bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMAP retrieval assimilation improves soil moisture estimation across irrigated areas in South Asia
Authors: Ahmad Jawairia A. , Forman Barton A. , Kumar Sujay V.
Published: September 2021

Abstract. A soil moisture retrieval assimilation framework is implemented across South Asia in an attempt to improve regional soil moisture estimation as well as to provide a consistent regional soil moisture dataset. This study aims to improve the spatiotemporal variability of soil moisture estimates by assimilating Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) near surface soil moisture retrievals into a land surface model. The Noah-MP (v4.0.1) land surface model is run within the NASA Land Information System software framework to model regional land surface processes. NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA2) and GPM Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals (IMERG) provide the meteorological boundary conditions to the land surface model. Assimilation is carried out using both cumulative distribution function (CDF) corrected (DA-CDF) and uncorrected SMAP retrievals (DA-NoCDF). CDF-matching is implemented to map the statistical moments of the SMAP soil moisture retrievals to the land surface model climatology. Comparison of assimilated and model-only soil moisture estimates with publicly available in-situ measurements highlight the relative improvement in soil moisture estimates by assimilating SMAP retrievals. Across the Tibetan Plateau, DA-NoCDF reduced the mean bias and RMSE by 8.4 % and 9.4 % even though assimilation only occurred during less than 10 % of the study period due to frozen soil conditions. The best goodness-of-fit statistics were achieved for the IMERG DA-NoCDF soil moisture experiment. SMAP retrieval assimilation corrected biases associated with unmodeled hydrologic phenomenon (e.g., anthropogenic influences due to irrigation). The highest influence of assimilation was observed across croplands. Improvements in soil moisture translated into improved spatiotemporal patterns of modeled evapotranspiration, yet limited influence of assimilation was observed on states included within the carbon cycle such as gross primary production. Improvement in fine-scale modeled estimates by assimilating coarse-scale retrievals highlights the potential of this approach for soil moisture estimation over data scarce regions.
Forecasting Hurricane-forced Significant Wave Heights using the Long Short-Term Memory Network in the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Bethel Brandon Justin , Sun Wenjin , Dong Changming
Published: September 2021

Abstract. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network is proposed to predict hurricane-forced significant wave heights (SWH) in the Caribbean Sea (CS) based on a dataset of 20 CS, Gulf of Mexico, and Western Atlantic hurricane events collected from 10 buoys from 2010–2020. SWH nowcasting and forecasting are initiated using LSTM on 0-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-hour horizons. Through examining study cases Hurricanes Dorian (2019), Sandy (2012), and Igor (2010), results illustrate that the model is well suited to forecast hurricane-forced wave heights. Forecasts are highly accurate with regard to observations. For example, Hurricane Dorian nowcasts had correlation (R), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 0.99, 0.16 m, and 2.6 %, respectively. Similarly, on the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-hour forecasts, results produced R (RMSE; MAPE) values of 0.95 (0.51 m; 7.99 %), 0.92 (0.74 m; 10.83 %), 0.85 (1 m; 13.13 %), and 0.84 (1.24 m; 14.82 %), respectively. However, the model also consistently over-predicted the maximum observed SWHs. To improve models results, additional research should be geared towards improving single-point LSTM neural network training datasets by considering hurricane track and identifying the hurricane quadrant in which buoy observations are made.
A revised image of the instrumental seismicity in the Lodi area (Po Plain, Italy)
Authors: Peruzza Laura , Schibuola Alessandra , Romano Maria Adelaide , Garbin Marco , Guidarelli Mariangela , Sandron Denis , Priolo Enrico
Published: September 2021

Abstract. We analysed the instrumental seismicity in a sector of the Po
Plain (Italy) to define the baseline for seismic monitoring of a new
underground gas storage plant that will use the depleted gas reservoir of
Cornegliano Laudense, near Lodi. The target area – a square approximately 80 km × 80 km wide – is commonly considered aseismic. The analysed period,
1951–2019, includes all available instrumental data. We gathered the P- and
S-phase readings collected by various agencies for more than 300 events,
approximately located inside the target area. We processed the earthquakes
uniformly, using absolute location algorithms and velocity models adopted by
the regional and national monitoring networks. The relocated earthquake
dataset depicts an image of weak and deep seismicity for this central sector
of the Po Plain, which is quite different from the initial one derived from
the existing earthquake catalogues. Within a distance of approximately 30 km
from Lodi, earthquakes are extremely rare (on average 0.5 earthquakes per year,
assuming a completeness magnitude Mc = 2.7 from the 1980s); only two weak
events fall at less than 15 km distance from the reservoir in the whole
period 1951–2019. The strongest events instrumentally recorded are related
to the seismic sequence of Caviaga in 1951 that represent the first
instrumental recordings for that area. Confirming the hypocentral depths
recently proposed by Caciagli et al. (2015), the events are far from the gas
reservoir; we suggest common tectonic stress of the main shock of 1951 and
the M4.2 earthquake of 17 December 2020, based on the similarities in depth,
location, and focal mechanism. While it is clear that the deep seismicity
corresponds to the collision between the Northern Apennines and the Southern Alps, the characterization of the geological structures that generate
earthquakes appears uncertain. Our results are a preliminary benchmark for
the definition of seismogenic zones in the Lodi area, whose definition can
be improved with the existing observational capabilities now available in
the surroundings.
On sensor optimisation for structural health monitoring robust to environmental variations
Authors: Wang Tingna , Wagg David J. , Worden Keith , Barthorpe Robert J.
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Structural health monitoring (SHM) is often approached from a statistical pattern recognition or machine learning perspective with the aim of inferring the
health state of a structure using data derived from a network of sensors placed upon it. In this paper, two SHM sensor placement optimisation (SPO) strategies that offer robustness to
environmental effects are developed and evaluated. The two strategies both involve constructing an objective function (OF) based upon an established damage
classification technique and an optimisation of sensor locations using a genetic algorithm (GA). The key difference between the two strategies explored here
is in whether any sources of benign variation are deemed to be observable or not. The relative performances of both strategies are demonstrated using
experimental data gathered from a glider wing tested in an environmental chamber, with the structure tested in different health states across a series of
controlled temperatures.
Country-Level Size Effects in International Asset Pricing
Authors: Pungulescu Crina
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates whether small markets offer higher risk-adjusted expected returns using a large set of developed and emerging markets over a time span of up to four decades. The results show that expected returns are significantly lower in larger markets, an effect more pronounced in emerging rather than developed countries. The relationship between size effects and the level of market segmentation in emerging countries is further explored in the context of financial market integration. The size premium is strong and persistent over time independently of the (fading) segmentation premium documented in the literature. Markets size effects remain statistically and economically significant in the presence of various control factors and account for up to 1% per year in terms of expected returns in emerging countries.
Thực trạng rối loạn giấc ngủ ở lái xe khách đường dài và tai nạn giao thông ở Việt Nam
Authors: Hà Nguyễn Thu , Sơn Nguyễn Đức
Published: September 2021

Mục tiêu: Tìm hiểu thực trạng rối loạn giấc ngủ ở lái xe khách đường dài và mối liên quan với tai nạn giao thông ở Việt Nam. Đối tượng và phương pháp: 200 nam lái xe khách đường dài tuyến cố định liên tỉnh được phân tích đặc điểm công việc; điều tra, đánh giá rối loạn giấc ngủ theo thang đánh giá rối loạn giấc ngủ PSQI và hồi cứu số liệu tai nạn giao thông. Kết quả: Tỷ lệ lái xe khách đường dài với tuổi đời trung bình 40,9 ± 5,6 tuổi và tuổi nghề trung bình 12,4 ± 5,6 năm có rối loạn giấc ngủ theo thang PSQI (điểm Global ≥ 10) là 58/200 lái xe (29,0%). Trong đó tỷ lệ lái xe có chất lượng giấc ngủ kém/tương đối kém là 53,5%; 31,5% lái xe khó đi vào giấc ngủ; thời gian ngủ trung bình ≤ 5 giờ là 65,5% với hiệu quả giấc ngủ ≤ 85% là 19,0%. 97,5% lái xe có tỉnh giấc khi ngủ; 3,5% phải sử dụng thuốc ngủ và 63,0% gặp khó khăn trong công việc/cuộc sống do rối loạn giấc ngủ. Nguy cơ tai nạn giao thông ở nhóm lái xe khách đường dài có điểm Glober score ≥ 10 điểm cao gấp 1,6 lần so với nhóm có điểm Glober score < 10 điểm (p<0,01, 95%CI = 1,3 - 5,5). Kết luận: Rối loạn giấc ngủ ở lái xe khách đường dài có thể có mối liên quan với tai nạn giao thông, cần có các nghiên cứu chuyên sâu thêm.
Đánh giá bước đầu hiệu quả của túi giữ khí CO2 bằng găng tay phẫu thuật trong phẫu thuật nội soi lồng ngực một lỗ cắt u trung thất
Authors: Khánh Ngô Gia , Ước Nguyễn Hữu , Kiểm Trần Trọng
Published: September 2021

Mục tiêu: Đánh giá bước đầu tính an toàn và khả thi của kỹ thuật sử dụng găng tay phẫu thuật để tạo dụng cụ giữ khí trong phẫu thuật cắt u trung thất nội soi một lỗ. Đối tượng và phương pháp: Nghiên cứu mô tả tiến cứu chùm ca bệnh u (hay nang) trung thất, được điều trị bằng phẫu thuật nội soi lồng ngực một lỗ tại Bệnh viện Bạch Mai, từ tháng 6 đến tháng 10 năm 2020 có sử dụng kỹ thuật dùng găng tay phẫu thuật để tạo túi giữ khí. Kết quả: Gồm 10 bệnh nhân, 6 nam - 4 nữ, tuổi trung bình 48 tuổi; chẩn đoán u tuyến ức (8), nang màng tim (2) với kích thước u trung bình trên cắt lớp vi tính là 3,5cm. Độ dài đường rạch da trung bình 2,8cm. Thời gian trung bình phẫu thuật là 80 phút, rút dẫn lưu 2,5 ngày, và nằm viện là 4,3 ngày. Không có biến chứng trong và sau mổ. Kết luận: Phẫu thuật nội soi lồng ngực một lỗ cắt u trung thất với thông khí hai phổi + bơm CO2 với túi giữ hơi tự chế bằng găng tay là một kỹ thuật đảm bảo tính an toàn, mức độ khả thi cao, giúp đơn giản hóa qui trình mổ và tiết giảm chi phí phẫu thuật, trên một số đối tượng được lựa chọn.
Bước đầu khảo sát giá trị của hệ số khuếch tán biểu kiến đo bằng phương pháp R.O.I vùng và R.O.I toàn bộ u trong phân biệt tổn thương trung thất trước lành và ác tính
Authors: Thùy Trần Thị Mai , Trang Nguyễn Trương Hoàng , Vỹ Trần Thanh
Published: September 2021

Mục tiêu: Mô tả đặc điểm hình ảnh tổn thương choán chỗ trung thất trước trên cộng hưởng từ thường quy và khuếch tán; và đánh giá vai trò của cộng hưởng từ khuếch tán trong chẩn đoán phân biệt u lành và ác tính trung thất trước. Đối tượng và phương pháp: Nghiên cứu cắt ngang mô tả, hồi cứu trên 47 bệnh nhân có u trung thất trước, có kết quả giải phẫu bệnh, được chụp cộng hưởng từ tại Bệnh viện Đại học Y dược Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh từ tháng 9/2018 đến tháng 3/2021. Các đặc điểm trên cộng hưởng từ được khảo sát: Kích thước, đường bờ, thành phần dịch, mỡ của tổn thương dựa trên các hình T1W DIXON trước và sau tiêm gado, T2 HASTE, T2 TIRM và định lượng các giá trị ADC của thành phần đặc trong tổn thương bằng hình DWI/ADC với giá trị b = 0 và b = 2000. Kết quả: Nghiên cứu gồm 47 bệnh nhân (22 nam, 25 nữ), trong đó có 4 tổn thương lành tính và 43 tổn thương ác tính. Giá trị ADC trung bình dựa vào R.O.I vùng và các giá trị ADC10, ADC90, ADCmean, ADCmedian trong biểu đồ ADC toàn bộ u giữa hai nhóm lành và ác tính khác biệt có ý nghĩa thống kê. Trong đó giá trị ADC trung bình dựa vào R.O.I vùng có giá trị cao nhất trong chẩn đoán phân biệt giữa các nhóm lành tính và ác tính, giữa nhóm A (u lành tính và thymoma A, AB, B1) với nhóm B (thymoma B2, B3 và các u ác tính khác), giữa lymphoma và các u ác tính khác. Đối với nhóm lành tính và ác tính, ở điểm cut off 1,3×10-3mm2/s, chẩn đoán có độ nhạy, độ đặc hiệu, độ chính xác lần lượt là 83,7%, 75%, 83%. Giữa hai nhóm A và B, cut off là 0,99x10-3mm2/s với độ nhạy, độ đặc hiệu, độ chính xác lần lượt là 74,2%, 93,8%, 80,9%. Giữa lymphoma và các u ác tính khác, cut off là 0,87×10-3mm2/s với độ nhạy, độ đặc hiệu, độ chính xác lần lượt là 100%, 73,7%, 76,7%. Kết luận: Cộng hưởng từ khuếch tán với giá trị ADC trung bình dựa vào R.O.I vùng, ADCmean, ADCmedian, ADC10, ADC90 có giá trị trong chẩn đoán phân biệt tổn thương lành tính và ác tính trung thất trước.
The Effect of Myofascial Release Technique and Stretching Versus Myofascial Release Technique and Taping in Patients with Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Authors: Krishnareddy Pradeep , Shahane Sharvari , Joshi Yashodhara S
Published: September 2021

Background and Objective: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause for inferior heel pain. This study was done to assess the effectiveness of myofascial release technique (MFR) and stretching versus MFR and taping in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.
Method: 60 plantar fasciitis patients were randomly divided into two groups with n= 30 in each group. Group 1- received MFR and stretching, where Group 2- received MFR and taping. The treatment was given one session per day for 10 consecutive days for both the groups.
Outcome Measures: The patients were evaluated on day 1, day 5 and day 10. They were requested to come for a follow up after 1 week of treatment program. All the patients were assessed for pain and foot function by taking their Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI).
Results: Group 1 which received MFR and stretching showed great improvements from baseline to week 1, after day 10 on pain intensity and foot function assessed using VAS and FFI respectively. Group 2 showed improvements from baseline to day 10 but there was increase in pain levels and decreased foot function in measurements in 1 week. After analysis group 1 showed significance with P = 0.001.
Conclusion: MFR with stretching and MFR with taping both were effective in reducing the pain intensity and increasing the foot function but MFR with stretching showed a superior hand over MFR with taping.

Key words: Plantar Fasciitis, Myofascial Release Technique, Stretching, Taping, Visual Analog Scale, Foot Function Index.
ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF DECUBITUS ULCERS USING BRADEN SCALE
Authors:   Department of Health care, Faculty of public health and health care, Ruse University ", Georgieva Despina ,   Angel Kanchev ",   , Ruse, Bulgaria.
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Within the behavioral guidelines of hospitalized patients who need compensatory nursing care, an assessment of the risk of decubitus ulcers is recommended to be done at regular intervals, in schedule, and after each altered state. The goal of this research is to apply the BRADEN SCALE for assessment of the risk of decubitus ulcers occurring during a hygienic toilet in sick people who need compensatory nursing care. Material/Methods: An assessment of the risk of decubitus ulcers via using the Braden scale is applied in 120 hospitalized patients during a hygienic toilet. Treatment of decubitus ulcers I and II degree is being performed when the state of the skin and wounds that have already occurred are being established. For processing, analysis and graphic presentation of the results and data, the statistic program SPSS 20.0 is being used. Results: It's reported that 50, 83% of the respondents have got quite a risk of decubitus wounds occurring, 26,67% are at great risk, and 14,17% are at moderate risk. Only 8, 33% of all patients tested are at light risk. Conclusions: In all patients tested, a various degree of decubitus wounds occurrence, is reported. This defines the importance of the nurses' hygienic care and activities for the prevention of decubitus ulcers to occur. If the prevention measures of patients who have gotten in a risk group are not observed, every decubitus wound leads to a continuous stay in the hospital and also additional treatment and tests, which automatically prolong and raise the cost of hospital treatment.
Kajian Nilai¬nilai Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Tradisi Kadeso Yang Dilakukan Oleh Masyarakat Kemiri Temanggung
Authors: Arrazaq Naufal Raffi , Aman Aman
Published: September 2021

Generasi muda Indonesia saat ini mengalami krisis moralitas. Krisis moral dapat diatasi dengan mengoptimalkan pendidikan karakter. Pendidikan karakter merupakan upaya membentuk kepribadian suatu bangsa. Sumber pembelajaran pendidikan karakter adalah budaya dan tradisi. Satu dari sekian sumber pendidikan karakter berbasis budaya adalah Kadeso. Kadeso merupakan tradisi masyarakat Kemiri Temanggung. Tujuan penelitian ini melakukan kajian nilai-nilai pendidikan karakter yang ada pada tradisi Kadeso. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam, observasi, dokumentasi, dan studi pustaka. Hasil penelitian ini adalah nilai-nilai pendidikan karakter dalam tradisi Kadeso yaitu religius, toleransi,disiplin, kerja keras, bersahabat, peduli sosial, dan peduli lingkungan. Nilai-nilai pendidikan karakter tersebut dapat digunakan sebagai sumber pembelajaran pendidikan karakter bagi generasi muda.
SOCIAL IDENTITY AND EQUALITY IN A CHURCH FORMATION IN YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Khusyairi Johny A
Published: September 2021

One of the important issues in the formation of Javanese Reformed-Christian (JRC) church was the usage of the Javanese language. The formation of the church did not only involve transplanting theological and ritual teachings of the Dutch Reformed Churches (GKN), but also the usage and the choice of registers of the hierarchical Javanese language for Javanese congregation. This article intends to examine the importance of Javanese in the formation of Javanese Reformed-Christian church in Yogyakarta. Archival sources, particularly of the GKN, were used to examine the importance of Javanese in the establishment of this JRC church in Yogyakarta. The author concluded that the usage of Javanese terms for “church” and “pastor”, and the choice of the highest level of the language, Krama, in church ritual was intended to preserve Javanese language and convey social equality between the Javanese and the Dutch.
Organised crime and criminal careers: findings from an Australian sample
Authors: Morgan Anthony , Payne Jason
Published: September 2021

A growing number of international studies have shown members of organised crime groups have different criminal career trajectories to volume crime offenders. This study analysed the recorded criminal histories of a sample of 3,007 individuals affiliated with known organised crime groups. Trajectory analysis revealed four distinct offending trajectories, differentiated by their onset, peak and frequency of offending. Consistent with overseas studies, there was a large group of late-onset offenders. Groups also differed in offending versatility, seriousness and escalation. Further analysis, including of offence types, revealed that individuals varied in their criminal careers prior to their involvement in organised crime offending, indicative of the different recruitment pathways that exist.
Vốn xã hội của nông hộ tác động đến thu nhập người lao động tại vùng Đồng Tháp Mười, tỉnh Long An
Authors: Hòa Phạm Tấn , Phước Nguyễn Kim
Published: September 2021

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu nhằm kiểm chứng tác động vốn xã hội của nông hộ đến thu nhập người lao động tại vùng Đồng Tháp Mười tỉnh Long An. Nghiên cứu phát triển trên cơ sở tiếp cận lý thuyết liên ngành để giải quyết vấn đề. Lý thuyết thu nhập của Mincer, lý thuyết vốn xã hội của Putnam được vận dụng trong trường hợp này. Mô hình nghiên cứu được xây dựng với nhóm các biến liên quan đến đặc điểm của người lao động và hộ gia đình; và nhóm các biến vốn xã hội. Phân tích thống kê mô tả, hồi quy OLS được sử dụng để phân tích, kiểm chứng mô hình với dữ liệu thu thập từ 701 hộ gia đình tại vùng Đồng Tháp Mười tỉnh Long An năm 2020, theo phương pháp chọn mẫu ngẫu nhiên hệ thống. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy, 34,3% sự thay đổi thu nhập được giải thích bởi 7/10 biến độc lập. Trong đó, vốn xã hội của hộ gia đình là yếu tố quan trọng, có ảnh hưởng tích cực đến thu nhập của người lao động. Chúng tôi khuyến nghị rằng, bên cạnh việc tích lũy kinh nghiệm, gia tăng diện tích đất sản xuất, hộ gia đình cần phải có thành viên tham gia vào các tổ chức chính trị - xã hội tại địa phương, gia tăng giao tế với cộng đồng và chính quyền nơi cư trú nhằm tạo cơ hội cho các thành viên trong hộ gia tăng thu
Port Adaptation and Efficiency: An Empirical Study of Ghanaian Ports
Authors: Abudu Ruhaimatu , Zheng Shiyuan , Thompson Emmanuel Anu
Published: September 2021

The port being an economical leg of countries development and thereby affected by climate change creates a substantial cost to the various stakeholders since is described as a “business” hub. It is, therefore, essential that ports across the globe attribute much importance to climate adaptation and its relation to port efficiency, especially for the coming years. The need to establish the effect these variables have on each other has become paramount. For this study, an empirical analysis of Ghanaian ports is being reviewed for the past and future annual efficiencies and adaptation scores. The annual efficiencies of both ports are calculated using various variables as inputs and outputs with the DEA Frontier software to calculate the DEA-CCR of the study ports. To assess the adaptation scores of each port, questionnaires and interviews were conducted based on four (4) major factors that affect port adaptation. This research also employs the linear mixed model and one-way ANOVA to assess the means of the data groups obtained for 2009-2020 & 2021-2040 respectively. This research aimed to analyse the significant relationship between port adaptation and efficiency for past and future years while highlighting the adaptative strategies of Ghanaian ports. The concluding chapters of this research represent the data analysis, policy recommendation for the stakeholders of Ghanaian ports, and also recommendations that are deemed useful for further research.
Contribuições e compromissos
Authors: Dias Fagundes Marluce , Almaleh Priscilla , Steffen Vieira Miriam
Published: September 2021

Pensando na História como corporificada e no corpo como território, desenvolvemos neste texto algumas reflexões sobre o fazer história em perspectiva feminista e decolonial. O corpo é constituído desde relações, memórias, processos e trocas. É a forma que nos constitui e que nos faz existir no mundo e é por via desse corpo que experimentamos as relações de poder, a partir do entendimento que gênero é uma construção herdada e construída. Assim, acreditamos que é importante situar o debate, pensando no corpo que sente e se relaciona a partir da visão de outras(os) autoras(es) que pensam sobre as fronteiras da violência e nas construções de poder herdadas do colonialismo. Neste texto, revisitamos algumas obras clássicas sobre violência de gênero, em especial no Brasil, trazendo suas particularidades, contribuições e críticas para o debate histórico desde interpelações feministas decoloniais, afirmando nosso compromisso ético e político com a História e com o Feminismo.
The Impact of HRM Practices on Organizational Financial Performance of Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors:   Sialkot College of Physical Therapy Sialkot, Pakistan, Ali Jehanzaib , Moqeet Arqum ,   Sialkot College of Physical Therapy Sialkot, Pakistan, Jehanzaib Shafaq ,   Sialkot College of Physical Therapy Sialkot, Pakistan
Published: September 2021

This research comprehensively assessed the relation between framework of human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational financial performance. The results based on a sample of banks of Pakistan demonstrate that these practices have a monetarily and measurably huge effect on financial performance of organization in short and long term. Information was gathered through a questionnaire survey and tested on random sample of 120 bank employees in Pakistan. The effect of HR practices on financial performance of association is to a limited extent dependent upon their interrelationships. The mediating model is applied where the perceived organizational support is the mediating factor among the independent variables HR practices and dependent variable the financial performance of firm. The investigation demonstrates the relationship on the information gathered by the surveys using Statistical techniques, i.e. correlation and regression. The study concluded that all tested variables have a positive relation and impact on financial performance of banks. Towards the end, the research challenges are presented to mainstream researchers and future patterns are also enlisted.
Can DuPont Analysis Predict Voluntary Delisting from Stock Exchange? Evidence from Pakistan
Authors:   COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan, Hussain Khan Muhammad Nadir , Ali Haji Suleman
Published: September 2021

This study explores whether voluntary delisting of companies from stock exchanges can be predicted by the DuPont Model. ROE (Return on Equity), NPM (Net Profit Margin), ATO (Assets Turnover) and LM (Leverage Multiplier) of 13 voluntarily delisted firms from Karachi Stock Exchange were compared with same ratios of respective sectors for 6 years preceding the delistment year by applying t-test. Difference of means of DuPont ratios between voluntarily delisted firms and their respective sectors were not found statistically significant. Thus, ROE, NPM, ATO and LM, which are the measures of profitability, asset utilization (efficiency) and leverage respectively, are not the significant predictors of voluntary delisting decisions in Pakistan. To the best of researchers knowledge, this study is first attempt to differentiate between voluntarily delisted and listed companies on the basis of DuPont Model.
Impact of Self Expressive Brands and Brand Attachment on Brand Advocacy: The Mediating Role of Brand Love
Authors:   Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Qayyum Abdul , Saeed Ayesha
Published: September 2021

The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of self expressive brands and brand attachment on brand advocacy with the mediating role of brand love. Findings are revealed on the survey of people who get involved with the Clothing Brand and become brand advocates. Hypotheses were tested with a sample of 275 respondents and the regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results of the study show the partial mediating impact of brand love on the relationship between self expressive brands and brand advocacy, while full mediation impact of brand love on brand attachment and brand advocacy relationship has been observed. This research project highlights that brand love needs to be created along with brand attachment in customers mind so as to make them brand advocates. The findings of this research will help the marketer for implementing better marketing techniques to make their brand more strong and recognizable among customers. Key words: Self Expressive Brands, Brand Attachment, Brand Love, Brand Advocacy, Clothing Brand
Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Perencanaan Pembangunan di Kecamatan Tareran Kabupaten Minahasa
Authors: Tampi Cherry , Bogar Wilson , Langkai Jeane
Published: September 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis proses perencanaan pembangunan di Kecamatan Tareran Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan, dengan menggunakan pendekatan perspektis kualitatif. Penelitian ini difokuskan pada perencanaan program berdasarkan pada masalah dan kebutuhan serta aspirasi 51masyarakat. Partisipasi masyarakat dikaji dari peluang, hambatan dan keikutsertaan dalam memutuskan prioritas kegiatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah desa belum melakukan proses identifikasi kebutuhan dan prioritas di tingkat jaga, bproses identifikasi belum memenuhi prinsip keterwakilan sebagai syarat terpenuhinya aspirasi secara kolektif, keterwakilan belum terpenuhi dalam tiap pelaksanaan musyawarah perencanaan pembangunan desa, Waktu pelaksanaan yang belum menyesuaikan dengan aktifitas rutin masyarakat, masyarakat belum memahami tentang kebutuhan perencanaan dan kompetensi berkomunikasi, dilakukan sosialisasi edukatif terkait perencanaan pembangunan oleh pihak berwenang,rendahnya partisipasi warga karena pembangunan belum berdampak positif terhadap warga Kecamatan Tareran dalam belum memenuhi tahapan yang ditetapkan dalam Peraturan Menteri Dalam Negeri Nomor 86 Tahun 2017.
THE INFLUENCES OF CAREER GUIDANCE ON THE ACCURACY OF CHOOSING VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS DEPARTEMENT
Authors: Pangkey Patrick , Mangantes Meisie L
Published: September 2021

Future planning needs to be implemented from an early age. Lack of career guidance leads to a lack of career information for students, which affects student career decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between career guidance and the accuracy of choosing a vocational school student major. This type of research was experimental. The study population was 80 Vocational High School students. From the results of the study, it was known that career guidance influenced the accuracy of choosing a vocational school student major. This was dominated by the finding that each student was able to choose a major according to their talents and interests.
Evaluation of the effect of filters on reconstructed image quality from cone beam CT system
Authors: Bui Ngoc Ha , Bui Tien Hung , Tran Thuy Duong , Tran Kim Tuan , Tran Ngoc Toan
Published: September 2021

: 3D Filtered Back Projection (FBP) is a three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm usually used in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) system. FBP is one of the most popular algorithms due to its reconstruction is fast while quality of the result is acceptable. It can also handle a more considerable amount of data with same computer performance with other algorithms. However, the quality of a reconstructed image by the FBP algorithm strongly depends on spatial filters and denoising filters applied to projections. In this paper an evaluation of the reconstructed image quality of the CBCT system by using different denoising filters and spatial filters to find out the best filters for the CBCT system is performed. The result shows that, there is a significantly decrease of the noise of projection with the combination of Median and Gaussian filters. The reconstructed image has high resolution with Cosine filter and becomes more sharpen with Hanning filter.
Application of reverse osmosis at NPP and verification of the process for primary coolant treatment in temelín nuclear power
Authors: M. Skala , P. Kůs , J. Kotowski , H. Kořenková
Published: September 2021

Drained primary coolant from nuclear power plants containing boric acid is currently treated in the system of evaporators and by ion exchangers. Reverse osmosis as an alternative process to evaporator was investigated. Using reverse osmosis, the feed primary coolant is separated into two output streams: retentate and permeate. Retentate stream consists of concentrated boric acid solution together with other components, while permeate stream consists of purified water. In the first phase of the project the reverse osmosis modules from several manufactures were tested on a batch laboratory apparatus. Certain modifications to the pH of the feed solution were needed to enable the tested membranes to concentrate the H3BO3 in the retentate stream, separate from the pure water in the permeate stream. Furthermore, the separation capability for other compounds present in primary coolant such as K, Li or NH3 were evaluated. In the final phase of the project the pilot-plant unit of reverse osmosis was tested in nuclear power plant Temelín. It was installed in the Special Purification System SVO-6 for the regeneration of boric acid. The aim of the tests performed in Temelín nuclear power plant was to verify possible use of reverse osmosis for the treatment of primary coolant.
Particle identification for Z = 25 – 28 exotic nuclei from seastar experimental data
Authors: B. D. Linh , N. D. Ton , L. X. Chung , A. Corsi , A. Gillibert , N. T. Khai , A. Obertelli , C. Santamaria , N. Paul
Published: September 2021

The particle identification (PID) method based on TOF-Bρ-ΔE measurement at RIKEN are discussed, and its application for Z = 25 – 28 neutron-rich nuclei from SEASTAR (Shell Evolution And Search for Two-plus energy At RIBF) experimental data are presented. The results including the PID for beam and residual nucleus at BigRIPS and ZeroDegree, respectively, demonstrate that the reactions of interest are well separated. This ensures the precision in the data analysis later on.
Study the influences of the radionuclide depth distributions on the FEPE for the measurements of the soil activity using in situ HPGe gamma spectrometry
Authors: Truong Thi Hong Loan , Vu Ngoc Ba , Le Hung Quoc Dan , Truong Huu Ngan Thy , Huynh Thi Yen Hong
Published: September 2021

In this work, the influences of the soil densities and the radionuclide depth distributions (RDD) on the Full Energy Peak Efficiency (FEPE) calculation of the in-situ gamma ray spectrometer using the In Situ Object Counting Systems (ISOCS) software were studied. The data of the RDDs at the sites were investigated by using laboratory HPGe gamma spectrometer. Six different RDDs of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were found at four studied sites with radionuclide deposition moving from surface to deeper positions. The results show that FEPE values vary strongly for the different RDDs, especially for the low gamma ray energies. Use of the uniform model for calculating FEPEs can result in noticeable errors from 29% to 101% for the realistic RDD of the exponential form (surfaceradionuclide deposition), negative variations from 14% to 30% for the realistic RDD of having a radionuclide deposition at the 30 cm depth, and negligible variations of less than 5 % for the realistic RDD of quasi uniform form in the range of gamma ray energies of interest.
Study on the determination of ¹⁰B/¹¹B isotope ratio in water samples by isotope dilution – inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICPMS)
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Dung , Nguyen Thi Lien
Published: September 2021

The determination of 10B/11B isotope ratio and boron concentration in various water samples using isotope dilution technique with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was studied. The interferences on precision and accuracy in isotopic ratio determination by ICPMS such as memory effects, dead time, spectral overlap of 12C were investigated for the selection of optimum conditions. By the addition of certain amounts of enriched 10B into samples, the 10B/11B ratio was determined through ICP-MS signal of 10B and 11B. The detection limit for 10B and 11B was experimentally obtained as 0.26 µg/L and 0.92 µg/L, respectively. The ratios of 10B/11B in measured water samples varied in the ranged between 0.1905 and 0.2484 for different matrices. This method has been then applied for the determination of boron isotopic ratio in VVER-1000 reactor-type simulated primary coolant water and in some environmental water samples.
Influence of adult diet and exposure to methyl eugenol in the mating performance of Bactrocera correcta
Authors: N. T.T Hien , L.D Khanh , V.V Thanh , V.T.T Trang , H. K Lien , L.T Xuyen , Peirera Rui
Published: September 2021

The Guava fruit fly Bactrocera correcta is serious pest attacking Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus ). The study on the impact of (i) Protein in adult diet on sexual maturity of Guava fruit fly; (ii) Methyl eugenol (ME) feeding on sterilized male of Guava fruit fly; and (iii) Longevity of sterilized males and females feeding on different diets. All those trials were conducted for both sterile males and laboratory flies reared at Plant Protection Research Institute, Hanoi, Viet Nam. The initial results showed that the first age of sexual maturation of laboratory reared females are 7 days old and 8 days old when fed on a mix diet of hydrolyzed yeast: sugar (1:4) and only sugar diet, respectively. Four days after emergence, females on hydrolyzed yeast fed diet died. The highest percentage of mating for the period of 20 first days after emergence was recorded 7.19% at 11 days old of flies fed on sugar; 40.08% at 10 days old of flies fed on hydrolyzed yeast and sugar. The longevity of sterilized males was 30.7 days, 28.1 days and 3.2 days as feeding on mix of hydrolyzed yeast: sugar, sugar only and hydrolyzed yeast alone, respectively. Likewise, the longevity of females was 32.5 days on hydrolyzed yeast: sugar diet, 30.5 days on sugar only diet and 3.7 days on hydrolyzed yeast only diet. The percentage of sterile males feeding on ME at 3 days old was only 5% and reached 40% at 8 days old with feeding times of 44 seconds and 4 minutes 27 seconds respectively.
Characteristics of a gas-cooled fast reactor with minor actinide loading
Authors: Tran Hoai Nam , Yasuyoshi Kato , Hoang Van Khanh , Hoang Sy Minh Tuan
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the neutronics characteristics of a prototype gas-cooled (supercritical CO2-cooled) fast reactor (GCFR) with minor actinide (MA) loading in the fuel. The GCFR core is designed with a thermal output of 600 MWt as a part of a direct supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) gas turbine cycle. Transmutation of MAs in the GCFR has been investigated for attaining low burnup reactivity swing and reducing long-life radioactive waste. Minor actinides are loaded uniformly in the fuel regions of the core. The burnup reactivity swing is minimized to 0.11% ∆k/kk’ over the cycle length of 10 years when the MA content is 6.0 wt%. The low burnup reactivity swing enables minimization of control rod operation during burnup. The MA transmutation rate is 42.2 kg/yr, which is equivalent to the production rates in 7 LWRs of the same electrical output.
Reactivity induced transient analysis when the occurrence of leakage in the dry irradiation channels of the Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor
Authors: Dau Duc Tu , Nguyen Minh Tuan , Le Vinh Vinh , Huynh Ton Nghiem , Nguyen Kien Cuong , Tran Quoc Duong , Bui Phuong Nam
Published: September 2021

The leakage from the reactor pool back into the dry irradiation channels due to corrosion or mechanics based reason is a postulated event that could occur under operating conditions of the Dalat nuclear research reactor (DNRR), especially the channel 7-1 which has been installed more than 30 years. When it occurs, the air space in these channels will be occupied by the water, subsequently a water column will appear in fuel region. The appearance of water column considerably enhances medium of neutron moderation for its surrounding fuel assemblies. As a result, a positive reactivity is inserted in the core and this event is classified as an insertion of excess reactivity. This event needs to be addressed by analysis and assessment from safety point of view and the results of analysis are also important for updating the reactor operating procedures. This paper presents assumptions, computer models and the results of analysis for such event in the DNRR by using MCNP5 code (code for neutronics analysis) and EUREKA-2/RR code (code for transient analysis). The calculation results include value of reactivity insertion, change in power of reactor, as well as surface temperature of the hottest fuel assembly. This research contributes to updating the reactor operating procedure.
A review of nuclear data for the k₀-based neutron activation analysis
Authors: Ho Manh Dung , Phonesavanh Lathdavong
Published: September 2021

Nuclear data for the k0-based neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) including: k0-factors – combination of nuclear constants (atomic mass, isotopic abundance, gamma-ray yield and thermal neutron capture cross section); Q0 – the ratio of the resonance integral to thermal neutron capture cross section; and Er – effective resonance energy, along with the related nuclear data are presented and evaluated in the presentation. Accuracy and capability of k0-NAA depends considerably on the reliability of the above mentioned nuclear data. In general, the evaluation of nuclear data is essential and necessary in the field of nuclear science and technology, and this work is conducted by the nuclear data centers on the world as well as the research institutions where the nuclear data are usedfor R&D. Therefore, the evaluation of the nuclear data used in k0-NAA should also be performed so that some of data may no longer be appropriate should be redetermined. The evaluation of nuclear data in k0-NAA would contribute to the improvement of accuracy and reliability of the method, moreover, it would also contribute to the establishment a nuclear database in Vietnam in the future.
Dosimetric characteristics of 6 MV photons from TrueBeam STx medical linear accelerator: simulation and experimental data
Authors: N. D. Ton , B. D. Linh , Q.T. Pham
Published: September 2021

A TrueBeam STx is one of the most technologically advanced linear accelerators forradiotherapy and radiosurgery. The Monte Carlo simulation widely used in many applications in various fields such as nuclear physics, astrophysics, particle physics, and medicine. The Geant4/GATE Monte Carlo toolkit is developed for the simulation in imaging diagnostics, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and radiation biology to more accurately predict beam radiation dosimetry. In this work, we present the simulation results of the dosimetric characteristics of a 6 MV photon beam of TrueBeam STx medical LINAC using Monte Carlo Geant4/GATE. The percentage depth dose (PDD), central axis depth dose (Profile) have been simulated and compared with those measured in a water phantom for field sizes 10×10 cm2 via the gamma-index method. These results will permit to check calculation data given by the treatment planning system.
Study on transmutation efficiency of the VVER-1000 fuel assembly with different minor actinide compositions
Authors: Tran Vinh Thanh , Vu Thanh Mai , Hoang Van Khanh , Pham Nhu Viet Ha
Published: September 2021

The feasibility of transmutation of minor actinides recycled from the spent nuclear fuel in the VVER-1000 LEU (low enriched uranium) fuel assembly as burnable poison was examined in our previous study. However, only the minor actinide vector of the VVER-440 spent fuel was considered. In this paper, various vectors of minor actinides recycled from the spent fuel of VVER-440, PWR-1000, and VVER-1000 reactors were therefore employed in the analysis in order to investigate the minor actinide transmutation efficiency of the VVER-1000 fuel assembly with different minor actinide compositions. The comparative analysis was conducted for the two models of minor actinide loading in the LEU fuel assembly: homogeneous mixing in the UGD (Uranium-Gadolinium) pins and coating a thin layer to the UGD pins. The parameters to be analysed and compared include the reactivity of the LEU fuel assembly versus burnup and the transmutation of minor actinide nuclides when loading different minor actinide vectors into the LEU fuel assembly.
Pembangunan akhlak menurut karya ulama silam: tumpuan terhadap Al-Risāla Al-Qushayriyya
Authors: Ismail Nazneen , Azizan Nurzatil Ismah , Mohd Zin Siti Mursyidah
Published: September 2021

Akhlak merupakan salah satu daripada asas utama dalam ajaran Islam. Malah, di antara tujuan perutusan Rasulullah SAW ialah menyempurnakan akhlak selain daripada menyeru manusia untuk mentauhidkan Allah SWT. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan Imam al-Qushayriyy sebagai tokoh tasawuf dan menjelaskan prinsip pembinaan akhlak menurut beliau berdasarkan karya yang berjudul al-Risāla. Ketokohan al-Qushayriyy dalam bidang tasawuf tidak dinafikan lagi terutama sumbangannya dalam membuktikan keselarian ajaran tasawuf dengan prinsip dasar syariah. Malah, karyanya al-Risāla ini merupakan magnum opus yang menjadi penanda aras bagi ahli tasawuf ke arah pembentukan akhlak. Hasil kajian menunjukkan al-Qushayriyy menekankan aspek penyucian jiwa (tazkiyyat al-nafs) dalam pembinaan akhlak. Antara kaedah penyucian hati yang dinyatakan ialah taubat, mujahadah, khalwat dan uzlah, warak, zuhud, diam, lapar dan meninggalkan syahwat serta zikir. Manakala aspek akhlak yang diketengahkan oleh beliau ialah sabar, malu, berakhlak mulia, dermawan dan murah hati, persahabatan serta menjaga hati guru.  Prinsip-prinsip ini dihuraikan oleh al-Qushayriyy dengan bersumberkan kepada ayat-ayat al-Quran, hadis, petikan kalam para sahabat dan ulama. Berdasarkan prinsip yang dikemukakan ini difahami bahawa pembentukan akhlak mempunyai hubungan langsung dengan penyucian jiwa dan dikukuhkan lagi dengan bimbingan para guru.
Kehebatan pendakwah silam dalam memperjuangkan agama Islam semasa zaman penjajahan di Tanah Melayu
Authors: Ab Rahim Aisyah , Osman Ahmad Sabri , Basri Fairuzah
Published: September 2021

Kerja-kerja dakwah merupakan satu tugas yang sangat mulia. Dakwah bermaksud mengajak dan membawa umat manusia ke arah kebaikan serta meninggalkan keburukan. Kerja dakwah memerlukan pengorbanan yang sangat tinggi. Ini kerana para pendakwah akan menghadapi pelbagai cabaran dan rintangan dalam menyampaikan seruan Islam kepada masyarakat. Justeru, persoalan yang akan dibincangkan adalah sejauhmana para pendakwah silam mampu mempertahankan agama Islam dari ancaman ketika zaman penjajahan di Tanah Melayu. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menghuraikan kehebatan para pendakwah silam, cabaran-cabaran yang ditempuh dan nilai serta akhlak yang ada pada diri para pendakwah dalam memperjuangkan agama Islam di Tanah Melayu. Kajian akan menggunakan data dari dokumen bertulis dan sejarah, seperti buku dan artikel-artikel terdahulu. Hasil kajian ini mendapati bahawa para pendakwah silam merupakan golongan yang bukan sahaja patuh dan taat kepada ajaran agama Islam dan sangat tegas dalam mempertahankan agama, tetapi juga individu yang menampilkan nilai murni serta akhlak yang unggul. Mereka bukan hanya berjuang secara lisan dan tulisan mata pena, tetapi juga dengan keberanian dan kekuatan mengangkat senjata untuk menentang penjajah demi mempertahankan kesucian agama Islam.
Ketidakselarasan Penisbahan Qiraat Dalam Tafsir Al-Muḥarrar Al-Wajīz: Satu Penelitian Berasaskan Ikhtiyār Ibn Al-Jazari.
Authors: A. Adi Muhammad Fairuz , Shamsul Kamar Muhammad Zaid , Saad Shaharudin
Published: September 2021

Nama-nama imam dalam kalangan qurrā’ sabcah merupakan tunjang utama penisbahan qiraat dalam karya-karya tafsir. Salah satu tafsir yang meraikan qurrā’ sabcah ialah tafsir yang dihasilkan oleh imam Ibn cAṭiyyah berjudul tafsir al-Muḥarrar al-Wajīz. Nukilan nama para qurrā’ sabcah mahupun casharah memenuhi ruang bicara qiraat dalam tafsir ini. Ibn cAṭiyyah dalam mukadimah tafsinya menyatakan qurra mutawairah terutamanya al-sabcah merupakan keutamaan beliau kerana mereka bacaan mereka diterima dan diredai. Persoalan yang timbul, adakah qiraat setiap wujūh al-qirā’āt yang dinisbahkan kepada qurrā’ sabcah ini selaras dengan qiraat yang direkodkan oleh ibn al-Jazari dalam kitab al-Nashr. Oleh itu, objektif kajian ini mengkaji dan menganalisis keselarasan penisbahan qiraat oleh ibn cAṭiyyah dengan ikhtiyar yang telah disusun oleh Ibn al-Jazari. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kualitatif yang menggunakan reka bentuk analisis kandungan bersumberkan Tafsir al-Muḥarrar al-Wajīz. Kajian ini memfokuskan kepada kategori qiraat yang ditulis dengan metode rasm mā fīhi qirā’atān. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat lima penisbahan