bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Aggregate Shape on the Properties of Asphaltic Concrete AC14
Authors: Putra Jaya Ramadhansyah , Abdul Hassan Norhidayah , Mahmud Mohd Zul Hanif , A. Aziz Md. Maniruzzaman , Hamzah Meor Othman , Che Wan Che Norazman
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of aggregate shape on volumetric properties of asphaltic concrete mixtures. The aggregate gradation of AC14 was prepared using granite aggregates crushed via compression and impact crushers. In this study, compression crusher was used to produce aggregates with flaky and elongated shape while the impact crusher was used to produce aggregates with a cubical shape. Modified bitumen, Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) was used in preparing the specimens. The stability, density, voids in total mix, voids filled with bitumen, and voids in mineral aggregate of asphalt mixture specimens was investigated. In addition, the resilient modulus test with temperature of 25ºC and stiffness modulus test with temperature of 40ºC was carried out using the Universal Testing Machine in accordance with ASTM D4123 standard. The test results showed that the volumetric properties improved when cubical aggregate was introduced to the asphalt mixture. Moreover, the incorporation of geometrically cubical aggregates in asphalt mixture causes an increase in resilient and stiffness modulus compared to asphalt mixture prepared with irregularly aggregates.
Road Traffic Accident Characteristics in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Ishtiaque , Ahmed Bayes , Hainin Mohd Rosli
Published: January 2015

Over the next decade, developing countries like Bangladesh will experience an alarming increase in road accidents and this will continue to remain as a serious challenge. Developing countries are experiencing a very high growth rate of vehicles, which is doubling the vehicle fleet in some countries in even five years. The complexity of the road environment with mixed traffic is another reality of road transportation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where road planning and designs are not appropriate for mixed traffic conditions. Of particular concern are the urban intersections where differential approach speed is a major problem. The heterogeneity of traffic exceeding the capacity, plying of modes with varying speed and maneuvering time make the road links as well as intersections of Dhaka even more complex. The objectives of the study are to determine the characteristics of the road traffic accidents of Dhaka city for the following parameters: a) Traffic accident trend b) Traffic Control Parameters c) Traffic Accident at Junctions d) Traffic Control and Road Dividers e) Traffic Accidents and Road Geometry. Traffic accident data for the period of year 2007-2011 were collected from the Police Stations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) area. The data were compiled from the Police Reports accident by accident and analyzed using an MS Access based database and additionally an ArcGIS software for the selected variables. All the roadway sections and intersections of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) were considered in the study. A total number of two thousand seven hundred twenty (2720) accidents that were recorded by police during the period of year 2007-2011 were analyzed. The study revealed that a) number of accidents in Dhaka is reducing by more than ten (10) percent every year b) Sixty three percent (63%) of the accidents took place where there was no traffic control  c) Only twenty nine percent (29%) of the accidents took place at intersection areas and T-junctions were found to be the most vulnerable junction type d) Seventy three percent (73%) accidents occurred on divided roadways or where only one-way traffic movement existed e) Ninety seven percent (97%) of the accidents occurred on straight road sections. Improvement of the traffic accident data collection system in Dhaka is necessary.  Detailed study on under-reporting of traffic accident is also recommended.
TREND IN GROUND-BASED GPS SENSING OF ATMOSPHERIC WATER VAPOUR: THE MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Opaluwa Yusuf Drisu , Norazmi Mohammed Faiz , Musa Tajul Ariffin , Othman Rusli , Eyo Etim
Published: January 2015

Atmospheric water vapour is the most variable component of the atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in Earth‘s energy balance and hydrological cycles. Because of its temporal and spatial variability, accurate measurement of atmospheric water vapour has been very challenging in meteorology. However, the Global Positioning System (GPS) offers detailed coverage, all weather and continuous observations. Therefore, exploring this potential to deliver atmospheric information is now termed ‗GPS meteorology‘. This paper presents a brief overview of global trend in GPS meteorology while discussing GPS meteorology research efforts in Malaysia. A summary of the current research activity towards realisation of operational use of GPS meteorology in Malaysia is also highlighted.
Ocean Wind Speed Characteristic Over Malaysian Seas From Multi-Mission Satellite Altimeter During Monsoon Periods
Authors: Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Aminullah , Mohd Omara Kamaludin , Yaakobb Omar , Md Dina Ami Hassan
Published: January 2015

The need for precise measurement of wind speed and growth of interest in offshore wind power has led to development of many measurements technique. This paper presents a study of wind speed characteristics during monsoon periods (north-east monsoon and south-west monsoon) over Malaysian seas using multi-mission satellite altimetry data from year 1993 to 2011. The study area covers in this study are Malacca Straits, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. From the result, the strongest winds are between Novembers to February, but on average, December is the strongest recorded wind speed at most locations. The South China Sea is the roughest region throughout the year compare to the other sea. It was concluded that using altimetry data, we can solve the disadvantage of conventional measurement in terms of spatial data distributions.
The Homological Functors of Some Abelian Groups of Prime Power Order
Authors: Zainal Rosita , Mohd Ali Nor Muhainiah , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Rashid Samad
Published: January 2015

The homological functors of a group were first introduced in homotopy theory. Some of the homological functors including the nonabelian tensor square and the Schur multiplier of abelian groups of prime power order are determined in this paper. The nonabelian tensor square of a group G introduced by Brown and Loday in 1987 is a special case of the nonabelian tensor product. Meanwhile, the Schur multiplier of G is the second cohomology with integer coefficients is named after Issai Schur. The aims of this paper are to determine the nonabelian tensor square and the Schur multiplier of abelian groups of order p5, where p is an odd prime
Selection of Vegetation Indices in Hierarchical Structural Based Vegetation Species Classification
Authors: C. Chew W. , Lau A. M. S. , Okuda T.
Published: January 2015

A pilot study has been carried out to test the effectiveness and feasibility of a multi-level classification procedure in handling a large number of vegetation species and aims to improve the classification accuracy. In this study, the research question is whether a selected vegetation index has its significance towards a specific vegetation species group. Ten vegetation indices extracted from in-situ hyperspectral remote sensing data has been applied and one-way ANOVA analysis (with significance level, α = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1) has been carried out to evaluate significant difference of vegetation indices in pair-wise vegetation species. In the multi-level classification procedure, vegetation species were classified continuously from one level to the next level until a good classification result has been achieved. Results indicated that multi-level classification procedure has effectiveness in handling vegetation species where accuracy has been improved from the first classification level to the second level. The study also has highlighted the significance of selected vegetation indices subsets toward different vegetation species in the multi-level classification procedure where the highest accuracy has been given by the selection in dedicated vegetation species groups.
Travel to Work Patterns of Low-income People in Urban Area
Authors: Rahman Adzlia N.N.A. , M.Yusoff Zaharah , Omar Dasimah , Aziz Intan S.
Published: January 2015

Intensifying numbers of travel demand draws problem to sustainable transport system because of poor facilities, services, frequency and punctuality due to lack of decent planning and design. Increasing numbers of the vehicle ownership has developed the road networks insufficient that leads to congestions. The issues of travel characteristics chosen by the people to their employment area that will show the travel pattern is the core point in this research. The research methodology consist of the interview sessions to the authorise personals and from the distribution of questionnaire survey forms to the resident of low-cost housing areas in Melaka Tengah District in Malaysia. Then data collected were processed using Social Package Statistical Software (SPSS) to show analytical result. This process will displayed the respondent’s travel characteristics and determine their preference in transportation mode to the employment area. Analytical result showed that the impacts from more than half of the respondents choose to travel by car as transportation mode to working area will come to consequences of traffic condition which lead to congested road. These findings will further help bringing in improvement to existing routes and public transportation systems so it will be optimally utilised for a better daily commute.
Static Positioning Technique For Ground Control Point Determination For Precise Mapping Using Unmanned Aerial System
Authors: Aziz Nurul Husna , Ahmad Anuar , Ibrahim Nurul Faratihah
Published: January 2015

Mapping can be intense and laborious with the current method in term of the work environment, manpower, cost, time, and obviously, the equipment used for the work. Traditional mapping technique uses photogrammetry, total station and GPS. The level for detailing and levelling is not convincing fast enough to catch up with the revolution of the world. However, aerial photogrammetry had been introduced to improve the mapping method in terms of accuracy, work done and speed. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is the latest realization of aerial photogrammetry to the mapping world. This technique is capable of mapping large area compared to conventional technique of mapping in short time with less work and effort, while the accuracy is maintained. This paper highlights the capability of UAS to replace the conventional technique of mapping. To test the accuracy of this product, the technique used in determining the ground control point (GCP) is studied. The accuracy of GPS plays big impact in the accuracy of the map produced, due to its role in establishing the GCP for the map. In this study, the conventional technique in determining the GCP is hereby replaced with better technique to produced better accuracy. The technique of GPS observation used is static with network processing which is never been used before in UAS. The concept here is the accuracy of map is improved by improving the accuracy of GCP. Furthermore the technique of GPS observation determined the accuracy of GCP. This paper, presents a new procedure using UAS for precise mapping and this method is expected to replace the conventional technique of producing topographic map.
Izoo Mobile: Mobile Application For Mobile Assisted Malaysia Fauna Database Izoo
Authors: I. Zulkifli , N.A Amirah , M.A.R Shaiful , N. M. T Shakina , M. A. Shahfiz , M. S. Shamsir
Published: January 2015

The availability of smart phone provides a new opportunity in adopting  the mobile technologies in biodiversity conservation. The compact communication hardware thats enables mobility, data connectivity and storage, image and video capture and georeferencing all on one platform is providing novel applications in the field of medicine, policing and disaster mitigation.  In this study we implemented the use of an Android mobile application into a faunal biodiversity database. The aim of the study is to determine the process framework, identify the requirements, design and build an application that would facilitate the reporting process of occurrences into the web database in-situ and real time. Using iZOO (http://biodiversity.fbb.utm.my/izoo/), a FRIM faunal database that hosts hundreds of primary faunal data in Malaysia, we designed and deployed a prototype mobile app called iZOO mobile. The application allows complete digitisation of present conventional method of writing on paper during the data collection process and immediate upload into database using data connectivity upon availability. This prevents mistakes caused by human error, data loss and data disorganization. The application were tested during several fieldtrips in Belum-Temenggor and Lenggor. The creation of this mobile application would assist the field researchers in collecting data efficiently and accurately in the future
Assessment of Weathering Effects on Rock Mass Structure
Authors: Alavi Nezhad Khalil Abad Seyed Vahid , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam , Komoo Ibrahim , Kalatehjari Roohollah
Published: January 2015

This paper presents an assessment of weathering effect to the rock mass structure by studying the joint characteristics of tropically weathered granite. Joint survey was performed by scanline method and the results were analyzed statistically by stereographic projection plots. The overall trend of mean joint spacing followed a sharp decrement from fresh to moderately weathered zone and then a slight increment to highly and completely weathered zones, whereas the overall trend of mean joint trace length showed a gradual decrement over progress of weathering. In addition, the degree of joints inclination and weathering zones revealed an increasing trend in the percentage of horizontal joints from fresh to completely weathered rocks, while no specific relation was found between the numbers of major joint set and different weathering zones. The results of this study may contribute to understanding the behavior and better classification of weathered granitic rock mass as a heterogeneous mass in engineering works.
Optimization of Electrical Energy Consumption and Level Reliability of Water Supply System
Authors: Jusoh Mohd Ismail , Abiodun Folorunso Taliha , Ismail Fatimah Sham , Shafie Sohailah
Published: January 2015

Generally, high operational cost is associated with all water supply system. This is as a result of the high amount of electric energy consumption ascribed to the system due to its components. The water supply system of the Mara-Japan Industrial Institute (MJII), Beranang, Selangor is one of such system that suffers this challenge of high operational cost. In this paper we have applied the use of an Adaptive Weighted Sum Genetic Algorithm to optimize the system operations such that it minimizes the high energy consumption as well as ensuring the overall reliability of the water level in the reservoir.  The results obtained from the optimized model of the system show a promising and a significant reduction to the tune of 34.97% in the amount of energy consumed as compared with that of normal operations.
On constrained reliability maximization using active redundancy in coherent systems with non-overlapping subsystems
Authors: Bhattacharya Debasis , Roychowdhury Soma
Published: January 2015

The paper investigates a problem of constrained reliability maximization by allocating redundancy and proposes how to solve it for a broad group of complex coherent systems. Redundancy is an effective engineering tool to enhance system reliability to make a system fail-safe. Since adding redundancy increases the cost and complexity of a system design, it should be used wisely. The work considers an exact solution to the problem under resource constraints and finds optimal redundancy numbers. The proposed method can accommodate any number of constraints. Numerical examples have been included. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to show how sensitive the optimal allocation of redundant components and the gain in system reliability are to the budget allocation.
Sensing of triacylglycerol in the gut: different mechanisms for fatty acids and 2‐monoacylglycerol
Authors: Kleberg Karen , Jacobsen Anne Katrine , Ferreira Jozelia G. , Windeløv Johanne Agerlin , Rehfeld Jens F. , Holst Jens Juul , de Araujo Ivan E. , Hansen Harald S.
Published: January 2015

Key points

Digestion is required for intestinal sensing of triacylglycerol in this behavioural model.

The hydrolysis products of triacylglycerol, fatty acids and 2‐monoacylglycerol, regulate feeding via separate mechanisms.

Sensing of long‐chain fatty acids, but not of 2‐monoacylglycerol, stimulated central dopaminergic signalling.

Fatty acid chain length regulates behavioural responses to fatty acids.

Sensing of dietary triacylglycerol in the proximal small intestine results in physiological, hormonal and behavioural responses. However, the exact physiological pathways linking intestinal fat sensing to food intake and the activation of brain circuits remain to be identified. In this study we examined the role of triacylglycerol digestion for intestinal fat sensing, and compared the effects of the triacylglycerol digestion products, fatty acids and 2‐monoacylglycerol, on behavioural, hormonal and dopaminergic responses in behaving mice. Using an operant task in which mice are trained to self‐administer lipid emulsions directly into the stomach, we show that inhibiting triacylglycerol digestion disrupts normal behaviour of self‐administration in mice, indicating that fat sensing is conditional to digestion. When administered separately, both digestion products, 2‐monoacylglycerol and fatty acids, were sensed by the mice, and self‐administration patterns of fatty acids were affected by the fatty acid chain length. Peripheral plasma concentrations of the gut hormones GLP‐1, GIP, PYY, CCK and insulin did not offer an explanation of the differing behavioural effects produced by 2‐monoacylglycerol and fatty acids. However, combined with behavioural responses, striatal dopamine effluxes induced by gut infusions of oleic acid were significantly greater than those produced by equivalent infusions of 2‐oleoylglycerol. Our data demonstrate recruitment of different signalling pathways by fatty acids and 2‐monoacylglycerol, and suggest that the structural properties of fat rather than total caloric value determine intestinal sensing and the assignment of reward value to lipids.
Adaptive Control for Fractional-Order Micro-Electro-Mechanical Resonator With Nonsymmetric Dead-Zone Input
Authors: Tian Xiaomin , Fei Shumin
Published: January 2015

This paper deals with the adaptive control of fractional-order micro-electro-mechanical resonator system (FOMEMRS) with nonsymmetric dead-zone nonlinear input. The slope parameters of the dead-zone nonlinearity are unmeasured and the parameters of the controlled systems are assumed to be unknown in advance. To deal with these unknown parameters, some fractional versions of parametric update laws are proposed. On the basis of the frequency distributed model of fractional integrator and Lyapunov stability theory, a robust control law is designed to prove the stability of the closed-loop system. The proposed adaptive approach requires only the information of bounds of the dead-zone slopes and treats the time-varying input coefficient as a system uncertainty. Finally, simulation examples are given to verify the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Real-time x-ray studies of indium island growth kinetics
Authors: Demasi Alexander , Rainville Meliha G. , Ludwig Karl F.
Published: January 2015

The authors have investigated the early stages of indium island formation and growth by vapor phase deposition on room temperature sapphire using real-time grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS), followed by ex-situ atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results are consistent with the formation and coalescence of hemispherical islands, as described by Family and Meakin. Monte Carlo simulations of systems of coalescing islands were used to supplement and quantify the results of GISAXS, and a good agreement is seen between the data and the simulations.
Platonic Relationships Among Resistors
Authors: Allen Bradley , Liu Tongtian
Published: January 2015

Calculating the effective resistance of an electrical network is a common problem in introductory physics courses. Such calculations are typically restricted to two-dimensional networks, though even such networks can become increasingly complex, leading to several studies on their properties.1,2 Furthermore, several authors3–6 have used advanced techniques (graph theory, superposition of equipotential planes, and Green's functions) to perform theoretical calculations for three-dimensional networks, particularly focusing on the five Platonic solids due to their symmetry. However, these techniques are typically beyond the mathematical level of an undergraduate or advanced high school student. In this article, we outline techniques for analyzing these systems that are accessible to an introductory physics student. We also test these results experimentally using standard laboratory equipment.
Revisiting the Velocity Selector Problem with VPython
Authors: Milbourne Jeff , Lim Halson
Published: January 2015

The velocity selector is a classic first-year physics problem that demonstrates the influence of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields on a charged particle.1 Traditionally textbooks introduce this problem in the context of balanced forces, often asking for field strengths that would allow a charged particle, with a specific target velocity, to pass through the field region with constant velocity2–4 While this analysis is quite useful from a pedagogical perspective, especially for checking to see if students remember their Newtonian mechanics from first semester, it is just one meaningful application of the velocity selector. In fact, a recent conversation with the author's physics class yielded an important question: What is the shape of a particle's path whose initial velocity does not match the target velocity? While the class was in agreement that the path would be “curved,” they were at a loss for more detail. Solving this problem analytically can be difficult, especially for introductory physics students, given that the direction and magnitude of the magnetic force (and by extension, the particle's acceleration) change in time.
Myopia Glasses and Optical Power Estimation: An Easy Experiment
Authors: Ribeiro Jair Lúcio Prados
Published: January 2015

Human eye optics is a common high school physics topic and students usually show a great interest during our presentation of this theme. In this article, we present an easy way to estimate a diverging lens' optical power from a simple experiment involving myopia eyeglasses and a smartphone flashlight.
Looking into the Eye with a Smartphone
Authors: Colicchia Giuseppe , Wiesner Hartmut
Published: January 2015

Thanks to their sensors and the large number of apps available, smartphones can be used as a useful tool to carry out new laboratory experiments in physics.1–3 Such devices, very popular among young people, may be a successful approach to improve students' interest in the subject, particularly in a medical context. In addition to their small camera, smartphones usually have an integrated LED light source that is in line with the visual axis of the camera sensor. Using a smartphone, it is hence possible to take photos or videos of the fundus (retina) inside the eye through the pupil. We will explain the optical principles underlying the methods for observing the fundus of the eye (ophthalmoscopy) and describe how students can perform “fundus” photography on eye models using a smartphone.
How Spherical Is a Cube (Gravitationally)?
Authors: Sanny Jeff , Smith David
Published: January 2015

An important concept that is presented in the discussion of Newton's law of universal gravitation is that the gravitational effect external to a spherically symmetric mass distribution is the same as if all of the mass of the distribution were concentrated at the center.1,2 By integrating over ring elements of a spherical shell, we show that the gravitational force on a point mass outside the shell is the same as that of a particle with the same mass as the shell at its center. This derivation works for objects with spherical symmetry while depending on the fact that the gravitational force between two point masses varies inversely as the square of their separation.3 If these conditions are not met, then the problem becomes more difficult. In this paper, we remove the condition of spherical symmetry and examine the gravitational force between two uniform cubes.
A constitutive model for entangled polymers incorporating binary entanglement pair dynamics and a configuration dependent friction coefficient
Authors: Mead David W. , Banerjee Nilanjana , Park Joontaek
Published: January 2015

Following recent work [e.g., J. Park et al., J. Rheol. 56, 1057–1082 (2012); T. Yaoita et al., Macromolecules 45, 2773–2782 (2012); and G. Ianniruberto et al., Macromolecules 45, 8058–8066 (2012)], we introduce the idea of a configuration dependent friction coefficient (CDFC) based on the relative orientation of Kuhn bonds of the test and surrounding matrix chains. We incorporate CDFC into the “toy” model of Mead et al. [Macromolecules 31, 7895–7914 (1998)] in a manner akin to Yaoita et al. [Nihon Reoroji Gakkaishi 42, 207–213 (2014)]. Additionally, we incorporate entanglement dynamics (ED) of discrete entanglement pairs into the new Mead–Banerjee–Park (MBP) model in a way similar to Ianniruberto and Marrucci [J. Rheol. 58, 89–102 (2014)]. The MBP model predicts a deformation dependent entanglement microstructure which is physically reflected in a reduced modulus that heals slowly following cessation of deformation. Incorporating ED into the model allows “shear modification” to be qualitatively captured. The MBP model is tested against experimental data in steady and transient extensional and shear flows. The MBP model captures the monotonic thinning of the extensional flow curve of entangled monodisperse polystyrene (PS) melts [A. Bach et al., Macromolecules 36, 5174–5179 (2003)] while simultaneously predicting the extension hardening found in PS semidilute solutions where CDFC is diluted out [P. K. Bhattacharjee et al., Macromolecules 35, 10131–10148 (2002)]. The simulation results also show that the rheological properties in nonlinear extensional flows of PS melts are sensitive to CDFC but not to convective constraint release (CCR) while those for shear flows are influenced more by CCR. The monodisperse MBP toy model is generalized to arbitrary polydispersity.
Effect of Traditional and Resisted Sprint Training in Highly Trained Female Team Handball Players
Authors: Luteberget Live S. , Raastad Truls , Seynnes Olivier , Spencer Matt
Published: January 2015

Fast acceleration is an important performance factor in handball. In addition to traditional sprint training (TST), resisted-sprint training (RST) is a method often used to improve acceleration. However, studies on RST show conflicting results, and underlying mechanisms have not been studied.

Purpose:

To compare the effects of RST, by sled towing, against TST on sprint performance and muscle architecture.

Methods:

Participants (n = 18) were assigned to either RST or TST and completed 2 training sessions of RST or TST per week (10 wk), in addition to their normal team training. Sprint tests (10 and 30 m) and measurements of muscle architecture were performed pre- and posttraining.

Results:

Beneficial effects were found in the 30-m-sprint test for both groups (mean; ±90% CL: TST = −0.31; ±0.19 s, RST = −0.16; ±0.13 s), with unclear differences between the groups. Only TST had a beneficial effect on 10-m time (−0.04; ±0.04 s), with a likely difference between the 2 groups (85%, ES = 0.60). Both groups had a decrease in pennation angle (−6.0; ±3.3% for TST and −2.8; ±2.0% for RST), which had a nearly perfect correlation with percentage change in 10-m-sprint performance (r = .92). A small increase in fascicle length (5.3; ±3.9% and 4.0; ±2.1% for TST and RST, respectively) was found, with unclear differences between groups.

Discussion:

TST appears to be more effective than RST in enhancing 10-m-sprint time. Both groups showed similar effects in 30-m-sprint time. A similar, yet small, effect of sprint training on muscle architecture was observed in both groups.
Texercise Effectiveness: Impacts on Physical Functioning and Quality of Life
Authors: Ory Marcia G. , Smith Matthew Lee , Jiang Luohua , Howell Doris , Chen Shuai , Pulczinski Jairus C. , Stevens Alan B.
Published: January 2015

This study examines the effectiveness of Texercise Select, a 12-week lifestyle program to improve physical functioning (as measured by gait speed) and quality of life. Baseline and 12-week follow-up assessments were collected from 220 enrollees who were older (mean = 75 years), predominantly female (85%), White (82%), and experiencing multiple comorbidities (mean = 2.4). Linear mixed-models were fitted for continuous outcome variables and GEE models with logit link function for binary outcome variables. At baseline, over 52% of participants had Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test times of 12 s or more, which indicates below-normal performance. On average, participants showed significant reductions in TUG test scores at the postintervention (11% reduction, p < .001). Participants also showed significant improvements in general health status (p = .002), unhealthy physical days (p = .032), combined unhealthy physical and mental days (p = .006), and days limited from usual activity (p = .045). Findings suggest that performance indicators can be objectively collected and integrated into evaluation designs of community-based, activity-rich lifestyle programs.
Strength, Static Balance, Physical Activity, and Age Predict Maximal Gait Speed in Healthy Older Adults From a Rural Community: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aranda-García Silvia , Busquets Albert , Planas Antoni , Prat-Subirana Joan A. , Angulo-Barroso Rosa M.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

Gait speed is related to physical function in older adults. This cross-sectional study examined the best predictors of maximal gait speed (MGS) among physical abilities, and general factors in healthy, rural community-dwelling older adults.

Methods:

MGS, muscle strength, and postural sway were measured in 55 community-dwelling participants (age, 72.1 ± 6.8, range 61–87 years; 72.7% women). Two stepwise regressions were used to find MGS predictors in two models: physical abilities and global.

Results:

Strength of knee extensors with 60° of knee flexion (KStrength60°) and maximal distance in the anterior-posterior direction with eyes closed explained 50.2% of MGS variance (p < .05) in the physical abilities model. KStrength60°, age, and level of physical activity explained 63.9% of MGS variance (p < .05) in the global model.

Conclusions:

Regardless of the model, KStrength60° was the best predictor of MGS in rural female older adults. Future research should examine the generalization of these findings to rural male older adults.
Innovative Research Exploring the Effects of Physical Activity and Genetics on Cognitive Performance in Community-Based Older Adults
Authors: Etnier Jennifer L. , Labban Jeffrey D. , Karper William B. , Wideman Laurie , Piepmeier Aaron T. , Shih Chia-Hao , Castellano Michael , Williams Lauren M. , Park Se-Yun , Henrich Vincent C. , Dudley William N. , Rulison Kelli L.
Published: January 2015

Physical activity is predictive of better cognitive performance and lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a susceptibility gene for AD with the e4 allele being associated with a greater risk of AD. Cross-sectional and prospective research shows that physical activity is predictive of better cognitive performance for those at greater genetic risk for AD. However, the moderating role of APOE on the effects of a physical activity intervention on cognitive performance has not been examined. The purpose of this manuscript is to justify the need for such research and to describe the design, methods, and recruitment tactics used in the conductance of a study designed to provide insight as to the extent to which cognitive benefits resulting from an 8-month physical activity program are differentiated by APOE e4 status. The effectiveness of the recruitment strategies and the feasibility of recruiting APOE e4 carriers are discussed.
Athlete Endorsement, Attitudes, and Purchase Intention: The Interaction Effect Between Athlete Endorser-Product Congruence and Endorser Credibility
Authors: Lee Younghan , Koo Jakeun
Published: January 2015

The current study used a 2 × 2 analysis to explore the effect of athlete endorser-product congruence and endorser credibility on consumer responses, such as attitude toward the advertisement, attitude toward the brand, and purchase intention. Real people and actual brands were used as stimuli to enhance external validity and generalizability. Research results confirmed the interaction effects between athlete endorser-product congruence and endorser credibility on three specific consumer responses. The research further examined and identified the indirect path from attitude toward the advertisement and purchase intention, mediated by attitude toward the brand. The findings from the research fill gaps in the literature and extend the body of knowledge in endorsement studies in general and sport celebrity-endorsement studies in particular.
Asynchronous rotation of Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone of lower-mass stars
Authors: Leconte Jérémy , Wu Hanbo , Menou Kristen , Murray Norman
Published: January 2015

Can't keep hot sides hot and cold sides cold?

On Earth, we're accustomed to cycles of day and night, which drive a complex thermal relationship between the ground and atmosphere. Some exoplanets very close to their stars aren't so lucky and are generally assumed to be locked by tides into hemispheres of unchanging day and night. The thick atmosphere of Venus is thought to keep it from the same fate, but Leconte
et al.
present models showing that even a much sparser atmosphere may suffice for lower-mass stars. The non-instantaneous thermal response of the planet (when the hottest time of day is after noon) may speed up or slow down the planet. Such thermal tides may be important in assessing potential extraterrestrial habitable zones.

Science
, this issue p.
632
The straw man in the brain
The Myth of Mirror Neurons The Real Neuroscience of Communication and Cognition
Gregory Hickok
Norton, 2014. 302 pp.
Authors: Keysers Christian
Published: January 2015

Pop culture claims about the brain make for easy targets, finds Christian Keysers
Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet
Authors: Steffen Will , Richardson Katherine , Rockström Johan , Cornell Sarah E. , Fetzer Ingo , Bennett Elena M. , Biggs Reinette , Carpenter Stephen R. , de Vries Wim , de Wit Cynthia A. , Folke Carl , Gerten Dieter , Heinke Jens , Mace Georgina M. , Persson Linn M. , Ramanathan Veerabhadran , Reyers Belinda , Sörlin Sverker
Published: January 2015

Crossing the boundaries in global sustainability

The planetary boundary (PB) concept, introduced in 2009, aimed to define the environmental limits within which humanity can safely operate. This approach has proved influential in global sustainability policy development. Steffen
et al.
provide an updated and extended analysis of the PB framework. Of the original nine proposed boundaries, they identify three (including climate change) that might push the Earth system into a new state if crossed and that also have a pervasive influence on the remaining boundaries. They also develop the PB framework so that it can be applied usefully in a regional context.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1259855
Devices team up to boost solar power
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: January 2015

Hot new solar cell materials are poised to rev up the output of traditional photovoltaics.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Salmonella enterica Serovar Paratyphi A Bacteriophage LSPA1 Isolated in China
Authors: Zeng Weikun , Mao Pujia , Hong Yu , Feng Mengdie , Xu Zeyang , Huang Fen , Jing Shenrong
Published: January 2015

The bacteriophage LSPA1 was isolated from hospital sewage (Kunming, China), and lytic activity was demonstrated against the
Salmonella enterica
serovar Paratyphi A CMCC50973 strain. This bacteriophage has a 41,880-bp double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome encoding 58 coding sequences (CDSs) and belongs to the family Siphoviridae.
Draft Genome Sequence of Sulfurospirillum sp. Strain MES, Reconstructed from the Metagenome of a Microbial Electrosynthesis System
Authors: Ross Daniel E. , Marshall Christopher W. , May Harold D. , Norman R. Sean
Published: January 2015

A draft genome of Sulfurospirillum sp. strain MES was isolated through taxonomic binning of a metagenome sequenced from a microbial electrosynthesis system (MES) actively producing acetate and hydrogen. The genome contains the
nosZDFLY
genes, which are involved in nitrous oxide reduction, suggesting the potential role of this strain in denitrification.
Draft Genome Sequence of Shewanella sp. ECSMB14101, Isolated from the East China Sea
Authors: Yang Jin-Long , Guo Xing-Pan , Ding De-Wen
Published: January 2015

Shewanella sp. ECSMB14101 was isolated from marine biofilms formed on the East China Sea. The draft genome sequence comprises 4,272,451 bp with a G+C content of 49.82%. Information on this draft genome will contribute to the understanding of bacterium-animal interactions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudoalteromonas sp. Strain OCN003, Isolated from Kāne’ohe Bay, O’ahu, Hawaii
Authors: Beurmann Silvia , Videau Patrick , Ushijima Blake , Smith Ashley M. , Aeby Greta S. , Callahan Sean M. , Belcaid Mahdi
Published: January 2015

Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain OCN003 is a marine gammaproteobacterium that was isolated from a diseased colony of the common Hawaiian reef coral, Montipora capitata, found on a reef surrounding Moku o Lo’e in Kāne’ohe Bay, Hawaii. Here, we report the complete genome of Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain OCN003.
Draft Genome Sequence of Thermus sp. Isolate 2.9, Obtained from a Hot Water Spring Located in Salta, Argentina
Authors: Navas Laura E. , Berretta Marcelo F. , Ortiz Elio M. , Benintende Graciela B. , Amadio Ariel F. , Zandomeni Rubén O.
Published: January 2015

Thermus sp. isolate 2.9 was obtained from a hot water spring in Salta, Argentina. Here, we report the draft genome sequence (2,485,434 bp) of this isolate, which consists of 11 scaffolds of >10 kbp and 2,719 protein-coding sequences.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356
Authors: Palomino Maria Mercedes , Allievi Mariana C. , Fina Martin Joaquina , Waehner Pablo M. , Prado Acosta Mariano , Sanchez Rivas Carmen , Ruzal Sandra M.
Published: January 2015

We present the 1,956,699-bp draft genome sequence of
Lactobacillus acidophilus
strain ATCC 4356. Comparative genomic analysis revealed 99.96% similarity with
L. acidophilus
NCFM NC_006814.3 and 99.97% with La-14 NC_021181.2 genomes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Uncultivated Toluene-Degrading
Desulfobulbaceae
Bacterium Tol-SR, Obtained by Stable Isotope Probing Using [
13
C
6
]Toluene
Authors: Abu Laban Nidal , Tan BoonFei , Dao Anh , Foght Julia
Published: January 2015

The draft genome of a member of the bacterial family
Desulfobulbaceae
(phylum
Deltaproteobacteria
) was assembled from the metagenome of a sulfidogenic [
13
C
6
]toluene-degrading enrichment culture. The “
Desulfobulbaceae
bacterium Tol-SR” genome is distinguished from related, previously sequenced genomes by suites of genes associated with anaerobic toluene metabolism, including
bss
,
bbs
, and
bam
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus megaterium Myophage Mater
Authors: Lancaster Jacob C. , Hodde Mary K. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Bacillus megaterium
is a ubiquitous, soil inhabiting Gram-positive bacterium that is a common model organism and is used in industrial applications for protein production. The following reports the complete sequencing and annotation of the genome of
B. megaterium
myophage Mater and describes the major features identified.
Complete Genome Sequence of Citrobacter freundii Myophage Miller
Authors: Hwang Kyuwon , Luna Adrian J. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Citrobacter freundii
is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that can be fatal to newborns or immunocompromised patients. Bacteriophages against this bacterium can be useful for therapeutic purposes. Here, we describe the complete genome and the key features of the pseudo T-even
C. freundii
bacteriophage Miller.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus megaterium Myophage Moonbeam
Authors: Cadungog Joshua N. , Khatemi Brontee E. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Moonbeam is a newly isolated myophage of
Bacillus megaterium
, a common Gram-positive bacterium that is routinely used for large-scale protein production. Bacteriophages have potential to be useful tools for industrial applications. Here, we describe the complete genome of Moonbeam and describe its features.
Finished Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus Strain 03BB87, a Clinical Isolate with B. anthracis Virulence Genes
Authors: Johnson Shannon L. , Minogue Timothy D. , Teshima Hazuki , Davenport Karen W. , Shea April A. , Miner Haven L. , Wolcott Mark J. , Chain Patrick S. G.
Published: January 2015

Bacillus cereus
strain 03BB87, a blood culture isolate, originated in a 56-year-old male muller operator with a fatal case of pneumonia in 2003. Here we present the finished genome sequence of that pathogen, including a 5.46-Mb chromosome and two plasmids (209 and 52 Kb, respectively).
New Insights into the Evolutionary Rate of Hepatitis B Virus at Different Biological Scales
Authors: Lin You-Yu , Liu Chieh , Chien Wei-Hung , Wu Li-Ling , Tao Yong , Wu Dafei , Lu Xuemei , Hsieh Chia-Hung , Chen Pei-Jer , Wang Hurng-Yi , Kao Jia-Horng , Chen Ding-Shinn
Published: January 2015

The evolutionary rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) estimated using contemporary sequences are 10
2
to 10
4
times higher than those derived from archaeological and genetic evidence. This discrepancy makes the origin of HBV and the time scale of its spread, both of which are critical for studying the burden of HBV pathogenicity, largely unresolved. To evaluate whether the dual demands (i.e., adaptation within hosts and colonization between hosts) of the viral life cycle affect this conundrum, the HBV quasispecies dynamics within and among hosts from a family consisting of a grandmother, her 5 children, and her 2 granddaughters, all of whom presumably acquired chronic HBV through mother-to-infant transmission, were examined by PCR cloning and next-generation sequencing methods. We found that the evolutionary rate of HBV between hosts was considerably lower than that within hosts. Moreover, the between-host substitution rates of HBV decreased as transmission numbers between individuals increased. Both observations were due primarily to changes at nonsynonymous rather than synonymous sites. There were significantly more multiple substitutions than expected for random mutation processes, and 97% of substitutions were changed from common to rare amino acid residues in the database. Continual switching between colonization and adaptation resulted in a rapid accumulation of mutations at a limited number of positions, which quickly became saturated, whereas substitutions at the remaining regions occurred at a much lower rate. Our study may help to explain the time-dependent HBV substitution rates reported in the literature and provide new insights into the origin of the virus.

IMPORTANCE
It is known that the estimated hepatitis B virus (HBV) substitution rate is time dependent, but the reason behind this observation is still elusive. We hypothesize that owing to the small genome size of HBV, transmission between hosts and adaptation within hosts must exhibit high levels of fitness trade-offs for the virus. By studying the HBV quasispecies dynamics for a chain of sequentially infected transmissions within a family, we found the HBV substitution rate between patients to be negatively correlated with the number of transmissions. Continual switching between hosts resulted in a rapid accumulation of mutations at a limited number of genomic sites, which quickly became saturated in the short term. Nevertheless, substitutions at the remaining regions occurred at a much lower rate. Therefore, the HBV substitution rate decreased as the divergence time increased.
Antigenic Relationships among Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Strains
Authors: Lin Chun-Ming , Gao Xiang , Oka Tomoichiro , Vlasova Anastasia N , Esseili Malak A. , Wang Qiuhong , Saif Linda J.
Published: January 2015

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) are economically important swine enteropathogenic coronaviruses. These two viruses belong to two distinct species of the
Alphacoronavirus
genus within
Coronaviridae
and induce similar clinical signs and pathological lesions in newborn piglets, but they are presumed to be antigenically distinct. In the present study, two-way antigenic cross-reactivity examinations between the prototype PEDV CV777 strain, three distinct U.S. PEDV strains (the original highly virulent PC22A, S indel Iowa106, and S 197del PC177), and two representative U.S. TGEV strains (Miller and Purdue) were conducted by cell culture immunofluorescent (CCIF) and viral neutralization (VN) assays. None of the pig TGEV antisera neutralized PEDV and vice versa. One-way cross-reactions were observed by CCIF between TGEV Miller hyperimmune pig antisera and all PEDV strains. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunoblotting using monoclonal antibodies and
Escherichia coli
-expressed recombinant PEDV and TGEV nucleocapsid (N) proteins, and sequence analysis suggested at least one epitope on the N-terminal region of PEDV/TGEV N protein that contributed to this cross-reactivity. Biologically, PEDV strain CV777 induced greater cell fusion in Vero cells than did U.S. PEDV strains. Consistent with the reported genetic differences, the results of CCIF and VN assays also revealed higher antigenic variation between PEDV CV777 and U.S. strains.

IMPORTANCE
Evidence of antigenic cross-reactivity between porcine enteric coronaviruses, PEDV and TGEV, in CCIF assays supports the idea that these two species are evolutionarily related, but they are distinct species defined by VN assays. Identification of PEDV- or TGEV-specific antigenic regions allows the development of more specific immunoassays for each virus. Antigenic and biologic variations between the prototype and current PEDV strains could explain, at least partially, the recurrence of PEDV epidemics. Information on the conserved antigenicity among PEDV strains is important for the development of PEDV vaccines to protect swine from current highly virulent PEDV infections.