bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN KOMPETENSI GURU PADA SMP NEGERI 2 SIMEULUE TIMUR
Authors: Purwanti Karina , AR Murniari , Yusrizal Yusrizal
Published: October 2016

School head master leadership has an important role in improving teacher’s competence. The purpose of this study is to know the program of the school headmaster in improving the teacher’s competence, the strategy and the policy of head master in improving the competence of teachers. The approach used in this study is a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. The data were collected from interviews, observations, and documentations. The subject of the study were the school head master, vice of the school head master, senior teacher, chairman of MGMPs, and teachers. The results show that (1) the school head master program is structured as a reference to enhance the competence of teachers, which is implemented on the teachers empowerment. The empowerment of the teachers program is implemented through engaging the teachers as decision maker and training them to be responsible for the school development through formulating program by teachers and school staffs. (2) the the principal strategy to improve the competence of teachers conducted through some efforts such as training the teachers and skill for the teachers, giving motivation and guiding discipline education. (3)the policy of the school head master in improving the teachers competence being carried out was by involving the teachers in arranging vision and mission, the school target, formulate the school curriculum. The school head master give the opportunity to the teachers to be actively participate, open minded, and cooperate in reaching the school vision.
MENINGKATAN MUTU PENDIDIKAN MELALUI PENERAPAN MANAJEMEN BERBASIS SEKOLAH
Authors: Usman A. Samad
Published: October 2016

National education management in Indonesia as a whole still remains to be centralized, so that less encouraging democratization and decentralization of education. Basically, education management issues concerning the efficiency in the utilization of existing resources. National education management is a neat strategy to overcome the negative effects of globalization. Hence strengthening it will steer globalization in a positive direction for the development of the nation. Centralized management system of education that has been proven to not bring significant progress to improve the quality of education in general. Even in certain cases, the centralized management of education had led to limit creativity in various types and levels of education. Keywords: National Education; Globalization; Education Management
PELAKSANAAN PENDIDIKAN ISLAMI DI KOTA BANDA ACEH: Studi terhadap implementasi Qanun No. 5 Tahun 2008
Authors: Suraiya Cut
Published: October 2016

Qanun of education is hoped to be socialized in Aceh education. This research aims to give information and real description of islamic education in Banda Aceh city. The result showed that the concept of curriculum, educators, and educational institution in Qanun No. 5 year 2008 is the education run based on islamic values, foundations, and cultures as guidance to implement islamic law (syari’at) truly in every aspects of life. The implementation of curriculum, educators, and educational institution have contributed significantly, yet it still have to be improved.Overall, they are classified into good catagory. It showed that most of teachers have good impression toward the implementation of islamic education in Banda Aceh city.
PENDIDIKAN BERBASIS AKIDAH PADA TK ISLAM TERPADU AZ-ZAHIRA MEULABOH: Implementasi model evaluasi goal oriented pendekatan Robert L. Hammond
Authors: Khaidir Khaidir
Published: October 2016

Education based on aqidah (faith) is not understood as believe in pillar of faith only, but it is also understood and implemented all the commands of Allah and worshipping him. This study aims to find out the achievement level of faith-based educational program at kinder garten Az-Zahira, Meulaboh, Aceh Barat. The result showed that not all goals of the program in Az-Zahira kinder garten could be achieved. The students’ cognitive, affective, and psychomotoric abilities were not improved as expected. There are several factors that causes it such as: the learning organization was not optimally done, the role of superintendant was not implemented maximally, and the role of parents were still minimum.
PEMIKIRAN ISLAM KONTEMPORER DALAM BENTURAN BUDAYA
Authors: Amiruddin M. Hasbi
Published: October 2016

This article presents how contemporary Islamic thought which has been tr ying to find a breakthrough in order to improve the quality of life of the Muslims, then collide with a culture that has been attached to the public, the results of a long legacy of their predecessors. This phenomenon which occurred in Indonesia, because the Indonesian archipelago was not found to be the legacy of Islamic thought advances era (570-1250) in various fields of religion, science and technology. In Indonesia, even contemporary Islamic thought that tr ying to get back to the essence of Islam, which is the religion that is always authentic from times to times and in all palces, always in conflict with the culture of the people who have been acute determinism school of thought.
KONSEP KEWENANGAN SEBAGAI LANDASAN FORMULASI HUKUMAN TINDAK PIDANA KORUPSI
Authors: Halim Marah
Published: October 2016

Although the Corruption Act has been specific, but its punishment system not constructed from its basic concept, that is the concept of authority. As a result, a lot of things that are paradoxical and contradictory in its substance; particularly in the construction of its criminal elements. This study departs from the belief that this problem will be solved if the system is reconstructed with reference to the concept of punishment authority as its "raw material". By dissecting the concept of authority with progressive fiqh approach that utilizes social sciences, and by using the technique of philosophical analysis of normative-prescriptive, came to the conclusion that the system of corruption punishment should refer to the status of legal subjects who holds the authority, not the aspect of state losses as Corruption Act at this time.
DAKWAH BIL-LISAN DENGAN TEKNIK HIBURAN DI KOTA BANDA ACEH
Authors: Sukardi Sukardi
Published: October 2016

Da'wah is communication activitis in which the dai convey the messages to the maudu’i both personally and in group, how to express hte hidden behaviour of the humanbeing, it is clear must be putforward methof or tehnique to convey or to deliver messages correctly. The result of the study show that most of audiens wellcome positively on the neccesity to have humor and gag in delevering the da’wa in order the listener are not bored in listening the conveying messages and the da’wa is interesting to be listened. Da'wah bi al lisan throught the intertaining tehnique prevalent nowadays according to ust in Banda Aceh is that generally the dai entertain the listener in da’wa is to make the listener interested in without eleminating the substance of the da’wa. The posistive impact of the da’wa bi al lisan throught the entertaining tehnique is that all the listener are motivated to listen to the da’wa. Besides, the listener not only listen for themselves but also bering any impact to their family to come together to listen to the da’wa.
RE-MAPPING PENDIDIKAN ‘ULŪM AL-QUR’ĀN DI PERGURUAN TINGGI AGAMA ISLAM (PTAI)
Authors: Hamdiah Hamdiah
Published: October 2016

This article attempts to explain and describe real condition of ‘ulūm al-Qur’ān teaching within Islamic Higher Education Institute in Indonesia. Some findings of the research show that the discipline sould be re-mapped and revitalized in order to maintain and keep the Islamic scientific tradition which has deep Islamic rooted but it the same time open to adopt new methods of Quranic exegesis from other as long as has been Islamized so that compliant and in line with the Islamic values and Islamic religious tradition.
GAGASAN FORMASI NALAR ARAB ĀBID AL-JĀBIRĪ DAN SIGNIFIKANSINYA UNTUK REKONSTRUKSI NALAR ACEH
Authors: Zulfata Zulfata
Published: October 2016

Ābid al-Jābirī was an influential figure during his time. His thoughts was delivered through his works which was able to arise the Muslim awareness. This study discusses the ideas of Muhammad Ābid al-Jābirī and what are the affects of his thinking concept. This study is library research with the philosophy historical as an indicator tracing on the problems being discussed. The results show that Ābid al-Jābirī thoughts trying to deconstruct the historical facts happened within the Arab nation. The deconstruction process is analyzed through the Islamic epistemological approach. Although there are some problems were not been resolved by al-Jābirī, but the discourses being lifted could be respond and give new works that continue to discuss relates to the Arab nation criticism historical. His thoughts are also very significant as the efforts to establish the Aceh contemporary civilization.
Fictional entities as artifacts: some problems for Amie Thomasson’s theory
Authors: Jandric Andrej
Published: October 2016

Amie Thomasson has developed a theory of fictional entities, according to
which they exist as contingent abstract objects. In her view, fictional
characters are cultural artifacts just as the works of fiction they feature
in. They are doubly dependent objects: for their becoming they depend on
creative intentional acts of their author, and for maintaining their
existence they depend on preservation of a copy of any fictional work they
appear in. Thomasson claims that her theory has the advantage of vindicating
the common beliefs about fictional entities embodied in the study, evaluation
and interpretation of literature. However, I argue that, under this theory of
fictional entities, no account of reference of fictional singular terms ?
neither the descriptive, nor the causal, nor Thomasson?s preferred hybrid
account ? can accommodate all the aspects of our literary practices.
Descartes and the formulations of free will
Authors: Ristic Sava
Published: October 2016

Based on certain places in Descartes? writings, regarding the notion of ?free
will?, it seems that Descartes may be interpreted as both a compatibilist and
libertarian. Firstly, we claim that it is impossible to describe Descartes as
a compatibilist, and the consequence of that proposition is that that it is
impossible for him to be both a compatibilist and libertarian. By referring
to Meditations, Passions of the Soul, Principles and Letters, we will show
that Descartes is not a compatibilist, rather that he is a libertarian, since
he places free will in an incompatible relation with determinism by allowing
free will not to be restrained by anything, which leaves the ?alternative
possibilities? open. Afterwards we will respond to possible objections, out
of which the main one will be related to determinism.
The Impact of Moral Intensity and Ethical Tone Consistency on Policy Compliance
Authors: Crossler Robert E. , Long James H. , Loraas Tina M. , Trinkle Brad S.
Published: October 2016

This study examines the impact of moral intensity and inconsistent ethical tone on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy compliance. Organizations use BYOD policies to address the heightened risks of data and privacy breaches that arise when employees use their personal devices to access or store company data. These policies are a key part of an organization's system of internal controls that protect organizational assets by prescribing appropriate behavior for individuals who have access to them. We conducted an online experiment to evaluate (1) how the moral intensity of a policy compliance decision influences policy compliance behavior, (2) the efficacy of an intervention designed to increase moral intensity and thus foster compliance, and (3) how an inconsistent ethical tone affects both the perceived ethicality of a policy compliance decision and individuals' intentions to comply with the policy. We find that moral intensity is positively related to policy compliance, and that a simple intervention effectively fosters policy compliance through its impact on moral intensity. Furthermore, we provide evidence that an inconsistent ethical tone erodes policy compliance intentions, and can spill over to affect another work-related behavior. These findings have important theoretical and practical implications.
Text Mining Using Latent Semantic Analysis: An Illustration through Examination of 30 Years of Research at JIS
Authors: Guan Jian , Levitan Alan S. , Goyal Sandeep
Published: October 2016

Big Data presents a tremendous challenge for the accounting profession today. This challenge is characterized by, among other things, the explosive growth of unstructured data, such as text. In recent years, new text-mining methods have emerged to turn unstructured textual data into actionable information. A critical role of accounting information systems (AIS) research is to help the accounting profession assess and utilize these methodologies in an accounting context. This paper introduces the latent semantic analysis (LSA), a text-mining approach that discovers latent structures in unstructured textual data, to the AIS research community. An LSA-based approach is used to analyze AIS research as published in the Journal of Information Systems (JIS) over the last 30 years. JIS research serves as an appropriate domain of analysis because of a perceived need to contextualize the scope of AIS research. The research themes and trends resulting from this analysis contribute to a better understanding of this identity.
Tuberculosis contact investigations associated with air travel in Ireland, September 2011 to November 2014
Authors: Flanagan Paula , O'Donnell Joan , Mereckiene Jolita , O'Flanagan Darina
Published: October 2016

The risk of communicable disease transmission during air travel is of public health concern and has received much attention over the years. We retrospectively reviewed information from nine flights (≥ 8 hours) associated with infectious tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ireland between September 2011 and November 2014 to investigate whether possible transmission had occurred. Twenty-four flights notified in Ireland associated with sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB cases with a history of air travel were reviewed. Nine were suitable for inclusion and analysed. Six cases of infectious TB travelled on nine flights. A total of 232 passengers were identified for contact tracing; 85.3% (n = 198) had sufficient information available for follow-up. In total, 12.1% (n = 24) were reported as screened for TB. The results revealed no active TB cases among passengers and 16.7% (n = 4) were diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI) all of whom had other risk factors. Despite the limited sample size, we found no evidence of M. tuberculosis transmission from infectious passengers. This study identified challenges in obtaining complete timely airline manifests, leading to inadequate passenger information for follow-up. Receipt of TB screening results from international colleagues was also problematic. The challenge of interpreting the tuberculin skin test results in determining recent vs earlier infection was encountered.
Improving rural broadband deployment with synergistic effects between multiple fixed infrastructures
Authors: Limbach Felix , Kuebel Hannes , Zarnekow Rüdiger
Published: October 2016

The utilization of deployment synergies across infrastructure networks of different industries has been identified as a key to improve the broadband business case. Thus, an increasing number of broadband plans require owners of physical infrastructures such as the electricity, pipeline, highway and railroad networks to host broadband infrastructure. However, cross-industry cooperation brings about new complexity to optimal utilization of deployment synergies.This paper explores cost savings that can be achieved if national non-telecommunication infrastructures are considered as source for broadband networks in rural areas. Moreover, it assesses economic, political and regulatory measures required for improving synergy utilization. The presented approach is based on a techno-economic broadband deployment model, which is applied to all rural communities in Germany. Results indicate that synergy optimized network topologies can generally decrease rural broadband deployment cost. However, it is required that local authorities recognize the definition of broadband tender areas as a chance for the aggregation of demand. Moreover, national regulators need to ensure that metro-aggregation, backbone and co-location costs, which are associated with non-telecommunication infrastructures, do not exceed the costs of the incumbent by more than 50%.
Numerical and experimental investigation of surface vortex formation in coolant reservoirs of reactor safety systems
Authors: Pandazis P. , Babcsány B.
Published: October 2016

The reliable operation of the emergency coolant pumps and passive gravitational injection systems are an important safety issue during accident scenarios with coolant loss in pressurized water reactors. Because of the pressure drop and flow disturbances surface vortices develops at the pump intakes if the water level decreasing below a critical value. The induced swirling flow and gas entrainment lead to flow limitation and to pump failures and damages. The prediction of the critical submergence to avoid surface vortex building is difficult because it depends on many geometrical and fluid dynamical parameters. An alternative and new method has been developed for the investigation of surface vortices. The method based on the combination of CFD results with the analytical vortex model of Burgers and Rott. For further investigation the small scale experiments from the Institute of Nuclear Techniques of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics are used which were inspired from flow limitation problems during the draining of the bubble condenser trays at a VVER type nuclear power plants.
Comparative analysis of deterministic and probabilistic fracture mechanical assessment tools
Authors: Heckmann K. , Saifi Q.
Published: October 2016

Uncertainties in material properties, manufacturing processes, loading conditions and damage mechanisms complicate the quantification of structural reliability. Probabilistic structure mechanical computing codes serve as tools for assessing leak- and break probabilities of nuclear piping components. Probabilistic fracture mechanical tools were compared in different benchmark activities, usually revealing minor, but systematic discrepancies between results of different codes. In this joint paper, probabilistic fracture mechanical codes are compared. Crack initiation, crack growth and the influence of in-service inspections are analyzed. Example cases for stress corrosion cracking and fatigue in LWR conditions are analyzed. The evolution of annual failure probabilities during simulated operation time is investigated, in order to identify the reasons for differences in the results of different codes. The comparison of the tools is used for further improvements of the codes applied by the partners.
Simulation of the occupational radiation dose caused by contamination of primary circuit media in pressurized water reactors
Authors: Artmann A. , Bruhn G. , Schneider S. , Strub E.
Published: October 2016

The occupational radiation exposure of workers in NPPs during overall maintenance and refueling inspections and decommissioning is determined by numerous parameters. Radiation exposure caused by contamination of components may be minimised by the chemical operation mode and by applying systematic decontamination techniques. Data on occupational exposure in German NPPs as well as information about the radionuclide concentration in the coolant are available. The generic 3D model of the primary circuit presented is based on the analysis of technical documentation of German PWRs. Tasks are modeled as a combination of retention times at related local positions in the surroundings of work areas. The generic model allows the calculation of the resulting occupational doses generated by definable jobs and tasks. The KWU/Siemens-PWR generations are characterised by nuclide vectors, the thickness of shielding, and the material composition of components. It was possible to show that for a pre-Konvoi plant, the calculated occupational dose caused by a specific working task is close to measurements.
Experimental and numerical investigations on the direct contact condensation phenomenon in horizontal flow channels and its implications in nuclear safety
Authors: Ceuca S.C. , Laurinavicius D.
Published: October 2016

The complex direct contact condensation phenomenon is investigated in horizontal flow channels both experimentally and numerically with special emphasis on its implications on safety assessment studies. Under certain conditions direct contact condensation can act as the driving force for the water hammer phenomenon with potentially local devastating results, thus posing a threat to the integrity of the affected NPP components. New experimental results of in-depth analysis of the direct contact condensation phenomena obtained in Kaunas at the Lithuanian Energy Institute will be presented. The German system code ATHLET employing for the calculation of the heat transfer coefficient a mechanistic model accounting for two different eddy length scales, combined with the interfacial area transport equation will be assessed against condensation induced water hammer experimental data from the integral thermal-hydraulic experimental facility PMK-2, located at the KFKI Atomic Energy Research Institute in Budapest Hungary.
Capacity Modeling for Weaving, Merge, and Diverge Sections with Median Exclusive Bus Lanes on an Urban Expressway: Microsimulation Approach
Authors: Chen Xumei , Yu Lei , Jia Xianchao , Gong Huibo
Published: October 2016

With the installation of median exclusive bus lanes (XBLs) on urban expressways, understanding of the specific weaving behavior and estimation of the capacity of weaving areas are essential for developing effective engineering measures and operational strategies for expressway management. This study developed an analytical model for estimating the capacity of weaving, merge, and diverge sections with the median XBL installed on an urban expressway by using a microsimulation approach. An in-depth analysis of weaving behaviors was conducted and factors that influenced the weaving section capacity were identified. Specifically, an off-ramp weaving ratio and a newly defined variable called the bus ratio in the total weaving volume were used. A Vissim simulation model was developed and calibrated on the basis of field data collected in Beijing. From the simulation results, a regression model on the capacity estimation was proposed; the model was further validated with a statistical approach and field capacity data. The results demonstrate that the proposed capacity model is applicable and easy to use with an acceptable accuracy. The model can be used not only to estimate the weaving section capacity with a median XBL but also to estimate the capacity of merge or diverge sections with a median XBL under appropriate constraints. Moreover, the proposed model can be applied to examine different bus operational strategies. Hence, a comparative analysis was conducted of the effectiveness of different measures to improve traffic flows in the weaving section with the installation of a median XBL. A recommendation is provided.
Multiobjective Evaluation of Left-Turn Waiting Areas at Signalized Intersections in China
Authors: Dong Shuoxuan , Yang Zhao , Xu Chengcheng , Tian Zong Z. , Liu Pan
Published: October 2016

This study presents a procedure for evaluating the impacts of left-turn waiting areas at signalized intersections considering multiple performance measures, including traffic operations, safety, environmental impacts, and fuel consumption. Data were collected at 33 sites in Nanjing, China. Vissim simulation models were developed for both isolated intersections and a roadway segment to evaluate the operational and environmental impacts of left-turn waiting areas at signalized intersections. The frequency of traffic conflicts associated with the left-turning traffic was considered the safety performance measure. The life-cycle cost method was used to combine different components in the total benefit for an isolated intersection. It was found that first, for an isolated signalized intersection, the implementation of left-turn waiting areas is overall economically beneficial when the storage capacity of the left-turn waiting area is more than one vehicle. Second, when signal coordination at arterials is considered, a set of factors may determine the overall benefits of using left-turn waiting areas, including the distance between adjacent intersections, the signal timing strategy, the size of left-turn waiting areas, and other factors. The overall benefits of using left-turn waiting areas should be determined case by case. For more than 70% of the randomly generated network cases, the lead-lag phase yields greater maximized progression bandwidth than the dual lagging phase. In this situation, it is generally recommended to implement a left-turn waiting area on one approach with a lead-lag left-turn phase. For only a few network cases in which the maximized progression bandwidth of the lag-lag phase is larger than that of the lead-lag phase, the implementation of left-turn waiting areas on both approaches with a dual-lagging left-turn phase is recommended.
'In Sight, Insane': Animal Agency, Captivity and the Frozen Wilderness in the Late-Twentieth Century
Authors: Flack Andrew
Published: October 2016

In 1979 Bristol Zoo acquired a male polar bear named Misha. Although he was one in a long line of popular attractions, he behaved in ways that the public and, to a lesser degree, the zoological society increasingly judged to be disturbing. He endlessly paced back and forth in his enclosure, swaying his head repetitively from side to side. Following media attention from animal rights organisations and the media between 1985 and the early 1990s, Misha's 'psychotic' appearance in a captive environment repeatedly evoked images of the prisons and asylums of the past, where surveillance, spectacle and suffering collided to alter the natures of the 'beasts' within. Apart from this, Misha's unsettling behaviour also contributed to swelling concerns about the state of the natural world and the bear's 'wild' kin in the advancing shadow of ozone depletion and the retreat of the continental ice shelf in the ecologically fragile frozen North. The combination of Misha's evocative behaviour, and the conceptual links it forged with the world's wild creatures and places changed the complexion of Bristol Zoo as a captive and increasingly conservation-minded environment. Furthermore, it not only contributed to transformations within institutions far beyond the walls of this singular captive space but also affected individual mentalities. Thus, this essay's aims are two-fold: primarily, it considers the nature of the historical influence of animal life, centring on Misha as an individual animal of substantial influence. In so doing, it examines shifting and conflicting values with regard to a range of broader animal and environment-related issues in a world increasingly concerned by global warming and an astonishing decline in the Earth's biodiversity.
Plant Electrical Signal Classification Based on Waveform Similarity
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhao Dong-Jie , Wang Zi-Yang , Wang Zhong-Yi , Tang Guiliang , Huang Lan
Published: October 2016

(1) Background: Plant electrical signals are important physiological traits which reflect plant physiological state. As a kind of phenotypic data, plant action potential (AP) evoked by external stimuli—e.g., electrical stimulation, environmental stress—may be associated with inhibition of gene expression related to stress tolerance. However, plant AP is a response to environment changes and full of variability. It is an aperiodic signal with refractory period, discontinuity, noise, and artifacts. In consequence, there are still challenges to automatically recognize and classify plant AP; (2) Methods: Therefore, we proposed an AP recognition algorithm based on dynamic difference threshold to extract all waveforms similar to AP. Next, an incremental template matching algorithm was used to classify the AP and non-AP waveforms; (3) Results: Experiment results indicated that the template matching algorithm achieved a classification rate of 96.0%, and it was superior to backpropagation artificial neural networks (BP-ANNs), supported vector machine (SVM) and deep learning method; (4) Conclusion: These findings imply that the proposed methods are likely to expand possibilities for rapidly recognizing and classifying plant action potentials in the database in the future.
Bolt Looseness Detection Based on Piezoelectric Impedance Frequency Shift
Authors: Shao Junhua , Wang Tao , Yin Heyue , Yang Dan , Li Yourong
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a piezoelectric impedance frequency shift method is developed to estimate the bolt preload for the detection of bolt looseness in engineering structures. An experimental device that allows the precision control of the axial preload force on a bolt is designed and fabricated. A universal testing machine is used to preload accurately on the bolt in the experiments. Under different bolt preload conditions, the impedance analyzer measures the admittance (inverse of the impedance) signal of the PZT (Lead ZirconateTitanate) patches which are bonded on the bolt head. Firstly, a wide frequency band is swept to find a sensitive frequency band of the piezoelectric admittance with the imaginary part. Then in the sensitive frequency band, a specified peak frequency of the admittance signature is chosen to investigate the frequency shift with different bolt preloads. The relationship between the specified frequency shift and the bolt preload is established. The experimental results show that the specified peak frequency decreases as the bolt preload increases for both M16 and M12 bolts, and the frequency shift has a linear relationship with the preload on the bolt. The frequencies of the real and imaginary parts of the admittance signature have the same results. Therefore, the bolt preload can be determined by measuring the specified frequency shift and this method has a good application prospect.
Effect of Surface Pretreatment on Quality and Electrochemical Corrosion Properties of Manganese Phosphate on S355J2 HSLA Steel
Authors: Pastorek Filip , Borko Kamil , Fintová Stanislava , Kajánek Daniel , Hadzima Branislav
Published: October 2016

High strength low alloy (HSLA) steels exhibit many outstanding properties for industrial applications but suffer from unsatisfactory corrosion resistance in the presence of aggressive chlorides. Phosphate coatings are widely used on the surface of steels to improve their corrosion properties. This paper evaluates the effect of a manganese phosphate coating prepared after various mechanical surface treatments on the electrochemical corrosion characteristics of S355J2 steel in 0.1 M NaCl electrolyte simulating aggressive sea atmosphere. The manganese phosphate coating was created in a solution containing H3PO4, MnO2, dissolved low carbon steel wool, and demineralised H2O. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for surface morphology observation supported by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The electrochemical corrosion characteristics were assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PD) measurements in the solution of 0.1 M NaCl. Method of equivalent circuits and Tafel-extrapolation were used for the analysis of the obtained results. Performed experiments and analysis showed that the morphological and corrosion properties of the surface with manganese phosphate are negatively influenced by sandblasting surface pretreatment.
Short-Term Load Forecasting Based on Wavelet Transform and Least Squares Support Vector Machine Optimized by Improved Cuckoo Search
Authors: Liang Yi , Niu Dongxiao , Ye Minquan , Hong Wei-Chiang
Published: October 2016

Due to the electricity market deregulation and integration of renewable resources, electrical load forecasting is becoming increasingly important for the Chinese government in recent years. The electric load cannot be exactly predicted only by a single model, because the short-term electric load is disturbed by several external factors, leading to the characteristics of volatility and instability. To end this, this paper proposes a hybrid model based on wavelet transform (WT) and least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), which is optimized by an improved cuckoo search (CS). To improve the accuracy of prediction, the WT is used to eliminate the high frequency components of the previous day’s load data. Additional, the Gauss disturbance is applied to the process of establishing new solutions based on CS to improve the convergence speed and search ability. Finally, the parameters of the LSSVM model are optimized by using the improved cuckoo search. According to the research outcome, the result of the implementation demonstrates that the hybrid model can be used in the short-term forecasting of the power system.
Neural Network Ensemble Based Approach for 2D-Interval Prediction of Solar Photovoltaic Power
Authors: Rana Mashud , Koprinska Irena
Published: October 2016

Solar energy generated from PhotoVoltaic (PV) systems is one of the most promising types of renewable energy. However, it is highly variable as it depends on the solar irradiance and other meteorological factors. This variability creates difficulties for the large-scale integration of PV power in the electricity grid and requires accurate forecasting of the electricity generated by PV systems. In this paper we consider 2D-interval forecasts, where the goal is to predict summary statistics for the distribution of the PV power values in a future time interval. 2D-interval forecasts have been recently introduced, and they are more suitable than point forecasts for applications where the predicted variable has a high variability. We propose a method called NNE2D that combines variable selection based on mutual information and an ensemble of neural networks, to compute 2D-interval forecasts, where the two interval boundaries are expressed in terms of percentiles. NNE2D was evaluated for univariate prediction of Australian solar PV power data for two years. The results show that it is a promising method, outperforming persistence baselines and other methods used for comparison in terms of accuracy and coverage probability.
Individual-Tree Competition Indices and Improved Compatibility with Stand-Level Estimates of Stem Density and Long-Term Production
Authors: McTague John , Weiskittel Aaron
Published: October 2016

When explaining the dynamics of individual trees, the incorporation of size and distance of neighboring trees into a model can improve the prediction of growth and mortality. Several methods have been proposed to define the number of competing trees based on variable zone radii and the principles of angle count sampling. The task of measuring position-dependent competition indices appears to be ideally suited for permanent sample plots and long-term studies of growth and yield (production), where the marginal effort of remeasurement is concentrated on measuring size attributes of survivor trees and the occasional distance of a new sample tree. The proposed competition index is based on point sampling with a variable basal area factor (BAFV) that is partially derived from the Spurr (1962) competition index. Point sampling is a fast, easy, and inexpensive methodology for selecting the number of competing trees, and the new BAFV methodology proved to be very efficient for estimating growth. With the selection of an appropriate basal area factor, it is possible to reduce the number of subject trees and competition trees in the sample, and eliminate the need for edge correction methods. Although the index value assigned to the subject tree using the BAFV is biased, an appropriate correction is presented and discussed. The average competition index obtained from using the corrected value for the subject tree and the BAFV for the competing trees equals the stand level estimate of basal area.
Effects of Drought and Rewetting on Growth and Gas Exchange of Minor European Broadleaved Tree Species
Authors: Kunz Jörg , Räder Annemarie , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: October 2016

Widespread and economically important European tree species such as Norway spruce, Scots pine, and European beech are projected to be negatively affected by the increasing intensity and frequency of dry and hot conditions in a future climate. Hence, there is an increasing need to investigate the suitability of presumably more drought tolerant species to ensure future ecological stability, biodiversity, and productivity of forests. Based on their distribution patterns and climatic envelopes, the rare, minor broadleaved tree species Sorbus torminalis ((L.) CRANTZ), S. domestica (L.), Acer campestre (L.), and A. platanoides (L.) are assumed to be drought tolerant, however, there is only limited experimental basis to support that notion. This study aimed at quantifying growth and gas exchange of seedlings of these species during drought conditions, and their capacity to recover following drought. For that purpose, they were compared to the common companion species Quercus petraea ((MATTUSCHKA) LIEBL.) and Fagus sylvatica (L.). Here, potted seedlings of these species were exposed to water limitation followed by rewetting cycles in a greenhouse experiment. Photosynthesis and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance as well as root and shoot growth rates indicated a high drought resistance of A. campestre and A. platanoides. Sorbus domestica showed a marked ability to recover after drought stress. Therefore, we conclude that these minor tree species have the potential to enrich forests on drought-prone sites. Results from this pot experiment need to be complemented by field studies, in which the drought response of the species is not influenced by restrictions to root development.
Study on the Fire Damage Characteristics of the New Qidaoliang Highway Tunnel: Field Investigation with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Back Analysis
Authors: Lai Hongpeng , Wang Shuyong , Xie Yongli
Published: October 2016

In the New Qidaoliang Tunnel (China), a rear-end collision of two tanker trunks caused a fire. To understand the damage characteristics of the tunnel lining structure, in situ investigation was performed. The results show that the fire in the tunnel induced spallation of tunnel lining concrete covering 856 m3; the length of road surface damage reached 650 m; the sectional area had a maximum 4% increase, and the mechanical and electrical facilities were severely damaged. The maximum area loss happened at the fire spot with maximum observed concrete spallation up to a thickness of 35.4 cm. The strength of vault and side wall concrete near the fire source was significantly reduced. The loss of concrete strength of the side wall near the inner surface of tunnel was larger than that near the surrounding rock. In order to perform back analysis of the effect of thermal load on lining structure, simplified numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was also performed, repeating the fire scenario. The simulated results showed that from the fire breaking out to the point of becoming steady, the tunnel experienced processes of small-scale warming, swirl around fire, backflow, and longitudinal turbulent flow. The influence range of the tunnel internal temperature on the longitudinal downstream was far greater than on the upstream, while the high temperature upstream and downstream of the transverse fire source mainly centered on the vault or the higher vault waist. The temperature of each part of the tunnel near the fire source had no obvious stratification phenomenon. The temperature of the vault lining upstream and downstream near the fire source was the highest. The numerical simulation is found to be in good agreement with the field observations.
Polymorphism of the XRCC1 Gene Is Associated with Susceptibility and Short-Term Recovery of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: He Wei , Huang Peng , Liu Dinghua , Zhong Lingling , Yu Rongbin , Li Jianan
Published: October 2016

Background: Base excision repair (BER) is the primary DNA repair system with the ability to fix base lesions caused by oxidative damage. Genetic variants influencing the BER pathway may affect the susceptibility and the outcomes of ischemic stroke. Here, we examined how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BER impact susceptibility and short-term recovery of ischemic stroke. Methods: We selected 320 ischemic stroke patients and 303 controls. Then we genotyped SNPs of NEIL1 rs4462560, NEIL3 rs12645561 and XRCC1 rs25487 in both groups. Results: Polymorphism in XRCC1 rs25487 was significantly associated with reduced ischemic stroke (IS) risk (dominant model: OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36–0.79, p = 0.002), a milder initial stroke (dominant model: OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.33–0.98, p = 0.043), and also a better short-term recovery (dominant model: OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.35–0.92, p = 0.022). No association was observed in the other two SNPs. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the genetic variant of XRCC1 rs25487 may contribute to the etiology of ischemic stroke.
Auraptene and Other Prenyloxyphenylpropanoids Suppress Microglial Activation and Dopaminergic Neuronal Cell Death in a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Okuyama Satoshi , Semba Tomoki , Toyoda Nobuki , Epifano Francesco , Genovese Salvatore , Fiorito Serena , Taddeo Vito , Sawamoto Atsushi , Nakajima Mitsunari , Furukawa Yoshiko
Published: October 2016

In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), hyperactivated inflammation in the brain, particularly microglial hyperactivation in the substantia nigra (SN), is reported to be one of the triggers for the delayed loss of dopaminergic neurons and sequential motor functional impairments. We previously reported that (1) auraptene (AUR), a natural prenyloxycoumain, suppressed inflammatory responses including the hyperactivation of microglia in the ischemic brain and inflamed brain, thereby inhibiting neuronal cell death; (2) 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin (7-IP), another natural prenyloxycoumain, exerted anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects against excitotoxicity; and (3) 4′-geranyloxyferulic acid (GOFA), a natural prenyloxycinnamic acid, also exerted anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, using an intranigral lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PD-like mouse model, we investigated whether AUR, 7-IP, and GOFA suppress microglial activation and protect against dopaminergic neuronal cell death in the SN. We successfully showed that these prenyloxyphenylpropanoids exhibited these prospective abilities, suggesting the potential of these compounds as neuroprotective agents for patients with PD.
Debris Evaluation after Root Canal Shaping with Rotating and Reciprocating Single-File Systems
Authors: Dagna Alberto , Gastaldo Giulia , Beltrami Riccardo , Poggio Claudio
Published: October 2016

This study evaluated the root canal dentine surface by scanning electron microscope (SEM) after shaping with two reciprocating single-file NiTi systems and two rotating single-file NiTi systems, in order to verify the presence/absence of the smear layer and the presence/absence of open tubules along the walls of each sample; Forty-eight single-rooted teeth were divided into four groups and shaped with OneShape (OS), F6 SkyTaper (F6), WaveOne (WO) and Reciproc and irrigated using 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. Root canal walls were analyzed by SEM at a standard magnification of 2500×. The presence/absence of the smear layer and the presence/absence of open tubules at the coronal, middle, and apical third of each canal were estimated using a five-step scale for scores. Numeric data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U statistical tests and significance was predetermined at P < 0.05; The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA for debris score showed significant differences among the NiTi systems (P < 0.05). The Mann-Whitney test confirmed that reciprocating systems presented significantly higher score values than rotating files. The same results were assessed considering the smear layer scores. ANOVA confirmed that the apical third of the canal maintained a higher quantity of debris and smear layer after preparation of all the samples; Single-use NiTi systems used in continuous rotation appeared to be more effective than reciprocating instruments in leaving clean walls. The reciprocating systems produced more debris and smear layer than rotating instruments.
Matching Forces Applied in Underwater Hull Cleaning with Adhesion Strength of Marine Organisms
Authors: Oliveira Dinis , Granhag Lena
Published: October 2016

Biofouling is detrimental to the hydrodynamic performance of ships. In spite of advances in hull coating technology, a ship must usually undergo underwater hull cleaning to remove biofouling during her in-service time. However, some cleaning practices may also lead to decreased lifetime of the fouling-control coating. Therefore, cleaning forces should be minimized, according to the adhesion strength of marine organisms present on the hull. In this article, values of adhesion strength found in available literature are discussed in the light of current knowledge on hull cleaning technology. Finally, the following knowledge gaps are identified: (1) data on adhesion strength of naturally-occurring biofouling communities are practically absent; (2) shear forces imparted by current cleaning devices on low-form fouling (microfouling) and corresponding effects on hull coatings are largely unknown. This knowledge would be valuable for both developers and users of cleaning technology.
Addressing the Externalities from Genetically Modified Pollen Drift on a Heterogeneous Landscape
Authors: Mancini Mattia , Kovacs Kent , Wailes Eric , Popp Jennie
Published: October 2016

Genetically modified (GM) crops have single or multiple genes introduced to obtain crop characteristics that cannot be obtained through conventional breeding. Pollen mediated gene flow from GM to non-GM crops causes some crops planted as non-GM to become GM, and this imposes economic losses on farmers who planted a non-GM crop but then have to sell the harvest on a GM market. The economic losses that result when both crops are grown together depend on the institutional arrangements and the type of property rights in place. We analyze how the spatial heterogeneity of a farmer’s fields affects the land allocation between buffers, the GM, and the non-GM crop based on cross-pollination and initial assignment of property rights. Greater spatial heterogeneity reduces the possibility of coexistence of crops on the landscape and increases the economic losses. Buffer zones enforced to reduce cross-pollination result in less coexistence on heterogeneous landscapes.
Benzyl 2-((E)-Tosyliminomethyl)phenylcarbamate
Authors: Ko Kwang , Kim Sung-Gon
Published: October 2016

Benzyl 2-((E)-tosyliminomethyl)penylcarbamate was prepared in good yield and characterized by the condensation reaction of benzyl 2-formylphenylcarbamate with p-toluenesulfonyl amine. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was determined using 1H, 13C-NMR, IR and mass spectral data.