bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A PERANCANGAN ARSITEKTUR ENTERPRISE PADA PERUSAHAAN DISTRIBUTOR MENGGUNAKAN FRAMEWORK ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE PLANNING (STUDI KASUS: CV. XYZ)
Authors: Martiyono Setiyo , Wijaya Agustinus Fritz
Published: August 2020

CV. XYZ is a trading company engaged in the sale of agricultural engineering equipment such as diesel engines, tractors, compressors, generators, spare parts and other equipment. In its business activities data from CV. XYZ, still not computerized or still manual, it needs the help of information systems to integrate data owned, so that it is expected to improve company performance. This study uses data collection methods by observation and interviews with company owners and study previous literature studies. Enterprise Architecture Planning (EAP) is a method of approach in data quality planning that is oriented to business needs, this plan consists of data architecture, applications and technology infrastructure. Business modelling uses value chain analysis and SWOT analysis. The results of this study produce a portfolio application recommendation forms such as Purchasing, Sales, and Inventory Information Systems so that they are integrated into one between purchasing goods to suppliers, selling goods to customers, and inventory of goods in warehouses.
PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI PERSURATAN BERBASIS DESKTOP DI BAGIAN SEKRETARIAT DINAS PEKERJAAN UMUM KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Wicaksana Afftario Fauqa , Manuputty Augie David
Published: August 2020

Semarang City Public Works Department is an office or agency that carries out regional government affairs in the field of public works. In operational activities, this agency is heavily involved in correspondence activities handled by the Secretariat. However, the correspondence process still uses a manual system. So many obstacles are still experienced, such as not all letters are stored properly, there is an error in recording the number of letters, and there is no specific record of the number of letters in the form of reports. This research was conducted to create a correspondence information system that is archiving incoming and outgoing mail. This information system is created using Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, namely: use case diagrams and class diagrams. Then make the design of the interface design for the process of implementation and system testing. It is hoped that the creation of a desktop-based correspondence information system can facilitate the management of mail data so that it is better maintained and organized, work processes are more effective and efficient and saves time and effort.
EVALUASI KINERJA TATA KELOLA TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI MENGGUNAKAN FRAMEWORK COBIT 5 (STUDI KASUS: PT. ADICIPTA INOVASI TEKNOLOGI)
Authors: Antonius Antonius , Rudianto Christ , Tanaem Penidas Fiodinggo
Published: August 2020

Keberadaan dari teknologi informasi (TI) saat ini sudah menjadi hal yang penting bagi suatu oganisasi untuk meningkatkan efisiensi dan efektifitas kerja. Dengan adanya penggunaan dan penerapan TI, proses bisnis suatu organisasi dapat terbantu contohnya seperti memperoleh informasi yang akurat, tepat waktu, relevan dan membantu pengambilan keputusan. Implementasi TI sendiri membutuhkan investasi yang besar dan resiko yang tinggi, implementasi TI perlu mekanisme tata kelola TI untuk melakukan pengawasan secara menyeluruh agar tujuan bisnis suatu organisasi benar-benar dapat dicapai secara efektif dan efisien dengan adanya penggunaan TI. PT. Adicipta Inovasi Teknologi (AdIns) adalah perusahaan yang didirikan pada tahun 2000 dengan tujuan untuk menjadi penyedia solusi di bidang teknologi informasi untuk mitra perusahaan dan organisasi. Dalam proses bisnis intinya, PT. Adicipta Inovasi Teknologi sangat tergantung dengan teknologi informasi, hampir semua aktivitas menggunakan teknologi informasi seperti komunikasi dengan pihak luar, pencatatan data perusahaan atau organisasi mitra, perhitungan keuangan dan untuk evaluasi pekerjaan. Teknologi informasi yang ada sangat membantu keberlangsungan PT. Adicipta Inovasi Teknologi, tetapi dalam proses bisnis sehari-harinya masih ditemui kendala atau permasalahan untuk penggunaan teknologi informasi yang ada, contohnya adalah seperti belum semua pegawai menguasai sistem yang dimiliki oleh perusahaan, database yang jarang diupdate, dan belum adanya Standar Operasional Prosedur (SOP) untuk setiap proses yang ada di perusahaan. Sehingga menimbulkan hasil yang tidak maksimal bagi perusahaan. untuk pengembangan produk, dan standar produk yang digunakan sudah ketinggalan jaman. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan menggunakan COBIT 5 dapat diambil kesimpulan bahwa kinerja tata kelola teknologi informasi yang ada di PT. Adicipta Inovasi Teknologi pada domain DSS (Deliver, Service, Support) menunjukan PT. Adicipta Inovasi Teknologi telah mengimplementasikan semua sub domain DSS. Namun, sampai sekarang masih belum sepenuhnya melakukan dokumentasi dan proses pengelolaan yang baik. Hal ini terlihat dari hasil penilaian proses capability level dari sub domain yang ada menunjukan 4 dari 6 sub domain masih berada pada level 1, Performed Process.
MODEL SIMULASI PENYELESAIAN MASALAH PERJALANAN PENJUAL MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN KECERDASAN BUATAN, OPTIMISASI KOLONI SEMUT
Authors: Misinem Misinem , Kurniawan Tri Basuki , Astried Astried , Widians Joan Angelina
Published: August 2020

Salah satu hal yang menarik dalam bidang perangkat lunak adalah ditemukannya algoritma pengoptimisasian. Banyak pekerjaan yang rumit dan kompleks yang akan mustahil untuk dilakukan secara manual ataupun kalau terpaksa dilakukan dengan cara manual akan membutuhkan waktu dan tenaga yang sangat besar. Dengan adanya algoritma optimisasian pekerjaan yang rumit dan kompleks tadi dapat dilakukan dengan lebih mudah dan lebih cepat. Bahkan juga memeberikan jaminan secara teoritis, untuk mendapatkan solusi yang terbaik. Dalam penelitian ini akan dibangun sebuah model simulasi perangkat lunak untuk menyelesaikan masalah perjalanan penjual dengan menggunakan algoritma optimisasi koloni semut, untuk memberikan visual bagi pengguna bagaimana masalah tersebut dapat diselesaikan secara Langkah demi Langkah. Pembangunan program simulasi menggunakan metode pengembangan perangkat lunak Extreme Programming (XP) pada lingkungan system operasi Windows dengan menggunakan Bahasa pemrograman C# pada Visual Studio 2019. Hasil dari penelitian didapati, program dapat memberikan visualisasi/simulasi yang baik kepada pengguna.
Konsepsi Raja Melayu dalam Hikayat Petualangan Ajaib Hikayat Kemala Bahrain
Authors: Handayani Rizqi Handayani
Published: August 2020

Abstract: This article explains the views of the Malay community regarding the concept of a king in one of the magical adventure stories, entitled Hikayat Kemala Bahrain ML 443 (HKB). HKB is one of the classic Malay magical adventures stored in the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia. HKB tells about the adventures of a king in finding his identity as the heir to the kingdom. The results of this study indicate that HKB carries the idea of ​​the Malay king as the caliph on earth (Ḍillullah fī al-‘ālam). However, in formulating the concept of king's leadership, the Malay community was still trapped in the idea of ​​god-king spiritualism (devarāja spiritualism) which became one of the criteria attached to the Malay king. Based on the king's conception presented by HKB, it is clear that the Malay worldview aspires to a leader or king who upholds political and state ethics based on noble moral values ​​that are relevant to various situations and conditions.

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Abstrak: Artikel ini menjelaskan pandangan masyarakat Melayu mengenai konsep raja dalam salah satu hikayat petualangan ajaib, yang berjudul Hikayat Kemala Bahrain ML 443 (HKB). HKB merupakan salah satu hikayat petualangan ajaib melayu klasik yang tersimpan di Perpustakaan Nasional RI. HKB bercerita tentang petualangan seorang raja dalam menemukan identitas dirinya sebagai pewaris kerajaan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kepustakaan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa HKB mengusung gagasan tentang raja Melayu sebagai khalifah di muka bumi (Ḍillullah fī al-‘ālam). Namun, dalam merumuskan konsep kepemimpinan raja, masyarakat Melayu masih terjebak pada gagasan tentang spiritualisme dewa-raja (devarāja spiritualism) yang menjadi salah satu kriteria yang melekat pada raja Melayu. Berdasarkan pada konsepsi raja yang ditampilkan HKB maka terlihat jelas bahwa pandangan dunia Melayu mencita-citakan pemimpin atau raja yang menjunjung tinggi etika politik dan kenegaraan yang berbasis pada nilai-nilai moral yang luhur yang relevan dengan berbagai situasi dan kondisi.

Keywords: Magical Adventure Stories, Malay King Concept, Leader Ethics, Hikayat Kemala Bahrain.

Kata Kunci: Hikayat Petualangan Ajaib, Konsepsi Raja Melayu, Etika Kepemimpinan, Hikayat Kemala Bahrain.
Penafsiran Sufistik-Kejawen atas Surah Al-Fatihah: Studi Analisis atas Manuskrip Kiai Mustojo
Authors: Maulana Muhammad Masrofiqi
Published: August 2020

Abstract: Some interpreters in Java tend to use the mystical style of tasawwuf-kejawen to interpretate the Quran. One of the interpreters is Kiai Mustojo, Campurejo, Sambit, Ponorogo. This article presents the theory of tasawwuf and sufi interpretation, the manungguling kawula-Gusti concept, Kiai Mustojo manuscript identification, and the analysis of manunggaling kawula-Gusti concept in the Kiai Mustojo’s interpretation on al-Fatiha. This interpretation is once of historical evidence that there is an intense contact between Islamic teaching and Javanese mysticism in the inland of Java and it’s as legitimation of his mystical-Kejawen teachings. His interpretation will always reveal the meaning behind the literal meaning of a word in al-Fatiha. Even though, it has a meaning more than connotative meaning, it doesn’t mean the denotative meaning that exist in the Quran is not so important. It causes the connotative meaning becomes a gateway for the entrance to understand of other meanings.

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Abstrak: Beberapa mufassir di Jawa cenderung menggunakan corak tasawuf mistik kejawen dalam menafsiri Alquran. Salah satu penafsir yang menggunakan sufistik-kejawen dalam melakukan pembacaan atas Alquran adalah Kiai Mustojo, Campurejo, Sambit, Ponorogo. Artikel ini menampilkan teori tasawwuf dan penafsiran sufi, konsep manunggaling kawula-Gusti, identifikasi naskah Manuskrip Kiai Mustojo dan analisa konsep manunggaling kawula-Gusti dalam penafsiran Kiai Mustojo atas surah al-Fatihah. Penafsiran Kiai Mustojo ini menjadi salah satu bukti historis bahwa adanya hubungan yang begitu intens antara ajaran Islam dan ajaran mistik Jawa di Pedalaman Jawa serta merupakan legitimasi akan ajaran-ajaran mistik Kejawennya. Penafsirannya akan selalu mengungkap makna di balik makna literal sebuah kata dalam al-Fatihah. Meski memiliki makna yang lebih dari makna konotatif, bukan berarti makna denotatif yang ada dalam Alquran tidak begitu penting. Sebab makna literal dari sebuah kata yang ada dalam Alquran menjadi pintu gerbang bagi masuknya pemahaman terhadap makna lain.
"It took me almost 30 minutes to practice this." Performance and Production Practices in Dance Challenge Videos on TikTok
Authors: Klug Daniel
Published: August 2020

TikTok is a music-based video sharing social media app famous for users creating short meme and dance videos. TikTok videos are largely based on popular song snippets, which is why lip syncing and dance moves evolve as significant user performance practices in videos. User prosumption has not yet been studied regarding the characteristics of TikTok.This paper is based on social practice and performance theory, social media studies, and participatory online video culture. It uses the #distancedance challenge on TikTok to analyze production practices and strategies of users through qualitative video product analysis. 92 videos were coded and categorized regarding their visual content (who participated in which way) and paratextual elements (used tags and captions). The visual and (para-)textual elements were then analyzed regarding indicators that allow to draw conclusions on users' video creation strategies and performance practices in participating in the #distancedance challenge.The results show videos are mainly performed by single white female teenagers wearing casual outfits in their bedrooms. Users shared their experiences about learning and performing the dance in video captions. While users prepared settings and outfits for their performance, the majority of performances seems rather unplanned or spontaneous. This indicates most videos might be part of a series of user attempts to master the dance challenge resulting in posting the first successful video performance to TikTok. In addition to the dance moves, participants also added gestures as closing elements to their performances. This indicates their knowledge of using signals as part of an online community while at the same time manifesting their belongingness to the community.These first results of a qualitative product analysis illustrate some of users' motivations and effort to participate in TikTok dance challenges. For a better understanding of production practices, further ethnographic research needs to combine methods of production and product analysis.
Concrete Counterfactual Tests for Process-Tracing
Authors: Runhardt Rosa W.
Published: August 2020

There exists a variety of approaches for making causal inferences in process-tracing, each based on a different philosophical conception of what a causal mechanism is. These different approaches give conflicting methodological advice and so it is crucial to commit to one of them. In this paper, I defend a variance-based (‘interventionist’) approach, based on the work of philosopher of causation James Woodward (Runhardt 2014, 2016; Woodward 2003). This approach is based on counterfactual analysis and as such is often criticized for purportedly being unable to provide concrete evidential tests. In the first part of the paper, I meet this criticism head-on by presenting a new, concrete, counterfactual-based evidential framework. In the second part, I illustrate the framework using Haggard and Kaufman's Dictators and Democrats as a case study. I finish with a short Bayesian interpretation of the framework.
The Dimensionality of Cosponsorship Behavior in the House of Representatives
Authors: Carrizosa Andres
Published: August 2020

Legislative stability exists in the House of Representatives, but there is not a consensus on whether this stability is produced by a Preference Induced Equilibrium (PIE), which predict that if preferences are unidimensional an equilibrium can be found at the position of the median legislator, or a Structure Induced Equilibrium (SIE), which predicts that multidimensional legislative preferences must be constrained by institutions to produce stable outcomes. While both explanations predict that roll-call behavior will be unidimensional, they make competing predictions for less constrained behavior such as cosponsorship behavior. By relying on Bayesian item-response methods that allow for the assessment of dimensionality of both cosponsorship behavior and roll-call behavior on a comparable scale--which has been problematic in the past--I provide evidence in support of a SIE in the House. While roll-call behavior is unidimensional, only around 30% of cosponsorship behavior is explained by the first dimension of legislative preferences.
The Effect of Electoral Inversions on Democratic Legitimacy: Evidence from the United States
Authors: Carey John , Helmke Gretchen , Nyhan Brendan , Sanders Mitchell , Stokes Susan , Yamaya Shun
Published: August 2020

When a party or candidate loses the popular vote but still wins the election, do voters view the winner as legitimate? This scenario, known as an electoral inversion, can give power to candidates or parties in democratic systems who lose the popular vote, including the winners of two of the last five presidential elections in the United States. We report results from two experiments testing the effect of inversions on democratic legitimacy in the U.S. context. Our results indicate that inversions significantly decrease the perceived legitimacy of winning candidates. Strikingly, this effect does not vary with the margin by which the winner loses the popular vote nor by whether they are a co-partisan. The effect is driven by Democrats, who punish inversions regardless of candidate partisanship; few effects are observed among Republicans. These results suggest that inversions may increase sensitivity to such outcomes among supporters of the losing party.
Novel Resource Allocation Techniques for Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access Systems
Authors: Ali Zuhura J. , Noordin Nor K. , Sali Aduwati , Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Balfaqih Mohammed
Published: August 2020

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) plays an important role in achieving high capacity for fifth-generation (5G) networks. Efficient resource allocation is vital for NOMA system performance to maximize the sum rate and energy efficiency. In this context, this paper proposes optimal solutions for user pairing and power allocation to maximize the system sum rate and energy efficiency performance. We identify the power allocation problem as a nonconvex constrained problem for energy efficiency maximization. The closed-form solutions are derived using Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions for maximizing the system sum rate and the Dinkelbach (DKL) algorithm for maximizing system energy efficiency. Moreover, the Hungarian (HNG) algorithm is utilized for pairing two users with different channel condition circumstances. The results show that with 20 users, the sum rate of the proposed NOMA with optimal power allocation using KKT conditions and HNG (NOMA-PKKT-HNG) is 6.7% higher than that of NOMA with difference of convex programming (NOMA-DC). The energy efficiency with optimal power allocation using DKL and HNG (NOMA-PDKL-HNG) is 66% higher than when using NOMA-DC.
Performance Assessment of a Renovated Precast Concrete Bridge Using Static and Dynamic Tests
Authors: Sokol Milan , Venglár Michal , Lamperová Katarína , Márföldi Monika
Published: August 2020

The article presents the development of a SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) strategy intended to confirm the improvement of the load-bearing capacity of a bridge over the Ružín Dam using static and dynamic load tests, as well as numerical simulations. The paper comprises measurements of the global response of the bridge to prepare a verified and validated FEM (Finite Element Method) model. A complex measuring system used for the tests consisted of two main parts: an interferometric IBIS-S (Image by Interferometric Survey-Structures) radar and a multichannel vibration and strain data logger. Next, structure–vehicle interactions were modelled, and non-linear numerical dynamic analyses were performed. As a result, the time histories of displacements of the structure from traffic effects were obtained. Their comparison with IBIS-S radar records proves that this method can be effectively used for assessing bridges subjected to common traffic loads. The results (measured accelerations) obtained by local tests in external pre-stressed cables are presented and a convenient method for acquiring the axial force in the cables is proposed.
“Cemetery=Civilization”: Circus Wols, World War II, and the Collapse of Humanism
Authors: Slavkova Iveta
Published: August 2020

Circus Wols is a multimedia spectacle conceived by Wols during World War II at the Camp des Milles where he was interned between May and October 1940. As a German citizen, the artist was considered an enemy of France and Circus helped him bear the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. Wols envisioned a show of high intellectual and aesthetic value that would employ advanced technology but remain accessible to the masses. As such, it is comparable to a utopian avant-garde total artwork. However, through its assumed incompletion and fragmentation, Circus Wols destabilized the ambitions of the avant-garde and modernism; it even went further, rejecting anthropocentrism. Shortly after his liberation from the camp, Wols began to claim that his art should not be considered a human creation. Prefigured by Circus Wols, the artist’s dismissal of European humanism as a valid social and cultural paradigm only grew after the war. His stance is best understood in relation to the contemporaneous notion of “abhumanism”, first theorized by playwright Jacques Audiberti, and embraced by Wols’s close friend, artist and poet Camille Bryen. The article argues that approaching Wols through the lens of abhumanism highlights the pressing historical concerns of his work, which, associated with post-war Parisian Abstraction, is usually depoliticized.
Analysis and Risk Assessment of PM2.5-Bound PAHs in a Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Environments in a Middle School: A Case Study in Beijing, China
Authors: Ouyang Rentao , Yang Suding , Xu Linyu
Published: August 2020

People spend most of their time in indoors and, as a result, indoor air quality has become an issue of increasing concern. Due to the use of coal and heavy transportation in Beijing, China, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to PM2.5 have risen and caused concerns about health risk, both outdoors and indoors. This study carried out quantitative investigation of PM2.5-bound PAHs in middle school classrooms and estimated the health risk to adolescents. According to the results, indoor PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 20.9 μg/m3 to 257.6 μg/m3, indoor PAH concentrations ranged from 8.0 ng/m3 to 83.0 ng/m3, and both were statistically correlated with outdoor concentrations. Results of diagnostic ratios (DR) and the PMF (positive matrix factorization) model indicated that coal combustion was the main source of PAHs in the classroom environment. The average value of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was estimated to be 1.49 × 10−6, which indicated a potential health risk to students according to USEPA standards. Predictions showed that by 2021–2022, the risk will be reduced to an acceptable level. Results of this study could provide useful information for air pollution control in Beijing and proposing targeted solution against indoor air pollution.
Diffusion-Weighted MRI and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging to Detect RAS Mutation in Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Authors: Granata Vincenza , Fusco Roberta , Risi Chiara , Ottaiano Alessandro , Avallone Antonio , De Stefano Alfonso , Grimm Robert , Grassi Roberta , Brunese Luca , Izzo Francesco , Petrillo Antonella
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To detect RAS mutation in colorectal liver metastasis by Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWI-MRI) - and Diffusion Kurtosis imaging (DKI)-derived parameters. Methods: In total, 106 liver metastasis (60 metastases with RAS mutation) in 52 patients were included in this retrospective study. Diffusion and perfusion parameters were derived by DWI (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), basal signal (S0), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (DP), perfusion fraction (FP) and tissue diffusivity (DT)) and DKI data (mean of diffusion coefficient (MD) and mean of diffusional Kurtosis (MK)). Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U tests for non-parametric variables and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were calculated with area under ROC curve (AUC). Moreover, pattern recognition approaches (linear classifier, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbours, decision tree), with features selection methods and a leave-one-out cross validation approach, were considered. Results: A significant discrimination between the group with RAS mutation and the group without RAS mutation was obtained by the standard deviation value of MK (MK STD), by the mean value of MD, and by that of FP. The best results were reached by MK STD with an AUC of 0.80 (sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 85%, accuracy of 79%) using a cut-off of 203.90 × 10−3, and by the mean value of MD with AUC of 0.80 (sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 73%, accuracy of 77%) using a cut-off of 1694.30 mm2/s × 10−6. Considering all extracted features or the predictors obtained by the features selection method (the mean value of S0, the standard deviation value of MK, FP and of DT), the tested pattern recognition approaches did not determine an increase in diagnostic accuracy to detect RAS mutation (AUC of 0.73 and 0.69, respectively). Conclusions: Diffusion-Weighted imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis imaging could be used to detect the RAS mutation in liver metastasis. The standard deviation value of MK and the mean value of MD were the more accurate parameters in the RAS mutation detection, with an AUC of 0.80.
Effect of Octreotide Long-Acting Release on Tregs and MDSC Cells in Neuroendocrine Tumour Patients: A Pivotal Prospective Study
Authors: von Arx Claudia , Rea Giuseppina , Napolitano Maria , Ottaiano Alessandro , Tatangelo Fabiana , Izzo Francesco , Petrillo Antonella , Clemente Ottavia , Di Sarno Antonella , Botti Gerardo , Scala Stefania , Tafuto Salvatore
Published: August 2020

Octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR) is largely used to treat functional and/or metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Its effect in controlling carcinoid syndrome and partially reduce tumour burden is attributable to the ability of octreotide to bind somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on the tumour and metastasis, regulating growth hormone secretion and cell growth. Notably, SSTRs are also expressed, at different levels, on Tregs. Tregs, together with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are key components in the anti-tumour immunoregulation. This is the first prospective study aimed to explore the impact of Octreotide (OCT) LAR on the immune system, with a particular focus on Tregs and MDSC cells. Here, we show that circulating Tregs are elevated in NENs patients compared to healthy donors and that treatment with OCT LAR significantly decrease the level of total Tregs and of the three functional Tregs populations: nTregs, eTregs and non-Tregs. Furthermore, OCT LAR treatment induces a functional impairment of the remaining circulating Tregs, significantly decreasing the expression of PD1, CTLA4 and ENTPD1. A trend in circulating MDSC cells is reported in patients treated with OCT LAR. The results reported here suggest that the effect of OCT LAR on Tregs could tip the balance of the patients’ immune-system towards a durable anti-tumour immunosurveillance with consequent long-term control of the NENs disease.
A Pilot Study on Efficacy of Lipid Bubbles for Theranostics in Dogs with Tumors
Authors: Yokoe Inoru , Murahata Yusuke , Harada Kazuki , Sunden Yuji , Omata Daiki , Unga Johan , Suzuki Ryo , Maruyama Kazuo , Okamoto Yoshiharu , Osaki Tomohiro
Published: August 2020

The combined administration of microbubbles and ultrasound (US) is a promising strategy for theranostics, i.e., a combination of therapeutics and diagnostics. Lipid bubbles (LBs), which are experimental theranostic microbubbles, have demonstrated efficacy in vitro and in vivo for both contrast imaging and drug delivery in combination with US irradiation. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of LBs in combination with US in large animals, we performed a series of experiments, including clinical studies in dogs. First, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using LBs (LB-CEUS) was performed on the livers of six healthy Beagles. The hepatic portal vein and liver tissue were enhanced; no adverse reactions were observed. Second, LB-CEUS was applied clinically to 21 dogs with focal liver lesions. The sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 83.3%, respectively. These results suggested that LB-CEUS could be used safely for diagnosis, with high accuracy. Finally, LBs were administered in combination with therapeutic US to three dogs with an anatomically unresectable solid tumor in the perianal and cervical region to determine the enhancement of the chemotherapeutic effect of liposomal doxorubicin; a notable reduction in tumor volume was observed. These findings indicate that LBs have potential for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications in dogs in combination with US irradiation.
ATM Protein Kinase: Old and New Implications in Neuronal Pathways and Brain Circuitry
Authors: Pizzamiglio Lara , Focchi Elisa , Antonucci Flavia
Published: August 2020

Despite that the human autosomal recessive disease ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare pathology, interest in the function of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) is extensive. From a clinical point of view, the role of ATM in the central nervous system (CNS) is the most impacting, as motor disability is the predominant symptom affecting A-T patients. Coherently, spino-cerebellar neurodegeneration is the principal hallmark of A-T and other CNS regions such as dentate and olivary nuclei and brain stem are implicated in A-T pathophysiology. Recently, several preclinical studies also highlighted the involvement of ATM in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, thus extending A-T symptomatology to new brain areas and pathways. Here, we review old and recent evidence that largely demonstrates not only the historical ATM account in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation, but the multiple pathways through which ATM controls oxidative stress homeostasis, insulin signalling pathways, epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, and excitatory–inhibitory balance. We also summarise recent evidence on ATM implication in neurological and cognitive diseases beyond A-T, bringing out ATM as new pathological substrate and potential therapeutic target.
Multifunctional Electrochemical Properties of Synthesized Non-Precious Iron Oxide Nanostructures
Authors: Phul Ruby , Khan M. A. Majeed , Sardar Meryam , Ahmed Jahangeer , Ahmad Tokeer
Published: August 2020

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanostructures for electrochemical water splitting and supercapacitor applications were synthesized by low temperature simple wet-chemical route. The crystal structure and morphology of as-acquired nanostructures were examined by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic measurements indicate that the as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanostructures are ferromagnetic at room temperature. The synthesized nanostructures have a high-specific surface area of 268 m2/g, which affects the electrocatalytic activity of the electrode materials. The purity of the as-synthesized nanostructures was affirmed by Raman and X-ray Photoelectron studies. The electrochemical activity of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and supercapacitors were investigated in alkaline medium (0.5 M KOH) versus Ag/AgCl at room temperature. The electrocatalysts show low onset potential (~0.18 V) and Tafel slope (~440 mV/dec) for HER. Additionally, the specific capacitance of MIONPs was investigated, which is to be ~135 ± 5 F/g at 5 mV/s in 1 M KOH.
Modification of the Electron Entropy Production in a Plasma
Authors: García-Camacho Juan F. , Ares de Parga Gonzalo , Arango-Reyes Karen , Salinas-Hernández Encarnación , Domínguez-Hernández Samuel
Published: August 2020

A modified expression of the electron entropy production in a plasma is deduced by means of the Kelly equations of state instead of the ideal gas equations of state. From the Debye–Hückel model which considers the interaction between the charges, such equations of state are derived for a plasma and the entropy is deduced. The technique to obtain the modified entropy production is based on usual developments but including the modified equations of state giving the regular result plus some extra terms. We derive an expression of the modified entropy production in terms of the tensorial Hermitian moments hr1…rm(m) by means of the irreducible tensorial Hermite polynomials.
Quantized Constant-Q Gabor Atoms for Sparse Binary Representations of Cyber-Physical Signatures
Authors: Garcés Milton A.
Published: August 2020

Increased data acquisition by uncalibrated, heterogeneous digital sensor systems such as smartphones present new challenges. Binary metrics are proposed for the quantification of cyber-physical signal characteristics and features, and a standardized constant-Q variation of the Gabor atom is developed for use with wavelet transforms. Two different continuous wavelet transform (CWT) reconstruction formulas are presented and tested under different signal to noise ratio (SNR) conditions. A sparse superposition of Nth order Gabor atoms worked well against a synthetic blast transient using the wavelet entropy and an entropy-like parametrization of the SNR as the CWT coefficient-weighting functions. The proposed methods should be well suited for sparse feature extraction and dictionary-based machine learning across multiple sensor modalities.
belg: A Tool for Calculating Boltzmann Entropy of Landscape Gradients
Authors: Nowosad Jakub , Gao Peichao
Published: August 2020

Entropy is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that is important in many fields, including image processing, neurobiology, urban planning, and sustainability. As of recently, the application of Boltzmann entropy for landscape patterns was mostly limited to the conceptual discussion. However, in the last several years, a number of methods for calculating Boltzmann entropy for landscape mosaics and gradients were proposed. We developed an R package belg as an open source tool for calculating Boltzmann entropy of landscape gradients. The package contains functions to calculate relative and absolute Boltzmann entropy using the hierarchy-based and the aggregation-based methods. It also supports input raster with missing (NA) values, allowing for calculations on real data. In this study, we explain ideas behind implemented methods, describe the core functionality of the software, and present three examples of its use. The examples show the basic functions in this package, how to adjust Boltzmann entropy values for data with missing values, and how to use the belg package in larger workflows. We expect that the belg package will be a useful tool in the discussion of using entropy for a description of landscape patterns and facilitate a thermodynamic understanding of landscape dynamics.
Mesoporous Activated Carbon Supported Ru Catalysts to Efficiently Convert Cellulose into Sorbitol by Hydrolytic Hydrogenation
Authors: Azar Fatima-Zahra , Lillo-Ródenas M. Ángeles , Román-Martínez M. Carmen
Published: August 2020

Catalysts consisting of Ru nanoparticles (1 wt%), supported on mesoporous activated carbons (ACs), were prepared and used in the one-pot hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose to obtain sorbitol. The carbon materials used as supports are a pristine commercial mesoporous AC (named SA), and two samples derived from it by sulfonation or oxidation treatments (named SASu and SAS, respectively). The catalysts have been thoroughly characterized regarding both surface chemistry and porosity, as well as Ru electronic state and particle size. The amount and type of surface functional groups in the carbon materials becomes modified as a result of the Ru incorporation process, while a high mesopore volume is preserved upon functionalization and Ru incorporation. The prepared catalysts have shown to be very active, with cellulose conversion close to 50% and selectivity to sorbitol above 75%. The support functionalization does not lead to an improvement of the catalysts’ behavior and, in fact, the Ru/SA catalyst is the most effective one, with about 50% yield to sorbitol, and a very low generation of by-products.
A Review of Performance-Enhancing Innovative Modifications in Biodiesel Engines
Authors: Khan T. M. Yunus
Published: August 2020

The ever-increasing demand for transport is sustained by internal combustion (IC) engines. The demand for transport energy is large and continuously increasing across the globe. Though there are few alternative options emerging that may eliminate the IC engine, they are in a developing stage, meaning the burden of transportation has to be borne by IC engines until at least the near future. Hence, IC engines continue to be the prime mechanism to sustain transportation in general. However, the scarcity of fossil fuels and its rising prices have forced nations to look for alternate fuels. Biodiesel has been emerged as the replacement of diesel as fuel for diesel engines. The use of biodiesel in the existing diesel engine is not that efficient when it is compared with diesel run engine. Therefore, the biodiesel engine must be suitably improved in its design and developments pertaining to the intake manifold, fuel injection system, combustion chamber and exhaust manifold to get the maximum power output, improved brake thermal efficiency with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions that are compatible with international standards. This paper reviews the efforts put by different researchers in modifying the engine components and systems to develop a diesel engine run on biodiesel for better performance, progressive combustion and improved emissions.
A Multi-Agent NILM Architecture for Event Detection and Load Classification
Authors: Lazzaretti André Eugenio , Renaux Douglas Paulo Bertrand , Lima Carlos Raimundo Erig , Mulinari Bruna Machado , Ancelmo Hellen Cristina , Oroski Elder , Pöttker Fabiana , Linhares Robson Ribeiro , Nolasco Lucas da Silva , Lima Lucas Tokarski , Omori Júlio Shigeaki , Santos Rodrigo Braun dos
Published: August 2020

A multi-agent architecture for a Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) solution is presented and evaluated. The underlying rationale for such an architecture is that each agent (load event detection, feature extraction, and classification) outperforms others of the same type in particular scenarios; hence, by combining the expertise of these agents, the system presents an improved performance. Known NILM algorithms, as well as new algorithms, proposed by the authors, were individually evaluated and compared. The proposed architecture considers a NILM system composed of Load Monitoring Modules (LMM) that report to a Center of Operations, required in larger facilities. For the purposed of evaluating and comparing performance, five load event detect agents, five feature extraction agents, and five classification agents were studied so that the best combinations of agents could be implemented in LMMs. To evaluate the proposed system, the COOLL and the LIT-Dataset were used. Performance improvements were detected in all scenarios, with power-ON and power-OFF detection improving up to 13%, while classification accuracy improved up to 9.4%.
Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−x for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Influence of Cathode Thickness and Anode Functional Layer on Performance
Authors: Sivasankaran Visweshwar , Combemale Lionel , François Mélanie , Caboche Gilles
Published: August 2020

The performances of Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT-SOFC) anode-supported planar cells with a 10 cm2 active surface were studied versus the combination of cathode thickness and the presence of an Anode Functional Layer (AFL). The temperature range was 500 to 650 °C, and Gd0.1Ce0.9O2−x (GDC) was used as the electrolyte material, Ni-GDC as the anode material, and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−d (LSCF48) as the cathode material. The power density, conductivity, and activation energy of different samples were determined in order to investigate the influence of the cathode thickness and AFL on the performance. These results showed an improvement in the performances when the AFL was not present. The maximum power density reached 370 mW·cm−2 at 650 °C for a sample with a cathode thickness of 50 µm and an electrolyte layer that was 20 µm thick. Moreover, it was highlighted that a thinner cathode layer reduced the power density of the cell.
Effect of Oil Prices on Exchange Rate Movements in Korea and Japan Using Markov Regime-Switching Models
Authors: Kim Suyi , Kim So-Yeun , Choi Kyungmee
Published: August 2020

We examined the effects of oil prices along with fundamental economic variables on exchange rate movements in the Korean and Japanese foreign exchange markets, using two-regime Markov Regime Switching Models (MRSMs) over the period from January 1991 to March 2019. We selected the best MRSMs explaining their exchange rate movements using the Maximum Log-Likelihood and Akaike Information Criteria, and analyze effects of oil prices on their exchange rates based on the selected best MRSMs. We consider two regimes, regime 1 with high-volatility and regime 2 with low-volatility. In Korea, two apparent regimes are observed, and unstable regime 1 consists of two distinct prolonged periods, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Meanwhile in Japan, no evident prolonged regimes are observed. Rather, the two regimes occasionally alternate. Oil prices influence exchange rate movements in regime 2 with low-volatility in Korea, while they do not influence exchange rate movements in either regimes in Japan. The Japanese foreign exchange market is more resistant to external oil price shocks because the Japanese industry and economy has less dependence on oil than Korea.
Stochastic Modeling Method of Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Demand for Korean Transmission System Planning
Authors: Moon Jong Hui , Gwon Han Na , Jo Gi Ryong , Choi Woo Yeong , Kook Kyung Soo
Published: August 2020

The number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has rapidly increased owing to the government’s active promotion policy worldwide. Consequently, in the near future, their charging demand is expected to grow enough for consideration in the planning process of the transmission system. This study proposes a stochastic method for modeling the PEV charging demand, of which the time and amount are uncertain. In the proposed method, the distribution of PEVs is estimated by the substations based on the number of electricity customers, PEV expansion target, and statistics of existing vehicles. An individual PEV charging profile is modeled using the statistics of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles driving and by aggregating the PEV charging profiles per 154 kV substation, the charging demand of PEVs is determined for consideration as part of the total electricity demand in the planning process of transmission systems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through case studies in the Korean power system. It was found that the PEV charging demand has considerable potential as the additional peak demand in the transmission system planning because the charging time could be concentrated in the evening peak time.
Optimized Layouts of Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Systems in 4th Generation Grids
Authors: Hemmatabady Hoofar , Formhals Julian , Welsch Bastian , Schulte Daniel Otto , Sass Ingo
Published: August 2020

Borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) systems are a viable option to meet the increasing cooling demand and to increase the sustainability of low-temperature district heating and cooling (DHC) grids. They are able to store the rejected heat of cooling cycles on a seasonal basis and deliver this heat during the heating season. However, their efficient practical implementation requires a thorough analysis from technical, economic and environmental points of view. In this comparative study, a dynamic exergoeconomic assessment is adopted to evaluate various options for integrating such a storage system into 4th generation DHC grids in heating dominated regions. For this purpose, different layouts are modeled and parameterized. Multi-objective optimization is conducted, varying the most important design variables in order to maximize exergetic efficiency and to minimize levelized cost of energy (LCOE). A comparison of the optimal designs of the different layouts reveals that passive cooling together with maximizing the heating temperature shift, accomplished by a heat pump, lead to optimal designs. Component-wise exergy and cost analysis of the most efficient designs highlights that heat pumps are responsible for the highest share in inefficiency while the installation of BTES has a high impact in the LCOE. BTES and buffer storage tanks have the lowest exergy destruction for all layouts and increasing the BTES volume results in more efficient DHC grids.
A Generalized Multilevel Inverter Based on T-Type Switched Capacitor Module with Reduced Devices
Authors: Wang Yaoqiang , Yuan Yisen , Li Gen , Chen Tianjin , Wang Kewen , Liang Jun
Published: August 2020

Conventional multilevel inverters have problems in terms of their complicated expansion and large number of devices. This paper proposes a modular expanded multilevel inverter, which can effectively simplify the expansion and reduce the number of devices. The proposed inverter can ensure the voltage balancing of the voltage-dividing capacitors. The cascading of the T-type switched capacitor module and the step-by-step charging method of the switched capacitors enable the inverter to achieve high output voltage levels and voltage gain. In addition, the inversion can be achieved without the H-bridge, which greatly reduces the total standing voltage of the switches. The nine-level inverter of the proposed topology can be realized with only ten switches, obtaining a voltage gain that is two times larger. The above merits were validated through theoretical analysis and experiments. The proposed inverter has good application prospects in medium- and low-voltage photovoltaic power generation.
Phenological Differentiation in Sugar Maple Populations and Responses of Bud Break to an Experimental Warming
Authors: Ren Ping , Liang Eryuan , Raymond Patricia , Rossi Sergio
Published: August 2020

Species with wide geographical ranges exhibit specific adaptations to local climates, which may result in diverging responses among populations to changing conditions. Climate change has advanced spring phenology worldwide, but questions of whether and how the phenological responses to warming differ among individuals across the natural range of a species remain. We conducted two experiments in January and April 2019, and performed daily observations of the timings of bud break in 1-year-old seedlings of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) from 25 Canadian provenances at two thermal conditions (14/10 and 18/14 °C day/night temperature) in a controlled environment. Overall, bud break started 6 days from the beginning of the experiments and finished after 125 days. The earlier events were observed in seedlings originating from the colder sites. Bud break was delayed by 4.8 days per additional degree Celsius in the mean annual temperature at the origin site. Warming advanced the timing of bud break by 17–27 days in January and by 3–8 days in April. Similar advancements in bud break were observed among provenances under warming conditions, which rejected our hypothesis that sugar maple populations have different phenological responses to warming. Our findings confirm the differentiation in ecotypes for the process of bud break in sugar maple. In cases of homogenous spring warming across the native range of sugar maple, similar advancements in bud phenology can be expected in different populations.