bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementation of Red Betel Leaf (Piper crocatum) in Dairy Cattle Feed on Fermentation Characteristics by in Vitro
Authors: Prayitno Caribu Hadi , Suwarno Suwarno , Sarwanto Doso , Hidayatun Dinar , Solihah Ma'ratul
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the impact and efficiency of red betel leaf’s extract supplementation in the diet of dairy cattle on fermentation characteristics by in vitro.  The research method was experiment by using completely randomized design.  The treatments that were tested were R1: basal feed, R2:  R1 + 15 ppm of  red betel  leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R3: R1 + 30 ppm of  red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R4: R1 + 45 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R5: R1 + 60 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract. The parameters measured in this study were (1)Dry MatterDigestibility (DMD),(2)Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD)  (3) total gas production  (4) methane production (CH4) and (5)  total Volatille Fatty Acid (VFA).  The data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed Orthogonal Polynomial Test.The results showed that the suplementation red batel extract in the diet of dairy cow was significant (P < 0.01) on DMD, OMD, total gas production, methane production (CH4)  and total VFA.Orthogonal Polynomial test showed the effect of treatment on Dry MatterDigestibility (DMD), total gas and CH4 gas production were in the form of cubic curve, as well as Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) and Volatille Fatty Acid (VFA) in the form of quadrate curvewith supplementation of red betel leaf.
Feed Forage and Nutrition Value at Altitudes during the Dry Season in the West Java
Authors: Rochana Ana , Indriani Nyimas Popi , Ayuningsih Budi , Hernaman Iman , Dhalika Tidi , Rahmat Dedi , Suryanah Sari
Published: March 2023

Field grass was a source of ruminant forage, especially for rural farmers in  the West Java in different altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of grass during  the dry season which included the botanical composition analysis and chemical analysis of nutritional value. The study was conducted from September to November 2015. The method used was a survey method, sampling was multistage sampling. The parameters measured in the study included a botanical composition of the forage, biomass production of feed materials on fresh and dry matter, dry material content, an inorganic material included ash, calcium and phosphorus, protein, crude fiber, extract materials without nitrogen, and crude fat. The results showed that the areas in  the West Java were drought in September and October, thus resulting in very limited supply of forage and the productivity of the forages was very low. A botanical composition in the highland area was more complete included grass, legumes and weeds than lowland areas and medium altitude. Forage production in highland areas was higher than in lowland areas and medium altitude. Feed plants in the lowlands had a greater fiber content which was forming energy for plants, and lower crude protein when compared to highland
Stress Indicator, Carcass Composition, and Meat Cholesterol of Kampung-Broiler Crossbred Chicken Treated By Different Stocking Density
Authors: Nugraha Bayu Adhitya , Afnan Rudi , Darwati Sri , Suryati Tuti
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of stocking density on stress indicator, carcass composition, and meat cholesterol content of kampung–broiler crossbred chicken. Anamount of 90 DOCs of crossbred kampung-broiler (KB) were placed into 9 plots sized 1x1 m2 in semi closed house that consist of 3 stocking densities 8, 10 and 12 birds m-2 and respectively 3 replicates. The chickens were fed commercial broiler feed. Approximately ± 30% roosters slaughtered for analysis of malondialdehyde, carcass quality, and meat cholesterol. Malondialdehyde, carcass composition, and meat cholesterol was completely randomized designed with different stocking densities treatments and three replicates. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and had previously been tested for requirement of variance test assumption. Data of temperature humidity index (THI) was descriptively explained. The results showed that the effect of different stocking densities on stress indicator reflected by THI value and MDA content, carcass composition (percentage of carcass and abdominal fat weight), and cholesterol level were not significant. The different of stocking densities (8, 10 and 12 birds m-2) did not affect the stress indicators reflected by THI and MDA level, carcass composition and meat cholesterol level. Kampung-broiler crossbred chicken could develop at 8, 10 or 12 birds m-2 densities since the lower of abdominal fat and meat cholesterol were resulted
Effect of LiTFSI Electrolyte Salt Composition on Characteristics of PVDF-PEO-LiTFSI-Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) for Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Muzadi Hasim , Kamalia Nayla Zahra , Lestariningsih Titik , Astuti Yayuk
Published: March 2023

A lithium-ion battery with PVDF-PEO synthetic polymer sheet added by LiTFSI electrolyte salt has been made by assembling method. This study aims to determine the effect of LiTFSI salt concentration on the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The composition of LiTFSI electrolyte salts was varied into 5%; 10%; 15%; and 20%. Several characterizations were carried out to determine battery performance, including Electrochemical Impedance Spectrometry (ElS), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Charge/Discharge (CD), and Lithium Transference Number (LTN). The results showed that the synthesized separator sheet with a LiTFSI salt composition of 20% producing voltage, ionic conductivity, and lithium-ion transfer number of 0.72 V; 3.94 x 10-8 SCm-1; and 0.895, respectively is potential for lithium-ion batteries application. These results indicate the use of LiTFSI electrolyte salts with a concentration of 20% shows the best performance for PVDF-PEO-LiTFSI-based lithium-ion batteries.
Determination of The Adsorption Kinetics for Adsorption Methylene Blue Dye with C-4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene
Authors: Handayani Santi Nur , Irmanto Irmanto , Indriyani Nastiti Nur
Published: March 2023

Adsorption kinetics is part of adsorption and discusses the adsorption rate of an adsorbent on the adsorbate. Adsorption kinetics has an equation to determine the rate constant of adsorption, namely the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. In this study, methylene blue was adsorbed using a C-4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CHMFKR) adsorbent. The aim of this study to determine the effect of process parameters (concentration, pH, and processing time) on the process adsorption, with the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model approach, and to determine the adsorption kinetics of methylene blue with CHMFKR. Ten mL of methylene blue solution with various concentrations of 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 ppm with a solution pH of 7 was added to as much as 0.001 gram of CHMFKR adsorbent and stirred at 600 rpm for 40 minutes. The solution was measured, and its absorbance was measured using the UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The results show that the adsorption kinetics follow pseudo second order with an adsorption rate of 0.7217 ± 0.4 g/mg.s. The adsorption isotherm follows the Langmuir equation, and the maximum adsorption amount is 114.94 ± 2.04 mg/g.
Does Divacancy Defect Combine with N,S-Codoping Enhance the Electronic Properties of Graphene to Its Interaction with K+ Ion?
Authors: Hidayat Yuniawan , Rahmawati Fitria , Nugrahaningtyas Khoirina Dwi , Abiyyi Abduro’uf Althof
Published: March 2023

Defects in graphene alter its structure, electrical characteristics, and interaction with  K+ ions. The related characteristics of divacancy defect graphene and N, S codoped divacancy graphene were effectively explored using the DFTB technique. Divacancy is essential for the band gap opening. The dopants considerably enhance the density of state (DOS) intensity and alter the graphene-character bands. The depletion of density caused by the dopant is seen on the charge density isosurface. Because the charge of the K+ ion is balanced by the dopant, the ion prefers to be adsorbed on divacancy graphene with dopants.
Virtual Screening of Natural Compounds Against Six Protein Receptors Coded by The SARS-CoV-2 Genome
Authors: Awaluddin Fikry , Batubara Irmanida , Tri Wahyudi Setyanto
Published: March 2023

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). To date, there has been no proven effective drug for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. A study on developing inhibitors for this virus is carried out using molecular docking simulation methods. 3CL-Pro, PL-Pro, Helicase, N, E, and M protein were used as protein targets. Autodock Vina, Autodock 4.2, and PSOVina were used in this study. This study aims to obtain a model of ligands interactions of active natural compounds against the receptor protein encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome and their free binding energy to propose active compounds from natural products that have potential as a drug for COVID-19. Corilagin (-14,42 kcal/mol), Scutellarein 7-rutinoside (-13,2 kcal/mol), Genistein 7-O-glucuronide (-10,52 kcal/mol), Biflavonoid-flavone base + 3O (-11,88 and -9,61 kcal/mol), and Enoxolone (-6,96 kcal/mol) has the best free energy value at each protein target indicating that the compound has the potential as a viral protein inhibitor for further investigation. This research is limited to computer simulations, where the results obtained are still a prediction.
Bispecific antibodies targeting immunomodulatory checkpoints for cancer therapy
Authors: Zhang Tiancheng , Lin Youpei , Gao Qiang
Published: March 2023

Advances in antibody engineering have led to the generation of more innovative antibody drugs, such as bispecific antibodies (bsAbs). Following the success associated with blinatumomab, bsAbs have attracted enormous interest in the field of cancer immunotherapy. By specifically targeting two different antigens, bsAbs reduce the distance between tumor and immune cells, thereby enhancing tumor killing directly. There are several mechanisms of action upon which bsAbs have been exploited. Accumulating experience on checkpoint-based therapy has promoted the clinical transformation of bsAbs targeting immunomodulatory checkpoints. Cadonilimab (PD-1 × CTLA-4) is the first approved bsAb targeting dual inhibitory checkpoints, which confirms the feasibility of bsAbs in immunotherapy. In this review we analyzed the mechanisms by which bsAbs targeting immunomodulatory checkpoints and their emerging applications in cancer immunotherapy.
Theoretical Calculation of the Gravitational Constant Using the Elementary Charge, Speed of Light, Z Boson Mass, and Relativistic Mechanics
Authors: Abdukadyrov Askar
Published: March 2023

The gravitational constant is an unchanging quantity included in the law of universal gravitation. The value of this constant is known much less accurately than other fundamental physical constants, which is due to the experimental difficulties of measuring it. Here we report a simple method for the theoretical calculation of the gravitational constant using the elementary charge, speed of light, Z boson mass, and relativistic mechanics.
Phenotypic Characterization and Prevalence of Carbapenemase-Producing Acinetobacter baumanii Isolates in Four Health Facilities in Cameroon
Authors: Djuikoue Cécile Ingrid , Nadjia Benhamed , DJOUELA DJOULAKO Paule Dana , Guegang Celianthe , Seugnou Nana Cedric , Kamga Wouambo Rodrigue , Kiyang Possi Christiane , Same Njanjo Hélène Valérie , Kombeu Yemina Grace , Tchinda Talokou Merimé Joel , Thumamo Pokam Benjamin D. , Apalata Teke
Published: March 2023

Carbapenems have long been considered as treatment of choice for Gram-Negative Bacteria (GNB) infections, and today the clinical utility of this class is threatened by the emergence and spread of resistance favored by its increasing use. According to the WHO, Acinetobacter baumannii, nosocomial infection agent, tops the list of priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, considered to be the most risky for humans. This study sought to determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii strains producing carbapenemases in four health facilities in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon and the associated risk factors. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period from January to June 2022. All Acinetobacter baumanii or suspected strains isolated from pathological samples at the bacteriology laboratory of different health facilities were systematically collected and underwent a re-identification. After successfully subculturing and growing on nutrient agar, re-identification and antimicrobial susceptibility Testing (AST) were performed using the VITEK 2 System and the Kirby-Bauer method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Detection and phenotypic characterization of carbapenemases was performed according to adequate standard procedures. A total of 168/226 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were confirmed after re-identification of which 52.69% came from male patients, and 55.09% from participants aged between 10-39 years old and 46.71% from pus samples. A very high resistance rates to all families of antibiotics was noted except to colistin (10.2%). About 40.12% of these strains produced carbapenemases with 62.69% of class B and 37.31% of class A. In addition, frequent hospitalisation was significantly associated to the production of carbapenemase among Acinetobacter baumanii (Ajusted-OR=16.53, P-value<0.0001). This study highlighted the emergence of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii which is increasingly growing. Continuous drug-resistant monitoring and preventive measures could help to prevent and curb the dissemination of A.baumanii resistance genes, especially in hospital settings.
Ezoterizm ve Film Eleştirisi: Dört Katmanlı Edebi Tefsir Yöntemiyle Alien: Covenant Çözümlemesi
Authors: DENİZEL Deniz , OTAN Ozan
Published: March 2023

Bu çalışmada, ezoterik film eleştirisi örneği olarak, Dante Alighieri’nin “Şölen” (1307) eserinde tanımladığı “dört katmanlı edebi tefsir” yöntemiyle Alien: Covenant (2017) filminin çözümlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın kapsamı, genel hatlarıyla Ailen serisinde Ridley Scott’ın yönettiği Alien (1979) ve Prometheus (2012) filmleriyle sınırlı tutulmuş ve Blu-ray sürümlerindeki eklenti içeriklerle desteklenmiştir. Felsefe, mitoloji ve dinler tarihinden kuram ve örneklerle oluşturulan makalenin içeriğinde, filmin –sırasıyla– literâl, alegorik, morâl ve anagojik okuması yapılmıştır. Elde edilmesi amaçlanmış bulgular arasında David’in gizemli ajandasının içeriği, Alien Kozmolojisi’nde Mühendislerin konumu, Walter’ın hikâyedeki gerçek rolü ve Percy B. Shelley’in Ozymandias (1818) şiirinin Alien: Covenant bağlamında naratolojik çözümlemesi ile olası devam filmi Alien: Awakening projeksiyonu bulunmaktadır. Analizin ontolojik katmanları teolojik vizyon, eskatolojik perspektif ve ezoterik ayrımlamayla inşa edilirken, etimolojik bağlantılar ve semantik verilerle desteklenen araştırmanın içeriği neo-Platonist ve mültidisipliner bakış açısıyla felsefe, mitoloji, dinler tarihi, edebiyat, sinema ve sanat tarihinden metinlerarası örneklerle zenginleştirilmiştir.
Osmanlılarda Sözdebilim Tartışması: Spiritüalizm Örneği (1910)
Authors: GÖZÜTOK Tarık Tuna
Published: March 2023

Bilim ile bilim dışı ya da sözdebilim/sahtebilim arasındaki ayırımı tespit edebilmek için çoğunlukla sınır belirleme problemi kavramı kullanmıştır. Bilimin sınırlarına ilişkin olan problemlerin kökenleri her ne kadar Aristoteles kadar götürülebilse de sistematik bir biçimde tartışılması XX. yüzyılın ortalarında hız kazanmıştır. Ancak henüz sözdebilim kavramı bilim felsefecileri arasında bile yaygınlaşmadan önce Osmanlıdaki belirli birkaç isim ispirtizma/spiritizma olarak adlandırılan spiritüalizm akımının bilim ile bağdaşamayacağını iddia etmişlerdir. Günümüzden geçmişe bakınca bahsi geçen öncü itirazların değeri anlaşılmaktadır ve önemi haiz itirazların mahiyeti bilim felsefesi açısından değerlendirilmeye tabi tutulabilir. Bu türden bir analize başlamadan ilkin spiritüalizme ve ortaya çıkış hikayesine değinmemiz gerekmektedir. Ayrıca spiritüalizmin Osmanlı’ya girişine ve bu akımı tanıtan ilk metinlere, konunun daha net anlaşılmasına yardımcı olması bakımdan kısa bahsedilecektir. Bu bahsin ardından da spiritüalizmin bilimsel olmadığını 1910 yılındaki yayınlarında savunan üç Osmanlı hekiminin yani Kemal Cenap [Berksoy], Nazifi Şerif [Nabel] ve Mazhar Osman [Uzman]’ın argümanları inceleyebiliriz. Son olarak bahsi geçen öncü isimlerin göstermiş oldukları basiretin ardında yatan muhtemel nedenler, anakronizm yanılgısını hesaba katarak bilim felsefesi açısından incelenecektir.
Triassic Volcaniclastic and Igneous Rocks of the Pronchishchev Ridge (East Siberia, Arctic): Composition, Structure, Genesis, and Age
Authors: Popov A.Yu. , Shevko A.Ya. , Sobolev E.S. , Yadrenkin A.V. , Nikitenko B.L. , Travin A.V.
Published: March 2023

—Petrographic and geochemical studies of igneous and volcaniclastic rocks of the middle part of the Pronchishchev Ridge and the Terpei lowland provided new data on their composition and structure. The subdivision of the Permian–Lower Triassic strata enclosing igneous and volcaniclastic bodies has been clarified by lithological/stratigraphic methods. The Lower Triassic Ulakhan-Yuryakh, Chekanovsky, Ystanakh, and Pastakh formations have been traced for the first time in the ridge area. It is shown that the studied dolerite body and adjacent breccias in the field of middle–upper Permian rocks are part of the volcanic pipe. The tuffite sandy gritstones in the field of Lower Triassic rocks are parts of an eroded tephra ring around this diatreme. The localization of tuffite bodies in the area of the Ystanakh Formation makes it possible to date the pipe at the beginning of the late Olenekian. The obtained 40Ar/39Ar dates for the dolerites of the volcanic pipe and one of the dikes of the Pronchishchev dike belt indicate the repeated tectonomagmatic activity in the studied area in the Triassic.
Lateral PIN Photodiode with Germanium and Silicon Layer on SOI Wafers
Authors: Silva Fábio Alex da , Doria Rodrigo Trevisoli , Simoen Eddy , de Andrade Maria Glória Caño
Published: March 2023

Here, it has been verified through numerical simulations calibrated to experimental data the changes that the insertion of a germanium layer can bring to the electrical power generation of a silicon solar cell. The studied device is a lateral PIN photodiode embedded in a wafer with SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) technology as part of a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) circuit. The insertion of a germanium layer on top or below a silicon PIN diode has been considered. Results showed that different semiconductor characteristics (bandgap, mobility, and absorption coefficients) result in a general improvement in the solar cell performance, therefore allowing a better understanding of the phenomena that occur in the photogeneration of a cell with a heterojunction between germanium and silicon.
Neural network based corrosion modeling of Stainless Steel 316L elbow using electric field mapping data
Authors: Memon Azhar , Imran Imil , Alhems Luai
Published: March 2023

Stainless steel (SS) is used in many industrial applications that demand superior corrosion resistance. Modeling its corrosion behavior in common structural and various operational scenarios is beneficial to provide wall-thickness (WT) information, thus leading to a predictive asset integrity regime. In this spirit, modeling of SS 316L corrosion behavior using artificial neural networks (ANNs) is presented, whereby saline water at different concentrations is flown through an elbow structure at different flow rates and salt concentrations. Voltage, current, and temperature data are recorded hourly using electric field mapping (EFM) pins installed on the elbow surface and used for training the model. The performance of corrosion modeling is verified by comparing the predicted WT with actual measurements obtained from experimental tests. Moreover, a concise account of the observed scale formation is also reported.‏
Effects of Quantum Flux on Generalized KG-Oscillator in Ellis-Bronnikov-Type Wormhole with Point-Like Defect
Authors: AHMED F. , AOUNALLAH H. , RUDRA P.
Published: March 2023

The relativistic quantum dynamics of oscillator field via the generalized Klein-Gordon oscillator in the background of Ellis-Bronnikov-type wormhole space-time with topological defect under the influence of quantum flux are investigated. In fact, we derived the radial wave equation for a Coulomb- and Cornell-type potential form functions and solved the equation analytically. The generalized KG-oscillator is introduced by replacing the momentum operator ∂μ →(∂μ +Mω Xμ) in the wave equation, where Xμ = (0, f (x),0,0) with f (x) is an arbitrary function other than x.We show that the topological defect and the radius of wormhole throat influences the eigenvalue solution and modified the result. Furthermore, the quantum flux
Investigating the Association between Educational Attainment and Allostatic Load with Risk of Cancer Mortality among African American Women
Authors: Li Cynthia , Andrzejak Sydney Elizabeth , Jones Samantha R. , Williams Brittany Marie , Moore Justin Xavier
Published: March 2023

Background
African American (AA) women navigate the world with multiple intersecting marginalized identities. Accordingly, AA women have higher cumulative stress burden or allostatic load (AL) compared to other women. AL correlates with poorer health outcomes and increased risk of cancer death. However, research indicates AA women with a college degree or higher have lower AL than AA women with less than a high school diploma. We examined whether educational attainment differences and AL status in AA women are associated with long-term risk of cancer mortality.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis among 4,677 AA women respondents using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1988 through 2010 with follow up data through December 31, 2019. We fit Cox proportional hazards models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of cancer death between educational attainment/AL (adjusted for age, sociodemographic, and health factors).
Results
AA women with less than a high school diploma living with high AL had nearly a 3-fold increased risk (unadjusted HR: 2.98; 95%C CI: 1.24–7.15) of cancer death compared to AA college graduates living with low AL. However, after adjusting for age, the increased risk of cancer death in those with less than a high school diploma and high AL attenuated (age-adjusted HR: 1.11; 95% CI: .45-2.74).
Conclusions
Differences in educational attainment and AL in AA women were not associated with increased risk of cancer mortality when adjusted for age. Previous studies have shown that increased allostatic load is associated with increased risk of cancer death. However, for African American women, higher educational attainment does not modify the risk of cancer mortality. The benefits that may come along with higher education such as increased access to medical care and better medical literacy do not change the risk of cancer mortality in AA women.
Prevalence of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, their urgency and need for treatment in the emergency department. A single-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Benning Leo , Kleinekort Jan , Röttger Michael Clemens , Köhne Nora , Wehrle Julius , Blum Marco , Busch Hans-Jörg , Hans Felix Patricius
Published: March 2023

Background and Importance

The early differentiation between patients who require urgent care and those who could receive adequate care through ambulatory services remains a challenge in managing patient volumes in emergency departments (ED). Different approaches pursue to characterize patient populations that could safely divert to the ambulatory care sector. However, this characterization remains challenging as the urgency upon presentation in an ED is assessed based on immediately available characteristics of the patients - rather than on subsequent diagnoses. This work employs a core set of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (core-ACSCs) to describe conditions that do not require inpatient care if treated and monitored adequately in the ambulatory care sector. It subsequently analyzes corresponding triage levels at presentation to determine whether core-ACSCs contribute to the high patient volumes in an ED.

Settings and Participants

Single center cross-sectional analysis of administrative data of a tertiary care emergency department in 2019.

Outcome measures and analysis

The proportion of core-ACSCs among all presentations was assessed. Triage levels were binarily classified as ‘urgent’ and ‘non-urgent’, and the distribution of core-ACSCs in both categories was studied. Additionally, the patients presenting with core-ACSCs requiring inpatient care were assessed based on adjusted residuals and the proportion being discharged home was investigated.

Main results

This study analyzed 43.382 cases, 10.79% (n=4683) of which fell under the definition of core- ACSCs categories. 65,2% of all core-ACSCs were urgent and received inpatient care in 62,8% of the urgent cases. 34,8% of the core-ACSCs were attributed to low urgency and were discharged home in 92,4% of the cases. The two core-ACSCs that mainly contributed to non-urgent cases discharged home after the presentation were “back pain” and “soft tissue disorders”.

Discussion

Core-ACSCs contribute relevantly to the overall ED patient volume but cannot be considered the primary drivers of such. However, once patients presented to the ED with what was later confirmed to be a core-ACSC, they required urgent care in 65,2%. This finding highlights the importance of effective ambulatory care to avoid emergency presentations. Additionally, the core-ACSC categories of “back pain” and “soft tissue disorders” were most often found to be non-urgent and were discharged home after initial treatment. Although further research is required, these core-ACSCs could be considered potentially avoidable ED presentations.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the German trials register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00029751) on 2022-07-22.
TNES: Terrain Traversability Mapping, Navigation and Excavation System for Autonomous Excavators on Worksite
Authors: Guan Tianrui , He Zhenpeng , Song Ruitao , Zhang Liangjun
Published: March 2023

We present a terrain traversability mapping and navigation system
(TNS) for autonomous excavator applications in an unstructured environment.
We use an efficient approach to extract terrain features from
RGB images and 3D point clouds and incorporate them into a global map
for planning and navigation. Our system can adapt to changing environments
and update the terrain information in real-time. Moreover, we
present a novel dataset, the Complex Worksite Terrain (CWT) dataset,
which consists of RGB images from construction sites with seven categories
based on navigability. Our novel algorithms improve the mapping
accuracy over previous methods by 4.17−30.48% and reduce MSE on
the traversability map by 13.8−71.4%.We have combined our mapping
approach with planning and control modules in an autonomous excavator
navigation system and observe 49.3% improvement in the overall
success rate. Based on TNS, we demonstrate the first autonomous excavator
that can navigate through unstructured environments consisting
of deep pits, steep hills, rock piles, and other complex terrain features.
In addition, we combine the proposed TNS with the Autonomous
Excavation System (AES), and deploy the new pipeline, TNES, on a
more complex construction site. With minimum human intervention, we
demonstrate autonomous navigation capability with excavation tasks.
A retrospective comparative study of anesthesia with remimazolam and remifentanil versus dexmedetomidine and remifentanil for transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Kitaura Atsuhiro , Tsukimoto Shota , Sakamoto Hiroatsu , Hamasaki Shinichi , Nakao Shinichi , Nakajima Yasuhumi
Published: March 2023

Remimazolam, an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, allows for rapid and reliable arousal. Rapid awakening using remimazolam may be beneficial in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), as it allows rapid detection of neurologic deficits. The purpose of this study was to compare arousal time and outcomes between monitored anesthesia care (MAC) with remimazolam and remifentanil and conventional MAC with dexmedetomidine, propofol, and remifentanil. This study was a single center retrospective study. All TAVR cases performed under MAC (MAC-TAVR) at our institution between 2019 and 2021 were included. Patients were classified by anesthesia method into remimazolam and dexmedetomidine groups. Among 258 MAC-TAVR patients, 253 were enrolled. After propensity score matching, 76 patients were assigned to each group. The time from end of drug-administration to arousal (20.0 [16.0, 24.0] vs. 38.5 [30.0, 56.3], p < 0.0001) and the time from attempted-arousal to arousal (1.0 [1.0, 1.0] vs. 12.5 [3.0, 26.8], p < 0.0001) were significantly shorter in the remimazolam group. There was no significant difference in the length of ICU stay (2.0 [2.0, 2.0] vs. 2.0 [2.0, 2.0], p = 0.157) and postoperative hospital stay (6.0 [4.0, 9.0] vs. 5.0 [4.0, 8.0], p = 0.262).
A Paraventricular Nucleus–Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Pathway Contributes to Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Xu Shijin , Zhang Rui , Zou Guichang , Jin Shiyun , Luo Heyi , Hou Yiwen , Shi Zou , Zhao Ru , Chen Zhenxin , Wang Bin , Chen Chen , Xue Qi , Sun Meiyan , Xiong Wei , Zhang Ye
Published: March 2023

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI), the major pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, is a crucial therapeutic focus. To date, whether MIRI is centrally mediated and its underlying processing hierarchy remain elusive. We show that the electrical activity of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons increased after MIRI in a mouse model. We identified a neural circuit involving glutamatergic projections from the paraventricular nucleus (GluPVN) to tyrosine hydroxylase–expressing neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (THRVLM) that contributes to MIRI. Transneuronal tracing with neurotropic viruses indicated that the THRVLM neurons project directly to the spinal preganglionic neurons and then to the stellate ganglion, two critical neural nodes along the brain–heart axis. Chemogenetic inhibition of the GluPVN→THRVLM circuit or cervical sympathetic blockade reduced the level of norepinephrine in the heart and thereby prevented MIRI. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of myocardium β-receptors also reduced MIRI. This brain–heart circuit that promotes MIRI represents a potential therapeutic target for MIRI treatment.
Data Driven Models of the Madden-Julian Oscillation: understanding its evolution and ENSO modulation
Authors: Diaz Nicolás , Barreiro Marcelo , Rubido Nicolás
Published: March 2023

Understanding the physical mechanisms of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and its evolution is a major concern within the climate community. Its main importance relies on its ability to act as a source of predictability within the intraseasonal time-scale, not only in the tropics, but also in extratropical regions, therefore filling the gap between weather and climate forecasts. However, most atmospheric general circulation models fail to correctly represent MJO’s evolution, and their prediction skills are still far from MJO’s theoretical predictability. In this work we infer low dimensional models of the MJO from data by applying a recently developed machine learning technique, known as Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy). We use the daily-mean outgoing longwave radiation MJO index (OMI) as input data to infer bi-dimensional climatological models of the MJO and to analyse the models’
dependency on El Niño and La Niña years. Our results show that MJO can be most frequently represented by a harmonic oscillator, which represents the MJO’s eastward propagation and characteristic period. Upon this basic oscillatory behaviour, we find that small non-linear perturbations play a fundamental role in representing MJO’s non-uniform speed of propagation, which explains its acceleration over the Pacific Ocean region. Particularly, we find that MJO’s evolution is most frequently non-linear [linear] during El Niño [La Niña] years.
Overall, our work shows that SINDy can robustly model MJO’s evolution as a linear oscillator with small non-linear corrections, contributing to understand the MJO’s dynamics and dependency on El Niño-Southern Oscillation.
Temporal changes in soil nematode communities in rubber plantations in Ivory Coast in response to logging residue management
Authors: Aymard KOUAKOU Kouakou , Trap Jean , Diakhate Sidy , Kolo Yeo , Perron Thibaut , Gay Frédéric , Brauman Alain
Published: March 2023

Aims
Tree logging in tropical tree plantations results in significant soil disturbances that negatively impact soil biodiversity and soil functioning. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of adding organic matter (OM) to soil after rubber tree logging on soil functioning over time.
Methods
The experiment was conducted in two contrasting soil types in Ivory Coast. Four practices were replicated, including a control with no residues, the presence of legumes only, legumes and all tree parts excluding the trunk, and legumes and all the parts of the tree including the trunk. We monitored the response of soil nematode communities every six months for 24 months in each practice. Samples were collected from the topsoil layer (0–10 cm) in the interrow, and we also monitored soil carbon transformation by measuring in situ basal soil respiration, labile soil carbon and organic matter decay using the bait lamina method.
Results
The results showed a sharp decrease in nematode abundance after tree logging, but OM restoration increased nematode abundance, the relative abundance of bacterivores, and resource availability to the soil food web. The resilience of the nematode communities depended on soil conditions and the amount and quality of logging residues. Total nematode abundance was positively and significantly related to soil functioning, measured through basal soil respiration, labile soil carbon, and organic matter decay rate.
Conclusion
The results suggest that restoring logging residues can be an effective way to restore soil biodiversity and mitigate the negative impact of clear-cutting in tropical rubber plantations.
Noradrenergic projections regulate the acquisition of classically conditioned eyelid responses: a study in wild-type and kreisler mice
Authors: Porras-García Elena , Mas-Nieto Magdalena , Delgado-García José María , Domínguez-del-Toro Eduardo
Published: March 2023

During embryonic development, heterozygous mutant kreisler mice undergo ectopic expression of the Hoxa3 gene in the rostral hindbrain, affecting the opioid and noradrenergic systems. In this model, we have investigated behavioral and cognitive processes in their adulthood. We confirmed that pontine and locus coeruleus neuronal projections are impaired, by using startle and pain tests and by analyzing immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase. Our results showed that, even if kreisler mice are able to generate eyelid reflex responses, there are differences with wild-types in the first component of the response (R1), modulated by the noradrenergic system. The acquisition of conditioned motor responses is impaired in kreisler mice when using the trace but not the delay paradigm, suggesting a functional impairment in the hippocampus, subsequently confirmed by reduced quantification of alpha2a receptor mRNA expression in this area but not in the cerebellum. Moreover, we demonstrate the involvement of adrenergic projection in eyelid classical conditioning, as clonidine prevents the appearance of eyelid conditioned responses in wild-type mice. In addition, hippocampal motor learning ability was restored in kreisler mice by administration of adrenergic antagonist drugs, and a synergistic effect was observed following simultaneous administration of idazoxan and naloxone.
Separation and Antioxidant Activities of New Acetylated EGCG compounds
Authors: Zhang Jianyong , Cui Hongchun , Yin Junfeng , Jiang Heyuan , Wang Yuwan , Zhao Yun , Yu Jizhong , Engelhardt Ulrich H.
Published: March 2023

Acetylation could improve the bioavailability of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG), but the relationship of 11 substitution degree and antioxidant capacity of acetylated EGCG was unclear. The acetylated EGCG products were separated 12 by preparation high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two mono substituted acetylated EGCG, three substituted 13 acetylated EGCG (T-AcE), eight substituted acetylated EGCG (E-AcE) and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were isolated. 14 The 7-acetyl-EGCG (S7-ACEGCG) and 7-acetyl-EGCG (T-AcE) were identified for the first time. The antioxidant capacity, 15 superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities, and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities of EGCG decreased significantly 16 after acetylation modification. The more EGCG acetylation modification sites, the lower the total antioxidant capacity, 17 superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities, and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities. The antioxidant capacity, 18 superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities, and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities of 5-acetyl-EGCG (S5-ACE) were 19 higher than 7-acetyl-EGCG (S7-AcE). Combining all the results in this and previous studies, acetylation modification is not 20 conducive to the performance of EGCG antioxidant capacity.
Study on the particle movement characteristics and the pipe pressure drop of slurry shield circulation system
Authors: Li Wanying
Published: March 2023

Slurry circulating system is the core system for transporting excavated stone from the excavation interface, and the flow characteristics of stone in circulating pipeline is the key to determine whether stone can be transported smoothly. Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) coupling method, the 3D pipe flow model was established, and the shape of the stone was considered in the model. The particle movement characteristics and the pipe pressure drop is studied. The simulation results indicate that the slurry velocity and slurrydensity have a significant effect on the particle movement characteristics. And the pressure loss along the horizontal straight pipeline is about 620 Pa/m. For the 20 m-high vertical pipeline model, its pressure loss along the vertical pipeline is about 1,100 Pa/m. The conclusions can be helpful for setting the working parameters of circulation system.
A specific dispiropiperazine derivative that arrests cell cycle, induces apoptosis, necrosis and DNA damage
Authors: Liu Victor P. , Li Wai-Ming , Lofroth Jack , Zeb Mehreen , Patrick Brian O. , Bott Tina M. , Lee Chow H.
Published: March 2023

Dispiropiperazine compounds are a class of molecules known to confer biological activity, but those that have been studied as cell cycle regulators are few in number. Here, we report the characterization and synthesis of two dispiropiperazine derivatives: the previously synthesized spiro[2’,3]-bis(acenaphthene-1’-one)perhydrodipyrrolo-[1,2-a:1,2-d]-pyrazine (SPOPP-3, 1), and its previously undescribed isomer, spiro[2’,5’]-bis(acenaphthene-1’-one)perhydrodipyrrolo-[1,2-a:1,2-d]-pyrazine (SPOPP-5, 2). SPOPP-3 (1), but not SPOPP-5 (2), was shown to have anti-proliferative activity against a panel of 18 human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.63-13 µM. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SPOPP-3 (1) was able to arrest cell cycle at the G2/M phase in SW480 human cancer cells. Western blot analysis further confirmed the cell cycle arrest is in the M phase. In addition, SPOPP-3 (1) was shown to induce apoptosis, necrosis, and DNA damage as well as disrupt mitotic spindle positioning in SW480 cells. These results warrant further investigation of SPOPP-3 (1) as a novel anti-cancer agent, particularly for its potential ability to sensitize cancer cells for radiation-induced cell death, enhance cancer immunotherapy, overcome apoptosis-related drug resistance and for possible use in synthetic lethality cancer treatments.
Re-evaluation of publicly available gene-expression databases using machine-learning yields a maximum prognostic power in breast cancer
Authors: Tschodu Dimitrij , Lippoldt Jürgen , Gottheil Pablo , Wegscheider Anne-Sophie , Käs Josef A. , Niendorf Axel
Published: March 2023

Gene expression signatures refer to patterns of gene activities and are used to classify different types of cancer, determine prognosis, and guide treatment decisions. Advancements in high-throughput technology and machine learning have led to improvements to predict a patient's prognosis for different cancer phenotypes. However, computational methods for analyzing signatures have not been used to evaluate their prognostic power. Contention remains on the utility of gene expression signatures for prognosis. The prevalent approaches include random signatures, expert knowledge, and machine learning to construct an improved signature. We unify these approaches to evaluate their prognostic power. Re-evaluation of publicly available gene-expression data from 8 databases with 9 machine-learning models revealed previously unreported results. Gene-expression signatures are confirmed to be useful in predicting a patient's prognosis. Convergent evidence from ≈10,000 signatures implicates a maximum prognostic power. By calculating the concordance index, which measures how well patients with different prognoses can be discriminated, we show that a signature can correctly discriminate patients’ prognoses no more than 80% of the time. Additionally, we show that more than 50% of the potentially available information is still missing at this value. We surmise that an accurate prognosis must incorporate molecular, clinical, histological, and other complementary factors.
Hydrogen-Terminated Diamond Field-Effect Transistors with Ultrahigh On/Off Ratio Using an Al2O3/HfO2 Stacked Passivation Layer
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Yu Xinxin , Mao Shuman , Zhou Jianjun , Kong Yuechan , Chen Tangsheng , Xu ruiming , Yan Bo , Xu Yuehang
Published: March 2023

Diamond-based devices with high on/off ratio are promising candidates for power and sensors applications at high temperatures. However, the limited on/off ratio caused by relatively high leakage currents still remains to be a problem. Herein, we present hydrogen-terminated diamond metal–insulator–semiconductor field-effect transistors with a 40-/100-nm aluminum oxide/hafnium dioxide stacked passivation layer to reduce leakage currents. Due to the stacked passivation layer, the fringing capacitances were introduced and the electric field at the drain edge of the gate was reduced. Encouragingly, the drain and gate leakage currents were reduced to the order of 10−9 mA/mm under off-state conditions at room temperature. Consequently, an on/off ratio of ~1 × 1011 was achieved, which is the highest value among the previously reported diamond-based devices. Moreover, a record on/off ratio of ~5 × 109 was obtained even at 200°C. Results of this work can pave the way for diamond-based devices in high-temperature power or sensors applications.
Simulating and validating virus machines
Authors: Orellana-Martín David , Ramírez-de-Arellano Antonio , Pérez-Jiménez Mario J.
Published: March 2023

Virus machines are computing devices inspired by the transmission and replication of viruses. This model of computation has been proved to be as powerful as Turing machines, while using very simple semantics: instructions can open channels to let viruses travel between different hosts. The basic model is sequential, in the sense that only one instruction can be executed in each time step. This behaviour is, in principle, easy to follow by using pen and paper, but it can become harder when the model is big enough, as it happens with other models of computation. This paper introduces a base software for virus machines that simulates their behaviour and has an easy approach for both researchers and developers. Besides, apart from the simulator, the software has two other main purposes: On the one hand, a experimental validator has been introduced to help the researcher with both the design and the formal verification of such devices; On the other hand, it has included a tool to create a LaTeX graphic of a virus machine with the usual visuals.
MSC Classification: 68Q07 , 68V05
Rheological experiments on dense silty sediments under steady shear loadings
Authors: wen zhichao , Xu Haijue , Bai Yuchuan , Huang Zhe , Liu Junzheng , Zhang Jinliang
Published: March 2023

Dense silty sediments exhibit complex rheological behaviors due to their particular sediment composition, which consists of sand, silt and clay. This paper investigated the rheological properties of ten dense silty sediments prepared with various percentages of kaolin. A set of rheological experiments was conducted with an MCR302 rheometer. Measurements of the flow curves, deformation curves, and shear stress-time response were made. The dense silty sediments underwent a solid-liquid transition during shear rate ramp tests, and the critical shear stress increased with decreasing median particle diameter D50. Thixotropy was common in the samples with smaller D50, but the samples with larger D50 displayed anti-thixotropic behavior. Both the power-law model and the Herschel-Bulkley model were selected to describe the rheological behavior, and the Herschel-Bulkley model was more suitable for samples with higher density and smaller D50. The parameters in the empirical expressions for calculating rheological parameters were obtained by a regression analysis.
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption across Population Segments: Evidence from a National Household Survey
Authors: Küçük Nihat , Urak Faruk , Bilgic Abdulbaki , Florkowski Wojciech J. , Kiani Adiqa K. , Özdemir Ferda Nur
Published: March 2023

Background
The 2002 World Health Report documented that low fruit and vegetable intake are among the top ten risk factors contributing to attributable mortality and up to three million lives could be saved each year by adequate consumption of F&V across the globe, leading an examination of behavioral preferences of the individual and family social, environmental, and behavioral factors that constitute perceived barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption.
ObjectiveThe study examines factors affecting the choice of eating fruits and vegetables by household members and calculates eating frequency probabilities of different population-origin associated with personal attributes and behavior.
Method Turkish Health Survey (THS) 2019 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI) national representative household panel is applied. Estimating a random-effect bivariate probit model of fruit and vegetable choice, we calculated marginal probabilities of choosing fruits and vegetables, the joint probability of choosing both, and conditional probabilities between choosing to eat either, detecting consumption synergy.
Results The role of uncontrolled variables in choosing to eat fruits and vegetable (F&V) differs between the decision of an average family and the decision of individual family members. While the attitude is positive for an average family, it is negative among family members. Most individual and family attributes inversely affect fruit and vegetable choice across different groups, while a positive causal relationship exists between the likelihood of fruit and vegetable choice and attributes such as age, marital status, education, weight, having health insurance, income, and time and forms of physical activity.
Conclusion and recommendation Instead of a general policy for the implementation of a healthy and balanced nutrition program to improve fruit and vegetable eating frequency, it appears more effective to adopt programs with distinct characteristics that segregate society into different cohorts. We suggest appropriate policies and offer suitable approaches to reach targeted groups.