bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OPTIMASI LERENG TERASERING UNTUK PENANGGULANGAN LONGSOR DENGAN ANALISIS METODE FELLENIUS
Authors: Mawardi Mawardi
Published: September 2020

Kawasan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Air (PLTA) Musi Kabupaten Kepahiang merupakan kawasan perbukitan yang memiliki lereng-lereng curam yang rawan terhadap kelongsoran. Salah satu peristiwa longsor terjadi pada awal bulan Oktober 2017 tepatnya terjadi di jalan lintas antara Desa Susup Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah dan Kecamatan Ujan Mas Kabupaten Kepahiang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisisa stabilitas lereng terasering dengan menggunakan Metode Fellenius. Hasil pengujian sifat fisis tanah menunjukan bahwa tanah pada lereng dikawasan PLTA Musi Kepahiang adalah tanah lempung. Lereng yang diteliti di kawasan PLTA Musi semuanya rawan terhadap kelongsor karena faktor keamanan, FK < 1,5. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian pada lereng 1 tipe lereng yang paling aman nilai faktor keamanan adalah tipe lereng terasering trap 3 kemiringan 19o,   FK = 1,61  lebih besar dari nilai faktor keamanan tipe lereng terasering trap 2 kemiringan 19o, FK = 1,57 dan nilai faktor keamanan tipe lereng aman kemiringan 19o, FK = 1,519 serta nilai faktor keamanan tipe lereng asli kemiringan 30o, FK = 0,88.Kata Kunci :Metode Fellenius, Faktor keamana lereng (FK),  TeraseringABSTRACTThe Musi Hydroelectric Power Plant area in Kepahiang Regency is a hilly area that has steep slopes that are prone to landslides. One of the landslides that occurred at October 2017 precisely occurred on a highway between Susup Village, Bengkulu Tengah Regency and Ujan Mas District, Kepahiang Regency. This study aims to analyze the slope stability of the terraces using the Fellenius Method. The results of testing the physical properties of the soil indicate that the soil on the slopes of the area of the Musi Hydroelectric Power Plant is clay. The slopes studied in the Musi hydropower area are all prone to landslides because safety factor, FK <1.5. Based on the results of the research on the slopes of the safest type 1 slope the value of the safety factor is the type of slope of the slope trap 3, 19o,FK = 1,61 greater than the safety factor value of slope type 2 slope trap 19o,         FK = 1,57 and safe slope type safety factor value slope of 19o, FK = 1.519 and the value of the safety factor of the original slope type of slope 30o, FK = 0.88.Keywords: Fellenius Method, Safe Factor (SF),  Terraces
PEMBUDAYAAN NILAI-NILAI PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM MULTIKULTURAL PADA AKADEMI KEPERAWATAN PEMERINTAH KABUPATEN GRESIK
Authors: Wahyudi Elvi
Published: September 2020

Keperawatan merupakan salah satu bentuk pelayanan kesehatan. Selain diharapkan meningkatkan dan mengembangkan potensi dalam pelayanan kesehatan, dalam konteks Keberagaman (multikultural) perawat juga dituntut mampu memberikan pelayanan sesuai dengan nilai-nilai Islam. Jenis penelitian adalah kualitatif  dengan pendekatan etnografi yang mengambil setting di Akademi Keperawatan Pemerintah Kabupaten Gresik. Teknik pengambilan data yang dilakukan menggunakan teknik wawancara, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi. Implikasi hasil penelitian ini secara berhubungan dengan teori nilai pendidikan agama Islam berbasis multikultural dalam dunia keperawatan sedangkan secara praktis berimplikasi terhadap Akademi Keperawatan Pemerintah Kabupaten Gresik dalam rangka pembinaan mahasiswa yang beraneka sebagai persiapan profesi sebagai perawat harus memiliki pengaruh terhadap tingkah laku, sikap dan pola pikir. Demikian juga bagi pihak pemerintah baik pemerintah daerah, provinsi maupun pusat dalam  pengembangan nilai-nilai pendidikan agama Islam multikultural.Kata kunci: keperawatan, multikultural, nilai-nilai, pelayanan, Islam The study of Multicultural Islamic Education in the multicultural society’s social interaction relationship in Laban illustrates the social interactions of the people of Laban which have educational values of children and succeding generations. The findings of this study are; 1) the existance of the multicultural character of the people of Laban through the habit of imitating the prevailing traditions of ancestors and imitating what parents do and commanded. 2) there is no balance between literal / textual with contextual learning. From these findings, can be taken lesson in the education theory as follows: 1) multiculturalism in the character of society will be better if more often conduct social interaction activities. 2) There is a need for a balance between text and context to produce moderate education. Because the education that is conduct through experience and giving examples of reality will produce a realistic understanding, but there is no detailed explanation yet. Meanwhile, the development of education conducted through the understanding and delivery of material according to the literature will generate theoretical knowledge, has not guaranteed appropriate in its implementation in reality.Keywords: nursing, multicultural, values, service, Islam
Analysis of the Effect of Work Motivation on Nurse Performance at PUSKESMAS
Authors: Abidin Ali Zaenal
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the phenomenon and obtain empirical evidence, as well as conclusions about the effect of work motivation on the performance of the nurses at Community Health Center. This research uses quantitative descriptive methods. The type of data used is primary data. The sample used was 125 nurses. Data processed using SPSS 19 program. The results showed that (1) Simple Linear Regression Test Results produced a regression equation: Y = 22,292 + 0605 X. (2) The results of the correlation coefficient test of 0.522 included in the medium category. This means that work motivation has a moderate relationship with performance variables. (3) Determination Coefficient Test Results are 0.273. This means that work motivation variables contribute 27.3% to the performance variable. The remaining 72.7% is influenced by other factors not examined. (4) From the t test table it can be seen that t arithmetic> t table, which is 6,792> 0,676, meaning that the work motivation variable has a positive and significant effect on the performance  of the nurses at Community Health Center
The Effect of Entrepreneurship Training, the Ability to Use Technology and Education on the Productivity of Women Entrepreneurs of UMKM
Authors: Sri Dewi , Margareta Clara
Published: September 2020

This study aims to prove the effect of training, skill in using technology, and level of education to productivity of women enterpreneur in Palembang. This study is conducted with quantitative method using primary data through a survey of women enterpreneur in Palembang. Totally 50 questionnaires are distributed to the women enterpreneur while there are only 42 (84%) complete questionnaires used in this study. The data analyses technique use validity, reliability, test of classical assumption, and  hypothesis includes multiple linear regression analysis. The results of study indicate that the training of enterpreneur, the skill in using technology, and level of education gave effect to productivity. Determination Coefficient Test (R ²) shows Adjusted R Square of 0.783. This indicates that 78% of the Productivity variable can be explained by the variables of entrepreneurship training, ability to utilize technology, and education.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning of the Heart: Protective Responses in Functional and Biophysical Properties of Cardiac Mitochondria
Authors: FERKO M. , KANCIROVÁ I. , JAŠOVÁ M. , ČARNICKÁ S. , MURÁRIKOVÁ M. , WACZULÍKOVÁ I. , SUMBALOVÁ Z. , KUCHARSKÁ J. , ULIČNÁ O. , RAVINGEROVÁ T. , ZIEGELHÖFFER A.
Published: September 2020

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP)-induced protection of myocardial energetics was well documented on the level of tissue, but data concerning the involvement of mitochondria were missing. We aimed at the identification of changes in membrane properties and respiratory functions induced in rat heart mitochondria by RIP. Experiments were performed on 46 male Wistar rats divided into control and RIP-treated groups of 21 animals each. Blood flow in the occluded area was recorded by MRI angiography in four animals. RIP protocol comprised of three successive 5-min occlusions each followed by 5-min reperfusions of descending branches of the right hind limb femoral artery. The efficacy of RIP was evaluated as the extent of RIP-induced protection against damage to the functions of mitochondria isolated by differential centrifugation after 30-min global ischemia followed by 40-min reperfusion of the hearts in Langendorff mode. Assessments: mitochondrial membrane fluidity with a fluorescent probe DPH, CoQ9 and CoQ10 with HPLC, mitochondrial respiration with the Oxygraph-2k (Oroboros). Results revealed that RIP was affecting the mitochondria. The immediate protection conferred by RIP involves beneficial and prognostically significant effects: a total elimination of ischemia/reperfusion-induced depression of mitochondrial membrane fluidity and a trend for better preservation of mitochondrial state 3 respiration.
CT Imaging and Spontaneous Behavior Analysis After Osmotic Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Wistar Rat
Authors: KOZLER P. , RILJAK V. , JANDOVÁ K. , POKORNÝ J.
Published: September 2020

In our previous experiments we demonstrated that osmotic opening of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in rats by administration of mannitol into the internal carotid artery leads to cerebral edema. The aim of this study was to confirm objectively the development of brain edema and determine whether it affects spontaneous locomotor activity in rats (SLA). Brain edema was verified by computer tomography (CT) examination of the brain and SLA was observed during open field test. Twenty four adult male rats were divided into four groups of six: (1) control animals (C), (2) controls with anesthesia (CA), (3) controls with sham surgery (CS), (4) experimental – osmotic opening of the BBB (MA). Osmotic BBB disruption manifested by reducing the density of brain tissue (hypodensity), suggesting a higher water content in the brain tissue. SLA was compared between C, CA, CS and MA groups and between MA and CA groups. Significant difference was found only between the control group and MA group. In the first 30 min of the examination, rats after the mannitol administration revealed a marked limitation of spontaneous locomotor activity. Experimental results demonstrated reduction of spontaneous locomotor activity in rats with induced brain edema.
KEJAHATAN KORPORASI: SUATU TINJAUAN TENTANG BENTUK KEJAHATAN DAN TANGGUNG JAWABNYA
Authors: Amin Mhd.
Published: September 2020

Dengan penguasaan kehidupan ekonomi yang begitu kuat, maka tidak mengherankan, jika korporasi dapat mempengaruhi dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan “Ipoleksosbudhankam” (ideologi, politik, ekonomi, sosial budaya, pertahanan dan keamanan). Beberapa aspek kondisi Ipoleksosbudhankam tersebut di samping mewarnai gejala sosial umum yang rutin dan wajar, juga melahirkan bentuk-bentuk kejahatan korporasi. Menurut Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana (KUHP), pandangan terhadap subyek delik yang dapat dipertanggungjawabkan hanyalah orang. Korporasi/badan hukum dianggap bukan sebagai subyek delik, bila terjadi suatu perbuatan melawan hukum, maka penguruslah yang harus bertanggungjawab. Di Negara Belanda sendiri persoalan tentang dapat atau tidaknya suatu korporasi dipertanggungjawabkan, juga telah mengalami perdebatan yang sengit antara pemerintah dan DPR yang pada akhirnya melahirkan doktrin yang intinya badan hukum tidak dapat dipidana.
The Political Economy of Designing Bilateral Investment Treaties
Authors: Zhang Jiayi
Published: September 2020

Why do some bilateral investment treaties provide a high level of dispute settlement protection to investors while others do not? It has been widely debated whether bilateral investment treaties are economic agreements or political tools. Both economic and political approaches have produced some solid evidence to shed light on the proliferation of bilateral investment treaties. Yet neither of them has provided a satisfactory answer. We believe bilateral investment treaties, as a form of international treaty by nature, should have both economic and geopolitical implications, and thus a good explanation needs to address both economic and geopolitical motivations. We argue that both economic and geopolitical considerations shape states’ preferences in designing dispute settlement provisions. Specifically, economic needs have positive effects while geopolitical needs have negative ones on the strength of dispute settlement provisions.
Why Do Lobbying, Protest, and Other Forms of Advocacy Often Fail to Affect Policy? Some Possible Explanations
Authors: Burstein Paul
Published: September 2020

Researchers asking whether policy is affected by social movement organizations, interest groups, and other types of advocacy organizations usually expect the answer to be yes. More often than not, their expectations are disappointed. This paper considers why, considering whether the impact of advocacy is affected by which issues and polities are studied, how advocacy and policy are measured, the amount of advocacy, status quo bias, and the connection between advocacy and public opinion. Through a research synthesis of work on advocacy and policy, the paper finds that estimates of impact are probably affected by measurement, the paucity of advocacy on many issues, and whether public opinion is considered together with advocacy; but probably not by the selection of issues and polities or status quo bias. The findings lead to suggestions for improvements in research design that would enhance our understanding of the links between advocacy and policy.
Pyrolysis Improves the Effect of Straw Amendment on the Productivity of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
Authors: Głąb Tomasz , Gondek Krzysztof , Mierzwa-Hersztek Monika
Published: September 2020

The use of straw as a soil amendment is a well-known and recommended agronomy practice, but it can lead to negative effects on the soil and crop yield. It has been hypothesized that many problems related to the burying of straw can be overcome by pyrolyzing it. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of straw and its biochar on the biomass production of perennial ryegrass. A pot-based experiment was conducted with three factors: (i) the crop species used as feedstock, (ii) raw or pyrolyzed organic material, and (iii) the rate of organic amendments. The soil in the pots was amended with straw and biochar produced from Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) or winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). After soil amendment application, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seeds were sown. During two years of the experiment, the perennial ryegrass above-ground biomass production and root biomass and morphology parameters were determined. Straw and biochar resulted in higher perennial ryegrass above-ground biomass compared with that of the non-fertilized control. However, straw amendment resulted in lower plant yields of above-ground biomass than those of the biochar treatments or the mineral fertilizer control treatment. The feedstock type (Miscanthus or wheat) significantly affected the perennial ryegrass yield. No difference was observed among wheat and Miscanthus biochar, while among straws, Miscanthus resulted in lower perennial ryegrass productivity (the higher rate of straw and biochar as soil amendments resulted in relatively high perennial ryegrass productivity). The organic amendments resulted in relatively high root biomass and length. The root:shoot ratio was lower in the treatments in which biochar was used, whereas feedstock species and amendment rate were not statistically significant for any of the root biomass and morphometric parameters. The results suggest that the use of pyrolyzed straw can be a reliable strategy instead of straw, increasing ryegrass growth and productivity.
The Mineral Composition of Wild-Type and Cultivated Varieties of Pasture Species
Authors: Darch Tegan , McGrath Steve P. , Lee Michael R. F. , Beaumont Deborah A. , Blackwell Martin S. A. , Horrocks Claire A. , Evans Jessica , Storkey Jonathan
Published: September 2020

Mineral deficiencies in livestock are often prevented by using prophylactic supplementation, which is imprecise and inefficient. Instead, the trend for increased species diversity in swards is an opportunity to improve mineral concentrations in the basal diet. Currently, there are limited data on the mineral concentrations of different species and botanical groups, particularly for I and Se, which are among the most deficient minerals in livestock diets. We grew 21 pasture species, including some cultivar/wild type comparisons, of grasses, legumes and forbs, as single species stands in a pot study in a standard growth medium. Herbage concentrations of Co, Cu, I, Mn, Se, Zn, S, Mo and Fe showed no consistent differences between the wild and cultivated types. There were significant differences between botanical groups for many minerals tested. Forbs were highest in I and Se, grasses in Mn and legumes in Cu, Co, Zn and Fe. Comparing species concentrations to recommended livestock intakes, the forbs Achillea millefolium, Cichorium intybus and Plantago lanceolata, and the legumes Medicago lupulina, Trifolium hybridum and Lotus corniculatus, appear to be good sources of Co, Cu, I, Se and Zn. Further work is required to ensure these results are consistent in multispecies mixtures, in different soil types and in field trials.
Effect of Some Citrus Essential Oils on Post-Harvest Shelf Life and Physicochemical Quality of Strawberries during Cold Storage
Authors: Shehata Said A. , Abdeldaym Emad A. , Ali Marwa R. , Mohamed Reda M. , Bob Rwotonen I. , Abdelgawad Karima F.
Published: September 2020

Utilization of essential oils alone or incorporation with edible films is an appropriate technique to conserve the quality attributes and reduce post-harvest deterioration in fresh vegetables and fruits. Strawberries, being perishable fruits have a short shelf life, and using essential oils is considered one of the most suitable methods to prolong their shelf life during storage. The current study assessed the impact of different essential oils, including lemon oil (L), orange oil (O) and mandarin oil (M) on the physicochemical and microbial load of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Festival) stored at 2 ± 1 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 18 days. The differences in the physicochemical and microbial properties of strawberries were assessed by determining the following parameter changes: weight loss, decay percentage, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, color, anthocyanins, vitamin C, total phenol, total antioxidant, catalase activity, polyphenol oxidase activity, sensory evaluation, microbial content, total coliforms, molds, and yeasts. The results of this study indicated that the fruits treated with all essential oils treatments (L, O and M) had higher total antioxidant content and physicochemical properties than untreated fruits, due to protection against the microbial growth of molds, and yeasts. At the end of the storage period, the treated fruits showed a greater acceptance and sensory attributes than the untreated fruits. Furthermore, the correlation study showed a significant and negative relationship between the total antioxidant of treated fruits and following quality attributes including, weight loss, decay percentage, respiration rate soluble solids content, polyphenol oxidase activity, molds, and yeasts. It is noteworthy that all the essential oil treatments extended the shelf-life of strawberries and delayed their deterioration up to 18 days.
Coat Color and Cat Outcomes in an Urban U.S. Shelter
Authors: Carini Robert M. , Sinski Jennifer , Weber Jonetta D.
Published: September 2020

Some nonhuman animal shelters have developed rehoming programs for black cats to remedy what they believe are their higher rates of euthanasia and lower rates of adoption. This study reviews humans’ preferences/aversions to cats of various coat colors and uses contingency tables and multinomial logistic regression to test possible differences in outcomes (euthanasia, adoption, or transfer) for 7983 cats that entered an urban public shelter in Kentucky, USA from 2010 through 2011. While coat color overall was negligibly associated with cat outcomes in a contingency table, the pairwise difference between black and white cats was significant (p < 0.05) and nontrivial in strength. Specifically, black cats experienced the highest euthanasia and lowest adoption rates, while white cats had the lowest euthanasia and highest adoption rates. Brown, gray, and orange cats experienced similar outcomes, but middling between those of black and white cats. These patterns by color remained weak but significant after controlling for breed and stray status in regression analysis, with the exception of orange and white, which did not differ significantly. A subsample of 1219 entirely black cats was analyzed to assess whether they had different outcomes during the run-up to Halloween; their October percentages of adoption and transfer were comparable to or lower than all other months of the calendar year. Thus, this study did not find that outcomes improved for black cats during October. Overall, this study provides weak support for what has been termed “Black Cat Bias” by others, and hints that black cats in public shelters should receive extra consideration for rehoming, particularly if such efforts do not substantially redirect resources from other initiatives.
Glutathione Supplementation as an Adjunctive Therapy in COVID-19
Authors: Guloyan Vika , Oganesian Buzand , Baghdasaryan Nicole , Yeh Christopher , Singh Manpreet , Guilford Frederick , Ting Yu-Sam , Venketaraman Vishwanath
Published: September 2020

Morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are due in large part to severe cytokine storm and hypercoagulable state brought on by dysregulated host-inflammatory immune response, ultimately leading to multi-organ failure. Exacerbated oxidative stress caused by increased levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) along with decreased levels of interferon α and interferon β (IFN-α, IFN-β) are mainly believed to drive the disease process. Based on the evidence attesting to the ability of glutathione (GSH) to inhibit viral replication and decrease levels of IL-6 in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) patients, as well as beneficial effects of GSH on other pulmonary diseases processes, we believe the use of liposomal GSH could be beneficial in COVID-19 patients. This review discusses the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical presentation of COVID-19 with a focus on its pathogenesis and the possible use of liposomal GSH as an adjunctive treatment to the current treatment modalities in COVID-19 patients.
Sex and SP-A2 Dependent NAD(H) Redox Alterations in Mouse Alveolar Macrophages in Response to Ozone Exposure: Potential Implications for COVID-19
Authors: Xu He N. , Lin Zhenwu , Gandhi Chintan K. , Amatya Shaili , Wang Yunhua , Li Lin Z. , Floros Joanna
Published: September 2020

Co-enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) redox plays a key role in macrophage function. Surfactant protein (SP-) A modulates the functions of alveolar macrophages (AM) and ozone (O3) exposure in the presence or absence of SP-A and reduces mouse survival in a sex-dependent manner. It is unclear whether and how NAD(H) redox status plays a role in the innate immune response in a sex-dependent manner. We investigated the NAD(H) redox status of AM from SP-A2 and SP-A knockout (KO) mice in response to O3 or filtered air (control) exposure using optical redox imaging technique. We found: (i) In SP-A2 mice, the redox alteration of AM in response to O3 showed sex-dependence with AM from males being significantly more oxidized and having a higher level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species than females; (ii) AM from KO mice were more oxidized after O3 exposure and showed no sex differences; (iii) AM from female KO mice were more oxidized than female SP-A2 mice; and (iv) Two distinct subpopulations characterized by size and redox status were observed in a mouse AM sample. In conclusions, the NAD(H) redox balance in AM responds to O3 in a sex-dependent manner and the innate immune molecule, SP-A2, contributes to this observed sex-specific redox response.
Pothole Classification Model Using Edge Detection in Road Image
Authors: Baek Ji-Won , Chung Kyungyong
Published: September 2020

Since the image related to road damage includes objects such as potholes, cracks, shadows, and lanes, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect a specific object. In this paper, we propose a pothole classification model using edge detection in road image. The proposed method converts RGB (red green and blue) image data, including potholes and other objects, to gray-scale to reduce the amount of computation. It detects all objects except potholes using an object detection algorithm. The detected object is removed, and a pixel value of 255 is assigned to process it as a background. In addition, to extract the characteristics of a pothole, the contour of the pothole is extracted through edge detection. Finally, potholes are detected and classified based by the (you only look once) YOLO algorithm. The performance evaluation evaluates the distortion rate and restoration rate of the image, and the validity of the model and accuracy of the classification. The result of the evaluation shows that the mean square error (MSE) of the distortion rate and restoration rate of the proposed method has errors of 0.2–0.44. The peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is evaluated as 50 db or higher. The structural similarity index map (SSIM) is evaluated as 0.71–0.82. In addition, the result of the pothole classification shows that the area under curve (AUC) is evaluated as 0.9.
DronAway: A Proposal on the Use of Remote Sensing Drones as Mobile Gateway for WSN in Precision Agriculture
Authors: García Laura , Parra Lorena , Jimenez Jose M. , Lloret Jaime , Mauri Pedro V. , Lorenz Pascal
Published: September 2020

The increase in the world population has led to new needs for food. Precision Agriculture (PA) is one of the focuses of these policies to optimize the crops and facilitate crop management using technology. Drones have been gaining popularity in PA to perform remote sensing activities such as photo and video capture as well as other activities such as fertilization or scaring animals. These drones could be used as a mobile gateway as well, benefiting from its already designed flight plan. In this paper, we evaluate the adequacy of remote sensing drones to perform gateway functionalities, providing a guide for choosing the best drone parameters for successful WiFi data transmission between sensor nodes and the gateway in PA systems for crop monitoring and management. The novelty of this paper compared with existing mobile gateway proposals is that we are going to test the performance of the drone that is acting as a remote sensing tool to carry a low-cost gateway node to gather the data from the nodes deployed on the field. Taking this in mind, simulations of different scenarios were performed to determine if the data can be transmitted correctly or not considering different flying parameters such as speed (from 1 to 20 m/s) and flying height (from 4 to 104 m) and wireless sensor network parameters such as node density (1 node each 60 m2 to 1 node each 5000 m2) and antenna coverage (25 to 200 m). We have calculated the time that each node remains with connectivity and the time required to send the data to estimate if the connection will be bad, good, or optimal. Results point out that for the maximum node density, there is only one combination that offers good connectivity (lowest velocity, the flying height of 24 m, and antenna with 25 m of coverage). For the other node densities, several combinations of flying height and antenna coverage allows good and optimal connectivity.
An Audio-Based Method for Assessing Proper Usage of Dry Powder Inhalers
Authors: Eleftheriadou Athina-Chara , Vafeiadis Anastasios , Lalas Antonios , Votis Konstantinos , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: September 2020

Critical technique errors are very often performed by patients in the use of Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) resulting in a reduction of the clinical efficiency of such medication. Those critical errors include: pure inhalation, non-arming of the device, no exhalation before or after inhalation, and non-holding of breath for 5–10 s between inhalation and exhalation. In this work, an audio-based classification method that assesses patient DPI user technique is presented by extracting the the non-silent audio segments and categorizing them into respiratory sounds. Twenty healthy and non-healthy volunteers used the same placebo inhaler (Bretaris Genuair Inhaler) in order to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. The audio-based method achieved an F1-score of 89.87% in classifying sound events (Actuation, Inhale, Button Press, and Exhale). The significance of the algorithm lies not just on automatic classification but on a post-processing step of peak detection that resulted in an improvement of 5.58% on the F1-score, reaching 94.85%. This method can provide a clinically accurate assessment of the patient’s inhaler use without the supervision of a doctor.
Data-Driven Real-Time Online Taxi-Hailing Demand Forecasting Based on Machine Learning Method
Authors: Liu Zhizhen , Chen Hong , Sun Xiaoke , Chen Hengrui
Published: September 2020

The development of the intelligent transport system has created conditions for solving the supply–demand imbalance of public transportation services. For example, forecasting the demand for online taxi-hailing could help to rebalance the resource of taxis. In this research, we introduced a method to forecast real-time online taxi-hailing demand. First, we analyze the relation between taxi demand and online taxi-hailing demand. Next, we propose six models containing different information based on backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) to forecast online taxi-hailing demand. Finally, we present a real-time online taxi-hailing demand forecasting model considering the projected taxi demand (“PTX”). The results indicate that including more information leads to better prediction performance, and the results show that including the information of projected taxi demand leads to a reduction of MAPE from 0.190 to 0.183 and an RMSE reduction from 23.921 to 21.050, and it increases R2 from 0.845 to 0.853. The analysis indicates the demand regularity of online taxi-hailing and taxi, and the experiment realizes real-time prediction of online taxi-hailing by considering the projected taxi demand. The proposed method can help to schedule online taxi-hailing resources in advance.
Investigating the Physics of Tokamak Global Stability with Interpretable Machine Learning Tools
Authors: Murari Andrea , Peluso Emmanuele , Lungaroni Michele , Rossi Riccardo , Gelfusa Michela ,   JET Contributors
Published: September 2020

The inadequacies of basic physics models for disruption prediction have induced the community to increasingly rely on data mining tools. In the last decade, it has been shown how machine learning predictors can achieve a much better performance than those obtained with manually identified thresholds or empirical descriptions of the plasma stability limits. The main criticisms of these techniques focus therefore on two different but interrelated issues: poor “physics fidelity” and limited interpretability. Insufficient “physics fidelity” refers to the fact that the mathematical models of most data mining tools do not reflect the physics of the underlying phenomena. Moreover, they implement a black box approach to learning, which results in very poor interpretability of their outputs. To overcome or at least mitigate these limitations, a general methodology has been devised and tested, with the objective of combining the predictive capability of machine learning tools with the expression of the operational boundary in terms of traditional equations more suited to understanding the underlying physics. The proposed approach relies on the application of machine learning classifiers (such as Support Vector Machines or Classification Trees) and Symbolic Regression via Genetic Programming directly to experimental databases. The results are very encouraging. The obtained equations of the boundary between the safe and disruptive regions of the operational space present almost the same performance as the machine learning classifiers, based on completely independent learning techniques. Moreover, these models possess significantly better predictive power than traditional representations, such as the Hugill or the beta limit. More importantly, they are realistic and intuitive mathematical formulas, which are well suited to supporting theoretical understanding and to benchmarking empirical models. They can also be deployed easily and efficiently in real-time feedback systems.
World-Models for Bitrate Streaming
Authors: Brown Harrison , Fricke Kai , Yoneki Eiko
Published: September 2020

Adaptive bitrate (ABR) algorithms optimize the quality of streaming experiences for users in client-side video players, especially in unreliable or slow mobile networks. Several rule-based heuristic algorithms can achieve stable performance, but they sometimes fail to properly adapt to changing network conditions. Fluctuating bandwidth may cause algorithms to default to behavior that creates a negative experience for the user. ABR algorithms can be generated with reinforcement learning, a decision-making paradigm in which an agent learns to make optimal choices through interactions with an environment. Training reinforcement learning algorithms for bitrate streaming requires building a simulator for an agent to experience interactions quickly; training an agent in the real environment is infeasible due to the long step times in real environments. This project explores using supervised learning to construct a world-model, or a learned simulator, from recorded interactions. A reinforcement learning agent that is trained inside of the learned model, rather than a simulator, can outperform rule-based heuristics. Furthermore, agents that are trained inside the learned world-model can outperform model-free agents in low sample regimes. This work highlights the potential for world-models to quickly learn simulators, and to be used for generating optimal policies.
Additives to Coal-Based Fuel Pellets for the Intensification of Combustion and Reduction in Anthropogenic Gas Emissions
Authors: Klepikov Dmitriy , Kudelova Tereza , Paushkina Kristina , Strizhak Pavel
Published: September 2020

Cylinder-shaped fuel pellets that were 3 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height, with a mass of 20 mg, were produced by compressing dry coal processing waste under the pressure of 5 MPa. The first group of pellets from coal dust with a particle size less than 140 µm did not contain any additives. The pellets of the second group of fuel compositions contained an oil-impregnated porous polymer material particle with a size of 0.5 mm in the central part of the experimental sample. The particle was surrounded by coal dust from all sides. The ratio of components was 90:10% for coal dust: polymer particle. The latter value almost completely corresponds to the fraction of oil in the fuel composition, since the mass of a porous polymer material particle is negligible. The third group of compositions was a 70:30% mixture of coal dust with wood sawdust with a particle size less than 45 µm, or 45–100, 100–200 and 200–500 µm. The ignition and combustion of single fuel pellets were studied under radiant heating in an air medium while varying the temperature from 800 to 1000 °C. The processes during the fuel combustion were recorded by a high-speed video camera, and the concentrations of the main anthropogenic emissions in flue gases were measured by a gas analyzer. The main characteristics were established—ignition delay times (2–8 s) and duration of burnout (40–90 s)—at different heating temperatures. A difference was established in the combustion mechanisms of the pellets, when adding various components to the fuel mixture composition. This has a direct influence on the induction period duration and combustion time, other conditions being equal, as well as on the concentration of nitrogen and sulfur oxides in the flue gases. Adding an oil-impregnated porous polymer particle to the fuel composition intensifies ignition and combustion, since the times of ignition delay and complete burnout of fuel pellets under threshold conditions decrease by 70%, whereas adding wood sawdust reduces the content of nitrogen and sulfur oxides in the flue gases by 30% and 25%, respectively.
Impact of Alcohol on Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry at Workplaces with Scaffoldings
Authors: Sawicki Marek , Szóstak Mariusz
Published: September 2020

The value, care, and customs of workers are essential in terms of occupational health and safety. The abuse of alcohol is widely regarded as a serious threat to the lives, health, and safety of employees. The aim of the research was to identify the main problems that are associated with alcohol abuse and consumption at work among employees in the construction industry, with particular emphasis on workstations where work is carried out on construction scaffoldings. Data for the analysis were obtained from two different sources. The first one was post-accident documentation on occupational accidents. The second one was surveys collected during the research project. This study confirmed that excessive and disproportionate alcohol consumption can be the cause of an accident, and consequently death at workplaces with scaffolding. Of 219 accident reports, 17.4% indicated alcohol as a contributing factor. Analysis of accident documentations shows that in cases where alcohol was indicated as a contributing factor in an accident, the alcohol was consumed during the workday. The results obtained on the basis of the conducted research were able to constitute a justification for the directions of preventive actions carried out in order to reduce the number of occupational accidents in the construction industry caused by alcohol.
Effectiveness of a Serious Game for Cognitive Training in Chronic Stroke Survivors with Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jung Hee-Tae , Daneault Jean-Francois , Nanglo Tenzin , Lee Hyunsuk , Kim Byeongil , Kim Yangsoo , Lee Sunghoon Ivan
Published: September 2020

Previous cognitive training games for stroke survivors required the close supervision of therapists. We aim to demonstrate the preliminary therapeutic effectiveness of Neuro-World, serious mobile games for cognitive training, in chronic stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment without therapist supervision. For that, we conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial at a single long-term care rehabilitation center with 50 stroke survivors in the chronic stage with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. Participants were randomized to standard medical care (n = 25) or standard medical care plus administration of Neuro-World (n = 25) over 12 weeks. A two-way mixed model ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests identified significant differences in outcomes between the experimental and the control groups at post-intervention but not at baseline. Within the experimental group, there were statistically significant improvements in all the outcomes except for the language category of the Mini-Mental State Examination and Digit Forward Span. The improvements were clinically significant for the total Mini-Mental State Examination, Digit Forward Span, and Digit Backward Span. Within the control group, there were no improvements in any of the outcomes. The practice of Neuro-World led to significant improvements in cognitive function and marginal mitigation of depressive symptoms in chronic stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment.
Approach for Optimisation of Tunnel Lining Design
Authors: Mohyla Marek , Vojtasik Karel , Hrubesova Eva , Stolarik Martin , Nedoma Jan , Pinka Miroslav
Published: September 2020

This paper presents an approach that enables the specific characteristics of a primary tunnel lining implemented using numerical modelling to be taken into account during its design. According to the fundamental principles of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, the primary lining undergoes time-dependent deformation, which is determined by its design. The main design element is shotcrete, which, shortly after its application, interacts with the surrounding rock mass and steel arch frame. The primary lining ensures the equilibrium stress–strain state of “rock mass–tunnel lining” during excavation. The structural interaction varies depending on the hardening of the shotcrete, the rheological properties of the rock mass, and other factors. The proposed approach uses the Homogenisation software application, which was developed by the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Department of Geotechnics and Underground Engineering of the VSB—Technical University of Ostrava. This software allows the heterogeneous structure of the lining to be considered by replacing it with a homogenous structure. The parameters of the homogeneous primary lining, which take into account the steel reinforcement elements and the time-dependent property of the shotcrete, are included in numerical models.
Application of PANI/TiO2 Composite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Contaminants from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Lee Youn-Jun , Lee Hae Su , Lee Chang-Gu , Park Seong-Jik , Lee Jechan , Jung Seungho , Shin Gwy-Am
Published: September 2020

Polyaniline (PANI) is a promising conducting polymer for surface modification of TiO2 to achieve extended photoresponse to visible light and increased photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, we report the synthesis of a PANI/TiO2 composite with different weight ratios of PANI, which was subsequently employed for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), bisphenol A (BPA), and bacteriophage MS2 under visible-light irradiation. The functional groups, morphology, and light response of the composite were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy, respectively. The PANI/TiO2 composite containing 4% by weight ratio of PANI was most suitable for MB degradation, and this photocatalyst was very stable even after repeated use (four cycles). The degradation of BPA and bacteriophage MS2 by PANI/TiO2 composite reached 80% in 360 min and 96.2% in 120 min, respectively, under visible-light irradiation. Therefore, the PANI/TiO2 composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic efficiency and stability can be widely used for the degradation of water contaminants.
Prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Causing Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease of Shrimp in Shrimp, Molluscan Shellfish and Water Samples in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Hong To Tran Thi , Yanagawa Haruka , Khanh Thuan Nguyen , Hiep Du Minh , Cuong Doan Van , Khai Ly Thi Lien , Taniguchi Takahide , Kubo Ryoichi , Hayashidani Hideki
Published: September 2020

A total of 481 samples, including 417 shrimp and molluscan shellfish samples from retail shops and farms and 64 water samples from shrimp and molluscan shellfish farms in the Mekong Delta located the southern part of Vietnam, were examined for the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) caused acute haepatopancreatic necrosic disease (AHPND) in shrimp. VpAHPND strains were isolated in two of 298 (0.7%) molluscan shellfish samples from retail shops, seven of 71 (9.9%) shrimp samples from shrimp ponds, and two of 42 (4.8%) water samples from shrimp ponds. VpAHPND strains were classified into two types of O antigen, including O1 and O3, in which O1 was the predominant. VpAHPND strains isolated showed high resistance rates to colistin (100%), ampicillin (93.8%), and streptomycin (87.5%). These results indicate that VpAHPND is widely prevalent in environment in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Prenatal Hyperglycemia Exposure and Cellular Stress, a Sugar-Coated View of Early Programming of Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Tozour Jessica , Hughes Francine , Carrier Arnaud , Vieau Didier , Delahaye Fabien
Published: September 2020

Worldwide, the number of people with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980 reaching 422 million in 2014 (World Health Organization). This distressing rise in diabetes also affects pregnant women and thus, in regard to early programming of adult diseases, creates a vicious cycle of metabolic dysfunction passed from one generation to another. Metabolic diseases are complex and caused by the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. High-glucose exposure during in utero development, as observed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is an established risk factor for metabolic diseases. Despite intense efforts to better understand this phenomenon of early memory little is known about the molecular mechanisms associating early exposure to long-term diseases risk. However, evidence promotes glucose associated oxidative stress as one of the molecular mechanisms able to influence susceptibility to metabolic diseases. Thus, we decided here to further explore the relationship between early glucose exposure and cellular stress in the context of early development, and focus on the concept of glycemic memory, its consequences, and sexual dimorphic and epigenetic aspects.
Catalpol Ameliorates Insulin Sensitivity and Mitochondrial Respiration in Skeletal Muscle of Type-2 Diabetic Mice Through Insulin Signaling Pathway and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/PPAR-γ Activation
Authors: Yap Kah Heng , Yee Gan Sook , Candasamy Mayuren , Tan Swee Ching , Md Shadab , Abdul Majeed Abu Bakar , Bhattamisra Subrat Kumar
Published: September 2020

Catalpol was tested for various disorders including diabetes mellitus. Numerous molecular mechanisms have emerged supporting its biological effects but with little information towards its insulin sensitizing effect. In this study, we have investigated its effect on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and insulin signaling pathway. Type-2 diabetes (T2DM) was induced in male C57BL/6 by a high fat diet (60% Kcal) and streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Diabetic mice were orally administered with catalpol (100 and 200 mg/kg), metformin (200 mg/kg), and saline for four weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, plasma insulin, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), oxygen consumption rate, gene (IRS-1, Akt, PI3k, AMPK, GLUT4, and PGC-1α) and protein (AMPK, GLUT4, and PPAR-γ) expression in muscle were measured. Catalpol (200 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the FBG, HbA1C, HOMA_IR index, and AUC of OGTT whereas, improved the ITT slope. Gene (IRS-1, Akt, PI3k, GLUT4, AMPK, and PGC-1α) and protein (AMPK, p-AMPK, PPAR-γ and GLUT4) expressions, as well as augmented state-3 respiration, oxygen consumption rate, and citrate synthase activity in muscle was observed in catalpol treated mice. The antidiabetic activity of catalpol is credited with a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial respiration through the insulin signaling pathway and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/PPAR-γ activation in the skeletal muscle of T2DM mice.