A Novel Algorithm for Effective Vibration Control of Portal Frames

Severe vibrations such as earthquakes threaten to demolish or cause damage to built structures during their lifetime. Mitigation of such damage can be done by using control devices such as actuators. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed to analyze the nonlinear behavior of a portal frame supported by an actuator. The results were compared with those for a frame without actuator. The algorithm was developed in accordance with the Timoshenko beam element theory. ANSYS verified the results for the cases of a frame supported by a damper element and a frame without actuator. The results support the efficiency of the algorithm in reducing frame vibration and top-node displacement

Sustainable strength improvement of soft clay stabilized with two sizes of recycled additive

High amounts of ceramic waste is accumulated every year in the disposal and construction sites due to the rejection of all smashed, cracked, and broken tiles. The usage of recycled ceramic crushed tiles (RCT) in improving soft soil is considered an environmentally-friendly, economical and sustainable solution. Soft soils are characterized as problematic soils that are always associated with weak performance when loaded. It is a common practice to excavate, transport and dispose this kind of soil into landfills and replace it with a soil that meets the engineering requirements. Due to shortage of space in landfills and the high costs involved in this processes, soft soils are always treated at construction sites. In this study, two sizes of RCT (0.3 and 1.18 mm) are used to improve the physical and mechanical properties of soft soil. The size and percentage of RCT are investigated and its influence on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and compaction is evaluated. Microstructural tests included scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were also conducted on samples treated with RCT. Noticeable increment in both density and unconfined compressive strength was achieved. The maximum dry density increased from 1.59 Mg/m3 to 1.82 Mg/m3 and 1.77 Mg/m3 at the addition of 40% 1.18 mm and 0.3 mm RCT, respectively. Whereas the unconfined compressive strength increased from 50 kPa to 250 kPa and 225 kPa at 10% addition of 1.18 mm RCT and 40% 0.3 mm RCT, respectively. The optimum value of RCT to treat soft clay was found to be 10% and 40% for 1.18 mm and 0.3 mm RCT, respectively. The remarkable improvement in the strength of soil is due to the development of cementation compounds that acts as a binder between the RCT and soil particles. This study would help in reducing the impacts created by disposing of both problematic soil and waste tiles. Besides, cement is the most traditional material used to stabilize soil. This research would contribute to reducing the CO2 produced during the production of cement

Bioactive Compounds of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.)

Rambutan, a widely popular tropical fruit encompasses rich amount of bioactive compounds. All parts of this plant (leaves, bark, root, fruits, fruit skin, pulp and seeds) finds traditional usage, and are linked with high therapeutic values. Rambutan fruits parts like that of peel, pulp and seeds have been scientifically investigated in-depth and is reported to encompass high amounts of bioactive compounds (such as polyphenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, essential mineral, dietary fiber). These compounds contribute towards antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic and anti-obesity activities. However, literature pertaining towards potential industrial applications (food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical) of rambutan fruits are limited. In the present chapter, it is intended to document some of the interesting research themes published on rambutan fruits, and identify the existing gaps to open up arena for future research work.This chapter theme is based on our ongoing project—VALORTECH, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 810630

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules (THYCOVID): a retrospective, international, multicentre, cross-sectional study

Background Since its outbreak in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources from non-urgent and elective procedures, leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, with an increased number of neoplasms at advanced stages worldwide. The aims of this study were to quantify the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate whether delays in surgery led to an increased occurrence of aggressive tumours.Methods In this retrospective, international, cross-sectional study, centres were invited to participate in June 22, 2022; each centre joining the study was asked to provide data from medical records on all surgical thyroidectomies consecutively performed from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2021. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules were divided into three groups according to when they underwent surgery: from Jan 1, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020 (global prepandemic phase), from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021 (pandemic escalation phase), and from June 1 to Dec 31, 2021 (pandemic decrease phase). The main outcomes were, for each phase, the number of surgeries for indeterminate thyroid nodules, and in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the occurrence of tumours larger than 10 mm, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, distant metastases, and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence. Univariate analysis was used to compare the probability of aggressive thyroid features between the first and third study phases. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05178186.Findings Data from 157 centres (n=49 countries) on 87 467 patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant thyroid disease were collected, of whom 22 974 patients (18 052 [78 center dot 6%] female patients and 4922 [21 center dot 4%] male patients) received surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We observed a significant reduction in surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the pandemic escalation phase (median monthly surgeries per centre, 1 center dot 4 [IQR 0 center dot 6-3 center dot 4]) compared with the prepandemic phase (2 center dot 0 [0 center dot 9-3 center dot 7]; p<0 center dot 0001) and pandemic decrease phase (2 center dot 3 [1 center dot 0-5 center dot 0]; p<0 center dot 0001). Compared with the prepandemic phase, in the pandemic decrease phase we observed an increased occurrence of thyroid tumours larger than 10 mm (2554 [69 center dot 0%] of 3704 vs 1515 [71 center dot 5%] of 2119; OR 1 center dot 1 [95% CI 1 center dot 0-1 center dot 3]; p=0 center dot 042), lymph node metastases (343 [9 center dot 3%] vs 264 [12 center dot 5%]; OR 1 center dot 4 [1 center dot 2-1 center dot 7]; p=0 center dot 0001), and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence (203 [5 center dot 7%] of 3584 vs 155 [7 center dot 7%] of 2006; OR 1 center dot 4 [1 center dot 1-1 center dot 7]; p=0 center dot 0039).Interpretation Our study suggests that the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic period could have led to an increased occurrence of aggressive thyroid tumours. However, other compelling hypotheses, including increased selection of patients with aggressive malignancies during this period, should be considered. We suggest that surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules should no longer be postponed even in future instances of pandemic escalation.Funding None.Copyright (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

KEDUDUKAN ANAK PEREMPUAN SEBAGAI AHLI WARIS DALAM ADAT BATAK TOBA MUSLIM DITINJAU DARI HUKUM ISLAM (STUDI KASUS DI DESA SETIA KECAMATAN PAHAE JAE KABUPATEN TAPANULI UTARA)

Penegakan Hak perempuan merupakan bagian penting dari penegakan Hak Asasi Manusia, mengingat Hak perempuan merupakan bagian dari hak asasi manusia. Persoalan Hak-hak perempuan telah diatur dalam regulasi di Indonesia, terlebih yang terkait dengan Hak-hak perempuan dalam persoalan kewarisan. Pengaturan tentang Hak tersebut dapat dijumpai dalam dalam Inpres No. 1 Tahun 1991 tentang Kompilasi Hukum Islam, pasal 171-173 yang menjelaskan bahwa ahli waris adalah orang yang mempunyai hubungan darah dengan si pewaris, baik karena hubungan kekeluargaan maupun karena perkawinan. Dengan demikian, Kompilasi Hukum Islam menghendaki adanya hak yang sama antara laki-laki dan perempuan dalam persoalan sebagai ahli waris. Hal ini tentunya sejalan dengan apa yang dikehendaki oleh Allah dalam firman-Nya, bahwa perempuan berhak mendapatkan harta warisan. Allah S.W.T Firmankan dalam Al-quran yakni dalam surat an-Nisa ayat 11-12, yang menerangkan bahwa bagian laki-laki adalah dua kali bagian perempuan, dengan artian bahwa perempuan mendapat setengah dari bagian laki, 1:2. Dengan demikian dapat dipahami dengan jelas, bahwa perempuan memiliki hak atas harta warisan dengan porsi pembagian 1:2 dengan saudara laki-lakinya. Namun, hukum adat yang hidup dan berjalan di Desa Setia Kecamatan Pahae Jae Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara tidak menempatkan perempuan sebagai ahli waris yang menyebabkan perempuan sama sekali tidak mendapatkan harta warisan dari harta yang ditinggalkan ayahnya. Sementara amanat Al- Quran dan peraturan perundang-undangan menempatkan perempuan sebagai ahli waris dan berhak mendapatkan warisan. Dari permasalahan tersebut, melatarbelakangi penulis untuk menelaah dan menganalisis hukum warisan di Desa Setia tersebut dengan judul "KEDUDUKAN ANAK PEREMPUAN SEBAGAI AHLI WARIS DALAM ADAT BATAK TOBA MUSLIM DITINJAU DARI HUKUM ISLAM (Studi Kasus di Desa Setia Kecamatan Pahae Jae Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara)". Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian lapangan (field research) yang berlokasi di Desa Setia Kecamatan Pahae Jae Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara Provinsi Sumatera Utara. Pendekatan yang dipakai dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan normatif, yaitu pendekatan suatu masalah yang didasarkan atas hukum Islam, baik berasal dari al-Qur’an, hadis, ijma’, qiyas dan kaidah-kaidah fiqhiyyah yang berkaitan dengan pemahaman masyarakat Desa Setia, serta faktor-faktor yang melatarbelakangi masyarakat Desa Setia yang tidak memberikan warisan pusaka terhadap anak perempuan. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tersebut, adat Batak Toba muslim menempatkan perempuan sebagai anak sementara dalam keluarga yang dianggap akan meninggalkan keluarga jika kelak sudah menikah. Hal ini dilatarbelakangi karena Batak Toba termasuk yang memegang kuat sistem kekerabatan patrilineal yang menempatkan laki-laki dalam posisi superioritas dibandingkan perempuan, dengan demikian anak perempuan tidak menjadi ahli waris dan tidak mendapatkan warisan yang disebabkan karena dalam adat Batak Toba muslim, ahli waris hanyalah anak laki-laki, jika pun anak perempuan bisa menjadi ahli waris, hanya karena tidak memiliki saudara laki-laki. Dalam teori ’urf adat tersebut masuk dalam kategori ’urf fasid yang telah melanggar ketentuan Allah dan tidak wajib diikuti karena bertentangan dengan perintah Agama dan Kompilasi Hukum Islam, dengan demikian diharapkan kerjasama antara pemerintah melalui ketegasannya, tetua adat melalui kedudukannya dan masyarakat sebagai objek hukum untuk mengembalikan semua persoalan pada hukum Agama dan negara tanpa mengabaikan hak-hak asasi manusia

Analytical study of the causes of the major landslide of Bukit Antarabangsa in 2008 using fault tree analysis

Previous researchers have observed that imprecise design, fawed construction and non-maintenance of slopes are major contributors to Malaysian landslides. The prominent landslide of Bukit Antarabangsa in 2008 once again alarmed the Malaysian construction industry and prompted a review of their practices and standards. This study investigates the causes of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide by analyzing a pipe burst event, which according to previous studies triggered the landslide. The technique of fault tree analysis (FTA) is applied to trace factors contributing to the pipe burst. The events and their subjective probability for the FTA have been ascertained by experts in the Malaysian construction industry through survey research using a snowball sampling technique. Subjective probability derived for FTA indicates that high acidity levels in the water, improper design and a temporary extra surcharge load were more likely to be causal factors than other potential triggers. The events that are found to have the highest subjective probability in causing the pipe burst correlate with human errors which occur either as a result of negligence or as a result of several types of uncertainties. In this context, this study suggests a theoretical framework to address human errors and to mitigate the chances of slope failure

Pengaruh Remunerasi, Motivasi dan Kepuasan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Medan

This study aims to analyze the effect of remuneration, motivation and job satisfaction on employee performance at UIN North Sumatra Medan both partially and simultaneously. The research design used is quantitative research using multiple linear regression analysis techniques supported by classic assumption tests and statistical tests with the help of SPSS 22 program. Data collection techniques in this study by distributing questionnaires to the sample in this study were 153 employees of education staff UIN North Sumatra Medan. From the results of t-statistic research that the variable remuneration significantly influences employee performance. The t-statistic test results of motivation variables significantly influence employee performance. T-statistic test results that variable job satisfaction significantly affect employee performance. Simultaneously it is obtained that F-count is greater than F-table and can also be seen in the probability value smaller than the level of significance. It can be concluded that the variable remuneration, motivation, and job satisfaction jointly influence the performance of UIN North Sumatra Medan employee

Pengaruh Harga, Kualitas Produk dan Suasana Toko terhadap Loyalitas Konsumen Ompu Gende Coffee

 This study aims to see and determine the effect of price, product quality, and store atmosphere on consumer loyalty to Ompu Gende Coffee. This research is associative quantitative research, namely research to examine the effect of the independent variable and the dependent variable. The population in this study was 80 consumers of Ompu Gende Coffee. The data collection technique used in this research is a questionnaire. But in practice, the data processing of this research is not processed manually, but using the statistical software package social for sciences (SPSS26) with multiple analysis techniques, classical assumptions, hypothesis testing, and coefficient of determination. The results of this study indicate that price, product quality, and store atmosphere on consumer loyalt

Edukasi Mengenai Nyeri Punggung Bawah (Npb) pada Pasien Poli Saraf Rumah Sakit Universitas Mataram

Keluhan nyeri punggung bawah (NPB) sering dijumpai pada praktik sehari-hari. Sebanyak 17-31% dari total populasi pernah mengalami NPB semasa hidupnya. Hal tersebut menyebabkan penurunan kualitas hidup serta memiliki dampak sosial dan ekonomi yang buruk. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk mengedukasi masyarakat awam mengenai nyeri punggung bawah dan bagaimana pencegahannya. Pengabdian ini dilaksanakan di poli saraf Rumah Sakit Universitas Mataram. Sebanyak 13 pasien saraf yang berada di depan poli mengikuti kegiatan, yang meliputi pre-test, penyuluhan dalam bentuk slide mengenai nyeri punggung bawah (NPB), dan diakhiri dengan post-test. Soal-soal pre-test dan post-test yang diberikan adalah 10 butir soal jenis pilihan ganda seputar penyakit nyeri punggung bawah (NPB), dan diambil nilai rerata nya. Dalam kegiatan ini, dapat dipaparkan perbedaan rerata nilai pre-test dan post-test pada pasien, antara lain rerata 76.9 untuk pre-test dan 82.2 untuk post-test. Sebanyak 9 pasien (60%) mengalami peningkatan nilai atau pengetahuan, dan 3 pasien (23%) tidak menunjukkan adanya peningkatan, 1 pasien yang pre-test dan post-test nya mendapat nilai sempurna (100), dan nilai post-test yang lebih rendah dari nilai pre-test sebanyak 1 pasien (7%). Dalam kegiatan pengabdian ini menunjukkan bahwa komunikasi, informasi, dan edukasi merupakan solusi yang efektif untuk meningkatan pengetahuan pasien. Pengabdian ini merupakan langkah awal untuk kegiatan intervensi promosi yang perlu ditindaklanjuti dengan kegiatan serupa pada populasi yang lebih luas, sehingga upaya penemuan penyakit NPB menjadi meningkat dan luaran klinis penderitanya menjadi lebih bai