bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Computerized Order Entry System Was Adopted with High User Satisfaction at an Orthopedic Teaching Hospital
Authors: Murray-Weir Mary , Magid Steven , Robbins Laura , Quinlan Patricia , Sanchez-Villagomez Pamela , Shaha Steven H.
Published: January 2014

Background

Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) has been considered essential for the reduction of medical errors and increased patient safety. Assessment of staff perception regarding a CPOE system is important for satisfaction and adoption. Incorporation of user feedback can greatly improve the functionality of a system and promote user satisfaction.

Questions/Purposes

This study aims to develop an informatics staff satisfaction survey instrument and to understand what components of computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) contribute to staff satisfaction and its variability over time.

Methods

The 22-question survey was developed by a multidisciplinary group and focused on patient data including demographics, orders, medications, laboratory, and radiology data. The questions were designed to understand if clinicians (1) could easily access the information needed to properly take care of patients, (2) could act upon the information once acquired, (3) could obtain the information clearly, and (4) were alerted to potential errors. The survey was distributed just prior to “go-live,” 6 and 12 months after go-live. Responses were given on a five-point Likert scale.

Results

The survey results post-implementation showed user satisfaction with CPOE. Satisfaction regarding the ease of obtaining orders, medication, and lab data had a significant improvement at 6 and 12 months post-implementation, p < 0.001. Satisfaction that the computerized order entry system provided information needed to take care of their patients improved, p < 0.01. At 1 year post-implementation, user satisfaction declined from 6 months earlier but still demonstrated an overall increase in satisfaction from pre-implementation.

Conclusion

Compared prior to go-live, clinicians are satisfied or very satisfied across multiple spheres and multiple disciplines. At all time points, clinicians were able to obtain information required to take care of their patients. However, post-go-live, it was easier to obtain and act upon as well as more clear and understandable.
Radiographic Indicators of a Shared Epiphysis in Radial Polydactyly
Authors: Johnson Michael H. , Melvani Roshan T. , Patel Neil N. , Cheng Christine J. , Hutchison Richard L.
Published: January 2014

Background

Thumb epiphyses cannot be visualized on radiographs in infants with radial polydactyly, making it difficult to classify by Wassel type. The purpose of this study was to identify radiographic features that distinguish a separate epiphysis from a shared epiphysis. This may assist in operative planning and establishing prognosis.

Methods

The charts of 34 radial polydactyly patients treated with surgical reconstruction from 2008 through 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements of the most proximal bones involved in the duplication, including length, width at shaft, width at base, distance between radial and ulnar thumb, and angle between radial and ulnar thumb, were taken from PA radiographs of the thumb by four blinded individuals. The interclass correlation coefficient was calculated to determine inter-observer reliability. Operative notes were reviewed to distinguish between shared and separate epiphyses. Several indices were created from these measurements.

Results

Radiographic measurements showed high ***interobserver reliability. There were statistically significant differences between patients with separate and shared epiphyses for indices for the width shaft index, interspace distance, the angle×interspace distance, and the angle×interspace index.

Conclusion

Radiographic differences exist between children with separate and shared epiphyses. In patients with shared epiphyses, the radial thumb tends to be smaller, closer to the ulnar thumb, and less divergent. Threshold values were identified for predicting the status of the epiphysis based on the angle×interspace distance and the angle×interspace index. These values may be used to help determine in advance of surgery if a shared epiphysis exists.
Cardiovascular Screening Practices in Collegiate Student‐Athletes
Authors: Charboneau Megan L. , Mencias Tara , Hoch Anne Z.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To evaluate screening practices and preparticipation evaluation (PPE) forms used to identify, or raise suspicion of, cardiovascular abnormalities in collegiate student‐athletes.

Design

Phone and e‐mail survey.

Setting

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I universities.

Participants

All 347 NCAA Division I universities were invited to participate in 2010‐2011; 257 universities (74%) elected to participate.

Main Outcome Measures

Information about the preparticipation screening process was obtained from team physicians and/or certified athletic trainers. PPE forms were evaluated for the inclusion of the 12 specific American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for cardiovascular screening of competitive athletes from the 2007 AHA Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism consensus panel endorsed by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Results

All 257 participating universities (100%) required preparticipation screening for freshman and transfer athletes, and 83 universities (32%) required an annual PPE for returning athletes. The PPE was performed on campus at 85% of the universities, whereas 15% of universities allowed the PPE to be completed by the athlete's choice of physician before he or she arrived on campus. Eleven universities (4%) used the recently updated American College of Sports Medicine 4th edition PPE. Sixteen universities (6%) used the American College of Sports Medicine 3rd edition PPE. The remaining 260 universities (90%) did not use either of these forms. Of the 257 Division I universities, only 21 universities (8%) met the AHA recommendations by including all 12 cardiovascular screening items on their PPE forms.

Conclusion

The majority (92%) of NCAA Division I universities do not use PPE forms that meet the AHA recommendations for cardiovascular screening; therefore, they may not be effectively screening collegiate student‐athletes for cardiovascular abnormalities that could lead to sudden cardiac death.
Commercial users of functional programming workshop report
Authors: SPERBER MICHAEL , MADHAVAPEDDY ANIL
Published: January 2014

Commercial Users of Functional Programming (CUFP) is an annual workshop that is aimed at the community of software developers who use functional programming in real-world settings. This scribe report covers the talks that were delivered at the 2012 workshop, which was held in association with International Conference on Functional Programming (ICFP) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The goal of the report is to give the reader a sense of what went on, rather than to reproduce the full details of the talks. Videos and slides from all the talks are available online at http://cufp.org.
Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury Induces Occludin Phosphorylation/Ubiquitination and Retinal Vascular Permeability in a VEGFR-2-Dependent Manner
Authors: Muthusamy Arivalagan , Lin Cheng-Mao , Shanmugam Sumathi , Lindner Heather M , Abcouwer Steven F , Antonetti David A
Published: January 2014

Retinal ischemia–reperfusion (IR) induces neurodegenaration as well as blood–retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown causing vascular permeability. Whereas the neuronal death has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms related to BRB breakdown in IR injury remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the early changes in tight junctional (TJ) proteins in response to IR injury. Ischemia–reperfusion injury was induced in male rat retinas by increasing the intraocular pressure for 45 minutes followed by natural reperfusion. The results demonstrate that IR injury induced occludin Ser490 phosphorylation and ubiquitination within 15 minutes of reperfusion with subsequent vascular permeability. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a rapid increase in occludin Ser490 phosphorylation and loss of Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein, particularly in arterioles. Ischemia–reperfusion injury also rapidly induced the activation and phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) at tyrosine 1175. Blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) function by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab prevented VEGFR-2 activation, occludin phosphorylation, and vascular permeability. These studies suggest a novel mechanism of occludin Ser490 phosphorylation and ubiquitination downstream of VEGFR2 activation associated with early IR-induced vascular permeability.
γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Concentration Inversely Correlates with Basal Perfusion in Human Occipital Lobe
Authors: Donahue Manus J , Rane Swati , Hussey Erin , Mason Emily , Pradhan Subechhya , Waddell Kevin W , Ally Brandon A
Published: January 2014

Commonly used neuroimaging approaches in humans exploit hemodynamic or metabolic indicators of brain function. However, fundamental gaps remain in our ability to relate such hemo-metabolic reactivity to neurotransmission, with recent reports providing paradoxical information regarding the relationship among basal perfusion, functional imaging contrast, and neurotransmission in awake humans. Here, sequential magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurements of the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA+macromolecules normalized by the complex N-acetyl aspartate- N-acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid: [GABA+]/[NAA–NAAG]), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of perfusion, fractional gray-matter volume, and arterial arrival time (AAT) are recorded in human visual cortex from a controlled cohort of young adult male volunteers with neurocognitive battery-confirmed comparable cognitive capacity (3 T; n=16; age=23±3 years). Regression analyses reveal an inverse correlation between [GABA+]/[NAA–NAAG] and perfusion ( R=−0.46; P=0.037), yet no relationship between AAT and [GABA+]/[NAA–NAAG] ( R=−0.12; P=0.33). Perfusion measurements that do not control for AAT variations reveal reduced correlations between [GABA+]/[NAA–NAAG] and perfusion ( R=−0.13; P=0.32). These findings largely reconcile contradictory reports between perfusion and inhibitory tone, and underscore the physiologic origins of the growing literature relating functional imaging signals, hemodynamics, and neurotransmission.
Tsunami: Ocean dynamo generator
Authors: Sugioka Hiroko , Hamano Yozo , Baba Kiyoshi , Kasaya Takafumi , Tada Noriko , Suetsugu Daisuke
Published: January 2014

Secondary magnetic fields are induced by the flow of electrically conducting seawater through the Earth's primary magnetic field (‘ocean dynamo effect’) and hence it has long been speculated that tsunami flows should produce measurable magnetic field perturbations, although the signal-to-noise ratio would be small because of the influence of the solar magnetic fields. Here, we report on the detection of deep-seafloor electromagnetic perturbations of 10-micron-order induced by a tsunami, which propagated through a seafloor electromagnetometer array network. The observed data extracted tsunami characteristics, including the direction and velocity of propagation as well as sea-level change, first to verify the induction theory. Presently, offshore observation systems for the early forecasting of tsunami are based on the sea-level measurement by seafloor pressure gauges. In terms of tsunami forecasting accuracy, the integration of vectored electromagnetic measurements into existing scalar observation systems would represent a substantial improvement in the performance of tsunami early-warning systems.
Ce doping influence on the magnetic phase transition in In2S3:Ce nanoparticles
Authors: Yao Binbin , Wang Pan , Wang Shuangming , Zhang Mingzhe
Published: January 2014

The classical thermally driven transition from supermagnetic to blocked supermagnetic and quantum phase transition from magnetic long-range order to quantum superparamagnetic state have been observed in ultrasmall In2S3:Ce diluted magnetic semiconductors.
Plasmons in graphene on uniaxial substrates
Authors: Arrazola I. , Hillenbrand R. , Nikitin A. Yu.
Published: January 2014

Placing graphene on uniaxial substrates may have interesting application potential for graphene-based photonic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we analytically derive the dispersion relation for graphene plasmons on uniaxial substrates and discuss their momentum, propagation length, and polarization as a function of frequency, propagation direction, and both ordinary and extraordinary dielectric permittivities of the substrate. We find that the plasmons exhibit an anisotropic propagation, yielding radially asymmetric field patterns when a point emitter launches plasmons in the graphene layer.
Underdetermination, Black Boxes, and Measurement
Authors: Miyake Teru
Published: January 2014

This article introduces the notion of a kind of inference called black box measurement and argues that it is both historically and philosophically significant. Thinking about certain classic cases of underdetermination using this notion can give us a better understanding of how these cases are resolved. I take the main philosophical problem of black box measurement to be the justification of assumptions that are needed in order to make these measurements. I sketch some ways in which such enabling assumptions might be justified.
Young measure solutions for a class of forward-backward convection-diffusion equations
Authors: Wang Chunpeng , Nie Yuanyuan , Yin Jingxue
Published: January 2014

This paper is devoted to the first initial boundary value problems of a class of forward-backward convection-diffusion equations. The existence theorem and the continuous dependence theorem of Young measure solutions are established.
On flaw tolerance of nacre: a theoretical study
Authors: Shao Yue , Zhao Hong-Ping , Feng Xi-Qiao
Published: January 2014

As a natural composite, nacre has an elegant staggered ‘brick-and-mortar’ microstructure consisting of mineral platelets glued by organic macromolecules, which endows the material with superior mechanical properties to achieve its biological functions. In this paper, a microstructure-based crack-bridging model is employed to investigate how the strength of nacre is affected by pre-existing structural defects. Our analysis demonstrates that owing to its special microstructure and the toughening effect of platelets, nacre has a superior flaw-tolerance feature. The maximal crack size that does not evidently reduce the tensile strength of nacre is up to tens of micrometres, about three orders higher than that of pure aragonite. Through dimensional analysis, a non-dimensional parameter is proposed to quantify the flaw-tolerance ability of nacreous materials in a wide range of structural parameters. This study provides us some inspirations for optimal design of advanced biomimetic composites.
Nanofilaments on glioblastoma exosomes revealed by peak force microscopy
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Das Kingshuk , Woo JungReem , Gimzewski James K.
Published: January 2014

Exosomes are sub-100 nm extracellular vesicles secreted by normal and cancer cells. We present a high-resolution structure of previously unidentified nanofilaments on glioblastoma-derived exosomes, using nanoscale peak force imaging. These stiff, adhesive, trypsin- and RNAse-resistant surface nanofilaments add a new dimension to the current structural knowledge of exosome-mediated intercellular communication.
Retirement investment theory explains patterns in songbird nest-site choice
Authors: Streby Henry M. , Refsnider Jeanine M. , Peterson Sean M. , Andersen David E.
Published: January 2014

When opposing evolutionary selection pressures act on a behavioural trait, the result is often stabilizing selection for an intermediate optimal phenotype, with deviations from the predicted optimum attributed to tracking a moving target, development of behavioural syndromes or shifts in riskiness over an individual's lifetime. We investigated nest-site choice by female golden-winged warblers, and the selection pressures acting on that choice by two fitness components, nest success and fledgling survival. We observed strong and consistent opposing selection pressures on nest-site choice for maximizing these two fitness components, and an abrupt, within-season switch in the fitness component birds prioritize via nest-site choice, dependent on the time remaining for additional nesting attempts. We found that females consistently deviated from the predicted optimal behaviour when choosing nest sites because they can make multiple attempts at one fitness component, nest success, but only one attempt at the subsequent component, fledgling survival. Our results demonstrate a unique natural strategy for balancing opposing selection pressures to maximize total fitness. This time-dependent switch from high to low risk tolerance in nest-site choice maximizes songbird fitness in the same way a well-timed switch in human investor risk tolerance can maximize one's nest egg at retirement. Our results also provide strong evidence for the adaptive nature of songbird nest-site choice, which we suggest has been elusive primarily due to a lack of consideration for fledgling survival.
Catch the wave: prairie dogs assess neighbours’ awareness using contagious displays
Authors: Hare James F. , Campbell Kevin L. , Senkiw Robert W.
Published: January 2014

The jump–yip display of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) is contagious, spreading through a prairie dog town as ‘the wave’ through a stadium. Because contagious communication in primates serves to assess conspecific social awareness, we investigated whether instigators of jump–yip bouts adjusted their behaviour relative to the response of conspecifics recruited to display bouts. Increased responsiveness of neighbouring town members resulted in bout initiators devoting a significantly greater proportion of time to active foraging. Contagious jump–yips thus function to assess neighbours’ alertness, soliciting social information to assess effective conspecific group size in real time and reveal active probing of conspecific awareness consistent with theory of mind in these group-living rodents.
Infectious disease agents mediate interaction in food webs and ecosystems
Authors: Selakovic Sanja , de Ruiter Peter C. , Heesterbeek Hans
Published: January 2014

Infectious agents are part of food webs and ecosystems via the relationship with their host species that, in turn, interact with both hosts and non-hosts. Through these interactions, infectious agents influence food webs in terms of structure, functioning and stability. The present literature shows a broad range of impacts of infectious agents on food webs, and by cataloguing that range, we worked towards defining the various mechanisms and their specific effects. To explore the impact, a direct approach is to study changes in food-web properties with infectious agents as separate species in the web, acting as additional nodes, with links to their host species. An indirect approach concentrates not on adding new nodes and links, but on the ways that infectious agents affect the existing links across host and non-host nodes, by influencing the ‘quality’ of consumer–resource interaction as it depends on the epidemiological state host involved. Both approaches are natural from an ecological point of view, but the indirect approach may connect more straightforwardly to commonly used tools in infectious disease dynamics.
Species detection and individual assignment in species delimitation: can integrative data increase efficacy?
Authors: Edwards Danielle L. , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: January 2014

Statistical species delimitation usually relies on singular data, primarily genetic, for detecting putative species and individual assignment to putative species. Given the variety of speciation mechanisms, singular data may not adequately represent the genetic, morphological and ecological diversity relevant to species delimitation. We describe a methodological framework combining multivariate and clustering techniques that uses genetic, morphological and ecological data to detect and assign individuals to putative species. Our approach recovers a similar number of species recognized using traditional, qualitative taxonomic approaches that are not detected when using purely genetic methods. Furthermore, our approach detects groupings that traditional, qualitative taxonomic approaches do not. This empirical test suggests that our approach to detecting and assigning individuals to putative species could be useful in species delimitation despite varying levels of differentiation across genetic, phenotypic and ecological axes. This work highlights a critical, and often overlooked, aspect of the process of statistical species delimitation—species detection and individual assignment. Irrespective of the species delimitation approach used, all downstream processing relies on how individuals are initially assigned, and the practices and statistical issues surrounding individual assignment warrant careful consideration.
Drug‐induced long QT syndrome and fatal arrhythmias in the intensive care unit
Authors: BEITLAND S , PLATOU E. S. , SUNDE K.
Published: January 2014

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic or acquired condition characterised by a prolonged QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and is associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death because of polymorph ventricular tachyarrhythmia called Torsade de Pointes arrhythmia. Drug‐induced LQTS can occur as a side effect of commonly used cardiac and non‐cardiac drugs in predisposed patients, often with baseline QT prolongation lengthened by medication and/or electrolyte disturbances. Hospitalised patients often have several risk factors for proarrhythmic response, such as advanced age and structural heart disease. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are particularly prone to develop drug induced LQTS because they receive several different intravenous medications. Additionally, they might have impaired drug elimination because of reduced kidney and/or liver function, and also drug‐drug‐interactions. The clinical symptoms and signs of LQTS range from asymptomatic patients to sudden death because of malignant arrhythmias, and it is therefore important to recognise the clinical characteristics and typical ECG changes. Treatment of acquired LQTS is mainly awareness, identification and discontinuation of QT prolonging drugs, in addition to eventually supplement of magnesium and potassium. Overdrive cardiac pacing is highly effective in preventing recurrences, and antiarrhythmic drugs should be avoided. Recent data suggest that QT prolongation is quite common in ICU patients and adversely affects patient mortality. Thus, high‐risk patients should be sufficiently monitored, and the use of medications known to cause drug‐induced LQTS might have to be restricted.
Parametric likelihood inference for interval censored competing risks data
Authors: Hudgens Michael G. , Li Chenxi , Fine Jason P.
Published: January 2014

Parametric estimation of the cumulative incidence function (CIF) is considered for competing risks data subject to interval censoring. Existing parametric models of the CIF for right censored competing risks data are adapted to the general case of interval censoring. Maximum likelihood estimators for the CIF are considered under the assumed models, extending earlier work on nonparametric estimation. A simple naive likelihood estimator is also considered that utilizes only part of the observed data. The naive estimator enables separate estimation of models for each cause, unlike full maximum likelihood in which all models are fit simultaneously. The naive likelihood is shown to be valid under mixed case interval censoring, but not under an independent inspection process model, in contrast with full maximum likelihood which is valid under both interval censoring models. In simulations, the naive estimator is shown to perform well and yield comparable efficiency to the full likelihood estimator in some settings. The methods are applied to data from a large, recent randomized clinical trial for the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV.
Transnational Organizing: A Case Study of Contract Workers in the Colombian Mining Industry
Authors: Cotton Elizabeth , Royle Tony
Published: January 2014

This article examines recent organizing successes in theCarbones delCerrejón coal mine, reversing the organizational crisis of theColombian mining union,Sintracarbon. UsingWever's concept of ‘field‐enlarging strategies’, we argue that these events were facilitated by the dissemination of organizing experiences between affiliates of aGlobalUnionFederation, International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which recently merged to formIndustriALL. Additionally, we argue that this articulation between international and national unions, based on the principle of subsidiarity, was facilitated through sustainedICEMeducational project activity, providing multiple entry points forSintracarbon to operationalize its strategy and re‐establish bargaining with multinational employers.
Effectiveness of Community Forestry in Prey Long Forest, Cambodia
Authors: LAMBRICK FRANCES H. , BROWN NICK D. , LAWRENCE ANNA , BEBBER DANIEL P.
Published: January 2014

Cambodia has 57% forest cover, the second highest in the Greater Mekong region, and a high deforestation rate (1.2%/year, 2005–2010). Community forestry (CF) has been proposed as a way to reduce deforestation and support livelihoods through local management of forests. CF is expanding rapidly in Cambodia. The National Forests Program aims to designate one million hectares of forest to CF by 2030. However, the effectiveness of CF in conservation is not clear due to a global lack of controlled comparisons, multiple meanings of CF, and the context‐specific nature of CF implementation. We assessed the effectiveness of CF by comparing 9 CF sites with paired controls in state production forest in the area of Prey Long forest, Cambodia. We assessed forest condition in 18–20 randomly placed variable‐radius plots and fixed‐area regeneration plots. We surveyed 10% of households in each of the 9 CF villages to determine the proportion that used forest products, as a measure of household dependence on the forest. CF sites had fewer signs of anthropogenic damage (cut stems, stumps, and burned trees), higher aboveground biomass, more regenerating stems, and reduced canopy openness than control areas. Abundance of economically valuable species, however, was higher in control sites. We used survey results and geographic parameters to model factors affecting CF outcomes. Interaction between management type, CF or control, and forest dependence indicated that CF was more effective in cases where the community relied on forest products for subsistence use and income.

Efectividad de la Silvicultura Comunal en el Bosque Prey Long, Camboya
Tissue Specific Localization Expression of SOC1 Gene in Oil Palm
Authors: Rahmat Zaidah , Ling Ma Nyuk , Kulaveerasingam Harikrishan , Syed Alwee Sharifah Shahrul Rabiah , Abdullah Meilina Ong
Published: January 2014

The oil palm industry has been affected by abnormality in its clonal palm. Oil palm abnormality which arose from in vitro regeneration was first detected during flowering process. In this study, localized expression of an oil palm homologue of SOC1 gene was investigated using in situ RNA hybridization. Tissue specific localization expression of OPSOC1and OPSOC1-3’ showed that SOC1 is expressed in both normal and abnormal flower. The gene is highly expressed in abnormal oil palm flower throughout flower initiation and development. The role of SOC1 in inducing floral organ and its expression pattern provides a better understanding of regulation of OPSOC1 in normal and abnormal oil palm flower.
Single Frequency Network Evaluations For Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS) Implementation In Outdoor and Indoor Area
Authors: Ibrahim Amirudin , Seman Norhudah , Chee Yen Leow
Published: January 2014

This paper presents the investigation of Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS) implementation and its development in Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Where, it is using all the LTE advantages such as high data rates for Uplink and Downlink, and mobile support. The implementation of MBMS in LTE has improved all the problems occurred in the previous technology and introduce new alternative in broadcasting technology as well. In addition to that, the transmission mode known as Single Frequency Network (SFN) is used to improve the performance of the MBMS signal received by users in indoor and outdoor area. The evaluation on outdoor area concerns from the Base Station (BS) to the cell edge area. The investigation of data rate for certain number of user equipment is carried out at five different frequencies using SEAMCAT simulator. Then, the Signal Interference to Noise Ratio (SINR) is evaluated for three different users, which located at three different locations using MATLAB.
Absorption Cross Section Simulation: a Preliminary Study of Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy for Ozone Gas Measurement
Authors: En Marcus Tay Ching , David Michael , Yaacob Maslina , Salim Mohd Rashidi , Ibrahim Mohd Haniff , Ngajikin Nor Hafizah , Azmi Asrul Izam
Published: January 2014

Preliminary study to measure gaseous ozone concentration using ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy is presented. Firstly, background of ozone is introduced. Next, fundamental theory behind ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy is discussed based on Beer-Lambert’s Law and absorption spectrum of ozone. After that, absorption cross section of ozone is simulated via spectralcalc.com. Temperature of system is varied. Peak absorption cross section and peak absorption wavelength are found to be 1.166 ´ 10-21 m2 molecule-1 and 255.376 nm respectively at 300 K and 0 torr. Absorption cross section in ultraviolet region shows slight variation of at most 1.286 per cent when temperature is changed from 200 K to 300 K. Around room temperature, peak absorption cross section simulated in current work is consistent with previous work, because relative error is found to be small in between 1.630 per cent and 3.087 per cent. Unlike previous work, absorption of light by ozone is detected in ultraviolet region only due to weak absorption in visible region.
Thermal Image and Leakage Current Diagnostic as a Tool for Testing and Condition Monitoring of ZnO Surge Arrester
Authors: N. Novizon , Abdul Malek Zulkurnain , Bashir Nouruddeen , Asilah N.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a study proposing a method to assess the condition of metal-oxide surge arresters. Thermal data using thermal imaging as well as the leakage current third harmonic component were used as tools to investigate the surge arrester aging condition.  Artificial Neural Network was employed to classify surge arrester condition with the temperature profile, ambient temperature and humidity as inputs and third harmonic leakage current as target. The results indicated a strong relationship between the thermal profile and leakage current of the surge arrester. This finding suggests the viability of this method in condition monitoring of surge arrester.
Pearl-chain-type Trees in Silicone Gel Under AC Voltage
Authors: Fujii Masaharu , Ihori Haruo , Jeon Hyeon-Gu
Published: January 2014

The tree growth has been usually classified to three stages; inception, propagation and runaway stage under AV voltage. When the two-dimensional (2-D) specimen of silicone rubber was used, the propagation stage was divided to two stages: straight and isotropic growth stages. 2-D specimen is useful to observe AC trees with many branches since the number of the branches of AC tree is usually larger than DC and impulse tree. When the silicone rubber is fabricated, two types of silicone gel is mixed up; one includes catalytic agent. If the mixed ratio is changed from 1:1, silicone rubber has fluidity or viscosity. In theses cases, breakdown or partial discharge phenomena also change. Under certain conditions of gel, tree has been developing with bubble-like and string-like pattern alternatively. This tree is called pearl-chain-like tree. At first the tree developed like bubble and then a projection like cone was generated on the surface of the bubble. The tip of the cone expanded and formed a new bubble. This process was repeated. If two tips of the cone are formed on the surface of the bubble, the branching occurs. The shape of tree is like pearl-chain.  The pattern of the tree is usually string (or straight) channel and branching. However In the pearl-chain like tree, string channel has consisted of two channels; bubble and string. Branching has occurred at bubbles. These data is important to investigate the mechanism of tree.
Solar Array and Battery Sizing for a Photovoltaic Building in Malaysia
Authors: Nabipour Afrouzi Hadi , Vahabi Mashak Saeed , Abdul-Malek Zulkurnain , Mehranzamir Kamyar , Salimi Behnam
Published: January 2014

Renewable energy plays an important role in the national energy policy especially in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For a photovoltaic (PV) system, one important consideration is the cost of the system. One needs to select the best PV array from a range of selection, that is, the one which is the most efficient and with a best price. This article illustrates a method to compute the size and cost of a required PV array, and then after to compute the required battery for the case of a photovoltaic building in Malaysia. The computation is simulated using Matlab integrated with suitable mathematical equations. The generated current and power of the PV array are calculated for daily solar irradiation in Malaysia. The computation enables the user to quickly compute the initial cost needed to be spent if a given PV system is to be installed. A typical building requiring 12 kWh daily energy with 6 kW peak demand load was shown to need at least 114 solar modules at a cost of about RM53k. It is noted that the main cost of the whole PV system is mainly contributed by the cost of the chosen PV array. Hence, the right choice of a PV module is vital in achieving the minimum cost.
Development and Study on Transformer Characteristics of A High Repetition Pulse Generator
Authors: Sidik Muhammad Abu Bakar , Shahroom Hamizah , Ahmad Hussein , Buntat Zolkafle , Iqbal Zafar , Samosir A. S. , Nawawi Zainuddin , Jambak Muhammad 'Irfan
Published: January 2014

High repetition pulse/ high frequency generators are of great interest for scientific and technological applications, including high voltage devices. This paper addresses the design and development of a high repetition pulse generator using a PIC microcontroller (PIC 16F877A). The PIC microcontroller generates two PWM pulses to drive the IGBTs through the optocouplers, which can perform fast switching in high voltage devices with low switching losses. The voltage and current supplied by the optocouplers make it perfectly suitable for the driving operations of IGBTs. Experiments were carried out to test its efficiency, and the waveforms of high repetition pulse frequency were observed by oscilloscope. The results of its operation present that the system could be used in the frequency range 2kHz < f < 200kHz. The system was also simulated by a Matlab Simulink model, in which two types of transformer were introduced to predict its validity in real operation with high voltage devices. The simulated results of the designed pulse generator show that the ignition coil transformer is more suitable than other iron core transformers for a high voltage with high pulse frequency. The system could be easily integrated with other high voltage devices to produce high pulsed frequency high voltages.
An Experimental Study on Surface Discharge Characteristics of Different Types of Polymeric Material under AC Voltage
Authors: Baharin N. , Arief Y. Z. , Izzati W. A. , Makmud M. Z. H. , Adzis Z. , Sidik M. A. B.
Published: January 2014

Surface discharge is a common electrical discharge that normally occurs on the surface of outdoor insulators and also causes the failure in the electrical insulation system. One of the causes of surface discharge is the presence of high voltage stress. Experimental works had been carried out to examine the surface discharge characteristics on polymeric samples as insulation material. The IEC (b) electrode configuration had been used to investigate the surface discharges phenomena of different types of polymeric materials with controlled of air relative humidity (RH). In these experimental works, three types of polymeric sample were selected, namely high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and polystyrene (PS), respectively. The characteristics of the discharge are critically depending on the types of polymer. Surface discharges intensity, number of discharge occurrence, and surface morphology of each polymeric material were also investigated. Comparisons of these electrical characteristics were conducted among the samples. Results from the experiment showed that the EVA samples experienced severe degradation as compared to HDPE and PS samples.
Electric Potential Distribution of Electrical Capacitance Tomography System at the Centre of Pipe Based on Segmented Excitation
Authors: Mohammad Din Shahrulnizahani , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Pei Ling Leow
Published: January 2014

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is one of the systems used to inspect closed pipe flow. This paper will present the proposed segmented excitation of electrodes with a focus on the low resolution problem.  Modelling of 8, 12 and 16 electrodes is done using COMSOL Multiphysics. The number of excitation electrodes is increased until half of the electrodes are excited at the same time. The electrical potential distribution is analyzed and the voltage value at the centre of the pipe is captured. The results show that there is improvement of electrical potential and voltage value in proportion to the number of electrodes excited at the same.
A Novel Electrical Cpacitance Sensor Design For Dual Modality Tomography Multiphase Measurement
Authors: Pusppanathan Muhammad Jaysuman , Yunus Fazlul Rahman , Nor Ayob Nor Muzakkir , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Phang Fatin Aliah , Abdul Rahim Herlina , Ling Leow Pei , Abas Khairul Hamimah
Published: January 2014

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is one of process tomography technique which is developed rapidly in recent years. ECT is an imaging technique to obtain the internal permittivity distribution of a vessel or pipe by using capacitance electrodes sensor. This method has been integrated with ultrasonic tomography as multimodality system to perform multiphase flow measurement such as crude oil separation and oil process industry. In the present paper, a novel type of ECT sensor was developed using copper FR4 material. The electrode sensors can be flexibly bend or curve to fit the pipe surface for optimum measurement. Thus, every single sensor strip is designed to be functioned independently. Such system has lower sensing capability in the central of the sensing area which often contributes to poor imaging result. This problem can be overcome by combining the ECT with ultrasonic tomography to form a dual modality tomography system. By implementing the new ECT sensor, multiphase flow measurement image results can be achieved. The reconstructed image results are presented in this paper.
Overview of Path-Goal Leadership Theory
Authors: Talal Ratyan Alanazi, , Khalaf Bandar , Rasli Amran
Published: January 2014

The role of leadership is very important, and it can affect the ecology of their organizations, business and employees. Effective Leadership can affect the subordinate satisfaction, motivation and performance. This study focuses on Path-Goal theory which is categorized under contingency approach. The theory proposed that the behavior of leaderships can be exercised in different situations and times by the same leader. Many studies have been conducted to test and verify the theory. In spite of the appealing nature of the path-goal theory, the empirical tests were difficult. The different ways for constructing the theory explain clearly some of the contradictions in theory testing. However, the fundamental empirical researches conducted to test the path-goal theory have proposed a necessity for further refinement for the path-goal theory.
Influence of Online Shopping Behavior Factors on E-Satisfaction of Customer
Authors: Mobarakabadi Houshang , Karami Meisam , Maleki Far Shaghayegh , Yarkarami Khodadad
Published: January 2014

This research has recommended a conceptual framework for considering the online buying behavior factors which they are namely privacy, trust, perceived value and the firm reputation that they have an impact on the electronic satisfaction of customers. To test the conceptual framework, SPSS has been used to analyze the data collected from 146 online buyer customers in Malaysia. The results of the study indicate online buying behavior factors which they are namely privacy, trust, perceived value and the firm reputation are significantly and positively related to e-satisfaction of the customer. Moreover, according to the demographic characteristics it can be guidance for the online business firms or organization to identify the problems to take actions to attract more online shopping consumers in Malaysia.
Religiosity and Intention to Whistle Blow among Malaysian Managers
Authors: Zainudin Zulhilmi , Ismail Hashanah
Published: January 2014

This paper examines the relationship between religiosity and intention to whistle blow among Malaysian managers. Based on 130 responses and using a modified Glock and Starks’ religiosity index, the study finds that religiosity and seriousness of wrongdoings are not significantly related to whistle blowing intention. Muslim managers prefer to resolve frauds in stages with wrongdoers being counseled and inculcating a more positive work culture rather than to whistle blow.
A Conceptual Model of Customer Behavioral Intentions: Moderating Effects of Switching Barriers and Social Ties
Authors: Mat Dawi Norazryana , Jusoh Ahmad , Md Nor Khalil
Published: January 2014

Service quality and customer satisfaction are believed to affect customer behavior. On that basis, research related to service quality and customer satisfaction whether in manufacturing or services sector continued to gain great attention among social science researchers and academicians. One of the main research focus in marketing field is  to get a better understanding in the dynamic relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction and their impact on customer behavior. The effect of switching barriers imposed by service provider to the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer behavioral intentions has received a considerable attention but it is still in the matter of debate. Review of the literature showed a little research has been done to measure the effect of social switching barrier as a result from interaction between customers who share same service. This paper proposed a conceptual framework which explained how the concept of switching barriers and social ties moderating the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer’s behavioral intentions in a pay TV setting. The findings of this article would provide important implications to the service provider. More importantly, based on the obtained results, service provider can enhance performance by improving the current strategies on customer relationship management.
Higher Education and Knowledge Economy: A Focus on Nigeria
Authors: Danjuma Ibrahim , Rasli Amran
Published: January 2014

The objective of this article was to discuss the roles of higher education institutions towards a knowledge-based Nigerian economy in the fast changing globalised economy. In achieving this objective, issues that drive knowledge in developed countries and the need for Nigeria to adopt a knowledge-based approach to economic development were examined. Suggestions on strategies for developing a knowledge-driven economy were offered accordingly.
Rangka Kerja Objek Pembelajaran Boleh Guna Semula: Pengujian Pendekatan Kejuruteraan Perisian
Authors: Mat Noor Siti Fadzilah , Yusof Norazah , Mohd Hashim Siti Zaiton
Published: January 2014

Perkembangan e-pembelajaran masa kini telah mewujudkan beberapa repositori objek pembelajaran di Web yang menyediakan bahan pembelajaran yang boleh dicapai oleh pengguna pada bila-bila masa. Bahan pembelajaran ini seharusnya boleh dikongsi serta digunakan semula untuk pembinaan bahan pembelajaran dalam konteks yang berlainan. Namun pembangun sering menghadapi kesukaran untuk mengguna semula bahan pembelajaran dalam repositori ini kerana kebanyakan bahannya adalah dalam bentuk satu kandungan kursus yang besar. Kajian mencadangkan rangka kerja objek pembelajaran boleh guna semula yang melaksanakan proses pengranularan dan proses guna semula objek pembelajaran. Pengranularan yang dicadangkan terdiri daripada tiga proses utama iaitu pengekstrakan, pemilihan dan penkategorian objek pembelajaran serta penganotasian metadata. Kaedah ini telah berjaya menukarkan satu kandungan kursus yang besar kepada objek pembelajaran yang kecil seperti teks dalam perenggan, imej dan animasi. Seterusnya pengujian boleh guna semula menggunakan kaedah metrik guna semula dalam bidang kejuruteraan perisian, empat jenis metrik untuk mengukur tahap guna semula telah dirumus iaitu Kaedah Berpemberat Sekelas, Gandingan Antara Objek, Kedalaman Pepohon Pewarisan dan Kaedah Jeleketan. Hasil uji kaji metrik mendapati tahap guna semula objek pembelajaran yang digranul adalah lebih tinggi berbanding dengan objek pembelajaran kasar. Ini menunjukkan bahawa objek pembelajaran ini lebih mudah untuk digunakan.
Green Technology Management in the Muslim World
Authors: Mohd Yusof Farahwahida , Rosman Arieff Salleh , Mahmood Salwa , Mat Sarip Siti Hajar , Noh Teh Ubaidah
Published: January 2014

Green technology or clean technology is recognised as the application of environment science to conserve the natural environment and resources for the purpose of curbing the negative impact of human activities. In this paper, the correlation between management and green technology will be discussed and construed in accordance with Islamic perspectives. This paper explores the problems on how to implement green technology in management and the way to solve human activities that give negative impacts to the natural environment in the Muslim World. In addition, the comparison of waste disposal system management, the production of an electricity energy by renewable resources and wastewater management system are made between Islamic countries and non-Islamic countries. Islam urges humanity to be kind to nature and not to abuse the trust that had been placed on human shoulders. This finding includes both the authorities of the Quran and hadis which emphasize the accountability and responsibility of humans towards protecting and maintaining God’s balanced creation.
Some Applications of Elliptic Integrals of First Kind
Authors: Barakat Yasamin , Sarmin Nor Haniza
Published: January 2014

One of the most important applications of elliptic integrals in engineering mathematics is their usage to solve integrals of the form  (Eq. 1), where  is a rational algebraic function and  is a polynomial of degree  with no repeated roots. Nowadays, incomplete and complete elliptic integrals of first kind are estimated with high accuracy using advanced calculators.  In this paper, several techniques are discussed to show how definite integrals of the form (Eq. 1) can be converted to elliptic integrals of the first kind, and hence be estimated for optimal values. Indeed, related examples are provided in each step to help clarification.