bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A side-effect free method for identifying cancer drug targets
Authors: Ashraf Md. Izhar , Ong Seng-Kai , Mujawar Shama , Pawar Shrikant , More Pallavi , Paul Somnath , Lahiri Chandrajit
Published: April 2018

Identifying effective drug targets, with little or no side effects, remains an ever challenging task. A potential pitfall of failing to uncover the correct drug targets, due to side effect of pleiotropic genes, might lead the potential drugs to be illicit and withdrawn. Simplifying disease complexity, for the investigation of the mechanistic aspects and identification of effective drug targets, have been done through several approaches of protein interactome analysis. Of these, centrality measures have always gained importance in identifying candidate drug targets. Here, we put forward an integrated method of analysing a complex network of cancer and depict the importance of k-core, functional connectivity and centrality (KFC) for identifying effective drug targets. Essentially, we have extracted the proteins involved in the pathways leading to cancer from the pathway databases which enlist real experimental datasets. The interactions between these proteins were mapped to build an interactome. Integrative analyses of the interactome enabled us to unearth plausible reasons for drugs being rendered withdrawn, thereby giving future scope to pharmaceutical industries to potentially avoid them (e.g. ESR1, HDAC2, F2, PLG, PPARA, RXRA, etc). Based upon our KFC criteria, we have shortlisted ten proteins (GRB2, FYN, PIK3R1, CBL, JAK2, LCK, LYN, SYK, JAK1 and SOCS3) as effective candidates for drug development.
Human rhinovirus internal ribosome entry site element enhances transgene expression in transfected CHO-S cells
Authors: Chai Yu-rong , Ge Meng-meng , Wei Ting-ting , Jia Yan-long , Guo Xiao , Wang Tian-yun
Published: April 2018

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are mainly used for recombinant protein production. However, the unstable transgene expression and lower transgene copy numbers are the major issues need to be resolved. Here, eleven internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements from viral and cellular IRES were evaluated for foreign gene expression in CHO-S cells. We constructed eleven fusing plasmids containing different IRES sequences downstream of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene. EGFP expression was detected by flow cytometry and the transgene copy number was evaluated by quantitative PCR. The erythropoietin (EPO) protein was also used to assess the stronger IRES. The results showed that IRES from human rhinovirus (HRV) exhibited the highest EGFP expression level under transient and stable transfections. The EGFP expression level of vector with IRES from HRV was related to the gene copy number in stably transfected CHO-S cells. Moreover, IRES from HRV induced higher expression level of EPO compared with one mutant IRES from EMCV in transfected cells. In conclusion, IRES from HRV can function as a strong IRES element for stable expression in CHO-S cells, which could potentially guide more effective foreign gene expression in CHO-S cells.
Opto-mechanical lab-on-fibre seismic sensors detected the Norcia earthquake
Authors: Pisco Marco , Bruno Francesco Antonio , Galluzzo Danilo , Nardone Lucia , Gruca Grzegorz , Rijnveld Niek , Bianco Francesca , Cutolo Antonello , Cusano Andrea
Published: April 2018

We have designed and developed lab-on-fibre seismic sensors containing a micro-opto-mechanical cavity on the fibre tip. The mechanical cavity is designed as a double cantilever suspended on the fibre end facet and connected to a proof mass to tune its response. Ground acceleration leads to displacement of the cavity length, which in turn can be remotely detected using an interferometric interrogation technique. After the sensors characterization, an experimental validation was conducted at the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which is responsible for seismic surveillance over the Italian country. The fabricated sensors have been continuously used for long periods to demonstrate their effectiveness as seismic accelerometer sensors. During the tests, fibre optic seismic accelerometers clearly detected the seismic sequence that culminated in the severe Mw6.5 Norcia earthquake that struck central Italy on October 30, 2016. The seismic data provided by the optical sensors were analysed by specialists at the INGV. The wave traces were compared with state-of-the-art traditional sensors typically incorporated into the INGV seismic networks. The comparison verifies the high fidelity of the optical sensors in seismic wave detection, indicating their suitability for a novel class of seismic sensors to be employed in practical scenarios.
Transient peak-strain matching partially recovers the age-impaired mechanoadaptive cortical bone response
Authors: Javaheri Behzad , Carriero Alessandra , Wood Maria , De Souza Roberto , Lee Peter D. , Shefelbine Sandra , Pitsillides Andrew A.
Published: April 2018

Mechanoadaptation maintains bone mass and architecture; its failure underlies age-related decline in bone strength. It is unclear whether this is due to failure of osteocytes to sense strain, osteoblasts to form bone or insufficient mechanical stimulus. Mechanoadaptation can be restored to aged bone by surgical neurectomy, suggesting that changes in loading history can rescue mechanoadaptation. We use non-biased, whole-bone tibial analyses, along with characterisation of surface strains and ensuing mechanoadaptive responses in mice at a range of ages, to explore whether sufficient load magnitude can activate mechanoadaptation in aged bone. We find that younger mice adapt when imposed strains are lower than in mature and aged bone. Intriguingly, imposition of short-term, high magnitude loading effectively primes cortical but not trabecular bone of aged mice to respond. This response was regionally-matched to highest strains measured by digital image correlation and to osteocytic mechanoactivation. These data indicate that aged bone’s loading response can be partially recovered, non-invasively by transient, focal high strain regions. Our results indicate that old murine bone does respond to load when the loading is of sufficient magnitude, and bones’ age-related adaptation failure may be due to insufficient mechanical stimulus to trigger mechanoadaptation.
RNA-sequencing reveals long-term effects of silver nanoparticles on human lung cells
Authors: Gliga Anda R. , Di Bucchianico Sebastiano , Lindvall Jessica , Fadeel Bengt , Karlsson Hanna L.
Published: April 2018

Despite a considerable focus on the adverse effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in recent years, studies on the potential long-term effects of AgNPs are scarce. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of AgNPs following repeated low-dose, long-term exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells. To this end, the human BEAS-2B cell line was exposed to 1 µg/mL AgNPs (10 nm) for 6 weeks followed by RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) as well as genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. The transcriptomics analysis showed that a substantial number of genes (1717) were differentially expressed following AgNP exposure whereas only marginal effects on DNA methylation were observed. Downstream analysis of the transcriptomics data identified several affected pathways including the ‘fibrosis’ and ‘epithelial-mesenchymal transition’ (EMT) pathway. Subsequently, functional validation studies were performed using AgNPs of two different sizes (10 nm and 75 nm). Both NPs increased collagen deposition, indicative of fibrosis, and induced EMT, as evidenced by an increased invasion index, anchorage independent cell growth, as well as cadherin switching. In conclusion, using a combination of RNA-Seq and functional assays, our study revealed that repeated low-dose, long-term exposure of human BEAS-2B cells to AgNPs is pro-fibrotic, induces EMT and cell transformation.
Hydrogen-mediated magnetic domain formation and domain wall motion in Co30Pd70 alloy films
Authors: Chang Po-Chun , Liu Chak-Ming , Hsu Chuan-Che , Lin Wen-Chin
Published: April 2018

In this study, the microscopic origin of the hydrogen effect on magnetic materials was explored through the characterization of time-dependent magnetic domain evolution. We prepared 25-nm Co30Pd70 alloy films with canted magnetic moment on SiO2/Si(001) substrates. From macroscopic Kerr hysteresis loops, considerable hydrogen-induced reduction of magnetic coercivity by a factor of 1/5 in a longitudinal direction and enhancement of magnetic remanence to saturation ratio from 60% to 100% were observed. The magnetic reversal behavior of the Co30Pd70 alloy films gradually transformed from nucleation- to domain-wall-motion dominance when H2 pressure was increased from a vacuum of 1 × 10−5 mbar to 0.8 bar. Domain size also increased considerably with H2 pressure. When H2 pressure was above 0.4 bar, the domain wall (DW) motion was clear to observe and the DW velocity was approximately 10−6–10−5 m/s. Greater hydrogen content in the Co30Pd70 alloy films promoted DW motion that was closer to the behavior of a thermally activated model. The hydrogen effects on magnetism were observed to be reversible and could have valuable future application in spintronic devices for hydrogen sensing.
Contribution of multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1) to renal secretion of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)
Authors: Gessner A. , König J. , Fromm M. F.
Published: April 2018

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) gained considerable attention because of its role as a cardiovascular risk biomarker. Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates TMAO uptake into renal proximal tubular cells. Here we investigated the potential role of multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1) for translocation of TMAO across the luminal membrane of proximal tubular cells. HEK293 cells stably expressing OCT2 (HEK-OCT2) or MATE1 (HEK-MATE1) were used for uptake studies. Transcellular transport of TMAO was investigated using monolayers of MDCK control cells (MDCK-Co) as well as single- (MDCK-OCT2, MDCK-MATE1) and double-transfected cells (MDCK-OCT2-MATE1). In line with previous studies, HEK-OCT2 cells revealed a 2.4-fold uptake of TMAO compared to control cells (p < 0.001), whereas no significant uptake was observed in HEK-MATE1. In monolayers of MDCK cells, polarised TMAO transcellular transport was not significantly different between MDCK-Co and MDCK-OCT2 cells, but significantly increased in MDCK-MATE1 (p < 0.05) and MDCK-OCT2-MATE1 cells (p < 0.001). The OCT/MATE inhibitor trimethoprim abolished TMAO translocation in MDCK-OCT2-MATE1 cells (p < 0.05). The present data suggest that MATE1 contributes to renal elimination of TMAO. For selected MATE substrates, such as TMAO, uptake studies using non-polarised MATE-expressing cells can reveal false negative results compared to studies using polarised monolayers.
Ketogenic diet enhances neurovascular function with altered gut microbiome in young healthy mice
Authors: Ma David , Wang Amy C. , Parikh Ishita , Green Stefan J. , Hoffman Jared D. , Chlipala George , Murphy M. Paul , Sokola Brent S. , Bauer Björn , Hartz Anika M. S. , Lin Ai-Ling
Published: April 2018

Neurovascular integrity, including cerebral blood flow (CBF) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, plays a major role in determining cognitive capability. Recent studies suggest that neurovascular integrity could be regulated by the gut microbiome. The purpose of the study was to identify if ketogenic diet (KD) intervention would alter gut microbiome and enhance neurovascular functions, and thus reduce risk for neurodegeneration in young healthy mice (12–14 weeks old). Here we show that with 16 weeks of KD, mice had significant increases in CBF and P-glycoprotein transports on BBB to facilitate clearance of amyloid-beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These neurovascular enhancements were associated with reduced mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expressions. KD also increased the relative abundance of putatively beneficial gut microbiota (Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus), and reduced that of putatively pro-inflammatory taxa (Desulfovibrio and Turicibacter). We also observed that KD reduced blood glucose levels and body weight, and increased blood ketone levels, which might be associated with gut microbiome alteration. Our findings suggest that KD intervention started in the early stage may enhance brain vascular function, increase beneficial gut microbiota, improve metabolic profile, and reduce risk for AD.
Pilot study with IBAT inhibitor A4250 for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Al-Dury Samer , Wahlström Annika , Wahlin Staffan , Langedijk Jacqueline , Elferink Ronald Oude , Ståhlman Marcus , Marschall Hanns-Ulrich
Published: April 2018

Pruritus is a common complication of cholestatic liver diseases. Inhibition of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT/ASBT) may emerge as treatment option. Our aim was to assess tolerability and effect on pruritus of the selective IBAT inhibitor A4250 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Ten patients with PBC and bile acid sequestrant treatment of cholestatic pruritus were after a two-week wash out of the bile acid sequestrant treated with either 0.75 mg (n = 4) or 1.5 mg (n = 5) of A4250 for four weeks. Patients’ pruritus was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 5-D itch scale and the pruritus module of the PBC40 questionnaire. Plasma bile acids and 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one were measured by UPLC-MS/MS, plasma fibroblast growth factor 19 by ELISA, and serum autotaxin activity by homemade assay. All nine patients exposed to A4250 reported a remarkable improvement in pruritus, until none or mild according to 5-D itch, VAS and PBC40 pruritus. Five patients finished the study prematurely due to abdominal pain (5/5) and diarrhoea (4/5). The high incidence of probably bile acid malabsorption-related diarrhoea and abdominal pain in the bile acid sequestrant pre-treated population indicates that the start dose of A4250 may have been too high for adult patients.
Author Correction: Rapid susceptibility profiling of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Mulroney K. T. , Hall J. M. , Huang X. , Turnbull E. , Bzdyl N. M. , Chakera A. , Naseer U. , Corea E. M. , Ellington M. J. , Hopkins K. L. , Wester A. L. , Ekelund O. , Woodford N. , Inglis T. J. J.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Dietary polyphenols enhance optogenetic recall of fear memory in hippocampal dentate gyrus granule neuron subpopulations
Authors: Smith Chad , Frolinger Tal , Brathwaite Justin , Sims Steven , Pasinetti Giulio M.
Published: April 2018

Grape-derived polyphenols have been investigated for their role in promoting memory in model systems of stress, but little is known about select subpopulations of neurons that are influenced by polyphenols to improve memory performance. Granule neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus are vulnerable to stressors that impair contextual memory function and can be influenced by dietary polyphenols. We utilized a c-fos-tTA/TRE-ChR2 optogenetics model in which neurons activated during fear learning are labeled with ChR2-mCherry and can be optically reactivated in a different context to recapitulate the behavioral output of a related memory. Treatment with dietary polyphenols increased fear memory recall and ChR2-mCherry expression in dentate gyrus neurons, suggesting that dietary polyphenols promote recruitment of neurons to a fear memory engram. We show that dietary polyphenols promote memory function and offer a general method to map cellular subpopulations influenced by dietary polyphenols, in part through the mechanism of c-Fos expression enhancement.
Mechanical and water-resistant properties of rice straw fiberboard bonded with chemically-modified soy protein adhesive
Authors: Zhang Wanrong , Sun Hongguang , Zhu Chao , Wan Kai , Zhang Yu , Fang Zhengping , Ai Zhaoquan
Published: April 2018

In this work, rice straw and soy protein were used to make fiberboard which may replace wood fiberboard.
Systemic delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 with PEG-PLGA nanoparticles for chronic myeloid leukemia targeted therapy
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhao Gui , Xu Cong-Fei , Luo Ying-Li , Lu Zi-Dong , Wang Jun
Published: April 2018

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with cationic lipid-assisted polymeric nanoparticles (CLANs) carrying the CRISPR/Cas9 targeting BCR-ABL fusion gene.
Synthesis of nano-sized LTL zeolite by addition of a Ba precursor with superior n-octane aromatization performance
Authors: Zhao Chunli , Wu Baoshan , Tao Zhichao , Li Ke , Li Tao , Gao Xiang , Huang Lihua , Yun Yifeng , Yang Yong , Li Yongwang
Published: April 2018

Nano-sized LTL zeolites obtained by the Ba-assisted method show improved catalytic performance in n-octane aromatization reaction.
Theoretical investigation of the swelling of polysaccharide microgels in sugar solutions
Authors: van der Sman R. G. M.
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we explain the increased swelling of crosslinked polysaccharide microgels by the increase of sugar concentration using a modified Flory–Rehner theory.
π–π stacking induced high current density and improved efficiency in ternary organic solar cells
Authors: Li Lijuan , Lin Hui , Kong Xiao , Du Xiaoyang , Chen Xinwei , Zhou Ling , Tao Silu , Zheng Caijun , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: April 2018

We demonstrated that strengthening π–π stacking is an effective way to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells.
MoSe2nanosheet/MoO2nanobelt/carbon nanotube membrane as flexible and multifunctional electrodes for full water splitting in acidic electrolyte
Authors: Yang L. J. , Deng Y. Q. , Zhang X. F. , Liu H. , Zhou W. J.
Published: April 2018

Porous, conductive and flexible membranes, composed of MoSe2NSs, MoO2NBs and CNTs, were successfully prepared and possessed remarkable electrocatalytic performance for full water splitting in acidic electrolyte.
Achieving deep-red-to-near-infrared emissions in Sn-doped Cu–In–S/ZnS quantum dots for red-enhanced white LEDs and near-infrared LEDs
Authors: Chen Jixin , Li Ye , Wang Le , Zhou Tianliang , Xie Rong-Jun
Published: April 2018

We first report the deep-red to NIR emissions in Cu–Sn–In–S and Cu–Sn–In–S/ZnS QDs by incorporating Sn in CIS QDs.
Gold nanocages entering into the realm of high-contrast photoacoustic ocular imaging
Authors: Raveendran Sreejith , Lim Hoong-Ta , Maekawa Toru , Vadakke Matham Murukeshan , Sakthi Kumar D.
Published: April 2018

Ultra-fast microwave oven synthesized gold nanocages (AuNcgs) were successfully demonstrated for high-contrast photoacoustic ocular imaging for the first time. Methods are described for the synthesis, characterization and application of quickly synthesized AuNcgs in diagnostic ocular imaging using Porcine eye model.
Synthesis and characterization of CO2-sensitive temperature-responsive catalytic poly(ionic liquid) microgels
Authors: Chen Shoumin , Lin Xuezhen , Zhai Zhenghao , Lan Ruyue , Li Jin , Wang Yusong , Zhou Shiming , Farooqi Zahoor Hussain , Wu Weitai
Published: April 2018

A class of poly(ionic liquid) microgels exhibiting CO2-switchable temperature-responsive volume phase transition behavior have been synthesized and used for CO2 fixation.
(PtBA-co-PPEGMEMA-co-PDOMA)-g-PPFA polymer brushes synthesized by sequential RAFT polymerization and ATRP
Authors: Shen Dingfeng , Xu Binbin , Huang Xiaoyu , Zhuang Qixin , Lin Shaoliang
Published: April 2018

This article reports the synthesis of semi-fluorinated (PtBA-co-PPEGMEMA-co-PDOMA)-g-PPFA polymer brushes for self-cleaning anti-fouling surfaces.
Multifunctional Nd3+ substituted Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 as lead-free ceramics with enhanced luminescence, ferroelectric and energy harvesting properties
Authors: Kandula Kumara Raja , Asthana Saket , Raavi Sai Santosh Kumar
Published: April 2018

Herein, we present investigations on the effect of electrical poling on the optical and electrical properties of Nd3+ substituted NBT ceramics with varying Nd3+ concentrations.
A facile one-step hydrothermal approach to synthesize hierarchical core–shell NiFe2O4@NiFe2O4 nanosheet arrays on Ni foam with large specific capacitance for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Xinyang , Zhang Ziqing , Sun Shuanggan , Wu Yunpeng , Sun Qiushi , Liu Xiaoyang
Published: April 2018

Hierarchical NiFe2O4@NiFe2O4 core–shell nanosheet arrays synthesized via one-step hydrothermal method with a successive annealing exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance.
A lignin-based nano-adsorbent for superfast and highly selective removal of phosphate
Authors: Zong Enmin , Huang Guobo , Liu Xiaohuan , Lei Weiwei , Jiang Shengtao , Ma Zhongqing , Wang Jifu , Song Pingan
Published: April 2018

The design of an environmentally benign cost-effective adsorbent for superfast removal of phosphate from wastewater is vital but remains a huge challenge.
Cuprous ions embedded in ceria lattice for selective and stable electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene
Authors: Wu Di , Dong Cunku , Wu Deyao , Fu Jianyu , Liu Hui , Hu Shanwei , Jiang Zheng , Qiao Shi Zhang , Du Xi-Wen
Published: April 2018

Cuprous ions incorporated into a ceria lattice for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethylene with excellent selectivity and stability.
Photodecomposition and thermal decomposition in methylammonium halide lead perovskites and inferred design principles to increase photovoltaic device stability
Authors: Juarez-Perez Emilio J. , Ono Luis K. , Maeda Maki , Jiang Yan , Hawash Zafer , Qi Yabing
Published: April 2018

Strategies of how to mitigate photodegradation and thermal degradation processes are proposed in this work in order to further improve operational stability in hybrid perovskite solar cells.
Lipid bilayer formation on organic electronic materials
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wustoni Shofarul , Savva Achilleas , Giovannitti Alexander , McCulloch Iain , Inal Sahika
Published: April 2018

This work explores the design rules that govern vesicle fusion and bilayer formation on organic electronic material surfaces.
Improving charge injection and charge transport in CuO-based p-type DSSCs – a quick and simple precipitation method for small CuO nanoparticles
Authors: Langmar Oliver , Ganivet Carolina R. , Schol Peter , Scharl Tobias , de la Torre Gema , Torres Tomás , Costa Rubén D. , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: April 2018

Novel CuO photocathodes based on synthesized nanoparticles achieve superior charge injection and transport properties in p-DSSCs.
Recent progress in solution processable TADF materials for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Huang Tianyu , Jiang Wei , Duan Lian
Published: April 2018

Molecular design and recent progress on solution-processed TADF materials in OLEDs, including small molecules, polymers and dendrimers, is reviewed.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): an adventure from plasmonic metals to organic semiconductors as SERS platforms
Authors: Demirel Gokhan , Usta Hakan , Yilmaz Mehmet , Celik Merve , Alidagi Husniye Ardic , Buyukserin Fatih
Published: April 2018

The recent focus on SERS-active materials has shifted from conventional plasmonic surfaces to alternative 3D structures and semiconductors.
Effects of exposure of adult mice to multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the liver lipid metabolism of their offspring
Authors: Zhang Hong-yu , Chen Ru-long , Shao Yang , Wang Hua-lin , Liu Zhi-guo
Published: April 2018

Objective: To explore the toxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the liver lipid metabolism of offspring mice and the possible mechanisms involved.
Elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ in response to energy deficiency in plants: the general mechanism of adaptation to low oxygen stress
Authors: Igamberdiev Abir U. , Hill Robert D.
Published: April 2018

Ca2+ can be released from cell compartments to the cytosol during stress conditions. We discuss here the causes of Ca2+ release under conditions of ATP concentration decline that result in the suppression of ATPases and activation of calcium ion channels. The main signaling and metabolic consequences of Ca2+ release are considered for stressed plant cells. The signaling function includes generation and spreading of calcium waves, while the metabolic function results in the activation of particular enzymes and genes. Ca2+ is involved in the activation of glutamate decarboxylase, initiating the γ-aminobutyric acid shunt and triggering the formation of alanine, processes which play a role, in particular, in pH regulation. Ca2+ activates the transcription of several genes, e.g. of plant hemoglobin (phytoglobin, Pgb) which scavenges nitric oxide and regulates redox and energy balance through the Pgb–nitric oxide cycle. This cycle involves NADH and NADPH oxidation from the cytosolic side of mitochondria, in which Ca2+- and low pH-activated external NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases participate. Ca2+ can also activate the genes of alcohol dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase stimulating hypoxic fermentation. It is concluded that calcium is a primary factor that causes the metabolic shift under conditions of oxygen deficiency.
Congestion Mitigation Scenario through Public Transportation Improvement
Authors: Suryani Erma , Agus Hendrawan Rully , Fasrter Eka Adipraja Phillip , Puspa Dewi Lily
Published: April 2018

Congestion can be recognized through roads filled with cars, trucks, buses and sidewalks filled with pedestrians. It usually relates to an excess of vehicles at a particular time resulting in lower speeds, sometimes much slower than normal speeds. Public transportation is a vital element in solving the congestion problem in the city. In Indonesia, currently, safe and convenient transportation modes to move from one point to another still rarely found. Therefore, the growth rate of personal vehicles soaring from year to year. Therefore, in this research a set of simulation models have been developed to mitigate congestion through the improvement of public transportation. As a method used to develop the model, system dynamics is utilized based on consideration that the method can accommodate nonlinear relationships between factors that have significant contribution to mitigate the traffic congestion. Research results show that the improvement of public transportation through comfort, safety, reliability and affordable cost can mitigate the traffic congestion.
Design of Monitoring Tool Heartbeat Rate and Human Body Temperature Based on WEB
Authors: Jalinas  , Kusuma Raharja Wahyu , Putra Emas Wijaya Bobby
Published: April 2018

The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. One way to know heart health is to measure the number of heart beats per minute and body temperature also shows health, many heart rate and body temperature devices but can only be accessed offline. This research aims to design a heart rate detector and human body temperature that the measurement results can be accessed via web pages anywhere and anytime. This device can be used by many users by entering different ID numbers. The design consists of input blocks: pulse sensor, DS18B20 sensor and 3x4 keypad button. Process blocks: Arduino Mega 2560 Microcontroller, Ethernet Shield, router and USB modem. And output block: 16x2 LCD and mobile phone or PC to access web page. Based on the test results, this tool successfully measures the heart rate with an average error percentage of 2.702 % when compared with the oxymeter tool. On the measurement of body temperature get the result of the average error percentage of 2.18 %.
Investigation on Voltage Quality Problems on the Process of Cement Industry Production in Indonesia: A Case Study of Cement Kupang Factory - Indonesia
Authors: Sentosa Setiadji Julius , Rohi Daniel , Flantine Mozes Yoanne
Published: April 2018

The decline in the quality of electric power becomes a serious problem in the industrial sector and affects a significant cost loss. One of the dominant power quality problems is the voltage dip. The use of electric motors in an industry becomes one of the main causes. This paper discusses the investigation on voltage dip problems at a cement factory at Kupang,, Indonesia. The cement factory uses an induction motor as the prime mover and is proven to trigger a voltage dip because of its high starting current. Based on the observed data of the disturbance, a single line diagram was created. The single line diagram was analyzed using an equivalent circuit. It was found out that as the induction motor was started, it created a very significant voltage drop as of 20.43 % to 62.26 %. The voltage dip correlated to the capacity of the induction motor used. The larger the capacity of the induction motor, the larger the voltage dip occured.
Simulation Study of Bio-Methane Conversion into Hydrogen for Generating 500 kW of Power
Authors: Mel Maizirwan , Riyad Hussein Abdeen Fouad , Mohd Salleh Hamzah , Izan Ihsan Sany , Adyani Ahmad Fuad Fazia , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy
Published: April 2018

Research and development sectors have made great efforts for finding cleaner and greener supplements for fossil fuels. The uses of POME (Palm oil Mill Effluent) as feedstock of biogas production has attracted many industries to produce energy because this source (waste) is abundance and not fully utilised. Methane from biogas production has shown to have a significant potential to replace the depleting sources as it can be produced from renewable feed stocks. The main objective of this study is to produce hydrogen from methane obtained by digesting of POME and to transform bio-methane into hydrogen for generating 500 kW of electric power using a simulation software of SuperPro Design.
Broadcasting the Status of Plant Growth Chamber using Bluetooth Low Energy
Authors: Al-Azam Moh Noor , Achlaq Mochamad Mizanul , Nugroho Aryo , Gabriel Sooai Adri , Winaya Aris , Maftuchah
Published: April 2018

Mobile users are getting smarter in using their phones. Many tasks are usually completed or monitored via a computer screen, nowadays can be taken anywhere with Android phones or tablets. Likewise with features in the phone is increasingly sophisticated. Currently bluetooth version 4 is almost mandatory in all phones. Even for entry level phones are now equipped with bluetooth version 4. This paper discusses the use of Bluetooth Low Energy—which is part of bluetooth version 4, in providing information about the status of plant growth chamber conditions. By using this concept, all phones or tablets that have bluetooth version 4 and there are applications in it will be able to receive the latest chamber status. The results show that this way of broadcasting is very effective. The data required to be monitored by a laboratory technician can be continuously broadcasted so that anyone on duty will get instant information at his grasp.
A Mathematical Proof Concerning the Geometrical Aspect of Very Low Index of Difficulty in Multidirectional Tapping Task of the ISO 9241 - Part 411
Authors: Marsya Quita Reyna , Budhi Widodo Romy
Published: April 2018

Through mathematics, this paper works to analyse the Index of Difficulty in ISO9241-Part 411: Evaluation methods for the design of physical input devices. It was proven that all the target circles always intersect for very low Index of Difficulty; which conjectured to disturb the experiment or affect the focus of the subject. Some examples are provided, in addition, to support the proof. We hope this proof will contribute to the improvement of ISO9241, where the result might become a special attention to the designer of the experiment in human-computer interaction field; especially in checking the influence of overlap area in the human factor.
Characterisation of Arabica Coffee Pulp - Hay from Kintamani - Bali as Prospective Biogas Feedstocks
Authors: Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Krido Wahono Satriyo , Gamawati Adinurani Praptiningsih , Wahyudi Ahmad , Widodo Wahyu , Mel Maizirwan , Adhi Nugroho Yogo , Prabowo Bayu , Liwang Tony
Published: April 2018

The huge amount of coffee pulp waste is an environmental problem. Anaerobic fermentation is one of the alternative solutions. However, availability of coffee pulp does not appear for year-round, whereas biogas needs continuous feedstocks for digester stability. This research uses coffee pulp from Arabica Coffee Factory at Mengani, Kintamani, Bali–Indonesia. The coffee pulp was transformed into coffee pulp-hay product by sun drying for preservations to extend the raw materials through the year. Characterization of coffee pulp-hay was conducted after to keep for 15 mo for review the prospect as biogas feedstocks. Several parameters were analyzed such as C/N ratio, volatile solids, carbohydrate, protein, fat, lignocellulose content, macro-micro nutrients, and density. The review results indicated that coffee pulp-hay is prospective raw material for biogas feedstock. This well-proven preservation technology was able to fulfill the continuous supply. Furthermore, some problems were found in the recent preliminary experiment related to the density and fungi growth in the conventional laboratory digester. Further investigation was needed to implement the coffee pulp – hay as biogas feedstocks.
The Benefit of Decision Support System as Sustainable Environment Technology to Utilize Coastal Abundant Resources in Indonesia
Authors: Hermawan Surya
Published: April 2018

Being the largest archipelagic state in the world (± 81 000 km of coastline), Indonesia has a great potential for developing the aquaculture industry. But, the accomplishment of sustainable practices and management systems are still in its infancy. Therefore, it is vital to improve aquaculture technology and develop management tools that address the need for an eco-friendly production process. In this manuscript, the Decision Support System software is applied for the management of sustainable floating net cage finfish cultures. This software integrates physical, chemical, biological properties and information on coastal uses to determine site selection, production carrying capacity, ecological carrying capacity and socio-economic assessment of 18 cases, focusing on the economic viability of Tiger grouper [Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775)], Humpback grouper [Cromoliptes altivelis (Valenciennes, 1828)] and Leopard Coral grouper [Plectropomeus leopardus (Lacepède, 1802)] at three remote areas in Indonesia, including: Ekas Bay, Talise and Galang Island. The outcomes demonstrate that only Galang Island provides a suitable area of 12 940 ha with the estimated production carrying capacity of (0.5 to 366) t/annual per fish farm along with ecological carrying capacity are limited of (18 393 to 21 727) t/annual and economic evaluation highlighted that all cultures development are economically viable.
A Study of Mobile Robot Control using EEG Emotiv Epoch Sensor
Authors: Victorio Yasin Timothius , Pasila Felix , Lim Resmana
Published: April 2018

The study was using an EEG Emotiv Epoc+ sensor to recognize brain activity for controlling a mobile robot's movement. The study used Emotiv Control Panel software for EEG command identification. The commands will be interfaced inside Mind Your OSCs software and processing software which processed inside an Arduino Controller. The output of the Arduino is a movement command (ie. forward, backward, turn left, and turn right). The training methods of the system composed of three sets of thinking mode. First, thinking with doing facial expressions. Second, thinking with visual help. Third, thinking mentally without any help. In the first set, there are two configurations thinking with facial expression help as command of the mobile robot. Final results of the system are the second facial expressions configuration as the best facial expressions method with success rate 88.33 %. The second facial expression configuration has overall response time 1.60175 s faster than the first facial expressions configuration. In these two methods have dominant signals on the frontal lobe. The second facial expressions method have overall respond time 6.12 and 9.53 s faster than thinking with visual, and thinking without help respectively.
V2G Development on Public Vertical Parking Lot to Support Community Energy Management System
Authors: Dwi Atmaja Tinton , Susanti Vita , Mirdanies Midriem , Muharam Aam
Published: April 2018

Vehicle to grid concept emerged as one solution for harnessing the idle power of parked plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. As the public parking lot had been evolving into the vertical parking lot which has more capacity within the same grounding area, a vehicle to building technology provided more available energy to be shared into the designated area around the parking lot. This paper discussed the development of vehicle to grid into a better concept and architecture by integrating the vertical parking lots one another and also with renewable energy sources (photovoltaic) and sophisticated energy storage system. Several standards were suggested in this paper to ensure a steady performance of vehicle to grid parking. At last, the collaboration scenario was proposed between the parking lot management and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle owner to ensure the technical viability of vehicle to grid implementation for both host and participant. This sharing concept optimized community energy management system as the root segment of the smart city and smart grid delivery system.
Structure Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cell Reactor Based on Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping
Authors: Lv Shuaishuai , Zhu Yangyang , Gu Hai , Ni Hongjun , Meng Yue , Wang Xingxing
Published: April 2018

The structure of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) reactor was analyzed and improved by Reverse Engineering (RE) and Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology. Points cloud data of MFC reactor was accessed by hand-held laser scanner. The space surface and entity model were reconstructed accurately, and the structure of the reactor was optimized based on Imageware and Solidworks software. The reactor model was manufactured by RP machine. The optimization efficiency of MFC reactor was improved based on the combination of RE and RP, which has a good reference value for the development of MFC technology and products.
Design and Experimental Study of Rotary Type High-Speed Shearer for Metal Bars
Authors: Zhao Renfeng , Zhou Jingyu , Li Yan , Fan Shuqin , Li Jingxiang , Xiao Xudong , Yang Zhi
Published: April 2018

For the precision shear of bars, the kind of rotating high-speed precision cutting method has been given. The structure design of rotary precision shearing machine and the structure design of feeding structure are completed. The method of numerical simulation is used to optimize the cutting tool, and then the experiment platform is completed. Rotary impact and the stress concentration effect of the surface of the bar are used in the paper. The experiment is carried out for the Φ8 mm diameter stainless steel bar stock by changing the speed of the cutting tool through the converter and controlling rod feeding efficiency. The experimental results show that the method is feasible to meet the requirement of various material of the small diameter rod in the industry.
A Novel Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Foraging Behavior in Optimization Design
Authors: Liu Yan , Wang Qi , He Guoyi , Zhang Li , Wang Jiao
Published: April 2018

The method of repeated trial and proofreading is generally used to the convention reducer design, but these methods is low efficiency and the size of the reducer is often large. Aiming the problems, this paper presents an adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm with foraging behavior, in this method, the bacterial foraging process is introduced into the adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm, which can provide the function of particle chemotaxis, swarming, reproduction, elimination and dispersal, to improve the ability of local search and avoid premature behavior. By test verification through typical function and the application of the optimization design in the structure of the reducer with discrete and continuous variables, the results are shown that the new algorithm has the advantages of good reliability, strong searching ability and high accuracy. It can be used in engineering design, and has a strong applicability.
AU DIY-Unicycle Balancing and Riding System (AU DIY-UBRS)
Authors: Aphiratsakun Narong , Limpakhuptathaworn Thanakit , Kongthon Jiradech
Published: April 2018

This paper presents and discusses the Assumption University unicycle (hereafter referred to as AU unicycle). The AU unicycle was built on campus, and it can work in two modes: balancing control and riding control. A gyroscope and an accelerometer sensor are used as sensors to sense the balancing position of the unicycle. A DC motor equipped with a gear set, sprockets, and a chain acts as an actuator to operate the wheel of the unicycle system. The main contribution and the objective of this paper are to demonstrate the implementation methodology and the balancing and riding control methods of the AU unicycle. The experiments on the AU unicycle show good results for both the balancing control method and the riding control method.
Design of Model-based Controller with Disturbance Estimation in Steer-by-wire System
Authors: Jung Sanghun , Choi Seibum
Published: April 2018

The steer-by-wire system is a next generation steering control technology that has been actively studied because it has many advantages such as fast response, space efficiency due to removal of redundant mechanical elements, and high connectivity with vehicle chassis control, such as active steering. Steer-by-wire system has disturbance composed of tire friction torque and self-aligning torque. These disturbances vary widely due to the weight or friction coefficient change. Therefore, disturbance compensation logic is strongly required to obtain desired performance. This paper proposes model-based controller with disturbance compensation to achieve the robust control performance. Targeted steer-by-wire system is identified through the experiment and system identification method. Moreover, model-based controller is designed using the identified plant model. Disturbance of targeted steer-by-wire is estimated using disturbance observer(DOB), and compensate the estimated disturbance into control input. Experiment of various scenarios are conducted to validate the robust performance of proposed model-based controller.
Optimization of Design Parameters of Spiral Spring for Active Headrest Deployment
Authors: Yang Yunsik , Jeon Euy Sik , Park Dae Ho
Published: April 2018

Several studies have been conducted to prevent neck injury in rear-end collision. The headrest of the seat which suppresses the relative motion of the head and the torso can suppress the extension of the head, thereby alleviating the injury. The active headrest has a mechanism that supports the head by deploying the headrest at the rear-end collision. The spring remains compressed or twisted until a collision signal is generated and the headrest is deployed after the collision signal. Depending on the shape and deployment structure of the spring, a spring design with a high resilience that is acceptable to the headrest is required. In this paper, design parameter of spiral spring suitable for the structure of the developed headrest is selected, prototypes are fabricated, and development parameters such as development time and development distance are checked and optimal design parameters of the spiral spring are derived. The feasibility of the headrest with the designed spiral spring was verified by the finite element analysis.
Electromagnetic Field Simulation in a Microwave Chamber with Multiple Waveguides
Authors: Kim Jaekyung , Jeon Euysik
Published: April 2018

While microwaves have many features and advantages, problems may occur, including non-heating, partial overheating, and fire due to damaged magnetrons caused by reflected waves, when they are used without a proper understanding of the permittivity of the object to be heated, the electromagnetic field distribution, the matching between the chamber and the waveguide, and the reflected electromagnetic waves. Simulation was performed using the Ansys HFSS tool. Conditions for the uniform electromagnetic field were derived using the distance from the waveguides to the ceramic material as well as the microwave energy intensity as major parameters.
A Comparison of FDM Structural Layouts and Implementation of an Open-Source Arm-Based System
Authors: Pollard David , Herrmann Guido , Ward Carwyn , Etches Julie
Published: April 2018

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a manufacturing process to build components in a layer-by-layer approach through extrusion of polymers from a movable nozzle, allowing for significantly higher degrees of complexity over machined parts. Current FDM systems typically use actuation provided through a gantry or delta structural layout, operating through depositing successive planar layers in a 2.5D process; it has been shown in numerous studies the bonding between layers has significantly lower strength than the homogeneous material or in-plane properties - an issue which can be mitigated through the deposition of curved layers. This paper compares four differing structural layouts of FDM systems (gantry, delta, Stewart Platform, and arm-based) to identify the key advantages of an arm-based method as the increased workspace and manipulability enabling “Additive Finalisation” of components, and suitability for curved layer FDM. Details are then presented of the open-source implementation and evaluation of a 6 degree-of-freedom arm-based FDM printer at the University of Bristol.
Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroboration and Borylation of Alkenes and Alkynes
Authors: Huang Zheng , Zuo Ziqing , Wen Huanan , Liu Guixia
Published: April 2018

Incorporation of the boryl moiety across a carbon–carbon multiple bond is a powerful method for the synthesis of organoboron compounds. This kind of transformation could be realized with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity by using an appropriate transition-metal catalyst. This account summarizes the latest advances from our group in the area of cobalt-catalyzed hydroboration and borylation of alkenes and alkynes, which lead to the formation of a variety of organoboron compounds, including alkylboronates, 1,1,1-tris(boronates), 1,1-diborylalkenes, and 1,1-diboronates.

1 Introduction

2 Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Alkenes

3 Cobalt-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Borylations-Hydroboration

4 Cobalt-Catalyzed Double Dehydrogenative Borylations of
1-Alkenes

5 Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes

6 Summary and Outlook
Comparison between Hemilaminectomy with either Anulectomy or Partial Discectomy for Treatment of Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Protrusion in Dogs
Authors: De Decker Steven , Crawford Abbe
Published: April 2018

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of dogs undergoing a hemilaminectomy with anulectomy (HA) or a hemilaminectomy with partial discectomy (HPD) for treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

Methods Medical records from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were included if they had clinical signs and imaging findings consistent with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and had undergone surgical treatment with a HA or HPD. Outcome data were obtained via veterinary records and owner questionnaires. Recorded variables included age, sex, body weight, neurological deficits, surgical time, perioperative complications, postoperative neurological deterioration and recurrence of clinical signs.

Results The two treatment groups showed no significant difference in signalment, clinical presentation and imaging findings. However, significant differences were detected in outcome. Early postoperative neurological deterioration was recorded in 16/29 dogs in the HA group and 7/24 dogs in the HPD group (p = 0.037). Sustained clinical improvement for a minimum of 18 months postoperatively was reported in 9/22 dogs in the HA group compared with 17/23 dogs in the HPD group (p = 0.019).

Clinical Significance Hemilaminectomy with partial discectomy for decompression of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion was associated with decreased postoperative neurological deterioration and increased sustained clinical improvement compared with hemilaminectomy with anulectomy.