bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE USE OF Ipomoea Pes-Caprae PLANT SPECIES TO MONITOR METAL POLLUTIONS OF THE COASTAL SOIL
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Zahari , M. J. N. Hazwani , Abas M. Tahir 
Published: October 2019

In this study, biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate metals pollution at selected beach site. Ipomoea pes-caprae species were used to monitor the concentration level of lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), and zinc (Zn). Besides studying the ability and effectiveness of this plant as biological indicators of metal pollution in beach areas, the study also aimed to characterize the possible contributors of the metals in the area. The selected plants were collected along the coastal areas of Balok, in Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia. The study area is directly connected to the fish landing jetty of the local residents. The samples were collected at six sampling stations along the polluted shoreline area in two seasons, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon; and were duplicated. The metal content in the Ipomoea pes-caprae was considered as the indicator of environmental pollution in the coastal area. Significant differences of metal concentrations were found in samples collected from different sampling stations with certain levels. A comparison of the metal contents to the control samples clearly proved that the area has been polluted with the studied metals. In general, lower metals concentrations were found in post-monsoon samples compared to pre-monsoon samples. The concentration of metal Al was found to be the highest in the plant samples; The plant samples were contained the highest concentration of metal Al; followed by Fe, Zn, Ba, and Pb. Based on the EF values, it is strongly suggested that all the metals uptake were via the root system. The results of the PCA clearly indicated that the elements of Al, Fe, and Ba were contributed by the soil origin; meanwhile the elements of Pb and Zn were correlated to anthropogenic sources.
APPLICATION OF MOSS AS BIO-MONITOR FOR HEAVY METALS DEPOSITION IN PORT DICKSON, MALAYSIA
Authors: Saat Ahmad , Mohamed Nurul Aida , Hamzah Zaini , Hamzah Suhaimi 
Published: October 2019

Port Dickson in Malaysia is a sea-side township of mixed activities within the area, comprising of a coal-fired power plant, a petroleum refinery, a gas-fuelled power plant, and tourism with the visit of many road vehicles, especially during weekends and public holidays. The impact of emission from these activities to the environment has becomes a matter of concern to the authorities as well as local residents. The present study embarked on the use of mosses (Octoblepharum sp. & Isopterygium sp.) as long terms monitor of heavy metals emission from such activities. Mosses samples were collected on land area within 30 km radius from the town centre. Prepared samples were analysed for the concentration of As, U, Th, Fe, Cr and Zn using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. These metals are related to various industries, fuel combustion and refineries emissions. Although the results show no elevated concentration of the elements studied, except for Cr, the spatial pattern of heavy metal distributions observed reflected the energy-related activities and vehicular emissions in the study area. Enrichment Factor values of each element also in agreement with the distribution pattern. The research finding suggests that ‘moss-method’ is applicable for deposition measurement in vicinity of stationary as well as non-point sources.
SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF THE CYTOCHROME OXIDASE I GENE IN AEDES ALBOPICTUS ISOLATED FROM TAMAN BUKIT KINRARA AND PJS7, SELANGOR
Authors: Ismail Nurul-Ain , Omar Norazilla , Hamsidi Mayamin , Che Dom Nazri , Ismail Rodziah , Ahmad Abu Hassan , Zaki Afiq , Camalxaman Siti Nazrina 
Published: October 2019

Aedes albopictus is one of the most invasive mosquitoes in the world that harbors and can transmit many arboviruses, most notably dengue and chikungunya virus. In recent time, Ae. aegypti has gained more attention during dengue outbreaks compared to its counter parts, obscuring the role of Ae. albopictus as a vector. Moreover, existing data regarding Ae. albopictus is also currently limited in Malaysia. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus using molecular techniques from two dengue infested areas in Subang Jaya, Selangor, namely Taman Bukit Kinrara (TBK) and PJS7. Cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene from field collected mosquitoes were analyzed and compared to the USM laboratory strain (F135) together with sequences from the GenBank. Results from this study revealed that the field collected mosquitoes from TBK and PJS7 are genetically similar with each other. However, the samples exhibited polymorphism with the laboratory strain by 47 variable nucleotide sites. Our local samples are related with the Ae. albopictus populations from India, probably due to its migration across these two regions via several human activities. This study shows that the CO1 gene is a valuable marker for the detection of Ae. albopictus and can be utilized to study its worldwide geographical distribution. Further analysis is strongly recommended using larger sample size and different localities to validate and substantiate our findings.
ULTRASOUND TREATMENT AS INTERVENTION IN INTRAUTERINE HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Hashim Ummi Farhana , Md Dom Sulaiman 
Published: October 2019

Hypocalcemia during pregnancy reduced the normal foetal growth, skeletal mineralization and serum calcium concentration. Untreated maternal hyperparathyroidism associated hypocalcemia predisposed the foetal to intrauterine hyperparathyroidism resulting in adverse effect to skeletal mineralization. In vivo study has discovered that prenatal ultrasound exposure has the ability to reduce the foetal PTH level. Ten-month-old nulliparous New Zealand White (NZW) does were assigned to three different groups; Control (C), healthy NZW does and free from ultrasound exposure; hypoparathyroidism (HyPT), negative control groups having hypocalcemia condition established through external parathyroidectomy surgery and free from prenatal abdominal ultrasound exposure; treatment (T), experimental groups having hypocalcemia condition and receiving prenatal abdominal ultrasound exposure during pregnancy as intervention to hypoparathyroidism. In the treatment group, rabbits were exposed for 30, 60 and 90 minutes to parathyroid ultrasound on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gestational stage accordingly. Following birth, foetal serum calcium (SCa), body weight (BW), crown-to-rump length (CRL), total body length (TBL), bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) of the foetal were measured. Maternal hypocalcemia during pregnancy gave birth to litters with small to gestational age (SGA) and the reduction of BW, CRL, TBL, BPD, FL and SCa were also noted. Meanwhile, the outcome of ultrasound exposure given during the middle of 2nd gestational stage resulted in significant increase in progeny mean average BW, CRL, TBL, BPD FL and SCa compared to the HyPT group. Prenatal abdominal ultrasound helps to control the level of foetal parathyroid hormone and while still in the womb limits the postnatal complication.
LUMBAR KINEMATIC PATTERN AMONG ADULTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN: A STUDY PROTOCOL
Authors: G. J Nancy , Kaur Ajit Singh Devinder , Mohd Nordin Nor Azlin , Ha T. H. , Mokhtar Sabarul Afian , S. H. Chang , Moore Ann 
Published: October 2019

Non-Specific Low back pain (NSLBP) is associated with lumbar spine kinematics and curvature changes. However, there is limited information regarding lumbar spine kinematics and curvature in normal daily living when both static and dynamic postures are adopted interchangeably during extended periods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in lumbar kinematic patterns and curvature when adopting various static and dynamic postures over an extended period of time among adults with acute, chronic and without NSLBP. Lumbar kinematic patterns and curvature of adults with chronic and acute NSLBP will also be reassessed at six weeks and three months follow-up. This is a cross-sectional and prospective design study. Seventy-two adults aged between 20 and 45 years will be recruited for three study groups (acute, chronic and without NSLBP). Kinematic parameters that include a lumbar range of movements, velocities, accelerations and lumbar curvature changes will be assessed for a continuous two-hour period using an inertial measurement system. During the two hours of monitoring, participants will be required to perform a list of functional tasks in a simulated home environment. Participants will be free to adopt any postures as in a normal home/work environment during performing these tasks. Lumbar curvature angles and kinematic patterns of lumbar spine will be analysed and compared between three groups. This study will add to the knowledge regarding lumbar curvature and kinematic patterns of lumbar spine when adopting various static and dynamic postures interchangeably over an extended period among adults with NSLBP.
EFFECTS OF 900 MHZ RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION ON THE RATS’ LIVER
Authors: M. R. Usikalu , S. O. Rotimi , J. A. Achuka 
Published: October 2019

The goal of the study is to evaluate the liver function tests and histological alterations of the rats liver cells after exposure to mobile phone radiation. To perform the liver function test Aspartate transaminase (AST) U.V kinetic test kit produced by CYPRESS DIAGNOSTICS and spectrophotometer was used. Wistar rats (male, 5 week old, approximate body weight 30-40 g) (N = 12) were exposed to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation of Global System Mobile signal modulation (GSM), whole body average specific absorption rate SAR of 1.090W/kg. Twelve (12) male rats were used for the study divided into 3 groups of 4 rats each. Group B and Group C were exposed to 4 hours/day and 8 hours/day mobile phone radiation during calling mode for 2 months respectively while Group A served as control. There was significant reduction in total protein, globulin, while there was significantly increased in Glutamate Oxalacetate Transaminase (GOT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Albumin, total bilirubin in the rats (Group B and C) exposed to mobile phone radiation when compared to the control group but there was no histological alteration in the arrangement of cells in both control and exposed group. The results of this study suggest that, under the experimental conditions applied, repeated 900 MHz irradiation could modify liver functions.
FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF OLDER PERSONS WITH NORMAL, PRONATED AND SUPINATED FOOT
Authors: Justine Maria , Bukry Saiful Adli , Manaf Haidzir 
Published: October 2019

Aging process is accompanied with muscle degeneration that may affect functional performance, especially those with foot deformities. This study aimed to investigate the muscle strength [lower extremity (LES), ankle plantarflexors (APS)] and balance performance, and determine the relationship of muscle strength with balance performance in older persons with different types of foot posture. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 community-dwellers, age ≥60-year-old. Types of foot (normal, pronated, supinated) were identified using the Foot Posture Index (FPI) (each group, n=30). The LES and APS were measured using the 30-sec chair-rise and heel-rise tests, respectively. Balance performance was measured using the four square step test (FSST). Analysis showed significant differences in APS (p=0.012) and balance performance (p=0.049) among different types of foot posture. Participants with supinated (13.81±4.32 rep) foot, had the lowest APS followed by normal (14.53±4.62 rep) and pronated (16.60±4.27 rep) foot. The pronated foot (15.26±5.62 s) had a longer duration to complete the FSST, followed by the supinated (13.22±2.99 s) and normal (12.77±2.82 s) foot. No significant difference was found in LES (p>0.05) among types of foot. It was found that balance performance was significantly correlated with LES in the normal (r=-0.655, p=0.00) foot, as well as with APS in the pronated foot (r=0.464, p=0.010). This study revealed that older persons with pronated foot are more vulnerable to functional performance decline. Hence, they may be at risk of falls and mobility impairment. Intervention targeted for the ankle and foot may differ depending on the types of foot.
LIMITATIONS OF METAMATERIALS FOR INVISIBILITY CLOAKING
Authors: Islam Sikder Sunbeam , Iqbal Faruque Mohammad Rashed , Hossain Mohammad Jakir , Islam Mohammad Tariqul 
Published: October 2019

Electromagnetic invisibility cloak (hide) has begun a new period in the scientific community. With the advent of metamaterials and its recent developments, researchers have now turned their faces to invisibility cloak. Metamaterials are man-made materials that have surprising electromagnetic property and it may show the characteristics of negative refractive index in materials that are normally not found in nature in any material. These exotic properties of metamaterial have opened up new possibilities for invisibility and other electromechanical fields. However, although metamaterials have created the field for invisibility cloaking but it has some limitations as well. Specially, constructing a perfect invisibility cloak in the visible range using metamaterials is still a big issue. In this paper, we have focused the limitations of metamaterial for invisibility cloaking beside basic principle of metamaterials and contributions in cloaking.
THE EFFECT OF IMMERSION TIME ON THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF SUS304 IN BRINE USING HALF-CELL POTENTIAL MEASUREMENT
Authors: Rashid Saber , Islami N. , Ariffin A. K. , Ridha M. , Fonna S. 
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of immersion time, at different time values for two cases, with stressed and no stressed on materials. This study is conducted using SUS304 material with the presence of 3.5% NaCl at the range of stresses for the specimens lower than the yield strength. The geometry of the C-ring specimen was selected for 18.974 mm and 1.244 mm for the outer diameters and the thickness respectively. The immersion time effect was investigated using the half-cell potential measurement following the ASTM G-38 standard. The approach of corrosion environment was applied to resemble the condition of loading history. Three levels of stresses were designed and applied in finite element analysis and the results known as the parameters of stress-corrosion measurement. The ASTM G-38 standard is prominent for making C-ring stress-corrosion for elastic stress analysis. The stress-corrosion test was performed at two parameters, fixed stress and no stress. The value of stresses for fixed stress was chosen for 179.199 MPa, 328.665 MPa and 460.131 MPa, correspondingly. The immersion time were selected from 0, 10 and 30 days. The electrochemical result shows that the immersion time did not affect vastly to the corrosion behavior for no stress-corrosion compared with fixed stress. The corrosion rate increases proportionally with the time immersion increments due to the inability of the steel layer protection to regenerate itself. Subsequently, it is also due to the metal was exposed to plastic deformation that resulting the internal stresses due to the plastic anisotropy of the grains.
INVESTIGATION ON BRAZING INTERFACE BONDING CHARACTERISTIC OF AA7075 AND AA6061 ALUMINUM ALLOY WITH AR500 STEEL USING Al-Si-Zn FILLER METAL
Authors: Muhamed M.N. , Omar M.Z. , Abdullah S. , Sajuri Z. , Zamri W. F. H. , Rahman M.A.I.A. , Abdullah M.F. 
Published: October 2019

This paper presents the study on interface bonding characteristic of AA7075 and AA6061 aluminum alloy with AR500 steel by torch brazing bonding process. The weight reduction in vehicles component is required for energy saving in the automobile industry. Lightweight metals such as aluminum joining with other metal especially with steel, have started replaced steel parts in automobile structures but the effect of intermetallic compound (IMC) layer formation have limited the application in this industry due to strength matter. The torch brazing method was done to join the dissimilar metal with Al-Si-Zn base filler metal for the process. The shear strength of the AA6061/AR500 joint was higher than the AA7075/AR500 joint when the joining conditions were the same. The IMC formation was observed at the joint interface, and the joints mainly fractured at this region.
COMPARISON OF NORMAL INCIDENT SOUND ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT OF DIRECT PIERCING CARVED WOOD PANEL FOR CIRCULAR, GEOMETRY AND FLORAL DESIGN
Authors: Jusoh Mohd Zamri , Che Din Nazli , Dimon Mohamad Ngasri 
Published: October 2019

Direct Piercing Carved Wood Panel (DPCWP) is among the famous Malay wood carving art in the Malay culture. It is the best example of Malay people’s creativity and masterpiece. In this paper, the comparison of normal incidence sound absorption coefficient, (SAC) for three major types of design for the DPCWP is discussed. The simplest form of DPCWP, the circular type, then the geometry and floral types were investigated based on simulation and measurement works using sound intensity method to determine the normal incidence SAC, for 30% and 40% perforation ratios. The simulation work was carried out by using BEASY Acoustic software based on Boundary Element Method (BEM). From the results, there is an identical trend for DPCWP with geometry and floral design from 250 Hz to 4 kHz. At high frequencies (1 kHz to 4 kHz), both design show the tendency of decrement, suggesting that the complexity of the design does affect the average SAC value. However, for circular design, SAC is higher than other design at 1 kHz and shows a similar trend with other design at 2 kHz and 4 kHz for both simulation and measurement result.
A lignin, diatom, and pollen record spanning the Pleistocene–Holocene transition at Fallen Leaf Lake, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Authors: Ball* G. Ian , Noble Paula J. , Stephens Brandon M. , Higgins Anna , Mensing Scott A. , Aluwihare L.I. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Lignin phenol, pollen, and diatom analyses were performed on dated sediments (13,533–8993 cal yr B.P.) recovered from Fallen Leaf Lake, California. This multiproxy data set constrains the end of the Tioga glaciation in the Lake Tahoe Basin and reconstructs the response of the region’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to climatic changes that accompanied the Younger Dryas, the end of the Pleistocene, and early Holocene warming. From the Pleistocene to the Holocene, lignin concentrations and syringyl/vanillyl (S/V) ratios increased, while cinnamyl/vanillyl (C/V) ratios and the lignin phenol vegetation index (LPVI) decreased, recording the proliferation of woody plant material and, particularly, the expansion of angiosperms as the Tioga glaciation ended and temperatures warmed. This interpretation is constrained by lignin phenol analyses of plant material from Fallen Leaf Lake’s present-day watershed. Complementary palynological analyses show a transition from a gymnosperm-dominated landscape to a more mixed angiosperm-gymnosperm vegetation assemblage that formed as closed canopy forests became more open and grasses and aster colonized meadows. Aquatic flora assemblages, in the form of greater amounts of green algae and greater percentages of diatom phytoplankton, indicate increased levels of lake primary productivity in response to warming. Principal component analysis (PCA) distinctly resolves the Pleistocene from the Holocene diatom flora. The Pleistocene flora is dominated by cyclotelloids and low-mantled Aulacoseira species that are rare in Fallen Leaf Lake today, but common at higher and colder elevations that may resemble the Pleistocene Fallen Leaf Lake. The Holocene diatom flora is dominated by Aulacoseira subarctica.
Radiocarbon and paleomagnetic chronology of the Searles Lake Formation, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Authors: Knott* Jeffrey R. , Liddicoat Joseph C. , Coe Robert S. , Negrini Robert M. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
The Searles Lake Formation in Searles Valley, southeastern California, represents deposition of the paleo–Owens River into a Pleistocene and Holocene pluvial terminal lake. A prior 32–10 ka estimated age for the upper part of the Searles Lake Formation relied on uncalibrated, conventional radiocarbon dates. We present accelerator mass spectrometer radiocarbon dates that indicate the base of the Searles Lake Formation at the Poison Canyon type section is 46 ka. That age is consistent with paleomagnetic data at Poison Canyon and the Tire Farm locality, which record high-latitude Southern Hemisphere virtual geomagnetic poles that we assign to the 41 ka Laschamp excursion. The presence of Searles Lake at 46–43 ka also is consistent with a Pacific storm track that extended south of 37.5°N at that time. At the head of Salt Wells Valley–Poison Canyon, sediments that we interpret as a Searles Lake highstand were radiocarbon dated at 14.1 ka.
Evidence for a large middle Holocene flood event in the Pacific southwestern United States (Lake Elsinore, California)
Authors: Kirby* M.E. , Patterson* W.P. , Ivanovici L. , Sandquist* D. , Glover* K.C. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
While drought represents a serious threat to the Pacific southwestern United States, floods represent an equally formidable threat. This risk is so significant that the U.S. Geological Survey created the ARkStorm Project. This project aims to prepare California for a future storm(s) on the scale of the disastrous A.D. 1861–1862 events. Unfortunately, our knowledge of premeasurement floods in the Pacific southwestern United States is sparse. To date, the best paleoflood record consists of flood layers in the Santa Barbara Basin, spanning the past 9000 calendar yr B.P. (cal yr B.P.). As an alternative to marine archives, the lakes of the Pacific southwestern United States represent untapped resources for possible premeasurement flood reconstructions. Here, we present evidence for a flood between ca. 4860 and 4820 cal yr B.P. using sediment from Lake Elsinore core LEGC03-4. Core LEGC03-4 is predominantly clayey silt with occasional sandy silt units of variable centimeter-scale thickness. Here, we focus on a specific core section between 350 and 315 cm, where an ~11-cm-thick “unusual” sediment unit (330–319 cm) is well preserved and complete. The core section was analyzed for a variety of physical and chemical properties, including magnetic susceptibility, loss-on-ignition (LOI) at 550 °C and 950 °C, grain size, Corg:Ntotal ratios, and δ13C(bulk organic matter). The unit is characterized by an erosional basal contact and microflame structures. It is normally graded, with laminae occurring in the upper section of the unit. It contains predominantly terrestrial organic matter, and the upper boundary is gradational. It is coeval with the fourth highest sand peak in a previously dated central basin core. Consequently, it is our conclusion that the unusual sediment unit represents a turbidite associated with a large flood-producing precipitation event with a maximum limiting age between 4860 and 4820 cal yr B.P.