bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does participation in a social security scheme improve household dietary diversity?
Authors: Adenuga Olajumoke , Babatunde Raphael , Adenuga Adewale
Published: October 2015

Social protection in the form of cash transfer is emerging as a policy
objective to solve the problem of poverty and food insecurity in developing
countries. However, the extent to which this is feasible is yet to be
empirically examined. This study was therefore carried out to assess the
effect of the Ekiti State Social Security Scheme (ESSSS) on the dietary
diversity of beneficiary households in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study
employed a three-stage random sampling technique to collect data from 200
respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics,
Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) in terciles and the Poisson Maximum
Likelihood Estimator were the main analytical tools employed for the study.
The result of the Poisson maximum likelihood estimator at p ? 0.05 showed
that access to the Ekiti State Social Security Scheme (ESSSS), years of
education and total monthly income were found to significantly influence
household dietary diversity. The study concluded that the Ekiti State Social
Security Scheme (ESSSS) has a positive effect on household dietary diversity
of beneficiaries. It was recommended that the government should endeavour to
increase the number of beneficiaries of the programme and organize
nutrition-oriented programmes for the elderly people to improve the food
substitution knowledge of the households.
Pain control in orthodontics using a micropulse vibration device: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lobre Wendy D. , Callegari Brent J. , Gardner Gary , Marsh Curtis M. , Bush Anneke C. , Dunn William J.
Published: October 2015

Objective: 

To investigate the relationship between a micropulse vibration device and pain perception during orthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods: 

This study was a parallel group, randomized clinical trial. A total of 58 patients meeting eligibility criteria were assigned using block allocation to one of two groups: an experimental group using the vibration device or a control group (n  =  29 for each group). Patients used the device for 20 minutes daily. Patients rated pain intensity on a visual analog scale at appropriate intervals during the weeks after the separator or archwire appointment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance at α  =  .05.

Results: 

During the 4-month test period, significant differences between the micropulse vibration device group and the control group for overall pain (P  =  .002) and biting pain (P  =  .003) were identified. The authors observed that perceived pain was highest at the beginning of the month, following archwire adjustment.

Conclusion: 

The micropulse vibration device significantly lowered the pain scores for overall pain and biting pain during the 4-month study period.
Halphen Distribution System, Toolbox for Modeling Travel Time Variability
Authors: Delhome Raphaél , Billot Romain , Duret Aurélien , El Faouzi Nour-Eddin
Published: October 2015

This paper introduces the Halphen system as a toolbox for modeling travel time variability. The three distributions of the Halphen family and the moment–ratio diagram (MRD), a graphical tool for selecting the best distribution given a specific data set, are presented. The mapping between the positions of travel time samples on the MRD and traffic conditions based on mesoscopic traffic simulation was explored. A comprehensive supply–demand scenario enabled a comparison between day-to-day and hour-by-hour travel time variability in terms of selection of the optimal distribution. The results highlight the capability of the Halphen system to model a wide range of traffic conditions. This flexible tool has the potential to be integrated into a practice-ready decision support system for modeling travel time variability at the network scale.
Elevated Desired Speed and Change in Desired Direction
Authors: Dias Charitha , Sarvi Majid , Ejtemai Omid , Burd Martin
Published: October 2015

Microscopic pedestrian simulation tools have gained increased attention and popularity in recent years. These are essential tools in planning and designing crowd-gathering places and public buildings. For increased reliability of such tools, they must be calibrated against reliable empirical data for a variety of situations. Detailed empirical studies could serve this purpose while providing insight into microscopic pedestrian flow characteristics under different conditions. A major gap in the knowledge is that no substantial research has examined the effects of elevated desired speeds and change in desired walking direction on collective behaviors of pedestrians. With experimental data collected under different walking conditions, this study evaluates the effects of elevated desired walking speed and change in desired walking direction on collective movements of pedestrians. Qualitative and quantitative empirical analyses suggest that larger deviations in microscopic and macroscopic characteristics can be expected at elevated desired speed levels compared with normal desired speed. Therefore, existing models that have been calibrated and validated for normal walking conditions may not be suitable for predicting collective behaviors when the desired walking speed is higher (e.g., evacuation, panic). Results obtained from these empirical studies could be beneficial for calibration and validation of the explanatory models so that those models could be applied to predict consequences under a wider range of situations.
Modeling Driver Behavior in Work and Nonwork Zones
Authors: Lochrane Taylor W. P. , Al-Deek Haitham , Dailey Daniel J. , Krause Cory
Published: October 2015

A new multidimensional framework for modeling car following on the basis of statistical evaluation of driver behavior in work and non-work zones is presented. The models developed as part of this multidimensional framework use psychophysical concepts for car following that are close in character to the Wiedemann model used in popular traffic simulation software such as VISSIM. The authors hypothesized that with an instrumented research vehicle (IRV) in a living laboratory (LL) along a roadway, the parameters of models developed from the multidimensional framework could be derived statistically and calibrated for driver behavior in work zones. This hypothesis was validated with data collected from a group of 64 random participants who drove the IRV through an LL set up along a work zone on I-95 near Washington, D.C. For this validation, the IRV was equipped with sensors, including radar, and an onboard data collection system to record the vehicle performance. One of the limitations of current car-following models is that they account for only one overall behavioral condition. This study demonstrated that there are four different categories of car-following behavior models, each with different parameter distributions: the four categories are divided by traffic condition (congested versus non congested) and by roadway condition (work versus nonwork zone). Calibrated threshold values for each of these four categories are presented. Furthermore, this new framework for modeling car-following behavior is described in a multidimensional setting and can be used to enhance vehicle behavior in microsimulation models.
Spinal intraarterial chemotherapy: interim results of a Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Patsalides Athos , Yamada Yoshiya , Bilsky Mark , Lis Eric , Laufer Ilya , Gobin Yves Pierre
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Despite advances in therapies using radiation oncology and spinal oncological surgery, there is a subgroup of patients with spinal metastases who suffer from progressive or recurrent epidural disease and remain at risk for neurological compromise. In this paper the authors describe their initial experience with a novel therapeutic approach that consists of intraarterial (IA) infusion of chemotherapy to treat progressive spinal metastatic disease.

METHODS

The main inclusion criterion was the presence of progressive, metastatic epidural disease to the spine causing spinal canal compromise in patients who were not candidates for the standard treatments of radiation therapy and/or surgery. All tumor histological types were eligible for this trial. Using the transfemoral arterial approach and standard neurointerventional techniques, all patients were treated with IA infusion of melphalan in the arteries supplying the epidural tumor. The protocol allowed for up to 3 procedures repeated at 3- to 6-week intervals. Outcome measures included physiological measures: 1) periprocedural complications according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; and 2) MRI to assess for tumor response.

RESULTS

Nine patients with progressive spinal metastatic disease and cord compression were enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial of selective IA chemotherapy. All patients had metastatic disease from solid organs and were not candidates for further radiation therapy or surgery. A total of 19 spinal intraarterial chemotherapy (SIAC) procedures were performed, and the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 7 months (median 3 months). There was 1 serious adverse event (febrile neutropenia). Local tumor control was seen in 8 of 9 patients, whereas tumor progression at the treated level was seen in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results support the hypothesis that SIAC is feasible and safe.
Registration of ‘UFCP 82‐1655’ Sugarcane
Authors: Sandhu Hardev S. , Gilbert Robert A. , Comstock Jack C. , Gordon Vanessa S. , Korndörfer Pedro , Arundale Rebecca A. , El-Hout Nael
Published: October 2015

‘UFCP 82‐1655’ (Reg. No. CV‐164; PI 673050), a high fiber and low sucrose sugarcane, also called energy cane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum sp.), was developed through the collaborative effort of the University of Florida (UF) and the USDA‐ARS, Canal Point (CP) for its potential use in cellulosic ethanol production in Florida. UFCP 82‐1655 has moderate to high resistance against smut (caused by Sporisorium scitamineum). UFCP 82‐1655 did not have any natural infestation of brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Sydow), orange rust (caused by P. kuehnii), mosaic (caused by Sugarcane mosaic virus) and leaf scald [caused by Xanthomonas albilinenas (Ashby) Dawson]. Dry biomass yield (soluble plus insoluble dry weight) of UFCP 82‐1655 was not significantly different from ‘L 79‐1002’. Averaged across different crop cycles (plant cane, first ratoon, second ratoon, and third ratoon) at three locations in Florida (Citra, Tecan and Lykes Bros. farms), mean dry biomass yield of UFCP 82‐1655 was 32.7 Mg ha−1 compared with 30.6 Mg ha−1 for the reference check, L 79‐1002. Plant composition (% fiber) of UFCP 82‐1655 is composed of 41.7% cellulose, 27.9% hemicellulose, 22.6% lignin, 2.6% nonstructural ash, 2% structural ash, and 1.6% structural protein, which is quite similar to L 79‐1002. UFCP 82‐1655 is released to enhance genetic diversity and to improve disease resistance in energy cane.
Standardized Exercise Tests and Simulated Terrestrial Mission Task Performance
Authors: Ade Carl J. , Broxterman Ryan M. , Craig Jesse C. , Schlup Susanna J. , Wilcox Samuel L. , Barstow Thomas J.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Missions to terrestrial destinations (i.e., asteroids, the Moon, and Mars) will consist of physically challenging mission-critical tasks. These tasks, coupled with the negative physiological effects of prolonged microgravity exposure, create a plausible situation
in which physical requirements may exceed an astronaut’s physical capacity. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the association of aerobic fitness and muscular strength parameters with performance during two field tests designed to simulate upper-body mission-critical
activities.METHODS: There were 70 subjects who completed a material transport field test requiring the loading, transport, and unloading of geological samples and a device operations field test consisting of tasks associated with equipment set-up and the operations of controls and
valves. The relationships between test duration and the following measurements were determined: running Vo2max, gas exchange threshold (GET), speed at Vo2max (s-Vo2max), highest sustainable rate of aerobic metabolism [critical speed (CS)], and the finite distance
that could be covered above CS (D’); and arm cranking Vo2peak, GET, critical power (CP), and the finite work that can be performed above CP (W’).RESULTS: CP (r = −0.66), CS (r = −0.56), and arm cranking Vo2peak (r = −0.54) were
most strongly correlated with the material transport field test and decision tree analysis revealed CP as the best predictor of performance. For the device operations field test, CP (r = −0.70), CS (r = −0.62), and arm cranking peak power output (r = −0.56) were significant
predictors.DISCUSSION: Arm cranking tests are strongly associated with upper-body dependent tasks, highlighting that the nature of mission tasks needs to be considered when evaluating astronaut physical capacity.Ade CJ, Broxterman RM, Craig JC, Schlup SJ, Wilcox SL, Barstow
TJ. Standardized exercise tests and simulated terrestrial mission task performance. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015; 86(11):982–989.
Centrifuge-Simulated Suborbital Spaceflight in a Subject with Cardiac Malformation
Authors: Blue Rebecca S. , Blacher Eric , Castleberry Tarah L. , Vanderploeg James M.
Published: October 2015

INTRODUCTION: Commercial spaceflight participants (SFPs) will introduce new medical challenges to the aerospace community, with unique medical conditions never before exposed to the space environment. This is a case report regarding the response of a subject with multiple cardiac
malformations, including aortic insufficiency, pulmonary atresia, pulmonary valve replacement, ventricular septal defect (post-repair), and pulmonary artery stenosis (post-dilation), to centrifuge acceleration simulating suborbital flight.CASE REPORT: A 23-yr-old man with a history
of multiple congenital cardiac malformations underwent seven centrifuge runs over 2 d. Day 1 consisted of two +Gz runs (peak = +3.5 Gz, run 2) and two +Gx runs (peak = +6.0 Gx, run 4). Day 2 consisted of three runs approximating suborbital spaceflight
profiles (combined +Gx and +Gz). Data collected included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, neurovestibular exams, and post-run questionnaires regarding motion sickness, disorientation, greyout, and other symptoms. Despite the subject’s significant
medical history, he tolerated the acceleration profiles well and demonstrated no significant abnormal physiological responses.DISCUSSION: Potential risks to SFPs with aortic insufficiency, artificial heart valves, or valvular insufficiency include lower +Gz tolerance,
earlier symptom onset, and ineffective mitigation strategies such as anti-G straining maneuvers. There are no prior studies of prolonged accelerations approximating spaceflight in such individuals. This case demonstrates tolerance of acceleration profiles in an otherwise young and healthy
individual with significant cardiac malformations, suggesting that such conditions may not necessarily preclude participation in commercial spaceflight.Blue RS, Blacher E, Castleberry TL, Vanderploeg JM. Centrifuge-simulated suborbital spaceflight in a subject with cardiac malformation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015; 86(11):999–1003.
Inflammatory stress potentiates emodin-induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Tu Can , Gao Dan , Li Xiao-Fei , Li Chun-Yu , Li Rui-Sheng , Zhao Yan-Ling , Li Na , Jia Ge-Liu-Chang , Pang Jing-Yao , Cui He-Rong , Ma Zhi-Jie , Xiao Xiao-He , Wang Jia-Bo
Published: October 2015

Herbal medicines containing emodin, widely used for the treatment of hepatitis in clinic, have been reported with hepatotoxicity in individuals. A modest inflammatory stress potentiating liver injury has been linked to the idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI). In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interacts with emodin could synergize to cause liver injury in rats. Emodin (ranging from 20, 40, to 80 mg/kg), which is in the range of liver protection, was administered to rats, before LPS (2.8 mg/kg) or saline vehicle treatment. The biochemical tests showed that non-toxic dosage of LPS coupled with emodin caused significant increases of plasma ALT and AST activities as compared to emodin alone treated groups (P < 0.05). In addition, with LPS or emodin alone could not induce any changes in ALT and AST activity, as compared with the control group (0.5% CMC-Na treatment). Meanwhile, the plasma proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 increased significantly in the emodin/LPS groups compared to either emodin groups or the LPS (P < 0.05). Histological analysis showed that liver damage was only found in emodin/LPS cotreatmented rat livers samples. These results indicate that non-toxic dosage of LPS potentiates the hepatotoxicity of emodin. This discovery raises the possibility that emodin and herbal medicines containing it may induce liver injury in the inflammatory stress even in their therapeutic dosages.
Co-work Between University Teachers: Is it Possible to Build a Common Language?
Authors: Soares Luísa , Pacheco Dulce
Published: October 2015

Some of the ideas/categories that resulted from this work suggest a common language should be built between different professionals that work together: i) consider the human side of technology; ii) important behaviours for team work are complementarity, cohesion and synchronization; iii) attention to details motivates students; iv) stimulate new experiences/new thoughts; v) master four different abilities: inform, educate, inspire and entertain; vi) the essential will always remain, although times are changing and new fields of science are coming; vii) the web changed the way we work and learn and that´s more important than the way we interact with the contents of the web; viii) technology should improve teaching skills; ix) working together can be painful, so eliminating personnel barriers could result in a good cooperation/collaboration; x) team building; xi) create relevant contents; xii) build channels to reach all over the world; xiii) bridging programs can be very useful after a 1st graduation course where the main abilities from one area are already consolidated; xiv) Commitment to the team goals; xv) Psychologists are needed in teams and xv) dream university is the one that has pleasant and large spaces to be used by people and to inspire them.
An Exploratory Study into Virtual Learning Environments as Training Platforms in the Workplace.
Authors: Mc Nelis Janice
Published: October 2015

The use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) as training platforms has brought about a new way of delivering education and training to individuals, academic institutions and organisations. Learning that is facilitated through the use of VLEs is commonly referred to as eLearning. A well designed VLE will enhance its effectiveness, and this in conjunction with appropriate implementation and evaluation tools is integral to the overall success of the VLE.A well designed eLearning course will be better complemented through the provision of a well-designed VLE. This study examines VLEs and their usefulness as a training platform in a construction based organisation.
Maturity in Large Scale Corporate e-Learning
Authors: Cacao Rosario
Published: October 2015

We present a framework of maturity indicators that can be used to assess the maturity of a company in terms of e-learning and to promote new approaches to corporate e-learning. This framework is the result of a study that included semi-structured interviews with prime companies of several sectors such as banking, insurance, retail, energy, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and transports. In common, all of these companies have annual training budgets about or higher than 6 million dollars and several years of experience using e-learning to promote corporate development and training. The result of this study is not a maturity path or a set of maturity levels but a list of maturity indicators, classified in seven dimensions: strategy, structure, experience, learning design, learning products, learning process, and people. Each dimension includes several indicators of maturity. Each company can be assessed for every indicator to determine its strength and maturity in each dimension. This framework helps companies assess their own maturity in several areas, self diagnose their e-learning practices, and design strategies to improve their practices.
Is e-Learning for me? Experiences of an Intern Program in a Centre for Educational Technology
Authors: Brown Cheryl , Lewis Kathy
Published: October 2015

Much focus has been given to the Net Generation and how they learn and interact with the world. In our Centre we faced the interesting challenge of working with Net Generation graduates, and inducting them into the world of work in the emerging field of educational technology. This paper reports on a three year intern program and describes experiences and challenges of learning about e-learning
The Role of Facilitation in Technology-Enhanced Learning for Public Employment Services
Authors: Bimrose Jenny , Brown Alan , Holocher-Ertl Teresa , Kieslinger Barbara , Kunzmann Christine , Prilla Michael , Schmidt Andreas , Wolf Carmen
Published: October 2015

Public Employment Services (PES) in Europe are authorities that attempt to match supply and demand on the labor market. Rising unemployment in times of crisis and demographic change are among the main challenges with which PES practitioners, as a direct interface between jobseekers and employers, have to deal. They have to support career adaptability of their clients as well as to enhance and transform their own individual and collective professional identities in order to cope successfully with the challenges of a changing labor market. As part of the research project EmployID, we are exploring how to facilitate the learning process of PES practitioners in their professional identity development. The aim of the project is to empower individual PES practitioners, their community and organizations, to engage in transformative practices, using a holistic tool suite combining e-coaching, reflection, MOOCs, networking, analytical and learning support tools. Key to successful professional identity transformation is continuous learning. Individuals may take on the role of facilitators for the learning of others as well as being facilitated by peers, technology and environment.
On the Hexapod Leg Control with Nonlinear Stick-Slip Vibrations
Authors: Grzelczyk Dariusz , Stańczyk Bartosz , Awrejcewicz Jan
Published: October 2015

In the paper the control problem of the six-legged walking robot is studied. In order to find the relationship between commonly used by insects gaits (trajectory of the foot point) and stable trajectory of mechanical systems, at first we analyse various previous papers and the gaits of the real insects. For control the motion of the tip of the robot leg a nonlinear mechanical oscillator describing stick-slip induced vibrations further referred as central pattern generator (CPG) has been proposed. The advantages of the proposed model has been presented and compared with other previous applied mechanical oscillators. The possibility of control of the tip of the robot leg via changing parameters characterized oscillator working as a CPG has been discussed. Time series of the joints and configurations of the robot leg during walking are presented. The obtained numerical solutions indicate some analogies between the characteristics of the simulated walking robot and animals found in nature. Moreover, some aspects of an energy efficiency analysis (in order to reduce the energy costs) are discussed for the analysed system and the whole hexapod robot. In particular, we discuss the interplay of the proposed gait patterns and the system energy cost.
Dynamic Analysis of a Base Isolated Building Having Zener Rheological Connections at Seismic Unidirectional Translations
Authors: Murzea Patricia
Published: October 2015

The paper presents the physical model and the experimental results of a building having its base isolated with elastomeric and dissipative devices arranged in a functional configuration equivalent to that of the Zener rheological model.The harmonic motion of excitation at dominant frequency, which corresponds to a narrow band portion of the seismic composition spectrum, generates an inertial excitation force for the building modeled as a rigid-body with unidirectional displacement. Thus, the parameters of the unidirectional translation motion function of the inertial and of the linear viscoelastic characteristics of the Zener rheological model are analyzed.In essence, the amplitude of the displacement of the mass function of the fundamental spectral amplitude of the ground during an earthquake and the transmissibility or the isolation degree of the Zener rheological system are determined.
An Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Approach to a Damped Dynamical System of a Rotating Electrical Machine
Authors: Herisanu Nicolae , Marinca Vasile
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the non-conservative system of a rotating electrical machine is analytically investigated by means of an effective analytical approach, namely the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM). Besides analytical developments, in order to prove the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach, numerical simulations are performed for a specific working regime. Comparison between approximate analytical results obtained by OHAM and numerical integration results obtained by a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method emphasize that OHAM is reliable and easy to use in finding analytical solutions to damped systems.
Highlighting the Change of the Dynamic Response to Discrete Variation of Soil Stiffness in the Process of Dynamic Compaction with Roller Compactors Based on Linear Rheological Modeling
Authors: Dobrescu Cornelia Florentina
Published: October 2015

The paper presents the dynamic response in motion and stress transmitted to the soil to rotating inertial dynamic excitations, for each layer of soil with specific stiffness. Upon repeated passages on the same layer of soil, there will be taken into account the new rigidities that change the dynamic response called "successive transition" within the linear - elastic limit, up to the ultimate the achievement of the last end state of deformability.Parametric variation curves are specific to certain regularities families expressing multiple correlations, useful for assessing the degree of compaction by vibration of natural soils, by highlighting the movement of resonance points after each pass on the same layer of soil.
Analytical Study of the Oblique Impact of a Rod with a Flat Using an Elasto-Plastic Contact Model
Authors: Cermik Ozdes , Ghaednia Hamid , Marghitu Dan B.
Published: October 2015

In the current study a flattening contact model, combined with a permanent deformation expression, has been analyzed for the oblique impact case. The model has been simulated for different initial conditions using MATLAB. The initial impact velocity used for the simulations ranges from 0.5 to 3 m/s. The results are compared theoretically for four different impact angles including 20, 45, 70, and 90 degrees. The contact force, the linear and the angular motion, the permanent deformation, and the coefficient of restitution have been analyzed. It is assumed that sliding occurs throughout the impact.
Determining the Reaction Forces and Torques that Appeared in the Ankle Joint during Normal Walking
Authors: Rusu Lucian , Vigaru Cosmina , Stoia Dan Ioan
Published: October 2015

The human body is a very complex system which is studied by doctors but also by engineers. The human motion analysis is an important topic in the biomechanical field. It is essential to determine the forces and torques that appears in joints during daily activities for the development of implants and prosthesis. The goal of this paper is to establish time variation of force and torque in the human ankle joint during one walking step. For this experiment we used two equipments witch record the ground reaction force respectively the angular motion for the ankle joint. Based on these measurements and using the anthropometric patient parameters we developed an application (using in Matlab – Simulink software) that calculates the forces and torques that appear in the human ankle joint. The application simulates the motion taking into account the mass inertia moments. The results of simulation are the forces and torques that appear in ankle joint. The application can simulate any type of human motion, according to the input data from the excel file. These results can be used further for the optimization of ankle implants or prosthesis.
Effect of Auditory Stimuli on the Human Body Biomechanical Stability during Gait Cycle
Authors: Cotoros Laura Diana , Baritz Mihaela , Stanciu Anca Elena
Published: October 2015

Biomechanical stability of the human body during a gait cycle is an important parameter of biomedical assessments in the rehabilitation / recovery of people who have suffered an injury or to improve athletic performance. During the recovery actions or increasing in performance activities, can result a number of audio-visual stimuli, which may change accordingly, positively or negatively, specific actions on dedicated procedures. The research presented in this paper aims at assessing the impact of a set of auditory stimuli with negative emotional components and positive respectively, the behavior of a sample of subjects during a gait cycle. The recordings are made with afoot scansystem type "RSScan" which allows measurements of contact forces between the leg and the ground, on the entire plantar surface, measurements of the parameters during gait cycle and not least, comparative evaluation of forces, trajectories and speed changes of plantar surfaces between the left/right foot. During a gait cycle, the human subject is audio "stimulated", to track the effect of these stimulation on the biomechanical stability, on behavioral reaction of the entire human body, especially on the plantar surface which provide bipodal support. Results of this research are a starting point for specific analyzes in various biomedical or human performance situations.
Determination of Coating Thickness Using Impulse Excitation and Laser Measurements
Authors: Bereteu Liviu , Nyaguly Eva , Drăgănescu Gheorghe , Simoiu Dorin
Published: October 2015

Coating is an application of a surface finish to another material and it provides the surfaces of manufactured parts with a number of desirable physical, chemical, and appearance qualities. Nearly all manufactured or fabricated products made of metal or having metal components have some types of surface coating. The coating increases sturdiness, prevents corrosion, provides hardness, or gives an attractive finish to an object. The amount of coating applied to a material, that is, the coating thickness, is crucial to the product’s final use and cost. On the other hand, in the case of surfaces subjected to wear, the same thickness is very important in the life of the product. There are several non-destructive methods of measuring coating thickness. The aim of this paper is the development and validation of an impulse excitation technique and laser measurements to determine coating thickness of metallic or nonmetallic surface.
An Application of the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method to Generalized Van der Pol Oscillator
Authors: Marinca Vasile , Herisanu Nicolae , Laza Ioan , Ghita Eugen
Published: October 2015

In this paper we illustrate the application of an alternative of the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM) to nonlinear generalized van der Pol oscillator. The obtained results proved a very fast convergence and validate this approach, which is found to be reliable and easy to use. Two numerical examples are developed in order to emphasize the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Design of Modular Vibration Testing Equipment
Authors: Menyhardt Karoly , Nagy Ramona , Maruta Remus Stefan
Published: October 2015

Vibration testing is used by introduction of a force function into system, usually with the use of a shaker or vibration testing machine. These induced vibrations, aid in the laboratory or production floor for a variety of things, proof of concept, standard assessment, fatigue testing, and evaluating performance. Electrodynamic shakers are well suited for most vibration tests and offer several advantages over alternative approaches. Resonance searches involve sine sweep to obtain a transfer function for evaluation of resonance characteristics, usually by a crank mechanism. Fatigue testing is an expensive and long term test, not being the most accurate one, due to the fact that the functioning of any machine is not repetitive nor reproducible regarding vibrations.Random vibration testing better represent real world data by providing statistical confidence with random time data that has an average targeted frequency content and amplitude over the duration of the test. By controlling amplitude and frequency, test data can be correlated to real world data sets.Throughout this paper we present the outlines for the design of a modular fatigue testing machine with pseudorandom vibrations. Due to the nature of the modular approach for our equipment, the rig can be appropriately configured to perform multiple laboratory tests.
Calculation of Noise Field in an Urban Area close to a Traffic Overpass-Case Study
Authors: Tomić Jelena , Todosijević Slobodan , Radičević Branko , Šoškić Zlatan
Published: October 2015

The paper presents methodology for calculation of a spatial noise field in an urban area where the dominant noise source is road traffic passing over an overpass. The height of the overpass is variable, with one end in the foot, and with the other end at the top of a hill. On one side of the overpass is the hill, covered by vegetation. On the other side of the overpass is residential area with houses and multi-floor buildings. The noise map is obtained by SPM9613 software package, which is based on international standard ISO 9613.
Sound Insulation of Energy Efficient Facade Construction
Authors: Vukadinović Ana , Radosavljević Jasmina , Protić Milan , Malenović-Nikolić Jelena
Published: October 2015

Environmental noise affects a large number of people. It is estimated that 20% of the EU population, or around 80 million people live in conditions of unacceptable noise. Three key possibilities for community noise management are control at the source of noise, control at the path from source to receiver and protection at the place of reception. In all three cases, noise should be reduced to the lowest level achievable in the particular situation. This study deals with the problem of protection against community noise at the receiving site. The paper considers the energy efficient façade construction and how they contribute to the protection of noise in urban areas.
Reducing Noise Polution Generated by the Gas Compresor Compressco Cj 360 in a Residential Area
Authors: Platon Silviu Nicolae , Tudor Adriana
Published: October 2015

Noise – as a risk factor in the environment – in case it exceeds the intensity limits it becomes a biological aggression factor, a medical and social contaminant with implications of prime importance in terms of health, work capacity and comfort.This research is an objective analysis of noise level and frequency spectrum emitted by gas compressor Compressco CJ 360 in order to identify and develop solutions for noise protection required for the establishment of the environmental conditions in accordance with legal regulations in the area desired by the beneficiary. The research proposes a technical solution for closing the compressor with sound insulation prior to placing it in the desired place, in suitable environmental conditions.
Mobile Equipment for Hydro-Acoustic Parameters Measurement
Authors: Arsene Mihai , Borda Claudia , Popovici Victor , Butu Larisa , Marinescu Marinela , Arsene Delicia
Published: October 2015

During construction and during exploitation operations of the offshore objectives occurs, inevitably, noise pollution in the marine environment. This paper presents a system for measuring underwater acoustic field. The mobile polygon is described, which is used in noise measurements for the determination of sea noise.
The Study of Soil-Roots Strength Performance of Soil Slope by Using Guinea Grass
Authors: bin Zainordin Mohd Syazwan , bin Yusoff Nor Azizi , binti Tuan Chik Tuan Norhayati , bin Ab Manap Muhamad Ali Hanapiah , Sayuti Zulhazmi , bin Abdullah Muhamad Firdaurs
Published: October 2015

Vegetation has been proven for establishing and implementing resistive measures against erosion and failure of slopes, river banks, removal of air pollution and reduced storm water runoff. Installation of cover crop involved soil element usage as growth medium which create several interaction between both strands. This study was carried out to investigate the soil strength performance by using Guinea grass at different construction period up to three months. Grass was planted in a 300 mm x 300 mm x 700 mm test plot with a suitable soil medium. Direct shear tests were conducted for each plot to determine the soil shear strength according to different construction period. Some basic geotechnical testing also were carried out. The results showed there is an increment in shear strength for soil sample over the time at various depths. During period of 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, the average shear stress of 100 mm depth was 50.56 kPa, 63.96 kPa, and 96.59 kPa respectively. Meanwhile, for 200 mm depth the result was 40.843 kPa, 53.91 kPa and 62.93 kPa respectively. Lastly, on 300 mm depth, shear stress was 37.21 kPa, 51.09 kPa, and 59.27 kPa respectively. Based on the result, the higher shear strength was obtained at different construction period and at varying depths. From the observation, roots mass increased for different construction period. In terms of tensile strength, the diameter of the root affects the rate of resistance against the tensile forces. This indicated that the roots structure growth affects the soil shear strength.
Density Assessment of Heat Treated Malaysian Hardwood Timber: The Case of Kapur (Dryobalanops spp.) and Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.)
Authors: Md Noh Nur Ilya Farhana , Ahmad Zakiah , Mohd Hashim Mohd Hisbany
Published: October 2015

Heat treatment is one of the environmental friendly ways to treat timber that will lead to the improvement of timber natural quality and equip the timber with new properties. It is an eco friendly and alternative treatment method that will modify the properties of timber by using high temperature instead of using chemical preservatives as common practice. This paper presents the effect of heat treatment on physical properties which is density for two types of Malaysia hardwood namelykapurandkeruing. Specially design electronic furnace was used as an oven for the heat treatment process. The result shows a reduction in density after heat treatment, however the difference is not merely significant. Lower in density indicates a weight loss which theoretically caused by moisture content loss thus leading to the increment of movement stability.
Effect of Curing Methods on Carbonation Depth of Rubberised Fibre Mortar
Authors: Ahmad Musa Mukaddas , Abdul Aziz Farah Nora Aznieta , Mohd Nasir Noor Azline
Published: October 2015

In Malaysia, more than 50,000 tons of used automobile tyres are stockpiled annually. This subsequently causes a major threat to the environment. This article focus on the durability of mortar with treated crumb rubber (TCR) as partial replacement for fine aggregate (FA) and addition of oil palm fruit fibre (OPFF) in the mix. For every 0.5% OPFF additions, there were 10% TCR replacements up to 30%, resulting in 16 different mixes with constant water cement ratio. The specimens were cured either by water ponding or water sprinkling for 28 days, after which they were preconditioned and subsequent carbonation depth measurement was made. The results showed that the carbonation depth lies between 2.5mm to 6.7mm. These confirmed that rubberised fibre mortar achieved carbonation depth of less than 15mm, the tolerable limit.
Effect of Diameter on Fire Exposed Concrete-Filled Double Skin Steel Tubular (CFDST) Columns under Concentric Axial Loads
Authors: Mohd Zuki S.S. , Choong Kok Keong , Jayaprakash J. , Shahidan Shahiron
Published: October 2015

Concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns with three different diameters were exposed to fire following ASTM E-119 fire curve. The temperature was kept constant for 60 minutes after reaching 600°C. After the cooling down process, the columns were tested under concentric axial load condition until failure. Maximum loads, displacement and strain were recorded during testing. Failure patterns were observed. In this paper, failure patterns, increment or reduction of residual strength, ductility and stiffness are reported and discussed in details. All tested CFDST columns failed by local buckling and crushing of concrete. As expected, residual strength index (RSI) decreased with increased fire exposure time. Whereas, larger diameter heated specimen retain more than 50% of it corresponding room temperature secant stiffness. In addition, ductility index (DI) of larger diameter specimen shows an enhancement after fire exposure. Highest enhancement in DI was observed in 90 minutes fire exposure.
Effect of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on Compressive Strength of POFA Blended Concrete
Authors: Noor Azline M.N. , Abd Aziz Farah Nora Aznieta , Suleiman Juma Arafa
Published: October 2015

The article reports a laboratory experimental programme that investigated effect of ground granulated blast furnace (GGBS) on compressive strength of POFA ternary concrete. Compressive strength tests were performed at a range of cements combinations, including 100%PC, two POFA levels for binary concrete, 35% and 45%, and 15%GGBS inclusion for POFA ternary concrete. The compressive strength results were examined in comparison to PC only and equivalent POFA binary concretes for up to 28 days. Results show that the reduction in compressive strength is greater with the higher cement replacement level for all concretes particularly for POFA binary concretes. However, 15%GGBS in POFA blended concrete has a comparable compressive strength compared to PC concrete at both, 35% and 45%, cement replacement levels except for ternary concrete at 0.65 w/c. In addition, the compressive strength of ternary concrete is slightly higher compared to binary concrete for all concrete combinations. Although there is no significant noticeable influence on strength development, the presence of GGBS did not adverse the strength development of POFA blended concrete. Thus, it can be concluded that GGBS compensates the adverse effect of POFA at early strength development.
Rock Overstressing in Deep Tunnel Excavation of Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Project
Authors: Azit Romziah , Mohamad Ismail Mohd Ashraf , Syed Zainal Sharifah Farah Fariza , Mahmood Norzani
Published: October 2015

Tunneling under high overburden and in-situ stress may cause tunnel instability because of rock overstressing. Evaluating overstressing in deep hard rocks is crucial to minimize excavation risks. The excavation of the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Tunnel is evaluated in this study. A potential overstressing problem is expected at a tunnel depth more than 500 m. Therefore, the possibility of rock overstressing is assessed based on the evaluations of in-situ stress measurement, rock strength, and actual observations during the tunnel excavation. An analytical method is used to analyze the behavior of the tunnel under high overburden stress based on rock strength and tangential stress factors. The empirical assessment approach to the observation of actual overstressing appeared to be valid for the prediction of overstressing. These approaches facilitate the reasonable prediction of tunnel behavior under different rock conditions, support systems, and overburden stresses, which serve as useful tools in the observational design and construction method of long and deep tunnels.
Effects on Concrete Bonding of Green Universiti Sains Malaysia Reinforced Concrete (GUSMRC) at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Zainal Nur Liyana , Muhamad Bunnori Norazura
Published: October 2015

The design of the concrete mixtures of Ultra High Performances Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is related to a densely compacted cementitious matrix and has outstanding material characteristics involving workability and high mechanical properties. Generally it is a combination between high strength concrete and fibres. UHPFRC offers high compressive strength which is higher than a normal concrete. The application of POFA as a cement replacement enhances the transport properties of concrete and contributes to a sustainable environment. The utilization of 50% UPOFA in mix design leads to develop a new class of concrete designated as GUSMRC. GUSMRC mixtures enhance the mechanical behaviour of concrete. GUSMRC with 50% replacement of the total binder content by ultrafine palm oil fuel ash (UPOFA) could contribute sustainability of environmental. The development of UHPFRC and its application in the field may contribute a good bonding strength at interface as a repair material between a new and old material. However, complex properties of materials can change dramatically when exposed to the elevated temperatures and adversely affected. The physical and chemical will change when occurred to heat. This paper investigates the change in mechanical properties of UHPFRC at elevated temperature and to determine the bonding strength between two layers which is overlay and concrete substrate
Nonliear Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures Considering Plastic Deformation
Authors: Miralimov Mirzakhid Khamitovich
Published: October 2015

Analytical models and the basic preconditions for analysis of concrete and reinforced concrete structures should be established based on actual plastic properties of concrete and reinforcement, as well as consideration of presence of cracks in the concrete. It is known that the relationship between stress and strain in reinforced concrete is significantly different in the stage of work with cracks and without them. Development of computational method opens wide prospects in this direction. In this work the calculation of strength and definition of forces in constructive elements of structure from operational loadings are made on the basis of the finite element method. Analysis is carried out with the use of quadrangular isoparametric and beam elements by the method of level-by-level plasticization. Analytical model contains the nonlinear properties of concrete and reinforcement. Method and algorithm of calculation have been developed taking into account of real stress-strain diagrams from experiment. Method and algorithm of calculation of reinforced concrete designs include the limiting condition of deformation on the basis of known stress-strain diagram both for reinforcement and concrete. An example of analysis involving a tunnel structure for an underground station to determine internal forces using the proposed method was shown.