bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Ability of Junior High School Students to Solve the Physics Problems in Various Forms of Problem Representations
Authors: Sutirta I Wayan Gede , Muslimin Muslimin , Pasaribu Marungkil
Published: August 2020

This research is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, which aims to describe the ability of junior high school students to solve physics problems in various forms of problem representation. The subjects in this study were the IX grade junior high school students in six Palu city schools. Respondents for interviews in the study amounted to 4 people for each form of problem representation, with the criteria of students who answered right, students who answered ± 50% correct, students who answered incorrectly, and who did not answer. The instrument used was a test of problem solving skills and interviews. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively including data reduction, presenting data and verification while descriptive analysis was performed by calculating the total score, calculating the percentage and categorizing problem solving abilities. The results obtained by the average ability of junior high school students to solve physics problems in various forms of problem representation 21.86% (less category), with the percentage of each form of representation ie verbal representation 36.09% (less category), image/picture representation 23.78% (less category), diagram representation 19.47% (poor category) and graphic representation 8.10% (poor category).
Nocardia seriolae: a serious threat to the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides industry in Southwest China
Authors: Lei X , Zhao R , Geng Y , Wang K , Yang PO , Chen D , Huang X , Zuo Z , He C , Chen Z , Huang C , Guo H , Lai W
Published: August 2020

Nocardia seriolae is the causative agent of nocardiosis in both marine and freshwater fish. Here, we report on multiple outbreaks of nocardiosis associated with elevated mortality (23-35%) in farmed largemouth bass in Sichuan, China, from 2017 to 2018. A total of 9 strains isolated from diseased largemouth bass were identified as N. seriolae by phenotypic characterization, 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequence analysis. The clinical signs of infected largemouth bass included hemorrhage, skin ulcers and prominent tubercles varying in size in the gill, liver, spleen and kidney. Experimental infection indicated that these isolates were the pathogens responsible for the mortalities. In vitro antibacterial activities of 12 antibiotics against N. seriolae isolates were determined as minimum inhibitory concentrations. Histopathological observation of diseased fish infected with N. seriolae showed necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis, nephritis, splenitis, epithelial hypertrophy and hyperplasia with degenerative changes of the epithelium in the gill. Large quantities of bacterial aggregates were found in the necrotic area of the granuloma by Lillie-Twort Gram stain and immunocytochemistry. Our findings indicated that N. seriolae is a serious threat to the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides industry in Southwest China.
Susceptibility of five different sizes of pathogenfree Litopenaeus vannamei to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) by intramuscular inoculation
Authors: Liao S , Xu R , Wu H , Yu D , Wei S , He P , Jia R
Published: August 2020

White spot syndrome virus (WWSV) has become one of the most widespread causes of mortality in commercial shrimp farming. In the present study, we used PCR to determine the shrimp infectious dose 50% endpoint (SID50ml-1) of a Chinese isolate of WSSV in 5 different sizes of pathogen-freeLitopenaeus vannameiinoculated intramuscularly. The lethal dose 50% endpoint (LD50ml-1) was also determined from the percentage of dead shrimp. The LD50ml-1for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 cm shrimp were 104.68, 105.7, 106.70, 107.75, and 108.81, respectively, and the SID50ml-1were 104.68, 105.70, 106.90, 107.75, and 108.94, respectively. There was no significant difference between the LD50ml-1and SID50ml-1for each shrimp size, which indicated that all infected shrimp died. The lethal and infectious titer decreased about 1 log10as shrimp size decreased 1 grade. These data clearly indicate that adult shrimp were more susceptible to WSSV than juvenile shrimp. The horizontal comparison showed that the amount of virus in the shrimp organs increased over the experimental period. The vertical comparison showed that virus quantity was lowest in the organs of 10 cm shrimp and highest in 2 cm shrimp, which indicates that the smaller shrimp had higher levels of viral replication. Hence, the optimal size for WSSV challenge in shrimp inoculated intramuscularly was 2 cm. The determination of virus titers in different sizes of shrimp represents a step towards creating strategies to reduce the negative impacts of WSSV in the aquaculture industry.
Property Evaluation of Tungsten-Carbide Hard Materials as a Function of Fe Contents
Authors: Kim Ju-Hun , Lee Jeong-Han , Jang Junho , Oh Ik-Hyun , Hong Sung-Kil , Park Hyun Kuk
Published: August 2020

In this study, consolidated WC-Fe compacts as a function of Fe contents were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering method, following the mixed by the ball-milled powder. Fe among the metallic binders was added to WC enhance not only the driving force of sintering process but also suppressing the grain growth. WC-Fe mixed powder samples were fabricated with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% Fe contents, and the particle sizes of the mixed powders were determined to be 2.15 to 3.15 µm, respectively. The WC-Fe mixed powders were processed by spark plasma sintering, at a sintering temperature of 1300 oC. Consequently, the relative densities of the WC-5, 10 and 15 wt.% Fe sintered-bodies were about 99.2, 99.5 and 100%, respectively. The grain sizes of the WC-5, 10 and 15 wt.% Fe sintered-bodies were about 0.92, 0.98 and 1.02 µm, respectively. The Fe particles penetrated into the WC particles by dissolving and re-precipitation, and the final sintered bodies were completely densified. The mechanical properties of the WC-Fe sintered-bodies exhibited a hardness up to 1934 kg·mm2 and a fracture toughness above 6.88 MPa·m1/2. The microstructure behavior of the WC-Fe sintered-bodies was investigated in terms of mechanical properties to examine their properties for various Fe contents. In addition, the mechanical and physical properties were compared with the reported values for other sintering-processes, i.e. HFIHS, HIP, etc.
Effect of Aging Heat Treatment Conditions on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Base and Weld Metal of Alloy 282 Superalloy
Authors: Bang Jinhyeok , Kang Yongjoon , Kim Namkyu , Seo Seong-Moon , Lee Sanghoon , Song Sangwoo , Kang Namhyun
Published: August 2020

The effect of aging heat treatment conditions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the base and weld metal of Alloy 282 superalloy was investigated. The aging heat treatment conditions employed in this study were as follows: two-steps (1010 °C for 2 hours plus 788 °C for 8 hours) and one-step at 788 °C, 738 °C, and 688 °C for 4 hours. The base metal with the one-step aged condition exhibited lower hardness but longer creep life than that treated with the two-step aged condition. The base metal subjected to the two-step aging exhibited the highest hardness and the shortest creep life, mainly due to the precipitation of Mo-rich M6C-type carbides and coarse γ' (Ni3(Al,Ti)) phase. For the weld metal, regardless of aging heat treatment conditions, creep elongation and life decreased significantly compared to the base metal, due to the coarse effective grain size and inhomogeneous distribution of γ' precipitates.
Effects of Al-Si Coating Thickness on 22MnB5 in Hot Stamping Wear
Authors: Ji Min Ki , Son Hyunsung , Oh Jinkeun , Kim Seongwoo , Kim Kyungmok , Jun Tea-Sung
Published: August 2020

Al-Si coated ultra-high strength steels (UHSS) are widely used in automotive applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion protection and good weldability. The hot stamping (also called hot press forming) process is an effective and suitable technique for producing automotive parts from Al-Si coated UHSS. However, critical issues, such as the transfer of the coating materials and the build-up of these materials on the tool surface, have been encountered. These defects affect tool life and product quality. The wear behaviour of Al-Si coated 22MnB5 and Cr coated SKD11 tool was investigated using a high temperature friction test which mimicked the actual hot stamping environment. Two kinds of Al-Si coated 22MnB5 with ~19.6 (AlSi-A) and ~29.3 (AlSi-B) µm coating thicknesses were used in this study. After the friction test the coated layer of AlSi-A was found to be worn up to the diffusion layer, while for AlSi-B, the coating layer mostly remained after the friction test. Adhesive wear predominantly occurred on the tool surface in both cases, but the wear increased significantly in case of AlSi-B. This suggests that the coating thickness and the associated surface roughness are critical factors affecting wear behaviour.
Good Pain, Bad Pain: Dancers, Injury, and Listening to the Body
Authors: Tarr Jen , Thomas Helen
Published: August 2020

While pain is generally considered unpleasant, pain associated with exercise and physical activity is sometimes classed as good. Good pain is usually associated with training, while bad pain is associated with injury. However, the boundary between good and bad pain is a narrow one. We examine this boundary, using interviews with 205 dancers, dance students and related professionals. A cultural phenomenological approach is adopted to understand dancers’ embodied experiences and how they describe physical sensations. We highlight the variety of their descriptions of different kinds of pain and its association with injury, as well as how they conceptualise its role within their careers. The three primary dimensions to dancers’ distinctions between good and bad pain, also have a moral dimension in relation to the concern to be seen as hard-working and committed. We suggest that the process of distinguishing between good and bad pain is as much a process of not to hear as it is of learning to listen to the body.
Producing Oedipus:Totem and TabooRead Through Actor Network Theory
Authors: Kuzuhara Felipe Massao
Published: August 2020

This article reads Freud's Totem and Taboo (1912–13) according to its role within the consolidation of the Oedipus complex. Freud's text is discussed with a focus on the process of knowledge production in psychoanalysis, and in relation to Bruno Latour's ideas of translation, association and black box. In this respect, this article regards a central feature of Totem and Taboo as being the articulation of a full-scale argument for the production of the Oedipus complex as ‘fact’. It is in this sense that different actors such as clinical cases, totemism, phylogenesis, the development of psychoanalytic theory and so on are considered here.
On a Nonsmooth Gauss–Newton Algorithms for Solving Nonlinear Complementarity Problems
Authors: Śmietański Marek J.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose a new version of the generalized damped Gauss–Newton method for solving nonlinear complementarity problems based on the transformation to the nonsmooth equation, which is equivalent to some unconstrained optimization problem. The B-differential plays the role of the derivative. We present two types of algorithms (usual and inexact), which have superlinear and global convergence for semismooth cases. These results can be applied to efficiently find all solutions of the nonlinear complementarity problems under some mild assumptions. The results of the numerical tests are attached as a complement of the theoretical considerations.
Paenibacillus brasilensis YS-1: A Potential Biocontrol Agent to Retard Xinyu Tangerine Senescence
Authors: Chen Chuying , Wan Chunpeng , Guo Juanhua , Chen Jinyin
Published: August 2020

The Xinyu tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a non-climacteric fruit that is widely cultivated and consumed in China but highly susceptible to fungal infections. Antagonistic microorganisms can control postharvest diseases and extend the storage life of citrus fruits. However, little work has been done to investigate the effects of applying Paenibacillus brasilensis YS-1 by immersion to enhance the cold storability of Xinyu tangerines. Fruits were soaked with P. brasilensis YS-1 fermented filtrates for 10 min and in sterile water as the control. The decay incidence, weight loss, nutrient content, respiration rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and defensive enzymes activities in citrus fruit were measured during cold storage at 5 ± 0.5 °C. The results showed that P. brasilensis YS-1 treatment significantly reduced postharvest decay and effectively maintained the nutritional quality compared to the control under cold storage. The weight loss, respiration rate, and MDA content were lower in P. brasilensis YS-1-treated fruits than the control fruits, indicating that P. brasilensis YS-1 treatment increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalnine ammonia-lyase (PAL). According to the results, a postharvest application of P. brasilensis YS-1 can control the postharvest decay and maintain fruit quality, as well as increase the defensive enzyme activity, so as to achieve the purpose of retarding postharvest senescence in citrus fruit.
Design and Implementation of a Smart System to Control Aromatic Herb Dehydration Process
Authors: Catania Pietro , Gaglio Raimondo , Orlando Santo , Settanni Luca , Vallone Mariangela
Published: August 2020

Drying is a process aimed at reducing the water content in plant materials below a limit where the activity of microbes and decomposing enzymes deteriorate the quality of medicinal and aromatic plants. Today, the interest of consumers towards medicinal and aromatic herbs has registered a growing trend. This study aims at designing a low-cost real-time monitoring and control system for the drying process of aromatic herbs and evaluating drying efficacy on the microbial community associated with the studied herbs. Hot-air drying tests of sage and laurel leaves were carried out in a dryer desiccator cabinet at 40 °C and 25% relative humidity using three biomass densities (3, 4 and 5 kg/m2). The prototype of the smart system is based on an Arduino Mega 2560 board, to which nine Siemens 7MH5102-1PD00 load cells and a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor were added. The data acquired by the sensors were transmitted through Wi-Fi to a ThingSpeak account in order to monitor the drying process in real time. The variation in the moisture content of the product and the drying rate were obtained. The system provided a valid support decision during the drying process, allowing for the precise monitoring of the evolution of the biomass moisture loss and drying rate for laurel and sage. The three different biomass densities employed did not provide significant differences in the drying process for sage. Statistically significant differences among the three tests were found for laurel in the final part of the process. The microbial loads of the aromatic herbs after drying were influenced by the different leaf structures of the species; in particular, with laurel leaves, microbial survival increased with increasing biomass density. Finally, with the drying method adopted, the two species under consideration showed a different microbial stability and, consequently, had a different shelf life, longer for sage than laurel, as also confirmed by water activity (aw) values.
Evaluation of a Stereo Vision System for Cotton Row Detection and Boll Location Estimation in Direct Sunlight
Authors: Fue Kadeghe , Porter Wesley , Barnes Edward , Li Changying , Rains Glen
Published: August 2020

Cotton harvesting is performed by using expensive combine harvesters which makes it difficult for small to medium-size cotton farmers to grow cotton economically. Advances in robotics have provided an opportunity to harvest cotton using small and robust autonomous rovers that can be deployed in the field as a “swarm” of harvesters, with each harvester responsible for a small hectarage. However, rovers need high-performance navigation to obtain the necessary precision for harvesting. Current precision harvesting systems depend heavily on Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) to navigate rows of crops. However, GNSS cannot be the only method used to navigate the farm because for robots to work as a coordinated multiagent unit on the same farm because they also require visual systems to navigate, avoid collisions, and to accommodate plant growth and canopy changes. Hence, the optical system remains to be a complementary method for increasing the efficiency of the GNSS. In this study, visual detection of cotton rows and bolls was developed, demonstrated, and evaluated. A pixel-based algorithm was used to calculate and determine the upper and lower part of the canopy of the cotton rows by assuming the normal distribution of the high and low depth pixels. The left and right rows were detected by using perspective transformation and pixel-based sliding window algorithms. Then, the system determined the Bayesian score of the detection and calculated the center of the rows for the smooth navigation of the rover. This visual system achieved an accuracy of 92.3% and an F1 score of 0.951 for the detection of cotton rows. Furthermore, the same stereo vision system was used to detect the location of the cotton bolls. A comparison of the cotton bolls’ distances above the ground to the manual measurements showed that the system achieved an average R2 value of 99% with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 9 mm when stationary and 95% with an RMSE of 34 mm when moving at approximately 0.64 km/h. The rover might have needed to stop several times to improve its detection accuracy or move more slowly. Therefore, the accuracy obtained in row detection and boll location estimation is favorable for use in a cotton harvesting robotic system. Future research should involve testing of the models in a large farm with undefoliated plants.
Pollination Is Sufficient, Even with Low Bee Diversity, in Pumpkin and Winter Squash Fields
Authors: Stoner Kimberly A.
Published: August 2020

Pumpkins and winter squash require insect pollination to set fruit, but only three bee species are important pollinators of these crops in the Northeastern US. To determine if natural levels of pollen deposition are sufficient for full fruit production, open pollination was measured by counting pollen grains on stigmas, and open pollination was compared to supplemental hand pollination for fruit set, fruit size, and seed number. A threshold of 2300 pollen grains per stigma was sufficient for full pollination and fruit production. This threshold was met in 79 out of 80 combinations of site and sample date over four years on farms across Connecticut with a wide range of field sizes and pest management practices. Along with stigma collection, bees per flower were counted hourly on 100 flowers along a transect. Counts of bumble bees on female flowers were more closely related to the amount of pollen deposited than counts of bees on all flowers or counts of honey bees or squash bees on female flowers. There was tremendous variation in abundance of the three bee species on female flowers across farms within a year and even among years on a single farm.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Disease in Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)
Authors: Ciccarelli Stefano , Valastro Carmela , Di Bello Antonio , Paci Serena , Caprio Francesco , Corrente Maria Laura , Trotta Adriana , Franchini Delia
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical signs, radiographic, endoscopic and CT findings, cytological and microbiological findings and treatments of pulmonary diseases in sea turtles, in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis that avoids unnecessary therapy and antibiotic-resistance phenomena. In total, 14 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), with clinical and/or radiographic findings of pulmonary pathology, were assessed through various combinations of clinical, radiological, CT, endoscopic examination and bronchoalveolar lavage, which recovered fluid for cytologic and microbiologic analysis. In all cases, radiographic examination led to a diagnosis of pulmonary disorders—4 unilateral and 10 bilateral. All bacteria cultured were identified as Gram-negative. Antibiotic resistance was greater than 70% for all beta-lactams tested. In addition, all bacterial strains were 100% resistant to colistin sulfate and tetracycline. Specific antibiotic therapies were formulated for seven sea turtles using Enrofloxacin, and for four sea turtles using ceftazidime. In two turtles, antibiotic therapy was not included due to the presence of antibiotic resistance against all the antibiotics evaluated. In both cases, the coupage technique and environmental management allowed the resolution of the lung disease without antibiotics. All 14 sea turtles were released back into the sea. Radiographic examination must be considered the gold standard for screening sea turtles that show respiratory signs or abnormal buoyancy. Susceptibility testing with antimicrobials allowed appropriate therapy, including the reduction of antibiotic-resistance.
Solutions to Avoid False Positives for Rituximab in Pre-Transplant Crossmatches
Authors: Colmenero Velazquez Argentina , Iturrieta-Zuazo Ignacio , Valdivieso Shephard Juan Luis , Di Natale Marisa , Rita Claudia , Ballester González Rubén , Castañer Alabau José Luis , Nieto Gañán Israel
Published: August 2020

Rituximab (anti-CD20) is commonly used as immunotherapy against B cells, in the context of pre-transplant crossmatches, where the presence of rituximab in the tested sera with donor cells can alter their results both by flow cytometry (FCXM) as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDCXM) giving rise to false positives. In the present study, we tested the use of an anti-rituximab monoclonal antibody (10C5, Abnova) as a method to avoid false positives in FCXM and CDCXM. We used the serum from ten patients who received therapy with rituximab, and the cells were incubated with sera treated or untreated with the 10C5 clone. In previous studies, attempts have been made to control these false positives through the use of pronase, although in these cases the alteration of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules has been found to be a limitation. As an alternative, we performed an assay to exclude false positives by a pre-incubation with anti-rituximab antibody (10C5) in 1:5 proportion avoiding the misinterpretation of crossmatches, particularly in patients with specific donor antibodies (DSA) without affecting the HLA molecules.
The Versatility of Antioxidant Assays in Food Science and Safety—Chemistry, Applications, Strengths, and Limitations
Authors: Bibi Sadeer Nabeelah , Montesano Domenico , Albrizio Stefania , Zengin Gokhan , Mahomoodally Mohamad Fawzi
Published: August 2020

Currently, there is a growing interest in screening and quantifying antioxidants from biological samples in the quest for natural and effective antioxidants to combat free radical-related pathological complications. Antioxidant assays play a crucial role in high-throughput and cost-effective assessment of antioxidant capacities of natural products such as medicinal plants and food samples. However, several investigators have expressed concerns about the reliability of existing in vitro assays. Such concerns arise mainly from the poor correlation between in vitro and in vivo results. In addition, in vitro assays have the problem of reproducibility. To date, antioxidant capacities are measured using a panel of assays whereby each assay has its own advantages and limitations. This unparalleled review hotly disputes on in vitro antioxidant assays and elaborates on the chemistry behind each assay with the aim to point out respective principles/concepts. The following critical questions are also addressed: (1) What make antioxidant assays coloured? (2) What is the reason for working at a particular wavelength? (3) What are the advantages and limitations of each assay? and (4) Why is a particular colour observed in antioxidant–oxidant chemical reactions? Furthermore, this review details the chemical mechanism of reactions that occur in each assay together with a colour ribbon to illustrate changes in colour. The review ends with a critical conclusion on existing assays and suggests constructive improvements on how to develop an adequate and universal antioxidant assay.
Protective Effect of Fenofibrate on Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Retinal–Choroidal Vascular Endothelial Cells: Implication for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Authors: Hsu Ying-Jung , Lin Chao-Wen , Cho Sheng-Li , Yang Wei-Shiung , Yang Chung-May , Yang Chang-Hao
Published: August 2020

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important microvascular complication of diabetes and one of the leading causes of blindness in developed countries. Two large clinical studies showed that fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type α (PPAR-α) agonist, reduces DR progression. We evaluated the protective effects of fenofibrate on retinal/choroidal vascular endothelial cells under oxidative stress and investigated the underlying mechanisms using RF/6A cells as the model system and paraquat (PQ) to induce oxidative stress. Pretreatment with fenofibrate suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreased cellular apoptosis, diminished the changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the mRNA levels of peroxiredoxin (Prx), thioredoxins (Trxs), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-xl, and reduced the level of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax) in PQ-stimulated RF/6A cells. Western blot analysis revealed that fenofibrate repressed apoptosis through cytosolic and mitochondrial apoptosis signal-regulated kinase-1 (Ask)-Trx-related signaling pathways, including c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) cleavage. These protective effects of fenofibrate on RF/6A cells may be attributable to its anti-oxidative ability. Our research suggests that fenofibrate could serve as an effective adjunct therapy for ocular oxidative stress-related disorders, such as DR.
A Design for a Manufacturing-Constrained Off-Axis Four-Mirror Reflective System
Authors: Liu Ruoxin , Li Zexiao , Duan Yiting , Fang Fengzhou
Published: August 2020

Off-axis reflective optical systems find wide applications in various industries, but the related manufacturing issues have not been well considered in the design process. This paper proposed a design method for cylindrical reflective systems considering manufacturing constraints to facilitate ultra-precision raster milling. An appropriate index to evaluate manufacturing constraints is established. The optimization solution is implemented for the objective function composed of primary aberration coefficients with weights and constraint conditions of the structural configuration by introducing the genetic algorithm. The four-mirror initial structure with a good imaging quality and a special structural configuration is then obtained. The method’s feasibility is validated by designing an off-axis four-mirror afocal system with an entrance pupil diameter of 170 mm, a field of view of 3° × 3° and a compression ratio of five times. All mirrors in the system are designed to be distributed along a cylinder.
Optimization and Economic Analysis for Small-Scale Movable LNG Liquefaction Process with Leakage Considerations
Authors: Lee Sang Hyun , Lim Dong-Ha , Park Kyungtae
Published: August 2020

In this study, exergy and economic analysis were conducted to gain insight on small-scale movable LNG liquefaction considering leakage. Optimization and comparison were performed to demonstrate the quantitative results of single mixed refrigerant, dual nitrogen expansion, and the propane pre-cooling self-refrigeration processes. For the optimization, exergy efficiency was used as the objective function; the results showed that exergy efficiencies are 38.85%, 19.96%, and 13.65%, for single mixed refrigerant, dual nitrogen expansion, and propane pre-cooling self-refrigeration, respectively. Further, the cost analysis showed that the product cost of each process is 4002.3 USD/tpa, 5490.2 USD/tpa, and 9608.5 USD/tpa. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine parameters that affect exergy and cost. The SMR process is the most competitive in terms of exergy efficiency, product cost, and operability, without considering makeup facilities.
Variations of Macro- and Microelements in Yellow-Fleshed Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Genotypes as a Function of Storage Root Portion, Harvesting Time, and Sampling Method
Authors: Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Maziya-Dixon Busie , Sibeso Consent , Parkes Elizabeth , Dixon Alfred Gilbert
Published: August 2020

The correct estimation of the mineral content of cassava (Manihot esculenta) genotypes is vital from a nutritional point of view. This study evaluated the effects of the storage root section, maturity, and sampling method on the macro- and microelements in yellow-fleshed cassava root genotypes. In total, 44 genotypes were grown in replicated field trials of 2 sets (set 25 and set 19) and were harvested at 9 and 12 months after planting. Two sampling methods, sampling with a cork borer (A = proximal, B = middle, C = distal or method 1) and sampling without a cork borer (L = Longitudinal or method 2), were used. The minerals of the samples from the two methods were determined using inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). K and Mn were the most abundant minerals, and Na, Mo, and Co were the least abundant. Genotype, method, and maturity had a strong influence on mineral concentrations. Harvesting time affected the concentration level of some macro- and microelements in cassava roots. Additionally, Ca, Mg, K, P, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn contents were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the proximal and middle portions for method 1. K and P and Mn and B were positively correlated, but K and Na and Fe and Ni were negatively associated.
A Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Bench Blast Performance in Open-Pit Mine
Authors: Liu Mingqing , Liu Jun , Zhen Mengyang , Zhao Futian , Xiao Zhimin , Shan Peng , Wang Yue , Ou Chen , Zheng Haowen , Liu Zheng
Published: August 2020

In blasting operation, some undesirable impacts, such as fly-rock, fragmentation, and back break, are induced. If the blasting design is not optimized, these mentioned impacts would reduce the blasting efficiency. To improve and optimize the blast design, blasting effect evaluation is essential. Due to the complexity of interactions among blasting parameters, empirical methods may not be appropriate for blast design optimization. A two-level mathematical model based on fuzzy mathematics, is proposed in this work. In total, 11 typical parameters were chosen and classified into three groups. The blasting effect is evaluated from three aspects, and then the comprehensive evaluation is given. A blasting effect evaluation system was developed based on the mentioned method on the platform of VC++. Some other techniques, such as image processing, were integrated into the system, which allowed for obtaining all of the parameters rapidly and conveniently. The system was applied in practical bench blast engineering. The results obtained from the system can provide effective information for the optimization of the next blast design.
Urban Mobility Data Analysis for Public Transportation Systems: A Case Study in Montevideo, Uruguay
Authors: Massobrio Renzo , Nesmachnow Sergio
Published: August 2020

Transportation systems play a major role in modern urban contexts, where citizens are expected to travel in order to engage in social and economic activities. Modern transportation systems incorporate technologies that generate huge volumes of data, which can be processed to extract valuable mobility information. This article describes a proposal for studying public transportation systems following an urban data analysis approach. A thorough analysis of the transportation system in Montevideo, Uruguay, and its usage is outlined, combining several sources of urban data. Furthermore, origin-destination matrices, which describe mobility patterns in the city, are generated using ticket sales data. The computed results are validated with a recent mobility survey. Finally, a visualization web application is presented, which allows conveying mobility information in an intuitive way.
Urinary 1H-NMR Metabolic Signature in Subjects Undergoing Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Piras Cristina , Pibiri Monica , Leoni Vera Piera , Cabras Francesco , Restivo Angelo , Griffin Julian Leether , Fanos Vassilios , Mussap Michele , Zorcolo Luigi , Atzori Luigi
Published: August 2020

Metabolomics represents a promising non-invasive approach that can be applied to identify biochemical changes in colorectal cancer patients (CRC) and is potentially useful for diagnosis and follow-up. Despite the literature regarding metabolomics CRC-specific profiles, discrimination between metabolic changes specifically related to CRC and intra-individual variability is still a problem to be solved. This was a preliminary case-control study, in which 1H-NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to profile urine metabolites in subjects undergoing colonoscopy for colon cancer diagnosis. To reduce intra-individual variability, metabolic profiles were evaluated in participants’ urine samples, collected just before the colonoscopy and after a short-term dietary regimen required for the endoscopy procedure. Data obtained highlighted different urinary metabolic profiles between CRC and unaffected subjects (C). The metabolites altered in the CRC urine (acetoacetate, creatine, creatinine, histamine, phenylacetylglycine, and tryptophan) significantly correlated with colon cancer and discriminated with accuracy CRC patients from C patients (receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.875; 95% CI: 0.667–1). These results confirm that urinary metabolomic analysis can be a valid tool to improve CRC diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapy, representing a noninvasive approach that could precede more invasive tests.
Quantification of the Benefits for Power System of Resilience Boosting Measures
Authors: Ciapessoni Emanuele , Cirio Diego , Pitto Andrea , Sforna Marino
Published: August 2020

Severe natural events leading to wide and intense impacts on power systems are becoming more and more frequent due to climate changes. Operators are urged to set up plans to assess the possible consequences of such events, in view of counteracting them. To this aim, the application of the resilience concept can be beneficial. The paper describes a methodology for power system resilience assessment and enhancement, aimed at quantifying both system resilience indicators evaluated for severe threats, and the benefits to resilience brought by operational and grid hardening measures. The capabilities of the methodology are demonstrated on real study cases.
Effect of Handgrip Strength on Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Lenvatinib
Authors: Kotoh Yurika , Saeki Issei , Yamasaki Takahiro , Sasaki Ryo , Tanabe Norikazu , Oono Takashi , Matsuda Takashi , Hisanaga Takuro , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Hidaka Isao , Ishikawa Tsuyoshi , Takami Taro , Sakaida Isao
Published: August 2020

Previous studies have reported prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving lenvatinib; however, no studies have evaluated the effects of both handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass on the clinical outcomes. Therefore, this retrospective study investigated the individual effect of handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass, and sarcopenia on clinical outcomes of 53 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib. Before receiving lenvatinib, handgrip strength and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were measured. Low handgrip strength and muscle depletion were defined as <26 and <18 kg and SMI <42 and SMI <38 cm2/m2 in men and women, respectively. Sarcopenia was defined as having low handgrip strength and muscle depletion. Multivariate analysis identified modified albumin–bilirubin grade 1–2a (p = 0.010), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A–B (p = 0.011), and absence of low handgrip strength (p = 0.015) as favorable prognostic factors for survival. Furthermore, sarcopenia was an independent significant prognostic factor for survival. Time to treatment failure was associated with handgrip strength and sarcopenia. Our findings suggest that handgrip strength may be a useful marker of clinical outcomes in HCC patients treated with lenvatinib.
Reuse of Eggshell Waste and Recycled Glass in the Fabrication Porous Glass–Ceramics
Authors: Saparuddin Dur Iffa , Mohd Zaid Mohd Hafiz , Aziz Sidek Hj Ab , Matori Khamirul Amin
Published: August 2020

This study was conducted to fabricate and characterize of glass–ceramic foam derived from soda-lime silica (SLS) glass waste and eggshell (ES) waste as a foaming agent by using empirical formula [ES] × [SLS]100−x where x = 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 6 wt%, 9 wt%. The samples undergo a heat-treatment process at temperature 800 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C/min. The properties of the samples were measured by average density measurement and linear expansion. The structural properties were studied by XRD, FESEM and FTIR concerning the different composition of the foaming agent while the mechanical properties were determined by compressive strength using UTM. The lowest density and compressive strength were achieved by 0.326 g/cm3 and 0.04 MPa, respectively with the highest linear expansion at 77.33% by the addition of 3 wt% of ES. Moreover, the cristobalite phase (SiO2) were identified after the heat treatment process. The production of foam glass–ceramics using SLS glass and ES can be applied to prepare different type of porosity that gives benefit to the environment and energy usage.
Effects of Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Design Parameters on the Pad-Pivot Friction and Nonlinear Rotordynamic Bifurcations
Authors: Kim Sitae , Byun Sangwon , Suh Junho
Published: August 2020

This study numerically analyzes and investigates the effects of the bearing design parameters of a tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) on the pad-pivot friction-induced nonlinear rotordynamic phenomena and bifurcations. The bearing parameters were set to the pad preload, pivot offset, spherical pivot radius, and bearing length to diameter (L/D) ratio. The Stribeck curve model (SCM) model was applied at the contact surface between the pad and the pivot, which varied to the boundary-mixed-fluid friction state depending on the friction condition. The rotor-bearing model was set up with a symmetrical five-pad TPJB system supporting a Jeffcott type rigid rotor. The fluid repelling force generated in the oil film between each pad and the shaft was calculated using a finite element method. The simulation recurrently conducted the transient numerical integration to obtain the Poincaré maps and phase states of the journal and pad with various bearing design variables, then the nonlinear properties of each condition were analyzed by expressing the bifurcation diagrams. As a result, the original findings of this study are: (1) The pad preload and pivot offset significantly influenced the emergence of Hopf bifurcations and the associated limit cycles. In contrast, (2) the pivot radius and L/D ratio contributed relatively less to the friction-induced instability. Resultantly, (3) all the effects diminished when the rotor operated under the larger mass eccentricity of the disc.
Analysis on Catastrophe Theory during First Weighting Sliding Instability and Support Crushing of Main Roof with Large Mining Height in Shallow Coal Seam
Authors: Yang Dengfeng , Zhang Yongjun , Chen Zhonghui
Published: August 2020

Roof sliding and instability along the coal wall usually occur in the working face at large mining heights during the process of the first weighting, which causes roof cutting and support crushing. A mechanical model consists of the main roof, immediate roof, and support based on the nonlinear characteristics of the failure and instability of the immediate roof under the abutment pressure, which we constructed to study the step sinking of the main roof, as well as to assign the reasonable value of the support resistance during the first weighting. The instability mechanism of the system was studied by the catastrophe theory and the principle of energy conservation. A conclusion was drawn that the combined cantilever beam structure for the immediate roof will form with the increase of the mining height, and the instability of the immediate roof causes the catastrophic instability of the system. The system instability was found to be related to the stiffness ratio K, material parameters, the load Q, and the first weighting interval of the main roof by analyzing the necessary and sufficient conditions for system instability. The influence degree of each parameter on the stiffness ratio K was as follows: elastic modulus E > support stiffness k1 > cross-section area a > immediate roof thickness H. The calculation equations of support resistance and subsidence of roof step were obtained. The method of judging the roof instability using catastrophe theory was proved as reasonable on the basis of the monitoring example of no. 12401 working face in Shendong mining area, China. On this basis, a reasonable value of support resistance was further calculated, and the working face was maintained safely when the support resistance exceeded 19,232 kN.
NMR Diffusiometry Spectroscopy, a Novel Technique for Monitoring the Micro-Modifications in Bitumen Ageing
Authors: Caputo Paolino , Shaikhah Dlshad , Porto Michele , Loise Valeria , De Santo Maria Penelope , Oliviero Rossi Cesare
Published: August 2020

In the past three decades, several conventional methods have been employed for characterizing the bitumen ageing phenomenon, such as rheological testing, ultraviolet testing, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), gas chromatography (GC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray scattering, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nevertheless, these techniques can provide only limited observations of the structural micro-modifications occurring during bitumen ageing. In this study, Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion coefficient (FT-NMR-SDC) spectroscopy, as a novel method, was employed to investigate and compare the microstructural changes between virgin bitumen (pristine bitumen) and aged bitumen. The virgin bitumen was aged artificially using two standard ageing tests: Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test (RTFOT) and Pressure Ageing Vessel (PAV). For a comprehensive comparison and an assessment of the validity of this method, the generated samples were studied using various methods: rheological test, atomic force microscopy, and optical microscopy. Significant differences were obtained between the structure and ageing patterns of virgin and aged bitumen. The results indicate that the modification of maltenes to asphaltenes is responsible for the ageing character. When compared with the other methods’ findings, FT-NMR-SDC observations confirm that the asphaltene content increases during ageing processes.
Design of Effective Robotic Gaze-Based Social Cueing for Users in Task-Oriented Situations: How to Overcome In-Attentional Blindness?
Authors: Lee WonHyong , Park Chung Hyuk , Jang Seyun , Cho Hye-Kyung
Published: August 2020

Robotic eye-gaze-based cueing has been studied and proved to be effective, in controlled environments, in achieving social functions as humans gaze. However, its dynamic adaptability in various real interactions has not been explored in-depth. This paper addresses a case where a simplistic robotic gaze fails to achieve effective social cueing in human–robot communication, primarily due to in-attentional blindness (IB), and presents a method that enables the robot to deliver gaze-based social signals adequately. To understand the implications of IB and figure out ways to overcome any limitations from IB, which frequently arise in task-oriented situations, we designed a set of 1-on-1 communication experiments consisting of a robotic tutor and human learners participating in multiple-choice quiz sessions (task-oriented situation). Here, multimedia contents were utilized alongside the robot as visual stimuli competing for the human’s attention. We hypothesized that quiz scores would increase when humans successfully recognize the robot’s gaze-based cue signals hinting answers. We compared the impacts of two different cueing methods: oblique cueing (OC), where cues were straightforwardly provided regardless of whether participants were potentially experiencing IB or not, and leading cueing (LC), where cueing procedures were led through achieving eye contact and securing the participants’ attention before signaling the cue. By comparing participants’ test scores achieved by the control group with no cueing (NC) and two experimental groups of OC and LC, respectively, we found that there was a significant increase in test scores only when the LC method was utilized. This experiment illustrates the importance of proactively guiding a user’s attention through sophisticated interaction design in effectively attaining a user’s attention and successfully delivering cues. In future studies, we aim to evaluate different methods by which a social robot can intentionally shift a human’s attention, such as incorporating stimuli from various multi-modal human communication channels.
Effect of Functional Polycarboxylic Acid Superplasticizers on Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Cement Paste and Mortar
Authors: Xun Wuju , Wu Changlong , Li Jiye , Yang Chengwu , Leng Xuefei , Xin Desheng , Li Yang
Published: August 2020

Modern engineering practices require that polycarboxylic acid high-performance superplasticizers have good adaptability to various environments and materials, which indicates the importance of producing functional polycarboxylic acid superplasticizers with a variety of functions. Therefore, in this work, a functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance water-reducing agent, named superplasticizer J, a sustained-release functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance water-reducing agent, named superplasticizer H, and an early-strength functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance water-reducing agent, named superplasticizer Z, are synthesized. The produced superplasticizers were characterized by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and rheometry and by measuring heat of cement hydration. The impacts of the functional polycarboxylic acid superplasticizers on the mechanical properties, rheological properties, and cement hydration of the cement pastes and mortars were investigated. The results show that the prepared functional polycarboxylic acid superplasticizers fulfill water-reducing and cement dispersion functions, can improve the fluidity and plasticity of the mortar, and have a greater effect on reducing shear yield stress and increasing plastic viscosity compared to the naphthalene-based superplasticizers. The sustained-release functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance superplasticizer H performs an excellent slump retention function, and the early-strength functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance superplasticizer Z has a significant effect on improving the early and late strength of the mortar.