Multiwavelength fiber laser based on bidirectional lyot filter in conjunction with intensity dependent loss mechanism

We experimentally demonstrate a multiwavelength fiber laser (MWFL) based on bidirectional Lyot filter. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is used as the gain medium, while its combination with polarization controllers (PCs) and polarization beam combiner (PBC) induces intensity dependent loss (IDL) mechanism. The IDL mechanism acts as an intensity equalizer to flatten the multiwavelength spectrum, which can be obtained at a certain polarization state. Using different ratio of optical splitter has affected to multiwavelength flatness degradation. Subsequently, when we removed a polarizer in the setup, the extinction ratio (ER) is decreased. Ultimately, with two segments of polarization maintaining fiber (PMF), two channel spacings can be achieved due to splicing shift of 0° and 90°

The Mediation Effect of Trusting Beliefs on the Relationship Between Expectation-Confirmation and Satisfaction with the Usage of Online Product Recommendation

Online Product Recommendations (OPRs) are increasingly available to onlinecustomers as a value-added self-service in evaluating and choosing a product.Research has highlighted several advantages that customers can gain from usingOPRs. However, the realization of these advantages depends on whether and towhat extent customers embrace and fully utilise them. The relatively low OPR USAgerate indicates that customers have not yet developed trust in OPRs’ performance.Past studies also have established that satisfaction is a valid measure of systemperformance and a consistent significant determinant of users’ continuous systemusage. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediation effect of trustingbeliefs on the relationship between expectation-confirmation and satisfaction. Theproposed research model is tested using data collected via an online survey from626 existing users of OPRs. The empirical results revealed that social-psychologicalbeliefs (perceived confirmation and trust) are significant contributors to customersatisfaction with OPRs. Additionally, trusting beliefs partially mediate the impactof perceived confirmation on customer satisfaction. Moreover, this study validatesthe extensions of the interpersonal trust construct to trust in OPRs and examinesthe nomological validity of trust in terms of competence, benevolence, andintegrity. The findings provide a number of theoretical and practical implications.&nbsp

Peran Guru dalam Pelaksanaan Manajemen Kelas di Gugus Bungong Seulangakecamatan Syiah Kualakota Banda Aceh

Dalam konteks persoalan manajemen kelas, yang dapat dilakukan oleh guru adalah pelaksanaan manajemen kelas. Penelitian ini berupaya mengungkapkan Peran Guru Dalam Pelaksanaan Manajemen KelasDi Gugus Bungong Seulanga Kecamatan Syiah Kuala, Kota Banda Aceh. Secara khusus penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui (1) peran guru dalam pelaksanaan manajemen kelas di Gugus Bungong Seulanga Kecamatan Syiah Kuala Kota Banda Aceh terlaksana dengan baik, dan (2) cara mengatasi kendala-kendala dalam pelaksanaan manajemen kelas di (Gugus) SD Negeri Bungong Seulanga Kecamatan Syiah Kuala Kota Banda Aceh. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif dan jenis penelitian deskriptif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik observasi danwawancara. Teknik observasi (pengamatan) dan didukung dengan teknik wawancara, teknik wawancara adalah dengan mewawancarai 8 (delapan) guru kelas. Selanjutnya seluruh datadiolah dengan tahapan anlisis data kualitatif yaitu mereduksi data, penyajian data, dan menarik kesimpulan. Dari Hasil penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa guru kelas di SD Gugus Bungong Seulanga Kecamatan Syiah Kuala Kota Banda Aceh memiliki kemampuan yang baik dalam pelaksanaan manajemen kelas. Guru sangat berperan dalam merencanakan, mengorganisakan, meminpin, dan mengendalikan kelas, Guru membina dan membimbing peserta didik sesuai dengan berbagai latar belakang sosial, ekonomi, budaya serta sifat-sifat individunya, membantu peserta didik belajar dan bekerja sesuai dengan potensi dan kemampuan yang dimilikinya, dan mengatasi hambatan-hambatan yang menghalangi terwujudnya interaksi dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar. Kendala-kendala dalam manajemen kelas yang terjadi biasanya berkaitan dengan siswa. Kendalanya pada saat proses pembelajaran berlangsung ada siswa yang membuat keributan dikelas, tidak mau mendengar penjelasan dari gurunya dan ada siswa tidak mau belajar. Kendala tersebut juga sering terjadi karena kurang kesiapan guru dalam manajemen kelas dan kurangnya memusatkan perhatian kapada siswa.Guru harusselalu memberi motivasi kepada siswa untuk belajar dengan baik. Jika ada siswa yang berbuat tidak baik guru menegur, sehingga perilaku siswa yang tidak baik tersebut tidak berkelanjutan suasana kelas tidak menjadi kacau dan tidak kondusif

Solving optimisation problems using NEUCOMP - a neural network compiler

NEUCOMP is a Neural Network Compiler that compiles a program written as a list of mathematical specifications of Neural Network (NN) models and then translates it into a chosen target program. A simulation program written in the NEUCOMP language based on selected NN models for Optimisation problems, i.e. Travelling Salesman problem (TSP) is presented. The models are the Continuous Hopfield and Potts-Glass single-layer networks. The compiler is written on the Sequent Balance 8000 machine at PARC. It combines with the graphical package, i.e. Mathematica, to portray some graphical features

Suprathermal electrons at Saturn's bow shock

The leading explanation for the origin of galactic cosmic rays is particle acceleration at the shocks surrounding young supernova remnants (SNRs), although crucial aspects of the acceleration process are unclear. The similar collisionless plasma shocks frequently encountered by spacecraft in the solar wind are generally far weaker (lower Mach number) than these SNR shocks. However, the Cassini spacecraft has shown that the shock standing in the solar wind sunward of Saturn (Saturn's bow shock) can occasionally reach this high-Mach number astrophysical regime. In this regime Cassini has provided the first in situ evidence for electron acceleration under quasi-parallel upstream magnetic conditions. Here we present the full picture of suprathermal electrons at Saturn's bow shock revealed by Cassini. The downstream thermal electron distribution is resolved in all data taken by the low-energy electron detector (CAPS-ELS, <28 keV) during shock crossings, but the higher energy channels were at (or close to) background. The high-energy electron detector (MIMI-LEMMS, >18 keV) measured a suprathermal electron signature at 31 of 508 crossings, where typically only the lowest energy channels (<100 keV) were above background. We show that these results are consistent with theory in which the "injection" of thermal electrons into an acceleration process involves interaction with whistler waves at the shock front, and becomes possible for all upstream magnetic field orientations at high Mach numbers like those of the strong shocks around young SNRs. A future dedicated study will analyze the rare crossings with evidence for relativistic electrons (up to ~1 MeV).Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Single instillation of mitomycin C reduces 1st year recurrence following transurethral resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Objective: To study the impact of single instillation of 40 mg Mitomycin C (MMC-40) within first hour of transurethral resection (TUR), on first year recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Methods: In this study of two groups of patients with similar demographics and tumour profile were compared to assess first year tumour recurrence pattern. Group A received MMC-40 within 30 minutes of TUR. Group B patients only had TUR of bladder tumour. Patients\u27 charts were reviewed for demographic profile, preoperative diagnosis and imaging used, cytological work up, tumour profile both during cystoscopy and imaging used, patients records were also reviewed for all subsequent check cystoscopies for recurrence. Any adjuvant treatments like intravesical chemo/immunotherapy etc. were also noted. The results were analysed using a commercially available statistical package, SPSS. The level of significance was \u3c or = 0.05.Results: There were 29 and 46 patients in group A and B respectively. The demographic profile in terms of age, gender distribution, tumour characteristics (size, site, multiplicity) and pathological evaluation including, tumour grade and presence of carcinoma in situ were similar (p \u3c 0.4 and p \u3c 0.5) respectively. The first year recurrence rate in group A was 15% whereas it was 37.4% in group B (p \u3c 0.04).Conclusions: The first year recurrence rate is significantly decreased if MMC-40 is instilled following TUR. MMC-40 is safe and cost effective. Most low grade, low volume tumours would not require any further treatment if MMC-40 is given immediately following TUR

Training needs assessment in Malaysia: Exercise held at Kuala Lampur and Kota Bharu from 13th October 1989

Training / Irrigation / Evaluation / Malaysia

Regionalization and harmonization in TVET

A transversal skill is one of the skills needed in every type of workplace setting. There is limited information about the perceptions of which transferable skills are needed in the workplace. The objective of this study is to explore the transferable skills among students and lecturers in TVET higher learning institutions in Indonesia and Malaysia. In the present study, transferable skills consist of communication skills, collaboration skills, problem-solving skills, entrepreneurship, and learning to learn skills. A qualitative research was conducted using survey. The five Likert scale questionnaire was distributed to lecturers and students from selected Malaysian and Indonesian universities who have bachelor program in engineering. Based on the analysis outcomes, it is clearly shown that Malaysian university engineering students yielded significantly higher scores on the perceptions of transferable skill acquisition in all measured components compared to their counterparts in Indonesia. Similar patterns of data distribution have been observed in Malaysian and Indonesian engineering students. Based on the lecturers’ perception, Malaysian and Indonesian Engineering Lecturers have comparable perceptions in the aspects of problem solving skills and entrepreneurship skills. In contrast, Malaysian university engineering lecturers gained significantly higher scores on the perception of communication skill, collaboration skill, and learning to learn skill compared to the Indonesian lecturers. The results indicate the need to increase transferable skills of both lecturers and students