bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN GAIT FEATURES OF HEALTHY CHILDREN
Authors: Zakaria Nur Khalidah , Jailani R. , Tahir NM
Published: November 2015

As a part of on-going research gait studies among children, this paper presents an analysis of spatiotemporal, kinematic angles at lower limb and kinetic forces of walking gait among children. Total of 20 healthy children which is 11 boys and 9 girls aged between 6 to 12 years old were participated in this study. Five spatiotemporal parameters and four selected kinematic angles at hip, knee, ankle and pelvic as well as kinetic ground reaction forces were obtained using Vicon® Nexus Plug-in-Gait at Human Motion and Gait Analysis Laboratory, UiTM Shah Alam. Each parameter will be analyzed to investigate the differences of walking gait in children for both genders. For kinematic parameters, this study will be analyzed for any differences at anatomical planes, which are sagittal, frontal and transverse planes. The result shows that there are significant differences between boys and girls at kinematic angles features at hip, knee and ankle. Additionally, the differences ranges of motion for both genders exist at all three anatomical planes.
POST-STROKE REHABILITATION: STICK EXERCISE MONITORING USING KALMAN FILTER
Authors: Tajuddin Attiya , Zulkifley Mohd Asyraf , Hussain Aini , Mustafa Mohd Marzuki
Published: November 2015

Post-stroke rehabilitation is a necessary step to improve the function of motor and muscle of the patients. However, it is difficult for the patients to have one-to-one session with the physiotherapist at the rehabilitation center due to the constraint of money, location and time. Thus, there are many existing inventions that provide home-based physiotherapy monitoring to facilitate the patients in performing the rehabilitation exercises to restore the body functions and mechanical skills. This paper presents a novel approach to monitor the stick exercises, in which the system will count the number of exercise cycle performed by the patient for a certain period of time. By using Kalman filter approach, two inputs are observed based on the color of patient’s cloth and length of the stick. The centroid coordinate obtained from the Kalman filter output is then used to map the motion graph. Two limits, upper and lower boundaries are set such that a complete cycle of exercise is confirmed if the patient passes both of the boundaries. Those limits are determined based on the ratio of human body proportion. Eight simulated videos of the stick exercise are used to validate the proposed method. The results show that the best performance with 100% correctly count is obtained from video 3 while the worst performance is taken from video 2 and 8. The system can be further improved by incorporating different types of shoulder exercises for post-stroke patient
SQUAT EXERCISE ABNORMALITY DETECTION BY ANALYZING JOINT ANGLE FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS REHABILITATION
Authors: Abu Hassan Mohd Fadzil , Zulkifley Mohd Asyraf , Hussain Aini
Published: November 2015

Normally, osteoarthritic knee patients experienced 1) difficulties controlling their fine motors, 2) lack of muscle strength, and 3) limited range of motion. The limitations can be improved by physiotherapy exercises to 1) enhance flexibility and mobility of joints and 2) increase strength and endurance of the muscles. However, the patients should be individually monitored so that the exercises are performed correctly, effectively and efficiently. This paper focuses on squat exercise monitoring for knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation. The patient’s movement is captured by using a low cost 3D camera, Kinect sensor for skeletal tracking to recognize and track people without using marker. 3D coordinates of each joint is retrieved from the skeleton data, where a joint angle is derived based on two intersecting human body segments. Time series of the joint angles during the squat exercise are recorded, which are then smoothed by Double Exponential Smoothing technique to find the variability between them. The proposed method is validated by using simulated videos of squat exercise performed by 10 healthy volunteers of various physiques and gender to simulate the normal and abnormal conditions. Mean Squared Error (MSE) is calculated between the measured and smoothed angles to classify the movement either normal or abnormal. The parameters for smoothing and trend control used are 0.8928 and 0.7256, respectively, which are derived based on optimal MSE of the 10 volunteers. The simulation results show that the average MSE for each 10 samples of normal and abnormal conditions are 3.1358 and 10.5205, respectively. Hence, a simple threshold method has been developed to detect movement abnormality while doing squat exercise.
MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM FOR QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF TRANSCUTANEOUS BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION
Authors: Philimon Sheena P. , Huong Audrey K. C. , Ngu Xavier T. I.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the use of Extended Modified Lambert Beer (EMLB) model for quantification of transcutaneous blood oxygen saturation (StO2) via a noninvasive approach. Continuous wave (CW) reflectance spectroscopy system is employed for measurement of intensity reflected from left index finger of an Asian nonsmoking volunteer at resting condition. Multispectral images captured in the wavelength range of 520 − 600 nm at an interval of 10 nm are mathematically analyzed and fitted using the developed fitting algorithm to give the best estimation of StO2. The result from this preliminary study revealed a mean StO2 value of 75 ± 5% for the participating individual, which value agreed considerably well with that presented in previous works. This work concluded that the developed spectroscopy system and quantification technique can potentially be used as an alternative means to clinical assessment of wound healing progress
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF FEATURE SELECTION METHOD USING ANOVA FOR AUTOMATIC WHEEZE DETECTION
Authors: Shaharum Syamimi Mardiah , Sundaraj Kenneth , Helmy Khaled
Published: November 2015

In this work, we show that the classification performance of a high-dimensional features data can be improved by applying feature selection method. One-way ANOVA were utilized and to evaluate the performance measure of the feature selection method, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that ANN performance using feature that undergo feature selection method produce a better classification accuracy compared to the ANN performance using feature that did not undergo feature selection method with 93.33% against 80.00% accuracy achieved. Therefore can be conclude that feature selection is a process that is crucial to be done in order to produce a good performance rate.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF BREAST CANCER RISK MONITORING USING THERMOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Abd Wahab Asnida , Mohd Salim Maheza Irna , Yunus Jasmy
Published: November 2015

Breast cancer remains as a serious health issue in Malaysia and most presentation of breast cancer incidences are at the later stage which will reduce the survival rate. Breast Self-Examination for all women (BSE), Clinical Breast Examination for women above 40 years old (CBE) and Mammography for the older and high-risk groups are the current policies that are available in the government hospitals and selected clinics. However, BSE and CBE could not detect the early stage breast cancer while Mammography is less sensitive in detecting tumor in high dense breast tissue. Both factors have caused an increase in the overall percentage of later stage presentation of breast cancer in Malaysia. In this paper, a feasibility study of breast cancer screening and risk monitoring using Thermography technique is presented. Thermography technique is capable in identifying any physiological changes occur prior to lump formation. This technique is simple, cheaper, and produce no radiation which will allow a safe regular screening. In this study, a series of screenings has been performed on carcinogenic induced rats and thermal images acquired were then analyzed for risk monitoring. Visual analysis shown that the presence of hotspot and asymmetrical temperature profile could be an indicator of a high risk patient while temperature measurement on both induced and control groups shows a significant difference in standard deviation of the surface temperature with smaller deviation of 0.31±0.08 observed in control group while bigger deviation of 2.23±0.78 observed in the induced group. Hence, it is shown that Thermography technique could be a potential modality for upfront breast screening in Malaysia.
VIRTUAL TRIAL AND MONTE CARLO ANALYSIS OF MODEL-BASED GLYCAEMIC CONTROL PROTOCOL WITH REDUCED NURSING EFFORT
Authors: Razak Athirah , Razak Normy N. , Ahamad Nurhamim , Suhaimi Fatanah , Jamaluddin Ummu
Published: November 2015

Tight glycaemic management has been shown to be beneficial to the outcomes of patients receiving intensive care. However, tight glycaemic control (TGC) protocol within intensive care (ICU) comes with a high clinical demand, namely high nursing effort. Thus, there is a need for a protocol that is safe, effective, robust, yet does not require a high nursing effort. A less intensive protocol is designed to use a combination of subcutaneous long-acting insulin (glargine) with IV insulin bolus and only requires blood glucose (BG) measurements every 4 hours while maintaining measurement within 4.0-6.1 mmol/L.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON DETECTION OF LUNG CANCER CELLS BASED ON VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS SENSING USING ELECTRONIC NOSE
Authors: Thriumani Reena , Jeffreea Amanina Iymia , Zakaria Ammar , Hasyim Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun , Helmy Khaled Mohamed , Omar Mohammad Iqbal , Adom Abdul Hamid , Shakaff Ali Yeon , Kamarudin Latifah Munirah
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes a preliminary investigation on the volatile production patterns generated from three sets of in-vitro cancerous cell samples of headspace that contains volatile organic compounds using the electronic nose system.  A commercialized electronic nose consisting of 32 conducting polymer sensors (Cyranose 320) is used to analyze the three classes of signals which are lung cancer cells grown in media, breast cancer cells grown in media and the blank media (without cells). Neural Network (PNN) based classification technique is applied to investigate the performance of an electronic nose (E-nose) system for cancerous lung cell classification.
ARTIFACTS CLASSIFICATION IN EEG SIGNALS BASED ON TEMPORAL AVERAGE STATISTICS
Authors: Qayoom Abdul , Wahab Abdul , Kamaruddin Norhaslinda , Zahid Zahid
Published: November 2015

EEG data contamination due to artifacts, such as eye blink, muscle activity, body movement and others pose as an issue in EEG analysis. This study aims to classify three different types of artifacts in EEG signal, namely; ocular, facial muscle and hand movement using statistical features coupled with neural networks as classifier. Temporal averages of five features are used as the feature vector for MLP classification. The experimental results for ocular, facial muscle and hand movement artifacts identification are ranging between 80% and 92%. The classification accuracy for the combination of these EEG artifacts and normal EEG of the subject for resting and eyes-close state are 86% and 96% respectively
USER-CENTRIC BASED VERTICAL HANDOVER DECISION ALGORITHM FOR TELECARDIOLOGY APPLICATION IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS
Authors: Yew Hoe Tung , Supriyanto Eko , Satria M. Haikal , Hau Yuan Wen
Published: November 2015

The traditional telecardiology system which is integrated with a single wireless technology is unable to guarantee the patient always get connected to the telecardiology service provider. To overcome this problem, an adaptive user-centric based vertical handover algorithm is proposed to allow the telecardiology system operates in heterogeneous wireless technologies. The proposed algorithm guarantees the quality of service and maintains the user’s satisfaction at the highest level. The algorithm was compared with traditional quality of service based and cost based vertical handover algorithms. The results show that proposed algorithm is performed better than the traditional algorithms
PROPAGATION CHARACTERIZATION OF IMPLANTABLE ANTENNA AT UWB FREQUENCY – A REVIEW
Authors: Abu Maisarah , Mohamad Najmiah Radiah , Othman Adib , Mohd Aris Nor Azlan , Devi S. Indra , Izahar Nurul Hafiza
Published: November 2015

A technology of wireless body area network (WBAN) was invented in order to enhance the quality of healthcare management as well as to determine faster disease prevention. However, to obtain the real-time data of images and videos from inside the human body, an implantable device is required. Currently, the Medical Implant Communication System (MICS) is used, but, this system has limited data rate which is a narrow-band of 402 – 405 MHz. Thus, this study on Ultra Wideband (UWB) for implanted device is conducted as UWB offers a wide transmission bandwidth as well as high data rate. Knowledge of radio wave propagation behaviour inside human body is needed to perform the implantation. Past researches related to this topic are limited and those conducted focused only on the human torso. This paper aims to provide a better understanding on the characteristics of radio wave propagation inside the human body by using an implantable device at UWB frequency. It is also hoped that this study could be used as reference for future research on this subject.
USING HEURISTIC EVALUATION TO IMPROVE THE USABILITY OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD (EMR) MOBILE INTERFACE OF THE CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY AND ANESTHESIA SYSTEM (CSAS)
Authors: Mohammed Salman Hasanin , Kamaruddin Azrina , Affendey Lily Suriani , Mansor Evi Indriasari , O.K Rahmat Rahmita Wirza , Jantan Azrul Hazri
Published: November 2015

This paper presents initial work on mobile user-interface for electronic medical record for cardio experts. The current problem exits when the existing system is left unused by the users, in our case the cardio surgeons due to bad user interface design which involve a heavy cognitive loads and navigation problems. Medical records contain treatment history and relevant experiences related to the patient care. In order to avoid paper based medical record (PMR) drawbacks, most industrialized nations have implemented electronic medical record (EMR). This research aims to evaluate the existing CSAS system usability using heuristic evaluation and then develop an EMR system that overcomes the interface usability problems by designing an effective user interface that is acceptable to healthcare professionals with tablets as the device. Hence, proposing a new user interface prototype taking into account the findings from the evaluation process.
UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF CLAY SOIL STABILISED WITH BIOMASS SILICA
Authors: Kasim Fauziah , Marto Aminaton , Abdul Rahman Nur Amalina , Soon Tan Choy
Published: November 2015

This study presents the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and microstructure of clay soil stabilized with locally made Biomass Silica (BS) in the form of SH-85. Since the construction of highway on soft soil raises many problems due to its low strength, understanding about the basic characteristics of soft clay and mixed with BS, play important role for improving the strength of the soft clay. The study carried out had the specific objectives to determine engineering properties of soft clay, to investigate the UCS of soft clay treated with BS and to analyze microstructure of the soft soil treated by BS with respect to various curing periods. In this study, 30 samples of clay soil were prepared under various curing periods (0, 7, 14 and 28 days) and mixed with BS at various percentages (5 %, 7 % and 9 %). The test results show that BS can increase the strength of the clay soil. The 9% BS treated sample for 7 days curing time achieved UCS of 710 kPa. This was approximately 6 times greater than that of untreated soil strength. The highest strength was 1216 kPa at 28 days curing for soil mixed with 9% BS. The images of Scanning Electron Microscopic show that the voids of the clay would filled by the new component resulted by the reaction of BS stabilizer with the natural clay samples. This led to a continuous soil fabric resulting with stronger and denser soil.
GENERATION OF A PAIR OF SURFACE TIME HISTORIES FOR JAKARTA USED FOR EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE DESIGN OF INFRASTRUCTURES
Authors: Hutapea B.M. , Asrurifak M. , Hendriyawan Hendriyawan , Irsyam Masyhur
Published: November 2015

It is not the earthquake but the collapse of the building and infrastructure that will cause the damage and the loss of human lives. To mitigate these hazards, the building and infrastructure need to be designed such that will not collapse due to earthquake. This paper presents the procedure for generating time histories at ground surface for Jakarta area. Required data to generate these modified time histories were extracted from the Team for Revision of Seismic Hazard Maps of Indonesia 2010. The results are used as input motions in dynamic time history analysis for predicting earthquake design loads for infrastructures, such as bridges such that those structures can be designed to bear the impact of an earthquake and prevent collapse
STATIC RESPONSE ON LIME COLUMN AND GEOTEXTILE ENCAPSULATED LIME COLUMN (GELC) STABILISED MARINE CLAY UNDER VERTICAL LOAD
Authors: Yah Chong Siaw , Kassim Khairul Anuar , Ping Chiet Kenny Tiong , Soon Tan Choy
Published: November 2015

Marine clay, which is widely encountered in coastal area in Malaysia, is a problematic base material. Previous researchers reported that deep lime stabilisation can significantly improve clay. However,  insufficient  confining pressure from surrounding soil normally lead to the inferior performance on the upper part of column such as column head crushing and larger deformation on the surrounding soil at toppart of column. Therefore, geotextile encapsulation was proposed for lime column in this study. Static response and stress distribution are essential in the understanding on behaviour of columnar stabilised soil under vertical load. Multi stages loading tests were conducted onPontian marine clay, with and without geotextile encapsulation.Stress concentration ratio (σmid/ σsoil) was examined in each loading stage, where it is defined as stress on column (σmid) divided by stress on surrounding soil (σsoil). The samples were cured for 14, 28 and 56 days before tested. It was found that stress concentration ratio was dependent on column materials strength properties and applied loading. Geotextile encapsulation increased the stress concentration ratio on lime column.Stress concentration increment effect by geotextile encapsulation was further enhanced by the confining pressure of surrounding soil; however, the effect reduced with increase of applied loading. Higher stress concentration ratio indicated lesser load on surrounding soil and therefore the soil settlement could be reduced
MODELLING THE EFFECT OF WIND FORCES ON LANDSLIDE OCCURRENCE IN BUDUDA DISTRICT, UGANDA
Authors: Nelson Okello , Kassim Azman , Yunusa Gambo Haruna , Abu Talib Zaihasra
Published: November 2015

The hilly area of Bududa District, in Eastern Uganda has suffered heavily from landslide occurrence, making the local populace unsafe. Although the area is well covered by vegetation, a catastrophic landslide occurred on the 26th June, 2012 and killed more than 18 people and wiped out the nearby community. The fallen trees due wind effect prior to the landslide coupled with intense rainfall are believed to trigger that landslide. Therefore, the effect of commonly known causative factor of rainfall and an uncommon landslide causal factor of wind forces on landslide occurrence were investigated in this study. The geometry of the modelled slope consists of 111 m height, 480 m length, and an inclination of 21°. Finite element seepage software, Seep/W and limit equilibrium software, Slope/W were used for modelling the landslide occurrence using five (5) slope models with and without additional shear strength in form of tree root cohesion. Each of the slope models was subjected to four failure criteria (FC). The first two failure criteria (FC1 and FC2) are assigned for group of tree along the slope (FC1) and a single tree at the middle (FC2) of the modelled slope. The other two failure criteria (FC3 and FC4) are assigned for the modelled slope with rainfall infiltration alone and rainfall plus several tree weights, respectively.  The wind speed during which the landslide occurred was depicted using Beaufort wind scale 11 and was applied to the appropriate models. The results obtained show that with eucalyptus trees of Diameters at Breast Heights (DBH) of 25 cm, a minimum factor of safety (FOS) of 1.012 and 1.273 were recorded for FC2 in Slope model 1 and slope model 4 with and without increased cohesion, respectively. This shows an increase in the FOS of 23.81%. However, when the DBH was increased to a maximum of 60 cm (i.e. in slope model 3), the safety of the modelled slope diminishes and the FOS reduces to 0.601 for FC2 on the 25th day, without cohesion, just some hours before the fateful day of the 26th June 2012. This FOS remained below 1.0 (0.800 to 0.601) for FC2 with roots cohesion, although a gain in the FOS of 33.11% was realized. Hence, it can be concluded that the uncommon natural causative factors of wind have a great influence on landslide occurrence in the hilly areas of Bududa district
PREDICTION OF UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF ROCKS: A REVIEW PAPER
Authors: Momeni Ehsan , Nazir Ramli , Armaghani Danial Jahed , Mohd Amin Mohd For , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam
Published: November 2015

Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of rocks is a crucial parameter in designing geotechnical structures. Owing to difficulties in obtaining proper samples for UCS test as well as the point that conducting UCS is relatively expensive, the use of indirect methods for UCS estimation has drawn considerable attentions. This review paper is aimed to briefly highlight different proposed predictive models of UCS. In this regard, nearly 85 predictive models of UCS are listed in the paper which provides a good reference and database for geotechnical readers. The highlighted models are divided into two main sections. In the first section, UCS correlations with Brazilian tensile strength test, point load index test (Is(50)), Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic velocity tests are highlighted. In the second section, recently proposed artificial intelligence-based predictive models of UCS are underlined. Apart from that, using available data (106 rock specimens), which were previously published by authors, a new correlation between UCS and Is(50) is developed which can be useful for assessing the UCS of tropical rocks. Overall, although the paper suggests conducting direct UCS test for important projects, based on the region and type of rocks, employing the highlighted predictive models for assessing the UCS of rock can be advantageous
EFFECT OF SENSOR ROTATION ON ASSESSMENT OF BENDER ELEMENT APPARATUS
Authors: Alshameri Badee , Madun Aziman , Bakar Ismail , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam
Published: November 2015

The bender element is one of the most useful geophysical tools used in the laboratory to measure soil dynamics properties in a non-destructive way. However, inconsistent testing procedures may produce unrepeatable test results. Therefore, understanding the effect of the sensor rotation between the source and receiver position is crucial. This effect was evaluated using polystyrene material, which was unchanged throughout the period of testing. With sensor rotation angle starting from 00 to 900, the P-wave and S-wave velocities were calculated using five methods (Visual, First-peak, Maximum-peak, CCexcel and CCGDS). The cross-correlation methods are used in two ways; by using normalized cross-correlation in Excel (knowned as CCexcel) and by using GDS (Geotechnical Digital Systems Company for supplying Geotechnical instrument) bender element analysis tool BEAT (knowned as CCGDS). The results show that the Visual and First-peak methods gave a consistent wave velocity compared to the three other methods. In addition, both calculation methods were not significantly affected by increasing the sensor rotation angles. However, the Maximum-peak showed significant effect when the sensor rotation angle was above 200. The same issue was recognized for both cross-correlation methods when the sensor rotation angle was above 500. Moreover, the results from damping-slope indicated low effects for increasing the sensor rotation at P-wave and S-wave with sample thickness of 62.58 mm and 88.97 mm respectively (with an average damping-slope of about 3.50). In addition, the effect of the sensor rotation became more obvious at P-wave and S-wave with sample thickness of 88.97 mm and 62.58 mm respectively (with variation in the damping-slope 0.40 to 41.20).
LIQUEFACTION RESISTANCE OF SAND MATRIX SOILS
Authors: Soon Tan Choy , Marto Aminaton , Makhtar Ahmad Mahir , Yah Chong Siaw , Pakir Faizal
Published: November 2015

Numerous researches have been focusing on the roles of fines in liquefaction resistance of sand matrix soils (sand dominant soil that contains little presenting fines). It has been reported that the presence of plastic fines would either imposed additional liquefaction resistance of sand matrix soils or caused reduction to the liquefaction resistance. This paper aims to present the liquefaction resistance of sand matrix soils with respect to different fines content based on the results from cyclic tests using triaxial testing system. The sand matrix soils were reconstituted by mixing the plastic fines (kaolin and bentonite) to the clean sand at seven different percentages by weight. Results showed that liquefaction resistance of sand matrix soils decreases with an increase of fines content until a minimal value and increases thereafter. It was identified that the presence of fine contents to give the minimum liquefaction resistance were 20 % for sand-bentonite mixtures and 25 % for sand-kaolin mixtures. These values represent the threshold fines content for respective mixtures.
SEGMENT’S JOINT IN PRECAST TUNNEL LINING DESIGN
Authors: Jusoh Siti Norafida , Mohamad Hisham , Marto Aminaton , Mohd Yunus Nor Zurairahetty , Kasim Fauziah
Published: November 2015

Tunnel lining design requires an interactive approach as the design is not merely about the strength, but how much the tunnel allows to flexure to overcome the ground movement.  When tunnel interacts with soil, stress from the ground is distributed into the structure. In the case of precast segmental bolted tunnel lining, it is critical to investigate the lining joints reaction, as this affects the overall flexural behaviour of tunnel lining. The objective of this paper is to present a discussion on the mechanics response of segmental tunnel lining affected by the segment’s joint. A short review on research works conducted in recent day on joint effect in segment’s joint in tunnel lining is also presented.
SHEAR STRENGTH DEGRADATION OF SEMARANG BAWEN CLAY SHALE DUE TO WEATHERING PROCESS
Authors: M Alatas Idrus , A Kamaruddin Samira , Nazir Ramli , Irsyam Masyhur , Himawan Agus
Published: November 2015

The effect of weathering processes in decreasing the shear strength of clay shale had been done in this study. The drying process of clay shale with sunlight in the laboratory up to 80 days had been conducted to create the conditions of weathered sample. The peak and residual shear strength parameters of unsaturated and saturated clay shale were obtained from triaxial laboratory test, and all samples were tested on each 8 days of weathering process. Decrease of shear strength in peak and residual condition was obtained during 80 days of the drying process. The residual shear strength parameters were distinguished between residual shear strength without stress release and with stress release of confining pressure. The results up to 80 days of unsaturated clay shale showed that the cohesion at peak stress conditions reduced to 30 % based on initial shear strength before the occurrence weathering, while the internal angle friction reduced to 64 %. Residual cohesion without and with stress release reduced to 4 % and 1 %, respectively while residual internal angle friction without and with stress release reduced to 15 % and 5 %. Similar situation also occurs for the saturated clay shale samples.
UTILIZATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH FOR STABILIZATION / SOLIDIFICATION OF LEAD-CONTAMINATED SOILS
Authors: Ahmad Tajudin Saiful Azhar , Marto Aminaton , Mohammad Azmi Mohamad Azim , Madun Aziman , Zainal Abidin Mohd Hazreek
Published: November 2015

Recently, many researchers are interested in using agricultural waste as an additive to remediate the contaminated soils. In this study, the effectiveness of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) as the substitution binder to Ordinary Portlant Cement (OPC) content in Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) method was investigated through the physical and chemical characteristics namely the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). Synthetic contaminated soil was prepared in bulk by mixing soil samples with lead nitrate to achieve the concentration of 500 ppm. The OPC and SCBA varying from 5 % to 20 % were added to stabilize and solidify the contaminated soils. The cylindrical specimens (D = 38 mm, H = 76 mm), was compacted in five layers with 50 blows each. A further 3, 7, 14 and 28 days were allowed for curing in the temperature 25±2 ◦C and humidity > 80%. Results indicate that all samples containing OPC and SCBA satisfy the US EPA strength requirement of 0.35 MPa for S/S sample. The TCLP testing shows that sample containing OPC with SCBA has been successful treated which produced the leachability below US EPA limit for lead of 5 mg/L. In conclusion, the use of SCBA as part of replacement of OPC has been successful in increasing the strength and reducing the leachability compared to untreated sample.
COMPARISONS ON THE RESPONSE OF SHALLOW GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PILE EMBEDDED IN SOFT AND FIRM SOILS
Authors: Marto Aminaton , Makhtar Ahmad Mahir , Amaludin Adriana
Published: November 2015

Shallow geothermal energy pile, particularly the one used in tropical countries, is a sustainable geostructure system that transforms the soil surrounding the geostructure as a heat sink, for building cooling purposes. Thermal loads stored in the soil will cause thermally induced settlement. A series of laboratory tests were performed to study the behaviour of model energy piles installed in kaolin soil with soft and firm consistencies. Twelve tests which included thermal load tests (35˚C and 40˚C) and thermo-axial load tests (100 N and 200 N, combined with thermal loads) were performed. The pile response to thermal and thermo-axial loads were attributed to the soil consistency and the magnitude of the loads applied to the pile head. Firm soils produce lower thermally induced settlement, due to higher level of restraint compared to soft soils. To ensure that the thermo-axial settlement does not exceed the limiting settlement, the recommended global factor of safety used for soft soil and firm soils subjected to 40˚C thermal load should be more than 4.0 and 2.5, respectively.
Functionally heterogeneous synaptic vesicle pools support diverse synaptic signalling
Authors: Chamberland Simon , Tóth Katalin
Published: November 2015

Synaptic communication between neurons is a highly dynamic process involving specialized structures. At the level of the presynaptic terminal, neurotransmission is ensured by fusion of vesicles to the membrane, which releases neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft. Depending on the level of activity experienced by the terminal, the spatiotemporal properties of calcium invasion will dictate the timing and the number of vesicles that need to be released. Diverse presynaptic firing patterns are translated to neurotransmitter release with a distinct temporal feature. Complex patterns of neurotransmitter release can be achieved when different vesicles respond to distinct calcium dynamics in the presynaptic terminal. Specific vesicles from different pools are recruited during various modes of release as the particular molecular composition of their membrane proteins define their functional properties. Such diversity endows the presynaptic terminal with the ability to respond to distinct physiological signals via the mobilization of specific subpopulation of vesicles. There are several mechanisms by which a diverse vesicle population could be generated in single presynaptic terminals, including distinct recycling pathways that utilize various adaptor proteins. Several additional factors could potentially contribute to the development of a heterogeneous vesicle pool such as specialized release sites, spatial segregation within the terminal and specialized delivery pathways. Among these factors molecular heterogeneity plays a central role in defining the functional properties of different subpopulations of vesicles.

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Symmorphosis and skeletal muscle : in vivo and in vitro measures reveal differing constraints in the exercise‐trained and untrained human
Authors: Gifford Jayson R. , Garten Ryan S. , Nelson Ashley D. , Trinity Joel D. , Layec Gwenael , Witman Melissa A. H. , Weavil Joshua C. , Mangum Tyler , Hart Corey , Etheredge Cory , Jessop Jake , Bledsoe Amber , Morgan David E. , Wray D. Walter , Rossman Matthew J. , Richardson Russell S.
Published: November 2015

Key points

The concept of symmorphosis predicts that the capacity of each step of the oxygen cascade is attuned to the task demanded of it during aerobic exercise at maximal rates of oxygen consumption () such that no single process is limiting or in excess at .

The present study challenges the applicability of this concept to humans by revealing clear, albeit very different, limitations and excesses in oxygen supply and consumption among untrained and endurance‐trained humans.

Among untrained individuals, is limited by the capacity of the mitochondria to consume oxygen, despite an excess of oxygen supply, whereas, among trained individuals, is limited by the supply of oxygen to the mitochondria, despite an excess of mitochondrial respiratory capacity.

The concept of symmorphosis postulates a matching of structural capacity to functional demand within a defined physiological system, regardless of endurance exercise training status. Whether this concept applies to oxygen (O2) supply and demand during maximal skeletal muscle O2 consumption () in humans is unclear. Therefore, in vitro skeletal muscle mitochondrial (Mito, mitochondrial respiration of fibres biopsied from vastus lateralis) was compared with in vivo skeletal muscle during single leg knee extensor exercise (KE, direct Fick by femoral arterial and venous blood samples and Doppler ultrasound blood flow measurements) and whole‐body during cycling (Body, indirect calorimetry) in 10 endurance exercise‐trained and 10 untrained young males. In untrained subjects, during KE exercise, maximal O2 supply (KEO2max) exceeded (462 ± 37 ml kg−1 min−1, P < 0.05) and KE matched (340 ± 22 ml kg−1 min−1, P > 0.05) Mito (364 ± 16 ml kg−1 min−1). Conversely, in trained subjects, both KEO2max (557 ± 35 ml kg−1 min−1) and KE (458 ± 24 ml kg−1 min−1) fell far short of Mito (743 ± 35 ml kg−1 min−1, P < 0.05). Although Mito was related to KE (r = 0.69, P < 0.05) and Body (r = 0.91, P < 0.05) in untrained subjects, these variables were entirely unrelated in trained subjects. Therefore, in untrained subjects, is limited by mitochondrial O2 demand, with evidence of adequate O2 supply, whereas, in trained subjects, an exercise training‐induced mitochondrial reserve results in skeletal muscle being markedly limited by O2 supply. Taken together, these in vivo and in vitro measures reveal clearly differing limitations and excesses at in untrained and trained humans and challenge the concept of symmorphosis as it applies to O2 supply and demand in humans.
Regulation of autophagy in human skeletal muscle: effects of exercise, exercise training and insulin stimulation
Authors: Fritzen Andreas M. , Madsen Agnete B. , Kleinert Maximilian , Treebak Jonas T. , Lundsgaard Anne‐Marie , Jensen Thomas E. , Richter Erik A. , Wojtaszewski Jørgen , Kiens Bente , Frøsig Christian
Published: November 2015

Key points

Regulation of autophagy in human muscle in many aspects differs from the majority of previous reports based on studies in cell systems and rodent muscle.

An acute bout of exercise and insulin stimulation reduce human muscle autophagosome content.

An acute bout of exercise regulates autophagy by a local contraction‐induced mechanism.

Exercise training increases the capacity for formation of autophagosomes in human muscle.

AMPK activation during exercise seems insufficient to regulate autophagosome content in muscle, while mTORC1 signalling via ULK1 probably mediates the autophagy‐inhibiting effect of insulin.

Studies in rodent muscle suggest that autophagy is regulated by acute exercise, exercise training and insulin stimulation. However, little is known about the regulation of autophagy in human skeletal muscle. Here we investigate the autophagic response to acute one‐legged exercise, one‐legged exercise training and subsequent insulin stimulation in exercised and non‐exercised human muscle. Acute one‐legged exercise decreased (P<0.01) lipidation of microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain 3 (LC3) (∼50%) and the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio (∼60%) indicating that content of autophagosomes decreases with exercise in human muscle. The decrease in LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio did not correlate with activation of 5′AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) trimer complexes in human muscle. Consistently, pharmacological AMPK activation with 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide riboside (AICAR) in mouse muscle did not affect the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio. Four hours after exercise, insulin further reduced (P<0.01) the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio (∼80%) in muscle of the exercised and non‐exercised leg in humans. This coincided with increased Ser‐757 phosphorylation of Unc51 like kinase 1 (ULK1), which is suggested as a mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) target. Accordingly, inhibition of mTOR signalling in mouse muscle prevented the ability of insulin to reduce the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio. In response to 3 weeks of one‐legged exercise training, the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio decreased (P<0.05) in both trained and untrained muscle and this change was largely driven by an increase in LC3‐I content. Taken together, acute exercise and insulin stimulation reduce muscle autophagosome content, while exercise training may increase the capacity for formation of autophagosomes in muscle. Moreover, AMPK activation during exercise may not be sufficient to regulate autophagy in muscle, while mTORC1 signalling via ULK1 probably mediates the autophagy‐inhibiting effect of insulin.
Effect of head pitch and roll orientations on magnetically induced vertigo
Authors: Mian Omar S. , Li Yan , Antunes Andre , Glover Paul M. , Day Brian L.
Published: November 2015

Key points

Lying supine in a strong magnetic field, such as in magnetic resonance imaging scanners, can induce a perception of whole‐body rotation.

The leading hypothesis to explain this invokes a Lorentz force mechanism acting on vestibular endolymph that acts to stimulate semicircular canals.

The hypothesis predicts that the perception of whole‐body rotation will depend on head orientation in the field.

Results showed that the direction and magnitude of apparent whole‐body rotation while stationary in a 7 T magnetic field is influenced by head orientation.

The data are compatible with the Lorentz force hypothesis of magnetic vestibular stimulation and furthermore demonstrate the operation of a spatial transformation process from head‐referenced vestibular signals to Earth‐referenced body motion.

High strength static magnetic fields are known to induce vertigo, believed to be via stimulation of the vestibular system. The leading hypothesis (Lorentz forces) predicts that the induced vertigo should depend on the orientation of the magnetic field relative to the head. In this study we examined the effect of static head pitch (−80 to +40 deg; 12 participants) and roll (−40 to +40 deg; 11 participants) on qualitative and quantitative aspects of vertigo experienced in the dark by healthy humans when exposed to the static uniform magnetic field inside a 7 T MRI scanner. Three participants were additionally examined at 180 deg pitch and roll orientations. The effect of roll orientation on horizontal and vertical nystagmus was also measured and was found to affect only the vertical component. Vertigo was most discomforting when head pitch was around 60 deg extension and was mildest when it was around 20 deg flexion. Quantitative analysis of vertigo focused on the induced perception of horizontal‐plane rotation reported online with the aid of hand‐held switches. Head orientation had effects on both the magnitude and the direction of this perceived rotation. The data suggest sinusoidal relationships between head orientation and perception with spatial periods of 180 deg for pitch and 360 deg for roll, which we explain is consistent with the Lorentz force hypothesis. The effects of head pitch on vertigo and previously reported nystagmus are consistent with both effects being driven by a common vestibular signal. To explain all the observed effects, this common signal requires contributions from multiple semicircular canals.
Attenuated hypothalamic responses to α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone during pregnancy in the rat
Authors: Ladyman S. R. , Augustine R. A. , Scherf E. , Phillipps H. R. , Brown C. H. , Grattan D. R.
Published: November 2015

Key points

Increased appetite and weight gain occurs during pregnancy, associated with development of leptin resistance, and satiety responses to the anorectic peptide α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) are suppressed.

This study investigated hypothalamic responses to α‐MSH during pregnancy, using c‐fos expression in specific hypothalamic nuclei as a marker of neuronal signalling, and in vivo electrophysiology in supraoptic nucleus (SON) oxytocin neurons, as a representative α‐MSH‐responsive neuronal population that shows a well‐characterised α‐MSH‐induced inhibition of firing.

While icv injection of α‐MSH significantly increased the number of c‐fos‐positive cells in the paraventricular, supraoptic, arcuate and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei in non‐pregnant rats, this response was suppressed in pregnant rats. Similarly, SON oxytocin neurons in pregnant rats did not demonstrate characteristic α‐MSH‐induced inhibition of firing that was observed in non‐pregnant animals.

Given the known functions of α‐MSH in the hypothalamus, the attenuated responses are likely to facilitate adaptive changes in appetite regulation and oxytocin secretion during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a state of positive energy balance develops to support the growing fetus and to deposit fat in preparation for the subsequent metabolic demands of lactation. As part of this maternal adaptation, the satiety response to the anorectic peptide α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) is suppressed. To investigate whether pregnancy is associated with changes in the response of hypothalamic α‐MSH target neurons, non‐pregnant and pregnant rats were treated with α‐MSH or vehicle and c‐fos expression in hypothalamic nuclei was then examined. Furthermore, the firing rate of supraoptic nucleus (SON) oxytocin neurons, a known α‐MSH responsive neuronal population, was examined in non‐pregnant and pregnant rats following α‐MSH treatment. Intracerebroventricular injection of α‐MSH significantly increased the number of c‐fos‐positive cells in the paraventricular, arcuate and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei in non‐pregnant rats, but no significant increase was observed in any of these regions in pregnant rats. In the SON, α‐MSH did induce expression of c‐fos during pregnancy, but this was significantly reduced compared to that observed in the non‐pregnant group. Furthermore, during pregnancy, SON oxytocin neurons did not demonstrate the characteristic α‐MSH‐induced inhibition of firing rate that was observed in non‐pregnant animals. Melanocortin receptor mRNA levels during pregnancy were similar to non‐pregnant animals, suggesting that receptor down‐regulation is unlikely to be a mechanism underlying the attenuated responses to α‐MSH during pregnancy. Given the known functions of α‐MSH in the hypothalamus, the attenuated responses will facilitate adaptive changes in appetite regulation and oxytocin secretion during pregnancy.
Blue reflectance in tarantulas is evolutionarily conserved despite nanostructural diversity
Authors: Hsiung Bor-Kai , Deheyn Dimitri D. , Shawkey Matthew D. , Blackledge Todd A.
Published: November 2015

Natural selection on structural color in tarantulas resulted in convergence on color through diverse structural mechanisms.
Frost for the trees: Did climate increase erosion in unglaciated landscapes during the late Pleistocene?
Authors: Marshall Jill A. , Roering Joshua J. , Bartlein Patrick J. , Gavin Daniel G. , Granger Darryl E. , Rempel Alan W. , Praskievicz Sarah J. , Hales Tristram C.
Published: November 2015

Frost processes more than doubled erosion rates in unglaciated terrain during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Suspension feeding in the enigmatic Ediacaran organism
Tribrachidium
demonstrates complexity of Neoproterozoic ecosystems
Authors: Rahman Imran A. , Darroch Simon A. F. , Racicot Rachel A. , Laflamme Marc
Published: November 2015

Computational fluid dynamics demonstrates that the Precambrian organism
Tribrachidium
was likely a passive suspension feeder.
Recurrent DNA virus domestication leading to different parasite virulence strategies
Authors: Pichon Apolline , Bézier Annie , Urbach Serge , Aury Jean-Marc , Jouan Véronique , Ravallec Marc , Guy Julie , Cousserans François , Thézé Julien , Gauthier Jérémy , Demettre Edith , Schmieder Sandra , Wurmser François , Sibut Vonick , Poirié Marylène , Colinet Dominique , da Silva Corinne , Couloux Arnaud , Barbe Valérie , Drezen Jean-Michel , Volkoff Anne-Nathalie
Published: November 2015

Virus domestication is a recurrent and beneficial process in the evolution of parasitic wasps.
Cellular defense against latent colonization foiled by human cytomegalovirus UL138 protein
Authors: Lee Song Hee , Albright Emily R. , Lee Jeong-Hee , Jacobs Derek , Kalejta Robert F.
Published: November 2015

Cells have a defense against latent human cytomegalovirus, but the viral UL138 protein inactivates it to allow lifelong persistence.