A conditional expectation operator plays an important role in geometry of Banach spaces. However, the main issue
is with regards to the existence of a conditional expectation operator that permits other objects to be considered
such as martingales and martingale convergence theorems. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide an abstract
characterization of a conditional expectation operator on a space of measurable sections.
MeSH terms: Histological Techniques; Mathematics; Probability
Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibres were pretreated by gamma irradiation followed by sodium carbonate (Na2
CO3
)
before the acid hydrolysis process to produce reducing sugars using diluted sulphuric acid (H2
SO4
). In this study, EFB
fibres were irradiated at different doses, i.e. 0, 100 and 200 kGy. Meanwhile, the gamma irradiated sample were then
subjected to Na2
CO3 pretreatment with 0 and 5% total titratable alkali (TTA). The effect of the pretreatment using gamma
irradiation and Na2
CO3
on the physical and chemical properties of the EFB fibres and the yield of the reducing sugar
obtained from the acid hydrolysis process was investigated. The obtained results showed that the content of holocellulose
was increased significantly with the increase of irradiation doses combined with Na2
CO3 pretreatment, whereas lignin
content of the EFB was decreased. The gamma irradiation and Na2
CO3 pretreatment resulted in structure breakage
and removal of silica of EFB fibres which can be due to the swelling of the fibres. A synergistic effect between gamma
irradiation and Na2
CO3 was observed, in which the yield of reducing sugars was increased by combining the gamma
irradiation and Na2
CO3 pretreatment.
The functionalization of surface charges on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers was modified by grafted carboxylic
acid and polymer amine groups. Single and binary adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II), Mo(VI) and As(V) were investigated
by competitiveness in the adsorbents. The mechanism of each metal ion was deliberately studied on kinetics-diffusion
(intraparticle diffusion) and isotherm adsorption models (Langmuir and Freundlich). Competitiveness of metal ions was
found in the selectivity of Cu(II) > Ni(II) and Mo(VI) > As(V) in the binary solution. The regeneration of adsorbents
was performed up to five cycles of an adsorption/desorption process and the reduction of adsorption performance was
less than 14.5%. Therefore, this promises low-cost adsorbents for metal ion uptake, showing potential for removal and
recovery in industrial wastewater treatment.
Mayonnaise and salad dressing are fast becoming popular condiments for Malaysian. The aim of this study was to
obtain the nutritional composition of mayonnaise and salad dressing commercially available in the Malaysian market.
The data will be used to update the Malaysian Food Composition Database which was last updated in 1997. A total of
six brands from each type of mayonnaise and salad dressing were sampled from local supermarkets in the Klang Valley
and analysed using standard methods. The validity of test data was monitored with the application of internal quality
controls in line with the requirements of ISO 17025. The energy contents of mayonnaise and salad dressings were up to
626.40 kcal/100 g. Our findings were also in agreement with the energy labelling on the packaging. Sodium was high in
mayonnaise and salad dressing because it is used in the final mixture of both condiments to improve their characteristics
for certain reasons. Mayonnaise and salad dressing have been identified as potent sources of vitamin A and vitamin
E and both condiments were found to contain high levels of these antioxidants. It can be concluded that this study are
useful not only in providing information on the nutritional content of several commercial types of mayonnaise and salad
dressing, but also in improving the public understanding of healthy food choices.
The heterogeneous autoregressive (HAR) models are used in modeling high frequency multipower realized volatility of the
S&P 500 index. Extended from the standard realized volatility, the multipower realized volatility representations have
the advantage of handling the possible abrupt jumps by smoothing the consecutive volatility. In order to accommodate
clustering volatility and asymmetric of multipower realized volatility, the HAR model is extended by the threshold
autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GJR-GARCH) component. In addition, the innovations of the multipower realized
volatility are characterized by the skewed student-t distributions. The extended model provides the best performing insample
and out-of-sample forecast evaluations.
This paper investigates the compressibility characteristics of compacted clay treated with cement, peat ash and silica
sand. For this purpose, one dimensional consolidation tests were conducted to determine the soil consolidation properties.
The test specimens were trimmed from the compaction test specimen. The 1D consolidation test specimen was subjected
to the normal pressures of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 kPa in sequence on the test specimen which was saturated with
distilled water. At the end of the loading period of 80 kPa, the vertical load was removed and the specimen was allowed
to expand for 24 h for the purpose of evaluating of its swelling behavior. The results showed that void ratio of the soil
specimens decreased with increasing effective normal pressure. The laboratory investigation clearly demonstrates that,
settlement is as the compression of a soil specimen due to vertical loading applied at the top surface of the 1D consolidation
test specimen. It was concluded that, the compression settlement of the stabilized soil with the binder composition of
18% cement, 2% peat ash and 5% silica sand improved by almost 1.3-fold. A notable discovery is the suitability of the
stabilized soil for road embankment and low lying marginal area for foundation works; also solving the environmental
problems in relation to peaty ground. However, sufficient laboratory and field testing are required.
MeSH terms: Aluminum Silicates; Construction Materials; Environment; Silicon Dioxide; Soil; Water
In this study, we investigated the conductivity enhancement of calix[8]arene-multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) thin film.
Two types of calix[8]arenes were used, which were 5,11,17,23,29,35,41,47-p-tert-butyl-49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56-
oktakis[(carboxy)-pentoxy] -calix[8]arene (C[8]1) and 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56 -octahydroxycalix[8]arene (C[8]2).
The monolayer properties of these two types of calix[8]arene on water subphase were examined. Later, the thin films
were fabricated by combining different ratios of each types of calix[8]arene with MWCNTs using spin coating deposition
technique. Then, the developed thin films were characterized using surface potential meter and four point probe. Thin
films of C[8]2 with hydroxyl groups at lower rims demonstrated higher surface potential and conductivity as compared
to the thin films of C[8]1 with upper rims of tert-butyl groups and lower rims of carboxyl groups. These results indicated
that the conductivity of calixarene thin films can be enhanced by MWCNTs through simple spin coating technique.
This study investigated the elemental composition of pathological and normal nails, according to different age groups
and genders. The nail elemental composition was analyzed by using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
technique. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm with output energy of 100 mJ, pulse duration of 6 ns and repetition
rate of 1 Hz was fired to the human nails sample. The laser pulse ablated the target sample surface and produced plasma
plume with characteristic spectral line comprising sample’s elemental composition. The plasma emission spectrum of
nail samples were captured by fibre optic detection device and spectrometer equipped with ASEQ Spectra Software for
elemental analysis. The elements detected in nails were Mg, Al, Ca, P, Ti, K and Na. Classification of nails into different
age groups and genders demonstrate efficient results if compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The results
indicate that Ca, Al, Ti, P and K composition were higher among female. However, Mg and Na were higher among
male. The results also show that Ca and K element decline as the age increase in both genders. The pathological nails’
elemental compositions were also noticeably related to the nail disorder condition itself. It is proven that LIBS could be
a possible method for analyzing the nails and identification of various nail disorders.
Cone-beam-computed-tomography (CBCT) has been useful in providing insights of relevant anatomy prior to surgical
procedures, including the assessment of the proximity of impacted mandibular-third-molar to the inferior-alveolar-canal
(IAC). It is important to understand the reliability of conventional panoramic-radiograph in the assessment of this criterion
since it is more commonly used as first line radiographic approach due to its availability and lower radiation dose. This
study aimed to investigate the reliability of conventional panoramic-radiograph in the evaluation of the proximity of
impacted mandibular-third-molar root tip to the IAC by correlating the results with CBCT. A total of 65 root tips of impacted
mandibular-third-molars that had both panoramic radiographs and CBCT images were included in this retrospective study.
Two trained observers participated in all image evaluations. A prepared standard 1 cm ruler was used to measure the
proximity of the third-molar root apices to the IACs. Measurements recorded in this study were categorized into positive
(root apex above a roof of IAC), zero (root apex was superimposed on IAC) and negative (root apex below a roof of IAC).
Data analysis was carried out using student t-test. In this study, both observers recorded statistically significant differences
in the measurement between third-molars root apices and the IAC from panoramic radiographs and CBCT images. The low
reliability of panoramic radiograph to assess the vertical proximity between these two anatomical structures suggests
the importance of additional assessment with CBCT in cases where panoramic radiograph shows superimposition of the
third molar root on the roof of the canal and presence of root below the roof of the IAC.
Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimize key factors affecting
hydrogen production (HP) from diluted acid hydrolysate of water-hyacinth stem (WHS) by heat-treated anaerobic sludge
in a batch fermentation process. Key factors affecting namely substrate concentration and initial pH was investigated.
The results indicated that substrate concentration and initial pH had significantly effects on HP (p<0.05). A maximum HP
hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield of 182.7 mmol H2
/L, 2.81 mmol H2
/L h and 0.84 mol H2
/mol hexose were
obtained under the optimum conditions i.e. substrate concentration of 4.06 g/L and initial pH of 5.81. The total energy
production from the fermentative of WHS hydrolysate was 1.97 kJ.
Response surface analysis was conducted to optimize the concentrations of Tapis crude oil and duration of incubation in
order to achieve optimal microbial growth and crude oil biodegradation. Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD)
was employed, where the design contained 13 experimental runs with different combinations of incubation time and
crude oil concentration. The cultures containing mineral salt medium (MSM) with varying crude oil concentrations were
incubated at 30°C, pH6.5 with 150 rpm agitation for 120-336 h. The inoculum contained a consortium of previously
identified as oil degrading bacteria and fungi, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa UKMP-14T, Acinetobacter baumannii
UKMP-12T and Trichoderma sp. UKMP-1M and UKMP-2M. The analysis showed the duration of incubation plays a significant
role (p<0.05) in affecting the bacterial growth and percentage of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) biodegradation,
meanwhile concentrations of Tapis crude oil has insignificant effect on the responses. Interaction of the two variables was
found to be significant in affecting all the three responses, namely bacterial population, fungal biomass and percentage
of TPH biodegradation. It was predicted through the CCRD that the percentage of biodegradation can be optimized to
reach 86% on the 270th h when 5% (v/v) crude oil was used. This predicted value was verified to be achievable and
reproducible through validation experiments.
Advances in wheat biotechnology and in vitro somatic embryogenesis (SE) provide new openings to faster application
of these techniques in functional genomic studies, genetic engineering and plant breeding. This study reports in vitro SE
using plumule and radicle explants of two wheat cultivars Cakmak and Kunduru on MS induction medium amended with
varying concentrations of 2,4-D. Both plumule and radicle explants were regenerative and induced variable number of
somatic embryos per explant. Explants and treatment methods affected in vitro SE irrespective of the genotypes used in
the study. Although 100% SE was noted on both explants of two cultivars, plumule explants of both genotypes induced
heavy and larger friable calli followed by somatic embryogenic calli in terms of weight. Plumule explants also induced
large numbers of shoot buds and somatic embryo-induced maturing shoots per explant. The in vitro raised plantlets
were successfully rooted followed by hardening and acclimatisation in pots containing peat moss in mist house. After
7 days from weaning, these plants were transferred to a shade house to grow and set flowers. Water spray containing
0.50 µg of NPK (1:1:1) was given at intervals of 4 d to enhance success rate of acclimatised plants. Success rates of 96
and 80% were noted on plumule and radicle-induced plants, respectively. It is further concluded that use of this novel
methodology would favorably facilitate its use in genetic transformation and functional genomic studies.
In the literatures, discussions on the accuracy of different models for landslide analysis have been discussed widely.
However, to date, arguments on the type of input data (landslides in the form of point or polygon) and how they affect
the accuracy of these models can hardly be found. This study assesses how different types of data (point or polygon)
applied to the same model influence the accuracy of the model in determining areas susceptible to landsliding. A total
of 137 landslides was digitised as polygon (areal) units and then transformed into points; forming two separate datasets
both representing the same landslides within the study area. These datasets were later separated into training and
validation datasets. The polygon unit dataset uses the area density technique reported as percentage, while the point
data uses the landslide density technique, as means of assigning weighting to landslide factor maps to generate the
landslide susceptibility map that is based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model. Both data groups show striking
differences in terms of mapping accuracy for both training and validation datasets. The final landslide susceptibility
map using area density (polygon) as input only has 48% (training) and 35% (validation) accuracy. The accuracy for
the susceptibility map using the landslide density as input data achieved 89% and 82% for both training and validation
datasets, respectively. This result showed that the selection of the type of data for landslide analysis can be critical in
producing an acceptable level of accuracy for the landslide susceptibility map. The authors hope that the finding of this
research will assist landslide investigators to determine the appropriateness of the type of landslide data because it will
influence the accuracy of the final landslide potential map.
MeSH terms: Disease Susceptibility; Research; Research Personnel; Dissent and Disputes; Landslides
A comparison of the dissipation of chlorpyrifos in a Malaysian agricultural soil was undertaken using data from a field experiment and simulation by the PERSIST model. The study was carried out at an oil palm estate located close to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, Selangor (for field experiment). The plots were treated with chlorpyrifos at the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. Soil samples were collected according to the sampling schedule at intervals of 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 90 days. Residues of chlorpyrifos in soil from the field trial were analyzed in the laboratory. Simulation of chlorpyrifos leaching and persistency was done using two computer-run software VARLEACH and PERSIST. Generally, predicted data for chlorpyrifos residue obtained using the VARLEACH and PERSIST models was found to be well matched with the observed data from the field trial. The PERSIST Prediction for chlorpyrifos residue in soils planted with oil palm trees was found to be accurate and conformed to the results observed in the field trial.
Previous studies have found positive correlations between mangrove forest extent and fisheries yield but none of these univariate relationships provide a reliable estimate of yield from mangrove area. This study tests the hypothesis that the nursery ground value or natural production of fish and shrimps is related to the hydrogeomorphology settings of mangrove forests by using multivariate redundancy analysis (RDA). The hydrogeomorphological metrics of five mangrove forests imaged by satellite were measured using Geographical Information System (GIS). The RDA indicated that the metrics, including mangrove area, multiple waterways and creeks, mangrove-river interface, waterway surface area and sediment organic matter, influenced the diversity and abundance of fish and shrimps. Larger values of these metrics increase the abundance of economically important fish species of the families Lutjanidae, Haemulidae, Serranidae and economically-important penaeid shrimps. Sediment organic matter also significantly correlates with the distribution and abundance of fish that feed off the bottom such as the Leiognathidae, Clupeidae and Mullidae. Mangrove forests with combinations of large mangrove area, river surface area, high stream ordering and longest mangrove-river interface will provide greater role as nursery grounds for fish and shrimps.
This research was conducted to study the biodiversity status of marine macroalgae (seaweeds) in Blue Lagoon, Port
Dickson and assess the changes in species composition in the area. The sampling site is located in the west coast of
Peninsular Malaysia, which has been regarded as one of the Malaysia’s popular beach resort destinations. This tourist
spot has seen major physical changes over the last few decades. Despite habitat disturbance, our study recorded 44 species
of macroalgae with Sargassum asperifolium noted as a new record for this area. Brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta) and
green seaweeds (Chlorophyta) dominated the sampling areas with each division recorded 19 and 16 species, respectively.
Change to species composition was evident for the common genus Sargassum (Sargassaceae, Fucales). Chlorophyta
was mostly found in the upper intertidal to subtidal zones while Phaeophyta proliferated in the mid-tidal areas. The red
seaweeds (Rhodophyta) were distributed and grew better in lower light intensity in the subtidal zone. This study will
contribute to the seaweed database of Malaysia for future reference and this may help in the conservation of seaweeds.
This paper outlines an alternative algorithm for solving general second order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Normally, the numerical method was designed for solving higher order ODEs by converting it into an n-dimensional first order equations with implementation of constant step length. Nevertheless, this involved a lot of computational complexity which led to consumption a lot of time. Consequently, a direct block multistep method with utilization of variable step size strategy is proposed. This method was developed for computing the solution at four points simultaneously and the derivation based on numerical integration as well as using interpolation approach. The convergence of the proposed method is justified under suitable conditions of stability and consistency. Five numerical examples are considered and some comparisons are made with the existing methods for demonstrating the validity and reliability of the proposed algorithm.
MeSH terms: Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Physiological Phenomena; Reproducibility of Results
The problem of Darcian natural convection in a trapezoidal cavity partly filled with porous layer and partly with nanofluid layer is studied numerically using finite difference method. The left slopping wall is maintained at a constant hot temperature and the right slopping wall is maintained at a constant cold temperature, while the horizontal walls are adiabatic. Water-based nanofluids with Ag or Cu or TiO2 nanoparticles are chosen for the investigation. The governing parameters of this study are the Rayleigh number (104 ≤ Ra ≤ 107), Darcy number (10–5 ≤ Da ≤ 10–3), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 ≤ φ ≤ 0.2), porous layer thickness (0.3 ≤ S ≤ 0,7), the side wall inclination angle (0° ≤ ϕ ≤ 21.8°) and the inclination angle of the cavity (0° ≤ ϖ ≤ 90°). Explanation for the influence of various above-mentioned parameters on streamlines, isotherms and overall heat transfer is provided on the basis of thermal conductivities of nanoparticles, water and porous medium. It is shown that convection increases remarkably by the addition of silver-water nanofluid and the heat transfer rate is affected by the inclination angle of the cavity variation. The results have possible applications in heat-removal and heat-storage fluid-saturated porous systems.
The main objectives of this work were to develop a lab-scale direct current (DC) glow discharges plasma system for modification of organic and inorganic membranes. Characteristics of plasma system were presented under the discharge of five gases (Ar, N2, air, O2, and CO2). A Langmuir double probe was used for the evaluation of the electron temperature (Te) and electron density (ne) of plasmas. The current and voltage (I-V) characteristic curves were analyzed. Relationships between breakdown voltage (VB) of gases and products of gas pressure and inter-electrode gap (pd) were studied in form of Paschen curves. The results showed that Te of plasma in various gases was in the range of 4-13 eV, while the ne varied between 108 and 109 cm-3. The plasma generated at different gas pressure and applied voltage is in the normal and abnormal modes. Finally, the constructed DC-plasma system was utilized for modification of polymeric membrane surfaces. Treatment time, discharge power and type of gas were varied. The tailoring of membrane surfaces was analyzed through the water contact angle and percent-weight loss (PWL) measurements, DMTA, AFM, XPS and FTIR spectrum. It could be shown that DC-plasma from this system can be used to modify the surface of polymeric membranes.
The magnetic adsorbents i.e. oil palm frond-magnetic particles (OPF-MP) and oil palm frond activated carbon-magnetic particles (OPFAC-MP) have been prepared by impregnation of iron oxide via co-precipitation method. The magnetic adsorbents and their parent materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), Barrett, Joyner & Halenda (BJH) and t-plot method, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and also using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) to study their properties and surface chemistry. The activated carbon magnetic adsorbent confers high surface area of 700 m2/g with amorphous structure and magnetic properties of 2.76 emu/g. The OPF-MP and OPFAC-MP were then applied in adsorption study for ions removal of Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II). OPFAC-MP has shown high removal efficiency of 100 % with adsorption capacity up to 15 mg/g of Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions compared to OPF-MP. In addition, the magnetic adsorbents were also compared with their parent materials to observe the effect of magnetic particles. Accordingly, the impregnation of magnetic particles enhances the metal ions adsorption comparing to their parent materials.