bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of smart work zone technologies using mixed simulator and field studies
Authors:   , Zhang Siyang
Published: April 2021

Safety is the top concern in transportation, especially in work zones, as work zones deviate from regular driving environment and driver behavior is very different. In order to protect workers and create a safer work zone environment, new technologies are proposed by agencies and deployed to work zones, however, some are without scientific study before deployment. Therefore, quantitative studies need to be conducted to show the effectiveness of technologies. Driving simulator is a safe and cost-effective way to test effectiveness of new designs and compare different configurations. Field study is another scientific way of testing, as it provides absolute validity, while simulator study provides relative validity. The synergy of field and simulator studies construct a precise experiment as field study calibrates simulator design and validates simulator results. Two main projects, Evaluation of Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs), and Evaluation of Green Lights on Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA), are discussed in this dissertation to illustrate the investigation of smart work zone technologies using mixed simulator and field studies, along with one simulator project investigating interaction between human driven car and autonomous truck platoon in work zones. Both field and simulator studies indicated that AFADs improved stationary work zone safety by enhancing visibility, isolating workers from immediate traffic, and conveying clear guidance message to traffic. The results of green light on TMAs implied an inverse relationship between visibility/awareness of work zone and arrow board recognition/easy on eyes, but did not show if any of the light configurations is superior. Results anticipated for autonomous truck platoon in work zones are drivers behave more uniformly after being educated about the meaning of signage displayed on the back of truck, and performance measured with signage would be more preferable than those without signage. Applications of statistics are extension of studies, including experimental design, survey design, and data analysis. Data obtained from AFAD and Green Light projects were utilized to illustrate the methodologies of data analysis and model building, which incorporated simulator data, biofeedback and survey response to interpret the relationship among driver perspective and mental status, and driving behavior. From the studies conducted, it could be concluded that mixed simulator and field study is a good fit for smart work zone technologies investigation. Simulators provide a safe environment, flexibility and cost-effectiveness, while field studies calibrate and validate simulator setup and its results. The collaboration of two forms of study generates legitimate and convincing results for investigations. Applying statistical methodologies into transportation simulator and field studies is a good way to make experiment and survey design more rational, and the statistical methods are applicable for further data analysis.
Career development events as a predictor of fall-to-fall retention of first-year college students
Authors:   , Barr Rodney K.
Published: April 2021

Career development events (CDEs) play an essential role in agricultural education programs and the National FFA Organization. The competitive events are promoted as tools to develop career and college readiness of high school students. This study examined whether participation and performance in agricultural education CDEs in high school can predict retention of first-year, first-time, full-time college students enrolled in agricultural sciences at a regional, Midwest, public university. For the quantitative study, the predictive correlation design utilized chi-square tests and binomial logistic regression analyses. The study results indicate that a significant relationship exists between participation in CDEs and college retention. Also, results signal performance in CDEs has a minimal impact on student retention. Recommendations for further research include conducting the same study on a larger scale, including additional states and universities, examining the effect of CDEs on degree program selection, and the impact of nontraditional predictors for student retention.
Pigmentation and practice : understanding perceptions of white female teachers within a colorblind racial ideology framework
Authors:   , Green Stephanie Sanders
Published: April 2021

Thoreau said, "The question is not what you look at, but what you see." In the world of education, what we don't see--or at least claim not to notice--matters just as much. For non-White children in American schools today, a failure to acknowledge their racial and cultural identity can have lasting impact on academic success. A failure to acknowledge racial and cultural identities can also impede full access to equitable educational opportunities. A well-documented educational achievement gap persists between Black students and White students despite the legally-sanctioned school desegregation of years ago. Because the teacher has great influence over classroom norms and instructional delivery--and recognizing that American teachers are predominantly White and female-- this study seeks to look closely at the perceptions of those teachers with regard to race and education. This dissertation is a qualitative inquiry of multiple case study design. Using the tenets of Colorblind Racial Ideology to construct meaning from teacher viewpoints and experiences, the goal is to facilitate candid conversations about racial diversity and promote the academic success of all students.
"I can't believe I just said that" : discursive filters and beginning mathematics teachers' enactment of ambitious practice
Authors:   , Haines Cara
Published: April 2021

After being introduced to "ambitious" teaching methods during teacher education, only some beginning teachers attempt to enact those methods, as others gravitate toward the conventional practices that overwhelm K-12 settings. To learn more about why, I conducted a multiple-case study of four beginning secondary mathematics teachers who graduated from three cohorts of one teacher education program and went on to teach in two different schools. Through longitudinal interviews and classroom observations, I examined the teachers' enactment of ambitious practice through the lenses of their discursive teaching identities (critical pedagogical discourses) and perceptions of messages about teaching circulating within their institutional settings (contextual discourses). Findings revealed that the extent to which teachers' critical pedagogical discourses acted as resources for filtering out contextual pressures to teach in conventional ways helped to explain their enactment of ambitious practice. Among other implications, these results suggest that teachers' discourse development should be a more explicit focus of teacher education.
Active learning engagement classrooms at the University of Central Missouri : practical strategies to implement and sustain utilization of active learning in higher education using technology
Authors:   , Ragus Elmer N.
Published: April 2021

The tradition of lecturing in higher education is synonymous to teaching (Morrison, 2014). Fortunately, those in higher education today are pushing for viable alternatives such as active learning because several studies have shown the positive impact on student performance, student achievement, and other learning goals (Auerbach and Andrews, 2018; Beichner, 2014; Cattaneo, 2017; Eddy, Converse, Wenderoth, and Schinske, 2015; Freeman, Eddy, McDonough, Smith, Okoroafor, Jordt, and Wenderoth, 2014; Heim and Holt, 2018; Lumpkin, Achen, and Dodd, 2015; Morrison, 2014). Additional research should therefore focus on topics besides whether active learning works. This qualitative study aims to add to the literature of the next generation of active learning research by exploring faculty and student perceptions of active learning engagement classrooms (ALECs), actions that a university can take to encourage the use of active learning engagement classrooms, and support for faculty transitioning from traditional lecturing to active learning using technology. Focus group meetings and interviews were conducted with 44 faculty, staff, and student participants at the University of Central Missouri. While mostly positive, faculty and students had mixed reviews about the ALEC experience. Also, most participants pointed to the need for training to support the sustained utilization of the ALECs. The qualitative findings are discussed and connected to the theoretical frameworks guiding this study. The paper concludes with three phases of recommendations for practice and ideas for future research.
Early Franciscan painted panels as a response to the Italian Cathars
Authors:   , Ruppar Rebecca Anne Hertling
Published: April 2021

The wood-panel paintings created by the Franciscan order in the thirteenth century present a dramatic transition from a static, stoic Byzantine style to increasing degrees of naturalistic, realistic, emotional, and corporeal representations. As a driving force behind the iconographic and stylistic shifts evident in these paintings, this study presents the parallel relationship between Francis of Assisi and his mendicant brothers to the heterodox Christian community known as the Cathars, a religious sect that competed directly with the Order of Friars Minor and the Catholic Church in duecento Italy. Using portable and monumental artwork to cultivate orthodox beliefs among the laity, the early Franciscan order positioned itself as one of the most prolific and innovative patrons of the arts nearly from the order's inception, despite their devotion to material poverty--a position that mirrored the ascetic Cathars. Focusing on three compositional models, specifically, large full-length icons of Francis, vita dossals of the saint surrounded by hagiographic scenes, and outsized crucifixes with the poverello depicted at the foot of the cross, this study analyzes the artwork in light of the Franciscans' and Cathars' shared historical context, their divergent theological beliefs, and their intersecting material cultures. Iconographic and material examinations are informed by the writings of early friars and the scarce textual remnants of the persecuted heretics. Evidence indicates that images of Francis were set as a foil to the Cathar leaders and preachers, presenting the saint as alter Christus, as confirmed by the wounds of the stigmata. Painted representations of Francis' life and reported miracles further provided opportunities for the friars to catechize on doctrines that the Church had recently reaffirmed at its Fourth Lateran Council. The imagery of the icons, vita dossals, and crucifixes highlights orthodox Catholic teachings such as Jesus Christ's Incarnation and Real Presence in the Eucharist and his physical suffering at the Crucifixion, as well as the intrinsic goodness of the natural world--all of which repudiated the Cathars' dualist and docetist beliefs. While the community of the Cathars has long been discounted, the Franciscans' rich artistic reaction to refute heterodox beliefs makes clear that the relationship between these two mendicant groups should be recognized and further explored.
An exploratory study of cohesion among co-located and virtual members of virtual, partially distributed groups
Authors:   , Harding Sandra
Published: April 2021

This study provides insight into the factors of cohesion and its development in virtual, partially distributed groups. This qualitative exploratory research design examined how co-located and virtual group participants experienced cohesion. Participants were part of a doctoral cohort. Data was gathered using a demographic survey and individual interviews. Data analysis was accomplished through open, focused, and axial coding using constant comparison and inductive reasoning to identify categories. Findings indicate virtual and co-located participants expressed a sense of cohesion in both task and social areas. Factors of task cohesion include having a shared goal, a commitment to goal achievement and overcoming challenges. Factors of social cohesion include identification with group members, open communication, sharing personal life information and informal socializing which were all components of relationship building. Virtual participants were more focused on factors affecting individual task cohesion (commitment to goal) and individual social cohesion (identification with other members) than those impacting group cohesion. Practitioners should consider using a strengths assessment when forming a new group. They should also provide group dynamics resources and clearly defined group objectives.
Evaluation of computer-based training to teach staff to implement free-operant preference assessments
Authors:   , Hopper Leanne
Published: April 2021

Computer and video technology emerging over the last few years provide more opportunities to deliver quality staff trainings while increasing efficiency and reducing costs associated with trainings. The purpose of this study is to extend previous research by evaluating the effectiveness of computer instruction training to teach entry level staff to conduct a free preference assessment to be used with adults with developmental disabilities. This study focuses on the impact of utilizing computer instruction, without a trainer present, for entry level staff's competency to (a) implement the target steps of a free-operant preference assessment, (b) score and interpret the results of the data, and (c) maintain competency of skills taught after training is complete. Results of this study demonstrate increased performance of staff's implementation of the target steps of the assessment from a baseline average of 53.6% to 96.6% after training provided via computer-based instruction alone. During generalization phase, staff trainee's average accuracy of completing target steps maintained at 96% accuracy, while maintenance accuracy was 100% accuracy across three trainees two weeks after the training. Outcomes of the current study supports the use of computer-based learning alone as being an effective mode to training staff in less than 40 minutes training time.
Genetic variation and health in rural Caribbean village
Authors:   , Keith Monica H.
Published: April 2021

Bwa Mawego is a small-scale horticultural community (~500 people) on the island of Dominica that has been the site of a longitudinal health research project for more than 30 years. Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic health are growing local concerns. Here we analyze longitudinal growth data, cardiometabolic metrics, and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from this population to investigate sources of variation in anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes. Mixed effect heritability models indicate that (1) variation in body mass index (BMI) is significantly shaped by genetic variation, and (2) variation between longitudinal BMI curves has not been consistently impacted by secular environmental trends from 1997 2017. In order to assess genetic variation in more detail, we first characterize the population structure and admixture in this Caribbean community using high-density SNP data and global reference samples in the Human Genome Diversity Panel. We detect four distinct family clusters and admixture from African, European, and Amerindian ancestral populations that occurred 5-6 generations ago (~130-150 years). Amerindian haplotypes represented in Bwa Mawego associate with deeply diverged lineages in Karitiana and Surui peoples, highlighting the regionally variable nature of admixture throughout the Caribbean and unique historical outcomes in Dominica. Genome-wide association tests of cardiometabolic phenotypes identify a genomic region of interest downstream of the ANK3 gene that associates with BMI in Bwa Mawego, after controlling for confounding variation from ancestral population structure and relatedness. Any functional relationship between ANK3 and BMI is currently uncharacterized, and there is unique potential to further explore complex gene-environment-phenotype landscapes in Bwa Mawego.
Science frictions : science, folklore, and "the future"
Authors:   , Brickley London
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Folklore and science, along with the subject of the future which has slowly over time worked its way into the discourses of both, have a long, complicated history together. One that lives on in the present. (And one that might even prevail into the time to come). This work is not entirely that story. But it is a part of it, presented here as it is in the interest of opening new channels of discourse between two areas of research that are often seen by participants on all sides to be rather divergent, if not entirely oppositional to one another. This exploration culminates in a consideration of the contemporary status of popular science trends and how folklore might continue to operate within them--a proposal which identifies an increasingly emergent (although certainly not exclusively novel) form of folk expression that arises out of the friction caused by queries of scientific "truth," "promise," and "possibility" that is still stuck in a liminal wait for "the future." Both a widespread present-day phenomenon and subsequent set of narratives, expressions, beliefs, and actions that this work has chosen to call "science frictions."
Viral RNA structural equilibria and their interactions with host proteins
Authors:   , Brady Samantha Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Understanding viral RNA structure and how it functions is crucial in elucidating new drug targets. There are many kinds of viruses that utilize RNA as a critical component of their life cycle, such as retroviruses, single-stranded plus or minus sense RNA viruses, and double-stranded RNA viruses. Two viruses that are studied in this thesis are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is a retrovirus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a single-stranded plus sense RNA virus. It has been previously reported that a human host factor, RNA helicase A (RHA), is packaged into HIV virions by binding to the primer binding site (PBS) segment of the 5'untranslated region in the HIV genomic RNA. We determined RHA is required for efficient reverse transcription prior to capsid uncoating by utilizing cell based and in vitro techniques. It has also been suggested that RHA plays other roles during HIV infection besides reverse transcription. Utilizing NMR, we demonstrated that RHA binds to the monomeric 5'UTR at the bottom of the TAR hairpin, which is different from how it binds during viral packaging. Next, we employed NMR techniques to probe the 3'end of the HCV genome called 3'X. We determined that the 3'X is in structural equilibrium between two states: an open conformation and a closed conformation. These two conformations have been suggested to play a role in minus sense synthesis and viral protein translation, respectively. Taken together, my thesis work has elucidated how many viruses manipulate and utilize their RNA structure to modulate their outcome.
The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast
Authors:   , Henson Chasity B.
Published: April 2021

Coastal fronts are commonly found along the East Coast of the United States and can often be associated with intense rainfall and flooding due to elevated convection on the cold side of the boundary. Five heavy rainfall events ([greater to or equal than] 250 mm 24 hr-1) during the fall months along the East Coast were investigated using numerical weather prediction (NWP) models to determine the influence of an upper-level trough/cut-off low, an offshore tropical cyclone, a frontal boundary, and a moisture plume on the intense precipitation. Using experimental NWP simulations, it was determined that the tropical cyclone had an impact on the moisture plume and subsequent location of precipitation due to an associated deformation zone. The tropical cyclone prolonged the events by 6 hours, but inhibited the amount of moisture and resulting precipitation by deterring southeasterly flow. Evaporation from precipitation (surface heat fluxes) contributed to less than 25% (33%) of the precipitation, while latent heat release had the largest impact on the rain totals due to positive feedback from convection and an influence on the frontal boundary. Terrain also impacted the frontal boundary in each event, altering precipitation totals. Parcel trajectories confirmed regions of frontogenesis to be the main source of lift for the release of gravitational instability and convective initiation in each event, while the extratropical cyclone provided upper-level support for ascent and organized the plume of deep tropospheric moisture perpendicular to the front. Three of the five events lasted multiple days due to negative PV advection by the irrotational wind, in response to latent heat release in the region of convection, acting to slow the propagation of the upper-level low.
Exploring defects and induced magnetism in epitaxial graphene films
Authors:   , Mazza Alessandra R.
Published: April 2021

Graphene has been demonstrated to have unique properties not only in its virgin state but also by altering its environment through rotations in bilayer graphene, doping, and creating heterostructures with other 2D materials, which all lead to different functional behaviors. Another avenue to altering graphene is by using defects to generate p-orbital magnetism, which is of interest both to fundamental physics and potential application in new classes of spintronic devices. Indeed, atomic hydrogen creating sp3 defects attached to the graphene surface as well as vacancies in graphene have been shown to induce magnetism, while high energy (MeV) proton irradiation has been shown to produce ferromagnetism at room-temperature in graphite. However, detailed investigations of these systems are absent so that little is known about the density and configuration of defects, the role of interfaces, or how these relate to magnetism. In this thesis studies of single-layer graphene revealed that atomic deuteration indeed does lead to reversible chemisorption. However, it is found that atomic deuterium treatment of many-layer epitaxially grown graphene on C-face 4H-SiC (EG/SiC) only affects the surface graphene layer and the buried graphene/SiC interface. While this result did not present magnetism from the interface or graphene, x-ray reflectivity and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy demonstrated a change of the buried graphene/SiC interface which resembles a delamination of graphene from the substrate. In some cases, multiple atomic treatments lead to complete delamination of the graphene film. Motivated by the results of atomic hydrogenation (deuteration), interlayer incorporation of hydrogen was achieved by accelerating ions to implant them between graphene sheets using low (100s of eV) energy hydrogen ion implantation. We focus on addressing the role of the damage from implantation in the magnetism which we observe in our samples. The use of polarized neutron reflectivity and x-ray scattering aims to uniquely address the relationship of strain, structural damage or chemisorption, and magnetism in many layer epitaxial graphene. We find that via tailoring the ion distribution (and range) to the sample we can reliably predict the structural and magnetic changes driven by implantation.
Development of an amenable system for site-specific addition to a maize chromosome
Authors:   , Swyers Nathan Charles
Published: April 2021

Currently, transgenic maize is produced by random integration of a transgenes into the plant. This works for single genes, but not as well for multiple traits. Identifying plants that contain several transgenes becomes a very difficult task. Gene stacking at a single location in the genome would make combining multiple transgenes into plants a simpler process. This project focused on the development of a system would allow for transgenes to be sequentially added to a specific site in the maize genome. The system utilizes two recombinases, Cre recombinase and _C31 Integrase, to remove a selectable marker and to integrate transgenes. An initial construct containing a selectable marker, flanked by LoxP sites, which are acted upon by Cre recombinase, and an attP site, were transformed. The selectable marker was then removed from the integrated transgene by exposure to Cre recombinase. Two amendment constructs enable modification of the integrated construct by utilizing complementary attP and attB sites, which are acted upon by _C31 Integrase. The amendment constructs contain cargo and a promoterless selectable marker which, upon successful recombination with the target site, restores expression of the selectable marker. Successful demonstration of this system simplifies generation of multi-transgene plants, and the assembly of multi-gene pathways in plants.
Development of selective high-affinity fluorescent sensors for imaging neurotransmitters and application in cells and tissue
Authors:   , Zhang Le
Published: April 2021

Herein, we develop a series of selective fluorescent sensors based on a quinolone core designed to image neurotransmitters catecholamines, serotonin and glutamate. Included are the main design strategy, synthesis, spectroscopic data (UV/Vis and fluorescence) and their applications in cells and tissue. NeuroSensor 510 (NS510) was designed and synthesized as a selective sensor for imaging norepinephrine. Formation of both an iminium ion and a boronate ester gave high affinity upon binding NS510 to norepinephrine. The sensor was able to label norepinephrine vesicles in chromaffin cells to give punctate staining. Moreover, the sensor was able to monitor norepinephrine exocytosis via correlation of total internal reflective fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and amperometry. A NIR fluorescent sensor NS659 was developed based on the structure of NS510. Several different synthetic routes were attempted before the sensor was successfully prepared. Upon binding to serotonin, the sensor gave a relatively high affinity but with quenched fluorescence. Initial tests showed that the sensor could be used to label vesicles. Finally, a molecular sensor NS560 was developed to image glutamate. Fluorescence titrations showed that the sensor bound to glutamate to give a very large turn-on response. More importantly, the sensor should be able to differentiate glutamate from GABA due to the difference both in the emission wavelength and the fluorescence response. We tested this sensor in photoreceptor cells and observed that vesicles were labeled by this sensor. Destaining of the vesicles was observed via TIRF microscopy. Also, the sensor can label glutamate in cultured glutamatergic neurons, astrocytes and cortex brain.
Managerial e-learning professionals at the corporate university
Authors:   , Livengood Matthew
Published: April 2021

This study explores the lived experience of managerial professionals. With the pressures on higher education to generate new revenue streams, specifically the professional life and identity of instructional designers are explored regarding the various pressures of academic capitalism and instructional unbundling through the lens of Activity Theory. Including interviews and annotated calendars/journaling, participants provide insights into the daily life and professional negotiation involved in a changing higher education landscape. Ultimately, professional esteem and respect, as well as trusting relationships between these academic professionals, framed a sense of professional identity.
How a principal's action as an invitational leader with a social justice orientation can serve as a factor in recruiting and reciprocally retaining teachers at high-poverty, high-minority, high needs urban high schools
Authors:   , McDowell William E.
Published: April 2021

The number of individuals going into the teaching profession was dwindling at a time when the rate of retirement and people leaving the profession was increasing. Sutcher et al. (2016) noted that in 2015-16, the United States was short 64,000 qualified teachers. They predicted this to grow to as much as 300,000 teachers needed per year by 2020 and up to 316,000 by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate this challenge even more (Page, 2020). Teachers need to be recruited, supported, and retained in high-poverty, high-minority, high-needs, urban high schools (Freedman and Appleman, 2008; Greenlee and Brown, 2009; Hughes, 2012; Petty, et. al, 2012; Podolsky, et. al., 2016; Simon and Johnson, 2015; Stotko, et. al., 2006; Waddell, 2010). In a time when inequities are being exacerbated in the field of education, the principals and the teachers will be called upon to do more with less (Page, 2020). Empowerment of school principals who are willing to take on the schools that are the most challenging (Bartanen, 2019; Levin and Bradley, 2019) is needed. They must to be trained to demonstrate leadership dimensions and supporting actions (Martin and Miller, 2017) that can guide them to build a team of team of irreplaceable teachers (The Irreplaceables, 2012), which will build collective efficacy (Hattie, 2016) to help students furthest from opportunity reach their high potential in academic and personal achievement. In the contention of Martin and Miller, (2017) aligning the dimensions of invitational leadership (Purkey and Novak, 2016; Purkey and Siegel, 2003) with action and self-reflection of social justice leadership for principal leadership will better prepare principals leading schools with diverse populations. This study further contends that if the principal's action as an invitational leader with a social justice orientation it will serve as a factor in recruiting and retaining teachers in the schools where they are needed most.
Essays on state merit-based financial aid : seeking STEM, revisiting methodology, and test retakers
Authors:   , Yan Junpeng
Published: April 2021

This dissertation investigates several topics in state merit-based financial aid research. The main research content includes three separate studies, primarily using the administrative datasets from the Missouri Department of Higher Education. The first study is an empirical paper that examines the effects of the Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship (a merit-based financial aid) on producing STEM graduates in Missouri 4-year public institutions. The fuzzy regression discontinuity estimates indicate that this merit aid program has a negative but statistically insignificant effect on STEM/engineering initial major choice and degree completion. Particularly, the aid still has a negative impact on male students but may encourage female students to enter a STEM field. The second study is a technical note that addresses three ignored issues about regression discontinuity application in merit-based financial aid research: retaking and test score manipulation, rounding errors in the running variable, and misleading statistical inference. I re-examine the practices in recent related studies and provide recommendations for future financial aid research, particularly about dealing with test scores appropriately in regression discontinuity designs. The third study is a policy brief about the consequence of allowing test retaking in merit aid programs. Using the Missouri administrative data, I primarily compare the percentages of aid eligible students based on both the first-time and the highest ACT composite scores in different demographic groups. The empirical results indicate that underrepresented students are less likely to retake the ACT compared to their peers and the acceptance of the highest score brings more inequitable impacts on underrepresented students. The discussion may help policymakers to better understand the retaking behaviors so that they can make related policies to benefit underrepresented students with more effectiveness.
Impacts of soil management practices on soil fertility in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Andean highlands
Authors:   , Aguilera AlcoÌn Javier
Published: April 2021

Due to changes in climate and socioeconomic developments, current soil management practices in the Bolivian Andean Highlands may be increasing soil degradation thereby threatening food security. A study was established in four representative communities during the 2006-09 growing seasons to identify an integrated soil management strategy that may help to improve soil fertility and productivity by increasing soil organic matter. Soil samples collected from fields of different lengths of cropping (LC) and fallow (LF) showed that LC decreased and LF increased total (TOC) and active soil organic C (AOC), and total (TN), inorganic (TIN) and active soil N (AIN). Field trials established with combinations of soil inorganic fertilizers (SIF) and local and alternative soil organic fertilizers (i.e., cow and sheep manure, household compost and a biofertilizer) revealed that the cow and sheep manure combined with SIF significantly affected soil properties, such as pH, soil test P, TN, TIN and TOC, soil water content and bulk density and significantly increased the production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and a subsequent quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) crop. Results of testing a portable field method to assess N status of potato plant tissue suggest that use of the Cardy nitrate-N meter may have some promise for tissue testing for potato in the Andean highlands of Bolivia, where access to soil and plant tissue testing services is limited.
Soñé con una ballena
Authors: Garza Alicia
Published: April 2021

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Fábula sobre los videojuegos y la televisión
Authors: Trousselle Irene
Published: April 2021

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Сравнительный анализ применения эндокортикального метода фиксации резорбируемых мембран при лечении радикулярных кист челюстей
Authors: Рачков А.А.
Published: April 2021

Хирургическое лечение корневых кист челюстей, направленное на сохранение причинного зуба, сопровождается формированием костного дефекта, требующего его замещения. Известные способы, призванные стимулировать регенерацию костной ткани, могут быть оптимизированы и применены в амбулаторной практике.
Цель исследования – сравнить отдаленные результаты хирургического лечения рецидивов радикулярных кист челюстей с применением стандартного и эндокортикального методов фиксации резорбируемых мембран.
Объекты и методы исследования. В исследование были включены 42 пациента с рецидивами радикулярных кист челюстей. Пациентам I группы проводили цистэктомию с последующей фиксацией резорбируемых мембран стандартным методом, пациентам II группы – методом эндокортикальной фиксации.
Результаты исследования и их обсуждение. Исследование продемонстрировало преимущество предлагаемого метода фиксации мембраны. Это подтверждалось результатами лучевых методов исследования, проведенных через 12 месяцев после хирургического лечения.
Заключение. Эндокортикальный метод фиксации мембраны предотвращает смещение мембраны и позволяет восстановить объем костной ткани челюсти.
PEMILIHAN TORQUE CONVERTER UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PERFORMA KENDARAAN TRANSMISI OTOMATIS
Authors: Nusyirwan Deny
Published: April 2021

Pengalaman berkendara atau di industri otomotif dikenal dengan istilah driving experience adalah merupakan  satu aspek yang perlu diperhatikan untuk keberhasilan dalam meningkatkan jumlah penjualan kendaraan. Oleh sebab itu, tidak jarang perusahaan otomotif meluncurkan model dengan pengalaman berkendara yang berbeda untuk pengguna yang berbeda pula, sebagai contoh kendaraaan jenis SUV ( Sport Utility Vehicle), untuk pengendara yang ingin kendaraan yang bersifat responsif, lincah (agile) and presisi. Perusahaan Otomotif sangat menyadari hal ini, oleh sebab itu berusaha untuk meningkat inovasi dalam hal teknologi dengan melakukan uji coba terhadap peningkatan performa kendaraan diantaranya yaitu mesin, roda gigi, berat dan aerodinamis. Didalam penelitian ini akan di fokuskan pada penelitian dengan 3(tiga) jenis torque converter yang diuji coba di lapangan menggunakan kendaraan jenis prototipe akan dibandingkan dengan data yang didapatkan dari simulasi. Pada ahir penelitian akan didapatkan sebuah torque converter yang memiliki Full Load Acceleration yang sesuai untuk kendaraan transmisi otomatis dengan  sport driving experience.
Development of a Solar Home in Middle East: A Review
Authors: Mohd Husini Elina , Jaafar Nor Haslina , Balakrishnan Sharma Rao , Wan Ismail Wan Zakiah , Arabi Fadli
Published: April 2021

The exponential growth of the population and development comes in hand with excessive use of natural resources which leads to the depletion of the non-renewable material. The main goal of this Solar Decathlon Solar Home competition is to select the best home, which can be assembled within 10 days in the desert climate. The solution of four issues with capacities and technologies are strategized to implement the benefit of the inhabitants of the Middle East region such as sobriety, innovation and mobility. The main objectives of this study are to describe the design philosophy, highlight the exclusive experimental analysis on thermal and sensor which embed the energy efficient and sustainability. The added value of Islamic perspective of ‘Mizan’ and ‘Sakinah’ which mean balanced home and tranquillity are emphasizing the application of balance need for human and nature. The results showed the conductivity of plant waste material known as oil palm trunk is a medium of a heat transport and thermal insulator during high temperature while the innovative sobriety solution is achieved through wind and sandstorm sensor. A conclusion was drawn that the engineering of green product is performed the optimum human comfort in the dwelling of desert area, while from a social aspect, the principle of privacy protection is essential through the planning of a space in the solar home.
Evaluation of Oil Palm Germplasm from Senegal and Gambia Using Chemometric Techniques
Authors: H Saleh , M. A. Li-Hammed , A. Kushairi , N. Rajanaidu , Hassan Mohd Sukri , Che Wan Ngah Che Wan Zanariah , Sukaimi Jalani
Published: April 2021

Estimation of genetic diversity and determination of the relationships between collections are useful strategies for ensuring efficient germplasm collection and utilization. Oil palm germplasm materials collected from Senegal and Gambia maintained at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Kluang Station were characterized for genetic diversity. A total of 44 agronomic traits of these oil palm materials was subjected to simple statistics to evaluate the genetic variability; a
A New Motion Segmentation Technique using Foreground-Background Bimodal
Authors: Al-Smadi Ma’moun , Abdul Rahim Khairi , Abdul Salam Rosalina
Published: April 2021

Vehicle detection is a fundamental step in urban traffic surveillance systems, since it provides necessary information for further processing. Conventional techniques utilize either background subtraction or foreground appearance-based detection, which involves either poor adaptation or high computation. The complexity of urban traffic scenarios lies in pose and orientation variations, slow or temporarily stopped vehicles and sudden illumination variations. In this work, a foreground-background bimodal is proposed to adapt for scene variation and complexity. Cumulative frame differencing and sigma-delta estimation are used to model foreground and background respectively. A correction feedback updates each model iteratively and recursively based on the detection mask of the other model. Variance update for sigma-delta estimation was limited to update background temporal activities, while cumulative frame differencing account for moving foreground by discarding limited background variations. Comparative experimental results for typical urban traffic sequences show that the proposed technique achieves robust and accurate detection, which improves adaptation, reduce false detection and satisfy real-time requirements.
Generating Arabic Stop-Word for Hadith
Authors: Abd-Almohdi Hazzaimeh Yousef , Md Norwawi Norita , Abdul Rahman Khalaf Najm
Published: April 2021

Stop-words or (function words) play a great role in performing various functions in sentences, but are still typically inadequate to use for retrieval. They consist of several elements such as common nouns, pronouns and prepositions. With that, there are several Arabic particles available in the online Khoja and Abu EL-Khair stoplist taken from various websites. Arabic stop-words’ main problem lies in accepting the prefixes and suffixes’ attachment. In the current paper, a new methodology for generating a general stop-word list has been proposed and applied on hadiths. In detail, hadith is defined as words, acts, deeds, traditions, silent approvals and character of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. (peace be upon him). The current paper aims at examining the effect of removing stopwords from verification of hadiths. The problem is that the previously generated stop-word lists have been on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is the most commonly used language in hadiths. A stop-word list of Hadith and a corpus-based list has been created to be used in the process of hadith verification. The effectiveness and success of Hadith verification when using the newly generated lists along with earlier generated lists of MSA, combining the Hadith lists have been compared with the MSA lists. The Hadith verification has been performed using sequential pattern mining. Lastly, the experiments have demonstrated that the general lists comprising hadith words showed a better performance compared to using the lists of MSA stopwords.
Review and Evaluation of Data Availability and Network Consistency in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tabassum Mujahid , Perumal Sundresan , Ab Halim Azni Haslizan
Published: April 2021

Rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has greatly influenced and transformed industries. The convergence of digital media and knowledge base platforms promoted new evolving concepts and ideas between various industries to solve the complex problems. Smart grid, smart homes, smart intelligence and surveillance systems offer a wide range of connectivity and productivity to the mankind. Mainly, these systems are examples of the Internet of things (IoT) in which many sensor nodes work together to perform continuous intelligence, monitoring and management related tasks. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are one of the examples of IoT networks and are being used in many industries for mobility, scalability, reliability, intelligent monitoring and management purposes. In many developed countries, WSN technology has been used to monitor the agriculture crops health and growth to boost their economy. Utilization of modern equipment in the agriculture industry is essentially required to boost people’s income and create a positive impact on their social life. In this research paper, we have reviewed various WSN industrial hardware infrastructures and performe
Review on Application of Gold Nanoparticles and Paper-based Microfluidic Analytical Device in Detection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Authors: Mohd Yusri Muhammad Anas Yuzairi , Abu Hassan Mohd Hafiz , Azhari Syaza
Published: April 2021

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) has been amongst of essential part of medical diagnostics in gynaecology and oncology since its discovery. Application of gold nanoparticles in detecting HCG is due to gold nanoparticles possess extraordinary optical and physical properties, making them invaluable in various prominent aspects, including its synthesis, stabilization, and functionalization as a sensor. In addition, microfluidic analytical device, a platform for point-of-care testing and numerous applications in various field, can be applied for detection of HCG using diverse types of detection methods. From the literatures, combination of gold nanoparticles and microfluidic analytical device can be assembled to obtain a rapid, simple and user-friendly analytical site for detection of HCG.
Antioxidant Activity of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. Leaves Extract Using Two Different Types of Solvents
Authors: Raja Arifin Raja Nurul Ashiqin , Jumal Juliana
Published: April 2021

Exposed to the pollution has led to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human skin. ROS generated cause many skin diseases such as skin-aging, inflammation, melanogenesis and skin cancer. ROS is a family of oxygen-based free radicals that contains or capable of producing an unpaired electron. Antioxidant is a molecule that can inhibit the reaction of free radical from ROS by donating its electron. Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. (AVBL) is one of the potent natural antioxidant belongs to the group of Oxalidaceae which can be widely found in Asia including Malaysia. Traditionally, this plant has been used to treat many diseases such as cough, itchiness, pimple, fever and inflammation. As a result, much attention has been directed towards the studies regarding the potential of this plant in treating disease. The present study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant activity of AVBL leaves extract. The AVBL leaves were extracted using sonicator with ethanol and distilled water as two different types of solvent. The total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) of this study were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride colometric assay. Antioxidant activity of the plant extract was tested using 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power (FRAP). From the analyses, water extract of AVBL possessed greater extraction yield (11.231%) as compared to ethanolic extract (5.358 %). However, ethanolic extract of AVBL leaves revealed higher result of TPC (126.4±0.35 mg/g gallic acid equivalent), TFC (32.80±0.37 mg/g quercetin equivalent), DPPH (0.0019±0.0003) and FRAP (41.81±0.45 mg/g gallic acid equivalent). The results of TPC and TFC have strongly positive correlation with antioxidant capacity (r = 1). Thus, it can be concluded that this plant is a potent source of natural antioxidant.
The Impact of Microsoft Teams’ App in Enhancing Teaching- Learning English during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the English teachers’ perspectives’ in Jenin city
Authors: R. K. Bsharat Tahani , Behak Fariza
Published: April 2021

This study stresses the global impact of Microsoft teams’ app in enhancing teaching-learning English during the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As one of the preventive steps for transmitting coronavirus infection, the introduction of lockdown and social distancing has been implemented, resulting in complete paralysis of global activities. There exists a shift from the usual learning practice to online learning, especially the complete shutdown of the education system to comply with the academic curriculum. This can be cited with more online courses, workshops, meetings, etc. It should be remembered that, during this crisis, the world is fully dependent on information technology. The present research offers, therefore, an insight into the impact of Microsoft teams’ app in enhancing teaching-learning English during Coronavirus (COVID-19). Thus, the sample was chosen conveniently from the population of English language teachers and included (25) teachers, 56% of them were females, 52% ageing 31 to 40 years old, with 48% indicating a teaching experience over ten years questionnaire consisted of (15) items of one dimension developed by the researchers based on their experiences and the available literature, In addition, the teachers indicated that the most significant feature of Ms. Teams is that it enables students to share files and share content and that it includes screen sharing options that allow teachers the freedom to display what they choose during a class, indicating that it creates an interactive atmosphere between students, teachers and the community inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, the researchers recommended using Microsoft teams’ app and giving the English language teachers, students, and parents online workshops on how to use the app, also for the ministry of education to adopt the app.