bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Budget Participation towards Managerial Performance: Job Satisfaction and Perception of Innovation as the Intervening Variables (A Case Study for the Regional District Organization (OPD), Districts of Kudus)
Authors: Ermawati Nanik , Susanti Diah Ayu , Delima Zamrud Mirah
Published: May 2019

The preparation of the budget for the Regional District Organization (OPD) of the Kudus Regency adopted a budget participation model that involved OPD employees from the head of the OPD to the staff. With the involvement of OPD employees in preparing this budget, it can provide improved managerial performance of OPD employees in their work. But there are several other factors that can improve performance, including job satisfaction and perception of innovation. Therefore in this study will be explained the effect of budget participation on managerial performance through the perception of innovation and job satisfaction as an intervening variable in the regional device organization in Kudus Regency. This research was conducted by questionnaire method through data collection techniques by giving a set of questions to respondents. Questionnaires were given to OPD employees consisting of heads of regional apparatus organizations, field heads, section heads and staff. The test tool used in this study is Path path analysis. The results showed that budgetary participation, job satisfaction, innovation perception had an effect on managerial performance, budget participation had an effect on job satisfaction and perceptions of innovation, but job satisfaction and innovation perception were not able to mediate the influence of budget participation on managerial performance.
ANALISIS PENINGKATAN PARTISIPASI AKTIF MAHASISWA MELALUI PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF DENGAN METODE KANCING WARNA PADA MATA KULIAH STRATEGI BELAJAR MENGAJAR
Authors: Safitri Nur Lina
Published: May 2019

Abstrak: Mahasiswa yang aktif merupakan mahasiswa yang berani mengungkapkan pendapatya dalam sebuah diskusi baik di dalam kelas maupun di luar kelas. Tujuan dari penerapan model pembelajaran kooperatif dengan metode kancing warna adalah sebagai salah satu bentuk upaya dalam menigkatkan partisipasi keaktifan mahasiswa dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yang bertujuan untuk mencari solusi atas permasalahan yang ada di dalam kelas dimana dalam hal ini permasalahan yang terjadi adalah kurangnya partisipasi aktif dari mahasiswa saat kegiatan belajar mengajar berlangsung. Pengambilan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan lembar observasi mahasiswa dan dosen, angket respon mahasiswa, dokumentasi, wawancara serta studi literatur. Subjek penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Biologi sebanyak 21 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persentase dari hasil angket respon mengalami perubahan khususnya pada pertanyaan yang mengarah pada keaktifan mahasiswa, menurunnya peran dosen dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar sebagai bukti bahwa mahasiswa mampu berperan aktif dalam proses diskusi tanpa adanya himbauan dari dosen.

Kata Kunci : Keaktifan Mahasiswa, Strategi Belajar Mengajar,Kancing Warna.
PROSES SOSIALISASI DAN INTERNALISASI NILAI-NILAI KE-ISLAMAN PADA KELAS MENENGAH MUSLIM DI SURABAYA
Authors: Djazilan Syukron
Published: May 2019

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan proses sosialisasi dan internalisasi nilai-nilai Ke-Islaman pada kelas menegah muslim di Surabaya. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan kualitatif deskriptif. Penelitian ini dilakukan di di Kota Surabaya tepatnya adalah Masjid Al Akbar dan Masiid Al Falah. Teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara, dan pengamatan. Teknik analisis data menggunakan tiga tahap yaitu tahap orientasi data yang didapat dilapangan, tahap reduksi data dan tahap seleksi. Uji keabsahan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan uji kredebilitas, uji dependabilitas, uji konfirmabilitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1)Proses terjadinya sosialisasi dan internalisasi nilai keislaman berlangsung panjang, dari bangku sekolah hingga dewasa. Pada usia dewasa mereka mendapatkan bimbingan melalui forum-forum dakwah oleh ustad/muballigh. Inilah yang disebut dengan belajar sepanjang hayat (life long education).(2) Proses internalisasi dan sosialisasi terkait pelibatan individu yang siap menerima dan mendukung guna menjadikan pendidikan informal semakin meningkatkan taraf kehidupan kelas menengah muslim Surabaya. Saran yang direkomendasikan pada penelitian ini adalah: Peran keluarga dalam membentuk manusia ideal berawal dari keluarga, oleh karenanya perlu usaha antar lembaga masyarakat yang mendukung agar pendidikan informal yang dijalankan di dalam keluarga bisa dan mampu berjalan dan mengahdirkan insan paripurna.
Aplicación de herramientas avanzadas para el análisis financiero de las Cooperativas JEP y Jardín Azuayo
Authors: Jiménez Fanny , Luna Kleber , Erazo Juan
Published: May 2019

La analítica financiera en la economía tradicional del Ecuador no es del todo eficaz, por su naturaleza propia e imprecisa, ya que genera datos inciertos que conllevan a resultados proyectados deficientes, afectando la estabilidad de las entidades en el tiempo. El objetivo de la presente investigación se basa en la aplicación de herramientas de avanzada altamente competitivas y confiables, partiendo de la teoría de la lógica difusa aplicada al campo financiero, la misma que permite convertir los balances estáticos tradicionales de las cooperativas Juventud Ecuatoriana Progresista y Jardín Azuayo en balances dinámicos previsionales; para lo cual se incorpora un modelo denominado automatización fuzzy, en el que se desarrolla la teoría de los subconjuntos borrosos, técnica que incorpora la incertidumbre y subjetividad para el análisis de la información contable, las herramientas utilizadas en el proceso de dinamización parten de la opinión otorgada por los expertos, usando las técnicas del expertizaje y contra-expertizaje, convirtiendo las masas patrimoniales en intervalos de confianza que captan y reducen drásticamente la incertidumbre, generando valor para la entidad y eficiencia en la toma de decisiones. Al aplicar las principales razones financieras usando matemática borrosa, se propone un modelo contable para la toma de decisiones administrativas que facilite a las entidades mantenerse en un mundo de cambios continuos, otorgando predicción en los resultados de los indicadores de fondo de maniobra, solvencia y beneficio, en la cual se estima que cada una de las cooperativas debe adoptar cambios trascendentales y sostenibles que fortalezcan su estructura a futuro.
PECULIARITIES OF ELECTRODEPOSITION OF COBALT—WOLFRAM—RENIUM ALLOY
Authors: Yapontseva Yuliya , Kublanovsky Valeriy , Maltseva Tetiana
Published: May 2019

The methods of stationary voltammetry and chronovoltammetry have been used to study deposition processes of ternary CoWRe alloys at different rhenium content of the electrolyte and deposition current density. It has been found that the limiting currents have a diffusive nature and are proportional to the concentration of perrhenate ions in the electrolyte.  The CoWRe alloys should be formed by the discharge of bimetallic citrate complexes of the following composition [(Co)(WO4)(H)(Cit)]2- and rhenium electrodeposition. Rhenium does not form complexes with citrate ions and deposits better in an alloy with iron group metals than in the form of an individual metal from a perrhenate solution. It can be assumed that the discharge of rhenium into the alloy occurs from a surface complex, the nature of which has not yet been established. The alloy current efficiency reaches 93% due to the high overpotential of hydrogen evolution on the alloy surface. According to the results of investigations of the catalytic properties of alloys in the hydrogen reduction reaction, it has been found that with increasing the rhenium content of the electrolyte and alloy, an increase in hydrogen overpotential is observed. Based on the Tafel coefficients found, it was found that in an acidic and neutral medium, the limiting stage of the cathodic and anodic reaction is the transfer of the first electron. In an alkaline medium, the anode process is complicated by the simultaneous transport of two electrons. The found values of corrosion resistance are 1-2 kOm·cm-2 in solutions of 0.01 M H2SO4; 20-110 kOm·cm-2 in 2.5% NaCl; 10-30 kOm·cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH. Based on the dependence of corrosion resistance on the refractory metals content of the alloy and the electrodeposition conditions, the optimum deposition current density of 10 mA·cm-2 has been found.
Factores que influyen negativamente en el control local de los sarcomas, estudio retrospectivo.
Authors: Leone Pignataro Mario , Idrovo Murillo Luis Andrés , Pazmiño Palacios Juan Bernardo
Published: May 2019

Introducción: El rol de la cirugía y la adyuvancia con quimio y radio terapia influyen en la supervivencia y el control local de los sarcomas de partes blandas, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir la asociación estadística en un grupo de pacientes con sarcomas de partes blandas tomando en cuenta el tamaño tumoral y la presencia de bordes libres.

Métodos: El presente estudio retrospectivo, fue realizado desde enero 2008 a diciembre 2016 en el hospital Solca-Guayaquil, se incluyeron todos los casos desarcoma de partes blandas. Las variables fueron el diagnóstico histopatológico, el tamaño tumoral, los bordes quirúrgicos, la manipulación previa, la supervivencia y la presencia de recidiva local y/o a distancia.

Resultados: Fueron 156 casos, 84 hombres (54%), de 41 a 60 años 49 casos (31 %). Liposarcoma 40 casos (25.6 %), Leimiosarcoma 25 casos (16 %), Sarcoma pleomórfico 19 casos (12.2%). Localizados en el miembro inferior 70 casos (44.9 %). El tamaño del sarcoma de 9.1 a 16 cm tuvo un OddsRatio de 3.18 (IC95 1.26 a 7.98) P=0.01. La supervivencia fue igual entre los pacientes con y sin bordes libres Mantel-Cox P=0.26. La adyuvancia en los pacientes sin metástasis fue en 51 casos (53.1 %) y en los pacientes con metástasis fue de 48 (80%) P<0.001. La adyuvancia en los pacientes sin recidiva fue en 47 casos (54.7 %), en los pacientes con recidiva 52 casos (74.3 %) P=0.013. La manipulación en el grupo sin recidiva fue de 9 casos (10.5 %), en el grupo con recidiva 20 casos (28.6 %) P=0.006.

Conclusión: En el presente estudio los factores que influyen negativamente en el control local y sistémico de los sarcomas fueron: los tumores de tamaño de 9.1 a 16 cm, el tratamiento de Adyuvancia con Quimioterapia o Radioterapia y la manipulación previa.
Life-History Traits of the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Reared on Three Manure Types
Authors: Miranda Chelsea D. , Cammack Jonathan A. , Tomberlin Jeffery K.
Published: May 2019

Structural changes and growth of animal production systems have resulted in greater volumes of manure. Current manure storage methods pose a potential environmental threat. Lessening these issues is a key concern for the animal production industry. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate black soldier fly (BSF) performance when fed poultry, swine, or dairy manure at different rates (18 or 27 g/2 d until 40% prepupation). The results indicated that larvae fed with the control diet (Gainesville diet) were the heaviest (+31–70%); however, for other life-history traits, those fed the higher feed rate of poultry manure produced comparable results to the control. Larvae fed more resource, regardless of manure type, weighed more as larvae (+3–9%), pupae (+22–48%), and adults (+18–42%), developed faster (up to 3–4 d), had a higher percentage reach the prepupal stage (+2–16%), lived longer as adults (+1 d), and converted more resource to biomass (up to 1% more) than those fed at the lower rate. Yet, no difference was detected in dry matter (DM) reduction across feed rate for a given manure type. Based on these results, all three manure types can be digested by black soldier fly larvae, thus demonstrating their potential for waste management.
Development of a High Throughput Screen for the Identification of Inhibitors of Peptidoglycan O-Acetyltransferases, New Potential Antibacterial Targets
Authors: Brott Ashley S. , Jones Carys S. , Clarke Anthony J.
Published: May 2019

The O-acetylation of peptidoglycan occurs in many Gram-negative and most Gram-positive pathogens and this modification to the essential wall polymer controls the lytic activity of the autolysins, particularly the lytic transglycosylases, and inhibits that of the lysozymes of innate immunity systems. As such, the peptidoglycan O-acetyltransferases PatA/B and OatA are recognized as virulence factors. In this study, we present the high throughput screening of small compound libraries to identify the first known inhibitors of these enzymes. The fluorometric screening assay developed involved monitoring the respective O-acetyltransferases as esterases using 4-methylumbelliferylacetate as substrate. Pilot screens of 3921 compounds validated the usefulness of the HTS protocol. A number of potential inhibitors were identified amongst a total of 145,000 low molecular-weight compounds, some of which were common to both enzymes, while others were unique to each. After eliminating a number of false positives in secondary screens, dose response curves confirmed the apparent specificity of a benzothiazolyl-pyrazolo-pyridine as an inhibitor of Neisseria gonorrhoeae PatB, and several coumarin-based compounds as inhibitors of both this PatB and OatA from Staphylococcus aureus. The benzothiazolyl-pyrazolo-pyridine was determined to be a non-competitive inhibitor of PatB with a Ki of 126 µM. At 177 µg/mL and close to its solubility limit, this compound caused a 90% reduction in growth of N. gonorrhoeae, while growth of Escherichia coli, a bacterium that lacks PatB and, hence, does not produce O-acetylated peptidoglycan, was unaffected. These data provide preliminary proof of concept that peptidoglycan O-acetyltransferases would serve as useful antibacterial targets.
Use of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia in a Pediatric Patient with Combined Immunodeficiency (CID): A Case Report from a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Zikri Ahmed , El Masri Kamal
Published: May 2019

Infections, with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are a major concern in the pediatric intensive care unit, especially in immunocompromised patients. Some of these strains are resistant to all beta-lactams, including carbapenems, leaving very limited treatment options remaining. These options include aminoglycosides and colistin, both of which have poor pharmacokinetic profiles with significant toxicities. Newer beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations offer additional novel options to treat such infections, given their good pharmacokinetic profiles and activity against multi-drug resistant strains. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is a novel cephalosporin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination approved in 2014. The drug demonstrates good activity against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains, including those resistant to all other antibiotics. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is currently approved in adult patients 18 years and older only. There are very limited data on its pharmacokinetic profile and clinical utility in the pediatric population. We report the use of ceftolozane/tazobactam to successfully treat pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa in a pediatric patient with combined immunodeficiency syndrome.
Reflection Enhancement and Giant Lateral Shift in Defective Photonic Crystals with Graphene
Authors: Zhao Dong , Liu Fangmei , Meng Peng , Wen Jie , Xu Siliu , Li Zhongming , Zhong Dong
Published: May 2019

This study investigates the reflectance of the defective mode (DM) and the lateral shift of reflected beam in defective photonic crystals incorporated with single-layer graphene by the transfer matrix method (TMM). Graphene, treated as an equivalent dielectric with a thickness of 0.34 nm, was embedded in the center of a defect layer. The reflectance of the DM was greatly enhanced as the intraband transition of electrons was converted to an interband transition in graphene. The reflectance of the DM could be further enhanced by increasing the Bragg periodic number. Furthermore, a large lateral shift of the reflected beam could also be induced around the DM. This study may find great applications in highly sensitive sensors.
The Study on the Cultivable Microbiome of the Aquatic Fern Azolla Filiculoides L. as New Source of Beneficial Microorganisms
Authors: Banach Artur , Kuźniar Agnieszka , Mencfel Radosław , Wolińska Agnieszka
Published: May 2019

The aim of the study was to determine the still not completely described microbiome associated with the aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides. During the experiment, 58 microbial isolates (43 epiphytes and 15 endophytes) with different morphologies were obtained. We successfully identified 85% of microorganisms and assigned them to 9 bacterial genera: Achromobacter, Bacillus, Microbacterium, Delftia, Agrobacterium, and Alcaligenes (epiphytes) as well as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Acinetobacter (endophytes). We also studied an A. filiculoides cyanobiont originally classified as Anabaena azollae; however, the analysis of its morphological traits suggests that this should be renamed as Trichormus azollae. Finally, the potential of the representatives of the identified microbial genera to synthesize plant growth-promoting substances such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cellulase and protease enzymes, siderophores and phosphorus (P) and their potential of utilization thereof were checked. Delftia sp. AzoEpi7 was the only one from all the identified genera exhibiting the ability to synthesize all the studied growth promoters; thus, it was recommended as the most beneficial bacteria in the studied microbiome. The other three potentially advantageous isolates (Micrococcus sp. AzoEndo14, Agrobacterium sp. AzoEpi25 and Bacillus sp. AzoEndo3) displayed 5 parameters: IAA (excluding Bacillus sp. AzoEndo3), cellulase, protease, siderophores (excluding Micrococcus sp. AzoEndo14), as well as mineralization and solubilization of P (excluding Agrobacterium sp. AzoEpi25).
Optimal Measurement Speed and Its Determination Method in the Transmission Precision Evaluation of Precision Reducers
Authors: Xu Hang , Shi Zhaoyao , Yu Bo , Wang Hui
Published: May 2019

Transmission error is the key index for characterizing the transmission precision of precision reducers, and its accurate measurement is significant for the precision evaluation of precision reducers. Transmission error is generally measured under the conditions of zero-load and low speed. However, low speed is a general concept and there is no general standard of measurement speed or solid scientific basis. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain consistent transmission precision evaluation results for the same precision reducer. The concept of optimal measurement speed in the transmission precision evaluation of precision reducers was put forward in order to reduce the influence of measurement speed. The determination method of optimal measurement speed was proposed and the calculation model of the optimal measurement speed was established, according to the Stribeck friction model of precision reducers. Taking a certain type of RV reducer as an example, the transmission error measurement experiments were carried out under different speeds. The friction torque of the RV reducer and the peak-to-peak value of the measured transmission error were the least under the optimal measurement speed. The influence of speed on the measurement results can be effectively reduced. The determination of optimal measurement speed of transmission errors could improve the measurement precision of the transmission errors for the objective evaluation of transmission precision of precision reducers.
Simple Degree-of-Freedom Modeling of the Random Fluctuation Arising in Human–Bicycle Balance
Authors: Yoshida Katsutoshi , Sato Keishi , Yamanaka Yoshikazu
Published: May 2019

In this study, we propose a new simple degree-of-freedom fluctuation model that accurately reproduces the probability density functions (PDFs) of human–bicycle balance motions as simply as possible. First, we measure the time series of the roll angular displacement and velocity of human–bicycle balance motions and construct their PDFs. Next, using these PDFs as training data, we identify the model parameters by means of particle swarm optimization; in particular, we minimize the Kolmogorov–Smirnov distance between the human PDFs from the participants and the PDFs simulated by our model. The resulting PDF fitnesses were over 98.7 % for all participants, indicating that our simulated PDFs were in close agreement with human PDFs. Furthermore, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical hypothesis testing was applied to the resulting human–bicycle fluctuation model, showing that the measured time responses were much better supported by our model than the Gaussian distribution.
Ultra-Low Interfacial Tension Foam System for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Liu Qi , Liu Shuangxing , Luo Dan , Peng Bo
Published: May 2019

The liquid phase of foam systems plays a major role in improving the fluidity of oil, by reducing oil viscosity and stripping oil from rock surfaces during foam-flooding processes. Improving the oil displacement capacity of the foam’s liquid phase could lead to significant improvement in foam-flooding effects. Oil-liquid interfacial tension (IFT) is an important indicator of the oil displacement capacity of a liquid. In this study, several surfactants were used as foaming agents, and polymers were used as foam stabilizers. Foaming was induced using a Waring blender stirring method. Foam with an oil-liquid IFT of less than 10–3 mN/m was prepared after a series of adjustments to the liquid composition. This study verified the possibility of a foam system with both an ultra-low oil-liquid IFT and high foaming properties. Our results provide insight into a means of optimizing foam fluids for enhanced oil recovery.
Energy Concepts and Critical Plane for Fatigue Assessment of Ti-6Al-4V Notched Specimens
Authors: Ronchei Camilla , Carpinteri Andrea , Vantadori Sabrina
Published: May 2019

In the present paper, the fatigue life assessment of notched structural components is performed by applying a critical plane-based multiaxial fatigue criterion. Such a criterion is formulated by using the control volume concept related to the strain energy density criterion. The verification point is assumed to be at a given distance from the notch tip. Such a distance is taken as a function of the control volume radii around the notch tip under both Mode I and Mode III loading. The accuracy of the present criterion is evaluated through experimental data available in the literature, concerning titanium alloy notched specimens under uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue loading.
A Worm-Inspired Robot Flexibly Steering on Horizontal and Vertical Surfaces
Authors: Yang Wenhao , Zhang Wenzeng
Published: May 2019

Based on the motion principle of bionic earthworms, we designed and fabricated a novel crawling robot driven by pneumatic power. Its structure is divided into four segments, and its motion process is periodic with high stability. Due to the pneumatic suction cups mounted on its feet, it is able to crawl on smooth horizontal, inclined, or vertical walls. On this basis, we designed a novel underactuated steering mechanism. Through the tendons on both sides and the springs installed on the side of the robot, we accurately controlled the steering motion of the robot. We analyzed the steering process in detail, calculated the influence of external parameters on the steering process of the robot, and simulated the trajectory of the robot in the steering process. The experimental results validated our analysis. In addition, we calculate the maximum thrust that each segment of the robot can provide, and determine the maximum load that the robot can bear during climbing motions.
Generic Homeomorphisms with Shadowing of One-Dimensional Continua
Authors: Artigue Alfonso , Cousillas Gonzalo
Published: May 2019

In this article, we show that there are homeomorphisms of plane continua whose conjugacy class is residual and have the shadowing property.
Multiplex Label Free Characterization of Cancer Cell Lines Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging
Authors: Stojanović Ivan , Ruivo Carolina F. , van der Velden Thomas J. G. , Schasfoort Richard B. M. , Terstappen Leon W. M. M.
Published: May 2019

Rapid multiplex cell surface marker analysis can expedite investigations in which large number of antigens need to be analyzed. Simultaneous analysis of multiple surface antigens at the same level of sensitivity is however limited in the current golden standard analysis method, flow cytometry. In this paper we introduce a surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi)-based technique for 44-plex parameter analysis using a single sample, in less than 20 min. We analyzed the expression on cells from five different cancer cell lines by SPRi on a 44-plex antibody array including 4 negative controls and compared the output with flow cytometry. The combined correlation of the markers that showed expression by flow cytometry was 0.76. The results demonstrate as a proof of principle that SPRi can be applied for rapid semi-quantitative multiplex cell surface marker analysis.
Detection of Breast Cancer Cells Using Acoustics Aptasensor Specific to HER2 Receptors
Authors: Poturnayová Alexandra , Dzubinová Ľudmila , Buríková Monika , Bízik Jozef , Hianik Tibor
Published: May 2019

Detection of the breast cancer cells is important for early diagnosis of the cancer. We applied thickness shear mode acoustics method (TSM) for detection of SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells using DNA aptamers specific to HER2 positive membrane receptors. The biotinylated aptamers were immobilized at the neutravidin layer chemisorbed at gold surface of TSM transducer. Addition of the cells resulted in decrease of resonant frequency, fs, and in increase of motional resistance, Rm. Using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), modified by aptamers it was possible improving the limit of detection (LOD) that reached 550 cells/mL, while without amplification the sensitivity of the detection of SK-BR-3 cells was 1574 cells/mL. HER2 negative cell line MDA-MB-231 did not resulted in significant changes of fs. The viability studies demonstrated that cells are stable at experimental conditions used during at least 8 h. AuNPs were not toxic on the cells up to concentration of 1 μg/mL.
Feasibility of Non-Gaussian Diffusion Metrics in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Kremneva Elena I. , Legostaeva Liudmila A. , Morozova Sofya N. , Sergeev Dmitry V. , Sinitsyn Dmitry O. , Iazeva Elizaveta G. , Suslin Aleksandr S. , Suponeva Natalia A. , Krotenkova Marina V. , Piradov Michael A. , Maximov Ivan I.
Published: May 2019

Diagnostic accuracy of different chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC) can be affected by the false negative errors in up to 40% cases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of a non-Gaussian diffusion approach in chronic DOC and to estimate a sensitivity of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) metrics for the differentiation of vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) from a healthy brain state. We acquired diffusion MRI data from 18 patients in chronic DOC (11 VS/UWS, 7 MCS) and 14 healthy controls. A quantitative comparison of the diffusion metrics for grey (GM) and white (WM) matter between the controls and patient group showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference in supratentorial WM and GM for all evaluated diffusion metrics, as well as for brainstem, corpus callosum, and thalamus. An intra-subject VS/UWS and MCS group comparison showed only kurtosis metrics and fractional anisotropy differences using tract-based spatial statistics, owing mainly to macrostructural differences on most severely lesioned hemispheres. As a result, we demonstrated an ability of DKI metrics to localise and detect changes in both WM and GM and showed their capability in order to distinguish patients with a different level of consciousness.
Architectural Design: Sustainability in the Decision-Making Process
Authors: Feria Margarida , Amado Miguel
Published: May 2019

This article discusses the potential of introducing sustainability in the architectural design method so that building solutions can contribute to sustainable development. Sustainability has introduced a new pattern to the architecture practice, which involves important modifications in the teaching of architecture in what regards to the design methods to students but also practitioners, in order to provide more comfort for present and future generations. In the design phases of the architectural design, the subject of the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social and environmental factors—are not always considered by the architect in the decision-making process. The topic involves actions that will influence the overall performance of the building throughout its lifecycle. Sustainability has not been a priority in the training of the architect. The existing tools, Sustainability Assessment and Certification Systems, although adequate to evaluate the sustainability component of a building, do not prove to be the most appropriate tool to support architects during the design process. Therefore, the implementation and evaluation of strategies that integrate the sustainability principles need to be included in the early stages of the architectural design method. In addition to collecting data through literature review, a survey was conducted among 217 architects and architecture students in order to access the need for a tool that supports architects in the issue of sustainability. The results concluded that, although all the respondents agree about what concerns the implementation of sustainability principles in the architectural design method, only few respondents guarantee that these principles are implemented by means of a rigorous evaluation. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify a set of guidelines that can help architects to change the current approach of architectural practice towards more sustainable strategies in building design. This means the introduction, implementation and evaluation of sustainability principles in different phases of the architectural design method. The proposal stresses the main strategies that need to be considered in each phase of the architectural project and defines a level of recommendation in each guideline that allows the architect to evaluate the implementation of sustainability.
Growth of Ultrathin Al2O3 Films on n-InP Substrates as Insulating Layers by RF Magnetron Sputtering and Study on the Optical and Dielectric Properties
Authors: Tang Xiufeng , Li Zhixin , Liao Huizhen , Zhang Jiong
Published: May 2019

Here, we report an explorative study of an attempt to fabricate ultrathin aluminum oxide films on n-InP substrates by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering as a candidate for insulating layers in semiconductor lasers for optical communication. Film thickness and morphology were monitored to study the film growth and to explore the minimum thickness of a continuous film that RF magnetron sputtering could achieve. Originating from the weak wettability between the n-InP substrate and the Al2O3 film, Al2O3 films firstly grew in an island pattern which then turned into a layer-by-layer pattern when those islands became connected and continuous. Uniform and compact Al2O3 films were obtained when the film thickness reached 40 nm. The average transmittance, optical band gap, and optical absorption coefficient at a wavelength of 1550 nm of this Al2O3 film were about 80%, 3.72 eV, and 3.0 × 104 cm−1, respectively. At a frequency of 1 MHz, the permittivity, dielectric loss, and electrical resistivity were 8.96, 0.31, and 5 × 1010 Ω·cm, respectively. This work provides valuable references for the application of Al2O3 ultrathin films as insulating layers in micro-and opto-electronics.
Multifrequency Driven Nematics
Authors: Bennis Noureddine , Herman Jakub , Kalbarczyk Aleksandra , Kula Przemysław , Jaroszewicz Leszek R.
Published: May 2019

Liquid crystals act on the amplitude and the phase of a wave front under applied electric fields. Ordinary LCs are known as field induced birefringence, thus both phase and amplitude modulation strongly depend on the voltage controllable molecular tilt. In this work we present electrooptical properties of novel liquid crystal (LC) mixture with frequency tunable capabilities from 100Hz to 10 KHz at constant applied voltage. The frequency tunability of presented mixtures shown here came from composition of three different families of rodlike liquid crystals. Dielectric measurements are reported for the compounds constituting frequency-controlled birefringence liquid crystal. Characterization protocols allowing the optimum classification of different components of this mixture, paying attention to all relevant parameters such as anisotropic polarizability, dielectric anisotropy, and dipole moment are presented.
A Matrix Information-Geometric Method for Change-Point Detection of Rigid Body Motion
Authors: Duan Xiaomin , Sun Huafei , Zhao Xinyu
Published: May 2019

A matrix information-geometric method was developed to detect the change-points of rigid body motions. Note that the set of all rigid body motions is the special Euclidean group S E ( 3 ) , so the Riemannian mean based on the Lie group structures of S E ( 3 ) reflects the characteristics of change-points. Once a change-point occurs, the distance between the current point and the Riemannian mean of its neighbor points should be a local maximum. A gradient descent algorithm is proposed to calculate the Riemannian mean. Using the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff formula, the first-order approximation of the Riemannian mean is taken as the initial value of the iterative procedure. The performance of our method was evaluated by numerical examples and manipulator experiments.
A Giga-Stable Oscillator with Hidden and Self-Excited Attractors: A Megastable Oscillator Forced by His Twin
Authors: Vo Thoai Phu , Shaverdi Yeganeh , Khalaf Abdul Jalil M. , Alsaadi Fawaz E. , Hayat Tasawar , Pham Viet-Thanh
Published: May 2019

In this paper, inspired by a newly proposed two-dimensional nonlinear oscillator with an infinite number of coexisting attractors, a modified nonlinear oscillator is proposed. The original system has an exciting feature of having layer–layer coexisting attractors. One of these attractors is self-excited while the rest are hidden. By forcing this system with its twin, a new four-dimensional nonlinear system is obtained which has an infinite number of coexisting torus attractors, strange attractors, and limit cycle attractors. The entropy, energy, and homogeneity of attractors’ images and their basin of attractions are calculated and reported, which showed an increase in the complexity of attractors when changing the bifurcation parameters.
Discriminatory Target Learning: Mining Significant Dependence Relationships from Labeled and Unlabeled Data
Authors: Duan Zhi-Yi , Wang Li-Min , Mammadov Musa , Lou Hua , Sun Ming-Hui
Published: May 2019

Machine learning techniques have shown superior predictive power, among which Bayesian network classifiers (BNCs) have remained of great interest due to its capacity to demonstrate complex dependence relationships. Most traditional BNCs tend to build only one model to fit training instances by analyzing independence between attributes using conditional mutual information. However, for different class labels, the conditional dependence relationships may be different rather than invariant when attributes take different values, which may result in classification bias. To address this issue, we propose a novel framework, called discriminatory target learning, which can be regarded as a tradeoff between probabilistic model learned from unlabeled instance at the uncertain end and that learned from labeled training data at the certain end. The final model can discriminately represent the dependence relationships hidden in unlabeled instance with respect to different possible class labels. Taking k-dependence Bayesian classifier as an example, experimental comparison on 42 publicly available datasets indicated that the final model achieved competitive classification performance compared to state-of-the-art learners such as Random forest and averaged one-dependence estimators.
Completing Explorer Games with a Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework Based on Behavior Angle Navigation
Authors: You Shixun , Diao Ming , Gao Lipeng
Published: May 2019

In cognitive electronic warfare, when a typical combat vehicle, such as an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), uses radar sensors to explore an unknown space, the target-searching fails due to an inefficient servoing/tracking system. Thus, to solve this problem, we developed an autonomous reasoning search method that can generate efficient decision-making actions and guide the UCAV as early as possible to the target area. For high-dimensional continuous action space, the UCAV’s maneuvering strategies are subject to certain physical constraints. We first record the path histories of the UCAV as a sample set of supervised experiments and then construct a grid cell network using long short-term memory (LSTM) to generate a new displacement prediction to replace the target location estimation. Finally, we enable a variety of continuous-control-based deep reinforcement learning algorithms to output optimal/sub-optimal decision-making actions. All these tasks are performed in a three-dimensional target-searching simulator, i.e., the Explorer game. Please note that we use the behavior angle (BHA) for the first time as the main factor of the reward-shaping of the deep reinforcement learning framework and successfully make the trained UCAV achieve a 99.96% target destruction rate, i.e., the game win rate, in a 0.1 s operating cycle.
A Hybrid QoS-QoE Estimation System for IPTV Service
Authors: Frnda Jaroslav , Nedoma Jan , Vanus Jan , Martinek Radek
Published: May 2019

The internet protocol television service (IPTV) has become a key product for internet service providers (ISP), offering several benefits to both ISP and end-users. Because packet networks based on internet protocol have not been prepared for time-sensitive services, such as voice or video, packet networks have had to adopt several mechanisms to secure minimal transmission standards in the form of data stream prioritization. There are two commonly used approaches for video quality assessment. The first approach needs an original source for comparison (full-reference objective metrics), and the second one requires observers for subjective evaluation of video quality. Both approaches are impractical in real-time transmission because it is difficult to transform an objective score into a subjective quality perception, and on the other hand, subjective tests are not able to be performed immediately. Since many countries worldwide put IPTV on the same level as other broadcasting systems (e.g., terrestrial, cable, or satellite), IPTV services are subject to regulation by the national regulation authority. This results in the need to prepare service qualitative criteria and monitoring tools capable of measuring end-user satisfaction levels. Our proposed model combines the principles of both assessment approaches, which results in an effective monitoring solution. Therefore, the main contribution of the created system is to offer a monitoring tool able to analyze the features extracted from the video sequence and transmission system and promptly translate their impact into a subjective point of view.
Secure and Efficient Data Sharing Scheme Based on Certificateless Hybrid Signcryption for Cloud Storage
Authors: Luo Wei , Ma Wenping
Published: May 2019

As cloud service providers are not completely trusted, people are increasingly concerned about security issues such as data confidentiality and user privacy. In many existing schemes, the private key generator (PKG) generates a full private key for each user, which means that the PKG can forge a valid signature or decrypt the ciphertext. To address the issue, we first present a novel certificateless hybrid signcryption (CL-HSC) scheme without pairing, in which the PKG only generates the partial private keys for users. It is provably secure under the Elliptic Curve Computational Diffie-Hellman (EC-CDH) assumption in the random oracle model. Then, we propose a key derivation method by which the data owner only needs to maintain the master key to get rid of the complex key management. By combining our proposed CL-HSC scheme and the key derivation method, we present a secure and efficient data-sharing scheme for cloud storage, which can resist collusion attacks, spoofing attacks, and replay attacks and makes user revocation easier. In addition, compared with some existing schemes, our scheme has a lower computational complexity.
A 30–40 GHz CMOS Receiver Front-End with 5.9 dB NF and 16.5 dB Conversion Gain for Broadband Spectrum Sensing Applications
Authors: Jung Hyunki , Utomo Dzuhri Radityo , Shin Saebyeok , Han Seok-Kyun , Lee Sang-Gug , Kim Junsung
Published: May 2019

A broadband receiver front-end with low noise figure and flat conversion gain response is presented in this paper. The receiver front-end is a part of the broadband spectrum sensing receiver and processes 30–40 GHz of broad input spectrum followed by down-conversion to DC-10 GHz of IF signal. The proposed work is comprised of a low noise amplifier (LNA), on-chip passive Balun, down conversion mixer, and output buffer. To achieve front-end target specification over 10 GHz input bandwidth, the stagger-tuned LNA is employed and the down conversion mixer is loaded with a 3rd-order LC ladder low pass filter. The prototype chip was implemented in 45 nm CMOS technology. The chip achieves 10.3–16.5 dB conversion gain, 5.9 dB integrated NF, and −11 dBm IIP3 from 30 to 40 GHz. The chip is realized within 0.42 mm 2 and consumes 96 mW from a 1.2 V supply.
A Study on the Effect of Closed-Loop Wind Farm Control on Power and Tower Load in Derating the TSO Command Condition
Authors: Kim Hyungyu , Kim Kwansu , Paek Insu
Published: May 2019

This study was conducted to analyze the impact of surrounding environmental changes on the feedback gain and performance of a closed-loop wind farm controller that reduces the error between total power output of wind farm and power command of transmission system operator. To analyze the impact of environment changes on wind farm controller feedback gain, the feedback gain was manually changed from 0 to 0.9 with a 0.1 interval. In this study, wind speed and wind direction changes were considered as environment changes; it was found by simulation code that the wind farm controller gain is in inverse proportion to wake recovery rate. In other words, the feedback gain should be higher if the distance between upstream and downstream wind turbine is not sufficient to wake recovery. Furthermore, the feedback gain should be lower when the upstream wind turbine generates a relatively weak wake by operating above the rated wind speed. The wind farm simulation was performed using reference 5 MW wind turbines from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which are numerically modeled for each element so that wind farm power output and tower load can be calculated according to the variation of the power command by using a modified wake model with improved accuracy. All the simulations performed in this study were carried out to review the power output accuracy of wind farms, but only if the transmission system operator’s power command was lower than the available power of wind farm. In this study, the gain of the wind farm controller was applied differently depending on the wind speed and direction to consider benefits in terms of power and tower load, especially if the wake effect of the upstream wind turbine was rapidly transferred to the downstream wind turbine. Ultimately, a simple, but more effective, power distribution method was proposed for distributing power commands to wind turbines that constitute wind farms and the study indicated the need for controller gain adjustment based on surrounding environmental changes.
Mixing Characteristics of Binary Mixture with Biomass in a Gas-Solid Rectangular Fluidized Bed
Authors: Wu Guiying , Yu Bangting , Guan Yanjun , Wu Xuehui , Zhang Kai , Li Yongli
Published: May 2019

Aiming to better understand the biomass pyrolysis and gasification processes, a detailed experimental study of the mixing characteristics is conducted in a fluidized bed with binary mixtures. Rapeseed is used as biomass, and silica sand or resin as inert material. The effect of mixture composition, initial packing manner, and superficial gas velocity on the concentration distribution is investigated in a rectangular fluidized bed by means of photography and sampling methods. The results show that the mixture composition plays an important role in the axial solids profile of binary mixtures. The mixing behavior of binary mixture is dominated by the bubble movement. The axial distribution of binary mixtures becomes uniform with increasing superficial gas velocity, whilst no obvious effect of initial packing manner is observed in this study.
Energy Consumption and Trade Openness Nexus in Egypt: Asymmetry Analysis
Authors: Alkhateeb Tarek Tawfik Yousef , Mahmood Haider
Published: May 2019

Trade openness may support the economic growth of any country but its environmental effects due to increasing energy consumption cannot be ignored. This research hypothesizes the asymmetrical effects of both economic growth and trade openness on the energy consumption of Egypt from 1971–2014. Our estimates suggest that both economic growth and trade openness have asymmetrical effects on the energy consumption in both long and short runs because magnitude of the effects are found unequal. Both increasing and decreasing economic growth have positive effects on the energy consumption in the long and short runs except an insignificant effect of decreasing economic growth in the short run. Increasing and decreasing trade openness have also positive effects on the energy consumption in the long and short runs except an insignificant effect of decreasing trade openness in the long run. The increasing energy consumption, as results of increasing economic growth and/or trade openness, may have environmental consequence. Therefore, we recommend the Egyptian government to diversify the energy consumption from fossil fuel sources.