bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A High-Granularity Timing Detector for the Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS Calorimeter system: detector concept, description and R&D and beam test results
Authors: Imam H.
Published: November 2021

The particle flux increase (pile-up) at the HL-LHC with luminosities of L = 7.5 × 1034 cm−2 s−1 will have a significant impact on the reconstruction of the ATLAS detector and on the performance of the trigger. The forward region and the end-cap where the internal tracker has poorer longitudinal track impact parameter resolution, and where the liquid argon calorimeter has coarser granularity, will be significantly affected. A High Granularity Time Detector (HGTD) is proposed to be installed in front of the LAr end-cap calorimeter for the mitigation of the pileup effect, as well as measurement of luminosity.

It will have coverage of 2.4 to 4.0 from the pseudo-rapidity range. Two dual-sided silicon sensor layers will provide accurate timing information for minimum-ionizing particles with a resolution better than 30 ps per track (before irradiation), for assigning each particle to the correct vertex. The readout cells are about 1.3 mm × 1.3 mm in size, which leads to a high granular detector with 3 million channels. The technology of low-gain avalanche detectors (LGAD) with sufficient gain was chosen to achieve the required high signal-to-noise ratio. A dedicated ASIC is under development with some prototypes already submitted and evaluated. The requirements and general specifications of the HGTD will be maintained and discussed. R&D campaigns on the LGAD are carried out to study the sensors, the related ASICs and the radiation hardness. Both laboratory and test beam results will be presented.
NeoNuc : le renouveau des tubes soudés en France
Authors: Crampon Cécile
Published: November 2021

Leader mondial de la fabrication de tubes roulés soudés de faible épaisseur pour la fabrication des échangeurs thermiques, Neotiss, 550 salariés dont une centaine en France, produit 40 000 kilomètres de tubes chaque année, pour un chiffre d’affaires de 80 millions de dollars. Le soutien financier apporté par France Relance au printemps 2021 permettra à l’usine française de se moderniser et de lancer son projet structurant NeoNuc.
Diagnostik bei Leukämie
Authors: Braitmaier Helmine
Published: November 2021

Tumorpatienten besitzen ein 2- bis 4-fach höheres Risiko, an COVID-19 zu sterben. Eine Impfung gegen SARS-CoV-2 wird daher allgemein empfohlen, stellte Prof. Karl-Anton Kreuzer, Köln, auf dem 9. Sommersymposium „Lymphome & Leukämien“ 2021 der Universitätsklinik Köln fest. Die Immunantwort nach einer Impfung gegen SARS-CoV-2 wird bei Leukämiepatienten durch die Therapie und niedrige Immunglobulin-Spiegel beeinflusst. Zur Krankheitsprognose leukämischer Patienten hat sich eine genomweite Analyse in einer Studie bewährt.
Benigne Lidtumoren
Authors: Feldmann Maria Luisa , Chankiewitz Erik , Sonntag Svenja R. , Emmert Steffen , Ranjbar Mahdy , Grisanti Salvatore , Kakkassery Vinodh
Published: November 2021

Benigne Lidtumoren sind vielfältig. In diesem Beitrag werden die häufigsten
benignen Augenlidtumoren hinsichtlich Inzidenz, Klinik, Risikofaktoren,
Symptomatik, histopathologischen Besonderheiten und Entartungs- sowie
Rezidivwahrscheinlichkeit beleuchtet. Herausgearbeitet wird, wann eine
systemische Abklärung erforderlich bzw. eine Probe zum Ausschluss eines
Malignoms empfohlen ist und wie die Nachsorge auch im Hinblick auf eine spätere
Entartung der Wucherung erfolgen sollte.
Using a co-created transdisciplinary approach to explore the complexity of air pollution in informal settlements
Authors: West Sarah E. , Bowyer Cressida J. , Apondo William , Büker Patrick , Cinderby Steve , Gray Cindy M. , Hahn Matthew , Lambe Fiona , Loh Miranda , Medcalf Alexander , Muhoza Cassilde , Muindi Kanyiva , Njoora Timothy Kamau , Twigg Marsailidh M. , Waelde Charlotte , Walnycki Anna , Wainwright Megan , Wendler Jana , Wilson Mike , Price Heather D.
Published: November 2021

We present novel co-created transdisciplinary research that uses arts and humanities methods to explore air pollution in an informal settlement (Mukuru) in Nairobi, Kenya. Air pollution is a well-documented major human health issue, but despite many air pollution reduction interventions designed to improve health, these are frequently ineffective. Often this is because they fail to account for local knowledge, cultural practices and priorities of the intended recipients. Designing solutions therefore requires in-depth exploration of relevant issues with stakeholders. Researchers worked collaboratively with local residents to develop a range of methods to explore understandings of air pollution including interviews, storytelling, participatory mapping and theatre. Together, we uncovered contrasting definitions of air pollution, differing perceptions of who was responsible for enacting solutions, and overall a view that air pollution cannot be seen in isolation from the other issues faced by settlement residents. The methods used also allowed us to communicate about the topic with a wide audience. While we acknowledge that this research approach is more time consuming than traditional approaches, we urge other researchers wishing to address multifactorial problems, such as air pollution to use a mixture of qualitative, participatory and creative methods to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to elicit new and unexpected understandings that may not otherwise emerge.
Exploring Salty Water Structure to Understand Carbon Sequestration in Deep Aquifers
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: November 2021

Combining neutron diffraction experiments and simulations to study NaCl solutions under extreme conditions
Game analysis and optimization research on power structure under carbon emissions
Authors: Dong Fugui , Jiang Shan , Zhang Wen
Published: November 2021

As the installed capacity of renewable energy continues to increase, the proportion of China's renewable energy power generation has increased year by year, and carbon emissions have been effectively reduced. However, there is still a big gap between this and China's promised carbon emission reduction target. It is important to explore the coordination and optimization of power supply structure with the goal of carbon emission reduction. In the power market environment, there are conflicts of interest among wind power companies, thermal power companies, and energy storage equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively consider their economic and environmental benefits to formulate subsidy policies. In order to solve the above problems, this paper studies the key issues of smart grid operation model, input-output efficiency, market game behavior, and policy effect simulation based on production simulation, game theory, statistics, and other theories. Finally, Matlab and Gridview were used to calculate the model results, and policy recommendations on wind power subsidies, thermal power carbon tax, and thermal power feed-in tariff were put forward. To achieve the goal of carbon emission reduction, renewable energy generation should be encouraged, and the proportion of installed capacity of wind and solar energy in the power structure should be increased. The most effective way is that the government should actively guide the subsidy mechanism into the electricity trading market. Based on the calculation results of the RTS-25 system in this article, the following policy recommendations can be put forward: within the government's financial capacity, at least 1 yuan per kilowatt-hour of wind power subsidy is provided, and the maximum of thermal power feed-in tariff is set at 0.7 yuan, and the higher the wind power subsidy and the lower the feed-in tariff of thermal power, the higher the carbon emission reduction. At the same time, a thermal power carbon tax of about 0.36 yuan per kilowatt-hour should be set. The results of this study can provide suggestions for consuming renewable energy and formulating competition rules in power market transactions. This article can be further studied. The scope of subsidy prices can be narrowed, and more precise subsidy prices that balance the benefits of various systems can be determined on the basis of this research.
Coordinated scheduling of integrated energy microgrid with multi-energy hubs based on MADDPG and two-layer game
Authors: Wang Tianjing , Zhang Lu
Published: November 2021

Considering that traditional centralized scheduling cannot realize energy complementarity and benefit coordination between multi-energy hubs (EHs) and advantages of artificial intelligence technology in the application of integrated energy microgrid (IEM), a coordinated scheduling model and method of IEM with multi-EHs based on multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) is proposed. First, an IEM framework of multi-EHs is constructed, and the rationality of multi-EH construction is illustrated. Then, considering operation cost, environmental cost, and benefit of new energy, a two-layer economic optimal scheduling model of IEM is established. Furthermore, distributed deep reinforcement learning based on MADDPG and game theory is introduced, and a coordinated scheduling method of IEM with multi-EHs based on the algorithm is proposed. At the same time, based on the idea of transfer learning, an off-line training and online learning method is proposed, which can improve the training speed of online learning. Finally, a numerical example is constructed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and method.
COVID-19 in Fiji
Authors: Reading Patrick C , Strugnell Richard A
Published: November 2021

With the implementation of strict quarantine and adjunct health measures, Fiji was largely spared from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In April 2021, the arrival of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a major outbreak that is only now under control. The country enacted swift countermeasures to reduce population movement, but the delta variant gained a foothold in the peri-urban areas of the largest city, Suva, and from there spread to other major urban centres of the largest island, Viti Levu. A very effective vaccination campaign has since been implemented resulting in a rate of two-dose vaccination, above 70%, that exceeds many higher income countries and, as of late October 2021, the numbers of COVID-19 cases were in decline. Fijian life, especially in rural settings, is based on hierarchical but supportive community structures and the responsibilities that flow from community membership, for example, attending large funerals, mitigated against the organised and systematic control response instituted by the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services, including vaccination, and the other Government agencies. A positive consequence of the outbreak has been the development of new capabilities, and the distribution of molecular diagnostic technologies that can be exploited to help control other infectious diseases.
The genetic basis of the root economics spectrum in a perennial grass
Authors: Chen Weile , Wu Yanqi , Fritschi Felix B. , Juenger Thomas E.
Published: November 2021

Significance

Plants have evolved diverse root form and function across the Earth’s environment, yet only certain types of trait combinations have proved evolutionarily viable. Using a genetic mapping population of the native perennial switchgrass, our study demonstrates multiple genetic linkages among root morphology, growth, and turnover. Switching alleles derived from southern-origin ecotypes to alleles from northern-origin ecotypes increases root turnover but reduces tissue investment in root length construction. The genetic trade-off between construction and turnover likely facilitates the local adaptation of root strategy along the warm to cold climatic gradients of the species range. In practice, our study provides the genetic evidence that increasing switchgrass yield for bioenergy does not directly conflict with enhancing its root-derived carbon sequestration.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor
Tango10
links the core circadian clock to neuropeptide and behavioral rhythms
Authors: Lee Jongbin , Lim Chunghun , Han Tae Hee , Andreani Tomas , Moye Matthew , Curran Jack , Johnson Eric , Kath William L. , Diekman Casey O. , Lear Bridget C. , Allada Ravi
Published: November 2021

Significance

In animals, the control of daily sleep–wake rhythms is mediated by discrete circadian clock neurons via their rhythmic activity–dependent release of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Here, we describe a gene,
Tango10
, critical for daily behavioral rhythms. TANGO10 functions as an adaptor with its partner, the E3 ubiquitin ligase CULLIN 3, to regulate protein ubiquitination, neuronal excitability via voltage-gated potassium channels, and neuropeptide accumulation. These studies define a mechanism for control of neuronal excitability and daily rhythmicity.
How does Internet of Things (IOT) affect travel experience?
Authors: Hu Meng-yun , Pantano Eleonora , Stylos Nikolaos
Published: November 2021

This chapter is a conceptual work by Mengyun Hu, Eleonora Pantano and Nikolaos Stylos addressing the subject of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and how these have impacted on the reformulation of services provided and received. In this chapter, the authors suggest that the application of IoT has a significant impact on understanding the tourist experience, since it can reshape travelling experiences throughout the entire trip; they conclude with directions for both academics and practitioners in several tourism fields, such as destination management, hospitality, transportation and intermediaries.
US tourists' food neophobia and their local food experiences in France and Italy.
Authors: Choe Ja Young
Published: November 2021

This study has three major objectives; the first is to explore whether tourists have different levels of food neophobia according to their sociodemographics; the second is to investigate if differences in tourists' local food consumption values exist among different food neophobia groups (FNGs); and the third is to examine whether differences in tourists' behavioural intention to go back to a destination for food tourism exist among different FNGs. This study expects that destination marketers, hospitality businesses and tour operators can achieve a competitive advantage by understanding the concept of food neophobia and its associations with tourists' sociodemographics and local food experiences in a destination. In particular, this study will focus on US tourists' local food perception experiences in France and Italy.
Quantization ambiguities and the robustness of effective descriptions of primordial perturbations in hybrid loop quantum cosmology
Authors: Elizaga Navascués Beatriz , Mena Marugán Guillermo A
Published: November 2021

We study the imprint that certain quantization ambiguities may leave in effective regimes of the hybrid loop quantum description of cosmological perturbations. More specifically, in the case of scalar perturbations we investigate how to reconstruct the Mukhanov–Sasaki field in the effective regime of loop quantum cosmology, taking as starting point for the quantization a canonical formulation in terms of other perturbative gauge invariants that possess different dynamics. This formulation of the quantum theory, in terms of variables other than the Mukhanov–Sasaki ones, is crucial to arrive at a quantum Hamiltonian with a good behavior, eluding the problems with ill defined Hamiltonian operators typical of quantum field theories. In the reconstruction of the Mukhanov–Sasaki field, we ask that the effective Mukhanov–Sasaki equations adopt a similar form and display the same Hamiltonian structure as the classical ones, a property that has been widely assumed in loop quantum cosmology studies over the last decade. This condition actually restricts the freedom inherent to certain quantization ambiguities. Once these ambiguities are removed, the reconstruction of the Mukhanov–Sasaki field naturally identifies a set of positive-frequency solutions to the effective equations, and hence a choice of initial conditions for the perturbations. Our analysis constitutes an important and necessary test of the robustness of standard effective descriptions in loop quantum cosmology, along with their observational predictions on the primordial power spectrum, taking into account that they should be the consequence of a more fundamental quantum theory with a well-defined Hamiltonian, in the spirit of Dirac’s long-standing ideas.
High resolution 3D ultrasonic breast imaging by time-domain full waveform inversion
Authors: Lucka Felix , Pérez-Liva Mailyn , Treeby Bradley E , Cox Ben T
Published: November 2021

Ultrasound tomography (UST) scanners allow quantitative images of the human breast’s acoustic properties to be derived with potential applications in screening, diagnosis and therapy planning. Time domain full waveform inversion (TD-FWI) is a promising UST image formation technique that fits the parameter fields of a wave physics model by gradient-based optimization. For high resolution 3D UST, it holds three key challenges: firstly, its central building block, the computation of the gradient for a single US measurement, has a restrictively large memory footprint. Secondly, this building block needs to be computed for each of the 103–104 measurements, resulting in a massive parallel computation usually performed on large computational clusters for days. Lastly, the structure of the underlying optimization problem may result in slow progression of the solver and convergence to a local minimum. In this work, we design and evaluate a comprehensive computational strategy to overcome these challenges: firstly, we exploit a gradient computation based on time reversal that dramatically reduces the memory footprint at the expense of one additional wave simulation per source. Secondly, we break the dependence on the number of measurements by using source encoding (SE) to compute stochastic gradient estimates. Also we describe a more accurate, TD-specific SE technique with a finer variance control and use a state-of-the-art stochastic LBFGS method. Lastly, we design an efficient TD multi-grid scheme together with preconditioning to speed up the convergence while avoiding local minima. All components are evaluated in extensive numerical proof-of-concept studies simulating a bowl-shaped 3D UST breast scanner prototype. Finally, we demonstrate that their combination allows us to obtain an accurate 442 × 442 × 222 voxel image with a resolution of 0.5 mm using Matlab on a single GPU within 24 h.
Biological thermometer based on the temperature sensitivity of magnetic nanoparticle paraSHIFT
Authors: Guo Silin , Yi Wentong , Liu Wenzhong
Published: November 2021

In the paper, the temperature dependence of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) paramagnetic chemical shift (paraSHIFT) was studied by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. Based on it, iron oxide MNPs are considered as MR shifting probes for determining the temperature in liquids. With the increase in measurement temperature of the MNP reagent with MNPs, the decrease of MNP magnetization would make the peak of spectroscopy shift to the higher chemical shift area. The peak shift is related to the magnetic susceptibility of MNPs, which can be determined by MR frequency as a function of temperature and particle size. Experiments on temperature-dependent chemical shifts are performed for MNP samples with different core sizes and the estimated temperature accuracy can achieve 0.1 K. Combined with the contrast effect of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T, this technology can realize temperature imaging.
Preparation and disinfection properties of graphene oxide/trichloroisocyanuric acid disinfectant
Authors: Jiang Lili , Xu Su , Yu Haitao , Cui Qi , Cao Rui
Published: November 2021

Due to the impact of the new crown epidemic in recent years, disinfectants have played an increasingly important role, so the research and development of new high-efficiency nano-disinfectants are urgent issues. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was first prepared by the modified Hummer method. Then, the GO/trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) composite was prepared by loading TCCA into GO with the blending method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the composite. The results showed that TCCA was successfully loaded on the surface of GO or intercalated among GO layers. Next, the antibacterial performance of the composite against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was tested by the 96-well plate assay. A bactericidal kinetic curve, bacterial inhibition tests, and the mechanism of bacterial inhibition were discussed. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the GO/TCCA composite (GO:TCCA ratio = 1:50) was 327.5 μg ml−1 against E. coli and 655 μg ml−1 against S. aureus. At the MIC, the inhibition rate of the GO/TCCA composite exceeded 99.46% against E. coli and 99.17% against S. aureus. The bactericidal kinetic curves indicate that the GO/TCCA composite has an excellent bactericidal effect against E. coli and S. aureus.
All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots-based electrospun polyacrylonitrile fiber for ultra-sensitive trace-recording
Authors: Li Yanyan , Shen Lifan , Pun Edwin Yue Bun , Lin Hai
Published: November 2021

All-inorganic dual-phase CsPbBr3-Cs4PbBr6 quantum dots (CPB QDs)-based polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber synthesized by supersaturated recrystallization and electrospinning technique possesses characteristics of homogeneous morphology, high crystallinity and solution sensitivity. Under 365 nm laser excitation, CPB@PAN fiber exhibits surprising trace-recording capability attributing to the splash-enhanced fluorescence (FL) performance with a narrow-band emission at 477–515 nm. In the process of ethanol anhydrous (EA) and water splashing, the CPB@PAN fiber presents conspicuous blue and green emission when contacting with EA and water, and maintains intense blue and green FL for more than 4 months. These experimental and theoretical findings provide a facile technology for the development of biological protection display, biotic detection and moisture-proof forewarning based on the trace-recording performance of CPB@PAN fiber.
Substituent-mediated quantum interference toward a giant single-molecule conductance variation
Authors: Zhou Yi-Fan , Chang Wen-Yan , Chen Jing-Zhe , Huang Jun-Ren , Fu Jia-Ying , Zhang Jin-Na , Pei Lin-Qi , Wang Ya-Hao , Jin Shan , Zhou Xiao-Shun
Published: November 2021

Quantum interference (QI) in single molecular junctions shows a promising perspective for realizing conceptual nanoelectronics. However, controlling and modulating the QI remains a big challenge. Herein, two-type substituents at different positions of meta-linked benzene, namely electron-donating methoxy (–OMe) and electron-withdrawing nitryl (–NO2), are designed and synthesized to investigate the substituent effects on QI. The calculated transmission coefficients T(E) indicates that –OMe and –NO2 could remove the antiresonance and destructive quantum interference (DQI)-induced transmission dips at position 2. –OMe could raise the antiresonance energy at position 4 while –NO2 groups removes the DQI features. For substituents at position 5, both of them are nonactive for tuning QI. The conductance measurements by scanning tunneling microscopy break junction show a good agreement with the theoretical prediction. More than two order of magnitude single-molecule conductance on/off ratio could be achieved at the different positions of –NO2 substituent groups at room temperature. The present work proves chemical substituents can be used for tuning QI features in single molecular junctions, which provides a feasible way toward realization of high-performance molecular devices.
A hybrid computational framework for the simulation of atmospheric pressure plasma jets: the importance of the gas flow model
Authors: Passaras Dimitrios , Amanatides Eleftherios , Kokkoris George
Published: November 2021

A hybrid computational framework, consisting of a detailed turbulence flow model, a global model, and a model for the calculation of the electron energy probability function, is developed to predict the density of plasma generated species along the axial direction of plasma jets. The framework is applied to an Ar/O2 plasma in a kINPen 09 device without a shielding gas. A reaction set of 764 reactions and 84 species is considered. The effect of different turbulence flow models, namely the detailed and high cost large eddy simulation (LES) model and the simple and low cost realizable k–ε model, on the densities of plasma generated species is investigated at different values of absorbed power. The effect is not severe on the density of the majority of the species, justified by the small differences in the inputs of the global model, i.e. the volume averaged axial velocity and density of air species (coming from the turbulence flow model). Nevertheless, the differences in the densities of O2(1Σg), O−, O2
−, O(1D), O, H, H2(r), H−, N2O(v), H7O3
+, H9O4
+, H15O7
+ and OH− are remarkably affected by the choice of the turbulence flow model and may reach an order of magnitude. The detailed LES model is a proper choice for Ar jets and this is reinforced by the comparison of the results of the framework with atomic oxygen experimental measurements along the axial direction of the jet: the use of the LES model leads to atomic oxygen density closer to the measured one compared to (the use of) the realizable k–ε model. Finally, an evaluation of the assumptions required for the use of global models in plasma jets is performed, demonstrating their validity for the case studied.
Passive Janus particles are self-propelled in active nematics
Authors: Loewe Benjamin , Shendruk Tyler N
Published: November 2021

While active systems possess notable potential to form the foundation of new classes of autonomous materials (Zhang et al 2021 Nat. Rev. Mater.
6 437), designing systems that can extract functional work from active surroundings has proven challenging. In this work, we extend these efforts to the realm of designed active liquid crystal/colloidal composites. We propose suspending colloidal particles with Janus anchoring conditions in an active nematic medium. These passive Janus particles become effectively self-propelled once immersed into an active nematic bath. The self-propulsion of passive Janus particles arises from the effective +1/2 topological charge their surface enforces on the surrounding active fluid. We analytically study their dynamics and the orientational dependence on the position of a companion −1/2 defect. We predict that at sufficiently small activity, the colloid and companion defect remain bound to each other, with the defect strongly orienting the colloid to propel either parallel or perpendicular to the nematic. At sufficiently high activity, we predict an unbinding of the colloid/defect pair. This work demonstrates how suspending engineered colloids in active liquid crystals may present a path to extracting activity to drive functionality.
Evaluation of tritium retention in plasma facing components during JET tritium operations
Authors: Widdowson Anna , Coad J Paul , Zayachuk Yevhen , Jepu Ionut , Alves Eduardo , Catarino Norberto , Corregidor Victoria , Mayer Matej , Krat Stepan , Likonen Jari , Mizohata Kenichiro , Rowley Chris , Zlobinski Miroslaw , Rubel Marek , Douai David , Heinola Kalle , Wauters Tom , Dittrich Laura , Moon Sunwoo , Petersson Per , Baron-Wiechec Aleksandra , Avotina Liga
Published: November 2021

An assessment of the tritium (T) inventory in plasma facing components (PFC) during JET T and deuterium-tritium (DT) operations is presented based on the most comprehensive ex situ fuel retention data set on JET PFCs from the 2015-2016 ILW3 operating period is presented. The global fuel retention is 4.19 × 1023 D atoms, 0.19% of injected fuel. The inner divertor remains the region of highest fuel retention (46.5%). The T inventory in PFCs at the end of JET operations is calculated as 7.48 × 1022 atoms and is informative for accountancy, clean-up efficacy and waste liability assessments. The T accumulation rate at the upper inner divertor during JET DT operations has been used to assess the requirements and frequency of operation of a new laser induced desorption diagnostic to be installed on JET for the final DT experiments in 2023.
First-principles study on B2 based XAl(X = Rh, Ru)compounds
Authors: Kars Durukan İlknur , Ciftci Yasemin Oztekin
Published: November 2021

In this study, to see pressure effects on optical, thermodynamic, structural, elastic, electronic properties, charge density, and phonon frequencies of the XAl (X:Rh, Ru) compounds in B2 structure, the first-principles methods were used. The ground-state properties of these compounds were determined and compared with experimental and theoretical data. High Young’s and shear modulus showed these compounds to be hard materials. The investigated compounds have ductile property according to the Paugh criterion and Poisson’s ratio calculated from elastic constants. The electronic band structure showed that these compounds have a metallic nature. Dynamic stability using phonon distribution curves was determined under pressure. The bond properties between Rh-Al and Ru-Al atoms were evaluated in detail by Mulliken Atomic Populations and charge density analysis. Also, the optical properties are examined in detail. We think that this theoretical work contributes greatly to engineering applications due to the electronic, thermodynamic, and optical behavior of XAl (X: Rh, Ru) compounds.
The effect of chemically treated all-cellulose composites (ACCs) with dodecyltriethoxysilane (DTES) solution on the structural-property relationship
Authors: Mat Salleh M. , Mohd Fauzi M. F. , Md Nor S. S.
Published: November 2021

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on the Earth that is widely used in bio-based composites due to its high mechanical properties, availability and biodegradability. All-cellulose composites (ACCs) are known as a new class monocomponent of biocomposites due to both reinforcing and matrix phases that are based on cellulose. However, a technical challenge for ACCs is observed due to their propensity for high moisture absorption (water uptake), leading to the instability and deterioration of the mechanical properties. Therefore, this research focussed towards the improvement of the surface of ACCs in order to increase the resistance to water absorption. Prior to the characterisations, ACCs were chemically treated using dodecytriethoxysilane (DTES) coating solution by dip coating method. In this present study, the effects of two control factors: (i) DTES concentration (1.5, 7.5, and 12.5 vol%), and (ii) heating temperature (50, and 100 °C), were investigated on the ACCs. Upon completion of this treatment, three possible characterisations were conducted including of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water absorption (WA) testing. Creation of polysiloxane layer was expected to reduce the tendency to absorb water in ACCs while being applied in the outdoor applications.
Statistical Optimization of Adsorption Processes for The Removal of Phenol by Activated Carbon Derived from Baobab Fruit Shell
Authors: Nedjai R , Kabbashi N A , Alam M Z , Al-Khatib M F R
Published: November 2021

Baobab fruit shell (BFS) biomass was used as an alternative precursor for producing high surface area and microporous baobab fruit shell activated carbon (BFS-AC) by chemical activation using KOH. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed for the characterization of baobab fruit shell activated carbon. The adsorption property of BFS-AC for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution was evaluated. The effect of key adsorption parameters such as the contact time (10-20 min), BFS-AC dose (2.5-3.5 g/L), pH (1-3), and agitation speed (150-250 rpm) were optimized using a response surface methodology (RSM) with faced centered central composite design (FCCCD). Consequently, a maximum adsorption capacity (196.86 mg/g) was achieved at 15 min of contact time, 2 of pH, 3 g/L of adsorbent dosage, and 250 rpm of agitation speed. The results reveal that BFS-AC has an efficient performance for the removal of phenol from aqueous media.
Enhancement of Indigenous Fungal Cellulase Production by Gamma Rays
Authors: Hidayati F L N , Sardjono  , Giyatmi  , Cahyanto M N
Published: November 2021

The increasing demand for cellulases causes the need for a high cellulase-producing microbe. Mutagenesis is an efficient way to produce a high-titer cellulase-producing strain. Mutagenesis using gamma rays irradiation has the advantage that it can cause a double strand break of DNA. Repair of double-strand break tends to has an error-prone repair that leads to the alteration of DNA sequence. The aim of this study was to screen high cellulase-producing indigenous fungal mutants produced by mutagenesis. Trichoderma sp. PK1J2 was subjected to gamma irradiation at 300 Gy. The mutants produced were screened using a plate medium containing cellulose as a sole carbon source. After staining with congo red, colonies with wider clear zones were grown in a liquid medium for four days, and the cellulase activities were analyzed. Mutant M8 produces endoglucanase, FPase, and β-glucosidase at 0.46 U/ml, 0.18 U/ml, and 1.10 U/ml, respectively, which were 90%, 50%, and 30% higher than those of the parental strain.
Progress in the detection and quantification of collagens: a review
Authors: Gameil A H M , Yusof F , Azmi A S , Mohamad Puad N I
Published: November 2021

Collagens are an important and ubiquitous family of proteins. They have many functions in the human body and similarly have found numerous, potent applications in various industries including the manufacture of biomaterials. The ever-increasing demand for collagen has made necessary the exploration of alternative sources such as bacterial collagen-like proteins which have a triple-helical domain of Gly-X-Y amino acid repeats. Detection and quantification of native collagens have been well-established. However, collagen-like proteins differ in their composition and do not have the unique abundance of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine found in vertebrate collagens. Thus, this poses a problem in the detection and quantification of collagen-like proteins. This paper evaluates reports on the detection and quantification of collagens and collagen-like proteins. A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted in May 2021, to which five additional papers were added. The 310 unique search results were then subjected to a screening and elimination process, at the end of which 22 papers were included in the study. The findings were summarized and presented in a table that highlights progress in this field. While novel methods have been developed for the detection and quantitation of collagens in general, mainly using enzyme digestion, hybridization, and fluorescence, there is a need for a rapid, one-step method that selectively and sensitively detects and quantitates collagen and collagen-like protein samples with ease.
Comparison Study Between Encapsulation of Acalypha indica Linn Extracts with Chitosan-PCL and Chitosan-OA
Authors: Johari M A , Azmi A S , Jamaluddin J , Hasham R , Chee C F , Ali F
Published: November 2021

Drug delivery is one of the major applications in the biodegradable polymer science. Chitosan is a non-toxic and naturally biodegradable polymer. It is soluble in acidic aqueous media and insoluble in higher pH media. Chitosan has been modified to improve its properties such as stability and the modified derivatives have been widely used in many applications especially for drug delivery. There are several kinds of chitosan modification. This study investigated the modification of chitosan with polyester-types of polymer and the fatty acidbased polymer. The aim of this study is to compare the formation encapsulation of chitosan-oleic acid conjugate (Ch-OA) and chitosan- polycaprolactone(PCL) copolymer for the encapsulation of Acalypha indica active compounds for drug delivery by using emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The crude extracts have been extracted and the phytochemicals inside the crude extracts are less stable in nature. These active compounds need to be encapsulated to stabilize them and delivered well into the body system. As for conclusion, chitosan:PCL is able to form better encapsulation using this method.
Engineering of Marine-derived Antimicrobial Peptides (mAMPs) into Improved Anti-infective Drug Leads: A Mini-review
Authors: Sukmarini L
Published: November 2021

Marine-derived antimicrobial compounds possess chemical diversity varying from peptides, fatty acids to terpenes, alkaloids, and polyketides. These compounds, especially of peptide origin called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are present in the majority of marine organisms, including microbes (bacteria and fungi), invertebrates (molluscs, echinoderms, and sponges), vertebrates (fish and mammals), and plants (marine algae). They are defined by small molecular weight (less than 10 kDa), a net positive charge, and amphipathic structures. Moreover, due to their profound in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities and a low risk for resistance development, naturally occurring marine-derived AMPs (mAMPs) have been used as drug design templates for a large variety of semi-synthetic or synthetic AMPs, some of which have reached clinical trials. This mini-review aims to discuss AMPs from marine sources, mainly emphasizing the engineering of these peptides with improved pharmacological properties to develop drug candidates. Some selected recent examples of these engineered mAMPs as anti-infective drug leads are herein highlighted.
Reinforcement of Polylactic acid (PLA) bio-composite with lignin from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) for 3D printing application
Authors: Pairon M S , Ali F , Anuar H , Ahmad F , Suhr J , Mirghani M E S
Published: November 2021

Polylactic acid (PLA) has been used as an additive material in 3D printing due to its toxic-free and environmentally friendly property. Lignin with complex and branched chemical structures had been used as a filler to improve the mechanical strength of PLA. The availability of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) in Malaysia had made this material a good source for lignin extraction. Thus, in this research, we aim to study the mechanical strength of PLA bio-composite material with reinforcement of lignin from OPEFB. The lignin was extracted by 1,4-dioxane with hydrochloric acid as a catalyst. The recovery of lignin from extraction solvent was done by precipitation. The lignin was successfully extracted from OPEFB with 9.04% of lignin extraction yield. The PLA/lignin bio-composite filament with 0.1% (w/w) lignin was performed by filament extruder and then used for 3D printing. The prepared sample in the form of filament and 3D printed material was characterized for mechanical strength and surface morphology. The Young’s modulus, ultimate strength and elongation at break of the PLA/lignin bio-composite sample had increased 11%, 7% and 10% respectively. After the filament was used for 3D printing, the reduction of mechanical strength had been observed. The morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of lignin on the fracture surface of PLA bio-composite material. Apart from that, the interlayer adhesion had been observed in the 3D printed PLA/lignin bio-composite that caused the drop in mechanical strength of the material.
A Mini Review on the Antibacterial Activity of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Phytochemicals
Authors: Prasetyoputri A , Rahmawati S I , Atikana A , Izzati F N , Hapsari Y , Septiana E , Bustanussalam  , Putra M Y
Published: November 2021

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) has been shown to have various bioactivities with therapeutic benefits. These bioactivities are owing to the different kinds of phytochemicals, which include anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. This mini review aims to summarize the reported antibacterial activity of roselle phytochemicals in the literature in the past decade (2011-2021). The results revealed that roselle extracts from various extraction methods were shown to have antibacterial activity against clinical isolates and food pathogens, including multidrug resistant bacteria. Furthermore, there is evidence that roselle extract showed potential synergy with antibiotics. Overall, phytochemicals in roselle have the potential as an antibacterial for different beneficial applications.
Simulation of biomass and municipal solid waste pellet gasification using Aspen Plus
Authors: Diallo A D D , Alkhatib M F R , Alam M Z , Mel M
Published: November 2021

The work deals with the simulation of biomass and municipal solid waste pellet gasification using Aspen Plus software. The effects of key parameters on the composition of the emitted gas are discussed, including gasification temperature, moisture content, and equivalence ratio. The sensitivity analysis was studied with the Aspen Plus Software, which includes FORTRAN modules. The simulation is validated using experimental results, which revealed that it was roughly correct. Using air as the gasification agent, the sensitivity analysis findings confirm higher temperatures promote syngas production with increased hydrogen and energy content. The simulation results demonstrated that CO2 concentration (3.95%) increases from 450°C to 600°C and then decreased drastically near 0.225kmol/hr. at 900°C. As the gasification temperature rises from 450°C to 900°C, the CO concentration rises and the H2: CO ratio falls. At 900°C, increasing the gasification temperature results in a product gas with more H2 (65%) and CO (12.43%), resulting in a higher calorific value, whereas the contents of CH4, CO2, and H2O followed an inverse correlation. CH4 decreased with temperature because of the formation of exothermic methane reactions. When the gasification process reaches 800°C, all components except CO2 become steady, and gasification reactions were achieved. The equivalence ratio (ER) ranged from 0.2 to 0.3. The gas produced by a gasifier is highly dependent on the ER value. The ER determines the gas quality, and it must be less than 1 to ensure that it gasifies the fuel rather than burnt. Moisture content was 10wt. %, this is an essential parameter for the optimum conditions during the gasification process. Moisture content determines the gas characteristics at the exit phase. The model predictions and calculated values are in good agreement.
Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide by Metal Organic Framework for Indoor Air Quality Enhancement
Authors: Chong K.C. , Lee S.S. , Lai S.O. , Thiam H.S. , Ho P.S. , Lau W.J.
Published: November 2021

Air pollution has become a severe environmental issue among millions of people around the globe. However, the risk of exposure to indoor air pollution is much higher than outdoor air pollution. The most effective way to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by reducing the indoor CO2 content is by capturing and storing. There are several types of adsorbents used to capture CO2, namely physical adsorbents and chemical adsorbents. Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) is one of the recent interests arising physical adsorbents which possesses high adsorption capability. In this study, MOFs fabricated with different metals and organic ligands were used to evaluate their performance in CO2 adsorption under an enclosed office space. Magnesium, chromium, and copper metals were used as the main element in the MOF fabrication coupled with trimesic acid as an organic ligand. The MOFs’ morphologies generally illustrated that magnesium MOF exhibited a dispersed nanorod flask crystal, chromium MOF showed agglomeration crystal, whereas fine crystal rod was observed in copper MOF. The elemental analysis from EDX and XRD confirmed that the metals were successfully embedded with the organic ligand, which is similar to the literature studies. The CO2 gas adsorption study suggested that magnesium MOF fabricated with trimesic acid possess superior CO2 adsorption capability as the recorded CO2 concentration reduced from 960 ± 73 ppm to 895 ± 57 under 2 hours continuous sampling time. The CO2 adsorption study reveals that the magnesium MOF with trimesic acid ligand yields a promising result on indoor CO2 concentration reduction. This result suggested that the MOF possesses a great potential to be applied in the indoor air quality enhancement with the integration to the existing air purification and/or filtration system.
Control of Plant Growth by Monitoring Soil Moisture, Temperature and Humidity in Dry Climate
Authors: Madzhi N K , Nor Akhsan M A
Published: November 2021

Monitoring of environment parameter such as soil moisture, temperature and humidity are important parts of plant growth. This paper focused on the development of an instrumentation system and analysis on the effect of the water volume to the soil moisture, effect rate of soil moisture, temperature and humidity for an indoor greenhouse. Data were collected through two experiment. First experiment focused on effect volume of water to soil moisture. Soil hygrometer sensor used to measure soil moisture in real time. Five bottles contained different volume of water poured into soil which the soil is fixed to 200gram.Three different rate of soil moisture applied to plant and the data were analysed to determined relationship between soil moisture to the plant growth. It can be concluded that the rate of soil moisture does have effect on the stem diameter and leaves length based on the observations of the plant growth for three weeks.
The potential of biomass waste in Malaysian palm oil industry: A case study of Boustead Plantation Berhad
Authors: Jafri N H S , Jimat D N , Azmin N F M , Sulaiman S , Nor Y A
Published: November 2021

The oil palm industry is known as the primary producer of biomass in Malaysia. The massive production of oil palm biomass has resulted in a significant waste disposal problem. This study aims to assess the potential of waste derived from oil palm plantations and processing mills to be transformed into value-added products for various applications. The study was conducted on three oil palm estates managed by Boustead Rimba Nilai Berhad using data on the generation rates of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), crude palm oil (CPO), and oil palm biomass waste from 2018 to 2020. The availability of FFB, CPO, empty fruit bunches (EFB) and excess fibers, and palm oil mill effluents (POME) in 2030 was predicted using a forecasting approach, with trend analysis as the tool of choice. From 2018 to 2020, the output of FFB, EFB and excess fibers, as well as POME grew by 16%, 14%, 23%, and 14% respectively. Based on trend analysis, the projection of FFB, CPO, EFB and excess fibers, and POME outputs in 2030 is expected to be 80%, 56%, 92%, and 56% respectively, which are greater than the figures recorded in 2020. The state of the palm oil industry in Malaysia was described in this study and also highlighted the potential of oil palm biomass in various industries and as a source of green energy. Oil palm biomass can be commercialized in a wide range of value-added products.