A Semiotic Analysis Of Satirical Cartoon In The Jakarta Post Newspaper Published In December 2012- February 2013

Our daily life aspects are full of signs including icon, index, and symbol. The aims of this research are to describe the meanings and the reasons of satirical cartoon in the Jakarta Post Newspaper published in December 2012 - February 2013. The theories used are the Saussure’s theories and the Barthes’ theories. Saussure emphasized his theory in analyzing the sign using the signifier and signified criteria. Then, Barthes emphasized his theory on the denotative and connotative levels and the relation with myth. The type of this research is qualitative interpretative type. In collecting the data, the writer applied the documentation and observation methods. The several steps are done to analyze the data. In analyzing the meaning, the steps are: analyzing the signifier, analyzing the signified. In analyzing the reasons, the steps are: analyzing the denotation level, analyzing the connotation level, and analyzing the relation with the myth. The results of this study show the variety of the meanings and the reasons of the satirical cartoon in the Jakarta Post Newspaper published in December 2012 - February 2013. 1) The meaning are: a) the meaning is referred to the political issues, b) the meaning is referred to the social issues, c) the meaning is referred to the corruption issues, and d) the meaning is referred to the human right issues. 2) The reason are : a) the satirical cartoon is used based on the party symbol, b) the satirical cartoon is used based on the political terminology, c) the satirical cartoon is used based on official symbol, d) the satirical cartoon is used based on the general assumption in the society, and e) the satirical cartoon is used based on its function in the daily life

An improved optimization technique for estimation of solar photovoltaic parameters

The nonlinear current vs voltage (I-V) characteristics of solar PV make its modelling difficult. Optimization techniques are the best tool for identifying the parameters of nonlinear models. Even though, there are different optimization techniques used for parameter estimation of solar PV, still the best optimized results are not achieved to date. In this paper, Wind Driven Optimization (WDO) technique is proposed as the new method for identifying the parameters of solar PV. The accuracy and convergence time of the proposed method is compared with results of Pattern Search (PS), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Simulated Annealing (SA) for single diode and double diode models of solar PV. Furthermore, for performance validation, the parameters obtained through WDO are compared with hybrid Bee Pollinator Flower Pollination Algorithm (BPFPA), Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA), Generalized Oppositional Teaching Learning Based Optimization (GOTLBO), Artificial Bee Swarm Optimization (ABSO), and Harmony Search (HS). The obtained results clearly reveal that WDO algorithm can provide accurate optimized values with less number of iterations at different environmental conditions. Therefore, the WDO can be recommended as the best optimization algorithm for parameter estimation of solar PV

Electro-Discharge Machining of Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3: An Investigation on Hydroxyapatite Deposition and Surface Roughness

This study attempts to simultaneously machine and synthesize a biomimetic nanoporous hydroxyapatite coating on the Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 bulk metallic glass (BMG) surface. The aim is to investigate and optimize the hydroxyapatite deposition rate and the surface roughness during the electro-discharge coating of Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 BMG. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to characterize and analyze the results. Response Surface Methodology using D-optimum custom design approach was utilized to generate the models and optimize the input parameters. A globule nanostructured and nanoporous coating of about 25.2 µm thick, containing mainly Ca, O, and K were ascertained. Further XRD analysis confirmed the deposition of biocompatible oxides (HA, CaZrO3, and ZrO2) and hard ZrC coating on the Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 BMG surface. A significant improvement in cell viability was observed in the HA electro-discharge coated BMG specimens. The numerical models for the Hydroxyapatite Deposition Rate (HDR) and Surface Roughness (SR) were developed and experimentally validated using the optimized parameters setting suggested by the software. The achieved average predicted error of 4.94 and 5.09% for the HDR and SR respectively confirmed the excellent reproducibility of the developed models

Simultaneous B'V'R' Monitoring of BL Lacertae Object S5~0716+714 and Detection of Inter-Band Time Delay

We present the results of our optical monitoring of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 on seven nights in 2006 December. The monitoring was carried out simultaneously at three optical wavelengths with a novel photometric system. The object did not show large-amplitude internight variations during this period. Intranight variations were observed on four nights and probably on one more. Strong bluer-when-brighter chromatism was detected on both intranight and internight timescales. The intranight variation amplitude decreases in the wavelength sequence of B', R', and V'. Cross correlation analyses revealed that the variability at the $B'$ and $V'$ bands lead that at the $R'$ band by about 30 minutes on one night.Comment: 31 pages, 12 figures, accepted by the Astronomical Journa

Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (SN--DREAMS III): Study design and research methodology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To describe the methodology of the Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study III, an ongoing epidemiological study to estimate the prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy in rural population of Kanchipuram and Thiravallur districts of Tamil Nadu, India and to elucidate the clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and genetic risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in this rural population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study III will be a mobile van based epidemiological study; 11,760 participants aged ≥ 40 years will be recruited from the study areas. Eligible subjects will undergo blood sugar estimation to diagnose Diabetes. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test will be done to conform diabetes. All subjects with diabetes will undergo complete information of knowledge, aptitude and practice of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, Diet questionnaire, demographic data, socioeconomic status, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and risk of sleep apnoea. A detailed medical and ocular history, a comprehensive eye examination including refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy, digital stereo fundus photography and ultrasound of eye will be done in the mobile van. Blood will be collected for biochemical investigations including blood hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, urea and creatinine, genetic study. Urine will be collected for microalbuminuria. All fundus photographs will be graded at base hospital. Participants who need treatment will be sent to the base hospital. A computerized database is created for the records.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study is expected to provide an estimate of the prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy and also a better understanding of the genetic, anthropometric and socio-economic risk factors associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in a Rural South Indian population.</p

Estimating Rotational Frequency Response Function Using Mode Expansion and Frequency Response Function Synthesis Method

The rotational frequency response function (RFRF) plays a crucial role in increasing the accuracy of the calculated results of the frequency-based substructuring method. However, RFRFs are often omitted due to the difficulties in the measurement process and limitations of the equipment. This paper presents a scheme of estimating the rotational FRF of an irregular plate structure using the FE model reduction and expansion method. The reduced FE model was introduced using the improved reduction system (IRS) and expanded to the experimental modal model (EMA model) using the system reduction and the expansion (SEREP) method. The FRF expanded method was then employed to derive the translational and rotational FRFs from the expanded EMA model. The accuracy of the expanded FRFs was evaluated with the EMA model of the irregular plate. It was found that the translational and rotational FRFs estimated from the proposed scheme were in good agreement with the EMA counterparts. Furthermore, the patterns of the estimated RFRFs were well correlated with the EMA RFRFs. This work shows that the proposed scheme may offer an attractive alternative way of accurately determining the RFRs of complex structures or structural components

Pengaruh Modal Intelektual, Keputusan Pendanaan, Keputusan Dividen, Keputusan Investasi Terhadap Nilai Perusahaan melalui Kinerja Keuangan Perusahaan (Studi pada Perusahaan Sektor Properti dan Real Estat yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI)

Tingkat kompetisi yang semakin tinggi dan pentingnya peran sektor properti dan real estat bagi kemajuan ekonomi negara menjadikan perusahaan properti dan real estat di Indonesia berlomba untuk meningkatkan nilai perusahaan dengan keunggulan kompetitif yang salah satunya adalah modal intelektual. Modal intelektual merupakan aset strategis berkarakter utama ilmu pengetahuan yang mampu menjawab kebutuhan konsumen dan keterbatasan sumber daya. Optimalisasi modal intelektual dilakukan dengan mengkolaborasikan dengan pengelolaan aset fisik dan keuangan dalam bentuk kebijakan perusahaan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisa dan menguji penciptaan nilai tambah oleh modal intelektual dan kebijakan perusahaan pada perusahaan sektor properti dan real estat yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia. Populasi terdiri dari 48 perusahaan dan melalui metode purposive sampling diperoleh sampel sebanyak 15 perusahaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis jalur (path analysis). Modal intelektual diukur dengan Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC); keputusan pendanaan diukur dengan Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), keputusan dividen diukur dengan Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR) dan keputusan investasi diukur menggunakan Investment Opportunity Set (IOS) gabungan. Nilai perusahaan diukur menggunakan rasio Tobin’s Q dan kinerja keuangan perusahaan diukur menggunakan Return on Assets (ROA). Hasil penelitian ini; modal intelektual mampu meningkatkan kinerja keuangan perusahaan tetapi menurunkan nilai perusahaan. Keputusan pendanaan dan keputusan dividen menurunkan kinerja keuangan perusahaan, namun keputusan investasi meningkatkan kinerja keuangan perusahaan. Hanya keputusan dividen yang mampu meningkatkan nilai perusahaan, sementara keputusan investasi menurunkan nilai perusahaan, bahkan keputusan pendanaan tidak mempengaruhi nilai perusahaan. Kinerja keuangan belum mampu memediasi aliran penciptaan nilai tambah. Dari hasil penelitian tersebut, aliran penciptaan nilai tambah dari modal intelektual yang didukung oleh kebijakan perusahaan melalui kinerja keuangan perusahaan belum mampu secara optimal meningkatkan nilai perusahaan. Hal ini disebabkan karena perusahaan properti dan real estat di Indonesia belum serius mengelola aset strategis berupa modal intelektual yang dimiliki, ditandai semakin menurunnya efisiensi modal intelektual setiap tahunnya. Penyebab lainnya adalah belum efektifnya dukungan kebijakan perusahaan yang menunjang serangkaian proses manajerial

Axial and radial crushing behaviour of thin-walled carbon fiber-reinforced polymer tubes fabricated by the real-time winding angle measurement system

This paper proposed a real-time winding angle measurement device embedded in the portable 3-axis winding machine, which was used to detect and measure the winding angle during the winding process. The device was completely designed, fabricated, tested, and divided into hardware and software sections. The hardware section was adopted Raspberry Pi 3B+ and Arducam 5MP OV5647 camera modules, and the software section was used the OpenCV software. The experimental test was carried out to validate the measurement data on ±45°, ±60°, and ±75° winding angles, and filament-wound carbon fiber-reinforced polymer tubes were performed the quasi-static radial and axial compression tests. It was found that the real-time measurement data from the system had approximately 0.45±0.02 comparative error value than the targeted winding angle, which was more accurate than traditional measurement data. Moreover, it was shown that peak crushing loading significantly increased with increasing winding angle under radial compression, which had the inverse decreasing trend under axial loading. In addition, the crushing behaviour of thin-walled CFRP tubes was studied