Fluorescence spectroscopy for analysing deterioration of palm olein in batch deep-fat frying

Palm olein has been commercially used as frying medium in batch deep-fat frying. During frying, the oil usually deteriorates due to the exposure to high temperature. In this study, a fluorescence spectroscopy technique was applied to monitor the deterioration of refined, bleached, and deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) in batch deep-fat frying. 22.5 kg of French fries were used as the frying material. In 30 batches, the french fries were intermittently fried at 185 ± 5°C for eight hours a day over five consecutive days capturing 40 hours. The fluorescence intensity of the RBDPO was recorded with excitation at 390 nm and resulting emission of 465 nm. The fluorescence intensity of the RBDPO over five days of frying decreased considering the wavelength range of emission 430-640 nm and excitation 360-430 nm. The decreased in intensity of fluorescence emission and excitation spectra were inversely correlated with the FFA content of the oil samples. This study demonstrates the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy in monitoring the deterioration of RBDPO during batch deep-fat frying

Examining the determination of flood victim’s knowledge sharing behavior: From the perspectives of social cognitive theory

During the occurrence of disaster, knowledge sharing plays as important role. Through effective knowledge sharing, it can help victims save lives; received immediate relief and support; and minimize the disaster effect. But lack of works has been done to examine the determinants of knowledge sharing within disaster management context.Therefore, this study aims to provide a better understanding of knowledge sharing during the occurrence of disaster.In order to examine the determinant of individual’s knowledge sharing behavior during the occurrence of disaster, the researcher will use social cognitive theory (SCT) to conceptualize a theoretical model for this study.This study holds self-efficacy, reciprocity, social support and social recognition as an influence individual in sharing knowledge during the occurrence of disaster.The methodology begins with constructing a questionnaire to investigate the theoretical model. The respondents are victims that have had experience in sharing knowledge during the flood.This study was used a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test causal relationships between constructs.Hopefully, by proposed theoretical model through this research can provide additional insight on what influence knowledge sharing behavior within disaster management context

Urban growth assessment and its impact on deforestation in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Urban areas are rapidly expanding due to population growth and development, leading to deforestation and land degradation. This study employed remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess urban growth and its impact on deforestation in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria within the last three decades (1986-2016). The study made use of Land sat images of four epochs; Thematic Mapper (TM) of 1986 and 1996, Enhanced Thematic Mapper of 2006, and Operational Land Imager (OLI) of 2016. Color compositions were made after which the images were geometrically and radio metrically restituted. The images were classified using maximum likelihood algorithm and the accuracy of the classification was assessed by cross-validation using confusion matrices and ground truthing by the use of a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). The classified images with their kappa indexes were TM of 1986 (0.83%) and 1996 (0.87%), ETM+ of 2006 (0.90%) and OLI of 2016 (0.92%), respectively. Post-classification comparisons and analyses were performed and the results revealed that changes have taken place in bare surface (+32.43%), built-up area (+565.24%), farm land (+66.42%), forest (-91.80%) and rock outcrop (-49.21%) in the metropolis between 1986 and 2016. The land cover features of the metropolis were reclassified into forest and non-forest for cross-tabulation analysis and the result of the analysis indicates a change-over of 14965.97Ha (39.68%) form forest to non-forest (deforestation) and that of 467.69Ha (1.24%) form non-forest to forest (afforestation) between 1986 and 2016. This shows a rapid increase in built-up area (urban growth) and rapid decrease in forest (deforestation), which may be attributed to lack of improper environmental protection strategy in place in the metropolis. The study demonstrates the potentialities of remote sensing and GIS in assessing urban growth and its impacts on deforestation. The outcome of the study can serve as input into a relationship model for predicting the impact of urban growth on deforestation

Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Musa acuminate cv. Berangan at different ripening stages

The physicochemical properties of Musa Acuminata cv. Berangan at different ripening stages (1, 2 and 3) were evaluated in the study. A visual attribute such as colour usually leads to misclassification as it can be subjected to different individual interpretation. Therefore, various measurements were conducted to determine the relationship between ripening stages and physicochemical properties of the fruit such as colour, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS) and firmness. Results showed that there were significant changes in physicochemical properties as ripening stages increased. Results also indicated that the correlations between ripening stages and firmness and pH values were statistically significant compared to other parameters. These relationships can be used to predict the related quality attributes of Berangan bananas

Examining the fit of social media as a tool to share disaster-related knowledge: From the perspective of task-technology fit theory

ICT is emerging as a process of knowledge-sharing without any physical and geographical constraints.ICT has successfully been used to disseminate knowledge during a constrained situation (i.e. disaster).In other words, ICT can be used to connect the public during a time of crisis.In Malaysia, the National Security Council(NSC) is one of the agencies responsible for managing disasters.Having a reputation as being a "champion of agencies", the NSC is responsible for providing a social media by which to share disaster-related knowledge with the public.Nevertheless, to what extent this social media actually supports the knowledge-sharing process is unknown.Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which a social media actually supports the knowledge-sharing process; a theory known as Task-Technology Fit (TTF) is adopted. The data will be collected by distributing questionnaires to the users who have experience in accessing the social media tools of the NSC to acquire disaster-related knowledge during the occurrence of a disaster (i.e. flood). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) will be used to analyze the data.The development of a theoretical research model will assist the agencies involved in disaster management to predict user evaluation of the social media tool in order to gather knowledge/information related to disasters

Satellite-based characterization of climatic conditions before large-scale general flowering events in Peninsular Malaysia

General flowering (GF) is a unique phenomenon wherein, at irregular intervals, taxonomically diverse trees in Southeast Asian dipterocarp forests synchronize their reproduction at the community level. Triggers of GF, including drought and low minimum temperatures a few months previously has been limitedly observed across large regional scales due to lack of meteorological stations. Here, we aim to identify the climatic conditions that trigger large-scale GF in Peninsular Malaysia using satellite sensors, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), to evaluate the climatic conditions of focal forests. We observed antecedent drought, low temperature and high photosynthetic radiation conditions before large-scale GF events, suggesting that large-scale GF events could be triggered by these factors. In contrast, we found higher-magnitude GF in forests where lower precipitation preceded large-scale GF events. GF magnitude was also negatively influenced by land surface temperature (LST) for a large-scale GF event. Therefore, we suggest that spatial extent of drought may be related to that of GF forests, and that the spatial pattern of LST may be related to that of GF occurrence. With significant new findings and other results that were consistent with previous research we clarified complicated environmental correlates with the GF phenomenon