bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifaceted role of cycling DOF factor 3 (CDF3) in the regulation of flowering time and abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Corrales Alba‐Rocio , Carrillo Laura , Lasierra Pilar , Nebauer Sergio G. , Dominguez‐Figueroa Jose , Renau‐Morata Begoña , Pollmann Stephan , Granell Antonio , Molina Rosa‐Victoria , Vicente‐Carbajosa Jesús , Medina Joaquín
Published: January 2017

DNA‐binding with one finger (DOF)‐type transcription factors are involved in many fundamental processes in higher plants, from responses to light and phytohormones to flowering time and seed maturation, but their relation with abiotic stress tolerance is largely unknown. Here, we identify the roles of CDF3, an Arabidopsis DOF gene in abiotic stress responses and developmental processes like flowering time. CDF3 is highly induced by drought, extreme temperatures and abscisic acid treatment. The CDF3 T‐DNA insertion mutant cdf3‐1 is much more sensitive to drought and low temperature stress, whereas CDF3 overexpression enhances the tolerance of transgenic plants to drought, cold and osmotic stress and promotes late flowering. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CDF3 regulates a set of genes involved in cellular osmoprotection and oxidative stress, including the stress tolerance transcription factors CBFs, DREB2A and ZAT12, which involve both gigantea‐dependent and independent pathways. Consistently, metabolite profiling disclosed that the total amount of some protective metabolites including γ‐aminobutyric acid, proline, glutamine and sucrose were higher in CDF3‐overexpressing plants. Taken together, these results indicate that CDF3 plays a multifaceted role acting on both flowering time and abiotic stress tolerance, in part by controlling the CBF/DREB2A‐CRT/DRE and ZAT10/12 modules.
Bilateral Half‐Head Comparison of 1% Anthralin Ointment in Children with Alopecia Areata
Authors: Özdemir Mustafa , Balevi Ali
Published: January 2017

Background/Objectives

Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most difficult skin diseases to manage well. In children, anthralin is commonly used for the treatment of AA. Available research consists of a limited number of uncontrolled trials that assessed the effectiveness of anthralin in promoting hair growth in patients with AA. The objective of this study was to validate the clinical effectiveness of short‐contact anthralin 1% ointment in children with AA.

Methods

Thirty children with chronic, severe, treatment‐refractory, extensive AA were treated with 1% anthralin ointment. One side of the scalp was treated with anthralin for 12 months and the other side was left untreated. Outcomes were evaluated according to the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score.

Results

The mean time to first response in terms of new hair growth was 3 months and the mean time to maximal response was 9 months. In the first 12‐month period, 10 patients (33.4%) achieved complete response to treatment and 11 patients (36.6%) had a partial response. Of the 11 patients with partial response at the end of the first year, 6 achieved a complete response before the end of the study. Total SALT scores for the entire scalp decreased from the end of the first year to the end of the 2‐year period. No serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Anthralin 1% is an effective therapy for AA and should be continued at least 9 months. At 9 months of topical anthralin therapy, the patients with at least a 50% reduction in their pretreatment SALT scores should continue the same treatment for at least 1 year. Anthralin is safe in children with chronic, severe, treatment‐refractory, extensive AA.
Children after renal transplantation hospitalized for fever: Is empirical antibiotic treatment always justified?
Authors: Ashkenazi‐Hoffnung Liat , Davidovits Miriam , Bilavsky Efraim , Yassin Reem , Rom Eran , Amir Jacob
Published: January 2017

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. However, data focusing on children are scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and predictors of bacterial infection in pediatric renal transplant recipients in a specific setting of hospitalization due to fever. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected for all pediatric renal transplant recipients hospitalized for fever in a national renal transplantation center from 2004 to 2012. One hundred and sixty‐eight hospital admissions for fever of 52 children were analyzed. A bacterial etiology was diagnosed in 85 admissions (50.6%); 49 cases (57.6%) were documented microbiologically and 36 (42.4%) clinically. Risk factors and markers of bacterial infection included older age, presence of a central venous catheter, sonographic findings, and elevated inflammatory indices. C‐reactive protein level was a more sensitive marker than white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count. In patients without identified risk factors, no bacterial infections were diagnosed. Pediatric renal transplant recipients hospitalized for fever are at high risk of bacterial infections and usually require empirical antibiotic treatment at admission. However, there is a minority of low‐risk patients in whom clinicians may consider withholding antibiotic treatment with close follow‐up.
Reactive Aggression and Suicide‐Related Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: A Review and Preliminary Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hartley Chelsey M. , Pettit Jeremy W. , Castellanos Daniel
Published: January 2017

The empirical literature on the association between reactive aggression and suicide‐related behaviors in children and adolescents was reviewed. A narrative review of seven studies that met inclusion/exclusion criteria is followed by a preliminary meta‐analysis to provide insight into the strength of the association between reactive aggression and suicide‐related behaviors. Each of the seven studies reported a statistically significant association between reactive aggression and suicide‐related behaviors, including suicide, nonfatal suicide attempt, and suicide ideation. Results from the meta‐analysis indicated a consistent, medium‐sized association (k = 7; N = 4,693; rbar = .25). The narrative review and results of the preliminary meta‐analysis support the promise of pursuing future research on reactive aggression and suicide‐related behaviors in children and adolescents. A theoretical model is proposed to guide the development of future research.
Promotion of first internode elongation in perennial paddy weeds Sagittaria trifolia and Sagittaria pygmaea tubers by oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide
Authors: Sasayama Daisuke , Ikemachi Kenta , Sakai Hisateru , Fukayama Hiroshi , Itoh Kazuyuki , Azuma Tetsushi
Published: January 2017

The semiaquatic plants,
S

agittaria trifolia and
S

agittaria pygmaea, are perennial and troublesome weeds of rice paddy fields. These species mainly reproduce vegetatively via tubers, which sprout after the rice paddy fields are irrigated. Sprouting finally leads to the emergence of the shoots from the water in the paddy fields. In both species, the first internode elongates around the time of emergence and this lifts the shoot meristems in the soil, aiding in the establishment of the young plants. Therefore, elongation of the internode is a factor that determines the weed damage to rice caused by these species. In this study, the first internode elongation of both species was characterized. During emergence,
S

. trifolia and
S

. pygmaea showed distinct growth patterns. In
S

. trifolia, the internodes elongated before the emergence of the shoots from the water; whereas, in
S

. pygmaea, the internodes started to elongate only after emergence. We examined environmental prerequisites for internode elongation, and found that the internode elongation of
S

. trifolia was induced by submergence and was independent of the soil cover, while that of
S

. pygmaea required both submergence and covering. Next, we determined which gaseous factors were responsible for internode elongation. Treatment with ethylene, which enhances growth of several other aquatic and semiaquatic plants, did not stimulate internode elongation in either species under an anaerobic condition. Our results suggested that the gaseous factor stimulating internode elongation in
S

. trifolia and
S

. pygmaea may be oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide, respectively.
Factors affecting the seed germination and seedling emergence of muskweed (Myagrum perfoliatum)
Authors: Honarmand Saeid J. , Nosratti Iraj , Nazari Khadije , Heidari Hassan
Published: January 2017

Myagrum perfoliatum is a noxious broad‐leaved weed in western Iranian farming systems. A better understanding of the timing of seedling emergence would facilitate the development of better control strategies for this weed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of different factors on muskweed seed germination. Only 2.8% of the seeds of this species, which are encapsulated in siliques, germinated by, while the seeds that had been removed from the siliques had a 50% germination rate. The immersion of muskweed fruits in concentrated sulfuric acid for 110 min was the best treatment for promoting germination. Gibberellic acid stimulated the germination of the naked seeds by 29.1%, potassium nitrate (40 mmol L‐1) increased the germination rate to 71%, while higher concentrations of potassium nitrate inhibited germination. The optimum germination temperature for the naked seeds was 20/10°C (day/night) and light was not required for germination. No seedling emerged when the seeds were buried 6 cm deep. The seeds were sensitive to both osmotic and salinity stress, but they germinated to 46–49% over a pH range of 4–10. The results of this study revealed that the seeds of
M

. perfoliatum have physiological dormancy and that it is slowly broken via after‐ripening. However, the fruit wall can prevent germination after physiological dormancy is broken. Thus, this species has the potential to form a persistent seed bank because of the presence of the fruit wall.
Severe Outbreak of Sorbitol‐Fermenting Escherichia coli O157 via Unpasteurized Milk and Farm Visits, Finland 2012
Authors: Jaakkonen A. , Salmenlinna S. , Rimhanen‐Finne R. , Lundström H. , Heinikainen S. , Hakkinen M. , Hallanvuo S.
Published: January 2017

Shiga toxin‐producing, sorbitol‐fermenting Escherichia coli O157 (SF O157) has emerged as a cause of severe human illness. Despite frequent human findings, its transmission routes and reservoirs remain largely unknown. Foodborne transmission and reservoir in cattle have been suspected, but with limited supporting evidence. This study describes the outbreak of SF O157 that occurred in Finland in 2012. The outbreak originated from a recreational farm selling unpasteurized milk, as revealed by epidemiologic and microbiological investigations, and involved six hospitalized children and two asymptomatic adults with culture‐confirmed infection. An identical strain of SF O157 was isolated from patients, cattle and the farm environment, and epidemiologic analysis suggested unpasteurized milk as the vehicle of transmission. This study reports the first milkborne outbreak of SF O157, provides supporting evidence of cattle as a reservoir and highlights the health risks related to the consumption of unpasteurized milk.
Don't judge a fish by its fins: species delineation of Congolese Labeo (Cyprinidae)
Authors: Van Steenberge Maarten , Gajdzik Laura , Chilala Alex , Snoeks Jos , Vreven Emmanuel
Published: January 2017

Conspicuous characters are often useful in species identification. Yet, identification and delineation are two different processes, and such characters do not necessarily provide the best basis on which species can be delineated. This is illustrated by the case of the Labeo with papillary lips from the Congo basin. Traditionally, species delineation in this group was based on a conspicuous trait: the shape of the dorsal fin, which shows a profound degree of differentiation. Morphometric analyses were performed on 185 specimens both with and without measurements taken on this fin. The groups obtained using these two approaches were compared with those obtained through DNA barcoding. For this, 24 sequences of the standard barcoding COI gene were obtained. Species delineations based on morphological and molecular results were in agreement when the shape of the dorsal fin was ignored. This suggested that of the five nominal species known from the Congo basin, L. altivelis, L. rosae, L. lineatus, L. weeksii and L. maleboensis, only the former three remain valid. Consequently, L. weeksii was synonymised with L. altivelis and L. maleboensis with L. lineatus. The sole Congo basin endemic is L. lineatus as L. altivelis and L. rosae also occur in more southern basins. The use of the shape of the dorsal fin in morphological studies has previously led to overestimates of species diversity in this group. This is due to the fact that L. altivelis shows a remarkable amount of geographical variation for this trait. The large amount of intra‐ and interspecific variation in this character was caused by differential allometric growth in different parts of the dorsal fin.
AUTOMATED RECOGNITION OF SINGLE & HYBRID POWER QUALITY DISTURBANCES USING WAVELET TRANSFORM BASED SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE
Authors: Khokhar Suhail , Mohd Zin A. A. , Bhayo M. A. , Mokhtar A. S.
Published: January 2017

The monitoring of power quality (PQ) disturbances in a systematic and automated way is an important issue to prevent detrimental effects on power system. The development of new methods for the automatic recognition of single and hybrid PQ disturbances is at present a major concern. This paper presents a combined approach of wavelet transform based support vector machine (WT-SVM) for the automatic classification of single and hybrid PQ disturbances. The proposed approach is applied by using synthetic models of various single and hybrid PQ signals. The suitable features of the PQ waveforms were first extracted by using discrete wavelet transform. Then SVM classifies the type of PQ disturbances based on these features. The classification performance of the proposed algorithm is also compared with wavelet based radial basis function neural network, probabilistic neural network and feed-forward neural network. The experimental results show that the recognition rate of the proposed WT-SVM based classification system is more accurate and much better than the other classifiers.
MAGNETIC FIELD MEASUREMENT FROM 132/275 KV OVERHEAD POWER LINES
Authors: Jimbin Viloria Sherryl , Ahmad N. A.
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a study on magnetic field radiated from 132/275kV overhead power lines. The magnetic field radiation from overhead power lines have become a concern to the public due to its adverse health effects such as leukemia in children. A report from World Health Organization (WHO) stated that radiated magnetic fields from overhead power lines may cause leukemia in children if they are exposed to it every day. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to measure the magnetic field radiated from 132/275kV power lines. EMDEX II, a free body meter is used to measure the magnetic field at 1 meter above ground level and the lateral profile was proven using MATLAB calculation. The measurement was done at SJK (T) Gelang Patah and Taman Pulai Utama at a distance of 35 meter from the outermost conductor. The results from both locations show that the radiated magnetic field is much lower than the exposure limit stated in the ICNIRP standard, in which the highest data recorded is only 4mG. The lateral profile magnetic field also shows that exposure to magnetic fields directly below the overhead power line are within the ICNIRP recommended exposure limits. Thus, it can be concluded that the magnetic field radiated by 132/275kV power lines in Malaysia operate at a safe level.
AN IMPROVED MULTIDEVICE INTERLEAVED BOOST CONVERTER WITH NOVEL MULTIPLEX CONTROLLER FOR FUEL CELL
Authors: Faisal Muhamad Norfais , Mohamed Azah , Hannan M. A. , Wan Daud Wan Ramli , Majlan Edy Herianto
Published: January 2017

Mass commercialization of fuel cells (FC) and its usage in transportation requires that the FC technology to be competitive with regard to performance and cost, while meeting efficiency and emissions targets. Therefore, fuel cell output current ripple that may shorten FC lifespan, worsen FC efficiency and reduce the FC output capacity need to be addressed. In this paper, an improved multi-device interleaved boost converter (MDIBC) with novel multiplex controller topology is designed to further reduce the input current and output voltage ripples, without increasing the number of MDIBC switching devices. The Matlab/Simulink behaviour model of the improved MDIBC with novel multiplex controller and conventional MDIBC circuit are developed in the simulation studies. The proposed improved MDIBC design is then compared with the conventional MDIBC and its performance is verified.
THE CONJUGACY CLASSES OF SOME FINITE METABELIAN GROUPS AND THEIR RELATED GRAPHS
Authors: Sarmin Nor Haniza , Ibrahim Ain Asyikin , Mohd Noor Alia Husna , Mohamed Saleh Omer Sanaa
Published: January 2017

In this paper, the conjugacy classes of three metabelian groups, namely the Quasi-dihedral group, Dihedral group and Quaternion group of order 16 are computed. The obtained results are then applied to graph theory, more precisely to conjugate graph and conjugacy class graph. Some graph properties such as chromatic number, clique number, dominating number and independent number are found.
OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING PARAMETERS OF SISIC THROUGH RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: Abdu Aliyu Abdul Azeez , Mohd Rohani Jafri , Abdul Rani Ahmad Majdi , Musa Hamidon
Published: January 2017

In recent years, researchers have demonstrated increases interest in studies involving silicon carbide (SiC) materials due to several industrial applications. Extreme hardness and high brittleness properties of SiC make the machining of such material very difficult, time consuming and costly. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been regarded as the most viable method for the machining of SiC. The mechanism of EDM process is complex. Researchers have acknowledged a challenge in generating a model that accurately describes the correlation between the input parameters and the responses. This paper reports the study on parametric optimization of siliconized silicon carbide (SiSiC) for the following quality responses; material removal rate (MRR), tool wear ratio (TWR) and surface roughness (Ra). The experiments were planned using Face centered central composite design. The models which related MRR, TWR and Ra with the most significant factors such as discharge current (Ip), pulse-on time (Ton), and servo voltage (Sv) were developed. In order to develop, improve and optimize the models response surface methodology (RSM) was used. Non-linear models were proposed for MRR and Ra while linear model was proposed for TWR. The margin of error between predicted and experimental values of MRR, TWR and Ra are found within 6.7, 5.6 and 2.5% respectively. Thus, the excellent reproducibility of this experimental study is confirmed, and the models developed for MRR, TWR and Ra are justified to be valid by the confirmation tests.
AN X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY STUDY ON OXIDIZED FUSION METAL PART OF WELDED 6061 AL ALLOY
Authors: Hussin Muhamad Hellmy , Che Lah Nur Azida
Published: January 2017

Surface sensitive electron spectroscopy was used to study the fundamental processes of high temperature oxidation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been applied to determine the oxide scale growth on oxidized fusion metal part of two different types of welded 6061 Al alloy, namely AA6061 ER4043 and AA6061 ER5356. Both welded joint were prepared using different filler metal which are ER4043 (Al-5%Si) and ER5356 (Al-5%Mg) respectively. XPS were used to investigate the chemical composition of the top surface of oxide scale that had been exposed to oxidation at 600oC for 40 hours. Furthermore, SEM and XRD were applied to characterize the cross-section of oxide scale and the phase present. The presence of Mg originating from filler metal addition was found to accelerate the oxidation process. Meanwhile, Si is expected to contribute as an agent in slowing down the oxidation process. It was significant due to the nature of Si itself which is less reactive and has ceramic properties than Mg.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION AND ITS APPLICATION IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR: A REVIEW
Authors: Hasan Muhammad Syahid , Ebrahim Zuhriah , Wan Mahmood Wan Hasrulnizzam , Ab Rahman Mohd Nizam
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this paper is to review decision support system application trend in manufacturing sector. Following the introduction of decision support system, the paper has discussed the application of decision support system in manufacturing sector and identifies the trend in term of decision support system types and their application types. In year 2011 until 2015, the most preferred decision support system were developed by using the model application. It also been found that, most of the developed decision support system are used to support evaluation activities in manufacturing operations. This review provides research trend on decision support system for the recent five years (2011 -2015) in the context of decision support system application in manufacturing industry.
PRE-TREATMENT AMMONIA REMOVAL OF SCHEDULED WASTE LEACHATE WITH HYDRATED LIME AND CAUSTIC SODA
Authors: M. L. Nurul Hanira, , C. M. Hasfalina , Sani A. , Rashid M.
Published: January 2017

Leachate is known to be hazardous wastewater in terms of its organic matter and ammonia content. Various methods have been studied extensively for the treatment of different types of leachate. However, scheduled waste leachate is rarely studied due to its complex characteristics and highly contaminated nature compared to other types of landfill leachates. In this study, hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) and caustic soda (NaOH) as softener agent were used for increasing the pH of the treatment process of scheduled waste leachate to remove ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N). Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour removal were also evaluated. Jar test experiments was performed using Ca(OH)2 and NaOH at varying dosages ranging from nil to 12 g L-1. A Historical Data Design (HDD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the parameters affecting NH3-N, COD and colour removal efficiency. The optimal conditions obtained from desirable response were predicted at 5.9 g L-1 of Ca(OH)2 dosage, where the maximum NH3-N, COD and colour removal efficiency would be 49%, 18% and 66%, respectively. Meanwhile for NaOH, dosage of 6.4 g L-1 waspredicted to remove NH3-N, COD and colour up to 32%, 4% and 42%, respectively. The predicted values concurred with the experiments, in which Ca(OH)2 successfully reducing NH3‑N, COD and colour up to 52 %, 17.5 % and 65 %, while NaOH could only remove NH3-N, COD and colour by up to 35 %, 2 % and 49 %, respectively. The results obtained from this study suggest that hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2), is more feasible to be used for the pre-treatment process of scheduled waste leachate as less dosage is required with higher removal efficiencies of NH3-N, COD and colour. This study demonstrates that RSM was a reliable tool to predict the optimum dosage and suitable types of chemicals for the removal of NH3-N, COD and colour from the available data.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF FOUR-STROKE SI (SPARK IGNITION) ENGINE USING ETHANOL-GASOLINE BLEND E50 AT VARIABLE LOAD AND COMPRESSION RATIO
Authors: Khattak M. A. , Mukhtar Anique , Anjum M. W. , Afaq S. Kamran , Ahad Muhammad Abdul , Khan Mahmood , Kazi S. , Badshah Saeed , Khan Rafiuallah
Published: January 2017

Due to combination of factors, such as environmental concerns, high oil prices and the potential for peak oil, development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world. Use of Gasoline as an alternative fuel in Gasoline engine is becoming a need, looking at the scarcity of petroleum fuels in near future. This paper investigates the influence of compression ratio and ethanol-gasoline blending to find the effects on four-stroke SI engine performance. In this research, air cooled engine having compression ratio of 9.1 & 9.7 is used. Fuel blend E50 is used in the study and engine operated at a speed range of 600-1100 rpm. Maximum power was obtained for E50 fuel at a compression ratio of 9.1, while, a minimum fuel consumption rate was obtained at a compression ratio of 9.7. This clearly depicts that as compression ratio increases, fuel consumption rate decreases considerably. Further, experimental results showed that comparing several blends, 50% ethanol is cost and power effective for the four-stroke SI engine.
RESPONSE OF COLD MIX ASPHALT PRODUCED WITH STRAIGHT RUN BITUMEN BLENDED WITH POLYETHYLENE TO STATIC LOADING
Authors: Sunday Kolo Stephen , Alaro Jimoh Yinusa , Oyetunde Adeleke Oluwafemi , Yisa Adama Andrew , Daniel Akinmade Oluwatosin
Published: January 2017

Road surfacing repairs is usually done with hot mix asphalt, with concomitant challenges of risk of fire hazard and global warming, while working at desired temperatures for fluid flow of the viscous binder in the production of the bituminous materials. An alternative maintenance option is the use of cold mix asphalt, which is environmentally friendly and acts as a pollution control when produced with non-degradable polythene packaging wastes which are freely disposed off in open spaces within the rural and urban dwellings in developing nations. The successful addition of this material will (i) Free the environment from the flying polyethylene wastes (ii) Reduce the consumption rate for the bitumen and (iii) Reduce the rate of oxidation of bitumen. Cold mix asphalt binder was obtained by processing some quantity of straight-run bitumen with chemically dissolved polyethylene wastes sachets at temperature of 90 oC, with an alkaline emulsifier, chemical surfactant and water. The mix asphalt was produced at specified design mix formula of 35% coarse aggregates, 65% fine aggregate, 10% mineral filler and the optimum binder of 6%. The obtained sample was subjected to an improvised laboratory Marshall Tests, static loadings under the typical sub-tropical weather and climate in Minna, Niger state, Nigeria. It was discovered that the consolidation theory by Terzaghi perfectly applied to the asphaltic settlement and that in 20 years the magnitude of settlement will be 4.33mm and the result also shows that the asphalt is elastic in nature.
ESTERIFICATION OF RENEWABLE LEVULINIC ACID TO LEVULINATE ESTERS USING AMBERLYST-15 AS A SOLID ACID CATALYST
Authors: Ramli Nur Aainaa Syahirah , Zaharudin Nur Hidayah , Amin Nor Aishah Saidina
Published: January 2017

Levulinic acid (LA) is a versatile biomass-derived building block as it can be used for the synthesis of organic chemicals as alternative to the depleting fossil fuel resources. Levulinate esters, obtained from catalytic esterification of LA with alcohol, can be used in many applications such as fragrance and fuel additives. In this study, ion-exchange resins Amberlyst-15 was employed as solid acid catalyst for esterification of LA with methanol for methyl levulinate (ML) production. The effect of reaction time, catalyst loading, and molar ratio of LA to methanol, was investigated on LA esterification to ML at the reflux condition. The optimum ML yield of 82% was obtained from reaction conducted at reflux temperature for 5h, using 30% of Amberlyst-15 loading, and 1:20 of LA to methanol molar ratio. The reusability of Amberlyst-15 for ML production was examined for five successive reactions. In addition, Amberlyst-15 catalyst, employed in the esterification of LA with ethanol and 1-butanol for ethyl levulinate (EL) and butyl levulinate (BL), respectively, registered good performance. Yields of 71% and 55% have been obtained for EL and BL, respectively. Amberlyst-15 is a promising solid acid catalyst for production of biomass derived levulinate esters at mild process conditions.
FRACTIONAL RESIDUAL PLOT FOR MODEL VALIDATION
Authors: Kamisan Nur Arina Bazilah , Lee Muhammad Hisyam , Suhartono Suhartono , Hussin Abdul Ghapor , Zubairi Yong Zulina
Published: January 2017

A pairwise comparison is important to measure the goodness-of-fit of models. Error measurements are used for this purpose but it only limit to the value, thus a graph is used to help show the precision of the models. These two should show a tally result in order to defense the hypothesis correctly. In this study, a fractional residual plot is proposed to help showing the precision of forecasts. This plot improvises the scale of the graph by changing the scale into decimal ranging from -1 to 1. The closer the point to 0 will indicate that forecast is robust and value closer to -1 or 1 will indicate that the forecast is poor. Two error measurements which are mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and residual plot are used to justify the results and make comparison with the proposed fractional residual plot. Three difference data are used for this purpose and the results have shown that the fractional residual plot could give as much information as the residual plot but in an easier and meaningful way. In conclusion, the error plot is important in visualize the accurateness of the forecast.
ON GRAPHS ASSOCIATED TO CONJUGACY CLASSES OF SOME THREE-GENERATOR GROUPS
Authors: Sarmin Nor Haniza , Mohd Noor Alia Husna , Mohamed Saleh Omer Sanaa
Published: January 2017

A graph consists of points which are called vertices, and connections which are called edges, which are indicated by line segments or curves joining certain pairs of vertices.  In this paper, four types of graphs which are the commuting graph, non-commuting graph conjugate graph and the conjugacy class graph for some three-generator groups are discussed. Some of the graph properties are also found which include the independent number, chromatic number, clique number and dominating number.
TEST REGISTER INSERTION AT RTL BASED ON REDUCED BIST
Authors: Paraman Norlina , Yee Ooi Chia , Sha'ameri Ahmad Zuri , Fujiwara Hideo
Published: January 2017

Built-in self-test (BIST) method has high area overhead and long test application time. In this paper, a new BIST method is proposed at register transfer level (RTL) as a design for testability (DFT) method to modify a given RTL circuit to a reduced BIST-able RTL circuit. First, we introduce modelling method called extended R-graph to represent the register connectivity of an RTL circuit. The original register in the RTL circuit is modified into multiple input signature registers (MISRs) as test register. The selection of MISR is performed by extended minimum feedback vertex set (MFVS) algorithm that identifies a set of vertices (representing test register) which breaks all the loops of extended R-graph with minimal cost when vertices are removed. It has been proven through simulation that the proposed BIST method has lower area overhead of 32.9% on average and achieves comparably high fault coverage compared to the previous method, concurrent BIST using ITC'99 benchmark circuits.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY IN PRODUCT DESIGN: A REVIEW AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Authors: Hassan Mohd Fahrul , Mat Saman Muhamad Zameri , Mahmood Salwa , Muhd Nor Nik Hisyamudin , Abdol Rahman Mohd Nasrull
Published: January 2017

To achieve sustainable product design, it is crucial to use sustainability assessment during the product design process. In this paper, numerous sustainability assessment methodologies in product design are reviewed. A comprehensive assessment of sustainability has been reported to present better performance for improving product sustainability. This review focused on the consideration of sustainability elements by previous researchers that have proposed integrated design tools, commercial software tools and combination both methods in supporting the methodologies. Based on this review, it can be concluded that the inclusion of sustainability performance among the assessment criteria in the design process activities is suggested as a critical point of concern which presents a challenge and is a great opportunity to develop useful guidelines or directions for industries or any product-based project so that the proposed approach will be accepted for implementation in the working environment.
QUANTITATIVE PRECIPITATION FORECAST USING NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION AND METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE FOR KELANTAN AND KLANG RIVER BASINS
Authors: Tahir Wardah , Aminuddin Ahmad Kamil , Ramli Suzana , Jaafar Jurina
Published: January 2017

The unusual heavy rainfall episodes over Kelantan River Basin in 2014 had caused massive destruction and several deaths.  The unprecedented storm events at the north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia and many other places indicate the need for enhanced storm forecasting to improve disaster preparedness among the civilian. Quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) from atmospheric model combined with geostationary meteorological satellite information as input to hydrodynamic model for flood forecasting system can potentially provide improved lead time for warning.  In this study, a QPF model is developed using the multilayer neural network with data inputs from the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model products combined with the geostationary meteorological satellite infrared and visible image features to forecast precipitation for a flood-prone area in a tropical region. The results indicate that the model can satisfactorily produce 1-hour rainfall forecast with improved accuracy for larger forecast area. The R2 for areal average rainfall for Kelantan river basin is 0.674 and for Klang river basin is 0.893 whereas the R2 for point rainfall is 0.392 for Kelantan river basin and 0.495 for Klang river basin.
POSITIONING CONTROL PERFORMANCES OF A ROBOTIC HAND SYSTEM
Authors: Mohamad Yuden Mohamad Adzeem , Md Ghazaly Mariam , Che Amran Aliza , Jamaludin Irma Wani , Hui Yee Khoo , Yaacob Mohd Rusdy , Abdullah Zulkeflee , Chin Kiat Yeo
Published: January 2017

Hazardous environments such as in industry sector with high chemical usage give high risks to the safety of workers. These risks can be reduced by designing robotic hand that is able to replace human works. For the industry purpose, the robotic hand needs to have a higher performance in accuracy, stability and consistency. However, the current robotic hand in industry is not flexible, which means it cannot be used for different tasks. Therefore, a multi-purpose robotic hand was developed. In this paper, the objectives of this research are to design and develop a PID controller for improving the performances of a robotic hand system. The experimental results prove that the PID controller shows good performances with the steady state error less than 0.110 for the input reference, 300 respectively.
AN EFFECTIVE NUMERICAL METHOD FOR SOLVING THE NONLINEAR SINGULAR LANE-EMDEN TYPE EQUATIONS OF VARIOUS ORDERS
Authors: Parand Kourosh , Delkhosh Mehdi
Published: January 2017

The Lane-Emden type equations are employed in the modeling of several phenomena in the areas of mathematical physics and astrophysics. These equations are categorized as non-linear singular ordinary differential equations on the semi-infinite domain. In this paper, the generalized fractional order of the Chebyshev orthogonal functions (GFCFs) of the first kind have been introduced as a new basis for Spectral methods, and also presented an effective numerical method based on the GFCFs and the collocation method for solving the nonlinear singular Lane-Emden type equations of various orders. Obtained results have compared with other results to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method.
STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT OF EPOXY GROUTS FOR PIPELINE REHABILITATION
Authors: Kar Sing Lim , Azraai Siti Nur Afifah , Yahaya Nordin , Zardasti Libriati , Md Noor Norhazilan
Published: January 2017

Polymeric composites are increasingly being used as infill material in civil engineering applications for repairing damaged structures, including corroded pipelines. In repairing damaged pipelines, combination of composite layer and infill materials is a preferable technique used in oil and gas industry. It is desirable for a repair work to be completed in a short period of time. More importantly, as the repair work is done, the structure is expected to back in service soonest possible to minimize the financial loss due to production interference. This paper investigates the development of tensile and compressive strength of two epoxy grouts over 28 days. This research program aims to improve fundamental understanding of this material and its potential application in repairing damaged pipeline. A total of 80 samples with different curing times were prepared based on manufacturer’s guideline. The samples were then cured in room temperature for 1, 7, 21 and 28 days before tested using universal testing machine. The trend of strength development over time was studied to identify the time at which the grout can be considered capable of serving in service condition. It was found that the compressive and tensile strength of both grouts greater than 70MPa and 14MPa at 1-days curing time, respectively. The strength is about 80% developed for 1-day curing time. When comparing the properties of the tested grouts with previous studies, both grouts were found to have the potential to be used as infill material for repairing damaged pipeline. In addition, for application of compressive strength and tensile strength less than 70MPa and 14MPa, both grouts can be considered as capable to serve its repair purpose after the grout cured for 1 day.
Competitive Strategy, Market Entry Mode and International Performance: The Case of Construction Firms in China
Authors: Yan Shigang , Liu Guozhi
Published: January 2017

As an important participant in the international construction market, Chinese construction firms (CCFs) are confronted with the tasks of keeping themselves competitive. To help CCFs maintain and improve their competitiveness, this research builds a conceptual model to investigate the relationship between competitive strategy, market entry mode and performance within CCFs. Based on data collected from CCFs, this research has confirmed the importance of cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and business scope diversification, to achieve their superior performance. Moreover, there are positive relationships among entry mode strategies with CCFs’ international performance.
Acquisition of Zero Relative Clauses in English by Adult Turkish Learners of English
Authors: Ordem Eser
Published: January 2017

Studies on acquisition of relative clauses by first and second language learners have evoked considerable interest in recent decades. In line with such studies, in this present study we aim to show the possible effect of first language (Turkish) on second language (English) in zero relative clause constructions. English uses certain stranded prepositions in zero relative clauses, whereas Turkish uses the same suffix in non-subject relative clause constructions. This observation in two typologically different languages led the study to claim that Turkish word order in non-subject relative clauses affects the acquisition of zero relative clauses in English. Fifty sentences in Turkish were prepared and composed of five categories. Each category consisted of ten sentences. Each category referred to one of the five cases in Turkish. These cases were accusative, locative, ablative, dative and instrumental. The participants (N=91) were asked to translate these Turkish sentences into English. The results showed that the participants tended to omit prepositions in English zero relative clauses except the construction that did not entail any preposition. Therefore, the study implies that Turkish language learners may be under the effect of their mother tongue while producing zero relative clauses in English.
The Analysis of Fourth Grade Primary Students’ Reader Self-perceptions in Terms of Gender and Preschool Educational Background
Authors: Sağırlı Muhittin , Okur Burçin
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to analyse perceptions of fourth grade primary school students on their reading ability. In study, screening model was used as a quantitative research method. The sample of this research was selected by convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 556 fourth grade students who received education in 8 public schools in 2014-2015 academic year in Tuzla, Pendik, Çekmeköy and Kadıköy districts in İstanbul. A ‘personal information form’ and a ‘Reading Self-Perception Scale’ were used as data collection tools in this study. It is found that the readability level of scales and their sub-dimensions’ was convenience for the research according to item analysis. The data collected by personal information form and Reader Self-Perception Scale was analysed with SPSS (Statical Package for the Social Sciences) 23 statistical package program. For the analysis frequency and percentage distribution, mean square and standard deviation values, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and independent samples t-test were used. The general reader self-perception of fourth graders is at positive level. The highest level of reader self-perceptions is at ‘progress’ The general self-perception levels of students vary by gender. The reader self-perceptions level of female students is higher than the reader self-perceptions level of male students. The reader self-perceptions of students vary by pre-school educational background. The students who have pre-school educational background have higher level of reader self-perception with its sub-dimensions than the students who don’t have pre-school educational background.
Estimating and removing colorations from the deconvolved impulse response of an underwater acoustic channel
Authors: Gemba Kay L. , Nosal Eva-Marie , Reed Todd R.
Published: January 2017

The impulse response (IR) of an acoustic channel can be obtained by cross-correlating the received signal with the broadband excitation signal in unfavorable noise conditions. However, the deconvolved IR is colored by the IRs of the combined electrical equipment. This letter presents a time domain approach using pre-computed filters to whiten the unknown coloration in order to obtain the channel's time domain waveform. The method is validated with an image-source model and the IR of the channel is recovered with spectral root mean square error of −27 dB. Data results obtained from a pool experiment with non-calibrated equipment yield a whitened IR with standard deviation of 0.9 dB (30–68 kHz band).
Polarization state of an inhomogenously refracted compressional-wave induced at interface between two anisotropic rocks
Authors: Fa Lin , Li Wenya , Zhao Jie , Han Yonglan , Liang Meng , Ding Pengfei , Zhao Meishan
Published: January 2017

This paper is concerned with the polarization states of an inhomogenously refracted P-wave induced from the interface of two anisotropic rocks. Two realistic physical models have been studied: Model-1 is an interface between anisotropic shale and Taylor sandstone; Model-2 is an interface between anisotropic shale and oil shale. For each model, an analytical expression of the polarization states was derived and its elliptical-polarization trajectory was examined. It is shown that an anomalous incident-angle leads not only to a sudden elliptical-polarization directional variation but also to an abrupt change in size and shape of its elliptical-polarization trajectory. The calculated results and analyses provide a theoretical base for the understandings of an anomalous incident-angle recently reported in the literature [e.g., Fa, Fa, Zhang, Ding, Gong, Li, Li, Tang, and Zhao (2015). Sci. Rep. 5, 12700].
The SCF
β-TRCP
E3 ubiquitin ligase complex targets Lipin1 for ubiquitination and degradation to promote hepatic lipogenesis
Authors: Shimizu Kouhei , Fukushima Hidefumi , Ogura Kohei , Lien Evan C. , Nihira Naoe Taira , Zhang Jinfang , North Brian J. , Guo Ailan , Nagashima Katsuyuki , Nakagawa Tadashi , Hoshikawa Seira , Watahiki Asami , Okabe Koji , Yamada Aya , Toker Alex , Asara John M. , Fukumoto Satoshi , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Nakayama Keiko , Inuzuka Hiroyuki , Wei Wenyi
Published: January 2017

The targeting of Lipin1 by the SCF
β-TRCP
E3 ubiquitin ligase complex enhances lipid synthesis and accumulation in the liver.
Fasting, translation control, and seizures
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: January 2017

Acute fasting, a therapy that helps some epilepsy patients, inhibits protein translation and dampens synaptic activity in neuromuscular junctions in flies.
A DNA-ribosylating toxin and its antidote
Authors: Mushegian Alexandra A.
Published: January 2017

A bacterial toxin-antitoxin system acts through reversible ADP-ribosylation of single-stranded DNA.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Copper-Resistant Bacterium from the Citrus Phyllosphere,
Stenotrophomonas
sp. Strain LM091, Obtained Using Long-Read Technology
Authors: Richard Damien , Boyer Claudine , Lefeuvre Pierre , Pruvost Olivier
Published: January 2017

The
Stenotrophomonas
genus shows great adaptive potential including resistance to multiple antimicrobials, opportunistic pathogenicity, and production of numerous secondary metabolites. Using long-read technology, we report the sequence of a plant-associated
Stenotrophomonas
strain originating from the citrus phyllosphere that displays a copper resistance phenotype.
Complete Genome Sequences of Six Legionella pneumophila Isolates from Two Collocated Outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease in 2005 and 2008 in Sarpsborg/Fredrikstad, Norway
Authors: Dybwad Marius , Aarskaug Tone , Fykse Else-Marie , Henie Madslien Elisabeth , Blatny Janet Martha
Published: January 2017

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of
Legionella pneumophila
isolates from two collocated outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in 2005 and 2008 in Sarpsborg/Fredrikstad, Norway. One clinical and two environmental isolates were sequenced from each outbreak. The genome of all six isolates consisted of a 3.36 Mb-chromosome, while the 2005 genomes featured an additional 68 kb-episome sharing high sequence similarity with the
L. pneumophila
Lens plasmid. All six genomes contained multiple mobile genetic elements including novel combinations of type-IVA secretion systems. A comparative genomics study will be launched to resolve the genetic relationship between the
L. pneumophila
isolates.
Complete Genome Sequences of Enterococcus rotai LMG 26678
T
and Enterococcus silesiacus LMG 23085
T
Authors: Lauer Ana C. , Humrighouse Ben W. , Loparev Vladimir , Shewmaker Patricia L. , Whitney Anne M. , McQuiston John R. , McLaughlin Richard W.
Published: January 2017

The inclusion of molecular methods in the characterization of the novel species
Enterococcus horridus
necessitated the sequencing and assembly of the genomes of the closely related
Enterococcus rotai
and
Enterococcus silesiacus
. Sequencing using Illumina technology in combination with optical mapping led to the generation of closed genomes for both isolates.
Genomic Sequencing of Ranaviruses Isolated from Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic Cod (
Gadus morhua
)
Authors: Ariel Ellen , Steckler Natalie K. , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Olesen Niels J. , Waltzek Thomas B.
Published: January 2017

Ranaviruses have been isolated from Atlantic cod (
Gadus morhua
) and turbot (
Scophthalmus maximus
) in Denmark. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that these two ranaviruses are nearly identical and form a distinct clade at the base of the ranavirus tree branching off near other fish ranaviruses.
Complete Genome Sequences of Nine Enterovirus D68 Strains from Patients of the Lower Hudson Valley, New York, 2016
Authors: Huang Weihua , Yin Changhong , Zhuge Jian , Farooq Taliya , Yoon Esther C. , Nolan Sheila M. , Chen Donald , Fallon John T. , Wang Guiqing
Published: January 2017

Complete genome sequences of nine enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) strains from patients in New York were obtained in 2016 by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that a new subclade B3, with ~4.5% nucleotide divergence from subclade B1 strains causing the 2014 outbreak, is circulating in the United States in 2016.