bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of Multiple Laser Scanning and Conventional Techniques on Zirconia Shear Bond Strength
Authors: Abdullah Adil Othman , Hui Yu , Pollington Sarah , Muhammed Fenik Kaml , Sun Xudong , Liu Yi
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to compare the impact of different laser scanning with that of conventional methods on zirconia surface treatment through evaluation of shear bond strength (SBS) values. One hundred and thirty-two sintered zirconia cubic-samples were prepared and randomly divided into six study groups: milling control (without surface treatment); grinding; sandblasting; and three-times, four-times, and five-times laser scanning groups. The treatment process for the first three groups was performed before the zirconia coating, while the last three groups were treated after zirconia coating with veneer slurry through a spraying technique. In the current study, the surface roughness Ra, contact angle measurement, phase transformation, topography and interfaces, SBS in unaged and aged conditions, and fracture mode patterns of zirconia cores were investigated. The results were analyzed using laser confocal scanning microscopy, drop analyzer, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), universal testing machine and stereomicroscope. The results indicated that three-times laser scanned specimens presented higher Ra values than the other studied groups. The minimum contact angle value was detected in the mentioned group, while the control group presented the highest value. The XRD showed phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic t–m following grinding and sandblasting. However, the laser scanned specimens and the control group preserved the structural integrity of the zirconia core, presenting the tetragonal phase only. The highest SBS values were recorded in specimens treated with three-times laser scanning in the unaged and aged conditions. A mixed fracture was a common fracture pattern among the studied groups. The results confirmed that SBS could be optimized through three-times laser scanning and it provided better adhesion between zirconia and the veneer ceramic material. Multiple scanning processes of more than three times are not recommended for zirconia surface treatment.
The Effect of Random Wind Forcing in the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Dostal Leo
Published: July 2019

The influence of a strong and gusty wind field on ocean waves is investigated. How the random wind affects solitary waves is analyzed in order to obtain insights about wave generation by randomly time varying wind forcing. Using the Euler equations of fluid dynamics and the method of multiple scales, a random nonlinear Schrödinger equation and a random modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation are obtained for randomly wind forced nonlinear deep water waves. Miles theory is used for modeling the pressure variation at the wave surface resulting from the wind velocity field. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation are computed using a relaxation pseudo spectral scheme. The results show that the influence of gusty wind on solitary waves leads to a randomly increasing ocean wave envelope. However, in a laboratory setup with much smaller wave amplitudes and higher wave frequencies, the influence of water viscosity is much higher. This leads to fluctuating solutions, which are sensitive to wind forcing.
Renaissance Distribution for Statistically Failed Experiments
Authors: Popov Roman , Shankara Girish Karadka , von Bojničić-Kninski Clemens , Nesterov-Mueller Alexander
Published: July 2019

Much of the experimental data, especially in life sciences, is considered to be useless if it demonstrates a large standard deviation from the mean value. The Renaissance distribution, as presented in this study, allows one to extract true values from such statistical data with large noise. To obtain proof of the Renaissance distribution, high-throughput synthesis of deep substitutions for a target amino acid sequence was performed, and the known epitope was identified in assay with human serum antibodies. In addition, the Renaissance distribution was shown to approach the epitope affinity maturation by the deep alanine substitution. The Renaissance distribution may have an impact in the development of novel specific drugs.
Multilingual Open Information Extraction: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Claro Daniela Barreiro , Souza Marlo , Castellã Xavier Clarissa , Oliveira Leandro
Published: July 2019

The number of documents published on the Web in languages other than English grows every year. As a consequence, the need to extract useful information from different languages increases, highlighting the importance of research into Open Information Extraction (OIE) techniques. Different OIE methods have dealt with features from a unique language; however, few approaches tackle multilingual aspects. In those approaches, multilingualism is restricted to processing text in different languages, rather than exploring cross-linguistic resources, which results in low precision due to the use of general rules. Multilingual methods have been applied to numerous problems in Natural Language Processing, achieving satisfactory results and demonstrating that knowledge acquisition for a language can be transferred to other languages to improve the quality of the facts extracted. We argue that a multilingual approach can enhance OIE methods as it is ideal to evaluate and compare OIE systems, and therefore can be applied to the collected facts. In this work, we discuss how the transfer knowledge between languages can increase acquisition from multilingual approaches. We provide a roadmap of the Multilingual Open IE area concerning state of the art studies. Additionally, we evaluate the transfer of knowledge to improve the quality of the facts extracted in each language. Moreover, we discuss the importance of a parallel corpus to evaluate and compare multilingual systems.
Mechanisms Underlying the Transmission of Insect Pathogens
Authors: van Oers Monique M. , Eilenberg Jørgen
Published: July 2019

In this special issue the focus is on the factors and (molecular) mechanisms that determine the transmission efficiency of a variety of insect pathogens in a number of insect hosts. In this editorial, we summarize the main findings of the twelve papers in this special issue and conclude that much more needs to be learned for an in-depth understanding of pathogen transmission in field and cultured insect populations. Analyses of mutual interactions between pathogens or between endosymbionts and pathogens, aspects rather under-represented in the scientific literature, are described in a number of contributions to this special issue.
Between Promising Advances and Deepening Concerns: A Bottom-Up Review of Trends in Land Governance 2015–2018
Authors: Cotula Lorenzo , Anseeuw Ward , Baldinelli Giulia Maria
Published: July 2019

An evolving land governance context compounds the case for practitioners to closely track developments as they unfold. While much research sheds light on key trends, questions remain about approaches for collective bottom-up analysis led by land governance practitioners themselves. This study presents findings from an initiative to test such an approach. Drawing on written submissions made in response to an open call for contributions, the study discusses global trends in land governance over the period 2015–2018. While not a comprehensive review nor a replacement for empirically grounded research, the study highlights some of the developments practitioners grapple with in their work. The findings point to the contrasting local-to-global trends that affect land governance in diverse agro-ecological and socio-economic settings: Growing commercial pressures on land, and shrinking spaces for dissent in many contexts, coexist with new avenues for public participation in land governance processes; while diverse approaches to securing land rights, whether individual or collective, possibly underpinned by new deployments of digital technology, can coexist or compete for policy traction within the same polity. This bottom-up trends analysis broadly correlates with available accounts based on empirical research, while also providing distinctive emphases that reflect the ways practitioners perceive the changing realities they are engaged with.
Some Hesitant Fuzzy Hamacher Power-Aggregation Operators for Multiple-Attribute Decision-Making
Authors: Son Mi Jung , Park Jin Han , Ko Ka Hyun
Published: July 2019

As an extension of the fuzzy set, the hesitant fuzzy set is used to effectively solve the hesitation of decision-makers in group decision-making and to rigorously express the decision information. In this paper, we first introduce some new hesitant fuzzy Hamacher power-aggregation operators for hesitant fuzzy information based on Hamacher t-norm and t-conorm. Some desirable properties of these operators is shown, and the interrelationships between them are given. Furthermore, the relationships between the proposed aggregation operators and the existing hesitant fuzzy power-aggregation operators are discussed. Based on the proposed aggregation operators, we develop a new approach for multiple-attribute decision-making problems. Finally, a practical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed approach, and the advantages of our approach are analyzed by comparison with other existing approaches.
Novel High-Energy-Efficiency AlGaN/GaN HEMT with High Gate and Multi-Recessed Buffer
Authors: Zhu Shunwei , Jia Hujun , Li Tao , Tong Yibo , Liang Yuan , Wang Xingyu , Zeng Tonghui , Yang Yintang
Published: July 2019

A novel AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) with a high gate and a multi-recessed buffer (HGMRB) for high-energy-efficiency applications is proposed, and the mechanism of the device is investigated using technology computer aided design (TCAD) Sentaurus and advanced design system (ADS) simulations. The gate of the new structure is 5 nm higher than the barrier layer, and the buffer layer has two recessed regions in the buffer layer. The TCAD simulation results show that the maximum drain saturation current and transconductance of the HGMRB HEMT decreases slightly, but the breakdown voltage increases by 16.7%, while the gate-to-source capacitance decreases by 17%. The new structure has a better gain than the conventional HEMT. In radio frequency (RF) simulation, the results show that the HGMRB HEMT has 90.8%, 89.3%, and 84.4% power-added efficiency (PAE) at 600 MHz, 1.2 GHz, and 2.4 GHz, respectively, which ensures a large output power density. Overall, the results show that the HGMRB HEMT is a better prospect for high energy efficiency than the conventional HEMT.
Green Accelerated Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activity and Seed Germination Test of Quaternary Ammonium Salts of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane
Authors: Tăbăcaru Aurel , Dediu Botezatu Andreea Veronica , Horincar Georgiana , Furdui Bianca , Dinică Rodica Mihaela
Published: July 2019

A family of fifteen quaternary ammonium salts (QAs), bearing the 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane core, were obtained using for the first time two different green methods, such as microwave (MW) and ultrasounds (US) irradiation, with very good yields and in much shorter times compared to the classical method, and an assay on their antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was carried out. While 12 to 24 h were required for complete alkylation of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane by reactive halogenated derivatives in anhydrous solvent under reflux conditions, MW and US irradiation reduced the reaction time and the desired products were achieved in a few min. One of the aims of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the synthesized QAs against pathogenic bacteria, along with their impact on germination activity of wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L.). The antibacterial activity of the QAs against Escherichia coli was explored by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC values varied from 0.312 to 2.5 mg/mL, highlighting the lowest values attained for the derivatives containing methoxy, chlorine and benzofurane functional groups. The viability of aerobic bacteria was determined with the Tetrazolium/Formazan Test, a method that was found to be the best alternative approach with respect to the difuzimetric method. Seeds of Triticum aestivum L. were used for the evaluation of the germination indicators, such as seed germination (SG), the relative seed germination (RSG), the relative radicle growth (RRG), and the seed germination index (GI). The toxicity studies of QAs 1, 4 and 7, at two different concentrations, showed no inhibitory effect on seed germination.
Development of a High-Quality ELISA Method for Dinotefuran Based on a Novel and Newly-Designed Antigen
Authors: Zhao Fangfang , Liu Jingkun , Luo Jinhui
Published: July 2019

The structure of hapten determines the performance of the antibody and the corresponding detection method. A new type of antigen was designed and synthesized to expose the spatial and characteristic structure of dinotefuran molecule, and a type of high-quality antibody was obtained. The IC50 value of the monoclonal antibody was 5.30 ng/mL and its cross-reactivity (CRs) was less than 2% when reacting with other structurally related analytes. The effects of spatial configurations of hapten on the antibody were visually analyzed while using the appropriate software according to the quality of the antibodies, which showed that the specificity of the antibody is closely related with the exposed structure of hapten. An ELISA assay with an IC50 of 5.66 ng/mL and a linear range of 1.95 to 16.29 ng/mL was developed. The results that were obtained from the ELISA and HPLC methods were equivalent. The results showed that spatial simulation is a crucial method that is used in the designing of hapten to obtain a sensitive and specific antibody. The application of this method will highlight the potential aim and improve the detection efficiency of ELISA.
Development of an Expanded Snack of Rice Starch Enriched with Amaranth by Extrusion Process
Authors: Castellanos-Gallo Lilisbet , Galicia-García Tomás , Estrada-Moreno Iván , Mendoza-Duarte Mónica , Márquez-Meléndez Rubén , Portillo-Arroyo Beatriz , Soto-Figueroa Cesar , Leal-Ramos Yarely , Sanchez-Aldana Daniela
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to obtain a second-generation snack by extrusion from the by-product of rice milling enriched with amaranth. The raw material used was amaranth flour (AF), rice starch (NS) and modified rice starch (MS), which were evaluated by the analysis of substitution degree (SD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscosity (RVA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The snacks were expanded by extrusion and microwave oven, as a reference method. The samples were evaluated in hardness (D), expansion index (EI), apparent density (DAP), and protein content (P). Afterward, the optimized samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and resistant starch (RS). During the thermal characterization, a clear trend in the decrement in gelatinization temperatures was observed (78.35 to 63.90 °C in NS and MS respectively). The curves obtained in RVA analyses showed typical behavior of native (6.35 Pa.s) and extruded starches (2.88 Pa.s), with a significant decrease in viscosity peak. Through the analysis of FT-IR, the introduction of the functional acetyl group (stretching at a wavelength of 1735 cm−1) was corroborated. Snack samples results showed a maximum hardness in MS, with a value of 121 N, and the NS (100%) presented the highest EI value (1.41). The lowest DAP values were obtained for the MS (0.48 g/cm3, 100%) and AF (0.49 g/cm3, 100%) samples. P increased to a higher concentration of AF. In the optimum formulation, the SEM image showed that the expanded microwave sample increased the porosity and obtained an RS value of 8.2%. The formulation obtained in the present study presents high characteristics to be used in the development of a healthy snack.
Drying Effects on Phenolics and Free Radical-Scavenging Capacity of Rhus pachyrrhachis and Rhus virens Used in Traditional Medicine
Authors: Juárez-Aragón María Cruz , Moreno-Ramírez Yolanda del Rocio , Guerra-Pérez Antonio , Mora-Olivo Arturo , Olazarán-Santibáñez Fabián Eliseo , Torres-Castillo Jorge Ariel
Published: July 2019

Rhus pachyrrhachis and Rhus virens are medicinal plant species with important uses in northeastern Mexico. They belong to a complex of Rhus species called “lantriscos”, which are used for medicinal applications. The medicinal effects of these species are based on traditional use, however, they require phytochemical research to validate their medicinal properties, as well as structural characterization for their correct identification during the collecting practice and uses. The phytochemical potential of aqueous extracts from R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens was analyzed by the quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), free radical-scavenging potential, and total flavonoids, with a comparison of four drying methods, and some phenolic compounds were identified. Furthermore, the stems and leaves of both species were anatomically characterized to establish a differentiation. R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens showed similar values of phytochemical contents, although the TPC content (0.17 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight, GAE/g DW) was higher in R. virens. The drying method used affected the metabolite contents, and this behavior was related to the species. Regarding the phenolic compounds, shikimic acid, galloylquinic acid, and gallic acid were identified in both species, however, quinic acid was only found in Rhus pachyrrhachis, while vanillic acid O-hexoside was identified only in Rhus virens. At the anatomical level, the pubescence associated with trichomes on the leaves of Rhus pachyrrhachis was highlighted as the main differential characteristic.
A Review of Pneumatic Actuators Used for the Design of Medical Simulators and Medical Tools
Authors: Sénac Thibault , Lelevé Arnaud , Moreau Richard , Novales Cyril , Nouaille Laurence , Pham Minh Tu , Vieyres Pierre
Published: July 2019

Simulators have been traditionally used for centuries during medical gestures training. Nowadays, mechatronic technologies have opened the way to more evolved solutions enabling objective assessment and dedicated pedagogic scenarios. Trainees can now practice in virtual environments representing various kind of patient and body parts including physio-pathologies issues. Gestures, to be mastered, vary according to each medical specialty (e.g., ultrasound probe orientations, or forceps installation during assisted delivery). Hence, medical students need kinesthetic feedback in order to significantly improve their learning capabilities. Gesture simulators require haptic devices with variable stiffness actuators. Existing solutions do not always fit the requirements because of their significant size. Contrary to electric actuators, pneumatic technology is low-cost, available off-the-shelf and offers a better mass–power ratio. However, it presents two main drawbacks: nonlinear dynamics and need for a compressed air supply. During the last decade, we have developed several haptic solutions based on pneumatic actuation (e.g., birth simulator, epidural needle insertion simulator) and, recently, in a joint venture with Prisme laboratory, a pneumatic probe master device for remote ultrasonography. This paper recalls literature scientific approaches on pneumatic actuation developed in the medical context and illustrated with the aforementioned applications to highlight the benefits.
Tungsten-Doped VO2/Starch Derivative Hybrid Nanothermochromic Hydrogel for Smart Window
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhao Fang , Wang Jie , Li Li , Zhang Kaiqiang , Shi Yulin , Gao Yanfeng , Guo Xuhong
Published: July 2019

Highly efficient energy-saving windows with high solar modulation properties (ΔTsol) are the everlasting pursuit of research for industrial applications in the smart window field. Hybridization is an effective means of improving both ΔTsol and luminous transmittance (Tlum). In this paper, hybrid thermochromic films were synthesized using tungsten-doped VO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and starch derivatives. Thermoresponsive 2-hydroxy-3-butoxypropyl starch (HBPS) was prepared with a low critical solution temperature (LCST) varying from 32 to 21 °C by the substitution of reactive groups. The hybrid film was obtained by dispersing W-doped VO2 NPs in HBPS hydrogels, which exhibiting remarkable solar modulation property (ΔTsol = 34.3%) with a high average luminous transmittance (Tlum, average = 53.9%).
Fabrication, Crystalline Behavior, Mechanical Property and In-Vivo Degradation of Poly(l–lactide) (PLLA)–Magnesium Oxide Whiskers (MgO) Nano Composites Prepared by In-Situ Polymerization
Authors: Liang Hui , Zhao Yun , Yang Jinjun , Li Xiao , Yang Xiaoxian , Sasikumar Yesudass , Zhou Zhiyu , Chen Minfang
Published: July 2019

The present work focuses on the preparation of poly(l–lactide)–magnesium oxide whiskers (PLLA–MgO) composites by the in-situ polymerization method for bone repair and implant. PLLA–MgO composites were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and solid-state 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). It was found that the whiskers were uniformly dispersed in the PLLA matrix through the interfacial interaction bonding between PLLA and MgO; thereby, the MgO whisker was found to be well-distributed in the PLLA matrix, and biocomposites with excellent interface bonding were produced. Notably, the MgO whisker has an effect on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties; moreover, the in vivo degradation of PLLA–MgO composites could also be adjusted by MgO. These results show that the whisker content of 0.5 wt % and 1.0 wt % exhibited a prominent nucleation effect for the PLLA matrix, and specifically 1.0 wt % MgO was found to benefit the enhanced mechanical properties greatly. In addition, the improvement of the degrading process of the composite illustrated that the MgO whisker can effectively regulate the degradation of the PLLA matrix as well as raise its bioactivity. Hence, these results demonstrated the promising application of PLLA–MgO composite to serve as a biomedical material for bone-related repair.
TO/TMMP-TMTGE Double-Healing Composite Containing a Transesterification Reversible Matrix and Tung Oil-Loaded Microcapsules for Active Self-Healing
Authors: Zheng Nan , Liu Jie , Li Wenge
Published: July 2019

Thermoset epoxies are widely used due to their excellent properties, but conventional epoxies require a complicated and time-consuming curing process, and they cannot self-healed, which limits their applications in self-healing materials. Extrinsic and intrinsic self-healing materials are applied in various fields due to their respective characteristics, but there is a lack of comparison between the two types of healing systems. Based on this, a thiol-epoxide click reaction catalyzed by an organic base was introduced to achieve the efficient preparation of thiol-epoxy. Furthermore, tung oil (TO)-loaded microcapsules were introduced into the thiol-epoxy matrix of dynamic transesterification to obtain a TO/TMMP-TMTGE self-healing composite with an intrinsic–extrinsic double-healing system. For comparison, a TMMP-TMTGE self-healing material with an intrinsic healing system was also prepared, which contained only thiol and epoxy curing chemistries. The effect of the core/shell ratio on the morphology, average particle size, and core content of TO-loaded microcapsules was studied. It was found that when the core/shell ratio was 3:1, the average particle size of the microcapsules was about 99.8 μm, and the microcapsules showed good monodispersity, as well as a core content of about 58.91%. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the TO core was successfully encapsulated and remained effective after encapsulation. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), tensile tests, and electrochemical tests were carried out for the two types of self-healing materials. The results showed that the TO/TMMP-TMTGE composite and TMMP-TMTGE material both had self-healing properties. In addition, the TO/TMMP-TMTGE composite was superior to the TMMP-TMTGE material due to its better self-healing performance, mechanical strength, and corrosion protection performance.
Gain Scheduling of a Robust Setpoint Tracking Disturbance Rejection and Aggressiveness Controller for a Nonlinear Process
Authors: Bagyaveereswaran Veeramani , Arulmozhivarman Pachiyappan
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a robust setpoint tracking disturbance rejection and aggressiveness (RTD-A) controller is designed and developed to control the liquid level of a conical tank process. Meta-heuristic algorithms like grey wolf optimization and the genetic algorithm are used to tune the parameters of the RTD-A controller. Its performance is later compared with that of the conventional standard proportional integral derivative controller. The gain scheduled RTD-A controller is designed and implemented on a nonlinear conical tank process. Also, various performances attributes such as the integral square error, integral absolute error, integral time absolute error, rise time, and settling time are calculated for the first-order process and conical tank process. The servo responses with RTD-A are also compared against the responses recorded from the conventional control schemes.
Editorial: Publishing Research Internationally: Multilingual Perspectives from Research and Practice
Authors: Cargill Margaret , Burgess Sally , Arnbjörnsdóttir Birna
Published: July 2019

The ten contributions (nine articles and an interview) that make up this special issue of Publications revisit and interrogate many of the questions that have challenged participants in successive conferences under the title PRISEAL (Publishing Research Internationally: Issues for speakers of English as an additional language), most recently the conference held at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik in September 2018 [...]
Fuels from Waste as Renewable Energy in Distributed Generation on the Example of the ORC System
Authors: Czop Monika , Poranek Nikolina , Czajkowski Adrian , Wagstyl Łukasz
Published: July 2019

The article compares the energetic qualities of fuels from waste with hard coal. A cogeneration system has been modeled based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) powered by the investigated fuels in order to identify possibilities as well as problems in use of fuels from waste in an exemplary cogeneration unit in distributed generation. The emission of thermal transition of the investigated fuels has been calculated on the basis of their energetic use in order to determine the aggregate impact on the environment, people’s health and the ecosystem. In order to conduct the research, Ebsilon Professional and SIMAPro software were used. The article demonstrated the energetic and ecological validity of the use of fuels form waste in small-scale combined heat and power (CHP). The energetic potential and influence on the environment, people’s health and the ecosystem depends on the quality of fuel, but the strict regulations for generating fuels from waste and the flexibility in forming them, allow for a product which is more beneficial economically and ecologically than hard coal.
Analyzing Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Crop Parameters Using Sentinel-1 Backscatter Data
Authors: Harfenmeister Katharina , Spengler Daniel , Weltzien Cornelia
Published: July 2019

The knowledge about heterogeneity on agricultural fields is essential for a sustainable and effective field management. This study investigates the performance of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data of the Sentinel-1 satellites to detect variability between and within agricultural fields in two test sites in Germany. For this purpose, the temporal profiles of the SAR backscatter in VH and VV polarization as well as their ratio VH/VV of multiple wheat and barley fields are illustrated and interpreted considering differences between acquisition settings, years, crop types and fields. Within-field variability is examined by comparing the SAR backscatter with several crop parameters measured at multiple points in 2017 and 2018. Structural changes, particularly before and after heading, as well as moisture and crop cover differences are expressed in the backscatter development. Furthermore, the crop parameters wet and dry biomass, absolute and relative vegetation water content, leaf area index (LAI) and plant height are related to SAR backscatter parameters using linear and exponential as well as multiple regression. The regression performance is evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) and the root mean square error (RMSE) and is strongly dependent on the phenological growth stage. Wheat shows R 2 values around 0.7 for VV backscatter and multiple regression and most crop parameters before heading. Single fields even reach R 2 values above 0.9 for VV backscatter and for multiple regression related to plant height with RMSE values around 10 cm. The formulation of clear rules remains challenging, as there are multiple influencing factors and uncertainties and a lack of conformity.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Study of Large Rock Avalanches Combining Remote Sensing, GIS and Field Surveys: The Case of the Scanno Landslide, Italy
Authors: Francioni Mirko , Calamita Fernando , Coggan John , De Nardis Andrea , Eyre Matthew , Miccadei Enrico , Piacentini Tommaso , Stead Doug , Sciarra Nicola
Published: July 2019

This research aims to highlight the importance of adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the factors controlling large rock avalanches using the Scanno landslide, Italy, as a case study. The study area is the Mount Genzana, Abruzzi Central Apennines, characterized by the regional Difesa-Mount Genzana-Vallone delle Masserie fault zone. The Scanno landslide is famous for its role in the formation of the Scanno Lake. The landslide is characterized by a wide exposed scar, which was interpreted in previous studies as the intersection of high-angle joints and an outcropping bedding plane on which the landslide failed sometime between the Upper Pleistocene and the Holocene. In this study, the Scanno landslide was investigated through the integration of geological, geomechanical and geomorphological surveys. Remote sensing techniques were used to enrich the conventionally gathered datasets, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to integrate, manage and investigate the data. The results of the authors investigation show that the outcropping landslide scar can be interpreted as a low-angle fault, associated with the Difesa-Mount Genzana-Vallone delle Masserie fault zone, which differs from previous investigations and interpretations of the area. The low-angle fault provides the basal failure surface of the landslide, with two systematic high-angle joint sets acting as lateral release and back scarp surfaces, respectively. In light of these new findings, pre- and post-failure models of the area have been created. The models were generated in GIS by combining LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geophysics data acquired on the landslide body and through bathymetric survey data of the Scanno Lake. Using the pre- and post-failure models it was possible to estimate the approximate volume of the landslide. Finally, back-analyses using static and dynamic limit equilibrium methods is also used to show the possible influence of medium-to-high magnitude seismic events in triggering the Scanno landslide.
Design and Evaluation of an Acoustic Modem for a Small Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle
Authors: Zheng Siyuan , Tong Feng , Li Bin , Tao Qiuyang , Song Aijun , Zhang Fumin
Published: July 2019

Design of underwater acoustic (UWA) modems for compact-sized, underwater platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is challenging because of the practical requirement to keep an engineering balance between the performance and the system overhead. Considering this type of mobile communication scenario, Doppler spread as well as the multipath draws substantial attention in implementing the system’s design and engineering. Specifically, for a small AUV, the large computational complexity of real-time resampling for the classic Doppler correction poses significant difficulty for the limited capability of the low-cost processor. In this paper, by adopting an adjustable AD (analog-to-digital) sampling rate, a Doppler compensation approach is proposed to enable low-complexity hardware implementation. Based on this, a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) acoustic modem is designed for a low-cost, small-sized AUV. Meanwhile, the performance evaluation of this acoustic modem is conducted in terms of the robustness upon varying Doppler as well as AUV integration. Finally, experimental results performed on a commercial, small-sized AUV under different speeds are reported to verify the effectiveness of the proposed acoustic modem.
Broadband Linear High-Power Amplifier Based on the Parallel Amplification Architecture for Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Guided Wave
Authors: Zhou Jinjie , Zheng Yang
Published: July 2019

The linear power amplifier with high-output power in the broadband frequency is the critical component required by exciting the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) to generate ultrasonic guided wave (UGW). The methods to realize the output of a high-power signal in the linear amplification mode and to expand the bandwidth at high-output power are seldom reported. To solve these problems, a power amplifier with differential structure is developed by using the parallel amplification architecture and the broadband feedback circuits. The proposed power amplifier uses a differential structure to suppress the even harmonic waves and remove the disruptions. Each branch of the differential structure consists of five linear power amplifier modules with output terminals connected in parallel to increase the output power. Also, the negative voltage feedback is used to extend the bandwidth of the power amplifier. The experimental results show that the −3 dB bandwidth of the amplifier is from 40 kHz to 2.5 MHz, and the transient output power is greater than 1 kW. The power amplifier can drive the EMATs to generate ultrasonic guided waves. Because of the high-output power and good linearity, the proposed power amplifier has excellent potential for EMAT UGW applications.
A Priori Estimates for a Nonlinear System with Some Essential Symmetrical Structures
Authors: Shen Jieqiong , Li Bin
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we are concerned with a nonlinear system containing some essential symmetrical structures (e.g., cross-diffusion) in the two-dimensional setting, which is proposed to model the biological transport networks. We first provide an a priori blow-up criterion of strong solution of the corresponding Cauchy problem. Based on this, we also establish a priori upper bounds to strong solution for all positive times.
Magnification Cross Sections for the Elliptic Umbilic Caustic Surface
Authors: Aazami Amir B. , Keeton Charles R. , Petters Arlie O.
Published: July 2019

In gravitational lensing, magnification cross sections characterize the probability that a light source will have magnification greater than some fixed value, which is useful in a variety of applications. The (area) cross section is known to scale as μ − 2 for fold caustics and μ − 2.5 for cusp caustics. We aim to extend the results to higher-order caustic singularities, focusing on the elliptic umbilic, which can be manifested in lensing systems with two or three galaxies. The elliptic umbilic has a caustic surface, and we show that the volume cross section scales as μ − 2.5 in the two-image region and μ − 2 in the four-image region, where μ is the total unsigned magnification. In both cases our results are supported both numerically and analytically.
Comparing the content and quality of video, telephone, and face-to-face consultations: a non-randomised, quasi-experimental, exploratory study in UK primary care
Authors: Hammersley Victoria , Donaghy Eddie , Parker Richard , McNeilly Hannah , Atherton Helen , Bikker Annemieke , Campbell John , McKinstry Brian
Published: July 2019

Background

Growing demands on primary care services have led to policymakers promoting video consultations (VCs) to replace routine face-to-face consultations (FTFCs) in general practice.

Aim

To explore the content, quality, and patient experience of VC, telephone (TC), and FTFCs in general practice.

Design and setting

Comparison of audio-recordings of follow-up consultations in UK primary care.

Method

Primary care clinicians were provided with video-consulting equipment. Participating patients required a smartphone, tablet, or computer with camera. Clinicians invited patients requiring a follow-up consultation to choose a VC, TC, or FTFC. Consultations were audio-recorded and analysed for content and quality. Participant experience was explored in post-consultation questionnaires. Case notes were reviewed for NHS resource use.

Results

Of the recordings, 149/163 were suitable for analysis. VC recruits were younger, and more experienced in communicating online. FTFCs were longer than VCs (mean difference +3.7 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1 to 5.2) or TCs (+4.1 minutes, 95% CI = 2.6 to 5.5). On average, patients raised fewer problems in VCs (mean 1.5, standard deviation [SD] 0.8) compared with FTFCs (mean 2.1, SD 1.1) and demonstrated fewer instances of information giving by clinicians and patients. FTFCs scored higher than VCs and TCs on consultation-quality items.

Conclusion

VC may be suitable for simple problems not requiring physical examination. VC, in terms of consultation length, content, and quality, appeared similar to TC. Both approaches appeared less ‘information rich’ than FTFC. Technical problems were common and, though patients really liked VC, infrastructure issues would need to be addressed before the technology and approach can be mainstreamed in primary care.
Multimorbidity and emergency department visits by a homeless population: a database study in specialist general practice
Authors: Bowen Matthew , Marwick Sarah , Marshall Tom , Saunders Karen , Burwood Sarah , Yahyouche Asma , Stewart Derek , Paudyal Vibhu
Published: July 2019

Background

Estimating healthcare needs of the homeless is associated with challenges in identifying the eligible population.

Aim

To explore the demographic characteristics, disease prevalence, multimorbidity, and emergency department visits of the homeless population.

Design and setting

EMIS electronic database of patient medical records and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) data of all 928 patients registered with a major specialist homeless primary healthcare centre based in the West Midlands in England, from the period of October 2016 to 11 October 2017.

Method

Prevalence data on 21 health conditions, multimorbidity, and visits to emergency departments were explored and compared with the general population datasets.

Results

Most homeless people identified were male (89.5%), with a mean age of 38.3 (SD = 11.5) years, and of white British origin (22.1%). Prevalence of substance (13.5%) and alcohol dependence (21.3%), hepatitis C (6.3%), and multimorbidity (21.3%) were markedly higher than in the general population. A third (32.5%) had visited the emergency department in the preceding 12 months. Emergency department visits were associated with a patient history of substance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.69) and alcohol dependence (OR = 3.14).

Conclusion

A high prevalence of substance and alcohol dependence, and hepatitis C, exists among the homeless population. Their emergency department visit rate is 60 times that of the general population and the extent of multimorbidity, despite their lower mean age, is comparable with that of 60–69-year-olds in the general population. Because of multimorbidity, homeless people are at risk of fragmentation of care. Diversification of services under one roof, preventive services, and multidisciplinary care are imperative.
PENGARUH KOMPETENSI PEDAGOGIK DAN KOMPETENSI PROFESIONAL TERHADAP KINERJA GURU BIMBINGAN DAN KONSELING DI SDLB KOTA BANDUNG
Authors: Hadi Saiful
Published: July 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh bukti empiris mengenai Pengaruh Kompetensi Pedagogik Dan Kompetensi Profesional Terhadap Kinerja Guru Bimbingan dan Konseling di SDLB Kota Bandung. Penelitian Yang Mendasari pegembangan Model Pelatihan Untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Guru SDLB Dalam Menerapkan Prinsip Bimbingan Dan Konseling. Penelitian ini diharapkan juga memberikan gambaran mengenai kinerja guru bimbingan dan konseling di SDLB, sehingga memperoleh input untuk pengembangan model diklat Guru Bimbingan dan Konseling SDLB. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah survey eksplanation. Pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah menggunakan angket sebagai alat pengumpul data utama, gunanya untuk mrnghimpun data atau informasi yang berhubungan dengan dimensi-dimensi dan indikator-indikator yang telah ditentukan. Pengumpulan data di lapangan dilaksanakan pada tahun 2010. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan antara kompetensi pedagogik dan kompetensi profesional terhadap kinerja guru bimbingan dan konseling, dengan kekuatan hubungan yang sedang.
EKOLOGI POLITIK DALAM KOMUNIKASI POLITIK MENJELANG PEMILIHAN GUBERNUR JAWA BARAT TAHUN 2018
Authors: Slamet Adiyana , Aprilliani Deby Sri
Published: July 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui mengenai eksploitasi isu perubahan lingkungan Sungai Citarum karena konsekuensi kebijakan politik untuk meyakinkan hati pemilih dalam Pemilihan Gubernur Jawa Barat tahun 2018. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode penelitian studi kasus, teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah studi literatur, penelusuran data online, obervasi partisipatif dan dokumentasi. yang kemudian dianalisis secara sesuai dengan metode studi kasus. Penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa isu perubahan lingkungan karena konsekuensi politik menjadi komoditas untuk meyakinkan hati pemilih dalam komunikasi politik menjelang pemilihan Gubernur Jawa Barat tahun 2018. Proses komunikasi Politik Kandidat Gubernur dengan memanfaatkan isu ekologi politik revitalisasi Sungai Citarum menjelang Pemilihan Gubernur Jawa Barat tahun 2018 menggunakan media dan tatap muka langsung dengan pemilih terutama pemilih yang berdekatan dengan sungai Citarum, seperti Kota Cimahi, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Kabupaten Bandung. Realitas isu ekologi politik revitalisasi Sungai Citarum menjelang Pemilihan Gubernur Jawa Barat tahun 2018 hampir semuanya memanfaatkan isu penangulangan tercemarnya sungai Citarum, terlebih lagi komunikasi politik pemerintah pusat dengan keluarnya kebijakan mengenai rehabilitasi sungai Citarum juga sebagai isu strategis bagaimana relasi kebijakan pemerintah pusat dengan provinsi Jawa Barat menjadi komoditas untuk meyakinkan hati pemilih di Jawa Barat
KOMUNIKASI TRANSENDENTAL DALAM UPACARA KEAGAMAAN “OGOH-OGOH” BAGI MASYARAKAT HINDU DI DESA YEHEMBANG PROVINSI BALI
Authors: Prakasa Sangra Juliano
Published: July 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa pengalaman subjektif masyarakat Desa Yahembang Propinsi Bali dalam melaksanakan tradisi ogoh-ogoh sebagai bentuk dan sarana komunikasi antara umat kepada Tuhannya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Kualitatif dengan varian Fenomenologi dengan menggunakan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara mendalam, observasi dan dokumentasi kepada subjek penelitian, yakni masyarakat Desa Yehembang yang mengetahui seluk beluk sejarah dan pelaksanaan perayaan ogoh-ogoh di Desa Yehembang Propinsi Bali. Hasil penelitian menggambarkan bahwa Perayaan Ogoh-ogoh merupakan tradisi/kebudayaan asli masyarakat Desa Yehembang Propinsi Bali bukan dari Agama Hindu, karena Ogoh-ogoh merupakan hasil kreatifitas dan cipta rasa masyarakat Desa Yehembang, dimana terciptanya ogoh-ogoh dilandasi dengan adanya keinginan untuk memeriahkan malam menjelang Hari Raya Nyepi agar lebih menarik dan mendapatkan simpati masyarakat di Desa Yehembang. Ogoh-ogoh mencakup banyak tatanan nilai yang dianut dan diyakini oleh masyarakat, khususnya di Desa Yehembang, dimana terdapat nilai-nilai keagamaan, nilai-nilai adat istiadat dan nilai sosial yang telah menjadi warisan orang tua dan para leluhur yang diyakini sebagai suatu kebenaran dalam kehidupan. Nilai-nilai tersebut juga menjadi kepercayaan dan keyakinan kuat akan Sang Hyang Widhi yang diimplementasikan ke dalam setiap aktivitas umat untuk melakukan segala sesuatu yang berlandaskan adat ritual keagamaan yang mereka yakini. Adapun dapat disimpulkan bahwa Ketidakmampuan manusia berhubungan langsung dengan Tuhan melalui batiniah, menimbulkan cara lain untuk mencapai alam Ketuhanan. Ogoh-ogoh diyakini dapat merangsang hati nurani seluruh masyarakat untuk ikut merasakan kegembiraan, kebanggaan dalam membangkitkan rasa memiliki (Tat Twam Asi), umat Hindu dalam berkomunikasi dengan Ida Sang Hyang Widhi atau Tuhan, atau dengan kata lain bahwa Pelaksanaan Ogoh-ogoh dapat berperan sebagai media komunikasi antara umat Hindu di Desa Yehembang Propinsi Bali dengan Tuhan-Nya.
WEBSITE SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMASARAN SOSIAL PROGRAM KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI
Authors: Wahyudin Uud , Purwaningwulan Melly Maulin
Published: July 2019

Program kesehatan reproduksi harus dilaksanakan secara serempak dan berkesinambungan. Dengan demikian, pemanfaatan internet menjadi salah satu alternatif yang efisien dan efektif. Hal ini didasarkan pada pertimbangan penetrasi pengguna internet di Indonesia yang semakin meningkat. E-Marketing adalah aktivitas pemasaran dengan menerapkan internet. Salah satu media dalam E-Marketing adalah pemanfaatan website. Website untuk pemasaran program kesehatan reproduksi sangat tepat karena memiliki jangkauan luas dan tepat sasaran, keragaman isi pesan, ekonomis, dan lain-lain. Hal ini akan membuat program kesehatan reproduksi mendapatkan respons positif sehingga menyebar, baik secara word of mouth maupun online. Program kesehatan reproduksi merupakan program jangka panjang dan bersifat berkesinambungan, yang mempunyai tujuan utama untuk merubah perilaku masyarakat khususnya perempuan Indonesia. Perubahan perilaku itu sendiri tidak terlepas dari perubahan kognitif (pengetahuan) dan perubahan afektif (sikap). Dengan demikian, penggunaan website sebagai media pemasaran sosial program kesehatan reproduksi sangat relevan untuk diterapkan
MENELISIK INDUSTRI DAN STRUKTUR PASAR MEDIA MASSA DI INDONESIA
Authors: Permana Rangga Saptya Mohamad , Suzan Nessa
Published: July 2019

Competition in the business and mass media industry globally began to be felt in Indonesia. This is evident in the structure of the mass media market in Indonesia, where media conglomeration has become commonplace. The industry and structure of the mass media in Indonesia has developed with many variants of mass media that can be consumed by audiences, whether they are conventional media types (old media) or internet based digital media (new media). The purpose of the research in this article is to find out the reality of industry and the structure of the mass media market in Indonesia. The research in this article uses qualitative research methods, precisely the descriptive-qualitative method, by focusing data from the literature review. The results of the research show that industrial conditions and the structure of the mass media market in Indonesia can be viewed from several perspectives, i.e. the number of media buyers and sellers, product differentiation, and barriers to competition. Meanwhile, to explore the structure of the mass media market in Indonesia, we can use The Theory of The Firm, which consists of four types of markets. The four types of markets are monopoly market, oligopoly market, monopolistic competition market, and perfect competition market. Media management from an art perspective can be used as a basis for the media industry; and globally, industry and the structure of the mass media market in Indonesia are not much different from other countries that adhere to the ideology of democracy in the world.