A tale of one city: intra-institutional variations in migrating VLE platform

City University London committed in 2009 to make Moodle the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at the core of a new Strategic Learning Environment (SLE) comprised of VLE, externally facing website and related systems such as video streaming and virtual classrooms. Previously, the WebCT VLE had been separate from most of the other systems at the institution with very limited connections to other tools. Each of the schools within the institution was able to pursue their own strategy and timeframe for the migration and embedding of Moodle within their subject areas, within an absolute limit of 2 years. This paper outlines the approaches taken by the various schools, highlighting similarities and differences, and draws out common aspects from the project to make recommendations for institutions seeking to undertake similar migrations

The living aortic valve: From molecules to function.

The aortic valve lies in a unique hemodynamic environment, one characterized by a range of stresses (shear stress, bending forces, loading forces and strain) that vary in intensity and direction throughout the cardiac cycle. Yet, despite its changing environment, the aortic valve opens and closes over 100,000 times a day and, in the majority of human beings, will function normally over a lifespan of 70-90 years. Until relatively recently heart valves were considered passive structures that play no active role in the functioning of a valve, or in the maintenance of its integrity and durability. However, through clinical experience and basic research the aortic valve can now be characterized as a living, dynamic organ with the capacity to adapt to its complex mechanical and biomechanical environment through active and passive communication between its constituent parts. The clinical relevance of a living valve substitute in patients requiring aortic valve replacement has been confirmed. This highlights the importance of using tissue engineering to develop heart valve substitutes containing living cells which have the ability to assume the complex functioning of the native valve

Evaluating e-Government services from a citizens' prespective: A reference process model

Evaluating and optimizing e-government services is imperative for governments especially due to the capacity of e-services to transform public administrations and assist the interactions of governments with citizens, businesses and other government agencies. Existing widely applied evaluation approaches neglect to incorporate citizens’ satisfaction measures. Several citizen satisfaction models and indicators have been suggested in academia; however a reference process model that can assist practitioners to apply these performance measures is missing. In this paper we draw upon the evaluation approach proposed by the EU funded project CEES and propose a reference process model that captures re-usable practices for e-government evaluation from a citizens’ perspective. The novelty of the proposed approach is that using DEA for evaluating the e-services the assessment results in suggestions for strategic improvement of the e-services.EU FP7 Marie Curie People Project “CEES - Citizen oriented Evaluation of E-Government Systems” (reference IAPP-2008-230658

Membangun Poros Maritim Melalui Pelabuhan

Tulisan ini menganalisis peran dan kinerja pelabuhan di Indonesia sebagai determinan penting dalam mendukung visi Indonesia menjadi negara maritim yang kuat. Pelabuhan memegang peranan penting untuk mendukung konektivitas dan peningkatan daya saing perekonomian Indonesia. Kinerja pelabuhan akan memengaruhi efisiensi dalam proses produksi dan distribusi. Dengan menggunakan metode analisis deskriptif, tulisan ini menunjukkan bahwa meskipun memegang peranan penting dalam perekonomian Indonesia, pelabuhan di negeri ini ternyata masih jauh tertinggal dibanding dengan negara-negara lain dalam hal kuantitas dan kualitasnya. Dari perspektif kebijakan, tantangan utamanya adalah mereformasi peranan dan posisi pemerintah dalam pembangunan dan pengelolaan pelabuhan. Dalam hal ini, pemerintah, idealnya, perlu mengambil tiga langkah berikut. Pertama, mendesain kembali peraturan dan kebijakan untuk mendorong partisipasi sektor swasta. Kedua, memperkuat implementasi UndangUndang No. 2 Tahun 2012 tentang Tata Cara Pengadaan Lahan dengan melibatkan pemerintah daerah dalam proses eksekusi pembebasan lahan. Ketiga, mempersiapkan secara lebih matang proyek-proyek pelabuhan yang akan ditawarkan kepada sektor swasta

Ion beam effect on Ge-Se chalcogenide glass films: Non-volatile memory array formation, structural changes and device performance

The conductive bridge non-volatile memory technology is an emerging way to replace traditional charge based memory devices for future neural networks and configurable logic applications. An array of the memory devices that fulfills logic operations must be developed for implementing such architectures. A scheme to fabricate these arrays, using ion bombardment through a mask, has been suggested and advanced by us. Performance of the memory devices is studied, based on the formation of vias and damage accumulation due to the interactions of Ar+ ions with GexSe1-x (x=0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) chalcogenide glasses as a function of the ion energy and dose dependence. Blanket films and devices were created to study the structural changes, surface roughness, and device performance. Raman Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and electrical measurements expound the Ar+ ions behavior on thin films of GexSe1-x system. Raman studies show that there is a decrease in area ratio between edge-shared to corner-shared structural units, revealing occurrence of structural reorganization within the system as a result of ion/film interaction. AFM results demonstrate a tendency in surface roughness improvement with increased Ge concentration, after ion bombardment. EDS results reveal a compositional change in the vias, with a clear tendency of greater interaction between ions and the Ge atoms, as evidenced by greater compositional changes in the Ge rich films

Pengembangan e-Laboratory untuk Praktikum Elektronika pada Mahasiswa Pendidikan Fisika Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

Praktikum sangat penting dilakukan oleh mahasiswa guna membantu pemahaman teori agar menjadi lebih mudah dan benar. Praktikum akan berjalan dengan baik jika dilakukan di dalam laboratorium yang memadai. Namun pada kenyataannya pengadaan laboratorium yang memadai memerlukan investasi yang mahal. Di sisi lain penggunaan internet sebagai media pendidikan memunculkan e-laboratory yang diharapkan dapat meringankan biaya pengadaan laboratorium yang mahal. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah pengembangan model e-laboratory untuk praktikum Elektronika II bagi mahasiswa Pendidikan Fisika dan mengetahui apakah dengan e-laboratory yang dibuat mahasiswa dapat melaksanakan praktikum secara mandiri. E-laboratory untuk praktikum elektronika ini dibuat dengan menggunakan CMS sehingga dapat diakses dengan menggunakan jaringan internet dan simulator logika DSCH2, dengan simulator ini dibuatlah IC-IC yang diperlukan untuk praktikum Elektronika II, karena pada simulator ini tersedia fasilitas edit atau penambahan file. Setelah virtual laboratory dibuat, maka dibuat juga managemen praktikum dengan e-laboratory ini. E-laboratory yang dihasilkan dalam penelitian ini adalah e-laboratory dengan bentuk web untuk praktikum Elektronika II yang di dalamnya tersedia fasilitas download simulator (DSCH2) dan modul praktikum. Dari analisis angket evaluasi, e-Laboratory, e-laboratory yang dibuat tergolong cukup baik dan menghasilkan efek pembelajaran praktikan secara mandiri tanpa bantuan asisten

EFFECT OF TOURISM PRODUCT AND TOURISM PROMOTION ON INTEREST IN VISITING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

This study aims to determine and analyze effect of tourism product and tourism promotion on interest in visiting tourist attractions. This research is descriptive research with a quantitative approach. Population is tourists who are or have made tourist visits in Medan City. Sampling method used in this study is a sampling method based on convenience. Sample that will be required is 100 to answer the questionnaire so that the answers obtained are more representative. This study uses multiple linear regression model. The results show that tourism product has a positive and significant effect on interest in visiting tourist attractions. Tourism promotion has a positive and significant effect on interest in visiting tourist attractions

Peningkatan Produksi Dan Kualitas Susu Kambing Peranakan Etawah Sebagai Respon Perbaikan Kualitas Pakan

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan produksi dan kualitas susu Kambing Peranakan Etawah sebagai respons perbaikan kualitas pakan, Penelitian ini menggunakan 12 ekor kambing laktasi dengan rancangan acak kelompok yang terdiri atas 3 perlakuan 4 ulangan. Perlakuan yaitu T1= kontrol (pakan hijauan), T2 = pakan kualitas sedang (hijauan 75% + konsentrat 25%), T2 = pakan kualitas tinggi (hijauan 60% + 40% konsentrat). Pakan diberikan dua kali sehari selama dua bulan pengamatan. Peubah yang diamati adalah produksi susu, kualitas susu dan konsumsi pakan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan perbaikan kualitas pakan tidak mempengaruhi konsumsi bahan kering pakan, konsumsi protein, serat kasar, lemak dan BETN dengan rataan berturut-turut untuk bahan kering sebesar 1445.0 gram/ekor/hari, protein 195.0 gram/ekor/hari, serat kasar 246.3 gram/ekor/hari dan BETN 1006.9 gram/ekor/hari. Perlakuan perbaikan pakan meningkatkan produksi susu kambing PE secara nyata (P<0.05) dengan produksi tertinggi pada T3 yaitu 832.78 gram/ekor/hari, diikuti perlakuan T2 sebesar 743.12 gram/ekor/hari dan T1 sebesar 621.34 gram/ekor/hari, Namun tidak mempengaruhi kualitas air susu yaitu berat jenis dengan rataan 1.0285, bahan kering susu 16.43%, lemak susu sebesar 6.83% dan protein susu sebesar 4.57%. Kesimpulan penelitian adalah permberian pakan berkualitas pada kambing Peranakan Etawah saat laktasi dapat meningkatkan produksi susu yang dihasilkan kambing dengan kualitas air susu yang relatif sama dan tidak mempengaruhi konsumsi bahan kering dan nitrien pakan kambing

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Some Fruits Using Gas Chromatography Coupled with Micro Electron Capture Detector

A very sensitive analytical method for the determination of 26 pesticides in some fruits based on solid phase extraction (SPE) cleanup was developed using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with micro electron capture detector (μECD). The identity of the pesticides was confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) using selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Ethyl acetate was used as a solvent for the extraction of pesticide residues with assistance of sonication. For cleanup an octadecyl, C18 SPE column was used. A linear response of μECD was observed for all pesticides with good correlation coefficients (>0.9992). Proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of pesticide residues in the orange, apple, and grape fruits. Average recoveries achieved for all of the pesticides at fortification levels of 0.05, 1.0 and 2.0 μg g-1 in analyzed fruits were above 90% with relative standard deviations (RSD) less than