bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of hip fracture analysis subjected to impact loading
Authors: Zuki A A M , Mat F , Daud R , Kamaruddin N S , Ibrahim I
Published: December 2019

A hip fracture not only affects the body but it also the economy of human. Before improvement and prevention have been developed, research need to be done in order to identify the factors that contribute to the hip fracture. The objective of this paper is to review on past studies that related to factors that influence the impact of force to the proximal femur and to evaluate the relation of the results between computational analysis and experimental method. Experimental and finite element (FE) method is the main approaches to predict the hip fracture of the femur bone. There are several parameters of impact force such as body mass index, the thickness of soft tissue, impact velocity and stiffness of human body that influence the effect of hip fracture during fall. Based on the previous study, force and stiffness result between FE analysis and experimental have shown good correlation. For that reason, the FE method can be applied to predict future result related to the hip fracture research.
Impact response performance of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF)/carbon reinforced hybrid composite
Authors: Khor K H , Majid M S Abdul , Ridzuan M J M , Cheng E M
Published: December 2019

The number of fossil fuels is decreasing dramatically, whereas the amount of waste around the world is increasing due to the non-biodegradable petroleum-based product such as plastics. Therefore, impact response performance of pineapple leaf fibre/carbon reinforced hybrid epoxy composite was analysed with different layering sequences to replace non-biodegradable materials. The fibres laminates used for the hybrid composites were fabricated using interwoven between pineapple leaf fibre(PALF) and carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin. The composites were made by using vacuum infusion method with a weight factor of 30% fibre and 70% epoxy resin. Other than the pure PALF reinforced epoxy composite, the PALF/carbon reinforced hybrid composites were using weight factor of 24% PALF and 6% carbon fibre. 5 types of layering sequences composites were fabricated that were, pure PALF, carbon/PALF/carbon, PALF/carbon/PALF, alternative PALF with carbon, and alternative carbon with PALF. Charpy impact test was used to obtain the impact strength of the hybrid composites. From the result obtained shows that layering sequences of PALF/carbon/PALF exhibited the highest impact strength that is around 100kJ/m2 compare with others, followed by alternatively PALF with carbon, alternatively carbon with PALF, carbon/PALF/carbon and lastly pure PALF.
Optimal control of a tetrahedral configured reaction wheels for Quaternion rotation based on rigid satellite model
Authors: Cherd T Vil , Daud R , Yaacob S
Published: December 2019

Reaction wheel is the most popular actuator for the attitude manoeuvring of a satellite system due to its compact size, reliability and able to produce precise torque. However, for redundancy purposes, the reaction wheels are assembled in a tetrahedral configuration that is able to generate torque in any direction even when one of the reaction wheel fails. The tetrahedral configured reaction wheel causes the maximum torque generation to be uneven in any direction. Hence, the quaternion rotation is completed at different rate in different direction. In order to optimize the rotation rate, an optimal control using iterative method via GPOPS toolbox. It is then compared with the traditional Eigen-axis Quaternion Feedback control. The improvement shown by the optimal control to be between 3.49% to 25.11% improvement in manoeuvre time depending on the direction of manoeuvre. The optimal control is able to outperform the traditional control method.
Topology optimization of mandible fracture plate
Authors: Teo J W C , Khan S F
Published: December 2019

One of the most often fractured facial bones is mandible. It is also the most common fractured among the patient with multiple injuries. A mandible fracture plate is designed based on topology optimization to overcome the problem caused by standardized mandible fracture plate. The mandible fracture plate is design in Autodesk Inventor and it is analysed in shape generator to remove excessive material. The plate is simulated in ANSYS workbench in axial and multiple load. The plate is designed in three thickness that are 1.0mm, 1.5mm and 2.0mm. Each thickness is simulated using titanium alloy, stainless steel and polylactic acid (PLA). The mandible fracture plate is fabricated using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). By using topology optimization, the volume of mandible plate can be reduced up to 50%.
A review of motion capture systems for upper limb motion in throwing events: Inertial measurement unit
Authors: Noh S F A Ahmad , Baharudin M E , Nor A. Mohd , Saad Mohd Sazli , Zakaria Mohd Zakimi
Published: December 2019

Nowadays, the need of motion capture of an athlete’s movement be among the most significance studies in sport performance analysis. The motion capture involves the use of sensing technology to track and store the movement. Thus, this review was done to present the studies on motion capture of the upper limbs movement in throwing events of the track and field sport. The databases were collected throughout the electronic media such as the Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. From literature, it was found that IMUs technology is not widely used in motion capture for upper limbs movement in throwing events. However, this device has a huge benefit to improvise the athlete’s performances as well as their skills and techniques.
An experimental investigation of wind induced noise inside the small cavity in low wind speed
Authors: Hairudin W M , Kamarudin N M , Ean O L , Ismail N A
Published: December 2019

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the wind noise produced inside the cavity model that replicate the two-way radio’s cavity. The experiment conducted with varies of cavity distance from the wind source of P1 (0.01m), P3 (0.078m), and P5 (0.146m) at the wind speed of 3.75m/s. The cavity has a length to depth ratios of 1.4. This preliminary measurement was to highlight the relationship between cavity positions and low speed wind flow that affect the sound pressure level occurred inside the cavity. The study also look on the impact this factor on the performance of two-way radio that causes unclear signal interference during windy condition. The results show that by increasing the distance of cavity position, the sound pressure level decreased. It shows that the farthest distance from the wind source, the noise level reduces.
Mechanical properties of commercial PLA filament as 3D printed parts utilizing fused filament fabrication
Authors: Zakaria H , Khan S F , Sabtu S N , Ibrahim M
Published: December 2019

In the field of Additive Manufacturing, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the methods used for prototyping and production applications. However, the performance of the printed parts produced can be affected by the various parameters used. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the bonding between layers of 3D printed parts from 3D printer by using Polylactic Acid (PLA) with printing parameters, namely printing temperature, printing speed and raster angle. The specimens were printed by using Monoprice Maker Select 3D printer. Compression test and fatigue test were carried out to determine the behavior of true stress-strain and the lifespan of sample subjected to cycling loading. The influence of printing temperature, printing speed and raster angle is determined by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results show that printing temperature affect the bonding between layers of samples more than the printing speed and raster angle.
Safety and risk evaluation implementation at sheet metal stamping company using HIRARC model
Authors: Othman N L A , Hussain N S , Ibrahim D , Yaacob Y
Published: December 2019

Sheet metal stamping has been identified as one of the most hazardous and high-risk process in the world of manufacturing industries. This project was carried out at a sheet metal stamping company located in Perak which is a precision metal stamping company and is focused on 150 tons and 200 tons stamping only. A systematic analysis based on Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) standard was used to create a model of Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRARC) at the stamping department to determine hazardous process/areas for department operation and maintenance of observation, safety analysis, workplace inspection, safety checklist and high-risk investigation. Initial risk assessment was conducted by classifying the hazards in three types of level, such as High, Medium and Low. The severity of hazards was calculated to estimate the likelihood it will happen and to decide which process/area needs to be applied control measures implemented in the departments. The risk assessments were repeated, and the results were analyzed. From the analysis of risk assessment shows that a reduction of 17% from the high-risk level of 150 tons and 27% at 200 tons. Safety and health are very important to prevent the occurrence of accidents.
Fracture prediction on patient-specific tibia model with Osteogenesis Imperfecta under various loading direction
Authors: Mok C J , Basaruddin K S , Som M H Mat , Majid M S Abd , Sulaiman A. R. , Shukrimi A.
Published: December 2019

This study aims to predict the fracture of bone with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) by considering the homogenization properties of real patient. A Type-III of osteotomy in OI femur was used as bone specimen. Nine representative volume element (RVE) models were developed based on μCT-images of bone specimen. Homogenized properties particularly the Young’s moduli of the RVEs was obtained based on homogenization theory in Voxelcon software. The obtained homogenized properties were then assigned to the OI patient-specific model that was developed from CT-images of real patient. The fracture of OI bone was predicted based on linear static analysis and finite element method under loadings of activity daily living (ADL). The results found that the fracture might be happen to the patient under jumping load case, whereas the subject is expected to be safe under standing still and walking load case.
The effect of support structure on RANS actuator disc for shallow water application
Authors: Rahman A , Yahaya N B , Rahman M T A
Published: December 2019

The effect of support structure on the wake formation of the tidal turbine needs to be considered when investing in a tidal energy farm. The wake resulted from the support structure may vary with the array of turbine. There is various type of support structure that are under development and each type of the support structure exhibit a different behaviour of the wakes.. Four types of geometry of the support structure such as cylinder, ellipse, square and diamond were analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD). The k-epsilon turbulence model was used to analyze the effects of the support structure. From this study, the flow of turbulence on each support structure exhibits different behaviour. For a single turbine, it was found that ellipse geometry of the support structure indicates the shortest turbulence form. However, in terms of velocity deficit the diamond geometry illustrates the highest value followed by the square, cylinder and ellipse geometry. For the array configuration, it proves that the 1.5D for distances between two turbines is acceptable since turbulence occurrence is separated from each of the turbine. In addition, for three turbines arrangement, the separation between the first and second rows is agreeable on 3D because the wakes are well merged and almost return to ambient condition at 1D downstream. Based on the results of this research it can be concluded that ellipse support structure shows promising results due to the wake formation recovers back to the inlet velocity the fastest among the other support structure when passing through the tidal turbine.
Minimization Response Time Task scheduling Algorithm
Authors: Maqsood Maria , Lashari Saima Anwar , Saare Murtaja Ali , Sari Sari Ali , Hussein Yaqdhan Mahmood , Hatem Hatem Oday
Published: December 2019

Cloud computing is a type of computing that base on shared computer resources for delivering information technology services. Distributed Computational system has been considered as best systematic model for sharing resources. Minimization of response time is the requirement in the distributed computational system. Previous Algorithm belongs to the optimization in which every new Virtual Machine reaching as a request to the cloud computing manager. This creates disturbance in the processing during life cycle of others Virtual Machines. For overcome this problem, there is a proposed an algorithm for minimization response time in distributed computational system by using the multi agents cloud structure. The overall system is architecture as a distributed over multi layered model. This leads to a situation that demands high care in allocating a Virtual Machine (VM) to a server machine in order to improve allocation time and efficiency of resources. Focus of this work remains to decrease time of allocation to optimize response time using a Virtual Machine (VM) placement and allocation algorithm that accounts Virtual. Machines (VM), their types and available resources among the data center server machines. Presented algorithm is implemented by using cloud simulator tool, through this tool, the calculated results of presented algorithm have been quite better with respect to traditional algorithm, and the difference presented with graphs for the both algorithms. Results support proposed methodology.
National Instruments LabVIEW Biomedical Toolkit for Measuring Heart Beat Rate and ECG LEAD II Features
Authors: Khong W L , Mariappan M , Kameswara Rao N S V
Published: December 2019

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is undoubtedly the gold method for assessing heart activities. However, the ECG machine for measuring ECG is mostly only available in health care center especially in the third-world countries. Therefore, this research proposed to utilize the product of National Instruments i.e. LabVIEW Biomedical Toolkit and data acquisition device as an alternative approach to acquire ECG features and heart beat rate (HBR). As for performances verification, the NI-LabVIEW instruments are tested simultaneously with two types of ECG machine which are Philips PageWriter TC 30 and KenZ ECG 108. The results indicated that the ECG features and HBR obtained from NI-LABVIEW instruments are agreed well with the measurements attained from both of the ECG machines. Hence, this study proved that NI-LabVIEW instruments are highly potent for measuring ECG features and HBR. Moreover, the computerized NI-LabVIEW instruments with the self-interpretation function can always outperform most of the conventional ECG machines that are still required cardiologists for manually interpreting the results printed on the ECG paper.
pH Prediction of Perlis Sunshine Mango Using NIR Spectrometer
Authors: Woo P S , Ibrahim M F
Published: December 2019

To evaluate the various internal quality attributes of fruits, NIR spectroscopy techniques are undoubtedly quick and non-destructive tools. Acidity (pH) is one of the main quality attributes in mango fruits. Generally, it is being predicted in destructive way. The aim of this research was to develop calibration model and prediction of pH in Perlis Sunshine mangoes using NIR spectrometer. The transmission spectra of Sunshine mangoes were acquired in the wavelength range from 300 to 1000 nm. The effects of different types of pre-processing methods and spectra treatments, such as baseline correction, multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), Savitzky-Golay (SG) smoothing, second order derivative (SG) and normalisation were analyzed. The prediction models were developed by partial least squares (PLS) regression. The coefficient of determination (R2) of pH was 0.928 and the standard error of cross-validation (SECV) was 0.153. The results indicated that by using the NIR measurement system, in the suitable spectral range, it is possible to predict the pH of mango fruits by non-destructively.
Intelligent control of a modular power assisted stretcher for indoor application
Authors: Dechathanat T , Seksan C , Pramot S , Chote N , Ismail A H
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the development of an intelligent control of a modular power assisted stretcher movement on flat and sloped floors for indoor environment. Conceptual design techniques are used to select the best concept for prototyping power assist systems. The operator's movement intention and related voltage data is sensed by an Eight-axis hall effect sensor. It proposes the use of PID controller to optimize and maintain the velocity of the stretcher adapted to different weight and floor conditions. A stepping motor is applied to drive each wheel to respond appropriately to different floor and steering conditions (flat or sloped, straight section or turns). Without assistance it would be impractical for an operator to move a loaded stretcher (with patient and accessories) weighing up to approximately 100 kg on 15 degrees straight slope-up / slope-down floor sections. The power assist application turns this into an easy operation.
Tree Crown Density Analysis from Hyperspectral Image
Authors: Zulkafli Rina Syazwani , Shukor SAA
Published: December 2019

A study was conducted to investigate whether reflectance data of hyperspectral image of an area could be used to extract related physical features to produce mapping of vegetation density. This paper explains on estimating percentage of vegetation coverage based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Image segmentation based on thresholding was used to separate different features of the land entities like soil, water and road. From here, NDVI values can be integrated for further segmenting the vegetation features. The colour segmentation method is then able to classify the vegetation according to their density level, which can be used to determine tree crown density. Test conducted towards a hyperspectral image shows that different density level can be extracted, where it contains about 7.5% high level tree crown density, 1.8% medium crown density and 5% low. More tests need to be conducted in order to proof the workability of the developed algorithm in analysing hyperspectral images from tree crown density mapping.
Map-Based Localization Indoor Environment for Object Tracking using RF Trackers
Authors: Hing C H , Fong P W K , Syed Zakaria S M M , Kamarudin L M , Zakaria A , Kanagaraj E , Kamarudin K , Rahim Y A , Ahmad N
Published: December 2019

This paper proposed a RF-based mapping-based indoor localization technique to locate their packages and items. The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is commonly used in trilateration to allocate the packages or items location. However, several problems need to overcome to increase the accuracy of the RSSI signal propagation for the localization. The problems include the complexity of the indoor environment will affect the radio waves experienced multipath effect such as the signal may be reflected, refracted, absorbed or blocked by other matter. The paper is designed to study the propagation of radio waves in indoor conditions, identify the type of antenna used and determine the accuracy of the localization model. The RSSI is recorded for every 1m until reached the maximum read range of 20m to study the behaviour of radio waves propagation and the relationships between RSSI and distance. The RSSI mapping experiment was carried out to determine the type of antenna used to carry out the experiment. The localization is performed with mapping-based technique to predict the random coordinates in the testbed. The predicted coordinates and actual coordinates were compared to determine the accuracy of the localization model. The error between the actual coordinates and predicted coordinates can achieve an average of 0.95 meter. The RF mapping-based indoor localization technique results shown that the effectiveness of the techniques to be implemented in a company to improve the efficiency in the production line.
Design and Development of a Reconfigurable Screw-wheeled Omnidirectional Mobile Robot
Authors: Safar M.J.A. , Samsol M.H. , Ismail A.H. , Basah S.N. , Basaruddin K.S. , Salleh A.F.
Published: December 2019

Omnidirectional mobility plays an important role for mobile robots to provide flexibility in their motion. However, most of the existing omnidirectional mechanisms are only superior in indoor applications, but inappropriate for outdoor purposes. This paper introduces the design and development of an omnidirectional mobile robot with reconfigurable screw-wheeled mechanism. The orientation of the screw wheels is adjustable in order to enable flexibility in traction control to provide more propulsion drive in certain conditions. The experimental results are given to demonstrate the performance of the omnidirectional mobile robot on different ground surfaces and different wheel’s orientation.
Oil Palm Plantation Monitoring from Satellite Image
Authors: Sum Andrew Foong Weng , Shukor S.A.A.
Published: December 2019

Malaysia is one of the largest palm oil producers in the world. To meet the production, its plantation needs to be monitored accordingly. Manual monitoring is no longer feasible due to energy, cost and time consumption. Remote sensing technology such as satellite images can be utilized for palm oil monitoring as they are cost effective, time and energy saving, and able to enhance the possibility of classifying the vegetation through spectral and texture analyses. Due to its impact towards Malaysia economy, an effective monitoring of palm oil plantation can be done by using satellite image to maintain the sustainability of palm oil in Malaysia. This project utilized the computation of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) to determine the plant health. Relationship of NDVI and SAVI with respect to temperature and precipitation is studied based on the data obtained from Malaysian Meteorology Department. By using regression model technique, the relationship of the plant health based on NDVI analysis, nitrogen content based on SAVI analysis and temperature is found out to be highly correlated while plant health and precipitation is found out to be no or low correlated. The results can be utilized by the plantation operators, especially independent smallholders in monitoring the health status of the palm oil trees to ensure high productivity.
Shape classification of ground penetrating radar using discrete wavelet transform and principle component analysis
Authors: Ali Hasimah , Zaidi Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad , Meng Cheng Ee , Ahmad Mohamad Ridzuan , Amran Tengku Sarah Tengku , Kanafiah Siti Nurul Aqmariah Mohd , Fook Chong Yen , Shukor Shazmin Aniza Abdul , Elshaikh Mohamed
Published: December 2019

Ground penetrating radar is one of the promising non-destructive investigation for shallow subsurface exploration in locating buried utilities. However, interpreting hyperbolic signature of buried objects in GPR images remains a challenging task since the GPR signals are easily corrupted by environmental noise and cause misinterpretation of the size and geometry of subsurface object from the GPR raw profile. Therefore, this paper proposes Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and principal component analysis (PCA) to classify geometry of buried object using k-nearest neighbour. (k-NN). The GPR images firstly being pre-processed. Then, the GPR images are decomposed using DWT into four sub-bands which are LL (Low-Low), LH (Low-High), HL (High-Low) and HH (High-High). The sub-bands LL or a coarse approximation coefficients was extracted as DWT features in order to classify the shape of buried objects. Since DWT features do contain high dimensional data, thus PCA is used to reduce the dimensional features from higher to lower space by linear transformation. The new projected features were then classify using k-NN classifier into four shapes which is cubic, cylinder, disc and sphere. A series of experiments have been conducted on extracted DWT and PCA features from hyperbolic signature of buried objects having different shapes. Based on the results, the proposed method had achieved the average recognition rate of 99.41%.
Human Location Classification for Outdoor Environment
Authors: Talib M.T.M , Rahiman M.H.F , Kamarudin L.M. , Nishizaki Hiromitsu , Zakaria A.
Published: December 2019

Outdoor localisation can offer great capabilities in security and perimeter surveillance applications. The localisation of people become more challenges when involving with the nonlinear environment. GPS and CCTV are two localisation techniques usually use to localise human in an outdoor environment. However, they have weaknesses which result in low localisation accuracy. Therefore, the application of Device-free localisation (DFL), together with the Internet of things (IoT) is more appropriate due to their capability to detect the human body in all environmental conditions, and there is no problem losing signals as faced by GPS. This system offers excellent potential in humans localisation because humans can be detected wirelessly without any tracking device attached. In developing the DFL system, the main concern is the localisation accuracy. Although the existing DFL system gives significant result to the localisation, the accuracy is still low due to the large variation in RSSI values. Hence, a Radio Tomographic Imaging-based ANN classification (RTI-ANN) approach is proposed to increase the localisation accuracy. This Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is designed to learn the Radio Tomography imaging (RTI) input for classification purpose. Even though the RTI gives a good result to the localisation, however, it suffers from smearing effect. To eliminates this smearing area and background noise, pre-processing of the RTI image is required. Thus, extracting the valuable information technique from the RTI image has been proposed. By extracting the valuable information data from the RTI image, about 61% to 66% of the smearing noise is removed depending on the size of the RTI image. Only data directly associated with human attenuation used for training and learning of ANN. The experimental results show ANN system can localise human in the right zone for a given dataset.
Development of Dynamometer for Cutting Force Measurement in Turning Operation
Authors: Umurani K. , Siregar R.A.
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the development of dynamometer to measure cutting force in turning operation in particular the tangential force (Ft). The dynamometer utilises a straight bar load cell that connected to holder tool to measure at least one axis of force. The designed dynamometer is capable of computing the forces acting on the workpiece in turning operation using any data acquisition system. Two materials of low elastic modulus, Polyoxymethylene (POM) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), were employed as workpieces to test the performance of dynamometer. The performance of the dynamometer to measure one axis of cutting forces is considered satisfactory mainly because of the simplicity and low cost are the main requirements in design and construction.
Case study on the soil physical parameters disparity and NPK concentrations in regions found in and around Pachapalayam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Authors: Chris Sheba M. , Devaki R. , Uma R.N.
Published: December 2019

Deficient soil fertility is a major constraint in crop productivity. Soil characteristics such as pH, bulk density, electrical conductivity, moisture content, etc. play a major role in the health and yield of crops. Major nutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), are essential for the growth and yield of the crops as well. On account of the importance of soil physical properties and NPK concentration on the soil dynamics and plant development respectively, the study area was spatial distributed and geo-statistically analyzed to produce contour maps that can be used by decision makers in farm management for increased crop productivity.
‘I Am Also Having Mother Once, and She Is Loving Me’: Reading Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation in a Post-Network Era
Authors: Snell Heather
Published: December 2019

This article examines Cary Joji Fukunaga’s film adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala’s Beasts of No Nation, with a special focus on the final scene, in which a counsellor is assigned to help the protagonist deal with the trauma of having been a child soldier. While the casting of a black African actor as the counsellor in Fukunaga’s film may appear to detract from the novel’s interrogation of the uneven power relations between Africa and America, an interpretation oscillating between novel and film reveals that there may be some benefits to erasing the white saviour figure from the scene. The erasure of a white American character not only redirects the focus to relations among Africans but also comments indirectly on the circulation of transnational films via streaming services such as Netflix. Reading in between adapted text and adaptation also yields some important insights about Beasts’ critical engagement with the politics of circulation, reception, and consumption of child-soldier narratives at a time when such narratives have become popular among transnational audiences.
Perceptions of the two-phase pharmacy residency match process
Authors: Fenn Norman E , Nolt Valerie D , Mediwala Krutika N , Sandgren Megan J , Martin Christina Y
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate residency applicant (RA) and residency program director (RPD) perceptions of Phase II of the Match process since its inception in 2016.

Methods

An online survey was issued to all Match-registered RAs and RPDs for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Match periods. Study participant demographics, participant designation (RA or RPD), the year(s) and Phase(s) of the Match participated in were measured using categorical ranges, and overall perceptions of the Match process since Phase II of the Match was implemented were captured with 5-point Likert scales.

Results

A total of 2,599 individuals (RA and RPD) completed the survey for an overall survey response rate of 12.6%. The majority of RAs were female (73.2%), under the age of 30 (87.4%), Caucasian (67.4%), and recently graduated (90.9% graduated between 2016 and 2018). Most RAs participated in the 2018 Match period (61%), and overall 82% successfully matched to a residency position. RA perceptions relating to process cost-effectiveness and perceived fairness to all applicants differed significantly from RPD perceptions (2.23 versus 3.71 and 2.80 versus 3.67, respectively; p < 0.001 for each). There were no differences between RA and RPD perceptions related to the submission/review process.

Conclusion

The Phase II of the Match process has demonstrated improved organization and satisfaction from the RPD perspective compared to the previous process. RAs have identified several areas for improvement in the process. It is imperative that efforts are made to continue expanding program and position offerings as much as possible.
Blood and brain gene expression trajectories mirror neuropathology and clinical deterioration in neurodegeneration
Authors: Iturria-Medina Yasser , Khan Ahmed F , Adewale Quadri , Shirazi Amir H ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2019

Most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders take decades to develop and their early detection is challenged by confounding non-pathological ageing processes. For all neurodegenerative conditions, we continue to lack longitudinal gene expression data covering their large temporal evolution, which hinders the understanding of the underlying dynamic molecular mechanisms. Here, we overcome this key limitation by introducing a novel gene expression contrastive trajectory inference (GE-cTI) method that reveals enriched temporal patterns in a diseased population. Evaluated on 1969 subjects in the spectrum of late-onset Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases (from ROSMAP, HBTRC and ADNI datasets), this unsupervised machine learning algorithm strongly predicts neuropathological severity (e.g. Braak, amyloid and Vonsattel stages). Furthermore, when applied to in vivo blood samples at baseline (ADNI), it significantly predicts clinical deterioration and conversion to advanced disease stages, supporting the identification of a minimally invasive (blood-based) tool for early clinical screening. This technique also allows the discovery of genes and molecular pathways, in both peripheral and brain tissues, that are highly predictive of disease evolution. Eighty-five to ninety per cent of the most predictive molecular pathways identified in the brain are also top predictors in the blood. These pathways support the importance of studying the peripheral-brain axis, providing further evidence for a key role of vascular structure/functioning and immune system response. The GE-cTI is a promising tool for revealing complex neuropathological mechanisms, with direct implications for implementing personalized dynamic treatments in neurology.
Pattern Similarity Analyses of FrontoParietal Task Coding: Individual Variation and Genetic Influences
Authors: Etzel Joset A , Courtney Ya’el , Carey Caitlin E , Gehred Maria Z , Agrawal Arpana , Braver Todd S
Published: December 2019

Pattern similarity analyses are increasingly used to characterize coding properties of brain regions, but relatively few have focused on cognitive control processes in FrontoParietal regions. Here, we use the Human Connectome Project (HCP) N-back task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset to examine individual differences and genetic influences on the coding of working memory load (0-back, 2-back) and perceptual category (Face, Place). Participants were grouped into 105 monozygotic twin, 78 dizygotic twin, 99 nontwin sibling, and 100 unrelated pairs. Activation pattern similarity was used to test the hypothesis that FrontoParietal regions would have higher similarity for same load conditions, while Visual regions would have higher similarity in same perceptual category conditions. Results confirmed this highly robust regional double dissociation in neural coding, which also predicted individual differences in behavioral performance. In pair-based analyses, anatomically selective genetic relatedness effects were observed: relatedness predicted greater activation pattern similarity in FrontoParietal only for load coding and in Visual only for perceptual coding. Further, in related pairs, the similarity of load coding in FrontoParietal regions was uniquely associated with behavioral performance. Together, these results highlight the power of task fMRI pattern similarity analyses for detecting key coding and heritability features of brain regions.
Temporal Dynam ics of the Neuregulin–ErbB Network in the Murine Prefrontal Cortex across the Lifespan
Authors: Paterson Clare , Cumming Brooke , Law Amanda J
Published: December 2019

Neuregulin–ErbB signaling is essential for numerous functions in the developing, adult, and aging brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Mouse models with disrupted Nrg and/or ErbB genes are relevant to psychiatric, developmental, and age-related disorders, displaying a range of abnormalities stemming from cortical circuitry impairment. Many of these models display nonoverlapping phenotypes dependent upon the gene target and timing of perturbation, suggesting that cortical expression of the Nrg–ErbB network undergoes temporal regulation across the lifespan. Here, we report a comprehensive temporal expression mapping study of the Nrg–ErbB signaling network in the mouse PFC across postnatal development through aging. We find that Nrg and ErbB genes display distinct expression profiles; moreover, splice isoforms of these genes are differentially expressed across the murine lifespan. We additionally find a developmental switch in ErbB4 splice isoform expression potentially mediated through coregulation of the lncRNA Miat expression. Our results are the first to comprehensively and quantitatively map the expression patterns of the Nrg–ErbB network in the mouse PFC across the postnatal lifespan and may help disentangle the pathway’s involvement in normal cortical sequences of events across the lifespan, as well as shedding light on the pathophysiological mechanisms of abnormal Nrg–ErbB signaling in neurological disease.
The endemic and endangered Maugean Skate (Zearaja maugeana) exhibits short-term severe hypoxia tolerance
Authors: Morash Andrea J , Lyle Jeremy M , Currie Suzanne , Bell Justin D , Stehfest Kilian M , Semmens Jayson M
Published: December 2019

The endangered and range-restricted Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana) is subjected to large environmental variability coupled with anthropogenic stressors in its endemic habitat, Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. However, little is known about the basic biology/physiology of this skate, or how it may respond to future environmental challenges predicted from climate change and/or increases in human activities such as aquaculture. These skate live at a preferred depth of 5–15 m where the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are moderate (~55% air saturation), but can be found in areas of the Harbour where DO can range from 100% saturation to anoxia. Given that the water at their preferred depth is already hypoxic, we sought to investigate their response to further decreases in DO that may arise from potential increases in anthropogenic stress. We measured oxygen consumption, haematological parameters, tissue–enzyme capacity and heat shock protein (HSP) levels in skate exposed to 55% dissolved O2 saturation (control) and 20% dissolved O2 saturation (hypoxic) for 48 h. We conclude that the Maugean skate appears to be an oxyconformer, with a decrease in the rate of O2 consumption with increasing hypoxia. Increases in blood glucose and lactate at 20% O2 suggest that skate are relying more on anaerobic metabolism to tolerate periods of very low oxygen. Despite these metabolic shifts, there was no difference in HSP70 levels between groups, suggesting this short-term exposure did not elicit a cellular stress response. The metabolic state of the skate suggests that low oxygen stress for longer periods of time (i.e. >48 h) may not be tolerable and could potentially result in loss of habitat or shifts in their preferred habitat. Given its endemic distribution and limited life-history information, it will be critical to understand its tolerance to environmental challenges to create robust conservation strategies.
A Meta-Theoretical Systematic Review of the Culture-Centered Approach to Health Communication: Toward a Refined, “Nested” Model
Authors: Sastry Shaunak , Stephenson Megan , Dillon Patrick , Carter Andrew
Published: December 2019

While the influence of the culture-centered approach (CCA; Dutta, 2008 ) on health communication scholarship is undeniable, there has been no evaluation of its application in the field. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews (Moher, Liberati, Tetzlaff & Altman, 2009), we analyzed a corpus of empirical, peer-reviewed literature (n = 47) that used the CCA. Our findings demonstrate that (a) the ontological axis of the CCA (culture, structure, and agency) was widely used as a heuristic for defining health problems; and (b) studies varied widely in their adoption of the CCA’s epistemological axis (that of dialogic co-construction with marginalized communities), either at the level of problem definition, problem interpretation, and/or community participation. Finally, while most studies reported self-reflexivity in design, we coded for methodological and philosophical reflexivity to assess fidelity to the CCA axiology. Based on the variations and consistencies in its use, we offer a refined, “nested” conceptualization of the CCA.
The Visual Citizen in a Digital News Landscape
Authors: Allan Stuart , Peters Chris
Published: December 2019

This article’s contribution to theory-building focuses on the everyday circumstances under which journalism encourages a civic gaze. Specifically, it elaborates our heuristic conception of the “visual citizen” to explore journalism’s mediation of a politics of seeing, paying particular attention to how and why renderings of in/visibility signify varied opportunities for civic engagement within digital news landscapes. In recognizing a distinction between direct and virtual witnessing, it establishes a conceptual basis for an inductive typology delineating interrelated, potential citizen-subject positions across a continuum. Four such positions are identified and appraised, namely the visual citizen as: (a) news observer and circulator, (b) accidental news image-maker and contributor, (c) purposeful news image-maker and activist, and (d) creative image-maker and news commentator. Evaluating these positions in relation to their significance for visual journalism, this article aims to advance efforts to rethink the inscription of imagery in news reportage and its import for public life.
Irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in treated microscopic colitis patients compared with controls: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pagoldh Jenny , Lundgren David , Suhr Ole B , Karling Pontus
Published: December 2019

Background

The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms is high in untreated patients with microscopic colitis (MC), but there is uncertainty of the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in treated patients. We assessed the degree of IBS-like symptoms in patients with MC in comparison to control subjects, and investigated the association between IBS-like symptoms and faecal calprotectin (FC) in MC patients.

Methods

Patients with an established MC diagnosis (n = 57) were compared to sex- and age-matched controls (n = 138) for scores in the GSRS-IBS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale). In MC patients, an FC level was simultaneously analysed.

Results

The median interval from MC diagnoses to the time the subjects participated in the study was 5.5 years (25th–75th percentiles; 4.5–9.5 years). The total GSRS-IBS score, subscores for abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea were significantly higher in MC patients compared to controls (all P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between FC levels and reported bowel frequency (P = 0.023), but there was no correlation between FC levels and GSRS-IBS scores. Patients with MC had significantly higher scores on anxiety (HADS-A) (P < 0.001) and used more selective serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor drugs (P = 0.016) than the control subjects. However, only the control subjects (not the patients with MC) showed significant correlations between GSRS-IBS scores and HADS scores.

Conclusions

Patients with MC reported more IBS-like symptoms and anxiety than control subjects but neither FC levels nor symptoms of affectivity were significantly correlated with IBS-like symptoms.
A qualitative narrative review of protocols for women’s health on short-term medical missions in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Dainton Christopher , Chu Charlene H
Published: December 2019

Background

Women’s health conditions are commonly encountered on short-term medical missions (STMMs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. There have been no previous attempts to describe women’s health protocols used by volunteer clinicians. This qualitative study aimed to describe areas of agreement between unpublished women’s health protocols from different North American STMM organizations and assess their concordance with published WHO guidelines.

Methods

A systematic web search was used to identify North American STMM sending organizations. Clinical protocols were downloaded from their websites and organizations were contacted to request protocols that were not published online. The protocols obtained were summarized, analysed thematically and compared to existing WHO guidelines.

Results

Of 225 organizations contacted, 112 (49.8%) responded and 31 of these (27.7%) had clinical protocols, of which 20 were obtained and analysed. Nine (45%) discussed sexually transmitted infections, six (30%) discussed pelvic inflammatory disease, two (10%) discussed prenatal care and two (10%) discussed menstrual disorders. None were the product of systematic literature searches and most were not referenced.

Conclusions

To avoid ineffective treatment and related harms to women, volunteer clinicians would benefit from the adaptation and distribution of guidelines for STMMs that are based on existing WHO guidance and acceptable to clinicians, patients and organizations.
Mitochondrial division, fusion and degradation
Authors: Murata Daisuke , Arai Kenta , Iijima Miho , Sesaki Hiromi
Published: December 2019

The mitochondrion is an essential organelle for a wide range of cellular processes, including energy production, metabolism, signal transduction and cell death. To execute these functions, mitochondria regulate their size, number, morphology and distribution in cells via mitochondrial division and fusion. In addition, mitochondrial division and fusion control the autophagic degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria to maintain a healthy population. Defects in these dynamic membrane processes are linked to many human diseases that include metabolic syndrome, myopathy and neurodegenerative disorders. In the last several years, our fundamental understanding of mitochondrial fusion, division and degradation has been significantly advanced by high resolution structural analyses, protein-lipid biochemistry, super resolution microscopy and in vivo analyses using animal models. Here, we summarize and discuss this exciting recent progress in the mechanism and function of mitochondrial division and fusion.
Gastrosplenocolic fistula secondary to non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Yokoyama Yujiro , Kashyap Sarang , Ewing Edward , Bloch Robert
Published: December 2019

Gastrocolic fistula (GSF) is a rare entity that arises mainly from splenic or gastric lymphoma. Gastric and splenic lymphomas can also fistulate with other organs, including the pleura and the colon, but there has been no reported case to best of our knowledge of a fistula involving three different organs. We hereby present the case of a female patient with gastrosplenocolic fistula secondary to non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. We performed an en bloc partial gastrectomy with splenectomy and partial left colon resection with colostomy. GSF can be treated with chemotherapy. However, when the definite diagnosis is unclear or GSF is causing serious complications such as bleeding or active infection, we believe surgical excision is the treatment of choice.