UMT Journal Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
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SEAKEEPING PERFORMANCE OF A HYDROFOIL IN WAVES USING CFD APPROACH
No full textHydrofoil usually experiences high resistance and excessive vertical motions (heave and pitch) that may affect the passenger’s comfort due to the harsh environmental condition. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate seakeeping performance of a hydrofoil ship in waves due to the presence of a complex hydrodynamic phenomenon. To achieve this objective, an analysis of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) approach on a hydrofoil ship motion is proposed. Several parameters such as Froude Number and foil angle of attack have been taken into account. The results revealed that the subsequent increase of Froude Number was inversely proportional to the heave and pitch motions. Inherently, these have led to an upgrade of hydrofoil seakeeping performances presented in the form of high Response Amplitude Operators (RAO). Furthermore, the increasing angle of the foil bow was proportional to the heave motion while for the foil stern, 7.5o showed lower heave motion, then followed by 5o and 10o respectively. For the pitch motion, the increase of foil bow was lower at 5o then followed by 10o and 7.5o. The increase of the foil stern was proportional to the pitch motion experiences by a hydrofoil. In general, this CFD simulation is very beneficial to ensure operational effectiveness of hydrofoil design in high sea states with respect to the aforementioned design parameter
ADJUSTABLE ANTENNA USING PLASMA MEDIUM
No full textPlasma antenna is a type of radio antenna in which plasma is used instead of the metal elements of a traditional antenna. One of the advantages of using plasma antenna is it can improve conventional devices in terms of switching (on/off) the antenna using plasma generator, which could make it invisible to the radar. In addition, when antenna conductivity can be controlled through manipulation of plasma parameters, an adjustable antenna can be designed. The aims of this research are to design and simulate plasma antenna using CST software, and subsequently determine the characteristics of plasma antenna with different neon pressure applied (10, 15, 20 Torr). The custom-made cylindrical discharge tube shape with the length and diameter of 160 mm and 10 mm was used. The research focuses on simulation in obtaining antenna parameters while conducting an experimental work to obtain electrical parameters which are needed in calculating the plasma parameters. The discharge tube shape was designed and simulated using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) that can generate antenna parameters such as return loss, gain, directivity and radiation pattern. The simulation result shows the radiation pattern of discharge tube as omni-directional and it gives neon discharge at 20 Torr that has the best performance in return loss at -24.490250 dB, compared to neon at 15 and 10 Torr which have lower values at -21.578 dB and -13.901 dB respectively. In terms of gain and directivity, neon at 10 Torr has the highest value, which is 2.688 dB and 5.437 dBi, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that when gas pressure is increased, the antenna gains decreases. Neon discharge at a middle pressure of 15 Torr is considered to provide a good antenna gain and give effective signal transmission compared to lower pressure of 15 and higher pressure of 20 Torr
EFFECTS OF UV-C RADIATION IN DELAYING RIPENING OF BERANGAN BANANA (Musa sp. AAA Berangan)
No full textBanana has a short storage life and is classified under climacteric fruit that produces enough ethylene in changing physico-chemical characteristics, including colour, texture, aroma, chemical composition, respiration rate and senescence. Besides that, the presence of microbes also contributes to the postharvest losses which can be reduced by implementing various postharvest management practices that are currently in practice all over the world. Research has been done in delaying ripening and maintaining the quality of banana such as hot water treatment, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging and postharvest chemical treatments such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid or oxalic acid. However, not many focus on non-chemical method such as UV-C radiation. In line with that, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of UV-C radiation in delaying ripening and maintaining the postharvest quality of Berangan banana. Five treatments of UV-C radiation were used viz. 0.000 kJ/m², 0.004 kJ/m², 0.008 kJ/m², 0.012 kJ/m² and 0.016 kJ/m² with three replications. Postharvest parameters evaluated were percentage of weight loss (%), skin colour, starch pattern index (SPI), fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC). The application of UV-C radiation did not significantly affect all postharvest parameters of treated Berangan bananas. However, UV-C radiation at 0.008 kJ/m2 tended to show the lower percentage weight loss and SPI score. In conclusion, 0.008 kJ/m² of UV-C radiation could be applied to delay ripening and maintaining other quality attributes of Berangan bananas. In addition, 0.008 kJ/m² UV-C also able to prolong the shelf life of Berangan bananas stored at 26±2°C/75% relative humidity up to nine days
REVIVING THE KLANG VALLEY ECONOMY DURING PANDEMIC THROUGH DIGITALISATION OF THE MARITIME LOGISTICS INDUSTRY: Article 3
No full textThe maritime logistics industry is an international business ecosystem and backbone of Malaysia’s economic development. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a drastic decline of industries all over the world, which may take a very long time to recover. This paper discusses the digital transformation of the maritime logistics industry based in the Klang Valley of Peninsular Malaysia as a strategic plan to improve existing business processes and make it resilient in face of the challenges brought on by the pandemic. We evaluated the digitalisation practices of maritime logistics companies to identify enablers that can help restore the economy as the industry tries to move on under the shadow of COVID-19. The Fuzzy Delphi (FD) method is used to collect and analyse data based on the response of 18 experts with more than five years of industry experience. A total of 15 key enablers were determined and ranked in terms of priority, with the top three being changes in the long-term industry growth rate, marketing innovation and implementation of digital platforms. These key enablers may then be used to develop good strategies to enhance competitiveness and build the resilience of this sector against the disruptions brought on by the pandemic
DETERMINANTS OF PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG STUDENTS
No full textThis paper examines the determinants of pro-environmental behaviour among university students. It uses the theory of planned behaviour in determining the factors that lead to such behaviour. The determinants consist of environmental awareness, psychological factors (motivation, moral norms, perceived behavioural control and attitude), environmental knowledge and personality traits (agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience). Data was collected using convenience sampling through self-administered surveys and online forms distributed to 400 students in a public university in Malaysia. Data was subjected to construct validity and reliability analysis. The findings highlighted that motivation, agreeableness and perceived behavioural control were positively related to the practice of pro-environmental behaviour, whereas environmental awareness, moral norms, attitude and environmental knowledge were negatively related. Some personality traits, namely neuroticism, openness to experience, conscientiousness and extraversion, did not show any significant relationship with the practice of pro-environmental behaviour. This study provides a scope to improvise and incorporate environmental practices into the habits of students by aligning their goals with the universities’ dimensions, including curriculum, campus operation, research and outreach activities. The results could make an important contribution in establishing a sustained green culture through a new university paradigm
A SURVEY OF CIVET CATS IN A SEMI-URBAN HABITAT IN TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA
No full textMalaysia is home to 11 civet cat species. However, there is not much information regarding these viverrids, especially in semi-urban areas. Thus, a survey of civet cats was conducted in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), a semi-urban area in one of the east coast states. UMT was chosen as it has an attractive semi-urban habitat as there are mangroves and a beach in the area. A 30- cage trapping method was utilised in the seven-month survey, beginning September 2009 until January 2010. A total of 13 individuals of the common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) were captured, consisting of an individual male and 12 females. From the 13 individuals, seven were adults and the remaining were juveniles. Banana was found to be the most preferred bait as 12 individuals (92.3%) were caught in the banana-baited trap while the salted fish bait only procured one adult female (7.7%). The study indicates that although a forest-dwelling species, the common palm civet is able to adapt to urbanization and habitat disturbance. More studies are needed to determine the common palm civet distribution, home range and population sizes in Terengganu for baseline data of the species
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs) DERIVED FROM 3,5-PYRIDINEDICARBOXYLIC ACID
No full textReaction between 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid with four different metal salts which are cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate, cobalt acetate, zinc acetate hydrate and nickel chloride produced four novel metal organic frameworks (MOFs), with general formula given by elemental analysis as {(CdLNO3.2H2O)CH3OH}n, {(CoL.2H2O)}n, {(ZnL.2H2O)}n and {(NiL.Cl2))}n (where L=C7H5NO4), respectively. These MOFs were synthesized using solvothermal techniques and fully characterized by using combination of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen Analyzer (CHN Analyzer). In the FTIR spectra of the MOFs, metal oxide bond peaks were identified at 1393 cm-1, 586 cm-1, 424 cm-1 and 471 cm-1 for Cd-O, Co-O, Zn-O and Ni-O, respectively. Characterization using Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) was unsuccessful due to limited solubility of MOFs in many solvents
STUDY ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF STINGLESS BEE (Heterotrigona itama) IN TERENGGANU
No full textStingless bee, Heterotrigona itama is one of the most important and effective insect pollinators of many plant species. They can be found in the tropical rain forest where they build their nest in the living trees. This study was conducted to measure the morphological characteristic of H. itama from two different populations which were TKPM (Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan) Kampung Peradong, Manir (A) and Big Bee Honey, Merchang (B), Terengganu. 20 individuals of H. itama adults were taken from each population by using insect net. The external morphologies such as body length, head, abdomen, thorax, leg, tibia, forewing, hindwing and antenna were measured by using DinoLite 2.0. The measurements were recorded and the mean ± standard deviation and range of the measurement data were analysed. Based on Mann-Whitney test, there were significant differences for population B of H. itama in mean of head length (p=0.0016; p<0.05), head width (p=0.0022; p<0.05) and thorax width (p=0.0445; p<0.05). However, there was no difference in body colour for H. itama of both populations. H. itama of population B has a larger segmented body with the range of head length at 1.179 mm to 2.152 mm, head width 1.743 mm to 2.557 mm, and thorax width 1.809 mm to 2.329 mm. For future research, it is suggested that this study can look into the genetic status of this species
PROACTIVE SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES BY MALAYSIAN FEEDER SERVICE COMPANIES IN THE DISRUPTIVE ERA: Article 2
No full textFeeder services play a significant role in Malaysian shipping economy. A total of 87.5 per cent of feeder companies have established themselves in Port Klang, as their focal point of service, while the remaining 12.5 per cent have chosen neighbouring Singapore Port as their base. Recently, the industry players have faced many challenges, such as hyper-competition, price wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, and threats of bankruptcy, which leads to the situation known as the disruptive era. While plenty of studies have discussed the issues of feeder services by focusing on the “hub and spoke” design, route design and environmental context, there is lack of research on proactive sustainable approach in the case of Malaysia feeder services. As a result, this paper reviews the impact of the United States-China trade war, COVID-19 pandemic and hyper-competition among feeder service companies in Malaysia. An extensive literature review and online interviews are conducted with feeder service operators, government agencies and port authorities, and the data analysed using Thematic Analysis. The results show that offering competitive freight rates, reliable services and alliance between feeder operators are important in business sustainability. Meanwhile, unstable oil prices, high chartering costs and less creativity in problem-solving are factors that reduce business sustainability. This paper hopes to assist feeder service operators, researchers and government agencies in understanding and planning sustainable strategies for the industry in the disruptive era
FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMERS IN USING SHOPEE FOR ONLINE PURCHASE INTENTION IN EAST COAST MALAYSIA
No full textShopee online has become increasingly popular among consumers for purchasing purposes as compared to brick-and-mortar retail due to the benefits and enjoyment that come with it. However, Shopee has facing intense competitive challenges with other competitors in Malaysia. In addition, it is also difficult for Shopee to compete with major leader of online shopping portal although this platform offers the same function and usage as its contender. Hence, it is important to understand consumer perceptions on the benefit and intention of using Shopee. This study examines consumer perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived price, perceived convenience and perceived trust adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). 208 respondents who have experience online purchasing in East Cost of Malaysia were invited to participate in this study using online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses. The findings show that perceived convenience and perceived trust have strong influence towards consumer intention to use Shopee as platform to do online purchase. It is suggested that this study will help practitioners to understand consumer online shopping perception and intention in order to induce visitation and usage of Shopee