bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical sociocognitive analysis of hate speech in the 2015 Nigerian presidential election campaigns
Authors: Sunday Adesina B.
Published: December 2020

In an attempt to ensure electoral victory, politicians use different strategies. One of such is resort to hate speech to discredit the opponents. The 2015 presidential election campaigns in Nigeria witnessed unrestrained use of hate speech in different media. This paper analysed selected speeches of the campaign organisations of the two leading political parties in the election, namely the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation and the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation. Data were got from the speeches and advertorials of the two organisations sampled from The Nation and The Punch, published between January and March 2015. The speeches were subjected to critical sociocognitive analysis. The antecedents of the candidates became a recipe for hate speech. Propagandist and alarmist ideologies were used. Socially shared knowledge played an important role in the hate speech. Figures were used symbolically and serious attempts were made to frighten the electorate.
Physical properties and phase diagram of NaFe1−x
V
x
As*
Authors: Dai Guang-Yang , He Xin , Li Zhi-Wen , Zhang Chang-Ling , Shi Lu-Chuan , Yu Run-Ze , Wang Xian-Cheng , Jin Chang-Qing
Published: December 2020

We grew a series of NaFe1−x
V
x
As (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.03) single crystals and performed the measurements of resistance, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat to study the superconducting phase diagram by doping V into NaFeAs. Both the structural and the spin-density-wave (SDW) transitions are slightly suppressed by V-doping. While superconducting transition temperature is enhanced to the maximum value of ∼ 15 K when the optimal doping level x = 0.007 and then is suppressed rapidly with further V-doping, displaying a small superconducting dome. Our results suggest that V-impurities should act as strong magnetic scattering centers which cause the sharp suppression of superconductivity in NaFe1−x
V
x
As.
Characterization of low-resistance ohmic contacts to heavily carbon-doped n-type InGaAsBi films treated by rapid thermal annealing*
Authors: Zhou Shu-Xing , Ai Li-Kun , Qi Ming , Xu An-Huai , Yan Jia-Sheng , Li Shu-Sen , Jin Zhi
Published: December 2020

Carbon-doped InGaAsBi films on InP:Fe (100) substrates have been grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE). The electrical properties and non-alloyed Ti/Pt/Au contact resistance of n-type carbon-doped InGaAsBi films were characterized by Van der Pauw–Hall measurement and transmission line method (TLM) with and without rapid thermal annealing (RTA). It was found that the specific contact resistance decreases gradually with the increase of carrier concentration. The electron concentration exhibits a sharp increase, and the specific contact resistance shows a noticeable reduction after RTA. With RTA, the InGaAsBi film grown under CBr4 supply pressure of 0.18 Torr exhibited a high electron concentration of 1.6 × 1021 cm−3 and achieved an ultra-low specific contact resistance of 1 × 10−8 Ω⋅cm2, revealing that contact resistance depends greatly on the tunneling effect.
Numerical research on effect of overlap ratio on thermal-stress behaviors of the high-speed laser cladding coating*
Authors: Qiao Xiaoxi , Xia Tongling , Chen Ping
Published: December 2020

High-speed laser cladding technology, a kind of surface technology to improve the wear-resistance and corrosion-resistance of mechanical parts, has the characterizations of fast scan speed, high powder utilization rate, and high cladding efficiency. However, its thermal-stress evolution process is very complex, which has a great influence on the residual stress and deformation. In the paper, the numerical models for the high-speed laser cladding coatings with overlap ratios of 10%, 30%, and 50% are developed to investigate the influence rules of overlap ratio on the thermal-stress evolution, as well as the residual stresses and deformations. Results show that the heat accumulation can reheat and preheat the adjacent track coating and substrate, resulting in stress release of the previous track coating and decreased longitudinal stress peak of the next track coating. With the overlap ratio increasing, the heat accumulation and the corresponding maximum residual stress position tend to locate in the center of the cladding coating, where the coating has a high crack susceptibility. For a small overlap ratio of 10%, there are abrupt stress changes from tensile stress to compressive stress at the lap joint, due to insufficient input energy in the position. Increasing the overlap ratio can alleviate the abrupt stress change and reduce the residual deformation but increase the average residual stress and enlarge the hardening depth. This study reveals the mechanism of thermal-stress evolution, and provides a theoretical basis for improving the coating quality.
State transfer on two-fold Cayley trees via quantum walks*
Authors: Xue Xi-Ling , Ruan Yue
Published: December 2020

Perfect state transfer (PST) has great significance due to its applications in quantum information processing and quantum computation. The main problem we study in this paper is to determine whether the two-fold Cayley tree, an extension of the Cayley tree, admits perfect state transfer between two roots using quantum walks. We show that PST can be achieved by means of the so-called nonrepeating quantum walk [Phys. Rev. A
89 042332 (2014)] within time steps that are the distance between the two roots; while both the continuous-time quantum walk and the typical discrete-time quantum walk with Grover coin approaches fail. Our results suggest that in some cases the dynamics of a discrete-time quantum walk may be much richer than that of the continuous-time quantum walk.
A private SUSY 4HDM with FCNC in the up-sector
Authors: Arroyo-Ureña M. A. , Díaz-Cruz J. Lorenzo , Larios-López Bryan O. , de León M. A. Pérez
Published: December 2020

We present a SUSY model with four Higgs doublets of the "private type," in which all fermion types (up, down, and charged leptons) obtain their masses from a different Higgs doublet

. The conditions for anomaly cancellation imply that the remaining Higgs doublet of the model (

) must have the same hypercharge as

, and thus, can only couple to up-type quarks, which opens the possibility to have FCNCs only in this sector. We study the Lagrangian of the model, and in particular, the Higgs potential, to identify the Higgs mass-eigenstates and their interactions; for the Yukawa matrices, we consider the four-texture case. We obtain constraints on the model parameters by using LHC measurements on the properties of the 125 GeV Higgs boson (h), and identify viable regions of the parameter space. Subsequently, these constraints are used to evaluate the prospects for detecting the FCNC decay mode

at the future high-luminosity (HL) option for the LHC, which are compared with current limits from LHC-run2. Moreover, we evaluate the FCNC decay of the next heavier Higgs boson

, which can typically reach

. The search for the signal at HL-LHC is also studied, and it is found that it may be detectable for specific regions of the model parameter space.
VII International Conference Days of Applied Mathematics
Authors: Almeida E Gelvez , Niño E D V
Published: December 2020

These proceedings are the contributions made by the participants of the VII International Conference / Days of Applied Mathematics (ICDAM). The VII ICDAM has as its main purpose to share concrete experiences of mathematical knowledge in the resolution of situations, seen from different contexts.

The VII ICDAM was held in the city of San José de Cúcuta, Colombia, from November 4 to 6, 2020 through hybrid participation, and is organized by the “Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Biomédicas” of the Universidad Simón Bolívar, San José de Cúcuta, Colombia. The VII ICDAM has the participation of students, professors, and researchers in the field of mathematics and physics from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru. The contributions are framed in the Field of (i) Computational science, (ii) Medical physics, (iii) Mathematical physics, and (iv) Education and communication.

List of Organizing Committee, International Scientific Committee, National Scientific Committee, Sponsor, Partners and logos are available in this pdf.
Non-linear control over a continuous current to continuous current power converter using exact linearization
Authors: Mesa F , González J R , Correa G
Published: December 2020

Taking as a starting point the exact feedback linearization to transform a non-linear system into a linear one through coordinate transformation and state-space feedback based on its non-linear model, we have presented in this document the modelling, analysis and non-linear control of a boost-type power converter, with the objective of comparing the results with a proportional, integral and derivative controller. This technique was then applied on a power converter from continuous current to continuous current and the dynamics were analyzed zero to verify the validity of the controller, which was simulated in the Simulink-Matlab software. Finally, the simulation results showed that the system with the exact linearization controller is not only free of excess, but also improves the stability in the output voltage.
Proposal of an algorithmic methodology in Geo Gebra for the teaching of the Riemann sum a tool for approximating definite integrals
Authors: Bricio-Barrios E E , Arceo-Díaz S , Aréchiga Maravillas J
Published: December 2020

Integral calculus is a fundamental subject that enables the teaching of branches of physics like, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism to engineering students. However, the incapacity of understanding either the concept of the area under a curve or to develop an efficient and simple way to calculate integrals continues to be a major cause of the high failure rate of students in these subjects. This work was developed parting from the proposal of using Information and communication technologies, in combination with flowcharts, for helping students to solve integrals trough Riemann sums. Even, a poll was used to recollect and do a qualitative evaluation on the degree of comprehension that students had on Riemann sums and their relation to integrals and to get feedback on their impression about the proposal of this work. The results are compared against traditional learning, based on memorizing the steps of the algorithm for each method and the representation of the convergence of successive roots by numerical tables.
Lesson study as a basis for mathematical practice at the university level
Authors: Flórez-Pabón C E , Acevedo-Rincón J P
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to present the importance of the teaching practice of the future professor of mathematics in a Colombian public university, through the application of the Japanese methodology of lesson study. This methodology is proposed as a set of skills and daily practices that the future professor of physics or mathematics must develop for the preparation of the class as proposed in the paper. Among the main results that the research found is the importance of the practice of lesson study for the teaching of science in general, with emphasis on physics and mathematics, although this methodology can also be applied to the human sciences. On the other hand, the research recognizes that the use of this method should be assumed as part of the process of formation of the student of mathematics, physics or any discipline that requires preparation of the classes for the teaching process. It contributes to the professional profile of the future teacher in terms of quality and professionalism of the teaching work. Thus, it can be concluded that, the teaching of mathematics from this approach is a positive resource in the training of the teacher of mathematics, or any discipline such as physics that wants to implement it, because, it is being reflected in the didactic work that mathematics, or any science wants to exercise in the pedagogical and didactic process of the classroom through the teaching practice and, later on, in the professional work of each probationer.
Contribution of food loss to greenhouse gas assessment of high-value agricultural produce: California production, U.S. consumption
Authors: Qin Yuwei , Horvath Arpad
Published: December 2020

Food loss (wasted and spoiled food) increases the burden on resources and environmental impacts throughout the entire food chain. This study describes and deploys a model and identifies data sources for estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with food loss from farm production, delivery and refrigeration, retail sale, household consumption, and waste management in the United States using four California-grown high-value produce as case studies. The ratios of food wasted to food produced are 50%, 60%, 50%, and 64% for avocados, celery, lemons, and strawberries, respectively, and the differences are largely influenced by consumer-level and on-farm food loss. From the consumption perspective, this means, for example, that 1.8 units of strawberries are wasted for every unit consumed. The packaging material is a significant environmental offender, contributing, e.g. 52% to the total emissions (without food loss) for strawberries. End-of-life analysis of wasted food and packaging covers the common waste management practices: landfilling, composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration, and recycling. Uncertainties in the data are assessed through Monte Carlo simulation. With the consideration of food loss, the total GHG emissions from the entire life cycle of strawberries, celery, avocados, and lemons increase by 93%, 62%, 56%, and 53% to 0.26, 0.038, 0.061, and 0.058 kg CO2eq. per one serving size, respectively. Emissions from the annually wasted strawberries, avocados, celery, and lemons in California amount to 76, 24, 12, and 12 000 tons of CO2eq., respectively. Fourteen percent of the world’s population could have a serving of strawberries just from the annually wasted strawberries in California. However, wasteful consumer action can be even more significant. Emissions from a typical driving scenario to a store to purchase only one produce exceeds the emissions associated with all four produce combined. Reducing food waste during consumption and the environmental impacts of packaging should be prioritized.
Innovative approach to legal regulation for using beekeeping data in forest areas
Authors: Shatkovskaya T , Epifanova T , Romanenko N , Bulgakov V
Published: December 2020

The article descends in developing a legal framework for utilizing databases in forest beekeeping to resolve urgent beekeeping issues and improve the efficiency of its legal support. The goal was achieved basing on a systematic approach. To generalize the empirical data presented by statistical and economic indicators, authors applied methods of analysis, synthesis, and deduction as well. Combining both functional and modelling methods, authors developed legal patterns of databases. The authors confirmed that such problems of Russian beekeeping as poor development of industrial management, mass bees’ mortality caused by pesticides and agrochemicals, lack of qualified experts and expert laboratories to assist beekeepers in their economic activities cannot be solved without using the databases proposed in the study. The novelty and value of the research findings include highlighting the advantages of the development and implementation of databases of experts, beekeepers, expert organizations, pesticides, indicating active substances that are dangerous to bees and clinical signs of poisoning, using specific examples, which make possible qualitatively improving the economic activities, as well as increasing the efficiency of legal protection of the beekeeping producers’ interests in courts.
A study of dimensional and quality characteristics of sawlogs of the Vologda region
Authors: Tambi A , Ugryumov S , Birman A , Ishchenko T
Published: December 2020

Following the results of 2019, in the Vologda region harvested 16.9 million m3of roundwood. Active forest utilization, combined with insufficient road construction, has led to the depletion of the forest resource base at an economically accessible distance from the timber enterprises. The purpose of the study is to assess the potential of wood resources and analyses the dimensional and quality characteristics of roundwood utilized as sawlogs at the sawmills of the Vologda region. As a result of the research, the following has been found out: the average diameter of harvested assortments, the parameters of curvature and taper depending on the apical diameter of pine roundwood. The following parameters have been evaluated: the diameter of the log, curvature, and taper of the roundwood. The studies were carried out by the photometric method. The established dimensional and quality characteristics of round timber allow us to conclude that sawmills in the Vologda region involve wood that has not reached the age of ripeness into industrial utilization, as a result of the depletion of the forest resource base near the infrastructure facilities. Termination of logging on leased areas occurs when the average diameter of the harvested raw material decreases to 13 cm.
State assessment of dominant tree layers of oak forests based on quantitative analysis of population strategies
Authors: Kirik A , Parakhnevich T , Popova V
Published: December 2020

The article considers the results of assessing the state of the tree layer of oak forests based on calculating the severity of population strategies of species in the community. The obtained values made it possible to establish how actively of the strategy is being implemented in various types of oak forests. The data analysis showed a high degree of correlation with succession processes characteristic of the considered communities, which expands the possibilities of quantitative assessment of forest sustainability. It has been established that the optimal condition of oak forests depends not so much on the presence of such a typical competitor as oak, but on the possibility of growing tree species with other strategies, which allows for a normal generational turn of in the plant community. Very important is the joint growth of trees belonging to all three types of population strategies: competitive - Quercus robur; ruderal - Betula pendula, Alnus incana, elm species; tolerant - Tilia cordata, Acer platanoides etc. The presence of external influences ensuring the creation of gaps in the tree layer for the development of oak undergrowth and heliophilous species also contributes to the long-term existence of the forest community. It was found that the existence of a relatively stable forest community can be expressed with the following values of degree of severity population strategies of the stand: competitiveness - 50-58, reactivity - 35-44, tolerance - 21-29.
Seasonal radial growth dynamics of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) in Voronezh region (Russia)
Authors: Matveev S , Tishin D , Maximchuk P , Zhuravleva I
Published: December 2020

One of the insufficiently studied areas in dendroclimatology is the seasonal dynamics of the radial growth of trees in regions with different climatic conditions. The urgency of this problem has increased due to the observed climate changes. This paper presents the results of a three-year experimental study (2016-2018) on the seasonal growth dynamics of Scots pine in the Voronezh region, as well as the weather conditions during these growing seasons. It has been established that the Scots pine ecotype under the conditions of the forest-steppe zone demonstrates a multi-peaked cyclical dynamics of cell growth rate within the growing season. At the same time, the culmination of growth differs significantly in different calendar years. Annual averages for the following growth traits were registered for the Voronezh region: the duration of the formation of the annual ring (4 months), the onset (25.04-03.05) and the end (29.08) of annual-ring formation, the end of earlywood formation and the onset of the formation of the transition zone from earlywood to latewood (01.07) and the onset of latewood formation (01.08).
Investigation of the pneumatic system of recuperative hydraulic drive of a timber truck
Authors: Katrakilidis K , Posmetev V I , Nikonov V O , Posmetev V V
Published: December 2020

The direction of scientific research connected with increasing the efficiency of timber road transport by reducing energy losses in the hydraulic drive of the manipulator in the process of loading and unloading timber has been substantiated. The analysis of scientific works in the field of methods of recuperation of various types of energy in wheeled vehicles, recuperative devices and hydraulic drives, allowing to accumulate and usefully use the energy of compressed air. A perspective diagram of a recuperative hydraulic drive of a timber truck manipulator with a pneumatic system is proposed. The goal of the work is formulated, which is to develop mathematical and simulation models for the functioning of the proposed pneumatic system of a recuperative hydraulic drive for assessing the necessary indicators of its efficiency based on the revealed dependencies. Developed and investigated mathematical and on its basis simulation models of pneumatic system functioning. The dependences of the influence of time on the amount of compressed air, pressure and temperature in the pneumatic accumulator and pneumatic cavities of pneumatic cylinders are obtained.
Ways to solve the optimal mobility of forest complex machines in the formation of a logging enterprise
Authors: Matkerimov T , Yakovlev K
Published: December 2020

The paper discusses solving the problem of machine mobility using an hybrid evolutionary modeled algorithm. Until now, the problem of optimizing the mobility of machines has been considered as a private problem that does not take into account the completeness of all factors affecting the process. The goal of our research is to develop a method that allows it to be used effectively to find optimization problems. The proposed method includes three concepts: optimization of mode, structural parameters and control process. We relied on the basic provisions of mathematical statistics, methods of mathematical modeling, evolutionary modeling and parameter optimization. A system of functions has been compiled to perform the task of multi-criterion optimization of the mobility parameters of forest equipment based on four criteria: cross-country ability, speed, relative turning radius and probability of failure-free operation. A metagenetic approach has been applied, which made it possible to achieve the best combination of traditionally used optimization methods and a genetic algorithm. Tests of the received algorithm were performed on standard tasks. The test results showed that the proposed method makes it possible to obtain high-quality solutions at minimum cost. The PRADIS//FRONT information system was used in calculations and plotting.
Synergistic effect of the simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet radiation and nano-silicon preparation to increase the rate of seed germination
Authors: Kondrateva N , Kasatkina N , Nelyubina Zh , Maksimov I , Kirillov N , Ovchukova S , Rudenok V , Buzmakov D , Bolshin R , Zaitsev P
Published: December 2020

The article presents studies on the impact of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes and silicon-containing preparation “Nanosilicon” on the germination of seeds of meadow clover ‘Ranny 2’, alfalfa (Medicago varia) ‘Victoria’ and fodder galega ‘Yaltinsky’. The purpose of the studies was to investigate the synergism of the simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet radiation and nanosilicon to increase the rate of seed germination. The study was investigating ultraviolet radiation zone “A” (UV-A) for a period of 5 minutes. The average irradiance was 3.137 W/m2. A decrease to 2-3% of the amount of hard seeds of meadow clover was noted in the variants: first treatment was with ultraviolet light, and then with “Nanosilicon” (UV irradiation + “Nanosilicon”) and vice versa: first, treatment was with “Nanosilicon”, and then with ultraviolet (“Nanosilicon” + UV irradiation). In addition, a decrease to 7.9-9.5% of the seeds contamination was detected for fodder galega in almost all studied variants. The use of the preparation “Nanosilicon” and UV radiation on the seeds of alfalfa contributed to an increase in the length of the sprout up to 2.4 cm, the root up to 1.5 cm, the degree of development of seedlings up to 3.0 points, the growth rate up to 29.8%.
Design and Implementation of Ventilator for Breathing Apparatus
Authors: Hidayat  , Saiful J , Iman S , Suprapto  , Aidil I , Eddy S
Published: December 2020

This paper present the design and implementation of a ventilator for a breathing apparatus. The ventilators that developed are the positive pressure ventilation type, the cycled volume mode and the controlled mechanical ventilation method (CMV). The technology that used is the ambu bag. The design and manufacture includes an automatic ambu bag pressing mechanical system and a control system using the arduino microcontroller. The mechanical design that is compact, lightweight, energy saving, low cost, meets aesthetics and is friendly makes this tool attractive so it is not scary for patients. BPM (beep per minute), IER (inspiratory expiratory ratio) and TV (tidal volume) parameters can be controlled via a touch screen or remotely using a mobile phone via 4 buttons remotely to facilitate and avoid transmission of Covid-19 to medical personnel. BPM can be set from 5-20 BPM, IER from 1: 1 to 1: 4 and TV from 40-100%. The results of ventilator testing that have been done show a good response.
Preliminary Study of Harmonic Generated by Household Appliances
Authors: Nisja I , Hardi S. , Mirzazoni  , Hidayat
Published: December 2020

This paper is preliminary study with focused on the harmonics generated by household appliances. There are only several household appliances that considered in this paper are television set, laptop computer and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). To measure the input current, the measurement equipment was installed at the input side of equipment under the test. The important parameters that have been recorded are individual harmonic currents, total harmonics distortion, power factor, input current and input voltage wave form. From the measurement results, television sets, laptop computers and CFLs have been found generate the THDi of 177%, 273.66% and 154.2% respectively. If it is widely used in residential areas, it is likely that there will be increased harmonic distortion in the electric power distribution system. Because this research is still in its early stages, at the end of this research it will be known how much harmonics is generated by the load in the residential area. If amount of harmonics generated by the housing load that exceeds the limit, so the next step of this research a harmonics filter design will carried out.
Productivity Improvement Through Innovation of Production Facilities in MSMEs
Authors: Mufti D , Mahjoedin Y , Iksan A
Published: December 2020

Sakura cake is a traditional food from District Cangkiang, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. This cake has been marketed to Bukittingi, Padang and has been used as a typical food from West Sumatra. In Cangkiang there are a number of similar Sakura cake micro-businesses and still use coconut shell as a moulding cake. However, the production capacity with coconut shell is still low even unable to meet demand. In addition, the use of coconut shell can risk injury to workers. So an innovation is made on the tools that are already on the market and can be used as a substitute for it. In research on productivity calculation using the Objective Matrix (OMAX) method by using production data for six periods. The productivity criteria measured are the use of raw materials, the use of working hours, fuel consumption and electricity use. The results of this study found that achieving the highest score was found in the criteria for use of working hours, at level 9, which was reached at the end of the survey period.
WaterDistribution in the Flow Field of the BipolarPlate on the CathodeSide of the PEM FuelCell
Authors: Mulyazmi  , Marthynis M , Safitri F R , Sari N G
Published: December 2020

The presence of water in the flow field greatly affects the performance of PEM fuel cell. One of the problems is caused by the water imbalance in the PEM fuel cell. If the water content is too high it causes flooding in the PEM fuel cell stack. As a result, the distribution flow of raw materials (hydrogen and oxygen) flowing into the stack is blocked. Conversely, if it is too dry it will cause the membrane to crack. Both cases resulted in a decrease in the performance of the PEM fuel cell system. The method used for water management in the flow field of a bipolar plate flow Computating Fluids Dynamics (CFD) software. The results showed that the highest water content occurred in the spiral flow field at a flow rate of 4 x 10-8 kg/s with a water content of 0.75 g/g. The lowest water content occurs in the multiple channel serpentine flow field at a flow rate of 4 x 10-8 kg/s with the water content of 0.47 g/g. In this condition the performance of PEM fuel cell is relatively stable in the single channel serpentine flow field with a flow rate of 4 x 10-8 kg/s and a depth of 0.3 mm because the formation of water is insignificant compared to using other flow fields.
Linear and Non-linear Regression Analysis for the Kinetics of [AuCl4]- Removal by p-Hydroxybenzoate intercalated Mg/Al-Hydrotalcite
Authors: Hasnowo L A , Santosa S J , Rusdiarso B
Published: December 2020

The best fit equations of linear and non-linear forms of the two widely used kinetic models, namely pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) equations, were compared in this study. The experimental kinetics of [AuCl4]−removal by p-hydroxybenzoate intercalated Mg/Al-hydrotalcite was used for this research. R2
coefficient was employed as error analysis methods to determine the best-fitting equations. The results show that the non-linear form was better at best-fitting than the linear form. The experimental kinetics may have been distorted by linearization of the linear kinetic equations, and thus, the non-linear forms of kinetic equations should be primarily used to obtain the adsorption parameters.
Material Density of Composite hydroxyapatite Bovine Bone-Borosilicate formed by Compaction and Sintering Techniques
Authors: Burmawi  , Syahroom A , Jamarun N , Arief S , Gunawarman
Published: December 2020

Hydroxyapatite Ca10 (PO4) 6 (OH) 2 is a calcium compound whose chemical composition is similar to human bone minerals. In this study, hydroxyapatite was formed into a composite material by adding borosilicate (borax and silica). For the formation of this composite material, the Hydroxyapatite borosilicate composition has been adjusted, namely: 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 wt.%. The samples were made with different compacting forces, namely 5 KN, 15 KN, and 25 KN with a sintering temperature of 800 ° C. 0.003734 gr / mm3. While the lowest density value is found in the composition 75:25 Wt.%, The compacting force is 5 KN with a value of 0.002436 gr / mm3. The decrease in the density value is influenced by the composition and compaction force applied. The greater the borosilicate composition, the lower the density. Meanwhile, the greater the compacting force applied, the density will increase.
Performance Study ff Increasing Power Plant Efficiency by Reducing Condenser Pressure in Teluksirih Power Plant
Authors: Kaidir  , Burmawi  , Mulyanef  , Muhammad DG
Published: December 2020

Research on increasing the efficiency of power plant needs to be done because the cost of producing electricity is quite large. The biggest cost of the electricity production process is the cost of fuel. One way to reduce fuel consumption is to reduce the pressure of the condenser. By decreasing the condenser pressure, the steam turbine load will increase, and the efficiency of the power plant increases. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research to analysis power plant efficiency, analysis the relationship between condenser pressure and powerplant efficiency, determine coal usage requirements. There sulting efficiency will be related to the energy generated. The higher the energy generated; the efficiency will also increase.
Identification of haploinsufficient genes from epigenomic data using deep forest
Authors: Yang Yuning , Li Shaochuan , Wang Yunhe , Ma Zhiqiang , Wong Ka-Chun , Li Xiangtao
Published: December 2020

Haploinsufficiency, wherein a single allele is not enough to maintain normal functions, can lead to many diseases including cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders. Recently, computational methods for identifying haploinsufficiency have been developed. However, most of those computational methods suffer from study bias, experimental noise and instability, resulting in unsatisfactory identification of haploinsufficient genes. To address those challenges, we propose a deep forest model, called HaForest, to identify haploinsufficient genes. The multiscale scanning is proposed to extract local contextual representations from input features under Linear Discriminant Analysis. After that, the cascade forest structure is applied to obtain the concatenated features directly by integrating decision-tree-based forests. Meanwhile, to exploit the complex dependency structure among haploinsufficient genes, the LightGBM library is embedded into HaForest to reveal the highly expressive features. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we compared it to several computational methods and four deep learning algorithms on five epigenomic data sets. The results reveal that HaForest achieves superior performance over the other algorithms, demonstrating its unique and complementary performance in identifying haploinsufficient genes. The standalone tool is available at https://github.com/yangyn533/HaForest.
Developing a patient-centred tool for pain measurement and evaluation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: El-Damanawi Ragada , Lee Michael , Harris Tess , Cowley Laura B , Scholtes Ingrid , Bond Simon , Sandford Richard N , Wilkinson Ian B , Casteleijn Niek F , Hogan Marie C , Karet Frankl Fiona E , Hiemstra Thomas F
Published: December 2020

Background

Pain affects 60% of the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) population. Despite being an early and debilitating symptom, it is poorly characterized and management is suboptimal. This study aimed to develop an ADPKD-specific pain assessment tool (APAT) to facilitate pain research.

Methods

Following a systematic review of PATs used in ADPKD studies and against international recommendations for pain trials, our multi-disciplinary team of clinical experts and patients constructed an ADPKD-pain conceptual framework of key pain evaluation themes. We compiled a new APAT covering domains prioritized within our framework using components of questionnaires validated in other chronic pain disorders. The APAT was administered longitudinally within a randomized high-water intake trial (NCT02933268) to ascertain feasibility and provide pilot data on ADPKD pain.

Results

Thirty-nine ADPKD participants with chronic kidney disease Stages 1–4 provided 129 APAT responses. Each participant completed a median of 3 (range 1–10) assessments. Respondents’ mean ± standard deviation age was 47 ± 13 years; 59% (23) were female; and 69% (27) had enlarged kidneys with median time from diagnosis 14.2 (interquartile range 7.0–25.9) years. Pain (52%) and associated analgesic use (29%) were common. Pain severity was associated with increasing age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, P = 0.009], female gender (OR = 4.34, P = 0.018), estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR = 5.45, P = 0.021) and hypertension (OR = 12.11, P = 0.007), but not with kidney size (P = 0.23). The APAT achieved good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.91) and test–retest reliability (domain intra-class correlation coefficients ranging from 0.62 to 0.90).

Conclusions

The APAT demonstrated good acceptability and reliability, and following further validation in a larger cohort could represent an invaluable tool for future ADPKD pain studies.
Interplay between right atrial function and liver stiffness in adults with repaired right ventricular outflow obstructive lesions
Authors: Li Vivian Wing-Yi , So Edwina Kam-Fung , Li Wenxi , Chow Pak-Cheong , Cheung Yiu-Fai
Published: December 2020

Aims

This study determined the associations between right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) mechanics and liver stiffness in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAVIS), and pulmonary stenosis (PS).

Methods and results

Ninety subjects including 26 repaired TOF, 24 PAIVS, and 20 PS patients and 20 controls were studied. Hepatic shear wave velocity and tissue elasticity (E), measures of liver stiffness, were assessed by two-dimensional shear wave elastography, while RA and RV mechanics were assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography. Deformation analyses revealed worse RV systolic strain and strain rate, and RA peak positive and total strain, and strain rates at ventricular systole and at early diastole in all of the patient groups compared with controls (all P < 0.05). Compared with controls, all of the patient groups had significantly greater shear wave velocity and hepatic E-value (all P < 0.05). Shear wave velocity and hepatic E-value correlated negatively with RV systolic strain rate, and RA positive strain, total strain, and strain rate at ventricular systole and at early diastole (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed RA strain rate at early diastole (P = 0.015, P < 0.001), maximum RA size (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and severity of pulmonary regurgitation (P = 0.05, Pp = 0.014) as significant correlates of shear wave velocity and hepatic E-value.

Conclusion

In adults with repaired TOF, PAIVS, and PS, RA dysfunction and pulmonary regurgitation are associated with liver stiffness.
Two zebras and a cardiac arrest: a case report of concomitant Brugada syndrome and an anomalous coronary artery
Authors: Bates Alexander , Ullah Waqas , Wilkinson James , Shambrook James
Published: December 2020

Background

Discovering concomitant diagnoses results in a challenge to determine the true cause of a patient’s presentation. Evaluating this fully is vital to plan appropriate and avoid inappropriate therapy.

Case summary

A 55-year-old gentleman presents in cardiac arrest whilst watching an unusual occurrence of England dominating a Football World Cup game vs. Panama in 2018. Diagnostic coronary angiography discovered an anomalous right coronary artery from the opposite sinus (R-ACAOS), but clinical suspicion this was incidental lead to a further diagnosis of Type 1 Brugada Syndrome (BrS) following a positive Ajmaline provocation challenge. Risk stratification of these two zebras using computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), Exercise Stress Echocardiography was performed and following a multi-disciplinary meeting, BrS was felt to be the primary diagnosis. The patient received a secondary prevention implantation of a cardiac defibrillator and avoided cardiac surgery.

Discussion

Diagnosing a rare condition does not necessarily mean it is the cause of a patient’s presentation and should not end the investigative process. Right coronary artery from the opposite sinus rarely causes cardiac arrest in middle age and is typically associated with peak exercise. Type 1 BrS is associated with cardiac arrest with vagal activity, perhaps such as England winning a World Cup game! Clinical correlation and risk stratification is required for suspected incidental findings.
Re-entrant ventricular tachycardia as a complication of ablation of idiopathic ventricular premature beats from the right outflow tract: a case report
Authors: Tran Van Nam , Rotman Samuel , Carroz Patrice , Pruvot Etienne
Published: December 2020

Background

We report an unusual case of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) from the epicardial part of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT).

Case summary

A 37-year-old woman who underwent in 2006 an ablation for idiopathic ventricular premature beats (VPBs) from the RVOT presented with pre-syncopal NSVT in 2016. A cardiac workup showed no coronary disease, normal biventricular function, and no enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. A metabolic positron emission tomography scan excluded inflammation. Biopsies revealed normal desmosomal proteins. An endocardial mapping revealed an area of low voltage potential (<0.5 mV) at the antero-septal aspect of the RVOT corresponding to the initial site of ablation from 2006. Activation mapping revealed poor prematurity and pace-mapping showed unsatisfactory morphologies in the RVOT, the left ventricle outflow tract and the right coronary cusp. An epicardial map revealed a low voltage area at the antero-septal aspect of the RVOT with fragmented potentials opposite to the endocardial scar. Pace-mapping demonstrated perfect match. An NSVT was induced and local electrocardiogram showed mid-diastolic potentials. Ablation was applied epicardially and endocardially without any complication. The patient was arrhythmia free at 4-year follow-up.

Discussion

Cardiac workup allowed to exclude specific conditions such as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, tetralogy of Fallot, sarcoidosis, or myocarditis as a cause for NSVT from the RVOT. The epi and endocardial map showed residual scar subsequent to the first ablation which served as substrate for the re-entrant NSVT. This is the first case which describes NSVT from the epicardial RVOT as a complication from a previous endocardial ablation for idiopathic VPB.
Biodiversity and oenological attitude of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated in the Montalcino district: biodiversity of S. cerevisiae strains of Montalcino wines
Authors: Guzzon Raffaele , Roman Tomas , Larcher Roberto , Francesca Nicola , Guarcello Rosa , Moschetti Giancarlo
Published: December 2020

The biodiversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied in the Montalcino area (Italy). Two wineries were involved in the study, which compared the genotypic and oenological characteristics of the S. cerevisiae strains isolated in spontaneous fermentations. After isolation yeasts were identified by 26S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and S. cerevisiae strains were characterized through interdelta sequence analysis (ISA). Oenological tests were performed in synthetic grape must by varying the magnitude of the main wine-imiting factors. The evolution of alcoholic fermentation was monitored by measuring sugar consumption and flow cytometry. The results revealed the prevalence of S. cerevisiae from the third day of fermentation and the presence of a wide range of S. cerevisiae strains having ISA profiles characteristic of each winery. From an oenological point of view, the features of such strains, in terms of resistance to wine-limiting factors, seemed to be linked to the main oenological variables applied in the production process of each winery. Extreme fermentation temperatures and copper residues are the variables that mostly depress the yeast population, in terms of fermentation rate and cell viability. Flow cytometry revealed the different impact of limiting factors on the viability of yeast by the quantification of the ratio between live/dead yeast cells of each strain, suggesting different mechanisms of inhibition, for instance stuck of cell growth or cell killing, in response to the different stress factors.
Video-based learning to enhance teaching of practical microbiology
Authors: Lacey Katrina , Wall J Gerard
Published: December 2020

Video-based learning is an increasingly important methodology in higher education and has particular value in practical teaching. In order to enhance learning and promote student engagement in our undergraduate microbiology programme, we designed and produced a suite of teaching videos which demonstrate laboratory techniques core to the syllabus. The methods were demonstrated by Ph.D. students and the professionally-produced videos were made widely available via the free YouTube channel Microbiology teaching videos at NUI Galway (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsP4xz5aq7sWfR9eXSCd_QQ/), which accumulated over 40 000 views across 47 countries in its first 15 months online. A survey of students who used the videos in their teaching and learning identified a greatly increased understanding of experimental principles and ability to carry out techniques; greater engagement with practical teaching sessions; particular benefits for visual learners; and increased confidence in teaching and in communicating science amongst undergraduate teaching assistants. The videos will be central to microbiology teaching at NUI Galway over the coming decade and will benefit many third-level institutions exploring online and blended learning approaches in the coming years.
Mutational Pressure Drives Differential Genome Conservation in Two Bacterial Endosymbionts of Sap-Feeding Insects
Authors: Waneka Gus , Vasquez Yumary M , Bennett Gordon M , Sloan Daniel B
Published: December 2020

Compared with free-living bacteria, endosymbionts of sap-feeding insects have tiny and rapidly evolving genomes. Increased genetic drift, high mutation rates, and relaxed selection associated with host control of key cellular functions all likely contribute to genome decay. Phylogenetic comparisons have revealed massive variation in endosymbiont evolutionary rate, but such methods make it difficult to partition the effects of mutation versus selection. For example, the ancestor of Auchenorrhynchan insects contained two obligate endosymbionts, Sulcia and a betaproteobacterium (BetaSymb; called Nasuia in leafhoppers) that exhibit divergent rates of sequence evolution and different propensities for loss and replacement in the ensuing ∼300 Ma. Here, we use the auchenorrhynchan leafhopper Macrosteles sp. nr. severini, which retains both of the ancestral endosymbionts, to test the hypothesis that differences in evolutionary rate are driven by differential mutagenesis. We used a high-fidelity technique known as duplex sequencing to measure and compare low-frequency variants in each endosymbiont. Our direct detection of de novode novo mutations reveals that the rapidly evolving endosymbiont (Nasuia) has a much higher frequency of single-nucleotide variants than the more stable endosymbiont (Sulcia) and a mutation spectrum that is potentially even more AT-biased than implied by the 83.1% AT content of its genome. We show that indels are common in both endosymbionts but differ substantially in length and distribution around repetitive regions. Our results suggest that differences in long-term rates of sequence evolution in Sulcia versus BetaSymb, and perhaps the contrasting degrees of stability of their relationships with the host, are driven by differences in mutagenesis.