bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Condicionamento fisiológico de sementes de chicória com Ascophyllum nodosum
Authors: Ferraz Amanda , Silva Vanessa Neumann , Radunz André Luiz
Published: August 2019

Sementes de chicória podem apresentar baixo potencial germinativo, o que traz problemas ao olericultor. Sendo assim, procedimentos que possam promover a melhoria do potencial da semente, como o condicionamento fisiológico, necessita ser estudado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar efeitos do condicionamento fisiológico das sementes de chicória com bioestimulante de Ascophyllum nodosum na germinação e produção de mudas. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 2 x 4 (cultivares e doses). Foram utilizadas sementes de chicória das cultivares Lisa e Crespa, e as doses de 0, 5, 10 e 20 mL de bioestimulante kg-1 de sementes. Inicialmente foram realizadas curvas de embebição para definição da duração do condicionamento. Posteriormente, as sementes foram condicionadas e submetidas as seguintes avaliações: porcentagem e velocidade de germinação, comprimento de plântulas em laboratório, porcentagem e velocidade de emergência de plântulas, altura de mudas, número de folhas e comprimento de raízes em casa de vegetação. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e à análise de regressão (doses) e teste de Tukey (cultivares). A germinação de sementes de chicória aumenta linearmente com o aumento de doses de Ascophyllum nodosum via condicionamento de sementes. O condicionamento de sementes de chicória com Ascophyllum nodosum contribui na fase inicial de produção de mudas, com incrementos na porcentagem de emergência de plantas aos sete dias após a semeadura, assim como na velocidade de emergência, porém, esse efeito não persiste posteriormente. A reposta ao condicionamento de sementes de chicória com Ascophyllum nodosum é variável em função da cultivar utilizada.
بناء أنموذج الانحدار اللوجستي للولادات المشوهة في العراق عدا اقليم كردستان لعام 2015
Authors: كمال غفران اسماعيل , كاظم زينب جواد
Published: August 2019

تحدث التشوهات الخلقية عند الإنسان بشكل شائع، وقد تكون ظاهرة للعيان وذلك إذا ظهرت هذه التشوهات في الأعضاء الظاهرة من جسم الإنسان كالوجه واليدين والقدمين. وقد لا تظهر هذه التشوهات إلا بعد اللجوء لعدد من الفحوصات الخاصة لإظهارها كما في التشوهات التي تحدث في الأعضاء الداخلية للجسم كالقلب والمعدة والكُلية.

     شملت بيانات البحث المعلومات المتوفرة في استمارة احصاء الولادات المشوهة المأخوذة من قسم الاحصاء الصحي والحياتي في وزارة الصحة والبيئة، اذ بلغت اعداد الولادات المشوهة المشمولة بالدراسة (2603) ولادة مشوهة في العراق عدا اقليم كردستان لعام 2015 م. وتم اجراء تحليل الانحدار اللوجستي ثنائي الاستجابة للمتغير التابع(y )  نوع التشوه (بسيط, معقد) وتقدير معلماته بطريقة الامكان الاعظم (ML) ثم اختبار معنوية الانموذج وكذلك معنوية المعلمات  وتوصلنا الى ستة متغيرات تؤثر في تحديد نوع التشوه وهيَ (الجنس من نوع ذكر، الجنس من نوع انثى، درجة القرابة من نوع يوجد، مهنة الاب من نوع موظف حكومي، نوع الولادة السابقة من نوع ولادة سابقة حية, ونوع ولادة سابقة ميتة).
From Threshold, to Living Room, to Kitchen: On the Architectonics of Books
Authors: Demers Patricia
Published: August 2019

This article is the keynote speech given at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Bibliographical Society of Canada, The Book at the Crossroads of Diversities, 28–29 May 2018, Regina, Saskatchewan. Demers reminds readers of the joys of discovering books and stories for the first time and suggests that we should not forget that joy as adults, especially those of us who have chosen careers studying stories—either books or films or theatre—rather than just loving them as we did as children. As academics, critics, librarians, and the like, we begin to read new, sometimes forgotten writers, enter into the conversation about them and, if we are lucky, work our way into the kitchen to discover how their texts are made, finding ourselves on a journey “from curiosity, to revelation, to experimentation.”
Validation of Pharmacogenetic Testing Before Initiation of Warfarin Therapy
Authors: Chowdhury MSI Tipu , Khaled Md Fakhrul Islam , Sultana Sadia , Rahman Mohammad Walidur , Mandal MRM , Ahmed Khurshed , Hoque Harisul
Published: August 2019

Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used to prevent or treat clotting disorders associated with venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, atrial fibrilation, cardiac valve replacement, stroke and acute myocardial infarction. It is a vitamin K antagonist composed of S- and R- isomers. The more potent S-warfarin is metabolized by cytochrome 450 isoenzyme 2C9 (CYP2C9), encoded by CYP2C9 gene. Warfarin exerts its anticoagulants effect by inhibitingits target enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR), encoded by vitamin K epoxide reductase subunit 1 (VKOR1) gene. Genetic variation in the CYP2C9 and VKOR1 gene can affect warfarin efficacy and dose required to achieve stable International Normalization Ratio (INR). Specifically two variants in the CYP2CP gene (CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3) result in an enzyme with reduced activity, leading to increased active warfarin levels. A variant in the VKORC1 gene (VKORC1-1639 G>A) can lead to reduced gene expression resulting in decresed level of VKOR. Together these three variants can account for 40-70% of the variability of warfarin dose. Carriers of variant alleles are at higher risk for bleeding complications, particularly at the induction of warfarin therapy. So, genotype-guided dosing algorithms would be better approximate for maintenance of warfarin dose than fixed-dose algorithms.

University Heart Journal Vol. 15, No. 2, Jul 2019; 74-78
PERSIAPAN KEMAHIRAN BERBICARA FORMAL
Authors: Yulistio Didi
Published: August 2019

Kegiatan berbicara dalam situasi resmi melibatkan audien dengan berbagai latar belakang pendidikan. Kegiatan berbicara ini merupakan proses berbahasa lisan dalam mengekspresikan pikiran dan perasaan, menyampaikan berbagai informasi tentang sesuatu, dan merefleksikan pengalaman pembicara. Tujuan kajian ini untuk mendeskripsikan beberapa aspek terkait persiapan kemahiran berbicara dalam forum formal/resmi. Untuk itu, seorang pembicara dalam forum ini perlu mempersiapkan diri yang baik khususnya berbagai kecakapan yang perlu dimiliki seperti melakukan observasi situasi, kondisi, dan toleransi sebelum kegiatan dilakukan. Secara umum, persiapan kemahiran berbicara mencakup persiapan aspek bahasa dan nonbahasa. Secara khusus, hal penting yang perlu dipersiapkan bagi seorang pembicara yang akan melakukan kegiatan berbicara formal, mencakup (1) persiapan pengetahuan atau pengalaman tentang materi yang akan disampaikan dan telah dimiliki pembicara, (2) persiapan sistematika atau organisasi urutan berbicara, (3) persiapan penguasaan unsur kebahasaan, dan (4) persiapan penyajian atau unsur nonkebahasaan.
VAROLUŞSAL KİMLİK KRİZİ: MURATHAN MUNGAN ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: İZMİRLİ KARAMANLI Seda
Published: August 2019

Bu çalışmada
Murathan Mungan’a ait üç öykü ve bir oyun olan; “Dumrul ile Azrail” (Yedi Kapılı Kırk Oda), “Şahmeran’ın
Bacakları” (Cenk Hikayeleri),
“Yüzyıllık Uyuyan Güzel” (Üç Aynalı Kırk
Oda) ve Geyikler Lanetler isimli
eserlerde karakterler tarafından deneyimlenen ortak bir sorunsal olarak varoluşsal
kimlik krizi irdelenecektir. ‘Ben’ ve ‘öteki’ geriliminin, ilgili eserlerin
tümünde işlenen ve özne kurulumu sekteye uğrayan karakterlerin söz konusu
kimlik arayışlarının içinde şekillenip deneyimlenen bir pratik şeklinde zuhur
ettiği incelenecektir.
PROBLEMATIKA HUKUM KEPEMILIKAN TANAH ABSENTEE DI KABUPATEN PEMALANG
Authors: Hartati Suci , Mustika Yuli
Published: August 2019

Kebijakan hukum pertanahan mencakup aspek yang mendasar yaitu prinsip pemenuhan hak-hak kosntitusional rakyat dalam rangka memenuhi kebutuhan hidup sehari-hari serta menghargai prinsip kesederajatan manusia. Salah satu yang harus diperhatikan yaitu kepemilikan hak atas tanah. Peran Badan Pertanahan Nasional menjadi sangat penting. Penelitian dilakukan di Kabupaten Pemalang dengan pendekatan hukum normatif memandang hukum sebagai norma tertulis dalam hal ini Undang-Undang Pokok Agraria.Badan Pertanahan Nasional Kabupaten Pemalang menyangkut pelanggaran kepemilikan tanah absentee dapat dilakukan terlebih dahulu mengetahui penyebab terjadinya kepemilikan tanah absentee diakibatkan oleh kesadaran hukum masyarakat yang rendah dan disebabkan oleh kemiskinan, alternatif penyelesaian masalah yang dilakukan melalui penertiban admnisitrasi serta penertiban norma hukum yang berlaku untuk ditegakan.
Effects of R&D and Capital Expenditure on Firm Performance: Evidence from Technology Hardware and Equipment Sector
Authors: ÖNEŞ Umut
Published: August 2019

Past research has shown positive association with accumulated R&D intensity with firm performance; however, the exact channel and magnitude of this influence seems to vary across sectors and depend on characteristics of the sample and the performance criteria chosen. Using observations from 163 firms operating on a global scale, our study focuses on the empirical relationship between R&D expenditure and firm performance in the global technology hardware and equipment sector (ICB Code 9570), in comparison to fixed capital expenditure based on a cross-sectional regression model. We find no significant association between past R&D expenditure from 2012 to 2016 and operating margin or net margin in 2017, while the impact of past capital expenditure is significant and positive. On the other hand, accumulated R&D appears to increase firm’s future Tobin’s Q or stock-price-to-book value; which reveals a strategic function of R&D expenditure in establishing investor optimism about the future revenue stream of the firm.
Understanding the Chinese: British Merchants on the China Trade in the Early 1830s
Authors: Gao Hao
Published: August 2019

This article examines a significant debate on China and the Chinese market held within the British mercantile community in the early 1830s. Occurring in the years before the East India Company's monopoly over China trade was abolished in 1834, this debate has received much less attention than the Macartney embassy and the rise of the opium trade. This article shows that, in order to suit their own economic interests, supporters of the EIC and the ‘free traders’ presented rival images of China and the China trade to lead the governing authorities and the wider public to understand the country and its people in a way most favourable to themselves. Compared to the earlier European accounts of China, which examined different aspects of Chinese civilisation and were at least to some degree academic, this debate within the British mercantile community was clearly aimed at influencing the country's commercial policy in China. Although neither side was genuinely interested in discovering the ‘real’ China, this competition in image-building was crucial to Britain's relations with China in the era leading to the First Opium War.
Maintenance BEZ235 Treatment Prolongs the Therapeutic Effect of the Combination of BEZ235 and Radiotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Yu-Hsuan , Wang Chun-Wei , Wei Ming-Feng , Tzeng Yi-Shin , Lan Keng-Hsueh , Cheng Ann-Lii , Kuo Sung-Hsin
Published: August 2019

Our previous study demonstrated that administration of NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ235), a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, before radiotherapy (RT) enhanced the radiotherapeutic effect in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we evaluated whether maintenance BEZ235 treatment, after combinatorial BEZ235 + RT therapy, prolonged the antitumor effect in CRC. K-RAS mutant CRC cells (HCT116 and SW480), wild-type CRC cells (HT29), and HCT116 xenograft tumors were separated into the following six study groups: (1) untreated (control); (2) RT alone; (3) BEZ235 alone; (4) RT + BEZ235; (5) maintenance BEZ235 following RT + BEZ235 (RT + BEZ235 + mBEZ235); and (6) maintenance BEZ235 following BEZ235 (BEZ235 + mBEZ235). RT + BEZ235 + mBEZ235 treatment significantly inhibited cell viability and increased apoptosis in three CRC cell lines compared to the other five treatments in vitro. In the HCT116 xenograft tumor model, RT + BEZ235 + mBEZ235 treatment significantly reduced the tumor size when compared to the other five treatments. Furthermore, the expression of mTOR signaling molecules (p-rpS6 and p-eIF4E), DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair-related molecules (p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs), and angiogenesis-related molecules (VEGF-A and HIF-1α) was significantly downregulated after RT + BEZ235 + mBEZ235 treatment both in vitro and in vivo when compared to the RT + BEZ235, RT, BEZ235, BEZ235 + mBEZ235, and control treatments. Cleaved caspase-3, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), 53BP1, and γ-H2AX expression in the HCT116 xenograft tissue and three CRC cell lines were significantly upregulated after RT + BEZ235 + mBEZ235 treatment. Maintenance BEZ235 treatment in CRC cells prolonged the inhibition of cell viability, enhancement of apoptosis, attenuation of mTOR signaling, impairment of the DNA-DSB repair mechanism, and downregulation of angiogenesis that occurred due to concurrent BEZ235 and RT treatment.
The Cisplatin-Derived Increase of Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Enhances the Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy via Transporter Regulation
Authors: Kurokawa Hiromi , Ito Hiromu , Matsui Hirofumi
Published: August 2019

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment involving the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by laser irradiation of porphyrins that accumulate in cancer tissues. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a porphyrin precursor, is often used as a photosensitizer. ALA is imported into cells via peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1), and porphyrin is exported via ATP-binding cassette member 2 of subfamily G (ABCG2). Thus, cancer cell-specific porphyrin accumulation involves regulation of both transporters to enhance the ALA-PDT effect. We reported previously that mitochondrial ROS (mitROS) upregulated PEPT1 expression and downregulated ABCG2 expression. Therefore, we propose that increasing mitROS production will enhance ALA-PDT cytotoxicity. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug that induces intracellular ROS generation. In this study, we investigated whether cisplatin-increased mitROS production in gastric cancer cell lines (RGK36 and RGK45) enhanced the cytotoxicity of ALA-PDT by regulation the expression of both PEPT1 and ABCG2. The results showed that cisplatin increased intracellular mitROS production in cancer but not normal cells (RGM1). PEPT1 was upregulated and ABCG2 downregulated in cancer cells treated with cisplatin. Moreover, intracellular porphyrin accumulation and ALA-PDT cytotoxicity increased. We conclude that cisplatin treatment increases the intracellular mitROS concentration and upregulates PEPT1 and downregulates ABCG2 expression.
Integration of Data-Driven Process Re-Engineering and Process Interdependence for Manufacturing Optimization Supported by Smart Structured Data
Authors: Khan Md Ashikul Alam , Butt Javaid , Mebrahtu Habtom , Shirvani Hassan , Sanaei Alireza , Alam Mohammad Nazmul
Published: August 2019

Process re-engineering and optimization in manufacturing industries is a big challenge because of process interdependencies characterized by a high failure rate. Research has shown that over 70% of approaches fail because of complexity as a result of process interdependencies during the implementation phase. This paper investigates data from a manufacturing operation and designs a filtration algorithm to analyze process interdependencies as a new approach for process optimization. The algorithm examines the data from a manufacturing process to identify limitations through cause and effect relationships and implements changes to achieve an optimized result. The proposed cause and effect approach of re-engineering is termed the Khan-Hassan-Butt (KHB) methodology, and it can filter the process interdependencies and use those as key decision-making tools. It provides an improved process optimization framework that incorporates data analysis along with a cause and effect algorithm to filter out the process interdependencies as an approach to increase output and reduce failure factors simultaneously. It also provides a framework for filtering the manufacturing data into smart structured data. Based on the proposed KHB methodology, the study investigated a production line process using the WITNESS Horizon 22 simulation package and analyzed the efficiency of the proposed approach for production optimization. A case study is provided that integrated the KHB methodology with data-driven process re-engineering to analyze the process interdependencies to use them as decision-making tools for production optimization.
A Comparison on Leading Methodologies for Bankruptcy Prediction: The Case of the Construction Sector in Lithuania
Authors: Giriūniene Gintare , Giriūnas Lukas , Morkunas Mangirdas , Brucaite Laura
Published: August 2019

Different economic environments differ in their characteristics; this prevents the usage of the same bankruptcy prediction models under different conditions. Objectively, the abundance of bankruptcy prediction models gives rise to the idea that these models are not in compliance with the changing business conditions in the market and do not meet the increasing complexity of business tasks. The purpose of this study is to assess the suitability of existing bankruptcy prediction models and the possibilities to increase the effectiveness of their application. In order to analyze theoretical aspects of the application of bankruptcy forecasting models and frame the research methodology, a systemic comparative and logical analysis of the scientific literature and statistical data, graphic data representation, induction, deduction and abstraction are employed. Results of the analysis confirm research hypotheses that bankruptcy prediction models based on macroeconomic variables are effective in identifying the number of corporate bankruptcies in a country and that the application of the model created on the grounds of macroeconomic indicators together with the traditional bankruptcy prediction model can improve the reliability of bankruptcy prediction. However, it was identified that models which are not specially adapted to companies in the construction sector are also suitable for forecasting their bankruptcies.
Desert Palm Date Seeds as a Biodiesel Feedstock: Extraction, Characterization, and Engine Testing
Authors: Kamil Mohammed , Ramadan Khalid , Olabi Abdul Ghani , Ghenai Chaouki , Inayat Abrar , Rajab Mugdad H.
Published: August 2019

The development of alternative fuels is increasingly important in order to maintain ongoing global economic and technological progress in the face of fossil fuel depletion and increasing environmental damage. Desert palm date seeds have clear potential as feedstock for biodiesel production given their high oil content and availability as food waste that requires no further cultivation. In this study we investigated the optimum production processes and conditions for date seed oil biodiesel, including characterizing the intermediate product and correcting its composition to meet international fuel standards. Four biodiesel blends were prepared (B5, B10, B15, and B20) and tested in a compression ignition engine at engine speeds from 1600 to 3600 rpm (200 rpm increments) and three engine loads (50%, 75%, and 100%). The highest oil yield and biodiesel conversion achieved were 10.74 wt.% and 92%, respectively. The biodiesel properties conformed well with the standards; the values for brake power, brake thermal efficiency, and brake specific fuel consumption were comparable with petrol diesel, though the latter was slightly superior. All blends produced lower levels of CO2, CO, and HC but higher levels of NOx emissions. These results demonstrate the fundamental suitability of date seeds as biodiesel feedstock, deserving of further research.
On the Robustness of Active Wake Control to Wind Turbine Downtime
Authors: Kanev Stoyan
Published: August 2019

Active wake control (AWC) is an operational strategy for wind farms that aims at reducing the negative effects of wakes behind wind turbines on the power production and mechanical loads at the wind turbines’ downstream. For a given wind direction, the strategy relies on collaborative control of the machines within each row of turbines that affect each other through their wakes. The vast amount of research performed during the last decade indicates that the potential upside of this technology on the annual energy production of a wind farm can be as high as a few percentage points. Although these predictions on the potential benefits are quite significant, they typically assume full availability of all turbines within a row operating under AWC. However, even though the availability of offshore wind turbines is nowadays quite high (as high as 95%, or even higher), the availability of a whole row of turbines is shown to be much lower (lower than 60% for a row of ten turbines). This paper studies the impact of turbine downtime on the power production increase from AWC, and concludes that the AWC is robust enough to be kept operational in the presence of turbines standing still.
Hybrid Excited Synchronous Machine with Wireless Supply Control System
Authors: Wardach Marcin , Bonislawski Michal , Palka Ryszard , Paplicki Piotr , Prajzendanc Pawel
Published: August 2019

The paper presents an unconventional approach to control the hybrid excited synchronous machine (HESM), which can be used for drives of pure electric vehicles. The hybrid excitation of the additional control coil placed on the rotor of the machine has been realized by the wireless energy transfer system connected with the rotor shaft. Experimental results of back-EMF characteristics obtained on a prototype of HESM were compared with 3-dimentional finite elements analysis (3D-FEA) predictions. This design, despite some additional complications in the power supply system of the machine, simplifies the mechanical construction and reduces the control coil’s losses compared to the construction with the coil placed on the stator.
Can Nighttime Light Data Be Used to Estimate Electric Power Consumption? New Evidence from Causal-Effect Inference
Authors: Zhu Yongguang , Xu Deyi , Ali Saleem H. , Ma Ruiyang , Cheng Jinhua
Published: August 2019

Nighttime light data are often used to estimate some socioeconomic indicators, such as energy consumption, GDP, population, etc. However, whether there is a causal relationship between them needs further study. In this paper, we propose a causal-effect inference method to test whether nighttime light data are suitable for estimating socioeconomic indicators. Data on electric power consumption and nighttime light intensity in 77 countries were used for the empirical research. The main conclusions are as follows: First, nighttime light data are more appropriate for estimating electric power consumption in developing countries, such as China, India, and others. Second, more latent factors need to be added into the model when estimating the power consumption of developed countries using nighttime light data. Third, the light spillover effect is relatively strong, which is not suitable for estimating socioeconomic indicators in the contiguous regions between developed countries and developing countries, such as Spain, Turkey, and others. Finally, we suggest that more attention should be paid in the future to the intrinsic logical relationship between nighttime light data and socioeconomic indicators.
An Effective Passive Islanding Detection Algorithm for Distributed Generations
Authors: Abyaz Arash , Panahi Habib , Zamani Reza , Haes Alhelou Hassan , Siano Pierluigi , Shafie-khah Miadreza , Parente Mimmo
Published: August 2019

Different issues will be raised and highlighted by emerging distributed generations (DGs) into modern power systems in which the islanding detection is the most important. In the islanding situation, a part of the system which consists of at least one DG, passive grid, and local load, becomes fully separated from the main grid. Several detection methods of islanding have been proposed in recent researches based on measured electrical parameters of the system. However, islanding detection based on local measurements suffers from the non-detection zone (NDZ) and undesirable detection during grid-connected events. This paper proposes a passive islanding detection algorithm for all types of DGs by appropriate combining the measured frequency, voltage, current, and phase angle and their rate of changes at the point of common coupling (PCC). The proposed algorithm detects the islanding situation, even with the exact zero power mismatches. Proposed algorithm discriminates between the islanding situation and non-islanding disturbances, such as short circuit faults, capacitor faults, and load switching in a proper time and without mal-operation. In addition, the performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated under different scenarios by performing the algorithm on the IEEE 13-bus distribution system.
A New Improved Voltage Stability Assessment Index-centered Integrated Planning Approach for Multiple Asset Placement in Mesh Distribution Systems
Authors: Kazmi Syed Ali Abbas , Ahmad Hafiz Waleed , Shin Dong Ryeol
Published: August 2019

This paper offers a new improved voltage stability assessment index (VSAI_B)-centered planning approach, aiming at the attainment of technical and cost related objectives with simultaneous multiple asset deployment in a mesh distribution systems (MDS). The assets such as multiple distributed generation (DG) and distributed static compensator (D-STATCOM) units have been utilized; aiming at voltage stabilization, loss minimization, and associated objectives. The proposed planning approach incorporates expressions of VSAI_B aiming at initial simultaneous assets placement followed by loss minimization conditions (LMC) for appropriate asset sizing, which is further utilized for performance evaluations. The VSAI_B-LMC-based integrated planning approach is applied to configured MDS models such as a 33-bus test distribution system (TDS) for detailed analysis. The performance evaluations with the presented approach have been conducted for different cases along with respective scenarios considering various technical and cost-economic performance metrics. First, three cases referring to multiple DGs sitting and sizing for various power factors have been presented, followed later by two cases of multiple DGs and D-STATCOMs with respective evaluation scenarios. Finally, benchmark analysis is conducted on a 69-bus TDS for validity demonstration of the proposed approach. The comparison of achieved results in comparison with the available literature points out toward the validity and improved performance of the proposed approach.
Modeling Future Energy Demand and CO2 Emissions of Passenger Cars in Indonesia at the Provincial Level
Authors: Erahman Qodri Febrilian , Reyseliani Nadhilah , Purwanto Widodo Wahyu , Sudibandriyo Mahmud
Published: August 2019

The high energy demand and CO2 emissions in the road transport sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the use of passenger cars. This situation is predicted to continue due to the increase in car ownership. Scenarios are arranged to examine the potential reductions in energy demand and CO2 emissions in comparison with the business as usual (BAU) condition between 2016 and 2050 by controlling car intensity (fuel economy) and activity (vehicle-km). The intensity is controlled through the introduction of new car technologies, while the activity is controlled through the enactment of fuel taxes. This study aims to analyze the energy demand and CO2 emissions of passenger cars in Indonesia not only for a period in the past (2010–2015) but also based on projections through to 2050, by employing a provincially disaggregated bottom-up model. The provincially disaggregated model shows more accurate estimations for passenger car energy demands. The results suggest that energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2050 will be 50 million liter gasoline equivalent (LGE) and 110 million tons of CO2, respectively. The five provinces with the highest CO2 emissions in 2050 are projected to be West Java, Banten, East Java, Central Java, and South Sulawesi. The projected analysis for 2050 shows that new car technology and fuel tax scenarios can reduce energy demand from the BAU condition by 7.72% and 3.18% and CO2 emissions by 15.96% and 3.18%, respectively.
Contribution to the Energy Situation in Tajikistan by Using Residual Apricot Branches after Pruning as an Alternative Fuel
Authors: Akhmedov Sayfullo , Ivanova Tatiana , Abdulloeva Surayyo , Muntean Alexandru , Krepl Vladimír
Published: August 2019

A lack of access to energy in the rural areas of Tajikistan is one of the current problems of the country. Tajikistan’s goal is to reach energy independency, and the main prospects for the country’s energy sector, which relies on energy imports during the long heating periods, are: higher exploitations of hydropower and development of other renewables, mainly biofuels. Tajikistan is a highly agrarian country, where agriculture is the dominant source of income for the majority of the population. Apricot belongs to the primary agricultural commodities; however, the cultivation and management of apricot orchards is associated with the annual accumulation of significant amounts of wood waste (residual branches after pruning), which represent a source of easily available biomass. Thus, the main focus of the present research was to investigate the properties (physical, chemical and mechanical) of densified briquettes and pellets from the residual apricot tree branches through the laboratory measurements by the standard methodologies and to calculate the energy yield and potential of this material for Tajikistan as a similar study has not been conducted yet. The results showed a good quality of apricot-based biofuels characterised by the high calorific value (NCV dry basis of 19.3 MJ kg−1), relatively low ash content (1.7%) and suitable values of the main chemical elements that fulfil the standard requirement on graded wooden biofuels. The total yearly energy yield of residual apricot branches was calculated to be 3245 TJ.
Linearized Discrete Charge Balance Control with Simplified Algorithm for DCM Buck Converter
Authors: Min Run , Lyu Dian , Cheng Shuai , Sun Yingshui , Li Linkai
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a linearized discrete charge balance (LDCB) control strategy is proposed for buck converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). For DC-DC power converters, discrete charge balance (DCB) control is an attractive approach to improve the output voltage transient response. However, as a non-linear control strategy, the algorithm is complex, which is difficult for implementation. To reduce the complexity, this paper proposes the LDCB control strategy that is derived through linearizing conventional DCB controller. By deriving the differential functions of the DCB control algorithm, the small signal relationship between the input and output of DCB controller is explored. Furthermore, based on the relationship, the LDCB controller is formed through three parallel feed loops to the duty ratio. As a linear control approach, the achieved LDCB controller is greatly simplified for implementation. This not only saves the hardware cost, but also reduces the calculation lag, which provides potential to improve the switching frequency. Besides, since the LDCB controller shares the same small signal model as that of DCB controller, it achieves similar control loop bandwidth and transient performance. Effectiveness of the proposed LDCB control is verified by zero/pole plots, transient analyses and experimental results.
Measuring Tree Height with Remote Sensing—A Comparison of Photogrammetric and LiDAR Data with Different Field Measurements
Authors: Ganz Selina , Käber Yannek , Adler Petra
Published: August 2019

We contribute to a better understanding of different remote sensing techniques for tree height estimation by comparing several techniques to both direct and indirect field measurements. From these comparisons, factors influencing the accuracy of reliable tree height measurements were identified. Different remote sensing methods were applied on the same test site, varying the factors sensor type, platform, and flight parameters. We implemented light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and photogrammetric aerial images received from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), gyrocopter, and aircraft. Field measurements were carried out indirectly using a Vertex clinometer and directly after felling using a tape measure on tree trunks. Indirect measurements resulted in an RMSE of 1.02 m and tend to underestimate tree height with a systematic error of −0.66 m. For the derivation of tree height, the results varied from an RMSE of 0.36 m for UAV-LiDAR data to 2.89 m for photogrammetric data acquired by an aircraft. Measurements derived from LiDAR data resulted in higher tree heights, while measurements from photogrammetric data tended to be lower than field measurements. When absolute orientation was appropriate, measurements from UAV-Camera were as reliable as those from UAV-LiDAR. With low flight altitudes, small camera lens angles, and an accurate orientation, higher accuracies for the estimation of individual tree heights could be achieved. The study showed that remote sensing measurements of tree height can be more accurate than traditional triangulation techniques if the aforementioned conditions are fulfilled.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Biosecurity: Enabling Participatory-Design to Help Address Social Licence to Operate Issues
Authors: Ogilvie Shaun , McCarthy Alaric , Allen Will , Grant Andrea , Mark-Shadbolt Melanie , Pawson Steve , Richardson Brian , Strand Tara , Langer E.R. (Lisa) , Marzano Mariella
Published: August 2019

Forest health can be adversely affected by invasive organisms. Biosecurity measures to prevent the establishment of harmful invasive organisms at national points of entry (e.g., airports or shipping ports) are vital to protect forest health. Innovations in pest eradication technologies are being developed based on their efficiencies and effectiveness. However, the question of whether people find them acceptable is rarely considered. In New Zealand, research is underway into the use of highly targeted pesticide spraying using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a novel technology to eradicate pest species that impact forest, food, and fibre sectors. Public approval for such technologies, however, can be a critical aspect for their success. A tool can be technically effective (achieve eradication), but uptake may be impossible if communities do not trust the technology. We developed a method for enabling discussions about the use of UAVs and their acceptability in general before being operationalized for biosecurity. This paper presents an investigation of how “participatory-design”, an often tactile, visual, and inclusive process of community engagement can improve the acceptance of technology use in the public sphere. We asked people, both scientists and citizens, to evaluate the acceptability of a range of UAV uses (including biosecurity) along a continuum and then explored the reasons for their placement. Key criteria for acceptable and unacceptable uses were subsequently developed to help technology designers and operators consider aspects of social acceptability during design processes. Our tool and approach facilitated discussions around technology acceptability that were subsequently adopted by our technical design team for the development and the use of acceptable UAVs for biosecurity. This research shows how systematic approaches to design can help uncover and mitigate social acceptability issues through inclusive design under increasing threats of biosecurity, whether related to challenges of trade or climate change.
China’s Land Uses in the Multi-Region Input–Output Framework
Authors: Bao Chao , Xu Mutian , Sun Siao
Published: August 2019

The finite resource of land is subject to competing pressures from food demand, urbanization, and ecosystem service provision. Linking the land resource use to the whole production chain and final consumption of various products and services offers a new perspective to understand and manage land uses. This study conducted a systematic analysis of land uses at the provincial level in China using the multi-region input–output model in 2012. Land use patterns related to the sectoral production and consumption in different provinces were examined. The results indicated that the land use transfers between different provinces in China have formed a highly interacting network. Products and services involved in the inter-provincial trades in China contained 2.3 million km2 land uses, which constituted approximately 40% of the total national land uses that were finally consumed in China. Agriculture was the most direct land use intensive sector, and industry was the most indirect land use intensive sector. Land resource-scarce provinces with low per capita land availability have outsourced parts of their land uses by net importing lands from other provinces. The results have important policy implications towards sustainable land uses in China.
Risk Assessment in Urban Large-Scale Public Spaces Using Dempster-Shafer Theory: An Empirical Study in Ningbo, China
Authors: Zhou Jibiao , Mao Xinhua , Wang Yiting , Zhang Minjie , Dong Sheng
Published: August 2019

Urban Large-scale Public Spaces (ULPS) are important areas of urban culture and economic development, which are also places of the potential safety hazard. ULPS safety assessment has played a crucial role in the theory and practice of urban sustainable development. The primary objective of this study is to explore the interaction between ULPS safety risk and its influencing factors. In the first stage, an index sensitivity analysis method was applied to calculate and identify the safety risk assessment index system. Next, a Delphi method and information entropy method were also applied to collect and calculate the weight of risk assessment indicators. In the second stage, a Dempster-Shafer Theory (DST) method with evidence fusion technique was utilized to analyze the interaction between the ULPS safety risk level and the multiple-index variables, measured by four observed performance indicators, i.e., environmental factor, human factor, equipment factor, and management factor. Finally, an empirical study of DST approach for ULPS safety performance analysis was presented.
Rethinking Suicide in Rural Australia: A study Protocol for Examining and Applying Knowledge of the Social Determinants to Improve Prevention in Non-Indigenous Populations
Authors: Fitzpatrick Scott J. , Brew Bronwyn K. , Read Donna M. Y. , Inder Kerry J. , Hayes Alan , Perkins David
Published: August 2019

Disproportionate rates of suicide in rural Australia in comparison to metropolitan areas pose a significant public health challenge. The dynamic interrelationship between mental and physical health, social determinants, and suicide in rural Australia is widely acknowledged. Advancement of this knowledge, however, remains hampered by a lack of adequate theory and methods to understand how these factors interact, and the translation of this knowledge into constructive strategies and solutions. This paper presents a protocol for generating a comprehensive dataset of suicide deaths and factors related to suicide in rural Australia, and for building a program of research to improve suicide prevention policy and practice to better address the social determinants of suicide in non-indigenous populations. The two-phased study will use a mixed-methods design informed by intersectionality theory. Phase One will extract, code, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on suicide in regional and remote Australia from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Phase Two will analyse suicide prevention at three interrelated domains: policy, practice, and research, to examine alignment with evidence generated in Phase One. Findings from Phase One and Two will then be integrated to identify key points in suicide prevention policy and practice where action can be initiated.
Perinatal Distress and Depression in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian Women: The Role of Psychosocial and Obstetric Factors
Authors: Ogbo Felix , Kingsley Ezeh Osita , Dhami Mansi , Naz Sabrina , Khanlari Sarah , McKenzie Anne , Agho Kingsley , Page Andrew , Ussher Jane , Perz Janette , Eastwood John
Published: August 2019

Perinatal distress and depression can have significant impacts on both the mother and baby. The present study investigated psychosocial and obstetric factors associated with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian women in Sydney, New South Wales. The study used retrospectively linked maternal and child health data from two Local Health Districts in Australia (N = 25,407). Perinatal distress was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, scores of 10–12) and depressive symptoms, with EPDS scores of 13 or more. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between psychosocial and obstetric factors with perinatal distress and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of perinatal distress and depressive symptoms among CALD Australian women was 10.1% for antenatal distress; 7.3% for antenatal depressive symptoms; 6.2% for postnatal distress and 3.7% for postnatal depressive symptoms. Antenatal distress and depressive symptoms were associated with a lack of partner support, intimate partner violence, maternal history of childhood abuse and being known to child protection services. Antenatal distress and depressive symptoms were strongly associated with postnatal distress and depressive symptoms. Higher socioeconomic status had a protective effect on antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms. Our study suggests that current perinatal mental health screening and referral for clinical assessment is essential, and also supports a re-examination of perinatal mental health policy to ensure access to culturally responsive mental health care that meets patients’ needs.
Factors Affecting Care Workers’ Coping Abilities in Emergencies to the Korean Elderly
Authors: Kim Soon-Ok , Shim JaeLan
Published: August 2019

This study provides basic data for enhancing coping abilities in emergencies concerning direct long-term care (LTC) workers, which is necessary for providing safe care for elderly patients living in facilities and at home. A survey was conducted including 327 care workers who officially qualified as long-term providers for elderly patients through elderly care facilities and a domiciliary service center. The majority (91.4%) of the care workers surveyed experienced an emergency, but of them, only 36.4% performed first aid and 56.8% failed to perform first aid, for which the emergency was reported to nurses. The average score regarding first aid knowledge was 8.40 out of 21, and the mean scores for the subtopics of basic life support and general first aid were low (3.56 out of 7 and 5.84 out of 14, respectively). Nearly three-quarters (72.5%) responded that they were unaware of emergency coping methods, and the score for coping abilities in emergencies was also low (52.93 out of 100). The results indicate that factors affecting coping abilities in emergencies were related to the size of the workplace and first aid experience. We propose the development and implementation of an emergency coping training program focusing on case studies for direct LTC workers.
Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Defects: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Yang Jiaomei , Kang Yijun , Cheng Yue , Zeng Lingxia , Yan Hong , Dang Shaonong
Published: August 2019

Limited studies investigating the relationships between dietary patterns and congenital heart defects (CHDs) are available. This study aimed to explore the associations between dietary patterns and CHDs risk in Shaanxi, China. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study and included a total of 474 cases and 948 controls. Pregnant women waiting for delivery in the hospital were interviewed to report their diets during pregnancy using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component factor analysis. Mixed logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between dietary patterns and CHDs. Pregnant women in the highest tertile of the prudent pattern had a lower risk of CHDs compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.48–0.89). Pregnant women with high scores on the vegetarian pattern were at an increased risk of CHDs (medium vs. lowest tertile: OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.03–2.17; highest vs. lowest tertile: OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.13–2.15; ptrend = 0.015). Pregnant women with high scores on the dairy and egg pattern were at a reduced risk of CHDs (medium vs. lowest tertile: OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.49–0.90; highest vs. lowest tertile: OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.43–0.82; ptrend = 0.001). Maternal diet during pregnancy is an important target for intervention, and it may influence the likelihood of developing CHDs.
Air Pollution Exposure and Cognitive Function in Taiwanese Older Adults: A Repeated Measurement Study
Authors: Lo Yuan-Ting C. , Lu Ya-Chi , Chang Yu-Hung , Kao Senyeong , Huang Han-Bin
Published: August 2019

Studies related to air pollution exposure and neurocognitive disorders, specifically cognitive impairment, among older adults are limited. We investigated the association between short-term and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution (i.e., particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 μm and ozone) and the effects of their interaction on cognitive function in a community-dwelling, free-living elderly population. Study participants were in a multiple-wave representative sample, namely the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 2241). In four surveys between 1996 and 2007, their cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). We estimated air pollution from 1993 to 2007, including daily concentrations of PM10 and O3 from air quality monitoring stations, based on the administrative zone of each participant’s residence. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine these associations after adjusting for covariates. We found that long-term exposure to PM10 and O3 was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 1.094, 95% CI: 1.020, 1.174 for PM10; OR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.363, 2.560 for O3). The joint effect of exposure to PM10 and O3 was associated with cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). Co-exposure to ambient PM10 and O3 may deteriorate cognitive function in older adults.
Evolution of the Physical and Social Spaces of ‘Village Resettlement Communities’ from the Production of Space Perspective: A Case Study of Qunyi Community in Kunshan
Authors: Zhou Lei , Xiong Liyang
Published: August 2019

Village resettlement communities (VRCs) are a special type of urban community that the government has promoted considerably during China’s rapid urbanization. This study uses the theory of the production of space as a basis to explore the processes and mechanisms of the physical and social space evolution of VRCs through a case study of Qunyi Community, one of the largest VRCs in Kunshan. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed in this study. Results indicate that the coupling relationship between local government power and diversified capital is the fundamental reason that promotes the production of macrophysical space. Moreover, the economic and social relationships among residents promote the reproduction of microsocial space. Landless farmers are the most important spatial producers in the microsocial space. The individual needs and cultural differences of immigrant workers also have significant effects on microspatial production. Furthermore, the production and reproduction of the physical and social spaces, respectively, of VRCs deduce the adjustment relationship among the urbanization processes of land, population, and individuals. Results also indicate that the urbanization of individuals appears to lag behind the previous two processes. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the spatial renovation and management optimization of VRCs, as well as the promotion of a new type of “people-centered” urbanization.