bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for successful recruitment of young adults to healthy lifestyle programmes for the prevention of weight gain: a systematic review
Authors: Lam E. , Partridge S. R. , Allman‐Farinelli M.
Published: December 2015

Recruiting healthy young adults, aged 18–35, to lifestyle programmes for prevention of weight gain is challenging but important given their increasing rates of obesity. This review aimed to examine the success of different recruitment strategies. A systematic literature search identified 26 separate studies using 10 electronic databases. Participant characteristics and efficacy of interventions were well reported in all studies, but reporting of recruitment procedures, costs, times and effectiveness was minimal. Of those reporting recruitment, both active (e.g. face‐to‐face) and passive (e.g. print‐media and mass‐mailings) approaches were identified with the latter most frequently employed. Novel strategies such as social media and marketing approaches were identified. Television and radio have potentially high reach but low efficiency with high cost compared with mass‐mailings which yield high numbers of participants. Marketing campaigns appeared to be a promising approach. Incentives demonstrated enhanced recruitment. The use of formative research to guide recruitment strategies for interventions is recommended. Reporting of success, cost and timelines for recruitment should be included in reporting of future trials. This first synthesis of recruitment information can be used to inform recruitment frameworks for lifestyle programmes seeking to attract young adults.
Why are there race/ethnic differences in adult body mass index–adiposity relationships? A quantitative critical review
Authors: Heymsfield S. B. , Peterson C. M. , Thomas D. M. , Heo M. , Schuna J. M.
Published: December 2015

Body mass index (BMI) is now the most widely used measure of adiposity on a global scale. Nevertheless, intense discussion centers on the appropriateness of BMI as a phenotypic marker of adiposity across populations differing in race and ethnicity. BMI–adiposity relations appear to vary significantly across race/ethnic groups, but a collective critical analysis of these effects establishing their magnitude and underlying body shape/composition basis is lacking. Accordingly, we systematically review the magnitude of these race‐ethnic differences across non‐Hispanic (NH) white, NH black and Mexican American adults, their anatomic body composition basis and potential biologically linked mechanisms, using both earlier publications and new analyses from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Our collective observations provide a new framework for critically evaluating the quantitative relations between BMI and adiposity across groups differing in race and ethnicity; reveal new insights into BMI as a measure of adiposity across the adult age‐span; identify knowledge gaps that can form the basis of future research and create a quantitative foundation for developing BMI‐related public health recommendations.
Emergence for Nihilists
Authors: Caves Richard L.J.
Published: December 2015

I defend mereological nihilism, the view that there are no composite objects, against a challenge from ontological emergence, the view that some things have properties that are ‘something over and above’ the properties of their parts. As the nihilist does not believe in composite wholes, there is nothing in the nihilist's ontology to instantiate emergent properties – or so the challenge goes. However, I argue that some simples (taken together) can collectively instantiate an emergent property, so the nihilist's ontology can in fact accommodate emergent properties. Furthermore, I show that employing plural instantiation does not bloat the nihilist's ontology or ideology.
Block's Overflow Argument
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: December 2015

This article challenges Block's ‘overflow argument’ for the conclusion that phenomenal consciousness and access‐consciousness are distinct. It shows that the data can be explained just as well (or better) in terms of a distinction between contents that are made globally accessible through bottom–up sensory stimulation and those that are sustained and made available in working memory through top‐down attention.
Political Blackmail, Institutional Infighting, and Electoral Politics: The Fate of Governing Parties during the Great Recession (2008‐12) in Romania and Bulgaria
Authors: Kostadinova Petia , Giurcanu Magda
Published: December 2015

Center‐right parties in government in Romania and Bulgaria navigated the economic downturns associated with the Great Recession (2008‐12), and introduced austerity policies, yet had different electoral fates. While in Romania, the Democratic Liberal Party experienced a dramatic loss at the December 2012 elections, in Bulgaria, the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria topped the May 2013 vote. In this article, we analyze these divergent outcomes, taking into account institutional configurations, strength of governing parties, and economic conditions. We argue that the electoral effects of harsh economic policies are conditioned by differences in the institutional aspect of governmental “clarity of responsibility” during the peaks of the recession. These differences in institutional clarity become then key factors in understanding the electoral fates of the center‐right parties in these governments.

Related Articles

Exadaktylos, Theofanis, and
Nikolaos Zahariadis. 2014. “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 160‐183. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12058/abstract

König, Pascal, and
Georg Wenzelburger. 2014. “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 400‐430. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12076/abstract

Dettrey, Bryan. 2013. “” Politics & Policy 41 (): 788‐806. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12038/abstract

Related Media

Al Jazeera English. 2013. “Bulgaria Elections Gripped by Deadlock.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY8HvL5Bb5Q

2012. “Corruption Big Issue in Romanian Elections | Journal Reporters.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhmYhAP0zak
The emerging landscape of salivary diagnostics
Authors: Zhang Yong , Sun Jie , Lin Chien‐Chung , Abemayor Elliot , Wang Marilene B. , Wong David T. W.
Published: December 2015

Saliva contains a variety of biomolecules, including DNA, coding and noncoding RNA, proteins, metabolites and microbiota. The changes in the salivary levels of these molecular constituents can be used to develop markers for disease detection and risk assessment. Use of saliva as an early‐detection tool is a promising approach because collection of saliva is easy and noninvasive. Here, we review recent developments in salivary diagnostics, accomplished using salivaomics approaches, including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and microbiomic technologies. Additionally, we illustrate the mechanisms of how diseases distal from the oral cavity can lead to the appearance of discriminatory biomarkers in saliva, and discuss the relevance of these markers for translational and clinical applications.
Analysis of matrix metalloproteinases, especially MMP‐8, in gingival crevicular fluid, mouthrinse and saliva for monitoring periodontal diseases
Authors: Sorsa Timo , Gursoy Ulvi K. , Nwhator Solomon , Hernandez Marcela , Tervahartiala Taina , Leppilahti Jussi , Gursoy Mervi , Könönen Eija , Emingil Gulnur , Pussinen Pirkko J. , Mäntylä Päivi
Published: December 2015

Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 is a promising candidate biomarker for oral fluid (gingival crevicular fluid, peri‐implant sulcular fluid and saliva) and mouthrinse chair‐side/point‐of‐care diagnostics to predict, diagnose and determine the progressive phases of episodic periodontitis and peri‐implantitis, as well as to monitor the treatments and medications. Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 can be used alone or together with interleukin‐1beta and Porphyromonas gingivalis to calculate cumulative risk score at the subject level as a successful diagnostic tool, especially in large‐scale public health surveys, in which a thorough periodontal examination is not feasible.
Saliva in studies of epidemiology of human disease: the UK Biobank project
Authors: Galloway John W. , Keijser Bart J. F. , Williams David M.
Published: December 2015

There has been immense interest in the uses of saliva in the diagnosis of systemic disease over the past decade and longer because it is recognized that saliva possesses great potential as a diagnostic fluid. In spite of this, the usefulness of saliva in studies of the epidemiology of human disease has still to be properly evaluated. This review describes the UK Biobank project and explores the scope to use this and other such cohort studies to gain important insights into the epidemiological aspects of systemic disease. The Biobank holds around 85,000 well‐characterized saliva samples, together with blood and urine samples, the results of a battery of physiological tests, a full medical history and a detailed description of the subject's lifestyle. This repository is a resource for insightful and highly powered oral and dental research.
Saliva and viral infections
Authors: Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , Abrams William R. , Malamud Daniel
Published: December 2015

Over the last 10 years there have been only a handful of publications dealing with the oral virome, which is in contrast to the oral microbiome, an area that has seen considerable interest. Here, we survey viral infections in general and then focus on those viruses that are found in and/or are transmitted via the oral cavity; norovirus, rabies, human papillomavirus, Epstein‐Barr virus, herpes simplex viruses, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. Increasingly, viral infections have been diagnosed using an oral sample (e.g. saliva mucosal transudate or an oral swab) instead of blood or urine. The results of two studies using a rapid and semi‐quantitative lateral flow assay format demonstrating the correlation of HIV anti‐IgG/sIgA detection with saliva and serum samples are presented. When immediate detection of infection is important, point‐of‐care devices that obtain a non‐invasive sample from the oral cavity can be used to provide a first line diagnosis to assist in determining appropriate counselling and therapeutic path for an increasing number of diseases.
Five Ways to Make a Difference: Perceptions of Practitioners Working in Urban Neighborhoods
Authors: Durose Catherine , van Hulst Merlijn , Jeffares Stephen , Escobar Oliver , Agger Annika , de Graaf Laurens
Published: December 2015

This article responds to and develops the fragmented literature exploring intermediation in public administration and urban governance. It uses Q‐methodology to provide a systematic comparative empirical analysis of practitioners who are perceived as making a difference in urban neighborhoods. Through this analysis, an original set of five profiles of practitioners—enduring, struggling, facilitating, organizing, and trailblazing—is identified and compared. This research challenges and advances the existing literature by emphasizing the multiplicity, complexity, and hybridity, rather than the singularity, of individuals perceived as making a difference, arguing that different practitioners make a difference in different ways. The authors set out a research agenda, overlooked in current theorization, that focuses on the relationships and transitions between the five profiles and the conditions that inform them, opening up new avenues for understanding and supporting practice.
Prognostic value of procalcitonin in pneumonia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Dan , Su Long‐xiang , Guan Wei , Xiao Kun , Xie Li‐xin
Published: December 2015

This meta‐analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting mortality in pneumonia patients with different pathogenic features and disease severities. A systematic search of English‐language articles was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane Library to identify studies. The diagnostic value of PCT in predicting prognosis was determined using a bivariate meta‐analysis model. The Q‐test and I2 index were used to test heterogeneity. A total of 21 studies comprising 6007 patients were included. An elevated PCT level was a risk factor for death from community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) (risk ratio (RR) 4.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.98–6.43), particularly in patients with a low CURB‐65 score. The commonly used cut‐off, 0.5 ng/mL, had low sensitivity (SEN) and was not able to identify patients at high risk of dying. Furthermore, the PCT assay with functional SEN <0.1 ng/mL was necessary to predict mortality in CAP in the clinic. For critically ill patients, an elevated PCT level was associated with an increased risk of mortality (RR 4.18, 95% CI: 3.19–5.48). The prognostic performance was nearly equal between patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) and patients with CAP.
Platelet‐activating factor receptor (PAFr) is upregulated in small airways and alveoli of smokers and COPD patients
Authors: Shukla Shakti Dhar , Muller Hans Konrad , Latham Roger , Sohal Sukhwinder Singh , Walters Eugene Haydn
Published: December 2015

Background and objective

PAFr is a cell adhesion site for specific bacteria, notably non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae. We previously published that PAFr expression is significantly upregulated in the large airways of smokers, especially in COPD. We have now investigated PAFr expression in the epithelium and Rbm of small airways and in the alveolar compartment in smokers and patients with both COPD and small airway disease.

Methods

We evaluated PAFr expression cross‐sectionally in resected lung tissue from: eight smokers with normal lung function (NLFS); 10 with smoking‐related small airway narrowing only; eight COPD smokers; 10 COPD ex‐smokers, and compared these with nine control tissues. Anti‐PAFr immunostaining was quantified using computer‐aided image analysis.

Results

Significantly increased PAFr expression in small airway epithelium of all clinical groups was found compared with controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, epithelial PAFr expression was upregulated in COPD smokers compared with NLFS (P < 0.05), but not when compared with COPD ex‐smokers or patients with only small airways disease. Smoking history (pack‐year) correlated significantly with PAFr expression in the currently smoking individuals, especially in NLFS (r = 0.9; P < 0.002). An increase above normal in PAFr‐expressing cells in the airway epithelial Rbm was only significant in COPD smokers (P < 0.007). An upregulation of PAFr‐expressing cell in alveolar epithelium was uniformly found in all clinical groups compared with normal control (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Epithelial PAFr expression is upregulated in small airways and alveoli in smokers and COPD. Increased expression of PAFr could be crucial in facilitating acute and chronic respiratory infection with specific respiratory pathogens.
The interactive roles of mastery climate and performance climate in predicting intrinsic motivation
Authors: Buch R. , Nerstad C. G. L. , Säfvenbom R.
Published: December 2015

This study examined the interplay between perceived mastery and performance climates in predicting increased intrinsic motivation. The results of a two‐wave longitudinal study comprising of 141 individuals from three military academies revealed a positive relationship between a perceived mastery climate and increased intrinsic motivation only for individuals who perceived a low performance climate. This finding suggests a positive relationship between a perceived mastery climate and increased intrinsic motivation only when combined with low perceptions of a performance climate. Hence, introducing a performance climate in addition to a mastery climate can be an undermining motivational strategy, as it attenuates the positive relationship between a mastery climate and increased intrinsic motivation. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Informality in Automobile Value Chains in India
Authors: Kerswell Timothy , Pratap Surendra
Published: December 2015

India's automobile sector has emerged as an important growth engine of the Indian economy. The Northern automobile cluster in Haryana is not only the center of the automobile sector, but also a center of industrial unrest. This article questions informality in India's automobile sector through the application of commodity chain analysis to explain why India's automobile sector is beset by informality, low wages, and insecure working conditions. The article illustrates how leading firms in India's automobile industry, with the connivance of the Indian state, exploit the automobile commodity chain to marginalize both subordinate firms and the contract and casual workers who now make up the majority of the industry's workforce. The very structure of India's automobile industry locks many workers and firms into insecure work, where productivity gains are eaten up by leading firms, further reducing the margins of lower level suppliers and the wages of workers. While the automobile sector, and the demand for vehicles in India is growing, the wages and conditions of the workers in the sector are not improving. This qualitative study of Haryana's automobile sector attempts to explain why this is the case. The article concludes that India's industrial relations regime has long ceased to reflect the actual balance of power between labor and capital, institutionalizing noncompliance with the labor law and providing the basis for the industry's informalization.
The Last Great Enclosure: The Crisis of the General Intellect
Authors: Burdeau Ishmael
Published: December 2015

Technology offers us a seemingly limitless range of possibilities to extend human freedom. Yet, as Marx observed in the Grundrisse, technology is as likely to become the servant of capital as it is a tool of liberation. In recent years there has been a wave of interest in what is sometime referred to as cognitive capitalism, in other words the knowledge‐based economy. Cognitive capitalism, especially one based on a “general intellect” or intellectual commons would seem to create new revolutionary possibilities, this was the dream of the Italian autonomist thinkers of the 1970s and beyond, such as Negri, Virno, Lazzarato, and Berardi as well as more recent work by others, notably Raunig, Boutang, and Hardt.

Yet this sense of possibility is under threat from a much more basic of capital: primitive accumulation or, borrowing from David Harvey, accumulation by dispossession. Here, we will examine some of the claims for the power of a “general intellect”: its origins, its relationship to contemporary forms of capital and wage relations and its vulnerability to new forms of enclosure. The emancipatory nature of the general intellect takes three forms in contemporary capitalism: the Internet, the university, and the so‐called “intellectual property.” Each of these is actively under threat from enclosure in the shape of state control, privatization, and digital isolation. Does the general intellect still have anything to offer for the twenty‐first century? Can the social body resist this final stage of enclosure? Here, we explore these concepts but make no claim to offer solutions to the crisis of the general intellect.
Perceptions of Job Insecurity before, during, and after the Great Recession
Authors: Kuroki Masanori
Published: December 2015

This Research Note documents how insecure workers were feeling before, during, and after the Great Recession, using the American General Social Surveys, and highlights disparities and inequalities by gender, race, age, and education. This study confirms that, like unemployment rates, fear of job loss varies significantly across race, gender, and age groups. I find two unexpected results. First, both male and female workers’ perceptions of job insecurity seem to have increased equally, despite the term “man‐cession.” Second, older workers felt much more insecure than the middle‐aged workers, despite their higher level of experience and lower likelihood of unemployment.
PROPOSAL OF NEW PULSE SHAPING METHOD FOR SIDE LOBES REDUCTION IN OFDM SYSTEM
Authors: Ibrahim Nor Adibah , Ngah Razali , M. R. Al-khafaji Hamza
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we propose a new pulse shaping method namely scale alpha for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system. The suggested pulse shape is designed and simulated using Matlab software. The results show that scale alpha has a better impulse response in both time and frequency domains with minimum side lobes compared to Franks, raised cosine, and double-jump pulses.
EFFECT OF POST-CURING REGIME ON DENSITY, COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND CROSSLINKING OF POLYMER CONCRETE
Authors: A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Hussin Mohd Warid , Ismail Mohammad , A. Ismail Mohamed , Mohamed Azman , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Samadi Mostafa
Published: December 2015

Polymer concrete is produced from polymer binder, aggregates, and filler. Its curing follows the polymerization process once polymer additive is added, and can be accelerated through post-curing. In this study, the Orthophthalic- and Isophthalic-based polymer concrete (Ortho-PC and Iso-PC) were cured and investigated at different curing temperature (30oC, 50oC and 70oC) and period (1, 3, 6, 16, 24 hours) to complete the compressive strength development. Effect of curing temperature and period on apparent density, compressive strength, and morphology properties were investigated. The outcomes exhibited that all specimens had achieved full compressive strength within 6 hours of curing time at both 50oC and 70oC. When cured at 30oC, this went up to more than 16 hours of curing period to achieve the same compressive strength. The form of crosslinking at different curing conditions was captured in Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM images. Results also showed that curing temperature and period insignificant affected the apparent density. This study can be used as references to manufacturer, fabricator, and engineers when dealing with polymer concrete which goes for post-curing method as curing process.
INFLUENCE OF RECTANGULAR STEEL SPLICE-SLEEVE FOR PRECAST CONCRETE CONNECTION
Authors: Abd Rahman Ahmad Baharuddin , Kee Hong Tan , Ibrahim Izni Syahrizal , Mohamed Roslli Noor
Published: December 2015

Precast concrete building system has gained its popularity in Malaysia because of the many advantages such as high quality of structural components, less labour intensive at the construction site, and shorter completion time of a project. One of the constraints in precast concrete structures is to ensure that the connections are strong enough to ensure the structural integrity and robustness of the overall frames. In this study, a total of nine rectangular steel splice-sleeve connections were tested experimentally under incremental tensile loads. Two steel plates were inserted and welded to each end of the steel splice-sleeve. The steel plates act as shear key to provide the interlocking mechanism to the grout and to enhance the bond property between the grout and the splice. These plates were adopted to prevent the grout slippage from the sleeve. The grout strength, embedded steel bar lengths and the size of the steel sleeve splice were varied among the specimens to study their effect on the tensile performance of the connection. The results showed that the higher strength of grout, longer embedded length of steel bar and smaller size of the sleeve contributes to a higher ultimate tensile load.
POLYESTER GROUT INCORPORATING FLY ASH AS POTENTIAL INFILL MATERIAL FOR GROUTED CONNECTIONS
Authors: S. Mohammed Nuria , Abdul Rahman Ahmad Baharuddin , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the mechanical properties and performance of polyester grout as infill material for grouted connection in precast concrete. The mix proportions of polyester grout was properly designed and manufactured. The polymer binder with polymer additive was added together with filing materials of sand and fly ash. The binder to filler ratio was 0.43. Properties such as flowing ability and compression strength were studied by varying the level of fly ash in the mixtures. Also, to assess the efficacy of polyester grouted connections, three grouted connections were tested in direct tension. The test results show that, polyester resin grout with binder to filler ratio 0.43% and 16% fly ash perform satisfactorily. The polyester grout is suitable for use in the steel pipe splice connections.
DEVELOPMENT OF A REMOTE ACCESSIBLE ELECTRICAL POWER MEASURING SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC CUSTOMER
Authors: Yusoff H. M. , Arief Y. Z. , Noorden Z. A. , Adzis Z. , Bashir N. , Muhamad N. A. , Ahmad M. H. , Sidik M. A. B.
Published: December 2015

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is a power utility company in Malaysia that performs three main thrust in the electricity sector. One of which is the distribution sector. The distribution sector involves other activity associated with the customer. Many initiatives have been introduced by TNB to satisfy all its customers. This research introduces a method of reading electric meter without sending meter readers to the premises of the customers. This method was introduced to large power customers (LPC) to ensure total consumption recorded is accurate. Since 2005, remote metering reading project has been using global packet radio service (GPRS) technology as a medium of communication. However, GPRS communication system at that time has not been widely used. Use of electronic meters is introduced to LPC because this meter can provide current information about electricity consumption. A total of 45,000 users of LPC involved in the installation of electronic meters and global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem in which this system can determine the amount of electric current consumption compared to manual meter reading is applied. In this project, the XBee radio module is used to send data to a GSM modem. From GSM modem, users can get the total electricity consumption through the SMS (short message service) system in their mobile phones. This project aim is to facilitate the customers so that they do not have to waste time going to the Kedai Tenaga (electricity payment counter) to find out the amount of energy consumed during the period. TNB can also collect the metering details without sending personnel to produce monthly bills.
THE EFFECT OF GPS SATELLITE GEOMETRY ON THE PRECISION OF DGPS POSITIONING IN MINNA, NIGERIA
Authors: Y. D. Opaluwa , V. C. Okorocha , I. C. Abazu , J. O. Odumosu , G. O. Ajayi
Published: December 2015

This paper investigates the effect of Satellite Geometry in the Precision of DGPS positioning, since it has an amplifying effect on other sources of errors associated with GPS positioning. DGPS positional data were acquired at three epochs of a day using Promak3 DGPS and post-processed using GNSS solution software. The temporal variations in PDOP, number of visible satellites and the standard errors in relative positioning, (which are all functions of the satellite geometry) were analysed both graphically and statistically (using statext v1.0 software) to ascertain the impact of satellite geometry on the derived positions. The graphical results indicated various temporal variations in the parameters defining a GPS-based position on the earth surface; but the statistical tests conducted show no significant differences in the means of the PDOP and standard error in relative positioning obtained in three epochs at 0.05 significant level. Also, for the short ranges, an average standard error of 0.046m, 0.043m and 0.092m were obtained at the three epochs respectively; while for the medium ranges an average standard error of 0.112m, 0.096m, and 0.123m were obtained at the three epochs respectively.it was concluded that the longer the occupation time, the better the satellite geometry and thus the higher the precision in DGPS positioning.
LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT OF COMPOSITE SANDWICH PLATE WITH FACESHEET INDENTATION DESCRIPTION
Authors: Drahman Siti Hasyyati , Beng Hong Kueh Ahmad , Zainal Abidin Ahmad Razin
Published: December 2015

Composite sandwich structures are applied in many engineering fields due to their high strength and stiffness but lightweight properties. There are currently not many studies that simultaneously consider both indentation and strain failure in the composite sandwich plate especially in presence of impact loading. Such knowledge is necessary to determine the facesheet strain after impact in order to find out whether the facesheet is totally failed as a result of indentation deformation. Hence, the purpose of this study is to model numerically the top facesheet indentation and strain failure of a fixed-end composite sandwich plate with honeycomb core when it is subjected to low-velocity impact at the center. The faceheets are made from Hercules AW193-PW prepreg consisting of AS4 fibers in a 3501-6 matrix (carbon/epoxy) with a stacking sequence of [0/90]. The honeycomb core is made from HRH 10 1/8-3.0 Nomex honeycomb (Ciba-Geigy). Type of the impactor used in this study is flat-ended cylinder, which is made from case-hardened steel. The composite sandwich plate is modeled as a two-dimensional problem with five and three degrees of freedom per node for the facesheets and honeycomb core, respectively. Only the stiffness matrix, [K], and the mass matrix, [M], are considered in determining the responses of the plate. Responses in terms of indentation, strain failure and displacement are explored for various facesheet and core properties. It is found that an increase in number of ply and ply thickness reduce the indentation on the top facesheet. Also, the most effective parameter in improving the strain failure of the top facesheet is the crushing resistance of the core.
PERFORMANCE OF EPOXY RESIN AS SELF-HEALING AGENT
Authors: Mohd Sam Abdul Rahman , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Hussin Mohd Warid , Seung Lee Han , A. Ismail Mohamed , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Samadi Mostafa , Mirza Jahangir , Abd. Majid Muhd Zaimi
Published: December 2015

Formation of cracks due to the shrinkage effects during curing and mechanical loading can deteriorate the concrete performance especially in terms of durability aspect. Chemical and harsh solutions will easily penetrate into the concrete and cause damage to the concrete. In order to solve this problem, researchers have introduced a self-healing concrete; the mechanism of automatically repairing concrete cracks without external intervention. Nowadays, the self-healing concrete by using bacteria as a healing agent had gained interest among researchers. In contrast, this paper presents the study on performance of epoxy resin without hardener as a self-healing agent in concrete. Mortar specimens were prepared with mass ratio of 1:3 (cement: fine aggregates), water-cement ratio of 0.48 and 5 to 20% epoxy resin of cement content. All tested specimens were subjected to wet-dry curing; where compressive strength, apparent porosity and self-healing evaluation were measured. Result shows that, the compressive strength of mortar with addition of epoxy resin by 10% increased significantly compared to normal mortar. Epoxy resin as a healing agent was found to be functioned well as the compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity regain the initial reading with prolonged curing time. These results together with microstructure test indicate that epoxy resin can be used as a self-healing agent.
INCORPORATION OF HOMOGENOUS CERAMIC TILE WASTE TO ENHANCE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MORTAR
Authors: Mohd Sam Abdul Rahman , Samadi Mostafa , Hussin Mohd Warid , Seung Lee Han , A. Ismail Mohamed , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Abd. Majid Muhd Zaimi , Mirza Jahangir
Published: December 2015

Reduction, reuse and recycle of industrial and agricultural waste materials are regarded as very important to provide sustainable construction. The by-products such as fly ash, silica fume, slag and palm oil fuel ash, etc., have been studied for the past few decades and the findings are very well accepted as new innovative materials in construction. Currently, ceramic materials are widely used in many parts of the world. Consequently a large quantities of wastes are produced simultaneously by brick and tile manufacturers and from construction industry. Most of these wastes are dumped in landfills that cause environmental problem. In the present research the effect of homogeneous ceramic tile waste as sand replacement was investigated on the harden properties of mortar. The tests conducted under laboratory ambient condition were compressive and splitting tensile strengths. The percentage replacement of sand by ceramic aggregate by weight was in the range of 0% to 100%. The size of ceramic aggregate used is modified in accordance to ASTM C33-13. All samples were cast in a 50mm cube and cured in water until the age of testing. The results showed that the compressive strength values of the control sample and 100% ceramic aggregate as sand replacement at the age of 7days were 41.9 MPa and 40.9 MPa, respectively; almost similar. In addition, the splitting tensile strength of the mortar sample with 100% ceramic aggregate was found to be 6% higher than the control sample.  Thus, the homogenous ceramic tile waste can not only be used as sand replacement for normal application in mortar mix but also to enhance its hardened properties.
EFFECT OF CERAMIC AGGREGATE ON HIGH STRENGTH MULTI BLENDED ASH GEOPOLYMER MORTAR
Authors: Ariffin Mohd Azreen , Hussin Mohd Warid , Samadi Mostafa , Abdul Shukor Lim Nor Hasanah , Mirza Jahangir , Awalluddin Dinie , Othman Nazri
Published: December 2015

Geopolymer is a type of amorphous alumino-silicate cementitious material, synthesized by the reaction of an alumina-silicate powder with an alkaline solution. The geopolymer technology has recently attracted increasing attention as a viable solution to reuse and recycle industrial solid wastes and by-products. This paper discusses the performance of geopolymer mortar comprises of multiple blended ash of palm oil fuel ash (POFA), pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) by replacing ordinary Portland cement. Fine aggregate obtained from the ceramic waste was used to partially replace normal sand in the mixture. The concentration of alkaline solution used was 14 Molar. The fresh mortar was cast in 50x50x50 mm cubes geopolymer mortar specimens and cured at ambient temperature for 24 hours. The effects of mass ratios of alkaline solution to multiple blended ashes and percentage of ceramic aggregate as sand replacement on compressive, flexural and tensile strength of mortar were examined. The results revealed that as the multi blended ash (GGBFS: PFA: POFA) mass ratio increased, the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar is increased with regards to the ceramic aggregate properties.
PRIORITIZING OCCUPANTS UNDERSTANDING LEVEL ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Authors: Suleiman Jibrin Hassan , Keyvanfar Ali , Mohamad Zin Rosli , Balubaid Saeed , Mansur Shaiful Amri
Published: December 2015

The building sector is widely known for its greenhouse gas and carbon emission which is very significant to the global warming as observed in recent years. Many research works highlighted that buildings has a negative impact on the society as it consumes up to 80% of the total energy used during operation stage. In Malaysia, electricity energy consumption in buildings is 63,354GWh out of the total 116,353GWh of total energy consumed in the country in the year 2012. This paper consider the understanding level of the residential owners in their building energy usage at their various residential buildings. Energy use by household varies widely, this is due to the living standard of a country, type of buildings and climate condition of the region. The study is based on the tips and guides to energy efficiency at home of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey form and was analyzed using regression analysis, the results indicates that the occupants have little or no proper understanding of Air-condition, Home appliance and Lighting appliances.
SHEAR CAPACITY EVALUATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS: FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION
Authors: Azimi Mohammadamin , Ponraj Mohanadoss , Bagherpourhamedani Asma , Md. Tahir Mahmood , Sk Abd. Razak Sk Muiz , Peng Pheng Ong
Published: December 2015

The shear performance of reinforced concrete beams with rectangle cross-section and two different continuous rectangular spiral shear reinforcement under monotonous loading is numerically evaluated. Further, the behaviour of two continuous shear reinforcement systems named, “Single Square Spring Shear Resistance System” (SSSSRS) and “Double Square Spring Shear Resistance System” (DSSSRS) as transverse reinforcements are compared with conventional discontinuous system “Stirrups”. The finite element study includes three (3) beams. The results clearly show that the application of continuous shear reinforcement system delivered improved shear behaviour and enhanced bearing capacity in beams. Beams with Single Square Spring Shear Resistance System (SSSSRS) and Double Square Spring Shear Resistance System (DSSSRS) exhibited 14.4% and 19.8% increased shear performance in comparison with conventional control beam. It was concluded that under the same deflection higher forces was achieved for “Single Square Spring Shear Resistance System” (SSSSRS) and “Double Square Spring Shear Resistance System” (DSSSRS) compared to control specimens.
STEEL WEIGHT SAVING DEVELOPED FROM SEMI-CONTINUOUS CONSTRUCTION IN MULTI-STOREY BRACED STEEL FRAME BASED ON EURO-CODE 3
Authors: Taher T. Y. , Tahir M. M. , Sulaiman A. , Ngian S. P. , Saggaff A.
Published: December 2015

Steel frames can be designed as simple, semi-continuous, and continuous construction. However, these types of constructions depend on the type of connections used. Connections are usually classified in design as pinned which is associated with simple construction or rigid which is associated with continuous construction. However, the actual behaviour in most cases is classified as semi-rigid connections or partial strength. The semi-rigid connections usually associated with the stiffness of the connection while the strength of this connection usually associated with partial strength. The use of semi-rigid connection has been encouraged by Euro-code 3 and studies on the matter known as semi-continuous construction have proven that substantial savings in steel weight of the overall construction. A series of parametric studies on two bays of two, four, six, and eight storey of multi-storey braced steel frame are presented in this paper. All frames are designed using S275 steel and flush end-plate connection was used as connection for semi-continuous construction whereas fin plate connection was used for simple construction. The frames are designed both as simple construction and semi-continuous construction and the steel weight of the frames was calculated and compared. From the parametric study it was found that by using partial strength connection the saving in steel weight of the frames is in the range of 11.5% to 22.5% of the total steel weight of the frames.
EFFECTIVENESS OF PALM OIL FUEL ASH AS MICRO-FILLER IN POLYMER CONCRETE
Authors: Mirza Jahangir , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Hussin Mohd Warid , Ismail Mohammad , A. Ismail Mohamed , Mohamed Azman , Ariffin Nur Farhayu , Md. Tahir Mahmood
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the potential of utilizing an agricultural waste known as palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as micro-filler in polymer concrete (PC). Being a plant with open cellulose structure, such potential has gone untapped due to its tendency to take up excessive resin during the mixing process. This study has invested its filler characterization by first segregating the POFA fillers into fine (ground POFA, GPOFA) and coarse (unground POFA, UPOFA) fillers. GPOFA was paired with calcium carbonate while UPOFA was with silica sand for comparisons. Filler characteristics were studied under microstructural examination; particle size analyzer and morphology. Twenty design mixes of polymer blended and polymer concrete were casted for flowability and compression tests, respectively. Further investigations were carried out after two categories of fillers were incorporated with different filler contents.  Test data showed that filler had changed its physical features significantly after surface modification. Also, the finer fillers gave superior filling ability and compressive strength. This study concluded that POFA can be potentially transformed into effective PC filler following some physical modifications and mixing with the appropriate design mix.
CAUSES OF VARIATION ORDER IN BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTSIN NIGERIA
Authors: Muhammad Nasiru Zakari , Keyvanfar Ali , Abd Majid Muhd Zaimi , Shafaghat Arezou , Muhammad Magana Aliyu , Sabiu Dankaka Nafisa
Published: December 2015

Variation does not only affect labour productivity but also leads to the dispute, time and cost overrun. Consequently, it affects projects performance. It is, therefore, imperative for construction professionals to eliminate unnecessary additional cost from a project so as to optimize the client’s benefit against input resources. This paper identifies and examines the most significant causes that contribute to the variation orders. Also, Nigerian construction industry is used as a case study. Variation orders causing factors were assessed. Questionnaires were administered to clients, consultants and contractors to elicit information regarding variation causing factors. These factors were analyzed using frequency aggregation, mean score method and subsequently ranked according to their severity. The result revealed three most significant causes of variation which are: ‘Change of plan’’ with the highest frequency of 58% then followed by ‘‘Conflicting contract documents (50%). The next most frequent causing factors were the “substitution of materials” and “change in design” each with frequency of 43%. The least causing factor of variation was the “error and omission in design” with the frequency of 10%. Also differing site condition, new government regulation, weather condition were identified as other cause of variation with the frequency of 27%, 29% and 10% respectively.  It has also shown that most critical source of variation order is the client due to change of plan then followed by consultant due to conflicting contract document.
ASSESSMENT INDEX TOOL FOR GREEN HIGHWAY IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Balubaid Saeed , Bujang Mastura , Nur Aifa Wan , Kian Seng Foo , Raja  Muhammad Rooshdi Raja Rafidah , Hamzah Norhaliza , Mohd Yazid Yazlin Salfiza , Abd. Majid Muhd Zaimi , Mohamad Zin Rosli , Zakaria Rozana , Hainin Mohd Rosli , Yaacob Haryati , Ismail Hasrul Haidar
Published: December 2015

Green highway is a highway project that has been designed and constructed with the sustainability requirements and global standard. Basically, green highway is one of the major parts for sustainable concept where three major aspects are addressed which are economic, social and environment. The main focus for economic aspect is to increase profitability by making more efficient use of resources especially material, improve the quality of life by fulfilling the nation’s need for social aspect while protecting the environment from the impact of CO2 emission and using of natural resources efficiently for the purpose of environment aspect. Therefore, it is important for highway stakeholders to incorporate sustainable criteria in their projects. The implementation of sustainable concept in highway needs to be evaluated by green highway rating tool assessment. Thus, the purpose of this study is to establish a tool to assess and certify a green highway in Malaysia. The data for this study was obtained through group discussion with highway experts and questionnaires that were distributed to identify the sustainability factors. Then the data were analyzed using factor analysis method. The findings of this study indicated that, there are five major sustainable factor which are Sustainable Design and Construction Activities, Social and Safety, Energy Efficiency, Environmental and Water Management and Material and Technology that are included in the development of green highway rating system.
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR DIGITALIZING TANGIBLE HERITAGE IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Syed Ariffin Syed Ahmed Iskandar , Aminu Dodo Yakubu , Nafida Raja , Kamarulzaman Norazila
Published: December 2015

Conservation of tangible heritage has environmental sustainability benefits; Cultural heritage management remains a key priority for governments and civil society in Asia and Europe, which also acknowledged the significant role of non-governmental stakeholders in heritage. In Malaysia, the effort of conserving heritage buildings commenced approximately 30 to 40 years ago which is still at it infant stage. The implementation of National Heritage Act beginning from 2006 faces many challenges in confronting the wave of rapid urbanization. A review of necessary literature was carried out critically highlighting some fundamental principles in conservation of historic building which inform conceptualizing a framework for the digitalizing tangible heritage in Malaysia. The conceptual framework shows the complexity involves in managing tangible heritage digitization process. The process required interdisciplinary collaborative process from many expertise and professionals. The results form the basis for a proposed automated tool to assist in the development of strategies for conservation and increasing tourism potentials in Malaysia. This proposed framework would be further tested in form of a collaborative research among professional from different fields in built environment.
CONSTRUCTION PLAYER’S PERCEPTION OF TRAINING APPROACH USING SERIOUS GAME –A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Mohd Norhazren Izatie , Ali Kherun Nita , Shafaghat Arezou
Published: December 2015

Construction workers are always exposed to numerous occupational hazards of different kinds and levels of complexity in every project they engage in. Therefore, there is a need for training modules which can provide the knowledge to construction workers to acquire the skills necessary for occupational and environmental safety on site. However, current safety training still lacks hands-on approaches and it is theory-oriented. This is due to the nature of the construction environment itself in which hands-on approaches are impossible to be applied for certain types of hazards. Training which is assisted by technology is an effective tool in improving learning for not just for children but also for adults. Currently, serious game has become a new approach in training and learning not limited to the field of education but this approach has been applied across disciplines and areas including military, mining, transportation, oil and gas and also the construction industry. Therefore, this paper sought to review construction workers’ perceptions toward serious game as a training tool. Fifty players at various levels from the construction industry participated in a pilot study. A set of questionnaire was distributed to the participants during an occupational safety and hazard (OSH) training course with the cooperation of OSH state agency in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia and also online.  Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data from the questionnaire. Preliminary findings of the pilot study indicated that construction workers had high expectation toward serious game in delivering hands-on training in safer environment. They also believed training module using serious game had the potential in creating affordable, interactive and entertaining training module for the industry. The study contributes to an understanding of occupational safety training needs in the construction industry for a safer, more affordable and interactive as well as entertaining approach.