bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RANCANG BANGUN “TELEGRAM BOT API” UNTUK LAYANAN SISTEM INFORMASI AKADEMIK DI UNWAHA MENGGUNAKAN METODE LONG POLLING
Authors: Maulayya Fika Ridaul , Arifin Muhyiddin Zainul , Hariono Tholib
Published: September 2019

Today, the information system needs are not limited to the importance of the information, but the ease and speed of getting the information is a priority that must be fulfilled. This makes many instant messaging applications appear. One of them is a telegram that has features the BOT telegram API, which is a special protocol for connecting information from a system to a user through Instant Messaging.

In this research, the researcher used BOT features of the instant messaging application for Academic Information system at KH. A Wahab Hasbullah University includes data KHS, KRS, information dissemination, transcripts of the score, lecture schedules and others. This research used the Long Polling method. This method is used because it can be implemented on a local PC server that is owned by KH. A Wahab Hasbullah University. This telegram BOT has a better speed compared to conventional web versions, this speed testing is done in two steps. First,  Use of a BOT of this Telegram has better speeds compared to conventional web version, this speed test is carried out by two steps, 1) the result of BOT telegram using 512 kb Bandwidth with average is 2.98 seconds, conventional web is 5.39 seconds; 2) the result of BOT Telegram using 1 MB bandwidth with average is 2.44  seconds, conventional web is 3.15  seconds.
DETEKSI PENJUAL KELILING ONLINE TERDEKAT MENGGUNAKAN ANDROID DAN GIS
Authors: Udin M Fikri Rofi' , Arifin Muhyiddin Zainul , Widjaya Moh. Anshori Aris
Published: September 2019

Permasalahan yang ada saat ini adalah ketika seseorang ingin mencari informasi tentang penjual makanan dan tidak ingin mengandalkan fitur GO-FOOD yang ada dalam aplikasi GO-JEK atau sejenisnya (makanan bermerk tertentu seperti KFC dan lain-lain). Dan lebih menyukai makanan penjual keliling, sedangkan kita tidak tahu apakah penjual keliling tersebut sudah dekat atau tidak, bahkan kita juga tidak tahu apakah penjual tersebut melewati jalan di depan rumah (sekitar kita) dan belum dapat dipastikan kedatangannya.

Oleh karena itu kita akan membuat sebuah aplikasi yang dapat memberikan informasi penjual keliling di sekitar area kita dengan radius pencarian sejauh 500 meter beserta lokasi penjual keliling tersebut berdasarkan GPS dalam bentuk peta digital dan aplikasi ini hanya untuk pedagang keliling yang mempunyai smartphone android saja.

 

Kata Kunci : Sistem Informasi Geografis, Android, Deteksi Lokasi, GPS.
MEMBANDINGKAN IRT MODEL 3PL DENGAN IRT MODEL 4PL UNTUK PENILAIAN MENGGUNAKAN COMPUTERIZED ADAPTIVE TEST
Authors: Fatkhudin Aslam , Hidayatullah M. Fikri
Published: September 2019

One of the computer-based testing is the Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT), which is a computer-based testing system where the items were given to the participants adapted to test the ability of the participants. Assessment methods are usually applied in CAT is Item Response Theory (IRT). IRT models are most commonly used today is the model 3 Parameter Logistic (3PL), which is about the discrimination, difficulty and guessing. However 3PL IRT models have not provided information more objectively test the ability of participants. The opinion of the test participants were tested items were also to be considered. In this study using CAT in combination with IRT model of 4PL.In this research, the development of CAT which uses about 4 parameters, namely the discrimination, difficulty, guessing and questionnaires. The questions used were about UAS 1 English subjects. Samples were taken from 40 students answer with the best value of the total 172 students spread across 6 classes to measure the parameter estimation problem. Further testing using CAT application 4PL IRT models compared to CAT 3PL IRT models.From research done shows that the CAT application combined with IRT models 4PL can measure the ability of the test taker shorter or faster and also opportunities participants correctly answered the test items was done tend to be better than the 3PL IRT models.Â Keywords : Ability, CAT, IRT, 3PL, 4PL, Probability, TestÂ
Model Mobile Computing Untuk Meningkatkan Layanan e-Government di Tingkat Desa
Authors: Widya Moh. Anshori Aris , Sensuse Dana Indra
Published: September 2019

Di era digital seperti masa sekarang seluruh layanan berbasis elektronik tanpa terkecuali layanan pemerintah yang disebut e-government. E-government telah merambah diberbagai instansi pemerintahan akan tetapi masih sedikit yang direalisasikan ditingkat desa. Banyak faktor yang mempengaruhinya. Salah satunya adalah layanan administrasi didesa yang masih bersifat konvensional. Pemohon layanan datang ke balai desa untuk mendapatkan layanan administrasi. Jika kepala desa tidak ada ditempat, maka pemohon akan datang kembali di lain waktu sehingga memberikan ketidakpastian kepada pemohon. Hal tersebut juga dirasa akan mengurangi efektifitas waktu dari sisi pemohon. Solusi tepat yang dapat diberikan adalah menerapkan layanan e-government berbasis mobile computing. Dengan konsep layanan tersebut, pemohon tidak perlu datang ke balai desa saat pengajuan layanan akan tetapi cukup menggunakan aplikasi berbasis mobile. Untuk merealisasikan hal tersebut, maka dirancanglah sebuah model mobile computing yang berbasis SOA (Service Oriented Architecture). SOA sesuai jika diterapkan, dikarenakan SOA dapat mendukung berbagai layanan e-government lainnya di masa mendatang. Hasil yang didapatkan dari penelitian berupa sebuah model layanan berbasis SOA dengan service-service yang didapatkan dari layanan administrasi didesa. Selain itu hasil model rancangan berbasis SOA tersebut dapat direalisasi menggunakan arsitektur REST Web Service pada server online.
Evaluating a Programme for Intercultural Competence in Psychotherapist Training: A Pilot Study
Authors: von Lersner Ulrike , Baschin Kirsten , Hauptmann Nora
Published: September 2019

Great cultural diversity among clients poses considerable challenges to mental health service providers. Therefore, staff in the mental health sector needs to be adequately trained. To date, however, there is little empirical evidence regarding such training. The present pilot study evaluates the effect of a standardised training programme to improve the intercultural competence of therapists.

Intercultural competence and therapeutic relationship were measured three times (pre, post and follow-up) in N = 29 psychotherapists. A control group of N = 48 therapists was included at pre-test to control for covariables.

The data show a significant increase in intercultural competence as well as an improvement in the therapeutic relationship. Interestingly, this positive outcome extends to non-immigrant clients.

The results confirm the assumption that culture is not limited to ethnic or national background but includes other dimensions such as age, gender and socioeconomic status which shape illness beliefs and expectations in the psychotherapeutic context. Therefore, intercultural competence can be considered a general therapeutic skill that can be taught in short interventions like the one developed in this study.

Mental health services and practitioners need to be able to respond appropriately to increasing cultural diversity.

Intercultural competence in psychotherapy can be enhanced by special training programmes.

These training programmes should focus on three components: intercultural knowledge, cultural awareness and culture-specific therapeutic skills.

Mental health services and practitioners need to be able to respond appropriately to increasing cultural diversity.

Intercultural competence in psychotherapy can be enhanced by special training programmes.

These training programmes should focus on three components: intercultural knowledge, cultural awareness and culture-specific therapeutic skills.
Market Potential Exploration of Tourism Sector and Local Tourists’ Perception
Authors: Wahyudin Nanang , Pratama Sandy , Faisal Akbar Muhammad
Published: September 2019

This research discussed domestic tourists' perception of tourism destination in Pangkalpinang, Indonesia. It has been formed a perception index using PCA with determined indicators such as accessibility, supporting facilities, the prices of snacks and security. The result indicates that most of the visitors have good perceptions of tourism destinations in Pangkalpinang. Nevertheless, there is an aspect that should be evaluated; it is about the availability of toilets at those tourist destinations. There is 53 percent of domestic tourists tell that there is no access to public toilet. Therefore, this research describes stakeholder to understand the existing condition and make an improvement in the future.
Effect of Liquidity and Dividend Pay-out on Financial Performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya
Authors: Shibutse Robert Lukhanda , Kalunda Elizabeth , Achoki George
Published: September 2019

Capital structure is one of the fundamental aspects to the success of Deposit Taking Savings (DPS) and Credit Cooperative Societies (CCS) as it influences the realization of its objectives and goals. The study intended to determine the effect of two capital structure determinants; liquidity and dividend payout, on financial performance as measured by Return on Assets of DPS and CCS, in Kenya. The study was grounded on the Pecking order and  Free cash flow capital structure theories. The study utilized a mixed research design using primary and secondary data for the period 2013 to 2017. The population of the study was 174 DPS and CCS. Stratified and purposive sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics and a regression model were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that liquidity and dividend pay-out had a significant and positive effect on the financial performance of DPS and CCS in Kenya. The study concluded that liquidity and dividend pay-out play a significant role in the financial performance of DPS and CCS. The study recommends having in place an Assets and Liabilities  Committee in each DPS and CCS that would help manage the assets and liabilities of the institution, ensuring adequate liquidity and cash flow management. Having in place a robust dividend policy that addresses; the basis of the rate of payments and activities that would require funding of which internally generated funds by way of dividend retention, is also critical.
Information Technology Integration Effect on Operational Performance of Kenya’s Public Health Sector
Authors: Mbugua Anne W , Namada Juliana
Published: September 2019

The purpose of the research is to examine the effect of information technology integration on the operational performance of the of Kenya’s public health sector level five hospitals in Kenya. The study examined the moderating role of public procurement to the relationship between information technology integration and operational performance. To test the extent of information technology integration and relationship with the operational performance of level five hospitals in Kenya was empirically tested utilizing a causal, non-experimental, and cross-sectional research design. Regression analysis was carried out based on data from 164 respondents. In general, the study results support the idea that information technology integration has a significant effect on operational performance (β1=0.411, p <0.05) with R2 of 0.449 implying that 44.9% of the variation of operational performance is attributed to information technology integration. Information technology integration is vital in coordinating the SCI dimensions leading to the improved operational performance of the health facilities. It finds that public procurement mediates the relationship between information technology integration and operational performance of the health sector as it is an enabler of improved working relationships with the suppliers.
ПІДПРИЄМСТВА ПО ЗБЕРІГАННЮ ЗЕРНА: РИЗИК ВИНИКНЕННЯ ПОЖЕЖ
Authors: Nemenushcha S , Fesenko O , Lysiuk V
Published: September 2019

В роботі проведено аналіз пожежної та вибухопожежної безпеки на зернових елеваторах в Україні за останні 11 років. Встановлено, що на зернових елеваторах починаючи з 2014 року щорічно спостерігається збільшення кількості випадків виникнення пожеж. Якщо у 2014 та 2016 роках зафіксовано відповідно по 3 пожежі, то у 2018 році зафіксовано вже 15. Тільки за 2 місяці 2019 року про такі надзвичайні ситуації на елеваторах повідомлялося 4 рази. Ідентифіковано місця локалізації ризику виникнення пожеж та вибухів на підприємствах. Локалізація пожеж відбувалася у 56,8% випадках в зернових сушарках. На другому місці фігурують пожежі у складах – 18,2%. Однакову кількість пожеж, по 4,5% від частоти виникнення, зафіксовано у норіях, на транспортних галереях та на трансформаторних підстанціях. Інколи, з імовірністю до 2,4% за кожним з випадків, загоряння були в результаті удару блискавки та чинників «людського фактору» (порушення технологічного регламенту, правил проведення вогневих робіт, підпалу). Проведена оцінка ризику виникнення пожеж на зернових елеваторах статистичним методом. Встановлено, що імовірність пожеж за останні 11 років становила R=18,9×10-4 на зерносушарках, а у складах - R=6,05×10-4. Ризик виникнення пожеж у норіях, на транспортних галереях та на трансформаторних підстанціях оцінювався відповідно R=1,5×10-4. Якщо причинами виникнення пожеж був «людський фактор», а саме порушення технологічного регламенту, правил проведення вогневих робіт та у результаті підпалу, то кожного разу ризик становив R= 7,5×10-5. З метою забезпечення пожежної та вибухопожежної безпеки на елеваторах пропонується: проводити заміну, реконструкцію або переоснащення технологічного обладнання, машин, механізмів тощо; перевіряти наявність розроблених технічних проектів, технологічних регламентів, іншої технічної документації для робіт підвищеної небезпеки, справності обладнання, інструменту, захисних пристроїв небезпечних зон машин і механізмів, пускових, запобіжних, гальмових і очисних пристроїв, систем блокування та сигналізації, вентиляції та освітлення, знаків безпеки, первинних засобів пожежогасіння, проведення на підприємствах паспортизації будівель, споруд, інженерних мереж; тощо.
Kerukunan dalam Komunikasi Antar Kelompok Agama Islam dan Hindu di Lombok
Authors: Sari Wulan Purnama , Paramita Sinta , Azeharie Suzy
Published: September 2019

It is not easy to reach a harmonious society in a multicultural country, the absence of good communication between stakeholders and groups that are related can create conflict. One of the key variables in fostering and realizing harmony is tolerance. The Lombok region which is the majority inhabited by Muslim communities can live in harmony and side by side with Hindu community. Based on the data obtained, Lombok is the city with the highest level of tolerance. This study examines how harmony can be created there and how the role of communication in creating harmony and communication between the two groups of different religions. This research was conducted with qualitative methods with a case study approach. Research data was obtained from interviews and observations. The results show that Hindu groups in Lombok live in the Lingsar region and in the area get along well because there are several factors, namely time, intermarriage, religion, and interaction. Communication also has a role in creating harmony because the basic condition of interaction is the existence of communication.Keywords : coordinated management of meaning
The Role of Telemedicine in Infectious Diseases
Authors: Badowski Melissa
Published: September 2019

The use of telemedicine has been described for various medical conditions. Telemedicine can improve access to care, reduce geographic barriers, and optimise healthcare for patients. The role of telemedicine has been described in antimicrobial stewardship programmes for the management of both acute and chronic infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. The goal of this review is to provide data on the implementation of synchronous telemedicine programmes to provide infectious disease management.
Music and Neo-Victorian Gothic Tropes: The Glass Armonica inA Slight Trick of the Mindby Mitch Cullin
Authors: Battaglia Francesca
Published: September 2019

This contribution analyses the role of music in A Slight Trick of the Mind (2005) by Mitch Cullin, highlighting the way in which the novel contradicts itself in its effort to reject Holmesian stereotypes. Indeed, although the common beliefs inspired by John Watson's authorship are disavowed in order to provide a more realistic portrait of the man behind the legend, the Victorian past keeps haunting Holmes through an old case concerning a glass armonica. Since a parallel can be drawn between the instrument and Holmes's iconic violin, it is argued that the sub-narrative ends up functioning as a neo-Victorian mise en abyme, where those gothic elements potentially related to Holmes's musicianship in the original texts appear to be projected onto the glass armonica and female characters, drawing attention to the gendered codes of music's discourse in neo-Victorian narratives. Indeed, while the violin may serve in the canon as a male signifier, albeit a controversial one, the glass armonica carries feminine connotations that shed new light on the many possible re-presentations of Sherlock Holmes's favourite instrument.
Revisiting the Religious Violence Thesis: Minorities in the Middle East
Authors: Tezcur Gunes Murat
Published: September 2019

Why do ordinary individuals participate in political campaigns involving mass looting, killings, and enslavement against members of another religious group? This paper argues that religious justifications of violence have a stronger appeal when they target liminal minorities whose beliefs and norms remain illegible in the eyes of a majority religion. It then formulates a series of alternative hypotheses about the role of greed, threat, resentment, and guilt in the motives of perpetrators and uses the self-styled Islamic State (IS) campaign against Yezidis in 2014 as a case study to test these hypotheses . Empirical evidence comes from extensive fieldwork including dozens of in-depth interviews with Yezidi survivors and others in Iraqi Kurdistan. The analysis reveals that religious beliefs were necessary both for making extreme levels of violence permissible and for mobilizing local population to participate in the atrocities.
Affecting the World: Political Science Education and Relevance
Authors: Stein Matthew
Published: September 2019

Since APSA’s establishment, American political scientists have sought to bridge the gap between scholarly research and political action. Frank Goodnow, the first president of APSA argued in 1904 that the study of politics should speak to the political world. Over 100 years later, former APSA president Jennifer Hochschild echoes Goodnow by arguing that increased relevance is one cause for optimism in politically pessimistic times. One approach to becoming relevant which is often overlooked is a turn to focusing on classroom education. Although the desire to become more relevant is noble, success will require that we view teaching as a gateway to, rather than an obstacle to becoming relevant. Undergraduates who major in political science work in the very fields we wish to discuss and impact including government, law, and non-profit organizations. Therefore, if we wish to be a relevant field, political science academics ought to primarily focus on student education.
Measuring the Quality of God's Servants According to Acts 6: 3 At the Surabaya City Tabernacle Pentecostal Church
Authors: Prasetyo Widi s , Juanda Juanda , Permana Surja , Wibowo Daniel Ari
Published: September 2019

Research on the Implementation of the Qualifications of God's Servants According to Acts 6: 3 In the Pentecostal Church of Surabaya City Secretariat, wanted to find out the whereabouts of God's servants in the study according to Acts 6: 3, especially in the scope of the Pentecostal Church Surabaya City Tabernacle. Specifically chapter 6: 3, explains the essence of the solution to the problem, namely the selection of 7 servants of God. Obviously Dr. Luke reveals the criteria of God's servant who can be the solution to the problems that occur. At present, most Churches of God are more concerned with the physical buildings, facilities and infrastructure of the Church rather than thinking about how to get God's servants who can answer the needs of the congregation and the challenges of the times. What is even more concerning is that many of the Churches of God are procuring servants of God who only look at the side that can increase the image and popularity of the Church. So often the Church is.
Interspecific Variations in the Growth, Water Relations and Photosynthetic Responses of Switchgrass Genotypes to Salinity Targets Salt Exclusion for Maximising Bioenergy Production
Authors: Cordero Ángel , Garmendia Idoia , Osborne Bruce A.
Published: September 2019

The expansion in the cultivation of bioenergy crops to saline lands is of importance for ensuring food security as long as high productivity is maintained. The potential of switchgrass to grow under saline conditions was examined in three genotypes from a early seedling growth to full maturity at 50, 100, 200 and 300 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl). The carbon assimilation rates were generally lower and correlated to stomatal closure in plants exposed to salinity in all the tested genotypes. Based on the results of ion concentrations in different parts of the plant, switchgrass genotypes differed in their responses to NaCl. The Alamo genotype excluded salt from the roots, whereas Trailblazer and Kanlow accumulated it in the root, stem and leaf tissues. The increased leaf salt concentration was accompanied by a higher proline concentration in the 200 and 300 mM NaCl treatments toward the end of the experiment. Overall, Alamo showed the highest yields at all salinity levels, indicating that excluding salt from the roots may result in a better performance in terms of biomass production. The accumulation of salt observed in Kanlow and Trailblazer resulted in lower yields, even when other mechanisms, such as the production of salt glands, were observed, especially in Kanlow. These results suggest that the Alamo genotype has the ability to maintain high yields under saline conditions and that this characteristic could be further exploited for maximizing bioenergy production under saline conditions.
Characterization of Feeding, Sport Management, and Routine Care of the Chilean Corralero Horse during Rodeo Season
Authors: Bull Joaquín , Bas Fernando , Silva-Guzmán Macarena , Wentzel Hope Helen , Keim Juan Pablo , Gandarillas Mónica
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to characterize the routine care, training, feeding, and nutritional management of Chilean corralero horses that participated in the rodeos of the Chilean Rodeo Federation. Forty-nine horse farms between the Metropolitan (33°26′16″ south (S) 70°39′01″ west (W)) and Los Lagos Regions (41°28′18″ S 72°56′12″ W), were visited and a survey was conducted on the management and feeding of the Chilean horse. Of the horses which participated in at least one official rodeo in the 2014–2015 season, 275 horses were included in the study. The survey consisted of five questions about general data on the property and the respondent, four questions on the animal characteristics, five questions about where the horses were kept during the day, seven questions to characterize the amount of exercise done by the horse, and 18 questions about feeding practices; additionally, the amount of feed offered was weighed. All horses in this study were in training and kept in their stall for at least 12 h and remained tied or loose for the rest of the day. The intensity of daily exercise of the rodeo Chilean horse could be classified as moderate to heavy and consisted of being worked six days/week and participating in two rodeos/month. Ninety-eight percent of respondents had watering devices in the stables. The diet of the Chilean corralero horse during the training season is based on forages, mainly alfalfa hay, plus oats as an additional energy source. Protein supplements such as oil seed by-products are used less frequently. A wide variation was observed in the diets and quantities of feed offered, which suggests that the feeding management of these individuals is not formulated according to their requirements.
Improvement of Oxidative Status, Milk and Cheese Production, and Food Sustainability Indexes by Addition of Durum Wheat Bran to Dairy Cows’ Diet
Authors: Bonanno Adriana , Di Grigoli Antonino , Todaro Massimo , Alabiso Marco , Vitale Francesca , Di Trana Adriana , Giorgio Daniela , Settanni Luca , Gaglio Raimondo , Laddomada Barbara , Di Miceli Giuseppe
Published: September 2019

Durum wheat bran (DWB) is a by-product mostly used in feeding ruminants, contributing to decrease in the utilization of feeds suitable as foods for human consumption, thus improving the sustainability of livestock production. However, the potential benefits of DWB, due to its content in phenolic acids, mainly consisting of ferulic acid with antioxidant properties, have not been well clarified yet. Accordingly, in this experiment, 36 lactating cows divided into three groups received, over a period of 100 days, one of three concentrates including DWB at 0% (DWB0), 10% (DWB10), or 20% (DWB20). The concentrates were formulated to be isoproteic and isoenergetic and, to balance the higher fiber content of the concentrates with DWB, the hay in the diets was slightly reduced. During the trial, the group feed intake and the individual milk production were monitored, and cheese was made with bulk milk from each group. Milk yield and microbiological characteristics of milk and cheese were similar among groups, indicating no DWB effect on cows performance and fermentation process. Milk from DWB20 group resulted slightly higher in casein and curd firmness (a2r). In cows fed DWB, the higher polyphenol intake was responsible for higher blood contents of these bioactive compounds, that seemed to have contributed in reducing the level of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), which were higher in DWB0 cows. DWB20 cheeses showed a higher polyphenol content, lower number of peroxides, and higher antioxidant capacity than DWB0 cheeses. DWB20 and DWB10 diets resulted less expensive. In addition, the DWB20 group showed the best indexes heFCE (human edible feed conversion efficiency = milk/human edible feed) and NFP (net food production = milk − human edible food), expressed as crude protein or gross energy. In conclusion, the DWB fed to dairy cows at 12% of diet dry matter (DM) can lead to benefits, such as the improvement of oxidative status of cows, milk quality, shelf-life, and functional properties of cheese, and might contribute to reduce the feeding cost and limit the human-animal competition for feeding sources.
Optimization Algorithms of Neural Networks for Traditional Time-Domain Equalizer in Optical Communications
Authors: Wang Haide , Zhou Ji , Wang Yizhao , Wei Jinlong , Liu Weiping , Yu Changyuan , Li Zhaohui
Published: September 2019

Neural networks (NNs) have been successfully applied to channel equalization for optical communications. In optical fiber communications, the linear equalizer and the nonlinear equalizer with traditional structures might be more appropriate than NNs for performing real-time digital signal processing, owing to its much lower computational complexity. However, the optimization algorithms of NNs are useful in many optimization problems. In this paper, we propose and evaluate the tap estimation schemes for the equalizer with traditional structures in optical fiber communications using the optimization algorithms commonly used in the NNs. The experimental results show that adaptive moment estimation algorithm and batch gradient descent method perform well in the tap estimation of equalizer. In conclusion, the optimization algorithms of NNs are useful in the tap estimation of equalizer with traditional structures in optical communications.
Emergency Service Provision Using a Novel Hybrid SOM-Spiral STC Model for Group Decision Support under Dynamic Uncertainty
Authors: Van Pham Hai , Moore Philip
Published: September 2019

In emergency scenarios service vehicles must identify potential route(s) and use the best available route. However, route identification requires intelligent decision-support systems which generally use non-traditional approaches with tools characterised by flexible non-hierarchical structures. Conventional models using group decision-support systems have been applied; however, when used in smart urban environments, emergency response services have limitations in their ability to identify unobstructed paths (routes) in dynamic operating environments. In this paper we introduce a novel path planning method for autonomous vehicle control in emergency situations. The proposed model uses self-organizing maps in an integrated Spiral STC algorithm termed the: Hybrid SOM-Spiral STC model which uses hedge algebras and Kansei evaluation in group decision-support. The proposed model has been designed to quantify qualitative factors using sensor derived data processed with human sensibilities and preferences in emergency decision support. The experimental results show that the proposed model achieves significant improvements in group decision-support under dynamic uncertainty. We posit that our novel approach holds the prospect of improvements in the provision of emergency services.
Ground-State and Thermodynamical Properties of Uranium Mononitride from Anharmonic First-Principles Theory
Authors: Söderlind Per , Landa Alexander , Perron Aurélien , Sadigh Babak , Heo Tae Wook
Published: September 2019

We report on an advanced density-functional theory (DFT) approach for investigating the ground-state and thermodynamical properties of uranium mononitride (UN). The electronic structure for UN at zero temperature is obtained from DFT that utilizes the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the electron exchange and correlation functional and includes spin-orbit interaction and an extension with orbital polarization. Thermodynamical properties are computed within the quasi-harmonic approximation in the Debye–Grüneisen model while anharmonicity is captured in the self-consistent ab initio lattice dynamics (SCAILD) scheme. Anharmonic phonons have heretofore never been modeled from first-principles for UN but they turn out to be important. The computed free energy compares well with that of a CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) assessment of available experimental data.
Automatic Object-Detection of School Building Elements in Visual Data: A Gray-Level Histogram Statistical Feature-Based Method
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Wei Hsi-Hsien , Yum Sang Guk , Chen Jieh-Haur
Published: September 2019

Automatic object-detection technique can improve the efficiency of building data collection for semi-empirical methods to assess the seismic vulnerability of buildings at a regional scale. However, current structural element detection methods rely on color, texture and/or shape information of the object to be detected and are less flexible and reliable to detect columns or walls with unknown surface materials or deformed shapes in images. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents an innovative gray-level histogram (GLH) statistical feature-based object-detection method for automatically identifying structural elements, including columns and walls, in an image. This method starts with converting an RGB image (i.e. the image colors being a mix of red, green and blue light) into a grayscale image, followed by detecting vertical boundary lines using the Prewitt operator and the Hough transform. The detected lines divide the image into several sub-regions. Then, three GLH statistical parameters (variance, skewness, and kurtosis) of each sub-region are calculated. Finally, a column or a wall in a sub-region is recognized if these features of the sub-region satisfy the predefined criteria. This method was validated by testing the detection precision and recall for column and wall images. The results indicated the high accuracy of the proposed method in detecting structural elements with various surface treatments or deflected shapes. The proposed structural element detection method can be extended to detecting more structural characteristics and retrieving structural deficiencies from digital images in the future, promoting the automation in building data collection.
Free Vibration of a Taut Cable with Two Discrete Inertial Mass Dampers
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Yue Fangfang , Gao Hui
Published: September 2019

Recently, inertial mass dampers (IMDs) have shown superior control performance over traditional viscous dampers (VDs) in vibration control of stay cables. However, a single IMD may be incapable of providing sufficient supplemental modal damping to a super-long cable, especially for the multimode cable vibration mitigation. Inspired by the potential advantages of attaching two discrete VDs at different locations of the cable, arranging two external discrete IMDs, either at the opposite ends or the same end of the cable is proposed to further improve vibration mitigation performance of the cable in this study. Complex modal analysis based on the taut-string model was employed and extended to allow for the existence of two external discrete IMDs, resulting in a transcendental equation for complex wavenumbers. Both asymptotic and numerical solutions for the case of two opposite IMDs or the case of two IMDs at the same end of the cable were obtained. Subsequently, the applicability of asymptotic solutions was then evaluated. Finally, parametric studies were performed to investigate the effects of damper positions and damper properties on the control performance of a cable with two discrete IMDs. Results showed that two opposite IMDs can generally provide superior control performance to the cable over a single IMD or two IMDs at the same end. It was also observed that attaching two IMDs at the same end of the cable had the potential to achieve significant damping improvement when the inertial mass of the IMDs is appropriate, which seems to be more promising than two opposite IMDs for practical application.
Between the Art Canon and the Margins: Historicizing Technology-Reliant Art via Curatorial Practice
Authors: Papadaki Elena
Published: September 2019

This article explores curatorial practice that has technology-reliant works at its epicentre, arguing that for an efficient methodology to historicize the latter there needs to be a reconfiguration of the curatorial scope and a holistic approach to viewing and documenting exhibitions. Based on theoretical research and install decisions of recent years, the ways in which curatorial practice can be reconfigured within the art canon to inform art history, as well as to accommodate developments in exhibition practices are examined.
Application of Fieldbus Technology to Enable Enhanced Actuator Control of Automated Inspection for Offshore Structures
Authors: Kaur Aman , Corsar Michael , Ma Bingyin
Published: September 2019

Due to extreme environmental loadings and aging conditions, maintaining structural integrity for offshore structures is critical to their safety. Non-destructive testing of risers plays a key role in identifying defects developing within the structure, allowing repair in a timely manner to mitigate against failures which cause damage to the environment and pose a hazard to human operators. However, in order to be cost effective the inspection must be carried out in situ, and this poses significant safety risks if undertaken manually. Therefore, enabled by advancements in automation and communication technologies, efforts are being made to deploy inspection systems using robotic platforms. This paper proposes a distributed networked communication system to meet the control requirements of a precision rotary scanner for inspection of underwater structures aimed at providing a robotic inspection system for structural integrity in an offshore environment. The system is configured around local control units, a fieldbus network, and a supervisory control system accounting for the environment conditions to provide enhanced control of actuators for automated inspection of offshore structures.
Effects of Fludioxonil on the Cell Growth and Apoptosis in T and B Lymphocytes
Authors: Lee Gun-Hwi , Hwang Kyung-A , Choi Kyung-Chul
Published: September 2019

Fludioxonil is fungicide used in agriculture, which is present in fruits and vegetables. In this study, the effects of fludioxonil on human immune cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial membrane potential were examined in human immune cells, such as Jurkat T cells and Ramos B cells. To examine the cell viability, Jurkat T cells and Ramos B cells were treated with fludioxonil (10−9–10−5 M) for 24 h and 48 h. Water soluble tetrazolium salt assay showed that fludioxonil decreased Jurkat T cell and Ramos B cell viability. Jurkat T cell viability decreased at 24 and 48 h, but Ramos B cell viability decreased only at 48 h. JC-1 dye revealed decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in fludioxonil-treated Jurkat T cells and Ramos B cells. To evaluate apoptosis, annexin-V conjugated FITC, AF488, and propidium iodide (PI) were used and to evaluate cell cycle arrest PI was used. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were induced by fludioxonil (10−7–10−5 M) in the Jurkat T cells at 24 and 48 h and Ramos B cells at 48 h. Moreover, the protein levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as p53, BAX, and cleaved caspase 3, were increased and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was decreased by fludioxonil. Expression of the Fas receptor related to the extrinsic apoptosis pathway was increased by fludioxonil. Additionally, cyclin D1 and cyclin E1 were decreased by fludioxonil. In the present study, fludioxonil induced immunotoxicity in human T cells and B cells through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Therefore, the present study suggests that fludioxonil induces the cellular toxicity in immune cells.
Immunomodulatory Functions of the Human Cathelicidin LL-37 (aa 13–31)-Derived Peptides are Associated with Predicted α-Helical Propensity and Hydrophobic Index
Authors: Hemshekhar Mahadevappa , Faiyaz Sana , Choi Ka-Yee Grace , Krokhin Oleg V. , Mookherjee Neeloffer
Published: September 2019

The anti-endotoxin activity of the cationic peptide LL-37 and its derivative IG-19 is attributed to electrostatic interaction of the peptides’ positive charge with negatively charged bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and in part to the alteration of intracellular mechanisms independent of peptide binding to LPS. We examined the immunomodulatory responses induced by IG-19 and four IG-19-derived scrambled peptides (IG-19a–d), in the presence and absence of LPS, in macrophages and peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells. All peptides had identical net charge (+5) and amino acid composition, but different hydrophobicity and α-helical propensity. Peptide IG-19 suppressed LPS-induced cytokine/chemokine production by >90%, IG-19a and IG-19b suppressed it by 40–50%, and IG-19c and IG-19d did not suppress cytokine/chemokine production at all. In silico prediction algorithms and the peptide retention time (RT) on a C18 RP HPLC column indicated a linear association between α-helical propensity and hydrophobicity with the ability of the peptides to inhibit LPS-induced responses. Peptide RT exhibited a significant correlation (>70%) between the suppression of LPS-induced cytokine/chemokine production and peptide-induced production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA. These results indicate that RT on a C18 column can be used as a predictor for the immunomodulatory functions of cationic peptides. Overall, we demonstrated that the immunomodulatory functions of LL-37-derived peptides with identical positive charge and amino acid composition are directly associated with the predicted α-helical propensity and hydrophobicity of the peptides.
Noncovalent Immobilization of Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase on Dendritic-Like Amino Acid-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Fathi Zahra , Doustkhah Esmail , Ebrahimipour Golamhossein , Darvishi Farshad
Published: September 2019

Immobilization of enzymes is a promising approach for the cost-effective application of enzymes. Among others, noncovalent but unleachable approaches for immobilization are one of the most favorable and crucial approaches. Herein, silica nanoparticles are modified by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to generate amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles. Then, the amine functionalities are converted to bifunctional amino acid via post-modification that has zwitterionic properties. This nanostructure with the new functional theme is employed to immobilize Yarrowia lipolytica lipase at room temperature with no further post-modification or cross-linking. This immobilization method is further compared with the metal chelate-based immobilization approach on the same support. The biocatalytic activity of the immobilized lipase is examined under various conditions. The encapsulation of lipase through amino acid-functionalized silica nanoparticles exhibited enhanced stability for the immobilized lipase at higher temperatures and unneutral pHs.
Study Design and Protocol to Assess Fruit and Vegetable Waste at School Lunches
Authors: Marshall Allison , Bounds Gregory , Patlovich Krista , Markham Christine , Farhat Alicia , Cramer Nan , Oceguera Amanda , Croom Travis , Carrillo Jamie , Sharma Shreela
Published: September 2019

This paper has two main aims: (1) to describe the design, implementation, and testing of a protocol to assess longitudinal changes in F&V plate waste conducted as part of a quasi-experimental study, (2) to provide baseline descriptive data on school demographics and study participants. This paper describes the protocol development and implementation, and presents baseline data of a longitudinal fruit and vegetable (F&V) plate waste study. The protocol was developed to determine the preliminary impact of Brighter Bites, a 16-week school-based nutrition intervention, on F&V wasted and nutrients wasted from school lunches. We measured plate waste using a quasi-experimental design (n = 2 intervention schools receiving Brighter Bites, n=1 comparison school; n = 115 4th and 5th grade children). We measured plate waste for five days at each of four time points over the 2017–2018 academic year (baseline prior to intervention, three additional time points). Data collectors measured lunch F&V waste using digital scales and recorded weights on a data collection app. This study was conducted in three central Texas public elementary schools serving predominantly low-income families (>89% of children on free/reduced lunch program). On average, at baseline, 59.1% of all F&V were wasted and children tried <1 F&V at meals. Foods most wasted were legumes and foods least wasted were par-fried baked potatoes. Final retention rate across the four time points was 75.70%. Measurement inter-rater reliability was 100% (r = 0.99). Our study presents a protocol for detailed, individual-level, longitudinal plate waste assessment in elementary schools.
Increased Glycolysis and Higher Lactate Production in Hyperglycemic Myotubes
Authors: Lund Jenny , Ouwens D. , Wettergreen Marianne , Bakke Siril , Thoresen G. , Aas Vigdis
Published: September 2019

Previous studies have shown that chronic hyperglycemia impairs glucose and fatty acid oxidation in cultured human myotubes. To further study the hyperglycemia-induced suppression of oxidation, lactate oxidation, mitochondrial function and glycolytic rate were evaluated. Further, we examined the intracellular content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), production of lactate and conducted pathway-ANOVA analysis on microarray data. In addition, the roles of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and the hexosamine pathway were evaluated. Lactic acid oxidation was suppressed in hyperglycemic versus normoglycaemic myotubes. No changes in mitochondrial function or ROS concentration were observed. Pathway-ANOVA analysis indicated several upregulated pathways in hyperglycemic cells, including glycolysis and PPP. Functional studies showed that glycolysis and lactate production were higher in hyperglycemic than normoglycaemic cells. However, there were no indications of involvement of PPP or the hexosamine pathway. In conclusion, hyperglycemia reduced substrate oxidation while increasing glycolysis and lactate production in cultured human myotubes.
Trends and Challenges in Tumor Anti-Angiogenic Therapies
Authors: Jászai József , Schmidt Mirko
Published: September 2019

Excessive abnormal angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and is a hallmark of solid tumors. This process is driven by an imbalance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors dominated by the tissue hypoxia-triggered overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF-mediated signaling has quickly become one of the most promising anti-angiogenic therapeutic targets in oncology. Nevertheless, the clinical efficacy of this approach is severely limited in certain tumor types or shows only transient efficacy in patients. Acquired or intrinsic therapy resistance associated with anti-VEGF monotherapeutic approaches indicates the necessity of a paradigm change when targeting neoangiogenesis in solid tumors. In this context, the elaboration of the conceptual framework of “vessel normalization” might be a promising approach to increase the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapies and the survival rates of patients. Indeed, the promotion of vessel maturation instead of regressing tumors by vaso-obliteration could result in reduced tumor hypoxia and improved drug delivery. The implementation of such anti-angiogenic strategies, however, faces several pitfalls due to the potential involvement of multiple pro-angiogenic factors and modulatory effects of the innate and adaptive immune system. Thus, effective treatments bypassing relapses associated with anti-VEGF monotherapies or breaking the intrinsic therapy resistance of solid tumors might use combination therapies or agents with a multimodal mode of action. This review enumerates some of the current approaches and possible future directions of treating solid tumors by targeting neovascularization.