bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passivation, conductivity, and selectivity in solar cell contacts: Concepts and simulations based on a unified partial-resistances framework
Authors: Onno Arthur , Chen Christopher , Koswatta Priyaranga , Boccard Mathieu , Holman Zachary C.
Published: November 2019

Passivation, conductivity, and selectivity are often acknowledged as the three requirements for optimal contacts to photovoltaic solar cells. Although there are generally accepted definitions and metrics for passivation and conductivity, a common understanding of the concept of selectivity is emerging only now. In this contribution, we present a generalized model of solar cell contacts based on the distinct lumped resistances encountered by electrons and holes traversing a contact, which we refer to as partial specific contact resistances. The relations between electron and hole partial current densities, quasi-Fermi level separation, and external voltage are derived from these partial specific contact resistances, leading to simple metrics for the aforementioned contact properties: the sum of the electron and hole resistances is a metric for passivation, their ratio is a metric for selectivity, and the majority-carrier resistance is a metric for conductivity. Using PC1D, we validate our model by simulating 10 500 cases of homojunction contacts to crystalline silicon solar cells, although our framework is material agnostic and can be equally applied to any other type of absorber. In these simulations, the hole contact and absorber are assumed to be ideal, whereas we vary the partial specific contact resistances in the electron contact by orders of magnitude by adjusting the electron and hole mobilities, their densities (through variations of the donor doping density), and the contact thickness. The simulations confirm the finding of the model that, when the contact fraction cannot be adjusted—as is the case with full-area contacts—combined passivation and conductivity are necessary and sufficient for optimal solar cell performance, and they imply selectivity. However, the reciprocal is not true: contacts can be selective but lack conductivity—causing a deleterious drop in fill factor—or can be selective but provide poor passivation—leading to a reduction in implied open-circuit voltage and, hence, actual open-circuit voltage. Thus, selectivity is a meaningful metric in the sole case of partial-area contacts, where the contact fraction can be adjusted arbitrarily.
Optimization of TiO2 compact layer formed by atomic layer deposition for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kim Tae Woong , Uchida Satoshi , Kondo Takashi , Segawa Hiroshi
Published: November 2019

The microstructure of the compact TiO2 (c-TiO2) layer formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was investigated for optimization of organometal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The ALD c-TiO2 layer has an amorphous structure alleviating performance deterioration of the PSCs caused by defects. To apply the optimized ALD c-TiO2 layer to the PSCs, an efficiency of 18.36% was achieved. It is the top record among the PSCs using a compact TiO2 layer formed by ALD.
A molecular dynamics study of heat transfer over an ultra-thin liquid film with surfactant between solid surfaces
Authors: Guo Yuting , Surblys Donatas , Kawagoe Yoshiaki , Matsubara Hiroki , Ohara Taku
Published: November 2019

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we investigated the mechanism by which the intercalation of a surfactant solution reduces the contact thermal resistance of two solid surfaces. We constructed a model system where two solid surfaces with a gap were immersed in a surfactant solution, and the gap was filled with permeating molecules to form a molecular thin film. By varying the concentration of the surfactant and the distance between the confining surfaces, factors affecting the intersolid heat transfer were explored. It was demonstrated that the overall thermal resistance of the present system was determined by interfacial thermal resistance between the solid and the solution and can be reduced by increasing the surfactant concentration. The surface separation, i.e., the distance between the two solid surfaces, had a significant impact on interfacial thermal resistance, whether or not surfactant molecules were involved. Interfacial thermal resistance was an oscillatory function of the surface separation and displayed minimum values not at the most adsorption amount of liquid molecules but when the density profile of liquid molecules showed a sharp peak, i.e., when the surface separation was commensurable with the size of the solvent molecule. This tendency was most remarkably seen when the liquid film was composed of a single molecular layer. The findings in this study provide helpful insights into the reduction of interfacial thermal resistance utilizing surfactant solutions.
Berry phase of the Tavis-Cummings model with three modes of oscillation
Authors: Choreño E. , Ojeda-Guillén D. , Valencia R. , Granados V. D.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we develop a general method to obtain the Berry phase of time-dependent Hamiltonians with a linear structure given in terms of the SU(1, 1) and SU(2) groups. This method is based on the similarity transformations of the displacement operator performed to the generators of each group, and let us diagonalize these Hamiltonians. Then, we introduce a trilinear form of the Tavis-Cummings model to compute the SU(1, 1) and SU(2) Berry phases of this model.
In-situ control of electrical properties of nanoelectromechanical resonators by electromigration for self-sustained oscillations
Authors: Sun F. , Zou J. , Chan H. B.
Published: November 2019

We use electromigration for in situ control of the electrical impedance of nanoelectromechanical resonators, the vibrations of which are detected with magnetomotive detection. The resonator consists of a doubly clamped, suspended silicon nitride beam with a gold nanowire fabricated on top. A constriction is present in the gold nanowire near the middle of the beam. As fabricated, the impedance of the device is smaller than the cable impedance of 50 Ω so that the mechanical resonance of the beam appears as a minimum on a background of the reflected ac signal in a perpendicular magnetic field. We decrease the width of the junction by inducing controlled electromigration of the gold atoms near the junction. As the electrical resistance of the nanowire is increased to near 50 Ω, the reflection background is minimized. With the vibration phase accurately measured, self-sustained oscillations of the beam resonator are excited using a phase-locked loop for a wide range of phase delay between the response and the drive. By optimizing the impedance of the nanobeam, we measure all three branches of the Duffing oscillator, including the middle one that is unstable when the driving frequency is swept without the phase-locked loop. Electromigration could serve as a versatile tool to enhance the performance of nanomechanical resonators as sensors and clocks.
Ion beam trap design looks to capture beams of merged cations and anions
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: November 2019

Simulations show that proposed hybrid electrostatic ion beam trap would be capable of cold collisions at low relative velocities between reactants.
Trends in opioid prescribing in Australia: a systematic review
Authors: Donovan Peter J. , Arroyo David , Pattullo Champika , Bell Anthony
Published: November 2019

Objective This review systematically identified studies that estimated the prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia, assessed the prevalence estimates for bias and identified areas for future research. Methods Literature published after 2000 containing a potentially representative estimate of prescription opioid use in adults, in the community setting, in Australia was included in this review. Studies that solely assessed opioid replacement, illicit opioid usage or acute hospital in-patient use were excluded. Databases searched included PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the grey literature. Results The search identified 2253 peer-reviewed publications, with 34 requiring full-text review. Of these, 20 were included in the final qualitative analysis, in addition to four publications from the grey literature. Most studies included analysed prescription claims data for medicines dispensed via Australia’s national medicines subsidy scheme (the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Although data sources were good quality, all prevalence estimates were at least at moderate risk of bias, predominantly due to incompleteness of data or potential confounding. Included publications demonstrated a significant rise in opioid use up to 2017 (including a 15-fold increase in prescriptions dispensed over the 20 years to 2015), predominantly driven by a sharp rise in oxycodone use. Although opioid prescription numbers continue to escalate, usage, as measured by oral morphine equivalent per capita, may have plateaued since 2014. Codeine remains the most prevalently obtained opioid, followed by oxycodone and tramadol. There was a substantial delay (median 30 months; interquartile range 20–37 months) to publication of opioid usage data from time of availability. Conclusions Australia has experienced a marked increase in opioid prescribing since the 1990s. Current published literature is restricted to incomplete, delayed and historical data, limiting the ability of clinicians and policy makers to intervene appropriately. What is known about the topic? Opioid prescriptions in Australia have continued to increase since the 1990s and may be mirroring the epidemic being seen in the US. What does this paper add? This paper systematically identifies all publications that have examined the prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia since 2000, and only identified prevalence estimates that were at moderate or high risk of bias, and found significant delays to publication of these estimates. What are the implications for practitioners? Because published literature on the prevalence of prescription opioid consumption is restricted to incomplete, delayed and historical data, the ability of clinicians and policy makers to appropriately intervene to curb prescription opioid use is limited. A national policy of real-time monitoring and reporting of opioid prescribing may support improvements in practice.
Association of health literacy and diabetes self-management: a systematic review
Authors: Dahal Padam K. , Hosseinzadeh Hassan
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this review is to summarise the existing evidence about the association of health literacy (HL) with type 2 diabetes mellitus self-management. The PubMed, Medline, CINHAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for randomised control trials of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self-management and HL published between 2009 and 2018. Fourteen randomised control trials were included in this review. Our findings showed that HL was instrumental in improving diabetes knowledge, physical activity, self-efficacy and quality of life; however, its associations with glycaemic control, self-monitoring of blood glucose, foot care and medication adherence was inconclusive. Customized and community-based HL interventions were more efficient compared to patient-focused HL interventions. This review concludes that HL is key for T2DM self-management, but customised, structured and community-based interventions are more likely to yield better outcomes.
“My Shakespeare, rise”
Authors: Calvo Clara
Published: November 2019

This chapter focuses on the book Mr. William Shakespeare’s
Comedies, Histories and Tragedies (1623), which is widely known
today as the First Folio. When the First Folio was printed in 1623, the
editors and printers included in its preliminary matter several poems in
praise of Shakespeare. Among these were two by the author’s friend and
rival, Ben Jonson. One of the poems, “To the Memory of My Beloved, the
Author”, displays an unusual pronominal density and contains some intriguing
pronominal choices. This chapter examines the rhetorical fabric of Jonson’s
eulogy for Shakespeare and dissects the critical and ideological
implications of its peculiar use of the pronominal system. It focuses in
particular on the use of first person possessive pronouns such as “my” and
“ours” in relation to Jonson’s personal agenda: his self-fashioning as
literary critic and his support, as Poet Laureate in all but name, for King
James’s vision of a united Britain.
Doing and teaching
Authors: Toolan Michael
Published: November 2019

This chapter explores the continuity between Bill Nash’s academic
work on style and stylistics and his fiction writing. In both forms, Nash
aimed to instruct and entertain, and saw that to achieve those ends one had
to be seriously playful and use a creative imagination. The chapter focusses
specifically on the stylistic means by which Nash closes his short novel,
Kettle of Roses, a novel that takes the form of
eighteen expansive letters from Edna Pugh to a childhood friend, reporting
the recent developments in Edna’s life. There seems no decisive basis in
plot or logic for the letters to leave off where they do, so arguably Nash
is faced with a problem: how to bring the novel to a satisfying close. The
author shows how stylistic analysis of a paragraph in the final letter
highlights the presence of many of the features he has called High Emotional
Involvement (HEI) narration, a style of narration that creates a more
intense engagement, emotionally and ethically, in the story situation than
is encountered elsewhere in the narrative. The author has found HEI
narration used near the close of many modern short stories, where it seems
to be used in part to make the imminent ending satisfying and acceptable to
the reader. It serves a similar function in Kettle of
Roses.
Fact, fiction and French flights of fancy
Authors: Stubbs Michael
Published: November 2019

This chapter discusses a satirical novel: La septième
fonction du langage by Laurent Binet, published in 2015. The
book is a thriller with a deliberately absurd plot about a search for a lost manuscript which holds the secret of ultimate rhetorical power: the ability to convince anyone to
do anything. Although the characters in the novel include some “real
people”, such as two former Presidents of France, Stubbs argues that
Binet’s characters in general embody an extreme mix of factual and fictional
characteristics, and the merciless satire expressed in their mixed
ontological status has left many ordinary readers and professional critics
uncertain how to evaluate the novel. Stubbs employs various models of
analysis, including John Searle’s observations on the logical status of
fictional discourse, and contends that, while useful, this approach does not
explain in full how readers distinguish fact from fiction, nor indeed how
far writers can appropriately go with outrageous caricatures of living
persons. In sum, the chapter shows how the novel provides textual problems
which have not been solved by either literary scholars or language
philosophers.
“Americans don’t do Irony”
Authors: Simpson Paul
Published: November 2019

This chapter probes the common (and perhaps controversial)
perception of many in the UK and Ireland that people from North America
“don’t do” irony. Stimulated by the type of discussion found in Nash’s The Language of
Humour (1985), the author interrogates this folk
belief by developing a quantitative methodology to capture the ways in which
ironic situations are interpreted by people from diverse national
backgrounds. This methodology comprises an anonymous online experiment which
gathers reactions to six narrative scenarios from over 300 informants
world-wide. Each informant is required to provide a one-word response to
each scenario after which they may offer an optional, longer free-text
commentary on the same story. In the course of the chapter, the author
advances a theoretical model of situational irony, while the results
elicited from the survey shed some light on what people from different parts
of the world understand as an ironic situation.
A

SO(1,3)

gauge theory of quantum gravity: quantization of the non-interacting field
Authors: Wiesendanger C
Published: November 2019

The non-interacting field belonging to a new SO(1,3) gauge field theory equivalent to general relativity is canonically quantized in the Lorentz gauge and the physical Fock space

for non-interacting gauge particles is constructed. To assure both Lorentz covariance and positivity of the norm and energy expectation value for physical states restrictions needed in the construction of the physical Fock space are put consequentially on state vectors, and not on the algebra of creation and annihilation operators as usual—alltogether providing the second step in consistently quantizing gravitation
Lateral β-Ga2O3 field effect transistors
Authors: Chabak Kelson D , Leedy Kevin D , Green Andrew J , Mou Shin , Neal Adam T , Asel Thaddeus , Heller Eric R , Hendricks Nolan S , Liddy Kyle , Crespo Antonio , Miller Nicholas C , Lindquist Miles T , Moser Neil A , Fitch Robert C , Walker Dennis E , Dorsey Donald L , Jessen Gregg H
Published: November 2019

Beta phase Gallium Oxide (BGO) is an emerging ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor with disruptive potential for ultra-low power loss, high-efficiency power applications. The critical field strength is the key enabling material parameter of BGO which allows sub-micrometer lateral transistor geometry. This property combined with ion-implantation technology and large area native substrates result in exceptionally low conduction power losses, faster power switching frequency and even radio frequency power. We present a review of BGO epitaxial materials and lateral field-effect transistors developments, highlight early achievements and discuss engineering solutions with power switching and radio frequency applications in mind.
Bussines model canvas of teaching factory fashion design competency Vocational High School in Yogyakarta
Authors: Triyanto  , Jerusalem MA , Fitrihana N
Published: November 2019

Directorate of Technical and Vocational Education Ministry of Education and Culture encourages Indonesian Vocational High School to to apply teaching factory learning concept to bridge education with industry needs. The aims are direct touch of students to industry system, bring students and teachers industry experience, industry supports to improve school facilities and minimize the gap between the needs of industry competence and knowledge of the school. At the completion of teaching factory students should be able to working properly and having entrerpreneurship experience. This study aims to describe the teaching factory at fashion design vocational high school viewed from the aspects of the Business Model Canvas. There are the nine building blocks Business Model Canvas, among others Customer Segments, Value propositions, Channel, Customer Relations, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnerships and Cost Structure.This study used qualitative methods. Modeling by interviews using the Business Model Canvas building block. The results showed that should be improve in terms of the formation of new segmentation, exted distribution chanel to digital world, addition of value to the product, creating a customer relationship trough social media, key activities involving technology, partnership and networking, optimize resources and competent human resources placement As well as the improvement in terms of financial records.
The making of red ginger (zingiber officinale rovb. var. rubra) natural essential oil
Authors: Tritanti A , Pranita I
Published: November 2019

This study aims to 1) learn the production process of red ginger natural essential oil, 2) learn the characteristics of red ginger natural essential oil, and 3) learn the content of red ginger natural essential oil. The research method used was the Research and Development (R&D) model. Distillation was used as the technique of making the essential oil. This study results in the product of good quality red ginger essential oil with high level of purity, as revealed by the result of the rendement test (1022 gram of red ginger for 23 ml, 1000 gram red ginger for 21 ml and 1028 gram red ginger for 23 ml). The result of organoleptic test shows the color of essential oil to be clear yellow with a strong/pungent smell and a little hot and bitter taste. Red ginger essential oil dissolves perfectly in alcohol, with specific gravity values of 0.886, 0.887 and 0.887 and refractive index values as much as 1.480, 1.485 and 1.482. This shows that the produced essential oil has a good quality and high level of purity. The main components of essential oil include E-Cital, Chempene, Cineole and Zingiberene. The results allows for the opportunities to develop red ginger essential oil as aromatherapy for medication and beauty treatment products.
Designing Track Holder DeviceFor Maintaining Spoor Width In Railway Geometry Maintenance
Authors: Sanjaya Atmaja Dadang , Aghastya Adya , Rizky Bramasta Andrea , Candra Wicaksana Moch. Eka
Published: November 2019

Track Holder refers to the efforts of redesigning spoor holder device that has been sold in foreign market. Looking at the use of hammer that causes movement and damage on both the holder and the track, the manufacture of the track holder is intended to attain precise spoor width (1, 067 mm) without causing any damage to the rail components under affordable budget. The manufacture of the track holder should go through three stages namely preparation, assembly/production and finishing. The track holder device that has been designed consists of two motor systems namely the manual system and the electric system. The dynamo that has been installed is Wiper Colt 130 W and 12 V 3 A Battery. Then, the weight per unit of the device is 4 kg while the length of the device is 1.30 m. The track holder device is able to sustain weight up to 3, 282 kg. The prototype of the device was tested on the rail track with three devices and 2-bearing gap. The results of the test show that the track holder device is able to shift the rail track when the fastenings from all of the six bearings are uninstalled. The cost of manual track holder manufacture is IDR 1, 229, 000.00 while the cost of electric track holder manufacture is IDR 405, 350.00. In other words, the track holder device is prominent in terms of technology and price but the use of electric track holder device should be evaluated further on the use of ratio gear and dynamo.
K-nearest neighbor analysis to predict the accuracy of product delivery using administration of raw material model in the cosmetic industry (PT Cedefindo)
Authors: Novitasari H B , Hadianto N , Sfenrianto  , Rahmawati A , Prasetyo R , Miharja J , Gata W
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to apply the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm to predict the accuracy of product delivery using the raw material administration model, which has 3 attributes, namely administration of material purchases, administration of material readiness and processing work orders compared to existing targets. From this study, it was found that the KNN Algorithm was effective in predicting the accuracy of product delivery using the administration of raw material model applied to the production history data from July 2018 to December 2018 with a small error ratio. Thus, data mining with the KNN algorithm can be used in decision making within the company to predict the accuracy of product delivery.
A proposed class model for integrate of block and conventional structure curriculum for supporting quality assurance system
Authors: Taryana Acep , Fadli Ari , Aliim Muhammad Syaiful , Nursiami Siti Rahmah , Widhi Nugraha Azis Wisnu , Zulfa Mulki Indana
Published: November 2019

Currently, the higher education curriculum has developed two systems, namely the block-based curriculum in the field of medicine and the semester credit-based curriculum. The block-based curriculum is currently applied in medical schools while the semester credit-based curriculum is applied in non-medical faculties. The presence of these two curriculum systems raises problems in the management of academic information systems. One of the problems that occur is that the existing information system has not been able to manage the block curriculum and semester credit simultaneously in one system. So that this causes the academic information system unable to manage the implementation of assessments on the block-based curriculum. This paper proposes a new model in the design of academic information systems that are able to integrate the needs of block-based curriculum and credit. The method used to solve this problem is an object-oriented approach using class diagrams as a model to describe the structure of academic information systems. The results of the development of the new model show that the structure of the block-based curriculum is a general form (generalization) of semester-based credit. Therefore the implementation of the two curriculums can use a similar model class structure to be more efficient and easier to maintain information system software in the future.
Analysis of the maintainability and portability of ERP host to host system using ISO 9126 model
Authors: Syamranata Tommy , Witjaksono R Wahjoe , Suputra Muhardi
Published: November 2019

Telecommunication industry in Indonesia that have a complex system and interconnected for the payment transaction to each vendor. the quality of the system is very influential on each division in the company and the goals are to analyzed host to host quality system. The implementation process of the new system in terms of internal portability and also in terms of the quality system if changes are made, according to the requirements of certain conditions in this case including in terms of internal maintainability, in this case, to be in line with the company that is helping companies in managing business processes according to with company goals and able to carry out operational activities more efficient and more effective. In the process, the analysis of system quality this time was carried out in the system. To analyze the quality system, it was carried out with the ISO 9126 standard as a model and to analyze the internal variables are using Maintainability and Portability. In the analysis, the process is using SPSS 25 and SMARTPLS 3 as processing tools. The results of this analysis process are in the form of recommendations in terms of stability contained in internal maintainability and portability testing, which is taken from the results of the hypothesis and also measurement testing for each related variable. The recommendations proposed are the Improvement System, from the existing SAP ECC 6.0 to SAP S / 4 HANA which has advantages in system stability.
Design and implementation bidirectional SEPIC/ZETA converter using Fuzzy Logic Controller in DC microgrid application
Authors: Sunarno Epyk , Sudiharto Indhana , Nugraha Syechu Dwitya , Murdianto Farid Dwi , Suryono  , Qudsi Ony Asrarul
Published: November 2019

The electrical energy has been dependent on fossil fuels, but the availability of fossil energy is running low with increasing electricity demand in society. Therefore a lot of research is done on renewable energy sources, one of which is solar energy. Solar energy can be applied to home scale DC microgrid systems. In the DC microgrid system the independent source of energy for the supply of loads comes from two sources, namely DC bus and 120 volt battery. To combine these two energy sources, a bidirectional converter is needed which will regulate power flow and electricity storage. In this system the battery can become a burden and can be a source of energy in the same series. Bidirectional converters can work in two directions, namely charging mode and discharging mode. The type of converter used in this bidirectional converter is SEPIC/ZETA Converter. The use of this type of converter is expected to reduce the ripple at the output voltage and minimize voltage disturbances during switching. The control method used is a fuzzy logic controller for voltage control which is expected to produce stable output.
Measurements of antenna performance ratio using satellite emissions
Authors: Hidayat Arif , Gunawan Hidayat , Irawadi Dedi , Hikmaturokhman Alfin
Published: November 2019

Performance of the antenna is parameter in the reception of remote sensing satellite data. Gain to noise ratio becomes one of the variable conditions for satellite data transmitted from transmitters and satellite antennas to be received after power loss in a free space. Remote sensing data reception quality depends on the value of the gain to noise antenna. The Quality gain to noise determines the value of bit energy per noise received in the demodulator. The value of energy bit per noise received by a demodulator corresponds with the required energy bit per noise from modulation systems. Currently gain to noise measurements use the sun, moon, and stars by comparing the power of the transmitter with the received power in the antenna. This measurement takes a time when the antenna is full schedule. The approach in this study uses satellite power distance slant range and carrier to noise received at the receiver. Knowing the elevation angle of the satellite when it passes we can get the slant range. By using satellite transmit power parameters, free space loss, operating bandwidth, and carrier to noise in the receiver, we will find expected gain to noise antenna. The result, measurements using power satellite is success to calculate the gain to noise antenna. This newmethod makes it easier to monitor antenna availability continuously.
Harmonics filter design for energy saving lamps based on EMC standard
Authors: Aprilia Bandiyah Sri , Kurniawan Ekki , Ramdhani Mohammad , Rizal Achmad
Published: November 2019

Lighting devices, for instance, electric lamps hold an essential role in wide range application either for industrial or household applications which mostly for illuminating purposes. Energy Saving Lamp (ESL) gaining the scientific attention replacing outdated lighting technology such as an incandescent lamp or Glass Lighting Splinter (GLS) due to some reasons. However, in their practice, the use of ESL technology remains challenging regarding its low efficiency which arises from the high harmonic current. According to Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standard class C IEC-61000-3-2, there is a maximum permissible limit of the harmonic) current that being emitted by lighting equipment during their operational time. Thus, we attempt to analyse the Harmonic Current Emissions (HCE) that is generated by a specific brand of ESL. We employed some filters and run a performance test to solve the aforementioned problem. To optimize the investigation outcomes, we applied insertion loss analysis in the filter selection. The key finding in our observation is LC-LPF filter shows the most suitable filters fulfilling the EMC standard which potentially can be applied in ESL technology.
Olnutzone oil (olive and coconut ozonated) quality improvement with ozonation process
Authors: Wulansarie Ria , Arianti Farida Dian , Fatimah Siti , Pita Rengga Wara Dyah , Bismo Setijo , Hartanto Dhoni , Pradnya Irene Nindita , Kusumaningrum Maharani , Arifin Ridwan
Published: November 2019

The research was carried out by synthesizing oleozone from a mixture of olive oil and virgin coconut oil with an ozonation technique for 30 hours, which aims to determine the optimum conditions in determining ozonated oil quality parameters, with a ratio of 1: 1, 1: 2 and 2: 1 v / v. As an Olnutzone oil control samples were taken at 0, 5, 20 and 30 hours ozonation. Ozonation of the oil mixture was carried out with an ozone generator with a flow rate of 0.325 g / hr. The reaction conditions are maintained at a temperature range of 20-21oC. The quality test for ozonation results is done by iodine method, acid number, FT-IR, and viscosity. In this study the optimum ratio of oleozone was obtained to a ratio of 1: 2, olive oil to virgin coconut oil with an ozonation time of 20 hours. Olnutzone oil is a ratio of 1: 2 before it is oozonated and after oozonation for 20 hours is applied to skincare on the skin which can provide a moist effect on dry skin.
Significantly lower summer minimum temperature warming trend on the southern Tibetan Plateau than over the Eurasian continent since the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Shi Chunming , Wang Kaicun , Sun Cheng , Zhang Yuandong , He Yanyi , Wu Xiaoxu , Gao Cong , Wu Guocan , Shu Lifu
Published: November 2019

Summer temperature dominates environmental degradation and water resource availability on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), affecting glacier melting, permafrost degradation, desertification and streamflow, etc. Extending summer temperature records back before the instrumental period is fundamentally important for climatic and environmental studies over long timescales. By pooling 39 tree-ring width records from the TP that show significant (P < 0.05) correlations with the summer (June–August) minimum temperature (MinT) of the nearest grid point, we reconstructed a 366-year summer MinT record for the southern TP (STP). Reconstructed and instrumental data are highly coherent within the 1950–2010 calibration interval (R
2 = 0.50, P < 0.001). The reconstruction captures major temperature anomalies, such as the coldest interval of the 1810s–1820s and unprecedented warming since the 1990s. We found that the linear trends of the instrumental and reconstructed STP summer MinTs are significantly lower than those for the larger Eurasian continent over the periods 1950–2010 and 1850–1950, respectively. The lower warming rate of STP summer MinT since 1850 could be due to increased evaporative cooling, and the absence of warming enhancement factors such as snow-albedo and energy-absorbing aerosols in summer. The reconstructed summer warming rate for the STP appears to be significantly overestimated by the ensemble mean of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) historical simulation.
Latitudinal heterogeneity and hotspots of uncertainty in projected extreme precipitation
Authors: Tabari Hossein , Hosseinzadehtalaei Parisa , AghaKouchak Amir , Willems Patrick
Published: November 2019

Projected precipitation from climate models is used in a wide range of fields for climate change impact assessment. However, the spatial pattern of uncertainty across latitudes and the global uncertainty hotspots are not well understood despite their importance for regional adaptation planning. In this study, we describe uncertainties in projected extreme precipitation changes per K global warming across latitudes, and decompose the overall uncertainty into climate model and internal variability uncertainties. We then identify global uncertainty hotspots and discuss the broader implications. Our results show that both uncertainty sources are highly heterogeneous across latitudes, while climate model uncertainty exceeds internal variability uncertainty for all seasons and precipitation intensities. The largest difference between model and internal variability uncertainties is found in tropical regions where model uncertainty is thrice as large as internal variability uncertainty in June–July–August season and twice as large as that in the other seasons. Tropical and subtropical regions are identified as the global uncertainty hotspots, with the Sahara desert and the southern part of the Middle East being the local hotspots. The large uncertainty in the tropics and subtropics is primarily due to the convective nature of rainstorms which cannot be adequately represented by coarse-scale climate models, and also to sparse observation networks based on which climate models can be tuned and improved. The results highlight areas where future model development and improvement efforts should focus to reduce the overall uncertainties in projected precipitation extremes.
Regionalization of anthropogenically forced changes in 3 hourly extreme precipitation over Europe
Authors: Hosseinzadehtalaei Parisa , Tabari Hossein , Willems Patrick
Published: November 2019

Future extreme precipitation events are expected to be influenced by climate change; however, the robustness of this anthropogenically forced response in respect to projection uncertainty especially for sub-daily extremes is not fully understood. We analyze the impact of anthropogenic climate change on 3 hourly extreme precipitation with return periods ranging between 5 and 50 years over Europe using the RCA4 model ensemble simulations at 0.11° resolution. The robustness of the signals is examined based on a regionalized signal-to-noise (S2N) technique by taking the spatial pooling into account and the efficacy of the regionalization is tested by a sensitivity analysis. The results show an increasing signal in 3 hourly extreme precipitation over Europe for all seasons except summer for which a bipolar pattern (increase in the north and decrease in the south) is discerned. For the business-as-usual scenario RCP8.5, the regionalized winter 3 hourly extreme precipitation signals over 9 × 9 model grid cells are statistically significant in roughly 72%, 65%, 59% and 48% of the European area for 5, 15, 25 and 50 year return periods respectively, while 16%–21% of the area will experience significant changes in summer. The S2N values for 3 hourly extreme precipitation changes rise after the spatial pooling by about a factor of 1.4–1.7 for all seasons except summer when they decline by about a factor of 0.78. The results of sensitivity analysis reveal that the regionalization influence is sensitive—in order of decreasing importance—to season, precipitation time scale, precipitation intensity, emission scenario and model spatial resolution. The precipitation time scale is particularly important seasonally in summer and regionally in south Europe when/where short-duration convective precipitation is dominant.
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies generated to the 287–302 amino acid loop of the human epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Ho Eric Chun Hei , Antignani Antonella , Sarnovsky Robert , FitzGerald David
Published: November 2019

Background: The dysregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated in the oncogenesis of various malignancies including glioblastoma and some epithelial cancers. Oncogenesis occurs from the overexpression of EGFR, often linked to gene amplification or receptor mutagenesis. The 287–302 loop in the extracellular domain is exposed completely on EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII), partially exposed on some cancers but cryptic on normal cells. We report on the generation of antibodies to this loop.

Methods: The 286–303 peptide was coupled chemically to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. After immunizations, sera were assayed for reactivity to the peptide. Mice with high titers were used for hybridoma production. Purified antibodies were isolated from hybridoma supernatants, while V regions were cloned and sequenced. Receptor binding was characterized using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. A recombinant immunotoxin was generated from the 40H3 antibody and its cytotoxic activity characterized on relevant cancer cell lines.

Results: Seven monoclonal antibodies were generated to the 287–302 loop and characterized further. Each one reacted with EGFRvIII but not wild-type EGFR. Based on reactivity with the immunizing peptide, antibodies were mapped to one of three subgroups. One antibody, 40H3, also exhibited binding to MDA-MB-468 and A431 cells but not to non-cancerous WI-38 cells. Because of its unusual binding characteristics, a recombinant immunotoxin was generated from 40H3, which proved to be cytotoxic to MDA-MB-468, A431 and F98npEGFRvIII expressing cells.

Conclusions: Immunization with a peptide corresponding to a cryptic epitope from EGFR can produce tumor cell-binding antibodies. The 40H3 antibody was engineered as a cytotoxic recombinant immunotoxin and could be further developed as a therapeutic agent.
Durable HIV Suppression Among People Who Inject Drugs From a Community-Based Cohort Study in Baltimore, Maryland, 1997–2017
Authors: Genberg Becky L , Kirk Gregory D , Astemborski Jacquie , Lee Hana , Galai Noya , Nelson Kenrad E , Vlahov David , Celentano David D , Mehta Shruti H
Published: November 2019

People who inject drugs (PWID) face disparities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment outcomes and may be less likely to achieve durable viral suppression. We characterized transitions into and out of viral suppression from 1997 to 2017 in a long-standing community-based cohort study of PWID, the AIDS Link to Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) Study, analyzing HIV-positive participants who had made a study visit in or after 1997. We defined the probabilities of transitioning between 4 states: 1) suppressed, 2) detectable, 3) lost to follow-up, and 4) deceased. We used multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine factors associated with transition probabilities, with a focus on transitions from suppression to other states. Among 1,061 participants, the median age was 44 years, 32% were female, 93% were African-American, 59% had recently injected drugs, and 28% were virologically suppressed at baseline. Significant improvements in durable viral suppression were observed over time; however, death rates remained relatively stable. In adjusted analysis, injection drug use and homelessness were associated with increased virological rebound in earlier time periods, while only age and race were associated with virological rebound in 2012–2017. Opioid use was associated with an increased risk of death following suppression in 2012–2017. Despite significant improvements in durable viral suppression, subgroups of PWID may need additional efforts to maintain viral suppression and prevent premature mortality.
Toward a gold standard for benchmarking gene set enrichment analysis
Authors: Geistlinger Ludwig , Csaba Gergely , Santarelli Mara , Ramos Marcel , Schiffer Lucas , Turaga Nitesh , Law Charity , Davis Sean , Carey Vincent , Morgan Martin , Zimmer Ralf , Waldron Levi
Published: November 2019

Motivation

Although gene set enrichment analysis has become an integral part of high-throughput gene expression data analysis, the assessment of enrichment methods remains rudimentary and ad hoc. In the absence of suitable gold standards, evaluations are commonly restricted to selected datasets and biological reasoning on the relevance of resulting enriched gene sets.

Results

We develop an extensible framework for reproducible benchmarking of enrichment methods based on defined criteria for applicability, gene set prioritization and detection of relevant processes. This framework incorporates a curated compendium of 75 expression datasets investigating 42 human diseases. The compendium features microarray and RNA-seq measurements, and each dataset is associated with a precompiled GO/KEGG relevance ranking for the corresponding disease under investigation. We perform a comprehensive assessment of 10 major enrichment methods, identifying significant differences in runtime and applicability to RNA-seq data, fraction of enriched gene sets depending on the null hypothesis tested and recovery of the predefined relevance rankings. We make practical recommendations on how methods originally developed for microarray data can efficiently be applied to RNA-seq data, how to interpret results depending on the type of gene set test conducted and which methods are best suited to effectively prioritize gene sets with high phenotype relevance.

Availability

http://bioconductor.org/packages/GSEABenchmarkeR

Contact

ludwig.geistlinger@sph.cuny.edu
Uncovering the function of an enigmatic display: antipredator behaviour in the iconic Australian frillneck lizard
Authors: Perez-Martinez Christian A , Riley Julia L , Whiting Martin J
Published: November 2019

When faced with a predator, some animals engage in a deimatic display to startle the predator momentarily, resulting in a pause or retreat, thereby increasing their chance of escape. Frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii) are characterised by a large, pronounced frill that extends from the base of the head to beyond the neck and, when displayed, can be up to six times the width of the head. We used behavioural assays with a model avian predator to demonstrate that their display conforms to deimatic display theory. First, juveniles and adults deployed the frill in encounters with a model predator. Second, the display revealed three colour patches (white and red–orange patches on the frill; yellow mouth palate) that facilitate a transition from a cryptic to a conspicuous state as perceived by a raptor visual system. Third, the display was performed with movements that amplified its effect. The frill area was larger in males than in females, which suggests that the frill might also be co-opted for male–male contests. If future research confirms a role of the frill in male agonistic interactions, frillneck lizards will be a rare case in which a structure has a dual function in a deimatic display and a sexually selected signal.
Mapping the Current and Future Noncommunicable Disease Burden in Kenya by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status: A Modeling Study
Authors: Smit Mikaela , Perez-Guzman Pablo N , Mutai Kennedy K , Cassidy Rachel , Kibachio Joseph , Kilonzo Nduku , Hallett Timothy B
Published: November 2019

Background

The noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden in Kenya is not well characterized, despite estimates needed to identify future health priorities. We aimed to quantify current and future NCD burden in Kenya by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.

Methods

Original systematic reviews and meta-analyses of prevalence/incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease, depression, diabetes, high total cholesterol, hypertension, human papillomavirus infection, and related precancerous stages in Kenya were carried out. An individual-based model was developed, simulating births, deaths, HIV disease and treatment, aforementioned NCDs, and cancers. The model was parameterized using systematic reviews and epidemiological national and regional surveillance data. NCD burden was quantified for 2018–2035 by HIV status among adults.

Results

Systematic reviews identified prevalence/incidence data for each NCD except ischemic heart disease. The model estimates that 51% of Kenyan adults currently suffer from ≥1 NCD, with a higher burden in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to persons not living with HIV (62% vs 51%), driven by their higher age profile and partly by HIV-related risk for NCDs. Hypertension and high total cholesterol are the main NCD drivers (adult prevalence of 20.5% [5.3 million] and 9.0% [2.3 million]), with CVD and cancers the main causes of death. The burden is projected to increase by 2035 (56% in persons not living with HIV; 71% in PLWH), with population growth doubling the number of people needing services (15.4 million to 28.1 million) by 2035.

Conclusions

NCD services will need to be expanded in Kenya. Guidelines in Kenya already support provision of these among both the general and populations living with HIV; however, coverage remains low.
Stress in captive Blue-fronted parrots (Amazona aestiva): the animalists’ tale
Authors: Vidal Alan Chesna , Roldan Mar , Christofoletti Maurício Durante , Tanaka Yuki , Galindo David Javier , Duarte José Maurício Barbanti
Published: November 2019

Lay summary

Captivity has traditionally been considered a stressful habitat for wildlife. In this study, urofaecal glucocorticoid metabolites of wild and captive Blue-fronted amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) subjected to different husbandry systems were determined. Results reveal lower corticoid levels in individuals maintained in captivity than in the free-ranging ones.