The Malacca river runs through the Malacca UNESCO heritage site where a number of historical buildings are located. The river itself runs through several industrial sites that increase the chances of the water being polluted. Water pollution including heavy metals, in the long run, can damage the reputation of the site. Hence monitoring of the water quality needs to be done periodically. As the cost of instrumental monitoring is costly, biomonitoring using enzyme is being intensely developed worldwide. In this study, a rapid inhibitive enzyme assay using the molybdenum-reducing enzyme from the bacterium Serratia sp. strain DRY6 sensitive to the heavy metals mercury, copper, silver, and chromium was developed as a method for a rapid monitoring of heavy metals. The IC¬50 values for mercury, copper, silver and chromium were 0.268, 0.352, 0.393 and 0.499 mg L-1, while the LOD values were 0.166, 0.071, 0.033 and 0.064 mg L-1, respectively. The IC50 values for these heavy metals are comparable and in several cases, more sensitive than established assays. Water samples from various locations in the Melaka river were tested for the presence of heavy metals using the developed assay. Enzyme activity was found to be inhibited in one sampling location, but the concentration of metal ions on the site was found to be below the Maximum Permissible Limit according to Malaysian Environmental Quality standard. The assay for heavy metals can be completed in less than 10 minutes and can be carried out at ambient temperature. The assay is rapid and simple and can be used as a first screening method or even near real-time method for routine monitoring of heavy metals.
Aesthetic value of the automotive car seat has been one of the selling points of each car besides
providing functions such as being safe, supportive as well provides comfort to the occupants. Other
criteria considered besides the aesthetic element are cushion foam and self-adjustment factor.
Ergonomics is not a new issue because most of the existing seat design today have already practiced it.
Existing car seat manufacturers have considered anthropometry data. The average upon 95th percentile of
human measurement had been deliberated. However, issues such as time spent driving and seat design
issue have arisen upon the search of comfort and rising of musculoskeletal disease such as back pain. As a
solution, this study would propose an automotive car seat design of ergonomic evolution, which would
create comfort by manipulating the seat cushion foams. The proposed seat cushion foam would be use to
replace the existing polymers with beanbag foam. This is inspire by the nature of beanbag, fitting up and
providing comfort to the occupants of various body sizes and shapes. Malaysian anthropometry
measurements are required for design of car seat, which later compared with the existing seats of
commercial vehicle. The literature review showed the pressure mapping technique of respondent seating
on the existing car seat. The most sensitive compartments where discomfort are experienced studied and
placed with sachets filed with beanbag beads. This experiment conducted many times over a few
respondents by using the pressure mat to find out, if there are any changes in terms of comfort. This
design of new car seat with a manipulation cushion foam replaced with beanbag foam could be a niche to
eliminate discomfort to all range body sizes and shapes.
This study was conducted to analyses the Biceps Brachii (BB) muscle contraction during different driving postures.
Drivers’ posture is one of the factors that contribute to driving fatigue that eventually may lead to road accident
and injuries. The experiment conducted for this study is using the surface electromyography (SEMG) method for
objective evaluation of muscle involved in driving activities. A total of 14 participants are involved in the
experiment. The experiment was done on three different posture based on comfortable angles published by previous
research. From the results analysis, the RMS value for activity left turn is lower than activity for right turn for all
three postures and results also shows that posture B with elbow angle of 134° is perceived as most comfortable
based on the lowest value of muscle contraction with a value of 15.67μV. The outcomes from this study are hoped to
benefit both manufactures and also car users in ensuring better and optimum driving postures that can avoid fatigue
and injuries.
Glyphosate is an agricultural herbicide with usage in the amounts of thousands of tonnes per year
in Malaysia. In certain soils, glyphosate can persist for months and its removal through
bioremediation is the most economical and practical. A previously isolated glyphosate-degrading
bacterium showed substrate inhibition to the degradation rate. Important degradation inhibition
constants can be reliably obtained through nonlinear regression modelling of the degradation rate
profile using substrate inhibition models such as Luong, Yano, Teissier-Edward, Aiba, Haldane,
Monod and Han and Levenspiel models. The Aiba model was chosen as the best model based on
statistical tests such as root-mean-square error (RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination
(adjR2), bias factor (BF) and accuracy factor (AF). The calculated values for the Aiba-Edwards
constants qmax (the maximum specific substrate degradation rate (h−1), Ks (concentration of
substrate at the half maximal degradation rate (mg/L) and Ki (inhibition constant (mg/L)) were
131±34, 4446±2073, and 24323±5094, respectively. Novel constants obtained from the
modelling exercise would be useful for further secondary modelling implicating the effect of
media conditions and other factors on the degradation of glyphosate by this bacterium.
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.
Physical fatigue or muscle fatigue is a common problem that affects people
who are vigorously involved in activities that require endurance movements.
It becomes more complicated to measure the fatigue level when the dynamic
motion of the activity is included. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a
wearable device that can be used for monitoring physical fatigue condition
during aerobic exercise. A 10-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) microcontroller
board was used to process the data sensed by Ag/AgCl electrodes
and real-time transmitted to the computer through Bluetooth's technology.
The wearable was attached to the knee and connected to the biopotential
electrodes for sensing the muscle movement and convert it into the electrical
signal. The signal then processed by using the fourth-order Butterworth filter
to filter the low-pass filter frequency and eliminate the noise signal. The
results reveal that the fatigue level increased gradually based on the rating of
perceived exertion (RPE), using 10-point Borg's scale, which is rated by the
subject’s feeling. Both muscle's activities in lower limb rise as speed is
increased, and it was also observed that the rectus femoris is functioning
more than gastrocnemius due to the size of muscle fiber. Furthermore, it
was established that the maximum volumetric contraction (MVC) could be
used as a reference and indicator for measuring the percentage of contraction
in pre-fatigue but not to fatigue induced experiment. However, this wearable
device for EMG is promising to measure the muscle signal in the dynamic
motion of movement. Consequently, this device is beneficial for a coach to
monitor their athlete's level of exhaustion to be not over-exercise, which also
can prevent severe injury.
Chronic inflammation is associated with processes that contribute to the onset or progression of cancer. This study examined the correlation between dichotomised patients with malignant tumours and inflammatory markers based on the altered glucose metabolism measured by the FDG SUVmax that underpins the degree of tumour aggressiveness. Thirty-one patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for various carcinoma along with blood inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were obtained in retrospective study. Patients were dichotomised by the cut-off SUVmax value of 6.0 dl/ml derived from curve analysis (P=-0.025). The mean age of the subjects were 53.16 ± 12.06 years and mean SUVmax of 8.80±6.27 g/ml. Significant correlation was noted between the SUVmax and CRP and IL6 (r=0.361; P
Intramuscular haemangioma is relatively rare and accounts for less than 1% of all haemangioma.
Most of these tumours occur in the trunk, arms and legs. Only 14% of all intramuscular haemangioma arise
from the head and neck region, with masseter muscle representing the most common site of involvement,
followed by the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. We present a case of a 60-year-old man with a
soft lump in the left cheek. Imaging of the neck showed irregular, dilated enhancing vessels seen in the left
masseter muscle suggestive of intramuscular haemangioma. Excisional biopsy was performed, and
histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis.
The present research sought to examine the teamwork performance among AIM microcredit
participants based on Tuckman (1965) model. Hence, the author elaborates the level of teamwork
process such as forming, norming, storming and performing in a group among AIM participant in
Daerah Hulu Langat. The AIM is replication of the Grameen Bank approach in Malaysia and the
teamwork concept was apply which is the scheme must be apply in a group and not in individual. Selfadministrative
questionnaire was applied to conduct a data collection and a sample of 160 respondents
among participant from Sungai Gabai, Sungai Ramal, Sungai Chua, Sungai Tangkas, Bukit Mewah,
Semenyih and Sungai Jelok in Kajang were chosen based on stratified and simple random sampling
techniques to complete the survey. Researcher suggests the finding indicate that the high level stage in
teamwork process is forming, storming and performing stage. Only norming stage was in moderate
level. Consequently, high and positive teamwork resulted efficiencies in the microfinance group.
Teamwork with the right process can achieved positive outcome among AIM microcredit participants.
This paper examined the influence of psychosocial factors on student’s academic performance. Selfadministered
questionnaire was applied as the method of data collection and a sample of 339 students’
from five faculties/schools in Potiskum College were chosen based on stratified and simple random
sampling techniques to complete the survey. After analyzing the data collected, Person’s correlation
coefficient reflected that, there was a positive and significant correlation between the all four variables:
students’ attitudes towards lecturers, academic self-efficacy, students’-lecturers’ interaction and
academic performance. Moreover, multiple regression analysis by using stepwise method was
conducted to estimate the prediction power of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The
finding indicated that only attitude and interaction could significantly predict students’ academic
performance by R2=65.6%. Meaning academic self-efficacy failed to predict academic performance in
present study. To conclude in this study, attitude and interaction are important factors in influencing
students’ academic performance positively in Potiskum College of education, Nigeria.
This paper seeks to illustrate how empowerment theory can be applied as a critical approach which
could heighten power and capacity in community development. This is because empowerment is not
just viewed through theory or philosophy only, but as an active approach which could be applied to
enhance individual, oganizational or even communal prosperity. Many communal issues discussed by
scholars such as poverty, health, women, people with disability, single mothers, youth, leadership, organization and many others utilises the empowerment approach. This is because it is the most
effective approach in resolving issues by empowering individual or target group to take effective action
through ability and potential, which have been developed. Discussion will ensue with definition of
empowerment, which will be elucidated, with the concept of power. In the context of community
development, empowerment refers to a mechanism where individual, organization and community will
amass control on life and related issues affecting them such as economy, social, psychology and
politics. To understand this concept clearly, discussion of empowerment concept will be closely
examined to view the definition from two different dimensions, which is whether empowerment can be
ascertained as a process, benefit or outcome. By using the qualitative approach, which is through
analysing content, books, journals and other references, a few steps or process have been unearthed to
apply empowerment as an approach, which could be practiced in the context of community
development specifically in rural areas.
This paper aims to describe the activities of drug treatment and rehabilitation program at one center in
Kuala Lumpur based on the preliminary study. Treatment and rehabilitation center adopts the biopsycho
- socio – spiritual model in their recovery process. The data was collected using observation as
well as personal interviews of respondents who are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the
center. Counsellors are also interviewed to get information about treatment programs that are being
conducted. Initial research findings indicated that the approach to treatment and rehabilitation using the
Therapeutic Community has helped facilitate the drug rehabilitation process, especially during the
remodeling behavior and vocational life skills. Therefore, the results of this study indicated that the
program can be used as an alternative to drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation in this country.
This study examines the factors that influence organizational commitment among public employees in
residential colleges in the University of Malaya. A total of 100 employees representing 12 colleges
responded to the questionnaires that were designed to measure their motivation and level of
commitment. The data obtained were analyzed using correlation, analysis of variance and regression
analysis were used in order to achieve the objectives of the study. The findings of this study indicated
that there are significant and positive relationships between all factors (employment compensation,
training and development, career development and management support) with organization
commitment. Furthermore, the findings also showed a directional relationship between independent
and dependent variables by which the public employees at the colleges have positive commitment to
the organization when the management provides attractive training and development, career
development and good management support. In addition, the findings indicated that career
development was the most dominant factor influencing organizational commitment followed by
training development and job compensation. However, management support factor does not affect the
organizational commitment among public employees compared to the other factors.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a crucial scope of work in civil engineering specifically on
monitoring the in-service and ageing coastal bridge deck concrete structure serviceability and limit
state status performance. One of the possible natural process that pose detrimental effects to such
structure performance monitoring is the steel rebar pitting corrosion problem. Progressive pitting
corrosion process on the certain steel rebar area in low quality of concrete cover due to chloride
ingression will cause local premature damage the steel rebar which obviously affect the serviceability
performance of the structural element, i.e. displacement. However, the available displacement
monitoring methods become an issue when it comes to engineering practicality and costs
considerations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze the vertical
displacement of an undamaged and damage reinforced concrete beam using the digital signal
processing technology, Digital Image Correlation, (DIC) that use Sony camera and MATLAB scripts,
and compared to a traditional method, Linear Variable Displacement Transducer (LVDT) at two
points bending tests setup. It was concluded, that the quantified displacement for corrosion-damage
RC via DIC method is higher than the normal reinforced concrete beam by 2 to 46 percent of error to
LVDT measurements. Based on two tailed paired t-test analysis, DIC method was concluded to be as
good as the LVDT method of measuring the beam’s displacement. The developed method has the
potential implementation on monitoring the any beam deflection on current real civil engineering
related projects.
The aim of this study is to predict the next day PM10 concentration using Bayesian Regression with noninformative
prior and conjugate prior models. The descriptive analysis of PM10, temperature, relative humidity,
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) are also included. A case
study used two-years of air quality monitoring data at three (3) monitoring stations to predict the future PM10
concentration with seven parameters (PM10, temperature, relative humidity, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3). The descriptive
analysis showed that the highest mean PM10 concentration occurred at Klang station in 2011 (71.30 µg/m3
) followed
by 2012 (68.82 µg/m3
). The highest mean PM10 concentration was at Nilai in 2012 (68.86 µg/m3
) followed by 2011
(66.29µg/m3
) respectively. The results showed that the Bayesian regression model used a conjugate prior with a
normal-gamma prior which was a good model to predict the PM10 concentration for most study stations with (R2 =
0.67 at Jerantut station), (R2 = 0.61 at Nilai station) and (R2 = 0.66 at Klang station) respectively compared to a
non-informative prior.
Online shopping has been preferred over the conventional shopping methods as the results of hectic
lifestyles nowadays. It is a convenient way to get groceries without having to queue at the counters.
The objective of this research is to study the online shopping practices and the factors that affect it.
Apart from that, it is also to identify the difference in online shopping behaviour among selected
background factors (sex, social status, generation, ethnic, household income, education level and zone).
The populations of this research include consumers of 17 years old and above whose chosen by
convenience through mall intercept method. T-test result shows there is significant difference (t=-
3.156, p=0.001) for online shopping practice between men and women. Meanwhile, based on ANOVA result, it shows that there is significant difference between mean scores of different generation [F(3,
1298)= 3.475, p = 0.016], ethnics [F(4, 1291)= 3.678, p = 0.006] and household income [F (4, 1227)=
6.935, p = 0.000]. However, there is no significant difference among mean scores for education level,
zones and stratum (p>0.05). Apart from that, the result also indicates that only five factors taken into
consideration before a particular customer does the online shopping which are safety, products offered,
risk, trustworthy and customers experience. Thus, the sellers should approach their customers in
different ways in order to meet the demand, hence expanding their bussiness.
his paper presents the structure and static model of engine camshaft analysis. For the purposes of this analysis, the finite element method is used. Camshaft is one of the critical components for effective and precise work of internal combustion engines. This camshaft rotates at high speed causing pressure and vibration in the system. Camshafts are also subject to varying fatigue burden due to cam plunger contact. These precise values are required to be determined to prevent failure in the camshaft. The objective of the project is to model and to perform pressure analysis on the camshaft machine. In this project the standard engine cam shafts are modeled and analyzed using the CATIA V5R21 software respectively. This model is created by the basic requirements of the engine. It is done with an existing background, such as the power of acting on cam by means of a valve while running at maxi mum speed. Here the approach becomes fully CAE based. CAE - based approaches enrich Research and limit the time span. A study was conducted to predict the behavior of the different camshafts structure of the material using the finite three - dimensional pressure of the element. Four types of materials such as Steel, Titanium, Aluminum and Magnesium are taken into account. FEA Stress and maximum displacement decisions are calculated and compared to all of the above materials. The conclusion is to focus on the material suitable for the camshaft to reduce the maximum displacement and weight. Titanium materials become the best material for camshaft manufacturing based on analysis.
Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is the mainstay treatment for massive haemoptysis. Herein we briefly discuss the tips and tricks of super-selective embolization of bronchial artery using N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA). Based on our experience, this technique produces a better resolution and exhibit high non- recurrence rate in the treatment of massive haemoptysis.
Unemployment issue is becoming a factor which causes relapses especially among former drug addicts
that has undergone rehabilitation. Therefore, this paperwork seek to unfold and discuss degree of
relationships between introvert and extrovert personality with career interest according to six RIASEC
major field to drug addicts. Research objective are to identify the relationship between introvert and
extrovert personality with career interest among drug addicts in Sabah. Most of the respondent in
treatment center has no knowledge about their own personality in career development especially after
finishing treatment thus causing relapse due to failure of getting the right employment for themselves.
It is considered serious due to economic and life instability are one of the factor which contribute to
relapse among drug addicts. Occupation or career selection are constantly highlighted as one of the
major problem in former drug addict life. This shows that a careful career selection needs to be done. Career process are also continuous process of involvement to help self-development especially in line
of job they do. Therefore, it is hopeful that this research could give valuable impact and use to drug
addicts rehabilitation authority with implementation of career guidance to clients hence assisting them
in making effective career choice in the future.
Cement industry contributes to the major constituent of airborne dust in the atmosphere. This study aims to determine the level of respirable cement dust exposure associated with workers’ respiratory health. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 84 administration workers as the comparative group and 84 manufacturing workers as the exposed group. Method: A set of validated questionnaires was used to obtain some pertained background information as well as respiratory symptoms among the respondents. Personal Air Sampling Pump was used for assessing personal exposure towards cement dust in 8 hours. For lung function performance, a Spirometry test was carried out and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) test was conducted to assess airway inflammation. Results: The median for personal exposure level to respirable dust of manufacturing workers was 2.68 (5.90) mg/m3 with range 0.351 to 10.60 mg/m3. The lung function abnormality among the manufacturing workers was FVC% (PR=3.82, 95% CI=1.52-9.58) and FEV1% (PR=5.16, 95% CI=1.65-16.10). Cough was reported to occur the most likely among the manufacturing workers (PR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12-5.15). After adjusting the smoking status, the prevalence of phlegm and cough were 35.7% and 29.8% respectively. 16.7% of manufacturing workers recorded a high level of FENO. The increasing exposure to respirable dust significantly reduces the FVC% of manufacturing workers (r=-0.36, p=0.05). Conclusion: The personal exposure to respirable cement dust increases the risk of lung impairment by highly developing respiratory health symptoms, reducing lung function level and increasing the higher level of airway inflammation among highly exposed workers.