bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of AtWRI1 in fatty acids and starch synthesis in rice
Authors: Yang Junxing , Tian Rongcai , Gao Zhiqiang , Yang Huibing
Published: June 2019

WRINKLED1 (WRI1) belongs to AP2/EREBP transcription factor. Its function in dicots for fatty acids synthesis has been deeply studied, but its role in monocot, especially in rice, is still poorly understood. Here, with the overexpression of AtWRI1 in rice, we found its overexpression increased fatty acids content in vegetative organs and seed coat including aleurone layer (SCAL) but decreased fatty acids content in endosperm. Meanwhile, the overexpression of AtWRI1 increased starch content in endosperm. These results provide a new insight into the function of AtWRI1in monocot and make a previous basement for the study of the connection of fatty acids and starch synthesis in rice.
Adenosine A2A receptor deficiency prevents p38MAPK activation and apoptosis of mouse hippocampal cells in the chronic hypoxic-hypercapnia model
Authors: Ren Huiming , Guo Xu , Wang Xiaotong , Cui Zhihui
Published: June 2019

This study aims to study the effects of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) on hippocampal cell apoptosis and the putative mechanisms in a mouse model of chronic hypoxic-hypercapnia. Wild-type (WT) or A2AR knockout (A2AR KO) mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC) groups and chronic hypoxic-hypercapnia (4HH) groups. Compared with their corresponding NC groups (WT-NC and KO-NC), the apoptosis index (AI), caspase-3 activity, Bax mRNA and P-p38 protein expression in the hippocampus of 4HH groups (WT-4HH and KO-4HH) were significantly increased, while Bcl2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, A2AR deficiency significantly rescued the effect of chronic hypoxic-hypercapnia on apoptosis when compared with the WT-4HH group (P < 0.05). A2AR deficiency inhibits hippocampal cell apoptosis in mice exposed to chronic hypoxic-hypercapnia, which might be associated with dampened p38 MAPK activation and Bax mRNA expression, and augmented Bcl-2 mRNA expression.
A method for aligning the plastic scintillator detector on DAMPE
Authors: Ma Peng-Xiong , Zhang Yong-Jie , Zhang Ya-Peng , Li Yao , Zang Jing-Jing , Li Xiang , Dong Tie-Kuang , Fan Yi-Zhong , Lei Shi-Jun , Wu Jian , Yu Yu-Hong , Yuan Qiang , Yue Chuan , Sun Zhi-Yu
Published: June 2019

The Plastic Scintillator Detector (PSD) onboard the DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is designed to measure cosmic ray charge (Z) and to act as a veto detector for gamma ray identification. To fully exploit the charge identification potential of PSD and to enhance its capability to identify gamma ray events, we develop an alignment method for the PSD. The path length of a given track in the volume of a PSD bar is derived taking into account the shift and rotation alignment corrections. By examining energy spectra of corner-passing events and fully contained events, position shifts and rotations of all PSD bars are obtained, and are found to be on average about 1mm and 0.0015 radian respectively. To validate the alignment method, we introduce artificial shifts and rotations of PSD bars into the detector simulation. These shift and rotation parameters can be recovered successfully by the alignment procedure. As a result of the PSD alignment procedure, the charge resolution of the PSD is improved from 4% to 8%, depending on the nuclei.
Radiation effects on Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes manufactured in deep submicron CMOS technology
Authors: Campajola M , Di Capua F , Fiore D , Nappi C , Sarnelli E , Gasperini L
Published: June 2019

CMOS Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) have been introduced recently in many scientific applications. This paper reports on the performance, in terms of Dark Count Rate (DCR), of a photo-sensor based on CMOS SPADs. The device has been subjected to an accurate investigation, in order to evaluate its behaviour in a radiation environment. Several irradiation tests were conducted, and a complete survey of their effects on the DCR behaviour has been performed. An overall increase in the DCR level has been measured, meaning that new defects have been introduced in the space charge region of the SPADs. Furthermore, for a fraction of the SPADs, DCR measurements show a Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) temporal pattern.
Microphotoluminescence (μPL) measurements of bidimensional materials in a custom-made setup
Authors: Di Girolamo F.V. , Di Lieto A. , Sottile A. , Roddaro S. , Tonelli M. , Tredicucci A.
Published: June 2019

The continuously growing interest in the so called bidimensional (2D) materials has been accompanied by a parallel development of techniques specifically devoted to manipulating and measuring micro-sized objects. Here a flexible microphotoluminescence (μPL) custom-made setup has been built on purpose: every setup component has been optimized for 2D materials; an automatized system able to perform measurements in different positions of the sample and execute mapping have been made; the dependence of the μPL intensity, peak center and other properties such as the Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) on the position has been then extracted. The attention has been focused on WS
2 and phosphorene. Optical response has been compared between Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) grown WS
2 transferred on graphene and sapphire, especially focusing on the changes in the trion peak. Signatures have been found that can be attributed to photoluminescence from thick (more than five layers) phosphorene flakes.
Graphenic carbon as etching mask: patterning with laser lithography and KOH etching
Authors: Furio A , Stelzer M , Jung M , Neitzert H C , Kreupl F
Published: June 2019

The wet anisotropic etching process is generally used in the field of micromachining (MEMS), particularly for commercial products such as accelerometers. Hard masks like oxide or nitride play a key role in the transfer of patterns to the substrate during the lithography process. This work reports on the use of polycrystalline graphenic carbon as an etch mask for wet chemical processing and outlines a simple method to create patterned structures on (100) silicon wafers. Graphenic carbon (GC) was deposited on the silicon substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using C2H4 as precursor. The desired pattern was written in the spin-coated negative photoresist using UV laser lithography. Different geometrical shapes were printed on the substrate with dimensions ranging from 10 to 50 micrometers. In the next stage, the O2 plasma etched away the carbon from the area not covered by the photoresist, acting as an additional mask for this and the subsequent processing steps. Finally, the sample was immersed in the KOH bath saturated with isopropanol and the etching rate was evaluated for each crystal plane. Compared to the use of a sacrificial oxide mask, this technique is simpler and produces more reliable results.
Second Magnetization Peak Effect in a Fe(Se,Te) iron based superconductor
Authors: Galluzzi A , Buchkov K , Tomov V , Nazarova E , Leo A , Grimaldi G , Nigro A , Pace S , Polichetti M
Published: June 2019

The iron based superconductor FeSe0.5Te0.5 has been investigated by means of DC magnetic measurements as a function of magnetic field (H). By considering the superconducting m(H) hysteresis loops at different temperatures, the sample shows a strong superconducting signal together with the presence of a peak effect that causes an anomalous increase in the field dependence of the critical current density Jc(H). The presence of the peak effect has been studied by means of the Jc(T) obtained at different magnetic fields starting from the Jc(H) curves. The analysis of the Jc(T) curves shows that the peak effect is due to a crossover from a weak pinning regime to a strong pinning regime.
Monitoring the solid-state dewetting of densely packed arrays of Au nanoparticles
Authors: Magnozzi M , Ferrera M , Canepa M , Bisio F
Published: June 2019

We report a real time, in-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry study of the temperature-induced solid-state dewetting of Au nanowires into nanoparticles. Very large spectral variations are observed at different temperatures. Analysis of the key features in the acquired spectra reveals two different regimes: up to 300 °C the variation in the optical response is dominated by solid-state dewetting, while above that temperature, smaller variations not compatible with such mechanism are visible. Therefore our ellipsometry measurements allow us to determine in real time at which temperature the solid-state dewetting ceases and the morphology of our sample becomes stable. We point out that this observation is possible thanks to the higher sensitiviy of ellipsometry with respect to reflectance/transmittance measurements.
Topological phase diagram of coupled spinless p-wave superconductors
Authors: Maiellaro A , Romeo F , Citro R
Published: June 2019

We investigate the topological properties of a ladder given by two one dimensional p-wave superconductors coupled together site to site by transversal hopping t. For small t, we also derive an effective model whose simpler form is feasible to implement some braiding procedures proposed in the literature.
Development of a Hybrid Coconut Fibre and Multi Reinforcement Epoxy Composite for High Impact Strength
Authors: Mawardi I , Jufriadi  , Hanif  , Nurdin
Published: June 2019

The use of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composite materials provides several advantages due to its low density, biodegradable, easily recycled, low price and able to be renewed. To improve the mechanical properties of composites reinforced natural fibres, it needs to substitute with a type of synthetic reinforcement. The purpose of this study was to obtain the impact characteristics of epoxy composite hybrids through multi reinforcement. The hybrid composites fabricated by three variations, namely variation I (Coconut fibre + Eglass + Fabric + Rubber), variation II (Coconut fibre + Eglass-Fabric), and variation III (Coconut fiber + Eglass + Rubber). Short coconut fibre is produced by fibrillation process. Hand layup process was used to prepare the specimens. In each variation, the first layer consists of coir+ Epoxy + Alumina. Impact test is performed to determine the mechanical properties. The results showed that the variation 1 had the highest impact strength of 58.02 kJ/m2 while the lowest impact strength in the variation II, which is 41.13 kJ/m2. The fracture occurred in the form of brittle fracture.
Characterization of Polymeric Foam Composite Reinforced with Empty Fruit Bunch
Authors: Adlie TA , Rizal S , Ali N , Huzni S , Thalib S
Published: June 2019

The use of organic fiber in composite materials has recently become an exciting research object done because it has superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to synthetic fiber. Some of the advantages of using organic fiber on composite materials compared to synthetic fiber are low density, the fiber made from renewable materials that require less energy to produce, lower production costs, less risk on manufacturing processes. The use of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) as fiber in this study due to the abundant availability and as an alternative to reducing waste in the palm oil processing industry. The purpose of this research is to know the mechanical, morphological and thermal characteristics of the polymeric foam composite reinforced with empty fruit bunch. Using 10%, 15% and 20% EFB fiber, polyurethane (PU) as a blowing agent and unsaturated polyester resin 157 BTQN-Ex series as a matrix. The tensile test results show the best tensile strength is specimen B (70 wt% resin, 15 wt% polyurethane and 15 wt% EFB). The morphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows that the addition of the percentage of EFB fiber up to 20 wt% affects the cavity formed of polymeric foam composite material where the cavity looks uneven, and it appears that EFB and resin fibers are not well mixed and there are agglomerations of fibers. The result of thermal stability testing using Thermogravimetry Analyzer (TGA) showed that the best thermal stability was specimen C with peak temperature (Tpeak) 356,7 °C in 30 minutes with a mass decrease 66,506%.
Use of Steel Slag with Variations of Fas Compressive Strength of Concrete
Authors: Hanif
Published: June 2019

Concrete represents function of structured construction material by water, cement, pebble, sand or habit of supplied with materials growing other (admixture). most influencing parameter of strength of concrete the quality of cement, proportion cement to mixture, strength and hygiene of aggregate, adhesion or interaction between pasta cement with aggregate. Slag represent product of is nonmetal which represent material in form of refinement until big logs, from result of made cool combustion. Compression of slag as harsh aggregate at concrete with proportion of slag vary 0%, 50%, 100%, and variation of fas 0,4; 0,5; 0,6; by using object test cylinder (15x30 cm) counted five samples of each variation and slag of fas be strong depress concrete until 28 days old. To get concrete mixture composition value the method of ACI (American Concrete Institute) is used. The result of strength test heighten strength depress concrete because tendency add it increase of strength depress in FAS 0.4 slag steel 100% depressed mean 44.979 (N/mm2).
Geomorphology and structural geology characterization of landslide prone area in Riau-West of Sumatra Highway
Authors: Cahyaningsih Catur , Crensonni Puja Fransismik , Suryadi Adi , lKausarian Husnu , Choanji Tiggi , Yuskar Yuniarti , Eka Putra Dewandra Bagus
Published: June 2019

Research areas are prone to landslides hazard. Detail location is in the Tanjung Balik area, Pangkalan Koto Baru Sub District, Lima Puluh Kota District, West Sumatra Province. Located is along the Riau – West of Sumatra Province Highway throughout kilometers 10-15. Coordinate are between 00°08’40"-0°11’20"N and 100°45’20"-100°47’00"E. The research objectives determine the geomorphological conditions, drainage patterns, and structural geology in the research area. The methods are geological survey and geomorphological analysis. The results of the analysis concluded that the geomorphology of the research area was classified into two, namely Structural Steep Hills Geomorphology Unit (S2) and Denudation Slightly Steep Hill Geomorphology Unit (D3). The Structural Steep Hills Geomorphology Unit (S2) is in the Southern region of the research area with distribution percentage around 27%, while the Denudation (S2) dominates in the North, West, East and slightly in the South with a distribution percentage around 73%. Drainage pattern is classified as sub-dendritic types. Geological analysis of structures from joint readings shows the main stresses that have relatively north-south direction.
Arsenic removal in groundwater by integrated ozonation and adsorption by activated carbon and zeolite
Authors: Rusmana YF , Notodarmojo S , Helmy Q
Published: June 2019

In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of arsenic removal from groundwater with a hybrid process integrating oxidation with ozone and adsorption with activated carbon and zeolite in a 2 L volume batch reactor. Artificial ground water was used in this study, using sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) as an As (III) source. Artificial ground water is made to resemble natural groundwater conditions which contain 3 mg / L arsenic. The experiment shows that the arsenic adsorption efficiency in integrated ozonation-adsorption process is higher than individual adsorption process. For individual adsorption process, either with GAC or zeolite, both reached maximum removal in 2 hours. For integrated ozonation-adsorption process, adsorption efficiency reached maximum removal in 45-90 minutes. Maximum removals for individual adsorption with adsorbent dose 12.5 g/L are 69% and 55% for GAC and zeolite respectively. Maximum removal for integrated ozonation-adsorption process with adsorbent dose 12.5 g/L and ozone dose 10.1 mg/minute is 99,97% for both cases of ozone-GAC and ozone-zeolite. Total arsenic concentration in solution reached <0.001 mg/L in 90 minutes for both cases of ozone-GAC and ozone-zeolite with adsorbent dose 10 g/L.
Optimization of Lead Ion Adsorption Capacity by Biomass Mixture of Palm Bunches and Rice Husks after Activated with Citric Acid
Authors: Suhendrayatna  , Aprianti M , Elvitriana  , Abdurrahman
Published: June 2019

Optimization of lead ion adsorption rate by biomass mixture of palm bunches and rice husks (PB-RS) after activated with citric acid was carried out with the Design-Expert 6.0.8 software. The purpose of this study was to obtain an optimal response (adsorption rate) which was influenced by several dependent variables (biomass weight ratio, activator concentration, and contact time). Biomass mixture was carbonized in the tube furnace at 500 °C for 2 hours followed chemically activated using citric acid as an activator. The activated carbon formed was contacted with water containing Pb(II) ion. Pb removal rate was measured to observe the biomass performance on Pb(II) ion absorption with various variables including biomass ratio, citric acid concentration, and contact time. Pb(II) ion concentration was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Shimadzu AA-6300 while the optimum adsorption of Pb ion was analyzed using Design Expert 6.0.8 software with Central Composite Design (CCD). The results showed that the variable of mass ratio, activator concentration, and contact time influence the rate of Pb(II) ion adsorption from the water phase. Base on the optimization analysis, the optimum condition of Pb(II) ion adsorption achieved at 30 g of activated PB-RS biomass, activator concentration (citric acid) of 0.6 mol/L, at 99.88 minutes contact time, and at a Pb(II) initial concentration of 99.42 mg/L. In this optimum condition, Pb(II) ion adsorption capacity obtained was 3.01 mg/g.
Formulation of Polyurethane with Bentonite-Chitosan as Filler Applied to Carbon Steel as an Antibacterial and Environmentally Friendly Paint
Authors: Rihayat Teuku , Suryani  , Satriananda  , Riskina Shafira , Syahputra Wildan , Nurhanifa  , Mawaddah
Published: June 2019

The coating material used for the manufacture of polyurethane paint with the addition of bentonite into the matrix can improve thermal capability. The purpose of this study is to produce new material namely hybrid bentonite-chitosan which can be used as a filler for the manufacture of polyurethane paint, chitosan intercalation process into bentonite interlayer and increase the concentration of surfactant against the opening of bentonite interlayer. By varying the CEC of cationic surfactants (0.7 CEC, 1 CEC, and 1.3 CEC) and CEC anionic surfactants (0.1 CEC, 0.2 CEC and 0.3 CEC) to obtain the highest basal spacing, structure, and morphology, several characterization procedures have been carried out. From the results of interlayer bentonite analysis with modification of cationic and anionic surfactants using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) an increase in basal spacing from 14.18393 Å to 23,00023 Å. While the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) chemical structure of hybrid bentonite-chitosan at a wavelength of2800 cm-1 shows the C-H group, 1025 cm-1 shows the C-O group and polyurethane in the -OH absorption (3445 cm-1 ). This study can produce hybrid bentonite-chitosan material as a filler in the manufacture of polyurethane paint.
Simulation of Performance Comparison between Discrete Wavelet Transform and Discrete Cosine Transform Methods for Radar Signal Processing in High-Noise Area
Authors: Hayati Raisah , Kurnia Rahmadi , Taufik  , Nasri
Published: June 2019

Detection of low signal and determination target locations are tremendously important in the radar system. Performance of radar can be enhanced by improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal at the receiver. In this paper, we demonstrate an algorithm in radar signal processing, due to extract the signal target in the place of noise. This algorithm is based on Discrete Cosines Transform (DCT) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) methods. DWT signal processing analyses and comparatives with mother wavelet Haar, Daubechies-12, Coiflet-5 and Symlet-8. In addition, DCT signal processing analyses and comparatives with the same window function and uses to restrict the signal. Window function has influenced the signal resolution in frequency domain. Window functions that are used in this research are Rectangular, Hamming, Hanning and Dolph-Chebyshev. The results of the simulation and analysis show that mother wavelet with DWT, wavelet Daubechies-12 and Symlet-8 gives the best performance while mother wavelet Haar gives a bad performance. Wavelet Daubechies-12 gives the biggest signal to noise ratio that is 32.0603 dB. Mother wavelet Symlet-8 gives 32.6589 dB. Mother wavelet Haar gives 14.6692 dB. Testing DCT window function, window Dolph-Chebyshev gives the best performance, which gives the best separation of the signal. Analysis of signal reflection that accepted by radar shows the result that DWT is giving better performance than DCT in breaking of noise.
Investigation of Ascorbic Acid as Environment-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor of Low Carbon Steel in Marine Environment
Authors: Irwan  , Fuadi Anwar , Suhendrayatna
Published: June 2019

The inhibition effect of ascorbic acid against the corrosion of low carbon steel in the marine environment which is represented by NaCl 3.5% solution was studied by weight loss method. The investigations were conducted at the various concentrations of ascorbic acid and immersion time. The effect of ascorbic acid concentration and immersion time on the corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency were measured. The corrosion rate was calculated by the weight loss of the sample at initial and after immersion in the corrosive medium. The results showed that the ascorbic acid exhibit good corrosion inhibitor for low carbon steel in NaCl 3.5% solution. The rate of corrosion decreased with the increase of ascorbic acid concentration and immersion time. The efficiency inhibition of ascorbic acid on low carbon steel corrosion in NaCl 3.5% increase with the rise of concentration and immersion time, which is the maximum of 85.4% at 50 ppm and 15 days immersion time. The action of inhibition is attributed to the adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the low carbon steel surface following Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Fermentation of soybean (Glycine max (l.) merr) using mix inocula of Rhizopus sp. and Sacharomycescereviceae for alternative source of folic acid
Authors: Maryati Y , Susilowati A , Melanie H , Lotulung PD
Published: June 2019

Folic acid (folate) is a water-soluble B vitamin needed by human body for enhancing metabolism and developing body cells. Soybean contains relatively high folate, but it needs cooking process-that may cause a loss of folate-to be edible. Therefore, folate content in soybean can be re-enhanced by fermentation to produce tempe using Rhizopus sp. as inoculum. Development of inoculum by mixing Rhizopus sp. with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was performed to obtain higher folate content. This study was conducted to understand the effects of inoculum ratio in enhancing folic acid content. Rhizopus sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at ratio of 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 were tested for 0-72 h fermentation time with interval of 8 h at 30 °C, at a concentration of inoculum of 0.2 wt-% of soybeans. Results showed that interactions of treatment processes with inoculum ratio and fermentation time affected mycelial growths, tempe appearances, overall compositions, and folate contents. The optimum process conditions based on dissolved protein and folate content (1.67 mg/mL and 381 μg/mL, respectively) was at a ratio of 1:3 for 72 h.
Optimization of Nurse Scheduling Problem using Genetic Algorithm: A Case Study
Authors: Andriansyah  , Alfadilla N , Sentia PD , Asmadi D
Published: June 2019

Nurse scheduling problem is an essential problem in hospital, especially in emergency department. Emergency department is very busy unit in hospital because it receives patients in emergency situation, therefore nurses in this department are obliged to be ready for 24 hours. Working hours allocation of nurses in this department is not equally, so nurse’s preferences cannot be fulfilled yet. In this study, genetic algorithms are used to minimize unfulfilled preferences of nurse that called violations. Genetic algorithm represents solution candidate using random chromosomes. The selection used is elitist, the crossover used is one point cut crossover, and mutation used is reciprocal exchange mutation. Based on experiment, the optimal parameters are obtained, size of population is 80, mutation rate is 0.01, and iteration is 10000. Result is schedule of nurses for 30 days in emergency department that generated 74 violations.
Effect of Clove Essential Oil Addition on Characteristics of Cassava Starch Bioplastic Film Incorporated Zinc Oxide-Organoclay as Reinforcement
Authors: Harunsyah  , Yunus M. , Fauzan Reza
Published: June 2019

The main objective of this study is to improve mechanical properties of bioplastic film and resistant to bacteria by the addition of percent ratio Zinc Oxide/Organoclay (ZnO/Clay) nanoparticles as enforcement and clove essential oil. All bioplastic film was formed by casting method. The addition of clay nanoparticles in the plastic films was varied from 1:9%, 2:8%, 3:7%, 4:6%, and 5:5% (w/w) by weight of starch. Structural characterization was done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface morphologies of the plastic film were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result showed that the Tensile strength (TS) was improved significantly with the addition of ZnO/Clay nanoparticles. The optimum tensile strength obtained was 20.87 MPa on the additional of ZnO/Clay nanoparticles by 0.3:0.7% and plasticizer by 25%. Based on data of FTIR, the produced film plastic does not change the group function and it can be concluded that the interaction in biodegradable plastic produced was only a physical interaction. The biodegradable plastic based on cassava starch-ZnO/Clay nanoparticles and plasticizer glycerin showed that interesting mechanical properties being transparent and clear.
Glutathione from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as By-Product of Second Generation Bioethanol from Oil Palm of Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber
Authors: Sudiyani Yanni , Faizal F A , Muryanto  , Firmansyah I , Setiawan A A R
Published: June 2019

Glutathione is an antioxidant agent can be applied in various fields such as pharmacy, cosmetic, foodstuff and another field. The objective of this research is to obtained glutathione from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in fermentation waste as by product of second generation of bioethanol (G2). After bioethanol process for 72h, centrifuge method was used to separate the yeast cells from residual fermentation broth of bioethanol. The yeast cells were extracted by maceration method using variation solvent with 25% ethanol solvent, 40% ethanol in water, H3PO4 0.1 M and Phosphate Buffer pH 7.2. Glutathione concentration was tested with alloxan method using Spectrophotometer UV-Vis and characterization using LC-MS. The result showed fermentation of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB)15% obtained ethanol 39 g/L and total cell after 72 h showed 2.15 x 108. The highest glutathione concentration had obtained from phosphate buffer pH 7.2 with extraction time 90 min which is equal 1449.52 mg/L.
Identification of Diseases in Rice Plants Using the Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix Method
Authors: Nasir Muhammad , Mursyidah  , Fajri Muchsin
Published: June 2019

Rice plants (Oryza sativa, sp) are a staple food raw material that is vital for the people of Indonesia. Rice plants are included as a year / annual plant group. The management of rice plants is an innovative and dynamic approach in increasing the production and opinion of farmers through assembling technological components in a participatory manner with farmers. For this reason, appropriate technology facilities are needed that can be used by farmers in determining the type of leaf disease that burns during the growing period of rice so that it can increase production. This study aims to apply the Gray level Co-Occurrence Matrix method to produce feature values on rice leaves. Differences in the patterns of rice leaves are used by identifying each rice leaf pattern, which results in the type of leaf disease burning through the rice leaf pattern. In this study, the accuracy of this system was obtained at 72.5%.
Use of Algorithm Linear Congruential Generator (LCG) on the TOEFL Test Application
Authors: Mahdi
Published: June 2019

English as one of the languages most used by the world’s population to communicate. The English language proficiency testing model for one of them is the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language). TOEFL is intended as a measuring tool or evaluation of a person’s ability to understand English. The use of internet technology advances in developing TOEFL learning media can provide other alternatives in studying the TOEFL. The existence of this website is expected to provide various facilities for the public, especially internet users in studying the TOEFL, so that the TOEFL is no longer an obstacle and can encourage someone’s interest in learning English. The web-based TOEFL application system can provide all types of information needed as well as the process of listing examinees, recapitating participant data and printing certificates in a structured manner. The method used in this application to scramble the problem is the Linear Congruential Generator (LCG) method which can produce a series of pseudo random numbers based on several adjusted repetitions.
A Guideline of Ultrasonic Inspection on Butt Welded Plates
Authors: Burhan Ibrahim , Mutaiyah Gopinathan , Hashim Dina Izzati , Loganathan Tamil Moli , Sultan Mohamed Thariq Hameed
Published: June 2019

This paper explained the procedure to carry out the ultrasonic inspection for single and double-V butt welded plates in detail by including the calculation of skip distance, stand-off, interpretation from plotting system, and the preparation of full inspection report as well. In addition, few inspections were compared on butt welded plate single and double-V to determine which is the most suitable, accurate and precise reading obtained. The comparisons were made between scheme answer from Sirim inspector, X-ray film, data that obtained from ultrasonic inspection and calculation by mathematical formulas and using plotting system. Mathematical formulas and plotting system was utilized to obtained the distance of stand-off (Soff) and skip distance, (Smax) whereas the plotting system were applied to locate the defects based on their S max and S off, and also to determine the depth, d and radius, r. The defects of single-V and double-V butt welding inspected by the ultrasonic technique were then compared with those obtained from the radiographic film while a good agreement was observed. However, the ultrasonic inspection proved to be much more sensitive than the radiographic inspection.
Semi-automatic method for segmentation of the internal jugular vein in ultrasound movies evaluated at different body postures
Authors: Westlund Arvid , Holmlund Petter , Johansson Elias , Malm Jan , Eklund Anders
Published: June 2019

Objective: The collapse of the internal jugular vein (IJV) regulates intracranial pressure (ICP) in upright body positions. The cross-section area (CSA) is therefore of interest when studying the effects of postural changes in various neurological diseases. We have developed a semi-automatic segmentation method, which tracks the CSA of the IJV in ultrasound movies, and evaluated its performance in three body positions (supine, 16°, 71°). Approach: The proposed method utilized post-processing image filtering combined with a modified snake active contour algorithm. The ultrasound movies were retrospectively analysed (n = 231, 3s, 28 fps) based on previously collected data from 17 healthy volunteers. The computed CSAs (CA) from the segmentation method were compared to manually segmented CSAs (MA) in two frames per movie. Tracking performance were evaluated by visual inspection. Main results: In the supine position, 100% of the ultrasound movies were tracked successfully, and the mean of CA-MA was −4.4 ± 6.9 mm2 (MA, 88.4 ± 50.5 mm2). The most challenging movies occurred in upright body posture where tracking success rate was 90% and mean of CA-MA was −1.4 ± 2.2 mm2 (MA, 12.0 ± 11.1 mm2). The semi-automatic segmentations took 55 s to perform on average (per movie) compared to manual segmentations which took 50 min. Significance: Segmentations made by the proposed method were comparable to manual segmentations in all tilt-angles, however much faster. Efficient and accurate tracking of the CSA of the IJV, with respect to postural changes, could help furthering our understanding of how IJV-biomechanics relates to regulation of intracranial pressure in different neurological diseases and physiological states.
SIGN: similarity identification in gene expression
Authors: Madani Tonekaboni Seyed Ali , Manem Venkata Satya Kumar , El-Hachem Nehme , Haibe-Kains Benjamin
Published: June 2019

Motivation

High-throughput molecular profiles of human cells have been used in predictive computational approaches for stratification of healthy and malignant phenotypes and identification of their biological states. In this regard, pathway activities have been used as biological features in unsupervised and supervised learning schemes.

Results

We developed SIGN (Similarity Identification in Gene expressioN), a flexible open-source R package facilitating the use of pathway activities and their expression patterns to identify similarities between biological samples. We defined a new measure, the transcriptional similarity coefficient, which captures similarity of gene expression patterns, instead of quantifying overall activity, in biological pathways between the samples. To demonstrate the utility of SIGN in biomedical research, we establish that SIGN discriminates subtypes of breast tumors and patients with good or poor overall survival. SIGN outperforms the best models in DREAM challenge in predicting survival of breast cancer patients using the data from the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium. In summary, SIGN can be used as a new tool for interrogating pathway activity and gene expression patterns in unsupervised and supervised learning schemes to improve prognostic risk estimation for cancer patients by the biomedical research community.

Availability and implementation

An open-source R package is available (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/SIGN/).
Within-cluster resampling for multilevel models under informative cluster size
Authors: Lee D , Kim J K , Skinner C J
Published: June 2019

A within-cluster resampling method is proposed for fitting a multilevel model in the presence of informative cluster size. Our method is based on the idea of removing the information in the cluster sizes by drawing bootstrap samples which contain a fixed number of observations from each cluster. We then estimate the parameters by maximizing an average, over the bootstrap samples, of a suitable composite loglikelihood. The consistency of the proposed estimator is shown and does not require that the correct model for cluster size is specified. We give an estimator of the covariance matrix of the proposed estimator, and a test for the noninformativeness of the cluster sizes. A simulation study shows, as in Neuhaus & McCulloch (2011), that the standard maximum likelihood estimator exhibits little bias for some regression coefficients. However, for those parameters which exhibit nonnegligible bias, the proposed method is successful in correcting for this bias.
Population genomic evidence for radiative divergence of four Orychophragmus (Brassicaceae) species in eastern Asia
Authors: Zhong Linling , Liu Huanhuan , Ru Dafu , Hu Huan , Hu Quanjun
Published: June 2019

Radiation rather than bifurcating divergence has been inferred through a number of phylogenetic analyses using different DNA fragments. However, such inferences have rarely been tested by examining alternative hypotheses based on population genomic data. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptomes of 32 individuals from 13 populations of four Orychophragmus spp. (Brassicaceae) to investigate their divergence history. Cluster and population structure analyses recovered four distinct genetic clusters without any genetic mixture. Most orthologous genes produced unresolved bifurcating interspecific relationships with a star phylogeny. The resolved gene trees were highly inconsistent with each another in reconstructing interspecific relationships. Population genomic analyses suggested unexpectedly high genetic divergence and a lack of gene flow between the four species. We examined radiation vs. bifurcating divergence between these four species based on coalescent modelling tests of population genomic data. Our statistical tests supported a radiation of these species from a common ancestor at almost the same time, rejecting stepwise bifurcating interspecific divergence with time. This nearly simultaneous radiation was dated to the Quaternary, during which climate changes are suggested to have promoted species diversity in eastern Asia. Our results highlight the importance of population genomic data and statistical tests in deciphering interspecific relationships and tracing the divergence histories of closely related species.
The acute physiological status of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) exhibits minimal variation after capture on SMART drumlines
Authors: Tate R D , Cullis B R , Smith S D A , Kelaher B P , Brand C P , Gallen C R , Mandelman J W , Butcher P A
Published: June 2019

White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are implicated in many bites on people. Subsequently, they have become a target species for shark bite management strategies. SMART drumlines allow fast responses to, and releases of, captured animals. This research shows that white sharks’ immediate physiological response to capture on SMART drumlines is minimal.
Differential association of diabetes mellitus and female sex with impaired myocardial flow reserve across the spectrum of epicardial coronary disease
Authors: Wu Kai Yi , Timmerman Nicholas P , McPhedran Rachel , Hossain Alomgir , Beanlands Rob S B , Chong Aun-Yeong , deKemp Robert A
Published: June 2019

Aims 

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the macro- and microvasculature, leading to impairment in coronary vascular reactivity. Microvascular dysfunction is more prevalent in females compared to males, leading to increased cardiovascular risk in women. The purpose of this study was to quantify the association between diabetes and female sex on myocardial flow reserve (MFR) across the spectrum of epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and results 

In 222 patients with known or suspected CAD (63.7 ± 10.7 years, 66 females, 85 with diabetes) who had rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) and invasive coronary angiography within 6 months, a multiple linear regression model was developed to predict MFR based on clinical risk factors and imaging results across a spectrum of regional epicardial disease. A significant interaction effect suggested that impairment of MFR is accelerated in diabetics with increasing severity of epicardial disease. Furthermore, female sex (−13%), decade of age (−6%), ischaemia on electrocardiogram (−10%), resting rate-pressure product (−3%), and rest end-diastolic volume (−0.2%) were associated with reductions in MFR independent of the combined extent and severity of epicardial disease.

Conclusion

In the presence of significant obstructive epicardial disease, MFR decreases more rapidly in patients with DM compared to those without. Additional patient demographics and risk factors such as female sex and older age, and stress PET functional parameters should also be considered in the clinical interpretation of MFR. This has implications for the diagnosis and management of CAD patients with these and other risk factors for microvascular disease.
Detection of unexpected ischaemia due to left main disease during tele-rehabilitation using 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring: a case report
Authors: Katzburg Sara , Dor-Haim Horesh , Weiss Abraham Teddy , Leibowitz David
Published: June 2019

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces mortality and improves quality of life. Unfortunately, participation in CR remains low and studies have examined the use of home-based tele-monitoring to improve participation in CR. These studies generally utilized single- or three-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) channels with limited sensitivity to detect ischaemic changes. In this report, we describe detection of unexpected, significant left main coronary disease in a patient participating in a home CR programme using a unique 12-lead ECG monitoring system.

Case summary

A 68-year-old man was referred for CR after acute coronary syndrome and stent implantation to the obtuse marginal. Three months following this intervention, he began complaining of chest pain. Repeat coronary angiogram showed a borderline lesion in the left main not felt to be clinically significant. The patient performed CR and was monitored with the Master Caution® System, a digital platform including a garment with 10 textile electrodes (Master Caution garment) configuring a device which enables 12 lead ECG. While being monitored, the ECG technician detected 1–2 mm ST-depression in leads 1, L V2–V5. The patient was asymptomatic at the time the ST-depressions were noted. Repeat angiography revealed a significant increase in the severity of the left main lesion and the patient was referred for bypass surgery.

Discussion

This life-threatening diagnosis could easily have been missed using conventional ECG monitoring and our case demonstrates the potential clinical utility of tele-monitoring with a 12-lead digital home ECG monitoring device.
Integrals Derived from the Doubling Method
Authors: Ginzburg David , Soudry David
Published: June 2019

In this note, we use a basic identity, derived from the generalized doubling integrals of [2], in order to explain the existence of various global Rankin–Selberg integrals for certain $L$-functions. To derive these global integrals, we use the identities relating Eisenstein series in [11], together with the process of exchanging roots. We concentrate on several well-known examples, and explain how to obtain them from the basic identity. Using these ideas, we also show how to derive a new global integral.
Reproductive and Environmental Drivers of Time and Activity Budgets of Striped Skunks
Authors: Zhang V Y , Williams C T , Theimer T C , Buck C Loren
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

The regulation of daily and circannual activity patterns is an important mechanism by which animals may balance energetic requirements associated with both abiotic and biotic variables. Using collar-mounted accelerometers, we assess the relative importance of reproductive stage and environmental conditions on the overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) of free-living striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). We found that activity timing relative to photoperiod varied across seasonal stages for both sexes. Surprisingly, male skunks did not commence activity earlier than females during the mating interval. Moreover, while female skunks began activity before dusk and terminated activity after dawn during mid- through late summer (lactation period), the duration of activity bouts in females during this period was not different from other seasons. Both male and female skunks exhibited high variability and fragmentation in daily activity rhythms except during the lactation period, when females appear to switch to prolonged bouts of nocturnal activity. Overall, ODBA varied by season and sex, with changes in ODBA indicative of seasonal reproductive requirements such as conspecific competition for mates in males and lactation in females. Weather conditions had little effect on skunk activity levels except during the winter season, when snow cover and temperature negatively influenced daily ODBA. Taken together, the activity patterns of striped skunks appear to be primarily driven by seasonal investment in reproduction and secondarily by thermoregulatory constraints during the non-winter months. Our results highlight the importance of considering how environmental and reproductive drivers may interact to affect activity across both the daily and seasonal cycle.
Effects of dietary roughage neutral detergent fiber levels and flint corn processing method on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus cattle1
Authors: de Melo Antonio Humberto F , Marques Rodrigo S , Gouvêa Vinícius N , de Souza Jonas , Batalha Camila D A , Basto Débora C , Millen Danilo D , Drouillard James S , Santos Flávio A P
Published: June 2019

Flint corn processing method [coarse ground corn (CGC; 3.2 mm average particle size) or steam-flaked corn (SFC; 0.360 kg/L flake density)] was evaluated in conjunction with 4 levels of NDF from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as roughage source (RNDF; 4%, 7%, 10%, and 13%; DM basis) to determine impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, starch utilization, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Bos indicus beef cattle. Two hundred and forty Nellore bulls were blocked by initial BW (350 ± 37 kg), assigned to 32 feedlot pens and pens within weight block were randomly assigned, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (2 corn processing and 4 levels of RNDF) to treatments. Effects of corn grain processing × RNDF level were not detected (P ≥ 0.14) for growth performance, dietary net energy concentration, carcass traits, rumen morphometrics, and feeding behavior, except for time spent ruminating and time spent resting (P ≤ 0.04), and a tendency for papillae width (P ≤ 0.09). Bulls fed SFC-based diets consumed 7% less (P = 0.001), had 10.6% greater carcass-adjusted ADG (P < 0.001) and 19% greater carcass-adjusted feed efficiency (P < 0.001) compared with bulls fed CGC-based diets. Observed net energy for maintenance and gain values were 14.9% and 19.4% greater (P < 0.001), respectively, for SFC than for CGC-based diets. Fecal starch concentration was less (P < 0.001) for bulls fed SFC compared with those fed CGC. No grain processing effects were detected (P = 0.51) for rumenitis score; however, cattle fed SFC presented smaller ruminal absorptive surface area (P = 0.03). Dry matter intake increased linearly (P = 0.02) and carcass-adjusted feed efficiency tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly as RNDF increased. Dietary RNDF concentration did not affect carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.19), except for dressing percentage, which tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) as RNDF in finishing diets increased. Increasing RNDF in finishing diets had no effect (P = 0.26) on time spent eating, but time spent ruminating and resting increased linearly (min/d; P < 0.001) with increased dietary RNDF. Steam flaking markedly increased flint corn energy value, net energy of diets, and animal growth performance, and led to improvements on feed efficiency when compared with grinding, regardless of RNDF content of diets. Increasing dietary RNDF compromised feedlot cattle feed efficiency and carcass dressing.