Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 110 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Mohamad AQ, Khan I, Ismail Z, Shafie S
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):2090.
    PMID: 28018798 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3748-2
    BACKGROUND: Non-coaxial rotation has wide applications in engineering devices, e.g. in food processing such as mixer machines and stirrers with a two-axis kneader, in cooling turbine blades, jet engines, pumps and vacuum cleaners, in designing thermal syphon tubes, and in geophysical flows. Therefore, this study aims to investigate unsteady free convection flow of viscous fluid due to non-coaxial rotation and fluid at infinity over an oscillating vertical plate with constant wall temperature.

    METHODS: The governing equations are modelled by a sudden coincidence of the axes of a disk and the fluid at infinity rotating with uniform angular velocity, together with initial and boundary conditions. Some suitable non-dimensional variables are introduced. The Laplace transform method is used to obtain the exact solutions of the corresponding non-dimensional momentum and energy equations with conditions. Solutions of the velocity for cosine and sine oscillations as well as for temperature fields are obtained and displayed graphically for different values of time (t ), the Grashof number (Gr), the Prandtl number ([Formula: see text]), and the phase angle ([Formula: see text]). Skin friction and the Nusselt number are also evaluated.

    RESULTS: The exact solutions are obtained and in limiting cases, the present solutions are found to be identical to the published results. Further, the obtained exact solutions also validated by comparing with results obtained by using Gaver-Stehfest algorithm.

    CONCLUSION: The interested physical property such as velocity, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt number are affected by the embedded parameters time (t), the Grashof number (Gr), the Prandtl number ([Formula: see text]), and the phase angle ([Formula: see text]).

  2. Singh VA, Yong LM, Vijayananthan A
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):943.
    PMID: 27386387 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2441-9
    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been independently associated with both malignant diseases and orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, orthopaedic oncology patients may be at a high risk for thromboembolic events. However, less emphasis is given to this group of patients compared to the patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of DVT and their risk factors in patients undergoing orthopaedic oncology lower limb surgery without prophylaxis.
  3. Zeki A, Abubakar A, Chiroma H
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):868.
    PMID: 27386317 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2371-6
    Prior research studies have shown that the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is the most frequent watermarked image quality metric that is used for determining the levels of strength and weakness of watermarking algorithms. Conversely, normalised cross correlation (NCC) is the most common metric used after attacks were applied to a watermarked image to verify the strength of the algorithm used. Many researchers have used these approaches to evaluate their algorithms. These strategies have been used for a long time, however, which unfortunately limits the value of PSNR and NCC in reflecting the strength and weakness of the watermarking algorithms. This paper considers this issue to determine the threshold values of these two parameters in reflecting the amount of strength and weakness of the watermarking algorithms. We used our novel watermarking technique for embedding four watermarks in intermediate significant bits (ISB) of six image files one-by-one through replacing the image pixels with new pixels and, at the same time, keeping the new pixels very close to the original pixels. This approach gains an improved robustness based on the PSNR and NCC values that were gathered. A neural network model was built that uses the image quality metrics (PSNR and NCC) values obtained from the watermarking of six grey-scale images that use ISB as the desired output and that are trained for each watermarked image's PSNR and NCC. The neural network predicts the watermarked image's PSNR together with NCC after the attacks when a portion of the output of the same or different types of image quality metrics (PSNR and NCC) are obtained. The results indicate that the NCC metric fluctuates before the PSNR values deteriorate.
  4. Koo HC, Poh BK, Ruzita AT
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):840.
    PMID: 27386289 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2431-y
    The rapid increase in childhood obesity is a serious public health problem, and has led to the development of many interventions. However, no intervention has emphasized whole grains as a strategy to manage childhood obesity. Therefore, this article describes the protocol of a 12-week multi-component, family-based intervention on whole grain, using a healthy balanced diet for managing childhood obesity.
  5. Khan I, Rahman NN, Yusoff MY, Nor MR
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):785.
    PMID: 27386271 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2400-5
    This study explains the history, current problems, and future possibilities of Islamic insurance (takaful) in Bangladesh. To articulate these issues, the researcher has adopted the qualitative method, and data has been collected through secondary sources i.e. articles, books, and online resources. The study reveals that Islamic insurance in Bangladesh is regulated by the Insurance Act 2010 which is contradictory with Islamic insurance causing numerous problems for Islamic insurance. This study also points out that Islamic insurance is a fast growing industry with huge prospects in Bangladesh. The government should introduce separate regulations for both Islamic and conventional insurance. The research concludes with suggestions for the further development of Islamic insurance in Bangladesh.
  6. Abdulnaby ZE, Ibrahim RW, Kılıçman A
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):893.
    PMID: 27386341 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2563-0
    Recently, the study of the fractional formal (operators, polynomials and classes of special functions) has been increased. This study not only in mathematics but extended to another topics. In this effort, we investigate a generalized integro-differential operator [Formula: see text] defined by a fractional formal (fractional differential operator) and study some its geometric properties by employing it in new subclasses of analytic univalent functions.
  7. Yahaya A, Nor NM, Habibullah MS, Ghani JA, Noor ZM
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):925.
    PMID: 27386369 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2505-x
    Developing countries have witnessed economic growth as their GDP keeps increasing steadily over the years. The growth led to higher energy consumption which eventually leads to increase in air pollutions that pose a danger to human health. People's healthcare demand, in turn, increase due to the changes in the socioeconomic life and improvement in the health technology. This study is an attempt to investigate the impact of environmental quality on per capital health expenditure in 125 developing countries within a panel cointegration framework from 1995 to 2012.
  8. Ilham Z, Saka S
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):923.
    PMID: 27386367 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2643-1
    Conversion of glycerol from biodiesel production to glycerol carbonate was studied by esterification with dimethyl carbonate in a non-catalytic supercritical condition. It was found that in a non-catalytic supercritical condition, glycerol at higher purity gave higher yield of glycerol carbonate at 98 wt% after reaction at 300 °C/20-40 MPa/15 min. The yield of glycerol carbonate was observed to increase with molar ratio, temperature, pressure and time until a certain equilibrium limit. The existence of impurities such as water and remnants of alkaline catalyst in crude glycerol will direct the reaction to produce glycidol. Although impurities might not be desirable, the non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate could be an alternative method for conversion of glycerol from biodiesel production to value-added glycerol carbonate.Graphical abstractPlausible reaction scheme for conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate in non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate.
  9. Adam A, Ibrahim Z, Mokhtar N, Shapiai MI, Cumming P, Mubin M
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1036.
    PMID: 27462484 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2697-0
    Various peak models have been introduced to detect and analyze peaks in the time domain analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. In general, peak model in the time domain analysis consists of a set of signal parameters, such as amplitude, width, and slope. Models including those proposed by Dumpala, Acir, Liu, and Dingle are routinely used to detect peaks in EEG signals acquired in clinical studies of epilepsy or eye blink. The optimal peak model is the most reliable peak detection performance in a particular application. A fair measure of performance of different models requires a common and unbiased platform. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the four different peak models using the extreme learning machine (ELM)-based peak detection algorithm. We found that the Dingle model gave the best performance, with 72 % accuracy in the analysis of real EEG data. Statistical analysis conferred that the Dingle model afforded significantly better mean testing accuracy than did the Acir and Liu models, which were in the range 37-52 %. Meanwhile, the Dingle model has no significant difference compared to Dumpala model.
  10. Loong SK, Mahfodz NH, Che Mat Seri NA, Mohamad Wali HA, Abd Gani SA, Wong PF, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1035.
    PMID: 27462483 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2745-9
    Escherichia coli, a commensal in the intestines of vertebrates, is capable of colonizing many different hosts and the environment. Commensal E. coli strains are believed to be the precursor of pathogenic strains by means of acquisition of antimicrobial resistant and virulence genes. Laboratory rodents are inherently susceptible to numerous known infectious agents, which could transfer virulence determinants to commensal E. coli. Hence, in this study, the genetic structure of commensal E. coli found in laboratory rodents and their antimicrobial resistance profiles were investigated.
  11. Zhao J, Xiao J, Lee ML, Ma Y
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1633.
    PMID: 27722051
    Slopes are subjected to stress redistributions during underground mining activities, and this may eventually cause deformation or landslide. This paper takes Madaling landslide in Guizhou Province, China as a case study to investigate the failure mechanism and its run-out behaviours by using discrete element method. Previous qualitative analysis indicated that the slope experienced four stages of failure mechanisms: (1) development of tension cracks, (2) development of stepped-like creep cracks, (3) development of potential rupture surfaces, and (4) occurrence of the landslide. PFC2D program was employed to model the pre-failure deformation characteristics in order to verify the failure mechanisms quantitatively. Subsequently, the run-out behaviours of the landslide were analyzed by PFC3D program. The results indicated that the movement could be summarized into four stages: acceleration stage, constant movement stage, rapid movement stage, and deceleration and deposition stage.
  12. Kim SH, Tan KL, Lee SY, Kim DW, Shin S, Jin HR
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):2116.
    PMID: 28090430 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3679-y
    This study investigated on bacterial contamination of the rhinoplasty field. The effect of preoperative chlorhexidine treatment on decreasing bacterial contamination in the rhinoplasty field is examined.
  13. Nor MR, Abdullah AT, Ali AK
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1683.
    PMID: 27733985
    Malaysia is a multicultural state comprising three main races: Malays, Chinese and Indians. The three main religions are Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Other religions such as Sikhism and Christianity are also practised. Muslims are the majority comprising 67 % of the population.
  14. Lee CH, Sapuan SM, Lee JH, Hassan MR
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1680.
    PMID: 27733982
    A study of the melt volume flow rate (MVR) and the melt flow rate (MFR) of kenaf fibre (KF) reinforced Floreon (FLO) and magnesium hydroxide (MH) biocomposites under different temperatures (160-180 °C) and weight loadings (2.16, 5, 10 kg) is presented in this paper. FLO has the lowest values of MFR and MVR. The increment of the melt flow properties (MVR and MFR) has been found for KF or MH insertion due to the hydrolytic degradation of the polylactic acid in FLO. Deterioration of the entanglement density at high temperature, shear thinning and wall slip velocity were the possible causes for the higher melt flow properties. Increasing the KF loadings caused the higher melt flow properties while the higher MH contents created stronger bonding for higher macromolecular chain flow resistance, hence lower melt flow properties were recorded. However, the complicated melt flow behaviour of the KF reinforced FLO/MH biocomposites was found in this study. The high probability of KF-KF and KF-MH collisions was expected and there were more collisions for higher fibre and filler loading causing lower melt flow properties.
  15. Ismail MD, Ahmad WA, Leschke M, Waliszewski M, Boxberger M, Abidin IZ, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1668.
    PMID: 27730026
    Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in coronary artery disease (CAD) with very small vessel diameters remains controversial and challenging. These lesions are usually more diffuse, calcified and tortuous. The usage of thin strut bare metal stents (BMS) with excellent crossing profiles in a very small caliber coronary lesions has increased the likelihood of procedural success.
  16. Kam MY, Chai LC, Chin CF
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1657.
    PMID: 27730019
    Aponogeton ulvaceus Baker (Aponogetonaceae) is a commercially important ornamental aquatic plant species with traditional medicinal uses. Due to the low survival rate of seedlings, propagation by conventional means has been met with many difficulties. In this study, botanical aspects of A. ulvaceus were examined with regards to the morphology, anatomy and physiology of the plant and an efficient protocol for its in vitro propagation using immature tuber explants has been established. The existence of glandular trichomes on the leaves was discovered and the occurrence of circumnutation in A. ulvaceus has been demonstrated. Immature tuber segments with meristems were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various combinations (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/L) of BAP and NAA for callus induction. The highest percentage of callus production (100 %) was obtained in two different treatments: 1 mg/L BAP and 3 mg/L NAA, and 2 mg/L BAP and 3 mg/L NAA. For shoot and root organogenesis, the combination of 1 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA was shown to be significant for A. ulvaceus regeneration when compared to control, which yields a mean shoot and root number of 22.50 and 29.50 respectively. The current protocol is the first reported successful establishment of in vitro clonal propagation of A. ulvaceus.
  17. Ibrahim RW, Ahmad MZ, Mohammed MJ
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):824.
    PMID: 27390664 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2386-z
    Fractional differential equations have been discussed in this study. We utilize the Riemann-Liouville fractional calculus to implement it within the generalization of the well known class of differential equations. The Rayleigh differential equation has been generalized of fractional second order. The existence of periodic and positive outcome is established in a new method. The solution is described in a fractional periodic Sobolev space. Positivity of outcomes is considered under certain requirements. We develop and extend some recent works. An example is constructed.
  18. Al-Aqeeli YH, Lee TS, Abd Aziz S
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):797.
    PMID: 27390638 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2372-5
    Achievement of the optimal hydropower generation from operation of water reservoirs, is a complex problems. The purpose of this study was to formulate and improve an approach of a genetic algorithm optimization model (GAOM) in order to increase the maximization of annual hydropower generation for a single reservoir. For this purpose, two simulation algorithms were drafted and applied independently in that GAOM during 20 scenarios (years) for operation of Mosul reservoir, northern Iraq. The first algorithm was based on the traditional simulation of reservoir operation, whilst the second algorithm (Salg) enhanced the GAOM by changing the population values of GA through a new simulation process of reservoir operation. The performances of these two algorithms were evaluated through the comparison of their optimal values of annual hydropower generation during the 20 scenarios of operating. The GAOM achieved an increase in hydropower generation in 17 scenarios using these two algorithms, with the Salg being superior in all scenarios. All of these were done prior adding the evaporation (Ev) and precipitation (Pr) to the water balance equation. Next, the GAOM using the Salg was applied by taking into consideration the volumes of these two parameters. In this case, the optimal values obtained from the GAOM were compared, firstly with their counterpart that found using the same algorithm without taking into consideration of Ev and Pr, secondly with the observed values. The first comparison showed that the optimal values obtained in this case decreased in all scenarios, whilst maintaining the good results compared with the observed in the second comparison. The results proved the effectiveness of the Salg in increasing the hydropower generation through the enhanced approach of the GAOM. In addition, the results indicated to the importance of taking into account the Ev and Pr in the modelling of reservoirs operation.
  19. Sim KS, Chong SS, Tso CP, Nia ME, Chong AK, Abbas SF
    Springerplus, 2014;3:268.
    PMID: 25045606 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-268
    Data analysis based on breast cancer risk factors such as age, race, breastfeeding, hormone replacement therapy, family history, and obesity was conducted on breast cancer patients using a new enhanced computerized database management system. My Structural Query Language (MySQL) is selected as the application for database management system to store the patient data collected from hospitals in Malaysia. An automatic calculation tool is embedded in this system to assist the data analysis. The results are plotted automatically and a user-friendly graphical user interface is developed that can control the MySQL database. Case studies show breast cancer incidence rate is highest among Malay women, followed by Chinese and Indian. The peak age for breast cancer incidence is from 50 to 59 years old. Results suggest that the chance of developing breast cancer is increased in older women, and reduced with breastfeeding practice. The weight status might affect the breast cancer risk differently. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
  20. Pérez-Sánchez H, Rezaei V, Mezhuyev V, Man D, Peña-García J, den-Haan H, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1300.
    PMID: 27547674 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2914-x
    Methods for in silico screening of large databases of molecules increasingly complement and replace experimental techniques to discover novel compounds to combat diseases. As these techniques become more complex and computationally costly we are faced with an increasing problem to provide the research community of life sciences with a convenient tool for high-throughput virtual screening on distributed computing resources.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links