bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulfur-doped covalent triazine-based frameworks for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water under visible light
Authors: Li Liuyi , Fang Wei , Zhang Peng , Bi Jinhong , He Yunhui , Wang Jinyun , Su Wenyue
Published: July 2016

Sulfur-doped covalent organic frameworks were synthesized via a simple approach for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water under visible light.
Comparative daily energy expenditure and water turnover by Dorper and Merino sheep measured using doubly labelled water
Authors: Munn Adam J. , Alemseged Yohannes , Vendl Catharina , Stewart Mathew , Leggett Keith
Published: July 2016

Details of the energy (food) requirements of domestic herbivores are essential for predicting grazing pressures and subsequent ecological impacts on rangelands. However, these details are lacking for some of the more recently introduced sheep breeds to Australia, such as the Dorper breed sheep, which are principally meat sheep, and it is uncertain how they compare with the traditional Merino, a wool-breed, sheep. We used the doubly labelled water method to compare the field metabolic rate and water turnover rate of Dorpers and Merinos grazing together in a small holding paddock in a typical rangeland environment. We found no significant differences in field metabolic rate (Dorpers 481 ± 125 kJ and Merinos 500 ± 109 kJ kg–0.73 day–1) or water turnover rate (Dorpers 397 ± 57 mL and Merinos 428 ± 50 mL kg–0.8 day–1). As such we conclude that under controlled conditions with limited movement and ready access to feed and water, dry sheep equivalent of 1 is appropriate for Dorpers (that is, one Dorper ewe had a grazing requirement equal to one standard, dry Merino wether). However, we also found that the field metabolic rate for Merinos under these conditions was only around half that measured in published studies for animals ranging freely in a large paddock system. This suggests that more work is needed to fully appreciate the energetic and grazing impacts of Dorpers versus Merinos under more realistic grazing conditions (e.g. large paddock systems) where feed and water are more spread. It also highlights limitations of the current dry sheep equivalent rating system, which has been derived from laboratory measures of sheep metabolic rates.
Knowledge, advice and attitudes toward women driving a car after caesarean section or hysterectomy: A survey of obstetrician/gynaecologists and midwives
Authors: Shand Antonia W. , Harpham Margie E. , Lainchbury Anne , McCormack Lalla , Leung Stefanie , Nassar Natasha
Published: July 2016

Background

Women are given variable information about when to recommence driving after surgery.

Aims

To assess obstetrician/gynaecologists’ and midwives’ knowledge, attitudes and advice about car driving after abdominal surgery including hysterectomy or caesarean section (CS).

Materials and Methods

An anonymous SurveyMonkey™ survey was distributed to accredited trainees and Fellows of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and midwives registered with the Australian College of Midwives by email in November 2013. Demographic information, recommendations about driving, and reasoning behind these recommendations were collected.

Results

Nine hundred and seventy‐seven clinician responses (15.8%) were analysed: 555 midwives, 92 trainees and 330 Fellows. Ninety‐six percent gave advice about driving after surgery. Respondents considered pain (85.6%), medication (73.2%) and mobility (70.5%) the most important factors when advising on resumption of driving. After uncomplicated CS, 19% said they would advise a well woman that she could drive <4 weeks, 18% advised four weeks, 33% advised five to six weeks and 27% did not give a specific timeframe. Similar timeframes were given following hysterectomy. Of each professional group, trainees (49%) and midwives (48%) were more likely to advise waiting five to six weeks to resume driving compared with Fellows (9%) (P < 0.001). Although 71.5% of respondents thought that most women drove before four weeks, only 33.9% of respondents thought driving earlier than advice given was unsafe.

Conclusions

Clinicians frequently give advice about driving after surgery. This advice is inconsistent and many advise women not to drive for significant time periods. This study highlights the need for education and research about driving after surgery.
Electronic cigarette explosion associated with extensive intraoral injuries
Authors: Brooks John K. , Kleinman Justin W. , Brooks Jeremy B. , Reynolds Mark A.
Published: July 2016

With the rise in popularity of usage of various electronic smoking devices, there have been increasing reports of explosions, often resulting in complex injuries to the head and neck. To promote the awareness of this new phenomenon, a case report is provided regarding an 18‐year‐old male who had an electronic cigarette explode in his mouth. He presented with severe damage to the anterior dentition (fractured teeth, avulsions, luxation), had fractured the premaxilla and anterior nasal spine, and sustained lacerations to the upper lip, labial mucosa, gingivae, tongue, hard palate, and facial skin.
Heart transplantation after Fontan: Results from a surgical Fontan cohort
Authors: Pundi Kavitha N. , Pundi Krishna , Driscoll David J. , Dearani Joseph A. , Li Zhuo , Dahl Sonja H. , Mora Bassem N. , O'Leary Patrick W. , Daly Richard C. , Cetta Frank , Johnson Jonathan N.
Published: July 2016

We performed a retrospective review of outcomes after heart transplantation during long‐term follow‐up of a surgical cohort of 1138 Fontan patients who were followed at the Mayo Clinic. Follow‐up information was obtained from medical records and a clinical questionnaire that was mailed to patients not known to be deceased at the initiation of the study. Forty‐four of 1138 Fontan patients with initial or subsequent evaluation at Mayo had cardiac transplantation between 1988 and 2014 (mean age at transplantation was 23.2 ± 12 yr, median was 19.8 yr; mean interval between Fontan and transplantation was 13.0 ± 7.7 yr, median was 13.1 yr). Two patients had combined organ transplantation (one heart–lung, one heart–liver). Twelve of the 44 (27%) patients had PLE prior to transplantation. There was no difference in post‐bypass Fontan pressures or incidence of late reoperations for AVV repair/replacement between transplanted and non‐transplanted patients. There were 16 (36%) deaths in the transplantation cohort; seven occurred within 30 days of transplantation. Overall one, five, 10, and 15 yr post‐transplantation survival was 80%, 72%, 69%, and 55%, respectively. Although this is a challenging group of patients, intermediate‐term results suggest that cardiac transplantation remains a reasonable option for patients with a failed Fontan circulation.
Superior mitochondrial adaptations in human skeletal muscle after interval compared to continuous single‐leg cycling matched for total work
Authors: MacInnis Martin J. , Zacharewicz Evelyn , Martin Brian J. , Haikalis Maria E. , Skelly Lauren E. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Murphy Robyn M. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: July 2016

Key points

A classic unresolved issue in human integrative physiology involves the role of exercise intensity, duration and volume in regulating skeletal muscle adaptations to training.

We employed counterweighted single‐leg cycling as a unique within‐subject model to investigate the role of exercise intensity in promoting training‐induced increases in skeletal muscle mitochondrial content.

Six sessions of high‐intensity interval training performed over 2 weeks elicited greater increases in citrate synthase maximal activity and mitochondrial respiration compared to moderate‐intensity continuous training matched for total work and session duration.

These data suggest that exercise intensity, and/or the pattern of contraction, is an important determinant of exercise‐induced skeletal muscle remodelling in humans.

We employed counterweighted single‐leg cycling as a unique model to investigate the role of exercise intensity in human skeletal muscle remodelling. Ten young active men performed unilateral graded‐exercise tests to measure single‐leg and peak power (Wpeak). Each leg was randomly assigned to complete six sessions of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) [4 × (5 min at 65% Wpeak and 2.5 min at 20% Wpeak)] or moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) (30 min at 50% Wpeak), which were performed 10 min apart on each day, in an alternating order. The work performed per session was matched for MICT (143 ± 8.4 kJ) and HIIT (144 ± 8.5 kJ, P > 0.05). Post‐training, citrate synthase (CS) maximal activity (10.2 ± 0.8 vs. 8.4 ± 0.9 mmol kg protein−1 min−1) and mass‐specific [pmol O2•(s•mg wet weight)−1] oxidative phosphorylation capacities (complex I: 23.4 ± 3.2 vs. 17.1 ± 2.8; complexes I and II: 58.2 ± 7.5 vs. 42.2 ± 5.3) were greater in HIIT relative to MICT (interaction effects, P < 0.05); however, mitochondrial function [i.e. pmol O2•(s•CS maximal activity)−1] measured under various conditions was unaffected by training (P > 0.05). In whole muscle, the protein content of COXIV (24%), NDUFA9 (11%) and mitofusin 2 (MFN2) (16%) increased similarly across groups (training effects, P < 0.05). Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV) and NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit A9 (NDUFA9) were more abundant in type I than type II fibres (P < 0.05) but training did not increase the content of COXIV, NDUFA9 or MFN2 in either fibre type (P > 0.05). Single‐leg was also unaffected by training (P > 0.05). In summary, single‐leg cycling performed in an interval compared to a continuous manner elicited superior mitochondrial adaptations in human skeletal muscle despite equal total work.
Applications of local floras for floristic subdivision and monitoring vascular plant diversity in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Khitun Olga V. , Koroleva Tatiana M. , Chinenko Svetlana V. , Petrovsky Vladislav V. , Pospelova Elena B. , Pospelov Igor N. , Zverev Andrei
Published: July 2016

The local flora method has been used by Russian botanists for studying vast wilderness areas. The method strives to determine the total flora within a certain limited area and provides comparable data for spatial comparisons between different locations and temporal comparisons at the same location. Complete vascular plant diversity was sampled in 240 localities with an area between 100 and 300 km2 each throughout the Russian Arctic. These data were incorporated in a specially developed Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). This database provides a unique opportunity to study spatial gradients of different floristic variables. Pairwise similarity of species composition and proportions of various phytogeographical groups in local floras were used in a floristic subdivision of the Russian Arctic. The floristic units derived by this method often resembled subprovinces of B.A. Yurtsev (1994. J. Veg. Sci. 5(6): 765–776), but there were also several areas of nonalignment. Application of local floras for monitoring of temporal changes has several constraints. However, nine local floras were revisited 20–70 years after the initial survey. Increases in the number of Boreal and Hypoarctic species were recorded in the southern local floras. Standardized methods and the use of modern technical tools for accurate documentation could enable use of this approach at observatories across the Arctic.
CofiFab
Authors: Song Peng , Deng Bailin , Wang Ziqi , Dong Zhichao , Li Wei , Fu Chi-Wing , Liu Ligang
Published: July 2016

This paper presents CofiFab, a coarse-to-fine 3D fabrication solution, combining 3D printing and 2D laser cutting for cost-effective fabrication of large objects at lower cost and higher speed. Our key approach is to first build coarse internal base structures within the given 3D object using laser cutting, and then attach thin 3D-printed parts, as an external shell, onto the base to recover the fine surface details. CofiFab achieves this with three novel algorithmic components. First, we formulate an optimization model to compute fabricatable polyhedrons of maximized volume, as the geometry of the internal base. Second, we devise a new interlocking scheme to tightly connect the laser-cut parts into a strong internal base, by iteratively building a network of nonorthogonal joints and interlocking parts around polyhedral corners. Lastly, we optimize the partitioning of the external object shell into 3D-printable parts, while saving support material and avoiding overhangs. Besides cost saving, these components also consider aesthetics, stability and balancing. Hence, CofiFab can efficiently produce large objects by assembly. To evaluate CofiFab, we fabricate objects of varying shapes and sizes, and show that CofiFab can significantly outperform previous methods.
Fidelity vs. simplicity
Authors: Favreau Jean-Dominique , Lafarge Florent , Bousseau Adrien
Published: July 2016

Vector drawing is a popular representation in graphic design because of the precision, compactness and editability offered by parametric curves. However, prior work on line drawing vectorization focused solely on faithfully capturing input bitmaps, and largely overlooked the problem of producing a compact and editable curve network. As a result, existing algorithms tend to produce overly-complex drawings composed of many short curves and control points, especially in the presence of thick or sketchy lines that yield spurious curves at junctions. We propose the first vectorization algorithm that explicitly balances fidelity to the input bitmap with simplicity of the output, as measured by the number of curves and their degree. By casting this trade-off as a global optimization, our algorithm generates few yet accurate curves, and also disambiguates curve topology at junctions by favoring the simplest interpretations overall. We demonstrate the robustness of our algorithm on a variety of drawings, sketchy cartoons and rough design sketches.
Binary continuous image decomposition for multi-view display
Authors: Koutaki Gou
Published: July 2016

This paper proposes multi-view display using a digital light processing (DLP) projector and new active shutter glasses. In conventional stereoscopic active shutter systems, active shutter glasses have a 0--1 (open and closed) state, and the right and left frames are temporally divided. However, this causes the display to flicker because the human eye perceives the appearance of black frames when the other shutter is closing. Furthermore, it is difficult to increase the number of views because the number of frames representing images is also divided. We solve these problems by extending the active shutter beyond the use of the 0--1 state to a continuous range of states [0, 1] instead. This relaxation leads to the formulation of a new DLP imaging model and an optimization problem. The special structure of DLP binary imaging and the continuous transmittance of the new active shutter glasses require the solution of a binary continuous image decomposition problem. Although it contains NP-hard problems, the proposed algorithm can efficiently solve the problem. The implementation of our imaging system requires the development of an active shutter device with continuous transmittance. We implemented the control of the transmittance of the liquid crystal display (LCD) shutter by using a pulse-width modulation (PWM). A simulation and the developed multi-view display system were used to show that our model can represent multi-view images more accurately than the conventional time-division 0-1 active shutter system.
Automatically scheduling halide image processing pipelines
Authors: Mullapudi Ravi Teja , Adams Andrew , Sharlet Dillon , Ragan-Kelley Jonathan , Fatahalian Kayvon
Published: July 2016

The Halide image processing language has proven to be an effective system for authoring high-performance image processing code. Halide programmers need only provide a high-level strategy for mapping an image processing pipeline to a parallel machine (a
schedule
), and the Halide compiler carries out the mechanical task of generating platform-specific code that implements the schedule. Unfortunately, designing high-performance schedules for complex image processing pipelines requires substantial knowledge of modern hardware architecture and code-optimization techniques. In this paper we provide an algorithm for automatically generating high-performance schedules for Halide programs. Our solution extends the function bounds analysis already present in the Halide compiler to automatically perform locality and parallelism-enhancing global program transformations typical of those employed by expert Halide developers. The algorithm does not require costly (and often impractical) auto-tuning, and, in seconds, generates schedules for a broad set of image processing benchmarks that are performance-competitive with, and often better than, schedules manually authored by expert Halide developers on server and mobile CPUs, as well as GPUs.
Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Utility of the ProCore Biopsy Needle for Lymph Node Sampling
Authors: Xing Juan , Manos Steven , Monaco Sara E. , Wilson David O. , Pantanowitz Liron
Published: July 2016

Objective: The ProCore ultrasound biopsy needle, used primarily to obtain intra-abdominal tissue core biopsies, has not been widely used for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). In this pilot study we evaluated the utility of the ProCore needle for sampling mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes during EBUS-TBNA. Design: Thirty-two patients were identified using both ProCore and conventional fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needles for sampling mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes (the study group). Another 33 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA using an FNA needle only (the control group). Specimen satisfactory rates were compared between the study and control groups. Aspirate smears and cell blocks were evaluated for the cellularity of lesional cells and bronchial contamination in a subset of patients in the study group. Results: Overall, the ProCore needle did not show additive value to specimen adequacy when comparing the satisfactory rates of the study and control groups (94 vs. 89%). The ProCore needle also did not procure significantly more lesional cells than the FNA needle. Conclusion: Our experience shows that the ProCore needle does not provide additive value when performing an FNA of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes. The evaluation of more cases with this new technique is necessary to better determine the clinical utility of using ProCore during EBUS-TBNA.
Women & Legislative Leadership in the U.S. Congress: Representing Women's Interests in Partisan Times
Authors: Swers Michele L.
Published: July 2016

Women are drastically underrepresented in American political institutions. This has prompted speculation about the impact of electing more women on policy and the functioning of government. Examining the growing presence of women in Congress, I demonstrate that women do exhibit unique policy priorities, focusing more on the needs of various groups of women. However, the incentive structure of the American electoral system, which rewards ideological purity, means that women are not likely to bring more consensus to Washington. Indeed, women's issues are now entrenched in the partisan divide. Since the 1990s, the majority of women elected to Congress have been Democrats, who have pursued their vision of women's interests while portraying Republican policies as harmful to women. In response, Republican women have been deployed to defend their party, further reducing the potential for bipartisan cooperation.
Faces in Motion: Embodiment, Emotion and Interaction
Authors: Nordhjem Barbara , Klug Jan , Otten Bert
Published: July 2016

As humans, we express what we think and feel by facial movements, often without even realizing it. In the (e)motion installation, the goal was to create awareness of even the subtlest movements of the face, and to facilitate interaction purely based on facial expressions. Facial movements were tracked by custom software and translated into motion vectors, which were in turn visualized and coupled with sounds. Participants could interact within the installation by responding to each other’s facial movements. (e)motion was inspired by embodied cognition and scientific studies on emotion and action. The installation was the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration between art, movement science and cognitive neuroscience.
Walk-in Theater: Interaction Design for a Miniature Experience with Peripatetic Cinema
Authors: Strickland Rachel , Bear Eric Gould , McKee Jim
Published: July 2016

Walk-in Theater is a portable virtual cinema for the display of spatially distributed multichannel movies (“walkies”). The miniature experience engages participants’ proprioceptors and spatial memory, allowing them to orient themselves as they navigate a field of scattered video streams and localized sounds reproduced on a handheld computing device. Departing from one-way linear cinema played on a single rectangular screen, this multichannel virtual environment pursues a cinematic paradigm that undoes habitual ways of framing things, employing architectural concepts in a polylinear-video polyphonic-sound construction to create a kind of experience that lets the world reveal itself and permits discovery on the part of beholders. Interaction design for Walk-in Theater supports approaches to cinematic construction that employ the ambulatory, multiple and simultaneous viewpoints that humans exercise in everyday life.
Impact of the Cold Pool on Mesoscale Convective System–Produced Extreme Rainfall over Southeastern South Korea: 7 July 2009
Authors: Jeong Jong-Hoon , Lee Dong-In , Wang Chung-Chieh
Published: July 2016

In this study, an extreme rainfall-producing quasi-stationary mesoscale convective system (MCS) associated with the Changma front in southeastern South Korea is investigated using numerical simulations and sensitivity tests. A record-breaking rainfall amount was recorded in response to repeated initiation of new cells (i.e., back-building) over the same area for several hours. The aim of this study is to realistically simulate and analyze this extreme rainfall event to better understand an impact of the cold pool that leads to the quasi-stationary MCS over southeastern South Korea by using a convection-allowing-resolution (2 km) nonhydrostatic atmospheric model.

The control experiment (CNTL) was successfully performed, yielding the quasi-stationary, back-building MCS at approximately the correct location and time. In the CNTL run, diabatic cooling due to evaporation of raindrops was responsible for the formation of the cold pool. The development of the cold pool was responsible for the deceleration of the propagating convective line, which played a role in the stalling of the MCS over southeastern South Korea. Moreover, new convective cells were repeatedly initiated in the region where an oncoming warm inflow met the leading edge of the cold pool and was uplifted. In an experiment without evaporative cooling (NOEVA), the simulated precipitation pattern was shifted to the northeast because the MCS became nonstationary without the cold pool. The cold pool had an essential role in the stationarity of the MCS, which resulted in extreme rainfall over the Busan metropolitan area.
Magnetron Sputtering Deposition of Calcium Phosphate Films with Nanoscale Grain Morphology in their Surface
Authors: Otaño Wilfredo , Pantojas Víctor M. , Figueroa Juan M. , Hernández Darimar , Rodríguez-Navarro Alejandro
Published: July 2016

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a calcium phosphate mineral analogous to the mineral part of bone. This similarity makes this material bioactive and suitable to coat medical implants. However, at present, there is not a coating technique which gives the coated implant the desired properties and long life required for medical implants.

In an effort to produce HA coatings with improved properties, calcium phosphate films were prepared using magnetron sputtering deposition on a silicon substrate at 600°C. Initial efforts resulted in the deposition of amorphous films with a distinctive grain-like surface morphology. The morphological grain size was studied using SEM and found that it was possible to control the average diameter value of the round shaped grains by adjusting the deposition time. Increasing the deposition time increases the mean grain diameter. EDS spectra showed the unintentional addition of carbon, iron and nickel to the samples during deposition. After eliminating the impurities, it was possible to prepare calcium phosphate films in the HA phase but without the grain-like surface morphology. These results suggested that the impurities prevented the formation of the calcium phosphate HA phase while acting as nuclei for the heterogeneous nucleation of the grains. This is an important result where the deposition process parameters can be controlled to functionalize the films in order to produce distinctive nanoscale features in the surface morphology.
Avaliação da qualidade de luvas de látex utilizadas em procedimentos odontológicos
Authors: Batista Júlio Neto Souto , Rodrigues Maria Dara Do Rego Alves , Gomes Ravenna Melo Vieira , Rodrigues Caroline De Deus Tupinambá , Gonçalves Alessandro Ribeiro
Published: July 2016

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a qualidade de luvas de látex de procedimento de cinco marcas comerciais utilizadas na prática clínica. Foram realizados os testes de Inspeção Visual (IV) e de Integridade (TI) em luvas de procedimento a fim de detectar possíveis defeitos de fabricação. Foram avaliadas 1007 luvas de procedimento (duas caixas tamanho M de cada fabricante). Do total, 3,87% apresentaram problemas no teste IV e 1,96% no TI. A marca SATARI® obteve melhor desempenho no teste IV, enquanto a SUPERMAX® o pior. A marca DESCARPACK® obteve o melhor desempenho no TI e a EMBRAMAC® o pior. No quesito hermeticidade, em comparação com o nível de qualidade aceitável, imposto pelo INMETRO, as marcas EMBRAMAC® e LEMGRUBER® foram reprovadas.
Sindicatos y política en México: cambios, continuidades y contradicciones, de Graciela Bensusán y Kevin Middlebrook
Authors: Subiñas Marta
Published: July 2016

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Tradição oral, narração e mito: a Mitoteca Baniwa
Authors: Santos Silvana Rossélia
Published: July 2016

Tradição oral, narração e mito: a Mitoteca Baniwa
Will Uzbekistan’s oil and gas industry benefit from international listing?
Authors: Suvanova Kurkam , Lee Changmin , Kang Hyoung-Goo
Published: July 2016

Uzbekistan’s oil and gas industry is experiencing declining production due to the depletion of existing oil and gas fields and aging production infrastructure. A multi-level organizational structure at Uzbekneftegaz is another reason for low efficiency of the industry, which causes the problems of increased bureaucracy, increased tax burden and inefficient allocation of resources. Partial privatization of Uzbekneftegaz can be an efficient tool in attracting alternative financing without putting the burden on the state budget and not ceding government control. Being listed on the international market, Uzbekneftegaz will have to follow internationally accepted corporate governance standards. This will have a positive impact on the efficiency and productivity of the industry
The importance of impulse oscillometry in bronchial provocation testing in confirming the diagnosis of asthma in male army recruits
Authors: Koruga Dragan , Tot-Veres Kristina , Plavec Goran , Loncarevic Olivera
Published: July 2016

Background/Aim. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a technique valid for measuring the lung function in obstructive lung diseases and bronchial provocation tests. However, no consensus exists for its use. The aim of the study was to assess impulse oscillometry sensitivity for detection of early airways changes during bronchial provocation testing and to compare with changes obtained with spirometry and bodyplethysmography in male army recruits. Methods. Male military recruits were submitted to bronchial provocation test with histamine by the aerosol provocation system. Out of 52 male military recruits subjected to attempts to make the diagnosis of asthma the study included 31 subjects with fall of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) above 20%. The changes of impulse oscillometry were measured one step before and after provocation dose (PD) of histamine and compared with the changes of bodyplethysmography and spirometry. Results. The average age of male army recruits was 23.3 year. After bronchoprovocation there was an average increase of the total resistance at 5 Hz (R5) by 66.6%, resonant frequency (Fres) by 102.2%, Goldman index (AX) by 912.1%, the arway resistance (Raw) by 121.5%, and a decrease in reactance at 5 Hz (X5) by 132.1% and FEV1 by 25.6%. One step before the last inhaled of PD20 there was an average increase of 26.7% in R5, 24.1% in Fres, 85.3% in AX, 11.9% in Raw and a decrease in X5 by 26.9% and FEV1 by 4.3%. A correlation between impulse oscillometry and bodyplethysmography parameters was obtained. Conclusion. This paper demonstrates a sufficient sensitivity of impulse oscillometry to detect changes in airways, so it may play a complementary role in the diagnosis of asthma in male military recruits.
Fabrication Method of Aluminum Matrix Composite (AMCs): A Review
Authors: Ervina Efzan Mohd Noor , Siti Syazwani N. , Al Bakri Abdullah Mohd Mustafa
Published: July 2016

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are increasingly become attractive materials for advanced applications including aerospace and automotive applications because of their properties can be tailored through the addition of selected reinforcements. On viewing from both scientific and technological aspects, their excellent mechanical properties and relatively low production cost makes them a very viable candidate for a variety of applications. This paper focused on the suitable and common methods used to fabricate the AMCs such as powder metallurgy, stir-casting, squeeze casting and compo-casting method. The advantages and disadvantages of those fabrication methods are discovered through this paper.
Monomeric Structure Characterization of Different Sources Biomass Lignin
Authors: Abdul Halim Noor Amirah , Ngadi Norzita , Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammad Nasir , Ansari Suriyati Mohamed
Published: July 2016

Utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as the source for lignin could possibly gain an interest and future demands due to its potential to be converted into high value added compound based on their structural characteristics. Three types of biomass lignin originated from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFB), coconut husk and kenaf fibers are subjected to an alkaline hydrolyzation in steam autoclave and precipitation by phosphoric acid. The structural characterization of all three lignin samples performed by FTIR spectroscopy and HNMR analysis suggests that OPEFB is primarily consist of syringyl (S) units while coconut husk and kenaf fiber were consisted of guaiacyl (G) units. However, all three samples exhibit small portion of p-hydroxyphenyl propane (H) units.
Oxidation Behavior of NiAl Produced by Gel Combustion Synthesis
Authors: Gonsalvez Tammy Anne , Manap Abreeza , Afandi Nurfanizan , Misran Halina
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the results of a study of the oxidation behavior of NiAl produced by gel combustion synthesis calcined at two different temperatures. The objective is to compare the oxide growth rates, oxide scale composition, morphology and elemental composition of the sample powder subjected to isothermal oxidation and calcined at 1050 °C and 1300 °C for 1, 2, 4 and 10 hours by means of mass gain measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microsocopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDX) in order to investigate the reliability of the gel combustion synthesis method and evaluate the effect of calcination temperature on the oxidation behaviour of the powder. It was found that for the sample calcined at 1300°C the sample was made up mainly of metastable and stable alumina before oxidation and stable alpha alumina after oxidation whereas for the powder calcined at 1050°C the sample was mainly composed of detrimental mixed oxides before and after oxidation. Overall findings indicate that the oxidation behavior of the powder calcined at 1300°C is more protective compared to the powder calcined at 1050°C.
Surface Modification of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Using Double-Chained Quartenary Ammonium Bromide
Authors: Osman Mohd Junaedy , Wan Yunus Wan Md Zin , Khim Ong Keat , Kasim Noor Azilah Mohd , Jamal Siti Hasnawati , Ahmad Mansor , Ibrahim Nor Azowa
Published: July 2016

Modification of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) plays an important role to produce MWCNT crossbreeds that may be useful for exploration of new materials. In this report, characterization of dimethyl dioctadecylammonium bromide (DDOAB) modified multi-walled carbon nanotube (Mo-MWCNT) using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) is described. FTIR shows the presence of both aliphatic (CH stretching and CH bending) and ammonium (CN stretching) groups from DDOAB and the existence of C=C aromatic functional group from the structure of MWCNT in Mo-MWCNT spectra. This result was supported by TGA result which suggests that there are weight losses due to the degradation of DDOAB (between 250 °C to 500 °C) in the product. In addition, XRD pattern remain after modification suggesting attachment of MWCNT and DDOAB occurs at the surface of MWCNT.
Effect of Rolling Reduction on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Plain Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Nordala Phoumiphon , Othman Radzali , Ismail Ahmad Badri
Published: July 2016

In the present study, the effect of cold-rolling for the amount of reduction in thickness ranging from 25% to 75% on microstructure and mechanical properties of plain low carbon steel processed from dual-phase ferrite-martensite starting microstructure was studied. As the cold-rolling, the microstructure elongated to rolling direction and more compressed with increasing the rolling reduction and strength also increased. After annealing at warm temperature 500°C, the ultrafine grained was obtained in the 75% rolling reduction. Moreover, it was exhibited excellent strength of 82% and hardness of 66.1% higher than as-received condition with adequate uniform elongation 9.6%.
Interfacial Reaction between Sn-Ag-Cu-Mg Solder and ENIG Substrate
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroshi , Alhazaa Abdulaziz N. , He Si Liang , Almajid Abdulhakim A. , Soliman Mahmoud S.
Published: July 2016

In order to clarify the effect of the addition of Mg to Sn-Ag-Cu solder on the wettability and the microstructure of the solder, the reaction between Sn-Ag-Cu-Mg solder and a substrate was investigated. Sn-3.5mass%Ag-1.0mass%Cu-xMg solders (x =0, 0.2 and 0.4 mass%) was specially prepared in this study. For the reflow process, specimens were heated in a radiation furnace at 250 oC for 120 s to evaluate the wettability of the solder on a substrate and the microstructure of the solder matrix and the intermetallic compound layer at the interface. The results showed that the spreading area of Sn-Ag-Cu-Mg solder is almost similar with that of Sn-Ag-Cu solder regardless of oxygen concentration. In the case of Sn-Ag-Cu-Mg solders, it was observed that intermetallic compounds (IMCs) containing Mg were formed in the solder matrix and near the interface. The IMC formation at the interface for Sn-Ag-Cu-Mg solders was almost similar with that for Sn-Ag-Cu solder.
Multiaxial Viscoplasticity Modelling of Power Plant Steel
Authors: Saad Abdullah Aziz , Sun Wei , Mohd Tobi Abdul Latif
Published: July 2016

The thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) of power plant components is caused by the cyclic operation of power plant. A time-dependent plasticity model can be used to simulate the component response under cyclic thermo-mechanical loading. This paper is concerned with the modelling of thermo-mechanical behaviour of power plant steel under various loading conditions. Fully-reversed, strain-controlled tests were conducted on a parent material of P91 steel at high temperatures in order to determine material constants. A unified, Chaboche viscoplasticity model, was used to model the TMF behaviour of the steel. The multiaxial form of the Chaboche constitutive equations have been implemented in the finite element software and validated by comparing to experimental data. Simulation results have been compared with the results of anisothermal cyclic testing in order to validate the performance of the model in cyclic temperature conditions. The model’s performance under multiaxial stress conditions was investigated by testing and simulating the notched bar specimen under load-controlled conditions.
Fabrication and Characterization of Porcine Bone-Derived Hydroxyapatite-Alumina Biocomposite
Authors: Apostol Madeleine , Lobigan Jovito Leo , Cruz John Kenneth
Published: July 2016

The main function of a bone graft is to support bone in growth, to induce bone healing, and to facilitate bone regeneration. Synthetic bone grafts are used since it can be easily modified according to the properties needed for a good bone substitute. For this study, a hydroxyapatite-alumina biocomposite was fabricated via sintering at 1000 °C. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was extracted from porcine bones by means of calcination. Amounts of HAp, alumina, and starch were varied to determine the compositional effects in mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The produced biocomposites were found to be compact and solid with minimal pores at the surface. Also, surface grains vary in sizes. Compression tests were done and the calculated maximum stresses range from 45.46 to 219.02 MPa. The sample with 80wt% HAp-10wt% alumina-10wt% starch has the best compressive strength. While the three-day immersion test using simulated body fluid yielded positive results as the samples were found to be stable with the highest weight loss being only 2.36%.
Fabrication and Characterization of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan Blend Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane
Authors: Islam Md Shariful , Mansura Fayeka , Afifi Amalina Muhammad , Ang Bee Chin
Published: July 2016

In this study, poly (vinyl alcohol) / chitosan blend nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning process in different polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan weight ratios. The nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM images showed that, 50:50 poly vinyl alcohol/chitosan blend was the ideal ratio for producing beadless nanofiber. The average diameter of the beadless nanofiber was found to be 123 nm. FTIR and XRD results demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the molecules of poly vinyl alcohol and chitosan.
Effect of Aluminum Source on the Structural and Thermal Properties of Partially Phosphorylated Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite (PPVA) - Aluminum Phosphate (PPVA-AlPO4) Nanocomposite
Authors: Saat Asmalina Mohamed , Johan Mohd Rafie
Published: July 2016

Partially phosphorylated poly vinyl alcohol (PPVA) was mixed with two different aluminum (Al) sources (aluminum nitrate and aluminum hydroxide) to produce a PPVA-AlPO4 composite. Transgravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the weight residue of PPVA-AlPO4 composite using aluminum nitrate is higher than aluminum hydroxide. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the occurrence of multiple phases of PPVA-AlPO4 composite using aluminum nitrate and three broad peaks at range of 2-6, 6-18 and 24-36 ̊ using aluminum hydroxide.
Process Development and Optimization of Carbon-Based Thin Film Deposition through Ablation of Graphite
Authors: Andrew Chun Wey Low , Damideh Vahid , Saw Sor Heoh , Lim Chin Seong
Published: July 2016

This paper reports the deposition of carbon nanomaterials on silicon substrate using a dense plasma focus device. The film property is studied using a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The first test was deposited using 1, 3, 5, and 7 focus shots while the second test was carried out using 1 focus shot at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 Torr. Both tests were conducted with neon as filling gas at 7 Torr at distance of 8cm from the anode tip. In the first test, FESEM images exhibit a non-homogenous, non-uniformed and largely agglomerated carbon deposition at all films as pressure of filling gas increases. The EDX mapping confirms that carbon content in substrate increases from 10% to 30% as number of shot increases, and there is more carbon content detected in the centre position than the off-centre position. There is also a decrease in carbon content 35% to 25% as pressure of gas increases.
Effects of Ultrasound Irradiation on Synthesis of Solid Acid Catalysts
Authors: Ameen Mariam , Azizan Mohammad Tazli , Yusup Suzana , Ramli Anita , Yasir Madiha , Jais Khajia Ahmad , Sa'aid Mohammad Husaaini
Published: July 2016

The studies based on morphological characterization to assess the effects of ultrasound irradiation on synthesis of solid acid catalysts. Three sets of catalyst formulation were synthesized by both wet impregnation method and ultrasound assisted methods with different wt. % of Ni loading on γ-Al2O3. The XRD, BET, TEM and FESEM techniques were used to characterize the nano-particles. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the synthesized catalysts particles using ultrasound irradiation were in nano size range (1-24.5 nm) with equal dispersion of metal oxide, high surface area with increase of metal loading and high phase purity than the catalysts synthesized conventional method. These catalysts were also found in various crystal structures like cubic, monoclinic and tetrahedral. The use of ultrasound irradiation has great significance over the wet impregnation method in relation to the rate of synthesis of nanocatalysts. The high surface area, high thermal stability and small particle size (up to 1 nm) are the basic elements for high activity of solid acid catalysts in hydrocracking and hydrodeoxygenation of various feedstock in petroleum industries.
Characterization of Stoichiometric ZrO2 Thin Film on Si by Angle-Resolved X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Wong Yew Hoong , Cheong Kuan Yew
Published: July 2016

Simultaneous thermal oxidation and nitridation technique was utilized to transform sputtered Zr to stoichiometric ZrO2 thin films on Si substrate. The stoichiometry of this type of oxide has high dielectric constant value of ~25 may be applied as dielectric in metal-oxide-semiconductor-based power devices. Through nitrous oxide gas environment, the oxidation/nitridation process was performed at 700°C for a set of time of 5–20 min. Chemical properties of the fabricated films have been characterized by angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectrometer. From the characterization, it was found that stoichiometric Zr-O (ZrO2) was formed. Nitrogen content in the samples was investigated. It was identified that sample oxidized/nitrided for 15 min gives the highest atomic percentage of nitrogen of 2.64 at% in the interfacial layer. This nitrogen content in the near interface region may help to passivate the Si dangling bonds, which may thus enhance the interface quality of oxide-semiconductor.
Surface Morphology Analysis and Mechanical Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibrous Structure
Authors: Wong Dannee , Andriyana Andri , Ang Bee Chin , Chan Ying Rui , Lee Jacky Jia Li , Afifi Amalina Muhammad , Verron Erwan
Published: July 2016

The extraordinary properties of nanofibrous structure have gained ever-increasing appeal as an attractive candidate in a myriad of applications, especially for the water filtration. This type of structure has permeability due to its porous structure. Electrospinning is one of the most viable approaches in fabricating nanofibrous web that exhibits novel and outstanding performance in membrane separation as compared to those produced through conventional methods. Thus, the optimization of electrospinning processes is actively pursued by many researchers in order to obtain the best structure suitable for real-life applications. In this study, the surface morphology analysis and mechanical characterization of nanofibrous structure are addressed. For this purpose, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is considered. The polymeric nanofibrous structures are fabricated through electrospinning technique. Parameters such as polymer concentration and applied voltage for electrospinning process were varied and the resulting morphology of the structure were observed using SEM. In addition, the macroscopic mechanical responses of the structure were probed by means of tensile tests with special attention given to membrane anisotropy and behavior under cyclic loading.
Stability Threshold for Scalar Linear Periodic Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Nah Kyeongah , Röst Gergely
Published: July 2016

We prove that for the linear scalar delay differential equation

with non-negative periodic coefficients of period P > 0, the stability threshold for the trivial solution is , assuming that b(t+1)−a(t) does not change its sign. By constructing a class of explicit examples, we show the counter-intuitive result that, in general, r = 0 is not a stability threshold.
Assessing Spacing Impact on the Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer via Proper Orthogonal Decomposition
Authors: Ali Naseem , Hamilton Nicholas , Cal Raúl Bayáon
Published: July 2016

Abstract. A 4 × 3 array of wind turbines was assembled in a wind tunnel with four cases to study the influence based on streamwise and spanwise spacings. Data are extracted using stereo particle-image velocimetry and analyzed statistically. The maximum mean velocity is displayed at the upstream of the turbine with the spacing of 6D and 3D, in streamwise and spanwise direction, respectively. The region of interest downstream to the turbine confirms a notable influence of the streamwise spacing is shown when the spanwise spacing equals to 3D. Thus the significant impact of the spanwise spacing is observed when the streamwise spacing equals to 3D. Streamwise averaging is performed after shifting the upstream windows toward the downstream flow. The largest and smallest averaged Reynolds stress, and flux locates at cases 3D × 3D and 6D × 1.5D, respectively. Snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition is employed to identify the flow coherence depending on the turbulent kinetic energy content. The case of spacing 6D × 1.5D possesses highest energy content in the first mode compared with other cases. The impact of the streamwise and spanwise spacings in power produce is quantified, where the maximum power is found in the spacing of 6D × 3D.
DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with First-Line Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy
Authors: Rulli Eliana , Marabese Mirko , Piva Sheila , Bonomi Lucia , Caiola Elisa , Ganzinelli Monica
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DNA repair genes are believed to contribute to the clinical outcome of patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. We investigated the impact of 2 SNPs of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 and 2 of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group G on the outcome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods

Between October 2007 and March 2012, we collected 374 blood samples from consecutive patients registered in the TAILOR trial. Four SNPs (rs11615, rs3212986, rs17655, rs1047768) were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The rs11615 polymorphism was associated with histotype (p = 0.0123). No other correlations were found with clinical variables or with EGFR or KRAS mutational status. None of the SNPs had any impact on overall survival or progression-free survival.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the investigated SNPs do not make any significant contribution to the outcome of NSCLC.