bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Area, not number, dominates estimates of visual quantities
Authors: Yousif Sami R. , Keil Frank C.
Published: August 2020

The study of numerical estimation collectively spans hundreds of papers and hundreds of thousands of citations. Interest in this topic hinges on one assumption: that we can approximate number independently of continuous spatial dimensions (e.g., area). Accordingly, many studies have specifically tried to demonstrate sensitivity specific to number while controlling other dimensions. However, recent work demonstrates that perceived area (based on psychophysical judgments) differs from true area (i.e., a precise pixel count). This difference raises concerns about most past studies of approximate number, by asking if they have systematically controlled for the wrong dimension(s). Building on recent findings that the percept of area may be systematically illusory, the current study examines the relation between perceived area and number. Four experiments reveal that (1) perceived area, but not mathematical area, strongly influences numerosity judgments, (2) perceived area influences perceived number but not the reverse, (3) number acuity is greatly reduced in stimuli controlled for perceived area, and (4) the ability to make area discriminations on the basis of ‘additive area’ but not mathematical area predicts number discrimination ability. Together, these findings highlight a potentially serious confound in prior work, raising new theoretical and methodological challenges for the field.
High efficiency electrocatalyst of LaCr0.5Fe0.5O3 nanoparticles on oxygen-evolution reaction
Authors: Gao Xiaoping , Sun Zhimin , Ran Jiaqi , Li Jufu , Zhang Jingyan , Gao Daqiang
Published: August 2020

Due to the multistep proton-coupled electron transfer, it remains a huge challenge to accelerate the kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we demonstrate that perovskite-type LaCr0.5Fe0.5O3 nanoparticles can be used as highly active and stable OER electrocatalysts, where it shows a low overpotential of 390 mV at 10 mA/cm2, a small Tafel slope of 114.4 mV/dec and excellent stability with slight current decrease after 20 h, superior than that of their individual counterparts (LaFeO3 and LaCrO3). This finding confirms that the present hybrid material would be an effective means to electrocatalyst for catalyzing OER.
Cataract and the increased risk of depression in general population: a 16-year nationwide population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Po-Wei , Liu Peter Pin-Sung , Lin Shu-Man , Wang Jen-Hung , Huang Huei-Kai , Loh Ching-Hui
Published: August 2020

Cataract is the primary cause of visual impairment and can be corrected by cataract surgery. We investigated the impact of cataract on the risk of depression along with the benefits of cataract surgery. Patients newly diagnosed with cataract by ophthalmologists between 2001 and 2015 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan. Non-cataract individuals were recruited by 1:1 matching for age, sex and index year. After propensity score matching, 233,258 patients in total were included in our study: 116,629 in each of the cataract and non-cataract cohorts. The primary outcome was the new diagnosis of depression by psychiatrists. In a mean follow-up period of 7.8 years, cataract was significantly associated with increased risk of developing depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70–1.87, p < 0.001). We further divided the cataract cohort into surgery and non-surgery groups. Notably, cataract surgery group was associated with a decreased risk of depression compared with non-surgery patients (aHR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.71–0.79, p < 0.001). Our results emphasise the importance of regular screening for depression among cataract patients and the beneficial effect of cataract surgery in reducing the risk of depression.
Standardized distances for placement of REBOA in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: Olsen Markus Harboe , Thonghong Tasalak , Søndergaard Lars , Møller Kirsten
Published: August 2020

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a technique where a balloon is advanced through the common femoral artery and temporarily inflated for treatment of cardiac arrest or non-compressible haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to measure intravascular distances relevant for correct placement of the REBOA catheter using computer tomographic (CT) scans. In a series of CT scans of the aorta from 100 patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, we measured the intravascular distance from the insertion site in the common femoral artery to two potential zones for placement of the REBOA catheter; between the left subclavian artery and the celiac trunk (Zone 1), as well as between the aortic bifurcation and the distal take-off of the renal arteries (Zone 3). The mean (± SD) intravascular distance from the femoral artery to intra-aortic Zone 1 was 36 (± 2.5) cm for the lower border and 60 (± 4.1) cm for the upper border, respectively. For intra-aortic Zone 3, the mean (± SD) intravascular distance was 21 (± 2.1) cm to the lower border and 31 (± 2.3) cm to the upper border. Calculated potentially safe intervals for placement of the REBOA in Zone 1 was with 99.7% likelihood between 43 and 48 cm. No similar potentially safe interval could be calculated for Zone 3. According to this cohort study of patients with severe aortic stenosis, the balloon of the REBOA catheter should travel intraarterially between 43 (lower limit) and 48 cm (upper limit) from the site of insertion into the common femoral artery, which would lead to correct placement in intra-aortic Zone 1 in 99.7% of cases. In contrast, no potential safety interval could be similarly defined for insertion in Zone 3.
Author Correction: Clinical validation of smartphone-based activity tracking in peripheral artery disease patients
Authors: Ata Raheel , Gandhi Neil , Rasmussen Hannah , El-Gabalawy Osama , Gutierrez Santiago , Ahmad Alizeh , Suresh Siddharth , Ravi Roshini , Rothenberg Kara , Aalami Oliver
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Spin crossover modulation in a coordination polymer with the redox-active bis-pyridyltetrathiafulvalene (py2TTF) ligand
Authors: Zappe Lisa , Schönfeld Sophie , Hörner Gerald , Zenere Katrina A. , Leong Chanel F. , Kepert Cameron J. , D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Weber Birgit , Neville Suzanne M.
Published: August 2020

A 1-D chain CP with both SCO and redox activity has been successfully prepared by the combination of a bis-pyridyl functionalised TTF core and a Schiff base-like N2O2 ligand.
Microcavity array supported lipid bilayer models of ganglioside – influenza hemagglutinin1 binding
Authors: Berselli Guilherme B. , Sarangi Nirod Kumar , Gimenez Aurélien V. , Murphy Paul V. , Keyes Tia E.
Published: August 2020

The binding of influenza receptor (HA1) to membranes containing different glycosphingolipid receptors was investigated at Microcavity Supported Lipid Bilayers (MSLBs).
Anion exchange behavior of MIIAl layered double hydroxides: a molecular dynamics and DFT study
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Jie , Zhu Yu-Quan , Xu Si-Min , Liu Hui-Min , Yin Pan , Feng Yu-Liang , Yan Hong
Published: August 2020

The ion exchange reaction has been extensively used in the field of synthesis of functionalized supramolecular materials such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), ion-embedded batteries, sewage disposal and so on.
Emerging organic electronics
Authors: Jiang Zuo-Quan , Poriel Cyril , Leclerc Nicolas
Published: August 2020

Zuo-Quan Jiang, Cyril Poriel and Nicolas Leclerc introduce the Materials Chemistry Frontiers themed collection on emerging organic electronics.
A synthetic glycan array containingCryptococcus neoformansglucuronoxylomannan capsular polysaccharide fragments allows the mapping of protective epitopes
Authors: Guazzelli Lorenzo , Crawford Conor J. , Ulc Rebecca , Bowen Anthony , McCabe Orla , Jedlicka Anne J. , Wear Maggie P. , Casadevall Arturo , Oscarson Stefan
Published: August 2020

A library ofCryptococcus neoformansglucuronoxylomannan (GXM) oligosaccharides was synthesized using a thioglycoside building block strategy. The first GXM microarray was printed, allowing mapping of epitopes of antibodies directed towards GXM.
GLI1/GLI2 functional interplay is required to control Hedgehog/GLI targets gene expression
Authors: Tolosa Ezequiel J. , Fernandez-Barrena Maite G. , Iguchi Eriko , McCleary-Wheeler Angela L. , Carr Ryan M. , Almada Luciana L. , Flores Luis F. , Vera Renzo E. , Alfonse Germine W. , Marks David L. , Hogenson Tara L. , Vrabel Anne M. , Horn Isaac P. , Koenig Amanda N. , Safgren Stephanie L. , Sigafoos Ashley N. , Erkan Mert , Romecin-Duran Paola A. , Sarabia Gonzalez Alejandro , Zhou Bo , Javelaud Delphine , Marsaud Veronique , Graham Rondell P. , Mauviel Alain , Elsawa Sherine F. , Fernandez-Zapico Martin E.
Published: August 2020

The Hedgehog-regulated transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2 play overlapping roles in development and disease; however, the mechanisms underlying their interplay remain elusive. We report for the first time that GLI1 and GLI2 physically and functionally interact in cancer cells. GLI1 and GLI2 were shown to co-immunoprecipitate in PANC1 pancreatic cancer cells and RMS13 rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Mapping analysis demonstrated that the zinc finger domains of both proteins are required for their heteromerization. RNAi knockdown of either GLI1 or GLI2 inhibited expression of many well-characterized GLI target genes (BCL2, MYCN, PTCH2, IL7 and CCND1) in PANC1 cells, whereas PTCH1 expression was only inhibited by GLI1 depletion. qPCR screening of a large set of putative canonical and non-canonical Hedgehog/GLI targets identified further genes (e.g. E2F1, BMP1, CDK2) strongly down-regulated by GLI1 and/or GLI2 depletion in PANC1 cells, and demonstrated that ANO1, AQP1 and SOCS1 are up-regulated by knockdown of either GLI1 or GLI2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that GLI1 and GLI2 occupied the same regions at the BCL2, MYCN and CCND1 promoters. Furthermore, depletion of GLI1 inhibited GLI2 occupancy at these promoters, suggesting that GLI1/GLI2 interaction is required for the recruitment of GLI2 to these sites. Together, these findings indicate that GLI1 and GLI2 co-ordinately regulate the transcription of some genes, and provide mechanistic insight into the roles of GLI proteins in carcinogenesis.
An elevated monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol ratio is associated with mortality in patients with coronary artery disease who have undergone PCI
Authors: Zhang Da-Peng , Baituola Gulinaer , Wu Ting-Ting , Chen You , Hou Xian-Geng , Yang Yi , Pan Ying , Ma Xiang , Zheng Ying-Ying
Published: August 2020

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol ratio (MHR) and the outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 5679 CAD patients from CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study (identifier: ChiCTR-ORC-16010153), who underwent PCI were included in the study and divided into three tertiles according to their MHR values. The primary outcome was long-term mortality after PCI. The main secondary endpoints were stroke, readmission, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as the combination of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and target vessel reconstruction. The average follow-up time was 35.9 ± 22.6 months.

Results: Patients were divided into three groups according to MHR tertiles: the first tertile (MHR < 0.4; n=1290), second tertile (MHR ≥ 0.4–0.61; n=1878) and third tertile (MHR > 0.61; n=1870). The all-cause mortality (ACM) incidence was significantly lower in the first and second tertiles than in the third tertile (adjusted HR = 0.658, [95% CI: 0.408–0.903], P=0.009 and HR = 0.712, [95% CI: 0.538–0.941], P=0.017, respectively). Cardiac mortality (CM) occurred in 235 patients: 60 (3.1%) in the first tertile group, 74 (3.9%) in the second tertile group and 101 (5.4%) in the third tertile group. There was a significant difference in the CM incidence between the first tertile group and the third tertile group (HR = 0.581, [95% CI: 0.406–0.832], P=0.003), and there was also a difference in the CM incidence between the second tertile group and the third tertile group (HR = 0.690, [95% CI: 0.506–0.940], P=0.019).

Conclusion: The present study indicated that an increased MHR was independently associated with long-term mortality in CAD patients who have undergone PCI.
Circ_0000144 functions as a miR-623 sponge to enhance gastric cancer progression via up-regulating GPRC5A
Authors: Mi Lili , Lei Lianhui , Yin Xiaolei , Li Ning , Shi Jianfei , Han Xin , Duan Xiaoling , Zhao Man , Han Guangjie , Wang Jinfeng , Yin Fei
Published: August 2020

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that circRNAs serve as critical roles in human cancer, including GC. In the present study, we focused on the detailed function and mechanism of circ_0000144 on GC progression.

Methods: The levels of circ_0000144, miR-623 and G-protein-coupled receptor, family C, group 5, member A (GPRC5A) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Targeted relationships among circ_0000144, miR-623 and GPRC5A were confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Measurement of glutamine and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) levels was performed using a corresponding assay kit. GPRC5A protein expression was detected using Western blot. In vivo assays were used to explore the impact of circ_0000144 on tumor growth.

Results: Our data indicated that circ_0000144 was up-regulated and miR-623 was down-regulated in GC tissues and cells. Circ_0000144 interacted with miR-623 through directly binding to miR-623. Moreover, the knockdown of circ_0000144 weakened GC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and glutaminolysis and accelerated cell apoptosis by up-regulating miR-623. GPRC5A was a direct target of miR-623 and circ_0000144 protected against GPRC5A repression through sponging miR-623. Furthermore, miR-623-mediated regulation on GC cell progression was reversed by the stored expression of GPRC5A. Additionally, circ_0000144 depletion inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion: Our study indicated that circ-0000144 knockdown repressed GC progression at least partly by regulating GPRC5A expression via sponging miR-623, illumining a novel therapeutic target for GC treatment.
Identification of key genes of papillary thyroid carcinoma by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Xue Gang , Lin Xu , Wu Jing-Fang , Pei Da , Wang Dong-Mei , Zhang Jing , Zhang Wen-Jing
Published: August 2020

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the fastest-growing malignant tumor types of thyroid cancer. Therefore, identifying the interaction of genes in PTC is crucial for elucidating its pathogenesis and finding more specific molecular biomarkers.

Methods: Four pairs of PTC tissues and adjacent tissues were sequenced using RNA-Seq, and 3745 differentially expressed genes were screened (P<0.05, |logFC|>1). The enrichment analysis indicated that the vast majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) may play a positive role in the development of cancer. Then, the significant modules were analyzed using Cytoscape software in the protein–protein interaction network. Survival analysis, TNM analysis, and immune infiltration analysis of key genes were analyzed. And the expression of ADORA1, APOE, and LPAR5 genes were verified by qPCR in PTC compared with matching adjacent tissues.

Results: Twenty-five genes were identified as hub genes with nodes greater than 10. The expression of 25 genes were verified by the GEPIA database, and the overall survival and disease-free survival analyses were conducted with Kaplan–Meier plotter. We found only three genes were confirmed with our validation and were statistically significant in PTC, namely ADORA1, APOE, and LPAR5. Further analysis found that the mRNA levels and methylation degree of these three genes were significantly correlated with the TNM staging of PTC. And these three genes were related to PTC immune infiltration. Verification of the expression of these three genes by RT-qPCR and Western blot further confirmed the reliability of our results.

Conclusion: Our study identified three genes that may play key regulatory roles in the development, metastasis, and immune infiltration of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Active voltage balancing circuit using single switched‐capacitor and series LC resonant energy carrier
Authors: Ahasan Habib A.K.M. , Motakabber S.M.A. , Ibrahimy M.I. , Hasan M.K.
Published: August 2020

Single switched‐capacitor and series LC resonant converter‐based active voltage balancing circuit are presented in this Letter. This converter is proposed to balance the cell voltage in series‐connected electrochemical energy storage devices namely battery or supercapacitor. This balancing circuit directly transfers the energy from higher capacitive energy storage cells to lower energy storage cells in the string. It realises the maximum energy recovery and zero voltage gap between the cells and overcomes the drawback of switching loss, conduction loss, balancing time duration, and the voltage difference between the cells of conventional switched‐capacitor as well as single LC converter. The details of the balancing circuit operation, theoretical, and mathematical analysis are presented. The experimental result demonstrated that the balancing circuit result where the voltage difference is 451–0 mV in 124 min for two 12 V, 4.5 Ah lead‐acid batteries.
Optimal rotation of UAV for enhanced 2D direction of arrival estimation
Authors: Li Pan , Li Jianfeng , Ye Changbo , Li Ping
Published: August 2020

Optimal rotation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mounted with a cross array for enhanced two‐dimensional (2D) direction estimation is discussed, and a novel method based on Cramer–Rao bound (CRB) minimisation is proposed. CRB serves as the lower bound for direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation, which directly determines the localisation performance of jamming sources. Based on the fact that CRB differs while UAV's rotation angle changes, a theoretical closed‐form solution for an optimal rotation in the 2D direction estimation is derived, and then the authors can acquire capability enhancement of DOA estimation after the optimal rotation. Rigorous analysis and multiple simulations demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
FPGA‐based parallel process for Walsh–Hadamard transform
Authors: Reynoso‐Godinez R. , Rodriguez‐Donate C. , Lopez‐Ramirez M. , Garcia‐Guevara F.M.
Published: August 2020

A field‐programmable gate array‐based reconfigurable parallel computing unit to calculate the Walsh–Hadamard transform is proposed. The architecture can process long‐duration signals with a large number of samples. Obtained results demonstrate its versatility and usefulness in applications requiring online digital signal processing, utilising few resources in low‐cost devises as Cyclone II 2C20 and Cyclone IV EP4CE22.
Une prestation dans une plate-forme LIBS
Authors: Colin Émilie
Published: August 2020

La méthode LIBS est désormais bien connue pour sa simplicité, rapidité d’analyse, possibilité d’analyse des éléments de l’hydrogène à l’uranium et de tout type d’échantillon, solide, liquide et même gazeux. De nombreux industriels se tournent aujourd’hui vers cette technique d’analyse optique sans contact dont les progrès en termes de vitesse et de sensibilité n’ont cessé de croître durant ces dernières années.
Bildgebende Untersuchungen des neuronalen
Schmerznetzwerks
Authors: Mosch Benjamin , Hagena Verena , Diers Martin
Published: August 2020

Der vorliegende Artikel soll eine Übersicht über bildgebende
Untersuchungen im Bereich chronischer Schmerzsyndrome bieten. Auf die
einleitenden Worte zur allgemeinen Phänomenologie des Schmerzes
folgt ein umfassender Einblick in die gegenwärtige Anwendung
funktioneller und struktureller Bildgebungstechniken am Beispiel
ausgewählter Schmerzsyndrome (Chronischer Rückenschmerz,
Fibromyalgiesyndrom (FMS), Phantomschmerz und Komplexes regionales
Schmerzsyndrom (CRPS)). In diesem Zusammenhang werden Gemeinsamkeiten und
Besonderheiten der spezifischen neurologischen Korrelate verschiedener
chronischer Schmerzerkrankungen diskutiert.
Effect of physical and geometrical parameters on vertical magnetic stiffness when a permanent magnet moves vertically above a high-temperature superconductor
Authors: Yang Yong , Wu Yunyi
Published: August 2020

Magnetic stiffness is as important as vertical and lateral forces to achieve stable levitation in high-temperature superconductor (HTS) levitation systems. To date, research on magnetic stiffness has mainly focused on a few aspects, but the understanding of its comprehensive characteristics has not been included. This study is focused on the quantitative properties of the physical and geometrical parameters that affect the vertical stiffness of HTS levitation systems using a numerical approach when a permanent magnet (PM) above the HTS bulk moves vertically under both zero-field cooling and field cooling (FC) conditions. The results show that the magnetic field of the PM, the critical current density (Jc), and the PM to HTS area ratio (α) significantly affect the vertical stiffness, while the PM to HTS thickness ratio has little effect. In addition, some unexpected phenomena were discovered. At some large vertical distances, the vertical stiffness first decreased and then increased as the external magnetic field increased under FC. The phenomenon of sign switching for the vertical stiffness appears to be related to several parameters, such as the external magnetic field, Jc, and α. At most vertical distances (except positions at which the saturation characteristic of vertical stiffness appears), the vertical stiffness increases with α. These findings are different from the results of the vertical force dependence with the same parameters.
Dendritic cell derived exosomes loaded with immunoregulatory cargo reprogram local immune responses and inhibit degenerative bone disease in vivo
Authors: Elashiry Mahmoud , Elashiry Mohamed M. , Elsayed Ranya , Rajendran Mythily , Auersvald Carol , Zeitoun Rana , Rashid Mohammad H. , Ara Roxan , Meghil Mohamed M. , Liu Yutao , Arbab Ali S. , Arce Roger M. , Hamrick Mark , Elsalanty Mohammed , Brendan Marshall , Pacholczyk Rafal , Cutler Christopher W.
Published: August 2020

Chronic bone degenerative diseases represent a major threat to the health and well‐being of the population, particularly those with advanced age. This study isolated exosomes (EXO), natural nano‐particles, from dendritic cells, the “directors” of the immune response, to examine the immunobiology of DC EXO in mice, and their ability to reprogram immune cells responsible for experimental alveolar bone loss in vivo. Distinct DC EXO subtypes including immune‐regulatory (regDC EXO), loaded with TGFB1 and IL10 after purification, along with immune stimulatory (stimDC EXO) and immune “null” immature (iDCs EXO) unmodified after purification, were delivered via I.V. route or locally into the soft tissues overlying the alveolar bone. Locally administrated regDC EXO showed high affinity for inflamed sites, and were taken up by both DCs and T cells in situ. RegDC EXO‐encapsulated immunoregulatory cargo (TGFB1 and IL10) was protected from proteolytic degradation. Moreover, maturation of recipient DCs and induction of Th17 effectors was suppressed by regDC EXO, while T‐regulatory cell recruitment was promoted, resulting in inhibition of bone resorptive cytokines and reduction in osteoclastic bone loss. This work is the first demonstration of DC exosome‐based therapy for a degenerative alveolar bone disease and provides the basis for a novel treatment strategy.
Kinematical and dynamical aspects of ghost-matter cosmologies
Authors: Chavda Ameya , Barrow John D , Tsagas Christos G
Published: August 2020

We consider the kinematical and dynamical evolution of Friedmann Universes with a mixture of non-interacting matter and a ghost-like field, in a scenario analogous to that advocated by the Quintom model. Assuming that the conventional matter dominates today, we find that the ghost component can bring the future expansion and the past contraction of the model to a finite halt. Moreover, at the moment the expansion or contraction stops, we find that the tendency of the Universe is to bounce back and re-collapse or re-expand. Therefore, the presence of a (never dominant) ghost-field with negative density could, in principle, drive the Universe into an eternal cycle of finite expansion, collapse, and re-expansion. Our study outlines the key features of such a scenario and provides a simple condition for it to occur. We also derive an autonomous set of differential equations and employ dynamical-system techniques to identify two families of fixed points, with and without spatial curvature respectively. The members of the first family correspond to coasting Universes and are stable in the Lyapunov sense. Those of the latter family are unstable repellers when their matter satisfies the strong energy condition and Lyapunov stable in the opposite case.
Computed tomography of the head and the risk of brain tumours during childhood and adolescence: results from a case–control study in Japan
Authors: Kojimahara Noriko , Yoshitake Takayasu , Ono Koji , Kai Michiaki , Bynes Graham , Schüz Joachim , Cardis Elisabeth , Kesminiene Ausrele
Published: August 2020

To clarify whether medical radiation exposure, especially from head computed tomography (CT), increases the risk of brain tumours in young patients in Japan, which ranks the second highest in the world in the number of paediatric CT examinations following the US. From 2011 to 2015, we performed a case–control study of 120 brain tumour patients and 360 appendicitis patients as controls. Reasons, the number of brain and head CT scans date were available from interviews. A cumulative radiation dose to the brain was calculated as a sum of doses received from head CT scans and from conventional x-rays and estimated using a reference table derived from a literature review of published studies. We performed conditional logistic regression to assess the risk of brain tumours from brain and head CT, and from conventional head x-ray procedures. The case group received on average 1.8 CTs to the brain area and 2.2 CTs to the whole head, with a mean estimated brain dose of 32 ± 13 mGy. The odds ratio for developing a brain tumour from having a brain CT was 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.38–1.82). This was hardly altered when adjusting for parental educational history and for other diseases (history of neurological disease and attention-deficit disorder/attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Neither whole head CT nor cumulative brain dose to the brain increased the risk of glioma or of all brain tumours. Although this study conducted in Japan, where ranks second in the number of CT scans conducted in the world, did not show an increased risk of brain tumours related to CT scans, it should be taken with caution due to a case–control study with limited sample size.
A new teaching concept on quantum physics in secondary schools
Authors: Bitzenbauer Philipp , Meyn Jan-Peter
Published: August 2020

In this article, an approach to integrate contemporary quantum physics into secondary school teaching is presented. The Erlanger concept on quantum optics provides an experimental-based guideway to aspects of modern quantum physics. We avoid the traditional historical approach in order to overcome the lack of modern concepts of quantum physics. In an acceptance survey, initial empirical evidence for the acceptance of the developed explanatory approaches was evaluated.
Electron induced processes in CH: an R-matrix study of electronic excitation, dissociation and dissociative attachment
Authors: Ghosh R , Chakrabarti K , Choudhury B S
Published: August 2020

The CH radical is of considerable interest in both low temperature astrophysical plasmas as well as high temperature fusion plasmas. Although collision cross section data for different collision processes are required for modeling the relevant plasma, there are very few studies of electron collision with CH. To this end, we have used the R-matrix method to study electron collision with the CH molecule at low energies. CH target state energies, dipole and quadrupole moments were first determined at its equilibrium geometry R
e = 2.116a
0. Scattering calculations were then performed for elastic scattering and electron impact excitation from the ground state to some of the low lying excited states of CH. The excitation cross sections were then used to estimate the cross section for the dissociation of CH under electron impact. An approximate calculation of the cross section for dissociative electron attachment of CH in the energetically lowest channel C−(4So) + H(2S), was also done via the lowest 5Σ− Feshbach resonance at R
e = 2.116a
0.
A centrifugal softening impact energy harvester with the bistability using flextensional transducers for low rotational speeds
Authors: Fang Shitong , Wang Suo , Mei Xutao , Zhou Shengxi , Yang Zhichun , Liao Wei-Hsin
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a centrifugal softening impact energy harvester with the bistability using flextensional transducers. The bistability is firstly demonstrated to further enhance the advantages of the centrifugal softening effect in improving the impact energy output at low rotational speeds. In the harvester, two flextensional transducers are impacted by a centrifugal softening driving beam, which is experiencing the magnetic repulsive force at the same time. The flextensional transducers are adopted for their high electromechanical coupling coefficient and robustness under the large impact force. A theoretical model is built and validated by experiments. Experimental results show that the bistable harvester can generate higher energy output than the non-linear monostable and linear harvesters at the rotational speed ranging from 60 rpm to 360 rpm and a certain clearance of 1.07 mm. Its maximum instantaneous power and RMS voltage at 60 rpm are respectively increased by 323.1% and 184.3% compared with the non-linear monostable one, and 899.9% and 304.2% compared with the linear one. Such significant improvement cannot be achieved by changing the clearance in the linear harvester while it can be achieved by adding the bistability. Therefore, our proposed method facilitates the effective energy harvesting from widely-distributed low-speed rotations.
High Efficiency Direct-drive Mount for Space Surveillance and NEO Applications
Authors: Krysiak B. , Pazderski D. , Kozłowski S. K. , Kozłowski K. R.
Published: August 2020

The design, manufacturing and field tests of a new astronomical telescope mount are the main topics of this paper. The new robotic mount dedicated for 0.5 m class telescopes is the first mount developed, developed and produced as fully Polish concept by engineers and researchers representing the automation and robotics discipline (Poznań University of Technology) and astronomy (Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences). The mount is an alt-azimuth fork-type design which allows tracking of typical astronomical targets (sidereal tracking) but also man made objects (satellite tracking). Thanks to a unique mechanical design based on direct drive motors and high precision encoders coupled with custom electronics and on-board software implementing modern control theory achievements it was possible to obtain very good trajectory tracking precision throughout the entire dynamic range defined by the user scenarios. Additionally, the used control algorithms are robust to some class of disturbances such as friction which in turn allows for very high precision tracking in a wide range of angular velocities—from quasi-static movements to high-velocity satellite tracking. The test-bed infrastructure of the system is located in a dedicated astronomical research laboratory at the Poznań University of Technology campus. Local, remote as well as automatic observations can be carried out in the facility.
Effect of grain boundary energy anisotropy on grain growth in ZK60 alloy using a 3D phase-field modeling*
Authors: Song Yu-Hao , Wang Ming-Tao , Ni Jia , Jin Jian-Feng , Zong Ya-Ping
Published: August 2020

A three-dimensional (3D) multiple phase field model, which takes into account the grain boundary (GB) energy anisotropy caused by texture, is established based on real grain orientations and Read–Shockley model. The model is applied to the grain growth process of polycrystalline Mg (ZK60) alloy to investigate the evolution characteristics in different systems with varying proportions of low-angle grain boundary (LAGB) caused by different texture levels. It is found that the GB energy anisotropy can cause the grain growth kinetics to change, namely, higher texture levels (also means higher LAGB proportion) result in lower kinetics, and vice versa. The simulation results also show that the topological characteristics, such as LAGB proportion and distribution of grain size, undergo different evolution characteristics in different systems, and a more serious grain size fluctuation can be caused by a higher texture level. The mechanism is mainly the slower evolution of textured grains in their accumulation area and the faster coarsening rate of non-textured grains. Therefore, weakening the texture level is an effective way for implementing a desired homogenized microstructure in ZK60 Mg alloy. The rules revealed by the simulation results should be of great significance for revealing how the GB anisotropy affects the evolution of polycrystalline during the grain growth after recrystallization and offer the ideas for processing the alloy and optimizing the microstructure.
Accuracy in estimating visual quality parameters of mango fruits as moving object using image processing
Authors: Ahmad U , Adji M A P , Kardiyono
Published: August 2020

Mango fruit grading in Indonesia is still done manually with low capacity and less accurate results. A conveyor mechanism with a camera as an evaluation tool can be used to increase the capacity and accuracy of grading. However, the image quality captured by the camera decreases with a moving object. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of estimating mango quality parameters by image processing using images captured by a camera at different conveyor speeds. The results of the RGB color analysis of mango images captured from a moving conveyor at three different speeds were compared with the results of the same still images. The average error of the color analysis for low, medium, and high speeds were; red color index 3.56%, 4.76%, and 6.27%, green color index 2.39%, 3.66%, and 3.95%, while blue color was not considered due to its inferior compared to the red and green colors. For HSI color model, the results were; hue values 2.13%, 3.35%, and 3.56 %, saturation values 8.98%, 12.15% and 15.26%, intensity values 15.48%, 23.89% and 17.84%. Meanwhile, the estimated error rates for the projected area for low, medium, and high conveyor speeds were 2.34%, 2.83%, and 4.78 %.
Estimation of moisture content in Liberica coffee by using near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kyaw Ei Mon , Budiastra I W , Sutrisno  , Samsudin
Published: August 2020

Liberica coffee is a popular one in the global trade market beside Arabica and Robusta. Moisture content (MC) is one of the most important quality parameters of green coffee beans production and trading. NIR spectroscopy is one of the alternative methods for the rapid determination of chemical compounds in the products non-destructively. The purposes of this study are to determine the best calibration model, data transformation, and data pretreatment for moisture content of Liberica coffee. The ground coffee samples were measured by FT-NIRS in the wavelength of 1000-2500 nm, properly the moisture contents of the same samples were determined by the oven method. The obtained spectrums were transformed into absorbance (Log 1/R) and Kubelka-Munk (K/S) units. Data pretreatment, such as standard normal variance (SNV), second derivative (dg2), and multivariate calibration method such as a partial least square (PLS), were carried out to develop the best calibration model. Good accuracy for the prediction of moisture content of Liberica coffee green bean was obtained from the spectral data pretreated with dg2 and Kubelka-Munk(K/S) data transformation with the statistical evaluation values of r (0.87), RPD (2.05), consistency (99%) and CV (5.76 %)
Ultrasonic atomizer application for Low Cost Aeroponic Chambers (LCAC): a review
Authors: Niam A G , Sucahyo L
Published: August 2020

Technology of ultrasonic atomization has been proven effective at creating droplets with specific physical and functional properties. Applications of this technology include drying liquids, medical nebulizers for inhalation therapy, surface coating, and encapsulation of materials in particles for therapeutic medicine, nutritional food, energy production and imaging. Parameters studies in this literature reviews are related with correlation of frequency values, droplet size, and flow rate of liquid, as well as the temperature resulting from the breakdown of molecules through the transducer droplet particle size and evaporation rate also need to be considered because it is related to the effectiveness of uptake nutrients in the roots. This article provides an overview of the primary mechanisms arising from ultrasonic responsible for the formation of these materials, highlighting examples that show promise particularly in the development of aeroponic system and bioproducts.
Determination of aquifer distribution using resistivity method in South Tangerang, Banten Province
Authors: Waspodo R S B , Asra A , Dewi V A K
Published: August 2020

Water is an essential requirement for humans. The increase in population growth has an impact on the high demand for water. Surface water quality is declining due to human activities, which make people switch from surface water to groundwater. The excessive exploration of groundwater causes in decreasing soil surface. Therefore, it is necessary to study the characteristics of groundwater. This study aimed to identify the lithology of soil, the position, and thickness of the aquifer, and to analyze aquifer distribution at the research location. The research method consisted of several stages which were preparation, implementation, data processing, data analysis, and result presentation. The result shown the depth of shallow aquifer at the research location was 3.00-44.73 m below the soil surface with a thickness of 2-12 m. The lithology of soil was clay and tufa sand. The depth of layers in the aquifer was 80-130 m, with a thickness of more than 75 m. Groundwater flow patterns headed toward the North.
Hydrogeology study and determination of aquifer distribution using geoelectrical schlumberger method in subang regency
Authors: Waspodo R S B , Prakusya A A , Dewi V A K
Published: August 2020

The amount of water demand will always increase, especially in Subang Regency. Efforts to control and monitor springs and groundwater are carried out to maintain the availability of springs and groundwater. Therefore, an analysis of geology - hydrogeology of springs and groundwater is needed. The purposes of this research are to determine the interpretation of geological data to investigate groundwater, know the location and distribution of aquifers based on the resistivity value of rock types, and to assess the potential of groundwater using the Darcy equation. This research was conducted in several steps, such as collection and analysis data. The processed data was the secondary geoelectrical data with the Schlumberger method. Calculation of groundwater storage was performed by using geoelectric and Darcy’s law approach. From the calculation result, it was obtained that the predicted groundwater storage was about 5380.375 m3/day or 62.27 m3/s.
Analysis and design of expert system for microalgae production to produce biofuel
Authors: Supriyanto  , Rani Devitra Saka , Wibawa Dhani S. , Winata Haikal Nando , Noguchi Ryozo , Ahamed Tofael , Mikihide Demura , Watanabe Makoto M.
Published: August 2020

Microalgae are third-generation (3G) biomass sources to produce biofuel. The microalgae process to produce bio-oil consist of several activities such as cultivation, dewatering, and extraction. The cultivation of microalgae mainly using the Open Raceway Pond (ORP) with paddlewheel operation. The dewatering process using the centrifugation and drum filtration reduced the concentration of microalgae slurry to 20%. Furthermore, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was used to extract to the bio-crude. Dissemination tools are needed to deliver knowledge of the microalgae production from cultivation to bioenergy In this research, the expert system was proposed to help the practitioner to apply the microalgae production. The methods used in this research consist of knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and development of the inference engine. The result of this study was the knowledge-based expert system for microalgae production. The expert system could help the practitioner in the preparation process of the microalgae cultivation.
Web Service for Academic Information Systems
Authors: Kurniawan A R , Warlina L
Published: August 2020

This research has the goal of creating an academic information system based on web service or Application Programming Interface (API). We use API, so that information systems are easily accessed and applied to cross platforms such as websites, desktop applications, mobile applications, and others. The descriptive analysis method was used in this study to analyze the requirements contained in the built system. Other than that, we used the waterfall method as a model approach in software development. The final results of this study can help in the management of academic data. These results can be achieved because all information is processed and presented online and accessed through cross platforms. Besides, if universities are advanced, this system is more comfortable to develop because it uses the API. Hopefully, this research result can contribute to the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education data management regulation.
Implementation of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Method to Determine Project Risk Priority
Authors: Atin S , Lubis R
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this research is to determine the priorities of risks that might occur so that the implementation of project work can run smoothly and later can be used as a basis for making decisions in handling the project being worked on. One method that can be used to determine the priority of risks that arise in a project is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). FMEA is one of the methods used to prevent project failures caused by project risks that arise. The results of this study are FMEA can be used to handle and determine the priority of risks that arise in the project and can be used by the person in charge of the project in making decisions in handling risks that arise in the project. By using FMEA project risks can be prevented and completed so that the project can be completed on time.
Acquisition, Modeling, and Evaluating Method of Driving Behavior Based on OBD-II: A Literature Survey
Authors: Hermawan Galih , Husni Emir
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we present the results of a literature survey related to driving behavior that aims to provide an overview of recent research related to driving behavior, including how to obtain data from onboard diagnostics (OBD-II), analyze data, model data, and evaluate models or systems. Driving behavior is closely related to driving habits that can be used for driver identification, driving characterization, improve fuel efficiency, and any other things. The contents of the discussion are arranged based on the research objectives, then will discuss the methods used and the evaluation results. Through this research is expected to provide insight into the acquisition and utilization of driving behavior for various things. Furthermore, provide an overview of research opportunities in the future.
Information System Security Analysis of XYZ Company Using COBIT 5 Framework and ISO 27001:2013
Authors: Prapenan G G , Pamuji G C
Published: August 2020

Information system security is now very important to prevent from an attack. Besides that, low level security can harm the productivity of an organization. The purpose of this research is to ascertain and know the level of information system security in XYZ Company, because it has never conducted an audit information system security. In this research, it used the COBIT 5 framework to audit information security management system in a company based on the ISO 27001 standard. This audit was conducted to identify information system security that was not good. In addition to improving the information security management system that will be adjusted to the ISO 27001 standard. This research was composed by applying a qualitative methodology, observation of the activity in the company and reviews related information security management system literature document existing. For the auditing using COBIT 5 framework, audit focuses on four kinds process that consists of APO12, DSS05, MEA02 dan EDM03. The audit COBIT 5 two results in consisting of “Managed Process” Level on APO12, MEA02 and EDM03 and “Performed Process” level on DSS05. The resulting of this research will be used a reference to the improvement of existing information system security in the company.