bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulations and quantum tomography of bright squeezed states
Authors: Li Qing-Hui , Yao Wen-Xiu , Li Fan , Tian Long , Wang Ya-Jun , Zheng Yao-Hui ,   State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Published: June 2021

Generation and manipulation of continuous variable quantum states are the building blocks of quantum communication, quantum key distribution and quantum networks. According to the second-order nonlinear process of the periodically-poled potassium titanyl phosphate (PPKTP) crystal, we design a semi-monolithic optical parametric amplifier (OPA) cavity to generate the bright squeezed light at a wavelength of 1064 nm. With the injection of a seed beam, the squeezed state generated by the OPA has a coherent amplitude, so called bright squeezed state. The squeezing level is directly observed to be –11.6 dB when the pump power is 310 mW at an analysis frequency of 3 MHz. However, with the increase of the pump power, the purity of the squeezed state gets lower and lower due to the increased influence of the anti-squeezing quadrature component on the squeezed quadrature component in the detection process. To obtain a higher purity of the squeezed state for achieving linear optical manipulation and quantum tomography, we choose the pump power of 50 mW, the squeezing level decreases to –6 dB, and the purity of the squeezed state is 98.5% in this case. An electro-optic modulator is adopted to realize the liner manipulation of the squeezed light in the phase space. During the measurement of the bright squeezed state, all the data are taken on condition that the length of the OPA cavity and relative phase between the seed beam and the pump beam are locked by a locking loop. The direct current (DC) signal of the balanced homodyne detection (BHD) is used to accurately determine the phase corresponding to the time domain signal of the squeezed state, while the alternate current (AC) signal of the BHD is mixed with the signal generated by the function generator, after passing through a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter, the signal is then amplified by using a low-noise amplifier. A high-performance oscilloscope is finally used to simultaneously collect the signals, thus obtaining the quantum noise signal of the bright squeezed light after linear manipulation. Together with the maximum likelihood estimation algorithm, the quantum tomography, the density matrix and the Wigner function of the bright squeezed light are obtained, that is, all the information such as the photon number distribution of the quantum state is determined. Multiple iterations are taken in the maximum likelihood estimation algorithm process to eliminate the influence of the low quantum efficiency on the detection system, so that the density matrix is fitted well with the theoretical results.
Independent dual-beam control based on programmable coding metasurface
Authors: Zhang Na , Zhao Jian-Min , Chen Ke , Zhao Jun-Ming , Jiang Tian , Feng Yi-Jun ,   School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Published: June 2021

Programmable metasurfaces incorporating with tunable materials or components are emerging as an attractive option to realize reconfigurable manipulations of electromagnetic (EM) behaviors in real-time. Many efforts have been devoted to the realization of active EM manipulations of the metasurface and significant progress has been achieved, showing their unprecedented ability to arbitrarily manipulate wavefronts in dynamic functions. However, most of the existing multi-beam metasurfaces are based on passive building blocks, only possessing one or a few functions, which cannot provide tunable and independent multi-beam control, thus limiting their further uses in wireless communications. Hence, a 1-bit coding metasurface with high-efficiency, programmable, and independent multi-beam control is proposed in this paper, providing dynamic EM responses with real-time reconfigurability, and controlled by external digital circuits through direct current (DC) bias networks. Specifically, the meta-atom loaded with PIN diodes is employed to achieve independently tunable phase characteristics, thus complex EM functions can be manipulated by redistributing the spatial phases of the metasurface. Symmetric/asymmetric independent dual- and multi-beam manipulations are analyzed theoretically and simulated by EM software. Then as an experimental verification, a metasurface consisting of 14 × 14 meta-atoms is fabricated and tested in a standard microwave anechoic chamber, and the measured results accord well with the simulations. The proposed metasurface has promising ability to generate the arbitrary and independent multi-beams, which may largely enhance the information capacity of the metasurfaces, offering untapped potentials in wireless communication systems.
Development of basic theory and application of cryogenic X-ray spectrometer in light sources and X-ray satellite
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Cui Wei , Jin Hai , Chen Liu-Biao , Wang Jun-Jie , Wu Wen-Tao , Wu Bing-Jun , Xia Jing-Kai , Song Yan-Ru , Yang Jin-Ping , Weng Tsu-Chien , Liu Zhi ,   Center for Transformative Science, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China,   Department of Astronomy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 201203, China,   Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
Published: June 2021

Cryogenic X-ray spectrometers are advantageous in the spectrum research for weak and diffusive X-ray source due to their high energy resolution, high detection efficiency, low noise level and non-dead-layer properties. Their energy resolution independent of the incident X-ray direction also makes them competitive in diffusion source detection. The requirements for X-ray spectrometers have heightened in recent years with the rapid development of large scientific facilities where X-ray detection is demanded, including beamline endstations in synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser facilities, accelerators, highly charged ion traps, X-ray space satellites, etc. Because of their excellent performances, cryogenic X-ray detectors are introduced into these facilities, typical examples of which are APS, NSLS, LCLS-II, Spring-8, SSNL, ATHENA, HUBS. In this paper, we review the cryogenic X-ray spectrometers, from the working principle and classification, system structure, major performance characteristics to the research status and trend in large scientific facilities in the world.
An experimental method of simultaneously studying refractive index and dynamic properties of transparent materials
Authors: Chong Tao , Fu Hua , Li Tao , Mo Jian-Jun , Zhang Xu-Ping , Ma Xiao , Zheng Xian-Xu ,   Institute of Fluid Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
Published: June 2021

Based on the electromagnetic loading device CQ-4, an experimental method of simultaneously measuring the refractive index and high pressure sound velocity of transparent material is established. The ramp wave compression experiment of PMMA is carried out under a pressure of 14 GPa. The velocity history curves of PMMA sample rear surface are obtained by dual laser heterodyne velocimetry (DLHV). The velocity curve shows obvious double wave structure, which indicates the elastic-plastic transition. The refractive index particle velocity optical characteristics and Lagrangian sound velocity particle velocity dynamic characteristics of PMMA are obtained simultaneously with the experimental data processing.
Effect of N-doping on performance of \begin{document}${\boldsymbol\beta}$\end{document}-Ga2O3 thin film solar-blind ultraviolet detector
Authors: Zhou Shu-Ren , Zhang Hong , Mo Hui-Lan , Liu Hao-Wen , Xiong Yuan-Qiang , Li Hong-Lin , Kong Chun-Yang , Ye Li-Juan , Li Wan-Jun ,   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Photo-Electric Functional Materials, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Published: June 2021

β-Ga2O3-based deep-ultraviolet photodetector (PD) has versatile civil and military applications especially due to its inherent solar-blindness. In this work, pristine and N-doped β-Ga2O3 thin films are prepared on c-plane sapphire substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The influences of N impurity on the micromorphology, structural and optical properties of β-Ga2O3 film are investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectra. The introduction of N impurities not only degrades the crystal quality of β-Ga2O3 films, but also affects the surface roughness. The β-Ga2O3 films doped with N undergoes a transition from a direct optical band gap to an indirect optical band gap. Then, the resulting metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) PD is constructed. Comparing with the pure β-Ga2O3-based photodetector, the introduction of N impurities can effectively depress dark current and improve response speed of the β-Ga2O3 device. The N-doped β-Ga2O3-based photodetector achieves a dark current of 1.08 × 10–11 A and a fast response speed (rise time of 40 ms and decay time of 8 ms), which can be attributed to the decrease of oxygen vacancy related defects. This study demonstrates that the acceptor doping provides a new opportunity for producing ultraviolet photodetectors with fast response for further practical applications.
Accurate theoretical study of potential energy curves, spectroscopic parameters, vibrational energy levels and spin-orbit coupling interaction on SiH+(X1Σ+) ion
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhang Hong , Zhang Chang-Zhe , Zhao Wen-Li , Meng Qing-Tian ,   School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China,   School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
Published: June 2021

The analytical potential energy function (APEF) of SiH+(X1Σ+) is fitted by Aguado-Paniagua function with 112 ab initio energy points, which are calculated by Molpro 2012 Package with the multi-reference configuration interaction including the Davidson correction method using AVX Z and AVX dZ (X = Q, 5, 6) basis sets. Moreover, the calculated ab initio energy points are subsequently extrapolated to complete basis set (CBS) limit to avoid the basis set superposition error. All the fitting parameters of APEFs for AV6Z, CBS(Q, 5), AV6dZ, CBS(Qd, 5d), SA-AV6dZ and SOC-AV6dZ methods are gathered. The potential energy curves (PEC) and the corresponding ab initio points are also shown. As can be seen, the PECs show excellent agreement with the ab initio points and a smooth behavior both in short range and long range, which ensures the high quality of fitting process for the current APEFs.

 Based on these APEFs of different basis sets and methods including AVQZ, AV5Z, AV6Z, CBS(Q, 5), AVQdZ, AV5dZ, AV6dZ and CBS(Qd, 5d), the spectral constants De, Re, ωe, Be, αe and ωeχe are obtained. In addition, the effects of spin-orbit coupling interaction (SOC) on the system are also investigated. By comparing the spectral constants of SA-AV6dZ with the ones of SOC-AV6dZ, it is found that the effect of SOC on SiH+(X1Σ+) is small and can be ignored. We also compare the spectral constants in this work with the experimental values and other theoretical results. The results of this work accord well with the corresponding experimental and other theoretical results. It is worth noting that the deviation of dissociation energy between the theoretical calculations and experimental values is relatively large. Based on this conclusion, we suggest that the spectral constants including the dissociation energy for SiH+(X1Σ+) should be remeasured.

 Based on the APEF of SOC-AV6dZ which should be more accurate than others in theory, the top 23 vibrational states (j = 0) of SiH+(X1Σ+) are calculated first by solving the radial Schrödinger equation. All the vibrational energy levels, classical turning points, rotation constants and six centrifugal distortion constants are also provided. The results of this work can provide significant references for the experimental and other theoretical work.
Maximal transmission of acoustic energy flux in inhomogeneous waveguides and robustness analyses
Authors: Guo Wei , Yang De-Sen ,   National Defense Key Laboratory of Underwater Acoustic Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China,   Key Laboratory of Marine Information Acquisition and Security Ministry of Industry and Information, Harbin Enhineering University, Harbin 150001, China,   College of Underwater Acoustic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Published: June 2021

Inhomogeneity in a medium will cause wave scattering, influencing the transfer of energy or information. However, it is possible to prepare a prescribed wavefront which propagates through an inhomogeneous medium with unity flux-transmittance. This phenomenon is first predicted in the context of mesoscopic electron transport. Another remarkable phenomenon is the bimodal distribution of the transmission singular values, which implies that in a lossless medium the full solution space in the scattering region can be spanned only by open channels, which are completely transmitted, and closed channels, which are completely reflected. In mesoscopic physics, random-matrix theory is usually utilized to deal with the statistical properties of matrices with randomly distributed entries since the medium is assumed to be randomly fluctuating. In this paper, we propose a method of systematically studying the maximal flux transmission through an inhomogeneous acoustic waveguide. The model is chosen to be a waveguide with varying cross-sections and a penetrable scatterer, and the method is based on the coupled mode theory. This method can be used to analyze the frequency of nearly complete transmission for an arbitrary incident wave, and to analyze the incident wave that is able to generate the maximal flux-transmittance for any given frequency. We construct the transmission matrix and the horizontal wavenumber matrix by using orthonormal basis functions, and give the expression of flux-transmittance. Then the optimal incident wave which brings the maximal transmittance through the scattering region is derived based on singular value decomposition. The optimal incident waves are independent of the evanescent modes since evanescent modes do not transfer any energy. But the evanescent modes can give rise to the multivaluedness of wave solutions with complete flux transmission. Considering the fact that acoustic waveguides can naturally resist the influence of highly oscillating perturbations since most of them correspond to evanescent modes), the maximal flux transmission in waveguide is thus found to be highly robust. Especially at a specific frequency, the complete wave transmission has perfect robustness. This proposed method can be generalized to any other frequency, to other types of scatterers, or to other kinds of boundary conditions, and can provide guidance in designing acoustic metamaterials and in highly efficient communication.
Hyperfine structure of ro-vibrational transition of HD in magnetic field
Authors: Tang Jia-Dong , Liu Qian-Hao , Cheng Cun-Feng , Hu Shui-Ming ,   Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China,   CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Published: June 2021

The precise measurement of the infrared transition of hydrogen-deuterium (HD) molecule is used to test quantum electrodynamics and determine the proton-to-electron mass ratio. The saturated absorption spectrum of the R(1) line in the first overtone (2–0) band of HD molecule has been measured by the comb locked cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) method in Hefei [Tao L G, et al.  2018 Phys. Rev. Lett. 120 153001], and also by the noise-immune cavity-enhanced optical heterodyne molecular spectroscopy (NICE-OHMS) method in Amsterdam [Cozijn F M J, et al. 2018 Phys. Rev. Lett. 120 153002 ]. However, there is a significant difference between the line center positions obtained in these two studies. Later the discrepancy was found to be due to unexpected asymmetry in the line shape of the saturated absorption spectrum of the HD molecule. A possible reason is the superposition of multiple hyperfine splitting peaks in the saturated spectrum. However, this model strongly depends on the population transfer caused by intermolecular collisions, which is a lack of experimental and theoretical support. In this paper, the hyperfine structures of the ro-vibrational transition of HD are calculated in the coupled and uncoupled representations. The hyperfine structures of the R(0), P(1) and R(1) lines in the (2–0) band of HD molecule under different external magnetic fields are calculated. The corresponding spectral structures at a temperature of 10 K are simulated. The results show that the transition structure of HD molecule changes significantly with the externally applied magnetic field. The frequency shift of each hyperfine transition line also increases with the intensity of external magnetic field increasing. When the intensity of the external magnetic field is sufficiently high, the hyperfine lines are clearly divided into two branches, and they can be completely separated from each other. Because the dynamic effect of intermolecular collision and the energy level population transfer are very sensitive to the energy level structure, the comparison between experiment and theory will help us to analyze the mechanism of the observed special profiles. It will allow us to obtain accurate frequencies of these transitions, which can be used for testing the fundamental physics.
Total dose effect and annealing characteristics of silicon carbide field effect transistor devices under different stresses
Authors: Gu Zhao-Qiao , Guo Hong-Xia , Pan Xiao-Yu , Lei Zhi-Feng , Zhang Feng-Qi , Zhang Hong , Ju An-An , Liu Yi-Tian ,   School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China,   Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi’an 710024, China,   State Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Reliability Physics and Application of Electronic Component, CEPREI, Guangzhou 510610, China
Published: June 2021

In this paper, silicon carbide field effect transistor device is taken as a research object, and the cobalt source irradiation experiment is conducted under different voltages and different temperatures and the annealing experiment is also performed after irradiation. The semiconductor parameter analyzer is used to test the direct current (DC) parameters of the device, and the changes in the radiation sensitive parameters of the device in the irradiation and annealing process are studied. The reasons for the influence of voltage and temperature on the radiation degradation of the device are analyzed, and the annealing recovery is also explored. The results show that the oxide trapped charge induced by irradiation is the main reason for the degradation of the electrical parameters of the silicon carbide field effect transistor device. The voltage and temperature can affect the final yield of the oxide trapped charge, which causes the device to produce the difference in the degree of degradation after irradiation at different voltages and different temperatures; in the annealing process, due to the annealing of the tunneling of oxide trapped charges, the electrical performance of the device can be restored partially.
Improved Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis Using a Combination of Multiplex Antigens and Antibodies Testing Methods
Authors: Nayak Amit Raju , Khulkhule Payal Rajendra , Hutke Vinita Rajendra , Mishra Arti Ramkumar , Chandak Nitin Harinarayan , Daginawala Hatim F , Singh Lokendra R , Kashyap Rajpal Singh
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Various serological assays exists, including Antigen and Antibody detection (IgM and IgG) for diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) cases. To the best of our knowledge, most of the laboratories either do Antigen detection or IgM or IgG, at a time. As different antigens get expressed in a different stage of infection it may be possible that many cases remain undiagnosed due to one test at a time approach. Aim: To evaluate the combination of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) antigen (Ag85 Complex and Rv2623) and antibody (Anti-Ag85, Anti-45kD, Anti-HSP-16, Anti-CFP-10 Anti-GroES and Anti-ESAT-6) immunoassay panels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) samples for diagnosis of TBM patient. Materials and Methods: In the present prospective study conducted at Central India Institute of Medical Sciences (CIIMS) from October 2013 to April 2015, a total of 200 CSF samples of different groups {confirmed TBM (n=100) and noninfectious neurological diseases as control (n=100)} were analysed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A panel of MTB antigens consisting of Ag85B, 45kDa, HSP-16, CFP-10, GroES and ESAT-6 were used for detection of antibodies response, whereas polyclonal antibodies were used for antigen detection of Ag85 complex and Rv2623 in the CSF samples. The comparison of the CSF parameter between TBM and non-TBM patients was performed using a student t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all the analyses. Results: The study population has similar age and sex distribution (p>0.05). Symptoms of headache, fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, abnormal behaviour, unconsciousness were more common among the TBM patients as compared to non-TBM patients (p<0.05) (TBM Vs non-TBM). Similarly TBM patients had an increase (p<0.05) Vs non-TBM total cell count, protein, parallel blood sugar and decline in CSF sugar and Parallel blood sugar ratio (p<0.05) (TBM Vs non-TBM). We found diagnostic accuracy of 67% to 76% with either antigen or antibody assay, however, combinations of antigen and antibody immunoassay together increase the diagnostic accuracy of up to 96%. Conclusion: Our study recommends that a combination of antigen and antibody assay should be considered for early and accurate diagnosis of TBM cases.
To Determine the Levels of C-reactive Protein, Total Protein and Serum Uric Acid among Cell Phone Addicted and Depressed Individuals: ACase-control Study in the Medical Collegeof Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Sharma Bhumija , Kumar Pradeep , Sharma Anil , Modi Bhawani Shankar , Sharma Preeti
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Cell phone or smart phone abuse has become a daily phenomenon, many diseases are found to be associated with cell phone overuse, it also leads to mental anxiety, mood disorder etc., Aim: To study C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Serum Uric Acid (SUA) and Serum Total Protein (STP) in cell phone addiction and depression together in the medical college campus. Materials and Methods: The present study was a case-control study in which total 150 subjects with 75 cases of depression and cell phone addiction and 75 healthy controls were involved from medical college of Uttar Pradesh, India. The diagnosis of depression and cell phone addiction was done by (Hamilton, Smart phone Addiction Scale-Short Version) scales. CRP, SUA and STP were quantified using Chem-7 Erba analyser from fasting serum samples. Data was analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 17.0 software. Results: Significant correlation between depression and cell phone addiction was found (p=0.023). Significant difference between cases and controls (p<0.001) was found for age, depression score, cell phone addiction score but CRP, SUA and STP were insignificant. Conclusion: Present research acknowledges many vital observations between cell phone addiction and depression with biochemical trajectories, which is novelty of this study. Youngsters are tending towards addiction and depression, which is an alarm for society and policy makers to rethink about modern gadgets advancements. It is strongly recommended to do further research in this area with more subjects and biochemical markers.
Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease among Tamil Nadu Population- ACross-sectional Study
Authors: Bala R Chandan , Jayabharathy M , Priya S Sheba Yesu , Ramya S
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Chronic kidney failure in India and around the world is a significant health problem. The most effective and affordable treatment may require screening for early detection,intervention and prevention. Public awareness is a key determinant to overcome the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD). However, there is a lack of information on CKD among South Indian people. Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge of CKD among the South Indian population. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted through an online form; the questions were generally based on the physiological role of kidney and awareness questions related to CKD. The sample size was 500 participants, of age >18 years and snowball sampling method was implemented. Among the study population, 68 participants had a family history of CKD and they were excluded. The data were analysed through Pearson Chi-Square test. Results: The mean knowledge score was 13 (SD±5.0), with values ranging from 0 to 22. The mean age of the population was 47.80±8.5 years. Multiple regression on demographic data and knowledge yielded statistically negligible results.The study population included 432 participants and the result showed the realms that most responded incorrectly were physiology of kidney, CKD symptoms, risk factors and the domain of testing and diagnosis. Conclusion: The participants had ample knowledge of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of CKD and insufficient knowledge of the physiological function of the kidney and the diagnosis of CKD. Therefore, efforts are necessary to create awareness and educate people about the early detection and prevention of CKD.
Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Disability among Elderly Population Residing at RuralBlock of Cuttack, India
Authors: Kumar Navin , Gupta Animesh , Samanta Sampriti , Behera Basant Kumar
Published: June 2021

Introduction: India is in demographic transition phase with increasing proportion of geriatric population. Along with chronic ailments during old age, mental health is also a growing matter of concern and often neglected. Aim: The present study was conducted to estimate the burden of mental disability among elderly people. Materials and Methods: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among the elderly people (aged 60 years and above) residing at villages of Barang block of Cuttack district, Odisha, which was a rural field practice area of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Odisha from October 2013 to March 2014. The information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, family type, financial support, any existing disease was collected. Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS) was used as a tool to assess mental disability among elderly participants. The data was entered into Microsoft Excel sheet and analysed using SPSS software 21.0. Chi-square test was used, and the statistical significance level was fixed at p<0.05. Bivariate analysis and odds ratio were calculated, and the statistical significance level was fixed at p<0.05. Results: Among 793 participants, majority were female (51.3%) and in the age group of 60-69 years (53.0%). The mean of total IDEAS score was 6.14±2.19 and global IDEAS score (total IDEAS score + duration of illness) was 9.38±2.44, which represents moderate to profound disability. The prevalence of mental disability was 16.1%. Mental disability was found 3.0 times more among 70 years and above aged people (p<0.001), 2.2 times more among those who had diabetes (p=0.007) and 8.5 times more among those who had respiratory diseases (p<0.001) which was statistically significant. Mental disability was found to be 1.4 times more in those whose spouses were dead or separated (p=0.0512), but was not statisticallysignificant. Conclusion: This study showed the prevalence of mental disability was more among females and it was significantly associated with increasing age and presence of chronic diseases. There is a need to raise awareness in public about unmet needs of geriatric mental health and an integrated approach should be taken regarding preventive and curative mental health care of geriatric people.
Effects of Project and Demonstration Teaching Methods on Male and Female Students’ Achievement and Retention in Basic Electricity in Technical Colleges
Authors: Nwalo Chibueze Nweke , Eze Titus Iloduba
Published: June 2021

The study ascertained the effects of project and demonstration teaching methods on male and female students’ achievement and retention in basic electricity in technical colleges. Quasi-experimental design; precisely, pre-test, post-test and delayed post-test for non-randomized and unequal groups were used. Four research questions guided the study and four hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Four technical colleges in Ebonyi State, each technical college offering basic electricity, were used. The population of the study comprised of 141 Technical College year II (TC II) students (85 males & 58 females). The project method instructional strategy group had 62 male and 13 female students whereas; the demonstration method instructional strategy group had 20 male and 46 female students. The instruments used in the study were Demonstration Method Instructional Manual (DMIM), Basic Electricity Achievement Test (BEAT) and Project Method Instructional Manual (PMIM), which were validated by three experts. The instrument (BEAT) was administered twice to twenty (20) TC11 students in Enugu State and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to obtain a reliability index of 0.89. Data collected for the study were analyzed using mean with standard deviation for research questions, while hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study found that both the project and demonstration teaching methods improved male and female students’ performances in basic electricity. However, male and female students taught basic electricity using project teaching method had better academic performance and retention in basic electricity, indicating that project teaching method was more effective on male and female students’ achievement and retention in basic electricity than demonstration teaching method. The researchers therefore recommended project teaching method as a teaching strategy that could reduce the gender disparity in male and female students' achievement and retention.
A Review on Organic Adsorbents for the Removal of Toxic Metals from Waste Water
Authors: Guruprashanth N. , Hegde Ramakrishna , Suresh B.
Published: June 2021

The contamination of water due to explosive population growth rate, industrial operations, various toxic components particularly trace metals are affecting on the flora and fauna including on the human well-being. Water is essential requirement for process, developmental activities and all the living being. Due to manmade activities, there is an instant necessity to find different techniques for the removal of toxins in wastewater. Industrial processed effluent contains like nickel, lead, chromium, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, selenium and uranium. So far, a various type efficient methods are available for the removal of heavily metals such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, electrodialysis, nanofiltration, coagulation, flocculation, floatation, etc. However available methods have numerous disadvantages like more reagent requirement, random removal of metal ion, generation of toxic sludge etc. At present, treatment of water in the economical process is very important. So the various natural adsorbents were used for the treatment of water. Adsorption techniques being very simple, economical, successful and flexible has become the most ideal methods for removal of toxic metals from wastewater. In this paper reviewed on readily available about 98 published articles (1990-2020) various natural materials as adsorbents for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. It is evident from the review of articles that ion-exchange, adsorption and membrane filtration are the most frequently apprised for the removal of heavy metal in wastewater. As these industries disposes untreated or poorly treated waste water containing toxic metals to the water bodies which in turn affect the human health those who are consuming it causing serious carcinogenic health effects. This review paper presents an overview of different adsorption techniques of heavy metal treatment from several wastewater samples. All of the cited authors and articles give the adsorption kinetics adopting isotherm models. By comparing many research values presented by an earlier number of papers. We draw conclusions for two new adsorption methods first one is with biosorbent and second one with synthetic materials. In this paper an attempt is made to study the effort done by the various researchers those who have made an attempt to treat the toxic waste water by using natural adsorbents and the results are discussed.
Genetic Variations in Haematological Indices of Local and Exotic Turkeys Inoculated with Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Vaccine
Authors: Oguntade Oluwafemi David , Ilori Babatunde Moses , Durosaro Olutunde Samuel , Abiona Adesanya John , Isidahomen Clement Ebanehitah , Ozoje Michael Ohiokhuaobo
Published: June 2021

Infection due to Salmonella spp is one of the threatening diseases to poultry industry because it can cause economic losses through mortality, morbidity and reduction in egg production. One hundred and sixty poults comprising 80 local and 80 exotic (Nicholas white) were used to examine the variations in haematological response to Salmonella spp in local and exotic turkeys inoculated with attenuated Salmonella spp. Both genotypes were reared separately on deep litter, under the same management practices and wing tagged for proper identification. At 7th week of age, 1ml of blood sample was collected from each turkey into anticoagulant tubes and labeled accordingly for base-line haematological analysis. The turkeys were inoculated at 8th week by subcutaneous injection of attenuated Salmonella vaccine at 0.5ml per turkey. On the 2nd and 7th days after inoculation, 1ml of blood samples was collected from each turkey for haematological analyses. The un-coagulated blood was used to determine packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and its differential counts, and haemoglobin (Hb). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated. The haematological data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model of SAS 9.0 software. The exotic turkey had higher (p<0.05) values of PCV (38.13±1.01), Hb (12.77±0.33gd/l), MCV (133.39±0.14fL) and MCH (43.35±1.27pg/cell) before inoculation. On 2nd day post inoculation, the local turkey had higher (P<0.05) values of PCV (43.93±1.40%), RBC (3.98±0.12 106µl-1) and Hb (14.56±0.47gd/l). Also, on the seventh day post inoculation, the local turkey had higher (P<0.05) values of PCV (42.13±1.20%), WBC (11.94±0.62 103.µ-1), Hb (14.09±0.38 gd/l) and MCH (40.65±0.34pg/cell). The mean values of PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC of local turkeys were higher (p<0.05) on the 7th day than on the 2nd day post inoculation, while the RBC was higher (P<0.05) on the 2nd day post inoculation. The WBC, MCV and MCH values were higher (p<0.05) in exotic turkey on the 2nd day post inoculation. The local turkey showed quick haematological response to Salmonella vaccine especially post inoculation. Therefore, the local turkey could be said to have stronger potential to survive under disease prevailing environment than the exotic turkey.
Attack and Anomaly Detection in IoT Networks using Machine Learning Techniques: A Review
Authors: Haji Saad Hikmat , Ameen Siddeeq Y.
Published: June 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of today's most rapidly growing technologies. It is a technology that allows billions of smart devices or objects known as "Things" to collect different types of data about themselves and their surroundings using various sensors. They may then share it with the authorized parties for various purposes, including controlling and monitoring industrial services or increasing business services or functions. However, the Internet of Things currently faces more security threats than ever before. Machine Learning (ML) has observed a critical technological breakthrough, which has opened several new research avenues to solve current and future IoT challenges. However, Machine Learning is a powerful technology to identify threats and suspected activities in intelligent devices and networks. In this paper, various ML algorithms have been compared in terms of attack detection and anomaly detection, following a thorough literature review on Machine Learning methods and the significance of IoT security in the context of various types of potential attacks. Furthermore, possible ML-based IoT protection technologies have been introduced.
Physicochemical Analysis of Palm Kernel Oil Extracts from Traditional Varieties in the West Region of Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Léonce Niamketchi Gilles , Coulibaly Adama , Ibrahim Fofana , Daouda Sidibé , Désiré Kouamé , Kouamé Chatigre , Marius Biego Henri
Published: June 2021

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical properties of palm kernel oil extracted from traditional varieties in the Mountain district, West region of Côte d’Ivoire.

Study Design: Palm kernels were collected from women crude palm oil producers in three departments of the western part of Cote d'Ivoire. In each department, 50 kg of palm kernel were purchased per supplier.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out June to September 2017.The collected almonds of palm kernels were carried out at the Biochemistry and Food Sciences Laboratory of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan.

Methodology: The palm kernel oils were extracted by maceration and their physicochemical properties were determinate using standard methods.

Results: The results obtained show that the values for the physicochemical parameters of palm kernel oils from the three departments were similar and fell in those of the standards of Codex Alimentarius 2019. However, physicochemical parameters statistically vary (P<0.05) between the departments. The yields of oils extracted fluctuated between 39.64 ± 2.14 % and 52.26 ± 1.16 %. The refractive index ranges between 1.453 ± 0.01 and 1.454 ± 0.002. The relative density varies between 0.90 and 0.91. The level of insoluble impurities ranged from 0.06 to 0.09 %. The moisture and volatile matter content varied between 0.62 ± 0.05 to 1.94 ± 0.07 %. The acid value and free fat acid percentage varies from 6.37 ± 0.65 to 8.54 ± 0.57 mg KOH/g and 3.20 ± 0.31 to 4.29 ± 0.28 %, the saponification value ranges between 216.02 ± 8.96 mg KOH/g and 248.16 ± 2.40 mgKOH/g, iodine value varies from 17.52 ± 0.43and 19.05 ± 0.95 g of iodine per 100 g of fat and peroxide value range between 6.02 ± 1.13 to 8.38 ± 1.00meq O2 kg of fat. The study of the lipid composition of these fats showed significant presence of fatty acid and unsaponifiable. The major fatty acids are lauric acid (50.50 - 51.00 %), myristic acid (18.35 - 18.80 %) and oleic acid (12.80 - 13.92 %).

Conclusion: Given the results, palm kernel oils from the three departments exhibited good physicochemical properties, a clear indication that palm kernel oil could be used as edible and non-edible products in many homes and at various levels of industries in Côte d'Ivoire. There is limited information available about palm kernel oil from the western region of Côte d'Ivoire now and this study systematically researched on it, which can provide useful information for Ivorian oil palm industry.
Audit of Lymph Node Sampling in Colorectal Carcinoma Resections-implication for Prognosis and Management
Authors: Ezenkwa Uchenna Simon , Odigwe Omenogor Alexander , Omenai Sebastian Anebuokhae , Ogunsanya Temitope O. , Adegoke Omolade O. , Ogunbiyi Olufemi John
Published: June 2021

Aims: To review lymph node yield in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) resections and its associated factors in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital practice.

Study design:  This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Place and duration of study: Department of Pathology, University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria and colectomies from January 2014 to December 2018 were reviewed.

Methodology: Surgical Pathology reports of CRC resections at the University College Hospital Ibadan over 5 years (2014-2018) were reviewed. Colectomy lengths, tumour location (colon/rectum), tumour size, comment on presence of lymph node (yes/no), lymph node count, presence of attached mesentery (yes/no), histological subtype, tumour grade, presence of tumour-positive node and count, and pT stage were documented. Fisher’s Exact test was employed to test the effects of these variables on presence of lymph node and tumour-positive node at histology using SPSS 20. Significance level was set at P < .05.

Results: Of 66 histology reports retrieved, 62 (93.9%) had comments on search for lymph nodes and attached mesentery was documented in 25 (37.9%). The median colectomy length and tumour size were 25cm (6cm-152cm) and 6.75cm (3-30cm) respectively. Lymph nodes were present in 52 (78.8%) specimens; 28 (53.8%) of these had tumour-positive lymph nodes. Adenocarcinoma NOS was the commonest histological subtype 53 (80.3%), mucinous carcinoma 12 (18.2%) and signet ring carcinoma 1 (1.5%). Eighteen, 9 and 1of adenocarcinoma NOS, mucinous carcinoma, and signet ring carcinoma respectively had tumour-positive lymph nodes. Finding of lymph node was significantly associated with comment on search for lymph node (p < .01) while finding tumour-positive nodes was associated with histological subtype, presence of mesentery, late tumour stage and lymph node count ≥ 12 (p < .05).

Conclusion: If lymph nodes were present, more than likely there will be metastatic involvement. To increase Lymph node yield in CRC resections, submission of mesentery and search for lymph nodes is indicated. When nodes are absent, a mention is required for practice audit. It is imperative to include both clinical and grossing notes for lymph nodes to certify and guide precise staging of the cancer.
Structure des parois cellulaires des nocardia. I‐isolement et composition des parois de Nocardia kirovani
Authors: Guinand M. , Vacheron M.J. , Michel G.
Published: July 2002

Nocardia kirovani cell walls possess a lipidic fraction, a lipolysaccharidic fraction and a peptidoglycan. The lipidic part is composed of glycerides, C16 and C18 free fatty acids, nocardic acids and of a carotenoid pigment. The lipopolysaccharidic part is composed of an arabinogalactan esterified by nocardic acids. The glycan strand consists of alternating 1→4 linked N‐acetylglucosamine and N‐glycolylmuramic acid residues substituted by a peptide subunit in which the aminoacids Ala, Glu, meso‐Dap are present in the molar proportions 1,7:1,2:1.
Phosphorylation of tropomyosin during development in mammalian striated muscle
Authors: Heeley D.A. , Moir A.J.G. , Perry S.V.
Published: July 2002

α‐Tropomyosin from rat cardiac muscle was shown by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis to become phosphorylated when tissue slices were incubated in Eagle's medium supplemented with 32Pi. In the adult rat and mouse heart the level of phosphorylation was ∼30%, but the level was much higher in the foetal heart (60–70%). A similar developmental trend was observed in skeletal muscle from the rat and mouse, where phosphorylated forms of both α‐ and β‐tropomyosins were observed. When rat cardiac cells were grown in tissue culture in the presence of 32Pi, radioactivity was incorporated into the region of the gel containing tropomyosin.
Carbamoylation of Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase by cyanate
Authors: Cocco Dina , Rossi Luisa , Barra Donatella , Bossa Francesco , Rotilio Giuseppe
Published: July 2002

Reaction with cyanate leads to a reversible change of the EPR spectrum of Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase and to time‐dependent carbamoylation of the lysine residues of the enzyme, producing a stable covalent derivative with more negative charge. The carbamoylated enzyme is less active than the native enzyme in spite of unaltered EPR spectra. The extent of this inactivation is much less when the enzyme activity is measured at low ionic strength. These results show that integrity of the active site is not the sole factor playing a role in the enzyme mechanism and that the ionic strength effect is related to electrostatic interactions between O−
2 and surface charges of the protein.
Solution conformation of the biantennary N‐linked oligosaccharide of human serotransferrin using 1H NMR nuclear Overhauser effect measurements
Authors: Homans S.W. , Dwek R.A. , Fernandes D.L. , Rademacher T.W.
Published: July 2002

The conformation in solution of the biantennary complex type oligosaccharide unit derived from human serotransferrin has been investigated using 1H—1H Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) measurements at 300 MHz. From quantitation of the NOE, the α(1–3) antenna is shown to exist in a preferred solution conformation with respect to the mannosyl‐chitobiose core. The flexibility of the α(1–6) arm, together with the absence of NOE data between this arm and the core, indicates that, in contrast to the α(1–3) arm the α(1–6) arm has no preferred conformation with respect to the core.
Correlation between the protein and mRNA levels for myosin light chains and tropomyosin subunits during chick fast muscle development in vivo
Authors: Roy Raman K. , Sarkar Satyapriya
Published: July 2002

Using myosin light chains and tropomyosin subunits as representative myofibrillar proteins, we have characterized their isoprotein forms and also correlated them with the accumulation of the corresponding mRNAs during development of a fast muscle in chicken, viz, pectoralis. Both slow and fast myosin light chain isoforms, except fast myosin light chain LC3, and the two subunits of tropomyosin are present in early embryonic muscle. During development, the slow myosin light chains and β‐tropomyosin appear in reduced amounts in pectoralis muscle and finally they disappear in adult muscle. Translation studies with total cellular RNA from developing muscle indicates that while the protein levels of the above isoforms, in general, correlate with the accumulation of corresponding mRNAs, for LC3, additional post‐transcriptional control appears to modulate the expression of this isoprotein skeletal muscle development in vivo.
Purification, Mr‐value and subunit structure of a teichoic acid hydrolase from Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Kusser Wolfgang , Fiedler Franz
Published: July 2002

A teichoic acid degrading enzyme (tiechoicase) was purified to apparent homogeneity from a water‐soluble cell extract of sporulating Bacillus subtilis cells. A rapid test for the detection of teichoicase activity was developed. The purified teichoicase has an app. M
r = 310 000. It consists of 4 identical subunits of M
r = 78 000 each.
Adaptation of the cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica to high oxygen tensions
Authors: Mackey Elizabeth J. , Smith Geoffrey D.
Published: July 2002

The cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica can adapt to protect its nitrogenase activity against greater than atmospheric (up to 100%) oxygen tension. The adaptation is light‐dependent and involves induction of superoxide dismutase and catalase. After adaptation, the cells are resistant to photooxidation as measured by phycocyanin release and microscopic examination.