Engineering

Non-targeted analysis (NTA) is a rapidly evolving analytical technique with numerous opportunities to improve and expand instrumental and data analysis methods. In this work, NTA was performed on eight synthetic mixtures containing 1264 unique chemical substances from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Non-Targeted Analysis Collaborative Trial (ENTACT). These mixtures were analyzed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) using both positive and negative polarities for a total of four modes. Out of the 1264 ENTACT chemical substances, 1116 were detected in at least one ionization mode, 185 chemicals were detected using all four ionization modes, whereas 148 were not detected. Forty-four chemicals were detected only by APCI, and 181 were detected only by ESI. Molecular descriptors and physicochemical properties were used to assess which ionization type was preferred for a given compound. One ToxPrint substructure (naphthalene group) was found to be enriched in compounds only detected using APCI, and eight ToxPrints (e.g., several alcohol moieties) were enriched in compounds only detected using ESI. Examination of physicochemical parameters for ENTACT chemicals suggests that those with higher aqueous solubility preferentially ionized by ESI−. While ESI typically detects a larger number of compounds, APCI offers chromatograms with less background, fewer co-elutions, and additional chemical space coverage, suggesting both should be considered for broader coverage in future NTA research.

It seems very difficult to analyze private universities in Europe in the context of entrepreneurialism in the form the concept has emerged in the basic literature and available case studies. The private sector in higher education, in general, from the point of view of both numbers of institutions, share of enrolments in the sector, and study areas offered, has been a phenomenon of the transition/accession countries. At the same time, the conceptual framework currently used to analyze “entrepreneurialism” in higher education seems somehow restricted in use to public sector institutions. Very few scholars ever refer to private institutions in their discussions of entrepreneurship. On European grounds, not only experiences with private higher education have been very limited – but also the emergent concepts related to entrepreneurialism derived from analytical work on the public sector and rarely touched on the private sector. The present paper is based on the conceptual work on “entre...

First-principles density functional calculations together with experimental measurements demonstrate that pressure (uniform and uniaxial) increases the band gap of a perfect lithium hexafluoroaluminate (LiCaAlF6, LiCAF) crystal. As fluoride crystals can be highly transmitting at vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths, crystal modifications that further increase the band gap are highly sought after for future Vacuum ultraviolet applications. Through an extensive series of density functional theory simulations, we demonstrate that the band gap increases monotonically from 12.2 eV to 14.1 eV with the application of uniform pressure. Through joint theoretical and experimental investigation, we explore different uniaxial compressions that can be achieved through cutting-edge laser-shock compression. We find that uniaxial pressure also increases the LiCAF band gap by 0.3 and 0.4 eV for a- and c-axis compressions, respectively.

This project is about the design and construction of a 220 volts inverter at a frequency of 50Hz. The device is constructed with locally sourced components and materials of regulated standards. The basic principle of its operation is a simple conversion of 12V DC from a battery using integrated circuits and semiconductors at a frequency of 50Hz, into a 220V AC across the windings of a transformer. A battery charger is used to charge the battery using an intelligent digital display charger. This project (device) offers a better alternative to Public Power Supply, Generators as well as UPS considering it is cost-effective, noiseless, and easy maintainability. It was concluded that the inverter was constructed with considerable cost, available and reliable components rather than the more exorbitant unavailable ones. It was however recommended that the Government at various levels should encourage engineering practice by financing and training engineering within and outside the country ...

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of shapes of containers (nine different containers) on entropy generation minimization involving identical cross-sectional area (1 sq. unit) in the presence of identical heating (isothermal). The nine containers are categorized into three classes based on their geometric similarities (Class 1: square, tilted square and parallelogram; Class 2: trapezoidal type 1, trapezoidal type 2 and triangular; Class 3: convex, concave and curved triangular). Design/methodology/approach Galerkin finite element method is used to solve the governing equations for a representative fluid (engine oil: Pr = 155) at Ra = 103–105. In addition, finite element method is used to solve the streamfunction equation and evaluate the entropy generation terms (Sψ and Sθ). Average Nusselt number ( Nub¯) and average dimensionless spatial temperature ( θ^) are also evaluated via the finite element basis sets. Findings Based on larger Nub¯, larger θ^ and optimal Stotal v...

Sulfur amino acids are typically the first-limiting amino acids (AA) used in protein metabolism in poultry. Therefore, we hypothesized that their utilization in the pre-hatch period would affect embryonic development, IGF-I and TLR4 gene expression, antioxidant status, serum biochemical profile, and jejunum histomorphometry of newly hatched Ross broiler chicks incubated under heat stress conditions. A total of 150 fertile broiler eggs were subjected to heat stress (39.6 °C for 6 h/d) from d10 until d18 and injected at d 17.5 of incubation with methionine and cysteine (Met-Cys) at a dose of 5.90 mg l-methionine plus 3.40 mg l-cysteine. The effects of Met-Cys administration were examined and compared with the control (Non-injected group) and 0.75% NaCl injected group. The results showed that no significant differences among all groups in serum protein profiles (total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratio) and creatine kinase were observed. The level of heat shock prot...

There have been numerous efforts aimed at improving geographic literacy in order to address societal challenges. Extension educators can use geographic information system (GIS) technology to help their clients cultivate spatial thinking skills and solve problems. Researchers can use it to model relationships and better answer questions. A program at Prairie View A&M University involves the use of virtual, field, and story map activities associated with Web GIS (online mapping) to expose participants to plant species identification and engage them in spatial thinking. We describe that program and demonstrate the utility of Web GIS as a tool for integrating experiential learning in agro-environmental sciences.

Renewable energy harvesting through solar photovoltaic with solar smart dome at rural area can help local farmers drying agricultural product such as coffee, spices, and dried fruit. To have a more viable and economical battery for the energy storage system, an accurate prediction battery State of Charge (SOC) is important to help control the battery charging and discharging, to extend the battery lifespan. This study explore correlation between SOC prediction with battery observable parameter such as voltage, current and temperature. Using Transformer Neural Network with comparison of Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), prediction model constructed utilizing two different datasets of laboratory lithium battery LiFePO4 and actual lead acid battery OPzS to measure model accuracy and its training time with extreme condition. Result show that voltage having strong positive correlation with SOC prediction for both battery type, while temperature having strong p...

Abstrak. Kualitas sumber daya manusia berhubungan dengan minat membaca. Kondisi minat baca masyarakat Indonesia saat ini masih rendah. Pemerintah telah berupaya mengembangkan minat baca salah satunya dengan pengembangan perpustakaan. Adanya infrastuktur yang memadai namun masyarakat masih sangat minim memanfaatkannya sehinga perlu pengoptimalan pelaksanaan fungsi sarana salah satunya perpustakaan di Sekolah Dasar. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan tentang pelaksanaan fungsi perpustakaan SD Negeri Rahayu. Adapun pengambilan data dilaksanakan pada bulan September 2017. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan meliputi wawancara terhadap sumber yaitu petugas perpustakaan, guru serta siswa dan melakukan observasi terhadap pemanfaatan perpustakaan. Analisis data dalam penelitian dengan pendektan deskriptif kualitatif yang meliputi; pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Pelaksanaan fungsi perpustakaan di SD Negeri Rahayu yang meliputi fungsi edukat...

This study discusses about the ability to understand questions of writing scientific based on higher order thingking skill (HOTS) in SMAN 3 Medan. This type of research uses research and development in the field of education known as Research and Development (R & D). The location of this research is at SMAN 3 Medan. The research is conducted in the 2018/2019 Learning Year. The subjects in this study are 30 students  of Class X of SMAN 3 Medan. The result shows that the ability to understand the assessment instrument questions of writing scientific work based on higher order thinking, students get an average value of 71 with sufficient categories.