A Most-Unfavorable-Condition Method for Bridge-Damage Detection and Analysis Using PSP-InSAR

The main contribution of this study is to provide a new idea to detect bridge damage by using PSP-InSAR technology. A most-unfavorable-condition method is proposed for bridge-damage detection and analysis. The method can determine the specific damaged location and occurrence time by using the differential deformation values of persistent scatterer (PS) points on bridge piers. Taking Beijing Suzhou Bridge as an experimental area, 96 COSMO-SkyMed time-series SAR images were used from September 2011 to November 2017. Deformation values of PS points around Suzhou Bridge were acquired and analyzed. Experimental results show that in July 2017, the unusual maximum differential deformation value was 25.73 mm. It occurred between piers D3 and D4 of Suzhou Bridge, and it was deduced that the main girder between piers D3 and D4 may have been damaged in July 2017. As a validation, taking the differential deformation value between piers D3 and D4 as an input, the maximum tensile stress, and the maximum compressive stress were calculated as 2.1 MPa and 8.4 MPa, respectively, through a finite element model. The tensile stress exceeded the design value of the concrete, further confirming the damage of the girder between piers D3 and D4. Moreover, all results are consistent with the Suzhou Bridge damage information shown in existing records, which verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method.

Molecular and Physiological Perspectives of Abscisic Acid Mediated Drought Adjustment Strategies

Drought is the most prevalent unfavorable condition that impairs plant growth and development by altering morphological, physiological, and biochemical functions, thereby impeding plant biomass production. To survive the adverse effects, water limiting condition triggers a sophisticated adjustment mechanism orchestrated mainly by hormones that directly protect plants via the stimulation of several signaling cascades. Predominantly, water deficit signals cause the increase in the level of endogenous ABA, which elicits signaling pathways involving transcription factors that enhance resistance mechanisms to combat drought-stimulated damage in plants. These responses mainly include stomatal closure, seed dormancy, cuticular wax deposition, leaf senescence, and alteration of the shoot and root growth. Unraveling how plants adjust to drought could provide valuable information, and a comprehensive understanding of the resistance mechanisms will help researchers design ways to improve crop performance under water limiting conditions. This review deals with the past and recent updates of ABA-mediated molecular mechanisms that plants can implement to cope with the challenges of drought stress.

Angiotensin System Modulations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Consequences on Erythrocyte Properties; Action of MLN-4760 and Zofenopril

Various pathologies (COVID-19 including) are associated with abnormalities in erythrocyte properties. Hypertension represents an unfavorable condition for erythrocyte quality and is the most prevalent risk factor in COVID-19 patients. ACE2 downregulation that is typical of these patients can further deteriorate cardiovascular health; however, its consequences on erythrocyte properties are not known yet. The aim was to investigate the effect of ACE2 inhibition and the potential beneficial effect of zofenopril on erythrocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats. ACE2 inhibition induced by MLN-4760 (1 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks) led to deterioration of erythrocyte morphology and osmotic resistance, but plasma markers of oxidative stress, erythrocyte deformability, nitric oxide production and Na,K-ATPase activity were not significantly affected. Zofenopril administration (10 mg/kg/day, initiated after 4-day-lasting ACE2 inhibition) resulted in unexpected increase in angiotensin II plasma levels in both control and ACE-inhibited spontaneously hypertensive rats, but in normalization of osmotic resistance in ACE2-inhibited rats. The overall effect of zofenopril on erythrocyte qualities could be evaluated as beneficial.

Solar energy available and energy generated in photovoltaic systems in different inclinations and orientations of roofs of buildings

This work aimed to determine the solar energy available in different inclinations and orientations of roofs of buildings in the four seasons, using data of Global Solar Irradiation in the horizontal plane, temperatures, and wind speed. The inclined hourly solar irradiation and the energy generated by photovoltaic systems of different capacities installed in Cascavel-PR were simulated, with different orientations and inclinations and types of roofs (ceramic, fiber cement and metal). SWERA (Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment) daily global solar irradiation and wind velocity data were used to simulate daily inclined global solar irradiation in PVSyst software. Thus, also with the help of the software, the energy generated by photovoltaic systems of different capacities installed in Cascavel - PR, with different orientations and inclinations of roofs was determined. Consequently, the levels of losses in different seasons of the year were calculated and an analysis of the economic viability of the undertakings was made. Thus, the losses, profits and income of the systems were compared. Solar panels installed in northern oriented ceramic roofs provide better energy production performance throughout the year compared to metallic roofs and fibrocement. However, for the other orientations (South, East and West), the losses for ceramic roofs were twice as high as the metallic and fibrocement roofs in relation to their respective northern orientated slopes. Regarding orientation, roofs oriented to the North receive more Irradiation annually and therefore produce more energy. Then there is East, West and South as the most unfavorable condition.

Review of rice transplanter and direct seeder to be applied in Indonesia paddy field

The challenge to plant one seed or plant per hill by rice ordinary rice transplanter (RT) is still difficult to be achieved due to random in sowing seed by on rice nursery tray. But due to the vigority of seed after sowing in the field and also the unfavorable condition, the more number of seed are still needed and the yield lower compare transplanter method. Recently, the use of rice direct seeding has been increasing rapidly owing to rural labor shortages and continuous increases in agricultural production costs. This article reviews the research and application progress of mechanized rice direct seeding including direct seeding technologies, precision rice seeding, precision rice seed-metering devices. The other important component on succession direct seeding method is also discussed i.e. calcium gypsum coating and iron powder coating. Operating direct seeding machine also need consider about land and water management. Paddy field need to be managed since the seed drooped in order give favor condition of seed and facility the seed with optimum growing condition. In this approach, pre-germinated seeds are uniformly hill-dropped in the expected positions in puddled soil. The both technology PNRT and RDS have prospect and great potential for promoting the development of precession on rice cultivation in Asia.

Pembagian Kerja Berdasarkan Gender dalam Pengelolaan Agroforestri di Hulu DAS Citarum

This study discusses gender division of labor in agroforestry at Tarumajaya Village, upstream of Citarum Watershed. This study aims to describe the division of labor mechanism of agroforestry farmers based on the anthropology of gender perspective. The manifestation of gender can be seen from the mechanism of division labor on every kind of land-use system. Agroforestry is an intensive land-use system that combines crops, woods, and/or livestock in one intensive land to obtain economic-ecology harmonization. Agroforestry was introduced by the government through a top-down approach, by Peraturan Presiden No. 15/2018 about the Acceleration of Pollution Control and Damage to the Citarum River Basin, which is used to conserve the Citarum Watershed. Unfortunately, agroforestry had unfavorable condition due to the clash with crops habits and subsistence economic needs. This research applied ehnographic methods and the data were collected through literature study, observation, and in-depth interview. The data were analyzed using Gender Harvard Analytical Framework. This study found that the division of labor in agroforestry households is negotiable. Men and women have the opportunities to work together in the system. However, gender blind introduction of agroforestry only made women as cheap wage labor. They are being subordinated and alienated by the system. They don’t have equal access and control to the technology, information, and market. These problems occur because gender intersects with various factors such as culture and religion, demography, economy, formal law, social class, and politics. Therefore, agroforestry needs to take a gender approach to get optimum results.

The role of morphodynamics in predicting coastal flooding from storms on a dissipative microtidal beach with SLR conditions: Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

The main object of the present work was to study the role of morphodynamic changes in the flooding of a dissipative beach with microtidal regime, considering the simultaneous and individual effects of erosion and flooding in scenarios of long-term mean sea level rise. For this analysis, we selected a sector of the Colombian Caribbean coast with great touristic, historical, economic, cultural and social importance, namely, Cartagena de Indias; specifically, the beach of Bocagrande. By simultaneously considering erosion and flood processes associated with highly energetic waves, the study facilitates the construction of more precise models for assessing threats to coastal zones. SWAN and XBeach nested models were carried out in order to predict morphological changes and flooding during selected cold fronts and hurricanes that affected Cartagena de Indias; those numerical models were calibrated using field campaigns data (pre- and post-storm). The results of this research indicate that flooding on microtidal dissipative beaches under extreme wave conditions should be approached by considering morphodynamics, because ignoring them can underestimate flooding by ~15%. The erosion and flood effects are intensified by sea level rise, resulting in the most unfavorable condition when extreme events are contemporaneous with high tides.

Carbohydrate-Binding Module and Linker Allow Cold Adaptation and Salt Tolerance of Maltopentaose-Forming Amylase From Marine Bacterium Saccharophagus degradans 2-40T

Marine extremophiles produce cold-adapted and/or salt-tolerant enzymes to survive in harsh conditions. These enzymes are naturally evolved with unique structural features that confer a high level of flexibility, solubility and substrate-binding ability compared to mesophilic and thermostable homologs. Here, we identified and characterized an amylase, SdG5A, from the marine bacterium Saccharophagus degradans 2-40T. We expressed the protein in Bacillus subtilis and found that the purified SdG5A enabled highly specific production of maltopentaose, an important health-promoting food and nutrition component. Notably, SdG5A exhibited outstanding cold adaptation and salt tolerance, retaining approximately 30 and 70% of its maximum activity at 4°C and in 3 M NaCl, respectively. It converted 68 and 83% of starch into maltooligosaccharides at 4 and 25°C, respectively, within 24 h, with 79% of the yield being the maltopentaose. By analyzing the structure of SdG5A, we found that the C-terminal carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) coupled with an extended linker, displayed a relatively high negative charge density and superior conformational flexibility compared to the whole protein and the catalytic domain. Consistent with our bioinformatics analysis, truncation of the linker-CBM region resulted in a significant loss in activities at low temperature and high salt concentration. This highlights the linker-CBM acting as the critical component for the protein to carry out its activity in biologically unfavorable condition. Together, our study indicated that these unique properties of SdG5A have great potential for both basic research and industrial applications in food, biology, and medical and pharmaceutical fields.

The Impact of CEO Narcissism and Counterproductive Work Behaviors in Involvement of Middle Managers in the Strategy Process

This research aims to develop a theoretical framework to explain the conditions that facilitate or hinder the strategic roles of middle managers, such as the effects of CEO narcissism on the strategic roles of middle managers through the moderating effects of counterproductive work behaviors. This research examines these issues in the context of large Tunisian companies participating in Industrial Upgrading Program. The results show that CEO narcissism positively influences the counterproductive work behaviors of middle managers, which in turn negatively influences the strategic roles of middle managers. Consequently, this negative influence calls into question the SRMMs and clearly shows that the presence of the CEO narcissism constitutes an unfavorable condition for the involvement of middle managers in strategy process. Obviously, this should lead the defendants of the involvement of middle managers in strategy process to rethink this participatory approach, and this by considering the conditions that facilitate or hinder the strategic roles of middle managers.

Pengaruh Latihan Single Leg Bound dan Split Jump Terhadap Kemampuan Servis Punggung Sepak Takraw

The Effect of Single Leg Bound and Split Jump Exercises on the Back Service Ability of the Sepak Takraw Klub Academy Sepak Takraw Foundation (ASTF) Dukuhseti". Faculty of Social and Sport Sciences Education, PGRI University Semarang in 2020. This research was motivated by the unfavorable condition of the ASTF Dukuhseti club's Sepak takraw training, this is seen from there are still many athletes who have not mastered the technique of doing tekong or back service properly and many do not cross the net while serving. In addition, the Tekong pedestal is still weak to support when serving, so that the footstool steps on or comes out of the service circle. The purpose of this study was to determine how the effect of single leg bound and split jump training on the back service ability of the Sepak Takraw Club Academy Sepak Takraw Foundation (ASTF) Dukuhseti. This research method is an experimental research method with the design "two groups prestest-posttest design". Group A was treated with single leg bound exercise and Group B was treated with split jump exercise. The population of this study were athletes from the ASTF Dukuhseti club aged 12-20 years. The sample used was all 16 athletes of the ASTF Dukuhseti club tekong club, the samples were taken using purposive sampling technique and group division using the original pairing technique. The instrument used in this study was back service. The data analysis technique used the Kolmogorov-Smirno normality test and the homogeneity test, then the final analysis used the t-test. The results of this study, the single leg bound exercise t-test showed the value = -13,981 with sig. (2-tailed) 0.000 <0.05 while the split jump exercise t-test shows the value of t = -8.275 sig. (2-tailed) 0.000 <0.05. So that single leg bound training is effective for improving the ability to serve takraw backs. The conclusion from this study is that the single leg bound training method is more effective for improving the ability of the back service of the Sepak Takraw to the ASTF Dukuhseti club athletes, compared to the split jump exercise, this is evidenced by the data obtained by the increase in single leg bound training by 41.25% and increased training. split jump of 18.75% or (41.25%> 18.75%). The suggestion that can be given to the ASTF Dukuhseti club's Sepak takraw athletes is to always try to practice improving the service ability of the Sepak Takraw back so that they can achieve achievements. Abstrak Aditya Ilham. “Pengaruh Latihan Single Leg Bound Dan Split Jump Terhadap Kemampuan Servis Punggung Sepak Takraw Klub Academy Sepak Takraw Foundation (ASTF) Dukuhseti”. Fakultas Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial dan Keolahragaan, Universitas PGRI Semarang Tahun 2020. Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kondisi latihan sepak takraw klub ASTF Dukuhseti kurang baik, hal ini dilihat dari masih banyak atlet yang belum menguasai teknik melakukan tekong atau servis punggung dengan baik dan banyak yang tidak sampai melewati net saat melakukan servis. Selain itu juga kaki tumpu tekong masih lemah untuk menumpu saat melakukan servis, sehingga kaki tumpu menginjak atau keluar dari lingkaran servis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana pengaruh latihan single leg bound dan split jump terhadap kemampuan servis punggung sepak takraw klub Academy Sepak Takraw Foundation (ASTF) Dukuhseti. Metode penelitian ini merupakan metode penelitian eksperimen dengan desain “two groups prestest-posttest design”. Grup A diberi perlakuan latihan single leg bound dan Grup B diberi perlakuan latihan split jump. Populasi penelitian ini adalah atlet tekong klub ASTF Dukuhseti usia 12-20 tahun. Sampel yang digunakan adalah keseluruhan atlet tekong klub ASTF Dukuhseti yang berjumlah 16 atlet, pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling dan pembagian kelompok menggunakan teknik oridinal pairing. Instrument yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu servis punggung. Teknik analisis data menggunakan uji normalitas kolmogorov-smirno dan uji homogenitas, selanjutnya analisis akhir menggunakan uji t-test. Hasil dari penelitian ini, pada uji t-test latihan single leg bound menunjukkan nilait = -13,981 dengan sig. (2-tailed) 0,000 < 0,05 sedangkan pada uji t-test latihan split jump menunjukkan nilai t = -8,275 sig. (2-tailed) 0,000 < 0,05. Sehingga latihan single leg bound efektif untuk meningkatkan kemampuan servis punggung sepak takraw. Simpulan dari penelitian ini adalah metode latihan single leg bound lebih efektif untuk meningkatkan kemampuan servis punggung sepak takraw pada atlet tekong klub ASTF Dukuhseti, dibanding latihan split jump,hal tersebut dibuktikan dengan diperolehnya data peningkatan latihan single leg bound sebesar 41,25% dan peningkatan latihan split jump sebesar 18,75% atau (41,25%>18,75%). Saran yang dapat diberikan bagi atlet sepak takraw klub ASTF Dukuhseti agar selalu berusaha berlatih meningkatkan kemampuan servis punggung sepak takraw sehingga dapat meraih prestasi.