bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined models of growth, waste production, dispersal and deposition from cage-cultured Atlantic salmon to predict benthic enrichment
Authors: Hargrave BT , Filgueira R , Grant J , Law BA
Published: November 2022

Models of particulate waste production and deposition can be used in performance-based management approaches as cost-effective tools to assess environmental effects of open-pen finfish aquaculture. XLDEPMOD is an MS Excel® spreadsheet-based depositional model for predicting particulate organic carbon (POC) waste production and sedimentation from net-pen cultured finfish. Calculations are based on temperature-dependent fish growth and mass-balance calculations of feed input, growth, respiration and 3 size classes of feces. Depth-average and near-bottom directional currents are used to determine waste dispersion by fitted Gaussian distribution functions. Near-bottom velocity and substrate-based resuspension thresholds and loss of deposited waste due to decomposition and consumption by wild fish and invertebrates are used to calculate net POC sedimentation. The model was applied to 2 Atlantic salmon farms in southwestern Bay of Fundy, Canada. Sensitivity analysis showed that reduction in waste flux due to resuspension depends on the magnitude of current and wave-driven bottom shear and mass fractions of feces with different settling velocities. Depending on depth, current speed, substrate type and fecal mass fractions, resuspension can remove up to 80% of deposited waste from under net-pens. Steep gradients with high rates (>5 g POC m-2 d-1) of sedimentation predicted under and close to cages and lower rates (<1 g POC m-2 d-1) >50 m away are consistent with published DEPOMOD results and sediment trap observations at the farm sites. The model can be used by regulators to determine if acceptable environmental standards for benthic impacts due to waste deposition from salmon aquaculture are being maintained.
Estimates of humpback and minke whale entanglements in the Scottish static pot (creel) fishery
Authors: Leaper R , MacLennan E , Brownlow A , Calderan SV , Dyke K , Evans PGH , Hartny-Mills L , Jarvis D , McWhinnie L , Philp A , Read FL , Robinson KP , Ryan C
Published: November 2022

Entanglement in static fishing gear (pots, or creels as they are called in Scottish fisheries) is a major cause of anthropogenic mortality and morbidity in large whales globally; in northeastern Atlantic waters around the coast of Scotland, entanglement is a particular welfare and conservation concern for minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata and humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae. Reports from strandings, live disentanglements and interviews with Scottish inshore creel fishers were gathered to estimate entanglement rates. Considerably more whale entanglements occur in the Scottish creel fishery than previously thought based on strandings alone, with estimates of 6 humpback whales and 30 minke whales becoming entangled each year. Where entanglement type was reported, 83% of minke and 50% of humpback whales were caught in groundlines between creels. There was a positive correlation between the average amount of gear set by a vessel and the number of minke whale entanglements. For the west coast of Scotland, the estimated annual fatal entanglement rate of minke whales is 2.3% of a recent abundance estimate, suggesting a risk of localised depletion. There are very low densities of humpback whales in Scottish waters, but opportunistic observations suggest numbers are increasing. The estimated number of annual humpback whale entanglements also shows an increasing trend. There are few entanglement estimates for static pot fisheries globally; this study provides an indication of how such data might be derived. Scottish creel fishers have shown a willingness to engage in entanglement mitigation, with suggestions such as the introduction of sinking groundline to the sector, and these options should be urgently pursued.
STUDI KELAYAKAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA SURYA (PLTS) DENGAN BATERAI DAN TERHUBUNG GRID DI NIAS, SUMATERA UTARA
Authors: Noer Soedjarwanto  , Endah Komalasari  , Syuja Asyraf Fardhan
Published: November 2022

Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya (PLTS) menjadi salah satu pembangkit dengan energi terbarukan yang terus dikembangkan di Indonesia guna memenuhi kebutuhan energi listrik. Pemerintah Indonesia mengeluarkan Rencana Usaha Penyediaan Tenaga Listrik (RUPTL) sebagai panduan manajemen energi nasional yang ditetapkan untuk menyelesaikan tantangan dan masalah kebutuhan energi dengan memanfaatkan sumber energi baru terbarukan. Kebutuhan energi listrik Pulau Nias yang terletak di Sumatera Utara masih dipenuhi oleh pembangkit eksisting yang bahan bakarnya tidak ramah lingkungan. Di samping itu, Pulau Nias memiliki potensi energi matahari mencapai 4,45 kWh/m. Potensi tersebut perlu dimaksimalkan dengan rencana pengembangan dan studi kelayakan PLTS dengan sistem hybrid yang menggabungkan antara pembangkit eksisting, PLTS, dan baterai untuk mengurangi 20% konsumsi energi harian pembangkit eksisting. Pada studi kelayakan ini, PLTS akan menghasilkan energi dan diinjeksi ke grid sebesar 21695 MW yang akan mengalami degradasi sebesar 0,55% setiap tahunnya. Kapasitas sistem PLTS terpasang direncanakan sebesar 22,6 MWp dan baterai 28 MWh dengan konfigurasi sebanyak 1495 string modul pv dengan luas area lahansebesar 29.4 Ha.
RANCANG BANGUN SPREAD SPECTRUM DENGAN METODE SINKRONISASI SERIAL CORRELATOR BERBASIS FPGA
Authors: Noer Soedjarwanto  , Anang Budikarso  , Kukuh Setyadjit  , Aripin  , Budi Aswoyo  , Akuwan Saleh  , M. Milchan
Published: November 2022

Makalah ini menitik-beratkan pada pembuatan sistem sinkronisasi pada teknik pentransmisian spread spectrum asinkron. Dalam merealisasikan modul digunakan Field Programmable Gate Array ( FPGA ) Spartan II XC2S100-5 tq 144 yang terintegrasi pada Board XSA 100,  implementasinya digunakan board XSA 100 dan software Xilinx ISE 6.1i. Modul terhubung secara wireline dan dirancang seperti terhubung secara wireless dimana pengaruh delay transmisi sangat besar pada proses tersebut. Dalam perancangan dan implementasi  modul ini digunakan sistem Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum dan kode acak semu (pseudorandom code) maxlength dengan taping [5,2]. Pada proses transmisi antara pemancar dan penerima ditambahkan delay sebesar 1 periode  chip atau sekitar 0.2 microsecond, sehingga  menjadi sistem yang asinkron. Proses sinkronisasi pada penerima digunakan Serial Korelator yang terintegrasi dengan Digital Control Oscillator ( DCO ). Rangkaian ini bekerja pada proses akuisisi untuk mendapatkan timing sinyal yang benar pada proses despreading. Hasil pengujian dilakukan dan divisualisasi dengan Logic Analyser.
POSITIVE EDGE COMPARATION SEBAGAI SENSOR PENDETEKSI PHASA PELANGGAN TEGANGAN RENDAH
Authors: Anang Dasa Novfowan  , Mochammad Mieftah  , Imam Saukani
Published: November 2022

Penyeimbangan beban dilakukan untuk mengurangi losses (rugi-rugi) pada trafo distribusi, dan verifikasi phasa pelanggan dengan pendeteksian phasa menjadi kunci keberhasilan pada prosesnya. Metode pembacaan phasa dilakukan dengan menghitung selisih waktu antara perpotongan gelombang dengan titik nol dari suatu phasa kemudian membandingkan dengan phasa yang lain. Pendeteksian phasa pelanggan membutuhkan peralatan dengan sensor phasa yang tepat dan akurat yaitu dengan menggunakan metode Positive Edge Comparation, Arduino dan Transciever LoRa. Hasil pengambilan data dengan pengujian pada laboratorium menunjukkan bahwa toleransi beda phasa dengan simpangan maksimum sebesar ± 18⁰ dan jarak terjauh untuk mendapatkan data phasa yang tepat adalah 50m pada posisi Line of Sight. semakin jauh jarak pendeteksian maka simpangan sudut phasa semakin besar.
ANALISIS PENGUJIAN RELAY PROTEKSI MENGGUNAKAN RELAY TESTING UNIT TIPE PTE-100-C PLUS
Authors: Heri Sungkowo  , Awan Setiawan  , Bakti Indra Kurniawan  , Edo Enka Putra Pradana  , Reni Dwi Lestari  , Aldiansyah Dwi Teguh Setyawan
Published: November 2022

Relay proteksi adalah suatu relay listrik yang digunakan untuk mengamankan peralatan-peralatan listrik terhadap kondisi abnormal. Banyaknya karakteristik beban dan penambahan beban mempengaruhi perencanaan pengaman dan menentukan dalam perencanaan sistem distribusi. Adapun relay pengaman pada sistem tenaga listrik berfungsi untuk merasakan, mengukur dan menentukan bagian sistem yang terganggu serta memisahkan secepatnya sehingga sistem lainnya yang tidak terganggu dapat beroperasi secara normal. Pengujian relay proteksi ini penting dilakukan untuk mengetahui kondisi relay tersebut masih sesuai dengan karakteristiknya atau tidak. Dengan adanya uji relay, maka akan diketahui kondisi relay tersebut masih sama dengan karakteristik awalnya atau tidak. Relay testing unit tipe PTE-100-C Plus adalah sebuah peralatan yang digunakan untuk menguji relay pengaman hingga bisa diketahui karakteristiknya. Relay yang dilakukan pengujian adalah over current relay, reverse power relay, over under voltage relay dan over under frequency relay. Dari hasil pengujian menggunakan relay testing unit tipe PTE- 100-C plus maka secara umum masih dalam kondisi yang baik karena nilai resetting ratio masih memenuhi standart yang berlaku (≥ 80%).
PENGARUH PERBEDAAN TIPE BELITAN TERHADAP HARMONISA DISTRIBUSI MMF CELAH UDARA MOTOR INDUKSI
Authors: Asfari Hariz Santoso  , Rhezal Agung Ananto  , Sri Wahyuni Dali
Published: November 2022

Motor induksi merupakan salah satu motor listrik yang luas penggunaannya. Dalam kondisi tertentu motor induksi tak jarang mengalami kerusakan yang disebabkan oleh beban berlebih, hubung singkat di dalam kumparan, maupun kondisi lingkungan yang membuat motor induksi bekerja diluar batas kemampuannya. Salah satu akibat dari kerusakan pada motor induksi adalah kondisi kumparan yang tidak memungkinkan untuk digunakan lagi sehingga harus dilakukan rewinding. Setiap tipe belitan stator motor induksi akan menghasilkan distribusi magnetomotive force (MMF) pada celah udara yang berbeda. MMF yang dihasilkan terdiri dari komponen fundamental dan komponen harmonisanya. Jumlah komponen harmonisa pada distribusi MMF celah udara menimbulkan torsi parasit yang akan berpengaruh pada unjuk kerja motor induksi. Pada penelitian ini akan dilakukan penelitian perbandingan bentuk distribusi MMF celah udara terhadap dua tipe belitan yang berbeda yakni terbagi-screw (Motor A) dan terpusat-terditribusi (Motor B) pada motor induksi 1 fasa dengan kapasitas 1 kW 1000 rpm. Dari analisis harmonisa dan berbeban Motor A memiliki komponen harmonisa lebih tinggi dibanding Motor B sehingga Motor B memiliki peforma yang baik dalam hal torsi sebesar 4,608 Nm dibanding Motor A sebesar 3,37 Nm.
ANALISIS FINITE ELEMENT PENGARUH LEBAR CELAH UDARA TERHADAP PEFORMA MOTOR INDUKSI SATU FASA
Authors: Imron Ridzki  , Asfari Hariz Santoso  , Sigit Setya Wiwaha
Published: November 2022

Motor induksi merupakan motor listrik yang luas penggunaannya khususnya pada industri. Seringkali industri yang terletak jauh di pedalaman, bila terjadi kerusakan pada motor induksi dilakukan perbaikan dengan cara replacement antara motor induksi yang satu dengan motor induksi yang lain dan hanya diperhatikan daya motor dan sistem tegangan yang digunakan, sehinga seringkali dimensinya juga tidak persis sama. Dengan adanya kegiatan replacement tersebut diduga motor induksi tersebut akan mengalami banyak perubahan khususnya lebar celah udaranya. Untuk menghindari nilai effisiensi yang rendah, faktor daya yang buruk, dan kerapatan torsi yang rendah maka jarak celah udara suatu motor induksi tidak dirancang terlalu lebar. Di sisi lain distorsi distribusi kerapatan fluks celah udara dapat diminimalkan dengan memperbesar jarak celah udara. Penelitian ini dilakukan pengikisan sedikit diameter rotor pada motor induksi satu fasa rotor sangkar 1 kW 1000 rpm sehingga lebar celah udara 3,5 mm (Rotor A), 2,5 mm (Rotor B), dan 4 mm (Rotor C). Melalui analisis Finite Element menggunakan software FEMM 4.2 didapatkan kerapatan fluks celah udara tertinggi pada Rotor A 0,456 T, Rotor B 0,634 T, Rotor C sebesar 0,399 T. Sedangkan daya output saat beban nominal masing-masing motor didapatkan 0,77 kW (Rotor A), 1,03 kW (Rotor B), dan 0,69 kW Rotor C).
PENGARUH DIMENSI PENAMPANG TERHADAP RASIO DESAIN DAN LENDUTAN PADA INVERTED BEAM
Authors: Wahiddin  , Agus Sugiarto  , Joko Setiono
Published: November 2022

Umumnya balok beton bertulang berada dibawah pelat pada suatu struktur beton bertulang. Dengan alasanlebih hemat, balok beton dapat diletakkan diatas pelat dan dinamakan inverted beam. Tujuan penelitian ini untukmelihat pengaruh ukuran penampang balok terhadap rasio desain dan besarnya lendutan yang terjadi pada invertedbeam. Pada penelitian ini, sebuah portal beton bertulang dengan bentang tertentu sedemikian hingga pelatnyaberupa one way distribution dan two way distribution load. Portal tersebut diberikan inverted beam dan baloknormal dengan pembeban sebagaimana beban yang terjadi atap. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa rasio desaininverted beam lebih besar 51,53% dibandingkan dengan kapasitas lentur balok normal pada pelat dengan distribusibeban one way dan 53,24% pada pelat dengan distribusi beban two way. Begitupula lendutan yang terjadi invertedbeam lebih kecil 40,13% dan 48,82% dibandingkan dengan balok normal. Lendutan yang terjadi masih beradadibawah lendutan yang diijinkan sebuah balok beton bertulang.
ANALISIS PERBAIKAN SISTEM PENTANAHAN PADA TOWER TRANSMISI 150 KV TERHADAP SAMBARAN PETIR MENGGUNAKAN SIMULASI ALTERNATIVE TRANSIENT PROGRAM (ATP)
Authors: Budi Eko Prasetyo  , Wijaya Kusuma  , Priya Surya Harijanto  , Ahmad Hermawan  , Alif fitrah
Published: November 2022

Sistem transmisi merupakan sistem yang sering terkena gangguan sambaran petir terutama sambaran langsung yang mengenai kawat tanah maupun menara yang berpotensi menyebabkan back flashover (BFO). Sistem pentanahan bertujuan untuk mengamankan peralatan-peralatan listrik dengan cara mengalirkan arus gangguan ke tanah, salah satu faktor untuk mendapatkan nilai pentanahan yang kecil yaitu dengan memodifikasi tahanan pentanahan dengan zat aditif bentonite, arang dan garam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa seberapa besar efek dari zat aditif itu sendiri dalam mereduksi nilai tahanan pentanahan Tower 19 di tanah kapur dan efek sambaran petir ke peralatan Gardu Induk Wlingi. Dengan melakukan eksperimen langsung serta menghitung tegangan berjalan dan melakukan simulasi tegangan lebih dengan sorftware ATP Draw di Tower 19 ke Gardu Induk Wlingi. Dari pengujian pentanahan dengan menggunakan elektroda batang didapatkan penurunan persentase tahanan pentanahan pada perlakuan 1 sebesar 46,098 % dan perlakuan 2 sebesar 54,8% namun nilai resistansi tersebut masih melebihi standar yang ditentukan oleh PLN yaitu sebesar 10 ohm. Pada perhitungan tegangan timbul di sambaran pada menara R=238 ohm akan menyebabkan terjadinya back flashover (BFO) namun dapat diamankan Lightning Arrester. Tegangan timbul pada sambaran di kawat fasa juga dapat dilindungi oleh Lightning Arester sehingga tegangan yang melalui peralatan setelahnya akan dipotong dibawah nilai BIL Trafo sehingga Trafo IBT dapat dikategorikan aman dari gangguan tegangan lebih transien.
ANALISIS PERPINDAHAN MASSA DAN UJI ORGANOLEPTIK PEMBUATAN NUGGET IKAN LAUT MENGGUNAKAN DEEP FAT FRYING
Authors: Ach. Muhib Zainuri  , Tundung Subali Patma  , Nugroho Suharto
Published: November 2022

Ikan tergolong bahan pangan yang cepat mengalami pembusukan dibandingkan dengan jenis makanan lain akibat bakteri dan perubahan kimiawi. Karena ikan tergolong bahan pangan mudah busuk, perlu dilakukan penanganan dan pengolahan hasil perikanan secara baik. Salah satu proses pengolahannya adalah menjadi nugget ikan. Salah satu tahapan penting dalam pembuatan nugget ikan adalah penggorengan yang membuat produk pangan lebih lezat, prosesnya cepat, dan menjaga produk pangan lebih baik. Contoh teknologi penggorengan adalah deep fat frying yang merupakan proses di mana produk makanan dipanaskan dan dikeringkan dengan merendamnya di dalam minyak goreng, umumnya pada suhu 170-190oC,  sebagai penghantar panas selama periode waktu tertentu. Desain penelitian yang dilakukan adalah: (1) Rancang bangun alat deep fat frying suhu terkontrol dilengkapi dengan automatic fish floss, (2) Analisis kadar air produk nugget ikan laut, (3) Analisis kadar minyak produk nugget ikan laut, dan (4) Uji organoleptik produk nugget ikan. Hasil akhir dari kegiatan penelitian ini adalah (1) dihasilkannya alat deep fat frying yang akan diterapkan pada produksi nugget ikan, dan (2) didapatkannya suatu formulasi tepat dalam pembuatan nugget ikan laut berdasarkan parameter input yang telah ditentukan.
DESAIN DAN UJI PERFORMA TRAFO TOROID SATU FASA PADA APLIKASI INVERTER BERBASIS EGS002
Authors: Slamet Nurhadi  , Masramdhani Saputra  , Anang Dasa Nofvowan
Published: November 2022

Inverter Satu-Fasa dengan trafo frekuensi rendah merupakan jenis topologi yang paling banyak digunakan pada saat ini. Berbagai aplikasi mulai dari bidang energi terbarukan hingga kalangan peminat power amplifier musik juga menggunakan topologi ini. Keunggulan topologi ini adalah jumlah komponen elektronika daya yang lebih sedikit dan rangkaian kendali yang cukup sederhana. Komponen utama pada topologi inverter ini adalah trafo frekuensi rendah. Pada topologi inverter ini, trafo berfungsi sebagai komponen utama untuk menaikkan dengan sinus 12 V menjadi 220 V rms. Permasalahan yang muncul adalah suhu trafo yang meningkat drastis akibat riak arus yang dihasilkan oleh rangkaian inverter. Penulis menemukan aplikasi di lapangan tidak memperhatikan faktor geometri trafo serta derating dari dayanya. Oleh karena itu, pada penelitian ini, diusulkan suatu metode pembuatan trafo toroid baru beserta uji performanya untuk memperbaiki kinerja dari topologi inverter satu fasa dengan trafo frekuensi rendah. Hasil penelitian telah diverifikasi dengan implementasi laboratorium. Uji dari transformator yang dirancang menggunakan inverter satu-fasa berbasis pengendali modul EGS002.
RANCANG BANGUN APLIKASI MONITORING JANTUNG UNTUK KONDISI ARITMIA BERBASIS ANDROID
Authors: Paulus Lucky Tirma Irawan  , Bryan Asa Kristian  , Windra Swastika
Published: November 2022

Hingga saat ini penyakit jantung adalah salah satu penyakit yang sangat berbahya. Hal ini dikarenakankejadiannya sangat sulit untuk diprediksi. Meski begitu terdapat beberapa variabel yang dapat dijadikan acuanuntuk mengetahui kapan seseorang dikatakan memiliki potensi yang tinggi untuk mengalami serangan jantung.penyakit jantung bisa dideteksi lebih awal dengan mengetahui gangguan irama jantung (aritmia) yang terjadi.Aritmia merupakan kelainan elektrofisiologi jantung yang dapat disebabkan oleh gangguan sistem konduksijantung serta gangguan pembentukan dan penghantar impuls. Contoh dari aritmia ini adalah Atrial fibrilasi. Atrialfibrilasi terjadi karena sinyal-sinyal listrik tidak terorganisir dalam atrium dan ventrikel yang menyebabkan detakjantung sangat cepat, lambat dan tidak teratur. Di dalam dunia medis sendiri terdapat teorema waktu kritis yanglebih dikenal dengan Golden Period. Istilah tersebut menandakan waktu kritis maksimal penanganan pasiensebelum terjadi kerusakan permanen dan kematian. Berdasarkan teori ini, kemungkinan penderita selamat dariserangan jantung mendekati nol bila ditangani setelah 10 menit sejak serangan jantung pertama terjadi. Dalampenelitian ini akan dikembangkan sebuah sistem pemantauan berkelanjutan terhadap tanda vital tubuh yangterintegrasi dengan perangkat komunikasi cerdas. Sistem ini dapat menjadi alat pengawas detak jantung secaraotomatis dan realtime, sehingga mampu menghindarkan penggunanya dari resiko serangan jantung, danmeningkatkan kewaspadaan akan kondisi jantung. Aplikasi ini akan menggunakan smartband sebagai pembacadetak jantung, serta menggunakan teknologi Location Based Service yang berfungsi sebagai penentu lokasi.Berdasarkan pengujian yang sudah dilakukan seluruh fitur utama termasuk fitur darurat yang berfungsi untukmengirimkan notifikasi kepada whitelist contact apabila pengguna dalam kondisi aritmia telah bekerja sesuaispesifikasi.
Understanding variability and repeatability of enteric methane production in feedlot cattle
Authors: Beauchemin Karen A. , Tamayao Paul , Rosser Christine , Terry Stephanie A. , Gruninger Robert
Published: November 2022

Breeding ruminants for low methane (CH4) emissions can be permanent and cumulative, but requires a better understanding of the variability of CH4 production among animals to accurately assess low-CH4 phenotypes. Our objectives were to: 1) investigate the variation in CH4 production among and within growing beef cattle, 2) identify low-CH4 emitters, and 3) examine relationships between CH4 production and intake, feeding behavior, growth, and rumen fermentation. Crossbred beef heifers (n=77; body weight=450 kg) were allocated to 3 pens and offered a finishing diet of 90% concentrate and 10% silage (dry matter (DM) basis). The study was conducted over 3 consecutive 6-week periods (126 days). GrowSafe bunks measured individual animal DM intake (DMI) and rumen fluid was sampled orally each period. A GreenFeed system measured individual animal emissions for 2 weeks/period. Methane production was calculated by animal within period using visits that were ≥3 min with fluxes compiled into six 4-h blocks corresponding to time of day, and averaged over blocks to obtain an average daily emission for the period. Animals with <12 visits and <5 blocks were omitted for the period and animals with ≥2 periods of complete CH4 data were used in the final analysis (n=52). Animals were ranked based on CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) from low to high, and grouped as Very-low (≤10% of animals), Low (11-25%), Intermediate (26-74%), High (75-89%), and Very high (≥90%) emitters (mean ± SD, 12.6 ± 2.16). The CH4 yield was 16% less (P<0.05) for Very-low compared with Intermediate animals due to lower CH4 production (g/d, P<0.05), with no differences in DMI (P>0.05). However, the period × grouping interaction (P<0.001) for CH4 yield indicated that the ranking of animals changed over time, although there were no extreme changes in rankings. Total VFA concentration decreased as CH4 yield decreased, but molar proportions of VFA remained unchanged, suggesting lower extent of ruminal digestion rather than a shift in fermentation. There were no differences in feeding behavior or average daily gain among groupings (P>0.05). The between-animal coefficient of variation in CH4 yield of 17.3% enabled identification of low CH4-emmitting finishing beef cattle. However, accurate selection of low CH4-emitting animals should be based on repeated CH4 measurements over the production cycle.
MRI-guided microwave ablation and albumin-bound paclitaxel for lung tumors: Initial experience
Authors: Shen Xiaokang , Chen TianMing , Liu Nianlong , Yang Bo , Feng GuoDong , Yu Pengcheng , Zhan Chuanfei , Yin Na , Wang YuHuang , Huang Bin , Chen Shilin
Published: November 2022

Magnetic resonance-guided microwave ablation (MRI-guided MWA) is a new, minimally invasive ablation method for cancer. This study sought to analyze the clinical value of MRI-guided MWA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared the precision, efficiency, and clinical efficacy of treatment in patients who underwent MRI-guided MWA or computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (CT-guided MWA). Propensity score matching was used on the prospective cohort (MRI-MWA group, n = 45) and the retrospective observational cohort (CT-MWA group, n = 305). To evaluate the advantages and efficacy of MRI-guided MWA, data including the accuracy of needle placement, scan duration, ablation time, total operation time, length of hospital stay, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were collected and compared between the two groups. The mean number of machine scans required to adjust the needle position was 7.62 ± 1.69 (range 4–12) for the MRI-MWA group and 9.64 ± 2.14 (range 5–16) for the CT-MWA group (p < 0.001). The mean time for antenna placement was comparable between the MRI and CT groups (54.41 ± 12.32 min and 53.03 ± 11.29 min, p = 0.607). The microwave ablation time of the two groups was significantly different (7.62 ± 2.65 min and 9.41 ± 2.86 min, p = 0.017), while the overall procedure time was comparable (91.28 ± 16.69 min vs. 93.41 ± 16.03 min, p = 0.568). The overall complication rate in the MRI-MWA group was significantly lower than in the CT-MWA group (12% vs. 51%, p = 0.185). The median time to progression was longer in the MRI-MWA group than in the CT-MWA group (11 months [95% CI 10.24–11.75] vs. 9 months [95% CI 8.00–9.99], p = 0.0003; hazard ratio 0.3690 [95% CI 0.2159–0.6306]). OS was comparable in both groups (MRI group 26.0 months [95% CI 25.022–26.978] vs. CT group 23.0 months [95% CI 18.646–27.354], p = 0.18). This study provides hitherto-undocumented evidence of the clinical effects of MRI-guided MWA on patients with NSCLC and determines the relative safety and efficiency of MRI- and CT-guided MWA.
Practical considerations for laboratories: Implementing a holistic quality management system
Authors: Pillai Segaran , Calvert Jennifer , Fox Elizabeth
Published: November 2022

A laboratory quality management system (LQMS) is an essential element for the effective operation of research, clinical, testing, or production/manufacturing laboratories. As technology continues to rapidly advance and new challenges arise, laboratories worldwide have responded with innovation and process changes to meet the continued demand. It is critical for laboratories to maintain a robust LQMS that accommodates laboratory activities (e.g., basic and applied research; regulatory, clinical, or proficiency testing), records management, and a path for continuous improvement to ensure that results and data are reliable, accurate, timely, and reproducible. A robust, suitable LQMS provides a framework to address gaps and risks throughout the laboratory path of workflow that could potentially lead to a critical error, thus compromising the integrity and credibility of the institution. While there are many LQMS frameworks (e.g., a model such as a consensus standard, guideline, or regulation) that may apply, ensuring that the appropriate framework is adopted based on the type of work performed and that key implementation steps are taken is important for the long-term success of the LQMS and for the advancement of science. Ultimately, it ensures accurate results, efficient operations, and increased credibility, enabling protection of public health and safety. Herein, we explore LQMS framework options for each identified laboratory category and discuss prerequisite considerations for implementation. An analysis of frameworks’ principles and conformity requirements demonstrates the extent to which they address basic components of effective laboratory operations and guides optimal implementation to yield a holistic, sustainable framework that addresses the laboratory’s needs and the type of work being performed.
An injectable hyperthermic nanofiber mesh with switchable drug release to stimulate chemotherapy potency
Authors: Chen Lili , Fujisawa Nanami , Takanohashi Masato , Ebara Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2022

We developed a smart nanofiber mesh (SNM) with anticancer abilities as well as injectability and fast recovery from irregular to non-compressible shapes. The mesh can be injected at the tumor site to modulate and control anticancer effects by loading the chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel (PTX), as well as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The storage modulus of the mesh decreases when applied with a certain shear strain, and the mesh can pass through a 14-gauge needle. Moreover, the fibrous morphology is maintained even after injection. In heat-generation measurements, the mesh achieved an effective temperature of mild hyperthermia (41–43°C) within 5 min of exposure to alternating magnetic field (AMF) irradiation. An electrospinning method was employed to fabricate the mesh using a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HMAAm), whose phase transition temperature was adjusted to a mildly hyperthermic temperature range. Pplyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was also incorporated to add shear-thinning property to the interactions between polymer chains derived from hydrogen bonding, The “on-off” switchable release of PTX from the mesh was detected by the drug release test. Approximately 73% of loaded PTX was released from the mesh after eight cycles, whereas only a tiny amount of PTX was released during the cooling phase. Furthermore, hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy after exposure to an AMF showed significantly reduced cancer cell survival compared to the control group. Subsequent investigations have proven that a new injectable local hyperthermia chemotherapy platform could be developed for cancer treatment using this SNM.
Roles of osteoprotegerin in endocrine and metabolic disorders through receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling
Authors: Zhang Luodan , Zeng Fa , Jiang Minmin , Han Maozhen , Huang Binbin
Published: November 2022

Endocrine and metabolic diseases show increasing incidence and high treatment costs worldwide. Due to the complexity of their etiology and mechanism, therapeutic strategies are still lacking. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, appears to be a potential candidate for the treatment of these diseases. Studies based on clinical analysis and rodent animal models reveal the roles of OPG in various endocrine and metabolic processes or disorders, such as bone remodeling, vascular calcification, and β-cell proliferation, through the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK). Thus, in this review, we mainly focus on relevant diseases, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), to summarize the effects of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system in endocrine and metabolic tissues and diseases, thereby providing a comprehensive insight into OPG as a potential drug for endocrine and metabolic diseases.
Artificial intelligence-based pathologic myopia identification system in the ophthalmology residency training program
Authors: Fang Zhi , Xu Zhe , He Xiaoying , Han Wei
Published: November 2022

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been successfully applied to the screening tasks of fundus diseases. However, few studies focused on the potential of AI to aid medical teaching in the residency training program. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the AI-based pathologic myopia (PM) identification system in the ophthalmology residency training program and assess the residents’ feedback on this system.

Materials and Methods: Ninety residents in the ophthalmology department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were randomly assigned to three groups. In group A, residents learned PM through an AI-based PM identification system. In group B and group C, residents learned PM through a traditional lecture given by two senior specialists independently. The improvement in resident performance was evaluated by comparing the pre-and post-lecture scores of a specifically designed test using a paired t-test. The difference among the three groups was evaluated by one-way ANOVA. Residents’ evaluations of the AI-based PM identification system were measured by a 17-item questionnaire.

Results: The post-lecture scores were significantly higher than the pre-lecture scores in group A (p < 0.0001). However, there was no difference between pre-and post-lecture scores in group B (p = 0.628) and group C (p = 0.158). Overall, all participants were satisfied and agreed that the AI-based PM identification system was effective and helpful to acquire PM identification, myopic maculopathy (MM) classification, and “Plus” lesion localization.

Conclusion: It is still difficult for ophthalmic residents to promptly grasp the knowledge of identification of PM through a single traditional lecture, while the AI-based PM identification system effectively improved residents’ performance in PM identification and received satisfactory feedback from residents. The application of the AI-based PM identification system showed advantages in promoting the efficiency of the ophthalmology residency training program.
Neutron tomography of porous aluminum electrodes used in electrocoagulation of groundwater
Authors: Jang G. G. , Zhang Y. , Keum J. K. , Bootwala Y. Z. , Hatzell M. C. , Jassby D. , Tsouris C.
Published: November 2022

In this work, neutron computed tomography (CT) is employed to investigate the dissolution of porous aluminum electrodes during electrocoagulation (EC). Porous electrodes were chosen in efforts to reduce electric power requirements by using larger surface-area electrodes, having both inner and outer surface, for the EC process. Neutron CT allowed 3D reconstruction of the porous electrodes, and image analysis provided the volume of each electrode vs. thickness, which can indicate whether the inner surface is effectively involved in EC reactions. For the anode, the volume decreased uniformly throughout the thickness of the electrode, indicating that both the outer and inner surface participated in electrochemical dissolution, while the volume of the cathode increased uniformly vs. thickness, indicating deposition of material on both the outer and inner surface. The attenuation coefficient vs. thickness, increased for both anode and cathode, indicating surface chemistry changes. For the anode, the attenuation coefficient increased slightly but uniformly, probably due to aluminum oxide formation on the surface of the anode. For the cathode, the attenuation coefficient increased more than for the anode and nonuniformly. The higher increase in the attenuation coefficient for the cathode is due to precipitation of aluminum hydroxide on the electrode surface, which added hydrogen. Image analysis also showed that, although the attenuation coefficient increased throughout the thickness of the electrode, most of the hydroxide deposition occurred on the outer surface. Energy analysis showed that porous electrodes can be used to reduce process energy requirements by as much as 4 times compared to solid electrodes.
The nitric oxide synthase gene negatively regulates biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Wang Jiaxue , Rao Lulin , Huang Zhuoan , Ma Lili , Yang Tian , Yu Zhongqi , Sun Aihua , Ge Yumei
Published: November 2022

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) is a clinically important conditioned pathogen that can cause a troublesome chronic implant-related infection once a biofilm is formed. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene, which is responsible for endogenous nitric oxide synthesis, has already been found in the genome of S. epidermidis; however, the specific mechanisms associated with the effects of NOS on S. epidermidis pathogenicity are still unknown. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether the NOS gene has an impact on biofilm formation in S. epidermidis. Bioinformatics analysis of the NOS gene was performed, and homologous recombination was subsequently employed to delete this gene. The effects of the NOS gene on biofilm formation of S. epidermidis and its underlying mechanisms were analyzed by bacterial growth assays, biofilm semiquantitative determination, Triton X-100-induced autolysis assays, and bacterial biofilm dispersal assays. Additionally, the transcription levels of fbe, aap, icaA, icaR and sigB, which are related to biofilm formation, were further investigated by qRT-PCR following NOS deletion. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NOS gene was conserved between bacterial species originating from different genera. The NOS deletion strain of S. epidermidis 1457 and its counterpart were successfully constructed. Disruption of the NOS gene resulted in significantly enhanced biofilm formation, slightly retarded bacterial growth, a markedly decreased autolysis rate, and drastically weakened bacterial biofilm dispersal. Our data showed that the fbe, aap and icaA genes were significantly upregulated, while the icaR and sigB genes were significantly downregulated, compared with the wild strain. Therefore, these data strongly suggested that the NOS gene can negatively regulate biofilm formation in S. epidermidis by affecting biofilm aggregation and dispersal.
Mitochondrial topoisomerase 1 inhibition induces topological DNA damage and T cell dysfunction in patients with chronic viral infection
Authors: Dang Xindi , Cao Dechao , Zhao Juan , Schank Madison , Khanal Sushant , Nguyen Lam Ngoc Thao , Wu Xiao Y. , Zhang Yi , Zhang Jinyu , Jiang Yong , Ning Shunbin , Wang Ling , El Gazzar Mohamed , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q.
Published: November 2022

T cells are crucial for controlling viral infections; however, the mechanisms that dampen their responses during viral infections remain incompletely understood. Here, we studied the role and mechanisms of mitochondrial topoisomerase 1 (Top1mt) inhibition in mitochondrial dysfunction and T cell dysregulation using CD4 T cells from patients infected with HCV or HIV and compared it with CD4 T cells from healthy individuals following treatment with Top1 inhibitor - camptothecin (CPT). We found that Top1mt protein levels and enzymatic activity are significantly decreased, along with Top1 cleavage complex (Top1cc) formation, in mitochondria of CD4 T cells from HCV- and HIV-infected patients. Notably, treatment of healthy CD4 T cells with CPT caused similar changes, including inhibition of Top1mt, accumulation of Top1cc in mitochondria, increase in PARP1 cleavage, and decrease in mtDNA copy numbers. These molecular changes resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, T cell dysregulation, and programmed cell death through multiple signaling pathways, recapitulating the phenotype we detected in CD4 T cells from HCV- and HIV-infected patients. Moreover, treatment of CD4 T cells from HCV or HIV patients with CPT further increased cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis, demonstrating a critical role for Top1 in preventing mtDNA damage and cell death. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying immune dysregulation during viral infection and indicate that Top1 inhibition during chronic HCV or HIV infection can induce mtDNA damage and T cell dysfunction. Thus, reconstituting Top1mt protein may restore the mtDNA topology and T cell functions in humans with chronic viral infection.
It-which-must-not-be-named: COVID-19 misinformation, tactics to profit from it and to evade content moderation on YouTube
Authors: Tokojima Machado Dayane Fumiyo , Fioravante de Siqueira Alexandre , Rallo Shimizu Natiely , Gitahy Leda
Published: November 2022

COVID-19 misinformation became accessible and profitable through social media platforms, such as YouTube. Here we investigate if Brazilian YouTube channels previously identified as vaccine misinformation spreaders would also misinform their audience about COVID-19. Our analysis sample consists of 6 months of content (3,318 videos) from 50 Brazilian YouTube channels. We establish a protocol to classify the types of COVID-19 misinformation spread by the content creators, describing how the channels evade content moderation—disguising, replicating, and dispersing misinformation—and what tactics the content creators use to profit. Our analysis shows that these channels exploited COVID-19 misinformation to promote themselves, profiting in the process.
Advances in the study of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in myocardial remodeling
Authors: Miao Runran , Wang Libo , Chen Zhigang , Ge Shiqi , Li Li , Zhang Kai , Chen Yingen , Guo Wenjing , Duan Xulei , Zhu Mingyang , Zhao Guoan , Lin Fei
Published: November 2022

Myocardial remodeling is a key pathophysiological basis of heart failure, which seriously threatens human health and causes a severe economic burden worldwide. During chronic stress, the heart undergoes myocardial remodeling, mainly manifested by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, interstitial fibrosis, chamber enlargement, and cardiac dysfunction. The NADPH oxidase family (NOXs) are multisubunit transmembrane enzyme complexes involved in the generation of redox signals. Studies have shown that NOXs are highly expressed in the heart and are involved in the pathological development process of myocardial remodeling, which influences the development of heart failure. This review summarizes the progress of research on the pathophysiological processes related to the regulation of myocardial remodeling by NOXs, suggesting that NOXs-dependent regulatory mechanisms of myocardial remodeling are promising new therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart failure.
Multi-modality cardiac imaging in the management of diabetic heart disease
Authors: Wamil Malgorzata , Goncalves Marcos , Rutherford Alexander , Borlotti Alessandra , Pellikka Patricia Ann
Published: November 2022

Diabetic heart disease is a major healthcare problem. Patients with diabetes show an excess of death from cardiovascular causes, twice as high as the general population and those with diabetes type 1 and longer duration of the disease present with more severe cardiovascular complications. Premature coronary artery disease and heart failure are leading causes of morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Multimodality cardiac imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, nuclear medicine, and cardiac magnetic resonance play crucial role in the diagnosis and management of different pathologies included in the definition of diabetic heart disease. In this review we summarise the utility of multi-modality cardiac imaging in characterising ischaemic and non-ischaemic causes of diabetic heart disease and give an overview of the current clinical practice. We also describe emerging imaging techniques enabling early detection of coronary artery inflammation and the non-invasive characterisation of the atherosclerotic plaque disease. Furthermore, we discuss the role of MRI-derived techniques in studying altered myocardial metabolism linking diabetes with the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Finally, we discuss recent data regarding the use of artificial intelligence applied to large imaging databases and how those efforts can be utilised in the future in screening of patients with diabetes for early signs of disease.
Associations between novel anthropometric measures and the prevalence of hypertension among 45,853 adults: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wu Li-Da , Kong Chao-Hua , Shi Yi , Zhang Jun-Xia , Chen Shao-Liang
Published: November 2022

Aims

Traditional anthropometric measures, including body mass index (BMI), are insufficient for evaluating the risk of hypertension. We aimed to investigate the association between novel anthropometric indices and hypertension risk in a large population in the United States.

Methods

Forty-five thousand eight hundred fifty-three participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999–2018) were enrolled. Social demographic information, lifestyle factors, blood biochemical measurements and anthropometric indices, including body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), conicity index (CI), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) were collected. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline were adopted to investigate the associations between hypertension risk and anthropometric indices. We also performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to further evaluate the discriminatory powers of anthropometric measurements for screening hypertension risk. Moreover, participants were randomly assigned to the training group and the validation group in a ratio of 3 to 1. A nomogram model based on anthropometric measures was established and validated in the training group and validation group, respectively.

Results

All of the anthropometric measurements investigated were positively and independently associated with the hypertension risk. Among all anthropometric indices, per-SD increment in ABSI had the highest OR (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.73–4.24) after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, drinking, diabetes, and eGFR. Moreover, results from restricted cubic splines revealed the non-linear association between anthropometric measurements and hypertension risk. In ROC analyses, CI had superior discriminatory power for hypertension (area under the curve: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.706–0.715; optimal cutoff value: 1.3) compared with other indices. Nomogram model based on age, sex, diabetes, CI and LAP showed favorable predicting ability of hypertension risk with an AUC (95% CI) in training group of 80.2% (79.7–80.6%), and the AUC (95% CI) in validation group was 79.5% (78.3–80.1%). Meanwhile, calibration plot showed good consistency.

Conclusions

Anthropometric measurements including BMI, WtHR, CI, ABSI, BRI and LAP are closely associated with hypertension risk in the present study. For better prevention and treatment of hypertension, more attention should be paid to anthropometric indices, especially novel anthropometric indices.
Beyond schooling: Push and pull strategies to integrate immigrants in the community
Authors: Naiditch Fernando
Published: November 2022

More than one million immigrants arrive in the United States each year. The diversity of languages and cultures brought by immigrants makes America a more multicultural and inclusive nation, but also presents some challenges as immigrants engage in their socialization process. Schools play a central role in acculturating immigrant families and their children, and they serve as mediators of the relationships between these families and the larger society. This article describes a project in a school district in New Jersey that focuses on integrating immigrant families in the community. The framework we developed includes a number of strategies that were grouped into two categories: “push” and “pull.” Push strategies refer to the strategies developed by the school to offer families resources and connect them to an array of services that assist immigrants. Pull strategies focus on bringing families from the community to the school building and creating mechanisms to include them in both curricular and extra-curricular activities to strengthen their sense of belonging and identity.
Early childhood student-teachers’ perspectives on creativity
Authors: Michaelidou Antonia , Pitri Eliza
Published: November 2022

The changes taking place during the pandemic regarding the interchange between online and face-to-face teaching in the Department of Education of an Eastern Mediterranean private university, led to the need of instructors not only to revisit knowledge on creativity but to examine the views and perceptions of early childhood student-teachers about creativity. More specifically, through informal interviews, we examined 15 junior early childhood student-teachers’ beliefs concerning creativity in general and the traits of a creative individual, whether creativity can be developed in education, and how it could contribute to early childhood teachers’ professional development. In this article, we summarize a qualitative descriptive study that took place in the context of the course Designing Activities in Kindergarten and describe the results from the semi-structured interviews that aimed to find out early childhood student-teachers’ views on creativity providing evidence for the participants’ need for a framework and strategy to guide their creative instructional design and teaching.