On the Network Strength of Meta-Aramid Fiber Suspension and Its Relationship to Formation

Because of poor surface hydrophilicity, meta-aramid fibers readily form flocs by intertwining or interlacing, and this severely affects the uniformity of meta-aramid paper. To investigate the flocculation mechanism of meta-aramid fiber suspensions, the critical flocculant concentration, shear, and compressive network strength of meta-aramid fiber suspensions were examined. A hand sheet former was used to study the influence of the yielding properties of suspensions on the uniformity of meta-aramid paper, and the relationship between the formation index and rheological properties was determined. The results showed that the critical gel concentration ranged from 0.37 to 0.68 g/L, which was much lower than that of plant fiber suspensions. In addition, the compressive yield stress ( P y ) and shear yield stress ( τ y ) of the meta-aramid fiber suspensions were found to increase linearly and exponentially, respectively, with an increasing concentration, and the uniformity index of the paper sheets was found to depend on a power of τ y ⋅ P y . This provides an effective method for predicting paper sheet uniformity.

Identifying the Co-Curing Effect of an Accelerated-Sulfur/Bismaleimide Combination on Natural Rubber/Halogenated Rubber Blends Using a Rubber Process Analyzer

The rheometer curing curves of 50/50 blends of natural rubber (NR) and two different halogenated rubbers with a combination of conventional accelerated sulfur (CV) and 3 phr of a bismaleimide (MF3) at 170 °C indicates that a co-curing reaction has been taken place between NR and the halogenated rubbers via Diels–Alder reaction. To further confirm whether the co-curing reaction has taken place in the early stage of curing, a complex test methodology was applied with the help of a rubber process analyzer. In this test, the blends with CV and with CVMF3 were subjected to cure at 170 °C for a predetermined time so that both the CV and CVMF3 cured blends will have the same magnitude of curing torque. It is then cooled down to 40 °C and the storage modulus (G′) was evaluated as a function of strain from 0.5% to 100% at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. The results reveal that the blends cured with CVMF3 exhibit a higher G′ due to the enhanced network strength because of the formation of bismaleimide crosslinks than the same cured with only the CV system. The swelling resistance and the mechanical properties of the blends cured with CVMF3 were significantly higher than those cured with only the CV system.

Influence of Social Network Strength on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition: A Chain Mediation Model of Need Knowledge and Technological Knowledge

Entrepreneurial opportunity recognition is a key focus of entrepreneurship research and has received considerable attention in recent years. Previous research has highlighted that social network strength, need knowledge, and technological knowledge are important factors in entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and that these factors in isolation cannot sufficiently explain how entrepreneurial opportunities are recognized. Nonetheless, little is known about the effect that social network strength may exert on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition through need knowledge and technological knowledge. Building on social network theory, this study develops and examines a chain mediation model that incorporates need knowledge and technological knowledge into the relationship between social network strength and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. The results of this study demonstrate that the effect of social network strength on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition can be partitioned into the direct and indirect effects. In particular, the effect of social network strength on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition is mediated by need knowledge, not by technological knowledge. Moreover, need knowledge and technological knowledge play a continuous mediating role in the relationship between social network strength and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. These findings extend the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition literature by casting light on the knowledge conduits linking social network strength to entrepreneurial opportunity recognition.

Public Perception: Kinship Politics in the 2020 Solo Regional Head Election

This paper aims to study the development the dynasty politics phenomenon in Solo, especially from the public perspective after the 2020 regional head election. Gibran, the son of the President of the Republic of Indonesia ran as a candidate for mayor of Solo. Gibran involvement during the regional head election raised pros and cons in Indonesia. The practice of kinship politics in Indonesia is increasingly worrying. The reason is that most of the regulations tend to preserve the oligarchy. The flourishing of kinship politics, especially in the regions, cannot be separated from the role of political parties and regulations on regional head election. The study used quantitative approach with questionnaires and literature review. The results were processed using SmartPLS 3.0 software with four independent variable: network strength, position in the party, unequal democracy, and capital. The study showed that only two independent variables influenced the occurrence of kinship politics: network strength and capital. This led to talks about the community on political issues, President Jokowi, and changed his leadership image, from previously seen as a president that does not involve families in political matters.

THE EVALUATION OF IMPLEMENTING ONLINE LEARNING AT UNIMED FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

This research aims to evaluate the online learning implementation activities at the UNIMED Faculty of Engineering to determine the various weaknesses and constraints. The research approach used is the CIPP model of Stufflebeam. And it focused on the content/material, facilities, processes, and outputs of online learning. Data were obtained from UNIMED Faculty of Engineering students through online questionnaires. The results showed that 1) the availability of learning resources is still low, as a content aspect, 2) network strength is weak at the input aspect, 3) the helpdesk service is lacking at the process aspect, and 4) the online effectiveness is low at the product aspect. On average, out of these four components, the lowest is online learning tools. In conclusion, this research found that learning facilities contributed to online learning effectiveness at the UNIMED Faculty of Engineering.

Functional Hyperconnectivity during a Stories Listening Task in Magnetoencephalography Is Associated with Language Gains for Children Born Extremely Preterm

Extreme prematurity (EPT, <28 weeks gestation) is associated with language problems. We previously reported hyperconnectivity in EPT children versus term children (TC) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Here, we aim to ascertain whether functional hyperconnectivity is a marker of language resiliency for EPT children, validating our earlier work with a distinct sample of contemporary well-performing EPT and preterm children with history of language delay (EPT-HLD). A total of 58 children (17 EPT, 9 EPT-HLD, and 32 TC) participated in stories listening during MEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 4–6 years. We compared connectivity in EPT and EPT-HLD, investigating relationships with language over time. We measured fMRI activation during stories listening and parcellated the activation map to obtain “nodes” for MEG connectivity analysis. There were no significant group differences in age, sex, race, ethnicity, parental education, income, language scores, or language representation on fMRI. MEG functional connectivity (weighted phase lag index) was significantly different between groups. Preterm children had increased connectivity, replicating our earlier work. EPT and EPT-HLD had hyperconnectivity versus TC at 24–26 Hz, with EPT-HLD exhibiting greatest connectivity. Network strength correlated with change in standardized scores from 2 years to 4–6 years of age, suggesting hyperconnectivity is a marker of advancing language development.

Informal Network Structure and Knowledge Sharing in Organizations: An Empirical Study of a Korean Paint Manufacturing Company

This study investigates the potentially different roles of informal social networks in promoting knowledge sharing. Specifically, it aims to examine the effects of the focal subgroup’s between-subgroup network size and strength on knowledge sharing with other subgroups and the moderating effect of within-subgroup network strength on the relationship of between-subgroup network size to knowledge sharing. Two different online surveys were conducted to assess social networks and knowledge sharing at a paint manufacturing company located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The final sample consisted of 536 employees in 58 teams. The team-level regression results showed that the focal subgroup’s between-subgroup network strength has a significant effect on knowledge sharing with other subgroups, indicating that strong ties among subgroups are more advantageous to external knowledge sharing than weak ties. The results also demonstrated that the focal subgroup’s within-subgroup network strength negatively moderates the effect of its between-subgroup network size on knowledge sharing, indicating that higher levels of between-subgroup network size are positively related to external knowledge sharing when within-subgroup network strength is weak and negatively when within-subgroup network strength is strong. The study’s findings suggest that strong ties among subgroups and weak ties among subgroup members are advantageous to external knowledge sharing.

Difference In The Topological Organization of White Matter Structural Connectome Between Methamphetamine and Heroin Use Disorder

Background: Both methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) and heroin use disorder (HUD) were related to the activation of the dopamine transmission, while the psychological symptoms caused by HUD and MAUD were significantly different. The topological organization of structural connection that may underlie these differences remains unknown. Methods: Demographic matched 23 male MAUD patients, 20 HUD patients, and 21 healthy controls (HC) participated in the analysis. Diffusion tensor imaging and probabilistic tractography were used for white matter network construction. Psychological symptoms were evaluated by the Symptom Checklist-90. Differences of graph-level and nodal-level properties among groups were explored. The network Hubs distribution and the relationship between the network alteration and psychological status were identified. Results: MAUD patients demonstrated significantly increased scores in anxiety, hostility, and schizophrenia nuclear symptoms. HUD group showed significantly increased global efficiency and network strength than HC and increased network strength than MAUD. Compared with HUD, the MAUD group showed significantly decreased nodal strength and efficiency distributed mainly in the temporal, parietal and occipital regions. We also found the network Hubs were decreased in MAUD group but increased in HUD group. The nodal strength in right superior temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with the psychological scores in MAUD patients. Conclusion: These findings reflect the significant differences in topological structural connection between HUD and MAUD patients. These pieces of evidences help shed some light on the neurobiological mechanisms of the psychological difference between HUD and MAUD, and extend our understanding of the structural disruption underline the MAUD related psychological symptoms.