bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional microscale single-phase white emission lanthanide MOF for tunable fluorescent sensing and water quality monitoring
Authors: Sun Tiancheng , Wang Ping , Fan Ruiqing , Chen Wei , Hao Sue , Yang Yulin
Published: February 2019

The “smart” fluorescence material, Eu0.059Tb0.051Gd0.89-DPON, contains functions of multicomponent recognition, detection of formol/VO43− and analysis of multiple components in water.
The N and P co-doping-induced giant negative piezoresistance behaviors of SiC nanowires
Authors: Cheng Xin , Wang Lin , Gao Fengmei , Yang Weiyou , Du Zhentao , Chen Ding , Chen Shanliang
Published: February 2019

We investigated the giant negative piezoresistance characteristics of SiC nanowires with a gauge factor induced by N and P co-doping.
The effects of lead on the development of somites in chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) under in vitro conditions: a histological study
Authors: Amini Zahra , Mahdavi-Shahri Naser , Lari Roya , Behnam Rassouli Fatemeh
Published: February 2019

Lead (Pb) is one of the most abundant toxic metals in the environment that can cause a variety of harmful effects.
Electroanalytical identification of 25I-NBOH and 2C-I via differential pulse voltammetry: a rapid and sensitive screening method to avoid misidentification
Authors: Belchior de Andrade Ana Flávia , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Jose
Published: February 2019

25I-NBOH is a new potent serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist recently identified in blotter paper seizures.
Highly selective aromatization and isomerization of n-alkanes from bimetallic Pt–Zn nanoparticles supported on a uniform aluminosilicate
Authors: Jarvis Jack S. , Harrhy Jonathan H. , He Peng , Wang Aiguo , Liu Lijia , Song Hua
Published: February 2019

Pt–Zn bimetallic nanoparticles show unique performance towards n-alkane direct aromatization and isomerization only when dispersed on a uniform cylindrical ZSM-5 support.
In situ synthesis of edge-enriched MoS2 hierarchical nanorods with 1T/2H hybrid phases for highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Chengwei , Wang HongFen , Lin Zhiping , Li Wen , Lin Bo , Qiu Wenzheng , Quan Yu , Liu Zhaohui , Chen Shougang
Published: February 2019

As electrocatalyst, edge-enriched MoS2 hierarchical nanorods with 1T/2H hybrid phases present excellent HER performances.
Targeted and selective HOMO energy control by fine regulation of molecular planarity and its effect on the interfacial charge transfer process in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhang Fengyu , Wang Ran , Wang Yajun , Zhang Xiaomin , Liu Bo
Published: February 2019

The HOMO level can be targeted and selectively controlled by regulating the molecular planarity of a dye.
Nano-sandwiched metal hexacyanoferrate/graphene hybrid thin films for in-plane asymmetric micro-supercapacitors with ultrahigh energy density
Authors: He Yafei , Zhang Panpan , Wang Mao , Wang Faxing , Tan Deming , Li Yang , Zhuang Xiaodong , Zhang Fan , Feng Xinliang
Published: February 2019

In-plane asymmetric micro-supercapacitors with ultrahigh energy density are rationally constructed using nano-sandwiched metal hexacyanoferrate/graphene hybrid thin films.
Iridium-catalyzed α-alkynylation of cyclic nonaromatic eneformamides: application to the synthesis of azapolycyclic architectures
Authors: Beng Timothy K. , Wanjiku Francine
Published: February 2019

A regioselective and chelation-assisted dehydrogenative alkynylation of cyclic nonaromatic eneformamides with terminal alkynes, under iridium catalysis, is described.
Playing supramolecular dominoes with light: building and breaking a photoreversible G-quadruplex made from guanosine, boric acid and an azobenzene
Authors: Pieraccini Silvia , Campitiello Marilena , Carducci Federica , Davis Jeffery T. , Mariani Paolo , Masiero Stefano
Published: February 2019

Addition of an azo dye triggers a cascade of photoreversible intermolecular recognition processes in a mixture of simple guanosine derivatives.
Synthesis of a [20]phenacene dodeca-ester by controlled condensation of seven naphthalene-based building blocks
Authors: Naulet Guillaume , Huet-Exiga Stéphanie , Bock Harald , Durola Fabien
Published: February 2019

A soluble [20]phenacene dodeca-ester has been synthesized by Perkin strategy from naphthalene-based building blocks using complementary protecting techniques.
Rational design of free-standing 3D porous MXene/rGO hybrid aerogels as polysulfide reservoirs for high-energy lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Song Jianjun , Guo Xin , Zhang Jinqiang , Chen Yi , Zhang Chaoyue , Luo Linqu , Wang Fengyun , Wang Guoxiu
Published: February 2019

A Ti3C2Tx MXene/rGO hybrid aerogel is applied for the first time as a free-standing polysulfide reservoir to inhibit the shuttle effect and improve the overall performance of Li–S batteries.
Synergistic effects of platinum–cerium carbonate hydroxides–reduced graphene oxide on enhanced durability for methanol electro-oxidation
Authors: Chen Guanjun , Dai Zhengfei , Sun Lan , Zhang Long , Liu Shuai , Bao Hongwei , Bi Jinglei , Yang Shengchun , Ma Fei
Published: February 2019

A hybrid Pt–Ce(CO3)OH/rGO material is revealed as a promising electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction with excellent activity and long-term durability.
Divalent hard Lewis acid doped CsPbBr3 films for 9.63%-efficiency and ultra-stable all-inorganic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Yudi , Duan Jialong , Yang Xiya , Tang Qunwei
Published: February 2019

Substitution of Pb2+ sites with smaller isovalent ions is used to optimize the crystal lattice of inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite through releasing lattice strain, increasing the formation energy of vacancies and tuning the bandgap energy distribution.
Ultrasensitive plasmonic biosensors based on halloysite nanotubes/MoS2/black phosphorus hybrid architectures
Authors: Jia Guang Yi , Huang Zhen Xian , Zhang Yong Liang , Hao Zhi Qiang , Tian Ya Li
Published: February 2019

Layered black phosphorus (BP) has triggered enormous research interest due to its moderate band gap and pronounced in-plane anisotropy.
Controlled deposition of large-area and highly-ordered thin films: effect of dip-coating-induced morphological evolution on resistive memory performance
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Cheng , Li Zhuang , Gu Peiyang , Wang Zilong , Li Hua , Lu Jianmei , Zhang Qichun
Published: February 2019

A scalable dip-coating technique is reported to precisely control nano-patterned films and resistive memory devices with a record reproducibility of 96%.
Bone morphogenetic protein-7 retards cell subculture-induced senescence of human nucleus pulposus cells through activating the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Gong Chen , Pan Wei , Hu Wei , Chen Liang
Published: February 2019

Background: Allogeneic disc cell is the main cellular resource in tissue engineering (TE)-based strategy to retard disc degeneration. However, the accessible disc cells often exhibit senescent phenotype when they are subcultured in vitro. Hence, alleviating senescence of human disc cells during cell subculture is important for TE-based strategy to regenerate degenerative disc tissue. Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate whether bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) can alleviate subculture-induced senescence of human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in vitro. Methods: NP cells from human disc tissue were subcultured in vitro for six passages. Exogenous BMP-7 was added along with the culture medium to investigate its effects on senescence of NP cells. The inhibitor LY294002 was used to investigate the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Results: Compared with the human disc NP cells cultured in the baseline culture medium, addition of BMP-7 increased cell proliferation potency and telomerase activity, decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity and G0/G1 phase fraction, and down-regulated the expression of p16 and p53. Moreover, these positive effects of BMP-7 against senescence of human disc NP cells coincided with activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Further analysis showed that inhibitor LY294002 partly inhibited these protective effects of BMP-7 against senescence of human disc NP cells. Conclusion: BMP-7 alleviates subculture-induced senescence of human disc NP cells through activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. The present study provides new knowledge on allogeneic disc NP cell-based TE strategy to regenerate degenerative human disc tissue.
Providing Services to Individuals With Complex Communication Needs in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: The Experiences and Perspectives of Speech-Language Pathologists
Authors: Gormley Jessica , Light Janice
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To guide the development of future trainings in the inpatient rehabilitation setting, this study aimed to expand the current understanding of (a) the experiences of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in inpatient rehabilitation settings when providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services to individuals with complex communication needs and (b) the challenges and facilitating factors related to AAC services within this context.

Method

An online focus group was used to explore experiences of 11 SLPs who work within the inpatient rehabilitation setting. Information was gathered about (a) the role of the inpatient SLP in AAC service delivery, (b) rehabilitation team service delivery, (c) successes and challenges to supporting individuals with complex communication needs within this setting, and (d) communication training opportunities.

Results

Themes that emerged related to (a) the complicated logistics of rehabilitation; (b) the centrality of the rehabilitation team; (c) the limited AAC tools, knowledge, and trainings for rehabilitation providers; and (d) SLPs’ attitudes. Participants reported navigating complicated logistics unique to the inpatient rehabilitation related to time constraints, limited AAC funding, the continuum of rehabilitation care, and limited AAC policies in attempting to meet patient needs. Generally, participants suggested successful team collaboration, yet limited time, expertise, tools, and training opportunities challenged attempts to support individuals with complex communication needs.

Conclusions

Increased access to AAC tools and the development of AAC trainings are recommended to equip rehabilitation professionals with skills to build interprofessional and AAC skills so patients with complex communication needs can maximally participate in the rehabilitation experience.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7728710
Differential protection scheme for power transformers using matched wavelets
Authors: Roy Arpita , Singh Devender , Misra Rakesh Kumar , Singh Amit
Published: February 2019

A new approach for differential protection based on the mother wavelets which match in shape with inrush and fault current waveforms is proposed in this work. It is demonstrated that if the matched wavelet is used for processing inrush and fault waveforms of transformer then its detection capability improves. In case of false tripping of transformer, the equipment is to be opened for inspection for faults. This leads to equipment outage because there is no mechanism to ascertain that there was no fault. It is needed that inrush and fault be detected independently not only for the purpose of faster and better detection but also for studying mal‐operations and post‐analysis. For a faster and better detection, a new protection scheme is also proposed making use of independent detection of fault and inrush waveforms. To find matched inrush and fault wavelets, differential evolution algorithm is used. Out of various possible solutions for different number of wavelet coefficients, a choice is made by further testing on various switching angles. The effectiveness of the proposed method is tested through PSCAD simulations on transformers of different ratings.
Adaptive‐robust multi‐resolution generation maintenance scheduling with probabilistic reliability constraint
Authors: Bagheri Bahareh , Amjady Nima
Published: February 2019

This study presents a reliability‐constrained adaptive‐robust multi‐resolution model for generation maintenance scheduling (GMS) problem considering the uncertainty sources of electricity demand, wind power generation, and equipment unavailabilities. In the proposed tri‐level adaptive‐robust model, a polyhedral uncertainty set is used to model the electricity demand and wind power generation fluctuations. In addition, equipment unavailabilities as discrete uncertainty sources are modelled in the reliability sub‐problem where the expected energy not supplied is determined as a reliability criterion. Accordingly, the proposed model obtains a robust maintenance schedule for generating units immunised against the worst realisation of electricity demand and wind power generation while satisfying the reliability constraint considering equipment unavailabilities. Moreover, maintenance and operation periods are specifically modelled using different resolutions in the proposed multi‐resolution GMS approach. To solve the proposed reliability‐constrained adaptive‐robust multi‐resolution model, a new solution approach including Benders cut, reliability cut, and block coordinate descent method is presented. Numerical results on two test systems show the effectiveness of both the proposed GMS model and the proposed solution approach.
Balanced‐to‐unbalanced power dividers for arbitrary power division ratios and forarbitrary real termination impedances
Authors: Ahn Hee‐Ran , Tentzeris Manos M.
Published: February 2019

Novel balanced‐to‐unbalanced power divider (BUPD) is introduced for arbitrary power division ratios and for arbitrary real termination impedances. It consists of one 180° transmission‐line section (TL), two different 90° TLs and one isolation circuit comprising two different resistances and two different 90° TLs. Due to the arbitrary termination impedances, the conventional ways for the even‐ and odd‐mode excitation analyses are impossible, requiring a new design method. Under the assumption of the perfect isolation between two output ports, the BUPD can be divided into two, based on which the design formulas for the characteristic impedances of all the TLs can be successfully derived. Then, the scattering parameters are inversely derived, which is quite different from the conventional ways where the design formulas are derived based on the scattering parameters. For the verification of the suggested theory, one prototype for the power division ratio of 5 dB and for the termination impedances of 60, 40 and 50 Ω is tested. The measured frequency responses are in good agreement with the predicted ones.
Broadband dual‐polarised antenna with wideband decoupling structure for polarisation diversity wireless communication application
Authors: Xun Jian‐Hui , Shi Ling‐Feng , Liu Wei‐Rong , Liu Gong‐Xu , Chen Sen
Published: February 2019

A broadband dual‐polarised antenna with wideband decoupling structure is presented. By using the improved dipole, the proposed antenna achieves a common impedance bandwidth of 62% ranging from 1.645 to 3.13 GHz with standing a wave ratio <1.5. For improving the port isolations of the prototype, wideband isolation enhance technique is proposed. By using this technique, an average port isolation enhancement of 6 dB is realised within a wider bandwidth than 1 GHz. The bandwidth extension and decoupling mechanism are discussed. Moreover, the radiation patterns, gain and total radiation efficiency of the proposed antenna are also studied and presented. Experimental results demonstrate that the antenna has many advantages such as high gain (8.5 ± 0.7dBi), good radiation efficiency (>90.9%) and high cross polarisation discrimination. It is very suitable for polarisation diversity wireless communication application.
Laboratory testing of an SVD‐based approach to recover the non‐redundant bi‐polar NF data from the positioning error affected ones
Authors: D'Agostino Francesco , Ferrara Flaminio , Gennarelli Claudio , Guerriero Rocco , Migliozzi Massimo
Published: February 2019

This study deals with the problem of the correction of known probe positioning errors, which can occur in an actual planar near‐field facility when adopting a non‐redundant near‐field to far‐field (NFTFF) transformation with a bi‐polar scan for quasi‐planar antennas. To this end, a singular value decomposition based approach is developed to recover the uniform bi‐polar samples, whose position is set by the non‐redundant sampling representation got by shaping the antenna with a double bowl, from those affected by positioning errors. Then, a 2D optimal sampling interpolation formula is used to accurately reconstruct the plane rectangular near‐field data needed by the standard NFTFF transformation from the retrieved non‐redundant uniform samples. Experimental results, assessing the capability of the developed procedure to correct even pessimistic positioning errors, are shown.
Constrained optimisation for generating gain‐bandwidth design trade‐offs of wideband unidirectional antennas
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian
Published: February 2019

Broadband unidirectional antennas realised in microstrip technology find applications in many wireless communication systems. One of their design challenges is the necessity of handling multiple performance figures which is difficult when using traditional design methods, largely based on parameter sweeping. This work presents a simple optimisation‐based framework that permits generation of gain‐bandwidth trade‐off designs for this class of antenna structures. The proposed methodology exploits sequentially executed constrained optimisation runs which produce maximum‐gain designs across the range of prescribed target impedance bandwidths. To control the latter, design constraints are imposed on the reflection response but also on gain variability to ensure flat in‐band characteristics. For the sake of demonstration, an example compact wideband quasi‐Yagi antenna is considered for which a set of trade‐off designs is obtained with the impedance bandwidth varied from 9 to over 54%, and corresponding gain levels from 7.4 dB to around 5.5 dB, which determines the antenna capabilities in terms of these performance figures. The approach proposed in this work can be utilised as a design aid as well as a tool for quantitative performance comparison of different (alternative) antenna topologies.
Grid connection technique based on μ theory for a two‐stage PV structure
Authors: Fu Xueqian , Fu Qiang , Tang Wanwei
Published: February 2019

There is greater flexibility in selecting the direct‐current (DC) bus voltage in a two‐stage photovoltaic (PV) grid‐connected structure than in a single‐stage one. The independent DC/DC and DC/alternating current (AC) control in traditional control methods changes the duty cycle of the first‐stage DC/DC, which affects the control of the secondary DC/AC and even stabilises the DC bus voltage between the two stages. Therefore, two‐stage converters should be considered and controlled in a unified manner. Here, the authors introduce a robust μ value control method based on the hybrid sensitivity theory to control a two‐stage PV power generation system. Considering the effect of parameter perturbation on the modelling of the DC/DC average state model, the proposed method improves the DC bus voltage stability of a PV system and the power quality of the grid‐connected current while achieving the maximum power point tracking performance of the PV. MATLAB simulations using three PV operating conditions demonstrate that the proposed control method can effectively reduce the fluctuation of the DC bus voltage between the two stages, the harmonic distortion rate of the grid‐connected current, and the power oscillation time when the working conditions change.
Labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter with amplitude information for tracking marine weak targets
Authors: Sun Jinping , Liu Chao , Li Qing , Chen Xiaolong
Published: February 2019

In marine radar detection applications, the threshold is generally lowered to detect weak targets with low signal to clutter ratios. Consequently, however, a large number of sea clutters can exceed the threshold, which leads to overwhelming spurious detections and makes the subsequent multi‐target tracking (MTT) difficult. In order to improve the tracking performance for marine weak targets, here, an approach to exploit the amplitude information of neighbouring cells is introduced. First, the joint amplitude likelihood of the neighbouring cells in sea clutter is derived, and then it is incorporated into the labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter to enhance the discrimination between targets and clutters. The simulation results of Swerling type 1 targets tracking in K‐distributed sea clutter show that the proposed method is superior in state estimation and cardinality estimation accuracy compared to the labelled multi‐Bernoulli filter utilising amplitude information of single cells. In addition, experiment results with real data prove its applicability to marine target tracking scenarios.
Augmented subspace MUSIC method for DOA estimation using acoustic vector sensor array
Authors: Liu Aifei , Yang Deseng , Shi Shengguo , Zhu Zhongrui , Li Ying
Published: February 2019

In the scenario of ambient noise, the noise powers received by the pressure and velocity components in an underwater acoustic vector sensor (AVS) array are unequal. This paper proves when using the MUSIC method, this inequality causes virtual sources and thus increases the rank of the signal subspace. This fact dramatically degrades the DOA estimation performance of the MUSIC method. Then, an augmented subspace (AS) MUSIC method is proposed to take account of the virtual sources, by augmenting the number of the virtual sources into the signal subspace. Simulation results demonstrate in the case of a high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), the performance of the AS MUSIC method and the MUSIC method is similar. However, in the case of a low SNR, the AS MUSIC method is superior to the MUSIC method in terms of spatial spectrum, estimation accuracy, and resolution. Experimental results further verify the superiority of the AS MUSIC method over the MUSIC method.
Novel strong tracking square‐root cubature kalman filter for GNSS/INS integrated navigation system
Authors: Yue Zhe , Lian Baowang , Tong Kaixiang , Chen Shaohua
Published: February 2019

In the GNSS/INS integrated navigation system, the accuracy of square‐root cubature Kalman filter (SCKF) will be reduced when the process model is not precisely known. To solve this problem, a novel strong tracking SCKF is proposed. The proposed algorithm utilises the measurement update module based on singular value decomposition (SVD), which can reduce the computational complexity. Moreover, a novel method to obtain suboptimal fading factor based on the orthogonality of the innovation is deduced here, which is simple to calculate and no need to solve the Jacobian matrix. This novel method introduces the calculated suboptimal fading factor into the square‐root of the state prediction covariance matrix. Then, the gain matrix can be adjusted online which can improve the robustness of the algorithm when the process model is uncertain. Meanwhile, the proposed algorithm adopts the hypothesis testing to detect the uncertainty of the process model. Then, the proposed approach will only use the suboptimal fading factor when the existing process model is uncertain. The results of both numerical simulations and the field tests with GNSS/INS integrated navigation system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Low operational cost distributed prioritised coordinated control for DC microgrids
Authors: Zaery Mohamed , Ahmed Emad M. , Orabi Mohamed
Published: February 2019

This study presents a distributed prioritised coordinated control topology that has the capability to reduce the total generation cost and maintain the average DC microgrid voltage. The main advantage of this topology over the addressed ones is developing a prioritised normalised running cost methodology. In this methodology, the best economical combination of DGs is selected to fulfil the load demand and maintain the minimum required spinning reserve power. The developed coordinated controllers contain tertiary and secondary levels cooperating to guarantee economical load sharing between the dispatchable DGs through precise adjustment of the primary voltage levels. Simulation and experimental results verify the efficacy and feasibility of the proposed dispatch scheme compared to the conventional power‐sharing techniques. In addition, system reliability enhancement during communication link failure and DG plug‐n‐play are investigated as well.
Effects of a fully 3D atmospheric structure on exoplanet transmission spectra: retrieval biases due to day–night temperature gradients
Authors: Caldas A. , Leconte J. , Selsis F. , Waldmann I. P. , Bordé P. , Rocchetto M. , Charnay B.
Published: February 2019

Transmission spectroscopy provides us with information on the atmospheric properties at the limb, which is often intuitively assumed to be a narrow annulus around the planet. Consequently, studies have focused on the effect of atmospheric horizontal heterogeneities along the limb. Here we demonstrate that the region probed in transmission – the limb – actually extends significantly towards the day and night sides of the planet. We show that the strong day–night thermal and compositional gradients expected on synchronous exoplanets create sufficient heterogeneities across the limb that result in important systematic effects on the spectrum and bias its interpretation. To quantify these effects, we developed a 3D radiative-transfer model able to generate transmission spectra of atmospheres based on 3D atmospheric structures. We first apply this tool to a simulation of the atmosphere of GJ 1214 b to produce synthetic JWST observations and show that producing a spectrum using only atmospheric columns at the terminator results in errors greater than expected noise. This demonstrates the necessity for a real 3D approach to model data for such precise observatories. Secondly, we investigate how day–night temperature gradients cause a systematic bias in retrieval analysis performed with 1D forward models. For that purpose we synthesise a large set of forward spectra for prototypical HD 209458 b- and GJ 1214 b-type planets varying the temperatures of the day and night sides as well as the width of the transition region. We then perform typical retrieval analyses and compare the retrieved parameters to the ground truth of the input model. This study reveals systematic biases on the retrieved temperature (found to be higher than the terminator temperature) and abundances. This is due to the fact that the hotter dayside is more extended vertically and screens the nightside – a result of the non-linear properties of atmospheric transmission. These biases will be difficult to detect as the 1D profiles used in the retrieval procedure are found to provide an excellent match to the observed spectra based on standard fitting criteria. This must be kept in mind when interpreting current and future data.
Certification for Green Project Managers (GPM) in the Malaysian Construction Industry: Analysis of Success Factors
Authors: Mohd Saiful Rahim Nur Halimah , Ismail Zulhabri , Mohd Nordin Rumaizah
Published: February 2019

Since the 19th century, the sustainability concept has grown rapidly especially in terms of recognition and the issues of achieving it have been addressed by the construction players. The Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP) aims by the year 2020 to develop the Malaysian construction industry into an environmentally sustainable construction industry to a point that it can eventually be rolled out as a model to the emerging world. In order to achieve it, the Project Manager’s involvement is important when confronting sustainable issues. Therefore, Malaysia has launched its first National Green Project Managers (GPM) Awards in 2015. Although it has been two years, the promotion of certification of GPM is still lacking. Hence, the aim of this paper is to determine the success factors of promoting certified GPM in the Malaysian construction industry. Using a questionnaire survey of 30 respondents, comprising of Project Directors, General Managers and Project Managers, this research focuses on three (3) objectives which are to : (a) explore the need of certified GPM; (b) identify the limitations of promoting certified GPM; (c) establish the success factors of promoting certified GPM in Malaysian construction projects. From the analysis using SPSS, this research discovered the top reason GPMs are needed in the construction industry is because of the responsibilities of GPMs to ensure successful delivery of green development goals. However, there are a number of barriers to promoting certified GPM, which include limited training for Project Managers that touch on sustainability elements. To date, a private sector organization, known as Bridgit, is the sole provider of specific training in GPM in Malaysia. Therefore, training for Project Managers is important to provide them with the necessary skill and knowledge towards becoming certified GPM and turn to achieve as a true success factor. Finally, the outcome of this research will become a baseline to promote certification of GPM in the future.
Reducing Flooding Impacts to the Built Environment: A Literature Review
Authors: Nurashikin Mohammed , Rodger Edwards , Rumaizah Mohd Nordin
Published: February 2019

The paper consists of the literature review and discussions that concerns the built environment, flooding, disaster risk management including resiliency and sustainability theory. The objective of this paper is to review any relevant works of literature in reducing the flooding impacts to the built environment in Malaysia, at the same time describing any potential improvements and current measures to handle the aftermath of flooding. Systematic literature review using reference material such as books, scholarly journals, previous studies, articles, and websites is carried out. The author also searched further for the references of the articles that were retrieved and repeated the process until a point where no new relevant articles come to light. The paper is significant in three ways; i) reducing the flood impacts by raising knowledge ii) providing responsibility measures in reducing flood from different perspectives iii) preparing ways to lessen the impacts of future flooding threats. The key findings of the paper are; a) Through knowledge application, the practice of reducing flooding impacts could be enhanced b) Flooding management should be carried out earlier before flooding attack but also remains later the event c) Disaster management plans must get ready to face with any uncertainties.
Community Participation and Performance of Waste Segregation Program in Malacca: Towards Sustainable Waste Management
Authors: Yusof Khalid , Ismail Faridah , Yunus Julitta , Kasmuni Norhafezah , Ramele@Ramli Rohaslinda , Omar Marsita , Jabar Izatulaili , Mustaffa Hafizam
Published: February 2019

This paper reviews the current practice and challenges of community participation on waste segregation program in Jasin Malacca since 2015-2017. The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Act 672) which came into force on 1st September 2011, is Governments’ effort to provide a systematic, coordinated, effective and efficient solid waste management system in Malaysia including Malacca.. Since then, there has been significance increase on the amount recycle waste collected. However, the community participation on solid waste segregation and recycling program still at low level due to lack of awareness, attitude and exposure on the advantages of recycling in the long term. Thirty preliminary questionnaires were distributed randomly at resident’s housing area in Jasin and analysed through Average Index (AI) method. The result obtained shows the current challenges of the community in performing the waste segregation at source. From the result, further study will be conducted to discover new approach on promoting waste segregation which could provide the basis for success of 3R program in Malacca.
Determining the Impact of Aircraft Noise towards Residential Property Price
Authors: Yassin Azlina Md. , Mohd Diah Mohd Lizam , Mohd Safian Edie Ezwan , Yahya Mohd Yamani , Mohammad Sulzakimin , Cheng Lim Shin
Published: February 2019

The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of aircraft noise on residential property price within the case study area, and the main focus of this research was the distance of selected residential housed from Kuching International Airport (KIA). Aircraft noise is a source of noise pollution and act as environment factor that affect the house prices. Environmental disamenities from water and noise pollution will caused the houses to sell at lower price, accounted 20.8% less than houses located in area without noise interference. Apparently, the noise produced by the aircraft has even larger negative impact on house prices as compared to road traffic noise and railway noise. This study adopted quantitative approach in answering the objective of the paper. The findings were based on the secondary data which including 210 property transaction data within year 2015. The range of areas for this study was limited to selected residential terrace houses that located within 10.0 km from Kuching International Airport (KIA). The findings from Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) shows that the property prices located nearer to the airport (<2.5 km from KIA) in selected case study areas have been sold with lower price. Moreover, the prices of the properties located distance from KIA were not negatively impacted by the aircraft noise due to the other pulling factor that has larger impact to the property. Indeed, the location of the property, public amenities, transportation system, neighborhood factor and facilities also has close relationship to the property price.
Towards Successful Social Collaboration in BIM-based Construction: A Review
Authors: Che Ibrahim Che Khairil Izam , Belayutham Sheila
Published: February 2019

The existence of digital applications in construction industry has opened the floodgates to a better integration and collaboration. In particular, Building Information Modelling (BIM) provides construction stakeholders greater visualisation of project information and communications across multi-organisations. Despite the explicit benefits, the study on what it takes to drive the successfulness of social collaboration in BIM still remain elusive. This paper presents a review of the literature to identify the key elements of social collaboration in BIM-based construction projects. The review identified three key elements (i.e. foundational platform, organisational context and behavioural context) which together form the nexus for successful social collaborative practice. The findings in this study extend the collaboration literature in construction domain by providing deeper insights into the characterisation and importance of social collaboration in digital environment.
A Conceptual Benefits Realization Model for Minimization of Transaction Costs in Building Energy Efficiency (BEE) Affordable Housing Delivery
Authors: Raji Abdulazeez U.
Published: February 2019

Energy efficiency is fundamental to enhancing homes affordability. There are several unique challenges to affordable housing that owner-developers need to address in order for energy efficiency to make significant economic sense. Issues such as Transaction Costs (TCs) plays a significant role in achieving building energy efficiency (BEE) for affordable housing delivery. It is evident that split incentives, information asymmetry, institutional transition, opportunistic behavior, and ill-informed users incur different levels of TCs and affect stakeholder’s willingness to take part in BEE for affordable housing. A better understanding of the nature and structure of TCs is indispensable to enhance the market-drive and investment for BEE affordable housing. Uncertainty, specific investment, frequency, and bounded rationality seen as the key dimensions of TCs. The research focuses on how to minimize TCs involve in BEE affordable housing delivery. It was found in the literature that, the level of TCs for building energy efficiency estimated at 20.5% of total project costs. A conceptual competency-driven benefits realization model is proposed for minimizing TCs taking into consideration the peculiarities of the current housing projects delivery. This research aims to establish the significance of leveraging on BEE project team-competency and commitment organized within a strategic Benefits Realization Management framework to optimize client‘s benefits regarding minimizing TCs. The focus is on the aspect of a developer’s competencies and their project team commitment concerning minimizing TCs that structured within a Benefits Realization Management (BRM) practice. This model is proposed as a pro-active enabler tool to achieve Value for Money in BEE affordable housing projects. This paper is part of a series of publications.
Empowering Wakaf and Zakat in the Provision of Affordable Housing through Collaborative Procurement
Authors: Abdul Rashid Khairuddin , Nur Farah Naadia Mohd Fauzi Puteri , Farihah Hasan Sharina , Fairullazi Ayob Mohd.
Published: February 2019

Wakafandzakatare the two most essential tools for assisting the poor and needy Muslims to have access to better living conditions. However, in the provision of affordable housing, efforts by thewakafandzakatauthorities are often hampered by constraints such as in the availability of funding and expertise. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of collaborative procurement to empowerwakafandzakatin the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy. It is contended that through collaborative procurementwakafandzakatauthorities would have better access to resources especially funding and technical expertise. The paper, an outcome of robust desk research and discussions with experts, describes the concepts ofwakaf,andzakatand their efforts to help the poor and needy including in the provision of affordable housing and collaborative procurement. Besides, a collaborative procurement model comprising ofwakafandzakatauthorities and private property developer has been developed and herein proposed. The paper highlights issues and constraints, including those related to the Shariah. The research outcome, concerning the proposed collaborative procurement model, contributes significantly towards empoweringwakafandzakatin the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy.
Classification and types of risk for properties belonging to low-income and poor individuals in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Fauzi Puteri Nur Farah Naadia , Laldin Mohamad Akram
Published: February 2019

In Islam, the presence of risk is not only acknowledged but steps need to be taken to manage it properly through the process of risk management. One of the processes is the identification of risk which involves classification and types of risk. Specifically, in the development of properties, the presence of risks is inevitable. Improper management of risk especially for properties belonging to the low-income and poor individuals could mean that they will suffer from a bigger loss and poverty. Existing literature has shown and identified the inherent risks in the development of properties in Malaysia. However, risks exposed to in the development of properties belonging to the low-income and poor individuals in Malaysia are not properly identified. Consequently, a study is conducted to identify risks exposed to in the development of properties belonging to low-income and poor individuals in Malaysia. This study combines literature review and interview with experts and practitioners from various fields such as mua’malat, risk management, construction, developers, Majlis Agama Islam Negeri-Negeri (MAINs) and contractors. Findings from this study suggested that i) 94 risks were identified related to the development of properties belonging to low-income and poor individuals in Malaysia, and ii) Shariah elements i.e mua’malat and its requirements are included as one of the risks in the development of properties belonging to low-income and poor individuals in Malaysia. The findings become the basis and considered significant in assisting authorities and related organizations to understand and address risks accordingly and may assist the future development of a comprehensive Shariah compliance risk management for the development of properties in Malaysia.
Analysis of Trace Metal Contamination in Pahang River and Kelantan River, Malaysia
Authors: Manap Norpadzlihatun , Sandirasegaran Kavitha , Syahrom Noor Shahifah , Amir Amnorzahira
Published: February 2019

The primary objective of this study is to determine trace metal contamination in environmental samples obtained from Pahang River and Kelantan River, Malaysia which may help to identify the risk of sustainable dredging in these areas. This research also proceeds to compare the trace metal concentration with the National Water Quality Standards of Malaysia, Interim Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines and Malaysian Food Act 1983 to determine its limits and risks. Samples of water, sediment, snails and fishes were collected and analyzed for As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Ni, Mn, and Hg by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was found that the concentration of trace metals namely As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Hg in river water, sediment, snail and fish samples in Pahang River were lower than the maximum allowable limits, except for Fe and Mn. In Kelantan River, the concentration of trace metals indicating that it is contaminated with Fe, Mn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Hg, and As as all trace metals exceeded the maximum allowable limits. Negative impacts may arise, and the river may contaminate more in future if there is no proper management to tackle this issue during execution of dredging activities.
The State of the Art of Materials Management Research in the Construction Industry
Authors: Koriom Ngor K. , Brahim Juliana , Zakaria Ideris , Kaish A.B.M Amrul , Mohsen Manal
Published: February 2019

Materials management is a vital element in managing projects as materials contribute more than 60% of the total project cost. It also plays a key role because the success of every construction project relies heavily on having materials on time and at a reasonable cost. Thus, it affects the overall project performance. Despite the importance of materials management for construction projects, construction contractors are still suffering from the loss of productivity, project delay and cost overruns due to the absence of proper implementation of materials management. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review the state of the art of materials management research in the construction industry. A literature review from books, journal articles and conferences papers related to this topic was carried out. Findings show that previous research related to materials management studies were focused more on large construction contractors while small and medium contractors have received little attention. Hence, a study that focuses on the small and medium contractors is needed as this group undertakes more than 90% of the activities in the Malaysian construction industry.
The Effectiveness Of Building Plan Approval. Case Study: Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Selangor
Authors: Marzukhi Marlyana Azyyati , Jaafar Azfarnizam , Leh Oliver Ling Hoon
Published: February 2019

The growth of construction activities in Malaysia has given rise to the need for more statutory controls to ensure systematic and orderly development. This process of statutory approval refers to obtaining permissions from the relevant authorities to ensure the development follows the standards laid down in the building regulations and certain stages of the construction are inspected by officers from the local authority. This effort is evidenced by the improvement of mechanism delivery system of building plan process, known as One Stop Centre (OSC). In fact, the building plan and construction permit approval come as the most important stage in development as it will determine the exact date for construction to start. However, relatively little is known about the effectiveness of building plan process in the local authority. Therefore, a study has been carried out to investigate the effectiveness of building plan approval process in Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ). A questionnaires survey has been conducted to forty-seven (47) respondents from the MPSJ’s internal technical departments that involved in the process. The respondents have mostly felt that the ineffectiveness of the building plan approval process was due to the incomplete documents submitted to the OSC, lack of knowledge among the Professional Submitting Person (PSP) and the incapability of staffs in handling development applications. Hence, the findings present a synthesis of results for town planners, architects, developers and government agencies to have a better understanding of how the effective and efficient building plan process can rationalize the success of property development sector. Thus, the knowledge serves as a basis for future strategic planning decisions and guidance in the delivery system in Malaysia.
The Role of Local Materials in Creating A Meaningful Visual Experiences in Urban Public Facilities
Authors: Mustikawati Triandriani , Sengke Maria M.C , Atmodiwirjo Paramita , Yatmo Yandi Andri
Published: February 2019

This paper discusses visibility potential of local material products that are used as part of architectural spaces. Knowing the visibility potential of local materials is essential to create visual clarity that supports the ease of spatial orientation and navigation and provides a meaningful visual experience in urban public facilities. This study aims at finding the property quality of objects from local materials that contribute to the visibility potential. Field studies were conducted to identify different types of products from local materials and their characteristics associated with the quality of space experience. The visibility analysis using 3D software program then was carried out by simulating the placement of objects as elements of space in a particular spatial configuration. The result reveals several patterns of possible placement of objects from local materials that have the best potential to enhance visibility. These patterns can add to the alternative vocabulary in architectural design.
Price Prediction Model of Demand and Supply in the Housing Market
Authors: Zainal Rozlin , Ramli Fazilah , Manap Norpadzlihatun , Ali Maimunah , Kasim Narimah , Noh Hamidun Mohd. , Shareh Musa Sharifah Meryam
Published: February 2019

Over recent years, the imbalance between housing demand and supply, particularly in the high-cost housing segment, led to the rapid increase in the house prices. This paper has applied the standard theory of consumer demand and supply supplemented using content analysis method to explain the trend of housing demand and supply of housing market in Malaysia. Sampling in the quantitative content analysis is carried out to achieve the objective. Property Market Status Report in the NAPIC website provide a series data for total housing demand and supply for any house type of terrace, detached, cluster and townhouse in the price range between RM50,000 to RM300,000. All data provided cover from the first quarter until the fourth quarter across the year 2006 to 2015 specifically in Peninsular Malaysia only. Each level of the house price has a different equilibrium price so that developers can use it as an indicator based on the housing type. This research will promote ways to achieve the sustainabiliy in construction output overall so that the scholars can improve the equilibrium price model proposed in order to make the Malaysian housing become an affordable.