bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of repeated oral doses of 2-hydroxybenzylamine acetate in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Pitchford Lisa M. , Driver Patricia M. , Fuller John C. , Akers Wendell S. , Abumrad Naji N. , Amarnath Venkataraman , Milne Ginger L. , Chen Sheau-Chiann , Ye Fei , Roberts L. Jackson , Shoemaker M. Benjamin , Oates John A. , Rathmacher John A. , Boutaud Olivier
Published: January 2020

Background

2-Hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) is a selective dicarbonyl electrophile scavenger being developed as a nutritional supplement to help protect against the development of conditions associated with dicarbonyl electrophile formation, such as the cognitive decline observed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of repeated oral doses of 2-HOBA acetate (500 or 750 mg) administered to healthy volunteers every eight hours for two weeks. The effects of 2-HOBA on cyclooxygenase function and cerebrospinal fluid penetrance of 2-HOBA were also investigated.

Results

Repeated oral administration of 2-HOBA was found to be safe and well-tolerated up to 750 mg TID for 15 days. 2-HOBA was absorbed within 2 h of administration, had a half-life of 2.10–3.27 h, and an accumulation ratio of 1.38–1.52. 2-HOBA did not interfere with cyclooxygenase function and was found to be present in cerebrospinal fluid 90 min after dosing.

Conclusions

Repeated oral administration of 2-HOBA was found to be safe and well-tolerated. These results support continued development of 2-HOBA as a nutritional supplement.

Trial registration

Studies are registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03555682 Registered 13 June 2018, NCT03554096 Registered 12 June 18).
Circadian disruption of core body temperature in trauma patients: a single-center retrospective observational study
Authors: Culver Aurélien , Coiffard Benjamin , Antonini François , Duclos Gary , Hammad Emmanuelle , Vigne Coralie , Mege Jean-Louis , Baumstarck Karine , Boucekine Mohamed , Zieleskiewicz Laurent , Leone Marc
Published: January 2020

Background

Circadian clock alterations were poorly reported in trauma patients, although they have a critical role in human physiology. Core body temperature is a clinical variable regulated by the circadian clock. Our objective was to identify the circadian temperature disruption in trauma patients and to determine whether these disruptions were associated with the 28-day mortality rate.

Methods

A retrospective and observational single-center cohort study was conducted. All adult severe trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Aix Marseille University, North Hospital, from November 2013 to February 2018, were evaluated. The variations of core body temperature for each patient were analyzed between days 2 and 3 after intensive care unit admission. Core body temperature variations were defined by three parameters: mesor, amplitude, and period. A logistic regression model was used to determine the variables influencing these three parameters. A survival analysis was performed assessing the association between core body temperature rhythm disruption and 28-day mortality rate. A post hoc subgroup analysis focused on the patients with head trauma.

Results

Among the 1584 screened patients, 248 were included in this study. The period differed from 24 h in 177 (71%) patients. The mesor value (°C) was associated with body mass index and ketamine use. Amplitude (°C) was associated with ketamine use only. The 28-day mortality rate was 18%. For all trauma patients, age, body mass index, intracranial hypertension, and amplitude were independent risk factors. The patients with a mesor value < 36.9 °C (p < 0.001) and an amplitude > 0.6 °C (p < 0.001) had a higher 28-day mortality rate. Among the patients with head trauma, mesor and amplitude were identified as independent risk factors (HR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.23–0.70], p = 0.001 and HR = 4.73, 95% CI [1.38–16.22], p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results highlight an association between core body temperature circadian alteration and 28-day mortality rate. This association was more pronounced in the head trauma patients than in the non-head trauma patients. Further studies are needed to show a causal link and consider possible interventions.
High vaccination coverage, inadequate knowledge and high vector density: Findings from a community-based cross-sectional study on Japanese Encephalitis in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Kyaw Pyae Phyo , Shewade Hemant Deepak , Kyaw Nang Thu Thu , Hnin Phyo Khaing , Lin Htar Htar , Kyaw Aye Mon Mon , Mya Mg Mg , Thaung Sein , Maung Maung Yan Naung
Published: January 2020

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne disease with high case fatality and no specific treatment. Little is known about the community’s (especially parents/guardians of children) awareness regarding JE and its vaccine in Yangon region, which bears the highest JE burden in Myanmar.

Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in Yangon region (2019) to explore the knowledge and perception of parents/guardians of 1-15 year-old children about JE disease, its vaccination and to describe JE vaccine coverage among 1-15 year-old children. We followed multi-stage random sampling (three stages) to select the 600 households with 1-15 year-old children from 30 clusters in nine townships. Analyses were weighted (inverse probability sampling) for the multi-stage sampling design.

Results: Of 600 parents/guardians, 38% exhibited good knowledge of JE, 55% perceived JE as serious in  children younger than 15 years and 59% perceived the vaccine to be effective. Among all the children in the 600 households, the vaccination coverage was 97% (831/855).

Conclusion: In order to reduce JE incidence in the community, focus on an intensified education program is necessary to sustain the high vaccine coverage in the community.
The Missing New Funds
Authors: Zhu Qifei
Published: January 2020

Many papers in the mutual fund literature rely on a sample that matches the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) mutual fund database with the fund holdings data from Thomson Reuters (TR) s12 database. I document that about 58% of newly founded U.S. equity mutual fund share classes in the CRSP mutual fund database from 2008 to 2015 cannot be matched to the TR database. Funds that are missing from the TR database tend to be smaller, have higher turnover ratios, receive higher fund flows, and have higher four-factor alphas. These differences are robust within same cohorts of funds. Index funds and exchange-traded funds are more likely to be omitted than actively managed funds.

This paper was accepted by Tyler Shumway, finance.
Quantitative Vulnerability Assessment: An Approach to Reduce Biases in Disaster Vulnerability Assessment
Authors: Karmokar Shikha , Mohin Md. Mintu , Islam Molla Karimul , Alam Md. Rezaul , Rahman Mohammad Mahfuzur
Published: January 2020

The cyclone vulnerability of women is much higher than men due to their poverty, social norms and marginal position in the social structure. Reducing women’s vulnerability is, therefore, imperative to improve the situation. However, the present practices of vulnerability assessment have several limitations. As an alternative, this study proposed and tested a weighted framework to assess the vulnerability in a quantitative form. The proposed framework considers 18 indicators carefully adapted from vulnerability literature. The indicator statuses were defined based on their vulnerability potentials and assigned an integer value. The higher the status value the greater the vulnerability potentials. The indicator’s status values were standardized, and their weights were estimated. The vulnerability scores for every indicator thereafter estimated by multiplying its status value by its weight. Finally, an individual’s vulnerability score was calculated by taking the average vulnerability scores of all the indicators. The framework was tested on 140 randomly selected cyclone-affected women from ten coastal villages of Bangladesh. The proposed scores-based vulnerability expresses the vulnerability status with an integer value easier to understand and allows spatial comparability. This framework could be improved further preferably through stakeholder consultations about the appropriateness of the indicators, indicator statuses, and their weights. An improved and well-agreed framework would assist in integrative policy formulation to reduce women’s vulnerability to cyclone disaster. Moreover, this approach could be adopted in vulnerability ranking/mapping for other disasters.
Seasonal Water Quality Study of Nche Stream, A Water Body in Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Majesty Duru , Christopher Alisa , Christian Ike , Emmanuel Akubugwo , Godwin Chinyere , Chimaraoke Onyeabo , Prince Odika , Paul Edeh , Eze Adindu
Published: January 2020

Seasonal variations water quality of Nche stream in carried out using standard methods. The study lasted between April, 2014-March, 2015. Results obtained revealed that pH of the Nche stream varied from 6.41-6.87 in rainy season to 5.50-6.10 in dry season. Mean values for total solid, total dissolved solid, and total suspended solid for rainy season were 208.32 mg/l, 91.81 mg/l, and 116.50 mg/l respectively, while 139.88 mg/l, 72.47 mg/l, and 67.40 mg/l were the respective mean values for total solid, total dissolved solid and total suspended solid in dry season. Bacterial isolates from the stream include Actinomyces sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Lactobacillus sp, Streptococcus sp., Achromobacter sp., Klebsilla sp., Salmonella sp., Escherichia sp., Acinetobactor sp., Serratia sp., Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., Vibrio sp., Shigellasp, Flavobacterium sp., Citrobacter sp., Micrococcus sp., and Pseudomonas sp., while saprophytic mould isolates were Penicilum sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Rhizopus sp., and Geotricum sp. Levels of cadmium for Nche stream from August to the rest of dry season as observed did not fall within WHO limit. Mean values of THBC, THUB, TCC, SCC, TVB, and TFC observed in the studied stream water were higher in rainy seasons than dry season and high than their respective WHO limits. The ability of cadmium heavy metal to accumulate in the body and the infective nature of the isolated organisms could pose a problem to the locals who consume water from this stream without further purification. There is need to inform the local population on the seasonal pollution status of Nche stream since they heavily depend on this stream as a source of domestic water. This study has evaluated the seasonal water quality of Nche stream, a water body in Imo State, Nigeria.
Spatial Variability in Physico-Chemical Parameters of Water in Lake Baringo Catchment, Kenya
Authors: Ochuka Molly A , Ikporukpo C.O. , Ogendi G.M. , Mijinyawa Y.
Published: January 2020

Anthropogenic activities have accelerated the process of eutrophication and threatened the health of aquatic ecosystems in Lake Baringo basin. This has necessitated the analysis of its spatial variation in its physico-chemical qualities. Physicochemical parameters from 10 sampling sites distributed throughout Lake Baringo catchment. Mean values of temperature were high at the river inlets and Islands compared to the rivers. While pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) were relatively constant across the sampling points, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were high at the inlets and Islands compared to the rivers, Total Nitrogen mg/ (TN), Nitrates (NO3-) Ammonia ( NH3 ), Total Phosphate (TP) Phosphate and Orthophosphate (OP) were relatively higher in the rivers compared to the inlets and Islands. Temperature ranged between (33.8oC) to (21.4 oC), pH (8.88) to (7.18), EC (543 µS/cm) to (224 µS/cm), TDS (433 mg/L) to (181mg/L), salinity (0.2ppt) to ( 0.01ppt), TN (9.98 mg/L ) to (1.32 mg/L), nitrate (5.11 mg/L) to (0.09 mg/L), NH4 (0.77 mg/L) to (0.09 mg/L), TP(2.91 mg/L) to (0.25 mg/L), OP (1.84 mg/L) to (0.09 mg/L). Nitrite values were below the detectable values <0.05. The result of the study revealed that Lake Basin is highly polluted and undergoing drastic eutrophication due to increased nutrient loading resulting in deterioration of the water quality.
The Integrated Quality Analysis of Sediment on BanjirKanal Barat River as the Basis of River Environment Management
Authors: Haeruddin Haeruddin , Supriharyono Supriharyono , Ghofar Abdul , Rahman Arif
Published: January 2020

There have been many studies on the pollution status of Banjir Kanal Barat (BKB) River; however, many of them are limited to the concentration of metals in the river water and their biodiversity of water biota, and partial analysis. The study aims to analyse the metal concentration in BKB river sediment, its toxic to water biota and the effect on the abundance and diversity of macrozoobenthos. The evaluation of pollution status is conducted with three components integrated approach. The sediments were collected from three sampling stations with three replications. While the community observation included abundance, diversity, evenness and dominance of macrozoobenthos. Toxicity testing had been carried out to observe the inhibition of the growth of Chlorella sp algae in pore water sediments and failure reburial of blood clams into the substrate/sediment. While the evaluation of pollution status was conducted in an integrated three components approach. The results showed that the concentrations of various metals in the sediment were varied. The concentration of metals in sediments were still within natural limits and identical to the reference station that was not polluted. The types of macrozoobenthos were found about nine genera with varying in abundance, diversity index, evenness index, and dominance index. The abundance, diversity index, evenness index, dominance index of macrozoobenthos at all stations were still identical with reference stations, which known was not polluted. Although pore water sediments and sediments from various stations caused inhibition of the growth of Chlorella sp and the failure reburial of blood clams, statistically analysis was not significantly different from the reference station. Overall it can be stated that the sediment quality in those three stations was still excellent, however, they need to be maintained.
O ENSINO MÉDIO BRASILEIRO E A LEI N.º 13.415 EM TEMPOS DE NEOLIBERALISMO: FORMAÇÃO PARA EMANCIPAÇÃO OU FORMAÇÃO PARA O MERCADO?
Authors: SANTOS DAYANNA Pereira , Carvalho Edson Silva , Oliveira Eudiane Nunes de
Published: January 2020

O artigo objetiva analisar as principais ações da política educacional para o Ensino Médio no contexto da Lei nº 13.415, sob a influência do neoliberalismo. Para se problematizar o objeto de estudo e abordar às questões de investigação, trabalhou-se com teóricos como Cunha (2005); Kuenzer (1997); Freitas (2018), Motta; Frigotto (2017).  Sob esse prisma, os documentos oficiais conexos a essas políticas foram mapeados e analisados problematizando os interesses políticos e econômicos em voga; as disputas ideológicas contemporâneas, conferindo atenção à flexibilização curricular e à concepção de competências no âmbito do ensino.  Os resultados permitiram identificar contradições nos discursos oficiais e na implantação e concretização das políticas de Ensino Médio, desvelando um distanciamento entre o pretendido e o realizado. Ademais, identificou-se que a proposta de criação dos IFs configura-se como possibilidade de superação do modelo formativo  economicista , na medida em que desenvolve um  processo formativo de unidade entre o trabalho, a ciência e a cultura.
PRODUÇÃO TEXTUAL NO ENSINO MÉDIO INTEGRADO: PRÁTICAS E DESAFIOS
Authors: De Moura Andrade Elisângela Ladeira , Fernandes Juliana Cristina da Costa , Santiago Léia Adriana da Silva
Published: January 2020

Este artigo busca levantar o panorama das produções científicas acerca da prática da produção textual nas turmas do ensino médio integrado à educação profissional, dos Institutos Federais, no que diz respeito à significação desta atividade em sala de aula. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, do tipo estado do conhecimento, cujas fontes são a Biblioteca Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, os Periódicos da CAPES e anais de eventos. Buscamos publicações que discutiram essa temática na perspectiva de formação omnilateral, proposta pelo ensino técnico integrado ao ensino médio. Pouco encontramos que relacionasse de fato a produção textual nesta proposta de ensino: duas dissertações de mestrado, dois artigos e uma publicação em anais de evento. Frente ao poder emancipador da prática da produção textual no espaço escolar, constatamos que o assunto foi pouco explorado, havendo, portanto, muito ainda a ser pesquisado e trabalhado, sobretudo no que se refere à formação docente.
Juventudes, Trabalho e Educação: uma tríade estruturante para o fenômeno da Juvenilização da EJA no Brasil?
Authors: Da Silva José Humberto
Published: January 2020

Este artigo trata-se de um estudo sobre a juventude brasileira, sua relação com o trabalho-educação, bem como sobre o processo de inserção de jovens na Educação de Jovens Adultos e o fenômeno da Juvenilização nessa modalidade de ensino. O caminho metodológico aglutinou método e técnicas de pesquisa numa abordagem que articulou dados quantitativos com fontes teóricas já produzidas. Entre os autores referenciados, destacam-se: Bourdieu (1983), Pais (1990), Alves (2008) Sposito (2002), Silva (2008, 2012), Haddad e Di Pierro (2000), Paiva (1987), Brunel (2004), Rummert (2007), entre outros. Acionou-se ao campo teórico o levantamento e análise na base de dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) – Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílio (PNAD) – e dados do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (INEP) – Ministério da Educação (MEC). O resultado e a análise, oriundos da triangulação dos dados, estão organizados, além da Introdução e Conclusão, em quatro seções, a saber: “Juventude: um conceito ainda em construção”; “Juventude(s) – tempo destinado para a escolarização?”; “Juventude Brasileira e sua relação com o Trabalho – Educação” e, por fim “Juvenilização da EJA”. Em linhas gerais, a pesquisa informa que a relação estabelecida pela juventude brasileira ao longo dos anos com o trabalho e a educação é estruturante para consolidação e permanência do fenômeno da Juvenilização da EJA.
O DECRETO Nº 2.208/1997 E A LEI Nº 13.415/2017: UMA REFLEXÃO PARA ALÉM DAS “COINCIDÊNCIAS”
Authors: SOUZA FRANCISCO DAS CHAGAS SILVA , Costa Júnior José Gerardo Bastos da , Souza Francisca Leidiana de , Lima Ana Paula Marinho de
Published: January 2020

As políticas para a educação brasileira têm sido marcadas pela dualidade. Em geral, estabelecem duas propostas de formação: uma, para a elite econômica e política; e outra, destinada aos trabalhadores e aos interesses do mercado. Neste artigo, discutimos o Decreto nº 2.208/1997 e a Lei nº 13.415/2017, comparando-os, visto que ambos estabeleceram reformas importantes na educação brasileira. A metodologia constou de uma revisão bibliográfica a partir de estudos elaborados por pesquisadores do campo Trabalho e Educação, quanto às suas análises acerca desses dois documentos. Constatamos que, apesar do espaço temporal de vinte anos entre os dois dispositivos legais, há muitas “coincidências” que só podem ser compreendidas a partir da adoção do ideário neoliberal pelos governos Fernando Henrique Cardoso e Michel Temer.
COMUNICAÇÃO EM PROJETOS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO GLOBAL DE SOFTWARE: A VISÃO DOS PRATICANTES
Authors: Majdenbaum Azriel , Chaves Marcirio
Published: January 2020

A distribuição no desenvolvimento de software está se tornando cada vez mais comum para economizar o custo de produção e reduzir o tempo de lançamento no mercado. Distância geográfica, diferentes fusos horários e diferenças culturais no desenvolvimento global de software (DGS) levam a uma comunicação fraca que afeta negativamente o projeto. É crítico buscar por melhores práticas em gestão da comunicação para melhorar a efetividade desses empreendimentos. O artigo apresenta uma análise exploratória sobre a visão de gestores de projetos seniores sobre a comunicação em DGS provendo um modelo conceitual para avaliar a utilização de comunicação passiva, além de um conjunto de boas práticas representadas por ações, comportamentos e ferramentas de tecnologia da informação e comunicação para contribuir com o sucesso desses projetos. WhatsApp e Slack se tornaram populares em DSG e os gestores de projetos demonstraram ser voltados a processos utilizando frameworks de gestão da comunicação presentes na literatura.
Editorial V.36,nº 107
Authors: G&R Editoria
Published: January 2020

Editorial
Emerging material systems for integrated optical Kerr frequency combs
Authors: Kovach Andre , Chen Dongyu , He Jinghan , Choi Hyungwoo , Dogan Adil Han , Ghasemkhani Mohammadreza , Taheri Hossein , Armani Andrea M.
Published: January 2020

The experimental realization of a Kerr frequency comb represented the convergence of research in materials, physics, and engineering. This symbiotic relationship continues to underpin efforts in comb innovation today. While the initial focus developing cavity-based frequency combs relied on existing microresonator architectures and classic optical materials, in recent years, this trend has been disrupted. This paper reviews the latest achievements in frequency comb generation using resonant cavities, placing them within the broader historical context of the field. After presenting well-established material systems and device designs, the emerging materials and device architectures are examined. Specifically, the unconventional material systems as well as atypical device designs that have enabled tailored dispersion profiles and improved comb performance are compared to the current state of art. The remaining challenges and outlook for the field of cavity-based frequency combs are evaluated.
In vitro monitoring of photoinduced necrosis in HeLa cells using digital holographic microscopy and machine learning
Authors: Belashov A. V. , Zhikhoreva A. A. , Belyaeva T. N. , Kornilova E. S. , Salova A. V. , Semenova I. V. , Vasyutinskii O. S.
Published: January 2020

Digital holographic microscopy supplemented with the developed cell segmentation and machine learning and classification algorithms is implemented for quantitative description of the dynamics of cellular necrosis induced by photodynamic treatment in vitro. It is demonstrated that the developed algorithms operating with a set of optical, morphological, and physiological parameters of cells, obtained from their phase images, can be used for automatic distinction between live and necrotic cells. The developed classifier provides high accuracy of about 95.5% and allows for calculation of survival rates in the course of cell death.
Multihop nondestructive teleportation via different nonmaximally entangled channels
Authors: Fu Fenxiang , Jiang Min
Published: January 2020

We propose a teleportation scheme for nondestructively transmitting an unknown qudit state between two remote communication parties that are linked by sequential Bell pairs. With independent and simultaneous entanglement swapping among the intermediate nodes, a direct entangled channel between the source node and the destination node is established. Our scheme preserves the initial unknown state even if the teleportation fails. Different nonmaximally entangled channels are distributed among the participants so that the quantum channel requirement is reduced. In addition, the communication delay is reduced significantly since the measuring and the transmitting are conducted simultaneously by the intermediate nodes.
Second-harmonic generation of asymmetric Bessel-Gaussian beams carrying orbital angular momentum
Authors: Dai Kunjian , Li Wenzhe , Morgan Kaitlyn S. , Li Yuan , Miller J. Keith , Watkins Richard J. , Johnson Eric G.
Published: January 2020

Nonlinear processes of laser beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) offer a means to generate new wavelengths and to manipulate OAM charge numbers. We demonstrate the second-harmonic generation (SHG) of asymmetric Bessel-Gaussian (BG) beams carrying OAM of both integer and fractional charge numbers. Experimental results show a good one-to-one correspondence of the charge numbers and compliance with the OAM conservation law. The SHG conversion process and efficiency with different combined charge numbers are also discussed.
Optical-field topological phase transition in nonlinear frequency conversion
Authors: Zhang Wang , Tang Jie , Ming Yang , Zhang Chao , Lu Yanqing
Published: January 2020

The topological effects accompanied by phase structuring during the interaction between optical fields and nonlinear crystals are presented and demonstrated. The topological phase transition in the optical field is determined during the quasi-phase matched second harmonic frequency conversion process. The mapping relationship between the corresponding topological invariant and the phase parameters is derived, and two critical transition points are obtained. The transition of the total orbital angular momentum (OAM) in the propagation direction is verified to be the physical origin of this topological regulation through OAM spectrum analysis. This work provides a new perspective for examining nonlinear light-matter interaction, which can inspire promising applications in structured light generation and optical information processing.
Multipole gap solitons in fractional Schrödinger equation with parity-time-symmetric optical lattices
Authors: Zhu Xing , Yang Feiwen , Cao Shulei , Xie Jiaquan , He Yingji
Published: January 2020

We investigate the existence and stability of in-phase three-pole and four-pole gap solitons in the fractional Schrödinger equation supported by one-dimensional parity-time-symmetric periodic potentials (optical lattices) with defocusing Kerr nonlinearity. These solitons exist in the first finite gap and are stable in the moderate power region. When the Lévy index decreases, the stable regions of these in-phase multipole gap solitons shrink. Below a Lévy index threshold, the effective multipole soliton widths decrease as the Lévy index increases. Above the threshold, these solitons become less localized as the Lévy index increases. The Lévy index cannot change the phase transition point of the PT-symmetric optical lattices. We also study transverse power flow in these multipole gap solitons.
Active quenching of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors
Authors: Ravindran Prasana , Cheng Risheng , Tang Hong , Bardin Joseph C.
Published: January 2020

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are typically biased using a constant current source and shunted in a conductance that is over an order of magnitude larger than the peak normal domain conductance of the detector. While this design choice is required to ensure quenching of the normal domain, the use of a small load resistor limits the pulse amplitude, rising-edge slew rate, and recovery time of the detector. Here, we explore the possibility of actively quenching the normal domain, thereby removing the need to shunt the detector in a small resistance. We first consider the theoretical performance of an actively quenched superconducting nanowire single photon detector and, in comparison to a passively quenched device, we predict roughly an order of magnitude improvement in the slew rate and peak voltage achieved in this configuration. The experimental performance of actively and passively quenched superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are then compared. It is shown that, in comparison to a passively quenched device, the actively quenched detectors simultaneously exhibited improved count rates, dark count rates, and timing jitter.
Generation of second harmonic Bessel beams through hybrid meta-axicons
Authors: Long Hua , Niu Le , Wang Kai , Zhao Wenchao , Hong Xuanmiao , Liu Weiwei , Wang Bing , Lu Peixiang
Published: January 2020

Bessel beams are of great potential applications in many fields due to their non-diffraction and self-reconstruction. Here we firstly present a type of nonlinear meta-axicon to generate second harmonic Bessel beams. The nonlinear meta-axicons are based on Au/WS2 hybrid nanostructures. Zero-order and first-order Bessel beams of second harmonic are generated under exciting of 810 nm femtosecond laser. In addition, the performances of the nonlinear meta-axicons, such as the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency, non-diffracting distance and full width at half maximum (FWHM) are analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results are consistent with the predicted, which can enable miniaturized nonlinear optical devices related to generate nonlinear Bessel beams, having potential application in nonlinear optical manipulation, imaging and tractor beams.
Contrast gain through simple illumination control for wide-field fluorescence imaging of scattering samples
Authors: Cheng Zongyue , Sun Shiyi , Gan Wenbiao , Cui Meng
Published: January 2020

Wide field fluorescence microscopy is the most commonly employed fluorescence imaging modality. However, a major drawback of wide field imaging is the very limited imaging depth in scattering samples. By experimentally varying the control of illumination, we found that the optimized illumination profile can lead to large contrast improvement for imaging at a depth beyond four scattering path lengths. At such imaging depth, we found that the achieved image signal-to-noise ratio can rival that of confocal measurement. As the employed illumination control is very simple, the method can be broadly applied to a wide variety of wide field fluorescence imaging systems.
Comparison of interpolation-based sampling frequency offset compensation schemes for practical OFDM-VLC systems
Authors: Hu Qingqing , Jin Xianqing , Liu Weijie , Guo Dewen , Jin Meiyu , Xu Zhengyuan
Published: January 2020

Sampling frequency offset (SFO) is an important issue in the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based visible light communication (VLC) systems with low-cost analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converters (ADCs/DACs). A digital interpolation or resampling filter can be used to effectively compensate the SFO. In such case, oversampling at the receiver ADC is required to mitigate the aliasing effect due to imperfect DACs and nonlinearity of visible light sources that cause extra frequency components inside/outside the OFDM signal spectrum. The oversampling factor (rate) is mainly determined by the order of the digital interpolation filter and nonlinear VLC links. The design of the OFDM-VLC receiver incorporating the digital interpolation filter is vital as it affects not only the transmission performance but also the complexity of digital signal processing (DSP). To evaluate the feasibility of the digital interpolation-based SFO compensation schemes for cost-sensitive VLC applications, in this paper, a real-time OFDM-VLC receiver incorporating the 2nd/3rd/4th order interpolation filters is experimentally demonstrated. An OFDM frame structure is designed for the synchronization including SFO estimation and compensation, in which the precision and latency of DSP are considered. On the basis of the real-time OFDM-VLC receiver, the comparison in the VLC transmission performance and DSP complexity between different interpolation-based SFO compensation schemes is discussed.
Multi-soliton formation in femtosecond degenerate optical parametric oscillators
Authors: Ning Chengxiao , Zhang Zhaowei
Published: January 2020

Multi-soliton formation is observed theoretically and experimentally in femtosecond degenerate optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). We show that when the pulse energy of the pump source of a femtosecond OPO is increased to a certain level, the existing soliton will move towards the leading edge of pump pulses due to the enhanced nonlinear acceleration, and the undepleted pump energy will support the generation of more solitons. We have successfully observed the generation of double solitons and triple solitons in experimental demonstrations with the measured pulse characteristics agreeing well with the theoretical ones. The generation of multi-soliton sources may stimulate many novel applications, including data storage, telecommunication, and all-optical signal processing.
480-nm distributed-feedback InGaN laser diode for 10.5-Gbit/s visible-light communication
Authors: Holguin-Lerma Jorge A. , Kong Meiwei , Alkhazragi Omar , Sun Xiaobin , Khee Ng Tien , Ooi Boon S.
Published: January 2020

In this Letter, we demonstrate a novel distributed-feedback (DFB) InGaN-based laser diode with narrow-linewidth emission at

∼

480

n
m

(sky blue) and its application to high-speed visible-light communication (VLC). A significant side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of 42.4 dB, an optical power of

∼

14

m
W

, and a resolution-limited linewidth of

∼

34

p
m

were obtained under continuous-wave operation. A 5-Gbit/s VLC link was realized using non-return-to-zero on–off keying modulation, whereas a high-speed 10.5-Gbit/s VLC data rate was achieved by using a spectral-efficient 16-quadrature-amplitude-modulation orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing scheme. The reported high-performance sky-blue DFB laser is promising in enabling unexplored dense wavelength-division multiplexing schemes in VLC, narrow-line filtered systems, and other applications where single-frequency lasers are essential such as atomic clocks, high-resolution sensors, and spectroscopy. Single-frequency emitters at the sky-blue wavelength range will further benefit applications in the low-path-loss window of underwater media as well as those operating at the H-beta Fraunhofer line at

∼

486

n
m

.
Forecasting head lice (Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation incidence hotspots based on spatial correlation analysis in Northwest Iran
Authors: Adham Davoud , Moradi-Asl Eslam , Abazari Malek , Saghafipour Abedin , Alizadeh Parisa
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim: Pediculus humanus capitis has been prevalent throughout the world, especially in developing countries among elementary students and societies with a weak socio-economic status. This study aimed to forecast head lice (Pediculidae: P. capitis) infestation incidence hotspots based on spatial correlation analysis in Ardabil Province, Northwest Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analytical study, all cases of head lice infestations who were confirmed by Centers for Disease Control office have been studied from 2016 to 2018. Head lice infestation incidence hotspots in the province should be detected based on general G statistics in ArcMap GIS10.4.1. Furthermore, MaxEnt.3.3.3 model was used for modeling the high-risk areas.

Results: The prevalence rate of pediculosis was 14.90/100,000 populations. The general G statistics revealed that the head lice infestation in this study area has a high cluster pattern. The analysis showed that the Parsabad and Germi counties were identified as a head lice infestation incidence hotspots. Statistical and spatial analyses of head lice infestation incidence showed a significant positive correlation with head lice infestation incidence hotspots and the altitudes (15-500 m), annual temperature range (14-16.5°C), and slope and average diurnal temperature (12-18°C).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the most ecologically suitable areas of head lice occurrence were identified in two hotspots (Parsabad and Germi) in the Northern areas of Ardabil Province (Parsabad and Germi counties); in the borderline of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Long-Term Storage of Small Natural History Specimens Using Gelatin Capsules: A Case Study from the Royal Alberta Museum
Authors: Tirlea Diana , Li Carmen , Beaudoin Alwynne B. , Moffat Emily
Published: January 2020

Museums use gelatin capsules to store small objects and specimens, despite limited documentation of their long-term viability. The Royal Alberta Museum (RAM of Canada) uses gelatin capsules to store seeds, bones, and plant material because of their ease of use, transparency, soft-bodied walls, size availability, and low cost. Recently, RAM staff reported damaged capsules from the palaeontology collections. We evaluated 499 capsules used to store specimens accessioned in 1986 and 1988 and investigated capsule properties using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Oddy testing. Only 4.21% of inspected capsules were dented, cracked, and/or fractured. Based on interviews and testing, we determined that damage to capsules likely resulted during handling (i.e., applied force when opening). We conclude that gelatin capsules offer a good, inexpensive method for long-term storage of small, dried specimens in environmentally controlled conditions. Alternatives to gelatin capsules exist, although their pros and cons require evaluation before use. All storage methods require continuous monitoring for signs of container or specimen deterioration.
Kompetensi Manajerial Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Etos Kerja Tenaga Kependidikan di SMA N 2 Lhoknga Aceh Besar
Authors: Rahmi Sri
Published: January 2020

The managerial expertise possessed by school principal, such as the ability to lead, to actuate, to plan and to interact with his/her subordinates is a major factor in achieving the success of the planned programs. School principals should be able to develop a high level of cooperation and work ethic among their subordinates. This article aims to analyse the types of school principal’s managerial expertise and the work ethihc of the teaching staff at State Senior High School 2 Lhoknga, Aceh Besar. The qualitative data was collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The result shows that the managerial expertises of the principal of State Senior High School 2 Lhoknga includes skills as educator, manager, administrator, supervisor, leader and motivator. The implementation of the expertise went well in accordance with the existing duties,  from the planning to the  evaluation process. However, the work ethic of the teaching staff has not been running optimally due to two factors, i.e., (1) internal factor which relates to cultural diversity and various; educational-economy-social background; and (2)External factor which relates to wages, work climate, inculcation of attitudes, and time owned by the educational staff.
Optimizing databases by learning hidden parameters of solid state drives
Authors: Kakaraparthy Aarati , Patel Jignesh M. , Park Kwanghyun , Kroth Brian P.
Published: January 2020

Solid State Drives (SSDs) are complex devices with varying internal implementations, resulting in subtle differences in behavior between devices. In this paper, we demonstrate how a database engine can be optimized for a particular device by learning its hidden parameters. This can not only improve an application's performance, but also potentially increase the lifetime of the SSD. Our approach for optimizing a database for a given SSD consists of three steps:
learning
the hidden parameters of the device,
proposing rules
to analyze the I/O behavior of the database, and
optimizing
the database by eliminating violations of these rules.

We obtain two different characteristics of an SSD, namely the
request size profile
and the
location profile
, from which we learn multiple internal parameters. Based on these parameters, we propose rules to analyze the I/O behavior of a database engine. Using these rules, we uncover sub-optimal I/O patterns in SQLite3 and MariaDB when running on our experimental SSDs. Finally, we present three techniques to optimize these database engines: (1)
use-hot-locations
on SSD-S, which improves the SELECT operation throughput of SQLite3 and MariaDB by 29% and 27% respectively; it also improves the performance of YCSB on MariaDB by 1%-22% depending on the workload mix, (2)
write-aligned-stripes
on SSD-T, reduces the wear-out caused by SQLite3 write-ahead log (WAL) file by 3.1%, and (3)
contain-write-in-flash-page
on SSD-T, which reduces the wear-out caused by the MariaDB binary log file by 6.7%.
Nonisothermal Cold Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(lactic acid)/Bacterial Poly(hydroxyoctanoate) (PHO)/Talc
Authors: Alhaddad Omaima , El-Taweel Safaa H. , Elbahloul Yasser
Published: January 2020

The effects of bacterial poly(hydroxyoctanoate) (PHO) and talc on the nonisothermal cold crystallization behaviours of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were analysed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the thermal stability of the samples was observed with thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The modified Avrami’s model was used to describe the nonisothermal cold crystallization kinetics of neat PLA and its blends. The activation energies E for nonisothermal cold crystallization were calculated by the isoconversional method of Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS). The DSC results showed that the PLA/PHO blends were immiscible in the whole studied range, and as the PHO and talc content increased, the crystallization rate of PLA accelerated, and the crystallinity of PLA in the PLA samples increased. The values of the Avrami exponent indicated that the nonisothermal cold crystallization of the neat PLA and its blends exhibited heterogeneous, three-dimensional spherulitic growth. The E values were strongly dependent on PHO and talc. The TGA results showed that the presence of PHO and talc slightly influenced the thermal stability of PLA.
Effect of granulometric distribution on electromagnetic shielding effectiveness for polymeric composite based on natural graphite
Authors: Portes R. C. , Lopes B. H. K. , do Amaral Junior M. A. , Florez-Vergara D. E. , Quirino S. F. , Baldan M. R.
Published: January 2020

In this study, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of polymer composites based on natural graphite in flakes (NGF) and silicone rubber was investigated with the aim to contribute to the development of the technology of electromagnetic shielding materials. This topic has attracted great attention to the aeronautical and aerospace applications, due to the serious problems that EMI can cause to the functioning of electronic devices. According to this, the present work has produced samples of composite materials with variations on the sizes of the filler particles and composition of the samples. The electromagnetic characterization of the samples is given by the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) in the X-band frequency range (8.2 – 12.4 GHz). The results indicate that the variation of particle sizes is determinant to the SE performance along with the X-band frequency range. Furthermore, the expansion of the range of granulometry allows controlling the curves of the peaks along the X-band.
Ultra Short Baseline (USBL) Calibration for Positioning of Underwater Objects
Authors: Septyanto Bagus , Nurdiana Dian , Saptari Sitti Ahmiatri
Published: January 2020

In general, surface positioning using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS). Many satellites transmit radio signals to the surface of the earth and it was detected by receiver sensors into a function of position and time. Radio waves really bad when spreading in water. So, the underwater positioning uses acoustic wave. One type of underwater positioning is USBL. USBL is a positioning system based on measuring the distance and angle. Based on distance and angle, the position of the target in cartesian coordinates can be calculated. In practice, the effect of ship movement is one of the factors that determine the accuracy of the USBL system. Ship movements like a pitch, roll, and orientation that are not defined by the receiver could changes the position of the target in X, Y and Z coordinates. USBL calibration is performed to detect an error angle. USBL calibration is done by two methods. In USBL calibration Single Position obtained orientation correction value is 1.13 ̊ and a scale factor is 0.99025. For USBL Quadrant calibration, pitch correction values is -1.05, Roll -0.02 ̊, Orientation 6.82 ̊ and scale factor 0.9934 are obtained. The quadrant calibration results deccrease the level of error position to 0.276 - 0.289m at a depth of 89m and 0.432m - 0.644m at a depth of 76m
FINAL PIT PLANNING COAL MINING IN 16 PHASE 2 SEAMS IN PT. KTC COAL MINING & ENERGY, KECAMATAN. PALARAN, SAMARINDA, EAST KALIMANTAN
Authors: Haryono Ahmad Fauzan
Published: January 2020

Mining stage design which is a complex problem in terms of three-dimensional geometry that is always changing, then in this thesis the pit limit, mine sequence design or mining stages are in accordance with the tolerance stripping ratio recommended by the company and the production equipment to be used in order to obtain production targets the optimal. The research was conducted using software to design the final pit and block model method to calculate the volume. The results of the research that have been carried out obtained 752,930 MT of mined reserves and Over Burden (OB) volumes of 4,439,394 BCM and Stripping Ratio (SR).
Analisis Karakterisasi Teknologi Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Dan Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
Authors: Bawahab Fawzan Galib Abdul Karim , Yuniarti Elvan , Kurniawan Edi
Published: January 2020

Abstrak. Pada penelitian ini, telah dilakukan analisa karakterisasi pada teknologi Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum dan Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, sebagai salah satu teknik multiple-access pada sistem komunikasi. Karakterisasi dilakukan untuk mencari bagaimana cara meningkatkan keoptimalan kedua sistem tersebut, dalam mengatasi masalah interferensi dengan sistem dan channel yang sama. Dan juga untuk menentukan veriabel apa yang mempengaruhi keoptimalan kedua sistem tersebut. Karakterisasi dilakukan dengan menentukan variabel-variabel yang mempengaruhi keoptimalan keduanya. Hasil dari karakterisasi, diketahui variabel-variabel yang mempengaruhi kemampuan sistem DSSS yaitu nilai frekuensi spreading (). Sedangkan untuk sistem FHSS yaitu nilai frekuensi spreading ( dan ) dan selisih antara frekuensi hopping data dengan frekuensi hopping interferensi . Kata Kunci: BER, DSSS, FHSS, Interference, Spread spectrum. Abstract. In this study, characterization of Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technologies have been done, as one of the multiple-access techniques in communication systems. Characterization is done to find out how to improve the ability of the two systems, in solving interference problems with the same system and channel. And also to determine what veriabel affects the ability of the two systems. Characterization is done by determining the variables that affect the ability of both. The results of the characterization, known variables that affect the ability of the DSSS system are the spreading frequency value (). As for the FHSS system, the spreading frequency value ( and ) and the difference between frequency hopping data with frequency hopping interference .
Egalitarian Democracy between Elitism and Populism
Authors: Cerovac Ivan
Published: January 2020

In his influential book Disagreement: Politics and Philosophy Jacques Ranciere builds a substantial critique of liberal regimes present in most Western countries. He finds them defective because: (1) they allow wealth and economic power of groups and individuals to influence public decision-making, making those with economic power an elite group; (2) they allow knowledge and expertise of groups and individuals to influence public decision-making, making those with epistemic power an elite group; (3) they allow and encourage social and economic conditions that make people inappropriate for decision-making on important issues, making those with certain characteristics thus acquired an inferior group. We focus on the Ranciere’s second objection by relying on Estlund’s epistemic proceduralis approach and claim that one does not have to embrace postmodernist idea of reducing reason to relations of power in order to present a substantial critique of our contemporary society. Furthermore, we argue that one does not have to base egalitarian democracy on postmodernist ideas that reject the truth-tracking potential of democratic procedures – egalitarian democracy is perfectly compatible with the idea of truth in politics.