bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crane-Less, Diver-Less Platform Decommissioning Vessel to Reduce Cost and Enhance Safety and Efficiency
Authors: Choudhary Anuj , Howes-Roberts Morgan
Published: November 2018

Conventional methods of offshore platform and infrastructure removal have relied heavily on floating cranes and diver intervention. This has led to high cost, significant number of support vessels in the vicinity of the operation and risks associated with manned diving.

This paper will attempt to show an alternative vision based on innovative technology to:

Enhance safety by using ROVs instead of manned diving and also to reduce the number of vessels employed in any given scenario thus reducing risks associated with SIMOPS. Improve the operational window. Crane vessels normally require good weather, low wave height and swell and low wind speed. The presented alternative has far less weather demands. Reduce time (and thus cost) on site due to the capability of the proposed design. Enhance efficiency as design is suitable for all offshore infrastructure removal including complete topsides, complete jacket or reduced number of jacket lifts, subsea pipeline, pipe and flexibles, mattresses and other subsea infrastructure within vessel lift capability.
A Comparative Study: Rig v/s Rigless Abandonment in Western Indian Offshore
Authors: Mittal Anish , Gupta Utkarsh , Upadhyay Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2018

With most of the major fields in the western off-shore of India being mature, the niche domain of well decommissioning is all set to experience its peak. The recent trends in the decommissioning industry indicate operators around the globe shifting towards fit-for-purpose alternatives to the conventional rig based decommissioning. However, with the day rates of Jack-up rigs slashed down to 35-40% of that of the pre-downturn period, entails us to revisit the strategy regarding the selection of the method for decommissioning. Therefore, this paper presents a framework that encompasses various parameters which serve as a guide to select an optimal method for a platform based well decommissioning.

The paper initializes by detailing the associated parameter ‘Platform Specifications’ comprising of platform's layout (available free space and various Rigless packages’ footprint), load-bearing capacity and material handling capacity of the platform. Following which, the paper contrasts rig based and Rigless Well decommissioning on three critical domains of project management- [1] Operational constraints, [2] Time constraints and [3] Economic constraints, henceforth presenting a synthetic technoeconomic analysis for a platform based well decommissioning project.

Inferring from the synthetic techno-economic analysis, the paper concludes that there are no visible cost benefits of selecting Rigless decommissioning over rig based decommissioning. The time and cost involvement in platform modification (if any) for undergoing Rigless approach, assimilated with the principle of economies of scale (in terms of wells spread over large number of platforms in the field undergoing decommissioning) and the ability to handle known and unknown uncertainties due to limited firsthand experience, further supports the rig based approach for platform-based well decommissioning in the current market.

The paper re-establishes rig based approach as a potential solution for dry tree wells decommissioning and challenges the cost-effectiveness of Rigless solutions for decommissioning available in the market, owing to techno-economic viability and risk optimization in the current market scenario in the western Indian offshore region. Further, with subsequent knowledge sharing from operators having experience in both Rigless and Rig based abandonment on comparable platform layouts and well specifications in the region, the industry will tend to standardize and gain proficiency to develop a sustainable approach to well decommissioning.
Operation and Performance of Slocum Field Thermal Recovery Project
Authors: Hall A. L. , Bowman R. W.
Published: November 2018

Shell Oil Company's Slocum Thermal Recovery Project is successfully recovering 19° API oil from the 500 foot deep Carrizo sand. In the eight years prior to initiation of steam injection, primary production recovered only 300,000 barrels of oil, or about 1 percent of the original oil-in-place. Three years of full scale operation have recovered 1.4 million barrels of oil, representing 4.7 percent of the original oil-in-place.

After pilot testing, injection was started into seven, 13-spot patterns in March 1967. To date, 13 additional patterns have been installed. The low injectivity of the oil sand precludes conventional water or steam drive processes; however, the underlying water layer provides a path for efficient heat communication and steam injection.

Among the problems encountered in this thermal operation are dehydration of complex emulsions, restricted hot well production performance, production of hydrogen sulfide gas, and production of organic solids.
Herbicide Regimens for Creeping Bentgrass Control in Kentucky Bluegrass
Authors: Elmore Matthew T. , Murphy James A. , Park Bradley S.
Published: November 2018

Creeping bentgrass (CBG; Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a problematic weed of cool-season turfgrass. The herbicide mesotrione is often used for selective control, but CBG often recovers from sequential applications. Research evaluated the efficacy of mesotrione-based sequential application regimens for CBG control in kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) over a 2-year period. In two separate experiments, identical herbicide regimens were initiated in Oct. 2014 or May 2015 and then reapplied to the same plots in Oct. 2015 or May 2016, respectively. Regimens consisted of various sequential application regimens of mesotrione alone (totaling 560 g·ha–1 annually), three sequential applications of mesotrione (175 g·ha–1) tank-mixed with either triclopyr ester (560 or 1120 g·ha–1) or amicarbazone (50 or 100 g·ha–1), and topramezone (32 or 37 g·ha–1) tank-mixed with triclopyr ester (1120 g·ha–1). At the end of each 2-year experiment, the most effective treatments did not eliminate CBG completely. Among treatment regimens initiated in the fall, the most effective treatments reduced CBG cover 49% to 73% at the conclusion of the experiment in Oct. 2016. At the conclusion of the spring experiment in May 2017, the most effective treatments reduced CBG cover 66% to 94%. Topramezone + triclopyr tank mixtures were less effective than mesotrione-containing treatments on most dates. Mesotrione + amicarbazone tank mixtures reduced CBG more effectively than mesotrione alone, but these tank mixtures also caused severe kentucky bluegrass injury. CBG cover reductions from mesotrione + triclopyr tank mixtures and mesotrione alone were generally similar. Among mesotrione-only regimens, there were no consistent differences in CBG cover reduction. This research indicates that turf managers using a selective herbicide regimen to control CBG in kentucky bluegrass should apply mesotrione at the maximum annual use rate (560 g·ha–1) in two to four sequential applications at 2- to 3-week intervals.
Using Market Segmentation Analysis to Identify Consumer Preferences for Fresh Peach Attributes
Authors: Zhou Ruchen , Yue Chengyan , Zhao Shuoli , Gallardo R. Karina , McCracken Vicki , Luby James J. , McFerson James R.
Published: November 2018

Consumer preferences for attributes of fresh peach fruit in the United States are largely unknown on a national basis. We used a choice experiment to explore market segmentation based on consumer heterogeneous preference for fruit attributes including external color, blemish, firmness, sweetness, flavor, and price. We collected the data using an online survey with 800 U.S. consumers. Using a latent class logit model, we identified three segments of consumers differing by different sets of preferred quality attributes: experience attribute-oriented consumers, who valued fruit quality (48.8% of the sample); search attribute-oriented consumers, who valued fruit appearance (33.7% of the sample); and balanced consumers, who considered search attributes and experience attributes but who valued each in a balanced way (17.5% of the sample). Each group demonstrated differentiated demographics and purchasing habits. The results have important marketing implications for peach breeders and suppliers.
Rain Garden Sedges Tolerate Cyclical Flooding and Drought
Authors: Nelson Randy S. , McGinnis Esther E. , Daigh Aaron L.M.
Published: November 2018

Although sedges (Carex L. spp.) are commonly recommended for planting in rain gardens, little work has been carried out in evaluating the ability of sedge species to tolerate the challenging moisture fluctuations in this environment. Seven sedge species native to the north central United States, yellow fox sedge [Carex annectens (E.P. Bicknell) E.P. Bicknell], plains oval sedge [Carex brevior (Dewey) Mack. ex Lunell], gray’s sedge (Carex grayi J. Carey), porcupine sedge (Carex hystericina Muhl. ex Willd.), palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis Schwein.), pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica Lam.), and sprengel’s sedge (Carex sprengelii Dewey ex Spreng.), were evaluated in a greenhouse trial to determine their ability to tolerate repeated flooding and drought cycles. Treatments consisted of two flood periods (2 or 7 days), followed by one of three drought set points measured by volumetric water content (VWC) thresholds of 0.05 (severe drought), 0.10 (moderate drought), or 0.15 m3·m−3 (drought onset). Each plant was subjected to a minimum of four flooding and drought cycles. For sprengel’s sedge, plains oval sedge, gray’s sedge, and yellow fox sedge, there was no significant difference in shoot counts between severe drought, moderate drought, and drought onset treatments. Shoot mass and root mass for all sedge species were significantly reduced under the severe drought set point. Plants subjected to the 7-day flood treatment exhibited significantly increased shoot mass compared with those in the 2-day flood treatment. Plains oval sedge showed a significantly higher shoot mass than all other species under all treatments. Visible damage ratings suggest that sprengel’s sedge, plains oval sedge, gray’s sedge, and yellow fox sedge could be suitable for the rain garden environment under all but the most extreme drought conditions. Results show that plains oval sedge, yellow fox sedge, and gray’s sedge may be able to tolerate harsh flooding and drought cycles that can occur in rain gardens. For the remaining species, supplemental irrigation of rain gardens should be considered during drought.
Prediction of Flower Emergence and Evaluation of Cropping Potential in Selected Banana Cultivars (Musa sp.) Cultivated in Subtropical Conditions of Coastal Alabama
Authors: Vinson Edgar L. , Coneva Elina D. , Kemble Joseph M. , Woods Floyd M. , Sibley Jeff L. , Fonsah Esendugue G. , Perkins-Veazie Penelope M. , Kessler J. Raymond
Published: November 2018

The development of more cold-tolerant short-cycle banana cultivars has made subtropical production possible, but fruiting may be unreliable in colder margins, such as the coastal region of Alabama, as a result of cold winter temperatures and other suboptimal growing conditions. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine plant growth parameters that predict flowering, and to evaluate vegetative and reproductive growth of Cavendish and non-Cavendish banana cultivars. Pseudostem circumference and the height-to-circumference ratio (HCR) for tall cultivars and HCR for medium cultivars exhibited linear or quadratic relationships when regressed to the number of days from planting to inflorescence emergence (DPE), and hence were the best predictors of inflorescence emergence. The banana cultivars Double, Grand Nain, Cardaba, Ice Cream, and Goldfinger demonstrated cropping potential by producing mature bunches in the cooler environment of the subtropics and currently offer the best possibilities for banana production in Alabama.
Boolean functions minimization by the method of figurative transformations
Authors: Solomko Mykhailo
Published: November 2018

The object of research is the method of figurative transformations for Boolean functions minimization. One of the most problematic places to minimize Boolean functions is the complexity of the minimization algorithm and the guarantee of obtaining a minimal function. During the study, the method of equivalent figurative transformations was used, which is based on the laws and axioms of the algebra of logic; minimization protocols for Boolean functions that are used when the truth table of a given function has a complete binary combinatorial system with repetition or an incomplete binary combinatorial system with repetition. A reduction in the complexity of the minimization process for Boolean functions is obtained, new criteria for finding minimal functions are established. This is due to the fact that the proposed method of Boolean functions minimization has a number of peculiarities of solving the problem of finding minimal logical functions, in particular: – mathematical apparatus of the block diagram with repetition makes it possible to obtain more information about the orthogonality, adjacency, uniqueness of the truth table blocks; – equivalent figurative transformations due to the greater information capacity are capable of replacing verbal procedures of algebraic transformations; – result of minimization is estimated based on the sign of the minimum function; – minimum DNF or CNF functions are obtained regardless of the given normal form of the logical function, which means that it is necessary to minimize the given function for two normal forms — DNF and CNF using the full truth table; This ensures that it is possible to obtain an optimal reduction in the number of variables of a given function without losing its functionality. The effectiveness of the use of equivalent figurative transformations for Boolean functions minimization is demonstrated by examples of minimization of functions borrowed from other methods for the purpose of comparison. Compared with similar well-known methods of Boolean functions minimization, this provides: – less complexity of the minimization procedure for Boolean functions; – guaranteed Boolean functions minimization; – self-sufficiency of the specified method of Boolean functions minimization due to the introduction of features of the minimal function and minimization of two normal forms – DNF and CNF on the complete truth table of a given Boolean function
Electrochemical formation of oxide films on Ti6Al4V alloy
Authors: Pilipenko Alexei
Published: November 2018

The results of the study of the process of electrochemical oxidation of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy in solutions of tartaric, citric and oxalic acids are presented. It is shown that the nature of the forming dependencies of the alloy depends on the magnitude of the current density. When ja<0,5 A∙dm–2, a continuous oxide film does not form on the alloy surface and the specified voltage value is not reached. At ja>0,5 A∙dm–2, a continuous oxide film forms on the surface of the alloy and linear dependences are observed. Films produced under these conditions are interference colored. The maximum thickness of the film is determined by the specified value of the forming voltage U and does not depend on other parameters of electrolysis. For a number of identical values of U, the dependence of the limiting film thickness has a linear form. The color of the oxide film is determined by the voltage value and does not depend on the current density and electrolyte concentration. It is established that the color of the film corresponds to the magnitude of the forming voltage in the range of 10–100 V. The effect is due to the fact that film formation during anodic polarization occurs under the presence of a potential gradient, the magnitude of which is constant for titanium. An increase in a given value of U leads to a proportional increase in the limiting thickness of the oxide, which determines the color of its color. The research results to determine the effect of electrolysis parameters on the characteristics of oxide films make it possible to substantiate the regime for producing TiO2 films on the surface of the Ti6Al4V alloy. The obtained data are the basis for the development of technology for the electrochemical oxidation of titanium alloys to give their surface functional properties
Assessment of the radiation safety of the rural population of the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine in the remote period after the Chernobyl catastrophe
Authors: Herasymenko Viktor , Pertsovyi Ivan , Rozputnyi Oleksandr
Published: November 2018

In Ukraine, as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, 2,218 villages and cities with a population of about 2.4 million residents were in the zone of radioactive contamination. Pollution has undergone almost the entire territory of Polesia and a significant part of the Forest-Steppe. The population living in radioactively contaminated areas receives an additional more natural dose level of external and internal exposure. External irradiation is due to the high content of 137Cs in soils, with the decay of which increases the power of gamma radiation on the ground. Internal exposure is caused by the ingestion of 137Cs and 90Sr during the consumption of food products. The rural population with the consumption of products grown in household plots, receives significantly higher doses of radiation than the city. The activity of 137Cs and 90Sr in milk, meat, potatoes and other vegetable products is grown on the backyards of residents of the villages Osypivka and Tarasivka of the Bila Tserkva district of the Kyiv region, who have been subjected to radioactive contamination due to the Chernobyl disaster. The research results show that milk, meat and vegetable products grown in radioactively contaminated areas of the forest-steppe zone meet the radiation safety criteria for 137Cs and 90Sr. The internal exposure dose of the residents of the Osypivka village with the consumption of food products is 0.065 mSv/year, and that of the Tarasivka village - 0.028 mSv/year. Consumption of milk and potatoes makes the greatest contribution to the dose of internal exposure. The external radiation dose due to pollution of the territory of the settlement of 137Cs residents of the Osypivka village is 0.72 mSv/year, and that of the Tarasivka village â€“ 0.27 mSv/year. The annual effective dose to residents of the Osypivka village â€“ 0.78 mSv/year, and the residents of the Tarasivka village - 0.30 mSv/year, which does not exceed the dose of radiation established by current legislation at 1 mSv/year
Sustainability of tongue-and-groove walls with buttresses
Authors: Slobodianyk Hanna , Dolynska Nataliia
Published: November 2018

The development of ports requires the construction of more and more deep-sea berthing facilities or the reconstruction of existing ones for servicing modern large-capacity ships. Traditional design solutions for deep-water berths are labor-intensive and material-intensive. The article describes the design of a deep-water berth in the form of tongue-and-groove wall with buttresses. Buttresses can be rectangular, trapezoidal with the extension downwards and trapezoidal with the extension upwards. The use of buttresses in the construction reduces the lateral pressure of the soil, increases the rigidity of the structure, and also increases the stability of the structure as a whole. The rational distribution of materials along the length of the structure and the unification of the elements leads to cheaper construction and a fast pace of construction. This solution can be used both in the construction of new berthing facilities and in the reconstruction of existing ones. The development of the calculated justification of the stability of the tongue-and-groove wall with buttresses, which optimally reflects the specificity of the structure, is carried out. Buttresses are an additional factor affecting the stability of the tongue-and-groove wall. Then, the stability of the structure as a whole depends on the resistance forces of the soil, arising in the plane of contact with the front wall and the resistance forces of the soil within the width of the buttress and involved, due to friction forces, in the joint work of the adjacent soil volumes. In order to determine the holding forces of the buttresses, experimental laboratory studies were conducted. Analysis of the results of the experiments shows that the trapezoidal buttresses with extension downwards have the greatest holding power. As a result of the mathematical modeling, the displacements of the wall and bending moments are plotted depending on the height of the buttresses. Thus, the design of the mooring structure of the innovative type can be used to create an economically deep-water berth with increased bearing capacity, which will be able to perceive modern ships with a large deadweight
OLAĞANÜSTÜ AFRİKA DAİRELERİ VE HABRE DAVASI
Authors: AKYÜREK Güçlü
Published: November 2018

Eski
Çad devlet başkanı Hissein Habré’nin sığındığı Senegal’de yargılanması büyük
hukuksal tartışmalara neden olmuştur. Senegal iç hukukunun böyle bir
yargılamaya izin vermemesi üzerine, Senegal hükümeti Afrika Birliği ile
işbirliği içerisinde eski devlet başkanını yargılamak için Olağanüstü Afrika
Dairelerini kurmuştur. Böylece hem uluslararası hem bölgesel hem de ulusal yönü
olan özel bir mahkeme kurulmuştur. Mahkemeyi kuran Statüde soykırım, insanlığa
karşı suçlar, savaş suçları ve işkence suçları tanımlanmıştır. Çalışmada da
tanımlar, Türk Hukukundaki ve uluslararası hukuktaki tanımlarla
karşılaştırılmıştır. Ayrıca Statüde ceza yargılamasına ilişkin de hükümler
bulunmaktadır ve bunlar da incelenmiştir. Diğer yandan, Olağanüstü Afrika
Daireleri, yalnızca hukuksal tartışmalar açısından değil, uluslararasılaşmış/karma
bir bölgesel ceza mahkemesi olması nedeniyle de incelenmiştir. Çalışmada, hem
Dairelerin oluşumu süreci hem Habré davası hukuksal açıdan ele alınmıştır. Son
olarak Senegal hükümeti ile Afrika Birliği arasında imzalanan antlaşma ile kabul
edilen Statü ve daha sonra savunma haklarının güçlendirilmesi için ek sözleşme
ile kabul edilen ek hükümler, anlama kolaylığı için gayrı resmi olarak Türkçeye
çevrilmiştir.
The influence of corporate governance on the intellectual capital disclosure: a study on Indonesian private banks
Authors: Elly Tulung Joy , Stanley Saerang Ivonne , Pandia Stevanus
Published: November 2018

The release of bank’s intellectual capital is one of the important elements of bank’s annual reports. Although it is not presented adequately in the annual reports, voluntary disclosure of bank’s intellectual capital relatively represents the response to the needs of greater information for the users. This research aims to see the influence of corporate governance on the intellectual capital disclosure based on a case study on private banks in Indonesia. The variables to be examined in the research include the Composition of Independent Commissioners as well as The Competence of Audit Committee and Risk Oversight Committee. The samples were taken using purposive sampling, considering particular criteria. As many as 62 banks are selected to be taken as research samples. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis method. The result of a partial test shows that the Composition of Independent Commissioners has a positive and significant influence on the intellectual capital disclosure; the Competence of Audit Committee has a positive and significant influence on the intellectual capital disclosure; and the Competence of Risk Oversight committee does not influence the intellectual capital disclosure. Meanwhile, the result of a simultaneous test shows that the Composition of Independent Commissioners, the Competence of Audit Committee, and the Competence of Risk Oversight Committee significantly influence the intellectual capital disclosure.
The influence of financial technologies on the global financial system stability
Authors: Azarenkova Galyna , Shkodina Iryna , Samorodov Borys , Babenko Maksym , Onishchenko Iryna
Published: November 2018

The analysis of the financial technologies introduction has proved that their application over-complicates the institutional structure of the global financial system. As a result, usual functional relationships cease to operate, new institutes and interdependencies appear, and systemic risks increase. In this context, the system instability increases, resulting in a transition to a new institutional status. The analysis of the financial technologies impact on the stability of financial system shows that the lack of institutional support for new financial technologies is the most important catalyst for the financial industry destabilization and the formation of financial bubbles in various market segments.The ways to reduce the negative impact of financial technologies on the financial system stability (such as development of international prudential standards; revision of the licensing regime for financial companies; “regulatory sandboxes”, which test new technologies, business models and algorithms underlying the Fintech innovations; legal regulation of ownership of digital tokens; and clear definition of the blockchain technology in various areas of life, etc.) have been proposed.
Karşılıklı Taklit Eğitiminin Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Çocukların Taklit Edildiğinin Farkına Varma Davranışları Üzerindeki Etkililiği
Authors: TÖRET Gökhan , ÖZMEN Emine Rüya
Published: November 2018

Bu çalışmada Karşılıklı
Taklit Eğitimi (KTE) ile sunulan taklit eğitiminin otizm spektrum bozukluğu
(OSB) olan çocukların taklit edildiğinin farkına varma davranışları (TEFV) sıklık
düzeyleri üzerindeki etkililiğinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmanın
deseni, tek denekli deneysel desenlerden uyarlanmış denekler arası çoklu
başlama düzeyi desenidir. Çalışmaya 26-42 ay aralığında bulunan OSB olan üç
denek katılmıştır. Çalışma sonuçları, TEFV türleri açısından
bakıldığında, KTE oturumları arttıkça az gelişmiş TEFV davranışları sıklığında
kararsız veriler elde edilirken gelişmiş TEFV davranışlarından test etme
davranışları sıklık düzeylerinde ilerlemeler olmuştur. İzleme oturumlarında ise uygulama
evresinden 2 ve 4 hafta sonra az gelişmiş ve gelişmiş TEFV sıklık düzeylerinde
bazı deneklerde düşüşler olduğu, bazı deneklerde ise elde edilen kazanımların
kalıcılığının korunduğu gözlenmiştir. Elde
edilen bulgular, erken çocukluk döneminde OSB olan çocuklarda OSB olan çocuklarda TEFV davranışları sergileme
özellikleri ve KTE teknikleri açısından alan
yazın çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır.
Fast Photochemical Oxidation of Proteins Coupled with Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Shi Liuqing , Gross Michael L.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Determination of the composition and some structural features of macromolecules
can be achieved by using structural proteomics approaches coupled with mass spectrometry
(MS). One approach is hydroxyl radical protein footprinting whereby amino-acid side
chains are modified with reactive reagents to modify irreversibly a protein side chain. The outcomes,
when deciphered with mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, can increase our knowledge of
structure, assembly, and conformational dynamics of macromolecules in solution. Generating the
hydroxyl radicals by laser irradiation, Hambly and Gross developed the approach of Fast Photochemical
Oxidation of Proteins (FPOP), which labels proteins on the sub millisecond time scale and
provides, with MS analysis, deeper understanding of protein structure and protein-ligand and protein-
protein interactions. This review highlights the fundamentals of FPOP and provides descriptions
of hydroxyl-radical and other radical and carbene generation, of the hydroxyl labeling of proteins,
and of determination of protein modification sites. We also summarize some recent applications
of FPOP coupled with MS in protein footprinting.

Conclusion:

We survey results that show the capability of FPOP for qualitatively measuring protein
solvent accessibility on the residue level. To make these approaches more valuable, we describe
recent method developments that increase FPOP’s quantitative capacity and increase the
spatial protein sequence coverage. To improve FPOP further, several new labeling reagents including
carbenes and other radicals have been developed. These growing improvements will allow oxidative-
footprinting methods coupled with MS to play an increasingly significant role in determining
the structure and dynamics of macromolecules and their assemblies.
Development of Synchrotron Footprinting at NSLS and NSLS-II
Authors: Bohon Jen
Published: November 2018

Background:

First developed in the 1990’s at the National Synchrotron Light Source, xray
synchrotron footprinting is an ideal technique for the analysis of solution-state structure and
dynamics of macromolecules. Hydroxyl radicals generated in aqueous samples by intense x-ray
beams serve as fine probes of solvent accessibility, rapidly and irreversibly reacting with solvent
exposed residues to provide a “snapshot” of the sample state at the time of exposure. Over the last
few decades, improvements in instrumentation to expand the technology have continuously pushed
the boundaries of biological systems that can be studied using the technique.

Conclusion:

Dedicated synchrotron beamlines provide important resources for examining fundamental
biological mechanisms of folding, ligand binding, catalysis, transcription, translation, and
macromolecular assembly. The legacy of synchrotron footprinting at NSLS has led to significant
improvement in our understanding of many biological systems, from identifying key structural
components in enzymes and transporters to in vivo studies of ribosome assembly. This work continues
at the XFP (17-BM) beamline at NSLS-II and facilities at ALS, which are currently accepting
proposals for use.
Recent Advances in X-Ray Hydroxyl Radical Footprinting at the Advanced Light Source Synchrotron
Authors: Morton Simon A. , Gupta Sayan , Petzold Christopher J. , Ralston Corie Y.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Synchrotron hydroxyl radical footprinting is a relatively new structural
method used to investigate structural features and conformational changes of nucleic acids and
proteins in the solution state. It was originally developed at the National Synchrotron Light Source
at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the late nineties, and more recently, has been established at
the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The instrumentation for this
method is an active area of development, and includes methods to increase dose to the samples
while implementing high-throughput sample delivery methods.

Conclusion:

Improving instrumentation to irradiate biological samples in real time using a sample
droplet generator and inline fluorescence monitoring to rapidly determine dose response curves for
samples will significantly increase the range of biological problems that can be investigated using
synchrotron hydroxyl radical footprinting.
Development of Robust Partial Least Squares Regression Model for Spectroscopic Determination of Diclofenac Sodium in Environmental Samples
Authors: Mahanty Biswanath , John Angel P.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Diclofenac (DCF) is an important widely used non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drug. Disposal of expired formulation, excretion from administered dose, the poor performance
of sewage treatment process, contributes to its frequent detection in environment. Analysis
of DCF in environmental sample requires time consuming pretreatment, extraction steps. Though,
UV absorption analysis of DCF is simple but spectral interference of soil organic matter is a problem.
The aim of this paper is to establish appropriate partial least square chemometric model for DCF
quantitation through variable selection, and validation of analytical method through multivariate figure
of merit analysis.

Methods:

Spectral data of DCF spiked soil solution is recorded and variants of partial least squares
(PLS) regression viz., backward-interval PLS (biPLS), synergy-interval PLS (siPLS) and genetic algorithm
(GA) based PLS models (GA-PLS) are developed from autoscaled and 2nd order differential
spectrum. Prediction fidelity of the selected models was evaluated from a blind-folded semi-synthetic
spectral data. The method was validated through figures of merit estimates, such as selectivity, analytical
sensitivity, limits of detection and quantitation.

Results:

The siPLS model developed offered the minimum root mean square error of crossvalidation
(RMSECV) of 0.1896 mg/l and 0.1910 mg/l for autoscaled data (9 variables) and derivative
spectra (12 variables), respectively. Refinement of the derivative spectrum with GA offered a
simplified model (RMSECV:0.1712, 10 variable).

Conclusion:

The GA based variable selection for PLS regression analysis offers robust analytical
tool for DCF in environmental samples. Further research is warranted to model variable interference
in spectral data unknown to analyst in priori.
Cytarabine and Ferric Carboxymaltose (Fe+3) Increase Oxidative Damage and Alter Serotonergic Metabolism in Brain
Authors: Guzmán David Calderón , Brizuela Norma Osnaya , Herrera Maribel Ortíz , Olguín Hugo Juárez , Peraza Armando Valenzuela , García Ernestina Hernández , Jiménez Francisca Trujillo , Mejía Gerardo Barragán
Published: November 2018

Background & Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the effect on brain biomarkers after treatment with anticancer compounds - cytarabine (CT) and ferric carboxymaltose (FC) (Fe+3) in Wistar rats.

Methods:

The Wistar rats were treated as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9%; group 2, CT (25 mg/k), group 3, FC(Fe+3) (50 mg/k) and group 4, CT + FC(Fe+3). The animals were sacrificed and their brains were obtained and used to measure lipoperoxidation (TBARS), H2O2, Na+, K+ ATPase, glutathione (GSH), serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA) and dopamine. The results indicated an enhancement of lipid peroxidation in the cortex and striatum of groups treated with FC(Fe+3) and CT, while GSH decreased in the cortex of group treated with CT + FC(Fe+3). Dopamine decreased in the cortex of the rats that received CT, while in the striatum, 5HIAA increased in all groups.  Results & Conclusion: These results suggest that the treatment with CT and FC(Fe+3) boosted oxidative stress and led to an alteration in momoamine concentrations in the brain.
Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Multi-drug ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosafrom Diabetic Foot Patients
Authors: ul Hassan Faaiz , Qudus Muhammad Suhaib , Sehgal Sheikh Arslan , Ahmed Jawad , Khan Momin , ul Haq Khayam , Mumtaz Shahina , Arshad Muhammad , Siraj Sami
Published: November 2018

Introduction:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major pathogens associated with the acute tissue damage in patients having Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU). The treatment of such infections can be an uphill battle due to the serious resistance to all the mainstay antibiotics, owing to overzealous production of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs). Pakistan also has a high prevalence of diabetes and complications related to it, however genetic disposition of the pathogens remains underinvestigated.

Aim:

The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of ESBLs in Multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa from diabetic foot patients.

Methods:

The duration of the present study was one year and 100 patients having DFU were enrolled. All the pus samples were subjected to the bacterial culture, gram staining, catalase test, oxidase test and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern to various antibiotics for the confirmation of P. aeruginosa. Of 23 positive isolates of P. aeruginosa, 10 were ESBLs positive as detected by double disk diffusion test. The positive ESBL strain shows an increase of ≥5mm in the zone of inhibition of the combination discs in comparison to the alone ceftazidime disc.

Results:

The ESBLs positive strains were also tested for TEM-1, SHV-1, PER-1, and VEB-1, where: (07/10) strains carried SHV-1, (05/10) strains were positive for TEM-1, while none of the isolates were PCR-positive for PER-1 and VEB-1.

Conclusion:

The findings of the current study show a difference in the pattern of ESBL genes compared to that of other such endeavors. The present study also warrants the PCR-based detection of the type of ESBL as a potential factor to consider in deciding the therapeutic strategy at any point during the treatment.
Effect of Oil Paint Addition on Impact Strength of the Scleral Part of the Acrylic Ocular Prosthesis
Authors: Kati Firas Abd
Published: November 2018

Background:

For many dental and facial restorations, acrylic resins are the materials of choice because of their appropriate physical and mechanical properties. When making the ocular prosthesis from such materials, it is essential to add the perfect shade in order to match the colour of normal eye. This, however, might have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of acrylic resins.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of adding the white oil paint (titanium dioxide) to clear acrylic resins on their impact strength.

Methods:

20 samples were constructed from heat cured acrylic resins, and divided into two groups (control and experimental) and each group had 10 samples. The first group was made from clear acrylic resin without the addition of white oil paints, and the second group (experimental) comprised the addition of 1 ml of the white oil paints to acrylic samples. Such samples were prepared with dimensions of (80 mm X10 mm X4 mm) length, width, and thickness, respectively. All the samples were tested by the Charpy's impact strength test. They were exposed to the load till the fracture occurred. All the values were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and the independent T-test was used for comparison between the 2 groups.

Results:

A statistically significant decrease (P-value < 0.001) was found in the impact strength of acrylic resins after the addition of titanium dioxide oil paints (experimental group: 5.97 + 1.11, control group: 9.42+1.32 KJ/M2).

Conclusion:

This study concluded that the addition of titanium dioxide oil paint significantly reduces the impact of strength of the acrylic resin. It is suggested to use different stains which will have no negative effect on impact strength of the acrylic resin.
Effect of Denture Adhesives in New Complete Dentures During a Function
Authors: Guimarães Diego Mourão , Marques Érika Justo , Almagro Giulia Cristina Deiró , Iegami Carolina Mayumi , Stegun Roberto Chaib , Mukai Marcio Katsuyoshi
Published: November 2018

Background:

Denture adhesives are often a matter of controversy. Patients seem to easily accept the use of denture adhesives, while professionals are more hesitant.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-perception, bite force and masticatory efficiency of complete denture wearers with denture adhesives.

Methods:

Fifteen complete denture wearers had their bite force measured by a gnathodynamometer in the molar region. Subjects also masticated 12 tablets of a chewable artificial test material for 35 masticatory cycles. The test material was washed, dried, sieved and weighed. Both tests were taken with and without the denture adhesive (Corega Ultra). The questionnaire Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was applied to evaluate self-perception with dentures.

Results and Conclusion:

Masticatory efficiency and bite force for the control group (without denture adhesive) and for the group with denture adhesive presented no statistically significant differences (p= 0.2080 andp= 0.2489, respectively). Self-perception according to the GOHAI index was great for 13% of participants, 40% considered it regular and 47% evaluated it as bad. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the use of denture adhesive did not promote an improvement in bite force and masticatory efficiency. According to the GOHAI index, self-perception of the participants was classified as bad.
A Comparative Study of Root Coverage using OrACELL™ Versus Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vreeburg Sean K. , Griffiths Garth R. , Rossmann Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Gingival recession is defined as a mucogingival deformity that includes the apical displacement of the marginal soft tissues below the cemento-enamel junction, loss of attached gingiva, and exposure of root surfaces. The present study aims to compare root coverage outcomes between autogenous Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) and decellularized human dermis (OrACELL™) in areas of facial gingival recession.

Methods:

Twenty-four non-smoking, healthy patients, with 2mm or greater facial gingival recession at a minimum of one site that is classified as Miller Class I, II, or III recession defects were included. Patients were randomly assigned to either control (CTG) or OrACELL™ (test) groups, which were treated with identical surgical techniques. All root coverage clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline, 3, and 6-months.

Results:

Eleven patients received CTG while 13 patients received OrACELL™; 23 of the 24 total patients had Miller Class III defects. Baseline mean Vertical Recession (VR) (CTG = 3.27±0.68 mm, OrACELL™ = 3.50±0.89 mm) and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) (CTG = 4.86±0.74 mm, OrACELL™ = 4.73±0.90 mm) showed no significant difference between groups. At 6 months, mean VR (CTG = 0.59±0.70 mm, OrACELL™ = 1.19±1.07 mm) significantly decreased in both groups, whereas CAL (CTG = 1.90±1.00 mm, OrACELL™ = 2.42±1.17 mm) significantly increased in both groups. Differences between group means were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

VR and CAL improved significantly in both the CTG and OrACELL™ groups from baseline to 6 months post-operatively, with no significant differences between groups regarding VR or CAL over the course of the study. In Miller Class III recession defects, OrACELL™ provided a viable alternative to CTG with similar results.
Fabrication of Metallic Micromixers Using WEDM and EDM for Application in Microfluidic Devices and Circuitries
Authors: Sarma Pranjal , Patowari Promod Kumar
Published: November 2018

Background: Micromixers having various simple and complex microchannels is an
inevitable part of almost all the microfluidic devices and circuitries nowadays. Particularly the
metallic micromixers are very important for many chemical and process industries. Fabrication of
metallic microchannels still remains a challenging task.

Objective: The work focuses on the fabrication of microchannels of different geometries and intrinsic
features on metals. Here, an alternate approach for fabricating microchannel in metals is demonstrated
which is easy and doesn’t demand a very high level of expertise.

Method: The fabrication is carried out using Wire-Cut Electric Discharge Machine (WEDM) and
Electric Discharge Machine (EDM) and accomplished in two stages: 1) Micro-tool fabrication in
WEDM; 2) Microchannel machining in EDM. Parametric investigation of the processes is also carried
out for understanding the influence of different parameters in microfabrication.

Results: Different serpentine micromixer configurations are fabricated on copper and aluminum. Open
channel configuration of metallic micromixers of average microchannel width 400 μm is fabricated as
per the design. During micro-tool fabrication in WEDM, parametric conditions: pulse on time 25 µs,
pulse off time 6 μs, input current 1 A and wire feed rate 75 mm/min gave optimal results among the
investigated parametric combinations. During the second stage of microfabrication using EDM, the
effect of input parameters, viz. input current, pulse on time and pulse off time on the output parameters
viz. machining time, overcut, edge deviation and tool depletion are investigated. Results highlight the
importance of careful selection and control of all these process parameters for manufacturing metallic
microchannels by EDM.

Conclusion: The proposed method is able to give rise to micro-features like microchannel on metals
with reasonable ease and accuracy. The fabricated micromixers can be used for Lab on Chip (LOC),
Point of Care (POC) devices or/and microreactors. The metallic micromixers can be used to handle
various corrosive species and reagents which the conventional polymeric substrate can’t handle. Thus
it can lead to further advancement in the field of microfluidics.
Intellectual mobile system for monitoring environment in the premises
Authors: Abdurakhmanov A. Sh. , Abdurakhmanov A. Sh. , Fedorova V. A.
Published: November 2018

The study is focused on the development of a distributed environment monitoring system designed to collect data on environmental parameters and analyze them in real time mode. The initial results of the system functioning as a whole are obtained: the main ways to construct the systems for monitoring the environment in the conditions of premises are considered, the approach to creating a distributed monitoring system is proposed, the method for autonomous movement of agents is developed, and experiments to evaluate the method compared to the existing ones were carried out. The paper presents an analysis of autonomous movement methods for robots, a study of approaches for constructing distributed systems, and a description of the technical characteristics of an environment monitoring system designed for solving monitoring and access control problems with the possibility of integration into existing robotic and automated systems.
Synthesis of controllers for electromechanical tracking systems
Authors: Korniushin Yu. P. , Mazin A. V.
Published: November 2018

The article presents an algorithm for the synthesis of regulators for servomechanisms, in which the control object is linear. The algorithm is focused on electromechanical systems, the main element of which is a controlled electric drive. The synthesis algorithm is based on the use of the L–Markov moment problem. The advantage of the proposed algorithm with respect to the others is that the regulators synthesized on its basis ensure the minimization of energy for the objects control. The essence of the proposed algorithm of synthesis is that the control, according to the provisions underlying the L – moment problem, can be determined not only through the system of moment functions, but also through the moments. The latter depends both on the time interval during which the object is transferred from the initial state to the final state, but also on the state of the object itself. To solve the problem of controller design for servo systems, the following is proposed: 1. Explicitly express management through moments. 2. Perform «unfreezing» the initial and final states of the object. When «unfreezing» the initial state of the object is considered to be the current phase, and the final state is determined by the monitored signal. The time interval during which the object is transferred from one state to another is set arbitrarily in the general case. However, the longer this interval, the smaller the control rate, but, respectively, the greater the tracking error.