bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Centrality of Language in Human Cognition
Authors: Lupyan Gary
Published: December 2015

The emergence of language—a productive and combinatorial system of communication—has been hailed as one of the major transitions in evolution. By enabling symbolic culture, language allows humans to draw on and expand on the knowledge of their ancestors and peers. A common assumption among linguists and psychologists is that although language is critical to our ability to share our thoughts, it plays a minor, if any, role in generating, controlling, and structuring them. I examine some assumptions that led to this view of language and discuss an alternative according to which normal human cognition is language‐augmented cognition. I focus on one of the fundamental design features of language—the use of words as symbolic cues—and argue that language acts as a high‐level control system for the mind, allowing individuals to sculpt mental representations of others as well as their own.
Auditory anatomy of beaked whales and other odontocetes: Potential for cochlear stimulationviaa “vibroacoustic duct mechanism”
Authors: March Duan , Brown Daniel , Gray Rachael , Curthoys Ian , Wong Christopher , Higgins Damien P.
Published: December 2015

Computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (microCT) were used to examine the structures involved in cochlear stimulation in odontocetes and terrestrial mammals. Cranial CT examined the osseous attachment of the skull to the tympanoperiotic complex (TPC) and the path of the endocranial foramen of the vestibulocochlear nerve (EFVN), which was assumed to contain the perilymphatic duct. Additional CTs of TPC were taken postextraction to examine the gross morphology of this structure. MicroCT was used to examine the acoustic windows of the cochlea, including the round and oval windows and the apertures of the cochlear and vestibular aqueducts. Cranial CT scans demonstrated an osseous connection between the skull and TPC in beaked whales andPhyseter macrocephalus. EFVN traveled through a greater length of cranial bone and communicated more closely with the periotic bone in beaked whales than in other species.Ziphius cavirostriswas observed to have a reduced medial sulcus of the mallear ridge (MSMR) and tympanic plate and an enlarged aperture of the cochlear aqueduct, respectively. The potential significance of these findings, including the role of the perilymphatic duct as a novel route of cochlear stimulation referred to as the “vibroacoustic duct mechanism,” are discussed.
T cells, osteoblasts, and osteocytes: interacting lineages key for the bone anabolic and catabolic activities of parathyroid hormone
Authors: Pacifici Roberto
Published: December 2015

Osteoimmunology is a field of research dedicated to the study of the interactions between the immune system and bone. Among the cells of the immune system that regulate bone turnover and the responsiveness of bone cells to calciothropic hormones are bone marrow T lymphocytes. T cells secrete osteoclastogenic cytokines such as RANKL and TNF‐α, as well as factors that stimulate bone formation, one of which is Wnt10b. In addition, T cells regulate the differentiation and life span of stromal cells (SCs) and their responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH) via costimulatory molecules expressed on their surface. The conditioning effect of T cells on SCs is inherited by the osteoblastic and osteocytic progeny of SCs. As a result, osteoblastic cells of T cell–deficient mice have functional characteristics different from corresponding cells of T cell–replete mice. These differences include the ratio of RANKL/OPG produced in response to continuous PTH treatment, and the osteoblastogenic response to intermittent PTH treatment. This article reviews the evidence indicating that the effects of PTH are mediated not only by osteoblasts and osteocytes but also by T cells.
Sensory influences on food intake control: moving beyond palatability
Authors: McCrickerd K. , Forde C. G.
Published: December 2015

The sensory experience of eating is an important determinant of food intake control, often attributed to the positive hedonic response associated with certain sensory cues. However, palatability is just one aspect of the sensory experience. Sensory cues based on a food's sight, smell, taste and texture are operational before, during and after an eating event. The focus of this review is to look beyond palatability and highlight recent advances in our understanding of how certain sensory characteristics can be used to promote better energy intake control. We consider the role of visual and odour cues in identifying food in the near environment, guiding food choice and memory for eating, and highlight the ways in which tastes and textures influence meal size and the development of satiety after consumption. Considering sensory characteristics as a functional feature of the foods and beverages we consume provides the opportunity for research to identify how sensory enhancements might be combined with energy reduction in otherwise palatable foods to optimize short‐term energy intake regulation in the current food environment. Moving forward, the challenge for sensory nutritional science will be to assess the longer‐term impact of these principles on weight management.
Ideology and Interests in Tax Administration Reform inJamaica
Authors: Gatchair Sonia D.
Published: December 2015

Efforts to amass sufficient resources to meet the ever‐growing demands of citizens often prove to be daunting tasks for many developing countries. These countries, similar to their more developed counterparts, often undertake administrative reforms to increase revenue collection effectiveness and equity. However, the reforms are often slow and fail to achieve their desired objectives. In examining efforts to reform tax administrative systems in Jamaica, this study demonstrates how ideology and interests contributed to expressions of competing and conflicting institutional logics, resulting in the unsuccessful implementation of innovative organizational changes and increased compliance and enforcement. The findings suggest that recognition of, and attention to, competing logics will improve the decisions needed to undertake successful tax administration reforms, in Jamaica and beyond. In particular, theories of public policy and the policy process should deal explicitly with institutional constraints, otherwise their validity of descriptions and prescriptive powers will be considerably weakened.

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Related Media

Friedland,Roger. 2015. “The Value of Institutional Logics.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_YGNwC4GZs

. 2015. “Tax Them and They Will Grow.” July 11.http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21657433-poor-countries-need-get-better-raising-tax-and-multinational-firms-need
Influence of saliva on the oral microbiota
Authors: Marsh Philip D. , Do Thuy , Beighton David , Devine Deirdre A.
Published: December 2015

Saliva plays a major role in determining the composition and activity of the oral microbiota, via a variety of mechanisms. Molecules, mainly from saliva, form a conditioning film on oral surfaces, thus providing receptors for bacterial attachment. The attached cells use saliva components, such as glycoproteins, as their main source of nutrients for growth. Oral bacteria work sequentially and in a concerted manner to catabolize these structurally complex molecules. Saliva also buffers the pH in the biofilm to around neutrality, creating an environment which is conducive to the growth of many oral bacteria that provide important benefits to the host. Components of the adaptive and innate host defences are delivered by saliva, and these often function synergistically, and at sublethal concentrations, so a complex relationship develops between the host and the resident microbiota. Dysbiosis can occur rapidly if the flow of saliva is perturbed.
Salivary changes in oral mucosal diseases
Authors: Hassona Yazan , Scully Crispian
Published: December 2015

Saliva is a unique biological fluid that can be easily collected and analyzed with low cost and low morbidity. Therefore, there is a growing attention for using salivary biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progress and response to treatment. Salivary changes have been described in relation to oral mucosal diseases. This article discusses the causes and consequences of salivary hypofunction and presents a review of the literature related to changes in salivary parameters in various oral mucosal diseases and in systemic diseases with possible oral mucosal involvement.
Gingival crevicular fluid and saliva
Authors: Taylor John J. , Preshaw Philip M.
Published: December 2015

Understanding the structure and function of the mouth, its tissues and secretions is of great interest to physiologists, cell biologists, immunologists and microbiologists but is also of fundamental interest to the dental professional interested in comprehending the aberrant processes associated with oral disease and in the application of effective clinical interventions. The field of periodontology, which has a truly multidisciplinary perspective cutting across leading edge molecular and cellular biology, clinical dentistry, epidemiology and behavioural science, exemplifies this. A paradigm shift in recent years has led to the consideration of the oral cavity (and, thus, oral disease) not in isolation but as a component integrated with systemic physiology, important in maintaining systemic health and reflective of systemic disease; this has served to promote periodontology, in particular, into the forefront of medicine in general. This volume of Periodontology 2000 considers the role of gingival crevicular fluid and saliva in physiological function, maintenance of oral tissue integrity, defense against pathogens and oral disease as well as the many, emerging applications of analysis of these fluids in support of periodontal disease diagnosis, prognosis and epidemiology. However, whilst the emphasis is on periodontal disease, the wider contexts of oral and systemic health are also key considerations.
Prosocial Behavior and Public Service Motivation
Authors: Esteve Marc , Urbig Diemo , van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Boyne George
Published: December 2015

Although research on public service motivation (PSM) is vast, there is little evidence regarding the effects ofPSMon observable behavior. This article contributes to the understanding of the behavioral implications ofPSMby investigating whetherPSMis associated with prosocial behavior. Moreover, it addresses whether and how the behavior of other group members influences this relationship. The article uses the experimental setting of the public goods game, run with a sample of 263 students, in combination with survey‐basedPSMmeasures. A positive link is found betweenPSMand prosocial behavior. This relationship is moderated by the behavior of other group members: high‐PSMpeople act even more prosocially when the other members of the group show prosocial behavior as well, but they do not do so if the behavior of other group members is not prosocial.
Effect of Prenatal and Neonatal Anti‐Androgen Flutamide Treatment on Aquaporin 5 Expression in the Adult Porcine Ovary
Authors: Grzesiak M , Knapczyk‐Stwora K , Luck MR , Mobasheri A , Slomczynska M
Published: December 2015

Contents

The growth of ovarian follicles is accompanied by fluid‐filled antrum formation. Water movement within the follicular wall is predominantly transcellular via membranous water channels named aquaporins (AQPs). Androgens are important regulators of mammalian folliculogenesis, and their prenatal and/or neonatal deficiency affects female fertility in adulthood. Therefore, this study was performed to determine whether gestational or neonatal exposure to the anti‐androgen flutamide influences androgen‐dependent AQP5 expression in pre‐antral and large antral follicles of adult pigs. Flutamide was injected into pregnant gilts between days 80 and 88 of gestation and into female piglets between days 2 and 10 post‐natally. The ovaries were collected from flutamide‐treated and non‐treated (control) sexually mature pigs. In pre‐antral follicles, AQP5 mRNA and protein levels were both downregulated following maternal (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) and neonatal (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) flutamide exposure. Likewise, the expression of mRNA (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) and protein (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) for AQP5 were diminished in large antral follicles in both groups. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased intensity of AQP5 immunoreaction in pre‐antral (p < 0.01) and large antral (p < 0.001) follicles following flutamide treatment. Moreover, radioimmunological analysis revealed that changes observed in AQP5 expression corresponded with diminished follicular androgens production after both maternal (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively) and neonatal (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) flutamide administration. Therefore, AQP5 appears to be a potential regulator of follicular fluid accumulation, under androgen control, and may be a key factor in antral follicle growth.
Tendinopathy alters ultrasound transmission in the patellar tendon during squatting
Authors: Wearing S. C. , Hooper S. L. , Smeathers J. E. , Pourcelot P. , Crevier‐Denoix N. , Brauner T.
Published: December 2015

Measurement of loading patterns of the patellar tendon during activity is important in understanding tendon injury. We used transmission‐mode ultrasonography to investigate patellar tendon loading during squatting in adults with and without tendinopathy. It was hypothesized that axial ultrasonic velocity, a surrogate measure of the elastic modulus of tendon, would be lower in tendinopathy. Ultrasound velocity was measured in both patellar tendons of adults with unilateral patellar tendinopathy (n = 9) and in healthy controls (n = 16) during a bilateral squat maneuver. Sagittal knee movement was measured simultaneously with an electrogoniometer. Statistical comparisons between healthy and injured tendons were made using two‐way mixed‐design ANOVAs. Axial ultrasound velocity in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patellar tendons in tendinopathy was approximately 15% higher than in healthy tendons at the commencement (F1,23 = 5.2, P < 0.05) and completion (F1,23 = 4.5, P < 0.05) of the squat. While peak velocity was ≈5% higher during both flexion (F1,23 = 5.4, P < 0.05) and extension (F1,23 = 5.3, P < 0.05) phases, there was no significant between‐group difference at the midpoint of the movement. There were no significant differences in the rate and magnitude of knee movement between groups. Although further research is required, these findings suggest enhanced baseline muscle activity in patellar tendinopathy and highlight fresh avenues for its clinical management.
Post‐exercise hot water immersion induces heat acclimation and improves endurance exercise performance in the heat
Authors: Zurawlew M. J. , Walsh N. P. , Fortes M. B. , Potter C.
Published: December 2015

We examined whether daily hot water immersion (HWI) after exercise in temperate conditions induces heat acclimation and improves endurance performance in temperate and hot conditions. Seventeen non‐heat‐acclimatized males performed a 6‐day intervention involving a daily treadmill run for 40 min at 65% V̇O2max in temperate conditions (18 °C) followed immediately by either HWI (N = 10; 40 °C) or thermoneutral (CON, N = 7; 34 °C) immersion for 40 min. Before and after the 6‐day intervention, participants performed a treadmill run for 40 min at 65% V̇O2max followed by a 5‐km treadmill time trial (TT) in temperate (18 °C, 40% humidity) and hot (33 °C, 40% humidity) conditions. HWI induced heat acclimation demonstrated by lower resting rectal temperature (Tre, mean, −0.27 °C, P < 0.01), and final Tre during submaximal exercise in 18 °C (−0.28 °C, P < 0.01) and 33 °C (−0.36 °C, P < 0.01). Skin temperature, Tre at sweating onset and RPE were lower during submaximal exercise in 18 °C and 33 °C after 6 days in HWI (P < 0.05). Physiological strain and thermal sensation were also lower during submaximal exercise in 33 °C after 6 days in HWI (P < 0.05). HWI improved TT performance in 33 °C (4.9%, P < 0.01) but not in 18 °C. Thermoregulatory measures and performance did not change in CON. Hot water immersion after exercise on 6 days presents a simple, practical, and effective heat acclimation strategy to improve endurance performance in the heat.
ASSESSMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Authors: Abdullahi Tijjani
Published: December 2015

The knowledge regarding how new materials, technologies and innovation are used, as well as their resulting implications to the society is growing. The study aimed at understanding the trend and views of researchers in defining sustainability of renewable energy sources as it is embedded in within the general concept of sustainable development. Related literatures are reviewed and structured interviews were conducted. It was found that sustainability of any system encompasses ecological (biophysical), economic and social sustainability indicators. Therefore, the paper concludes that any source of energy should be evaluated along the identified sustainable indicators. It also attempted to provide an approach for assessing the sustainability of renewable energies to perfectly serve the primary objectives of integrating renewable energy sources in power generation.
SENSORLESS POSITION CONTROL OF DC MOTOR USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER
Authors: A. Bature Amir , Buyamin Salinda , N. Ahmad Mohamad , Muhammad Mustapha , M. Abdullahi Auwalu
Published: December 2015

Sensors like rotary encoders are widely used in measuring the speed and position of DC motor in applications. Due to expensiveness, calibration complexities of these type of encoders, sensorless methods for measurements were used alternatively. This paper presents sensorless position control of a wheeled DC motor using system identified model. This approach overcome some conventional sensorless techniques that uses some approximations. The model is developed using black box identification scheme, based on the identified model, a model predictive controller was designed to track a desired horizontal position of the wheel. Practical experiment shows the concept gives a very good estimation of the position and speed and can be used in control application.
POTENTIALS OF KENAF FIBRE IN BIO-COMPOSITE PRODUCTION: A REVIEW
Authors: Ezekiel Babatunde Ogunbode , Mohamad Yatim Jamaludin , Ishak Mohd Yunus , Masoud Razavi , Meisam Razavi
Published: December 2015

Kenaf plants are blessing to mankind. Its high carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation rate and ability to clean the air by consuming large quantities of CO2 and also absorbs nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil, which are the main cause of the greenhouse effect has made kenaf significant from the standpoint of environmental friendliness. Today kenaf fibres are envisioned as an alternative medium to replacing conventional materials or synthetic fibres as reinforcement in composites. The low cost, no health risk, low density, high strength and modulus, and availability of kenaf fibres in some countries has made it befitting for use in composites production. This review presents the potential and recent developments of kenaf fibre and its composites. Recommendations for future work are also made.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND SELF-HEALING MECHANISM OF EPOXY MORTAR
Authors: Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Hussin Mohd Warid , Mohd Sam Abdul Rahman , Seung Lee Han , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Samadi Mostafa
Published: December 2015

Crack deformation in concrete start with hairline crack or micro-crack which can lead to major crack if not prevented. Crack can cause a major deterioration to the structure as liquid can penetrate inside and cause damage as a result; the durability of concrete will decrease. Self-healing concrete was introduced to automatically repair hairline crack or micro-crack without external intervention. Previous study had shown that by introducing bacteria into the concrete, the crack will heal itself. This paper presents the study on self-healing mortar by using epoxy resin without hardener as a self-healing agent. The self-healing process was evaluated using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity measurements up to 180 days. Mortar specimens were prepared with mass ratio of 1:3 (cement: fine aggregate), water-cement ratio of 0.48 and 10% epoxy resin of cement content. All tested specimens were subjected to wet-dry curing; where compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile splitting strength and self-healing mechanism were measured. The results obtained shows that, all strength properties of the self-healing epoxy mortar were significantly higher than the control sample and became constant at 10 % of epoxy resin content. Based on the pulse velocity measurements, after 60 days the cracks of the mortar healed automatically as a result of the reaction between the unhardened epoxy resin and hydroxyl ion from cement hydrate. This shows the ability of the epoxy to be used as self-healing agent.
THE EFFECT OF OIL PALM KERNEL SHELL IN PRODUCING DIFFERENT TYPES OF POFA BASED MORTAR
Authors: Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Hussin Mohd Warid , Mohd. Sam Abdul Rahman , Samadi Mostafa , A. Ismail Mohamed , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the utilization of palm oil fuel ash and oil palm kernel shell as cement and sand replacement, respectively in the production of palm oil fuel ash based mortar mixes as part of new and innovative materials in the construction industry. The study includes basic properties such as water absorption, density, compressive strength, and microstructure test with regards to variations in the mix design process. In order to get better performance in terms of strength development, the ash used was subjected to heat treatment and grounded to the size of less than 2 µm. High volume of 80% palm oil fuel ash was used as cement replacement, while 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of oil palm kernel shell was used as sand replacement. The results indicated that the density of the mortar decreases with increasing volume of oil palm kernel ash as sand replacement. Three different types of mortar were produced with different percentages of oil palm kernel shell, which was high strength, medium strength, and low strength lightweight mortars.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF PERFORMANCE OF CAPILLARY BARRIER SYSTEM WITH TRANSPORT LAYER
Authors: Haruna Yunusa Gambo , Kassim Azman , Abu Talib Zaihasra , Mohamed Yoosoof Shabena Jasmin
Published: December 2015

A capillary barrier system is a promising alternative measure for controlling rainfall infiltration into unsaturated residual soil slopes. Although, system with capillary barrier effect has been successfully applied to avert rainfall infiltration in dry and semi-dry climates, its application in humid climates with high precipitation rate is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, this paper evaluates the performance of a modified capillary barrier system with transport layer under humid climatic conditions. The capillary barrier system and the transport layer were simulated with Grade V and Grade VI soils and gravel, respectively. The system was subjected to various rainfall intensities using saturated/unsaturated seepage analysis. When the initial suction of 32 kPa was assigned to the system and subjected to the worst rainfall condition for 24-hour duration, the breakthrough time increases with increase in the thickness of grade VI residual soil layer in the conventional capillary barrier system and the maximum diversion length achieved is less than 2 m. However, when a transport layer was placed at the interface of the grade V and grade VI soils, the diversion length increases to 15 m and avert breakthrough occurrence under the same condition. Therefore, the inclusion of transport layer in a residual soil capillary barrier system improved its performance and prevent breakthrough occurrence.
EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Muhammad Nasiru Zakari , Sani Ashiru , Muhammad Ahmad , Balubaid Saeed , Ernest Ituma Egba , Suleiman Jibrin Hassan
Published: December 2015

Construction labor productivity is critical to the success of the industry. It is thus, important for the estimation and scheduling of construction project. However, most of the traditional construction firms have no accurate data on labor productivity. Therefore, this paper aims to identify through literature review those factors that affect labor production rate and evaluate their effects on the performance of the industry. The research made use of the 44 returned questionnaires from the contractors firms. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to compute the mean score for each factor. These factors were subsequently ranked based on the mean score value.The results of the analysis has shown that, based on the management level factors “lack of motivation and incentive, lack of equipment, disruption of power and water supply and inspection delay” are the most significant factors affecting labour productivity each with mean score values of  0.79, 0.44, 0.38 and 0.35 respectively. Also based on the site level factors “lack of adequate skillful worker with specific scope of work” at site, delay in material supply, weather, access to the site, crew size and communication problems between foreign and local staff are the top six most significant factors affecting labour productivity each with the mean score values of 0.77, 0.75, 0.75, 0.66, 0.61 and 0.53 respectively. Similarly, all the respondents seem to have agreed in their perception on the severity of factors affecting labour productivity.
POLYMER CONCRETE TO NORMAL CONCRETE BOND STRENGTH: MOHR-COULOMB THEORY
Authors: Hussin Mohd Warid , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Ismail Mohammad , A. Ismail Mohamed , Mohamed Azman , A. Rashid Ahmad Safuan , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Samadi Mostafa
Published: December 2015

This paper discusses an experimental study conducted to evaluate the bonding strength between polymer concrete (PC) and normal concrete (PC) bond substrate. Ground palm oil fuel ash (GPOFA) was incorporated as micro-filler in this polymer concrete (PC GPOFA) to investigate its effect on bonding strength. As comparisons, PC containing others filler were prepared, i.e., PC incorporating calcium carbonate (PC CaCO3), silica sand (PC Sand), and unground POFA (PC UPOFA) filler. Two tests were conducted to investigate the bonding between two substrates through slant shear and splitting tensile test. Since the critical condition surface (smooth surface) was provided, then, effect of bonding was determined by using Mohr-Coulomb theory. The overall results indicated that PC incorporating GPOFA was improved the bond to normal concrete. This result indicates that the bonding strength PC to NC at critical condition. This was affected by self-adhesive of polymer concrete to the normal concrete. The self-adhesive characteristic such as pure shear strength of polymer concrete to normal concrete also can be found in Mohr-coulomb analysis. All-in all, the PC incorporating ground POFA could improve the bond to the normal concrete. These findings expected to bring the knowledge and information to engineers and fabricators.
CONTRACTOR SELECTION AT PREQUALIFICATION STAGE: CURRENT EVALUATION AND SHORTCOMINGS
Authors: Rashvand Pooria , Abd Majid Muhd Zaimi , Baniahmadi Mahmoud , Ghavamirad Farzan
Published: December 2015

The selection of a suitable contractor for a construction project is one of the most important decisions a client can make for the development of the project. Prequalification is a procedure to examine and gauge the competency and skills of contractors to successfully complete a project if it is given to them. However, the evaluation employed for some prequalification is still ambiguous or highly subjective. This study aims to investigate the shortcoming of the current prequalification evaluation for contractor selection. The methodology of the study is based on a comprehensive literature review and expert survey whereby the criticality of data, obtained from the literature was analysed using expert in the field. Among the prequalification criteria, the current evaluation that employed for management capability is highly ambiguous. Two important shortcomings of current prequalification models regarding the evaluation of management capability were identified. First, the models are not comprehensive since all the variables related to the management capability are not included. Secondly, the models focused almost exclusively on time and cost performance as outcome variables, which may not be enough to evaluate the management capability of contractors. Better evaluation methods have to be developed to assess the management capability prequalification as it has a major impact on time and cost performance of contractors. Therefor future study must be conducted to develop a model that evaluates the management capability of contractors based on the relative variables for the purpose of improving current prequalification selection.
STRENGTH CAPACITY OF BOLTED SHEAR CONNECTORS WITH COLD-FORMED STEEL SECTION INTEGRATED AS COMPOSITE BEAM IN SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE
Authors: Muhammad Lawan Mustapha , Md. Tahir Mahmood
Published: December 2015

The use of composite systems comprising of concrete and hot-rolled steel (HRS) sections is well established as observed by extensive rules and requirements for their design as prescribed in current design codes. There is, however, few technical information available about the use of composite systems that incorporates the use of light gauge steel sections, despite the potentials of the system in residential and light industrial constructions. Therefore, this study investigates the strength capacity of bolted shear connectors with cold-formed steel (CFS) section integrated as composite beam in self-compacting concrete. In this paper, four composite beam specimens of dimensions (4500 mm x 1500 mm x 75 mm) with bolted shear connectors of M12 and M14 of grade 8.8 installed on the upper flanges of the coupled back-to-back CFS I-section with longitudinal spacing’s of 250 mm and 300 mm centers and spaced 75 mm laterally were fabricated, cast and tested to failure using four-point bending test. Shear connector size and the longitudinal spacing were the varied parameters, and their influence was investigated on the ultimate load and ultimate moment capacities. The results showed that, the ultimate load and ultimate moment capacities were both influenced remarkably by the studied parameters. However, results of theoretical analysis, revealed good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical results. This shows that, the plastic analysis results for the ultimate moment capacity of the composite beams can be estimated efficiently by using the constitutive laws as prescribed by Eurocodes.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE AMONG LEAF BLOWER AND GRASS CUTTER WORKERS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Authors: Haron Zaiton , Darus Nadirah , Ming Han Lim , Jahya Zanariah , Abdul Hamid Mohamad Fauzi , Yahya Khairulzan , Ling Lee Yee , Ngian Shek Poi
Published: December 2015

Many occupational noise exposure studies have been conducted in various occupational sectors. However, in Malaysia, there are limited numbers of study on grass cutter workers and there is no study on leaf blower workers. Thus, this preliminary study was conducted to assess both occupational noise exposure among leaf blower and grass cutter workers by measuring occupational noise exposure, determining sound power level of the machines and conducting interview session. A total of 20 workers were selected from a public university as study subjects. Noise dosimeter and sound level meter were used to measure the occupational noise exposure and sound pressure level of all machines in determining their sound power levels respectively. Most of the workers were exposed to daily noise dose and time-weighted average (TWA) noise level which exceed the permissible limits. All machines recorded a high sound power level and several workers showed prevalence symptoms of hearing loss. This preliminary study revealed that most of the workers are exposed to excessive occupational noise exposure and at high risk of acquiring noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
STABILITY TEST FOR NaI(TI) SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
Authors: Susiapan Yvette , Abd. Rahim Ruzairi , Mohd. Zain Rasif , Wahab Ahmad Ridwan , Wahid Herman , Ishak Mohd Hafis Izran , Bunyamin Salinda , Yunus Yusri , Pei Ling Leow
Published: December 2015

The objective of this endeavor is to present a brief description of a stability test performed on a NaI(TI) scintillation detector to determine its most suitable operating voltage range. The Chi-square test is used to check the reliability of the data obtained. Some test results are included.
3D MODELLING OF ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE AND ULTRASONIC SENSOR INTEGRATION USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: Pusppanathan Jaysuman , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Phang Fatin Aliah , Abas Khairul Hamimah , Sahlan Shafishuhaza , Mohamad Elmy Johana
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a three dimensional (3D) modelling of a dual modality sensor composite which emerges electrical capacitance sensor (ES) and ultrasonic transducer (UT) for process tomography applications. The dual-modality tomography (DMT) setup has employed a customized ES electrodes along with UT on a single-plane. A finite element method is used to analyze the feasibility and the behavior of the DMT setup in 3D environment using COMSOL Multiphysics software. This simulation is performed both in a homogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions to investigate the wave distribution and its pattern thus the simulation results are presented in this paper.
SENSITIVITY MAPS RECONSTRUCTION FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION TOMOGRAPHY MODALITY USING EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Authors: Zakaria Zulkarnay , Suki Hafizi , Mohamad Talib Masturah Tunnur , Balkhis Ibrahim , Ibrahim Maliki , Mansor Muhammad Saiful Badri , Rahiman Mohd Hafiz Fazalul , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi
Published: December 2015

Magnetic induction tomography (MIT) is a relatively new non-contacting technique for visualization of passive electrical property distribution inside a media. In any tomography system, the image is reconstructed using image reconstruction algorithm which requires sensitivity maps. There are three methods of acquiring sensitivity maps; finite element technique, analytically or experimentally. This research will focus on the experimentally method. Normally sensitivity map is generates using finite element technique that usually ignore certain parameters in real setup which in turn contribute to errors or blur in the reconstructed image. Thus experimental technique needs to be explored as an improvement as it is based on real parameters exists in the experimental setup. This paper starts with general view of magnetic induction tomography, image reconstruction algorithm and finally on the experimental technique of generating sensitivity maps.
SOUND EXPOSURE AND WATER SUPPLY MODIFICATION EFFECT TOWARDS THE ROSS BROILERS GROWTH RATE
Authors: Ghazali Rashidah , Abdul Rahim Herlina , Shikh Maidin Mashitah , Sahlan Shafishuhaza
Published: December 2015

Previous research about the exposure of Mozart music and noise and the effects towards the feeding, growth rate and the stress level of the broilers were explored.Music has the ability to have a relaxing and antidepressant effect on humans, mammals and birds. Reports that music calms animals and improves productivity appear in commercial journals. The present study investigated the growth rate comparisons between the experimented broilers (Group A: water supply modification group; Group B: sound exposure group) and the control broilers (Group C: control group) in terms of weight and raw meat texture measured by shear force. The water supply modification group was given 12 litres of Yasin water twice per day while the sound exposure group were broadcasted with sound of Quran verses. Twenty-seven broilers were randomly selected from each group on Day 24 and weight measurement was carried out every week until the harvest day (Day 39). Group B showed a higher mean weight on Day 24 (1.441 ± 0.013 kg) than Group A and C. Significant difference in the weight on Day 39 existed for both Group A and B compared to Group C (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference of shear force in the same muscles (breast and drumstick raw meat) of the three groups but the shear force of the breast meat for Group A, B and C broilers was lower (p < 0.05) than that of their drumstick meat. Broadcasting the sound of the Quran verses in the coop and adding Yasin water to the broilers’ drink can be applied to improve the growth rate of broilers for producing better quality poultry.
SENSITIVITY MAP GENERATION FOR CONDUCTING STRATEGY IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Ridzuan Aw Suzanna , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Mohd Yunus Fazlul Rahman , Fazalul Rahiman Mohd Hafiz , Abdul Wahab Yasmin , Nor Shah Mohd Badril , Pusppanathan Jayasuman , Mohamed Elmy Johana
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the sensitivity map generation of Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) for a system using conducting vessel pipe. A finite element model software using 2D COMSOL model consisting of 16 electrodes were attached invasively in a stainless steel pipe to solve for the forward problem. The conducting boundary approach was applied to the system to avoid the grounding effect.
INITIAL STUDY ON MICROWAVE TECHNIQUE TO FIND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTENUATION OF MICROWAVE AND THICKNESS OF A SUBJECT
Authors: Tan Wan Kiat Thomas , Fazalul Rahiman Mohd Hafiz , Ping Jack Soh , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the initial study of microwave tomography in agriculture to investigate the effect of microwave signal on the thickness of a medium. In this project, a pair of antennas is used non-invasively where one of it acts as a transmitter and the other one as a receiver. The investigation was based on the transmission and reception of antennas in a transversal direction while several samples of mediums with different thickness are put between those antennas. The result obtained throughout this initial study had shown that the attenuation of microwave will vary with the diameter of the medium. The information and analysis of the preliminary results can be used as a reference for further investigation on the selected medium.
AN INITIAL STUDY ON A NON-INVASIVE ULTRASONIC TOMOGRAPHY FOR GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED EPOXY (GFRE) COMPOSITES PIPE
Authors: Thiam Siow Lean , Fazalul Rahiman Mohd Hafiz , Abdul Majid Mohd Shukry , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an application of ultrasonic tomography on the E-glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite pipe. The paper presents a transmission mode ultrasonic tomography. Mathematical estimation of ultrasonic wave propagation between the E-glass composite pipe and other media boundaries are of interest in this paper. In the case of direct transmission, the reflection and transmission coefficient of transmitted ultrasonic wave was calculated.
ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL AND ELECTRICAL FIELD DISTRIBUTION OF SQUARE ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Din Mohammad , Pei Ling Leow , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Mohd Razali Nur Adila , Pusppanathan Jaysuman , Pei Song Chee , Azmi Aizat
Published: December 2015

Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) system helps user to understand the flow distribution inside the close pipe by detecting the variation of permittivity distribution in the inspection area. Generally, most reported ECT systems are implemented to circular shape pipe only. However, square shape pipes are sometimes found in power industry and chemical reactor, therefore this paper is studying the electrical distribution of ECT system within a square pipe. ECT is able to provide fast response, low cost and non-radiation system but similar to all other electrical tomography system, ECT suffers from soft-field effect. This paper proposes segmentation excitation to overcome this problem. Segmentation excitation applies when more than one electrode excited at one time. This paper focuses Protocol 2 or 2-electrode excitation for 8-electrode square ECT system. The simulation was done by using COMSOL Multiphysics.  The images of the excitations are presented in this paper. The electrical potential is recorded at the center of the system to analyses the strength of the electrical potential. In addition for square ECT system, the corner configuration provides 3.40% higher electrical potential compared to side excitation configuration.
PROTYPE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION SERVER FOR SEAMLESS NETWORK HANDOVER OVER IPTV APPLICATION
Authors: R. Mohamed Rajina , Hashim Wahidah , Sameon Sera Syarmila
Published: December 2015

The use of mobile phone increases exponentially in our daily activities because it is light, mobile and handy that can be used anytime and anywhere. Checking emails, updating our daily status and diary, reading the latest news and online purchasing requires continuous network connection as well as a battery that can last. But sometimes the performance of internet speed is too weak where users are experiencing some problems and eventually leads to network disruption. Hence, users should be given the option to choose the internet connection or internet service provider that offer better service at that time moreover during an emergency. In this paper, we propose a development of Information Server to provide information to consumers about the available network surrounding within a reasonable time upon requested. This method is applied in the user terminal to allow the user freedom to decode on the best network handover.
IMPROVED DENSITY BASED ALGORITHM FOR DATA STREAM CLUSTERING
Authors: Mousavi Maryam , Abu Bakar Azuraliza
Published: December 2015

In recent years, clustering methods have attracted more attention in analysing and monitoring data streams. Density-based techniques are the remarkable category of clustering techniques that are able to detect the clusters with arbitrary shapes and noises. However, finding the clusters with local density varieties is a difficult task. For handling this problem, in this paper, a new density-based clustering algorithm for data streams is proposed. This algorithm can improve the offline phase of density-based algorithm based on MinPts parameter. The experimental results show that the proposed technique can improve the clustering quality in data streams with different densities.
STATE-OF-THE-ART OF CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION IN MALAYSIA: A REVIEW
Authors: Abdul Hamid Hanifah , Mohd Yusof Mokhtar
Published: December 2015

Cloud computing has made a significant transformation of information technology environment as well as the way the business is conducted in any organizations. While its advantages are obvious, its challenges need to be clearly addressed to ensure successful adoption. This article provides an insights of cloud computing adoption in Malaysia at the national level as well as a review of cloud adoption from various fields and domains in Malaysia which led to research direction in the future. Malaysia is being dedicated towards cloud adoption nationally, and keep its good progress to equip itself as a cloud-friendly country. However, security challenges seem to slow down the effort, thus these need to be dealt with properly.
THE SWARM-BASED EXPLORATION ALGORITHM WITH EXPANDED CIRCLE PATTERN FOR SEARCHING ACTIVITIES
Authors: Riza Zuhri Muhammad Fuad , Zahari Ammar , Desia Recky , Ismail Amelia Ritahani , Al Haek Mohammed
Published: December 2015

Searching Mechanism is an important technique that is usually used by Search and Rescue team to find people especially victims for natural disasters. In this paper, we propose an exploration algorithm using quadcopter in simulation to discover an unknown area that is based on the expanding circle pattern for searching activities. Expanding circle searching pattern is a circular search procedure that is conducted by a series of distances around a fixed reference point, which can be used for unknown area exploration. The simulation is implemented in a swarm-based environment as it can increase the performance of robots for exploration compared to the non-swarm based environment. Based on the initial simulation result, the swarm-based exploration algorithm with the expanding circle pattern can maximize the searching area covered if compared with only having individual searching robot.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF USING TELESCOPIC INVERTED PENDULUM MODEL TO REPRESENT A THREE LINK SYSTEM FOR SIT TO STAND MOTION
Authors: Miskon Muhammad Fahmi , Ghazali Mohd Zaki , Bahar Mohd Bazli , Xiao Lin Chew , Ali Fariz
Published: December 2015

Sit to stand (STS) is a very challenging motion for any humanoid robotic system. In humanoid robotics field, the STS motion on the sagittal plane can be predicted using three-link robot inverse kinematic and dynamic model. However, a three-link model is complicated and requires high computational resource to compute. Hence, in this paper a much simpler model namely telescopic inverted pendulum is proposed. The objective of this project is to model and validate sit to stand motion of humanoid robot using telescopic inverted pendulum model. In order to validate the model, simulated joint torques using both three-link and TIPS model are compared using MATLAB software. Result shows that there is a linear relationship between Telescopic Inverted Pendulum with the 3 Link model thus, it is feasible to use TIPS to represent STS motion of a three-link multi-segment robot.
PARTICLE FILTER IN SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING (SLAM) USING DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE MOBILE ROBOT
Authors: Mohamad Yatim Norhidayah , Buniyamin Norlida
Published: December 2015

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) problem is a well-known problem in robotics, where a robot has to localize itself and map its environment simultaneously. Particle filter (PF) is one of the most adapted estimation algorithms for SLAM apart from Kalman filter (KF) and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). In this work, particle filter algorithm has been successfully implemented using a simple differential drive mobile robot called e-puck. The performance of the algorithm implemented is analyzed via varied number of particles. From simulation, accuracy of the resulting maps differed according to the number of particles used. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of a larger number of particles is smaller compared to a lower number of particles after a period of time.