bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a 1.1 MWp PV Rooftop Integration in Medium Voltage Distribution Networks
Authors: Prasetya Candra Agung , Sudiarto Budi
Published: January 2024

A high penetrating the capacity of Rooftop PLTS has an impact on the performance of distribution network operations and the prior technical studies only using simulation. This paper examines the impact of integrating a 1.1 MWp PV Rooftop into the medium voltage distribution network, involves a comparison between simulation data obtained using the ETAP software, before and after integration, compared with direct measurements. The results indicate improvements in the distribution operating performance. Following the integration, there was a 0.05% increase in voltage levels, a 0.06% increase in short circuit current, a 1.25% reduction in network losses, up to 8.9% harmonics current, up to 0.14% harmonics voltage, and a 0.28% decrease in power factor, as observed at both the substation and the network, they are in accordance with the measurement results.
Implementation of Xception and EfficientNetB3 for COVID-19 Detection on Chest X-Ray Image via Transfer Learning
Authors: Nadya Novalina  , Mia Rizkinia
Published: January 2024

COVID-19 is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can cause respiratory issues.  The utilization of X-ray imaging has the potential to serve as an alternative means of detecting COVID-19 by offering insights into the condition of the lungs. Rapid and automated analysis of medical images and patterns can be achieved through deep learning techniques. In this study, we propose methods for the automatic classification of COVID-19 from Chest X-Ray images using CNN with transfer learning techniques, namely Xception and EfficientNetB3 architectures, as well as an ensemble of both architectures working in parallel. Additionally, we use Grad-CAM to visualize the regions of the X-ray image that are most important for the classification decision. The classification of COVID-19 is carried out for four types of classes: COVID-19, normal, bacterial pneumonia, and viral pneumonia. The proposed classifier models achieve an overall accuracy of 94.44% for the Xception classifier, 95.28% for the EfficientNetB3 classifier, and 94.44% for the parallel classifier. The accuracy value is higher than the other comparison classifiers accuracy values. Overall, the proposed classifiers can be recommended as tools to assist radiologists and clinical practitioners in diagnosing and following up with COVID-19 cases.
A Fabrication of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) using the Lamination method in a Vacuum-Free Environment
Authors: Daris Alfafa  , Moraru Daniel , Arief Udhiarto
Published: January 2024

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) have recently become one of the fastest-growing technologies in the world. The challenge in OLED fabrication, especially larger-area OLEDs, is its relatively high costs and complexity. The lamination method at a vacuum-free environment is an approach to simplify and reduce the cost of fabrication. This paper reports our latest progress on OLEDs fabricated using the said method and condition. The processing parameters were explored and optimized. Spin coating the emissive Layer (PFO) at 1300 rpm and the anode (TC-07-S) at 3000 rpm yield the best results in terms of current conduction and success rate. Laminating the OLEDs at 160 °C, with 245 N of force, and for 30 seconds, gave the best results in terms of previously stated parameters. Furthermore, the constituting materials of the OLEDs were explored. It was found that TC-07-S as an anode, PFO as the light-emitting material, a 30-micrometer thick aluminum foil as the cathode, and Kapton as the dielectric and adhesive material yielded the best results. These results may pave the way for other innovative methods to fabricate OLEDs with a simple and affordable processes.
Implementation of Thermal Camera for Human Stress Detection: A Review
Authors: Hendryani Atika , Vita Nurdinawati  , Andy Sambiono
Published: January 2024

Stress has become a major problem that people face today. The high level of competition and environmental demands make people more susceptible to stress. Stress can interfere with a person's ability to work effectively. If left unchecked for a long time, stress can cause various dangerous diseases such as hypertension, heart problems, and others that can lead to death. Research has been conducted for a long time to detect stress. Various technologies have been used to detect and anticipate stress that occurs in humans. One promising technology for detecting stress is the use of thermal cameras. Thermal cameras have several advantages: being non-contact and non-invasive, quick, easy to use, and cost-effective. In general, the architecture of the stress detection system using a thermal camera consists of several stages, including image acquisition, pre-processing, ROI tracking and selection, feature extraction, and statistical analysis or classification. This paper aims to review the use of thermal cameras in detecting stress in humans. This paper also seeks to answer the research question of what analysis can be done to improve stress detection accuracy using thermal camera images. Research shows that ROI selection must be carefully considered to obtain good accuracy. Combining thermal images with other data can improve accuracy in stress detection. Machine learning in classification provides many benefits in recognizing patterns but is highly influenced by the number of datasets used.
KETERAMPILAN MEMBACA DAN MENULIS ANAK DINI DI DESA CIPELANG
Authors: Saputra Egi Adi , Alinda Alinda , Ramli Fahmi Ardiansyah
Published: January 2024

This service aims to determine the role of the early literacy movement in the family and to determine the level of basic literacy skills, especially reading and writing in early childhood in Cipelang Village, Cijeruk District, Bogor Regency. The service method uses survey methods, mentoring, and reading and writing ability tests carried out on children aged 4-6 years with pre-test and post-test analysis. The results of the service show that before the early literacy movement education was carried out, it could be seen that the condition of early childhood literacy was 27.5% of the total sample of 10 children and after the early childhood literacy education was carried out it increased to 92.5% of the total sample of 10 children. . In the sense that children and parents feel enthusiastic about providing learning facilities, providing children's reading materials, parents are enthusiastic about reading stories to children so that young children have a high interest in reading. Meanwhile, the reading and writing skills of young children before assistance was provided, only 31.9% of the total of 10 young children could read and write. After assisting, the reading and writing ability of young children increased to 85.4%. In other words, this service has an impact on increasing the early literacy movement and improving the reading and writing abilities of young children.  So the recommendation given is the need for active involvement of the community and various related parties to encourage the implementation and improvement of the quality of the early literacy movement for young children in Cipelang Village.
Strategi Positioning “Gemoy” Prabowo Subianto melalui Media Digital
Authors: Sihabudin M. Maulana Rizik , Helwa Nur Alfa Laila  , Kharisma Kharis  , Rismayanti  , Riska Siti Fatimah
Published: January 2024

This research aims to analyze the transformation of Prabowo Subianto's image from a stern and authoritative figure to a more relaxed and attractive one, focusing on the development of a "gemoy" image ahead of the 2024 Indonesian presidential general election.  Using a qualitative methodology and case study approach, the research collected data through documentation, observation, as well as content and discourse analysis from print, electronic, and online media. The study shows that Prabowo's image change is influenced by the current political dynamics, the evolution of information technology, and the changing preferences of voters, especially the younger generation. The main findings show that Prabowo's positioning strategy through digital media, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, plays a crucial role in shaping a new image that is more relaxed and fun. This research provides insights into how politicians can adapt their image to attract voters, especially from the younger generation, in the digital era. The findings also highlight the importance of digital media in contemporary political campaigns, where it is not only a communication tool but also a strategic instrument in political image formation and management. This research contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of political image formation in Indonesia, providing evidence of how images can be strategically altered to achieve greater resonance with voters in a changing political context.
STRATEGI PENGUATAN KETAHANAN PANGAN KELUARGA MELALUI PENGEMBANGAN UMKM
Authors: Fitriyah Neka , Ahmad Ikhsan , Nursih Isti
Published: January 2024

Pandemi Covid-19 yang terjadi di Indonesia berdampak besar pada berbagai sektor kehidupan masyarakat, termasuk masalah ketahanan pangan keluarga. UMKM jus dan minuman segar Bogor merupakan salah satu UMKM yang personel dan pengelolanya terkena dampak pandemi Covid-19. Dengan penurunan omset yang tajam, berdampak pada defisit pendapatan keluarga. Tenaga UMKM tidak lagi mampu menyediakan kebutuhan pangan keluarga secara seimbang dan memenuhi standar gizi yang dibutuhkan. Pendampingan diperlukan agar UMKM ini tidak hanya bertahan dan berkembang, tetapi para pengelola dan personel mampu menyediakan pangan keluarga secara berkelanjutan. Kegiatan pengabdian ini terdiri dari dua yaitu diskusi kelompok dan pendampingan. Diskusi kelompok menghasilkan peta ketahanan pangan keluarga, konsep SWOT dan analisis isu UMKM serta konsep pengembangan UMKM. Sedangkan kegiatan pendampingan yang dilakukan bersifat produktif. Status ketahanan pangan bagi keluarga pengelola UMKM, strategi pemasaran yang terukur, berkelanjutan dan dilaksanakan secara konsisten. Saran yang diberikan untuk pengembangan UMKM ini adalah perlunya kreatif dalam menciptakan inovasi produk berkualitas yang berbeda dengan UMKM lainnya dan perlunya kemasan yang mencantumkan nama UMKM pada gelas, botol, box, plastik dll untuk menarik minat masyarakat.
PENGARUH MOTIVASI PENGGUNA APLIKASI KENCAN TERHADAP KESEHATAN MENTAL PADA MAHASISWA
Authors: Anggita Putri Meiliani  , Ikhsan Fuady
Published: January 2024

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh adanya pengaruh penggunaan aplikasi kencan dengan kesehatan mental mahasiswa karena aplikasi kencan juga merupakan media sosial pada umumnya yang seringkali menyebabkan kekhawatiran. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui motif penggunaan aplikasi kencan dan adanya hubungan antara aplikasi kencan dengan kesehatan mental. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif dengan melakukan penyebaran kuesioner. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan antara motif pengguna aplikasi kencan terhadap kesehatan mental pada mahasiswa.
Development of Platformer Game “Adventure Drake” Using Finite State Machine Method
Authors: Roby Setiawan  , Agus Nugroho  , Redhy Putra Bima
Published: January 2024

Video game is one of the most popular hobbies out there, someone who have been played games always ended with fun experience and adrenaline rush. The people who enjoy this type of hobby so diverse starring with kids, teenager, and adult. With increasing technology playing game is not exclusive on desktop pc or game console, but now can be play on smartphone with android and IOS system operations, so they can play game wherever they want, and whenever they want. For that reason, the author with interested in designing game with the platformer genre using 2D technology and using finite state machine for controlling character animation Therefore author make research platformer game adventure drake using finite state machine, the itself game can be played by anytime at anywhere. The main reason to building this game therefore adding onto the collection Indonesia game’s   and analyses  the game with implementing finite state machine method.  The result from building this game is great, the game success implementing both 2D technology and finite state machine.
Reform and Practice of Ideological and Political Education Model in Engineering Majors: Taking Materials Major Courses as an Example
Authors: DONG Guiwei , WANG Xiebin , ZHANG Cunsheng
Published: January 2024

Focusing closely on the main battlefield of ideological and political education in engineering professional courses under the background of cultivating high-quality and outstanding engineering talents in the new era, with the reform and innovation of professional course teaching as the breakthrough point, we have carried out multi element teaching reforms and innovative practices such as teaching system, teaching content, teaching mode, and teaching evaluation, integrating ideological and political education with the inherent knowledge and skills imparted in the curriculum, and combining explicit and implicit education, Promote the healthy and comprehensive development of students, cultivate outstanding engineering talents with both moral and professional abilities, and achieve significant results.
Universidad y experiencias democráticas: las primeras disputas electorales en la Universidad del Magdalena e Istmo, 1827-1840
Authors: Acevedo P. Rafael E.
Published: January 2024

The study of electoral disputes and the transformation of power structures has been notably lacking in the historiography of republican universities during the first half of the 19th century. This article delves into the experiences of faculty members elected through the vote, which played a significant role in reshaping leadership and expanding intellectual culture at Universidad del Magdalena e Istmo between 1827 and 1840. During this period, somewhat uniquely, enlightened republicans established universities at the departmental (provincial) level in what is now the Republic of Colombia. However, there has been limited examination of the trajectories and selection processes of the educated elite from the standpoint of intellectual history. This article argues that the use of the electoral mechanism, in addition to determining representativeness and the rise of representative government in universities, was a pivotal factor in the affirmation of an education and a secular power. This, on one hand, eroded the clerical influence in higher education and, on the other, displaced ecclesiastics from positions of authority. The advent of the university within the framework of representative democracy also led to the emergence of other types of intellectuals, linked to humanistic knowledge, medicine, and even military education in the navy. Methodologically, the goal is to explore the political journeys of these intellectuals who managed to enter the university in the context of electoral disputes that reshaped academic leadership roles.
Entre dos mundos: pueblos indígenas y espacios de castigo en Colombia
Authors: Ariza Higuera Libardo José , Viana Andrée
Published: January 2024

Since the enactment of the 1991 Colombian Constitution, a legal and institutional framework has been established to address the political demands of multiculturalism. This article examines the incarceration of indigenous individuals in this multicultural context and highlights the various factors influencing the adoption of penal confinement as a response to indigenous criminal behavior. The article traces the process by which indigenous special jurisdiction has embraced incarceration over the past two decades and examines the potential factors that have led to transcending the multicultural boundary with imprisonment as the dominant punitive form. The emergence of a special legal subject—the incarcerated indigenous individual—indicates the outcome of this collision between legal worlds, placing them in the liminal space of identity uncertainty, reintegration impossibility, and the latent potential for the disappearance of their cultural identity.
Sertão como sur epistémico: un análisis poscolonial de la producción académica sobre la salud mental en Brasil
Authors: Andrada Donato Emilene , Iñiguez-Rueda Lupicinio
Published: January 2024

In the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries, Brazilian national identity and social thought were shaped considering the spatial and symbolic dichotomy of coast-sertão, with active involvement from psychiatry. However, in the realm of racialist theories studies, these aspects have not been adequately correlated by social sciences and remain generally absent in the interdisciplinary field of mental health. In this article, we explore the significance of the sertão subregion in the Northeast in Brazilian scientific research concerning the history of mental health from the late 19th century until 1940. This specific time frame was chosen considering the relevant period of the violent epistemologies prevalent during that period and the scarcity of scientific literature on this subject. Three academic repositories from two leading institutions in the field of health were analyzed, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and the University of São Paulo, while the method and analysis were inspired by postcolonial perspectives, collaborative and non-extractive methodologies of southern epistemologies, and critical social psychology. As a review study, a thematic matrix was developed with three categories of analysis—postcolonial studies, Northeast and sertão; racialism and mental health; epistemic justice—and ten topics, in addition to a documentary matrix. The results indicated a scarcity of scientific productions on the Northeast and its sertão subregion, which we refer to as an epistemic invisibility, configuring it as an epistemic south. The originality of the study lies precisely in the method used to analyze academic productions on the sertão, shedding light on intersectional and interdisciplinary debates in health. It brings this territory to the forefront beyond the southeastern axis (Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo, the epistemic center of the history of mental health), and thus democratizing the understanding of the construction of Brazilian identity by emphasizing the role of psychiatry and its lasting effects to generate epistemic justice. Finally, impactful and collaborative actions were recommended to promote studies in this field, updating the relevance of the sertão and highlighting the racist and regionalist foundations ingrained in the construction of knowledge.
Perspectivas del análisis institucional latinoamericano. Entrevista a Roberto Manero Brito
Authors: Manero Brito Roberto , Rodríguez Nicolás , Texeira Fernando
Published: January 2024

In this interview, Roberto Manero Brito presents the developments of institutional analysis in Latin America, particularly its connection with the Argentine group dynamic trend. Instituting, self-management, and general assembly, among other mobilizing myths, took on a unique form in this continent through the intersection of psychoanalysis, group work, and the desire for social change. Manero notes that institutional analysis in Latin America has been guided more by a logic of mestizaje than by an illusion of theoretical-technical purity. To integrate this perspective into the realm of education in social sciences, the field needs to be prioritized, the research assignments questioned, and a specific relationship between social knowledge and specialized knowledge established, centered on listening and a transition from empathy to sympathy. Questioning academic structures and building a sense of community around research and intervention issues are key elements for this transition. The final part of the interview focuses on the promotional orientation of social psychology, specifically the commitment to the collective construction of knowledge and the creation of new social meanings.
MCNMF-Unet: a mixture Conv-MLP network with multi-scale features fusion Unet for medical image segmentation
Authors: Yuan Lei , Song Jianhua , Fan Yazhuo
Published: January 2024

Recently, the medical image segmentation scheme combining Vision Transformer (ViT) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) has been widely used. However, one of its disadvantages is that the feature fusion ability of different levels is weak and lacks flexible localization information. To reduce the semantic gap between the encoding and decoding stages, we propose a mixture conv-MLP network with multi-scale features fusion Unet (MCNMF-Unet) for medical image segmentation. MCNMF-Unet is a U-shaped network based on convolution and MLP, which not only inherits the advantages of convolutional in extracting underlying features and visual structures, but also utilizes MLP to fuse local and global information of each layer of the network. MCNMF-Unet performs multi-layer fusion and multi-scale feature map skip connections in each network stage so that all the feature information can be fully utilized and the gradient disappearance problem can be alleviated. Additionally, MCNMF-Unet incorporates a multi-axis and multi-windows MLP module. This module is fully end-to-end and eliminates the need to consider the negative impact of image cropping. It not only fuses information from multiple dimensions and receptive fields but also reduces the number of parameters and computational complexity. We evaluated the proposed model on BUSI, ISIC2018 and CVC-ClinicDB datasets. The experimental results show that the performance of our proposed model is superior to most existing networks, with an IoU of 84.04% and a F1-score of 91.18%.
Effect of Seed Priming Treatments on Germination, Growth and Yield of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)
Authors: Manoj K. N.  , Ghawade S.M. , Sonkamble A. M. , Bawkar S. O. , Phad D. S.
Published: January 2024

Aim: To discern the most effective seed priming treatment among several priming treatments, which provide early and maximum germination, prosperous growth, and prodigious yield.

Study Design: Nine treatments with one control treatment in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Chilli and Vegetable Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S), during the rabi season of 2022.

Methodology: The ajwain seeds were primed with treatments comprised of, Gibberellic acid at 100 ppm and 200 ppm, Monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) at 2% and 3%, moringa leaf extract at 5% and 7.5%, tulsi leaf extract at 5% and 7.5%, hydro-priming (soaking in water), control (without soaking), for 24 hours before sowing. After that, primed seeds shade-dried for 4-5 hours. Then, the seeds were sown in the field.

Results: The outcomes unveiled fascinating insights. Notably, treating the seeds with 7.5% moringa leaf extract (T6) revealed remarkable results, exhibiting the swiftest germination at 11.67 days, a staggering initial plant stand of 99.38%, and an impressive germination percentage of 93.33%. Meanwhile, the utilization of 200 ppm GA3 led to a maximum plant height of 89.70 cm. Furthermore, the application of 7.5% moringa leaf extract (T6) observed the minimum days to 50% flowering at 92.98 days and days to harvesting at 156.17 days and boasting the maximum primary branches plant-1 at 11.55. Among the myriad treatments, the application of 7.5% moringa leaf extract (T6) emerged as a standout, showcasing unparalleled results with a maximum number of umbels and umbellets at 200.72 and 18.03, respectively. A prodigious yield of 10.49g plant-1, 2.67 kg plot-1 and 11.86q ha-1.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the potency of specific seed priming treatments, particularly, the 7.5% moringa leaf extract (T6) and 200 ppm Gibberellic acid (T2), in fostering robust ajwain seed germination, growth, accelerated plant development, and prodigious yield.
The Properties and Activity of TiO2-based Nanorods as an Anti-Fouling Agent and a Photocatalyst
Authors: Wahyuni Sri , Kartini Indriana , Kadarwati Sri
Published: January 2024

The properties and activity of TiO2-based nanorods as an antifouling agent and a photocatalyst for the catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) have been investigated. A modification of TiO2 with SiO2 was first carried out to enlarge the surface area. In order to enhance the TiO­2 photo response to the visible light region, a further modification of TiO2-SiO2 (TS) composites with polyaniline (PANI) was also conducted. The nanorod TiO2 exhibited an anatase structure based on the diffraction patterns. The TEM images showed that some TiO2 molecules were attached around SiO2 with a random orientation. The TiO2-SiO2-PANI (TS-PANI) exhibited the largest specific surface area (SBET) of about 256.85 m2/g. The profile on the AFM images of the composites showed that the nano-roughness of the coatings was confirmed. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated through the decomposition of MB both on the powder and the coated composites. The photocatalytic activity on the coatings was verified due to further application as anti-fouling coatings involving photocatalytic mechanism. The decomposition of MB using TS-PANI powder and TS-PANI coating composites was 89.5% and 90.2 %, respectively, with the irradiation time on the coatings was 20 min longer. The anti-fouling activity through the photocatalytic mechanism and nano-roughness surface was confirmed by the inhibition of barnacle growth on the teakwood surface immersed for two months in the sea.
The importance of teaching and learning first aid techniques for laypersons: integrative review / A importância do ensino e aprendizagem de técnicas de primeiros socorros para leigos: revisão integrativa
Authors: Correia Lorena Farias Rodrigues , Feitosa Agnis Fernandes , Apolinário Maria Vitoria Ferreira , Ferreira Emille Sampaio , Braga Sara Teixeira , Pinheiro Woneska Rodrigues
Published: January 2024

Objetivo: analisar, a importância do ensino e aprendizagem sobre técnicas de Primeiros Socorros para leigos. Métodos: revisão integrativa nas bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online via National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health(PubMed) , Banco de Dados em Enfermagem, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SCOPUS e biblioteca Cochrane Library. Os descritores utilizados foram: “Educação da População”, “Educação em saúde”, “Primeiros Socorros” e “Emergências”, em inglês foram: “Population Education”, “Health Education”, “First aid” e “Emergencies”, 11 artigos foram selecionados. Resultados:as capacitações em primeiros socorros têm um impacto significativo principalmente ao se aplicar questionários pré e pós-intervenções, pois os erros cometidos anteriormente já se transformavam em acertos. Conclusão: as intervenções educativas realizadas em escolas e comunidades levam a propagação de conhecimento e aprendizagem, podendo assim tangenciar a formação de multiplicadores, resultando em uma sociedade informada.
Benzene exposure and hematopoietic mortality: A long‐term epidemiologic risk assessment
Authors: Rinsky R.A. , Hornung R.W. , Silver S.R. , Tseng C.Y.
Published: November 2002

Background

Previous studies of a cohort of rubber hydrochloride workers indicated an association between benzene exposure and excess mortality from leukemia and multiple myeloma. To determine whether risks remain elevated with increasing time since plant shutdown, we extended follow‐up from 1981 through 1996.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated risk using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and generalized Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Five new leukemia cases were observed in benzene‐exposed white males, but the summary SMR for this group declined from 3.37 (95% CI = 1.54–6.41) to 2.56 (95% CI = 1.43–4.22). In regression models, cumulative exposure was significantly associated with elevated relative risks for leukemia mortality. Four new multiple myeloma deaths occurred, three of which were in workers judged to be unexposed.

Conclusions

These findings reaffirm the leukemogenic effects of benzene exposure and suggest that excess risk diminishes with time. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:474–480, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How many injured workers do not file claims for workers' compensation benefits?
Authors: Shannon Harry S. , Lowe Graham S.
Published: November 2002

Background

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are injured workers who do not file for workers' compensation (WC). Several recent studies support this, and we aim to quantify the extent of under‐reporting.

Methods

A Canadian survey asked about work injuries in the previous year, and several questions established eligibility for WC and whether a claim had been filed. The proportion of eligible injuries with a claim was estimated. Logistic regression identified predictors of claim submission.

Results

Of 2,500 respondents, 143 had incurred an eligible injury, of whom 57 (40%, 95% CI 32–48%) had not filed a WC claim. Severity of injury was the strongest predictor of not claiming.

Conclusions

Survey respondents reported a substantial degree of under‐claiming of WC benefits, contrasting with public attention on fraudulent over‐claiming. Policy makers should ensure that all relevant parties are aware of their obligations to report work injuries. This will create a more accurate picture of work safety. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:467–473, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Highest heterogeneity for cystic fibrosis: 36 mutations account for 75% of all CF chromosomes in Turkish patients
Authors: Kılınç Mehmet Okyay , Ninis Vasiliki Ninidu , Dağlı Elif , Demirkol Mübeccel , Özkınay Ferda , Arıkan Zeliha , Çoğulu Özgür , Hüner Gülden , Karakoç Fazilet , Tolun Aslıhan
Published: November 2002

We analyzed the CFTR locus in 83 Turkish cystic fibrosis patients to identify mutations, haplotypes, and the carrier frequency in the population. We detected 36 different mutations in 125 (75%) of the total 166 CF chromosomes. Seven novel mutations were identified: four missense (K68E, Q493P, E608G, and V1147I), two splice‐site (406 −3T > C and 3849 +5G > A), and one deletion (CFTRdele17b,18). The data showed that the Turkish population has the highest genetic heterogeneity at the CFTR locus reported so far. The results of this thorough molecular analysis at the CFTR locus of a population not of European descent shows that CF is not uncommon in all such populations. The large number of mutations present, as well as the high heterogeneity in haplotypes associated with the mutations suggests that most of the mutations have persisted for a long time in the population. Consistently, the carrier frequency is assessed to be high, indicating that the disease in the population is ancient. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family with inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and the HNPP 17p12 deletion
Authors: Korn‐Lubetzki Isabelle , Argov Zohar , Raas‐Rothschild Annick , Wirguin Itzchak , Steiner Israel
Published: November 2002

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP), classically presenting as recurrent focal neuropathies precipitated by trauma or compression, is an autosomal dominant neuropathy due to a deletion at chromosomal locus 17p12. Inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (IDP), a putative autoimmune disorder presenting in an acute (AIDP) or a chronic form (CIDP), has been rarely reported as familial. We present a father and two daughters of Jewish Kurdish origin who developed IDP within 10 years. The unusual familial history led us to reevaluate the diagnosis of IDP, and suggested an autosomal dominant pedigree. DNA analysis identified the deletion typical of HNPP on chromosome 17. Screening for the HNPP deletion in patients with atypical, recurrent, or familial IDP might be warranted. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Composition of the essential oil of Salvia mirzayanii Rech. f. & Esfand from Iran
Authors: Javidnia K. , Miri R. , Kamalinejad M. , Nasiri A.
Published: November 2002

Hydrodistilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Salvia mirzayanii, endemic in Iran, was analysed by GLC and GC–MS. The oil yield was 2.2% (v/w); 82 compounds, representing 90.5% of the essential oil have been identified. The main constituents of the oil were spathulenol (10.4%), δ‐cadinene (5.8%), linalool (5.2%), α‐terpinyl acetate (5.2%), α‐cadinol (4.7%), β‐eudesmol (4.5%), cubenol (4.4%) and linalyl acetate (4.1%). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactivity of cyanothioformamides and 3‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐5‐imino‐4‐oxazolidinethione toward ortho‐substituted nucleophiles
Authors: El‐Gaby Mohamed S. A. , Ammar Yousry A. , El‐Sharief Ahmed M. Sh. , Zahran Medhat A. , Khames Ahmed A.
Published: November 2002

The substituted benzoazoles 4 and 5a,b were obtained by the reaction of cyanothioformamides 1d and 1b or 1c with o‐substituted aromatic amines 2b and 2c, respectively. Fused pyrimidinones 10, 12, and 14 were synthesized by the reaction of oxazolidinethione (9) with 2‐amino aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids. The structures of the synthesized compounds were established based on elemental analysis and spectral data studies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:611–616, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10042
Double‐prodrugs of L‐cysteine: Differential protection against acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice
Authors: Crankshaw Daune L. , Berkeley Lorelle I. , Cohen Jonathan F. , Shirota Frances N. , Nagasawa Herbert T.
Published: November 2002

A series of double‐prodrugs of L‐cysteine, designed to release L‐cysteine in vivo and stimulate the biosynthesis of glutathione (GSH), were synthesized. To evaluate the hepatoprotective effectiveness of these double‐prodrugs, male Swiss‐Webster mice were administered acetaminophen (ACP) (2.45 mmol/kg (360 mg/kg), intraperitoneally (i.p.)). Prodrug (2.50 mmol/kg, i.p. or 1.25 mmol/kg, i.p., depending on the protocol) was administered 1 h before ACP as a priming dose. A supplementary dose of prodrug (2.5 mmol/kg, i.p. or 1.25 mmol/kg, i.p. depending on the protocol) was administered 0.5 h after ACP. The plasma alanine amino transferase (ALT) values, 24 h after ACP administration were transformed to logs and the 95% and 99% confidence intervals of the log values were plotted and compared for each group. Hepatoprotection was assessed by the degree of attenuation of plasma ALT levels. With these multiple dose schedules, the use of 2% carboxymethylcellulose as vehicle for the prodrugs was found to be detrimental; therefore, the prodrugs were dissolved in dilute aqueous base and the pH adjusted for administration. When a priming dose was given 1 h before ACP followed by a supplementary dose 0.5 h after ACP, only N,S‐bis‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, where both the sulfhydryl and amino groups of L‐cysteine were functionalized with the acetyl group, was found to be effective in protecting mice against the hepatotoxic effects of ACP. This suggests that these acetyl groups were rapidly hydrolyzed in vivo to liberate L‐cysteine. In contrast, N‐acetylation of 2(R,S)‐methylthiazolidine‐4(R)‐carboxylic acid (MTCA) and its 2‐n‐propyl analog (PTCA), or N‐acetylation of 2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (OTCA), reduced the hepatoprotective effects relative to the parent MTCA, PTCA, and OTCA, indicating that the release of L‐cysteine in vivo from these N‐acetylated thiazolidine prodrugs was metabolically unfavorable. The carbethoxy group, whether functionalized on the sulfhydryl or on the amino group of L‐cysteine, or on the secondary amino group of MTCA, appears to be a poor “pro‐moiety,” since these carbethoxylated double‐prodrugs of L‐cysteine did not protect mice from ACP‐induced hepatotoxicity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:235–244, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10044
Nonviral vector loaded collagen sponges for sustained gene delivery in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Scherer Franz , Schillinger Ulrike , Putz Ursula , Stemberger Axel , Plank Christian
Published: November 2002

Background

Naked DNA and standard vectors have previously been used for gene delivery from implantable carrier matrices with great potential for gene therapeutic assistance of wound healing or tissue engineering. We have previously developed copolymer‐protected gene vectors which are inert towards opsonization. Here we examine their potency in carrier‐mediated gene delivery in comparison to standard vectors using a vector‐loaded collagen sponge model.

Methods

Equine collagen type I sponges were loaded by a lyophilization method with naked DNA, polyethylenimine (PEI)‐DNA, DOTAP/cholesterol‐DNA and copolymer‐protected PEI‐DNA. These preparations were characterized in terms of vector‐release, cell growth on the matrices and reporter gene expression by cells colonizing the sponges in vitro and in vivo. Subcutaneous implantation of sponges in rats served as an in vivo model.

Results

At the chosen low vector dose, the loading efficiency was at least 86%. Naked DNA‐loaded collagen matrices lost 77% of the DNA dose in an initial burst in aqueous buffer in vitro. The other preparations examined displayed a sustained vector release. There was no difference in cell growth and invasion of the sponges between vector‐loaded and untreated collagen grafts. Reporter gene expression from cells colonizing the sponges in vitro was observed for not more than 7 days with naked DNA, whereas the lipoplex and polyplex preparations yielded long‐term expression throughout the experimental period of up to 56 days. The highest expression levels were achieved with the PEI‐DNA‐PROCOP (protective copolymer) formulation. Upon subcutaneous implantation in rats, no luciferase expression was detected with naked DNA preparations. DOTAP/cholesterol‐DNA and PEI‐DNA‐loaded implants lead to reporter gene expression for at least 3 days, but with poor reproducibility. PEI‐DNA‐PROCOP collagen matrices yielded consistently the highest reporter gene expression levels for at least 7 days with good reproducibility.

Conclusions

With the preparation method chosen, lipoplex‐ and polyplex‐loaded collagen sponges are superior in mediating sustained gene delivery in vitro and local transfection in vivo as compared to naked DNA‐loaded sponges. Protective copolymers are particularly advantageous in promoting the tranfection capacity of polyplex‐loaded sponges upon subcutaneous implantation, likely due to their stabilizing and opsonization‐inhibiting properties. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A constitutive model for granular materials with grain crushing and its application to a pyroclastic soil
Authors: Cecconi Manuela , DeSimone Antonio , Tamagnini Claudio , M.B. Viggiani Giulia
Published: November 2002

A constitutive model for granular materials is developed within the framework of strain–hardening elastoplasticity, aiming at describing some of the macroscopic effects of the degradation processes associated with grain crushing. The central assumption of the paper is that, upon loading, the frictional properties of the material are modified as a consequence of the changes in grain size distribution.

The effects of these irreversible microscopic processes are described macroscopically as accumulated plastic strain. Plastic strain drives the evolution of internal variables which model phenomenologically the changes of mechanical properties induced by grain crushing by controlling the geometry of the yield locus and the direction of plastic flow.

An application of the model to Pozzolana Nera is presented. The stress–dilatancy relationship observed for this material is used as a guidance for the formulation of hardening laws. One of the salient features of the proposed model is its capability of reproducing the stress–dilatancy behaviour observed in Pozzolana Nera, for which the minimum value of dilatancy always follows the maximum stress ratio experienced by the material. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explicit limit equilibrium solution for slope stability
Authors: Zhu D. Y. , Lee C. F.
Published: November 2002

Conventional methods of slices used for slope stability analysis satisfying all equilibrium conditions involves generally solving two highly non‐linear equations with respect to two unknowns, i.e. the factor of safety and the associated scaling parameter. To solve these two equations, complicated numerical iterations are required with non‐convergence occasionally occurring. This paper presents an alternative procedure to derive the three equilibrium equations (horizontal and vertical forces equations and moment equation) based on an assumption regarding the normal stress distribution along the slip surface. Combination of these equations results in a single cubic equation in terms of the factor of safety, which is explicitly solved. Theoretical testing demonstrates that the proposed method yields a factor of safety in reasonable agreement with a closed‐form solution based on the theory of plasticity. Example studies show that the difference in values of factor of safety between the proposed method, the Spencer method and the Morgenstern–Price method is within 5%. Application of the proposed method to practical slope engineering problems is rather straightforward, but its solution is of the same precision as those given by the conventional rigorous methods of slices since it is still within the rigorous context. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1H‐NMR assay of papaverine hydrochloride and formulations
Authors: Aboutabl Elsayed A. , EI‐Azzouny Aida A. , Afifi Manal S.
Published: November 2002

A precise and specific 1H‐NMR method has been developed for the assay of papaverine hydrochloride (1) as a bulk drug, as well as in tablet and injection dosage forms. The assay depends upon the integration of the 12 protons of the four methoxy groups of 1 relative to that of the three methyl protons of acetanilide (internal standard). In addition to the accurate quantitative determination of 1, the method provides a specific means of identifying 1 as well as detecting other alkaloids or impurities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solid‐phase extraction and reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography of the five major alkaloids in Narcissus confusus
Authors: López Susana , Bastida Jaume , Viladomat Francesc , Codina Carles
Published: November 2002

A novel, fast and precise method, combining solid‐phase extraction and reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography is described for the quantitative determination of five alkaloids (galanthamine, N‐formylnorgalanthamine, haemanthamine, homolycorine and tazettine/pretazettine) from bulbs of wild Narcissus confusus, a high galanthamine‐containing plant species growing in the Iberian Peninsula. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of centrifugal force to the extraction and separation of parasorboside and gerberin from Gerbera hybrida
Authors: Yrjönen Teijo , Vuorela Pia , Klika Karel D. , Pihlaja Kalevi , Teeri Teemu H. , Vuorela Heikki
Published: November 2002

A method for the separation of parasorboside and gerberin from the ornamental plant Gerbera hybrida (Asteraceae) has been developed. The two closely related glucosides were extracted using an Extrachrom® instrument, a prototype multi‐functional separation tool equipped with an extraction chamber. The rotation planar extraction procedure was compared with that of a medium pressure solid–liquid extraction system. The resulting extracts were pre‐purified using rotation planar chromatography and the results compared with those obtained using medium pressure liquid chromatography with silica gel as the stationary phase and a mobile phase of methanol:ethyl acetate:tetrahydrofuran at selectivity point Ps = 111 with 1% formic acid as modifier. The title compounds were isolated from the purified extracts by TLC and their structures confirmed by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gain Scheduled LPV H∞ Control Based on LMI Approach for a Robotic Manipulator
Authors: Yu Zhongwei , Chen Huitang , Woo Peng‐yung
Published: November 2002

A new approach to the design of a gain scheduled linear parameter‐varying
(LPV) H∞ controller, which places the closed‐loop
poles in the region that satisfies the specified dynamic response, for an
n‐joint rigid robotic manipulator, is presented. The nonlinear time‐varying
robotic manipulator is modeled to be a LPV system with a convex polytopic
structure with the use of the LPV convex decomposition technique in a filter
introduced. State feedback controllers, which satisfy the H∞
performance and the closed‐loop pole‐placement requirements, for each
vertex of the convex polyhedron parameter space, are designed with the use
of the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Based on these designed feedback
controllers for each vertex, a LPV controller with a smaller on‐line computation
load and a convex polytopic structure is synthesized. Simulation and experiment
results verify that the robotic manipulator with the LPV controller always
has a good dynamic performance along with the variations of the joint positions.
© 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the swapping algorithm
Authors: Madras Neal , Zheng Zhongrong
Published: November 2002

The Metropolis‐coupled Markov chain method (or “Swapping Algorithm”) is an empirically successful hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm. It alternates between standard transitions on parallel versions of the system at different parameter values, and swapping two versions. We prove rapid mixing for two bimodal examples, including the mean‐field Ising model. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 22: 66–97, 2002
Theme and variation in Jamaican vowels
Authors: Wassink Alicia Beckford
Published: November 2002

Reporting the results of an instrumental acoustic examination
of the vowel systems of ten Jamaican Creole (or basilect-) dominant
and nine Jamaican English (or acrolect-) dominant speakers,
this article links phonetic features with sociolinguistic factors.
The nature and relative role of vowel quantity and quality
differences in phonemic contrast are considered. The question
of whether contrastive length operates in speakers' phonological
systems is addressed by comparison of spectral and temporal features.
Intraspeaker variation in vowel quality is found to play an important
role in stylistic variation, demonstrating the complexity of variation
in Jamaican varieties. The complex vowel quality (spectral)
and quantity (temporal) relations reported here extend our
understanding of the spectral and temporal characteristics of
vowels involved in phonological contrasts in Jamaican varieties,
the range of phonetic variation to be found within a postcreole
continuum, and the interaction of phonetic factors in the
expression of stylistic variation.