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The effect of NaOH, succinic acid and their combination used as pretreatments on selected properties of densified wood samples of pisang putih (Mezzettia spp.), nyatoh (Palaquium spp.) and sepetir (Sindora spp.) has been studied. The properties of these samples were then compared with those of untreated wood (control) and densified wood samples without any pretreatment (HD wood). For alkali-pretreatment, after immersion in 10% NaOH (w/w) for 1, 2 and 3 h, the samples were immediately compressed; for acid-pretreatment, the sample was impregnated with 10% succinic acid (w/w) using a vacuum of −50 kPa for 30 min and a pressure of 7 bar for 2 h before pressing; while for the combination-pretreatment, the sample was initially immersed in 10% NaOH then impregnated with 10% succinic acid (w/w) and finally densified/compressed. Compression was applied in a radial direction and carried out in an open system using a hot press machine at 180 °C and 7 MPa specific pressure for 30 min with a 40% compression ratio. The results showed that densified wood with or without pretreatment had a higher specific gravity (SG) than the control, whereas sepetir wood showed the greatest increase in SG. The alkali- and combination-pretreatments resulted in a higher C-set value than in the control, HD and acid-pretreated samples. Acid-pretreatment resulted in the best improvement in dimensional stability compared to the other pretreatments. Increasing the immersion time in NaOH solution was proven to be able to increase dimensional stability both in alkali- and combination-pretreatments, although water absorption values varied.

The principle of wood impregnation entails treating wood with a monomer/impregnating agent that diffuses into the cell walls, often followed by polymerization to change desired properties. Numerous studies related to this matter have been reported and continue to attract more interest, as wood impregnation can significantly improve wood properties. These processes can be grouped into two approaches: active modification involves the chemical alteration of wood structure by cross-linking, and passive modification features filling of cell cavities and/or cell walls with impregnating agents without any chemical reaction taking place. Wood impregnations could have resulted in an increase in its weight gain due to impregnating agents filling its cavities. It will diminish the utilization of wood as an engineering material in selected application fields. Owing to the extensive literature available, this article summarizes the representative achievements of wood impregnation. The mechanisms, benefits, and drawbacks of various impregnating agents on wood properties, along with grouping the impregnating agents that cause greater or lesser weight gain of wood were analyzed, compared, and evaluated. Thus, according to the application state of wood impregnations, the problems existing in those processes and the developmental trends in the future are also discussed in this review.

During the rainy season, there are still puddles of water in the village due to overflowing rivers and flooding due to landslides of embankments. Therefore, it is necessary to control the water and handle it quickly and precisely. Emergency Weir, which is ready to be installed, can be used to overcome this problem. It is named Knock Down Weir as Emergency Weirs that are effective, efficient, practical, can be arranged vertically, horizontally, can be stored and reassembled with 4 Forms of Arrangement and proven by Stability value > 1.5 based on the test on the support of wall roughness: hard stone, gravel, sand, clay and using Matlab application analysis. The simulation uses a model arrangement, namely: 1). Model L filled with sand + water; 2). The model I filled with sand + water; 3). Model L filled with water; 4). Model L filled with water. The result based on the Matlab application is obtained that the arrangement of model no. 1 (L shape) is the most stable against hard rock, gravel, sand and clay as support.

The speed and pressure of the water flow are determined by the height and volume of the water. The speed of the water flow in the actuator is determined by the use of this flow sensor system. A good tank-based water flow control model should be developed. At a certain point, the actuator stabilizes the rate of water production per minute. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an automatic and precise control technique. Many Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods are used in system optimization. Among them are Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Neural Network (NN), Fuzzy Inference System (FIS), and ANFIS. Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is a combination of NN and FIS. In this study, the PSO method was combined with ANFIS. This hybrid method produces better optimization compared to the previous method. The best water level control simulation results are PSO-ANFIS with an overshot of 0.572 pu, undershot of 0.563 pu, and flow output overshot of 0.008 pu, undershot of 0.009 pu.

To switch the origins of wood resources from natural to planted forests, evaluation of wood from planted trees is essential. The objective of this study is to provide the relevant wood properties promoting the utilization of wood from planted trees in the tropics. Growth characteristics (stem diameter at 1.3 m above the ground and tree height) and stress-wave velocity of stems were measured for two six-year-old red meranti species, Rubroshorea leprosula and Rubroshorea macrophylla regenerated by an Indonesian selective cutting system and strip planting in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The following radial variations of wood properties and anatomical characteristics were also examined: basic density, compressive strength parallel to the grain at green conditions, vessel diameter, vessel frequency, wood fiber diameter, wood fiber wall thickness, wood fiber length, and vessel element length. Mean values of stem diameter at 1.3 m above the ground, tree height, and stress-wave velocity of stems were 11.6 cm, 13.4 m and 3.80 km/s for R. leprosula and 15.9 cm, 12.0 m, and 3.81 km/s for R. macrophylla , respectively. Although the stress-wave velocity of stems was the same in both species, growth characteristics slightly differed: R. macrophylla showed a significantly larger stem diameter, but tree height was significantly vigorous in R. leprosula . Growth characteristics were not significantly correlated with the stress-wave velocity of stems, suggesting that superior trees with good growth characteristics and high Young’s modulus of wood is possible for tree breeding programs in these two species. With a few exceptions, the mean values of wood properties and anatomical characteristics were statistically the same between the two species. Radial variations in some wood properties and anatomical characteristics still did not show stable values, suggesting that the wood examined in the present study (about 10 cm in half radius at six‐year old) might be wood with unstable quality, such as juvenile wood.

This study decribes and analyzes the rhetorical changes of CSR disclosures of PT Aneka Tambang which relates to the company’s environmental conducts in response to institutional pressures.Using a case study approach – the data for this study based on the sustainability reports published by the company from 2006 -2015. Interpretive textual analysis is exploited by focusing on the use of rhetoric and rhetorical arguments through researcher’s subjective understanding – subjective sense making. The development of the disclosures for the period studied is contrasted with institutional pressures – domestic and international – by exploiting new institutional theory. The results show that for the period of ten years, the company’s disclosures can be categorised into three periods – reducing environmental harm, awareness in preserving environment, and environmental management excellence. In order to gain social legitimacy, institutional pressures from external parties influenced the way how the company adjusted its contents of disclosures.

The oil palm frond (OPF) particleboard can be manufactured using bio-adhesive-based molasses and citric acid (MOCA) at different ratios. Before particleboard manufacture, each bio-adhesive was diluted in distilled water with a solid content of 59 wt% at three different mixture ratios of MO and CA (100:0, 75:25, and 50:50). Subsequently, the OPF particles were mixed with MOCA adhesives, oven-dried at 80 °C for 12 h, and then hot pressed at 200 °C for 10 min. In general, the basic properties and thermal behaviour of the MO adhesive changed with the increasing amount of CA. The MOCA adhesives had a lower gelation time, viscosity, pH, and a comparable solids content to that of the pure MO adhesive. The thermal behaviour of the MOCA adhesive showed an alteration in the melting point with slightly lower weight loss during thermal degradation. Applying MOCA adhesive in OPF particleboard manufacturing significantly increased its physical properties, including dimensional stabilization and mechanical properties. The OPF particleboard bonded with the MOCA adhesive at a 50:50 mixture ratio generated a product with higher dimensional stabilization and the best mechanical properties. The latter product fulfilled the JIS A 5908:2003 standard, except for the MOR and SHS parameters.

The impact of tidal floods in the coastal area of Semarang greatly disrupts people's activities and damages settlements and infrastructure buildings. Floating building is one of the alternative solutions to overcome the rising sea level. This study aims to compare 2 (two) floating housing material platforms, namely EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride). The analysis method of floating structure platform was carried out by using various indicators, namely, the uplift generated, the stability and costs. Based on the findings of the analysis, the uplift platform to bear building loads on the water surface showed a value of 0.2 ton / rod for Ø10 inches PVC pipes and 4 meters in length. Then, the uplift capacity of 0.9 tons / sheet was for EPS Styrofoam with dimensions of 2 m x 1 m x 0.5 m. The stability level of floating buildings on water was indicated by the high value of spectrum that was +3.23 m for PVC and +3.61 m for EPS. To support the loads of 54.01 tons, the comparison of material expenses and installation of PVC materials required a cost of IDR. 561, 561, 350.00; meanwhile EPS material cost IDR. 40, 420, 000.00.

Gain insight into the unique risk management challenges within the Islamic banking system Risk Management for Islamic Banks: Recent Developments from Asia and the Middle East analyzes risk management strategies in Islamic banking, presented from the perspectives of different banking institutions. Using comprehensive global case studies, the book details the risks involving various banking institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, pointing out the different management strategies that arise as a result of Islamic banking practices. Readers gain insight into risk management as a comprehensive system, and a process of interlinked continuous cycles that integrate into every business activity within Islamic banks. The unique processes inherent in Islamic banking bring about complex risks not experienced by traditional banks. From Shariah compliance, to equity participation contracts, to complicated sale contracts, Islamic banks face unique market risks. Risk Management for Islamic Banks covers the creation of an appropriate risk management environment, as well as a stage-based implementation strategy that includes risk identification, measurement, mitigation, monitoring, controlling, and reporting. The book begins with a discussion of the philosophy of risk management, then delves deeper into the issue with topics like: * Risk management as an integrated system * The history, framework, and process of risk management in Islamic banking * Financing, operational, investment, and market risk * Shariah compliance and associated risk The book also discusses the future potential and challenges of Islamic banking, and outlines the risk management pathway. As an examination of the wisdom, knowledge, and ideal practice of Islamic banking, Risk Management for Islamic Banks contains valuable insights for those active in the Islamic market.

Purpose – This paper aims to illustrate theoretically and empirically the decision and result of strategic alliance between baitul maal wa tamwil (BMT) and Islamic banks as a relationship based on trust, mutual-trustworthiness and commitment. This paper also identifies the basic criteria for the resilience of a strategic alliance, the challenges and the barriers in a strategic relationship along with managerial and operational implications. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, we have chosen to use the confirmatory approach through a structured questionnaire by means of field survey to 131 BMT spread throughout Central Java and Yogyakarta. From the total sample, 89 BMT fulfilled the sampling criteria, that is: has operated for a minimum of two years and does not experience any financial difficulties during those two years; has done a financing contract with an Islamic bank; channels some of its funds to micro, small and medium enterprises; and is in the form of a cooperative, and not a micro financial institute. Data treatment uses the method of listwise deletion. Data analysis uses equation model with the software LISREL version 8.80. To validate the result of data analysis, we have also run a focus group discussion with Directorate of Syariah Banking, Bank of Indonesia, and in-depth interviews with BMT parent cluster (Inkopsyah). Findings – This research shows that commitment contributes positively in achieving the financial goals of an alliance. Coordination and initial agreement has a positive and significant influence in forming commitment from BMT and trust from Islamic banks. Other than coordination and initial agreement, the trust given by Islamic banks also came from the social capital owned by BMT. Originality/value – The trust and commitment will assist the building of strategic alliance between Islamic banks and BMT. Apart from financial purposes, the alliance between the two will also encourage natural knowledge-sharing.