bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modifying humic acids on magnetite nanoparticles to sorption of p-chlorophenol
Authors: Koesnarpadi S , Santosa S J , Siswanta D , Rudiarso B
Published: August 2019

Modifying humic acids on magnetite nanoparticles (M/HA) to sorption of p-chlorophenol have been studied. The M/HA was synthesized by coprecipitation method in alkaline condition using ammonium hydroxide and humic acids (HA) was isolated from peat soil in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. Modification of M/HA was prepared using mass ratios of M and HA = 20:1, 20:2, 20:4, 20:6. The four adsorbents of M/HA were characterized by determination of pH point zero charge (pHPZC), magnetic properties by vibrating sample magnetometer and morphology were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The result showed that sorption of p-chlorophenol on four of M/HA materials was optimum at pH 3.0 and fitted well to pseudo second-order kinetic models and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity of M/HA between 0.27-0.57 mmol/g. Generally, the performance of four M/HA materials to sorption of p-chlorophenol was M/HA=20:6 > M/HA=20:4 > M/HA=20:2 > M/HA=20:1.
The effect of methanol extract of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) on rat testicular steroid hormones
Authors: Aryani R , Manurung H , Moeljopawiro S , Nugroho L H , Astuti P
Published: August 2019

Soybeans contain phytoestrogens whose structure resembles estrogen in the body. Its function can be estrogen and antiestrogens, affecting the metabolism of sex steroid hormones. This study aims to determine the effect of soybean methanol extract on testosterone and estrogen levels in testicular rats. This study aims to determine the effect of soybean methanol extract on testosterone and estrogen levels in testicular rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups namely: control and treatment group were given soybean extract (250 mg/kg BW, 500 mg/kg BW) and genistein (0.3 mg/kg BW), respectively, for 52 days. The results of this research indicate that the effects of soybean methanol extract caused weight gain and decreased testicular weight. In addition, it showed that 500 mg/kg BW of soybean methanol extract reduced the level of testicular estrogen. It can be concluded that soybean methanol extract significantly reduced testicular estrogen levels for 52 days.
Characterization of lipase bacteria from water in Mahakam river port Samarinda
Authors: Astuti W , Hamdani F , Kartika R
Published: August 2019

Lipase is a hydrolase enzyme that is widely used in industry. The waters in Mahakam river port become a conducive place for the growth of bacteria that are able to hydrolyze lipids, so that bacteria are thought to be able to produce lipases. This research was conducted to screen bacteria that produced extracellular lipase and characterize the lipase. Screening of lipase-producing bacteria has been done with solid media containing Rodhamin B and the activity of lipase was conducted by titrimetricly. The characterization of isolated bacteria indicated that this bacteria belongs to Gram positive cocci shaped bacteria. Lipase-producing bacteria was successfully selected from the water taken in Mahakam river port Samarinda. The lipase was produced for 36 h. The optimum working conditions of lipase at 40°C and substrate concentration of 6%. Specific activity of bacterial lipase in Mahakam river water at Samarinda Port is 0.7212 U / mg.
In vivo wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Terminalia catappa L. leaves in mice (Mus musculus)
Authors: Nugroho R A , Utami D , Aryani R , Nur F M , Sari Y P , Manurung H
Published: August 2019

The leaves of Indian almond (Terminalia catappa L.) is known as a folk medicine. However, the leaves has not been explored scientifically for its wound healing activity. Therefore, current research was designed to evaluate the wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of both green (GL) and brown (BL) Indian almond leaves in mice (Mus musculus). Incision wounds was inflicted on mice under chloroform anesthesia. Group C served as control without treatment, while group V treated with vaseline. Group Pi was positive control and treated with povidone iodine, group GL20, GL40, and GL 60 treated with simple ointment containing 20, 40 and 60% (w/w) ethanol extract of the GL, whereas group BL20, BL 40, and BL60 used BL with the same concentration. All the mouse were treated topically once a day. Wound healing potential was assessed with the percentage of the wound healing until day 16. The results found that, all groups of mice treated with ethanol extract of either GL or BL higher than 20% showed significantly wound healing activity compared to group of mice treated with simple ointment group, Pi, or control. The present study provides a scientific rationale for the use of the leaves extracts of T. catappa in the treatment of wound.
Application of organic acids in Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822 aquafeed: impacts on fish relative growth rate, condition factor and cannibalism ratio
Authors: Asriqah L , Nugroho R A , Aryani R
Published: August 2019

The present research was performed to determine the relative growth rate (RGR), condition factor (K) and cannibalism ratio (CR) of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) fed different level and types of organic acid addition in the fish. Eighty fish were randomly assigned into five group triplicates, reared, and fed different type organic acid supplemented viz: control diet with no organic acid addition (B1); mixture of formic, acetic and propionic acid at level 0.05% (B2); mixture of formic, acetic and propionic acid at level 0.1% (B3); 0.05% butyric acid (B4); 0.1% butyric acid (B5), for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, RGR, K, and CR were determined. Fish fed 0.1% mix of formic, acetic and propionic acid or 0.1% butyric acid in the diet had the significantly higher (p<0.05) RGR than control or other groups. Meanwhile, the K and CR of fish during the trial were not affected by any various and levels of the organic acid. In conclusion, the supplementation of 0.1% mix organic acid or 0.1% butyric acid in the diet of C. gariepinus for 8 weeks enhanced the RGR of the catfish but no effect on the condition factor and cannibalism ratio.
A method for calculating the sum of diagonal and anti diagonal of power matrices without explicitly calculating its matrices
Authors: Amir A K , Jeriko G , Jusmawati M
Published: August 2019

In fact, matrix power can be done simply by explicitly calculating it using the rule of matrix multiplication. However, matrix power is time consuming if it had high power, because the multiplication is done by many times. Fixing this, the function develops how to calculate the sum of diagonal and anti diagonal of power matrix without explicitly calculating the matrix. The result show that those can be calculated by using linear combination of determinant, sum of diagonal, and sum of anti diagonal of the initial matrix. Beside that, the functions are applied to certain block matrices.
Comparison analysis of Kanaan Sand, Loktunggul Sand, and Sambera Sand using the methods of XRD and XRF
Authors: Muliawan A , Jumardi R , Fernando R , Lutfi M
Published: August 2019

All this time, the utilization of sand of Kanaan, Loktunggul, and Sambera villages is only for building material. The abundant sand can be used as an advanced material if its metal and quartz contents are known. The analysis of metal and quartz contents on sand for the three villages has been conducted using the methods of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The analysis with XRD method (X-Ray 0.15406 nm) revealed that the scatter angles at 2θ were 26.7470, 26.7360, and 26.7320 degrees with crystal widths of each sand are 1.2067 nm, 1.1876 nm, and 1.81085 nm. Meanwhile, the analysis with XRF method revealed that the concentrations of quartz were 95,5%, 96,6% and 79,1%. According to the analysis, the aluminium content was approximately 14.9 %, and it means that the purification process need to be conducted. The result revealed that the sand of Kanaan and Loktunggul villages was better than the sand of Sambera village regarding of its utilization as quartz material.
Interannual variability of sea surface height anomaly in the South China Sea
Authors: Radjawane I M , Karmel M E R , Prijatna K
Published: August 2019

Spatial variability of Sea Surface Height Anomaly (herein after SSHA) in the South China Sea was investigated through the response of sea surface to interannual phenomenon. In this research, satellite altimetry data were used which covered periods from 1992 to 2015. Signal analysis was performed to separate dominant spectrum for each stations. From the analysis, it is found that the dominant feature for South China Sea is high period signal i.e annual and decadal signals. This research will focus the analysis only on interannual variability response of SSHA. During northeast monsoon, SSHA in South China Sea region is increased due to the accumulation of water mass over southern basin. Highest increase of SSHA occurs during strong La Niña, while the highest decrease of SSHA takes place during El Niño. The distribution of change in SSHA varies with strong influence of latitude and longitude to the response of upper layer. During El Niño, increasing SSHA was detected in several locations; likewise, during La Niña the decrease was also found.
Astronomy laboratory for 13-to-15-year-old students
Authors: Sansone S , Marocchi D , Rinaudo M
Published: August 2019

In this work, we suggest the use of astronomical laboratory topics in didactic activities. We present two educational experiences, which we offered to last year students of the junior high school and first-year students of the technical-economic high school (ITES). Astronomy attracts the majority of students. Our idea is to use this interest as leverage to show how concepts and tools of Mathematics and Physics are essential; therefore the study of Mathematics and Physics topics becomes more explained and fascinating. For every laboratory activity, we explicate some of the Math, Physics and Astronomical concepts that can be strengthened. Every step was enriched by a brief theoretical presentation of some current research in the astronomical field, to increase the interest of students. We propose to use simple and cheap materials for all the laboratory experiences, and we suggest also using smart-phone applications as physical tools. We present three laboratory activities for the younger students and two laboratory activities for the older ones. For every topic we proposed a pre-test, to check out previous knowledge, and a post-test, to reflect if students have achieved the goals. We report the teacher’s opinion to draw some conclusions about the work done. In the end, we underline some problems and difficulties encountered.
Reducing the gender gap in spatial skills in high school physics
Authors: Collado R C
Published: August 2019

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses in college require intensive use of spatial skills. This research determines the correlation of the high school physics grades and the spatial skills of selected students from the Philippines. To measure the participants’ spatial skills, the Purdue Visualization of Rotations Test (PVRT) was utilized. Results show that these two variables have a moderate positive correlation. The data also reveal a significant difference in the PVRT scores between the male and female participants in this study. The gender gap in spatial skills was significantly removed after the females received an intervention in the form of a special program for improving spatial skills. This suggests the effectiveness of the special program, and the malleability of spatial skills even in adolescence. Recommendations for improving the spatial skills, as well as directions for future research are also discussed.
Tutorials in a stand-alone large class
Authors: Uematsu H
Published: August 2019

Among various types of curricula incorporating interactive-engagement, Tutorials are well known to be effective for students to transform their naïve concepts into fundamental physics concepts. They are materials designed for a recitation class in the United States. Implementing Tutorials in other environments needs some modification. An attempt to reconcile environmental and cultural differences and to change students’ attitudes towards learning is reported.
Remote access experiment as a facilitator for teaching modern and contemporary physics in secondary schools
Authors: Luciano A , Giacomassi Luciano A P , Garcia Fernandes P R , Takai H , Altoe Fusinato P
Published: August 2019

Many of today’s technological devices are grounded in theories of modern and contemporary physics (MCP). Their introduction into the high school classroom often requires access to sophisticated equipment. This is a difficult situation for public schools in Brazil, where the cost of implementing such laboratories is considered very high. This article introduces and discusses the concept of a Remote Access Laboratory for Modern Physics. This lab is possible because of the internet. It was designed to facilitate the teaching of modern physics in high school. Upon entering the laboratory, the physics teacher has the possibility to perform experiments in modern physics remotely. The lab is configured with remote cameras and automated devices to provide telepresence to attendees. The experiment used in this research was a cloud chamber, which detected cosmic rays and particles from a radioactive source. Two teachers and 150 students from two public high schools participated in this research. The lesson plan was developed to ensure a sequence of activities in the classroom. To evaluate our activities, we conducted interviews with the teachers and applied questionnaires to the students. We identified that after the activity was carried out by the students a greater demand for information on Physics on the internet. In addition, among the capabilities of the recognized laboratory, we mentioned the connection of MCP events to the students’ daily lives. The report of the participating teachers presents a favourable view towards the adoption of this initiative in the classroom for the introduction of modern and contemporary physics.
Practical Course on School Experiments for Future Physics teachers
Authors: Koudelkova V , Gottwald S
Published: August 2019

One of the important skills of physics teachers is proficiency in performing physics experiments and using them during lessons. For this purpose, future physics teachers at our faculty attend a cycle of seminars named Practical Course on School Experiments. The paper describes the second one, which is focused on electricity and magnetism. Uncommon experiments we use in the seminar are presented; our experience and students´ feedback is discussed too.
Training teachers: explorative activities measuring Planck’s constant
Authors: Capone R , De Luca R , De Santis A , Faella O , Fiore O , Saggese A
Published: August 2019

In recent years, Modern Physics has been included in the curricula of Italian secondary schools, so that many teachers are asking for specific didactical tools to allow their students to acquire the right skills to deal with final examinations. The Physics Department at University of Salerno (Italy) is, therefore, planning PLS (Piano Lauree Scientifiche / Scientific Degree Project) training courses to give some valid educational paths through new didactical strategies for Physics learning. Introducing quantum mechanics by experimental set-ups with commonly used materials is a rather interesting and challenging task. In fact, this practice allows teacher attending the course to reproduce the same experiments in their own class. Moreover, by using readily available material for the experimental set-up, a soft approach to Modern Physics can be achieved. In the present work, we propose the analysis of an experiment: the measurement of Planck’s constant, one of the most important fundamental quantities in Modern Physics, by means of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The properties of LEDs can be explained by means of elementary quantum mechanics concepts. As a consequence, when describing the quantum behaviour of these commonly used physical systems, Planck’s constant needs to be considered. Therefore, to illustrate one possible way of measuring Planck’s constant to high-school students, we can make use of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of a LED. In fact, by opportunely interpreting the measured I-V curves of these systems, by means of a linear fitting the value of Planck’s constant can be obtained.
Enhancing teaching and learning of fluid mechanics with interactive computational modelling
Authors: Neves R G
Published: August 2019

Contemporary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) increasingly require advanced knowledge about mathematical physics models and methods of scientific computation. In STEM educational environments this entails the necessity to implement pedagogical curricula and methodologies that epistemologically balance the inclusion of interactive engagement sequences of computational modelling activities, and offer students opportunities to develop meaningful knowledge of physics, mathematics and scientific computation, as well as of the specific STEM concepts and processes. Our approach in this context is based on interactive engagement activities built around computational modelling experiments implemented in the Modellus environment that span the range of different kinds of modelling, from exploratory to expressive modelling. In this paper we describe research concerning a sequence of activities about hydrostatic pressure forces and torques, a theme of an introductory fluid mechanics course for undergraduate university engineering students having only elementary knowledge of secondary education physics and mathematics and no significant prior knowledge about scientific computation. We analyse student’s perceptions about the activities and the effects generated on the learning process. Using a Likert scale questionnaire, we show that students reacted positively to the Modellus based activities, considering them helpful in the learning process of the mathematics and physics of fluid mechanics and for their overall professional training. The results also show that students considered Modellus a useful software for computational activities that help the learning of mathematical physics models, sufficiently easy to learn and user-friendly. Based on the analysis of student’s work content, we show that students were able to construct and explore the proposed mathematical physics models and simulations, and establish meaningful and operationally reified relations with the relevant hydrostatic phenomena. We also show that the computational modelling activities were effective in resolving several difficulties persisting after theoretical lectures and problem-solving paper and pen activities.
Teachers’ evaluation of MotionAR: An augmented reality-based motion graphing application
Authors: Collado R C , Caluya N R , Santos M E C
Published: August 2019

This research presents the results of the initial evaluation of MotionAR: an augmented reality (AR) based motion graphing application for physics classes. MotionAR uses AR trackers to measure relative motion between objects, hence producing a motion graph. The subject of the evaluation is an improved version of our application that addresses recommendations from the first prototype. Among these recommendations were: the use of words instead of arrows to identify targets, the use of the Cartesian coordinate system, and previews of the displacement vs. time, velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs. In-service teachers used a 10-item questionnaire for evaluation. The teacher-evaluators come from diverse educational backgrounds (rural and urban schools, 0 to 24 years in teaching, no e-learning model in school vs 1:1 student-to-tablet PC ratio, science vs. non-science majors) which makes the initial evaluation a good baseline data. This ongoing research will present the lessons learned from the evaluation, including insights in developing AR applications for physics classes, and recommendations for teaching motion graphs utilizing AR.
In action with action potentials
Authors: Heck A
Published: August 2019

The subject of bioelectricity is for many life science students the first encounter with biophysics. The transfer of knowledge on electricity from the context of physics to the context of physiology is not without difficulty. Use of computer simulations is expected to enhance the students’ understanding and interest, and to promote critical and integrative thinking. This paper discusses models, simulations, and activities designed for life science students that help them come to grips with biophysical processes underlying action potentials of a single neuron through ‘virtual labs’. Key models and computer simulations are presented, including their use in exploring phenomena such as firing threshold, spike train and refractory period. Experiences and opinions of biomedical students regarding the virtual labs have been collected and are discussed in this paper.
Different approaches to research and innovation in physics education at college and university
Authors: Guisasola J , Zolman D , Bollen L , van Kampen P , Baily C , De Cock M , Dreef T , Buning J , Fokkema D , Hijmans T , Kuik G , Fazio C , Battaglia O R , Zuza K
Published: August 2019

In this article we report a Symposium organized by GTG-Physics Education Research at University (PERU) with different proposals that includes innovative educational approaches and research on problems of teaching-learning physics at university. In the second section, two research projects are described on teaching specific curriculum topics that present special difficulties for students. In the next section the third project on a work experience in the laboratory that takes into account the characteristics of scientific work, is presented. Finally, the fourth project presents a way to investigate the types of student reasoning. In the discussion, the importance of research projects that include not only conceptual understanding but also those areas such as laboratory work or “on-line physics courses” that involve practicing skills of scientific work, is highlighted.
Strong cooperation between schools and universities can inspire the young people to study physics?
Authors: Caltun O F , Cozma D
Published: August 2019

In order to identify what are the strategies and actions implemented by the universities in cooperation with schools carried out in Horizons OPE European project a research focused on the topic. In the first phase of the research were held preliminary meetings with several members of the project, with teachers from schools and universities to draft a first form of questionnaire. In second stage during the meeting with secondary schools teachers were carried out SWOT analysis of most known activities based on school university cooperation that was used to refine the draft of Questionnaire. In the third stage the quest was applied to a control group of 20 teachers from secondary schools and 10 academics. The results served to refine and clarify the final form of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was organized in 25 items, on a scale with five levels in four categories of interest. The present work is a detailed discussion on strategies that universities have in cooperation with schools, degree of involvement of staff, logistic and financial support of stakeholders.
The Model Technology of Stepping Motor Driving System
Authors: Huahong Zhang
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes the dynamic characteristics of load motion have great influence on the performance of stepping motor. The dynamic model of stepping motor driving system is established on basis of least-squares, the system identification experiment is carried out on an actual Numerical Control Plate Printer drive system, and the dynamic parameters of the system were identified with MATLAB. The results have a good practical value to the optimal control of stepping motor.
A Case Study of Grid-Connected Solar Farm Control Using Artificial Intelligence Genetic Algorithm to Accommodate Peak Demand
Authors: Alshafeey Mutaz , Csaba Csáki
Published: August 2019

The continuous rise in peak electricity demands is now considered to be one of the most prominent power generation problems. The need to increase generation capacity caused by peak demand growth is a critical economic issue due to the financial burdens associated with increasing capacity. Jordan is a good example of the problems caused by growing peak demand. As a small, aid-dependent country already suffering from financial and environmental issues, the number of Syrians seeking refuge in Jordan has created a strain on the country’s energy resources. This study examines the effect of installing a Photovoltaic (PV) solar farm at the Amman East Power Plant in order to offer a solution to the continuous growth in peak demand. As part of the research reported here, three mathematical representative models have been created and tested using real solar radiation, energy generation, and peak demand data. These results then were used to build a model based on an artificial intelligence Genetic Algorithm (GA) that could be used in predicting, analysing and calculating the best solar farm size in order to keep the generation curve as flat as possible with the least cost. Subsequently, an iterative simulation of the processes has been done to test the model different chromosomes: the optimum configuration of the model ensures that the annualized cost of the system (ACS) is minimized, while the peak demand is lessened as much as possible.
Improved Simplex Method Algorithm used in power Market Clearing
Authors: Yan Cui-Hui , Liu Fang , Hu Chao Fan , Cui Hui , Luo Zhi Qiang
Published: August 2019

Electric power industry is the foundation of national economy and plays a key role in the development of human society. Traditional power industry is monopolized by industry and lacks market efficiency. In recent years, it is seeking breakthroughs in market-oriented reform. Although China’s electricity market reform has achieved some results, but there are still lacking of market players and regional transactions, excessive data management, concentration and other defects. This puts forward higher requirements for the system design of power market trade. It is facing the electricity market security and performance challenges, the goal is to improve the electric power market transaction mode and enhance transaction security, it studied different kinds of markets transaction model to construct a perfect competitive market trade system, which based on block chaining technique. The trade model adopted different levels of multi auction which integrated intra provincial trading and inter provincial trading parts in a system. The intra province trading part adopt the model of contact trading and bidding coexist, each province carried out trading for surplus-deficit electricity on the basement of intra province demand. Here, it constructed a competitive cross-regional power market which can realize the intra-provincial contract, bidding and inter-provincial trading in day power market. The simulation results based on six provinces to shown the different conditions, and operated by the intelligent contracts. It recorded the full trading information distributed through the inter-provincial power trading algorithm in the intelligent contracts, the results has presented the amount of electricity transaction and the corresponding trading volume. It has achieved fair resource scheduling and transaction information security.
Smart Cement Modified with Nano Fly Ash and Micro Fiber for Oil Well Applications
Authors: Abdul-hamead A A , Othman F M , Abdullah D M
Published: August 2019

Adequate slurry design is critical to the success of a cementing work. In this study, a ball mill procedure was used to prepare a nano powder from a fly ash material supplied by Al-kufa Cement Factory for re-inforcing the oil well cement through using it as a partial replacement of oil well cement class G by a weight percentage of(0.25%,0.5%, 0.75% and1%)and micro fiber polypropylene at percentage (0.25%,0.5%,0.75%,and 1%).The mix with a water to cement ratio was made at 0.44.Characterizations of the prepared samples were conducted by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), density and compressive strength. The results manifested that the structural properties were improved with the development of calcium silicate hydration (C-S-H)phase, the density as well as the enhancement in compressive strength. That makes it proper for the oil well applications.
Specifications of Heavy Diesel Lubricating Oil Improved by MWCNTs and CuO as Nano-additives
Authors: Jaber Thulfiqar N , Sukkar Khalid A , Karamalluh Abullhassan A
Published: August 2019

In this investigation, the properties of heavy diesel lubricants were enhanced by adding the nano-additives. The purpose of this research is verifying the enhancement of the rheological and thermal characteristics of the lubricating oils by adding the nano-additives, in order to upgrade to the highest level for performance lubricant in the system. The SAE 15W40 (Oil parent) was mixed with two types of nanomaterials (MWCNTs and CuO) at four various concentrations by (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 % wt.) to prepare the nano-lubricants, studying and comparing their properties with parent lubricants. The results indicated that the thermal conductivity values of (OilMWCNTs) and (OilCuO NPs) at 1 wt. % concentration of both additives increased by 23%, 15.3% respectively. Also, the flash point of both nano-lubricants comparison with parent oil increased by (19.54%, 15.9%) respectively. It was concluded that (OilMWCNTs) showed higher lubricant’s specification than (OilCuO NPs) due to the high surface area of MWCNTs. Hence, the operating properties of lubricating oil much enhanced when scattered the carbon nanotubes and copper oxide NPs.
Thermal Pyrolysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Authors: Hammoodi S I , Almukhtar R S
Published: August 2019

Plastics are very desired components, used in a lot of fields, from domestic packaging, agrarian, automotive, to building structure. The frequent use of plastic products related to their lightweight, high chemical stability and low cost.

The present work aims to illustrating the thermal pyrplysis of two types of plastic: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) in a batch tubular reactor. The reaction indicated that PS and PET were converted more meaningfully into useful liquid products out of thermally route compared to PET pyrolysis.The resulted liquid could be used as fuels or raw materials in chemical industries. Formation of oxygenates and aromatics were noticed.The maximum liquid produced at optimum temperature and optimum heating time (90 min) is 77%, 67.56%, 54% and 37.48% for PS, 10%PET + PS, 20%PET + PS and 30%PET + PS respectively. The liquid product is analysed by GC-MS at optimum condition. The compositions of the liquid produced are styrene monomer, toluene, alpha-methylstyrene, 1,3 Diphenylpropane, 1-Phenylnaphthalene, 4-phenyl-1 butene. The main product in the pyrolysis of PS is styrene monomer, 10%PET+PS, 20%PET+PS and 30%PET+PS.
RETRACTED: Evaluation of Soil Structure Interaction Effect for Tanks under Earthquake with Different Foundations Soils
Authors: Elwi Mohammed , Mohammed Marawan
Published: August 2019

Though the structures are supported on soil, most of the designers do not consider the soil structure interaction and its subsequent effect on the structure during an earthquake. Different soil properties can affect seismic waves as they pass through a soil layer. When a structure is subjected to an earthquake excitation, it interacts with the foundation and soil, and thus changes the motion of the ground. It means that the movement of the whole ground structure system is influenced by type of soil as well as by the type of an engineering structure. Tanks are supposed to be of construction in sense that they might have been analyzed and designed to meet the provision of relevant codes of practice and building bye-laws. IS 1893: 2002 “Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures” gives response spectrum for different types of soil such as hard, medium and soft. An attempt has been made in this paper to study the effect of Soil-structure interaction on multi storeyed buildings with various foundation systems as well as to study the response of buildings subjected to seismic forces with Rigid and Flexible foundations. Tanks with fixed and flexible support subjected to seismic forces were analysed under different soil conditions like hard, medium and soft. The buildings were analysed by Response spectrum method using software by ABAQUS program . A structural model using the generalized single degree of freedom (SDF) system is proposed for seismic design of concrete rectangular Liquid Containing Structures (LCS). The proposed model considers the effect of flexibility of tank wall on hydrodynamic pressures and uses the consistent mass approach. The proposed model is compared with the results obtained using the current practice as well as the finite element method. It is concluded that the current approach in design codes and standards does not truly represent the behaviour of LCS. The proposed model using the generalized SDF system can be simply used in seismic design of LCS.
An Experimental Study for the effect of Water in Crude Oil on its Rheological Properties and Flow Characteristics
Authors: Lafta Rashid Farhan , Zaki Naji Samah
Published: August 2019

An experimental study for the effect of water in Iraqi crude oil on rheological and flow characterization was achieved by the experimental rig. The crude oil used was from Al-Najaf refinery with a density of 916.6 kg/m3, dynamic viscosity of 24.94 cp at a temperature of 25 °C. A centrifugal pump was used with a straight impeller, one suction and one discharge line. The results show that the density of the crude oil increases as the water/oil ratio increases. While the viscosity of the crude oil will be reduced. Shear stress is increased by adding water to the crude oil, the maximum value of shear stress is observed at 12.5 %. The two-phase flow rate increases as water/oil ratio increased, for the flow of water-oil, the pump head increases as water/oil ratio increases reaching to 0.8 water/oil ratio, which is the point of inversion, and then reduces. In addition, the volumetric flow rate of the two-phase flow increases as water/oil ratio is increasing and the increase in water-oil flow velocity causes rising in the pump head.
An Overview on the Recent Techniques for Improving the Flowability of Crude Oil in Pipelines
Authors: Ibrahim Raheek I , Odah Manal K , Al-Mufti Amna
Published: August 2019

Crude oil is considered as a major source of energy all over the world. Midstream refers to the various methods of transportation. Important issues that oil transportation methods face are spills and inadvertent emissions. Therefore, most of the technology developments in transportation methods are aimed at reducing emissions, increasing efficiency, or preventing spills and leaks. Piping systems are the safest and most efficient and cost-effective way for crude oil transportation. The process suffers from serious problems such as: asphaltene and paraffin structures interactions, pipes pressure drop, and high pumping energy consumption. One of the economical important challenges in oil pipeline transportation is to keep the flowability and reduce the pressure drop along the pipe. The current review highlights the recent and most development techniques which have been used to enhance the fluidity of crude oil in pipelines.
Resource Efficiency Compromise for Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Protopopov A , Mukhlaeva A , Tkachuk B
Published: August 2019

Annotation

The main characteristics of centrifugal pumps, like many other mechanisms, include resource and efficiency. Often these are two competing parameters - while increasing the first, we sacrifice the second. This is because with an increase in the rotational speed of the pump rotor, the life of the bearings drops rapidly, and the efficiency, on the contrary, increases. There is a need to find a compromise solution, when at the selected value of one parameter the second is maximum.
Optimization of the radial channel guide vane of a centrifugal pump
Authors: Morozova E , Belov N , Cheremushkin V
Published: August 2019

The guide vane of a centrifugal multistage pump mostly determines the hydraulic efficiency of the pump and as a consequence the optimal mode of its operation. In order to increase the pump efficiency, the radial channel guide vane has been optimized. Three geometrical parameters and the number of channels of the guide vane were selected as optimization parameters. Hydraulic efficiency was chosen as a criterion. 128 computational models were obtained by the method of automated parametrized construction. The efficiency parameters were obtained via hydrodynamic modeling. As a result, a significant increase in the pump efficiency was achieved.
3D-printed polyether ether ketone samples mechanical properties estimation
Authors: Sviridov A , Lopatina Iu , Kurganova Iu
Published: August 2019

This paper is dedicated to study of mechanical characteristics (tensile limit, elasticity modulus and relative elongation) of samples made of polyether ether ketone by additive method FDM (FFF). The paper includes results of mechanical tests on tension of sample party and comparison to results of other authors. Conclusions on reasons of the results obtained are made.
Development of quality measures for use of self-injectable biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: An integrated specialty pharmacy initiative
Authors: Shah Nisha B , Jolly Jacob A , Horst Sara N , Peter Megan , Limper Heather , Zuckerman Autumn D
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The development of a tool to measure medication safety, therapeutic efficacy, and other quality outcomes in patients receiving self-injectable biologic therapy for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at a health-system specialty pharmacy is described.

Through a collaborative initiative by pharmacists, gastro-enterologists, and representatives of a pharmacy benefit manager and a pharmaceutical company, a set of clinical and specialty pharmacy quality measures was developed. The clinical measures are intended for use in assessing patient safety, disease status, treatment efficacy, and healthcare resource utilization during 3 assessments (pre-treatment, on-treatment, and longitudinal). The specialty pharmacy measures can be used to assess medication adherence, medication persistence, specialty pharmacy accreditation, and patient satisfaction. The proposed quality measures provide a foundation for evaluating the quality of IBD care and improving patient outcomes within a health-system specialty pharmacy. Future efforts to validate and implement the tool in clinical practice are planned.

Conclusion

The proposed quality measures provide a foundation for future inquiry regarding the appropriateness and feasibility of integrating the measures into clinical care. Further work is needed to implement and validate these quality measures and determine their impact in optimizing health outcomes.
Response initiation and inhibition and the relationship with fluid intelligence across the adult lifespan
Authors: Martin A K , Barker M S , Gibson E C , Robinson G A
Published: August 2019

Background

Cognitive processes associated with frontal lobe functioning are often termed “executive functions.” Two such processes are initiation and inhibition or the starting and stopping of responses. It has recently been claimed dysfunction of executive abilities can be explained by a single measure of fluid intelligence. Here, we test this claim, specifically for the executive abilities of response initiation and inhibition, across the healthy lifespan.

Method

In a cohort of 336 healthy adults (18–89 years), initiation and inhibition were assessed with the Hayling test, Stroop test, and phonemic and semantic verbal fluency. All participants also completed a measure of fluid intelligence. The relationship between fluid intelligence and executive measures was explored across the lifespan using a continuous approach. Mediation models were computed to assess whether age-related decline across the four initiation/inhibition tasks could be fully explained by a single measure of fluid intelligence.

Results

Age was negatively correlated with response initiation/inhibition and fluid intelligence. The mediation analyses identified only partial mediation of fluid intelligence for age and Hayling performance. By contrast, fluid intelligence did not mediate performance on the Stroop test or phonemic and semantic verbal fluency.

Conclusions

Response initiation/inhibition are not able to be explained by fluid intelligence. The results support a multifactorial theory of executive functions and provide evidence for the inclusion of multiple specific executive measures in a thorough neuropsychological assessment of age-related cognitive decline.
A polyoxometalate redox flow battery: functionality and upscale
Authors: Friedl Jochen , Pfanschilling Felix L , Holland-Cunz Matthäa V , Fleck Robert , Schricker Barbara , Wolfschmidt Holger , Stimming Ulrich
Published: August 2019

While redox flow batteries carry a large potential for electricity storage, specifically for regenerative energies, the current technology-prone system—the all-vanadium redox flow battery—exhibits two major disadvantages: low energy and low power densities. Polyoxometalates have the potential to mitigate both effects. In this publication, the operation of a polyoxometalate redox flow battery was demonstrated for the polyoxoanions [SiW12O40]4– (SiW12) in the anolyte and [PV14O42]9– (PV14) in the catholyte. Emphasis was laid on comparing to which extent an upscale from 25 to 1400 cm2 membrane area may impede efficiency and operational parameters. Results demonstrated that the operation of the large cell for close to 3 months did not diminish operation and the stability of polyoxometalates was unaltered.
Postoperative Outcomes in Ustekinumab-Treated Patients Undergoing Abdominal Operations for Crohn’s Disease: Single-Center Series
Authors: Lightner Amy L , Grass Fabian , Alsughayer Ahmad , Petersen Molly M , Raffals Laura E , Loftus Edward V
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The impact of ustekinumab on adverse postoperative outcomes in Crohn’s disease (CD) remains largely unknown. We determined the difference in 90-day postoperative complication rates among CD patients exposed to ustekinumab within 12 weeks prior to an abdominal operation as compared to patients not exposed to biologic therapy.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all adults with CD who underwent an abdominal operation between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 at a single tertiary medical center was performed. Data collection included patient demographics, concurrent immunosuppression, serum laboratory values, operative values, and 90-day outcomes including superficial surgical site infection (sSSI), intra-abdominal sepsis, overall infectious complications, readmission, and reoperation rates. The primary outcome was the 90-day rate of intra-abdominal sepsis.

Results

Fifty-seven CD patients received ustekinumab and 277 received no biologic therapy in the 12 weeks prior to major abdominal surgery. Ustekinumab-exposed patients were younger, less likely to have diabetes mellitus or active tobacco exposure, were more often obese, and more often taking a concurrent immunomodulator. Ustekinumab remained an independent predictor of intra-abdominal sepsis on multivariable logistic regression. Immunomodulator exposure was associated with significantly increased rates of sSSI and overall complication rates.

Conclusions

Ustekinumab is associated with increased rates of 90-day postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis following a major abdominal operation for CD.
Relationships between personality traits and the physiological stress response in a wild mammal
Authors: Santicchia Francesca , Wauters Lucas A , Dantzer Ben , Westrick Sarah E , Ferrari Nicola , Romeo Claudia , Palme Rupert , Preatoni Damiano G , Martinoli Adriano
Published: August 2019

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are involved in the regulation of an animal’s energetic state. Under stressful situations, they are part of the neuroendocrine response to cope with environmental challenges. Animals react to aversive stimuli also through behavioral responses, defined as coping styles. Both in captive and wild populations, individuals differ in their behavior along a proactive–reactive continuum. Proactive animals exhibit a bold, active-explorative and social personality, whereas reactive ones are shy, less active-explorative and less social. Here, we test the hypothesis that personality traits and physiological responses to stressors covary, with more proactive individuals having a less pronounced GC stress response. In wild populations of invasive gray squirrels Sciurus carolinensis, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), an integrated measure of circulating GCs, and 3 personality traits (activity, sociability, and exploration) derived from open field test (OFT) and mirror image stimulation (MIS) test. Gray squirrels had higher FGMs in Autumn than in Winter and males with scrotal testes had higher FGMs than nonbreeding males. Personality varied with body mass and population density. Squirrels expressed more activity-exploration at higher than at lower density and heavier squirrels had higher scores for activity-exploration than animals that weighed less. Variation in FGM concentrations was not correlated with the expression of the 3 personality traits. Hence, our results do not support a strong association between the behavioral and physiological stress responses but show that in wild populations, where animals experience varying environmental conditions, the GC endocrine response and the expression of personality are uncorrelated traits among individuals.
Rivaroxaban vs. warfarin and renal outcomes in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with diabetes
Authors: Hernandez Adrian V , Bradley George , Khan Mohammad , Fratoni Andrew , Gasparini Anna , Roman Yuani M , Bunz Thomas J , Eriksson Daniel , Meinecke Anna-Katharina , Coleman Craig I
Published: August 2019

Aims 

Vascular calcification is common in diabetic patients. Warfarin has been associated with renovascular calcification and worsening renal function; rivaroxaban may provide renopreservation by decreasing vascular inflammation. We compared the impact of rivaroxaban and warfarin on renal outcomes in diabetic patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods and results 

Using United States IBM MarketScan data from January 2011 to December 2017, we identified adults with both NVAF and diabetes, newly-initiated on rivaroxaban or warfarin with ≥12-month insurance coverage prior to anticoagulation initiation. Patients with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or undergoing haemodialysis at baseline were excluded. Differences in baseline covariates between cohorts were adjusted using inverse probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores (absolute standardized differences <0.1 achieved for all after adjustment). Outcomes included incidence rates of emergency department/hospital admissions for acute kidney injury (AKI) and the composite of the development of Stage 5 CKD or need for haemodialysis. Patients were followed until an event, index anticoagulant discontinuation/switch, insurance disenrollment, or end-of-data availability. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression. We assessed 10 017 rivaroxaban (22.6% received a reduced dose) and 11 665 warfarin users. In comparison to warfarin, rivaroxaban was associated with lower risks of AKI (HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74–0.92) and development of Stage 5 CKD or need for haemodialysis (HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70–0.96). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses had similar effects as the base-case analysis.

Conclusion 

Rivaroxaban appears to be associated with lower risks of undesirable renal outcomes vs. warfarin in diabetic NVAF patients.