bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFD MODELING OF SO2 CAPTURE USING LIMESTONE IN INDUSTRIAL SCALE CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED BOILER
Authors: Tritippayanon Rattapong , Jiradilok Veeraya , Piumsomboon Pornpote , Chalermsinsuwan Benjapon
Published: October 2019

The unsteady state computational fluid dynamics model for gas-solid particle flow in industrial scale circulating fluidized bed boiler combining with combustion and desulfurization (using limestone solid sorbent) chemical reactions, both homogeneous and heterogeneous, was developed in this study. The effects of solid sorbent feeding position and solid sorbent particle size on sulfur dioxide concentration were investigated. The results showed that both the solid sorbent feeding position and solid sorbent particle size had an effect on the sulfur dioxide capture. Entering solid sorbent at the upper secondary air position gave lower sulfur dioxide concentration than the one at the lower secondary air position and fuel feed position, respectively. This can be explained by the influence of suitable temperature at the upper secondary air position for desulfurization chemical reaction. About the solid sorbent particle size, the sulfur dioxide capture was the lowest when using the largest solid sorbent particle size due to the system hydrodynamics.
DENGUE DISEASE MAPPING IN BANDUNG, INDONESIA: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON POISSON-GAMMA, LOG-NORMAL, BYM AND MIXTURE MODELS
Authors: Kristiani Farah , Samat Nor Azah , Ab Ghani Sazelli
Published: October 2019

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquitoes-borne viral disease in the world, especially in Bandung, Indonesia. This disease can be controlled if detected early. Therefore, in order to prevent and control this disease before it occurs, government and society must be cooperative to eradicate this dangerous disease. The statistical model used in the study of disease mapping can be considered as an important contribution. In this paper, the relative risk estimations using the Poisson-gamma, Log-normal, Besag, York and Mollié (BYM) and Mixture models for Bandung municipality will be investigated. In this study, the aggregated data of observed dengue data from Bandung, Indonesia from the year 2013 will be analyzed. The estimated relative risk will be displayed in tables and maps to obtain the clearer depictions of disease risks distribution in each area.
DNA MOTIF IDENTIFICATION USING LPBS
Authors: Harun Hazaruddin , Syed Abdullah Sharifah Lailee , Hambali Hamirul Aini
Published: October 2019

In recent years, several deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based approaches have been developed for species identification including DNA sequencing.  The search for motif or patterns in DNA sequences is important in many fields especially in biology. In this paper, a new particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach for discovering species-specific motifs was proposed.  The new method named as Linear-PSO with Binary Search (LPBS) is developed to discover motifs of specific species through DNA sequences.  This enhanced method integrates Linear-PSO and binary search technique to minimize the execution time and to increase the correctness in identifying the motif.  In this study, two fragments samples of ‘mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I’ (COI or COX1) were collected from the Genbank online database. DNA sequences for the first sample are fragments of COI for one species and the second samples are a complete COI from a different species. The genome of COI was used as a reference set and other DNA sequences were used as a comparison set. The results show that the LPBS algorithm is able to discover motifs of a species when using DNA sequences from the same fragment of COI.
THE USE OF Ipomoea Pes-Caprae PLANT SPECIES TO MONITOR METAL POLLUTIONS OF THE COASTAL SOIL
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Zahari , M. J. N. Hazwani , Abas M. Tahir
Published: October 2019

In this study, biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate metals pollution at selected beach site. Ipomoea pes-caprae species were used to monitor the concentration level of lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), and zinc (Zn). Besides studying the ability and effectiveness of this plant as biological indicators of metal pollution in beach areas, the study also aimed to characterize the possible contributors of the metals in the area. The selected plants were collected along the coastal areas of Balok, in Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia. The study area is directly connected to the fish landing jetty of the local residents. The samples were collected at six sampling stations along the polluted shoreline area in two seasons, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon; and were duplicated. The metal content in the Ipomoea pes-caprae was considered as the indicator of environmental pollution in the coastal area. Significant differences of metal concentrations were found in samples collected from different sampling stations with certain levels. A comparison of the metal contents to the control samples clearly proved that the area has been polluted with the studied metals. In general, lower metals concentrations were found in post-monsoon samples compared to pre-monsoon samples. The concentration of metal Al was found to be the highest in the plant samples;  The plant samples were contained the highest concentration of metal Al; followed by Fe, Zn, Ba, and Pb. Based on the EF values, it is strongly suggested that all the metals uptake were via the root system. The results of the PCA clearly indicated that the elements of Al, Fe, and Ba were contributed by the soil origin; meanwhile the elements of Pb and Zn were correlated to anthropogenic sources.
POTENTIAL USE OF OKARA AS MEAT REPLACER IN BEEF SAUSAGE
Authors: A. Noriham, , R. Muhammad Ariffaizuddin, , A. Noorlaila, , A. N Faris Zakry,
Published: October 2019

Processed meat products are particularly unhealthy because of high fat, preservative and salt content. This study is carried out with the aim to determine the physicochemical and sensorial properties of sausage incorporated with okara flour. There were four different sausage formulations labelled as Control (0% okara flour, 100% beef), F1 (10% okara flour, 90% beef), F2 (20% okara flour, 80% beef), F3 (30% okara flour, 70% beef) and F4 (40% okara flour, 60% beef). Formulations were subjected to proximate, water holding capacity, color, texture and sensorial analysis. Results for proximate composition, revealed that carbohydrate, ash and fiber content increased while moisture, fat and protein content decreased as the okara flour addition were increased. Water holding capacity (WHC) was found to increase as the incorporation of okara flour increased. In term of color analysis, increased in okara flour content in sausage significantly increased lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values while decreasing in redness (a*) value. As for textural properties, the values for hardness, cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness were decreased as the incorporation of okara flour increased. Sensorial results showed that F4 had the lowest overall acceptability due to its poor texture and unacceptable taste. Hence this study concludes that okara flour has the potential to replace meat at certain levels in sausage formulations which is not more than 20% okara flour.
APPLICATION OF MOSS AS BIO-MONITOR FOR HEAVY METALS DEPOSITION IN PORT DICKSON, MALAYSIA
Authors: Saat Ahmad , Mohamed Nurul Aida , Hamzah Zaini , Hamzah Suhaimi
Published: October 2019

Port Dickson in Malaysia is a sea-side township of mixed activities within the area, comprising of a coal-fired power plant, a petroleum refinery, a gas-fuelled power plant, and tourism with the visit of many road vehicles, especially during weekends and public holidays. The impact of emission from these activities to the environment has becomes a matter of concern to the authorities as well as local residents.  The present study embarked on the use of mosses (Octoblepharum sp. & Isopterygium sp.) as long terms monitor of heavy metals emission from such activities. Mosses samples were collected on land area within 30 km radius from the town centre. Prepared samples were analysed for the concentration of As, U, Th, Fe, Cr and Zn using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. These metals are related to various industries, fuel combustion and refineries emissions. Although the results show no elevated concentration of the elements studied, except for Cr, the spatial pattern of heavy metal distributions observed reflected the energy-related activities and vehicular emissions in the study area. Enrichment Factor values of each element also in agreement with the distribution pattern. The research finding suggests that ‘moss-method’ is applicable for deposition measurement in vicinity of stationary as well as non-point sources.
MODIFIED VIRTUAL SEMI-CIRCLE PATH PLANNING
Authors: Farah R. N. , Shahirah Amira , Irwan N. , Zuraida R. L.
Published: October 2019

The challenging part of path planning for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) is to conduct a reactive navigation. Reactive navigation is implemented to the sensor based UGV. The UGV defined the environment by collecting the information to construct it path planning. The UGV in this research is known as Mobile Guard UGV-Truck for Surveillance (MG-TruckS). Modified Virtual Semi Circle (MVSC) helps the MG-TruckS to reach it predetermined goal point successfully without any collision. MVSC is divided into two phases which are obstacles detection phase and obstacles avoidance phase to compute an optimal path planning. MVSC produces shorter path length, smoothness of velocity and reach it predetermined goal point successfully.
EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING SIT TO STAND AMONG LOW BACK PAIN POPULATION
Authors: Baharam Nurul Syafiqah , Hisham Melydia Yasri , Mohan Vikram , Mohamad Norazlin
Published: October 2019

Differential muscle activation pattern following hamstring stretching among low back pain (LBP) is being reported. Reduce in hamstring extensibility can alter the lumbar lordosis during sitting thus put pressure on lumbar intervertebral discs and increase load on the lumbar spine. This can lead to changes in the pelvic motion and altered the functional movement especially during sit to stand (STS). Thus, the faulty motion and muscles will be used and further lead to the changes of muscle activation especially to the back and lower limb muscles. Previous study showed that static stretching can help to increase activation of muscle among LBP population. However, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of static hamstring stretching on muscle activation of gluteus maximus during STS among LBP population. The main objective is to determine the effect of static hamstring stretching on hamstring flexibility on muscle activation of gluteus maximus (GM) during STS among LBP population. Forty four subjects, 44 LBP populations were recruited based on the selected criteria as set by the study protocol. The results of the study showed, there were an improvement on hamstring flexibility and muscle activation when static stretching was applied to LBP population (p<0.05). This study suggested that static hamstring stretching exercise can help to improve the hamstring ability to lengthen and increase the activation of GM during STS especially for LBP population.
TERMINATION CRITERION FOR PCA WITH ANN FOR DETECTION OF NS1 FROM ADULTERATED SALIVA
Authors: Othman N. H. , Y. Lee Khuan , Radzol A. R. M. , Mansor Wahidah
Published: October 2019

Detection of Non-structural Protein 1 (NS1) in saliva has become appealing as it may lead to a non-invasive detection method for NS1-related diseases at the febrile phase, before complication developed. NS1 is found to have its unique molecular fingerprint from Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technique. Our work here intends to investigate the effect of termination criterion of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the classification performance by the different Artificial Neural Network (ANN) learning algorithms. This will help in optimizing the automated classification of NS1 adulterated saliva, and hence detection of NS1-related diseases. Raman spectra of saliva (n=64) and saliva mixed with NS1 (n=64) are acquired using SERS obtained from the UiTM-NMRR 12868-NS1-DENV database. Large input data dimension of the raw [128 x 1801] are reduced according to the respective PCA termination criteria: Scree test [128 x 5], Cumulative Percent of Total Variance (CPV) [128 x 70] and Eigenvalues One Criterion (EOC) [128 x 115]. The reduced data dimensions are used as inputs to ANN algorithms. Performance of these algorithms, in term of [accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision] from Levenbergh Marquardt (LM), Scale Conjugate Gradient (SCG), Resilient Backpropagation (RPROP) and One Step Secant (OSS) are investigated. The best performance [100%, 100%, 100%, 100%] are achieved from the integration of Scree test criterion and SCG learning algorithm, the highest expected of adulterated data.
EXPLORING THE DICHOTOMY OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION’S FREQUENCIES ON BRAIN WAVE PATTERNS
Authors: Noh Nor Azila , Mokhtar Azlina , Abdul Hamid Nazefah , Mohd Rani Mohd Dzulkhairi , Shamaan Nor Aripin
Published: October 2019

Disturbance in brain oscillations is observed in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Any tool that has the potential to restore abnormal brain oscillations is therefore beneficial to patients with neuropsychiatric illnesses. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one such tool. It is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, which is able to alter brain oscillations depending on its parameters of stimulation and is used in clinical setting because of its potential therapeutic effects on the brain. However, the optimum stimulation parameters to induce the therapeutic effect of rTMS remains elusive. Therefore, it is important to investigate the differential effects between high versus low frequency of magnetic stimulation on the mechanism of brain oscillations in human subjects. Here we show, using combined rTMS and surface electroencephalography (EEG) that low and high frequencies of magnetic stimulation would induce dichotomy effects in EEG brain oscillatory activity. In particular, high-frequency rTMS 10Hz induces a synchronised oscillations for theta brain rhythm. In contrast, low-frequency rTMS 1Hz desynchronises neural oscillations on the same brain rhythm. Taken together, our results show that the desynchronisation effect of low-frequency rTMS 1Hz may potentially reverse the interference of altered neural oscillations. More extensive basic and clinical research using combined rTMS and EEG are needed to determine the optimum parameters of rTMS stimulation to restore adequate neural oscillations.
SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF THE CYTOCHROME OXIDASE I GENE IN AEDES ALBOPICTUS ISOLATED FROM TAMAN BUKIT KINRARA AND PJS7, SELANGOR
Authors: Ismail Nurul-Ain , Omar Norazilla , Hamsidi Mayamin , Che Dom Nazri , Ismail Rodziah , Ahmad Abu Hassan , Zaki Afiq , Camalxaman Siti Nazrina
Published: October 2019

Aedes albopictus is one of the most invasive mosquitoes in the world that harbors and can transmit many arboviruses, most notably dengue and chikungunya virus. In recent time, Ae. aegypti has gained more attention during dengue outbreaks compared to its counter parts, obscuring the role of Ae. albopictus as a vector. Moreover, existing data regarding Ae. albopictus is also currently limited in Malaysia. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus using molecular techniques from two dengue infested areas in Subang Jaya, Selangor, namely Taman Bukit Kinrara (TBK) and PJS7. Cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene from field collected mosquitoes were analyzed and compared to the USM laboratory strain (F135) together with sequences from the GenBank. Results from this study revealed that the field collected mosquitoes from TBK and PJS7 are genetically similar with each other. However, the samples exhibited polymorphism with the laboratory strain by 47 variable nucleotide sites. Our local samples are related with the   Ae. albopictus populations from India, probably due to its migration across these two regions via several human activities. This study shows that the CO1 gene is a valuable marker for the detection of Ae. albopictus and can be utilized to study its worldwide geographical distribution. Further analysis is strongly recommended using larger sample size and different localities to validate and substantiate our findings.
ULTRASOUND TREATMENT AS INTERVENTION IN INTRAUTERINE HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Hashim Ummi Farhana , Md Dom Sulaiman
Published: October 2019

Hypocalcemia during pregnancy reduced the normal foetal growth, skeletal mineralization and serum calcium concentration. Untreated maternal hyperparathyroidism associated hypocalcemia predisposed the foetal to intrauterine hyperparathyroidism resulting in adverse effect to skeletal mineralization. In vivo study has discovered that prenatal ultrasound exposure has the ability to reduce the foetal PTH level. Ten-month-old nulliparous New Zealand White (NZW) does were assigned  to three different groups; Control (C), healthy NZW does and free from ultrasound exposure; hypoparathyroidism (HyPT), negative control groups having hypocalcemia condition established through external parathyroidectomy surgery and free from  prenatal abdominal ultrasound exposure; treatment (T),  experimental groups  having hypocalcemia condition and receiving prenatal abdominal ultrasound exposure during pregnancy as intervention to hypoparathyroidism. In the treatment group, rabbits were exposed for 30, 60 and 90 minutes to parathyroid ultrasound on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gestational stage accordingly. Following birth, foetal serum calcium (SCa), body weight (BW), crown-to-rump length (CRL), total body length (TBL), bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) of the foetal were measured. Maternal hypocalcemia during pregnancy gave birth to litters with small to gestational age (SGA) and the reduction of  BW, CRL, TBL, BPD, FL and SCa were also noted. Meanwhile, the outcome of ultrasound exposure given during the middle of 2nd gestational stage resulted in significant increase in progeny mean average BW, CRL, TBL, BPD FL and SCa compared to the HyPT group. Prenatal abdominal ultrasound helps to control the level of foetal parathyroid hormone and while still in the womb limits the postnatal complication.
BONY TRABECULAR MICRO-STRUCTURE AND POROSITY WITH AGE IN YOUNG RABBIT’S FEMUR: IN-VIVO STUDY
Authors: Abd Manan Khairunnisa , Md Dom Sulaiman
Published: October 2019

The established of micro computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis software make it compatible to use to determine abnormality of bone morphology. This study investigated 90 new rabbits for bony trabecular microstructure and porosity after their dams were exposed to ultrasound at the second stage of pregnancy (duration - 90 minutes; frequency - 7.09 MHz; spatial peak temporal average intensity (SPTA) - 49.4 W/cm2; power - 56 W; thermal index (TI) - 0.2; mechanical index (MI) - 1.0). A femur of five groups of litters (n = 18 litters per group): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 month-old was excised and scanned using SkyscanTM 1176. For total porosity, a significant difference was shown in at two month-old group (p = 0.017). A significant difference was also shown in bony trabecular thickness for three month-old group (p < 0.05). For trabecular separation, there was a significant difference at four month-old group (p = 0.040). This study suggested that there might be some significant differences in bony trabecular structure and total porosity with ages. This may be due to heat created by ultrasound exposure, which can apply effect to bone morphology. To determine whether the findings are applicable to human, clinical trials should be carried out in the future.
LUMBAR KINEMATIC PATTERN AMONG ADULTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN: A STUDY PROTOCOL
Authors: G. J Nancy , Kaur Ajit Singh Devinder , Mohd Nordin Nor Azlin , Ha T. H. , Mokhtar Sabarul Afian , S. H. Chang , Moore Ann
Published: October 2019

Non-Specific Low back pain (NSLBP) is associated with lumbar spine kinematics and curvature changes. However, there is limited information regarding lumbar spine kinematics and curvature in normal daily living when both static and dynamic postures are adopted interchangeably during extended periods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in lumbar kinematic patterns and curvature when adopting various static and dynamic postures over an extended period of time among adults with acute, chronic and without NSLBP. Lumbar kinematic patterns and curvature of adults with chronic and acute NSLBP will also be reassessed at six weeks and three months follow-up. This is a cross-sectional and prospective design study. Seventy-two adults aged between 20 and 45 years will be recruited for three study groups (acute, chronic and without NSLBP).  Kinematic parameters that include a lumbar range of movements, velocities, accelerations and lumbar curvature changes will be assessed for a continuous two-hour period using an inertial measurement system. During the two hours of monitoring, participants will be required to perform a list of functional tasks in a simulated home environment. Participants will be free to adopt any postures as in a normal home/work environment during performing these tasks. Lumbar curvature angles and kinematic patterns of lumbar spine will be analysed and compared between three groups. This study will add to the knowledge regarding lumbar curvature and kinematic patterns of lumbar spine when adopting various static and dynamic postures interchangeably over an extended period among adults with NSLBP.
EFFECTS OF 900 MHZ RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION ON THE RATS’ LIVER
Authors: M. R. Usikalu , S. O. Rotimi , J. A. Achuka
Published: October 2019

The goal of the study is to evaluate the liver function tests and histological alterations of the rats liver cells after exposure to mobile phone radiation. To perform the liver function test Aspartate transaminase (AST) U.V kinetic test kit produced by CYPRESS DIAGNOSTICS and spectrophotometer was used. Wistar rats (male, 5 week old, approximate body weight 30-40 g) (N = 12) were exposed to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation of Global System Mobile signal modulation (GSM), whole body average specific absorption rate SAR of 1.090W/kg. Twelve (12) male rats were used for the study divided into 3 groups of 4 rats each. Group B and Group C were exposed to 4 hours/day and 8 hours/day mobile phone radiation during calling mode for 2 months respectively while Group A served as control.  There was significant reduction in total  protein, globulin,  while there was significantly increased in Glutamate Oxalacetate Transaminase (GOT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Albumin, total bilirubin in the rats (Group B and C) exposed to mobile phone radiation when compared to the control group but there was no histological alteration in the arrangement of cells in both control and exposed group. The results of this study suggest that, under the experimental conditions applied, repeated 900 MHz irradiation could modify liver functions.
FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF OLDER PERSONS WITH NORMAL, PRONATED AND SUPINATED FOOT
Authors: Justine Maria , Bukry Saiful Adli , Manaf Haidzir
Published: October 2019

Aging process is accompanied with muscle degeneration that may affect functional performance, especially those with foot deformities. This study aimed to investigate the muscle strength [lower extremity (LES), ankle plantarflexors (APS)] and balance performance, and determine the relationship of muscle strength with balance performance in older persons with different types of foot posture. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 community-dwellers, age ≥60-year-old.  Types of foot (normal, pronated, supinated) were identified  using the Foot Posture Index (FPI) (each group, n=30). The LES and APS were measured using the 30-sec chair-rise and heel-rise tests, respectively. Balance performance was measured using the four square step test (FSST).  Analysis showed significant differences in APS (p=0.012) and balance performance (p=0.049) among different types of foot posture. Participants with supinated (13.81±4.32 rep) foot, had the lowest APS followed by normal (14.53±4.62 rep) and pronated (16.60±4.27 rep) foot. The pronated foot (15.26±5.62 s) had a longer duration to complete the FSST,  followed by the supinated (13.22±2.99 s) and normal (12.77±2.82 s) foot. No significant difference was found in LES (p>0.05) among types of foot. It was found that balance performance was significantly correlated with LES in the normal (r=-0.655, p=0.00) foot, as well as with APS in the pronated foot (r=0.464, p=0.010). This study revealed that older persons with pronated foot are more vulnerable to functional performance decline. Hence, they may be at risk of falls and mobility impairment. Intervention targeted for the ankle and foot may differ depending on the types of foot.
LIMITATIONS OF METAMATERIALS FOR INVISIBILITY CLOAKING
Authors: Islam Sikder Sunbeam , Iqbal Faruque Mohammad Rashed , Hossain Mohammad Jakir , Islam Mohammad Tariqul
Published: October 2019

Electromagnetic invisibility cloak (hide) has begun a new period in the scientific community. With the advent of metamaterials and its recent developments, researchers have now turned their faces to invisibility cloak.  Metamaterials are man-made materials that have surprising electromagnetic property and it may show the characteristics of negative refractive index in materials that are normally not found in nature in any material. These exotic properties of metamaterial have opened up new possibilities for invisibility and other electromechanical fields. However, although metamaterials have created the field for invisibility cloaking but it has some limitations as well. Specially, constructing a perfect invisibility cloak in the visible range using metamaterials is still a big issue. In this paper, we have focused the limitations of metamaterial for invisibility cloaking beside basic principle of metamaterials and contributions in cloaking.
THE EFFECT OF IMMERSION TIME ON THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF SUS304 IN BRINE USING HALF-CELL POTENTIAL MEASUREMENT
Authors: Rashid Saber , Islami N. , Ariffin A. K. , Ridha M. , Fonna S.
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of immersion time, at different time values for two cases, with stressed and no stressed on materials. This study is conducted using SUS304 material with the presence of 3.5% NaCl at the range of stresses for the specimens lower than the yield strength.  The geometry of the C-ring specimen was selected for 18.974 mm and 1.244 mm for the outer diameters and the thickness respectively. The immersion time effect was investigated using the half-cell potential measurement following the ASTM G-38 standard. The approach of corrosion environment was applied to resemble the condition of loading history. Three levels of stresses were designed and applied in finite element analysis and the results known as the parameters of stress-corrosion measurement. The ASTM G-38 standard is prominent for making C-ring stress-corrosion for elastic stress analysis. The stress-corrosion test was performed at two parameters, fixed stress and no stress. The value of stresses for fixed stress was chosen for 179.199 MPa, 328.665 MPa and 460.131 MPa, correspondingly. The immersion time were selected from 0, 10 and 30 days. The electrochemical result shows that the immersion time did not affect vastly to the corrosion behavior for no stress-corrosion compared with fixed stress. The corrosion rate increases proportionally with the time immersion increments due to the inability of the steel layer protection to regenerate itself. Subsequently, it is also due to the metal was exposed to plastic deformation that resulting the internal stresses due to the plastic anisotropy of the grains.
SURFACE ROUGHNESS OF MAGNESIUM ALLOY AZ91D IN HIGH SPEED MILLING
Authors: Ruslan Mohd Shahfizal , Othman Kamal , A.Ghani Jaharah , Kassim Mohd Shahir , Che Haron Che Hassan
Published: October 2019

Magnesium alloy is a material with a high strength to weight ratio and is suitable for various applications such as in automotive, aerospace, electronics, industrial, biomedical and sports. Most end products require a mirror-like finish, therefore, this paper will present how a mirror-like finishing can be achieved using a high speed face milling that is equivalent to the manual polishing process. The high speed cutting regime for magnesium alloy was studied at the range of 900-1400 m/min, and the feed rate for finishing at 0.03-0.09 mm/tooth. The surface roughness found for this range of cutting parameters were between 0.061-0.133 µm, which is less than the 0.5µm that can be obtained by manual polishing. Furthermore, from the S/N ratio plots, the optimum cutting condition for the surface roughness can be achieved at a cutting speed of 1100 m/min, feed rate 0.03 mm/tooth, axial depth of cut of 0.20 mm and radial depth of cut of 10 mm. From the experimental result the lowest surface roughness of 0.061µm was obtained at 900 m/min with the same conditions for other cutting parameters. This study revealed that by milling AZ91D at a high speed cutting, it is possible to eliminate the polishing process to achieve a mirror-like finishing.
INVESTIGATION ON BRAZING INTERFACE BONDING CHARACTERISTIC OF AA7075 AND AA6061 ALUMINUM ALLOY WITH AR500 STEEL USING Al-Si-Zn FILLER METAL
Authors: Muhamed M.N. , Omar M.Z. , Abdullah S. , Sajuri Z. , Zamri W. F. H. , Rahman M.A.I.A. , Abdullah M.F.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents the study on interface bonding characteristic of AA7075 and AA6061 aluminum alloy with AR500 steel by torch brazing bonding process. The weight reduction in vehicles component is required for energy saving in the automobile industry. Lightweight metals such as aluminum joining with other metal especially with steel, have started replaced steel parts in automobile structures but the effect of intermetallic compound (IMC) layer formation have limited the application in this industry due to strength matter.  The torch brazing method was done to join the dissimilar metal with Al-Si-Zn base filler metal for the process. The shear strength of the AA6061/AR500 joint was higher than the AA7075/AR500 joint when the joining conditions were the same. The IMC formation was observed at the joint interface, and the joints mainly fractured at this region.
COMPARISON OF NORMAL INCIDENT SOUND ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT OF DIRECT PIERCING CARVED WOOD PANEL FOR CIRCULAR, GEOMETRY AND FLORAL DESIGN
Authors: Jusoh Mohd Zamri , Che Din Nazli , Dimon Mohamad Ngasri
Published: October 2019

Direct Piercing Carved Wood Panel (DPCWP) is among the famous Malay wood carving art in the Malay culture. It is the best example of Malay people’s creativity and masterpiece. In this paper, the comparison of normal incidence sound absorption coefficient,  (SAC) for three major types of design for the DPCWP is discussed. The simplest form of DPCWP, the circular type, then the geometry and floral types were investigated based on simulation and measurement works using sound intensity method to determine the normal incidence SAC, for 30% and 40% perforation ratios. The simulation work was carried out by using BEASY Acoustic software based on Boundary Element Method (BEM). From the results, there is an identical trend for DPCWP with geometry and floral design from 250 Hz to 4 kHz. At high frequencies (1 kHz to 4 kHz), both design show the tendency of decrement, suggesting that the complexity of the design does affect the average SAC value. However, for circular design, SAC is higher than other design at 1 kHz and shows a similar trend with other design at 2 kHz and 4 kHz for both simulation and measurement result.
AN IMPULSIVE EXCITATION APPROACH FOR FATIGUE STRENGTH PROPERTY CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF POLYMERS
Authors: Bahari Abdul Rahim , Nuawi Mohd Zaki , Mohd Zulkipli Mohd Faizul Idham , Abd Rahman Haizuan
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a method by analysing the free vibration behavior of various polymers for fatigue strength property characterisation. Four disc-shaped specimens with different types of polymer were prepared, namely polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene and polyamide. Experimental dynamic tests were carried out based on ASTM E1876 to measure the transient vibration characteristics using an accelerometer positioned on the flat of the disc close to the outer circumference. The specimen has been lightly striked for pulse loading at the center point using an impact hammer. Using the method of Mesokurtosis Zonal Nonparametric (M-Z-N), the instantaneous data point of the selected decaying signals have been analysed and from the obtained results, the correlation between the M-Z-N coefficient and fatigue strength property has been investigated. It is revealed that the proposed statistical signal analysis method can be applied on the transient impulsive free vibration signal for effectively characterise fatigue strength property of polymers.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI-PURPOSE WIND TUNNEL
Authors: Harun Zambri , W. Ghopa Wan Aizon , Abdullah Shahrir , Ghazali M. Izhar , Abbas Ashraf Amer , Rasani Mohd Rasidi , Zulkifli Rozli , Wan Mahmood Wan Mohd Faizal , Abu Mansor Mohd Radzi , Zainol Abidin Zulkhairi , Wan Mohtar Wan Hanna Melini
Published: October 2019

This manuscript contains the development stages of a multi-purpose wind tunnel built at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The fully automated wind tunnel is named Pangkor after an island in Perak, Malaysia. The development of the wind tunnel consists of three stages namely the design, fabrication and testing & commissioning. The computational fluids dynamic (CFD) approach was employed to ascertain the main geometries to optimize space utilization. Calculations are made based on typical wind tunnel design guidelines. Pitot tubes-pressure transducer, hotwire anemometry, temperature, room humidity and barometric sensors were used to verify actual flow of our construction. A traverse installed at the wind tunnel is capable of a two dimensional movements. The 15 kW axial fan used is especially selected because of space limitation. A variable frequency drive (VFD) connected to fan’s motor allows velocity control from a computer. All devices are connected a computer with one single controlling software; Scilab – ensuring ease of operation. The project shows that, with a limited budget, a wind tunnel with full functionalities could be constructed
INFORMATION EXCHANGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA EVANGELISTS DURING FLOOD: A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
Authors: Temitope Olanrewaju Abdus-samad , Ahmad Rahayu , Hashim Kamarul Faizal
Published: October 2019

Information dissemination during disaster is very crucial, but inherits several complexities associated with the dynamic characteristics of the disaster. Social media evangelists (activists) play an important role in disseminating critical updates at on-site locations. However, there is limited understanding on the network structure formed and its evolution and the types of information shared. To address these questions, this study employs Social Network Analysis technique on a dataset containing 157 social media posts from an influential civilian fan page during Malaysia’s flood. The finding demonstrates three different network structures emerged during the flood period. The network structure evolves depending on the current state of the flood, the amount of information available and the need of information. Through content analysis, there were seven types of information exchanges discovered. These information exchanges evolved as the scale and magnitude of flood changes. In conclusion, this study shows the emergence of different network structures, density and identification of influential information brokers among civilians that use social media during disaster. Despite the low number of influential information brokers, they successfully manage their specific cluster in conveying information about the disaster and most importantly coordinating the rescue mission.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF INFORMATION EXTRACTION FOR ONTOLOGY POPULATION IN CONTRACTOR SELECTION
Authors: Mohemad Rosmayati , Hamdan Abdul Razak , Ali Othamn Zulaiha , Mohamad Noor Noor Maizura
Published: October 2019

The enormous amount of unstructured data presents the biggest challenge to decision makers in eliciting meaningful information to support business decision-making. This study explores the potential use of ontologies in extracting and populating the information from various combinations of unstructured and semi-structured data formats such as tabular, form-based and natural language-based text. The main objective of this study is to propose an architecture of information extraction for ontology population. Contractor selection is chosen as the domain of interest. Thus, this research focuses on the extraction of contractor profiles from tender documents in order to enrich ontological contractor profile by populating the relevant extracted information. The findings are significantly good in precision and recall, in which the performance measures have reached an accuracy of 100% precision and recall for extracting information in both tabular and form-based formats. However, the precision score of relevant information extracted in natural language text is average with a percentage of 42.86% due to the limitation of the linguistic approach for processing Malay texts.
Metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon and achieving pore sizes as small as 30 nm by altering gold thickness
Authors: Kheyraddini Mousavi Behnam , Behzadirad Mahmoud , Silani Yaser , Karbasian Farshid , Kheyraddini Mousavi Arash , Mohajerzadeh Shams
Published: October 2019

Metal-assisted chemical etching is applied to fabricate deep, high aspect ratio nanopores in silicon. The authors’ simple and cost-effective fabrication process has proven capable of generating nanopores with diameters as small as 30 nm, over the whole wafer surface (50.8 mm in diameter). The process uses a thin layer of DC-sputtered gold and H2O2/H2O/HF treatment to generate Au nanoislands. The formation of these nanoislands is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In this paper, the authors study the effect of Au-layer thickness on the diameter and morphology of the fabricated nanopores. The resulting structures have wide applications in optical sensing and filtering.
Improving vacuum performance in the warm linac of the Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Stone Christopher M. , Gerber Neal , Price Jeremy P. , Pelfrey Jonathan D. , Johnson Jonathan D. , Crawford James Steven , Baker Stan , Geng Xiaosong , Williams Derrick , Ocker Katherine D.
Published: October 2019

The Spallation Neutron Source is an accelerator-based neutron source built and operated by the U.S. Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. With over 10 years of operation at 1 MW of power and above, shortcomings have been identified in the original vacuum pumping scheme for the drift tube and the coupled cavity linear accelerator sections. In this article, the vacuum performance for these systems is reviewed and the major areas of concern are discussed. The changes to the vacuum system are examined and the final design is described. Finally, the performance impact of these changes after a year of operation with the new vacuum system is presented.
Single-Leg Jump Performance Before and After Exercise in Healthy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructed Individuals
Authors: Bookbinder Haley , Slater Lindsay V. , Simpson Austin , Hertel Jay , Hart Joseph M.
Published: October 2019

Context:Many clinicians measure lower-extremity symmetry after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); however, testing is completed in a rested state rather than postexercise. Testing postexercise may better model conditions under which injury occurs.Objective:To compare changes in single-leg performance in healthy and individuals with history of ACLR before and after exercise.Design:Repeated-measures case-control.Setting:Laboratory.Patients:Fifty-two subjects (25 control and 27 ACLR).Intervention:Thirty minutes of exercise.Main Outcome Measures:Limb symmetry and involved limb performance (nondominant for healthy) for single-leg hop, ground contact time, and jump height during the 4-jump test. Cohendeffect sizes were calculated for all differences identified using a repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results:Healthy controls hopped farther than ACLR before (d = 0.65; confidence interval [CI], 0.09 to 1.20) and after exercise (d = 0.60; CI, 0.04 to 1.15). Those with ACLR had longer ground contact time on the reconstructed limb compared with the uninvolved limb after exercise (d = 0.53; CI, −0.02 to 1.09), and the reconstructed limb had greater ground contact time compared with the healthy control limb after exercise (d = 0.38; CI, −0.21 to 0.73). ACLR were less symmetrical than healthy before (d = 0.38; CI, 0.17 to 0.93) and after exercise (d = 0.84; CI, 0.28 to 1.41), and the reconstructed limb demonstrated decreased jump height compared with the healthy control limbs before (d = 0.75; CI, 0.19 to 1.31) and after exercise (d = 0.79; CI, 0.23 to 1.36).Conclusions:ACLR became more symmetric, which may be from adaptations of the reconstructed limb after exercise. Changes in performance and symmetry may provide additional information regarding adaptations to exercise after reconstruction.
T cell–derived soluble glycoprotein GPIbα mediates PGE
2
production in human monocytes activated with the vaccine adjuvant MDP
Authors: Liu Fengjie , Endo Yukinori , Romantseva Tatiana , Wu Wells W. , Akue Adovi , Shen Rong-Fong , Golding Hana , Zaitseva Marina
Published: October 2019

A T cell–derived glycoprotein induces a monocytic inflammatory response to a vaccine adjuvant.
A lignin, diatom, and pollen record spanning the Pleistocene–Holocene transition at Fallen Leaf Lake, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Authors: Ball* G. Ian , Noble Paula J. , Stephens Brandon M. , Higgins Anna , Mensing Scott A. , Aluwihare L.I.
Published: October 2019

Lignin phenol, pollen, and diatom analyses were performed on dated sediments (13,533–8993 cal yr B.P.) recovered from Fallen Leaf Lake, California. This multiproxy data set constrains the end of the Tioga glaciation in the Lake Tahoe Basin and reconstructs the response of the region’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to climatic changes that accompanied the Younger Dryas, the end of the Pleistocene, and early Holocene warming. From the Pleistocene to the Holocene, lignin concentrations and syringyl/vanillyl (S/V) ratios increased, while cinnamyl/vanillyl (C/V) ratios and the lignin phenol vegetation index (LPVI) decreased, recording the proliferation of woody plant material and, particularly, the expansion of angiosperms as the Tioga glaciation ended and temperatures warmed. This interpretation is constrained by lignin phenol analyses of plant material from Fallen Leaf Lake’s present-day watershed. Complementary palynological analyses show a transition from a gymnosperm-dominated landscape to a more mixed angiosperm-gymnosperm vegetation assemblage that formed as closed canopy forests became more open and grasses and aster colonized meadows. Aquatic flora assemblages, in the form of greater amounts of green algae and greater percentages of diatom phytoplankton, indicate increased levels of lake primary productivity in response to warming. Principal component analysis (PCA) distinctly resolves the Pleistocene from the Holocene diatom flora. The Pleistocene flora is dominated by cyclotelloids and low-mantled Aulacoseira species that are rare in Fallen Leaf Lake today, but common at higher and colder elevations that may resemble the Pleistocene Fallen Leaf Lake. The Holocene diatom flora is dominated by Aulacoseira subarctica.
Radiocarbon and paleomagnetic chronology of the Searles Lake Formation, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Authors: Knott* Jeffrey R. , Liddicoat Joseph C. , Coe Robert S. , Negrini Robert M.
Published: October 2019

The Searles Lake Formation in Searles Valley, southeastern California, represents deposition of the paleo–Owens River into a Pleistocene and Holocene pluvial terminal lake. A prior 32–10 ka estimated age for the upper part of the Searles Lake Formation relied on uncalibrated, conventional radiocarbon dates. We present accelerator mass spectrometer radiocarbon dates that indicate the base of the Searles Lake Formation at the Poison Canyon type section is 46 ka. That age is consistent with paleomagnetic data at Poison Canyon and the Tire Farm locality, which record high-latitude Southern Hemisphere virtual geomagnetic poles that we assign to the 41 ka Laschamp excursion. The presence of Searles Lake at 46–43 ka also is consistent with a Pacific storm track that extended south of 37.5°N at that time. At the head of Salt Wells Valley–Poison Canyon, sediments that we interpret as a Searles Lake highstand were radiocarbon dated at 14.1 ka.
Evidence for a large middle Holocene flood event in the Pacific southwestern United States (Lake Elsinore, California)
Authors: Kirby* M.E. , Patterson* W.P. , Ivanovici L. , Sandquist* D. , Glover* K.C.
Published: October 2019

While drought represents a serious threat to the Pacific southwestern United States, floods represent an equally formidable threat. This risk is so significant that the U.S. Geological Survey created the ARkStorm Project. This project aims to prepare California for a future storm(s) on the scale of the disastrous A.D. 1861–1862 events. Unfortunately, our knowledge of premeasurement floods in the Pacific southwestern United States is sparse. To date, the best paleoflood record consists of flood layers in the Santa Barbara Basin, spanning the past 9000 calendar yr B.P. (cal yr B.P.). As an alternative to marine archives, the lakes of the Pacific southwestern United States represent untapped resources for possible premeasurement flood reconstructions. Here, we present evidence for a flood between ca. 4860 and 4820 cal yr B.P. using sediment from Lake Elsinore core LEGC03-4. Core LEGC03-4 is predominantly clayey silt with occasional sandy silt units of variable centimeter-scale thickness. Here, we focus on a specific core section between 350 and 315 cm, where an ~11-cm-thick “unusual” sediment unit (330–319 cm) is well preserved and complete. The core section was analyzed for a variety of physical and chemical properties, including magnetic susceptibility, loss-on-ignition (LOI) at 550 °C and 950 °C, grain size, Corg:Ntotal ratios, and δ13C(bulk organic matter). The unit is characterized by an erosional basal contact and microflame structures. It is normally graded, with laminae occurring in the upper section of the unit. It contains predominantly terrestrial organic matter, and the upper boundary is gradational. It is coeval with the fourth highest sand peak in a previously dated central basin core. Consequently, it is our conclusion that the unusual sediment unit represents a turbidite associated with a large flood-producing precipitation event with a maximum limiting age between 4860 and 4820 cal yr B.P.