Optimization of detector placements in reduction of multiple counts for μSR measurements at China Spallation Neutron Source

An Experimental Muon Source (EMuS) has been proposed to conduct muon spin rotation/relaxation/resonance (μSR) measurements at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). To make better use of muons in each pulse, a highly segmented μSR spectrometer with more than 2000 detector channels is under design. Due to such high granularity of detectors, multiple counting events generated from particle scattering or spiral motion of positrons in a strong longitudinal field should be carefully considered in the design. According to the simulation, long scintillators have a good capability of angular discrimination. Detectors with cuboid geometries are better than those with frustum shapes. The cuboid detector with a length of 50 mm is longer enough to get the optimal range of discrimination angle. In a real μSR spectrometer, detectors can be placed parallelly along the beam direction or pointing to the sample. A figure of merit (FoM) has been proposed to compare such two arrangements by integrating their impacts on multiple counts and total counting loss in zero and longitudinal fields. The outstanding performance of multiple counting rejection due to the angular discrimination capability makes the pointing arrangement achieve much higher FoM. The simulation results can provide good support for the design of the highly segmented μSR spectrometer.

PACMHCI V5, ISS, November 2021 Editorial

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to this issue of the Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, the second to focus on the contributions from the research community Interactive Surfaces and Spaces (ISS). Interactive Surfaces and Spaces increasingly pervade our everyday life, appearing in various sizes, shapes, and application contexts, offering a rich variety of ways to interact. This diverse research community explores the design, development, and use of new and emerging interactive surface technologies and interactive spaces. The call for articles for this issue on ISS attracted 77 submissions, from all over the world. This issue has 23 papers, 4 submitted in February 2021 and 19 submitted in July 2021. After the winter round, 4 (total of 19 articles, 21.1%) articles were accepted and 5 (26.3%) articles required major revisions. After the summer round, 19 (total of 58 articles, 32.8%) articles were accepted, and 18 (31,0%) articles required major revisions. The editorial committee worked hard over the two iterations of the review process, winter and summer rounds, to arrive at final decisions. In total, counting both the winter and the summer rounds, 23 articles (total of 77 articles, 29.9%) were accepted. All authors of the accepted articles are invited to present at the ISS conference from November 14--17, 2021. This issue exists because of the dedicated volunteer effort of 31 senior editors who served as Associate Chairs (ACs), 105 expert reviewers in the winter round, and 206 expert reviewers in the summer round to ensure high quality and insightful reviews for all articles. Reviewers and committee members were kept constant for papers that submitted to both rounds. The Editorial Board is presented here: https://iss.acm.org/2021/organization/editorial_board

Bioburden proliferation in vehicle air filters waste: the use of gamma radiation on fungal decontamination

This study aimed to analyze the fungal contamination of air-conditioning filters waste (n=20) as an indicator of Quality Air Indoor from different car models, that were collected from 10 exchange stations located in the South, North, West, Downtown and East, of the city of São Paulo in São Paulo State, Brazil, during the period from October 2017 to November 2018. Sampling of filter particles (33 fragments of 10 × 10-mm size) were plated onto solidified Potato Dextrose agar in Petri dishes. The samples were incubated for 7 days at 25 °C and were stored in a standard Biochemical Oxygen Demand incubator, for growth of fungal cultures. After incubation, the fungal culture in the plates was evaluated, and the total counting of infected fragments was expressed as a percentage. The fungi were examined by Lactophenol blue solution staining for microscopy. All samples were contaminated with various fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. The study also aimed to evaluate the fungal enumeration in the samples that were irradiated with dose of 10 kGy to fungal decontamination of air-conditioning filters waste. Of total samples, 50% were completed decontaminated, but some genera such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium and yeasts demonstrated radioresistance at the dose of 10 kGy. The only yeast called Rhodotorula showed an increase in growth after the irradiation process.

Efek antibakteri ekstrak larva Chrysomya megacephala terhadap Enterococcus faecalis sebagai alternatif bahan irigasi saluran akarAntibacterial effect of Chrysomya megacephala larva extract on Enterococcus faecalis as a root canal irrigant alternative

Pendahuluan: Desinfeksi saluran akar dilakukan dengan mengaplikasikan bahan irigasi saluran akar pada perawatan endodontik. Selama ini, natrium hipoklorit (NaOCl) menjadi protokol bahan irigasi saluran akar karena bersifat antimikroba. Penggunaan NaOCl memiliki kekurangan karena kurang adekuat dalam mengeliminasi bakteri persisten dalam saluran akar gigi, seperti Enterococcus faecalis. Upaya pengeliminasian E. faecalis yang dapat dilakukan yakni dengan mengkombinasikan NaOCl dengan bahan irigasi lain atau menggunakan bahan alternatif lain. Salah satu bahan alam yang memiliki efek antibakteri adalah ektrak larva dari lalat hijau (Chrysomya megacephala). Produk eksretori dan sekretori larva instar ke-3 C. megacephala mengandung protease serin yang memiliki efek antibakteri. Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis efek antibakteri ekstrak larva C. megacephala dalam menghambat pertumbuhan E. faecalis. Metode: Jenis penelitian eksperimental laboratorium. Ekstrak larva C. megacephala dibuat dengan konsentrasi 0-100%. Efek antibakteri diketahui dengan pengukuran nilai Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) dan Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Nilai MIC diukur dengan metode pengenceran microbroth dalam cawan microtiter 96-well. Nilai MBC diukur dari hasil pengukuran MIC yang di-plating pada media kultur Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) dengan metode total counting. Hasil: Nilai MIC diperoleh pada ekstrak larva 50% (0,5x106mg/L) (p>0,05) sedangkan nilai MBC tidak ditemukan. Simpulan: Ekstrak larva C. Megacephala tidak memiliki efek yang dapat menghambat pertumbuhan Enterococcus faecalis.Kata kunci: Antibakteri, natrium hipoklorit, Chrysomya megacephala, Enterococcus faecalis. ABSTRACTIntroduction: In endodontic treatment, the root canal is disinfected by applying root canal irrigant. Commonly, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is used as the protocol of the root canal irrigant due to its antimicrobial effects. The usage of NaOCl has limitation because it is inadequate in eliminating persistent bacteria in the root canal, such as Enterococcus faecalis. The effort to eliminate E. faecalis is by combining NaOCl with other irrigant or using an alternative material. One of the natural products with antibacterial effects is the larva extract of greenfly (Chrysomya megacephala). The excretory and secretory products of the third instar of the larva contain serine protease that has been known for the antibacterial effects. The purpose of this study was to analyse the antibacterial effect of Chrysomya megacephala larva extract in inhibiting the E. faecalis bacteria. Methods: Experimental laboratory research was conducted towards an extract of C. megacephala larva, which was prepared with a concentration of 0-100%. The antibacterial effect was determined by measuring the value of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The MIC values were measured by the micro broth dilution method in a 96-well microtiter dish. The MBC value was measured from the results of the MIC measurement plated on the Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) culture media using the total counting method. Results: The MIC values obtained in 50% larva extract was 0.5x106mg / L (p > 0.05) while the MBC value was not found. Conclusion: Chrysomya megacephala larva extract does not have the effect in inhibiting the Enterococcus faecalis.Keywords: Antibacterial, sodium hypochlorite, Chrysomya megacephala, Enterococcus faecalis.

Trees Mensuration in Forestry and Wildlife Nursery Plantation University of Maiduguri Campus, Borno State, Nigeria

A study was conducted at the premises of Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Nursery Plantation University of Maiduguri situated in Sahel Savannah ecological zone of Nigeria. The area is hot and dry for a greater part of the year. The vegetation is typically Sahel Savannah consisting of mainly grasses with few drought resistance trees, total counting was used in other to obtain appropriately result of the measurements. The research was aimed at determine the optimum level growth of trees, assessment of different parameters and volume of trees and ascertain used to reduced environmental desertification. The species of trees assessed were Neem, Khaya and Gmelina, the measurement taken were DBH, Basal Area, Total height, Merchantable height, Bole height, Crown depth having mean values of 21.42 m, 404.73 m2, 9.24 m, 1.71 m, 1.74 m and 7.5 m for Neem, khaya: 6.69 m, 35.27 m2, 4.53 m, 1.91 m, 2.69 m and 2.87 m. Gmelina: 27.58 m, 599.61 m2, 10.93 m, 1.69 m, 2.40 m and 8.58 m respectively and volumes for Neem, Khaya and Gmelina were 34.20 m3, 19.87 m3 and 30.03 m3 respectively. From the result obtained, it was observed that Azadiracta grow higher and has larger volume than other species, followed by Gmelina and Khaya in terms of volumes. In terms of mean DBH, Basal Area, Total height, Merchantable height, Bole height and crown dept obtained on the tree species Gmelina has the highest in terms of the determination of the measured followed by Neem and Khaya obtained from the results. There is need for World Bank to partner Nigerian Government and with forestry and wildlife department for the inventory of specific trees within the sub-region and also highlight the public to grow specific tree to reduce desertification within the savannah region of the Nigerian. This indicates that Azadiracta indica (Neem) species grow very well in region for afforestation also Khaya and Gmelina are used as anti-desertification control properties and as a good Carbon-dioxide Sink.

CHITOSAN AS ANTIFUNGAL IN CHANNA STRIATA COLLAGENCHITOSAN FOR WOUND HEALING

The Snakehead fish contains high protein that was mostly used as a treatment during healing process in either invasive or passive surgery. Therefore, it could be developed as well as a mixture of wounds dressing for skin healing. The aim of this study was to know the effect of combination of concentrations between chitosan and collagen of Snakehead fish (Channa striata) skin and scales on fungal total number recovered from the composite. Snakehead fish skin and scales was treated by soaking in 2% HCl solvent for 48 hours to obtain collagen from its filtrate. Filtrate obtained continued to neutralize with 1 M NaOH until soluble collagen appeared. Collagen obtained in this study then mixed with 2% chitosan liquid to make wound dressing in various concentrations group. Combination of colagen mixture in this study were chitosan liquid only as control, 25% collagen-75% chitosan (C1), 50% collagen-50% chitosan (C2) and 75% collagen-25% chitosan (C3). The study results showed that on Control, C1 and C2 group there was no fungal contamination, but on C3 group there was contamination of fungal with total counting about 2,43 x 103 CFU. Based on statistically test showed that there was discrepancy for each group with p-value was 0,02 (p<0,05).

Methods for quantifying eggs and oviposition rate of Dawestrema cycloancistrium (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae), monogenean parasite of Arapaima gigas (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae)

Dawestrema cycloancistrium is the main ectoparasite causing mortality in fingerlings of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) in Amazonian aquaculture. Very little is known about the D. cycloancistrium reproductive index and appropriate methods of collecting eggs for investigation. This study aimed to determine the oviposition rate of D. cycloancistrium. To achieve this aim, two egg quantification methods were tested: the estimative method (ME) and the total counting method (MT). Compared with the MT, the ME overestimated the number of eggs counted, which were 2943.5 ± 2840.6 and 1041.5 ± 533 eggs, and the oviposition rate, which was 80.1 ± 58.7 and 31.4 ± 16.4 eggs/parasite/day, for ME and MT, respectively. These results show that for studies quantifying D. cycloancistrium eggs, the total eggs in the sample must be counted, as the estimates made using subsamples are not representative. Using the MT, the oviposition rate for D. cycloancistrium was determined to be 31.4 ± 16.4 eggs per adult parasite per day. The present study demonstrates the egg production capacity of a monogenean species parasite of A. gigas, providing basic biological data for D. cycloancistrium.

ADDITIVES TO CONTROL THE QUALITY OF COFFEE HUSK POULTRY LITTER

The poultry litter keeps the birds comfortable and absorbs the humidity generated in the environment, reducing the feet injuries. Then, its quality is essential. The objective for carrying out the present study was to evaluate the quality of the coffee husk poultry litter, treated with chemical additives, based on its humidity, N-ammonia, pH and bacteria total counting. The experiment was carried out in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in a coffee producer region. It were used three facilities, in which it were placed circular boxes, each of them divided in seven parts, 2 m2 each one, where it were put the different types of poultry litter, being these the seven treatments: sawdust and coffee husks litter, being this last, new and untreated or treated with different additives and reused. Twenty-two chicks were distributed in each treatment (154 birds per facility, 11 birds m-2). Litter samples were collected at 7, 21 and 42 days of birds age. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, subdivided plots. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The hydrated lime increased the pH in the initial phase (7 days) and decreased the moisture of the reused litter, compared to the new one. The gypsum reduced the pH of the litter at the end of the second phase. The N-ammonia content of the reused litter, without treatment, was superior compared to the new one, untreated and treated with lime. There was no effect on the standard counting of bacteria and on the surface temperature of the litter. Then, the use of chemical additives in the poultry litter constitutes a good strategy to control its quality, as well as the environmental conditions to produce poultry meat.

Study on the protective effect of an innovative cow milk-based product against some human skin-bacterial pathogens

There is a growing interest related to the possible use of some components of cow milk that behave as immunomodulators, exert biological activity, and have anti-inflammatory factors. The aims of the study were: i) to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Podolian cow milk; ii) to test the efficacy of some hand soaps supplemented with different percentage of cow milk compared to placebo; iii) to evaluate the antibacterial activity of milk added to soap. Antioxidant activity of Podolian milk resulted in mean 97.03% and 52.09% utilizing 2,2’-azinobis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-acid and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl methods, respectively. The efficacy test showed that the most effective soap was obtained adding 5% of Podolian milk. For this soap, total counting bacterial test evidenced the highest reduction of bacterial hand contamination assessed by 98%.