bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENERAPAN MODEL CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING (CPS) SEBAGAI UPAYA PENINGKATAN NILAI PENGETAHUAN DAN KETERAMPILAN SISWA KELAS II SD NEGERI 20 CAKRANEGARA PADA TEMA 5 PENGALAMANKU
Authors: Sriani Ida Ayu Nyoman
Published: March 2019

Proses pembelajaran salah satunya harus melibatkan kemampuan siswa dalam pemecahan masalah secara kreatif dengan aktivitas belajar siswa tinggi, maka akan menghasilkan hasil belajar siswa lebih baik. Model pembelajaran Creative Problem Solving (CPS) diasumsikan dapat meningkatkan aktivitas kelas II semester II tahun pelajaran 2017/2018 SDN 20 Cakranegara khususnya pada tema 5 Pengalamanku. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar siswa. Penelitian Tindakan Kelas terdiri dari dua siklus, setiap siklus mempunyai tahap yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan, observasi dan refleksi. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa nilai rata-rata hasil belajar siswa pada siklus I dan II mengalami kenaikan. Hal ini dapat dilihat lebih jelas dari tabel nilai rata-rata hasil belajar siswa dari siklus I dan siklus II. Persentase kenaikan nilai rata-rata hasil belajar siswa dari data awal ke siklus I 13.77.dan dari siklus I ke siklus II yaitu sebesar 9.03%. Sedangkan untuk nilai ketuntasan belajar siswa mengalami kenaikan  dari 74.40% pada siklus I menjadi 95.74% pada siklus II. Peningkatan Persentase ketuntasan belajar siswa dari siklus I ke siklus II yaitu sebesar 21.34%.Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa nilai rata-rata kinerja siswa pada siklus I dan II mengalami kenaikan. Hal ini dapat dilihat lebih jelas dari tabel rata-rata nilai kinerja siswa dari siklus I dan siklus II. Persentase kenaikan rata-rata nilai kinerja siswa dari siklus I.ke siklus II yaitu sebesar 7.83%. Jadi, berdasarkan analisis data tersebut dapat diketahui bahwa dengan penerapan pembelajaran model CPS dapat meningkatkan rata-rata nilai kinerja  siswa kelas II SDN 20 Cakranegara Semester II Tahun Pelajaran 2017/2018. Sedangkan untuk nilai ketuntasan belajar siswa mengalami kenaikan  dari 80.22% pada siklus I menjadi 95.68% pada siklus II. Peningkatan Persentase ketuntasan belajar siswa (kinerja) dari siklus I ke siklus II yaitu sebesar 15.46%.
PENGGUNAAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN CONTEXTUAL TEACHING AND LEARNING (CTL) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI BELAJAR MATA PELAJARAN IPA SISWA KELAS VI DI SDN 6 MATARAM
Authors: Aminah Siti
Published: March 2019

Permasalahan proses pembelajaran yang terjadi di SDN 6 Mataram adalah rendahnya prestasi belajar yang disebabkan oleh pengggunaan metode dan model pembelajaran yang tidak tepat dengan jenis materi pelajaran. Dari fakta  tersebut dirumuskan  masalah sebagai berikut apakah penggunaan model pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) pada mata pelajaran IPA dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar siswa kelas VI SDN 6 Mataram? Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui penggunaan model pembelajaran Contextual teaching and learning (CTL) yang optimal untuk meningkatkan prestasi belajar mata pelajaran IPA. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilaksanakan dalam 2 siklus. Setiap siklus terdiri atas 2 kali pertemuan. Setiap siklus terdapat 4 tahap kegiatan yaitu tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi dan refleksi. Subjek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas VI yang berjumlah 39 orang. Data aktivitas guru dan peserta didik diperoleh melalui lembar observasi. Sedang data prestasi belajar diperoleh melalui tes pilihan ganda dan essay yang dilaksanakan setiap akhir siklus. Data aktivitas guru dan peserta didik dianalisis secara deskriftip kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terjadi peningkatan prestasi belajar peserta didik, dapat dilihat dari perolehan nilai rerata dalam setiap siklus yaitu pada siklus I nilai rerata 75 dengan ketuntasan belajar 54%, peserta didik yang tuntas belajar berjumlah 21 orang dari 39 jumlah peserta didik, siklus II nilai rerata 87 dengan ketuntasan belajar  92%, peserta didik yang tuntas belajar sebanyak 36 orang dari 39 jumlah peserta didik. Simpulan dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa  penggunaan model pembelajaran Contextual teaching and learning (CTL) dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar mata pelajaran IPA siswa kelas VI di SDN 6 Mataram.
The Effect of Water Fluoride Concentration on DMFT Index in Vardar Population in Macedonia
Authors: Vesna Ambarkova
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the DMFT index of 12-year-old children and the concentration of fluorine in drinking water from the populated areas where children live. Material and method: In the examination, 85children were enrolled, out of 2 central and 2regional primary schools, at which the DMFT index was determined. The children live in 2 different cities and 2 different villages. Four water samples were taken from the examined area to determine the fluorine concentration by using the electrochemical method using the pH/ISE Meter-Thermo-Orion with a special F-electrode (Thermo Orion Ion Plus Fluoride Electrode) at the Institute for public health. Spearman's method was used to determine the correlation between the specified variables. Results: The total number of children in the examined sample was 85, out of which45 were male and 40 were female. The average DMFT index in this group of children was 2.75 with a standard deviation of ±2.56. Maximum concentration of fluorine in drinking water of 0.39ppmF was determined in the village Vinicani, while the minimum (0.17ppmF) in the city Veles and (0.20 ppmF) in the village Melnica. Correlation of the DMFT index in children from the Vardar region and the concentration of fluorine in the drinking water has a negative, indirect correlation, with the value of the coefficient r=-0.393. Conclusion: The correlation between the DMFT index and the concentration of drinking water is a negative, indirect and correlation is highly significant.
The Effect of Water Fluoride Concentration on DMFT Index in Vardar Population in Macedonia
Authors: Vesna Ambarkova
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the DMFT index of 12-year-old children and the concentration of fluorine in drinking water from the populated areas where children live. Material and method: In the examination, 85children were enrolled, out of 2 central and 2regional primary schools, at which the DMFT index was determined. The children live in 2 different cities and 2 different villages. Four water samples were taken from the examined area to determine the fluorine concentration by using the electrochemical method using the pH/ISE Meter-Thermo-Orion with a special F-electrode (Thermo Orion Ion Plus Fluoride Electrode) at the Institute for public health. Spearman's method was used to determine the correlation between the specified variables. Results: The total number of children in the examined sample was 85, out of which45 were male and 40 were female. The average DMFT index in this group of children was 2.75 with a standard deviation of ±2.56. Maximum concentration of fluorine in drinking water of 0.39ppmF was determined in the village Vinicani, while the minimum (0.17ppmF) in the city Veles and (0.20 ppmF) in the village Melnica. Correlation of the DMFT index in children from the Vardar region and the concentration of fluorine in the drinking water has a negative, indirect correlation, with the value of the coefficient r=-0.393. Conclusion: The correlation between the DMFT index and the concentration of drinking water is a negative, indirect and correlation is highly significant
Healthcare Big Data and Pain Management: A Look into the Epidemic
Authors: Alexander Cheryl Ann
Published: March 2019

Healthcare is a complex combination of system engineering and clinical science which includes many aspects of care and numerous types of professionals, including clinical providers, information technologists, data scientists, insurance professionals, pharmacists, etc. Clinical care in system engineering should be evidence-based and have a wide research base to ensure quality care. Medical professionals, patients, technologies, insurance, policies and standards, etc. ensure quality care in system healthcare engineering. Currently, Big Data analytics help form healthcare systems, policies and procedures, treatments and assessments, and achieve better outcomes, also leading innovation and research to strengthen evidence-based medicine. Neuroscience is one are today that patients are finding it necessary to expect personalized treatment and an evidence-based plan of care due to the complications associated today with opioid use and chronic pain management
Statistical Comparison to Determine First Line Regimen of Two Anti-Malarials for Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria among Children Under 5 Years
Authors: Alnory Ahmed , Abdalla Sondous A
Published: March 2019

Comparison of regimen efficacy in clinical medicine has been utilized to improve the effect of drugs against disease The pairs alternative t-test method approach is used in this experimental study to derive efficacy estimates of two anti-malarial regimens. This study aimed at comparing mostly used drugs against malaria in Africa in the present time, namely artesunate-mefloquine and artemether-lumefantrine to determine which of them is more effective treatment of the disease among children under 5 years of age and thus may be considered as a first line treatment, especially when laboratory tests are not available. The results achieved in this study were based on hypothetical experimental data. The data which represented 12 pairs of matches children were analyzed using t tests with the help of SSS program. The study concluded that artesunate-mefloquine is more effective as a first line treatment than artemether-lumefantrine in children less than five years age of both sexes.
The Helmholtzian Operator and Maxwell-Cassano Equations of an Electromagnetic-nuclear Field
Authors: Michael Cassano Claude
Published: March 2019

This article demonstrates that when acting on a four-vector doublet, the Helmholtzian may be factored into two 4×4/8×8 differential matrices, resulting in a four-vector doublet Klein-Gordon equation with source. This factorization enables yielding of a mass-generalized set of Maxwell’s equations.
Effectiveness of a behavioural incentive scheme linked to goal achievement in overweight children: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Redfern Julie , Enright Gemma , Hyun Karice , Raadsma Simon , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Innes-Hughes Christine , Khanal Santosh , Lukeis Sarah , Rissel Chris , Chai Hui-Yih , Gyani Alex
Published: March 2019

Background: The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is becoming an increasing concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine effectiveness of a structured goal setting incentive scheme, delivered within a community program, on health outcomes in overweight children at 6 and 18 months.
Methods: Single-blind, cluster randomized controlled trial with 10 weeks, 6 month and 18 month follow-up. Community weight-loss programs for children were randomized to (i) standard program plus incentive scheme (intervention) or (ii) standard program alone (control). Primary outcome was mean BMIz score at 18 months. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric and behavioural measures.
Results: A total of 37 sites (33 urban and 4 regional) and 512 children were recruited. Compared to baseline, at 18 month follow-up, the total cohort achieved significant reductions in the mean BMIz score (1.7 v 1.0, p<0.001), median screen time (16.5 v 15.8 hours/week p=0.0414), median number of fast food meals per week (1.0 v 0.7, p<0.001) and significant increases in physical activity (6.0 v 10.0 hours/week, p<0.001) and self-esteem score (20.7 v 22.0, p<0.002). There were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups at any follow-up time-points. There were significantly more participants in the intervention than control group who completed 10 sessions of the weight management program (23% v 13%, p=0.015).
Conclusions: The incentive scheme, delivered in addition to the standard program, did not have a significant impact on health outcomes in overweight children. However, the intervention increased program attendance and overall cohort achieved sustained improvements in clinical and lifestyle outcomes.
AMİN MAALOUF’UN DOĞU’DAN UZAKTA ROMANINDA GÖÇ İMGELERİ: GİTMEK VE DÖNMEK İKİLEMİ
Authors: SARIALİOĞLU Özge
Published: March 2019

Her
metnin kendi içinde bir dinamiği vardır ve karakterler metin içinde koşuşturur.
Bu aynı zamanda metnin ritmini belirleyen bir şeydir. Doğu’dan Uzakta romanında bu ritim başkarakter Adam üzerinden
sağlanmıştır. Adam, olay örgüsünün hem yaşayanı hem de ikinci anlatıcısı
konumundadır. Romanda gitme/gelme, unutma/hatırlatma arasında gidip gelen göç
deneyimi başkarakter Adam’ın tuttuğu iç hesaplaşmaların yoğun bir biçimde
yaşandığı günlük aracılığıyla okuyucuya aktarılmıştır. Böylece gitme, kalma ve
dönme arasında gidip gelen göç anlatısının kaydı tutulmuştur. Bu makalede de başkarakter
Adam’ın günlüğünden yola çıkarak Âmin Maalof’un Doğu’dan Uzakta adlı romanında göç deneyimi tartışmaya alınmıştır.  Makalede göçle birlikte gelen imgeler ve eylemlilikler
bütününe; insanın kendine dönüşüne, kaygılarına, kayıplarına, kazanımlarına, mekânlar
arasındaki yolculuğuna odaklanılmıştır. Tanıklık, kaygı, yitim ve ölüm
kavramlarından hareketle göç ve mekân arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Baş
mekân olarak ‘ev’ tartışmada merkezi bir konuma yerleştirilmiş,  buna bağlı olarak ‘ev’den kopuş/ ‘ev’e dönüş
imgeleri mekânın kaybı ve yeniden üretimi aracılığıyla tartışılmıştır.
FARKLI KURAMLAR ÇERÇEVESİNDE ULUSLARARASI GÖÇ SORUNU
Authors: ZHANADİLOVA Aigul
Published: March 2019

Sanayileşme, modernleşme, küreselleşme gibi önemli
dönüşümlerin yaşandığı XXI. asır insanlık tarihi açısından özel bir öneme
sahiptir. Ulaşım araçları ve iletişim ağlarının hızla gelişmesi bu dönüşümlerin
ortaya çıkışında etkili olmuştur. Herkes elindeki akıllı telefonlarla dünyada
ne olup bittiğini kolayca öğrenebilmekte, başka ülkelerde insanların nasıl
yaşadıklarını takip edebilmektedir. İnsanlar savaş, sürgün, doğal afet ya da
politik ve iktisadi nedenlerle yaşam kalitelerini iyileştirmek amacıyla göç
etmektedir. İnsanlar göç sürecinde bazen sahip olduklarından daha kötü
koşullara ulaşmakta ve istismara maruz kalabilmekte, bazen de hayatlarını
kaybedebilmektedir. Göç edenlerin sadece bir kısmı mülteci statüsünü
kazanabilmektedir. Mülteciler kendi ülkelerinde ortaya çıkan savaş ve siyasi
zorluklar nedeniyle başka ülkelere göç eden bireyler olarak bazı haklar
kazanabilmektedir. Bu araştırma, bir kavram olarak göçü, göç çeşitlerin ve
nedenlerini ele alarak uluslararası göçe yönelik yaklaşımları ve uluslararası
göçün yarattığı sorunları değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.
KIRGIZİSTAN GENÇLİĞİNDE ALKOLİZM SORUNU
Authors: ZHAİLOOBEKOVA Zhanylmyrza , AMMAN Mehmet Tayfun
Published: March 2019

Kırgız gençlerini alkolizme sürükleyen sebepleri
kapsamlı olarak ortaya çıkarmak amacıyla yapılan bu araştırma Kırgızistan’ın
başkenti Bişkek’te kartopu örneklemesi yoluyla 18-29 yaş aralığındaki 170 kişi
üzerinde anket uygulanarak yapılmıştır. Araştırmada alkol kullanım sıklığı
ölçeği ile ilgili kişilerin demografik özelliklerini belirleyebilmek için 11
soruluk ’’Kişisel Bilgi Formu’’ kullanılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen
veriler SPSS programında analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmada gençler arasında alkol
tüketiminin çok yaygın olduğu, alkole başlama yaşının gittikçe düştüğü ve
erkekler ile kadınların aynı risk altında olduğu, gençlerin ilk alkol
deneyiminin aile ve arkadaş çevresinin doğrudan etkisi altında gerçekleştiği,
ailesinde alkol hikâyesi olan bireylerin alkolü normalleştirme eğiliminin daha
yüksek olduğu, gençlerin alkol kullanmalarındaki başlıca nedenin arkadaş
ortamında kabul görmek olduğu, sarhoşken yaşanan olumsuz durumların başında
tutuklanma ve yaralanmanın geldiği belirlenmiştir.
Foliar Calcium Corrects a Deficiency Causing Green Fruit Drop in ‘Draper’ Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Authors: Gerbrandt Eric Martin , Mouritzen Charles , Sweeney Mark
Published: March 2019

‘Draper’ northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is a widely-planted mid-season cultivar with excellent fruit quality. Under the climatic conditions of Southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and Northwestern Washington, USA, it expresses a physiological disorder causing spontaneous green fruit drop (GFD) of up to half of the developing crop just prior to onset of the fruit coloring phenophase. Reduction of economic losses due to GFD required identification of the cause of this disorder and development of an agronomic solution that would reduce fruit drop. In 2014, two initial experiments were conducted to compare three foliar Ca products under a range of N fertilization rates. In 2015 and 2016, three locations were used in a first step to optimizing rates and timings of foliar Ca application. Initial experiments determined that higher N fertilization rates exacerbate GFD but that foliar Ca corrects the condition. Multi-site, multi-year trials identified key rates and timings for foliar Ca application to provide an agronomic solution for commercial growers. These trials identified an acute fruit Ca deficiency as the cause of GFD, and that foliar calcium applied frequently at high concentration from mid-bloom onward can be effective in reducing GFD, often to negligible levels. This condition has now been reported in several production regions around the world.
Beyond Bird Feed: Proso Millet for Human Health and Environment
Authors: Das Saurav , Khound Rituraj , Santra Meenakshi , Santra Dipak K.
Published: March 2019

Domesticated in 8000–10,000 BP in northern China, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is the best adaptive rotational crop for semiarid central High Plains of the USA, where average annual precipitation is 356–407 mm. Proso millet has multiple benefits when consumed as human food. Proso millet is rich in minerals, dietary fiber, polyphenols, vitamins and proteins. It is gluten-free and therefore, ideal for the gluten intolerant people. Proso millet contains high lecithin which supports the neural health system. It is rich in vitamins (niacin, B-complex vitamins, folic acid), minerals (P, Ca, Zn, Fe) and essential amino acids (methionine and cysteine). It has a low glycemic index and reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes. Unfortunately, in the USA, it is mostly considered as bird feed, whereas it is mainly used as human food in many other countries. Besides human health benefits, proso millet has an impeccable environmental benefit. Proso millet possesses many unique characteristics (e.g., drought tolerance, short-growing season) which makes it a promising rotational crop for winter wheat-based dryland farming systems. Proso millet provides the most economical production system when used in a two years wheat/summer fallow cropping system in semiarid High Plains of the USA. It helps in controlling winter annual grass weeds, managing disease and insect pressure and preserving deep soil moisture for wheat. Proso millet can also be used as a rotational crop with corn or sorghum owing to its tolerance for atrazine, the primary herbicide used in corn and sorghum production systems. Proso millet certainly is a climate-smart, gluten-free, ancient, and small grain cereal, which is healthy to humans and the environment. The main challenge is to expand the proso millet market beyond bird feed into the human food industry. To overcome the challenge, unique proso millet varieties for human food and ready-to-use multiple food products must be developed. This requires successful collaboration among experts from diverse disciplines such as breeders, geneticists, food chemists and food industry partners.
Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization on Tuber Yield, Sugar Composition and Nitrogen Uptake of Two Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl.) Genotypes
Authors: Kamp Larissa , Hartung Jens , Mast Benjamin , Graeff-Hönninger Simone
Published: March 2019

The tuberous root crop, yacon, is native to the Andean region and contains high amounts of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) with up to 70% of dry matter. Due to FOS, consumption of tubers may have health-promoting effects. However, regarding the overall cultivation system, no recommendations exist for farmers on nitrogen fertilization and nitrogen (N) uptake of yacon. Therefore, three different N fertilization levels (0, 40, and 80 kg N ha−1) and two genotypes (brown-shelled (BG) and red-shelled (RG)) were examined in a two-year field experiment regarding their tuber yield, sugar composition, and nitrogen uptake. Tuber yields increased with increasing fertilization level and were highest for B80 and R80 (50 and 67 t FM ha−1), while significant differences between the genotypes existed. Sugar and the amount of FOS slightly decreased with increasing N fertilization level, and ranged between 36% and 73% and 30% and 58% of dry matter, respectively. An overall decreasing amount of FOS led to a slight increase in the amount of FOS with a higher degree of polymerization. Regarding the N-use efficiency of tubers and the total plant, an N fertilization level of 40 kg N ha−1 seems to favor tuber yield.
Variability in Anthocyanins, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in the Tassels of Collected Waxy Corn Germplasm
Authors: Duangpapeng Prakasit , Lertrat Kamol , Lomthaisong Khomsorn , Paul Scott Marvin , Suriharn Bhalang
Published: March 2019

Corn tassel is a valuable co-product and an excellent source of phytochemicals with bioactive properties. The information on the genetic diversity in the tassel properties of waxy corn germplasm is important for creating new varieties that can have the potential for the commercial production of tassels as a co-product. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of corn tassels in a set of waxy corn germplasm for the extraction of phenolic compounds with an antioxidant activity. The experiment was carried out under field conditions in the rainy season 2017 and the dry season 2017/2018. Fifty waxy corn genotypes were evaluated. Data were collected for the total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl−1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The season (S) had small effect on all of the parameters, accounting for 0.2–8.7% of the total variance. The genotype (G) was the largest variance component in the TAC and DPPH radical scavenging activity, accounting for 83.5–97.5% of the total variance. The G and S × G interaction contributed approximately equally to the total variance in the TPC and TEAC. Based on the TAC, TPC and antioxidant capacity variation, the genotypes were classified into seven groups. The tassels of corn genotypes belonging to three of these clusters (clusters E, F and G) had high levels of phytochemicals along with an antioxidant capacity. A significant correlation coefficient was found between the TAC and DPPH (r = 0.70 **). The TPC showed a moderate relationship with the DPPH and TEAC assays (r = 0.60 ** and 0.76 **, respectively). The information obtained from this study can be used for germplasm management and waxy corn breeding for enhancing levels of bioactive properties in waxy corn tassels.
Review of Sensor Technologies in Animal Breeding: Phenotyping Behaviors of Laying Hens to Select Against Feather Pecking
Authors: Ellen Esther D. , van der Sluis Malou , Siegford Janice , Guzhva Oleksiy , Toscano Michael J. , Bennewitz Jörn , van der Zande Lisette E. , van der Eijk Jerine A. J. , de Haas Elske N. , Norton Tomas , Piette Deborah , Tetens Jens , de Klerk Britt , Visser Bram , Rodenburg T. Bas
Published: March 2019

Damaging behaviors, like feather pecking (FP), have large economic and welfare consequences in the commercial laying hen industry. Selective breeding can be used to obtain animals that are less likely to perform damaging behavior on their pen-mates. However, with the growing tendency to keep birds in large groups, identifying specific birds that are performing or receiving FP is difficult. With current developments in sensor technologies, it may now be possible to identify laying hens in large groups that show less FP behavior and select them for breeding. We propose using a combination of sensor technology and genomic methods to identify feather peckers and victims in groups. In this review, we will describe the use of “-omics” approaches to understand FP and give an overview of sensor technologies that can be used for animal monitoring, such as ultra-wideband, radio frequency identification, and computer vision. We will then discuss the identification of indicator traits from both sensor technologies and genomics approaches that can be used to select animals for breeding against damaging behavior.
Variability in the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Olive Cake By-Products
Authors: Marcos Carlos N. , García-Rebollar Paloma , de Blas Carlos , Carro María Dolores
Published: March 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the variability in the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation of olive cake (OC) by-products. Forty-two OC samples with different storage times (1–14 months) and processing (25 crude (COC), 9 exhausted (EOC) and 9 cyclone (CYOC)) were fermented in vitro with sheep ruminal fluid. Exhausted OC samples had a lower ether extract content than COC and CYOC (15.9, 110 and 157 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively), but greater neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 645, 570 and 441 g/kg DM) and acid insoluble nitrogen (9.76, 8.10 and 8.05 g/kg DM) content. Exhausted OC had the greatest (p < 0.05) average gas production rate (AGPR), whereas the greatest fermented organic matter (FOM) was obtained for EOC and CYOC. The best single predictor of the AGPR was total sugars content (R2 = 0.898), whereas NDF was the best one for FOM (R2 = 0.767; p < 0.001). Statistical models using storage time as a predictor variable had lower accuracy and R2 values than those from the chemical composition. In summary, the nutritive value of OC was highly dependent on its processing, but its ether extract content did not negatively affect ruminal fermentation parameters, which could be estimated from either carbohydrate composition or storage time.
Clinical Study for Silk Mat Application into Extraction Socket: A Split-Mouth, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kim Ju-Won , Jo You-Young , Kim Jwa-Young , Oh Ji-hyeon , Yang Byoung-Eun , Kim Seong-Gon
Published: March 2019

Silk mat originates from the cocoon of the silkworm and is prepared by a simple method. The material has been used for guided bone regeneration (GBR) in animal models. In this study, the silk mat used for a clinical application was compared with a commercially available membrane for GBR. A prospective split-mouth, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 25 patients who had bilaterally impacted lower third molars. High-density polytetrafluoroethylene (dPTFE) membrane or silk mat was applied in the extraction socket randomly. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bone gain (BG) were measured at the time of extraction (T0) and then at three months (T1) and six months after extraction (T2). There was no missing case. GBR with silk mat was non-inferior to GBR with dPTFE for PD reduction at T1 and T2 (pnon-inferiority < 0.001). PD and CAL were significantly decreased at T1 and T2 when compared with those at T0 in both membrane groups (p < 0.001). BG at T2 was 3.61 ± 3.33 mm and 3.56 ± 3.30 mm in the silk mat group and dPTFE group, respectively. There was no significant complication from the use of silk mat for the patients. The results for patients undergoing GBR with silk mat for third-molar surgery were non-inferior to GBR with dPTFE for PD reduction.
PLA/Graphene/MWCNT Composites with Improved Electrical and Thermal Properties Suitable for FDM 3D Printing Applications
Authors: Ivanov Evgeni , Kotsilkova Rumiana , Xia Hesheng , Chen Yinghong , Donato Ricardo K. , Donato Katarzyna , Godoy Anna Paula , Di Maio Rosa , Silvestre Clara , Cimmino Sossio , Angelov Verislav
Published: March 2019

In this study, the structure, electrical and thermal properties of ten polymer compositions based on polylactic acid (PLA), low-cost industrial graphene nanoplates (GNP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in mono-filler PLA/MWCNT and PLA/GNP systems with 0–6 wt.% filler content were investigated. Filler dispersion was further improved by combining these two carbon nanofillers with different geometric shapes and aspect ratios in hybrid bi-filler nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy exhibited uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. The obtained results have shown that for the mono-filler systems with MWCNT or GNP, the electrical conductivity increased with decades. Moreover, a small synergistic effect was observed in the GNP/MWCNT/PLA bi-filler hybrid composites when combining GNP and CNT at a ratio of 3% GNP/3% CNT and 1.5% GNP:4.5% CNT, showing higher electrical conductivity with respect to the systems incorporating individual CNTs and GNPs at the same overall filler concentration. This improvement was attributed to the interaction between CNTs and GNPs limiting GNP aggregation and bridging adjacent graphene platelets thus, forming a more efficient network. Thermal conductivity increases with higher filler content; this effect was more pronounced for the mono-filler composites based on PLA and GNP due to the ability of graphene to better transfer the heat. Morphological analysis carried out by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and Raman indicated that the nanocomposites present smaller and more homogeneous filler aggregates. The well-dispersed nanofillers also lead to a microstructure which is able to better enhance the electron and heat transfer and maximize the electrical and thermal properties. The obtained composites are suitable for the production of a multifunctional filament with improved electrical and thermal properties for different fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing applications and also present a low production cost, which could potentially increase the competitiveness of this promising market niche.
Influence of the Tip Clearance on the Aeroelastic Characteristics of a Last Stage Steam Turbine
Authors: Sun Tianrui , Hou Anping , Zhang Mingming , Petrie-Repar Paul
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the tip clearance effects on the aeroelastic stability of a last-stage steam turbine model are investigated. Most of the unsteady aerodynamic work contributing to flutter of the long blades of the last-stage of a steam turbine is done near the tip of the blade. The flow in this region is transonic and sensitive to geometric parameters such as the tip clearance height. The KTH Steam Turbine Flutter Test Case was chosen as the test case, which is an open geometry with similar parameters to modern free-standing last-stage steam turbines. The energy method based on 3D URANS simulation was applied to investigate the flutter characteristics of the rotor blade with five tip gap height varying from 0–5% of the chord length. The numerical results show that the global aerodynamic damping for the least stable inter-blade phase angle (IBPA) increases with the tip gap height. Three physical mechanisms are found to cause this phenomenon. The primary cause of the variation in total aerodynamic damping is the interaction between tip clearance vortex and the trailing edge shock from the adjacent blade. Another mechanism is the acceleration of the flow near the aft side of the suction surface in the tip region due to the well-developed tip leakage vortex when the tip clearance height is greater than 2.5% of chord. This causes a stabilizing effect at the least stable IBPA. The third mechanism is the oscillation of the tip leakage vortex due to the blade vibration. This has a negative influence on the aeroelastic stability.
Undrained Behavior of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitated Sand with Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber
Authors: Choi Sun-Gyu , Hoang Tung , Park Sung-Sik
Published: March 2019

Microbially induced calcite precipitation can cement sand and is an environment-friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement. In this study, clean Ottawa sand was microbially treated to induce calcite contents (CCs) of 0%, 2%, and 4%. Polyvinyl alcohol fiber was also mixed with the sand at four different contents (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%) with a constant CC of 4%. A series of undrained triaxial tests was conducted on the treated sands to evaluate the effects of the calcite treatment and fiber inclusion. Their hydraulic conductivity was also determined using a constant head test. As the CC increased from 0% to 4%, the friction angle and cohesion increased from 35.3° to 39.6° and from 0 to 93 kPa, respectively. For specimens with a CC of 4%, as the fiber content increased from 0% to 0.6%, the friction angle and cohesion increased from 39.6° to 42.8° and from 93 to 139 kPa, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity of clean Ottawa sand decreased by a factor of more than 100 as the CC increased from 0% to 4%. The fiber inclusion had less effect on the hydraulic conductivity of the specimen with 4% CC.
Probability Analysis of Hypertension-Related Symptoms Based on XGBoost and Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Chang Wenbing , Liu Yinglai , Xiao Yiyong , Xu Xingxing , Zhou Shenghan , Lu Xuefeng , Cheng Yang
Published: March 2019

In this paper, cluster analysis and the XGBoost method are used to analyze the related symptoms of various types of young hypertensive patients, and finally guide patients to target treatment. Hypertension is a chronic disease that is common worldwide. The incidence of it is increasing, and the age level of patients is decreasing year by year. Effective treatment of youth hypertension has become a problem in the world. In this paper, young hypertension patients are classified into two groups by cluster analysis; the proportion of different hypertension related symptoms in each group of patients is then counted; and after verifying the prediction accuracy of the XGBoost model with 10-fold cross-validation, the accuracy of clustering is calculated by the XGBoost method. The final result shows that there are significant differences in symptomatic entropy between patients with type II hypertension and those with type I hypertension. Patients with type II hypertension are more likely to have symptoms of ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria. Through this analysis, patients can have preventive treatment according to their own situation, and this can reduce the burden of medical expenses and prevent major diseases. Applying the data analysis into the medical field has great practical significance.
Numerical Study of the Blood Flow in a Deformable Human Aorta
Authors: Selmi Marwa , Belmabrouk Hafedh , Bajahzar Abdullah
Published: March 2019

In this work, we present a numerical investigation of blood flow in a portion of the human vascular system. More precisely, the present work analyzed the blood flow in the upper portion of the aorta. The aorta and its ramified blood vessels are surrounded by the cardiac muscle. The blood flow generates pressure on the internal surfaces of the artery and its ramifications, thereby causing deformation of the cardiac muscle. The numerical analysis used the Navier–Stokes equations as the governing equations of blood flow for the calculation of the velocity field and pressure distribution in the blood. The neo-Hookean hyperelastic model was used for the description of the behavior of the vessel walls. The velocity and pressure distributions were analyzed. The deformation of the vessel was also investigated. The numerical results could be used to better understand and predict the factors that trigger cardiovascular diseases and distortions of the aorta and as a diagnostic tool in clinical applications.
Change Detection of Water Resources via Remote Sensing: An L-V-NSCT Approach
Authors: Xin Wang , Can Tang , Wei Wang , Ji Li
Published: March 2019

Aiming at the change detection of water resources via remote sensing, the non-subsampling contour transformation method combining a log-vari model and the Stractural Similarity of Variogram (VSSIM) model, namely log-vari and VSSIM based non-subsampled contourlet transform (L-V-NSCT) approach, is proposed. Firstly, a differential image construction method based on non-subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) texture analysis is designed to extract the low-frequency and high-frequency texture features of the objects in the images. Secondly, the texture features of rivers, lakes and other objects in the images are accurately classified. Finally, the change detection results of regions of interest are extracted and evaluated. In this experiment, the L-V-NSCT approach is compared with other methods with the results showing the effectiveness of this method. The change in Dongting Lake is also analyzed, which can be used as a reference for relevant administrative departments.
An Optimal Fuzzy PID Controller Design Based on Conventional PID Control and Nonlinear Factors
Authors: Chao Chun-Tang , Sutarna Nana , Chiou Juing-Shian , Wang Chi-Jo
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes an optimal fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller design based on conventional PID control and nonlinear factors. With the equivalence between fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) and conventional PID controllers, a conventional PID controller design can be rapidly transformed into an equivalent FLC by defining the operating ranges of the input/output of the controller. The proposed nonlinear factors can further tune the nonlinearity of the membership functions (MFs) distributed in the operating ranges. In this manner, a fuzzy PID controller can be developed with less parameters and optimized by using the genetic algorithm (GA). In addition, the aforementioned equivalent FLC can act as one individual in the initial population of GA, and significantly enhances the GA efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of this technique. This resulted in an optimal fuzzy PID controller design with only eight parameters with a concise controller structure, and most importantly, the optimal fuzzy PID controller design is now more systematic.
Application of Multiple-Scales Method for the Dynamic Modelling of a Gear Coupling
Authors: Pipitone Enrico , Firrone Christian Maria , Zucca Stefano
Published: March 2019

Thin-walled gears, designed for aeronautical applications, have shown very rich dynamics that must be investigated in advance of the design phase. One of the signatures of their dynamics is coupling due to the meshing teeth which stand-alone gear models cannot capture. This paper aims to investigate the dynamics of thin-walled gears considering time-varying coupling due to the gear meshing. Each gear is modelled with lumped parameters according to a local rotating reference system and the coupling is modelled by a traveling meshing stiffness. The set of equations of motion is solved by the non-linear Method of Multiple-Time-Scales (MMTS). MMTS is a very powerful technique that is widely used to solve perturbation problems in many fields of mathematic and physics. In the analyzed numerical test case, the relevance of gear coupling is demonstrated as well as the capability of the MMTS to capture the fundamental features of the system dynamics. In this study the analytical methodology, which uses MMTS, allows for the calculation of the forced response of the system made of two meshing gears despite the presence of a parametric quantity, i.e., the mesh stiffness. The calculation is performed in the frequency domain using modal coordinates, which ensures a fast computation. The result is compared with time domain analysis for validation purposes.
Interaural Level Difference Optimization of Binaural Ambisonic Rendering
Authors: McKenzie Thomas , Murphy Damian T. , Kearney Gavin
Published: March 2019

Ambisonics is a spatial audio technique appropriate for dynamic binaural rendering due to its sound field rotation and transformation capabilities, which has made it popular for virtual reality applications. An issue with low-order Ambisonics is that interaural level differences (ILDs) are often reproduced with lower values when compared to head-related impulse responses (HRIRs), which reduces lateralization and spaciousness. This paper introduces a method of Ambisonic ILD Optimization (AIO), a pre-processing technique to bring the ILDs produced by virtual loudspeaker binaural Ambisonic rendering closer to those of HRIRs. AIO is evaluated objectively for Ambisonic orders up to fifth order versus a reference dataset of HRIRs for all locations on the sphere via estimated ILD and spectral difference, and perceptually through listening tests using both simple and complex scenes. Results conclude AIO produces an overall improvement for all tested orders of Ambisonics, though the benefits are greatest at first and second order.
The Evolving Value of Photovoltaic Module Efficiency
Authors: Wang Xiaoting , Barnett Allen
Published: March 2019

PV research is making efforts to create new cell and module efficiency records, while the manufacturing industry and the downstream project developers want to choose the optimal efficiency point where the best economics can be achieved at the system level. In this paper, we define representative system cost structurers for various applications in 2018 and quantify the value of greater module efficiency in lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). With the transparent methodology, we also extended the analysis into the future until 2025. As the value of module efficiency resides in non-module costs and the non-module costs will account for a higher percentage for a PV system in the future, industry will develop stronger motivation to adopt more efficient modules. Specifically, we examined the economics of bifacial modules and forecast that its market share would grow from 3% in 2018 to 40% in 2025.
A Novel Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making Approach in the Framework of Proportional Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Bashir Zia , Bashir Yasir , Rashid Tabasam , Ali Jawad , Gao Wei
Published: March 2019

Making decisions are very common in the modern socio-economic environments. However, with the increasing complexity of the social, today’s decision makers (DMs) face such problems in which they hesitate and irresolute to provide their views. To cope with these uncertainties, many generalizations of fuzzy sets are designed, among them dual hesitant fuzzy set (DHFS) is quite resourceful and efficient in solving problems of a more vague nature. In this article, a novel concept called proportional dual hesitant fuzzy set (PDHFS) is proposed to further improve DHFS. The PDHFS is a flexible tool composed of some possible membership values and some possible non-membership values along with their associated proportions. In the theme of PDHFS, the proportions of membership values and non-membership values are considered to be independent. Some basic operations, properties, distance measure and comparison method are studied for the proposed set. Thereafter, a novel approach based on PDHFSs is developed to solve problems for multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) in a fuzzy situation. It is totally different from the traditional approach. Finally, a practical example is given in order to elaborate the proposed method for the selection of the best alternative and detailed comparative analysis is given in order to validate the practicality.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Resonance Characteristics of Novel Pumping Element Driven by Two Piezoelectric Bimorphs
Authors: Lin Yu-Chih , Huang Yu-Hsi , Chu Kwen-Wei
Published: March 2019

This paper describes the vibration characteristics of a dual-bimorph piezoelectric pumping element under fluid–structure coupling. Unlike the single bimorph used in most previous studies, the proposed device comprises two piezoelectric bimorphs within an acrylic housing. Amplitude-fluctuation electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AF-ESPI) was used to examine the visible displacement fringes in order to elucidate the anti-phase as well as in-phase motions associated with vibration. Analysis was also conducted using impedance analysis and laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) based on the measurement of point-wise displacement. The experimental results of resonant frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes are in good agreement with those obtained using finite element analysis. The gain of flow rate obtained by the anti-phase motion of the dual-bimorph pumping element is larger than both those obtained by in-phase motion and the single bimorph pumping element. This work greatly enhances our understanding of the vibration characteristics of piezoelectric pumping elements with two bimorphs, and provides a valuable reference for the further development of bionic pump designs.
Effect of Hydrogen Bonding on the Surface Tension Properties of Binary Mixture (Acetone-Water) by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Nannan , Li Xin , Liu Shiliang , Zhang Mingzhe , Ouyang Shunli
Published: March 2019

The structure and properties of water and aqueous solutions have always been the focus of attention. The surface tension of acetone aqueous solutions were measured by using Raman spectra in different molecule environments, and the changes of surface tension were analyzed with hydrogen bonding in the mixtures. In this case, OH stretching bands were fitted into three Gaussian components and then assigned to different hydrogen-bonded structures. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the changes of microstructure on the binary mixture solutions exhibited regularly with the additive acetone, indicating that there showed the correlation between surface tension and relative peak intensity. The results show that the strengthening of hydrogen bonding between acetone and water will gradually weaken the surface tension of the solutions. It was confirmed that there showed the relationship between the microstructure and macroscopic properties of the aqueous solutions by the basis experiment data using a spectroscopy method.
High Precision Indoor Visible Light Positioning Algorithm Based on Double LEDs Using CMOS Image Sensor
Authors: Guan Weipeng , Zhang Xinjie , Wu Yuxiang , Xie Zekun , Li Jingyi , Zheng Jieheng
Published: March 2019

Visible Light Positioning (VLP) is widely recognized as a cost-effective solution for indoor positioning with increasing demand. However, the nonlinearity and highly complex relationship between three-dimensional world coordinate and two-dimensional image coordinate hinders the good performance of image-sensor-based VLP. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective VLP algorithms to locate the positioning terminal using image sensor. Besides, due to the high computational cost of image processing, most existing VLP systems do not achieve satisfactory performance in terms of real-time ability and positioning accuracy, both of which are significant for the performance of indoor positioning system. In addition, the accurate identification of the ID information of each LED (LED-ID) is important for positioning, because if the LED-ID is not recognized well, the positioning can only be achieved in a particular positioning unit and cannot be applied to a large scene with many LEDs. Therefore, an effective image-sensor-based double-light positioning system is proposed in this paper to solve the above problems. We also set up relevant experiments to test the performance of the proposed system, which utilizes the rolling shutter mechanism of the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Machine learning was used to identify the LED-ID for better results. Simulation results show that the proposed double-light positioning system could deliver satisfactory performance in terms of both the real-time ability and the accuracy of positioning. Moreover, the proposed double-light positioning algorithm has low complexity and takes the symmetry problem of angle into consideration, which has never been considered before. Experiments confirmed that the proposed double-light positioning system can provide an accuracy of 3.85 cm with an average computing time of 56.28 ms, making it a promising candidate for future indoor positioning applications.