Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 52 in total

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  1. Fulltext WS2: A New Window Layer Material for Solar Cell Application
    Bin Rafiq MKS, Amin N, Alharbi HF, Luqman M, Ayob A, Alharthi YS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 Jan 21;10(1):771.
    PMID: 31964954 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57596-5
    Radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering was used to deposit tungsten disulfide (WS2) thin films on top of soda lime glass substrates. The deposition power of RF magnetron sputtering varied at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 W to investigate the impact on film characteristics and determine the optimized conditions for suitable application in thin-film solar cells. Morphological, structural, and opto-electronic properties of as-grown films were investigated and analyzed for different deposition powers. All the WS2 films exhibited granular morphology and consisted of a rhombohedral phase with a strong preferential orientation toward the (101) crystal plane. Polycrystalline ultra-thin WS2 films with bandgap of 2.2 eV, carrier concentration of 1.01 × 1019 cm-3, and resistivity of 0.135 Ω-cm were successfully achieved at RF deposition power of 200 W. The optimized WS2 thin film was successfully incorporated as a window layer for the first time in CdTe/WS2 solar cell. Initial investigations revealed that the newly incorporated WS2 window layer in CdTe solar cell demonstrated photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 1.2% with Voc of 379 mV, Jsc of 11.5 mA/cm2, and FF of 27.1%. This study paves the way for WS2 thin film as a potential window layer to be used in thin-film solar cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  2. Time course of inhibition of return in a spatial cueing paradigm with distractors
    Eng V, Lim A, Janssen SMJ, Satel J
    Acta Psychol (Amst), 2018 Feb;183:51-57.
    PMID: 29328938 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2017.12.011
    Studies of endogenous and exogenous attentional orienting in spatial cueing paradigms have been used to investigate inhibition of return, a behavioral phenomenon characterized by delayed reaction time in response to recently attended locations. When eye movements are suppressed, attention is covertly oriented to central or peripheral stimuli. Overt orienting, on the other hand, requires explicit eye movements to the stimuli. The present study examined the time course of slowed reaction times to previously attended locations when distractors are introduced into overt and covert orienting tasks. In a series of experiments, manual responses were required to targets following central and peripheral cues at three different cue-target intervals, with and without activated oculomotor systems. The results demonstrate that, when eye movements are suppressed, behavioral inhibition is reduced or delayed in magnitude by the presence of a distractor relative to conditions without distractors. However, the time course of behavioral inhibition when eye movements are required remains similar with or without distractors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial/physiology*
  3. Fulltext The effects of printing orientation on the electrochemical behaviour of 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/carbon black electrodes
    Bin Hamzah HH, Keattch O, Covill D, Patel BA
    Sci Rep, 2018 Jun 14;8(1):9135.
    PMID: 29904165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27188-5
    Additive manufacturing also known as 3D printing is being utilised in electrochemistry to reproducibly develop complex geometries with conductive properties. In this study, we explored if the electrochemical behavior of 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/carbon black electrodes was influenced by printing direction. The electrodes were printed in both horizontal and vertical directions. The horizsontal direction resulted in a smooth surface (HPSS electrode) and a comparatively rougher surface (HPRS electrode) surface. Electrodes were characterized using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. For various redox couples, the vertical printed (VP) electrode showed enhanced current response when compared the two electrode surfaces generated by horizontal print direction. No differences in the capacitive response was observed, indicating that the conductive surface area of all types of electrodes were identical. The VP electrode had reduced charge transfer resistance and uncompensated solution resistance when compared to the HPSS and HPRS electrodes. Overall, electrodes printed in a vertical direction provide enhanced electrochemical performance and our study indicates that print orientation is a key factor that can be used to enhance sensor performance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  4. The dataset for validation of customer inspiration construct in Malaysian context
    Ghouri AM, Kin TM, Yunus NKBY, Akhtar P
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:104131.
    PMID: 31440536 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104131
    This study intended to validate customer inspiration (CI)in Malaysian/developing country context. Data were collected from two different respondents for two studies - from Millennial customers of the auto industry and Generation Z customers of the smartphone industry. The survey conducted through a standardized and structured questionnaire. The variables of the both studies were customer-defined market orientation (MO) (customer orientation, competitor orientation, and interfunctional coordination), CI (inspired-by and inspired-to), and customer loyalty (CL). This research strategy, in terms of quantity, is descriptive and correlational. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out, using ADANCO 2.0. The finding of the study suggests all results of data 1 and data 2 were significant, and CI mediates the sub-constructs of MO with CL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  5. Fulltext The Effects of Annealing Temperatures on Composition and Strain in Si x Ge1-x Obtained by Melting Growth of Electrodeposited Ge on Si (100)
    Abidin MSZ, Morshed T, Chikita H, Kinoshita Y, Muta S, Anisuzzaman M, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2014 Feb 24;7(2):1409-1421.
    PMID: 28788521 DOI: 10.3390/ma7021409
    The effects of annealing temperatures on composition and strain in Si
    x
    Ge1-x, obtained by rapid melting growth of electrodeposited Ge on Si (100) substrate were investigated. Here, a rapid melting process was performed at temperatures of 1000, 1050 and 1100 °C for 1 s. All annealed samples show single crystalline structure in (100) orientation. A significant appearance of Si-Ge vibration mode peak at ~400 cm-1 confirms the existence of Si-Ge intermixing due to out-diffusion of Si into Ge region. On a rapid melting process, Ge melts and reaches the thermal equilibrium in short time. Si at Ge/Si interface begins to dissolve once in contact with the molten Ge to produce Si-Ge intermixing. The Si fraction in Si-Ge intermixing was calculated by taking into account the intensity ratio of Ge-Ge and Si-Ge vibration mode peaks and was found to increase with the annealing temperatures. It is found that the strain turns from tensile to compressive as the annealing temperature increases. The Si fraction dependent thermal expansion coefficient of Si
    x
    Ge1-x is a possible cause to generate such strain behavior. The understanding of compositional and strain characteristics is important in Ge/Si heterostructure as these properties seem to give significant effects in device performance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  6. Fulltext Temperature-Driven Structural and Morphological Evolution of Zinc Oxide Nano-Coalesced Microstructures and Its Defect-Related Photoluminescence Properties
    Lim K, Abdul Hamid MA, Shamsudin R, Al-Hardan NH, Mansor I, Chiu W
    Materials (Basel), 2016 Apr 20;9(4).
    PMID: 28773425 DOI: 10.3390/ma9040300
    In this paper, we address the synthesis of nano-coalesced microstructured zinc oxide thin films via a simple thermal evaporation process. The role of synthesis temperature on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared zinc oxide samples was deeply investigated. The obtained photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy outcomes will be used to discuss the surface structure defects of the prepared samples. The results indicated that the prepared samples are polycrystalline in nature, and the sample prepared at 700 °C revealed a tremendously c-axis oriented zinc oxide. The temperature-driven morphological evolution of the zinc oxide nano-coalesced microstructures was perceived, resulting in transformation of quasi-mountain chain-like to pyramidal textured zinc oxide with increasing the synthesis temperature. The results also impart that the sample prepared at 500 °C shows a higher percentage of the zinc interstitial and oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, the intensity of the photoluminescence emission in the ultraviolet region was enhanced as the heating temperature increased from 500 °C to 700 °C. Lastly, the growth mechanism of the zinc oxide nano-coalesced microstructures is discussed according to the reaction conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  7. Fulltext Take-off and landing kinetics of a free-ranging gliding mammal, the Malayan colugo (Galeopterus variegatus)
    Byrnes G, Lim NT, Spence AJ
    Proc Biol Sci, 2008 May 7;275(1638):1007-13.
    PMID: 18252673 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2007.1684
    Arboreal animals negotiate a highly three-dimensional world that is discontinuous on many spatial scales. As the scale of substrate discontinuity increases, many arboreal animals rely on leaping or gliding locomotion between distant supports. In order to successfully move through their habitat, gliding animals must actively modulate both propulsive and aerodynamic forces. Here we examined the take-off and landing kinetics of a free-ranging gliding mammal, the Malayan colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) using a custom-designed three-dimensional accelerometry system. We found that colugos increase the propulsive impulse to affect longer glides. However, we also found that landing forces are negatively associated with glide distance. Landing forces decrease rapidly as glide distance increases from the shortest glides, then level off, suggesting that the ability to reorient the aerodynamic forces prior to landing is an important mechanism to reduce velocity and thus landing forces. This ability to substantially alter the aerodynamic forces acting on the patagial wing in order to reorient the body is a key to the transition between leaping and gliding and allows gliding mammals to travel long distances between trees with reduced risk of injury. Longer glides may increase the access to distributed resources and reduce the exposure to predators in the canopy or on the forest floor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation
  8. Fulltext Synthesis of Ge1-xSnx Alloy Thin Films by Rapid Thermal Annealing of Sputtered Ge/Sn/Ge Layers on Si Substrates
    Mahmodi H, Hashim MR, Soga T, Alrokayan S, Khan HA, Rusop M
    Materials (Basel), 2018 Nov 12;11(11).
    PMID: 30424494 DOI: 10.3390/ma11112248
    In this work, nanocrystalline Ge1-xSnx alloy formation from a rapid thermal annealed Ge/Sn/Ge multilayer has been presented. The multilayer was magnetron sputtered onto the Silicon substrate. This was followed by annealing the layers by rapid thermal annealing, at temperatures of 300 °C, 350 °C, 400 °C, and 450 °C, for 10 s. Then, the effect of thermal annealing on the morphological, structural, and optical characteristics of the synthesized Ge1-xSnx alloys were investigated. The nanocrystalline Ge1-xSnx formation was revealed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) measurements, which showed the orientation of (111). Raman results showed that phonon intensities of the Ge-Ge vibrations were improved with an increase in the annealing temperature. The results evidently showed that raising the annealing temperature led to improvements in the crystalline quality of the layers. It was demonstrated that Ge-Sn solid-phase mixing had occurred at a low temperature of 400 °C, which led to the creation of a Ge1-xSnx alloy. In addition, spectral photo-responsivity of a fabricated Ge1-xSnx metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector exhibited its extending wavelength into the near-infrared region (820 nm).
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  9. Fulltext Structural and optical properties of ITO/TiO2 anti-reflective films for solar cell applications
    Ali K, Khan SA, Jafri MZ
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2014;9(1):175.
    PMID: 24721986 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-175
    Indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) were deposited on a (100) P-type monocrystalline Si substrate by a radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Polycrystalline ITO and anatase TiO2 films were obtained at room temperature (RT). The thickness of ITO (60 to 64 nm) and TiO2 (55 to 60 nm) films was optimized, considering the optical response in the 400- to 1,000-nm wavelength range. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The XRD analysis showed preferential orientation along (211) and (222) for ITO and (200) and (211) for TiO2 films. The XRD analysis showed that crystalline ITO/TiO2 films could be formed at RT. The crystallite strain measurements showed compressive strain for ITO and TiO2 films. The measured average optical reflectance was about 12% and 10% for the ITO and TiO2 ARCs, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  10. Fulltext Skeletal detection enhancement using kinect
    Muhammad Aizuddin Ahmad, Kamaruddin, N.K., Muhamad Kamal Mohammed Amin
    Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 2016;5(2):20-26.
    MyJurnal
    Computer vision is applied in many software and devices. The detection and
    reconstruction of the human skeletal structure is one of area of interest, where the
    camera will identify the human parts and construct the joints of the person standing in
    front. Three-dimensional pose estimation is solved using various learning approaches,
    such as Support Vector Machines and Gaussian processes. However, difficulties in
    cluttered scenarios are encountered, and require additional input data, such as
    silhouettes, or controlled camera settings. The paper focused on estimating the threedimensional
    pose of a person without requiring background information, which is
    robust to camera variations. Each of the joint has three-dimensional space position and
    matrix orientation with respect to the sensor. Matlab Simulink was utilized to provide
    communication tools with depth camera using Kinect device for skeletal detection.
    Results on the skeletal detection using Kinect sensor is analysed in measuring the
    abilities to detect skeletal structure accurately, and it is shown that the system is able
    to detect human skeletal performing non-complex basic motions in daily life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  11. Fulltext Root-oriented words generation: an easier way towards dictionary making for the Dusunic family of languages
    Cosmas Julius Abah, Wong, Jane Kong Ling, Anantha Raman Govindasamy
    Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018;3(2):95-112.
    MyJurnal
    Dictionary production is one of the most effective methods of preserving languages and cultures. The
    Dusunic Family of Languages (DFL) in Sabah, Malaysia would have welcomed the efforts to
    document their languages through dictionary production as there are still lacking of dictionary,
    vocabulary and phrase books. Furthermore, more than half of the languages in DFL are unwritten.
    However, making dictionary conventionally is tedious and time consuming. The Dusunic Family of
    Languages which are facing extinction threats do not have the luxury of time to wait for dictionary
    production via the conventional method. Hence, this study explores the use of a method called Root-
    Oriented Words Generation (ROWG) which is formulated based on spelling orthography of DFL to
    generate one and two-syllable words list. From the words list, root words registers were compiled
    which can then be used as database for dictionary production. Findings of this study showed that
    ROWG was able to generate an exhaustive word lists of DFL and compile a large volume of root
    words register in DFL. Hence, this study was able to highlight the feasibility and viability of using
    ROWG to produce root words register of DFL which could possibly reduce the time for dictionary
    production significantly. In future studies, it is recommended that the ROWG is extended to include
    more than two syllable words. This study showed the potentiality of ROWG to address the looming
    demise of DFL by providing a more efficient way of compiling root words for the purpose of making a
    dictionary.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  12. Fulltext Preparation and thermal properties of Cellulose Acetate/ Polystyrene blend nanofibers via electrospinning technique
    Rosdi, N.H., Mohd Kanafi, N., Abdul Rahman, N.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2018;26(3):979-990.
    MyJurnal
    Cellulose acetate (CA) is an interesting material due to its wide spectrum of utilities across different domains ranging from absorbent to membrane filters. In this study, polystyrene (PS) nanofibres, and cellulose acetate/polystyrene (CA/PS) blend nanofibres with various ratios of CA: PS from 20: 80 to 80: 20 were fabricated by using electrospinning technique. The SEM images show that the nanofibres exhibited non-uniform and random orientation with the average fibre diameter in the range of 100 to 800 nm. It was found that the incorporation of PS had a great effect on the morphology of nanofibre. At high proportion of PS, no or less beaded CA/PS nanofibres were formed. Thermal properties of the composite nanofibres were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The TGA results showed thermal stability of CA/PS nanofibres were higher than pristine CA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  13. Fulltext Pengaruh kualiti perkhidmatan institusi, kepuasan latihan industri dan pembelajaran terarah kendiri terhadap kebolehgajian pelajar kolej vokasional di Sabah
    Asrin Gili, Abdul Said Ambotang
    Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(7):126-139.
    MyJurnal
    Isu pengangguran graduan kesan daripada kepesatan perubahan pasaran buruh yang disebabkan oleh ketidaktentuan sosioekonomi, perubahan organisasi serta kemajuan teknologi telah mendapat perhatian bukan sahaja di Malaysia, bahkan juga di peringkat global. Isu yang sangat sinonim dengan kebolehgajian ini perlu ditangani oleh semua pihak termasuklah institusi pendidikan tinggi, pihak industri yang menawarkan kolaborasi latihan serta individu pelajar sendiri. Justeru itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti pengaruh pengalaman pembelajaran pelajar yang berkaitan dengan kualiti perkhidmatan institusi, kepuasan latihan industri, dan pembelajaran terarah kendiri (PTK) terhadap tanggapan kebolehgajian diri khususnya dalam kalangan pelajar kolej vokasional di Sabah, Malaysia. Antara teori dan model yang digunakan sebagai panduan kajian ialah Model SSPE (Students Self-Perceived Employability), Model HESQUAL, Model Kepuasan Internship dan Model PRO-SDL (Personal Responsibility Orientation of Self-Directed in Learning). Kajian kuantitatif yang mengaplikasikan kaedah tinjauan cross-sectional ini menggunakan satu set soal selidik berstruktur yang diadaptasi. Kajian rintis melibatkan 105 responden mendapati bahawa kesemua instrumen yang digunakan mempunyai kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan yang tinggi. Kajian ini diharap dapat membantu para pemegang taruh KV di semua peringkat khasnya di peringkat institusi, industri dan pelajar sendiri dalam menambah baik program pendidikan sekali gus memastikan matlamat serta objektif untuk meningkatkan kebolehgajian pelajar dapat dicapai dengan cemerlang melalui intervensi kualiti perkhidmatan, latihan industri dan gaya pembelajaran terarah kendiri.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  14. Fulltext Pengaruh ciri-ciri personal dan ciri-ciri program latihan terhadap prestasi belajar
    Siti Zuliana Md Z, Siti Fardaniah Abdul A
    Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 2018;32:12-24.
    The effectiveness of training is an important aspect in the development of training. After investing a lot of money to organize a training program, the organization often wants to know about the effectiveness of training given to trainee as well as how it can gives impact to the organization. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of training tested through learning performance among trainees that undergo a transition in the Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT). In this study, personal characteristics and training program characteristics acted as the independent variables in predicting learning performance. The instrument used in this study was adapted from Trainee Characteristic Scale, Training Program Characteristic Scale and Training Effectiveness Scale by Siti Fardaniah (2013) for personal characteristics, training program characteristics and learning performance. Questionnaires to measure the dimension of training transfer for the training characteristics was adapted from the Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) by Holton et al. (2000). Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that extrinsic orientation, self-efficacy and organizational commitment have significant influence on learning performance. Relevance of training content and learning transfer design also affecedt learning performance. Findings in this study can be used as a reference to improve training effectiveness by focusing on personal characteristics and training characteristics conducted in PERHEBAT.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  15. Fulltext Partial Discharge in Nanofluid Insulation Material with Conductive and Semiconductive Nanoparticles
    Makmud MZH, Illias HA, Chee CY, Dabbak SZA
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Mar 11;12(5).
    PMID: 30861988 DOI: 10.3390/ma12050816
    This study provides a thorough investigation of partial discharge (PD) activities in nanofluid insulation material consisting of different types of nanoparticles, which are conductive and semiconductive when subjected to high voltage stress is presented. Nanofluids have become a topic of interest because they can be an alternative to liquid insulation in electrical apparatus due to their promising dielectric strength and cooling ability. However, during in-service operation, PDs can occur between conductors in the insulation system. Therefore, this study presents the behavior of PDs within nanofluid dielectric materials consisting of conductive and semiconductive nanoparticles. The results show that there is an improvement in the PD resistance and a reduction in the tan delta of nanofluids at power frequency after the incorporation of conductive or semiconductive nanoparticles in the nanofluid oil. However, the most suitable concentration of conductive and semiconductive nanoparticles in the base fluid was found to be, respectively, 0.01 g/L and 1.0 g/L at PD inception and PD steady-state conditions. The clustering of nanoparticles in a nanofluid suspension due to PD activities is also discussed in this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  16. Fulltext Owner-manager Characteristics Influence on the Smes Innovation Orientation of SME's: A Literature Exploration
    Ahmad Aminu Daneji, Kamran Shavarebi, Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap
    International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution, 2019;1(2):1-11.
    MyJurnal
    The firm’s involvement in innovation became a necessary attribute for firms to remain competitive and successful. However, innovation is still considered a hallmark of large firms only. The literature on SME's involvement in innovation is scant and needs further exploration regarding the innovation process in the SME firms. This paper aims to hint the gap of knowledge related to the association between the owner-manager characteristics and innovation orientation at the SMEs. A review of relevant literature was exhausted for the achievement of the study objective. The findings of the study highlight that to fully explore the innovation process at the SME level, there is a need to divide the innovation concept into innovation creation and innovation adoption as two discrete concepts effected by the owner-manager personal characteristics. Literature hints at these two conceptualizations of the innovation among SMEs, but empirical examination is non-existence. Therefore, this work recommends future research endeavors to empirically examining the direction and strength of the relationship between owner-manager characteristics and SME's innovation performance in terms of creation and adoption. Moreover, literature and policy direction can be drawn from the respective research activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  17. Orientation and verbal fluency in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: modifiable risk factors for falls?
    Smith TO, Neal SR, Peryer G, Sheehan KJ, Tan MP, Myint PK
    Int Psychogeriatr, 2019 10;31(10):1491-1498.
    PMID: 30522546 DOI: 10.1017/S1041610218002065
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between falls and deficits in specific cognitive domains in older adults.

    DESIGN: An analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort.

    SETTING: United Kingdom community-based.

    PARTICIPANTS: 5197 community-dwelling older adults recruited to a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

    MEASUREMENTS: Data on the occurrence of falls and number of falls, which occurred during a 12-month follow-up period, were assessed against the specific cognitive domains of memory, numeracy skills, and executive function. Binomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between each cognitive domain and the dichotomous outcome of falls in the preceding 12 months using unadjusted and adjusted models.

    RESULTS: Of the 5197 participants included in the analysis, 1308 (25%) reported a fall in the preceding 12 months. There was no significant association between the occurrence of a fall and specific forms of cognitive dysfunction after adjusting for self-reported hearing, self-reported eyesight, and functional performance. After adjustment, only orientation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.80; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.65-0.98, p = 0.03) and verbal fluency (adjusted OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-1.00; p = 0.05) remained significant for predicting recurrent falls.

    CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive phenotype rather than cognitive impairment per se may predict future falls in those presenting with more than one fall.

    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation*
  18. Fulltext Optimising technology to measure functional vision, mobility and service outcomes for people with low vision or blindness: protocol for a prospective cohort study in Australia and Malaysia
    Deverell L, Meyer D, Lau BT, Al Mahmud A, Sukunesan S, Bhowmik J, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2017 12 21;7(12):e018140.
    PMID: 29273657 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018140
    INTRODUCTION: Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists assess the functional vision and O&M skills of people with mobility problems, usually relating to low vision or blindness. There are numerous O&M assessment checklists but no measures that reduce qualitative assessment data to a single comparable score suitable for assessing any O&M client, of any age or ability, in any location. Functional measures are needed internationally to align O&M assessment practices, guide referrals, profile O&M clients, plan appropriate services and evaluate outcomes from O&M programmes (eg, long cane training), assistive technology (eg, hazard sensors) and medical interventions (eg, retinal implants). This study aims to validate two new measures of functional performance vision-related outcomes in orientation and mobility (VROOM) and orientation and mobility outcomes (OMO) in the context of ordinary O&M assessments in Australia, with cultural comparisons in Malaysia, also developing phone apps and online training to streamline professional assessment practices.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multiphase observational study will employ embedded mixed methods with a qualitative/quantitative priority: corating functional vision and O&M during social inquiry. Australian O&M agencies (n=15) provide the sampling frame. O&M specialists will use quota sampling to generate cross-sectional assessment data (n=400) before investigating selected cohorts in outcome studies. Cultural relevance of the VROOM and OMO tools will be investigated in Malaysia, where the tools will inform the design of assistive devices and evaluate prototypes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch modelling, cluster analysis and analysis of variance will be undertaken along with descriptive analysis of measurement data. Qualitative findings will be used to interpret VROOM and OMO scores, filter statistically significant results, warrant their generalisability and identify additional relevant constructs that could also be measured.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Swinburne University (SHR Project 2016/316). Dissemination of results will be via agency reports, journal articles and conference presentations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation*
  19. Fulltext Novel macromolecules derived from coumarin: synthesis and antioxidant activity
    Al-Amiery AA, Al-Majedy YK, Kadhum AA, Mohamad AB
    Sci Rep, 2015;5:11825.
    PMID: 26134661 DOI: 10.1038/srep11825
    The rational design of 4-hydroxycoumarins with tailor-made antioxidant activities is required nowadays due to the wide variety of pharmacologically significant, structurally interesting of coumarins and researcher orientation toward green chemistry and natural products. A simple and unique coumarins have been achieved by reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin with aromatic aldehyde accompanied with the creation of a macromolecules have 2-aminothiazolidin-4-one. The molecular structures of the compounds were characterized by the Fourier transformation infrared and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, in addition to CHN analysis. The scavenging abilities of new compounds against stable DPPH radical (DPPH•) and hydrogen peroxide were done and the results show that the compounds exhibited high antioxidant activates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
  20. New monoclinic form of {O-Ethyl N-(4-nitro-phen-yl)thio-carbamato-κS}(tri-4-tolyl-phosphane-κP)gold(I): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
    Kuan FS, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2017 Oct 01;73(Pt 10):1465-1471.
    PMID: 29250359 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989017012865
    The title phosphanegold(I) thiol-ate compound, [Au(C9H9N2O3S)(C21H21P)], is a second monoclinic polymorph (space group P21/c) that complements a previously reported Cc polymorph [Broker & Tiekink (2008 ▸). Acta Cryst. E64, m1582]. An SP donor set defines an approximately linear geometry about the gold atom in both forms. The key distinguishing feature between the present structure and the previously reported polymorph rests with the relative disposition of the thiol-ate ligand. In the title compound, the orientation is such to place the oxygen atom in close contact with the gold atom [Au⋯O = 2.915 (2) Å], in contrast to the aryl ring in the original polymorph. In the crystal, linear supra-molecular chains along the a-axis direction mediated by C-H⋯π and nitro-O⋯π inter-actions are found. These pack with no directional inter-actions between them. The analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces for both forms of [Au(C9H9N3O3S)(C21H21P)] indicates quite distinctive inter-action profiles relating to the differences in inter-molecular contacts found in their respective crystals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Orientation, Spatial
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