Characterization and biodegradation of poly (vinyl alcohol)/cassava starch

A series of poly (vinyl alcohol)/cassava starch (PVA/CS) blends at 50, 60, 70 and 80 wt.% cassava starch contents were prepared in one-step compounding process. One step compounding means, all blends were compound together without solely plasticized PVA or cassava starch at beginning. All blends were characterized and testing accordingly. In this research, comparison between one-step compounding and two-step compounding (plasticized PVA/CS at the beginning) were tested by tensile strength. It shows that their tensile strengths were comparatively higher than the two-step compounding process of PVA/CS blends. In term of impact test, it indicates that CS acts as non-reinforcing filler. The compatibility of PVA/CS represents the similarity functional group and possess same polar group. Studies on thermal stability and crystallinity shows, increasing the cassava starch loading in PVA matrix, has reduced the enthalpy of melting point as well as degree of crystallinity. The onset degradation had shifted to a higher temperature when a higher percentage of cassava starch was used in PVA matrix. This is due to cyclic hemiacetal had been introduced into PVA blend by cassava starch. It resist to thermal attack. In biodegradability test, several factors have been determined to evaluate the rate of biodegradation. Increase the humidity as well as increasing the cassava starch loading in PVA matrix will improve the susceptibility contact of microorganism onto the surface of PVA/CS blend. Aspergillus Oryzae had been selected as a good reagent used to degrade the sample of PVA/CS blend compared to Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens and effective microorganism. The biodegradation process of PVA/CS blends in anaerobic condition is much more faster compared to aerobic conditions

A study of water-mist recirculation system for filtration and cooling effect in the kitchen hood ventilation system

Water-mist spray system in several heavy-duty kitchen hood canopies are installed to efficiently control the high heat loads and grease emissions produced from the cooking process and for safety purposes. Cold water is used in the water�mist system and work as a mist curtain inside the exhaust plenum of the canopy. The main purpose of this study is to reduce the water consumption by introducing the water-mist recirculation system to replace the current method water-mist system since it is working as water loss. A standard ASTM 2519 and UL 1046 full-scaled experiment was developed in the laboratory. An existing Halton Europe/Asian water�mist operating system was adopted in this study. Twelve (12) cycles (at 24 hours water-mist activation) has been studied to determine the maximum water-mist activation cycle. The data was collected at two (2) hours water-mist activation at every water-mist recirculation cycle. The water-mist spray fluids viscosity is 0.7 cP from fresh water until the 4th cycle (8 hours water-mist spray) and increase 14.29% (0.8 cP) at 5th cycle to 12th cycle. On average, the difference in gas emissions percentage for CO concentration between fresh water until 4th cycle is 10.81 – 18.92% while the CO2 concentration is 12.33 – 18.22%. On average, the difference in cooling effects percentage for ducting temperature between fresh water until 4th cycle was 5.55% while the hood temperature was 2.33%. From the study, the water-mist recirculation system could save up to 611,667 liter per year and 466,798.5 liter per year water for all U.S, European, and Asian kitchen hood designs per hood length. By adopting the new water-mist recirculation system to the current water-mist kitchen hood, the water operational cost for water successfully reduced to RM 4,889.63 per year and RM 6,977.86 per year for U.S design and European or Asian design per hood length respectively. The water-mist recirculation system has great potential to improve the current water-mist system for the commercial kitchen hoo

The organizational implications of medical imaging in the context of Malaysian hospitals

This research investigated the implementation and use of medical imaging in the context of Malaysian hospitals. In this report medical imaging refers to PACS, RIS/HIS and imaging modalities which are linked through a computer network. The study examined how the internal context of a hospital and its external context together influenced the implementation of medical imaging, and how this in turn shaped organizational roles and relationships within the hospital itself. It further investigated how the implementation of the technology in one hospital affected its implementation in another hospital. The research used systems theory as the theoretical framework for the study. Methodologically, the study used a case-based approach and multiple methods to obtain data. The case studies included two hospital-based radiology departments in Malaysia. The outcomes of the research suggest that the implementation of medical imaging in community hospitals is shaped by the external context particularly the role played by the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, influences from both the internal and external contexts have a substantial impact on the process of implementing medical imaging and the extent of the benefits that the organization can gain. In the context of roles and social relationships, the findings revealed that the routine use of medical imaging has substantially affected radiographers’ roles, and the social relationships between non clinical personnel and clinicians. This study found no change in the relationship between radiographers and radiologists. Finally, the approaches to implementation taken in the hospitals studied were found to influence those taken by other hospitals. Overall, this study makes three important contributions. Firstly, it extends Barley’s (1986, 1990) research by explicitly demonstrating that the organization’s internal and external contexts together shape the implementation and use of technology, that the processes of implementing and using technology impact upon roles, relationships and networks and that a role-based approach alone is inadequate to examine the outcomes of deploying an advanced technology. Secondly, this study contends that scalability of technology in the context of developing countries is not necessarily linear. Finally, this study offers practical contributions that can benefit healthcare organizations in Malaysia

Malay, Chinese, and internet banking

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impact of cultural traits on the intention to use internet banking. Drawing from the technology acceptance model and trust literature, the paper examines the influence of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust on the intention to use internet banking among Malay and Chinese ethnic groups. Design/methodology/approach: The questionnaire was distributed to final year business students and Master of Business Administration students at four public universities in Malaysia. A separate multiple regression was employed to analyze the data for each ethnic group. Findings: For both ethnic groups, the results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust, all have significant effect on the intention to use internet banking. Further examination of the regression coefficients revealed the cultural traits that may explain the extent to which they influence factors that affect the intention to use. Research limitations/implications: Respondents of this study were students. This factor may decrease generalizability of the study because students' interest on the use of internet banking may be different from those of the general public. One research implication of this study is that there is a need to consider the role of culture in examining factors that affect behavioral intention. Practical implications: Banks need to highlight the benefits of internet banking, make internet banking easy to use, and enhance internet banking's security to improve consumers' trust. Given the fact that culture affects one's behavior, each customer group needs to be evaluated differently and the "one-size-fit-all" approach to encourage internet banking usage should be avoided. Originality/value: This paper attempts to link cultural traits that may explain the extent to which it influences factors that affect the intention to use internet banking

Korelasi antara eko inovasi dan prestasi kelestarian organisasi

Malaysia merupakan sebuah negara yang maju dan telah mencapai pembangunan sosioekonomi pada masa kini. Walau bagaimanapun, Malaysia masih menghadapi beberapa cabaran dalam menguruskan alam sekitar iaitu isu perubahan iklim. Isu perubahan iklim ini adalah isu alam sekitar pada masa kini yang semakin mendapat perhatian oleh masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Terdapat beberapa isu alam sekitar iaitu hujan asid, penipisan lapisan ozon, pemanasan global, dan pencemaran air. Isu alam sekitar ini semakin berleluasa di seluruh dunia dan semakin ramai institusi serta individu cuba untuk menangani masalah ini (Cordano et al., 2010)

Magnesium doped calcium phosphate sodium alginate biocomposite for bone implant application

Calcium phosphate (CaP) usually been used for bone implant application due to the similarity mineral in natural bone and it is bioactive and biocompatible material. However, CaP has low mechanical strength under load bearing condition and limited on certain application only. Therefore, sodium alginate (SA), a natural polymer is combined with CaP and doped with magnesium (Mg) to improve the properties of the CaP. CaP/SA biocomposite was successfully prepared by using precipitation method with different ratio of CaP/SA (100/0, 99/1, 97/3, 95/5, 90/10, and 80/20). 95/5 ratio of CaP/SA which the optimum properties of density, hardness, and microstructure analysis was selected to doped with Mg. The composite was then doped with different weight percentage of Mg (0 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 1.5 wt%, and 2.0 wt%) by using similar method. From FTIR analysis, the addition of Mg in CaP was observed decreasing the phosphate group intensity due to substitution of Mg in CaP that also supported in XRD analysis where new phase was formed in Mg doping that belongs to Mg-whitlockite (Ca2.71Mg0.29(PO4)2. Furthermore, the addition of SA and Mg was confirmed by EDS analysis where the mass percentage of these elements were increased as increasing the SA and Mg content. Microstructure from SEM has shown formation small and large grain with average grain size obtained 2.61 μm which leds to the strong bonding resulted maximum hardness at 5.34GPa after doped with 1.5wt%. The density also improved at similar weight percentage with 2.92g/cm3. From the result, 1.5wt% Mg that has been doped with 95/5 CaP/SA was showed the best combination based on physical and mechanical properties

Advertizing, concentration and profitability in Malaysian manufacturing revisited: A simultaneous equation approach

The original Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) paradigm that postulates a unidirectional relationship between concentration, advertizing and profitability had been used as the theoretical framework for many empirical works in industrial organizations before the mid seventies. Thereafter, doubts had begun to surface over the unidirectional postulate and there is new theory suggesting simultaneous interdependence. Unfortunately, not only are Malaysian studies in this area few and far between (exhaustive literature review yields only three published studies namely, Gan and Tham, 1977; Gan, 1978; and Rugayah, 1992), they also failed to incorporate the more recent theoretical development on the simultaneity of effects. This paper revisits the SCP paradigm as applied to the relationship among concentration, advertizing and profitability by conducting an empirical test that allows for simultaneous interdependence among variables. A set of three equations was estimated using three stage least squares (3SLS). The results provide considerable support to the feed forward and feedback effects between the three variables. Advertizing intensity exerts a significant influence on profit and concentration in the industry and there exists a feedback effect running from concentration to advertizing intensity. This finding suggests that advertizing does have an anti-competitive impact on the industry and therefore has a direct bearing on competition policy analysis

Antarctica

His Majesty’s Visit to Antarctica This is photographic journey of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di–Pertuan Agong Al–Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al–Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al–Muktafi Billah Shah, Yang DiPertuan Agong XIII of Malaysia to Antarctica. It tells of His Majesty’s personal reflections and impressions through interviews with Prof. Dato’ Dr. Azizan Abu Samah and Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd. Nor. His Majesty expressed admiration for the scientific research being undertaken by Malaysian scientists and their international counterparts on that cold continent and hoped that more Malaysian scientist will commit to undertake research in Antarctica. During the visit to Scott and Shackelton Huts, His Majesty admired and respected the courage and tenacity of the early explorers to that icy continent before the discovery of modern travel and technologies. His Majesty also expressed his admiration of the scientists who had dedicated their careers to research on the icy continent. This book also given a brief description of the Antarctic continent, the highest, driest and coldest continent in the world. It also tells about the Antarctic Treaty System and Malaysia’s involvement in Antarctic research. It concludes with a brief look at the future now that Malaysia has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System

Content-based indexing of low resolution documents

In any multimedia presentation, the trend for attendees taking pictures of slides that interest them during the presentation using capturing devices is gaining popularity. To enhance the image usefulness, the images captured could be linked to image or video database. The database can be used for the purpose of file archiving, teaching and learning, research and knowledge management, which concern image search. However, the above-mentioned devices include cameras or mobiles phones have low resolution resulted from poor lighting and noise. Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) is considered among the most interesting and promising fields as far as image search is concerned. Image search is related with finding images that are similar for the known query image found in a given image database. This thesis concerns with the methods used for the purpose of identifying documents that are captured using image capturing devices. In addition, the thesis also concerns with a technique that can be used to retrieve images from an indexed image database. Both concerns above apply digital image processing technique. To build an indexed structure for fast and high quality content-based retrieval of an image, some existing representative signatures and the key indexes used have been revised. The retrieval performance is very much relying on how the indexing is done. The retrieval approaches that are currently in existence including making use of shape, colour and texture features. Putting into consideration these features relative to individual databases, the majority of retrievals approaches have poor results on low resolution documents, consuming a lot of time and in the some cases, for the given query image, irrelevant images are obtained. The proposed identification and indexing method in the thesis uses a Visual Signature (VS). VS consists of the captures slides textual layout’s graphical information, shape’s moment and spatial distribution of colour. This approach, which is signature-based are considered for fast and efficient matching to fulfil the needs of real-time applications. The approach also has the capability to overcome the problem low resolution document such as noisy image, the environment’s varying lighting conditions and complex backgrounds. We present hierarchy indexing techniques, whose foundation are tree and clustering. K-means clustering are used for visual features like colour since their spatial distribution give a good image’s global information. Tree indexing for extracted layout and shape features are structured hierarchically and Euclidean distance is used to get similarity image for CBIR. The assessment of the proposed indexing scheme is conducted based on recall and precision, a standard CBIR retrieval performance evaluation. We develop CBIR system and conduct various retrieval experiments with the fundamental aim of comparing the accuracy during image retrieval. A new algorithm that can be used with integrated visual signatures, especially in late fusion query was introduced. The algorithm has the capability of reducing any shortcoming associated with normalisation in initial fusion technique. Slides from conferences, lectures and meetings presentation are used for comparing the proposed technique’s performances with that of the existing approaches with the help of real data. This finding of the thesis presents exciting possibilities as the CBIR systems is able to produce high quality result even for a query, which uses low resolution documents. In the future, the utilization of multimodal signatures, relevance feedback and artificial intelligence technique are recommended to be used in CBIR system to further enhance the performance

Kompetensi pembimbing syarikat bertauliah Sistem Latihan Dual Nasional (SLDN)

Sistem Latihan Dual Nasional (SLDN) merupakan satu sistem latihan dan usahasama antara sektor awam dan sektor swasta dilaksanakan untuk melahirkan tenaga mahir k-worker selari dengan keperluan industri masa kini untuk membangunkan ekonomi negara. Pihak kerajaan dan syarikat swasta menaja pekerja pilihan mereka sebagai pelatih dalam sistem latihan ini bagi mempertingkatkan kebolehan pekerja mereka. Selain itu, pelatih juga terdiri daripada pelajar yang tidak dapat melanjutkan pelajaran ke mana-mana institusi pengajian tinggi awam mahupun swasta. Sistem ini menjalankan pendekatan day release iaitu pelatih menjalani latihan selama empat hari di industri dan satu hari di institusi latihan atau block release iaitu pelatih menjalani latihan kemahiran di industri empat bulan dan satu bulan di institusi latihan mengikut kesesuaian industri tersebut. Kajian berbentuk deskriptif dijalankan untuk melihat melihat tahap kompetensi pembimbing SLDN. Selain itu juga, kajian ini dijalankan bagi melihat perbezaan terhadap tahap pengetahuan, kemahiran dan sikap pembimbing SLDN berdasarkan jantina. Kajian ini juga dibuat bagi menentukan hubungan kompetensi pembimbing berdasarkan pengalaman bekerja. Penyelidikan tinjauan deskriptif ini menggunakan borang soal selidik sebagai instrumen kajian berskala Likert. Seramai 84 orang responden yang terdiri daripada pembimbing syarikat bertauliah SLDN terlibat di dalam kajian ini. Data dianalisis menggunakan SPSS versi 16.0. Hasil analisis mendapati pembimbing mempunyai pengetahuan yang tinggi di samping kemahiran dan sikap. Keputusan inferensi pula menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan antara tahap pengetahuan, kemahiran dan sikap pembimbing berdasarkan jantina manakala analisis korelasi Pearson menunjukkan tidak terdapat hubungan antara kompetensi pembimbing berdasarkan pengalaman bekerja