bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utterance‐Final Lengthening Is Predictive of Infants’ Discrimination of English Accents
Authors: White Laurence , Floccia Caroline , Goslin Jeremy , Butler Joseph
Published: August 2014

Infants in their first year manifest selective patterns of discrimination between languages and between accents of the same language. Prosodic differences are held to be important in whether languages can be discriminated, together with the infant's familiarity with one or both of the accents heard. However, the nature of the prosodic cues that actually facilitate infant discrimination has not been directly examined. We analyzed the accent discrimination of 5‐ and 7‐month‐old British English infants, looking for durational features that could predict a range of discrimination results using the Headturn Preference Procedure. We previously found that both 5‐ and 7‐month‐olds based in Plymouth could discriminate Plymouth‐accented and Welsh‐accented English, while 5‐month‐olds could not discriminate Welsh‐accented and Scottish‐accented English. Most surprisingly, 7‐month‐olds failed to discriminate Plymouth‐accented and French‐accented English. From half of all utterances used in these four experiments, we calculated a range of durational metrics, both globally across utterances and locally at utterance‐final edges. Utterance‐edge metrics were the relative duration of the final consonant+vowel interval (nfinalCV) and the final vowel alone (nfinalV). Separately for 5‐ and 7‐month‐olds, we determined the difference in scores for all durational metrics between: (a) familiar training and novel test utterances and (b) familiar test and novel test utterances. Regression analyses showed unique predictors of discrimination. For 5‐month‐olds, the predictor was the difference in nfinalCV between familiar training and novel test utterances. For 7‐month‐olds, the predictor was the difference in finalV between familiar test and novel test utterances. This demonstrates an early sensitivity to precisely those localized timing features that are useful across languages for segmentation. We therefore predict that similar sensitivity should be shown in infants of other language backgrounds.
The Amount of Language Exposure Determines Nonlinguistic Tone Grouping Biases in Infants From a Bilingual Environment
Authors: Molnar Monika , Lallier Marie , Carreiras Manuel
Published: August 2014

Duration‐based auditory grouping preferences are presumably shaped by language experience in adults and infants, unlike intensity‐based grouping that is governed by a universal bias of a loud‐soft preference. It has been proposed that duration‐based rhythmic grouping preferences develop as a function of native language phrasal prosody. Additionally, it has been suggested that phrasal prosody supports syntax acquisition (e.g., prosodic bootstrapping of word order within phrases). Using a looking preference procedure, in the current study, 9‐to‐10‐month‐old Spanish‐dominant and Basque‐dominant bilingual infants’ rhythmic preferences in response to nonlinguistic tones alternating in duration or intensity were assessed. In the intensity‐based condition no effects of language experience was present. In the duration‐based condition, however, infants exhibited grouping patterns as predicted by the phrasal prosody of their dominant input. Considering the proposed link between syntactic bootstrapping and perceptual tone grouping, our overall results suggest that syntax acquisition (e.g., learning the rules of word order) is supported by different auditory perceptual mechanisms for the dominant syntax than for the less dominant syntax in the infant's dual language input.
Distributional Language Learning: Mechanisms and Models of Category Formation
Authors: Aslin Richard N. , Newport Elissa L.
Published: August 2014

In the past 15 years, a substantial body of evidence has confirmed that a powerful distributional learning mechanism is present in infants, children, adults and (at least to some degree) in nonhuman animals as well.  The present article briefly reviews this literature and then examines some of the fundamental questions that must be addressed for any distributional learning mechanism to operate effectively within the linguistic domain.  In particular, how does a naive learner determine the number of categories that are present in a corpus of linguistic input and what distributional cues enable the learner to assign individual lexical items to those categories?  Contrary to the hypothesis that distributional learning and category (or rule) learning are separate mechanisms, the present article argues that these two seemingly different processes—acquiring specific structure from linguistic input and generalizing beyond that input to novel exemplars—actually represent a single mechanism. Evidence in support of this single‐mechanism hypothesis comes from a series of artificial grammar‐learning studies that not only demonstrate that adults can learn grammatical categories from distributional information alone, but that the specific patterning of distributional information among attested utterances in the learning corpus enables adults to generalize to novel utterances or to restrict generalization when unattested utterances are consistently absent from the learning corpus.  Finally, a computational model of distributional learning that accounts for the presence or absence of generalization is reviewed and the implications of this model for linguistic‐category learning are summarized.
The Neural Substrates of Infant Speech Perception
Authors: Homae Fumitaka , Watanabe Hama , Taga Gentaro
Published: August 2014

Infants often pay special attention to speech sounds, and they appear to detect key features of these sounds. To investigate the neural foundation of speech perception in infants, we measured cortical activation using near‐infrared spectroscopy. We presented the following three types of auditory stimuli while 3‐month‐old infants watched a silent movie: (1) normal speech sounds; (2) sine wave speech (SWS) sounds consisting of three sine waves that tracked the first, second, and third formants of speech sounds; and (3) synthesized tones composed of three pure tones. Statistical analyses of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy‐Hb) signals revealed significant activation in the left and right auditory areas in all conditions. Direct comparisons of oxy‐Hb signal changes between SWS and synthesized tones showed significant differences in the left frontal and temporal regions. Furthermore, comparisons of oxy‐Hb signal changes between speech sounds and SWS exhibited significant differences in a left posterior temporal region. These results demonstrated that functional differentiation occurs in the left temporal cortex while infants perceive different types of auditory information. Coactivation of the left temporal and frontal regions by speech sounds suggests the initial formation of a left fronto‐temporal network related to infant speech processing. Clarification of the functional role of this left‐lateralized network will help understand the speech code.
Characterization of quorum sensing‐controlled transcriptional regulator MarR and Rieske (2Fe–2S) cluster‐containing protein (Orf5), which are involved in resistance to environmental stresses in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605
Authors: Taguchi Fumiko , Inoue Yuko , Suzuki Tomoko , Inagaki Yoshishige , Yamamoto Mikihiro , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Noutoshi Yoshiteru , Shiraishi Tomonori , Ichinose Yuki
Published: August 2014

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 (Pta6605) produces acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), quorum sensing (QS) molecules that are indispensable for virulence in host tobacco infection. Genome‐wide transcriptional profiling of several QS‐defective mutants revealed that the expression of the genes encoding the MarR family transcriptional regulator (MarR) and a Rieske 2Fe–2S cluster‐containing protein (Orf5) located adjacent to psyI, a gene encoding AHL synthetase, are significantly repressed. Exogenous application of AHL recovered the expression of both marR and orf5 genes in the ΔpsyI mutant, indicating that AHL positively regulates the expression of these genes. To investigate the role of these genes in the virulence of Pta6605, ΔmarR and Δorf5 mutants were generated. Both mutants showed decreased swimming and swarming motilities, decreased survival ability under oxidative and nitrosative stresses and, consequently, reduced virulence on host tobacco plants. Transmission electron micrographs showed that the structure of the cell membranes of ΔmarR and Δorf5 mutants was severely damaged. Furthermore, not only the ratio of dead cells, but also the amount of flagella, extracellular DNA and protein released into the culture supernatant, was significantly increased in both mutants, indicating that the disruption of marR and orf5 genes might induce structural changes in the membrane and cell lysis. Because both mutants showed partly similar expression profiles, both gene products might be involved in the same regulatory cascades that are required for QS‐dependent survival under environmentally stressed conditions.
Pre‐treatment of Stegomyia aegypti mosquitoes with a sublethal dose of imidacloprid impairs behavioural avoidance induced by lemon oil and DEET
Authors: THANY S. H. , TONG F. , BLOOMQUIST J. R.
Published: August 2014

The present study was conducted to determine whether imidacloprid can impair the avoidance behaviour of the mosquito Stegomyia aegypti. Laboratory investigations using a T‐maze apparatus showed that St. aegypti mosquitoes present long term avoidance behaviour when they are exposed to repetitive trials with lemon oil and DEET. The present study tested the effect of a sublethal dose of imidacloprid on the avoidance behaviour of St. aegypti mosquitoes over a 48 h period. Data suggest that 0.5 ng of imidacloprid/mosquito reduces the avoidance behaviour of mosquitoes exposed to lemon oil, on the first day of exposure, after the second trial; whereas imidacloprid affected DEET repellency only the first day of exposure, after the second trial. Imidacloprid was toxic against St. aegypti mosquitoes, and at sublethal doses was able to impair the repellency induced by lemon oil and DEET. The present data were consistent with the finding that St. aegypti mosquitoes exhibit long term avoidance behaviour, and treatment of mosquitoes with a sublethal dose of imidacloprid under DEET application can affect the repellency of DEET against St. aegypti.
Sugar‐feeding behaviour and longevity of European Culicoides biting midges
Authors: KAUFMANN C. , MATHIS A. , VORBURGER C.
Published: August 2014

Most haematophagous insect vectors can also use sugar as an energy source; thus their sugar‐feeding behaviour influences their longevity and blood‐feeding rate and hence their vectorial capacity. Scant information is available on the sugar‐feeding behaviour of Culicoides Latreille biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), which are vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. The longevity of laboratory‐reared Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen) under fluctuating temperatures (16 and 28 °C) and with access to water or water and blood was on average 6.4 days and 8.9 days, respectively, which was around one third of the lifespan of siblings with access to sugar or sugar and blood (22.2 days and 27.1 days, respectively). Access to honeydew significantly increased the midge's longevity, whereas the provision of extrafloral nectaries had no impact. Females with access to sugar produced a significantly higher number of eggs (65.5 ± 5.2) than their starved sisters (45.4 ± 8.4). More than 80% of field‐caught female Culicoides from the two most abundant European groups, Obsoletus (n = 2243) and Pulicaris (n = 805), were fructose‐positive. Fructose‐positivity was high in all physiological stages and no seasonal variability was noted. The high rate of natural sugar feeding of Culicoides offers opportunities for the development of novel control strategies using toxic sugar baits and for the monitoring of vector‐borne diseases using sugar‐treated FTA (nucleic acid preservation) cards in the field.
Clinical manifestations of hydrocephalus: A review
Authors: Schwamb Richard , Dalpiaz Amanda , Miao Yimei , Gonka Jacquelyn , Khan Sardar Ali
Published: August 2014

Background

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a disease, which results from excess cerebral spinal fluid, it is often misdiagnosed for other degenerative diseases. Symptoms of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus may be reversed with new treatment techniques such as shunting.

Aims

The aim of this article is to review the pathophysiology of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, discuss how to distinguish it from other diseases and discuss treatment options, which show potential for treating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Methods

PubMed was used to conduct searches regarding the subject matter of this article.

Results

Gait, dementia and urinary incontinence, which are also referred to as Adam's Triad, are typical associated with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The pathophysiology of these conditions has been outlined in this article. Review articles have been outlined which discuss the potential certain shunt operations have to treat Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Discussion

There are several known treatment options that have been successful when treating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. With the use of shunts to drain excess cerebral spinal fluid, it is possible to improve the patient's symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.

Conclusion

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus should be considered when treating elderly patients that show signs of Adam's Triad. There are numerous types of treatment options available that show promise as to relieving some of the symptoms that are associated with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
Burkitt lymphoma presenting rapid progression from unilateral to bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome as the initial symptom
Authors: Tanaka Yuji , Takagi Yui , Kasahara Senji , Goto Hideko , Takahashi Takeshi , Yamada Tetsuya , Satomi Kazuo
Published: August 2014

A 62‐year‐old woman experienced right cavernous sinus syndrome and developed left cavernous sinus syndrome after 2 weeks. Subsequently, the patient developed gingival swelling and biopsy was carried out. The patient was diagnosed as having Burkitt lymphoma with central nervous system and orbital infiltration. Chemotherapy resolved the eye movement disturbance, but the other symptoms persisted. Burkitt lymphomas that initially present with bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome are rare. However, we emphasize that the general clinician should be alerted to identify the possibility of lymphoma if clinical symptoms indicate rapid progression like from unilateral to bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome in 2 weeks.
Implantable Device to Monitor Cardiac Activity with Sternal Wires
Authors: GANAPATHY ANAND , PALMER AARON , BURRER ANGIE , BERSI MATTHEW , GARZA JAVIER , RAZAVI MEHDI
Published: August 2014

Background

Sternal wires are used to close the thoracic cavity and facilitate healing after median sternotomy (MS). We invented an implantable device that uses these wires as sensors to monitor cardiac electrical activity and tested its utility in collecting electrocardiography (ECG) data in vivo.

Methods

The wafer‐thin silicone device has grooves with embedded metal contacts that secure the sternal wires and connect them to an ECG sensor. We used radiofrequency telemetry to communicate with the implanted device, which was evaluated in three acute swine studies and one chronic‐survival swine study. The device was implanted via MS in two acute studies and left thoracotomy in the other. In two acute studies, ECG data were collected with the pigs in four different positions for 2 minutes each; in the third study, we induced ischemia and collected ECG data. For the chronic study, we implanted the device via a left thoracotomy and obtained ECG data weekly until euthanasia on day 27. After each study, the sternum and device were removed and examined.

Results

The ECG tracings showed distinct P, QRS, and T waveforms with minimal positional or temporal variability. Our device captured signal changes during ischemia before the external control did. In the chronic study, necropsy showed appropriate healing, fibrous encapsulation, and no infection or adverse reactions.

Conclusions

These initial results showed that our novel device can use sternal wires as electrodes in vivo to monitor cardiac electrical activity and safely capture physiologic signals after surgical placement.
Fulminant hepatitis linked to dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome requiring urgent living donor liver transplantation: A case report
Authors: Garcia Angelica , Yi Nam‐Joon , Lee Kyoung Bun , Lee Jeong‐Moo , Choi Young Rok , Suh Suk‐Won , You Tae , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Park June Dong , Kang Hyoung Jin , Kim Joon Gon , Kang Eun Kyeong , Hong Geun , Suh Kyung‐Suk
Published: August 2014

Dapsone is a sulfone‐type drug used widely for different infectious, immune, and hypersensitivity disorders as an antibacterial treatment alone or in combination for leprosy and sometimes for infected skin lesions. DHS is a severe idiosyncratic adverse reaction with multi‐organ involvement. However, acute necrotic hepatitis requiring an emergent LT is rare. Herein, we report a case of 12‐yr‐old girl who suffered from fulminant hepatitis and multi‐organ failure due to DHS for PPD. She was saved by emergent LDLT. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal but rare disease.
The effect of artificial diet on the production of alarm pheromone by Myzus persicae
Authors: van Emden Helmut F. , Dingley Jane , Dewhirst Sarah Y. , Pickett John A. , Woodcock Christine M. , Wadhams Lester J.
Published: August 2014

The cornicle secretion of Myzus persicae reared on artificial diet only elicits an alarm response in plant‐reared conspecifics after the young aphids have been transferred to plants for 7 days. Acetate in the form of 0.32% sodium acetate has been added to the diet as an early step in synthesis of the alarm pheromone, (E)‐β‐farnesene (EBF). The cornicle secretion of diet‐reared aphids then elicits an alarm response. However, there is no difference in internal EBF concentration between plant‐ and diet‐reared aphids. Puncturing aphids, either plant‐ or diet‐reared, with a pin shows that both can elicit an alarm response, whereas it is reduced by half with diet‐reared individuals. Although there is no significant difference in the concentration of EBF produced, the total amount in diet‐reared aphids is increased by acetate in the diet to a level similar to that in plant‐reared individuals: the size of aphids reared on an acetate‐supplemented diet is increased and comparable with the size of those that are plant‐reared. Bioassays with a range of EBF concentrations show a high threshold for the alarm response. It is concluded that the different size of aphids reared on plants and standard diet results in them secreting, respectively, above and below the response threshold.
Anthocyanin synthesis in native and wound periderms of potato
Authors: Fogelman Edna , Tanami Sivan , Ginzberg Idit
Published: August 2014

Skin color of red potatoes is due to accumulation of anthocyanins in the tuber periderm, a protective tissue that replaces the epidermis at an early stage of tuber development. The periderm consists of external layers of suberized phellem cells making up the skin, and internal layers of parenchyma‐like phelloderm cells. Red pigmentation is an important marketing factor for red‐skinned potatoes. However, injuries to the tuber surface, which are common in the potato industry, result in the development of a wound periderm that is devoid of the characteristic red coloration. To study the reason for these differences in anthocyanin accumulation, the expression level of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and regulators was monitored in native and wound periderm using microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We found significantly higher expression of the anthocyanin pathway in the phelloderm cells compared with the skin and tuber‐flesh samples. However, in wound periderm, the anthocyanin pathway was strongly downregulated relative to the native periderm. This was true for two developmental stages of the native periderm – ‘immature’, when the skin is prone to skinning injuries, and ‘mature’, following skin set – suggesting that anthocyanin synthesis continues postharvest. Wound‐induced expression of steroidal glycoalkaloid glycosyltransferases, suberin‐related 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase and actin indicated that downregulation of the anthocyanin‐specific pathway does not reflect global repression of the wound‐periderm transcriptome. Loss of pigmentation may result from reduced expression of the Myb–bHLH–WD40 anthocyanin regulatory complex – a possible candidate might be the bHLH transcription factor JAF13.
Small RNA deep sequencing identifies novel and salt‐stress‐regulated microRNAs from roots of Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula
Authors: Long Rui‐Cai , Li Ming‐Na , Kang Jun‐Mei , Zhang Tie‐Jun , Sun Yan , Yang Qing‐Chuan
Published: August 2014

Small 21‐ to 24‐nucleotide (nt) ribonucleic acids (RNAs), notably the microRNA (miRNA), are emerging as a posttranscriptional regulation mechanism. Salt stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses that cause the crop losses worldwide. In saline lands, root growth and function of plant are determined by the action of environmental salt stress through specific genes that adapt root development to the restrictive condition. To elucidate the role of miRNAs in salt stress regulation in Medicago, we used a high‐throughput sequencing approach to analyze four small RNA libraries from roots of Zhongmu‐1 (Medicago sativa) and Jemalong A17 (Medicago truncatula), which were treated with 300 mM NaCl for 0 and 8 h. Each library generated about 20 million short sequences and contained predominantly small RNAs of 24‐nt length, followed by 21‐nt and 22‐nt small RNAs. Using sequence analysis, we identified 385 conserved miRNAs from 96 families, along with 68 novel candidate miRNAs. Of all the 68 predicted novel miRNAs, 15 miRNAs were identified to have miRNA*. Statistical analysis on abundance of sequencing read revealed specific miRNA showing contrasting expression patterns between M. sativa and M. truncatula roots, as well as between roots treated for 0 and 8 h. The expression of 10 conserved and novel miRNAs was also quantified by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The miRNA precursor and target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. We concluded that the salt stress related conserved and novel miRNAs may have a large variety of target mRNAs, some of which might play key roles in salt stress regulation of Medicago.
A comparison of assessments and relationships of stress of conscience, perceptions of conscience, burnout and social support between healthcare personnel working at two different organizations for care of older people
Authors: Åhlin Johan , Ericson‐Lidman Eva , Norberg Astrid , Strandberg Gunilla
Published: August 2014

Aim

The aim of this cross‐sectional, descriptive study was to compare assessments and relationships of stress of conscience, perceptions of conscience, burnout and social support between healthcare personnel (HCP) working in two different organisations for care of older people.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, descriptive comparative study was performed among Registered Nurses and nurse assistants working in two different organisations (n1 = 98, n2 = 488) for residential care of older people. The organisations were chosen to be as different as possible, and data were collected using four different questionnaires. Hierarchical cluster analysis with multiscale bootstrap resampling was used to compare the associations between all items in the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, 95% confidence intervals, chi‐squared tests, Cohen's d, Cramer's V and the φ coefficient were all used to judge differences between the organisations.

Results

The associations between stress of conscience, perceiving one's conscience as a burden, and burnout were similar in both organisations. Perceiving one's conscience as far too strict and having a troubled conscience from being unable to live up to one's standards were associated with stress of conscience and burnout in one organisation. Women had higher levels of stress of conscience and reported lower social support from co‐workers compared with men.

Conclusions

This study shows that associations between perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout are common experiences that are similar among HCP despite great differences in the characteristics of organisations. It can be burdensome for HCP to be unable to realise their ambitions to provide good care, and sex/gender can be an important factor to consider in the development of measures against the negative effects of stress of conscience. More studies are needed about how HCP's ambition to provide good care and sex/gender are related to perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout.
Frequencies of immune hypersensitivity reaction‐associated HLA class I alleles in healthy South African Indian and mixed ancestry populations determined by a novel real‐time PCR assay
Authors: Loubser S. , Paximadis M. , Gentle N. , Puren A. , Gray C. M. , Tiemessen C. T.
Published: August 2014

We have determined the frequencies of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*57:01, HLA‐B*35:05, HLA‐C*04 and HLA‐C*08 in healthy individuals of South African Indian (SAI) ethnicity (n = 50) and South African mixed (SAM) ancestry (n = 50) using real‐time allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (AS‐PCR) assay. HLA‐B*57:01 associates with immune hypersensitivity reaction (IHR) in individuals exposed to abacavir (ABC), while nevirapine (NVP) IHR associates with HLA‐B*35:05, HLA‐C*04 and HLA‐C*08. Real‐time AS‐PCR assays typically use less DNA, are more cost‐effective and rapid compared with conventional genotyping methods, such as sequence‐based typing (SBT). The assay was developed using samples of known HLA class I genotype and subsequently applied to the SAI and SAM samples. HLA‐B*57:01 was detected in SAM and SAI populations at frequencies of 8.0% and 12.0%, respectively, while HLA‐B*35:05 was not found in SAI individuals, but was present in 6.0% of SAM individuals. HLA‐C*04 was detected in 22.0% and 24.0% of SAM and SAI individuals, respectively, while 10.0% and 8.0% of SAM and SAI individuals, respectively, were HLA‐C*08 positive. This study reports the development of a novel real‐time AS‐PCR assay to identify HLA class I alleles associated with ABC and NVP IHR and has established the frequencies of these alleles present in healthy SAI and SAM populations. Using South African demographic data, our hypothetical analysis suggests that a substantial number of individuals would benefit from the assay.
Hepatitis B core antibody‐positive donors in cardiac transplantation: a single‐center experience
Authors: Horan J.L. , Stout J.E. , Alexander B.D.
Published: August 2014

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibody (HBcAb)‐positive donors are increasingly utilized in solid organ transplantation. We report a single center's experience in cardiac transplantation with 18 HBcAb‐positive donors. Available follow‐up on recipients of cardiac allografts from HBcAb‐positive donors, including 2 donors with low‐level serum HBV DNA at the time of transplantation, demonstrated no documented donor‐derived HBV transmission.
Migration Strategy From Legacy PON System Into Next Generation PON System For Low CAPEX Telco Deployment in Malaysia
Authors: Ahsan N. Shuhada , Salleh M. Shahril , Abdullah F.
Published: August 2014

Migration of legacy Passive Optical Network (PON) to Next Generation PON (NG- PON) system is a must for broadband provider to survive in telecommunication competitive industry. Instead of the responsibility to cater the exhaustion of Malaysian's user to higher bandwidth, the financial impact to any Telco's account statement must be considered. Thus, the strategy to have lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) deployment cost is to be put as the highest priority consideration during the initial migration plan. The objective of this project is to compare migration strategy from GPON to NG-PON1 with GPON to NG-PON2 in term of CAPEX deployment cost for Telco in Malaysia. Another objective is to predict the cost effective migration scenario depending on the internet take up rate and bandwidth utilization. Objective of this project was achieved through collecting and analyzing data of CAPEX deployment cost for each of PON architecture. CAPEX deployment cost was generated using Davim and Pinto CAPEX cost model. In-depth data has also been collected by simulating the deployment of each PON architecture at small area with 320 homepass and urban areas 3447 number of homepass. In order to economically migrate the service, comparison between each topology has been discussed and assessed in term of cost of the components used. Migration of GPON to NG-PON1 has lower CAPEX deployment cost than migration from GPON to NG-PON2. The result of this project can be a basis strategy for any Telco to migrate from current Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) system to Next Generation PON system.
Factors Influencing Natural Frequencies in a Prestressed Concrete Panel for Damage Detection
Authors: Goh L. D. , Rahman A. A. , Bakhary N. , Ahmad B. H.
Published: August 2014

Modal parameters such as natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios are widely used as damage indicators in the field of vibration-based damage detection. These modal parameters can be easily obtained by conducting the modal test on the actual structure or from the finite element model. However, many publications are focusing only on the relationship between the modal parameters and the changes in structural properties for damage detection. There are a limited number of publications discussing on the factors that may affect the modal parameters for damage detection. Hence, this paper provides a study on the level of influence of several factors on the natural frequencies of a prestressed concrete panel. The factors that are considered in this study are the size of element used in the numerical model, the dimension of the structural element, and the prestressing force applied in the prestressed concrete panel. The natural frequencies computed from the finite element model are also verified with the actual measured natural frequencies that are determined through the modal test conducted in the laboratory.
Neural Network Modeling For Main Steam Temperature System
Authors: Mazalan N. A. , Malek A. A. , A. Wahid Mazlan , Mailah M.
Published: August 2014

Main Steam Temperature (MST) is non-linear, large inertia, long dead time and load dependant parameters. The paper present MST modeling method using actual plant data by utilizing MATLAB's Neural Network toolbox. The result of the simulation showed the MST model based on actual plant data is possible but the raw data need to be pre-processed for better output. Generator output, total main steam flow, main steam pressure and total spray flow are four main parameters affected the behavior of MST in coal fired power plant boiler.
Potential Source and Extraction of Vitamin E From Palm-Based Oils: A Review
Authors: Maarasyid Cici , Muhamad Ida Idayu , Supriyanto Eko
Published: August 2014

Vitamin E is essential in the human body which naturally found in vegetable fats and oil and their derived products. Several palm-based oils obtained from palm oil mills and refineries were revised in this paper as the raw material for vitamin E. Tocopherols and tocotrienols isomers of the vitamin E content are found nearly comparable with crude palm oil. To obtain the tocopherols and tocotrienols, various developed technologies for the extraction were also reviewed. These include the solvent-based extraction, chemical modification, adsorption, enzymatic process, molecular distillation, microwave-assisted extraction and membrane technology. Each of the technologies has the advantages as well as limitations. Therefore, process design and selection for the chosen technology are crucial in order to determine recovery of vitamin E obtained, time efficiency, cost effectiveness, safety of products and environmentally friendly impacts. A green technology approach could be further diversified and manifested for sustainable process of vitamin E.
Application of Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Seeds Oil Extracted using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in Cosmetics
Authors: Nian-Yian Lee , Lee Peng Wong , Mohd-Setapar Siti Hamidah , Idham Zuhaili , Che Yunus Mohd Azizi , Muhamad Ida-Idayu
Published: August 2014

Synthetic oil is often the choice of commercial for use in cosmetics especially lipsticks due to the lower cost of production. Meanwhile, the natural oil in comparison with synthetic oil is non-toxic and safe to apply in cosmetic. In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in lipsticks by giving the smooth feels when apply to the lips and also help to repair the dry lips. In this study, rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seeds which are abundant and discarded as waste in Malaysia had been discovered to contain a significant value of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The method used to extract rubber seeds oil (RSO) is supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2), a green technique to ensure the extracted RSO is free from organic solvent with better quality and safe to be consumed. Furthermore, the effect of temperature and pressure of the extraction was studied to obtain the optimum yield of rubber seeds oil. Lastly, the experiments of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) were performed to samples of lipsticks with or without RSO. The results obtained show that the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids is stable in the lipmoist samples after 8 weeks of storage.
Enzymatic Inactivation of Oil Palm Fruits: Comparison of Microwave Irradiation and Steam Bath Process
Authors: Sarah Maya , Taib Mohd Rozainee , Adamu Abdul
Published: August 2014

The study on microwave irradiation and steam batch process to sterilize oil palm fruits is carried out to investigate their effectiveness on lipase inactivation. The inactivation parameters, palm oil quality, and stripping efficiency were evaluated. Evaluation on the inactivation parameters, such as decimal reduction time (D-value) and kinetic constant (k), were conducted to study the sterilization dependency on time and temperature. Microwave sterilization required only 14.085 to 16.949 minutes to inactivate lipase at temperature of 76.5°C (max), while steam batch sterilization required more than 90 minutes to obtained similar level of free fatty acid (FFA) at higher temperature (80 to 105°C). The quality of palm oil was indicated by the concentration of FFA in palm oil. Sterilization of either by microwave irradiation or steam batch sterilization reduced lipase’s activity significantly, which is indicated by FFA concentration of below 1%. Stripping efficiency from microwave sterilization at various power level after 16 minutes were 27% (medium power level), 58.5% (medium high power level), and 61% (high power level), respectively.
The Antibacterial Properties of Bayur Tissues’ Extract (Pterospermum subpeltatum C.B. Rob)
Authors: Salempa Pince , Noor Alfian , Harlim Tjodi , Hariani Nunuk , Muharram Muharram , Sudding Sudding
Published: August 2014

Pterospermum is of plant genus in the Sterculiaceae family, which has never been studied for its secondary metabolite compound. The others species from this genus have long been used in generations of traditional medicine. For example, P. Javanicum has been used to treat dysentery, toothaches and ulcers. From the antibacterial testing carried out on some tissues of Pterospermum subpeltatum by GNA diffusion method,  this plant showed antibacterial potential, especially toward Shigella boydii and Staphylococcus aureus.
Some Aspects of Particuology in Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Razali Rasidah , Siong Ho Chin , Yuan Lai Sin , Chandren Sheela , Nur Hadi
Published: August 2014

The design and synthesis of particulate materials for new catalyst systems with novel properties remain a big challenge today. Here an attempt has been made to synthesize particulate materials for several heterogeneous catalytic systems, which contain examples from our recent research projects in this area. The particulate catalysts have been designed for single centre catalyst, phase-boundary catalyst, bifunctional catalyst, photocatalyst and chiral catalyst. In our current research, the synthesis of well-aligned titanium dioxide catalyst with very high length to the diameter ratio has also been demonstrated for the first time by sol-gel method under magnetic field with surfactant as the structure aligning agent.
Spectroscopic Properties of Rare Earth Ion Doped TeO2-B2O3-PbO Glass
Authors: Noranizah A. , Azman K. , Azhan H. , Nurbaisyatul E. S. , Mardhiah A.
Published: August 2014

This work focuses on the spectroscopic study of RE3+ ion, namely, trivalent neodymium (Nd3+) doped lead borotellurite glass with a composition of TeO2-B2O3-PbO. The glass sample has been prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. The density, molar volume and optical energy band gap of these glasses have been measured. The refractive index, molar refraction and polarizability of oxide ion have been calculated by using Lorentz-Lorentz relations. The absorption spectra are recorded using UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer in the range of 200-900 nm.
The Effects of Distance on Velocity Measurement for Different Shapes of Electrostatic Sensor Electrodes
Authors: Heydarianasl Mozhde , Rahmat Mohd Fua’ad
Published: August 2014

Velocity measurement has significant role in several industries that cope with particles to save power consumption and to improve quality of particles. This paper describes the effect of distance on velocity measurement for different shapes of electrodes for example pin, circular, rectangular, and quarter ring electrode. This distance is referred to separation of electrodes. Electrostatic sensors are suitable to measure the velocity of particles due to their inexpensive, simplicity and robust. These shapes of electrodes are modeled by mathematical equations and analyzed by Mathcad software. In addition, velocity is measured in laboratory by different shapes of electrodes in different distances. Cross correlation method is experimentally used to measure the velocity.  Increase the distance between electrodes leads to increase the time lag, but velocity remains constant. The results of modeling electrodes and experimental tests are compared with each other and they verify that these electrodes are more reliable in industries in addition to cost- effectiveness and high efficiency.
Determinant of Critical Distance of Bolt on Bamboo Connection
Authors: Masdar Astuti , Suhendro Bambang , Siswosukarto Suprapto , Sulistyo Djoko
Published: August 2014

Bamboo is a construction material that has great potential to be utilized as structural material on building construction. Bamboo available in variety length and high strength-weight ratio that make it ideal to be used as main structural component of buildings, such as column, beam, floor, partitions or trusses structural elements. High strength bamboo material can not be fully utilized due to the constraints in the connection system. The connection system adopted in joining bamboo elements on bamboo construction significantly influences the strength as well as behavior of the structure. The existence of nodes at the end of bamboo culms may improve the strength of connection. In practice, however, it is nearly impossible to have all bamboo element with nodes at the end of bamboo culms. Therefore in design of strength bamboo connection should be based on condition of end bamboo culms without nodes. In this research, analytical method considering two strength criterions is verified with result from experimental work. Results of research show that shear strength is the smallest strength among others. As bolt is used as connector in bamboo connections, shear strength commonly serves as critical criterion that determines the connection strength. This paper presents the result of study aiming at determination of minimum distance of bolt to the end of bamboo culms without node. Tests conducted by giving tensile force on the bolt with certain distance based on the analysis of shear strength and bearing strength of bamboo. The results showed that the critical distance of bolt to end of bamboo culms without node is 4-5 times the diameter of bamboo. Two main criterion of connection failure, namely shear and bearing failures are considered.
Study on Combustion Performance of Palm Oil Biodiesel Blend
Authors: Mohd Ja’afar Mohammad Nazri , Wan Omar Wan Zaidi , Rahim Muhammad Roslan , Azmi Ismail , Abdullah Mohd Hisyam
Published: August 2014

The world today is adversely affected by the rapid growth of various industries which use fossil diesel fuel as a main source to power their respective industries. As such, these natural resources are increasingly reduced thus resulting in price increments. A study was conducted to find a way to develop alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable. One of the potential sources of energy is palm oil. Therefore, this project is intended to look at the effect of combustion of biodiesel from palm oil which is carotino palm oil. This project will include the study of the physical characteristics of the fuel such as density, viscosity, and surface tension. In terms of combustion, it includes emissions during the combustion process, the temperature profile and the flame length. Several carotino biodiesel blends have been made, i.e. B0, B10, B20, B30, B40, B50, and B100 whereby each blend will be burned in the combustion chamber in three conditions which are at equivalent ratios of 0.6, 1, and 1.4. Temperature profile, gas emissions, and flame length for every combustion test will be recorded. An overall view from this test shows that B10 biodiesel blend shows a high potential to replace diesel due to its high energy content although the gaseous emissions are not the lowest.
Development of Ba-SAPO-34 Zeolite Membrane for Separation of CO2 in the Binary Gas Mixtures
Authors: Leng Chew Thiam , Ahmad Abdul Latif , Bhatia Subhash
Published: August 2014

Ba-SAPO-34 zeolite membrane was formed by membrane synthesis process using microwave (MW) heating and followed by membrane ion-exchange process with Ba2+ cation. The Ba-SAPO-34 zeolite membrane was tested for the separation of CO2 from the CO2/CH4 binary gas mixture. The effects of separation temperature, pressure difference across the membrane and CO2 concentration in the feed on the separation performance of the Ba-SAPO-34 membrane were studied. By feeding CO2/CH4 binary mixture with 5–50 % CO2 to the Ba-SAPO-34 at 303 K and 100 kPa pressure difference, high CO2/CH4 separation selectivities in the range of 103–276 were obtained.
Linear independence of monomials of multizeta values in positive characteristic
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we study transcendence theory for Thakur multizeta values in positive characteristic. We prove an analogue of the strong form of Goncharov’s conjecture. The same result is also established for Carlitz multiple polylogarithms at algebraic points.
Modeling and Experimental Investigation of an Oil-Free Microcompressor-Turbine Unit for an Organic Rankine Cycle Driven Heat Pump
Authors: Demierre Jonathan , Rubino Antonio , Schiffmann Jürg
Published: August 2014

Domestic heating and cooling will more and more have to rely on heat pumps (HPs) in order to support a more rational use of primary energy consumption. The HP market is mainly dominated by electrically driven vapor compression cycles and by thermally driven sorption processes. The drawback of electrically driven vapor compression cycle is their dependence on an electrical grid and the fact that they increase the winter or summer electricity peak demands. Hence, a thermally driven vapor compression cycle would offer substantial advantages and flexibility to the end user for heating and cooling applications. This paper presents the investigation of an oil-free compressor-turbine unit (CTU) used for a thermally driven HP (TDHP) based on the combination of a HP compression cycle and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The CTU consists of a radial inflow turbine and a centrifugal compressor of the order of 2 kW each, directly coupled through a shaft supported on gas lubricated bearings. The CTU has been tested at rotor speeds in excess of 200 krpm, reaching compressor and turbine pressure ratios up to 2.8 and 4.4, respectively, and isentropic efficiencies around 70%. Comparisons between the experimental data and predictions of models, that are briefly described here, have been carried out. A sensitivity analysis based on the experimentally validated models shows that tip clearance, for both compressor and turbine, and surface roughness of the compressor are key parameters for further improving performance.
A Hybrid Semi-empirical Model for Lean Blow-Out Limit Predictions of Aero-engine Combustors
Authors: Hu Bin , Huang Yong , Xu Jianzhong
Published: August 2014

According to the Lefebvre's model and flame volume (FV) concept, an FV model about lean blow-out (LBO) was proposed by authors in early study. On the other hand, due to the model parameter (FV) contained in FV model is obtained based on the experimental data, FV model could only be used in LBO analysis instead of prediction. In view of this, a hybrid FV model is proposed that combines the FV model with numerical simulation in the present study. The model parameters contained in the FV model are all estimated from the simulated nonreacting flows. Comparing with the experimental data for 11 combustors, the maximum and average uncertainties of hybrid FV model are ±16% and ±10%.
Magnetic Bearing Rotordynamic System Optimization Using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Zhong Wan , Palazzolo Alan
Published: August 2014

Multiple objective genetic algorithms (MOGAs) simultaneously optimize a control law and geometrical features of a set of homopolar magnetic bearings (HOMB) supporting a generic flexible, spinning shaft. The minimization objectives include shaft dynamic response (vibration), actuator mass and total actuator power losses. Levitation of the spinning rotor and dynamic stability are constraint conditions for the control law search. Nonlinearities include magnetic flux saturation, and current and voltage limits. Pareto frontiers were applied to identify the best-compromised solution. Mass and vibration reductions improve with a two control law approach.
Isotropic Accelerometer Strapdowns and Related Algorithms for Rigid-Body Pose and Twist Estimation
Authors: Zou Ting , Angeles Jorge
Published: August 2014

A novel design of accelerometer strapdown, intended for the estimation of the rigid-body acceleration and velocity fields, is proposed here. The authors introduce the concept of isotropic-polyhedral layout of simplicial biaxial accelerometers (SBA), in which one SBA is rigidly attached at the centroid of each face of the polyhedron. By virtue of both the geometric isotropy of the layout and the structural planar isotropy of the SBA, the point tangential relative acceleration is decoupled from its centripetal counterpart, which is filtered out, along with the angular velocity. The outcome is that the rigid-body angular acceleration can be estimated independent of the angular velocity, thereby overcoming a hurdle that mars the estimation process in current accelerometer strapdowns. An estimation algorithm, based on the extended Kalman filter, is included. Simulation results show an excellent performance of the proposed strapdowns in estimating the acceleration and velocity fields of a moving object along with its pose.