bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of iPS‐derived vascular endothelial cells improves white matter ischemic damage
Authors: Xu Bin , Kurachi Masashi , Shimauchi‐Ohtaki Hiroya , Yoshimoto Yuhei , Ishizaki Yasuki
Published: December 2019

White matter infarct induces demyelination and brain dysfunction. We previously reported that transplantation of brain microvascular endothelial cells improved the behavioral outcome and promoted remyelination by increasing the number of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the rat model of white matter infarct. In this study, we investigated the effects of transplantation of vascular endothelial cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) on the rat model of white matter infarct. Seven days after induction of ischemic demyelinating lesion by injection of endothelin‐1 into the internal capsule of a rat brain, iPSC‐derived vascular endothelial cells (iVECs) were transplanted into the site of demyelination. The majority of iVECs transplanted into the internal capsule survived for 14 days after transplantation when traced by immunohistochemistry for a human cytoplasmic protein. iVEC transplantation significantly recovered hind limb rotation angle as compared to human iPSC or rat meningeal cell transplantation when evaluated using footprint test. Fourteen days after iVEC transplantation, the infarct area remarkably decreased as compared to that just before the transplantation when evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging or luxol fast blue staining, and remyelination was promoted dramatically in the infarct when assessed using luxol fast blue staining. Transplantation of iVECs increased the number of oligodendrocyte lineage cells and suppressed the inflammatory response and reactive astrocytogenesis. These results suggest that iVEC transplantation may prove useful in treatment for white matter infarct.

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Tuberculosis infection in under‐2‐year‐old refugees: Should we be screening? A systematic review and meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Ghosh Sayontonee , Dronavalli Mithilesh , Raman Shanti
Published: December 2019

Aim

Refugees are at increased risk of tuberculosis infection due to time spent in crowded camps, decreased nutrition and originating from countries whose own tuberculosis control systems may have been disturbed. In Australia, tuberculosis is screened for in for all refugees aged 11–34 years old and in those aged 2–10 years arriving from high‐incidence countries. Our aims were to determine if refugee children aged under 2 years of age should also be screened.

Methods

A systematic literature review and meta‐regression was carried out on studies in refugee children under 18 years old, involving screening for tuberculosis (active or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)). Studies were extracted from the last 10 years from a range of bibliographic databases using the search terms ‘tuberculosis’, ‘children’, ‘screening’ and ‘refugee’, which tested for tuberculosis using the tuberculin skin test (TST) or QuantiFERON‐Gold (Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA)).

Results

Of the 15 included studies, prevalence of LTBI in < 2‐year‐olds was 5% using IGRA and 15% using TST (P < 0.05). Prevalence increased with age (odds ratio 1.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.17) cumulatively and decreased where IGRA was used for screening compared to TST (odds ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval: 0.25–0.58). Prevalence of LTBI did not differ between general versus clinic refugee cohorts.

Conclusions

Refugees are a particularly vulnerable group in their susceptibility to tuberculosis, and LTBI management is a critical part of tuberculosis disease control due to the lifetime risk of developing active tuberculosis. A prevalence of 5–15% for LTBI in the under 2 years age group would support them being included in screening programmes.
The depoliticized Saracen and Muslim erasure
Authors: Rajabzadeh Shokoofeh
Published: December 2019

In this article, I follow a powerful genealogy of BIWOC feminists who practice auto‐ethnography critique, and I assert my presence in the audience of scholarship on Muslim representation in the Middle Ages and show how many of the choices we value as authoritative and academic end up yielding criticism that reproduces the racism and Islamophobia of the objects of study. I argue that with few exceptions and unless it is a direct quotation, all qualified and unqualified uses of Saracen should be replaced with the word Muslim in scholarship on European representation of Muslims in the Middle Ages. When we choose Muslim over Saracen, we make explicit the racism and Islamophobia in the primary material. By doing so, we show that we value the victims who suffer from the violence in the primary material over the material itself. And we grant these objects of study powerful roles in the history of Islamophobic violence.
Farnesoid X receptor activation induces the degradation of hepatotoxic 1‐deoxysphingolipids in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Gai Zhibo , Gui Ting , Alecu Irina , Lone Museer A. , Hornemann Thorsten , Chen Qingfa , Visentin Michele , Hiller Christian , Hausler Stephanie , Kullak‐Ublick Gerd A.
Published: December 2019

Background & Aims

Patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exhibit higher levels of plasma 1‐deoxysphingolipids than healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in 1‐deoxysphingolipid de novo synthesis and degradation.

Methods

Mice were fed with a high‐fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and NAFLD, and then treated with the FXR ligand obeticholic acid (OCA). Histology and gene expression analysis were performed on liver tissue. Sphingolipid patterns from NAFLD patients and mouse models were assessed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The molecular mechanism underlying the effect of FXR activation on sphingolipid metabolism was studied in Huh7 cells and primary cultured hepatocytes, as well as in a 1‐deoxysphinganine‐treated mouse model.

Results

1‐deoxysphingolipids were increased in both NAFLD patients and mouse models. FXR activation by OCA protected the liver against oxidative stress, apoptosis, and reduced 1‐deoxysphingolipid levels, both in a HFD‐induced mouse model of obesity and in 1‐deoxysphinganine‐treated mice. In vitro, FXR activation lowered intracellular 1‐deoxysphingolipid levels by inducing Cyp4f‐mediated degradation, but not by inhibiting de novo synthesis, thereby protecting hepatocytes against doxSA‐induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis. Overexpression of Cyp4f13 in cells was sufficient to ameliorate doxSA‐induced cytotoxicity. Treatment with the Cyp4f pan‐inhibitor HET0016 or FXR knock‐down fully abolished the protective effect of OCA, indicating that OCA‐mediated 1‐deoxysphingolipid degradation is FXR and Cyp4f dependent.

Conclusions

Our study identifies FXR‐Cyp4f as a novel regulatory pathway for 1‐deoxysphingolipid metabolism. FXR activation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD.
Mature hematology in neonatal walruses supports diving alongside their mothers
Authors: Noren Shawn R. , Edwards Matthew S.
Published: December 2019

An animal's physiology limits the environmental conditions where it can persist; quantifying the physiology of the walrus is timely since they are being impacted by alterations in sea ice. We examined postnatal changes in hematology, an important attribute that supports diving, by analyzing a longitudinal data set from aquaria walruses (five males and nine females) sampled from 0.04 to 12.0 years of age (n = 795 samples). Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHC) did not change markedly after birth and appears to have not been influenced by sex. Estimated values at birth were RBC: 3.78 ± 0.12 × 106 mm−3, Hb: 17.62 ± 0.82 g dl−1, Hct: 45.21 ± 2.01%, MCV: 118.99 ± 3.99 fl, MCH: 47.10 ± 1.77 pg, and MCHC: 39.60 ± 0.70 g dl−1. Compared to newborns, there were only subtle decreases in RBC, Hb, and MCHC, and a slight increase in MCV in the years following birth; Hct and MCH appear not to have changed. Unlike other pinnipeds, walruses swim within days of birth and have a prolonged 2‐year nursing interval. Mature hematology early in life supports breath‐holding, as young walruses must transit under sea ice with patchily distributed breathing holes.
The nation as the cradle of nationalism and patriotism
Authors: Hroch Miroslav
Published: December 2019

This paper argues against dismissing as ‘populist nationalism’ every positive view of one's nation and ignoring patriotism as its antithesis. The European nation exists in two senses: as a large ‘social group’, a community of real people, and as an abstract community of cultural values promoted by intellectual elites grounded in a humanities‐based education. The widespread prejudice that condemns every positive expression of one's relationship to the nation has proved counterproductive because it has prompted ever stronger spontaneous reactions in the form of primitive nationalistic egoism. This has weakened the commitment people feel towards their nation and the humanistic potential that the nation possesses as a cultural community of values. Consequently, anti‐national European intellectual elites bear some responsibility – along with those preaching neoliberal individualism – for the success of populist demagogues and the decline in patriotic values. Given the state of education today, a revival of humanist culture for national elites seems impossible, making the continued rise of primitive nationalism appear unstoppable.
Beyond structure and agency: Rethinking political identities in Iraq after 2003
Authors: Dodge Toby
Published: December 2019

This paper examines ethno‐symbolic and instrumental explanations of ethnic and sectarian identities placed within the constructivist turn in the study of political identity, both in the abstract and how they have been deployed to explain the increasing contemporary influence of ethnosectarian mobilisation in Iraq and the wider Middle East. The paper identifies explanatory value in these approaches but finds their focus on either ideational structures or individual rationality too narrow to provide a comprehensive explanation of what happened to political identities in Iraq after 2003. Instead, the paper deploys what can be termed a ‘Bourdieusian method’, in an attempt to get beyond the polarities of structure and agency. It uses Bourdieu's conceptions of political field, principles of vision and division and symbolic violence to understand the influence that de‐Ba'athification, the creation of the Muhasasa Ta'ifia or sectarian apportionment system and national elections had on political identities in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.
Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency exacerbates LPS‐induced experimental periodontitis
Authors: Li Yanchun , Lu Zhongyang , Zhang Lixia , Kirkwood Keith L. , Lopes‐Virella Maria F. , Huang Yan
Published: December 2019

Background

Mutation of the gene for acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) causes Niemann–Pick disease. However, the effect of ASMase deficiency on periodontal health is unknown. Periodontal disease is a disease resulting from infection and inflammation of periodontal tissue and alveolar bone that support the teeth. The goal of this study was to determine the role of ASMase deficiency in periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss.

Methods

We induced periodontitis in wild‐type and ASMase‐deficient (ASMase−/−) mice with periodontal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and compared the alveolar bone loss and periodontal inflammation between these mice.

Results

Results showed that ASMase deficiency did not significantly change metabolic parameters, but exacerbated LPS‐induced alveolar bone loss, osteoclastogenesis, and periodontal tissue inflammation. To understand the mechanisms by which ASMase deficiency aggravates LPS‐induced periodontitis, we analyzed sphingolipids in periodontal tissues. Results showed that ASMase deficiency led to increases in not only sphingomyelin, but also ceramide (CER), a bioactive sphingolipid known to promote inflammation. Results further showed that ASMase deficiency increased CER de novo synthesis.

Conclusion

ASMase deficiency exacerbated LPS‐induced alveolar bone loss and periodontal inflammation. ASMase deficiency leads to an unexpected CER increase by stimulating de novo synthesis CER, which is likely to be involved in the ASMase deficiency‐exacerbated periodontitis.
A diagnostic dilemma: an unusually large osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle and temporo‐mandibular dysfunction
Authors: Won J. , De Silva H.L. , De Silva R.K.
Published: December 2019

Osteochondroma is a benign bone tumour which is rarely appreciated in the oral and maxillofacial region. This case report illustrates on a 42‐year‐old male with osteochondroma affecting his left mandibular condyle and presenting with temporo‐mandibular dysfunction‐related symptoms. The authors of this paper hope to emphasise the need for vigilance and the value of using modern imaging techniques in the diagnostic work‐up for pain associated with the temporo‐mandibular joint.
The gland localized CGP1 controls gland pigmentation and gossypol accumulation in cotton
Authors: Gao Wei , Xu Fu‐Chun , Long Lu , Li Yang , Zhang Jun‐Li , Chong Leelyn , Botella Jose Ramon , Song Chun‐Peng
Published: December 2019

Pigment glands, also known as black glands or gossypol glands, are specific for Gossypium spp. These glands strictly confine large amounts of secondary metabolites to the lysigenous cavity, leading to the glands’ intense colour and providing defence against pests and pathogens. This study performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of glanded versus glandless cotton cultivars. Twenty‐two transcription factors showed expression patterns associated with pigment glands and were characterized. Phenotypic screening of the genes, via virus‐induced gene silencing, showed an apparent disappearance of pigmented glands after the silencing of a pair of homologous MYB‐encoding genes in the A and D genomes (designated as CGP1). Further study showed that CGP1a encodes an active transcription factor, which is specifically expressed in the gland structure, while CGP1d encodes a non‐functional protein due to a fragment deletion, which causes premature termination. RNAi‐mediated silencing and CRISPR knockout of CGP1 in glanded cotton cultivars generated a glandless‐like phenotype, similar to the dominant glandless mutant Gl2e. Microscopic analysis showed that CGP1 knockout did not affect gland structure or density, but affected gland pigmentation. The levels of gossypol and related terpenoids were significantly decreased in cgp1 mutants, and a number of gossypol biosynthetic genes were strongly down‐regulated. CGP1 is located in the nucleus where it interacts with GoPGF, a critical transcription factor for gland development and gossypol synthesis. Our data suggest that CGP1 and GoPGF form heterodimers to control the synthesis of gossypol and other secondary metabolites in cotton.
IMP dehydrogenase rod/ring structures in acral melanomas
Authors: Keppeke Gerson D. , Barcelos Denise , Fernandes Mariana , Comodo Andréia N. , Guimarães Daiane P. , Cardili Leonardo , Carapeto Fernando C. L. , Andrade Luis E. C. , Landman Gilles
Published: December 2019

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare subtype of melanoma with aggressive behavior. IMPDH enzyme, involved in de novo GTP biosynthesis, has been reported to assemble into large filamentary structures called rods/rings (RR) or cytoophidium (cellular snakes). RR assembly induces a hyperactive state in IMPDH, usually to supply a high demand for GTP nucleotides, such as in highly proliferative cells. We investigate whether aggressive melanoma tumor cells present IMPDH‐based RR structures. Forty‐five ALM paraffin‐embedded tissue samples and 59 melanocytic nevi were probed with anti‐IMPDH2 antibody. Both the rod‐ and ring‐shaped RR could be observed, with higher frequency in ALM. ROC curve analyzing the proportions of RR‐positive cells in ALM versus nevi yielded a 0.88 AUC. Using the cutoff of 5.5% RR‐positive cells, there was a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 85% for ALM diagnosis. In ALM, 36 (80%) showed RR frequency above the cutoff, being classified as RR‐positive, compared with only 9 (15%) of the nevi (p < .001). Histopathology showed that 71% of the RR‐positive specimens presented Breslow thickness > 4.0mm, compared with only 29% in the RR‐low/negative (p = .039). We propose that screening for RR structures in biopsy specimens may be a valuable tool helping differentiate ALM from nevi and accessing tumor malignancy.
Post‐intubation subglottic stenosis in children: Analysis of clinical features and risk factors
Authors: Cakir Erkan , Atabek Ayse Ayzit , Calim Omer Faruk , Uzuner Selcuk , AlShadfan Lina , Yazan Hakan , Ozturan Orhan , Cakir Fatma Betul
Published: December 2019

Background

Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is a complication that develops after intubation and is characterized by respiratory distress. The aim was to evaluate patients with post‐intubation SGS and to discover the factors contributing to its development.

Methods

A total of 112 patients who had a history of intubation were included. The case group consisted of 50 patients with post‐extubation persistent respiratory symptoms for which flexible bronchoscopy (FOB) was conducted and showed SGS. The control group consisted of 62 patient with no post‐extubation persistent respiratory symptoms, for whom FOB was not done (n = 54), and who had post‐extubation persistent respiratory symptoms and underwent FOB, which did not show subglottic stenosis (n = 8).

Results

No significant differences were detected related to age, gender, and gestational age. The median number of recurrent intubations was 2.5 and 3 in the case group and in control group, respectively (P = 0.14). The median duration of intubation was 20.5 days in the case group, and 6 days in the control group (P < 0.001). The Myer–Cotton classification indicated a degree of obstruction of grade 1 (mild) in 30% (n = 15), grade 2 in 16% (n = 8), grade 3 in 48% (n = 24), and grade 4 in 6% (n = 3) of the case group.

Conclusion

The duration of intubation was found to be a significant risk factor for SGS development. Age at intubation, gender, gestational age, indication of intubation, and the number of recurrent intubations were found to have no significant association. Patients with post‐extubation persistent respiratory problems, especially those with prolonged intubations, should be evaluated for SGS.
The Simulated Ocular and Whole‐Body Distribution of Natural Sunlight to Kiteboarders: A High‐Risk Case of UVR Exposure for Athletes Utilizing Water Surfaces in Sport
Authors: Downs Nathan J. , Parisi Alfio V. , Schouten Peter W. , Igoe Damien P. , De Castro‐Maqueda Guillermo
Published: December 2019

Kiteboarding is an aquatic sporting discipline that has not yet been considered in the literature to date in terms of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) measurement. Kiteboarders need to look upward and are placed obliquely relative to the horizon when towed behind an overhead kite over a reflective water surface. This research defines the typical body surface orientation of a kiteboarder in motion through video vector analysis and demonstrates the potential risk to ocular and skin surface damage through practical measurement of solar UVR using a manikin model. Video analysis of 51 kiteboarders was made to construct skeletal wireframes showing the surface orientation of the leg, thigh, spine, humerus, lower arm and head of a typical kiteboarder. Solar UVR dosimeter measurements made using a manikin model demonstrate that the vertex and anterior surfaces of the knee, lower leg and lower humerus received 89%, 90%, 80% and 63% of the available ambient UVR, respectively, for a typical kiteboarder who is tilted back more than 15° from vertical while in motion. Ocular (periorbital) exposures ranged from 56% to 68% of ambient. These new findings show that the anterior skin surfaces of kiteboarders and the eye are at elevated risk of solar UVR damage.
Titanium‐in‐biotite thermometry in porphyry copper systems: Challenges to application of the thermometer
Authors: Rezaei Mohsen , Zarasvandi Alireza
Published: December 2019

Empirical geothermometer dealing with Ti solubility in the Fe‐Mg biotites was originally proposed for biotites in graphitic, peraluminous metapelites containing ilmenite or rutile that equilibrated roughly at 4–6 kbar. Given that biotites are abundant in the porphyry copper systems, this geothermometer has frequently been used for the determination of magmatic–hydrothermal temperatures in the porphyry copper systems. Common associations of porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), that is, low Al content of biotite, biotite chloritization (causes the biotite to become more magnesian and to lose Ti), and biotite formation by amphibole replacement, as well as disequilibrium, local equilibrium, or re‐equilibration of biotites, especially through potassic alteration, may provide significant uncertainty in the temperatures estimated a by Ti‐in‐biotite geothermometer. In addition, besides the calibration range of thermometer for pressure (400–600 MPa), the temperatures of major sulfide precipitation in PCDs (>~400°C) does not fit with the temperature range of thermometer calibration (480–800°C). Worth noting, as confirmed by fluid inclusion data in the Sarkuh PCD, regardless of presence of mineralogical requirements, obtained temperatures of sulfide mineralization using Ti in biotite thermometer could be overestimated. This may be due to the difference between general conditions of sulfide mineralization and calibration range of Ti in the biotite thermometer for pressure and temperature, as well as the metaluminous nature of biotites in PCDs.
Bidirectionality in kindergarten children's school readiness and emotional regulation
Authors: Fung Wing Kai , Chung Kevin Kien Hoa , Lam Ian Chun Bun , Li Nicky Xiaomin
Published: December 2019

This study examined the longitudinal associations of emotional regulation and school readiness among Chinese kindergarten children. Data were collected from 523 children (mean age at time 1 = 52.42 months; 52.9% male) at two time points separated by approximately 1 year in Hong Kong, China. At times 1 and 2, children's school readiness was assessed by their teachers and parents while their emotional regulation was directly tested. Teachers also rated children's emotional regulation at both time points. The results from the two reciprocal path models showed that, controlling for the corresponding autoregressive effects, school readiness at time 1 was predictive of emotional regulation at time 2. However, emotional regulation at time 1 did not emerge as a significant predictor of school readiness at time 2. Theoretically, these results underscored children's school readiness as a potential contributor to their emotional regulation. Practically, these findings suggested the utility of supporting children's school readiness to foster their emotional regulation.
A multiwell applicator for conformal brachytherapy of superficial skin tumors: A simulation study
Authors: Pashazadeh Ali , Robatjazi Mostafa , Castro Nathan J. , Friebe Michael
Published: December 2019

Background

Brachytherapy of thin skin tumors using beta particles can protect underlying sensitive structures such as the bone because of the rapid dose falloff of this type of radiation in tissue. The current work describes a skin brachytherapy applicator, based on beta radiation, that can provide the needed cell‐killing radiation dose matched to the shape of individual skin tumors.

Materials and methods

The applicator and its template were fabricated using 3D printing technology. Any clinically approved beta‐emitting isotope in the form of a radioactive gel could theoretically be used in this applicator. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to study the capability of the applicator in conforming dose distribution based on the shape of the tumor. Dose profile in the shallow depth, transverse dose profiles at different depths, and the percent depth dose from this applicator were calculated. The radioisotope of choice for our calculations was Yttrium‐90 (Y‐90).

Results

Using the proposed applicator, it is possible to create a desired dose profile matching the tumor surface shape.

Conclusion

The short‐range of the beta radiation, together with the dose conforming capability of the applicator, may lead to minimal interactions with the healthy tissue around the skin lesion.
SWI3B and HDA6 interact and are required for transposon silencing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Jie , Yuan Lianyu , Yen Ming‐Ren , Zheng Feng , Ji Rujun , Peng Tao , Gu Dachuan , Yang Songguang , Cui Yuhai , Chen Pao‐Yang , Wu Keqiang , Liu Xuncheng
Published: December 2019

Although the interplay of covalent histone acetylation/deacetylation and ATP‐dependent chromatin remodelling is crucial for the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression in eukaryotes, the underlying molecular mechanism in plants remains largely unclear. Here we show a direct interaction between Arabidopsis SWI3B, an essential subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin‐remodelling complex, and the RPD3/HDA1‐type histone deacetylase HDA6 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, SWI3B and HDA6 co‐repress the transcription of a subset of transposons. Both SWI3B and HDA6 maintain transposon silencing by decreasing histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation, but increasing histone H3 lysine 9 di‐methylation, DNA methylation and nucleosome occupancy. Our findings reveal that SWI3B and HDA6 may act in the same co‐repressor complex to maintain transposon silencing in Arabidopsis.
PHYSICAL EVALUATION OF PCL-AGNPS BIOCOMPOSITES AS GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION MEMBRANE
Authors: Lazuardi Mohammad Bagus , Widiyanti Prihartini , Supardi Adri
Published: December 2019

Dental and mouth problems in Indonesia during 2007 to 2013 reportedly increased from 23.2% to 25.9% with the projection 65.275 million people with cases of periodontitis reaching 42.8%. One of clinical treatment of periodontitis is by using Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) method. This research was conducted to synthesize GTR membrane from Polycaprolactone (PCL) which is composed with AgNPs of Aloe vera biosynthesis product using electrospinning instrument. GTR membranes were synthesized by forming ratio of acetone and AgNPs which was obtained by mixing 30% Aloe vera extract with AgNO3 solution where AgNPs had been characterized previously using XRD and PSA. In this study the comparison of solvents done as 100/0 (control), 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30 (v/v). Obtained GTR membranes are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope and tensile strength characterization. From the analysis results known the best composition of PCL-AgNPs biocomposite as GTR membrane was found on the variable with ratio 70/30 (v/v) with fiber size 111,6 ± 22 nm, UTS value equal to 4,37 MPa with elongation equal to 204%. Based on the results of characterization, it showed that biocomposites PCL-AgNPs Aloe vera biosynthesis products have good potential as a guided tissue regeneration membrane.
PHENOLIC CONTENT, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND BIODIVERSITY CHANGES DURING SPONTANEOUS FERMENTATION OF CARICA PAPAYA LEAF
Authors: So'aib Mohamad Sufian , Ku Hamid Ku Halim , Salihon Jailani , Tan Huey Ling
Published: December 2019

The spontaneous fermentation was carried out on Carica papaya leaf (CPL) in view of its potential improvement on antioxidant functionality and cultivation of lactic acid bacteria. The effect of the spontaneous fermentation on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of CPL, as well as biodiversity profiling were evaluated in this study. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the fermented CPL were 31.14 mg GAE g-1 and 405.8 mM TE g-1 respectively, higher than the unfermented CPL (5.71 mg GAE/g and 130.5 mM TE g-1) respectively. Microbial community was predominantly lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts, both populated at 104 to 108 CFU/mL during most part of the fermentation. Presumptive Enterobacteriaceae showed up briefly at the onset of the fermentation before disappearing. PCR-DGGE fingerprinting revealed Lactobacillus plantarum (Lb. plantarum) as the sole dominant bacterial species. More diverse yeasts community was detected by PCR-DGGE where succession of Zygosaccharomyces, Saccharomyces, Candida and Aspergillus genera were detected along fermentation time. Spontaneous fermentation successfully enhanced the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the CPL. The cultivation of lactic acid bacteria was indicated by the presence of Lb. plantarum, whereas the disappearance of Enterobacteriaceae conferred a safe consumption of the fermented CPL.
COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PRECAST BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND CONVENTIONAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR HOUSING PROJECT IN SARAWAK
Authors: Let Hui Tan , Chee Khoon Ng
Published: December 2019

This paper presents an overview on the comparative study between the precast and conventional building construction methods for housing project in Sarawak. In this study, a residential building project with double-storey terrace houses was chosen for the comparative study as they have typical structural layout plans with minor variation. The same building was designed into both conventional and precast structural layout respectively in order to obtain direct comparison results. To ensure the results obtained are representative and unbiased, the structural components integrated in both construction methods are listed and each critical cost component, for instance the project direct and indirect costs were broken down further in order to evaluate the total building construction costs. From the research results, it can induce the relationship between the time and costs evaluation. The overall construction period for the conventional building construction method was 240 days while the precast building construction method was 82 days. As compared across the results for the project construction costs, it shows that precast construction method with RM 354,969.50 is more cost effective with about 19% less than the conventional building method with total amount of RM 422,687.85. The results reflect the significance on selection of the construction method, namely the precast building construction method not only can shorter the construction periods but also reduce the construction costs since it reduces greatly the expenses on the project direct costs particularly the machineries costs.
ASYMMETRIC FLOW VELOCITY MEASUREMENT USING MULTIPATH ULTRASONIC FLOWMETER WITH ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING METHOD GUIDED BY TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Amri Khairul , Suprijanto Suprijanto , Kurniadi Deddy , Juliastuti Endang
Published: December 2019

A conventional transit time ultrasonic flowmeter (USM) has a high accuracy for symmetric flow profiles but inaccurate for asymmetric flow profiles. Flow profile shapes can also change over time and difficult to predict. USM with tomographic configuration (USM-Tomo) can adapt to the flow profile changes but result in low temporal resolution. Meanwhile, USM with an adaptive weighting method can measure asymmetric flow velocity but limited to specific asymmetric flow profiles. An alternative scheme to determine adaptive weighting in various asymmetric flow profiles, we proposed a hybrid USM-Tomo. This scheme proposes programmable acoustic path configuration that could set the path mode between USM and tomography. Reducing computation of time of flight in each acoustic can be done by applying the dual-transducers technique. An adaptive weighting of hybrid USM-Tomo is calculated based on the mapping function between the set of velocity on 6 parallel paths of USM and average flow velocity from USM-Tomo. The mapping function is determined using machine learning, i.e., Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Regression (SVR). In the measurement phase, the average flow velocity is determined using the mapping function with input 6 parallel acoustic paths.  Based on various types of asymmetric flow profiles used in the experiment, the 6 parallel acoustic paths of USM could produce average flow velocity with error below 1% compared to USM-Tomo. Therefore, the proposed hybrid USM-Tomo scheme has potential to be an alternative scheme for flow meter in industrial application.
DAMAGE PROPAGATION AND THERMOGRAPHY IN DISCONTINUOUS CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE (DCFC) UNDER TENSILE (FATIGUE) LOADING
Authors: Bale Jefri , Valot Emmanuel , Polit Olivier
Published: December 2019

The discontinuous carbon fiber composite (DCFC) has a different damage behaviour due to non homogenuous sub structure. Consequently, monitoring and diagnosis of DCFC damage mechanisms require the application of a contactless method in real-time operation, i.e., non destructive method of thermography. The aim of this study is to investigate the damage propagation of DCFC material under tensile (fatigue) condition with non destructive testing (NDT) thermography method. Under fatigue testing, temperature evolutions were monitored by an Infra-Red (IR) camera. The results show that damage propagation and thermal response indicated the similar behaviour which consists of three stages. At the beginning, low temperature increased until ≈ 10% of fatigue life due to the initial damage. The initial damage propagated and the temperature reached the stable thermal state due to the saturation in the damage appearance of micro cracking of matrix and chip until ≈ 80% of fatigue life. At the last ≈ 20% of fatigue life, damage continued to propagate and provoked the occurrence of macro damage that induced the final failure indicated by highest peak of temperature. The analysis from the experiment results concluded that thermal response relates with the damage propagation of DCFC under fatigue loading.
INFLUENCE OF BIODIESEL AND BLENDED FUELS ON THE TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES
Authors: Kumarasamy S. , Mazlan Nurul Musfirah , Zainol Abidin M. Shukur , Anjang A.
Published: December 2019

With the recent usage increase of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source as well as the increase in the utilisation of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) as structure such as tanks have considerably affected the necessity to study the influence of fuel absorption on the mechanical properties of GFRP composites. Biodiesel is a renewable, efficient and environmentally friendly but possess a high viscosity property. Three main fuel types which consist of aviation fuel, biodiesel and a blend between aviation and biodiesel fuel are used to perform complete immersion of the GFRP specimens. An experimental method is used to investigate the mechanical degradation in term of tension and compression properties of the GFRP composites. The GFRP specimens are aged using immersion bath technique. Vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) is used to manufacture the GFRP specimens with a volume fraction of 0.50 with a void content below 3%. The GFRP specimens were immersed in the fuels until it reaches an equilibrium state before the tensile and compression test was carried out to study the mechanical properties of the immersed specimens. Based on the result obtained, the GFRP specimens that were immersed in all three fuel solution display a slight degradation in term of tensile and compressive strength as well as their Young’s modulus when compared to an as-received (standard) specimen. It is concluded, that the GFRP composite was able to resist the fuels corrosive nature as they can retain most of their mechanical strength and the decrement is not significant.
THE MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY OF VARIOUS GEOMETRIES OF ROGOWSKI COIL FOR OVERVOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Nanyan Ayob Nazmy , Rohani Mohamad Nur Khairul Hafizi , Isa Muzamir , Rosmi Afifah Shuhada , Abdullah Ahmad Zaidi , Ismail Baharuddin , Abdul Hamid Haziah
Published: December 2019

Overvoltage phenomenon is the common problem that always occurs in the power system and can cause the electrical system network breakdown, and in some cases, it may explode. The frequent overvoltage also can affect and degrade the lifespan of the electrical power system components and network. Thus, the overvoltage sensor is needed to overcome this problem matter. The Rogowski coil (RC) is one of an inductive coil group, and it is suitable for measuring the alternating current (AC) and transient currents or overvoltage. This paper demonstrated the effect of RC magnetic flux density, B with difference cross-section, geometries sizing and the number of turns by using Finite Element Method (FEM). Commonly, there are three types of RC widely used; rectangular, circular and oval. Each of these cross-sections has different characteristics in term of performance. The results have shown that the rectangular cross-section is better than oval and circular cross-section based on the number of magnetic flux density.
REMOVAL OF OIL AND REDUCTION OF BOD FROM PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT (POME) USING POLYURETHANE NANOFIBERS
Authors: Kamin Zykamilia , Asgan Norhayati , Sarbatly Rosalam , Krishnaiah Duduku
Published: December 2019

The effluent of the palm oil mill is known as palm oil mill effluent (POME) constituting water, oil and solid. Upon discharge from the mill, POME goes into an anaerobic pond system which is not environmentally friendly. The threats, mainly come from the accumulated oil inside the pond. Therefore, this study attempt to find a solution for this problem by using polyurethane nanofiber to sorb the oil from the POME due to its oleophilic and hydrophobic properties. The nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), oil sorption capacity, amount of extracted oil of POME and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) content after sorption. The result shows the nanofibers average diameter is 3.0 ´ 103 nm, about 31.40 g /g oil sorption capacity, 48 % oil extracted from the POME and the BOD content was reduced to 10 mg/l. This result shows that nanofiber sorbent is a viable method to not only protect the environment, but also has the potential for recovery the oil.
LOCOMOTOR, ESCAPING ACTIVITIES AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF MUD CRAB, SCYLLA OLIVACEA AT DIFFERENT WATER VELOCITIES
Authors: Taufik Muhammad , Manan Hidayah , Ismail Shahrul , Rahman Mohd Nordin Abdul , Ikhwanuddin Mhd , Abol-Munafi Ambok Bolong
Published: December 2019

This study was designed to determine the locomotor, escaping capability and fatty acids (FAs) composition of muscle Scylla olivacea mud crabs at different water velocities. Male and female immature S. olivacea were cultured at 0, 20, 40 and 60 cm/sin a recirculating marine aquaculture system. Increase in flow velocity increased the mean locomotor activity and escaping capability of the crabs. Significant differences were observed between sexes for both activities in all velocities tested (p < 0.05). Male and female crabs reared at the lowest flow velocity (0 cm/s) exhibited a mean of 13 and 55 locomotion per 15 minutes tested, respectively. Meanwhile, in the highest flow velocity (60 cm/s), male and female crabs exhibited 61 and 70 locomotion’s per 15 minutes. A total of 3111 locomotion were recorded during the entire experiment. An increase in the water velocities increased the mean escaping capability of the crabs. A total of 32 crabs attempted to escape during the flow velocity tests (0 cm/s; n = 3, 20 cm/s; n = 9, 40 cm/s; n = 11, and 60 cm/s; n = 9). The locomotor of crabs increased gradually and peaked at 40 cm/s (seeking for shelter). By contrast ≥ 40 cm/s the locomotor of crab decreased (defensive mode). For FAs analysis, total fatty acids (TFAs) content was found highest at 20 cm/s compared to other velocities. This study clearly show that the locomotor activities, escaping capabilities and FAs composition of S. olivacea were affected by water velocities under laboratory conditions.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF UWB SIGNAL INTERFERENCE EFFECT BETWEEN UWB COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND VSAT
Authors: Mohd Ali Azizi , Raja Abdullah Raja Syamsul Azmir , Hashim Shaiful Jahari , A. Rasid Mohd Fadlee , Sali Aduwati , Ismail Alyani , Hashim Fazirulhisyam
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the experimental investigation of the Ultra Wideband (UWB) signal interference effect between commercialized UWB communication device (UCD) and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT). Recent research trend shows increase of interest to make use of UWB signal for Internet of Things (IoT) application. It is expected that IoT devices based on UWB technology increases in the future and can become unattended jammer to other services. The analysis involves two sets of experimental set up: i) UWB communication system is the interference victim from narrow band signal and other UWB transmission and ii) signal radiated from UCD devices using UWB signal interfere to other existing radio communication services which in this case a VSAT. The level of interference is evaluated based on the measured bit error rate (BER), round trip time (RTT) and carrier over noise ratio (C/N). The finding from this paper can be used as a guide for new interference mitigation techniques and spectrum planning purposes.
BIOCONVERSION OF STARCH TO MALTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES (MOS) BY THE REACTION OF MALTOGENIC AMYLASE
Authors: Ahmad Rabi'atul Adawiyah , Jaafar Nardiah Rizwana , Abdul Manas Nor Hasmaliana , Wan Azelee Nur Izyan , Illias Rosli Md , Nawawi Noor Namirah
Published: December 2019

Maltogenic amylase is one of the significant enzymes in oligosaccharides synthesis. Its ability to utilise multiple substrates and catalyse hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions simultaneously makes it a unique biocatalyst. The catalysis could be exploited in many ways to obtain oligosaccharides of different lengths and various modified sugars. Nonetheless, one of the major drawbacks of substrate hydrolysis to produce oligosaccharides is the low production of MOS with higher degree of polymerisation. To address this issue, reaction parameter optimisation was performed via one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach on the production of MOS from soluble starch hydrolysis using maltogenic amylase from Bacillus lehensis G1 (MAG1). Optimisation of MAG1 loading, soluble starch loading, temperature, time and pH resulted in the production of 84.87 mg/g MOS with polymerisation degree of 3 to 7 compared to that of 51.60 mg/g obtained before the optimisation process, which recorded 1.64-fold increment. Among all parameters, soluble starch loading gave the most significant impact on the MOS production as the reaction equilibrium is highly affected by substrate concentration. The occurrence of MOS with polymerisation degree of 4 and above, which resulted from starch hydrolysis further confirms the endo-type of MAG1. Because starch is an abundant and inexpensive source of carbohydrate in the world, this study provides a cost-effective MOS production process which is highly relevant for industry.
Preseason Y Balance Test Scores are Not Associated With a Lower Quadrant Sports Injury in a Heterogeneous Population of Division III Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Brumitt Jason , Sikkema Jill , Mair Saiko , Zita CJ , Wilson Victor , Petersen Jordan
Published: December 2019

Functional performance tests, such as the Y Balance Test–Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ), hold promise as screening tools to identify athletes at risk for injury. The ability of the YBT-LQ to discriminate injury risk in Division III collegiate athletes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if preseason YBT-LQ scores are associated with noncontact time-loss lower-quadrant (low back or lower extremities) injury in a heterogeneous population of Division III collegiate athletes. Two hundred and fourteen athletes (females = 104) performed the YBT-LQ test. Preseason YBT-LQ scores, analyzed by the total population, were not associated with noncontact time-loss lower-quadrant injury. Females with greater reach scores in some directions did have a significantly greater risk of injury. This study adds to a growing body of research demonstrating that the YBT-LQ should not be used as a preseason screening tool.
Performance Assessment of Sky Segmentation Approaches for UAVs
Authors: Mashaly Ahmed S.
Published: December 2019

Image segmentation is one of the most challenging research fields for both image analysis and interpretation. The applications of image segmentation could be found as the primary step in various computer vision systems. Therefore, the choice of a reliable and accurate segmentation method represents a non-trivial task. Since the selected image segmentation method influences the overall performance of the remaining system steps, sky segmentation appears as a vital step for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) autonomous obstacle avoidance missions. In this paper, we are going to introduce a comprehensive literature survey of the different types of image segmentation methodology followed by a detailed illustration of the general-purpose methods and the state-of-art sky segmentation approaches. In addition, we introduce an improved version of our previously published work for sky segmentation purpose. The performance of the proposed sky segmentation approach is compared with various image segmentation approaches using different parameters and datasets. For performance assessment, we test our approach under different situations and compare its performance with commonly used approaches in terms of several assessment indexes. From the experimental results, the proposed method gives promising results compared with the other image segmentation approaches.
The Optimized Thickness of Silver Doping on CdS/CdSe for Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Tung Ha Thanh , Phuc Dang Huu
Published: December 2019

Overall, CdSe:Ag+ quantum dots were prepared by the successive ionic layer absorption and reaction method using two solutions: mixing molar concentrations of 0.003 mM AgNO3 and a Cd(CH3COO)2·2H2O anion to make solution 1 and 2.27 g Se powder and 0.6 M Na2SO3 were dissolved in 100 ml deionized water, solution 2. The FTO was coated with TiO2 nanoparticles and then was dipped in both solutions, which created a FTO/TiO2/CdSe:Ag+ photoanode with a thickness of 1 layer to 4 layers. The layers of the CdSe:Ag+ film show an effect on the morphology, crystalline structure, optical properties, and photovoltaic through optical and photovoltaic measurements. Finally, the performance of the device based on a FTO/TiO2/CdSe:Ag+ photoanode with the different thickness increased significantly to exactly 3.96%. Moreover, in the pattern of an explanation of the optical and photovoltaic properties of materials, we use Tauc’s theory to determine the band gap, the conduction band, and the valence band.
Structural Analysis of Humic Acid in Soil at Different Corn Straw Returning Modes through Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Gao JinFeng , Dou Sen , Wang ZhiGuo
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of different straw returning modes on the structure of humic acid (HA) in soil by fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Four different straw returning modes, including straw returning to topsoil (St), straw returning to subsoil (Ss), straw mixing with topsoil (Smt), and straw mixing with subsoil (Sms), were used in this study; the soil HA was analyzed after 12 months of corn straw returning by a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy. Based on the results, it was established that IR spectroscopy can estimate the complication and oxidation degree of soil HA and also evaluate its aliphaticity and aromaticity. Monodimensional fluorescence spectroscopy could preliminarily determine the changes in the humification of HA through the fluorescence intensities. The intensity ratio of I456/I380 calculated from synchronous-scan fluorescence spectra could be used to evaluate the humification degree of soil HA. The total luminescence spectra of HAs provided more information on the fluorophores in the structure, including the amount and peak position of lignin-like structures and phenol-like or naphthol-like structures. Among the four straw returning modes, Ss is the most beneficial for reducing the oxidation degree and increasing the aromatization and humification degree of subsoil HA. It is believed that fluorescence spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy are relatively simple and sensitive methods for analyzing soil HA.