bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Rule-based System for Corruption Control in Nigerian Police Force
Authors: Salaat Aliyu B. , Manga I. , Gumpy Jerome M. 
Published: May 2019

This paper has attempted to develop an artificial intelligence model based on fuzzy logic for the control of corruption in Nigerian Police Force. The researcher employed fuzzy rule-base inference system methodology using four inputs variables; funding, logistics and operational equipment (FLOE) condition of service, remuneration and motivation (CSRM), recruitment, training and promotion (RTP), confidence and support by the community (CSC) were used to determine the corruption severity level. An output variable; corruption severity level (CSL) was adopted for the model development. The simulation was carried out using MATLAB 2015 for Windows. The results revealed that it is very obvious for Nigeria as a country to have a Police Force whose corruption severity level is low. Thus (i) Condition of service, remunerations and motivation has to be excellent; (ii) Funding, logistics and operational equipment has to be adequate; (iii) Recruitment, training and promotion has to be excellent, and finally (iv) Confidence and support by the community has to be very high.
Epidemiologic Profile and Predictors of Fatty Liver: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Mostafa Ola A. , Razik Mohammed M. Abdel , Marzaban Raghda N. , Sayed Eman T. Al , Ahmed Mona S. 
Published: May 2019

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the most common cause of chronic liver disease with increasing prevalence globally.
Settings and Design: The current study is an analytical case control study; conducted in ultrasonography outpatient clinic of Cairo University Hospital.
Materials and Methods: 150 consented fatty liver cases and 564 controls were screened for fatty liver infiltration using abdominal ultrasonography. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to explore the discriminant ability of the developed model.
Results: Among cases, Age, sex and residence matching contributes 32.7%, 36% and 31.3% mild, moderate and severe degree of fatty liver respectively. Cases showed significantly higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) than controls. Cases demonstrated higher prevalence of hypertension (11.3% vs 8.3% respectively), and significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (22% vs. 9.2%) (p=0.03). Severe fatty liver cases were significantly older and had significantly higher WC, BMI, significantly higher association with diabetes mellitus, significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL than non-severe degree cases. The significant predictors of sever fatty liver were BMI, total cholesterol and LDL (P = <0.001, R2 = 0.543).
Conclusion: The developed regression equation expressed good validation and calibration. It utilizes an algorithm that can quickly and easily address patients with fatty liver. It would useful as a fast, inexpensive primary screening tool for severe fatty liver.
Tree Species Composition and Diversity of Ipinu-Igede Sacred Forest in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Ikyaagba E. T. , Amonum J. I. , Okwoche S. 
Published: May 2019

The role of sacred forest/sacred groves in the conservation of biodiversity is well recognised and documented. Despite the importance of sacred forests in conservation, data of flora species composition and diversity in many sacred forests still remain scanty. The study was conducted to provide baseline data on tree species composition and diversity of Ipinu-Igede sacred forest with a view to promote the role of sacred forest in flora conservation in the area. Systematic sampling technique was adopted for the study. A base line transect of 2 km long was established and five (5) other transects 2 km long were laid at regular interval of 500 km apart. On each transect, 4 sampling plots of 50 mx50 m were established at a regular interval of 500m apart. Within the 50 m x50 m plots, trees with diameter at breast height (DBH)≥10 cm were identified and enumerated. Species Important Value Index (IVI), species richness, species evenness and species diversity were estimated. A total number of 50 tree species in 19 families were recorded. Cola gigantea was the most important tree species with IVI of 14.56, this was followed by Harungana madagascariensis with 13.14. Caesalpinioideae was the dominant family with 6 species, 48.15% of the families were represented by only one species. The species richness was D=9.436, Species Evenness was E´=0.7668 and species diversity was H=3.646. Thirty percent (30%) of the tree species were in the DBH class of 1-40cm indicating good regeneration status of the sacred forest. Acknowledgement of the traditional practices by scientists and other actors in natural resources conservation will help in promoting forest conservation.
A Sharp Estimate of Entropy Solution to Euler-Poisson System for Semiconductors in the Whole Domain
Authors: Cheng Yanqiu , Fang Xixi , Yu Huimin 
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we are concerned with the global existence, large time behavior, and timeincreasing-rate of entropy solutions to the one-dimensional unipolar hydrodynamic model for semiconductors in the form of Euler-Poisson equations. When the adiabatic index γ > 2, the L∞ estimates of artificial viscosity approximate solutions are obtained by using entropy inequality and maximum principle. Then the L∞ compensated compactness framework demonstrates theconvergence of approximate solutions. Finally, the global entropy solutions are proved to decay exponentially fast to the stationary solution, without any assumption on the smallness of initial data and doping profile.
Germination In vitro De Jabuticabeira Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg
Authors: Santos Sabrina Kelly dos , Luna Núbia Pereira Da Costa , Da Costa Júnior Otalício Damásio , Dias Mariana De Vasconcelos , Gomes Daniel Da Silva , Fonseca Karollayne Tomaz Emiliano 
Published: May 2019

Aims: The present work aimed to determine the influence of antibiotic use on seed germination and development of jabuticabeira (Myrciaria jaboticaba) seedlings grown in vitro.
Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, where the treatments were composed of two types of culture medium and three forms of antibiotic use.
Place and Study duration: The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Culture of Vegetable Tissues (LABCULTIVE), at the Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), at the Agricultural Sciences Center (CCA), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), from November 2016 until May 2017.
Methodology: The fruits of jabuticabeira were harvested from a matrix plant and the seeds were removed manually, with subsequent elimination of the pulp and removal of the tegument. They underwent a disinfestation procedure in 70% alcohol and sodium hypochlorite and grown in culture medium.
Results: The highest germination average was obtained when the seeds were soaked for 24 hours in autoclaved water + antibiotic and when placed in liquid medium. In all analyzed variables the liquid medium provided better means. There was no statistical difference in any of the variables analyzed in relation to the use of the antibiotic in the imbibition and the non-use of the antibiotic.
Conclusion: The seeds of Myrciaria jaboticaba have greater germination and better development in the liquid culture medium; the presence of the antibiotic in the culture medium probably caused phytotoxicity, thus compromising the germination.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Flow Cytometry in Detecting Bacterial Contamination in Platelets
Authors: Ziari Maryam Habibi , Razjou Farhad , Vaeli Shahram , Poshtiri Fatemeh Abedi , Dabirmoghadam Abolfazl 
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Bacterial contamination of platelet products is a major risk of infections in blood transfusion. Due to their storage conditions at room temperatures (22 to 24°C), cases of septicemia and even death caused by platelet injection have been reported. Therefore, use of appropriate diagnostic methods can improve the health of this product. In this study, flow cytometry was used to detect contaminated platelet units.
Methods: This study was a diagnostic interventional type. 15 units of platelet concentrate was prepared at a minimum interval time after production. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria were each added to 6 platelet bags, with a concentration of 10 CFU / ml, while 3 bags were used as negative control. Platelets were stored in a shaking incubator at 22 - 24°C, for 0, 6, 24 and 48 hour-intervals after inoculation. Samples were then taken at 1 ml volume and evaluated by flow cytometry.
Results: The sensitivity of the flow cytometry method to detect contaminated platelet units in infections with both Staphylococcus epidermidis and E. coli, in a 1 ml volume in all samples at 0, 6, 22 and 24 hours after inoculation, was 100%, and the number of bacteria increased in 24 hours of incubation, except for E. coli that decreased after 24 hours.
Conclusion: This study shows that flow cytometry can be a useful method for detecting bacterial contamination in platelets, and can detect low concentrations (10 CFU / ml) of bacteria in small volumes of sample (ml) in a short time.
A Performance Study of Home-Made Co-Immobilized Lipase from Mucor miehei in Polyurethane Foam on The Hydrolysis of Coconut Oil to Fatty Acid
Authors: Moentamaria Dwina , Muharja Maktum , Widjaja Tri , Widjaja Arief 
Published: May 2019

Bio‐based fatty acids (FAs) produced through hydrolysis of natural oils and fats are promising chemical feedstocks for increasing the economic value of renewable raw materials. In this work, lecithin, gelatin, PEG, and MgCl2 were employed as the co-immobilized material of crude lipase Mucor miehei immobilization on the polyurethane foam (PUF) matrix for hydrolysis of coconut oil to Free Fatty Acid (FFA). The unconventional immobilized technique was used through cross-linking and covalent bond. Single factor analysis and response surface method were utilized to determine the optimum conditions of the hydrolysis reaction. After optimization, co-immobilized lipase was examined for storage stability at a temperature of 4°C and reusability performance. The optimum conditions for coconut oil hydrolysis were obtained on the co-immobilized-PUF ratio, water-oil ratio, and reaction time of 20.17 w/w, 4.45 w/w, and 20 h, respectively. Under these conditions, the acid value as lauric acid enhanced 573% to 3.21 mg KOH/g oil. Storage stability attained through remaining activity on free lipase, PUF-lipase, PUF-co-immobilized-lipase were 9.89%, 42.3%, and 91.88%, respectively. In this study, the application of PUF-co-immobilized lipase in hydrolysis reactions can be reused up to 5 times. Characteristics of the addition of co-immobilized lipase have been analyzed using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), showing the presence of functional groups binding and the changes in the surface matrix structure.
Nyquist Stability Criterion and its Application to Power Electronics Systems
Authors: Amin Mohammad , Zhang Chen , Rygg Atle , Molinas Marta , Unamuno Eneko , Belkhayat Mohamed 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Nyquist stability criterion is a graphical technique for determining the stability of a dynamical system. It relates the stability of a closed‐loop system to the open‐loop frequency response and open‐loop pole location. The Nyquist technique is limited to linear, time‐invariant (LTI) systems and has been widely used for designing and analyzing systems with feedback. A practical advantage of the technique is that it can be applied directly to measured frequency response data, due to which the technique is widely used in power electronics systems, where the complexity of a mathematical model would make its widespread use unfeasible. In its first part, this article guides through the fundamentals of the Nyquist stability criterion applied to feedback systems with SISO and MIMO representations. The generalized Nyquist criterion for MIMO systems is then discussed to illustrate its application to the stability assessment of three‐phase power electronics systems. In the second part, four representative cases are introduced to illustrate the applicability of Nyquist criterion–based stability analysis for power electronics systems: a dc‐dc converter, an HVDC system, a three‐phase converter, and a wind farm–HVDC grid integrated system. In the last section of this article, some advanced topics related to large‐scale power electronics systems are introduced. Inherent aspects that are essential for the proper use of these stability techniques are elaborated and discussed in detail, for instance, impedance transformation and modified sequence impedance or the system‐level analysis.
Range Images
Authors: Liu Yonghuai , Yuen Peter , Pang Yanwei , Zhao Yitian , Rosin Paul L. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article gives an overview of range‐imaging techniques with an aim to let the reader better understand how the difficult issue, such as the registration of overlapping range images, can be approached and solved. It firstly introduces the characteristics of range images and highlights examples of 3D image visualizations, associated technical issues, applications, and the differences of range imaging with respect to the traditional digital broadband imaging. Subsequently, one of the most popular feature extraction and matching methods, the signature of histograms of orientations (SHOT) method, is then outlined. However, the “matched” points generated by SHOT usually generate high proportion of false positives due to various factors such as imaging noise, lack of features, and cluttered backgrounds. Thus, the article discusses more about image‐matching issues, particularly to emphasize how the widely employed range image alignment technique, the random sample consensus (RANSAC) method, is compared with a simple, yet effective, technique based on normalized error penalization (NEP). This simple NEP method utilizes a strategy to penalize point matches whose errors are far away from the majority. The capability of the method for the evaluation of point matches between overlapping range images is illustrated by experiments using real range image data sets. Interestingly enough, these range images appear to be easier to register than expected. Finally, some conclusions have been drawn and further readings for other fundamental techniques and concepts have been suggested.
Reliability Modeling and Testing of One‐Shot Units
Authors: Elsayed Elsayed A. , Cheng Yao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOne‐shot units such as auto airbags and fire extinguishers are widely used in our daily lives. They perform their desired function only once and typically experience long‐term storage or standby status before use. Another example of one‐shot units is missiles, which could be stored for decades until there is a military need. When one‐shot units are not deployed for a long period, they are subjected to failure and/or degradation as a function of time. Accordingly, it is critical to assess one‐shot units' reliability metrics during their idle period in order to guarantee their performance when deployed. In this article, we provide an overview of one‐shot units, their applications, and methods of assessing their reliability metrics under long storage period. We demonstrate that performing repeated reliability tests is an effective approach to improve storage and operational reliability metrics of one‐shot units.
Ordered Mesoporous Metastable α‐MoC1−x with Enhanced Water Dissociation Capability for Boosting Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Activity
Authors: Baek Du San , Jung Gwan Yeong , Seo Bora , Kim Jin Chul , Lee Hyun‐Wook , Shin Tae Joo , Jeong Hu Young , Kwak Sang Kyu , Joo Sang Hoon 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe sluggish reaction kinetics of the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains an important challenge for water–alkali electrolyzers, which originates predominantly from the additional water dissociation step required for the alkaline HER. In this work, it is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that metastable, face‐centered‐cubic α‐MoC1−x phase shows superior water dissociation capability and alkaline HER activity than stable, hexagonal‐close‐packed Mo2C phase. Next, high surface area ordered mesoporous α‐MoC1−x (MMC) is designed via a nanocasting method. In MMC structure, the α‐MoC1−x phase facilitates the water dissociation reaction, while the mesoporous structure with high surface area enables a high dispersion of metal NPs and efficient mass transport. As a result, Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on MMC (Pt/MMC) show substantially enhanced alkaline HER activity in terms of overpotentials, Tafel slopes, mass and specific activities, and exchange current densities, compared to commercial Pt/C and Pt NPs supported on particulate α‐MoC1−x or β‐Mo2C. Notably, Pt/MMC shows very low Tafel slope of 30 mV dec–1, which is the lowest value among the reported Pt‐based alkaline HER catalysts, suggesting the critical role of MMC in enhancing the HER kinetics. The promotional effect of MMC support in the alkaline HER is further demonstrated with an Ir/MMC catalyst.
Full Spectrum Tunable Visible‐Light‐Driven Alloy Nanomotor
Authors: Zheng Jing , Wang Jizhuang , Xiong Ze , Wan Zhihan , Zhan Xiaojun , Yang Siyuan , Chen Jiawei , Dai Jia , Tang Jinyao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMicro/nanomotors (MNMs) are emerging machinery by virtue of their tempting applications in noninvasive microsurgery, environmental remediation, and advanced nanomanufacturing. Notably, the light‐powered MNMs generate propulsion thrust by absorbing photons and potentially respond differently to different energy photons, which enable their feasibility of remote signaling, independent addressing, and multi‐channel controllability. In this study, an inorganic nanomotor based on solution‐processed cation exchanged core–shell alloy nanowire is demonstrated with continuous tunability in the visible spectrum. The spectrum response of nanomotor can be selectively tailored through nanomotor composition, which provides a simple platform for future multi‐channel navigated MNMs system and moves a step toward massive production of MNMs with advanced functionalities.
3D Graphene‐Based Macrostructures for Water Treatment
Authors: Wang Haitao , Mi Xueyue , Li Yi , Zhan Sihui 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRecently, 3D graphene‐based macrostructures (3D GBMs) have gained increased attention due to their immense application potential in water treatment. The unique structural features (e.g., large surface area and physically interconnected porous network) as well as fascinating properties (e.g., high electrical conductivity, excellent chemical/thermal stability, ultralightness, and high solar‐to‐thermal conversion efficiency) render 3D GBMs as promising materials for water purification through adsorption, capacitive deionization, and solar distillation. Moreover, 3D GBMs can serve as scaffolds to immobilize powder nanomaterials to build monolithic adsorbents and photo‐/electrocatalysts, which significantly broadens their potential applications in water treatment. Here, recent advances in their synthesis and application toward water purification are highlighted. Remaining challenges and future perspectives are elaborated to highlight future research directions.
Graphene's Latest Cousin: Plumbene Epitaxial Growth on a “Nano WaterCube”
Authors: Yuhara Junji , He Bangjie , Matsunami Noriaki , Nakatake Masashi , Le Lay Guy 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWhile theoretical studies predicted the stability and exotic properties of plumbene, the last group‐14 cousin of graphene, its realization has remained a challenging quest. Here, it is shown with compelling evidence that plumbene is epitaxially grown by segregation on a Pd1−xPbx(111) alloy surface. In scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), it exhibits a unique surface morphology resembling the famous Weaire–Phelan bubble structure of the Olympic “WaterCube” in Beijing. The “soap bubbles” of this “Nano WaterCube” are adjustable with their average sizes (in‐between 15 and 80 nm) related to the Pb concentration (x < 0.2) dependence of the lattice parameter of the Pd1−xPbx(111) alloy surface. Angle‐resolved core‐level measurements demonstrate that a lead sheet overlays the Pd1−xPbx(111) alloy. Atomic‐scale STM images of this Pb sheet show a planar honeycomb structure with a unit cell ranging from 0.48 to 0.49 nm corresponding to that of the standalone 2D topological insulator plumbene.
Recent Trends, Benchmarking, and Challenges of Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 by Molecular Catalysts
Authors: Elouarzaki Kamal , Kannan Vishvak , Jose Vishal , Sabharwal Harshjyot Singh , Lee Jong‐Min 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCO2 reduction using molecular catalysts is a key area of study for achieving electrical‐to‐chemical energy storage and feedstock chemical synthesis. Compared to classical metallic solid‐state catalysts, these molecular catalysts often result in high performance and selectivity, even under unfavorable aqueous environments. This review considers the recent state‐of‐the‐art molecular catalysts for CO2 electroreduction and explains the observed performance, therefore guiding the design principles for the next generation of molecules and material/molecule hybrid electrodes. The most recent advances related to these issues are discussed.
Solution‐Phase Synthesis of Few‐Layer Hexagonal Antimonene Nanosheets via Anisotropic Growth
Authors: Peng Lucheng , Ye Shuai , Song Jun , Qu Junle 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAntimonene, an emerging two‐dimensional material, has garnered tremendous interest due to its intriguing structure and fascinating electronic properties. However, the synthesis of high‐quality few‐layer antimonene nanosheets, which can only be produced by exfoliation or epitaxial growth on exotic substrates, has greatly hindered the development of this new field. Herein, few‐layer hexagonal and functionalized antimonene nanosheets were successfully prepared from SbCl3 solutions for the first time by exclusively promoting their anisotropic growth in a colloidal solution. Oleylamine was selected as the reducing agent, rather than oleic acid, and dodecylthiol was key to preventing the formation of antimony oxide. Additionally, halide ions adsorbed on the surface also influenced the anisotropic growth of hexagonal antimonene nanosheets. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the sheets were ≈5 nm thick; Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a rhombohedral atomic structure (β‐Sb) with excellent stability.
Contractive Annulation: A Strategy for the Synthesis of Small, Strained Cyclophanes and Its Application in the Synthesis of [2](6,1)Naphthaleno[1]paracyclophane
Authors: Biswas Sourav , Qiu Christopher S. , Dawe Louise N. , Zhao Yuming , Bodwell Graham J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA new synthetic strategy (contractive annulation) for the synthesis of highly strained cyclophanes has been conceived and its viability has been demonstrated through a nine‐step synthesis of [2](6,1)naphthaleno[1]paracyclophane from [2.2]paracyclophane.