A monitoring procedure was introduced for process variability in a multivariate setting based on individual observations which was a combination of (i) robust high breakdown point approach in the set-up stage to determine the reference sample and (ii) the use of Wilks chart in the mass production stage. This setting is what the Malaysian manufacturing industry is currently lacking in, especially when a robust approach must be used. The advantage of this procedure was revealed by using the case of a female shrouded connector production process in a Malaysian industry. Moreover, this procedure could also be used in any process quality monitoring and for any industry. A recommendation for quality practitioners was also addressed.
Malaysia is the world’s top manufacturer of examination and surgical natural rubber (NR) gloves, exported mainly to the USA and Europe. The glove manufacturing process yields effluent which must be treated to comply with the stringent regulatory requirements imposed by the Malaysian Department of Environment. To make glove manufacturing an eco-friendly process, efforts are geared towards minimizing and utilizing waste or converting it into raw material for making value-added products. Waste generated from the glove industry is mainly rubber sludge which is obtained from the chemical flocculation stage of the effluent treatment process and consists of mainly rubber, remnants of compounding ingredients and water. R&D work by the Malaysian Rubber Board on waste utilization and resource recovery investigations have revealed many uses for this sludge. This paper briefly outlines only one of the many options available, which is the conversion of the sludge into sludge derived fuel (SDF). Preliminary study has identified three formulations of SDF with calorific values (CV) exceeding 16 000 kJ/kg, matching a good grade coal. This was considered as promising results which warrant explorative work for further increasing the CV of SDF to turn it into a viable fuel substitute in the latex products manufacturing industry and subsequently apply for a Clean Development Mechanism status to generate income.
This paper reviews the advances made on studies related to bank erosion. Bank erosion has been an area of interest by researchers in geological, geotechnical, hydraulic, hydrology and river engineering disciplines. With anticipated global challenges from climate change impacts, bank erosion studies could support challenges faced in ensuring sustainable environmental management. The evolution in the theoretical and laboratory findings have led to the advances in bank erosion and contributed to new knowledge in the said field. This review summarises the findings of previous investigators including measurements approach and prediction of rates of bank erosion through the use of physical models and numerical approach.
Finding a proper transition structure for the peptide bond formation process can lead to a better understanding of the role of the ribosome in catalyzing this reaction. A potential energy surface scan was performed on the ester bond dissociation of the P-site aminoacyl-tRNA and the peptide bond formation of P-site and A-site amino acids. The full fragment of initiator tRNAi met attached to both cognate (met) and non-cognate (ala) amino acids as the P-site substrate and the methionine as the A-site amino acid was used in this study. Due to the large size of tRNA, ONIOM calculations were used to reduce the computational cost. This study illustrated that the rate of peptide bond formation was reduced for misacylated tRNA without the presence of ribosomal bases. This demonstrated that there were indeed specific structural interactions involving the amino acid side chain within the tRNAi met.
Transition metals play an important role in the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Series of unsupported hybrid catalysts consisting of Ni:Cu, Ni:Cr, and Ni:Mn doped with Nd catalyst, respectively were synthesized by impregnation method. The catalytic performance of the catalyst for the production of CNTs was measured in the pyrolysis process of hydrocarbon source by catalytic chemical vapour deposition method. Acetylene gas was used as the source of carbon in the pyrolysis process. The decomposition of acetylene was carried out at 700ºC. The bulk properties of the catalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis were used to observe the morphology and thermal stability of the as-synthesized CNTs, respectively. Hybrid catalyst of Ni:Mn/Nd and Ni:Cr/Nd in 3:1 atomic ratio gave high percentage of carbon yield which was assigned for the high production of CNTs with the mass of yield 18 times greater than the initial mass of the catalyst used.
Widespread deforestation has resulted in soil degradation that is often linked to environmental and ecological changes. Rehabilitation of degraded forest is essential to prevent further degradation of the soil. Abundance of soil microbiota could serve as an essential biological indicator of soil health for rehabilitation success. An investigation was conducted to study the relationship between cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbial counts and age of rehabilitated forest. A random sampling design was used to obtain four replicates of five composite soil of 0–10 cm depth soil samples of 4, 9, 14 and 19-year-old rehabilitated forest. Three selective media: Congo red cellulose, nitrogen-free malate and calcium phosphate media were used for the enumerations of cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbes, respectively. Cellulolytic and phosphate-solubilizing microbes were counted based on the formation of clearing zones, while nitrogen-fixing microbes were based on the formation of blue halo on the respective media. There was positive linear relationship between age of the rehabilitated forest and microbial count. These findings revealed that the potentials of cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbial populations could be used as biological indicators of forest soil rehabilitation.
Measurement of low magnetic field has played an important role in many electronics applications such as navigation, military, non-destructive test, traffic detection as well as medical diagnosis and treatment. The presence of magnetic field, particularly its strength and direction, can be measured using magnetometer. There are many types of magnetometers being investigated through the years and one of the prominent types is fluxgate magnetometer. The main components of fluxgate magnetometer consisting of driving coils, sensing coils and magnetic core are developed by MEMS silicon processing technology. In this paper, an investigation on physical characteristics of the three-dimensional coil structure for a micro-scaled fluxgate magnetometer is presented. The physical characteristics such as width of the coil, distance between successive coils, and gap between the top and bottom coils which would influence the magnetic energy in magnetometer is discussed. In this work, finite-element method simulations to investigate the physical characteristics of the sensing coils were carried out, where the parameter of interest is the coils’ inductance as well as the magnetic flux density. Based on the simulation results, the varying of physical characteristics of the coils had its effects particularly in coil inductance, magnetic flux density, and magnetic energy. It could also be seen that the simulated results agreed with the theoretical aspects of magnetism in a coil. From the investigations, suitable coil dimensions were proposed.
Solvent flow reactor system was introduced into the extraction system to increase the system efficiency and enhance the extraction yield by adding fresh solvent during the extraction processes. The liquefaction experiment was carried out at various flow-rates (1, 3 and 5 ml/min), reaction times (30, 45 and 60 min) and reaction temperatures (300ºC, 350ºC, 400ºC, 420ºC and 450ºC) with tetralin as solvent. Despite the ability of adding fresh solvent into the extraction process, the conversion of oil+gas was still considered to be low as there was ~25% of coal extracts left to be converted into low molecular weight compounds. One possible option to increase the oil yield is by applying catalyst that will further break up the coal extracts into small molecular weight compounds. In this study, a second reactor was introduced consisting of catalyst (NiSiO2) assuming that the catalyst would interact more effectively with coal extracts rather than the coal itself. In the
absence of catalyst, the oil yield was 55%. By introducing the Ni catalyst, the oil yield increased by 15%. Further analysis of GCMS showed that the oil from catalytic liquefaction gave out more low molecular weight compounds in comparison to the un-catalytic liquefaction oil.
The electron-phonon coupling constant of the copper oxide-based high temperature superconductors in the van Hove scenario was calculated using three known models and by employing various acoustic data. Three expressions for the transition temperature from the models were used to calculate the constants. All three models assumed a logarithmic singularity in the density of states near the Fermi surface. The calculated electron-phonon coupling constant ranged from 0.06 to 0.28. The constants increased with the transition temperature indicating a strong correlation between electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity in these materials. These values were smaller than the values estimated for the conventional three-dimensional BCS theory. The results were compared with previous reports on direct measurements of electron-phonon coupling constants in the copper oxide based superconductors.
This study investigated the thermal properties of three room temperature curing adhesives containing nano particles which were thixotropic and shear thinning which allowed injection into overhead holes when exposed to different environmental conditions. Viscosity and shear stress of the adhesives were measured as a function of shear rate. The thermal behaviour of the adhesives were measured using dynamic mechanical thermal anylisis following exposures to different temperatures and humidities which included temperatures of 20 degrees Celcius, 30 degrees Celcius and 50 degrees Celcius, relative humidities of 65% RH, 75% RH 95% RH soaked in water at 20 degrees Celcius and placed in the oven at 50 degrees Celcius. The dynamic thermal properties reported include storage and loss modulus, the loss tangent and the glass transition temperature ( Tg ). For nano- and micro-particles filled adhesives, the Tg increased with the temperature increase, even though the adhesives was subjected to high humidity and this was due to further cross-linking. The results showed that room temperature cured epoxies were only partially cured at room temperature.
The unsustainable harvesting of sea cucumbers in the Straits of Malacca poses a danger of collapsing population of this marine resource. Recent survey revealed the absence of commercially important sea cucumber species like Stichopus horrens was alarming since there were a lot of taxonomical complications in identifying species from this genus. The knowledge of taxonomy and ecology is an integral part in determining resource management strategies and conservation of marine resources like sea cucumber.
Malaysia is currently poised to introduce its Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy and Act to bolster the nation's efforts at economic and social transformation. In championing this initiative, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, while continuing to advise the Government on STI issues of the day, has made major strides in taking stock of the country's STI strengths in the various sectors of the economy as well as weaknesses that need to be addressed in terms of human capital development. In this article, the author examines the level of research expertise presently in the country in the field of chemistry, and elaborates on the four key areas of energy, catalysis and chemical synthesis, materials science and biological chemistry which will be researched globally in the next few decades that we would also need to be engaged upon to remain competitive. Intended for a wider audience than chemists alone, the descriptive sections in the article by and large belie an interdisciplinary flavour. The article also advocates the need for a more thorough road mapping exercise of the STI efforts in chemistry across the spectrum of academia and industry and makes some recommendations towards forging strong collaborations in research between the universities, public research institutes and the industry which are seen as vital in providing cross-cutting chemical solutions throughout the value chains and to the success of technologies identified as critical to the nation.
This article uses finite volume and finite element methods for optimization of the artificial hair cell sensor. The performance of the sensor was investigated for different materials such as sicon and polysilicon and by varying hair cell dimensions including width and length. The silicon material which has low young modulus was proposed based on the simulation performance. The performance of the hair cell sensor was achieved by increasing the hair cell length while increasing the width did not significantly influence the performance. The
performance of the sensor was studied for its viscous force, deflection, von mises stress and sensitivity. From the simulation, the hair cell with a length of 1600 µm and 80 µm width was suggested for the subsequent analysis. Another way to improve the performance was by modifying the hair cell geometry and it was proved that the modified hair cell was more sensitive, based on the deflection. The angle of flow that hit the hair cell also affected the deflection of the sensor where the zero angle flow which was parallel to the substrate was the most effective angle. The limitations of the performance of hair cell for various fluid velocity were also discussed in this paper.
Systems perspectives are fundamental in driving technological improvements and yield-enhancing strategies that improve agricultural productivity. These can resolve farmerʼs problems and are important pathways for sustaining food and nutritional security for human welfare in Asia. The essential determinants of this objective are the capacity to efficiently manage the natural resource base (land, crops, animals, and water) to resolve constraints to farming systems, and notably the integration of multiple research and development (R&D) issues through all levels of formal and non-formal learning systems. Both formal and informal education systems are important, with the former relating more to universities and colleges, and the latter to the intermediate level. Graduates from this level have the primary responsibility of introducing improved technologies and change to farmers, mainly along production and disciplinary pathways.The traditional research–extension–farmer model for technology delivery is no longer acceptable, due to “top down” extension functions and prescriptions, ineffectiveness to cope with the dynamics of production systems, complex interactions within the natural resources, effects of climate change and globalisation. There are also reservations on the technical capacity and skills of extension agents, constraints identification, methods for technology diffusion and dissemination, and innovative use of beneficial technological improvements that can directly respond to the needs of small farmers, and impact on subsistence agriculture. Agricultural education and systems perspectives are therefore an overriding compelling necessity which transcends prevailing limitations to waning agriculture and rural growth. Their wider recognition and applications provides an important means to maximise efficiency in the potential use; of the natural resources, increase engagement and investments in agriculture, promote ways to become more self-reliant in the development of crucial new technologies and intensification. These together can meet the challenges of the future and overcome the legacy of continuing poverty, food and nutritional insecurity. Asian farming systems, with their diversity of crops and animals, traditional methods, multiple crop-animal interactions, numerous problems of farmers present increasingly complex issues of natural resource management (NRM) and the environment. Many if not all of these can only be resolved by interdisciplinary R&D, which overcomes a major weakness of many R&D programmes presently and in the past. Improved education and training is a powerful and important driver of community-based participation aimed at enhancing sustainable food security, poverty reduction and social equity in which the empowerment of women in activities that support organising themselves is also an important pathway to enhance self-reliance and their contribution to agriculture. A vision for the future in which improved agricultural education in a systems context can provide the pathway to directly benefit the revitalisation of agriculture and agricultural development is proposed with a three-pronged strategy as follows:
Define policy for the development of appropriate curricular for formal agricultural education that provides strong multi-disciplinary orientation and improved understanding of the natural resources (land, crops, animals and water) and their interactions
Organise formal degree education and specialisation at the university level that reflects strong training in understanding of agricultural systems; systems perspectives, methodologies and their application, and
Define non-formal education and training needs that can be intensified at different levels, including the trainin of trainers as agents of change.
Throughout the years, the construction industry has made an important contribution to the Malaysian economy. Moreover, the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006–2010) has also played a significant role in the demands of executing major residential housing project developments where it has been observed that construction waste was one of the priority waste streams. Due to the increasing number in the population that is actively involved in economic activities, and the modernization of the country, the types of construction waste that are being produced, and identifying the source such as waste are becoming more complex. Therefore, appropriate actions and approaches are needed to be taken with respect to its effective management in handling the solid waste from construction sites. This paper is intended to review the issues and the challenges enclosed within the supply chain management mechanisms in order for improving construction waste management. Throughout this review, useful information and better understanding concerning the current issues, challenges and the supply chain management mechanisms would be made inclusive in the field to be explored. The findings would also assist in improving the quality and awareness on the construction waste management that is being practiced.
Molecular markers have been intensively used in assisting breeding to reduce the time taken by conventional breeding as well as helping introgression of specific traits. Baseline analysis of known markers is crucial in developing a genetic database on disease and pest resistance for local rice germplasm which does not yet
exist. In this study seven local rice varieties, including the popular MR219 and MRQ 74 and MRQ 76 (newly developed aromatic rice varieties), together with a foreign variety, Intani-2, were screened for genetic markers related to pest and disease resistance. One hundred and twenty-two type-related markers (SSR, STS, InDel and Allele-specific) for genes resistant to bacterial leaf blight, blast and brown planthopper were screened using PCR amplification and validated by sequencing. It was found that each variety had its own pattern of resistance. Using allele-specific markers namely pBPH9, pTA248 and Pisbdom were found to be the most efficient way to screen for the targeted genes. Of the seven varieties, MR219 and MR232 were found to have the highest distribution of markers for resistance genes against pest and diseases studied.
Nowadays, construction and demolition waste has become a major issue to environmental problems faced by many countries. This concern comes from the inefficiencies of waste management which includes the waste generated from construction and demolition activities. In Malaysia, there is a lack of database records on construction waste and this has affected proper management planning of the waste. As there is a lack of policy on construction waste management, control on construction waste disposal is very hazy and this has aggravated environmental problems and exhausted landfill usage and increased illegal dumping. This paper reviews the critical issues on construction waste management and also discusses several estimation models on construction waste generation from several countries. Based on the review, most of the countries faced problems regarding construction waste management and the models developed were considered as one of the methods which could be adopted for better management of construction wastes.
The paper seeks to assuage the fears and worries over living modified organisms (LMOs). It describes how any research carried out on LMOs as well as any release activity on LMOs for public use in Malaysia is controlled by the Biosafety Act 2007. Stringent risk assessment of the LMO and its product/s is carried out to eradicate or minimize the negative effects of these on animal and human health, and to biological diversity and the environment. In contrast, no such risk assessment is carried out on introduced exotic species, or on the products of other types of technology, with the exception of pharmaceuticals. Examples are given comparing risk assessment on LMOs and exotic species.
The role of science and technology (S&T) in preventing disasters and building resilience to climate change is featured in this paper, drawing primarily on the presentations and discussion of researchers, practitioners and policy makers from 31 institutions in 17 countries during the Workshop on Natural Disasters and Climate Change in Asia, held on 5–7 November 2012 in Bangi, Malaysia. Issues highlighted include advances in climate modelling and weather forecasts, with emphasis on information gaps; hazards and its cascading effects, focusing on current research and approaches; and the potential for land-based mitigation-adaptation strategies. Progress in mobilizing S&T to support disaster prevention and climate resilience is hindered by factors such as absence or lack of research, incomplete and non-existent scientific records, restricted access to data and capacity to innovate and transmit S&T, among others. The establishment of an Asian Network for Climate Science and Technology is proposed to provide and facilitate exchange of information and aid development of research co-ordination projects led by Asian researchers and possibly to act as a one-stop repository of global climate change related research too. The scope of the network would cover climate research with particular relevance to disaster resilience, including scientific capacity, which is all very distinct in Asia.
Aim: This study analyses factors affecting SP compliance among doctors and nurses in all areas of hospital settings worldwide.
Methods: The PICO guide helped put focus on this meta-analysis. Of the 100 studies published from search engines and/or databases from 2009 to 2014, only four were selected. A PRISMA guideline was also used to eliminate other studies. Critique framework helped in analysing the studies selected.
Outcomes: Four significant factors affected doctors’ and nurses’ compliance with the practice of SPs - health threats, behaviour modifications, systems controls and educations, and health promotions. Of the 33 doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynaecologic department, 30% complied; of the 120 doctors - 60% interns, 34.2% residents and 5.8% consultants - complied by proper hand gloving (56.7%), hand hygiene (39.3%) and wearing aprons (58.3%); of the 32 hospital nurses, 100% complied; and of the 1,444 clinical nurses in the hospital, there is a p