bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penerapan PENERAPAN STARTEGI ACTIVE LEARNING BERBASIS PROBLEM SOLVING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA KELAS V DI SDN NAGA NURI SEMESTER I TAHUN PELAJARAN 2018/2019
Authors: Gufran Gufran Gufran , Ibrahim Ibrahim
Published: October 2020

Rendahnya hasil belajar siswa tersebut disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor, diantaranya adalah kurangnya aktivitas siswa dalam mengikuti pembelajaran yaitu pada saat proses belajar berlangsung, sehingga siswa enggan untuk bertanya terhadap materi yang belum dipahami. Faktor lain yang menyebabkan adalah metode pembelajaran yang diterapkan dalam proses pembelajaran masih berpusat pada guru, sehingga siswa menjadi bosan, mengantuk, dan hanya mencatat saja, akhirnya siswa kurang aktif dalam proses pembelajaran. Sehingga mereka tidak terlatih berpikir kreatif dalam menemukan jawaban sendiri dalam pemecahan masalah PKn. Untuk mengantisipasi masalah di atas perlu dilakukan inovasi pembelajaran yang dapat membantu meningkatkan pemahaman dan penalaran siswa. Salah satu upaya yang dapat ditempuh dengan cara menerapkan strategi pembelajaran yang lebih efektif untuk pengajaran. Salah satu metode yang diperkenalkan pada dunia pendidika adalah metode pemecahan masalah (Problem Solving). Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas V SDN Naga Nuri Tahun Pelajaran 2018/2019 dengan jumlah 18 siswa. Rancangan penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan penelitian tindakan kelas dengan dua siklus. Setiap siklus meliputi tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan, dan refleksi.

Hasil penelitian ini disimpulkan bahwa metode pembelajaran problem solving dapat meningkatkan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa. Pembelajaran dengan metode problem solving memiliki dampak positif dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa yang ditandai dengan peningkatan ketuntasan belajar siswa dalam setiap siklus, yaitu siklus I (38,89%), siklus II (88,89%). Penerapan metode problem solving mempunyai pengaruh positif, yaitu dapat meningkatkan aktivitas belajar siswa yang ditunjukan dengan hasil observasi per siklus menunjukkan peningkatan. Pada siklus I keaktifan siswa tergolong cukup aktif dengan persentase 55%. Pada siklus II mengalami peningkatan yang tergolong sangat aktif dengan persentase 95%. Pembelajaran dengan menggunakan model problem solving dapat digunakan guru untuk lebih memaksimalkan kegiatan pembelajaran, siswa tidak bosan dan pemahaman siswa akan tertanam melalui penelitian yang mereka lakukan. Bagi siswa dengan karakteristik yang aktif, mandiri, serta percaya diri atau  bagi siswa yang kurang aktif, kurang percaya diri, belajar dapat menggunakan model problem solving, seperti pada mata pelajaran PKn.
Peningkatan PENINGKATAN MUTU PEMBELAJARAN MELALUI SUPERVISI AKADEMIK DI SMPN 8 LAMBU SEMESTER GANJIL TAHUN PELAJARAN 2018/2019
Authors: S.Pd Arif Rahman
Published: October 2020

. Guru wajib membekali dirinya ilmu kependidikan dan usaha-usaha yang memacu peningkatan intelektual akademik dalam keselarasan mengajar terutama upaya meningkatkan gairah atau minat membaca pengetahuan kependidikan di luar rencana pelaksanaan pembelajaran di kelas secara kesadarandan kemandirian guru tersebut. Salah satu upaya untuk meningkatkan kinerja guru dan mutu pembelajaran adalah melakukan kegiatan supervisi akademik. Supervisi akademik merupakan serangkaian kegiatan membantu guru mengembangkan kemampuannya mengelola proses pembelajaran demi pencapaian tujuan pembelajaran Glickman (1981).  Sementara itu,  Daresh (1989) menyebutkan bahwa supervisi akademik merupakan upaya membantu guru-guru mengembangkan kemampuannya mencapai tujuan pembelajaran. Dengan demikian,  esensi supervisi akademik itu sama sekali bukan menilai unjuk kerja guru dalam mengelola proses pembelajaran, melainkan membantu guru mengembangkan kemampuan profesionalismenya. Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah guru SMPN 8 Lambu. Rancangan penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan penelitian tindakan kelas dengan dua siklus. Setiap siklus meliputi tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan, dan refleksi.

Berdasarkan analisis data, disimpulkan bahwa bimbingan berkelanjutan  dapat meningkatkan motivasi guru dalam menyusun administrasi mengajar dengan lengkap dan perencanaan mengajar melalui supervisi akademik sehingga menghasilkan pembelajaran yang lebih bermutu. Bimbingan berkelanjutan  dapat meningkatkan motivasi guru dalam menyusun administrasi mengajar dengan lengkap dan perencanaan mengajar melalui supervisi akademik sehingga menghasilkan pembelajaran yang lebih bermutu. Guru menunjukkan keseriusan dalam memahami dan menyusun administrasi mengajar apalagi setelah mendapatkan bimbingan pengembangan administrasi mengajar/ RPP dari peneliti sehingga terjadinya peningkatan. Kegiatan supervisi akademik dapat meningkatkan kompetensi guru dalam menyiapkan perencanaan pembelajaran yang pada akhirnya meningkatkan mutu pembelajaran. Hal itu dapat dibuktikan  dari hasil observasi /pengamatan yang memperlihatkan bahwa terjadi peningkatan  kompetensi guru dalam mengajar dari siklus ke siklus sehingga terjadinya peningkatan dalam perencanaan pembelajaran. Telah terbukti bahwa dengan  bimbingan berkelanjutan  dapat meningkatkan  motivasi  dan  kompetensi guru dalam menyusun administrasi mengajar dan perencanaan pembelajaran. Oleh karena itu, peneliti menyampaikan beberapa saran sebagai berikut. Motivasi yang sudah tertanam khususnya dalam penyusunan administrasi mengajar dan perencanaan pembelajaran hendaknya terus dipertahankan dan ditingkatkan.
The Auto-Diagnosis of Granulation of Information Retrieval on the Web
Authors: Bryniarska Anna
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a postulation on the relationship between the memory structure of the brain’s neural network and the representation of information granules in the semantic web is presented. In order to show this connection, abstract operations of inducing information granules are proposed to be used for the proposed logical operations systems, hereinafter referred to as: analysis, reduction, deduction and synthesis. Firstly, the searched information is compared with the information represented by the thesaurus, which is equivalent to the auto-diagnosis of this system. Secondly, triangular norm systems (information perception systems) are built for fuzzy or vague information. These are fuzzy sets. The introduced logical operations and their logical values, denoted as problematic, hypothetical, validity and decidability, are interpreted in these fuzzy sets. In this way, the granularity of the information retrieval on the Web is determined according to the type of reasoning.
Aegilops tauschii Introgressions Improve Physio-Biochemical Traits and Metabolite Plasticity in Bread Wheat under Drought Stress
Authors: Itam Michael , Abdelrahman Mostafa , Yamasaki Yuji , Mega Ryosuke , Gorafi Yasir , Akashi Kinya , Tsujimoto Hisashi
Published: October 2020

With the aim of providing genetic materials for breeding drought-resistant wheat varieties, the physiological and metabolic plasticity of three drought-resistant wheat multiple synthetic derivative lines (MSDLs) and their backcross parent “Norin 61” (N61) were evaluated in response to drought stress. The results indicated that the D-genome introgressions from Aegilops tauschii into the MDSLs improved their drought-adaptive traits. Specifically, MNH5 and MSD345 showed higher photosynthesis rates and triose phosphate utilization than N61 under control conditions, resulting in greater accumulation of glucose and sucrose in the shoots. However, under drought stress, MNH5 and MSD345 had higher intrinsic water use efficiency than MSD53 and N61. The total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity increased in all three MSDLs, whereas no significant changes were found in N61 in response to drought stress. Metabolome analysis identified six common drought-induced metabolites in all of the investigated genotypes. However, four metabolites (adenine, gamma aminobutyric acid, histidine, and putrescine) each specifically accumulated in an MSDL in response to drought stress, suggesting that these metabolites are important for MSDL drought resistance. In conclusion, MNH5 and MSD345 showed better adaptive responses to drought stress than MSD53 and N61, suggesting that these two MSDLs could be explored for breeding drought-resistant wheat lines.
10-Years Studies of the Soil Physical Condition after One-Time Biochar Application
Authors: Pranagal Jacek , Kraska Piotr
Published: October 2020

The ten-year experiment on the soil physical properties of biochar-amended Podzol was studied. Biochar was applied to the soil in the following rates: treatment BC10—10 Mg × ha−1, treatment BC20—20 Mg × ha−1, treatment BC30—30 Mg × ha−1 and treatment BC0—Control (soil without the addition of biochar). Biochar was mixed the soil arable layer (0–20 cm). Soil samples were collected ten times, once a year—after harvest rye. They were taken from layers: 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm, in six replicates, using 100 cm3 metal cylinders. The soil physical properties were determined: particle size distribution, particle density, bulk density, total porosity, air capacity and permeability (at −15.5 kPa), water content at sampling, field water capacity (at −15.5 kPa), available and unavailable water content, and the ratio of field water capacity and total porosity was calculated. It was found that biochar application causes changes in the soil physical condition. The soil density decreased, while the porosity, aeration and water retention increased; the ratio of field water capacity and total porosity was favorable. These changes cannot be considered as permanent. Most of the analyzed properties showed a durability of no more than 3–4 years. We found that biochar incorporation into soil is a good method for environmental management of waste biomass.
Multi-Year Dynamics of Single-Step Genomic Prediction in an Applied Wheat Breeding Program
Authors: Michel Sebastian , Löschenberger Franziska , Sparry Ellen , Ametz Christian , Bürstmayr Hermann
Published: October 2020

The availability of cost-efficient genotyping technologies has facilitated the implementation of genomic selection into numerous breeding programs. However, some studies reported a superiority of pedigree over genomic selection in line breeding, and as, aside from systematic record keeping, no additional costs are incurring in pedigree-based prediction, the question about the actual benefit of fingerprinting several hundred lines each year might suggest itself. This study aimed thus on shedding some light on this question by comparing pedigree, genomic, and single-step prediction models using phenotypic and genotypic data that has been collected during a time period of ten years in an applied wheat breeding program. The mentioned models were for this purpose empirically tested in a multi-year forward prediction as well as a supporting simulation study. Given the availability of deep pedigree records, pedigree prediction performed similar to genomic prediction for some of the investigated traits if preexisting information of the selection candidates was available. Notwithstanding, blending both information sources increased the prediction accuracy and thus the selection gain substantially, especially for low heritable traits. Nevertheless, the largest advantage of genomic predictions can be seen for breeding scenarios where such preexisting information is not systemically available or difficult and costly to obtain.
Evaluation of Water Stress Coefficient Ks in Different Olive Orchards
Authors: Kokkotos Efthimios , Zotos Anastasios , Patakas Angelos
Published: October 2020

The Mediterranean basin is characterized by hot and dry summers, which are aggravated by climate change, leading to water shortages for irrigation purposes. Olive trees (Olea europea L.) which are the most common cultivation in the area, while tolerant to drought conditions, are often irrigated due to the fact that they suffer from water deficits with negative impacts on yield. The knowledge of the onset and water stress intensity, essentially determines the accuracy of an irrigation schedule that avoids yield reduction and waste of water. Water stress can be quantified by stress coefficient Ks, as suggested by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Combinations and adjustments of the FAO method with field measured data have been used to calculate Ks more precisely and apply it on single experimental fields. The FAO method and a validation method were compared and evaluated with in situ measurements in two different olive orchards in terms of tree age and irrigation system. The results indicate that the FAO method fails to distinguish the differences between cultivars, attributed mainly to the tree age and irrigation system, rendering almost a similar slope of Ks and calculating a nearly simultaneous onset of stress, which was not confirmed by pre-dawn water potential (ΨPD) measurements.
Influence of Particle Size and Xylanase in Corn-Soybean Pelleted Diets on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production in Young Broilers
Authors: Melo-Durán Diego , Pérez José Francisco , González-Ortiz Gemma , Sala Roser , Villagómez-Estrada Sandra , Bedford Michael R. , Graham Hadden , Solà-Oriol David
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of particle size and xylanase supplementation in corn-based pellet diets on the performance and digestive traits in young broilers. A total of 512 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 21-day study. The treatments were designed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with four levels of geometric mean diameter (Dgw) of corn (540, 660, 1390, and 1700 µm), and two levels of xylanase (0 or 16,000 BXU/kg diet). Feeding coarse corn diets (1390 and 1700 µm Dgw) and xylanase supplementation showed an inferior coefficient of variation of body weight. Higher gizzard weight, microbiome alpha-diversity, and clustered separately beta-diversity (p < 0.05) were observed in birds fed coarse diets. The addition of xylanase promoted changes in relative bacteria abundance, increasing Lachnospiraceae, Defluviitaleaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Bacillaceae, Eggerthellaceae, and Streptococcaceae families in the 1700 µm group, and Christensenellaceae and Lachnospiraceae families in the 540 µm Dgw group. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation and particle size of corn interact in the intestinal environment, showing changes in microbial composition. Coarse diets and xylanase supplementation showed improved body weight homogeneity, which might be related to a better gut development and microbiota modulation.
Antibiotic Resistance of Human Periodontal Pathogen Parvimonas micra Over 10 Years
Authors: Rams Thomas E. , Sautter Jacqueline D. , van Winkelhoff Arie J.
Published: October 2020

Changes were evaluated over 10 years in the in vitro resistance of human periodontopathic strains of Parvimonas micra to four antibiotics. Subgingival biofilms culture positive for P. micra from 300 United States adults with severe periodontitis in 2006, and from a similar group of 300 patients in 2016, were plated onto anaerobically incubated enriched Brucella blood agar alone, or supplemented with either doxycycline (4 mg/L), clindamycin (4 mg/L), amoxicillin (8 mg/L), or metronidazole (16 mg/L). P. micra growth on antibiotic-supplemented media indicated in vitro resistance to the evaluated antibiotic concentration. P. micra resistance was significantly more frequent among patients in 2016, as compared to 2006, for doxycycline (11.3% vs. 0.3% patients; 37.7-fold increase), and clindamycin (47.3% vs. 2.0% patients; 23.7-fold increase) (both p < 0.001), whereas resistance to amoxicillin (2.3% vs. 1.0% patients) and metronidazole (0% vs. 0.3% patients) remained low and statistically unchanged between the two patient groups (p-values > 0.05). No P. micra isolates in 2006 or 2016 were jointly resistant in vitro to both amoxicillin and metronidazole. The alarming increases in subgingival P. micra resistance to doxycycline and clindamycin raise serious questions about the empiric use of these antibiotics, either locally or systemically, in the treatment of United States periodontitis patients harboring subgingival P. micra.
Single Cell Analysis of Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium abscessus during Macrophage Infection
Authors: Brzostek Joanna , Fatin Amierah , Chua Wen Hui , Tan Hui Yi , Dick Thomas , Gascoigne Nicholas R. J.
Published: October 2020

Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging health risk to immunocompromised individuals and to people with pre-existing pulmonary conditions. As M. abscessus possesses multiple mechanisms of drug resistance, treatments of M. abscessus are of poor efficacy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies targeting M. abscessus. We describe an experimental system for screening of compounds for their antimicrobial activity against intracellular M. abscessus using flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry. The assay allows simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters, such as proportion of infected host cells, bacterial load per host cell from the infected population, and host cell viability. We verified the suitability of this method using two antibiotics with known activity against M. abscessus: clarithromycin and amikacin. Our analysis revealed a high degree of infection heterogeneity, which correlated with host cell size. A higher proportion of the larger host cells is infected with M. abscessus as compared to smaller host cells, and infected larger cells have higher intracellular bacterial burden than infected smaller cells. Clarithromycin treatment has a more pronounced effect on smaller host cells than on bigger host cells, suggesting that heterogeneity within the host cell population has an effect on antibiotic susceptibility of intracellular bacteria.
Behavioral Tests in Neurotoxin-Induced Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Prasad E. Maruthi , Hung Shih-Ya
Published: October 2020

Currently, neurodegenerative diseases are a major cause of disability around the world. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-leading cause of neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. In PD, continuous loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra causes dopamine depletion in the striatum, promotes the primary motor symptoms of resting tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, and postural instability. The risk factors of PD comprise environmental toxins, drugs, pesticides, brain microtrauma, focal cerebrovascular injury, aging, and hereditary defects. The pathologic features of PD include impaired protein homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, nitric oxide, and neuroinflammation, but the interaction of these factors contributing to PD is not fully understood. In neurotoxin-induced PD models, neurotoxins, for instance, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), paraquat, rotenone, and permethrin mainly impair the mitochondrial respiratory chain, activate microglia, and generate reactive oxygen species to induce autooxidation and dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis. Since no current treatment can cure PD, using a suitable PD animal model to evaluate PD motor symptoms’ treatment efficacy and identify therapeutic targets and drugs are still needed. Hence, the present review focuses on the latest scientific developments in different neurotoxin-induced PD animal models with their mechanisms of pathogenesis and evaluation methods of PD motor symptoms.
Analysis of Core Loss of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine for Vehicle Applications under Different Operating Conditions
Authors: Yang Guohui , Zhang Shuo , Zhang Chengning
Published: October 2020

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are widely used in electric vehicles due to their high power density, high efficiency, etc. Core losses account for a significant component of the total loss in PMSMs. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider it when designing PMSMs according to actual scientific research project applications. This paper extracts the characteristic operating points of the PMSMs under different operating conditions at different speeds. Then a harmonic analysis of air-gap flux density, phase current, core loss was completed, and detailed comparative analysis was performed. A novel method for comprehensively analyzing the stator core loss of PMSMs for vehicles is proposed, which reveals the law of the core loss of the PMSM under Maximum-Torque-Per-Ampere (MTPA) and Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM). The method was verified by a prototype experiment where the actual core loss of PMSMs was measured to verify the correctness of the method. This research provides a reference for accurately predicting core loss during the forward design of PMSMs and completing core loss evaluation for existing PMSMs.
Low-Cost Goethite Nanorods for As (III) and Se (VI) Removal from Water
Authors: Amrani Mokhtar Ali , Ghaleb Atef M. , E. Ragab Adham , Ramadan Mohamed Z. , Khalaf Tamer M.
Published: October 2020

Arsenite (As(III)) and Selenate (Se(VI)) are universally touted as extremely toxic oxyanions in natural and industrial water systems. Thus, the production of low-cost adsorbents that are scalable and toxic-free is of great importance today. In this work, a large-scale goethite nanorods (α-FeOOH NRs) is synthesized using a modified rapid hydrolysis method. The obtained powder is characterized using different multidisciplinary techniques. Accordingly, the results showed uniform and straight nanorods (length ~400 nm and diameter ~40 nm) resembling cigar-like morphology while the structure is confirmed to be of orthorhombic α-FeOOH phase. The potential application of this material to adsorb As (III) and Se (VI) ions in water is explored. In particular, for initial adsorbate concentrations (~500 µg/L), the removal efficiencies are found exceptional with α-FeOOH doses of 0.33 g/L and ~0.5 g/L for As (III) and Se (VI), respectively. Attractively, the adsorption capacities were estimated using trusted isotherms and then experimentally verified at ultimately high concentrations. Besides, a pH-controlled adsorption study showed that a pH of 5–8 is a favored range for higher ionic uptake, which meets the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmarks of drinking water. To conclude, the α-FeOOH NRs are potential adsorbent for the sustainable removal of toxin ions in water systems.
Special Issue “Numerical and Analytical Methods in Electromagnetics”
Authors: Anastassiu Hristos T.
Published: October 2020

Like all branches of physics and engineering, electromagnetics relies on mathematical methods for modeling, simulation, and design procedures in all of its aspects (radiation, propagation, scattering, imaging, etc [...]
Influence of Eco-Friendly Processing Aids on Silica-Based Rubber Composites
Authors: Song Sung Ho
Published: October 2020

As eco-friendly “green tires” are being developed in the tire industry, conventionally used carbon black is being replaced with silica in rubber compounds. Generally, as a lubricant and dispersing agent, processing aids containing zinc ions have been employed as additives. However, as zinc is a heavy metal, alternative eco-friendly processing aids are required to satisfy worldwide environmental concerns. Furthermore, non-toxic, degradable, and renewable processing aids are required to improve the mechanical properties of the rubber composites. In this study, we evaluated the effects of diverse silica-based processing aids containing hydrocarbon, benzene, and hydroxyl functional groups on the mechanical properties of rubber composites. Among them, rubber composites that used amphiphilic terpene phenol resin (TPR) with hydrophilic silica showed compatibility with the hydrophobic rubber matrix and were revealed to improve the mechanical and fatigue properties. Furthermore, owing to the enhanced dispersion of silica in the rubber matrix, the TPR/styrene butadiene rubber composites exhibited enhanced wet grip and rolling resistance. These results indicated that TPR had multifunctional effects at low levels and has the potential for use as a processing aid in silica-based rubber composites in tire engineering applications.
Oral and Dental Spectral Image Database—ODSI-DB
Authors: Hyttinen Joni , Fält Pauli , Jäsberg Heli , Kullaa Arja , Hauta-Kasari Markku
Published: October 2020

The most common imaging methods used in dentistry are X-ray imaging and RGB color photography. However, both imaging methods provide only a limited amount of information on the wavelength-dependent optical properties of the hard and soft tissues in the mouth. Spectral imaging, on the other hand, provides significantly more information on the medically relevant dental and oral features (e.g. caries, calculus, and gingivitis). Due to this, we constructed a spectral imaging setup and acquired 316 oral and dental reflectance spectral images, 215 of which are annotated by medical experts, of 30 human test subjects. Spectral images of the subjects’ faces and other areas of interest were captured, along with other medically relevant information (e.g., pulse and blood pressure). We collected these oral, dental, and face spectral images, their annotations and metadata into a publicly available database that we describe in this paper. This oral and dental spectral image database (ODSI-DB) provides a vast amount of data that can be used for developing, e.g., pattern recognition and machine vision applications for dentistry.
The Effect of Site-Specific Design Spectrum on Earthquake-Building Parameters: A Case Study from the Marmara Region (NW Turkey)
Authors: Işık Ercan , Büyüksaraç Aydın , Ekinci Yunus Levent , Aydın Mehmet Cihan , Harirchian Ehsan
Published: October 2020

The Marmara Region (NW Turkey) has experienced significant earthquakes (M > 7.0) to date. A destructive earthquake is also expected in the region. To determine the effect of the specific design spectrum, eleven provinces located in the region were chosen according to the Turkey Earthquake Building Code updated in 2019. Additionally, the differences between the previous and updated regulations of the country were investigated. Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) were obtained for each province by using earthquake ground motion levels with 2%, 10%, 50%, and 68% probability of exceedance in 50-year periods. The PGA values in the region range from 0.16 to 0.7 g for earthquakes with a return period of 475 years. For each province, a sample of a reinforced-concrete building having two different numbers of stories with the same ground and structural characteristics was chosen. Static adaptive pushover analyses were performed for the sample reinforced-concrete building using each province’s design spectrum. The variations in the earthquake and structural parameters were investigated according to different geographical locations. It was determined that the site-specific design spectrum significantly influences target displacements for performance-based assessments of buildings due to seismicity characteristics of the studied geographic location.
Investigating BIM Implementation Barriers and Issues in Pakistan Using ISM Approach
Authors: Farooq Umar , Rehman Sardar Kashif Ur , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Jameel Mohammed , Aslam Fahid , Alyousef Rayed
Published: October 2020

The Pakistan construction industry recorded a high growth rate of 9.05% in 2016–2017. However, it fails to complete the projects within the specified cost, time and quality due to the use of traditional management techniques. This can be easily overcome by adopting and implementing new technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM). In this study, a questionnaire survey was performed to find the present state of BIM in Pakistan and highlight the barriers in its successful adoption. In addition, Interpretive Structure Modeling (ISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) analysis were used to identify interrelationships among these barriers. Out of 104 responses received, 63% of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) professionals were aware of BIM and among them, only 17% had utilized BIM in their projects, which is a very low percentage. The adoption of BIM in Pakistan is only at 11%. The respondents acknowledged that BIM helps in minimizing the cost and time of a project up to 57%. This study concluded that BIM is more economical and efficient than other management techniques. Moreover, this research also identifies the ISM and MICMAC analysis-based hierarchical model and three level strategy model that can facilitate the possible implementation. Solutions to common barriers around the globe are also proposed. Thus, by utilizing BIM, an economical, timely, properly managed project can be obtained in Pakistan and other developing construction markets all over the globe.
3D and 4D Printing of Multistable Structures
Authors: Jeong Hoon Yeub , An Soo-Chan , Lim Yeonsoo , Jeong Min Ji , Kim Namhun , Jun Young Chul
Published: October 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new paradigm in customized manufacturing and allows the fabrication of complex structures that are difficult to realize with other conventional methods. Four-dimensional (4D) printing adds active, responsive functions to 3D-printed components, which can respond to various environmental stimuli. This review introduces recent ideas in 3D and 4D printing of mechanical multistable structures. Three-dimensional printing of multistable structures can enable highly reconfigurable components, which can bring many new breakthroughs to 3D printing. By adopting smart materials in multistable structures, more advanced functionalities and enhanced controllability can also be obtained in 4D printing. This could be useful for various smart and programmable actuators. In this review, we first introduce three representative approaches for 3D printing of multistable structures: strained layers, compliant mechanisms, and mechanical metamaterials. Then, we discuss 4D printing of multistable structures that can help overcome the limitation of conventional 4D printing research. Lastly, we conclude with future prospects.
Utility-Based Wireless Routing Algorithm for Massive MIMO Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Zhao Wei , Kuo Wen-Hsing
Published: October 2020

With the development of 5G communication, massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology is getting more and more attention. Massive MIMO uses a large amount of simultaneous transmitting and receiving antennas to reduce power consumption and raise the level of transmission quality. Meanwhile, the diversification of user equipment (UE) in the 5G environment also makes heterogeneous networks (HetNets) more prevalent. HetNets allow UE of different network standards to access small cells, while the base stations of small cells access a macro base station (BS) to form a multihop wireless heterogeneous backhaul network. However, how to effectively combine these two technologies by efficiently allocating the antennas of each BS during the route construction process of heterogeneous wireless backhaul networks is still an important issue that is yet to be solved. In this paper, we propose an algorithm called preallocated sequential routing (PSR). Based on the links’ channel conditions and the available antennas and location of BSs, it builds a wireless heterogeneous network backhaul topology and adjusts each link’s transmitting and receiving antennas to maximize total utility. Simulation results showed that the proposed algorithm significantly improved the overall utility and the utility of the outer area of heterogeneous networks.
Convection Heat Transfer in 3D Wavy Direct Absorber Solar Collector Based on Two-Phase Nanofluid Approach
Authors: Alsabery Ammar I. , Parvin Salma , Ghalambaz Mohammad , Chamkha Ali J. , Hashim Ishak
Published: October 2020

A numerical attempt of the two-phase (non-homogeneous) nanofluid approach towards the convection heat transfer within a 3D wavy direct absorber solar collector is reported. The solar collector is permeated by a water-Al2O3 nanofluid and contains a wavy glass top surface that is exposed to the ambient atmosphere and a flat steel bottom surface. The left and right surfaces are maintained adiabatic. The governing equations of the Navier–Stokes and energy equations for the nanofluid are transformed into a dimensionless pattern and then solved numerically using the Galerkin weighted residual finite-element technique. Validations with experimental and numerical data are performed to check the validity of the current code. Impacts of various parameters such as the number of oscillations, wave amplitude, Rayleigh number and the nanoparticles volume fraction on the streamlines, isotherms, nanoparticle distribution, and heat transfer are described. It is found that an augmentation of the wave amplitude enhances the thermophoresis and Brownian influences which force the nanoparticles concentration to display a nonuniform trend within the examined region. Furthermore, the heat transfer rate rises midst the growing wave amplitude and number of oscillations. More importantly, such enhancement is observed more significantly with the variation of the wave amplitude.
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-Based Frame Synchronization Method
Authors: Jeong Eui-Rim , Lee Eui-Soo , Joung Jingon , Oh Hyukjun
Published: October 2020

A new frame synchronization technique based on convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed for synchronized networks. To estimate the exact packet arrival time, the receiver typically uses the correlator between the received signal and the preamble or pilot in front of the transmitted packet. The conventional frame synchronization technique searches the correlation peak within the time window. In contrast, the proposed method utilizes a CNN to find the packet arrival time. Specifically, in the proposed method, the 1D correlator output is converted into a 2D matrix by reshaping, and the resulting signal is inputted to the proposed 4-layer CNN classifier. Then, the CNN predicts the packet arrival time. To verify the frame synchronization performance, computer simulation is performed for two channel models: additive white Gaussian noise and fading channels. Simulation results show that the proposed CNN-based synchronization method outperforms the conventional correlation-based technique by 2dB.
Transient and Harmonic Unipolar Hysteresis Model of Piezoelectric Actuators Using a System-Level Approach
Authors: Lallart Mickaël , Li Kui , Yang Zhichun , Zhou Shengxi
Published: October 2020

Thanks to their integrability and good electromechanical conversion abilities, piezoelectric actuators are a good choice for many actuation applications. However, these elements feature a frequency-dependent hysteresis response that may yield complex control implementation. The purpose of this paper is to provide the extension of a simple hysteresis model based on a system-level approach linking the strain derivative to the driving voltage derivative and taking into account the dynamic behavior of the hysteretic response of the actuator. The proposed enhancement consists of transient and harmonic regimes, allowing to extend the quasi-static model to dynamic behavior with any frequency. In particular, initial strain shift arising from stabilization and accommodation effects as well as frequency-dependent hysteresis shape are considered. The inclusion of the system dynamics in the model is obtained thanks to fractional derivatives and associated fractional transfer functions, allowing the consideration of the full actuator history as well as a fine tuning of the system dynamics over a wide frequency band. Finally, a numerical example of linearized control through compensation loop is provided, demonstrating the interest in the proposed approach for providing a computationally-efficient, simple yet efficient way for finely predicting the actuator response and thus designing appropriate controllers.
SST Warming in Recent Decades in the Gulf Stream Extension Region and Its Impact on Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Wu Yifei , Jia Yinglai , Ji Rui , Zhang Jie
Published: October 2020

The sea surface temperature (SST) front in the Gulf Stream (GS) extension region is important to synoptic variations in atmosphere. In winter, large amounts of heat and moisture are released from the SST front, modulating the baroclinicity and humidity of the atmosphere, which is important for extratropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers (ARs). In this study, the variation of SST in the North Atlantic in winters since 1981 is investigated using satellite and reanalysis datasets, and a 23-year (1997 to 2019) warming trend of SST in the GS extension region is detected. The increase of SST is mainly distributed along the SST front, with more than 2 °C warming and a northward shift of the SST gradient from 1997 to 2019. Connected with the SST warming, significant increases in turbulent heat flux and moisture release into the atmosphere were found along the ocean front. As a result, baroclinic instability, upward water vapor flux and AR occurrence frequency increased in recent decades. Meanwhile, there was an increase in extreme rainfall along with the increase in AR landfalling on continental Western Europe (especially in the Iberian Peninsula and on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea).
Impacts of Regional Transport and Meteorology on Ground-Level Ozone in Windsor, Canada
Authors: Zhang Tianchu , Xu Xiaohong , Su Yushan
Published: October 2020

This study investigated impacts of regional transport and meteorology on ground-level ozone (O3) in the smog season (April–September) during 1996–2015 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Data from five upwind stations in the US, which are within 310 km (i.e., Allen Park and Lansing in Michigan, Erie, National Trail School, and Delaware in Ohio), were included to assess the regional characteristics of O3. The five US stations showed high degrees of similarity with O3 concentrations in Windsor, with overall strong correlations (r = 0.567–0.876 for hourly O3 and r = 0.587–0.92 for 8 h max O3 concentrations) and a low degree of divergence, indicating that O3 pollution in the study area shares regional characteristics. Meteorological conditions played important roles in O3 levels in Windsor. High O3 concentrations were associated with southerly and southwesterly air mass from which polluted and hot air mass was transported and that enhanced local photochemical O3 production. In contrast, northerly flows brought in clean, cool, and dry air mass, and led to low O3 concentrations. Strong correlations were found between numbers of days with 8 h max O3 concentrations greater than 70 ppb and numbers of days with daily max temperature greater than 30 °C, as well as between daily max temperatures and 8 h max O3 concentrations. Nearly half (45%) of the high O3 days (≥90th percentile) occurred in dry tropical weather during 1996–2015, and the 90th percentile 8 h max O3 was associated with dry tropical weather. Occurrences of both southerly flow hours and dry tropical weather type in the smog season increased during the study period. If there were more hot and dry days in the next few decades due to climate change, the effect of emission control on reducing peak O3 values would be diminished. Therefore, continued regional and international efforts are essential to control precursors’ emissions and to mitigate O3 pollution in Windsor.
Numerical Modeling of Formation and Rise of Gas and Dust Cloud from Large Scale Commercial Blasting
Authors: Khazins Valery M. , Shuvalov Valery V. , Soloviev Sergey P.
Published: October 2020

The emission of dust particles into the atmosphere during rock mass breaking by blasting in ore mining open-pits is one of the factors that determine the ground-level air pollution in the vicinity of pits. The data on dust concentration in the cloud, which is extremely difficult to obtain experimentally for large-scale explosions, is required to calculate the dust dispersion in the wind stream. We have elaborated a Eulerian model to simulate the initial stage of dust cloud formation and rising, and a Navier–Stokes model to simulate thermal rising and mixing with the ambient air. The first model is used to describe the dust cloud formation after a 500 t TNT (Trinitrotoluene equivalent) explosion. The second model based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method is used to predict the height of cloud rising, its mass, and the evolution of dust particles size distribution for explosions of 1–1000 t TNT. It was found that the value of the turbulent eddy viscosity coefficient (Smagorinsky coefficient) depends on both the charge mass and the spatial resolution (grid cell size). The values of the Smagorinsky coefficient were found for charges with a mass of 1–1000 t using a specific grid.
Hygienic Condition of Different Water Sources in the Kharaa River Basin, Mongolia in the Light of a Rapid Warming Trend
Authors: Ochirbold Bolor-Erdene , Tserendorj Ariuntuya , Westphal Katja , Karthe Daniel
Published: October 2020

Mongolia is a water-scarce land-locked country, and available water resources are utilized for multiple purposes including irrigation, food preparation, drinking water for livestock and people. Limited data availability on water hygiene means that the related risks to public health are only partially understood. This is particularly problematic due to the widespread use of unimproved water sources such as surface water and water from simple shallow wells. Based on two field surveys in the Kharaa River Basin in spring 2017 and 2018, we assessed the presence and quantity of total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), and E. coli bacteria in surface waters and wells and investigated potential linkages between temperature and hygiene. In the Kharaa River and its tributaries, TC concentrations averaged at a most probable number of (MPN) of 754 ± 761 per 100 mL and FC concentrations at an MPN of 31 ± 33. Only small and non-significant correlations between coliform concentrations and temperature were identified. Coliforms concentrations in wells were lower (average MPN for TC: 550 ± 1286, and for FC 58 ± 253). There was considerable variation between wells, with moderate but significant correlations between temperature and bacterial counts. Low water temperatures in April and May (just above freezing to less than 6.5 °C in wells and 7.5 °C to 14.5 °C in the river system) and the positive correlations between temperature and coliform concentrations particularly for well samples indicate that further warming is likely to increase the risks of microbiological water pollution. In the future, this should be complemented by modeling at a watershed scale. This should include the consideration of a trend towards stronger rainfall events, changes in livestock density, and urban sewage treatment and discharge, which are other likely drivers of changes in water hygiene.
Ubiquitomics: An Overview and Future
Authors: Vere George , Kealy Rachel , Kessler Benedikt M. , Pinto-Fernandez Adan
Published: October 2020

Covalent attachment of ubiquitin, a small globular polypeptide, to protein substrates is a key post-translational modification that determines the fate, function, and turnover of most cellular proteins. Ubiquitin modification exists as mono- or polyubiquitin chains involving multiple ways how ubiquitin C-termini are connected to lysine, perhaps other amino acid side chains, and N-termini of proteins, often including branching of the ubiquitin chains. Understanding this enormous complexity in protein ubiquitination, the so-called ‘ubiquitin code’, in combination with the ∼1000 enzymes involved in controlling ubiquitin recognition, conjugation, and deconjugation, calls for novel developments in analytical techniques. Here, we review different headways in the field mainly driven by mass spectrometry and chemical biology, referred to as “ubiquitomics”, aiming to understand this system’s biological diversity.
Metabolic Effects of Selective Deletion of Group VIA Phospholipase A2 from Macrophages or Pancreatic Islet Beta-Cells
Authors: Turk John , Song Haowei , Wohltmann Mary , Frankfater Cheryl , Lei Xiaoyong , Ramanadham Sasanka
Published: October 2020

To examine the role of group VIA phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β) in specific cell lineages in insulin secretion and insulin action, we prepared mice with a selective iPLA2β deficiency in cells of myelomonocytic lineage, including macrophages (MØ-iPLA2β-KO), or in insulin-secreting β-cells (β-Cell-iPLA2β-KO), respectively. MØ-iPLA2β-KO mice exhibited normal glucose tolerance when fed standard chow and better glucose tolerance than floxed-iPLA2β control mice after consuming a high-fat diet (HFD). MØ-iPLA2β-KO mice exhibited normal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in vivo and from isolated islets ex vivo compared to controls. Male MØ-iPLA2β-KO mice exhibited enhanced insulin responsivity vs. controls after a prolonged HFD. In contrast, β-cell-iPLA2β-KO mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance when fed standard chow, and glucose tolerance deteriorated further when introduced to a HFD. β-Cell-iPLA2β-KO mice exhibited impaired GSIS in vivo and from isolated islets ex vivo vs. controls. β-Cell-iPLA2β-KO mice also exhibited an enhanced insulin responsivity compared to controls. These findings suggest that MØ iPLA2β participates in HFD-induced deterioration in glucose tolerance and that this mainly reflects an effect on insulin responsivity rather than on insulin secretion. In contrast, β-cell iPLA2β plays a role in GSIS and also appears to confer some protection against deterioration in β-cell functions induced by a HFD.
Effects of Combining High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Short-Foot Exercise on Chronic Ankle Instability: A Pilot Randomized and Double-Blinded Study
Authors: Ma Yuanbo , Yin Keyi , Zhuang Wei , Zhang Cui , Jiang Yong , Huang Jin , Manor Brad , Zhou Junhong , Liu Yu
Published: October 2020

(1) Background: Balance decline is highly prevalent in people suffering from chronic ankle instability (CAI). The control of balance depends upon multiple neurophysiologic systems including the activation of cortical brain regions (e.g., the primary sensorimotor cortex). The excitability of this region, however, is diminished in people with CAI. In this pilot double-blinded randomized controlled trial, we tested the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) designed to facilitate the excitability of M1 and S1 in combination with short-foot exercise (SFE) training on proprioception and dynamic balance performance in individuals with CAI. (2) Methods: Thirty young adults completed baseline assessments including the Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA), Joint Position Reproduction (JPR) test, Y-balance test, and the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). They were then randomized to receive a four-week intervention of SFE in combination with tDCS (i.e., HD-tDCS+SFE) or sham (i.e., control) stimulation. Baseline assessments were repeated once-weekly throughout the intervention and during a two-week follow-up period. (3) Results: Twenty-eight participants completed this study. Blinding procedures were successful and no adverse events were reported. As compared to the control group, the HD-tDCS+SFE group exhibited significant improvements in the JPR test, the Y balance test, and the SOT at different time points. No group by time interaction was observed in AMEDA test performance. (4) Conclusions: HD-tDCS combined with SFE may improve dynamic balance and proprioception in CAI. Larger, more definitive trials with extended follow-up are warranted.