bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Low Plastic Soils Using Micro Fine Cement through Deep Mixing Methodology
Authors: Shah Manish V. , Shah Parth , Gandhi Abhay R
Published: June 2019

Present research papers focuses to strength low plastic soil using deep cement mixing technique through model study. Soil column length of 10cm, 20 cm and 30cm was used with varying degree of saturation as 60%, 80% and 100% of OMC to determine settlement characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, modulus of subgrade reaction and modulus of elasticity of raw and treated soil. Cement dosage for UCS test and model plate load test was decided as per guidelines provided in FHWA 13-046 design manual and CDM-LODIC method respectively. Method of deep mixing the soil with cement was adopted from theory given by Filz et.al. (2005). The results depicted the cement deep mixing methodology based on soil particle-cement particle interaction with varying degree of saturation proved the efficacy for low plastic soils and maximum reduction in settlement was observed for 60% degree of saturation for column length of 20 cm. Modulus of elasticity was validated with provisions of FHWA whereas load carrying capacity of soil-cement column was validated with Broms empirical equation.
Geo-chemo-mechanical characterization of a polluted marine basin
Authors: Sollecito Francesca , Cotecchia Federica , Mali Matilda , Miccoli Daniela , Vitone Claudia
Published: June 2019

The work shows the first results of the characterization of the heavily polluted sediments in the Mar Piccolo basin (Taranto, south of Italy), obtained thanks to an integrated investigation method. In the field of the actions promoted by the Italian Government to select the most sustainable remediation strategies, a multidisciplinary investigation of the site has been carried out involving the reconstruction of the geological set-up of the basin, the analysis of the chemical contamination and the geo-mechanical properties of the sediments collected up to 30 m below the sea floor. The devices and methodologies used for the off-shore sampling, storage and transport of the sediments and for the laboratory testing were specifically designed to obtain the best possible picture of the site. The quality of the soil sampling resulted to be high enough for chemical, geochemical and geotechnical characterization and to develop integrated analyses. With this purpose, the paper discusses preliminary correlations of data, focusing on the geotechnical properties of plasticity that have been interpreted in the light of soil composition and chemical and geological facets of the sediments.
Thermal design and full-scale thermal response test on Energy Walls
Authors: Zannin Jacopo , Ferrari Alessio , Pousse Maxime , Laloui Lyesse
Published: June 2019

Energy geostructures (EG) are an innovative technology in the sustainable energy agenda that can be used to satisfy the heating and cooling needs of the built environment. EGs include several types of geostructures such as piles, walls, tunnels, shafts, sewers. The application of this technology to infrastructure projects is particularly interesting because of the important thermal potential offered by the large surfaces that can be thermally-activated. This study deals with thermo-active walls (Energy walls, EW), which are retaining structures used to sustain the sides of excavations. Aspects related to the hydro-thermal interactions and to the thermal design are here presented. Finally, the testing setup for the execution of a thermal response test on a recently-built EW in western Switzerland is discussed.
The EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for the Clinical Practice of Elastography in Non-Hepatic Applications: Update 2018
Authors: Săftoiu Adrian , Gilja Odd Helge , Sidhu Paul S. , Dietrich Christoph F. , Cantisani Vito , Amy Dominique , Bachmann-Nielsen Michael , Bob Flaviu , Bojunga Jörg , Brock Marko , Calliada Fabrizio , Clevert Dirk André , Correas Jean-Michel , D’Onofrio Mirko , Ewertsen Caroline , Farrokh André , Fodor Daniela , Fusaroli Pietro , Havre Roald Flesland , Hocke Michael , Ignee André , Jenssen Christian , Klauser Andrea Sabine , Kollmann Christian , Radzina Maija , Ramnarine Kumar V. , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Solomon Carolina , Sporea Ioan , Ștefănescu Horia , Tanter Mickael , Vilmann Peter
Published: June 2019

This manuscript describes the use of ultrasound elastography, with the exception of liver applications, and represents an update of the 2013 EFSUMB (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology) Guidelines and Recommendations on the clinical use of elastography.
Perioperative Complications after Kasai Hepatoportoenterostomy: Data from the Swiss National Biliary Atresia Registry
Authors: Calinescu Ana M. , Wilde Jim C. H. , Korff Simona , McLin Valérie A. , Wildhaber Barbara E.
Published: June 2019

Introduction Hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) is the first-line treatment for biliary atresia (BA) patients. This study aims to describe perioperative complications after HPE and to analyze their impact on outcome.

Materials and Methods Patients with HPE (Swiss National Biliary Atresia Registry, 1994–2017) were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative complications were defined as complications occurring up to 30 days after surgery. Surgical complications were defined as directly related to the surgical act; medical complications were defined as any other deviation from the uneventful postoperative course.

Results Sixty-two patients were included. Median age at HPE was 63 days (18–126). Twenty six patients out of 62 (42%) had ≥ 1 complications: 6/62 (10%) surgical, 24/62 (39%) medical, that is, we observed 7 surgical and 28 medical complications. As for medical complications, cholangitis was the most frequent: 19/28 (68%). Lower gestational age at birth correlated with more overall complications (p = 0.02). Age, weight at HPE, syndromic BA, and postoperative steroid administration were not significantly correlated. There were no perioperative deaths. Perioperative complications did not correlate with overall survival (p = 0.14) and survival with native liver (p = 0.55).

Conclusion HPE is often associated with perioperative medical complications. Lower gestational age at birth was significantly associated with more complications. Perioperative complications had no impact on overall outcome.
Cryogen-free variable temperature scanning SQUID microscope
Authors: Bishop-Van Horn Logan , Cui Zheng , Kirtley John R. , Moler Kathryn A.
Published: June 2019

Scanning Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) microscopy is a powerful tool for imaging local magnetic properties of materials and devices, but it requires a low-vibration cryogenic environment, traditionally achieved by thermal contact with a bath of liquid helium or the mixing chamber of a “wet” dilution refrigerator. We mount a SQUID microscope on the 3 K plate of a Bluefors cryocooler and characterize its vibration spectrum by measuring SQUID noise in a region of sharp flux gradient. By implementing passive vibration isolation, we reduce relative sensor-sample vibrations to 20 nm in-plane and 15 nm out-of-plane. A variable-temperature sample stage that is thermally isolated from the SQUID sensor enables the measurement at sample temperatures from 2.8 K to 110 K. We demonstrate these advances by imaging inhomogeneous diamagnetic susceptibility and vortex pinning in optimally doped yttrium barium copper oxide above 90 K.
Development of an adjustable Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope for laser driven x-ray sources
Authors: Zeraouli G. , Gatti G. , Longman A. , Pérez-Hernández J. A. , Arana D. , Batani D. , Jakubowska K. , Volpe L. , Roso L. , Fedosejevs R.
Published: June 2019

A prototype of a highly adjustable Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) microscope has been designed, built, and tested in a number of laser driven x-ray experiments using the high power (200 TW) VEGA-2 laser system of the Spanish Centre for Pulsed Lasers (CLPU). The presented KB version consists of two, perpendicularly mounted, 500 μm thick silicon wafers, coated with a layer of platinum, a few tens of nanometers thick. Unlike the usual millimeter thick glass substrate, this design allows for a larger bending flexibility and large adjustment range. According to simulations, this KB microscope offers broadband multikiloelectron volt reflection spectra (1 eV–20 keV), allowing more spectral tunability than conventional Bragg crystals. In addition to be vacuum compatible, this prototype is characterized by a relatively small size (21 cm × 31 cm × 27 cm) and permits remote control and modification both of the radii of curvature (down to 10 m) and of the grazing incidence angle (up to 60 mrad). A few examples of focusing performance tests and experimental results are discussed.
A direct comparison of high-speed methods for the numerical Abel transform
Authors: Hickstein Daniel D. , Gibson Stephen T. , Yurchak Roman , Das Dhrubajyoti D. , Ryazanov Mikhail
Published: June 2019

The Abel transform is a mathematical operation that transforms a cylindrically symmetric three-dimensional (3D) object into its two-dimensional (2D) projection. The inverse Abel transform reconstructs the 3D object from the 2D projection. Abel transforms have wide application across numerous fields of science, especially chemical physics, astronomy, and the study of laser-plasma plumes. Consequently, many numerical methods for the Abel transform have been developed, which makes it challenging to select the ideal method for a specific application. In this work, eight published transform methods have been incorporated into a single, open-source Python software package (PyAbel) to provide a direct comparison of the capabilities, advantages, and relative computational efficiency of each transform method. Most of the tested methods provide similar, high-quality results. However, the computational efficiency varies across several orders of magnitude. By optimizing the algorithms, we find that some transform methods are sufficiently fast to transform 1-megapixel images at more than 100 frames per second on a desktop personal computer. In addition, we demonstrate the transform of gigapixel images.
Inner and outer ring states of MoS2 quantum rings: Energy spectrum, charge and spin currents
Authors: Chen Qiao , Li L. L. , Peeters F. M.
Published: June 2019

We investigate the energy levels and persistent currents of MoS2 quantum rings having different shapes and edge types in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field by means of the tight-binding approach. We find states localized at the inner and outer boundaries of the ring. These energy levels exhibit different magnetic field dependences for the inner and outer ring states due to their different localization properties. They both exhibit the usual Aharanov–Bohm oscillations but with different oscillation periods. In the presence of spin–orbit coupling, we show distinct spin and charge persistent currents for inner and outer ring states. We find well-defined spin currents with negligibly small charge currents. This is because the local currents of spin-up and -down states flow in opposite directions.
Radiative cooling resource maps for the contiguous United States
Authors: Li Mengying , Peterson Hannah B. , Coimbra Carlos F. M.
Published: June 2019

Passive cooling devices take advantage of the partially transparent properties of the atmosphere in the longwave spectral band from 8 to 13 μm (the so-called “atmospheric window”) to reject radiation to outer space. Spectrally designed thermophotonic devices have raised substantial attention recently for their potential to provide passive and carbon-free alternatives to air conditioning. However, the level of transparency of the atmospheric window depends on the local content of water vapor in the atmosphere and on the optical depth of clouds in the local sky. Thus, the radiative cooling capacity of solar reflectors not only depends on the optical properties of their surfaces but also on local meteorological conditions. In this work, detailed radiative cooling resource maps for the contiguous United States are presented with the goal of determining the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive radiative cooling technologies. The passive cooling potential is estimated based on ideal optical properties, i.e., zero shortwave absorptance (maximum reflectance) and blackbody longwave emittance. Both annual and season-averaged maps are presented. Daytime and nighttime cooling potential are also computed and compared. The annual average cooling potential over the contiguous United States is 50.5 m−2. The southwestern United States has the highest annual averaged cooling potential, over 70 W m−2, due to its dry and mostly clear sky meteorological conditions. The southeastern United States has the lowest potential, around 30 W m−2, due to frequent humid and/or overcast weather conditions. In the spring and fall months, the Arizona and New Mexico climates provide the highest passive cooling potential, while in the summer months, Nevada and Utah exhibit higher potentials. Passive radiative cooling is primarily effective in the western United States, while it is mostly ineffective in humid and overcast climates elsewhere.
Highly oriented graphite produced by femtosecond laser on diamond
Authors: Kononenko Vitali V. , Khomich Andrej A. , Khomich Alexander V. , Khmelnitskii Roman A. , Gololobov Viktor M. , Komlenok Maxim S. , Orekhov Andrey S. , Orekhov Anton S. , Konov Vitaly I.
Published: June 2019

To transform a monocrystalline diamond into monocrystalline graphite, the exposure of an ultrafast laser to a (111) diamond face was investigated for the first time. The single pulse of the third harmonic of a Ti:sapphire laser (100 fs, 266 nm) was used to produce graphitized inclusions embedded in a (111) diamond substrate. Three different regimes of (111) diamond graphitization are discussed in this paper. Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the graphitized material, which was found to resemble highly oriented graphite at certain laser fluencies. The proposed approach to the problem of perfect local diamond graphitization is an important step toward creating all-carbon composite systems consisting of conductive and dielectric phases.
Classification of degenerations and Picard lattices of Kählerian K3 surfaces with symplectic automorphism group
Authors: Nikulin V. V.
Published: June 2019

In [1]–[6] we classified the degenerations and Picard lattices of Kählerian K3 surfaces with finite symplectic automorphism groups of high order. This classification was not considered for the remaining groups of small order (

,

,

,

,

and

) because each of these cases requires very long and difficult considerations and calculations.

Here we consider this classification for the dihedral group

of order

.
Light regulates hydrogen sulfide signalling during skoto- and photo-morphogenesis in foxtail millet
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Cao Chunyu , Li Yawen , Yang Guangdong , Pei Yanxi
Published: June 2019

Signal transduction mediated by photoreceptors regulates many physiological processes during plant growth and development including seed germination, flowering and photosynthesis, which are also regulated by hydrogen sulfide (H2S). However, studies of the connection between the vital environmental factors – light and the significant endogenous gasotransmitter – H2S, is lacking. Here, the seedlings of foxtail millet were used to reveal the mechanism of light regulation in H2S generation. Results showed that seedling hypocotyl elongation was promoted by H2S, but inhibited by HA under dark or white light condition. H2S contents in hypocotyl increased at first under red, blue or white light then decreased, and the duration of increase under white light was longer than under red or blue light. The activity of cysteine desulfhydrases, which catalyse H2S generation, was increased by red light but decreased by blue and white light. The expressions of cysteine desulfhydrases coding genes LCD1 and LCD2 were promoted by red or white light, but inhibited by blue light. In contrast, DES gene was promoted by white light but inhibited by red or blue light. In addition, the activities of LCDs were regulated by the phosphorylation mediated by photoreceptors PHYB and CRY1/CRY2. Finally, there are two pathways of light regulating H2S production, including a rapid process that involves the modification of phosphorylation on LCDs protein mediated by photoreceptors directly or indirectly, as well as a slower process that involves in regulating the expressions of LCDs and DES genes. This discovery has potential value for the application of H2S in agricultural production protecting the crops from unsuited light condition.
Strigolactone promotes cytokinin degradation through transcriptional activation ofCYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE 9in rice
Authors: Duan Jingbo , Yu Hong , Yuan Kun , Liao Zhigang , Meng Xiangbing , Jing Yanhui , Liu Guifu , Chu Jinfang , Li Jiayang
Published: June 2019

Significance

Strigolactone plays a vital role in plant growth and development, but its response genes remain to be identified. In this study, we found that cytokinin content is markedly increased in the strigolactone signaling mutantd53, and thatOsCKX9, which encodes a cytokinin oxidase to catalyze the degradation of cytokinin, functions as a primary strigolactone-responsive gene to regulate rice tillering, plant height, and panicle size, likely via a secondary response gene,OsRR5, which encodes a cytokinin-inducible rice type-A response regulator, demonstrating that strigolactone regulates rice shoot architecture through enhanced cytokinin catabolism by modulatingOsCKX9expression.
Americans overestimate the intergenerational persistence in income ranks
Authors: Cheng Siwei , Wen Fangqi
Published: June 2019

Significance

Intergenerational mobility indicates the openness within a society. The question of how Americans think about socioeconomic mobility prospects is drawing growing attention from scholars and policy makers. Our study proposes a survey instrument that connects the empirical literature on patterns of mobility with the literature on the public perceptions of mobility. With large-scale, population-representative data, we show that Americans overestimate the intergenerational persistence in income ranks. That is, they tend to see greater inequality of economic prospects between children from rich and poor families. These results highlight the need for policy and political solutions that seriously engage with Americans’ concerns about the equality of opportunity in the society.
Visualizing probabilistic models and data with Intensive Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Quinn Katherine N. , Clement Colin B. , De Bernardis Francesco , Niemack Michael D. , Sethna James P.
Published: June 2019

Unsupervised learning makes manifest the underlying structure of data without curated training and specific problem definitions. However, the inference of relationships between data points is frustrated by the “curse of dimensionality” in high dimensions. Inspired by replica theory from statistical mechanics, we consider replicas of the system to tune the dimensionality and take the limit as the number of replicas goes to zero. The result is intensive embedding, which not only is isometric (preserving local distances) but also allows global structure to be more transparently visualized. We develop the Intensive Principal Component Analysis (InPCA) and demonstrate clear improvements in visualizations of the Ising model of magnetic spins, a neural network, and the dark energy cold dark matter (

Λ
CDM

) model as applied to the cosmic microwave background.
Vibrio cholerae
filamentation promotes chitin surface attachment at the expense of competition in biofilms
Authors: Wucher Benjamin R. , Bartlett Thomas M. , Hoyos Mona , Papenfort Kai , Persat Alexandre , Nadell Carey D.
Published: June 2019

Collective behavior in spatially structured groups, or biofilms, is the norm among microbes in their natural environments. Though biofilm formation has been studied for decades, tracing the mechanistic and ecological links between individual cell morphologies and the emergent features of cell groups is still in its infancy. Here we use single-cell–resolution confocal microscopy to explore biofilms of the human pathogen
Vibrio cholerae
in conditions mimicking its marine habitat. Prior reports have noted the occurrence of cellular filamentation in
V. cholerae
, with variable propensity to filament among both toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains. Using a filamenting strain of
V. cholerae
O139, we show that cells with this morphotype gain a profound competitive advantage in colonizing and spreading on particles of chitin, the material many marine
Vibrio
species depend on for growth in seawater. Furthermore, filamentous cells can produce biofilms that are independent of primary secreted components of the
V. cholerae
biofilm matrix; instead, filamentous biofilm architectural strength appears to derive at least in part from the entangled mesh of cells themselves. The advantage gained by filamentous cells in early chitin colonization and growth is countered in long-term competition experiments with matrix-secreting
V. cholerae
variants, whose densely packed biofilm structures displace competitors from surfaces. Overall, our results reveal an alternative mode of biofilm architecture that is dependent on filamentous cell morphology and advantageous in environments with rapid chitin particle turnover. This insight provides an environmentally relevant example of how cell morphology can impact bacterial fitness.
Enabling microbial syringol conversion through structure-guided protein engineering
Authors: Machovina Melodie M. , Mallinson Sam J. B. , Knott Brandon C. , Meyers Alexander W. , Garcia-Borràs Marc , Bu Lintao , Gado Japheth E. , Oliver April , Schmidt Graham P. , Hinchen Daniel J. , Crowley Michael F. , Johnson Christopher W. , Neidle Ellen L. , Payne Christina M. , Houk Kendall N. , Beckham Gregg T. , McGeehan John E. , DuBois Jennifer L.
Published: June 2019

Microbial conversion of aromatic compounds is an emerging and promising strategy for valorization of the plant biopolymer lignin. A critical and often rate-limiting reaction in aromatic catabolism is
O
-aryl-demethylation of the abundant aromatic methoxy groups in lignin to form diols, which enables subsequent oxidative aromatic ring-opening. Recently, a cytochrome P450 system, GcoAB, was discovered to demethylate guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), which can be produced from coniferyl alcohol-derived lignin, to form catechol. However, native GcoAB has minimal ability to demethylate syringol (2,6-dimethoxyphenol), the analogous compound that can be produced from sinapyl alcohol-derived lignin. Despite the abundance of sinapyl alcohol-based lignin in plants, no pathway for syringol catabolism has been reported to date. Here we used structure-guided protein engineering to enable microbial syringol utilization with GcoAB. Specifically, a phenylalanine residue (GcoA-F169) interferes with the binding of syringol in the active site, and on mutation to smaller amino acids, efficient syringol
O
-demethylation is achieved. Crystallography indicates that syringol adopts a productive binding pose in the variant, which molecular dynamics simulations trace to the elimination of steric clash between the highly flexible side chain of GcoA-F169 and the additional methoxy group of syringol. Finally, we demonstrate in vivo syringol turnover in
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440 with the GcoA-F169A variant. Taken together, our findings highlight the significant potential and plasticity of cytochrome P450 aromatic
O
-demethylases in the biological conversion of lignin-derived aromatic compounds.
Multimodal cue integration in the dung beetle compass
Authors: Dacke Marie , Bell Adrian T. A. , Foster James J. , Baird Emily J. , Strube-Bloss Martin F. , Byrne Marcus J. , el Jundi Basil
Published: June 2019

Significance

We show that South African dung beetles use a multimodal orientation compass based on celestial cues and wind cues to steer across the savanna. The cue preference between these 2 modalities is set in a flexible manner: at low sun elevations, the beetles use a celestially driven compass, but switch to a wind-dominated compass at high sun elevations. This switch allows the beetles to orient with high precision even when the midday sky no longer provides reliable directional input. Moreover, our data suggest that the wind and celestial cues converge in the same memory network in the brain. This spatial memory based on both modalities allows the animal to rely on the most reliable cue at any moment in time.
Integration of renewable deep eutectic solvents with engineered biomass to achieve a closed-loop biorefinery
Authors: Kim Kwang Ho , Eudes Aymerick , Jeong Keunhong , Yoo Chang Geun , Kim Chang Soo , Ragauskas Arthur
Published: June 2019

Significance

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained increasing attention due to their application-friendly properties, including universal solvating capabilities and wide tunability. Additionally, ease of synthesis and broad availability from inexpensive chemical components could render DESs more versatile solvents for biomass pretreatment, as compared with traditional ionic liquids. Because the long-term success of the biorefinery depends on the development of sustainable processes to convert lignocellulosics into biofuels, DESs derived from renewable sources such as lignin are highly desirable. We herein present our innovative process that integrates the use of low-recalcitrant engineered biomass with its pretreatment using lignin-derived DESs. The promising results described by near-theoretical sugar yield demonstrate the effectiveness of the integrated process, opening up opportunities toward a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
Plant functional traits and climate influence drought intensification and land–atmosphere feedbacks
Authors: Anderegg William R. L. , Trugman Anna T. , Bowling David R. , Salvucci Guido , Tuttle Samuel E.
Published: June 2019

The fluxes of energy, water, and carbon from terrestrial ecosystems influence the atmosphere. Land–atmosphere feedbacks can intensify extreme climate events like severe droughts and heatwaves because low soil moisture decreases both evaporation and plant transpiration and increases local temperature. Here, we combine data from a network of temperate and boreal eddy covariance towers, satellite data, plant trait datasets, and a mechanistic vegetation model to diagnose the controls of soil moisture feedbacks to drought. We find that climate and plant functional traits, particularly those related to maximum leaf gas exchange rate and water transport through the plant hydraulic continuum, jointly affect drought intensification. Our results reveal that plant physiological traits directly affect drought intensification and indicate that inclusion of plant hydraulic transport mechanisms in models may be critical for accurately simulating land–atmosphere feedbacks and climate extremes under climate change.
Structure-guided examination of the mechanogating mechanism of PIEZO2
Authors: Taberner Francisco J. , Prato Vincenzo , Schaefer Irina , Schrenk-Siemens Katrin , Heppenstall Paul A. , Lechner Stefan G.
Published: June 2019

Significance

Aristotle’s five senses—sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch—are crucial for the perception of and interaction with the environment. While the molecular machineries that detect visual, olfactory, gustatory, and auditory stimuli are well characterized, comparatively little is known about how the sense of touch works at the molecular level. Here we identified and characterized intraprotein domain interfaces that govern the mechanosensitivity of the ion channel PIEZO2. Considering that PIEZO2 is an important detector of tactile and painful mechanical stimuli, selectively blocking these domain interactions in primary afferent neurons might provide an effective means to modulate pain sensitivity. Thus our work provides the basis for the development of additional types of analgesics that attack pain at its source.
Le discours préfaciel au XVIIIe siècle à travers le Dictionnaire de
l’Académie (1718) et le Dictionnaire de Trévoux (1721). Essai de
classification
Authors: Trujillo-González Verónica C.
Published: June 2019

The 18th century was a very productive period from a lexicographic point of view. In that century, the French
Academy published four new editions of their dictionary, being the second edition (1718) the one that included major revisions (1718). The Dictionnaire de
Trévoux (1721) is also considered to be one of the pillars of 18th century
lexicography in France, with eight published editions. The comparison of the prefaces of these two major pieces of French
lexicography, in spite of their different conceptions, will allow us to establish the big strategical lines that have marked
French Lexicography during the first part of the 18th century, as well as presenting how two of the most important dictionaries of
the French 18th century are organized.
The responses of stream fish to the gradient of conductivity: A case study from the Taizi River, China
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Zhao Qian , Ding Sen
Published: June 2019

Conductivity elevation produces osmotic stress to aquatic biota and then alters biological communities. The responses of stream fish to conductivity remain unclear and strategies for protection are poorly developed. We collected data of fish and conductivity from sixty-two sites of the Taizi River to evaluate the changes to the fish community and species along the gradient of conductivity. Our results found that conductivity elevation was related to the regional development of urban and farmland and the local degradation of habitat quality. The community metrics of abundance and F-IBI, but not species richness and diversity, showed a significant linear correlation with conductivity. Conductivity of the top three F-IBI grades (excellent, good and normal) was significantly lower than those of the other two F-IBI grades (poor and bad). The boundary conductivity between normal grade and poor grade was approximately equal to 500 μS cm−1. We found different probability patterns for different species along the conductivity gradient; one capture probability pattern showed decline trend along the conductivity gradient. Except for two dominating and widespread species and one tolerant species, the remaining fish species of the first pattern should be designated as protection objects. In order to protect fish community integrity and sensitive species, sustainable land use management on the catchment scale and habitat quality improvement on the local scale should be given more attention by catchment managers.
Freshwater fish biodiversity in the Leizhou Peninsula of China
Authors: Xiong Wen , Xie Dong , Chen Gang , He Dekui
Published: June 2019

Leizhou Peninsula is located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. However, information about freshwater fish species in this peninsula is very scarce. Based on surveys and a literature review, a total of 100 freshwater fish species (92 native and eight non-native) within seven orders, 21 families and 70 genera, have been recorded in the Leizhou Peninsula. Four species, Mud Carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), South Sharpbelly (Pseudohemiculter dispar), and Helmet Catfish (Cranoglanis bouderius) are listed as threatened species in red list of IUCN. Sand mining, aquaculture pollution, non-native aquatic species, and overfishing are the greatest threats to freshwater fish biodiversity of Leizhou Peninsula. For better sustainable development, conservation efforts should be focused on the establishment of protected areas, improvement of sustainable fishery management and control of non-native species. This study provides management recommendations that will be useful for freshwater fish biodiversity conservation and fishery management in Leizhou Peninsula.
Electron spectroscopy of various nanostructured carbon films
Authors: Nishchak O Yu , Savchenko N F , Streletsky O A , Zykova E Yu , Khvostov V V
Published: June 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique have been used to study carbon films obtained by means of ion-plasma deposition in the plasma of different chemical composition. The detailed analysis of electron spectroscopy data made it possible to determine the structure of the films and the influence of nitrogen and hydrogen admixture in plasma on the structural properties. Diamond-like films are obtained in pure argon plasma, graphite-like and carbon chain structures correspond to nitrogen and hydrogen addition respectively.
Formation and investigation of plasma nanostructured hafnia coatings
Authors: Savushkina S V , Polyansky M N , Vysotina E A , Ashmarin A A , Panasova G V , Agureev L E
Published: June 2019

Nanostructured coatings HfO2-9wt%Y2O3 were obtained by plasma spraying in vacuum using supersonic nozzle creating Prandtl-Mayer expansion fan. The coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and synchronous thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential thermogravimetric analysis) in the temperature range of 40÷1600°C. The coatings are predominantly characterized by the nanostructured globular structure. Thermal analysis showed a peak corresponding to the exothermic reaction in the temperature range of 1400÷1600 °C, accompanied by a mass loss. c-HfO2 phase remained in the coating after thermal analysis with a decrease in the lattice parameter a from 5.18 Å to 5.13 Å.
Total reflectance of a random medium with the Reynolds-McCormick phase function at grazing incidence of light
Authors: Marinyuk V V , Sheberstov S V
Published: June 2019

We study the total reflectance of an absorbing, multiply scattering medium with large (as compared to the light wavelength) inhomogeneities at grazing incidence of light. To model highly forward scattering in the medium, we take advantage of the two-parameter Reynolds-McCormick scattering phase function. Using the scaling analysis for the small-angle radiative transfer equation, we derive simple analytic formulae for the dependence of the reflectance on the medium transport coefficients and the angle of incidence. The results obtained are verified by comparison with results of a direct numerical integration of the radiative transfer equation.
Structure and tribological behavior of electro-spark deposited TiC based coatings
Authors: Medts G De , Petrzhik M I , Kiryukhantsev-Korneev P V
Published: June 2019

This work gives an analysis of the coating obtained by electro-spark alloying using TiCNiCr electrode regarding their composition, structure, morphology, roughness, and mechanical properties. Tribological properties were studied by pin-on-disk test against different counterparts without lubricant. Soft materials like Cu, 100Cr6 steel are not damaging the coating and hard materials are either a good couple like with WC-Co, or characterized by a aggressive wear like with SiC, Si3N4, Al2O3. Detailed microscopic investigations of the tracks were done after tribo-tests.
Experimental study of environment ionization in the zone of a periodic discharge in a flow of liquid (PDFL)
Authors: Bogdanovich B Yu , Buyanov G O , Nesterovich A V
Published: June 2019

The study of the ionized environment in the area surrounding PDFL has showed the presence of visible plasmoids moving in the horizontal plane. The study of traces on the X-ray film made it possible to detect a significant number of traces of an identical shape and size that look like the “birds” which were found earlier in other facilities. A preliminary analysis has been carried out for their identification, which led to a conclusion about the nature of these formations, in particular, their identity with the Dirac monopole (or similar object) having a “tail” and “wings” formed by a flow of electrons from the surroundings.
Investigation of periodic discharge in liquid flow
Authors: Sinelnikov D. , Bulgadaryan D. , Buyanov G.
Published: June 2019

Periodic discharge in water flow was investigated using optic spectrometer and 1000 fps video camera with the discharge pulse up to several milliseconds long regulated by water flow speed. Copper drops were found on the cathode surface in the case of copper-tube anode. In spite of water cooling anode can reach melting point. Optic spectra were compared for several materials of electrodes. For copper electrodes it was found that anode is the main contributor of copper in discharge plasma.
Multielemental alloying of steel surface layer under the action of compression plasma flows
Authors: Cherenda N N , Uglov V V , Dzagnidze G M , Astashynski V M , Kusmitski A M
Published: June 2019

The microstructure, phase and element composition, microhardness of the carbon steel surface layer simultaneously alloyed with molybdenum and chromium atoms under the impact of compression plasma flows were investigated in this work. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion microanalysis and microhardness measurements were used for the investigation of the alloyed layer structure and properties. The findings showed that an increase of the plasma pulses number led to a decrease of the molybdenum and chromium atoms concentration in the alloyed layer as well as to the growth of alloying elements distribution homogeneity. The alloyed layer contained solid solutions on the basis of α-Fe and γ-Fe according to the data of the phase composition analysis. Plasma impact resulted in 3.5 times microhardness increase due to structure refinement.
Beam asymmetry compensation at DESY photoelectron guns
Authors: Isaev I , Krasilnikov M , Zhao Q
Published: June 2019

Quadrupole fields are considered as an option for beam asymmetry compensation for L-band photoelectron guns used at DESY. The quadrupoles dedicated for the installation at a gun coupler region have three designs. The first two designs were installed and tested with photoelectron beam. The designs of the quadrupoles and experiments results are presented.
Teaching Power Electronics as a Multidisciplinary Subject with Small and Inexpensive Robotic Arm
Authors: Pradana Sunu , Karim Khairuddin , Rusda  , Yadie Erry , Bustani
Published: June 2019

Experience shows that teaching Power Electronics subjects is not easy, even to undergraduate students. This phenomenon might stem from the fact that Power Electronics is an engineering discipline that closely related to other disciplines. Some experts stipulate that Power Electronics is a multidisciplinary subject while for some other it is an interdisciplinary subject. In students point of view, it does not matter what side Power Electronics reside, they always see it as a difficult subject. Most of the time engineering technology (TVET) student might consider this subject more as a burden. This does not come as a surprise; sampled Indonesian students score lower in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), a periodic student testing conducted by OECD (Economic Co-operation and Development). The score outline the lack of HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) from many Indonesian students. The inadequacy in that skills hampers the future development of many students, especially in a subject such as Power Electronics that require some degree of mathematical prowess and deeper thinking. It gets worse with the influence of technology on student attention span, and they cannot focus on a more extended period as their predecessor was. This kind of deficiency threat the very survival of the nation as we enter The Industrial Revolution 4.0 where many current human jobs will be replaced by network connected automation. We need to address this problem adequately. The massive national interest in robotics may be one of the answers to this problem. However, due to the expensiveness of this solution, it needs to be adapted to the available budget. The literature study that used as a foundation of ongoing effort to incorporate a simple robotic experiment in Power Electronics teaching is presented. The study then followed by a discussion about the current state of the effort.
The Diversity of Riparian Trees Vegetation at Around The Lawo River, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Pertiwi Nurlita , Taufieq Nur Anny Suryaningsih , Hiola St. Fatmah
Published: June 2019

Abstrak. The study aimed to examine the diversity of riparian tree vegetation on the banks of the Lawo River in Soppeng Regency. This research is descriptive and carried out for three months, starting from June to August 2018. This study uses a quadrant method with a plot size of 20 m x 20 m. Data analysis was performed to calculate diversity index, evenness index, and similarity index of riparian tree vegetation. The results showed that riparian tree vegetation found in the littoral zone of the Lawo River totaled nineteen (19) species belonging to eight families. Plant Gmeliana arborea (fam: Verbenaceae) is the most common plant. Species Diversity Index is a medium category. The Species Evenness Index is high (close to 1). Riparian tree vegetation on the banks of the Lawo river observed at five points shows almost the same vegetation conditions.
Numerical Solution of Diabetes Mellitus Model without Genetic Factors with Treatment using Runge Kutta Method
Authors: Side Syafruddin , Astari Gustman Putra , Pratama Muh Isbar , Irwan  , Sanusi Wahidah
Published: June 2019

This study discusses the numerical solution of the model analysis of diabetes mellitus without genetic factors with treatment using the fourth order Runge-Kutta. The mathematical model in the form of a differential equations system that includes S (Susceptible), E (Exposed), I (Infected), and IT (Infected with Treatment) which has been simplified into the total population class (N), the latent population (E), the patient population without treatment (I) and the patient population with treatment (IT
) as the initial value and the value of A, μ, δ1, δ2, α, β as parameters were resolved numerically using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method and performed as many iteration with interval time or h = 0,01 years. The data taken in Makassar City for each class population. Initial and parameters values are subtituted into numerical solutions to the model which are then simulated using Maple, indicating that at t = 5 years the magnitude of the entire population class (N) = 195.216, the latent population (E) = 31, the patient population without treatment (I) = 4.836 and the patient population with treatment (IT
) = 1.454. The results concluded that the magnitude of the value for the rate of each class of population in the next five years decreased due to the population dead and/or move the next class of the population.
Design Two-Level Factorial to Screening Factors Influencing of Pectin Extraction from Banana Peels (Musa paradisiaca)
Authors: Pagarra Halifah , Hartati  , Purnamasari Andi Bida , Rahman Roshanida A.
Published: June 2019

A study was conducted to vary the parameters affecting the production of pectin extraction from kepok banana peels using 2-level factorial design (2LFD). The experimental design was performed to screen or significant environmental factors for the yield of pectin. Factors involved consist of pH, temperature and extraction time. Independent variables are pH (1.5 to 2.5), temperature (60°C to 100°C) and extraction time (60 minutes to 90 minutes). The results showed that the pectin extract produced ranged from 3.46% to 18.31%. Analysis variance (ANOVA), found the two factors that influence very significantly affected by pH and temperature, the interaction between pH and temperature; temperature and extraction time; interaction pH, temperature and extraction time. Statistical analysis shows that the linear model is significant with the value of R2 is 0.9763. There are four significant factors that influence the pectin yield obtained by 18.31% with a P value less than 0.05 (P <.05).
The behavior of Pesticide Usage and Risk of Health Disorders in Vegetable Farmers
Authors: Dewi Vien Sartika , Rivai Tenriola
Published: June 2019

The study aims to describe the behavior of pesticide usage and its effect on farmer health. Pesticide usage behavior includes indicators of storage behavior and application action. The farmers’ health is observed in the activity of cholinesterase blood and the symptoms of the disease. The study has occurred in March-August 2017 involving 60 vegetable farmers in Tinggimoncong District of Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province. Blood cholinesterase activity was measured by taking farmers’ blood samples. The results showed that farmers showed erroneous behavior in the use of pesticides such as throwing pesticide packaging in an unsafe place and not using the right personal protective equipment. Farmers are at risk for health problems due to mild levels of poisoning.
Texture Characteristics of Chips Produced by Hot Sand Frying
Authors: Jamaluddin  , Syam Husain , Mustarin Amirah
Published: June 2019

Frying can be performed both with oil and without oil. Hot sand frying is one of the methods of frying that does not use oil. Chips are often produced using this method, where heating takes place at high temperatures. During frying, heat transfers from the hot sand to the chips, causing the texture of the chips changes from soft to hard and crispy, followed by surface hardening. Unfortunately, there have not been many published papers focusing on this topic. Therefore, this study was aimed to study the changes in the texture of chips as the effect of hot sand frying. Chips are high in carbohydrate, and they were fried at 120-160°C for 10-25 s in a frying cylinder rotated at 35 rpm. Chemical and physical characteristics of the chips sample were analyzed before and after the frying process. Results show that there changes in texture characteristics of the chips during frying. It affected the hardness and crispiness of the chips due to the loss of moisture and changes in the carbohydrate. Thus, the texture changes model developed could be used to predict changes in the chips texture from hard to crispy, as a function of water evaporation and a decrease of carbohydrate content in the chips.
Analysis Test of Fine Aggregates at the Upstream of Jeneberang River
Authors: Asrib Ahmad Rifqi , Arfandi Anas , Dirawan Gufran D. , Haryadi Fajriana
Published: June 2019

The purpose of the research was to find out: 1) mining location distribution and 2) fine aggregate gradation originated from construction material mine locations located at the upstream of Bili-bili reservoir. The research combined descriptive and experimental research. Descriptive research was conducted to map the distribution and area of construction material mining, whereas experimental research was conducted to analyze fine aggregate gradation of materials originated from the mining areas. The research result indicated that 1) Lanna Village with two mining points, Tambang Luas and SP1, became the largest mining location with total mining area of more than 97 Ha. SP4 in Bontokassi Village was no longer became a mining area since it cannot be accessed by the miners; 2) Gradation analysis in mining materials based on fineness modulus for Tambang Luas, SP1, and SP3 locations were in a fine category. Whereas, SP2 and SP5 were in the rough category. Based on the aggregate zone, Tambang Luas, SP1, and SP3 were located in Zone 2 relatively rough materials, whereas SP2 and SP5 were in zone 1 rough.