bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fault Resistance and Adaptive Analysis of Induction Motors under Voltage Variations in Industrial Applications
Authors: Chukwudi Josiah Ojimba, , Ekom Enefiok Okpo, , Imoh Christopher Attah,
Published: December 2024

The resilience of three-phase induction motors under fault conditions is critical for the stability and reliability of power systems, especially in industrial and commercial settings where voltage disturbances are common. Induction motors are highly susceptible to under-voltage faults caused by grid instability, load imbalances, or transient faults, which can lead to severe operational issues, reduced motor life, and potential system failures if not properly managed. Understanding how induction motors respond to varying levels of under-voltage disturbances provides essential insights into their adaptive limits and helps identify the thresholds at which protective measures become necessary. This research underscores the importance of integrating advanced fault tolerance designs and adaptive mechanisms to improve system reliability in voltage-sensitive industrial applications. The specification of induction motor used in this analysis are, 7.5Kw rated power, line voltage of 400 volts, and rated speed of 1440 RPM. MATLAB/Simulink simulations software were utilized for this analytical investigation, induction motors were subjected to controlled under-voltage variations applied to single-phase and three-phase systems. The study specifically analyzed the rotor speed, electromagnetic torque, and stator current to evaluate how the motors adapted to faults and how these parameters behaved during fault recovery. Faults were simulated with voltage reductions of 20, 40, and 60%, examining both motor resilience and system recovery upon fault clearance. The findings revealed that at moderate under-voltage levels (20% and 40%), the induction motors adapted effectively by increasing current to maintain adequate performance, with system parameters returning to normal post-fault. However, under extreme 60% under-voltage conditions, the motors experienced significant current surges, causing thermal stress and a failure to return to nominal operating conditions after fault clearance, highlighting the motor’s adaptive limit under severe fault scenarios. Additionally, Ohm’s law analysis demonstrated how voltage drops and compensatory current increases temporarily reduced effective resistance, facilitating fault resilience under moderate conditions was also analyzed. The study shows that, as the voltage reduce, current increase which cause the resistance to reduce. This study provides insight into the adaptive limits of induction motors in power systems, offering guidelines for implementing effective protection mechanisms in power networks prone to voltage instabilities. The results support improved fault management strategies and motor protection in industrial applications, particularly under varying fault conditions.
Impact of Bed Surface Roughness on Flow Turbulence and Sediment Grains Transport: A Preliminary Laboratory Flume Study
Authors: Imagbe Lucky O.
Published: December 2024

This study examines how sediment bed characteristics can influence flow turbulence that may modulate the initiation of sediment grain movement and suspension during transport. A series of laboratory flume experiments was carried out to investigate near-bed flow turbulence under varying flow conditions using fixed sand and gravelly beds respectively. Flow velocity fluctuation was used to determine the magnitude of turbulence which was measured using a 3-C Vectrino ADV profiler. The findings demonstrated that turbulence was greater on flows over rough gravelly bed surface than on sandy bed surface. Also, with the same flow thickness, the mean flow velocity for flows under sand bed ranged between 0.306 -0.333m/s, while that of flows under gravel bed was 0.551–0617m/s. Thus, an increase in bed roughness leads to an increase in turbulence which controls sediment grain motion and its suspension during transport.
A Comparative Analysis and Development of Legislative Regulatory Framework of Naturopathy and Traditional Medicines Practices in Southern Africa Region
Authors: Obu Raphael Nyarkotey
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Law and policy are critical instruments for enhancing health systems. The development of modern medicine relies heavily on stringent laws and policies. Additionally, the legislative framework for naturopathy and traditional complementary alternative medicines emphasizes the registration of both products and practitioners. This paper aims to examine the legislative regulatory framework governing naturopathic practices and other traditional complementary medicines in the Southern African region.
Methods: This study involves a comprehensive review of various health laws and policy documents across Southern African countries. A country-specific analysis is conducted using keywords such as "naturopathic law," "naturopathic medicine practice," "legislation," "traditional medicine act," "alternative medicine act," and "healthcare laws."
Results: The findings indicate that Southern African nations have well-established laws pertaining to naturopathy, as well as distinct regulations for traditional medicine. These countries recognize naturopathy and other complementary therapies as part of allied health professions. Moreover, there is a minimum educational requirement for registration as a traditional medicine healer, which applies to alternative complementary medicines.
Conclusions: The research reveals that specific laws regulating naturopathic practice exist in Southern African countries. This commentary on the legislative regulatory framework for naturopathic and other traditional complementary medicines aims to inform public health decisions in Africa.
Formulation, Evaluation and Stability Studies of Dutasteride Loaded Niosomal Gel
Authors: Syed Abdul Qayyum , Basha Syed Abdul Azeez , Mannan Abdul
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Dutasteride, a synthetic 4-azasteroid belonging to the class of 5-α-reductase, a BCS class II drug, is used in treating Androgenetic Alopecia and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Aims: The study aims to formulate, evaluate and perform stability studies of Dutasteride-loaded topical niosomal gel.
Methodology: Formulation components such as, surfactants and cholesterol were tested for any drug/excipient interactions. Ether injection method was employed to prepare Niosomes. Five formulations were prepared and then assessed for their particle size, SEM, zeta potential, PDI, entrapment efficiency, drug content and in vitro diffusion studies. The optimized formulation F3 Consisted of Dutasteride, span 40 and cholesterol in the ratio 1:4:2. The optimized formulation (F3) was incorporated into a gel. Three gel formulations (FG1, FG2 and FG3) were prepared and were assessed for pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content and in vitro diffusion studies. The optimized niosomal gel (FG2) consisted of 0.3% Optimized Niosomes and 0.75% Carbopol 934. The drug release kinetics studies were performed for the optimized gel. Finally, stability studies were performed at 30°C ± 2°C / 65% RH ± 5%.
Results: The optimized niosomes showed an Entrapment efficiency of 63.2%, zeta potential -22.7 mV, particle size 300.4 nm, drug content 86.23% and 96.23% drug release in 8 hours. The optimized niosomal gel (FG2) consisted of 0.3% Optimized Niosomes and 0.75% Carbopol 934. The gel showed pH 4.7, viscosity 66213 cps, spreadability 15.7g.cm/sec, drug content 91.4% and percent drug release 91.45% in 24 hours. The drug release kinetics studies showed that the optimized gel formulation (FG2) followed Higuchi model with R2 value of 0.9975. The stability studies indicated that the optimized niosomal gel was stable for 90 days.
Conclusion: The stability studies confirmed the drug content and the physical nature of the gel for 90 days. Thus, the formulation can be regarded as stable and effective for drugs meant for topical application. Dutasteride gel formulations have the potential to enhance drug bioavailability by facilitating greater penetration of drugs with restricted permeability.
Counterfeit Anabolic Steroids in Brazil: A Forensic Perspective on Quality and Risks
Authors: Câmara Lucas Caseri
Published: December 2024

The illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) poses a significant global health challenge, particularly due to the widespread availability of counterfeit products in underground markets. This review examines AAS seized in Brazil, a country with a notable prevalence of use, especially among gym and sports center attendees. Thus, the main objective of this brief review is to map studies published on the seizure and chemical analysis of AAS sourced from the underground market in Brazil. A comprehensive analysis of studies revealed high levels of adulteration in seized products, including the absence of declared active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the addition of undeclared substances, and contamination with harmful agents such as toxic chemicals or biological impurities. Many of these products significantly diverged from their labeled composition, leading to risks of therapeutic failure, unexpected side effects, or potentially severe health consequences, such as cardiovascular toxicity or organ damage.
The findings align with international trends, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address this issue. Regulatory agencies and law enforcement must enhance their collaboration to prevent the production and distribution of counterfeit AAS. Additionally, the implementation of advanced forensic methodologies, such as chromatography and spectrometry, is essential for identifying adulterated products and ensuring safer oversight of these substances. Public awareness campaigns are equally critical, aiming to educate consumers on the dangers of counterfeit AAS and discourage their use.
This review underscores the pressing need for multidisciplinary approaches that include rigorous regulation, education, and research into harm-reduction strategies. Protecting public health requires a comprehensive understanding of the risks posed by illicit AAS and concerted efforts to mitigate their impact.
Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity, Cropping Intensity and Livelihood Enhancement in Titabar, Assam, India: A Participatory Approach through Farmer FIRST Programme
Authors: Borah Nilay , Chetia Sanjay Kumar , Pathak Prasanna K , Sarma Akashi , Saikia Mrinal , Pathak Kalyan , Borgohain Rupam , Kotoky Utpal , Phukan Rumjhum , Mahanta Sangita , Saud Ranjit K , Barman Sundar , Kalita Surajit , Hazarika Dhrubajit , Hazarika Hemanjali , Das Apurba , Deka Binapani , Hazarika Ashish
Published: December 2024

The performance of pea as relay crop into the prevailing rice-fallow system in Titabar development block of Jorhat district in Assam was demonstrated and evaluated in a participatory approach through the Farmer FIRST (Farm Innovations, Resources, Science and Technology) Programme during 2017-18 to 2021-22. The production and productivity of rice increased both in participatory and indirect beneficiary farms and ranged from 4000 to 4800 kg/ha with a mean yield of 4420 kg/ha in direct beneficiary farms during the five years. The increase was mainly due to use of good quality seed at optimum planting time and adoption of balanced fertilizer doses for rice cultivation. The yield of pea as a relay crop varied from 625 to 938 kg/ha with a mean yield of 744 kg/ha over the 5 years period. The available nutrient contents of soil increased in rice-relay compared to rice-fallow crop, but the organic carbon content was not affected during the period. The cropping intensity increased from 101% in 2016-17 to 112% in 2021-22 in participatory farms and 109% in 2021-22 in non-participatory farms. The farm income increased for both participatory and indirect beneficiary farms with an increase in per unit net return for rice sole crop and rice-pea relay cropping.
A Survey of Locally Available Subsystems for Cubesat Projects in Nigerian Market
Authors: O O Afolabi , A. T Adediji , T Ewetumo , K. D Adedayo
Published: December 2024

There are quite a lot of cube sat subsystems that can be procured on the African continent to develop Cube
Satellite (CubeSats). However these are not noticed by many relevant professionals that can design and
integrate them to functional CubeSats in Nigeria.frican countries And other This is despite the ever increasing role this class of satellite is playing in educational, scientific research and commercial satellite weather, earth
observation and communication services. The paper also identified basic physics principles and mathematical
models for the prediction of the attitude of a spacecraft and the units that makes up the CubeSat. The thrust of
this paper is to explore and bring to fore these vital subsystems, their uses and configuration for CubeSat
project with a view of encouraging increased research activities in CubeSat development, with some
information on their power requirements, typical cost, sources, their interrelationship and combination to perform the task of a weather monitoring CubeSat.
The Impact Of Leadership Styles On Employee Commitment: A Reflective Analysis In The Context Of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited
Authors: Boateng Thekla , Peprah Ellis Kwadwo
Published: December 2024

This study delves into the essential role of effective leadership in promoting employee commitment within
organizations. Drawing from the field of organizational psychology and organizational behaviour literature, this
study investigates how various leadership styles influence employee commitment within the context of Guinness
Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) located in Kumasi.
A total of 120 participants comprising 85 employees and 35 leaders were included in the study. The multifactor
leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ) were used as the primary
instruments for evaluating leadership styles and employees' organizational commitment, respectively.
The results emphasize the significance of transformational leadership in facilitating positive correlations with
both affective and continuance employee commitment. On the other hand, transactional leadership style
demonstrated a significant yet weak correlation solely with normative commitment. Notably, laissez-faire
leadership style exhibited a negative association with employees' affective and normative commitment.
The findings highlight the critical role of leadership in influencing employee commitment, emphasizing the
importance of transformational leadership practices in enhancing employee engagement and organizational
success. Furthermore, it sheds light on the potentially negative effects of laissez-faire leadership, meriting attention to the leadership approaches employed by organizations seeking to rally their teams towards common objectives and successes.
Aprendizagem Através Da Brincadeira: As Contribuições Do Lúdico Na Educação Infantil
Authors: Melo Evânia Moreira De Almeida , Marques Celso Luis , Filho Ademar Henriques Da Silva , Claro Sushila Vieira , França Josiani Aparecida De Mello
Published: December 2024

O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar como as práticas lúdicas podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento integral
das crianças na educação infantil. Utilizando uma metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica, foram analisados
estudos e artigos que discutem a relação entre o brincar e o aprendizado, destacando a relevância do lúdico no
processo educativo. O levantamento ocorreu nas plataformas SciELO, Web Of Science e Google Acadêmico, por
intermédio da utilização de palavras-chave específicas e operadores booleanos AND e OR. Os resultados
evidenciaram que atividades lúdicas não apenas facilitam a assimilação de conteúdos, mas também promovem
habilidades sociais, emocionais e cognitivas, favorecendo um ambiente de aprendizado mais envolvente e eficaz.
A análise dos dados mostrou que o brincar é essencial para a formação da identidade da criança e para a
construção de conhecimentos significativos. Em conclusão, a pesquisa reafirma que integrar o lúdico nas práticas pedagógicas é fundamental para uma educação infantil de qualidade, incentivando não apenas o aprendizado, mas também o desenvolvimento integral das crianças
Assessment Of The Impacts Of Integrating Renewable Sources Into Distribution Networks
Authors: Nascimento José Ismael Sales Do , Camurça Camilo Martins Castelo Branco
Published: December 2024

Background: This study conducts a comparative analysis of the impacts of integrating distributed generation
(DG) into medium-voltage distribution networks, with a specific focus on photovoltaic systems.
Materials and Methods: Simulations were performed using Interplan software, considering a conventional
distribution network as the baseline and three alternative scenarios with different levels of photovoltaic
generation power injection.
Results: The findings revealed that while small-scale generation does not pose significant challenges, higher
levels exceeding the feeder’s load capacity can result in reverse power flow, overvoltage, power factor
degradation, and increased technical losses. The absence of detailed and robust preliminary feasibility studies
has been identified as a key factor behind the rejection of DG connection requests by electric power distribution
companies. This scenario has led to operational difficulties and financial losses for all stakeholders, creating
conditions that fail to align with minimum global cost criteria.
Conclusion: To address these challenges, this study recommends the adoption of advanced simulation tools by
utilities and industry stakeholders to identify optimal connection points. This approach aims to enhance the technical and economic sustainability of the electrical system, thereby supporting the feasibility of this essential requirement for the energy transition
Legality And Applicability Of The Washout Clause In Commodity Contracts
Authors: Bezerra Quézia Cristina Casdoso , Borges Cejana Marques , Miranda José Fernando Bezerra
Published: December 2024

The present work has as its object the washout clause in a contract for the purchase and sale of delivery of a
future soybean crop, with quotation in dollars, inquiring about its lawfulness in view of article 421-A, of the Civil
Code, and the possibility of judicial review. The present study is justified by the absence of normative and
dogmatic delimitation of the institute, requiring the understanding of its function and legal nature, in order to
conform it to positive law. The specific objectives cover the description of the dynamics of long-term contracts
involving commodities and the consequences of factual changes external to the contract, but related to it, when
the variation of the dollar and the respective delivery provision of the rural producer occurs. In this bias, the
legal nature of the clause is debated, based on the institutes of indemnity and the penalty clause. The results point to the legality of the washout clause and its translation as its penalty clause. The methodology of this research is bibliographic, through descriptive analysis and deductive method.
Factors Causing Fraud In Villages Credit Institutions (VCI) In Bali
Authors: Sarmawa I Wayan Gde , Sitiari Ni Wayan , Mendra Ni Putu Yuria
Published: December 2024

Village Credit Institutions (hereinafter referred to as VCI) are microfinance institutions that have an important
role in supporting the economy of rural communities, but recently a number of VCIs have experienced poor health
conditions, some even stopped operating. The poor health conditions of VCIs in Bali are likely caused by
irregularities (fraud) in their management. This argument is supported by a number of mass media reports that
write that several VCI managers are entangled in legal cases such as corruption. Based on this, this study was
conducted to explore the factors that cause irregularities (fraud) in VCIs in Bali. The study was designed in the
form of qualitative research, namely by digging up information from a number of practitioners and academics.
The determination of informants was carried out using the snowball technique, where in this case nine informants
were obtained who had qualifications regarding VCIs. The results of the exploration found that the main factors
causing fraud were weak supervision, weak governance, weak integrity of management, weak human resources and regulations, weak leadership, management, and regulations, poor management mentality, weak management, and poor cooperation.
Menu Gás: Aplicativo Móvel De Marketplace De Gás De Cozinha
Authors: Oliveira Anderson Gomes De , Sales Diego Da Silva , Sales Camila Mendonça Romero , Vidigal Juliana Goncalves , Palma Manuel Antonio Molina
Published: December 2024

O Gás Liquefeito de Petróleo (GLP), conhecido como gás de cozinha, é utilizado na maior parte das residências
brasileiras. Algumas residências usam o GLP encanado, mas a maioria utiliza botijão de gás, e nestes casos, o
próprio consumidor é responsável pelo controle do consumo. Soluções tecnológicas disponíveis no mercado do
GLP estão sendo utilizadas principalmente para monitorar o consumo e o vazamento de gás, deixando uma
lacuna no que diz respeito à aplicativos para auxiliar o processo de compra de gás de cozinha. Neste contexto,
este trabalho visa apresentar o aplicativo móvel Menu Gás de marketplace de gás de cozinha, que faz um elo
facilitador e inovador entre consumidores e revendedores de GLP. Esta pesquisa classifica-se como descritiva,
exploratória, bibliográfica e documental com viés qualiquantitativo. As métricas de utilização do aplicativo na
loja Google Play Store são promissoras, visto que entre 2022 e 2023 teve mais de 24.700 visitas em sua página e
mais de 11.500 downloads. Cabe salientar que o pico de downloads do aplicativo aconteceu no último trimestre
de 2022 e coincidiu com as campanhas de marketing realizadas com propagandas na TV e tráfego pago nas redes
sociais. Em relação a avaliação do aplicativo, pode-se constatar que a maioria dos usuários avaliaram o
aplicativo com nota máxima (cinco), destacando a facilidade, a praticidade e a rapidez no processo de compra
de gás. Contudo, também houve um número considerável de notas mínimas (um), nas quais os principais relatos foram que o aplicativo não abria ou não atendia uma determinada localidade. Por fim, pode-se perceber que as avalições mais baixas recebidas estão relacionadas às versões inicias do aplicativo.
Integrated Microdroplets Array for Intelligent Electrochemical Fabrication
Authors: Song Yongchao , Xu Tailin , Song Xin , Zhang Xueji
Published: February 2020

The efficiency and accuracy of material fabrication are closely related to the quantity and quality of material structures/properties, which usually involves multiple parameters with high cost and time waste. Here, an intelligent and high‐throughput platform is developed to regulate multiple electrodeposition parameters of a microdroplets array for controlling and predicting nanostructures. On such platform, the minipillars can anchor the microdroplets as individual deposition reactors, and the electrodes are integrated on one side to achieve high‐throughput and simultaneous electrochemical fabrication. Such integrated and intelligent platform has been employed to investigate gold nanostructures via regulating the deposition parameters (time, potential, HAuCl4 concentration, Cl−/SO42− concentration in electrolyte, temperature, and humidity), and to establish the database of electrochemically‐fabricated gold nanostructures for guiding the design and fabrication of specific gold nanostructures. It is believed that such platform can act as a pioneer to promote the development of materials science by coupling intelligence technology with nanomaterial fabrication.
Befinden sich die globalen Rohstoffmärkte in einem erneuten Wandel?
Authors: Deike Rüdiger
Published: February 2020

Die Zahl der Menschen auf der Welt nimmt zwar nicht mehr exponentiell, aber dennoch weiterhin zu. Werden damit zwangsläufig auch mehr Rohstoffe verbraucht? Die Märkte für börsennotierte Rohstoffe werden in der Preisgestaltung sehr wesentlich durch Termingeschäfte beeinflusst und in einer Zeit umfassender, extrem schneller Kommunikation werden Trends und Hypes generiert. Aber am Ende werden Märkte bei mittel‐ und langfristiger Betrachtung durch das reale Verhältnis von Angebot und Nachfrage bestimmt. Eine Frage ist auch, welche Rolle der Wandel in China von einer Industrie‐ zur Dienstleistungsgesellschaft für die zukünftige Entwicklung der Rohstoffmärkte spielt.
Point‐of‐care oral cytology tool for the screening and assessment of potentially malignant oral lesions
Authors: McRae Michael P. , Modak Sayli S. , Simmons Glennon W. , Trochesset Denise A. , Kerr A. Ross , Thornhill Martin H. , Redding Spencer W. , Vigneswaran Nadarajah , Kang Stella K. , Christodoulides Nicolaos J. , Murdoch Craig , Dietl Steven J. , Markham Roger , McDevitt John T.
Published: February 2020

Background

The effective detection and monitoring of potentially malignant oral lesions (PMOL) are critical to identifying early‐stage cancer and improving outcomes. In the current study, the authors described cytopathology tools, including machine learning algorithms, clinical algorithms, and test reports developed to assist pathologists and clinicians with PMOL evaluation.

Methods

Data were acquired from a multisite clinical validation study of 999 subjects with PMOLs and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using a cytology‐on‐a‐chip approach. A machine learning model was trained to recognize and quantify the distributions of 4 cell phenotypes. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) logistic regression model was trained to distinguish PMOLs and cancer across a spectrum of histopathologic diagnoses ranging from benign, to increasing grades of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), to OSCC using demographics, lesion characteristics, and cell phenotypes. Cytopathology software was developed to assist pathologists in reviewing brush cytology test results, including high‐content cell analyses, data visualization tools, and results reporting.

Results

Cell phenotypes were determined accurately through an automated cytological assay and machine learning approach (99.3% accuracy). Significant differences in cell phenotype distributions across diagnostic categories were found in 3 phenotypes (type 1 [“mature squamous”], type 2 [“small round”], and type 3 [“leukocytes”]). The clinical algorithms resulted in acceptable performance characteristics (area under the curve of 0.81 for benign vs mild dysplasia and 0.95 for benign vs malignancy).

Conclusions

These new cytopathology tools represent a practical solution for rapid PMOL assessment, with the potential to facilitate screening and longitudinal monitoring in primary, secondary, and tertiary clinical care settings.
Myofibroblastoma of the breast in postmenopausal women: Two case reports with imaging findings and review of the literature
Authors: Jung Hyun K. , Son Jung H. , Kim Woo G.
Published: February 2020

Myofibroblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of the breast, which tends to affect postmenopausal women and older men. It usually presents as a unilateral, well‐circumscribed, firm, nontender, and freely mobile mass. We report two cases of myofibroblastoma in postmenopausal women with the imaging findings of mammography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, 18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography computed tomography, and pathologic findings and review the relevant literature.
Deterministic learning from neural control for uncertain nonlinear pure‐feedback systems by output feedback
Authors: Zhang Fukai , Wang Cong
Published: February 2020

The essence of intelligence lies in the acquisition/learning and utilization of knowledge. However, how to implement learning in dynamical environments for nonlinear systems is a challenging issue. This article investigates the deterministic learning (DL) control problem for uncertain pure‐feedback systems by output feedback, which achieves the human‐like learning and control in a simple way. To reduce the complexity of control design and analysis, first, by combining an appropriate system transformation, the original pure‐feedback system is transformed into a simple normal nonaffine system. An observer is then introduced to estimate the transformed system states. Based on the backstepping and dynamic surface control techniques, a simple adaptive neural control scheme is first developed to guarantee the finite time convergence of the tracking error using only one neural network (NN) approximator. Second, through DL, the exponential convergence of the NN weights is obtained with the satisfaction of partial persistent excitation condition. Thus, locally accurate approximation/learning of the transformed unknown system dynamics is achieved and stored as constant NNs. Finally, by utilizing the stored knowledge, an experience‐based controller is constructed and a novel learning control scheme is further proposed to improve the control performance without any further adaptation online for the estimate neural weights. Simulation results have been given to illustrate that the proposed scheme not only can learn and memorize knowledge like humans but also can utilize experience to achieve superior control performance.
Three-dimensional spatial and temporal distributions of dust in roadway tunneling
Authors: Yao Haifei , Wang Haiyan , Li Yanchuan , Jin Lei
Published: February 2020

To study the three-dimensional spatial and temporal distributions of dust in tunneling roadways, and to solve the problems of inadequate time and limited number of monitoring points, this paper designs a device for the real-time monitoring and storage of data on the concentrations of dust at multiple measuring points in the same section of a tunnel. The proposed device can measure the total concentration of dust and that of respirable dust in real time at different instances and locations, and using different working procedures. These measurements are used to study the temporal and spatial migration of dust. The results show that there was a sharp fluctuation zone 0–25 m from the heading face, about 25–40 m was high speed subsidence, beyond 40 m was gentle subsidence, The change of respiratory dust is much smoother. At different distances from the heading face, the total dust concentration exhibited a process of “violent oscillation–rapid descent–stable descent,” while the respirable dust exhibited a process of “fluctuating ascent–gradual subsidence.” Changes in the concentrations of total dust and respirable dust dust were consistent at different positions in the same section of the tunnel. The concentration of dust near the wall was low, and those along the sidewalk and air duct of the roadway were slightly higher than in the middle. The concentration of dust farther down the air duct decreased more slowly than that in the remaining lines of measurement. Small amounts of dust featuring large particles settled quickly. High concentrations of dust were observed to be intermittent, and the background value of dust concentration within 100 m of heading face was between 0.5 and 3 mg/m3.
Amenable uniformly recurrent subgroups and lattice embeddings
Authors: LE BOUDEC ADRIEN
Published: February 2020

We study lattice embeddings for the class of countable groups$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$defined by the property that the largest amenable uniformly recurrent subgroup${\mathcal{A}}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}}$is continuous. When${\mathcal{A}}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}}$comes from an extremely proximal action and the envelope of${\mathcal{A}}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}}$is coamenable in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$, we obtain restrictions on the locally compact groups$G$that contain a copy of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$as a lattice, notably regarding normal subgroups of $G$, product decompositions of $G$, and more generally dense mappings from$G$to a product of locally compact groups.
Simple groups and irreducible lattices in wreath products
Authors: LE BOUDEC ADRIEN
Published: February 2020

We consider the finitely generated groups acting on a regular tree with almost prescribed local action. We show that these groups embed as cocompact irreducible lattices in some locally compact wreath products. This provides examples of finitely generated simple groups quasi-isometric to a wreath product $C\wr F$, where $C$ is a finite group and $F$ a non-abelian free group.
Optimization of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Catalytic Coated IC Engine with Biodiesel Using Grey-Taguchi Method
Authors: Yessian Sureshbabu , Varthanan P. Ashoka
Published: February 2020

The performance and emission affected by piston catalytic coating have been analyzed in this study. The main contributing factors for improving performance such as load, fuel and speed have been preferred to reduce the emission and improve the performance of an IC engine. These specific standard parameters have been modified with copper alloy coated diesel engine with the aid of design of experiment by Taguchi with grey relational analysis optimization (GRA) method, for improving the IC engine performance and reducing the emissions. The result shows modified copper chromium zirconium (CuCr1Zr) catalytic coated piston produces less emission and improves performance when compared to standard un-coated piston type engine. In this investigation cotton seed oil is used as a bio- diesel and the piston and combustion chamber were coated with copper chromium zirconium material with a thickness of 250 microns. Finally the results of the experiments were compared with un-coated engine and optimized parameters have been identified for catalytic coated modified IC engine using Taguchi with GRA approach.
Low-frequency variability in photoplethysmographic waveform and heart rate during on-pump cardiac surgery with or without cardioplegia
Authors: Kiselev Anton R. , Borovkova Ekaterina I. , Shvartz Vladimir A. , Skazkina Viktoriia V. , Karavaev Anatoly S. , Prokhorov Mikhail D. , Ispiryan Artak Y. , Mironov Sergey A. , Bockeria Olga L.
Published: February 2020

We studied the properties of low-frequency (LF) heart rate variability (HRV) and photoplethysmographic waveform variability (PPGV) and their interaction under conditions where the hemodynamic connection between them is obviously absent, as well as the LF regulation of PPGV in the absence of heart function. The parameters of HRV and finger PPGV were evaluated in 10 patients during cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump cardiac surgery) with or without cardioplegia. The following spectral indices of PPGV and HRV were ertimated: the total spectral power (TP), the high-frequency (HF) and the LF ranges of TP in percents (HF% and LF%), and the LF/HF ratio. We assessed also the index S of synchronization between the LF oscillations in finger photoplethysmogram (PPG) and heart rate (HR) signals. The analysis of directional couplings was carried out using the methods of phase dynamics modeling. It is shown that the mechanisms leading to the occurrence of oscillations in the LF range of PPGV are independent of the mechanisms causing oscillations in the LF range of HRV. At the same time, the both above-mentioned LF oscillations retain their activity under conditions of artificial blood circulation and cardioplegia (the latter case applies only to LF oscillations in PPG). In artificial blood circulation, there was a coupling from the LF oscillations in PPG to those in HR, whereas the coupling in the opposite direction was absent. The coupling from the LF oscillations in PPG to those in HR has probably a neurogenic nature, whereas the opposite coupling has a hemodynamic nature (due to cardiac output).
Snellenius manilae bracovirus suppresses the host immune system by regulating extracellular adenosine levels in Spodoptera litura
Authors: Chang Yuan , Tang Cheng-Kang , Lin Yu-Hsien , Tsai Chih-Hsuan , Lu Yun-Heng , Wu Yueh-Lung
Published: February 2020

Sufficient energy supply to the host immune system is important for resisting pathogens. Therefore, during pathogen infection, the host metabolism is reassigned from storage, growth, and development to the immune system. Previous studies in Drosophila melanogaster have demonstrated that systemic metabolic switching upon an immune challenge is activated by extracellular adenosine signaling, modulating carbohydrate mobilization and redistributing energy to the hemocytes. In the present study, we discovered that symbiotic virus (SmBV) of the parasitoid wasp Snellenius manilae is able to down-regulate the extracellular adenosine of its host, Spodoptera litura, to inhibit metabolism switching. The decreased carbohydrate mobilization, glycogenolysis, and ATP synthesis upon infection results in the host being unable to supply energy to its immune system, thus benefitting the development of wasp larvae. When we added adenosine to the infected S. litura larvae, we observed enhanced host immune responses that decreased the pupation rate of S. manilae. Previous studies showed that after pathogen infection, the host activates its adenosine pathway to trigger immune responses. However, our results suggest a different model: we found that in S. manilae, SmBV modulates the host adenosine pathway such that wasp eggs and larvae can evade the host immune response.
M2 macrophages predict worse long-term outcomes in human acute tubular necrosis
Authors: Kim Myung-Gyu , Lim Kijoon , Lee Yoo Jin , Yang Jihyun , Oh Se Won , Cho Won Yong , Jo Sang-Kyung
Published: February 2020

Although macrophages are important players in the injury/repair processes in animal models of acute kidney injury (AKI), their roles in human AKI remains uncertain owing to a paucity of human biopsy studies. We investigated the role of macrophages in 72 cases of biopsy-proven acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and six cases of healthy kidney. Macrophages were identified by CD68 and CD163 immunohistochemistry and analyzed for their effect on renal outcomes. CD163+ M2 macrophages outnumbered CD68+ cells in the healthy kidneys, suggesting that CD163+ macrophages are resident macrophages. The infiltration of both subtypes of macrophages increased significantly in ATN. The density of the CD68+ macrophages was significantly higher in advanced-stage AKI, whereas CD163+ M2 macrophages was not. Eighty percent of patients exhibited renal functional recovery during follow-up. Older age and a higher density of CD163+ macrophages predicted non-recovery, whereas the AKI stage, tubular injury score, and density of CD68+ cells did not. The density of CD163+ M2 macrophages was an independent predictor of low eGFR at 3 months in advanced-stage AKI. This is the first human study demonstrating the possible role of macrophages in the injury and repair phases of AKI.
High-throughput identification of post-transcriptional utrophin up-regulators for Duchenne muscle dystrophy (DMD) therapy
Authors: Loro Emanuele , Sengupta Kasturi , Bogdanovich Sasha , Whig Kanupriya , Schultz David C. , Huryn Donna M. , Khurana Tejvir S.
Published: February 2020

Upregulation of endogenous utrophin offers great promise for treating DMD, as it can functionally compensate for the lack of dystrophin caused by DMD gene mutations, without the immunogenic concerns associated with delivering dystrophin. However, post-transcriptional repression mechanisms targeting the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of utrophin mRNA significantly limit the magnitude of utrophin upregulation achievable by promoter activation. Using a utrophin 5′3′UTR reporter assay, we performed a high-throughput screen (HTS) for small molecules capable of relieving utrophin post-transcriptional repression. We identified 27 hits that were ranked using an algorithm that we designed for hit prioritization that we call Hit to Lead Prioritization Score (H2LPS). The top 10 hits were validated using an orthogonal assay for endogenous utrophin expression. Evaluation of the top scoring hit, Trichostatin A (TSA), demonstrated utrophin upregulation and functional improvement in the mdx mouse model of DMD. TSA and the other small molecules identified here represent potential starting points for DMD drug discovery efforts.
Validation of a novel and accurate ApoE4 assay for automated chemistry analyzers
Authors: Veiga Sergio , Rodríguez-Martín Andrés , Garcia-Ribas Guillermo , Arribas Ignacio , Menacho-Román Miriam , Calero Miguel
Published: February 2020

The allele ε4 of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE ε4) is the major genetic risk factor for non-dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Current techniques for APOE ε4 carriers identification show good accuracy but have several disadvantages that limit its implementation in a clinical laboratory. These include the need for sample preprocessing, poor automation, low throughput, requirement of additional equipment, and high cost. We followed ISO 13485 guidelines to validate the e4Risk test, a new latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric blood assay for apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) determination in human plasma samples. The test showed high performance in terms of lot to lot variability, precision, interferences, reagents stability, prozone, and detectability. Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy is almost equal (99%) to the gold standard, APOE ε4 genotyping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the e4Risk test can be adapted to any clinical chemistry analyzer, including the high throughput analyzers present in most hospitals and clinical laboratories. The e4Risk test versatility, low cost, and easiness provides an excellent solution for APOE ε4 carriers identification using the same blood sample drawn for biochemical diagnostic work-up of AD patients, which can have important advantages for patient stratification in clinical trials, preventative strategies for AD, and clinical assessment of risk for brain amyloidosis.
Exome sequencing revealed DNA variants in NCOR1, IGF2BP1, SGLT2 and NEK11 as potential novel causes of ketotic hypoglycemia in children
Authors: Alhaidan Yazeid , Larsen Martin J. , Schou Anders Jørgen , Stenlid Maria H. , Al Balwi Mohammed A. , Christesen Henrik Thybo , Brusgaard Klaus
Published: February 2020

Unexplained or idiopathic ketotic hypoglycemia (KH) is the most common type of hypoglycemia in children. The diagnosis is based on the exclusion of routine hormonal and metabolic causes of hypoglycemia. We aimed to identify novel genes that cause KH, as this may lead to a more targeted treatment. Deep phenotyping of ten preschool age at onset KH patients (boys, n = 5; girls, n = 5) was performed followed by trio exome sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Data analysis revealed four novel candidate genes: (1) NCOR1 in a patient with KH, iron deficiency and loose stools; (2) IGF2BP1 in a proband with KH, short stature and delayed bone age; (3) SLC5A2 in a proband with KH, intermittent glucosuria and extremely elevated p-GLP-1; and (4) NEK11 in a proband with ketotic hypoglycemia and liver affliction. These genes are associated with different metabolic processes, such as gluconeogenesis, translational regulation, and glucose transport. In conclusion, WES identified DNA variants in four different genes as potential novel causes of IKH, suggesting that IKH is a heterogeneous disorder that can be split into several novel diseases: NCOR1-KH, IGF2BP1-KH, SGLT2-KH or familial renal glucosuria KH, and NEK11-KH. Precision medicine treatment based on exome sequencing may lead to advances in the management of IKH.
An Approach to Cryptography Based on Continuous-Variable Quantum Neural Network
Authors: Shi Jinjing , Chen Shuhui , Lu Yuhu , Feng Yanyan , Shi Ronghua , Yang Yuguang , Li Jian
Published: February 2020

An efficient cryptography scheme is proposed based on continuous-variable quantum neural network (CV-QNN), in which a specified CV-QNN model is introduced for designing the quantum cryptography algorithm. It indicates an approach to design a quantum neural cryptosystem which contains the processes of key generation, encryption and decryption. Security analysis demonstrates that our scheme is security. Several simulation experiments are performed on the Strawberry Fields platform for processing the classical data “Quantum Cryptography” with CV-QNN to describe the feasibility of our method. Three sets of representative experiments are presented and the second experimental results confirm that our scheme can correctly and effectively encrypt and decrypt data with the optimal learning rate 8e − 2 regardless of classical or quantum data, and better performance can be achieved with the method of learning rate adaption (where increase factor R1 = 2, decrease factor R2 = 0.8). Indeed, the scheme with learning rate adaption can shorten the encryption and decryption time according to the simulation results presented in Figure 12. It can be considered as a valid quantum cryptography scheme and has a potential application on quantum devices.
A new type low-cost, flexible and wearable tertiary nanocomposite sensor for room temperature hydrogen gas sensing
Authors: Punetha Deepak , Kar Manoranjan , Pandey Saurabh Kumar
Published: February 2020

This paper reports on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), tin oxide (SnO2) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) tertiary nanocomposite thick film based flexible gas sensor. The nanocomposite of 0.90(PVDF) − 0.10[x(SnO2) − (1 − x)rGO] with different weight percentages (x = 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.6, 0.75, 0.90 and 1) have been prepared by the hot press method. Chromium (Cr) has been deposited on the surface by using E-beam evaporation system, which is used as electrode of the device. Crystal structure, morphology, and electrical characteristics of the device have been explored for the technological application. A correlation between crystallinity, morphology, and electrical properties with these thick films has also been established. The device has been tested at different hydrogen (H2) gas concentration as well as at different response times. A superior response of 0.90(PVDF) − 0.10[0.75(SnO2) − 0.25 rGO] nanocomposite thick film has been observed. Hence, this composition is considered as optimized tertiary nanocomposite for the hydrogen gas sensor application. The sensor response of 49.2 and 71.4% with response time 34 sec and 52 sec for 100 PPM and 1000 PPM H2 gas concentration respectively have been obtained. First time a new kind of low cost and flexible polymer based nanocomposite thick film gas sensor has been explored.
Discovery of a novel dehydratase of the fatty acid synthase type II critical for ketomycolic acid biosynthesis and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Lefebvre Cyril , Frigui Wafa , Slama Nawel , Lauzeral-Vizcaino Françoise , Constant Patricia , Lemassu Anne , Parish Tanya , Eynard Nathalie , Daffé Mamadou , Brosch Roland , Quémard Annaïk
Published: February 2020

The fatty acid synthase type II (FAS-II) multienzyme system builds the main chain of mycolic acids (MAs), important lipid pathogenicity factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Due to their original structure, the identification of the (3 R)-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratases, HadAB and HadBC, of Mtb FAS-II complex required in-depth work. Here, we report the discovery of a third dehydratase protein, HadDMtb (Rv0504c), whose gene is non-essential and sits upstream of cmaA2 encoding a cyclopropane synthase dedicated to keto- and methoxy-MAs. HadDMtb deletion triggered a marked change in Mtb keto-MA content and size distribution, deeply impacting the production of full-size molecules. Furthermore, abnormal MAs, likely generated from 3-hydroxylated intermediates, accumulated. These data strongly suggest that HadDMtb catalyzes the 3-hydroxyacyl dehydratation step of late FAS-II elongation cycles during keto-MA biosynthesis. Phenotyping of Mtb hadD deletion mutant revealed the influence of HadDMtb on the planktonic growth, colony morphology and biofilm structuration, as well as on low temperature tolerance. Importantly, HadDMtb has a strong impact on Mtb virulence in the mouse model of infection. The effects of the lack of HadDMtb observed both in vitro and in vivo designate this protein as a bona fide target for the development of novel anti-TB intervention strategies.