bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals by Water Hyacinth in Sewage Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Under Humid Lowland Tropical Climatic Conditions
Authors: Michael Patrick S.
Published: March 2019

Plant macrophytes in wastewater treatment systems are important for providing various ecological and environmental benefits, e.g. detoxification and removal of toxic heavy metals. In this study, phytoremediation of four heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) by water hyacinth (E. crassipes) in sewage wastewater stabilization ponds under humid lowland tropical climatic conditions in Papua New Guinea was studied using a purposive design and grab sampling technique. The wastewater and plant samples collected were analysed for the heavy metals. In almost all cases, an increasing concentration of heavy metals exceeding the standard (FAO and WHO) minimum permissible levels was measured in both the wastewater and the leaves. The general trend in concentration of the effluent pond was such that Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd in the wastewater and Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in the leaves, respectively. The high variability in heavy metal concentration ranged from between 57-99% in the wastewaters and 61-63% in the leaves, respectively. The availability in the effluent wastewater probably results from decomposition of plant matters and release of the heavy metals bioaccumulated back into the wastewater. A management option to address high availability and mobility in the wastewater is to remove the plant macrophytes well before senescence and turnover of plant matters.
Impact of Texture on Sesquioxide Distribution in Southeastern Nigerian Soils
Authors: Uzoho Bethel , Okoli Nnaemeka , Ekwugha Ugochi
Published: March 2019

Sesquioxides which play significant roles in soil classification and dominant soil properties vary in soils with particle size fractions. Using randomized complete block design, this study was conducted in the month of June 2018 to evaluate the impact of texture on sesquioxide distribution in humid rainforest soils of Southeastern Nigeria.  Four mini-pedons were dug at four landscape positions (upslope, midslope, downslope and flat surface) and triplicate soil samples taken from 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm depths, summing to total of 36 samples. Crystalline and amorphous Al, Fe, Mn and Si oxides were then determined at a depth of 0-20 cm using Dithionate Citrate Bicarbonate (DCB) and ammonium oxalate reagents. Dithionate and oxalate fractions in bulk soil ranged between 9300-11,400 (Fed), 390-1580 (Feox), 4600-6700 (Ald), 660-890 (Alox), 3300-5600 (Mnd), 350-580 (Mnox) and 9600-13,500 (Sid) and 1690-1790 mg kg-1 (Siox), with dithionate superior indicating high crystallinity and low mobility of the sesquioxides. Ratios of bulk soil oxalate/dithionate fractions were low and ranged between 0.04-0.17 (Feox/Fed), 0.11-0.15 (Alox/Ald), 0.10-0.16(Mnox/Mnd) and 0.13-0.18 (Siox/Sid) and confirming their crystallinity. Low Feox/Fed ratios signified that soils were well drained (< 0.35), old (< 0.65) and highly weathered (< 0.50) with the order being a decreasing sequence of upslope > flat surface > down slope > midslope. Sesquioxide contents and reactivity in soil particle size fractions (sand, silt and clay) varied with landscapes. Regression models indicated that particle size fractions accounted for 50% of 2/3rd of the bulk soil sesquioxide concentrations and that averaged over landscapes, sand fraction was more enriched with various sesquioxides than the other soil particle size fractions. Correlations between most bulk soil sesquioxide fractions and sesquioxide fractions with selected soil properties (sand, silt, clay, moisture content, total porosity, organic matter, pH, Ca and ECEC) were significant (P < 0.05).
Patients and Gratitude in Neurosurgery
Authors: Roka Yam Bahadur
Published: March 2019

Not available.
Brief Review of Machine Learning in Neurosurgery
Authors: Roka Yam Bahadur
Published: March 2019

Learning from experience is inherent to animals and humans and when used in computer models it is termed as Machine learning (ML) which was coined by Arthur Samuel the pioneer of computer gaming and artificial intelligence in 1959. This field grew out during the search for artificial intelligence and initially was developed using neural networks, perceptrons, probabilistic reasoning and generalized linear models of statistics. ML works by either of the two methods, supervised learning or unsupervised learning. Search for “ML in neurosurgery” in Pubmed showed 308 results. There were 298 studies with abstracts, 5 clinical trials, 20 review articles and 168 articles in human studies. Of these around 113 articles were either studies of ML in other parts of the body like liver, stroke, EEG, pathology and Parkinsons disease or not involving ML and hence were excluded. Of the 55 remaining cases the majority were studies done in glioma followed by medical imaging in neurosurgery, radiotherapy, language and learning studies. ML will definitely replace many of the cumbersome physical data collection to infer and formulate ways to treat patients in the future. It can make the process of research accumulation, filter, find correlations between variables and help to make algorithms to manage and predict, that can save, time, money and speedup the recovery of the patient
Role of Cisternal Drainage in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy
Authors: Thapa Amit , Adhikari Rupendra Bahadur , KC Bidur , Shakya Bikram
Published: March 2019

The effect of decompressive craniectomy (DC) on survival and functional outcome in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is far from satisfactory. Additional modalities including cisternal drainage (CD) that provides good control of refractory intracranial pressure (ICP) intraoperatively need careful scrutiny.

Two centre retrospective superiority study with one centre offering only standard decompressive craniectomy (DC) i.e. Group 1 and the other centre supplementing cisternal drainage (CD) to standard DC i.e. Group 2 was conducted. Consecutive patients with traumatic brain injury with signs of brain herniation or CT scan showing mass lesion or diffuse brain edema or midline shift or with GCS less than 9 or rapid fall in GCS over 2 points with persistently raised ICP of 25 mmHg over 15 minutes between August 2012 and July 2017 were included. The primary outcome was rating on Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 months post operatively, with GOS (1-3) categorized as ‘Unfavorable’ and GOS (4,5) as ‘Favorable’.

Patients either received DC alone (Group 1=73 patients, 48.7%) or DC with CD (Group 2=77 patients, 51.3%). 107 (71.3%) severe, 36 (24%) moderate, and 7 (4.7%) mild head injuries cases received 72 unilateral and 78 bilateral DC. GOS 1 was observed in 32 DC only group (43.8%) and 22 DC plus CD group (28.6%) (p=0.052), an absolute risk reduction of 15.2% was found. Outcome (favorable sun favorable) against all strata of head injury severity, predominant radiological feature, laterality of surgery, and patient characteristics across the two groups were statistically not significant, however the groups were statistically significantly different on age and GCS at presentation (p=0.016 & 0.034 consecutively).

Distinct survival benefit in patients with traumatic brain injury receiving cisternal drainage during decompressive craniectomy did not translate to better functional outcome.
Analysis of risk factors predicting recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Yogi Nikunja , Nepal Pankaj Raj , Gongal Dinesh Nath , Devkota Upendra Prasad
Published: March 2019

Recurrences after evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma are seen in 2-33% of cases with various surgical approaches. Various demographical, clinical, radiological, surgical and postoperative management strategies have been explored as the possible predictors of recurrence.

We performed a retrospective analysis in 160 patients with chronic subdural hematoma with an aim to analyze the post-operative recurrences and factors associated with it. Various socio demographic and clinico-radiological parameters were studied against the rate of recurrence after surgery using Chi square/Fischer Exact Test. Factors showing significant association on univarate analysis were then analysed using binary logistic regression.

The rate of recurrence of CSDH in our study was 5% and the mean duration of recurrence was 33 days. Chronic alcohol use (p=0.007) and intraoperative brain expansion ((p=0.001) were the two factors associated with recurrence of CSDH. On binary logistic regression chronic alcohol use (wald-6.467, p=0.011) and intraoperative brain expansion (wald=6.674, p=0.010) were both associated significantly with recurrence of CSDGH with an odds of 7.804 and 0.058 respectively.
Study of the Outcome Differences among the Ischemic Stroke Subtypes basedon TOAST Classificationat Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal
Authors: Karn Ragesh , Subedi Kamal
Published: March 2019

The objective of this study was to explore the outcome differences among is chemic stroke sub types based on “Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST)” system in a tertiary referral hospital.

A hospital based prospectiv elongitudinal study was conducted involving 182 patients. Modified Rank in Scale (MRS) was used to assess functional out come, Kaplan-Meierproduct- limit method and Coxproportional hazards regression analys is were used to evaluate rates and identify predictors of survival and recurrent stroke.

MRS were statistically different across stroke subtypesat 30 days and 6 months (p<0.0001 and (p<0.0001) respectively). Lacunar stroke was associated with milder deficits. Estimated rates of recurrent stroke were significantly different at 30 days (p<0.0001) and at 6 months (p=0.009). Before adjusting forage, sex, stroke severity, and diabetes mellitus, infarct subtype was not an independent determinant of recurrent stroke within 30 days (p=0.057);but was at 6 months (p=0.024), how ever after same adjustment it was independent determinant both at 30 days (p=0.030) and at 6 months (p=0.025). Estimated death rates were significantly different both a t 3 0 days (p=0.026) and at 6 months (p=0.009). Ischemic stroke subtype was an independent determinant of 6-month survival both before (p=0.016) and after (p=0.027) adjustment for different parameters; however, was not of 30-day survival both before (p=0.054) and after (p=0.993) same adjustment.

Early recurrencerates were highest among large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Lacunar stroke has better post stroke functional status. Survival is poorest among cardioembolic stroke.
Demographic characteristics of stroke in a tertiary care hospital in Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Krishna
Published: March 2019

Our aim is to find out the demographics of the patients with stroke who undergo in-patient rehabilitation in a tertiary care hospital setting. We also aim to find the frequency of different types of stroke and the frequency of stroke in different vascular territories.

Using data collected prospectively over a period of 1 year, we studied 180 individuals admitted with stroke. The demographic features of patients with stroke were collected and analyzed. Stroke was broadly stratified into hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Furthermore, ischemic stroke was subdivided according to the vascular territories involved: anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery (MCA), posterior cerebral artery, brain-stem, cerebellar, smallvessel strokes and stroke occurring in more than one vascular territory. The most common risk factor was hypertension which was present in 50% of patients.

The most common ischemic stroke groups were MCA stroke (39.4%) and small vessel stroke (17.2%). The most common type of hemorrhage was basal ganglia hemorrhage which was present in 15% of patients.

In regards with Western literature, patients with stroke in our setting also had similar risk factors.

The proportion of hemorrhagic stroke in our country was higher than in the western world. A large proportion of patients were in the age group less than 65. However, the frequency of distribution of different types of stroke and frequency of stroke in different territories were similar.
Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Paraspinal Region: A Case Report
Authors: Bhandari Rajeev , Bista Prakash , Jha Rajiv , Shrestha Rajendra , Khambu Bikesh
Published: March 2019

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare neoplasm occurring in the central nervous system. It rarely occurs in the spine. SFTs represent a wide range of neoplasm's, ranging from benign to malignant. This case reports on a 51 year- old male with localized solitary fibrous tumor on left para spinal region which was observed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Patient complained a low back pain radiating to left lower limb for successive 10 days. Laboratory investigation such as CBC and renal function test was normal. A Confirmation of patients Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) was done on the basis of surgical, radiological, histological and immunohisto chemical findings.
Affective Proximity: Tracing Jaime Lannister’s Moral Progression in HBO’s Game of Thrones
Authors: Cormier Matthew
Published: March 2019

Jaime Lannister is one of the most intriguing characters in HBO’s Game of Thrones due to his important role in the show’s chief area of conflict, King’s Landing, as well as his incestuous relationship with his sister and, because of this relationship, her strong influence on his character. What makes the dynamic of Jaime and Cersei’s relationship so compelling is the manner in which Cersei’s influence on Jaime seems to grow weaker or stronger depending on where he is travelling in Westeros, how far away he is from her, both physically and emotionally, and which characters he spends time with during these travels. An effective means of analyzing Jaime’s moral development in relation to his relationship with his sister is by way of affect theory—specifically the affect of proximity, which authors such as Sara Ahmed and Lauren Berlant discuss in The Promise of Happiness (2010) and Cruel Optimism (2011), respectively. By mapping out Jaime’s travels during the series, as well as through close reading of several key moments of his journey, I argue that Jaime’s ever-changing “affective proximity” to Cersei strongly affects his moral character, ultimately resulting in his heading to Winterfell to help fight the last war.
“You Win or You Die”: The Royal Flush of Power inGame of Thrones
Authors: Walton Priscilla L.
Published: March 2019

A Song of Ice and Fire provides a plethora of ideologies and governmentalities, and, in this article, I explore their strengths and weaknesses. Using a Foucauldian analysis to trace the divergent modes of governmentality apparent in Martin’s texts, I demonstrate how fruitful the series is for conveying the complexities of various systems of governance, including feudalism, imperialism, and democracy.
Progression through Regression: The Inferno of Daenerys Targaryen
Authors: Sheridan Sylva
Published: March 2019

A chief warning from George R.R. Martin is that the “night is dark and full of terror.” This article is a critical reflection on a moment from Martin’s masterpiece, A Song of Ice and Fire. Through a close reading of the series, I found that one of the most poignant moments is Daenerys Targaryen’s visionary journey through the House of the Undying. It was in this moment that I found the influence of the indelible Dante Alighieri. My article parallels Daenerys’s journey alongside Dante’s journey through hell in his Inferno. I begin by drawing a comparison between the warning Daenerys is given by Pyat Pree and the warning found outside of the gates of hell in Inferno. I finish by considering the prophecy of the three treasons experienced by Daenerys, mirroring Dante’s vision of Lucifer. While these experiences may seem dark, there are moments of light interspersed. Throughout this article, I also reflect on how Game of Thrones interprets Daenerys’s visions as prophecy. Ultimately, I conclude that the true story of “ice and fire” is the story that leads one from bondage to freedom in the ultimate search for truth.
Tribological performance and corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy protected by Cr-doped diamond-like carbon thin film
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Xu Hong , Mao Hongkui , Wang Gang , Liu Wei , Gao Wei , Zhu Lideng
Published: March 2019

A gradient layer of Al/Cr diamond-like carbon film has been prepared by magnetron sputtering on 2024 Al-alloy. Emphasis has been placed on the anti-corrosion and tribological properties of the Cr-doped diamond-like film. Experimental research: scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectrometry, nano-indentation testing, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and tribological tests were undertaken to investigate the surface morphology, surface structures, chemical composition, anti-corrosion and mechanical properties of the as-prepared gradient diamond-like carbon film. The results indicated that the Cr-doped diamond-like carbon film with intermediate transition chromium layer showed improvements with regards to hardness and corrosion prevention due to the dense surface structure and decreased electrical conductivity. Cr-doped diamond-like carbon film also displayed excellent tribological properties such as a low friction coefficient and wear rate during tribological testing.
Blenderized Tube Feeding: A Survey of Dietitians’ Perspectives, Education, and Perceived Competence
Authors: Kariya Claire , Bell Katherine , Bellamy Celise , Lau Jason , Yee Kristy
Published: March 2019

Increasingly, patients and their caregivers desire blenderized tube feeding (BTF) as an alternative or adjunct to commercial enteral formula. Although dietitians are central in the care of tube fed patients, they do not necessarily have training or experience with BTF and may therefore find it challenging to manage the nutrition of patients who opt for this enteral nutrition approach. To describe dietitians’ perspectives, perceived competence, and education on BTF, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by use of an original questionnaire. Dietitians with the authority to practice enteral nutrition in the province of British Columbia, Canada, were included in the study (n = 715). Of the 221 respondents (31% response rate), 28% reported being knowledgeable about BTF, and 24% reported confidence managing patients on BTF. Few agreed they had the expertise to design, administer, or teach administration of BTF (29%, 15%, and 24%, respectively). In regards to education, 27% of respondents did not have BTF education of any kind, and those with BTF education reported it to be primarily derived from informal sources such as self-directed study and learning from colleagues or patients. These results indicate that among dietitians, formal BTF education is uncommon, and there is limited perceived competence on BTF practice.
Mobile learning in China from 2008 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: March 2019

This study indicated the current trend of mobile learning development in China by reviewing literature published in China from 2008 to 2018. Factors like issues, status, challenges, subject domains, studentsâ€™ behaviour, teacherâ€™s readiness and teachersâ€™ professional development are considered in the analysis for the review. Major findings imply that the study of mobile learning in China shows a rising tendecy in the last decade. Technological education is in urgent need to adopt mobile learning to meet the requirement of digital education in Chinaâ€™s higher education system. Integration with technology has made progress in terms of teaching strategy, pedagogical practice and teaching model, but teachers need to improve professional development to gain a better effect in teaching digital age. The result implies for further study to improve mobile learning in Chinaâ€™s higher education system.
The Elements of Conceptual Model Goods and Services Tax Registered Persons in Malaysia
Authors: Liang Lee Heng , Alifiah Mohd Norfian , Chen Loo Ern
Published: March 2019

Goods and Services Tax (GST) system was implemented on the 1st April 2015 in Malaysia.  Like many others tax administration, tax compliance has been a major concern to the Royal Malaysia Customs Department (RMCD) (Zainol et al., 2015).  The issue of tax non- compliance such as over claiming of input tax, not issuing tax invoices, and under declaring output tax by the registered persons induced this study.  Thus, this study seeks to establish the determinant factors that may influence the tax compliance behaviour of GST registered person in Malaysia.  This study also attempts to propose a conceptual framework GST tax compliance behaviour by integrating economic factors such as tax structure system of GST tax rate, audit, penalty/fine, and psychological and sociological factors like attitude towards GST and GST tax knowledge.
Customerâ€™s Co-Creation for Satisfaction Enhancement: A Case Study of Budget Hotel at Rayong Province, Thailand
Authors: Suvittawat Adisak , Klichandeang Nicha , Singchai Krittiyar
Published: March 2019

The objective of this research is finding the variables which effect on customer satisfaction of budget hotel by using service marketing mix model in Rayong Province of Thailand. The results find that product dimensions, price dimensions, place dimensions, promotion dimensions, people dimensions, physical evidence dimensions and process dimensions are main parameters for customer satisfaction when customers have opportunites to co-create with buget hotel. The contributions of this study give the benefits for budget hotel entrepreneurs who run the hotel businesses as they need to enhance customerâ€™s satisfaction for their competitive advantage.
The Effects of Job Performance, Work Life Balance and Organizational Justice on Career Satisfaction
Authors: Saraih Ummi Naiemah , Mohd Karim Khofizhoah , Sakdan Mohd  Fo'ad
Published: March 2019

This research is devoted to identify the effects of several factors on career satisfaction in the context of manufacturing sector. The purpose of this research is to reveal the effects of job performance, work life balance and organizational justice on employees' career satisfaction. To analyse this effects, participants from manufacturing company in Penang have been taken as the sample of this research survey. Quantitative method is adopted, and this research received 62% responses out of 240 sample size. Findings of this research presented that there were significant effects of job performance, work life balance and organizational justice  on career satisfaction among employees in this company. Organizations always have quest of finding the unique ways to enhance career satisfaction of the employees. Thus, this research would help to suggest on how an adequate job performance, work life balance and organizational justice would help to increase the level of employees' career satisfaction.
Hafidzah The role of Lecturers in Leadership, Spirituality in the Workplace and Organizational Commitment in the context of Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Islamic Universities
Authors: Nurjannah Hafidzah , Hamzah Zulfadli
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this research was to analyze the role of lecturers in leadership, spirituality in the workplace and organizational commitment in the context of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) at Islamic University in Pekanbaru. The respondents of this research were permanent lecturers at the Islamic University in Pekanbaru with probability sampling method with the Random Sampling technique of 318 respondents. This research analyzed used Structural Equation Modeling. The results of this study indicate that leadership has a direct positive and significant direct effect on organizational commitment, spirituality in the workplace has a direct positive and significant direct effect on organizational commitment, leadership has a direct positive and significant direct effect on organizational citizenship behavior, Organizational commitment has a positive direct and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior, and Spirituality in the workplace has a positive and significant direct positive effect on organizational citizenship behavior at Islamic University lecturers in Pekanbaru.
Intra-Party Conflict and the Future of Nigerian Democracy: Examining the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Authors: MUHAMMAD AMINU YAHAYA
Published: March 2019

This study is an analysis of the nature and pattern of intra-party conflict in Nigeriaâ€™s Fourth Republic with specific reference to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Intra-party conflict has been the norm in Nigerian politics leading to crises, setback and failure of many parties to forge ahead for proper democratisation in Nigeria including the ruling parties in many instances. The problem is the way in which intra-party conflict is becoming the bane of democratisation and good governance in Nigeria for many decades and despite the previous experiences, the phenomenon continued unabated. The study investigated the new dimension of intra-party conflict in Nigeria taking the All Progressives Congress as the case study. The study used a qualitative method of data collection and analysis. Primary and secondary sources of data were used. The primary data involved an in-depth interview with some selected informants from the relevant institutions and agencies related to the APC and the crises such as the national party executives, senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and academicians that are experts in the area of study. The secondary sources include books, journals, newspapers, internets and other documented materials. The data obtained were discussed using content analysis where thematic analytical interpretations were used in the discussions. The research discovered that, the intra-party conflict under the APC has taken a new dimension where the members of the ruling party constituted an opposition and a stumbling block for the partyâ€™s progress and governance. The work recommends that intra-party conflict of APC and other Nigerian political parties can be resolved through constitutional reforms, institutionalisation of party ideology and principles and strict sanctions from the national leaders of the party.
Improving Vocabulary Skills Using Video Games
Authors: Rosli Mohd Shafie , Awalludin Muhammad Fairuz Nizam
Published: March 2019

As the world is embracing the 21st century, a new tool that could facilitate English as Second Language (ESL) classroom is imperative. In this case, video games seem to offer a promising positive impact toward ESL classroom. Video games is interactive, which at the same time is suitable for 21st century learner who are craving for technologies. Thus, this study was conducted. Data collection was done in a primary school in South of Malaysia which two class being sampled. The two classrooms were separated into control group and experimental group. Before any statistical test being conducted, the data was tested for its normality. For this research, the researchers had performed Shapiro-Wilk test. Based on the test, the data was found as normally distributed. To study the effectiveness of video games in facilitating ESL classroom, a Paired Sample T-Test was conducted to measure the different between the pretest and posttest score. A significant different was visible from the test. Further statistical test shows that experimental group perform better that their counterpart in control group.
Modeling and simulation of a grid-connected PV system under varying environmental conditions
Authors: YOUNAS Umair , AKDEMİR Bayram , KULAKSİZ Ahmet Afsin
Published: March 2019

With the rapid increase of the requirement of electricity demand throughout the world, renewable energy resources (RERs) particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) is a viable alternative to mitigate the global energy crisis. With the advantages of being inexhaustible, abundant, and clean, PV is considered as one of the most useful RER. Besides, the power efficiency of SolarPV is highly affected by variations of solar irradiance and temperature of the solar cells. Hence, the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller is used to control the switching dutycycle of the power converters which ultimately maximize the output power of the PV array. In this paper, a case study of 240-kW solar PV array is performed in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Simulation is performed on ‘SunPower SPR-400E-WHT-D’ PV array which is comprised of 88 parallel strings and 7 series connected modules per string. The impact of variable weather conditions (irradiance and temperature) is analysed. Moreover, the 240-kW PV array is connected to 20 kV grid using boost converter and Voltage Source Converter (VSC). Inthis way, the inverted AC output power is coupled with the AC grid. This bidirectional output power with unity power factor can be utilized by industrial/commercial consumers to fulfil theirenergy demands. In this study, the results are presented to prove that the maximum power fluctuations during rapid weather changing conditions can be reduced and a collaboration in theinstallation of PV system can be provided.
Biological activity of peel and pulp of Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid. fruits
Authors: Grygorieva O. V. , Klymenko S. V. , Vergun O. N. , Brindza J. , Ivanišová E.
Published: March 2019

Pseudocydonia sinensisSchneid. (Chinese quince) fruits are an excellent source of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity, total polyphenol, ﬂavonoid, and phenolic acid content of dryPseudocydonia sinensisfruits (peel and pulp) of collection fromM.M.GryshkoNationalBotanical Garden (Kyiv,Ukraine). All tested samples (peel and pulp) exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activities with values from 9.31 to 10.23 and from 5.39 to 6.85 mg TEAC/g (trolox equivalent), respectively. Antioxidant activity determined by the molybdenum reducing antioxidant power method was ranged from 122.0 to 219.31 (peel) and from 62.19 to 95.44 (pulp) mg TEAC/g of dry matter (DM). The total polyphenol content of peel and pulp was ranged from 53.17 to 78.67 and from 32.31 to 47.41 mg GAE/g (gallic acid equivalent), respectively. The total ﬂavonoid content was ranged from 9.15 to 26.18 (peel) and from 0.55 to 0.87 mg QE/g (pulp) (equivalent to quercetin). The phenolic acids content of peel and pulp fruits was ranged from 4.40 to 8.39 and from 1.12 to 3.97 mg CAE/g (caffeic acid equivalent), respectively. The results showed that peel extracts had the highest content of bioactive compounds compared with pulp extracts. Differences between the genotypes were signiﬁcant in all observed parameters. The polyphenol content presents high positive correlations between antioxidant activity and phenolic content, ﬂavonoid, and phenolic acid. This species is potential for propagation and practice use inUkraine.
Fruit ﬁrmness of raspberry parent forms and its inheritance in posterity
Authors: Podgaetsky M. A.
Published: March 2019

The possibility of increasing in raspberry fruit ﬁrmness as the limiting indicator of variety aptitude to mechanized harvesting of berries as well as long-term transportation and storage have been considered in the article. The objects of research were 23 raspberry varieties of domestic and foreign breeding, 16 selected forms, as well as their offspring from controlled crossings and populations from free pollination. The evaluation of ﬁrmness characteristics was carried out at the hybrid plot and the plot of competitive varietal trials in the period from 2016 to 2018. The berries from each variety and an elite seedling were collected in a state of full maturity in triple frequency. The number of berries in each frequency was 10 pieces. There were took 10 berries in the optimum degree of maturity of the hybrid offspring from each seedling. The effort to crush the berries was determined using torsion weights and transferred to international units –Newton; the separation force was determined with the help of a pistol-dynamometer. The weather conditions of the research period were contrasting, which allowed evaluating more objectively the collection and selection material of raspberries on the fruit ﬁrmness. The evaluation of the parent forms of raspberries by the effort of crushing the berries allowed revealing the sources of increasedthe fruit strength – varieties Glen Ample, Cascade Delight, Peresvet, Lazcka, Gusar and the selected form 2-90-2. The “crush effort” indicator of the fruits of these forms over the research period was not lower than 5.0 N and was less affected by weather conditions. The analysis of the hybrid offspring of raspberries from controlled crossings and populations from free pollination showed the polygenic character of inheritance of the trait. The promising parent forms for breeding to increase the berry ﬁrmness – varieties Glen Ample and Gusar, as well as the selected form 2-8-3 have been identiﬁed. Among the studied hybrid combinations, the families of Tarusa x 2-8-3, Gusar x Vol’nitsa, as well as the populations from free pollination of Glen Ample and Gusar varieties are of the greatest interest. In the offspring of these genotypes the transgressive seedlings with effort of crushing of fruits more than 6.0 Н have been revealed.
Investigation on the influence of parameter uncertainties in the position tracking of robot manipulators
Authors: Ghanbarpour Asl Habib , Han Kerim Youde
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a novel trajectory tracking method for robot arms with uncertainties in parameters. The new controller applies the robust output feedback linearization method and is designed so that it is robust to the variation of parameters. Robustness of the algorithm is evaluated when the parameters of the system are floating over 10 percent up and down. An Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is applied for state and parameter estimation purposes. As the considered system has 8 unknown parameters while only 5 of them are independent parameters, UKF is applied only to the augmented system with independent parameters. Three types of simulations are applied depending on sensor groups – first with both position and joint sensors, second with only position sensors and third with only joint sensors. The observation of parameters in these groups is discussed. Simulation results show that when both position sensors and joint sensors are used, all the parameters and states are observable and good tracking performances are obtained. When only position sensors are used, the accuracy of the estimated parameters is reduced, and low tracking performances are revealed. Finally, when only joint sensors are applied, the lengths of robot arms are unobservable, but other parameters related to the dynamic system are observable, and poor tracking performances are given.
Big data for product innovation in manufacturing
Authors: Prester Jasna , Jurić Mihaela
Published: March 2019

The article analyses big data usage in the Croatian manufacturing sector. Big data usage is still low but present. We analysed the influence of six sources of big data and their influence on share of returns generated by new products using two step OLS regression analysis. The results are robust but they show that some sources have positive and some have negative effects on share of returns generated by new products. Based on the most recent research of scholarly papers we define big data and show a clear research gap by linking big data and innovation. That is, only six papers deal with big data and innovation. In five papers big data comes from social media data, and in the remaining one paper they use data from sensors but predominantly to reduce cost or support the product. Therefore, we contribute by closing this research gap of linking big data and innovation.
Minimum-time path planning for robot manipulators using path parameter optimization with external force and frictions
Authors: Ghanbarpour Asl Habib
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a new minimum-time trajectory planning method which consists of a desired path in the Cartesian space to a manipulator under external forces subject to the input voltage of the actuators. Firstly, the path is parametrized with an unknown parameter called a path parameter. This parameter is considered a function of time and an unknown parameter vector for optimization. Secondly, the optimization problem is converted into a regular parameter optimization problem, subject to the equations of motion and limitations in angular velocity, angular acceleration, angular jerk, input torques of actuators’, input voltage and final time, respectively. In the presented algorithm, the final time of the task is divided into known partitions, and the final time is an additional unknown variable in the optimization problem. The algorithm attempts to minimize the final time by optimizing the path parameter, thus it is parametrized as a polynomial of time with some unknown parameters. The algorithm can have a smooth input voltage in an allowable range; then all motion parameters and the jerk will remain smooth. Finally, the simulation study shows that the presented approach is efficient in the trajectory planning for a manipulator that wants to follow a Cartesian path. In simulations, the constraints are respected, and all motion variables and path parameters remain smooth.
Zwischen ‚Exzellenz‘ und Existenz. Wissenschaftskarriere, Arbeits- und Geschlechterarrangements in Deutschland und Österreich
Authors: Binner Kristina , Weber Lena
Published: March 2019

In der Gesellschaft wie auch in der Wissenschaft haben einige Veränderungen in Richtung Geschlechtergleichstellung stattgefunden. In den letzten Jahren werden wissenschaftliche Karrieren in Deutschland und Österreich jedoch nach ‚Exzellenzkriterien‘ und dem Leitbild der ‚unternehmerischen Hochschule‘ reorganisiert und Karrierepfade prekarisiert. Dieser Beitrag untersucht länderübergreifend, ob sich dadurch Geschlechterarrangements erneut ungleich gestalten. Dazu wird mit der Perspektive der alltäglichen und biografischen Arbeitsarrangements der Zusammenhang zwischen wissenschaftlichen Karrieren und Geschlecht analysiert. Im Fokus stehen die subjektiven Wahrnehmungen von Alltagsorganisation und biografischen Entscheidungen von NachwuchswissenschaftlerInnen, die in zwei qualitativen Interviewstudien befragt wurden. Es wird auf der Subjektebene gezeigt, wie in Zeiten ‚exzellenter‘ Spitzenforschung Geschlechterungleichheiten in Alltag und Biografie erzeugt werden.
Queering and diversifying gender in equality work at European higher education institutions
Authors: Mense Lisa , Sera Stephanie , Vader Sarah
Published: March 2019

Against the background of recent changes to EU legislation to meet the demands and needs of LGBTIQ* communities, the authors seek to situate a queered and diversified understanding of gender firmly at the centre of the gender equality discourse in higher education (HE). Based on case examples, the legal and discursive status quo in German and Dutch HE institutions as well as actors’ motivations, challenges and opportunities are examined through a queer lens. The results highlight how differently EU legislation is transposed into national law. They also show that change is currently driven by highly motivated individual actors, be they students, gender equality and diversity officers, or individual institutions. We argue that queering and diversifying should be understood and used as modes to reflect on and analyse the processes that lead to heteronormative understandings of gender in HE and to develop strategies that take the complexities of gendered identities and discrimination into account.
Für welche ‚Natur/en‘ sorgen wir? Kritisch feministische Perspektiven auf aktuelle Care-Debatten im sozial-ökologischen Kontext
Authors: Hofmeister Sabine , Mölders Tanja , Deininger Michaela , Kapitza Katharina
Published: March 2019

Anlass unseres Beitrags ist die Beobachtung, dass sich in aktuellen feministischen Debatten – insbesondere im Kontext der Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften – vermehrt auf ‚Care‘ als Denk- und Handlungsprinzip bezogen wird. Damit wird ‚Care‘ (auch) auf die Kategorie Natur erweitert. Wir gehen davon aus, dass eine solche Erweiterung die Komplexität und Wirkmächtigkeit gesellschaftlicher Natur- und Geschlechterverhältnisse vernachlässigt. Eine Folge könnte die Übertragung macht- und herrschaftsförmiger Momente von Sorgebeziehungen auf den Umgang mit nichtmenschlichen ‚Natur/en‘ sein. Wir begeben uns auf eine Spurensuche, die über die Auseinandersetzung mit ‚Natur‘ als immanenter Kategorie von (Care-)Debatten der Neuen Frauen- und Ökologiebewegung der 1970er-Jahre bis hin zu einer Untersuchung ausgewählter Arbeiten zu ‚Natur‘ als expliziter Kategorie in ‚Care‘-Beziehungen zwischen Menschen und nichtmenschlichen ‚Natur/en‘ führt. Der Beitrag richtet sich explizit gegen die Tendenz der Essentialisierung von ‚Natur‘ und ‚Geschlecht‘. Stattdessen plädieren wir für eine nachhaltige Nutzung von ‚Natur/en‘ in vorsorgender Perspektive.
Design And Development Of Presence System System Using Rfid Based On Raspberry Pi
Authors: Wardihani Eni Dwi
Published: March 2019

Presence of students of the Master of Telecommunications Engineering Study Program majoring in Electrical Engineering Semarang State Polytechnic is currently still managed and carried out manually. This does not rule out the possibility of errors in managing data attendance and cheating students in faking their presence, and also with the development of science and technology that is currently completely automated. From this background, it was made the Presence Using RFID Based Raspberry Pi System where the PBM became Admin to be able to access all the attendance data of the S2 Telecommunications Engineering students. Student attendance recording is done by PBM by opening a MySQL database that has been created and stored, then processed and adjusted to existing student data as student ID. The end result obtained is a tool and system that are integrated automatically and also precisely, so that students are required to arrive on time so that they do not get the Compensation if they have passed the deadline and PBM admin can manage the recapitulation data through the website including student data, data lecturer, course data, room data, lecture schedule, attendance activities, and print reports in PDF format. The trial was carried out in the Computer Lab of the Semarang State Polytechnic Applied Science Master. The conclusion is that this tool and system is able to educate students to come and have a scheduled presence and can also record attendance automatically.
Height Measurement System Based on Edge Detection Technique and Analysis of Digital Image Processing
Authors: Udlhiya Ida
Published: March 2019

Height measurement is important in the field of health, athletics, and others. During this process the measurement height is done manually by using the tools in the form of tape measure or ruler. This takes quite a long time. With the weaknesses of such height measurements, then on this research designed a height measurement system based on Digital Image Processing Techniques. The parameters used for this research is the distance of the camera, the height of the camera, the camera angle, the color of the shirt, and the position of the object. Testing is done by performing processing and digital image analysis. By using these techniques, it only takes 35 seconds to process measurement and results. In addition to the test results can be stored in the system database, making it easier for data archiving. Of the overall testing with parameters of the camera distance, the height of the camera, the camera angle, the color of the shirt, and the position of the object, resulting in a measurement of the height of a more objective and accurate with the level of accuracy of 99.5%.
Development Of Automatic Traffic Light Based On Wireless Sensor Networks With Star Topologies
Authors: Husna Nadia Khotimatul
Published: March 2019

Traffic jam at the intersection is caused by many things such as the number of vehicles that exceed the capacity of the highway, road users who do not obey the rules, or lights on a traffic light that is not in accordance with the road conditions. The government has implemented measures to control congestion solutif at a crossroads in Indonesia, especially in big cities by installing the ATCS (Automatic Traffic Control System) that regulate light traffic lights based on real time conditions crossroads. The weakness of this system still needed the operator to settings the traffic light lamp replacement and maintenance costs are expensive. Therefore, we need a system that can regulate light traffic lights adaptively based on the length of the queue of vehicles. In this project, created a system that is able to set the lights on the traffic light by the long queues of vehicles adaptively based wireless sensor networks. Data from XBee sent with a frequency of 2, 4 Ghz towards the coordinator node, the coordinator node data is then processed by a microcontroller arduino mega to compare the length of the queue between the road and determine the traffic light lights adaptively. The test results show a sensor capable of detecting the vehicle up to a distance of 175 cm, the system can detect the length of the queue as far as 56 meters, and can be changed adaptively in a ccordance long queues of vehicle.
System Design Of Course Scheduling Of Telecommunication Engineering Majors At State Polytechnic Of Semarang
Authors: Syarifuddin Amin
Published: March 2019

Telecommunication Engineering is one of Study Program (Prodi) at State Polytechnic of Semarang (Polines). The development of information technology (IT) can provide ease to meet various information needs. Course schedule used as a reference for teaching and learning activities to fit the target. In Prodi Telecommunication Engineering Polines to create a schedule still using Microsoft Excel applications as well as in publications on lecturers and students are still using physical mading. With that background then the authors make the information system scheduling courses. This information system is created using the PHP programming language utilizing the Laravel framework and MySQL database. After the system is completed the test is done by using the black box method to prove all the features work well in accordance with their respective functions. Design model using modeling Use Case Diagram and Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) can be done to design Scheduling System Subject Telecommunication Engineering Program Polines. This application is made in the form of websites and integrated with the database, so it can be accessed by the user in realtime on the Intranet network. Schedule preparation courses can be done Kaprodi using web-based information system. The results of this information system can be used to create course schedules and can be accessed so that lecturers and students can view the course schedule
VSWR value measurement analysis using Direct Digital Synthesizer
Authors: Natalia Lorenza Louis
Published: March 2019

SWR Analyzer is an electronic device radio is useful to know the value of VSWR and antenna impedance without the use of radio tranciever. In this final use Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) to generatewaveforms analog digitally. DDS signal generation programmable via Arduino nano. The frequency used is aantenna operating frequency dipole 7 MHz which are in the range 6.9 MHz - 7.4 MHz.calibration SWR Analyzer is done by providing a form of pure resistor load with the acquisition of a data error of 4% as compared with the theory. The test results niali VSWR atantenna dipole 7 MHzusing an SWR Analyzer then compared with measuring devices in general, ie VSWR SWR meter. Earned value matching 1: 1 obtained by SWR Analyzer at a frequency of 6.9 MHz, while using the SWR meter lowest VSWR values obtained at 7:04 MHz frequency with a value ofratio matching impedance1:35: 1. The accuracy of the measurement results using the SWR Analyzer when compared with SWR meter reaches a value 83%.