bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Vane Shape on Fertilizer Distribution for a Dual-Disc Spinner Spreader
Authors: Fulton John P , Thaper Ravinder K , Virk Simerjeet S , McDonald Timothy , Fasina Oladiran 
Published: October 2020

Abstract.Spinner-disc spreaders are commonly used for application of granular fertilizers with components (divider, spinner-discs, and vanes) influencing material flow behavior and distribution. Fertilizer ricocheting off these components is an uncontrolled aspect of material flow that negatively impacts spread uniformity. Therefore, an investigation using potash (KCl) was conducted to understand the impact of vane shape on fertilizer flow, ricocheting and distribution for a dual-disc spinner spreader. Four different vane shapes were used in this study. The first two vanes (Vanes 1 and 2) were common to this type of spinner spreader with a tapered and open-faced design. However, Vane 1 had a forward tapered top edge at an angle of 32° while Vane 2 had a top edge that was tapered backwards at 15°. Vanes 3 and 4 both had C-channel cross sections with Vane 3 tapered from inside out but Vane 4 had a constant height. Treatments included application rates of 220 and 440 kg/ha using three spinner disc speeds (600, 700, and 800 rpm). Stationary tests were conducted using a collection device that mounted around the spinner discs and vanes in order to estimate fertilizer particle exit points off the vanes. Standard pan tests were conducted to characterize resulting spread patterns, effective spread width, and spread uniformity. Results indicated that the level of ricocheting was significantly impacted by top edge design of a vane and increased with disc speed. The forward, upward facing top edge of Vane 1 caused on average, 26% of the material flow to be ricocheted by the vanes thereby inducing an uncontrolled nature of spread. However, the rearward facing top edge of Vane 2 reduced ricocheting by 13% plus generated a backward particle rotation for those contacting it. The majority of ricocheting occurred when particles contacted the vanes compared to the spinner discs. Ricocheting generated an uncontrollable aspect of the spread pattern with these particles applied along the centerline of the spreader. The effective spread width increased with disc speed. All four vane shapes generated equal effective spread widths of 18.3 and 21.3 m at 600 and 700 rpm, respectively. However, at 800 rpm, Vane 4 generated the greatest effective spread width of 24.4 m compared to 22.9 m for the other three vanes. The wider spread width for Vane 4 was contributed to the rectangular U cross-section maximizing the horizontal velocity of potash particles when exiting the vanes compared to the other three, more open faced vanes. Finally, the spread uniformity varied by vane shape with Vane 2 consistently generating the lowest CVs. Keywords: Distribution, Ricocheting, Vane Design, Spread uniformity, pattern.
Meeting the Tolerance: How Successful is Coexistence in Commodity Corn Handling Systems?
Authors: Dolphin Chad J. , Mosher Gretchen A. , Ambrose R.P. Kingsly , Ryan Saxon J. 
Published: October 2020

HighlightsMeeting the 0.9% tolerance level was challenging under most conditions.Non-GM loads in the simulation were able to meet a 1.5% or 3% tolerance level under specific conditions.Field isolation distance plays a large role in a non-GM load meeting the posted tolerance levelAbstract. The open-air growth environment used in maize production makes it nearly impossible to ensure 100% purity of specified genetic traits. One measure of successful coexistence is a low level of unintended material in seed, grain, and feed or food products, termed “adventitious presence” (AP). To allow the coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non-genetically modified (non-GM) maize, tolerance levels regulate how much AP of genetically modified corn is allowed in each unit of maize. This research sought to model four factors contributing to levels of adventitious presence: seed purity, field isolation distance, combine cleanout, and grain elevator receipt and handling practices. Monte Carlo simulation was used to test nine scenarios to determine the feasibility of successfully meeting three tolerance levels for adventitious presence (0.9%, 1.5%, and 3.0%). After 50,000 iterations for each model, sensitivity analysis was performed to identify factors that play an important role in whether the load meets the posted tolerance level or not. Results suggest that non-GM maize loads would not meet a tolerance level of 0.9% in most cases. Non-GM maize loads were found to meet tolerance levels of 1.5% and 3.0% in certain cases. The most significant factors affecting the probability of the unit of maize meeting the posted tolerance level were field isolation distance, elevator handling practices, and seed purity. Keywords: Adventitious presence, Coexistence, Identity preservation, Monte Carlo simulation, Transgenic grain.
Cancer cell detection by a heart-shaped dual-core photonic crystal fiber sensor
Authors: Mishra Gyan Prakash , Kumar Dharmendra , Chaudhary Vijay Shanker , Murmu Govind 
Published: October 2020

This paper contributes a novel design of sensor with a heart-shaped dual-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) to detect cancerous cells in human cervical, blood, adrenal glands, and breast. Cancer-infected cells and their normal cells are considered in liquid form having their own refractive indices. In the designed PCF, the two heart-shaped cores separated by a large circular air hole serve as two independent waveguides. The large circular air hole is infiltrated by sample cells from different body parts. Detection of cancer-contaminated cells by the proposed PCF is based on the mode-coupling theory. According to the mode-coupling theory, the guided optical light transmits periodically from one core to another, throughout the PCF length. During this transmission, the optical light interacts with the cancerous cell, which is filled in the center air hole of the PCF. Due to this interaction, the dip wavelength of the transmission spectrum is sensitive to the corresponding cancerous cell filled in the center air hole of the PCF. The variation in the PCF transmission spectrum for cancerous cells and their normal cells is observed by using the finite element method. The dip wavelength shift of the cancer cell in reference to its normal cell has been measured from the transmission spectrum to determine the sensing performance of the proposed sensor. The sensitivity achieved of the proposed sensor for cervical cancer cell, blood cancer cell, adrenal gland cancer cell, and breast cancer cells are 7916.67 nm/RIU, 8571.43 nm/RIU, 9285.71 nm/RIU, and 10,000 nm/RIU, respectively, with a maximum detection limit of 0.024. Therefore, the proposed PCF sensor suggests high sensitivity with a rapid cancer detection mechanism.
Endovascular treatment results in patients with large cerebral artery occlusions in a metropolis. Moscow Stroke Registry data over 2019
Authors: Skrypnik D. V. , Anisimov K. V. , Botsina A. Yu. , Kiseleva T. V. , Grachev S. P. , Shamalov N. A. , Vasilyeva E. Yu. , Shpektor A. V. 
Published: October 2020

Objective: to assess results from the Stroke Network created on the basis of the Infarction Network in the metropolis Moscow for endovascular treatment in patients with occlusion of the large cerebral artery (the internal carotid artery, the M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery, and the main artery).Patients and methods. A total of 742 thromboextractions were performed in patients with ischemic stroke in Moscow Stroke Network hospitals in 2019. The final analysis included 729 patients aged 25 to 97 years (mean age, 71 years); of them there were 370 (50.8%) men and 359 (49.2%) women. The selection criteria for endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke were consistent with those set out in the 2015 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) guidelines, which included a pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score of 0–1; ≥18 years of age; a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥6; and an Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT score (ASPECTS) ≥6. The angiographic results were assessed using the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale. The clinical outcomes were measured with the NIHSS and the MRS.Results and discussion. Successful recanalization (TICI 2b/3) was achieved in 547 (75%) patients. The predominant technique for thromboextraction was thromboaspiration that was used in 376 (51.6%) patients. Combined procedures (the co-use of an aspiration catheter and a stent retriever) were the second most commonly used – in 231 (31.7%) patients. By the end of the 20th day, good functional recovery (MSR 0–2 scores) was observed in 213 (29.2%) patients. The 20-day mortality rate was 31.8%.Conclusion. The successfully functioning Infarction Network in Moscow was used to create the Stroke Network for treatment in patients with ischemic stroke and large cerebral artery occlusion, the clinical results of which are comparable to large European registry studies.
Timing of Puberty Suppression and Surgical Options for Transgender Youth
Authors: van de Grift Tim C. , van Gelder Zosha J. , Mullender Margriet G. , Steensma Thomas D. , de Vries Annelou L.C. , Bouman Mark-Bram 
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES:
Puberty suppression (PS) is a cornerstone of treatment in youth experiencing gender dysphoria. In this study, we aim to inform prescribing professionals on the long-term effects of PS treatment on the development of sex characteristics and surgical implications.

METHODS:
Participants received PS according to the Endocrine Society guideline at Tanner 2 or higher. Data were collected from adolescents who received PS between 2006 and 2013 and from untreated transgender controls. Data collection pre- and post-PS and before surgery included physical examination and surgical information.

RESULTS:
In total, 300 individuals (184 transgender men and 116 transgender women) were included. Of these, 43 individuals started PS treatment at Tanner 2/3, 157 at Tanner 4/5, and 100 used no PS (controls). Breast development was significantly less in transgender men who started PS at Tanner 2/3 compared with those who started at Tanner 4/5 and controls. Mastectomy was more frequently omitted or less invasive after PS. In transgender women, the mean penile length was significantly shorter in the PS groups compared with controls (by 4.8 cm [Tanner 2/3] and 2.1 cm [Tanner 4/5]). As a result, the likelihood of undergoing intestinal vaginoplasty was increased (odds ratio = 84 [Tanner 2/3]; odds ratio = 9.8 [Tanner 4/5]).

CONCLUSIONS:
PS reduces the development of sex characteristics in transgender adolescents. As a result, transgender men may not need to undergo mastectomy, whereas transgender women may require an alternative to penile inversion vaginoplasty. These surgical implications should inform decision-making when initiating PS.
Compliment Responses of The Main Characters in Indonesian and American Movies
Authors: Widiningrum Rindang 
Published: October 2020

Movies can be said as a reflection of real life. This study is aimed at finding the compliment responses by the main characters in two movies. The movies are 'Mars Met Venus' and 'Hitch'. The data were taken from the utterances of the main characters, both are male and female, that were considered as compliments' responses. The topics of the compliments in those two movies are appearance, ability, personality, and possession. The finding resulted in this research showed that there were 20 compliment responses found in those movies. There are silent, return, questioning, reassignment of praise, explaining, shifting to other topics, appreciation, and agree. In 'Mars met Venus, there are silent (3 times), returns (3 times), questioning (3 times), reassignment of praise (1), and explaining (1). While in 'Hitch', there are shifting to other topics (4 times), appreciation (1), explaining (1), questioning (2 times), and agree (1). Based on those, it can be concluded that questioning (25%) got the highest percentage, then shifting to other topics (20%), silent (15%), return (15%), explaining (10%), agree (5%), reassignment of praise (5%) and appreciation (5%). Questioning as the highest percentage in these movies shows that the person being complimented needs more explanation about the compliment. In comparison, there are similarities and differences from those movies. Those differences are the reflections of different cultures represented by the two movies. Keywords: pragmatics, movie, compliment response.
The Effect of 8 Weeks Aerobic Training and Vitamin C on Creatine Kinase of Serum Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Mahdavifar Mahla , Delavar Reza , Kaykhaei Mahmoud Ali 
Published: October 2020

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with impaired serum skeletal muscle pain enzymes levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks aerobic training with and without vitamin C consumption on serum levels of Creatine Kinase (CK) in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM).
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial 45 women (30-45 years) with T2DM were randomly assigned into one of these 3 groups: aerobic training (3 sessions a week for 45 minutes), aerobic training with 250 mg/day vitamin C supplementation and control (without exercise and vitamin C). Fasting serum levels of CK were measured before and 24 hours after the last exercise session. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (analysis of variance, LSD post hoc test, dependent T test for hypothesis testing) by SPSS19 software.
Results: Aerobic training as well as aerobic training plus vitamin C reduced significantly concentrations of CK compared to the control (P-value= 0.037, P-value= 0.017) respectively. However, There were no significant differences in CK levels between intervention groups (P-value= 0.899).
Conclusion: This study showed that aerobic exercise with or without vitamin C supplementation is effective in reducing CK levels in T2DM. So, in order to reduce at least one of the markers of muscle damage (CK), aerobic exercises are recommended in T2DM, in the absence of contraindications.
Comparison of Foot Pressure Variables in Blind and Healthy Participants with Open and Closed Eyes While Walking
Authors: Barghamadi Mohsen , Yadegar Ali , Abdollahpour Darvishani Mohammad 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Measurement of foot pressure variables can be used to assess the loads to which the human body is subjected in normal activities, like walking, or in more demanding situations such as sports. The purpose of this study was to compare the foot pressure variables in blind and healthy individuals with open and closed eyes during walking.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental and laboratory study with pretest-posttest design. The statistic samples included 13 blind men with the mean age of 29.05±3.28 years and 17 healthy men with the mean age of 24.22±1.31 years participated in this study and were selected by available sampling method.. A foot scan (RS Scan International, Belgium) set was used for measuring planter pressure during walking. Variables data were recorded at a sampling frequency of 300 Hz. For data analysis, paired t-test was run to compare the means within the group; also, independent t-test run to compare the means between the groups using SPSS ver. 16 statistical software.
Results: The results showed that the peak reaction time of the ground reaction force during the heel contact phase was 45.89% higher than blind people compared to the normal participants (p<0.023). The time to peak of vertical force during mid stance in the blind people was 38.97% more than in normal people with closed eyes (p<0.013). The peak vertical loading rate in the blind people was 41.65% lower than normal participants with closed eyes while walking (p<0/003).
Conclusion: Congenital blind people have less stance time in comparison with the healthy people with closed eyes. Decreased walking stance time seems to be related to improved their other senses that requires further research.
The Influence of the Selection System, Training and Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance on PT Lion Air Group of Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Palu Airport before the Pandemic Covid 19
Authors: Suprapty Rika , Syamsuddin R , Asri Maria 
Published: October 2020

This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of the selection, training and employment systems. satisfaction both collectively and partially on the performance of employees at PT Lion Air Group from Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Airport, Palu before the pandemic covid - 19. Data was collected through direct observation and surveys by distributing questionnaires and interviews to employees of PT. Lion Air Group Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Palu before the pandemic covid -19 to become a plague in Indonesia. The analytical method used is multiple linear regression analysis. The test results show that the selection system, training and job satisfaction, both simultaneously and partially have a significant effect on employee performance before the spread of the covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.
Keywords: Selection System, Training, Job Satisfaction, Employee Performance, Covid 19
Competitive Intelligence and Product Development/Innovations in Pharmaceutical Firms in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Omede Nduka Kenneth , Egwuenu Amaechi Sylvester , Ibekwe Ezem Matthew 
Published: October 2020

This study examined competitive intelligence and product development and innovation in pharmaceutical firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. Three hypotheses were formulated to determine whether or not a relationship exist between competitive intelligence and product development and innovation in pharmaceutical firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design to obtain data, using a structured questionnaire which was analyzed using Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation. The result indicated that there exists a significant relationship between competitive intelligence and product development and innovation in pharmaceutical firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. Based on the finding it was concluded that the process of product development and innovation cannot be successful except there is information about customer’s needs, wants and expectations of which the innovation products or services intends to serve. The study recommended among others that pharmaceutical firms should leverage on information gathering and sharing to determine the nature of the new product and service so that the new product offerings will be more valued and satisfying than the existing ones that are offered by the competitors.
Keywords: Competitive Intelligence, Information gathering and sharing, Product Development and innovations, New products, New product offerings, Pharmaceutical firms.
Emotional Intelligence of a Sample of Students of the Faculty of Education, Bakht Al-Ruda University, Sudan, and its Relationship to Gender, Specialization and Academic Level
Authors: الضو محمد 
Published: October 2020

The study aimed to identify the emotional intelligence of a sample of students of the Faculty of Education, Bakht Al-Ruda University – Sudan. and to find out any statistically significant differences between the means of the sample members due to these variables: gender, specialization and academic level. To achieve this objective, the researcher used the descriptive survey method on a sample which consisted of (115) students who were randomly selected. The researcher used the emotional intelligence questionnaire developed by Al-Alwan (2011). The final version consisted of (31) items. The study results revealed that the degree of emotional intelligence for students of the Faculty of Education University of Bakht Al-Ruda was high. There were also no significant differences in the mean of students' responses that can attributed to these variables: gender, specialization and study level.
Keywords: emotional intelligence, Faculty of Education, University of Bakht Al-Ruda.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Role of Proppant Embedment on Fracture Conductivity in Narrow Fractures (includes associated Errata)
Authors: Fan Ming , Li Zihao , Han Yanhui , Teng Yuntian , Chen Cheng 
Published: October 2020

SummaryWith the advancement of drilling and completion technologies in unconventional reservoirs, more extended reach wells are developed, and narrow-fracture environments are created in these reservoirs. Proppant embedment in monolayer/thin-layer-propped fractures can be significantly different from multilayer-propped fractures. In this study, a comprehensive investigation combining laboratory experiments with numerical simulations was conducted to explore the factors affecting proppant embedment and induced fracture conductivity loss in narrow fractures. The fracture-conductivity experiments were performed using monolayers of sand and ceramic proppant particles sandwiched between Berea Sandstone and Eagle Ford Shale plates under different closure pressures. The experiment study demonstrated that the long-term rock/fluid interaction leads to significant proppant embedment, and the fracture having a rough rock surface has higher fracture conductivity in monolayer-propped fractures. To further quantify the influence of proppant layer number, size, distribution variations, and particle crushing on proppant embedment, a numerical modeling approach that coupled continuum mechanics, discrete element method (DEM), and the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method was developed. In the simulation, the fracture/proppant system was constructed by filling proppant, modeled by DEM, between two fracture surfaces that were modeled by FLAC3D (Itasca Consulting Group 2012); LB simulation was then performed on the changing proppant pack to compute its time-dependent permeability. The numerical model was validated by comparing numerical results with measured fracture conductivities in the laboratory experiment. The simulation results demonstrated a strong correlation between proppant embedment and rock mechanical properties. When the Young’s modulus of the rock plate is less than 5 GPa, large magnitudes of proppant embedment can be expected in fractures supported by monolayers of ceramic proppant particles. Moreover, large-size proppant particles are more sensitive to the variations of Young’s modulus of the rock plate. When the rock formation in a narrow fracture environment has a relatively high Young’s modulus, the proppant diameter distribution has a lesser effect on the fracture conductivity. The outcome of this study will provide insights into the role of reservoir rock characteristics, proppant properties, and closure pressure on proppant embedment in narrow fractures.