bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction study between M-Phenylenediamine, Trimesoyl Chloride and Nylon 66 using Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Authors: Jusoh W Z A W , Rahman S A , Ahmad A L , Mokhtar N M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The thin film composite (TFC) membrane is a porous membrane layered by a polyamide active layer. In the experimental work, the polyamide active layer prepared by the interaction between monomers, m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) which deposited on a membrane support. Considering the possibility of producing a loose TFC membrane and affect the separation performance, this study enlightens the interaction between monomers with Nylon 6 6 (N66) support membrane using simulation - molecular dynamic (MD). Different simulation system has been investigated with varying the ratio molecule of MPD to TMC where, TFC1 (1:1), TFC2 (3:1) and TFC3 (3:2) to the tertiary system of N66/MPD/TMC. The simulation was set for a COMPASS force field, where the equilibrium phases in a microcanonical (constant volumes and total energy) (NVE) followed by run-production stage (constant pressure and temperature ensembles) (NPT) ensembles. The temperature and pressure were set at 323.15 K and 1atm respectively. The polyamide TFC was found to be formed by the main interactions between nitrogen (N) from MPD group to the carbon, (C) from TMC main chain at ranges of 4.25Å. Overall interaction can be observed between N from TFC layer with O atom from the substrate layer. All of the intermolecular interactions take place at 3.25Å distance. The best interaction in N66 to MPD and TMC system to the weakest is in the arrangement of TFC2 > TFC3 > TFC1. The highest intensity was obtained by the TFC2, indicating the best ratio of 3:1 of MPD molecules to TMC molecule with support polymer when fully polymerized occurred. This study suggests that ratio N66 to MPD and TMC in TFC2 is the best to interaction between TFC layer and substrate for fabrication of the TFC membrane.
Development of keratin based hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Husain M S B , Gupta A , Alashwal B Y 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Synthesis of hydrogel was developed by using keratin protein extracted from a chicken feather. Further, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and starch have been commonly using for biomedical applications hydrogels due to their non-toxicity and, water solubility. The first sample, (KS-50) was mixed keratin, PVA/PVP and starch, the second sample, (K-50) was mixed the total weight of the (KS-50) without starch. KS-50 and K-50 were synthesized through cyclic freezing/thawing technique. Moreover, characteristics of the hydrogels, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examined clearly exhibited porous structures, and the chemical structure of the compound was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The swelling degree of KS-50 exhibited slightly more pore size compared with K-50 hydrogels.
Preliminary Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) study using incorporation of Graphene Oxide in PVC in mixed matrix membrane to enhance CO2/CH4 separation
Authors: Raj K R , Sunarti A R 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising of where polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and graphene oxide (GO) were employed in the membrane fabrication in order to improve the membrane characteristics. In this study of gas separation using mixed matrix membrane, gases such as CO2 and CH4 were used. The objectives of this research were to synthesize and develop MMMs PVC/GO, and also to carry out screening to determine best factors condition for membrane to function at high selectivity. The development of MMMs PVC/GO was based on 5 factors. Based on the screening tests, the run which was made up of factors PVC 20%, GO 4%, 1 bar of pressure during gas permeation, NMP solvent, and immersion time of 300s, shows to have the highest selectivity at 26.09 which was above the upper bound lines in the Robeson’s Upper bound plot. Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) was applied to study the minimalization of influenced factors during MMMs preparation. Based on the FFD run, the R-squared (R2) was
Assessment on the severity of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/Ethylene hybrid explosion
Authors: Badli H , Arifin M N , Sulaiman S Z , Susaidevas Jlyas , Mahamad N A , Nizar Khariol 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The potential explosion for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) dust is greatly increased due to the presence of ethylene gas. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the explosion severity of polyethylene/ethylene hybrid mixture in a 20-L spherical vessel. The explosion setup is equipped with two chemical ignitors and Kistler piezoelectric pressure sensors to ignite the hybrid mixture and to quantify the propagation of pressure wave during the explosion process respectively. The following hybrid explosion characteristics including the maximum explosion overpressure (Pmax), the maximum rate of pressure rise (dP/dT) and deflagration index (KST) were evaluated. This study concluded that the explosion severity of polyethylene/ethylene hybrid mixture steeply increases as the gas concentration and particle size increase to 15 g/m3 and 125 μm, beyond which the Pmax and dP/dT steadily decrease. The highest Pmax and dP/dt were recorded at 5.5 bar and, 50.5 bar/s with the KST value is 50 bar.m/s indicating the LDPE/ethylene hybrid dust explosion possess a weak explosion.
A review on possible approaches of anaerobic biological processes for palm oil mill effluent: Process, quality, advantages, and limitations
Authors: Al-Amshawee S K , Yunus M Y M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Palm oil mills play an essential role in the economic development of many countries. Though, it is the primary source of environmental pollution and degradation. Water scarcity and the high cost of new water supply technologies are the two major factors responsible for the increasing recognition of the importance to conserve water resources by wastewater treatment and reuse. Sustainability of sanitation systems should be related to low requirements in cost, energy consumption, and maintenance. Anaerobic biotreatment is the preferred industrial choice for mediating high strength wastewater. Anaerobic biotreatments for wastewater are increasingly being researched as cost-effective alternatives to deliver low sludge accumulation, efficient biodegradation and mineralisation, microbes’ reduction, and solids-free effluents. In the last decade, many studies investigated various types of anaerobic reactors in combination with membranes. This review shows the potential of anaerobic bio mediations for palm oil mill effluent. Also, the paper discusses the impact of various factors on both biological and filtration performances and identifying strengths and limitations.
VarGen: an R package for disease-associated variant discovery and annotation
Authors: Molitor Corentin , Brember Matt , Mohareb Fady 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Summary
Over the past decade, there has been an exponential increase in the amount of disease-related genomic data available in public databases. However, this high-quality information is spread across independent sources and researchers often need to access these separately. Hence, there is a growing need for tools that gather and compile this information in an easy and automated manner. Here, we present ‘VarGen’, an easy-to-use, customizable R package that fetches, annotates and rank variants related to diseases and genetic disorders, using a collection public databases (viz. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, the Functional Annotation of the Mammalian genome 5, the Genotype-Tissue Expression and the Genome Wide Association Studies catalog). This package is also capable of annotating these variants to identify the most impactful ones. We expect that this tool will benefit the research of variant-disease relationships.

Availability and implementation
VarGen is open-source and freely available via GitHub: https://github.com/MCorentin/VarGen. The software is implemented as an R package and is supported on Linux, MacOS and Windows.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Problematizing Minor Transnational Identities And Patterns Of Othering In Meg Vandermerwe’s Zebra Crossing
Authors: Pasi Juliet Sylvia , Alexander Josephine Olufunmilayo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In her debut novel, Zebra Crossing, Meg Vandermerwe privileges the voice of Chipo Nyamubaya, an albino girl from Zimbabwe, to capture the gripping and tragic experiences of African immigrants in South Africa. This article problematizes the notion of minor transnational identities by interrogating the relationships between South Africans and those they refer to as outsiders, and the relationship between the African immigrants themselves vis-à-vis culturally held beliefs about albinos and LGBTs. In the process, we demonstrate the patterns of the idea of Otherness brought about by racism, xenophobia, homophobic prejudice and insensitive discrimination. The article reveals how Othering debunks the ideology of African connectedness by bringing out the apparent contradictions in the values of Ubuntu.
Sharp Rise in Fall-Induced Cervical Spine Injuries Among Older Adults Between 1970 and 2017
Authors: Kannus Pekka , Niemi Seppo , Parkkari Jari , Mattila Ville M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background
Fall-induced injuries in older adults are a major public health challenge.

Methods
We determined the current trends in the number and age-adjusted incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older adults in Finland by taking into account all persons 50 years of age or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of these injuries between 1970 and 2017. Similar patients aged 20–49 years served as a reference group.

Results
The annual number of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older Finnish adults rose steeply during the follow-up, from 59 in 1970 to 502 in 2017. The age-adjusted incidence of injury (per 100,000 persons) was higher in men than women throughout this period and showed a clear increase from 1970 to 2017: from 8.4 to 25.0 in men, and from 2.8 to 13.9 in women. In both sexes, the increase was most prominent in the oldest age group, persons aged 80 years or older. In the reference group, the injury incidence declined by time.

Conclusions
The number and incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older Finns showed a sharp rise between 1970 and 2017. An increase in the average risk of serious falls may partly explain the phenomenon. Effective fall and injury prevention measures are urgently needed since further aging of the population is likely to aggravate the problem in the near future.
Prevalence and mechanisms of azole resistance in clinical isolates of Aspergillus section Fumigati species in a Canadian tertiary care centre, 2000 to 2013
Authors: Parent-Michaud Maxime , Dufresne Philippe J , Fournier Eric , Folch Benjamin , Martineau Christine , Moreira Sandrine , Doucet Nicolas , De Repentigny Louis , Dufresne Simon F 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Azole resistance among Aspergillus fumigatus isolates is a growing concern worldwide. Induction of mutations during azole therapy, environment-acquired mutations caused by azole fungicides and intrinsic resistance of cryptic Fumigati species all contribute to the burden of resistance. However, there is a lack of data in Canada on this emerging threat.

Methods
To gain insights into the magnitude and mechanisms of resistance, a 14 year collection of Aspergillus section Fumigati comprising 999 isolates from 807 patients at a Montreal hospital was screened for azole resistance, and resistance mechanisms were investigated with the combined use of genome sequencing, 3D modelling and phenotypic efflux pump assays.

Results
Overall azole resistance was low (4/807 patients; 0.5%). A single azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto strain, isolated from a patient with pulmonary aspergillosis, displayed efflux-pump-mediated resistance. Three patients were colonized or infected with azole-resistant cryptic Fumigati species (one Aspergillus thermomutatus, one Aspergillus lentulus and one Aspergillus turcosus). Evidence is presented that azole resistance is efflux-pump-mediated in the A. turcosus isolate, but not in the A. lentulus and A. thermomutatus isolates.

Conclusions
Azole resistance is rare in our geographic area and currently driven by cryptic Fumigati species. Continued surveillance of emergence of resistance is warranted.
307 A social facilitator can reduce calf walking behavior at weaning
Authors: Nickles Kirsten , Relling Alejandro E , Parker Anthony 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Common industry practice is to wean beef calves prior to natural weaning with the objectives of improving cow body weight and preparing calves for the subsequent receiving, growing, and finishing phases of production. Discontinuing the cow-calf social and nutritional bond before natural weaning, however, causes atypical walking and vocalizing behaviors by calves that are detrimental to calf growth and health. A proposed alternative weaning method is the addition of a social facilitator cow at weaning to reduce calf stress. Utilizing global positioning system (GPS) technology, we were able to determine total distance walked, total time devoted to walking, and area of the pasture utilized by the calf. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a social facilitator on calf growth during weaning and more specifically, walking behaviors, utilizing a Garmin® product. Angus x Simmental heifer calves (n = 80) were used in this study, and in all four replications calves were randomly allotted to each treatment group (n = 10), social facilitator (SF) or control (CON) on the day of weaning (day 0). Calves in the SF group were placed on pasture at weaning with a social facilitator, and CON calves were placed in a similar sized pasture without a social facilitator. All calves were allocated their own GPS tracking device on days 0 (weaning), 7, and 14 for a full 24 hours before removal. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). Placing calves with a social facilitator decreased the distance walked (P = 0.001), and the amount of time calves devoted to walking (P = 0.001). Placing a social facilitator with calves at weaning, therefore, has an effect on walking distance and amount of time calves devote to walking.
313 Effects of transport time and rest stop duration on welfare indicators of beef cattle travelling by road
Authors: Melendez Daniela M , Marti Sonia , Gellatly Desiree , Nordi Wiolene , Haley Derek , Schwinghamer Timothy , Schwartzkopf-Genswein Karen S 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Forthcoming revisions to Canadian Transport regulations indicate un-weaned and weaned calves can be transported a maximum of 12 and 36 h, respectively, before an 8 h rest is required. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of rest duration after 12 and 36 h of transport on physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare in 7–8 mo old beef calves. Three hundred and twenty weaned calves (258 ± 23.9 kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 4 factorial design: 12 and 36 h of transport; and 0 (R0), 4 (R4), 8 (R8), and 12 (R12) h of rest. After the resting period animals were transported for an additional 4 h. A subset of 12 animals/treatment were sampled for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), haptoglobin and lactate concentrations prior to, and after the first and the 4 h transport, and 7 h, 2 and 28 d after the 4 h transport. Standing and lying behavior was assessed for 14 d after transport. Data was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, where transport, and time nested within rest period were fixed effects and animal was a random effect. NEFA concentrations were greater (P &lt; 0.01) in 12-R4 than 12-R8 and 12-R12 calves, while 36-R0 calves had greater (P ≤ 0.05) NEFA concentrations than 36-R4, 36-R8 and 36-R12 calves after the 4 h transport. Haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P &lt; 0.01) in 36 than 12 h calves. No differences (P &gt; 0.10) were observed for lactate. The day after transport, 36-R8 calves spent more (P &lt; 0.01) time lying than 12-R8 calves. Overall, physiological indicators were greater in calves transported for 36 than 12 h, while no differences were observed between rest stops with the exception of NEFA, where overall concentrations were greater after shorter than longer rest periods.
311 Evaluation of different types of journeys on welfare indicators of un-weaned calves transported by road in Europe
Authors: Marti Sonia , Velarde Antonio , Quintana Bruna , Moles Xenia , Sole Anna , Devant Maria 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Transportation of un-weaned calves in Europe is a common practice to transfer calves from origins to rearing facilities that often are in different countries and now is in the spotlight from the welfare point of view. The aim of this study was to assess physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare in calves transported in 3 different journey types. A total of 6,727 calves (3–4 wk of age and 65 ± 9.0 kg of BW) were transported with 30 trucks (n = 10 each journey type): from a unique origin to a unique rearing facility (DIR); from different origins to different rearing facilities (BUS); from a unique origin to a unique rearing facility after stopping in a resting facility (RES). Journey information and behavior at arrival was recorded. A subset of 20 calves for each transportation were sampled for NEFA, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and rectal temperature (RT) on arrival at the rearing and resting facility, and 14 d after arrival. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with type of journey and day as main effects. Transportation time was 8.2 ± 0.66 h, 9.4 ± 0.66, and 21.7 ± 0.66 h for DIR, BUS and RES. RT was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for RES than DIR and BUS at resting and arrival. NEFA and BHBA were greater (P &lt; 0.01) for DIR and BUS than RES after arrival, however, when RES was evaluated at resting no differences were observed. At d 14 NEFA and BHBA were low (P &lt; 0.01). Number of calves that turned back was greater (P = 0.04) in BUS, intermediate for DIR and lower for RES. In RES even the journey is longer the negative effects of transport at arrival are negligible due to the provision of feed and rest during the resting period before arrival at the rearing facility.
183 Food Animal Welfare: Why Producers Should Care about Animal Welfare
Authors: Christensen Karen 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
How food animals are treated has become a significant topic for meat producers, customers and consumers. The US population is now many generations away being actively engaged in agricultural production and are asking questions about how their food is produced. Unfortunately, the information that is available to consumers is not always accurate or positive for livestock producers. Farmers have little or no trust with the consumer and they are looking to other sources for information. How we communicate with our customers, consumers and the public is key to providing accurate information and creating trust in our industry. Auditing can play a role in providing a bridge to our customers and consumers. The goal is transparency of our production practices and documenting continuous improvement. Communicating that our values are aligned with the consumers values will be the key to improving trust with our customers and consumers
184 Review of animal welfare data for cattle and swine
Authors: Calvo-Lorenzo Michelle S 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Interest in the topic of animal welfare continues to grow as knowledge about the quality of life of food animals evolves. Improving management practices that enhance welfare conditions for livestock requires tools that allow livestock caretakers to assess and address animal welfare conditions effectively and practically on farms. Over the past several years, Elanco Animal Health has developed analytical resources for beef cattle and swine producers to inform them on trends associated with finished cattle mobility and mortality, and transport losses in marketed swine. This presentation will share findings from Elanco’s databases and the published literature to inform and foster discussion important to livestock welfare advancements. Relative to finished cattle mobility, data captured from 11.5 M head (2015–2019) demonstrate that cattle mobility continues to trend positively with approximately 90% of cattle observed with normal mobility conditions at packing plants (Edwards-Callaway et al., 2017); however, mortality trends and veterinary medical charges are higher over the past 5 years (2014–2018) when closeout data from 41.8 M head of beef cattle are evaluated across U.S. feedlots. Relative to market weight pig transport losses, an industry survey of 310 M pigs (2012–2015) indicate that averages for total dead pigs, non-ambulatory pigs, and total losses were 0.26%, 0.63%, and 0.88%, respectively (Yoder et al., 2017), which is similar to reported values in the literature (Ritter et al., 2009). Collectively, this information is important for measuring continuous improvement and determining where opportunities exist to evaluate management practices associated with herd health protocols, seasonal impacts, handling, and transport conditions. Animal welfare challenges are a non-compete issue for the livestock industry, and tools to assess these welfare topics are key to the enhancement of current practices and development of novel approaches to positively impact the role that livestock caretakers have on animal welfare.
16 Standardized phytomolecules improve foot and mouth disease vaccine response in grower pigs
Authors: Blanchard Alexandra , Grandmaison Josselin le Cour , Kim In Ho , Kim Yong Min 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a severe viral disease with significant economic impact. In endemic countries, livestock may be vaccinated. Standardized capsicum and turmeric oleoresins have demonstrated a boosting effect of vaccination in broiler, but little is known on their efficacy in swine. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficiency of these phytomolecules to improve FMD vaccine response in pigs. Cross-breed pigs (n = 120) with body weight of 24.6 kg were allotted into 3 groups of 40 pigs and assigned into 10 replicates from days 70 to 112 of age. Following treatments were applied: NS: no vaccination; FMD-NS: FMD vaccination; FMD-XT: FMD vaccination + supplementation of XT-N (4% capsicum + 4% turmeric oleoresins, Pancosma, Switzerland) at 125 g/ton in feed. The FMD vaccine (Omanisa + O3039 + A22 Iraq-strain, Merial) was injected at day 78. Blood samples were collected at days 88, 93, 98 and 103 to evaluate antibody levels. Growth performance was evaluated at day 112. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS®. During the trial, non-vaccinated pigs (NS) did not display antibody titers against FMD, but vaccinated pigs (FMD-NS and FMD-XT) exhibited significant levels of FMD antibodies (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs of FMD-XT group showed significant higher antibody levels at day 93 (P &lt; 0.05), day 98 (P = 0.06) and day 103 (P &lt; 0.05) in comparison to FMD-NS pigs. It indicated significant improvement of FMD vaccine response in comparison to the vaccinated control. At 112 days, FMD-NS pigs were numerically lighter (53.46 kg) in comparison to non-vaccinated pigs (53.89 kg). However, FMD-XT pigs were heavier (54.51 kg) in comparison to NS pigs (+0.62 kg, P &gt;0.05) and FMD-NS pigs (+1.05 kg, P &lt; 0.05). These findings showed that standardized phytomolecules (XT-N) incorporated into pig diet significantly supported FMD vaccination response and alleviated its negative effect on growth.