bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual band radio-over-fibre millimetre–wave system utilizing optical frequency combs
Authors: Kavitha Geethika V. , Sindhu Supriya S. , Zacharias Joseph
Published: November 2020

The urge for high-speed data transmission never ends. The demand for seamless online video streaming services demands a faster data transmission rate. To fulfil the demand optical communication can be used to enhance the overall performance. The union of microwave and optical networks known as Radio-over-Fibre (RoF) technology, may be a reasonable solution for improving capacity and mobility likewise as decreasing costs within the access network. Millimetre-wave (mm-wave) signals can be utilized for multi-Gb/s transmission. But mm-wave generation in the electrical domain is less feasible. Here, the optical domain comes into play. In this paper, two mm-wave frequencies are generated using optical frequency combs (OFCs). This technique is an effective solution for the mm-wave RoF system for 5G and beyond. By simulation, the major restraints of linewidth and relative intensity noise (RIN) are explored. RIN level of −163 dB/Hz is achieved.
Performance enhancement of transceiver system based inter satellite optical wireless channel (IS-OWC) for ultra long distances
Authors: Eid Mahmoud M. A. , Houssien Fatma Mohammed Aref Mahmoud , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Mohammed Abd El-Naser A.
Published: November 2020

This work clarified the performance enhancement of transceiver system based (IS-OWC) link by using both vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL) and continuous wave (CW) laser sources. The proposed model has been investigated and discussed. The inter satellite link has been modelled by using optisystem simulator at 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s for long distance up to 5000 km by using return to zero (RZ) and non return to zero (NRZ) schemes. The performance of IS-OWC system has been investigated by estimating the evaluation parameters such as Q-factor and bit error rate (BER). The results revealed that the NRZ is superior to RZ due to its reduced bandwidth. The BER obtained at 5000 km distance for NRZ scheme is 10−12 and 10−10 when using VCSEL and CW laser source respectively. The Q-factor records higher values at different distances when using VCSEL.
Novel approach to jointly optimize working and spare capacity of survivable optical networks
Authors: Singh Ashutosh Kumar , Arun Vanya , Singh Pallavi , Upadhayay Kamal Kishore
Published: November 2020

As technology advancing day by day, the data rate of optical network is moving towards Tb/s speed. The minimum capacity utilization and survivability are the crucial requirement in such high speed optical networks. This research work presents a new approach to calculate both working and spare capacity with the help of single mathematical programming model named as joint capacity planning model. The working traffic and restored traffic are routed jointly in proposed joint capacity planning model. Therefore the joint capacity planning model required minimum capacity in as compare to other optimization models. To evaluate our model, three example networks are proposed i.e., network A (6 node), network B (8 node) & National science foundation network (14 node). Results of these networks are analyzed and compared. The capacity utilization is optimized by increasing the backup paths of the optical networks. It has also been proved in this manuscript that capacity requirement is dependent on the backup path. The proposed joint capacity model provides fast restoration speed and guaranteed protection for optical network.
Comparative analysis of the helminth fauna of Dasypus hybridus and Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra: Cingulata) in the Pampas region, Argentina
Authors: Ezquiaga María Cecilia , Rios Tatiana Agustina , Abba Agustín Manuel , Navone Graciela Teresa
Published: November 2020

Chaetophractus villosus and Dasypus hybridus are the most widespread and abundant armadillos inhabiting the Pampas grasslands. Studies on the parasitic fauna from an ecological perspective are scarce in both species. We describe and compare the component communities of C. villosus and D. hybridus in the Pampas ecoregion of Argentina and analyse if the composition and structure of the parasitic communities of these host species reveal trophic behaviour and/or habitat use. In the population of C. villosus 10 species of helminths were found, namely Ancylostoma caninum, Aspidodera fasciata, Aspidodera scoleciformis, Mazzia bialata, Moennigia celinae, Orihelia anticlava, Strongyloides sp., Trichohelix tuberculata (Nematoda) and Mathevotaenia sp. (Cestoda), whereas in the population of D. hybridus four species were found, A. fasciata, Delicata abbai, Pterygodermatites chaetophracti and Strongyloides sp. Only A. fasciata and Strongyloides sp. were present in both species. Prevalences and intensities were similar in Strongyloides sp. In A. fasciata, however, there were differences regarding mean intensity. Diversity was higher in C. villosus than in D. hybridus. The differences may be related to the diet, behaviour, evolutionary histories or immune response of the species studied. A combination of several of these factors would possibly influence the composition of their parasitic fauna.
Machine learning–assisted global optimization of photonic devices
Authors: Kudyshev Zhaxylyk A. , Kildishev Alexander V. , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Boltasseva Alexandra
Published: November 2020

Over the past decade, artificially engineered optical materials and nanostructured thin films have revolutionized the area of photonics by employing novel concepts of metamaterials and metasurfaces where spatially varying structures yield tailorable “by design” effective electromagnetic properties. The current state-of-the-art approach to designing and optimizing such structures relies heavily on simplistic, intuitive shapes for their unit cells or metaatoms. Such an approach cannot provide the global solution to a complex optimization problem where metaatom shape, in-plane geometry, out-of-plane architecture, and constituent materials have to be properly chosen to yield the maximum performance. In this work, we present a novel machine learning–assisted global optimization framework for photonic metadevice design. We demonstrate that using an adversarial autoencoder (AAE) coupled with a metaheuristic optimization framework significantly enhances the optimization search efficiency of the metadevice configurations with complex topologies. We showcase the concept of physics-driven compressed design space engineering that introduces advanced regularization into the compressed space of an AAE based on the optical responses of the devices. Beyond the significant advancement of the global optimization schemes, our approach can assist in gaining comprehensive design “intuition” by revealing the underlying physics of the optical performance of metadevices with complex topologies and material compositions.
High refractive index and extreme biaxial optical anisotropy of rhenium diselenide for applications in all-dielectric nanophotonics
Authors: Shubnic Anton A. , Polozkov Roman G. , Shelykh Ivan A. , Iorsh Ivan V.
Published: November 2020

We establish a simple quantitative criterium for the search of new dielectric materials with high values of refractive index in the visible range. It is demonstrated, that for light frequencies below the bandgap, the latter is determined by the dimensionless parameter η calculated as the ratio of the sum of the widths of conduction and valence bands and the bandgap. Small values of this parameter, which can be achieved in materials with almost flat bands, lead to dramatic increase of the refractive index. We illustrate this rule with a particular example of rhenium dichalcogenides, for which we perform ab initio calculations of the band structure and optical susceptibility and predict the values of the refractive index

n
>
5

$n{ >}5$

in a wide frequency range around 1 eV together with comparatively low losses. Our findings open new perspectives in search for the new high-index/low-loss materials for all-dielectric nanophotonics.
Temporally modulated energy shuffling in highly interconnected nanosystems
Authors: Mitchell Brandon , Austin Hayley , Timmerman Dolf , Dierolf Volkmar , Fujiwara Yasufumi
Published: November 2020

Advances in lighting and quantum computing will require new degrees of control over the emission of photons, where localized defects and the quantum confinement of carriers can be utilized. In this contribution, recent developments in the controlled redistribution of energy in rare earth (RE)–doped nanosystems, such as quantum dots or within bulk insulating and semiconducting hosts, will be reviewed. In their trivalent form, RE ions are particularly useful dopants because they retain much of their atomic nature regardless of their environment; however, in systems such as GaN and Si, the electronic states of the RE ions couple strongly to those of the host material by forming nanocomplexes. This coupling facilities fast energy transfer (ET) (<100 ps) and a carrier-mediate energy exchange between the host and the various states of the RE ions, which is mediated by the presence of carriers. A model has been developed using a set of rate equations, which takes into consideration the various ET pathways and the lifetimes of each state within the nanocomplex, which can be used to predict the nature of the emitted photons given an excitation condition. This model will be used to elucidate recent experimental observations in Eu-doped GaN.
Polarization-selected nonlinearity transition in gold dolmens coupled to an epsilon-near-zero material
Authors: Niu Xinxiang , Hu Xiaoyong , Sun Quan , Lu Cuicui , Yang Yuanmu , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang
Published: November 2020

Nonlinear optical materials are cornerstones of modern optics including ultrafast lasers, optical computing, and harmonic generation. The nonlinear coefficients of optical materials suffer from limitations in strength and bandwidth. Also, the nonlinear performance is typically monotonous without polarization selectivity, and to date, no natural material has been found to possess nonlinear coefficients with positive or negative signs simultaneously at a specific wavelength, all of which impede practical applications in the specific scenario. Here, we realize broadband large optical nonlinearity accompanied with ultrafast dynamics in a coupled system composed of gold dolmens and an epsilon-near-zero material for dual orthogonal polarizations simultaneously. The system also shows the polarization-selected nonlinearity transition properties, where the sign of the optical nonlinear refractive indexes can be converted via polarization switching. This guarantees active transitions from self-focusing to self-defocusing by polarization rotation without tuning wavelength in practical utilizations. The measured nonlinear refractive index and susceptibility demonstrate more than three orders of magnitude enhancement over a 400-nm-bandwidth compared with the constituents, while maintaining the sub-1 ps time response. The realized enhanced, ultrafast response, and the polarization tunability ensure the designed system a promising platform for the development of integrated ultrafast laser sources, all-optical circuits and quantum chips.
Crystal structure of (μ2-1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane-κ2
P,P′)-bis[(Z)-N-(3-fluorophenyl)-O-methylthiocarbamato-κS]digold(I), C46H46Au2F2N2O2P2S2
Authors: Yeo Chien Ing , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: November 2020

C46H46Au2F2N2O2P2S2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 8.2496(3) Å, b = 11.4366(4) Å, c = 12.9504(4) Å, α = 109.171(3)°, β = 92.496(3)°, γ = 100.208(3)°, V = 1128.98(7) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt(F) = 0.0246, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0560, T = 100(2) K.
The crystal structure of hexakis(2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)pyridin-1-ium) decavanadate(V) dihydrate, C60H64N18O30V10
Authors: Cui Chuansheng , Liu Sen , Zhao Wenli
Published: November 2020

C60H64N18O30V10, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 21.1781(19) Å, b = 14.4198(13) Å, c = 24.543(2) Å, V = 7495.2(12) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0538, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1482, T = 298 K.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-(4-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one, C19H14F4O2
Authors: Luan Ming-Zhu , Wang Hui-Yun , Zhang Mei , Song Jia , Xu Yang-Rong , Zhao Feng-Lan , Meng Qing-Guo
Published: November 2020

C19H14F4O2, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 17.1519(13) Å, b = 13.9810(8) Å, c = 15.2299(9) Å, β = 123.031(7)°, V = 3061.9(4) Å3, Z = 8, R

gt
(F) = 0.0410, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1010, T = 100(1) K.
The soundscape of the Trevi fountain in Covid-19 silence
Authors: De Lauro Enza , Falanga Mariarosaria , Lalli Laura Tedeschini
Published: November 2020

This paper is devoted to the analyses of sound-scape at fontana di Trevi in Rome (Italy) with the aim to compare its characteristics during the Italian lockdown due to the (Sars-COV2) Covid-19 sanitary emergency and its characteristics before and after such time. The lockdown has represented an exceptional environment due to the silence everywhere, never occurred in centuries, offering the opportunity to recognize the “signature” of the sound emitted by the famous Fontana di Trevi and recognize how it interacts with other features. The signature is important for preservation issues and cultural heritage. The soundscape was documented in a field survey by means of hand held microphones, which acquired simultaneously the acoustic wavefield all around the fountain. We find that the spectral content depends on the microphone location, revealing a very complex wavefield, showing strong amplitudes during the lockdown well below 1kHz and a frequency band extending up to 10kHz. In a time period far from the lockdown, we evidence an additional frequency band around 700-1kHz, which not simply adds to the previous spectrum, but acts as a synchronization mechanism. The important observation is that the Covid-19 silence let emerge sounds that had been there for centuries, and afforded us the possibility to document them in order to study objectively a “soundprint”. Moreover, we studied the spatialization characteristics of the soundfield.
Daytime perimeter environmental noise in the vicinity of four hospitals in the city of Lima, Peru
Authors: García-Rivero Alberto E. , Yuli-Posadas Ricardo Ángel , Romero Warren Reátegui , Sánchez-Ccoyllo Odón , Bulege-Gutierrez Wilfredo , Tasayco Humberto Guillermo Garayar , Fernández-Gusmán Victor
Published: November 2020

The present study is intended to get to know the levels of perimeter diurnal environmental noise of four hospitals in the city of Lima. The measurement mode used at each hospital was A-weighting, with an integration time of five minutes per recording. It was measured in the FAST mode with calibrations made at the beginning and end of the measurement day. Statistical analysis consisted of the mean comparison T test which was applied at all the hospitals considered in the study. At the four hospitals, at all the hours of measurement and both on working days and non-working days (Sunday), LAeq mean values are higher than 83 dBA. On working days, two periods of maximum noise from 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 17:00 to 19:00 in the afternoon coincide with the start and end of working hours. The perimeter diurnal environmental noise levels determined at the vicinity of four hospitals show higher values in all cases to those established by the Peruvian National Environmental Standards for Noise for special protection areas both for working days and for non-working days. Noise that comes from the dense and disorganized traffic of Lima plays a fundamental role in this behaviour.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of brazing joint of silver-based composite filler metal
Authors: Yu Hua , Zhang Liangliang , Cai Fangfang , Zhong Sujuan , Ma Jia , Bao Li , Jiu Yongtao , Hu Bingli , Wei Shizhong , Long Weimin
Published: November 2020

In this article, environmental friendly BAg25Cu40Zn34Sn (BAg-25) and BAg30Cu37Zn32Sn (BAg-30) flux-core solder metal capable of facilitating automatic production of brazing manufacturing processes were prepared. The butt and lap induction brazing tests were carried out on the substrate with BAg-25 and BAg-30. Wettability, microstructure and mechanical properties of the solders on the base metal were studied by field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), tensile testing machine and microhardness tester. Results indicated that the wetting property of BAg-30 with 30% silver content was better than that of BAg-25 with 25% silver content. At the same time, besides copper and silver-based solid solutions, the brazed joint of BAg-30 solder also contain Cu + Ag eutectic phase. In the brazed joint of BAg-25 solder, the grain size is smaller, which makes the tensile strength and the shear strength of the joints better. Therefore, the BAg-25 flux-core solder metal will further reduce the industrial cost and meet the requirements of mechanical properties.
Energetic and exergetic analysis of a convective drier: A case study of potato drying process
Authors: Golpour Iman , Kaveh Mohammad , Chayjan Reza Amiri , Guiné Raquel P. F.
Published: November 2020

This research work focused on the evaluation of energy and exergy in the convective drying of potato slices. Experiments were conducted at four air temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70°C) and three air velocities (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s) in a convective dryer, with circulating heated air. Freshly harvested potatoes with initial moisture content (MC) of 79.9% wet basis were used in this research. The influence of temperature and air velocity was investigated in terms of energy and exergy (energy utilization [EU], energy utilization ratio [EUR], exergy losses and exergy efficiency). The calculations for energy and exergy were based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Results indicated that EU, EUR and exergy losses decreased along drying time, while exergy efficiency increased. The specific energy consumption (SEC) varied from 1.94 × 105 to 3.14 × 105 kJ/kg. The exergy loss varied in the range of 0.006 to 0.036 kJ/s and the maximum exergy efficiency obtained was 85.85% at 70°C and 0.5 m/s, while minimum exergy efficiency was 57.07% at 40°C and 1.5 m/s. Moreover, the values of exergetic improvement potential (IP) rate changed between 0.0016 and 0.0046 kJ/s and the highest value occurred for drying at 70°C and 1.5 m/s, whereas the lowest value was for 70°C and 0.5 m/s. As a result, this knowledge will allow the optimization of convective dryers, when operating for the drying of this food product or others, as well as choosing the most appropriate operating conditions that cause the reduction of energy consumption, irreversibilities and losses in the industrial convective drying processes.
Seasonal normalized difference vegetation index responses to air temperature and precipitation in Baghdad
Authors: Naif Salwa S. , Mahmood Dalia A. , Al-Jiboori Monim H.
Published: November 2020

The spatial distribution of urban vegetation cover is strongly related to climatological conditions, which play a vital role in urban cooling via shading and reducing ground surface temperature and effective strategy in mitigation urban heat island. Based on the Landsat satellite images, the quantitative normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was spatially mapped at two times for each year during 2008, 2013, 2019 in Baghdad. The NDVI values ranged from −1 to +1 with considering values larger than 0.2 indicate the dense healthy vegetation. In this study, the fractional areas of NDVI >0.2 were computed with their percentage. The responses of the NDVI during the growing seasons to two climate indices (i.e., air temperature and precipitation) were investigated. These climatic data obtained from the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology for the aforementioned years were used to explore the potential correlations between seasonal NDVI and above climate variables. The result shows that NDVI-derived vegetation growth patterns were highly correlated with their recording during the current growth seasons.
Mineral fertilizer use in land-scarce conditions: Case of Rwanda
Authors: Mugabo Josaphat Rusisiro , Tollens Eric , Chianu Jonas Nwankwo , Vanlauwe Bernard
Published: November 2020

This study was undertaken to investigate the use of mineral fertilizer by smallholder farmers in order to understand the set of factors influencing the decisions of smallholder farmers to use fertilizers in land-scarce conditions. Using descriptive analysis and the Cragg’s double-hurdle model, the study identified and analyzed factors that determine smallholder farmer adoption of mineral fertilizers and those that affect the intensity of household mineral fertilizer use. From factors that only influence the decision of smallholder farmers to use mineral fertilizers, distance to fertilizer market and livestock affects it negatively; while farmer association membership, landholding per capita, access to extension services and the size of household affect it positively. The variable “domestic assets” which is a proxy variable for smallholder farmers’ wealth affects only the intensity of use of mineral fertilizers. Literacy of head of household, share of potatoes sold and extension services have an effect on the probability of adoption and intensity of mineral fertilizer use. Improving smallholder farmers’ access to information (extension services and education) and increasing mineral fertilizer profitability through improving agricultural commodity markets are essential for raising both the adoption of mineral fertilizers and the extent of mineral fertilizer use among smallholder farmers in Rwanda.
High-power density induction machines with increased windings temperature
Authors: Laidoudi Aicha , Duchesne Stéphane , Morganti Fabrice , Velu Gabriel
Published: November 2020

The increase of the operating temperature of electrical machines is a major challenge in the context of the large-scale use of electricity in many industrial or individual applications such as mobility. Indeed, working at higher temperatures makes it possible to place electrical actuators in critical areas – such as aircraft engines, for example – and/or to significantly improve the power-to-weight ratio of the machine. For several applications (deep pumping, ventilation, etc.), the use of the induction machine is still preferred due to cost, simplicity and robustness essentially. The objective of this study is to estimate the possibilities of making a high-temperature squirrel cage induction machine. A significant increase in the operating temperature of a machine would indirectly allow us to envisage an increase in the current density in the active conductors and thus a significant improvement in the power-to-weight ratio. However, this is at the sacrifice of efficiency. The aim of this study is to evaluate this decrease in efficiency correlated with the increase in the temperature to find the best compromise according to the relevant applications. An analytic sizing model has been proposed for the prediction of losses, which will be coupled with a thermal model to predict the temperature in different parts of the machine. This study presents essential information on the influence of temperature on the parameters important for the performance of an induction machine.
Analytical study of air-gap surface force – application to electrical machines
Authors: Pile Raphaël , Le Besnerais Jean , Parent Guillaume , Devillers Emile , Henneron Thomas , Le Menach Yvonnick , Lecointe Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2020

The Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method is commonly used to accurately compute the global efforts, such as electromagnetic torque ripple and unbalanced electromagnetic forces in electrical machines. The MST has been extended to the estimation of local magnetic surface force for the vibroacoustic design of electrical machines under electromagnetic excitation. In particular, one common air-gap surface force (AGSF) method based on MST is to compute magnetic surface forces on a cylindrical shell in the air gap. However, the AGSF distribution depends on the radius of the cylindrical shell. The main contribution of this study is to demonstrate an analytic transfer law of the AGSF between the air gap and the stator bore radius. It allows us to quantify the error between the magnetic surface force calculated in the middle of the air gap and the magnetic force computed on the stator teeth. This study shows the strong influence of the transfer law on the computed tangential surface force distribution through numerical applications with induction and synchronous electrical machines. Finally, the surface force density at stator bore radius is more accurately estimated when applying the new transfer law on the AGSF.
Atomistic insight into the significantly enhanced photovoltaic cells of monolayer GaTe2
via two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures engineering
Authors: Opoku Francis , Govender Penny P.
Published: November 2020

Designing new van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures from various two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) materials shows outstanding properties, such as an ultrafast charge transfer process and strong interlayer interactions by combining the advantageous properties of the different TMD materials. In this study, using the density functional theory method, we systemically investigate the optical property, band alignment, electronic structures, interface charge transfer, mechanical properties and stability of MTe2/GaTe2 (M = Mo and W) vdW heterostructures as promising photovoltaic solar cells materials. In this work, gallium telluride and MTe2 were used as acceptors and donors in high-quality photovoltaic cells. The calculated binding energies suggest that they were energetically favourable and relatively easy to fabricate under suitable conditions. Moreover, the heterostructures possess exceptional characteristics of enhanced visible light absorption edge (∼104 cm−1), type-II band alignment and strong charge separation. The suitable band alignment leads to maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.43 and 22.91%, respectively, which was quite promising for photovoltaic solar cells. The high PCE could be due to the internal built-in electric field at the MTe2/GaTe2 interface, which induces efficient separation of charge carriers. This work offers theoretical support for the design and prediction of next-generation low-cost, highly efficient and promising materials for solar device applications.
Investigation of natural radionuclide and essential metal contents of ancient wheat einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) grown in Turkey
Authors: Sultan Dalal A.O. , Turhan Şeref , Kurnaz Aslı , Hançerlioğulları Aybaba , Kamberli Arzu K. , Emeksizoğlu Burcu
Published: November 2020

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) is accepted as the oldest known wheat. In this study, the natural radionuclide and essential metal contents of siyez samples collected from 21 different cultivation areas in Kastamonu province located in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey were determined by using non-destructive analytical methods. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th measured in siyez samples using a gamma-ray spectrometry were found as 181.3 ± 4.1, 10.0 ± 0.7 and 6.1 ± 0.2 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average annual effective radiation dose that the people are exposed to due to the consumption of siyez samples was estimated as 68.2 ± 3.1 µSv y−1. The average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn essential trace metals analyzed in einkorn samples using EDXRF spectrometry were found as 3.6 ± 0.2, 89.2 ± 1.2, 208.5 ± 62.6, 16.8 ± 0.6, 12.1 ± 0.1, 8.3 ± 0.2 and 65.3 ± 2.5 mg kg−1, respectively.
Analysis of the impact of left ventricular assist devices on the systemic circulation
Authors: Simakov Sergey S. , Timofeev Alexander E. , Gamilov Timur M. , Kopylov Philipp Yu. , Telyshev Dmitry V. , Vassilevski Yuri V.
Published: November 2020

In this work we analyze the impact of left ventricular assist devices on the systemic circulation in subjects with heart failure associated with left ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy. We use an integrated model of the left heart and blood flow in the systemic arteries with a left ventricular assist device. We study the impact of the rotation speed of the pump on haemodynamic characteristics of distal arteries. We identify the rotation speed for simultaneous recovery of the healthy average values in all systemic arteries, the heart and the aorta. Our numerical experiments show that blood distribution over the graph of systemic vessels does not depend on flow regimes in ascending aorta. We also observe that the optimal pump rotation speed changes in the atherosclerotic vascular network and depends on stenoses localization.
The “material function” in cinema: Resolving the paradox of the glitch
Authors: Betancourt Michael
Published: November 2020

Glitches pose expressive challenges for digital motion pictures. These problematics reveal a “material function” that determines their identification and prescribes their semantics on-screen. These issues of materiality are familiar from the ideological critiques of avant-garde film in the 1970s, but have not been explored in relation to the semiotics of digital cinema. Developing an understanding of these problematics shows the complex problematics of using glitches for critical and expressive purposes in motion pictures.
Smart objects in daily life: Tackling the rise of new life forms in a semiotic perspective*
Authors: Finocchi Riccardo , Perri Antonio , Peverini Paolo
Published: November 2020

Our everyday life is increasingly permeated with digital objects that carry out smart and complex functions. The latest (but certainly not final) advancement of smart digital applications – is to be identified the creation of a field, at once conceptual and material, of things denominated smart objects (henceforth SOs). This technological evolution is so pervasive that it is referred to as smartification. Smart objects have some distinctive features including in particular varying degrees of agency, autonomy and authority. There is no doubt that the SO category is extremely broad, various and intrinsically fuzzy, it is evident that the phenomenon is by no means easy to define: which objects are really smart and which are not? But above all: what do we mean in semio-linguistic, and not psychological nor merely phenomenological terms, when we attribute the qualifier smart to an artifact? What is clear is that a new, or at least different (and controversial) relationship is developing between objects and subjects, or rather between human beings and objects inhabiting the spaces of social action: that is, a new system of objects, to cite Baudrillard (1968), or a new “society of objects” (see Landowski and Marrone 2002). In this paper we will focus on a type of smart physical device designed to interact with its users in the domestic sphere, assisting them in a variety of tasks – such as for example Amazon Echo, capable of connecting to Alexa, an intelligent personal assistant based on machine learning, or the more recent Google Assistant. Our semiotic-oriented – or, more precisely, potentially socio-semiotic/ethno-semiotic – analysis will deal with these issues theoretically by concentrating on the problem of identity, which is anthropologically, but also and above all philosophically, sensitive. We shall look at the impact of technological devices on the perceptive/cognitive systems of human beings, starting with a reflection on the practices of interaction, signification and interpretation that also involve digital objects with a possible impact on everyday life.
Expression level of miRNAS in patients with gestational diabetes
Authors: Balci Senay , Gorur Aysegul , Derici Yıldırım Didem , Cayan Filiz , Tamer Lulufer
Published: November 2020

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which has been identified for the first time during pregnancy and is defined as glucose intolerance of varying degrees, is one of the prediabetes states that are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with pregnancy complications and are even necessary for the regulation of pancreatic development and glucose-induced insulin secretion. This study aims to investigate miRNAs expressed in maternal plasma to detect the availability as a biomarker in the diagnosis of GDM.

Methods

In this study, 30 pregnant women with GDM diagnosed according to GDM American Diabetes Association criteria and 30 healthy pregnant women were included and miRNA expression levels were investigated. Circulating 39 miRNAs were analyzed by qRT-PCR using 96.96 Dynamic Array IFCs.

Results

The findings showed that the expression level of miR-7-5p significantly upregulated when compared with healthy pregnant women with gestational diabetes (fold change:2.3, p<0.05).

Conclusions

There is controversy about what is the most appropriate test for GDM screening. Therefore, supported by further studies, miR-7-5p can be used for the diagnosis of GDM.
Modified hemispherectomy for infantile hemiparesis and epilepsy
Authors: Li Yu-Hui , Li Dong-Sheng , Wang Mei-Qing , Zhao Kai , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: November 2020

Objective

To investigate the effect and medical imaging of modified hemispherectomy on patients with infantile hemiparesis and medically refractory epilepsy.

Patients and methods

Forty-three patients with infantile hemiparesis and refractory epilepsy who underwent hemispherectomy were enrolled. The treatment effect and medical imaging were analyzed.

Results

Anatomical hemispherectomy was successfully performed in all patients (100%). In all patients, the muscular tension decreased and the contracted limbs relaxed. In the pathological examination of the resected brain tissue, secondary cicatricial gyri with concomitant cortical dysplasia was present in 36 cases and polycerebellar gyrus malformation and porencephalia in the other 7 cases. Followed up for 7–15 years (mean 11.3), all patients were alive without a long-term sequela. Epilepsy was satisfactorily controlled, with complete seizure relief in 39 cases (91%) classified as Engel I and basic control in the other 4 (9%) defined as Engel II. The posthemispherectomy medical imaging demonstrated that the intracranial space on the operative side shrank, and the healthy cerebral hemisphere shifted markedly toward the hemispherectomy side, with expanded lateral ventricle on the healthy side and thickened skull and enlarged frontal sinus on the operative side. After 4–5 years, the intracranial space on the operative side disappeared in 75% of the patients, demonstrating enlarged cerebral peduncle on the healthy side.

Conclusion

Further modified hemispherectomy in patients with infantile hemiparesis and medically refractory epilepsy demonstrated markedly ameliorated effects on epilepsy control and the prevention of superficial cerebral hemosiderosis in the long-term follow-up.
Aestheticscapes und joint speech als ästhetische Strategie
Authors: Koch Anne
Published: November 2020

Der Beitrag erläutert anhand von zwei Aestheticscapes einer charismatischen katholischen Gemeinschaft, wie mit unterschiedlichen ästhetischen Strategien das Erleben beeinflusst wird. Das hat zur Folge, dass die religiöse Botschaft multimedial intensiv und nachhaltig bei den Teilnehmenden verankert wird. Zentrale und in der Literatur schon gut belegte These ist, dass dies über den Zustand einer Absorption stattfinden kann. In den beiden Ritualsequenzen der Fallbeispiele sind es jeweils unterschiedliche Elemente aus den multimodalen Aestheticscapes, die den hypnotischen Zustand einführen, und unterschiedliche semantische Inhalte, die auf diese Weise in den ästhetischen Subjekten verankert werden. Wegen dieser impliziten ästhetischen Regulierung (governance) von Subjekten verändert das Ritual die Subjektivierungsform der Teilnehmenden und macht die kritische Analyse religionswissenschaftlich so geboten. Neu eingeführt wird als religionsästhetisches Konzept joint speech für die Analyse des Fürbittgebets für Stimme, Tönen, Sprechen, Singen allgemein.
Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of chlororuthenium(II) complexes with substituted Schiff base/phosphine ancillary ligands
Authors: Chen Chong , Wu Fule , Ji Jiao , Jia Ai-Quan , Zhang Qian-Feng
Published: November 2020

Treatment of [(η
6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2 with one equivalent of chlorodiphenylphosphine in tetrahydrofuran at reflux afforded a neutral complex [(η
6-p-cymene)RuCl2(κ
1-P-PPh2OH)] (1). Similarly, the reaction of [Ru(bpy)2Cl2·2H2O] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and chlorodiphenylphosphine in methanol gave a cationic complex [Ru(bpy)2Cl(κ
1-P-PPh2OCH3)](PF6) (2), while treatment of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with [2-(C5H4N)CH=N(CH2)2N(CH3)2] (L1) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature afforded a ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(PPh3)Cl2(κ
3-N,N,N-L1)] (3). Interaction of the chloro-bridged complex [Ru(CO)2Cl2]
n
with one equivalent of [Ph2P(o-C6H4)CH=N(CH2)2N(CH3)2] (L2) led to the isolation of [Ru(CO)Cl2(κ
3-P,N,N-L2)] (4). The molecular structures of the ruthenium(II) complexes 1–4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The properties of the ruthenium(II) complex 4 as a hydrogenation catalyst for acetophenone were also tested.
Structural elucidation and neuroprotective activities of lignans from the flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp.
Authors: Ma Qinge , Wei Rongrui , Zhang Xiaodong , Sang Zhipei , Dong Jianghong
Published: November 2020

Two new lignans, 3,4-(10-methoxy-phenylallyl)-9″-((10′-isopropanol-3′,4′-furan)-phenylacetyl)-8″-dioxane-7″-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 3,4-benzolactone-9″-((12′-isopropanol-3′,4′-furan)-phenylbutenone)-8″-dioxane-7″-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and nine known lignan derivatives (3–11) were isolated from the flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp. for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and MS data, as well as by comparison with those of the references. Compounds (1–11) were evaluated for their neuroprotective activities against 6-OHDA-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. As a result, compounds 1, 2, and 5 exhibited significant neuroprotective activities with IC50 values in the range of 3.08–6.12 μM.
Kinetic and thermodynamic studies for evaluation of adsorption capacity of fungal dead biomass for direct dye
Authors: Hassan Asma , Bhatti Haq Nawaz , Iqbal Munawar , Nazir Arif
Published: November 2020

This study focuses on evaluation of degradation aptitude of white rot fungus (Coriolus versicolor) against Indosol Turquoise FBL dye. The outcome of numerous parameters including pH, temperature, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, C/N ratio and effect of dye concentration were studied. Maximum decolorization (99.896%) of Indosol Turquoise FBL was obtained by C. versicolor under optimized conditions. After three days, the maximum dye degradation (98%) was observed at pH 4 and 30 °C. Six carbon sources fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, rice bran and wheat bran were used and 96.66% degradation was observed by maltose at its optimum growth concentration (0.1 g/100 mL). Various nitrogen sources were employed for decolorization but ammonium nitrate decolorized dye up to 98.05%. The activity of three different enzymes laccase, Lignin peroxidase (LiP) and Manganese peroxidase (MnP) were calculated. The dead biomass of White rot fungus (WRF) was used for biosorption experiments. Maximum q (36 mg/g) was obtained at pH 2, at 30 °C using 0.05 g biosorbent. An increase in the q value was observed with increase in dye concentration. Freundlich adsorption isotherm and pseudo second order kinetics were followed by the data. It can be concluded that C. versicolor could be an efficient source for degradation of dyes from industrial effluents.
Selective electromembrane extraction and sensitive colorimetric detection of copper(II)
Authors: Khan Wajid Ali , Arain Muhammad Balal , Bibi Hashmat , Tuzen Mustafa , Shah Nasrullah , Zada Amir
Published: November 2020

In this study, an extremely effective electromembrane extraction (EME) method was developed for the selective extraction of Cu(II) followed by Red-Green-Blue (RGB) detection. The effective parameters optimized for the extraction efficiency of EME include applied voltage, extraction time, supported liquid membrane (SLM) composition, pH of acceptor/donor phases, and stirring rate. Under optimized conditions, Cu(II) was extracted from a 3 mL aqueous donor phase to 8 µL of 100 mM HCl acceptor solution through 1-octanol SLM using an applied voltage of 50 V for 15 min. The proposed method provides a working range of 0.1–0.75 µg·mL−1 with 0.03 µg·mL−1 limit for detection. Finally, the developed technique was applied to different environmental water samples for monitoring environmental pollution. Obtained relative recoveries were within the range of 93–106%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) and enhancement factor (EF) were found to be ≤4.8% and 100 respectively. We hope that this method can be introduced for quantitative determination of Cu(II) as a fast, simple, portable, inexpensive, effective, and precise procedure.
A student and staff partnership in the development of a student directed independent learning toolkit
Authors: Draper Michael , Fisher Danielle
Published: November 2020

This case study offers reflection and evaluation on a student and staff partnership that utilises the principles of action research in the development of a practical toolkit to support directed independent learning by students. Since 2016, in an ongoing project under the auspices of the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law internship scheme, students have worked in partnership with members of staff to address the support for students’ development of independent learning skills to enable their full engagement with different university teaching styles. This project theme was chosen because it has the potential to have a significant impact on creating or supporting student confidence in students’ academic ability and associated mental wellbeing and sense of satisfaction and achievement. Students are best placed to provide solutions and inform the development of independent learning skills within a student-staff partnership project that facilitates active collaboration and the power to co-create.
Kemampuan Menulis Mahasiswa PBJ UNNES Semester 3 Tahun 2019/2020 (Penilaian Kemampuan Berdasarkan JF Standard)
Authors: Setiawati Ai Sumirah
Published: November 2020

The application of JF Standard in learning Japanese especially in the Sakubun Shochukyu course is new and needs to be evaluated how the achievement of it’s learning targets. This study aims to find out how the semester 3 students' abilities are in writing. The research uses a quantitative approach and the research data are discussed with descriptive techniques. To assess the results of student essays used essay grading rubric based on JF Standard with 4 grading levels namely ganbare, mousukoshi, dekimashita, and subarashii for each item assessed. The results showed that in general, the students' writing ability was in the "dekimashita" or “very good” category with the note that there were still some errors in using grammar. Statistically, 1 student has a very high ability, 4 students have high ability, 18 students have the medium ability, and the remaining 8 are students who have low ability.
Komparatif Makna Idiom ‘Ki’ dengan Idiom dalam Bahasa Indonesia ‘Hati’ Ditinjau dari Makna Leksikal – Kajian Linguistik Kognitif-
Authors: Prasetya Dany Buyung Yudha
Published: November 2020

This study trying to describe the relationship between lexical meaning and the idiomatical meaning of ‘ki’ in the Japanese language idioms  and ‘hati’in Indonesian language Idiom by using perspective of cognitive linguistic. This study classified as a basic research category, because this research was conducted to find new theories about how idioms get to motivated from the relationship between lexical meaning and idiomatic meaning in the cognitive linguistics point of view, finds differences and similarities between Japanese and Indonesian idioms. Then contrasted the idioms using the matching techniques of linguistics. From the analysis result, it can be seen that there are idioms from both languages that have different lexical meanings, but have similar idiomatic meanings. That happens because there are similarities between the point of view in looking at the ki and hati, even though there are cultural differences. It was also found that between ki idioms and hati, ki idioms have a more variants, in one category of idioms which has the same idiomatic meaning than hati idioms. Then from both ki idioms and hati idioms, some idioms show an extension of idiomatic meanings that are more broader than the basic idiomatic meanings, where it shows the emergence of polysemic meanings of some ki idioms and hati idioms.
Analisis Penggunaan Ungkapan Mengingatkan oleh Pembelajar Bahasa Jepang Berdasarkan Gender (Studi Terhadap Mahasiswa Bahasa Jepang di Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta)
Authors: Sanjaya Sonda , Minanda Rio
Published: November 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti penggunaan ungkapan mengingatkan (salah satu bentuk ungkapan permohonan) dalam bahasa Jepang yang digunakan oleh pembelajar bahasa Jepang berdasarkan gender. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif dengan data diperoleh melalui teknik simak bebas libat cakap dan catat melalui role play. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah sembilan mahasiswa tingkat III Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Jepang Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, 16 mahasiswa tingkat III Program Studi Sastra Jepang Universitas Gadjah Mada, dan delapan mahasiswa tingkat II Program Studi Bahasa Jepang Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (Vokasi UGM) Tahun Ajaran 2018/2019. Data penelitian ini terbagi menjadi empat kategori yaitu ungkapan mengingatkan yang diujarkan penutur laki-laki kepada mitra tutur laki-laki, ungkapan mengingatkan yang diujarkan penutur laki-laki kepada mitra tutur perempuan, ungkapan mengingatkan yang diujarkan penutur perempuan kepada mitra tutur perempuan, dan ungkapan mengingatkan yang diujarkan penutur perempuan kepada mitra tutur laki-laki. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan semantik formula Xu pada ungkapan mengingatkan yang diujarkan oleh pembelajar bahasa Jepang terdapat dua komponen yang digunakan yaitu komponen utama dan komponen pembantu. Dari seluruh data yang terkumpul dan dibagi ke dalam empat kategori di atas dapat disimpulkan bahwa tidak begitu ada perbedaan pengungkapan ungkapan mengingatkan yang dilakukan penutur laki-laki kepada mitra tutur yang bergender sama dan beda begitu pula yang dilakukan penutur perempuan kepada mitra tutur yang bergender sama maupun beda. Dari keempat kategori yang ada, semuanya memiliki komponen utama utama berupa pengingat permohonan dan komponen pembantu berupa penguat ingatan. Adapun komponen utama seperti penguat permohonan hanya terjadi pada dua percakapan yang dilakukan penutur laki-laki kepada mitra tutur perempuan. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan gender tidak memengaruhi cara pengungkapan mengingatkan pada penutur kepada mitra tutur.