The past decade has seen a growing recognition internationally that children have a right
to participate in matters that affect their lives. In a family legal proceeding, it is in practice left to the
discretion of a judge to decide whether the child is heard. Interviews have become the most common
approach by family court judges in Malaysia to resolve problematic custody disputes. However, many
family law practitioners believe that this can be detrimental to the children as the judges are not experts
in child psychology and counselling. Hence, this article intends to critique the effectiveness of Sulh
(mediation) procedure in resolving custody dispute (hadhanah) in the Syariah Court. Despite the
importance of consulting the affected children, their views are rarely sought nor acknowledged within
the judicial setting. Legal fraternity and parents play a significant influence on whether children’s are
heard in court and Sulh chamber. There is a need for further research to explore legal professionals’ and parents’ perspectives on children’s active involvement in decision-making. This information could
be used to develop guidelines that will assist professionals and parent in facilitating and supporting
children’s participation.
This article is in the form of a short tutorial discussion, presenting the logistic (logit)
regression mathematical method. Logistic regression as one of the most popular modeling approach
used in the research and decision makings, has its own specialty than other common linear regression
method whereby the response variable is discrete and form of S-shaped. The paper starts with the short
review of logistic regression method, formulation of the method and finally, authors’ conclusion is the
last section of this paper
Solar updraft tower power plant (SUTPP) is an alternative technology for electricity
generating from solar energy. It’s suitable for use in remote area, where there is high potential of
solar radiation, because the constructions are cheap and the technologies involved are conventional.
This paper presents the design of a circular and square collector SUTPP to be used in rural areas of
developing countries. The design involves heating air using solar energy and the tower effect to raise
the hot air up the tower. From this study, a small scale solar updraft tower with 2m length in each
side of solar collector, air inlet height of 0.1 m above the ground, an updraft tower of 1.5-meter-high
with 2.0 m length of each side collector was studied to determine its performance. Anemometer and
multimeter were used to measure the velocity and temperature along the collector and inside the
tower. Solar radiation, ambient air temperature as well as air velocity inside the tower were also
recorded. These data were taken every one hours in four days to investigate the performance of the
SUTPP
Rural communities in sub Saharan Africa have spent considerable time and energy in
their quest for obtaining cooking requirements. The utilization of solar energy for cooking is not a
widespread practice despite the fact that African countries are abundant in solar resources. A solar
cooker uses the freely, environmentally friendly, healthy and renewable solar energy resource as its
energy source, thus indicating its economical and sustainability advantages. This paper demonstrates
the possibility of using solar energy as an alternative to the traditional system of cooking local
foodstuffs within the rural communities of North-East Nigeria. The cooker was designed and fitted
with a black pot and an automatic tracking mechanism that can track the sun at 10° per hour,
following the sun movement for use in tropical dry climates. Parboiled rice of 1kg each was cooked
completely in 75 minutes at an average solar beam radiation of 623W/m2
after attaining maximum
temperature of 368K under clear weather condition. Whereas 1kg of beans and 1.1kg of yam were
cooked in 90 minutes at an average solar beam radiation of 536.5W/m2
and 430.1 W/m2
respectively.
The highest temperature reached for this test was 368K. The results indicated that a parabolic solar
cooker can easily cook these varieties of Nigerian local dishes within the range of 75 to 90 minutes
under the clear weather condition of Bauchi, north–east of Nigeria.
– Stroke is one of the deadly disease in Malaysia; one of top five major causes of death
and one of the top ten causes for hospitalization in Malaysia. Every year 40,000 people
diagnosed with this deadly disease. Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked.
Blood supply essential nutrient and oxygen to the brain. Insufficient blood supply will cause
brain cell damages and lead to lose control of human body. Weakness or lost ability to upper
limb or arm is one of the main symptoms for the stroke patients. Normally only one part of the
body will affected. Upper limb post stroke rehabilitation objective is to help stroke survivor to
move their hand and arm as effective as their non-affected hand. Arm/ hand skate is one of the
popular equipment used to help the stoke survivor to regain their upper and/or forearm limb
strength and endurance of the patients. The main movement direction was horizontal from left
to right and reversed. In order to get the benefit of this exercise, stroke survivor has to repeat
this exercise for several time, this will lead to boredom and motivation lost. Another
disadvantage is there is no indicator for showing degree of the rehabilitation. Objective of this
study is to design a computer application using combination of C++, Open GL and optical
mouse which can be used to evaluate the stroke survivor hand and arm speed movement.
Information obtain from this application can used by the therapist and stroke survivor to
monitor their rehabilitation activity progress and effectiveness.
At present, the learning activities carried out is in line with the rapid growth of development of technology and lifestyle. ICT literacy is categorised as those who can operate a computer and Internet. This study is conducted to determine the level of computer and Internet literacy in generation Y. A total of ten respondents among university students were interviewed. The level of the skill is measured in terms of the use of information processing systems and the Internet. The new knowledge addresses the themes in information communication technology literacy namely; defining, accessing, assessing, managing, integrating, creating and passing data. As such, the model of computer technology in education can also be produced. A more robust method of learning can be heightened by seeing the level of skills possessed by university students. The findings of this study is expected to determine the level of competence of the students and university can provide the necessary equipment to ensure effective teaching and learning.
This study aims to examine the influences of the plan to further study, career growth
and discriminatory treatment on turnover intention among technicians in electronic
industry in Malaysia. The objectives are: (i) To identify the relationship between the
plan to further study and turnover intention among factory technicians, (ii) To identify
the relationship between career growth and turnover intention among factory
technicians, and (iii)To identify the relationship between discriminatory treatment
factors and turnover intention among factory technicians. The population involved in
this study were the manufacturing technicians at an electronic factory. Survey
questionnaires were used to collect data. A total of 110 questionnaires were analyzed.
Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to measure the
degree of relationship between variables. The findings showed that all independent
variables; plan to further study, career growth and discriminatory treatment, were
positive moderately correlated with turnover intention.
here are many contaminants that could lead to the alteration of oil viscosity. Diesel fuel
is one of the deteriorating contaminants for diesel engine oils. It is among the main factors that give
high impact towards the deterioration of engine oils as one study has found that, in average, 0.36% of
total fuel consumption ends up in the crankcase. Many studies have demonstrated the effect of fuel
dilution on the wear characteristic. However, there are limited studies that focused on the percentage
amount affecting the wear characteristics together with other influencing factors such as load, speed
and temperature. In this research, used motor oil - Gibson 20W50 had been mixed well with fuel
percentages of 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7, hence creating 5 samples that were run under different speeds. The
experiment is conducted by following the ASTM 4172 standard. Based on the results, the fuel
contamination in used motor oil was considered limiting at 5% contamination and became totally
deteriorated at 7%. Through a Stribeck Curve, it could be understood that wear is inversely
proportional to sliding velocity, where it is one of the lubrication parameters together with speed and
load. Rough surface on the balls indicated that abrasive wear has occurred due to the use of used
motor oil
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) play a big role in people daily lives. Various
applications of RFID including transportation and logistics, manufacturing and
processing, security, animal tagging, waste management, time and attendance, road
toll management and etc. The aim of this research is to improve old attendance system
that capable to eliminate time waste during manual collected attendance by create
“Drive-Thru” attendance system. This model can be given an access badge with radio
frequency identification (RFID) chip in it as its use technique of electromagnetic fields
to exchange data from a tag (like a smart tag) to an object (a reader) at the post guard
for the purpose of identification or tracking. Development in RFID technology widely
increasing in adopting new and many features.
Management is consistently facing fast-flowing and lots of changes in business, including in the inventory management. Especially for fast-moving inventories, the correct stocking, controlling, checking and safety stock calculation is highly needed to have an exquisite inventory management and to reduce the possibility of running out of inventory which leads to unavailability to meet the demand. One of the ways to overcome this is by doing an excellent and appropriate forecasting. Therefore, the objective of this concept paper is to analyse and recommend tools to improve inventory management using the appropriate time-series forecasting method. The firm studied in this study is serving its employees as customers that demand the routine items including stationeries and other routine products to support their job as auditors and consultants for its client. However, there are occasions when there is out-of-stock situation for fast-moving items, especially in the peak season period. Furthermore, the firm is only applying replenishment based on the used inventories from the previous month. Therefore, this study suggests to eliminate out-of-stock items situation by applying precaution initiatives such as time-series forecasting. This study is planned to employ 10 time-series forecasting methods such as moving average, exponential smoothing, regression analysis, Holt-Winters analysis, Seasonal analysis and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) using Risk Simulator Software. By simulating those methods, the most appropriate method is selected based on the forecasting accuracy measurement.
The Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) delivers strong decision making in areas where
selection of best alternative is highly complex. This paper reviews and explain the main condensations
of MCDM models and practices in detail. The purpose is explained and identify various application
and the approaches and to suggests different MCDM models for different decision makling issues and
how to select the best alternatives. This paper also examines the DEMATEL model and problems in
DEMATEL for decision making and how DEMATEL have been improved to overcome the problems.
The MCDM methods have helped to choose the best alternatives where that they are many criteria are
present, the best can be selected and analyzed the different scope for the criteria, weights for the criteria
and the choose the ideal ones using any multi criteria decision making methods.
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the growth of mind, causing problematic measure in communicating, interacting, and social behaviour. Outstanding educational practices and rapid intermediation leads to vast improvement, as there is no remedy for autism. The main impairment of children with autism is their difficulty in social interaction. The main research is to recognize the effective learning approach in educating social interaction skills to children with autism using mobile technology. This paper presents the result of a engagement session of video modules to support social interaction training for children with autism. The modules are designed to be a part of a mobile application that will be developed based on the three basic interaction skills; Introducing Yourself, Emotions and Gestures. Engagement session was conducted where students with medium functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), aged 7-18 years watched the modules for social competence training during a single session. Outcome measures included an observation study of the student’s reactions towards the modules by two observers. The observers graded each student’s reactions using a ‘Social Skill Rubric’ that has five specific criteria to be scored. Results showed excellent acceptance of modules as well as strong preferences amongst them. The students revealed a range of different reactions towards the modules. However, mainly the modules do appeared to be effective in educating social interaction to children with autism as they are able to focus and enjoy in the learning process.
The hydrodynamic characteristics of new design for artificial reef with low flow
drag to provide suitable shelter for fishes and marine organisms in the Malaysian seas, were
studied in this paper. The concept used in the design is based on the streamlined bicycle helmet
design concept. The flow characteristics and the wave forces (FW) of the helmet and hollow
cube artificial reefs (ARs) of the same volume have been studied at a water depth and wave
celerties of Malaysia seas using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) RANSE (ReynoldsAveraged
Navier-Stokes Eqs.) code Ansys Fluent. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence
model was used in the RANSE code. The streamlined body of the helmet artificial reef provides
flow zones with moderate flow speed at this area, which can help fishes and marine organisms
to find good shelter. The special shape of the different openings in the body of the helmet
artificial reef improves the condition of the flow velocity distribution inside the unit than that
of the hollow cube unit, which can increase the amount of the nutrient to the living fishes and
organisms inside the reef.
The contribution of attitudinal factors to the morphology of urban vegetation in cities
has received very scanty attention. Most researchers in the developing countries
including Nigeria focus on urbanisation, without paying significant attention to
attitudinal factors. However, a lot of socioeconomic adjustments take place in cities in
these countries, which result in the depletion of urban vegetation. The necessity to
determine the contribution of attitudinal factors to the reduction in Akure urban
vegetation has called for this study. The study analysed the contribution of attitudinal
factors to the reduction of urban vegetation in the city. Previous studies on the city’s
land use and land cover changes seemed to ascribe the city’s falling greenery to
urbanisation only, without considering the contribution of attitudinal factors to the
process. The paper posits that the indicators of attitudinal factors need to be properly
understood in order to design appropriate policies to curb the phenomenon. Data
were sourced through self-administered questionnaire from 317 participants. The data
were analysed with SPSS Version 20 for the descriptive analysis, and Structural
Equation Modelling (SEM), for the determination of the dominant factors. The KaiserMeyer-Olkin
measure of sampling adequacy showed that the research instrument was
internally consistent. Confirmatory factor analysis also achieved satisfactory goodness
of fit indices. It was revealed that eight dominant attitudinal factors contributed to the
reduction of urban vegetation in the city. These include misuse of road setback (0.72),
not enough enlightenment or publicity (0.72), and failure of town planning authorities
to enforce urban tree planting (0.72.) This shows that attitudinal factors contributed
significantly to the depletion of urban vegetation in the city. The necessity for mass
education and enlightenment towards behaviour change and pro-environmental
behaviour, is stressed.
Moringa oleifera is a plant with various benefits to mankind from its root until leaves.
From food to biofuel applications, all parts are useful for daily uses. In this research, the pod husk
was examined to determine the possibility of producing ethanol. The pod husks were dried and used in
two forms; one is grinded into powder, and the other is cut within 5 x 5 x 2 mm. About 10 grams of
Moringa oleifera pod husk was put into a conical flask and added with distilled water up to 250 mL.
The pre-treatment was made by adding an alkaline solution, NaOH, where the pH of the sample was
adjusted to (4.5, 5.0, and 5.5) using H2SO4. The samples were autoclaved at a temperature of 120°C
for 2 hours before the samples were cooled to room temperature (25+/-2oC). Baker’s yeast
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was prepared with different concentrations (1g, 5g, and 10g) and added
to the samples for fermentation process that took place in the incubator shaker at a temperature of
36°C, for a period of 72 hours. The bioethanol concentration was measured using High Performance
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a refractive index detector and REZEX ROA-Organic Acid
HPLC Column using 0.05 N H2SO4 as the mobile phase. The bioethanol produced from Moringa
oleifera pod husk was 8.400 g/L using 1g/L yeast, and the fermentation took place at pH 4.5 for the
sample size of 5 x 5 x 2 mm. The results showed that Moringa oleifera pod husk can be introduced as
a new material for bioethanol production in Malaysia and other tropical countries where this tree is
available
HEIs are facing major challenges in the current era, and an investigation of their
structures and roles is imperative. The survival and continued competiveness of HEIs
depend on the willingness and acceptance of changes and consideration for the
methods that will allow their practices to be improved. A learning organization is one
that seeks to maximize fully the capacities of its people to change, to survive in a
volatile environment and to sustain competitive advantage. The HEI sector is one such
sector that exists in a volatile environment; this sector needs to be resilient in facing
these challenges and adopting new ways to survive and cope with them. Thus, this
paper proposes that the learning organization approach has a direct influence on
knowledge transfer and organizational performance, which in turn, leads to HEIs
attaining success and continued survival.
This paper presents the work of investigating and comparing the uses of CRS and QTC Pills
as a tactile sensor material for Robotic Hand application. The materials were tested for their resistivity
characteristics to determine the data reproducibility of the materials. The experiments were conducted
based on three parameters; the supply voltage, the separation gap, and the sensor construction against
the force/ load that had been exerted onto the materials. The results showed that CRS could cover the
lower loading range when compared to QTC Pills. However, the data reproducibility of QTC Pills was
better compared to those of CRS, thus making it more suitable to be used as a material for tactile
sensing application. Therefore, this paper highlights the potential of these two materials as a tactile
sensing transducer, and later, can be used as a useful guideline when designing a tactile sensor with
these materials.
This study seeks to investigate small and medium-sized enterprise Human Resource (HR) practitioners’ knowledge pertaining to legislated employment rights at the workplace as laid down by the Employment Act (EA) 1955. The EA provides a variety of individual employment rights covering protections of wages, statutory right to the general standard of working time, statutory right to rest day, public holidays, annual leave and sick leave, statutory right to employment security as well as female employee’s statutory right to paid maternity leave. The study also aims to determine whether HR practitioners’ level of knowledge concerning legislated employment rights differed significantly between age groups, years of experience, level of education and size of company. It also examined the nature of the relationship between the HR practitioners’ level of basic knowledge concerning legislated employment rights and their level of concern in making legally sound decisions in their administrative practice. In addition, it identified whether the HR practitioners’ level of basic knowledge pertaining to legislated employment rights correlate significantly with the size of the company where they are employed.
Climate change influences over years clearly can affect a catchment area in terms of
quantity and quality of water. High annual rainfall in Malaysia does not solve water
scarcity problems during the El Nino phenomenon and can cause severe flooding
during La Nina. A simulation from year 1980 to 2006 has been done at Sg. Ketil
streamflow station at Kuala Pegang, Kedah in the North region of Malaysia according
to availability of data. The monthly streamflow later has been calibrated and validated
using SWAT-CUP. Water level data was obtained from an inventory water level station
recorded at the station. Land-use, soil type and slope are taken account to produce a
number of hydrologic response units (HRU). This study used developed gridded daily
hydrometeorological data set for Peninsular from 1980-2006using interpolation
technique. The results shown that the calibrated model is able to simulate the flow for
the river basin successfully with the R2
= 0.65 and NSE=0.52 and validated value of
R
2=0.5 and NSE=0.43. A recommendation is purposed to simulate the catchment using
hydrometeorological data set in the stations located in the area to compare the results
for further study.
A coconut de-husking machine comprising of two rollers with spikes, chain drives,
presser, clearers, shafts and belting system was developed for small-scale production in rural areas.
Performance test analysis showed that the machine de-husks coconut fruits without any nut breakage
or distortion of the extracted fibre length. The objective of this project is to improve the efficiency and
productivity in producing coconut fruits without husks by using the best selection of mechanical
mechanisms with minimum costs. One electric motor (2hp, 1500rpm) is used to drive two shafts using
a combination of pulley and belt. In between the motor and the shafts, one box of worm gears is used
to reduce the rotation speed from 1500rpm to 21rpm (ratio 70:1). Two metal cylinders with a series of
spikes are used to remove the husks from the coconut fruit and are attached to the rotary shaft. The
machine’s average de-husking efficiency and capacity are 90.42% and 222 coconuts per hour,
respectively. In addition, the development of the machine is also a solution to the constraint of space,
whereby a compact-size machine is more suitable for small and medium enterprises (SME’s). Plus, it
operates with lesser noise, which also contributes to a more viable operating condition for the
environment.