bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Korelasi Antara Komunikasi dan Pendidikan
Authors: Hendra Tomi , Siti Saputri
Published: May 2020

Dunia pendidikan pada saat sekarang kini sedang marak-maraknya memperlombakan peningkatan mutu pendidikan. Berbagai macam upaya yang mereka lakukan untuk peningkatan mutu pendidikan di semua jenjang. Mulai dari penetapan Standar Nasional Pendidikan sampai pada peningkatan Akreditasi lembaga pendidikan. Komunikasi sebagai sarana peningkatan mutu pendidikan  merupakan upaya atau salah satu cara peningkatan mutu di dalam dunia pendidikan.

Para ahli sepakat bahwa komunikasi sangat dibutuhkan dalam pendidikan. Sebab, komunikasi yang baik akan membentuk hubungan yang baik. Baik itu guru dengan muridnya atau murid dengan gurunya. Guru dituntut berperan aktif dalam proses belajar-mengajar terutama dalam proses belajar mengajar tatap muka. Guru dituntut sebagai perancang pembelajaran (designer of intruction), guru sebagai pengelola pembelajaran (manager of Instruction), guru sebagai pengarah pembelajaran, dan guru sebagai konselor dan lain sebagainya. Dalam menerapkan beragam hal tugas seorang guru, perlunya komunikasi yang efektif dalam proses belajar-mengajar antara murid dan guru. Sehingga tujuan peningkatan dari mutu di lembaga kependidikan bisa tercapai.

Dalam penelitian ini, penulis memaparkan betapa pentingnya komunikasi yang efektif di dalam meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan. Untuk membantu penulis di dalam memaparkan korelasi antara komunikasi dengan pendidikan, maka penulis menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif.
12th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management
Authors: Castro Vila Rodolfo de , Giménez i Leal Gerusa
Published: May 2020

Aquesta conferència, promoguda per ADINGOR (Associació per al Desenvolupament de l'Enginyeria d'Organització), va tenir lloc a la Universitat de Girona del 12 al 13 de juliol de 2018.
Contributions of Working Conditions on Teachers’ Attitude in School Settings of Nepal
Authors: Lama Anan , Shrestha Milan
Published: May 2020

Purpose- Working conditions play an important role in shaping the teachers’ attitude.  In this context, this study intends to examine the effect of the working conditions on the teachers’ attitude.
Design/Methodology- Philosophically, this study is guided by post-positivist paradigm utilizing the survey design. The data in this study were collected from the teachers of community schools of the Kathmandu district using the questionnaire My Classroom Appraisal Protocol (MCAP). The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics like mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test and simple linear regression. Then, the derived findings were then interpreted and measured against the past studies and theories.   
Findings- This study found significant difference in the attitude of the teachers who had satisfactory and unsatisfactory building conditions.  Additionally, the study showed a moderate association between working condition and teachers’ attitude. Furthermore, this study concludes that the building condition of school plays a crucial role in shaping the teachers’ attitude.  Finally, this study shows that there is a positive relationship between the working conditions and teachers’ attitude.
Practical Implications- This study is expected to be beneficial to school leaders and forthcoming researchers for making positive changes in the education system of Nepal.
Influence of Solar Wind Parameters on Equatorial Magnetic Observatories during Intense Geomagnetic Storms of the Year 2015
Authors: Joshi S. , Rao K. M.
Published: May 2020

Coronal mass ejection (CME) and Corotating interaction region (CIR), a dynamic phenomenon associated with the sun, is widely acknowledged as the main causative factor for the occurrence of the geomagnetic storms. In the present investigation, we studied the influence of solar wind parameters and interplanetary magnetic field (IMFBz) on two severe geomagnetic storms (Dst=<-200 nT) occurred during March and June 2015 using magnetic data recorded at four low latitude Indian magnetic observatories namely Jaipur (Rajasthan), Desalpar (Gujarat), Alibag (Maharastra) and Hyderabad (Telangana). Residual H-component of magnetic field distinctly distinguish the different phases of storms. Solar wind density and pressure are more influencive factors during main phase of the magnetic storm with observed high MS coherence (>0.8) with the H-comp. Dynamic spectrum of H-component of magnetic field at low latitudes and solar wind parameters reveals a burst-like nature during the main phase of these storms. During Ionospheric Disturbance Dynamo (Ddyn) for March Storm, it is observed that American sector has downward movement in H-component of magnetic field and prominent attenuation of EEJ in African and Indian sectors. Similarly, for June storm, downward H-component movement is observed in both the American and African sectors and attenuation of EEJ at Indian sector.
Vermicompost for Mitigation of Surfactant Contamination in Surface Water
Authors: Islam M. A. , Sarker S. , Nasrin M. S. , Hoque M. A. , Islam M. S. , Islam M. N.
Published: May 2020

Surfactants are the most important pollutants of surface water which should be removed for the safety of aquatic life. The potentiality of vermicompost for the removal of surfactant contamination in surface water was studied by measuring surfactant concentration, pH and conductivity for nine days in six trials with different proportions of soil, vermicompost and phosphate keeping the surfactant concentration constant. The trials T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were considered as simulated ponds and T0 as control. The surfactant concentration, electrical conductivity and pH were found to change upon the application of vermicompost. The surfactant degradation rate of vermicompost amended systems was significantly higher than the control system.  Surfactant was almost completely depleted in vermicompost amended systems within the monitoring period. The presence of phosphate increases the surfactant removal efficacy of vermicompost. The pH values for vermicompost amended systems were almost constant near 7. The electrical conductivity of vermicompost amended systems was found to increase with time whereas that for the control systems was almost constant. Therefore, vermicompost can be considered as an excellent amendment as they have the ability to remove surfactant in surface water correcting the pH and increasing the availability of nutrients of the systems.
A pesquisa intervenção com o currículo cultural de educação física, seus corpos e suas danças: três exercícios cartográficos
Authors: Gehres Adriana De Faria , Neira Marcos Garcia
Published: May 2020

Resumo: Este artigo objtivou cartografar encontros os corpos, as danças e a Educação Física culturalmente orientada, a partir dos pressupostos da esquizoanálise (DELEUZE; GUATTARI, 1996), como pesquisa intervenção. Para tanto, realizamos três exercícios cartográficos como encontros/processos de acionamento de: um texto; quinze relatos de experiência; e ações didáticas. Neste último, contudo, operamos também com a “palavra” experiência, conforme proposto por Larrosa, (2009, 2013, 2018). Cartografar, procedimento, objetivo e texto da pesquisa, apresentou-se como uma “atitude” que nos fez percorrer materialidades, inventar conceitos e produzir línguas nos encontros com o curículo culturalmente orientado de Educação Física.Palavras-chave: Esquizoanálise; Intervenção; Experiência; Escola. Research intervention with the cultural physical education curriculum, its bodies and their dances: three cartographic exercisesAbstract: This article aimed to map encounters with bodies, dances and culturally oriented Physical Education, based on the assumptions of schizoanalysis (DELEUZE; GUATTARI, 1996), as intervention research. For this purpose, we carried out three cartographic exercises as meetings / processes for triggering: a text; fifteen experience reports; and didactic actions. In the latter, however, we also operate with the “word” experience, as proposed by Larrosa, (2009, 2013, 2018). Mapping, procedure, objective and text of the research, presented itself as an “attitude” that made us go through materialities, invent concepts and produce languages in the meetings with the culturally oriented Curriculum of Physical Education.Keywords: Schizoanalysis; Intervention; Experience; School.
THE SCHOOL CLUSTER WORKING GROUP AS A MEDIA TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS (Case Study of the Working Group Teachers Cluster II Tinggimoncong District)
Authors: Ana Pitri , Babo Rosleny Babo , Nawir Muhammad
Published: May 2020

This study aimed 1) to find out the management system of the Teachers’ Team Work from Bawakaraeng Cluster in Tinggimoncong district, 2) to analyze the steps taken by the Teachers’ Team Work, and 3) how effective it is in improving teacher performance in Tinggimoncong district .This research was a qualitative research by using a case study approach. The study was conducted in Cluster II, Tinggimoncong District, Gowa Regency. The samples in this study were 15 people. The data were collected through direct observation, interviews and documentation. The results showed that the Bawakaraeng Teachers’ Team Work had not yet managed the organization maximally. The visible step taken by the KKG group in Tinggimoncong district was the change in the KKG system from the Cluster KKG to the class KKG and the work program compiled in the class KKG was chosen based on the results of discussions from each group of class teachers, and was chosen based on priority scale. The effectiveness of Bawakaraeng KKG is influenced by supporting and inhibiting factors. Supporting factors include: changes in the KKG pattern, interesting material, continuing KKG implementation, motivation from superiors. Inhibiting factors include: lack of government attention to the Teachers’ Team Work and lack of funding.
TEACHERS’ PROBLEMS IN USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Authors: Ningsih Sutria , Kuntarto Eko , Kurniawan Agung Rimba
Published: May 2020

This research is a qualitative research with a type of case study research. The purpose of this study is to find out the problems / obstacles faced by teachers in using (ICT). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a tool used to convey information related to the processing, management and transfer of information. As for the types of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that were the focus of research include: computers / laptops and LCD projectors. In this era of globalization, teachers are required to be able to use ICT in the learning process to add insight and can help teachers in adding teaching material. with the use of ICT in the learning process. The findings from the research results concluded that problems / obstacles that occur in the use of ICT in primary schools such as: time-consuming, limited amount of infocus, students lack of focus on the material, the unavailability of.
IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHER ABILITY KARTIKA XIX 2 BANDUNG HIGH SCHOOL IN MAKING LESSON PLAN (RPP) BASED ON INQUIRY PERMENDIKBUD NO. 22 IN 2016
Authors: Aryanti Aryanti
Published: May 2020

The use of learning strategies is one of the factors that can develop potential and improve student’s learning outcomes. A learning activity will succeed if a teacher is able to apply the right approach, model, method and learning media. Inquiry model is one of the learning models that can improve the ability to plan and carry out research to solve a problem. However, in fact, the results of preliminary studies show some teachers still have not used the inquiry model in their lesson plans, even though Basic Competence (KD) that can use the inquiry model is relatively there. This study aims to implement the academic supervision to improve the ability of high school teachers in making inquiry-based lesson plan that refers to Permendikbud No. 22, 2016. The research method used was school action research. The results showed that after academic supervision was carried out, the ability of teachers in making inquiry-based lesson plans that referred to Permendikbud Number 22 of 2016 had shown an increase, from cycle I to cycle II. Cycle II ended the formation with the minimum teacher score indicator 75.00 already above 85%, which was 100%.
KINERJA PEGAWAI KANTOR KECAMATAN ILIR BARAT I KOTA PALEMBANG DALAM PENYELENGGARAAN PELAYANAN PUBLIK
Authors: Wijaya Raden
Published: May 2020

Employee Performance of Ilir Barat I District Office in Palembang City in the Implementation of Public Services. This study aims to determine the level of performance of service units and determine the quality of service on a regular basis as an ingredient for establishing policies in order to improve the quality of public services. In addition, this study also aims to determine how the performance of the District Government in the Implementation of Public Services in Ilir Barat I Subdistrict, Palembang City. The method used in this study is quantitative descriptive research. Data collection techniques used are using observations, interviews and questionnaires. Questionnaire instruments in this study using the measurement scale used is an ordinal scale with a type of Likert scale. Before the research instrument is used, validity and reliability tests are conducted to determine the extent to which instruments can be trusted. The interpretation of the respondent’s answers was measured by a score that weighs 1 to 5, which means strongly disagreeing to strongly agree. The analytical method used in this study is Factor Analysis. The results show that the most dominant factors are Quality, Responsiveness and Productivity. Thus, based on the perception of Ilir Barat I District, these factors are determinants of achieving excellent service. Meanwhile, the lowest dominant factor is the Accountability factor. Thus the employees of the Ilir Barat I District office are responsible for carrying out their duties not to violate the rules but only to carry out their duties without creativity and motivation in order to achieve excellent service.
PENGEMBANGAN BADAN USAHA MILIK DESA (BUMDES) MELALUI DANA DESA DI KECAMATAN GENTENG KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI
Authors: Fitriani Tri Ivatul
Published: May 2020

Development of Village Owned Enterprises through Village Funds in Genteng District, Banyuwangi Regency. The village fund are prioritized for development and empowerment of community. One of them for establishment and management BUMDes. BUMDes is economic institution and social institution possessed by village and communit, which beneficial for community and village. However, capital inclusion from village fund for BUMDes is not given routinely. The purpose of research is obtain overview and analyze the development of BUMDes through village fund, inhibitory and supporting the development of BUMDes in Genteng, Banyuwangi, East Java. The research used qualitative research with descriptive methods. The technique of capturing data through observation, documentation, and interviews. The results of research is the development of BUMDes through village fund in Genteng has not run optimally because not all villages provide village fund to BUMDes and the capacity BUMDes’s operator is low. Therefore, the development of BUMDes needs capital inclusion from village funds and increase BUMDes’s operator through comparative study and internship.
Government Preparedness and Response for 2020 Pandemic Disaster in Nepal: A Case Study of COVID-19
Authors: Koirala Jyoti , Acharya Suman , Neupane Madhusudan , Phuyal Motiram , Rijal Nimananda , Khanal Umesh Kumar
Published: May 2020

The main purpose of this study is to explore and understand the overall management of situation based in experience of Italy, China, USA and South Korea after the outbreak of Corona Virus. The overall aim of the study is to draw the clinical expertise, field experience to identify the needs and gaps and make recommendation for effective preparedness and response. A huge gap in response obtained due to the fluctuations in knowledge has been evident for a set of questionnaires. As economic activities are zero, the facilities and relief packages are necessary to grant to all sectors of the country to revitalize the economy. In case of the number of cases are increased, it is alarmingly difficult to control. With the decision of country lock-down, it has both positive and negative impact. But this policy cannot sustain for longer period and is only short-term measures.
The Mystification of Digital Technology in Norwegian Policies on Archives, Libraries and Museums: Digitalization as Policy Imperative
Authors: Henningsen Erik , Larsen Håkon
Published: May 2020

In this article, we investigate how digitalization has attained the role of policy imperative in the culture sector, and how the imperative is influencing contemporary policy discourses on archives, libraries and museums (ALM-organizations) in Norway. We have analyzed policy documents issued by state authorities within the Norwegian ALM-sector since the time around the turn of the century, and demonstrate through the analysis that one must take three types of cultural processes into consideration in order to understand how digitalization has attained the status as policy imperative. Each of the cultural processes amounts to a form of mystification. Firstly, one must understand that digitalization’s ascendancy into a policy imperative is in part a process of imitation, of other countries and societal sectors. Secondly, one must take into account the conceptual framing of the policy discourse, in particular in relation to the epochalist vision that structure the discourse. Thirdly, one must take into account the process of fetishism which is at work in this policy discourse. Combined, these processes lead to digitalization being perceived as a force which is external to social relations, dictating action on the part of actors working within the sector. As such, digitalization comes effectively to serve as an overarching policy imperative in the culture sector.
Automobile Fine-Grained Detection Algorithm Based on Multi-Improved YOLOv3 in Smart Streetlights
Authors: Yang Fan , Yang Deming , He Zhiming , Fu Yuanhua , Jiang Kui
Published: May 2020

Upgrading ordinary streetlights to smart streetlights to help monitor traffic flow is a low-cost and pragmatic option for cities. Fine-grained classification of vehicles in the sight of smart streetlights is essential for intelligent transportation and smart cities. In order to improve the classification accuracy of distant cars, we propose a reformed YOLOv3 (You Only Look Once, version 3) algorithm to realize the detection of various types of automobiles, such as SUVs, sedans, taxis, commercial vehicles, small commercial vehicles, vans, buses, trucks and pickup trucks. Based on the dataset UA-DETRAC-LITE, manually labeled data is added to improve the data balance. First, data optimization for the vehicle target is performed to improve the generalization ability and position regression loss function of the model. The experimental results show that, within the range of 67 m, and through scale optimization (i.e., by introducing multi-scale training and anchor clustering), the classification accuracies of trucks and pickup trucks are raised by 26.98% and 16.54%, respectively, and the overall accuracy is increased by 8%. Secondly, label smoothing and mixup optimization is also performed to improve the generalization ability of the model. Compared with the original YOLO algorithm, the accuracy of the proposed algorithm is improved by 16.01%. By combining the optimization of the position regression loss function of GIOU (Generalized Intersection Over Union), the overall system accuracy can reach 92.7%, which improves the performance by 21.28% compared with the original YOLOv3 algorithm.
The Circular Economy Business Model: Examining Consumers’ Acceptance of Recycled Goods
Authors: Calvo-Porral Cristina , Lévy-Mangin Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2020

The circular economy strategy supports the transformation of the linear consumption model into a closed-production model to achieve economic sustainability, with the consumers’ acceptance of circular products being one of the major challenges. Further, one important aspect of product circularity remains unexplored, such as the consumers’ purchase intention of recycled circular goods. In this context, the present study proposes and tests a conceptual model on consumers acceptance of recycled goods through PLS Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), based on the data obtained from 312 respondents. Results indicate that the positive image of circular products is the most important driver of consumers’ acceptance, followed by the product perceived safety. This study provides an empirical foundation for the important role of consumers in circular economy business models through the examination of consumers’ acceptance of recycled goods.
On the Application of Actively and Passively Excited Guided Elastic Waves for the Monitoring of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics
Authors: Tschöke Kilian , Gaul Tobias , Pietzsch Alexander , Schulze Eberhard , Schubert Lars
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, fiber-reinforced plastics are found in numerous industrial applications, such as aerospace, automotive engineering, railway, and naval engineering. These materials have high tensile and flexural strengths and nevertheless a low density at the same time. The use of fiber-reinforced plastics is particularly relevant in areas where large masses have to be moved and accelerated. However, testing and monitoring these structures is still a challenge caused by the different damage behavior compared to metal structures. Non-visible structural changes, such as delaminations and fiber-fractures, may cause local degradation and finally the failure of the components. In this work, active and passive ultrasonic methods based on guided elastic waves are investigated for their applicability to carbon fiber-reinforced structures. Therefore, tensile tests with cyclically increasing load are carried out on specimens with different fiber orientations until complete failure. The acoustic emissions in the specimen during the load are recorded. As a second technique, actively excited guided waves are transmitted and received during the rest periods between the measuring ramps. Different parameters are extracted from the measured data, which allow the monitoring of the specimen’s degradation. A comparison of the results of the active and passive method follows. Finally, a combination of both methods is carried out addressing issues like its informative value and its sensitivity.
Effect of Different Working and Tool Parameters on Performance of Several Types of Cultivators
Authors: Abbaspour-Gilandeh Yousef , Fazeli Masoud , Roshanianfard Ali , Hernández-Hernández José Luis , Fuentes Penna Alejandro , Herrera-Miranda Israel
Published: May 2020

In this study, the effects of tillage depth, forward speed and soil moisture content during the cultivator operation on the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance were investigated using five types of cultivators. The experiments were performed in the factorial design based on the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in loamy sand soil. Different soil moisture contents (factor A) from 5 to 16% for dry soils and 17 to 35% for wet soils, forward speed of tractor (factor B) at four levels of 1.16, 1.61, 1.97, and 3.82 km/hand working depth (factor C) at two levels of 10 and 20 cm were selected. The analysis of variance results showed that the main effects on the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance were significant. With increasing the forward speed, working depth, and blade width, the draft force, energy requirement, and soil disturbance significantly increased. As the soil moisture content increased, the amount of draft force decreased. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement are related to the crescent cultivator and the lowest ones to the cultivator with a sweep blade. The maximum amounts of draft force and energy requirement at the speed of 3.82 km/h were 296.702 N and 0.03708 MJ in the dry conditions, respectively. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement are related to the crescent cultivator and the lowest ones to the cultivator with a sweep blade. The average maximum draft force and energy requirement in dry soil at 10–20 cm depth were 313.534 N and 0.039204 MJ, respectively, and the lowest values were 189 N and 0.019512 MJ in wet soil at the depth of 0–10 cm, respectively. The highest mean value of the area obtained from the profiles was 254.62 cm2 related to the dry conditions and forward speed of 3.82 km/h, and the lowest mean value of the area obtained in the wet conditions was 199.6 cm2 at the forward speed of 1.16 km/h. The highest average area obtained from the profiles was observed in the dry conditions for C4 as 434.813 cm2 and the lowest one was 57.94 cm2 in the wet conditions for the cultivator with a chisel blade and L-shaped shank. The highest average area created by cultivators at the 10–20 cm depth in the dry conditions was 332.875 cm2 and the lowest one at the 0–10 cm depth in the wet conditions was 123.55 cm2. The results of this study can help the designers and manufacturers of agricultural machinery to effectively design and manufacture the machinery with optimum draft and energy requirements.
Crop Sensor Based Non-destructive Estimation of Nitrogen Nutritional Status, Yield, and Grain Protein Content in Wheat
Authors: Aranguren Marta , Castellón Ander , Aizpurua Ana
Published: May 2020

Minimum NNI (Nitrogen Nutrition Index) values have been developed for each key growing stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to achieve high grain yields and grain protein content (GPC). However, the determination of NNI is time-consuming. This study aimed to (i) determine if the NNI can be predicted using the proximal sensing tools RapidScan CS-45 (NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge)) and Yara N-TesterTM and if a single model for several growing stages could be used to predict the NNI (or if growing stage-specific models would be necessary); (ii) to determine if yield and GPC can be predicted using both tools; and (iii) to determine if the predictions are improved using normalized values rather than absolute values. Field trials were established for three consecutive growing seasons where different N fertilization doses were applied. The tools were applied during stem elongation, leaf-flag emergence, and mid-flowering. In the same stages, the plant biomass was sampled, N was analyzed, and the NNI was calculated. The NDVI was able to estimate the NNI with a single model for all growing stages (R2 = 0.70). RapidScan indexes were able to predict the yield at leaf-flag emergence with normalized values (R2 = 0.70–0.76). The sensors were not able to predict GPC. Data normalization improved the model for yield but not for NNI prediction.
Impacts of Spatial Zonation Schemes on Yield Potential Estimates at the Regional Scale
Authors: Xu Hao , Huang Fen , Zuo Wenjun , Tian Yongchao , Zhu Yan , Cao Weixing , Zhang Xiaohu
Published: May 2020

Simulations based on site-specific crop growth models have been widely used to obtain regional yield potential estimates for food security assessments at the regional scale. By dividing a region into nonoverlapping basic spatial units using appropriate zonation schemes, the data required to run a crop growth model can be reduced, thereby improving the simulation efficiency. In this study, we explored the impacts of different zonation schemes on estimating the regional yield potential of the Chinese winter wheat area to obtain the most appropriate spatial zonation scheme of weather sites therein. Our simulated results suggest that the upscaled site-specific yield potential is affected by the zonation scheme and by the spatial distribution of sites. As such, the distribution of a small number of sites significantly affected the simulated regional yield potential under different zonation schemes, and the zonation scheme based on sunshine duration clustering zones could effectively guarantee the simulation accuracy at the regional scale. Using the most influential environmental variable of crop growth models for clustering can get the better zonation scheme to upscale the site-specific simulation results. In contrast, a large number of sites had little effect on the regional yield potential simulation results under the different zonation schemes.
Challenges for Simulating Growth and Phenology of Silage Maize in a Nordic Climate with APSIM
Authors: Morel Julien , Parsons David , Halling Magnus A. , Kumar Uttam , Peake Allan , Bergkvist Göran , Brown Hamish , Hetta Mårten
Published: May 2020

APSIM Next Generation was used to simulate the phenological development and biomass production of silage maize for high latitudes (i.e., >55°). Weather and soil data were carefully specified, as they are important drivers of the development and growth of the crop. Phenology related parameters were calibrated using a factorial experiment of simulations and the minimization of the root mean square error of observed and predicted phenological scaling. Results showed that the model performed well in simulating the phenology of the maize, but largely underestimated the production of biomass. Several factors could explain the discrepancy between observations and predictions of above-ground dry matter yield, such as the current formalization of APSIM for simulating the amount of radiation absorbed by the crop at high latitudes, as the amount of diffuse light and intercepted light increases with latitude. Another factor that can affect the accuracy of the predicted biomass is the increased duration of the day length observed at high latitudes. Indeed, APSIM does not yet formalize the effects of extreme day length on the balance between photorespiration and photosynthesis on the final balance of biomass production. More field measurements are required to better understand the drivers of the underestimation of biomass production, with a particular focus on the light interception efficiency and the radiation use efficiency.
Antimicrobial Isoflavones and Derivatives from Erythrina (Fabaceae): Structure Activity Perspective (Sar & Qsar) on Experimental and Mined Values Against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sadgrove Nicholas J. , Oliveira Tiago B. , Khumalo Gugulethu P. , van Vuuren Sandy F. , van Wyk Ben-Erik
Published: May 2020

Prenylated (iso)flavonoids, -flavans and pterocarpans from taxa in Erythrina are repeatedly flagged as potent antimicrobial compounds. In the current study, bark from E. lysistemon was extracted and seven isoflavone derivatives were purified: erybraedin A (1), phaseollidin (2), abyssinone V-4′ methyl ether (3), eryzerin C (4), alpumisoflavone (5), cristacarpin (6) and lysisteisoflavone (7). Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values were determined against a range of species of bacteria (skin pathogens), then values for another 67 derivatives from Erythrina, only against Staphylococcus aureus, were mined from the literature. Of the seven isolates, MIC values widely ranged from 1–600 μg/mL, with no obvious pattern of selectivity for Gram-types. Nevertheless, using the mined and experimentally determined values against S. aureus, Klekota-Roth fragments (Structure Activity Relationship: SAR) were determined then used as molecular descriptors to make a ‘decision tree’ based on structural characters inspired by the classes of antimicrobial potency (classes A-D). Furthermore, to make quantitative predictions of MIC values (Quantitative SAR: QSAR) ‘pace regression’ was utilized and validated (R² = 0.778, Q² = 0.727 and P² = 0.555). Evidently, the position and degree of prenylation is important; however, the presence of hydroxyl groups at positions 5 and 7 in ring A and 4′ in ring B is associated with lower MIC values. While antimicrobial results continue to validate the traditional use of E. lysistemon extracts (or Erythrina generally) in therapeutic applications consistent with anti-infection, it is surprising that this class of compound is not being utilized more often in general industry applications, such as food or cosmetic preservation, or in topical antimicrobial creams. Prenylated (iso)flavonoids are derived from several other Genera, such as Dorstenia (Moraceae), Ficus (Moraceae), Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae), Paulownia (Lamiales) or Pomifera (Moraceae).
Omics for Bioprospecting and Drug Discovery from Bacteria and Microalgae
Authors: Maghembe Reuben , Damian Donath , Makaranga Abdalah , Nyandoro Stephen Samwel , Lyantagaye Sylvester Leonard , Kusari Souvik , Hatti-Kaul Rajni
Published: May 2020

“Omics” represent a combinatorial approach to high-throughput analysis of biological entities for various purposes. It broadly encompasses genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. Bacteria and microalgae exhibit a wide range of genetic, biochemical and concomitantly, physiological variations owing to their exposure to biotic and abiotic dynamics in their ecosystem conditions. Consequently, optimal conditions for adequate growth and production of useful bacterial or microalgal metabolites are critically unpredictable. Traditional methods employ microbe isolation and ‘blind’-culture optimization with numerous chemical analyses making the bioprospecting process laborious, strenuous, and costly. Advances in the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have offered a platform for the pan-genomic analysis of microbes from community and strain downstream to the gene level. Changing conditions in nature or laboratory accompany epigenetic modulation, variation in gene expression, and subsequent biochemical profiles defining an organism’s inherent metabolic repertoire. Proteome and metabolome analysis could further our understanding of the molecular and biochemical attributes of the microbes under research. This review provides an overview of recent studies that have employed omics as a robust, broad-spectrum approach for screening bacteria and microalgae to exploit their potential as sources of drug leads by focusing on their genomes, secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathway genes, transcriptomes, and metabolomes. We also highlight how recent studies have combined molecular biology with analytical chemistry methods, which further underscore the need for advances in bioinformatics and chemoinformatics as vital instruments in the discovery of novel bacterial and microalgal strains as well as new drug leads.
The Delayed Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue in Experimental Rat Brain Trauma
Authors: Genrikhs Elizaveta E. , Stelmashook Elena V. , Voronkov Dmitriy N. , Novikova Svetlana V. , Alexandrova Olga P. , Gulyaev Mikhail V. , Isaev Nickolay K.
Published: May 2020

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), an increase in dysfunction of the limbs contralateral to injury focus was observed. Using different behavioral tests, we found that a single intravenous injection of methylene blue (MB, 1 mg/kg) 30 min after the injury reduced the impairment of the motor functions of the limbs from 7 to 120 days after TBI. Administration of methylene blue 30 min after the injury and then monthly (six injections in total) was the most effective both in terms of preservation of limb function and duration of therapeutic action. This therapeutic effect was clearly manifested from the seventh day and continued until the end of the experiment—by the 180th day after TBI. MB is known to possess antioxidant properties; it has a protective effect against TBI by promoting autophagy and minimizing lesion volume in the first two weeks after TBI. Studies of the brains on the 180th day after TBI demonstrated that the monthly treatment of animals with MB statistically significantly prevented an increase in the density of microglial cells in the ipsilateral hemisphere and a decrease in the thickness of the corpus callosum in the contralateral hemisphere in comparison with untreated animals. However, on the 180th day after TBI, the magnetic resonance imaging scan of the animal brains did not show a significant reduction in the volume of the lesion in MB-treated animals. These findings are important for understanding the development of the long-term effects of TBI and expand the required therapeutic window for targeted neuroprotective interventions.
Multi-Objective Function for SWIPT System by SADDE
Authors: Chien Wei , Chiu Chien-Ching , Cheng Yu-Ting , Fang Wei-Lin , Lim Eng Hock
Published: May 2020

Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) optimization with multiple objective function optimization is presented in the millimeter band in this paper. Three different objective functions that are used for harvest power (HP), capacity, and bit error rate (BER) were studied. There are three different nodes in real environment for wireless power transfer (WPT) and SWIPT. The channel estimation calculated by shooting and bouncing ray/image techniques includes multi-path, fading effect, and path-loss in the real environment. We applied beamforming techniques at the transmitter to focus the transmitter energy in order to reduce the multi-path effect and adjust the length of the feed line on each array element in order to find the extremum of the objective functions by the self-adaptive dynamic differential evolution (SADDE) method. Numerical results showed that SWIPT node cannot achieve good performance by single objective function, but wireless power transfer (WPT) can. Nevertheless, both WPT and SWIPT nodes can meet the criteria by the multiple objective function. The harvesting power ratio as well as the BER and capacity can be improved by the multiple objective function to an acceptable level by only reducing a little harvesting energy compared to the best harvesting energy for the single objective function. Finally, the multiple optimization function cannot merely provide good information quality for SWIPT node but achieve good total harvesting power for WPT and SWIPT node as well.
On the Asymptotic Behavior of Advanced Differential Equations with a Non-Canonical Operator
Authors: Bazighifan Omar , Dassios Ioannis
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we aim to study the oscillatory behavior of a class of even-order advanced differential equations with a non-canonical operator. In addition, we present results on the asymptotic behavior of this type of equations and provide an example that illustrates our main results.
PAGE—Practical AES-GCM Encryption for Low-End Microcontrollers
Authors: Kim Kyungho , Choi Seungju , Kwon Hyeokdong , Kim Hyunjun , Liu Zhe , Seo Hwajeong
Published: May 2020

An optimized AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) implementation of Galois Counter Mode of operation (GCM) on low-end microcontrollers is presented in this paper. Two optimization methods are applied to proposed implementations. First, the AES counter (CTR) mode of operation is speed-optimized and ensures constant timing. The main idea is replacing expensive AES operations, including AddRound Key, SubBytes, ShiftRows, and MixColumns, into simple look-up table access. Unlike previous works, the look-up table does not require look-up table updates during the entire encryption life-cycle. Second, the core operation of Galois Counter Mode (GCM) is optimized further by using Karatsuba algorithm, compact register utilization, and pre-computed operands. With above optimization techniques, proposed AES-GCM on 8-bit AVR (Alf and Vegard’s RISC processor) architecture from short-term, middle-term to long-term security levels achieved 415, 466, and 477 clock cycles per byte, respectively.
Energy Capacity of Waffle-Flat-Plate Structures with Hysteretic Dampers Subjected to Bidirectional Seismic Loadings
Authors: Donaire-Ávila Jesús , Galé-Lamuela David
Published: May 2020

This study investigates the capacity, in terms of energy, of waffle-flat-plate (WFP) structures with hysteretic dampers subjected to biaxial seismic actions. A numerical model was developed and calibrated with the experimental results obtained from shake-table testing carried out on a WFP specimen subjected to biaxial seismic loads. Then the WFP system was retrofitted with hysteretic dampers—slit-plate dampers (SPDs)—and the numerical model was subjected to different sets of ordinary ground motion records to attain different seismic performance levels (SPLs). Each set of records was applied in a sequence of scaled seismic simulations until the SPL of near collapse was achieved. The capacity in terms of input energy and dissipated energy are presented for the different SPLs, taking into account the differences observed under unidirectional and bidirectional seismic loadings. Furthermore, the level of damage (i.e., accumulated plastic deformations), the level of ductility and the relationship between them—expressed as equivalent number of cycles—are also shown for both the WFP system and the hysteretic dampers. The seismic capacity of the WFP system is found to be significantly enhanced by the inclusion of hysteretic dampers.
Bayesian Filtering Multi-Baseline Phase Unwrapping Method Based on a Two-Stage Programming Approach
Authors: Gao YanDong , Tang XinMing , Li Tao , Chen QianFu , Zhang Xiang , Li ShiJin , Lu Jing
Published: May 2020

Phase unwrapping (PU) has been a key step in the processing of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data, and its processing accuracy will directly affect the reconstruction results of digital elevation models (DEMs). The traditional single-baseline (SB) PU must be calculated under continuity assumptions. However, multi-baseline (MB) PU can get rid of the limitation of continuity assumption, so reasonable results can be obtained in regions with large gradient changes. However, the poor noise robustness of MBPU has always been a key problem. To address this issue, we transplant three Bayesian filtering methods with a two-stage programming approach (TSPA), and propose corresponding MBPU models. First, we propose a gradient-estimation method based on the first step of TSPA, and then the corresponding PU model is determined according to different Bayesian filtering. Finally, the wrapped phase can be obtained by unwrapping, one by one, using an effective quality map based on heapsort. These methods can improve the robustness of the MBPU methods. More significantly, this paper establishes a novel TSPA-based Bayesian filtering MBPU framework for the first time. This is of great significance for broadening the research of MBPU. The proposed methods experiments on simulated and real MB InSAR datasets. From the results, we can see that the TSPA-based Bayesian filtering MBPU framework can significantly improve the robustness of the MBPU method.
A Review of In-Vivo and In-Vitro Real-Time Corrosion Monitoring Systems of Biodegradable Metal Implants
Authors: Yin Yee Chin Priscilla , Cheok Quentin , Glowacz Adam , Caesarendra Wahyu
Published: May 2020

In current modern medicine, biodegradable metal implants are still considered a work-in-progress between the collaborations of both scientists and engineers. As of now, one of the obstacles to this development is monitoring the corrosion rate of the implant. When a biodegradable metal implant (made of Mg, Zn, etc.) is introduced into the harsh environment of the human body, corrosion naturally occurs, causing metal ions to be released which may result in undesired health effects. The released products of the corroding implant can be used to monitor the implant condition. This paper discusses the current real-time corrosion monitoring systems (i.e., electrochemical-, microsensor-, and microdialysis-based) in-vivo and in-vitro. It is acknowledged that the progress in this sector still requires extensive research in order to obtain a desirable monitoring system and it is hoped that this review paper contributes to the research.
Evaluation of a Sabatier Reaction Utilizing Hydrogen Produced by Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules under Outdoor Conditions
Authors: Wai SoeHtet , Ota Yasuyuki , Sugiyama Masakazu , Nishioka Kensuke
Published: May 2020

Power to gas (P2G) process chains have tremendous potential to enhance energy systems because of the capability of solar energy to convert solar radiation into electrical energy as well as the increasing use of specific gases as a means to store the resulting energy. Utilizing sunlight, photovoltaic systems are capable of producing useful gases such as hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4). These gases are utilized in gas grids, transportation, and heavy industry. In employing a sunlight-derived gas, H2 production, by water disbanding, needs to be cost-effective with tremendous adaptability. New powerful solar to gas conversion system modules have been successfully carried out in the University of Miyazaki, Japan. These systems contain DC/DC converters and electrolyzer sets linked in parallel with efficient three concentrator photovoltaics (CPV). The performance of the solar to methane conversion process and power consumption analysis will be the focus of the current research. Efficiencies of 97.6% of CO2 to CH4 conversion and 13.8% for solar to methane on a clear sunny day were obtained by utilizing highly efficient CPV modules connected with multiple converters, electrochemical cells, and reactors fixed with Ni-based catalysts.
Content-Sensitive Superpixel Generation with Boundary Adjustment
Authors: Zhang Dong , Xie Gang , Ren Jinchang , Zhang Zhe , Bao Wenliang , Xu Xinying
Published: May 2020

Superpixel segmentation has become a crucial tool in many image processing and computer vision applications. In this paper, a novel content-sensitive superpixel generation algorithm with boundary adjustment is proposed. First, the image local entropy was used to measure the amount of information in the image, and the amount of information was evenly distributed to each seed. It placed more seeds to achieve the lower under-segmentation in content-dense regions, and placed the fewer seeds to increase computational efficiency in content-sparse regions. Second, the Prim algorithm was adopted to generate uniform superpixels efficiently. Third, a boundary adjustment strategy with the adaptive distance further optimized the superpixels to improve the performance of the superpixel. Experimental results on the Berkeley Segmentation Database show that our method outperforms competing methods under evaluation metrics.
Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Waste Vegetable Oil
Authors: Elias Samya , Rabiu Ademola M , Okeleye Benjamin I , Okudoh Vincent , Oyekola Oluwaseun
Published: May 2020

Bifunctional solid catalysts facilitate the esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) into alkyl esters alongside the transesterification reaction, which allows for the use of waste vegetable oils with high water and FFA contents for biodiesel production. This makes the process economically viable and greener, as the waste fats and oils are readily available. The concurrent esterification and transesterification of waste palm oil (WPO) and waste sunflower oil (WSO) with methanol was investigated in the presence of calcium oxide on alumina catalyst in a conventional batch process. The catalyst characterization showed the existence of calcium oxide aluminates (calcined at 750 °C), which exhibited crystalline phases with porous/spongy-like particles. The high concentration of CaO in CaO/Al2O3 was a favorable support material in the heterogeneously-catalyzed transesterification reactions. The optimum catalyst parameters for the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were observed at 65 °C for 4 h with a methanol-to-oil ratio of 9:1, 60% (waste palm oil, or WPO) and 80% (waste sunflower oil, or WSO), CaO/Al2O3 (% wt/wt) catalyst ratio as well as 4% CaO/Al2O3 concentration (% wt.) for WSO and WPO. The simultaneous esterification/transesterification reactions at optimum conditions on WPO and WSO led to high yield of FAMEs of 89, 61 and 55% for WPO and 54, 75 and 98% for WSO at catalyst ratios (wt %) of 60, 70 and 80% respectively. The use of bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst (CaO/Al2O3) with waste vegetable oil can result in high performance and the upscaling of biodiesel production.