Amplitude and frequency changes in surface EMG of biceps femoris during five days Bruce Protocol treadmill test

Electromyography (EMG) is one of the indirect tools in indexing fatigue. Fatigue can be detected when there are changes on amplitude and frequency. However, various outcomes from literature make researchers conclude that EMG is not a reliable tool to measure fatigue. This paper investigates EMG behavior of biceps femoris in median frequency and mean absolute value during five days of Bruce Protocol treadmill test. Before that, surface EMG signals are filtered using band pass filter cut-off at 20-500Hz and are de-noised using db45 1-decimated wavelet transform. Five participants achieved more than 85% of their maximal heart rate during the running activity. The authors also consider other markers of fatigue such as performance, muscle soreness and lethargy as indicators to adaptation and maladaptation conditions. Result shows that turning points of median frequency and mean absolute value are very significant in indexing fatigue and indicators to adaptation of resistive training

Pineapple peel based biocomposites for green packaging

In this research, pineapple peel fiber (PAPF) based low density polyethylene (LDPE) biocomposites for green packaging was studied. The PAPF was first being treated with alkali before compounded with LDPE. Then, the mixture was compounded using twin screw extruder and the test samples were prepared using hot press machine. The compatibility of the PAPF as biocomposites was observed through the characterization and biodegradation analysis. Melt flow index (MFI) analysis was conducted to determine the process ability of the biocomposites. As the fiber loading in the biocomposites increases, the MFI values were decreased. The amount of water absorption was increased with the increases of PAPF loading due to the higher cellulose content. The biocomposites was buried in the soil for a month for biodegradation analysis and the highest PAPF/LDPE loading biocomposites degraded the most

Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

Technology Transfer Model for The Libyan Information and Communication Industry

This paper surveys the existing Technology transfer (TT) models developed across different industries. The aim is to develop and empirically test a model that describes the TT process of embracing foreign advanced technology by ICT and ICT-based SME projects in Libya. The developed model defines the following factors (enablers) that influence the ITT process, which is TT government support initiatives, transferor characteristics, transferee characteristics, TT environment, learning centers, and their respective sub-factors (variables). The outcome (achievements) factors are identified and explained through their relevant sub-factors. To verify the model and investigate the interrelations between the model’s factors a questionnaire survey was conducted in Libyan ICT projects where the TT process was involved. Statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the data collected. The respondents indicated that transferee’s characteristics were the most important factor with the highest impact that will result in an effective TT process. Moreover, the results showed that most factors chosen for this study are relevant towards an effective TT process. Economic development was perceived to be the most meaningful outcome of a successful TT process, followed by knowledge improvement, the firm’s performance, and development as well as the survival of ICT-based SMEs. This paper is a part of an ongoing study to develop ITT model for the Libyan ICT industry

Penyelesaian masalah data ketakpastian menggunakan splin-b kabur(Solving problems of uncertain data using fuzzy b-spline)

The construction of a geometric model in Computer Aided Geometrical Design (CAGD) with uncertain data points are difficult and challenging. In this paper, the construction of a fuzzy B-spline model as a mathematical representation for the curve of uncertain data using fuzzy control points and deffuzified control points is discussed. Cubic fuzzy B-spline or defuzzified B-spline curve for uncertainty data problems will be described using the cubic fuzzy B-spline approximation methods which are defined through fuzzy and defuzzification control points. For solving uncertain data, a method of fuzzification and defuzzification of component fuzzy (defuzzify) data point together with their model was introduce (Pembinaan model geometri berbantukan komputer (CAGD) dengan titik data yang mempunyai ketakpastian adalah sukar dan mencabar. Dalam kertas ini, pembinaan model splin-B kabur sebagai perwakilan matematik bagi lengkung dengan data ketakpastian menggunakan titik kawalan kabur dan titik kawalan penyahkaburan dibincangkan. Lengkung splin-B kabur atau splin-B penyahkaburan kubik untuk masalah data ketakpastian akan diperihalkan dengan menggunakan kaedah penghampiran splin-B kubik yang ditakrif menerusi titik kawalan kabur dan titik kawalan penyahkaburan. Bagi menyelesaikan masalah mengenai titik data ketakpastian pula, kaedah pengkaburan dan penyahkaburan titik data berkomponen kabur (penyahkaburan) beserta modelnya diperkenalkan. Bagi menguji tahap keberkesanan model, beberapa contoh lengkung simulasi data tersebut juga dibincangkan. Kata kunci: Data ketakpastian; penyahkaburan; splin-B kabur; titik kawalan kabur

Review on the Contracts Act 1950 : principles on communications / Jamaluddin Mohd Ali Jobran, Nur Athirah Md Jali and Sitizubaidah Zolkaply

This project paper is concerned on the principles on communication under the law of contract. Basically, Section 3 and Section 4 of the Contracts Act 1950 provide the rules on communication. However, the provisions are too general. It is unclear whether the provision governs both the general contract transaction and the electronic transaction or it just governs the general contract transaction. Furthermore, adding to the confusion is the enactment of Electronic Commerce Act 2006 which governs online contracts. Even though the act is recent but it has been commented to be out dated. The scope of this project paper analyses the comprehensiveness of the laws dealing with communication of offer and acceptance, specifically Contracts Act 1950 and Electronic Commerce Act 2006. This project paper also compares the development that has taken place in other countries such as Singapore, Scotland and Australia. Lastly, recommendations are proposed to review and reform the current contract law principles on communication of offer and acceptance