bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co – pyrolysis of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) and Low Quality Coal Under CO2 Atmosphere
Authors: Zullaikah S , Naulina R Y , Puspitasari L D , Nadliroh U , Niawanti H
Published: August 2019

The objective of this research was to study blending ratio effect on co-pyrolysis of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) and low quality coal using CO2 gas purge on the characteristics of gas, solid and liquid products. Characteristics of gas products consisting of H2 and CO2 gas concentration. Solid product characteristics consist of pore diameter, surface area, total pore volume, solid structure. Meanwhile, the characteristics of liquid products consist of liquid composition. EPFB and low quality coal were reduced to a maximum particle size of about 16 meshes at pre treatment process. The blending ratio of low quality coal and EPFB were 100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80 and 0/100, temperature at 500 °C. The result obtained that H2 gas increased between 0 % - 0.423 % due to the higher blending ratio. The concentration of CO2 gas was fluctuated. Meanwhile, pore diameter and total pore volume decreased due to the higher blending ratio. The pores diameter were 61.7316 nm and 18.8361 nm obtained at 0 % and 80 % EPFB, respectively. Total pore volumes were 0.0111 cm3/and 0.0063 cm3/g obtained at 0 % and 80 % EPFB, respectively. Surfaces area were increased, they were 0.72 m2/g and 1.3480 m2/g at 0 % and 80 % EPFB, respectively. Physical analysis was obtained that the higher of blending ratio (EPFB 100%), the more concentrated of reddish brown color. Liquid products identified contain 41 compounds with the dominant compound of the alkene group. The largest compound were hexadecane (23.69%) and heptacosane (22.61%).
Passive design (building envelope) impact to cooling load of researh centre building ITS
Authors: Soehartanto T. , Matradji  , Roekmono
Published: August 2019

The ITS Research Center (RC) building as one of the new buildings in ITS has a unique architecture compared to ITS building architecture in general. The shape of this architecture is interesting to study because the side of the building facing north and south is the majority of tinted glass, which is given a frame on the left and right sides with a thickness of 4 meters each. The wall protrudes inside with a certain slope angle, so that it protects the glass window from solar radiation (from the east and from the west) directly. The 11th floor sheath is tinted glass that curves downward with a certain tilt angle, so it can provide a shade effect on the glass floor below. This type of building design is a passive design (one of the green building methods) to reduce thermal transfer through the building envelope. Thermal transfer through the envelope of the Research Center building will be presented in this paper, through the calculation of overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) covering the north and south side of the building from the second floor to the 11th floor. The covering from the 3rd to the 10th floor consists of spandrel, tinted glass and parapet, while the sheath on the 2nd and 11th floors is tinted glass. The calculation results show that the total OTTV from the north and south side of the building envelope is 6.18 Watt / m2, this shows that the design of ITS research center building architecture is effective in reducing the thermal transver through the sheath.
Fatigue Calculation of Offshore Jacket Structural For Monitoring
Authors: Wu Y W , Wu H T , Chung C H , Lyu J R , Yang S H , Chen S Y , Chang Y Y
Published: August 2019

Based on the IEC 61400-3 offshore wind turbine(OWT) design guidelines. The NREL 5MW wind turbine with Taiwan domestic jacket support structure in 18 meters water depth was selected to perform the fatigue strength calculation for the support structure. Commercial software Bladed and SACS are used to perform the required structural responses and fatigue strength calculations. The stress concentration factors(SCF) and S-N curves for the stress calculations of tubular joints are adopted based on the recommendation of DNV GL guidelines. The magnitude of the stress variation range and the corresponding number of counts are obtained by the rainflow counting algorithm. Finally under the assumption of Palmgren-Miner linear cumulative damage rule, the cumulative damage of the structure component can be calculated and then the fatigue life can be estimated. The numerical evaluation results can also be available for the further reference on the determination of sensor locations for the structural monitor system.
Numerical study of the effect of oxidation zone inlet air temperature variation on municipal solid waste pellet gasification process on downdraft type reactor characteristics
Authors: Sudarmanta B , Hidayatulloh D , Ependi D R , Saleh A R , Setiyawan A , Bachtiar A
Published: August 2019

Gasification is an efficient technology to extract energy from MSW biomass into energy in the form of syngas. One of the most influential paramerers to improve syngas quality is temperature, so the development of the design and operation of the downdraft type reactor is done by heating the inlet air of the oxidation zone through an external heater. Research with numerical studies was carried out on the effect of the inlet air in the oxidation zone to determine the temperature distribution and syngas composition along the reactor. Based on experimental research, heating the inlet air of the oxidation zone with external heaters in this study was carried out with 5 temperature variations, namely 80 °C, 110 °C, 150 °C, 180 °C, and 200 °C. The modeling used is the standard model k-epsilon, Radiation P1, the transport species model with turbulence used is finite-rate / eddy-dissipation, and Discrete Phase Model (DPM). The results obtained from this study were that the highest air temperature was obtained at 200°C at 1004 °C in the oxidation zone. The composition of syngas CO, H2, and CH4 at temperature increases of 80-200 °C increased from 21.64%, 9.24%, and 2.86% to 22.65%, 10.49%, and 3.10%. Then increasing the LHV syngas from 4,757.20 kJ/m3 to 5,106.02 kJ/m3. Cold gas efficiency increased from 72.17% to 79.31%.
Symbiotic Organism Search for Sizing and Optimal Location of Distributed Generation Using Novel Sensitivity Factor
Authors: Setyawan G , Umar  , Soeprijanto A , Penangsang O
Published: August 2019

Electric power systems consist of many interconnected buses. The most widely used network topology is Radial Distribution Network (RDN), the bus located furthest from generation has a significant voltage drop and the number of buses without any support from Distributed Generation (DG) inflicting in increased power losses and increased generation cost. DG is advantageous to reduce power losses and increasing voltage on the power system, but the location and sizing of DG in the distribution network requires great consideration. In this paper the method used to determine the location is Loss Reduction Sensitivity Factor (LRSF) and Voltage Improvement Performance Index (VIPI) and for sizing DG uses artificial intelligence Symbiotic Organism Search (SOS). This DG locating and sizing problem is associated with real power loss minimization and voltage profile improvement objectives. The proposed method has been demonstrated on IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system. Based on this research the identification of using LRSF location is better than VIPI.
Numerical Analysis of Heterogeneous Oxidation Reaction on Multi-stage Air Inlet Downdraft Gasifier
Authors: Saleh Arif Rahman , Sudarmanta Bambang , Ependi Depi Rustam
Published: August 2019

Gasification technology is one of the thermochemical conversion methods that can be a solution to overcome the negative municipal solid waste (MSW) impact. Syngas application from gasification on the internal combustion engine has problems with tar content. one method for reducing tar content is by means of a multi-stage air inlet in the reduction zone to initiate heterogeneous oxidation reactions. In this study a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model was used to simulate gasification reactions. The simulation was carried out using a one-phase model with k epsilon turbulence model, P1 radiation model, devolatilization model using kobayashi model, MSW fuel modeled as a discrete phase that moves in the continuous phase, and the reactions that occur are volumetric and particle surface reaction in which the interaction of turbulence-chemistry using finite-rate/eddy-dissipation. The ratio of air used is 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% between oxidation and reduction. Based on the simulation results, there is an increase in syngas composition, especially CO because there is a heterogeneous oxidation reaction between carbon in the reduction zone with oxygen which also triggers a rise in temperature in the oxidation zone. CO2 concentration decreases due to an increase in the rate of boudouard reaction. but when the amount of air continues to increase there is a decrease in temperature in the oxidation zone because the amount of air for the oxidation reaction decreases, the simulation results obtained can be used to optimize the downdraft gasifier by adding air input to the reduction zone
A Study on conceptual design of mini FSRU as LNG receiving facility
Authors: Putra I W G K D D , Artana K B , Ariana I M , Sudiasih L G M P
Published: August 2019

One of prioritizes of the government of Indonesia is to provide electricity in Papua regions to reduce electricity disparity in Indonesia. According to recent Power Supply Business Plan of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero), there are more than 50 power plants are planned to build in Papua and Maluku regions. One of power plants which has considerable high capacity is located in Jayapura, Papua Province. This study addresses the conceptual design for three power plants in this area with capacities of 50 MW, 50 MW and 40 MW. The power plants are assumed to be supplied by natural gas from Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). This concept was chosen because of the sloping contour of the seabed and to reduce the use of land for the receiving terminal. To supply the FSRU, a 30,000 m3 small scale LNG vessel is used for a shuttle vessel with estimated roundtrip is 15 days. The conceptual design consists of determination of cargo tank capacity, designing lines plan and general arrangement of FSRU, stability calculation, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) for loading and regasification processes at the FSRU.
Exterior Electric Hatchback Crossover Car Design with Strong, Vicious and Sharp Concept
Authors: Indrojarwo Baroto Tavip , Estiyono Andhika , Pratama Abdur Rosyid
Published: August 2019

Identity of design of an electric car is necessary to show electrical technology and added values for consumers. Design of electic cars today, in the meaning of appearance and image, are judged by consumers as wierd and ugly compared to design of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The distinguished factor of electric car compared to ICE car is the technology that provides environment friendly and fuel energy crisis solution. Symbols of electric car can actually be build to be an interesting form and shape, such as smart, lightweight, efficient and clean. This research aims to design a small-medium electric car with 4-passenger car for young urban family consumer. The methods are consecutively: kind of car defining, 2D sketching, ergonomic or anthopometrical study, engineering and passenger package study, 3D styling and part design. The concept of form has adapted by keywords: strong, vicious, and sharp. Definition of ergonomic study based on Indonesian people with percentile of 5% women and 95% of men. Definition of engineering package based on Li-ion battery with size of 24 kWh placed under floor and single electric motor package placed on the front with front wheel system. The design result is a small medium crossover car with dimensions of wheelbase of 2500 mm, height of 1534 mm, front overhang of 858 mm and rear overhang of 723 mm. Design character of strong, vicious and sharp are transformed by small sharp headlamp and rear lamp; small grille with LED lines; smooth sculpting line on entire body; deep sculpting line on side body, firm and bold form of front and rear fender. The design outputs are 3D model of exterior, 3D mode; of body parts, 3D animation and physical scale model
Study on the structural evolution of SiO2 extracted from Sidoarjo mud
Authors: Rachmat Devita , Risanti Doty Dewi
Published: August 2019

Sidoarjo mud is known to have a large amount of silica mineral i.e 44.8% with a purity of 88.4 to 95.7%. In this study, the annealing process in extracted silica was carried out for 5 hours to observe the structural changes at 800°C, 1000°C and 1150°C. Thermogravimetric analysis of extracted silica shows that glass temperature transition (Tg) occurs at onset temperature of 800°C and crystalline phase take places at above 1150°C. The results are confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). It indicates that there is a transformation phase of amorphous SiO2 to triclinic crystalline structure with increasing amount of tridymite phase as the temperature increases from 800°C up to 1150°C. The changes in SiO2 phase structure are also confirmed by FTIR results that show a transmittance shift of Si-O bending band slightly to lower wavenumbers and increasing transmittance intensity of Si-O stretching bonds as the heating treatment temperature is increased. Based on the UV-Vis results, the optical band gap shows no dependencies on heat treatment temperature, whereas the Urbach energy is proportional to the increasing temperature, in which SiO2 sample heated at 800°C has the lowest Urbach energy or the fewer defects. Urbach energy values of extracted silica are ranging from 7.91-17.33 eV. In accordance with Urbach energy, the DSSC with photoanode containing SiO2 heated at 800°C shows the best performance with efficiency of 0.077 %.
The effect of rice husk ash addition as pozzolan on geopolymer binder using alkali activators
Authors: Bayuaji R , Dibiantara D P , Ilmiah R , Husin N A , Darmawan MS , Buyung R , Subekti S
Published: August 2019

Geopolymer concrete is an example of innovative concrete that does not use cement as a binder and generally fly ash used in recent research. However, fly ash is categorized as a hazardous and toxic waste [8]. This research studied about another binder, besides fly ash, in this case is rice husk ash made as a geopolymer paste alkali activated by a chemical mixture of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) confronted to a fly ash mixture paste as comparative material. The compositions made were, 100% rice husk ash, a mixture of 50% rice husk ash and 50% fly ash, and 100% fly ash as control mixture. After making the mixture, the composition will be tested to setting time-test in the form of paste. The size of specimen was cylindrical 2,5 cm in diameter 5 cm in height and cube size 15 cm x 15 cm x 5 cm. Each type of specimen was projected to porosity test, compressive strength test, UPV (Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity) and permeability test on 3 days, 28 days and 56 days of sample’s age. From the result of setting time, it was found that the composition of 100% rice husk ash had the longest on binding, which were 129 minutes for early binding and 170 minutes for late binding. The lowest result of porosity test was 100% of fly ash at 56 days of sample’s age testing with a porosity of 20%. The lowest result of compressive strength was 100% of rice husk ash tested in 3 days of sample’s age showed a compressive strength at 0.65 MPa. Based on the test results of UPV (Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity), the lowest value of wave velocity was 531.667 m/s, belong to 100% rice husk ash mixture at 3 days of sample’s age testing, with very poor binder quality qualification. The test result of highest permeability kT value with very poor-quality index binder was 100% rice husk ash with period of testing time in 3 days 0,047.10-16 m2.
On The Synthesis of ZSM-5 Directly from Kaolin Bangka with Aging Time
Authors: Hartanto D , Pambudi A B , Cahyanti D N , Utomo W P
Published: August 2019

ZSM-5 has been synthesized in this study using hydrothermal method with addition of ZSM-5 seed. Synthesis of ZSM-5 in this study using kaolin bangka as alumina source with aging time of 0, 12, 24 and 36 hours and the effect of aging time was also investigated. Samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and SEM EDX. ZSM-5 samples with aging 24 hours has the highest intensity at 2θ = 23.03° with crystallinity of 69.60%. The vibration at wavenumbers 540 and 1220 cm−1 was shown in the sample with 24 hours aging, it was indicated that a large number of pentasil rings have been formed. These results are consistent with XRD data which shows that samples with aging 24 hours have the highest crystallinity. The size of ZSM-5 sample with an aging time 24 hours was about 4.5 μm. EDX results obtained Si / Al ratio in samples with aging time 0, 12 hours and 24 hours is 10.77; 11.23 and 8.34. All samples showed a Si / Al ratio above 5 which showed that the ZSM-5 had been formed. But morphologically, samples with aging 24 hours have a more uniform crystal shape.
Usage of power plant waste for airport pavement surface
Authors: Widayanti N , Ahyudanari E
Published: August 2019

A research has been conducted to analyze usage of power plant waste and characteristics of asphalt concrete mixture for airport pavement using artificial aggregate. The artificial aggregate was made of power plant wasted related to waste energy that has not been fully utilized. This testing method used to determine the marshall stability and flow values of asphalt concrete, and to measure how much fly ash from power plant waste can be reduce to utilized as airport pavement surface. The result of marshall testing provides the new material that made of power plant wasted was eligible to used as a replacement material for airport pavement surface and the mixed compositions can be applied for airport runway pavement which is using artificial aggregate was expected to reduce power plant wasted.
Alternative of stone ash as a sand replacement in fc’40 mpa quality concrete mixture on pressure stress
Authors: Hidayata R , Iswinarti  , Parwanti Asnun
Published: August 2019

Stone ash is the result of breaking stone by using a stone crusher. Stone ash is currently a by-product in the industry the amount of stone is not small. At present stone ash is not very salable for sale because the use in the construction industry is very little considering the use of sand as fine aggregate is still used for concrete mixtures. The method used in this study is a reduction in the amount of sand used in the concrete composition replaced with stone ash. Where the percentage of the use of stone ash is determined at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the amount of sand, using concrete quality Fc’40 Mpa. From this study, it is known that the more mixed the ash, the lower the compressive strength. Each 5% increase in the proportion of rock ash mixture to the weight of sand results in a decrease in strength. For 0% of stone ashes produce Fc’ = 40.17 MPa; 5% of stone ash produces Fc’ = 39.37 MPa; 10% of stone ash produces Fc’ = 38.32 MPa; 15% of stone ash produces Fc’ = 37.38 MPa; 20% of rock ash produced Fc’ = 36.8 Mpa. From the research carried out the addition of rock ash more than 5% decreased the concrete compressive strength required because by using a mixture of 5% stone ash, the compressive strength of concrete only reached 39.37 Mpa.
Preparation of polypyrrole coated zinc anode electrode for inhibition corrosion of secondary zinc ion battery
Authors: Nuanwat W , Pattananuwat P
Published: August 2019

In this work, polypyrrole coated onto zinc surface anode electrode was successfully prepared via cyclic voltammetry deposition. The different PPy thickness layer on zinc electrode is controlled by the different numbers of deposited cycles at 3, 5, 7 and 10 cycles. The surface morphology development of polypyrrole nano/micro structure covering on zinc surface was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. The electrochemical activity of polypyrrole coated zinc electrode is characterized by linear polarization, cyclic voltammetry and galvanic static charge-discharge, indicating that the anti-corrosion PPy surface covering on Zn electrode can yield the highest value of corrosion inhibition efficiency of 67% and serve as high redox layer to improve the charge performance.
Biodegradable fibers from poly (lactic acid)/poly (butylene succinate) blends
Authors: Panichsombat Kanokpun , Panbangpong Wisawachit , Poompiew Nutthapong , Potiyaraj Pranut
Published: August 2019

PLA and PBS have more attention from many industries including textiles industry because there are biopolymer, which have eco-friendly. This research aims at fabricating biodegradable fibers from poly (lactic acid) (PLA) blended with poly (butylene succinate) (PBS). PLA and PBS were blended in a twin-screw extruder at various PBS contents 0 to 20 wt%. The blended fibers were then prepared by the melt spinning using a multifilament spinneret. The mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties were characterized by tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that, at PBS content in PLA of 10 wt%, the obtained fiber has the optimal tensile properties. At this ratio, the blends also possesses the highest crystallinity among the blended fibers. Although these two biodegradable polymers are immiscible, but at the optimal ratio the PBS phase is well-dispersed in the PLA matrix phase.
Effect of Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio on compressive strength of lateritic soil mixed with bagasse ash geopolymer
Authors: Jongphimai Danai , Suksiripattanapong Cherdsak , Thumrongvut Jaksada
Published: August 2019

This paper investigated the effect of Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio on compressive strength of lateritic soil-bagasse ash geopolymer. Lateritic soil was obtained from Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima. Bagasse ash is a waste from the burning of sugarcane for electricity The lateritic soil to binder ratio was fixed at 85/15. The alkaline activator was composed of sodium silicate solution (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) at concentration of 5 M. The Na2SiO3/NaOH ratios were 80/20, 70/30 and 50/50. The compressive strength of lateritic soil-bagasse ash geopolymer samples was evaluated at curing time of 7, 14, 28 and 60 days. It can be seen that the compressive strength of lateritic soil mixed with bagasse ash geopolymer increases as the Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio and curing time increase. The maximum compressive strength of lateritic soil-bagasse ash geopolymer was found at the Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio of 80/20 and curing time of 60 days, which gave maximum compressive strength of 9.84 MPa.
Analysis of fire-damaged concrete-filled steel tube columns confined with FRP sheets
Authors: Vu Dat Thanh , Lenwari Akhrawat
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an analysis of fire-damaged circular concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) stub columns confined with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets under compression. Three main components in the analysis include (1) 2D heat transfer analysis to predict the temperature distributions in the CFST cross section under ISO-834 standard fire, (2) Post-fire mechanical properties of steel and concrete, and (3) Analytical model that incorporates the confinement effect to predict the load capacity of FRP-confined fire-damaged CFST columns. After validated with existing experimental results, the proposed analysis is employed to investigate the effects of heating period and number of FRP layers on the effectiveness of the FRP confinement method.
SBFE analysis of nano-scale elastic layer with consideration of surface energy effects
Authors: Chhuon Chantha , Rungamornrat Jaroon , Tangaramvong Sawekchai
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an efficient and accurate numerical technique for determining the mechanical response of an infinite elastic layer under surface loading and surface stress effects. The governing equation of the bulk is formulated from the classical linear elasticity theory via a SBFE technique whereas that of the material surface is obtained from a complete version of Gurtin-Murdoch surface elasticity theory. By enforcing the continuity at the interface of the material surface and the bulk, it leads to a system of linear non-homogenous ordinary differential equations governing the nodal functions. A general solution of the resulting system of ODEs is constructed via standard procedures and then used together with the boundary conditions to form a system of linear algebraic equations governing nodal degrees of freedom. To investigate the accuracy and convergence of the proposed method, selected scenarios are solved and obtained numerical results are reported and discussed.
Waste from renewable sources as a polyethylene filler
Authors: Sikora Janusz W. , Głogowska Karolina , Majewski Łukasz
Published: August 2019

The paper presents research on the impact of three organic fillers from renewable sources, i.e. ground wheat bran, pumpkin seed husks and peanut shells, constituting production waste of the food industry, on selected mechanical and thermal properties of composite injection moldings based on LDPE. The basic strength properties were tested in a static tensile test, hardness and heat deflection temperature, Vicat softening point, and the microscopic structure of the obtained polymer compositions was analysed. The tests were carried out with a different mass content of fillers of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% and variable size of filler grains. Samples for testing were obtained in the injection molding process. An increase in the Young’s modulus and hardness as well as a decrease in the remaining tested strength properties along with an increase in the filler‘s share content were found.
The development measuring skill for the thermal conductivity of heat pipe, graphite sheet and vapour chamber
Authors: Lin Wei-Keng , Zhang Wen-Hua , Tsai Ching-Huang , Chen Shao-Wen
Published: August 2019

This research designed a set of experimental instruments (TDMI) to measure the thermal diffusivity α of the material. TDMI is calibrated by pure substance such as copper, tin, lead, Aluminium 6061 etc., after done the calibration, the thermal conductivity of heat pipe 、 graphite sheet and vapour chamber also be measured. The repeatability error in this experiment, are within 5%. Compared with the thermal diffusivity data of those the pure substance from handbook while for the accurate relative error were within 10% as well.
Historical Persistence of Alcohol-Induced Mortality in the Russian Federations: Legacy of Early Industrialization
Authors: Kozlov Vladimir , Libman Alexander
Published: August 2019

Aims

The study aims to investigate insofar regional differences in alcohol-induced mortality in Russia, which emerged during the early industrialization of the country, persisted over a prolonged period of time (from late nineteenth to early twenty-first century), surviving fundamental political and social changes Russia experienced.

Methods

Multivariate regression models with historical and contemporary data on alcohol-induced mortality in Russian regions were estimated to document the persistence of spatial patterns of mortality, as well as to identify the possible mediating variables. Numerous robustness checks were used to corroborate the results.

Results

Alcohol-induced male mortality in Russian regions in 1880s–1890s is significantly and strongly correlated with male mortality due to accidental alcohol poisoning in Russian regions in 2010–2012. For female mortality, no robust correlation was established. The results for male mortality do not change if one controls for a variety of other determinants of alcohol-induced mortality and are not driven by outlier regions. Consumption of strong alcohol (in particular vodka) appears to be the mediator variable explaining this persistence.

Conclusions

Hazardous drinking behavioral patterns, once they emerge and crystalize during the periods of fragmentation of the traditional society and the early onsets of modernization and urbanization, can be extremely persistent. Even highly intrusive policy interventions at a later stage (like those of the Soviet government) may turn out to be insufficient to change the path-dependent outcomes.
A short argument for truthmaker maximalism
Authors: Jago Mark
Published: August 2019

Each truth has a truthmaker: an entity in virtue of whose existence that truth is true. So say truthmaker maximalists. Arguments for maximalism are hard to find, whereas those against are legion. Most accept that maximalism comes at a significant cost, which many judge to be too high. The scales would seem to be balanced against maximalism. Yet, as I show here, maximalism can be derived from an acceptable premise which many will pre-theoretically accept.
Do vampire bats groom others based on need?
Authors: Narizano Hugo , Carter Gerald G
Published: August 2019

Allogrooming provides a window into the social lives of many group-living mammals and birds. The fitness benefits of allogrooming are encouraged by proximate mechanisms that make it physiologically rewarding for both actors and receivers. However, receivers might not always benefit from allogrooming. Some allogrooming decisions might be the actor’s response to cues of the recipient’s need. Other decisions might only be caused by the actor’s motivational state. To test these ideas, we studied what triggers allogrooming in common vampire bats. In test 1, subjects that had experimentally disturbed and wetted fur were more likely to be allogroomed, even when controlling for increased self-grooming. In test 2, allogrooming rates were elevated not only by receiver self-grooming (a cue for receiver need) but also by the actor’s previous self-grooming. Both effects were significantly greater than the effect of self-grooming by third parties. Interestingly, we detected a negative interaction: the positive effect of receiver need on allogrooming was smaller when the actor was previously self-grooming. This is consistent with the hypothesis that there are “receiver-driven” allogrooming decisions, which are responses to recipient need, and “actor-driven” decisions, which are not. We predict that receiver-driven allogrooming will bestow greater benefits to recipients compared with actor-driven allogrooming.
Determination of Major Phytohormones in Fourteen Different Seaweeds Utilizing SPE–LC–MS/MS
Authors: Yalçın Sibel , Okudan Emine Şükran , Karakaş Özge , Önem Ayşe Nur
Published: August 2019

Analysis of plant growth regulators (PGRs) should be approached by considering their extremely low concentrations and serious interfering effects that result from the matrix of various plant tissues. In the current research, the separation and simultaneous determination of different classes of phytohormones in 14 seaweeds collected from Turkey seashores were achieved by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass detection method. OASIS HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) cartridges were successfully used for SPE process to eliminate the matrix effect and enhance the PGRs including zeatin, benzyl amino purine, indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid and gibberellic acid within partially different polarities. Based on the optimized experimental conditions, the method presented excellent performance related to linearity (r, 0.9996–0.9999) within the ranges of 0.5–500 ng/mL, relative standard deviation values ((1.43–2.01) for intraday and (2.36–3.50) for interday)), the limit of detection (0.01–0.84 μg/L) and the limit of quantification (0.02–2.76 μg/L). The obtained results confirm that the SPE–liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method performed is highly effective and convenient for routine analyses of trace amounts of the tested phytohormones in seaweeds and any other plant samples as well.
Stochastic Gradient Descent–Whale Optimization Algorithm-Based Deep Convolutional Neural Network To Crowd Emotion Understanding
Authors: Ratre Avinash
Published: August 2019

Crowd emotion understanding is an interesting research area that assists the security personnel to read the emotion/activity of the crowd in the locality. Most of the traditional methods utilize the low-level visual features to understand the crowd emotions that extend the gap between the low- and the high-level features. With the aim to develop an automatic method for emotion recognition, this paper utilizes the deep convolutional neural network (deep CNN). For the effective emotion recognition, it is essential to select the key frames of the video using the wavelet-based Bhattacharya distance. The key frames are fed to the space-time interest points descriptor that extracts the features and forms the input vector to the classifier. Deep CNN is trained using the proposed Stochastic Gradient Descent–Whale Optimization Algorithm, which is the unification of the standard stochastic gradient descent algorithm with whale optimization algorithm. The proposed classifier recognizes the emotions of the crowd, such as angry, escape, fight, happy, normal, running/walking and violence. The analysis of the method proved that the proposed approaches acquired a maximal accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of 0.9693, 0.9936 and 0.9675, respectively.
Overexpression of p53 due to excess protein O-GlcNAcylation is associated with coronary microvascular disease in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Si Rui , Zhang Qian , Tsuji-Hosokawa Atsumi , Watanabe Makiko , Willson Conor , Lai Ning , Wang Jian , Dai Anzhi , Scott Brian T , Dillmann Wolfgang H , Yuan Jason X -J , Makino Ayako
Published: August 2019

Aims

We previously reported that increased protein O-GlcNAcylation in diabetic mice led to vascular rarefaction in the heart. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how coronary endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis is enhanced by protein O-GlcNAcylation and thus induces coronary microvascular disease (CMD) and subsequent cardiac dysfunction in diabetes. We hypothesize that excessive protein O-GlcNAcylation increases p53 that leads to CMD and reduced cardiac contractility.

Methods and results

We conducted in vivo functional experiments in control mice, TALLYHO/Jng (TH) mice, a polygenic type 2 diabetic (T2D) model, and EC-specific O-GlcNAcase (OGA, an enzyme that catalyzes the removal of O-GlcNAc from proteins)-overexpressing TH mice, as well as in vitro experiments in isolated ECs from these mice. TH mice exhibited a significant increase in coronary EC apoptosis and reduction of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), an assessment of coronary microvascular function, in comparison to wild-type mice. The decreased CFVR, due at least partially to EC apoptosis, was associated with decreased cardiac contractility in TH mice. Western blot experiments showed that p53 protein level was significantly higher in coronary ECs from TH mice and T2D patients than in control ECs. High glucose treatment also increased p53 protein level in control ECs. Furthermore, overexpression of OGA decreased protein O-GlcNAcylation and down-regulated p53 in coronary ECs, and conferred a protective effect on cardiac function in TH mice. Inhibition of p53 with pifithrin-α attenuated coronary EC apoptosis and restored CFVR and cardiac contractility in TH mice.

Conclusions

The data from this study indicate that inhibition of p53 or down-regulation of p53 by OGA overexpression attenuates coronary EC apoptosis and improves CFVR and cardiac function in diabetes. Lowering coronary endothelial p53 levels via OGA overexpression could be a potential therapeutic approach for CMD in diabetes.
Cadherin-11 Is a Regulator of Intestinal Fibrosis
Authors: Franzè Eleonora , Monteleone Ivan , Laudisi Federica , Rizzo Angelamaria , Dinallo Vincenzo , Di Fusco Davide , Colantoni Alfredo , Ortenzi Angela , Giuffrida Paolo , Di Carlo Sara , Sica Giuseppe S , Di Sabatino Antonio , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Although the mechanisms underlying the formation of intestinal fibrostrictures in Crohn’s disease [CD] are not fully understood, activation of fibroblasts and excessive collagen deposition are supposed to contribute to the development of such complications. Here, we investigated the role of cadherin-11 [CDH-11], a fibroblast-derived protein that induces collagen production in various organs, in intestinal fibrosis.

Methods

CDH-11 expression was evaluated in inflammatory [I] and fibrostricturing [FS] CD mucosal samples, ulcerative colitis [UC] mucosal samples, and ileal and colonic control samples, by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. CDH-11 expression was evaluated in normal and in CD intestinal fibroblasts stimulated with inflammatory/fibrogenic cytokines. FS CD fibroblasts were cultured either with a specific CDH-11 antisense oligonucleotide [AS], or activating CDH-11 fusion protein and activation of RhoA/ROCK, and TGF-β pathways and collagen production were evaluated by western blotting. Finally, we assessed the susceptibility of CDH-11-knockout [KO] mice to colitis-induced intestinal fibrosis.

Results

CDH-11 RNA and protein expression were increased in both CD and UC as compared with controls. In CD, the greater expression of CDH-11 was seen in FS samples. Stimulation of fibroblasts with TNF-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IFN-γ, IL-13, and IL-1β enhanced CDH-11 expression. Knockdown of CDH-11 in FS CD fibroblasts impaired RhoA/ROCK/TGF-β signalling and reduced collagen synthesis, whereas activation of CDH-11 increased collagen secretion. CDH-11 KO mice were largely protected from intestinal fibrosis.

Conclusions

Data show that CDH-11 expression is up-regulated in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and suggest a role for this protein in the control of intestinal fibrosis.
Exogenous Endowment—Endogenous Reference Point
Authors: Maltz Amnon
Published: August 2019

We develop a model in the presence of categories that creates a link between the agent’s exogenous endowment and an endogenous reference point. The reference point is the best feasible alternative in the endowment’s category. This reference generates a constraint set from which the final choice is made according to utility maximisation. The model predicts category bias, which generalises the status quo bias by attracting the agent to her endowment’s category but not necessarily to the endowment itself. We show that it accommodates recent experimental findings regarding the presence and absence of status quo bias in the realm of uncertainty. In a stylised financial setup, we show that it may lead to a risk premium even with risk-neutral agents.
The RADial artery International ALliance (RADIAL) extended follow-up study: rationale and study protocol
Authors: Gaudino Mario , Benedetto Umberto , Fremes Stephen , Ballman Karla , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Sedrakyan Art , Nasso Giuseppe , Raman Jai , Buxton Brian , Hayward Philip A , Moat Neil , Collins Peter , Webb Carolyn , Peric Miodrag , Petrovic Ivana , Yoo Kyung J , Hameed Irbaz , Di Franco Antonino , Moscarelli Marco , Speziale Giuseppe , Girardi Leonard N , Hare David L , Taggart David P ,   RADIAL Investigators
Published: August 2019

It is generally accepted that radial artery (RA) grafts have better mid-term patency rate compared to saphenous vein grafts. However, the clinical correlates of the improved patency rate are still debated. Observational studies have suggested increased survival and event-free survival for patients who receive an RA rather than a saphenous vein, but they are open to bias and confounders. The only evidence based on randomized data is a pooled meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trial comparing the RA and the saphenous vein published by the RADial artery International Alliance (RADIAL). In the RADIAL database, improved freedom from follow-up cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization) was found at 5-year follow-up in the RA arm. The most important limitation of the RADIAL analysis is that most of the included trials had an angiographic follow-up in the first 5 years and it is unclear whether the rate of repeat revascularization (the main driver of the composite outcome) was clinically indicated due to per-protocol angiographies. Here, we present the protocol for the long-term analysis of the RADIAL database. By extending the follow-up beyond the 5th postoperative year (all trials except 1 did not have angiographic follow-up beyond 5 years), we aim to provide data on the role of RA in coronary artery bypass surgery with respect to long-term outcomes.
Changes in cardiac Aquaporin expression during aortic valve replacement surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Politi María Teresa , Ochoa Federico , Netti Vanina , Ferreyra Raúl , Bortman Guillermo , Sanjuan Norberto , Morales Celina , Piazza Antonio , Capurro Claudia
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVES

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surgeries. However, its use and duration have been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output syndrome due to myocardial oedema and dysfunction. Though Aquaporin water channels have been implicated in myocardial water balance, their specific role in this clinical scenario has not been established.

METHODS

In a consecutive study of 17 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery, 2 myocardial biopsies of the left ventricle were taken: 1 before and 1 after CPB use. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies were performed.

RESULTS

After CPB use, there was a mean increase of ∼62% in Aquaporin 1 protein levels (P = 0.001) and a mean reduction of ∼38% in Aquaporin 4 protein levels (P = 0.030). In immunohistochemistry assays, Aquaporin 1 was found lining small blood vessels, while Aquaporin 4 formed a circular label in cardiomyocytes. There were no changes in the localization of either protein following CPB use. During the observed on-pump time interval, there was a 1.7%/min mean increase in Aquaporin 1 (P = 0.021) and a 2.5%/min mean decrease in Aquaporin 4 (P = 0.018). Myocardial interstitial oedema increased by 42% (95% confidence interval 31–54%) after CPB use. Patients who developed low cardiac output syndrome were in the upper half of the median percentage change of Aquaporin expression.

CONCLUSION

Time-dependent changes in cardiac Aquaporin expression may be associated with myocardial oedema and dysfunction related to CPB use.
Expression of spider toxin in entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium and selection of the strain showing efficient secretion of the recombinant protein
Authors: Timofeev Sergey , Mitina Galina , Rogozhin Eugene , Dolgikh Viacheslav
Published: August 2019

Beta/delta-agatoxin-1 of spider Agelena orientalis was expressed in entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium. To ensure secretion of the recombinant product by the fungus, the signal secretory peptide of the Metarhizium anisopliae Mcl1 protein was inserted into the sequence. For detection of the recombinant product and selection of transformants, the toxin sequence was also fused with eGFP at the C-terminus. The gene encoding the A. orientalis toxin with the Mcl1 protein signal peptide was commercially synthesized, amplified and cloned into the vector pBARGPE1 designed for heterologous expression under the control of the PgpdA promoter and the trpC terminator of Aspergillus nidulans. A double selection on selective medium and microscopic analysis of transformants allowed obtaining a mitotically stable recombinant strain of L. muscarium. The recognition of the Mcl1 derived signal peptide in the cells of transformants and effective secretion of the hybrid product was confirmed by immunoblotting.
The Longevity-Associated SH2B3 (LNK) Genetic Variant: Selected Aging Phenotypes in 379,758 Subjects
Authors: Kuo Chia-Ling , Joaquim Micaella , Kuchel George A , Ferrucci Luigi , Harries Lorna W , Pilling Luke C , Melzer David
Published: August 2019

Human SH2B3 is involved in growth factor and inflammation signaling. A SH2B3 missense variant (rs3184504) is associated with cardiovascular diseases plus breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, with highly correlated variants across the ATXN2/SH2B3/BRAP locus linked to parental age at death, suggesting a geroscience common mechanism of aging and disease. To better understand the SH2B3-related aging pathway and its potential as an intervention target, we undertook a phenotype-wide association study (PheWAS) of 52 aging traits. Data were obtained from 379,758 European-descent UK Biobank participants, aged 40–70 at baseline: 27% of participants were CC homozygotes and 23% TT at rs3184504. Parental extreme longevity (mothers aged ≥98 years, fathers aged ≥96 years) was more common in CC versus TT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 1.29) with an additive per allele effect. The C allele associated with better cognitive function and white blood cell counts were more likely to be normal. The C allele reduced risks of coronary heart disease (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93 to 0.96) but was also associated with a modestly higher cancer rate (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.04), suggesting a trade-off across aging outcomes and limiting its potential as an anti-aging target.
On the S-instability and degeneracy of discrete deep learning models
Authors: Kaplan Andee , Nordman Daniel J , Vardeman Stephen B
Published: August 2019

A probability model exhibits instability if small changes in a data outcome result in large and, often unanticipated, changes in probability. This instability is a property of the probability model, given by a distributional form and a given configuration of parameters. For correlated data structures found in several application areas, there is increasing interest in identifying such sensitivity in model probability structure. We consider the problem of quantifying instability for general probability models defined on sequences of observations, where each sequence of length $N$ has a finite number of possible values that can be taken at each point. A sequence of probability models, indexed by $N$, and an associated parameter sequence result to accommodate data of expanding dimension. Model instability is formally shown to occur when a certain log probability ratio under such models grows faster than $N$. In this case, a one component change in the data sequence can shift probability by orders of magnitude. Also, as instability becomes more extreme, the resulting probability models are shown to tend to degeneracy, placing all their probability on potentially small portions of the sample space. These results on instability apply to large classes of models commonly used in random graphs, network analysis and machine learning contexts.
Einstein Four-Manifolds With Self-Dual Weyl Curvature of Nonnegative Determinant
Authors: Wu Peng
Published: August 2019

We prove that simply connected Einstein four-manifolds of positive scalar curvature are conformally Kähler if and only if the determinant of the self-dual Weyl curvature is positive.
Legitimacy and the Cognitive Sources of International Institutional Change: The Case of Regional Parliamentarization
Authors: Lenz Tobias , Burilkov Alexandr , Viola Lora Anne
Published: August 2019

How and under what conditions does legitimacy affect processes of international institutional change? This article specifies and evaluates three causal mechanisms by which variation in legitimacy induces institutional change in international organizations (IOs) and argues that an important, yet hitherto neglected, source of legitimacy-based change is cognitive in nature. Using survival analysis, we evaluate these mechanisms with a novel dataset on the establishment of parliamentary institutions in thirty-six regional organizations between 1950 and 2010. We find that the empowerment of supranational secretariats, engagement with the European Union, and parliamentarization in an organization's neighborhood increase the likelihood of regional parliamentarization. This suggests that legitimacy judgments that draw on cognitive referents provide an important source of international institutional change. We illustrate the underlying cognitive emulation mechanism with a case study of parliamentarization in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.