Solid polymer electrolytes electrolytes based Poly
(ethylene oxide) (PEO) complexed with sodium
trifluoromethanesulfonate (NaCF3SO3
) salt were prepared by
using solution cast technique. Ion-polymer ionic conductivity
and interaction studies have been reported by Electrical
Impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR studies suggested that there are
stronger interaction between Na+
ions and the polymer than
interaction of anions cations of the salt. The temperature
dependance electrical conductivity of polymer electrolytes films
follow Arrhenius relation and the low activation energy 0.2993
eV was observed for PEO-18 wt. % NaCF3SO3 below 323 K.
Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CFRE) is commonly been used in automotive and aviation industries. However, CFRE composite exhibits the problem of adherence between fiber and matrix. The interface between carbon fiber (CF) and epoxy becomes a weak zone and leads to the debonding defect of fiber and low mechanical properties of composites. The main focus of this study is to fabricate CFRE using carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as the hybrid reinforcement with CF. Ultrasonic method is used to disperse CNTs in distilled water for 20 minutes, followed by deposition of CNTs on CF using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. Hand lay-up assisted vacuum bagging is employed to fabricate CNTs/CF/Epoxy composite. From morphologies, surface topography and peel off testing, it can be confirmed that 30 minutes deposition allowed more CNTs to deposit on CF. The flexural properties shows that 30 minutes deposition inherited high flexural strength, 67.4 MPa and modulus, 8490 MPa.
A concern in breast cancer involves changes in weight which may adversely affect the prognosis of patients. This
study intended to evaluate weight changed uring chemotherapy and its association with prognostic outcome
measured as event-free survival (EFS)among breast cancer patients. A total of63 women diagnosed with breast cancer
and have been treated by anthracycline-based chemotherapy between 2005 and 2011were included.A weight change
(WC) was calculated based on relative percentage of weight changes from baseline to post-chemotherapy and
categorized into either weight change (WC >5%) or stable (±5% WC).Survival probabilities were estimated using the
Kaplan-Meier (SPSS 20). Upon treatment completion, 42.9% of the women experienced weight changes. A small
weight reduction was observed (61.1 ± 11.6kg to 60.2 ± 11.9kg; -0.8 ± 4.0kg; p=0.106). The median EFS of women who
experienced weight change was shorter (median 61.0 months) compared to those who maintained their weight
(median 89.0 months) (p=0.044). In this study, weight changes during breast cancer chemotherapy were associated
with poorer prognosis in comparison to women who maintained their weight.
Takaful, the Islamic alternative to conventional insurance, is based on the concept of social solidarity, cooperation and mutual indemnification of losses of members. The ‘transparency’ offered in the Takaful system will eliminates the elements of gharar (uncertainty), maisir (gambling) and riba (usury). Due to the dynamicity and complexity of cash flows in the Takaful system, the application of system dynamic approach is used in order to discover any possible internal and external impacts in the assumptions used in determining contributions rate from the participants. The traditional approach, which is the deterministic approach, has limitations where changes of the actual experience may cause operators to stop issuing the contract or product. Using system dynamic, these possible effects from the actual experience can be determined in terms of the amounts transferred to shareholder’s fund and results obtained can assist the management to decide which assumptions to be used so that the operators will continue solvent and making profit at the same time. The results of System Dynamic simulation analysis in this paper represent the impacts of component changes in the Takaful model. The results can be used as decision tools for the Takaful operators to determine the best assumptions and strategies in order to maximise their profits.
The aim of this study is to develop bioplastic film from a combination of two biopolymers of same
source, namely banana peel and corn starch. Five banana peel films (BP film) were prepared with
different concentrations of corn starch (1% up to 5%) as co-biopolymer and film without corn
starch acted as a control. The films were carried out with several durability tests and
characterization analyses. Based on the results obtained, the BP film with 4% corn starch gave the
highest tensile strength 34.72 N/m2 compared to other samples. The water absorption test showed
that BP films with 3% corn starch were resistant to water uptake by absorbing water up to 60.65%.
In terms of characterization, spectra of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) obtained
for BP control film and BP film with 4% corn starch were comparable with most of the peaks were
present. The thermal analysis by differential screening calorimetric (DSC) detected the melting
temperature for both BP control film and BP film with 4% corn respectively at Tonset of 54.41°C
and 67.83°C. Overall, combination of starches from two different sources can be used as an
alternative in producing bioplastics.
The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between self-concept, family
relationship quality and externalizing behavior problem (aggressive behavior and delinquency
behavior) among adolescents in Selangor. Besides that, this study also to determine the level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality and externalizing behavior among secondary school students as
well as to compare the differences between these three variables according to sex. A total of 400
students (nmale =53%, nfemale=47%) from secondary schools were selected in this study. The multi-stage
cluster sampling technique was used during sample selection. Data were obtained from selfadministered
questionnaire that are consist of Individual Protective Factors Index Questionnaire
(1992), Family Relationship Characteristics (1997), Aggression Scale (2001) and Problem Behavior
Frequency Scale (1977). The findings revealed that majority of students have moderate level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality as well as externalizing behavior. In terms of sex differences, the
results showed that family belief, family structure and externalizing behavior have significant
differences according to sex (t= -4.393 to 7.588, p
his paper presents the structure and static model of engine camshaft analysis. For the purposes of this analysis, the finite element method is used. Camshaft is one of the critical components for effective and precise work of internal combustion engines. This camshaft rotates at high speed causing pressure and vibration in the system. Camshafts are also subject to varying fatigue burden due to cam plunger contact. These precise values are required to be determined to prevent failure in the camshaft. The objective of the project is to model and to perform pressure analysis on the camshaft machine. In this project the standard engine cam shafts are modeled and analyzed using the CATIA V5R21 software respectively. This model is created by the basic requirements of the engine. It is done with an existing background, such as the power of acting on cam by means of a valve while running at maxi mum speed. Here the approach becomes fully CAE based. CAE - based approaches enrich Research and limit the time span. A study was conducted to predict the behavior of the different camshafts structure of the material using the finite three - dimensional pressure of the element. Four types of materials such as Steel, Titanium, Aluminum and Magnesium are taken into account. FEA Stress and maximum displacement decisions are calculated and compared to all of the above materials. The conclusion is to focus on the material suitable for the camshaft to reduce the maximum displacement and weight. Titanium materials become the best material for camshaft manufacturing based on analysis.
Cement industry contributes to the major constituent of airborne dust in the atmosphere. This study aims to determine the level of respirable cement dust exposure associated with workers’ respiratory health. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 84 administration workers as the comparative group and 84 manufacturing workers as the exposed group. Method: A set of validated questionnaires was used to obtain some pertained background information as well as respiratory symptoms among the respondents. Personal Air Sampling Pump was used for assessing personal exposure towards cement dust in 8 hours. For lung function performance, a Spirometry test was carried out and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) test was conducted to assess airway inflammation. Results: The median for personal exposure level to respirable dust of manufacturing workers was 2.68 (5.90) mg/m3 with range 0.351 to 10.60 mg/m3. The lung function abnormality among the manufacturing workers was FVC% (PR=3.82, 95% CI=1.52-9.58) and FEV1% (PR=5.16, 95% CI=1.65-16.10). Cough was reported to occur the most likely among the manufacturing workers (PR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12-5.15). After adjusting the smoking status, the prevalence of phlegm and cough were 35.7% and 29.8% respectively. 16.7% of manufacturing workers recorded a high level of FENO. The increasing exposure to respirable dust significantly reduces the FVC% of manufacturing workers (r=-0.36, p=0.05). Conclusion: The personal exposure to respirable cement dust increases the risk of lung impairment by highly developing respiratory health symptoms, reducing lung function level and increasing the higher level of airway inflammation among highly exposed workers.
This study aimed to identify the exposure levels of traffic air pollutants specifically PM10, benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) among traffic policemen and the risks to their respiratory health. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 42 traffic policemen and 42 desk-bound policemen as the exposed and comparative groups respectively. Methods: The questionnaire adapted from the American Thoracic Society for Adult Respiratory Health Disease (ATS-DLD) to obtain socio-demographic and respiratory symptoms data. A spirometer (Chestgraph Hi-105) was used to perform lung function test. A personal air sampling pump was used to measure the personal exposure level to PM10. A Ppbrae 3000 was used to measure the outdoor and indoor concentration of BTX during morning and afternoon peak hours respectively. Results: The mean personal exposure level of PM10 among the traffic policemen was 150.14 ± 130.66 μg/m3 compared to only 84.14 ± 94.11 μg/m3 in the comparative group. The short exposures to BTX at the roadsides were found to be slightly higher in the afternoons than in the mornings. Indoor offices air concentrations were only detectable for benzene while the mornings and afternoons values for toluene and xylene were below the detection limits. A median concentration of benzene documented significantly higher at the selected of sampling roadsides areas (median=0.157 ppm) than indoor office areas (median=0.071 ppm). Conclusion: The respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the comparative group which they were 3.9, 4.1, and 3.5 times more likely to develop cough, wheezing, and breathlessness respectively.
Peningkatan aktiviti perbandaran dan perindustrian telah mencetuskan masalah pengurusan sisa pepejal. Sebagai usaha penyelesaian, pendekatan bersepadu telah dipilih bagi menguruskan sisa pepejal. Membangunkan dan melaksanakan rancangan pengurusan sisa pepejal bersepadu perlu melibatkan gabungan teknologi dan pilihan yang sesuai dengan keadaan dan undang-undang tempatan. Kajian ini menunjukkan Proses Analisis Hierarki (PAH) berpotensi sebagai kaedah membuat keputusan yang boleh digunakan dalam proses pemilihan teknologi pengurusan sisa pepejal. Tiga aras hierarki dibangunkan dengan matlamat di aras tertinggi, diikuti oleh kriteria dan alternatif. Dengan menggunakan teknik ini, penentuan keutamaan untuk semua teknologi pengurusan sisa pepejal yang dipertimbangkan akan ditentukan dan teknologi dengan nilai keutamaan tertinggi lebih sesuai untuk dibangunkan. Analisis sensitiviti dilakukan bagi menguji sensitiviti keputusan akhir terhadap perubahan kecil penilaian. Aplikasi PAH dalam menentukan keutamaan proses pemilihan teknologi pengurusan sisa pepejal diperjelaskan dalam kajian ini berdasarkan kepada kajian kes di Majlis Perbandaran Port Dickson. Hasil analisis menunjukkan kombinasi teknologi kitar semula dan pengkomposan sesuai diaplikasikan di daerah Port Dickson.
Clinical education provides students with opportunities to integrate knowledge and skills at progressively higher levels of performance. This study determined the significant events that undergraduate physiotherapy student reflects on during their clinical experiences as they learn to become a physiotherapist. A qualitative study using reflective instruments of structured debriefing sessions and diary writing was carried out. This involves 25 fourth-year students from the Faculty
of Health Sciences, UKM during their 12 weeks of clinical placements in 3 different modules (first semester). They were required to describe an event, its value and their reaction to it, and to discuss the effect of the new learning experience and how it would influence their respond in the future. Our findings confirmed that the process of writing a diary makes a considerable impact to the student experience during clinical placement. The subjects begin to construct a personal identity of becoming a physiotherapist through the process of developing confidence, confirmation of practices and assimilating of knowledge. In conclusion, the main themes generated from a reflective diary included their reflection of personal growth, on how they learnt in a clinical setting, and on the ethical and professional behaviors of themselves and colleagues. This provides the clinical educators with valuable information to design meaningful clinical learning experiences that would assist students to become a good physiotherapist for the future.
This preliminary study aimed to isolate and identify microbes that inhabit the coelomic fluid of two local species of sea cucumbers collected from Malaysian waters - a ‘gamat’ species i.e. Stichopus chloronotus Brandt, 1835 and the most abundant ‘timun laut’ species in Malaysia i.e. Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota (Brandt 1835). Phylogenetic analyses of partial 16S rRNA mtDNA gene sequences suggested the presence of at least eight microbial genera i.e. five bacterial genera - Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas and Vibrio - isolated from the coelomic fluid of H. leucospilota and three genera of gram-positive bacteria from the Micrococcaceae family - Kytococcus, Micrococcus and either Kocuria or Rothia - isolated from the coelomic fluid of S. chloronotus. We speculate that less diverse microbial population in S. chloronotus as compared to H. leucospilota could be due to a number of environmental factors e.g. penetration of light surrounding the habitats of both species, the feeding behaviour of H. leucospilota and the higher level of antimicrobial properties of coelomic fluid in S. chloronotus. In terms of antimicrobial-resistance capability test, an isolate from genus Pseudomonas that is suspected to be P. alcaligenes exhibited high resistance towards streptomycin. Another isolate from genus Stenotrophomonas that was suspected to be S. maltophilia showed moderate resistance towards streptomycin and lower resistance towards kanamycin. Both isolates were from the coelomic fluid of H. leucospilota. Tetracycline inhibited the growth of all bacterial isolates tested. Further studies with more specimens of S. choronotus and H. leucospilota from broader geographical locations and the use of complete mtDNA genes along with morphological approaches for species identification may facilitate to provide better insights into the microbial population in the coelomic fluid of both local sea cucumber species.
Pada umumnya, proses sol–gel melibatkan peralihan dari sistem larutan cecair iaitu “sol” ke fasa pepejal yang disebut “gel”. Dalam kajian ini filem nipis Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 (BST) telah dihasilkan dengan menggunakan kaedah sol-gel menggunakan Ba(C4H6O4), Sr(CH3CO2)4 dan (Ti(OCHCH3)2)4. Filem yang terhasil disepuhlindap pada suhu 6000C, 6500C dan 7000C selama 1 jam dalam persekitaran udara biasa. Mikrostruktur, morfologi dan komposisi unsur filem tersepuhlindap ditentukan menggunakan XRD, AFM dan EDS. Dari hasil pencirian diperoleh semakin tinggi suhu sepuhlindap penghabluran filem dan kekasaran permukaan semakin meningkat. Nisbah Ba/Sr berkurangan dengan kenaikan suhu sepuhlindap.
This paper describes the effect of pro-degradant additives (PDA) on photo-oxidative aging of polypropylene (PP) films after being time accelerated in UV-weathering chamber. Thin films (0.12 mm) containing these additives were prepared by sheeting process. The effect of UV on PP films in the presence of these additives was investigated. Changes in the PP films appearance, tensile properties and carbonyl index (CI) were used to investigate the degradation behavior. The films became completely pulverised after 100 h of photo-oxidative treatment and could not be tested further. Films containing PDA showed rapid loss in tensile properties within 100 h of photo-oxidative aging. In addition, the CI results of photo-oxidative films increased with increasing PDA amount within the time interval of aging and the activity was due to the mechanism reaction of PP with PDA particles. During the aging process the material becomes denser due to tighter packing and incorporation of oxygen into the amorphous regions of the polymer. The results indicated that the presence of PDA contributed to the photo degradation and the activity was very much influenced by the amount PDA.
Kajian pengetahuan pemakanan dalam kalangan pelbagai kumpulan populasi kerap dilaporkan tetapi kajian berkaitan dalam kalangan tentera jarang dilaporkan. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan tahap pengetahuan pemakanan dan amalan penggunaan suplemen dalam kalangan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM). Sejumlah 909 anggota TLDM berpangkalan di Lumut, Kuantan dan Johor terlibat dalam kajian ini. Soal selidik digunakan bagi menentukan latar belakang, ciri-ciri sosio demografi, pengetahuan pemakanan dan penggunaan suplemen. Pengukuran antropometri yang dijalankan termasuk berat dan tinggi. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa min skor pengetahuan pemakanan subjek ialah 62.5% iaitu pada tahap pengetahuan sederhana. Min skor pengetahuan pemakanan adalah lebih tinggi dalam kalangan anggota di Pangkalan Lumut, lebih berusia, lebih berpendidikan, berpangkat pegawai dan berat badan berlebihan. Sumber maklumat pemakanan yang paling popular ialah televisyen/radio (27.3%), kursus/seminar (24.9%) dan doktor/jururawat (21.6%). Sejumlah 36% subjek melaporkan menggunakan sekurang-kurangnya satu atau lebih suplemen dalam seminggu dan ini termasuk 5.8% yang menggunakannya setiap hari. Kajian asas ini dijangka memberikan maklumat berguna kepada Angkatan Tentera Malaysia dan adalah dicadangkan pendidikan pemakanan perlu diperkenalkan dalam program latihan anggota TLDM bagi memastikan status kesihatan anggota sentiasa terpelihara.
Tropical forests are highly diverse and provide a great deal of economic value. They play an important role in providing goods and services which contribute to long-term social benefits in local communities. This study was carried out to examine the tree composition and estimate its economic value of timber resources in a lowland coastal forest. Four one ha plots were established in Pasir Tengkorak Forest Reserve in Langkawi, Kedah and the subplots measuring 10 × 10 m were established in each plot. All trees greater than 1 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) were identified and the parameters measured included tree height and diameter. The species diversity indices obtained for all four plots were relatively high. The Simpson’s index of diversity ranges from 0.946 to 0.969, while the Shannon-Weiner index (H’) ranges from 3.808 to 5.616. The Simpson’s measure of evenness (1/D) ranges from 0.239 to 0.563 suggesting that species evenness in the four ha plots were low. Stumpage value of timber in the study area was quite high with average value of RM33,600.46 per ha. Regression analysis showed that the relationship between stumpage value and species diversity was significant at the 5% level.
Benthic dinoflagellates are known to occur in the water column. The reason they can be found in different parts of the ecosystem is not clear. This study aims to determine the species and the cell abundance of benthic dinoflagellates in the water column and macrophytes collected from two different locations i.e. semi-enclosed lagoon and open coastal waters. The physico-chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen) and nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) were determined. Results showed that in the lagoon, the most abundant dinoflagellate species on the macrophytes was also the most abundant dinoflagellate species in the water column. The species that dominated the water column and marophytes in the lagoon was Bysmatrum caponii. In the coastal area the trend was not clear. Coolia dominated the macrophytes whereas Peridinium quinquecorne dominated the water column. The physico-chemical parameters determined were similar at both sites except for nutrients. Results show that type of substrates and different geomorphology effects benthic dinoflagellates cell abundance in the macrophytes and water column.
This study aims to identify the relationship between personality traits and job performance among educator leaders in High Performance Schools (HPS). Two sets of questionnaires were used in this study, namely questionnaire Five-Factor Model of Personality (NEO PI-R) for measuring personality and instrument of job performance for measuring the performance of individual work. These questionnaires were distributed to 306 head teachers (89%) in 15 HPS in Malaysia. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between personality traits such as Conscientiousness (r = .740, p
Thermal stratification in lakes is an important natural process that can have a significant effect on the water resource quality. The potential changes in chemical contents in water resulting from stratification are the production of ammonia, sulphides and algal nutrients and the increasing concentrations of iron and manganese. One of the water supply reservoirs located in Johor, Malaysia facing with high iron and manganese concentrations associated with the period of stratifications. This study showed that the level of thermal stratification in the reservoir varied at different time of the year. During the strongest period of stratification, the dissolved oxygen content was found to diminish significantly with depth and iron and manganese were recorded at the highest concentrations. Although significant period of rainfalls contributed to the natural destratification of reservoir, lower concentrations of iron and manganese only remained for a shorter period before the concentrations continued to increase with the onset of the thermal stratification. A good understanding on the behaviour of the reservoir may help to identify several measures for the improvement of water quality.
Vermicomposting for 140 days by using Lumbricus rubellus was conducted after 21 days of natural pre-composting. Five treatments in different ratio of goat manure: spent mushroom substrate were prepared as feed materials with four replicates for each treatment namely; 20:80 (TA), 40:60 (TB), 50:50 (TC), 60:40 (TD) and 80:20 (TE). As for control, each treatment without earthworm was prepared. On the basis of nutrient elements, goat manure and spent mushroom substrate can be decomposed through both methods of vermicomposting and natural composting. Findings of this study indicated that the higher usage of goat manure with longer duration resulted in the production of improved organic fertilizer.