bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of density and flock size on growth performance of native chicken
Authors: Ali M I , Azmal SA , Ali A , Faruque M O
Published: October 2012

A total of 270 native chickens of two months of age were reared up to their six months of age under three densities D1, D2 and D3 (0.186, 0.279 and 0.372 m2/bird) and three flock sizes F1, F2 and F3 (20, 30 and 40 birds/flock) to find out the effect of density (D) and flock size (F) on the growth performance of native chicken under intensive system of management. Body weight gain and feed intake were higher (5.62 & 5.39 and 50.17 & 50.42) and feed conversion ratio and mortality were the lower (9.48 & 10.02) in D2 unit and (12.01 & 13.05) in F2 unit. On the other hand, body  weight gain was the lowest (4.81) in D3 unit. Feed intake was the lowest (49.25) in D1 unit with the highest (11.70) FCR value. Body weight gain was found to be the lowest (4.81) in F3 unit but its FCR and mortality rate were the  highest (11.25 and 17.71). Feed intake was observed to be the lowest (49.17) in the F1 unit. Considering the growth  performance of native chickens under different densities and flock sizes, it could be concluded that flock size F2 (30 birds/flock) performed better at the density level D2 (0.279 m2/bird) than other densities and other flock sizes.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12040   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 5559, 2012
Fish powder in instant fish soup mix
Authors: Rahman M A , Saifullah M , Islam M N
Published: October 2012

This study was conducted with the development of instant fish soup mix and finding out the effect of fish powder on it. Ingredients of soup mix were cooked and dried up to desired moisture content. The drying or dehydration was done by using  a mechanical dryer (Cabinet dryer) at constant air flow rate and constant temperature with varying thicknesses. After drying  the dried products were ground to make powder. These were then mixed with desired composition. Here fish powder was  varied in composition in different samples and it was 5%, 10% and 15% in Mix-1, Mix-2 and Mix-3 respectively. For  preparing soup mix was reconstituted with boiled water. The result of organoleptic test was determined by ANOVA and  DMRT analysis to find out the best sample. (Mix-2) was adjudged to be the best by the panelists using 1-9 hedonic scale   and ranked as like very much securing score 8.0 which containing 10% fish power.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12106   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 145148, 2012
Effect of isoproteinous feed on growth and survival of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry
Authors: Siddika I , Das M , Sumi K R
Published: October 2012

A four week experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of isoproteinous (35%) feed prepared named diet 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively by substituting 0%, 50% , 75% and 100% fish meal with meat and bone meal in view of preparing a cost effective tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry feed. The four experimental diets (diet 1 to 4) each were randomly assigned to twelve hapas with three replications. Tilapia fry (0.011g) were randomly stocked in 100 fry/9ft² hapa and fed five times a day up to their apparent satiation. The results of the study showed that the weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), the apparent net protein utilization value and survival (%) of the fish were significantly  (P<0.05) higher and better feed utilization with lower FCR value was observed in fish fed on the diet 4 where meat and bone meal was used as sole source of protein base. There was no significant difference between the carcass moisture and lipid of fish fed with different experimental diets. The results of the study indicated that diet 1 containing fish meal (45.15% Fish meal, 27.43% Rice bran and 27.43% Wheat flour) can be replaced by meat and bone meal containing diet 4 (54.06% Meat and bone meal, 22.97% Rice bran and 22.97% Wheat flour) with no adverse effects on growth and survival of O. niloticus. Before recommendation several trials will be necessary in different farms to be  sure of the reproducibility of the result obtained in the present experiment. Cost- benefit analysis reveals that the   meat and bone meal containing diet certainly provides cheaper feed.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12110   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 169174, 2012
The Assizes of David I, king of Scots, 1124–53
Authors: Taylor Alice
Published: October 2012

David I, king of Scots (1124–53), has long wielded a posthumous reputation as one of Scotland's most important lawmakers. Yet there has been little scholarly attention paid to the ‘assizes’ circulating under his name; indeed, the identification of a coherent and stable text of David's laws has long been thought a false hope. This article argues that this view is mistaken: the original structure and content of the so-called ‘Assizes of David’ can be established. However, that text contains very little legislative material attributable to David himself but instead was an exercise to create legal antiquity for Robert I (1306–29) at a time when that most insecure of kings was conducting a programme of written legitimisation of his kingship. The ‘Assizes of David I’ were, more properly, an attempt to convey Robert's own legislative aims through association with his long-dead but illustrious predecessor, David I. Finally, understanding the correct form of the ‘Assizes of David’ can unlock the nature of some of the other ‘auld law’ compilations and possibly even provide an entry into that most intractable of legal treatises, Regiam Majestatem.
The Attack of the ‘half-formed persons’: the 1811–2 Tron Riot in Edinburgh Revisited
Authors: Knox W. W.
Published: October 2012

The existing historiography of crowds and mob behaviour tends to emphasise systemic conflict, or class struggle. As a result, historians have entrenched the ‘protesting crowd’ as the dominant image of past encounters between authority and people. However, what if the riot lay outside the existing nomenclature of social relations? What if, at least on the surface, there was no community to defend, no established grievance, and no negotiation with the authorities to resolve the grievances behind the protests? This article addresses these issues through a forensic examination of the seemingly anarchic Tron riot of 1811–12, using the precognitions of victims and perpetrators – a source untapped by previous historians. Far from being historically unintelligible, the author argues that the actions of the rioters when placed within the context of deteriorating class relations and increased tensions in Edinburgh society in the early nineteenth century are comprehensible. The Tron Riot marked a symbolic turning point in the traditional relationship between the mob and the authorities: negotiation became less dependent on the psychological balance of power but more on open displays of overwhelming coercive power.
The Use of Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme I/D Genetic Polymorphism as a Biomarker of Athletic Performance in Humans
Authors: De Mello Costa Maria Fernanda , Slocombe Ron
Published: October 2012

Angiotensin II is a key regulator of blood pressure and cardiovascular function in mammals. The conversion of angiotensin into its active form is carried out by Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE). The measurement of ACE concentration in plasma or serum, its enzymatic activity, and the correlation between an insertion/deletion (I/D) genetic polymorphism of the ACE gene have been investigated as possible indicators of superior athletic performance in humans. In this context, other indicators of superior adaptation to exercise resulting in better athletic performance (such as ventricular hypertrophy, VO2 max, and competition results) were mostly used to study the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and improved performance. Despite the fact that the existing literature presents little consensus, there is sufficient scientific evidence to warrant further investigation on the usage of ACE activity and the I/D ACE gene polymorphism as biomarkers of superior athletic performance in humans of specific ethnicities or in athletes involved in certain sports. In this sense, a biomarker would be a substance or genetic component that could be measured to provide a degree of certainty, or an indication, of the presence of a certain trait or characteristic that would be beneficial to the athlete’s performance. Difficulties in interpreting and comparing the results of scientific research on the topic arise from dissimilar protocols and variation in study design. This review aims to investigate the current literature on the use of ACE I/D polymorphism as a biomarker of performance in humans through the comparison of scientific publications.
Substrate Temperature Dependent Surface Morphology and Photoluminescence of Germanium Quantum Dots Grown by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Samavati Alireza , Othaman Zulkafli , Ghoshal Sib Krishna , Dousti Mohammad Reza , Kadir Mohammed Rafiq Abdul
Published: October 2012

The visible luminescence from Ge nanoparticles and nanocrystallites has generated interest due to the feasibility of tuning band gap by controlling the sizes. Germanium (Ge) quantum dots (QDs) with average diameter ~16 to 8 nm are synthesized by radio frequency magnetron sputtering under different growth conditions. These QDs with narrow size distribution and high density, characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) are obtained under the optimal growth conditions of 400 °C substrate temperature, 100 W radio frequency powers and 10 Sccm Argon flow. The possibility of surface passivation and configuration of these dots are confirmed by elemental energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The room temperature strong visible photoluminescence (PL) from such QDs suggests their potential application in optoelectronics. The sample grown at 400 °C in particular, shows three PL peaks at around ~2.95 eV, 3.34 eV and 4.36 eV attributed to the interaction between Ge, GeOx manifesting the possibility of the formation of core-shell structures. A red shift of ~0.11 eV in the PL peak is observed with decreasing substrate temperature. We assert that our easy and economic method is suitable for the large-scale production of Ge QDs useful in optoelectronic devices.
Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy (FLCS): Concepts, Applications and Outlook
Authors: Kapusta Peter , Macháň Radek , Benda Aleš , Hof Martin
Published: October 2012

Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy (FLCS) is a variant of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), which uses differences in fluorescence intensity decays to separate contributions of different fluorophore populations to FCS signal. Besides which, FLCS is a powerful tool to improve quality of FCS data by removing noise and distortion caused by scattered excitation light, detector thermal noise and detector afterpulsing. We are providing an overview of, to our knowledge, all published applications of FLCS. Although these are not numerous so far, they illustrate possibilities for the technique and the research topics in which FLCS has the potential to become widespread. Furthermore, we are addressing some questions which may be asked by a beginner user of FLCS. The last part of the text reviews other techniques closely related to FLCS. The generalization of the idea of FLCS paves the way for further promising application of the principle of statistical filtering of signals. Specifically, the idea of fluorescence spectral correlation spectroscopy is here outlined.
A Toy Model for Torsorial Nature of Representations
Authors: Yoshitake Makoto
Published: October 2012

This paper presents a toy model for the representation related phenomena. It is the representation that is always referred to. The represented thing in itself is indeterminate existence at a fundamental level of understanding. In order to capture such property of representation, this paper provides a toy model using an algebraic structure: torsor. The toy model captures this baselessness of representation naturally, and can be used to describe various phenomena of representations. Adopting the torsor and focusing on the two-sidedness and the closure property of representation enables the toy model to express some consistency of representations.
Structural Diversity of Streptococcal Mutans Synthesized under Different Culture and Environmental Conditions and Its Effect on Mutanase Synthesis
Authors: Wiater Adrian , Pleszczyńska Małgorzata , Próchniak Katarzyna , Szczodrak Janusz
Published: October 2012

Streptococcal mutans synthesized under different conditions by growing cultures or by their glucosyltransferases were shown to exhibit a great structural and property diversity. Culturing and environmental factors causing structural differences in mutans were specified. All of the obtained biopolymers (76 samples) were water-insoluble and most of them (72) had a structure with a predominance of α-(1→3)-linked glucose (i.e., the content of α-(1→3)-linkages in the glucan was always higher than 50%, but did not exceed 76%). An exception were four glucans containing more than 50% of α-(1→6)-sequences. In these structurally unique mutans, the ratio of α-(1→3)- to α-(1→6)-bonds ranged from 0.75 to 0.97. Aside from one polymer, all others had a heavily branched structures and differed in the number of α-(1→3), α-(1→6), and α-(1→3,6) linkages and their mutual proportion. The induction of mutanase production in shaken flask cultures of Trichoderma harzianum by the structurally diverse mutans resulted in enzyme activities ranging from 0.144 to 1.051 U/mL. No statistical correlation was found between the total percentage content of α-(1→3)-linkages in the α-glucan and mutanase activity. Thus, despite biosynthetic differences causing structural variation in the mutans, it did not matter which mutan structures were used to induce mutanase production.
Inhibitory Effects of Resveratrol Analogs on Mushroom Tyrosinase Activity
Authors: Zimmermann Franco Danielle Cristina , Gonçalves de Carvalho Gustavo Senra , Rocha Paula Rafaela , Da Silva Teixeira Raquel , Da Silva Adilson David , Barbosa Raposo Nádia Rezende
Published: October 2012

Skin pigmentation disorders typically involve an overproduction or uneven distribution of melanin, which results in skin spots. Resveratrol can inhibit tyrosinase, the active enzyme in the synthesis of melanin, but it does not inhibit the synthesis of melanin to an extent that enables its use alone as a skin whitening agent in pharmaceutical formulations, so its use as a coadjuvant in treatment of hyperpigmentation is suggested. Six resveratrol analogs were tested for tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro. Among the analogs tested, compound D was the most powerful tyrosinase inhibitor (IC50 = 28.66 µg/mL), two times more active than resveratrol (IC50 = 57.05 µg/mL), followed by the analogs A, E, B, F and C, respectively. This demonstrated that the hydroxylation at C4' on the phenolic ring was the molecular modification with most importance for the observed activity.
Inhibition of 11b-HSD1 by Tetracyclic Triterpenoids from Euphorbia kansui
Authors: Guo Jie , Zhou Li-Yan , He Hong-Ping , Leng Ying , Yang Zhen , Hao Xiao-Jiang
Published: October 2012

The roots of Euphorbia kansui are considered an important traditional folk medicine. In this study the ethanol extracts of E. kansui were investigated. A new tetracyclic triterpenoid, euphane-3b,20-dihydroxy-24-ene, in addition to five known triterpenoids with euphane skeletons were isolated. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectral techniques (1D-, 2D-NMR and MS, respectively). Furthermore, these compounds 1–6 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against human 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1), with IC50 values of 34.86 nM, 1.115 mM, 16.08 nM, 2.815 nM, 26.47 nM, 15.99 nM, and 41.86 nM, respectively. The docking results show that the ring part of compounds can insert into the hydrophobic core of h11b-HSD1 and the alkane chain orientates toward the outside. The results presented herein provide a scientific explanation for the usage of the E. kansui in clinical treatment of diabetes.
Syntheses of Sulfo-Glycodendrimers Using Click Chemistry and Their Biological Evaluation
Authors: Miura Yoshiko , Onogi Shunsuke , Fukuda Tomohiro
Published: October 2012

A series of novel glycol-clusters containing sulfonated N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) have been synthesized using click chemistry. Three dendrimers with aromatic dendrons were synthesized using chlorination, azidation and click chemistries. The resulting dendrimers were modified with azide-terminated sulfonated GlcNAc using click chemistry. The sulfonated dendrimers showed affinity for proteins, including the lectin wheat germ agglutinin and amyloid beta peptide (1-42). The dendrimers of G1 and G2 in particular showed the largest affinity for the proteins. The addition of the sulfonated GlcNAc dendrimers of G1 and G2 exhibited an inhibition effect on the aggregation of the amyloid beta peptide, reduced the b-sheet conformation, and led to a reduction in the level of nanofiber formation.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Trajectories from Birth to 11.5 Years: Relation to Early Life Food Intake
Authors: Garden Frances L. , Marks Guy B. , Simpson Judy M. , Webb Karen L.
Published: October 2012

Recent research has shown that the pattern of change over time, or trajectory, of body mass index (BMI) varies among children. However, the factors that underlie the heterogeneity in these trajectories remain largely unexplored. Our aim was to use a growth mixture model to empirically identify classes of BMI trajectories (from birth to 11.5 years) and examine the effects of breastfeeding, introduction of solids, as well as food and nutrient intake at 18 months on these BMI trajectories. We identified three BMI growth trajectories between birth and age 11.5 years, separately in boys and girls. Breastfeeding duration less than six months and the early introduction of solids did not adversely influence BMI trajectories in our sample but high intakes of meat, particularly high fat varieties, and high intakes of carbohydrate at age around 18 months were associated with a high BMI trajectory in boys. It is not clear whether these dietary factors confer a direct risk of higher BMI in childhood or are markers for other dietary patterns that are present early and/or develop through childhood and contribute to higher BMI.
Context-Aware Mobile Collaborative Systems: Conceptual Modeling and Case Study
Authors: Benítez-Guerrero Edgard , Mezura-Godoy Carmen , Montané-Jiménez Luis G.
Published: October 2012

A Mobile Collaborative System (MCOS) enable the cooperation of the members of a team to achieve a common goal by using a combination of mobile and fixed technologies. MCOS can be enhanced if the context of the group of users is considered in the execution of activities. This paper proposes a novel model for Context-Aware Mobile COllaborative Systems (CAMCOS) and a functional architecture based on that model. In order to validate both the model and the architecture, a prototype system in the tourism domain was implemented and evaluated.
A Finite-Element Simulation of Galvanic Coupling Intra-Body Communication Based on the Whole Human Body
Authors: Song Yong , Zhang Kai , Hao Qun , Hu Lanxin , Wang Jingwen , Shang Fuzhou
Published: October 2012

Simulation based on the finite-element (FE) method plays an important role in the investigation of intra-body communication (IBC). In this paper, a finite-element model of the whole body model used for the IBC simulation is proposed and verified, while the FE simulation of the galvanic coupling IBC with different signal transmission paths has been achieved. Firstly, a novel finite-element method for modeling the whole human body is proposed, and a FE model of the whole human body used for IBC simulation was developed. Secondly, the simulations of the galvanic coupling IBC with the different signal transmission paths were implemented. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method was verified by using in vivo measurements within the frequency range of 10 kHz–5 MHz, whereby some important conclusions were deduced. Our results indicate that the proposed method will offer significant advantages in the investigation of the galvanic coupling intra-body communication.
Pathogenesis of Lassa Fever
Authors: Yun Nadezhda E. , Walker David H.
Published: October 2012

Lassa virus, an Old World arenavirus (family Arenaviridae), is the etiological agent of Lassa fever, a severe human disease that is reported in more than 100,000 patients annually in the endemic regions of West Africa with mortality rates for hospitalized patients varying between 5-10%. Currently, there are no approved vaccines against Lassa fever for use in humans. Here, we review the published literature on the life cycle of Lassa virus with the specific focus put on Lassa fever pathogenesis in humans and relevant animal models. Advancing knowledge significantly improves our understanding of Lassa virus biology, as well as of the mechanisms that allow the virus to evade the host’s immune system. However, further investigations are required in order to design improved diagnostic tools, an effective vaccine, and therapeutic agents.
RNA‐seq analysis identifies potential modulators of gravity response in spores of Ceratopteris (Parkeriaceae): Evidence for modulation by calcium pumps and apyrase activity
Authors: Bushart Thomas J. , Cannon Ashley E. , ul Haque Aeraj , San Miguel Phillip , Mostajeran Kathy , Clark Gregory B. , Porterfield D. Marshall , Roux Stanley J.
Published: October 2012

• Premise of the study: Gravity regulates the magnitude and direction of a trans‐cell calcium current in germinating spores of Ceratopteris richardii. Blocking this current with nifedipine blocks the spore's downward polarity alignment, a polarization that is fixed by gravity ∼10 h after light induces the spores to germinate. RNA‐seq analysis at 10 h was used to identify genes potentially important for the gravity response. The data set will be valuable for other developmental and phylogenetic studies.

• Methods: De novo Newbler assembly of 958 527 reads from Roche 454 sequencing was executed. The sequences were identified and analyzed using in silico methods. The roles of endomembrane Ca2+‐ATPase pumps and apyrases in the gravity response were further tested using pharmacological agents.

• Key results: Transcripts related to calcium signaling and ethylene biosynthesis were identified as notable constituents of the transcriptome. Inhibiting the activity of endomembrane Ca2+‐ATPase pumps with 2,5‐di‐(t‐butyl)‐1,4‐hydroquinone diminished the trans‐cell current, but increased the orientation of the polar axis to gravity. The effects of applied nucleotides and purinoceptor antagonists gave novel evidence implicating extracellular nucleotides as regulators of the gravity response in these fern spores.

• Conclusions: In addition to revealing general features of the transcriptome of germinating spores, the results highlight a number of calcium‐responsive and light‐receptive transcripts. Pharmacologic assays indicate endomembrane Ca2+‐ATPases and extracellular nucleotides may play regulatory roles in the gravity response of Ceratopteris spores.
Antiretroviral Therapy and Sustained Virological Response to HCV Therapy are Associated with Slower Liver Fibrosis Progression in HIV–HCV-Coinfected Patients: Study from the Anrs Co 13 Hepavih Cohort
Authors: Loko Marc-Arthur , Bani-Sadr Firouze , Valantin Marc-Antoine , Lascoux-Combe Caroline , Fontaine Hélène , Bonnard Philippe , Gervais Anne , Bouchaud Olivier , Garipuy Daniel , Quertainmont Yann , Vittecoq Daniel , Tehrani Michka Shoai , Winnock Maria , Dabis François , Salmon Dominique ,   the ANRS CO 13 HEPAVIH Study Group
Published: October 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to describe changes in repeated liver stiffness (LS) measurements and to assess the determinants of increase in LS in HIV– HCV-coinfected patients.

Methods

HIV–HCV-coinfected adults enrolled in the ANRS CO 13 HEPAVIH cohort, for whom two results of LS, evaluated over ≥24 months, were available. Patients with unreliable LS results were not included. LS was measured at baseline and every year thereafter. Determinants of LS increase were assessed using linear (primary outcome: last LS minus first LS value) and logistic (secondary outcome: ≥30% increase in the initial LS value) regression analyses.

Results

A total of 313 patients (mean age 45 years, 67.4% male) were included. Overall, 93.9% were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART). The mean baseline CD4+ T-cell count was 471 cells/mm3 and 72.2% of patients had undetectable plasma HIV RNA. The mean interval between the first and last LS measurements was 33.5 months. No significant difference was found between baseline and follow-up mean LS values ( P=0.39). However, a decrease of ≥30% in LS was observed in 48 (15.3%) patients and an increase of ≥30% in 64 (20.5%) patients. In multivariate linear and logistic analyses, excessive alcohol intake (P coefficient 6.8; P=0.0006) and high HCV viral load (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.5; P=0.01) were independently associated with an increase in LS, whereas time on ART>114.5 months (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3, 0.9; P=0.03) and achievement of sustained virological response (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01, 0.9; P=0.04) were independently associated with no increase in LS.

Conclusions

Our findings show that long-term ART and achieving sustained virological response in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients are both significantly associated with lack of increase in LS over a 33-month period.
No Evidence of Autoimmune Disorders in Antiretroviral-Experienced HIV-1-Infected Individuals after Long-Term Treatment with Raltegravir
Authors: Baroncelli Silvia , Mezzaroma Ivano , Fantauzzi Alessandra , Galluzzo Clementina M , Antoni Anna Degli , Vullo Vincenzo , Francisci Daniela , Ladisa Nicoletta , Vivarelli Angela , Cirioni Oscar , Sighinolf Laura , Weimer Liliana E , Fragola Vincenzo , Fidanza Rina , Cara Andrea , Palmisano Lucia
Published: October 2012

Background

The HIV integrase inhibitor raltegravir (RAL) can exacerbate autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed mice. To evaluate whether this may occur in clinical practice, we clinically monitored HIV-positive patients treated with RAL and measured a panel of autoantibodies (auto-Abs) during the first year of RAL treatment.

Methods

This was a longitudinal study in 109 antiretroviral-experienced patients who started a RAL-based regimen and were followed up for more than 2 years. A total of 45 patients were tested at baseline (before starting RAL) and after 12 months for the presence of the following auto-Abs: anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-smooth-muscle antibodies, anti-thyreoglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, anti-cardiolipin immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M and anti-nuclear extractable antigens, including anti-SM ribonucleoprotein antigen, anti-Ro antigen and anti-La antigen.

Results

A low rate of clinically relevant autoimmune diseases was observed at study entry (3/109; 2.8%; 95% CI 0.004, 0.059). No exacerbations were observed during follow-up. During the second year of RAL-based therapy a previously healthy patient developed psoriasis. At baseline, 17/45 (37.8%) patients tested for the presence of auto-Abs were positive. Most patients ( n=13) were positive for anti-cardiolipin. After 12 months of RAL exposure, 9/45 patients were positive (20%; P=0.063). A positive correlation was found between HIV-1 RNA and anti-cardiolipin antibody concentration ( P=0.010).

Conclusions

According to these results, RAL does not promote antibody-mediated immune disorders, at least not in the mid-term. A prolonged follow-up and an extension of the panel of auto-Abs are recommended to support these results.
Entre dialogisme et antagonisme : le Parlement comme espace de résolution des controverses
Authors: Viktorovitch Clément
Published: October 2012

Résumé Cet article interroge le rôle du Parlement dans la résolution des controverses, à travers l'analyse de l'examen en séance publique de la première loi de finances rectificative pour 2011. Celle-ci comprend des mesures liées à deux sujets controversés : la réforme de la fiscalité du patrimoine et l'indemnisation des victimes du Mediator. Dans le premier cas, les débats ont été antagonistes : le gouvernement et l'opposition se sont affrontés pour emporter la conviction des citoyens auditeurs. Dans le second cas, la discussion s'est révélée dialogique : les parlementaires ont cherché une solution consensuelle à la controverse opposant le laboratoire Servier aux associations de victimes. Le Parlement apparaît ainsi à la fois comme un espace de publicisation et comme un lieu d'arbitrage des controverses. Plus généralement, ces résultats amènent à poser la question de la temporalité de la décision politique, qui est susceptible de clore la controverse, de la trancher en laissant subsister le désaccord, mais également de l'élargir à un public plus vaste. Cette étude met par ailleurs en lumière la nécessité de repenser la place de l'argumentation dans la notion de controverse, dont elle semble constituer une dimension constitutive.
Durkheim versus Lang. La controverse scientifique comme démonstration de force
Authors: Béra Matthieu
Published: October 2012

resume Dans cet article, nous avons isolé une controverse entre Andrew Lang (anthropologue anglais) et Émile Durkheim (sociologue français), qui s'est étendue sur plusieurs années à propos de questions afférents au totémisme, qui intéressait les deux auteurs. Cette analyse a pour but de restituer quels ont pu être les arguments échangés et de souligner l'importance du dispositif des comptes-rendus d'ouvrages mis en place par Durkheim et L'Année sociologique entre 1898 et 1913 (12 volumes). On a tenté de montrer que la controverse est la démonstration d'une compétence publique à discuter, argument contre argument avec des spécialistes internationaux. En soi, elle constitue une véritable démonstration de force, qui a sans doute contribué pour une part essentielle (négligée jusqu'à présent), à assoir la renommée de Durkheim.
L'éducation civique libérale et le fondamentalisme religieux : L'affaire Dieu contre John Rawls
Authors: Macedo Stephen , Dilhac Marc-Antoine
Published: October 2012

resume Avec la montée des revendications féministes et culturelles, on a reproché au libéralisme politique de ne pas prendre au sérieux la diversité en faisant la promotion d'une neutralité publique qui marginalise les minorités sexuelles, religieuses et culturelles. Aussi la « politique de la différence » s'est-elle présentée comme une alternative démocratique crédible à un libéralisme hostile à la diversité. Stephen Macedo entend montrer que le libéralisme politique respecte au contraire une large gamme de conceptions du bien et de modes de vie, mais ne saurait accommoder des minorités qui refusent le pluralisme afin de maintenir leur identité collective et dont les revendications et les pratiques entravent l'éducation publique à la citoyenneté démocratique, en particulier à la vertu de tolérance.
On Strain Distributions in the Formation of Flexible Channel Section Development of Flexible Cold Roll Forming Machine
Authors: Ona Hiroshi , Shou Ihou , Hoshi Kiyomasa
Published: October 2012

For about 70 years, cold roll forming machine has been used to make products whose cross section are uniform in the longitudinal direction. Products formed by this machine are used as construction materials, aircraft structural parts, automotive body parts, oil pipelines and so on. Research and development on production technology to make products with higher quality and higher dimensional accuracy has been carried out. Furthermore, analytical research using FEM method has been vigorously done. On the other hand, in accordance with the development of computer control system combined with CPU technology in recent years, research on development of the flexible cold roll forming machine that can form products with varying width in the longitudinal direction has been carried out in Japan and Europe (1)〜(4). The new cold roll forming machine combines the normal cold roll forming technology with computer-control technology, making it possible to form the long sized products whose cross sections vary in width. In 2011, we presented a paper that described the design method of flexible cold roll forming machine and the shape defects caused by this machine. In this paper, the behaviors of surface strains occurred in forming flexible section, which are measured by using resistance wire type strain gauges, are described from the view point of making clear the cause of occurrence of shape defect.
Application of Permanent Magnets for Chatter Control in End Milling of Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Sulaiman Syidatul Akma , Amin A.K.M. Nurul , Arif M.D.
Published: October 2012

Machining of metals is generally accompanied by a violent relative vibration between work and tool, known as chatter. Chatter is undesirable due to its adverse effects on product quality, operation cost, machining accuracy, tool life, and productivity. This paper presents an innovative approach to chatter control during end milling of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V using ferrite permanent magnets to reduce the unwanted vibrations. A special fixture was fabricated and mounted on a Vertical Machining Center‘s spindle for holding the permanent magnet bars, used in suppressing the vibration amplitudes. DASY Lab 5.6 was used for signal analysis and processing to compare the intensity of chatter under normal and magnet application conditions. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was subsequently used to transform the vibration data to a function of frequency domain. The experiments focused on monitoring the vibration amplitudes and analysis of chip formation process during metal cutting. It was observed that the magnetic fields contributed to reduction of chatter amplitudes. It was apparent that a reduction of chatter amplitude would result in improved surface finish of the work-piece and lead to uniform chip formation.
Microwave Sintering of Pure Iron with Addition of Stearic Acid as Binder
Authors: Rahman W. , Jamaludin Shamsul Baharin , Mohd Noor Mazlee
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the stearic acid as binder in sintering pure iron using a microwave furnace. The study was focused in mechanical properties such as porosity, density and micro-hardness of sintered product. The experiment was done by varying weight percentages of stearic acid and controlling the sintering parameters such as sintering temperature and sintering time. Increasing the percentage of stearic acid resulted in higher porosity and lower bulk density. Hardness has increased by increasing sintering temperature and sintering time. The optimum material properties were found at 1300 °C sintering temperature with addition 2 % stearic acid within 30 minutes sintering time.
Modeling and Optimization of Weld Zone Development in Resistance Seam Welding
Authors: Muhammad Norasiah , Manurung Yupiter H.P. , Jaafar Roseleena , Abas Sunhaji Kiyai , Tham Abdul Ghalib , Rahim M. Ridzwan A. , Mansor Amar
Published: October 2012

Resistance Seam Welding (RSEW) is an ideal welding method to produce airtight joints where welding input parameters play a very significant role in determining the quality of weld nugget and heat affected zone (HAZ) formation. This research is aimed to study the nugget and HAZ development of 1 mm low carbon steel using RSEW. Welding parameters such as weld current, weld time, weld speed and pressure were identified and investigated to study their effect on the formation of weld nugget by using 24 factorial designs. The objective of this work is to find the optimum parameter to optimize the width of weld nugget and HAZ in order to obtain a good quality of RSEW. Furthermore the mathematical models were developed to predict the weld zone development. Experimental confirmation test was conducted at an optimal condition for observing accuracy of the developed model. Based on the confirmation test, the proposed method can be effectively used to predict the size of weld zone which can improve the welding quality and performance in RSEW.
Comparison of Surface Roughness Attainable in High Speed End Milling of Silicon with Air Blowing on Conventional and CNC Milling Machines
Authors: Nurul Amin A.K.M. , Nasir Siti Nurshahida Mohd , Khalid Noor Syairah , Arif Muammer Din
Published: October 2012

Review of past research indicated that ductile mode machining of silicon can produce surface roughness values as low as 0.22 µm, which is about half of 0.40 µm, the usual standard roughness value to avoid fine grinding and rough polishing operations. The current research investigated and compared the surface roughness and integrity attained in high speed end milling of silicon (using diamond coated tools) under ductile mode machining conditions. Two different types of end milling machines were utilized, CNC and conventional milling machines. Additionally, the effect of compressed air on the resultant surface roughness was investigated. The air blowing fixture, designed for mounting the compressed air hose, consisted of fixed and movable jaws, air blower clamp, fasteners, and the air gun. Air blowing was used to prevent silicon chips from settling on the machined surface, since it was observed to be an acute problem in high speed ductile mode machining of silicon. The three machining parameters: spindle speed, depth of cut, and feed rate were varied within the ranges 60,000 to 80,000 rpm, 10 to 20 µm, and 5 to 15 mm/min respectively. The resultant machined surfaces were analysed using Wyko NT 1100 and SurfTest SV-500 profilometers in order to measure the attaine surface roughnesses and surface profile. The machined surfaces had almost no deposition and was of excellent finish.
Effect of Ultrasonication on Synthesis of Forsterite Ceramics
Authors: Lee K.Y. Sara , Chin K.M. Christopher , Singh Ramesh , Tan C.Y. , Hassan M.A. , Purbolaksono J. , Teng W.D. , Sopyan Iis
Published: October 2012

The current study is to examine the effect of ultrasonication on the synthesis of forsterite (Mg2SiO4) powder. Ultrasonication and ball milling were performed using talc and magnesium oxide as starting precursors, followed by heat treatment to obtain forsterite. The X-ray diffraction results of the powders heat treated at 1200°C showed that the 2 hours ultrasonication followed by 3 hours ball milling was beneficial in retaining the forsterite phase in the matrix. The results were similar to ball milling for 10 hours prior to heat treatment. The derived powders also exhibited very fine crystallite size in the range of 28 to 35 nm thus indicating the viability of using ultrasonication as part of the processing steps in the synthesizing of forsterite ceramics.
The Effect of Cooling Rate in Molten Salt Electro-Carburisation Process
Authors: Siambun Nancy J. , Liew Willey Y.H. , Chen George Z. , Jewell Daniel A. , Beng Yeo K.
Published: October 2012

In the recent development of a new process of electro-carburisation of mild steel in 800 °C molten carbonate based salts, further investigation has been carried out to study the effects of the cooling rate after the electro-carburisation process. In the process, the mild steel to be carburised was made the cathode and an inert SnO2 as anode. Salt mixture of Na2CO3-NaCl (mole ratio 4:1) was used as the electrolyte, and the process was carried out at voltage range of 1.0 to 2.5 V for 60 minutes, and thereafter cooled at certain rate. As revealed by the optical microscopy, the microstructural changes in samples that have been electro-carburised and thereafter cooled either rapidly or naturally in air, were featured by the increase of the carbon rich in the martensite structure at the expense of the original ferrite phase near the surface of the samples. Micro-hardness profiles measured from the surface to the centre of the electro-carburised sample presented clear evidence of carbon penetration as a function of the electrolysis voltage, and significant effects of cooling rate after the electro-carburisation process.
Characterization on Surface Modification of Kenaf Biomass via Microbial Fermentation
Authors: Fitrie M.I. Ahmad , Anuar Hazleen , Nur Aisyah M.N. , Nur Aimi M.N. , Nurhafizah Seeni Mohamed , Mel Maizirwan , Othman Rashidi , Abdul Razak Shamsul Bahri
Published: October 2012

Kenaf is categorized as one of the natural fibre which is used as replacement to man-made fibre due to its various advantages. It is a natural fibre of low density, low cost, recyclable and biodegradable. This paper presents the surface modification of kenaf biomass in terms of its morphology, chemical properties and crystallinity, as observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Peak at 1600 cm-1 to 1200 cm-1 FTIR shows the disappearance of lignin in the treated kenaf. On the other hand, crystallinity indexes (CI) for untreated and treated kenaf are determined by XRD that show 83.3 % and 67.7 % accordingly.
The Effect of PE-g-MAH Plus γ-GPS on Shear Strength of the Aluminium/LLDPE/Aluminium (APEA) Laminate Composite
Authors: Muzakkar Muhammad Zakir , Ahmad Sahrim H. , Yarmo Mohd Ambar , Jalar Azman , Bijarimi Mohd
Published: October 2012

Metal/polymer/metal laminate composite is of great patent due to their excellence physical and mechanical properties. In this work, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was used as matrix between aluminium sheets to produce aluminium/LLDPE/aluminium (APEA) laminate composite. The maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, PE-g-MAH, with concentration between 0% - 3% was used as coupling agent. The -glycidoxy propyl trimethoxy silane (-GPS) has been used to enhanced the mechanical properties of laminate composite. The lap shear strength increased with the increasing percentage of PE-g-MAH with the application of -GPS. Surface analysis suggested that this increment was associated with the chemical state of the compound involved.
Taguchi Method Approach to Optimize Manufacturing Process Parameters of Aluminum-5 % Fly Ash Alloy Using Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Arifin Fatahul , Iskandar Iskandar , Azharuddin Azharuddin
Published: October 2012

Fly ash is waste of coal combustion which can be used in Aluminum alloy. In this research Aluminum is mixed with fly ash that used powder metallurgy method. Aluminum powder is produced by Merck German which is in irregular form and has homogeneous particles, while fly ash is got from residual combustion coal in forging section of Politeknik Negeri Sriwijaya (Polsri) mechanical workshop which is processed until grains size 140 and 270 mesh. Aluminum Powder had mixed with weight fraction 5 % of fly ash for an hour then is pressed with holding time 60 and 120 seconds, compacting pressure are 139 N/mm2 and 275 N/mm2 using cold iso-static pressing. After that green body is resulted then is being sintered until 5500C. Taguchi Method orthogonal L4 is used to find out factors which influence optimum condition of Brinell’s hardness Aluminum/5% fly ash. The result of analysis using ANOVA is grains size factor, holding time, and compacting pressure has affected significantly to hardness of Aluminum/5% fly ash.
The Study of Glycerol Plasticized Thermoplastic Sago Starch
Authors: Zuraida Ahmad , Nur Humairah A.R. , Nur Izwah A.W. , Siti Naqiah Z.
Published: October 2012

Thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) was produced by plasticizing with glycerol through melt blending before being compression moulded. The investigated TPSS was prepared at glycerol/starch weight fraction of 40/60, 35/65 and 30/70. The functional groups composition, tensile strength, density, moisture content and water absorption were evaluated and compared at different glycerol/starch ratio. The compatibility of the glycerol as the plasticizer in the TPSS was proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) where glycerol could form stable hydrogen bond with sago starch. This preliminary study demonstrated that the stress at maximum load was only applicable for lower glycerol/starch ratio of 30/70. The density of TPSS was inversely proportional to the increment of glycerol/starch ratio whereas moisture content and water absorption had opposite relationship.
Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat of TPNR Hybrid Nanocomposites at Different Temperatures
Authors: Tarawneh Mou'ad A. , Ahmad Sahrim H. , Ku Ahmad Ku Zarina , Norita Hassan
Published: October 2012

This paper discusses the inclusion of hybrid nanofillers nanoclay and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as reinforcing agents to improve the thermal properties of TPNR. The laser flash technique was also employed to determine the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity of the nanocomposite. Two types of hybrid nanofillers were introduced into TPNR, which are untreated hybrid composites (UTH) prepared from MWNTs (without acid treatment)-nanoclay and treated hybrid composites (TH), consisting of acid treated MWNTs and nanoclay. The thermal properties of treated hybrid composites are better than untreated hybrid composites. The thermal conductivity of untreated hybrid composites that were sintered at 30 to 150 oC did not show a monotonous change with MWNTs as the filler has a high thermal conductivity compared to nanoclay. The results showed that the thermal diffusivity decreased with the increasing of temperature. The specific heat of all the measured samples increases linearly with the measured temperature from 30°C to 150°C.
The Surface Morphology and Electrical Properties of Nanostructured CuI Thin Films by Intermittently Sprayed Solution Concentration
Authors: Nur Amalina Muhamad , Rasheid N.A. , Rusop Mahmood Mohamad
Published: October 2012

The CuI thin films were prepared by a spraying method with acetonitirile as a solvent and CuI as reagents. The parameter investigated in this research is the effect of spraying method either continuously or intermittently sprayed. The influence of spraying method and solution concentration on the surface morphology and electrical properties of CuI thin films were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and 2 point probe I-V measurement. Nanoparticle CuI was observed for all the thin films prepared. The EDX spectrum confirmed the existence of Cu and I elements. The resistivity of order 10-1 to 100 Ω cm was obtained for the CuI thin film deposited by the spraying technique. The CuI thin films also showed a photoresponse characteristic when measured under illumination condition. These results imply that the prepared CuI thin film deposited by spraying technique exhibit excellent conductivity with nanostructured particles seen.
Effects of Calcination Parameters on the Microstructure and Morphology of PZT Nanoparticles Prepared by Modified Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Shakeri Amid , Abdizadeh Hossein , Golobostanfard Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2012

Lead zirconate titanate nanopowder Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (PZT) was prepared by modified sol-gel method with 1-propanol as solvent and acetylacetone as stabilizer. The microstructure and particle size measurements at different heat treatment conditions were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that the PZT nanoparticles calcinated at 600 °C showed mean diameter of 75-125 nm with high crystallinity of perovskite-type structure.
Solvothermal Synthesized of TiO2 Microspheres and their Characterization
Authors: Asiah Mohd Nor , Achoi M.F. , Abdullah Saifollah , Rusop M.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we have successfully synthesized TiO2 microsperes by solvothermal method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide as titanium source and ethanol as a solvent. The solution was thermally treated at relatively low temperature of 150 °C for 3 hours. The as-prepared and annealed of TiO2 microsphere were characterized using FESEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The diameter of the microspheres was 1-6 µm. The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies show that the microspheres has anatase phase.