bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and Production of Determinate and Indeterminate Soybean (Glycine max L.) Influenced by Salinity Stress
Authors: Adriansyah Danang , Karno  , Kusmiyati Florentina
Published: January 2020

This research was aimed to determine growth and production of two different growth types of soybean (Glycine max L.) influenced by salinity stress at various levels. This research used Factorial Design based on Completely Randomized Design 2x4 with ten replications. Two soybean growth types were used as the first factor (G1 = Determinate ; G2 = Indeterminate). The second factor was the various levels of soil salinity (S0 = 0.42 dS∙m-1; S1 = 2.93 dS∙m-1; S2 = 4.74 dS∙m-1; S3 = 6.03 dS∙m-1). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and tested further using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Differences (HSD). Parameters observed were plant height (cm), shoot weight (g), shoot dry weight (g), root length (cm), root weight (g), root dry weight (g), and total pod number. Results showed that indeterminate soybean is the best growth type to be planted in salinity stress based on plant height, shoot weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root weight, root dry weight, and total pod number, significantly different from determinate soybean. Salinity stress under 2.93 dS∙m-1 had the better results in plant height, root weight, and root dry weight.
Characterization of Physical and Chemical Properties of Effervescent Tablets Temulawak (Curcuma zanthorrhiza) in the Various Proportion of Sodium Bicarbonate and Tartaric Acid
Authors: Herlina  , Kuswardhani Nita , Belgis Maria , Tiara Adinda
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of comparative treatment of the proportion of Sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid on the physical and chemical properties of effervescent tablets temulawak, as well as knowing the proportions of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid right to produce a good effervescent tablets temulawak. The research method uses a single completely randomized design namely the ratio of sodium bicarbonate: tartaric acid, (F1 = 2.0: 2.5; F2 = 2.5: 2.0; F3 = 3.0; 1.3; F4 = 3 , 5: 1,0, and F5 = 4.0: 0.5y). each treatment was repeated 3 (three) times. The resulted data were analyzed by ANOVA test. The results showed that the proportion of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid significantly affected color lightness, hardness, hygroscopicity, solubility times, water content, ash content, and not significantly affect viscosity and pH. The right proportion of sodium bicarbonate acid tartaric acid for making effervescent tablets temulawak is A1 treatment (proportion of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid 2.0: 2.5) with the attributes of water content of 66.72%, hardness of 2.20 kg, hygroscopicity of 25.43 g, solubility times of 35 seconds, viscosity 1.75 MPa.S, water content 1.19%, ash content 3.10%, and pH = 5.1.
CONTRACT FARMING AND THE EFFECT ON PRICE RISK IN BROILER FARMING
Authors: Rachmasari Putri Adinda Tissa , Rondhi Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Contract farming is one of the ways in a production relationship that is carried out by at least two parties who work together for a certain unit of time arranged in a written or oral agreement. Contracts in agriculture are carried out to reduce the risks faced by both parties. There are several agriculture commodities developed under the contract farming system, one of which is broiler. Broiler are important for fulfilling animal protein. High consumption in Indonesia at 2012-2016, not supported by production and the price of broiler has large fluctuations. Large fluctuations in Jember at 2012-2016 illustrate the magnitude of the risk in broiler farming both the risk of production and price. The amount of risk borne by farmerss causes easy contract farming to be applied in broiler chicken farming. This study purpose to see: (1) The pattern of contract farmIng carried out on broiler farming; and (2) The effect of contract farming on the price risks faced by farmerss. Method of determining the research area is purposive method. The research method is carried out by descriptive and analytical. The method of data collection is by interview, observation and secondary data with the use of recapitulation of the results of farmers maintenance. Determination of respondents was conducted randomly at farmerss in Jember Regency. The results of the study show: 1) The pattern of contract farming carried out on broiler farming is a contract farming with the type of production contract; and (2) The effect of contract farming causes the risk faced by farmerss to be reduced by 39% than independently farmerss.
Linking Supply Chain Management and Food Security: A Concept of Building Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Agribusiness in Developing Economies
Authors: Murti Mulyo Aji Joni
Published: January 2020

Theoretically, improved food security can be achieved through (a) increased availability – by extending staple food production area, higher productivity, good post harvesting practices; (b) enhanced access – as a result of more stable prices, improved farmer income, or even rural income; and (c) increased stability - through improved and sustained competitive advantage of the member firms, which eventually contribute to sustainable industry including in agriculture. Nonetheless, there has been a limited study linking the concept of food security and the necessity of managing competitive advantage of the agricultural supply chains. This paper links the theoretical foundations of supply chain management the concept of food security policy. Through a review of literature, a concept of how sustainable competitive advantage can be achieved through supply chain management, which in a development context, can improve food security by bringing together the concepts of food availability as well as improved people access to sufficient food is further explored.
Relational Behavior in Smallholder Cocoa Marketing Channels
Authors: Hariyati Yuli , Irma Ristamaya Rulita , Yunit R. Rena , Fauziah Diana , Ibanah Indah
Published: January 2020

This research aimed to analyze the behavior in smallholder cocoa marketing agencies in Sempu Village Banyuwangi District. The choice of Jambewangi Village was intentional because there was lots of cocoa farming and known with good quality. Data were taken from 50 farmers of the group member who were chosen randomly. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic methods. The results showed that there were two marketing channels with a margin of USD 0.57 and USD 0.66. Channel I was more efficient because it had a small margin and more equal profit share and cost. The characteristic of each channel was different seen from the application of quality variance, pricing and payment system, marketing system.
SCALP: a detector for (n,α) cross-section measurements
Authors: Lehaut G. , Bourgeot M. , Galhaut B. , Goupillière D. , Henri M. , Lecolley F.R. , Ledoux X. , J. Lory , Manduci L. , Marie N. , Perronnel J. , Vandamme Ch.
Published: January 2020

Neutron induced reactions on oxygen have been studied with strong interest because of the uncertainties generated on the helium production in fuel and on the neutron multiplication factor in nuclear reactors [1], [2]. Still large discrepancies exist and new measurements are welcome in order to acquire new data aiming at the uncertainty reduction [3].

SCALP (Scintillating ionization Chamber for ALPha particle production in neutron induced reaction) is a new scintillating ionization chamber [4] used as an active target to measure the cross section of (n, alpha) reactions on various gaseous targets such as 19F or 16O, from the reaction threshold up to 15 MeV. It consists of an ionization chamber filled with CF4 (for fluorine measurements) or CF4+CO2(for oxygen measurements) allowing the detection of the energy deposed by the light charged particles emitted in the (n, alpha) reaction. In addition, four Photo- Multiplier Tubes detect the scintillation light produced by the interaction of the particles in the gas active volume. Taking advantage of the fast response of the scintillation, the neutron kinetic energy can be inferred by time-of-flight measurements. SCALP is then well adapted to mono-energetic neutron beams or to white neutron beams that will be delivered at the NFS Facility [5].

Because of its good resolution, SCALP discriminates different channel outputs, enabling to disentangle the different reactions [6]. We will present the performances of the SCALP detector in terms of temporal and energetic features. We will also present tests made at the GENESIS plate-form at the LPSC Grenoble [7].
Role of chemical substitution in the photoluminescence properties of cerium samarium tungstates Ce(2-x)Smx (WO4)3 (0≤x≤0.3)
Authors: Derraji K. , Favotto C. , Valmalette J-C , Villain S. , Gavarri J-R. , Nolibe G. , Lyoussi A. , Guinneton F.
Published: January 2020

In the general framework of the development of materials with tunable photoluminescence, a series of cerium samarium tungstates Ce(2-x)Smx(WO4)3 with x≤0.3 was synthesized by a coprecipitation method followed by thermal treatment at 1000 °C. The polycrystalline compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence experiments. In the present work, the objective would be to determine the role of PL emitting centers in the variations of PL intensities. Firstly, Rietveld analysis showed a decrease of cell parameters and confirmed that a solid solution was obtained. Diffraction profile analyses showed that structural distortions increasing with composition x were observed: they were ascribed to difference in cation sizes of Ce3+ and Sm3+, and to defects generated during crystal growth. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained under X-Ray (45 kV-35 mA) and UV (364.5 nm) excitations. Two PL emissions of Ce3+ were observed only under UV excitation. Four PL emissions of Sm3+ were observed under UV and X-ray excitations, and their intensities decreased with increasing composition x. Two additional transitions were observed under UV and X-ray excitations: they were attributed to oxygen vacancy defects. In the range 800 to 1000 nm, an increasing IR emission is observed: it was ascribed to emissions due to other oxygen vacancies. The main results are reported in Table 1. The chromaticity diagram (see Figure 1) showed that the colors associated with PL responses vary with Sm composition and excitation energies. This offers the opportunity to develop materials with tunable PL. To better understand this complex behavior, now, we plan to study the solid solution in the composition range x>0.3.
Analysis of DD, TT and DT Neutron Streaming Experiments with the ADVANTG Code
Authors: Kos Bor , Vasilopoulou Theodora , Mosher Scott W. , Kodeli Ivan A. , Grove Robert E. , Naish Jonathan , Obryk Barbara , Villari Rosaria , Batistoni Paola
Published: January 2020

The paper presents an analysis of DD, TT and DT neutron streaming benchmark experiments with the recently released hybrid transport code ADVANTG (AutomateD VAriaNce reducTion Generator). ADVANTG combines the deterministic neutron transport solver Denovo with the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP via the principle of variance reduction. It automatically produces weight-window and source biasing variance reduction parameters based on the CADIS (Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling) methodology. Using this novel hybrid methodology Monte Carlo simulations of realistic complex fusion streaming geometries have become possible. In this paper the experimental results from the 2016 DD campaign using measurements with TLDs and activation foils up to 40 m from the plasma source are analyzed. New detailed models of the detector assemblies were incorporated into the JET 360° MCNP model for this analysis. In preparation of the TT and DTE2 campaigns at JET a pre-analysis for these campaigns is also presented.
Calibration of a Single-Cell Calorimeter in a New Transient-state Test Bench
Authors: Burn J. , Reynard-Carette C. , Carette M. , Lyoussi A. , Volte A. , Tarchalski M. , Prokopowicz R.
Published: January 2020

The nuclear radiation energy deposition rate is a key value for the thermal design of experiments, on materials and nuclear fuels, carried out in experimental channels of nuclear research reactors. Studies are led for two kinds of sensor currently dedicated to quantifying this value and corresponding to calorimeter. Development of new sensors but also improvement of their calibration and their associated interpretation methods are necessary. These aims are possible by many ways such as numerical simulations of sensor, characterizations under laboratory conditions and experimental campaign under irradiation conditions. The calibration step under non-irradiation conditions represents a crucial phase. This phase requires the development of specific benches. The present paper focuses on a new thermal-transient bench and its use to perform calibration of a polish single-cell calorimeter. The new bench is detailed. First studies of the influence of external conditions (temperature, velocity) on the calorimeter sensitivity are presented and discussed.
Conceptual Design of Irradiation Facility with 6 MeV and 7 MeV Gamma Rays at the JSI TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor
Authors: Žohar Andrej , Pungerčič Anže , Ambrožič Klemen , Radulović Vladimir , Jazbec Anže , Rupnik Sebastjan , Lengar Igor , Snoj Luka
Published: January 2020

Activated cooling water in nuclear facilities can present a significant radiation source around primary cooling system causing radiation damage to electrical components, increasing doses to personnel and in the case of fusion facilities additional heating to superconducting coils. As there are only few sources of gamma rays with energies in the range of 6 MeV and 7 MeV an irradiation system using activated cooling water as the source of energetic gamma rays is proposed at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA Mark II research reactor. Two different conceptual designs, one utilizing central irradiation channel and one utilizing radial piercing port for water activation, are presented and analysed in the paper. Despite an order of magnitude higher water activation in central channel compared to radial piercing port the 16N decay rate in the irradiation facility is comparable between both design (order of 108 decays per second) due to longer transient time from central channel to irradiation facility. In the irradiation facility the expected biological dose rates due to the 16N decay rate are in order of several mSv/h. From the results he conceptual design utilizing the radial piercing port currently presents the best option for the irradiation facility due to the simpler design of the irradiation loop, already present shielding of the loop and comparable number of 16N decay rates to central channel.
Application of CdZnTe Quasi-Hemispherical Detectors in Strong Gamma-Radiation Fields
Authors: Loutchanski Anatoli , Fjodorovs Viktors , Ivanov Victor , Ogorodniks Vadims
Published: January 2020

The results of a study of some ways to improve spectroscopy characteristics of the CdZnTe quasi-hemispherical detectors when working in high gamma radiation fluxes are presented. It was shown that the use of IR illumination with a wavelength of 1050 nm or 1200 nm or at slight warm-up of the detector to +30°C … +40°C can significantly improve spectroscopy performance of the CdZnTe detectors of size 3.5 mm × 3.5 mm × 1.75 mm when operating in a tested gamma-radiation field with a dose rate up to 590 mGy/h.
Using laser remote heating to simulate extreme thermal heat loads on nuclear fuels
Authors: Vidal T. , Gallais L. , Faucheux J. , Capdevila H. , Pontillon Y.
Published: January 2020

Up to now, predicting accurately the Fission Gas Release (FGR) from high burn up UO2 and/or MOX (Mixed Oxide) fuels at off-normal conditions, such as power transient, reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) and loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), is still a significant and very challenging task. For this purpose, different R&D programs have been carried out in France, as well as in other countries. This has been done with a specific emphasis on mechanisms which promote the FGR under accidental conditions. These studies can be performed thanks to dedicated integral experiments conducted in-pile (i.e. in Materials Testing Reactor) with the corresponding cost and constraints, or at the laboratory scale with annealing tests which allow to be representative of specific parameters (thermal history for instance). During these annealing tests under well-known conditions (temperature, atmosphere), both the absolute level and the time dependence of the released gases should be monitored, together with the corresponding fuel micro-structural changes, since experimental knowledge of fission gas release alone is not efficient enough. This approach requires more and more accurate on-line measurements. This corresponds to the driving force of the present work.

In this contribution, we will present our progress in developing an experimental platform that can submit nuclear fuel and cladding samples to annealing tests involving very high temperatures (up to 2500°C) and very fast temperature ramp (up to thousands of °C/s) with controlled thermal gradients and temporal dynamics. This new platform implements innovative instrumentation, such as optical diagnostics to measure fuel fragmentation kinetics and infrared pyrometry for temperature monitoring. This experiment is based on a high-power laser (1.5kW) coupled to an experimental chamber with controlled atmosphere (Ar, N2, or vacuum) and specific optical components.

Based on the spatial beam profile and temporal power function of the laser, it is possible which such a system to produce complex spatio-temporal temperature gradients, relevant for addressing different research needs. It provides access to extreme conditions that are very difficult to reach with other means. Particularly, one of main objectives of this work is to investigate conditions of Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA).

The first experiments performed on inactive materials, non-irradiated uranium dioxide, is presented in order to highlight the capabilities of this technique.
Producing Useful Chemicals Using a Nuclear Reactor
Authors: Plant Arran George , Najdanovic-Visak Vesna , Joyce Malcolm J. , Snoj Luka , Jazbec Anže
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the irradiation of glycerol and ethylene glycol by either mixed (neutron-γ) or γ-only (γ) fields at the TRIGA reactor of the Jožef Stefan Institute is described. This is highly relevant to future applications of fission reactor systems to produce useful feedstock derivatives from organic waste, beyond the production of heat and power.

Samples of glycerol and ethyl glycol have been exposed to neutron-gamma radiation with fast neutron fluxes ranging from 7.7×1010 to 3×1012 cm−2s−1 and gamma-only irradiation at maximum dose-rates of 492 and 10 kGy hr−1, respectively. A study of the dependence of product yield versus absorbed dose has been conducted, for total dose ranges of 1 to 100 kGy. The products of these exposures have been identified through Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Analysis comparing neutron-gamma irradiated samples of ethylene glycol and glycerol with gamma-irradiated samples shows no detectable qualitative difference between either irradiation type. Although, additional radiolysis products were detected when compared with available literature; ethyl acetate from ethylene glycol and solketal from glycerol. Quantitatively, neutron-gamma irradiation seems to be less effective at producing acetaldehyde from ethylene glycol, compared with gamma-only which can be explained through neutron moderation and consequent heating effects due to the borosilicate vials.
Practical Demonstrations – Key to Efficient Explanations of Radioactivity to Pupils and Students
Authors: Koželj Matjaž , Slapar Borišek Vesna , Istenič Radko
Published: January 2020

The radioactivity workshop and hands-on demonstrations in Milan Čopič Nuclear Training Centre enable us to effectively transfer some basic information about radioactivity, radiation and radiation effects to our young visitors. This activity has been well accepted and praised by teachers, who are aware of the subject importance for education.
A New Project dedicated to developing International MOBILity of APPrentices in the Master’s Degree in Instrumentation, Measurement and Metrology (MOBIL-APP project)
Authors: Reynard-Carette C.
Published: January 2020

The project concerns the outgoing international mobility of block-release apprentices preparing the Master's degree in Instrumentation, Measurement, Metrology of the Filière Instrumentation (Physics Department of the Science Faculty). It targets universities and research centers involved in nuclear energy and is based on ongoing partnerships with CFA Epure–Méditerranée (apprenticeship center), EDF, and CEA thanks to on a solid research background in the LIMMEX laboratory run jointly by CEA and AMU (IM2NP) and dedicated to Instrumentation and Measurements under EXtreme conditions, on the ANIMMA international conference and the EFMMIN Franco-Moroccan school. This has led to the development of a useful network of operators (partners involved in the project) in priority geographical areas for AMU’s international strategy: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory at MIT, Moroccan Nuclear Center and Mohammed V University, Polish Nuclear Center, Slovenian Jožef Stefan Institute, Belgian Nuclear Center. The project will consist in sending a group of block-release apprentices for one week per year to a partner site who will propose visits to reactors, laboratories and companies, and participation in seminars, short courses, experimental projects and workshops together with local students. They will visit cultural places and prepare an activity report in English. When the project is completed its possible extension to other block-release courses at AMU will be examined because international mobility is a real advantage in terms of employability for young-people.
International school for radiation measurements in Asia
Authors: Nomachi Masaharu , Vo Hong Hai
Published: January 2020

Radiation measurement is a key technology for various sciences. The education of radiation science is demanding in Southeast Asian countries. We are collaborating with Universities in Southeast Asia. Hands-on exercise is important. However, it was not so easy to provide enough number of setups. Recent developments change the situation. The granularity of detectors in particle physics and medical apparatus is increasing. It means detector unit becomes smaller and less expensive. We are developing setups for radiation measurement exercises based on those new developments. Those system is portable to carry. In Osaka University, we are organizing schools for radiation measurements inviting Southeast Asian students. In addition, we are organizing schools in Southeast Asia. Compact system helps us to carry.
Lattice Study of QCD Properties at the “Govorun” Supercomputer
Authors: Astrakhantsev Nikita , Braguta Victor , Kotov Andrey , Nikolaev Alexander
Published: January 2020

This report is devoted to Lattice QCD simulations carried out at the “Govorun” supercomputer. The basics of Lattice QCD methodology, the main Lattice QCD algorithms and the most numerically demanding routines are reviewed. We then present details of our multiGPU code implementation and the specifics of its application on the “Govorun” architecture. We show that implementation of very efficient and scalable code is possible and present scalability tests. We finally relate our program with the goals of the NICA project and review the main physical scenarios that are to be studied numerically.
Coherence Dynamics of Two Interacting Bosonic Modes in a Thermal Environment
Authors: Isar Aurelian
Published: January 2020

We describe the time evolution of the quantum coherence in an open system consisting of two coupled bosonic modes embedded in a thermal reservoir. We discuss the influence of the environment in terms of the covariance matrix for initial squeezed thermal states. The coherence is quantified using the relative entropy as a measure, and its dynamics is studied in the framework of the theory of open systems based on completely positive quantum dynamical semigroups. We show that the evolution of the quantum coherence strongly depends on the initial state of the system (squeezing parameter and thermal photon numbers), the parameters characterizing the thermal reservoir (temperature and dissipation coefficient) and the intensity of the coupling between the two modes.
Renormalization Approach to the Gribov Process: Numerical Evaluation of Critical Exponents in Two Subtraction Schemes
Authors: Adzhemyan Loran Ts. , Hnatič Michal , Ivanova Ella , Kompaniets Mikhail V. , Lučivjanský Tomáš , Mižišin Lukáš
Published: January 2020

We study universal quantities characterizing the second order phase transition in the Gribov process. To this end, we use numerical methods for the calculation of the renormalization group functions up to two-loop order in perturbation theory in the famousε-expansion. Within this procedure the anomalous dimensions are evaluated using two different subtraction schemes: the minimal subtraction scheme and the null-momentum scheme. Numerical calculation of integrals was done on the HybriLIT cluster using the Vegas algorithm from the CUBA library. The comparison with existing analytic calculations shows that the minimal subtraction scheme yields more precise results.
Dynamics of a System of Two Connected Bodies Moving along a Circular Orbit around the Earth
Authors: Gutnik Sergey A. , Sarychev Vasily A.
Published: January 2020

Symbolic–numeric methods are used to investigate the dynamics of a system of two bodies connected by a spherical hinge. The system is assumed to move along a circular orbit under the action of gravitational torque. The equilibrium orientations of the two-body system are determined by the real roots of a system of 12 algebraic equations of the stationary motions. Attention is paid to the study of the conditions of existence of the equilibrium orientations of the system of two bodies refers to special cases when one of the principal axes of inertia of each of the two bodies coincides with either the normal of the orbital plane, the radius vector or the tangent to the orbit. Nine distinct solutions are found within an approach which uses the computer algebra method based on the algorithm for the construction of a Gröbner basis.
Numerical Investigation of the Water Vapour Diffusivity inside Homogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Nikonov Eduard , Popovičová Mária , Korenkov Vladimir , Litavcová Eva
Published: January 2020

This work is devoted to numerical investigation of diffusivity function for water vapour interaction with homogeneous porous media. Molecular dynamics simulation is used to determine the diffusivity function. Various approximations of diffusivity are applied for numerical solution of diffusion equation.
A Geometric View on Quantum Tensor Networks
Authors: Tsirulev Alexander
Published: January 2020

Tensor network states and algorithms play a key role in understanding the structure of complex quantum systems and their entanglement properties. This report is devoted to the problem of the construction of an arbitrary quantum state using the differential geometric scheme of covariant series in Riemann normal coordinates. The building blocks of the scheme are polynomials in the Pauli operators with the coefficients specified by the curvature, torsion, and their covariant derivatives on some base manifold. The problem of measuring the entanglement of multipartite mixed states is shortly discussed.
A Probabilistic Approach to the Simulation of Data Processing Centers
Authors: Korenkov Vladimir , Nechaevskiy Andrey , Ososkov Gennady , Priakhina Daria , Trofimov Vladimir
Published: January 2020

The simulation of a data center for the storage and processing of data from the NICA detectors is an important step towards the creation of the NICA computing system. A model developed in the frame of the probabilistic approach to the solution enables decisions concerning a lower bound of the necessary resources for full data transfer of the detector records to the storage system.
Querschnittlähmung in Deutschland – eine Befragung
zur Lebens- und Versorgungssituation von Menschen mit
Querschnittlähmung
Authors: Bökel Andrea , Egen Christoph , Gutenbrunner Christoph , Weidner Norbert , Moosburger Jürgen , Abel Frank-Rainer , Rupp Rüdiger , Kalke York-Bernhard , Liebscher Thomas , Kurze Ines , Sauer Marion , Geng Veronika , Sturm Christian
Published: January 2020

Ziel Im Rahmen eines global angelegten Projekts (InSCI) zum Vergleich der
Lebens- und Versorgungssituation querschnittgelähmter Menschen in 21
Ländern, wurde in Deutschland eine umfassende schriftliche Datenerhebung
(GerSCI) initiiert und durchgeführt. Ziel war die Erhebung belastbarer
Daten als Legitimationsgrundlage gesundheitspolitischer Entscheidungen im Sinne
des Learning Health Systems.

Methodik Die nationale Erhebung war als prospektive Querschnittstudie
angelegt. Zum Einsatz kam ein teilstandardisierter Fragebogen der sowohl
schriftlich als auch online ausgefüllt werden konnte, Die Rekrutierung
der Teilnehmenden erfolgte über die Krankenhausinformationssysteme von
acht Spezialzentren für querschnittgelähmte Menschen.

Ergebnisse Die Studienpopulation (N=1479) war im Durchschnitt
55,3 Jahre alt (SD: 14,6) und zu 72,9% männlichen Geschlechts.
Die Zeit seit Lähmungseintritt betrug im Mittel 13,9 Jahre. Die Ursache
der Querschnittlähmung war zu zwei Dritteln traumatisch. Das
Lähmungsmuster war in 51,2% eine Paraplegie. Das am
häufigsten genannte querschnittlähmungsspezifische
gesundheitliche Problem war die Störung der Sexualität.
Medizinische Behandlungen zu dieser Problematik wurden nur selten in Anspruch
genommen. Schwerwiegende Umweltbarrieren waren die unzureichende
Zugänglichkeit von Privathaushalten und öffentlichen Orten. Von
den befragten Personen im erwerbsfähigen Alter waren 42,5%
berufstätig und damit ca. 10% weniger als bspw. in der Schweiz.
Als die 2 belastendsten Situationen im Alltag wurden das Führen intimer
Beziehungen und die Nutzung öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel angegeben.

Diskussion Die gesundheitlichen Probleme der betroffenen Personen sowie
deren medizinische Versorgung, die Umweltbarrieren als auch die
Erwerbstätigkeit und Schwierigkeiten bei Aktivitäten des
täglichen Lebens werden an politische Entscheidungsträger und
weitere Akteure herangetragen, um Lösungen zu erarbeiten.
Fetale Ultraschallbiometrie bei Gestationsdiabetes: Mehr Insulin – fraglicher Nutzen – Kommentar aus diabetologischer Sicht zum Cochrane-Review und zur Metaanalyse
Authors: Kleinwechter Helmut , Demandt Norbert , Nolte Andreas
Published: January 2020

Im September 2019 hat eine australische Cochrane-Arbeitsgruppe eine systematische Übersichtsarbeit und Metaanalyse zur Frage der fetalen Ultraschallbiometrie bei Gestationsdiabetes vorgelegt. Die Auswertung bezog sich auf 3 randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien mit insgesamt 524 schwangeren Frauen. Die Auswertung von 24 präspezifizierten Endpunkten ergab, dass die Beweislage für fetale Ultraschalluntersuchungen, ergänzend zur Blutglukoseselbstkontrolle, unzureichend ist, um einen Vorteil ableiten zu können. Eine 5 Jahre zuvor durchgeführte Metaanalyse von 2 der 3 Studien belegte zwar eine geringere Anzahl von LGA-Neugeborenen, aber auch eine erhöhte Rate an Insulintherapien in der Ultraschallgruppe. Die Ergebnisse werden aus diabetologischer Sicht kommentiert und mögliche Konsequenzen diskutiert.
Bilateral high origin of terminal branches of brachial artery : a case report
Authors: Sarma Amitav , Saikia Bishwajeet
Published: January 2020

A case of bilateral high termination of brachial artery was found during a cadaveric dissection at NEIGRIHMS, Meghalaya. The brachial artery of both arms in the upper 113rd divided into supericial and deep branches, the superficial artery was observed anteromedial and the deep artery posteromedial in relation to the median nerve. In the cubital fossa, the deep artery passed beneath the pronator teres muscle to give common interosseous artery which divided into anterior and posterior interosseous branches. The main trunk followed normal ulnar arterial course. In both the arms, the superficial branch of brachial artery remained lateral to the median nerve to reach the cubital fossa where it passed deep to the bicipital aponeurosis and descended just beneath the brachioradials muscle, following the normal course of radial artery. These developmental variations were thoroughly discussed and compared with previously published findings with their clinical importance.
Histogenesis of human fetal thymus in different gestational age groups
Authors: Prabavathy G
Published: January 2020

Background & Aim: The present study is aimed to document the histological changes of thymus gland during different weeks of gestation in human fetuses. Materials & methods: Fifty-three human fetuses (30 males and 23 females) of different age groups ranging from 9th to 40th gestational week were procured from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai and from Mahathma Gandhi Medical College, Puducherry. The fetuses were dissected. The thymic tissues thus obtained were immersed in I 0% formalin for one week. After proper fixation, the tissue was subjected to routine processing and then the sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin for microscopic examination. Results : Formation of lobules had started at 9th week and distinct formation of lobules was observed during the 12th week. The differentiation of the cortex and the medulla became well distinguished from the 14th week onwards. Presence of Hassall's Corpuscles was observed from 14th week and was found in all sections from 15th week onwards. Hassall's Corpuscles increased in number, size and maturity with the increase in the gestational age. Conclusion: Familiarity with the embryology, anatomy, and dynamic physiology of the thymus is essential for clinicians to avoid unnecessary imaging or invasive procedures.
Guns in Bangla cinema across borders: perspectives on cultural evolution
Authors: Huq Sabiha , Mukherjee Srideep
Published: January 2020

In tracing a specific trajectory of cultural evolution, this paper builds upon Jean Baudrillard’s concept of ‘simulacrum’, arguing that the use of guns in Bangla cinema from Bangladesh and West Bengal (India) is connected with ‘hyper-reality’ and ‘simulation’. The authors hold that both are symptomatic of the unreal nature of contemporary Bengali culture in an age of mass consumption. A perusal of Bangla cinema following the Partition of India (consequently, of Bengal too) in 1947, and the Liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 shows a tradition of ample use of guns and ammunition. The authors perceive three distinct phases of such representation—films from West Bengal highlighting Partition violence around 1947; exponents from Bangladesh upholding the independence of former East Pakistan in 1971 and the brutality of the West Pakistan armed forces; and hyper action in contemporary commercial cinema. The last category is perceived by and large as hyperrealist, for it substitutes ‘the signs of the real for the real itself’. Basing upon Baudrillard’s contention that we have lost our capacity to grasp reality as it is, and need to depend on set-up realities in a virtual world, this paper claims that the initial patriotic zeal (its remnants notwithstanding) of Bangla cinema has taken a retrogressive turn, so as to seek recourse in representations of violence as channels of personalised/disorganised pseudo-real entertainment like video games. This undoubtedly signifies the confusion of cultural values. The paper hypothesises that the first two categories qualify as cultural texts attempting to approximate historical realities, wherein guns function as vital symbols of power and unity, resistance and liberation. The third category, conversely, is another façade of culture—one that symbolises the present time as an ‘age of simulations’ that hardly has any organic connection with ground realties that the films claim to contextualise. The authors from either side of the India-Bangladesh border intend to focus on the use of guns in Bangla cinema of these three evolving phases, applying film analysis to select productions from Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The paper is conceptualised as a substantial contribution to film and cultural studies, as this area has hitherto remained uncharted in academic discussion.
Investigations of the effective parameters on the synthesis of monodispersed magnetic Fe3O4 by solvothermal method for biomedical applications
Authors: Hermosa Glemarie C. , Chen Wei-Chao , Wu Ho-Shing , Liao Chien-Shiun , Sun Yi-Ming , Wang Sea-Fue , Chen Yun , Sun An-Cheng
Published: January 2020

Monodispersed magnetite nanoparticles were obtained by investigating the different synthesis parameters of the solvothermal method. The morphology and chemical structure of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Results indicated that without the addition of water, it forms the minor phase of iron instead of magnetite. Furthermore, the size of nanoparticles is tunable in the range of 117.7 to 217.6 nm by changing the amounts of water, PSSMA and NaOH. The amount of PSSMA restricts the growth of the nanoparticles and narrow the size distribution and a hydrophilic surface was obtained. Synthesized magnetite nanoparticles were successfully conjugated with carbon dots. The resulting nanoparticles exhibited good fluorescence characteristics. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed that nanoparticles are non-toxic. Both magnetite and C-dots/Fe3O4 nanoparticles are good potential candidates for biomedical applications specifically for bioimaging and biosensing in the future.
Magnetic gradient full-tensor fingerprints for metallic objects detection of a security system based on anisotropic magnetoresistance sensor arrays
Authors: Liu Huan , Wang Xiaobin , Bin Junchi , Dong Haobin , Ge Jian , Liu Zheng , Yuan Zhiwen , Zhu Jun , Luan Xinqun
Published: January 2020

Concealed metallic object detection is one of the critical tasks for any security system. It has been proved that different objects have their own magnetic fingerprints, which are a series of magnetic anomalies determined by shape, size, physical composition, etc. This study addresses the design of a low-cost power security system for the detection of metallic objects according to their response to the magnetic field. The system consists of three anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor arrays, detection circuits, and a microcontroller. A magnetic gradient full-tensor configuration, utilizing four AMR sensors arranged on a planar cross structure, was employed to construct a two-dimensional image from the obtained data, which can further suppress the background noise and reduce the orientation and orthogonality errors. The performance of the system is validated by data validation and multiple object feature segmentation. Numerous magnetic fingerprinting results demonstrate that the system can configure metallic objects more than 50cm clearly and identify multiple objects separated by less than 20 cm, which indicates the feasibility of using this magnetic gradient tensor fingerprint method for metallic object detection.
Crystallization morphology and space charge property of silica/low density polyethylene composites
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Wang Meng , Gao Junguo , Guo Ning
Published: January 2020

The accumulation of space charge in polymer insulation limits the development of high-voltage direct current transmission and reduces the service lifetime of power equipment. The electrical properties of polymers are affected greatly by their crystalline morphology. In order to study the effect of silica on the crystalline morphology and space charge characteristics of low density polyethylene (LDPE), nano-SiO2/LDPE composites, micro-SiO2/LDPE composites, and nano-/micro-SiO2/LDPE composites were prepared by melt blending. The silica distributions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry was used to determine the chemical structure of the silica, LDPE, and silica/LDPE composites. The crystalline morphology of the LDPE and composites was investigated with an atomic force microscope and by differential scanning calorimetry. The space charge distribution of the LDPE and composites was measured with a pulsed electro-acoustic system. The results show that the introduction of silica particles did not evolve the chemical structure of LDPE. Compared with that of pure LDPE, the crystallinity of the composites increases with the decrease in the grain size. Moreover, the silica/LDPE composites exhibit the ability to inhibit the space charge. The improvement of space charge in the composites was attributed to the traps existing on the interfaces between the silica particles and LDPE (crystalline and amorphous).
Bifurcations of stagnation points in a micropolar fluent media under the influence of an asymmetric peristaltic movement
Authors: Ali Nasir , Ullah Kaleem
Published: January 2020

In the present analysis, the effects of an asymmetric peristaltic movement on the bifurcations of stagnation points have been investigated. An exact analytic solution for a flow of an incompressible micropolar fluid has been established under long wavelength and vanishing Reynolds number assumptions in a moving frame of reference. The stagnation points are located through a system of autonomous differential equations. The behavior and bifurcations of these stagnation points and corresponding streamline patterns have been epitomized through dynamical system methods. Different flow situations manifesting in the flow are characterized as follows: backward flow and trapping and augmented flow. Two possible bifurcations encountered in the flow because of the transitions between these flow regions, where nonhyperbolic degenerate points appear and heteroclinic connections between saddles are conceived. The micropolar parameter, coupling number, amplitude ratios, and phase difference have significant impacts on the bifurcations of the stagnation points and the ranges of the flow rate, which are explored graphically by local bifurcation diagrams. The backward flow region is observed to shrink by increasing the micropolar parameter up to an optimal value, and later an opposite trend is found. Furthermore, the increment in the coupling number causes the trapping region to expand. A reduction in the trapping phenomenon is encountered by enlarging the phase difference, while the augmented flow region becomes smaller for large amplitudes of peristaltic waves propagating along the walls of the channel. At the end, global bifurcation diagrams are used to summarize the obtained results.
The impact of unifying agricultural wholesale markets on prices and farmers’ profitability
Authors: Levi Retsef , Rajan Manoj , Singhvi Somya , Zheng Yanchong
Published: January 2020

As a leading effort to improve the welfare of smallholder farmers, several governments have led major reforms in improving market access for these farmers through online agricultural platforms. Leveraging collaboration with the state government of Karnataka, India, this paper provides an empirical assessment on the impact of such a reform—implementation of the Unified Market Platform (UMP)—on market prices and farmers’ profitability. UMP was created in 2014 to unify all trades in the agricultural wholesale markets of the state to be carried out within a single platform. By November 2019, 62.8 million metric tons of commodities valued at $21.7 billion (USD) have been traded on UMP. Employing a difference-in-differences method, we demonstrate that the impact of UMP on modal prices varies substantially across commodities. In particular, the implementation of UMP has yielded an average 5.1%, 3.6%, and 3.5% increase in the modal prices of paddy, groundnut, and maize. Furthermore, UMP has generated a greater benefit for farmers who produce higher-quality commodities. Given low profit margins of smallholder farmers (2 to 9%), the range of profit improvement is significant (36 to 159%). In contrast, UMP has no statistically significant impact on the modal prices of cotton, green gram, or tur. Using detailed market data from UMP, we analyze how features related to logistical challenges, bidding efficiency, in-market concentration, and the price discovery process differ between commodities with and without a significant price increase due to UMP. These analyses lead to several policy insights regarding the design of similar agri-platforms in developing countries.
Universals of word order reflect optimization of grammars for efficient communication
Authors: Hahn Michael , Jurafsky Dan , Futrell Richard
Published: January 2020

The universal properties of human languages have been the subject of intense study across the language sciences. We report computational and corpus evidence for the hypothesis that a prominent subset of these universal properties—those related to word order—result from a process of optimization for efficient communication among humans, trading off the need to reduce complexity with the need to reduce ambiguity. We formalize these two pressures with information-theoretic and neural-network models of complexity and ambiguity and simulate grammars with optimized word-order parameters on large-scale data from 51 languages. Evolution of grammars toward efficiency results in word-order patterns that predict a large subset of the major word-order correlations across languages.
Universals and variations in moral decisions made in 42 countries by 70,000 participants
Authors: Awad Edmond , Dsouza Sohan , Shariff Azim , Rahwan Iyad , Bonnefon Jean-François
Published: January 2020

When do people find it acceptable to sacrifice one life to save many? Cross-cultural studies suggested a complex pattern of universals and variations in the way people approach this question, but data were often based on small samples from a small number of countries outside of the Western world. Here we analyze responses to three sacrificial dilemmas by 70,000 participants in 10 languages and 42 countries. In every country, the three dilemmas displayed the same qualitative ordering of sacrifice acceptability, suggesting that this ordering is best explained by basic cognitive processes rather than cultural norms. The quantitative acceptability of each sacrifice, however, showed substantial country-level variations. We show that low relational mobility (where people are more cautious about not alienating their current social partners) is strongly associated with the rejection of sacrifices for the greater good (especially for Eastern countries), which may be explained by the signaling value of this rejection. We make our dataset fully available as a public resource for researchers studying universals and variations in human morality.