Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 839 in total

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  1. Al-Ghaili, Abbas M., Syamsiah Mashohor, Abdul Rahman Ramli, Alyani Ismail
    MyJurnal
    Recently, license plate detection has been used in many applications especially in transportation systems. Many methods have been proposed in order to detect license plates, but most of them work under restricted conditions such as fixed illumination, stationary background, and high resolution images. License plate detection plays an important role in car license plate recognition systems because it affects the accuracy and processing time of the system. This work aims to build a Car License Plate Detection (CLPD) system at a lower cost of its hardware devices and with less complexity of algorithms’ design, and then compare its performance with the local CAR Plate Extraction Technology (CARPET). As Malaysian plates have special design and they differ from other international plates, this work tries to compare two likely-design methods. The images are taken using a web camera for both the systems. One of the most important contributions in this paper is that the proposed CLPD method uses Vertical Edge Detection Algorithm (VEDA) to extract the vertical edges of plates. The proposed CLPD method can work to detect the region of car license plates. The method shows the total time of processing one 352x288 image is 47.7 ms, and it meets the requirement of real time processing. Under the experiment datasets, which were taken from real scenes, 579 out of 643 images were successfully detected. Meanwhile, the average accuracy of locating car license plate was 90%. In this work, a comparison between CARPET and the proposed CLPD method for the same tested images was done in terms of detection rate and efficiency. The results indicated that the detection rate was 92% and 84% for the CLPD method and CARPET, respectively. The results also showed that the CLPD method could work using dark images to detect license plates, whereas CARPET had failed to do so.
  2. Kiing, Sie Cheong, Balasubramaniam, Jaya-Raj, Yiu, Pang Hung, Wong, Sie Chuong, Amartalingam, Rajan
    MyJurnal
    Polyethylene is a widely used packaging material, but its non-biodegradable nature can lead to waste
    disposal problems. This increases the concern in research and development of biodegradable plastics from natural resource as alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics. In this study, biodegradable plastic composites were prepared by blending thermoplastic starch with natural rubber in the present of glycerol as plasticizer. Local sago starch was cast with 0.5 to 10% of natural rubber to prepare the bioplastic. The products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water absorption test, biodegradable test, hydrolysis test, and mechanical analysis. Meanwhile, composite with natural rubber latex was increased from 0.5 to 10% showing that the melting temperature is in the range of 120 to 150˚C, but with no significant difference. The water absorption characteristics, biodegradability, and tensile strength decreased by 11.21%, 30.18%, and 20.733 MPa, respectively. However, the elongation at break was increased from 26.67 to 503.3%. The findings of this study showed that sago starch has a great potential in bioplastic production with good miscibility and compatibility.
  3. Syazwani, Idrus, Nik Norsyahariati, Nik Daud, Amimul Ahsan
    MyJurnal
    The effect of osmotic stress was carried out to determine the resistance to salt toxicity using 4 Continuous
    Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR). A CSTR digestion study revealed that digesters seeded with an inoculum
    from a conventional mesophilic digester treating municipal wastewater and fed on domestic wastewater
    (DW) plus salts were able to acclimate successfully to a final salt concentration of 10 g l-1. The digesters
    showed some disturbances during the acclimatisation period as indicated by reductions in specific methane
    production (SMP), specific biogas production (SBP), pH and increases in Intermediate Alkalinity /Partial
    Alkalinity (1A/PA) ratio and Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) concentration. This study revealed the order
    of disturbance was Sodium Chloride (NaCl) > Potassium Chloride (KCl) > KCl + NaCl. The average
    values for SMP after stabilisation were below those in the controlled digester, at 0.335 (controlled),
    0.323 (NaCl), 0.316 (KCl + NaCl) and 0.308 l CH4 g-1 COD added (KCl).
  4. Mohamad, A.I., Tumin, M.H., Noor, N.L.M., Saman, F.M., Amin, M.N.M.
    MyJurnal
    Takaful, the Islamic alternative to conventional insurance, is based on the concept of social solidarity, cooperation and mutual indemnification of losses of members. The ‘transparency’ offered in the Takaful system will eliminates the elements of gharar (uncertainty), maisir (gambling) and riba (usury). Due to the dynamicity and complexity of cash flows in the Takaful system, the application of system dynamic approach is used in order to discover any possible internal and external impacts in the assumptions used in determining contributions rate from the participants. The traditional approach, which is the deterministic approach, has limitations where changes of the actual experience may cause operators to stop issuing the contract or product. Using system dynamic, these possible effects from the actual experience can be determined in terms of the amounts transferred to shareholder’s fund and results obtained can assist the management to decide which assumptions to be used so that the operators will continue solvent and making profit at the same time. The results of System Dynamic simulation analysis in this paper represent the impacts of component changes in the Takaful model. The results can be used as decision tools for the Takaful operators to determine the best assumptions and strategies in order to maximise their profits.
  5. Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed, AAS, Al-Gheethi, Mohd Shauqi Lutfi Ahmad, Siti Asmah Bakar, Sabariah Musa, Amir Hashim Mohd Kassim
    MyJurnal
    Greywater traditionally receives the least attention compared to other aspects of environmental sanitation. In Malaysia, most of village houses discharged lots of significant portion of greywater into stream without any treatment. Laundry Greywater (LGW) is one of the largest portion of greywater that has been directly discharged to the stream. The aim of this study was to identify the physical and chemical characteristic of laundry greywater quality from the houses and also to evaluate the efficiency of using ceramic waste coarse aggregate filtration for LGW treatment. The effectiveness of the treatment systems was optimized with different Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) and volume of samples by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The samples were taken from the direct discharge point of the laundry greywater at two houses. The results revealed that the efficiency of designed filtration system depended on HRT and volume of samples. The highest Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal from 1 L of LGW and after 3 hrs was 43.31%, while the highest removal of orthophosphate (PO4) (100%) and sodium (Na) (27.48%) were recorded with 2 L and after 2 hrs. It can be concluded that the ceramic waste coarse aggregate filtration was effective in reducing the pollutants in the LGW before the final disposal into the environment.
  6. Rosnani Ginting, Amir Yazid Ali
    MyJurnal
    Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a structured methodology that uses customer and technical
    requirements for designers and manufacturers to provide better products. Many researchers combine or
    integrate the technique of QFD with other methodologies such as Theory Inventive of Problem Solving
    (TRIZ) or Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) to optimise product design innovation and
    improvement. The combined methodologies are even used to solve process problems. Initial literature
    review of the application of stand-alone QFD poised several problems. Combining QFD with other
    techniques, such as TRIZ and DFMA, has helped to address these issues and forms the basis of future
    research. The integrated methods can solve main contradictory problems more precisely from product
    demand analysis to product design, production and application. Review work of the literature, specifically
    that on research and development of QFD, TRIZ and DFMA, showed that the said methodologies have
    been widely and successfully implemented in several practical applications such as resolving conflicts
    between customer and technical/engineering requirements and reducing production cost. This review work
    provides an in-depth analysis of identifying and finding issues of strengths, weaknesses and outcomes
    of the QFD when combined with TRIZ and also of QFD integrated with DFMA.
  7. Mohamed Hasnain Isa, Shamsul Rahman Mohamed Kutty, Sri Rahayu Mohd Hussin, Nurhidayati Mat Daud, Amirhossein Malakahmad
    MyJurnal
    The presence of heavy metals in aquatic systems has become a serious problem. Heavy metals can haveadverse effects on the environment as well as on human health. As a result, much attention has beengiven to new technologies for removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated waters. In this study,Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA), a locally available agricultural waste, was used for theremoval of Cd (as a representative heavy metal) from synthetic wastewater by batch adsorption process.The effects of pH, initial metal concentration, and contact time on Cd removal efficiency were studied.pH 4 was found to be the optimum. The removal efficiency was found to be correlated with the initialmetal concentration and contact time between adsorbent and adsorbate. Cd adsorption kinetics followedthe pseudo-second-order model and implied chemisorption. The adsorption equilibrium of Cd can bewell described by the Freundlich isotherm model.
  8. Bibie Sara Salleh, Jasni Md Noor, Riza Atiq O.K Rahmat, Amiruddin Ismail
    MyJurnal
    This paper presents a development of an expert system to be used as an advisory in finding the solution to problems which are normally solved by human experts. The E-ACTIVETRANS is developed to help young engineers/planners in designing a new cycle lane in urban areas and also to help in reallocation of an existing roadway space for cycle lanes. This system has three sub-systems: Planning on Strategies to Shift from Passive Transportation to Active Transportation, Design on Bicycle Facilities and Examples of Successful Implementation. This paper focuses on the design of bicycle facilities whereby the prototype was developed based on data acquired from the domain experts who are involved in bicycle facility module design, as well as the initial text analysis obtained during the domain familiarisation stage. The validation of the system was performed through a comparison of knowledge content in E-ACTIVETRANS based on expert opinion. The average level of acceptance is 91 percent which validates the system and knowledge of the experts.
  9. Nordin, N. I. A. A., Ariffin, H., Hassan, M.A., Ibrahim, N. A., Shirai, Y., Andou, Y.
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of milling methods on tensile properties of polypropylene (PP) / oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) biocomposites. Two types of mills were used; Wiley mill (WM) and disc mill (DM). Ground OPMF from each milling process was examined for its particle size distribution and aspect ratio by sieve and microscopic analyses, respectively. Results showed that DM-OPMF had smaller diameter fibre with uniform particle size compared to the WM-OPMF. Surface morphology study by SEM showed that DM-OPMF had rougher surface compared to WM-OPMF. Furthermore, it was found that PP/DM-OPMF biocomposite had higher tensile strength compared to PP/WM-OPMF, with almost two-fold. Thus, it is suggested that small diameter and uniform size fibre may improve stress transfer and surface contact between the fibre and polymer matrix and cause well dispersion of filler throughout the polymer resulted in better tensile strength of PP/DM-OPMF Compared to PP/WM-OPMF biocomposite. Overall, it can be concluded that disc milling could serve as a simple and effective grinding method for improving the tensile properties of biocomposite.
  10. Muhammad Hamizan Jamaludin, Yap, Bee Wah, Hapizah Mohd Nawawi, Chua, Yung-An, Marshima Mohd Rosli, Annamalai, Muthukkaruppan
    MyJurnal
    Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic disease that causes the elevation of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which subsequently leads to premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Features which have been reported to be associated with FH include lipids level, tendon xanthomata, and history of CHD. The Ordinal Logistic Regression model using the classification of FH patients with the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCN) as the dependent variable (where 1=Possible, 2=Probable, 3=Definite) was developed and evaluated for different types of link functions. The FH patients (n = 449) were recruited from health screening programmes conducted in hospitals and clinics in Malaysia from 2010 to 2018. Results indicate there is a significant association between FH categories with demographic factors (ethnicity and smoking) and physical symptoms (corneal arcus and xanthomata). The Ordinal Logistic Regression using Cauchit link function has lower Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) value, higher Nagelkerke’s R-Square and classification accuracy compared to Probit and Logit link function, diastolic blood pressure, corneal arcus and xanthomata were found to be significant covariates of FH.
  11. Khairul Nizam Tahar, Anuar Ahmad
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this study was to investigate the capabilities of low-cost digital cameras in volume determination. Low-cost digital cameras are capable of many applications including aerial photogrammetry and close-range photogrammetry. Low-cost digital cameras have the potential to be used in landslide monitoring and mapping. In this study, a low-cost digital camera was used as a tool to acquire digital images of a model of a simulated landslide. The model was constructed using cement and sand with the dimensions of 3m in length and 1m width. Digital images of the simulated model were acquired using the technique of aerial photogrammetry and were subsequently processed using digital photogrammetric software. A portion of the simulated model was excavated to simulate a landslide and volume determination was carried out for the excavated sand. The results showed that low-cost digital cameras can be used in photogrammetric application including volume determination.
  12. Anuar Ahmad
    MyJurnal
    Normally, topographic map is produced using aerial photogrammetry. The recent development in aerial photogrammetry is the use of large format digital aerial camera for producing topographic map, however, the cost of the camera is too expensive and many mapping organization around the world could not afford to purchase it. In certain application, there is a need to map small area with limited budget. This issue has been solved by using small format camera (i.e. conventional or digital) to produce digital map. This study concentrates on the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for producing digital map. UAV has been widely used in military for reconnaissance, planning, combat, and etc. Today, UAV can be used by civilian for reconnaissance, monitoring, mapping, and others. The objectives of this study are to investigate the capability of UAV in producing digital map and assess the accuracy of mapping using UAV. In this study, a light weight fixed wing UAV was used as a platform and a high resolution digital camera was used to acquire aerial digital images of the study area. The aerial digital images were acquired at low altitude. After capturing the aerial digital images, ground control points and check points were established using GPS. Then the aerial digital images were processed using photogrammetric software. The output of the study is a digital map and digital orthophoto. For accuracy assessment, the root mean square error (RMSE) is used. Based on the assessment, the results showed that accuracy of sub-meter can be obtained using the procedure and method used in the study. In conclusion, this study shows that UAV can be used for producing digital map at sub-meter accuracy and it can also be used for diversified applications.
  13. Nor Kalsum Mohd Isa, Albahori, Ainul Samihah, Kamarul Ismail, Anuar Alias
    MyJurnal
    Execution of the green building project specifically among the housing developers in Malaysia is still at its infancy. As of August 2016, there are only 16 housing projects certified by the Green Building Index (GBI) under the category of Residential New Construction (RNC) since the assessment systems established in 2010. The authors address this issue in the context of the factors affecting the execution of the green building project among the housing developers in Klang Valley. A pilot study by using questionnaire survey was conducted among 30 housing developers from 10 different zones divided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia. This paper aimed to report the results of the reliability test of the designed questionnaire. The results based on the Cronbach’s Alpha analysis showed that the items used in the questionnaire were reliable and obtained an acceptable level of internal consistency, which were relevant for the main study. The pilot study revealed that only 9 out of 30 respondents had the completed or ongoing green building projects. The findings exposed the level of knowledge, emotion, value, attitude, behavior and the potential factors affecting the execution of the green building projects among the housing developers in Klang Valley.
  14. Sabarinah Sh Ahmad, Noraini Ahmad, Anuar Talib
    MyJurnal
    Safe level of daylighting for artefact conservation in historic buildings is a difficult task to achieve. Previous studies indicated that lighting problems in historic museum galleries were mainly due to unshaded walls that allowed direct sun penetration over the display areas. Ceiling geometry can also affect the daylighting performance significantly, particularly on the interior distribution of light. Malaysia, with hot and humid climate, and tropical sky conditions receives plenty of natural light all year around. The fluxes in natural lighting exposures confirm the need for strategic daylight control programme in the exhibition gallery. The study aims to assess the ceiling geometry contribution for four orientations; North, East, South and West through computer simulations. The research approach was based on comparisons between pitched and flat ceiling simulation output data. Further comparisons were performed with the recommended lighting limits for conservation of artefacts. The comparisons allowed better understanding of light damage issues and highlight the control of daylighting distributions through realistic predictive images and ceiling geometry designs. The results showed that the types of exhibits materials and its placement are affected by the ceiling geometry and constant changes in natural lighting exposure. The study confirms that ceiling geometry can act as a control mechanism with the environment physical features as part of preventive conservation criteria in the exhibition gallery. Thus, a systematic light-monitoring programme in the exhibition gallery is necessary to control illuminance level and cumulative exposure limits, for artefact preservation.
  15. Arasan, Jayanthi
    MyJurnal
    This paper investigates several asymptotic confidence interval estimates, based on the Wald, likelihood ratio and the score statistics for the parameters of a parallel two-component system model, with dependent failure and a time varying covariate, when data is censored. This model is an extension of the bivariate exponential model. The procedures are investigated via a coverage probability study using the simulated data. The results clearly indicate that the interval estimates, based on the likelihood ratio method, work better than any of the other two methods when dealing with the censored data.
  16. Seyed Mohammad Hossein Moosavi, Amiruddin Ismail, Ardalan Balali
    MyJurnal
    Bus services usually tend to be irregular and their level of irregularity depends on various factors, such as crowding level, terminal departure behaviour, passengers’ behaviour, operator behaviour, traffic and weather condition and etc. High-frequency bus routes have shorter headways (usually headway less than 10 to 15 minutes) and higher passenger demand compared with normal routes. Therefore, level of irregularity can be even higher in bus service at high-frequency operation. Running time variability comes from both systematic changes in ridership and traffic levels at different times of the day, which can be accounted for in service planning, and the inherent stochasticity of homogeneous periods, which must be dealt with through real-time operations control. This study evaluated impact of ridership changes and traffic condition through time of the day on running time variability, using Automatic Vehicle Location system (AVL) and Automatic Fare Collection system (AFC). All data extracted and collected from RapidKL Company for route U32, which is a high-frequency route in downtown of Kuala Lumpur. Descriptive analysis on data showed a high variation in running times, especially in morning peak hours. A liner regression model also proved than crowding level (extracted from AFC data), number of stops and congestion zones have relatively high impact on running time variation.
  17. Tang, S.H., Khaksar, W., Ismail, N.B., Ariffin, M.K.A.
    MyJurnal
    The ability of a robot to plan its own motion seems pivotal to its autonomy, and that is why the motion planning has become part and parcel of modern intelligent robotics. In this paper, about 100 research are reviewed and briefly described to identify and classify the amount of the existing work for each motion planning approach. Meanwhile, around 200 research were used to determine the percentage of the application of each approach. The paper includes comparative tables and charts showing the application frequency of each approach in the last 30 years. Finally, some open areas and challenging topics are presented based on the reviewed papers.
  18. Abd Ghani Aizat, Paiman, Bawon, Lee, Seng Hua, Ashaari Zaidon
    MyJurnal
    In this study, the effects of addition of ammonium and aluminium-based hardeners into
    urea formaldehyde resin (UF) on the physico-mechanical properties and formaldehyde
    emission of the rubberwood particleboard were investigated. Four types of hardeners,
    namely ammonium chloride (AC), ammonium sulphate (AS), aluminium chloride (AlC)
    and aluminium sulphate (AlS), were added into UF resin. The acidity, gelation time,
    viscosity and free formaldehyde content of the UF/hardener mixtures were determined.
    Particleboard made with the UF/hardener mixtures were tested for physico-mechanical
    properties and formaldehyde emission. The pH values of the resin after addition of
    aluminium-based hardeners were higher and resulted in higher viscosity and shorter
    gelation time. Consequently, despite lower formaldehyde emission was recorded, the
    physico-mechanical properties of the resulted particleboard were inferior compared to
    that of ammonium-based hardeners. The best quality particleboard in terms of mechanical,
    physical and formaldehyde emission were obtained from the particleboard made with AS,
    followed by AC.
  19. Sara Azuana Khalidah Khalid, Ferdaus Mohamat Yusuff, Faradiella Mohd Kusin, Aziz Arshad, Asha’ari, Zulfa Hanan
    MyJurnal
    Sediment has been widely used as a means for assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on aquatic environment, with metal pollution being the most well-known threat to aquatic environments. Therefore the aim of this study is to identify and determine metal concentrations, specifically that of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) on four sediment cores samples of KongKong Laut Masai Johor. The aqua regia method had been used to analyze Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe and Zn concentrations in sediment samples. Metal concentrations had then been determined through the use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The degree of metal contamination in sediment core samples had been determined through using Enrichment Factors (EF) and Geoaccumulation Indices (Igeo). From this study, the mean and standard deviation of metal concentrations in each sediment core sample were shown to be lower than the average shale concentration and lower than both the effects-range low (ERL) and effects-range median (ERM) parameters for aquatic toxicity. This information could be useful, serving as a baseline for evaluating the potential impacts of future development in the area.
  20. Iqbal, Rizwan, Masrah Azrifah Azmi Murad, Ashraf, Adnan
    MyJurnal
    The use of graphical knowledge representation formalisms with a representational vocabulary agreement of terms of conceptualization of the universe of discourse is a new high potential approach in the ontology engineering and knowledge management context. Initially, concept maps were used in the fields of education and learning. After that, it became popular in other areas due to its flexible and intuitive nature. It was also proven as a useful tool to improve communication in corporate environment. In the field of ontologies, concept maps were explored to be used to facilitate different aspects of ontology development. An essential reason behind this motivation is the structural resemblance of concept maps with the hierarchical structure of ontologies. This research aims to demonstrate quantitative evaluation of 4 different hypotheses related to the effectiveness of using concept maps for ontology conceptualization. The domain of Quran was selected for the purpose of this study and it was conducted in collaboration with the experts from the Centre of Quranic Research, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results of the hypotheses demonstrated that concept mapping was easy to learn and implement for the majority of the participants. Most of them experienced improvement in domain knowledge regarding the vocabularies used to refer to the structure of organization of the Quran, namely Juz, Surah, Ayats, tafsir, Malay translation, English translation, and relationships among these entities. Therefore, concept maps instilled the element of learning through the conceptualization process and provided a platform for participants to resolve conflicting opinions and ambiguities of terms used immediately.
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