A hybrid neural network goal attain optimization for failed sensor(s) radiation pattern in linear array

Array sensors are widely used in various fields such as radar, wireless communications, autonomous vehicle applications, medical imaging, and astronomical observations fault diagnosis. Array signal processing is accomplished with a beam pattern which is produced by the signal's amplitude and phase at each element of array. The beam pattern can get rigorously distorted in case of failure of array element and effect its Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) badly. This paper proposes on a Hybrid Neural Network layer weight Goal Attain Optimization (HNNGAO) method to generate a recovery beam pattern which closely resembles the original beam pattern with remaining elements in the array. The proposed HNNGAO method is compared with classic synthesize beam pattern goal attain method and failed beam pattern generated in MATLAB environment. The results obtained proves that the proposed HNNGAO method gives better SNR ratio with remaining working element in linear array compared to classic goal attain method alone. Keywords: Backpropagation; Feed-forward neural network; Goal attain; Neural networks; Radiation pattern; Sensor arrays; Sensor failure; Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)

Adoption and Commercialization of Green Corn, Green Corn –Based Silage, Haylage and Ummb Production for Dairy Cattle in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

This research aimed to improve dairy production and increase the income of dairy farmers using locally available feed resources. Small-scale milk producers rely heavily on available feed resources in the locality which are either indigenous in the area or introduced species for feed and nutrition of their dairy cattle and buffalos. Their milk output depends mainly on seasonal fluctuations in the quality and quantity of natural forage. Crop residues such as corn stover and rice straw which are high in fiber but low in nutrients serve as a feed supplement and filler to the daily diets of dairy cattle and buffalos. Cagayan Valley is an ear of top corn and rice-producing region. The potential of crop residues as feed supplements or raw materials of dairy cattle/buffalo feed mix is great. But dairy farmers still face the scarcity problem of quality feed resources for dairy animals especially during the dry season. The supply of forage is very low during the dry spell. Inadequate feed mix and low nutritive value of feed mix result in low or no milk production. Producing green corn and ensiling it to produce green corn silage preserves and prolong the storage life of forages. In this way, a stable supply of feed mix for dairy animals is assured year-round. Type of Paper: Empirical. Keywords: adoption and commercialization, dairy industry, financial viability, green-corn silage production, indigenous grasses, smallholder farmers.

High-Throughput of SHA-256 Hash Function with Unfolding Transformation

Hash Function in cryptography algorithms is used to encrypt the message by giving the appropriate output based on the structure of the hash function itself. This algorithm is important for security applications such as Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC), digital signature, and others. There are different types of hash functions such as MD5, SHA-1, RIPEMD-160, SHA-256, SHA-224, SHA-384, SHA-512, and others. In this paper, the unfolding transformation method was proposed to improve the throughput of the SHA-256 hash function. Three types of SHA-256 hash function were designed namely SHA-256 design, SHA-256 design inner pipelining with unfolding factor 2, and SHA-256 design inner pipelining with unfolding factor 4. The designs were written in Verilog code and the output simulations were verified using ModelSim. The simulation results showed that the proposed SHA-256 inner pipelining unfolding with factor 4 provided the highest throughput which is 4196.30 Mbps, and factor 2 was superior in terms of maximum frequency and was better than the conventional SHA-256 design. Type of Paper: other. Keywords: Cryptography algorithm; FPGA; SHA-256 Hash Function; Unfolding transformation, Verilog

Voluntary Policy Interventions: Elevating Safety and Health Compliance in Aircraft Ground Handling Operations

Objective – The present study intends to examine the safety culture and safety performance outcomes relationship, present the findings on safety culture dimensions and discuss in detail on the moderating role of occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) policy interventions. Methodology/Technique – A literature research was employed to review occupational safety and health area on specific safety culture dimensions with regard to aviation (between the years 1997 to 2018) as well as law and science policy on human behavior. Findings – The findings on safety culture dimensions were discovered from a multilevel perspective of safety culture and climate studies and were categorized as generalization and personalization. The findings also demonstrated the mandatory and voluntary approach in carrying out the OHSMS policy interventions. Novelty – The findings on safety culture dimensions indicated the functionality of generalization and personalization that portray the substance of the workplace culture for aircraft ground handling. The introduction of voluntary policy interventions to elevate OHSMS compliance was essential to the study because they revealed people's willingness to change their behavior, practice self-regulation, and respond to the existing regulatory models. Type of Paper: Conceptual Keywords: OHSMS; voluntary compliance; safety culture; safety performance outcomes

Policy Direction for Philippine Level 3 Local Government Hospitals based on the Predictors of Quality Patient Care

ABSTRACT Objective – The study aims to formulate a policy direction (through a model) among Philippine level 3 local government hospitals based on the predictors of Quality Patient Care (QPC). The predictors are cost-effectiveness, utilization of materials, services by human resources, accessibility, leadership and management and ethical standards as independent variables in relation to the dependent variable which is QPC. Methodology/Technique – Survey questionnaires and interviews were conducted to patients, hospital directors, doctors, nurses, administrative and ancillary officers. The study used descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ordinary least squares and multiple regression analysis) statistics. Findings – The study revealed that the utilization of materials has the most influence/effect on QPC wherein an increase in 1% of materials brought about an increase of 0.55 % in QPC. Likewise, accessibility brought about an increase in QPC by 0.42 %; and services rendered by human resources brought about an increase in QPC by 0.05 %. Novelty – This is the first study of Philippine Level 3 local government hospitals which aims to formulate a policy direction (through a model) based on the predictors of QPC. This can be used by the national and local governments in devising policies to improve healthcare, particularly in the hospital industry. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: local government hospitals; Philippines; policy direction; quality patient care

The Existence of Geothermal Energy in Communication Perspective and Sustainable Environment in Indonesia

This article highlights the dynamics of geothermal energy in the Kamojang nature reserve in Indonesia. A nature reserve is a conservation area that must be protected and preserved, because it has unique flora and fauna, and rare ecosystems whose existence is threatened with extinction. After going through a long study process by an integrated team, the government finally made a policy to change the function of the nature reserve into a Nature Tourism Park. Changes in policy changes to the function of nature reserves cause pros and cons in the community, and cause conflicts between government and environmental activists. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that cause changes in the function of nature reserves into natural tourism parks in the Kamojang conservation area of Indonesia, as well as to identify appropriate communication models in the management of geothermal energy through communication and environmentally sustainable approaches. Research findings show that the factors that cause changes in the function of nature reserves into tourist parks include; the interests of geothermal energy to meet national energy needs and electricity infrastructure, accommodate the needs of surrounding communities that utilize water resources in conservation areas, and restore ecosystems. The communication model for geothermal energy management that we propose at the same time is also a novelty namely; ecopopulism approach, negotiation approach, collaboration, and equating meaning and orientation to environmental sustainability. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: Geothermal Energy, Nature Reserves, Conservation Policies, Communication Models and Sustainable Development.

Consumers' Usage and Attitudes Towards Smartphone using Conjoint Analysis.

ABSTRACT The entry of smartphones into our lives is due to two primary reasons – the rapid advancement in technology and R & D, making present technology redundant within weeks and the drastic drop in prices of smartphones which occur weekly or monthly. The objectives of this paper are: (1) To provide a more holistic view of smartphone users' preference (2) To have depth analysis on how consumers put a premium on various smartphone features application and tools (3) To understand how prospective customers appreciate the good features of the product. Three statistical tools were used: Frequency Distribution to get the profile of the respondent's actual usage of smartphones and attitudes of consumers, Pearson Correlation, and Conjoint analysis, which was used to analyze the preference of the respondents on smartphone attributes. This study showed a moderately fit conjoint model, Pearson R =.742, p<.05, Kendall's Tau was .333, p<.05 and .333, p< .05 for the holdouts. From the given set of attributes, price (47.11%) is the most important, followed by the SIM card slot (19.05%), and the phone plan (9.14%). This paper is the first study done in the Philippines about the usage, attitudes of consumers towards smartphones using conjoint analysis. The analysis would help companies to understand what aspects of their products are essential and irrelevant. Companies will act upon a certain aspect to ensure higher profitability. Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: local government hospitals; Philippines; policy direction; quality patient care