bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintenance of soil fertility on organic farm by modeling of crop rotation with participation alfalfa
Authors: Ugrenovic Vladan , Filipovic Vladimir , Delic Dusica , Popovic Vera , Stajkovic-Srbinovic Olivera , Buntic Aneta , Dozet Gordana
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to maintain soil fertility on an organic farm
without livestock production by using alfalfa green biomass. The research
was carried out on the farm of Mokrin PP company, by modeling and sizing of
crop rotation with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on the non-carbonate
humoglay. To ensure a cost-effective technical solution, alfalfa seed
production was organized. In the autumn of 2015 alfalfa sowing was carried
out in a field of 5 ha. Green biomass of the first and third cuttings, as
well as crop residue after harvesting of seeds in the second cutting, were
mowed and chopped by harvester for low silage and stored in the silage-pit.
After nine months, a mature alfalfa compost was obtained with optimum values
of total nitrogen (5.04%), organic matter (42.56%), C/N, pH, humidity, and
EC. Two-year alfalfa utilization is the recommended time in this research
because to the following benefits: in crop rotation, alfalfa field is
provided with nitrogen by symbiotic ni?trogen fixation and the alfalfa is
cultivated every five years in the same field, while in the middle of that
period the field is fertilized with compost produced on the farm. The amount
of compost obtained by crop rotation (2016 - 48.80 t; 2017 - 62.30 t) is
enough for about 20% of the arable area per year. Thus, the fields are
fertilized every fourth year with 10 t ha-1 of compost. Thanks to alfalfa
biomass and seed and also nitrogen fixation, maintaining soil fertility is
resolved in a sustainable and natural way.
Douglas fir impact on the dynamics and composition of humus in the soil of indigenous beech forest in western Serbia
Authors: Kostic Olga , Mitrovic Miroslava , Pavlovic Pavle
Published: May 2020

This study investigates the impact of organic matter from Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the amount and composition of
humus in acid brown soil in a climatoregional beech forest (Fagetum
moesiacae montanum B. Jov. 1967 s.l.) on Mt. Maljen. To accomplish this
objective, we performed a one-year litterbag decomposition experiment with
litterfall from Fagus moesiaca and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The quantitative
and qualitative content of humus and the intensity of the decomposition
process of organic mat?ter from beech and Douglas fir were analysed. Less
humus was found during the experiment under Douglas fir than under
autochthonous beech at the control site, as well as a decreasing trend for
humus levels and quality (unfavourable chemical composition). It was
concluded that these changes, caused by the effects of the clearcutting of
beech and, in the future, of Douglas fir, and the slower decomposition of
organic matter from Douglas fir will contribute to further degradation of
the beech habitat on Mt. Maljen in terms of productivity.
Excitotoxicity and overnutrition additively impair metabolic function and identity of pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Admin Ada , Osipovich Anna B. , Stancill Jennifer S. , Cartailler Jean-Philippe , D.Dudek Karrie , Magnuson Mark A.
Published: May 2020

A sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+
concentration (referred to herein as excitotoxicity), brought on by chronic
metabolic stress, may contribute to pancreatic b-cell
failure. To determine the additive effects of excitotoxicity and overnutrition
on b-cell function and gene expression, we
analyzed the impact of a high fat diet (HFD) on Abcc8 knock-out mice. Excitotoxicity caused b-cells to be more susceptible to HFD-induced impairment of
glucose homeostasis, and these effects were mitigated by verapamil, a Ca2+
channel blocker. Excitotoxicity,
overnutrition and the combination of both stresses caused similar but distinct alterations in the b-cell transcriptome,
including additive increases in
genes associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism, fatty acid b-oxidation
and mitochondrial biogenesis, and their key regulator Ppargc1a. Overnutrition worsened excitotoxicity-induced mitochondrial
dysfunction, increasing metabolic inflexibility and mitochondrial damage. In addition, excitotoxicity and
overnutrition, individually and together, impaired both
b-cell function and identity by reducing expression of genes important
for insulin secretion, cell polarity, cell junction, cilia, cytoskeleton,
vesicular trafficking, and regulation of
b-cell epigenetic and transcriptional
program. Sex had an impact on all b-cell
responses, with male animals exhibiting greater metabolic stress-induced
impairments than females. Together, these findings indicate that a sustained increase
in intracellular Ca2+, by
altering mitochondrial function and impairing b-cell identity, augments overnutrition-induced
b-cell failure.
Effects of sustained treatment with lixisenatide on gastric emptying and postprandial glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rayner Christopher K. , Watson Linda E. , Phillips Liza K. , Lange Kylie , Bound Michelle J. , Grivell Jacqueline , Wu Tongzhi , Jones Karen L. , Horowitz Michael , Ferrannini Ele , Tricò Domenico , Frascerra Silvia , Mari Andrea , Natali Andrea
Published: May 2020

Objective

Slowing of gastric emptying by GLP-1 exhibits
tachyphylaxis with continuous exposure. We therefore aimed to establish whether
prolonged use of a “short-acting” GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA),
lixisenatide, achieves sustained slowing of gastric emptying and reduction in
postprandial glycemia.

Research design and methods

30 patients with metformin-treated type 2
diabetes underwent assessment of gastric emptying (scintigraphy) and glucose
metabolism (dual tracer technique) after a 75g glucose drink, before and after 8
weeks’ treatment with lixisenatide (20µg subcutaneously daily) or placebo, in a
double-blind randomized parallel design.

Results

Gastric retention of the glucose drink was
markedly increased after lixisenatide versus placebo (ratio of adjusted
geometric means for area under curve (AUC) over 240 min of 2.19 (95% CI 1.82,
2.64; P<0.001), associated with substantial reductions in the rate of
systemic appearance of oral glucose (P<0.001) and incremental AUC for blood
glucose (P<0.001). Lixisenatide suppressed both glucagon (P=0.003) and
insulin (P=0.032), but not endogenous glucose production, over 120 min after
oral glucose. Postprandial glucose-lowering over 240 min was strongly related
to the magnitude of slowing of gastric emptying by lixisenatide (r = -0.74, P =
0.002) and to the baseline rate of emptying (r = 0.52, P = 0.048), but
unrelated to ß-cell function (assessed by ß-cell glucose sensitivity).

Conclusions

8 weeks’ treatment with lixisenatide is
associated with sustained slowing of gastric emptying and marked reductions in
postprandial glycemia and appearance of ingested glucose. Short-acting GLP-1RAs
therefore potentially represent an effective long-term therapy for specifically
targeting postprandial glucose excursions.
Determinants of Treatment Response in Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. A Combined Deep Sensory Phenotyping and Multi-modal Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.
Authors: Admin Ada , Wilkinson Iain David , Teh Kevin , Heiberg-Gibbons Francesa , Awadh Mohammad , Kelsall Alan , Pallai Shillo , Sloan Gordon , Tesfaye Solomon , Selvarajah Dinesh
Published: May 2020

Painful diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is difficult to manage as
treatment response is often varied. The primary aim of this study was to examine
differences in pain phenotypes between responders and non-responders to
intravenous lidocaine treatment using quantitative sensory testing. The secondary
aim was to explore differences in brain structure and functional connectivity with
treatment response. Forty-five consecutive patients who received intravenous
lidocaine treatment for painful DPN were screened. Twenty-nine patients who met
the eligibility criteria (responders n=14 and non-responders n=15) and 26 healthy
controls underwent detailed sensory profiling. Subjects also underwent multimodal
brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Greater proportion of patients with the
irritable (IR) nociceptor phenotype were responders to intravenous lidocaine
treatment compared to non-responders . The odd-ratio of responding to
intravenous lidocaine was 8.67 times greater (95%CI 1.4:53.8) for the IR
nociceptor phenotype. Responders to intravenous lidocaine also had
significantly greater mean S1 cortical volume and functional connectivity
between the insula cortex and the corticolimbic circuitry. This study provides preliminary
evidence for a mechanism-based approach for individualising therapy in patients
with painful DPN.
PENGGUNAAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN GIVING QUESTIONS AND GETTING ANSWER (GQGA) SEBAGAI UPAYA MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI BELAJAR IPS MELALUI SISWA SD
Authors: Asmini Ida Ayu Ketut Resi
Published: May 2020

Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di SD Negeri 1 Blahbatuh di kelas VI yang kemampuan siswanya untuk mata pelajaran IPS cukup rendah. Tujuan penulisan penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah model pembelajaran Giving Questions and Getting Answer (GQGA) dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar IPS siswa kelas VI SD Negeri 1 Blahbatuh. Metode pengumpulan datanya adalah tes prestasi belajar. Metode analisis datanya adalah deskriptif. Hasil yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini adalah model pembelajaran Giving Questions and Getting Answer (GQGA) dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar IPS siswa kelas VI SD Negeri 1 Blahbatuh. Ini terbukti dari hasil yang diperoleh pada awalnya 67,74, pada siklus I menjadi 74,03 dan pada siklus II menjadi 81,45. Kesimpulan yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini adalah model pembelajaran Giving Questions and Getting Answer (GQGA) dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar IPS siswa kelas VI SD Negeri 1 Blahbatuh Semester II Tahun Pelajaran 2018/2019.
Panel data analysis of employment and unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa and its impact on annual percentage change in GDP growth
Authors: Appiah Gideon Kweku , Prempeh Kingsley , Benn Shadrack , Oduro Ebenezer
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTSub-Sahara Africa has over the years been exposed to diverse arguments and agitations about the provision of employment to alleviate poverty in the sub region with the aim of achieving full employment. Whereas some economists and bibliographers believe of the significant impact that employment and unemployment have on annual percentage change in GDP growth, some do not. The main objective of the study is to access the impact that employment and unemployment have on annual percentage change in GDP growth in Sub-Saharan African countries. World Development Indicator (WDI) data was collected from the World Bank from the year 2000 to 2014 for the purpose of the study. A sample of 12 sub-Saharan African countries were randomly selected using a random number generator and variables taken. Two statistical models were used; the Pooled Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model and the Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV) regression model with fixed effect was used to empirically access impact that employment and unemployment have on annual percentage change in GDP growth. Both the Pooled Ordinary Least Square regression model and the Least Square Dummy Variable regression model tested to be statistically significant but LSDV regression model explained a greater percentage of the variability of the model than the Pooled OLS for employment on GDP growth rate. The pooled OLS regression model was not statistically significant at 5% level of significance in assessing the impact that unemployment has on annual percentage change in GDP growth. Further empirical analysis of the study also revealed a positive relationship between annual percentage change in GDP growth and employment for the female population (Empl15+Female), employment rate for the male population (Empl15+Male) and employment rate for the Total Youth population (Empl15-24 total). Also, an inverse relationship existed between unemployment male youth population (15-24years), and female youth population (15-24years) on annual percentage change in GDP growth. The study can be improved by considering other factors that impact GDP growth other than employment and unemployment.Keywords: Employment, Unemployment, GDP growth rate, Pooled OLS, LSDV
PENGARUH PERSEPSI BELAJAR TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR EKSPLORATIF PADA MATERI SUMBER DAYA ALAM PESERTA DIDIK TINGKAT SMP DI KOTA LANGSA PROVINSI ACEH
Authors: Urfan Faiz , Ningrum Ayu Sekar , Ginting Kronika Br.
Published: May 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh persepsi belajar terhadap kemampuan berpikir eksploratif lalu merumuskan strategi pembelajaran yang tepat untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir tersebut. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian survey dengan sampel sebanyak 70 peserta didik SMP Negeri di Kota Langsa. Teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah stratified random sampling. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan uji regresi linier dan uji-t (partial test) dengan aplikasi IBM SPSS 25. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa R2 = 0,023 (2,3%) dengan nilai signifikansi uji-t = 0,207. Nilai tersebut mengindikasikan persepsi belajar berpengaruh terhadap kemampuan berpikir eksploratif sebesar 2,3%. Namun hasil uji-t menunjukkan bahwa persepsi belajar tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap kemampuan berpikir eksploratif peserta didik (0,207>0,05). Berdasarkan hasil tersebut, peneliti merekomendasikan agar kemampuan berpikir eksploratif dapat dikaji lebih mendalam dengan berbagai variabel lain yang berkaitan sehingga guru dapat merumuskan strategi yang tepat untuk mengembangkan kemampuan tersebut.
Simple Modification Measurement of Photodegradability of Polymers by using Photo-induced Chemiluminescence Technique
Authors: Zakaria Siti Farhana , Millington Keith R.
Published: May 2020

Polymers and organic materials that are exposed to sunlight undergo photooxidation, which leads to deterioration of their physical properties. To allow adequate performance under outdoor conditions, synthetic polymers require additives such as antioxidants and UV absorbers. A major problem with optimising polymer formulations to maximise their working life span is that accelerated weathering tests are empirical. The conditions differ significantly from real weathering situations, and samples require lengthy irradiation period. Degradation may not be apparent in the early stages of exposure, although this is when products such as hydroperoxides are formed which later cause acceleration of oxidation. A simple way of quantifying the number of free radicals presents in organic materials following exposure to light or heat is by measuring chemiluminescence (CL) emission. Most polymers emit CL when they undergo oxidative degradation, and it originates from the bimolecular reaction of macroperoxy radicals which creates an excited carbonyl.
Properties of Gliricidia Wood (Gliricidia sepium) lntercropped with Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa) in Malaysia
Authors: Ibrahim Mohd Helmy , Suratman Mohd Nazip , Abd Kader Razali
Published: May 2020

Trees planted from agroforestry practices can become valuable resources in meeting the wood requirements of many nations. Gliricidia septum is an exotic species introduced to the agricultural sector in Malaysia mainly for providing shade for cocoa and coffee plantations. This study investigates its wood physical properties (specific gravity and moisture content) and fibre morphology (length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness) of G.sepium at three intervals according to age groups (three, five and seven years of ages). Specific gravity (0.72) was significantly higher at seven years of age as compared to five (0.4 I) and three (0.35) years age group with a mean of 0.43 (p<0.05). Mean moisture content was 58.3% with no significant difference existing between the tree age groups. Fibre diameter (22.4 mm) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for the trees which were three years of age when compared to five and seven years age groups (26.6 mm and 24. 7 mm), respectively. Means of fibre length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were 0.83 mm, 18.3 mm, and 6.2 mm, respectively,, with no significant differences detected between trees in all age groups. Further calculation on the coefficient of suppleness and runkel ratio suggest that wood from G.sepium may have the potential for insulation board manufacturing and paper making. However, future studies should experiment the utilisation of this species for these products to determine its full potential.
Synthesis and Characterization of Pd{II) and Ni(II) Complexes of Schiff Bases and Catalytic Activity of Pd(II) Complexes
Authors: Mohd Tajuddin Amalina , Bahron Hadariah , Ahmad Shahrul Nizam
Published: May 2020

Six new Pd(Il) and Ni(Il) metal complexes of N, O-bidentate (LI, L2) and ONNO-tetradentate (L3) Schiff base ligands have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized via various physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques namely elemental analysis (CHN), FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR. as well as magnetic susceptibility measurement. All complexes showed diamagnetism indicating that they are square planar complexes. Catalytic performance of Pd(Ll)2 and Pd(L2)2 were investigated/or Heck cross-coupling reaction under optimum operating parameters, monitored using GC-FID for 6 h of reaction time in inert conditions. High catalytic activities of up to 90% were observed in the presence of triethylamine as base and DMA as solvent at J0()"C with I mmol% catalyst loading. The mechanism of catalyzed Heck reaction is proposed to go through a series of conversion of Pd(0)/Pd(Il).
Kinetics Study of Membrane Anaerobic System (MAS) in Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment
Authors: Nour Abdurrahman Hamid , Yahya Asdarina , S. Amirah N. F. , Abdul Rahman Siti Natrah , Mohammed Manshor Norasmah , Hassan Zulkafli
Published: May 2020

Increasing demands in palm oil industry resulting in the increase in production palm oil. It is then creating a major problem in disposing the waste to be treated in appropriate ways. The governments are forced to look for alternative technology for the palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment because the demand of oil increases with the awareness on increasing environmental issue. Therefore, a new technology must be found in order to reduce energy consumption, to meet legal requirements on emission and for cost reduction and also increased quality of water treatment. Membrane Anaerobic System (MAS) is a promising alternative way to overcome these issues. In this study, the efficiency of the MAS performance increases to 99. 03% in ten days operation. The application of Monod, Contois and Chen & Hashimoto models were used to analyze the performance of MAS for treating POME. The results from the experiment show the substrate removal model is well fits for estimation of kinetics membrane anaerobic system. Amongst them, the Contois and Monod models predicted the bio-kinetic reactions of the MAS very well with coefficient of determination (R2>97%) values. The MAS bioreactor was created to be an improvement method as well as successful biological treatment since the graph shows linearized which is in good agreement with reported in literature.
Characterization of Agarwood Incense using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) and Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)
Authors: Ismail Nurlaila , Lbrahim Mastura , Zareen Seema , Rahiman Mohd Hezri Fazalul , Tajuddin Saiful Nizam , Taib Mohd Nasir
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the application of Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) to charaterize agarwood incense. The work involved three types of SPME fibres at 30 minutes sampling time. The fibres are 50/30 µm divinylbenzene-carboxen­polydimethysiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS), 65 µm polydimethylsiloxane­divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) and 85 µm carboxen-polydimethyl siloxane (CAR-PD MS). The results showed that among many compounds extracted by GC-MS coupled with SPME, six compounds were found significantly presence in high quality aganvood incense due to their high percentage area(%). They are b-maaliene, a-elemol, b-selinene, 10-epi-y-eudesmol, agarospirol and caryophellene oxide. The finding offers a new approach for establishing the volatile profile of agarwood incense components which is beneficial for agarwood grading and discrimination.
Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Raw and After Sand Filtration Water at Lubok Buntar Water Treatment Plant
Authors: Zakaria Nur Hafizah , Tajarudin Husnul Azan , Mohd Sapingi Mohd Sharizal , Murshed Mohamad Fared
Published: May 2020

This study focused on the identification of pathogenic bacteria in raw water intake and after sand filtration for drinking water treatment plant during flood event in 2014. The samples was collected from the Lubok Buntar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and processed through bacterial isolation using chocolate agar as a media. The isolation process conducted based on serial samples dilution and streaking method prior to DNA extraction. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction kit was used to get selected bacteria DNA and further analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and electrophoresis to get DNA sequences. The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis was employed to identify the species of the isolated bacteria. As a result, Pantoeaagglomerans and Enterobacter sp. were found in raw and filtered water sample and indicating the same family types. It was concluded that bacteria of the same species were found before and after sand filtration and need to be removed by disinfectant process. The findings also indicated that all the physicochemical parameters measured were within the values prescribed by the Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS).
Assemblage Patterns of Hymenoptera at Different Elevations of Gunung Datuk, Rembau
Authors: Abd Aziz Noor Nasuha , Mohd Hatta Siti Khairiyah , Abd Ghani Idris , Saiyid Shaifuddin Saiyid Jalaluddin
Published: May 2020

A study on abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera was conducted in Gunung Datuk, Rembau. Samplings were conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 using six Malaise traps. Three traps were placed at Site 1 at 700m height for high elevation and the remaining traps were placed at Site 2 at 200m height for low elevation. A total number of 221 Hymenopteran were collected which consist of nine families namely Ichneumonidae, Formicidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Evaniidae, Tiphiidae, Vespidae, Pompilidae and Apidae. In this study, 93 individuals were obtained from Site 1, comprising nine families and 43 morphospecies while 127 individuals were obtained from Site 2 with nine families and 45 morphospecies. Formicidae was the most dominant family collected from both sites with a total of 104 individuals while the least family recorded was Apidae with only one individual. Shannon’s Weiner Diversity Index (H’) showed Site 1 had the higher diversity value with H’ = 3.17 compared to Site 2 with value H’ = 3.12. For Evenness Index, Site 1 had higher value compared to Site 2 with E’ = 0.84 and E’ = 0.82 respectively. Moreover, for Margalef Richness Index, Site 1 recorded R’ = 9.24 while site two recorded R’ = 9.08 which concluded that Site 1 had higher species richness compared to Site 2. Paired t-test showed that both sites had no significant difference with p>0.05. Overall study showed that the diversity and abundance of Hymenoptera in Gunung Datuk were low since the value of H’ is less than 3.50.
Multimedia Elements of Digital Storytelling for Dyslexic Children
Authors: Sakamat Norzehan , Sabri Siti Nabilah , Mat Diah Norizan
Published: May 2020

Storytelling is considered as an interactive social arts that uses word and gestures to reveal the elements and images of a story while engaging the listener's imagination. Multimedia based digital storytelling learning approach provides interesting, interactive, engaging and multisensory learning experience to children. Children explore new experience and scenarios as new stories are being told. This study concentrates on determining the best combination of elements for designing effective digital storytelling applications specifically for the usage of dyslexic children. Dyslexic children are known to have a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing, spelling and comprehension. These applications are design with the objective to help in improving dyslexic children ability in readings and comprehensions. Four elements were derived from extensive literature studies. The elements are multimedia components, multi-sensory instructional approach, emotional design and games design. The relationship among all the elements were determine and described in details as it will be used to contribute to the design and development of the application in further works.  The strength of this study is it models the combinations of technology, psychology and instructional approach as a support components for developing an effective digital story telling learning application for dyslexic children.
Knowledge and Attitude of Teachers in Selected Malaysian Primary School towards Dental Injuries
Authors: Hassan Syazwani , Zulkifly Nur Nabila , Venkiteswaran Annapurny , Abdul Halim Rohaida
Published: May 2020

To ascertain the level of knowledge among primary school teachers towards the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in school and to determine the preference among teachers regarding the education tools that can be used to increase awareness and knowledge among them. A total of 150 teachers from primary schools in three different districts were included in the study and they were given self-administered questionnaires to be filled. The validated questionnaire was distributed randomly in the selected schools. The questionnaire included two scenarios comprising of tooth fracture and avulsion. Questions regarding awareness and management of these scenarios were asked. All 150 participants answered the questionnaire; of these 74% were females 26% were males. 64% of the participants had received tertiary education. Although 70% of teachers had obtained first aid training, only 9.3% of them had received training regrading dental injuries. About 53% of participants knew the correct answer for the appropriate response to fractured tooth and only 35.3% managed to correctly answer the question related to appropriate response to an avulsed tooth. Only 38.7% knew about appropriate rinsing solution and a mere 4.7% were familiar with proper storage media. Even though the teachers have poor knowledge regarding management of dental injuries, it is reassuring to know that 93% of them are keen on further training and awareness. More educational programmes need to be introduced to empower the teachers with the relevant knowledge required to deal with dental emergencies.
Microwave Non-Destructive Testing of Coatings and Paints Using Free Space Microwave Measurement
Authors: Hamzah Norhayati , Ghodgaonkar Deepak Kumar , Che Kasim Kamal Faizin , Awang Zaiki
Published: May 2020

Microwave nondestructive testing (MNDT) techniques are applied to evaluate quality of anti-corrosive protective coatings and paints on metal surfaces. A tree-space microwave measurement (FSMM) system is used for MNDT of protective coatings. The FSMM system consists of transmit and receive spot-focusing horn lens antennas, a vector network analyzer, mode transitions and a computer. Diffraction effects at the edges of the sample are minimized by using spot-focusing horn lens antennas. Errors due to multiple reflections between antennas are corrected by using free-space LRL (line, reflect, line) calibration technique. We have measured complex reflection coefficient of polyurethane based paint which is coated on brass plates.
Free Space Microwave Characterization of Silicon Wafers for Microelectronic Applications
Authors: Awang Zaiki , Ghodgaonkar Deepak Kumar , Baba Noor Hasimah
Published: May 2020

A contactless and non-destructive microwave method has been developed to characterize silicon semiconductor wafers from reflection and transmission measurements made at normal incidence using MNDT. The measurement system consists of a pair of spot-focusing horn lens antenna, mode transitions, coaxial cables and a vector network analyzer (VNA). In this method, the free-space reflection and transmission coefficients, S11 and S21 are measured for silicon wafers sandwiched between two Teflon plates of 5mm thickness which act as a quarter-wave transformer at mid-band. The actual reflection and transmission coefficients, S11 and S21 of the silicon wafers are then calculated from the measured S11 and S21 using ABCD matrix transformation in which the complex permittivity and thickness of the Teflon plates are known. From the complex permittivity, the resistivity and conductivity can be obtained. Results for p-type and n-type doped silicon wafers are reported in the frequency range of 11 – 12.5 GHz. The dielectric constant of silicon wafer obtained by this method agrees well with that measured in the same frequency range by other conventional methods.
Design and Fabrication of a Robotic Arm for Material Handling
Authors: Rao P Nageswara , Ahmad Anuar , Omar Abdul Rahman , Ayub Muhammad Azmi
Published: May 2020

The commercial robots are expensive for use in the educational institutions. The operation of them will not leave room for experimentation, which is necessary in an educational institution. Further a large number of components that can be used for building a robot are readily available in the market. Hence this project has been taken up to allow us to build a working robot using as many of the off the shelf components to provide the necessary flexibility. This would make it a low cost robot with enough flexibility for the students to experiment the various functions of the robot.The mechanical component of the manipulator was built with three degrees of freedom, one revolute and two prismatic joints. This configuration is most common to be used as a material-handling device for machine tools. The revolute joint was achieved by making use of a pneumatic rotary table and one prismatic joint is realized by means of a pneumatic cylinder. The second prismatic joint in the Z-direction is achieved by the use of an AC servomotor with a ball screw and linear motion elements to provide for accurate positioning capability. The gripper had been designed for cylindrical components, since this robot was conceived as a material handling unit for a CNC turning center. All the necessary design calculations had been done and the finite element analysis was carried out for the main structure. The control system of the robot was one of the crucial elements. A PC is used as a controller. The motion control was carried out with the help of a motion control card DC2-PC100. It had the ability to control 2 servo and 2 stepper motors in addition to other digital and analogue controls. Several types of sensors and actuators were used for the robot to be fully automatic. The signal conditioning circuitry was designed in house for the interfacing between sensors, actuators and controllers. The control algorithm was developed with the necessary functioning to coordinate all the joint movement as well as gripper manipulation.
Temperature Measurement System for Building Material and Built Space Thermal Evaluation
Authors: Md Zain Zainazlan , Taib Mohd Nasir , Baki Shahrizam M. S. , Ahmed Azni Zain
Published: May 2020

This paper examines the temperature profile of a building material and also a built space. The study directly examines the influence of solar radiation on building material and the heat it generated and diffuses into the built space. Two experiments are presented. The first look at a simple technique for evaluating heat performance of a building material, and the second evaluates the performance of a cross-ventilated built space with respect to solar radiation.
Hyperelastic and Elastic-Plastic Approaches for Modelling Uniaxial Tensile Performance of Woven Fabrics
Authors: Yahya Mohamad Faizul , Chen X.
Published: May 2020

This article presents the findings of experimental and finite element simulation warp direction uniaxial tensile testing of plain 1/1, 2/2 twill and 8 ends satin woven fabrics with respect to a woven fabric model developed in IGES using UniverFilter. Woven fabrics have been specifically configured as a balanced weave thereby allowing systematic investigation of the effect of uniaxial tensile stress on the weave. Static automatic incrementation of large representative volume elements has enabled characterisation of the response of two-dimensional woven fabrics under uniaxial tensile stress with respect to hyperelastic and elastic-plastic material properties. Plain 1/1 and 8 ends satin woven fabrics were well-described by the hyperelastic model and the elastic-plastic model predicted extended strain percentages. The modelling indicates that satin woven fabric possesses the lowest strain distribution and compression stress in the unloaded weft direction compared to plain and twill woven fabrics.
Factors Affecting Molecular Self-Assembly and Its Mechanism
Authors: Tan Huey Ling
Published: May 2020

Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and has emerged as a new approach to produce new materials in chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, polymer science and materials. Molecular self-assembly has been attracting increasing interest from the scientific community in recent years due to its importance in understanding biology and a variety of diseases at the molecular level. In the last few years, considerable advances have been made in the use of peptides as building blocks to produce biological materials for wide range of applications, including fabricating novel supra-molecular structures and scaffolding for tissue repair. The study of biological self-assembly systems represents a significant advancement in molecular engineering and is a rapidly growing scientific and engineering field that crosses the boundaries of existing disciplines. Many self-assembling systems are range from bi- and tri-block copolymers to DNA structures as well as simple and complex proteins and peptides. The ultimate goal is to harness molecular self-assembly such that design and control of bottom-up processes is achieved thereby enabling exploitation of structures developed at the meso- and macro-scopic scale for the purposes of life and non-life science applications. Such aspirations can be achieved through understanding the fundamental principles behind the self­ organisation and self-synthesis processes exhibited by biological systems.
Saving Primary Energy Consumption Through Exergy Analysis of Combine Distillation and Power Plant
Authors: Tijani Alhassan Salami , Mohammed Nazri , Witt Werner
Published: May 2020

Industrial heat pumps are heat-recovery systems that allow the temperature of waste-heat stream to be increased to a higher, more efficient temperature. Consequently, heat pumps can improve energy efficiency in industrial processes as well as energy savings when conventional passive-heat recovery is not possible. In this paper, possible ways of saving energy in the chemical industry are considered, the objective is to reduce the primary energy (such as coal) consumption of power plant. Particularly the thermodynamic analyses of integrating backpressure turbine of a power plant with distillation units have been considered. Some practical examples such as conventional distillation unit and heat pump are used as a means of reducing primary energy consumption with tangible indications of energy savings. The heat pump distillation is operated via electrical power from the power plant. The exergy efficiency of the primary fuel is calculated for different operating range of the heat pump distillation. This is then compared with a conventional distillation unit that depends on saturated steam from a power plant as the source of energy. The results obtained show that heat pump distillation is an economic way to save energy if the temperature difference between the overhead and the bottom is small. Based on the result, the energy saved by the application of a heat pump distillation is improved compared to conventional distillation unit.
THE NON-COOPERATIVE JOURNALISTS’ STRUGGLE AGAINST SELF-CENSORSHIP DURING THE NEW ORDER INDONESIA (1967-1998)
Authors: Sumiati Wina
Published: May 2020

In the Soeharto era, the Indonesian journalists were divided into two categories: the cooperative and the non-cooperative ones. Different from the former that obeyed to the government to do self-censorship, the latter category challenged against the government by publishing not only good news, but also any sensitive news about the national problems. In this research, I will analyze the struggle of the non-cooperative journalists, later called the independent journalists, against the regulation of censorship. How they responded to the censorship, and what ways they used to resist the regulation will be the main focuses of the study. In conducting this research, I use history method including heuristic, criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The result of the study shows that the independent journalists took actions by founding an organization called the AJI (the Alliance of Independent Journalists) to organize the journalists with the same goal: ceasing freedom of expression. They also had several alternative media to disseminate the information to avoid the government surveillance, like publishing books, using the internet, conducting seminars, and founding discussion forums with Indonesian students. Their efforts, triggered by the economic collapse factor, succeeded to end the authoritarianism regime.
Perpindahan dan Perubahan : Transportasi dalam Struktur Naratif Riwayat Perjalanan ke Amerika di Era Viktorian
Authors: Adipurwawijdana Ari J.
Published: May 2020

ABSTRAKRiwayat yang disajikan penulis Britania era Viktorian tentang perjalannnya ke Amerikamengasumsikan adanya sebuah jaringan prasarana transportasi. Sistem transportasiterkait dengan riwayat perjalanan (travel narrative) dalam tiga hal, yaitu (1) sebagaibasis material bagi perjalanan, (2) sebagai substruktur riwayat, dan (3) sebagai pokokpembicaraan dalam riwayat itu sendiri. Buku Domestic Manners of the Americans (1832)merupakan model bagi cara infrastruktur transportasi menentukan aspek naratologis,yaitu urutan dan perspektif dalam struktur naratif riwayat perjalanan. Karya tersebut jugamenyajikan transportasi sebagai pokok pembicaraan dalam teksnya itu sendiri walaupun tidaksejauh sebagaimana yang tampak pada The Amateur Emigrant (1895) karya Robert LouisStevenson. Dalam hal ini, The American Scene (1907) karya Henry James juga relevankarena, walaupun tidak secara gamblang membicarakan transportasi sebagai topik dantidak pula menampakkan ciri-ciri riwayat perjalanan, karya tersebut merepresentasicara wawasan Britania-Amerika trans-Atlantik dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang lumrah.Wawasan ini juga memandang menganggap perjalanan trans-Atlantik sebagai semacamperjalanan menembus waktu, yang menunjukkan ketidaknyaman para penulis Britaniaabad kesembilanbelas terhadap transformasi sosial ke masyrakat demokratis yangdirepresentasi secara metaforis oleh pemahaman mereka tentang Amerika.Kata kunci: catatan perjalanan Viktorian, transportasi, wisataABSTRACTNarratives presented by Victorian British writers about their travels to America assume theavailability of a transprtation infrastructure system. Such a system is related to the travelnarrative in three things, namely, (1) as a material base for travel, (2) as a narrative substructurehistory, and (3) as the subject-matter of the narratives. Fanny Trollope’s Domestic Mannerof the Americans (1832) is a model for the way transportation infrastructure determinesnarratological aspects, namely order and perspective in the structure of the travel narrative.The piece also presents transportation as a subject-matter in its text although it does notgo so far as do Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Amateur Emigrant (1895). In discussingtransportation Henry James’ The American Scene is also relevant because, despite it’s notexplicitly speaking of transportation as a topic nor does it show the convential characteristicsof the travel narrative, the work represents a British-American trans-Atlantic world viewas a given. This world view also considers trans-Atlantic travels as a kind of voyage acrosstime, implying the discomfort of nineteenth-century British writers concerning the socialtransition into a democratic society represented by America as a metaphor.Keywords: Victorian travel narrative, transportation, tourism
Makna Puak Poi pada Upacara Paisin dalam Budaya Masyarakat Tionghoa di Kota Medan
Authors: Rudiansyah Rudiansyah
Published: May 2020

ABSTRAK. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui makna puak poi dalam upacara paisin dalam budaya masyarakat Tionghoa di Kota Medan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif yang ditulis secara deskriptif. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui studi lapangan berupa: wawancara, observasi, perekaman upacara penggunaan puak poi, pengamatan terlibat (participant observer), dan studi kepustakaan. Secara kontekstual puak poi merupakan sarana komunikasi kepada Tuhan, dewa, atau leluhur di alam baka. Secara semiotik puak poi memiliki tiga petanda jawaban, yaitu: sengpoi (jawaban “ya”),jipoi (jawaban yang menggantung “antara ya dan tidak”), dan kampoi (jawaban “tidak”). Teks pertanyaan sekaligus permintaan umumnya menggunakan bahasa Indonesia, dengan tema berupa rezeki, jodoh, pengobatan, karir kerja, dan pembersihan altar keluarga.Kata kunci: Tionghoa, Medan, puak poi, paisin, sengpoi, jipoi, kampoi
A Code Mixing Analysis of Javanese Community at Karang Anyar
Authors: Devira Merina
Published: May 2020

ABSTRAKTujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menggambarkan tentang faktor-faktor yangmempengaruhi penggunaan code mixing pada komunitas suku Jawa di desa Karang Anyar,Langsa, serta untuk menjelaskan pola sintaks yang terbentuk pada percakapan code mixingtersebut melalui diagaram pohon. Untuk mengumpulkan data, penelitian ini menggunakantiga metode: observasi, rekaman, dan wawancara. Subjek penelitian ini adalah 15 orangbersuku Jawa yang berumur 20-60 tahun. Data dalam penelitian ini adalah rekaman wawancarapara subjek dan rekaman percakapan para subjek yang terdapat tuturan code mixing. Hasildari penelitian ini menunjukkan tentang faktor yang mempengaruhi code mixing di desatersebut dan pola sintaks pada percakapan komunitas Jawa yang mengandung code mixingdalam hal penggunaan fase kata kerja, kata benda, kata bantu, dan kata seru.Kata kunci: code mixing, analisis, komunitas suku Jawa, pola sintaksABSTRACTThe aims of this research are to describe the factors influencing the use of code mixingin the Javanese community at Karang Anyar Village, Langsa, then to describe the syntacticpatterns in the code mixing of conversations uttered in that community by using a treediagram. To collect data, this study used three methods: observation, recording, and interviewmethod. The subjects of this study are 15 people of Javanese community aged 20-60 yearsold. The data in this research are the subject interview recordings and the subjects speechJavanese community at Karang Anyar Village Langsa in which code mixing are found. Theresult of this study showed two findings about the factors influencing the use of code mixing inthe Javanese community and the syntactic pattern in the conversation of Javanese communityin terms of the use of verb phrase (VP), noun phrase (NP), auxiliary, and interjection.Keywords: A Code Mixing, Analysis, Javanese Community, Syntactic Pattern
Kesulitan Mahasiswa Pembelajar Pemula Bahasa Perancis dalam Memahami Gramatika
Authors: Hasanah Ferli
Published: May 2020

ABSTRAKGramatika pada setiap bahasa memiliki kekhasannya masing-masing.Mahasiswa Program Studi Sastra Perancis tahun pertama sebagai pembelajar pemulasering mengalami kesulitan dalam memahami gramatika bahasa. Kesulitan mereka tidakterlepas dari perbedaan-perbedaan mendasar pada struktur bahasa Indonesia sebagaibahasa ibu mereka dan bahasa Perancis yang tengah dipelajari. Penelitian ini dilaksanakandengan tujuan untuk mengetahui hambatan yang dimiliki mahasiswa pembelajar pemuladi Program Studi Sastra Perancis Universitas Padjadjaran dalam memahami gramatikabahasa Perancis. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode simak dancatat. Hasil analisis ini menunjukkan bahwa kesalahan-kesalahan yang umum dilakukanpembelajar pemula ada pada penggunaan accent, konjugasi verba, partikel défini maupunindéfini, accord penanda feminin atau jamak, serta pemilihan preposisi.Kata kunci: gramatika, bahasa Perancis, konjugasiABST RACTThe grammar in every language has its own particularities. French literaturestudents in the first year as a beginner learners often have problem in understandingFrench grammar which is frequently considered difficult. Their struggle is inseparablefrom the fundamental differences between Indonesian structure as their mother tongueand the French language which being studied. This research aims to know the obstaclesof the students of beginner learners in the French Literature of Padjadjaran university inunderstanding the basic French grammar. The method used in this research is referringand taking notes method. The results of the analysis shows that the common mistakes oflearners are in the use of accents, verb conjugations, particles défini or indéfini, markeraccord feminine or plural, and the selection of prepositions.Keywords: grammar, French, conjugation