bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to an inactive ingredient of thyroid hormone supplements in a dog
Authors: Lavergne Sidonie N. , Fosset Fabrice T.J. , Kennedy Peter , Refsal Kent R.
Published: December 2015

Background

Although discussions about allergic reactions to thyroid supplements abound on professional forums, there is almost no information in the literature on these specific idiosyncratic drug reactions.

Animal

A dog with a history of hypothyroidism‐associated weight gain and mild lethargy was prescribed levothyroxine tablets (0.018 mg/kg twice daily). After 19 days the dog developed a severe skin condition that was responsive to levothyroxine withdrawal, and antibiotic and glucocorticoid therapy. Three weeks later a different levothyroxine tablet was prescribed. Within 48 h the dog developed a more severe cutaneous reaction that resolved with drug discontinuation and appropriate topical care.

Objectives

To confirm a possible hypersensitivity reaction and identify its chemical target.

Methods and results

The two prescribed levothyroxine formulations shared two inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Nine months after discontinuation of thyroid supplement, a formulation without either of these two compounds was used for a second re‐challenge. There was no recurrence of the drug reaction and after 1.5 years of treatment the dog remains normal.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These elements strongly suggest that this dog had an idiosyncratic reaction (likely immune‐mediated) against one or both inactive ingredients in the first two formulations of levothyroxine. We are not aware of any previous confirmed delayed hypersensitivity to a thyroid supplement in a dog with the likely chemical trigger being an inactive ingredient rather than the therapeutic agent itself. We hope that this case will raise awareness about allergic reactions to thyroid supplements and allergic reactions to inactive formulation components.
Post‐engraftment blood transfusion and outcomes of bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Mashimo Y. , Ikeda K. , Ohkawara H. , Takahashi H. , Shichishima‐Nakamura A. , Furukawa M. , Kimura S. , Ueda K. , Noji H. , Ogawa K. , Nollet K. E. , Ohto H. , Takeishi Y.
Published: December 2015

Background and Objectives

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is linked to poor outcomes, but outcomes related to post‐transplant, especially postengraftment transfusions, have not been fully investigated. We investigated allo‐HSCT outcome in association with early postengraftment transfusion.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed RBC and platelet transfusions in 50 recipients of bone marrow transplantation, specifically analysing postengraftment transfusions from 31 to 60 days post‐transplant with no relapse in our institution.

Results

Postengraftment RBC and/or platelet transfusions were needed in 22 (44·0%) patients. Pretransplant haemoglobin concentrations were negatively correlated with RBC transfusions performed from days 0 to 30, but not postengraftment. Regardless of product type, transfused patients were more anaemic and thrombocytopenic even at day 100, when most of them no longer required transfusion. Patients with postengraftment transfusions, especially those who were transfused both RBC and platelet, showed inferior overall survival (P = 0·016) with increases of both chronic graft‐versus‐host disease and relapse (P = 0·002 and 0·019, respectively). Postengraftment RBC and platelet transfusion were significant predictors for poor survival in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

Postengraftment transfusion may be associated with adverse outcomes of allo‐HSCT.
Molecular analysis of Bombay phenotype cases seen in India
Authors: Gorakshakar A. , Donta A. , Jadhav S. , Vasanta K. , Ghosh K.
Published: December 2015

Background and Objectives

The Bombay phenotype cases do not express the ABH antigens on red blood cells and in body secretions because of the inactivation of H (FUT1) gene and Secretor (FUT2) genes. This rare phenotype was first detected in Mumbai, India, previously known as ‘Bombay’. The presence of T725G mutation in FUT1 gene and deletion of FUT2 gene, both in homozygous condition, has been found to be the cause of Bombay phenotype in individuals originating from India. Thus, the objective of this study was micromapping of all the cases of Bombay phenotype identified at our Institute during the last 60 years and molecular analysis of FUT1 and FUT2 genes in a large number of Bombay phenotype cases.

Material and Methods

Bombay phenotype cases were confirmed by conventional serological techniques. FUT1 gene in 89 cases was screened for T725G alteration by PCR–RFLP. Deletions in FUT2 gene were detected by specific pairs of primers. Similarly, FUT1 and FUT2 genes were sequenced in all control samples.

Results

In the present series, 74·2% Bombay phenotype cases were originating from Maharashtra state. T725G was found to be the only mutation in homozygous condition in FUT1 gene in all cases of Bombay phenotype. Similarly, they were homozygous for 10‐kb deletion covering entire FUT2 gene.

Conclusion

All the cases of Bombay phenotype reported in this study, originating from different states of India, showed only T725G alteration in FUT1 gene and 10‐kb deletion covering entire FUT2 gene suggesting the unicentric origin of this rare phenotype in India.
Responses of rare and common segetal species to wheat competition and fertiliser type and dose
Authors: Rotchés‐Ribalta R , Blanco‐Moreno J M , Armengot L , Sans F X
Published: December 2015

Fertiliser application is considered crucial for determining the crop–weed competition relationship by stimulating plant growth and modulating the competition for below‐ground (soil nutrients) and above‐ground resources (e.g. light and space). Segetal species, those preferentially inhabiting cereal fields, have suffered a strong decline, owing to agricultural intensification. Under continued pressure, particularly the rarest species may disappear. In this study, we aimed to assess the competitive ability of common and rare segetal species when growing with wheat and how this competitive relationship is modulated by the type (organic and mineral) and dose (low or high) of fertilisation in a pot experiment. The segetal species grew better at higher doses of fertilisers when growing alone. However, when growing with wheat, they were outcompeted by the cereal plants. Overall, flowering was not affected by the competition with wheat under the different fertiliser regimes. Only the onset of flowering of some segetal weeds tended to be delayed by crop competition. Some rare species were more affected by the competition with wheat, indicating that they may be disadvantaged in a community context. However, not all rare segetal species tested responded in the same way, which highlights that competitiveness alone is a poor predictor of the rarity of segetal species.
MONITORING RUBBER FACTORY MALODOUR USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: Abdullah A. H. , Rushdi A. N. A, , Abdul Shukor S. A. , Mustafa H.
Published: December 2015

Malodour from rubber factory activities is a nuisance to the residence in the surrounding area. The volatile chemical compounds emitted from the factory are identified as the major source of the malodour. This research proposes a study of malodour monitoring for the rubber factory using Electronic Nose (e-nose) system to enable effective malodour monitoring. The proposed system will able to predict and monitor the malodour concentration in the surrounding area of the factory. The finding will be used as a guideline for monitoring the violations of environmental guidelines. The malodour and environment parameters such as temperature, wind speeds and directions are recorded. These parameters are measured on-site and monitored using wireless sensor network (WSN) system. The malodour concentration model of each location will generate using three types of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) i.e. Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN). These indices will be used to generate the malodour concentration mapping model of the factory and surrounding areas.  The initial results show that the system can be effectively used for real time rubber factory malodour monitoring.
OPTIMIZATION ON WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER
Authors: Halim M. A. , Razak M. S. , Yasin M. N. M. , Khairunizam W. , Fareq M. , Fitra M.
Published: December 2015

Today, the limit of wireless devices lays in the way they powered. There has been a renewed focus on wireless power transmission technology due to its wide range of application in charging electronic devices such as mobile, MP3 player and household robots without a cord. Imagine a device that doesn't need a charger or even a battery, which instead gets power wirelessly over the air. To make such a device possible the transfer distance of currently known system have to be increased. The wireless power transfer can be optimized base on Friis equation. The Friis transmission equation is developed from principle of optical radiometry and scalar diffraction. Friis equation will gives the amount of power an antenna received under ideal conditions from another antenna.
MATLAB AS A TOOL FOR THE TEACHING OF RANKINE CYCLE WITH SIMULATION OF A SIMPLE STEAM POWER PLANT
Authors: Affandi Marwan , Abdullah Ilmi , Khalid Nurul Syahirah
Published: December 2015

Rankine cycle is one example of vapor power cycles. One important application is in steam power plants. Properties of the important points in the cycle can be found from steam tables. However, reading values from a steam table is rather inconvenient particularly when there are many values to be read such in a simulation. Interpolation must often be done since the table only provides values of properties at determined points. Using equations of states for steam is very convenient since values can be computed quickly. Unfortunately, equations of states for steam are very complicated. A program written in MATLAB to assist the teaching of Rankine cycle using steam has been developed. MATLAB is used since it is widely available. Using this program, a lecturer can easily modify a problem and get the answer quickly. Students can also benefit from the program where they can solve problems and compare the results that they will get manually.
SIMULATION OF SINGLE CHANNEL BIOLOGICAL TISSUE SPECTROSCOPY USING COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS
Authors: Abou Basaif Azmi , Mohd Nasir Nashrul Fazli , Zakaria Zulkarnay , Balkhis Ibrahim , Sarkawi Shazwani , Abd Jalil Jurimah
Published: December 2015

The enhanced ability to detect accurate location and measure the depth of a   metal inside a biological tissue is very useful in the assessment of medical condition and treatment. This manuscript proposed a solution via the measurement of the tissue properties using magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) method to describe the characterization of biological soft tissue. The objective of this study is to explore the viability of locating embedded metal inside a biological tissue by measuring the differences the biological tissue electrical properties using principle of Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS). Simulation is done using COMSOL Multiphysics software for accurate information on the involved parameters for both metal and biological tissues. Simulation has confirmed that MIS capable of detecting and locate embedded metal inside a biological tissue.
STINGLESS BEE COLONY HEALTH SENSING THROUGH INTEGRATED WIRELESS SYSTEM
Authors: A. Harun, , Zaaba SK , L. M. Kamarudin, , Zakaria A. , Mohamed Farook Rohani S. , D. L. Ndzi, , A. Y. M. Shakaff,
Published: December 2015

Stingless bees are usually common in tropical and subtropical region of the world especially in the tropical dry and humid forest. As stingless bee honey gaining reputation for its medicinal value, stingless bees keeping has been very popular in these regions of the world. In Malaysia, keeping stingless bee has only been very popular only in the last few years. The bee honey industry is a very lucrative industry and in 2013 alone Malaysia imported RM50 million ringgit worth of honey products. Although stingless bee keeping seem to be straight forward, there are a number of issues that could hinder the success. One of the main problems is colony loss which could be attributed to a number of reasons. However, the most important cause for this is stingless bees’ habitat quality. In order to prevent colony loss and honey production impact, an integrated wireless sensing solution is being implemented at stingless bee test-farm to monitor the habitat environmental requirement for healthy and productive colonies. The system consists of sensor structures placed inside and outside of stingless bee hives for monitoring internal and external environmental parameters including hazardous gases. Sensors are connected to wireless sensor networks node places close to the hives and data collected are transmitted to base station wirelessly. A networked of hives with sensor attachment are constructed around the farm to provide sufficient data for comprehensive monitoring. Data from base station are then transmitted to farmer’s mobile device for status update. This integrated system ensures changes to stingless bee hives and colonies development could be monitored real time and necessary steps and actions could be taken to prevent colony or yield loss. In this preliminary implementation comparison between environmental parameters from productive and non-productive hives are looked at especially temperature, humidity, and light intensity data.
PERSONAL DIGITAL MUTAWWIF: A MULTI-MODAL MOBILE HAJJ ASSISTANCE USING THE LOCATION BASED SERVICES
Authors: Al-Aidaroos Ahmed Sheikh Abdullah , Abdul Mutalib Ariffin
Published: December 2015

Many efforts have been initiated and many techniques and approaches have been developed to facilitate the difficulties faced by pilgrims. However, those studies focus on acquiring initial perspective and background knowledge about Hajj before going to Makkah. In conjunction to that, this study utilizes A-GPS in mobile phone to assist the pilgrims during Hajj. The main aim of this paper is to discuss about the development of a multi-modal mobile application called the Personal Digital Mutawwif (PDM), using location based services to assist pilgrims while performing all the rituals of Hajj. Android platform has been chosen due to the dramatic increased in the Android mobile phone users worldwide. PDM displays the Arabic text, the translation in Malay and also the Arabic audio files of the dua and zikr, which has been gathered, compiled, and verified before the development using Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME). The application has been proven to be useful in helping the pilgrims to easily and conveniently recite the dua and zikr towards achieving Hajj Mabrur.
USABILITY CONSIDERATIONS MAKE DIGITAL INTERACTIVE BOOK POTENTIAL FOR INCULCATING INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Authors: Dalle Juhriyansyah , Abdul Mutalib Ariffin , Saad Adi Lukman , Ayub Mohamad Nizam , Abdul Wahab Ainuddin Wahid , Nasralla Ali Mohamed Hussein
Published: December 2015

This paper reports on an initiative that discovers the potentials of digital interactive books or digital storytelling in developing and inculcating interpersonal skills among children. The rationale for such initiative is to help designing technology for good deeds for the children, who are the future leaders, because they are very much engaged with technologies. Hence, this paper aims at discussing the potentials of digital story-telling in developing the interpersonal skills among children. To achieve that, first, a prototype was designed, and then let users to experience it. Data were collected through observation and interview. In the end, it was initially found that the digital interactive book is potential in inculcating interpersonal skills among children.
COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT AIRBORNE PARTICLES IMPACT TOWARDS HUMAN HEALTH
Authors: Mohd Din Shamzani Affendy , Nik Yahya Nik Nurul-Hidayah , Hanapi Norsyamimi , Abdullah Alias
Published: December 2015

The explosion of global warming and climate change occurs parallel to the raise rise of earth development. These phenomena happen due to the deterioration of atmospheric environment rooted from human activity. Ranges of air pollutants had been discovered. However, this research focuses on airborne particles in particular that comes from the emissions of coal. Recently, Malaysia electricity demand is raising and leads to the diversification of its sources towards the non-renewable energy. Manjung coal-fired power plant emission had been recognised as one of the potential anthropogenic sources of airborne particles. 8-hours airborne particles sampling had been done at Manjung Power Plant in March and July 2011 with 7-hole sampler at 2 L/min air flow and cyclone sampler at 2.2 L/min airflow. This research found that total inhalable dust exceeds 96.78 %; PM10 standard of 0.15mg/m3.This study also found that the percentage ratio of respirable towards total inhalable dust is 33.49%. This study also found that, as the temperature increases, the airborne particles concentration also increases. It is believed that the smaller offers particulate higher degree of illness. Thus, it is believed, the airborne particles dissemination from its sources is affected by the climate of an environment. Whichcan be deposited into deeper part of lung and provide adverse health impact towards the public or residence of surrounding coal-fired power plant neighbourhood area, generally and coal workers, specifically.
ARTICULATION OF OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION IN GRADUATE EDUCATION: A PRACTITIONER- ACTION RESEARCH
Authors: P. Cruz Maria Eliza , Doctolero Priscila L.
Published: December 2015

This paper tested for the goodness-of-fit between Theory and Practice in the Institute of Education- Graduate Studies of the Far Eastern University via Outcome- Based Education using the theoretical frameworks of Hatch and Schultz on organizational identity dynamics and Argyris on scientific feedback loop models. Hatch and Schultz [1] hold the view that organizational identity is an ongoing process that behaves like a conversation between the organizational self (as expressed by its culture) and images held by key stakeholders. This perspective is an extension by analogy of Mead’s social identity theory [2] in which he posits that individual identity is born of a conversation between the “I” and the “me”. Processes linking organizational identity are positioned with respect to recent concerns about the effects of increased levels of organizational transparency. Issues of concern that were ascertained via this research are the following: (1) Learning outcomes set by the Professor are mostly manifested/ observed in the Graduate Class (2) Some prerequisite research skills are weakly manifested/ observed in the Graduate Class.  Hence, using Argyris’ scientific feedback loop models for evaluation [3], it is recommended that a double-feedback loop be implemented as it allows identification and modification of weak organizational practices.
THE IDENTIFICATION OF DESIGN FOR MAINTAINABILITY IMPERATIVES TO ACHIEVE COST EFFECTIVE BUILDING MAINTENANCE: A DELPHI STUDY
Authors: Ganisen Shubashini , Mohammad Izran Sarrazin , Jawahar Nesan L. , Mohammed Abdul Hakim , Kanniyapan Gunavathy
Published: December 2015

Incorporating maintainability during the building design is essential to increase overall performance of the building including quality and cost as; the management and operation process of facilities can have a significant impact on cost, health and safety, energy and quality. As a result, a more effective and efficient building facility will be turned over during the post occupancy stage. Literature review reveals that there is a need to implement maintainability during the building design phase; mainly due to the increasing life-cycle cost of the building facilities. A critical review of the literature has been carried out to explore the consideration of maintainability during the building design and subsequently identifies a set of criteria and indicators to be applied during the building design phase to achieve cost effective building maintenance. Thus, this paper opted a four-round Delphi questionnaire survey to identify the relevant design for maintainability criteria and indicators to achieve cost effective building maintenance. 8 designs for maintainability criteria along with the indicators for each of the criterion have been identified. These design for maintainability indicators help the building architects to incorporate maintainability practice during the building design phase and thus help to achieve cost effective maintenance. This paper aims to address the long pending quest of incorporating maintainability during the building design phase and consequently achieve cost effective building maintenance.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATOR AGENTS FOR INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS STATE MONITORING THROUGH SONNERATIA ALBA, AVICENNIA ALBA AND RHIZOPHORA APICULATA
Authors: Othman Rashidi , Ramya Razanah , Baharuddin Zainul Mukrim , Hashim Khairusy Syakirin Has-Yun , Yaman Maheran
Published: December 2015

Mangrove forest ecosystems are threatened by direct impacts such as cutting and pollution due to agricultural, industrialization and urbanization activities. Mangrove forests are often regarded as unpleasant environments with little intrinsic value.  Mangrove forests perform valued regional and site-specific functions. Mangrove species can take up excessive nutrients and also play a crucial role in creating a favourable environment for a variety of chemical, biological and physical processes that contribute to the inorganic removal and degradation of organic compounds. Among the many mangrove species, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia alba and Rhizophora apiculata have been studied for biomonitoring of toxic heavy metals elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn) in a wide range of plant tissues (roots and leaves) and sediment composition at  three different locations in Negeri Sembilan, west coast of Malaysia. The results established that there were significant differences between the three mangrove species, locations, plant tissues and sediment samples and their interaction for all the five heavy metals content. The findings revealed that leaf tissues for all species accumulated mostly Fe, Zn, Pb and Cu. Interestingly we noticed that different localities will accumulate different type of heavy metals, for instance R. apiculata leaf tissues were detected with higher concentration of Cu and Pb at Kampung Sungai Sekawang whereas in another two sites were detected with Cu, Fe, Zn and Pb. S. alba indicated that the most heavy metals highly accumulated was Zn followed by Pb and Cu at Pasir Panjang. In this study A. alba showed Zn was highly accumulated in leaf tissues at Pasir Panjang. Thus, those three mangrove species appear to have the greatest potential for use as an effective ecological indicator tools as green application for inorganic contaminants monitoring in mangrove ecosystems.
IMPLEMENTING MAINTAINABILITY IN BUILDING MATERIAL SELECTION: A PRELIMINARY SURVEY
Authors: Kanniyapan Gunavathy , Mohammad Izran Sarrazin , Jawahar Nesan Lenin , Mohammed Abdul Hakim , Abdullah @ Mohd Asmoni Mat Naim , Ganisen Shubashini
Published: December 2015

The importance of maintainable designs has long been recognised. However, considering maintenance right from the beginning of choosing building material is rare. Building material selection without considering maintainability had posed greater maintenance problem in the post occupancy stage of building which have been emphasised by several researchers and practitioners in the construction industry. Conversely, the criticality of this issue to the implementation of maintainability in building material selection has yet to be empirically explored in the Malaysian perspective. As an effort to shed light into this issue, a questionnaire survey was carried out to architects, building maintenance engineers and structural engineers in Malaysia. Thus, this article discusses the benefits of implementing maintainability in material selection, the factors that thwart the implementation of maintainability in material selection, and the level of awareness and knowledge of practitioners in the construction industry on maintainability in material selection. Frequency calculations were carried out. The findings of this study is hoped to shed light to architects, building maintenance engineers and structural engineers on the critical aspects that demand examination and consideration of selection of maintainable building material in Malaysia.
FRAMEWORK OF AUGMENTED REALITY APPROACH TOWARDS ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF DRIVER VEHICLE PACKAGE DESIGN
Authors: Sze Soon Chew , Raja Ghazilla Raja Ariffin , Hwa Jen Yap , Suen Pai Yun
Published: December 2015

Human factor studies such as ergonomic evaluation become increasingly important in the engineering, automotive, designing and support of new advance products. Creating in-car gadgets that can be worked inside appropriate safety bound is an ergonomic issue. Several tools and methods have been developed for ergonomic evaluation. However, there are several factors that influence the difficulty of such evaluations, such as the subjectivity of comfort, high cost of mock-up systems and computerized tools, and the disadvantage of reconfiguring adjustments. The proposed system allows the user or engineer to obtain the three-dimensional visual model with the aid of additional equipment that includes a Augmented Reality head mounted display (HMD) to reduce the components of physical prototype. The user or engineer is able to determine the position of interior components to determine the most comfortable ergonomic reaching zone.
OPTIMIZATION OF BIOVANILLIN PRODUCTION OF LEMONGRASS LEAVES HYDROLYSATES THROUGH PHANEROCHAETE CHRYSOSPORIUM
Authors: Hussin Huszalina , Md Salleh Madihah , Chun Siong Chong , Abu Naser Muhammad , Abd- Aziz Suraini , Merican Al-Junid Amir Feisal
Published: December 2015

The recent study has demonstrated the effects of different nitrogen sources on vanillin production by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Primary screening supported maximum biotransformation of ferulic acid (from lemongrass leaves hydrolysate) to vanillin by using ammonium chloride and yeast extract as inorganic and organic nitrogen source, respectively. With the 2-level factorial analysis, the optimum conditions of vanillin production from ferulic acid by P. chrysosporium was achieved at 0.192g/L with a molar yield of 24.5%.
MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING FOR REVERSE LOGISTIC CONTRACTOR SELECTION IN E-WASTE RECYCLING INDUSTRY USING POLYTOMOUS RASCH MODEL
Authors: Sabtu Muhammad Idham , Saibani Nizaroyani , Ramli Rizauddin , Ab. Rahman Mohd Nizam
Published: December 2015

E-waste recycling is a growing sector in the reverse supply chain and the main purpose of recycling is to recover precious materials making these recycling activities economically interesting. To increase vibrancy of this activity, third  party logistic (3PLs) are used to carry out most of the logistic functions that contribute to the competitive advantages. Thus, this study attempts to ascertain the attributes that influence the selection and evaluation of 3PLs the most. Survey based approach were carried out on experts from recycling companies in Malaysia via questionnaire, the results were evaluated using rasch model analysis for evaluating and prioritizing the attributes according to the scores. Previous studies have proposed their multiple dimensions and criterias for selection on 3PLs with different types of industries and methods. The criterias play a vital role in the selection of the best on 3PLs . There are 10 criterias with 38 sub-items were identified and constructed used in screening the best reverse logistic contractor. The results shows that organisation role attribute is the most critical attributes that must be considered. The results of this study are usefull in focusing on several vital attributes for selecting the best 3PLs provider  that can intensify total firm performance.
DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED BY THE JAKUN PEOPLE OF ENDAU-ROMPIN (PETA) FOR TREATMENTS OF MALARIA-LIKE SYMPTOMS
Authors: Ismail Izdihar , Cuevas Linatoc Alona , Mohamed Maryati , Tokiman Lili
Published: December 2015

Malaria continues to kill over a million people each year. Malaria is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is one of the leading infectious diseases in many tropical regions including Malaysia. Many of the local people in the rural areas still use plants as remedies against fever and other symptoms of malaria as reported herein. Although the potentials of plants to be useful in traditional healthcare are acknowledged, currently survey and documentation of medicinal plants used by Jakun people in Endau-Rompin, Johor is lacking. As such there is an urgent need to document information on herbal remedies traditionally used for treatment diseases such as malaria and malaria-like symptoms. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the indigenous people in Kg. Peta, Endau-Rompin, Johor for the treatment of malaria and malaria-like symptoms infection was conducted. Data was collected from key informants in that community using a semi-structured interview. Investigation was carried out on the names of plants (vernacular), plant parts used, methods of preparations and how it is administered were all recorded. The result of the survey revealed that 10 plant species from 9 families were regarded for treating malaria and malaria-like symptoms. Leaves and plant sap are the most frequently used plant parts while decoction is the most common methods involved in the preparation. This study acknowledges the local people’s knowledge about malaria and the traditional treatment practices used by the local people in the study area. Herbal remedies are commonly used by the local people because it is cost-effective and more accessible. Hence, the need for documentation of these plants to avoid knowledge erosion and lost in the succeeding generations make this study highly necessary.
DEVELOPMENT OF PURPLE SWEET POTATO STARCH BASE BIODEGRADABLE FILM
Authors: Ishak Iryatie , Muhamad Ida Idayu , Mohd Marsin Aishah , Iqbal Tariq
Published: December 2015

An antioxidant edible film based on purple sweet potato (PSP) starch plasticized with glycerol and incorporated with antioxidant sources (anthocyanin and Butylated Hydroxy anisole (BHA) has been developed. PSP consists of high anthocyanin content due to its bright purple color. The anthocyanin believes to become a carrier for antioxidant agent and also act as a natural colorant in food meanwhile BHA were a synthetic antioxidant additives which mainly used in food. PSP film was prepared by casting method. PSP starch blending with anthocyanin extract (89.04 ± 1.70 %) shows higher DPPH scavenging activity compared to sweet potato (SP) starch blending with BHA solution (74.83 ± 1.73 %). PSP with anthocyanin extract is more effective as antioxidant edible film due to higher antioxidant activity compare to mixture of SP with BHA.
Comparison of trimethylgallium and triethylgallium as “Ga” source materials for the growth of ultrathin GaN films on Si (100) substrates via hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition
Authors: Alevli Mustafa , Haider Ali , Kizir Seda , Leghari Shahid A. , Biyikli Necmi
Published: December 2015

GaN films grown by hollow cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition using trimethylgallium (TMG) and triethylgallium (TEG) as gallium precursors are compared. Optimized and saturated TMG/TEG pulse widths were used in order to study the effect of group-III precursors. The films were characterized by grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Refractive index follows the same trend of crystalline quality, mean grain, and crystallite sizes. GaN layers grown using TMG precursor exhibited improved structural and optical properties when compared to GaN films grown with TEG precursor.
Interface state density engineering in Hf1-xZrxO2/SiON/Si gate stack
Authors: Bhuyian Md Nasir Uddin , Misra Durgamadhab , Tapily Kandabara , Clark Robert D. , Consiglio Steven , Wajda Cory S. , Leusink Gert J.
Published: December 2015

This work investigates the interface state density, Dit by conductance method for two different processing conditions: (1) cyclic deposition and slot-plane-antenna (SPA) Ar plasma exposure, DSDS, and (2) cyclic deposition and annealing, DADA, during the deposition of ALD Hf1-xZrxO2 to fabricate the TiN/Hf1-xZrxO2/SiON/Si gate stack. The Zr percentage was varied in the dielectrics from x = 0 to 0.31 and 0.8 for DSDS processing and x = 0 to 0.8 for DADA processing. The control samples were deposited with standard atomic layer deposition (ALD) process (As-Dep) without any cyclic treatment. The addition of ZrO2 and SPA plasma exposure is found to suppress interface state generation. DSDS Hf1-xZrxO2 with x = 0.8 demonstrated superior equivalent oxide thickness downscaling and the lowest Dit. The electron affinity variation of Hf and Zr ion seems to contribute to reduced Dit generation after a constant voltage stress. On the other hand, DADA process increases the midgap Dit when Zr is added to HfO2. In addition, DADA processed dielectrics showed higher degradation when stressed because of increased trap assisted tunneling through charged grain boundaries. Furthermore, DSDS Hf1-xZrxO2 (x = 0.8) with two different interfacial layers: (1) UV nitridation of chemically grown SiO2 and (2) plasma oxynitride grown after removing the chemically grown SiO2 was investigated. The interface characteristics observed for SiON formed by UV nitridation seems to be better as compared to that formed by plasma oxynitride, which is attributed to the more uniform nitrogen incorporation by UV nitridation.
Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of silicon nitride using neopentasilane
Authors: Weeks Stephen , Nowling Greg , Fuchigami Nobi , Bowes Michael , Littau Karl
Published: December 2015

Progress in transistor scaling has increased the demands on the material properties of silicon nitride (SiNx) thin films used in device fabrication and at the same time placed stringent restrictions on the deposition conditions employed. Recently, low temperature plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition has emerged as a viable technique for depositing these films with a thermal budget compatible with semiconductor processing at sub-32 nm technology nodes. For these depositions, it is desirable to use precursors that are free from carbon and halogens that can incorporate into the film. Beyond this, it is necessary to develop processing schemes that minimize the wet etch rate of the film as it will be subjected to wet chemical processing in subsequent fabrication steps. In this work, the authors introduce low temperature deposition of SiNx using neopentasilane [NPS, (SiH3)4Si] in a plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition process with a direct N2 plasma. The growth with NPS is compared to a more common precursor, trisilylamine [TSA, (SiH3)3 N] at identical process conditions. The wet etch rates of the films deposited with NPS are characterized at different plasma conditions and the impact of ion energy is discussed.
C-Reactive Protein Concentrations and Level of Physical Activity in Men and Women With Normal and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Sweden
Authors: Hellgren Margareta I. , Larsson Charlotte A. , Daka Bledar , Petzold Max , Jansson Per-Anders , Lindblad Ulf
Published: December 2015

Background:

We aimed to explore the association between self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in men and women with and without impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods:

In a cross-sectional study, a random sample (n = 2,816) was examined with an oral glucose tolerance test, CRP and information about LTPA. Those with IGT or normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and CRP value ≤10 mg/L were selected (n = 2,367) for the study.

Results:

An inverse association between LTPA and CRP concentrations was observed in the population (P < .001), though, only in men with IGT (P = .023) and in women with NGT. Men with IGT, reporting slight physical activity up to 4 hours a week presented significantly higher CRP concentrations than normoglycemic men (∆0.6 mg/L, P = .004). However, this difference could not be found in men with IGT reporting more intense physical activity (∆0.01 mg/L, P = .944).

Conclusions:

Physical inactivity seems to have greater inflammatory consequences for men (vs. women) with IGT. More importantly, although 4 hours of physical activity per week is more than the usual minimum recommendation, an even greater intensity of LTPA appears to be required to limit subclinical inflammation in men with IGT.
Social Support and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among the Elderly: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Böhm Andrea Wendt , Mielke Grégore Iven , da Cruz Maurício Feijó , Ramires Virgílio Viana , Wehrmeister Fernando C.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Physical inactivity in elderly is a public health problem. The purpose of this study is to describe and test the association between social support and leisure-time physical activity among the elderly.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, population-based study with 1,285 subjects (60+ years old) living in a city in southern Brazil was carried out in 2014. Physical activity practice was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [leisure domain: at least 150 minutes per week of walking + moderate physical activity + 2(vigorous physical activity)], while social support was measured using the Physical Activity Social Support Scale.

Results:

The prevalence of elderly who reached the recommendations of leisure-time physical activity was 18.4%. The elderly persons who had the company of family or friends to walk had a 2.45 times higher prevalence of reaching the recommendations of physical activity in leisure than those who did not. Those who had company of friends to practice moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 3.23 times more likely to reach physical activity recommendations than their counterparts. The least common social support was the joint practice for walking and for MVPA.

Conclusions:

Strategies that incentivize family members and friends to provide social support to the elderly for physical activity focusing on joint practice must be encouraged.
Acylated Ghrelin and Circulatory Oxidative Stress Markers Responses to Acute Resistance and Aerobic Exercise in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Carteri Randhall B. , Lopes André Luis , Schöler Cinthia M. , Correa Cleiton Silva , Macedo Rodrigo C. , Gross Júlia Silveira , Kruger Renata Lopes , de Bittencourt Paulo I. Homem , Reischak-Oliveira Álvaro
Published: December 2015

Background:

Since exercise increases the production of reactive oxygen species in different tissues, the objective of this study is to evaluate, compare and correlate the acute effects of aerobic and resistance exercise in circulatory markers of oxidative stress and acylated ghrelin (AG) in postmenopausal women.

Methods:

Ten postmenopausal women completed different protocols: a control session (CON), an aerobic exercise session (AERO); and a single-set (SSR) or 3-set (MSR) resistance exercise protocol.

Results:

After exercise, both MSR (P = .06) and AERO (P = .02) sessions showed significant increased lipid peroxidation compared with baseline levels. CON and SSR sessions showed no differences after exercise. No differences were found between sessions at any time for total glutathione, glutathione dissulfide or AG concentrations.

Conclusions:

Exercise significantly increased lipid peroxidation compared with baseline values. As pro oxidant stimuli is necessary to promote chronic adaptations to the antioxidant defenses induced by exercise, our findings are important to consider when evaluating exercise programs prescription variables aiming quality of life in this population.
Energy Expenditure During Acute Periods of Sitting, Standing, and Walking
Authors: Creasy Seth A. , Rogers Renee J. , Byard Thomas D. , Kowalsky Robert J. , Jakicic John M.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Identifying strategies to increase energy expenditure (EE) may help combat the harmful effects of sedentary behavior. This study examined EE during sitting, standing, and walking.

Methods:

Participants (N = 74) were randomized to 2 of the following activities: sitting using a laptop computer (SIT-C), sitting watching television (SIT-T), standing watching television (STAND), and walking at a self-selected pace ≤3.0 (mph) (WALK). Each activity lasted 15 minutes with a 3-minute transition period between activities. The experimental conditions were: SIT-C to STAND (N = 18), SIT-T to WALK (N = 18), STAND to SIT-C (N = 20), and WALK to SIT-T (N = 18). EE was measured using indirect calorimetry.

Results:

Based on the first activity performed, EE during WALK (55.92 ± 14.19 kcal) was significantly greater than SIT-C (19.63 ± 6.90 kcal), SIT-T (18.66 ± 4.01 kcal), and STAND (21.92 ± 5.08 kcal) (P < .001). Cumulative EE in SIT-T to WALK (74.50 ± 17.88 kcal) and WALK to SIT-T (82.72 ± 21.70 kcal) was significantly greater than EE in SIT-C to STAND (45.38 ± 14.78 kcal) and STAND to SIT-C (45.64 ± 9.69 kcal) (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Conclusion: Substituting periods of sitting or standing with walking significantly increases EE, but substituting periods of sitting with standing may not affect EE. Thus, the potential benefits of standing as opposed to sitting need further investigation beyond the role of EE.
Band gap modulation of graphyne via chemical functionalization: a density functional theory study
Authors: Majidi R.
Published: December 2015

The structural and electronic properties of functionalized graphyne were studied by using density functional theory. Different concentrations of CCl2 molecules were added to α-graphyne and β-graphyne sheets. The high binding energies indicated the strong adsorption of CCl2 molecules on graphyne sheets. It was found that functionalization with CCl2 molecules can open a band gap in graphyne and functionalized graphyne sheets showing semiconducting properties. The band gap of graphyne was dependent on the concentration of adsorbed CCl2 molecules. Our results indicated that chemical functionalization of graphyne with CCl2 groups could be an effective method to modify and control the electronic properties of graphyne.
6Pe—6Po transitions in boron-like ions with Z = 8–13
Authors: Zhang Jian , Sun Yan , Sang Cui Cui , Yan Shuo , Li Wen Yi , Hu Feng , Mei Mao Fei , Liu Dong Dong , Gou Bing Cong
Published: December 2015

The energies, fine structure splittings, transition rates, and lifetimes of inner-shell excited sextet states 1s2s2p2nl, (n = 2–7; l = s, p, d) and 1s2p33p of the boron isoelectronic sequence (Z = 8–13) are investigated using the multi-configuration Rayleigh–Ritz variation method. The mass polarization effect and relativistic corrections are included by first-order perturbation theory. Configuration structures of the high-n inner-shell excited sextet series 6Se,o(m) and 6Pe,o(m) (m = 1–5) of boron-like Na6+ ion are assigned. The wavelengths and transition rates of electric-dipole transitions between 6Pe(m) and 6Po(m) (m = 1–5) states are calculated. The quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects and higher order relativistic corrections are also considered to obtain more accurate transition wavelengths. The predicted transition wavelengths agree well with the available theoretical and experimental data. The lifetimes for the inner-shell excited sextet states 6Pe(m) (m = 1–5) are also reported and discussed with the increase of nuclear charge number, Z. These theoretical data are useful for the identification of spectral lines in experiments and the design of XUV and soft X-ray lasers.
Superlinear Summation of Information in Premotor Neuron Pairs
Authors: Montani Fernando , Oliynyk Andriy , Fadiga Luciano
Published: December 2015

Whether premotor/motor neurons encode information in terms of spiking frequency or by their relative time of firing, which may display synchronization, is still undetermined. To address this issue, we used an information theory approach to analyze neuronal responses recorded in the premotor (area F5) and primary motor (area F1) cortices of macaque monkeys under four different conditions of visual feedback during hand grasping. To evaluate the sensitivity of spike timing correlation between single neurons, we investigated the stimulus dependent synchronization in our population of pairs. We first investigated the degree of correlation of trial-to-trial fluctuations in response strength between neighboring neurons for each condition, and second estimated the stimulus dependent synchronization by means of an information theoretical approach. We compared the information conveyed by pairs of simultaneously recorded neurons with the sum of information provided by the respective individual cells. The information transmission across pairs of cells in the primary motor cortex seems largely independent, whereas information transmission across pairs of premotor neurons is summed superlinearly. The brain could take advantage of both the accuracy provided by the independency of F1 and the synergy allowed by the superlinear information population coding in F5, distinguishing thus the generalizing role of F5.
The cup subalgebra has the absorbing amenability property
Authors: Brothier Arnaud , Wen Chenxu
Published: December 2015

Consider an inclusion of diffuse von Neumann algebras [Formula: see text]. We say that [Formula: see text] has the absorbing amenability property (AAP) if for any diffuse subalgebra [Formula: see text] and any amenable intermediate algebra [Formula: see text] we have that [Formula: see text] is contained in [Formula: see text] We prove that the cup subalgebra associated to any subfactor planar algebra has the AAP.
Long wavelength superluminal pulse propagation in a defect slab doped with GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well nanostructure
Authors: Panahi M. , Solookinejad G. , Sangachin E. Ahmadi , Asadpour S. H.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, long wavelength superluminal and subluminal properties of pulse propagation in a defect slab medium doped with four-level GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with 15 periods of 17.5 nm GaAs wells and 15 nm [Formula: see text] barriers is theoretically discussed. It is shown that exciton spin relaxation (ESR) between excitonic states in MQWs can be used for controlling the superluminal and subluminal light transmissions and reflections at different wavelengths. We also show that reflection and transmission coefficients depend on the thickness of the slab for the resonance and nonresonance conditions. Moreover, we found that the ESR for nonresonance condition lead to superluminal light transmission and subluminal light reflection.
Tuning the Fano resonances in a single defect nanocavity coupled with a plasmonic waveguide for sensing applications
Authors: Wu Tiesheng , Liu Yumin , Yu Zhongyuan , Ye Han , Shu Changgan , Peng Yiwei , Wang Jie , He Huifang
Published: December 2015

A novel surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) refractive index sensor based on a single defect nanocavity coupled with a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide is proposed and numerically simulated by using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method with perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition. It is found that the defect structure can realize two Fano resonances and these two Fano resonances originate from two different mechanisms. The results demonstrate the liner correlation between the resonance wavelengths of the device and the refractive index of the material under sensing. Through the optimization of structural parameters, we achieve a theoretical value of the refractive index sensitivity as high as 1800.4 nmRIU[Formula: see text]. It could be utilized to develop ultra-compact nanodevice for high-resolution biological sensing.