Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 88 in total

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  1. Ab Ghani, A. F., Razali, M. A. A., Zainal, Z., Idral, F.
    MyJurnal
    This paper aims to present a method of detecting deterioration on rotating machinery in the
    form of Machinery Fault Simulator (MFS) performed in the lab. The study enhances the knowledge of
    signal pattern of misalignment phenomenon as compared to baseline signal pattern obtained from
    normal condition of rotating shaft. The focus of this experiment was on misalignment problem. There
    are two types of misalignment which are parallel and angular misalignment. Input in frequency was
    selected for motor movement and the shaft start to rotate. The vibration signal from the shaft was
    acquired using in built tachometer in the MFS. In this experiment, data shows that the vibration occurs
    in different shape of the amplitude at different speed of the angular motion. In baseline test, the
    amplitude values are fluctuated at every accelerometer channels. Meanwhile, the amplitude on the
    angular test shows that the amplitude is higher at axial axes only compared to both axes. Meanwhile,
    for the second test, the angle of 15o
    was applied at inboard in the system caused to the misalignment of
    the shaft. In vibration analysis, the misalignment of the shaft was detected from the changes of the
    amplitude at three different axes. Copyright © 2016 Penerbit Akademia Baru - All rights reserved.
  2. Ahmed, Ibrahim Galadima, Abdurrahman Abubakar, Sulaiman Mohammed, Abdulkarim Ali Deba
    MyJurnal
    Phytoremediation is considered as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly
    technique for decontaminating environments that have been contaminated with
    heavy metal ions. The technique describes the use of plants and their concomitant
    microbes to mitigate environmental contaminations. However, conventional
    remediation techniques like chemical, thermal and physical treatment methods are
    too costly, and may end of causing more contamination to the environment.
    Phytoremediation practice provides a major information on the utilization of plants
    and their materials in decontaminating polluted environments. Heavy metals and
    other organic contaminants are among the most precarious substances released into
    the environment which have an eminent level of toxicity and sturdiness of both
    aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The review aimed at providing a broad
    understanding of utilizing various plants and their materials in decontaminating
    polluted environments with heavy metals and other organic contaminants. It also
    provided the general methods used in treating the aforementioned contaminants in
    an environment. The review further discussed the classes of phytoremediation like
    phytoextraction, phytovolatilisation, phytostabilization, phytotransformation,
    phytodegradation and phytofiltration. The generalized advantages and disadvantages
    of phytoremediation were ultimately highlighted.
  3. Alice Sabrina Ismail, Hazrina Haja Bava Mohidin, Aminatunzuhariah Megat Abdullah, Mohd Nazim Ahyaruddina
    MyJurnal
    A comfortable work space is important to produce productive work performance among workers. In Malaysia, the condition of office environment and its related issues on thermal comfort are fairly new. Past studies shown that the increment of energy consumption in high rise offices tend to increase dramatically. This is because the consumption of air condition for cooling accounts in office buildings had increased from 40% to 60% in recent years and the total electricity usage for office units also rises intensely due to urban heat island (UHI) resulted from modification of land surfaces. The objective of this paper therefore is to investigate the conditions and problems of existing prominent high rise office in Kuala Lumpur which is IBM Plaza and Menara Mesin Niaga in the scope of thermal comfort as well as describes an integrated passive design approach to reduce the cooling requirement for high-rise office building through an improved building envelope design using green technologies like external wall cladding following the GBI standard. This paper also attempts to get the user perception towards their existing workspace. For this purpose, case study as research strategy is adopted using mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative method under the framework of interpretivism and positivism research paradigm. Findings indicate that external wall cladding made of composite aluminium provides much advantages to the user. This study is important because appropriate design principles by adopting appropriate building envelope made of suitable material addressing ecology issues will not only provide a comfortable living environment to the users but also established referential guideline for future designers and scholars whom interested in office design.
  4. Ameera Syaheerah Abdul Aziz, Nurul Syahirah Mohamad Nasir, Norahim Ibrahim, Adibah Yahya
    MyJurnal
    In this study, we investigate the ability of the bacterial isolates from an Iraqi oil
    reservoir, namely POS and PCO Oil to decolorize commercially used model azo dye Acid
    Red-27(AR-27). The effects of inoculation volume and glycerol concentrations were
    optimized to develop an economically feasible decolourization process. The isolates
    were able to decolourize azo dye (AR27) at the highest decolorization efficiency of 98%
    in 10 mL bacterial solution consisted of POS and PCO Oil and in the presence of 6.34
    g/L glycerol. An optimized MFC using this bacterial consortium (POS + PCO Oil) and
    graphite rod electrodes produced a maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of 175 mV, in
    the presence of potassium ferricyanide as the electron acceptor at the cathode. The
    maximum current density of 1.7 μA/cm² and power density of 59.3 μW/cm² were
    achieved when an external load of 5 kΩ was applied. Morphological analysis was
    performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to prove the bacterial
    attachment onto the anode surface (graphite rod) in the MFC operation. This work
    proposed that the bacterial strains POS and PCO Oil possess the ability to decolorize
    Azo dye AR27 and generate electricity in the absence of nitrogen source.
  5. Amos Danladi, Ho, Chin Siong, Ling, Gabriel Hoh Teck
    MyJurnal
    Interest in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) system has been particularly highlighted in
    flood disasters, due to the likely increase of flood events resulting from
    anthropogenic climate change through heavy precipitation, increased catchment
    wetness, and sea level rise. Therefore, bringing IK of flood risk reduction into focus
    and context to deepen the understanding of how people manage their own changing
    circumstances can bring more pertinent information about flood risk reduction. This
    paper reviews the significance of IK in flood risk reduction. Specifically, the paper
    discusses IK flood forecasting, early warning signs, adaptation and coping strategies
    in flood risk reduction around the world. The Methodological approach employed for
    this paper is the review of existing literature on IK in flood Disaster Risk Reduction
    (DRR), and then a summary of the outcomes of the studies reviewed was discussed.
    However, it was deduced from the review undertaken, the need for an intensive
    empirical study to be conducted to explore how efficient these strategies or
    techniques are, in relation to flood risk reduction, which this paper strongly
    recommends for further investigation. Additionally, the paper concludes by
    emphasizing that although the IK of flood risk reduction is embedded in varied
    regions around the globe, still there is a need for further study to be carried out in
    order to unveil why the similarities and variations in flood risk reduction
    practices/strategies between regions.
  6. Amzar Omairi, Ismail, Z.H.
    MyJurnal
    Energy consumption of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is an important aspect in
    the design requirement. This is especially true in a situation where WSN is being
    operated in isolated areas and thus relying on batteries due to unavailability of power
    infrastructure. Since energy efficiency is the main concern in the deployment of WSN,
    the sensor node must keep track of the charge that is left in the battery, commonly
    referred as the State of Charge (SoC). To prevent the discontinuation of the operation
    of the sensor node from power cut off, it is important to find an analytic model for
    the battery’s state of charge. In this paper, an optimized structure of Multi-Layer
    Perceptron (MLP) is utilized to obtain a model of the battery state-of-charge in
    wireless sensor nodes. Results show the suitability of the method that produces
    accurate and simple models, capable of being implemented even in low cost and very
    constrained real motes.
  7. Asif Hussain Khoja, Azra Nawar, Abeera Ayaz Ansari, Muneeb Qayyum, Sabrina Mohidin Yahya
    MyJurnal
    Bioethanol is one of the leading alternative biofuel to fossil fuels and can be use in
    existing gasoline engines without any major modification. Bioethanol can be
    produced from sugar containing biomass fermentation using different potential
    strains. In this study, the gram negative, facultative anaerobic, rod shaped strain
    ‘Zymomonas mobilis’ was used as microorganism to produce bioethanol from sugar
    cane molasses using anaerobic fermentation. The study was conducted to investigate
    the optimized conditions for production of bioethanol through batch fermentation
    process. The fermentation unit was designed to determine the effect of process
    parameters such as fermentation temperature, pH, sugar concentration and supply of
    nutrients. The Zymomonas mobilis produced 9.3% (v/v) bioethanol by utilizing 16
    g/100mL sugar with the fermentation efficiency 92.5%. The fertilized based nutrients
    were supplied to enhance the production of bioethanol yield. The bioethanol yield
    produced by using this strain in optimized conditions is in good compromise with
    previous study and also compared with commercially available yeast strain.
  8. Azisyahirah Azizan, Haris Ahmad Israr, Mohd Nasir Tamin
    MyJurnal
    Mechanical responses and failure of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite
    laminates could be predicted using the validated finite element (FE) simulation. The
    material constitutive and damage models employed in the simulation are developed
    based on the properties of the unidirectional lamina, including those obtained
    through tension tests. Such computational model assumes perfectly aligned fibers in
    the lamina. In this respect, this paper examined the effect of fabrication-inherited
    fiber misalignment on the tensile response of the unidirectional lamina. For this
    purpose, a series of tension tests are performed on unidirectional carbon fiberreinforced
    polymer (CFRP) composite lamina specimens with different gage lengths
    ranging from 50 to 150 mm. Fiber misalignment is quantified to be 7o and represents
    the nominal deviation of the fibers from the reference longitudinal axis direction.
    Load-displacement responses of the specimens are compared. Results show that the
    nominal tensile strength of the lamina is 1089±33 MPa. The elastic modulus,
    however, increases from 36.96 to 55.93 GPa as the gage lengths vary from 50 to 150
    mm, respectively. This is due to the induced bending effects on the reinforcing fibers
    that is greater for longer gage lengths. Multiple fiber fracture events, each is depicted
    in a noticeable load drop, are recorded throughout the tensile loading of long lamina
    specimens. Although the load at fracture is accurately reproduced by the FE
    simulation using the damage-based mesoscale model, the effect of fiber
    misalignment could not be captured.
  9. Bilkisu Maijama'a, Engku Muhammad Nazri Engku Abu Bakar
    MyJurnal
    For the past few years, government-funded universities in Malaysia faced an uphill
    battle to strategize their management budget due to significant budget cut by the
    Malaysian Government. One portion of the budget will be spent towards achieving the
    key performance indicators (KPIs) set by the universities to achieve their annual
    targets. Unfortunately, some universities set up their specific strategies to achieve the
    KPIs without ample consideration to the limited available resources where less
    attention is channeled to the cost of achieving the KPIs. Setting priorities and making
    decisions on allocation and reallocation of resources based on the direction of the
    strategies must be executed with transparency and accountability and will be of great
    importance. In this paper we illustrate how integer programming was applied to
    allocate budget based on the KPIs set for one of the government-funded Malaysian
    universities’ (U-XYZ’s) research and publication agenda. Two models were developed
    and successfully solved. The first model was to determine the total budget needed if
    all the KPIs were to be achieved while the second model was to distribute the allocated
    budget set by U-XYZ, for all the activities planned for the agenda. The result showed
    that in order to achieve the target, U-XYZ has to increase its budget allocation by
    RM2.164 million. Otherwise, U-XYZ can only expect to obtain 1.578 out of 1.593 points
    that is required to be achieved.
  10. Brintha Ganapathy, Yieng, Ying Choi, Norahim Ibrahim
    MyJurnal
    Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a device that generates electricity from the metabolism of
    bacteria simultaneously treats wastewater by decolourizing the azo dye in wastewater.
    In this work, the effect of different external loads and bacterial loads were examined.
    The maximum open circuit voltage generated was 390 mV by using 7 consortia of
    bacteria while the maximum current generated was 50 µA using 10 Ω resistor. 97%
    decolourization efficiency of 0.1 g/L of azo dye was achieved after 5 days of operation.
    Besides, the maximum current density and power density achieved were 17.9 µA/cm2
    and 460 µW/cm2
    respectively. Polarization curve was plotted and Scanning Electron
    Microscope was applied to visualize the bacterial community attachment onto the
    graphite felt electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to study the redox properties
    of the Azo dye using microorganisms in MFC. Overall, these 7 bacterial strains used in
    this work showed the capability in decolourizing the Azo dye simultaneously producing
    electricity in MFC.
  11. Bruno Lot Tanko, Fadhlin Abdullah, Zuhaili Mohamad Ramly, Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma
    MyJurnal
    Value management explicitly targets to optimize value by providing necessary
    functions at the least cost without sacrificing quality and performance. However, the
    activities/methods of this technique in emerging economies are here and there
    related to informal methodology. Therefore, the occurrence of these activities in an
    evolving economy requires investigation. The exploration of the extent to which the
    measured variables influenced the latent factors informed the need for this study.
    Data was retrieved via self-administered questionnaire from 344 registered and
    practicing construction professionals in Nigeria. The data was analyzed using SPSS for
    descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin
    measure of sampling adequacy revealed that the internal consistency of the
    developed research instrument was appropriate. Confirmatory factor analysis
    indicates satisfactory goodness of fit among acknowledged determinants of the
    model. Furthermore, the study revealed three (3) phases of the activities/methods of
    value management in the Nigerian construction industry which include: information,
    information/function analysis, and creativity/evaluation/development/presentation
    phases. This means that value management activities and methods are being
    practiced in Nigeria, however not as per the typical methodology or standard. The
    need to carry out the practice according to the formal value management
    methodology is therefore recommended.
  12. Chee, L.P., Wan Alwi, S.R., Lim, J.S.
    MyJurnal
    Aggregate planning acts as a blueprint for all operational planning activities. Despite
    the substantial amount of research that has been done in determining methods to
    improve aggregate planning approaches, the industry is still at a loss when it comes
    to working on the tactical planning aspect, especially in aggregate production.
    Therefore, this research work aims to present a comprehensive and generalised
    framework that will formulate a realistic batch production environment using an
    interactive Production Decision Support System. This system consists of an aggregate
    planning framework that combines a simulation model and a Pinch Analysis graphical
    approach to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the decision-making process.
    The target is to allow operational opportunities to be captured at first sight and thus,
    maximise organisational profit. The simplicity and practicality of this new Production
    Decision Support System is demonstrated through two illustrative examples where a
    total of four heuristics were identified and turned into the new strategies to avoid the
    stock-out scenarios.
  13. Chen Wong Keong, Yusri Yusof
    MyJurnal
    Computer technology has become a very important element in an advanced manufacturing system. The good and systematic data model for the exchange of manufacturing information between different stages of development of product life cycle is paramount to ensure the product is manufactured and delivered to the market successfully. As a result, ISO 10303, an international standard, or well known as Standard for Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) is not just for providing a neutral data format within the heterogenous CAD systems, its functionality has extended to the whole life cycle of product. STEP Part 21 is the first implementation method from EXPRESS modelling language and implemented successfully as neutral product data to integrate heterogeneous CAD platform. However, this CAD STEP Part21 text file is hardly to be applied in manufacturing processes since it consists of purely geometrical and topological data. In this research, a nonprocedural approach is presented to translate the EXPRESS language model of STEP CAD data into a new product database system model. A new nonprocedural approach of data enrichment and automated machining feature recognition is proposed and implemented on this newly developed product database system and provide a solution for the interrelated tasks of automated machining feature recognition: (1) extraction of geometrical feature from STEP CAD model data of the part (2) formation of part representation suitable for form feature identification (3) matching of form features. This paper proves the validity of this newly developed product database system by translating STEP Part21 file from a commercial CAD system to database system format, data enrichment, performing automated machining feature recognition and lastly generating STEP standard data according to AP224 for supporting STEP based process planning and manufacturing applications.
  14. Choo, Chee Wee, Muralindran Mariappan, Resot Iggau, Brendan Khoo, Wong, Wei Kitt
    MyJurnal
    Piano technique is one of the main part of piano playing. Some researches had
    attempted to unveil the technique of virtuoso pianists using technologies. These
    researches employ different types of sensors in order to capture motion data of piano
    playing. However, one area in this research had been under-represented, which is
    finger position and pressure measurement applied by the musician while playing the
    musical instrument. Research that embark on this area faced a common problem, the
    sensors used in these research are directly in contact with the pianist, which causes a
    change of piano playing experience. Since piano playing consists of very delicate
    interaction between the pianist and the piano, such change of experience may affect
    the pianist’s performance. These sensors are considered to be intrusive to the piano
    playing experience. Concluding the challenges faced by current technologies, a nonintrusive
    sensor is proposed and the circuit design of the sensor is discussed in this
    paper.
  15. David Olugbenga Taiwo, Nooraini Yusoff, Norsiah Abdul Aziz
    MyJurnal
    Housing is ranked second as a basic human need after food. Generally, there is
    inadequate housing both in the rural and urban centres in most of the developing
    countries. The issue of housing quality seems to be common in the rural areas
    whereas the major housing problem in urban areas is more of insufficient supply
    from which the people can make choices. In any preference and choice situation,
    certain underlying motivational factors make it possible for an individual to evaluate
    available alternatives. Preferences and choices are dynamic operational activities
    individuals make based on changing circumstances and situations. The study
    examines housing choices and preferences within the Nigerian housing delivery
    systems. The study employed quantitative method of data collection. A total of 434
    questionnaires were distributed to selected households in the South West,
    geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The analysis was based on 359 retrieved questionnaires
    that represented 82.7 percent response rate. Descriptive statistics, relative
    importance index and regression analysis was used for the analysis. Using relative
    importance index, the study found out that 41 percent of the respondents preferred
    3 bedroom flat with a relative importance index of 0.74, followed by 2 bedrooms flat
    with RII of 0.64, self-contain with RII of 0.61. The study also revealed that the state of
    the national economy plays a prominent role in individual’s housing preferences and
    choices and increasingly a large number of Nigerians find housing to be beyond the
    family budget. The authors are also of the opinion that policy measures that
    incorporate the design of low-cost social housing and the creation of conducive
    environment for developers such as the granting of tax break and provision of
    subsidy may promote a better housing delivery system. Consideration of user
    preferences for housing is a requirement to meeting and satisfying housing needs.
  16. Deraman, R.F., Mahayadin, M., Mohd Ruslan, S.Z., Othman, N.I., Nasir, M.A.S.
    MyJurnal
    Many nonlinear problems that arise in various science and engineering fields can be
    modelled by the Goursat partial differential equations. Modelling these non-linear
    problems using the Goursat partial differential equations has not received much
    attention especially the theoretical aspect . The proposed scheme of solution is
    supported by examining a nonlinear Goursat problem. The verification of the
    theoretical results from several series of numerical experiments are discussed. Results
    obtained from Taylor series expansion show that the proposed new scheme is
    consistent. By using the von Neumann analysis and essence of stability, the proposed
    new scheme is found to be unconditionally stable. In addition, the trend of the
    numerical results shows that the new scheme is also convergent.
  17. Elexson Nillian, Malini Mathialagan, Samuel Lihan, Grace Bebey, Patrick Guda Benjamin
    MyJurnal
    Kaempferia galangal rhizome is one of the traditional medicinal plant species in
    Zingiberaceae family and well known as “cekur” in Borneo. Rapid emergence of
    multidrug resistance of V. cholerae biofilm has increased the failure of antibiotic
    treatment in recent years. This research was designed to demonstrate the
    antimicrobial activity of K. galangal rhizome extract against twenty six (n=26) V. cholera
    biofilm which were isolated from outbreak in Limbang, Sarawak in 2016. K. galangal
    rhizome was analyzed by methanol extraction and tested against biofilm of V. cholerae.
    The susceptibility of V. cholerae towards K. galangal rhizome was evaluated using disk
    diffusion method which showed a maximum zone of inhibition of 12.0 mm at 1000
    mg/mL concentration. As a result, the MBEC50 of V. cholerae was between 125 mg/mL
    to 250 mg/mL while more than 90% biofilm eradication (MBEC90) was achieved by 500
    mg/mL extract concentration. Extract-treated cell showed change in the morphology
    of V. cholerae by destruction of cell wall. K. galangal rhizome extract acts as a potent
    antibiofilm agent with dual actions by preventing and eradicating the biofilm of V.
    cholerae.
  18. Erni Suryani Suharto, Nurul I'zzah Othman, Mohd Agos Salim Nasir
    MyJurnal
    In this paper, we demonstrate a modified scheme for solving the nonlinear KleinGordon
    equation of PDE hyperbolic types. The Klein-Gordon equation is a relativistic
    wave equation version of the Schrodinger equation, which is widely used in quantum
    mechanics. Additionally, the nonstandard finite difference scheme has been used
    extensively to solve differential equations and we have constructed a modified scheme
    based on the nonstandard finite difference scheme associated with harmonic mean
    averaging for solving the nonlinear inhomogeneous Klein-Gordon equation where the
    denominator is replaced by an unusual function. The numerical results obtained have
    been compared and showed to have a good agreement with results attained using the
    standard finite difference (CTCS) procedure, which provided that the proposed scheme
    is reliable. Numerical experiments are tested to validate the accuracy level of the
    scheme with the analytical results.
  19. Fakhriyah Nur Ibrahim, Masni Mat Yusoff, Radhiah Shukri, Mohammad Rashedi Ismail-Fitry
    MyJurnal
    Pork and bovine collagen incorporated into meat products showed promising
    functional properties as food ingredients but has the halal issue. This study
    investigated the effect of incorporating fish collagen hydrolysate (FCH) as a fat replacer
    in buffalo patties in terms of proximate values, texture and colour properties. There
    were five different formulations including a control (10% fat, 0% FCH), A (7.5% fat, 2.5%
    FCH), B (5% fat, 5% FCH), C (2.5% fat, 7.5% FCH), and D (0% fat, 10% FCH). There were
    no significant differences (p>0.05) between all formulations in terms of cooking yield,
    shrinkage, water-holding capacity, and pH value. The sensory test showed no
    significant difference (p>0.05) between all formulations in terms of colour,
    appearance, juiciness, aroma, and overall acceptability, while sample D with 10% FCH
    had significantly lower (p
  20. Firdaus Abd Latib, Haziq Zul Asyraf Zahari, Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid, Kevin Chester Wong How Yee
    MyJurnal
    The probability of the construction accident to happen is high due the nature of
    Construction work that involves complex activities, methods, machineries, materials
    and hazards. The occupational safety and health (OSH) law and regulations are
    mandatory for every construction project to uphold. Responsibilities to ensure the
    safety and health at the workplace lies with those who create the risk and with those
    who work with the risk. The owner or client of the construction project has the upper
    hand in determining the standard of OSH implementation in their project through
    contract documents. If the contract documents comprehensively spell out OSH
    requirements and cover all OSH cost, then the issues of contractor not implementing
    OSH measures could be minimized. The objective of this study is to identify
    Occupational Safety and Health requirements (OSH) in the contract document of
    selected construction projects. To achieve this objective, a total of seven contract
    document was collected from several construction companies. The qualitative analysis
    was performed to identify the extent of OSH requirements and costs are being
    mentioned in the contract documents. The finding shows that most of the contract
    document contains very little emphasis on OSH requirements and budgeting. Only one
    contract contains, an appendix that spell out about the safe work practices for
    construction works. The visible allocated budget for OSH requirements for all seven
    contracts is very minute range from 0.21% to 1.99% of contract value. In order to
    ensure that occupational safety and health is properly implemented, safety needs must
    be included in the budget because implementation it is not free, this can be achieved
    by making it a permanent feature in all bills of quantity of the project.
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