bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow Visualization and Measurement of a Synthetic Jet Actuator Performance Using PIV System
Authors: Mansor S. , Dahalan M. N. , Z. K. Lee , Ali A. 
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the performance of a piezoelectric Synthetic Jet Actuator (SJA) in quiescent flow. Pulse jet velocity and vorticity were taken as the parameter to evaluate the performance of SJA. PIV measurements on the jet flow at the orifice exit of a round SJA were conducted by varying the oscillating in frequency and voltage. The location of 5mm above orifice was identified as the optimum location for maximum pulse jet measurements. The maximum pulse jet velocity and vorticity obtained were 18.77 m/s and 242.5s-1. The PIV experiment showed that by varying oscillating frequency at fixed input voltage, the performance of SJA was greatly affected by Helmholtz resonance. While in the investigation of varying input voltage at fixed oscillating frequency, diaphragm defection was the parameter that affects the performance of the SJA. Besides, PIV measurement showed that the flow patterns of vortex structure formation were affected by the oscillating frequency and pulse jet velocity.
Comparative Results of a Developed Vehicle Dynamic Model for a Sedan Electric Vehicle
Authors: Othman Md Nazri , Mohd Sobran Nur Maisarah , Abdul Karim Kasrul , Bugis Ismadi , Jidin Auzani 
Published: January 2015

The interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is significantly increased due to the awareness of internal combustion engine (ICE) effects towards the environmental and sustainability issue. In developing EVs projects, computer modelling of the vehicle dynamic and simulation can be utilized to estimate the battery power requirement and predict the optimum cruising strategies which in return will shorten the design development process and reduce the cost of prototyping. This paper presents the effectiveness of the vehicle dynamic simulation model of a converted internal combustion engine vehicle PROTON SAGA sedan into a fully EV called EVerGREEN. The simulation model is set to analyse the effect of the vehicle dynamic parameters such as vehicle resistance and the motor characteristics in predicting the optimum driving profile. The development of the electric vehicle EVerGREEN is shortly presented together with the vehicle dynamic model. The driving performance is measured based on a real road test at F1 Sepang International Circuit and the results are validated by comparing between the simulation model and the actual drive test. Simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model which shows a good agreement between them. Further works in enhancing the model effectiveness could be implemented by incorporating the battery characteristics and hence would provide better energy management for the vehicle.
Experimental Study of Electro-Mechanical Dual Acting Pulley Continuously Variable Transmission Ratio Calibration
Authors: Supriyo Bambang , Tawi Kamarul Baharin , Jamaluddin Hishamuddin , Hussein Mohamed 
Published: January 2015

This paper presents an experimental study of Electro-mechanical Dual Acting Pulley (EMDAP) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) ratio calibration. When there is no slip between belt and pulley sheaves, the CVT ratio will be the same as the geometrical ratio of secondary to primary pulley radii as well as the primary to secondary speed ratio. In EMDAP CVT system, both primary and secondary DC motors are used to control the primary and secondary axial pulley positions to vary the primary and secondary pulley radii. In this case, the pulley radii can be measured indirectly using axial pulley position sensors. Calibration process is carried out by manually adjusting the geometrical ratio of secondary to primary radii based on measurements of primary and secondary pulley positions and validated with the primary to secondary speed ratio determined from primary (input) and secondary (output) shaft speed measurements for the CVT ratio range of 0.7 to 2.0. The calibration results are recorded and used as reference data for future EMDAP CVT calibration and ratio control developments.
The Influence of Organizational Structure and Readiness to Adopt a Public Private Partnership in Yemen
Authors: Mohammed Al shareem,* Khaled , Yusof Nor'Aini , Mustafa kamal Ernawati 
Published: January 2015

PPPs are widely implemented worldwide and it has become vital issues in several studies. This study investigates the relationship between organizational structure and readiness to implement PPPs. The aim of this research is to provide a theoretical framework for the impact of organizational structure on readiness to adopt PPPs and test whether the organizational structure dimensions have significant impact on the PPPs readiness index. The research model and hypotheses were formed and tested using correlation and regression analysis. The results show that formalization as one of the attributes in organizational structure is the main predictor to PPPs readiness index. This finding also shows that the organizational structure has a significant and positive relationship with readiness to implement PPPs. Based on the findings, it is recommended that in order to enhance the implementation of the PPPs, there is a strong need to consider organizational structure attributes such as centralization and formalization.
The Thermoluminescence Performance of Ge- Doped Optical Fibres To 6 Mv Photon Irradiations
Authors: Ariffin E.I.M.K. , Sallih F. , Hashim S. , Zakariah S. , Pi M.I.C 
Published: January 2015

The study focus on thermoluminescence (TL) response of five different diameters ~120, 241, 362, 483 and 604 μm of 8 mol% Ge-doped optical fibres. The irradiation was performed using Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Model Primus MLC Siemens provided by the Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru at 6 MV photon irradiation with delivered doses ranging from 0.5 – 4.0 Gy. The results show the linear dose response against TL signals up to 4 Gy. The diameter of 483 μm optical fibre shows the highest in TL dose response and sensitivity compared to other fibres. The sensitivity of 483 µm optical fibre are almost 1.6 times more than 604 µm. The linear dose response at low dose makes this optical fibre suitable to be used in radiation dosimetry application.
Undang-Undang Siber Dari Perspektif Islam
Authors: Amboala Tamrin , Anuar Mokhtar Ainnur Hafizah , Muhammad Mohd Zulkifli , Nor Muhamad Nasrul Hisyam 
Published: January 2015

The paper presents a comparative study between the existing cyber laws in Malaysia and the Islamic perspective concerning four major issues in cyber space particularly concerning i) privacy, ii) trust, iii) theft and iv) contract. The study uses comparative approach from the main source of Islamic Syariah - Quran and Sunnah (tradition of the prophet s.aw.) and a thorough study of the existing law pertaining to cyber crime such as Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 and Computer Crime Act 1997. The study prevails that the above concerns principally seems to be consistent with Islamic view. However, more extensive study must be carried out when it comes to implementation of these issues in e-commerce. With more than one billion Muslim population, the research will serve as a baseline for establishing an alternative view from Islamic perspective and cyber laws that taken into account approach based on Syariah to meet new challenges for Muslim Ummah in cyberspace.
Source Apportionment of Air Pollution: A Case Study In Malaysia
Authors: Azid Azman , Juahir Hafizan , Toriman Mohd Ekhwan , Endut Azizah , Kamarudin Mohd Khairul Amri , Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin , Che Hasnam Che Noraini , Mohd Saudi Ahmad Shakir , Yunus Kamaruzzaman 
Published: January 2015

Air pollution is becoming a major environmental issue in Malaysia. This study focused on the identification of potential sources of variations in air quality around the study area based on the data obtained from the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). Eight air quality parameters in ten monitoring stations for seven years (2006 – 2012) were gathered. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method from chemometric technique was applied to identify the source identification of pollution around the study area. The PCA method has identified methane (CH4), non-methane hydrocarbon (NmHC), total hydrocarbon (THC), ozone (O3) and particulate matter under 10 microns (PM10) are the most significant parameters around the study area. From the study, it can be concluded that the application of the PCA method in chemometric techniques can be applied for the source apportionment purpose. Hence, this study indicated that for the future and effective management of the Malaysian air quality, an effort should be placed as a priority in controlling point and non-point pollution sources.
A Comparison of Second Order and Non-Second Order Limit Language Generated by Yusof-Goode Splicing System
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Azrin , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Heng Fong Wan , Yusof Yuhani 
Published: January 2015

DNA splicing process is a study on the recombinant behavior of double-stranded DNA molecules with the existence of restriction enzyme and ligase. Head introduced the first mathematical model of splicing systems by using the relation of informational macromolecules and formal language theory. In addition, a few laboratory experiments have been conducted in order to verify certain types of splicing language called inert/adult, transient and limit language. Previously, researchers have focused on those types of splicing languages. Recently, an extension of limit languages namely second order limit language has been introduced. In this paper, the difference between second order limit languages and non-second order limit languages is depicted in some examples. Then, the formations of second order limit language in Yusof-Goode splicing system are investigated.
Potential Of Using Rainwater for Potable Purpose in Malaysia with Varying Antecedent Dry Intervals
Authors: Shaheed Riffat , Wan Mohtar Wan Hanna Melini 
Published: January 2015

Water rationing and abrupt disruption of water supply which directly affects the consumer daily activities were caused by the shortage of raw water to the treatment plant. Rainwater where Malaysia received more than 3000 mm per year is an attractive alternative water resource for clean treated water. Furthermore, it is always considered that rainwater is of high quality and with minimum treatment can be served for potable uses. This study investigates the quality of harvested rainwater over varying Antecedent Dry Intervals (ADI) from one, two, three and more than nine days. Samples were analysed for parameters of pH, DO, BOD5, COD, TSS, NH3-N and E. Coli. Analysis was made to compare with the drinking standards set by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH), the Department of Environment, Malaysia (DOE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Measured pH and DO did not vary with ADI days and gave relatively consistent values within the standards. The concentrations of BOD5, COD, TSS, NH3-N and E. Coli were insignificantly changed for samples with ADI less than three days, but were increased for the rainwater samples collected after more than nine days. Even so, all samples were reasonably below the acceptable limit set by the Malaysian authorities, except for E. Coli. The three millimetres first flush for the rainwater is sufficient and with minimum treatment, the use of rainwater can be extended to potable uses
Brain Tissue Classification in Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Yazdani Sapideh , Yusof Rubiyah , Karimian Alireza , Riazi Amir Hossein 
Published: January 2015

Automatic segmentation of brain images is a challenging problem due to the complex structure of brain images, as well as to the absence of anatomy models. Brain segmentation into white matter, gray matter, and cerebral spinal fluid, is an important stage for many problems, including the studies in 3-D visualizations for disease detection and surgical planning. In this paper we present a novel fully automated framework for tissue classification of brain in MR Images that is a combination of two techniques: GLCM and SVM, each of which has been customized for the problem of brain tissue segmentation such that the results are more robust than its individual components that is demonstrated through experiments. The proposed framework has been validated on brainweb dataset of different modalities, with desirable performance in the presence of noise and bias field. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method the Kappa similarity index is computed. Our method achieves higher kappa index (91.5) compared with other methods currently in use. As an application, our method has been used for segmentation of MR images with promising results.
Development of Reconfigurable Rehabilitation Robot for Post-stroke Forearm and Wrist Training
Authors: Kang Xiang Khor , Chin Jun Hua Patrick , Abdul Rahman Hisyam , Che Fai Yeong , T. Narayanan Aqilah Leela , Su Lee Ming Eileen 
Published: January 2015

Rehabilitation robots are gradually becoming popular for stroke rehabilitation to improve motor recovery, as robotic technology can assist, enhance, and further quantify rehabilitation training for stroke patients. However, most of the available rehabilitation robots are complex and involve multiple Degrees-Of-Freedoms (DOFs) causing it to be very expensive and huge in size. Rehabilitation robot needed to be useful but also should be cost-effective to be able to use in current rehabilitation process. This paper present the design of reconfigurable rehabilitation robot that able to adopt different training movement by changing the configuration of the device. The developed robotic system able to perform training for wrist, forearm and other functional rehabilitation training by using suitable modular units. Preliminary study with three stroke subject were presented to evaluate the functionality in different training modes for forearm and wrist rehabilitation training.
Investigation of Sensor-based Quantitative Model for Badminton Skill Analysis and Assessment
Authors: Shan Chew Zhen , Sen Sim Lee , Che Fai Yeong , Su Lee Ming Eileen 
Published: January 2015

Badminton is one of the most popular sports in Malaysia. The main aim of this project is to investigate sets of movements in badminton training using sensors, to identify the good movement that enhance badminton performance. In addition, this project also aims to identify measurable parameters to quantify badminton skill levels. The performance of elite players will be studied to identify benchmark values for these measurable parameters. A quantitative model will be proposed using these measurable parameters to help in the objective assessment of skill levels. Findings of this project will help badminton players to improve their techniques, as well as providing an objective measurement to assess badminton skills.
Development of ROV based Water Tank Cleaning Robot
Authors: Mohd Faudzi Ahmad 'Athif , Tian-Qiong Ong , Liang Xuan Wong , Weng Kit Tham 
Published: January 2015

Clean water supply is important in ensuring good health of people. Water supply is distributed from water storage tanks. Sediment that accumulates over time in water storage tanks will deteriorate the water quality used by consumers. Therefore, water storage tanks are required to be cleaned once in every three years by water utility operators or tank cleaning service providers. Manual cleaning method is done by draining off and resupply water into the tank after workers have cleaned the tank using water jet and brushes. In this paper, an alternative cleaning method using a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) is proposed. Using ROV, water supply disruption can be prevented and cleaning process will be more efficient and cost effective. An ROV is built to operate underwater and vacuum out sediments from water tank. Operator on screen can see live-streaming video. Raspberry Pi is used as the main communication board to interface with MATLAB. Operator will operates the ROV remotely to carry out the cleaning process. IMU sensor was also used for simulation study in MATLAB for orientation movements testing.
Activation of cellular apoptosis in the caecal epithelium is associated with increased oxidative reactions in lactating goats after feeding a high‐concentrate diet
Authors: Tao Shiyu , Tian Jing , Cong Rihua , Sun Lili , Duanmu Yongqian , Dong Haibo , Ni Yingdong , Zhao Ruqian 
Published: January 2015

New FindingsWhat is the central question of this study?What are the ultrastructural changes of the caecal mucosa and the status of epithelial cellular apoptosis and oxidative reactions in lactating goats after prolonged feeding with a high‐concentrate diet?What is the main finding and its importance?High‐concentrate diet results in ultrastructural damage to the caprine caecal epithelium. Increased oxidative and decreased antioxidative reactions are involved in the process of activating epithelial apoptosis in the caecal epithelium of goats fed a high‐concentrate diet. Our results provide new insight into the relationship between abnormal fermentation in the hindgut and damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier.The effect of feeding a high‐concentrate diet (HC) to lactating ruminants on their hindgut epithelial structure remains unknown. In this study, 12 lactating goats were randomly assigned to either HC (65% of dry matter as concentrate;n = 6) or a low‐concentrate diet (LC; 35% of dry matter as concentrate;n = 6). After 10 weeks, the epithelial ultrastructure and cell apoptotic status in the caecal mucosa were determined by transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL, respectively. The results showed that the level of free lipopolysaccharide (P < 0.05), total volatile fatty acid concentrations (P < 0.1) and starch content (P < 0.05) in the caecal digesta were significantly increased in HC‐ compared with LC‐fed goats. The HC‐fed goats exhibited obvious epithelial cellular damage, with widened tight junction spaces, nuclear breakdown and mitochondrial swelling. Compared with their LC‐fed counterparts, HC‐fed goats showed greater apoptosis in the caecal epithelium, as evidenced by more TUNEL‐positive apoptotic cells. Western blot analysis showed that there was no significant difference in activated caspase‐3, Bax protein expression in caecal epithelial mucosa between HC‐ and LC‐fed goats (P > 0.05). However, the level of malondialdehyde content in the caecal epithelium from HC‐fed goats was markedly higher than that in LC‐fed goats (P < 0.05), whereas the level of glutathione peroxidase and the superoxide dismutase activity were significantly decreased. Gene expressions of cytokines, including interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, interleukin‐10, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ, as well as myeloperoxidase activity in the caecal mucosa did not show any significant difference between HC‐ and LC‐fed goats. These results indicate that feeding a high‐concentrate diet to lactating goats for a prolonged period results in abnormal fermentation and structural disruption in the hindgut, which is accompanied by greater cellular apoptosis and an enhanced oxidative stress response.
Effects of refractive index mismatch in optical CT imaging of polymer gel dosimeters
Authors: Manjappa Rakesh , Makki S Sharath , Kumar Rajesh , Kanhirodan Rajan 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:Proposing an image reconstruction technique, algebraic reconstruction technique‐refraction correction (ART‐rc). The proposed method takes care of refractive index mismatches present in gel dosimeter scanner at the boundary, and also corrects for the interior ray refraction. Polymer gel dosimeters with high dose regions have higher refractive index and optical density compared to the background medium, these changes in refractive index at high dose results in interior ray bending.Methods:The inclusion of the effects of refraction is an important step in reconstruction of optical density in gel dosimeters. The proposed ray tracing algorithm models the interior multiple refraction at the inhomogeneities. Jacob's ray tracing algorithm has been modified to calculate the pathlengths of the ray that traverses through the higher dose regions. The algorithm computes the length of the ray in each pixel along its path and is used as the weight matrix. Algebraic reconstruction technique and pixel based reconstruction algorithms are used for solving the reconstruction problem. The proposed method is tested with numerical phantoms for various noise levels. The experimental dosimetric results are also presented.Results:The results show that the proposed scheme ART‐rc is able to reconstruct optical density inside the dosimeter better than the results obtained using filtered backprojection and conventional algebraic reconstruction approaches. The quantitative improvement using ART‐rc is evaluated using gamma‐index. The refraction errors due to regions of different refractive indices are discussed. The effects of modeling of interior refraction in the dose region are presented.Conclusions:The errors propagated due to multiple refraction effects have been modeled and the improvements in reconstruction using proposed model is presented. The refractive index of the dosimeter has a mismatch with the surrounding medium (for dry air or water scanning). The algorithm reconstructs the dose profiles by estimating refractive indices of multiple inhomogeneities having different refractive indices and optical densities embedded in the dosimeter. This is achieved by tracking the path of the ray that traverses through the dosimeter. Extensive simulation studies have been carried out and results are found to be matching that of experimental results.
Evaluation of a Multiplex Bead Immunoassay for Determination of Immune Status to Varicella-Zoster Virus in Medical Center Students and Employees
Authors: Loeffelholz Michael J. , Prince Harry E. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated an enzyme immunoassay, a multiplex bead immunoassay (MBIA), and the anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test for detecting varicella-zoster virus IgG antibodies in sera from medical center students and employees. The agreement between methods was ≥95%. The MBIA was less sensitive than was the ACIF test, with a negative predictive value of 66.7%.