bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemilihan Siswa Terbaik Melalui Metode Pendukung Keputusan WP (Weighted Product)
Authors: Yusnaeni Wina
Published: February 2020

Abstract - Decision support system is a system which could help in determining the selection in a variety of fields. In determining the decision by one or more of the criteria referred to by multikriteria is sometimes considered to be complicated because of the uncertainties include factors that influence will be information and data are also used. SMAN 14 bekasi is a regional secondary school in bekasi, the electoral system is still the best student of the subjective. Therefore, the necessary decision support methods that will help the processing of the data in terms of the criteria is not only based on the value of multikritaria only. Weighted Product method is one method that is used as a decision support system to help resolve for nurturing with a decision support system with multikriteria. The use of the WP method is done with the next lighter weight value improvement of calculation value preferences of each alternative with the final result of the calculation of the value of the preference relation. From those results in doing perangkingan so can the highest value on students with grades i.e. 5 0043 and ranked second with a grade 7 student 0038.

Keywords: Decison Support System, Weighted Product method, preference relation
Sistem Informasi Penjualan Beras Berbasis Website
Authors: Pudjiarti Eni , Nurlaela Dini , Sulistyani Wina
Published: February 2020

Abstract: The rapid development of the technology world requires technology users to keep up with its development. For this reason, new innovations have emerged in various aspects of life to facilitate human work. Sales are one aspect that is also growing rapidly. One new innovation that emerges is E-commerce or internet-based sales. E-commerce helps connect between sellers and buyers of different places through cyberspace. With the existence of E-commerce human work becomes more effective and efficient, because it can be accessed anytime and anywhere without limitation of time and region. Website is widely used for making E-commerce based sales systems. The website contains pages that are deepened in the form of information in the form of text, images, audio, video and animation that can be accessed by the public. The website-based sales system is very suitable for the sale of rice, because rice is one the staple foods of the Indonesian people and there are still many sellers who sell their rice products manually.

Keywords: Innovation, E-commerce, website, Rice Sales
Pengelompokan Siswa Penyandang Disabilitas Berdasarkan Tingkat Tunagrahita Menggunakan Algoritma K-Medoids
Authors: Rousyati Rousyati , Wati Fanny Fatma , Pratmanto Dany , Crisna Aditia
Published: February 2020

Abstract: Mentally retarded children have obstacles in the activity of the name of the child who still needs proper education in the learning process. SLB Shanti Yoga is one of the best schools that provides educational facilities for children with special needs for people with mental disabilities. The number of criteria determining the level of mentally retarded students makes SLB Shanti Yoga have difficulty in dividing the class according to the results of observations made. So from that research was made to classify data on students with mental retardation to determine the class occupied so that the school can prepare it. The K-Medoids algorithm of clustering techniques can help in grouping students who will occupy classes including light, medium, and heavy classes. The class that has the highest number of students is the heavy mental retardation class while the class that has the lowest number of students is the moderate mental retardation class, with known data grouping results, SLB Shanti Yoga can prepare the class to be used for teaching and learning activities.

Keywords: Mentally retarded, data mining, clustering, K-Medoids
Engagement, Innovation, and Impact in a Dietitian Contact Centre: The EatRight Ontario Experience
Authors: Norman Cameron D. , Haresign Helen , Forer Barry , Mehling Christine , Krajnak Judith , Bloomberg Honey , Howe Adam , Legare Jeanne
Published: February 2020

Purpose: EatRight Ontario (ERO), a multi-modal dietitian service (phone, email, web), provided the public and health intermediaries with healthy eating advice, professional support, and health promotion tools from 2007 to 2018. An evaluation of ERO was conducted to assess the impact of the model on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour for consumers, utilization, and support levels and satisfaction provided to health intermediaries.

Methods: Consumer clients were sent a survey 1–4 weeks after using the ERO service to capture self-reported dietary changes, intentions, nutritional knowledge, and satisfaction. Health intermediaries were recruited through an electronic ERO newsletter and asked about how ERO supported their practice.

Results: Of the 867 consumer respondents, 92% had either made a change or indicated that information from ERO confirmed their present behaviour, and 96% indicated they would recommend the services to others. Of the 337 health intermediaries who responded 71% indicated that ERO provided services they could not deliver.

Conclusions: ERO’s multi-modal dietitian contact centre provides a model for implementing successful remote service access for consumers and professionals to support healthy eating across diverse demographics and geographies, including those in geographically underserved areas.
You Can’t Touch…or Can You? Dietitians’ Perceptions of Expressive Touch in Client Encounters
Authors: Green Cara , Vandall-Walker Virginia , Rysdale Lee , Stevens Michelle , Feldmann Heather , Tymura Stacey , Stojkovic Kelsey
Published: February 2020

Purpose: We explored Registered Dietitians’ (RDs’) perceptions about expressive touch (ET) as a means to provide client-centred care, a practice unreported to date. For this study, ET is defined as relatively spontaneous, responsive, and affective contact by dietitians.

Methods: This exploratory study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach. RDs in Northern Ontario were surveyed (54% response, n = 135) and these results were further explored in interviews with a subset of participants (n = 17). Analysis included descriptive and association statistics and qualitative description.

Results: Most RDs considered ET a useful tool for effective client communication (66%–77%), yet they were hesitant to enact the practice (81%). Analysis of interviews revealed ET to be “situationally beneficial” with uptake influenced by an interplay of factors, described as: perceived client openness to touch, the environment, and RD comfort with touch. Greater uptake was reported among RDs working with distressed clients and clients in ambulatory clinics and long-term care. ET practice was limited by personal safety concerns, unknown client customs, and client misinterpretation.

Conclusion: ET was valued by many RDs as an enhancement to client-centred care. Selective use of ET is influenced by the context of dietetic practice and by perceived client and RD comfort with the use of ET.
MAKNA DAN FUNGSI PARIBASA SUNDA (PANGJURUNG LAKU HADÉ)
Authors: Logita Embang
Published: February 2020

Penelitian ini dilandasi oleh pemikiran bahwa paribahasa Sunda merupakan warisan budaya pemilikmya yaitu masyarakat Sunda yang syarat akan makna yang terkandung didalamnya yang harus kita lestarikan dan kita pakai dalam kehidupan sehari-hari.

            Paribasa Suda Paribasa Sunda merupakan salah satu warisan budaya nusantara dengan kata lain paribasa Sunda merupakan salah satu bagian peribahasa yang ada di nusantara. Paribasa Sunda merupakan bahasa perbandingan yang menjadi perlambang kehidupan manusia, yang bahasan dan pengucapannya yang  tidak boleh diubah-ubah. Paribasa Sunda merupakan sebuah kalimat. dengan memilik iciri-ciri paribasa sunda antara lain : Paribasa Sunda mempunyai sifat membandingkan, mengumpamakan; merupakan pembicaraan yang artinya bukan yang sebenarnya; berupa kalimat yang dapat membawa perasaan kepada yang orang yang diajak bicara;kalimatnya tidak bisa diubah, dikurangi, ditambah, atau dengan pengucapannya dengan bahasa halus.

Didalam paribasa Sunda dilihat dari maksud dan tujuannya dapat digolongkan menjadi tiga bagian:Paribasa wawaran luang,isinya mengungkapkan pengalaman yang suadah biasa dalam masyarakat, serta merupakan bahan perbandingan untuk tingkah laku kita; paribasa pangjurung laku hade, dimana paribasa ini isinya mengungkapkan untuk melakukan perilaku-perilaku yang baik yang harus dilakukan oleh kita; paribasa panyaram lampah salah dimana isinya mengungkapkan supaya setiap orang jangan melaksanakan kelakuan-kelakuan yang tidak baik.

Paribasa pangjurung laku hade merupakan salah satu paribasa yang didalamnya mempunyai makna-makna  dan fungsi tersendiri dalm kehidupan sehari hari
STRUKTUR DAN NILAI KARAKTER DALAM CERITA RAKAT IDRAMAYU SERTA PENGEMBANGAN BAHAN AJAR APRESIASI SASTRA YANG BERBASIS PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER DI KELAS VII SMPN UNGGULAN SINDANG
Authors: Komariah
Published: February 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran yang jelas tentang struktur dan nilai-nilai karakter apa saja yang terkandung dalam cerita rakyat Indramayu, serta langkah-langkah apa saja yang harus dilakukan dalam mengembangkan  cerita Rakyat Indramayu hasil penelitian menjadi bahan ajar sastra Indonesia yang berbasis Pendidikan Karakter. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan metode deskriptif-analitis dengan teknik pengambilan data perekaman, pentranskripsian, penerjemahan.

Hasilnya, kedelapan cerita rakyat Indramayu berisi peristiwa-peristiwa yang memiliki hubungan sebab akibat dengan tahapan alur mulai dari tahap penyituasian, pemunculan konflik, peningkatan konflik, klimaks, hingga penyelesaian; 2) tokoh dan penokohan dalam kedelapan cerita bervariasi, baik berdasarkan peran tokoh-tokohnya maupun berdasarkan fungsi penampilannya; 3) latar fisik yang tergambar dalam kedelapan cerita semuanya masih berkutat di sekitar latar pedesaan sedangkan latar spiritual menggambarkan budaya, adat istiadat, dan kebiasaan masyarakat Indramayu; 4) tema yang diusung kedelapan cerita berkenaan dengan penanaman nasihat atau pesan; 5) nilai utama Pendidikan Karakter yang khusus didistribusikan pada mata pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia, yaitu berpikir logis, kritia, kreatif dan inovatif, percaya diri, bertanggung jawab, ingin tahu, santun, dan domokratis, tersebar dalam kedelapan cerita rakyat Indramayu. Berdasarkan uraian tersebut, cerita rakyat  layak dijadikan sebagai bahan ajar dalam pembelajaran apresiasi sastra di SMPN Unggulan Sindang Kabupaten Indramayu.
SOSIOLOGI SASTRA TOKOH UTAMA DALAM NOVEL PETUALANGAN TOM SAWYER KARYA MARK TWAIN
Authors: Juidah Imas
Published: February 2020

Tujuan yang akan dicapai penulis dalam penelitian ini, yaitu (1) mendeskripsikan struktur intrinsik novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer karya Mark Twain dan (2) mendeskripsikan aspek sosiologi sastra tokoh utama novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer karya Mark Twain. Data dalam penelitian ini kata-kata, kalimat, dan kutipan yang terdapat dalam novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer. Sumber data primer berupa novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer karya Mark Twain diterbitkan oleh Penerbit Narasi Yogyakarta, dengan tebal 412 halaman. Sumber data sekunder berupa buku-buku acuan tentang teori sastra, teori sosiologi, artikel-artikel dari internet, dan novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer karya Mark Twain. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik simak catat. Teknik analisis data menggunakan metode Content Analysis atau teknik analisis isi. Tokoh utama dalam novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer adalah Tom Sawyer. Dari pembahasan data, penulis memperoleh kesimpulan bahwa aspek sosiologi sastra tokoh utama dalam novel Petualangan Tom Sawyer karya Mark Twain dari sudut pandang sosiologi sastra yaitu aspek moral dalam hal ini yang diungkap adalah perbuatan, sikap, budi pekerti, susila para tokoh utama; aspek etika membahas tentang kesusilaan yang menentukan tentang bagaimana manusia hidup dalam masyarakat; aspek sosial ekonomi terbagi atas tiga golongan (1) golongan ekonomi rendah, (2) golongan ekonomi menengah, (3) golongan ekonomi atas; aspek cinta kasih membahas hubungan rasa cinta kasih antara Tom Sawyer dan Becky Tathcher ; aspek agama yang terdapat dalam novel Petualangan Tom sawyer adalah seorang anak yang diwajibkan untuk beribadah kepada tuhan; aspek pendidikan yang ditampilkan mencakup pendidikan formal dan pendidikan dalam keluarga dan masyarakat.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF GOAT FALSE PREGNANCY (HYDROMETRA) AND MODERN METHODS OF ITS DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
Authors: G. P. Dyulger  , A. A. Stekolnikov  , K. O. Shatsky  , L. B. Leontev  , P. G. Dyulger  , E. S. Sedletskaya  , E. S. Latynina  , I. V. Akchurina
Published: February 2020

The article considers the unique, not described in the domestic scientific and educational literature, the
dishormonal pathology of the reproductive sphere of goats. The disease is characterized by prolonged anaphrodisia,
the persistence of one or more functionally active corpus luteum in the ovaries and hydrometra - volumetric increase
in the size of the uterus due to effusion of sterile serous fluid into its cavity. Hydrometra is a leading diagnostic sign
of the disease. The research aimed to analyze the data of foreign literature on epidemiology, pathophysiology,
diagnostics, and therapy of false pregnancy (hydrometra) in goats.
Based on the analysis of foreign literature data, the epidemiological characteristics of the disease were
determined. It was found that the hydrometra is a fairly common pathology and is recorded on average in 4.2% of
goats. The risk group includes goats aged 6...8 years and older. A hereditary (familial) predisposition of milk goats to
the development of hydrometra was revealed. Iatrogenic factors also have a significant effect on the frequency of
incidence: hormonal treatment of goats during and/or out the estrous season with progestins alone or in combination
with gonadotropin in the serum of mares.
The etiology of pseudopregnancy, as well as the cause-effect relationship between the persistence of the corpus
luteum and the development of hydrometra have not been fully established. Retention of the corpus luteum always
precedes and accompanies the development of hydrometra. Spontaneous regression of the persistent corpus luteum
leads to interruption of pseudopregnancy and emptying of hydrometra.
Violation of the external regulation with prostaglandin of the functional activity of the corpus luteum, apparently,
plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to the profile of progesterone in the blood, it was
found that the duration of false pregnancy is an average of 150.3±23.5 days.
Visual echography is the main diagnostic method of false pregnancy. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the
detection of hypoechoic fluid in the uterine cavity in the absence of placentas and fetuses in the uterus.
Prostaglandin therapy is a pathogenetically substantiated and quite effective method of treating hydrometra.
PENGARUH PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN DENGAN STRUKTUR MODAL SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI
Authors: Jemani Kristianus Ronaldo , Erawati Teguh
Published: February 2020

This study aims to examine whether profitability has an effect on firm value, profitability has an effect on capital structure, capital structure has an effect on firm value and profitability on firm value with capital structure as an intervening variable.The study took a sample of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The type of data used in this study is secondary data in the form of a company’s annual financial report. During the 2014-2018 period, there were 142 manufacturing companies. The method of determining the sample used in this study is purposive sampling, which is a sampling method determined or determined by researchers in accordance with certain criteria. Manufacturing companies are 42 sample companies. Data is also analyzed using path analysis.The results of the study include (1) profitability has a significant positive effect on firm value, (2) profitability has a significant positive effect on capital structure, (3) capital structure has a significant positive effect on firm value, (4) Profitability has a significant positive effect on firm value with capital structure as an intervening variable.
PENGUJIAN STATIK DAN DINAMIK PELAT ALUMINIUM DENGAN TEKNIK INTERFEROMETRI OPTIK
Authors: Astuti Edi Tri
Published: February 2020

Abstrak: Interferometri optik telah diaplikasikan untuk menentukan deformasi suatu objek akibat pembebanan statis dan dinamis. Teknik ini memanfaatkan adanya perubahan fasa didalam gelombang cahaya koheren. Secara umum system ini terdiri dari: sistem optik, sistem perekam citra dan sistem pengolah citra. Sistem optik menentukan bentuk deformasi yang terjadi, sistem perekam citra berfungsi untuk merekam pola spekel sebelum dan sesudah terjadinya deformasi, dan sistem pengolah citra berfungsi untuk menghitung besarnya deformasi yang terjadi. Hasil dari pengamatan teknik ini adalah pola interferensi atau biasa disebut dengan pola frinji. Dengan menginterpretasikan pola-pola frinji yang didapat, maka secara kuantitatif dapat ditentukan distribusi deformasi yang terjadi. Kata-kata kunci: Interferometri optik, deformasi, fasa, koheren, citra, pola frinji
Thinking of the Shadow. Conceptions of Cruelty in the History of Western Thought
Authors: Baruchello Giorgio
Published: February 2020

As regards thinking of the shadow, I can contribute to the present discussion qua intellectual historian who, together with the theologian Michael Trice, has reconstructed in recent years the understanding of a particular manifestation of the shadow in the long life of Western philosophy: cruelty. Between 1998, when I started investigating Judith Shklar’s and Richard Rorty’s liberalism of fear, and 2017, when I completed a volume of collected essays of mine to be published by Northwest Passage Books under the title Philosophy of Cruelty, I devoted considerable time and attention to retrieving, mapping and reflecting upon the conceptions of cruelty developed in the history of Western thought. What follows here is a concise overview of the five most common and/or most articulate conceptions that I have identified in the course of my studies, and repeats almost verbatim what I state in the aforementioned collection of essays of mine. Longer and more detailed analyses can be retrieved in my older publications on this subject. Please note also that my research is intentionally limited to explicit uses of the terms “cruelty” and “cruel” in the languages accessible to me. Extending it to cognates such as “violence” or “aggressiveness” would make the project unmanageable.
«Інформаційна видавнича революція» І. Ґутенберґа та утвердження авторського права й суміжних прав і механізмів їх захисту в Європі
Authors: Федоренко В. Л.
Published: February 2020

Публікація присвячена питанням утвердження авторського права в Західній цивілізації за результатами «інформаційної видавничої революції», якою за своєю сутністю та змістом стало винайдення І. Ґутенберґом у XV ст. друкарського станка з набором шрифтів, використання якого сприяло друкуванню книг та поширенню інформації літературного, художнього та наукового змісту. Проте ця інформаційно- видавнича революція породила й проблему захисту авторського права від неправомірного копіювання та розмноження творів. Ідеться про таку загрозу авторському праву як неправомірне запозичення, або ж плагіат, чи «контрафакт», як це явище називалось іще в XIX ст.
A Trillion Coral Reef Colors: Deeply Annotated Underwater Hyperspectral Images for Automated Classification and Habitat Mapping
Authors: Rashid Ahmad Rafiuddin , Chennu Arjun
Published: February 2020

This paper describes a large dataset of underwater hyperspectral imagery that can be used by researchers in the domains of computer vision, machine learning, remote sensing, and coral reef ecology. We present the details of underwater data acquisition, processing and curation to create this large dataset of coral reef imagery annotated for habitat mapping. A diver-operated hyperspectral imaging system (HyperDiver) was used to survey 147 transects at 8 coral reef sites around the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The underwater proximal sensing approach produced fine-scale images of the seafloor, with more than 2.2 billion points of detailed optical spectra. Of these, more than 10 million data points have been annotated for habitat descriptors or taxonomic identity with a total of 47 class labels up to genus- and species-levels. In addition to HyperDiver survey data, we also include images and annotations from traditional (color photo) quadrat surveys conducted along 23 of the 147 transects, which enables comparative reef description between two types of reef survey methods. This dataset promises benefits for efforts in classification algorithms, hyperspectral image segmentation and automated habitat mapping.
Lithium-Ion Battery SOH Estimation Based on XGBoost Algorithm with Accuracy Correction
Authors: Song Shuxiang , Fei Chen , Xia Haiying
Published: February 2020

SOH (state of health) estimation is important for battery management. Since the electrochemical reaction inside LIBS (lithium-ion battery system) is extremely complex and the external working environment is uncertain, it is difficult to achieve accurate determination of SOH. To improve the accuracy of SOH estimation, we propose a SOH estimation method for lithium-ion battery based on XGBoost algorithm with accuracy correction. We extract several features, including average voltage, voltage difference, current difference, and temperature difference, to describe the aging process of batteries. Due to the higher prediction accuracy and generalization ability of ensemble learning algorithm, the XGBoost model is established to estimate the SOH of lithium-ion battery. Then, the estimation values are corrected by Markov chain. Compared with the methods by XGBoost, random forest, k-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), SVM, linear regression, our proposed method shows an accuracy improvement by 10% to 20%. Additionally, the errors of our method are also superior to the others in terms of the average absolute error, root mean square error, and root mean square error.
MPPT of a Photovoltaic Panels Array with Partial Shading Using the IPSM with Implementation Both in Simulation as in Hardware
Authors: Tobón Andrés , Peláez-Restrepo Julián , Montano Jhon , Durango Mariana , Herrera Jorge , Ibeas Asier
Published: February 2020

This article presents a method for the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of a Photovoltaic (PV) panels array with partial shading, applying an Improved Pattern Search Method (IPSM). The method is simulated in PSIM @ and then implemented in hardware in the loop system, emulating the PV array on an industrial computer (Speedgoat) that allows real-time emulations and the IPSM is applied in an Arduino DUE. The experiments were carried out with TP245S-20/WD, KYOCERA KC200GT, YINGLY SOLAR JS65, and MSX60 photovoltaic panels. The results are the proper MPPT with changes in partial shading over time, inducing the increase and decrease of the maximum power point. The results obtained are the search for the global maximum power point in a matrix of panels in which, due to partial shading, it might have several local maximum power points, and thanks to the IPSM algorithm, it always manages to find the global maximum power point. Finally, the results are compared with other methods where it was found that IPSM had faster answers.
Determination of the Required Power Response of Inverters to Provide Fast Frequency Support in Power Systems with Low Synchronous Inertia
Authors: Rubio Alejandro , Behrends Holger , Geißendörfer Stefan , Maydell Karsten von , Agert Carsten
Published: February 2020

The decommissioning of conventional power plants and the installation of inverter-based renewable energy technologies decrease the overall power system inertia, increasing the rate of change of frequency of a system (RoCoF). These expected high values of RoCoF shorten the time response needed before load shedding or generation curtailment takes place. In a future scenario where renewables are predominant in power systems, the ability of synchronous machines to meet such conditions is uncertain in terms of capacity and time response. The implementation of fast power reserve and synthetic inertia from inverter-based sources was assessed through the simulation of two scenarios with different grid sizes and primary reserve responses. As main results it was obtained that the full activation time for a fast power reserve with penetration above 80% of inverter-based generation would need to be 100 ms or less for imbalances up to 40%, regardless of the synchronous response and grid size, meaning that the current frequency measurement techniques and the time for fast power reserve deployment would not ensure system stability under high unbalanced conditions. At less-unbalanced conditions, the grid in the European scale was found to become critical with imbalances starting at 3% and a non-synchronous share of 60%.
Impact of the Type of Fertilization and the Addition of Glycerol on the Quality of Spring Rape Straw Pellets
Authors: Kachel Magdalena , Kraszkiewicz Artur , Subr Alaa , Parafiniuk Stanisław , Przywara Artur , Koszel Milan , Zając Grzegorz
Published: February 2020

This paper presents an analysis of selected qualitative characteristics of pellets produced from rape straw obtained from cultivations subjected to different fertilization treatments and from mixtures of straw selected for testing with crude glycerol obtained as a by-product from biodiesel production. The assessment focused on the following qualities of the obtained pellets: Moisture content, mechanical durability, heating value and main elements, that is, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine and oxygen. The obtained results indicated that the different treatment regimens applied in spring rape cultivations had a significant impact on the physicochemical qualities of the straw. In terms of the heating value, traditional fertilization with multi-component fertilizer (NPK) yielded slightly lower chemical parameters (lower carbon content and heat of combustion) than in the case of straw obtained from the control sample and from the plot fertilized with digestate. Furthermore, in all of the analysed mixtures, the 10% addition of raw glycerol improved the mechanical characteristics of the produced straw pellets. After the 10% glycerol addition, in terms of the energetic use of these biofuels, the parameters of the fuel, such as heating value and net heating value, were slightly decreased.
Biomass-Derived Graphitic Carbon Encapsulated Fe/Fe3C Composite as an Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Xueying , Haridas Anupriya K. , Sun Yuanzheng , Heo Jungwon , Ahn Jou-Hyeon , Lee Younki
Published: February 2020

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have been widely applied to portable electronic devices and hybrid vehicles. In order to further enhance performance, the search for advanced anode materials to meet the growing demand for high-performance Li-ion batteries is significant. Fe3C as an anode material can contribute more capacity than its theoretical one due to the pseudocapacity on the interface. However, the traditional synthetic methods need harsh conditions, such as high temperature and hazardous and expensive chemical precursors. In this study, a graphitic carbon encapsulated Fe/Fe3C (denoted as Fe/Fe3C@GC) composite was synthesized as an anode active material for high-performance lithium ion batteries by a simple and cost-effective approach through co-pyrolysis of biomass and iron precursor. The graphitic carbon shell formed by the carbonization of sawdust can improve the electrical conductivity and accommodate volume expansion during discharging. The porous microstructure of the shell can also provide increased active sites for the redox reactions. The in-situ-formed Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles show pseudocapacitive behavior that increases the capacity. The composite exhibits a high reversible capacity and excellent rate performance. The composite delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 1027 mAh g−1 at 45 mA g−1 and maintained a reversible capacity of 302 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. Even at the high current density of 5000 mA g−1, the Fe/Fe3C@GC cell also shows a stable cycling performance. Therefore, Fe/Fe3C@GC composite is considered as one of the potential anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Hot Blade Shape Reconstruction Considering Variable Stiffness and Unbalanced Load in a Steam Turbine
Authors: Yi Guodong , Zhou Huifang , Qiu Lemiao , Wu Jundi
Published: February 2020

The blades in the low-pressure stage of a steam turbine must be reverse engineered according to the ideal blade shape due to the deformation of the blade during operation. A numerical analysis model of the flow field of the blades is proposed, and the model is solved by alternating between the fluid domain and the solid domain. Considering the imbalance of the load acting on the blade surface and the change in the blade stiffness matrix when the steam turbine is running, the Newton–Raphson method is used to calculate the pressure of the steam fluid on the blade surface and the change in the flow field caused by the blade deformation in each time step. The data are exchanged between the fluid domain and the solid domain after a single-step solution is completed. The simultaneous changes in the fluid domain and the solid domain are discretized in very short time steps, and the process of the blade deformation from stationary to running is simulated by accumulating the time steps. Finally, the trends in the change in the blade deformation and the aerodynamic load during the deformation process are analyzed according to the result of the reconstruction of the blade shape.
Causality Relationship Between Electricity Supply and Economic Growth: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Azam Anam , Rafiq Muhammad , Shafique Muhammad , Ateeq Muhammad , Yuan Jiahai
Published: February 2020

The long-term anticipation of electricity supply (ELS) and demand has supposed substantial prominence in the elementary investigation to offer sustainable resolutions to electricity matters. In this editorial, an outline of the organization of the electricity segment of Pakistan and analysis of historical supply and demand statistics, an up-to-date position of the contrary set of energy plans is presented. The intention of this analysis is to explore the Granger causality relationship between electricity supply and economic growth (EG) by using a multivariate context with time series statistics covering 1990 to 2015 in Pakistan. Augmented dickey-fuller (ADF) and Philips-Perron (PP) unit root tests indicate that variables are non-stationary and integrated in a similar order (1). Our findings also reveal that variables economic growths (GDP), electricity supply (ELS), investment (INV), and export (EX) are co-integrated. The study also finds the Granger causality runs from EG to ELS deprived of any feedback effect. Therefore, the policy implications from our findings indicate that electricity preservation strategies may be implemented without any economic adverse impacts.
Selective Hydrogenation of Phenol to Cyclohexanol over Ni/CNT in the Absence of External Hydrogen
Authors: Chen Changzhou , Liu Peng , Zhou Minghao , Sharma Brajendra K. , Jiang Jianchun
Published: February 2020

Transfer hydrogenation is a novel and efficient method to realize the hydrogenation in different chemical reactions and exploring a simple heterogeneous catalyst with high activity is crucial. Ni/CNT was synthesized through a traditional impregnation method, and the detailed physicochemical properties were performed by means of XRD, TEM, XPS, BET, and ICP analysis. Through the screening of loading amounts, solvents, reaction temperature, and reaction time, 20% Ni/CNT achieves an almost complete conversion of phenol after 60 min at 220 °C in the absence of external hydrogen. Furthermore, the catalytic system is carried out on a variety of phenol derivatives for the generation of corresponding cyclohexanols with good to excellent results. The mechanism suggests that the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone is the first step, while the hydrogenation of cyclohexanone for the generation of cyclohexanol takes place in a successive step. Moreover, Ni/CNT catalyst can be magnetically recovered and reused in the next test for succeeding four times.
Environmental Impact Assessments of Integrated Food and Non-Food Production Systems in Italy and Denmark
Authors: Lehmann Lisa Mølgaard , Borzęcka Magdalena , Żyłowska Katarzyna , Pisanelli Andrea , Russo Giuseppe , Ghaley Bhim Bahadur
Published: February 2020

Given the environmental footprints of the conventional agriculture, it is imperative to test and validate alternative production systems, with lower environmental impacts to mitigate and adapt our production systems. In this study, we identified six production systems, four in Italy and two in Denmark, to assess the environmental footprint for comparison among the production systems and additionally with conventional production systems. SimaPro 8.4 software was used to carry out the life cycle impact assessment. Among other indicators, three significantly important indicators, namely global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication, were used as the proxy for life cycle impact assessment. In Italy, the production systems compared were silvopastoral, organic, traditional, and conventional olive production systems, whereas in Denmark, combined food and energy production system was compared with the conventional wheat production system. Among the six production systems, conventional wheat production system in Denmark accounted for highest global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication. In Italy, global warming potential was highest in traditional agroforestry and lowest in the silvopastoral system whereas acidification and eutrophication were lowest in the traditional production system with high acidification effects from the silvopastoral system. In Italy, machinery use contributed the highest greenhouse gas emissions in silvopastoral and organic production systems, while the large contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer was recorded in the traditional and conventional production systems. In Denmark, the combined food and energy system had lower environmental impacts compared to the conventional wheat production system according to the three indicators. For both systems in Denmark, the main contribution to greenhouse gas emission was due to fertilizer and manure application. The study showed that integrated food and non-food systems are more environmentally friendly and less polluting compared to the conventional wheat production system in Denmark with use of chemical fertilizers and irrigation. The study can contribute to informed decision making by the land managers and policy makers for promotion of environmentally friendly food and non-food production practices, to meet the European Union targets of providing biomass-based materials and energy to contribute to the bio-based economy in Europe and beyond.
Current Balancing Algorithm for Three-Phase Multilevel Current Source Inverters
Authors: Alskran Faleh , Simões Marcelo Godoy
Published: February 2020

In high power, medium voltage applications, Current Source Inverters CSIs are connected in parallel to accommodate high DC currents. Using a proper multilevel modulation technique, parallel-connected CSIs can operate as a Multilevel CSI (MCSI). The most common modulation technique for MCSIs is the Phase-Shifted Carrier SPWM (PSC-SPWM). The proper operation of the MCSI requires each CSI modules to have the same average current flowing through its sharing inductors. In practice, the average currents of the CSI modules deviate from their nominal values. Therefore, current balancing mechanisms must be implemented. In the literature, several solutions have been proposed to tackle the current imbalance problem. Most of these solutions are based on altering the phase-shift or magnitude of the carrier waveforms of the PSC-SPWM. They require dedicated PI controllers and they are applicable to MCSIs with specific numbers of levels. This paper proposes a Current Balancing Algorithm (CBA) that can be implemented in any MCSI with any number of levels. The proposed CBA does not require any PI controllers, nor does it require any alteration to the PWM carrier waveforms. The CBA is implemented using a modified Level-Shifted SPWM (LS-PWM). The modified LS-SPWM is shown to produce lower THD and lower di/dt when compared to the PSC-SPWM. The CBA and modified LS-SPWM where implemented in a proof-of-concept lab prototype. The experimental results are presented for the five-level and seven-level cases.
Thermal Stability and Performance Testing of Oil-based CuO Nanofluids for Solar Thermal Applications
Authors: Yang Moucun , Wang Sa , Zhu Yuezhao , Taylor Robert A. , Moghimi M.A. , Wang Yinfeng
Published: February 2020

For solar thermal systems, nanofluids have been proposed as working fluids due to their enhanced optical and thermal properties. However, nanoparticles may agglomerate over time, heating and thermal cycles. Even though pristine nanofluids have proven to enhance performance in low-temperature applications, it is still unclear if nanofluids can meet the reliability requirements of solar thermal applications. For this aim, the present study conducted experiments with several formulations of oil-based CuO nanofluids in terms of their maximum operational temperatures and their stabilities upon cyclic heating. In the samples tested, the maximum temperature ranged from 80 to 150 °C, and the number of heating cycles ranged from 5 to 45, with heating times between 5 to 60 min. The results showed that heating temperature, heating cycles, and heating time all exacerbated agglomeration of samples. Following these experiments, orthogonal experiments were designed to improve the preparation process and the resultant thermal-impulse stability. Thermal properties of these samples were characterized, and thermal performance in an “on-sun” linear Fresnel solar collector was measured. All tests revealed that thermal performance of a solar collecting system could be enhanced with nanofluids, but thermal stability still needs to be further improved for industrial applications.
Serum Sclerostin But Not DKK-1 Correlated with Central Arterial Stiffness in End Stage Renal Disease Patients
Authors: Wu Chun-Feng , Hou Jia-Sian , Wang Chih-Hsien , Lin Yu-Li , Lai Yu-Hsien , Kuo Chiu-Huang , Liou Hung-Hsiang , Tsai Jen-Pi , Hsu Bang-Gee
Published: February 2020

Sclerostin and dickkopf-1 (DKK1) played a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but with controversial results of patients in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) including hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to examine the association between the mode of dialysis or the values of sclerostin or DKK1 and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in ESRD patients. There were 122 HD and 72 PD patients enrolled in this study. By a validated tonometry system, cfPWV was measured and then segregated patients into values of >10 m/s as the high central arterial stiffness (AS) group and values ≤ 10 m/s as the control group. Serum levels of sclerostin and DKK1 were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Possible risk factors for the development of AS were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. There were 21 (29.2%) of PD and 53 (43.4%) of HD in the high AS group. Compared to patients in the control group, those in the high AS group were older, had more comorbidities, had higher systolic blood pressure, and had higher serum levels of fasting glucose, C-reactive protein, and sclerostin. Levels of sclerostin (adjusted OR 1.012, 95% CI. 1.006–1.017, p = 0.0001) was found to be an independent predictor of high AS in ESRD patients by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the optimal cut-off values of sclerostin for predicting AS was 208.64 pmol/L (Area under the curve 0.673, 95% CI: 0.603–0.739, p < 0.001). This study showed that serum levels of sclerostin, but not DKK1 or mode of dialysis, to be a predictor for high central AS in ESRD patients.
Lower Percentage of Fat Mass among Tai Chi Chuan Practitioners
Authors: Stagi Silvia , Doneddu Azzurra , Mulliri Gabriele , Ghiani Giovanna , Succa Valeria , Crisafulli Antonio , Marini Elisabetta
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study was to analyze total and regional body composition in Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) middle-aged and elderly practitioners. A cross-sectional study on 139 Italian subjects was realized: 34 TCC practitioners (14 men, 20 women; 62.8 ± 7.4 years) and 105 sedentary volunteers (49 men, 56 women; 62.8 ± 6.4 years). Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, arm, waist, and calf circumferences), hand-grip strength, and physical capacity values were collected. Total and regional (arm, leg, and trunk) body composition was analyzed by means of specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (specific BIVA). TCC practitioners of both sexes were characterized by a normal nutritional status, normal levels of physical capacity, and normal values of hand-grip strength. Compared to controls, they showed lower percentages of fat mass (lower specific resistance) in the total body, the arm, and the trunk, and higher muscle mass (higher phase angle) in the trunk, but lower muscle mass in the arm. Sexual dimorphism was characterized by higher muscle mass (total body, arm, and trunk) and lower %FM (arm) in men; sex differences were less accentuated among TCC practitioners than in the control. TCC middle-aged and elderly practitioners appear to be less affected by the process of physiological aging and the associated fat mass changes, compared to sedentary people.
Strength and Endurance Training in Older Women in Relation to ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D Polymorphisms
Authors: Romero-Blanco Cristina , Artiga-González María Jesús , Gómez-Cabello Alba , Vila-Maldonado Sara , Casajús José Antonio , Ara Ignacio , Aznar Susana
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of two genetic polymorphisms, ACTN3 R577X, and ACE I/D, on physical condition in a sample of active older women after a two-year training period. The sample was composed of 300 healthy women over the age of 60 who underwent a two-year training program. Adapted tests from the Senior Fitness Test were used. The genotyping of the polymorphisms was obtained from the participants’ DNA via buccal swabs. The analysis of the ACE polymorphism did not reveal differences between genotypes. The analysis of the R577X polymorphism showed a favorable effect for the ACTN3 XX genotype in tests for leg strength (p: 0.001) after training, compared to the other genotypes, and also in the analysis of the combined effect of the polymorphism (ACE II + ACTN3 RX/XX). The intragroup effect revealed an improvement in arm strength for carriers of the X allele after 24 months of training (p < 0.05). The endurance values significantly worsened in all study groups. Conclusions: The R577X polymorphism of ACTN3 may have an important role in capacities related to muscle strength, providing a beneficial effect for carriers of the X allele.
Validity of the Brief Resilience Scale and Brief Resilient Coping Scale in a Chinese Sample
Authors: Fung Sai-fu
Published: February 2020

This study presents a cross-cultural examination of the psychometric properties of two commonly used brief self-report resilience scales, the 6-item Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the 4-item Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Five hundred and eleven Chinese university undergraduate students were recruited for this cross-sectional research. Various psychometric evaluation tools were used to evaluate the internal consistency, criterion validity, factorial validity and construct validity of these resilience scales. The results showed that both scales had good criterion validity, with well-established measures of well-being, optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy and mental health, as suggested in the resilience literature. The BRS (a = 0.71) showed better internal consistency than the BRCS (a = 0.59). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results also indicated that the BRS, with a two-factor structure, had better construct validity than the BRCS. The CFA results for the BRS met all of the criteria for a good model fit. The BRS was found to have better psychometric properties than the BRCS in the Chinese context. The findings will help researchers to select an appropriate resilience measure when conducting epistemological surveys of Chinese university students or the Chinese diaspora in other contexts.
The Role of Physical Activity for the Management of Sarcopenia in People Living with HIV
Authors: Bonato Matteo , Turrini Filippo , Galli Laura , Banfi Giuseppe , Cinque Paola
Published: February 2020

Sarcopenia is a physiopathological process associated with aging, caused by reduction of muscle strength, muscle quality and physical performance, and associated with an increased risk of falls, physical disability and premature death. There is no effective treatment for sarcopenia, but physical exercise seems to be highly effective at counteracting the decline in muscle mass and strength associated with aging. Recently, sarcopenia has been recognized as an emerging issue in people living with HIV (PLWH). Despite adequate treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), PLWH may exhibit an early occurrence of some aging-related conditions, including sarcopenia, frailty and falls, and this is likely resulting from high rates of comorbidities, high-risk behaviours, chronic immune activation and cART-specific factors. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms and the clinical relevance of sarcopenia in PLWH, and present data from longitudinal studies of physical activity in this population. Despite none of these studies having specifically addressed the benefits of physical exercise on sarcopenia, there is evidence that exercise is effective to increase aerobic capacity and muscle strength, and to improve body composition and inflammatory outcomes in PLWH. Therefore, the expected benefits of physical exercise are likely to translate into a successful and specific intervention for prevention and treatment of sarcopenia in this population.