bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential of silicate fertilizer for salinity stress alleviation on red rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Sembada Merah’)
Authors: Rachmawati D , Fatikhasari Z , Lestari M F
Published: January 2020

Climate change causes an increase in soil salinity, hence reduce rice growth and productivity. The application of silicate fertilizer as a source of silicon (Si) can be encouraged to enhance the rice tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to analyze the potential of silicate fertilizer to alleviate the salinity stress on red rice. A pot experiments was conducted to observe the physiological and biochemical aspects. Rice seedlings were treated with three doses of rice husk ash/RHA (0, 4, and 8 tons ha-1), and three levels of salinity stress, namely control (0 dS m-1), low (3 dS m-1), moderate (7 dS m-1), and high (10 dS m-1). The observed parameters were plant height, number of tillers, plant biomass, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT), levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid and proline. The results showed the growth of red rice ‘Sembada Merah’ was inhibited by moderate and high salinity stress as indicated by a decrease in plant height, number of tillers and plant biomass. Photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll and carotenoid levels decreased with the increasing salinity stress. RHA application increased SOD activity as a response to enhance salinity stress tolerance. At doses of 4 t ha-1, RHA could maintain rice growth up to moderate salinity stress.
Climate change impacts on the coastal tourist resorts of Bali
Authors: Rajendra Anom
Published: January 2020

This article will highlight several impacts on changes in Bali’s shoreline, especially on coastal tourist resorts. Climate change as a global issue is a fundamental factor in which the shoreline of Bali has significantly changed, although it was not only a single impact on the shoreline’s changes. Due to rising seawater in combination with other factors taking place in most parts of coastal areas have led to significant erosion on the coastal tourist resorts of Bali. Narrower spaces of the tourist beaches have gradually degraded the quality of the beach environment. Moreover, the rapid development of tourist facilities along the beach as a local issue has also led to rising microclimate on the coast, hence these global and local issues are the driving factors to change the local climate on the coastal regions. Kuta Beach Resort was selected as a case study to represent the recent condition of Bali coastal tourist resorts due to the most crowded tourist area. Through an empirical study in collecting data that was supported by theoretical approaches, data were, then, analysed into the descriptive analysis. Therefore, the article of this research is expected to become useful for academic purposes, urban planners and policymakers. Therefore, the purpose of the research is to clarify the significant negative impacts of climate change on the coastal tourist resorts of Bali and to evaluate the possible actions carried out by parties to mitigate the negative impacts.
Tidal swamp tolerant rice lines: climate change adaptive varieties
Authors: Lestari A P , Rumanti I A , Sitaresmi T , Khairullah I
Published: January 2020

Weather phenomenon and erratic rainfall are some of the symptoms of global climate change. These challenges attempt to increase rice production in tidal swamps or submerge land in the long term. An effort to form tolerant rice varieties to stress in tidal swampland has been carried out through crossing between superior varieties and local rice. This study aims to analyze the results of several promising rice lines and search for the potential rice lines to be released as new tidal swampland varieties. The experiment was carried out in tidal swamp rice area centers, in Karang Agung, South Sumatra, Balandean, South Kalimantan and in Indramayu, West Java Indonesia. Fourteen rice lines and four check varieties namely IR42, IR64, Inpara 8 and Inpara 9 were used. Field experiments used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Results showed that the environment, genotype, and interaction between environmental genotypes had a significant influence on all characters. The appearances of the lines were superior in Karang Agung and less well on Balandean. The yield was positively correlated with plant height, the number of productive tillers and filled grains per panicle. There were five lines with a high yield equivalent to the best check varieties, namely Inpara 9, IR 102860-8: 66-BB, IR 102860-8: 42-BB, IR 101465-8: 23, IR 101465-5: 25, and B13522E-KA-5-B.
Methane and nitrous oxide productions affected by natural nitrification inhibitors under different soil types
Authors: Susilawati H L , Wihardjaka A , Setyanto P
Published: January 2020

Inefficient used of urea fertilizer contributes to producing methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. One of the options to mitigate CH4 and N2O emissions is through the use of nitrification inhibitors (NI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of some plant-based NI (NNI) on CH4 and N2O production under two different soils types. An incubation experiment was arranged using 2 x 3 x 3 factorial designs. All treatments were conducted with three replicates. The first factors were paddy soils (Inceptisols and Vertisols), the second were NNI (coconut husk, coffee waste, and Ageratum conizoides) and the third were the rate of the NNI (10, 20 and 30 ppm). The results showed that CH4 production was found lowest at the rate of 30 ppm of coconut husk application. Coconut husk at the rate of 20 ppm produced the lowest N2O production. Based on the global warming potential (GWP), the lowest production was the application of Ageratum conizoides at the rate of 30 ppm. Applying a higher rate of natural NI resulted in lower productions of CH4 and N2O. Chemical contents of natural NI influenced microbial activities that produce CH4 and N2O through nitrification and denitrification processes.
High tide event and its impact upon solar salt production area in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Nirwansyah A W , Braun B
Published: January 2020

High tide event has been acknowledged as a major cause of inundation in urban coastal area. This event is expected to increase in the future as an impact of global climate change. Meanwhile, there is still a gap of interest on tidal flood impact of marginal land use such as salt production with its traditional process. This study aims to identify high tide event in Cirebon waters and its impact on solar salt production area. Here we combine hydrodynamic simulation and Geographic Information System (GIS) within inputs from national seamless Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data from National Geospatial Agency, bathymetry, and wind record in May 2018 event. Additionally, this study also proposes coarse analysis of potential loss due to tidal flood event through productivity and pricing data from recent studies. From this research, it is found that 6, 570 ha (84%) of the salt production area has been inundated in that peak event with € 48.69 million of potential loss. This model exposes beneficial information for Indonesia salt sufficiency program as well as coastal disaster risk management.
The application of phosphorus and potassium to increase drought tolerance in Pereskia bleo (Kunt) DC with proline and antioxidant indicators
Authors: Sulandjari  , Sakya A T , Prahasto D H
Published: January 2020

The El Nino anomaly caused a decrease in rainfall and the occurrence of irrigation water drought. Pereskia bleo leaves contain high antioxidants. Proline in leaf tissue plays a role in reducing osmotic potential and maintaining cell turgor. Potassium can regulate the osmotic pressure and turgor, whereas Phosphate deficiency and drought will reduce the result of photosynthesis. This study aims to assess the role of Potassium and Phosphate in the tolerance and dynamics of secondary metabolites in P.bleo under drought conditions. The study was conducted from April to July 2018. The drought was artificially induced by controlling watering treatment for 30% and 60% field capacity once every 3 days after the plants are two months old. Using a Nested Randomized Complete Block Design. Fertilizing of KCl and SP36 are nested into 3 doses of each (0; 1.5 and 3 ) g/polybag at the beginning of planting. The results showed that the drought reducing plant growth but in contrast raising the levels of proline and antioxidants. There was an interaction between Potassium and Phosphate in the treatment of drought. Applying fertilizer Phosphate and Potassium could improve P.bleo tolerance to drought.
An institutional analysis of the trans-national marine waste: a case study of sludge oil in Bintan seawater, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Authors: Yudiatmaja W E , Yudithia  , Samnuzulsari T , Suyito
Published: January 2020

Sludge oil has contaminated Kepulauan Riau seawater for a long time ago, but there is no apparent policy by the government to address the problem. The sludge oil has become a critical issue when the government seeks to prevent the effects of climate change. This paper aims to fill the gap in the recent literature of environmental policy by analyzing the issue in an institutional lens. By applying case study research, this paper sheds light on the institutional arrangement of sludge oil problem in Bintan seawater, in particular, organizational design, policy, and norms. Data were gathered by interviewing a dozen of related stakeholders, observing in the three villages, and collecting secondary sources. The results argue that sludge oil is affected by the obscurity of the authority among the governments, the absence of specific policy, and the lack of soft diplomacy with Singapore’s government. This paper contributes to not only the body of knowledge but also the practical point of view by providing several policy recommendations for policymakers to address the issue.
Gamma irradiation on generative growth of Raja Bulu banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) MV1
Authors: Nandariyah  , Hartati S , Khasanah U
Published: January 2020

Musa paradisiaca L. or Raja Bulu banana are climate change-resistant plants, characterized by the ability of the stem to store water hence it can survive under drought conditions. Leaf size is wide and long and a large number then the banana leaf is a provider of oxygen through photosynthesis for human health. One of the weaknesses of Raja Bulu plantain is its long harvest live which is between 12-15 months making it less effective to meet market demand. The efforts to get a banana plant with superior quality can be improved the varieties through plant breeding programs using gamma-ray irradiation. Raja Bulu banana has been acclimatized to the land as the first generation (MV1). This research is an attempt to obtain short-lived banana cultivars in order to provide faster harvest time and increase the population of banana plants as a food source and a source of oxygen for human health. Early maturity of the harvest is one way of avoiding changes in the dry season. The results showed that the Raja Bulu banana with irradiation treatment 20 Gy, 25 Gy, and 20 Gy provide a diversity of character growth on the generative phase compared with Raja Bulu banana without irradiation treatment. Raja Bulu banana with irradiation treatment dose 20 Gy in sample R4 28 become individual selected that has character early maturity harvest 343 DAP (Days After Planting).
Fractional order PID optimal control in pH neutralization process
Authors: Tong L H , Li Y G , Zhu H Q , Li W T
Published: January 2020

This paper proposed an optimal control scheme for pH neutralization process based on fractional order PID (FOPID) controller. In order to enhance the stability of the outlet-pH as well as minimize the consumption of chemicals, the design of the controller is transformed into a discrete nonconvex optimization problem and solved by the state transition algorithm. Furthermore, a comparative study between the fractional order PID and PID controllers is carried out. And considering the practical application, the disturbance from the inlet-flow-rate change and inlet-pH change was also investigated. The simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed strategy.
Physicochemical features of Amazonian water typologies for water resources management
Authors: Ríos-Villamizar Eduardo A , Adeney J M , Junk W J , Piedade M T F
Published: January 2020

Today, an increasing amount of hydrochemical data indicate that the chemical composition of Amazonian rivers varies much more than the traditional classification indicates. In this first comprehensive review of Amazonian river chemistry, we synthesized critical information from 400 scientific publications and distinguish the types: white, black, clear, intermediate type A and type B. We show the distribution of such rivers across the Amazon basin and the limitations of such approach. These insights into Amazonian river classification provide a new understanding of their baseline limnological conditions. They have implications for sustainable management of Amazonian freshwater systems.
Adsorption and desorption studies of Ni2+ ions on to coconut shell char
Authors: Abesekara M S , Kosvinna K N R , Amarasinghe B M W P K
Published: January 2020

Heavy metal discharge with wastewater (WW) is a major environmental concern, widely discussed today. Heavy metals in WW can be removed by several methods including adsorption. Activated carbon (AC) derived from coconut shells is widely used, but expensive adsorbent. In this study coconut shell char (CSC) was tested as an effective low-cost adsorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using CSC as the adsorbent to remove Ni2+ from water. CSC has 12% removal efficiency for a solution of 25 mg Ni2+/L with a dose of 2 g adsorbent/200 mL solution. The isotherm results have shown that, equilibrium data best obey to Langmuir monolayer model. The adsorption kinetics studies revealed, that adsorption behave according to the pseudo-second order model. It was identified that adsorption process has two steps as external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. Furthermore, desorption abilities of H2SO4, NaOH, NaCl and Distilled water as desorbing agents were analysed and found H2SO4 to be the most effective desorbing agent.
Study on Basic Analysis Method of Critical Heat Flux in Energy System
Authors: Xiangyu Li , Changhong Peng , Yun Guo
Published: January 2020

The parameters of molten salt heat storage power generation system are continuously improved. The boiling crisis caused by deterioration of heat transfer in such system is studied and the basic mechanism and influencing factors are explored. In traditional theory the dry area of the bubbles are the cause of sudden overburning. In this paper the physical phenomenon is simulated by a variable heat convection boundary condition. Based on Fluent, four factors, including growth rate of dry area, size of dry area, size of pipe and shape of pipe, are simulated and analysed numerically to figure out what effect they have on wall temperature rise. The calculation results show that if final size of dry area is consistent, the dry area’s expansion rate will have little influence on wall temperature because time for temperature to rise is much more than that for dry area to grow; The highest temperature rise is directly dependent on the size of dry area, and is also affected by the size of pipe, which is related to volume heat flux; Corner of square pipe is more likely to face the boiling crisis than centre region. In order to burn the pipe wall, there must be a large area of heat transfer deterioration lasting for quite a long time, so the most cases of the wall damage is due to thermal stress instead of traditional statement “burning”. This method provides a new analytical perspective and has guiding significance for experiment and theoretical analysis in the next research plan.
Photosynthetic and Yield Characteristics of Winter Wheat under Two Rounds of Irrigation during Spring
Authors: Li X S , Song N , Shen X J , Zheng C L , Cao C Y , Dang H K , Sun J S
Published: January 2020

To clarify the effect of photosynthetic and yield characteristics of winter wheat under 7500 kg/hm2 grain yield when irrigated twice in spring, field experiments were conducted in the low plain of Hebei Province, which is in the Helonggang Region, an area suffering from serious water scarcity. The photosynthetic and yield characteristics of winter wheat were studied by using 8 wheat varieties and by irrigating water twice during spring from 2018 to 2019 under the condition of 42.6 mm of precipitation during the wheat growing season. Results showed that the yield of wheat varieties was 7805.3–9435.0 kg·hm−2. Under the irrigation condition, the yield difference between strong gluten wheat and medium gluten wheat was irregular. In this study, both the average daily photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic potential were higher in Shinong 086 and lower in Shiluan 02-1, but the yield was higher in Shiluan 02-1. Varieties with high light efficiency need to be selected to obtain a high yield of wheat. Moreover, agronomic measures should be optimised, a reasonable population structure should be established and the contradiction between population development and ontogenesis must be addressed. The above conclusions can provide a theoretical basis for guiding wheat variety selection and supporting technology formulation.
Prediction of outdoor air temperature and humidity using Xgboost
Authors: Ma Xiaoming , Fang Cong , Ji Junping
Published: January 2020

Outdoor temperature and humidity prediction plays an important role in HVAC intelligent control with huge energy saving potential and identification of the urban heat island effect. The aim of this paper is to develop and evaluate a Xgboost model for the prediction of outdoor air temperature and humidity using acquired data from Shenzhen, China. Datasets fetched from sensor real-time collection and meteorological station interface are utilized as observations, through the construction of Xgboost to predict outdoor temperature and humidity in predictive horizon of 1-3 hours. The effectiveness of the prediction is verified by comparing the prediction with the measured outdoor air temperature and humidity. In addition, statistical tools such as R2 and root mean square error (rmse) are applied to evaluate the performance of the model. The results show the excellent performance of Xgboost in accurately predicting outdoor temperature and humidity by comparison between the measured and predicted outdoor air temperature (R2 > 0.73, rmse < 1.77) and air humidity (R2 > 0.81, rmse < 6.33).
Permeability Characteristics of Model Clay-Based Cutoff Wall Backfills
Authors: Xu Haoqing , Liu Songyu , Zhou Aizhao , Jiang Pengming , Sun Ke , Liu Yi
Published: January 2020

Clay-based cutoff walls have been widely applied in the landfills or site remediations. The factors that affect the hydraulic conductivity of cutoff walls formed by mixing formation with clays are still unclear. Aiming at the issue, the Fujian standard sand was used to simulate the formation and three kinds of clays were taken as the additive and slurry material for mixing and pouring. Then the hydraulic conductivity and pore size distributions were measured. The results indicated when the Clay C formed the cutoff walls with the model formation, there was a critical clay additive amount C
cr corresponding to the minimum porosity, and there would be great change in the descent velocity of the hydraulic conductivity k before and after critical clay additive amount C
cr. In regard to Clay A and Clay B, the critical clay additive amount C
cr of sand-clay specimens didn’t appear as the additive amount of Clay A and Clay B reached 25%. For Clay A and Clay B, the pore size distributions of sand-clay specimens were relatively identical, and their hydraulic conductivity k declined with decreasing porosity n. However, the pore size distributions of the mixture corresponding to Clay C gradually widened with the increasing additive amount, and they would develop towards the smaller pore size. Meanwhile, P
50 also declined correspondingly, and there was poor correlation between porosity n and hydraulic conductivity k. Comparatively speaking, the microscopic pore structure of the model formation improved by Clay C was the most obvious, and Clay C raising the sealing effectiveness of model formation was also best.
Microstructural and ablative properties of graphite nozzles with SiC coating deposited by CVD technique
Authors: Loureda Oswaldo B , Caliari Felipe Rocha , Regiani Inácio , de Souza Miranda Felipe , da Silva Roberson José , Filho Gilberto Petraconi
Published: January 2020

The development of efficient, reliable and affordable propulsion units is one of the main objectives in the development of aerospace technology. Typically the final cost of the vehicle is deeply affected by this subsystem. In this study, a hybrid combination of the ablative chamber is presented where graphite nozzles coated with chemical vapor deposited Silicon Carbide (CVD-SiC) is submitted to the ablative environment, generated by a DC plasma torch operating at a power of 35 kW and homogeneous heat flow of 0.75 MW m−2. The ablative properties of the samples were evaluated by measuring the weight loss as a function of the exposure time, weight loss of 0.11% after 70 s of exposition due to the formation of SiO gas was observed. The microstructure characteristics of SiC coating before and after ablation tests were carried out by SEM and XRD showing that it goes to scale oxidation to forming of SiO2 (β-quartz) and SiC (β to α) phase transformation. Whereas the ablation mechanism showed to be dependent on the initial coating thickness and exposure time.
Simultaneous enhanced electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3/graphene by hydrogen annealing
Authors: Liu Yanyue , Guo Dongfang , Wu Kai , Guo Jinhang , Li Zijiong
Published: January 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted extensive attention in various fields due to their good flexibility, high specific surface area and fast ion transfer rate. Herein, the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles/graphene composites have been prepared through a hydrothermal method, which is followed by hydrogen annealing to produce oxygen vacancies. Electrochemical properties and photoelectrochemical properties are investigated. The results present a high specific capacitance and the electrochemical properties are improved ascribing to the synergistic effect of graphene’s large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, as well as the pseudocapacitance of transition metal oxides. Moreover, it also promotes the photoelectric response performances in visible light. This work provides a basis for the development and application of transition metal oxide in electrochemical and photoelectric fields.
Green synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of cobalt chromite spinel nanoparticles
Authors: Taghavi Fardood Saeid , Forootan Reza , Moradnia Farzaneh , Afshari Zolfa , Ramazani Ali
Published: January 2020

Eriochrome Black T, an azo dye, was degraded under visible light irradiation using CoCr2O4 nanoparticles as a photocatalyst. In this study, CoCr2O4 cubic-spinel nanoparticles were synthesized via a novel and green sol-gel method. The synthesized sample was characterized by EDX, XRD, TEM, FESEM, DRS, and FTIR. The CoCr2O4 NPs have good photocatalytic activity for degradation of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) dye at room conditions so that 90% of EBT was degraded in 90 min under the visible light. The CoCr2O4 NPs reusability was scanned and confirmed that the nano-photocatalyst shows a few declines in its activity after the three runs.
High-temperature fatigue life prediction method for rubber bushing of new-energy vehicles based on modified fatigue damage theory
Authors: Yunzhou Fang , Honglei Zhang
Published: January 2020

Rubber bushing are important components in suspension of new-energy vehicles. It is of great practical engineering significance to conduct in-depth study of high temperature fatigue characteristics. On the high temperature fatigue test bench, the same batch of dumbbell rubber test pieces with the same material as rubber bushing and the same vulcanization process were subjected to fatigue test at different temperatures, then the arithmetic mean value of the fatigue life of each rubber test piece was taken as the fatigue life at given temperature. It was found that the fatigue life of the rubber test piece at each temperature can be well fitted when the peak of engineering strain is taken as the damage parameter. Moreover, on the basis of the fatigue damage theory, the Arrhenius high temperature aging factor was introduced to correct the fatigue damage formula considering the influence of temperature on fatigue life. The finite element analysis was used to determine the peak of engineering strain of the dangerous point of the rubber bushing at 70 °C, and the modified fatigue damage formula was employed. The prediction value of the rubber bushing fatigue life was calculated and compared with the bench test result. It is shown that the predicted fatigue life dispersion coefficient is less than 2, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed high temperature fatigue life prediction method. The research in this paper can provide reference for the durability design and fatigue life prediction of rubber parts in new-energy vehicles.
Enhancement of thermoelectric power factor of hydrothermally synthesised SrTiO3 nanostructures
Authors: Yalini Devi N , Rajasekaran P , Vijayakumar K , Alagar Nedunchezhian A S , Sidharth D , Anbalagan G , Arivanandhan M , Jayavel R
Published: January 2020

Strontium Titanate (SrTiO3) nanoparticles were synthesised by varying the hydrothermal growth period as 12, 24 and 48 h. The crystal structure, morphology, functional groups and elemental composition of the prepared SrTiO3 nanoparticles were studied using XRD, FESEM, Raman and XPS, respectively. XRD analysis shows that the intensity of the diffraction peaks of SrTiO3 increased with growth period due to high crystallinity of the hydrothermally grown samples. From the FESEM images, it was observed that the morphology of SrTiO3 was changed from spherical to cubic when the hydrothermal growth period increased from 12 to 24 h. The different modes of vibration of samples were studied using Raman spectroscopy. XPS substantiate the composition and binding states of each element in the sample. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of the prepared SrTiO3 nanostructures were measured at various temperatures by pelletizing the samples. The Seebeck coefficient of the sample gradually increased with hydrothermal growth period. The electrical resistivity of the sample relatively decreased with growth period. The power factor of the samples was calculated from the obtained Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity. A power factor of the sample prepared at 24 h of hydrothermal growth (2.191 × 10−4 W.m−1.K−2 at 550 K) was two order higher than that of as prepared sample (0.012 × 10−4 W.m−1.K−2 at 550 K). The experimental results revealed that the increase in hydrothermal growth period has a potential effect on the morphology. The cubic morphology with high crystalline nature facilitated the electron transport thereby thermoelectric power factor was enhanced in SrTiO3 nanostructures.
Stainless steel coated with carbon nanofiber/PDMS composite as anodes in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Saadi Meriem , Pézard Julien , Haddour Naoufel , Erouel Mohsen , Vogel Timothy M , Khirouni Kamel
Published: January 2020

Modification of electrode surfaces is a promising strategy to improve microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. Here we report a new functionalization process to improve interfacial electron transfer, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of stainless steel (SS) electrodes used as anodes in MFCs. SS anodes prepared by surface modification with a thin layer (200 μm) of conducting composite made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with commercially available carbon nanofibers (CNF), are described. Electrochemical characterization showed that the corrosion rate of SS electrode in an acid solution decreased from 367 μm.y−1 to 31 μm.y−1 after CNF-PDMS coating. Electric characterization demonstrated that the maximum power density generated by MFCs after 16 days with SS/CNF-PDMS anodes (19 mW.m−2) is 5 times higher and more stable than that with unmodified SS (3.7 mW.m−2). The cyclic voltammetry analysis indicated that the electrochemical activity of the modified anode was enhanced significantly after 16 days and the electron transfer was facilitated by CNF-PDMS modification. Microscopic observations and electrochemical characterization showed that CNF-PDMS composite improved biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of the SS anode surfaces. These results confirmed that the CNF-PDMS modification is a promising approach to improve the properties of anode materials for MFC application.
Microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion resistance properties of Al0.8CrFeCoNiCux high-entropy alloy coatings on aluminum by laser cladding
Authors: Li Yanzhou , Shi Yan , Olugbade Emmanuel
Published: January 2020

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) were used to improve the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of steel surfaces by laser cladding due to their outstanding mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. However, there are only a few literary works on the improvement of wear resistance on the aluminum alloy surface by HEAs. In this work, the wear performance of laser cladded Al0.8CrFeNiCoAlCux HEA coating on aluminum alloy with different Cu contents was investigated in detail. Moreover, phase structure, microstructure, bonding shear strength, and corrosion resistance of HEA coatings were studied by XRD, SEM, tensile device, and electrochemical workstation. The result shows that with the increase of the Cu content, the structure of the coatings changed from BCC1 and BCC2 phases to BCC1, BCC2, and FCC1 phases. Evident cracks were observed in the Al0.8CrFeCoNi HEA coating. Meanwhile, when x = 0.25, the cracks disappeared, but the bonding shear strength was 79.6 MPa, only 34.7% of the substrate. At 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1, the bonding shear strength of the Al0.8CrFeCoNiCux HEA coatings went above 175.2 MPa. As Cu promotes the formation of FCC phase, the hardness of the Al0.8CrFeCoNiCux HEA coating decreased as the Cu content increased. The effect of Cu on wear resistance has the same trend as with hardness. The wear rate of Al0.8CrFeCoNiCu0.5, Al0.8CrFeCoNiCu0.75, and Al0.8CrFeCoNiCu HEA alloys is only 3.4%, 4.02%, and 5.42%, respectively, of the substrate. The wear mechanisms of the substrate are that of delamination fracture and serious adhesion wear, while the wear mechanisms of Al0.8CrFeCoNiCux (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1) HEA coatings are that of adhesive and abrasive wear. The corrosion resistance of Al0.8CrFeCoNiCux (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1) HEA is better than that of the substrate in 1 mol l−1 H2SO4 solution. Al0.8CrFeCoNiCu0.5 has the best corrosion resistance that is characterized by pitting and intergranular corrosion.
Investigation on the tensile and flexural behavior of coconut inflorescence fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites
Authors: Karthik S , Arunachalam V P
Published: January 2020

Natural fibers as reinforcement with polymer matrix have gained more advantage owing to its low density, high specific properties, biodegradability and abundant availability. In this connection an investigation has been carried out to make use of a newly identified natural fiber named coconut inflorescence fiber to reinforce with polyester resin. The natural fiber after extraction is subjected to mercerization treatment and the effect of mercerization on the surface of CIF was studied by FTIR and XRD analysis. FTIR spectrum analysis revealed the removal of functional groups present in the natural fiber owing to mercerization of CIF. XRD analysis shows improvement in crystalline size and crystalline index of the CIF as a result of mercerization. Samples of CIF/polyester composites were prepared by varying the length of the fiber as 10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 mm to be reinforced with different volume fractions of fiber/polyester resin as 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% respectively and the specimens were cut as per ASTM standards for testing. Further samples were taken for testing of tensile strength and flexural strength. Results showed fiber length played a predominant role for the increase in tensile and flexural strength of the composites for 25% volume fraction. SEM analysis was done to predict the effect of fracture behaviour of the composite specimen.
Multimode Fock states with large photon number: effective descriptions and applications in quantum metrology
Authors: Perarnau-Llobet M , González-Tudela A , Cirac J I
Published: January 2020

We develop general tools to characterise and efficiently compute relevant observables of multimode N-photon states generated in nonlinear decays in one-dimensional waveguides. We then consider optical interferometry in a Mach–Zender interferometer where a d-mode photonic state enters in each arm of the interferometer. We derive a simple expression for the quantum Fisher information in terms of the average photon number in each mode, and show that it can be saturated by number-resolved photon measurements that do not distinguish between the different d modes.
Efficacy of an m-Health Physical Activity and Sleep Intervention to Improve Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Adults: The Refresh Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rayward Anna T , Plotnikoff Ronald C , Murawski Beatrice , Vandelanotte Corneel , Brown Wendy J , Holliday Elizabeth G , Duncan Mitch J
Published: January 2020

Background

Poor sleep health is highly prevalent. Physical activity is known to improve sleep quality but not specifically targeted in sleep interventions.

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of a combined physical activity and sleep intervention with a sleep-only intervention and a wait-list control, for improving sleep quality in middle-aged adults without a diagnosed sleep disorder.

Methods

Three-arm randomized controlled trial (Physical Activity and Sleep Health (PAS), Sleep Health Only (SO), Wait-list Control (CON) groups; 3-month primary time-point, 6-month follow-up) of 275 (PAS = 110, SO = 110, CON = 55) inactive adults (40–65 years) reporting poor sleep quality. The main intervention component was a smartphone/tablet “app” to aid goal setting and self-monitoring physical activity and/or sleep hygiene behaviors (including stress management), and a pedometer for PAS group. Primary outcome was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score. Secondary outcomes included several self-reported physical activity measures and PSQI subcomponents. Group differences were examined stepwise, first between pooled intervention (PI = PAS + SO) and CON groups, then between PAS and SO groups.

Results

Compared with CON, PI groups significantly improved PSQI global and subcomponents scores at 3 and 6 months. There were no differences in sleep quality between PAS and SO groups. The PAS group reported significantly less daily sitting time at 3 months and was significantly more likely to report ≥2 days/week resistance training and meeting physical activity guidelines at 6 months than the SO group.

Conclusions

PIs had statistically significantly improved sleep quality among middle-aged adults with poor sleep quality without a diagnosed sleep disorder. The adjunctive physical activity intervention did not additionally improve sleep quality.

Clinical Trial information

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12617000680369; Universal Trial number: U1111-1194-2680; Human Research Ethics Committee, Blinded by request of journal: H-2016-0267.
A glide over the Indo-Australian geological maze: repeated transgressions of Lydekker’s and Wallace’s Lines in archdukes, barons and dukes (Nymphalidae: Limenitidinae: Adoliadini)
Authors: Toussaint Emmanuel F A , Müller Chris J , Morinière Jérôme , Tänzler Rene , Balke Michael
Published: January 2020

Archdukes, barons, counts, dukes and marquises are forest-dwelling butterflies found in mainland Asia and most islands of the Indo-Australian archipelago west of Wallace’s Line, with only a few species occurring as far east as the Bismarck Archipelago. This pattern is unusual among butterfly groups of the region, which often present more widespread geographical ranges bearing little signature of Lydekker’s and Wallace’s Lines. Using a molecular multimarker matrix, we infer the first dated phylogeny for this clade and estimate its biogeographical history. We recover the Oriental genus Euthalia as polyphyletic, although other genera are monophyletic. The clade originated in continental Indomalaya in the late Oligocene ~24 Mya, when the Indo-Australian archipelago was at one of the most dynamic stages of its orogeny. Multiple independent colonization events towards the Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Australia and New Guinea suggest the relative permeability of Lydekker’s and Wallace’s Lines to these butterflies. Colonization of Melanesia took place twice, probably before the recent formation of Sulawesi. The study of Indo-Australian Adoliadini provides additional evidence that biogeographical barriers long thought to prevent exchange between the Asian and Australian biotas are, in fact, permeable especially to vagile insect lineages in the region.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy and Brain Age in Young Adult Offspring: Findings from a Prenatal Birth Cohort
Authors: Mareckova Klara , Marecek Radek , Andryskova Lenka , Brazdil Milan , Nikolova Yuliya S
Published: January 2020

Maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with elevated risk of anxiety and depression in offspring, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we conducted a neuroimaging follow-up of a prenatal birth cohort from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (n = 131; 53% women, age 23–24) to test whether deviations from age-normative structural brain development in young adulthood may partially underlie this link. Structural brain age was calculated based on previously published neuroanatomical age prediction models using cortical thickness maps from healthy controls aged 6–89. Brain age gap was computed as the difference between chronological and structural brain age. Participants also completed self-report measures of anxiety and mood dysregulation. Further, mothers of a subset of participants (n = 103, 54% women) answered a self-report questionnaire in 1990–1992 about depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Higher exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in utero showed a linear relationship with elevated brain age gap, which showed a quadratic relationship with anxiety and mood dysregulation in the young adult offspring. Our findings suggest that exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in utero may be associated with accelerated brain maturation and that deviations from age-normative structural brain development in either direction predict more anxiety and dysregulated mood in young adulthood.
Equilibrium dialysis, ultrafiltration, and ultracentrifugation compared for determining the plasma-protein-binding characteristics of valproic acid.
Authors: Barré J , Chamouard J M , Houin G , Tillement J P
Published: January 2020

Equilibrium dialysis, ultrafiltration, and ultracentrifugation were compared to determine their reliability and applicability in the study of binding of an anticonvulsant drug, valproic acid, by plasma proteins. We studied drug binding with pooled serum and with solutions of human serum albumin at physiological concentrations. We compared binding characteristics such as number of binding sites, affinity constants, and percent of binding as measured by each method in the therapeutic range for valproic acid. Results by ultracentrifugation differed from those by equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration, which agreed reasonably well with each other.
Variance estimates and individuality ratios of 25 serum constituents in beagles.
Authors: Leissing N , Izzo R , Sargent H
Published: January 2020

Variance components and individuality ratios for each of 25 chemical constituents of serum were estimated in a population of beagles. Ten blood samples were obtained from each of 14 beagles, seven of each sex, approximately weekly during three months. Glucose and phospholipid displayed marked inter-dog variation, as compared with intra-dog variation (individuality ratio less than 1). Triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids had large intra-dog variances relative to their inter-dog variances (individuality ratio greater than 1). Overall, the estimated individuality ratios exceeded 1 for 20 of the 25 constituents. We conclude that subtraction of pretreatment values in the statistical analysis of the data from assays with individuality ratios greater than 1 may mask small clinically or biologically important changes between treatment groups. When the individuality ratio is greater than 1, pretreatment values should only be used as a population screening tool before a study.
Analysis for nicotine and cotinine in hair to determine cigarette smoker status.
Authors: Haley N J , Hoffmann D
Published: January 2020

Noninvasive validation of cigarette smoking behavior is necessary for large population studies, especially with adolescents, where peer pressures can compromise self-report. Saliva and urine samples provide biological material for confirmation of recent nicotine intake by analysis for cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine. However, detection of infrequent use of cigarettes can be missed in a single annual screen when participants have not smoked in the preceding week. We analyzed scalp hair from smokers and controls, to see whether hair could provide reliable samples for determining nicotine uptake. The amounts of nicotine and cotinine we detected in these samples correlated with individual smoking habits and exposures.
Chemiluminescence immunoassay of plasma progesterone, with progesterone-acridinium ester used as the labeled antigen.
Authors: Richardson A P , Kim J B , Barnard G J , Collins W P , McCapra F
Published: January 2020

This simple solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay for measurement of progesterone in extracts of venous plasma has sensitivity and precision similar to that of conventional radioimmunoassay with use of a tritiated antigen. The labeled antigen, 11 alpha-progesteryl-2-succinoyltyramine-4-(10-methyl)-acridini um-9-carboxylate, and a monoclonal antibody to progesterone-11 alpha-succinyl-bovine serum albumin are incubated with a 100-microL aliquot of plasma extract (equivalent to 20 microL of plasma) and 50 microL of a suspension of an IgG fraction of a donkey antiserum to mouse immunoglobulins, covalently attached to cellulose particles. After the antibody-binding reaction (60 min at 4 degrees C), 1 mL of phosphate buffer is added to each tube, the tubes are centrifuged (5 min, 1500 X g), and the supernatant fluid is aspirated. The washing step is repeated and diluted hydrochloric acid (50 mmol/L, 50 microL) is added to the pellet. Luminescence is initiated by oxidation with dilute sodium hydroxide/hydrogen peroxide. The signal is integrated over 10 s. The light yield is inversely proportional to the progesterone concentration in the standard or sample.
Studies on the quality of specimens obtained by skin-puncture of children. 2. An analysis of blood-collecting practices in a pediatric hospital.
Authors: Meites S , Glassco K M
Published: January 2020

We quantified blood-collecting practices for chemistry in a pediatric hospital. Skin-puncture provided 67% of samples, and in-dwelling catheters (lines), 31%. About 46% of samples collected (day-shift) were urgent ("stats"). A single skin-puncture provided 448 microL (range, 150-1350) of blood, and 80% of requests, but only 58% of stats. About 1.3 punctures per request were required. Time spent collecting blood was 11.0 min per single request. Patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition took 17.9 min and 3.6 skin-punctures per request. Analytical time for stat blood gases was about 6 min, total ("turnaround") time, about 16 min. Turnaround time for stat requests involving the Ektachem 400TM instrument was 32.4 min; for non-stat, at least 56 min. Other tests required 151 min. Blood gases and electrolytes represented the majority of all tests ordered, and 97% of in-dwelling line blood-draws. There was no correlation between age and number of tests per request, but the youngest patients (0 to 1 year) had more skin-punctures per request (1.4), along with the greatest number (55.5%) and frequency of tests.
Oxygen toxicity related to exposure to lead.
Authors: Monteiro H P , Abdalla D S , Arcuri A S , Bechara E J
Published: January 2020

We evaluated superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activities in the erythrocytes of lead-exposed and nonexposed workers from distinct industries localized in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Concentrations of either lead or protoporphyrin IX, or both, in blood were used to indicate the extent of exposure. In all cases, values for superoxide dismutase were significantly higher in the exposed workers. The dose-response relationship between this enzyme and lead concentrations was roughly linear for the workers with greater than 40 micrograms of lead per 100 g of blood. Except for the sample from one of the industries, the corresponding glutathione peroxidase activities were also significantly higher in lead-exposed workers. These data, together with those previously found for patients with intermittent acute porphyria, suggest that in both groups the accumulation of heme precursors is connected to the exacerbated production of activated oxygen species.
Determination of osteocalcin in human serum: results with two kits compared with those by a well-characterized assay.
Authors: Gundberg C M , Wilson P S , Gallop P M , Parfitt A M
Published: January 2020

Osteocalcin, the vitamin K-dependent protein in bone, can also be detected in serum and is receiving increased attention as a marker for bone turnover in evaluating patients with metabolic bone disease. We compared results for patients as determined with two commercial radioimmunoassay kits (Immuno Nuclear Corp. and Seragen Inc.) and with our in-house radioimmunoassay (Methods Enzymol 107: 517, 1984). Results by our assay correlated well (r greater than 0.9) with those by both kits, but the values by the Immuno Nuclear and Seragen methods were respectively 40% and 10% lower than by our radioimmunoassay. Within-run variation (CV) for the two kit methods was respectively 7.3% and 9.8%, run-to-run CV was 9.7% and 8.6%. The standard curve was linear from 1 to 25 micrograms/L for the Immuno Nuclear kit, from 4 to 100 micrograms/L for the Seragen equilibrium method, and from 1 to 25 micrograms/L for the Seragen nonequilibrium method. A second freeze-thaw cycle reduced the serum values by 20% to 40% for both kit methods. A third freeze-thaw cycle further reduced values and eliminated any correlation among methods.