bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots from Food Products by Hydrothermal Carbonization Method
Authors: Iwińska Z , Pietrusiewicz P 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The article describes the preparation and filtration of a solution containing carbon quantum dots. In this paper carbon quantum dots were obtained from food products, cheap and environmentally friendly hydrothermal carbonization method, without using toxic chemicals reagents. Moreover, to study the optical properties of the carbon quantum dots UV-VIS absorbtion were carried out. The maximum absorbance was determined in the range of λ ∼377 to ∼408nm. Furthermore, carbon quantum dots were found to emit green light.
Methods for Assessing the Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Road Concrete Used in our Country and at European Level
Authors: Nicula L M , Corbu O , Iliescu M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The paper addresses three methods of assessing the freeze-thaw resistance of road concretes prepared with conventional and artificial materials. The blast furnace slag was used, as an artificial material, in granulated and milled form and in the form of crushed aggregates from the steel industry. The most common method used in our country to determine the freeze-thaw resistance is the destructive method by measuring the variation of the compressive strength of the samples subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The most severe method of testing the freeze resistance considered at the European level, is based on the calculation of the amount of exfoliated material in the presence of defrosting agents. Another method used is to determine the values of the dynamic modulus of elasticity after repeated cycles of freeze-thaw. The results obtained were interpreted according to different evaluation criteria and compared with limit values proposed by the standardized methods.
Magnetic Properties of Composites Based on Amorphous Iron Alloys Produced with the Use of a Non-Magnetic Binder and Covered with High Temperature Varnish
Authors: Jez B , Jez K , Nabialek M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The continuous increase in the demand for electricity causes the need to search for new energy sources and to look for savings during its transmission. One of the areas of interest are materials dedicated to low loss transformer cores. Due to good magnetic properties, amorphous and nanocrystalline iron-based alloys are used in this area. The limited dimensions of these materials make their application difficult. Magnetic composites based on ferromagnetic amorphous alloys are a new direction of research. Usually, composites are made using a non-magnetic binder. However, the separation of magnetic particles worsens the magnetic properties. The solution to this problem may be production of composites coated with high temperature varnish. As part of the work, the results of research on the structure and magnetic properties of composites based on amorphous iron alloys are presented. Composites were made with 0.5% resin by mass and without resin covered with high temperature varnish. Material produced without the use of resin had a lower coercive field value.
Reliable Method and Multistage Process Involved in the Production of Activated Carbon Based on Raw Material-A Systematic Review
Authors: Muzarpaar S , Leman A M , Rahman K A , Rahim S Z A 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Activated carbon AC) has versatile usage in the modern days for water treatment, air filtration and for multipurpose adsorption. Carbonaceous material with highly developed porosity known as AC after some process took place. AC also known as artificial materials characterized by the high surface area and the extensive surface chemistry. Significant adsorptive properties of the materials according to extensive surface chemistry which are responsible for the surface properties. Nowadays, AC are widely used in a large range of applications, for example medical uses, catalysis, gas storage, removal of pollutants and odors, gas separation and purification. Important Character for based materials of AC, it must accessible, affordable price, and with valorization potential in agricultural residues and industrial base. The most important raw materials for the production of AC is lignocellulosic materials. Over the time researcher around the world conducting research to improvised and perfecting the method for producing the AC. The aim of this paper is to critical review the reliable method for AC production. The process involved in the production of activated were pre-carbonization process (PCP), carbonization process (CP), and activation process (AP). Carbonization either using furnace or microwave. For AP, there are two main activation used namely chemical activation CA) and physical activation (PA). However there also combination of chemical and physical activation which called physiochemical activation (PCA).
A Review Regarding the Use of Natural and Industrial by-products in the Production of Geopolymer Binders
Authors: Ionescu B A , Lӑzӑrescu A 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Rapid growth in population has led to the generation of large amounts of waste and environmental degradation. Environmental protection for future generations and to preservation of the already limited mineral resources, could be obtained with sustainable solutions for traditional Portland Cement Concrete. In order to produce geopolymers binders, raw materials rich in aluminum and silicon are alkali-activated. Some of the raw materials, for the production of the geopolymer binders can be obtained from natural sources, such as kaolin, metakaolin (calcined kaolin), diatomite, volcanic rock, etc., or industrial waste arising from production processes, such as fly ash, iron slag, blast furnace, granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, marble dust, etc. The aim of this paper is to present relevant data in the field of alkali-activated geopolymer materials and study the opportunities of using Romanian mineral local raw materials in order to produce these types of binders.
The Influence of Blast Furnace Slag on Abrasion Resistance for Road Concretes
Authors: Nicula L M , Corbu O , Iliescu M 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, the blast furnace slag was used as a mineral addition in the projected road concrete mixtures, and the blast furnace slag in the form of aggregate at 0/4 mm size was used as a percentage of 20%, 40% and 60%. Three concrete slag mixtures were compared with two other concrete mixtures made with conventional materials. Compared to the first conventional mixture, milled slag used as a 15% addition and compared to the second conventional mixture milled slag was used as a substitute for 13% of Portland cement mass. The wear / abrasion resistance was evaluated at the concrete age of 100 days, respectively 150 days. The results indicated the highest wear resistance for the mixture with 20% aggregates crushed from furnace slag, and the mixture with 60% substitution aggregates from furnace slag was observed the lowest resistance. The tendency of evolution of the wear resistance is similar to that of the compressive strength. Mixtures with the highest compression strength also recorded the lowest volume loss after the abrasion test (Bohme). Compared to the first mixture made with conventional materials, the wear resistance obtained in blast furnace slag mixtures is lower. However, mixtures with 13% ground slag and up to 40% of aggregates crushed from blast furnace slag have higher wear resistance compared to the second mixture made with conventional materials.
Possibilities for Use of Vermiculite in Recultivation of Embankments Obtained as a Result of the Deposit of Mining Waste from the Extraction of Copper Ores
Authors: Stefanova V , Petrov P , Zheleva E 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The present study examines the possibilities for vermiculite usage for recultvation of copper mining waste embankment. For this purpose, a laboratory study was carried out. The study which included the mixing of mining waste with different ratios of vermiculite and adds of other soil improvers (fertilizers and lime) with different norms. As a result is, is observed that the vermiculite addition in larger quantities did not affect the pH of the substrate. The content of major pollutants in the waste - Cu and As, remains relatively high - over the maximum permissible concentrations. Independently of the added vermiculite, it is necessary to apply calcium materials and fertilizers to improve substrate properties.
Intelligent Communication, Specific to the Engineering of Materials, under the Conditions of Ensuring the Circular Economy and Technological Digitization
Authors: Vescan M M , Soporan V F , Pӑdurețu S , Lehene T R , Crișan M D 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The paper presents the problem of meeting the conditions imposed by the circular economy with direct references to a field of materials engineering, the manufacture of castings. The study has several motivations, one related to the analysis of the ways in which the development of the circular economy can be achieved by a company producing castings. The second one is to establish the partnerships that are necessary in order to materialize the conditions in the castings industry. The third motivation, based on the analyzes carried out at the level of the first two, aims at calibrating the communication for the actors that contribute to the realization of the circularity desideratum in the industrialization of the cast products in the new conditionings of the digitization instruments. To structure an action methodology in the direction of intelligent communication, specific to materials engineering, the paper is structured as follows: the conditions and values to which the circular economy is reported, the engineering design elements of solutions for a circular economy, communication partnerships, analysis of development measures of the circular economy in partnerships and the results of the analysis of the expected activities and partnerships.
Toxic Gas Eliminator from Print Ink by Applied High Frequency High Ripple Pulse Corona
Authors: Ketkaew S 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This paper presents the design and development of toxic gas eliminator from print ink using high frequency high ripple pulse corona technique for decrease VOCs gas in the suction gas of printing ink using high voltage AC switched mode power supply. Using mini inverter principle and control of the switching by IC No.MB3579. The inverter is designed to operate at 10 kHz to 20 kHz through a high voltage switching transformer at output voltage of 1.5 kV, and at the input voltage of 18 VAC 50 Hz, By adapting the non-uniform electric field to the electrode design 3 tubes, one - hour operating yields the ozone gas (O3) generating capacity of 6.3 ppm enables decrease VOCs gas as well.
Real-time fluorescence sensing of single photoactive proteins using silver nanowires
Authors: Sulowska Karolina , Wiwatowski Kamil , Ćwierzona Maciej , Niedziółka-Jönsson Joanna , Maćkowski Sebastian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We demonstrate that single functionalized silver nanowires form a geometric platform suitable for efficient real-time detection of single photoactive proteins. By collecting series of images using wide-field fluorescence microscopy, events of single protein attachment can be distinguished with the signal to noise ratio further improved by fluorescence enhancement due to plasmon excitations in the nanowires. The enhancement is evidenced by strong shortening of the fluorescence decay of single photoactive proteins conjugated to the silver nanowires.
Negative resistance, capacitance in Mn/SiO2/p-Si MOS structure
Authors: Ashery A , Elnasharty Mohamed M M , Khalil Ahmed Asaad I , Azab A A 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this work is that we have manufactured a new structure that had not been studied by researchers before. This structure is Mn/SiO2/Si was synthesised by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) as a metal-oxide- semiconductor (MOS) and can be used as a tunneling diode; demonstrated from I–V measurement and negative resistance. The structure and its characterization were examined by scanning electron microscope, XRD diffraction, C-V and I–V measurements. We studied the temperature, voltage dependence of dielectric and electrical parameters of the fabricated Mn/SiO2/P-Si MOS device. I–V measurements for this structure display diode tunnel behavior with negative resistance. Parameters such as series resistance (Rs), permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), a tangent of the dielectric loss factor (tan δ), real and imaginary parts of electrical modulus (M′ and M″) and ac conductivity were examined in a temperature range of 303–393 K and frequency range (10 Hz–20 MHz) under 1 Vrms applied voltage along with dc bias range of (−2.0–2.0 V). We found that thermal reordering of the interface is a reason for a continuous density distribution of interface states with homogenous relaxation time, which in turn induced a higher sensitivity to both C and G/w response with electric field frequency. The device showed negative values for capacitance (C), dielectric loss (ε″), and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) at all temperatures.
CV-MDI-QKD with coherent state: beyond one-mode Gaussian attacks
Authors: Ottaviani Carlo , Spedalieri Gaetana , Braunstein Samuel L , Pirandola Stefano 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A general security proof of continuous variable (CV) measurement device independent (MDI) quantum key distribution (QKD) should not be automatically reduced to the analysis of one-mode Gaussian attacks (in particular, independent entangling-cloner attacks). To stress this point, the present work provides a very simple (almost trivial) argument, showing that there are an infinite number of two-mode Gaussian attacks that cannot be reduced to or simulated by one-mode Gaussian attacks. This result further confirms that the security analysis of CV-MDI-QKD must generally involve a careful minimization over two-mode attacks as originally performed in (Pirandola et al, 2015 Nature Photon.
9, 397–402; arXiv:1312.4104 (2013)).
The Moderating Effects of Social Support and Stress on Physical Activity in African American Women
Authors: Brown Asia , Wilson Dawn K , Sweeney Allison M , Van Horn M Lee 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
African American women participate in less physical activity (PA), have higher rates of chronic disease, and report higher perceived stress relative to other race and sex demographic groups.

Purpose
Based on the stress-buffering hypothesis, this study tested the hypothesis that social support would buffer the negative effects of perceived stress on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) under high, but not low, perceived stress.

Methods
Participants were 143 African American women (mean [M] age = 43.94, standard deviation [SD] = 8.62; M body mass index = 37.94, SD = 8.11) enrolled in the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Trial. Average daily minutes of MVPA were obtained via 7 day accelerometer estimates at baseline and 8 and 16 weeks.

Results
A multilevel growth model demonstrated a significant three-way interaction between stress, social support, and time (B = −0.31, standard error [SE] = 0.14, p = .03). Simple slopes analyses revealed that, at baseline, among participants with high social support (+1 SD), stress was positively associated with greater MVPA (B = 0.49, SE = 0.18, p = .008), whereas among participants with low social support (−1 SD), stress was not significantly associated with MVPA (B = −0.04, SE = 0.14, p = .81). However, at 8 and 16 weeks, stress was not significantly associated with MVPA for either high or low support groups.

Conclusions
Findings highlight the importance of integrating constructs of stress and social support into future physical activity intervention programs for African American women and the need to evaluate changes in stress and social support longitudinally.
Exploratory Validation Study of the Individual AUDIT-C Items among Older People
Authors: Stewart Duncan , Hewitt Catherine , McCambridge Jim 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
The AUDIT-C is a brief and commonly used alcohol screening tool, with few data available on the relative validity of the three individual items in older adult populations. The aim of this study was to explore the validity of the AUDIT-C items in identifying unhealthy drinking among older people, with a view to developing a single-item screener.

Methods
A sample of 143 older adults (mean age = 71) were recruited from non-clinical settings in the UK. AUDIT-C scores were compared to an unhealthy drinking reference category of consuming more than the UK recommended weekly units of alcohol. Standard analyses were conducted for men and women, and for those prescribed medications for long term conditions.

Results
The AUDIT-C items performed well in identifying unhealthy drinking in this sample of older people, with generally high sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve. No significant differences were found in the validity of the three items, though the combined sensitivity and specificity scores and ROC values for item 3 were consistently slightly lower than for items 1 and 2. The findings were similar for men and women, and for participants prescribed medications for long-term conditions.

Conclusions
AUDIT-C items 1 and 2 performed as well as item 3 in identifying unhealthy drinking among older people in this study. Both are reasonable single-item screener candidates, especially given relative ease of administration, with further validation study needed to examine psychometrics and how alcohol screening for older people can best be implemented in clinical settings.
treeheatr: an R package for interpretable decision tree visualizations
Authors: Le Trang T , Moore Jason H 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Summary
treeheatr is an R package for creating interpretable decision tree visualizations with the data represented as a heatmap at the tree’s leaf nodes. The integrated presentation of the tree structure along with an overview of the data efficiently illustrates how the tree nodes split up the feature space and how well the tree model performs. This visualization can also be examined in depth to uncover the correlation structure in the data and importance of each feature in predicting the outcome. Implemented in an easily installed package with a detailed vignette, treeheatr can be a useful teaching tool to enhance students’ understanding of a simple decision tree model before diving into more complex tree-based machine learning methods.

Availability and implementation
The treeheatr package is freely available under the permissive MIT license at https://trang1618.github.io/treeheatr and https://cran.r-project.org/package=treeheatr. It comes with a detailed vignette that is automatically built with GitHub Actions continuous integration.
MUC1-C in chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis; emergence as a target for cancer treatment
Authors: Kufe Donald W 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChronic inflammation is a highly prevalent consequence of changes in environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cancer. The basis for this critical association has largely remained unclear. The MUC1 gene evolved in mammals to protect epithelia from the external environment. The MUC1-C subunit promotes responses found in wound healing and cancer. MUC1-C induces EMT, epigenetic reprogramming, dedifferentiation and pluripotency factor expression, which when prolonged in chronic inflammation promote cancer progression. As discussed in this review, MUC1-C also drives drug resistance and immune evasion, and is an important target for cancer therapeutics now under development.
Stress-related and reproductive hormones in hair from three north Pacific otariid species: Steller sea lions, California sea lions and northern fur seals
Authors: Keogh Mandy J , Gastaldi Angela , Charapata Patrick , Melin Sharon , Fadely Brian S 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAssessing the physiological impact of stressors in pinnipeds is logistically challenging, and many hormones are altered by capture and handling, limiting the utility of metabolically active tissues. Hair is increasingly being used to investigate stress-related and reproductive hormones in wildlife populations due to less-invasive collection methods, being metabolically inert once grown and containing multiple biomarkers of ecological interest. We validated enzyme immunoassays for measuring aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, and testosterone in lanugo (natal hair grown in utero) samples collected from Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). We applied laboratory validation methods including recovery of added mass, parallelism and dilution linearity. We found no effects due to differences in alcohol- versus detergent-based cleaning methods. Further, there were no significant differences in hormone concentrations in hair samples collected immediately after the molt and the subsequent samples collected over 1 year, indicating steroid hormones are stable once deposited into pinniped hair. We found no sex differences in any hormone concentrations, likely due to the lanugo being grown in utero and influenced by maternal hormone concentrations. For Steller sea lion and California sea lion pups, we found hormone concentrations significantly differed between rookeries, which warrants future research. Hair provides a novel tissue to explore the intrinsic or extrinsic drivers behind hormone measurements in otariids, which can be paired with multiple health-related metrics to further investigate possible drivers of physiological stress.
Extensive right atrial free wall low-voltage zone as the substrate for atrial fibrillation: successful ablation by scar homogenization
Authors: Al-Kaisey Ahmed M , Parameswaran Ramanathan , Joseph Stephen A , Kistler Peter M , Morton Joseph B , Kalman Jonathan M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
Prior studies have described a variety of mechanisms for atrial fibrillation (AF) originating in the right atrium (RA). In this study, we report a series of patients in whom an extensive right atrial free wall low-voltage zone (LVZ) served as the AF substrate.

Methods and results
Five patients with a clinical syndrome of paroxysmal AF and atrial tachycardia (AT) underwent electrophysiologic evaluation. Five patients (3 M; age 52 ± 7 years) had symptomatic paroxysmal AF for (28 ± 17 months) not responsive to medical therapy. At the initial EP study, AT was inducible in four patients and was spontaneous in one patient. In all patients, tachycardia instability precluded detailed AT mapping. Sinus or pace maps indicated an extensive LVZ in the lateral RA trabeculated free wall which consisted of regions of low amplitude complex signals interspersed between electrically silent areas. Radiofrequency ablation aimed at rendering the LVZ electrical inert was successful in eliminating AF in four of five patients. At a follow-up of 28 ± 15 months, one patient had an isolated recurrence of AF. However, two patients required repeat ablation for recurrent AT.

Conclusion
An extensive LVZ in the trabeculated RA free wall constitutes an unusual substrate for AF. These patients also demonstrate unstable ATs originating from the same zone. Radiofrequency ablation to render the low-voltage zone electrically inert is an effective strategy to manage AF and AT.