bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Aspects of the Biology of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: Dąbrowska D. , Jabłońska E. , Garley M. , Ratajczak‐Wrona W. , Iwaniuk A.
Published: September 2016

The formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) discovered in 2004 by Volker Brinkmann and Arturo Zychlinsky cast a new light on the role of neutrophils in the non‐specific immune response of the body. This discovery has resulted in the rapid development of neutrophil studies in different bacterial and autoimmune diseases as well as neoplasms. Research is also being performed on the role of different signalling pathways engaged in the induction of NETosis, a unique form of a programmed cell death leading to the creation of NETs. The literature provides information on the structure and composition of neutrophil extracellular traps. This review presents the latest data on NET formation and the role of their key components, as well as describing the intracellular signalling pathways leading to the generation of NETs that have been discovered.
The Community Reclaims Control? Learning Experiences from Rural Broadband Initiatives in the Netherlands
Authors: Salemink Koen , Strijker Dirk , Bosworth Gary
Published: September 2016

Based on four illustrative case studies from the Netherlands, this article discusses learning experiences gained from rural broadband initiatives. As an example of ‘the big society’ (or ‘participatiesamenleving’ in Dutch), initiatives try to step in where the market and the government fail. The main struggle seems to be negotiating between market and government interests, while simultaneously safeguarding local interests. Many challenges and frustrations arise from counter‐tactics on the part of national market players, and governmentality‐inspired actions of regional and local authorities. Local capacity – such as social, intellectual, and financial capital – proves to be crucial in negotiating external influences, but it is easily overburdened. Case studies show that volunteer burnout is a risk that potentially has a high impact. Despite neoliberal agendas and community‐led development schemes that promote citizen initiatives, it remains challenging for communities to reclaim control over their digital futures. Members of the initiatives have to learn and professionalise in order to stand their ground in a competitive and complex broadband market, but this learning element seems to be only a by‐product of the process towards achieving the tangible result for rural development, that is, high‐speed broadband access.
The relationship between farmer opinion of suitable conditions for nutrient application, soil moisture deficit and weather
Authors: Kerebel A. , Holden N. M.
Published: September 2016

Slurry spreading is a beneficial nutrient recycling activity on livestock farms, but nutrients may be lost to the environment. On‐farm decision support based on the Hybrid Soil Moisture Deficit Model and weather data has the potential to forecast when conditions are best for slurry application. Such an approach will only be accepted by farmer–stakeholders if it is consistent with scientific evidence. The objective of this article was to establish whether farmers have a broadly similar opinion of soil and weather conditions suitable for slurry spreading as those derived from the water balance approach. A mobile phone short message service (SMS) survey permitted rapid and efficient collection of information from farmers in relation to trafficability, weather forecast, nutrient efficiency and storage limitations. Farmers’ response followed seasonal trends, with spring and summer the being the best seasons for nutrient utilization while their view of inappropriate conditions for spreading was consistent with restrictions imposed by current legislation in Ireland. However, the winter ban on nutrient spreading had the adverse effect of encouraging farmers to spread slurry just before and immediately after the closed period when application is prohibited. In general, farmers have similar reasons for their management decisions but they may need further assistance with the forecast of soil moisture and weather conditions at critical times.
Collaborative personalized multi‐criteria wayfinding for wheelchair users in outdoors
Authors: Hashemi Mahdi , Karimi Hassan A.
Published: September 2016

While finding the optimal route for users with physical disabilities and personalizing routes for each user, on the one hand, and collaborative wayfinding, on the other hand, have been addressed in the pedestrian navigation systems literature, there has not been much research on combining the two activities. The problem associated with wayfinding approaches solely based on information about network segments and personal preferences is that the information about segments in the database may not, correctly and/or adequately address user preferences. The problem associated with wayfinding approaches solely based on the ratings given to routes by wheelchair users is the lack of rates (or scores) for all possible routes between all possible origin‐destination pairs in the network. This article discusses an approach to combine these two approaches for wayfinding to augment each other's shortcomings. To evaluate the personalized wayfinding approach, we utilize a route index, called a comparison index. The results show that with a P‐value of 9%, the routes obtained from our approach are more accessible than the routes obtained from another approach developed in another study. To evaluate the collaborative wayfinding approach, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted which reflects the updates in routes as users' feedbacks become available.
Hepatitis E virus RNA in Australian blood donations
Authors: Shrestha Ashish C. , Flower Robert L.P. , Seed Clive R. , Keller Anthony J. , Harley Robert , Chan Hiu‐Tat , Hoad Veronica , Warrilow David , Northill Judith , Holmberg Jerry A. , Faddy Helen M.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a risk to transfusion safety. In Australia, locally acquired HEV is rare and cases are mainly reported in travelers returning from countries endemic for HEV. The risk posed by HEV to transfusion safety in Australia is unknown; therefore, we aimed to measure the rate of current HEV infection in Australian blood donations.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 14,799 blood donations were tested for HEV RNA by transcription‐mediated amplification, with confirmatory testing by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Viral load quantification and phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV RNA–positive samples.

RESULTS

One (0.0068%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0002%‐0.0376%) sample was confirmed positive for HEV RNA, resulting in a risk of collecting a HEV‐viremic donation of 1 in 14,799 (95% CI, 1 in 584,530 to 1 in 2,657). The viral load in this sample was approximately 15,000 IU/mL, and it was determined to be Genotype 3.

DISCUSSION

Our finding of 1 in 14,799 Australian donations positive for HEV RNA is lower than that from many other developed countries; this is consistent with the relatively low seroprevalence in Australia. As this HEV RNA–positive sample was Genotype 3, it seems likely that this infection was acquired through zoonotic transmission, either within Australia or overseas in a developed nation. HEV has the potential to pose a risk to transfusion safety in Australia; however, additional, larger studies are required to quantify the magnitude of this risk.
Do High‐Skill Immigrants trigger High‐Quality Trade?
Authors: Giovannetti Giorgia , Lanati Mauro
Published: September 2016

This paper investigates the links between product quality and the pro‐trade effect of ethnic networks using a large panel on bilateral stocks of immigrants with information for 19 OECD destination countries and 177 origin countries. In line with the approach of Rauch and Trindade, we classify traded goods according to their quality level and separately estimate pro‐trade elasticity of ethnic networks for each subgroup. We allow for heterogeneity of immigrants according to both the level of per capita income of their country of origin and their education level. Our findings suggest that the trend of the pro‐trade effect of immigrants over quality seems to be driven by the North–South specialisation across varieties for both supply and demand. Indeed, ethnic networks mostly facilitate imports of those varieties for which their countries of origin have a comparative advantage; as for exports, ethnic networks are more effective in promoting exports to their homeland of those varieties for which there is relatively higher demand. We show that the same trend applies to products characterised by the same degree of differentiation according to the classification proposed by Rauch and – given their lower liquidity constraints and advantages in human capital – we find a greater impact of high‐skilled migrants consistent across all quality levels.
Use of Yunnan Baiyao and epsilon aminocaproic acid in dogs with right atrial masses and pericardial effusion
Authors: Murphy Lisa A. , Panek Cynthia M. , Bianco Domenico , Nakamura Reid K.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe the utility of Yunnan Baiyao (YB) alone or in combination with epsilon aminocaproic acid (EAC) for the treatment of dogs with echocardiographically identified right atrial (RA) masses and pericardial effusion (PE).

Design

Retrospective case‐controlled study.

Setting

Two private practice referral hospitals.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs with RA masses and PE identified echocardiographically over a 3‐year period.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

There were 67 dogs identified with RA masses and PE during the study period. Sixteen dogs were treated with YB alone while 8 dogs were treated with YB in combination with EAC in addition to pericardiocentesis. Forty‐three dogs were treated with pericardiocentesis alone and were considered to be the control group. There was no difference between the groups in regards to signalment, physical examination abnormalities, and diagnostic test results on presentation. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to number of pericardiocenteses performed and there were no side effects attributed to the YB or EAC in any of the dogs. Median time to recurrence of clinical signs was not significantly different between the treatment (12 d, range 1–186 d) and control group (14.5 d, range 1–277 d). The median survival of dogs treated with YB alone or in combination with EAC (18 d, range 1–186 d) was also not significantly improved compared to dogs treated with pericardiocenteses alone (16 d, range 1–277 d).

Conclusions

This study suggests YB alone or in combination with EAC is relatively safe but does not significantly delay recurrence of clinical signs or improve survival in dogs with RA masses and PE. Due to the small cohort size, further prospective studies evaluating these drugs and their effects on hemostasis in dogs with RA masses and PE are warranted.
Treatment of ibuprofen toxicity with serial charcoal hemoperfusion and hemodialysis in a dog
Authors: Tauk Barbara S. , Foster Jonathan D.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe the efficacy of serial charcoal hemoperfusion and hemodialysis in removing ibuprofen from a dog with severe clinical signs of toxicity.

Case Summary

A dog ingested a minimum of 2,200 mg/kg of ibuprofen resulting in progressive neurologic dysfunction that progressed to a comatose state by the time of presentation. Extracorporeal charcoal hemoperfusion coupled serially with hemodialysis was performed to remove ibuprofen from this patient. Serial charcoal hemoperfusion and hemodialysis therapy resulted in complete reversal of the neurologic dysfunction in this dog. No evidence of acute kidney or hepatic injury was observed. Serum ibuprofen concentrations confirmed the efficacy of this treatment.

New Information Provided

This report details the technique for extracorporeal extraction of ibuprofen, a methodology that could be employed for other toxicities due to substances with similar pharmacokinetics. Complications and limitations (eg, saturation of the charcoal cartridge) of the therapy are discussed.
The fractionation of adipose tissue procedure to obtain stromal vascular fractions for regenerative purposes
Authors: van Dongen Joris A. , Stevens Hieronymus P. , Parvizi Mojtaba , van der Lei Berend , Harmsen Martin C.
Published: September 2016

Autologous adipose tissue transplantation is clinically used to reduce dermal scarring and to restore volume loss. The therapeutic benefit on tissue damage more likely depends on the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue than on the adipocyte fraction. This stromal vascular fraction can be obtained by dissociation of adipose tissue, either enzymatically or mechanical. Enzymatic dissociation procedures are time‐consuming and expensive. Therefore, we developed a new inexpensive mechanical dissociation procedure to obtain the stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue in a time sparing way, which is directly available for therapeutic injection. This mechanical dissociation procedure is denoted as the fractionation of adipose tissue (FAT) procedure. The FAT procedure was performed in eleven patients. The composition of the FAT‐stromal vascular fraction was characterized by immunohistochemistry. Adipose derived stromal cells isolated from the FAT‐stromal vascular fraction were compared with adipose derived stromal cells isolated from nondissociated adipose tissue (control) for their CD‐surface marker expression, differentiation and colony forming unit capacity. Case reports demonstrated the therapeutic effect of the FAT‐stromal vascular fraction. The FAT‐stromal vascular fraction is an enrichment of extracellular matrix containing a microvasculature and culturable adipose derived stromal cells. Adipose derived stromal cells isolated from FAT‐stromal vascular fraction did not differ from adipose derived stromal cells isolated from the control group in CD‐surface marker expression, differentiation and colony forming unit capacity. The FAT procedure is a rapid effective mechanical dissociation procedure to generate FAT‐stromal vascular fraction ready for injection with all its therapeutic components of adipose tissue: it contains culturable adipose derived stromal cells embedded in their natural supportive extracellular matrix together with the microvasculature.
Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the land snail genus Monacha (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae)
Authors: Neiber Marco T. , Hausdorf Bernhard
Published: September 2016

Monacha is the most species‐rich genus of the family Hygromiidae with a centre of diversity in Anatolia. On the basis of the presence or absence of accessory genital appendages, the group was subdivided into three subgenera, Monacha s. str., Paratheba and Metatheba, in the past. We used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences of a representative sample of species 1) to reconstruct the phylogeny of the major lineages of Monacha, 2) to reconstruct the evolution of the accessory genital appendages, and 3) to reconstruct the biogeography of the group. Our results show that the accessory genital appendages upon which the classification of Monacha into subgenera rested so far, that is the appendicula, which is homologous to the dart sac and/or its accessory sac in other helicoid land snails, and the penis retractor muscle, were lost several times independently in different lineages of Monacha. Even among sister species, these characters were found to be variable. Thus, the typologically defined subgenera are para‐ or polyphyletic assemblages. The reconstruction of the biogeographical history indicated an origin of Monacha in Anatolia and the adjacent Caucasus region which is consistent with the observation that most other genera currently included in the subfamily Monachainae are also endemic to this region. Most major Monacha lineages remained restricted to northern Anatolia. Southern Europe was colonized by Monacha s. str., the Aegean region by Aegaeotheba subgen. n., the Crimean Peninsula by Paratheba and the Levant by Platytheba. On the basis of our phylogenetic analyses and testing of alternative hypotheses, we propose to divide Monacha into eight subgenera. We newly delimit the previously proposed subgenera Monacha s. str., Metatheba, Paratheba and Platytheba, and describe Pontotheba subgen. n., Aegaeotheba subgen. n., Trichotheba subgen. n. and Rhytidotheba subgen. n. as new subgenera.
Design Determinants of Building Envelope for Sustainable Built Environment: A Review
Authors: Kumar Gireendra , Raheja Gaurav
Published: September 2016

Building envelope separates indoor environment form outside environment as well as provides a comfortable indoor environment through an appropriate balance of passive and active technologies. Building envelopes and its components are designed with respect to environmental, technological, socio-cultural, functional and aesthetic determinants. In contemporary scenario a major concern is to get a comfortable indoor environment in respect of thermal, visual and psychological comfort.  Further innovation in designing and construction of contemporary building envelope and its components is likely to be developed rapidly. Designing of buildings and its envelope have a major focus on making buildings sustainable by reducing energy consumption without compromising on user’s comfort. This creates a challenge to the designer and engineers to study and monitor the impact on performance of built form design determinants. This paper aims to describe and highlight the role of design determinants in building envelope and in its various components to achieve sustainable built environment. Study has described the difference in terms “energy efficiency and sustainability” in buildings and built spaces for users through the review of definitions and past researches. Further design concept and technology discussed through relevant examples of various typologies of building envelope system and described the parameters of building envelope’s transparent and opaque components for evaluation. This study is an attempt to describe the integration of design determinants like environmental, technological, socio- cultural, functional and aesthetic in building envelope and its components in making efficient and sustainable built form and space as per user comfort. The paper concludes with meaningful recommendations for sustainable development in designing future building envelopes.
A Household-based analysis of domestic energy consumption for lighting in Jaipur City
Authors: Kumar Nand , Devadas V
Published: September 2016

India being the third largest economy of the world, more than two third of the total population lives in villages and started to consuming more quantity of energy in the recent years. Though the electricity consumption in the domestic sector has increased up to 22 per cent of the total electricity consumption, electricity consumption in villages is very less, since good number of villages in the rural system are not even electrified. In urban areas almost 90 percent of the household use electricity for lighting and just 10 percent use kerosene for the said purpose, whereas in the rural areas still more number of households use kerosene for lighting purposes. In this paper an attempt is made to analyze the domestic energy consumption for lighting in Jaipur city. Good amount of literature collected pertaining to domestic energy consumption for lighting purposes across the globe, analyzed thoroughly and presented. Further, a household survey was conducted among 684 households in Jaipur city by employing pre-tested schedule. The schedule has few variables including identification particulars, economic conditions, demographic pattern, domestic lighting appliances at the household level; and the energy consumption pattern. Further the collected data are analyzed and a multiple regression model was developed by considering the total electricity consumption as dependent variable ‘Y’ and the electrical appliances for lighting purposes, such as the number of incandescent bulbs, tube lights, CFL, and LED are considered as ‘X’ variables; and this study conclude with plausible findings and recommendations.
INVESTIGATION ON RUTTING PERFORMANCE OF NANOPOLYACRYLATE AND NATURAL RUBBER LATEX POLYMER MODIFIED ASPHALT BINDER MIXES
Authors: Shaffie Ekarizan , Ahmad Juraidah , Arshada Ahmad Kamil , Kamarun Dzraini , Awang Haryati
Published: September 2016

This paper discussed a research carried out to study the rutting performance of dense graded (AC) and Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) pavement using nanocomposite polymer modified binder. The study also focused on the determination of optimum proportion of additive to be used in the mixing process. Two types of asphalt binder with penetration grade, PEN 80/100 and performance grade PG 76 were added with nanopolyacrylate and natural rubber latex as asphalt modifier. The nanocomposite polymer modified binder was prepared by adding 6 percent of Nanopolyacrylate (NC) to the asphalt binder. Both SMA and AC asphaltic mixtures conformed to the Marshall volumetric properties criteria which indicate that these mixtures are durable. The Asphalt Pavement Analyzer ( APA) rutting test was performed to determine the rutting performance of AC and SMA asphaltic mixtures showed that the rut values for SMA14 mix varies from 0.8 mm to 1.9 mm and AC14 mix varies from 1.7 mm to 2.3 mm respectively. This indicates the beneficial use of Nanocomposite polymer as modifier especially on SMA14 mix.
MICROSTRUCTURE OF NANOSILICA MODIFIED BINDER BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: Arshad Ahmad Kamil , Samsudin Mohamad Saifullah , Ahmad Juraidah , Masri Khairil Azman
Published: September 2016

In this paper, the effect of nanosilica (NS) on the physical properties as well as aging on the morphology of asphalt binder was investigated. Asphalt binder penetration grade 60/70 (PEN 60/70) was modified with NS at concentrations of 1% to 5% by weight of binder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to have a visual evaluation of Nanosilica dispersion. The physical properties tested include is softening point, penetration, ductility, viscosity and storage stability. Temperature susceptibility was evaluated using penetration index (PI) and penetration viscosity number (PVN). Nanosilica modified binder (NSMB) were aged using the rolling thin film oven test (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV). The morphology of the virgin asphalt binder and NSMB before and after aging was characterized by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). From the physical properties test, the addition of NS was found to improve the asphalt binder properties and can resist high temperature susceptibility. The results of the AFM imaging showed that the addition of nanosilica in asphalt binder improved its surface stiffness. The overall surface stiffness of the asphalt binder after aging also increased. It can be concluded from this study that 2% to 4% of NS gave the optimum performance for the binder.
GROUND INVESTIGATION USING 2D RESISTIVITY IMAGING FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Awang Haryati , Abdullah Rini Asnida , Abdul Samad Sabira
Published: September 2016

This paper prÃ©sents finding on the ground exploration using 2D resistivity imaging. The study was conducted to verify the borehole result, which shows a conflict between the actual site conditions. The proposed study is to investigate of high topography area for road construction. Electrical resistivity imaging method was used for estimating bedrock at Bandar Sri Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. The site consist of acid intrusive igneous, which is dominantly covered by granite. Two lines of resistivity survey were conducted to identify ground material of this area. The survey was conducted using ABEM Terrameter equipment, where a two-dimensional resistivity profile has been identified for ground exploration and subsurface profiling. The resistivity images showed the existence of boulders and bedrock in multiple weathering grades with resistivity values ranges from 50 to 10 000 ohm-m along the proposed road alignment. The presence of these boulders and weathered bedrock probably not suitable to be used as domestic supply for road material such as crushed aggregate especially at depth less than 30m from surface. Soil or overburden was discovered 12m from the surface. The finding shows the mismatched between the borehole result and resistivity profile, where the borehole data was interpreted as bedrock however the resistivity result proved that it is a boulder.
STRENGTH OF BRICK MADE FROM DREDGED SEDIMENTS
Authors: Manap Norpadzlihatun , Raja Bedali Raja Azim Aizat , Sandirasegaran Kavitha , Masrom Md Asrul Nasid , Yahya Mohd Yamani
Published: September 2016

Dredged sediment can be used in producing bricks for geotechnical engineering purposes including construction of foundations, retaining walls and roads. This study was conducted to determine the strength of brick made from dredged sediments and comparing them with the strength of normal brick. This study was conducted in an experimental form that involves collecting dredged sediment in the river of Sungai Bebar, Pahang, Malaysia and the river of Sungai Setiawan, Perak, Malaysia for analysis. It also involved the use of materials and equipment from laboratory to test the strength of brick. The results obtained from the analysis of data showed that the strength of brick exceeded the standard value for ordinary brick in Malaysiaâ€™s standard. This support the fact that the brick made from dredged sediment can be used in Malaysian construction industry. The result of this study helps to reduce the volume of dredged sediment to be disposed and to avoid geo-hazards from dredging activities.
STRENGTH OF CONCRETE MADE FROM DREDGED SEDIMENTS
Authors: Manap Norpadzlihatun , Polis Stanleyster , Sandirasegaran Kavitha , Masrom Md Asrul Nasid , Chen Goh Kai , Yahya Mohd Yamani
Published: September 2016

Sea and river dredging has produced a large volume of dredged waste over the years which could trigger geo-hazards including dispersion of contamination from sediments. One of the ways to overcome this issue is by incorporating it into geotechnical engineering purposes including the production of concrete for foundation, retaining wall and highway construction. This research aims to investigate the strength of concrete made from dredged sediments and to compare it with the strength of conventional concrete. This research emphasises on the usage of two types of dredge waste; silt and sand, obtained from Kuala Perlis, Perlis and Sungai Bebar, Pahang, respectively. The dredged sediments from Sungai Bebar will be used as fine aggregates while sediments from Kuala Perlis will be used as admixtures and fine aggregates for production of concrete. The concrete will then be tested for its strength. As a result, the concrete made from these two rivers are able to produce the minimum strength requirement for C20 concrete mix. This enables the concrete mixtures used in this research to be applied in the construction of foundation, retaining wall and highway. This research helps in reducing the amount of wastage from dredge work as well as providing a new material source for concrete.
MAGNETICS, 2-D RESISTIVITY AND GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES FOR SHALLOW SUBSURFACE SOIL CHARACTERIZATION IN LEMBAH BUJANG, KEDAH
Authors: Saad Rosli , Samuel Yakubu Mingyi , Mohd Muztaza Nordiana , Ismail Nur Azwin , Saidin Mohd Mokhtar
Published: September 2016

Magnetic and 2-D resistivity surveys were conducted on the same line for soil characterizations. 2-D resistivity survey employed Pole-dipole array with 1 m electrode spacing while magnetic survey employed 2 m station spacing. Soil drilling was performed using hand auger at the 21st m on the line with 0.2 m sampling interval. All data were processed and overlaid for integration and validation. The magnetic results showed the distribution of magnetic residual as -4.55 to 1.61 nT, with the magnetic low (-4.55 to -0.058 nT) was identified at distances 10 to 26 m, 36 to 44 m, 74 to 82 m, 88 to105 m, 120 m and 150 m. Three zones were identified based on the 2-D resistivity results; low (16.9-35.2 Î©-m), moderate (73.3-152 Î©-m) and high (317-1373 Î©-m). The low resistivity values might be due to clay with high water content, and the low magnetic susceptibility distributions were due to soil of sedimentary origin. The samples obtained were sticky with variable sizes, greyish to brownish/reddish in color, and some of the samples exhibited the presence of shiny and black spots. The characteristics of the samples suggested that the soil was a product of completely weathered rock, classified as Grade V with high water contents and weak.
PATH PLANNING SIMULATION USING HARMONIC POTENTIAL FIELDS THROUGH FOUR POINT-EDGSOR METHOD VIA 9-POINT LAPLACIAN
Authors: Saudi Azali , Sulaiman Jumat
Published: September 2016

This paper presents our study on a simulation of path planning for indoor robot that relies on the use of Laplace’s equation to constrain the generation of Harmonic Potential Fields (HPF). The computation of HPF requires immense amount of computing resources, particularly when the size of environment is large. In the past, fast iterative methods that apply the use of half-sweep iteration and block technique are suggested. In this study, faster iterative method known as Four Point-Explicit Decoupled Group Successive Over relaxation via 9-Point Laplacian (4-EDGSOR-9L) is introduced. Essentially, the 4-EDGSOR-9L is actually a variant of block SOR iterative method based on four points that employs half-sweep iteration and utilizes 9-Point Laplacian discretization scheme. Once the HPF is obtained, the standard Gradient Descent Search (GDS) technique is performed for path tracing to the goal point.
MALAYSIAN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN USING SOCIAL NETWORK SITES: A TASK PERSON TECHNOLOGY FIT MODEL
Authors: Mirabolghasemi Marva , A. Iahad Noorminshah
Published: September 2016

Social network communities that provide information about cancer offer environments in which cancer patients can interact, and access information related to the disease, its treatment and its survivorship. Current research into the assessment of cancer patients‟ performance in the use of Social Network Sites (SNS) continues to be limited, despite SNS potential to serve as a platform for providing cancer information. To investigate the factors that influence the performance of cancer patients in using SNS, this study utilizes the use of a Task Person Technology Fit (TPTF) Model. Questionnaires were distributed to 178 respondents in two hospitals and four cancer support groups in Peninsular Malaysia, using purposive sampling. Data was analysed through the use of Smart PLS 2.0 M3. The results indicated that the performance of cancer patients in using SNS has been determined directly by the fit between self-efficacy and the characteristics of task and technology.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF BASELINE ROUTING PROTOCOLS IN POCKET SWITCHED NETWORK
Authors: Yulianti Deni , Mandala Satria , Zainal Anazida , Nasien Dewi , Ngadi Md. Asri , Yahaya Coulibaly
Published: September 2016

Pocket Switched Network (PSN) is a branch of Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) which is intended to work in a challenged network. Challenged network is network with lack of infrastructure such as disaster area. As such, the network has intermittent connectivity. PSN provides a new paradigm to distribute messages in the network by taking advantage of roaming nodes from one place to another. In this paper, network performances of eight PSN routing protocols are investigated namely, First Contact, Direct Delivery, Epidemic, PRotocol using History of Encounter and Transitivity (PRoPHET), Spray and Wait, Binary Spray and Wait, Fuzzy Spray, Adaptive Fuzzy Spray and Wait. The performance metrics are packet delivery ratio, overhead ratio and average latency. Opportunistic Network Environment (ONE) simulator is used to evaluate the network performance. Experiments show that Epidemic has the best performance in term of message delivery ratio, but it has the highest overhead ratio. Direct Delivery has the lowest overhead ratio (zero overhead ratio) and PRoPHET has the lowest latency average.
FREEMAN CHAIN CODE AS REPRESENTATION IN OFFLINE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION SYSTEM
Authors: Azmi Aini Najwa , Nasien Dewi , Abu Samah Azurah
Published: September 2016

Over recent years, there has been an explosive growth of interest in the pattern recognition. For example, handwritten signature is one of human biometric that can be used in many areas in terms of access control and security. However, handwritten signature is not a uniform characteristic such as fingerprint, iris or vein. It may change to several factors; mood, environment and age. Signature Verification System (SVS) is a part of pattern recognition that can be a solution for such situation. The system can be decomposed into three stages: data acquisition and preprocessing, feature extraction and verification. This paper presents techniques for SVS that uses Freeman chain code (FCC) as data representation. In the first part of feature extraction stage, the FCC was extracted by using boundary-based style on the largest contiguous part of the signature images. The extracted FCC was divided into four, eight or sixteen equal parts. In the second part of feature extraction, six global features were calculated. Finally, verification utilized k-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN) to test the performance. MCYT bimodal database was used in every stage in the system. Based on our systems, the best result achieved was False Rejection Rate (FRR) 14.67%, False Acceptance Rate (FAR) 15.83% and Equal Error Rate (EER) 0.43% with shortest computation, 7.53 seconds and 47 numbers of features.
ONTOLOGY REASONING USING SPARQL QUERY: A CASE STUDY OF E-LEARNING USAGE
Authors: Octaviani Dewi , Othman Mohd Shahizan
Published: September 2016

The involvement of learning pedagogy towards implementation of e-learning contribute to the additional values, and it is assign as a benchmark when the investigation and evaluation will carry out. The results obtained later believed would be fit to the domain problem.The results might provide instructional theories including recommendation after reasoning that can be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the virtual classroom. Ontology as formal conceptualization has been chosen as research methodology. Ontology conceptualization helps to illustrate the e-learning usage including activities and actions, likewise learning pedagogy in the form of concepts, class, relationships and instances. The ontology constructed in this paper is used in conjunction with the SPARQL rules, which are designed to test the reasoning ability of ontology. Reasoning results should be able to describe the knowledge contained in ontology, as well the facts on it. The SPARQL rules contains triplets to verify if the students are actively engaged in a meaningful way towards e-learning usage. The backward engine is optimized to store the facts obtained from queries. Development of ontology knowledge based and reasoning rules with SPARQL queries allow to contribute a sustainable competitive advantages regarding the e-learning utilization. Eventually, this research produced a learning ontology with reasoning capability to get meaningful information.
A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF FEATURES FOR MEDICAL IMAGE MODALITY CLASSIFICATION
Authors: Khan Sameer Ahmad , Yong Suet Peng , Janjua Uzair Iqbal
Published: September 2016

Medical images are increasing at an alarming rate. This increasing number of images affects the interpreting capacity of radiologists. In order to reduce the burden of radiologists, automatic categorization of medical images based on modality is the need of the hour. Because image modality is an important and fundamental image characteristic. The important factor in the automatic medical image categorization based on modality are the features used for categorization purpose, because nice treatment on these subtleties can lead to good results. Many descriptors have been proposed in the literature for medical image categorization. It is unclear which descriptor encodes the content information efficiently. The descriptors that are calculated from these medical images should be descriptive, distinctive and robust to various transformations. The stability of these descriptors are evaluated under various transformations and are then analyzed for their discriminatory ability for the task of classification. In this study the criteria of transformations, repeatability, matching and classification accuracy on the basis of precision recall is used to evaluate the performance of these descriptors. The experimental results illustrates that among global descriptors local features patches histogram and among local descriptors SIFT encodes the content information quite efficiently.
HIGH SPEED COMPUTING OF ICE THICKNESS EQUATION FOR ICE SHEET MODEL
Authors: Alias Norma , Mohd Saidi Masyitah
Published: September 2016

Two-dimensional (2-D) ice flow thermodynamics coupled model acts as a vital role for visualizing the ice sheet behaviours of the Antarctica region and the climate system. One of the parameters used in this model is ice thickness. Explicit method of finite difference method (FDM) is used to discretize the ice thickness equation. After that, the equation will be performed on Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) programming by using Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) platform. Nowadays, the demand of GPU for solving the computational problem has been increasing due to the low price and high performance computation properties. This paper investigates the performance of GPU hardware supported by the CUDA parallel programming and capable to compute a large sparse complex system of the ice thickness equation of 2D ice flow thermodynamics model using multiple cores simultaneously and efficiently. The parallel performance evaluation (PPE) is evaluated in terms of execution time, speedup, efficiency, effectiveness and temporal performance.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE CASE STUDIES
Authors: Abdul Rahman Azizah , Abu Hasan Nooradilla , A. Lahad Norminshah
Published: September 2016

Business Intelligence (BI) has embarked on decision-making setting. This has influenced many organizations from different industries that are located in diverse regions to implement BI. Critical Successful Factors (CSF) becomes the guideline for the implementer to adopt BI successfully. However, lack of BI knowledge and weak consideration of BI CSF led to the failure of BI implementation project. Several issues and challenges have been identified during the BI implementation. In addition, other researchers rarely discussed this subject. Thus, the objective of this paper is to recognize the issues and challenges on BI implementation. Through qualitative method, BI practices systematically described the purpose of BI execution on selected organizations, industries and regions. It has given the path towards the issues and challenges of BI implementation. The identified issues and challenges are defining the business goal, data management, limited funding, training and user acceptance as well as the lack of expertise issues. The findings categorized the issues and challenges into three dimensions of CSF for BI implementation, which are Organization, Process and Technology dimension. Limitation in this study requires future researchers to study in details of these issues and challenges including the solutions and the impact of BI implementation.
MITIGATING OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC RISK IN ICT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE CODIFICATION TECHNIQUE
Authors: Che Pa Noraini , Jnr Bokolo Anthony
Published: September 2016

Recently, organisations have incorporated various methods into their business process in mitigating risk. Although, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practitioners is not capable mitigate the identified risk systematically due to the high magnitude of loss caused by operational, technical and strategic risk. The ICT practitioners need to improve their ability to identify and mitigate the risks to ICT infrastructures. Besides that ICT practitioners in organization find it difficult to mitigate risks if they don’t utilize completely their knowledge. There is need for ICT practitioner to codify knowledge, especially through the development of policies and practices to guide decision makers in mitigate risk in their organizations. The aim of this paper is to develop a process model for capturing, storing, disseminating and utilizing risk knowledge of knowledge-based supporting ICT practitioners to make decisions. Quantitative research methodology was adopted for reviewing of existing risk mitigation approaches in ICT and carrying out a survey using questionnaire among ICT practitioners. The questionnaire was used to validate the developed process model. Findings from the questionnaire confirms that the developed process model can assist ICT practitioners in mitigating operational, technical and strategic risk based on the codification of past knowledge of risk experts.
Human COL5A1 polymorphisms and quadriceps muscle–tendon mechanical stiffness in vivo
Authors: Kirk Eric A. , Moore Colin W. , Chater‐Diehl Eric J. , Singh Shiva M. , Rice Charles L.
Published: September 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of the study?

Do COL5A1
gene variants, previously reported to have diminished transcript stability, manifest in physiological phenotypes of quadriceps muscle–tendon contractile properties and mechanical stiffness in humans?

What is the main finding and its importance?

COL5A1 gene variants influence mechanical stiffness, not seeming to affect low‐level contractile properties in humans. Functional differences in COL5A1 manifest during moderate‐ to high‐level contractions.

Polymorphisms of the collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1) gene are purported to influence mechanical properties of collagenous tissues. Our purpose was to assess musculotendinous contractile properties of the quadriceps in relationship to the genetic influence of mechanical stiffness. Eighty recreationally active males (aged 19–31 years) were assessed for the presence of three genetic polymorphisms associated with COL5A1 mRNA stability (rs4919510, rs1536482 and rs12722). Genotypes were determined using real‐time PCR. Stiffness and contractile properties of the knee musculotendinous complex were assessed by maximal isometric voluntary contractions, ramp isometric voluntary contractions, electrically stimulated contractile events and ultrasonography. All genotype groups were able to activate their knee extensors fully (>97%) as assessed by the interpolated twitch technique and presented no differences in muscle–tendon contractile properties at low submaximal contraction intensities. For the quadriceps muscle–tendon at moderate ramp contractions of 50 and 60% maximal voluntary contraction, the rs12722 CT and TT genotypes had ∼30% greater mean stiffness. The rs1536482 AG and GG genotypes showed a similar trend, but did not achieve statistical significance. Variants of the COL5A1 gene seem to influence quadriceps muscle–tendon stiffness but do not affect low‐level contractile properties.
Synaptic reliability and temporal precision are achieved via high quantal content and effective replenishment: auditory brainstem versus hippocampus
Authors: Krächan Elisa G , Fischer Alexander U , Franke Jürgen , Friauf Eckhard
Published: September 2016

Key points

Auditory brainstem neurons involved in sound source localization are equipped with several morphological and molecular features that enable them to compute interaural level and time differences.

As sound source localization works continually, synaptic transmission between these neurons should be reliable and temporally precise, even during sustained periods of high‐frequency activity.

Using patch‐clamp recordings in acute brain slices, we compared synaptic reliability and temporal precision in the seconds–minute range between auditory and two types of hippocampal synapses; the latter are less confronted with temporally precise high‐frequency transmission than the auditory ones.

We found striking differences in synaptic properties (e.g. continually high quantal content) that allow auditory synapses to reliably release vesicles at much higher rate than their hippocampal counterparts.

Thus, they are indefatigable and also in a position to transfer information with exquisite temporal precision and their performance appears to be supported by very efficient replenishment mechanisms.

At early stations of the auditory pathway, information is encoded by precise signal timing and rate. Auditory synapses must maintain the relative timing of events with submillisecond precision even during sustained and high‐frequency stimulation. In non‐auditory brain regions, e.g. telencephalic ones, synapses are activated at considerably lower frequencies. Central to understanding the heterogeneity of synaptic systems is the elucidation of the physical, chemical and biological factors that determine synapse performance. In this study, we used slice recordings from three synapse types in the mouse auditory brainstem and hippocampus. Whereas the auditory brainstem nuclei experience high‐frequency activity in vivo, the hippocampal circuits are activated at much lower frequencies. We challenged the synapses with sustained high‐frequency stimulation (up to 200 Hz for 60 s) and found significant performance differences. Our results show that auditory brainstem synapses differ considerably from their hippocampal counterparts in several aspects, namely resistance to synaptic fatigue, low failure rate and exquisite temporal precision. Their high‐fidelity performance supports the functional demands and appears to be due to the large size of the readily releasable pool and a high release probability, which together result in a high quantal content. In conjunction with very efficient vesicle replenishment mechanisms, these properties provide extremely rapid and temporally precise signalling required for neuronal communication at early stations of the auditory system, even during sustained activation in the minute range.
Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis Using a Vine-ARMA Load Model
Authors: Hu Zhen , Mahadevan Sankaran
Published: September 2016

A common strategy for the modeling of stochastic loads in time-dependent reliability analysis is to describe the loads as independent Gaussian stochastic processes. This assumption does not hold for many engineering applications. This paper proposes a Vine-autoregressive-moving average (Vine-ARMA) load model for time-dependent reliability analysis, in problems with a vector of correlated non-Gaussian stochastic loads. The marginal stochastic processes are modeled as univariate ARMA models. The correlations among different univariate ARMA models are captured using the Vine copula. The ARMA model maintains the correlation over time. The Vine copula represents not only the correlation among different ARMA models but also the tail dependence of different ARMA models. Therefore, the developed Vine-ARMA model can flexibly model a vector of high-dimensional correlated non-Gaussian stochastic processes with the consideration of tail dependence. Due to the complicated structure of the Vine-ARMA model, new challenges are introduced in time-dependent reliability analysis. In order to overcome these challenges, the Vine-ARMA model is integrated with a single-loop Kriging (SILK) surrogate modeling method. A hydrokinetic turbine blade subjected to a vector of correlated river flow loads is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.