bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analog Study of Fluid Flow on Deformation Band at Petani Formation, Riau, Indonesia
Authors: Choanji Tiggi , Rita Novia , Yuskar Yuniarti , Pradana Aulia
Published: March 2018

Deformation band at Petani Formation included in the type of disaggregation band, where deformation on this formation resulted from tectonics stress at Plio – Pleistocene affecting sandstone layer that being deformed and resulted strain localization feature, filling with iron oxide sand. The measurement for this research was using grain size analysis, distribution analysis of shear trends, and measurement of permeability for each deformation band. The result shows that grains size dominantly fine sand – medium sand (0.149 mm – 0.297 mm), followed by the distribution of deformation trends showing NW – SE direction, and also good in permeability (3.4 mD– 188.4mD). It can be concluded that the structural features of deformation band can also create good permeability for fluid flow.
Analysis of Piping at Kedung Uling Earthfill Dam, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Najib  , Setyawan Agus , Ardyarini Indriyani , Joko Suprapto Dwiyanto
Published: March 2018

Kedung Uling earthfill dam is located between Eromoko and Wuryantoro district, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Water leaked from the dam was found and could decrease volume of dam. The objectives of this study are to identify piping and to recommend for solving piping problem. In order to determine the piping direction and litological pattern, investigation of 10 boreholes with various depth has been carried out. This investigation aim to determine characteristics of soil and rock by analyzing 45 cm of thickness of undisturbed samples and to perform permeability test. Permeability test have been conducted by falling head method with 3 different depths. Leaking at the dam was analyzed by Slide 6.0 software. The results indicated that litology of dam have been identified as claystone, sand and tuff. The piping passed under the eastern abutment of the dam is the accumulation of groundwater in the aquifers formed by 8-10 meters thick layer of sand. The total debit of piping is 17,774 cm3/sec. The Factor of safety of piping is under the minimum of standard namely 3,6. Grouting is one of alternative method to minimize the piping. Grouting was simulated to reduce permeability value and increase soil strength. By grouting, the total debit of piping was reduced to 3.314 cm3/sec.
Development of collaboration in sustainable agribusiness cluster
Authors: Perdana Tomy , Arari H. Mahra , Rahayu H. Fernianda , Ginanjar Tetep , Sesy N.P. Ajeng
Published: March 2018

There is tendency towards sustainable agricultural production to fulfill food security. It ensures that agricultural production is carried out in a sustainable way. Indonesia as developing country has rapid growing population. It will impact to the food security and food demand. That condition is challenging to develop sustainable agricultural production. Meanwhile, the sustainable agricultural production needs interaction and collaboration throughout the agricultural supply chain that involve multi-stakeholders. This study was conducted in Gemah Ripah 2 farmer group in Kuningan District which has collaboration activities with multi-stakeholders (i.e. Universitas Padjadjaran, Bank Indonesia region Cirebon, local government in Kuningan District, and Universitas Kuningan) in the development of sustainable agribusiness cluster. The sustainable agribusiness is a combination between animals (cattle, sheep, and fish), and plants (rice, shallot, chili, and secondary plants). Each subject on sustainable agribusiness (livestock and plants) is linkage and complement for each other. This study was aimed to analyze the potential of collaboration process in sustainable agribusiness cluster. Drama theory approach can illustrate the episodes that showed the dilemmas in the collaboration of sustainable agribusiness cluster, whereas a collaboration framework is used to initiatives for resolving dilemmas
Induction Motor Centrifugal Blower Health Diagnostic Based on Color Segmentation of Thermal Image and Vibration Signal Feature
Authors: Widodo Panut , Dwi Haryadi Gunawan , Widodo Achmad
Published: March 2018

The rotating machinery requires condition monitoring which its measurement without being intrusive operation, especially on the equipment needed to continue running. One such machinery is a centrifugal blower induction motor. Infrared thermography and vibration are important and effective technologies to diagnose of health condition it without destructive or disturb of operations. The diagnostics of induction motor are based on the analysis results data onto vibration and processing thermal image. This paper focused on thermography image processing based on color segmentation which it will produce ROI (region of interest) images. The ROI image is extracted based on HSV color and shape feature. Feature extraction is intended to determine value of mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, skewness and entropy HSV and shape features (area, perimeter, metric, and eccentricity). The highest RMS (root mean square) vibration data is used as reference to classify data into normal and abnormal. Parameters that can be used to classify normal and abnormal conditions based on data analysis are standard deviation Hue, kurtosis HS, skewness HSV, entropy HSV and metric.
The influence of welding speed conditions of GMAW on mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Ekaputra I.M.W. , Mungkasi Sudi , Dwi Haryadi Gunawan , Tungga Dewa Rando , Kim Seon-Jin
Published: March 2018

In this study, the influence of welding speed conditions of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel (SS) was investigated. The welding speed was applied with three different variations at 175 mm/minute, 190 mm/minute, and 205 mm/minute. The GMAW was equipped by solid electrode wire ER308L with 0.8 mm in diameter. The Vickers micro-hardness and tensile tests were conducted for each GMAW joint, and the results were discussed. It was found that the Vickers micro-hardness showed a dependence on welding speed conditions in weld metal (WM) and heat affected zone (HAZ) areas. A systematic increase in hardness was shown with an increase in welding speed. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of GMAW joints were found to decrease systematically with an increase in welding speed. From this investigation, it was found that GMAW joint with the welding speed at 175 mm/minute was suitable to be applied for 316L SS.
Modeling, Identification, and Simulation of Positional Displacement Control for Ribbon Bridges
Authors: Trong Nguyen Van , Choi Yong-Woon , Yoon Jung-In , Choi Kwang-Hwan , Son Chang-Hyo , Kim Young-Bok
Published: March 2018

The demand of river-crossing is steadily increasing, the speedy and safety are two most important factors that decide the success of the applied solutions. This paper partially proposes a method for ribbon bridge installation and self-correction by describing the planar motion for a ribbon bridge, including several experimentally identified over a certain range of speeds. The mathematical modeling and system identification aim to provide a model that is sufficient for allowance of model-based control designs. In order to design the stable yaw control system of auto-correction of positional displacement, the Linear-Quadratic Regulator (LQR) was employed for yaw controller. Accordingly, the numerical study was carried out under a variety of disturbances to verify the system modeling and the efficiency of the designed controller. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller has promising feasibility of the yaw placement automatic correct during operation and further extended results of the whole bridge system.
Failure Analysis of Shaft Circulating Water Pump (CWP) used in Power Plant
Authors: Hamid Abdul , Nugroho Sri , Dwi Haryadi Gunawan , Khaeroman
Published: March 2018

Pump shafts are generally exposed to the liquid being pumped either on a continual basis or at certain locations along the length of the shaft. The shaft material is austenitic stainless steel, description ASTM AU 79 TY 316. The purpose of this study is to determine the failure of the water pump shaft used in the power plant. Metallography is the study of structure metal shaft can used as a means for CWP metal pelleting (Circulating Water Pump), for the purpose of damaged or deeply degraded areas. SEM test is used to know the beginning of the crack (crack initiation). EDS test is used to chemical composition and Vikers hardness test is also used to know the hardness material. These three tests to support in analyzing the failure of the pump shaft. The conclusion of this failure analysis is the shaft material has porosity. Fatigue cracking comes from the outer surface area.
Morphology Evolution Of ZnO Thin Films Deposited By Nitrogen Mediated Crystallization Method
Authors: Suhariadi Iping , Shiratani Masaharu , Itagaki Naho
Published: March 2018

We study the surface morphology of ZnO thin films deposited by nitrogen mediated crystallization method utilizing atomic force microscopy as a function of nitrogen flow rates. Initially, the surface morphology of ZnO thin film deposited without nitrogen exhibits a bumpy surface with spiky grains where the skewness and kurtosis values were found to be 0.48 and 4.80, respectively. By addition of small amount of nitrogen, the skewness and kurtosis values of the films significantly decrease associated with a flatter topography. Further increase in nitrogen flow rate to 16 sccm has roughened the surface shown mainly by the increase in kurtosis value to be 3.30. These results indicate that the addition of small amount of nitrogen during deposition process has enhanced the adatoms migration on the surface resulting in a superior film with a larger grain size. Two-dimensional power spectral density analysis reveals that all the films have self-affine fractal geometry with total fractal values in the range of 2.14 to above 3.00.
Optimal passivity design of a virtual coupling including FIR-type fractional derivatives for a haptic interface
Authors: Kawai Masayuki , Yamagishi Takuya , Minami Shouta
Published: March 2018

This paper describes a haptic interface with a virtual coupling, including fractional derivatives. A haptic interface is a force feedback technology in virtual reality that takes advantage of the human sense of touch. In a haptic interface, virtual impedance, that is called virtual coupling (VC), is commonly used between the virtual and real objects to calculate reaction force. VC generally consists of a virtual stiffness and damper, but the stiffness has to be set low in a system with long sampling periods. In order to increase the virtual stiffness, this paper considers a VC including fractional derivatives approximated by an FIR approximation. First, we theoretically analyse effects of a single fractional derivative term by using the passivity analysis, but the result shows that its effects depend on the occurred frequency. This paper, therefore, proposes a method to combine multiple fractional derivative terms in a VC and a method to optimize parameters in each fractional derivative term. Finally, experiments are performed to measure the maximum value of the stiffness to illustrate the effects of the proposed method.
The effect of acid leaching time in modifying natural zeolite as catalyst for toluene steam reforming
Authors: Waluyo Joko , Makertihartha I.G.B.N. , Susanto Herri
Published: March 2018

Tar accumulation can result in blockage, corrosion, and poisoning of catalyst. One of the methods applicable for tar removal is by using a catalyst that enhances steam reforming reaction. In this study, natural zeolites were modified for the use as tar steam reforming catalyst. This study also covers characterizing the modified natural zeolite by ion exchange and acid leaching, and measuring its activity as toluene steam reforming catalyst. The XRD pattern showed that natural zeolite contains three crystalline phases, i.e. mordenite, clinoptilolite, and heulandite. The main structure of the mordenite phase was also detected by using FTIR analysis on T-O stretching band with the range of 1045-1075 cm-1. The zeolite modification by ion exchange and acid leaching resulted in decreasing content of impurities, such as Na and K, and the decrease in crystallinity from 68.8% to 61.8%. The surface area increased from 16 m2/g to 31.4 m2/g and 161.8 m2/g for ZMH (after ion exchange), ZM3 (after acid leaching for 3 hour), and ZM6 (after acid leaching for 6 hour) respectively. Theses catalyst gave toluene conversion of 30.5% to 42.6% and 54% respectively.
The Structural Response Investigation of Modular Pontoon Collar Floating Cage due to Current Load to Support Fish Farming Activities
Authors: Windyandari Aulia , Zakki Ahmad Fauzan
Published: March 2018

The size of net cages increases rapidly, reaching volumes above current experience. More exposed locations are used for fish production, introducing higher loads on the net cage and fish farm from strong water currents and large waves. Strength analysis can be a useful tool for development of net-cage designs to avoid escape of fish and ensure sufficient volume for good fish welfare and water quality. The main objectives of this research are to investigate the structural response of modular pontoon collar floating cage due to the current load to support the fish farming activities. Strength analysis was performed using commercial explicit finite element software to calculate the distribution of loads in the net cage due to current, weights and gravity. The net cage was modeled using truss elements that represented several parallel twines. Sub-elements allowed the trusses to buckle in compression, and only negligible compressive forces were seen in the numerical results. Resulting drag loads and cage volume were shown to be dependent on the net cage size and collar shape.
Calcium soap from palm fatty acid distillate for ruminant feed: Ca(OH)2 as calcium source
Authors: A. Handojo Lienda , Indarto Antonius , Shofinita Dian , Meitha Anggina , Nabila Rakhmawati , Triharyogi Harry , Hakim Maulana G.A. , Saadi Muhammad R.
Published: March 2018

PFAD can be utilized as raw material for producing calcium soap, a kind of ruminant feed supplement. It gives benefits to the ruminants’ health and increases the quantity and quality of cattle’s milk. This research evaluated the effect of stoichiometric mole ratio of Ca(OH)2 to PFAD and water temperature on calcium soap production using PFAD and calcium hydroxide as raw materials by applying modified fusion method. The result showed that the acid value of products decreased as the mole ratio of Ca(OH)2 to PFAD increased and the low water temperature lowered the acid value of products. The highest fatty acid conversion (98%) was achieved at the stoichiometric mole ratio of 3. However, the use of such high mole ratio is not preferable because the product will have excessive calcium, which may disturb the absorption of other minerals in ruminant’s digestion. Thus, further research related to operating condition and the use of other calcium sources in the calcium soap production is still required.
Crystallization of Barium Sulfate (BaSO4) in a Flowing System: Influence of malic acid on Induction Time and Crystal Phase Transformation
Authors: Sariman F. , Bayuseno A.P. , Muryanto S.
Published: March 2018

Barium sulfate scaling usually occurs in pipelines of offshore oil drilling wells, which has become a persistent problem. This scale can create technical problems, including the increased energy in consumption and unscheduled equipment shutdown. This paper presents the crystallization of barium sulfate and this experiment was focused on evaluating the effect of solution concentration and malic acid to the induction time and barium sulfate crystallization. In this research, the experiments on the growth of barium sulfate scale in the pipe test was conducted by reacting BaCl2 and Na2SO4 at concentrations of 3500, 4000, 4500 and 5000 ppm Ba2+, flow rate (40 ml / min), temperature (50 °C), while malic acid (0, 5, 10 ppm) was added to the solution as a scale inhibitor. BaSO4 scale formation was observed with the declining value of the conductivity of the solution. BaSO4 crystal shape was observed from the results of morphological studies performed using SEM, further analysis of the micro-crystal composition using EDX and XRD analysis was used to prove the crystal produced. The SEM imaging shows that the morphology crystals have a star-like particle, while XRD analysis confirmed that the pure barite crystal (barite) was produced during the experiments. Obviously, the malic acid inhibited the crystal growth of barite.
A Quantitative Analysis of System Readiness Level Plus (SRL+): Development of Readiness Level Measurement
Authors: Marlyana Novi , Tontowi Alva Edy , Yuniarto Hari Agung
Published: March 2018

The research explains the development of Readiness Level measurement. The initial concept of Readiness Level is Technology Readiness Level (TRL). TRL is an important metric used by U.S. government agencies such as NASA and the Department of Defense and is designed to quantify the maturity of a new technology and to enable comparisons with alternatives. System technology assessment evolves with the presence of Integration Readiness Level (IRL) and System Readiness Level (SRL). A quantitative combination of levels of readiness can be made and open the potential for expanding the other sizes of readiness levels, such as the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL). A measurement tool to measure the development of readiness level by involving MRL is called System Readiness Level Plus (SRL+). This research focuses on quantitative analysis of SRL+ model. It consists of the mathematical properties method and readiness reversal method. Several steps can be conducted to design the SRL+ model. This model was developed from the System Readiness Level metric by Ross, combined with Incidence Matrix Approach by London. The first step is developing the function of the SRL+ model. The second step is conducting computation using a development model that is SRL+. The third step is carrying out validity of SRL+ model. The result indicates that SRL+ model can be mathematically proven.
Effect of blanching-brine-calcium pretreatment on red chili pepper drying
Authors: Arifin Uma Fadzilia , Djaeni Mohamad , Utari Febiani Dwi
Published: March 2018

The red chili pepper drying aims to remove moisture content up to 11% (wet basis). Dried chilies can be easy to distribute and have longer shelf life because it can be protected from decaying by enzymatic and microbial activity. Pretreatment in drying is one of alternative to decrease drying time. This present study was carried out on effect of blanching-brine-calcium pretreatment toward drying kinetics in chili. In this case, chili provided from the local market was pretreated with blanching, dehydrated osmotic with brine, calcium dipping pretreatment and combination of them. The chili products were dried in tray dryer at 40°C, 50°C, 60°C and 70°C for 8 hours afterward. Result showed that Lewis model is suitable drying model. The blanching-brine-calcium pretreated chili can be well and faster dried with activation energy was 36.4290 kJ/mol and k0 was 7.8712. At 70°C, red chili pepper needed 6.467 hours todry. Thus, the blanching-brine-calcium pretreatment can be potential to reduce the energy cost for drying as well as retain the quality.
Integrative Holistic Case Witnessing Process
Authors: Chauhan Dinesh
Published: March 2018

Taking the case witnessing process a step further, extending the application of individualisation, holism and simillimum in the three steps of unique designer's advice help in making the whole homeopathic therapy an all-inclusive holistic integrative one.
MAO-Hemmer besonders bei therapieresistenter Depression wirksam
Authors: Freye Reimund
Published: March 2018

Bei der Behandlung therapieresistenter – wie auch atypischer – Depressionen stellen irreversible und nicht selektive MAO-Hemmer eine gute Therapieoption dar. Dies ergibt sich nicht nur aus den Erfahrungen renommierter Psychiatern, sondern wird ebenso durch eine neue Metaanalyse belegt, die Dr. Roland Ricken, Psychiater der Charité in Berlin, auf einem Symposium von Aristo Pharma im Rahmen des DGPPN/ WPA World Congress of Psychiatry 2017 in Berlin vorstellte. Durch die Blockade der Monoaminoxidase lassen sich demnach auch noch dann Therapieerfolge erzielen, wenn viele andere Antidepressiva keine Besserung bewirkten.
Zervikogener Kopfschmerz
Authors: Frese A. , Schilgen M. , Evers S.
Published: March 2018

Der zervikogene Kopfschmerz beruht auf einer Dysfunktion der oberen Segmente der Halswirbelsäule mit einem übertragenen Schmerz, der zumeist einsichtig und temporal empfunden wird. Sowohl von der International Headache Society als auch von einer speziellen Arbeitsgruppe liegen klare diagnostische Kriterien vor. Grundlage der Kopfschmerzen ist das Konzept des “referred pain”. Zur Diagnose gehört auch eine manualmedizinische Untersuchung. Differenzialdiagnosen sind Unterformen der Migräne und die temporomandibuläre Dysfunktion. Die Therapie ist primär manualmedizinisch, kann aber durch Analgetika und Adjuvantien ergänzt werden.
Surface plasmons in superintense laser-solid interactions
Authors: Macchi A.
Published: March 2018

We review studies of superintense laser interactions with solid targets where the generation of propagating surface plasmons (or surface waves) plays a key role. These studies include the onset of plasma instabilities at the irradiated surface, the enhancement of secondary emissions (protons, electrons, and photons as high harmonics in the XUV range) in femtosecond interactions with grating targets, and the generation of unipolar current pulses with picosecond duration. The experimental results give evidence of the existence of surface plasmons in the nonlinear regime of relativistic electron dynamics. These findings open up a route to the improvement of ultrashort laser-driven sources of energetic radiation and, more in general, to the extension of plasmonics in a high field regime.
Rate theory of ion pairing at the water liquid–vapor interface: A case of sodium iodide
Authors: Dang Liem X. , Schenter Gregory K.
Published: March 2018

Studies on ion pairing at interfaces have been intensified recently because of their importance in many chemical reactive phenomena, such as ion–ion interactions that are affected by interfaces and their influence on kinetic processes. In this study, we performed simulations to examine the thermodynamics and kinetics of small polarizable sodium iodide ions in the bulk and near the water liquid–vapor interface. Using classical transition state theory, we calculated the dissociation rates and corrected them with transmission coefficients obtained from the reactive flux formalism and Grote-Hynes theory. Our results show that in addition to affecting the free energy of ions in solution, the interfacial environments significantly influence the kinetics of ion pairing. The results on the relaxation time obtained using the reactive flux formalism and Grote-Hynes theory present an unequivocal picture that the interface suppresses ion dissociation. The effects of the use of molecular models on the ion interactions as well as the ion-pair configurations at the interface are also quantified and discussed.
Experimental study of the polyamorphism of water. I. The isobaric transitions from amorphous ices to LDA at 4 MPa
Authors: Handle Philip H. , Loerting Thomas
Published: March 2018

The existence of more than one solid amorphous state of water is an extraordinary feature. Since polyamorphism might be connected to the liquid-liquid critical point hypothesis, it is particularly important to study the relations amongst the different amorphous ices. Here we study the polyamorphic transformations of several high pressure amorphous ices to low-density amorphous ice (LDA) at 4 MPa by isobaric heating utilising in situ volumetry and ex situ X-ray diffraction. We find that very-high density amorphous ice (VHDA) and unannealed high density amorphous ice (HDA) show significant relaxation before transforming to LDA, whereby VHDA is seen to relax toward HDA. By contrast, expanded HDA shows almost no relaxation prior to the transformation. The transition to LDA itself obeys criteria for a first-order-like transition in all cases. In the case of VHDA, even macroscopic phase separation is observed. These findings suggest that HDA and LDA are two clearly distinct polyamorphs. We further present evidence that HDA reaches the metastable equilibrium at 140 K and 0.1 GPa but only comes close to that at 140 K and 0.2 GPa. The most important is the path independence of the amorphous phase reached at 140 K and 0.1 GPa.
Experimental study of the polyamorphism of water. II. The isobaric transitions between HDA and VHDA at intermediate and high pressures
Authors: Handle Philip H. , Loerting Thomas
Published: March 2018

Since the first report of very-high density amorphous ice (VHDA) in 2001 [T. Loerting et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 3, 5355–5357 (2001)], the status of VHDA as a distinct amorphous ice has been debated. We here study VHDA and its relation to expanded high density amorphous ice (eHDA) on the basis of isobaric heating experiments. VHDA was heated at 0.1 ≤ p ≤ 0.7 GPa, and eHDA was heated at 1.1 ≤ p ≤ 1.6 GPa to achieve interconversion. The behavior upon heating is monitored using in situ volumetry as well as ex situ X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. We do not observe a sharp transition for any of the isobaric experiments. Instead, a continuous expansion (VHDA) or densification (eHDA) marks the interconversion. This suggests that a continuum of states exists between VHDA and HDA, at least in the temperature range studied here. This further suggests that VHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at high pressures and eHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at intermediate pressures. It remains unclear whether or not HDA and VHDA experience a sharp transition upon isothermal compression/decompression at low temperature.
Electronic properties and optical absorption of a phosphorene quantum dot
Authors: Liang F. X. , Ren Y. H. , Zhang X. D. , Jiang Z. T.
Published: March 2018

Using the tight-binding Hamiltonian approach, we theoretically study the electronic and optical properties of a triangular phosphorene quantum dot (PQD) including one normal zigzag edge and two skewed armchair edges (ZAA-PQD). It is shown that the energy spectrum can be classified into the filled band (FB), the zero-energy band (ZB), and the unfilled band (UB). Numerical calculations of the FB, ZB, and UB probability distributions show that the FB and the UB correspond to the bulk states, while the ZB corresponds to the edge states, which appear on all of the three edges of the ZAA-PQD sharply different from the other PQDs. We also find that the strains and the electric fields can affect the energy levels inhomogeneously. Then the optical properties of the ZAA-PQD are investigated. There appear some strong low-energy optical absorption peaks indicating its sensitive low-energy optical response that is absent in other PQDs. Moreover, the strains and the electric fields can make inhomogeneous influences on the optical spectrum of the ZAA-PQD. This work may provide a useful reference for designing the electrical, mechanical, and optical PQD devices.
Growth of large diameter pure phase wurtzite GaP nanowires by a two-step axial-radial growth approach
Authors: Halder Nripendra N. , Cohen Shimon , Gershoni David , Ritter Dan
Published: March 2018

Direct bandgap wurzite (WZ) GaP nanowires (NWs) are projected as a non-nitride solution to the green gap in the LED technology. Here, we report on the growth of 5 μm long pure WZ GaP NWs having a diameter of 200 nm by a two-step core-clad approach. Transmission electron microscopy indicates the absence of any planar defects in the NWs. The low temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the NWs differs markedly from their non-pure counterparts, previously reported. From the PL spectrum, the bandgap of wurtzite GaP at 10 K is 2.13 eV. This value differs from previously reported values.
Numerical computation of the transport matrix in toroidal plasma with a stochastic magnetic field
Authors: Zhu Siqiang , Chen Dunqiang , Dai Zongliang , Wang Shaojie
Published: March 2018

A new numerical method, based on integrating along the full orbit of guiding centers, to compute the transport matrix is realized. The method is successfully applied to compute the phase-space diffusion tensor of passing electrons in a tokamak with a stochastic magnetic field. The new method also computes the Lagrangian correlation function, which can be used to evaluate the Lagrangian correlation time and the turbulence correlation length. For the case of the stochastic magnetic field, we find that the order of magnitude of the parallel correlation length can be estimated by qR0, as expected previously.
Quantitative assessment of chemotropism in pollen tubes using microslit channel filters
Authors: Yanagisawa Naoki , Higashiyama Tetsuya
Published: March 2018

We present a semi-in vitro chemotropism assay that can be used to evaluate the chemoattractant effect of diffusible plant signaling molecules on growing pollen tubes. We constructed an array of microslit channels in a microfluidic device that prevented the passage of randomly growing pollen tubes but permitted ones that are responsive to the chemoattractant. Depending on the microslit channel size, 80%–100% of the randomly growing Torenia fournieri pollen tubes were excluded from reaching the source of the attractant. Thus, the selection of pollen tubes that are capable of responding to chemoattractants from a mixed population can be realized using this platform.
Scaling tunable network model to reproduce the density-driven superlinear relation
Authors: Gao Liang , Shan Xiaoya , Qin Yuhao , Yu Senbin , Xu Lida , Gao Zi-You
Published: March 2018

Previous works have shown the universality of allometric scaling under total and density values at the city level, but our understanding of the size effects of regions on the universality of allometric scaling remains inadequate. Here, we revisit the scaling relations between the gross domestic production (GDP) and the population based on the total and density values and first reveal that the allometric scaling under density values for different regions is universal. The scaling exponent β under the density value is in the range of (1.0, 2.0], which unexpectedly exceeds the range observed by Pan et al. [Nat. Commun. 4, 1961 (2013)]. For the wider range, we propose a network model based on a 2D lattice space with the spatial correlation factor α as a parameter. Numerical experiments prove that the generated scaling exponent β in our model is fully tunable by the spatial correlation factor α. Our model will furnish a general platform for extensive urban and regional studies.
Kinetic energy reconstruction with a single layer particle telescope
Authors: Kroupa M. , Bahadori A. A. , Campbell-Ricketts T. , George S. P. , Zeitlin C.
Published: March 2018

We demonstrate the implementation of a low-mass, single-layer pixel detector as a multi-component telescope for measuring the kinetic energy of charged particles. Rather than relying on several separate detection layers, we utilize the detector's individual pixels as the basis for multiple sampling of the stopping power of a particle under a shallow incidence angle. We present results from a single layer device corresponding to nearly 50 telescope layers. As the measured dE/dx response is highly stochastic, we utilize a maximum likelihood approach for which we calculate a probability function in the energy domain for each interacting particle. Using accelerator data, we show the limitations of the single-component approach and the advantages of our single-layer, multiple-sampling technique. Inferred energy spectra from accelerators show high accuracy and precision for protons with kinetic energies up to 400 MeV. For higher energies, the low energy limit is still very accurate.
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Authors: Lago Sol , Gračanin-Yuksek Martina , Şafak Duygu Fatma , Demir Orhan , Kırkıcı Bilal , Felser Claudia
Published: March 2018

We investigated the comprehension of subject-verb agreement in Turkish-German bilinguals using two tasks. The first task elicited speeded judgments to verb number violations in sentences that contained plural genitive modifiers. We addressed whether these modifiers elicited attraction errors, which have supported the use of a memory retrieval mechanism in monolingual comprehension studies. The second task examined the comprehension of a language-specific constraint of Turkish against plural-marked verbs with overt plural subjects. Bilinguals showed a reduced application of this constraint, as compared to Turkish monolinguals. Critically, both groups showed similar rates of attraction, but the bilingual group accepted ungrammatical sentences more often. We propose that the similarity in attraction rates supports the use of the same retrieval mechanism, but that bilinguals have more problems than monolinguals in the mapping of morphological to abstract agreement features during speeded comprehension, which results in increased acceptability of ungrammatical sentences.
Quantification of Torque Teno Virus and Epstein-Barr Virus Is of Limited Value for Predicting the Net State of Immunosuppression After Lung Transplantation
Authors: Nordén Rickard , Magnusson Jesper , Lundin Anna , Tang Ka-Wei , Nilsson Staffan , Lindh Magnus , Andersson Lars-Magnus , Riise Gerdt C , Westin Johan
Published: March 2018

Background

Major hurdles for survival after lung transplantation are rejections and infectious complications. Adequate methods for monitoring immune suppression status are lacking. Here, we evaluated quantification of torque teno virus (TTV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as biomarkers for defining the net state of immunosuppression in lung-transplanted patients.

Methods

This prospective single-center study included 98 patients followed for 2 years after transplantation. Bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral respiratory infections (VRTI), cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, and acute rejections, as well as TTV and EBV levels, were monitored.

Results

The levels of torque teno virus DNA increased rapidly after transplantation, likely due to immunosuppressive treatment. A modest increase in levels of Epstein-Barr virus DNA was also observed after transplantation. There were no associations between either TTV or EBV and infectious events or acute rejection, respectively, during follow-up. When Tacrolimus was the main immunosuppressive treatment, TTV DNA levels were significantly elevated 6–24 months after transplantation as compared with Cyclosporine treatment.

Conclusions

Although replication of TTV, but not EBV, appears to reflect the functionality of the immune system, depending on the type of immunosuppressive treatment, quantification of TTV or EBV as biomarkers has limited potential for defining the net state of immune suppression.
Surgical Resection of Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Sorenson Thomas , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

Intramedullary epidermoid cysts are extremely rare lesions. Preoperative diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific imaging futures. We illustrate the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with a symptomatic intramedullary mass, which at surgery proved to be an epidermoid cyst. The spinal cord was decompressed by removing the pearl-white keratin material, although the capsule, which was tenaciously adherent to the surrounding spinal cord parenchyma, was only partially removed. In this video, we illustrate the salient surgical points for the resection of this very unusual intramedullary lesion.
Hysterectomy Associated with Long-Term Health Risks
Authors: Potera Carol
Published: March 2018

Preserving the ovaries does not seem to be protective.
New FDA Web Page on Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Aschenbrenner Diane S.
Published: March 2018

A new Food and Drug Administration web page provides fast, up-to-date information on the resistance and susceptibility of bacterial and fungal infections to antimicrobials. The web page streamlines the previous process of updating this information.
The Great London Smog of 1952
Authors: Polivka Barbara J.
Published: March 2018

The Great London Smog of December 1952 lasted five days and killed up to 12,000 people. The smog developed primarily because of extensive burning of high-sulfur coal. The health effects were both immediate and long lasting, with a recent study revealing an increased likelihood of childhood asthma development in those exposed to the Great Smog while in utero or during their first year of life. Subsequent pollution legislation—including the U.S. Clean Air Act and its amendments—have demonstrably reduced air pollution and positively impacted health outcomes. With poor air quality events like the Great Smog continuing to occur today, nurses need to be aware of the impact such environmental disasters can have on human health.
HPV Vaccination and Sexual Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Women
Authors: Rosenberg Karen , Mechcatie Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

According to this study:

Sexually inexperienced adolescent girls and young adult women who've been vaccinated against human papillomavirus aren't more likely to engage in riskier sexual behaviors.
Parenting Program May Prevent Obesity in Young Children
Authors: Rosenberg Karen , Mechcatie Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

According to this study:

Obesity prevention using a home visiting program for parents of children younger than two years could be highly effective in reducing obesity rates in high-risk groups.
Reliability and Criterion Validity of the Smartphone Inclinometer Application to Quantify Cervical Spine Mobility
Authors: Guidetti Laura , Placentino Umberto , Baldari Carlo
Published: March 2018

Study Design:

In this observational study, we compare fluid inclinometer and smartphone measures to analyze active cervical range of motion (ACROM) in healthy individuals.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and the criterion validity of a smartphone application to analyze head movements.

Summary of Background Data:

Recent studies on the reliability and the validity of customized smartphone applications to measure ACROM show good results for frontal and lateral planes’ movement analysis, but poor results for the transverse plane. This can be due to the surrounding magnetic fields that affect the compass application used during head rotation valuation.

Methods:

Twenty-three individuals were asked to perform neck maximal (end-range) movements (frontal flex-extension and left-right side flexion in the sitting position, left-right rotation in the prone position). Two separate examiners took all ACROM measures and were assigned to each device (iPhone 5c and the inclinometer) contemporary for each individual.

Results:

All measurements were taken twice to assess the intraobserver reliability. Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The criterion validity between the 2 instruments was also assessed in terms of the ICC. The procedures used in this investigation for measuring ACROM yielded good validity (Pearson r≥0.99 and ICC≥0.99) between the 2 instruments for all movements. The Bland and Altman’s 95% LoA ranged from −1.8 to 1.15 degrees. Percentage error values ranged from 1% to 3%. The intrarater and the interrater reliabilities were good (ICC≥0.9) for both instruments in all movements including the rotation movements (ICC>0.95). The minimal detectable change (MDC95) ranged from 4 to 8 degrees.

Conclusions:

This study confirms that the tested smartphone is valid and reliable to measure ACROM on the frontal and the sagittal planes; furthermore, it also demonstrates its usefulness for rotation movement analysis, using the inclinometric application.
Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy for Lumbar Disk Herniation
Authors: Gadjradj Pravesh S. , Harhangi Biswadjiet S.
Published: March 2018

Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is a minimally invasive technique to treat lumbar disk herniation from a lateral approach. Performed under local anesthesia, the incision size for PTED is around 8 mm with no paraspinal muscle cutting or detachment from their insertion. PTED has been associated with less blood loss, faster rehabilitation, and less scarring of tissue than conventional open microdiscectomy. High-quality randomized controlled trials comparing PTED with open microdiscectomy have not been conducted yet. However, PTED has been proven to be an effective technique allowing patients to return home only 2 hours after surgery. By the means of this article and video (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/CLINSPINE/A1), we would like to show the spine surgeon the PTED technique for the treatment of a single-level lumbar disk herniation.
Dysphagia and Dysphonia Assessment Tools After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Rosenthal Brett D. , Nair Rueben , Hsu Wellington K. , Patel Alpesh A. , Savage Jason W.
Published: March 2018

The Smith-Robinson approach to the anterior cervical spine is being increasingly used, but it is not without complication. Dysphagia and dysphonia are the most common complications of the procedure. Many classification systems have been developed to stage and grade postoperative dysphagia and dysphonia, but inconsistent usage and lack of consensus adoption has limited research progress. A discussion of the merits and limitations of the most common classification systems is outlined within this review. Broad adoption of comprehensive and simple classification metrics is needed, but, first, prospective reliability and validity must be established in the anterior cervical fusion population.
Lumbar Spinous Process Fixation and Fusion
Authors: Lopez Alejandro J. , Scheer Justin K. , Dahdaleh Nader S. , Patel Alpesh A. , Smith Zachary A.
Published: March 2018

Study Design:

A systematic review.

Objective:

The available literature on interspinous rigid fixation/fusion devices (IFD) was systematically reviewed to explore the devices’ efficacy and complication profile.

Summary of Background Data:

The clinical application of new spinal technologies may proceed without well-established evidence, as is the case with IFDs. IFDs are plate-like devices that are attached to the lateral aspects of 2 adjacent spinous processes to promote rigidity at that segment. Despite almost a decade since the devices’ introduction, the literature regarding efficacy and safety is sparse. Complications have been reported but no definitive study is known to the authors.

Methods:

A systematic review of the past 10 years of English literature was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The timeframe was chosen based on publication of the first study containing a modern IFD, the SPIRE, in 2006. All PubMed publications containing MeSH headings or with title or abstract containing any combination of the words “interspinous,” “spinous process,” “fusion,” “fixation,” “plate,” or “plating” were included. Exclusion criteria consisted of dynamic stabilization devices (X-Stop, DIAM, etc.), cervical spine, pediatrics, and animal models. The articles were blinded to author and journal, assigned a level of evidence by Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) criteria, and summarized in an evidentiary table.

Results:

A total of 293 articles were found in the initial search, of which 15 remained after examination for exclusion criteria. No class I or class II evidence regarding IFDs was found. IFDs have been shown by methodologically flawed and highly biased class III evidence to reduce instability at 1 year, without statistical comparison of complication rates against other treatment modalities.

Conclusions:

Although IFDs are heavily marketed and commonly applied in modern practice, data on safety and efficacy are inadequate. The paucity of evidence warrants reexamination of these devices’ value and indications by the spine surgery community.
Intraoperative Use of Neuromonitoring in Multilevel Thoracolumbar Spine Instrumentation and the Effects on Postoperative Neurological Injuries
Authors: Cheah Jonathan , Zhang Alan L. , Tay Bobby
Published: March 2018

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort analysis of a national database between 2005 and 2011.

Objective:

To investigate the current usage of neuromonitoring in patients undergoing multilevel thoracolumbar spine surgery. We hypothesize that the use of neuromonitoring would be associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative neurological injuries.

Summary of Background Data:

Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a common technique utilized in spine surgery to improve safety and reduce neurological injuries. However, the literature remains unclear in defining the populations that benefit from the use of neuromonitoring.

Methods:

The PearlDiver Medicare database was queried to identify patients undergoing multilevel thoracolumbar spine instrumentation (defined as >3 thoracolumbar levels) from 2005 to 2011. The use of neuromonitoring was identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Neurological injuries were identified by codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision.

Results:

Within 15,032 patients, the postoperative rate of neurological injury diagnosis was higher when neuromonitoring was used at both 1 week (1.3% vs. 1.0%, P=0.06) and 6 months (5.9% vs. 4.6%, P=0.0005). However, a lower incidence of neurological injury was associated with neuromonitoring in patients undergoing specifically anterior fusion of 4–7 levels, posterior fusion of 7–12 levels, and in adults below 65 years old (P=0.0266, 0.0458, 0.032).

Conclusion:

Within the total Medicare cohort, the use of neuromonitoring was not associated with a decreased rate of neurological injury in multilevel thoracolumbar instrumentation procedures. This is likely due to the possible selection and detection bias of utilizing neuromonitoring when there is an increased risk of neurological injury based on patient-specific pathology and/or surgical procedure. However, despite the overall potential bias, it was appreciated that in subgroups: age below 65 years old, anterior fusion of 4–7 segments, and posterior fusion of 7–12 segments, there was a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of neurological injuries with neuromonitoring.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.