bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractional Domination Game
Authors: Bujtas Csilla , Tuza Zsolt
Published: January 2020

Given a graph $G$, a real-valued function $f: V(G) \rightarrow [0,1]$ is a fractional dominating function if $\sum_{u \in N[v]} f(u) \ge 1$ holds for every vertex $v$ and its closed neighborhood $N[v]$ in $G$. The aim is to minimize the sum $\sum_{v \in V(G)} f(v)$.

A different approach to graph domination is the domination game, introduced by Brešar et al. [SIAM J. Discrete Math. 24 (2010) 979–991]. It is played on a graph $G$ by two players, namely Dominator and Staller, who take turns choosing a vertex such that at least one previously undominated vertex becomes dominated. The game is over when all vertices are dominated. Dominator wants to finish the game as soon as possible, while Staller wants to delay the end. Assuming that both players play optimally and Dominator starts, the length of the game on $G$ is uniquely determined and is called the game domination number of $G$.

We introduce and study the fractional version of the domination game, where the moves are ruled by the condition of fractional domination. Here we prove a fundamental property of this new game, namely the fractional version of the so-called Continuation Principle. Moreover, we present lower and upper bounds on the fractional game domination number of paths and cycles. These estimates are tight apart from a small additive constant. We also prove that the game domination number cannot be bounded above by any linear function of the fractional game domination number.
Voting Rules that are Unbiased but not Transitive-Symmetric
Authors: Bhatnagar Aadyot
Published: January 2020

We explore the relation between two natural symmetry properties of voting rules. The first is transitive-symmetry – the property of invariance to a transitive permutation group – while the second is the "unbiased" property of every voter having the same influence for all i.i.d. probability measures. We show that these properties are distinct by two constructions – one probabilistic, one explicit – of rules that are unbiased but not transitive-symmetric.
Graphs with Many Copies of a Given Subgraph
Authors: Nikiforov Vladimir
Published: January 2020

Let $c>0$, and $H$ be a fixed graph of order $r$. Every graph on $n$ vertices containing at least $cn^{r}$ copies of $H$ contains a "blow-up" of $H$ with $r-1$ vertex classes of size $\big\lfloor c^{r^{2}}\ln n\big\rfloor $ and one vertex class of size greater than $n^{1-c^{r-1}}$. A similar result holds for induced copies of $H$.
Choice Functions in the Intersection of Matroids
Authors: Briggs Joseph , Kim Minki
Published: January 2020

We prove a common generalization of two results, one on rainbow fractional matchings and one on rainbow sets in the intersection of two matroids: Given $d=r\lceil k\rceil -r+1$ functions of size (=sum of values) $k$ that are all independent in each of $r$ given matroids, there exists a rainbow set of $supp(f_i), ~i \le d$, supporting a function with the same properties.
On Parity Unimodality of $q$-Catalan Polynomials
Authors: Xin Guoce , Zhong Yueming
Published: January 2020

A polynomial $A(q)=\sum_{i=0}^n a_iq^i$ is said to be unimodal if $a_0\leqslant a_1\leqslant \cdots \leqslant a_k\geqslant a_{k+1} \geqslant \cdots \geqslant a_n$. We investigate the unimodality of rational $q$-Catalan polynomials, which is defined to be $C_{m,n}(q)= \frac{1}{[n+m]} {m+n \brack n}_q $ for a coprime pair of positive integers $(m,n)$. We conjecture that they are unimodal with respect to parity, or equivalently, $(1+q)C_{m+n}(q)$ is unimodal. By using generating functions and the constant term method, we verify our our conjecture for $m\le 5$ in a straightforward way.
An Extremal Doubly Even Self-Dual Code of Length 112
Authors: Harada Masaaki
Published: January 2020

In this note, an extremal doubly even self-dual code of length $112$ is constructed for the first time. This length is the smallest length for which no extremal doubly even self-dual code of length $n \not\equiv 0 \pmod{24}$ has been constructed.
The Initial Involution Patterns of Permutations
Authors: Kim Dongsu , Kim Jang Soo
Published: January 2020

For a permutation $\pi=\pi_1\pi_2\cdots\pi_n\in S_n$ and a positive integer $i\leq n$, we can view $\pi_1\pi_2\cdots\pi_i$ as an element of $S_i$ by order-preserving relabeling. The $j$-set of $\pi$ is the set of $i$'s such that $\pi_1\pi_2\cdots\pi_i$ is an involution in $S_i$. We prove a characterization theorem for $j$-sets, give a generating function for the number of different $j$-sets of permutations in $S_n$. We also compute the numbers of permutations in $S_n$ with a given $j$-set and prove some properties of them.
Permutations Without Long Decreasing Subsequences and Random Matrices
Authors: Šniady Piotr
Published: January 2020

We study the shape of the Young diagram $\lambda$ associated via the Robinson–Schensted–Knuth algorithm to a random permutation in $S_n$ such that the length of the longest decreasing subsequence is not bigger than a fixed number $d$; in other words we study the restriction of the Plancherel measure to Young diagrams with at most $d$ rows. We prove that in the limit $n\to\infty$ the rows of $\lambda$ behave like the eigenvalues of a certain random matrix (namely the traceless Gaussian Unitary Ensemble random matrix) with $d$ rows and columns. In particular, the length of the longest increasing subsequence of such a random permutation behaves asymptotically like the largest eigenvalue of the corresponding random matrix.
Revisiting Two Classical Results on Graph Spectra
Authors: Nikiforov Vladimir
Published: January 2020

Let $\mu\left( G\right) $ and $\mu_{\min}\left( G\right) $ be the largest and smallest eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix of a graph $G$. Our main results are: (i) If $H$ is a proper subgraph of a connected graph $G$ of order $n$ and diameter $D$, then $$ \mu\left( G\right) -\mu\left( H\right) >{1\over\mu\left( G\right) ^{2D}n}. $$ (ii) If $G$ is a connected nonbipartite graph of order $n$ and diameter $D$, then $$ \mu\left( G\right) +\mu_{\min}\left( G\right) >{2\over\mu\left( G\right) ^{2D}n}. $$ For large $\mu $ and $D$ these bounds are close to the best possible ones.
The Number of [Old-Time] Basketball Games with Final Score $n$:$n$ where the Home Team was Never Losing but also Never Ahead by More Than $w$ Points
Authors: Ayyer Arvind , Zeilberger Doron
Published: January 2020

We show that the generating function (in $n$) for the number of walks on the square lattice with steps $(1,1), (1,-1), (2,2)$ and $(2,-2)$ from $(0,0)$ to $(2n,0)$ in the region $0 \leq y \leq w$ satisfies a very special fifth order nonlinear recurrence relation in $w$ that implies both its numerator and denominator satisfy a linear recurrence relation.
Two Color Off-diagonal Rado-type Numbers
Authors: Myers Kellen , Robertson Aaron
Published: January 2020

We show that for any two linear homogeneous equations ${\cal E}_0,{\cal E}_1$, each with at least three variables and coefficients not all the same sign, any 2-coloring of ${\Bbb Z}^+$ admits monochromatic solutions of color 0 to ${\cal E}_0$ or monochromatic solutions of color 1 to ${\cal E}_1$. We define the 2-color off-diagonal Rado number $RR({\cal E}_0,{\cal E}_1)$ to be the smallest $N$ such that $[1,N]$ must admit such solutions. We determine a lower bound for $RR({\cal E}_0,{\cal E}_1)$ in certain cases when each ${\cal E}_i$ is of the form $a_1x_1+\dots+a_nx_n=z$ as well as find the exact value of $RR({\cal E}_0,{\cal E}_1)$ when each is of the form $x_1+a_2x_2+\dots+a_nx_n=z$. We then present a Maple package that determines upper bounds for off-diagonal Rado numbers of a few particular types, and use it to quickly prove two previous results for diagonal Rado numbers.
Implementasi Peraturan Presiden Nomor 70 Tahun 2012 Tentang Pengadaan Barang / Layanan Oleh Unit Elektronik (E-Pengadaan) Pada Layanan Pengadaan (ULP) Universitas Lampung
Authors: Ngadiman Ngadiman
Published: January 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat implementasi kebijakan dan kendala pada proses komunikasi, sumber daya, disposisi dan struktur birokrasi dalam pelaksanaan pengadaan barang / jasa berbasis elektronik (eprocurement). Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Data dikumpulkan melalui studi wawancara mendalam, dokumentasi dan observasi, sedangkan teknik validitas data dilakukan melalui triangulasi, termasuk metode triangulasi, sumber data dan data itu sendiri. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa e-procurement telah menunjukkan keberhasilan mereka, meskipun belum optimal, yang memperoleh efisiensi dan efektifitas pada sejumlah indikator. Dari aspek waktu, proses pengadaan dengan sistem e-procurement terbukti lebih cepat karena hanya membutuhkan waktu 14-18 hari kerja, sistem konvensional yang membutuhkan lebih dari 30 hari kerja melalui e-procurement dapat mengurangi potensi praktik korupsi, untuk pertemuan antara panitia lelang dan peserta lelang tidak terbatas. Pada saat pelelangan masih dipraktekkan secara luas dalam pertemuan langsung konvensional antara peserta lelang dan panitia lelang yang telah membuka peluang terjadinya "transaksi negatif". Dengan sistem e-procurement dokumen penawaran disampaikan dalam bentuk soft melalui internet dan hanya bisa dibuka sesuai jadwal. Faktor pembatas e-procurement dalam hal kegiatan perencanaan dan rencana anggaran PSU tidak termasuk oleh departemen perencanaan, munculnya rasa ketidakpuasan karyawan staf PSU karena tidak cocok dengan beban kerja yang diangkut oleh tambahan jumlah pendapatan yang diperoleh , ketidaktepatan dalam mentransfer karyawan staf PSU. Pelajaran yang dapat kita peroleh dari upaya ini bahwa ada komitmen yang kuat dari tingkat kepemimpinan puncak hingga tingkat staf mereka sebagai pelaksana dalam kegiatan nyata yang merupakan faktor penting dari kunci keberhasilan sistem implementasi e-procurement di Universitas Lampung.
RESTRUKTURISASI BADAN KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN PELAKSANA PENYULUHAN DALAM MEWUJUDKAN KETAHANAN PANGAN DI KOTA BANDARLAMPUNG
Authors: Sulistiowati Rahayu , Virginia Dara
Published: January 2020

Pemerintah memiliki peran dalam menjaga ketahanan dengan menyelenggarakan pengaturan, pembinaaan, pengendalian dan pengawasan terhadap ketersediaan pangan. Pemerintah Kota Bandar Lampung melakukan restrukturisasi pada Dinas Pertanian, Perkebunan dan Peternakan. Restrukturiasi yang dilakukan guna memaksimalkan tugas pemerintah dalam menjaga ketahanan pangan, juga dikarenakan kondisi ketahanan pangan di Kota Bandar Lampung yang sangat mengkhawatirkan. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pelaksanaan restrukturisasi Badan Ketahanan Pangan dan mendeskripsikan faktor-faktor yang mendukung dan menghambat dalam pelaksanaan restrukturisasi Badan Ketahanan Pangan dan Pelaksana Penyuluhan Pelaksanaan Penyuluhan terhadap ketahanan pangan di Kota Bandar Lampung. Artikel ini menggunakan paradigma good governance yang didasarkan kepada pendekatan manajemen baru yang dikemukakan oleh Hughes dalam Sulistio. Artikel ini menggunakan tipe deskriptif kualitatif dengan analisis data menggunakan metode yang dikemukakan oleh Miles dan Hubberman dengan tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data dan diakhiri dengan penarikan kesimpunan. Artikel ini menghasilkan kesimpulan adanya restrukturisasi dalam Badan Ketahanan Pangan dan Pelaksana Penyuluhan terhadap Ketahanan Pangan di Kota Bandarlampung terdapat lima unsur organisasi yang mempengaruhi pelaksanaan restrukturisasi.
KONTROVERSI KECAKAPAN ANAK DALAM HUKUM
Authors: Khoiriah Siti
Published: January 2020

Sebagai Negara yang Pancasialis, serta menjunjung tinggi nilai-nilai kebangsaan dan kemanusiaan, Indonesia memiliki banyak peraturan yang secara tegas memberikan upaya perlindungan anak.Ketentuan usia dewasa adalah suatu hal pokok yang wajib dipatuhi dalam setiap melakukan perbuatan hukum. Batas usia anak merupakan pengelompokan usia maksimum sebagai wujud kemampuan anak dalam status hukum dan usia dewasa merupakan syarat formil bagi seseorang untuk melakukan perbuatan hukum. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan pengaturan batas usia dewasa pada peraturan perundang-undangan di Indonesia dan upaya untuk penyelarasan keberagaman pengaturan.
Why we still don't need/want variables: Two SALTy case studies
Authors: Jacobson Pauline
Published: January 2020

This paper defends the claim that variables and assignment functions are not needed as part of the semantic machinery against two apparent challenges.  The relevant domains at first glance appear to show the need for variable names - but only if the variable-ful theory is supplemented with a stipulation preventing 'meaningless coindexation'.  I argue that not only are both domains amenable to variable free analyses, but that indeed the variable free analyses have advnatages over the analyses using variables.
Spectroscopically Identified Cataclysmic Variables from the LAMOST Survey. I. The Sample
Authors: Hou Wen , Luo A-li , Li Yin-Bi , Qin Li
Published: January 2020

A sample of cataclysmic variables (CVs) is presented including spectroscopically identified 380 spectra of 245 objects, of which 58 CV candidates are new discoveries. The BaggingTopPush and the Random Forest algorithms are applied to the Fifth Data Release (DR5) of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) to retrieve CVs with strong emission lines and with broad absorption lines respectively. Based on spectroscopic classification, 134 dwarf novae, 41 nova-like variables, and 19 magnetic CVs are identified from the sample. In addition, 89 high-inclination systems and 33 CVs showing companion stars are recognized and discussed for their distinct spectral characteristics. Comparisons between CVs from LAMOST and from published catalogs are made in spatial and magnitude distribution, and the difference of their locus in the Gaia color–absolute magnitude diagram (CaMD) are also investigated. More interestingly, for two dwarf novae observed through LAMOST and SDSS in different epochs, their spectra both in quiescence phase and during outburst are exhibited.
Explosive Nucleosynthesis in Sub-Chandrasekhar-mass White Dwarf Models for Type Ia Supernovae: Dependence on Model Parameters
Authors: Leung Shing-Chi , Nomoto Ken’ichi
Published: January 2020

Recent observations of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have shown diversified properties of the explosion strength, light curves, and chemical composition. To investigate possible origins of such diversities in SNe Ia, we have presented multidimensional hydrodynamical studies of explosions and associated nucleosynthesis in near-Chandrasekhar-mass carbon–oxygen (CO) white dwarfs (WDs) for a wide range of parameters. In the present paper, we extend our wide parameter survey of models to the explosions of sub-Chandrasekhar-mass CO WDs. We take the double-detonation model for the explosion mechanism. The model parameters of the survey include a metallicity of Z = 0–5 Z
⊙, a CO WD mass of M = 0.90–1.20 M
⊙, and a He envelope mass of M
He = 0.05–0.20 M
⊙. We also study how the initial He detonation configuration, such as spherical, bubble, and ring shapes, triggers the C detonation. For these parameters, we derive the minimum He envelope mass necessary to trigger the C detonation. We then examine how the explosion dynamics and associated nucleosynthesis depend on these parameters, and we compare our results with the previous representative models. We compare our nucleosynthesis yields with the unusual abundance patterns of Fe-peak elements and isotopes observed in SNe Ia SN 2011fe, SN 2012cg, and SN 2014J, as well as SN Ia remnant 3C 397, to provide constraints on their progenitors and environments. We provide the nucleosynthesis yields table of the sub-Chandrasekhar-mass explosions, to discuss their roles in the galactic chemical evolution and archaeology.
Taxonomic studies on Amomum Roxburgh s.l. (Zingiberaceae) in Myanmar II: one new species and five new records for the flora of Myanmar
Authors: Ding Hong-Bo , Yang Bin , Maw Mya Bhone , Win Pyae Pyae , Tan Yun-Hong
Published: January 2020

In the course of a study of Amomum s.l. (Zingiberaceae) in Myanmar, Amomum schistocalyx Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, from Htamanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Sangaing Region of Northern Myanmar is described and illustrated as new to science here. Five taxa: A. yingjiangense S.Q. Tong & Y.M. Xia, A. carnosum V.P. Thomas & M. Sabu, A. tibeticum (T.L. Wu & S.J. Chen) X.E. Ye, L. Bai & N.H. Xia, Lanxangia scarlatina (H.T. Tsai & P.S. Chen) M.F. Newman & Škorničk, and Meistera yunnanensis (S.Q. Tong) Škorničk. & M.F. Newman, are newly recorded from Myanmar. The photographic illustrations, the distributions, and voucher specimens for each species are provided.
A new species and two new combinations of Monolophus (Zingiberaceae) from Indo-Burma
Authors: Ding Hong-Bo , Yang Bin , Maw Mya Bhone , Win Pyae Pyae , Tan Yun-Hong
Published: January 2020

Monolophus odontochilus Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, a new species from Northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to M. linearis, but differs by having elliptic to oblong leaves (vs. linear-lanceolate to lanceolate), bilobed ligules (vs. entire), purely white corolla (vs. pinkish white), semi-orbicular crenate labellum (vs. trilobed). In addition, a diagnostic key to the new species of Monolophus and its closely related non-yellow flowered species is provided. New combinations are proposed here for Caulokaempferia phokhamii Picheans. & Douangde. and C. wongsuwaniae Picheans. & Douangde. from Laos.
Schizostachyum dakrongense (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), a new species from Dakrong Nature Reserve, Vietnam
Authors: Cai Zhuo-Yu , Tong Yi-Hua , Vu Tien-Chinh , Ni Jing-Bo , Xia Nian-He
Published: January 2020

Schizostachyum dakrongenseis a new species of woody bamboo from Dakrong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. It is closely related toS. hainanensebut differs by its pseudospikelets having terminal rachilla segments with ciliate margin and 6 bracts; culm sheath with the base of the outer margin having a slight projection below its point of attachment at the node, as well as sheath blades usually less than half as long as the culm sheath proper; and leaf blades pale-puberulent and sparsely pilosulous on the abaxial surface. The new species is described and illustrated here.
An overview on the nomenclatural and phylogenetic problems of native Asian brine shrimps of the genus Artemia Leach, 1819 (Crustacea, Anostraca)
Authors: Asem Alireza , Eimanifar Amin , Rastegar-Pouyani Nasrullah , Hontoria Francisco , De Vos Stephanie , Van Stappen Gilbert , Sun Shi-Chun
Published: January 2020

The genusArtemiaLeach, 1819 is a cosmopolitan halophilic crustacean, consisting of bisexual species and obligate parthenogenetic populations. Asia is rich inArtemiabiodiversity. More than 530Artemiasites have been recorded from this area and more than 20 species/subspecies/variety names have been used for them. There exist various problems in the nomenclature, identification, and phylogenetic status ofArtemianative to Asia, which are discussed in this paper.
Fourteen new species of the spider genus Psiloderces Simon, 1892 from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Psilodercidae)
Authors: Chang Wan-Jin , Li Shuqiang
Published: January 2020

The genus Psiloderces Simon, 1892 is the second largest genus of Psilodercidae, a family restricted to Asia, occurring from East India to the Philippines. Fourteen new species of Psiloderces from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are described: P. heisesp. nov. (♂♀), P. gawanaensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. bontocensissp. nov. (♀), P. cuyapoensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. xichangsp. nov. (♂♀), P. cattienensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. pingguosp. nov. (♂♀), P. palopoensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. penajamensissp. nov. (♂), P. grohotensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. bangkiraiensissp. nov. (♂♀), P. bolangsp. nov. (♂♀), P. wangousp. nov. (♂♀), and P. malinoensissp. nov. (♂♀). Types are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing.
A new species of Enteromius (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae, Smiliogastrinae) from the Awash River, Ethiopia, and the re-establishment of E. akakianus
Authors: Englmaier Gernot K. , Tesfaye Genanaw , Bogutskaya Nina G.
Published: January 2020

In the present study, populations of small-sized smiliogastrin barbs with a thickened and serrated last simple dorsal-fin ray distributed in the Main Ethiopian Rift were analysed. An integrated approach combining genetic markers and a variety of morphological methods based on a wide set of characters, including osteology and sensory canals, proved to be very productive for taxonomy in this group of fishes. The results showed that EthiopianEnteromiusspecies with a serrated dorsal-fin ray are distant from the trueE. paludinosus(withE. longicaudaas a synonym) and the so-calledE. paludinosuscomplex involves several supposedly valid species with two distinct species occurring in the Main Ethiopian Rift area. A new species,Enteromius yardiensissp. nov., is described from the Afar Depression in the north-eastern part of the Northern Main Ethiopian Rift.Enteromius akakianusis resurrected as a valid species including populations from the Central Main Ethiopian Rift (basins of lakes Langano, Ziway, and Awasa). No genetic data were available forE. akakianusfrom its type locality.Enteromius yardiensissp. nov.is clearly distant fromE. akakianusfrom the Central Main Ethiopian Rift by CO1 and cytb barcodes: pairwise distances between the new species and the Ethiopian congeners were 5.4 % to 11.0 %. Morphologically, the new species most clearly differs from all examined Ethiopian congeners by three specialisations which are unique in the group: the absence of the anterior barbel, the absence of the medial branch of the supraorbital sensory canal, and few, 1–3, commonly two, scale rows between the lateral line and the anus.
The Active Pulley Hypothesis
Authors: Wagner Rudolph S.
Published: January 2020

EXCERPT

For the most part, the techniques used in strabismus surgery have not changed over the years. Most are variations of recessions and resections of the rectus and oblique muscles. Certainly advances have been made, most notably the use of adjustable sutures and anteriorization of the inferior oblique muscles. These operations are now part of the accepted surgical armamentarium. What has changed, however, is the more scientific approach we use in planning and performing surgery. For example, we have the ability to use ophthalmic imaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography to help plan surgical procedures.
L’État sourcier
Authors: Gomez-Temesio Veronica
Published: January 2020

Depuis les années 1980, l’eau est devenue un objet de préoccupation au sein de la communauté internationale. Cette substance vitale a désormais acquis une valeur marchande qui dicte la conditionnalité de l'aide au développement dans les pays du Sud.
Le forage hydraulique est au cœur de la réforme de privatisation qui traverse le Sénégal. Pour appréhender cette infrastructure, l’auteur revisite une posture ethnographique popularisée par l’École de Manchester : l’entrée sur le terrain par les conflits. En mettant en lumière les différents dysfonctionnements que connaissent les forages, elle interroge les processus au travers desquels se négocient et se construisent autorité publique et légitimité politique dans le Sénégal contemporain.
Cette étude ethnographique minutieuse explore le processus de formation de l’État au carrefour de l’anthropologie politique, de l’anthropologie juridique et de l’anthropologie du développement. Le forage apparaît ici comme un lieu de l’État et pour l’État.
À ce dernier, le forage permet de se construire et de se reproduire sur son territoire. Aux sciences sociales, de répondre aux questions suivantes : comment penser l’État ? Comment fonctionne-t-il en Afrique ?
The Adoption of Social Media as Marketing Tools
Authors: Jaman Siti Farzana Izzati Haji , Damit Nurin Jazlina Haji , Ishak Nurul Amirah , Ason Monica Lesley Anak , Tamin Mimi Rahzia , Tangphadungrutch Korachal , Almunawar Mohammad Nabil
Published: January 2020

The rapid adoption of social media in business is becoming more evident over the years. Most businesses view social media as a chance to build two-way communication with customers and to create unique marketing communication tools. Nonetheless, research on social media adoption, particularly, in the case of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is still limited. In Brunei Darussalam, SMEs are regarded as a key player in industrial development. Thus, the objectives of this study are to investigate the factors that mainly drive social media adoption among the SMEs in Brunei, to determine the types of social media platforms that they used as well as to examine the potential benefits and challenges of adopting it. The researchers administered online questionnaires to 57 CEO or managers of local SMEs. Based on the empirical findings of this research, technological factors, ease of use and perceived benefits, are the prominent drivers for social media adoption among SMEs in Brunei.
Economic-Decision-Making in New Product Development
Authors: Galli Brian J.
Published: January 2020

Economic decisions for a new product can impact any subsequent development, as well as the launching of the product. Furthermore, unsuccessful decision-making can result in missing business opportunities or spending more money on rework. This article investigates economic decision-making in the product development process. It also enhances the understanding of the process, the difficulties involved, and how to improve decisions during new product development. Thus, this study can serve as a reference when support methods for economic decisions are being initiated. Industrial engineers and engineering managers use economic decision-making for new product development. The results of this study indicate that economic decisions are vital to new product development, as they also bring radical changes in the fields of IE/EM/PM. The engineering management practitioner will understand the importance of these topics, their relevance to engineering management, and how engineering managers can integrate these ideas into their operations and project management lifecycle and project management settings. Economic decision-making models in IE/EM/PM should replace traditional non-scientific methods because they are inaccurate and speculative at best. Overall, by using the economic models, the engineering manager is prioritizing on the long-term prospect that the decision will have.
Human Resource Management for Managing Cultural Diversity
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: January 2020

Manager awareness of culture and cultural diversity is subjective and as such, managers use their own cultural knowledge to make judgments on issues that relate to cultural diversity. Human resource practitioners are not championing the practices that empower managers to manage cultural diversity due to overbearing administrative procedures. This results in favoritism, leading to high turnover and poor morale. Managers are also unable to associate organizational strategies and policies to cultural diversity, indicating cultural diversity knowledge and skill gaps. Hence, adopting a qualitative approach and descriptive design, the aim of this research is investigating the role of human resource management in managing cultural diversity at the correctional service organization. The sample size consists of 24 managers selected through non-probability purposive sampling from 42 managers' population of head and regional office.
Structure Learning of Bayesian Networks Using Elephant Swarm Water Search Algorithm
Authors: Kareem Shahab Wahhab , Okur Mehmet Cudi
Published: January 2020

Bayesian networks are useful analytical models for designing the structure of knowledge in machine learning. Bayesian networks can represent probabilistic dependency relationships among the variables. One strategy of Bayesian Networks structure learning is the score and search technique. The authors present the Elephant Swarm Water Search Algorithm (ESWSA) as a novel approach to Bayesian network structure learning. In the algorithm; Deleting, Reversing, Inserting, and Moving are used to make the ESWSA for reaching the optimal structure solution. Mainly, water search strategy of elephants during drought periods is used in the ESWSA algorithm. The proposed method is compared with simulated annealing and greedy search using BDe score function. The authors have also investigated the confusion matrix performances of these techniques utilizing various benchmark data sets. As presented by the results of the evaluations, the proposed algorithm has better performance than the other algorithms and produces better scores and accuracy values.
Participação e influência dos respondentes na definição dos elementos contábeis na nova estrutura conceitual para as entidades do setor público
Authors: Bartoluzzio Alann Inaldo Silva de Sá , Rodrigues Sabrina Vasconcelos Mota , Tavares Márcia Ferreira Neves , De Freitas Maurício Assuero Lima
Published: January 2020

No setor público, as pesquisas que objetivam compreender quem são os participantes no processo de elaboração das normas, os incentivos a essas participações e a influência que exercem sobre o regulador ainda são incipientes tanto a nível nacional quanto internacional. Neste sentido, este estudo buscou identificar quais as partes interessadas na seção que trata sobrea definição e o reconhecimento dos elementos das demonstrações financeiras na nova Estrutura Conceitual para as entidades do setor público, caracterizando os possíveis incentivos e fatores determinantes da influência na divulgação da norma final. Para tanto, foram analisadas, em cada uma das 40 cartas comentários enviadas, as 13 questões abordadas na Minuta de Exposição n. 2, com contribuições de 19 países distribuídos em cinco continentes. Os resultados apontam um alinhamento entre os constituintes e o regulador, sendo possível observar que do total de comentários enviados aproximadamente 42,4% foram aceitos pelo IPSASB, não sendo possível afirmar que a decisão de aceitar as recomendações seja dependente do grupo de interesse do qual a carta foi enviada. No entanto, observa-se uma associação entre a decisão do regulador em acatar o comentário dos respondentes e o continente de onde foi encaminhado. Ademais, com a utilização de um modelo de regressão Logit observou-se que tanto as ponderações concordantes quanto as discordantes influenciaram o processo de elaboração da norma. Outro aspecto relevante é que a representação junto ao IPSASB, as cartas oriundas dos países anglo-saxões e os Estados Unidos são representativas a exerceram influência sobre o normatizador.
Implementation of Pressure Sensor of Optical Fiber Using Optical Interferometer
Authors: Al-Ithawi S. , Hadi A.
Published: January 2020

In present work, two types of Interferometric Fiber Optic Sensor (Fabry – Perot & Modal Sensor) have been demonstrate and investigated. The main parameter studied of this contribute is the sensitivity, the strain could be induced by make a stress on the optical fiber. The strain effect at the fiber due to variation of the intensity in the output of the optical fiber. Then, the modes of electromagnetic waves that propagate in the fiber could be analyzed to determine the sensitivity depend on fringe rates. I conclude from this study the Extrinsic Fabry – Perot Interferometry structure is more sensitive than Modal Sensor.
PLA/MMT-TiO2 Bionanocomposites: Chemical Structure and Surface Wettability
Authors: Alrawi Luqman I. , Noriman N.Z. , Alomar Mohamed K. , Alakrach Abdulkader M. , Dahham Omar Sabbar , Hamzah Rosniza , Betar Bashir O. , Jassam Taha M.
Published: January 2020

Polylactic Acid (PLA) has been used widely in packaging application because of its biodegradability. The aim of this study is to produce PLA nanocomposites by solvent casting incorporating montmorillonite nanoclays (MMT) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. The effect of different loadings of MMT in PLA and different loadings of TiO2 on chemical structure and surface wettability were studied. The nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting at different loadings of MMT (0, 2, 4, 6 wt %) and different loadings of TiO2 (1 and 3 wt %) respectively. The chemical structure and surface wettability were determined. The absorption peaks in the range of 3550-3200 cm-1 had increased after incorporating of TiO2 and it indicated that there is the presence of stretching vibration of O-H groups. Moreover, increasing the percentage of TiO2 mass in the nanocomposites decreased the contact angle with water which led to increasing the wettability of the nanocomposites.
Gold Nanoparticles in Liquid Based on Photonic Crystal Fiber PCF for Sensors Application
Authors: Adnan Salah Aldeen , Tawfiq Zainab H. , Fakhri Makram A.
Published: January 2020

The effect of laser wavelength on gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) fabrication is reported by using the laser ablation in the liquid method in the ethanol. The Pulsed Laser ablation in liquid technique of the gold target was ablated using an Nd:YAG laser nanopulsed nanosecond after that the investigation of the gold NPs was tested by the AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), and the (XRD) X-ray diffraction. The results showed the characteristics of prepared NPs, depending on XRD, AFM. NPs obtained by 532 nm laser possess better properties than that achieved by 1064 nm laser according to the highest intensity of shorter wavelengths.
Fatigue Life of Hybrid Composites (DGEBA)
Authors: Rahma Nisreen Mizher , Ghalib Lubna , Eweed Khalid Mershed
Published: January 2020

This study presents the experimental results of the influence of mechanical fatigue and tensile on hybrid composite materials. Epoxy with Novolac resin are used as matrix for the reinforced materials that consist of glass fiber type E. The slates made of hybrid composite materials for two proportions (80% epoxy, 20% Novolac) and (60% epoxy, 40% Novolac) were reinforced by three volume fractions (10%, 20% and 30%) of glass fiber type (E), where been manufacturing (6) panels of hybrid composite materials, all these panels cutting into two groups samples with dimension (70x 10) mm in order to execute the fatigue test and (150x20) mm for tensile test, according to the specifications of the device used.The process took place in two stages: The two stages include executing the fatigue and tensile test specimens with a ratio (80% epoxy, 20% Novolac) in the first stage and (60% epoxy, 40% Novolac) in the second stage for the volume fractions (10%, 20% and 30%) of glass fiber type (E) and comparison the results between them for each stage. The results obtained from fatigue test in the first stage showed that the number cycle for fatigue limit decreased when the load and the number of layers of reinforcing are increased. But in the tensile test for the samples the results showed that the value of the elongation increasing to the point of failure when the load increased for the same layers of reinforcement, as well as the value of elongation decreasing to a failure when increased the number of layers of reinforcing glass fibers type (E) for the same load. The results of tensile and fatigue test obtained from the second stage showed similar to the results in the first stage, but the cycle number of fatigue limit less value from the first stage and the stress was higher in the fatigue test. For tensile test the elongation values ​​less and the stress values higher for the same volume fraction of the reinforcement due to increase in the proportion of Novolac.
Fatigue Characteristics and Numerical Modeling Socket for Patient with above Knee Prosthesis
Authors: Abbas Saif M.
Published: January 2020

In this research, two groups of composite materials were used for manufacturing Above –Knee (AK) prosthetic socket. These sockets were fabricated from resin lamination (80:20) siegalharz as matrix materials, N-glass and carbon as reinforced materials using vacuum pressure. The mechanical properties for materials that used in above knee socket were tested by tensile, bending and fatigue tests. The results showed the mechanical properties of (N-glass - carbon fiber-N-glass) with matrix of lamination (80:20) resin were: Ϭy= 112Mpa, Ϭult=132MPa, Ϭb max=57Mpa, E=1.74GPa and The elongation at Beak was 3.5mm. In addition, the test result of (N-glass - carbon fiber-N-glass) with matrix of siegalharz resin were Ϭy= 123Mpa, Ϭult=151MPa, Ϭb max=174Mpa, E=2.64GPa and the elongation at Beak was3.3mm. Interface pressure was measured for above knee prosthetic socket and the patient age (30years) , height (165 cm) and weight (83 kg). High pressure values of (190Kpa) and (164Kpa) were recorded for the anterior and lateral sections respectively. This is because of the anterior and lateral muscles action which tend to be more active during the movement of the patient. The numerical results showed that the safety factor for (N-glass - carbon fiber-N-glass) with matrix lamination of (80:20) resin was found to be 0.595in addition the safety factor for (N-glass - carbon fiber-Nglass) with matrix of siegalharz resin was numerically calculated to be 1.084 which is safe in design.
Heat Transfer in the Cooling, Freezing and Post-Freezing of Liquid Food: Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Barbosa de Lima W.C.P. , Nascimento Lucas Pereira Castanheira , Lima Dantas R. , Lima Tresena N. , Silva Júnior J.B. , Santos de Lima G. , Barbosa de Lima A.G.
Published: January 2020

In pursuit of greater practicality in the food preparation, in recent years there has been a considerable growth of researches in the field of cooling and freezing of food. Therefore, the trade in frozen food has been very promising, allowing a great variety of products to the consumers due to the convenience of transportation, storage and use. Cooling and freezing of products are preservation methods used in the food industry to maintain the sensorial attributes and nutritional properties of these products. In this sense, in order to optimize the process and reduce energy costs, this work presents a transient three-dimensional mathematical modeling to describe the heat transfer inside liquid materials with parallelepiped shape including phase change (liquid-solid) term. The governing equation was solved numerically using the finite volume technique with a fully implicit formulation. As an application, the methodology was used to predict heat transfer during cooling, freezing and post-freezing of the Tahiti lemon pulp. Numerical results of the temperature distribution at different process instants are presented and analyzed, and temperature data at the center of the product throughout time were compared to experimental data reported in the literature and a good agreement was obtained.
High-Tidal-Volume Mechanical Ventilation and Lung Inflammation in Intensive Care Patients With Normal Lungs
Authors: Ziaka Mairi , Makris Demosthenes , Fotakopoulos George , Tsilioni Irini , Befani Christina , Liakos Panagiotis , Zygoulis Paris , Zakynthinos Epaminondas
Published: January 2020

Background

This study was conducted to investigate whether high-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation is associated with increased lung inflammation compared with low-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients with no evidence of lung injury.

Methods

In this prospective, single-blind, randomized (1:1), parallel-group study, 18 critically ill patients with normal lungs were randomly assigned to receive mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume of either 6 mL/kg (low tidal volume) or 12 mL/kg (high tidal volume) during the first 4 days in the intensive care unit.

Results

At baseline and at 24, 48, and 96 hours, exhaled breath condensate was collected to measure interleukin 1β, interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor α, and total nitric oxide metabolites. Interleukin 1β levels in exhaled breath condensate were significantly increased at 24 hours compared with baseline in the high-tidal-volume group but not in the low-tidal-volume group. The interleukin 1β increase in the high-tidal-volume group was transient. Exhaled breath condensate levels of interleukin 1β, interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor α, and total nitric oxide metabolites did not differ significantly between the high-tidal-volume and low-tidal-volume groups at any time point.

Conclusion

Short-term mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume of 12 mL/kg may trigger inflammatory responses in the lungs of intensive care unit patients without preexisting lung injury.
Pneumothoraces Prevented With Use of Electromagnetic Device to Place Feeding Tubes
Authors: Bourgault Annette M. , Powers Jan , Aguirre Lillian
Published: January 2020

Background

A US Food and Drug Administration safety letter warned about the risk for pneumothoraces during feeding tube insertion despite the use of electromagnetic placement devices that provide real-time visualization of feeding tube position.

Objectives

To systematically assess pulmonary placement and pneumothoraces in CORTRAK-assisted feeding tube insertions.

Methods

CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies of CORTRAK-assisted feeding tube insertion. Thirty-two studies documenting pulmonary placement and/or complications of feeding tube insertion were found.

Results

Operators recognized pulmonary placement on insertion tracings during 202 CORTRAK-assisted feeding tube insertion procedures, resulting in the immediate withdrawal of 199 feeding tubes. One pneumothorax was identified later by radiography. Seven pulmonary placements were not recognized by CORTRAK operators at the time of feeding tube insertion, resulting in 2 pneumothoraces. The incidence of pneumothorax for CORTRAK-assisted feeding tube insertions was 0.02% (3 of 17039). Of the feeding tubes inserted into the pulmonary system – either found during or after the procedure −1.4% (3 of 209) resulted in pneumothoraces (as opposed to the 19% to 28% incidence of pneumothorax for blind feeding tube insertions. Operators recognizing pulmonary placement on CORTRAK insertion tracings may have prevented 97% (202 of 209) of feeding tubes from being inserted farther into the respiratory tract.

Conclusions

Feeding tube insertion with an electromagnetic placement device is advantageous over blind feeding tube insertion because the operator can recognize pulmonary placement early and withdraw the feeding tube, thus decreasing the risk of pulmonary complications.
Nurse Prompting for Prescriber-Led Review of Antimicrobial Use in the Critical Care Unit
Authors: Raybardhan Sumit , Kan Tiffany , Chung Bonnie , Ferreira Danielle , Bitton Marina , Shin Phil , Das Pavani
Published: January 2020

Background

Developing a sustainable strategy for prescriber-led review of antimicrobial use in a critical care unit may improve antimicrobial use without the need for additional resources.

Methods

Using a quality improvement framework, the researchers created a prompt for prescriber-led review of antimicrobial use. The outcome measure was antimicrobial use (days of therapy per 1000 patient days). The process measure was the proportion of relevant cases for which an antimicrobial prompt was provided. Balancing measures included mortality rate, length of stay, 48-hour readmission rates, and multiple organ dysfunction score. Interrupted time series with segmented regression analysis was used for the outcome measure.

Results

Process analysis identified critical care unit nurses for antimicrobial use prompting. A standard script was developed to incorporate a days of therapy prompt into nurse rounds, with primed prescriber responses. Before the intervention, monthly antimicrobial use was 804 days of therapy per 1000 patient days, with a positive trend (7.3 days of therapy per 1000 patient days, P < .05). After the intervention, there was an immediate reduction of 217 days of therapy per 1000 patient days (P < .05), with a nonsignificant negative trend, representing a 20% (95% CI, −15% to −25%) reduction. No significant change was noted in use of the control class of medications. The proportion of relevant cases for which an antimicrobial prompt was provided increased from 21% to 48% during the intervention period. Balancing measures were comparable before and after the intervention.

Conclusions

Nurse prompting can lead to significant reductions in antimicrobial use, providing a sustainable mechanism for independent antimicrobial reassessment.
Factors Associated With Nurses’ Knowledge of and Perceived Value in Evidence-Based Practices
Authors: Gigli Kristin Hittle , Davis Billie S. , Ervin Jennifer , Kahn Jeremy M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Little is known about how the education and specialty certification of intensive care unit nurses influence patients’ outcomes.

Objective

To examine the relationships between critical care nurses’ education level and specialty certification, their individual psychosocial beliefs about their place on the intensive care unit team (in relation to 3 factors: professional identity, self-efficacy, and role clarity), and their perceptions of evidence-based practices used in the intensive care unit.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was emailed to nurses in 12 adult intensive care units within 6 hospitals in a single, integrated health care system.

Results

Of 268 respondents, 180 (71%) had a bachelor of science degree or higher, and 71 (26%) had critical care certification. Compared with noncertified nurses, certified nurses reported greater knowledge of spontaneous breathing trials (4.6 vs 4.4 on a 5-point scale, P = .03) and lung-protective ventilation (4.2 vs 3.9, P = .05). Certified nurses reported significantly higher self-efficacy (4.5 vs 4.3 on a 5-point scale, P = .001) and role clarity (4.4 vs 4.2, P = .05) than noncertified nurses. Certification was also associated with greater perceived value in specific practices (daily interruption of sedation: adjusted odds ratio 2.5 [95% CI, 1.0-6.3], P = .05; lung-protective ventilation: adjusted odds ratio, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.1-3.3], P = .03). Education level was not associated with greater knowledge of or perceived value in evidence-based practices.

Conclusions

Nursing specialty certification was associated with nurses’ individual psychosocial beliefs and their perceptions of evidence-based practices in the intensive care unit, whereas education level was not. Supporting nurses in obtaining specialty certification could assist with the adoption of evidence-based practices as a means to improve quality of care in the intensive care unit.
A Team-Based Early Action Protocol to Address Ethical Concerns in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Pavlish Carol L. , Henriksen Joan , Brown-Saltzman Katherine , Robinson Ellen M. , Warda Umme Shefa , Farra Christopher , Chen Belinda , Jakel Patricia
Published: January 2020

Background

Ethical conflicts complicate clinical practice and often compromise communication and teamwork among patients, families, and clinicians. As ethical conflicts escalate, patient and family distress and dissatisfaction with care increase and trust in clinicians erodes, reducing care quality and patient safety.

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of a proactive, team-based ethics protocol used routinely to discuss ethics-related concerns, goals of care, and additional supports for patients and families.

Methods

In a pre-post intervention study in 6 intensive care units (ICUs) at 3 academic medical centers, the electronic medical records of 1649 patients representing 1712 ICU admissions were studied. Number and timing of family conferences, code discussions with the patient or surrogate, and ethics consultations; palliative care, social work, and chaplain referrals; and ICU length of stay were measured. Preintervention outcomes were compared with outcomes 3 and 6 months after the intervention via multivariate logistic regression controlled for patient variables.

Results

The odds of receiving a family conference and a chaplain visit were significantly higher after the intervention than at baseline. The number of palliative care consultations and code discussions increased slightly at 3 and 6 months. Social work consultations increased only at 6 months. Ethics consultations increased at both postintervention time points. Length of ICU stay did not change.

Conclusions

When health care teams were encouraged to communicate routinely about goals of care, more patients received needed support and communication barriers were reduced.