bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards conceptual understanding for the adoption of building environmental sustainability assessment methods in the UAE built environment
Authors: Shibeika A , Abdel Raheem T , Hittini B
Published: September 2019

The UAE is witnessing increased interest for sustainable development which poses challenges on the development processes for the large amount of built environment projects taking place in this emerging economy. While, great attention has been given to the development of tools and methods to measure and assess the performance of buildings to meet specific environmental sustainability targets, however, less is known about the effect of these assessment methods on the built environment development process itself. This paper addresses this gap through the investigation of the adoption of building environmental sustainability assessment methods for development projects in the UAE. Currently, there are two assessment methods in the UAE; Pearl Building Rating (PBR) and Al Sa’fat systems. Background study revealed that both systems: are developed in parallel to the development of building codes, adopt performance-based approach for assessment methods, and their adoption for development projects is basically mandatory. This paper draws from diffusion of innovations theory and growing literature in the adoption of similar assessment methods in projects, with the objective of proposing a conceptual framework that conceptualizes PBR and Al Sa’fat methods as innovations and the development projects as the social system for adoption, while focusing on the adoption process dynamics rather than the decision to adopt or not. The proposed framework captures specific conceptual themes, providing the foundation for further empirical investigation. As such, this paper contributes to the growing literature on the adoption of global energy assessment tools and specifically addresses the UAE’s sustainable development policy and regulation.
Safety Climate Assessment of Furniture Industry: A Case Study
Authors: Susanto N , Prastawa H , Oktaningrum D D
Published: September 2019

Lack of safety awareness has caused many losses including accidents cost, insurance cost as well as indirect costs. Most of work accidents occurred due low perception of work safety. A measurement of safety climate for workers and head department should be considered to figure the condition of safety climate out. The assessment of safety climate is using Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50). The significance of differences in the safety climate between workers and head department is determined by Mann-Whitney test. The study was conducted on 100 worker samples spread across 10 production departments and 10 head departments in a furniture manufacture. The result shows that the safety climate level is quite low at the management safety justice, workers’ safety priority and risk non-acceptance dimensions. The safety climate of head departments shows a good enough result on the 4 dimensions and need an improvement on the 3 other dimensions. There are differences in perceptions between workers and head departments on commitment and competence of management, the management safety justice, workers’ safety priority and risk non-acceptance dimensions.
Supplier Selection With Gray Based Rough Set Theory Method (A Case Study: Pharmaceutical Installation Of RSU Grand Medica Tanjung Anom, Medan)
Authors: Bakhtiar A , Siahaan Y S T , Susanty A
Published: September 2019

Based on the preliminary study and interviews to the Grand Medica Hospital Tanjung Anom Medan there are several problems, including the frequent delays of drugs and an increase in the percentage of disability drugs supplied by suppliers. Where the supplier is a top priority exactly shows the highest percentage of disability in the delivery period. From these problems, it is necessary to select the medicinal supplier of Grand Medica General Hospital by evaluating the criteria and subcriteria in the supplier assessment and will produce the output of more than one supplier that has been in accordance with the criteria. The purpose of this study is to assist the Hospital for making the right supplier selection decisions. Supplier selection is a matter of Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) because in the selection process is done by evaluating each supplier which is seen some common criterion in supplier selection to fulfill requirement of raw material. The method used in this study is the method of Gray Based Rough Set Theory, where this m ethod will involve some decision makers who are considered to have an important role in this hospital. Gray Based Rough Set Theory is a combination of fuzzy or gray methods and rough sets. The selection of suppliers by this method also considers the importance of the decision maker by assigning weight to each decision maker. By providing the upper and lower limits of each calculation, this method is considered capable of producing better decisions, with the output of more than one selected supplier. Where the RSU Grand Medica currently needs suppliers to supply medicines to meet medical supplies at the Hospital. Based on the calculation of the value of the Gray Values factor, the results obtained for each supplier, namely supplier 1 (0.26), supplier 2 (0.31), supplier 3 (0.60), supplier 4 (0.60), supplier 5 (0.39), and supplier 6 (0.34). By analyzing the value of Gray Values factor, obtained the order of choosing the chosen supplier based on the weight of the biggest is supplier 4 (0,60), supplier 3 (0.60), supplier 5 (0.39), supplier 6 (0.34), supplier 2 (0.31), and the last supplier 1 (0.26).
Interrelationship of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) Performance Indicators for Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia
Authors: Primadasa R , Sokhibi A , Tauhida D
Published: September 2019

This study identifies GSCM Performance indicators for the palm oil industry in Indonesia, analyse the relationships between these indicators, and classify those indicators. Literature studies and expert surveys are carried out and produce eleven indicators. Interpretative Structural Modelling is used as a method for modelling the relationships between these indicators and results in six indicators at the first level, namely water usage (G1), material usage (G9), global warming potential (G4),% CPO certified (G8), energy usage (G2),% product with take-back policies (G11); four indicators are at the second level: waste generated before recycled (G3), acidification potential (G10), COD (Chemical oxygen demand) (G6),% waste reused (G7); third level one indicator, namely (biological chemical demand) (G5). Meanwhile MICMAC Analysis was used to classify eleven performance indicators and produced nine indicators into cluster I, autonomous indicators, namely: energy usage (G2), waste generated before recycled (G3), BOD (biological chemical demand) (G5), COD (Chemical oxygen demand) (G6),% waste reused (G7),% CPO certified (G8), material usage (G9), acidification potential (G10),% product with take-back policies (G11). One indicator is cluster II, autonomous indicators, namely global warming potential (G4). For cluster III, linkage indicators, there are no indicators included in it at all. The last one indicator entered cluster IV, independent indicators, namely water usage (G1). In the end, this study give contribution to expand the using of ISM modelling especially for palm oil industry.
Application Quality Function Deployment to Improve Quality of Patient Service in Hemodialysis Installation
Authors: Siregar I
Published: September 2019

Hemodialysis installation is a part of hospital functions as a place to clean the blood from waste substances, by screening process outside the body. The existence of a hospital does not serve patients in Health Insurance of North Sumatra Province currently because of the decision from Health Office of North Sumatera Province causes a drastic increase number of patients in this installation. This condition causes patient complaints about hemodialysis service and efforts needed to improve patient services based on the wishes and needs of patients using Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The results of the analysis show that 8 attributes obtained based on questionnaires, found that there were 4 attributes being top priorities for improvement including good communication with patients, preparedness of medical staff, competency of medical staff, medical equipment, dialiser reuse, and sterilization completeness. These four attributes can be applied through medical staff friendship, responsiveness / response of medical staff, abilities and knowledge by medical staff, and regular supplier and maintenance of equipment.
Camisole Modification Based on Human Physiology and Fashion Aspect for Diponegoro University Students
Authors: Nurkertamanda D , Utami A S , Sriyanto  , Widharto Y
Published: September 2019

Camisole is one of the supporting equipment of the kebaya which functions to cover the body in the upper part of the woman and serves to form the curves of the body. This function causes inconveniences such as feeling tight, feeling pain in the back, feeling hot. This must be supported by camisole modifications that pay attention to wearer’s physiology and fashion to support the user’s confidence. This study was conducted to assess the application of ergonomics in a camisole. This study uses real experimental research using cross-design two periods with subject or treatment by subject two period crossover design involving 10 subjects of the Hindu student community at Diponegoro University. Data measured were age, height, weight, body mass index, pulse and filled out a fashion questionnaire with 4 Likert scales. This research uses t-paired test to compare the existing products with modified products. The results of the descriptive analysis showed a significant decrease in the pulse with the average product of the existing chemise (product A) of (113.89 ± 5.01) and the modified camisole product (product B) of (107.17 ± 4.14) dpm significantly increase fashion by 80% on the wearer.
Improving the Performance of Procurement and Inventory Management of Hospital Materials (Case of a Taiwanese Medical Centre)
Authors: Liu Y C , Chiu M B , Chiou C C
Published: September 2019

Within healthcare organization, the main goal of material procurement and inventory management is to reduce the cost associated with supplies without sacrificing the quality of patient care. In general, there are two ways to maintain supply level, i.e., joint procurement and direct purchase from the point-of-use location. For joint procurement, the demand of the associated point-of-use will place order to central warehouse. The other way is the order is directly place to the supplier by the individual department. The focus of this study is to examine the current procurement and inventory management and improve the inventory policies for central storeroom and induvial department. To maintain the service by setting new order policies. In this study, we define a performance indicator, supply-demand ratio to measure the improvement of the operation of procurement and inventory management. With new policy, holding cost and idle stock, and usage of space can be reduced meanwhile it can maintain its service level.
Determinants of Innovation Strategy in Indonesia Telecommunication Industry
Authors: Pramudita D R , Nurcahyo R , Dachyar M
Published: September 2019

On the last ten years, telecommunication industry in Indonesia has passed through several transformations on network and service convergence. In this digitally disrupted era, there is change of communication trends from voice and text message communication to data-based application communication (Over-the-Top communications) resulted decline of company revenue. However, telecommunication should have had big role, therefore company should adapt the strategy to catch that opportunity. The aim of this research is to investigate the determinants of innovation strategy in Indonesia telecommunication industry. This research is conducted qualitatively with semi-structured interviews. Strong evidences are shown that product innovation is done the most both in Indonesia and other developed countries. The results indicate that the criteria information technology infrastructure, digital customer experience, business process, profitability, and the quality of product/service are the determinants on the design of innovation strategy in Indonesia telecommunication industry.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Site Selection of Traditional Medicine Companies in Indonesia using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method
Authors: Dachyar M. , Tjiptadi A.T. , Farizal
Published: September 2019

OEM Selection is a unique selection methods, it’s a combination of site selection and supplier selection. This study aims to determine the best location of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in traditional medicine companies in Indonesia using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The results showed that the factors that have the highest weight in determining OEM locations are availability of raw material, transportation access and labor cost. The combination of these factors indicates that the best location for OEM development is Central Java province. This study is useful to provide insight to traditional medicine companies in Indonesia regarding the importance of determining the location of OEMs to build competitive strategies in the face of competition from competitors.
A Prototype Decision Support System for Sustainability Performance Measurement in Furniture Industry
Authors: Sriyanto  , Pujotomo D , Hartini S
Published: September 2019

In measuring sustainability performance of a manufacturing system, a manager needs a practical tool to assess relevant sustainability indicators. This research aims to develop a decision support system (DSS) to measure, evaluate and improve the existing manufacturing operations toward sustainability goals. The DSS incorporates a manufacturing sustainability model that measures current manufacturing performance in Triple Bottom Line aspects comprehensively. The system provides a single index with workable indicators encompassed economic, environmental, and social dimensions. These indicators generated specifically for furniture industry in Indonesia. The DSS prototype, called EvaSus, designed as an interactive tool that helps manager to get comprehensive evaluation of the manufacturing sustainability, thus providing a way to improve the business processes.
Business Intelligence for Product Defect Analysis
Authors: Girsang A S , Isa S M , Haris A L , Arwan  , Mandagie K , Ariana L R , Ardinda V
Published: September 2019

The problem of reporting service in PT.XYZ is the complexity of the query to take the data from the table in oracle. There are many table to be processed for the data, because of that it’s hard to show the report quickly. PT XYZ needs fast and reliable report to be shown, especially for control or audit. The suggested solution is to use data warehouse, because it has more structured storage and the data can be analysed by OLAP analysis that has the capability to show the data quickly. Data warehouse development was done through nine step that has been designed by Kimball and Ross. With this solution, PT XYZ has the capability to maintain quality of the product by monitoring the process and the data.
Performance of impedance measurement algorithm applied in line with a compensation circuit
Authors: Rohadi N
Published: September 2019

This paper describes a performance of impedance measurement algorithms of SEL-421 distance relay protection when applied to protect series compensated line during fault conditions. The Performance is carried out by varying the value of uncertainty parameters to the accuracy of the impedance measurement algorithm of the relay for the simulated faults, which is measured from the located relay to the fault points. Experiments were carried out with a combination of DIgSILENT PowerFactory software to model and simulate electrical power protection systems with a system voltage of 400 kV and a line length of 300 km with compensation circuit placed in the middle of a protected transmission line. For a fault simulated 0.45 p. U in front of compensation circuit, the relay still works correctly. However, there will be an operation failure of the relay for the fault simulated at 0.8 p. U behind compensation circuit. Faults simulation and performances are performed automatically through the algorithm developed using the DIgSILENT Program Language (DPL). From the enclosed results, the developed method is applicable for testing the performance of the IEDs algorithm.
Improving the quality and quantity of cinnamon drying process using art cave in Lambung Bukit West Sumatra
Authors: Baiqi A U , Utami P P , Anugrah D , Fauzan A A , Ningsih W S , Rusydi M I
Published: September 2019

Cinnamon processing in Padang City constraints when processing cinnamon barks under direct sunlight due to its dependence on weather and vulnerability to dust and animals. Hence, a machine were introduced to a cinnamon drying device named Art-Cave (Smart Dryer System for Cassiavera). This machine can dry cinnamon barks with humidity below 14% to prevent mushroom growth, while the heating temperature allowed is 60 °C to maintain the content of aetheric oil. The machine provides four shelves that are used as storage. The capacity of each shelf is 5 kg of moist cinnamon barks. After the cinnamon barks are evenly arranged, the stove at the bottom of the machine can be switched on. The heat will flow through the room on the side of the box, and the fan blows air into each shelf. On the top, a fan is installed to blow hot air out of the box — the fan functions to maintain the machine temperature on the limit of 60 °C. Therefore, the farmers can improve the drying process from 30 kg/day to about 80 kg/day as well as maintain the demanded ambient temperature by utilizing the machine.
Shape object selection using the chi-square method
Authors: Kurnia R , Kurnia F , Fitrilina
Published: September 2019

This paper is focused on identifying the shape the shape of the object. There are some basic shape objects such as rectangle, circle, triangle, square, hexagonal, an ellipse. The method that used in this paper was chi-square feature selection to select a relevant feature toward those basic shape objects. Then, the proximity calculation between the training image and real image that was already available in the database. The chi-square feature selection process eliminates the irrelevant features in each figure that was in the image database. As final results, the system succeeds to detect an appropriate shape of an object by determining the distance of Euclidean between training image and the real image.
A wireless monitoring system for comparison photovoltaic and photovoltaic thermal characteristics
Authors: Krismadinata  , Lapisa R , Asnil
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes a prototype of a wireless monitoring system. It was employed to compare the electrical characteristics of two solar modules of the same type and size. One of the solar modules on the bottom side is mounted a copper pipe for circulating water (as call photovoltaic thermal). This system serves as a heat absorption on the bottom of the solar module. The experiment is conducted at the same time, place, and sunlight intensity conditions for both solar modules. The characteristics of open circuit voltage, short-circuit current, temperature upper side, temperature bottom side and the irradiation of sunlight from the two solar modules are observed. The low-cost processor, A Tmega 8535 is employed as an embedded system and Visual Basic. Net as Graphic User Interface. The collecting data is processed and displayed graphically. The wireless communication is applied to PC and ATmega 8535. The measuring data is validated to instrument standard. The test results show that photovoltaic thermal generates greater electrical power than solar modules not equipped with heat absorption.
Recognition of horizontal gaze motion based on electrooculography using tsugeno fuzzy logic
Authors: Rusydi Muhammad Ilhamdi , Bahri Mardiah , Ryaldi Rizky Syahreza , Akbar Fauzan , Matsuhita Kojiro , Sasaki Minoru
Published: September 2019

Electrooculography is a biosignal activity generated from the human’s eyes activity. In this research, the eyes movements (left and right) were recognized by processing the EOG signal. The eyes movements in the horizontal movement were identified from the direction and the magnitude of the gaze angle. The direction of the eyes movements was detected using the polarity of the signal whereas the magnitude of gaze angle was computed using Tsugeno fuzzy method with two approaches, namely area of signal and peak of the signal. The system was able to detect the direction of gaze motion with the accuracy of 100%. The accuracy of the EOG signal in calculating the magnitude of the gaze angle was 93.46% for the right and 89.88% for the left. The number was higher compared to the performance of the peak point with the accuracy of 88.06% for the right and 84.79% for the left. The result in this paper showed that the system was able to detect the direction of eyes movements very well. However, the calculation of the magnitude of eyes movements is still a challenge to be improved in the future.
Setup time efficiencies of quick die change system in metal stamping process
Authors: Arief R K , Nurlaila Q
Published: September 2019

The rapid developing of technology today has forced manufacturing companies to widely expands their business and production abilities. Efficiencies in all aspects must be taken to maximized production capacity and reduce waste to survive. Lean’s SMED technique is one of waste reduction method that usually used in manufacturing companies and specifically called the Quick Die Change (QDC) for metal stamping companies. But some research related to QDC only discuss the setup tools and operator movement during setup and process. This research observed the setup process of the die construction that has been modified to be able to reduce the setup time and other time wasted activities. This QDC die construction could save setup time by 60% compared to conventional die and could do more if carefully planned. Research conducted in an automotive spare parts maker in Jakarta wider region that already use this QDC die in their production line.
Optimization of significant factors of cement compressive strength at PT Semen Padang
Authors: Fithri P , Meilani D , Putri N T , Chotimah F H
Published: September 2019

The quality measurement of cement production is focussed on five factors, namely: Blaine fineness (Blaine), SO3 content (SO3), Sieving on 45 µm (Sieve), Loss on ignition value (LOI) and Biomass-to-liquid value (BTL). They were measured when cement was 3rd, 7th and 28th days old. This study analyzed the effect of significant influence using multiple regression analysis and the optimal value of the five factors that affect compressive strength using the Response Surface Method (RSM). The results obtained for Portland Composite Cement(PCC)significant factor for 3rd day: Blaine: 379 m2/kg; SO3: 1.72%; Sieving on 45 µm: 8.78%; LOI: 5.40% and BTL: 7.75%. For 7th day compressive strength: Blaine: 389 m2/kg; SO3: 1.72%; sieving on 45 µm: 9.47%; LOI: 4.17% and BTL: 10.98%. For 28th day compressive strength: Blaine: 388 m2/kg, SO3: 1.78%, sieving on 45 µm: 8.49%, LOI: 4.20% and BTL: 8.18%.
Waste assessment using a lean approach in receiving process of container terminal: a case of Teluk Bayur Port
Authors: Amrina E , Kamil I , Rahmad D
Published: September 2019

This paper aims to assess wastes in receiving process of container terminal using lean approach at Teluk Bayur port. It begins with developing the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) of receiving process of a container terminal in Teluk Bayur port. Value Added Assessment (VAA) is used to identify the wastes that classified into Value Added (VA), Non-Value Added (NVA), or Necessary but Non-Value Added (NNVA). Finally, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is applied to evaluate the failure modes of wastes and develop the proposed improvements. Through the VSM stage, it is identified eight processes with a total of 28 activities in the receiving process of a container terminal in Teluk Bayur port. The results of VAA show there are a total of 14 non-value activities consist of nine NVA activities and five NNVA activities. In FMEA, it is obtained four failure modes with the highest Risk Priority Number (RPN) related to failed in open stack process, machine problems, failed to manage documents of receiving card and system crashes. It is suggested to update the information in website and notice board, perform regular maintenance to machines, upgrade the machines, provide the proper information of receiving process procedure, conduct routine maintenance to the website, and provide generator engines.
Food packaging development of bioplastic from basic waste of cassava peel (manihot uttilisima) and shrimp shell
Authors: Dasumiati  , Saridewi N , Malik M
Published: September 2019

Development of biodegradable plastics or bioplastics that can be degraded by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi is one approach to solving the problem of plastic waste. Bioplastic from waste starch and cassava peel shrimp shell waste as filler or reinforcement that has been generated in previous research. This research aims to develop bioplastic packaging into food for direct consumption and packaging. Stages of the study include the manufacture of bioplastics, food safety testing, manufacture and packaging of food products, organoleptic test, and the test period. Utilization of cassava and leather waste shrimp shells for bioplastic packaging is an added value in addressing environmental problems because it is recycled into products of high economic value and environmental.
Effects of different pre-treatment methods on anaerobic mixed microflora for hydrogen production and COD reduction from domestic effluent
Authors: Primasari B , Tamin M Z A , Mustafa M A H
Published: September 2019

Effects of different pretreatment methods on sludge inoculum were evaluated concerning hydrogen (H2) production enhancement and COD (chemical oxygen demand) reduction, using domestic effluent in a batch system. The sludge was taken from a recycled line of the activated sludge reactor. Two types of pretreatment were investigated, heat treatment and chloroform treatment. The experiment was conducted at pH 4-6 and inoculum sizes of microbes were 10%, 20%, and 30% respectively; and experiment without sludge pretreatment was also conducted as control. The result showed that 30% COD reduction was achieved for chloroform pretreatment at pH 3 and 10% inoculum size. For heat treatment, a maximum COD removal of 60% was achieved in the experiment at pH 6 and 10% inoculum size. In chloroform pretreatment, a maximum volume of gas evolved was 3.6 mL, at pH 3 and 20% inoculum size. For heat pretreatment, maximum biogas evolved was 2.1 mL, at pH 3 and 10% inoculum size. The experimental results showed that the pretreatment methods (heat treatment and chloroform treatment) at 35 °C and initial pH 5.5 had a positive influence on H2 production yield and COD removal efficiency during the fermentative H2 production as compared to the control experiments (without pretreatment). Heat treatment method was shown to be a simple and useful method for enhancing both H2 producing and COD removal processes from domestic effluent with highest H2 yield and COD removal efficiency at 0.314 mmol H2/g COD and 86%, respectively.
Effect of garlic oil as lubricant additive into coconut and palm oils on the physical and tribological properties
Authors: Gasni D , Chandra D , Putra A A , Fajri R
Published: September 2019

Palm and coconut oils have used as an alternative source of biolubricant that is environment-friendly and biodegradable lubrication to replace petroleum oil. Due to the lack of physical and tribological properties of biolubricant, the addition of environmentally friendly additive can increase their lubricant properties. Effect of addition of garlic oil as an additive in coconut and palm oils on the physical and tribological properties was investigated and discussed. Oil treatment (OT) was used as a comparison which is known as conventional additive contained ZDDP. The results obtained from physical tribological test showed that the addition of garlic oil into coconut and palm oils had changed physical properties of these oils. Pin on disc test and ball bearing wear apparatus were conducted to study tribological properties of lubricant additives into coconut and palm oils. The addition with 5 wt % of garlic oil into palm oil showed significant improvement in both wear and coefficient of friction. The lubricant was worked very well on mixed lubrication regime stated by the smooth surface texture of inner race of bearings. Even though the results were not as good as OT; garlic oil could be an alternative as an environment-friendly additive.
Corrosion Resistance of β type titanium (TNTZ) in 3%NaCl solution
Authors: Affi J , Gunawarman  , Yetri Y , Fajri H , Juliadmi D , Nuswantoro N F , Nurbaiti  , Fonna S , Tjong D H , Manjas M
Published: September 2019

Corrosion resistance of TNTZ in a salted environment has been done using a weight loss method. All samples were immersed in 3% NaCl solution for 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Samples consist of TNTZ (AT), TNTZ (ST), Ti6Al4V ELI, and CP-Ti. The weight of samples was measured before and after the immersion process using digital balance. Microstructure and composition of the sample surfaces were examined by using the optic microscope and EDX, respectively. The lowest corrosion rate after exposure for 6 weeks is CP-Ti while the highest one is TNTZ (AT) that is 0,003 mmpy. All microstructure of samples shows pitting, and crevice corrosion in the surfaces indicating corrosion has been started to occur on the samples. It was found that the corrosion is due to the destruction of the oxide layer in some weak point as a result of chemical reaction between the metal ions with Cl-ions. Some oxides are formed in the surface of titanium as indicated by a significant increment of oxygen content is the corrosive sample surface. This study indicates the corrosion resistance of TNTZ (ST) (β type Titanium) is much better than other materials in this research.
The potential of rising husk fiber/native sago starch reinforced biocomposite to automotive component
Authors: Nusyirwan  , Abral H , Hakim M , Vadia R
Published: September 2019

This work aims to examine the mechanical and thermal behavior of rising husk fiber/starch reinforced epoxy polymer composites. Experiments are carried out to study the effect of fiber and filler volume percentage on the mechanical, and thermal behavior of epoxy-based polymer composites. The volume of fibre and filler is varied by 10%,20%,30%, 40%, and starch 5% and 10% and 1.5%, respectively. The specimens are fabricated by using hand layup technique. The specimens are expurgated according to ASTM standards. The effects of rising husk fiber and filler were examined under different thermal conditions. The mechanical results show that the addition of fiber increased the impact characters of epoxy resin, whereas the addition of starch shell filler increased the termal conductivity of the composite. We found that the results show that the stacking sequences of rising Husk/starch fibers have a significant impact on thermal conductivity. Composites with the stacking sequence mode RH40 with 15 % starch exhibit the highest thermal conductivity 2.6 W/m·K an enhancement of 472,72% over the thermal conductivity of the PC resin (0.55 W/m·K) it is significant
Mechanical and degradation properties of zinc adopted magnesium alloys for biomedical application
Authors: Nanda I P , Hassim M H , Idris M H , Jahare M H , Abdulmalik S S , Arafat A
Published: September 2019

The demand for short-term degradable implant in bone fixation applications is growing steadily due to the aging population worldwide. Degradable implants have the advantage that the second surgery for implant removal is not required. Magnesium is one of the best candidates because it is biodegradable, physiologically compatible and even stimulates bone reconstruction. However, the high degradation rate of pure magnesium in human body fluids may prevent its wider application. In this study, Zinc (Zn) was added in magnesium (Mg) to improve its properties. The effects of five different weight percentage of Zinc (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%) were investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties evolution of the alloys were characterized and evaluated using optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), tensile test and Vickers hardness test, while degradation behavior was examined using electrochemical corrosion test. The binary Mg-Zn cast alloy with 6 wt. % zinc content (labeled as Mg-6Zn) shows optimum mechanical strength with slowest degradation rate.
The Study Of Riverbed Change And Bed-load Transport In The Middle Segment Of The Batang Kuranji River
Authors: Junaidi  , Putra E D E , Junaidi A , Sunaryo  , Nurhamidah
Published: September 2019

Batang Kuranji is one of the biggest river in Padang City with catchment area of 202,7 km2. In the middle segment of this river have degraded significantly, especially in the downstream side of Gunung Nago Dam after the big flash flood in 2012. This also supported by the steep river slope of 0.017 and the activity of excavation of sand and gravel downstream of Gunung Nago Dam. Based on this, the authors are interested in examining the study of riverbed change and bed-load transport in the middle segment of the Batang Kuranji River, to determine the amount of sediment and changes in riverbed elevations that occur and analyse the location of proper building to reduce water damage. In conducting this research, researchers collected primary data, namely direct sampling in the field and secondary data from various relevant literature sources. In this study seven methods of calculating bed-load transport were used, including Meyer Peter Muller, Einstein, Einstein-Brown, Kalinske, Frijlink, Engelund and Hansens, and Van Rijn. Based on the results, there was a change in riverbed elevation, in the period of 2011 to 2013 there was a scour volume of 902,527 m3 greater than the sediment volume of 193,435 m3 where the sediment occurred was only 21.43% with the deepest scour 10.52 m. Kalinske sediment transport method has the closest value to manual calculation. The comparison between Kalinske method and manual calculation respectively; 0.056 m3/day and 0.187 m3/day in S12 sample; 0.312 m3/day and 0.554 m3/day in S23 sample; and 0.020 m3/day and 0.081 m3/day in S33.
Mathematical model and optimization of a thin-film thermoelectric generator
Authors: Newbrook Daniel W , Huang Ruomeng , Richards Stephen P , Sharma Shivank , Reid Gillian , Hector Andrew L , (Kees) de Groot C H
Published: September 2019

The thriving of the Internet of Things is set to increase the demand for low-power wireless sensing devices. Thin-film thermoelectric generators are ideal as a sustainable power source for Internet of Things devices as they allow for low maintenance and energy autonomy. This work presents a model to estimate the performance of a thin-film thermoelectric generator. Verified by finite-element method simulation, the results from the model show that increasing the interconnect electrical conductivity and reducing the device pitch increases the power density. The power density can also be increased by increasing the fill factor and reducing the thermal conductivity of the insulating materials. A new corrugated thin-film thermoelectric generator design is proposed in this work that allows for higher fill factors than conventional square designs where a limit on the minimum feature size is imposed, as is the case with photolithography.
CO2 and steam electrolysis using a microtubular solid oxide cell
Authors: Monzón Hernán , Laguna-Bercero Miguel A
Published: September 2019

Nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) supported tubes were fabricated by plastic extrusion molding (PEM). YSZ was used as the electrolyte and LSM-YSZ (lanthanum-strontium doped manganite) as the oxygen electrode. Both layers were deposited by dip coating and were then sintered at 1500 °C and 1150 °C, respectively. Coelectrolysis experiments were performed in these cells at 850 °C, using different fuel gas conditions varying the amount of steam, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. Area specific resistance (ASR) values ranged from 0.47 Ωcm2, when rich steam and CO2 flows are used, to 1.74 Ωcm2, when a diluted composition is used. Gas chromatography was used to examine the amount of H2 and CO in the output gas. The obtained results are consistent with the equilibrium of the water gas shift reaction. For all the different analysed conditions, faradaic efficiency was found to be close to 100%. This experiment confirmed that there is no electronic conduction taking place through the YSZ electrolyte. The threshold for electronic conduction in the diluted feeding conditions (Poor H2O and CO2) for these particular YSZ-based cell was found at voltages of about 1.65 V.
Drought Stress Impairs Communication Between Solanum tuberosum (Solanales: Solanaceae) and Subterranean Biological Control Agents
Authors: Hassani-Kakhki Mahnaz , Karimi Javad , El Borai Fahim , Killiny Nabil , Hosseini Mojtaba , Stelinski Lukasz L , Duncan Larry
Published: September 2019

The attraction of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to herbivore-injured plant roots has been documented recently to be a common tritrophic interaction. Belowground tritrophic interactions are especially subject to modulation by many abiotic factors including drought. In this study, complementary greenhouse experiments were conducted to understand how drought stress might affect a potato plant’s impact on EPN behavior. In separate trials, the responses of the EPN Steinernema diaprepesi (Nguyen and Duncan) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to root herbivory by larvae of the weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in well-watered and drought stressed potato plants, were measured using soil-matrix olfactometers with two arms. The drought treatments were initiated in 30-d old plants. Drought-stressed potato plants received water when potentiometers read approximately 20 kPa, while for well-watered plants, the number was 8 kPa. Four weeks after initiating the treatments, 400 ml water was added to all pots, immediately before starting the experiments. The experiments revealed that S. diaprepesi infective juveniles (IJs) did not migrate preferentially toward drought-stressed or well-watered plants when neither were subjected to herbivory [t(21) = 1.13, P = 0.269]. However, plants with roots damaged by herbivory attracted more S. diaprepesi IJs if they were well watered than if they were drought stressed [t(24) = 3.19, P = 0.004]. If both plants in the olfactometers were drought stressed, EPNs moved preferentially toward those with root herbivory than those with undamaged roots [t(23) = 3.19, P = 0.004]. No difference was detected in gas chromatography profiles between droughted and well-watered plant roots subjected to herbivory [F(24, 336) = 0.68, P = 0.87]. GC analysis showed that three compounds, including 3-nonanone [t(6) = 4.83, P = 0.003], artemisyl ketone [t(7) = 6.21, P = 0.000], and benzoic acid, 4-ethoxy-, ethyl ester [t(7) = −4.22, P = 0.004] were significantly higher in drought stressed than control plant roots. These results indicate that potatoes, like other plants, can recruit EPNs in response to root herbivory, and that drought stress dampens this tritrophic interaction where choice is involved. Additional research that resolves the mechanisms of these interactions may provide insights to exploit EPNs for crop protection.
Invited Commentary: Making Causal Inference More Social and (Social) Epidemiology More Causal
Authors: Jackson John W , Arah Onyebuchi A
Published: September 2019

A society’s social structure and the interactions of its members determine when key drivers of health occur, for how long they last, and how they operate. Yet, it has been unclear whether causal inference methods can help us find meaningful interventions on these fundamental social drivers of health. Galea and Hernán propose we place hypothetical interventions on a spectrum and estimate their effects by emulating trials, either through individual-level data analysis or systems science modeling (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(3):167–170). In this commentary, by way of example in health disparities research, we probe this “closer engagement of social epidemiology with formal causal inference approaches.” The formidable, but not insurmountable, tensions call for causal reasoning and effect estimation in social epidemiology that should always be enveloped by a thorough understanding of how systems and the social exposome shape risk factor and health distributions. We argue that one way toward progress is a true partnership of social epidemiology and causal inference with bilateral feedback aimed at integrating social epidemiologic theory, causal identification and modeling methods, systems thinking, and improved study design and data. To produce consequential work, we must make social epidemiology more causal and causal inference more social.
Temporal and Spatial Patterns in Daily Mass Gain of Magnolia Warblers During Migratory Stopover
Authors: Dunn Erica H. , Moore F. R.
Published: September 2019

Whether or not migrants gain mass at a stopover site is an index of site quality. Previous studies have examined mass gain of recaptured birds, and of short-term stopovers by regressing mass at first capture on hour of day. I developed an extension of the latter method using multiple regression to examine the effects on mass gain of hour of day, date, and year. I then used the method to compare the quality of three stopover sites at Long Point, Ontario, for Magnolia Warblers (Dendroica magnolia). At the peak of fall migration, warblers at all three sites gained sufficient mass for a net gain over 24 h, but they gained mass at only two of three sites during spring. Mass gain varied significantly over the course of the day, by date in the season, and among years. The earliest spring migrants lost mass at all sites, but rate of mass gain increased as the season progressed. Similar information for many more species and stopover sites might aid in habitat conservation for migrants.
Blue-Throated Hummingbird Song: A Pinnacle of Nonoscine Vocalizations
Authors: Sigler Ficken Millicent , Rusch Kathryn M. , Taylor Sandra J. , Powers Donald R.
Published: September 2019

Little is known about the structure and function of hummingbird vocalizations. We studied the vocalizations of Blue-throated Hummingbirds (Lampornis clemenciae) at two sites in southeastern Arizona. Songs were produced by males and females. Male songs consisted of arrays of notes organized in clusters of “song units.” Within sites, all males shared the same song units. Individual differences occurred in some temporal aspects of song, and slight but consistent differences in note structure occurred between the two sites. The organization of units within songs was marked by rigid syntax, and long songs were produced by agglutination of units. Male songs may function in territorial advertisement and mate attraction. Female songs were very different acoustically from those of males and typically were given when females were within a few centimeters of a male. In these situations, the female's song often overlapped temporally with the male's song. Of the hummingbird species studied so far, the Blue-throated Hummingbird has the most complex songs and is the only known species with complex female songs. Blue-throated Hummingbirds show convergence with oscines in vocal complexity, song organization, song function, and possible learning of some song elements.
Predation Rates on Real and Artificial Nests of Grassland Birds
Authors: Davison William B. , Bollinger Eric
Published: September 2019

We estimated nesting success at real and artificial nests of grassland birds to test the influence of nest type, nest position, and egg size on predation rates. We distributed wicker nests and realistic woven-grass nests baited with a clay egg and either a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) egg or a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) egg in four grasslands that were part of the Conservation Reserve Program in east-central Illinois. Nesting success averaged 86.5% for 12 days of exposure for artificial nests. For real nests, nesting success was markedly lower, averaging 39% over the entire nesting cycle and 59% during approximately 12 days of incubation. Wicker nests were depredated more often than woven-grass artificial nests (18% vs. 8%), and nests baited with House Sparrow eggs were depredated more often than nests baited with Northern Bobwhite eggs (22% vs. 9%). Elevated and ground nests were depredated at the same rate. Patterns of nest predation on wicker nests were markedly different from depredation patterns on real nests over time and among fields. In contrast, patterns of nest predation on realistic woven-grass nests corresponded much more closely with predation rates of real nests over time and among fields. We suggest that future artificial nest studies use nests and eggs that mimic as closely as possible the real nests and eggs of target species. Use of unrealistic artificial nests and eggs, at least in grasslands, may result in patterns of predation that do not accurately reflect those of real nests. Artificial nests of any type appear to underestimate predation rates on nests of grassland birds, possibly because of a lack of snake predation on artificial nests.
Effect of Ephemeral Food Restriction on Growth of House Sparrows
Authors: Lepczyk Christopher A. , Karasov William H.
Published: September 2019

We tested for the presence of compensatory growth (i.e. faster age-specific growth) following ephemeral periods of food restriction in altricial nestlings using the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) as a model species. To simulate periods of poor food conditions, we raised nestlings in captivity, fed them a synthetic diet, and held them at constant body mass for 48 h beginning on either day 3 or 6 of life. Controls were fed according to an age-specific feeding schedule that yielded normal growth curves. During realimentation, restricted nestlings did not achieve a faster rate of growth than that of controls. Instead, these nestlings either died (all controls lived) or gained mass at a rate similar to that of controls. Consequently, restricted nestlings reached asymptotic mass two days later than control nestlings. Growth of culmen and tarsus was not affected, but growth of the eighth primary was reduced for several days in nestlings restricted at day 6 (i.e. late restricted), although this difference disappeared by the age of fledging. Because surviving nestlings achieved only a 15.9% increase in food consumption compared with unrestricted controls and were unable to translate it into a faster rate of growth, the nestlings may have been growing at a maximum rate. We found no differences between late-restricted and unrestricted nestlings in % water, % protein, % lipid, and % ash. The two groups were of similar maturity as measured by % body water and the water index. Our results are consistent with current theory in that periods of food restriction delayed the schedule of mass accretion by the length of the restriction period. Although House Sparrows have a labile growth rate and developmental time, our results did not support the hypothesis of compensatory growth. Based on this and one other study, compensatory growth does not appear to occur in altricial birds.