Modeling and performance evaluation of free space optical link for ground-to-train communications

There is an increased demand for high-speed train (HSR) services. Consequently, onboard high-speed internet access needs increased as passengers travel to and from work. This sudden surge in demand introduced new challenges in delivering a seamless internet connection on-board fast-moving trains. Free Space Optical (FSO) Communications technology promises a bright future for various applications, due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of deployment, and huge unregulated bandwidth, which gives it an edge over contemporary technologies. However, there is a lack of significant research on FSO links for railway communications. In this thesis, straight, curved, and new double curved tracks mathematical models for FSO Ground-to-train (G2T-FSO) links have been proposed to overcome this issue and satisfy increased demand. G2T-FSO links feature base stations located beside the track to provide a LOS link for traveling trains. Moreover, FSO links comprise of intensity modulated transmitters with Direct detection receiver, that utilize RZ and NRZ OOK modulation formats at 2.5 Gbps. In addition, multiple transmitters concept has been implemented to enhance the link performance, in which single, dual, triple, and quad transmitters have been developed. Furthermore, geometrical parameters have been optimized to achieve optimal link performance. Measured meteorological data have been incorporated to simulate rain and fog weather attenuations. Performance evaluation has been conducted in terms of Received power, Q factor, SNR, BER, and Eye diagram patterns using MATLAB® and Optisystem®. Simulation results show significant effects of geometrical and atmospheric losses on single and dual transmitters link performances. However, Quad and triple transmitters have obtained a feasible error-free G2T-FSO link with BER of 10-9 for NRZ and RZ formats. Significantly enhanced ranges of up to 680m for straight track and 618m for curved track under clear weather condition have been achieved. G2T-FSO links promise an unmatched performance over contemporary HSR communications technology

PERANCANGAN UI/UX SISTEM MONITORING DAN EVALUASI MUSRENBANG MENGGUNAKAN METODE DESIGN THINKING (Studi Kasus Bappeda Kabupaten Malang)

This study focuses on the design of a UI/UX monitoring and evaluation system for the Musrenbang using the Design Thinking method, specifically for the Bappeda of Malang Regency. The purpose is to address the challenges faced by Bappeda in managing data manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. The methods employed include direct interviews with Bappeda staff, empathy mapping, and the development of user personas and journey maps. The results reveal the need for a system that can streamline the Musrenbang evaluation process, ensuring data is organized by department and detailed budget information is included. The novelty lies in the application of Design Thinking to create a user-centered design that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of the Musrenbang monitoring and evaluation process, potentially improving the performance of Bappeda in this domain

Exercise and Nrf2 in Chronic Heart Failure

Increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart failure (CHF) and hypertension. Oxidative stress in key brain regions that are involved in maintenance and regulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone has been implicated in mediating this sympathoexcitation. One particular mechanism of oxidative stress-mediated increases in SNS is a reduction of antioxidant enzymes in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of cellular redox homeostasis that impacts the expression of antioxidant gene expression. Recent studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 gene deletion in the RVLM reduces antioxidant enzymes and increases sympathetic outflow, whereas the upregulation of Nrf2 selectively in the RVLM attenuates sympathoexcitation in CHF mice. Despite current CHF therapy that targets the renin-angiotensin and adrenergic systems, the morbidity and mortality of this disease are still extremely high, even with the best medical management. Exercise training (ExT) is now considered as adjunctive therapy for CHF. Growing evidence indicates that the beneficial effects of ExT in CHF are dependent, at least in part, on augmented central antioxidant capacity, which results in a reduction of sympathetic nervous activity. However, the exact mechanism by which ExT enhances antioxidant activity in central neurons remains unexplored. We hypothesized that Nrf2 plays a key role in modulating antioxidant enzymes in the RVLM and sympathoexcitation in the CHF state. Molecular studies revealed that ExT increased Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes in the RVLM, and reduced sympathoexcitation in mice with CHF. Although ExT is an effective and inexpensive way to improve the quality of life in CHF syndrome, low exercise capacity (exercise intolerance) is a major clinical symptom of this syndrome that may hinder the beneficial effects of ExT. Previous studies have shown that increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant enzymes in skeletal muscle causes, at least in part, skeletal myopathy, which contributes substantially to exercise intolerance in CHF. However, the mechanism by which antioxidant enzymes are declined in skeletal muscle during CHF is not known. Therefore, we hypothesized that Nrf2 downregulation contributes to the impaired antioxidant defense in skeletal muscle during CHF. We further hypothesized that activation of Nrf2, by curcumin, improves exercise performance in CHF. Indeed, in the CHF mouse model, Nrf2 was downregulated in skeletal muscle, and curcumin treatment was associated with improved exercise capacity and upregulated Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes in skeletal muscle. Collectively, these data implicate Nrf2 as a key factor in the reduction of sympathoexcitation and improved exercise capacity in the setting of CHF

EIGHT KEYS BEFORE LEARNING TO SPEAK ENGLISH: (A Proposal for Motivating EFL Speaking Learners in Indonesia)

Being able to speak English fluently is as measuring rod for someone who is said to be good at English. In Indonesian context, English is still as foreign language and this becomes problem for them who want to learn it. The problem could be caused by the difficulty of the English itself, the learners’ personality and the process in learning it. There are ample solutions to deal with those difficulties; however, the writer provides a solution as a proposal for motivating the learners; there are 8 keys to be possessed by the learners before they learn to speak English. They are (1) Listen up, (2) be good at imitating, (3) use the mouth, (4) check the voice, (5) have the motion, (6) smile, (7) thank God, and (8) love. The solution is as inner drive or  instrinsic motivation for the learners and it can also be used by the teachers, tutors and lecturers as reference for motivatingthe learners in learning or in mastering English speaking

Traditional Architectural Techniques and Their Application in Contemporary Architecture

This study seeks to take advantage of traditional architectural techniques and their application in contemporary architecture. Since ancient times (see, for example, Hoben and Guillard, 1994), man interacted with the surrounding environment by looking for mechanisms to meet his needs, working on building techniques (Fayez, 2009), which was based primarily on the use of local raw materials as construction materials. This is due to the fact that these materials provide him thermal comfort at low cost in both climates, hot and cold (Abboud, 2014). This study shows the environmental treatments, as an example of traditional architecture techniques, to develop them as well as employ them in contemporary architectural design, in line with the requirements as an architectural style. This study shows the importance of traditional construction techniques using local building materials, such as sand, as well as the positive or negative impact of these materials on contemporary architectural design

FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PENYELESAIAN TUGAS TERSTRUKTUR MATA KULIAH RENCANA ANGGARAN BIAYA PADA MAHASISWA PENDIDIKAN TEKNIK BANGUNAN DPTS FPTK UPI

Dalam proses belajar terdapat hal-hal pokok pada proses penyelesaian perkuliahan setiap mata kuliah. Mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya merupakan mata kuliah bidang studi yang wajib ditempuh oleh mahasiswa Pendidikan Teknik Bangunan DPTS FPTK UPI. Didalam proses penyelesaian tugas terstruktur terdapat faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhinya yaitu faktor internal dan faktor eksternal. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran secara umum mengenai faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penyelesaian tugas terstruktur mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya dan seberapa besar pengaruh dari faktor internal dan faktor eksternal terhadap proses penyelesaian tugas terstruktur Rencana Anggaran Biaya pada mahasiswa Pendidikan Teknik Bangunan DPTS FPTK UPI. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif deskriptif. Instrumen pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan angket dengan satu variabel mengenai faktor-faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penyelesaian tugas terstruktur mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya pada mahasiswa Pendidikan Teknik Bangunan DPTS FPTK UPI. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Teknik Bangunan DPTS FPTK UPI Angkatan 2015 yang pernah mengontrak mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa persentase faktor internal lebih besar dari pada eksternal. Pengaruh faktor internal terhadap penyelesaian tugas terstruktur pada mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya memperoleh persentase sebesar 51% sedangkan pengaruh faktor eksternal terhadap penyelesaian tugas terstruktur pada mata kuliah Rencana Anggaran Biaya memperoleh persentase sebesar 49%. Minat merupakan indikator dalam faktor internal yang paling berpengaruh, sedangkan Cara Belajar merupakan indikator yang paling berpengaruh dalam faktor eksternal;--In the learning process there are main things in the process of completing lectures in each subject. The Cost Budget Plan course is a field of study that must be taken by Building Engineering Education DPTS FPTK UPI students. In the structured task completion process there are factors that influence it, namely internal and external factors. This study aims to determine the general picture of the factors that affect the completion of structured assignments in the Cost Budget Plan course and how much influence the internal and external factors have on the structured task completion process of the Budget Plan for students in the Building Engineering Education DPTS FPTK UPI. This research uses descriptive quantitative method. Data collection instruments using a questionnaire with one variable regarding the factors that influence the completion of structured assignments in the Cost Budget Plan course for Building Engineering Education students DPTS FPTK UPI. The population in this study were students of the Building Engineering Education Study Program of the 2015 DPTS FPTK UPI who had contracted a Budget Plan Course. The results showed that the percentage of internal factors is greater than the external. The influence of internal factors on structured task completion in the Cost Budget Plan subjects obtained a percentage of 51% while the influence of external factors on the structured task completion in the Cost Budget Plan subjects obtained a percentage of 49%. Interest is the most influential indicator of internal factors, while the Way of Learning is the most influential indicator of external factor