bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct, indirect, and reciprocal associations between perfectionism, compulsive exercise and eating disorder pathology in adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Adams Vinola , Watson Hunna J. , Mazzucchelli Trevor , Jones Emily , Callaghan Thomas , Bills Elizabeth , Egan Sarah J.
Published: March 2024

Background

There is a strong association between perfectionism and eating disorders. In a cognitive–behavioural model of compulsive exercise it has been suggested there are reciprocal associations between perfectionism, eating disorder pathology, and compulsive exercise. No study has examined if there is an indirect association between perfectionism and compulsive exercise through eating disorder pathology, which would inform a preliminary understanding of the cognitive–behavioural model of compulsive exercise.

Methods

The sample included 301 adolescent females diagnosed with eating disorders (age M = 14.89, SD = 0.85, range 13–17). We tested models of direct and indirect associations of compulsive exercise in the relationship between perfectionism and eating disorder pathology, and direct and indirect associations of eating disorder pathology in the relationship between compulsive exercise and perfectionism.

Results

Perfectionism was directly associated with eating disorder pathology and compulsive exercise. Perfectionism was indirectly associated with eating disorder pathology through compulsive exercise. Perfectionism also had an indirect association with compulsive exercise through eating disorder pathology.

Discussion

The findings suggest it would be useful for future prospective research to examine the cognitive–behavioural model of compulsive exercise in adolescents with eating disorders. Compulsive exercise and perfectionism may be useful targets for future research to improve eating disorder treatment.

Level of evidence Level V: Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.
Ontology-Based Enneagram Personality Prediction System
Authors: Abdelhamid Esraa , Ismail Sally , Aref Mostafa
Published: March 2024

Researchers are keen on finding out about people’s emotions and interests. Personality prediction helps in this issue. Recognizing consumers’ sentiments and desires assists in the development of better recommendation systems and dating applications. Previous personality prediction systems studies had shown personality theories such as Big Five Traits, Three Factor Model, etc. More informative personality model is required because it offers a greater understanding. The target is enabling machines to understand the person more deeply than the previously used models. Enneagram is a distinct personality theory which demonstrates personalities’ motivations, desires and fears. The questionnaire-based exam is the way to inform a person’s Enneagram personality. People are not motivated to complete the exam because it takes time. Enneagram personality prediction system is presented utilizing Enneagram personality model and Twitter text. This does not require any time or effort to predict the personality of the Enneagram. Personality prediction of the Enneagram applies ontology, lexicon and a statistical method. The system’s performance is evaluated using precision, recall, f1-score, and accuracy. The highest personality type recall output is the Enthusiast which is 95%. This is the first technique to predict Enneagram personality from text. The result indicates a good start to predict Enneagram personality.
Short‐Term Arsenic Cycling in a Shallow, Polymictic Lake
Authors: Fung Samantha R. , Hull Erin A. , Gawel James E. , Horner‐Devine Alexander R. , Neumann Rebecca B.
Published: March 2024

Arsenic (As), a harmful contaminant present in many urban lakes, can negatively impact lake ecosystem health when aqueous concentrations are elevated. We observed repeated diel oscillations in As concentrations in the bottom waters of a shallow, temperate lake during a weeklong period. In this work, we explore four mechanistic hypotheses to explain the diel As cycles based on the physical and biogeochemical processes that were investigated during the study. Despite pH being known to control diel As cycles in rivers, we determined that this mechanism was inconsistent with As dynamics observed in Lake Killarney. Instead, we found that iron and manganese concentrations oscillated simultaneously with As concentrations and that redox conditions adjacent to the lakebed likely controlled the near‐bed availability of these three elements. However, based on timescale analysis, we determined that biogeochemical processes at the sediment water interface alone could not have led to the daily oscillations in bottom water concentrations. Rather, turbulence from convective mixing was necessary to transport dissolved species. Notably, we saw that the timing and intensity of peaks in convectively driven turbulence were consistent with observed diel fluctuations in bottom water As. Our results indicate that physical mixing is key in controlling As transport and concentrations on diel timescales within shallow lakes. Understanding the daily cycling of As in shallow lakes is essential for predicting the degree to which lake biota are exposed to this contaminant. Diel oscillations in As concentrations should be considered when designing sampling methods to assess the water quality of contaminated sites.
Assessing genetic diversity in critically endangered Chieniodendron hainanense populations within fragmented habitats in Hainan
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Hai-Li , Chen Yukai , Nizamani Mir Muhammad , Wu Tingtian , Liu Tingting , Zhou Qin
Published: March 2024

Habitat fragmentation has led to a reduction in the geographic distribution of species, making small populations vulnerable to extinction due to environmental, demographic, and genetic factors. The wild plant Chieniodendron hainanense, a species with extremely small populations, is currently facing endangerment and thus requires urgent conservation efforts. Understanding its genetic diversity is essential for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of its vulnerability and for developing effective conservation strategies. In our study, we analyzed 35 specimens from six different populations of C. hainanense using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) methodologies. Our findings indicate that C. hainanense has limited genetic diversity. The observed heterozygosity across the populations ranged from 10.79 to 14.55%, with an average of 13.15%. We categorized the six populations of C. hainanense into two distinct groups: (1) Diaoluoshan and Baishaling, and (2) Wuzhishan, Huishan, Bawangling, and Jianfengling. The genetic differentiation among these populations was found to be relatively weak. The observed loss of diversity is likely a result of the effects of natural selection.
Genetic structure and origin of emu populations in Japanese farms inferred from large-scale SNP genotyping based on double-digest RAD-seq
Authors: Koshiishi Yuichi , Wada Kenta
Published: March 2024

The emu is a novel poultry species in Japan. However, Japanese farmed emu populations have reduced genetic diversity owing to inbreeding. We have previously suggested that there are genetic resources in the Tohoku Safari Park (TSP) and Fuji/Kakegawa Kachoen Garden Park (FGP/KGP) to extend the genetic diversity of commercial emu farms based on microsatellite (SSR) and mitochondrial DNA. However, those markers provide relatively poor information. Thus, we investigated the genetic structure of farmed Japanese populations based on a large-scale genotyping system using RAD-seq and verified the usefulness of TSP and FGP/KGP as genetic resources for expanding genetic diversity. Admixture, phylogenetic, and principal component analyses based on 28,676 SNPs showed that TSP individuals were ancestors in the Okhotsk Emu Farm (OEF). FGP/KGP individuals showed a unique genetic component that differed from that of the others. We have previously reported that the mitochondrial haplotypes of FGP/KGP were shared with an isolated wild population in eastern Australia. These results suggest that FGP/KGP individuals originated from an eastern Australia isolated population different from other populations including ancestral of OEF/TSP. Our results would provide information for the development of Japanese emu farms and industry and for the conservation of genetic resources in the Australian wild emu.
Modeling time-varying phytoplankton subsidy reveals at-risk species in a Chilean intertidal ecosystem
Authors: Duckwall Casey , Largier John L. , Wieters Evie A. , Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: March 2024

The allometric trophic network (ATN) framework for modeling population dynamics has provided numerous insights into ecosystem functioning in recent years. Herein we extend ATN modeling of the intertidal ecosystem off central Chile to include empirical data on pelagic chlorophyll-a concentration. This intertidal community requires subsidy of primary productivity to support its rich ecosystem. Previous work models this subsidy using a constant rate of phytoplankton input to the system. However, data shows pelagic subsidies exhibit highly variable, pulse-like behavior. The primary contribution of our work is incorporating this variable input into ATN modeling to simulate how this ecosystem may respond to pulses of pelagic phytoplankton. Our model results show that: (1) closely related sea snails respond differently to phytoplankton variability, which is explained by the underlying network structure of the food web; (2) increasing the rate of pelagic-intertidal mixing increases fluctuations in species’ biomasses that may increase the risk of local extirpation; (3) predators are the most sensitive species to phytoplankton biomass fluctuations, putting these species at greater risk of extirpation than others. Finally, our work provides a straightforward way to incorporate empirical, time-series data into the ATN framework that will expand this powerful methodology to new applications.
An evaluation of the replicability of analyses using synthetic health data
Authors: El Emam Khaled , Mosquera Lucy , Fang Xi , El-Hussuna Alaa
Published: March 2024

Synthetic data generation is being increasingly used as a privacy preserving approach for sharing health data. In addition to protecting privacy, it is important to ensure that generated data has high utility. A common way to assess utility is the ability of synthetic data to replicate results from the real data. Replicability has been defined using two criteria: (a) replicate the results of the analyses on real data, and (b) ensure valid population inferences from the synthetic data. A simulation study using three heterogeneous real-world datasets evaluated the replicability of logistic regression workloads. Eight replicability metrics were evaluated: decision agreement, estimate agreement, standardized difference, confidence interval overlap, bias, confidence interval coverage, statistical power, and precision (empirical SE). The analysis of synthetic data used a multiple imputation approach whereby up to 20 datasets were generated and the fitted logistic regression models were combined using combining rules for fully synthetic datasets. The effects of synthetic data amplification were evaluated, and two types of generative models were used: sequential synthesis using boosted decision trees and a generative adversarial network (GAN). Privacy risk was evaluated using a membership disclosure metric. For sequential synthesis, adjusted model parameters after combining at least ten synthetic datasets gave high decision and estimate agreement, low standardized difference, as well as high confidence interval overlap, low bias, the confidence interval had nominal coverage, and power close to the nominal level. Amplification had only a marginal benefit. Confidence interval coverage from a single synthetic dataset without applying combining rules were erroneous, and statistical power, as expected, was artificially inflated when amplification was used. Sequential synthesis performed considerably better than the GAN across multiple datasets. Membership disclosure risk was low for all datasets and models. For replicable results, the statistical analysis of fully synthetic data should be based on at least ten generated datasets of the same size as the original whose analyses results are combined. Analysis results from synthetic data without applying combining rules can be misleading. Replicability results are dependent on the type of generative model used, with our study suggesting that sequential synthesis has good replicability characteristics for common health research workloads.
Physics informed contour selection for rapid image segmentation
Authors: Dwivedi Vikas , Srinivasan Balaji , Krishnamurthi Ganapathy
Published: March 2024

Effective training of deep image segmentation models is challenging due to the need for abundant, high-quality annotations. To facilitate image annotation, we introduce Physics Informed Contour Selection (PICS)—an interpretable, physics-informed algorithm for rapid image segmentation without relying on labeled data. PICS draws inspiration from physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and an active contour model called snake. It is fast and computationally lightweight because it employs cubic splines instead of a deep neural network as a basis function. Its training parameters are physically interpretable because they directly represent control knots of the segmentation curve. Traditional snakes involve minimization of the edge-based loss functionals by deriving the Euler–Lagrange equation followed by its numerical solution. However, PICS directly minimizes the loss functional, bypassing the Euler Lagrange equations. It is the first snake variant to minimize a region-based loss function instead of traditional edge-based loss functions. PICS uniquely models the three-dimensional (3D) segmentation process with an unsteady partial differential equation (PDE), which allows accelerated segmentation via transfer learning. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we apply PICS for 3D segmentation of the left ventricle on a publicly available cardiac dataset. We also demonstrate PICS’s capacity to encode the prior shape information as a loss term by proposing a new convexity-preserving loss term for left ventricle. Overall, PICS presents several novelties in network architecture, transfer learning, and physics-inspired losses for image segmentation, thereby showing promising outcomes and potential for further refinement.
Risk factors for hypoactive delirium in patients with nontraumatic ARDS: a prospective observational study
Authors: Lian Fuyan , Li Fei , Tang Xuemei , Yuan Yuan
Published: March 2024

To investigate the incidence, characteristics and risk factors for hypoactive delirium in patients with nontraumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to explore the independent risk factors associated with hypoactive delirium and provide new ideas for early prediction and treatment. Hypoactive delirium is a known serious complication in ARDS patients, and currently, there are no effective early detection models or clinical prediction tools, and there is a lack of clinical treatment. This study included nontraumatic ARDS patients who stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 24 h and were older than 18 years. A total of 205 ARDS patients admitted to the ICU of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital between December 2021 and February 2023 were selected. Demographic data, clinical characteristics and laboratory test results were collected within 24 h after the patients entered the ICU. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors, evaluate the clinical prediction effect of the model and construct a nomogram for visual display. The incidence of hypoactive delirium among the patients included in the study was 41%. Patients with hypoactive delirium had hypertension; diabetes mellitus; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores ≥ 15; and increased procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactic dehydrogenase and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels compared with those without hypoactive delirium. Logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus (OR 3.305, 95% CI: 1.866–12.616; p = 0.047), CRP level (OR 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001–1.023; p = 0.044), and IL-6 level (OR 1.045, 95% CI: 1.017–1.063; p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for hypoactive delirium. After receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA) confirmed that the clinical prediction ability of this study model was satisfactory, and a nomogram was drawn for visual display. Hypoactive delirium is a common serious complication in nontraumatic ARDS patients. Our logistic regression model not only effectively predicts hypoactive delirium early but also reveals potential clinical therapeutic targets.
Highly efficient catalytic degradation of organic dyes using iron nanoparticles synthesized with Vernonia Amygdalina leaf extract
Authors: Jara Yohannes Shuka , Mekiso Tilahun Tumiso , Washe Alemayhu Pawulos
Published: March 2024

Today, nanoscience explores the potential of nanoparticles due to their extraordinary properties compared to bulk materials. The synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts is a very promising method for environmental remediation, which gets global attention due to pollution-led global warming. In the present study, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were successfully synthesized by the green method using Vernonia amygdalina plant leaf extract as a natural reducing and capping agent. Biosynthesized FeNPs were characterized with different analytical techniques such as UV–visible, FT-IR, XRD, and SEM. The analysis revealed the formation of amorphous FeNPs with an irregular morphology and non-uniform distribution in size and shape. The average particle size was approximately 2.31 µm. According to the catalytic degradation investigation, the FeNPs produced via the green approach are highly effective in breaking down both CV and MB into non-toxic products, with a maximum degradation efficiency of 97.47% and 94.22%, respectively, when the right conditions are met. The kinetics study exhibited a high correlation coefficient close to unity (0.999) and (0.995) for the degradation of MB and CV, respectively, for the zero-order pseudo-kinetics model, which describes the model as highly suitable for the degradation of both dyes by FeNPs compared to other models. The reusability and stability of biosynthesized nano-catalysts were studied and successfully used as efficient catalysts with a slight decrease in the degradation rate more than four times. The results from this study illustrate that green synthesized FeNPs offer a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient means for the catalytic degradation of organic dyes.
Effects of the addition of short straight steel fibers on the strength and strains of high-strength concrete during compression
Authors: Kaźmierowski Maciej , Jaskulski Roman , Drzazga Michał , Nalepka Marek , Kordasz Michał
Published: March 2024

The article presents the effect of the addition of short straight steel fibers on the behavior of high-strength concrete (HSC) under compression (σ–ε curves). Deformations of cylindrical samples were measured simultaneously with the use of linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), strain gauges and the method of digital image correlation (DIC). The study showed that as the content of short straight steel fibers increases, both the composite compressive strength (fc) and strains (ε0), which correspond to the stress equal to the compressive strength, increase as well. To a lesser extent, the effect of short straight fibers on the descending part of the σ–ε curve was observed. An increase in the density and toughness ratio of the compressive strength of high-strength concrete with fibers compared to concrete without fibers was also observed. Moreover, compressive strength of the composite was estimated using the ultrasonic method. Based on the obtained results, a statistical analysis and an estimation of parameters fc and ε0 were carried out, and an analytical model was proposed to describe σ–ε relationship for HSC reinforced with short straight fibers under compressive loading. The results obtained for compressed fiber-reinforced concrete were compared with data available in literature.
Antibacterial and hemocompatibility potentials of nano-gold-cored alginate preparation against anaerobic bacteria from acne vulgaris
Authors: Abbas Hanan A. , Taha Ali A. , Sulaiman Ghassan M. , Al Ali Amer , Shmrany Humood Al , Stamatis Haralambos , Mohammed Hamdoon A. , Khan Riaz A.
Published: March 2024

Acne is a prevalent dermatological disease, with high global incidence, and is a health menace. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the condition. Causes of a total of 70 acne-based bacterium isolates obtained from patients of mild, moderate, and severe acne, 24 were Clostridium innocuum, 21 were Lactobacillus plantarum, 13 were Anaerococcus prevotii, and 12 were Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus. Nearly 69% of males were suffering, while the rest were females at 31%. The 15–30 years old age group was the most affected. The gold/alginate nanoparticles’ nanopreparation (GANPs) produced from chloroauric acid and sodium alginate was an effective treatment against the acne conditions under the experimental conditions. The nanopreparation exhibited significant inhibitory activity against anaerobic bacterial isolates, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 200 µg/ml for A. prevotii and P. asaccharolyticus, and 400 µg/ml for C. innocuum and L. plantarum. The in vitro efficacy of the GANPs on human blood parameters was also assessed. The concurrent results suggested potential antibacterial activity and hemocompatibility of the product, which has promise to be used as a successful antibacterial agent for acne.
Assessing anatomical variations of the inferior mesenteric artery via three-dimensional CT angiography and laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Ding Yuanyi , Zhao Botian , Niu Wenbo , Hu Xuhua , Li Chenhui , Liu Zining , Yu Bin
Published: March 2024

To assess the anatomy of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and its branches by reviewing laparoscopic left-sided colorectal cancer surgery videos and comparing them with preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) angiography, to verify the accuracy of 3D-CT vascular reconstruction techniques. High-definition surgical videos and preoperative imaging data of 200 patients who underwent laparoscopic left-sided colorectal cancer surgery were analysed, and the alignment of the IMA and its branches in relation to the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) was observed and summarized. The above two methods were used to measure the length of the IMA and its branches. Of 200 patients, 47.0% had the sigmoid arteries (SAs) arise from the common trunk with the superior rectal artery (SRA), and 30.5% had the SAs arise from the common trunk with the left colic artery (LCA). In 3.5% of patients, the SAs arising from both the LCA and SRA. The LCA, SA, and SRA emanated from the same point in 13.5% of patients, and the LCA was absent in 5.5% of patients. The range of D cm (IMA length measured by intraoperative silk thread) and d cm (IMA length measured by 3D-CT vascular reconstruction) in all cases was 1.84–6.62 cm and 1.85–6.52 cm, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them. (p < 0.001). The lengths between the intersection of the LCA and IMV measured intraoperatively were 0.64–4.29 cm, 0.87–4.35 cm, 1.32–4.28 cm and 1.65–3.69 cm in types 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.994). There was only a significant difference in the length of the IMA between the 3D-CT vascular reconstruction and intraoperative observation data, which can provide guidance to surgeons in preoperative preparation.
Changes in Cabernet Sauvignon yield and berry quality as affected by variability in weather conditions in the last two decades in Lebanon
Authors: Ghantous G. , Popov K. , El Sebaaly Z. , Sassine Y. N.
Published: March 2024

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted cultivar in Lebanese vineyards. This study investigated the variation of its production at two vineyards ‘Kanafar’ (West Bekaa at 1020 m.a.s.l) and ‘Taanayel’ (Central Bekaa at 800 m.a.s.l) and their interactions with weather conditions from 2006 till 2018. Evaluation of climate records denoted interannual variability in weather conditions occurring in 2015 in Kanafar and in 2008 in Taanayel. Average yield peaked in 2009 in Kanafar (19,187.0 kg ha−1) and in 2011 in Taanayel (14,279.0 kg ha−1), both years marked a turning point after which values of average yield shifted downwards (by 31–67% in Kanafar, and 14–82% in Taanayel). At Kanafar, after 2015, averages of yield, weight of 200 berries (W200B), potential alcohol (PA), and total polyphenolic richness (TPR) decreased by 35%, 1.5%, 36.2 g, and 50%, respectively. In Taanayel, only TPR content in berries was significantly affected by varying weather conditions (decrease by 20%). Also, TPR values followed a progressive decreasing pattern starting from 2006 at both vineyards with minor exceptions. Multiple regression analysis assessed the relationship between various indicators and weather variables at each vineyard. It showed that the decrease in yield at Kanafar correlated with higher temperature during the growing season (by 0.6 °C), higher solar radiation from early-spring to early-summer (by 13.9–27.1 W m−2), and lower values of maximum wind speed during mid to late summer (by 0.4 m s−1), occurring during 2016, 2017, and 2018 at Kanafar. The model explained 60% of yield variations at this vineyard. Further, weather variables accounted for 61% (R2 = 0.61) of changes in PA and for 58% (R2 = 0.58) of TPR of berries at Kanafar. Conclusively, interannual variability in weather conditions had more serious negative influence on Cabernet Sauvignon production at Kanafar than at Taanayel, but had a similar negative influence on polyphenols accumulation in berries, and thus on potential wine quality produced at both vineyards.
Determining the factors impacting the quality of life among the general population in coastal communities in central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Gia Thanh , Tran Thang Binh , Le Duong Dinh , Nguyen Tu Minh , Van Nguyen Hiep , Ho Phuong Uyen , Van Tran Son , Thuy Linh Nguyen Hoang , Tran Trung Dinh , Phan Long Thanh , Anh Thu Dang Thi , Watanabe Toru
Published: March 2024

People living in coastal areas are frequently affected by natural disasters, such as floods and storms. This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of people living in disadvantaged coastal communes (subdivision of Vietnam) and identify their associated factors by using the World Health Organization’s quality of life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). To achieve this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 595 individuals aged 18 years and above living in the coastal communes in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam, from October 2022 to February 2023. The results showed that the mean overall QoL (mean ± SD) was 61.1 ± 10.8. Among the four domains of QoL, the physical health (57.2 ± 12.3) domain had a lower score than the psychological health (61.9 ± 13.0), social relations (63.4 ± 13.4), and environment (61.9 ± 13.3) domains. The QoL score of the domains for participants affected by flooding was significantly lower than that of those not affected, except for social relations. Multivariable logistic regression showed that subjects with not good QoL had the educational background with no formal education (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.63, 95% CI 1.19–5.83), fairly poor/poor households (OR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.48–5.12), suffered Musculoskeletal diseases (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.02–2.56), unsatisfaction with health status (OR = 5.27, 95% CI 2.44–11.37), family conflicts (OR = 4.51, 95%CI 2.10–9.69), and low levels of social support (OR = 2.62; 95% CI 1.14–6.02). The analysis also revealed that workers (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.66) had a better QoL than farmer-fisherman. QoL in disadvantaged coastal communes was low, with the lowest scores in the physical health domain. Based on the socioeconomic factors associated with not good QoL identified here, it is recommended that local authorities take more appropriate and practical measures to increase support, including measures for all aspects of physical health, psychological health, social relations, and the living environment, especially for people affected by floods.
Identification of microplastic types in the Martapura River's water, sediment, and fish using FTIR (Case Study: Loktangga Village and Teluk Muara Kelayan) South Kalimantan
Authors: Annisa Nova , Mahmud Mahmud , Fatimah Anita , Khotidjah Nathania , Riduan Rony , Mahyudin Rizqi Puteri , Nirtha Indah , Firdausy Muhammad Abrar , Sumantri Indro , Prasetia Hafiizh
Published: March 2024

Microplastics are fragments of plastic less than 5 mm in size, produced either by the breakdown of plastic waste or by using tiny pieces of plastic. The study aimed to classify the different kinds of microplastics found in the Martapura River's water, sediment, and fish. Sedgewick rafter and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for this study. This study's findings suggest a dissimilar distribution of microplastics between the two villages of Loktangga and Teluk Muara Kelayan. Nylon was found to be the most common type of microplastic in Lok Tangga Village. Meanwhile, polystyrene and polycarbonate were found to be the most common types of microplastics in Teluk Muara Kelayan. The dispersed nature of the microplastic pollution point to distinct regional origins or unique transport and deposition mechanisms. Knowing the specific types of microplastics found in a given area helps determine where they came from and develop effective solutions. More studies may be needed to pinpoint the precise causes and assess their effects on aquatic life and human health.
Titration vs. GC-MS Analysis to Determine the Factors Affecting the Esterification Activity of Candida rugosa Lipase Immobilized onto Celite
Authors: Curie Catia Angli , Dianursanti  , Budhijanto Wiratni , Gozan Misri
Published: March 2024

The activity of lipases to catalyze the synthesis of esters in a non-aqueous environment can be assessed by performing a simple esterification study. In such tests, titration of the remaining acid has been one of the most used methods to determine the reaction progress due to its simplicity. Nonetheless, the execution of the titration is not always as simple as it sounds. In this study, Candida rugosa lipase is immobilized onto celite matrix, and its esterification activity was evaluated by catalyzing the reaction between butanol and butyric acid. Among the factors affecting the esterification activity of the immobilized enzymes are celite:CRL ratio, buffer pH during immobilization, and post-immobilization drying time. The titration results were analyzed using factorial design, ANOVA test, and Pareto chart. Here, the ambiguity of the titration results is showcased. On the other hand, analyzing the esterification results using GC-MS allowed optimization of the immobilization method to be performed. Finally, factors affecting the activity of the immobilized enzyme can be better assessed when the esterification results were analyzed using GC-MS.
Binary Effect of Tertiary Butylhydroquinone and Butylated Hydroxytoluene Additives with The Addition of Glycerol Monostearate to Improve Oxidative Stability of Palm Oil-Based Biodiesel
Authors: Yusri Silvya , Chuaca Chelselyn Charissa , Sutanto Hery
Published: March 2024

Biodiesel is a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel fuel. However, like any fuel, biodiesel is subject to oxidation, which can negatively impact its quality and performance when kept for long-term. The addition of binary antioxidants such as TBHQ:BHT had been proven to improve oxidation stability of biodiesel. Combining surfactant such as GMS into single antioxidant had been proven to solve its insolubility issue. However, the implementation of mixing binary antioxidants and surfactant has not been done yet. Therefore, this research analyzed the effect of single antioxidant, binary antioxidants, and binary antioxidants with GMS (100 ppm) addition into biodiesel and biodiesel blend B35. The effect was observed within 8 weeks storage period. The result showed that B35 did not have any significant impact. While in pure biodiesel samples, B100-bi and B100-bi+GMS had a slight difference in the results of oxidative parameters. B100-bi showed the best result in induction period and kinematic viscosity. Rancimat test showed 170 hours for B100-bi and 168 hours for B100-bi+GMS. While B100-bi+GMS indicated as the best additives in term of acid number, iodine value, and dispersion test. Hence, the addition of surfactant into binary antioxidants showed similar performance with B100-bi but with slightly better solubility.
Mitigation of Emerging Contaminants in Hospital Wastewater: Ozone Microbubbles as an Innovative Treatment Approach
Authors: Verinda Sera Budi , Amalia Nur Farida , Gunawan Gunawan , Farida Helmia , Yulianto Eko , Usman Anwar , Nur Muhammad
Published: March 2024

This review article explores the challenges posed by emerging contaminants present in hospital wastewater and investigates the potential of ozone microbubbles as an innovative treatment approach. As healthcare facilities continue to be a significant source of diverse contaminants, ranging from pharmaceuticals and personal care products to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, addressing the impact of these pollutants on the environment and public health is of paramount importance. The use of ozone microbubbles, a cutting-edge technology in water treatment, offers a promising solution for the removal and degradation of various emerging contaminants. This article comprehensively examines the occurrence and effects of emerging contaminants in hospital wastewater, delves into the principles of ozone microbubbles technology, and reviews recent studies and advancements in utilizing ozone microbubbles for the treatment of hospital effluents. The potential synergistic effects of combining ozone microbubbles with other treatment processes will also be explored. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge, identify gaps in research, and propose future directions for the effective mitigation of emerging contaminants in hospital wastewater using ozone microbubbles.
Integrated Approach: Characterization, Application of Alumina Kaolin Membrane for Glycerol Separation in Biodiesel Production, and Flux Recovery Strategies
Authors: Yusri Silvya , Maharani Nabila S. , Gabriel David , Maryani Eneng , Hernawan  , Kusumocahyo Samuel P.
Published: March 2024

The transesterification process used for biodiesel production yields glycerol as a prominent byproduct. Given glycerol's adverse effects on engine performance and longevity, regulatory standards, such as those set by SNI and international authorities, restrict free glycerol content in biodiesel to below 0.02 wt.% or 200 ppm. Consequently, the removal of glycerol has become a critical step in biodiesel production. Traditional purification methods are energy-intensive and generate substantial wastewater, prompting the exploration of alternative solutions like membrane separation technology. Ceramic microfiltration membranes, renowned for their exceptional thermal, chemical, and mechanical durability, have emerged as a prominent choice. The development and application of a cost-effective Alumina-Kaolin ceramic microfiltration membrane for glycerol removal in biodiesel signify a promising advancement in water purification processes. The current study was conducted to evaluate the microfiltration performance of the Alumina-Kaolin ceramic membrane, investigate the impact of the membrane’s microstructure on separation performance, and explore cleaning strategies aimed at enhancing flux recovery ratio (FRR). The microstructure analysis through SEM and BET demonstrated pores in the membrane, featuring a 3.375 m2/g surface area, 30.367 % porosity, and 0.18 μm pore size. Several tests employed using different glycerol and water concentration in the feed of 1000 ppm, 5000 ppm and 10000 ppm. The evaluation gave high glycerol rejection rates of 92.07%, 98.52% and 98.94% for the respective feed concentrations with the permeate flux of 65.42 [l/(m2h)], 61.09 [l/(m2h)] and 52.91 [l/(m2h)] respectively. The microstructure of alumina-kaolin membrane could separate the larger particles of glycerol-water droplets and gave high separation performance. As the flux decline ratio increased (from 2.13% to 20.86%) due to rising glycerol concentration (1,000 to 10,000 ppm), cleaning became crucial for flux recovery. Employing various agents, benzalkonium chloride notably enhanced alumina-kaolin flux recovery ratio (FRR) to 98.17%.
The Hydrolysis of Cow’s Rumen and Rice Straw Mixture using Sulfuric Acid and The Fermentation of Its Hydrolysate in Bioethanol Production
Authors: Megawati  , Arianti Forita Dyah , Prabowo Agung , Astuti Widi , Bahlawan Zuhriyan Ash Shiddieqy , Haryanto Bambang , Pertiwi Miranti Dian , Chanifah  , Prasetyo Teguh , Triastono Joko , Djarot Ira Nurhayati , Santoso Arif Dwi , Wijayanti Sri Peni , Zelda Keisha Ruthshanna , Liman Dionicius Cita Buana
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the effect of cow’s rumen and rice straw ratio on hydrolysis as well as sulfuric acid concentration, temperature, and time were also examined. The fermentation was also carried out, with the main focus on the effect of the yeast concentration. The more straw in the material, the higher the glucose. In the rumen and straw ratio of 40:60 and 80:20%, 0.3 M sulfuric acid, 90 oC, and 60 minutes, the glucose was 10.60 and 5.87 g/L. Hydrolysis at 90 was better than 80 oC. In the rumen and straw mixture of 40:60%, 0.6 M sulfuric acid, and 75 minutes, the glucose was 18.47 and 15.11 g/L. The catalyst concentration of 0.6 was also better than 0.3 M, in which the glucose could reach 17.32 and 8.46 g/L at a rumen and straw ratio of 0:100, 90 oC, and 45 minutes. Glucose in the hydrolysate could be fermented well. The higher the yeast concentration, the higher the ethanol content, respectively 1.22, 1.35, and 1.52% in 72 hours at yeast concentrations of 9, 15, and 20 g/L. Ethanol rose sharply within 24 hours and after 72 hours it continued to rise even though it started to slow down at 60 hours.
Modelling of Air Pollution Dispersion in the Utilization of Used Oil as a Fuel
Authors: Purwanto Purwanto , Susanto Arif , Hasari Alifah Ainun , Putro Edi Karyono , Manuel Anthony Andorful
Published: March 2024

The need for quicklime has led to increased utilization of used oil as a substitute for fuel in its combustion process. Mahaka Lime Factory produces SO2 and NOX, which are emitted through the chimney and proportional to lime burning. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the distribution of the emission concentration in the ambient air. One of the methods used to facilitate the monitoring process to ensure it is kept below the quality standard is dispersion modeling. This is an analytical model processed with the help of AERMOD software and the Gaussian equation. The SO2 concentrations of 0.001 mg/m3 and 0.001 mg/m3, as well as NOX of 0.027 mg/m3 and 0.044 mg/m3 obtained from the calculation, were below the applicable quality standard. Furthermore, emission concentrations directly observed were more significant than the Gaussian modeling results due to the presence of other pollutants around the factory. In conclusion, the dispersion modeling using AERMOD software showed that the largest and lowest distribution of emission concentrations are in the cliff area around the emission source and on the ground surface close to the chimney.
Methylene blue removal via photocatalysis by continuous tubular photoreactor with TiO2
Authors: Ariyanti Dessy , Lesdantina Dina , Purbasari Aprilina , Widiyanti Marissa , Aisa Ariana , Gao Wei
Published: March 2024

The Indonesian batik industry has dominated the global market with an export value in 2022 of around US$ 25.31 million or Rp 392.74 billion. Environmental implications are also substantial, as 10–20% of the total dye products utilized in batik dyeing are typically lost in effluent and discharged into bodies of water. Photocatalysis with TiO2 has been widely studied as a method that can be applied to wastewater treatment because it has high photoreactive properties and chemical stability compared to other materials. A tubular photoreactor system with continuous flow for processing dye waste in the batik industry has been successfully developed. This equipment consists of five reactors arranged in parallel connected by a 1/2-inch pipe and equipped with a circulation pump, flowmeter, feed tank, panel box, and flow valve. This system is used for the photocatalysis process with a TiO2 catalyst dose of 1.5 gr/l with flow rate variation. The results show that the color of the solution changed and the results of measurements using UV-VIS showed that the concentration of methylene blue decreased from 4.871 ppm to 0.081 ppm with the flow rate of 3 L/min. The kinetic constant for this variable is 0.01762/min with R2 = 0.98675.
Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Pretreatment Simulation with Ammonia Soaking and Ammonia Expansion Method for Levulinic Acid and Furfural Production
Authors: Muryanto  , Karimah Iffa , Sianipar Andri Josua , Handita Fabio Carisma , Sumayyah Hasna Nisrina , Gabriella Maria , Alifa Nadhira , Alviora She Lizanoer , Fitri Widya Rahmanisa , Abdurachim Yahya , Hermansyah Heri , Sudiyani Yanni , Gozan Misri
Published: March 2024

OPEFB is a waste product from oil palm mills and is abundant in quantity. OPEFB is a lignocellulosic compound containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The cellulose in OPEFB can be converted into levulinic acid, while hemicellulose can be converted into furfural. The consumption of furfural and levulinic acid in Indonesia is increasing, and so far, the demand has been met through imports. Pretreatment is the first stage in converting OPEFB into valuable products. In this paper, we have simulated furfural and levulinic acid production from OPEFB using two pretreatment methods: ammonia soaking and ammonia expansion. Both process simulations were carried out using Superpro Designer v9.0, with 17,520 metric tons OPEFB/year capacity as input raw material. The simulation of furfural and levulinic acid production using the ammonia expansion pretreatment process resulted in feasibility indicators including a payback period of 2.56 years, an ROI (Return on Investment) of 34.07%, and an IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of 28.62%. On the other hand, using the ammonia-soaking process resulted in an IRR of 22.26%. These parameters indicate that furfural and levulinic acid production is more economically viable using the ammonia expansion pretreatment process than the ammonia soaking pretreatment process.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Once-through Heat Recovery Steam Generator in a Combined Cycle Power Plants Fueled with Biogas
Authors: Ardiyati Tanti , Supriadi Edi , Anwar Khoerul , Waluyo Joko , Dewi Rany Puspita , Hargono  , Tenggara Ayodya Pradhipta , Widjaya Robert Ronal , Putri Ary Mauliva Hada
Published: March 2024

The working principle of the combined cycle in the combined cycle power plant (CCPP) is to utilize a certain amount of waste heat in the gas turbine, which reaches temperatures of 1650°C, to generate steam in the steam turbine. Due to the high temperature of the exhaust gas in the gas turbine, a device is needed to recover this waste heat, known as a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). Compared to conventional HRSG, a once-through heat recovery steam generator (OTHRSG) offers the advantages of faster design time (25% faster than conventional) and lower design costs because it does not require a drum which contributes to an increase in thermal efficiency. This study aims to model and simulate the CCPP system with an OTHRSG to achieve maximum thermal efficiency by using biogas from the degradation of organic waste as the input fuel for CCPP using Cycle Tempo software. The thermal efficiency of the CCPP system was achieved at 57% by applying turbine inlet temperature (TIT) of 1500°C and compression ratio of 46. These results proved that the CCPP system by using biogas as fuel could increase the thermal efficiency of a single cycle power plant.
Optimization of Methyl Ester Through Simultaneous Esterification –Transesterification Reactions Using Waste Cooking Oil as Raw Material
Authors: Orchidia Della , Widiyarti Galuh , Ajie Firman Tri , Pangestu Faisal Prasetya , Hidayat Mauludin , Ramdani Dadi , Irawan Yan , Laksmono Joddy Arya
Published: March 2024

The increasing need for fossil energy does not equal the availability of alternative energy sources as a substitute generating new problems. In addition to decreasing availability, fossil energy harms the environment by producing dangerous gases from combustion such as carbon dioxide, sulfur, and nitrogen. These factors increasingly encourage researchers to create renewable energy sources with the same performance but are environmentally friendly. Biodiesel or Methyl Ester commonly called Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) is a renewable alternative energy produced from various raw materials such as animal, vegetable, or other oils. In this study, the methyl ester made from waste cooking oil was processed through two stages of esterification and transesterification using the addition of methanol with different catalysts, H2SO4 and NaOH relying on the reaction step. The research aimed to determine the optimal results from variations in the concentration of the acid catalyst used. From FTIR characterization found that functional groups indicating the formation of methyl esters have been identified at wave numbers 1800-1700 cm-1 with functional groups of -C=O ester the presence of FAME. Meanwhile, to determine the optimum methyl ester caloric value using Bomb Calorimetry according to ASTM D6751 standard. The caloric value was obtained at 9,572.58 Cal/g with catalyst 0,5% H2SO4. The methyl ester content was identified using GC-MS, and the results obtained for ME1, ME2, and ME3 are 74.90%, 77.15%, and 71.98%, respectively. From this study, it can be found that the methyl ester can be produced with esterification-transesterification reactions simultaneously.
Dragon Fruit Jelly Drink (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Low Calories with Addition of Jamblang Leaves Extract (Syzygium cumini)
Authors: Sulaswatty Anny , Prasetia Hafiizh , Agustian Egi , Athaillah Zatil , Sundowo Andini , Gustav Efendi Oulan , Ainezzahira Ainezzahira
Published: March 2024

Dragon fruit and jamblang leaf extract was added into the formulation to reducing sugar intake and increasing antioxidant-rich food products. This paper is to study for a causal relationship between two factors that are intentionally generated to determine the effect of adding an element to jelly characteristics. In this study, the product was formulated by seeking the optimum combination of the ingredients: dragon fruit juice, jamblang leaf extract, carrageenan, and stevia. The stevia was selected as the sweetener for its low-calory property. The parameters observed were DPPH radical scavenging capacity, total flavonoids, sensory preference analysis, pH, syneresis level, and proximate analysis. The most critical parameter for determining the optimum formulation was panelist acceptance. Our data suggested that panelists mostly preferred jelly drinks with a ratio of dragon fruit juice to jamblang leaf extract of 80:20. The formulation exhibited 46.4% inhibition of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl) radicals and total flavonoids of 1.35 mg quercetin equivalent/g. The proximate analysis demonstrated that the formulation comprises 96% water, 1.1% lipid, 0% protein, 37.1% total sugars, and 0.18% ash. This finding should support this formulation's development into a functional food rich in antioxidants and offers less calory than its counterparts.