bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of balancing‐side occlusal interference on smoothness of working‐side condylar movement and intra‐articular space in chewing efforts
Authors: Yashiro K. , Yamamoto K. , Takada K. , Murakami S. , Uchiyama Y. , Furukawa S.
Published: August 2014

Response of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articulation adapting to occlusal alteration has been sparsely known. For 10 healthy adults with acceptably good occlusion, an artificial occlusal interference (OI) was introduced to the lower molar on the balancing side of unilateral chewing. Subjects were asked to chew a gum on their preferred side. The chewing jaw movements with/without the OI were recorded using a video‐based optoelectronic system. The mandibular movements were generated in each individual's TMJ model reconstructed by magnetic resonance images. The smoothness of local condylar point movements towards the normal direction of the condylar surface and interarticular space on the working side was measured. Overall, the smoothness of condylar point movements in the closing phase was impaired immediately after introduction of the OI. In the intercuspal phase, the OI increased the joint space. After about 60 chewing cycles, the movement smoothness and joint space began to recover. These findings suggest that OI on the balancing side induced irregular stress field translation on the working‐side condylar surface followed by acute recovery process.
Deciding Not to Decide: The Politics of Recusals on the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Hume Robert J.
Published: August 2014

When are U.S. Supreme Court justices more likely to recuse themselves from cases? This article proposes a strategic model of recusal behavior, hypothesizing that the justices balance statutory guidelines concerning recusals against other policy and institutional goals. Using data from the Supreme Court Database, I find evidence that recusal behavior is influenced by a combination of statutory, policy, and institutional considerations. Consistent with statutory explanations, which emphasize the elimination of bias or its appearance, justices are more likely to recuse themselves from cases when business interests are before the Court, when they have served for shorter terms, and when they have previously acted as Solicitor General. However, I also find that the justices are less likely to recuse themselves when cases are likely to be close or when the justices' policy goals are likely to be advanced by participating. These findings suggest that while the justices do follow statutory recusal guidelines, they also have other institutional and policy incentives that lead them to participate in cases despite their conflicts of interest.
Everyone Knows the Game: Legal Consciousness in the Hawaiian Cockfight
Authors: Young Kathryne M.
Published: August 2014

Past legal consciousness research has revealed a great deal about what individuals think and do with regard to law, but less attention has been paid to the social processes that underpin these attitudes, beliefs, and actions. This article focuses particularly on a “second-order” layer of legal consciousness: people's perceptions about how others understand the law. Ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews with cockfighters in rural Hawaii reveal how law enforcement practices not only affect cockfighting rituals, but are embedded within them. Police practices and informal rules work in concert to shape fighters' second-order beliefs. These beliefs have implications for participants' understanding of central concepts, including order, disorder, and illegality. Examining legal consciousness from a second-order perspective also underscores that notions of legitimacy are constantly created and recreated. Recognizing legitimacy's inherently relational nature helps us understand how experiences of law are synthesized into beliefs—for example, when an unusual police action directed toward a subgroup of fighters compromised the law's legitimacy for them. Foregrounding the relational nature of legal consciousness offers scholars a means to better understand and operationalize the dynamic nature of human relationships to law.
State Solicitors General, Appellate Expertise, and State Success Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Owens Ryan J. , Wohlfarth Patrick C.
Published: August 2014

This article examines how institutional design leads state governments to win their cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. We analyze whether states are more likely to prevail on the merits when they create a formal solicitor general office and have an attorney from that office argue their cases before the Court. We employ an analytical matching approach and find that attorneys from state solicitor general offices are significantly more likely to win their cases compared to other kinds of state attorneys. Accordingly, if states prioritize victory before the Court, they should consider creating state solicitor general offices and granting those solicitors general the authority to control their appellate litigation.
Binocular rivalry with peripheral prisms used for hemianopia rehabilitation
Authors: Haun Andrew M. , Peli Eli
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To determine the relative binocular signal strength of moving images that are peripherally viewed through a monocular field expansion prism as opposed to moving images viewed directly. We hypothesised that prism blur might make prism images predominate less than images viewed directly with the other eye.

Methods

We employed the binocular rivalry paradigm to measure the relative binocular effectiveness of directly viewed vs prism images. Four normally‐sighted subjects tracked the rivalrous visibility of opponent‐coloured targets seen dichoptically in the same part of the retinal visual field, using monocular field expansion prisms to produce the dichoptic display. We analysed the effects of external signal strength (whether or not motion was present in either image), retinal position or eccentricity of the targets, and controlled for target saturation.

Results

We found that prism images predominate less than directly viewed images. When both eyes were presented with pattern in the dichoptic display, direct‐to‐prism predominance was 51%:31%. When only the direct view was presented with pattern, direct‐to‐prism predominance was 74%:12%; when only the prism view was presented with pattern, direct‐to‐prism predominance was 25%:58%. Dominance durations followed established binocular rivalry rules.

Conclusions

The prism image in a monocular, peripheral field expansion prism is perceptually weaker than the corresponding direct image in the other eye. However, the prism image is still seen a significant proportion of the time, especially when no moving pattern is present in the direct view. We conclude that the rivalry ratio of the prism device is sufficiently effective for clinical applications.
Case‐based discussion supporting learning and practice in optometry
Authors: Bullock Alison , Barnes Emma , Ryan Barbara , Sheen Nik
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To enhance continuing professional development and address the risk that professional isolation poses, the UK General Optical Council introduced a requirement for all optometrists to engage in at least one case‐based discussion per 3 year cycle of continuing education. In this paper, we explore participants' impression of the acceptability, effectiveness and long‐term impact‐on‐practice of case‐based discussion as a mode of continuing education.

Methods

Case‐based discussion participants attended an evening session comprising a lecture and a group discussion. They completed three questionnaires: prior to the session, immediately post‐session and 3–4 months post‐session. We coded the questionnaires to allow matching.

Results

Seventy‐five case‐based discussion groups were held with 379 participants; 377 completed both pre‐ and post‐questionnaires and 331 (88%) returned a follow‐up questionnaire. Case‐based discussions were an acceptable method of learning, with many preferring it to distance‐learning. Prior to the event, women, employees and part‐time workers were more likely to have concerns about participating. In terms of learning, gaps in knowledge were more likely to be revealed in those who work in isolation. The respondents highlighted social aspects, reassurance of practice as well as new learning. Participants significantly improved self‐confidence ratings in all key learning areas. At three months post‐session, the majority (75%) self‐reported that they had implemented their intended changes to practice.

Conclusions

The evaluation showed that participants felt that case‐based discussion developed their knowledge, notably for sole practitioners, and influenced later workplace practice. The peer interaction of this mode of continuing education can combat professional isolation.
Municipal Fiscal Policy Space and Fiscal Structure: Tools for Managing Spending Volatility
Authors: Hendrick Rebecca , Crawford Jared
Published: August 2014

In this research, we examine the impact of municipal governments' internal fiscal structure and external fiscal policy space on operational spending volatility and fund balances. We test our model using a system of two equations that is estimated with panel data consisting of 265 municipalities in the Chicago metropolitan region from 1997 to 2009. We find that these governments are managing spending volatility using tools available in both dimensions and that the fund balance is a critical tool for this purpose. We also find that the impact of a stringent versus relaxed set of options (home rule) for managing this financial problem is likely to be more complex than what is represented in prior research.
Estimating Tax Agency Efficiency
Authors: Alm James , Duncan Denvil
Published: August 2014

A key variable of interest to policy makers is the efficiency with which a tax agency's production process works. Until recently, the absence of comparable data across countries on tax administration has made the comparative analysis of tax agencies impossible. The recent compilation of data by the Organisation of Economic Co‐operation and Development on administrative performance across countries has now provided this information. This article uses these data for the years 2007–2011, together with a novel three‐step estimation strategy that utilizes data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), to determine the relative efficiency of tax agencies in their use of inputs. Our third stage results indicate that 13 of the 28 countries in our sample are relatively efficient at collecting any of the three types of tax revenues (personal income, corporate income, and value‐added taxes). Overall, the average efficiency scores indicate that countries should be able to collect their current level of revenues with approximately 10–16 percent less inputs.
Tobacco classIcytosolic small heat shock proteins are under transcriptional and translational regulations in expression and heterocomplex prevails under the high‐temperature stress conditionin vitro
Authors: PARK SOO MIN , KIM KEUN PILL , JOE MYUNG KUK , LEE MI OK , KOO HYUN JO , HONG CHOO BONG
Published: August 2014

Seven genomic clones of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum W38) cytosolic classIsmall heat shock proteins (sHSPs), probably representing all members in the class, were isolated and found to have 66 to 92% homology between their nucleotide sequences. Even though all sevensHSPgenes showed heat shock‐responsive accumulation of their transcripts and proteins, each member showed discrepancies in abundance and timing of expression upon high‐temperature stress. This was mainly the result of transcriptional regulation during mild stress conditions and transcriptional and translational regulation during strong stress conditions. Open reading frames (ORFs) of these genomic clones were expressed inEscherichia coliand thesHSPswere purified fromE. coli. The purified tobaccosHSPsrendered citrate synthase and luciferase soluble under high temperatures. At room temperature, non‐denaturing pore exclusion polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on threesHSPsdemonstrated that thesHSPsspontaneously formed homo‐oligomeric complexes of 200 ∼ 240 kDa. However, under elevated temperatures, hetero‐oligomeric complexes between thesHSPsgradually prevailed. Atomic force microscopy showed that the hetero‐oligomer ofNtHSP18.2/NtHSP18.3 formed a stable oligomeric particle similar to that of theNtHSP18.2 homo‐oligomer. These hetero‐oligomers positively influenced the revival of thermally inactivated luciferase. Amino acid residues mainly in theN‐terminus are suggested for the exchange of the componentsHSPsand the formation of dominant hetero‐oligomers under high temperatures.
Patterns of Mortality and Factors Influencing Survival of a Recently Restored Elk Population in Ontario, Canada
Authors: McIntosh Terese E. , Rosatte Richard C. , Hamr Josef , Murray Dennis L.
Published: August 2014

This study examined patterns of mortality and determinants of survival among elk recently restored to four sites in Ontario, Canada (1998–2005). We predicted that: (1) elk located in release sites closer to the core of their historic range would have higher survival; (2) survival would increase as an animal's time and experience on the landscape increased; and (3) survival rates would decline as animals moved farther away from the release site. During the study, 443 elk were radiocollared and released; 218 mortalities were documented. Predation by wolves was the most important proximate cause of mortality, followed by death due to injuries from translocation and/or capture myopathy, accidents, emaciation, poaching, and Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection. Overall, annual survival of elk across Ontario ranged from 0.45 (0.37–0.53) to 0.81 (0.66–0.90), with rates being lowest in the years immediately following release and highest in the final years of the study; this pattern was due to high initial mortality from translocation injuries and/or capture myopathy and possibly lack of familiarity with novel habitat. Model‐averaged hazards further support this finding, as the most important factor influencing elk survival was the length of holding period, with elk released after limited holding being less likely to survive than those held for longer periods. Our results suggest that mortalities caused by capture myopathy and transportation‐related injuries are important sources of risk for translocated elk. The method of introduction to the novel landscape and behavior in the first year should be accommodated via soft‐release and appropriate release areas.
A mapping technique to evaluate age‐0 salmon habitat response from restoration
Authors: Goodman Damon H. , Som Nicholas A. , Alvarez Justin , Martin Aaron
Published: August 2014

To combat decades of anthropogenic degradation, restoration programs seek to improve ecological conditions through habitat enhancement. Rapid assessments of condition are needed to support adaptive management programs and improve the understanding of restoration effects at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Previous attempts to evaluate restoration practices on large river systems have been hampered by assessment tools that are irreproducible or metrics without clear connections to population responses. We modified a demonstration flow assessment approach to assess the realized changes in habitat quantity and quality attributable to restoration effects. We evaluated the technique's ability to predict anadromous salmonid habitat and survey reproducibility on the Trinity River in northern California. Fish preference clearly aligned with a priori designations of habitat quality: the odds of observing rearing Chinook or coho salmon within high‐quality habitats ranged between 10 and 16 times greater than low qualities, and in all cases the highest counts were associated with highest quality habitat. In addition, the technique proved to be reproducible with “substantial” to “almost perfect” agreement of results from independent crews, a considerable improvement over a previous demonstration flow assessment. These results support the use of the technique for assessing changes in habitat from restoration efforts and for informing adaptive management decisions.
High AN1 variability and interaction with basic helix‐loop‐helix co‐factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato leaves
Authors: D'Amelia Vincenzo , Aversano Riccardo , Batelli Giorgia , Caruso Immacolata , Castellano Moreno Mar , Castro‐Sanz Ana Beatriz , Chiaiese Pasquale , Fasano Carlo , Palomba Francesca , Carputo Domenico
Published: August 2014

AN1 is a regulatory gene that promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato tubers and encodes a R2R3 MYB transcription factor. However, no clear evidence implicates AN1 in anthocyanin production in leaves, where these pigments might enhance environmental stress tolerance. In our study we found that AN1 displays intraspecific sequence variability in both coding/non‐coding regions and in the promoter, and that its expression is associated with high anthocyanin content in leaves of commercial potatoes. Expression analysis provided evidence that leaf pigmentation is associated to AN1 expression and that StJAF13 acts as putative AN1 co‐regulator for anthocyanin gene expression in leaves of the red leaf variety ‘Magenta Love,’ while a concomitant expression of StbHLH1 may contribute to anthocyanin accumulation in leaves of ‘Double Fun.’ Yeast two‐hybrid experiments confirmed that AN1 interacts with StbHLH1 and StJAF13 and the latter interaction was verified and localized in the cell nucleus by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. In addition, transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) overexpressing a combination of either AN1 with StJAF13 or AN1 with StbHLH1 showed deeper purple pigmentation with respect to AN1 alone. This further confirmed AN1/StJAF13 and AN1/StbHLH1 interactions. Our findings demonstrate that the classical loci identified for potato leaf anthocyanin accumulation correspond to AN1 and may represent an important step to expand our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis in different plant tissues.
Effect of Single Face Compaction on Stability and Flow of Asphalt Specimen
Authors: Chang Fung-Lung , Yaacob Haryati , Hainin Mohd. Rosli
Published: August 2014

Recent research on the performance of bond strength between pavement layers results in the preparation of double layered specimen becomes inevitable. Double layered specimen may be in field scale or laboratory scale. Marshall mixture design method is normally adopted to prepare double layered specimen in laboratory, incorporating the compaction of binder course at both faces and followed by a single face compaction of wearing course. Due to that, compaction at single face only will raised potential scepticism over the quality of the compacted mixture. This paper focused on the performance of stability and flow for single face compacted wearing course specimen prepared using Marshall procedure at a thickness of 50mm for Asphaltic Concrete mixture of nominal maximum aggregate size 10 mm (AC10) and Stone Mastic Asphalt of nominal maximum aggregate size 14 mm (SMA14). The stability and flow was investigated with the increasing compacting effort. The stability and flow at optimum compacting effort was also checked. From the research, it was noticed that stability increased with compacting effort while flow shows a decreasing trend. A stability and flow value of 12.8 kN and 2.27 mm as well as 10.4 kN and 2.61 mm was recorded for AC10 and SMA14 respectively at optimum compacting effort. Such observation may be accounted to the aggregate gradation in the mixture besides the binder properties of two different binders used. Despite the adoption of single face compaction in specimen preparation, at optimum compacting effort, the stability and flow values was also found to be within the range as specified by local specifications.
Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Networks and Sieving Characteristics
Authors: Adrus Nadia , Ayub Nur Farizah , Ulbricht Mathias
Published: August 2014

The three-dimensional of hydrogel networks within nm range can microscopically be considered as “porous”mesh. This feature may imply that hydrogel networks possess sieving characteristics; i.e. exclusion of solutes or molecules based on size. In this study the network and sieving characteristics of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were investigated. PNIPAAm hydrogels were prepared via free radical using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) as main monomers and N,N‘-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm) as crosslinkers. As the composition of the hydrogels was varied, the mesh sizes of the resulting hydrogels were in the range of 4.0 to 11.0 nm. These data were obtained from swelling experiments. Dextrans as test solutes with molecular weight in the range of 4 to 2000 kg/mol were used in partitioning experiments to investigate the sieving of the hydrogel networks. The partitioning data indicated that of hydrogel networks excluded the solutes which were bigger than its mesh sizes. The experimental results not only show a good correlation of sieving coefficient on the size basis but also nicely fitted to the partition data estimated from the Ogston model. Undoubtedly, PNIPAAm hydrogel networks possessed sieving characteristics to separate molecules exclusively and selectively as a function of size.
Characterization of Liquid Pineapple Waste as Carbon Source for Production of Succinic Acid
Authors: Jusoh Norela , Othman Norasikin , Idris Ani , Nasruddin Alina
Published: August 2014

Pineapple cannery produces large amount of solid and liquid waste. The disposal of waste without an appropriate treatment can cause a great environmental pollution. Since pineapple waste contains some valuable components such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, the ability to convert this waste into higher value added product such as succinic acid would be advantageous. Therefore, in this study, liquid pineapple waste was characterized in order to investigate the possibility of succinic acid production via fermentation using liquid pineapple waste as a carbon source. The physical and chemical composition in the liquid pineapple waste such as cation, anion, pH, sugar content and soluble protein were determined. The dominant sugar in the liquid pineapple waste were glucose, fructose and sucrose and the total sugar content was more than 100 g/l. Result from the fermentation process proved that liquid pineapple waste can successfully produce succinic acid with almost the same amount as using glucose as carbon source, with the concentration of 6.26 g/l.
Effect of Temperature on The Extraction of Bio-oil from Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber using Supercritical CO2
Authors: Mohamed Mustakimah , Yusup Suzana , Wahyudiono Wahyudiono , Machmudah Siti , Goto Motonobu
Published: August 2014

This paper highlights the conversion of oil palm mesocarp fiber into bio-oil via SFE. Effects of extraction temperature which are temperature within 60-90°C are investigated for two hours of extraction time. The yield is diluted in 10ml dichloromethane (DCM) for analysis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extracted bio-oil is found to contain fatty acid, esters and other long chain hydrocarbon. The concentration of these compounds is determined based on chromatogram peak area. The analysis indicates that fatty acid such as 6-octadecanoic acid (stearic acid), n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) and dodecanoic acid, 1,2, 3-propanetryl ester (glycerol trilaurate), are the major compounds of the extracted bio-oil. The extraction yield increased from 16.7% to 19.8% once the temperature was increased from 60 to 90°C. Concentration of palmitic acid constantly decreased with temperature. Inversely, myristic acid concentration constantly increased with temperature. However, concentration of glycerol trylaurate, stearic acid and lauric acid was not significantly affected by temperature. Concentration of stearic acid and lauric acid was first reduced once temperature increased from 60 to 70°C yet increased at 90°C and vice versa observation for glycerol trilaurate.
Efficacy of Biological Activity of Andrographis Paniculata Extracted by using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (Sc-CO2) Extraction
Authors: Rithwan Fahim , Zhari Salman , Che Yunus Mohd Azizi , Mohd Hadzri Hafiza
Published: August 2014

Andrographis paniculata plant has been widely used for traditional medicine such as curing fever, diarrhoea, and inflammation. In this study, the main component (Andrographolide) is extracted from the leaves of A. paniculata using supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) and Sc-CO2 assisted by methanol as a modifier solvent. The methanol soxhlet extraction as a standard method was used to compare with the Sc-CO2 extraction. This work also focuses on the determination of anti-oxidant activity of Sc-CO2 extraction extracts of A. paniculata plant. The Sc-CO2 extracts of A. paniculata for both Sc-CO2 extractions with and without modifier showed promising antioxidant activity. Free radical scavenging potential of both Sc-CO2 extractions of A. paniculata plant was evaluated by using reducing power. In this method, ascorbic acid was used as a standard for determining reducing power. Both Sc-CO2 extract of A. paniculata plant exhibited appreciable activity as compared to the methanol soxhlet extract, indicating that A. paniculata has promising free radical scavenging activity.
The Benefits and Limitations of Methods Development in Solid Phase Extraction: Mini Review
Authors: Abd-Talib Norfahana , Mohd-Setapar Siti Hamidah , Khamis Aidee Kamal
Published: August 2014

Over recent years, there has been an explosive growth of sample preparation techniques. Sample preparation is in most cases meant to be the isolation online or offline concentration of some components of interest or target analytes. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a very popular technique nowadays in sample preparation. The principal is quite similar with liquid- liquid extraction (LLE) which involves partition of solutes between two phases. But, there are some differences between them and some benefits and limitations of difference types of SPE technique like presented in this paper.
Development and Utilization of Aerobic Granules for Soy Sauce Wastewater Treatment: Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Harun Hasnida , Anuar Aznah Nor-
Published: August 2014

This study examined some important factors for optimal aerobic granular sludge performance using soy sauce wastewater as a substrate in a lab-scale alternating anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The SBR was equipped with a circulation process to restrict the concentration gradient of granular biomass during the anaerobic phase. The influence of the circulation rate was investigated together with operation time on the SBR performances. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) took 60 days to appear and the average diameter was 2.0 mm (with a maximum value of 2.5 mm). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for experimental design, analysis and optimization. The results showed that the maximum COD removal (90%) and good SVI performance of 55.3 mL/g were obtained at the highest value of the operation time (60 d) and at moderate circulation rate (25.2 L/h). The maximum values of MLVSS/MLSS have been found to be 89% at the highest value of the factors (60 d and 36.0 L/h). At optimum point (33.62 L/h of circulation rate and 60 d of operation time), the amount of COD removed, MLVSS/MLSS and SVI were 86.5%, 88.8% and 58.6 mL/g, respectively.
Application of Design Experiments to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Climate Factors on Energy Saving in Green Residential Buildings
Authors: Zahraee Seyed Mojib , Khademi Alireza , Khademi Shahab , Abdullah Arham , Ganjbakhsh Hamed
Published: August 2014

Green building and energy consumption are two important issues in the construction industry. Residential buildings use the biggest share of energy throughout the world. Based on investigations, most of the existing green buildings are not really energy efficient. The estimation of energy consumptions for building has become a critical approach to achieve the goals on energy consumption and to decrease emissions. There are multiple factors for energy performance of buildings, such as building characteristics, main elements and equipment, climate factors, occupants and sociological influences. This paper shows a study of energy saving enhancement methods in residential buildings by considering the three climate factors that are temperature, humidity and airflow. To achieve this goal, building simulation and classical Design of Experiment (DOE) were combined to assess the effect of these climate factors on energy saving and cooling load. Based on the ANOVA test analysis, temperature and humidity have the most significant effect on energy saving. Moreover, the optimum saving energy within the range of the model with the value of 191525 is gained at the A (temperature) and B (humidity), which are equal to 20 °C and 60%, respectively.
The Study of Albumin Release from Silica/Albumin as a Potential Drug Delivery Carrier
Authors: Pondi Shafiyah , Efendi Jon , Siong Ho Chin , Yuan Lai Sin , Chandren Sheela , Nur Hadi
Published: August 2014

The drug-delivery field has been an attractive as well as challenging area for research. With the emerging of new formulated drugs and pharmaceutical compounds, development of good drug-delivery system (DDS) is crucially required. This study aims to utilize albumin as the drug template in silica/albumin/drug (S/A/D) system. Prior to designing this system, the interaction between silica and albumin was investigated. It is hypothesized that high interaction between silica and albumin may result in slower drug release over time, which is preferred for a good DDS. Silica and albumin (S/A) materials were prepared by using fumed silica and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica precursors. Three different S/A samples were prepared; fumed silica with albumin (FS/A), fumed silica with pre-treated albumin by sodium borohydrate (FS/A-N), and silica sol (TEOS) with albumin (SS/A). In-vitro release of albumin in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7) was carried out to examine the interaction between albumin and silica. The concentration of albumin was detected at 280 nm by UV-visible spectrophotometer. All samples were characterized by diffuse reflectance-UV-visible spectrophotometer (DR-UV), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) dan thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). DR-UV results show that SS/A exhibited the lowest absorption intensity at 280 nm, which indicates better interaction between silica and albumin. This result was supported by the presence of Si-O stretching band of silanol at 952 cm-1 from the FTIR spectrum. Release study of albumin demonstrated that the release of albumin from SS/A was slowest compared to those of FS/A and FS/A-N.
The Tribological Characteristic of the Blends of Rbd Palm Olein with Mineral Oil Using Four-ball Tribotester
Authors: Jabal Mohammed Hassan , Ani Farid Nasir , Syahrullail S.
Published: August 2014

Vegetable oils are sustainable fluids which have been promoted to replace petroleum-based oils due to its environment friendly characteristics; it is being a very important supply of biolubricant. The excellent advantage of vegetable oil is the fact it is really which can be used environment friendly supplier. In addition, vegetable oil based lubricant clearly show the possibility to minimize carbon monoxide also hydrocarbon emissions when used in IC engines. There are basically two different ways to using vegetable oil to be a bio-lubricant, either one by directly use the pure vegetable oil with additives or use certain blending ratio of vegetable oil with mineral lubricant. In this paper, the influences of the blending ratio of mineral oil with RBD palm olein on the tribological characteristics were investigated and compared with commercial lubricant oil by using the four ball tribotester. The blending ratio was varied from neat with interval of 20% by volume. All experimental works were conforming to ASTM D4172. The results exhibited that the blend of RBD palm olein with commercial lubricant oil has lower the wear scar of ball bearings and coefficient of friction compared to commercial lubricant oil. As a conclusion, the blending of RBD palm olein with commercial lubricant oil has better performance compared to commercial lubricant oil or pure RBD palm olein.
Preliminary Study on Biomitigation Green House Gas Carbon Dioxide in Closed System Bubble Photobioreactor: Relationship Among the Mass Transfer Rate and CO2 Removal Efficiency in High Level of CO2
Authors: Rinanti Astri , Dewi Kania , Astuti Dea Indriani , Halomoan Nico
Published: August 2014

Emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor to global warming. Biofixation of CO2 by microalgae in photobioreactors seems to be a promising strategy for CO2 mitigation. The research to determine the overall mass transfer coefficient (kLa) has been done to find the way on biomitigation CO2 emission by using biologically Carbon Capture and Sequestration method. This research was conducted according to green microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus activity, which is cultivated in a bubble photobioreactor through the mass transfer process that assumed adequate mixing occurs. Flow rate of CO2 that supplied to the system were 2 L/min, 5 L/min and 8 L/min, when each rate flowed into the photobioreactor with high CO2 concentration (v/v) of 2%, 5% and 10%. The highest CO2 removal efficiency occurred at culture that supplied with an CO2-enriched air flow rate of 5 L/min. The kLa (CO2) value is the highest in 0.3582/day at 2% CO2 concentration and flow rate of 2 L/min, while the lowest is in 0.0503/day at 5% CO2 concentration and flow rate of 8 L/min. In terms of solubility is inversely proportional to the flow rate, the less carbon dioxide is dissolved at the rate of 8 L/min as well as the value of the kLa. The results showed that the variation of flow rate will affect the amount of mass transfer coefficient, growth rate and cell biomass.  Higher flow rate decreases kLa value as well as CO2 removal efficiency.
Marine Education and Research Development in Malaysia
Authors: Koto Jaswar , Nakisa M.
Published: August 2014

The development of local capabilities and research and development is one of the most challenges of the shipbuilding and offshore industries in Malaysia. The Industrial Master Plan has proposed five strategies thrusts for the long term viability of the marine transport sub-sector to overcome the challenges.As the shilbuilding and offshore industries in Malaysia rapidly grow, the characteristics of higher education and institution has changed in field and expertise, upgrading curriculum and cocuricullum, accreditation system, to responded the industrial need. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia as the only one university run in ship and offshore engineering has runned several programmes to meet the demand such Global Outreach Programme, Student Tranning Programme, Shipyard Visit, and research collaboration with shipyards and other international universities around the world.
Marine Navigation Collision Preventing System
Authors: Yaacob Amirrudin , Rashidi M. , Koto Jaswar
Published: August 2014

Navigation safety has become one of the important issues to the entire world community. Automatic Identification System (AIS) firstly has been used to comply with safety and security regulations, functioning as collision avoidance, vessel traffic services, maritime security, aids to navigation, search and rescue and accident investigation. This paper presents marine navigation collision preventing system between ships and ships using AIS. In the system, the raw data from AIS is crossed with database based MMSI number to find detail information then, location of each ship was plotted on to Google Map. The safety distance is assessed based actual and stopping distance. The system was tested in the Batam and Singapore Channel.
Numerical Investigation for Resistance Characteristics of LNG Carrier
Authors: Sian A. Y. , Maimun A. , Priyanto A. , M. Ahmed Yasser , Nakisa M. , Rahimuddin Rahimuddin
Published: August 2014

Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computations are conducted with general purpose CFD solver Fluent to examine the resistance and viscous free surface flow of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier hull form in calm water. Shear-stress transport k-w turbulence model and multiphase volume of fluid (VOF) free surface employed. The resistance characteristics and wave profile of the LNG model also investigated. Model tests were conducted in towing tank for validation of the computed results. Overall results agree fairly well with experimental data, reveals the feasibility of RANS method in practical prediction of LNG resistance characteristics.
A Review of the Optical Tomography System
Authors: Jamaludin Juliza , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Abdul Rahim Herlina , Mohd Fadzil Naizatul Shima , Fazalul Rahiman Mohd Hafiz , Jumaah Mohd Fahajumi , Mohd Muji Siti Zarina , Md Yunus Mohd. Amri
Published: August 2014

Tomography is a method that has been used for image reconstruction in the medical and engineering fields. Optical tomography is one of the various methods applied in tomography systems. This tomography method is widely used in the medical and processing industries fields because of its special characteristics, such as immunity to electrical noise and interference, high resolution and its hard field sensors. The basic principle of the optical tomography system in measuring an object is based on its wave and radiation source. This article is a review of the characteristics of light and its interaction with matter, the types of optical tomography system, the basic construction of an optical tomography system, types of optoelectronic sensors and image reconstruction.
Study of Electric Field an Magnetic Field Affected Biological Cells
Authors: Zawahir Mohd Zikrillah , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Zakaria Zulkarnay , Mansor Mohd Saiful Badri , Abdul Manaf Mohamed Shukri
Published: August 2014

This paper presents the elaboration on effect of electric field and magnetic field to biological cells. Electroporation has become important parameter in treatment cancer or tumour cells. By using electric field or magnetic field, membrane cell will undergo process electroporation where membrane cell structures being altered for induce apoptosis process.
Simulative Study of Two-Phase Homogenous and Isotropic Media Imaging using Magnetic Induction Tomography
Authors: Zakaria Zulkarnay , Balkhis Ibrahim , Yern Lee Pick , Nor Ayob Nor Muzakkir , Rahiman Mohd Hafiz Fazalul , Zawahirah Mohd Zikrillah , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi
Published: August 2014

Magnetic induction tomography is a new non-invasive technology, based on eddy current discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday. Through this technique, the passive electrical properties distribution of an object can be obtained by the use of image reconstruction algorithm implemented in this system. There are many types of image reconstruction that have been developed for this modality, however in this paper only two algorithms discussed, Linear Back Projection and Eminent Pixel Reconstruction. Linear Back Projection algorithm is the most basic type of image reconstruction. It is the simplest and fast algorithm out of all types of algorithms, whereas Eminent Pixel Reconstruction algorithm is an improved algorithm which provided better images and has been implemented in other modalities such as optical tomography. This paper has implemented Eminent Pixel Reconstruction in magnetic induction tomography applications and the performance is compared to Linear Back Projection based on the simulation of the fourteen types of simulated phantoms of homogenous and isotropic conductivity property. It was found that Eminent Pixel Reconstruction has produced better images relative to Linear Back Projection, however the images are still poor when the objects are located near to the excitation coil or sensor and it is worse when the distance between objects are near to each other.
Study of the Variation of Catalyst Loading in Cathode for SPEEK/CSMM Membrane in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)
Authors: Rosli S. E. , Mohd-Norddin M. N. A. , Jaafar J. , Sudirman R.
Published: August 2014

Variation of anode catalyst loading for modified sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with charged surface modifying macromolecules (cSMM) membrane was studied, in order to get the higher performance in DMFC. The best optimal anode catalyst loading was 4 mgcm-2 for 30% Pt/Ru based on our previous result for this application.  The modified SPEEK/CSMM membrane was characterized to ensure of its better performance in term of water uptake and methanol permeability. In cathode side, the effect of 5% and 10% Pd/C  in 2,4 and 6 mgcm-2 of catalyst loading has been investigated with a fuel cell assembly. The preparation method of catalyst ink and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was based on Dr. Blade method and hot pressing by using catalyzed diffusion media (CDM) method. The air flowrates were varied from 25-1000ml min-1, while 1M methanol concentrations, 1 ml min-1 of methanol flowrate and 60°C operating temperature were kept constant. These parameters were tested on the performance of single cell DMFC with 4 cm2 electrodes.The optimization catalyst loading will enhance the DMFC performance.  It was found, the best optimal cathode catalyst loading was 4 mgcm-2 for 10% Pd/C with  4 mgcm-2 for 30% Pt/Ru in anode side for this application.
Polymer based Membrane Electrospun Fiber in Fuel Cell Application: A Short Review
Authors: Junoh Hazlina , Jaafar Juhana , Othman M. H. D. , A. Rahman Mukhlis
Published: August 2014

usage which contributes to the environmental issues. Among the type of existing renewable energy, fuel cells is the most promising renewable energy sources since the energy can be directly converted from combustible of fuel. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) is the heart of the fuel cells system. The research and development on proton electrolyte membrane is keep burgeoned. Even though the studies of the electrolyte nanocomposite membrane for fuel cell application are quite various but only a few studies focused on the effect of electrospun nanocomposite membrane on the performance of proton electrolyte membrane. This review is focusing on the electrospinning process for the preparation of electrospun fiber membrane. This review is concentrates on polymer based membrane electrospun nanofiber and their influence on proton conductivity as well as on fuel crossover barrier properties. The proton conductivity and fuel crossover can be improved by fully exfoliated structure of nanocomposite electrolyte membrane via electropinning process and thus the membrane can be an alternative PEM for DMFC applications.
Experimental Study on a Multi-stage Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) Unit
Authors: Bahar Rubina , Hawlader M. N. A. , Ng K. C. , Jiun Haw Yee
Published: August 2014

Membrane distillation (MD) is a separation process that involves vapour transport through a hydrophobic membrane. The evaporation is caused by the partial pressure difference between a hot fluid and cold fluid/surface. In this study, an air gap MD (AGMD) process is utilized to produce freshwater from saline solution. A multi-stage AGMD unit with 0.45 mm pore size Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) membranes is built and experiments have been carried out with different operating variables including feed temperature, coolant temperature, air gap width and feed inlet concentration.A maximum of 12.9 kg/m2 of distillate flux was obtained per kWh energy input from the multi-stage MD unit while for a previously built single-stage MD unit, the highest water/power ratio obtained was only 2.3 kg /m2 kWh. This variation indicates that multistaging is necessary for efficeint energy use in MD system.
Poly(lactic acid)/Biodegradable Polymer Blend for The Preparation of Flat-Sheet Membrane
Authors: Keawsupsak Kanungnuch , Jaiyu Arisa , Pannoi Julaluk , Somwongsa Punthinee , Wanthausk Nopparat , Sueprasita Passakorn , Eamchotchawalit Chutima
Published: August 2014

Biodegradable polymers have been more attractive for membrane materials, especially poly(lactic acid) (PLA) because they degrade in natural environment after use. In this study, the membranes were developed from a polymer blend of PLA and other biodegradable polymers, such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terphthalate) (PBAT) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). The membranes were formed via nonsolvent induced phase separation process using n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and water as a nonsolvent. The pure water flux and BSA rejection were tested to determine the filtration performance of membranes. The microstructures and tensile strength of membranes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and universal testing machine (UTM), respectively. All of membranes appeared finger-like and sponge-like structures in cross-section, and porous structure on surface. PLA/PHBV blend membranes had pure water flux and BSA rejection as high as PLA/PBS and PLA/PBAT blend membranes. The pure water flux and BSA rejection of the blend ratio (PLA/PHBV/NMP) of 15:1:84 were 65 l/m2•h and 79%, respectively.
Simulation of Drying for Multilayer Membranes
Authors: Harun Zawati , Ching Ong Tze , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: August 2014

In ceramic membrane preparation, drying variables and its phenomena are very important to ensure no defects and failures in membrane layers. Generally, ceramic membrane consists of several layer with the top structure or layers possesses a very hygroscopic zone that acting as a separator while next two layers are non hygroscopic zone. Combination of these two different multilayer systems that exhibit different properties always associated to the failure of ceramic consolidation structure during the drying and sintering process. Therefore,controlling of drying behavior is very important to ensure a consistent shrinkage exist between these two layers system. Thus in this present work, the drying process of multilayer materials was studied and observed via simulation technique. A two dimensional mathematical model that coupled mass, heat and gas transfer was employed. Finite element method was used to solve the model and numerically compute using Skyline solver to capture highly nonlinear and transient process. The results showed that drying of multilayer material for membrane structure is obviously different from drying of single layer system. Separation zone that acting as hygroscopic zone does play its roles towards effecting higher pore water pressure and gas pressure. Thus, different drying factors can be seen in the layering system. Hence, understanding those drying factors that may cause inhomogeneous shrinkage due to the existence of different porous network in membrane layers is essential to avoid ceramic membrane failure.
The Characteristic of Synthesized Zeolite Rice Husk Particles via Different Routes
Authors: Rosman Nurafiqah , Harun Zawati , Jamalludin Mohd Riduan
Published: August 2014

Zeolite particles were synthesized through in-situ extraction of silica from rice husk ash without seeding method in the absence of organic template by a static hydrothermal condition at 100oC/24h at varied ageing 8-24h. The effect of amorphous silica content on ageing time of synthesis products was evaluated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and field emission microscopy (FESEM). The present of zeolite Y without seeding method by XRD analysis show a mixture of zeolite A, Y and P. The transformation of amorphous rice husk particle gradually increased as early at 8 hours in ageing and increased with increase in ageing reaction. The vibration bands at around 974 cm-1 indicated Si-OH vibrations of the surface silanols, which is the characteristic of mesoporous silica. The FESEM images showed cubic-shaped morphology of the powders increased with increase in ageing reaction.