bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Magnetically Supported Flexible Rotor in Auxiliary Bearings
Authors: Inayat-Hussain Jawaid I
Published: April 2020

The results of a numerical simulation on the nonlinear dynamics of a flexible rotor mounted on magnetic and auxiliary bearings are presented in this work. The focus of this work was to investigate the effect of shaft flexibility on the rotor response during load sharing operation between the magnetic and auxiliary bearings. For the range of parameters considered herein, results from the numerical simulation showed that the stiffness ratio, which represented the contact stiffness of the auxiliary bearing, was a more effective parameter, as compared to the Coulomb sliding friction coefficient, for the suppression of sub-synchronous and non-synchronous vibrations in the rotor’s response. Sub-synchronous vibrations of period-2, period-4, period-8 and period-16 were observed in the response of the rotor. Non-synchronous vibration which was also seen in the rotor’s response was determined to be chaos. For the case of the rotor response with variation of the stiffness ratio, the route to chaos was found to be due to a sequence of period-doubling bifurcations, where the synchronous or period-1 response bifurcated into period-2, period-4, period-8 and period-16 responses, culminating into chaotic vibration. Vibrations which are of sub-synchronous and non-synchronous nature are best avoided in the rotor’s response during operation, whereby the load is shared between magnetic and auxiliary bearings, as they produce stress reversals. Such stresses can potentially cause fatigue failure of the rotors and their associated structures.
State estimation for dynamic weighing using Kalman filter
Authors: Pitawala S
Published: April 2020

Dynamic weighing has become an essential requirement in a diverse range of industries. In dynamic weighing, loadcell based weighing mechanisms are employed in determining the weight of the products while they are in motion. This paper proposes a method of weight ascertainment based on state estimation theory. A simplified time domain response of the weighing system is modelled as an output error model and the 1-D Kalman filter is used in two stages to determine the weight of the fruit. The dependency of the weight with the change of speed is taken into account in the calibration stage. The validity of the method is tested using the data provided by Compac sorting equipment, Auckland, New Zealand.
Development of BasketBall Coaching APP
Authors: Adnan Wan Azizun , Shafie Siti Mariam , Ahmad Sharifah Mumtazah Syed , Radiman Samsiah , Rashdan Aiman Haziq Bin , Hisham Muhammad Khazin Bin Noor , Jefri Emeirul Ezzudean Bin , Hitam Salasiah
Published: April 2020

In a basketball game, to shoot a ball accurately is the main aim of basketball players. This paper describes a smartphone application with Gyroscope and Accelerometer Sensors which was developed to help basketball players to practise their free throw shootings. Free throw is an important part of a basketball game which may determine the success of the team. The developed application is based on the theory of projectiles motion. The main advantage of this application is that it assist player to be consistentt in every free throw sessions without the help of a coach.
Cox’s Model for Prison Partly Interval Censored Data
Authors: Ahmedi Shaikha , Elfaki Faiz A M , Lukman Iing , Kabbashi N A
Published: April 2020

The term survival analysis has been used in examines and models the time until the events occur. The most common tool for studying the dependency of survival time on predictor variables is Cox model proportional hazards regression model. In this paper we present a simple modification of Cox’s proportional hazards model using the partial likelihood principle technique based on Newton Rapson method.

Simulation is conducted based on prison partly interval censored data set with particular sample sizes to evaluate the performance of the proposed model, and it shows that the model is feasible and works well.
Utilization of polystyrene waste with biodiesel from cooking oil waste as feedstock in catalytic cracking using Al-MCM-41/Ceramic and Pd/Al-MCM-41/Ceramic catalysts
Authors: Juwono H , Pamungkas F S , Elliyanti A , Assari A , Dermawan A H , Nurfitriyah A
Published: April 2020

Liquid fuel from polystyrene plastic waste with co-reactant of cooking oil waste biodiesel has been obtained. The catalysts used in catalytic cracking are Al-MCM-41/ceramic and Pd/Al-MCM-41/ceramic catalysts. Morphology and elemental composition were observed with SEM EDX, the crystal structure observed with XRD, surface area and pore volume were analyzed by Nitrogen adsorption-desorption each calculated by BET and BJH method, acidity determined by FTIR-Pyridine, and temperature resistance analyzed by DTA. The results of catalytic cracking were investigated using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Characterization of the catalyst showed that acidity was reduced because the Si/Al ratio was reduced after the impregnation and the surface area of Al-MCM-41/ceramics also decreased. SEM EDX shows that the composition of the carbon element on the surface of the Pd/Al- MCM-41/ceramic catalyst is smaller compared to the Al-MCM-41/ceramic catalyst. The results of the GC-MS characterization of liquid fuels from catalytic cracking using Pd/Al- MCM-41/ceramics catalyst, have a percentage of gasoline fraction (C7-C12) of 74.9% at 120 minutes cracking. The mixture of fuel from the addition of 150 mL liquid fuel resulting from catalytic cracking with Pd/Al-MCM-41/ceramic catalyst has the highest calorific value of 19160.61 (kcal/kg) and the performance of the gasoline Genset engine has the highest thermal efficiency of 28.27%.
Design for temperature distribution of continuous furnace system for sintering application
Authors: Widyastuti  , Anggara B P , Sulistya F F , Jatimurti W , Wismogroho A S , Pratiwi V M
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a design for the temperature distribution of a continuous furnace system.The furnace was used in sintering applications for powder metallurgy products. The following design also includes heating systems, insulation systems, and material handling. Temperature analysis was focused on temperature distribution on sintering sample. The temperature distribution was also analyzed based on the material layout during the sintering process. All results were based on heat transfer, confirmed by ANSYS software.The dimension of the CF for application of P/M production is (L x W x H): 3 x 500 x 500 x 360 mm3 with the length (feed zone, pre-sinter zone, sinter zone, post-sinter zone dan discharge zone) was 500 mm and length of cooling zone is 1440 mm. The material production rate was 874 material/hour. The heating system uses kanthal AF with diameter of 1,6 mm, length of heating element 3,4 m, total power of 30 kW, voltage of 220 V, and total current 135 A. Insulation system uses composite wall with insulating brick (11 cm thickness) and ceramic fiber blanket (5 mm thickness). The material handling system uses mesh belt conveyor from material SS314 with length of 4190 mm, width of 356 mm, and conveyor speed of 0,277 mm/s. The standard temperature for pre-sinter zone is 225 °C while the design obtained 210.44 °C and sinter zone is 300 °C while the design obtained 293.52 °C. The results showed that the optimum zone temperature in the pre-sintered (225 °C) and sintered zones (300 °C) are 210.44 °C and 293.52 0C, respectively. Validation of heat balance shows that the deviation was minimal and can be ignored, thus the design is considered the most suitable.
Green infrastructure pattern of Manggar riverbank as Minapolitan (fishing town) settlement
Authors: Ulimaz M , Jordan N A
Published: April 2020

Manggar Riverbank is one of the high-density settlements with characteristics of wood as the main material. Most residents were worked as fishermen and farmers to support minapolitan (fishing town) activities. The area was located on the edge and surface of the river, linear housing patterns, parallel, and surface the river. The area has been indicated as slum river settlements. The strategy to urban development based on green infrastructure (ecological infrastructure) must be integrated with Balikpapan Spatial Plan (RTRW). Manggar village was established as a traditional protected settlement. Green infrastructure planning should be integrated with the residential space to improve the quality of city and community life. The concept of sust ainable city development needs to balance economic, socio-cultural and environmental development by increasing green infrastructure. The purpose of this study is to analyze the priorities of green infrastructures based on its pattern. The distribution patterns by Geographic Information Systems approach was used as a methodology. The results of the analysis concluded that there were three patterns identified from the distribution of green infrastructure in the village over the Manggar riverbank settlement. Clustered patterns, random patterns, and dispersed patterns are found in all variables with different amounts. Clustered patterns are found in the distribution of vegetation. This result shows that the priority of the Manggar village community readiness in preparing the green infrastructure of settlements is available on vegetation. The clustered vegetation does not show a relationship with fishing activities, but rather tourism activities. Green infrastructure that is dispersed according to the use of fisheries space is lighting and public buildings with random patterns.
The effect of nozzle size on dissolved oxygen value using fine bubble aeration. Case study: Leachate treatment in Manggar landfill
Authors: Harfadli M M
Published: April 2020

Leachate is a concentrated liquid that is harmful to soil and groundwater. This liquid comes from the process of decomposition of waste material by microorganisms in landfills. Leachate has the characteristics of high organic content. To reduce the organic content, one of them is to increase the dissolved oxygen in leachate. The method used with the aeration diffuses. Especially, using fine bubble aeration. Based on this background, a leachate water treatment was carried out using the fine bubble aeration system in order to see the effect on the value of dissolved oxygen or DO produced. The method in this experiment using a closed reactor system by varying nozzle diameter as a control variable. They are 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm. The air pressure use 3 bar. Aeration time from 0 to 120 minutes. The volume of water as much as 25 Litre. The results showed that there was an effect of nozzle size on DO values. The highest increase in DO occurred in 1.5 mm diameter reaching 7.4 mg/L, while the highest 2 mm and 3 mm DO sizes reached 6.6 mg/L and 6.6 mg/L respectively. Based on the comparison of DO values of each diameter, it can be concluded that the 1.5 mm is more effective in increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in leachate water treatment using fine bubble aeration. According to bivariate analysis, the nozzle diameter as a control variable has a very strong relationship with the DO value indicated by the correlation value approaching 1 (0.701) with the aeration time change scenario.
Modeling and optimization of palm oil moisture loss as biodiesel pretreatment
Authors: Hendrawan Y , Maharani N S , Argo B D , Wibisono Y
Published: April 2020

One solution to the problem of energy that can be used as a substitute for fuel oil is biodiesel. Palm oil can be used as biodiesel raw material. The advantage of palm oil is its sustainable availability. However, the water content of palm oil still cannot meet the biodiesel quality requirements based on ASTM D975-08a and ASTM D6751-12 which is less than 0.05%. The purpose of this study is to model and optimize the concentration of zeolite and adsorption times to decrease water content in palm oil. The method in this research is to use activated zeolite adsorption. Data from the results of water loss in palm oil as a pretreatment in the manufacture of biodiesel will be processed using response surface methodology (RSM) with the central composite design (CCD) so that a model and optimum point of zeolite concentration and adsorption time can be found. The model produced using the response surface methodology (RSM) method with a central composite design (CCD) design in the form of quadratic equations. The optimization results produce an optimum value of water loss of 2.74% with an error rate of 4.20%. This optimum value is achieved by zeolites concentration of 13.20% and adsorption time of 126.11 minutes.
Community accompaniment at Rw 16, Mangliawan village, Pakis subdistrict, Malang regency to create a clean and green environment
Authors: Pangestuti A A , Bekti S , Fitriani E
Published: April 2020

One of the environmental problems faced by the Malang Regency is the high amount of waste generated by the community every day. The regions that are the biggest contributors for garbage are Singosari and Pakis Subdistrict. RW 16 in Mangliawan Village is one of the areas located in Pakis Subdistrict. The main problems happening in the region were the level of awareness and understanding of the community in managing waste were still low and the environment was arid and hot. The solution to overcome this problem was to invite the community to conduct a comparative study. The other activities were to provide accompaniment to the community of RW 16 to manage waste and to plant TOGA and vegetables. The program has been able to increase the community’s awareness and understanding to manage waste, in addition, it can motivate the community so that they are willing to grow TOGA and vegetables in order to create a green environment.
Field notes: terrestrial orchids in the Lappadata Forest, Bone, South Sulawesi
Authors: Mudiana D , Ariyanti E E
Published: April 2020

Plant exploration activities were carried out in the Lappadata Forest Area, Matirro Bulu Village, Libureng District, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi in July 2017. It was succeeded in recording as many as seven species of terrestrial orchids, namely: Eulophia nuda Lindl., Dienia ophrydis (J.Koenig) Seidenf., Crepidium koordersii (J.J.Sm.) Szlach., Nervilia aragoana Comm. ex Gaudich., Nervilia plicata (Andrews) Schltr., Nervilia puntata (Blume) Makino, and Habenaria beccarii Schltr. They grew in shady and damp places on thick or humid soil. This paper will discuss the field notes of those terrestrial orchids found in Lappadata Forest Area.
Rebranding effort for public and private territories in the riverbank settlement of Kampung Tridi Malang
Authors: Subaqin A , Kusumadewi T , Faqihuddin M I , Husna A Z , Sedayu A , Hariyadi M A
Published: April 2020

The Kampung Tridi of Malang, located in East Java Indonesia, is one of the residential areas located on the banks of Brantas river. This area used to be a slum settlement with a compact living community that received less maintenance and facilities from the local authority. This paper discusses the results of the rebranding effort of Kampung Tridi as the riverbank residential area as an essential tourist attraction in Malang. Territories are an important part of survival, not only in terms of physical characteristics but also social comfort that can be achieved through house setting, space organization, and wholistic spatial planning. This study uses the content analysis method based on literature studying space territory in residential areas with variables, the stipulation of organization and spatial planning, identity, and agreement in the community or community. The results of this study indicate that the territories of public and private spaces in the Tridi village area after rebranding have changed the boundaries and characteristics of space territory caused by changes in the function of the area as a tourist village. This study informs on the importance of rebranding the slump settlement into a productive and active local tourism product.
Contribution of bamboo materials in architecture education towards sustainable community development
Authors: Maslucha L , Putrie Y E , Rahma S , Handryant A N , Ramardani V
Published: April 2020

Bamboo is one of the natural resources that are easy to find in forests, villages, and riversides area of tropical countries like Indonesia. On the other hand, architecture education in Indonesia has not focused much on bamboo as the potential architectural design material. Whereas bamboo has many potencies for many elements in architecture design. Architecture education is a possible way to explore and develop bamboo as an architectural element and introduce its potencies to the local communities. This paper is the initial desk study of multiphase research on the contribution of bamboo materials in architecture education towards sustainable community development. The objective of this paper is to explain the gap in the vast research topics on bamboo in order to define further research on how architecture education pays attention to the significance of bamboo as a sustainable material. The result shows that research topics on bamboo material are vastly developed in some areas and on the contrary is rarely explored in other areas of research. Research in architecture education and its teaching strategies to elevate the comprehension of the students on the topic of sustainable materials such as bamboo is hardly found.
The response of several groundnut cultivars on fertilization in drylands with the dry climate
Authors: Wijanarko A , Rahmianna A A
Published: April 2020

The existing technology for growing groundnuts in drylands with the dry climate in East Sumba District of East Nusa Tenggara Province is very simple/ordinary, and the introduction of superior groundnut cultivar and improved technology are predicted will increase its productivity. The experiment was undertaken to find out the performance of improved technology and superior cultivars on increasing pod yield productivity. The experiment was done at Laipori Village, Pandawai Subdistrict, East Sumba District from February-May 2018. The experiment applied a randomized block design two factorial with three replicates. The treatments consisted of two factors. Factor one was five groundnut genotypes (five superior: Kancil, Hypoma 3, Hypoma 1, Hypoma 2, and Kelinci and one local Sandel cultivar), factor 2 was two types and dosages of fertilization (low: 50 kg Phonska/ha, high: 100 kg Phonska/ha+50 kg SP36+500 kg FYM/ha). The results indicated that initial soil fertility status was high pH (>7.0), low total N, moderate available P, high K, Ca, Mg concentration. The improved technology that has been tested consisted of superior cultivar of Kancil, and the application of 50 kg Phonska/ha. Kancil cultivar was able to increase pod yield by 26% higher than that of Local Sandel cultivar.
Utilization of black tea waste as natural batik dyes on cotton and silk
Authors: Triwiswara M , Indrayani L
Published: April 2020

The production of bottled tea beverages generates a large amount of black tea waste, which may cause serious environmental problems without proper handling. Black tea waste has potential as natural batik dyes due to the tannin contains. In this study, the potential of black tea waste to dye batik on cotton and silk has been investigated. Black tea waste was extracted using water as the solvent with ratio 1:5 of material to solvent for an hour at 100 °C. The dyeing performance of the extracts was evaluated by measuring the K/S value and the chromatic values CIELab. The fastness properties of the dyed samples and the effect of different mordant type on dyeing quality were also studied. The fastness properties of the samples were in the range of good to excellent. The results show that there is a strong possibility to utilize black tea waste as natural batik dyes on cotton and silk.
The influence of P fertilizer on growth and yield of maize on dry land
Authors: Handayati W , Sihombing D
Published: April 2020

An assessment was carried out on the dry land of Banjararum village, Singosari district, Malang regency East Java, from January to May 2017 (500 m asl). A randomized block design with four replications was used. As treatments were a). Control (without P), b). SP-36 with dose 125 kg ha-1 (standard); TSP with dose c). 50 kg, d). 100 kg, e). 150 kg and Rock Phosphate (RP) with dose f). 200 kg, h). 300 kg, h). 400 kg, i). 500 kg ha-1. Urea and KCl fertilizer with doses of 350 kg and 75 kg ha-1 were used in all treatment plots. The result showed that the application of TSP and RP fertilizers had the same effect as SP-36 on the plant growth and harvest yield. The best plant growth was obtained from the TSP and RP in the highest dose fertilizer. Observation of harvest yield and components of the yield also showed significant differences compared to the control and treatments of TSP and RP in the lowest dose. The highest yield was obtained at 150 kg/ha TSP treatment reaching 7.78 ton/ha-1 and not significantly different from the highest RP and SP-36 levels. RP fertilizer can use as an alternative to substitute of SP-36.
The increased yield of rice due application of high-potassium-NPK fertilizer to low-potassium-soil content
Authors: Istiqomah N , Tafakresnanto C
Published: April 2020

The research aims to observe the optimal dose of 15-10-18 NPK fertilizer in rice growth and yields. This research is arranged in a Randomized Block Design with 4 replications. Treatment consists of 8 combinations of fertilizing which resulted in 32 treatments of 4x6 m2 plot−1. The types of treatment studied are as follow: (A) Treatment with no fertilizer as control plot; (B) Treatment with recommendation dose of 200 kg ha−1 Urea and 300 kg ha−1 15-15-15 NPK; (C) Fertilizer dose of 200 kg ha−115-10-18 NPK; (D) Fertilizer dose of 300 kg ha−1 15-10- 18NPK; (E) Fertilizer dose of 400 kg ha−115-10-18NPK; (F) Fertilizer dose of 200 kg ha−1 Urea and 200 kg ha−115-10-18 NPK; (G) Fertilizer dose of 200 kg ha−1Urea and 300 kg ha−115-10-18 NPK; (H) Fertilizer dose of 200 kg ha−1Urea and 400 kg ha−1 15-10-18 NPK. Characters observed are as follows plant height, the amount of productive tiller, panicle height, unfilled grains percentage, the weight of 1,000 grain, and yields. The result showed that those treatments are significantly different in terms of plant height, the amount of productive tiller, unfilled grains percentage, the weight of 1,000 grains, and yields, but those treatments are not significantly different in panicle height. The highest R/C Ratio on F treatment (200 kg ha−1 15-10-18 NPK and 200 kg ha−1 urea) reaches 3.18 and B/C Ratio 2.18 (income value IDR 27.966.000) with yields 7,63 ton ha−1. It means that the high-potassium fertilizer of 200 kg ha−1 15-10-18 NPK and 200 kg ha−1 urea is an optimal dosage to low-potassium-soil content.
Determination of consumer price index with generalized space-time autoregressive
Authors: Harini S , Nuronia N
Published: April 2020

Customer Price Index is one way to analyze the level of consumption needs of people for goods and services within a certain time. The development of the current Customer Price Index determination besides being influenced by time is also influenced by spatial heterogeneity between regions. In this study, the determination of the Customer Price Index was carried out in three cities in Probolinggo, Surabaya, and Kediri using the Generalized Space-Time Autoregressive (GSTAR) approach. The GSTAR model is a time-series data analysis model that shows the existence of spatial heterogeneity between time and between regions. Based on the test results of the Matrix Autocorrelation Function and the Matrix Partial Autocorrelation Function, the best model is GSTAR with order 1 with the smallest Akaike Information Criterion value found in lag 1 which is 90.924.
Tensile strength and elongation analysis on nano cellulose Film Isolated from Sugarcane Bagasse
Authors: Yuwono M , Fauziyah B , Isnaeni  , Nisak A
Published: April 2020

Nano cellulose was successfully isolated from sugarcane bagasse through sulphuric acid hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse cellulose. Physically, Nano cellulose was transparent and broken white. The crystallinity index of sugarcane bagasse nano cellulose was 80.72%. The particle size of sugarcane bagasse nano cellulose was 225 nm. Delignification process in isolation was successfully showed by releasing peaks in 1239.3 and 1507.7. It show C-O-C vibration of aryl group in lignin and C=C aromatic ring in lignin respectively. Sugarcane bagasse cellulose shows peaks at 1720.2 that represent COOH and hemicellulose carboxylic groups, while the others were not found. The crystallinity index of Nano cellulose was 42.65%. Nano cellulose film prepared in several concentrations (3%, 6%, and 9%). Nano cellulose film also prepared with adding HPMC 2%. Nano cellulose film prepared in 9% concentration was too strict and broken easily. The tensile strength and elongation of Nano cellulose film that prepared in 3% + HPMC 2% and 6% + HPMC 2% were 3.177 Mpa, 10.93% and 3.315 Mpa dan 3.7% respectively.
Potency of maize production by the application of NPK (15-10-20) fertilizer and organic fertilizer on irrigated field dry season 1
Authors: Sugiono  , Krismawati A
Published: April 2020

Fertilization is one of efforts to increase maize production, and among the commercial fertilizers is compound fertilizer, which contains NPK. Due to varied contents of NPK in such fertilizers, the research was conducted to study effectiveness of fertilizers that contain NPK (1510-20) against growth and production of maize. The research was conducted at irrigated field MK1 (dry season 1) from May to August 2017 at Sidorejo Village, Umbulsari Subdistrict, Jember Regency. The research used hybrid maize of var. P 31, organic fertilizer 2 t/ha, Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications. There were 8 treatments of combined fertilization, so that there were 24 experimental plots. The treatments included Urea: 250 kg and 350 kg, NPK (15-10-20): 250 kg, 350 kg, 450 kg, and 550 kg. The standards of comparisons were without fertilizer and recommended fertilizer. Size of the experimental plot is 6 m x 6 m. Results of the research showed that the application of 250 kg urea + 250 kg NPK 15-10-20/ha produced the highest production of grains, 10.08 t/ha. It could increase the production for about 1.61 % in comparison with the recommended dose (350 kg urea + 450 kg phonska/ha) and increase 9.20 % in comparison with fertilization that used to be applied by the farmer (400 kg urea + 500 kg Phonska/ha). The highest RAE (Relative Agronomic Effectiveness) above 100 can be achieved by the application of 250 kg Urea + 250 kg NPK (15-10-20)/ha for about 102 %. The application of 250 kg urea + 250 kg NPK 15-10-20/ha has made profit Rp. 24,247,000 or using B/C ratio 1.724 is higher than fertilization using the recommended dose (350 kg/ha urea + 450 kg/ha NPK Phonska), which made profit Rp. 23,811,000 or using B/C ratio 1.714. Based on yield of grains and farming calculation, it is suggested to apply 250 kg urea + 250 kg NPK (15-10-20
Sustainable Renewable Energy System Installations through Qualified and Skilled Workforce: TRAINEE Approach
Authors: Stojanovska-Georgievska L , Sandeva I , Krleski A , Spasevska H , Ginovska M
Published: April 2020

Renewable energy and use of renewable energy sources (RES) is seen as part of the appropriate response to the global concerns for energy efficiency and greener world leading to a rapid increase in demand for renewable energy specialists who are able to design, install and maintain such systems. There are very few initiatives for more systematic approach for designing educational programs and developing curricula for training for designers and installers of RES systems in buildings. This especially refers to developing separate occupational standards, recognized by the national qualification frameworks, which will ensure formal validation of developed qualifications. The aim of this paper is to provide a model for training courses for designers and installers of small-scale renewable energy systems in buildings. This model is based on the experience of TRAINEE project, which had the aim to implement training courses for designers and installers of RES systems in buildings.
Economic Analysis of Solar Powered and on-Grid Trout Fish Growing Systems
Authors: Koyuncu T
Published: April 2020

There are many dams have been established in Turkey for different aims such as electric production and irrigation. It is also benefitted from several of these dams by growing trout fish. However, the temperature of most of these dam lake water is high, particularly during the summer hot season period (from May to September) for growing trout fish. In order to cool the water of fish growing floating pool or tank by pumping cool water from depth of 25 m, a solar powered trout fish growing system that previously designed for Ataturk Dam Lake and an on-grid power system have been selected. The solar powered water cooling system mainly contains monocrystalline silicon solar panel, MPPT (maximum power point tracker), battery pack, inverter, and a submersible pump. In contrast to many components of solar powered water cooling system, to operate the submersible pump, only the electrical network as well as a control panel are required for on-grid system. The needed PV panel area, water pump power and energy during system lifetime are also determined for one fish growing unit (floating pool or water tank) by considering some technical various data. The reason for choosing as a sample of Ataturk Dam Lake for this study is that Ataturk Dam Lake is established on the Euphrates River and ranked in the first ten amongst other dam lakes in the world. The economic analysis of both these systems have been made and these systems have also been compared with uncooled (naturally cooling) system in this work. The results of the study showed us that in order to economically functioning of a small scale or a private fishery enterprise, the required minimum number of fish growing tanks are 19, 17 and 15 for solar powered cooling system, on-grid cooling system and uncooled system, respectively.
Thermomolecular Accumulator for Touring Bicycle
Authors: Stoudenets V , Tsyrin N
Published: April 2020

The work presents an ecological vehicle, which is a touring bicycle with the compact hydraulic system based on the hydraulic / thermomolecular accumulator. Due to the hydrosystem, the cyclist has the ability to store mechanical / hydraulic energy by pedaling during downhill, which is used when moving uphill without pedaling. The prototype was designed some time ago at the Laboratory of Thermomolecular Energetics (TME) of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. In order to improve the vehicle technical characteristics, it is proposed to replace the traditional pneumohydraulic accumulator (PHA) with the thermomolecular analogue. The comparative analysis of the vehicle operation with each type of accumulator is carried out.
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and Posthuman Adaptation: Adapting as Cultural Technique
Authors: Voigts Eckart
Published: April 2020

The paper discusses hybrid writing practices which emerge as a consequence of digital coding in electronic media and therefore also transform the materiality of ‘classic’ media. It argues that practices of adaptation have been re-shaped by digital advances that have not been taken into consideration by adaptation studies. The interconnected digital world holds large quantities of available data and it is conceived as an ever-changing space of permanent copy and constant adaptation. It is marked by fluid, textual recombination (e.g., remix, mashup, intermedia trailer, remediation, remake, and fanfiction). The focus in this essay will be on automated writing practices executed through artificial neural networks or deep-learning applications that algorithmically recognize and imitate writing patterns as further typical manifestations of aesthetic practices in an information-rich society. It assesses these algorithmic writing practices as digital art, in relation to modernist, surrealist, and Dadaist avant-garde experimentation with automated writing. In addition, the essay raises the question of the present role and function of adaptation as a genre, and adaptations as texts, as quite separate from adapting as a human cultural technique (Kulturtechnik) in the context of newly defined modalities and cultural literacies. Advocating a wide notion of adaptation, the contribution launches a definition of posthuman adaptation that applies Actor-Network Theory to adaptation studies.
Socioeconomic disadvantages over the life-course and their influence on obesity among older Hong Kong Chinese adults
Authors: Chung Gary K K , Lai Francisco T T , Chan Dicken C , Wong Hung , Yeoh Eng-Kiong , Chung Roger Y
Published: April 2020

Background

The life-course perspective on socioeconomic inequality in health is a burgeoning field of research. Nonetheless, the three classic life-course models (i.e. sensitive period, cumulative risk and social mobility models) have rarely been simultaneously applied to studies on obesity. Therefore, this study examined the associations of socioeconomic positions (SEPs) across life stages and their associated life-course models with both general and abdominal obesity.

Methods

Face-to-face interviews were conducted among 1077 community-dwelling adults aged 50 or above during 2014–15 in Hong Kong. Experiences of poverty, educational attainment and deprivation of necessities represented respondents’ SEP in childhood, early adulthood and late adulthood, respectively. General and abdominal obesity were defined as body mass index ≥25 kg m−2 and waist-to-height ratio >0.5. Multivariable modified Poisson regression with a robust error variance was performed.

Results

Respondents with low childhood SEP tended to have reduced risk of general obesity [relative risk (RR) = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72–1.00], whereas those with low childhood SEP and low late-adulthood SEP tended to have increased risk of abdominal obesity (RR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.00–1.21 and RR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.03–1.26, respectively). Cumulative socioeconomic disadvantages showed a dose–response relationship with abdominal obesity. Also, those with upward socioeconomic mobility had lower risk of abdominal obesity, whereas those with downward socioeconomic mobility had greater risk.

Conclusions

Low SEP, especially in childhood, exerted contrasting effects on general and abdominal obesity among older Hong Kong Chinese adults. The three life-course models operated simultaneously in determining the risk of abdominal obesity, while support for cumulative risk and social mobility models was weak in general obesity.
Infection-associated hospitalizations of women in labour
Authors: Kopeć-Godlewska Katarzyna , Pac Agnieszka , Różańska Anna , Żbikowski Paweł , Rosiński Jerzy , Wojkowska-Mach Jadwiga
Published: April 2020

Background

The article analyzes hospitalizations of women in the postpartum period in the Małopolska Province. Re-hospitalization of women as a result of puerperal complications may be used as an infection control quality measure in this patient population.

Methods

It was a population-based, retrospective analysis using data obtained from the Polish National Health Fund (paying for medical services, financed by all Polish employees contributing 9% of their salaries), collected routinely in 2013–14. The analysis encompassed 29 hospitals and 68 894 childbirths.

Results

In total, 1.7% of women were re-hospitalized and 563 of these re-hospitalizations (0.8%) were due to infection. Re-hospitalizations due to infections were significantly more often recorded among women who lived in villages compared with inhabitants of towns (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.23–1.98; P < 0.001) and in women giving birth in primary referral hospitals in comparison with the second referral or clinical hospitals (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.69–4.65; P < 0.001). On the one hand, the results of the study indicate that, in patients giving birth, the infection control system is not sensitive enough, and on the other hand, more detailed studies need to cover primary referral hospitals, specifically.

Conclusions

The problem of the infection-associated hospitalizations in the postpartum period is not reliably assessed by infection control professionals and constitutes a challenge for surveillance, including prevention and control. Complications associated with childbirth should be an indication of the quality of healthcare provision and knowledge of the scale of the problem should be the basis for its evaluation and prevention. This is especially true for infections in puerperas.
The embassy of Francisco Bernardo de Quirós at The Hague: Spanish diplomatic praxis during the succession crisis*
Authors: Vozmediano Julio Arroyo
Published: April 2020

This article analyses the Spanish diplomatic network c.1700 through a study of the correspondence generated by the embassy of The Hague held in Spanish and Belgian archives. It demonstrates how the monarchy possessed procedures and resources for the effective management of external information, allowing it to integrate and distribute the knowledge necessary for decision-making. The article closely examines the practices of ministers when handling state matters and reacting to crises, such as that of the Spanish succession.
Brexit and Parliament: The Anatomy of a Perfect Storm
Authors: Russell Meg
Published: April 2020

The Westminster parliament lies at the heart of UK democracy. Yet its role and powers became increasingly controversial during the ‘Brexit’ process, following the 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union. Fierce arguments were framed as ‘parliament versus people’, which fed a populist narrative and raised fundamental questions about where UK sovereignty should lie. This article charts the stages of parliament’s Brexit ‘perfect storm’, tracing its causes to four factors: the design of the referendum, a period of (unfamiliar) minority government, deeply divided political parties, and the weakness of parliamentary rules in facilitating a solution. In the end, the Brexit argument was primarily one inside the Conservative Party, but parliament got the blame.
An assessment of a simple clinical technique to estimate pharyngeal collapsibility in people with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Osman Amal M , Tong Benjamin K , Landry Shane A , Edwards Bradley A , Joosten Simon A , Hamilton Garun S , Cori Jennifer M , Jordan Amy S , Stevens David , Grunstein Ronald R , McEvoy R Doug , Catcheside Peter G , Eckert Danny J
Published: April 2020

Study Objectives

Quantification of upper airway collapsibility in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could help inform targeted therapy decisions. However, current techniques are clinically impractical. The primary aim of this study was to assess if a simple, novel technique could be implemented as part of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration study to assess pharyngeal collapsibility.

Methods

A total of 35 participants (15 female) with OSA (mean ± SD apnea–hypopnea index = 35 ± 19 events/h) were studied. Participants first completed a simple clinical intervention during a routine CPAP titration, where CPAP was transiently turned off from the therapeutic pressure for ≤5 breaths/efforts on ≥5 occasions during stable non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep for quantitative assessment of airflow responses (%peak inspiratory flow [PIF] from preceding 5 breaths). Participants then underwent an overnight physiology study to determine the pharyngeal critical closing pressure (Pcrit) and repeat transient drops to zero CPAP to assess airflow response reproducibility.

Results

Mean PIF of breaths 3–5 during zero CPAP on the simple clinical intervention versus the physiology night were similar (34 ± 29% vs. 28 ± 30% on therapeutic CPAP, p = 0.2; range 0%–90% vs. 0%–95%). Pcrit was −1.0 ± 2.5 cmH2O (range −6 to 5 cmH2O). Mean PIF during zero CPAP on the simple clinical intervention and the physiology night correlated with Pcrit (r = −0.7 and −0.9, respectively, p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated significant diagnostic utility for the simple intervention to predict Pcrit < −2 and < 0 cmH2O (AUC = 0.81 and 0.92), respectively.

Conclusions

A simple CPAP intervention can successfully discriminate between patients with and without mild to moderately collapsible pharyngeal airways. This scalable approach may help select individuals most likely to respond to non-CPAP therapies.
Tissue-Engineered Human Myobundle System as a Platform for Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle Injury Biomarkers
Authors: Khodabukus Alastair , Kaza Amulya , Wang Jason , Prabhu Neel , Goldstein Richard , Vaidya Vishal S , Bursac Nenad
Published: April 2020

Traditional serum biomarkers used to assess skeletal muscle damage, such as activity of creatine kinase (CK), lack tissue specificity and sensitivity, hindering early detection of drug-induced myopathies. Recently, a novel four-factor skeletal muscle injury panel (MIP) of biomarkers consisting of skeletal troponin I (sTnI), CK mass (CKm), fatty-acid-binding protein 3 (Fabp3), and myosin light chain 3, has been shown to have increased tissue specificity and sensitivity in rodent models of skeletal muscle injury. Here, we evaluated if a previously established model of tissue-engineered functional human skeletal muscle (myobundle) can allow detection of the MIP biomarkers after injury or drug-induced myotoxicity in vitro. We found that concentrations of three MIP biomarkers (sTnI, CKm, and Fabp3) in myobundle culture media significantly increased in response to injury by a known snake venom (notexin). Cerivastatin, a known myotoxic statin, but not pravastatin, induced significant loss of myobundle contractile function, myotube atrophy, and increased release of both traditional and novel biomarkers. In contrast, dexamethasone induced significant loss of myobundle contractile function and myotube atrophy, but decreased the release of both traditional and novel biomarkers. Dexamethasone also increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 in the culture media which correlated with increased remodeling of myobundle extracellular matrix. In conclusion, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates that tissue-engineered human myobundles can provide an in vitro platform to probe patient-specific drug-induced myotoxicity and performance assessment of novel injury biomarkers to guide preclinical and clinical drug development studies.
Physician Deaths from Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19)
Authors: Ing Edsel B. , Xu Alis (Qinyuan) , Salimi Ali , Torun Nurhan
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much morbidity and mortality to patients but also health care providers. We tabulated the cases of physician deaths from COVID-19 associated with front-line work in hopes of mitigating future events.

METHOD

On April 5, 2020, Google internet search was performed using the keywords “doctor” “physician” “death” “COVID” “COVID-19” and “coronavirus” in English and Farsi, and in Chinese using the Baidu search engine.

RESULTS

We found 198 physician deaths from COVID-19, but complete details were missing for 49 individuals. The average age of the physicians that died was 63.4 years (range 28 to 90 years) and the median age was 66 years of age. Ninety percent of the deceased physicians were male (175/194). General practitioners and emergency room doctors (78/192), respirologists (5/192), internal medicine specialists (11/192) and anesthesiologists (6/192) comprised 52% of those dying. Two percent of the deceased were epidemiologists (4/192), 2% were infectious disease specialists (4/192), 5% were dentists (9/192), 4% were ENT (8/192), and 4% were ophthalmologists (7/192). The countries with the most reported physician deaths were Italy (79/198), Iran (43/198), China (16/198), Philippines (14/198), United States (9/192) and Indonesia (7/192).

CONCLUSION

Physicians from all specialties may die from COVID, and these deaths will likely increase as the pandemic progresses. Lack of personal protective equipment was cited as a common cause of death. Consideration should be made to exclude older physicians from front-line work.
Fabrication and Modeling of Recessed Traces for Silicon-Based Neural Microelectrodes
Authors: Nolta Nicholas F , Ghelich Pejman , Han Martin
Published: April 2020

Chronically-implanted neural microelectrodes are powerful tools for neuroscience research and emerging clinical applications, but their usefulness is limited by their tendency to fail after monthsin vivo. One failure mode is the degradation of insulation materials that protect the conductive traces from the saline environment. Studies have shown that material degradation is accelerated by mechanical stresses, which tend to concentrate on raised topographies such as conducting traces. Therefore, to avoid raised topographies, we developed a fabrication technique that recesses (buries) the traces in dry-etched, self-aligned trenches. The depth of the trenches and the thickness of the traces are matched so that overlying insulation materials are flat, which, according to finite-element modeling, reduces stress concentrations in the insulation material. Here, we provide details on process optimization, modeling of intrinsic stress, and characterization using SEM, focused ion-beam cross sections, profilometry, and electrochemical impedance testing. The technique requires no extra masks, is easy to integrate with existing processes, and produces flatness within about 10 nm.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Alleviates Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Lipids Accumulation in db/db mice
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhai Mingming
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affected more than 70 % of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), has become a common metabolic liver disease worldwide. However, the specifically treatments targeting NAFLD have not been found until now. Pulsed electromagnetic fields have positive effects on multiple diseases. However, the effects of PEMF on NAFLD in T2DM require further investigation. The present study assessed the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the liver oxidative stress and lipid accumulation of db/db mice.

Patients and methods

Animals were exposed to 2 h of pulsed electromagnetic fields (15.38 Hz, 2 mT) or sham stimulated, and thereafter sacrificed at 8 weeks later. The biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as MDA, GSSG and GSH levels, were analysed with commercial kits. The activity of liver antioxidant enzymes as CAT, SOD and GSH-Px was detected. Hepatic expressions of CAT, GR, GSH-Px, SOD1, SOD2 and SREBP-1c at protein levels were determined with Western blotting. Hepatic weight was measured and triglyceride accumulation were visualized by Oil Red O staining.

Results

PEMF exposure could protect the liver from oxidative stress injury by decreasing MDA and GSSG level, promoting reduced GSH level, and increasing GSH-Px activity and expression in comparison with sham group. But CAT and SOD activity have no statistic difference as same as CAT, GR, SOD1 and SOD2 expression. Furthermore, PEMF exposure reduced liver weight and triglyceride content. Meanwhile, PEMF exposure ameliorated hepatic steatosis through reducing the expression of SREBP-1c to regulate the lipid synthesis.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence that PEMF could increase antioxidant enzymes activity and alleviate lipid accumulation in fatty liver. This implies that PEMF exposure has beneficial effects for the treatment of NAFLD in accompany with T2DM.