bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perancangan Aplikasi Sosialisasi Pemilihan dan Pemungutan Suara Pemilu Legislatif 2014 Berbasis Teknologi Android Pada Komisi Pemilihan Umum Provinsi BALI
Authors: Sudiarsa, S.T., M.Kom I Wayan , Putra, M.Sn I Nyoman Agus Suarya
Published: July 2018

Penyelenggaraan Pemilu di Indonesia di kelola oleh sebuah lembaga negara yang disebut dengan Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU). Komisi pemilihan umum menyelenggarakan pemilihan umum dengan cakupan wilayah kerja secara nasional, berkesinambungan dan tidak terpengaruh oleh pihak manapun. Pada pemilihan umum legislatif yang dilaksanakan pada tahun 2014 terdapat berbagai prosedur dalam pemungutan dan penghitungan suara di Tempat Pemungutan Suara(TPS). Dalam pelaksanaannya perlu dilakukan sosialisasi mengenai prosedur ini dari KPU pusat sampai ke tingkat yang paling bawah, agar tidak terjadi perbedaan persepsi dalam pelaksanaan prosedur pemilihan dan pemungutan suara maka sosialisasi yang baik mutlak diperlukan. Pada saat ini sistem operasi pada perangkat telepon genggam yang paling popular adalah sistem operasi android, sistem ini membuka diri terhadap berbagai bahasa pemrograman yang memungkinkan para developer untuk bisa berkreasi dalam memecahkan masalah di sekitarnya. Aplikasi dalam sistem operasi android bisa menjadi alternatif solusi dalam sosialisasi pemilihan dan pemungutan suara pemilu legislatif 2014 berbasis teknologi android pada komisi pemilihan umum provinsi bali. Dalam melakukan penelitian ini menggunakan metode sekuensial linier dengan tahapan: pengumpulan data dan analisis masalah, desain sistem, pengkodean, pengujian, pembahasan hasil dan yang terakhir adalah perumusan kesimpulan dan saran.
Perencanaan Strategis SI/TI Pada STMIK STIKOM Indonesia Dengan Metode Ward And Peppard
Authors: . Welda , Prami Swari Made Hanindia , Parwita Wayan Gede Suka
Published: July 2018

Usulan penelitian mengenai Perencanaan Strategis SI/TI pada STMIK STIKOM Indonesia menggunakan metode Ward and Peppard ini dibuat dengan tujuan untuk dapat menghasilkan suatu blueprint rancangan SI/TI yang penting dan berguna bagi STMIK STIKOM Indonesia baik dalam operasionalnya sehari-hari maupun dalam persaingan dengan perguruan tinggi lainnya. Perencanaan Strategis SI/TI merupakan tulang punggung yang akan menopang berdirinya dan berjalannya strategi bisnis suatu organisasi. Dalam menganalisis rencana strategis SI/TI disesuaikan dengan strategi bisnis yang ada dan dalam penelitian ini, akan dimulai analisis dari pengumpulan data dasar dilanjutkan dengan analisis lingkungan internal maupun eksternal organisasi, agar kemudian dapat dianalisis perencanaan strategis yang tepat. Metode Ward and Peppard digunakan pada penelitian ini dengan pertimbangan bahwa pendekatan ini sesuai dengan kondisi perkembangan SI/TI STMIK STIKOM Indonesia saat ini. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah Strategi Bisnis STMIK STIKOM Indonesia diperoleh dari hasil analisis SWOT dan CSF sehingga didapatkan 15 strategi menggunakan analisis SWOT dan 8 tujuan yang harus dipenuhi faktor kesuksesannya menggunakan IT. Solusi SI/IT yang dihasilkan adalah kebutuhan data dan aplikasi bagi STMIK STIKOM Indonesia
Rancang Bangun Sistem Informasi Pengajuan Tugas Akhir Pada Stmik Stikom Indonesia Dengan Vector Space Model Information Ret
Authors: Budayasa I Putu Gede , Minartiningtyas Brigida Arie
Published: July 2018

Menyusun tugas akhir merupakan kewajiban seluruh mahasiswa STMIK STIKOM Indonesia sebagai salah satu persyaratan akademik untuk menyelesaikan studi. Hal awal yang menentukan kelanjutan pengerjaan tugas akhir adalah penentuan judul. Dengan semakin bertambahnya jumlah tugas akhir yang telah disetujui dari berbagai pilihan topik yang tersedia menimbulkan permasalahan efisiensi dalam pengajuan topik dan judul tugas akhir oleh mahasiswa serta persetujuan topik dan judul yang diajukan oleh Kepala Program Studi. Permasalahan tersebut disebabkan karena proses untuk mengetahui apakah sebuah judul sudah digunakan sebelumnya sulit dilakukan. STMIK STIKOM Indonesia saat ini telah menerapkan sebuah sistem informasi untuk mengelola pengajuan tugas akhir. Namun sistem ini belum memiliki fasilitas untuk menganalisa tingkat kemiripan judul yang diajukan dengan judul yang telah disetujui. Selain tingkat kemiripan, isu plagiarisme juga menjadi perhatian penting mengingat tugas akhir merupakan aktivitas pelaporan penelitian dalam bentuk tulisan. Hal ini menyebabkan mahasiswa dan Kepala Program Studi membutuhkan waktu, tenaga dan konsentrasi yang cukup besar untuk memenuhi persyaratan kemutakhiran dan originalitas. Solusi yang diusulkan adalah menerapkan information retrieval untuk menganalisis tingkat kemiripan judul tugas akhir. Information retrieval merupakan cara pencarian materi dalam bentuk dokumen dari sesuatu yang sifatnya tidak terstruktur untuk memenuhi kebutuhan informasi dari dalam koleksi besar atau yang disimpan dalam komputer. Penelitian ini hendak mengimplementasikan teknik information retrieval pada sistem informasi tugas akhir sehingga mendukung proses pengajuan tugas akhir oleh mahasiswa dan proses analisis tingkat kemiripan judul oleh Kepala Program Studi.
Membangun Entrepreneurship Islami dalam Perspektif Hadits
Authors: Wijayanti Ratna
Published: July 2018

Salah satu kesempurnaan Islam adalah dengan mengharuskan kepada umatnya agar bisa hidup mandiri dengan bekerja atau berbisnis dengan jalan yang benar. Islam tidak hanya mengajarkan untuk beribadah saja, tetapi Islam juga mengajarkan umatnya untuk mandiri dan bekerja keras salah satunya dengan berwirausaha atau Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship dalam Islam mempunyai pengertian bahwa kewirausahaan adalah segala aktivitas bisnis yang diusahakan secara perniagaan dalam rangka memproduksi suatu barang atau jasa dengan jalan tidak bertentangan dengan syariat. Agar kegiatan kewirausahaan dianggap sebagai 'ibadah' diantaranya adalah tetap melakukan Ibadah, Sholat, dan Puasa dan ibadah-ibadah lain di antara kesibukan sebagai entrepreneur; Hindari melakukan hal-hal yang dilarang oleh Allah; Pelajari sikap seorang pengusaha muslim yang baik; Bisnis yang baik perencanaan strategi (tidak pergi dari ajaran Islam); mengetahui aturan (hukum) bermuamalah secara islami. Dalam Al Quran dan sunnah terdapat pengajaran bagi seorang entrepreuneur untuk terus berkarya dan bekerja keras, seperti dalam surat Al jumu’ah ayat 10 yang memerintahkan untuk mencari rezeki serta terdapat hadits nabi yang menganjurkan untuk selalu berinovasi yang artinya Dari Ashim bin Ubaidillah, dari Salim, dari bapaknya, dia berkata, Rasulullah SAW. telah bersabda “sesungguhnya Allah mencintai seorang mukmin yang berkarya/ bekerja keras.” dan di dalam riwayat Ibnu Abdan, “pemuda yang berkarya/ bekerja keras.”
Experience of Vaccination against Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in the Sverdlovsk Region
Authors: Smirnova S. S. , Golubkova A. A. , Koltunov S. V.
Published: July 2018

Relevance. Rotavirus infection (RVI) is a widespread disease with a high intensity of the epidemic process and variability of its manifestations from sporadic cases of diseases to large outbreaks. At the present stage, RVI remains one of the urgent problems for practical health care, and vaccination is still the only and most effective method of monitoring RVI. To date, the practice has accumulated a great experience of vaccination against RVI, confirmed its high clinical and immunological efficacy. However, in the Sverdlovsk region, no studies have been conducted to assess the epidemiological effectiveness of vaccination against RVI. Goal. To assess the effectiveness and safety of vaccine prophylaxis for rotavirus infection and its impact on the epidemic process of acute intestinal infections in the framework of the regional program of vaccine prevention of RVI in the Sverdlovsk region. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 2015. Vaccination first year of life children of the against RVI was carried out with live oral pentavalent vaccine (PEPV) in 4 municipalities of the Sverdlovsk region, in which the incidence of RVI exceeded the average regional indices. A special questionnaire was developed to assess the data on vaccination against RVI, which included information on the gender characteristics of the vaccinated, their age, the presence of episodes of acute intestinal infections before, during and after vaccination, combinations of the vaccine against RVI with the introduction of other immunobiological drugs, reactions to Inoculations. A total of 785 questionnaires from medical organizations of 4 cities of the Sverdlovsk region were analyzed. Results. In the «risk territories» 27.3 to 47.0% children from the first year of life were 3 times vaccinated. After the immunization in all territories was a decrease incidences of rotavirus infection, as well as a decrease in the cumulative percentage of infection with RVI in the age group of children under the 1 age. Children vaccinated against RVI had no cases of rotavirus infection, as well as hospitalizations for acute intestinal infections of other etiology, during the entire follow-up period. Conclusions. The data obtained indicate that vaccination against RVI is an effective tool for controlling morbidity. The optimal age for the initiation of immunization against RVI is 2 months of the child's life (8 weeks), which allows to take into account the minimum and maximum terms of vaccine introduction, actively combine vaccinations against RVI with the introduction of other immunobiological drugs of the National schedule of preventive vaccinations and timely complete the vaccination against RVI to 32 weeks of a child's life.
Comunicação, consumo e democracia: desafios e possibilidades na imigração haitiana
Authors: De Almeida Cristóvão Domingos
Published: July 2018

O objetivo é compreender comunicação, consumo e democracia como bases para garantir os direitos civis, políticos e sociais no fluxo migratório dos haitianos. Com base em observação e entrevista em profundidade é possível constatar que, de um lado, eles têm dificuldades para obter a documentação e acesso ao mundo do trabalho, por outro lado, usam a comunicação humana e a tecnologia para se mobilizarem e fortalecerem a rede migratória e solidária. Constatamos que há ausência de políticas públicas aos imigrantes e de apoio do Estado para superarem as situações de desvalorização da mão de obra no mundo do trabalho. Palavras-chave: Comunicação. Consumo. Trabalho. Migração. Haitianos.
Ecologia da comunicação: desafios para a concepção de uma comunicação social cidadã
Authors: Miklos Jorge , Rocco Agnes De Sousa Arruda
Published: July 2018

Neste trabalho pretende-se pensar a interseção entre comunicação e cidadania na perspectiva integrada com as ecologias: profunda, integral, dos saberes e da comunicação. Os estudos tradicionais de comunicação são moldados no paradigma cibernético e cartesiano e não permitem ponderações integrativas acerca da comunicação. Propõe-se pensar a “ecologia da comunicação” como um desafio e uma possibilidade de revigorar os vínculos humanos sociais e robustecer a cidadania. Este estudo se baseia, essencialmente, em três autores: Boff (1995; 1996); Romano (2004) e Santos (2010), fazendo ainda aproximações teóricas com Contrera (2010), Morin (1979) e Wulf (2014).Palavras-Chave: Comunicação cidadã. Ecologia integral. Ecologia da comunicação.
Developing protective factor scale for classroom teachers: A validity and reliability study
Authors: Üstündağ Nurtaç , Aydoğan Didem , Akar Vural Ruken
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable assessment scale in order to determine protective factors that teachers have. The study was conducted with 348 primary school teachers teaching at primary schools in Aydın city Efeler district at 2017-2018 school year, fall semester. In the study, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used for construct validity of the study. Within the context of results obtained, the measurement scale developed could be defined as a valid and reliable measurement scale to be used to determine protective factors which primary school teachers have.
Explaining a Scientific Concept for Page and Screens
Authors: Ennis Michael
Published: July 2018

While students learn valuable skills by composing multimodal works, these assignments can also help students master traditional writing genres by defamiliarizing some of the "design choices" they make when writing. Requiring students to revise a traditional written essay into a video accomplishes two key goals in both lower level and advanced writing classes. It updates writing curricula to provide students experience with the kind of writing they will do in other classes. Furthermore, reflecting on the revision process enhances student appreciation for the importance of clear prose, careful exposition, and logical organization.
Editors' Introduction: Presenting Writing Assignments as Intellectual Work and as Disciplinary Practice
Authors: Hall Susanne , Dueck Jonathan
Published: July 2018

This article introduces the debut issue of Prompt, a multidisciplinary journal focused specifically on collegiate writing assignments. This journal highlights the pedagogical process of crafting writing assignments and offers contextualized reflections on teaching writing in varied disciplines. This essay reflects on the process for developing the journal and offers a brief overview of the five essays and assignments that make up the first issue.
Solving Multi-Document Summarization as an Orienteering Problem
Authors: Al-Saleh Asma , Menai Mohamed El Bachir
Published: July 2018

With advances in information technology, people face the problem of dealing with tremendous amounts of information and need ways to save time and effort by summarizing the most important and relevant information. Thus, automatic text summarization has become necessary to reduce the information overload. This article proposes a novel extractive graph-based approach to solve the multi-document summarization (MDS) problem. To optimize the coverage of information in the output summary, the problem is formulated as an orienteering problem and heuristically solved by an ant colony system algorithm. The performance of the implemented system (MDS-OP) was evaluated on DUC 2004 (Task 2) and MultiLing 2015 (MMS task) benchmark corpora using several ROUGE metrics, as well as other methods. Its comparison with the performances of 26 systems shows that MDS-OP achieved the best F-measure scores on both tasks in terms of ROUGE-1 and ROUGE-L (DUC 2004), ROUGE-SU4, and three other evaluation methods (MultiLing 2015). Overall, MDS-OP ranked among the best 3 systems.
Width, Depth, and Space: Tradeoffs between Branching and Dynamic Programming
Authors: Chen Li-Hsuan , Reidl Felix , Rossmanith Peter , Sánchez Villaamil Fernando
Published: July 2018

Treedepth is a well-established width measure which has recently seen a resurgence of interest. Since graphs of bounded treedepth are more restricted than graphs of bounded tree- or pathwidth, we are interested in the algorithmic utility of this additional structure. On the negative side, we show with a novel approach that the space consumption of any (single-pass) dynamic programming algorithm on treedepth decompositions of depth d cannot be bounded by (2−ϵ)d·logO(1)n for Vertex Cover, (3−ϵ)d·logO(1)n for 3-Coloring and (3−ϵ)d·logO(1)n for Dominating Set for any ϵ>0. This formalizes the common intuition that dynamic programming algorithms on graph decompositions necessarily consume a lot of space and complements known results of the time-complexity of problems restricted to low-treewidth classes. We then show that treedepth lends itself to the design of branching algorithms. Specifically, we design two novel algorithms for Dominating Set on graphs of treedepth d: A pure branching algorithm that runs in time dO(d2)·n and uses space O(d3logd+dlogn) and a hybrid of branching and dynamic programming that achieves a running time of O(3dlogd·n) while using O(2ddlogd+dlogn) space.
Conservation of Crop Genetic Resources in Italy with a Focus on Vegetables and a Case Study of a Neglected Race of Brassica Oleracea
Authors: Hammer Karl , Montesano Vincenzo , Direnzo Paolo , Laghetti Gaetano
Published: July 2018

This study attempts, above all, to provide a summary, on a strictly scientific basis, about the strategies of conservation of autochthonous agrobiodiversity followed in Italy. A special focus is dedicated to vegetables and, therefore, could represent a contribution to improve the national strategy for the safeguarding of its agrobiodiversity in general. The paper offers also an outlook on the most critical factors of ex situ conservation and actions which need to be taken. Some examples of ‘novel’ recovered neglected crops are also given. Finally a case study is proposed on ‘Mugnolicchio’, a neglected race of Brassica oleracea L., cultivated in Altamura (Ba) in southern Italy, that might be considered as an early step in the evolution of broccoli (B. oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) like ‘Mugnoli’ another neglected race described from Salento (Apulia).
Is Endophyte-Plant Co-Denitrification a Source of Nitrous Oxides Emission? —An Experimental Investigation with Soybean
Authors: Sun Hao , Li Yuting , Xu Hui
Published: July 2018

The biological pattern of plants’ nitrous oxide (N2O) generation is not well understood because plant cells cannot form N2O from nitric oxide (NO) reduction. Hypothetically, we consider that plant-endophytic co-denitrification is potentially capable of making up for the functional loss of NO reduction in the plant cell and is thus the source of plant-derived N2O. In order to test the above hypothesis, field-cultured soybean seedlings and aseptic-cultured seedlings were used to establish plant holobionts with differentially established endophytes. The N2O fluxes, copies of the bacterial NO reductase encoding gene, and a diversity of endophytic denitrifying bacteria of these holobionts were observed by gas chromatography, real-time PCR, and 16s rDNA sequencing. The flux of N2O by the field seedlings was significantly higher than the fluxes of the aseptic seedlings and bulk soil. The N2O flux of the soybean seedlings was significantly correlated to the abundance of the bacterial NO reductase encoding gene. Eleven genera of denitrifying bacteria were observed in the soybean seedlings, and among them, two genera of aerobic denitrifying bacteria were specifically associated with colonizing plant samples. In this work we have also showed that plant N2O emission is affected by the abundance of total endophytic denitrifying bacteria. We conclude that plant sourced N2O is cooperatively generated by the plant-endophyte symbiotic system in which endophytic denitrifying bacteria help plants to emit N2O by taking over the NO–N2O reduction process.
Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability during Sleep in Family Dogs (Canis familiaris). Moderate Effect of Pre-Sleep Emotions
Authors: Varga Bence , Gergely Anna , Galambos Ágoston , Kis Anna
Published: July 2018

The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) has been shown to both excel in recognising human emotions and produce emotion-related vocalisations and postures that humans can easily recognise. However, little is known about the effect of emotional experiences on subsequent sleep physiology, a set of phenomena heavily interrelated with emotions in the case of humans. The present paper examines heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during dogs’ sleep, measures that are influenced by both positive and negative emotions in awake dogs. In Study I, descriptive HR and HRV data is provided on N = 12 dogs about the different sleep stages (wake, drowsiness, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM), REM; scoring based on electroencephalogram (EEG) data). We conclude that wakefulness is characterised by higher HR and lower HRV compared to all sleep stages. Furthermore, drowsiness is characterised by higher HR and lower HRV than non-REM and REM, but only if the electrocardiogram (ECG) samples are taken from the first occurrence of a given sleep stage, not when the longest periods of each sleep stage are analysed. Non-REM and REM sleep were not found to be different from each other in either HR or HRV parameters. In Study II, sleep HR and HRV measures are compared in N = 16 dogs after a positive versus negative social interaction (within-subject design). The positive social interaction consisted of petting and ball play, while the negative social interaction was a mixture of separation, threatening approach and still face test. Results are consistent with the two-dimensional emotion hypothesis in that following the intense positive interaction more elevated HR and decreased HRV is found compared to the mildly negative (lower intensity) interaction. However, although this trend can be observed in all sleep stages except for REM, the results only reach significance in the wake stage. In sum, the present findings suggest that HR and HRV are possible to measure during dogs’ sleep, and can potentially be used to study the effect of emotions not only during but also after such interactions.
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Shelter Dogs: Occurrence, Pathology, Treatment and Risk to Shelter Workers
Authors: Raza Ali , Rand Jacquie , Qamar Abdul Ghaffar , Jabbar Abdul , Kopp Steven
Published: July 2018

Dogs entering shelters can carry gastrointestinal parasites that may pose serious risks to other animals, shelter staff and visitors. Shelters provide an environment that could facilitate the spread of parasitic infections between animals. Nematodes and protozoa that transmit through ingestion or skin penetration are major enteric parasites of concern in shelter settings. Ancylostoma spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis and Dipylidium caninum are the major helminths while Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Isospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. are the most prevalent protozoan parasites in shelter dogs. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs is typically higher than in owned dogs. A range of cost-effective drugs is available for prevention and control of helminths in shelters, notably fenbendazole, pyrantel, oxantel, and praziquantel. Parasiticide options for protozoan parasites are often cost-prohibitive or limited by a lack of veterinary registration for use in dogs. Environmental control measures reliant upon hygiene and facility management are therefore a mainstay for control and prevention of protozoan parasites in shelters. This philosophy should also extend to helminth control, as integrated parasite control strategies can allow anthelmintics to be used more sparingly and judiciously. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively review the current knowledge on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites most commonly found in dogs in shelters, canvass recommended treatment programs in shelter dogs, and to explore the likelihood that parasiticide resistance might emerge in a shelter environment.
Experimental Investigation on the Seismic Behavior of Newly-Developed Precast Reinforced Concrete Block Masonry Shear Walls
Authors: Xu Weifan , Yang Xu , Wang Fenglai
Published: July 2018

Typically, a special type of concrete block with cleaning holes is used in the bottom layer of traditional reinforced masonry shear walls (RMSWs) for mortar cleaning and vertical rebar connection, which results in reduced integrity and weakened structural behavior. In this paper, a precast construction technology was introduced to overcome these shortcomings. The cleaning-hole blocks were eliminated in the newly-developed precast RMSWs. Quasi-static tests on two traditional and two precast fully grouted RMSWs were conducted. The results showed that the flexural capacity of precast walls exhibited about a 10% increase when compared to traditional RMSWs under the same axial compression. Precast RMSWs that failed in flexural mode showed favorable deformation capacity and the displacement ductility value corresponding to 15% strength degradation reached 4.9. The wall stiffness degraded rapidly to 50% of the initial stiffness, K0, at 0.2% drift and, at 0.5% drift, the corresponding stiffness decreased to about 21% K0 at a more gradual rate. Furthermore, precast RMSWs exhibited significant energy dissipation capacity. The experiment suggests that precast RMSWs have a satisfactory seismic performance.
Optimal B-Spline Bases for the Numerical Solution of Fractional Differential Problems
Authors: Pitolli Francesca
Published: July 2018

Efficient numerical methods to solve fractional differential problems are particularly required in order to approximate accurately the nonlocal behavior of the fractional derivative. The aim of the paper is to show how optimal B-spline bases allow us to construct accurate numerical methods that have a low computational cost. First of all, we describe in detail how to construct optimal B-spline bases on bounded intervals and recall their main properties. Then, we give the analytical expression of their derivatives of fractional order and use these bases in the numerical solution of fractional differential problems. Some numerical tests showing the good performances of the bases in solving a time-fractional diffusion problem by a collocation–Galerkin method are also displayed.
Physiological and Phylogenetic Characterization of Rhodotorula diobovata DSBCA06, a Nitrophilous Yeast
Authors: Civiero Enrico , Pintus Manuela , Ruggeri Claudio , Tamburini Elena , Sollai Francesca , Sanjust Enrico , Zucca Paolo
Published: July 2018

Agriculture and intensive farming methods are the greatest cause of nitrogen pollution. In particular, nitrification (the conversion of ammonia to nitrate) plays a role in global climate changes, affecting the bio-availability of nitrogen in soil and contributing to eutrophication. In this paper, the Rhodotorula diobovata DSBCA06 was investigated for growth kinetics on nitrite, nitrate, or ammonia as the sole nitrogen sources (10 mM). Complete nitrite removal was observed in 48 h up to 10 mM initial nitrite. Nitrogen was almost completely assimilated as organic matter (up to 90% using higher nitrite concentrations). The strain tolerates and efficiently assimilates nitrite at concentrations (up to 20 mM) higher than those previously reported in literature for other yeasts. The best growth conditions (50 mM buffer potassium phosphate pH 7, 20 g/L glucose as the sole carbon source, and 10 mM nitrite) were determined. In the perspective of applications in inorganic nitrogen removal, other metabolic features relevant for process optimization were also evaluated, including renewable sources and heavy metal tolerance. Molasses, corn, and soybean oils were good substrates, and cadmium and lead were well tolerated. Scale-up tests also revealed promising features for large-scale applications. Overall, presented results suggest applicability of nitrogen assimilation by Rhodotorula diobovata DSBCA06 as an innovative tool for bioremediation and treatment of wastewater effluents.
An Improved Organic Solar Cell Lumped-Parameter Equivalent Circuit Model
Authors: Xu Chuanzhong , Yu Fei , Lin Wei , Huang Gongyi
Published: July 2018

An improved lumped-parameter equivalent circuit model is proposed to describe S-shaped I–V characteristics of organic solar cells (OSCs). This model originates but differs from Mazhari’s model. As a minor but important modification, a shunt resistance is added to Mazhari’s model to increase the accuracy of simulating the S-shaped kink in the third quadrant. Subsequently, we present a terminal current-voltage equation set and derive an analytical solution to the improved model. Furthermore, we verify the analytical solution to our model by using the least square method and validate our model by using the experimental I–V curves examined from OSCs. Compared with Mazhari’s model, our model has greater accuracy in interpreting the S-shaped kink with linear-like rise in the third quadrant. As a result, our improved model is suitable to explain the S-shaped I–V characteristics of organic solar cells in the whole operational region, especially for the S-shaped kink in the third quadrant.
An Energy Optimization Strategy for Hybrid Power Ships under Load Uncertainty Based on Load Power Prediction and Improved NSGA-II Algorithm
Authors: Gao Diju , Wang Xuyang , Wang Tianzhen , Wang Yide , Xu Xiaobin
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a hybrid ship powered by diesel generator sets and power batteries in series is considered. By analyzing the characteristics of hybrid ship cycle operating conditions, the load power of the hybrid ship under load uncertainty is firstly predicted. Then, considering the economy, emissions and continuous navigation time (endurance) of the hybrid ship, an energy optimization strategy based on the predicted load power is proposed to achieve the goal of minimum fuel consumption, minimum emissions and maximum endurance of ship operation. The experimental results show that, compared with the fuzzy logic rules based strategy, the fuel economy of the ship is increased by 9.6% and the ship’s endurance is increased by 24% for the proposed strategy.
Technical and Economic Evaluation of Efficiency Improvement after Rewinding in Low-Power Induction Motors: A Brazilian Case
Authors: Aguiar Victor P. B. , Pontes Ricardo S. T. , Ferreira Fernando J. T. E.
Published: July 2018

Nowadays the economic analysis of an induction motor’s life cycle is the clearest way to measure the viability of actions to promote energy-efficient technologies to the end user. The cost effectiveness in motors replacement by energy-efficient motors is a well-known practice that leads to energy savings, however this paper presents the cost-effectiveness of low-power induction motors which have their efficiency improved after rewinding. This process improves the investment viability and brings the greatest financial and energetic savings. In this paper, low-power induction motors are rewound and their efficiencies are measured by tests A and B from IEEE standard 112/2017. The rewound motors have better cost-effectiveness than replacement by IE3/Premium and even IE4/Super-Premium units. The rewound motors increase between 3 and 4 percentage points in relation to former efficiency and the payback is less than 2 years, regardless of the efficiency measurement method.
An Investment Feasibility Analysis of CCS Retrofit Based on a Two-Stage Compound Real Options Model
Authors: Cui Herui , Zhao Tian , Wu Ruirui
Published: July 2018

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is an attractive technique to help power enterprises with carbon emission reduction. In this paper, a two-stage CCS retrofit investment in an existing coal-fired power plant in China including the first stage (demonstration project) and second stage (commercial operation) is taken as a case to decide when and whether to invest. Distinguished from previous models, a binomial lattice compound real options model including the options to defer and expand is established. Further, the accounting approaches to certified emission reductions (CERs) based on the thermodynamics principle are first proposed concerning this model. We find the total invest value under compound options model is less than zero, although greater than that by NPV method. The results indicate carbon prices and subsidy policy, respectively, play a dominating role in initiating the CCS investment at the first and second stage. The growth in government subsidy at the first stage has obviously greater effects on decreasing critical carbon trading prices. Besides, the minimum critical carbon price is 87.09 RMB/ton with full subsidy, greater than the current price (56 RMB/ton). This also illustrates it is not the optimal occasion to invest in a CCS retrofit project for power enterprises.
Experimental and Numerical Studies on Flow and Turbulence Characteristics of Impinging Stream Reactors with Dynamic Inlet Velocity Variation
Authors: Liu Xueqing , Yue Song , Lu Luyi , Gao Wei , Li Jianlan
Published: July 2018

Impinging stream technique has been widely used in engineering industries. Insufficient data are available on the effects of dynamic inflow conditions on the flow and turbulence characteristics of an impinging stream reactor. In this study, we investigate and discuss the flow and turbulence characteristics of an impinging stream reactor with dynamic inlet velocity variation, e.g., sinusoidal, parabolic, step or triangular variation. The effects of period, amplitude, phase difference, mean inlet velocity and type of dynamic inlet velocity variation on the motional behaviors of the impinging surface and the mean turbulence kinetic energy (k) of the impingement region are investigated and discussed using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at various values of L/D (the ratio of impinging spacing to nozzle diameter). The results show that the impinging surface makes back-and-forth motions in impinging stream reactors with dynamic inlet velocity variation. The mean k of the impingement region during one period is dominated by both the inlet velocity conditions and the geometric configuration. Dynamic inflow conditions bring more turbulence energy and pulsating characteristics to impinging zones over constant inlet velocity for an instantaneously moving impinging surface. Impinging stream reactors with dynamic inlet velocity variation provides more intense turbulence properties over conventional impinging stream reactors at the same mean inlet velocity. This work shows that the impinging streams with dynamic inlet velocity variation has strong potential for future relevant reactors and processes for engineering applications.
Adaptive Optimized Pattern Extracting Algorithm for Forecasting Maximum Electrical Load Duration Using Random Sampling and Cumulative Slope Index
Authors: Kim Jinseok , Hong Hyungseop , Kim Ki-Il
Published: July 2018

Load forecasting techniques can be an essential method to save energy and shave peak loads in order to improve energy efficiency and maintain the stability of a power grid. To achieve this goal, machine learning-based approaches have been proposed recently. Before moving toward the long-term and ultimate solution such as machine learning, we propose a simple and efficient method to forecast electricity usage patterns and the duration of maximum electrical load using a small data set. The proposed algorithm can forecast maximum electrical load duration using random sampling and a cumulative slope index. To verify the algorithm, we utilized electricity data (from 2015.11 to 2016.12) obtained from a building with a constant lifestyle and electricity pattern. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using electricity bills, the discharging condition of an energy storage system, and the cumulative slope index. It was found that the proposed algorithm could provide electricity cost savings of 0.62–2.28% compared with other, conventional electricity prediction techniques, such as the moving average method and exponential smoothing. In near future research, it is expected that this algorithm could be applied to electrical big data to handle real-time data processing.
The State of the Art of Topologies for Electric Springs
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Deng Fujin , Cheng Ming , Buja Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to review the state of the art in topologies for electric springs (ESs) and their suitability for different applications in distributed power systems with sufficient power generation from renewable energy sources, especially at domestic households. Owing to the fact that there exist many kind of ESs, a comprehensive overview of single-phase ESs sequenced as ES-1, ES-2, ES-3 and other forms, three-phase ESs (TPESs) sequenced as TPES-1, TPES-2 etc., and direct current ES (DCES) sequenced as DCES-1, DCES-2, PVES is conducted. The originalities, advantages and disadvantages of each ES topology version are analyzed to propose its most suitable application. Besides, comparisons between ESs and traditional flexible alternating current transmission (FACTS) devices are addressed. Finally, conclusions and possible future research trends are pointed out.
A Robust Optimization for Designing a Charging Station Based on Solar and Wind Energy for Electric Vehicles of a Smart Home in Small Villages
Authors: Ahadi Amir , Sarma Shrutidhara , Moon Jae Sang , Kang Sangkyun , Lee Jang-Ho
Published: July 2018

In recent years, integration of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased dramatically due to their lower carbon emissions and reduced fossil fuel dependency. However, charging EVs could have significant impacts on the electrical grid. One promising method for mitigating these impacts is the use of renewable energy systems. Renewable energy systems can also be useful for charging EVs where there is no local grid. This paper proposes a new strategy for designing a renewable energy charging station consisting of wind turbines, a photovoltaic system, and an energy storage system to avoid the use of diesel generators in remote communities. The objective function is considered to be the minimization of the total net present cost, including energy production, components setup, and financial viability. The proposed approach, using stochastic modeling, can also guarantee profitable operation of EVs and reasonable effects on renewable energy sizing, narrowing the gap between real-life daily operation patterns and the design stage. The proposed strategy should enhance the efficiency of conventional EV charging stations. The key point of this study is the efficient use of excess electricity. The infrastructure of the charging station is optimized and modeled.
Experimental Study on Trap Characteristics of Nano-Montmorillonite Composite Pressboards
Authors: Chen Qingguo , Sun Jiaxin , Chi Minghe , Zhang Jinfeng , Tan Peng
Published: July 2018

To improve space charge properties and the breakdown strength of insulation pressboard, nano-modifications with nano-montmorillonite fillers are developed using nanocomposite techniques in this study. Employing trap theory, charge carrier trapping characteristics are analyzed to interpret the space charge distribution modification from nano-montmorillonite (MMT) filling and explore the correlated mechanism of direct current (DC) breakdown strength enhancement. The trap energy level distribution is measured by a thermally stimulated current test and space charge distribution is tested with pulsed electro-acoustics. A DC power system is used to perform DC the breakdown experiment. The nano-MMT filler composite pressboard demonstrates increased trap density as filling concentration increases, which dominates the total trap charge quantity. Shielding layers formed from the trapped charges localized at the interface of the nano-MMT fillers with pressboard matrix reduce the injection of charge carriers from the electrodes and thus inhibit the internal space charge accumulation prophase and then charge carriers move to the interior of the pressboard. Space charge quantity increases with increasing trap density. However, the trapping of charges into the trap levels releases significant energy to destroy the primitive molecular chain of pressboard cellulose, resulting in reduced DC breakdown strength. The trap mechanism accounts for the modified space charge distribution and the enhanced DC breakdown strength deriving from nano-MMT fillers.
Variation in Tree Community Composition and Carbon Stock under Natural and Human Disturbances in Andean Forests, Peru
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuki , Sato Tamotsu , Arana Olivos Edgar Alexs , Clostre Orellana Gabriel , Rohner Stornaiuolo Christian Marcel
Published: July 2018

Deforestation and forest degradation in Andean forests is influenced by natural and social environments including a wide elevation range and anthropogenic disturbance. Tree community composition is receiving attention as a key indicator of forest degradation. However, difference in factors affecting community composition at different elevation zones remains unclear. We aimed at elucidating factors (natural and human disturbances, and forest characteristics) that influence the variations in community composition in Andean forests. We conducted a ground-based survey setting 45 plots across a wide elevation range (ca. 600 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Cusco region, Peru. Above ground biomass (AGB) decreased with increasing elevation. The generalized linear models for multivariate abundance data suggested that a factor affecting community composition was natural disturbance (erosion) at low elevation (<1000 m), while human disturbance (infrastructure such as sheds and trails) at high elevation (≥2400 m). Within each of the different elevation zones, the AGB affected community composition only at mid elevation (1000–2400 m), whereas mean tree height showed a consistent effect on community composition across the three elevations. Our results suggest that the effects of human disturbance on community composition were more prominent at higher elevation. The results also suggest that mean tree height may have a potential to be a key measure for evaluating variations in community composition in Andean forests.
Spatio-Temporal Modeling of Zika and Dengue Infections within Colombia
Authors: Martínez-Bello Daniel Adyro , López-Quílez Antonio , Torres Prieto Alexander
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is to estimate the parallel relative risk of Zika virus disease (ZVD) and dengue using spatio-temporal interaction effects models for one department and one city of Colombia during the 2015–2016 ZVD outbreak. We apply the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) for parameter estimation, using the epidemiological week (EW) as a time measure. At the departmental level, the best model showed that the dengue or ZVD risk in one municipality was highly associated with risk in the same municipality during the preceding EWs, while at the city level, the final model selected established that the high risk of dengue or ZVD in one census sector was highly associated not only with its neighboring census sectors in the same EW, but also with its neighboring sectors in the preceding EW. The spatio-temporal models provided smoothed risk estimates, credible risk intervals, and estimation of the probability of high risk of dengue and ZVD by area and time period. We explore the intricacies of the modeling process and interpretation of the results, advocating for the use of spatio-temporal models of the relative risk of dengue and ZVD in order to generate highly valuable epidemiological information for public health decision making.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Smoking Behaviors and Attitudes of Parents in Pediatric Primary Care Settings
Authors: Ratajczak Aleksandra , Ratajczak Karol , Feleszko Wojciech
Published: July 2018

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is considered an important public health issue in pediatric population. In this study, we aimed to investigate parents’ knowledge on side effects of passive smoking and counseling for parental smoking among pediatricians and family practitioners. Participants were biological parents of pediatric patients up to the age of 18 years old who attended Pediatric Hospital of Medical University of Warsaw. The questionnaire included 28 questions and queries on environmental tobacco smoke in children’s environment. Medical students identified potential subjects and handed out previously created questionnaires. In total, 506 parents of children aged 0–18 years old were interviewed; 41% (207/506) of parents were smokers, 23% (114/506) were asked about ETS exposure by their pediatricians and 41% (205/506) by family physicians during routine visits. Only a minority of the respondents confirmed having “no smoking” policy in their car 31% (157/506) or in their households 24% (121/506). All parents believed that passive smoking could cause at least one harmful effect: most common were more frequent respiratory infections (43%), asthma (40%), and low birth weight (37%). Among smoking parents, 38% (78/207) has tried to quit smoking for their child’s health sake; 63% (131/207) of smokers have never been asked to quit smoking by their doctor. Parents’ understanding of passive smoking among children differs from current medical knowledge. Rates of screening and counseling for parental smoking in pediatric and family practices are still unsatisfactory.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Uruguayan Adults’ Leisure Time Physical Activity
Authors: Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Mielke Gregore I. , Olivares Pedro R. , Jahnecka Luciano , Crochemore M. Silva Inacio
Published: July 2018

Policymakers rely on information for describing and monitoring levels of physical activity among the population. However, in Uruguay there is no research presenting physical activity practices nationwide. The present study aims to describe the leisure time physical activity levels and their unequal distribution among Uruguayan adults. Data from the 2014 Uruguayan National Health Survey (n = 3543 adults aged > 15 years) were analysed. Physical activity was measured by questionnaire, with participants reporting the number of days and time spent doing physical activity during leisure time in a typical week. Only 25.1% of the participants met the international recommendations for physical activity. Males were twice as active as females in early adulthood in terms of time. The absolute socioeconomic gap between the poorest and wealthiest income quintiles was around 20 percentage points, and participants with the highest physical activity levels were within the wealthiest and highest-educational levels. A low proportion of the population met the proxy of the international recommendations for physical activity. Important socioeconomic inequalities have been found in physical activity practices and must be considered in public health interventions.
Probing the Effect of Physiological Concentrations of IL-6 on Insulin Secretion by INS-1 832/3 Insulinoma Cells under Diabetic-Like Conditions
Authors: Barlow Jonathan , Carter Steven , Solomon Thomas P. J.
Published: July 2018

Exercise improves insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells (β-cells) in patients with type 2 diabetes, but molecular mechanisms of this effect are yet to be determined. Given that contracting skeletal muscle causes a spike in circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels during exercise, muscle-derived IL-6 is a possible endocrine signal associated with skeletal muscle to β-cell crosstalk. Evidence to support a role of IL-6 in regulating the health and function of β-cells is currently inconsistent and studies investigating the role of IL-6 on the function of β-cells exposed to type 2 diabetic-like conditions are limited and often confounded by supraphysiological IL-6 concentrations. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent by which an exercise-relevant concentration of IL-6 influences the function of pancreatic β-cells exposed to type 2 diabetic-like conditions. Using insulin-secreting INS-1 832/3 cells as an experimental β-cell model, we show that 1-h IL-6 (10 pg/mL) has no effect on insulin secretion under normal conditions and does not restore the loss of insulin secretion caused by elevated glucose ± palmitate or IL-1β. Moreover, treatment of INS-1 832/3 cells to medium collected from C2C12 myotubes conditioned with electrical pulse stimulation does not alter insulin secretion despite significant increases in IL-6. Since insulin secretory defects caused by diabetic-like conditions are neither improved nor worsened by exposure to physiological IL-6 levels, we conclude that the beneficial effect of exercise on β-cell function is unlikely to be driven by muscle-derived IL-6.