bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint users selection and beamforming in downlink millimetre‐wave NOMA based on users positioning
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed Ehab
Published: February 2020

In this study, joint users selection and beamforming based on users positioning are proposed for enabling non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in the millimetre‐wave (mmWave) transmissions. In the proposed scheme, the mmWave users are arranged in descending order based on their estimated distances from the mmWave base station (BS), which guarantees the users ordering based on their line‐of‐sight availability, as well. Out of the ordered users, the two users having the minimum pairing angle and expected to lie within the specified mmWave beamwidth are selected as the two NOMA users. In this study, the users' pairing angle is defined as the maximum expected difference angle between two users considering their location‐uncertainty areas. Consequently, the BS antenna beam is formed towards the two selected NOMA users by adjusting its boresight angle to lie in between their estimated location angles. Then, the fixed power allocation scheme is used to adjust the power allocation coefficients of the selected NOMA users. Mathematical analysis is performed to bound the performance of the proposed mmWave NOMA scheme. Also, numerical simulations are conducted to prove the mathematical findings and to show the superior performance of the proposed scheme over the well‐known technique of using random beamforming.
Look ahead: understanding cognitive anticipatory processes based on situational characteristics in dynamic traffic situations
Authors: Mühl Kristin , Stoll Tanja , Baumann Martin
Published: February 2020

Understanding the intentions of other road users increases subjective certainty, improves one's own performance and contributes to enhanced traffic safety. The perception and processing of situational characteristics are pivotal to develop an appropriate situation model as the basis of anticipation in dynamic traffic situations. To gather further insights into the process of situation comprehension, different situational characteristics were tested in a laboratory experiment using urban traffic scenarios. Participants had to indicate, in a two‐step reaction method, the initial supposition and certain anticipation of another car merging into their own lane while being cognitively distracted (high versus low). Retrieval cues that enable the formation of causal relations and the development of a coherent mental representation increased the probability of anticipation. Furthermore, different situational characteristics were identified based on distinct underlying processing patterns. Cues that imply a close relationship with the target's behaviour (target cues) are assumed to require fewer inferences. They were less affected by increased cognitive load compared to other situational characteristics (context cues). These findings enhance the understanding of human anticipation and are discussed regarding the methodological approach and the generalisation of the proposed situational cues.
Surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of NaTaO3 nanotubes with enhanced photodegradation activity
Authors: Hu Haixia , Fu Yaqin
Published: February 2020

The morphology of photocatalysts plays an important role in their photocatalytic activity. Here, a novel sodium tantalum trioxide (NaTaO3) nanotube photocatalyst was hydrothermally synthesised with the assistant of Na dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactant. The as‐synthesised NaTaO3 nanotubes presented an enhanced light absorption, compared with NaTaO3 nanocubes prepared without the addition of SDS. By using rhodamine B (RhB) as organic pollutants model, the NaTaO3 nanotubes exhibited a 96.2% of photodegradation ratio after 80 min ultraviolet light irradiation, which was much higher than NaTaO3 nanocubes and commercial P25. The cycle degradation results revealed that NaTaO3 nanotubes had an excellent photochemical stability. The active species trapping experiment suggested that the dominating active species were hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals, rather than holes.
Human bite facial wounds in Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire): development of a therapeutic algorithm in underdeveloped countries
Authors: Zegbeh-N'guessan Eric Kouassi , Bérété Pornan Issa Jules , Salami Tahib Arnaud , Assouan Camille , Assi Yapo Romaric Evrard , Crezoit Grébéret Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

Introduction: The treatment of facial wounds by human bites is difficult, especially in under-developed countries. We aimed to distinguish the epidemiological and clinical aspects to describe the therapeutic methods and evaluate their effectiveness. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive and retrospective study over a period of 6 years. Patients who consulted regarding a human bite wound and were surgically treated were included. Results: Eighteen patients with a hospital prevalence of 0.008% were enrolled. The ratio of men to women was 2 (12 men for every 6 women). The average age was 32.77 years (range, 23–45 years). The lesions were labial in 11 cases (61.11%). The wounds were type III in eight cases (44.44%) and type II in nine cases (50%). Surgical treatment was primary in 12 cases (66.67%) and delayed in 6 cases (33.33%). The evolution was favorable in 16 cases (88.89%). Discussion: The wounds on the face created by human bite can be effectively treated via primary repair while reserving systematic secondary closure to an initially necrotic wound.
Comparative Efficacy of Transsphenoidal Endonasal Endoscopic and Microscopic Pituitary Surgery at Single Center of a Developing Country
Authors: Phogat Vivek , Agarwal Manish , Sinha Virendra D. , Purohit Devendra
Published: February 2020

Objective This study was aimed to compare comparative efficacy of transsphenoidal endonasal endoscopic and microscopic pituitary surgery at single center of a developing country.

Methods This study included 198 patients in which 50 patients were studied prospectively and 148 patients were studied retrospectively, diagnosed with pituitary adenoma who presented to neurosurgery department at Sawai Man Singh hospital in Jaipur, India, and were operated via transsphenoidal route between 2013 and 2018. Patients' records were reviewed and relevant clinical and surgical data were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical procedure performed, endoscopic endonasal transsphenoid approach (group 1) and microscopic transsphenoidal approach (group 2). Outcomes, in terms of efficacy and the resulting complications of each procedure were compared and analyzed.

Results A total of 198 patients with pituitary adenoma were operated during the study period. Among them, 119 (60.1%) patients were operated by endoscopic and 79 (39.9%) patients were operated by microscopic transsphenoidal approach. In endoscopic group, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was present in 39 patients (32.77%) and 23 (29.11%) in microscopic group. Complete tumor removal was achieved in 69.75% in endoscopic and 48.13% in microscopic group (p = 0.004). Endocrine control was achieved in 78.94% (30 out of 38) in endoscopic and 68.18% (15 out of 22 patients) in microscopic group.

Conclusion The transsphenoidal approaches for resection of pituitary adenoma, both endoscopic and microscopic approach, are minimally invasive and effective for disease control. Both the approaches lead to similar endocrine control, visual symptoms, complications, and long-term outcome. Therefore, the selection of the final approach should be individualized, ultimately depending on the surgeons' comfort, experience, and familiarity with the particular technique.
Self-ejections of multiple isolated slushes on disorderly grooved superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Huang Zhengyong , Wang Feipeng , Zhang Ruiqi , Xu Wenjie , Li Jian
Published: February 2020

In this Letter, we developed a sprayable superhydrophobic coating with micro-sized disorder indentations to survey the self-ejections of isolated slushes on it during the defrosting process. The microstructures, chemical composition, hydrophobic characteristics, and self-ejection phenomenon of melting slushes on grooved superhydrophobic surfaces are presented. The grooved superhydrophobic surface demonstrates that multiple self-ejections of isolated melting slush off the original locations with no ice bridges or great surface energy release. In addition, the self-ejection of multiple isolated slushes observed generates enough kinetic energy and removes the residual melting slushes in ways of sweeping off. It is also found that the irregular melting slush with a greater deformation energy and surface contact area demonstrates shorter jumping distances compared to that with a spherical shape and low surface contact area. The observed short-distance self-ejection results from the defects of micro-pores on the indentations, leading to great dissipation in vapor pressures and reduced impact from volume fluctuations. Both the volume fluctuation of slush and the evaporation of intermediate liquid generate the pressure gradient in the upward direction and contribute to the self-ejection behavior of isolated melting slush. The results demonstrate the necessity of fabricating grooved superhydrophobic surfaces without micro-pores and conceptual feasibility of employing volume fluctuation of slush for the self-ejection of isolated single melting slush in the case of slushes with no ice bridges, small surface energy, and low inner vapor pressures.
S-band delay lines in suspended lithium niobate
Authors: Sarabalis Christopher J. , Dahmani Yanni D. , Cleland Agnetta Y. , Safavi-Naeini Amir H.
Published: February 2020

Thin-film lithium niobate is an attractive platform for GHz-frequency applications in low-power RF analog signal processing, optomechanics, and quantum devices due to its high coupling, low loss, excellent optical properties, and compatibility with superconducting quantum circuits. We demonstrate aluminum interdigitated transducers (IDTs) in this platform for horizontal shear (SH) waves between 1.2 and 3.3 GHz and longitudinal waves between 2.1 and 5.4 GHz. For the SH waves, we measure a piezoelectric coupling coefficient of 13% and 6.0 dB/mm propagation losses in delay lines up to 1.2 mm with a 300 ns delay in air at room temperature. In these high keff2 transducers, electrical loading gives rise to large reflections and resonances. Finite element method models and an experimental finger-pair sweep are used to characterize the role of resonance in these transducers, illuminating the physics behind the large motional admittances of these small-footprint IDTs.
Chemically bonded thermal impulse sensors for use in extreme environments
Authors: Anderson Benjamin R. , Gunawidjaja Ray , Eilers Hergen
Published: February 2020

We have developed nano/microscale thermal impulse (TI) (i.e., temperature and duration) sensors for use in extreme environments such as explosions, furnaces, and combustion experiments. These sensors consist of chemically bonded precursor Eu:ZrO2 and precursor Dy:Y2O3, which are prepared via mixed coprecipitation. In this study, we demonstrate their functionality for subsecond pulsed laser heating (isothermal duration of ≈10ms) up to 1773 K, with evidence suggesting functionality to even higher temperatures. This large range is due to the formation of a new mixed-material phase (similar to yttria-stabilized zirconia) that results in spectral features that are not seen in the component materials on their own. To the best of our knowledge, this material has the largest functional temperature range of any ex situ TI sensor reported in the literature.
Different effects of fast and slow input fluctuations on output in gene regulation
Authors: Qiu Huahai , Yuan Zhanjiang , Zhou Tianshou , Chen Luonan
Published: February 2020

An important task in the post-gene era is to understand the role of stochasticity in gene regulation. Here, we analyze a cascade model of stochastic gene expression, where the upstream gene stochastically generates proteins that regulate, as transcription factors, stochastic synthesis of the downstream output. We find that in contrast to fast input fluctuations that do not change the behavior of the downstream system qualitatively, slow input fluctuations can induce different modes of the distribution of downstream output and even stochastic focusing or defocusing of the downstream output level, although the regulatory protein follows the same distribution in both cases. This finding is counterintuitive but can have broad biological implications, e.g., slow input rather than fast fluctuations may both increase the survival probability of cells and enhance the sensitivity of intracellular regulation. In addition, we find that input fluctuations can minimize the output noise.
Nonlinear dispersive regularization of inviscid gas dynamics
Authors: Krishnaswami Govind S. , Phatak Sachin S. , Sachdev Sonakshi , Thyagaraja A.
Published: February 2020

Ideal gas dynamics can develop shock-like singularities with discontinuous density. Viscosity typically regularizes such singularities and leads to a shock structure. On the other hand, in one dimension, singularities in the Hopf equation can be non-dissipatively smoothed via Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) dispersion. In this paper, we develop a minimal conservative regularization of 3D ideal adiabatic flow of a gas with polytropic exponent γ. It is achieved by augmenting the Hamiltonian by a capillarity energy β(ρ)(∇ρ)2. The simplest capillarity coefficient leading to local conservation laws for mass, momentum, energy, and entropy using the standard Poisson brackets is β(ρ) = β*/ρ for constant β*. This leads to a Korteweg-like stress and nonlinear terms in the momentum equation with third derivatives of ρ, which are related to the Bohm potential and Gross quantum pressure. Just like KdV, our equations admit sound waves with a leading cubic dispersion relation, solitary waves, and periodic traveling waves. As with KdV, there are no steady continuous shock-like solutions satisfying the Rankine–Hugoniot conditions. Nevertheless, in one-dimension, for γ = 2, numerical solutions show that the gradient catastrophe is averted through the formation of pairs of solitary waves, which can display approximate phase-shift scattering. Numerics also indicate recurrent behavior in periodic domains. These observations are related to an equivalence between our regularized equations (in the special case of constant specific entropy potential flow in any dimension) and the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation (cubically nonlinear for γ = 2), with β* playing the role of ℏ2. Thus, our regularization of gas dynamics may be viewed as a generalization of both the single field KdV and nonlinear Schrödinger equations to include the adiabatic dynamics of density, velocity, pressure, and entropy in any dimension.
Rigorous bounds on the heat transport of rotating convection with Ekman pumping
Authors: Pachev B. , Whitehead J. P. , Fantuzzi G. , Grooms I.
Published: February 2020

We establish rigorous upper bounds on the time-averaged heat transport for a model of rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection between no-slip boundaries at infinite Prandtl numbers and with Ekman pumping. The analysis is based on the asymptotically reduced equations derived for rotationally constrained dynamics with no-slip boundaries, and hence, includes a lower order correction that accounts for the Ekman layer and corresponding Ekman pumping into the bulk. Using the auxiliary functional method, we find that, to leading order, the temporally averaged heat transport is bounded above as a function of the Rayleigh and Ekman numbers Ra and Ek according to Nu ≤ 0.3704Ra2Ek2. Dependent on the relative values of the thermal forcing represented by Ra and the effects of rotation represented by Ek, this bound is both an improvement on earlier rigorous upper bounds and provides a partial explanation of recent numerical and experimental results that were consistent yet surprising relative to the previously derived upper bound of Nu ≲ Ra3Ek4.
Control of the threshold voltage of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated SnO2 nanowire transistor using xenon flash light irradiation
Authors: Kang Youngsoo , Ju Sanghyun
Published: February 2020

It is necessary to maintain the threshold voltage (Vth) of all transistors constituting a logic circuit within a certain range during the fabrication of a logic circuit using n-type metal oxide nanowire transistors (NWTs). Herein, xenon flash light irradiation was used to control the number of oxygen vacancies in a polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated SnO2 nanowire, a semiconductor channel. Additionally, a method for maintaining the positively shifted non-ideal Vth of SnO2 NWT within the positive Vth range close to zero, by shifting it in the negative direction, was investigated. After the xenon flash light irradiation (100–500 V, 5 ms), a decrease in the oxygen content of the SnO2 nanowire was observed using energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and an increase in the peak at ∼600 nm corresponding to the oxygen vacancies was noted in the photoluminescence measurements. The main advantage of using xenon flash light irradiation was that the negative shift of Vth could be controlled within the range of −0.25 V to −3.4 V without any change in other representative transistor characteristics such as subthreshold slope, on-current, on–off current ratio, and field effect mobility of the SnO2 NWT. In addition, by applying the self-assembled monolayers of (1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodec-1-yl)phosphonic acid on the SnO2 nanowire surface to serve as a passivation layer, the negatively shifted Vth of the SnO2 NWT induced by the Xe flash light irradiation could be stably maintained without being affected by environmental oxygen and moisture.
A practical method to account for random phase approximation effects on the dynamic scattering of multi-component polymer systems
Authors: Monkenbusch M. , Kruteva M. , Zamponi M. , Willner L. , Hoffman I. , Farago B. , Richter D.
Published: February 2020

Investigations of polymer systems that rely on the interpretation of dynamical scattering results as, e.g., the structure factor S(Q, t) of single chains or chain sections may require the inclusion of effects, as described within the framework of the random phase approximation (RPA) for polymers. To do this in practice for the dynamic part of S(Q, t) beyond the initial slope is a challenge. Here, we present a method (and software) that allows a straightforward assessment of dynamical RPA effects and inclusion of these in the process/procedures of model fitting. Examples of applications to the interpretation of neutron spin-echo data multi-component polymer melts are shown.
Low power non-volatile memory switching in monolayer-rich 2D WS2 and MoS2 devices
Authors: Mihai C. , Sava F. , Galca A. C. , Velea A.
Published: February 2020

Memristors characterized by non-volatile memory resistance switching are promising candidates for building brain inspired computing architectures. However, existing memristive devices are still far from the energy efficiency of petaflops per joule exhibited by biological neural networks. Therefore, to achieve the goal of ultra-low power operation, it is necessary to develop new materials for the active layer in memristors. Here, we show highly energy efficient memristive devices built from liquid-exfoliated 2D WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets, enriched in monolayers using a cascade centrifugation method. Lateral devices with electrochemically inert electrodes were built using the drop casting method. The devices show non-volatile resistive switching with a remarkable low energy consumption. This work contributes to the realization of energy efficient and high performance neuromorphic computing applications.
Solubility limit and material properties of a κ-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 thin film with a lateral cation gradient on (00.1)Al2O3 by tin-assisted PLD
Authors: Hassa A. , Sturm C. , Kneiß M. , Splith D. , von Wenckstern H. , Schultz T. , Koch N. , Lorenz M. , Grundmann M.
Published: February 2020

A ternary, orthorhombic κ-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 thin film was synthesized by combinatorial pulsed laser deposition on a 2 in. in diameter c-sapphire substrate with a composition gradient. Structural, morphological, and optical properties were studied as a function of the alloy composition. The thin film crystallized in the orthorhombic polymorph for Al contents of 0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.46, enabling bandgap engineering from 5.03 eV to 5.85 eV. The direct optical bandgap and the c-lattice constant, as well, show a linear dependence on the cation composition. XRD measurements, especially 2θ-ω- and ϕ-scans, revealed the growth of κ-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 in [001]-direction and in three rotational domains. The surface morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy and reveals root mean square surface roughnesses below 1 nm. Furthermore, the dielectric function (DF) and the refractive index, determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry, were investigated in dependence on the Al content. Certain features of the DF show a blue shift with increasing Al concentration.
The Soret effect of halobenzenes in n-alkanes: The pseudo-isotope effect and thermophobicities
Authors: Pur B. , Köhler W. , Morozov K. I.
Published: February 2020

We have measured the Soret coefficients of three halobenzenes—fluoro-, chloro-, and bromobenzene—in n-alkanes ranging from hexane to hexadecane over the entire composition range at a temperature of 25 °C. With these new results, two semi-empirical models for the Soret effect, which are based on the pseudo-isotope effect and on the single-component thermophobicities, could significantly be expanded and put on a broader common experimental basis. In particular, for the longer alkanes, above decane, a simplified version of the pseudo-isotope effect yields a good description. In the dilute limit, the agreement of the chemical contributions to the Soret coefficient is perfect, but there are some unexplained systematic deviations at finite concentrations. We have used these Soret coefficients, together with the measurements of 1-bromonaphthalene in the n-alkanes, to expand the database for the thermophobicities of equimolar binary mixtures. Due to a vanishing mixing term in symmetric mixtures, the heats of transport computed from the Soret coefficients can be considered as differences in additive single component properties, the thermophobicities. This allows an ordering of the substances according to these numbers. In a binary mixture, the component with the higher thermophobicity migrates toward the cold side. With the new measurements, the database now contains 24 compounds with 107 out of 276 possible binary mixtures measured.
Optimization of pulses with low bandwidth for improved excitation of multiple-quantum coherences in NMR of quadrupolar nuclei
Authors: Sørensen Jens Jakob , Nyemann Jacob Søgaard , Motzoi Felix , Sherson Jacob , Vosegaard Thomas
Published: February 2020

We discuss the commonly encountered problem when optimizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pulses using optimal control that the otherwise very precise NMR theory does not provide as excellent agreement with experiments. We hypothesize that this disagreement is due to phase transients in the pulse due to abrupt phase and amplitude changes resulting in a large bandwidth. We apply the gradient optimization using parametrization algorithm that gives high fidelity pulses with a low bandwidth compared to the typical gradient ascent pulse engineering pulses. Our results obtain a better agreement between experiments and simulations supporting our hypothesis and solution to the problem.
Excluded-volume descriptors for dipole-bound anions: Amine N-oxides as a test case
Authors: Sommerfeld Thomas , Davis Megan C.
Published: February 2020

Dipole-bound anions can be theoretically characterized at three fundamentally different levels. The highest are ab initio calculations, which themselves range from fairly approximate, say, Koopmans’s Theorem (KT) or second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory, to highly sophisticated, say, the electron affinity equation-of-motion couple-cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple substitutions, which rivals experiments in reliability. The next level down is represented by one-electron model Hamiltonians. Again, one-electron model Hamiltonians can be fairly approximate, especially if the molecular system is modeled by a simple point-dipole and point-polarizable site; however, very reliable models have been developed for specific systems, for example, water clusters. At the lowest level, one can qualitatively explain trends in classes of dipole-bound anions in terms of the dipole moment, μ, the polarizability, α, and the so-called excluded volume, Vx. This project aims at the qualitative level. While the dipole moment and the polarizability possess clear-cut definitions, the excluded volume must—similar to all molecular volumes—remain a rather vaguely defined term, and so far, we are unaware of any quantitative definition in the literature. Here, we introduce and investigate three descriptors for Vx. To this end, we first establish a dataset with consistent ab initio results for 25 amine N-oxides structures. Then, we demonstrate that the descriptors are indeed able to explain trends for sets of isomers and conformers and investigate to what extent the descriptors are able to predict electron binding energy of dipole-bound states using simple quantitative structure-property relationship-like models. It turns out that μ and Vx provide a reasonably accurate prediction of the electrostatic part of the electron bind energy (the KT value) and that the polarizability α provides an acceptable prediction of the electron correlation contribution.
Efficiency of using nitrogen trifluoride as an oxidiser in a supersonic continuous-wave chemical HF laser
Authors: Fedorov I.A.
Published: February 2020

We report the results of an experimental study of possible ways to increase the efficiency of using NF3 nitrogen trifluoride as an oxidiser in an atomic fluorine generator of a supersonic continuous-wave chemical HF laser with a flat nozzle block corresponding to the nozzle – nozzle reagent mixing scheme. As such ways, we consider increasing the residence time of reagents in the combustion chamber and rising temperature in the chemical reaction zone. Comparison of specific energy characteristics of an HF laser operating with the use of the studied (NF3) and ‘basic’ (F2) oxidisers shows that the replacement of molecular fluorine with nitrogen trifluoride during the burning with deuterium in the combustion chamber of an atomic fluorine generator with allowance for the proposed measures leads to a reduction in the specific laser energy output by no more than 23 % – 24 % at high burning completeness.
Efficiency enhancement of thermonuclear DD reaction in femtosecond laser plasma with the use of structured low-average-density targets
Authors: Ivanov K.A. , Shulyapov S.A. , Tsymbalov I.N. , Akunets A.A. , Borisenko N.G. , Mordvintsev I.M. , Bozh’ev I.V. , Volkov R.V. , Bochkarev S.G. , Bychenkov V.Yu. , Savel’ev A.B.
Published: February 2020

An increase in the yield of fast neutrons is experimentally demonstrated by exciting a nuclear DD reaction in the interaction of a relativistically intense (over 1018 W cm−2) ultrashort laser pulse with a deuterated low-average-density target volume-structured at the wavelength scale. It is shown that decreasing the average target density from 0.78 to 0.35 g cm−3 doubles the neutron flux, which reaches 7 × 104 particles per 1 J of input energy. The effect may be associated with an increase in the number of accelerated deuterium ions due to the three dimensional expansion of individual elements of the target structure.
Simulation of femtosecond interferometry when studying the effect of intense laser irradiation of a transparent medium
Authors: Zavedeev E.V. , Kononenko V.V. , Gololobov V.M. , Konov V.I.
Published: February 2020

A method for comparing experimental and simulation results obtained when transmitting a femtosecond laser pulse through a material is proposed. This method is based on computer reproduction of photographs recorded using femtosecond interferometry. A numerical analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of an intense (∼1013 W cm−2) pulse propagating in the bulk of yttrium aluminium garnet is presented.
Effect of an essential oils blend on meat characteristics of crossbred heifers finished on a high-grain diet in a feedlot
Authors: Rivaroli Dayane Cristina , del Mar Campo Maria , Sañudo Carlos , Guerrero Ana , Jorge André Mendes , Vital Ana Carolina Pelaes , Valero Maribel Velandia , do Prado Rodolpho Martin , do Prado Ivanor Nunes
Published: February 2020

Context
Natural additives have been studied to increase animal performance and the quality of meat as alternatives to the use of antibiotics.

Aims
The present work investigated the effects of an essential oil blend (oregano, rosemary, lemon, garlic, eucalyptus, thyme and sweet orange) incorporated into the diet of crossbred heifers on the meat quality.

Methods
Thirty 12-month-old half-sister crossbred heifers (1/2 Angus vs 1/2 Nellore) with an average weight of 219.8 ± 8.8 kg were allocated in individual pens for 3 months. Three diets were tested: E0.0 (without the essential oil blend); E3.5 (with 3.5 g of the essential oil blend/animal.day); E7.0 (7.0 g of the essential oil blend/animal.day). The fatty acid composition (chemical) and profile of the Longissimus muscle were evaluated. In addition, the effect of aging (1, 7 and 14 days in vacuum packs at 2°C) on the colour, cooking and thawing losses, texture, and lipid oxidation were determined.

Key results
The essential oil blend did not affect (P > 0.05) the meat. It did not impact on the decrease in shear force, increased lipid oxidation or changes in colour with aging.

Conclusions
The chemical composition, water holding capacity, shear force, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid profile were not influenced by including the essential oil blend in the diet of heifers.

Implications
The use of low dosages of an essential oil blend could be applied in the diet of heifers, without affecting meat quality.
Development and evaluation of a mechanistic model of post-absorptive nitrogen partitioning in lactating goats
Authors: Fernández C. , Castro J. J.
Published: February 2020

Context
Goats contribute to global warming through emission of nitrous oxide from urine and faeces. To reduce nitrogen (N) excretion, improvements of N efficiency of goats is necessary.

Aims
The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a dynamic mechanistic research-oriented model that explicitly represents N partition into faeces, urine and milk in dairy goats fed total mixed rations.

Methods
Data from five N-balance dairy-goat experiments were used to develop a mechanistic dynamic model of post-absorptive N partition. Various representations considering either mass action or Michaelis–Menten kinetics of N usage for milk were proposed.

Key results
The data for faecal and urine N responses were best fit by a straight line; whereas, data for milk N responses were best fit by curvilinear saturating curve. The model with curvilinear saturating curve had more precise parameter estimates, with the predicted N excretion in faeces (15.6 g/day), urine (15.4 g/day) and milk N output (11.7 g/day) being very close to the observed values, namely, 15.31 g N/day in faeces, 18.78 g N/day in urine and 12.24 g N/day in milk. Independent datasets with 12 studies were used to evaluate the model. The model tended to under-predict faecal N outflow at a lower N intake level and urinary N outflow at a higher N intake level, with the lowest mean bias for milk N outflow.

Conclusions
The final chosen model was adequate to represent faecal, urinary and milk N outflows in dairy goats.

Implications
The model has provided a mechanistic description of N usage, which is useful to frame and test hypotheses of physiological regulation of N use by goats, and focus on a more efficient transfer of dietary N into milk, reducing the N excretion in faeces and urine.
Syphilis testing performance in Aboriginal primary health care: exploring impact of continuous quality improvement over time
Authors: Adily Armita , Girgis Seham , D'Este Catherine , Matthews Veronica , Ward Jeanette E.
Published: February 2020

Data from 110 primary healthcare clinics participating in two or more continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycles in preventive care, which included syphilis testing performance (STP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged between 15 and 54 years, were used to examine whether the number of audit cycles including syphilis testing was associated over time with STP improvement at clinic level in this specific measure of public health importance. The number of cycles per clinic ranged from two to nine (mode 3). As shown by medical record audit at entry to CQI, only 42 (38%) clinics had tested or approached 50% or more of their eligible clients for syphilis in the prior 24 months. Using mixed effects logistic regression, it was found that the odds of a clinic’s STP relative to its first cycle increased only modestly. Counterintuitively, clinics undertaking the most preventive health CQI cycles tended to have the lowest STP throughout. Participation in a general preventive care CQI tool was insufficient to achieve and sustain high rates of STP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people required for public health benefit. Improving STP requires dedicated effort and greater understanding of barriers to effective CQI within and beyond clinic control.
The effect of kefir grain concentration and fermentation duration on characteristics of cow milk-based kefir
Authors: Triwibowo Bayu , Wicaksono Reki , Antika Yola , Ermi Siti , Jarmiati Anik , Ari Setiadi Ardhi , Syahriar Rizal
Published: February 2020

Cow’s milk is very easily damaged because of the content of decomposing bacteria that occurs very quickly, so that the milk becomes inappropriate for consumption. Current technological developments in food sector provide an alternative diversification of milk processing products. One such technology is fermentation of cow’s milk into kefir. The method used in this study is a Completely Randomized Design method (CRD) without any repetition. The raw materials used are cow’s milk, kefir grains with various concentrations, namely 3%, 5% and 7% per 1L kefir, with different fermentation lenght namely 18 hours, 21 hours and 24 hours. Furthermore, the characteristics of lactic acid levels were tested using alkalimetry method, protein content test using the formol method, and the Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) test using Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) on growing medium. Characteristic test results show that lactic acid levels are optimal at 5% kefir grain concentration as well as optimal protein levels at 5% kefir grain concentration, while total LAB obtained are 1.80 × 107 cells / mL at 3% kefir grain concentration.
Data protection on hadoop distributed file system by using encryption algorithms: a systematic literature review
Authors: Naisuty Meisuchi , Nizar Hidayanto Achmad , Clydea Harahap Nabila , Rosyiq Ahmad , Suhanto Agus , Michael Samuel Hartono George
Published: February 2020

Big data has capability to process huge amount of unstructured and structured data. Nowadays, technology is able to support business need by extracting massive amount of data and recognizing its pattern to predict future trends. It brings right insight in business strategy to gain tremendous benefit. Hadoop is a reliable technology which developed to distribute process and storage on big data efficiently. However, Hadoop doesn’t have any built-in provision to encrypt data by default. Hadoop additional feature in encryption zone has security issue which key management does outside of HDFS. Sensitive and confidential data in HDFS can be exposed against security attack. Information security is fundamental concern and new set challenge for the world of big data. The main purpose of this paper is to protect Hadoop Distributed File System data by using encryption algorithm. This is to ensure data is secured at storage level of HDFS. Dealing with big data, it is important to choose fast enough encryption algorithm that has great performance. Research methodology is SLR (System Literature Review) by using methodology of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).
Design of microwave applicator for processing biomass waste
Authors: Prastiyanto Dhidik , Astuti Widi , Mahmud Amirul , Wijaya Budi
Published: February 2020

Activated carbon is produced by microwave heating method. We designed microwave applicator for processing biomass waste into activated carbon. To obtain the optimal design, CST Microwave studio was selected to simulate microwave radiation inside the applicator. In this work, simulation process has been done to find out microwave radiation with the change a waveguide port position and microwave cavity shape. In the measurement of microwave radiation, we used electrical field (E-field) monitor at frequency 2.45GHz. The result shows that applicator with hexagonal shape has the best performance in power accepted and power outgoing, most uniform E-field radiation in the sample. Microwave applicator for heating process biomass waste into activated carbon can be optimized with adding some stirrer mode.
A low cost validation method of finite element analysis on a thin walled vertical pressure vessels
Authors: Pratama Juan , Fajar Fitriyana Deni , Rusiyanto  , Parlaungan Siregar Januar , Caesarendra Wahyu
Published: February 2020

Pressure vessel is a container that has been used to contain a pressurized fluids, either oil, gas, or other chemical fluids. It is widely used for the oil, gas and other chemical based industries. Nowadays, finite element analysis is commonly used to reduce the high cost of testing a pressure vessel before manufacturing process. However, further validation is needed to ensure the results of the simulation and safety of the pressure vessels. In this study, theory of distortion energy is used as the tools of validation based on materials properties and behavior. And finally to ascertain wether the pressure vessel is possible for production or a refinement for safety is needed. The results of the study shown that theory of distortion energy can be used as validation tool for finite element analysis on a pressure vessels, however it cannot ensure the safety. Therefore other validation methods are needed to ascertain the safety of the pressure vessel discussed in this report. The cost analysis shown that failure theory combined with other calculation methods can save costs in pressure vessel testing, although some fairly expensive tests cannot be avoided.
The stability analysis study of conventional retaining walls variation design in vertical slope
Authors: Sari U C , Sholeh M N , Hermanto I
Published: February 2020

One of the hazards that usually occur in slope is landslide. This disaster can occur due to various factors, such as soil material, load on the slope, and the presence of groundwater. Retaining wall is one of the reinforcements that can be applied in slope. This reinforcement is expected to overcome the landslide hazard that can possible to occur. For the conventional retaining wall in kind of gravity wall, the weight of structure influences the stability to retain the slope. Moreover, the weight of retaining wall is determined by its dimension. The assumptions of retaining wall dimension is determined by trial and error. If retaining wall is not enough to bear the load, the dimension of the retaining wall must be changed. In this study, analysing conventional gravity type of retaining walls with several variation designs in 3 meters vertical slope. As the limitation of this study, there are two layers cohesive soil behind the retaining wall. The retaining wall only relies on the weight of the structure as the basis of its design. Therefore, the relation between weight of retaining wall with stability of the structure itself can be known. Thus, the design of the suitable retaining wall that is used on the vertical slope in this study can be obtained. Results show that the greater the retaining wall, the value of the safety factor will increase. The design of the retaining wall with sloping wall on the front of the retaining wall gives greater safety factor than the design of the retaining wall with the slender shape.
Below-surface water mediates the response of African forests to reduced rainfall
Authors: Madani Nima , Kimball John S , Parazoo Nicholas C , Ballantyne Ashley P , Tagesson Torbern , Jones Lucas A , Reichle Rolf H , Palmer Paul I , Velicogna Isabella , Bloom A Anthony , Saatchi Sassan , Liu Zhihua , Geruo A
Published: February 2020

Terrestrial ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) is the largest land-atmosphere carbon flux and the primary mechanism of photosynthetic fixation of atmospheric CO2 into plant biomass. Anomalous rainfall events have been shown to have a great impact on the global carbon cycle. However, less is known about the impact of these events on GPP, especially in Africa, where in situ observations are sparse. Here, we use a suite of satellite and other geospatial data to examine the responses of major ecosystems in Africa to anomalous rainfall events from 2003 to 2017. Our results reveal that higher-than-average groundwater storage in tropical ecosystems offsets the rainfall deficit during the dry years. While the inter-annual variations in GPP in semi-arid ecosystems are controlled by near surface soil water, deeper soil moisture and groundwater control the inter-annual variability of the GPP in dense tropical forests. Our study highlights the critical role of groundwater in buffering rainfall shortages and continued availability of near-surface water to plants through dry spells.
Rational construction of Au–Ag bimetallic island-shaped nanoplates for electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhao Hong , Liu Diandian , Xu Shujuan , Chen Yao , Yin Fujun , Yang Tao , Wang Mingyan , Deng Hua , Zhang Wei , Liu Weiwei , Liu Xiaohong
Published: February 2020

Active electrocatalysts are the key to water splitting for hydrogen production through the electrolysis. In this paper, 50 nm silver nanoplates were used as templates for synthesis of Au–Ag island-shaped nanoplates by controlling the surface chemistry. The guiding mechanism of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, Mw = 40 000) to Au–Ag island-shaped nanoplates crystal was also further investigated. It is found that the surface energy of Ag nanoplates between (100) and (111) crystal planes can be regulated by varying the amount of PVP in the system. Then a uniform Au-Ag triangular island nanostructure was obtained. Compared with the Ag nanoplates catalysts, the Au–Ag island nanoplates catalysts show the superior catalytic performances in hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis (HER). These results demonstrate a new surface chemistry modification by PVP and a galvanic displacement reaction for designing the active electrocatalysts. More importantly, the Au–Ag island-shaped nanoplates show an unconventional growth mode of preserving the original Ag nano-triangular crystal structure. The enhanced performance in electrocatalysis can be mainly attributed to Au–Ag alloy structure, which allows the appearance of synergistic effects. The present work demonstrates the crucial roles of surface chemistry in catalysts synthesis, which may guide the design of active bimetallic catalysts.
II—Ambition, Love, And Happiness
Authors: Pettigrove Glen
Published: February 2020

What is the relationship between ambition and love? While discussions of happiness often mention romances, friendships, aspirations, and achievements, the relationship between these features is seldom discussed. This paper aims to fill that gap. It begins with a suggestive remark made by La Rochefoucauld and repeated by Adam Smith: ‘Love often leads on to ambition, but seldom does one return from ambition to love.’ To explain what accounts for such a pattern, I introduce a distinction between stage-setting emotions and master emotions, which is useful for illuminating relationships between a number of emotions, including ambition and love. Drawing on things Smith says elsewhere in the Theory of Moral Sentiments, I conclude by highlighting one way the pattern might be reversed and ambition might lead to love.
TeSS: a platform for discovering life-science training opportunities
Authors: Beard Niall , Bacall Finn , Nenadic Aleksandra , Thurston Milo , Goble Carole A , Sansone Susanna-Assunta , Attwood Teresa K
Published: February 2020

Dispersed across the Internet is an abundance of disparate, disconnected training information, making it hard for researchers to find training opportunities that are relevant to them. To address this issue, we have developed a new platform—TeSS—which aggregates geographically distributed information and presents it in a central, feature-rich portal. Data are gathered automatically from content providers via bespoke scripts. These resources are cross-linked with related data and tools registries, and made available via a search interface, a data API and through widgets.

Availability and implementation

https://tess.elixir-europe.org.
Patch size and vegetation structure drive changes to mixed-species flock diversity and composition across a gradient of fragment sizes in the Western Andes of Colombia
Authors: Jones Harrison H , Robinson Scott K
Published: February 2020

Forest fragmentation is a leading driver of biodiversity loss, yet its effects on positive species interactions remain poorly known. We examined the effects of fragmentation on mixed-species bird flocks in the Western Andes of Colombia. Using 500-m transect surveys (n = 14 transects), we sampled flocks in 8 fragments (range: 10–173 ha) and an unfragmented reference site within the same altitudinal band (1,900–2,200 m.a.s.l.) and matrix type (cattle pasture). We evaluated the relative contributions of 9 predictor variables, including patch size, distance from edge, and selective aspects of vegetation structure on the composition, size, species richness, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity of flocks. We found effects of both patch size and vegetation structure on flock species richness, size, and functional diversity, but no support for edge effects. Generally, flock richness and size responded differently to fragmentation than did functional and phylogenetic diversity metrics. Both flock size and richness increased with patch size, but this variable had no effect on functional and phylogenetic diversity. Flock richness and size increased in high-canopy forests with greater foliage height diversity, whereas unlogged, old-growth primary forests with large-diameter trees had lower flock richness and size, but significantly greater functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity was not affected by patch size, edge effects, or vegetation structure. We found differences in flock composition in response to fragmentation. Richness of Furnariidae in flocks increased with increasing distance from edge and foliage height diversity, whereas that of Thraupidae and boreal migrant species increased in early successional and forest edge flocks, respectively. All flock diversity metrics differed significantly seasonally, with smaller, less diverse flocks observed in January–March than in June–August. Flocking behavior persisted in 10-ha fragments, likely because Andean flocks are “open membership” in nature, but there was extensive species turnover as forest edge and generalist species replaced forest-interior species in smaller fragments.