bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Distance Education to Open and Distance Learning
Authors: Bozkurt Aras
Published: April 2019

As pragmatist, interdisciplinary fields, distance education (DE) and open and distance learning (ODL) transform and adapt themselves according to changing paradigms. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to examine DE and ODL from different perspectives to discern their future directions. The study concludes that DE and ODL are constantly developing interdisciplinary fields where technology has become a significant catalyst and these fields become part of the mainstream education. However, mainstreaming should be evaluated with caution, and there is a need to revisit core values and fundamentals where critical pedagogy would have a pivotal role. Besides, there is no single theory that best explains these interdisciplinary fields, and therefore, there is a need to benefit from different theoretical approaches. Finally, as a result of constant changes, we should keep the definition of both DE and ODL up-to-date to better explain the needs of the global teaching and learning ecosystem.
Vocational Education and Training for Women
Authors: Deka Shikha Jyoti
Published: April 2019

Emphasizing on the need for greater skill development efforts in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his campaign “Skill India” in July 2015. The recommenced and vigorous focus on skill development, which is noticeable in various government and non-government initiatives, underlines the evolving importance of skill development. This chapter tries to address the demand and implementation of skill development and training program for a highly disposed yet enormously untended segment of the society (i.e., rural women). By taking the example of two states, namely, Assam and Maharashtra, the chapter discusses on the current context, aptness, and predilection of the rural female folk; the perception; and recommends attainable solutions. Additionally, it highlights the evolving customized region-specific solutions that take into account various traditional, social, cultural, and demographic aspects.
Significant Influences of Digital Literacy to Promote Gender Equity and Equality in Education
Authors: Mallawaarachchi Chammika
Published: April 2019

This chapter shows the importance of digital literacy to enrich the concept of gender towards inequity and inequality to use digital resources. Digital resources are significant areas of the digital information economy. However, it has been observed that opportunities are given differently to genders to use digital resources that can enhance skills and knowledge. Therefore, to critically understand how gender matters in digital literacy is tested in the digital teaching environment. The study is based on quantitative research to illustrate that gender differences are the main hurdles in the learning of digital literacy. The study has found that gender differences are initiated from classroom interactions and goes up to collaborative learning processes. Finally, the research recommends that the emerging gender inequalities have to be considered critically to initiate and facilitate gender equity and equality.
Facilitating Student Empowerment and Agency Through the “Scaffolded Autonomy” Approach to Curriculum Design
Authors: Andrzejewski Carey E. , Wolf Sara , Straub Evan T. , Parson Laura
Published: April 2019

In this chapter, the authors introduce, define, and describe an approach to designing and implementing learning activities. This approach involves learners in the collaborative design of curriculum and assessment and allows them to apply their background knowledge and interests to course content. Through intentional course design and implementation by course instructors and designers, the “Scaffolded Autonomy” model the authors present allows learners to choose when and how they demonstrate content-knowledge construction. In this nontraditional approach, the authors focus on the “what, how, and why” of instructional design in order to provide relevant and meaningful instruction that serves adult learners in a variety of institutional contexts. This chapter includes the theoretical foundations of the scaffolded autonomy approach, a description of the design and implementation of the scaffolded autonomy approach, and examples of how the scaffolded autonomy can be applied in a competency-based classroom.
Learning While Teaching
Authors: Amos Yukari Takimoto , Kukar Nicki
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a collaboration process between a teacher education program and a university ESL program that attempts to increase teacher candidate exposure to English learners (ELs) with “third space” as a theoretical framework. In third spaces, the boundaries of teacher and student get blurred, and new ways of thinking about teaching and learning emerge. In the collaboration project that this chapter describes, the three teacher candidates regularly volunteered in the university ESL classes and taught mini-lessons to the ELs while taking a class on EL teaching. The qualitative analysis of the participants indicates that in the collaboration project, a university-based class and a field-based class were in sync by providing the teacher candidates with opportunities to immediately implement what they learned in a traditional class with the ELs. In this boundary blurriness, the teacher candidates became the owner of their own practitioner knowledge, rather than the borrower of the existing academic knowledge.
A Bibliometric Perspective on Technology-Driven Innovation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries in Relation to Its Transformative Impact on International Business
Authors: Sarwar Raheem , Soroya Saira Hanif , Muazzam Amina , Sabah Fahad , Iqbal Sehrish , Hassan Saeed-Ul
Published: April 2019

This chapter presents a novel scientific research landscape of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in order to access the research productivity, scholarly impact, and international collaborations across all GCC countries over the time period of 2008–2018, using the Scopus database. While we observe a significant increase in investing the resources in GCC world in order to build research infrastructure to make shift from only oil producing countries to knowledge-based economies, not enough efforts have been done to measure the outcomes of these investments. The chapter explores different thematic areas that have evolved over a decade related to TDI, top scientists, and top institutions in GCC. Further, the study investigates international collaboration networks within or outside GCC to better understand the venues of knowledge exchange with GCC countries. It is expected that the findings of this case study would provide an insight to the research landscape of the GCC and useful information to the scientific community as well as to the technology and innovation policymakers.
Profile Analysis of Research Output in Biotechnology in Turkey
Authors: Yaşgül Yaşar Serhat
Published: April 2019

The aim of this chapter is to reveal the research profile and intellectual accumulation of Turkey in the field of biotechnology by using bibliometric methods for the period 1973-2016. To this end, the period studied in this framework is divided into two sub-periods (1973-2003 and 2004-2016). Thus, it was aimed to analyze the effects of the Vision 2023 strategy document, which appeared in the 2000s and which considers biotechnology as one of the strategic technologies to be developed as a priority. Using the dataset created from the scanned records in the ISI Web of Science database, Turkey's publication trends, collaboration patterns, preferred journals and research subject areas were identified. Despite the improvement observed in publication performance and cooperation for the 2004-2006 sub-period, Turkey has lagged behind countries such as Brazil, India, and China, especially in terms of publication performance.
The Importance of Customer Loyalty With Corporate Governance in the Telecommunication Sector
Authors: Celik Hilal , Güler Murat
Published: April 2019

The telecommunication sector is a sector which is open for development. It is important to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of organizations by using different strategic management techniques. The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the importance of customer loyalty and to bring forth the key factors to create customer loyalty in communication sector and to understand the corporate actions of organizations apply when creating loyalty. At the same time to test the factors that create loyalty from the customers' perspective, investigation of the strategies applied for loyalty and the effects of customer loyalty programs. Therefore, the questionnaire study was made with 200 participants. T-test, anova, correlation, and regression analyses were applied to the data. This survey has the purpose of determining and investigating the dynamics and the factors that create customer loyalty in corporate governance. The results show that customer protection is crucial for companies. The most important factor of customer protection, which is loyalty, is shown to be linked with corporate actions.
The Role of Financial Communication Under the Chaos Environment
Authors: Öztürk Ipek Tamara Cetiner
Published: April 2019

As globalization becomes a necessity for organizations to continue their sustainability and existence in the world, naturally their interdependencies to other economies also emerge. After the 2008 economic crisis, TEMSA, a Turkish family-owned company operating in the transportation industry, decided to expand its products and manufacturing plants to different regions. Egypt, for the time being, was geographically a well strategic location for TEMSA's long-term manufacturing plans. In 2011, when the Arab Spring broke out, TEMSA found itself in the middle of chaos, challenged by external political and economic decisions. This chapter focuses on the case study of TEMSA Global as they entered the Egyptian market with a foreign direct investment and managing chaos between the years 2011-2012. An interview was conducted with the management team on duty at the time to collect data. As a result, it was observed that TEMSA potentially had a chance to continue its operations in the Egyptian market if the Arabian Spring had not happened. Chaos is a potential enemy for FDIs as they seek stability.
Interpretation of the Value Relevance Indicator With(out) Dummies
Authors: Ertuğrul Melik
Published: April 2019

In the value relevance (VR) literature, the R2 figure of a regression is considered the VR indicator. Furthermore, a financial reporting item is considered value relevant if its regression coefficient is statistically significant. The variation across the variables of interest is named unobservable heterogeneity (UH) which leads to biased estimators and generates incorrect inferences. The common approach of eliminating UH is adding dummies into a regression. However, this method adds the explanatory power of dummies to that of accounting items, and it eventually results in inflated R2 figures. Hence, R2 figures become misleading with dummies since R2 figures do not purely explain the VR of accounting items. This chapter suggests demeaning as an alternative methodology to deal with UH. Although demeaning and adding dummies are the same methodology of mitigating UH, this chapter documents that adding dummies inflates R2 figures while demeaning does not.
Strategic Management of Finance and Role of Documentary Credit
Authors: Meral Yurdagül
Published: April 2019

Financing is one of the most important aspects of trade. International trade, although seemingly not different from local trade, differs from local trade because shipment/delivery takes longer, and different documentation and legislation is due to different countries involved in international trade. Financing also differs compared to local trade, and there are some specific methods used in international trade like documentary credit, although there is no limitation for documentary credits to be used in local trade. Documentary credit is a well-known method generally used in international trade. This chapter aims to define the role of documentary credits in international trade finance. In this chapter along with other finance methods, documentary credits, types, process will be explained. It is aimed to help importers and exporters how to mitigate the potential risks by using documentary credit. Furthermore, which type of documentary credit is to be used depending on the situation is clarified.
Rational Provision of Functional Properties of Interference Fit Joints in Case of Assembly with Implementation of Anaerobic Materials
Authors: Voyachek Igor Ivanovich , Kochetkov Denis Viktorovich , Delgado Sobrino Daynier Rolando , Mityasov Sergry G. , Zverovschikov Vladimir Zinovievich , Ružarovský Roman , Horník Jakub
Published: April 2019

One of the advanced ways of provision of functional properties of interference fit joints is to control contact interaction between mating parts, particularly by assembling with application of anaerobic materials polymerizing in contact area. The main advantage of using anaerobic materials is that this technology allows us to harden different parts of the joints selectively. The purpose of the work is to study the possibility of rational provision of functional properties of interference fit joints by selective hardening in case of assembling with the use of anaerobic materials. Modelling of bearing strength of interference fit joint is carried out according to finite element method, with theory of contact interaction between mating surfaces being used. The results of experimental research are given. Anaerobic material is used as a material for hardening of joints. It was discovered that exploitation load in form of torque or axial force is distributed along the length of interference fit joint rather nonuniformly. To decrease expenses, it is necessary to harden those areas of joint which are located by the side of load application. The way of assembling of interference fit joints by pressing with selective use of hardening material is proposed. The technique of reliable identification of the necessity and the moment to apply anaerobic material while assembling parts was developed. As a result, functional properties of pressure joints are reached the most rational way.
Influence of Nano-Filler Type on Technological Processing and Resulting Mechanical Properties
Authors: Reznicek Martin , Měřínská Dagmar , Ovsik Martin , Stanek Michal , Dockal Adam , Kopecka Katerina
Published: April 2019

Modification of polymers by fillers is one of the most used material alterations to improve its required properties. This article is about modification of polymer matrix by fillers with layered particles. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was used as matrix and it was mixed with different kinds of fillers. Fillers used were: CaPhP – Calcium Phenylphosphonate, double layered hydroxides (ZnAl-DDS, ZnAl-lac and ZnAl-CO3) and natural Talc. Individual fillers were mixed into the matrix by kneading machine with the use of several velocities. The article focuses on influence of the individual filler on mechanical properties measured by tensile strength test. This paper also investigates the problem of process parameters’ influence on final mechanical properties and later confirms positive impact of all fillers that were used, although the size of them differs.
Evaluation of a Tyre Tread Pattern Stiffness Using FEA
Authors: Kledrowetz Jan , Javořík Jakub , Keerthiwansa Rohitha
Published: April 2019

This paper deals with an FEM simulation of a multi-purpose tyre. It is focused on the tyre tread pattern lateral stiffness under static conditions. Its behaviour under given radial and lateral loads and its stiffening using connecting bridges are simulated. A tyre is a complex composite composed of different rubber materials and textile or steel reinforcements. Rubber materials are described using hyperelastic models in the analyses. FEM software MSC Marc/Mentat is employed as a calculation tool and its various functionalities are utilized for a description of the tyre models. In the last step, calculated stiffnesses of all the tread patterns were evaluated and compared to each other.
A Novel Method for Non-Invasive Imaging for Medicine and Material Testing
Authors: Krčmařík David , Novák Ondřej , Petrů Michal
Published: April 2019

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a perspective vital imaging method in medicine. Although the paper deals mainly with medicine application, the potential of EIT is also in the field of a novel material testing. EIT belongs to non-invasive methods. It is used mainly for the area of thorax since thorax exhibits the biggest changes in impedance. The lungs are mostly filled with air while surrounding flesh has impedance similar to water. However EIT has several drawbacks: relatively big measurement inaccuracy, blurred obtained images, difficulties in application of electrodes and problems with repeatability of measurements. Many drawbacks can be limited when an absolute tomography is used, though absolute tomography is very challenging and is rather only a laboratory concept then a real working method. This article deals with a robust method which is closely related to absolute tomography imaging while viable in clinical practice and to non-invasive material description in general. A unique measuring device VERA was developed. Such a device helps with fast application of electrodes and enables to get reproducible and reliable images of thorax or other volumes in engineering. The paper also discusses challenges when choosing a mediator material or liquid for EIT function. The concept of stiff framework for electrodes which is applied to patient is unusual but exhibits many advantages resulting in better images.
Generating of STL Models of Plastic Part and its Effect on the Final Accuracy in Computed Tomography
Authors: Kritikos Samardziova Michaela
Published: April 2019

Measurement of industrial parts is very important for current production. There are many different methods (contact and non – contact) for part ́s control. Every of those methods have some advantages and disadvantages. The biggest problem was found in measurement of very small parts or complex parts which have some inaccessible places. The solution was implementation of X-ray technology into the measuring process. It is called computed tomography or metrotomography (connecting metrology and tomography). This technology finds application in many different fields, especially in the automotive industry. The result of the method is cloud of points or generated STL models which are suitable for use in other software for evaluation. However, there is still question of the method accuracy and accuracy of the generated STL models. This paper is dealing with scanning of plastic part with X-ray technology, generating of STL models by different methods and their accuracy evaluation.
Providing Cyclic Robustness of Bolted Joints in Case of Assembly with Implementation of Anaerobic Materials
Authors: Voyachek Igor Ivanovich , Sága Milan , Ságová Zuzana , Kochetkov Denis Viktorovich , Zverovschikov Vladimir Zinovievich , Korshunov Aleksandr Ivanovich
Published: April 2019

Stress concentration in thread roots and nonuniform load distribution along thread turn are the major disadvantages of bolted joints. Under changing cyclic loads on areas of high stress concentration crack formation and destruction of parts occur. In addition, the fretting corrosion processes activate in the areas of contact between thread turns. The purpose of the work is to increase rupture strength of bolted joints under the action of cyclic forces by decreasing stress concentration and reducing movements in contact zone of mating parts in case of assembly with implementation of anaerobic materials. Modelling of bearing strength of bolted joints is conducted according to finite element method, with theory of contact interaction between mating surfaces being used. The results of experimental research are given. Anaerobic materials which polymerize in area of thread contact of parts are used. It was established that assembly with implementation of anaerobic material allows unloading of thread turns because the part of external load is received by elastic layers of the polymerized anaerobic material. In this case the level and the concentration of stress in thread roots reduce, relative movements are decreased, the joint becomes more rigid and its cyclic robustness grows.
Analysis of the Assembly Joint at Deformation of Matched Objects
Authors: Bučányová Marcela , Matúšová Miriam , Hrušková Erika
Published: April 2019

Maintenance is a system-specific activity that the purpose of which is to maintain or to increase time, performance and quality of machines and equipment use. The demand for technological equipment is still rising, resulting in often complicated and lengthy repairs. It is necessary to analyze the tools used in the construction of assembly joints and to describe the deficiencies that may occur during assembly. When contacting a material tool using a particular technology and assembly, it is necessary to analyze the impact on the final surface quality of the material.
Development and Implementation of Combined Structuroscopes for Dispersion Metallic Materials
Authors: Skrbek Břetislav , Nosek Vladimír
Published: April 2019

Only some from series of non-destructive testing methods of material defects are employed for measurement of structural parameters of materials. The principle of acoustic and magnetic structuroscopy of cast irons and steel is explained. The examples of exploitation and equipment are described. At least two methods must be used simultaneously for strength and heat resistance measurement of composites, powder metallurgy products and cast irons. Development of this combined structuroscopy of cast irons. The equipment TELIT 3 was developed for evaluation of cast iron quality at critical sites of complicated castings (cylinder blocks of transport engines). The direction of furher research was indicated – exploitation of magnetic excited acoustic wave and combined structuroscopy of thin composite layers.
Study on Wall Heights and Surface Roughness of Spun Cups Produced of Metal Blanks by Multipass CNC Spinning Technology
Authors: Frnčík Martin , Šugárová Jana , Šugár Peter , Görögová Ingrid , Sahul Martin
Published: April 2019

This research paper deals with the influence analysis of the conventional metal spinning parameters (tool path profile tpp, tool feed f and mandrel rotational speed n) on the wall heights and the surface roughness Ra of the cylindrical-shaped spun parts measured in various directions with respect to the material rolling direction. Experimental research was carried out according to the 3-level full factorial design of experiment (DoE). Experimental study was also statistically analyzed by the ANOVA method. It was observed that tool path profile is a process parameter which has the most significant impact on the spun cup height and the surface finish, as well.
Studies on the Characteristics and the Effect of Thickness on the Band Gap Energies of Al2O3 Thin Films Prepared by PLD
Authors: Badar Nurhanna , Kamarulzaman Norlida , Mahat Annie Maria , Chayed Nor Fadilah , Elong Kelimah
Published: April 2019

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method has the advantages of high quality mirror finish, good densification and uniform thickness. In this work, Al2O3 thin films with different thicknesses were fabricated via the PLD method. The characteristics of the thin film samples were investigated using Grazing Incidence Diffraction (GID) technique and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). For the band gap studies, measurements were done using a UV-Vis NIR spectrophotometer. The deposition was done in the presence of oxygen gas with partial pressure of 2.66 Pa. FESEM images showed high quality, smooth and dense films obtained using the PLD method. The Al2O3 thin films have thicknesses of between 71.2 nm to 176 nm. The band gap energies obtained were in the range of 6.29 eV to 6.49 eV. It was observed that the band gap of the thin films increases as the thickness decreases due to the defects in the films.
UV Photodetector Based on Mg-Doped GaN Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin Coating
Authors: Nurfahana Mohd Amin , Ng Sha Shiong
Published: April 2019

In this work, sol-gel spin coated of magnesium (Mg) doped gallium nitride (GaN) thin films grown on AlN sapphire substrate was reported. The structural, lattice vibrational, and electrical properties of the deposited films were investigated and compared. X-ray diffraction results show that the deposited films composed of wurtzite structure with preferred orientation of GaN(002). The Raman active phonon modes correspond to the E2(high) and A1(LO) at 568 cm-1 and 733 cm-1 phonon modes of the hexagonal GaN were observed, while a broad peak attributed to the Mg-related lattice vibrational mode was detected at 669 cm-1. The Raman phonon modes were detected by using Raman spectroscopy. Hall effects results show that the resistivity, carrier concentration, and hall mobility of the Mg-doped GaN film was 0.1397 Ω cm, 1.77 × 1018 cm3, and 6.04 cm2/Vs, respectively. Besides, the characteristics of the ultraviolet (UV) photoresponse of the fabricated detector were investigated. The current-voltage characteristics of the Mg-doped GaN UV photodetector exhibits Schottky behaviour. The current-voltage measurements were carried out at room temperature with a computer-controlled integrated Source Meter (Keithley 2400). Lastly, the ideality factor and Schottky barrier heights were calculated using thermionic emission theory.
Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study of a Gehlenite-Based Ceramic Fabricated from Industrial Waste
Authors: Loy Chee Wah , Matori Khamirul Amin , Zainuddin Norhazlin , Whitten Andrew E. , de Campo Liliana , Nasir Nur Izzah Md , Pallan Nur Fadilah Baharuddin , Zaid Mohd Hafiz Mohd , Zarifah Nadakkavil Alassan , Schmid Siegbert
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a small angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of a novel porous gehlenite-based ceramic, synthesised from a homogeneous powder mixture of soda-lime-silicate (SLS) glass, α-alumina, calcite and calcium fluoride via solid-state sintering at 1200 °C. The products of sintering at single temperatures from 600 to 1200 °C are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sintering of the mixture below 1200 °C forms two intermediate phases (Na2CaSi3O8 and Ca4Si2O7F2). Nepheline and α-alumina are minor phases in the gehlenite-based ceramic fabricated through sintering at 1200 °C. The microstructure of the gehlenite-based ceramic is investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and SANS at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. This study also evaluated the specific surface area of the gehlenite-based ceramic (~3.0 m2 cm–3) from quantitative analysis of SANS data.
Effect of Sol-Gel Synthesized BiFeO3 Nanoparticle Addition in YBa2Cu3O7–δ (Y123) Superconductor Synthesized by Standard Solid State Reaction Method
Authors: Bahboh Abdalla , Shaari Abdul Halim , Baqiah Hussein , Chen Soo Kien , Kechik Mohd Mustafa Awang , Talib Zainal Abdib , Dihom Mustafa Mousa
Published: April 2019

The effects of the multiforric BiFO3 nanoparticles addition on the structure and superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7–δ (Y123) with different concentrations were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM), EDX and four point probe measurement. It was found that the added samples were predominant by Y-123 phase beside small amount of Y-211 and unreacted BiFeO3 secondary phases. Samples with less (wt.%) BFO added YBCO precursor powder preserved the orthorhombic structure similar to the pure YBCO, while samples with higher wt% addition show orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition tendency. The samples became more porous and their grain size slightly decreased with addition of BiFeO3. The addition of nanoBiFeO3 disturbed the grain growth of Y123, thus resulting in the degradation of superconducting properties of the samples. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc onset) of samples decreased from 92 K for x=0.0 to 44 K for x=10.0 wt. %, which could be attributable to oxygen vacancy disorder.
Effect of Cr Substitution on the Formation and Fuctuation-Induced Conductivity Analysis of (Tl1-xCrx)Sr2CaCu2O7 Superconductor
Authors: Ranjbar Ghazeian Maryam , Ghoranneviss Mahmood , Abd-Shukor Roslan
Published: April 2019

The (Tl1-xCrx)Sr2CaCu2O7 (Tl-1212) sample with nominal starting composition for x = 0.0, 0.2 and 0.3 were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The samples were studied by powder x-ray diffraction method and electrical resistance versus temperature measurement. Excess conductivity analysis was carried out using the Aslamazov–Larkin (AL) theory, and the dimension of fluctuation-induced conductivity (λ) was determined. The Lawrence–Donaich (LD) theory was used to calculate the coherence length (ξc(0)), Josephson coupling (J), and γ = (ξab(0)/ξc(0)) of the superconductive samples. Excess conductivity analysis showed that Cr substitution induced 2D-to-3D conductivity transition at the highest transition temperature (T2D-3D) observed at x = 0.3. The calculations based on the Lawrence–Doniach model revealed that the shortest coherence length and weakest inter-plane coupling (J) occurred when x = 0.2. The sample with x = 0.2 and 0.3 showed the Tl-1212 as the major phase. The highest onset temperature of 110 K was observed in the x = 0.2 sample. Our result showed that the formal value of 2.3+ is more important than the Josephson interlayer coupling J in optimizing the transition temperature.
Optical Properties of La3+ NPs/Ag+ Co-Doped Zinc Borotellurite Glass
Authors: Faznny M.F. , Halimah Mohamed Kamari , Latif Amirah Abdul , Muhammad Farah Diana , Hasnimulyati Laoding
Published: April 2019

Lanthanum and silver co-doped zinc borotellurite glasses having chemical composition of [{[(TeO2)0.7(B2O3)0.3]0.7(ZnO)0.3}0.96 (La NPs)0.04]1-x(Ag2O)x with 0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 molar fraction were fabricated via melt-quenching technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the samples through the presence of broad hump instead of sharp peaks. Optical properties of the samples were determined through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) in the range of 220 to 800 nm. Fundamental absorption edge observed in the optical absorption spectra shifts to longer wavelength as the concentration of silver in the glass system increases. Decreasing trend for indirect energy band gap and increasing trend of Urbach energy values with the increment of Ag content suggest the contribution of Ag to the formation of nonbridging oxygen. Enhanced optical properties of the prepared glass hints the possible application of the glass material as optical fiber in photonic field.
Judd-Ofelt Parameters of Erbium Doped Zinc Phosphate Glass Containing Natural Ferrite Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Anigrahawati Puzi , Sahar M.R. , Ghoshal Sib Krishna
Published: April 2019

Erbium ions (Er3+) doped zinc phosphate glass system with varying contents of natural ferrite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared using melt quenching method. The glass is characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-VIS NIR spectrometer. It is observed that the amorphous nature of the glass is confirmed by x-ray diffraction. The absorption spectra of the glass are recorded in the UV-Visible in the range of 400-1600 nm. The UV-VIS NIR spectra reveal ten absorption peaks centered at 376, 406, 420, 486, 522, 546, 652, 798, 976 and 1534 nm, correspond to the transitions from the ground state 4I15/2 to higher 4I13/2, 4I11/2, 4I9/2, 4F9/2, 4S3/2, 2H11/2, 4F7/2, 4F3/2, 2H9/2, 4G11/2 levels, respectively. Effects of natural ferrite oxide nanoparticles on the absorption and emission properties of the synthesized glasses were analyzed via Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory. The J-O intensity-parameters (W2, W4, W6) analysis demonstrate a significant increase of spectroscopic quality factors.Keywords: Fe3O4 NPs, Absorption, Judd-Ofelt.
Study on the Size Dependence of AuNPs in Enhancement Radiation Effect for Superficial Kilovoltage X-Rays
Authors: binti Rosli Nur Shafawati , Rahman Azhar Abdul , Aziz Azlan Abdul , Shamsuddin Shaharum , Arshad Suhana
Published: April 2019

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy remain the most widely used treatment options in treating cancer. Recent developments in cancer research show that therapy combined with high-atomic number materials such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a new way to treat cancer, in which AuNPs are injected through intravenous administration and bound to tumor sites has enhanced tumor cell killing. Radiation therapy aims to deliver a high therapeutic dose of ionizing radiation to the tumor without exceeding normal tissue tolerance. In this work AuNPs have been used for the enhancement of radiation effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) for superficial kilovoltage X-ray radiation therapy. The use of AuNPs in superficial kilovoltage X-ray beams radiation therapy will provide a high probability for photon interaction by photoelectric effect. These provide advantages in terms of radiation dose enhancement. In this work, MCF-7 cells were seeded in the 96-well plate and treated with 13 nm, 50 nm and 70 nm AuNPs before they were irradiated with 80 kVp X-rays beam at various radiation doses. Photoelectric effect is the dominant process of interaction of 80 kVp X-rays with AuNPs. When the AuNPs are internalized into the MCF-7 cells, the dose enhancement effect is observed. The presence of AuNPs in the MCF-7 cells will produce a higher number of photoelectrons, and resulting more “free radicals” that will lead to increase in cell death. Then, these free radicals will lead to DNA damage to the MCF-7 cells. To validate the enhanced killing effect, both with and without AuNPs MCF-7 cells is irradiated simultaneously. By comparison, the results show that AuNPs significantly enhance cancer killing and the enhancement radiation effect was dependent on the size of AuNPs.
Green Formation of Nano-Hexagon from Nano-Triangle of Gold Nanoparticles Using Palm Oil Fronds Extracts
Authors: Usman Adamu Ibrahim , Aziz Azlan Abdul , Noqta Osama Abu
Published: April 2019

A simple method to synthesized nanoparticles was satisfied by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid in the presence of palm oil fronds extracts as capping and reduced agents. The as-synthesized gold nanoparticles structures have a triangular and hexagonal shape that are of tens of nanometre in size. It was realized that good control shape of nano-hexagonal gold nanoparticles were obtained from nano-triangular gold nanoparticles in the absence of any soft template. The production techniques of the gold nanoparticles were examined by using UV-vis spectroscopy, EFTEM and XRD patterns, which showed peaks at (111), (200), (220), (311) and (222), that described the preferential structure of the AuNPs as face-centered cubic crystal
Effect of Ag NPs: Ultrasonics Attenuation Properties
Authors: Nurulwahidah Z.A.S. , Nurhafizah Hasim , Rohani Md Supar
Published: April 2019

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are embedded in Er3+/Nd3+ co-doped lithium niobate tellurite glasses of the form (68-x)TeO2-15Li2CO3-15Nb2O5-1Er2O3-1Nd2O3-(x)AgCl with x = 1,2 and 3 mol% via conventional melt-quenching technique. The ultrasonic attenuation shows the rate of sound energy reduction when an ultrasonic wave is propagating in a medium which is the lithium niobate tellurite glasses. The glass attenuation depends on the grain size, viscous friction, crystal structure, porosity and hardness. The existence of Ag NPs with an average size of 3.7 nm is confirmed using TEM analysis.
Investigation of the life history and infestation of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on four different hosts
Authors: Atapour Maryam , Osouli Shiva
Published: April 2019

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), also known as the citrus leafminer, is a serious pest in Citrus Linnaeus (Rutaceae) nurseries in Iran. Few studies have been performed on the life history of this pest on different citrus hosts. In this work, the infestation rate and biological aspects of P. citrella were investigated using four citrus hosts: Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis (Linnaeus) Osbeck), trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (Linnaeus) Rafinesque), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen), and sweet lemon (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). Moths preferred laying eggs on leaves with a width ranging from 1–2 cm, and the highest oviposition was observed on the Valencia orange (51.2 eggs/female). The numbers of pupae and infested leaves were significantly higher on C. sinensis and C. aurantifolia. The entire developmental period of the immature stages was 13.8 and 15.4 days in C. aurantifolia and C. sinensis, respectively, while it increased to 21.8 and 24.7 days in C. paradisi and P. trifoliata. The rate of mortality of the immature stage was the highest in these two latter hosts as well (29–31%). Moths showed the highest emergence and longevity on C. sinensis and C. aurantifolia. The results indicate that C. sinensis and C. aurantifolia are susceptible hosts that can be recommended for the mass-rearing of this species in non-chemical pest control programmes.
Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy PRIMRE
Authors: Weers Jon , Driscoll Frederick , Copping Andrea , Ruehl Kelley , Lilje Anne
Published: April 2019

The Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) industry is in the early stages of development corresponding to low technology readiness levels (TRLs) where the ability of the MRE community (developers, researchers, academics, stakeholders, investors, and regulators) to work together to share knowledge, experience, and lessons learned is critical to the advancement of the entire MRE industry. Through collaboration on solving common problems, the MRE community has the potential to reduce cost and accelerate technology development. Currently, the US Department of Energy (US DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is addressing the challenge of storing, curating, and accessing MRE information by sponsoring development of MRE databases and information portals such as Tethys (https://tethys.pnnl.gov), OpenEI (https://openei.org), the MHK Data Repository (MHKDR, https://mhkdr.openei.org/), and a searchable MRE code catalog and open source code repository (MHKiT, currently under development), to name a few. These sites host scientific papers, news articles, reports, databases, open source codes, and stakeholder engagement information, but they are only a step towards facilitating global discovery and use. In short, there is an abundance of information available online, however it is located on many disparate sites and repositories that make the discovery of those data and information difficult.

A DOE national laboratory team from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) is addressing the issues of data discoverability, shared knowledge, and interconnection of existing MRE databases and information portals. To meet the needs of the MRE community, as identified through multiple community outreach and engagement events, and described in this paper, the multi-lab team has developed an implementation plan for PRIMRE, the Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy. PRIMRE will provide broad access to information on engineering and technologies, resource characterization, device performance, and environmental effects of MRE projects. PRIMRE will facilitate the commercial development of the MRE industry by increasing the accessibility and discoverability of this information, integrating the databases and information portals described in this paper, and developing standards and guidelines. Providing consistent, easy access to information can help reduce duplication of effort and enable the MRE community to learn from past failures and build upon the successes of others to innovate and advance the commercialization of MRE technologies.
Water Injection Well Performance and Fracture Propagation in a Channel Sand Reservoir: An Offshore Ghana Case Study
Authors: Hwang Jongsoo , Bhardwaj Prateek , Sharma Mukul , Sathyamoorthy Sekhar , Amaning Kwarteng , Singh Arvinder
Published: April 2019

This study explains the large injectivity changes observed in the field, how to remedy it, and how to ensure fracture containment in channel sand reservoirs. The case study field is located offshore Ghana and is a channel sand reservoir. Water injection was initiated for pressure maintenance and waterflooding under fracturing conditions. The injection wells are designed to ensure high and sustainable injection rates while maintaining the integrity of the cap rock.

The injection bottom-hole pressure (BHP) was history-matched to investigate the impact of stress profiles, reservoir shapes, injection water quality, poroelastic and thermally induced stress changes. The injectivity decline was found to be a result of changes in stresses caused by the channel boundaries and, to a lesser extent, near-wellbore formation damage. The rapid increase in pore pressure and the resulting decrease in injectivity is unique to these kinds of channel sands. Once the origin of the decreasing injectivity was identified, remedial actions were recommended and predictions for future injectivity were made ensuring containment of fractures.
Impact of Interbedded Structure of Sand and Clay Layers on Geomechanical Responses of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments During Depressurization
Authors: Sohn Yongjune , Lee Joo Yong , Song Ki-Il , Kwon Tae-Hyuk
Published: April 2019

This study investigates how the variation in sediment layer geometry of hydrate-bearing sediments (HBS) affects geomechanical behaviors of HBS under depressurization. Two reservoir models with different layering structures but with the same hydrate quantity were constructed and the reservoir responses were numerically investigated during gradual depressurization process. To simulate thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled multiphysics processes occurring in HBS, a series of governing equations were discretized based on a finite volume concept, and coded into an explicit finite difference numerical simulator. An explicitly coupled, time-marching algorithm was used to couple thermo-hydro-mechanical responses associated with depressurization-driven hydrate dissociation. We herein modelded a hydrate deposit in Ulleung Basin, Korea for the sediment properties and geological setting. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that the "densely" layered HBS structure, composed of thin and interbedded clay-sand layers, is more prone to geomechanical instability though it led to more gas production. It is attributed to various mechanisms, including (i) the rapid water drainage from neighboring thin clay layers, (ii) the unique hydrate dissociation pattern in interbedded HBS, and (iii) the transfer of shear stress from hydrate-bearing, "stiff" sandy layers into adjacent thin "soft" clay layers. The layer geometry substantially affects not only the gas production but also the geomechanical stability of a hydrate reservoir. High-resolution sediment profiling appears to play an important role in numerical HBS simulations to reliably predict the feasibility of safe exploitation from layered HBS systems.
Risks Minimization and Results Improvement in Offshore Projects
Authors: Shi Hongfu , Zhang Wei , Han Xiaodong , Ling Haochuan , Kong Chaojie
Published: April 2019

A new regional integrated development pattern is proposed by Bohai Oilfield Bureau, based on the existing development and production system and engineering facilities, and combined with the distribution characteristics of underground oil and gas resources in Bohai oilfields, and according to the principles of ‘overall planning, unified layout, stage promotion and subarea implementation'. Through the integration and rational allocation of exploration and development, reservoir and engineering, development and production, the overall planning of underground resources and ground engineering is carried out, and a perfect regional development pattern is gradually formed. Based on reducing the threshold of oilfield development through resources sharing and accelerating the construction of new oilfield, the reservoir potential is fully released, and the efficient development of regional oil and gas is realized.
The Fine Description of Interbedded Sand-Shale Reservoirs in Shallow Water Delta : A Case Study of P19 Oilfield in Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Shen Chunsheng , Li Bing , Xu Zhongbo , Hu Zhihua , Liu Yancheng , Xu Haibo , Liu Chao , Li Ting
Published: April 2019

Most sands in Layer L70-L90 of P19 Oilfield are thin sands within interbedded sand and shale sets, which are below the seismic resolution of 17 m and could not be identified by seismic data. To improve development effects, the hierarchical method for fine description of thin sands within interbedded sand and shale sets deposited under shallow water delta was conducted through the integration of seismic attributes analysis, geological knowledge repository analog and constraint by depositional sequence. The successful application suggested that this technique not only has high prediction accuracy and application value, but also added new information to geological knowledge repositories of single sand in different depositional sequences and provided references for research and development of thin sand reservoir in similar oilfields in Bohai Bay.
Using Augmented Intelligence to Automate Subsea Inspection Data Acquisition, Processing, Analysis, Reporting and Access
Authors: Ferguson Hugh , Gordon Matthew David , Cameron Andrew
Published: April 2019

Augmented Intelligence (AI2) involves fusing Analyst Intuition with Artificial Intelligence to deliver an optimised combination of human-machine decision support.

AI2 is being incorporated by i-Tech Services / Leidos into the physical inspection of offshore Oil, Gas, and Renewables assets, delivering valuable data driven insights that contribute to greater efficiency, enhanced condition monitoring, improved asset integrity and asset life extension.

The deployment of vehicular and diver assets to obtain such inspection data, with associated support vessels, remains a major cost challenge for Operators.

We believe the industry needs to approach this challenge from two key directions. Firstly, through the application of autonomous systems for data acquisition and delivery, reducing vessel reliance, and secondly through automating the acquisition and processing of data and maximising the insight provided by the data.

This paper will examine the use of Augmented Intelligence to optimise the Subsea Inspection data workflow as a key use case, to demonstrate the principles.

The historic paradigm consists of a fragmented evolving approach, with insufficient consideration and design across all the sensors, processing analytical engines and data visualisation. The approach being adopted is to closely link all aspects of the data workflow, within the context of delivering the data and beyond in terms of harvesting additional insight and value.

To achieve the optimum workflow a number of developmental initiatives are being knitted into a modular platform, each element providing standalone value but the sum of the parts generates the most significant value and cost reduction.

The elements being combined are automatic data quality control at acquisition source and through the full workflow, automated processing, machine vision for object recognition and reporting and machine learning to optimise the system intelligence. All of these are designed to augment the expertise of the analyst / user, detecting change to learnt parameters, by using real time data and critically by referencing large historical data sets and as-built data.

The outputs from a system holistic approach will be improved data acquisition with more efficient high quality right first time data reporting. In addition layers of analytics, with smart, intuitive data access and retrieval will optimise delivery of key information within large data sets, together with maximising value and insight.