantly lower CAT and SOD activity (p<0.05, p<0.01) was found in fish exposed to CdNO3 concentrations of 1, 0.1 and 0.01 mg/L compared to the control group; the control group was observed. H2O2, GSH and GPx exhibited significantly higher activity (p<0.01) in the 1, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mg/L groups compared to the control group. But none of these differences were significant (p>0.05). No significance differences (p>0.05) between the control group and any experimental group were found with respect to Protease activity. The MDA level was significantly higher (p<0.01) at a concentrations of 1, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mg/L compared to the control, while in the other experimental groups no significant differences compared to the control group (p>0.05) were observed. According to our results, all tested concentrations of CdNO3, including the environmental concentration, had an inhibit on oxidative stress markers and detoxifying enzymes in exposed fish, but did not affect fish growth or cause the development of histopathological changes in the fish organism.
PH (piezoelectric on hydraulic ram pump) media supplier of water and producing electrical energy environment-friendly
Authors: Dienullah R M A , Aini F K , Febriana F , Rosariawari F
Published: May 2019

Water and electricity are some of the most important components of human life in this 20th century, both in daily activities and in work. Water and electricity are also resources that should be massively exploited for the benefit to be felt by all elements of society. However, problems occur when geographical factors and infrastructure factors become an obstacle in supporting the availability of these resources. Geographical factors in the form of areas far from water sources, as well as the location of areas far from the reach of the government so that there is a gap in the development in the distribution of infrastructure within a region. This causes some elements of society, especially in backward villages, cannot benefit fully from these resources. To overcome the crisis, we try to innovate by making a development of a hydraulic ram (hydram) pump by adding piezoelectric material as a source of electricity. Then, we will put the piezoelectric material into the series of hydram pump so that the rural community will be left behind will be able to feel the water and electricity resources of our innovations are simultaneously environmentally friendly.
Pressure drop investigation of industrial scale cyclone for palm oil fiber boiler
Authors: Pratiwi I A , Ardiansyah H D
Published: May 2019

Higher of production of palm oil will be followed of industrial mill especially biomass boiler utilization. Environment issue can reduce with dust collector installation. The most favorite dust collector in palm oil boiler is cyclone. Investigation of pressure drop for biomass boiler is very critical due to relate with boiler performance. Cyclone as dust collector of biomass boiler has big portion of pressure static reduction. The purpose of this present study is to observe the good prediction of pressure drop with industrial scale cyclone. Some approach have been calculated and evaluate with the experiment of cyclone boiler in palm oil mill.
Simulation of pollution load capacity using QUAL2Kw model in Kali Surabaya River (Cangkir-Sepanjang segment)
Authors: Aliffia A , Karnaningroem N
Published: May 2019

The Utilization of Kali Surabaya River as water resources for drinking water is constrained by pollution from domestic and industrial waste and agricultural activities around the river banks. This study was aimed to calculate the pollution load capacity using QUAL2Kw model which presented the water quality. Study area from upstream (Cangkir) to downstream (Sepanjang) of the river was divided into 3 segments. The required data included primary data by sampling at determined points representing the condition of pollutant source. Secondary data included climatology, population, river hydraulic, and discharge and quality of pollution obtained from related institution. The water quality parameters analysed were BOD and COD, where the result exceeded the water quality standard of class I, while the DO was less than the standard requirement. Based on the simulation result, the value of pollutant load in each segment for BOD was 12,416 kg/day, 23,180 kg/day, and 17,759 kg/day while COD was 56,158 kg/day, 99,188 kg/day, and 74,316 kg/day. Then, the capacity of BOD in each segment was 1,681 kg/day, 1,138 kg/day, and 1,398 kg/day while COD is 12,396 kg/day, 8,150 kg/day, and 9,681 kg/day. This means that the pollutant load has exceeded the capacity of the river.
Distribution mapping of Open Defecation (OD) houses in East Surabaya based on Geographic Information System (GIS)
Authors: Purnama M Y , Soedarti T , Oktavitri N I , Fitriani N
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this study is to know and locate the distribution of open defecation houses in East Surabaya of Surabaya City, Indonesia. Both of secondary and primary data are required for this research, the secondary data consist of the number of OD houses in East Surabaya and basic map of Surabaya City. Primary data consist of field survey OD houses of legal and illegal status. Mapping is conducted with mapping software based on geographical information system. The result of this research proves that there are 1.083 OD houses in East Surabaya and it is equally distributed throughout East Surabaya. The most OD sub-district (Kelurahan) is Gubeng with approximately 319 houses while the least is Kelurahan Tambaksari with 23 houses.
Save the Forest and Biodiversity: A Cultural Anthropology Perspectives on Kalumpang Customary to Preserve their Ecological Living
Authors: Asba A R , Rahman F , Evita A L
Published: May 2019

The ecological life intended in this research review is everything related to the protection and preservation of the planet’s environment with various ecosystems and species in it. Whether we realize it or not, each habitat naturally contributes to all aspects of human ecology. No exception with Kalumpang people. The objective of this paper is to review the formulated formulas: 1) provides an overview of the patterns of life of the Kalumpang indigenous people in their interactions with nature, 2) identifies the myths and pamali believed by the indigenous Kalumpang people related to natural management, and 3) reveals the conservation model forest based on local wisdom (myths & pamali) which they inherited from generation to generation. This study uses a cultural anthropology approach by utilizing a study library with qualitative in manner. The result of the study revealed that there are three functions of the myth of Kalumpang in protecting the forest and its biodiversity, they myths have a legal function that can control the pattern of human actions in safeguarding nature so as not to damage the living order and environment; ii) myths can be used to preserve nature such as rivers, natural environment, and forests; iii) Indigenous peoples need to have freedom in carrying out the customary law that they believe in. Through this way, they uphold their cultural ideology in nature conservation.
Forest conversion into cacao agroforestry and cacao plantation change the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Edy N , Zakaria E K , Lakani I , Hasriyanti
Published: May 2019

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a plant root-fungus association, has been studied widely across different ecosystems. However, little information provided in tropical land use systems. Here, we studied the diversity of AMF in the forest, cacao agroforestry, and cacao plantation. A preliminary survey was done to estimate the AMF richness and diversity. This study reveals an interesting fundamental finding where AMF richness and diversity were significantly higher in the plantation compared to the natural ecosystem. AMF communities were significantly affected mixed vegetation in the forest and became a generalist in an agroecosystem of the cocoa plantation. Presented results indicate that AMF diversity and community structure are influenced by vegetation and ecological conditions.
Progeny Test on Plant Growth Of 2-Year-Old Jabon Merah (Anthocephalus macrophyllus Roxb. Havil.) in Gowa, South Sulawesi, Indonesia :Preeliminary Study
Authors: A’ida N , Muhlis  , Larekeng S H , Arsyad M A , Putra R P , Musriati  , Restu M
Published: May 2019

Jabon Merah (Anthocephalus macrophyllus Roxb. Havil) is a fast growing local species and has bright economic and market prospects. However, the cultivation is unable to accelerate the productivity of this species. One of the breeding strategies to overcome this problem is to establish Seedling Seed Orchard of progeny test were later converted into seed orchard after one up to several selective thinning. This research was aimed to study the growth of Jabon merahs’ families from ten seed zonations in Sulawesi. It was conducted in a Randomized completely block design (RCBD) consisted of 108 families, four treeplots, and seven blocks with planting spacing of 4x3 meters. The measurement was performed at 24 month-old trees, i.e., tree height and diameter. Percentage of the living tree after two years based on progeny test was 69% with 6.1 m of mean height and 7.8 cm of mean diameter at chest height. Heritability of family for height and diameter at chest height were 0.2337 and 0.1873, respectively. Correlation between genetic and tree height and diameter traits was 0.9121.
Habitat Characteristics and Population of cave-dwelling bats in Mara Kallang Cave of Maros-Pangkep Karst Area of South Sulawesi
Authors: Maulany R I , Wolor F S , Nasri N , Achmad A
Published: May 2019

The cave is one of the important habitats for bats in particular Microchiropterans which provides not only protection but also a shelter for breeding, hibernation, and other events. The characteristics of the cave are crucial for habitat selection. An extensive limestone ecosystem found in the four regencies of South Sulawesi (Indonesia) including Maros-Pangkep karst area has been utilized as the main habitats of cave-dwelling bats. One of the cave inhabited by bats is Mara Kallang Cave. This research aims to examine the physical and environmental characteristics of Mara Kallang Cave. Cave-dwelling bat species diversity and population were also assessed. The direct measurement was carried out to quantify the physical and environmental characteristics of the cave. Ibutton data loggers were employed to record data on temperatures and humidity was measured by using thermohygrometer. Several bat individuals were captured and identified by using a mist net trapping method. Roost locations of different bat species inside the cave were also mapped. A number of individuals per species were also recorded by direct counting and re-confirmed with the photographic count. There were 3 species of cave-dwelling bats inhabited Mara Kallang Cave: Hipposideros cervinus, Rhinolophus cf euryotis and Rhinolophus cf arcuatus roosting in station 4 of the cave with the width of 364.9 m2. The average temperature of the roosting site was 23.31°C with the average humidity of 98%. From the three species found in the cave, Rhinolophus cf euryotis had the largest number of individuals with an average of 386 individuals followed by Rhinolophus cf arcuatus with the average individuals of 304. The least colony size was Hipposideros cervinus with a total of 188 individuals on average.
The Ability of Rot Fungi From Cocoa Plant In Producing Lignocellulosic Enzymes
Authors: Rahim I , Suherman  , Hakzah  , Nasruddin A
Published: May 2019

Rot fungi has the ability to degrade components of lignocellulosic which difficult to decompose. Rot fungi degrades components of cellulosic to get the nutrients and excrete the lignocellulosic enzyme. The study aims to examine the ability of rot fungi from decayed cocoa plant to grow on carbon compounds and produce the cellulosic enzyme. The capability of producing the enzyme performed by growing a piece of rot fungi isolates on Czapek Dox Agar media added Remazol dyes Briliant Blue 0.1%. The media was divided into 5 parts and each added one type of substrate lignocellulose: lignin, cellulose, pectin, amylose, and chitin as much as 0.1%. The formation of a clear zone around isolates indicative of enzyme activity. Scoring by measuring the magnitude of the clear zone formed in comparison to the area of petri dish. The results showed there were 9 kinds of rot fungi found in cocoa, namely Mycena sp, Lycoperdon sp, Auricularia sp, Schizophyllum sp, Coprinus sp, Tremella sp, Crepidotus sp, Tremetes sp, dan Pleurotus sp. Tremella sp has the highest ability to produce enzyme ligninase, kitinase, and pectinase, than all other isolates. Lycoperdon sp produces the highest cellulose enzyme, while the highest amylase founded on Pleurotus sp, Tremella sp, Schizophyllum sp, and .Crepidotus sp..
Local Rice Genotypes of Tana Toraja and North Toraja Regencies: Kinship Relations and Character Interaction
Authors: Riadi M , Kasmiati  , Saputra I , Sjahril R , Rafiuddin
Published: May 2019

Tree, The Regency of Tana Toraja and North Toraja, are two regencies in the Province of South Sulawesi where even though both are not the center of rice crop development, but in both regencies we can find many cultivated local rice genotypes. This study aims to determine the relationship between local rice genotypes found in the two regencies based on panicle and grain characteristics and the correlation between these characters. The characters observed are panicle length, grains number per panicle, panicle density, awn length, grain length, grain width, grain thickness, grain length to width ratio and 100 seeds weight. Results showed that 49 local rice genotypes were found (27 local rice genotypes from Tana Toraja regency and 22 local rice genotypes from North Toraja regency) with various rice colors, i.e. from white to purple. These local rice genotypes can be grouped into three groups with a similarity rate of 67.56%, namely group I consists of 41 local rice genotypes, group II consists of 3 local rice genotypes (all local rice genotypes from Tana Toraja regency) and group III consists of 5 local rice genotypes and these characters can be grouped into two groups with a similarity rate 48.71%, namely group I consists of two characters (panicle length and grains number per panicle) and groups II consists of 7 characters (panicle density, awn length, grain length, grain width, grain thickness, grain length to width ratio and 100 seeds weight). There was a very significant positive correlation between the characters, namely panicle length and grains number per panicle, panicle length and panicle density, panicle length and awn length, grains number per panicle and panicle density, awn length and grain width, grain length and grain length to width ratio, grain length and 100 seeds weight, grain thickness and 100 seeds weight and grain length to width ratio and 100 seeds weight, with the correlation coefficient values 0.630**, 0.406**, 0.470**, 0.960**, 0.428**, 0.821**, 0.609**, 0.591** and 0.365**, respectively and there was also a very significant negative correlation between the characters, namely awn length and grain length to width ratio and grain width and grain length to width ratio, with the correlation coefficient values -0.401 ** and -0.770 **.
Surface Runoff Under Pine Stands on Slopes Below and Above 40%
Authors: Rosmaeni  , Malamassam D , Zubair H , Arsyad U
Published: May 2019

The study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of pine stands in controlling surface runoff on land with a slope >40%, comparing surface runoff on slope >40% by slopes <40%. This research was conducted from November 2016 - March 2017. It was carried out under the Pine stands on UNHAS Education Forest in Maros Regency. Surface runoff measurements were carried out by installing plots measuring 22 x 4 m on slopes <40% and >40% respectively for 3 replications. The bottom of the plot is installed with 3 pieces of 50 liter capacity storage. Observation of surface runoff is taken every time of rain, as many as 39 times rain. The average surface runoff volume (m3/plot) is obtained by summing the volume collected in 3 reservoirs. The results showed that the average surface runoff on slopes <40%, ie, 0.012 m3/plot and 0.014 m3/plot on slope >40%. The results of the difference test were 2 on average with a 95% confidence interval; there was no difference in the average runoff on slopes <40% and >40%. Regression analysis results show that canopy cover can control surface runoff.
Biological Activity of Mangrove Leaves Extract (Rhizophora sp.)
Authors: Syahidah  , Subekti N
Published: May 2019

Several of mangrove species have very large applications in the traditional folk medicine; various parts of these plants are used by the local people as a cure for the various illness. Anti-termite and antifungal activity of mangrove leaves were investigated. The leaves mill was extracted with acetone and methanol to give their extracts, each of which were fractionated successively using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water to afford their fractions. The yield of the extracts and fractions suggested that the extractives of mangrove leaves tend to be polar. It was demonstrated that the methanol extract itself, the ethyl acetate fraction and the n-hexane fraction from the methanol extract, and the ethyl acetate fraction from the acetone extract had high antifeedant activity against Coptotermes formosanus. On the other hand, the extract of mangrove leaves indicated the higher activities against Trametes Versicolor compared to the Fomitopsis palustris fungi.
Islands in the desert: environmental distribution modelling of endemic flora reveals the extent of Pleistocene tropical relict vegetation in southern Arabia
Authors: Borrell James S , Al Issaey Ghudaina , Lupton Darach A , Starnes Thomas , Al Hinai Abdulrahman , Al Hatmi Saif , Senior Rebecca A , Wilkinson Tim , Milborrow Jo L H , Stokes-Rees Andrew , Patzelt Annette
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Southern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism.

Methods

Distribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night-time fog and cloud cover, were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models using presence/absence data were built and tuned for each species, and spatial overlap was examined.

Key Results

A region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the southern monsoon. Despite this, the relative importance of environmental variables was highly differentiated among species, suggesting that characteristic variables such as coastal fog are not major cross-species predictors at this scale.

Conclusions

The co-occurrence of a high number of endemic study species within a narrow monsoon-influenced region is indicative of a refugium with low climate change velocity. Combined with climate analysis, our findings provide strong evidence for a southern Arabian Pleistocene refugium in Oman’s Central Desert. We suggest that this refugium has acted as an isolated temperate and mesic island in the desert, resulting in the evolution of these narrow-range endemic flora. Based on the composition of species, this system may represent the northernmost remnant of a continuous belt of mesic vegetation formerly ranging from Africa to Asia, with close links to the flora of East Africa. This has significant implications for future conservation of endemic plants in an arid biodiversity hotspot.
Outsourcing Public Services: Contractibility, Cost, and Quality
Authors: Andersson Fredrik , Jordahl Henrik , Josephson Jens
Published: May 2019

We review the literature on public sector outsourcing to explore if the theoretical predictions from the incomplete contracts literature hold up to recent empirical evidence. Guided by theory, we arrange services according to the type and magnitude of their contractibility problems. The empirical studies point at rather favourable outsourcing outcomes, in terms of costs and quality, for services without severe contracting problems. The picture is more mixed for services with tougher contracting problems, with the weight of the evidence in favour of public provision. This difference between services is largely in line with the property-rights framework and theories of incomplete contracts.
Who Studies International Law? Explaining Cross-national Variation in Compulsory International Legal Education
Authors: Scoville Ryan , Berlin Mark
Published: May 2019

The compulsory study of international law is a universal component of legal education in some states but extremely uncommon or non-existent in others. This article uses global data and statistical methods to test a number of conceivable explanations for this puzzling feature of international society. In contrast to much of the empirical literature on state behaviour in relation to international law, we find that functionalist and socio-political variables carry little explanatory power and that historical variables – specifically, legal tradition and regional geography – instead account for the overwhelming majority of the global pattern. We explore potential explanations for these findings and discuss implications for scholars, legal educators and policy-makers.
Friend retrovirus studies reveal complex interactions between intrinsic, innate and adaptive immunity
Authors: Dittmer Ulf , Sutter Kathrin , Kassiotis George , Zelinskyy Gennadiy , Bánki Zoltán , Stoiber Heribert , Santiago Mario L , Hasenkrug Kim J
Published: May 2019

Approximately 4.4% of the human genome is comprised of endogenous retroviral sequences, a record of an evolutionary battle between man and retroviruses. Much of what we know about viral immunity comes from studies using mouse models. Experiments using the Friend virus (FV) model have been particularly informative in defining highly complex anti-retroviral mechanisms of the intrinsic, innate and adaptive arms of immunity. FV studies have unraveled fundamental principles about how the immune system controls both acute and chronic viral infections. They led to a more complete understanding of retroviral immunity that begins with cellular sensing, production of type I interferons, and the induction of intrinsic restriction factors. Novel mechanisms have been revealed, which demonstrate that these earliest responses affect not only virus replication, but also subsequent innate and adaptive immunity. This review on FV immunity not only surveys the complex host responses to a retroviral infection from acute infection to chronicity, but also highlights the many feedback mechanisms that regulate and counter-regulate the various arms of the immune system. In addition, the discovery of molecular mechanisms of immunity in this model have led to therapeutic interventions with implications for HIV cure and vaccine development.
Resolving Form–Structure–Function Relationships in Plants with MRI for Biomimetic Transfer
Authors: Hesse Linnea , Leupold Jochen , Poppinga Simon , Wick Markus , Strobel Klaus , Masselter Tom , Speck Thomas
Published: May 2019

In many biomimetic approaches, a deep understanding of the form–structure–function relationships in living and functionally intact organisms, which act as biological role models, is essential. This knowledge is a prerequisite for the identification of parameters that are relevant for the desired technical transfer of working principles. Hence, non-invasive and non-destructive techniques for static (3D) and dynamic (4D) high-resolution plant imaging and analysis on multiple hierarchical levels become increasingly important. In this study we demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to resolve the plants inner tissue structuring and functioning on the example of four plant concept generators with sizes larger than 5 mm used in current biomimetic research projects: Dragon tree (Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia), Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) and Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis). Two different MRI sequences were applied for high-resolution 3D imaging of the differing material composition (amount, distribution, and density of various tissues) and condition (hydrated, desiccated, and mechanically stressed) of the four model organisms. Main aim is to better understand their biomechanics, development, and kinematics. The results are used as inspiration for developing novel design and fabrication concepts for bio-inspired technical fiber-reinforced branchings and smart biomimetic actuators.
Plasma Biomarkers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Related Systemic Inflammation and Immune Activation in Sub-Saharan Africa Before and During Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Kroeze Stefanie , Wit Ferdinand W , Rossouw Theresa M , Steel Helen C , Kityo Cissy M , Siwale Margaret , Akanmu Sulaimon , Mandaliya Kishor , de Jager Marleen , Ondoa Pascale , Reiss Peter , Rinke de Wit Tobias F , Kootstra Neeltje , Hamers Raph L
Published: May 2019

We evaluated immune biomarker profiles in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected adults (n = 398) from 5 African countries. Although all biomarkers decreased after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, levels of C-X-C chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, soluble CD163, and soluble scavenger receptor CD14 were significantly higher during ART than in an HIV-uninfected reference group (n = 90), indicating persistent monocyte/macrophage activation, inflammation, and microbial translocation. Before ART initiation, high HIV viral load was associated with elevated CXCL10 and tuberculosis coinfection was associated with elevated soluble CD14. High pre-ART levels of each biomarker strongly predicted residual immune activation during ART. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 were differentially expressed between countries. Further research is needed on the clinical implications of residual immune dysregulation.