bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolved: there is sufficient scientific evidence that decreasing sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption will reduce the prevalence of obesity and obesity‐related diseases
Authors: Hu F. B.
Published: June 2013

Sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the single largest source of added sugar and the top source of energy intake in the U.S. diet. In this review, we evaluate whether there is sufficient scientific evidence that decreasing SSB consumption will reduce the prevalence of obesity and its related diseases. Because prospective cohort studies address dietary determinants of long‐term weight gain and chronic diseases, whereas randomized clinical trials (RCTs) typically evaluate short‐term effects of specific interventions on weight change, both types of evidence are critical in evaluating causality. Findings from well‐powered prospective cohorts have consistently shown a significant association, established temporality and demonstrated a direct dose–response relationship between SSB consumption and long‐term weight gain and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A recently published meta‐analysis of RCTs commissioned by the World Health Organization found that decreased intake of added sugars significantly reduced body weight (0.80 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–1.21; P < 0.001), whereas increased sugar intake led to a comparable weight increase (0.75 kg, 0.30–1.19; P = 0.001). A parallel meta‐analysis of cohort studies also found that higher intake of SSBs among children was associated with 55% (95% CI 32–82%) higher risk of being overweight or obese compared with those with lower intake. Another meta‐analysis of eight prospective cohort studies found that one to two servings per day of SSB intake was associated with a 26% (95% CI 12–41%) greater risk of developing T2D compared with occasional intake (less than one serving per month). Recently, two large RCTs with a high degree of compliance provided convincing data that reducing consumption of SSBs significantly decreases weight gain and adiposity in children and adolescents. Taken together, the evidence that decreasing SSBs will decrease the risk of obesity and related diseases such as T2D is compelling. Several additional issues warrant further discussion. First, prevention of long‐term weight gain through dietary changes such as limiting consumption of SSBs is more important than short‐term weight loss in reducing the prevalence of obesity in the population. This is due to the fact that once an individual becomes obese, it is difficult to lose weight and keep it off. Second, we should consider the totality of evidence rather than selective pieces of evidence (e.g. from short‐term RCTs only). Finally, while recognizing that the evidence of harm on health against SSBs is strong, we should avoid the trap of waiting for absolute proof before allowing public health action to be taken.
Myopia, contact lens use and self‐esteem
Authors: Dias Lynette , Manny Ruth E , Weissberg Erik , Fern Karen D
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To evaluate whether contact lens (CL) use was associated with self‐esteem in myopic children originally enrolled in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET), that after 5 years continued as an observational study of myopia progression with CL use permitted.

Methods

Usable data at the 6‐year visit, one year after CL use was allowed (n = 423/469, age 12–17 years), included questions on CL use, refractive error measurements and self‐reported self‐esteem in several areas (scholastic/athletic competence, physical appearance, social acceptance, behavioural conduct and global self‐worth). Self‐esteem, scored from 1 (low) to 4 (high), was measured by the Self‐Perception Profile for Children in participants under 14 years or the Self‐Perception Profile for Adolescents, in those 14 years and older. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between self‐esteem and relevant factors identified by univariate analyses (e.g., CL use, gender, ethnicity), while adjusting for baseline self‐esteem prior to CL use.

Results

Mean (±S.D.) self‐esteem scores at the 6‐year visit (mean age = 15.3 ± 1.3 years; mean refractive error = −4.6 ± 1.5 D) ranged from 2.74 (± 0.76) on athletic competence to 3.33 (± 0.53) on global self‐worth. CL wearers (n = 224) compared to eyeglass wearers (n = 199) were more likely to be female (p < 0.0001). Those who chose to wear CLs had higher social acceptance, athletic competence and behavioural conduct scores (p < 0.05) at baseline compared to eyeglass users. CL users continued to report higher social acceptance scores at the 6‐year visit (p = 0.03), after adjusting for baseline scores and other covariates. Ethnicity was also independently associated with social acceptance in the multivariable analyses (p = 0.011); African‐Americans had higher scores than Asians, Whites and Hispanics. Age and refractive error were not associated with self‐esteem or CL use.

Conclusions

COMET participants who chose to wear CLs after 5 years of eyeglass use had higher self‐esteem compared to those who remained in glasses both preceding and following CL use. This suggests that self‐esteem may influence the decision to wear CLs and that CLs in turn are associated with higher self‐esteem in individuals most likely to wear them.
Pulmonary aspiration in pediatric anesthetic practice in the UK: a prospective survey of specialist pediatric centers over a one‐year period
Authors: Walker Robert W.M.
Published: June 2013

Background

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is a potentially devastating complication of anesthesia.

Aims

This prospective multicenter survey of specialist pediatric centers in the UK set out to elucidate the incidence, risk factors, and the outcome of such events. The survey took place over a twelve‐month period via a web‐based secure reporting system.

Results

Over the twelve‐month period, 24 cases of pulmonary aspiration were reported. Over that time period, there were 118 371 cases performed at the eleven pediatric centers. The overall incidence of pulmonary aspiration is therefore 1 in 4932 cases or 2 in 10 000 cases. Over that time period, there were 18 cases during elective surgery and six cases in nonelective/emergency surgery. The incidence of pulmonary aspiration in the elective situation is therefore 1 in 5076 cases or 2.0 per 10 000 cases. The incidence in emergency procedures is 1 in 4498 cases or 2.2 per 10 000 cases.

The timing and severity of deterioration were recorded. In the study period, 8 of 24 cases did not deteriorate, 13 of 24 deteriorated with immediate effect, and the further 3 of 24 deteriorated within the next hour. The deterioration was mild in 11 patients requiring medical management only, and the deterioration was severe in five patients. Those five patients required ventilation for varying durations of time. All patients made a full recovery.

Conclusions

This multicenter survey of specialist pediatric centers in the UK over a one‐year period reveals a low incidence of pulmonary aspiration in both elective and emergency cases. All patients made a full recovery.
Development of an expressed gene catalogue and molecular markers from the de novo assembly of short sequence reads of the lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) transcriptome
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Shah Niraj , Bhatia Sabhyata
Published: June 2013

Genomic resources such as ESTs, molecular markers and linkage maps are essential for crop improvement. However, these resources are still limited in important legumes such as lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), which is valued world wide as a rich source of dietary protein. In this study, the de novo transcriptome assembly of 119 855 798 short reads, generated by Illumina paired‐end sequencing, was performed using various assembly programs. This resulted in 42 196 nonredundant high‐quality transcripts of average length 810 bases, N50 value of 1 432 and an average expression per transcript of 26.21 rpkm reads per kilobase per million(RPKM). Similarity search with the unigenes and protein sequences of other plants resulted in maximum similarity with soybean. A total of 20 009 nonredundant transcripts showed similarity with the UniProtKB database and of these, 18 064 transcripts were grouped into three main GO categories, that is, biological process (15 126), molecular function (15 505) and cellular component (9 434). Annotated transcripts were mapped to 289 predicted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and 8 893 transcripts were classified into 24 functional categories based on Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) of proteins. Mining the data set for the presence of SSRs resulted in 8 722 SSRs with a frequency occurrence of one SSR per 3.92 kb. From these, 5 673 SSR primer pairs were designed, and a subset of these were utilized for diversity analysis. This study, which provides a large data set of annotated transcripts and gene‐based SSR markers, would serve as a foundation for various applications in lentil breeding and genetics.
Evaluation of genetic markers for prediction of preharvest sprouting tolerance in hard white winter wheats
Authors: Graybosch Robert A. , St. Amand Paul , Bai Guihua
Published: June 2013

Preharvest sprouting of wheat results in significant financial loss at all steps in the production and marketing chain. Due to its intermittent nature in many wheat‐growing regions, direct selection for tolerance to preharvest sprouting is difficult. DNA markers linked to genes conditioning tolerance offer a more consistent and reliable approach to genetic improvement in tolerance. This investigation assessed the value of previously identified markers linked to quantitative trait loci contributing to tolerance, across multiple genetic backgrounds. A significant contribution to tolerance was demonstrated for QPhs.pseru‐3AS, previously identified from the hard white winter wheat ‘Rio Blanco’. Marker alleles for this locus were associated with enhanced tolerance in three of four investigated populations. In addition, positive contributions of QPhs.pseru‐2B1 and QPhs.pseru‐2B2 also were documented. Simultaneous selection for putative marker alleles at two independent loci resulted in significantly higher mean tolerance scores. DNA markers linked to loci contributing to variation in preharvest sprouting tolerance offer an efficient and effective alternative to direct phenotypic selection.
Coordinated Logistics: Joint Replenishment with Capacitated Transportation for a Supply Chain
Authors: Büyükkaramikli Nasuh C. , Gürler Ülkü , Alp Osman
Published: June 2013

In this study, we consider the integrated inventory replenishment and transportation operations in a supply chain where the orders placed by the downstream retailer are dispatched by the upstream warehouse via an in‐house fleet of limited size. We first consider the single‐item single‐echelon case where the retailer operates with a quantity based replenishment policy, ( r, Q), and the warehouse is an ample supplier. We model the transportation operations as a queueing system and derive the operating characteristics of the system in exact terms. We extend this basic model to a two‐echelon supply chain where the warehouse employs a base‐stock policy. The departure process of the warehouse is characterized in distribution, which is then approximated by an Erlang arrival process by matching the first two moments for the analysis of the transportation queueing system. The operating characteristics and the expected cost rate are derived. An extension of this system to multiple retailers is also discussed. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the performance and the sensitivity of the models and the value of coordinating inventory and transportation operations.
Paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 Expression in Granulosa Cells and PON1 Activity in Follicular Fluid of Dairy Cows
Authors: Schneider A , Absalon‐Medina VA , Esposito G , Corrêa MN , Butler WR
Published: June 2013

Contents

Normal metabolic activity in ovarian follicles may result in oxidative stress and damage to oocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of the natural anti‐oxidants paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 in granulosa cells and PON1 activity in follicular fluid (FF) and plasma of dairy cows. For the first experiment, ovaries were collected from cows at slaughter, after which follicles were dissected and classified as oestrogen active (EAF) or atretic (ATF). Expression of PON1, PON2 and PON3 mRNA was evaluated in granulosa cells, and activity of PON1 was measured in FF. PON1 mRNA was undetectable in granulosa cells, PON2 mRNA expression was not different between follicle types, and PON3 mRNA tended to be higher in EAF (p = 0.11). The activity of PON1 in FF was higher (p = 0.01) for EAF (82.6 ± 8.0 kU/L) than ATF (53.9 ± 6.8 kU/L), as were high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol concentrations. In the second experiment, we aimed to compare plasma and FF PON1 activity in early lactation Holstein cows (n = 15) with pre‐ovulatory EAF. Activity of PON1 was twofold higher (p < 0.0001) in plasma (122.5 ± 11.1 kU/L) than in FF (61.4 ± 5.2 kU/L). Plasma concentrations were also higher (p < 0.0001) for HDL, LDL and total cholesterol when compared to FF. In conclusion, FF concentrations of PON1, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol were higher in healthy oestrogen active bovine follicles than in atretic follicles. PON1 was not expressed by granulosa cells indicating that high PON1 activity in bovine FF is apparently derived by transfer from blood in association with HDL.
Promoting Seismic Retrofit Implementation Through “Nudge”: Using Warranty as a Driver
Authors: Fujimi Toshio , Tatano Hirokazu
Published: June 2013

This article proposes a new type of warranty policy that applies the “nudge” concept developed by Thaler and Sunstein to encourage homeowners in Japan to implement seismic retrofitting. Homeowner adaptation to natural disasters through loss reduction measures is known to be inadequate. To encourage proactive risk management, the “nudge” approach capitalizes on how choice architecture can influence human decision‐making tendencies. For example, people tend to place more value on a warranty for consumer goods than on actuarial value. This article proposes a “warranty for seismic retrofitting” as a “nudge” policy that gives homeowners the incentive to adopt loss reduction measures. Under such a contract, the government guarantees all repair costs in the event of earthquake damage to the house if the homeowner implements seismic retrofitting. To estimate the degree to which a warranty will increase the perceived value of seismic retrofitting, we use field survey data from 1,200 homeowners. Our results show that a warranty increases the perceived value of seismic retrofitting by an average of 33%, and an approximate cost‐benefit analysis indicates that such a warranty can be more economically efficient than an ex ante subsidy. Furthermore, we address the failure of the standard expected utility model to explain homeowners’ decisions based on warranty evaluation, and explore the significant influence of ambiguity aversion on the efficacy of seismic retrofitting and nonanalytical factors such as feelings or trust.
Molecular HPA genotyping by microarray in Brazilian blood donors
Authors: Conti Fabiana , Bertrand Gerald , Dezan Marcia , Costa Thiago , Aravechia Maria , Mota Mariza , Castilho Lilian , Kaplan Cécile , Kutner José
Published: June 2013

Background

Human platelet antigens (HPA) polymorphisms may cause HPA alloimmunization, platelet (PLT) refractoriness, fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, and posttransfusion purpura. Characterized by significant racial admixture, the Brazilian population might benefit from the knowledge about HPA frequency to guide decision‐making concerning PLT transfusion.

Study Design and Methods

HPA frequencies were determined in 158 DNA samples from Brazilian blood donors by microarray for HPA‐1 to ‐9, ‐11, and ‐15. A HPA‐2 discrepancy was solved by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) and sequencing.

Results

While a alleles were predominant for HPA‐1 to ‐9 and ‐11, b alleles were absent for HPA‐6, ‐7, ‐8, and ‐11. HPA‐3 and HPA‐15 had a higher prevalence of ab genotypes. One case of HPA‐4ab and two cases of HPA‐9abw were detected, the latter not previously described in Brazilian blood donors. One sample was not interpretable for HPA‐2 due to a GPIb 468 C>G mutation; this donor was characterized as HPA‐2ab by PCR‐SSP and sequencing.

Conclusion

Allele frequencies were comparable to those described in other Brazilian studies. Rare HPA‐9 alleles were described in Brazilians for the first time. A mutation near the HPA‐2 polymorphism suggests that complementary methods might be necessary in specific cases. PLT genotyping by microarray proved to be fast, accurate, and reliable.
Sulfate and Sulfuric Acid Resistance of Geopolymer Mortars Using Waste Blended Ash
Authors: Bhutta M. Aamer Rafique , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Hussin Mohd Warid , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah
Published: June 2013

This paper presents the chemical resistance of geopolymer mortars prepared from the combination of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) and pulverized fuel ash (PFA) from agro–industrial waste as cement replacement and activated by alkaline solution. Alkaline solution was prepared by combining sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. The concentration of alkaline solution used was 14 Molar. The optimum mix proportions of geopolymer mortars with PFA: POFA mass ratio of 70:30 was used together with alkaline solution. The ratio of sodium silicate solution–to–sodium hydroxide solution by mass was 2.5:1. The mass ratio of sand to blended ashes was 3:1. Test specimens 70×70×70 mm cube were prepared and cured at room temperature (28°C) for 28–d and heat–cured at 90°C for 24 h, respectively. Then specimens were exposed to 5% sodium sulfate solution and 2% sulfuric acid solution for 28–d, 56–d, 90–d, 180–d and 365–d .The evaluation was done by visual observation, mass change, and loss of compressive strength. The test results revealed that geopolymer mortars showed higher resistance to acids as compared to ordinary Portland cement mortar due to the elimination of cement in the mixture.
The Effect of Groove–Underside Shaped Concrete Block on Pavement Permanent Deformation
Authors: M. Azman, , Md Nor Hasanan , Hainin Mohd Rosli , Yaacob Haryati , Ismail Che Ros , A. K. Nur Hafizah,
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the permanent deformation of Concrete Block Pavement (CBP) with the underside surface grooved. Permanent deformation is one of the important factors that influence pavement performance and often happens due to increases in axle load and tire pressure. Such increments have also resulted in greater increment of contact pressure at the tyre–pavement interface. In this study, a new CBP was developed with the concrete blocks grooved at the underside block surface to reduce pavement permanent deformation, termed as Underside Shaped Concrete Blocks (USCB). 13 USCBs were manufactured in the laboratory in this study with their patterns divided into three categories. The CBP models were constructed, from bottom to top, with hard neoprene, 70 mm thick loose bedding sand, and jointing sand which was used to fill in the gaps between USCBs. The test pavement was subjected to 10,000 rounds of load repetition under 1,000 kg single wheel load using the first Malaysian accelerated loading facility called Highway Accelerated Loading Instrument (HALI). The pavement was examined in terms of transverse deformation profile, average rut depth along the wheel path, and longitudinal rut profile other than being visually inspected. Results indicated that permanent deformation is significantly influenced by USCB geometry, groove shape, groove depth, bedding sand settlement during block setting, and load repetitions. From the results, it has been proven that USCB is a potential choice for CBP construction to reduce permanent deformation.
The Effect of Steel Yielding on CFRP Plated Steel Member by Partial Interaction Theory
Authors: Akbar Ibrisam , Oehlers Deric , Sadakkathulla Mohamed Ali
Published: June 2013

The reliability in strengthening concrete or steel structures using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) depends on the success of the stress transfer between the two materials. This paper presented a simple numerical approach to simulate the stress transfer by applying partial interaction theory. The numerical approach uses a local bond–slip (τ–δ) model obtained from a previous experimental work. Pull tests were conducted on a dog–bone shaped steel specimens to initiate yielding of the steel. Results from the tests and published data compared with the numerical values show good correlations. These provide useful insights in the existence of full and partial interaction regions along the bonded length of the CFRP.
Pengurusan Kerja Rumah dalam Kalangan Guru di Malaysia
Authors: Asaron Makheran , Tunggak Buerah , Zainal Khalim , Kassim Jainabee
Published: June 2013

Fokus utama kajian adalah untuk mengenal pasti sumbangan aspek-aspek pengurusan kerja rumah kepada kesan kerja rumah terhadap murid. Kerangka kajian adalah berasaskan kepada Teori Struktur Tugas Ames (1992), Model Proses Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keberkesanan Kerja Rumah Cooper (2007), kerangka pengurusan kerja rumah Zaharah (2001) serta Model Enam Penglibatan Epstein (1995). Data diperolehi menerusi soal selidik, temu bual dan analisis dokumen. Seramai 523 orang guru Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris, Matematik dan Sains serta 480 orang murid tingkatan empat daripada 50 buah sekolah menengah kebangsaan dipilih sebagai responden, manakala enam orang guru terlibat sebagai peserta temu bual. Data soal selidik dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan inferensi menerusi program SPSS-Versi 15.0. Analisis regresi menunjukkan pemberian maklum balas, penetapan tujuan kerja rumah dan beban kerja rumah menyumbang secara signifikan ke atas kesan positif kerja rumah.
Modeling of Novel Microfluidic based Flow Sensor Inspired from Fish Canal Neuromast for Underwater Sensing
Authors: Mat Nawi Mohd Norzaidi
Published: June 2013

Modeling of the microfluidic based flow sensor that inspired from the canal neuromast in the fish lateral line system has been presented in this paper. The structure of the sensor consists of the dome-shaped membrane integrated with the microchannel which is filled with electrolyte. The analysis on the model was carried out using the computational fluid dynamic and finite element method. Based on the simulation, higher performance can be achieved by increase the outer radius and decrease the ratio of the radius of the dome-shaped membrane. The PDMS material was suggested for this sensor because of its advantages that is easily deformed and suitable to implement as membrane. We proposed using the microfluidic technology as a sensing element because of the simple structure and ease to fabricate compare to the common sensing element such as piezoresistive and strain gage.
Pemikiran Akidah Imam Al-Syafi’i
Authors: Nizar Tamar Jaya , Mohd Yusof Farahwahida
Published: June 2013

Nama Imam al-Syafi’i merupakan satu nama besar sebagai tokoh pemikiran Islam. Penulisan berkaitan pemikiran beliau terhadap bidang akidah diketengahkan dalam artikel ini melihatkan kedudukan mazhab Syafi`i sebagai mazhab pegangan bagi umat Islam di Malaysia. Dengan mengetengahkan perbincangan berkaitan af`al al-ibad (perbuatan manusia), kuasa mutlak Allah S.W.T., sifat-sifat Allah S.W.T., kedudukan melihat Allah S.W.T. di akhirat, ayat mutasyabihat termasuk istiwa’Allah S.W.T., nuzul dan kalam Allah S.W.T. serta hakikat iman dianggap sudah memadai bagi mewakili pemikiran Imam Syafiì dalam hal yang bersangkutan bidang akidah. Kajian teks yang diambil dari kitab-kitab turath mengandungi pemikiran akidah beliau menjadi rujukan utama penulis agar pemikiran akidah pegangan Imam al-Syafiì ini diperbahaskan dengan semurni mungkin serta dapat dijadikan rujukan dan perbincangan. Oleh yang demikian, artikel ini sama sekali tidak merujuk kepada penulisan, perbahasan kalam serta istilah yang diguna pakai oleh golongan ilmu kalam dalam membahaskan pemikiran akidah Imam al-Syafiì kerana dikhuatiri berlaku percampuran (sinkretisme) antara pemikiran Imam al-Syafiì dengan pemikiran yang lain. Hasil analisis jelas menampakkan bahawa pandangan akidah Imam al-Syafiì jelas mempunyai ciri-ciri yang tersendiri dan berada pada jalur yang agak berbeza daripada pandangan akidah Muktazilah meskipun masih ada yang sama tetapi agak dekat dengan fahaman Asyàriah bahkan masih ada yang berbeza.
Drywall Thermal Properties Exposed to High Temperatures and Fire Condition
Authors: Othuman Mydin Md Azree
Published: June 2013

Drywall is a widespread fire barrier used in house and general building construction. Drywall partitions and ceiling membranes are possibly the most common fire resistant construction approach employed in an extensive range of building types. The utilization of drywall board as prime fire protection of light-flame wood or steel construction is ubiquitous. Drywall board based systems are among those now broadly used, as walls or ceilings and it is principally employed as lining material in light-weight construction, which is a competent and cost effective technique of providing flexible partitioning assemblies in commercial and residential buildings. The thickness of the drywall board lining and the configuration of the framing can be flexibly changed to meet specified fire performance requirements. The use of such systems is increasing every day and there demands to be more research on their properties and behaviour. This paper will presents the properties of drywall board which will includes the assemblies and standard fire tests and the thermal properties of drywall in general and includes suggested properties of drywall by different researchers. Drywall boards shrink and crack at high temperatures, and this leads to collapse of parts of the drywall boards in fire. Fall-off of gypsum in fire affects the fire resistance of the assembly considerably, and cannot be overlooked when evaluating the fire resistance of drywall assemblies
Tahap Kemahiran Employability Pelajar Kejuruteraan dari Perspektif Majikan
Authors: Husain Mohd Yusof , Rasul Mohamad Sattar , Mustapha Ramlee , Abd. Rauf Rose Amnah
Published: June 2013

Majikan kini memerlukan pekerja yang menguasai kemahiran teknikal dan kemahiran employability. Namun kemahiran employability yang dikuasai oleh graduan institusi pendidikan tinggi masih tidak dapat memenuhi kriteria yang diingini oleh majikan terutamanya dalam bidang kejuruteraan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan institusi teknikal dari perspektif majikan. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kuantitatif dan kaedah kajian tinjauan. Seramai 171 responden daripada majikan kejuruteraan yang menyediakan latihan industri kepada pelajar terlibat dalam kajian ini. Instrumen kajian ini diadaptasi daripada instrumen Modul Kemahiran Insaniah Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia, Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skill (SCANS) Amerika, Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia (KKM), MyGSI, IKGPP dan beberapa model daripada kajian terdahulu. Pemboleh ubah yang dikaji ialah kemahiran komunikasi, kemahiran kerohanian, kerja berpasukan, kepimpinan, pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dan pengurusan maklumat, pemikiran kritikal dan penyelesaian masalah, keusahawanan, etika dan moral, menggunakan teknologi dan kemahiran sosial. Data soal selidik dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis deskriptif dan inferens. Hasil analisis mendapati tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan  daripada perspektif majikan berada pada tahap  sederhana tinggi. Hasil kajian juga menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara kemahiran employability pelajar yang dinilai berbanding jenis industri, jawatan dan pengalaman majikan dan lokasi syarikat.
Performance Evaluation of Routing Protocols in Live Video Streaming over Wireless Mesh Networks
Authors: Barekatain Behrang
Published: June 2013

In recent years, live video streaming over Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) has been of great interest among users. However, node mobility, interferences and competition on the available resources are some important factors, to name a few, which can considerably affect the perceived video quality on wireless nodes. In this regard, employing an efficient routing protocol can address these challenges as much as possible. The fact of the matter is that the real performances of the most recently used routing protocols in live video streaming over WMNs is remaining as an open issue. Therefore, this study design and implement a simulator using the OMNET++ framework and measure the performances of these routing protocols under various and different network conditions based on the different performance metrics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which precisely and comprehensively performs this evaluation. The obtained results not only help interested researchers to select the most appropriate routing protocol for their proposed video streaming applications over WMNs, but also let them introduce more efficient hybrid protocols based on the considered routing protocols in this study
Potential of Tissue Cultured Medicinal Plants in Malaysia
Authors: Ayob Zahidah , Wagiran Alina , Abd Samad Azman
Published: June 2013

Medicinal plants possess many secondary products that exhibit biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti microbial. Scientific findings have demonstrated that tissue culture techniques could be an alternative tool to propagate plant in vitro and manipulate secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. This review aims to give an update on the various plant regeneration of some locally used medicinal plants in Malaysia such as Eurycome longifolia Jack, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Centella asiatica L., Justicia gendarussa Burm. f, Kaempferia galanga L. and Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. Different type of cultures including organ, callus and cell cultures is also discussed.
Numerical Analysis of Biogas Composition Effects on Combustion Parameters and Emissions in Biogas Fueled HCCI Engines for Power Generation
Authors: Bedoya Iván D. , Saxena Samveg , Cadavid Francisco J. , Dibble Robert W.
Published: June 2013

This study investigates the effects of biogas composition on combustion stability for a purely biogas fueled homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. Biogas is one of the most promising renewable fuels for combined heat and power systems driven by internal combustion engines. However, the high content of CO2 in biogas composition leads to low thermal efficiencies in spark ignited and dual fuel compression ignited engines. The study is divided into two parts: First experimental results on a biogas-fueled HCCI engine are used to illustrate the effects of intake conditions on combustion stability, and second a simulation methodology is used to investigate how biogas composition impacts combustion stability at constant intake conditions. Experimental analysis of a four cylinder, 1.9 L Volkswagen TDI diesel engine shows that biogas-HCCI combustion exhibits high gross indicated mean effective pressure (close to 8 bar), high gross indicated efficiency (close to 45%), and ultralow NOx emissions below the US2010 limit (0.27 g/kWh). An inlet absolute pressure of 2 bar and inlet temperature of 473 K (200 °C) were required for allowing HCCI combustion with a biogas composition of 60% CH4 and 40% CO2 on a volumetric basis. However, slight changes in inlet pressure and temperature caused large changes in cycle-to-cycle variations at low equivalence ratios and large changes in ringing intensity at high equivalence ratios. Numerical analysis of biogas-HCCI combustion is carried out with a sequential methodology that includes one-zone model simulations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, and 12-zones model simulations. Numerical results for varied biogas composition show that at high load limit, higher contents of CH4 in biogas composition allow advanced combustion and increased burning rates of the biogas air mixture. Higher contents of CO2 in biogas composition allow lowered ringing intensities with moderate decrease in the indicated efficiency and power output. NOx emissions are not highly affected by biogas composition, while CO and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) emissions tend to increase with higher contents of CO2. According with the numerical results, biogas composition is an effective strategy to control the onset of combustion and combustion phasing of HCCI engines running biogas, allowing more stabilized combustion at low equivalence ratios and safe operation at high equivalence ratios. The main advantages of using biogas-fueled HCCI engines in CHP systems are the low sensitivity of power output and indicated efficiency to biogas composition, as well as the ultralow NOx emissions achieved for all tested compositions.
Effects of a Low Octane Gasoline Blended Fuel on Negative Valve Overlap Enabled HCCI Load Limit, Combustion Phasing and Burn Duration
Authors: Hagen Luke M. , Olesky Laura Manofsky , Bohac Stanislav V. , Lavoie George , Assanis Dennis
Published: June 2013

Homogeneous charge compression iginition (HCCI) combustion allows for the use of fuels with octane requirements below that of spark-ignited engines. A reference gasoline was compared with iso-octane and a low octane blend of gasoline and 40% n-heptane, NH40. Experiments were conducted on a single cylinder engine operating with negative valve overlap (NVO). The fuel flow rate per cycle was compensated based on the lower heating value to maintain a constant energy addition across fuels. Iso-octane and gasoline demonstrated similar maximum load, achieving a gross IMEPg of ~430 kPa, whereas the NH40 demonstrated an increased IMEPg of ~460 kPa. The NH40 could be operated at a later phasing compared with the higher octane fuels, and exhibited a shorter burn duration at a given fueling rate and phasing. These results could be due to compositional differences, as NH40 required less NVO compared to iso-octane and gasoline, leading to less thermal and compositional stratification, as well as a higher O2 concentration and less residual gas. Additionally, the NH40 fuel demonstrated a higher intermediate temperature heat release than the higher octane fuels, potentially contributing to the shorter burn duration. Overall, these results demonstrate clear benefits to NVO enabled HCCI combustion with low octane fuels.
An Integrated Approach for Aircraft Engine Performance Estimation and Fault Diagnostics
Authors: Simon Donald L. , Armstrong Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2013

A Kalman filter-based approach for integrated on-line aircraft engine performance estimation and gas path fault diagnostics is presented. This technique is specifically designed for underdetermined estimation problems where there are more unknown system parameters representing deterioration and faults than available sensor measurements. A previously developed methodology is applied to optimally design a Kalman filter to estimate a vector of tuning parameters, appropriately sized to enable estimation. The estimated tuning parameters can then be transformed into a larger vector of health parameters representing system performance deterioration and fault effects. The results of this study show that basing fault isolation decisions solely on the estimated health parameter vector does not provide ideal results. Furthermore, expanding the number of the health parameters to address additional gas path faults causes a decrease in the estimation accuracy of those health parameters representative of turbomachinery performance deterioration. However, improved fault isolation performance is demonstrated through direct analysis of the estimated tuning parameters produced by the Kalman filter. This was found to provide equivalent or superior accuracy compared to the conventional fault isolation approach based on the analysis of sensed engine outputs, while simplifying online implementation requirements. Results from the application of these techniques to an aircraft engine simulation are presented and discussed.
A new respiratory monitoring and processing system based on Wii remote: Proof of principle
Authors: Peng Y. , Vedam S. , Gao S. , Balter P.
Published: June 2013

Purpose:

To create a patient respiratory management system and patient self‐practice tool using the Wii remote, a widely available consumer hardware product.

Methods:

The Wii remote (Wiimote) (Nintendo, Redmond, WA) contains an infrared (IR) camera that can track up to four spots whose coordinates are reported to a host computer via Bluetooth. The Wiimote is capable of tracking a fiducial box currently used by a commercial monitoring system [Real‐time Position ManagementTM (RPM) system, Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA], if the correct IR source is used. The authors validated the Wiimote tracking by comparing the amplitude and frequency of signals among those reported by Wiimote with known movements from an inhouse servo‐driven respiratory simulator, as well as with those measured using the RPM. The simulator comparison was done using standard sinusoid signals with amplitude of 2.0 cm as well as recorded patient respiratory traces. The RPM comparisons were done by simultaneously recording the RPM reflective box position with the Wiimote and the RPM. Timing was compared between these two systems by using the digital beam‐on signal from the CT scanner, for the 4DCT to synchronize these acquisitions.

Results:

The data acquisition rate from the Wiimote was 100.0 ± 0.4 Hz with a version 2.1 Bluetooth adaptor. The standard deviation of the height of the motion extrema was 0.06 and 1.1 mm when comparing those measured by the Wiimote and the servomotor encoder for standard sinusoid signal and prerecorded patient respiratory signal, respectively. The standard deviation of the amplitude of motion extrema between the Wiimote and RPM was 0.9 mm and the timing difference was 253 ms.

Conclusion:

The performance of Wiimote shows promise for respiratory monitoring for its faster sampling rate as well as the potential optical and GPU abilities. If used with care it can deliver reasonable spatial and temporal accuracy.
Enhanced voice activity detection in kernel subspace domain
Authors: Kim Dong Kook , Won Shin Jong , Chang Joon-Hyuk
Published: June 2013

This paper proposes a voice activity detection (VAD) method in a kernel subspace domain to improve the performance of the kernel-based VAD. A linear transform matrix that can simultaneously diagonalize the two covariance matrices using kernel principal component analysis is presented to generate the kernel subspace. The likelihood ratio test based on Gaussian distributions is applied for the VAD in the kernel subspace. Experimental results show that the proposed VAD algorithm outperforms the conventional approaches under various noise conditions.
Localization of a noisy broadband surface target using time differences of multipath arrivals
Authors: Gebbie John , Siderius Martin , McCargar Reid , Allen John S. , Pusey Grant
Published: June 2013

Previous studies [Tiemann et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120, 2355–2365 (2006)] have reported the localization of marine mammals in 3-D from their clicks using multipath arrivals. Bathymetric variations were advantageously used to predict multipath arrival times with a raytracer. These arrivals are directly discernible from the time series for impulsive sources, such as whale clicks, but extension of the method to continuous broadband sources presents additional complications. By pulse compressing noise emitted from a small boat using two hydrophones, the hyperbolic direct-arrival ambiguity can be refined in both range and bearing. Acoustic-derived results are validated with target GPS measurements.
Cerebral Asymmetry and Language Development: Cause, Correlate, or Consequence?
Authors: Bishop Dorothy V. M.
Published: June 2013

In most people, language is processed predominantly by the left hemisphere of the brain, but we do not know how or why. A popular view is that developmental language disorders result from a poorly lateralized brain, but until recently, evidence has been weak and indirect. Modern neuroimaging methods have made it possible to study normal and abnormal development of lateralized function in the developing brain and have confirmed links with language and literacy impairments. However, there is little evidence that weak cerebral lateralization has common genetic origins with language and literacy impairments. Our understanding of the association between atypical language lateralization and developmental disorders may benefit if we reconceptualize the nature of cerebral asymmetry to recognize its multidimensionality and consider variation in lateralization over developmental time. Contrary to popular belief, cerebral lateralization may not be a highly heritable, stable characteristic of individuals; rather, weak lateralization may be a consequence of impaired language learning.
Dark Clouds over Spanish Science
Authors: Santamaría Luis , Diaz Mario , Valladares Fernando
Published: June 2013

Spanish R&D policy should capitalize on the levels of basic research excellence built during the last decade.
Water in the Balance
Authors: Famiglietti James S. , Rodell Matthew
Published: June 2013

Satellite data may enable improved management of regional groundwater reserves.
Quantum Illumination
The Quantum Divide
Why Schrödinger's Cat Is Either Dead or Alive

by Christopher Gerry and Kimberley Bruno

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013. 207 pp. $44.95, £25. ISBN 9780199666560.
Authors: Browne Dan
Published: June 2013

Surveying key experimental findings from the past three decades, the authors explore links between the microscopic quantum and macroscopic classical worlds.
Circuit Logic of Avoidance and Attraction
Authors: Su Chih-Ying , Carlson John R.
Published: June 2013

The intensities and context of sensory stimuli are encoded by specific neural circuits that instruct behavioral responses.

[Also see Reports by

Zhang
et al.

and

Lin
et al.

]
Is India's Pride Actually African?
Exotic Aliens
The Lion and the Cheetah in India

by Valmik Thapar, Romila Thapar, and Yusuf Ansari

Aleph, New Delhi, 2013. 304 pp. INR595, $54.75, £23.99. ISBN 9789382277552.
Authors: Packer Craig
Published: June 2013

From their examination of the historical record, the authors argue that the extant lion and cheetah populations of India are not native but the results of animals imported by royalty for sport.
A Perverted View of “Impact”
Authors: Kirschner Marc
Published: June 2013

Scientists often face vexing professional decisions: whom to hire, what to fund, what to publish, and whom to promote. Because science is about the unknown and its greatest discoveries are often the least expected, scientists often have little to go by except intuition and experience. For this reason, a seductively simple template has recently been introduced: assessment based on “impact and significance.” Thus, the U.S. National Institutes of Health has elevated “significance” to an explicit criterion in funding decisions. It requires that grant reviewers write a paragraph on “impact,” which it defines as the likelihood that the proposed work will have a “sustained and powerful influence.”
*
Especially in fundamental research, which historically underlies the greatest innovation, the people doing the work often cannot themselves anticipate the ways in which it may bring human benefit. Thus, under the guise of an objective assessment of impact, such requirements invite exaggerated claims of the importance of the predictable outcomes—which are unlikely to be the most important ones. This is both misleading and dangerous.
Better Oxygen Delivery
Authors: Rezende Enrico L.
Published: June 2013

The evolution of proficient oxygen delivery is associated with the rise of lifestyles that require enhanced performance.

[Also see Research Article by

Mirceta
et al.

and Reports by

Natarajan
et al.

and

Rummer
et al.

]
Rapid Aging Rescue?
Authors: Johnson Thomas E.
Published: June 2013

Reducing methylation of the protein lamin A may provide a therapeutic target for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

[Also see Report by

Ibrahim
et al.

]
Bold Plan, Uncertain Future for Gun Violence Research
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: June 2013

A National Academies report has recommended more than a dozen topics for analysis in gun violence research, but U.S. funding remains in doubt.
Magnet on the Mighty Mississippi: A New Life for Muon Experiment
Authors: Wade Lizzie
Published: June 2013

To move an experiment from Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York state to Fermilab in Illinois, particle physicists are sending a massive but delicate piece of equipment called a storage ring on a 6-week barge trip down the U.S. Atlantic coast and up the Mississippi River.
Geophysical Exploration Linking Deep Earth and Backyard Geology
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: June 2013

Big Science came to solid-Earth studies when the $400 million EarthScope program offered a sharper view of the interior that could help geologists; it's working, mostly.
Septic Shock Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacter gergoviae in a Neutropenic Patient with Leukemia
Authors: Satlin Michael J. , Jenkins Stephen G. , Chen Liang , Helfgott David , Feldman Eric J. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Schuetz Audrey N.
Published: June 2013

We present the first reported infection caused by
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
Enterobacter gergoviae
. The patient had leukemia and neutropenia and died of septic shock from KPC-producing
E. gergoviae
bacteremia. The emergence of KPCs in additional species of
Enterobacteriaceae
is alarming and may disproportionately affect patients with hematologic malignancies.
Scrub Typhus with Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Kurup Asok , Issac Aneesh , Loh Jin Phang , Lee Too Bou , Chua Robert , Bist Pradeep , Chao Chien-Chung , Lewis Michael , Gubler Duane J. , Ching Wei Mei , Ooi Eng Eong , Sukumaran Bindu
Published: June 2013

Scrub typhus is a major infectious threat in the Asia-Pacific region. We report an unusual case of scrub typhus in a patient in Singapore who presented with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome but lacked the pathognomonic eschar. The patient recovered after appropriate diagnosis and doxycycline treatment. Rickettsial diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in regions where the diseases are endemic, and absence of eschar should not be the criterion used to rule out scrub typhus.
Population Structure and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Both Nonpersistent and Persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Recovered from Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Fernández-Olmos Ana , García-Castillo María , Alba José María , Morosini María Isabel , Lamas Adelaida , Romero Beatriz , Galán Juan Carlos , del Campo Rosa , Cantón Rafael
Published: June 2013

Seventy-six
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates recovered from chronically (
n
= 18) and nonchronically (
n
= 18) colonized cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (2002 to 2009) were grouped in separate polyclonal populations. International CF epidemic clones were not identified, but the high-risk clone ST274, also found circulating in Spanish hospitals, was present. Persistent isolates were more resistant to antibiotics than nonpersistent isolates.