bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mother–infant attachment and the intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Bosquet Enlow Michelle , Egeland Byron , Carlson Elizabeth , Blood Emily , Wright Rosalind J.
Published: September 2013

Evidence for the intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is documented in the literature, although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Attachment theory provides a framework for elucidating the ways in which maternal PTSD may increase offspring PTSD vulnerability. The current study utilized two independent prospective data sets to test the hypotheses that (a) maternal PTSD increases the probability of developing an insecure mother–infant attachment relationship and (b) an insecure mother–infant attachment relationship increases the risk of developing PTSD following trauma exposure in later life. In the first study of urban, primarily low-income ethnic/racial minority mothers and infants (N= 45 dyads), elevated maternal PTSD symptoms at 6 months were associated with increased risk for an insecure, particularly disorganized, mother–infant attachment relationship at 13 months. In the second birth cohort of urban, low-income mothers and children (N= 96 dyads), insecure (avoidant or resistant) attachment in infancy was associated in a dose–response manner with increased lifetime risk for a diagnosis of PTSD by adolescence. A history of disorganized attachment in infancy predicted severity of PTSD symptoms, including reexperiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and total symptoms, at 17.5 years. In both studies, associations between attachment and PTSD were not attributable to numerous co-occurring risk factors. The findings suggest that promoting positive mother–child relationships in early development, particularly in populations at high risk for trauma exposure, may reduce the incidence of PTSD.
Exploring the basis for parents’ negative reactions to being informed that their child is overweight
Authors: Gillison Fiona , Beck Fay , Lewitt Joanna
Published: September 2013

Objective

Increasing parental awareness of childhood obesity is an important part of tackling the issue. However, parents’ negative reactions to being informed that their children are overweight or obese can hinder their engagement with relevant services. The present study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of why parents react negatively, to help commissioners and service providers design services that are more acceptable to them.

Design

Open, qualitative responses to a survey were collected using a postal questionnaire. Responses were analysed using content analysis.

Setting

One local authority in south-west England.

Subjects

The sample frame included all parents receiving letters informing them that their child was overweight (91st–98th centile) or very overweight (98th–100th centile) through the UK National Child Measurement Programme in 2012.

Results

Forty-five of 313 eligible parents (14 %) responded to the survey, of whom forty-three rejected either to the judgement that their child was overweight and/or being provided with this feedback. Primary reasons for objection included: lack of trust in the measures used, lack of belief that being overweight is important for children's health (relative to a healthy lifestyle), and fear that discussing weight with children will trigger eating disorders. In addition, parents’ responses suggested that they considered receiving this feedback to be a criticism of their parenting skills.

Conclusions

Overall, three areas for improving communication with parents were suggested: tailoring letters; providing information about the importance of weight independently of lifestyle; and addressing parents’ concerns about the risks of talking to children about their weight.
Climate Policy and the United States System of Divided Powers: Dealing with Carbon Leakage and Regulatory Linkage
Authors: Farber Daniel A.
Published: September 2013

Climate change has pushed governmental authorities within the United States (US) into new routes of national and transnational policy-making. The normal route for national policy-making runs from Congress in setting policy, to the President in agency implementation, to judicial oversight and enforcement. When that route is blocked, however, federalism and the separation of powers provide some byways and detours that may still be used to make progress. State governments and the executive branch have moved into the breach left by congressional deadlock. In the absence of federal climate legislation or a formal treaty, however, constitutional challenges will predictably meet efforts to limit carbon leakage or to establish linkages between regulatory systems.

These constitutional issues often involve corners of constitutional law such as foreign affairs, where doctrines are particularly murky. Solid arguments can be made in favour of state efforts to avoid leakage and create linkage, despite claims of discrimination against interstate commerce, extraterritoriality, and foreign affairs pre-emption. The Environmental Protection Agency has some statutory authority to deal with leakage, and the President seems to have authority to pursue linkage through executive agreement. Thus, both states and the executive branch should have room to deal with transboundary implications of climate policies. Although the deadlock in Congress regarding climate change may be unusually severe, these modes of response may also be important for other kinds of transnational activity by US state governments and the national executive.
Biosensor Technology and the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory – Issue of Signal Interference from the Biological Matrix
Authors: Thompson Michael , Sheikh Sonia , Blaszykowski Christophe , Romaschin Alexander
Published: September 2013

This chapter discusses the potential use of biosensor technology in the clinical biochemistry laboratory. Various relevant key aspects of biosensor technology are introduced such as the chemistry of attachment of probes to device surfaces and a summary of the main categories of sensors based on electrochemistry, acoustic-wave physics and optical science. Important performance characteristics of typical clinical measurements are appraised with examples being presented. Following this discussion, the relevant issues of device selectivity, sensitivity, dynamic range and calibration with respect to target concentration, and possibility for label-free operation are evaluated. A critical issue for potential clinical measurement is the mandatory requirement for devices to function in biological fluids and matrices, with avoidance of signal interference caused by nonspecific surface adoption. Solutions for the latter problem are summarized. The chapter closes with a look at the possible features of biosensor technology that could be employed in the clinical biochemistry laboratory.
Blood‐Glucose Biosensors, Development and Challenges
Authors: Wang Yuan , Hu Madeleine
Published: September 2013

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major causes of premature illness and death worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated that by 2030, 439 million people, corresponding to 7.8% of the world adult population, will live with diabetes. With an increasing diabetic population, a Blood Glucose Monitoring System (BGMS) is becoming an ever important tool for diabetes management. The history of blood biosensor development can be traced back to 1932, when Warburg and Christian reported the “yellow enzyme” from yeast changed to colorless upon oxidizing its substrate and resumed the yellow color after its oxidation by oxygen. Since then a lot of research and development has taken place on blood glucose sensors, and the biosensor technology has gone through three generations, with the current commercially available BGMS predominantly relies on the second generation of technology. The advantages and challenges of each generation are discussed. This chapter will examine in detail topics covering the areas of electrode substrate and electrode material selection, fluid detection electrode, reaction chamber, chemistry (electrolyte, polymer, enzyme and mediator), detection method, analytical performance, regulatory requirements and the manufacturing process. The chapter will close with the clinical utility and future direction and application of glucose biosensor include a brief introduction to the Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS).
Volatile Analysis for Clinical Diagnostics
Authors: Kendall Catherine , Barr Hugh , Magan Naresh
Published: September 2013

Volatile fingerprinting systems such as electronic noses have been developed over recent decades with applications in many fields, especially in food industry but also in medical diagnostics. One area of clinical interest is ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP), which is a significant challenge for intensive‐care doctors worldwide. This chapter discusses the main volatile fingerprinting technologies and their applications.
An exploration of homo- and heterometallic UO22+hybrid materials containing chelidamic acid: synthesis, structure, and luminescence studies
Authors: Cantos Paula M. , Pope Simon J. A. , Cahill Christopher L.
Published: September 2013

Eight U(vi)–chelidamate compounds highlight the structural significance of modified ligands as sources for direct metal–ligand coordination or halogen-based interaction platforms.
Sulfide inhibition of and metabolism by cytochrome c oxidase
Authors: Nicholls Peter , Marshall Doug C. , Cooper Chris E. , Wilson Mike T.
Published: September 2013

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a classic cytochrome c oxidase inhibitor, is also an in vitro oxidase substrate and an in vivo candidate hormonal (‘gasotransmitter’) species affecting sleep and hibernation. H2S, nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) share some common features. All are low-molecular-mass physiological effectors and also oxidase inhibitors, capable of binding more than one enzyme site, and each is an oxidizable ‘substrate’. The oxidase oxidizes CO to CO2, NO to nitrite and sulfide to probable persulfide species. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in an aerobic steady state with ascorbate and cytochrome c is rapidly inhibited by sulfide in a biphasic manner. At least two successive inhibited species are involved, probably partially reduced. The oxidized enzyme, in the absence of turnover, occurs in at least two forms: the ‘pulsed’ and ‘resting’ states. The pulsed form reacts aerobically with sulfide to form two intermediates, ‘P’ and ‘F’, otherwise involved in the reaction of oxygen with reduced enzyme. Sulfide can directly reduce the oxygen-reactive a3CuB binuclear centre in the pulsed state. The resting enzyme does not undergo such a step, but only a very slow one-electron reduction of the electron-transferring haem a. In final reactivation phases, both the steady-state inhibition of catalysis and the accumulation of P and F states are reversed by slow sulfide oxidation. A model for this complex reaction pattern is presented.
Engineering chimaeric proteins from fold fragments: ‘hopeful monsters’ in protein design
Authors: Höcker Birte
Published: September 2013

Modern highly complex proteins evolved from much simpler and less specialized subunits. The same concept can be applied in protein engineering to construct new well-folded proteins. Hybrid proteins or chimaeras can be built from contemporary protein fragments through illegitimate recombination. Even parts from different globular folds can be fitted together using rational design methodologies. Furthermore, intrinsic functional properties encoded in the fold fragments allow rapid adaptation of the new proteins and thus provide interesting starting scaffolds for further redesign.
Repeat protein engineering: creating functional nanostructures/biomaterials from modular building blocks
Authors: Main Ewan R.G. , Phillips Jonathan J. , Millership Charlotte
Published: September 2013

There is enormous interest in molecular self-assembly and the development of biological systems to form smart nanostructures for biotechnology (so-called ‘bottom-up fabrications’). Repeat proteins are ideal choices for development of such systems as they: (i) possess a relatively simple relationship between sequence, structure and function; (ii) are modular and non-globular in structure; (iii) act as diverse scaffolds for the mediation of a diverse range of protein–protein interactions; and (iv) have been extensively studied and successfully engineered and designed. In the present review, we summarize recent advances in the use of engineered repeat proteins in the self-assembly of novel materials, nanostructures and biosensors. In particular, we show that repeat proteins are excellent monomeric programmable building blocks that can be triggered to associate into a range of morphologies and can readily be engineered as stimuli-responsive biofunctional materials.
Using anchoring motifs for the computational design of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Jacobs Timothy M. , Kuhlman Brian
Published: September 2013

The computer-based design of PPIs (protein–protein interactions) is a challenging problem because large desolvation and entropic penalties must be overcome by the creation of favourable hydrophobic and polar contacts at the target interface. Indeed, many computationally designed interactions fail to form when tested in the laboratory. In the present article, we highlight strategies our laboratory has been pursuing to make interface design more tractable. Our general approach has been to make use of structural motifs found in native proteins that are predisposed to interact with a particular binding geometry, and then further bolster these anchor points with favourable hydrophobic contacts. We describe the use of three different anchor points, i.e. β-strand pairing, metal binding and the docking of α-helix into a groove, to successfully design new interfaces. In several cases, high-resolution crystal structures show that the design models closely match the experimental structure. In addition, we have tested the use of buried hydrogen-bond networks as a source of affinity and specificity at interfaces. In these cases, the designed complexes did not form, highlighting the challenges associated with designing buried polar interactions.
NextGen protein design
Authors: Sawyer Nicholas , Speltz Elizabeth B. , Regan Lynne
Published: September 2013

Protein engineering is at an exciting stage because designed protein–protein interactions are being used in many applications. For instance, three designed proteins are now in clinical trials. Although there have been many successes over the last decade, protein engineering still faces numerous challenges. Often, designs do not work as anticipated and they still require substantial redesign. The present review focuses on the successes, the challenges and the limitations of rational protein design today.
ProxiMAX randomization: a new technology for non-degenerate saturation mutagenesis of contiguous codons
Authors: Ashraf Mohammed , Frigotto Laura , Smith Matthew E. , Patel Seema , Hughes Marcus D. , Poole Andrew J. , Hebaishi Husam R.M. , Ullman Christopher G. , Hine Anna V.
Published: September 2013

Back in 2003, we published ‘MAX’ randomization, a process of non-degenerate saturation mutagenesis using exactly 20 codons (one for each amino acid) or else any required subset of those 20 codons. ‘MAX’ randomization saturates codons located in isolated positions within a protein, as might be required in enzyme engineering, or else on one face of an α-helix, as in zinc-finger engineering. Since that time, we have been asked for an equivalent process that can saturate multiple contiguous codons in a non-degenerate manner. We have now developed ‘ProxiMAX’ randomization, which does just that: generating DNA cassettes for saturation mutagenesis without degeneracy or bias. Offering an alternative to trinucleotide phosphoramidite chemistry, ProxiMAX randomization uses nothing more sophisticated than unmodified oligonucleotides and standard molecular biology reagents. Thus it requires no specialized chemistry, reagents or equipment, and simply relies on a process of saturation cycling comprising ligation, amplification and digestion for each cycle. The process can encode both unbiased representation of selected amino acids or else encode them in predefined ratios. Each saturated position can be defined independently of the others. We demonstrate accurate saturation of up to 11 contiguous codons. As such, ProxiMAX randomization is particularly relevant to antibody engineering.
Regulation of autophagy by mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways: autophagy dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and therapeutic application of autophagy enhancers
Authors: Sarkar Sovan
Published: September 2013

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation pathway essential for cellular and energy homoeostasis. It functions in the clearance of misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, as well as recycling of cytosolic components during starvation to compensate for nutrient deprivation. This process is regulated by mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways that are amenable to chemical perturbations. Several small molecules modulating autophagy have been identified that have potential therapeutic application in diverse human diseases, including neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration-associated aggregation-prone proteins are predominantly degraded by autophagy and therefore stimulating this process with chemical inducers is beneficial in a wide range of transgenic disease models. Emerging evidence indicates that compromised autophagy contributes to the aetiology of various neurodegenerative diseases related to protein conformational disorders by causing the accumulation of mutant proteins and cellular toxicity. Combining the knowledge of autophagy dysfunction and the mechanism of drug action may thus be rational for designing targeted therapy. The present review describes the cellular signalling pathways regulating mammalian autophagy and highlights the potential therapeutic application of autophagy inducers in neurodegenerative disorders.
Use of partial mixed rations in pasture-based dairying in temperate regions of Australia
Authors: Wales W. J. , Marett L. C. , Greenwood J. S. , Wright M. M. , Thornhill J. B. , Jacobs J. L. , Ho C. K. M. , Auldist M. J.
Published: September 2013

There is a growing diversity and complexity of dairy farming systems in Australia. Feeding systems based on the provision of mixed rations to dairy cows grazing perennial pastures (termed partial mixed rations or PMR systems) have emerged and present the dairy industry with opportunities for improved production and feed efficiency, but also with significant challenges. Early research results are beginning to define the situations in which PMR systems are profitable and the mechanisms responsible for the improved milk responses. This review focuses on the role of PMR feeding systems in temperate dairying regions of Australia, highlights initial research findings, and identifies some of the gaps in current knowledge that warrant further research. The key findings were that, when very low allowances of pasture are offered to cows, milk production responses were driven mostly by increases in dry matter (DM) intake, and there appeared to be a minimal contribution to increased energy supply from improved whole tract DM digestibility. Differences in milk responses became apparent when >10 kg of total supplement DM was consumed (0.75 : 0.25 concentrate to forage) as PMR. There was a consistent maintenance of milk fat concentration when increasing amounts of concentrates were consumed as PMR, in contrast with supplements consumed in the dairy. There was also a consistent finding that replacing some wheat in the PMR with canola meal resulted in cows consuming more grazed pasture despite the limitations of very low pasture allowances (10–15 kg DM/cow.day, expressed to ground level). This was accompanied by further increases in energy-corrected milk yield. The potential to improve DM intake was further highlighted when pasture allowance was increased, with intake increasing from 3.6% to 4.5% of liveweight (from 20 to 25 kg DM/day for a 550-kg cow). There was also an indication that ~50% of the milk production benefit from PMR can be captured by providing the concentrate supplement as a grain mix in the dairy. There did not appear to be negative impacts of PMR systems on the social and grazing behaviour or health of cows.
The Role of Discourse of Techno-Nationalism and Social Entrepreneurship in the Process of Development of New Technology: A Case Study of Stem Cell Research and Therapy in Iran
Authors: Miremadi Tahereh
Published: September 2013

This paper discusses the role of social entrepreneurship and the discourse of techno-nationalism in defining national selfhood in contemporary Iran. To examine the issue, this paper develops an in-depth case study of the development of stem cell research, and shows how an alliance between the leaders of the scientific community and Iran's politico-religious authority contributed to building technological capacity in the field of stem cell research in the first decade of the twenty-first century. The paper also highlights how the preliminary success of stem cell research, along with other knowledge-intensive technologies, has created a shared feeling of national pride and has served as the material base for the contemporary discourse of techno-nationalism. The paper concludes with the notion that the techno-nationalist discourse has the inherent potential to unwittingly help to redefine the dichotomy between Iran and the West in such a way that it becomes less antagonistic, should other factors permit.
The 6-Key Model and the Assessment of the Aesthetic Dimension in Dramatherapy
Authors: Pendzik Susana
Published: September 2013

This article deals with the assessment of the aesthetic dimension in dramatherapy. It first describes the 6-Key Model, a dramatherapy-based assessment method grounded on the notion of dramatic reality, focussing in particular on the second (or quality) key, which embodies the aesthetic dimension. The paper examines the need for assessing this aspect in dramatherapy, discusses issues pertaining to the ethics and the therapeutic function of aesthetics in our field. Finally, the author calls for the development of alternative aesthetics guidelines, which would allow to evaluate this aspect of dramatherapy processes in ways that are more appropriate to our profession than those presented by traditional theatre or/and psychotherapy. The notions brought forth by community-based and applied theatre practitioners are presented as significant models to follow.
Bacteremia and Mortality with Urinary Catheter–Associated Bacteriuria
Authors: Kizilbash Quratulain F. , Petersen Nancy J. , Chen Guoqing J. , Naik Aanand D. , Trautner Barbara W.
Published: September 2013

Objective.

Although catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria (CAABU) are clinically distinct conditions, most literature describing the risks of bacteriuria does not distinguish between them. We studied the relationship between catheter-associated bacteriuria and bacteremia from a urinary source in CAUTI relative to that in CAABU. Second, we investigated whether the presence or absence of urinary symptoms in catheterized patients with bacteriuria was associated with bacteremia from any source or mortality. Finally, we explored the effect of antimicrobial treatment of bacteriuria on subsequent bacteremia from any source and mortality.

Design.

We performed a retrospective cohort study with 30 days of follow-up after an initial positive urine culture. CAUTI and CAABU were defined by Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.

Setting.

A large tertiary care facility.

Patients.

All inpatients with a urinary catheter (external or indwelling) and a positive urine culture between October 2010 and June 2011.

Results.

We captured 444 episodes of catheter-associated bacteriuria in 308 patients; 128 (41.6%) patients had CAUTI, and 180 (58.4%) had CAABU. Three episodes of bacteriuria were followed by bacteremia from a urinary source (0.7%). CAUTI, rather than CAABU, was associated with bacteremia from any source, but neither CAUTI nor CAABU predicted subsequent mortality. Use of antimicrobial agents to treat bacteriuria was not associated with either bacteremia from any source or mortality.

Conclusions.

Bacteremia from a urinary source was infrequent, and there was no evidence of an association of mortality with symptomatic versus asymptomatic bacteriuria in this population. Antibiotic treatment of bacteriuria did not affect outcomes.
Historical Linguistics
Authors: Tavárez David
Published: September 2013

Historical linguistics is a discipline with strong interdisciplinary connections to sociocultural anthropology, ethnohistory, and archaeology. While the study of language change and etymology can be traced back to ancient societies in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia, a number of important methodological approaches emerged in the late 18th century, when European scholars who were engaged in colonial administration set the foundations for research in Indo-European languages. Contemporary historical linguistics has maintained a focus on several large-scale questions, such as the origins of the language faculty; the classification and typology of the world’s languages; the time depth of major language changes; ancient writing systems; the impact of linguistic and cultural contacts on language change; the emergence of pidgins and creoles; the influence of colonial expansion and evangelization projects on language change; and the interface among literacy practices, language change, and the social order. This article outlines all of these important inquiries, with a particular stress on the sustained interaction among historical linguistics, anthropology, and ethnohistory. This survey has two focii: the first one is languages of the Americas, and the second one is ethnohistorical and philological methodology. This choice in focus conveys existing historical strengths and showcases our current knowledge about language contact and language change in the Americas.
Gender Equality and Economic Growth: Is there a Win‐Win?
Authors: Kabeer Naila , Natali Luisa
Published: September 2013

To what extent does gender equality contribute to economic growth? And to what extent does the reverse relationship hold true? There are a growing number of studies exploring these relationships, generally using cross‐country regression analysis. They are characterised by varying degrees of methodological rigour to take account of the problems associated with econometric analysis at this highly aggregated level, including the problems of reverse causality. Bearing these problems in mind, a review of this literature suggests that the relationship between gender equality and economic growth is an asymmetrical one. The evidence that gender equality, particularly in education and employment, contributes to economic growth is far more consistent and robust than the relationship that economic growth contributes to gender equality in terms of health, wellbeing and rights. From a growth perspective, therefore, the promotion of certain dimensions of gender equality may appear to offer a win‐win solution but from a gender equity perspective, there is no guarantee that growth on its own will address critical dimensions of gender equality. Either growth strategies would need to be reformulated to be more inclusive in their impacts or redistributive measures would need to be put in place to ensure that men and women benefit more equally from growth.
In Vitro Regeneration and Antioxidant Propertiesof Lycium Barbarum L. (Goji)
Authors: Osman Nurul Izzati , Awal Asmah , Sidik Norrizah Jaafar , Abdullah Shamsiah
Published: September 2013

Ethnobotanical studies has documented the consumption of goji by Chinese tribes since ancient times. Goji or scientifically known as Lycium barbarum L. belongs to Solanaceae family and native to some areas of China. The present study was conducted to determine the best explant and corresponding hormonal compositions for Goji in vitro regeneration. In addition, the age and organ of in vitro seedlings with the optimum level of antioxidant activity were also identified. For in vitro regeneration, leaves and nodes were used as explants and cultured on in vitro regeneration media with varying hormonal concentration, combinations of α-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP). The optimum combination for in vitro regeneration was found in leaf explants treated with equal concentration of 0.5 mg/L NAA and BAP each. DPPH assay for antioxidant activity screening done on methanolic extracts of samples from two through five month-old in vitro seedlings.shows the highest antioxidant activity in two-month old leaf and stem samples with the EC50 value of 0.08 mg/ml. Indeed, the results revealed that L. barbarum has the potency to be excellently micropropagated that possesses an outstanding antioxidant activity that is essential in phytomedicines.
Probabilistic Semi–Simple Splicing System and Its Characteristics
Authors: Selvarajoo Mathuri , Heng Fong Wan , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Turaev Sherzod
Published: September 2013

The concept of splicing system was first introduced by Head in 1987. This model has been introduced to investigate the recombinant behavior of DNA molecules. Splicing systems with finite sets of axioms only generate regular languages. Hence, different restrictions have been considered to increase the computational power up to the recursively enumerable languages. Recently, probabilistic splicing systems have been introduced where probabilities are initially associated with the axioms, and the probability of a generated string is computed by multiplying the probabilities of all occurrences of the initial strings in the computation of the string. In this paper, some properties of probabilistic semi-simple splicing systems, which are special types of probabilistic splicing systems, are investigated. We prove that probabilistic semi-simple splicing systems can also increase the generative power of the generated languages.
The Effects of Radiation on Free Convection Flow with Ramped Wall Temperature in Brinkman Type Fluid
Authors: Zakaria Muhamad Najib , Hussanan Abid , Khan Ilyas , Shafie Sharidan
Published: September 2013

The present paper is on study of the influence of radiation on unsteady free convection flow of Brinkman type fluid near a vertical plate containing a ramped temperature profile. Using the appropriate variables, the basic governing equations are reduced to nondimensional equations valid with the imposed initial and boundary conditions. The exact solutions are obtained by using Laplace transform technique. The influence of radiation near a ramped temperature plate is also compared with the flow near a plate with constant temperature. The numerical computations are carried out for various values of the physical parameters such as velocity, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt number and presented graphically.
Numerical Modeling of Blood Flow in Irregular Stenosed Artery with the Effects of Gravity
Authors: Bin Tan Yan , Mustapha Norzieha
Published: September 2013

A numerical study on the influences of gravitational force on an unsteady two–dimensional nonlinear model of blood flow through a stenosed artery is presented. Blood flow through the constricted region with an irregular stenosis is considered as incompressible Newtonian fluid. The governing equations are derived from the Navier–Stokes equations, which also comprise a significant term for gravitational force in the axial momentum equation. The numerical method chosen in this study is the finite difference approximations based on Marker and Cell (MAC) method at which governing equations are develop in staggered grids for discretization. The Poisson equation of pressure is solved by successive–over–relaxation (S.O.R.) method. Pressure–velocity corrector is imposed to increase accuracy. Streamlines, wall shear stress and axial velocity profiles are plotted.
Simulation of Ytterbium Doped Double Clad Fiber Laser Output Power by Using Liekki Application Designer Software
Authors: Kasim Nabilah , Munajat Yusof , S. Saktioto , Razak Nor Farhah
Published: September 2013

Erbium and Ytterbium doped fibers are usually used as optical amplifiers in fiber optic communications. For high power fiber laser application, Ytterbium doped Double Clad Fiber is among the best candidate. However, the appropriate power budget should be reviewed on the Ytterbium doped Double Clad Fiber that can be used for certain purpose of laser application. Due to high cost and limited budget to initiate the development of fiber lasers, it is necessary to simulate the power distribution that just enough to produce the laser. Every component in the software application acted as a real component in the fiber laser. Several parameters and configuration of fiber laser are investigated and discussed.
Treatment of Textile Wastewater using Chitosan and Chitosan Grafted Acrylamide by Microwave Synthesis
Authors: Ngadi Norzita , Arsad Nurul Jannah , Roslan Noor Azuin
Published: September 2013

Polymeric flocculants based on single chitosan and polyacrylamide grafted chitosan (Ch-g-PAM) have been successfully synthesized via microwave initiated method. Under optimal grafting conditions, 30.4% grafting has been observed in case of the microwave irradiation with exposed time, 76s and power, 640MW (80% from full power). The synthesized graft copolymers have been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Acidic medium was the best condition for flocculation with optimum pH of 3 and 4 using Ch-g-PAM and Chitosan, respectively. The longer the settling time, the better the flocculation performance as long as the flocs did not break. 60-90 minutes was the best settling time with optimum dosage of 0.1 g for both flocculants. Grafted chitosan with PAM showed the best result in removing the contaminants compared to single chitosan.
Comparison of Computational Tools for Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Mapping and Analysis
Authors: Leong Geok Wei , Lee Sheau Chen , Lau Cher Chien , Klappa Peter , Omar Mohd Shahir Shamsir
Published: September 2013

Several visualization tools for the mapping of protein-protein interactions have been developed in recent years. However, a systematic comparison of the virtues and limitations of different PPI visualization tools has not been carried out so far. In this study, we compare seven commonly used visualization tools, based on input and output file format, layout algorithm, database integration, Gene Ontology annotation and accessibility of each tool. The assessment was carried out based on brain disease datasets. Our suggested tools, NAViGaTOR, Cytoscape and Gephi perform competitively as PPI network visualization tools, can be a reference for future researches on PPI mapping and analysis.
Kedudukan Akal dalam Pendalilan Akidah
Authors: Azmi Mohd Faizul , Wahab Muhammad Rashidi
Published: September 2013

Pendalilan akal merupakan salah satu sumber terpenting dalam membahaskan persoalan akidah, selain daripada sumber utama al-Quran dan hadis. Kedudukan dalil akal tersebut diiktiraf oleh Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah kerana ia berkemampuan untuk menghasilkan keyakinan sehingga terbentuk keimanan kepada Allah S.W.T. Walau bagaimanapun, sebilangan aliran pemikiran seperti Hashawiyyah didapati menolak peranan akal dalam perbahasan akidah, lantas mendakwa Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah khususnya Asha’irah dan Maturidiyyah terpengaruh dengan metodologi aliran sesat Mu’tazilah yang terlebih mengutamakan dalil ‘aqli berbanding dalil naqli. Implikasi daripada tohmahan tersebut menyebabkan segelintir umat Islam memandang serong terhadap kedudukan dalil akal dalam akidah, malah pengikut Asha’irah dan Maturidiyyah turut disamakan dengan Mu’tazilah. Menerusi kaedah analisis kandungan dokumen, artikel ini akan meneliti kedudukan akal dalam pendalilan akidah menurut kerangka Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah untuk membuktikan bahawa Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah mempunyai metodologi tersendiri dalam berinteraksi dengan akal. Malah artikel turut mengetengahkan pendirian Hashawiyyah dan Mu’tazilah berkaitan isu yang dibincangkan sebagai lontaran pemikiran sehingga tercetusnya polemik tersebut. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa pendekatan Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah dalam menerima pendalilan akal adalah didasari oleh sumber dan hujah meyakinkan bagi membezakannya dengan Mu’tazilah dan Hashawiyyah. Hal ini bertepatan dengan al-Quran dan hadis yang turut memperakui kelebihan akal kepada manusia sehingga ia dapat dijadikan panduan dalam kehidupan mereka. Selain itu, kajian merumuskan bahawa akal juga mempunyai batasan kemampuan dalam memperkatakan sesuatu terutamanya tentang hakikat zat Allah S.W.T. dan perkara hukum-hakam Islam.
A New Cost Effective Estimator in the Presence of Non-response for Two-phase Sampling
Authors: Ismail Muhammad , Hanif Muhammad , Shahbaz Muhammad Qaiser
Published: September 2013

In In this paper we have proposed a new estimator of population mean in the presence of non–response using information of a single auxiliary variable. We have obtained survey cost for the fixed variance of the proposed estimator and compared it with the cost obtained by Tabasum and Khan (2004) and Hansen Hurwitz (1946). After the comparison we saw that the cost of our proposed estimator is lesser than Tabasum and Khan (2004) and Hansen Hurwitz (1946) estimators.
Quality Control in Cocoa Powder Production Process: A Robust MSPC Approach
Authors: Lee S. L. , Djauhari M. A.
Published: September 2013

To monitor a multivariate process mean, Hotelling’s T2 control chart is often used. However, the presence of multiple outliers may go undetected due to the masking effect or swamping effect. In this study, we propose a robust Hotelling’s T2 control charts where the mean vector and the covariance matrix are estimated by using fast minimum covariance determinant (FMCD) which gives a high breakdown point estimates. This study found that the latter approach performs far better than the former in terms of the ability in detecting an out-of-control situation during the start-up stage. We present and discuss our experience in monitoring the process mean of cocoa powder production process in a Malaysian company located in Johor Bahru.
Forecasting of Air Pollution Index with Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Abd Rahman Nur Haizum , Lee Muhammad Hisyam , Latif Mohd Talib , S. Suhartono
Published: September 2013

In recent years, the arisen of air pollution in urban area address much attention globally. The air pollutants has emerged detrimental effects on health and living conditions. Time series forecasting is the important method nowadays with the ability to predict the future events. In this study, the forecasting is based on 10 years monthly data of Air Pollution Index (API) located in industrial and residential monitoring stations area in Malaysia. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), fuzzy time series (FTS) and artificial neural network (ANNs) were used as the methods to forecast the API values. The performance of each method is compare using the root mean square error (RMSE). The result shows that the ANNs give the smallest forecasting error to forecast API compared to FTS and ARIMA. Therefore, the ANNs could be consider a reliable approach in early warning system to general public in understanding the air quality status that might effect their health and also in decision making processes for air quality control and management.
A Poisson Regression Model For Analysis of Censored Count Data with Excess Zeroes
Authors: Saffari Seyed Ehsan , Adnan Robiah , Greene William , Ahmad Maizah Hura
Published: September 2013

Typically, a Poisson regression model is assumed for count data. In many cases, there are many zeros in the dependent variable, therefore the mean is not equal to the variance value of the dependent variable. Thus, we suggest using a hurdle and zero-inflated Poisson regression model. Furthermore, the response variable in such cases is censored for some values. In this paper, a censored hurdle Poisson regression model and a censored zero-inflated Poisson regression model will be discussed to handle the overdispersion problem when there are excess zeros in the response variable. The estimation of regression parameters using the maximum likelihood method is discussed and the goodness-of-fit statistics for the regression model are examined. An example and a simulation will be used to compare the censored hurdle Poisson regression model with the censored zero-inflated Poisson regression model in terms of the parameter estimation, standard errors and the goodness-of-fit statistics.
Modelling Catchment Rainfall Using Sum of Correlated Gamma Variables
Authors: R. Zakaria, , P. G. Howlett, , J. Piantadosi, , J. W. Boland, , N. H. Moslim,
Published: September 2013

One of the major difficulties in simulating rainfall is the need to accurately represent rainfall accumulations. An accurate simulation of monthly rainfall should also provide an accurate simulation of yearly rainfall by summing the monthly totals. A major problem in this regard is that rainfall distributions for successive months may not be independent. Thus the rainfall accumulation problem must be represented as the summation of dependent random variables. This study is aimed to show if the statistical parameters for several stations within a particular catchment is known, then a weighted sum is used to determine a rainfall model for the entire local catchment. A spatial analysis for the sum of rainfall volumes from four selected meteorological stations within the same region using the monthly rainfall data is conducted. The sum of n correlated gamma variables is used to model the sum of monthly rainfall totals from four stations when there is significant correlation between the stations.
Determination of the Required Sample Size with Assurance for Three-Arm Non-Inferiority Trials
Authors: Azmee Nor Afzalina , Mohamed Zulkifley , Ahmad Azhar
Published: September 2013

The concept of assurance in the two-arm non-inferiority trials has been explored, expressing the non-inferiority margin as a clinically meaningful treatment difference. This short paper focuses on developing an assurance formula in the three-arm non-inferiority trial, based on the ratio of means. The discussion starts with the simple case of known variances and then extends to the case of unknown but equal variances. To avoid complicated integration, assurance for the latter case was studied using Bayesian Clinical Trial Simulation (BCTS). The findings indicate that assurance allows the experimenter to formally take into account the uncertainty surrounding the parameter estimates by using the prior distributions. Furthermore, BCTS can be easily implemented to find the required sample size without having to resort to complex integration.
A Quality Function Deployment (QFD) in Determining the Critical Learning Outcomes
Authors: Muda Nora , Mat Roji Noor Sulawati
Published: September 2013

The industrial training plays an important role in giving exposure to students about working in the real world industry. The training can be used by Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) in assessing the effectiveness of the programs and to identify gaps between the requirements of the industry with the needs of students to helping them obtain employment in the industry. Therefore, this study obtained voice from the students in order to determine the learning outcomes that should be given priority to the School of Mathematical Sciences (PPSM) by Quality Function Deployment (QFD). From the QFD approach, communication skills, leadership skills, management and entrepreneurship have been identified as a critical learning outcomes that should be prioritize through the house of quality. Therefore, QFD can be used in translating the voice of students to improve the quality of education services.
Applying Rough Sets for the Identification of Significant Variables in Photovoltaic Energy Production with Isolated Systems
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez José Antonio , Fdez-Riverola Florentino
Published: September 2013

The main objective of this work is to study the state of the art of current techniques and algorithms for improving the efficiency of isolated solar photovoltaic systems. Additionally, a study will be conducted regarding the feasibility of applying rough sets (RS) for the practical identification of a minimum set of significant input variables (condition attributes) which determine the value of the output variables (decision attributes) in solar photovoltaic systems. Several experiments were carried out using a TS97 solar photovoltaic system donated by T-Solar for research purposes. The developed system was used to capture the values of input variables in different periods of time and climatic conditions (obtained through a MeteoGalicia monitoring station). The experimental prototype implemented was composed of a solar photovoltaic panel, a resistive load to dissipate the energy generated by the panel, a MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) placed between the panel and the charge, a data logger equipped with a RTC (Real-Time Clock) and several sensors for measuring the values of physical and electrical variables of the system. Data captured was stored in a 2GB solid state card using a plain text format in order to facilitate later study and analysis using RS.
Big Data Processing and Mining for Next Generation Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Fiosina Jelena , Jörg P. Müller Maxims Fiosins,
Published: September 2013

The deployment of future Internet and communication technologies (ICT) provide intelligent transportation systems (ITS) with huge volumes of real-time data (Big Data) that need to be managed, communicated, interpreted, aggregated and analysed. These technologies considerably enhance the effectiveness and user friendliness of ITS, providing considerable economic and social impact. Real-world application scenarios are needed to derive requirements for software architecture and novel features of ITS in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technologies. In this study, we contend that future service- and cloud-based ITS can largely benefit from sophisticated data processing capabilities. Therefore, new Big Data processing and mining (BDPM) as well as optimization techniques need to be developed and applied to support decision-making capabilities. This study presents real-world scenarios of ITS applications, and demonstrates the need for next-generation Big Data analysis and optimization strategies. Decentralised cooperative BDPM methods are reviewed and their effectiveness is evaluated using real-world data models of the city of Hannover, Germany. We point out and discuss future work directions and opportunities in the area of the development of BDPM methods in ITS.